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[IC] Exalted: Solar Rising
adventfalls
Why would you wish to know?Registered User regular
Why would you wish to know?Registered User regular
The OOC Thread
Creation. A world of immortals and men who seek to carve out their destinies. With the disappearance of the Scarlet Empress and the rule of the Dragon-Blooded weakening, a certain group of people are returning to the Realm.
I speak of the Lawgivers. The Chosen of the Unconquered Sun. The Solar Exalted.
As surely as the grains of sand flow in the hourglass, they return in spite of the Wyld Hunt. Sooner than one may think, they will challenge for the right to rule Creation once more.
But before that story can be written, this story must be told...
Lookshy. The most powerful state of the Scavenger Lands. The center of the Confederation of River's military might. In a land of kingdoms that fight more against each other than against their common enemy of the Scarlet Empire, it stands as a beacon of stability.
This is where the story begins.
The helots yelled at the top of their lungs as they surrounded a hastily-constructed noose. A soldier stood next to a man who was wearing nothing but his pants and a burlap bag over his head. "This man," the soldier shouted back to the crowd, "has murdered his superior!" The crowd grew more restless at the soldier's words. "So what shall we do with him?"
"Hang him!" the crowd yelled back. Clearly, they were thirsty for blood.
OOC stuffs will go here. You all will receive additional information to start out the game in a PM. EZ will not be starting with you just yet since he has not completed his back story, and simonwolf will be joining you as soon as he makes a character sheet.
Creation. A world of immortals and men who seek to carve out their destinies. With the disappearance of the Scarlet Empress and the rule of the Dragon-Blooded weakening, a certain group of people are returning to the Realm.
I speak of the Lawgivers. The Chosen of the Unconquered Sun. The Solar Exalted.
As surely as the grains of sand flow in the hourglass, they return in spite of the Wyld Hunt. Sooner than one may think, they will challenge for the right to rule Creation once more.
But before that story can be written, this story must be told...
Prologue: A Man Will Hang
Lookshy. The most powerful state of the Scavenger Lands. The center of the Confederation of River's military might. In a land of kingdoms that fight more against each other than against their common enemy of the Scarlet Empire, it stands as a beacon of stability.
This is where the story begins.
The helots yelled at the top of their lungs as they surrounded a hastily-constructed noose. A soldier stood next to a man who was wearing nothing but his pants and a burlap bag over his head. "This man," the soldier shouted back to the crowd, "has murdered his superior!" The crowd grew more restless at the soldier's words. "So what shall we do with him?"
"Hang him!" the crowd yelled back. Clearly, they were thirsty for blood.
OOC stuffs will go here. You all will receive additional information to start out the game in a PM. EZ will not be starting with you just yet since he has not completed his back story, and simonwolf will be joining you as soon as he makes a character sheet.
NintendoID: AdventFalls 3DS Code: 3454-0237-6080
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Maybe he could lose her in the thickest throngs - this striking woman with the elaborate turquoise bow, the deep fluorescent colors creeping into the corner of Rydlee's eye, the gleam of Jade a herald of the chosen of the elemental dragons. If she was after him - an assassin bought and paid for by one of those leeching sycophants looking to batter down anyone who breaks the mold - there might be no evading her. Perhaps she didn't see him. Was he too fast for her? Why didn't she unleash a volley from a rooftop two hundred yards away? Was this was just a combination of bad luck and paranoia?
Questions better left pondered later, when one's life wasn't in immanent danger of being terminated. He knew the dragon-blooded had ways and reasons to go about seeking out and snuffing out the Anathema - his people now.
Run, Run, Run, Get Away. This was no time to wade slowly through the mass of jeering Helots, but to ungracefully shove them aside and force his way through the thick of the roiling crowd. Right now it seemed a lot less like a teeming mass of humanity, and more like a thousand potential shields between him and the next crackling essence-charged arrow.
And then, Rydlee was in the eye of the storm, the briefest respite from the crushing denseness of the modern city. The screaming congregation barely kept their distance from the barren and slowly dying tree at the center of it all, its roots sending out cracks like earthquakes through the tiled avenue, and a long noose hanging from its most prominent distorted and ragged limb.
Was this what passed for justice in Lookshy, where it didn't matter whether you were innocent or guilty?
And where did this strange thought come from, creeping into his psyche like an unwelcome stranger? He had ten thousand pressing worries, foremost among them his own current survival. After all, this was but the quickest moment to catch his breath and reorient himself before taking the plunge into the other side of the mob.
But this ... display of incompetence was the final straw for Ai-Ren, who stepped through this crowd of peasants surrounded by well-paid thugs she considered as bodyguards (but whose only real duty was to keep the dirty refuse from coming near the Princess.)
