Overview

3 it is, then! I believe all the posts in this game are caught up now. Let me know if anyone is getting added to any missions.

After a long wait, for immortals have very little need to rush, the waitress finally comes to Jayret's table with a bottle of Sunlit Rye, a very large honeycomb, and a small bottle of something that probably isn't sunlit biters. It seems the waitress is distracted while staring at the other guests and didn't quite get the order right. She does hand the dragon-blooded exalt a special menu, which reveals 3 options for missions. But even this, she does absently as she stares at the table where Najwa and Ayato are seated. Najwa's face is turned away, so even though the waitress is staring she doesn't see the flash of emerald in Najwa's eyes as she examines Destiny to see where some things might fall. It seems that the undead are destined to consume people, and killing them sooner would go against destiny's plan. This indicates that they have been in creation for some time, as the Underworld is not a part of Destiny. It is the guards fate to be blackmailed, so this option would actually align with Destiny. But for the rumor itself, if a rumor like that grows and spreads it will disrupt Fate especially if it spreads to places like Lookshy or Nexus. It is about the time Najwa finds all of this information that Glyph walks in. Her presence does solicit glances, especially from the 1/2 meter tall rock gods that are on their way out. But there are no screams of horror or weapons drawn. No one even really stares. The waitress who seems more composed and used to drastic appearances shows Gylph to a table, though she does have to repeat herself before Gylph actually sits down. She sets a pot of Jasmine tea down, as well as a menu of specials for her, which looks identical to the one Jayret has, and waits for her to order. Sorry for the delay. I'm much more limited in internet access on the weekends, but hopefully we are all caught up now. @Ratpigeon, if you want to create a thread here in the Yu-Shan tab for your apartment, you are welcome to do so. If I missed anyone or anything, let me know.

The two Threads enter the gate and emerge on the other side...into a very dark space. The smell of dust hangs thick enough in the air to itch a cough from the throats of those that breathe it. Ethniu also detects a faint scent of fruit and fermentation. It does not take the duo long to discover that they are in a wine cellar, one belonging to House V’neef judging by the marks and labels on everything. The cellar door opens to the streets above, and should the duo exit without causing to much trouble or getting too distracted by the location they found themselves in, they can easily make their way to the streets of the Imperial City without attracting attention. On the other hand, the sheer amount of dust in the cellar suggests that it might not receive a lot of visitors and could be used as a place to hide, though an incredibly dusty and uncomfortable hiding place. Your quest has begun! Please proceed to The Imperial City to continue your mission. It is up to you if you want to go directly into the streets of the city or remain in the cellar to discuss things, though the cellar itself is not part of the mission. Either way, please post in the mission thread for your next story posts.

Ethniu feels an unfamiliar sensation of heartburn as the acid in her stomach bubbles up for a moment, just as her 4th drop of blood hits the candle's flame. But otherwise, all is silent. The Sea That Marched Against the Flame has somehow heard you even up in heaven, and she wants to see chaos. The first time you drink the blood of someone in creation during your upcoming mission, you will gain 3 temporary mots of peripheral essence.

