Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: HairyHeretic on 29-10-2022, 21:52:38</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-10-2022, 21:52:38</strong>
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				<div align="center">In the time of tyrants<br><br><em>In the time of glory</em><br><br>There lived a ruler feared far and wide<br><br><em>There lived a golden queen</em><br><br>With her fell magics she stole the will from those who lived beneath her iron fist<br><br><em>She was beloved by all who dwelt in her land</em><br><br>With foul magics she consorted with the powers of hell and those that would ravage Creation<br><br><em>The Courts beyond respected her power and wisdom, and sought her council</em><br><br>The mortals of her land were nothing but slaves, chattel and bargaining chips<br><br><em>Those who sheltered beneath her arms were envied amongst their peers in neighbouring lands</em><br><br>Such could not be allowed to continue<br><br><em>But the great Golden Age could not last</em><br><br>The mightiest of the Creation’s heros rose up against the evil tyrants of the world<br><em><br>The Chosen of heaven were betrayed by those they trusted most</em><br><br>Their power was broken, their slaves freed, their dark deeds cast into the pit of history<br><br><em>Any who stood with the Chosen were slain without mercy, their wondrous deeds stolen from memory</em><br><br>With her dying breath, the tyrant swore she would return again, to seek vengeance on those who had cast her down<br><br><em>With her dying breath, the queen swore she would return again, when her people needed her most</em><br><br>And the heavens would tremble when she rose again<br><br><em>And that the heavens would announce her return</em><br><br>Let the righteous keep watch for the signs of her return<br><br><em>Let the faithful watch the stars for her awakening</em><br><br>That she might be slain before she can subjugate this land once more<br><br><em>That she may be welcomed in glory to her rightful throne once again</em><br><br>When the stars weep, and day is cast black as night, then watch for her return<br><br><em>When heaven sends a star to Creation, and Sol and Luna embrace, then know she draws breath again</em><br><br>And the wicked shall rejoice<br><br><em>And the righteous shall rejoice</em><br><br>For she is come again<br><br><em>For she is come again</em></div><br><br><div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/91/Cavemouth.jpg)</div><br>The full moon’s silver light bathed the desert sands, drawing the heat from them more rapidly than any non native might credit was possible. In the distance .. but not far enough for the comfort of those who knew it .. loomed the mountains that surrounded the Valley of the Silver Tower.<br><br>Prudent travellers avoided the region, for the Wyld storms could be fiercer here than anywhere else, and open desert left few hiding places. The small caravan that had been crossing the desert for the last few weeks had split off from a larger one a few nights previously, with assurances that they would meet up at the First Age ruins in another few days. <br><br>A dozen slaves now stood in front of a set of rocky hills within one of the small ravines that criss-crossed this region of the desert, guarded by half their number of hard eyed guards. The Master of the caravan stood talking with the leader of the guards in low voices, gesturing towards the craggy rock face that stood a few score yards away, as servants scurried about lighting braziers and doing other tasks that seemed to make little sense.<br><br>Finally the leader of the guards nodded and stepped forwards, drawing his blade with an evil hiss. “Listen up, scum,” his voice was not loud, but easily carried to the slaves that stood huddled together, a servant passing out a ration of water and trailbread to each. “If you want to live to see tomorrow, listen to the words of Akeem Magi and heed them well. Show any disrespect and I’ll slit your throats here and now and leave you for jackals.”<br><br>The magi stepped forwards, a serpent crowned staff in his hand. This was levelled at the rock face, the smoke from the braziers rising into the air, the desert winds sending them to caress the stone.<br><br>As the moon finally rose fully there was a grinding noise as the stone changed, reshaping itself into the majestic head of a massive lion, the maw opening to reveal a cave entrance. Only the presence of the guards prevented at least a couple of the slaves from turning and running for the desert .. that and the manacles they still wore.<br><br>“Within that cave is something I desire,” the Magi said without preamble. “A golden circlet, set with the head of a lion. Anyone who brings it to me will be rewarded beyond imagining.”<br><br>“Why do need us to do it?” asked one of the slaves, a heavily scarred brawler by their looks. “Big man like you with all them blades. What’s in there that you’re sending us in.” He punctuated his words with the half eaten trailbread gestured like a dagger.<br><br>“It’s always good to find an insightful mind,” the Magi replied, with a faint smile. “To answer your question, that cave leads to a tomb, as yet unplundered. I expect there will be all kinds of dangers inside. I have no need to waste my guards when I have the likes of you to send instead. You have been selected for your individual talents. I believe that you will be able to succeed where your predecessors have not. But if you need additional encouragement, allow me to offer you this.” He held up a hand and ticked off points on long fingers.<br><br>“All I want is the circlet. You may have the pick of anything else within. Second, I can always find a use for individuals of talent, and you may rise to a position of wealth and power within my service. And lastly, I expect that you will want the antidote for the poison that is in the food you’ve all been eating.” He gave another thin smile. “Oh, don’t worry, it will be a day or two before it claims you, you needn’t worry about that.” He nodded towards the cave mouth. “The fact that that will close again with the setting of the full moon and not open again til the next full moon rises is a much more pressing concern.”<br><br>He made a small gesture and a servant came forwards with an armful of basic gear .. ropes, staffs, pry bars and the like, dumping it and then moving to unlock all the manacles. The guards had stepped back and raised bows to point at the slaves. <br><br>“If any of you wish not to continue, simply say so now and ..” his hand rose to gesture at the guards. <br><br>“Your time is limited. I wouldn’t dawdle if I were you.”<br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>29-10-2022, 23:30:57</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div>Evening Glory had taken part preparing the meals, so when he took meals and was later told they were poisoned...it made him feel furious, both that he was poisoned and that his master hasn't trusted him to poison the food! Such disrespect! Evening Glory glared but did not say anything, he looked at others gathered for the mission and said; "I advise we do not waste time here, we have little choice than enter." He looks at the entrance of the place and asks; "Any have experience with traps?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>30-10-2022, 00:34:54</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div>Rowan was not overly impressed by the situation.&nbsp; They were being asked to do something their supposed masters were too cowardly to do, and he wasn't the sort of fool to think they'd be rewarded even if they managed the task in question.&nbsp; Hopefully they'd find something that would let them turn the tables on these wretched slavers.&nbsp; They were smart enough not to give them worthwhile gear, and the threat of all those bows would keep them from trying anything for the moment anyway.<br><br>"Always so nice to be needed," he drawled, sarcasm heavy as he picked up some basic gear before turning and looking at the cave.&nbsp; The large man wasn't happy, clearly, but what could they do about it?&nbsp; He moved to the side of his companion, someone he'd been looking out for after they'd both been enslaved.&nbsp; "Stick with me, Bright Eyes."&nbsp; He offered her a reassuring smile.&nbsp; "We'll make it through this, no problem."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ShadowFox89</strong> on <strong>30-10-2022, 09:09:40</strong>
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				<div class="floatright"><div style="text-align: right;">(https://i.imgur.com/7mqwaa1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=medium)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Name</strong>: Ledaal Alyx<br><strong>Location</strong>: Outside the <del>cave of wonders</del> ancient tomb<br><strong>Time</strong>: ?</div><hr><br>Alyx sighed as the Magi finished. What in Malfeas had she gotten involved with now. This was at least better than her previous master. Even considering the poison. She looked around for some gear to use, not that there was much. Alyx settled for grabbing a large stone, carrying it with her into the entrance. "How did I get forced to work with you lot...." She muttered, shaking her head. The white haired girl looked around, trying to make out any obvious dangers. She knew from her time as a scout and assassin people often liked to put traps in very obvious spots, to discourage any would be invaders.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">At 2022-10-30 02:08:05, ShadowFox89 (uid: 26413) rolls: 6d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 1 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162028)</div></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>31-10-2022, 03:10:14</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> Entry to a Stone Lion<br><strong>Actions:</strong><br><hr><br>The scurrying of servants and the ever increasing fire light was ignored by Iron Sand as she watched the few guards placed over them, grey eyes narrowed as she watches them. The handouts of trailbread and water has her focus turning her focus to chewing through the bread even as she keeps one ear on the Magi's speech. The mention of the poison has her pausing her chewing and staring at the chunk of bread before with a small shrug she continues eating it. Once the manacles are released she moves to grab rope and a pry bar, her buzzing voice lifting in question. "How will we know the right circlet? Or be it the only one in there?"<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>31-10-2022, 03:43:20</strong>
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				"I'm certain that you'll recognise it," the magi replied. "It will be in a place of honour. If in doubt, bring everything you find. If you don't bring the right one, you can always go back in again." His jest drew mocking laughter from the guards. "Now, off with you. The night is not growing any younger."<br><br>Some of the other slaves moved towards the pile of tools, picking up anything they thought might be useful. One or two looked daggers at the guards, but the already knocked and drawn bows prevented any suicidal actions. One by one they started to drift towards the entrance, lighting torches and lanterns from the nearby brazier before moving on.<br><br>The first section looked, well, much like natural cave. Rough stone walls led off into the darkness, and the floor was uneven enough to make foot a little iffy at anything more than a walking pace. The group moved carefully in, torches held high for illumination.<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/99/Qadira.jpg)</div><br>A few of the slaves held weapons like they knew how to use them, most had tucked at least a dagger away. The ones with the torches .. or the ones who had been given the torches .. led the way carefully forwards. The stone walls angled downwards, a fairly gentle slope. After some 30 or 40 yards the rough walls changed, becoming worked stone. Flakes of paint still clung to some, though whatever the mural had been, it was now faded away to nothing. <br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/2/20/A11839aefc56d467bd25e4abfd7d1fbe.jpg)</div> The cause for that might be the score or so of bodies that lay sprawled around the room. Some bore signs of injuries caused by weapons, others lay untouched, though many had flesh missing. Hopefully it was just from whatever vermin infested the place. Judging by the difference in the bodies, these are the remains of two, perhaps three, different groups.<br><br>The other slaves stood quietly, looking the scene over, one mousy young woman near the back making a gagging sound.<br><br><br><br>“Move on,” the brawler snarled, gesturing with the hammer he held. “They’re dead already, and I’m not wanting to join them. If you see anything useful, take it, but get your sorry arses moving if you want to see the sun again.”<br><br><br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c4/Tumblr_op6a9gZqut1qmgrs2o1_1280.jpg)</div> "Settle down Karim," the smaller man said, laying a hand on the others arm. "None of us want to be here, but we'll all stand a better chance of getting back out if we can work together." He turned to look the others over. "I'm Crow. This here is Karim. The only traps we have much experience with are the ones you set out near a water hole to try catching dinner."<br><br>He looked around at the group and gave a shrug. "Runaway slaves, you don't exactly have a lot of options out there. Turn bandit, or try and keep your head down and your stomach full."<br><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d9/F0fe5eec26a620ce27ded9388435b04b.jpg)</div>&nbsp; When no one else seemed inclined to announce a knowledge of traps, a dusky skinned woman gave a somewhat theatrical sigh. "I guess that means it's down to me then," she said, looking around. "And before anyone needs ask, yes I was thief, til I got turned in. Could be worse,” she said philosophically, “They might have taken my hands off instead. Not exactly many ways for a woman to earn her coin after that.”<br><br>"You can call me Zaina, by the way."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>31-10-2022, 08:38:00</strong>
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				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1REx9zC8qeGSSiFkX3gj0Dnudwixef9loemSC3dQYRi8/edit)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Less than 5' tall, Bright Eyes was a very small cat girl.&nbsp; It was so hard to get her away from Rowan that she looked even smaller—always in the mind's eye next to a man over two feet taller than she.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Rowan first met Bright Eyes, she'd been clad in similarly old and tattered clothing but she'd not made an effort to make the best of them.&nbsp; The boy's tunic she'd warm then was limp and shapeless, doing what it could to hide breasts that—at the time—had been filling out rapidly.&nbsp; Now—a woman grown with a few years of actually getting enough to eat—Bright Eyes was a woman in full bloom.&nbsp; She wore a boy's white shirt—stained gray from dust and sand—and had it tied up under her breasts.&nbsp; A few years living as an actress had done wonders for Bright Eyes' confidence, but—here at least—there was only one man she really wanted to impress.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes found a smooth pole—probably intended to prop things up—but held it for staff fighting.&nbsp; She also dug up a rope, a hammer, and some crude iron pitons.&nbsp; She slung these over her shoulder in a bag.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staying close to Rowan, Bright Eyes moved into the ancient tomb.&nbsp; She glanced around as others began to introduce themselves.&nbsp; “Zaina,” she echoed.&nbsp; “I'm Bright Eyes.&nbsp; Growing up on the streets you learn you can eat a lot more by going through locks and even traps than you can swapping bread from a stand.&nbsp; They didn't exactly give us the tools to properly deal with traps, much less locks, but I think we can improvise.”&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>31-10-2022, 12:47:07</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div>Evening Glory picked a knife, sewing needle, some strings and strips of cloth and staff. Staff nor knife as weapons, but more as tools if needed. Along with waterskin as well. Once inside he studied the walls and saw when it changed and saw then bodies laying before the group, he silently studied the bodies and try discern any injuries caused on bodies...determine cause of deaths and try detect anything unusual in the bodies cause of death.<br><br>Hearing introductions he speaks; "I am Evening Glory, since child educated concubine slave and priest of god of slavery. No much education on traps...but I have decent skills as doctor, so if anyone gets hurt I try my best at helping tend the injuries with resources given. I also can do prayer to god of slavery bless us to perform well as slaves exploring this deadly tomb."<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Rolling Perception+Awareness on bodies and Inteligence+Medicine to analyze causes of deaths.<br>Perception+Awareness: <strong>1</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162059)<br>Inteligence+Medicine (cause of death): <strong>3</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162058)<br></div></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>31-10-2022, 13:22:12</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><br>The larger than average man smirked when the gruff one with a hammer tried to bark orders, picturing him as one of those small, annoying dogs that always yapped the loudest despite how pathetic they actually are.&nbsp; Thankfully there were others with more level heads that wouldn't put up with the idiot's posturing any more than Rowan would.<br><br>"Yes, a pleasure, I'm sure," he drawled when introductions were made, an amused glint in his eyes as he looked at each person in turn.&nbsp; The social niceties combined with their current location and the dour atmosphere were doing wonders for the macabre side of his sense of humor.&nbsp; "I am Rowan.&nbsp; If you wish something dead or an obstacle removed, then I'm your man."&nbsp; He gently stroked the top of Bright Eyes' head with genuine affection.&nbsp; "My friend here speaks true.&nbsp; We actually met when she tried to lift my purse."&nbsp; He grinned at the memory of happier times.&nbsp; He didn't even spare the gruff one, Karim, a single glance, having already dismissed him.&nbsp; "Yes, we will indeed stand a better chance of getting out alive if we cooperate, but not due to any sort of benevolence on the part of our 'masters'."&nbsp; He moved to the edge of the area where the bodies had fallen, crouching down and peering around for any signs of what had happened.&nbsp; <br><br>"The moment we return with the bauble they wish us to retrieve, we're all most likely dead meat."&nbsp; He scoffed at the thought of giving those people what they wanted.&nbsp; "Our best chance is to find something in here to fight back with, take those bastards out and get the antidote, if the poison is actually real in the first place."<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Roll</div><div class="spoiler_body">Rolling Perception+Awareness with a specialty in Sight gives me a total number of successes of 2 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162060) thanks to that 10 I rolled.&nbsp; Which for rolling five dice isn't bad.</div></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ShadowFox89</strong> on <strong>01-11-2022, 06:03:29</strong>
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				<div class="floatright"><div style="text-align: right;">(https://i.imgur.com/7mqwaa1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=medium)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Name</strong>: Ledaal Alyx<br><strong>Location</strong>: Outside the <del>cave of wonders</del> ancient tomb<br><strong>Time</strong>: ?</div><hr><br>The former dynast frowned, looking through some desiccated bodies mummified by the desert sun. <strong>"My name is Alyx."</strong> She said simply. Alyx began sorting through the gear they had, taking numerous throwing knives one person had and finding good places to stow them on her outfit. She managed to find a breastplate in decent condition, fitting it on over her dress. <em>'It's been.... a year? Maybe? Since I was last actually doing something with my talents? By the dragons it felt good to be doing this again.'</em><br><br>As Rowan mentioned his plan, Alyx shook her head. <strong>"We have a cutpurse, a pampered concubine, a street urchin, and...."</strong> Alyx tilted her head at Iron Sand, blue eyes narrowing. <strong>"And whatever you are. A Talent of the Realm's finest we are not. Unless we can find gear in there aimed for use by mortals, we are not going to be taking on that many guards and living. Our best bet is to just do the job and hope they don't backstab us. Or barring that, find a secret exit out of the tomb."</strong> Alyx looked intently at a dagger she found, flipping it around in her fingers with practiced ease. And then the image of Chajai's laughing face popped into her head and with an angry glare at one of the corpses, she threw the blade into it's skull. <em>'Fucking bitch... I will get her back for all this torment I have suffered. Death will not be enough.'</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>01-11-2022, 13:03:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> Entry to a Stone Lion<br><strong>Actions:</strong><br><hr><br>The magi's jest and the mocking laughter of the guards has Iron's eyes narrow before she grins and shrugs. "Better to ask and know then trudge through things unknowing." With a slight bow to she magi she turns and heads into the mystic cavern behind the others.<br><br>The hammer thug's words have her puffing up to her full and barely over five foot height, rope dropping to the ground even as she crosses her arms beneath her bust. "Big words from a thug. Try them again and we'll see how well you enjoy eating your fucking toy."<br><br>Crow's attempt at keeping things calm and Zaina's introduction has her giving a huff before turning to scoop her rope back up. The other introductions bring her to a stop, head tilting as she gazes from the small catgirl to Evening Glory. But it's the one called Rowan that draws another scoff from her. "They'll be expecting the betrayal." She points towards Alyx, a brief scowl twisting her lips. "And like she said unless one of you are hiding Enlightenment most of the stuff here will probably be useless in our hands." She scowls at the faded mural. "Wish there was more then a few scraps of paint. Would love to know just how fucked we are. Well beyond what we already know with a predator for a door and the power to form it from the rock."<br><br>Turning to the snow haired lass she lets a faint smirk curl her lips. "Not a whatever. I am one that seeks to Ascend The Perfected Lotus." Glancing at the corpse now bearing a dagger she tilts her head. "That one owe you jade or something?"<br><br>With a shake of her head she turns to face the others before dipping into a partial bow. "Iron Sand. Once a Dojo traveler. Most recently one pitted in the arena for idiots to bet on."<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>01-11-2022, 20:28:38</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/61/Bright-leopard.jpg)</div><br>"I think you may have the right of it," one of the others slaves said, nodding at Rowan. "Poison doesn't come cheap, especially good poison. Why waste coin on it when the idea of poison is likely to be just as effective." He looked around the group before continuing. "Bright Leopard. I used to be a guardsman in the city. Until I refused to not see something," he added bitterly. "I got framed, and sold into slavery." He held a staff loosely in his hands, with the casual grip of one used to it. A pair of daggers were tucked into his belt sash, one on either side.