Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 06

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Dawn of the Third Age

Session Start (Anshu:#celestialdeliberative): Sun Sep 26 10:04:20 2010 -0600


[11:55] <~Anshu> It has been a month since your success in the Lap. Armed with the information you uncovered there, the Deliberative has been able to move effectively against the Purist propaganda efforts all over the Threshold. No more Fiends were captured, but many Air-Aspected akuma of the Ebon Dragon were discovered - all of whom insisted under truth Charms that they had learned their techniques from the Scarlet Empress, and indicated the monasteries and hidden locations where they had met her. Most such locations were taken after brief battles, but at some, the Deliberative's agents found only emtpy wilderness.
[11:56] *** Bystander is now known as Courier
[11:56] <~Anshu> the monasteries and hidden locations where they had met her. Most such locations were taken after brief battles, but at some, the Deliberative's agents found only emtpy wilderness.
[11:56] <~Anshu> Meanwhile, the Deliberative's propagandists have also been busy, churning out tales lauding your heroic accomplishments. These efforts reach even distant Gem, now on the shores of the resplendent Sapphire Lake, and Sanken, its borders secured by rings of jade obelisks, and the citizens swell with pride that they have such champions and rulers; thus the realms of Creation are bound more closely together and brought more under the Deliberative's sway.
[11:57] * Brazen_Sand made sure to emphasize his role in these heroic acts
[11:57] <Brazen_Sand> in Gem
[11:57] <~Anshu> Of course.
[11:58] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen Sand: WHO SAID THAT?
[11:58] <~Anshu> There is one dim spot in the glow of success; the Fiend you captured in the Lap has broken out of her prison (or been broken out). Her pamphlets have started turning up in various scattered locations, with new subjects: you. So far she has evaded recapture.
[12:00] <~Anshu> You recently received an invitation to visit Denandsor to take part in the Reclamation Day celebrations, a local holiday commemorating the reclamation of the Once Empty City.
[12:01] * Nomoe_Hideaki composed a quite pointed "I told you so" note in the aftermath of the escape, noting all the points where his recommendations weren't followed to the detriment of the Deliberative as whole.
[12:01] * Brazen_Sand just sighed and held his head in disappointment. Stupid Deliberators were unwilling do do what had to be done
[12:01] <Noldarr> "Reclamation Day...a somewhat inauspicious name, don't you think?"
[12:02] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen turned to Noldarr. "What are you doing here?"
[12:03] <Brazen_Sand> "In Gem"
[12:03] <Noldarr> Many hundreds of miles away, Noldarr did not hear a thing.
[12:03] <Brazen_Sand> This is indeed a confusing day
[12:03] <Noldarr> Very confusing
[12:03] <~Anshu> or you guys could just all be in Denandsor :P
[12:03] <Brazen_Sand> This is more fun : P
[12:04] <Noldarr> It's 'cause you guys named it reclamation day
[12:04] <Noldarr> whose idea was this???
[12:04] <Brazen_Sand> *communicates with Noldarr via semaphore*
[12:04] <Noldarr> Adjutant: General, there's something coming over the semaphore lines!
[12:05] * Noldarr glances at her. "Oh?"
[12:05] <Noldarr> Adjutant: "What...are...you...doing...here...in...gem?"
[12:05] * Noldarr raises an eyebrow.
[12:05] <Brazen_Sand> (In Balrog form, otherwise his reach wouldn't be high enough)
[12:05] * Nomoe_Hideaki is of course in Denandsor on Reclamation Day along with a few of House Nomoe functionaries and of course a number of servants.
[12:05] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> In Denandsor, Ruby, still in her mortal disguise wanders the streets curious of the festivities.
[12:05] * Noldarr still wants to know who decided to name this day Reclamation Day
[12:06] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "It was named before intelligence revealed the Infernal name for their operation, I believe."
[12:06] <Noldarr> "Hmph."
