rolled 6, 4, 6, 1, 10, 9, 1, 10, 10, 10, 4, 8, 6, 5, 10, 5, 8, 10, 1, 4, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 6, 7, 1, 4, 1, 3, 9, 6, 6, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 2, 9, 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 6, 9, 2, 2 = 292

---

>>1090575
Three young men with buff jackets, tetsubos, and hostile intent are loitering in or near Fleegman's apartment. Roll for Stealth and Awareness to see who spots who first.
Short of flight, teleportation, or demolishing walls, there are two ways in or out of the apartment: the building's interior stairs and hallways, which are dark and cramped, involving a lot of locked doors and blind corners... or the rear fire escape, skeletal catwalks of iron-hard black resin resembling ladders or thornbushes more than stairs, dangling over an alley knee-deep with oily stagnant water, and leading to a window which definitely isn't meant to be opened from the outside, but at least there's moonlight. How are you approaching?

rolled 4, 8, 2, 3, 5, 6 = 28

---

Perception + Awareness +3 dice for extras

rolled 4, 8, 1, 9, 9, 7, 4 = 42

---

Dex + Stealth (-1 penalty) +3 for extras

Cold looks around, noticing at the last moment the somewhat unexpected reception. He signals to the others to hang back a moment behind a stack of boxes nefore they are all seen.

The men chuckle to themselves at the sight of someone gazing in that sort of way at the place they're guarding. They both approach, one of them is posted inside precisely to give them this sort of flexibility.

>>1090988
(Join Debate)

rolled 7, 2, 8, 8, 9, 10, 1, 7, 1, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 9, 3, 8, 8, 2, 6 = 124

---

...

Seeing the sentries approach, Cold resigns himself to having a discussion. He signals to his guide to wait behind him as he confidently strides towards them. Leaning on a wall with his flinty stare hinting at his displeasure of being delayed

After some initial attempts at diplomacy, one of the goons smashes a hole through the wall where Cold's head was a moment earlier. Cold then steals a knife off the man's belt and stabs him with it for four levels of lethal damage.

The other goon panics and flees, while a third (who was waiting inside) attempts to negotiate a surrender, in exchange for his friend getting urgently needed medical attention.

Wounded goon who organized the ambush at Fleegman's apartment is stabilized. Might eventually regain full use of his left arm, with luck or further treatment. Both of his buddies, plus the girlfriend of the one who ran off in a panic, have been disarmed and are surrounded by enough huge beastmen that they don't dare make trouble... at least for the moment. What will you do with them?

All the expedition crew and equipment - or at least everything you'll be able to find on such short notice, more than enough to fill a casting of Stormwind Rider to capacity - has been assembled and packed. Will you be setting out immediately via spell, before dawn?
Or loading it onto a ship first (to lay a false trail and/or bring reinforcements closer to the destination), then launching from the deck once you're outside the city?
There's enough moonlight that high-speed overland navigation is possible, but it won't be easy.

>>1091040
Woe would vote to leave as soon as possible, but I (the player) vote for the ship plan.

rolled 6, 1, 1, 10, 2, 9, 5, 9, 5, 4, 10, 8, 5, 5, 6, 9, 10, 7, 3, 3 = 118

---

>Wounded goon who organized the ambush at Fleegman's apartment is stabilized.
>Second medical emergency within two hours
"Is this going to be a pattern?"

>Wounded goon who organized the ambush at Fleegman's apartment is stabilized. Might eventually regain full use of his left arm, with luck or further treatment.
With bleeding staunched and immediate death off the table, let's see bad the rest of it is. (Perception 4 + Medicine 5), plus Flawless Diagnosis Technique. How bad is the crippling wound, how many health levels is he down?

>"What will you do with them?"
"To be clear, I did not keep him from Lethe just so someone could add further knives. I'm not in the business of facilitating torture."

> lay a false trail and/or bring reinforcements closer to the destination
"A feint might help in reducing the rate of medical interventions."

>>1091082
"No, my friend wasn't running away from a back-alley knife fight! He's no coward! And, um, also we aren't criminals and definitely would never be involved with such a thing. Some fey horseman came from the firewander district, lanced and trampled him."
"Well, that does sound fairly consistent with him having been struck first in the shoulder, with superhuman force focused on a sharp point, knocked down by the impact onto cobblestones, and then crushed by something weighing several hundred pounds moving at about 20mph, but...
>Flawless Diagnosis Technique
"...something's not quite right."
"What do you mean? There's even a clear hoofprint on his jacket right there."
"That definitely is an impression from a horseshoe, but it doesn't quite line up with the deepest bruising."

After some further alchemical tests...

"Aha! There's no traces of wyld taint in the wound. And who ever heard of a fae horse with iron shoes?"

Turns out that Cold had a horseshoe he was carrying around on a string, intending to eventually enchant it. Inflicted the puncture wound (and concomitant shattered scapula) with a knife, rather than a cavalry lance, and apparently managed to put a cavalry charge's worth of force behind it with a jump from a standing start. If not for a sturdy mammoth-hide jacket, might have torn open the brachial artery, killed that poor bastard on the spot.

In mechanical terms, the patient is down five lethal health levels - four from the initial strike, plus one from subsequent bleeding - and if that broken shoulderblade is allowed to heal wrong, he'll be at a persistent -2 wound penalty due to chronic pain and reduced range of motion in his left arm and back.

"A fey noble rampaging around Nexus sounds like a real problem. Perhaps we should delay our departure long enough to take care of this threat? I would hate to bring further strife to this city, such as it is, but this may be the only way to ultimately bring about peace for all." Caitlyn suggests, taking the thug's description seriously.

