To A World of Darkness (IC 1)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: RSGAlex on 28-06-2013, 04:31:49</h2>
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				Title: <strong>To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>28-06-2013, 04:31:49</strong>
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				Long have philosophers, priests, and princes argued about the nature of power. Divisions such as hard power, soft power, implied power, explicit power, all kinds of divisions, for power was a nebulous thing. Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met in a room, and that room was filled with power.<br><br><em>A light switches on, illuminating what is, creating shadows, banishing darkness.</em><br><br>Many times the call came. This time, when it came, opportunity also came with it. In many newspapers there was a strange ad. Strange figures, unseen on the face of the world, proclaiming some message that was lost upon the world.<br><br>Which was just as well. The intended number of recipients of the message were few. The numbers that could understand it, unexpectedly high.<br><br>And soon, a paradisaical island would be home to one of the unquestioned greatest gatherings of power, of all kinds, as the Chosen would walk upon its shores.<br><br><em>Upon this fallen world, what shall the onetime masters of Creation write upon history?</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>28-06-2013, 04:44:50</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>One week ago, Valerie Kyleson had sent out a message throughout the newspapers.&nbsp; Although not overly complex, it was written in Old Realm so that only those who had gone through the same experience she did would be able to understand.&nbsp; The special script had required a full-page ad, but she could afford it.<br><br>"My name is Valerie Kyleson, Dawn of the Unconquered Sun.&nbsp; I know that others are out there like me.&nbsp; Come to the hotel of Respita and let's meet.&nbsp; If you can't afford a ticket, give the message that the sun rises on the just and the unjust alike, and fare will be provided."<br><br>A bit dangerous, but it still seemed like the best way she could imagine to bring in new people.&nbsp; She'd never exactly been inconspicuous in any case.&nbsp; If something did come, then certainly having all of her Heartwings there along with the new associates would provide plenty of opportunity to deal with it.<br><br>At ten in the morning, one of the meeting rooms had been mostly emptied out except for the Dawn.&nbsp; The strange glyphs had been added to the notes on the meeting area in order to point the way.&nbsp; Various drinks were already set up, separated by levels of alcohol for those who did and didn't like to indulge, along with fresh fruits and a number of other hors d'oeuvres.&nbsp; The least she could do was to do her best to be a good host.<br><br>She was dressed pretty casually, with a T-shirt covering a bikini, other than for the orichalcum.&nbsp; Braces engraved with praises to the Unconquered Sun adorned her wrists, and boots of the golden metal replaced any conventional footwear.&nbsp; She preoccupied herself with an orichalcum necklace, trying to figure out what was wrong with it of late.
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>28-06-2013, 22:18:06</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div><br>Wang Xiaoxing was a careful consumer of foreign news sources.&nbsp; They could be trusted to be more accurate on the unpleasantness in the country, but their precision left something to be desired; she knew she was biased, but she didn't always trust others to recognize that-- and strange unknown scripts were something that most of the Party's own media distributors were unlikely to reprint.&nbsp; She almost didn't see the full-page spread in the newspapers for that reason-- but what she did catch was the small internet buzz that cropped up around the same strange message appearing in so many places.&nbsp; Was it a viral marketing campaign?&nbsp; Was it someone playing a trick on the rest of the world?<br><br>Her curiosity was briefly piqued, so she decided to look at it.&nbsp; Since her Moment, she'd become extremely good with codes and ciphers.&nbsp; What was one more?&nbsp; But then, to her shock and alarm, she found the iconographs weren't any more a code than her own native language.&nbsp; It was a message, a call, a summoning...<br><br>And a sign that she was Not Alone.<br><br>She had obligations here, but she also had the burning need to know.&nbsp; She'd always had the burning need to know.&nbsp; Surely they would be okay if she let things be for a little while...<br><br>And so, with three false identities (complete with disguises that were definitely Not Her) and a not-inconsequential expenditure of her cash-on-hand, she left China for the brave new world, in a hotel on a little island she'd never heard of before last week.&nbsp; The iconographs had guided her here to a large room.&nbsp; She only had the vaguest sense of what she was getting into when she stepped inside, wearing the most beachy touristy things she could get her hands on-- hair pulled back in a ponytail, a pink halter top, white capri slacks, thong sandals, dangly plastic bracelets, and a pair of reflective sunglasses perched on her head.<br><br>For a bit, after she saw the snack spread, she wondered if she had accidentally stepped into the wrong room.&nbsp; But there was someone else here in similarly downscale clothing, and so Xiaoxing drew her confidence back up and moved more boldly inside.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>29-06-2013, 04:45:01</strong>
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				Mika knew that moving her base of operation was a big risk but things would have been far worse if she stayed. The Falcones where moving far faster than she was prepared for and she to get her girls someplace safer. <br><br>Perhaps it was luck or even destiny that guided her to this little island but either way she was thankful. Now she would have the time she needed to plan her revenge. Not to mention the volcano made a nice base of operations as well as providing her with much needed materials.<br><br>Giving some last minute instructions to her lieutenants Mika makes her way to the island hotel. Valerie had said that the others should be arriving soon and was hoping that she would be there to greet them.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>02-07-2013, 22:51:52</strong>
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				Of course, a strange message sent out to so many places couldn't help but receive attention from more than the intended audience.<br><br>Most of it would come to naught, as the old language couldn't be decrypted by normal means. Such a small sample was simply stacking impossibilities upon impossibilities.<br><br>Aged vampires would hear of it, and wonder, whose move was this? Or perhaps whose feint was it?<br><br>The mystic ones, the lightning ones, would search for meaning. Some would find it too late, others would find their own inspiration in the strange words.<br><br>The eldest of the Wyld ones would shudder, some primal memory half-remembered, and be driven to some incomprehensible action.<br><br>The changing ones would note it, but find nothing, for even those that were called the Memory of Gaia did not know.<br><br>But, there was a small group not Exalted, and each of those beings could read and understand. Several would not care for the acts of the Chosen in this strange new world, unless the Exalted were to interfere with the plans of the old immortals. Several would try and avoid the Exalted, for fear of enslavement or destruction.<br><br>And a few would make arrangements to interfere directly.
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>03-07-2013, 04:34:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>The appearance of someone else brought Valerie's attention via her Judge's Ear Technique, spending personal essence so as not to draw undue attention.&nbsp; Such had simply become habit when making new introductions, since a leader just needed to know what was going on.&nbsp; A strange thought occurred to her then: she might not stay leader for long.&nbsp; With Solars so easily adapting to anything, she couldn't help but briefly wonder if someone else would be even more talented than her with a command structure.<br><br>Still, she didn't have time to stop and consider.&nbsp; She stood up and gave a smile.&nbsp; "Hey.&nbsp; I'm Valerie.&nbsp; I see you saw my notice in the paper?"&nbsp; At least the other girl seemed similarly nervous.&nbsp; Hopefully she'd done the right thing in putting out the notice to draw everyone together.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>04-07-2013, 07:26:17</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>The Chinese woman bowed slightly from the waist when the other one rose to her feet, and after a moment's hesitation, continued closer.&nbsp; "It is nice to meet you, Valerie," she says, offering a small smile of her own.&nbsp; "My name is Xiaoxing, and yes, I did.&nbsp; I don't know what cipher that was written in, or even what language it was in, or even a strong idea of what a Dawn of the Unconquered Sun is, but..."<br><br>She trailed off for a moment, placing her hand over her heart.&nbsp; "At least part of that notion is familiar to me.&nbsp; Here.&nbsp; Within."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>04-07-2013, 16:55:48</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie couldn't help but smile.&nbsp; She remembered how confused she was at the start, and from her perspective, the only way someone could innately know without being a spirit or something was to be like her.&nbsp; It would take time for her to discover how wrong she was.<br><br>"I think I know exactly how to put your mind at ease," she said, returning the bow politely.&nbsp; "If I'm right, you know how to do something like this."&nbsp; A glyph appeared upon her forehead, one innately understood as a Dawn, shining brightly with the force of the sun.&nbsp; "I doubt your caste mark looks exactly like this one, at least according to my old notes, but I'll bet it's something like this."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>05-07-2013, 08:29:04</strong>
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				Xiaoxing's eyes widened immediately, seeing the sunburst insignia-- an immediately-recognizable light of recognition.&nbsp; "I had thought the sign was the ignition of my upper meridian," she marvelled, gaze riveted to Valerie's forehead.&nbsp; She paused a moment, then passed her own hand in front of her face; in the wake of her fingers shone a solid golden circle, glowing softly on her brow.&nbsp; "Different, yes," she admitted, breaking into a crooked smile, "but how many other people in all the world can do something like this in the first place?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>05-07-2013, 12:30:45</strong>
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				“Hey Val, I guess this must be one of the new arrivals you mentioned.” &nbsp;Mika says as she enters the room. <br><br>Turning to look over at the new arrival Mika gives her a confident grin as she holds out her hand. “Hello it's nice to meet you. I'm Nakamura Mikako but you can just call me Mika. As to your question about how many can pull off&nbsp; that little trick I'd say not many.” she says as her own cast mark softly glows.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>05-07-2013, 13:10:06</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie didn't laugh or take the surprise at the other's expense.&nbsp; She knew how surprising and confusing it all was and would still be just as lost without the journals.&nbsp; "From what I understand, there's five," she said.&nbsp; "Yours is Zenith, the priests and oftentimes leaders for the masses."<br><br>Noticing Mika, she gave a wave.&nbsp; "Hey, Mika.&nbsp; This is Xiaoxing.&nbsp; Anyway, my main reason for bringing as many of us as possible together is that we should effectively have the power to change the world.&nbsp; Dawns are very good at fighting and tactical warfare, but even if I took down every dictator in the world, I couldn't stop others from just taking their place.&nbsp; There's also Twilight, the scholars and crafters, and Eclipse, the diplomats and negotiators."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>05-07-2013, 13:17:10</strong>
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				“And from what I understand I am a night.” &nbsp;she says as she lets her caste mark fade. “We are sort of the James Bond of the group.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>06-07-2013, 05:00:32</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>Xiaoxing nods slowly, letting this sink in.&nbsp; "When you say 'we'," she said, glancing from Valerie to the new face Mika and back again, "do you know if that means an individual is not unique within their own... caste mark, you said?&nbsp; And are there any clues as to <em>why</em> this has been happening?&nbsp; Or even what the Unconquered Sun is?"<br><br>Questions questions questions.&nbsp; The curiosity evinced in her voice is underlaid with a certain serious urgency, though.