[12:06] <~Anshu> Ziyad: *nods in confirmation of Nomoe's suggestion*
[12:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> It is imperative of course to greet and make smalltalk with other Deliberators present. Preferably while making the best possible impression of glory and wisdom on everyone else present.
[12:07] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shakes Ziyads hand diplomatically. "On behalf of Gem, I appreciate this show of diplomatic hospitality and hope that it foretells greater co-operation in teh future between our two nations."
[12:07] * Inkwell is reading a book.
[12:08] <Brazen_Sand> "In my capacity as the Greenfire King, of course."
[12:08] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Accordingly Nomoe Hideaki's white haori with the Nomoe family Mon veritably shines with its own light, while the deep violet of his loose clothes beneath seem to suck in light. He is an apparition of celestial glory, an image of everything the Deliberative is meant to be.
[12:08] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix finds Inkwell and watches him silently as he reads.
[12:09] <Noldarr> "Well, it's been nice catching up with you guys, but I need to go prepare for the Parade." Noldarr nods at the assembled Exalts and wheels away on his destrier, muttering about bureaucrats.
[12:09] <Noldarr> "Deliberator Nomoe, are the standards we commissioned for the parade ready?"
[12:10] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Of course, Deliberator Noldarr, they should have been delivered to your logistics department by now."
[12:10] <Noldarr> "Excellent, I will act as if that is the case then."
[12:11] * Brazen_Sand is dressed in a formal robe with his spear sheathed along his back. His spear is a symbol of hsi rulership of Gem, adopted after he saved it from the Wyld Behemoth T'Sharr-Golden-Circles-Dry
[12:12] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix is dressed as she commonly is, she is not at all ... familiar with festivities though she has seen plenty from afar. Estasia used to have plenty for their Champions.
[12:13] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen enjoys the sights and festivities, having just had a week-long celebration in Gem over the shaping of Sapphire Lake and warming relations with the rest of Creation
[12:13] <Brazen_Sand> He is glad that this time he didn't have to worry abotu setting it all up
[12:13] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> And so she wanders closer to Inkwell, who seems quite indifferent, but continues to watch him.
[12:14] <Brazen_Sand> (Although Launjilla did most of the actual bureacratic work)
[12:14] * Inkwell completely fails to notice this flattering attention.
[12:15] <Brazen_Sand> However, most of the mortals seem to try to avoid his gaze without being rude
[12:17] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen doesn't mind. That is simply the way of things and a sign of him becoming greater then human
[12:18] * Noldarr spots a Courier. "Ah, officer, if you wouldn't mind, would you please drop down to the logistic department and retrieve the battle standards Deliberator Nomoe has prepared for us?"
[12:18] * Nomoe_Hideaki seems to float more than through the crowds, seemingly aimlessly drifitng with the flow, but unerringly his path takes him past all the important people for greetings and a few polite words before moving on.
[12:19] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *more than walk
[12:20] * Courier salutes and departs heading towards the Logistics department
[12:21] <~Anshu> The Grand Circle is of course present, as the ones who did the reclaiming being celebrated. Anshu's daughters are even making a rare public appearance. The Zenith wanders over toward Inkwell and Ruby, teacup in hand, and nods politely to the Alchemical. "Have you had a chance to visit the vats here?" he asks.
[12:22] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix nods politely.
[12:23] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> "Yes I have had time. They are ... an interesting place assuredly."
[12:26] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen meets and politely greets the other members of the Deliberative, making sure not to be too friendly so as to avoid appearing weak.
[12:27] *** Inkwell has quit IRC: Disintegrated: Leaving
[12:28] <~Anshu> Ziyad approaches Brazen. "I trust you're enjoying the new lake?"
[12:28] <Brazen_Sand> "Yes, it was well worth the service I had agreed to."
[12:29] <Brazen_Sand> "Now we no longer need to fear drought or the inability to import water."