<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b7/Ivory-willow.jpg)</div> <br><br>"My name is Ivory Willow." The older woman's voice held the liquid tones of the upper class. "I .. was .. a scholar. A tutor to the children of House Sharji. One of the princes decided that my conduct was unbecoming towards him, because I sought to instil in him the rudiments of civilised behavior. I was informed that my services were no longer required, and was being released." She paused a few moments before continuing. "The little monster bribed a pair of the guards to accost me, and when I regained my senses, I had been sold."<br><br>"Of traps and arms, I know little, but I can read and speak every civilised language. If this tomb is from the breaking of the world, perhaps there will be clues in here that will let us navigate it safely."<br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/39/Cerulean-owl.jpg)</div> <br><br>"Cerulean Owl," announced the last man, giving a polite bow. He was slightly built, and had a friendly face. "I'm a clockmaker by trade. I find myself in this rather unfortunate situation due to an overabundance of unwise investments."<br><br>"Investments?" Ivory Willow's voice held a tone of disbelief. <br><br>"He means gambling debts," Bright Leopard offered up. "Must be Plentimon's own debts you owe if a clockmaker can't pay them off."<br><br>"Alas so," the clockmaker replied. "When it comes to delicate mechanisms, my talents are second to none. When it comes to dice and horses, well .. I'd say I still have a lot to learn, but I do not think I need worry about those any longer."<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/99/Qadira.jpg)</div> <br><br>"I don't know why I'm here," the young woman who had been hovering at the back said. "I'm Qadira. I .. I just worked in a coffee house, til it burned down. They said I was responsible, but I wasn't, I swear. Things just .. I didn't do anything." Her voice trailed off, as her wide eyes looked around the room.<br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">For Evening Glory's investigation</div><div class="spoiler_body">None of the bodies had any kinds of insignia. Most were dressed poorly, much like everyone here. At best guess, these are earlier groups of slaves that were sent in here. A couple of the oldest ones might have been guards, as they had leather armour on.<br><br>About half show signs of fighting, defensive wounds or other small wounds here and there, enough to indicate injuries taken. Some of the injuries look deep enough to have killed, others wouldn't be fatal, but some discolouration around the wounds might be signs of poison .. though what poison could be effective after this length of time you have no idea. A handful show signs of extensive trauma .. mangled or missing limbs, or massive deep wounds. These would have been fatal in a short time.<br><br>Perhaps a third show only a single clean blow, to the head or heart .. he would recognise a mercy stroke when he saw it. A quick, clean death with minimal pain.<br></div></div><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Perception and Awareness rolls from everyone</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">2 successes</div><div class="spoiler_body">Qadira seems to be focusing not on the other people in the room, but past them into what appears to be empty space. Mostly she seems to be looking at the corridor that leads out deeper into the tomb, but also at some of the bodies .. but not looking where they lie on the ground, but 5 or 6 feet above them. </div></div><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">3+ successes</div><div class="spoiler_body">In addition to the above, whatever is going on with her has her REALLY scared. No one is exactly happy right now, but she seems on the verge of panic.</div></div><br></div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>02-11-2022, 17:50:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory whether by luck or miracle (3 sux, 2 luck re-rolls used) (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162108), noticed the odd behavior on Qadira, and that combined what he saw on the bodies made him ponder. He says to everyone; "Those bodies are likely earlier slaves send in, the oldest ones carry leather armor and appear to be guards. But they all died from injuries inflicted by each other. Freshest bodies' wounds display signs of poison in them. I could understand perhaps one such incident, a violent infighting but it repeated several times and roughly on the same spot...I suspect a curse works on here more than a trap. Perhaps dark magic. Also what I worry most is that all those bodies have been laid there without proper rites or rest given to them, meaning high possibility of hungry ghosts lurking about here."<br><br>Then he looks at Qadira and says to her; "What you do see Qadira, I can see you able see something that we rest do not. Something bad is lurking above those bodies ahead of us is it not? Do not fear, we will figure a way through together and we do not plan to walk in blindly to the curse ahead of us."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>03-11-2022, 01:39:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: Outside the ancient tomb<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Evening Glory, Alyx, Karim, Ivory Willow, Qadira | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Observing, making some deductions, offering guidance, stretching (very important to stretch)<br><br><hr><hr><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Perception+Awareness</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Armphid rolled: 6d10, keeping 6 dice<br>Comment:<br>Result: 5, 8, 4, 2, 7, 3,<br>Total: 29</div></div><br>Poisoned and doomed to die in two days without the antidote.&nbsp; Sent into an ancient tomb with sparse equipment and unknown allies.&nbsp; A tight deadline to succeed before the full moon set or be entombed along with the wonders in the cave itself.&nbsp; Sagacious Emerald was grinning from ear to ear.&nbsp; Now this, out of all the situations he'd been in since getting teleported to the reeking, sticking desert, was something he knew how to handle.&nbsp; The things that made it daunting made it more exciting!&nbsp; He was almost bouncing on the balls of his feet with eagerness.&nbsp; What would they find in there?&nbsp; <br><br>He took a bit more time than the others gathering supplies.&nbsp; Rope, a knife, a hatchet with a flat and sturdy back that could server as a hammer if needed, a crowbar, a trio of torches, and other things that he knew from practical experience would be useful.&nbsp; As such, he was one of the last ones into the First Age site itself.&nbsp; As the others introduced themselves and some postured, he looked about carefully with his bright green, oddly faceted eyes.&nbsp; The only sign of his parents' being God-Bloods that he'd inherited and the reason for his name.&nbsp; He didn't weigh in on Rowan's "plan" or Alyx's comment on it, but privately, he agreed with the almost ridiculously tall man.&nbsp; He'd have to keep his eyes out for something they could use as leverage.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>He stayed silent as the talk went on, looking and thinking about what he saw, matching what he observed with what he knew.&nbsp; And deciding that it might be best to step in now.&nbsp; "Sagacious Emerald.&nbsp; But just Sage, please.&nbsp; My name is too damned fancy otherwise.&nbsp; And I am a Scavenger Lord of Great Forks." &nbsp;He said it with steady confidence.&nbsp; Not boasting or grabbing, just a statement of fact.&nbsp; Well, maybe there was a hint of pride.&nbsp; Perhaps he should have said he "was" a Scavenger Lord since he'd been a slave for the last two years but he'd never stopped thinking of himself as anything less. <br><br>Or stopped thinking of himself as a free man.&nbsp; Which was a very dangerous thing for a slave to cling to.&nbsp; "So!&nbsp; First off, everybody take a few deep breaths.&nbsp; Especially the ladies," he quipped.&nbsp; And especially Iron Sand!&nbsp; Dreamweaver's Bliss, she had a divine rack!&nbsp; "We can do this.&nbsp; But we don't want to rush, even though we know we have a deadline.&nbsp; We have to move quickly, but not rush.&nbsp; Rushing gets you killed."<br><br>He looked around at the others, "We need to stick in groups.&nbsp; No one should go off on their own.&nbsp; I'd suggest we stay together as much as possible but it we have to split up, trios would be best, pairs if we have to.&nbsp; If you haven't taken one yet, go back to the gear pile and get at least one torch.&nbsp; Light will be important and fire might be very useful."&nbsp; Sage gestured to Ivory Willow, "Don't go touching things if you can avoid it.&nbsp; Before you do, ask me or Ivory Willow.&nbsp; While your eyes will help you see danger, Lore is just as or more important to detecting them in a place like this."&nbsp; He hoped that none of those with the shitty attitudes would object to him taking the lead.&nbsp; He'd deal with it if they did, but having structure could do a lot to steady people in a tense and dangerous situation.&nbsp; Sage started to do some stretches to limber himself up.&nbsp; "Light on your feet, everyone, and eyes open.&nbsp; We can do this," he repeated his previous statement.<br><br>Sage looked over at Evening Glory, "Evening Glory, you said you're a priest, right?&nbsp; I don't suppose you know any quick rites that could be said over these bodies?&nbsp; We still may have to deal with Hungry Ghosts regardless but if can placate some of them, then so much the better." &nbsp; &nbsp;He had noticed the same thing that the priest had about Qadira and where she was looking.&nbsp; Could she see spirits?&nbsp; &nbsp;Gods, that would be a stroke of luck!&nbsp; The priest was already speaking to her and he was sure he couldn't do better than the man at calming anyone down.&nbsp; Though he couldn't help but try. &nbsp;"Qadira, you can keep close to me if you want.&nbsp; I'm sure you've heard that from a guy or two before, but in this case it's not <em>just</em> a come on, I've got experience in First Age tombs.&nbsp; I'll do all I can to keep you safe."&nbsp; The blond young man addressed the whole group again, spreading his arms wide,&nbsp; "That goes for everyone, even you sour types," he gave Alyx and then Karim his most insolent grin.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-11-2022, 03:55:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/99/Qadira.jpg)</div> Qadira shook her head, what looked like a reflexive action. "I .. no .. no, I don't." Her words came out in a rush, which drew a few odd looks from some of the others.<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c4/Tumblr_op6a9gZqut1qmgrs2o1_1280.jpg)</div>“Let’s give the girl some air,” Crow suggested, guiding the others towards the far end of the room, “And see what else we can find in the meantime." He gestured towards the bodies nearby. "I don't think our predecessors will mind much if we borrow the things they no longer need. Perhaps they will let us get further than they did."<br><br>For those who remained nearby, Qadira looked around at them and then her shoulders slumped. "I suppose it doesn't matter now," she said softly. “A couple of years back, I got caught in a storm. I’d been travelling to meet family, the caravan was swept up, but we seemed to come through it safely. It left me with this though.” She brushed the hair back from her eye to show the strange colouring, a warm amber, unlike any colour you'd quite have seen before.<br><br>“Since then .. sometimes I see things. I’m not sure what it is. Power maybe? The Dragons, they glow sometimes. I’m not sure what it is or why they do it. Sometimes ..” her voice dropped to almost inaudibility .. “sometimes I think I see the dead.” She looked at the corridor the group would be moving through. “And sometimes I see …” her hand rose to gesture at the wall .. “it’s like .. streams of golden light.” She glanced around before continuing. "It's like .. it's almost always there, at the corner of my eye, but when I look .. sometimes I can see things, sometimes I can't. I don't want to though."<br><br>“Afterwards, after I see things, bad stuff happens. Accidents. People get hurt. Not me. Never me. But people around me. So I try not to see things. You understand? I don’t want people getting hurt because I’m .. whatever I am now.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>04-11-2022, 04:28:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><br>Rowan shrugged when some of the others cast doubt upon his only recently put together plan, not caring if they shared his beliefs about their "masters" or not.&nbsp; At least some of them seemed inclined to think rationally about it, since it'd be a complete waste to use such a poison on slaves, especially when it's not like they couldn't be forced to comply regardless.&nbsp; A threat of a thing was much more useful than the thing itself, after all.&nbsp; He couldn't help wondering why they had such an odd collection of slaves to complete this task, but he supposed their owners didn't care about whose lives were lost in the effort, only that it inevitably succeeded.&nbsp; Some made sense, with the thieves, scholars, warriors and guards, but the others?&nbsp; A courtesan, a young girl who looked like she was going to bolt at the slightest provocation, and a clockmaker who had a gambling problem?&nbsp; Not the best choices, but maybe the slavers knew something they didn't.<br><br>"Don't worry about it for now, Qadira," he rumbled when the girl revealed her strange power to sometimes see things others couldn't.&nbsp; "Just speak up if you see something that might be important, otherwise I don't think any of us could judge you for being different."&nbsp; Especially not himself or Bright Eyes.&nbsp; Minor as their differences might be considered by comparison, they were still both mutants, though the girl's "sight" might explain her presence here.&nbsp; "Let's just gather what we can and move on.&nbsp; Though we'll have to be cautious."&nbsp; He glanced at the obviously amorous young man named Sage who'd introduced himself as a scavenger lord.&nbsp; "Like the man said, haste could get us killed."&nbsp; He'd then pick over the bodies, though he kept an eye out for any signs of danger.&nbsp; "Sorry, friends, but we need your things if we're going to get through this alive."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>05-11-2022, 22:40:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> Entry to a Stone Lion<br><strong>Actions:</strong><br><hr><br>Iron Sand's lips twist into a scowl as the introductions continue, her head dipping in a nod towards Bright Leopard and Ivory Willow. "Amazing the crap that goes on when laws aren't enforced&nbsp; properly." Cerulean Owl's bit about his gambling debts has her shaking her head even as a small grin curls her lips. But it's Qadira that gains her attention, eyes narrowing as she watches the young one.<br><br>The self proclaimed Scavenger Lord's intro and attempt to 'calm' folks down has her rolling her eyes her eyes before perking up. Moving to Qadira she lightly rests a hand on the girl's shoulder. "That's actually a good point little amber." There's a small smile curling her lips before she moves to stand beside the girl. "Deep breaths." With her palms facing up she raises her hands making sure to&nbsp; only bend her arms at the elbow. "Breath in." She takes a deep breath, her hands lifting with the breath. "And out." Hands twist to face down as she lowers them with the exhale. "Repeat a couple times to help calm the mind." Dropping her hands back to her sides she leans forwards before looking at Qadira, a smile on her lips and her voice pitched to emphasize the inhuman buzz to her words. "Those storms cause lots of changes. Almost sounds like you've gotten a touch of enlightenment... One of the not quite controlled methods to work ones way up the Lotus."<br><br>Backing away from the girl slightly she nods towards Rowan. "He has a point. Any warning is better then none."&nbsp; As the others sort though the fallen and the priest is consulted on rites she stays out of their way, grey eyes watching curiously.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>08-11-2022, 02:15:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/99/Qadira.jpg)</div> "There's .. some figures standing there now," Qadira replied, her voice barely audible. "They're pointing to the bodies and then down that corridor at the other side of the room. I think they're trying to warn us of something bad in there."<br><br>"They don't seem angry. I mean, I've heard about hungry ghosts but these ones don't seem to want to hurt us. At least, I don't think they do."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>08-11-2022, 19:54:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory listens to Sagacious Emerald and replies; "I can try." Then as Qadira revealed her ability and its origins, he nodded, not an unlikely story in these lands after suffering a storm and coming out changed from it. As those storms and its effects are well known if exact origins are a mystery. As she reveals the figures he replies; "That's one half of their soul, hungry ghost forms from the primal side of your soul and higher soul which holds your higher thoughts usually ascend to Lethe. But they are stuck here on this tomb, glad as I am for their warning they should not linger here."<br><br>Once everyone was done looting the bodies, Evening Glory then walked among their bodies. He chants a prayer in the old realm, a basic funeral rite prayer but with an added emphasis towards Rabszolga, god of slavery; "My lord Rabszolga, these men and women served their masters well in their life. So grant them freedom from their chains in death, as even in death in their duty they guided and warned us of the danger ahead of us. So give mercy and freedom to these fallen before us and grant rightfully well-deserved journey to <em>Lethe</em>." In each body he repeats the prayer and closes the eyes of the person while arranging them more respectful pose and touching his lips with his fingers and then touching their forehead in a gesture of benevolence and kindness as he attempts to connect the soul right flow without an elaborate funeral, as slaves and servants in these cruel eras aren't given often proper burials but at this moment he gives utmost respect to them and life they had once treaded. The final utterance is to each body; "Return to the sand where you were born from."<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Without any stunt bonuses, dice pool 12 and channel compassion for additional +4 dice.<br><br>Rabszolga is the essence 7 deity, as a priest of his, difficulty contacting him with prayer is 6.<br><br>Charisma+Performance: <strong>6</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162258), exactly needed amount.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>10-11-2022, 22:11:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Rapture had been here the whole time, but she was staying pretty quiet.&nbsp; She worked best when she had the sky open and free above her, and especially when she had a bow.&nbsp; At the moment, she just felt helpless and was trying to get used to it.&nbsp; She missed her previous owner, but knew she couldn't go back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>10-11-2022, 23:32:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: Outside the ancient tomb<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Evening Glory, Alyx, Karim, Ivory Willow, Qadira | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Looting, donning armor, and onward!<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>It seemed he wasn't the only one to feel protective over the young woman with the unusual eyes.&nbsp; Sage took a moment to watch Iron Sand breathe deeply, purely to assess how effective her using a martial technique to try and steady Qadira and not for purile reasons.&nbsp; Of course.&nbsp; "Glad to hear that, Qadira.&nbsp; Thank you, Evening Glory.&nbsp; Let's hope that we may have cut any ghost issues off at the knees."&nbsp; He finished his stretches and joined Rowen at the bodies.&nbsp; He didn't like this.&nbsp; Looting a body that had lain somewhere for unknown centuries was one thing, but this felt...dirty.&nbsp; Still, the man was right.&nbsp; They could make more use of the gear than these folks could.&nbsp; He used his knowledge of craftsmanship to pick the least damaged set of armor that would fit him best and quickly strapped it on.&nbsp; "Thank you, nameless one," he said to the body.&nbsp; "Forgive my trespasses and help us to stay alive."&nbsp; He paused and then nodded, "If you can tell any of us your names, I'll make an offering once we're back in civilization."&nbsp; <br><br>Sage then lit one of the lanterns, checking the oil level first, and then raised it in his left hand.&nbsp; "All right, let's get moving everyone.&nbsp; I'm going to start heading in.&nbsp; We know there's a danger, thanks to Qadira and our predecessors here, so let's keep our eyes open.&nbsp; Watch where you put your feet.&nbsp; If you're not sure, let a few of us scout ahead first."&nbsp; And with no further word, the Scavenger Lord walked ahead without fear into the tunnel, emerald eyes alert.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>14-11-2022, 02:43:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Evening Glory finished his prayer, a warm wind blew through the chamber, causing the torches to flicker. Whether that was simple co-incidence or a sign of divine favour, well, that was open for discussion.<br><br>"I think most of them are gone now," Qadira said quietly. "I can still see one though. He's dressed in armour. He's shaking his head and pointing towards the tunnel. I'm not sure why."<br><br>As Sagacious Emerald started down the tunnel, Zaina laid a hand on his forearm. "Slow and steady. I'd rather you didn't spring anything since that means it'd be up to me to find the rest," she said, smiling. "I'll stay a bit behind you and if you miss anything, maybe I won't."<br><br>They hadn't gone more than a dozen feet down the tunnel when Sagacious Emerald found the first trap. A breath of air coming from the side wall told him that something there was designed to open, or that there was a gap. From ground level he could see a couple of flagstones that were raised just above the level of the rest .. presumably the trigger for something nasty on the other side of the wall. From the state of some of the bodies in the previous room, probably blades or spikes of some kind.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>14-11-2022, 09:37:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1REx9zC8qeGSSiFkX3gj0Dnudwixef9loemSC3dQYRi8/edit)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright eyes dug through the bodies 'til she found a heavy set guard.&nbsp; She spoke softly to the ear of the corpse, "Please permit me to take this, sir."&nbsp; She started to undo his jacket.&nbsp; "Turn your wrath on me if i gave offense.&nbsp; There is a man I treasure and I must protect him."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a while, the cat girl brought the buff jacket, a spear, and a few javelins to Rowan.