She walked with her head held high, the long braided tail of her white hair falling behind her back, and she wore an extravagant robe of crimson. She did not belong in the crowd at all.
When she heard the soldier ask these worthless, miserable lowlifes what to do with their criminal, she swallowed down her disgust. What did they know, what right did they have to make any decisions at all? People so stupid should have their entire lives decided for them by their betters.
And she could show them the folly of their ways ... the urge was strong, to show each and every one of them that life and death was not for people like them to decide but for people like her to ... but she reigned herself in.
Someday, she would rule Lookshy as queen, and when she did, then she could them how little their opinions mattered.
For now, she contented herself to leave, and let her guards lead her away from the scene, to where the first of the horses on the relay circuit might begin her trip home.
Luna. Your will is understood. I will protect this man as mine.
As the crowd cried out for the man's blood, she readied herself. Slitted pupils narrowed, her muscles tensed, and... the man next to her fled.
Interesting. A lover, perhaps? Or a friend? I shall seek him out, once this is over.
Alira took in a deep breath, forcing Essence to pick through the dozens of scents in the place. His was the most recent, easy to pick from the tangle in the crowd. She would remember him if she saw him.
She started to slide through the crowd towards the tree in the center, unslinging the massive bow from her back. Every mortal in her path started to move out of the way, recognizing the bearer of such a weapon as someone not to be obstructed. The moment she had a good view she pulled her bowstring taut, aiming at the rope of the soon-to-be-hung man. The crowd, naturally, began to move away from her even faster.
No matter. The press of the others will keep them together, like deer stampeding from a predator.
Later, 2m to activate Eagle Eye Advantage, then aiming for six ticks, then I'll take my shot and make my move. Shooting from inside my bow's minimum range, 500 yards away from the execution/tree.
Essence Pool: 10/16 Personal, 24/24 peripheral. Plus whatever stunt dice you decide to give out.
+2 stunt die in additional to your aim bonus. Go nuts.
Shootin' that rope: 21d10k0 13 successes
Essence Pool: 14/16 Personal, 24/24 peripheral
Add four motes to your pool as a result of a successful stunt-assisted roll, RF.
Alira continued her movement forwards towards the tree, praying that she could get there in time and keep the soldier distracted from simply beheading the man on the ground.
That is, until the realization of imminent violence came upon them too, which is when the scuffling and screaming renewed itself again.
Which was about the same time he was knocked to the ground by the weight of the bound and bagged prisoner.
Had the executioner taken the arrow that was meant for him, and had dropped the soon-to-be executed man? The cord that Rydlee could have sworn was around the man's throat was certainly not there anymore, which explains why the man's neck wasn't broken, the burlap sack that covered it lost in the fall. Maybe it wasn't tied completely, and had snapped.
Regaining his feet with the bound man clearly confused and concussed by the fall, an unanticipated sense of duty fell upon him as he took the bound man's arm and plunged into the crowd, pulling and dragging him along. It was a strange feeling, like they were both together in this, brought together by each of them narrowly escaping death. Voices were booming out imperceptibly above the crowd, but in the thick of the screaming mob of confused, scared, and angry helots being denied an execution, they were like distant blurry whispers in the night.
There, on the far end of the crowd, a team of idle horses.
"Move aside!" Rydlee yelled, pushing and pulling his way through the sea of humanity, finally reaching the front end of the fleeing crowd, a wall of flesh and sound behind him.
Tossing the bound prisoner over the rear of the largest and fastest-looking horse, he untied the reins from the hitching post and climbed into the saddle in this act of horse-theivery.
Those must be the animal's owners - He thought as he spied a group of burly-looking men surrounding and taking up defensive positions around a beautiful, white-haired noblewoman.
Sorry Princess, but I need your horse right now. Rydlee thought, finally able to pry his eyes off of her. Hopefully she and her bodyguards were distracted enough by the scuffle to not notice him as he tapped his boots against the side of the animal, taking off at a gallop down the narrow alleyways of Lookshy.
From there she leapt up, her feet falling softly upon the heads of those in the crowd. From that vantage point, she caught sight of her horse fleeing through an alley, and took off after it, her feet carrying her swiftly over the heads of the crowd, and as the crowd dispersed nearer the alleys, her path took her gracefully over the refuse of the alley. Each step she took was perfect, and unimpeded by the trash and garbage that filled the narrow alley, she found herself closing on her horse and the criminal who had stolen it.
55/58 motes
At his command, several soldiers mounted their horses to pursue Rydlee. It was also at that moment that Ai-Ren noticed that Rydlee had not only stolen her horse, but her daiklave as well...