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>06-07-2013, 07:27:35</strong>
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				Dr. Alberto Casa was a very busy man, and he didn't always have time to read the newspapers.&nbsp; It was fortunate that he was between assignments at the time -- fortunate, or perhaps just fate, not that he knew enough to believe in any such thing.<br><br>And of course he couldn't be sure of the message's source.&nbsp; But ignoring it certainly wasn't an option.&nbsp; Passing up the best chance he'd seen to fill in the gaps of his strange memories was practically unthinkable, no matter how awkward it was explaining to family and colleagues where he was headed.<br><br>The tall Spaniard was dressed more or less casually, but also neatly enough -- a white polo shirt, khaki slacks, brown shoes, facial hair neatly trimmed -- compared to how he often ended up in the field.&nbsp; His medical bag was slung over one shoulder as he walked into the hotel, glancing around before following the signs.&nbsp; Alberto straightened up as he entered the meeting room, clearing his throat politely.&nbsp; "Pardon me.&nbsp; I hope I'm not interrupting...?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>06-07-2013, 17:15:10</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=178166.msg8518621#msg8518621">Quote from: Jarick on 06-07-2013, 05:00:32</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Xiaoxing nods slowly, letting this sink in.&nbsp; "When you say 'we'," she said, glancing from Valerie to the new face Mika and back again, "do you know if that means an individual is not unique within their own... caste mark, you said?&nbsp; And are there any clues as to <em>why</em> this has been happening?&nbsp; Or even what the Unconquered Sun is?"<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>"To be honest, I'm not sure," she said.&nbsp; "The journals I left myself didn't even fully match up to this world.&nbsp; It sounded like that there there were many more of each type, but I won't be surprised if only one of each type came to Earth.&nbsp; From what it sounded like, though, the Unconquered Sun was an old and powerful god that lived above the other world."<br><br>As the doctor came in, she gave him a polite nod, her caste mark still shining upon her brow.&nbsp; "I'm Valerie Kyleson," she said.&nbsp; "By any chance do you have one of these?"&nbsp; She tapped next to her forehead.
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>09-07-2013, 06:03:35</strong>
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				He smiled thinly.&nbsp; "Yes, it seems I'm in the right place."&nbsp; A heartbeat later, the mark of the setting sun flared into existence on his brow, and he walked forward to offer Valerie a handshake, nodding to the others in the room as well.&nbsp; "Alberto Casa.&nbsp; It's very nice to meet you."<br><br>His gaze was already tracking down to the orichalcum necklace, as his memories stirred.
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>10-07-2013, 13:01:14</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>She accepted the handshake and smiled.&nbsp; "I was hoping we'd get at least four of us, though I didn't have huge expectations for it."<br><br>Upon seeing his gaze on her necklace, she paused for a moment in consideration, then removed it to let him see.&nbsp; "Normally it creates wings," she said, "but it's been a little goofy lately.&nbsp; There's these darn blotches that have been forming that you can rub off so I don't know if that means anything."&nbsp; The magitech device clearly needs some more maintenance than she knows how to give.&nbsp; "I want it back, of course," she added with a touch of nervousness in her voice.<br><br>Her next words were to the group.&nbsp; "Anyway, four of us should be more than enough to change the world.&nbsp; I suggest we start by getting rid of the various dictators, which I and my team can do if someone knows how to replace them."
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>11-07-2013, 02:16:13</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>With the arrival of the fourth and the shifting of the spotlight from her to the other arrival, Xiaoxing had briefly retreated to one of the refreshment tables, finding something that looked reasonably tasty, and poured herself a glass full of it.&nbsp; There was some mental math to do: four of five possible had seen that message, meaning that if there was wholeness in unity to be had...<br><br>Then she fully processed what had just been said, and turned, slowly, mid-juice sip.&nbsp; "You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?" Xiaoxing asked, one eyebrow quirked.&nbsp; "This wasn't just a meeting to gather and greet like-gifted individuals..."
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>12-07-2013, 02:31:39</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"That table has alcoholic drinks and that one doesn't," she told Xiaoxing as the Zenith went over.&nbsp; "I didn't know what everyone would want so I just went with it."<br><br>The question, however, made her smile with a touch of embarrassment.&nbsp; "Well, I hope," she replied.&nbsp; "There's a lot I want to do but I don't really know how to settle it.&nbsp; If I took out a dictator, they'd just have someone else in within a week and it wouldn't really help people.&nbsp; I kinda figure that we all have the responsibility to do what we can to help the world."&nbsp; Feeling a little self-conscious, she shrugged.&nbsp; "Of course, this can just be a meet and greet if people want..."
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				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>12-07-2013, 09:11:11</strong>
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				"No, by all means-- let's consider it."&nbsp; A smile plays on Xiaoxing's face as she finishes the rest of her sip of tasty fruity juice blend, shifting the glass fully into one hand.&nbsp; "There are already many who consider me something of a radical for attempting to bring back proper priorities to the government of the Mainland," she continues, somewhere between amused and intrigued.&nbsp; "It might be satisfying to take on a smaller target as a proof of concept...<br><br>"You're right in that tactically-applied violence to key figure heads will not be enough," she continues, thinking aloud, swirling the liquid in the glass as she begins pacing out a wide circle.&nbsp; "Anyone with a stake in the status quo would mobilize to reassert it.&nbsp; Remnants of a previous oligarchy.&nbsp; Foreign governments with iself-centered nterventionist policies.&nbsp; Take your pick&nbsp; What needs to happen on a systemic level is either a re-invention of their economies, or a re-evaluation of their self-identity-- or possibly both-- and it would be essential to solicit the participation of the population we're trying to liberate."<br><br>Xiaoxing pauses long enough to take a pull from her glass.&nbsp; Political theory hadn't been something she'd really put much attention to in the course of her schooling; she was somewhat surprised she remembered things as clearly as she did.&nbsp; "I'm a ways from being anything close to an economist," she adds, another brief smirk on her lips, "but I would consider myself relatively persuasive enough to agitate the suffering into action.&nbsp; The PRC has already issued very public warrants for my arrest for that particular sin, as it happens..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>14-07-2013, 07:00:35</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie listened, and although most of the discussion went over her head, she certainly agreed.&nbsp; "I don't really know a lot about how it all works," she admitted.&nbsp; "If you know where pressure needs to be applied in China, I can most likely get that done.&nbsp; I'm a very good fighter and can train an army to be fighters as well in a matter of months, although I don't know Mandarin and would need a translator as well as someone who knows things well enough to fix the government and get everything better."&nbsp; She nodded.&nbsp; "I'll be happy to help with that if you'd like me to."<br><br>She mixed herself up one of the alcoholic mango drinks, though she only slowly nursed it.&nbsp; "I already have a group which helps keep peace on the island: the Heartwings.&nbsp; I prefer to pick out the people individually by talking to them and making sure they aren't the type to abuse their abilities, but if I had to teach a mob the basics, I suppose it's possible.&nbsp; Incapacitating the leaders would be much easier than storming the whole place, though, and without needlessly hurting people."&nbsp; It seemed Valerie didn't like unnecessary bloodshed.&nbsp; "You may or may not already have a plan in that regard."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>14-07-2013, 11:51:01</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"...therein lies the problem, at least with the People's Republic."<br><br>Xiaoxing's expression falls visibly as she turns about, walking the other way.&nbsp; "At this point, there is no single target that can be struck down in a worthwhile fashion," she says, shaking her head.&nbsp; "The Party may have a head, and it may have officials, but to use force to exterminate it would be to tempt worse things to arise in their place.&nbsp; My people still remember European oppression and the Manchurians before them.&nbsp; There would still be much work to do before a foreign power could be seen as liberators, or before the many fingers of the old guard would be prevented from returning... no, for now, if we are to task ourselves with making the world a better place, better that we test our methods and our reach."<br><br>Her fingers drum on the cup for a moment.&nbsp; "There are several... third-world countries, I believe is the phrase, that could stand for guidance and a firm hand.&nbsp; Myanmar and North Korea, to start.&nbsp; Many nations in Africa.&nbsp; Some of the nations in Eastern Europe that are still struggling beneath the weight of the Soviets even twenty years later... does anyone else have a personal cause they would want put forward?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>17-07-2013, 04:58:19</strong>
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				"Ah...of course, it's a <em>'wings of the raptor,'</em>" Dr. Casa murmured, slipping momentarily into Old Realm as he examined the necklace, faint recognition in his eyes.&nbsp; "I think I have some idea of the problem, although it would hardly be simple to fix an item like this..."&nbsp; He handed it back.<br><br>His eyebrows rose at the sudden talk of replacing dictators.&nbsp; <em>Well, this escalated quickly.</em><br><br>"I suppose I know a thing or two about economics and organization," he admitted candidly.&nbsp; "But I must admit that cleaning up after a power vacuum would be...considerably beyond anything I've ever tried to manage."&nbsp; Alberto selected an apple from one table and took a thoughtful bite.&nbsp; "I could name a few...ah...potential targets in Africa.&nbsp; I have colleagues who have seen many more, of course.&nbsp; I suppose I'm biased insofar as I happen to speak Kinyarwanda passably well, but we certainly have options if we need a...test case."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>17-07-2013, 05:24:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie listened as the others made suggestions, and it became clearer that Valerie hadn't really thought things out beyond the specific point that they had to do something.&nbsp; She accepted the artifact back with a smile.&nbsp; "Yeah, it does make wings," she said.&nbsp; "If you want to look at it at some point, I'd appreciate it, but it's okay if you're busy.&nbsp; I'm still hoping I can figure it out somehow..."<br><br>She shook her head to return to the task at hand.&nbsp; At least she had people moving in what felt in her heart like the right direction.&nbsp; That much of it wasn't her forte, though, but she could at least trust these two.<br><br>It was funny how everyone seemed a little more like friends now that she knew they were all Solars too.&nbsp; The loneliness of being the only one with ultimate power was lifting.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>17-07-2013, 20:48:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"I would be willing to defer to your judgement in this."&nbsp; Xiaoxing bows from the waist.&nbsp; "I am not as current as I would like to be on the fabrics of that part of the world, outside the fact that the People's Republic has ventured towards... economic imperialism in the region, of the past five years.&nbsp; I don't of yet know any of the languages there, though I suspect with a bit of study..."<br><br>She trails off, then smirks to herself.&nbsp; "I would have to revise my usual tactics, but I've learned to improvise since my purported Enlightenment.&nbsp; If you have someplace to suggest, Mr. Casa, then by all means..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>21-07-2013, 07:23:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course, such a gathering of power couldn't possibly go unnoticed in this fallen world. Most of it was wholly ignorant of what was being followed. Hungry power seekers or unknowing world preservers alike had a small inkling of ... things not right. That a tapestry that they'd known by feel was changed, but could not see the reds and golds, only feel where it had been.