“Yeah….that’s bad. I also say we deal with this, the wyld can be….problematic. Believe me. I know more than most.”
She was just standing nearby, leaning against the wall of the barracks, her ears dropped down a bit in worry.

*Drooped, sorry.

>>1091094
"Please, can you tell me more of this fey knight? I shall hunt down this fiend while I have time before departure."

“Well, on the subject of our departure, allow me to suggest. I say we leave by ship, lay a false trail. Might throw off any pursuers, allow last minute decisions. Unless anyone has any objections?”
Kisara was clearly taking charge, her ears had pricked up, her tone of voice had changed slightly, etcetera.

>>1091333
"A valid and useful idea." Thousand Maws gives her a smile in support. "I happen to have a ship I could use for the purpose, as well, if everyone wishes."

"Yeah, sure."

>>1091290
Spinel Caryatid's Flawless Diagnosis Technique has determined that there was no such horseman, and Fleegman can confirm.

Cold, having seen the medical emergency been resolved, left to continue packing. He returns shortly after, with a great leap to near Caitlyn, pnce seeing she was readying to hunt the mysterious assailant of the injured. With a wave for her to come closer, he quietly explains the situation

"Ah, Caitlyn, so valiant of you to seek justice, but I cant help but feel I am somewhat responsible for this. When Fkeegman & I approached his residence, there were three armed & aggressive men awaiting us. As I moved forward to discuss the options if them looking away, they attacked me , so I acquired a dagger from the soon to be wounded warrior which caused him to realise he was out matched & flee, so I leapt & struck him but once, but he fell mightily to the ground with grave injury. My heart softened to see his plight, so we hurtied here for medical attention, taking his two accomplices with us I believe. In all the excitement I am not quite sure who accompanied us. The tale invented of the Fae was an invention of these men, I suppose for the purpose of deflection of their nefarious intent upon Fleegman & I, or to dissuade others of the notion of Exalted being involved, eitherway, a little bit of duplicitous rumour will aid us in maintaining what few shreds of anonymity remains about is & our intentions. I couldn't bear you to put yourself at risk seeking a fable that has little bearing to the truth."

rolled 1, 1, 6, 2, 5, 5, 2, 7, 8, 5, 9, 6, 3, 4, 9, 4, 2, 2, 10, 2, 9, 2, 7, 5, 10, 6, 7, 7, 4, 10 = 160

---

As it doesn't seem the expedition is going to be rushing off immediately, Spinel Caryatid is going to commandeer part of the barracks' kitchen and break out her alchemy kit, to whip up some hero's recovery to treat the broken shoulder blade. Along the way, she borrows Cold's horseshoe for inclusion in the ritual, muttering about "sympathetic resonances" (the iron struck a blow but did not cause the injury in the intended recipient- that's symbolism she can use).

Paying 2m (per houserules) activation cost for the ritual, spending 1 wp on an autosuccess. (Intelligence 5 + Occult 1 + Art of Alchemy + 1 + Stunt). Could potentially add a cooperation die or or two if anyone with dots in Occult wants to assist in an hour of potion making.

Assuming that succeeds, I'd be willing to throw Wound-Mending Care Technique at wrapping things up. ...are we discharging/releasing the surrendered assailants back to Nexus and their employers, or brining them along for the ride?

> If you're forming up most of the expedition as a single unit, who's the leader?
> And who's in special character slots?
Willing to assign Spinel as a sorcerer/specialist. If we don't have enough relays, could swap to that role, but she does have a ranged option.

rolled 4, 4, 6, 2, 7, 8, 3, 9, 4, 8, 10 = 65

---

>>1091511
"I see, thank you for the clarification." Caityln then approaches the one who had told the tale of the fey "While we are taking a moment to explore the truth, why dont we discuss why you were waiting for Fleegman to return to his home? Please seize this opportunity for redemption as I abhor violence."

=======[ OOC ]=======

Charisma 3 + Presence 0 + Stone of Humble Glory 5
Channel Compassion +5 Successes
Appearance 5
-1 WP
-1 Compassion Channel

>>1091513
Treatment successful, despite some unexpected challenges. A less astute alchemist would likely have seen the potion spoiled by contamination from Nexus's miasma.
>Could potentially add a cooperation die or or two if anyone with dots in Occult wants to assist in an hour of potion making.
They'd need to know the specific procedure to be able to help, though not necessarily the full corresponding degree.

rolled 2, 10, 6, 5, 2, 1, 10, 6, 10, 9, 1, 7, 2, 6, 5, 4, 9, 3, 8, 1, 6, 5, 3, 2, 10, 10, 3, 5, 8, 2, 3, 5, 6, 2, 5, 7, 3, 7, 1, 5, 3, 6, 8, 7, 10, 1, 6, 7, 8, 5 = 266

---

Champion is going to take a simple route to preparing for the oncoming voyage. Much as she stated she was going to do in >>1089693 she is going to pursue looking for a big enough ship for the party to steal in order to take care of 150 people, and the far simpler problem of food and drink she's going to handle by just waiting until she no longer is obviously a dragon, and just walking up to a prepared pile of food barrels and water that aren't quite being loaded yet, and hefting a barrel over each shoulder, food on the left water on the right, and walking off like she owned the place.

Just walking around with stolen barrels in hand, she was going to find the tallest building she could climb, and go looking out at the horizon in order to make sure that the weather was going to be good in the south by south east direction.