&nbsp; "Master, the slain was a heavyset fellow," she said, holding up the buff jacket.&nbsp; "It'll be a bit short, but I think it'll fit you."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Getting a torch next, Bright Eyes moved towards the front.&nbsp; Pausing at Rowan, her hot, silky little body embraced the giant's graceful, muscular physique.&nbsp; "Remember what I said to you last night," she said softly, voice intimate.&nbsp; “I’m a slave no.&nbsp; That’s the price of my crimes, but he is not my master.&nbsp; You are.&nbsp; I chose you.” <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And now I'm going to protect my master."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes fell in next to Zaina, behind Sagacious Emerald.&nbsp; "There's a jeweler in the Capitol who has a nightingale floor," she commented.&nbsp; "Step on the wrong tile and chimes ring.&nbsp; With these ears I managed to learn the pattern without getting caught by the guard.&nbsp; His petty cash box fed me more than once and--because I didn't go after his greatest treasures--he never put a serious bounty on me."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She flashed Zaina a smile.&nbsp; "Almost caught me when I got cocky, though.&nbsp; He rearranged the floor."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes frowned as she scanned the hall ahead.&nbsp; "Is this the tunnel the spirit is telling us to avoid?"&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She grew silent and serious as they advanced, focused on one devotion.&nbsp; <em>I'm going to protect my master.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>14-11-2022, 12:54:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: Outside the ancient tomb<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Evening Glory, Alyx, Karim, Ivory Willow, Qadira | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Chalk is a tome raider's best friend.<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Sage raised an eyebrow at Zaira's comments, "I appreciate your vote of confidence in my trap finding ability.&nbsp; One way or the other."&nbsp; It was understandable.&nbsp; None of them knew him at all and he had been talking pretty boldly.&nbsp; But that was just how he did things, particularly when this whole situation was in his area of expertise.&nbsp; She was right about slow and steady, though.&nbsp; <br><br>He made his way down the corridor a few steps and only a few steps before he found the first trap.&nbsp; Those slates were casting a shadow from the lantern's light, which meant they were elevated over the others.&nbsp; And there was air coming from the side.&nbsp; "They didn't waste any time here.&nbsp; All right, time for the ultimate weapon."&nbsp; He bent down and pulled out one of the items taken from the pile of tomb raiding gear.&nbsp; There was a soft scraping sound and then he stood up, a piece of chalk in his hand before he slipped it away.&nbsp; On the floor, the suspect tiles were now in a circle of white with a frowny face and a skull next to it.&nbsp; "Don't step there.&nbsp; I'm guessing this is where those puncture wounds came from.&nbsp; Whatever comes out might be poisoned too...hm."&nbsp; Maybe he'd use a stick or something to trigger it on the way out, just to see how it worked.&nbsp; <br><br>"Right, on we go!"&nbsp; The luscious and lithe lady with the feline features was up with him as well, "Let me know if you see anything, all right?"&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>14-11-2022, 13:48:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><br>Rowan was quite glad the spirits that had been present weren't the violent, angry sort, the priest of... what was that god's name?&nbsp; He held dominion over slavery, or was it slaves?&nbsp; Either way, according to Qadira, almost all of them moved on to the realms beyond, with only one staying to seemingly warn them of the traps.&nbsp; Damn decent of him, or her, really.<br><br>"Ah, thank you my dear," he said to Bright Eyes, offering her a kind smile as he accepted what she'd found him.&nbsp; "We aren't likely to find someone here that's as tall as I am, so some protection is better than none."&nbsp; He shrugged into the jacket, which was, as his sweet girl predicted, short on him, but roomy enough for him to wear regardless of the length.&nbsp; He'd just taken the spear and javelins in hand, glad they'd found something he was comfortable using, when Bright Eyes embraced him.&nbsp; He returned it gladly, the pair quite the odd sight given how much taller than her he was, but that was the farthest thing from his mind at the moment.<br><br>"Yes, I remember," he replied softly, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, careful of his weapons as he enjoyed the feel of her in his arms.&nbsp; "Just be cautious.&nbsp; For my sake if nothing else."&nbsp; He then watched her join Zaina and Sagacious Emerald, straightening to his full height and readying himself in the event he had to act even as he whispered a quiet prayer.&nbsp; "Ahlet, goddess of southern war, grant me the fortitude of body, strength of arms, and integrity of spirit to face the challenges that await us."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>15-11-2022, 05:30:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong><br><hr><br>A frown curls Iron Sand's lips as Qadira's light voice speaks about the ghosts and the corridor. That frown grows deeper as Evening Glory talks of hungry ghosts and higher souls. "That always seemed off to me. Kinda unfinished. But I'm a fighter not a priest so might just be somethin' they teach ya when you've more understanding and don't need souls dimmed down for the rest of us."<br><br>While she doesn't understand the prayer she does at least dip her head as the bodies are prayed over. The warm wind brought about by the prayers has her backing up, gaze darting about warily but as it's mentioned most of the spirits had left beyond one warning about the tunnel she slowly relaxes. The armor and weapons the others clad themselves in has her shaking her head before coiling the rope around her waist and tucking the crowbar behind her back. Making sure they stay still she twists and stretches, everything from touching her toes to almost folding herself in half backwards. Only just remembering the lacking state of the slave garb and keeps from exposing anything to bad. <br><br>Following along after the trapspringer, the cat and the cat's lover she manages to catch Rowan's prayer for aid, a brief laugh spilling from her as she gives the taller slave a friendly smack to the shoulder. "If those are lacking then you've not pushed yourself enough. Bare feet glide across the stone as she follows Sage, taking care to avoid the chalk marked trap. "Course I suppose one that has others in his care would need to be more then he might be." Briefly she grows quiet, fingers tracing something across her palm before she shrugs and gives a thrumming laugh. "Wouldn't know myself. Before this... I'd chosen to wander. To push myself further. Figures I'd survive that idiot and the Wyld just to wind up in a stone tiger's belly."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>16-11-2022, 02:30:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The group moved slowly forward, the flicking lights of the torches casting a fitful illumination, and sending shadows to dance along the walls. Bright Eyes spotted the next trap, a section of the floor that looks like it was designed to give way beneath an incautious step, and drop any unfortunate individual on it into what was like to be a very unpleasant, if not fatal, situation. By keeping close to walls, the group was able to edge it's way past. <br><br>Ahead, the corridor seemed to open up into another chamber. On the walls could be seen faded murals, though who or what they represented would need some investigation.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>17-11-2022, 01:46:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Rapture had some experience with investigation, so she flew over to investigate.&nbsp; Touching nothing except if she was actually sure it was safe - she even kept flying and avoided laying foot on the ground - she checked over the murals and would reveal everything she learned to the others.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Intelligence+Investigation 3s</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: AndyZ rolled: 6d10<br>First Target Number: 7<br>Second Target Number: 10<br>Comment: Intelligence+Investigation<br>Result: 8, 4, 8, 7, 4, 1,<br>For: 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0,<br>Total: 3</div></div><br><br>“Old Realm and painted murals…does anyone know Old Realm?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>21-11-2022, 04:01:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: Outside the ancient tomb<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Evening Glory, Alyx, Karim, Ivory Willow, Qadira | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Checking the murals for the inscription and anything else<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>The hallway widened out again into another chamber.&nbsp; The winged beauty Rapture flew ahead and inspected the walls, her feet off the ground and keeping her hands to herself.&nbsp; Smart girl.&nbsp; She called out asking if anyone spoke Old Realm&nbsp; "I do, just a moment." <br><br>He took a careful look, checking for further trap triggers as he made his way towards where she flew.&nbsp; The scavenger lifted the lantern he'd lit high to get a better look at the wall and began to inspect it.&nbsp; Visually only, until he felt sure if was safe.<br><br><br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Perception+Awareness</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Armphid rolled: 6d10, keeping 6 dice<br>Comment:<br>Result: 8, 1, 9, 4, 4, 2, - successes<br>Total: 28</div></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Intelligence+Investigation</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Armphid rolled: 5d10, keeping 5 dice<br>Comment:<br>Result: 1, 10, 8, 5, 2, - 3 successes<br>Total: 26</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ShadowFox89</strong> on <strong>21-11-2022, 06:00:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><div style="text-align: right;">(https://i.imgur.com/7mqwaa1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=medium)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Name</strong>: Ledaal Alyx<br><strong>Location</strong>: Outside the <del>cave of wonders</del> ancient tomb<br><strong>Time</strong>: ?</div><hr><br>&nbsp;Alyx followed quietly and closely, observing the others as they went. When someone asked about Old Realm, she nearly spoke up. Of course Old Realm was part of her education growing up, Alyx had been expected to learn several languages. Her parents had entirely expected her to be blessed by the dragons and wanted to prepare their daughter as much as possible for the life of a dynast. Still, that education could still hopefully prove fruitful even now. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>22-11-2022, 00:32:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/b7/Ivory-willow.jpg)</div> “Let me have a few moments to examine them,” Ivory Willow replied, beckoning the nearest torchbearer closer. “While I will admit an academic curiosity as to just whose tomb we have entered, there might be useful information among whatever is recorded here. Tombs would often have, mmm, representations of those they were raised to honour. A legacy of their deeds, their triumphs and so on.”<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c4/Tumblr_op6a9gZqut1qmgrs2o1_1280.jpg)</div><br>“I doubt they’ll be kind enough to leave us with a list of traps they had installed,” Crow offered in a dry tone.<br><br><br><br>“Don’t be so certain,” Ivory Willow replied, raising a finger as if to call an errant student to order. “Some are so arrogant, so sure they are smarter than everyone else, they will slip in hints just to prove their superiority, since they know that no one else could possibly catch them, or even if they did, they would still fail to beat them.”<br><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d9/F0fe5eec26a620ce27ded9388435b04b.jpg)</div>“The ones in the first hallway weren’t up to much,” Zaina interjected. “I mean, they weren’t a walk in the market, but I’ve seen tougher.”<br><br>“And overconfidence kills as surely as any other trap,” Ivory Willow replied. “Now, please give me a minute, translating Old Realm is not the easiest of tasks.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>23-11-2022, 01:22:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Mural Room<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Rapture, Alyx, Karim, Ivory Willow, Zaina | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Checking the murals for the inscription and anything else<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>"Thank you for pointing this out, Rapture, good eyes.&nbsp; And great legs."&nbsp; Sage thought that the willowy white haired girl was about to speak up and say something but she seemed to think better of it.&nbsp; He looked at her, "If you've got something to say, speak up, pretty lady.&nbsp; We're going to live or die together in here."&nbsp; There was something about her that was naggingly familiar to him.&nbsp; Nothing specific in her appearance that he could pinpoint, or in her manner, or her speech, but something that he felt like he should recognize.&nbsp; It eluded him, whatever it was.<br><br>He turned his attention back to the mural as the others bantered, stepping aside to allow room for Ivory Willow to take a look.&nbsp; "It's telling the story of the tomb," he offered after a minute or so of study.&nbsp; "Love to hear if you agree, Ivory Willow.&nbsp; But...there was a queen that was overthrown...land broken...?&nbsp; Ah!&nbsp; Yes, all right.&nbsp; There was an Anathema that ruled this region in the First Age, the Dragon-Blooded overthrew her, and built this tomb to appease her spirit so they didn't have a very powerful, very pissed ghost queen to deal with.&nbsp; Full ceremony and grave goods...including any personal items of hers that they couldn't use, I'd bet."&nbsp; Which meant there was quite a lot of very valuable loot here.&nbsp; Though it was important not to get too excited about that.<br><br>"Lots of flame imagery," he mused.&nbsp; "It could be part of the queen's iconography or a hint about the kind of dangers we might face.&nbsp; Or both.&nbsp; It's sometimes both."&nbsp; He sighed, "No name...looks like they feared it if was used, even after her death, it would call her or her allies.&nbsp; A pity."&nbsp; <br><br>Sage looked at Kaina and Ivory Willow as the two bickered, "Easy now, you're both right.&nbsp; We made it this far, which is great, but it's going to get harder from here.&nbsp; An Anathema's tomb...Dayshield's tresses, it opens the door to a lot of things we could find.&nbsp; But we can still do it!&nbsp; Don't be afraid, be wary."&nbsp; He then turned with his lantern held high.&nbsp; "Anyone see exits from this room?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>23-11-2022, 02:49:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, there's another tunnel leading out at the far end," Crow announced, gesturing towards the far side of the room from where the band had entered. "Looks empty, so probably full of more traps," he added.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>25-11-2022, 23:28:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong><br><hr><br>Iron Sand's boisterous antics die off as the group moved forwards. The trap door was a bit annoying to bypass what with having to keep to the wall and edge across, luckily there wasn't a pack or bulky belongings like some of the others had gathered to get in her way. The flying girl got looks of admiration at how easily she managed to avoid the floor traps.<br><br>As the corridor opened into a chamber she made sure to stay out of the other's way, a frown curling her lips as she listened to the chatter about the murals and the language it was written in. She perks up as Sage starts translating it, teeth worrying her lower lip. "So no name possibly a ghost queen. Explains why they want the crown and how it'd be obvious then. But if it's an Anathema from the First Age then not only will the treasures be potent so will the traps. But would they really use flame if it's a part of the Queen? An attempt to pacify her?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ShadowFox89</strong> on <strong>26-11-2022, 10:02:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><div style="text-align: right;">(https://i.imgur.com/7mqwaa1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=medium)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Name</strong>: Ledaal Alyx<br><strong>Location</strong>: Outside the <del>cave of wonders</del> ancient tomb<br><strong>Time</strong>: ?</div><hr><br>Alyx grumbled at the back and forth between everyone. "Dragons I wish some of my family were here now.... or at least that I'd paid more attention in class." She said to herself in high realm. The traps were easy enough to avoid around, some of her marks had more dangerous traps. Still, that just meant anything more dangerous ahead was untouched.<br><br>&nbsp;"We're in the desert, fire iconography is only natural in the land blessed by Heshiesh. I just hope we do not anger her ghost, should it still roam these halls. Else we risk poison being a kindness compared to facing a ghost without the dragon's gifts."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>27-11-2022, 00:35:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><br>"Yes, if it were merely my life at stake then I would not ask for extra favors from the goddess," Rowan confirmed what Iron Sand guessed, that he was praying for more than his own sake.&nbsp; "I take my role as a protector quite seriously."&nbsp; He nodded when she spoke of leading a solitary life.&nbsp; "My own life was spent on the road, with only myself to be responsible for, until I met Bright Eyes."&nbsp; He looked the cat eared girl's way when he said her name.&nbsp; "I'm sure we can give this tiger quite the stomach ache, eh?"&nbsp; A silly joke to lighten the mood, until they came to the mural of the Anathema.&nbsp; "Oh, of course.&nbsp; It couldn't <em>just</em> be a tomb filled with death traps, but a tomb filled with death traps meant to appease the ghost of some sort of <em>demon queen</em>."&nbsp; He sighed and shook his head.&nbsp; "Truly such interesting lives we're all leading, eh?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>27-11-2022, 04:58:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d9/F0fe5eec26a620ce27ded9388435b04b.jpg)</div>"Well, on a positive note," Zaina interjected, gesturing towards the way onwards, "if this tomb was built to appease a queen, then I'm pretty sure there's enough riches in here to keep us all comfortable for the rest of our lives .. assuming we find the crown thing that the magir wants."<br><br>"Jewels are the best value for their size, and I know a buyer back in the city who'll give a fair price, no questions asked."<br><br>"Do the pictures tell us anything else useful?" she added, gesturing back at the walls. "If not, time is passing, and the moon will not wait for us." She started walking towards the other exit to the chamber, looking back over her shoulder. "I like the idea of dying fantastically wealthy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>27-11-2022, 05:43:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Mural Room -&gt; next space?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: Crow, Iron Sand, Alyx, Rowan, Zaina, Rapture | All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Checking for traps, intending to head to and through the exit but will stop to mark traps if discovered.<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Sage nodded at Crow's comment about the other exit out of the chamber but his eyes stayed on the mural, continuing to study it for any clues it might provide.&nbsp; And simply to admire the artistry.&nbsp; It was magnificent.&nbsp; Especially for being a few thousand years old.&nbsp; That was First Age craftsmanship for you.&nbsp; If he could figure out how they made things last so damned long, he would make his fortune and put his name in the histories.&nbsp; <br><br>Iron Sand's question brought a smile to his lips that only grew slightly with Alyx chiming in, "Very right, Iron Sand.&nbsp; And Alyx as well."&nbsp; Alyx has spoken to herself in High Realm.&nbsp; Interesting.&nbsp; Worth noting, though he wasn't going to mention it now.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Both of you are sharp and pretty, a potent combination.&nbsp; But yes, while a fire motif in any tomb in the South isn't surprising, if this queen used fire imagery herself, they would include it inside the tomb to appeal to her."<br><br>He sighed then and turned away from the mural, "If the usurpers did their jobs right, then we don't have to worry about the queen's ghost.&nbsp; She'll have moved on long ago, probably never even became a ghost at all.&nbsp; But we can expect more traps and dangerous ones."&nbsp; His voice grew more excited as he crossed the room and the thoughts turned to words, "Could be guardians as well; bound demons or elementals, maybe even ancient automata.&nbsp; We'll find out!"&nbsp; <br><br>"Interesting lives make for the best stories," he quipped in response to Rowan.&nbsp; His emerald eyes were searching and scanning as he walked; watching for any hint of danger as he advanced towards the other exit, intending to make his way onward.&nbsp; "Lovely Rapture, if this passage is large enough, would you kindly give an aerial view?&nbsp; Tomb robbers generally can't fly, so you give us an advantage in that regard."&nbsp; <br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Perception + Awareness</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Armphid rolled: 6d10, keeping 6 dice<br>Comment:<br>Result: 7, 9, 9, 7, 8, 8, - 6 successes<br>Total: 48</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-11-2022, 02:00:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				None of the passages would be large enough to fly in with any degree of comfort, though if one were capable of hovering and moving slowly it might be possible to make some progress. This one led, after a short distance to a set of steps going down. Rusted metal scones, presumably where torches had once sat, line both walls, the stairs descending into the stygian depths below.<br><br>For some reason, it seemed .. almost familiar .. to Sage.<br><br>Step by careful step he led the way downwards, and with each step he felt his sense of unease grow. Beneath his foot, a tile gave a soft, almost musical creak. Had he not kept the others back and silent, even he might have missed it.<br><br>And the second one on the next step, a slightly different pitch to the first.<br><br>That was when his eyes widened, realisation hitting him like a pail of ice water. This was familiar. He had encountered it before .. and it had killed three members of the team that had been with him at the time.<br><br>Nightingale floors were common enough in the halls of the rich and powerful, less so in their tombs, but one particular trap incorporated them, as a subtle warning. Within another two steps, three at most, the trap would be triggered, and the stairs they stood on would abruptly pivot, pitching those on them forwards. Most might be able to keep their feet, but would have to run forwards to do so, and at the end of that run would be the second part of the trap .. spikes extended from the facing wall, blades set low enough to be missed until you ran into them, or perhaps a yawning pit.