<br><br>More worrying were a few beasts of the old world. They knew. They had plans. But they tread lightly, for it could be that any among the new Princes of Creation could end them utterly. And in this fallen world, where even the lowest of the ranks of Malfean society was a powerhouse, none wished to face such injuries.<br><br>The knowing spirit and the unknowing mortals alike would both be woefully unprepared for what awaited them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>23-07-2013, 18:12:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“ I think we need to start on a smaller scale after-all trying to topple a government takes whole lot information, resources, and training.” &nbsp;Mika finally says as she pours a glass of fruit juice. “Heck I've been spending the last few years just trying to topple a crime family and still haven't succeeded yet.”<br><br>Taking a sip of her juice she gives a satisfied sigh before continuing. “Anyway I suggest we start small and work our way up. We need to gather resources, train troops, gather Intel, etc. Also once we commit to the attack we need to be aware that it could get dragged out and the other powers that be could end up joining in as well.” &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>24-07-2013, 02:16:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Oh, a crime family should be seriously easy, as well as a great way to get some practice," Valerie replied.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Although I doubt most other powers that be would be able to cause too much trouble.&nbsp; I've seen one of the minor spirits about from the original Solars and he was worried I might beat him up just because I could."&nbsp; She shrugged.&nbsp; "Do mobsters have meetings like in the movies?&nbsp; It should be simple enough to crash one of those, knock them out and bring them in for the cops.&nbsp; Intimidation and speaking to the jury on behalf of the defense should keep them from just bribing their way out and hiring the best lawyers."<br><br>She shrugged.&nbsp; "Failing that, take out the leaders and the organizations should quickly crumble even if we can't get them to give up their subordinates."&nbsp; It didn't seem to make sense to her that it would be all that difficult.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>24-07-2013, 02:38:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lan-Mei gave a small chuckle as she looks over at Valerie. “It seems I might have not explained the point very well.”<br><br>Taking a sip of her juice to give her time to gather her thoughts she finally speaks. “Sure we can go and just take out the leaders but someone is going to fill that void. After all it's a crime family and a very powerful one at that. So instead we need to take over the family and use them for our own purposes. Which by the way is no different than what we would have to do when overthrowing a country.” &nbsp;<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>24-07-2013, 19:40:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"Organized crime is like... a hydra, I believe it's called," Xiaoxing murmured in agreement.&nbsp; "It is not enough to decapitate the beast.&nbsp; The circumstances that allowed the criminal family to exist must either be changed, or the organization itself must be converted into a more benign one that will resist future encroachment..."<br><br>She let the thought hang in the air for a bit, then turned to face the other woman.&nbsp; "You said you have been trying to take down an organized crime family, yes?" she ventured.&nbsp; "Can you tell us about the group-- where they are, how many there are, and what you've been thus far lacking?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>25-07-2013, 10:39:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The aforementioned Gaian spirit was currently cursing under his breath, numbering the torments he'd inflict on the Decanthrope if it didn't have a good reason for being so damned late. If the answer was anything to do with airplanes, then fruit will be thrown, he decided.<br><br>If it was anything to do with the suspiciously powerful pair that just walked by him, then out came the knives and the staff, and whatever the Decanthrope's bodies had.<br><br>Although the Gaian spirit would prefer that no blood be shed, peace was not to be. In about twenty minutes, when one of the Decanthrope's bodies met with the Will, the human that had once inhabited that body was a blood doll for a rather violent vampire criminal.<br><br>One violent enough that the men in black suits wanted to 'speak' with the Decanthrope.<br><br>By the time that the Heartwings know about the fight, it's erupted into a full-on supernatural conflict with the telekinesis and supernaturally-accurate thrown debris of the spirits clashing against quantum locked guns and portable fire blasters of the mortals.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>26-07-2013, 13:13:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>She let the others talk for a bit, picking up on it all and trying to plan ahead, until the sudden ring of her cell phone caught her attention.&nbsp; "Excuse me a moment," she said, stepping back so as not to talk over them.&nbsp; "Hey, Josh," she said in a gentle tone that rapidly evaporated.&nbsp; "What?"&nbsp; Anger flashed across her features, but laced with confusion.&nbsp; "What in the...yeah, I'll be right there.&nbsp; Keep the civs protected."<br><br>Ending the call, she looked back to the others.&nbsp; "Trouble at the airport.&nbsp; Some kind of cross between NSA with ray guns and invisible monsters.&nbsp; You're welcome to come with if you want to help."&nbsp; With that, she dashed out of the room, heading up towards the roof and making sure her Wings of the Raptor necklace was secure around her neck.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>27-07-2013, 11:41:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"...ray guns?"<br><br>With effort, Xiaoxing took her eyes away from the door that Valerie had disappeared behind and, in a heartfelt shrug of the shoulders, decided to get one more glass of something before following after.&nbsp; "This I -have- to see," she murmured, hop-skipping after the other woman.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>31-07-2013, 01:36:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Once out to the hallway, she ran along, pushing the down elevator button along the way for the others and heading for the stairwell.&nbsp; A hand went to her necklace, and though golden-white flickers came, the wings just didn't seem to want to form.&nbsp; She cursed under her breath and took the stairs on down to the ground floor.<br><br>Below, two of the cargo trucks bringing out trash had been waiting idle.&nbsp; The sudden onslaught meant that the Heartwings had given orders to cordon off the area, minimalizing injuries in the rare event that someone did try something.&nbsp; Valerie jumped up onto the back of the truck that hadn't been filled up with trash bags, running to the front and banging on the window.&nbsp; "We need a transport to the airport to stop this thing," she said, not leaving any time in her tone for an argument.<br><br>They would go as soon as everyone coming was ready.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>31-07-2013, 17:38:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The fight, when the Exalted arrive, is going rather poorly for the men in dark suits. Mostly because what started off as even odds quickly stopped being even. The other bodies of the decanthrope had arrived, and under the orders of the kami, were a formidably unified, if uneven, force.<br><br>The mortals would probably be quite dead if the body-snatcher weren't so obsessed with keeping the bodies that it had safe, and instead careened from one to the other with horrible speed and power. The mortals would have certainly focused more on the bodies that weren't infested, and being merely mortal tough, they'd have burned to ashes or come down with a sudden case of lead poisoning.<br><br>And now that neither side was able to quickly overwhelm the other, both are settled behind makeshift barriers, the mortals laying down supressing fire, and preparing some strange device; the spirits trying to open up the barriers and rush to victory.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>01-08-2013, 01:01:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie leapt from the back of the truck as they got close enough, spinning about to do a quick recon.&nbsp; She didn't see any civilians in the line of fire, so the Heartwings must have gotten people clear.&nbsp; Excellent.&nbsp; She didn't want anyone hurt if she could help it, at least not because of these people and without doing anything wrong themselves.<br><br>"All right, everyone calm down!" she yelled, putting her hands out and moving to get in between the groups.&nbsp; "We're going to talk this out like civilized adults before you make an even worse mess of things than you already have."&nbsp; Her ears were still gently humming with the truth of Essence, so she'd know if she was lied to, even if she couldn't get her wings working to be properly intimidating.&nbsp; "If neither one of you wants to stop, then you're at least going to move to a place where you won't mess things up."<br><br>She didn't know whether or not her reputation would precede her, especially without the glowing wings.&nbsp; Still, it was worth a try to at least attempt to talk things out and see who among them wanted to try to speak without brute force.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>02-08-2013, 18:26:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing dismounted from the truck but did not immediately move to go into the fray as Valerie did.&nbsp; One, she wasn't quite sure how to comport herself in a gunfight.&nbsp; She'd made a point of avoiding them, because bullets were not her friends.&nbsp; Two, there were in fact weird things going on with one side or another, and there were times where she needed a moment to stop and look and think.<br><br>What does one DO when all they've brought are fists and feet to a gunfight?<br><br><em>One defeats their enemy,</em> a voice inside her heart answered.&nbsp; It sounded true.&nbsp; She didn't question it.&nbsp; She just waited.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>05-08-2013, 09:59:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once Valerie is in-between the two groups, the shooting stops, then the fighting stops (the small mob of people had to get in one last metaphoric punch in, it seems), although frankly, neither side really probably wanted to stop. But the red-head spirit that Valerie met before stopped the other person, and from there the group of people backed off, and the agent looking people stopped because, hey, why risk two more people jumping in against them when the numbers are already so bad?<br><br>The agent types, well the less messed up of the two, explains saying that the person next to the red haired fellow is Rose Kolodny, who is wanted by several agencies on a literal laundry list of suspicions and actual crimes, and that he'd love to be anywhere else right about now.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Xiaoxing and Valerie</div><div class="spoiler_body">The way that the other agent is fussing with the buttons on his shirt seem to be more than just nervousness. It's being done intentionally, although why is beyond such a quick observation.</div></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Valerie</div><div class="spoiler_body">Well, the guy's telling the truth about Rose Kolodny and that he'd love to be anywhere else right now, perhaps unsurprisingly. You're fairly certain that the messing with the buttons is some kind of ingrained habit, and possibly a signal for somebody. They'd have to be invisible, or using some kind of really good cameras.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>06-08-2013, 00:03:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie listens carefully, her Judge's Ear Technique filtering to listen for truth as the bright caste mark of the Dawn shines upon her forehead.&nbsp; She's rapidly gone from jovial and polite to deadly serious.<br><br>After listening to one side, she nods and looks over to the other, especially Rose.&nbsp; "All right, and what's your side to all this?"&nbsp; She kept judgment reserved until both parties could speak up.&nbsp; If the buttons thing bothered her, she didn't make a sign of it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>06-08-2013, 00:31:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				By the time Lan-Mei had made it to the airport Valerie had everything pretty much under control. Not wanting to cause the conflict to start back up Lan-Mei decides to simply hold back and wait to see how things turn out.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>07-08-2013, 08:51:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For Xiaoxing's part, she subtly shifts to keep an eye on the man fiddling with his shirt.