Kisara then stepped in next to the goon.
“Look. We won’t kill you. We promise. But you’re not coming out of this without giving something up. So, since I’m the ruling authority in this place, under the rules of my people, you owe us a life-debt. Me and my friend here.”
She gestured to Cold.
“So, you work for us, and everything’s okay. Deal?”

rolled 5, 10, 10, 7, 9, 7, 4, 7, 6, 7, 8, 7, 2, 3, 6 = 98

---

Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun puts down his three crates, pushing them into place like they were light cartons & not the thick, weathered wooden crates they were & nods meaningfully at Kisara's words, the hilt of his large sword looming ominously over his shoulder

"I think you understand how we are better friends than opponents"

《OoC Cha + Presence to Influence them, +10 dice for binus/stunts/modifiers》

Cold crosses his arms

"You understand that at my great personal restraint, you three are here, alive & mostly well. Ergo, you each owe me a great boon, as do I owe our alchemically inclined medic here for her gift to me."

He puts his hands upon his hips as he turns to face Spinel, giving a deep nod in appreciation, before returning a stern gaze to the three

"Do as Kisara commands..." He nods in the direction of Kisara to clearly identify of whom he is referring to "& your debt to me will be squared, as I will entreat Spinel to offer her terms for negating my debt to her"

>>1091617
Caitlyn gently pulls Cold to the side and speaks softly

"Are you certain this is a good idea? We don't know this individual's situation. They may not be trustworthy at all, or if they are then they may have children depending on them. We should learn more of their situation before any proclamations, dont you think?"

His granite eyes open wide with realisation as he hurriedly turns for hushed whispers to Caitlyn

"You may well be right? But it isn't unknown for one to claim they have dependents to lessen their obligation to others. What do you recommend? I am of the mind that while they are with us, it is harder for them to pass information back to their original employer"

>>1091619
"I am not certain. Let us ask them of their situation an employer. We will either have a better understanding of their commitments, or if they have an unreliable character. I worry about taking such an individual into the field."

>>1091521
Ten successes against MDV 0. Last thing he remembers, he was laying in the street, face-down in a puddle of his own blood, then there was a bright light and he was floating through the air above the rooftops. Most of the pain is gone now, and he's on a clean, soft bed, surrounded by wolves who walk like men, while a beautiful, terrible, golden angel commands him to confess his sins and repent.

Not quite what he was expecting from the afterlife, but then again it's not like he was some pious scholar. Surprises happen.

He starts spilling as much of his life story as he can remember, with particular emphasis on anything memorably meritorious (small kindnesses to monks or orphans, defending his friends through thick and thin, sporadically attending immaculate services, a few imperfectly-recalled sutras) or shameful (mostly drugs, opportunistic violence, clandestine affair with his buddy's girlfriend's mother-in-law) under the apparent impression that leaving anything significant out might get him torn apart by those celestial beastmen, then reincarnated as some sort of fish.

As for Fleegman's apartment, well, guy who lives there stole something from his dealer's boss. Might've been a reward if they got it back, or captured the guy in order to make an example of him.

Kisara was just talking to the guy himself, listening to what he has to say.
“Well….we’ll try to make things okay for you. Just two things. You follow our rules. And my orders. I’m in charge. Okay? Name’s Kisara.”

“Well….if you don’t mind, people….I’m gonna change.”
And with that, without even looking away from everyone, Kisara just waves her hand around, her white and cyan kimono suddenly turning…almost liquid in nature, becoming this mass of flowing silver, flowing, changing, until it become a much more practical looking outfit. Her skirt had turned to white shorts, her sleeves had turned to these white gloves or arm wraps of sorts, going from her hand to her elbow, and the rest had turned into a white and cyan top that didn’t exactly go down to her waist, but covered the rest rather well.

Taitapet, eager to prove himself to his new allies that are still understandably cautious around him, gives his aid to their navigations wherever he can. He's moderately skilled in the area, significantly more of an outdoorsman than they might expect a Dynast attendee of The Spiral Academy to be. His insight is useful, stirring the thoughts of his (admittedly more capable) allies, an extra line of defense that any mistakes would have to get past.

Thousand Maws gives Kisara a little look. "I do believe I'm the one paying for all of these supplies - and the boats. As an expedition, without me, who started organizing for it, it would fall apart. I'm the one in charge, though I make it a point to not be restrictive with my peers - after all, it's better if I do not need to supervise everything, and have people I can trust to handle things they are good at themselves." She corrects her.

"Since I am a merchant more than anything, this means that when it comes to areas of controlling these people and directing things like battle, I will be relying upon you, and will not interfere in your judgment. Does that sound agreeable?"


Of course, her eyes linger a bit upon the lunar's body when she changes clothes without caring. Thousand Maws doesn't seem very hard to sway to her, perhaps by her own intent.

“Eh, point. Alright, just don’t start telling my people what to do, and we’re fine.”
She just smiles at Thousand Maws, her ears pricking up in happiness….either she’s really naive to be this friendly with someone she just met earlier today, shared interests or not, or she’s just that outgoing….probably the latter, all things considered.

Taitapet, meanwhile, barely even notices Kisara's flash of nakedness. It'll take more than that to catch the attention of the average Dynast, let alone one of House Cynis.

rolled 5, 2, 6, 5, 6, 9, 5, 7, 6, 4, 5, 3, 4, 2, 3, 6, 5, 5, 8, 7 = 103

---

"Only if absolutely necessary." Maws concedes, more than willing to cede her that ground. The smile is returned as well, though hers has some very sharp, almost sharklike teeth to go with it.