First off- Salty, give yourself two motes, that was worth +1.
Chase scene! Pluto, since you are on a horse, you must roll (Ride + Dexerity) against the soldiers (who will count as one entity for the sake of die rolls) to out-run them. Since you have a head-start, the difficulty of the roll for the soldiers to catch up to you will be increased. Should any other Exalted seek to pursue via horseback, they must roll (Ride + Dexterity) against you to catch up to you.
Remember, if your Ride rating is lower than the combat Ability you're using, you must use your Ride score instead.
Alternatively, should you decide to pursue him on foot, it will be a (Athletics + Dexterity) check. Ordinarily I would make this check harder, but since you are in the city with cramped spaces, the increased difficulty is void.
Salty, since you have activated Graceful Crane Stance, you will automatically succeed on any Athletics checks.
Also- if anyone seeks to notice Ai-Ren's caste mark, it will be a (Perception + Awareness) roll, standard difficulty.
All the more reason to get out of this city, as he whipped the reins and put on a burst of speed, the horse proving its exceptional breeding and training in the way it navigated through the crowded alleyways, responding to his lightest touch to leap low walls and turn on a dime.
It seems like I was right. It's not just the soldiers that want this man. I suppose I should see what he's really worth.
The lithe Lunar doubled her speed, moving with the agility of the gazelle and speed of the cheetah, cloak whipping up behind her and revealing her scaled skin as Alira dashed into the alleyways behind the mounted soldiers.
Personal 9/16 Peripheral 24/24
Athletics chase!: 6d10k0 2 successes
Not sure what bonuses I'd get concerning a roll, but my speed is doubled, so take that as you will, AF.
As soon as she could make the leap down onto her horse cleanly, anyway.
57/58 motes
A third person began to break through the pack of soldiers: the one that had tried to hang the prisoner. "You useless whelps! Do I have to do everything myself?" He started out much faster than his compatriots, seemingly keeping up with Alira.
3#d10= 6,1,6. The soldiers have completely and utterly botched their roll, making it much harder for them to continue pursuit. Depending on Rydlee's next roll, they may not be able to continue pursuit. Their commander has joined the chase as well, and will be rolling as a seperate entity.
Salty, you have closed some distance between yourself and Pluto. Since you have an Athletic specialty in Jumping, you are now close enough attempt to jump onto your horse. This will be (Dexterity + Athletics), difficulty 3. Graceful Crane Stance is still in play.
That would be a shame.
She straightened her sword-arm and prepared to end this thing.
Ai-Ren is going to stab something ... the rider or the horse, she's not sure yet. 3#1d10: 3 # 8 [1d10=8] 10 [1d10=10] 3 [1d10=3] == 3 successes
RF, Pluto, I want to see those rolls!
"I guess the Unconquered Sun had my back after all, since he sent you." He chuckled at the turn of events, relief spreading across his face. "Generous of him to be so literal... and so generous" he remarked, transfixed for a moment at Ai-Ren's allure.
Ride Check - 0 successes, no botch
Realizing her precarious position between the two, she unslung her bow as she went, preparing to take down the pursuers so she could talk to the others under quieter circumstances.
Running, 1st excellency dice: 6d10k0 3x2=6, 4 total
Sorry I rolled twice there I was totally spacing out.
The commander smiled as he saw his men ride forth, and was within spitting distance of his prey. Though he could not yet stop the horse, he was close, so close....
3#1d10 = 9, 3, 10. 3 successes, so the soldiers manage to make up for lost ground.
3#1d10 = 8, 8, 9, 5. 3 successes, so the commander is making up for lost time. Not within melee distance however, and the commander does not have a bow.
Since you all are in the same vicinity (at least those who have posted thus far), you no longer must roll to catch up to Pluto. Pluto must still roll (Ride + Dexterity) to outrun the soldiers.
Owl was so amazed by the events unfolding right in front of him that he barely avoided being trampled by the horse's mighty hooves. He ran after them, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.
Dex+Athletics:6d10k0: - 2 Successes
"Get off my horse!"
She swung her sword high over the rider's head; he only had to duck a bit to be clear of it. She let the sword fall freely after the missed swing and caught with her other hand, already preparing to bring it back around. Hopefully, one warning would be enough.
For his sake, anyway.
"We can take this up later when they're not after us!" he yelled out, pulling on the reins to navigate through the backalleys and make headway towards the southern exit of the city,
"Quickly, let us concern ourselves with our pursuit before discussing who owns this horse, Sun-Kings."
The commander cursed bitterly as he complained, "Oh, to Malfeas with this!" Once the chase was on a long narrow straightaway, he whistled out loud. A bit down the path, two soldiers heard one of their commanders shout, "Stop them!"