<br><br>This one was complex, but usually there was something nearby that could be used to set it safe and allow the steps to be traversed. The question was, what?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>29-11-2022, 04:00:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Mural Room -&gt; next space?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Stopping everything!<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>He could see now that, unfortunately, Rapture would have trouble flying down the passage or the stairway beyond it.&nbsp; Too bad, but that was all right.&nbsp; He made his way forward, senses searching for anything amiss.&nbsp; But there was nothing as he reached the top of the stairs.&nbsp; Nor as he started to descent.&nbsp; Something wasn't right.&nbsp; Had me missed something?&nbsp; His guts were tense and there was an itchy sensation between his shoulder blades that he associated with his instincts noting something his awake mind hadn't caught onto yet.&nbsp; Something was wrong.<br><br>Then came the first tone as he stepped down.&nbsp; Then another.&nbsp; And then the third, clearly all part of a melody.&nbsp; It hit him then and he drew in a hiss of breath.&nbsp; He went pale and his eyes widened. The tomb near Chauntea!&nbsp; He was going down stairs, lantern held high.&nbsp; Doric was talking with Willful Cort.&nbsp; That's how he'd missed the tones.&nbsp; He caught it too late and then the stairs under their feet lurched forward and flattened, throwing them down.&nbsp; He had thrown himself forward and into a roll but even as he did so he heart the meaty squishing and slicing.&nbsp; At the bottom of the steps, he looked up and their blood rained down on him.&nbsp; Yuriny's face was inches from his own and her eyes stared into his, unseeing in an expression of pain and disbelief.&nbsp; Then her head had fallen towards him and-&nbsp; "Stop!&nbsp; No one move ahead of me!"&nbsp; He shut his eyes and pushed the memory away for now.<br><br>Sage froze in place, his muscles locked in the motion he'd been in.&nbsp; "This staircase is trapped.&nbsp; The music is the clue.&nbsp; If any goes ahead of me, it'll either throw us forward or turn into a slide and send us down into gods know what."&nbsp; He licked his lips.&nbsp; "There's something we can set to disarm it or lock it in place.&nbsp; It's nearby, in the area I just walked through, probably.&nbsp; I don't dare step off in case that might trigger it too.&nbsp; Ah, if you would all please take a look around?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>30-11-2022, 02:25:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> Searching for lock to Nightingale Floor <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header"> Awareness+investigation</div><div class="spoiler_body">rolls: 3d10 4,1,5 Result: 0 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162423)</div></div><hr><br>Iron Sand's head dips in a nod as she glances towards Rowan. "Mhm. Any advantage when it's not just yourself." Her head tilts back before she gives a small shrug. "You're lucky in a way I suppose finding something like that." A grin stretches her lips. "As much of an ache as we can!"<br><br>Alyx's comments have her coming to a halt, head tilting before she slowly nods. "Should have thought of desert and fire."<br><br>Sage's add-on has her blinking before she smirks at the trap searcher. "I'm still uncertain about the wisdom of using traps of an element tied to the Anathema buried. But it is what it is." The mention of automata and other actual guardians has her perking up, a smile curling her lips as she smacks a fist into a palm. "Now that's more my speed. I'd love to try myself against one of the metal men."<br><br>The sudden command has her freezing, eyes narrowing before they widen at Sage's explanation about the trap. "Wyrd damnable crap." Making sure not to draw close to Sage she begins gently running fingers across the walls and nudging the torch scones. "What are we even looking for? Nothing here screams lock to a trap."<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>30-11-2022, 11:06:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> Attempting to spy the mechanism for the trap <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Perception+Investigation</div><div class="spoiler_body">Rowan gets a total of 2 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162422) successes.&nbsp; God I can't wait to Exalt xD</div></div><hr><br>"I think the 'wisdom' was fueled by fear, honestly," Rowan muttered regarding Iron Sand's comment about the traps.&nbsp; "And the idea of seeing automata here is not exactly an encouraging one, but if we encounter them then we'll have no choice but to fight or die."&nbsp; His concern was more for other people than himself.&nbsp; Hopefully none would be active, but they'd just have to wait and see.&nbsp; "Shit!"&nbsp; The discovery of the floor trap has his gaze darting about for signs of the mechanism Sage spoke of, the large man scowling.&nbsp; "Damnable tombs... this is why I didn't go in for that 'scavenger lord' business and stuck with mercenary work."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>04-12-2022, 03:21:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory felt the wind, also when girl who could see spirits confirmed most left except one who by a sense of duty remained he bowed his head humbly and whispered a thankful prayer to his god. As the party proceed he followed, the mural and its tale were captivating. As a performer he was skilled in a variety of arts; dancing, singing but also storytelling. He looked at the murals, and symbols and read what he could with his own understanding of the old realm.<br><br><em>"I ponder what her final moments were when she fell."</em><br><br>The others talked excitedly about treasure, getting rich, and dying old and rich. But Evening Glory viewed wealth...<em>unnecessary</em>, for himself anyways. He devoted his entire life to being a slave, a loyal slave, a good slave, and a good priest to his god. He was born and raised to serve and he took pride in his role in life like Immaculate Order preaches for people born into roles that they have to follow. Even if he is not deeply into the faith, he found comfort in that ideology.<br><br>Then as they proceed, he heard faintly musical notes ahead and then sage shouted his warning and he halted. A musical steps?! Interestingly, he looked for the offset switch or clue about how to deal with the trap. After all, if the steps were keyboard...what musical note would allow the passage through? One honoring the Queen perhaps?<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Got 3 dots past lives if it matters, but roll perception and investigation. Channeling compassion virtue to negate penalties for not having any dots either larceny or investigation.<br><br>Perception+Investigation: <strong>1</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162496), used 1 lucky re-roll to avoid a botch (2 re-rolls left) and got now 1 sux. Also, roll for first-age lore about nightingale trap and possible melody to pass it safely.<br><br>Inteligence+Lore: <strong>3</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=162497), also mention Destiny 3, if it matters here figuring out way through.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>11-12-2022, 19:04:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/d9/F0fe5eec26a620ce27ded9388435b04b.jpg)</div><br>"I think I found it." Zaina's voice called out from the previous room. "All those flame images .. one of the torch sconces, it let me turn it half a turn and I heard something click."<br><br>She appeared in the entranceway to the staircase. "None of the others were able to move, so hopefully that was the safety." She looked down at Sage before speaking again. "Just in case I'm wrong though, everyone else might want to move back in here and off the stairs." She gathered a coil of rope that Crow had slung over one shoulder and tossed one end down to Sage, landing it on his shoulder. <br><br>"Tie this around yourself. If the floor does give way, we can stop you sliding." She turned to Karim and held out the rest. "Here big man. Wrap this around yourself and brace it good. Let it play out slow as our expert goes down."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>12-12-2022, 02:54:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Nightengale Stairs<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Springing or not springing a trap<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Sage felt a deep seated frustration as the other slave explorers searched.&nbsp; Not at them but at himself.&nbsp; Stupid!&nbsp; He'd encountered this kind of trap before and still blundered right into it.&nbsp; He took a few steadying breaths as he stayed in place, as still as though he were a statue.&nbsp; At Iron Sand's question, he spoke again, "It might be anything that seems out of place up there.&nbsp; A tile that's misaligned or a carving at a different depth than the others around it or any number of things."&nbsp; He shrugged at Rowan's comments, "Once we get out, perhaps you'll never need to enter a tomb again, save once.&nbsp; But it's really not so bad.&nbsp; Sometimes, anyway."&nbsp; <br><br>Zaira's discovery brought a sigh of relief.&nbsp; "Good thinking and good plan," he called back up the steps.&nbsp; "She's right, everyone back up.&nbsp; If any of you big, strong folks wanted to help whoever Zaira gave the end of that rope too, I'd be grateful."&nbsp; He took the tossed end of rope and neatly made two loops out of it, sliding his arms through them with the rope at his back to form a kind of harness.&nbsp; "All right.&nbsp; Let me know when you're ready!"&nbsp; <br><br>Once he got the response that they were prepared, Sage took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders.&nbsp; It would be best to be ready to dodge in case this didn't work, as well as having the rope ready.&nbsp; "Here we go."&nbsp; He lifted his right foot and then stepped down onto the next stair.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>12-12-2022, 03:18:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While the floor on the next few steps continued to sing, it would seem the trap had been made safe. Making his way cautiously down, Sage would find a wall at the bottom of the stairs, set perhaps 6 feet back from the last stair. Given how wide the other corridors had been, it lent credence to the idea that this would be a second component of the trap. What it was, it ought to be made safe for the moment.<br><br>The corridor branched left and right, turning sharply after perhaps 5 or 6 yards, so that he couldn't see where either passage led next. They did seem to be going in the same direction as the rest of the tomb was laid out .. so far at least.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>17-12-2022, 05:28:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Iron Sand paused her searching the walls at Rowan's words regarding not wanting to see automata, a pout curling her lips before she gives a slow shrug. "Might be a bad thing to find an active automata. But I would LOVE a chance to test myself against something like that." <br><br>Stretching up onto her tiptoes she pokes and prods the wall only to stop at Zaina's claim to have figured it out. With the mention of just in cases she gives a quick nod and drops to her feet, eyes widening as her top caught on the torch sconce she'd been leaning against. The cheap fabric sheared easily as the metal caught it leaving a massive tear running from the middle of her shirt to the neck, an acre of cleavage seemingly exposed by the rip. With a low growl she almost smacks the sconce but instead spins and stomps her way up the stairs ignoring how the motion set her breasts jiggling enough that her nipples would peek out between the flapping fabric. Reaching the upper area once more she headed towards Karim to help him brace Sage's weight on the rope.<br><br>It was a bit of tense time as Sage made his way down the singing stairs to the bottom but once he was down there she left the rope with Karim and made her way down the stairs doing her best to follow the steps the tomb raider had used. Staying on the bottom step she leaned forward to peer down both pathways, a frown on her lips as her gaze eventually settled on the wall across from the stairs. "Something was supposed to come out of there once the stairs dropped someone?" <br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>18-12-2022, 16:03:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Nightengale Stairs<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Hoping to choose wisely<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Iron Sand's question drew a nod from the Scavenger Lord and he clucked his tongue looking at the wall in front of him.&nbsp; "Probably.&nbsp; Spikes or blades, maybe.&nbsp; The one I saw before tore my team apart...well done, everyone on evading this."&nbsp; He took a deep breath, "All right.&nbsp; Onward."&nbsp; They had a time limit, after all.&nbsp; It didn't seem like much had passed but there was also no telling how far they had to do.&nbsp; <br><br>"Come on down."&nbsp; He checked out the wall as well as what he could see of the hallway.&nbsp; "Eyes open and be careful.&nbsp; You're doing great."&nbsp; Sage looked back at the rest of the slaves and smiled.&nbsp; His eyes widened at the sight of the tear in Iron Sand's top and the magnificent swath of cleavage displayed.&nbsp; "Really great," he added then and turned back to the hallway.&nbsp; "All right.&nbsp; Well, it's usually left to treasure and right to monsters, so..."&nbsp; He shrugged and then walked down the hallway and around the corner to the left, keeping his senses tuned for any potential dangers.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>22-12-2022, 03:14:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The passageway turned and turned again, each after perhaps about the same distance he had gone, so he was now facing back the way he had come. Ahead the corridor split, with one branch going off in the general direction they had been going since they entered the tomb, the second turning again after another 5 or 6 yards. On the far wall he could just make out flickers of movement, shadows dancing from an open flame. It appeared that the corridor branched around a large square area perhaps 10 yards at a side before resuming its path onwards. There didn't seem to be any obvious reason for this layout, given both passages appeared to lead to the point once more.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>29-12-2022, 04:13:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Sage's mention of how one of his team was torn apart by a similar trap has Iron Sand wincing, a hand coming up to run through her short curls. "Nasty way. Luckily the lock was found huh?" While the mention of monsters to the right has her perking up she gives a jerky shake of her head and follows along behind the trap seeker. The turns cause her nose to scrunch up as she peers at the wall. "Avoiding a room or just fucking with directions?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>30-12-2022, 01:46:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The Nightengale Stairs<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night, just after moonrise<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Hoping to choose wisely<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>"Good question," he said in response to Iron Sand.&nbsp; "It could be either.&nbsp; Or neither."&nbsp; Sage slipped the hatchet that he'd taken from the pile of gear and hefted it, turning to the wall of that 10 yard square formed by the branching corridors.&nbsp; He turned it in his hand and then started to move over that internal wall and began to rap hard on it.&nbsp; "Not the best way but maybe we can listen our way to the answer."&nbsp; He would give three hard raps with the flat end of the ax head and then pause to listen.&nbsp; If there was something hidden here, perhaps he or the senses of one of the others would tell them if there was an empty space.&nbsp; <br><br>"There's a room in there, all right.&nbsp; And the door...is here." &nbsp;He slipped the hatchet back into his belt and started to feel to see if he could find the shape of it.&nbsp; "There's got to be a hidden switch for it around here somewhere.&nbsp; It might be down the corridor we came or the other one but I don't think it'll be ahead.&nbsp; Spread out and check around for it but no one go off alone.&nbsp; Stick in pairs at the least, trios are better."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>07-01-2023, 22:20:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After some minutes searching, the hidden switch was found .. or rather, switches. There were two, one set on each side of the central area they were trying to access, away from the door itself. Whoever had designed this, it would have been all but impossible for a single individual to open this door, and if a single switch were discovered, the fact it seemed to do nothing would serve to convince whoever found it that it was either designed to open (or safe) something else, or simply be a trick.<br><br>The hidden passageway led downwards, a squared spiral that brought them down a good 50 feet deeper than they had already been. From there a corridor led straight out, in what seemed the direction they had previously been moving. Ahead, light could be seen flickering, light that grew in intensity as they made their way carefully along the corridor. At the end it opened out into a large room, far larger than any they had thus far been in.<br><br>About 1/3 of the way along was a massive stone brazier, a great mass of flame roaring in its heart, and casting dancing shadows around the room. As far again beyond it could be seen a raised sarcophagus. Flanking the room were two sets of pillars, with ornate plinths set between each, on which sat what would presumably be treasured possessions .. weapons, armour, jewellery or other items. Around the walls were alcoves in which sat other items, and countless gemstones and silver and jade coins that spilled from rotted boxes and bags, treasure enough for a hundred lifetimes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>08-01-2023, 23:07:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory left those skilled in scavenging and treasure hunting look for traps or switches, eventually yielding a passage deeper into the tomb. Then arriving at the main chamber after passage, a glimmer of treasures, artifacts, and elevated sarcophagus he says; "I think this may be the heart of the tomb now." Evening Glory then kneels down, into a quiet prayer in the old realm; <em>"Forgive us our transgression, queen of the old, forgive us trespassing your final resting place, gods above and below, forgive us plundering from the dead."</em> Evening Glory would continue the litany of forgiveness prayer, which he feels is important to do to avoid angering any possible gods or past spirits which may be guarding this tomb. Or at least appease them with a prayer as Evening Glory has nothing to give besides his life to them and it would be largely pointless for his goal to seek survival and live longer in completing the task they were sent to do.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>10-01-2023, 02:49:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The tomb?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Trying to be restrained and failing<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>"The tomb if not the hearthstone chamber," he agreed with Evening Glory's statement.&nbsp; "Gods great and small, look at all this!&nbsp; Amazing!&nbsp; The find of a lifetime!"&nbsp; Sage knew that this was the time to be most cautious.&nbsp; Even after all these obstacles, there may still be a guardian or guardians.&nbsp; "We may not be safe yet, though.&nbsp; There might be protectors.&nbsp; We should be wary."&nbsp; <br><br>Even as he said it, though, he was moving into the chamber.&nbsp; His emerald eyes were wide and bright as he looked at the statues and the displayed treasures on the plinths.&nbsp; "So much to see and study!&nbsp; Gods, if I had the time!"&nbsp; His gaze was purposeful as well as curious and delighted.&nbsp; They had been sent here for one item in particular in order to get the antidote for the poison they had been given.&nbsp; "A golden circlet, set with the head of a lion...anyone see it?"&nbsp; <br><br>Sage still moved as he spoke.&nbsp; The artifacts were fascinating but he found himself drawn to the raised bier and sarcophagus.&nbsp; To pay his respects as much to inspect and admire them.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>10-01-2023, 03:01:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>"That is a <em>lot</em> of treasure," Rowan observed quietly, looking around the chamber with wide eyes.&nbsp; The greedy part of him wanted to take it all, but there was no way there was any chance their "masters" would allow such a thing.&nbsp; Besides, they were here to find something specific.&nbsp; "Careful there, Sage.&nbsp; The builders might have trapped that thing."&nbsp; Not that he likely had to warn a Scavenger Lord about such things.&nbsp; "Everyone tread carefully, yeah?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>10-01-2023, 03:24:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Rapture wandered through the treasure, more astonished than anything else.&nbsp; Words failed her as she took everything in, unable to find the words.&nbsp; It felt cruel, unfair somehow that so much wealth would just be lying here unused and forgotten while so many people in Creation needed help, but to say so felt foolish.<br><br>Something drew her towards the sarcophagus, and she walked up, checking it over for any words she might understand.&nbsp; It was unlikely - everything was probably Old Realm - but even then, she'd be able to find it and ask for a translation.&nbsp; Either way, she didn't want to touch anything, at least not unless she felt compelled to do so.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>10-01-2023, 19:53:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> Perception+Awareness to find anything out of place got 4 successes (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163125)<br><hr><br>Rowan took a moment to scan the room for anything that seemed odd or out of place, his gaze narrowing as he focused on the brazier.&nbsp; How was it still burning?&nbsp; That had to be magical or something.&nbsp; Possibly even dangerous.<br><br>"Everyone, stop moving," he called out to the others sharply.&nbsp; "That brazier is still lit, even though no one will have added fuel to it for centuries."&nbsp; He pointed at it for emphasis.&nbsp; "I smell another trap."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>10-01-2023, 20:59:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The tomb?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Damn it!&nbsp; <br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Sage groaned and turned to look around the chamber at Rowan's words.&nbsp; "Good thinking...I had assumed it was connected to the hearthstone or the essence of this place, but you may well be right."&nbsp; Someone or thing had to be tending it.&nbsp; Or was it?&nbsp; It might be a spirit or elemental.&nbsp; "Be on guard, everyone!"