"Now, about the map..." Her instincts are quite good, but when it comes to navigation, Ten Thousand Maws is best at using her head. The time of day and the precise time they've been traveling, the general speed they move, and more, go into her calculations to allow her to track down the directions they should be taking as they head towards the location that had been marked-
-and most importantly, all this thinking is brought about by a serious sense of Purpose. She *Wants* this; it doesn't matter what it is, though it's almost certainly valuable. The fact that someone went through such effort to try and refuse it to her makes her want it even if the value was only sentimental. This absolute *drive* to snatch it up, as fast as she can, to take it from those who also wanted it, and *Have* it, even if she didn't need it, kept her alert and attentive to the slightest details of the journey.

rolled 8, 2, 4, 1, 5, 5, 4, 9, 7, 10, 10, 4, 7, 2, 2 = 80

---

Ten Thousand Maws glimpses a white stag, reassuringly (?) reminiscent of her Coadjutor. It directs her, and by extension the whole stormwind-borne group, toward an oversized hedge maze of glossy black thorns.

Eight successes to two is a loss by six, so the stormwind-rider group suffers two wilderness mishaps before midday. Options include:
- damage from a high-speed collision with the thorns
- can't find the maze exit, need to stop for lunch, unpack the surveying tools and/or demolish a wall
- opposition gets a good look at you, starts learning details about what you're capable of

"To be clear. For the record. For any listening. I was opposed to following the 'good omen'."

>>1090679
>10x foxmen tent w/ two sets of group basics - shelter and food-prep for 14 people each
One of these bundles was snagged against a thorny obstacle and lost somewhere in the maze, reducing the count to 9x.

At the center of the maze you find... an empty sinkhole, half an acre wide and twenty yards deep. Too high for Stormwind Rider alone to jump over, too many sharp bits to safely climb, and the way you came in seems to have already closed up.

You're still hundreds of miles away from the destination. How are you going to get out? Mundane brute-force approach would be to unpack picks and shovels, roll Craft (Earth) to dig a ramp. Charms, sorcery, and cleverness may provide other possibilities.

>>1091946
Woe lays on the stormwind rider cloud, yawning and looking over the side.

"This thing takes all the excitement outta traveling..." She winks. "I see the appeal."

rolled 3, 10, 10, 5, 6, 10, 6, 4, 5, 8, 3, 10, 1, 4, 6, 6, 10, 3, 5, 3, 9, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 10, 5, 6, 3, 6, 9, 3, 3, 3, 3, 8, 9, 4, 8, 2, 1, 1, 4, 4, 4, 2, 4, 6, 2 = 260

---

>>1091939
>shorts
The southern healer grumbles something about northerners never seeming to dress warmly enough for the climate.

>>1091949
>One of these bundles was snagged against a thorny obstacle and lost somewhere in the maze, reducing the count to 9x.
While the other address the issue of the sinkhole, Spinel opts to send her familiar scouting, to see if she can relocate the misplaced supplies before the group moves on. A small metal bird emerging from within her robes is met by an affectionate smile (perhaps the first her new companions have seen) before it takes flight and quickly disappears in the thorny expanse.

Transferring 10m personal to the automaton's pools, which then establishes stealth and begins scouting around for the missing bundle (or anything else of note nearby). (Dexterity 5 + Stealth 5) for Stealth, I'd guess the (Hiding +3) applies to something like lying in wait vs moving around, possibly Perception 4, Awareness 3 (While Undetected +3) and/or Survival 1 (Tracking +3) relevant for the search.

As the gusts of wind die down, Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun steps out to take a look at the Sink Hole, judging how hard it would be to leap it by himself. He then looks to the thorny brambles that have barred their way

"Anyone good for us to spend some time chopping down some trees? We can either try & smash a path around the sink hole, or use the materials to build somekind of ramp or bridge"

Caitlyn silently watched the discussion of leadership with distant interest. It didnt matter who paid for what, or brought what to which table - the real leader of the group would become apparant in due time and ownership wouldnt be the basis.

As they came across the hedge Caitlyn took a moment to inspect it more carefully - something seemed to be rather unnatural about it.

ooc: Int 2 + occult 4

rolled 1, 4, 1, 4, 8, 2, 5, 7, 5, 4 = 41

---

ooc: corrected dice syntax for occult action above

>>1092023
>rolled 1, 4, 1, 4, 8, 2, 5
Sinkhole itself and most of the surrounding vegetation looks normal enough, but the way those black spikes catch the sunlight isn't. Some minor demon deliberately positioned them as enhancements to a trap. Can't quite remember the specific species of demon it would have to have been, though... like it's stuck on the tip of your tongue. Some type of beetle? No, that's not right.

Seeing Caitlyn approach the thorny brambles, Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun moves to her side, to share his observations

"Caitlyn, what you say about these brambles & thorns? I am unconvinced they are of natural origin, but whether they are from some mythical creatures, such as the Firmin or some Wyld ywosted barbarians, I just don't know... Coukt it be natural? I do not recall ever travelling this way before, maybe it does have a small region of fast growing plants? Sadly, my Dynastic education was sparse on the details of Eastward foliage."

(Adding a Teamwork bonus to the Academic Knowledge / Obscurity roll)

With that prompting, and some further back-and-forth discussion, Caitlyn and Cold soon recall pretty much everything there is to know about Firmin, the Needlemakers. The species' full description in Books of Sorcery 5 can be considered in-character knowledge, along with various other trivia.

Notably, firmin resin is sturdy enough to make weapons out of (which is probably the main reason sorcerers summon them), and can even be molded into armor, but is extremely difficult to repair or otherwise reshape after it solidifies. Flames hot enough to melt iron barely soften it.