&nbsp; People don't usually move to re-dress themselves after an actual firefight... but for now, knowing still close to absolutely nothing as she does about the situation and with Valerie apparently at least passingly familiar with one party, she lets the other woman retain the reins.&nbsp; It's her house, after all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>09-08-2013, 07:58:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The red-haired spirit inhales sharply. "This," it says, "is going to take a little expl~aining." It gestures to Rose's ..., well, around Rose's middle, hands gesturing widely. "Those guys are probably right, but Rose Kolodny, the person, isn't in Rose Kolodny the body."<br><br>It gives a short explanation about the Decanthropes, their body taking nature, and that one of them thar creatures is in the driver's seat of Rose Kolodny. It's all true, and probably quite worrying to everyone involved, as the large group of people that were fighting the men in black are also bodies of the Decanthrope.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>09-08-2013, 13:06:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>For a while, Valerie was silent, considering the matter.&nbsp; "Well, if you need people for that, I like the idea of using people who are already scum of the earth monsters..." she mused, doing her best to be understanding and find a good compromise.<br><br>She then snapped her fingers.&nbsp; "How about you if you," she said in the direction of Rose's stomach, "agree to stick to criminals and the type of people who would have to be otherwise locked away for the good of the public, and you," to the government agents, "help point out these types of people?&nbsp; Then you can work together instead of fighting."<br><br>She listened to both sides after giving her suggestion, wanting to see who was and wasn't willing to agree on principle as well as if there were specific issues.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>12-08-2013, 03:23:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, as it turns out, there are two major problems with that. One is that decanthropes are driven to try and get the best bodies (by their own strange imperatives) that they can. The Will explains that you can try to stop it with death-threats, but that probably won't last forever.<br><br>Much like the Will would react if kept from its purpose, only totally differently because of their different powers and natures. Everyone is free to try, or summon and bind.<br><br>The other, perhaps more problematic issue is that the black suits just start to kind of fade out, probably to disappear. They do say that they're going to ask their higher ups, but that nobody should wait too long on the answer.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header"> Wits+Awareness roll</div><div class="spoiler_body">If you get three successes, then you can make an action before the effect completes. Xiaoxing and Valerie can add their earlier investigation succeses in bonus dice.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>13-08-2013, 19:50:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"I'm Valerie Kyleson," she told the agents as they started to fade.&nbsp; "There's a lot better ways to handle these things than shooting up the place.&nbsp; Tell them to call me."<br><br>With that handled, she looked to the decanthrope.&nbsp; "Which leads us to this situation.&nbsp; If you've already grabbed them, we'll just have to deal with that.&nbsp; You're not human and it's not fair to hold you to human standards.&nbsp; However, that does mean we have to make a deal regarding future human grabbing.&nbsp; I suggest we go with the plan of sticking to criminals under life imprisonment or death row, because otherwise we have to stop you.&nbsp; You're not human, but we can't just let humans be preyed upon.&nbsp; Is that fair to you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>15-08-2013, 11:06:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Wait."<br><br>Xiaoxing has been listening with increasing dubiousness as things have progressed.&nbsp; She opted not to stop the suited twosome, aside from doing her best to memorize faces; she knew enough Sunzi to let a reeling enemy retreat, rather than block off their exit and force an even more violent confrontation.&nbsp; But the notion that what they were dealing with were things preternatural, spiritual, inhuman even...<br><br>...it was a bit much to handle.&nbsp; On the other hand, she couldn't argue with her senses.<br><br>She directed herself to the thing called the decanthrope.&nbsp; "You 'take bodies'," Xiaoxing said, visibly revolted by the idea.&nbsp; "Are these bodies-- must they be alive, when you take them?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>16-08-2013, 07:10:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"They can't be truly dead," the spirit inside the body of Rose Kolodny answers, "but that still gives me a great deal of latitude."<br><br>She, no it, lowers the collar on one of the other bodies, eyes dull, and shows off a rather vicious looking scar across the front of the neck. "Especially when there's only something minor, yet vital, wrong." The decanthrope jumps from one body to the next, inhabiting the body of an older woman than Rose.<br><br>"This one and her brother," it gestures to one of the male bodies, which does show a great deal of resemblance in the lines of the nose, unruly long hair, and darkness of eyes, "were practically given to me, as their minds were gone, and the bodies strung up badly enough that they lingered for fully five days 'fore I found them."<br><br>The red-haired spirit just mimes 'blah-blah-blah' with her hands as the decanthrope speaks on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>16-08-2013, 07:51:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie takes some time in consideration for that.&nbsp; Although she doesn't like it, she's not a hypocrite and understands the similarities and differences to humans.&nbsp; So intent was she in handling this potential threat that she nearly missed the initial mark.&nbsp; "Strung up...so someone is just literally hanging people around, destroying their minds and such?&nbsp; Could you show us where this is happening so that we can stop it from happening to other people?"<br><br>She then looked over to Will.&nbsp; "Also, if it's not too much a personal question, may I ask your purpose?"&nbsp; This part was obviously quite new to her; she didn't seem to know much about Will beyond his supernatural nature.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>17-08-2013, 10:57:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The decanthrope hosts point at the current body and its sibling body. "Well, these two I picked up ... shit. I think it was somewhere in Turkey. They weren't natives, and they didn't have much upstairs for me to pick through. The hanging was, I recall, more a matter of the burn outs witnessing the wrong things going on. They had mostly empty attics for a while. I can get you the addresses of a few places that they got their shit from, but even with my charms their memories are too dream-like for me to get anything reliably." (Which is truthful.)<br><br>The Will smiles and answers that he was made for the purpose of bring news to the Sun Dragon, but ended up commanding some of the Sun Dragon's lesser soldiers. And liking it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>17-08-2013, 21:49:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>She nodded.&nbsp; "Junkies, then.&nbsp; I'd like to help them if at all possible, but if there really is no hope for them, I guess they can be on the menu also without issue."<br><br>She then looked to Will.&nbsp; "I've never heard of the Sun Dragon.&nbsp; A few of my old journals mention the Unconquered Sun; is that the same thing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>23-08-2013, 09:49:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The more Xiaoxing hears about this whole body-snatching thing, the less she is impressed.&nbsp; A thin scowl is written on her face, keeping back a veritable tide of disapproval.&nbsp; The more she hears about this whole thing, the less she likes it.&nbsp; And the less she likes it...<br><br>Still, she is restraining herself for now.&nbsp; Any information she can get before she launches on a righteous explanation may be necessary to prevent future such... events, or occasions, from happening.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>25-08-2013, 13:14:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Sun Dragon, the Will explains, was an ancient Solar. One that didn't feel that the war with the makers of the world was over, even after the surrender. So, he marched off across the Endless Desert, and continued to wage war in Malfeas, the Demon City, pretty much until the day of his death.<br><br>His army was pretty much made of demons, fighting other demons, and given the nature of the Demon City, everyone noticed, and nobody noticed. Sure, he lead a contingent of angry spirits large enough to sink this whole island under a tenth of a tenth of a tenth of their weight. Malfeas is huge enough that you could safely have a half century until they got close to you to care about, and there was a chance you'd be dead before then.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>25-08-2013, 13:36:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Her eyes gently darted to Xiaoxing.&nbsp; "I know.&nbsp; Believe me, I know, but what are our choices?&nbsp; It's not human, and I'm sure we come off the same way to every cow, fish and chicken we eat.&nbsp; If we can reason with it, that's okay, right?"<br><br>She looked back to Will.&nbsp; "Well, my army is kind of a different purpose.&nbsp; I don't want to just kill everything, or else no one will ever surrender and there will never be peace.&nbsp; When we train the people who want to fight, though, we can put them towards a good purpose and help keep peace in that way.&nbsp; If you want to take up that banner and work so that there's peace between yours and mine, that would be awesome."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>26-08-2013, 10:37:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I am a vegetarian for exactly that reason, Valerie."&nbsp; It's not the kind of observation that should sound ominous, but it does so anyway.&nbsp; Just the same, Xiaoxing manages a terse smile and keeps her hands folded in front of her.&nbsp; She's listening.&nbsp; She's playing nice.&nbsp; For now.<br><br>The story from this Will person is more interesting.&nbsp; Xiaoxing knows the very vaguest basics of demons and hell because she read stories about them growing up, learning about Buddhist folktales in some of her other lines of work, but to hear the words straight from the turtle's mouth-- that they're actual things, and that at least one Solar walked among them-- that has her curiosity raised.&nbsp; And the more she's paying attention to Will, the less she has to think about the bodysnatcher.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>26-08-2013, 18:16:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Will explains that it's going to first try and repair its spiritual connection to the hierarchy of Gaia, before trying anything else. Wills being exceptions to the separation of first circles being disconnected from that hierarchy on the basis of them being tools to spread the worship of their makers.<br><br>Depending on if the damage was caused by time in Malfeas, death of his ritualistic progenitor (the Sword that Cleaves the Mountains from the Skies), or something else entirely could all make the reconnection take more or less time. But at that point, the spirit would be more than happy to raise up the banners of the Exalted again.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Alberto</div><div class="spoiler_body">By hook, crook, and (mostly) coincidence, a note will get into the doctor's hands. It simply reads "Six hours, Seven minutes, Fifty-Two Seconds."</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>27-08-2013, 09:30:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Well, not everybody has that option.&nbsp; You can't force a fox or a lion to eat plants.&nbsp; If you have a better idea of how to handle it, you're welcome to say, but this and trying to destroy it are the only options I see, and I don't really want to do that."<br><br>The more Valerie spoke, the more obvious it became that the body-snatching bothered her as well.&nbsp; She almost seemed to be begging Xiaoxing to come up with a better suggestion than what she had managed so far.<br><br>She listened to Will with a nod.&nbsp; "Okay, just let me know if you need anything.&nbsp; If the decanthrope does have an eye on someone who would be a problem, let me know also so we can see about trying to make a deal or something."<br><br>She didn't know how long she'd be able to manage to hold such disparate forces together without having a war begin, but she knew she had to fight for as long as she could.&nbsp; Clicking a button on her smartphone for speed dial, she told the Heartwings, "All clear.