"H-here g-goes n-noth-thing..." She mumbled, taking a deep and steadying breath as she approached the location she was told to. With a tell-tale lyrical jingle, the door to the Luminous Lounge again opens. All heads turn briefly to see who the newcomer might be, only to sight poor Glyph standing there frozen, wide-eyed, and clearly uncomfortable with the stares; like a deer caught in lamp-light at night or the skittish house cat surprised when a room lights up. At first glance she seems inhuman and almost divine in her beauty. Lent credence by her shimmering silver hair, blue skin, and reflecting-pool-like eyes; not to mention the literal aura of light surrounding her, that emanates from visibly glowing sigils covering much of her skin. It all comes together and gives her a real ethereal, graceful, and otherworldly appearance. One juxtaposed by her plain and travel-worn linen kimono, simple haversack and medical satchel slung over one shoulder, what looks to be Lookshyian military issue boots, and a humble (though ironwood) staff resting in her hands. It takes nearly all her will to not simply bolt as everyone looked at her. And it's only when most of the customers return to whatever they'd been doing before that she finally visibly calms enough to enter fully. You got this Glyph... She quietly thought. It's just a teahouse... Not unlike any other... run by literal gods... Catering to Yu Shan itself... Yeah... Just a normal 'teahouse'... Everything will be okay... What's the worst that could happen? "T-Table please?" She asks the nearest waitress demurely in Old Realm, her dialect clearly being of a Riverlands variant to the ears of Heaven's natives. "A-and can I g-get the s-special m-menu as w-well?" Privately, she hope this entire thing is worth it. She was enticed by the mystery and intrigue of it all... A secret agent? Of Heaven? Her? Clearly someone saw something of use in her. Something she just couldn't see in herself. By the gods, she was still having trouble getting a grasp on being Anathem- Chosen... You are Chosen Glyph... Not 'Anathema'... She mentally reminded herself as the goddess-waitress lead her to her table. It doesn't matter what the Immaculate Faith says... I am no more a threat to Creation now than I was before... I am not a 'demon'... Not a soul-eating danger... Not a- "I said... Your table miss?" The waitress said, for the second time. "H-Huh? W-What? O-Oh, y-yes... Th-thank you..." Glyph politely responded, suddenly broken from her own internal thoughts... Taking her seat, she took a deep breath before opening the menu and studying it. "I-I think it m-might be a f-few m-minutes bef-fore I d-decide. C-Can I j-just have some t-tea for now, wh-while I p-peruse this menu p-please?" OOC

Ethniu looks around her at all the splendor of heaven, mostly managing not to seem like a country rube. She has seen some impressive sights before but not quite like Yu-Shan. There is a certain aggression and readiness to her again, an expectation that violence could be around any corner. While she is paying attention to Komari's commentary on the place Eth is definitely more focused on watching for trouble. "Oughta be interesting." She gives a grin and a wink to her new friend before they head into Creation.

Ethniu takes a brief moment alone at a small pond on the way out of heaven. She looks around to make sure she isn't directly observed before beginning a whispered prayer that she does not expect to be heard or answeredbeing a Lintha I figure Eth mostly worships Kimbery, and I assume prayers to the Yozis aren't super useful in Yu Shan but seems like the most appropriate thing for her anyway.. As she speaks she lights a small white candle that she pilfered somewhere along the way and wedges it in some stones at the edges of the pond. "Great Mother. Pretty sure you can't hear me up here, and you'd probably be pissed at me for taking this job. But I'm gonna use it for my family, for your children, for what I want. If the gods wanna give me power, I'll show them what your descendants are truly capable of, that your strength is within in me. I will not fail." She finds a too perfect smooth stone from the pond and squeezes it in her palm until a sharp crack echoes out, then uses a sharp shard of stone to make a shallow cut in her palm. Holding her had a foot or so above the candle she lets her blood drip out until it extinguishes the flame. "Your blood still marches against the flame." Ethniu turns then and walks away.

Ayato Ayato's fingers tighten on his chopsticks at the mention of the Immaculate philosophy. He himself hasn't had to suffer because of it - not in this incarnation - but the tales he had heard... His face remains smooth, in a practiced way. It is a game they played back home, mostly Changing Moon Castes, though some No-Moons would take part every now and then: try to shock your "opponent" into losing their composure with preposterous claims, grimaces, shapeshifting or whatever you could think of. He nods, assenting with the "later". He's surprised at the invitation - sure, she's lovely, but neither of them has been flirting, really, so to progress so fast! - until he realized it's perhaps just about hosting, and nothing else. Either way, he'll see when they get there. "Your invitation is most welcome" he replies formally. "No, I do not have any affinity with spirits. There was always around someone back home - priest or sorcerer - to handle them, I guess. I'd be keen to hear more about Great Forks. Is it an area rife with spirits?" OOC