If you just want to destroy the stuff, though, there's an apprentice-level alchemy procedure: moonlight focused through a magnifying lens, onto a splinter of orichalcum acting as a wick, will start it burning as easily as candle-wax, with a bizarre purplish flame that rises bright in the cold and damp, but gutters low and gives off unpleasant smoke when conditions are warm and dry. Injuries it causes resemble frostbite or acid more than conventional charring. Such flame almost never spreads to natural wood.

>>1092085
"Heheh, unlucky demons. So, are we killing them, or killing them AND making stuff out of their bodies?"

>>1091988
>rolled 3, 10, 10, 5, 6, 10, 6, 4
Palm-sized automaton slips through spiky hedges easily enough, and manages to locate the lost crate of supplies. Unfortunately, said crate hit something very solid and/or sharp at 100mph, apparently without the Stormwind Rider spell's usual cushioning. What used to be inside is widely scattered, and in poor enough shape that it's probably not worth the effort to retrieve.
Could possibly use the kingfisher to carry fragments back one at a time and reassemble them, if one of the team's sorcerers knows the Incantation of Effective Restoration? Sort of silly, given that there's still enough to go around, and none of the stuff in that crate was especially expensive.

>>1092346
>Could possibly use the kingfisher to carry fragments back one at a time and reassemble them
If she were feeling particularly whimsical, she supposes her familiar could gather fabric for a nest.

"The lost crate isn't recoverable" Spinel announces as her metallic kingfisher returns to her shoulder, earning an affectionate pat on its head.

>sinkhole
"Was... someone going to put our labor force to work?" the healer asks, unsure at her companions' hesitation. "This seems like an obstacle readily solved with hands and shovels. Unless you happen to know Raising the Earth's Bones as well, Cold?"

rolled 4, 10, 9, 10, 2, 1, 1, 6, 3, 9, 10, 1, 7, 2, 1, 2, 1, 8, 7, 3, 3, 8, 8, 1, 2, 5, 3, 3, 5, 9, 4, 6, 4, 6, 10, 7, 3, 5, 9, 3, 10, 1, 8, 2, 9, 3, 1, 5, 6, 7 = 253

---

Kisara looked around them, then looked towards her beastmen. And as she looked around at her people, her mind went back. Far, far back, to a time before Luna. A time before travels. A time when she was just a little girl, in a wandering tribe of beastmen. She thought of the memories she’s shared with all of these people. The times she’s played, frolicking in the dirt and grass, her tribe-mates chasing her through trees and mud. She tried to remember who was good at this sort of thing. Who was the best diggers, among all these beastmen that had followed her. She knew her family. So now all she had to remember was what they were best at.

For the record, rolling for appearance plus…something, with an attempt at a stunt to remember who was good at digging and such among my followers.

>>1092085
Caitlyn looks to her long time companion Cold. "With the right materials we could set all of these thorns to burn. It would probably be a nasty affair we would want to back away from, but should do the trick. It doesnt matter though, I dont have a lab with me."

>>1092466
>rolled 4, 10, 9, 10, 2
A few have one or two dots in Craft (Earth) - eager diggers from childhood, followed up with occasional day-labor hauling stones or shaping bricks during the tribe's time in Nexus. Could have them try carving a ramp, but they know enough to understand the potential risks of undermining an overhang with incomplete knowledge of the geology involved. Worst-case, if the walls collapsed, sliding debris might sweep across the entire floor of the pit, leaving no safe place to retreat to.

"Hello? Is someone down there?"
A voice from just outside the sinkhole, figure peering through the hedge - human, middle-aged, accent from somewhere a little ways north of Great Forks.
"I saw... or thought I saw, a tiny jeweled bird, carrying a soup-ladle much larger than itself, and followed it here in hopes it was an omen of some spirit's generous hospitality. My name is Jacques Lyle la'Rue."
You've heard that name before - famed throughout the Hundred Kingdoms as a designer of temples, palaces, dams, and bridges. In mechanical terms, Craft (Earth) 5.

Over the course of further conversation it comes out that his most recent patron took a competing bid from someone who turned out to be an agent of the Walker in Darkness. The resulting design, while impeccable in terms of physical solidity and superficial aesthetic appeal, had terrible geomantic consequences which seemed particularly inclined to extend along paved roadways. Mr. la'Rue barely managed to flee before the screaming started, and hasn't had a decent meal in days.

Cold turns to Spinel, hands outstretched in an apology.

"Forgive me Spinel, I am but a mere dabbler of many arts, the Occult being just one of them. Sadly, I am untrained in the use of that spell, having barely passed the rites of the Terrestrial Circle. No great Magi am I. But if goven time & access to your patience, I may be able to learn it eventually."

He looks to the voice above, recognising the famed Architect by sight. He answers in his own heavily accented Riverspeak

"Hark, is that the famed architect Lyle La'rue? Your name echoes greatly, beyond the Hundred Kingdoms domain & into the Threshold true. It is an honour to meet you."

"I am known by the moniker 'Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun', a mere trader of curios & dabbler in history. But my companions & I have befallen a trap of demonic design. These spike are more dangerous than they at first appear! I, for one, would greatly appreciate your wise mind being directed at assisting our escape."

rolled 5, 9, 7, 4, 8, 5, 10, 8, 2, 3, 4, 9, 7, 4 = 85

---

(OoC rroll Charisma + Presence + 10 what if's dice flto convice assistance from Lyle la'Rue)

"Why certainly, I'd be glad to lend my expertise - if you can give me your word you are not, yourselves, agents of the Walker in Darkness, that is. Initial assessment of the problem in exchange for lunch, perhaps, and then we can discuss whether fixed-fee, or shares in your endeavor's profits, would be a more appropriate payment structure?"