&nbsp; You can start things up again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>30-08-2013, 04:38:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Will does suggest that you can try using sorcery and the Abissic Bindings to minimize things. Although if the decanthrope regularly goes crazy in whatever way the plate indicates, well, then it's probably a problem of nature, or at least wording.<br><br>Alternatively, alternatively, the spirit suggest, try summoning a Neomah and have it make ten host bodies for the decanthrope, with an explaination of what the neomah are, and what purposes they tend to serve, upon request.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>30-08-2013, 08:45:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Believe me," she murmurs in answer to Valerie, "aside from imprisoning it or making it a companion for a monk of the old days, I don't have the..."<br><br>Then the Will starts talking again.&nbsp; All of the words about these demons may as well be Ancient Greek to her.&nbsp; This does not keep her from absorbing it with a certain desperate need to understand.&nbsp; At length, when the Will has mostly exhausted his (its?) explanation, Xiaoxing almost looks overwhelmed.<br><br>"How is it that these things exist and nobody know about them?" she asks, unsettled, looking from the Will to the demon-in-ten-bodies to Valerie and back again.&nbsp; "Spirits and their kine are supposed to be a metaphor for metaphysical reality, not... not things that are actually here, just below the surface of the weave of the world.&nbsp; If they're real, if they are things we can touch, why isn't knowledge of them... why isn't this common knowledge?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>30-08-2013, 09:37:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The decanthrope pulls out a business card and pen, and quickly scribbles down a number. "You can get the lies to little children from red here, or call this number and get a much better explanation, your choice." The currently inhabited body rummages around in the Will's stomach (!), before producing a whole egg.<br><br>"And if you want the simple explanation, it'd start with this."<br><br>The Will takes on a rather overly affected look of horror. "Oh, that of all things, should then this one be brought to play!"<br><br>The other bodies form a chorus, singing and stomping their feet. "Oh, that Adorjan should take you!"<br><br>...<br><br>They're probably quoting some play or something.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>30-08-2013, 13:14:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie was doing her best to keep up as well, though it all seemed to make sense in a weird sort of way.&nbsp; She accepted the number and the egg, then looked to Xiaoxing.&nbsp; "We should make sure that the others get this information also since we're going to get a large amount at once," she said.&nbsp; "We may have a lot more that we have to do besides just mob bosses and such."<br><br>She then took a breath.&nbsp; "Red, we won't indulge you by looking into the neomah thing if you hurt people who aren't just broken shells.&nbsp; I believe in you and that you can control yourself long enough to make this all work."&nbsp; It sounded much more like a plea than a threat, as if her entire chance to understand and accept how this would all work was being tested here and now.<br><br>As she flagged down transport to get them back to the hotel, Valerie suggested to Xiaoxing, "Something must have happened.&nbsp; People with powers like ours aren't going to be quiet.&nbsp; There'd be legends, if nothing else."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>31-08-2013, 07:19:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing stares blankly for a moment before realizing that it's obviously some form of call-and-answer and shakes her head, letting a sigh and rolling her eyes.&nbsp; There is an actual bemused smile on her face for a moment.&nbsp; She waits while Valerie signals their transportation again -- the warning to the 'decanthrope' is an adequate compromise, in their mutual lack of ability to do anything material about the issue for now.<br><br>"I am hesitant to put my faith in something coming from the mouth of an avowed demon," she answers Valerie, offering a brief, wan smile, "but it will at least give us a place to start from.&nbsp; If this is the kind of thing that lies below the surface, the kind of thing that is really happening, we have to know..."<br><br>She trails off a moment, gaze unfocusing as it briefly tracks the sun in the sky.&nbsp; "And you might be surprised at how easy it is to quash public memory of legends," Xiaoxing murmurs.&nbsp; "Zedong did it.&nbsp; Stalin did it.&nbsp; All you have to have to do is have the desire and the madness to do it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>31-08-2013, 11:34:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"I don't think it's really a demon the way we understand demons from old legends," she said.&nbsp; "It's kinda like, Western and Chinese Dragons.&nbsp; We use the word dragon, they have some similarities, but they aren't really the same thing at all, you know?"<br><br>She still didn't seem fully certain.&nbsp; "Hopefully our Twilight will know more."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>06-09-2013, 04:39:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The simple explanation is basically that the world has been reborn. Several times. Sometimes it's small, mostly divine political changes. That's the egg being repainted and occasionally pocked.<br><br>Most of the recent ones, though, were a lot more violent. This is the egg being broken open and scrambled. This is where the comparison breaks down, because you can't really re-break and re-scramble an egg. Worlds can be. Eggs, not so much.<br><br>Again, the demon whose number you were given is, in essence, a historian. And can give a much better explanation, complete with diagrams.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>06-09-2013, 18:00:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Microcosm-macrocosm," Xiaoxing muses, half to herself.&nbsp; "As above, so below, as below, so above."<br><br>She lifts her attention back to Rose.&nbsp; "Let's take the last time the world was... scrambled, to torture the metaphor some more," she says, thoughtful.&nbsp; "What changed, back then?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>06-09-2013, 18:38:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Xiaoxing, maybe we should just ask the historian about all this and have the rest of the group there at the meeting room?"<br><br>Valerie could certainly wait but she was already trying to get everyone transport back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>18-01-2014, 09:51:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The trip back's easy enough, quick to arrange, quick to be done, and utterly uneventful. <br><br>And it's not clear from the number where this historian is, but from the delay ... probably on the moon or something. So far it has been two minutes, and there's only been one ring.<br><br>Wait, wait, wait.&nbsp; There it is. There's ring number two.<br><br>And just a moment after those two rings that took far too long, a droning bass voice states "You have my attention for ten minutes. Tell me why I should give you more. "
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>18-01-2014, 19:45:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>The new girl would have very little difficulty in getting upstairs to the meeting room, especially if she was willing to give the password mentioned in the ad and/or display her caste mark.&nbsp; Introductions, though, would have to wait.<br><br>Valerie had more than enough time to put the call on speaker phone in order to let everyone listen in and interject their own comments.&nbsp; "My name is Valerie Kyleson," she said, then switched over to Old Realm for the next bit, <em><strong>"Dawn of the Unconquered Sun."</strong></em>&nbsp; She wasn't 100% he'd know the language, though, so it was better to have the rest in English.<br><br>"I put the ad in the various newspapers.&nbsp; We have bits and pieces, but you know all sorts of things we don't know.&nbsp; You remember mistakes that you never want to see again.&nbsp; You have the power to choose between a bright new tomorrow and an era of chaos filled with so much that could easily have been prevented."<br><br>She took a breath to consider her words.&nbsp; "My history teacher back in high school had a saying, Never Forget.&nbsp; Every tragedy is a scar on history that shows us why we can't do something terrible again.&nbsp; Every hero is a bold example of what we can do right.&nbsp; Trying to do things all on our own without learning from the past and striving to be better than that just isn't responsible."<br><br>The mark of the Dawn burst to life upon her forehead as the call in her heart shone through on her words.&nbsp; "You have the same duty to help us get it right as we have to get it right, to make the kind of difference that each of us wants to make."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>19-01-2014, 08:18:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing had mostly-composed her answer to the voice when Valerie spoke up instead-- and she listened as the other woman spoke.&nbsp; It wasn't the argument she herself would have made; her experience suggested the self-busy and self-important responded best to either flattery or stoking their intellectual curiosity.<br><br>But then Valerie spoke about the future, and Xiaoxing found herself glad she had been a bit slower on the trigger. She might voice other questions, but for now, she would see what would be dredged from this highly-recommended one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>19-01-2014, 14:01:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c9/Sofia-vergara2-420x600.jpg)</div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yadi truly didn't know what to expect....&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her last weeks had been so full of earthshaking surprises--and a desperate flurry of studies to try and learn to use the power that flowed hot in her veins with every heart beat—that she'd not been able to resist following up on the add in the paper.&nbsp; She'd hurried as quickly as she could with the help of her cousins to reconstruct the strange and beautiful motorcycle that had come out of the golden egg along with the amulet that now dangled in her cleavage and the journals in that same strange language.&nbsp; She knew what it was even without the journals.&nbsp; Knew it in her blood and bone.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shimata that Roars On the Sands.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Road Lion.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She knew because Dieryan had made it...&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And she was now Dieryan?&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It made no sense. It was so, and it distinctly was not.&nbsp; There was something she was missing.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So she'd taken a roll of pesos out of her bank, packed her favorite belongings as only the wearer of this fantastic pendant could, and driven Road Lion to the nearest city with a big enough air port to get both her and it here.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She couldn't leave it behind, right?&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Road Lion was now parked in the basement of this hotel.&nbsp; More symbols like in the journals hd lead her through the resort to this room, and now...&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Well,</em> Yadi pondered, leaning her back against the wall and watching the scene unfold, the terse call, the impassioned speech.&nbsp; <em>Thank the Virgin that I've been speaking English these last three days.&nbsp; I wouldn't want to miss a moment of this!</em><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>20-01-2014, 08:08:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You have my attention golden one. And, " there's a distinct clunk in the background,&nbsp; "it seems you've also an account.&nbsp; Most curious.&nbsp; But ask, ask, for pay is already drawn."<br><br>The sounds of the coins being lifted and dropped echoes in the relative silence. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>20-01-2014, 08:12:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Well, my first question is an explanation for the sudden change.&nbsp; The stuff I remember doesn't fit with the basic geography of the world, and I don't think it ever did.&nbsp; Is it all from some other world, and if so, why are we five suddenly here?&nbsp; Even with spirits and all that."&nbsp; Rather a simplistic question, admittedly, but the basics were certainly necessary.&nbsp; The last thing they wanted was to stumble around without understanding the situation in as much entirety as possible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>23-01-2014, 03:28:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				You can hear the dismissiveness in the speaker's voice, can picture the wave of the hand. "It is only sudden to those who lacked the dubious privilege of having to live through all the incarnations of the world till now. To say that thousands upon thousands of years passed is to do a grave disservice to the numbers involved."