<br><br>The Scavenger Lord licked his lips and spoke then not in Flametongue but in Old Realm, "<span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">Guardian or caretake come forth!&nbsp; We know that you're here!&nbsp; We did not come here to steal for greed but at dire need, for if we do not retrieve an item from this tomb we will all die.&nbsp; Come before us that we may bargain with or overcome you as you choose!</span>"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>11-01-2023, 03:16:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1e/90790d3fc7c1595c9d2f0444e19b2939.jpg)</div> The flames in the brazier flared upwards, forming into a humanoid shape that stepped from the brazier into the tomb itself. They seemed to coalesce, dimming from flame to flesh, and forming a woman who stood close to 8 feet tall. Only her hair still burned, waving as she turned to look at each of the party in turn.<br><br>That done she turned towards Sage, levelling a spear of some kind at him before speaking. Those who understood Old Realm would be able to hear her words.&nbsp; <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Arrogance and insolence. An intriguing combination, but not unexpected amongst thieves. Why you have chosen to come here is irrelevant. That you tell me you seek to despoil this place, and expect to somehow bargain for the right to do so .."</div></div> Her head shakes and a harsh laugh bubbles from her throat. <br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"All mortals die, sooner or later. That is what it is to be mortal. Distasteful as this is, my duty is clear. Tell your companions to line up here, and I will grant them the mercy of a quick death."</div></div> The spear moved to point at the floor near her as she finished.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Int + Occult or Lore - 1 success</div><div class="spoiler_body">From her appearance, this is likely to be an ifrit. There are plenty of stories of them around here, the main takeaway being you really don't want to mess with them. </div></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Int + Occult or Lore - 2 success</div><div class="spoiler_body">The stories also say that they tend to be very good at whatever they do. Warrior ifrits are known for being honourable and merciful, and they can be bargained with if one shows the appropriate respect </div></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Int + Occult or Lore - 3 success</div><div class="spoiler_body">They like challenges, and being summoned to guard a hidden tomb isn't exactly a challenge. They're likely to be unhappy with this duty, but unless the duty is fulfilled in accordance with the terms of their summoning, they're stuck with it. In all likelihood, they would find this an insulting waste of their ability.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>11-01-2023, 03:28:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Rapture stepped forward and bowed, showing no weapon but recognizing this creature.&nbsp; "Please tell me you understand Flametongue," she said in what was more a plea than anything else.&nbsp; Her demeanor showed that she was all too happy to discuss and negotiate, as well as demonstrating a compassion that lacked pity but showed respect.&nbsp; Even if they didn't come to an understanding via language, someone else could take over; Rapture had no weapons and couldn't make a threatening move.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>11-01-2023, 12:55:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>The response to Iron Sand's question just draws a sigh and a nod from her. "Right. No telling without talking to the builders." The discovery of the door and the need for more switches has her poking around in the completely wrong areas before the others open the pathway. And down towards a growing light they head. The treasures in the room catches her attention easily and her eyes sparkle taking it all in but the mention of traps or protectors has her shaking her head wildly and casting a less coveting gaze around.<br><br>The woman of flame stepping out of the brazier has her shifting position, hands up and ready for combat. And a long sigh slips from her as she understands not a whit what comes out of the creature's mouth. As the winged one seems to attempt communicating she slowly makes her way up to the front of the group, a finger poking Sage's shoulder even as she keeps her gaze on the spear wielder. "Hope someone understands her. If I'm not mixing my scrolls up honour and a challenge should be two points she'll hold to. And since she's got a spear she's probably one hell of a fight." She seems to perk up at the last bit, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet in preparation. "Wonder just how good she is."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>11-01-2023, 15:16:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory witnesses as the woman emerged from flames, it makes him shiver, shake and making him whimper from a distant past memory, and make him hugs himself. Afraid of both the flames from the brazier flaring up and the woman. Upon hearing her words and understanding them he was determined to find a way to overcome her challenge (6 success) (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163133), understanding her nature perfectly he replies in flame tongue to others as he shivers; "She merely informs us that our arrogance and insolence is intriguing combination and that despite whatever reason we came to plunder this tomb she is bound by her duty to slay and kill all of us. As mortal lives are mere mayflies to immortal spirits like her and killing us would be not challenging and thus distasteful to her. The only mercy she gives us is quick deaths, so if you want to die quickly, just step to the line she drew."<br><br>Evening glory spends a moment struggling with his fear and then inhales and sighs deeply (1 wp overcome his fear briefly), calming himself down and standing from a kneeling crumbled position and speaks to the spirit in the old realm, while fear gripping his heart he still confronts her and trying keep his speech resolute and steady; "I greet you a great spirit of flame, indeed we may nothing but moths diving to flame to be burned to a crisp before your spear. But can we talk before you proceed with your duty?" <br><br>Evening Glory waits for the spirit's response, if positive he continues; "I know this is a duty which you dislike, bound forever on this tomb to guard it, and from what we have seen, we may be perhaps first challengers ever approach to these depths correct? Or very least a rare few. Even so, you have faced only mortals who are unworthy to die to your spear, but by word and law of sorcery, you are bound to this tomb.<br><br>"I presume by the word of the sorcerer you're bound here, so what are the exact words the sorcerer used to bind you to this tomb? Was there any release clause to the contract made? I am thinking that instead of pure combat, where we mortals surely perish easily, we could challenge you in a test that actually is challenging both to you, and also possible for an exceptional mortal to pass. Assuming there is leeway in the wordings used by the sorcerer to do so. Perhaps even grant you freedom from this duty which keeps you bound to this tomb."<br><br>Evening Glory puts it all to his speech, while fear gripping his heart and facing the burning flames of the woman and plea to the spirit of fire, hoping to influence her to some agreement of sorts...maybe? Maybe it's his destiny to help these people overcome the challenge of fire in heart of this tomb, or give them a chance at least.<br><br>Charisma+Presence+Conviction+Destiny: 8 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163135)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>11-01-2023, 17:24:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>"Ohhhh, shit," Rowan groaned beneath his breath as the entity emerged from the brazier, the spirit even taller than he was, and took up a defensive stance with the spear he'd scavenged off of the dead men.&nbsp; He was confident in his skills, but against a warrior spirit like this one?&nbsp; It'd be a herculean task even if all of them were capable of fighting on the same level.&nbsp; As it was they had multiple noncombatants.&nbsp; He barked out a harsh laugh at the mercy she offered them, helpfully translated by the priest of the slaver god.<br><br>"I'd sooner take a warrior's death," he rumbled, working to master his own fear over fighting such an enemy.&nbsp; "Unless someone has any bright ideas, this is going to get ugly fast."&nbsp; He moved to stand at the side of Iron Sand.&nbsp; "Well, you wanted a challenge.&nbsp; She'll probably be the biggest you'll ever face in this life."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>14-01-2023, 00:02:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1e/90790d3fc7c1595c9d2f0444e19b2939.jpg)</div> The Ifrit looks over at Rapture, but her face betrays nothing of her thoughts. If she does speak Flametongue, she's not inclined to show it.<br><br>Evening Glory's approach seems to work better, as she flicks a brief hand gesture to indicate he should continue speaking after he asks her permission, and she lowers the spear slightly. She doesn't seem like she's about to start killing anyone, but her posture still shows readiness rather than relaxation, particularly to those who are warriors themselves.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"You are the first to come here in a very long time,"</div></div> she admits, nodding. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"A few managed to find this tomb, in the decades after my watch began, but after a century or so, no, no one else until recently. Oh, I knew when the tomb was opened, I could feel the change, but none had managed to find their way here. For that accomplishment, I salute you."</div></div> Her weapon rose, as she brandished it forwards, point raised towards the ceiling before she grounded it again, the butt now resting against the floor.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"As for finding a way to release me through a challenge .. while I would shed no tears in ending my watch here, I fear there is no challenge you could offer me that I could not triumph in. However, by the terms of my binding, should I be defeated then my service would be ended. I believe that the one who bound me here felt that that could only occur via combat, but they did not know what I might face in the fullness of time so did not specifically limit it to that. And, since they also gave the impression my service would only be required for .. substantially less time than I have been here .. then I will humour your request."</div></div><br><br>The blade rose again to point at his chest. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"But do not think that I will do any less than my best to win."</div></div> She gave a smile and looked around at the group. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Decide on your challenge and let your champion step forth."</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>14-01-2023, 00:45:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The tomb?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Damn it!&nbsp; <br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>Some of the others beat him to speaking and he let them, his mind racing.&nbsp; He knew that there were those here that were warriors.&nbsp; Perhaps very skilled ones.&nbsp; But the power of this being and their haphazard equipment made victory over this spirit extremely unlikely.&nbsp; Evening Glory spoke and she seemed to listen.&nbsp; Sage tilted his head and licked his lips nervously as she replied.&nbsp; Then he turned to the rest of the group, "All right.&nbsp; Bad news: we have to beat her or we're all going to die."&nbsp; He spread his hands, "She's an Ifrit Warrior, she's not just strong and skilled but also has magics to back her up; these weapons we have might not even be able to hurt her.&nbsp; Now, the good news: she has to be defeated but she's allowing us to challenge her on our terms.&nbsp; Or rather, one of us as a champion to challenger her on our terms."<br><br>"Think, all of you.&nbsp; What are you good at that isn't fighting?&nbsp; Anyone a good storyteller?&nbsp; Good with riddles?&nbsp; Jokes?"&nbsp; He looked at each of his compatriots in turns.&nbsp; "Anyone whistle real good?&nbsp; Sing?&nbsp; I could challenge her to crafting except there aren't any tools here, so I can't really contribute here other than as one of the people that can interpret what she's saying."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>14-01-2023, 03:50:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory felt joy he could manage to convince the spirit to humor the request of other methods than combat as a challenge, as he was certain the combat would have led to a one-sided win for the spirit or a very costly one. He bows his head to the ifrit and speaks gracefully in the old realm; "I thank you for a chance for mercy here, the great spirit of fire. If possible, can we be honored to know your name? Whether you be our executioner or as someone who graced us with mercy and thank you in our hearts rest of our lives if we by slim chance of fate survive out from this tomb."<br><br>As Sage asks around who is good in what, Evening Glory replies to him (in fire tongue); "I have been trained since childhood to entertain; dance, music, singing. As a priest, my specialty lies in prayers and thus prayer songs are the strongest of my skills. But what I know, ifrit is all around excellent in all things" But then Evening Glory leans forward and whispers; <sup>"...except one; In hiding when it does not involve turning oneself into a flaming pyre in a brazier that is. But doubt she would kindly take the request to play hide and seek. Ifrit's pride is bright as the southern sun at noon."</sup>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>16-01-2023, 01:43:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Rapture didn't know Old Realm, so when she got no reply, she considered it best to step back and let others handle matters.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>16-01-2023, 09:41:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Rowan was getting a bit tired of not being able to understand what the Ifrit was saying, but at least they had someone capable of translating.&nbsp; So, when the topic of a challenge was brought up, he frowned as he thought over his own skills.<br><br>"Most of my talents revolve around fighting or directing others in battle," he admitted with a sigh.&nbsp; "I don't suppose she'd go for a contest of sexual prowess?&nbsp; Winner makes the other orgasm first?"&nbsp; It was clear by his tone, dry as the desert, that he wasn't being serious.&nbsp; "Only other thing I could try is to out-wrestle her."&nbsp; He shrugged.&nbsp; "But I have no idea how our strength compares, so that might be an awful idea."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>16-01-2023, 12:29:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				date=1673438131]<br><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Evening Glory's translation of the Ifrit's words just brought a scowl to Iron Sand's lips, hair dancing with the shake of her head. "Well you can bet I'll not be taking that line. Easy death. Pfft. Bullshit."<br><br>Rowan stepping up beside her has her head bobbing in a nod, scowl turning to a wild grin. "Oh aye. This probably won't end well. But if I backed away from such a challenge I'd prove unworthy of even the mud of the Lotus."<br><br>More conversation passed between the fire lady and the ones that spoke her tongue but from the sounds of it things weren't going good. Sage giving some manner of translation just lead to her shaking her head and pointing a thumb towards Rowan. "I'm with this one. Most of what I'm good at is fighting." She does smirk and turn her thumb towards Glory. "We might just have to hope hide and seek is valid challenge. Maybe she's bored enough a kids game will work."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>16-01-2023, 20:39:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory listens to others and as fighting types gave out their suggestions he replies; "Direct fighting I would ill advise, she was bound to hereby a sorcerer to defeat all who enter the tomb. A decade or two after the tomb was built and she was assigned there were some grave robbers who reached far as we did, and she has always been aware of all intrusions done so far to the tomb. As you can see; there are no bodies to be found. She is the spirit of fire, I am sure you can imagine what fighting a spirit of fire entails...and I doubt you are immune to her flames. But she is definitely bored and ifrits do not dwell well on tasks where they are bored so she entertains the idea of competition, a challenge, where mortal has a chance to win against her but she will not hold back as ifrits pride does not allow it. Also by terms of her contract, if she is defeated she is released from duty.<br><br>"Besides my performance skills, I have always been oddly lucky. Whether in games of chance or general luck favoring me or during a few fights I have fought. If you have faith in my skills and luck I could be the champion she demands a match with her and gamble on everyone's lives onto me, I am ready to accept such responsibility."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>21-01-2023, 02:55:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What about a contest of strength?" Karim suggested. "I might not be able to match her with a blade, but I can lift a mule above my head."<br><br>"I'm not sure she'd consider that suitable," Ivory Willow, shaking her head. "If she wants something that will challenge her, I'm fairly sure I saw a go set in one of those alcoves. It might not be a contest of arms, but it might be martial enough to satisfy her."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>26-01-2023, 10:54:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory listens to Ivory Willow and replies; "Possible she agrees, but she can also agree on a non-martial contest as well. So long it challenges her. As mentioned; ifrits are all around good with any abilities so they gladly take challenges in martial forms or artistic expressions. Did anyone spot any musical instruments?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>11-02-2023, 20:27:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1REx9zC8qeGSSiFkX3gj0Dnudwixef9loemSC3dQYRi8/edit)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes spoke for what felt like the first time in hours, and in a very small voice.&nbsp; When they'd stepped onto the nightingale floor, she'd been about to say that if they played the right song the guards wouldn't come and tried to figure out the tune and continue down the floor.&nbsp; It was what she'd expected from a nightingale floor and would have been disastrous.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She lightly reached up to the magnificent, winged beauty and touched her on the shoulder, "Rapture, do you...&nbsp; Think you could win a dancing contest against her?&nbsp; You're so much more beautiful and graceful than I.&nbsp; Every time I see you move i think you're dancing?"&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>14-02-2023, 03:45:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Iron Sand bounces on her toes before rolling her shoulders before casting her gaze about. It takes her a moment as discussions go about before she perks up and dashes off to the alcoves. She soon comes back clutching both a Go set and a Guzheng instrument. Setting them down she looks at the others, head tilting. "All I found." With a glance towards the ifrit woman she gives a small shrug. "Might want to get that challenge going before she defaults to fighting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>14-02-2023, 04:14:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The tomb?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Time to decide.<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>There were options and it was hard to tell if any of them were good.&nbsp; The search out option might be good except that as a spirit, the Ifrit could just de-materialize and none of them could see her.&nbsp; They had no way of knowing if poor, timid Qadira could see any spirit or only ghosts.&nbsp; As the others discussed, he glanced back to the Ifrit.&nbsp; She was watching but he felt that they didn't have much time to make their choice.&nbsp; Despite how long she'd been bound here, bored out of her skull, not that she had one, it wasn't wise to keep her waiting.&nbsp; Fire wasn't an element associated with patience or temperance in any way.&nbsp; <br><br>A decision needed made.&nbsp; And so far, he'd been the group's decision maker.&nbsp; "Gods of Great Forks have mercy on us," he muttered under his breath.&nbsp; <br><br>Then he squared his shoulders and clapped his hands.&nbsp; "All right.&nbsp; Time to act, Iron Sand is right.&nbsp; Evening Glory, you're our pick and we're going to challenge her to dance.&nbsp; Everyone else, limber up and stretch or find cover.&nbsp; If he loses, we'll have to fight anyway."&nbsp; And probably get slaughtered.&nbsp; "Good thinking on the options, everyone, but it's time to roll the dice."<br><br>The Scavenger Lord turned to the elemental and spread his arms, speaking now in Old Realm, <em>"Blazing beauty, we have the challenge for you and our challenger!&nbsp; Under the moon and sand tonight, let us celebrate this auspicious meeting as part of our challenge!"</em> &nbsp;He indicated the priest, <em>"Evening Glory shall challenge you and the field of battle shall be dance!"&nbsp; </em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>14-02-2023, 10:28:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory nods as the decision is made, as Sage introduces the challenge to the ifrit, Evening Glory stretches as he picks up the Guzheng. He blows away any sand from the instrument, cleaning it and as he dons the jade-crafted claws to both his fingers he tests pulls,s and plucks all the strings through, feeling genuine joy listening to the sound and vibrations of the strings. What else is expected from golden...nay...orihalcum strings on the instrument. Despite ages stored in the crypt the string and instrument are in top-notch condition.<br><br>He then steps forward, but then after bowing he takes a seat and places the instrument atop his knees as he says (in old realm); "To fairly judge the dancing, the dancer will dance alone so the spotlight is on the dancer. But the other contestant challenges the dancer by playing this instrument and deciding what dance they shall perform. The way you improvise and perform the dance with given music measures your ability as a performer. If you agree to this, we can take it on three best out of five. So we eliminate any chance for luck from the question and thus measure pure skill. The musician will be the judge of the dancer with each round. I as priest swear not just under my patron god who I rever; but under name of the incarna; Sol Invictus, that I will judge you fairly even if the loss will cost my life. As I take great pride in my skills as a performer and I prefer to die as the best musician as a mortal who lost fairly than a liar. This I swear." He then pricks his palm with one of the jade claws, a red jade claw, and smears one of the strings with the blood to sanctify his oath.