rolled 3, 9, 8, 9, 10, 4, 8, 3, 7, 8, 9, 2, 7, 1 = 88

---

(OoC roll Intelligence + Lore + 10 What if's dice for Cold to recall any info about Walker in Darkness

>>1092564
Ten Thousand Maws gives her best professional smile, though it shows some teeth. "Oh don't worry. I am Thousand Maws - you may have heard of my trading company. A simple architectural issue like this is not a particular problem in terms of *Payment*...

rolled 6, 3, 7, 4, 1, 10, 2, 2, 8, 8, 10, 7, 4, 9, 4 = 85

---

>>1092564

OOC: Cha 3 + Performance 3 + Stone of Humble Glory 5 | appearance 9

Caitlyn pulls a frosty cold beer from beneath her cloak and sharply opens it with a slight hiss before taking a long sensuous sip from it, letting the light of the sun glimmer off her gleaming figure while making a show of being deeply refreshed.
"It sure is hot out here. Would anyone else like a cold beer?" She asked, inviting all those nearby to gather around her, particularly one Lyle La'rue.

>>1092588
Woe will take a beer, and watch events unfold between the others.

Kisara also takes one, smiling.
“Thanks Caitlyn!”
She suddenly just hugs her, still smiling.

Cold signals for two of the large Wolfmen to assist as he grabs a cold drink from Caitlyn. With a deep draught he swallows it all before grabbing one of his trunks & hoist it over his shoulder

"Thanks for the drink Caitlyn, I am going topside to meet our celebrity crafter"

Cold then nods to the two large Wolfmen & lightly steps upon their open hands or them to give him a great heave upwards. Harnessing the power of his Exaltation, Cold feels the power surge to his limbs as he makes a mighty leap upward, clearing the pit & landing at the edge of the sinkhole. He puts his crate down & looks at Lyle la'Rue

"Well met! How fortunate you were wandering through this maze of thorns! How can we help each other?"

[OoC Cold activates leaps Strength + Athletics + Leaping specialty + 2 from assist x2 from Monkey Leap = 20]

rolled 5, 7, 3, 3, 5, 4, 1, 5, 4, 10, 2, 1, 1, 6, 4, 8, 4, 6, 7, 10, 7, 10, 5, 3, 2, 9, 5, 7, 9, 6 = 159

---

>>1092554
Spinel blinks. "No need to apologize for my own ignorance; you can hardly be expected to have every spell at your disposal."

>>1092564
>if you can give me your word you are not, yourselves, agents of the Walker in Darkness
"I give my word that we do not serve any Deathlord."

rolled 3, 10, 5, 3, 9, 8, 1, 9 = 48

---

Rolling Craft (Earth) for the ramp construction

rolled 2, 6, 4, 10, 2, 10, 5, 10, 8, 5, 8, 10 = 80

---

Ramp construction proceeds as smoothly as it plausibly could have, and you're back out of the sinkhole barely two hours after first falling in. Architect and meager remaining possessions weigh less than the lost cargo, so he's easy enough to bring along. You're still four hundred miles or so from "x marks the spot," but might be able to make it there before sundown if nothing else goes wrong.

Of course, there's also abundant reason to believe someone is actively encouraging things to go wrong for you, so it's time to roll for the next 5-hour interval of the navigation / tracking contest.

(Hey, if anyone’s wondering where I’ve been, my discord account got hacked. So, I’m not done with this. Just can’t get to discord for a while.)

rolled 3, 1, 10, 7, 3, 4, 6, 6, 1, 5 = 46

---

>>1092904
"Alrighty then, my fellow Chosen! Watch and be amazed as you are navigated to our next destination, courtesy of a certain Seeker." Seeker pats herself on her chest, and concentrates for a moment.

[Activating my Past Life background to add +5 dice to this roll, despite me not having any dots in Navigate. Assuming it's Perception, that's 8 dice total. I'll throw in two extra dice just in case I'm forgetting something; but don't count the last two unless I am.]

rolled 6, 6, 8, 1, 5, 6 = 32

---

[i/]Seeing the construction being completed, Cold scratches his bare chin as recalls the forms & regulations he had to oversee as his role as a tributary assistant to the reigning lord of the prefecture he was nominally assigned to when Thorns was alive in it's conquering frame of governance. He delves into one of his trunks that held his personal correspondence, within there were some rudimentary maps of potential trade paths as well as applications for a writ of prospecting, the odd scout reports & bandit confessions, all of which brought tidbits of rumor & knowledge covering vast swaths of the Scavenger Lands. With a few moments of revision, Cold searches for anything that may assist[i\]

[OoC Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun rolling Int + Bureaucracy to assist navigation + 3 extra dice]

>>1093293

Thousand Maws makes sure to re-update her information of where they *are* and *should be* - with the architect's help to narrow it down, and the information that out here the Walker is at least of some concern, as well as Cold's efforts, she begins her search anew.

She is, after all, VERY eager to get back on track. This is something *she wants*, if not just because someone else wants it a lot. Nothing will stop her from getting to it - not if she can help it.

(So….remind me where we are so I can refresh myself?)

(Oh, and if you want me back, send a message to cosmosendless8 that’s my alt.)

(My discord alt, for context.)

rolled 5, 7, 2, 6, 7, 3, 5, 7, 6, 3, 10, 10, 7, 6, 2, 9, 8, 1, 10, 7 = 121

---

>>1093440

JamesLeng 2024/06/26(Wed)09:06 No. 1093448 ID: cfc7cc
File 171941796670.png - (2.03MB , 956x761 , YAMIAJmap1.png )

>>1093445
You've arrived.