The gates. Komari had a soft spot for them. She's spent a few off duty hours people watching near one or two that lead into the Scavenger Lands, sipping tea and pondering the ways of Yu Shan. It's a bit of a touchstone. A little reminder that whatever Heaven throws at you, Creation isn't really that far away. That said, today she's heading to a gate she's far less fond of. Even if she'd had the self indulgence to shirk her heavenly duties, the Realm is the last place Komari would slip away to. The people are unpleasant, and you're likely to have an Elder or one of their pet gods spot you. Still, she's somewhat familiar with the area. In this age, no member of the Five Score Fellowship was able to escape some degree of assignment to the Blessed Isle. Stepping off the dragonboat, she switches back into 'tour guide' mode for Ethniu's benefit. "We won't be coming back this way. The Calibration Gate lets out back there." She gestures back quite a way, towards the large plaza that traditionally hosts the 'heart' of Yu Shan's yearly Carnival of Meeting. "Try to use it to head to Creation, you've no idea where you'll end up. But this will take us to the Imperial CityFun fact - in 2e this could be Gateway 10, which was located in the Imperial City - specifically *inside the Imperial Manse* ^^. Not exactly a way to make a low profile entrance. Not sure where you're going with this, Kriv, but 'we're off to the Imperial City for Celestial Waitress' is the gist. It's a trip from there to the Isle of Voices, but if Ciel and her Dynast friends can manage it, so can we!"

@Krivolacarticus Got a few things I need to run through you... First up is what I've go thus far for Glyph's Sorcerous Relic. Though I plan on adding more later (such as the Evocations), I need to know if any part of what I have is unacceptable or too much for your game: Lorestone of the First Sorcerer Second, is my character's Fae-Blooded Charm. Given how I described Glyph's Fae parent, I have two ready options that I think could work; both just slightly re-flavored existing Eclipse spirit charms (I haven't changed the Charms's names yet). So I was wondering what your thoughts on both were: Seductive Shapechange Humble Traveler's Cloak

Still grinning Eth says, "We're gonna do good, Komari. Let's go." She snags a conical straw hat off a shelf as she heads out of the room, and follows her new friend off to the Mortal Gatesyeah I am good to go!.

It's two. This gained an intimacy from Ethniu, and provides a clear in game benefit (her friend is able to blend in during this mission) but this doesn't uphold or strengthen any of Komari's intimacies. (She's basically gaining one for Eth now, but it's not in place yet.) That said, World Shaping Artistic Vision gives me my speciality as a fourth bonus objective, and this is needed to do our jobs, so I back-work into 3! ^^

She's gotten better at hiding itSorry for the delay. Wasn't sure where to go with this post: went back and forth on it a ton, but we need to keep momentum. So this is a rework of my original plan (which was... kinda over the top flustered Komari. ^^) Hope toning it down some is still fun. Komari is absolutely also getting an intimacy for Ethniu, though I'm not sure how to parse it. She plays into a lot of what Komari engages with emotionally - the powerful, loving Captain is pretty much *designed* to make her swoon. If it wasn't for that inferiority complex, she'd probably be open and flirty (if still clumsy as hell) with Eth., but that gets another blush from Komari. The sight of Ethniu in her outfit... doesn't help. She feels like she's back at the Academy again, in her early years. Hopeful. Positive. Everyone's friend, their champion, their defender. Unaware of what's coming. Those memories centre her somewhat. The embarrassment fades relatively quickly. She gives a little rueful chuckle, looking away from her new friend. "You'd be the first." Be polite, but know your place. That's how you make it through. Komari bows, smiling at her new friend. There's warmth there. Ethniu is a worthy friend. She's happy with that. "Glad you like it. You wear it well!" She waves a hand down across her current ensemble. "I'm a little dated, but for an ascetic blademaster, I think I'll pass. Being slightly anachronistic helps with that." Soon enough, her tools are away, and they're both ready to head out for the mortal gate. "Let's get this doneReady for the Mortal Gate? ^^."