<br><br>Shift of the chair and "What you remember is the ancient First and Second Ages. Before the creation of the Great Gap, before the Enfolding, before the rise of those accursed banners, before, before, before. And as for how you got here, I can only imagine that somehow. That somehow you were let in. Have you taken part in any horrible rituals recently?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>23-01-2014, 08:12:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>This was coming closer to legitimizing the Old Stories than she was entirely comfortable with.&nbsp; But, if they were to presume that this historian was telling the truth-- and at first blush, she couldn't smell falsehood or agenda in his answers...<br><br>"Discounting the enemies we are going to make with the actions we take," Xiaoxing asked, a bit of a wan smile on her expression, "will we face inherent opposition and danger from certain factions on the basis that we are what we have become?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>23-01-2014, 23:54:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The voice chuckles. "I don't think more than thirty people know exactly what you are, Princess of the Earth. Some of those may oppose you. Others will oppose you because they are the Powers that Be. And you'd be a threat to them. Others might find word of your powers."<br><br>There's the sound of a fingernail tapping on wood. "For instance, did you know that it would be within your eventual grasp to casually condemn almost three hundred square miles? Buildings burn or melt, people die, and the land barren for decades. Or you could even now start a cult of yourself, and few would be able to resist your words."<br><br>There's a slight pause. "So you can see why there would be many interested in you, either as obstacles or patsies or partners."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>24-01-2014, 16:23:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“So let me get this straight.” Mika finally says after pondering what the historian said. “You are basically saying that given time we can do and become damn near anything we want and very few things rather mundane, spiritual, or supernatural can stop us.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>24-01-2014, 19:58:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The historian makes a noise of discontent. Like this is one that he really doesn't want to answer in depth, but since there's apparently money involved, well, he will. "You've got some definite limits, but they're goddamn high and for those areas your natural charms won't go, there's always things like Martial Arts, Sorcery, and Artifacts."<br><br>There's a sharp, slow exhalation and then, "You'll never spear somebody with your tongue from a distance, but you might shout loud enough to break bones. Or invent some kind of tongue extending artifact weapon, or magic up changes to your body to do the same. But trust me, don't learn Occluded Toad style. Or do, I guess it all depends on what you want to do."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>24-01-2014, 21:16:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>After some consideration, Val says, "So, old grudges.&nbsp; Who's out there that's going to hate us just because of what we are, that we're going to have to make peace with before we deal with everything else?"&nbsp; This was a lot to take in at once, but her Dawn aspect was more than help enough in primarily focusing upon defense.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 00:32:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not all of the spirits that came here are either willing to work with you, or ignore you." There's a short pause. "A few would fear and run from you, others would prefer to do away with you. Sadly, I've not a list of those people, neither handy or at all."<br><br>The historian gives a little hum. "Well, the world's large. It might be a while before you go and have to deal with them. Or you could try finding them. I have no advice one way or the other."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>30-01-2014, 04:56:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>Xiaoxing almost scoffed to hear the stories of what was supposed to be feasible for an powerful Exalt... but she didn't.&nbsp; There was something too earnest about the way he described the way the world yielded to the mightiest, and her eyes went down to her hands.&nbsp; For a moment, she imagined herself wielding that power...<br><br>It was not a reassuring thought.<br><br>Back to what was here and now, and less thoughts of of participating in horrible rituals.&nbsp; "We know the world gets... scrambled... or remade, every once in a while," she said, thinking aloud.&nbsp; "What causes this to happen?&nbsp; And could there be a point of no return from which the world might simply be... broken, rather than remixed?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>30-01-2014, 23:54:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There's a bit of a pause on the line. "Well, now ain't that a tricky one. I'll start with the easy one, the point of no return. I normally would count that as two questions, but considering that the answer's 'fuck if I know,' I'll leave you with that."<br><br>The voice seems to be writing something down. "Now as for how it happens, well, that's part people doing shit till big changes happen, and part when the old Grand High Ladies of History say that it's a new age. Usually some combination of those two happen to change things."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 13:38:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Well, I think those are the pertinent questions for right now.&nbsp; We'll call back if we have others.&nbsp; Thank you.&nbsp; If someone does want to talk to us, you can give them this number."&nbsp; Presumably the questions would carry over, and she didn't want to waste a question asking if they could save the question for later.<br><br>Looking to the others, she said, "I think we should start fixing things.&nbsp; Tyrants, people starving, any number of other things that we were planning before the interruption before.&nbsp; We just have to decide where to start."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>04-02-2014, 08:28:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing did smirk briefly to herself at the notion of a group of history-determining Grand High Ladies-- something familiar not in her own personal life, but as something else still true.&nbsp; She stood from where she had been seated as Valerie terminated the call, picking up the juice glass she'd left behind in their initial rush, and took another swig-- a bit warm, but still good.&nbsp; "Nakamura-san said earlier she was having difficulty with excising a crime syndicate," she offered thoughtfully.&nbsp; "It would make for a good... test run, to see what we are collectively capable of."<br><br>She lingered on the thought, then half-turned to face the new arrival where the other woman stood, leaning against the wall.&nbsp; "Did you come here following the newspaper, also?" Xiaoxing asked, a wry smile on her face.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>08-02-2014, 07:01:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The voice sounds amused. "Sure, and if you want some more questions, well, you should be able to find my prices." There's a clinking of coins. "Delicious, delicious payment."<br><br>Presumably, there was an audible *nom* that happened after the call cut off, but there's no way of knowing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>11-02-2014, 02:52:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Curiosity about the historian briefly fluttered in her eyes as she glanced to the phone, but she had so much else to think about.<br><br>"Oh, sorry, introductions."&nbsp; She looked to the new girl, the Dawn symbol still bright on her forehead.&nbsp; "I'm Valerie Kyleson.&nbsp; You're free to stay here as you like, but I'm hoping to get enough of us together to change the world.&nbsp; If anyone has a responsibility to do so, we do."<br><br>Her expression switched to Nakamura.&nbsp; "So how much can you tell us?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>16-02-2014, 01:29:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“The organization I am after are known as the Falcones. The leader likes to think of himself as an old fashioned Italian mobster hence the name even though he's actually Asian.” Mika replies to the question. “There primary source of income is prostitution, illegal porn, and slavery though they occasionally deal in some minor drug trading as well but that is mainly to keep the girls in line.”<br><br>“I've been able to hit most of there smaller operations and free the girls which currently make up my forces but I've never hit one of there major operations yet as I've never had the resources&nbsp; for it but I've kept and eye on them.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>18-02-2014, 09:52:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"So, a proper set of villains who merit a sudden and catastrophic change of fortunes?"&nbsp; Xiaoxing's eyes sparkle with a merry sort of... mischief isn't quite intense enough, but neither is malice.&nbsp; Schadenfreude, perhaps.&nbsp; "As we'd been speculating, it wouldn't be enough to merely go with a decapitating strike on a single affair," she muses, thinking aloud.&nbsp; "Not unless we can use whoever and whatever remains to root out the rest.&nbsp; If we add the strength of Miss Kyleson and her Heartwings to your own forces, do you think that would be enough to successfully attack one of these major operations you mention?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>18-02-2014, 10:07:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie nodded, considering the matter.&nbsp; "Well, there's a few different ways to do this," she said.&nbsp; "Bringing a large number of the Heartwings along is certainly an option, but I'd be worried about creating a war zone in the middle of a city.&nbsp; I can certainly bring a few, but my major plan for the Heartwings has been in regards to toppling dictators."<br><br>She took a sip from one of the mango drinks, considering for a bit.&nbsp; "If we know where some of the head mafia people live, we can raid their homes, bring up enough incriminating evidence and just hand it over wholesale to the police.&nbsp; I'm not against hitting major organizations to let them know that things have to stop, though."<br><br>After a pause, she added, "One thing I'll request is that if someone really wants to turn over a new leaf but doesn't know anything besides fighting, and I'll be able to tell if they're telling the truth on that, I'd like to add them to the Heartwings.&nbsp; It's better than prison if they can still do some good, and a decent number of them started that way."<br><br>Her eyes flitted back to Mika.&nbsp; "You know them the best, though.&nbsp; You know where would be the best place to strike.&nbsp; Or if not, that's what we should research."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>20-02-2014, 00:02:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Oh I know where a major operation that we could hit is but I have to agree with Val.” Mika replies as she looks at the others. “I'd rather not start a full on gang war in the middle of a city plus I want to try to keep most of the resources and contacts they have intact. It will be far easier to make the needed changes later on down the road and it also gives us another power base to use once we are ready to hit&nbsp; a much bigger target.”<br><br>&nbsp;“As for hitting the head people themselves that could work as well but then we have the problem of losing any potential&nbsp; resources they may have unless we can secure them first. Also that&nbsp; may cause a power struggle amongst his remaining rivals as they try to fill the void left behind.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>27-02-2014, 06:57:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"I like the idea of setting up a power struggle.&nbsp; It'll make them fight amongst themselves instead of grouping up to try to defeat us."&nbsp; Val nodded, making some more considerations.&nbsp; "We hit one of the worst ones, and I'll be willing to display myself for that if needed.&nbsp; That way they have no idea you're involved, and you can step in and try to handle things your way.&nbsp; Your hands can be clean for as long as necessary to help maneuver things so that they all tumble."<br><br>It wasn't a way she was used to doing things, but it would certainly be interesting to see it attempted.&nbsp; "I wonder if it'd be possible to crash a meeting or something, like in the movies where all the families are organized together and the heads of the gangs are talking."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>27-02-2014, 13:55:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Elsewhere, but not Elsewhere.</div><div class="spoiler_body">It hummed a tune. Older than every civilization on Crea- no on Earth. Mortals were all so damnably easy to manipulate, but with the general lack of divine action on Earth? Even easier.