Through those last few dozen miles, trees got taller and denser, air thicker and more humid despite the higher altitude. Sun's near the western horizon as you stumble across the unmistakable sense of a geomantic wellspring somewhere underground. That stone plinth and adjacent stretch of overgrown flagstone roadway (possibly late Shogunate?) aren't part of the actual manse, but they do correspond pretty closely with its horizontal position.

The plinth is 10' high, and around eleven thousand square feet. Might be just enough space to set up all the remaining tents - bit of crowding is a small price to pay for such a conveniently defensible site - but those broad stairs leading down reek of bat guano.

rolled 9, 4, 10, 3, 3, 9 = 38

---

[/i]Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun gently lands the mystical vortex upon the flat top of the ancient palisade, dissipating the summoned winds with but a touch of his worn travel boot clad foot to the flagstones. He looks around, planning where would be the best spot to set up camp while maintaining a defensive advantage before approaching both Kisara & Caitlyn [/i]

"Well, we have made it... not sure where exactly, but we [/i]are[/i] here at least. I am thinking if we try & get all our tents set up here upon this structure to give us some height advantage in case of a ground based assault, & setting up a double line of guards, one set & the other line roaving. We should probably scout out to a half mile or so around us as well. But first, I think set up our Pavilion & get a cup of tea into each of us!"

[Perception + War + 3 bonus to plan a strategically advantageous place to set up camp]

JamesLeng 2024/06/26(Wed)15:26 No. 1093457 ID: cfc7cc
File 171944081540.png - (339.92KB , 650x586 , jungleclean.png )

First thing the scouts find is a second stone platform, about half as tall (that is, 5' lower than the big one), ten yards away to the north. That's close enough most essence-users could jump across the gap, but not normal folks - though mere mortals might be able to climb over through trees. Swampy ground west of it.

rolled 2, 2, 2, 5, 10, 2, 6, 1, 2, 6, 10, 7, 5, 7, 8, 7, 2, 2, 2, 4, 10, 4, 4, 10, 2, 1, 9, 2, 7, 4, 6, 9, 9, 3, 9, 4, 6, 10, 6, 4, 8, 5, 4, 10, 6, 9, 3, 5, 1, 6 = 268

---

Five hours, 20m of passive regeneration- long enough for Spinel to have transferred another 5m into her familiar and to still be topped off herself when the group arrives. (Which leaves the bird with 10m for operation).

>>1093455
>"Well, we have made it... not sure where exactly, but we [/i]are[/i] here at least. I am thinking if we try & get all our tents set up here upon this structure to give us some height advantage in case of a ground based assault, & setting up a double line of guards, one set & the other line roaving.
"Claiming the high ground, while also securing what looks like the entrance to the site, seems prudent." the Twilight agrees. "Deny our competitors access, and secure an exit for when we explore below."

>We should probably scout out to a half mile or so around us as well.
"I can help with that."

Alighting on top of the plinth, the healer raises her hand, once more casting her metallic companion into the wind. Dispatching the automaton to scout the surroundings, looking for any more structures or well, anything notable or dangerous, really. (The Twilight doesn't offer particularly detailed instructions on this front: the avian has more dots in Survival than her and she trusts it to have better instincts on exploring a jungle). The group brought supplies, but a source of clean water would be good, as would keeping an eye out for sources of disease. (Dexterity 5 + Stealth 5) for the artificial kingfisher to conceal itself, and Perception 4, Awareness 3 (While Undetected +3), and/or Survival 1 (Tracking +3) seem pertinent for exploring.

> you stumble across the unmistakable sense of a geomantic wellspring somewhere underground
Spinel takes a moment to close her eyes and focus on the sensation. Is she close enough to discern the aspect? (Perception 4 + Occult 1+ demesne’s rating), possibly +1 if Kimbery-aspected, though that seems unlikely.

"Good judgment." Thousand Maws assesses of Cold's plan. "You seem like you have experience with this sort of thing. As a merchant, rather than a fighter, I'll ask you to share any security concerns that might come up. No matter how minor, please let me know." She gives a toothy grin, revealing her shark-like teeth.

"Alright, let's get things set up, everyone." She looks to the Twilight's creature. "Will that be all that's needed to do the scouting, or should we split the duties with others?"

>"Will that be all that's needed to do the scouting, or should we split the duties with others?"
"Flight and blending in are useful, but I'm a scholar, not a ranger. It would probably help to send someone with an eye for woodcraft or war."

"Ah, of course." Ten Thousand Maws brings a hand to her chin and thinks. "Actually, I think we have the perfect ally in that case."

She gives a glance over to where the Lunar and their followers are together. "Kisara! A moment!" Maws calls out to her, briefing her on the current issue at hand when she does come over.

"-So, since you're probably the best suited among us for this kind of task, I'd like to leave the sneaking through the woodland to you for now."

>>1093461
Two or three figures are lurking crocodile-like in the swamp, nothing but eyes and nostrils above the surface, just outside thrown-spear range from that lower platform.

Circling around the perimeter counterclockwise, your scout is caught by surprise when a bat suddenly emerges from that round hole in the ground and swallows the automaton assassin whole.

After a brief struggle, you now have a bat carcass - large enough the jeweled kingfisher could barely lift it! - to test for local respiratory or insect-borne diseases, and a flask with a sample of water from the bat's home cave. Said water is almost suspiciously clean, as if it'd been boiled and then poured through a fine silk filter-cloth less than an hour earlier.

>>1093462
Thanks to Sprawling Marsh Indulgence, Thousand Maws spots a flickering light a few hundred yards off in the opposite direction, which the jeweled kingfisher eventually confirms as a set of candles and small offerings around the base of a weathered stone statue.