<br><br>If ifrit agrees Evening Glory plucks the strings casually, preparing them for performance and setting the tone ahead as he speaks; "This music is from the land of cherry blossoms, tunes I learned I was told were born after the end of the first age, the ending of anathema. It's called <em>Senbonzakura</em>, you may have heard it once or twice as it's quite popular in festivals in there."<br><br>Once he finished the introduction he takes a brief silent break and lets the string rests, then swiftly starts trucking the strings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g293pFZ9-9o), tempo being fast and intense from the get-go. Evening Glory gives out his all to the performance, not just challenging the ifrit to keep up with the tempo but making it great a musical performance as possible. If he is going to die, he wants his music to echo forever in the mind of an immortal spirit and immortalizes himself in such a way. But while he performs, he watches ifrit as well to witness her expression of the music which despite her fast merry sounding tempo has darker, morbid, tunes in between, to see if can she grasp the full story the strings tell and perform it in her dance. Albeit they are not trading blows with swords, Evening Glory gets similarly excited in this conflict like a skilled warrior against a skilled opponent.<br><br>Charisma+Performance: 6 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163518)<br>(no stunt dice nor any bonus for the quality of Guzheng, I guess ifrit should match or surpass my sux to win a round)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>18-02-2023, 04:16:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1e/90790d3fc7c1595c9d2f0444e19b2939.jpg)</div> The ifrit seems to consider the challenge for a few moments before nodding. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Very well. It has been some time since I have had cause to perform, but let me see what mortal flesh is capable of."</div></div><br><br>She waits as Evening Glory begins to play, nodding along as she gets a feel for the tune and then begins to move, her body showing where the description of dancing flames might have originated. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">4 successes. First point to Evening Glory.</div></div> When she was finished, she gave a slow nod to him, and gestured for them to change places.<br><br>Seating herself at the guzheng she begins to pluck the strings, an eerily haunting tune. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">1 successes. </div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>18-02-2023, 14:51:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory watched the dance, once the song was completed and the dance ended he gave honest inputs to ifrit about the performance she made. Albeit beautiful, it lacked the subtleties of the more morbid elements in the song.<br><br>He hands over the instrument and claws to the ifrit. He finishes stretching as she starts to play, listening to a tune for a moment, and then he starts to dance to the music. One important factor was the pace and tune, he had to play along with those. As if dance does not match the tunes and feel of the music, it is not connected and is thus a bad performance. As a good performer, he works with what is given, so with eery haunting tune he moves in a haunting eery fashion, moving his body in tune but also does eery body movements which appear disturbing, and unnatural yet same time morbid manner fascinating and beautiful. He moves his body as if it's under possession, him struggling against being possessed by something, while a greater force, this case music tunes, drags him along like a helpless puppet. Besides body movement, he displays the fear on his face, primal fear being controlled by the unknown but not making sound and letting the music and his movements tell a haunting eery tale.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Evening Glory rolled 5 success (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163538), so another score to him I guess.</div></div><br><br>Once the music ends, he receives inputs if any given by the ifrit as he accepts the Guzheng from her and dons the claws. He plucks a few tunes and says; "Now let's move more towards more somber tunes. Let's see what you make from this." Evening Glory then started playing the music. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJS_KDVVeH0) He plays slower this time, but creates somber than haunting dark tunes. More contemplative tunes, thinking to past joys, dreams, and sorrows. A eulogy to a glorious beautiful past that has passed forever and now only lives on memories of immortals who remember it, but no longer has no one share the precious moments which made the past great and beautiful. Evening Glory channels his compassion to these tunes, as in the end albeit his strongest drive is conviction and devotion, he is a compassionate man at heart and can understand sorrow and loss.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Evening Glory channels compassion virtue to these tunes. He rolled 8 success (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=163539).</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>21-02-2023, 02:27:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/1e/90790d3fc7c1595c9d2f0444e19b2939.jpg)</div> At the end of the second song the ifrit gives another solemn to Evening Glory, acknowledging their performance. With the third tune, she begins to move, a slow, almost stately performance .. the abruptly stops, turning her head to look away from the group, back to what you think is the direction you originally came in through.<br><br>She glances once at Evening Glory and then takes up her weapon once more. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"It would seem our contest is over, little dancer. I sense the riders on the storm .. they are pouring in through the entrance as we speak. Not many, only a hunting party, but enough that I fear you .. none of you .. will survive."</div></div> She looked over the group and gestured towards the alcoves surrounding the tomb. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"They will devour everything that you are, and laugh as they do so. To honour your challenge, I will allow you to take up what arms you want from here, and face them with a blade in your hand. It will delay the inevitable only breaths, but your courage may win you a better life next time."</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>22-02-2023, 03:47:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory halts its performance as ifrit suddenly stops...sensing something. As she speaks, he grimly nods and speaks in fire tongue to others; "Ifrit senses intruders, fair folk, entering the tomb. They're at the entrance now and going to follow our tracks and reach here sooner or later. A hunting party only so not that many, but still, she doubts we will survive encounter with them. But for grace for winning the challenge, she allows us arm by whatever means we can find in among treasury and win glory in our deaths for better next life." He delicately removes the claws and places the instrument somewhere safe and continues; "So I advise everyone to find something as a weapon, better die fighting than be captured alive and devoured by the raksha."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>25-02-2023, 22:14:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>Once everything was explained to her in a language she knew, a terrible choice lay before her.&nbsp; Of course, she would die either way, but she had at least some fighting skill.&nbsp; If she fought, if she stood her ground, maybe she could leave her murderer with some scar or crippling wound that would mark some proof that she ever even existed.<br><br>It was all she had.<br><br>As she opened one of the tombs, she pulled out an orichalcum long powerbow set with a deep-red cabochon.&nbsp; She shouldn’t have been able to do it, but she didn’t even know that until after she’d already done it.&nbsp; The mark of the Eclipse ignited upon her brow.<br><br>As she looked to the Ifrit, she asked in Old Realm, “&lt;Forgive me for not remembering, but if you get killed while bound by sorcery, are you dead, or free from the spell?&nbsp; I realize you probably can’t tell us how to free you.&gt;”&nbsp; Wording was usually far too exact with legal binding to have situations like this, let alone to make sure a fire elemental who had served faithfully wouldn’t be needlessly destroyed.<br><br>Rapture switched back to Flametongue as she looked around at the others, her Caste Mark shining.&nbsp; “Let me suggest now that we accept honorable surrenders.&nbsp; I’ll Oath them to service.&nbsp; That includes if we have any of the old slavers.&nbsp; If anyone would rather revenge over Oathbound service, I won’t blame you, but I’d rather discuss it here and now, in the open, before blood gets heated with combat.”<br><br>Her personality hadn’t changed all that much to those who truly knew her.&nbsp; The difference was that she finally saw something she could do: organize plans and open discussions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>27-02-2023, 02:13:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory moves through the treasure piles in the room in silence, he has been trained to fight his entire life unarmed so he was not seeking any weapons. More protective gear. He did find excellent pair of boots, which he donned on his feet. Not armored but they felt comfortable and he felt lighter on his feet as he donned them. He donned also a fancy-looking collar choker, to protect his neck from a hit if anything, and bit his shoulders with golden plates attached to them. Then he found a pair of glorious golden bracers with arcane-looking scriptures but recognized martial bend of them and they looked strong enough to block a hit.<br><br>Unaware softly his forehead had formed a golden mark, not glowing but nonetheless appearing as if tattooed on his skin. His hair covered his forehead as he picked the items and stepped to the front lines, by some echo, or idea, he performs a muscle relaxing and stretching exercise and felt somehow rejuvenated and stronger. Faintly his bracers started to glow, thinking he activated some latent magic in them he smiles. "Well, we should make quite a memorable tale for our ifrit to tell future generations, about our glorious deaths." He takes a forward-leaning stance, hands spread as boot-concealed feet dance in anticipation. Raising dust with each soft jump. He does not understand why he feels so...excited...and more so energized...probably facing certain death feels liberating.<br><br>But truth is, his essence has been awakened but not yet exposed and already working in favor of the devastating destruction that he is about to unleash.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Attuned to artifacts, used personal motes to activate Rising Sun Form and Infinite MA Mastery with 6m committed (-3 discount to all MA-related excellencies). Will post more cinematic actions once Raksha actually reaches the party.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 12:35:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DdOhuh1J2bGt1kAQPe278ouEW2aVlNhJlgS-89WwYv4/edit)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes whimpered at the revelation of what was coming for them.&nbsp; She crushed her eyes shut and a pair of tears ran down her cheeks.&nbsp; "no..." the little cat girl whimpered.&nbsp; "It can't be....&nbsp; We won...&nbsp; We were going to live..."&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright eyes gave a scream.&nbsp; The tiny cat girl launched herself at a slate door and delivered a kick so mighty it was blasted off of it's hinges.&nbsp; "I won't allow it!" Bright Eyes shouted.&nbsp; She dove into the tomb and dug around.&nbsp; "I won't!&nbsp; I'm going to protect him!"&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The little cat girl dug around while Rowan found armor.&nbsp; When she emerged a few minutes later, she had a staff in the cook of one arm and a pair of hook swords crossed behind her back. "Rowan," she called, holding up a heavy blade in a scabbard.&nbsp; "I found something for you!"&nbsp; <br><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not noticing the golden lights that were begging to show on the brows of her companions, Bright Eyes hurried to kneel before the man she loved and hold up the sheathed blade.&nbsp; "It's huge, but....&nbsp; Look, it was wielded by a son of the Golden Queen who is entombed here.&nbsp; If anyone can wield this blade, it's you!"&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once Rowan had taken the sword, the cat girl looked up into his eyes and held up her hands again, this time they were closed around something.&nbsp; "M...&nbsp; Rowan.&nbsp; Do you remember what I said to you last night?"&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 15:26:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>"Thank you, my dear," Rowan said when Bright Eyes offered the blade to him, smiling gently as he took it from her grasp.&nbsp; For some reason it felt much lighter than it likely should, but right now he wasn't focusing on that.&nbsp; He'd already found a suit of armor, that had been simple enough, but had been weighing several options when it came to weapons.&nbsp; This blade, for whatever reason, felt right.&nbsp; "Of course I remember.&nbsp; How could I possibly ever forget?"&nbsp; He touched her cheek gently.&nbsp; "Why do you ask, my dear heart?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 16:22:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DdOhuh1J2bGt1kAQPe278ouEW2aVlNhJlgS-89WwYv4/edit)<br><br><div align="center">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em> A year ago, Bright Eyes got involved in a band of vigilantes--thieves and revolutionary fighters who robbed from the rich, gave to the poor, protected the little guy, and occasionally roughed up a tyrant.&nbsp; Captured when a meeting of their group was raided, Bright Eyes was sentenced to life time in bondage and sold to a scavenger lord seeking a crown.&nbsp; To her great joy and greater sorrow, her beloved was here too.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I’m a slave now,” Bright Eyes whispered to Rowan in the dead dark hours after midnight.&nbsp; “That’s the price of my crimes, but he is not my master.&nbsp; You are.&nbsp; I chose you.”</em><br><br><div align="center">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</div><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You remember!" Bright Eyes whispered, tears shining in their eyes.&nbsp; "That's right, Master!"&nbsp; A glowing purple ring appeared on her brow. <br>&nbsp;"Please...&nbsp; Master...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't want to die here.&nbsp; I won't accept that we're doomed.&nbsp; I refuse to believe that standing beside you and fighting for our lives is foredoomed to failure.&nbsp; I have found blades of iron and I'm going to fight!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But, master....<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Live or die...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Before we go into this battle...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes opened her hands to reveal a collar of braided starmetal and moonsilver with jade jewels and a little cat bell of pure orichalcum.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I want you to collar me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 18:04:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>The Queen had seven sons who were among her most powerful retainers.&nbsp; Three of them were slain defending her and interred with her.&nbsp; Their names were Michael, Gabriel, and Yuriel.<br><br>&nbsp; Michael was very tall and very strong.&nbsp; He was interred with his Grand Daiklaive--Night Splitter--and with his two most prized concubines--twin daughters of a goddess of beauty.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Upon entering Michael's tomb, Bright Eyes had discovered a coffin for three depicting a warrior with petite, identical concubines snuggling up to hit.&nbsp; She had said, "Hero of old, resting here with girls who ,love you.&nbsp; I need your aid.&nbsp; I, too am a girl who loves her master.&nbsp; I need to give him a blade that can vanquish the vilest beasts, and I need a collar so that I may pledge my eternal devotion to him."&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Her prayer was answered with Night Splitter, one of the girl's collars--which reshaped to a cat bell--and two lesser weapons.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Yuriel was even taller than either of his brothers.&nbsp; Over seven feet tall, Yuriel wielded a massive orichalcum axe.&nbsp; Rowan found Yuriel's tomb looking for an armor that would fit him.&nbsp; This was the only one--Angelfire, a cunningly crafted first age power armor forged of orichalcum rather than the usual composite construction.&nbsp; With it came an additional layer of shoulder pads.&nbsp; These, he has learned, are named, "Yuriel's Seraphim, but what do they do?</em><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 18:28:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>"My dear Bright Eyes, you honor me greatly," Rowan said as he accepted the collar from her, taking this act very seriously indeed.&nbsp; "I won't accept death, not when we've come so far and struggled so hard to beat the odds."&nbsp; His brow furrowed and his countenance darkened briefly before he looked upon her again with his usual kind smile.&nbsp; "With this, Bright Eyes, you are now officially mine.&nbsp; Serve me well and I will reward your service with care and protection."&nbsp; He clasped the collar around her neck as he spoke.&nbsp; "<em>My</em> dear, <em>my</em> love, forever, as I am yours."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Muse</strong> on <strong>28-02-2023, 18:53:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Bright Eyes</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DdOhuh1J2bGt1kAQPe278ouEW2aVlNhJlgS-89WwYv4/edit)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bright Eyes beamed!&nbsp; Cheeks brightening, heat leaping and racing.&nbsp; "Rowan, my master, I'm yours.&nbsp; I'll love you, obey you, and fulfill your every wish from now 'til the end of time!"&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wide eyes shone with unshed tears of love as Rowan locked the collar around her neck.&nbsp; Some invisible mechanism clicked into place and Rowan suddenly knew only he could remove the collar.&nbsp; The orichalcum bell chimed and cascades of golden light washed down Bright Eyes body.&nbsp; For a moment the cat girl's volloptous body was bare and brazen--or rather, golden.&nbsp; The light enfolded her like a silk body stocking.&nbsp; &nbsp;She spread her arms and looked around, confused.&nbsp; Then the light passed and the cat girl was...&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Changed...&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Perfected?&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beyond perfected!&nbsp; This was more than an idealization of Bright Eyes.&nbsp; This was beauty so pure and true and erotic that many would cry in joy just to look upon her!&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sack and sandals she'd been wearing was gone, replaced with a ruffled black halter top trimmed in pink.&nbsp; It started a little way down her cleavage and stopped just bellow her beautiful bosom.&nbsp; Even more revealing, there was a cut out in the front of the halter.&nbsp; Trimmed with pink it formed a cat's face and bared much of her bosom.&nbsp; Bright Eyes tight little tummy was bare bellow that all the wait to half way down her hips where a golden chain belt secured a silk purse and a pleated skirt that didn't quite fall to her knees.&nbsp; Her cold iron hook swords were still sheated in an x shape at her back.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't get it..."&nbsp; She rose and looked at herself and her outfit.&nbsp; "What happened, Master?"&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Somewhere, deep inside, a feminine voice yawned, a moaning sound.&nbsp; Then whispered, <em>Really, little one?&nbsp; He just collared you.&nbsp; Shoulnd't you be kissing him first?</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>02-03-2023, 13:06:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Iron Sand's closes her eyes as Evening Glory uses the claws to pluck strings, head tilted back as the music plays. There's a bit of a pout briefly on her lips as the song ends but she just moves to rest against one of the walls watching the ifrit play and Glory dance. The interuption of the third dance has her tensing but it's not till the ifrit's words are translated that she stomps a foot against the ground. "Why are they even here in the first place?" With a sigh she straightens up and faces the ifrit, fist meeting palm before her chest as she dips into a bow.<br><br>The others searching for gear was ignored save to stay out of the way as she went digging through treasure herself. Eventually she stops searching with three items in hand, teeth worrying her lips as she stares at the bracers and mass of thick silk. Setting aside the mass of silk she slowly runs her fingers across the silvery bracers before slipping them on, fingers tugging at them to ensure the fit. With that done she gives one last glance at her torn top before shucking her clothing and letting the torn and filthy garments drop to the floor.&nbsp; With only a fundoshi covering her she stretches, shoulders and arms then torso and hips and finally her legs. With that done she dresses in the silken garb and finds it a touch small, the leggings cling to her form while the top barely manages to cinch around her bust.<br><br>Frowning at the exposed cleavage and tightly clinging silk she leans backwards, body folding in half as her hands settle on the ground by her heels. Her legs swing up into the air leaving her in a handstand before she slowly spreads her legs till the stretch out to either side of her upside down body. Her hands slide closer together and she twists, outstretched feet whipping through the air before with a flex of her arms she flips to land on one foot while the other curls behind her. Her frown replaced with a wild grin she takes a deep breath before closing her eyes, lips moving soundlessly as she takes slow and deep breaths unknowing of the faint riot of color that plays across both bracers and the silken garb ever so briefly.<br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">So that's 10 motes to attune bracers and armor.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>03-03-2023, 15:17:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div><br>As the group kept on working on getting their equipment and such, Rapture took to flying near the ceiling, adjusting to the cramped quarters as best she could.&nbsp; If she switched from left to right, she’d have enough room to dodge the occasional attack in flight even if she didn’t have full range of free movement.<br><br>“What’s everyone’s combat prowess?” she called down to the others, suddenly far more dedicated to leading than even a minute before.&nbsp; She never commanded, but listened, trying to figure out to what task everyone would be best suited.&nbsp; “Let’s get the front-liners up close, the ranged fighters in the middle, and if you can’t fight at all, stay in the back and we’ll protect you.&nbsp; If you can’t fight at all, let us know what you can do, whether healing, transmitting their Essence to others, whatever you can do.”<br><br>She looked to the group with determination.