<br><br>A few charms, a wonderful chalice, and some practices to make a nice, low key cult, and the current owner believed himself an immortal demigod. With any luck, the sap would be bold, grab more land and power, and the cult would expand. Then it could make more knives, and thus grow its cult both obviously and without risk to the more subtle worship.<br><br>Ah, it was time once again for the ritual of the chalice. Blood would flow, paens to the chalice said, and in a few weeks, another of the mysterious knives of glit lined obsidian-steel would find its way into the world.<br><br></div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>27-02-2014, 21:27:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"Such a thing is probably not that common.&nbsp; If we cannot luck out on a meeting happening soon, it would probably have to be engineered..."&nbsp; Xiaoxing taps her fingers together, considering.&nbsp; "Which just means that we would have to give them a cause to confer with one another on.&nbsp; If they do much of their work electronically, all I would need is network access for a little while to begin tracking their every communication and arrangement.&nbsp; One of the side benefits of Exaltation is that I've not yet found a computer I cannot crack open," she announces, pleased with herself on that account.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>10-03-2014, 17:38:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Well crashing a meeting is possible though it won't be all the heads of the various gangs just the ones who have allied with him.” Mika says with a shrug. "They normally get together once every month or so but I have no idea what they do as the place is locked up pretty damn tight.”<br><br>She then looks over at Xiaoxing. “I can get you access to there basic accounts if that would help. One of my girls used to cook his books and left a backdoor into his system. I've never really done anything with it yet aside from keeping tabs on his spending. I wanted to be sure that if he found out I was the one who messed with his accounts that my girls can take the flak before I did anything more.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>11-03-2014, 22:18:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing smirks briefly and nods.&nbsp; "Any access point is a lever point from which to journey forward.&nbsp; Trade groups like this live and die by the security of their communication efforts.&nbsp; Follow the communication, and we can begin doing terrible, terrible things to their operational structure.&nbsp; Did your girl give you an idea just how tightly they work to regulate their network?&nbsp; Because if they don't pay much attention, I can probably use those credentials to take a peek into what they're currently planning without them noticing for weeks afterward..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>11-03-2014, 23:32:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"I wouldn't be adverse to walking in, but I'm not sure it'd help," Valerie said.&nbsp; "We could intimidate them but we'd need enough to deal with them if we went that route.&nbsp; Unless some of them aren't fully human, anyway.&nbsp; I could see having a problem then..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>17-03-2014, 23:55:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Like I said it's not the busting in that's the problem but the flack that we could be bring down afterwords.” Mika nods in agreement. “But the fact is we will need to bust up one of these meetings at some point so hopefully Xiaoxing can pull something useful from there systems that we can use as leverage.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>18-03-2014, 09:00:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"All I need is access to the accounts and a few hours of work," Xiaoxing answers with a small, measured, utterly confident nod.&nbsp; "I will leave it to others who know better how to deal with what I find."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>28-03-2014, 02:19:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of particular interest in the sea of data is that they once had, and recently lost, a mid-rate restaurant. The place had a few good fish dishes, but more importantly, had some hefty bribes in place. The officials looked the other way, and they paid through the nose to get some duty free things. The gang used it to send people out, sometimes willingly, more often unwillingly.<br><br>The other major bit of interest is that they've been buying strange materials, at least for a gang. They've got enough incense to run a temple or two, exotic oils, myrrh, and some very, very expensive tree hearts. In the past few months, they were buying high purity copper and tin, brass and engraving tools, and the time of several highly skilled sculptors.<br><br>And something about it all feels ... familiar.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>28-03-2014, 02:26:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Copper and Tin..."&nbsp; Reading through it, Valerie considered for a bit.&nbsp; "That's...bronze, right?&nbsp; Or brass?&nbsp; Something like that?"<br><br>She took a look through the restaurant, considering whether it was something she should try to purchase herself.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>29-03-2014, 03:00:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c9/Sofia-vergara2-420x600.jpg)</div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yadi set quietly among the other girls—girls who seemed to be like her—listening as they planned to act against some <em>very dangerous people</em> out of altruism and a sort of heroic ambition that it seemed would bring them closer to discovering the true nature—and true extent—of this power.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Was it right of them to try such a thing?&nbsp; They weren’t police, or soldiers, or law makers.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No, they had power none of those people had.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They were above the law, but not above right and wrong.&nbsp; They had a responbility to make the world better when those people failed.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They were…&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Lawgivers,” she spoke softly, finally.&nbsp; “They used to call us Lawgivers…”&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She blinked then looked around at the others.&nbsp; She started to say more, but a hint of incredulity made her loose the flash of memory.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Um…&nbsp; Hi.&nbsp; Call me Yadi.&nbsp; Is there any way I can help?&nbsp; Um…”&nbsp; following instinct, she lit the golden mark upon her forehead that had first blazed there weeks ago when she’d talked dozens of men into the convictions to overcome their addictions in a few minutes.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>07-04-2014, 01:20:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Well that depends.” Miki replies as she looks over at Yadi. “What exactly is your area of expertise.”<br><br>“Oh by the way I'm Mika.” She says as she holds her hand out to her. “I have been trying to bust this criminal empire for so long that it would be nice to finally do something about it. The problem is I don't want them destroyed but rather use the resources and contacts they've built up to better the world. This of course makes it harder to do than simply destroying them.”<br><br>She then turns to look over at Valerie. “Yea I think that is bronze if I remember that show from the history channel correctly. The question is what do they need with all that stuff.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>09-04-2014, 10:03:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"I think we're at the point in the conversation where we need more data and nobody knows what to do," Valerie said.&nbsp; "So...how should we go about getting more information?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>12-04-2014, 21:08:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/zavaelduauram/xiaoxing_zpsbd0449ef.jpg)</div>"On what they're doing with the bronze?" Xiaoxing asked, setting her phone dormant again and tucking it into a pocket.&nbsp; "Not forging manacles.&nbsp; And the incense is strange, yes... and the fact that it makes no sense of its own suggests..."<br><br>She trails off, lingering on this thought, before her expression lights up.&nbsp; "We can get more information by proceeding to ruin this abomination in human trade," she concludes with a smirk.&nbsp; "A week ago, I was sure there were no such things as demons or laser blasters.&nbsp; Today, I know differently.&nbsp; It must have something to do with the world we cannot see with our eyes.&nbsp; I have had flashes, glimpses of things from Before, that I thought were nothing but dreams and hallucinations; when our plans are set, I will set myself in meditation and see what my Exaltation remembers."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>22-04-2014, 03:18:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“I think that between my Queens and your Heartwings we should be able to mitigate any flak that would come our way if we bust up one of those secret meetings.”&nbsp; Miki says as she thinks things over. “And I know that there is one coming up soon so if we hurry we might be able to catch them off guard and see what's really going on”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>22-04-2014, 03:23:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"All right, let's do it."&nbsp; Pulling out her cell phone, she speed-dialed a number.&nbsp; "James, I'm going to need a number of troops for an event we're planning.&nbsp; I don't want to stop guarding the island, though.&nbsp; How many can we spare?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>17-05-2014, 06:07:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The speed-dailed number is immediately answered. "It depends on how much you want to hedge against intruders like the ones before. As a safe range... I'd say no less than a quarter of 'em and no more than half. 'Course if you don't think those wierdos'll be back soon, you could take up to two-thirds."<br><br>Thankfully, the logistics of today are better than the methods of the past, even better than Creation's methods for people that were not the Chosen. And though the plotted against know it not, fate approaches, sure as moon follows the sun.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Bonuses and set-up</div><div class="spoiler_body">Outside of the direct use of them, each percentage represents a success bonus to gather info and such. Also, the group occult knowledge roll has grown to eleven dice.</div></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">For Scene change, read it.</div><div class="spoiler_body">Falcons fly straight and fast, so says one of the hidden-in-plain sight style of messages for the Falcones. They've got rivals out the ass in Hong Kong and if not for a general agreement among those groups to not cause trouble at the port, this ship would have never made it more than a half-dozen minutes on the water, much less to a Japanese port.<br><br>That it managed to make its way, heavy with its illegal cargo, to Shimoda meant that the truce was working. This was, of course, a code for the group. It would land in a 'newly found' natural port and take safe routes to a secondary safe house, where the drugs would be counted and shipped off to their other locations, both legal and illegal. Despite the recent losses, the high heads of the group were sure that only a miracle could prevent them from becoming a, no, the dominant criminal power in <del>The World!</del> Asia.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>17-05-2014, 20:44:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>"Half the troops, then," she said.&nbsp; "Get ready to go as soon as you can."<br><br>Hanging up, she told the others, "Ready to go when everyone else is."&nbsp; She always kept a suitcase for just this occasion.&nbsp; Time was always precious to some degree, and she'd hate to hold anything up on her end.<br><br>Having her own private jet that she could bring everyone on had its own perks, of course, especially having enough room to get in a nap before touching down.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>17-05-2014, 23:27:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Alright then let's do this.” Mika says as she finishes up her drink. “I have been waiting for a long time to finally bust up one of the Falcones bigger operations.” <br><br>Pulling out her phone she calls her up her second. “Nami get the girls ready it's time. Well be working with Heartwings so we won't need all of them so no more than half.” <br><br>Hanging up the phone she gives a small grin. "Alright my girls shall be ready to move when we are so lets get this party started."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>18-05-2014, 03:10:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c9/Sofia-vergara2-420x600.jpg)</div><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=178166.msg9815507#msg9815507">Quote from: avorae on 07-04-2014, 01:20:27</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">“Well that depends.” Miki replies as she looks over at Yadi. “What exactly is your area of expertise.”