Nobody else on the team can see even a tenth that far through dense underbrush at night. Properly thorough sweep of any significant radius around the camp could easily end up taking multiple days.

“Alright, ten! But ah…you’ll forgive me if I do something important at the same time.”
And she turns to her forces, and just speaks to them quickly.
“Cold’s in charge while I’m gone. We’ll see you when we’re doing scouting. Come on Luna, we got hunting to do!”
And with that, she skipped away.

rolled 6, 4, 8, 4, 2, 5, 1, 2, 4, 3, 10 = 49

---

"Hm, well, if everyone's got a job, I'll handle the extremely exciting work of being the lookout. But if you need me for something more active, come and get me."

Woe will climb onto whatever the highest point is in the camp and roll to be on the watch for anything unusual or dangerous.

[Awareness 3 + Perception 3. I'm rolling 5 extra dice in case there's something I'm forgetting, but if not, just use the first 6.]

Thousand Maws gives Kisara a grin. "No, no, go right ahead."

She then turns back to inform the Twilight of the thing she spotted, so the bird can check it out.

(Rolling 3 Wits + 3 Survival, and I just woke up so I’m too tired to stunt right now.)

rolled 2, 10, 2, 7, 5, 2, 8, 1, 5, 3, 10, 2, 10, 5, 1, 7, 1, 5, 1, 2, 10, 8, 3, 2, 7, 1, 7, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 4, 2, 10, 6, 4, 10, 9, 3, 6, 1, 8, 5, 4, 10, 5, 8, 4 = 261

---

rolled 1, 4, 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, 7, 10, 5 = 42

---

As they land Caitlyn openly asks "How long are we going to be set up here? We should consider improving the defenses of this site now that it's clear that we have enemies seeking to delay or halt our efforts."

She paces around the area a bit to examine the immediate area and explore opportunities to better secure the area such as thinning local foliage or even constructing barricades and abatis with the materials that effort provides.

-------[ooc]--------
Review and plan the defensibly of the camp site.
int 2 + war 3
Channel Compassion to best deter attacks and saving lives; for 5 successes

rolled 2, 10, 7, 5, 10, 9, 10, 6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 5, 9, 8, 7, 4, 5, 5, 1, 8, 6, 3, 3, 7, 6, 9, 1, 6, 9, 6, 5, 9, 8, 1, 4, 7, 8, 6, 2, 8, 5, 4, 2, 2, 8, 9, 8, 5, 8 = 289

---

>>1093511
>She then turns back to inform the Twilight of the thing she spotted, so the bird can check it out.
>>1093465
>which the jeweled kingfisher eventually confirms as a set of candles and small offerings around the base of a weathered stone statue.
Spinel updates Maw on the discovery of the... shrine? but declines further investigation for the moment. Her familiar isn't going to be a very effective nighttime scout with bats this large on the hunt.

>After a brief struggle, you now have a bat carcass - large enough the jeweled kingfisher could barely lift it! - to test for local respiratory or insect-borne diseases, and a flask with a sample of water from the bat's home cave. Said water is almost suspiciously clean, as if it'd been boiled and then poured through a fine silk filter-cloth less than an hour earlier.
Seems like a good idea to do that sooner rather than later, and with the camp still being assembled, it's too soon to sleep anyways, even if things are getting dark. She just has to find a someplace on the plinth to work where she's not going to be in the way of all the activity, and she can provide her own light, if needed.

I'm going to guess testing the bat counts as a variation on the diagnose action? So (Perception 4 + Medicine 5), Flawless Diagnosis Technique, 1m on anima-bright-enough-to-read-by if no one else sets up other light sources, and three successes with the Second Medicine Excellency. Willing to pay those costs twice if the water needs to be checked separately. (If she has to rely on Occult for testing via alchemical methods, she's got worse pools, but could channel Temperance).

>>1093545
Four hours later, Kisara has added a bat to her form library.
>>1093549
Ten foot high ledge makes for an excellent defensive position against a conventional infantry attack. More concerning possibilities are something coming up those stairs, or skirmishers shooting or throwing stuff from the tress.
Clearing all the trees within bowshot of the camp is probably not feasible. I mean, you could certainly try - you've got axes and people who know how to swing 'em - but it wouldn't be quick or safe. Even if successful, risks interference with the geomantic power supply of the manse you came here to plunder.

Moonfire Tribe's tents are each fifteen feet in diameter, and sturdy enough to provide useful protection against the sort of light projectiles you'd expect tree-climbing skirmishers to use, so first priority is probably getting those unpacked and set up. Ought to leave some space between each of the tents, though, for general accessibility, and so if someone sets one tent on fire it wouldn't spread as easily. There's only so much space atop the platform, though.

Draw a diagram of how you're going to arrange the camp.

Rolling Perception 2 + Awareness 1 with no stunts to see what I can scout out as I head back to camp.

rolled 2, 2, 6, 9, 8, 1, 8, 5, 6, 1, 9, 8, 6, 7, 8, 6, 8, 5, 9, 7, 10, 7, 1, 7, 5, 8, 2, 3, 7, 6, 9, 7, 3, 6, 3, 2, 6, 1, 10, 7, 2, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, 5, 10, 1, 4 = 271

---

>>1094260
>rolled 2, 2, 6, 9
With the +1 from being focused on keeping watch, you successfully find your way back the camp, but don't spot much else of lasting interest. Echolocation is amazing, you can actually "see" the interiors of solid objects! Beetle larvae burrowing beneath a tree's bark are as instantly apparent as the spiderweb cracks of a shattered windowpane would be in broad daylight.

>>1094261
"Hm, see you're back, Kisara. How's being a bat?"