&nbsp; “Many of us have been told how useless we were throughout our lives.&nbsp; I have enough experience to know that anyone who has an ability can aid in the cause by making use of it.&nbsp; Don’t be afraid to speak up; we’re going to need all the help we can get in changing Creation back to the way it should be.”<br><br>Then, as she talked, one image caught her eyes of a sarcophagus of another winged being.&nbsp; It didn’t have a great deal in the form of actual artifacts when she opened it up, but Rapture was able to procure for herself and put on an exceptional reinforced breastplate made out of chiaroscuran glass.&nbsp; She didn’t have much practice in putting on such armor, but it’d been made to avoid a pair of wings just fine, and she was able to figure it out.&nbsp; Later, such things would become second nature.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>03-03-2023, 18:11:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory hears Rapture's words, looking up where she flew he replied; "Besides music I was taught martial arts in my education, fighting unarmed, and wrestling being some sports my past masters enjoyed watching as spectacle." As the sound of raksha approaches he concentrates on the front where raksha is coming as he continues; "Useless or not, it all does not matter before the final judgment of death. It's matter how you choose to die, we all by circumstance were enslaved and were slaves to serve our entire lives for others. But now here, in the depths of the tomb, you can make choice to live just for yourself for a moment and let go of the burdens life gives you and give it all you can before the final breath. Bards nor gods remember the lives of mortals, but deaths if they were spectacular. The final spark of mortality shining brightly before snuffed out is most memorable. So do not fear death, but fear dying in shame!"<br><br>Then as raksha broke through, coming screaming towards the chamber Evening Glory shouts; <strong>"If we beat death then we can speak for changing the world!"</strong><br><br>In the front line of raksha were large beasts, an enormous white tiger charged but Evening Glory takes a sudden leap and soared through the air like an eagle towards it! tiger got surprised from a leap and he kicks swiftly one it's teeth of before grappling the tiger (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/39/ae/3f39ae6489974b0b2665efe60c5ff732.gif), his arms squeezed tightly and blood flew freely over his body as he squeezed and broke neck fo the tiger in swift motion and lifted and slammed the dead tiger over himself behind him! Adrenaline pounding, he had no time to think for the sudden surge of power on his physical attacks, he only thought and by instinct knew only how to act and fight swiftly and brutal manner.<br>'<br>He waged through the beasts and hobgoblins, striking rapidly with his fists and feet with bone-crushing blows, and once crippling or killing his enemy he leaps and moves on across the swarm of enemies...aiming towards the raksha nobles in the back who are in amusement watching the bloody spectacle. Their eyes divert to Evening Glory, who despite spilling blood, has none on him. Leaves the path of carnage behind whenever he goes and despite numerous foes striking him he deftly strikes and parries unarmed the attacks as he moves like a brutal dancer through the crowd.<br><br>Then as Evening Glory is making leaping dive towards nobles, one of their warrior champions step forward, Aram of Crimson Sands (https://i.pinimg.com/474x/50/62/da/5062da469d5f482626358f7dc39b108e.jpg), he raises sand from floor and forms into a crimson sand barrier and says; "You shall flail fruitlessly against my sand warrior, until your fists will bleed and break against my sand." Evening Glory replies; <strong>"It's not going be my blood which is going stain your sand!"</strong> Then full anathema emerges, eyes blazing gold and his caste mark goes full blaze of brilliant sun as silently screeching flaming golden phoenix forms behind him and his fists become coated in golden flames as he dives to the sand barrier, unleashing a barrage of thrusts where his hands, clenched in fists, now open up and he thrusts entirely by full power of his fingers, forming into spear thrusting motion!<br><br>The thrusts blow past through the sand! Sand not stopping the punch at all! The raksha is caught in shock as the punch pierces the sand barrier and strikes him directly in the chest and he gurgles blood, but Evening Glory continues his thrusting attacks, again, again, and again! Until entirely seven times he had struck the raksha with golden flaming finger thrusts. Raksha's armored plate had been rendered asunder, torn off slowly, and exposed flesh and chest had caved in, on eight final thrusts Evening Glory releases a sharp yell and his arm pierces all through the raksha! Grasping its beating heart in his hand as he shouts; <strong>"For Sol Invictus!"</strong> With crushing grip, burning the heart with divine fire as an offering to the highest and mightiest of incarna.<br><br>But even so, as with a wet splurge, he pulls his hand free, radiating harsh noonday sunlight from him, no blood staining his figure. Standing beautifully like an angel but with gleaming golden eyes burning with righteous fury he charges back to the fray! Unleashing continued onslaught on the Raksha and hobgoblins who are awed, terrified, of the golden raging phoenix surging, leaping, and delivering pain and carnage bare-handed! While other nobles scatter, some trying flee, some trying reach others or are engaged by others who are gaining their second breaths in the chaos and carnage of battle.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>05-03-2023, 15:48:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>"What's happened, my beloved, is that your lovely visage has been polished to match the beauty within your heart," Rowan replied, reaching down to stroke her cheek with the back of his fingers tenderly.&nbsp; "I wish we had time so I could show you how much you mean to me, but sadly I must go to work."&nbsp; He plucked the helmet for his suit of armor from the ground and placed it upon his head, a soft hiss escaping from the joints as the suit powered up.&nbsp; "Let us show these beasts from the Wyld that they've made the last mistake of their pathetic lives."&nbsp; With that he drew the Star Razor from its sheath and stepped forward to fight.&nbsp; Rowan was like an engine of death and fury, his blade burning with brilliant Essence as he reaped a bloody harvest upon the raksha and their minions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>08-03-2023, 02:00:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>With her eyes still closed Iron Sand crouches slightly, right foot turned away from her while her left slides forwards before raising onto her toes. Her hands come up, left extended but lose while her right stays by her chest and her fingers curl together to make a singular spike. Her body sways with slow and steady breaths even as the battle starts and she makes no drastic movements until a claw is almost striking her. Rocking back she twists her extended hand curling it beneath the beast's paw and sending the strike over her head even as her other hand lashes out, stiffened fingers punching through the creature's eye and driving into it's brain leaving the corpse to flop before her.<br><br>A small smirk briefly curls her lips before she begins moving, body swaying and twisting while small and flowing steps send her gliding across the ground. She flows and twists in constant movement with her arms guiding blows around her or using them to tug her foes off balance while her hands tear through flesh and her lashing kicks crunch bones. She continues in this manner until there's a blow she can't parry, a blade coiling around her own twisting motion to impale her stomach where the motions have parted her garb. She manages to clutch the wrist of the one that had stabbed her but her stance is disrupted, wide eyes meeting his own while his other hand sends a blade towards her face.<br><br>Teeth clench and her eyes narrow as she presses in towards the Raksha. Fingers clad in an off white chitin grasp onto the man's throat as he is hauled into the air, the blade scraping off the carapace that covers her expanding form. Silk vanishes beneath tough chitin as she reaches near eight foot in height, a long twisting length of a tail stretches out behind her with the stinger topping it punching through a beast's head. Her snarl turns into a roar as her other hand grasps him by the thigh and she yanks her arms apart, the man's body splitting in a spray of blood and gore. <br><br>Hurling the body aside she lunges forwards, stinger lashing out while her blows shatter bones. Every step she takes sends dust up as the floor cracks and any corpse she stomps on splatters while her lashing blows send shattered bodies flying away from her. A brief respite from foes is enough for her to calm some, monstrous form crouching slightly as she sinks back into her stance and begins flowing through the fight. Her hands and arms weave around her in almost pure defense keeping attacks from reaching her or tugging any foe she faces off balance while her weaving and lashing tail spears out and pierces the off center enemy.<br><br><br><br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Bad at discriptions I am. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Stance of the mantis</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://www.wutanalaska.com/images/prayingmantis.jpg)</div></div></div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>09-03-2023, 04:06:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/GD4Ccek.jpg)</div><strong>Sagacious Emerald AKA "Sage"</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2COni4h1cYJFuB9wqN-VtISzoRrXM0Rl5qhoQMuykQ/edit)<br><span class="bbc_u">Location</span>: The tomb?<br><span class="bbc_u">Time</span>: Night<br><span class="bbc_u">Tagging</span>: All present<br><span class="bbc_u">Actions</span>: Second Breath<br><span class="bbc_u">Languages</span>: Riverspeak, Flametongue, High Realm, Old Realm<br><br><hr><hr><br>As the spirit spoke of the oncoming Fair Folk hunters, Sage lowered his head and closed his eyes.&nbsp; One warrior spirit would have been enough to do for all of them and now they had Heaven only knew how many raksha nobles, hobgoblins, and beasts?&nbsp; It didn't look good.&nbsp; He could hear his companions moving, looking for weapons, a few talking to each other.&nbsp; Rapture called out and asked how they fought, trying to make some order of the chaos.&nbsp; He smiled, "Bless you, Rapture.&nbsp; I'm trained to fight up close, so it's the front line for me.&nbsp; When we get out of this, remind me to thank you for your guidance."&nbsp; <br><br>"W-what do you mean?"&nbsp; Qadira was visibly trembling and her wide eyes were glassy with the gathering tears that were already sliding down her cheeks.&nbsp; "I knew it, I knew I was bad luck and n-now we're all-all going to-"&nbsp; She cut herself off, apparently too overwhelmed at the moment to finish the sentence.<br><br>Ivory Willow had gone as white as her namesake, though she was holding up better than the teashop waitress.&nbsp; "She's right, Sagacious Emerald.&nbsp; I would thank you, but...it would have been better to die to some trap than be ravished by the Fair Folk."&nbsp; <br><br>The Scavenger Lord lifted his head to look at the two women.&nbsp; "No one's ravished or dead yet."&nbsp; He shook his head and walked over to them, putting one hand on a shoulder of each of them.&nbsp; "The only time there's no way to change your fate is when it's over." &nbsp;He gave their shoulders a squeeze.&nbsp; "I said I'd do all I can to keep you safe and I meant it."<br><br>The dark skinned thief Zaina shook her head and laughed, but there was a brittle edge to it, "You're insane...but I'm not a quitter either.&nbsp; What do we do?"<br><br>"Listen to Rapture.&nbsp; I'm guessing none of you are the fighting type, so, find a good spot where you'll be away from the action and look for chances to pitch in.&nbsp; Grab some small items you can throw or a spear or two from the grave goods so you can poke from a distance or over our heads." &nbsp;He was glad his voice was confident because he wasn't as sure as he sounded.&nbsp; But he was surprised himself that he wasn't afraid.&nbsp; He was concerned, absolutely respected the raw power of the beings coming for them, but...he wasn't scared, not really.&nbsp; He could hear the three women talking to one another but it seemed distant, somehow.&nbsp; All of the others did.&nbsp; <br><br>His head turned and fell on an alcove that a few of the others had glanced into but then left be.&nbsp; Sage caught a gleam of gold within and stepped towards it.&nbsp; Almost all the noise of his fellow slaves getting ready to face the inhuman menace coming upon them fell away.&nbsp; He walked into the alcove and there was a diagonally tilted bier; a lesser grave, that of one who had died in service of the queen.&nbsp; Gleaming there, despite centuries, millennia of neglect was a long and slightly curved blade of golden orichalcum.&nbsp; It was slender for a daiklaive and both the wider outer edge and the barely noticeable but present back edge seemed up urge him to take it up.&nbsp; The weapon lay stop a magnificent suit of armor of the same supernatural metal.&nbsp; It reminded him of those he'd seen worn by the Dragon-Blooded from the Realm that came to Great Forks on occasion.&nbsp; He stepped up to the bier and brushed a hand along the long blade of the sword and caught his reflection in it.&nbsp; He blinked in shock at his own face.&nbsp; He had expected it to be different.&nbsp; <br><br>"Sagacious Emerald."&nbsp; Ivory Willow's voice was closer, more present than the others, but still distant.&nbsp; "We have as good a spot as we can, I think...you cannot be thinking of trying to use that.&nbsp; Artifact weapons and armor are far too heavy to be useful without attunement, which requires awakened Essence, and you know that quite well."&nbsp; <br><br>"They've waited long enough," he answered.&nbsp; His own voice sounded strange in his ears, again as if he thought it should be different.&nbsp; "They want to be used.&nbsp; And I will take them up again."&nbsp; His hands were working at the leathers he had donned, pulling them free and letting them fall to the floor of the tomb.<br><br>"Again?"&nbsp; Zaina's voice was hesitant.&nbsp; "...Has he actually gone insane?&nbsp; I was just being metaphorical before."&nbsp; <br><br>He looked back to see the scholar, thief, and waitress all looking at him with varying degrees of curiosity and fear in their faces.&nbsp; Then recognition came over all three pairs of eyes, widening.&nbsp; One of Qadira's hands clapped over her mouth.&nbsp; Zaina was blinking rapidly.&nbsp; Ivory Willow was the most composed of the three but even she looked at him as though he had just sprouted horns.&nbsp; "It will be all right," Sage said.&nbsp; Their faces were lighted now, with light in red, orange, purple, and blue though he could not see where it was coming from.&nbsp; "Help me don my armor."&nbsp; The three women stayed in place for a moment before mousy, scared little Qadira took a hesitant step towards him.&nbsp; The other two followed after.&nbsp; Sage closed his eyes as he heard the clink of metal, the creak of strapping, and felt their hands and the armor segments on him.&nbsp; Their surprised and murmured comments about the armor fitting him against all odds, that it felt warm, drew no answer from him.&nbsp; His voice was low as he sang a song he did not know, the lyrics all of Old Realm, offering thanks to these arms and to those who made them, to the Sun and Moon.&nbsp; Ivory Willow's hands trembled, the scholar clearly recognizing some of the words he spoke.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>When the last piece was in place, he felt a click.&nbsp; Not just as the suit itself more solidly and snugly moved to fit him but a click within himself.&nbsp; The armor was his now, as it had been, and as it would be again.&nbsp; "Goldedge," he said, reverting back to Flametongue.&nbsp; "My blade, give her to me."&nbsp; His eyes opened and he reached out as Zaina and Qadira struggled to lift the weapon to grasp the hilt and lift it with the ease as if it were a bamboo practice blade.&nbsp; He took a deep breath, "Stay here.&nbsp; I won't let them touch you," he told the women, their faces now awed as much as afraid and curious.&nbsp; <br><br>Sage stepped out of the alcove and into the main body of the tomb as the yowling and shrieking of the hunting party could be heard as it drew nearer and nearer.&nbsp; He wore articulated plate armor from head to his neck; only his head bare.&nbsp; It was decorated with symbols and emblems known to sorcerers and savants and though it was heavy and thick, it hardly hindered his movement.&nbsp; He was surrounded by a blazing aura of light as if he were the setting sun; oranges and reds closest around changing into brilliant blue and darkening to purple twilight at the edges.&nbsp; On his forehead, visible even through his headband, was a golden circle, the upper half filled. He was striding towards the front to take position as per Rapture's instructions when the cries of the hunting party vanished entirely for a moment.&nbsp; Then they surged into the burial chamber a moment later.&nbsp; Nightmarish beasts that ought not to be able to draw breath in Creation led the charge, smaller and shrieking hobgoblins with bodies of flesh, sand, and desert beasts followed, and then behind them the utter beauty and terror of true Fair Folk.&nbsp; Their expressions were eager and hungry and amused until they swept the room and saw the foes they faced.&nbsp; Those inhumanly, impossibly beautiful faces contorted in surprise and denial before turning to excitement and even fear.&nbsp; His comrades, those who were alight themselves with the animas of their new Exaltation, met the hunting party in a mad and glorious orgy of violence that Creation had not seen the like of in an Age.<br><br>One of the nobles, a sinuous yet curvaceous and androgynous being clad in gossamer armor of children's fears and wearing a crown of first love, pointed with a finger that trembled, whether from rage or fear or both and more was unclear.&nbsp; "The Moon rises but also the Sun!&nbsp; The Chosen of the Sun are returned!"&nbsp; <br><br>"Never to leave this world again," Sage said, but at least to his own mind, he spoke with more voices than his own.&nbsp; The seven who came before spoke with him and he felt them as he moved.&nbsp; The first, the teenage prodigy of artifice and making who looked small next to his fully adult peers.&nbsp; The second, lean and hard featured but with a warm smile on her face.&nbsp; Each face that this power had once worn was shown to him and their voices spoke with his in these first moments of his new life.&nbsp; "Never to leave you to run riot, to leave our spouses alone to fight you.&nbsp; Never to leave Creation open to its' foes!&nbsp; Take this message to all your kin; we have returned!"&nbsp; His golden blade danced as the spears of hobgoblins struck his armor and rebounded or broke as if hitting a mountain.&nbsp; They screamed, their unholy igniting along the lines of the wounds he sliced into them.&nbsp; "Creation!&nbsp; Is!&nbsp; Defended!"&nbsp; <br><br>He caught a flicker of movement to his right and saw another of the raksha raise their hands and warp reality with a lurch of space itself.&nbsp; A blazing and spinning wave of glass razors curled and curved through the air towards him before it split into 13 tendrils and came at him from all around.&nbsp; His fingers tightened on Goldedge's hilt and he set his feet, whipping his magical weapon into an impossible defense.&nbsp; The razors burst as he parried that which could not be blocked, the shards sparkling and glittering as they fell harmlessly to the tomb floor, reflecting his anima in a dazzling display.&nbsp; "And," his voice was once again only his own, "we will fix this broken world of ours."&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>09-03-2023, 23:24:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div>As the flood of Fair Folk started coming in, Rapture was up in the ceiling and ready.&nbsp; Her moves were graceful, stylish, but not entirely the same manner of movement she'd been demonstrating during the entire battle down.&nbsp; She had a lot more practice with keeping her hair out of her face or her bowstring, for example, where it looked more like she was dancing than fighting.<br><br>Her shots were unerringly sped up to where it looked as though she saw the world in slow motion...because she did.&nbsp; Lacking a bowstring, each arrow fired was conjured from golden-white Essence.&nbsp; However, rather than simply wail at the enemy with a hail of rapid fire arrows, she focused and picked her targets, watching to ensure that her allies didn't get overwhelmed.&nbsp; Rather than aim at a single ally with only one foe, she picked when there were four or five surrounding an individual that they couldn't watch all themselves.&nbsp; From the air, she had an exquisite advantage of seeing the entire field.<br><br>They shot back at her, but she kept dodging back and forth at the ceiling, knowing the limited terrain but using it as generously as possible.&nbsp; Like sidestepping back and forth through the air, she only had to be where the enemy attack wasn't, and they lacked sufficient coordination to get all but a few minor hits on her chiaroscuran glass armor.<br><br>"Enough of this," called one of the Fair Folk wearing a crown; Rapture didn't know the types well enough to name them, and it didn't matter in any event.&nbsp; He called forth his Shaping powers, tracing the air and filling it with butterflies as if to transform her into a base winged creature, but she stood firm and was unaffected.&nbsp; The Solar Exalted were rarely so easily remade.<br><br>Rapture offered no words in turn, just yet again pulled the string to conjure up a golden-white arrow.&nbsp; The time for talking, so long as she was concerned, was over if they had no interest in civil discussion.&nbsp; As she drew back the string to aim, cyan ribbons encircled the arrow, firing off to strike clear through with her target arrow and out the back of her assailant.&nbsp; Then she switched back to focusing on making sure the others weren't overwhelmed on the ground.<br><br>Another Fair Folk with a giant ox head had the not-so-bright idea of trying to rush past the combat-capable and go after innocents; Rapture fitted him with another of her special cyan-ribboned arrows for his trouble.&nbsp; In combat, it wasn't always possible to explain the rules, but Rapture felt that even an ox should be able to figure it out.&nbsp; If they really wanted a fight, plenty of other warriors had weapons in hand and could provide one; trying to slaughter noncombatants would only get you slaughtered in turn.<br><br>A jet black shuriken made out of the dreams of a young girl's fear of the dark caught on Rapture's leg as she dealt with the assault, but she was mostly more than able to dodge all on her own.&nbsp; Thankfully, as the weapon fell away, the trickle of blood showed no signs of poison.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ShadowFox89</strong> on <strong>16-03-2023, 18:41:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><div class="floatright"><div style="text-align: right;">(https://i.imgur.com/7mqwaa1_d.webp?