"Perfect." Najwa smiles, adding the appropriate dessert to their order - although it does pique her interest that Ayato can only read the main specials, not the dessert. That will bear further investigation. "That's Ledaal Jayret D'Ween," she adds, tilting her head towards the passing Dynast. "She's a new colleague, just finding her feet in Yu Shan, and still quite taken with the Immaculate philosophy. I imagine that the two of you will cross paths sooner or later, but... it might be better to be a little later." Of course - Ayato still hasn't confirmed the provenance of his Exaltation: he could be Exigent, but if he was, he probably wouldn't have felt the need to dance around the subject... and she's not sure how nuanced the Realm's approach is to the Exigence either. It might just be a different flavour of "Anathema" to them. "Chrysocalla and I have a small apartment - it's in a much more modest area of town. You could stay with us for the night, and we can leave in the morning. That would allow me enough time to pack, and discuss details." Najwa selects a slice of vegetable from the remnants of her Pilaf, savouring the rich flavours as she thinks about the scant details she knows about the mission. "Have I overlooked anything? Spirits... Can you see dematerialised spirits? That is likely to be important in Great Forks. I haven't picked up the knack yet - it's not really neccessary in Yu Shan - so if you can't see spirits, we'll need a third." And Najwa knows just the right Faeblooded Solar for the job. "I think I have someone in mind..." OOC

Ayato Ayato attacks the dishes with gusto. Not all of it is to his taste - he doesn't finish the soup - but he welcomes the new experience and the merriment of his taste buds. It's good that he didn't understand the waitress commenting about secrets, for it would have made him paranoid. Then comes the dessert menu, and though he is not really hungry anymore Ayato still takes time to look at each entry. He replies distractedly, but keeping his voice low: "I am indeed from the East, and I am speaking in Forest-Tongue at the moment... I think?" He doesn't quite understand how this Connection Najwa has established works. He then seems increasingly puzzled at Najwa's remarks, for this time he sees only an ordinary menu. "I'll follow your guidance on dessert, then..." He notices the blue-haired lady in passing, automatically offering a bright smile. "...and after the meal as well, for it is not wise that I go around on my own. I'm likely to get lost, or worst, hence I'd welcome your help in... reaching the next step of my journey after this most delicate of meals." OOC

It unfortunately doesn't help very much - it simplifies through major changes to how crafting works, which I'm not opposed to, except it also includes a stipulation that magic shouldn't affect the most critical part of the new system, which feels pretty bad. doesn't really offer much on how to then convert the many crafting Charms that no longer function with the new system. It feels like someone earmarked that whole section for "if there's time, expand this" and then there wasn't time. I'd be willing to work with it, but it is also an overhaul or at least it implies one.

Various notes! Abyssal Nature As an Abyssal, Nightfall counts as undead when it's advantageous (but is living, and needs to eat, drink, and breathe without specific Resistance Charms). He's outside Fate unless a friendly Sidereal uses a specific Charm to return him to its weave. All Abyssal animas let them spend a mote to display their Caste Mark, to approximately locate nearby shadowlands, and to grow fangs that allow them to drain 1 mote per level of lethal damage inflicted on willing or helpless living things. As a Daybreak, he can also vanish into his anima like a Twilight (reappearing in deathly places of power), make a special roll against the Guile of a supernatural being he knows is a supernatural being to learn one useful fact about it, or while burning or above gain a Willpower, add 6 necromantic motes, or add a free full Excellency to a mental roll other than Join Battle. Whispers Due to his Whispers Merit, once per "session," you can inflict a -4 penalty on a mental or social roll or a -1 penalty to Resolve or Guile for an instant. In exchange, he can spend a Willpower once a day to help introduce deathly facts, deal with the undead, navigate the Underworld, gain some necromantic motes, or resist influence predicated on hope or compassion. Some Abyssal Charms also let you spend your once-a-day Whispers channel to improve their effects, but he doesn't have any of those. Necromancy Necromancy works almost exactly like sorcery and most things that deal with one or the other are interchangeable unless specified. Necromancy is permitted to "adapt" sorcery spells (except certain categories like restorative or food-providing spells) to be necromancy spells with appropriate aesthetic changes. The reverse is not true; sorcery cannot "adapt" necromancy. Nightfall's shaping ritual is based around uncovering a diary written across an unknown number of skulls, one of which was attached to a mouldering skeleton slumped across a set of medical tools in the Heart-chamber where he Exalted. He gains one mote (up to 10, last the story) whenever he hears something new about the Skull Diary, a similar relic, a necromantic working or phenomena he could study, and whenever he actually succeeds on an Occult roll to learn more. Separately as part of the same ritual, he gains (Essence + possessed skulls, maximum 15) motes up to once per story when acquiring a piece of the Skull Diary. should be able to finish up (artifact decisions and writeup, any questions that occur) tomorrow unless i am knocked out utterly by the shot i'm getting. however, this is unlikely, as prior shots have been mostly okay.