The two foot soldiers reached for their bows and took aim before commanding, "Stop and dismount or we will open fire!"
3#1d10 = 2, 2, 7. 1 success. The Soldiers lose ground.
4#1d10 = 7, 3, 9, 1 1 success. The Commander loses ground.
Two soldiers are now aiming their bows directly at the horse Rydlee is riding. Either stop the horse and explain yourselves or roll Join Battle.
As the two soldiers raised their bows, Rydlee jabbed his boots into the warhorse, preparing to barrel down upon the hapless guards and crush them beneath hooves and swords.
"Hold on" he called out to Ai-Ren and their passenger.
I rolled a JB earlier. It got 3 successes. I wanna use that.
What's the penalty for clinching a dude on horseback?
4d10x7 = 2 successes for the Soldiers. They will act as one for the sake of whose turn it is.
6d10x7 = 2 successes for the Commander.
You have the option of not fighting and trying to convince the soldiers the prisoner is innocent. Otherwise, fighting order goes like this:
Rainfall acts on tick 0.
EZ acts on tick 2.
Plutonium and INNS act on tick 3.
Commander and Soldiers act on tick 4.
Current Tick: 0 | Active Player(s): Rainfall
Attack 1/3, Commander: 12d10x5 8 successes
Attack 2/3 Soldier 1: 11d10x7 5 successes
Attack 3/3 Soldier 2: 10d10x7 3 successes
Base damage is 14L, not piercing. Either roll what I need to roll after adding threshold successes/subtracting soak, or let me know what to roll.
Alira acts next on Tick 5, her DV is 3 until then.
For reference- all soldiers have some form of weapons drawn. Hopefully this should help you all make things go a bit faster and do these things yourselves. Given the power level of your enemies right now, you can more or less get away with describing their deaths as long as you hit.
All Soldiers:
Parry DV: 4
Health Levels: -0/-1/-3/Dead
Soak: 3L/7B
Wearing Buff Jacket. Soldiers have a -1 mobility penalty and target shield.
Commander:
Parry DV: 6
Health Levels: -0/-1/-3/Incap
Soak: 6L/11B
Wearing chain hauberk, -3 mobility penalty
Fixed to reflect their extra nature. Never said I'd be perfect.
Three shots rent the air asunder, and three throats were punctured by three arrows. Two nameless soldiers and their commander were dead before they hit the ground.
Current Tick: 2 | Active Player(s): EZ
Next Tick: 3 | On Deck: Plutonium and INNS
Unfortunately for Owl, he's wearing some large boots, and is not amused by Owl's antics.
Owl's Kick PDV penalty is -2, putting Dodge 2 and Parry at 2
Turning and hunching down, he snapped the reins and put on a burst of speed towards the two archers drawing back their bowstrings, saber held out to the side ready to strike.
WP: 4/5
Personal: 14/14
Peripheral: 29/35
Rydlee acts next on tick 9
DDV is 5
PDV is 4
The three soldiers stop for a moment, intimidated by the blazing anima surrounding Rydlee. It was in that instant that they knew they were dealing with at least one Anathema.
Valor check for the soldiers: 3#3d10x7= 0 successes, 2 successes, 0 successes. Two soldiers fail the check.
The soldier with the sword and one of the archers nearly wet themselves at the realization and began to try and run for their lives. One of the archers however, stands his ground and shoots an arrow at Ai-Ren. But rather than being newly determined to fight, he seems to have been shaken by the revelation of who his opponent is, because the shot is easily parried by Ai-Ren.
4d10x7 = 2 successes. The attack is blocked by Ai-Ren's natural DVs.
Current Tick: 5 | Active Player(s): Rainfall
Next Tick: 6 | Active Player: INNS
In the Hole: 7 | Active Player: EZ
Still Waiting: 8 | Active Players: Pluto
The one who had dared to fire back received a feathered shaft through his skull, and his open mouth gaped for a moment before he fell backwards, his last croaking breath rattling in his chest.
"I told you, I've got this one."
The mark of Luna's chosen glittered on her forehead for a moment before finally fading away, and she looked at the three others in the alleyway with curiosity.
Soldier 1 is dead.
Flurry, Attack Soldier 2/3: 11d10x7 5 successes
Soldier 2 is dead.
Flurry, Attack Soldier 3/3: 10d10x7 7 successes
Soldier 3 is dead.
"Impressive," the soldier complimented. "But where are my manners? You may call me Lesera. Lesera Gellen. May I ask why you've killed my men?"
You are now out of combat. Give yourselves 1 XP for the creative manner in which you rescued the prisoner.