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=medium)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Name</strong>: Ledaal Alyx<br><strong>Location</strong>: The Tomb<br><strong>Time</strong>: Night</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Actions</strong>: Identity Crisis</div><hr><br>&nbsp;Alyx was quiet as the bargaining with the ifreet went. She didn't have much to contribute, after all. Still, Alyx stayed on guard. The catgirl and one of the others looked to be flirting a bit. Odd time for that, but to each their own.<br><br><br>&nbsp;Then the fey entered. Alyx slipped away in the chaos, needing to find a good point to fight from. She wasn't a straight up fighter, and certainly not against the fair folk. She needed something.... A weapon... anything.<br><br><br>&nbsp;~~~~<br><br><br>&nbsp;Knife in the Dark was looking down upon her city, fires raging across the skyline. The dragons had betrayed them, murdered the Deliberative in a surprise attack. Which meant they had to have help from the viziers. There would be nowhere safe.... At least her armor would keep her off the radar of Fate. Knife needed to find her bondmate though. If she was safe, then Knife would have no problem retreating away and planning for a future campaign of revenge. If only she could find her....<br>&nbsp;~~~~<br><br><br>Alyx wasn't sure what was going on. Golden light bathed her, obscuring her from the others. Somehow, somewhere, she had found a suit cloth armor dyed black with golden trim. Around her ankles were a pair of golden bracers, similar bracers around her wrist. She felt both alive and yet not herself at the same time. It didn't matter, either way. She had the tools now to effectively fight, and fight she would. Alyx was a cloak of golden light moving across the room, a blur of light and shadows. Golden throwing knives, echoed by ghostly copies, fly fast and true from her hands. The knives lodged in fair folk warriors, cutting them down before returning to her hands.<br><br><br>The newly born Solar weaved around the counter attacks as they came. Alyx felt weightless, like she was flying through the air. A hobgoblin slashed at her with a sword of laughing faces and she merely danced lightly off of it's edge, giving the fey a knife to the throat for it's efforts. As another came up behind Iron Sand, Alyx let fly all the blades the bracer held, filling the air with knives both real and conjured from motes. The creature fell to the ground, impaled a thousand times over, before it's attack could even come close.<br><br><br><strong> "There seems to be no end to these creatures."</strong> More of a statement than anything, really. But Alyx was just fine with this. She felt like she had enough energy to fight forever.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-03-2023, 01:48:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Whatever the fae had been expecting to find on their hunt, clearly this wasn't it. As the flaring anima's filled the room, sending shadows dancing, the fae began to realise just how much of a mouthful that they had bitten off, and how many teeth it was going to break. Driving the lesser hunters forward, they sought to overwhelm the celestials in sheer weight of numbers, watching as they fell like wheat before the scythe. Several scythes for that matter.<br><br>With a short series of exchanged glances, an unspoken decision was made, and the nobles as one turned and fled back the way they had come .. those who were still capable of doing so at least. It was unexpected, terrible, glorious, and would make wonderful stories to tell the rest of their Court, once they had fled to safety. Their servants were left now not to overwhelm the Exalts, but simply to delay them and buy time for their betters to flee the tomb, and disappear on the storm. <br><br>Eventually silence fell over the tomb chamber once more, broken by laboured breathing and some groans of pain.<br><br>The still mortal slaves stood together in a loose cluster, towards the far end of the tomb, where they had held back, trying to do their best to keep out of the main fighting, and keep each other safe. The ifrit stood leaning on her glaive, her face an unreadable mix of emotions as she took in the sight that now filled the room. From her eyes, it was clear she knew exactly what .. if not who .. she was looking at. The mortals .. not so much.<br><br>"Are .. are you .. Dragons?" Crow stepped forwards, looking around at the different mix of anima's that flowed and blended in the now brightly lit room. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>25-03-2023, 15:27:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory was panting, excited from the rush of adrenaline and battle. But as the battle frenzy calms down, he starts slowly realizing what had happened...as he watches others, their animals, and also himself seeing his own anima. Then briefly, he enters a trance of sorts. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=349966.0) Staring emptily as he stands, taking only a moment until it ends, but his expression changed to more solemn and serious. Hearing Crow's words he looks at him, and smiles gently as he says; "No, we are not chosen of the dragons...we are exalted, celestial exalted. Solars and lunars, but Immaculate Order calls us anathema. We have been granted the gift of power by higher beings, the lie that Immaculate Order teaches is that the power comes from demons, and a result of that we become possessed and become monsters. Well, the last part is true; <em>we are monsters</em>. But we are not possessed nor our power comes from demons, but from the gods, incarna themselves. We are monsters built to slay monsters; raksha, demons, and other horrible foes in name of protecting Creation.<br><br>"But for some reason, in the ancient past, we were slain by our loyal retainers, who were chosen by the dragons. Wiped out and send to slumber, until to awaken in this new age en-mass. We are returning and it's inevitable more of our kind will emerge across Creation now. I can understand it may be hard to erase teachings taught by Immaculate Order, more so take a word of anathema for it, so if you do feel not enough to trust us despite we just saved your lives, you can leave and walk free from the tomb. I doubt our former slave owner is alive or has fled long since raksha came in. So you are free men and women. However, if you feel any debt of gratitude and are curious to learn more about the ancient truth and glory of the incarna, stay and serve us instead. I promise we will provide for you all we can and this tombs treasures make a good base foundation which to work upon."<br><br>Then Evening Glory looks upon the ifrit and speaks to her; "I think I won that earlier challenge and thus beat you fairly princess of the flame, so your contract with sorcerer should be now voided upon your defeat and be free to go? We will take all the treasures we can from the tomb, so your purpose would end with that as well. Unless you disagree with the earlier notion and want wholly commit to testing your mettle against exalted?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>27-03-2023, 02:30:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div><br>For a few moments, Rapture’s gaze tracked the departing nobles, but they were just too far away.&nbsp; Instead, she focused upon the ones asking about the group, her caste mark blazing all the more powerfully so that her anima ignited all across the room.&nbsp; She didn’t have much more Essence to burn, but she had this.<br><br>“I’m not going to lie to you.”&nbsp; Her words were simple and honest.&nbsp; “We’ve become what the Dragons call ‘Anathema,’ though we’re hardly as evil as they say.&nbsp; You already know how easy it would have been to leave you undefended.”&nbsp; She gave those words a chance to breathe, hoping they’d recognize it.&nbsp; “So we can offer you a choice.&nbsp; If you hate us now, if you want to be gone, I can just accept your Oath that you won’t tell people about us unless they already have a strong reason to suspect us.&nbsp; That means not telling everyone haphazardly, but you can do so if you’re questioned by the Wild Hunt.”&nbsp; From Rapture’s perspective, if they wanted to leave and be free, that was only fair.<br><br>But she smiled so beautifully.&nbsp; “Really, though, I don’t think you’re all too happy about the world the way the Dragons have been running it either.&nbsp; Perhaps you’d like to come with us, offer your talents, your expertise, and make the world a far better place as a result.”&nbsp; Her wings wrapped up dutifully behind her.&nbsp; “You already realize, I’m sure, we can offer a far better life than what you’ve had so far.”<br><br><br><hr><br>Charisma+Presence with 5s excellency and Irresistible Salesman Spirit: 7s<br><br>Roll Result: AndyZ rolled: 10d10, adding 5 to the total<br>First Target Number: 7<br>Second Target Number: 10<br>Comment: Using Excellency and Irresistible Salesman Spirit<br>Result: 9, 6, 5, 3, 5, 1, 3, 9, 4, 5, <br>For: 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, <br>Total: 7<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>29-03-2023, 05:03:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>That the noble fae were driving the lesser forwards so that they could escape didn't matter to Iron Sand. Neither did the presence of allies around her as she worked her way through the foes around her. Chitin clad limbs moved with inhuman grace as her massively enlarged form practically danced around all that opposed her while the razor edged stinger of her lengthy and sinuous tail reaped a heavy toll with every blurring strike.<br><br>As the last of the beasts fell she stayed in place, weight shifting from foot to foot with her swaying as she sought out any remaining threats. The seemingly calm chatter has her slowly slipping from her stance and straightening up before turning to take in the rest of the room and it's occupants. Pitch black eyes peer down at the others, her small and curvy form seeming to have almost doubled before being covered in a skintight exoskeleton tinged a bone white. Vestigial claws click against the stonework with every step closer to the others, head tilting and swaying tail arcing over her head. As she speaks a faint series of clicks weave themselves into the harsh buzz already entwined with her voice. <strong>"When... did you all shrink?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>01-04-2023, 01:09:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Escaped slaves don't have much of a life," Crow said after a few moments. "Take it from me and Karim here." He looked around at the others and gave a shrug. "I've heard the monks talk plenty about monsters from the past, and how evil they were. Well, I've seen plenty of things from the rich and powerful that's just as evil, to my thinking." He gave a snort of bitter laughter before continuing, gesturing towards the entrance to the chamber they were in. "Our friend the magi there being a perfect example. We weren't nothing but tools to him, and if his tools broke, well, plenty more where they came from." He looked at his larger companion and after a few seconds received a nod, one that he answered in kind. "Alright .. treat us as men and not tools, and we'll give you whatever service we can."<br><br>"I owe you a life," replied Bright Leopard. "If your heart is true, then I will stand with you. If not, then I will cut it out, or die in the attempt." He made an odd gesture and then spat on the ground. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Int+Lore, 2 successes</div><div class="spoiler_body">Anyone who makes this would recognise that he has sworn a water oath. Its mainly used by the desert dwellers, but its as binding as they come.</div></div><br>The ifrit gave a sinuous bow of her own, before speaking. <div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Old Realm</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Those who bound me to guard this tomb said that my service would be ended when the rightful rulers of this land came again. I think perhaps they meant themselves, but that charge was never given to them. Long it has been since the true rightful rulers of this land stood here. This place .. these things .. were yours, and are yours.<br><br>My service to them is ended."</div></div><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>01-04-2023, 02:47:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)</div><br>Rapture paused a few moments to look at the oath.&nbsp; It sounded familiar, but her expression made clear that she didn't quite place it or what it meant.&nbsp; However, she had a counter for all the rest.<br><br>"It's easy to fall into corruption when you're given far too much that you haven't earned and you somehow get it into your head that you're owed," she agreed.&nbsp; "And take it from a former slave - myself - that it's a poor life at best.&nbsp; We're human beings, and even if we may not always be in a situation where open debate can be given, I'll listen in private.&nbsp; There's far too much about Creation that I still don't know, and we need all the experts we can get, both those coming into their own and those who already are.&nbsp; Far better to build, and I don't expect the corrupt money of the Dragons to last forever the way they spend it, while an empire can be built on nothing but sand if one but takes the time to recognize the lack of an unnecessary foundation."<br><br>Rapture then bowed in return to the ifrit, said in Old Realm, "&lt;You are released from your service after the next time you say the word 'Goodbye.'&nbsp; Thank you for keeping everything safe for us, even if it may not have been by choice.&gt;"&nbsp; Then she repeated it for the others in the common tongue.&nbsp; Although Rapture didn't expect the ifrit to stay much longer, she wanted that choice to be hers, the ability to leave to be on her own terms, rather than a callous dismissal.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>01-04-2023, 03:17:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Rowan cleaved through his last hobgoblin, pausing with blade still held at the end of its arc as he took stock of the situation.&nbsp; The violence had ended at last and now it was time to deal with the aftermath.&nbsp; He let the others handle talking to few that hadn't exalted, moving over to offer the ifrit his hand in respect to her prowess.&nbsp; Whether she took it or not, he went to find Bright Eyes to see if she was alright, only to pause as he found himself looking up at someone for once.<br><br>"I do believe you're the one that grew, Iron Sand," he told her, his voice sounding odd and modulated through his helmet.&nbsp; "I don't remember what the Immaculates called your particular brand of Exaltation, but I can't imagine that it was very flattering."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>01-04-2023, 16:21:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright"><strong>Evening Glory</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ps7sKJ-UnHwZTcGZtB4pe6T7xFHYajRtIOsixrXp-UA/edit)<br>(https://static.zerochan.net/Rider.%28Fate.Prototype%3A.Sougin.no.Fragments%29.full.2056585.jpg)</div><br>Evening Glory let Rapture talk to those who haven't exalted and convinced them to join them and he adds; "We will treat you as a human than tools, even if we acquire more slaves under our service, we will not forget they are humans. I view slavery as the ultimate form of devotion to a cause or a person, which should be celebrated and respected than disgusted or dismissed about it. The way how most slave owners treat their slaves is an abomination of cruelty and abuse and treating other humans like livestock."<br><br>As Iron Sand makes her question and Rowan makes comment what her kind are called, Evening Glory nods and replies; "I believe Immaculates call you moon-mad, those driven mad by the goddess of Luna and stalk in the night in form of beasts to devour mortals. That's the raw unfiltered concept very least but yet incorrect; your lunar, a champion of Luna, Warden of Gaia, protector of Creation. Where solars were champions of the sun, they were paired with champions of the moon, lunars. Together they ruled and protected Creation in ancient times."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hexed</strong> on <strong>02-04-2023, 19:48:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/rLTrIAg.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Iron Sand<br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Rowan and Evening Glory's response to Iron Sand's question wasn't exactly what she was expecting, head tilting and swishing tail stilling as she just stares at them. "Exalt... moon mad?" A long sigh slips from her as her head dips and her gaze focuses on her chitin clad hands, her tail arching over her back and bringing the spiked tip into her view. "And here I'd learned Mantis not Scorpion style." With a deep breath she straightens up before pausing, gaze slowly dropping to the others. "So strange. You speak as if you've some plan so what now? You know this means trouble. And even if the would be master didn't survive the raid there's no telling how many knew his plan."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>03-04-2023, 03:00:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)<br><div align="center"><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Rapture</div><div class="spoiler_body">Personal Essence: 19/19<br>Peripheral Essence: 35/35<br><br>Willpower: 10/10<br><br>-0: [ ]<br>-1: [ ] [ ]<br>-2: [ ] [ ]<br>-4: [ ]<br>I: [ ]<br></div></div></div></div><br>Iron Sand's question of a plan made Rapture smile in a way she never had before: confident, knowing, cunning without being manipulative.&nbsp; "People think of money and power as things that need to be hoarded," she explained, "as if there's so much wealth in Creation and it must be guarded so that nobody else can get any.&nbsp; In reality, every time an artisan turns sand into a priceless glass sculpture, that much more wealth exists than ever did before.&nbsp; While it can depreciate in value when too much of one thing exists, only a fool would have a master painter make one fantastic sculpture and then kill them before any others can be made."<br><br>Her eyes kept drifting, almost remembering, perhaps just knowing feelings and nuances.&nbsp; Soon she looked back to the area around them.&nbsp; "Think of the priceless objects around us as a seed.&nbsp; Even as is, using too much at once will draw too much attention, but I can turn that into a lovely nest egg of profit.&nbsp; The plan," she gave Iron Sands a bow, "is to continue to grow as a result.&nbsp; We each know what we're good at and what we've wanted to spend our lives doing," her attention was no less on Crow and Bright Leopard than the others, "and what we'd love to spend time doing if but we had the money.&nbsp; Not gambling, not drinking it all away, of course, but setting up a business, what we'd do if we were rich enough to do so.&nbsp; I plan to get an inn and tavern going, and we can build that out all the more, working together on the things we can't do alone by achieving them together."<br><br>She raised a palm to make clear a point.&nbsp; "You hear stories about the Bull in the North where House Tepet is running out of resources, but I suspect many of the Dragons are in similar affairs.&nbsp; An all-out assault across all of Creation would leave people fearful and horrified.&nbsp; Building a better society altogether proves that we are and always have been right, but it will take centuries to do correctly.&nbsp; I propose that we don't <em>destroy</em> the Dragons; we allow them to become irrelevant, in the same way that people stop dealing with cost-cutting merchants once a more reputable and trustworthy business shows up in town.&nbsp; Then the wiser among them will come to ask and ask to join us as dutiful servants."<br><br>Words of Old Realm caught her eye on one of the tombs, and she translated them as she read them aloud.&nbsp; "Those who sheltered beneath her arms were envied amongst their peers in neighboring lands."&nbsp; She gestured with an open palm to prove her point by that simple phrase.&nbsp; "Even if we fail and they end up destroying us, we will be remembered in whispers by the common masses because things were so much <em>better</em> with us.&nbsp; That is my plan."&nbsp; She smiled.&nbsp; "How would you like to be part of it?"&nbsp; More than simply welcoming, the question seemed to offer an opportunity for others to chime in, to give their true desires in what they'd like to do to reshape Creation.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Crensler</strong> on <strong>03-04-2023, 03:28:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/525225861188943878/1034351700946997278/unknown.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> <strong>Rowan</strong> (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2y9Bf6MVQ_7a4AsShjRh1rGSY1d6qQZRcpHGsxz37c/edit?usp=sharing) <br><strong>Location:</strong> The stone lion's dungeon<br><strong>Actions:</strong> <br><hr><br>Rowan listened to what Rapture had to say, nodding slightly when she finished.&nbsp; He stepped up to her and laid his free hand on top of hers before turning his helmeted head toward the others expectantly.<br><br>"I'm not one for lofty ideals and goals most of the time," he began in that same oddly modulated way, "but I'm also not one to just sit around doing nothing when there's something I can bring to the table."&nbsp; He looked at Rapture again.&nbsp; "I have land that, if it hasn't been reclaimed, we can use.&nbsp; Up to you if that would work or not.&nbsp; Just wanted to put the offer out there, you know?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Exalted : The Lion of the Dreaming Sea</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>AndyZ</strong> on <strong>03-04-2023, 03:41:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e3/Eternal.jpg)<br><div align="center"><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Rapture</div><div class="spoiler_body">Personal Essence: 19/19<br>Peripheral Essence: 35/35<br><br>Willpower: 10/10<br><br>-0: [ ]<br>-1: [ ] [ ]<br>-2: [ ] [ ]<br>-4: [ ]<br>I: [ ]<br></div></div></div></div><br>"Let's plan for that on the assumption it hasn't been reclaimed."&nbsp; Rapture gave Rowan a nod.&nbsp; "How far to the nearest settlement, and which one would it be?&nbsp; Is it good farmland for growing things?&nbsp; How good is the water situation?&nbsp; I..."&nbsp; Then she smiled.&nbsp; "I realize you likely don't know, but these are things we can find out.&nbsp; It's also worth checking whether other such farms were so left aside and neglected with people taken; we can always work the land while the owners are absent and return it to them when they return, on the likelihood that they never will.&nbsp; Just having extra food makes a huge shift in the balance of power for making sure the destitute have enough to eat, and farming doesn't require a great deal of training."<br><br>Looking around, she wove her fingers together.&nbsp; "The more we plan and discuss, I believe that we'll find all the more that all our goals intersect in interesting but unexpected ways, just like that."&nbsp; Then back to Rowan, she added, "Also, even if the land has been reclaimed, if it's special to you, we could no doubt persuade the current owners to work with us."&nbsp; Her use of the word <em>persuade</em> showed only kindness.&nbsp; While many would suggest intimidation or deception, Rapture wanted true synergy, and was only interested in destruction when other options were either exhausted or became outright unjust.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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