<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Well,” Yadi explained with a shy smile.&nbsp; &nbsp;“I'm an activist, a dancer, and public speaker.&nbsp; I like to race cars and especially motorcycles, and I'm very good at kendo.&nbsp; Since, well, this,” she indicated the still glistening golden circles on her brow, “I've learned to do things with those skills that I can only describe as magical.”&nbsp; <br><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=178166.msg9995208#msg9995208">Quote from: avorae on 17-05-2014, 23:27:21</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Hanging up the phone she gives a small grin. "Alright my girls shall be ready to move when we are so lets get this party started."<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yadi squeezed her eyes shut nervously, then nodded firmly.&nbsp; “All right.&nbsp; Where are we going?&nbsp; Can we get my motorcycle there?&nbsp; And I could use a sandwich and a cola on the way.”&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>18-05-2014, 07:37:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>In response to Yadi's question, Valerie made a call.&nbsp; "Hey," she said.&nbsp; "We've got a motorcycle that we need to move onto the private jet.&nbsp; I'll pass you someone who can identify it."&nbsp; With that, she tossed Yadi the cell phone.<br><br>She supposed that the girl didn't have a lot of experience with such things, but she didn't want to give any major surprises.&nbsp; It was enough to just smile and let the girl enjoy her first time in first class.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cessali</strong> on <strong>18-05-2014, 09:54:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xiaoxing considers the new woman's professed talents, deciding with a private smirk Yadi was either underselling herself or underestimating her capacities.&nbsp; "Activism?" she asked as Valerie and Mika begin planning their side of things, tucking her phone back into her shorts pocket.&nbsp; "Then we have something in common.&nbsp; What are your causes?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>18-05-2014, 10:54:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Falcons fly straight and fast, so says one of the hidden-in-plain sight style of messages for the Falcones. They've got rivals out the ass in Hong Kong and if not for a general agreement among those groups to not cause trouble at the port, this ship would have never made it more than a half-dozen minutes on the water, much less to a Japanese port.<br><br>That it managed to make its way, heavy with its illegal cargo, to Shimoda meant that the truce was working. This was, of course, a code for the group. It would land in a 'newly found' natural port and take safe routes to a secondary safe house, where the drugs would be counted and shipped off to their other locations, both legal and illegal. Despite the recent losses, the high heads of the group were sure that only a miracle could prevent them from becoming a, no, the dominant criminal power in <del>The World!</del> Asia.<br><br>All of that mattered little to the incoming Exalts and retinue, for two reasons. One was that they weren't going to land in Shimoda where the boat was officially going or the natural port or even too near the safe house, although a quick scan of the schedule said that they'd have time to make an interception run, if they didn't mind fighting in more or less the middle of a town or city.<br><br>The second reason is also best part of a plane trip. Flights like this one took long enough that people interested in talking could speak and not have to worry about running too short or long of time.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Roll Call and bonuses.</div><div class="spoiler_body">First off, if anyone begins their post with a metaphoric orphaned punchline, they get a one time, one die bonus to any one roll. If people pair off and work together, two dice. If people want to go as far as to write up the actual conversation that lead to the lines, everyone gets a bonus Exp in addition.<br><br>Now rolls, which makes me think I should have named this spoiler block in reverse, there needs to be a Larceny roll, unless somebody's decided to sneak the more dangerous and illegal items in using a cache egg. Mortal authorities have no actual way of finding those things, so if that's the case the weapons get in no roll need.<br><br>If anyone wants to try and intercept the shipment, it will probably be a Drive roll, Diff 4. Additional successes can be split between getting more time and getting a better location.<br><br>Finally, anyone that wants to can give a Per+Occult roll, difficulty of 2. It is for mysterious reasons.<br><br></div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>19-05-2014, 07:19:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yadi gave the people on the line a description of Road Lion.&nbsp; She called it black and gold, though was coming to realize that the strange black material was some kind of amalgam of jade and steel, and the beautiful gold looking stuff was Orichalcum, same as her katana.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Um, daikliave?&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Xiaoxing she replied, “My work up 'til now has been in politics,” she explained.&nbsp; “Mexico is full of good people who don't realize the power they have.&nbsp; The government has been dominated by a single party for half a century.&nbsp; Corrupt people don't have to fight to keep their power.&nbsp; They network with each other, controlling government and business.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“But we're still a democracy.&nbsp; We proved it in the late nineties.&nbsp; If the people get motivated and stay motivated, we can get actual public servants in office.&nbsp; Lately I've also gotten more concerned about drugs.&nbsp; It's one of those problems where activists are just as important as police.”&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>19-05-2014, 07:27:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c9/Sofia-vergara2-420x600.jpg)</div><strong>Valerie and Yadi on the plane.</strong><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Mexican girl's frequent glances out the window showed that she hadn't flown much in her life.&nbsp; She relaxed happily in the plush chairs, enjoying snacks, coke, and and a pocketbook collection of Neitzche's work when she wasn't chatting.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So, how long did it take you to learn how to ride a motorcycle?" Valerie asked.&nbsp; Sipping on some cola, she had her feet up on the chair in front of her, thoroughly enjoying first class.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She gave Valerie a bright smile.&nbsp; “Well, I started with cars and dune buggies when I was fifteen.&nbsp; The boys I played soccer with took up racing in the deserts outside of town.&nbsp; My cousin Eddie fixed up a used motorcycle a year&nbsp; later, and then we all wanted to do it.&nbsp; Once I had my own I picked up on it pretty fast.&nbsp; I beat Eddie him the first time within a&nbsp; month.&nbsp; <br><br>*Listening, Valerie nodded, giving a smile.&nbsp; "Must be something about the Exaltation," she said.&nbsp; "I can do guns and martial arts really well but don't seem to know much of anything about motorcycles.&nbsp; I tried once out on the mainland, though."<br><br>Yadi shrugged.&nbsp; "Well, that was long before I exalted, but it does seem like I've gotten a lot better at the things I was good at, while the things I wasn't haven't changed.&nbsp; <br><br>"Did you do all right on the motorcycle?&nbsp; I love it.&nbsp; I love feeling the wind in my hair.&nbsp; Of course, biking without a helmet also leads to bugs in the teeth!"<br><br>"Well," Valerie said with some embarrassment, "I was up on the highway, and it was like three in the morning to make sure that I wouldn't hit into anyone.&nbsp; I was still really new to everything and just thought that anything I did would automatically be awesome."&nbsp; Her cheeks turned the faintest hint of pink as she continued.*<br><br>"So I started going just a little too fast, and instead of remembering about the handles and how you work it with your hands, I just kicked it."&nbsp; She kicked the empty seat in front of her.&nbsp; "Just like a mule.&nbsp; I panicked, you know?"<br><br>Her arm came up to gesture as she demonstrated, "So here I was going clear over the side, trying to kick the thing, when I just go flying off the side of the road.&nbsp; Somehow I managed the one tiny spot where it was ramped up and flew off the elevated road instead of just hitting into the side."<br><br>"Thankfully I still had this," she tugged on the necklace she wore, "so I just grew my wings.&nbsp; I had to let go of the bike, though, and down it went several hundred feet to go CLANG on the pavement.&nbsp; I can still remember that noise."<br><br>"So the friend who had loaned me his other motorcycle comes up on his bike, and gets off to just stare down as I fly back up to him.&nbsp; Staring, he couldn't help but chuckle, just saying..."<br><br>"'I guess that's why you're a Valkyrie and not a Hell's Angel.'"&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>RSGAlex</strong> on <strong>15-06-2014, 01:30:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If the ship had been expecting a sudden air drop of two people, they could have fired on the plane or on the parachutists. For normal people that would have been a certain death sentence. For the two that actually made the jump... it would have been an annoyance at best. At worst they'd have both hit the deck even harder than they ended up doing. More importantly, the sheer surprise of two women just falling from the sky surprised the watch.<br><br>Indeed, by the time the watch gets their guns trained on the pair, Yadi and Valerie could have both attacked.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Guard's Initative Roll</div><div class="spoiler_body"> At 2014-06-14 18:23:10, NPCGroup (uid: 27901) rolls: 5d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 2 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59639)</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>avorae</strong> on <strong>15-06-2014, 21:41:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Before her exaltation Mika thought it was just plain stupid for a person to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Now here she was doing that exact thing for the first time without any training and damn near pulled of a perfect landing as she hit the deck of the ship.<br><br>With Valerie and Yadi acting as a distraction to the lookouts Mika makes her way around to the other side to catch them by surprise. Coming up from behind a crate Mika grabs one of&nbsp; the guards and puts him into a sleeper hold.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Rolls</div><div class="spoiler_body">Parachuting: At 2014-06-15 13:55:10, avorae (uid: 14676) rolls: 6d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 4 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59729)<br>Intitiative: At 2014-06-15 13:56:06, avorae (uid: 14676) rolls: 6d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 5 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59730)<br>Clinch: At 2014-06-15 14:33:04, avorae (uid: 14676) rolls: 10d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 4 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59735)<br>Stealth: At 2014-06-15 15:29:14, avorae (uid: 14676) rolls: 10d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 6 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=59741)</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: To A World of Darkness (IC 1)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>16-06-2014, 01:57:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.us/a/img855/5968/dawnjp.jpg)</div><br>Valerie had only done a handful of parachuting attempts in her life.&nbsp; Granted, she was agile enough that she didn't have to worry too much about the specific skill, and ever since her Exaltation, she'd been able to rely on her wings.&nbsp; The wings wouldn't be a good idea right now, though.&nbsp; Even guards with flat out confusion at seeing the girls coming down would be much more likely to try to sound an alarm if the rumored Valkyrie made an appearance.<br><br>She could still manifest the wings in an instant if they were needed, but stealth had its own uses.&nbsp; An errant breeze, however...oh, who was she kidding?&nbsp; She was lucky she was going to hit the boat.&nbsp; There was no errant breeze.<br><br>She glanced as she went, making sure that Mika would be in the right spot for the other guard.&nbsp; Valerie landed fairly hard, hopefully not making that much noise but enough that she'd have a nice bruise if not for the hardness of her armor.<br><br>Rolling into the landing, she released the parachute from her arms, but she didn't need hands to strike.&nbsp; A heavy golden boot went flying for the chest of the guard, hoping to smash quickly enough that he wouldn't have time to respond before going unconscious.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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