Hmmm... Metal-Crafting, but not armor... And you "recommend" weapons or trinkets for when I get around to making Artifacts... That leaves only a handful of things I can think of: A) Weapon-Making (obviously), as we all need weapons and the ability to commission the artifact weapon we want (assuming it's not just straight outta one of the books) is very useful B) Jewelry-Making, could be used to make a lot of fun decorative metal trinkets (like crowns, rings, bangles, or necklaces) which can be a lot of fun to them artifacts around C) Metal Sculpting, less versatile from an artifact perspective... but potentially make works of art that can be used to win favors, and make enchanted golems or relics (like a mystic grail and artistic statuary) as artifacts And lastly D) Clockworks, for more of a steampunk feel in what Glyph makes... both mundane and artifact Hmm... think I'll start with Weapon-making then, as it makes the most sense given her background; unless someone has a better idea. Might pick up some of the others later though. I haven't really taken a look at it, but I think there's a simplified crafting system in Crucible of Legends that might help if we don't want to overhaul the existing crafting system. As a player, I've no problem taking on an anti-undead sidequest... Poor Glyph on the other hand will probably be screaming in terror the entire time 🤣

@namo @karsusthemad - I'm leaning towards Guard Blackmail. We don't need Forest Tongue, between Alchemy and Herbalism, we can make a sleeping draught (but I don't think we need one) and I think if undead are wandering the countryside, we could find them ourselves. Plus - sidequest! Let me know if either of you have strong opinions otherwise. Actually - @Krivolacarticus, my Jupiter Auspicious Prospects tells me whether revealing or concealing a piece of information would align with destiny. I'd like to use it on both the Undead perk and the Guard Leverage perk.

"Well this is interesting... I wonder if all the deserts on offer were chosen to compliment the meal?" She runs her finger down the list. "You wouldn't happen to be Eastern, would you? Do you speak Forest-Tongue?" Najwa doesn't but Great Forks is one of the great cities of the Scavenger lands - her father traded with them often, in Riverspeak. But... it seems there might be a need for Forest-Tongue as well. Ayato seems sure enough of his graces, that if he could speak the language of the Far East, then she wouldn't worry about choosing that blessing. "I find that simply knowing a piece of information exists is often as useful as knowing the information..." She taps the second item on the list, before skipping to the last item. "I could probably make a tea like this myself, with the right ingredients, and I"m not sure it would pair well with the soup." "But this one looks tasty. There's a story to it, to pair perfectly with dinner." Her finger lands on the third item - leverage on a guard. Undead probably won't be too hard to find - she imagines that the could track those down alone, but finding one particular guard who has the right kind of secret in a city as large as Great Forks might be harder. And the promise of additional secrets.... is a little irresistable. "What do you think, Ayato?" Najwa offers him the desert menu, for his opinion, then spots Jayret coming into the room, and waves at her with a smile - although its just a greeting, not neccessarily an invitation. Jayret looks uncomfortable - particularly about Ayato - and, if Najwa has read the situation correctly, Ayato is one of the Exalted that Jayret would call "Anathema". Perhaps not a good pairing to introduce... yet. Show this

I think you are probably fine picking a different perk, yes.

@Krivolacarticus Hi Kriv - quick question: isn't the language of Great Forks Riverspeak - it's part of the Scavenger Lands? Najwa speaks Riverspeak, because its the trader tongue of Threshold, and her father was a merchant prince in a trade-city on the inner southern coast. Glyphs also speaks riverspeak (Lookshy is also Scavenger Lands), so between that, and Ayato's magic body language, I was thinking we could skip the blessing of Tongues, but not if everyone is going to be speaking ForestTongue.

In heaven, even the finest seems plain, as Jayret enters the celestial halls, of the Luminous Lounge. The cobalt hair is twisted and woven into a thin silver tiara, her finely-woven woolen robes wrapped in three layers around her, a pale cerulean blue on the outer layer, a burnished gold the layer below, and the deep glaucous grey as the bottom layer, cinched with a simple black silk belt. While the outfit was comfortable enough to wear, the demeanor was simply that of someone uncomfortable in the environment she was in. Jayret had been in many such establishment in the Realm, but in Heaven she was quite out of place. The fine clothes seemed decidedly plain next to the gossamer moon threads worn by some, or the brocade of feathers worn by one god or goddess (she couldn't decide which, if any, gender that they presented). One being was simply wreathed in a cloud that dappled in a dewey pattern on their skin. She had simply bowed and walked on by as if her business was somehow important. Now in the presence of the place, her mind twisted as she observed her surroundings. Nothing too incredible startled her, but it took an exertion of willpower to turn her gaze from the two seated at a table. She had barely noticed that it was Najwa sitting there before she turned her gaze from the fascinating man across from her. Whatever was going on between the two of them she didn't want to be caught gawking. Facing the rest of the room, she knew no one else, so she found a table for herself with her gaze naturally directed away from Najwa. She wasn't sure how long she could resist gazing at her companion if they were in line of sight. She had planned to get a simple glass of wine, but already the man's presence had disturbed her sense of composure. To a waitress as she passed by, "Could I have a glass of rye, sunlit bitters, and a single cell of honeycomb?" It hadn't taken more than a glance to unnerve her, and this was the strongest she had known to wrangle those nerves back together. "Oh, and the menu for specials available, when you have a spare moment?"

The waitress returns to the table, her tray balanced effortlessly on one hand. She flashes a bright smile, oblivious to the covert intentions behind the chosen meal, simply focused on delivering Najwa's order with heavenly grace. First, she sets down a steaming Bowl of Whispering Mushroom Soup for each of the exalted seated at the table. The broth is a rich, earthy brown, garnished with thinly sliced mushrooms and a sprinkle of herbs. The savory aroma rises warmly, inviting you to take a sip. "A perfect choice for sharing secrets over a quiet dinner," she remarks casually, though to her, it's just another menu item. Next comes a plate of Spiced Grain Pilaf, lightly infused with a variety of seasonings that leave a lingering warmth on the palate. Thin slices of roasted vegetables add a splash of color, and she carefully places the serving spoons. Finally, she pours two cups of Jasmine Petal Tea, its pale green hue swirling with delicate floral notes. "This will soothe you after a long day," she says with a friendly nod, leaving the guests to their meal. She then places a small menu of dessert choices for them to consider, though to Najwa these actually look like optional perks to select from. Perk Options: Blessing of Tongues: Anyone that does not already know Forest Tongue can speak and read it fluently for the duration of this mission. Roaming Undead: Information about where to find a group of undead near the city, whose presence could strengthen the believability of the rumor. Guard's Secret: Leverage, and potential side quest information, that could be used to easily persuade a city soldier to support the rumors. Slumber's Embrace: A single dose of a powerful sleeping potion that lasts 8 hours (or 72 hours if used in the form of a poisoned apple).

Objective: The exalted must introduce a rumor that forces from the shadowland Pyrron Ossuary are gathering to launch an attack. This rumor must spread through the court of Great Forks, a hub city of spirituality and trade, but it must seem natural. The court holds regular gatherings in the Temple of Celestial Wisdom, where the Exalted can place their whispers. Chosen Perk: None Yet Key NPC: Lady Vasha of Great Forks: An influential courtier with ties to several powerful factions. She is the perfect vessel to spread a carefully crafted rumor. Progress So far The quest has been accepted.