[12:31] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> "Did you perhaps have a hand in the Vat designs here?" The Alchemical asks curiously of Anshu.
[12:32] <~Anshu> Ziyad nods. "I'm glad. I've been asked to talk to you a bit about the religious needs of Gem. I realize you've refused missionaries before, but surely you're aware that the local spirits will require worship to be able to properly carry out their functions."
[12:33] <Brazen_Sand> "With all due respect, I am not a fool. I know how you Solars work, and if you were to send missionaries, I know that some of you would not be able to resist subverting my reign. That is politics."
[12:34] <Brazen_Sand> "Furthermore, if the local spirits require worship, then why would I need foreign missionaries?"
[12:35] <~Anshu> Anshu shakes his head. "No, such things are beyond my skills. That's one of the reasons I asked, truthfully. I'm not familiar with the workings of Alchemicals; I had wondered if perhaps different varieties required different types of vats."
[12:35] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix shakes her head.
[12:37] <~Anshu> "You misunderstand," Ziyad says. "We're not asking to send missionaries - well, perhaps one. But we've learned it's a good thing to have a schedule of worship to ensure that each spirit gets its fair due, and the Immaculate Order is quite practiced at arranging such, should you need one."
[12:38] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> "All Vats are equal and connected. Well save those here, I didn't ask the technicians when they recalibrated my systems, if these were. The ones I am more familiar with were tended to by machine spirits. Those in Estasia are done by specially chosen mortals, the difference is merely in what the technicians say during and after the refits."
[12:39] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shook his head. "The gods around us know where they stand, and they are compensated for their work."
[12:39] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix sighs softly and tilts her head, "I've not... acertained however which is better. The attention or the isolation."
[12:40] <Brazen_Sand> "I must admit, I am somewhat surprised that I would be invited here." Brazen says to Ziyad.
[12:41] <~Anshu> "I thought most of the attendants here were members of the Sodalities from one of the Eight Nations or another. Ah well, perhaps not." Anshu sips from his teacup. "I have to admit, I'm a little surprised to see you wearing mortal form here in the City of Makers."
[12:42] <Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix> "I'm... most comfortable thus. One might say... that I have assumed it perhaps too thoroughly. I... have a slight queasiness assuming the style of another Champion, and my own form cannot be seen at all lest it cause trouble. But no one pays me much mind this way."
[12:43] <~Anshu> Ziyad smiles. "You're one of the heroes of the hour. It's politics, of course."
[12:43] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen nods with a thoughtful expression. "For now, yes."
[12:51] * Noldarr waves at the adoring crowd and tries to keep a smile on his face.
[12:53] * Courier having returned with the requested items is quietly handing the banners to the floats and regiments not yet part of the parade
[12:53] <Courier> (As in waiting in the assembly area)
[12:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Discreetly pointing various persons of important Nomoe Hideaki educates the young Nomoe politicians, Dragonblooded and mortal alike, on the complex politics of the Deliberative - only insofar as it is relevant to them, of course.
[12:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *pointing out
[12:54] <Noldarr> "Thank you, officer." Noldarr murmurs as he passes her.
[12:55] <~Anshu> Anshu nods a little and looks over at Brazen. "I suppose you can't really reveal your true nature. I suppose we should be joining the parade now."
[12:56] <Brazen_Sand> "I could, it would be interesting to see their reaction, and it would save me having to sit on one of those float-things."
[12:56] <Noldarr> *is glad he has a mount*
[12:56] <~Anshu> Ziyad nods, seeming a little absent. "Ah, it's time. We should be joining the parade. If you'll follow me?"
[12:57] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix nods to Anshu simply.
[12:58] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen isn't sure what the point of this is, but he knows the utility of haivng yourself shown to the public, to get them to admire you as well as a show of power.
[12:59] <Brazen_Sand> He had done the same thing only a week ago, after all.
[13:00] * Nomoe_Hideaki has been explaining a few last details with regard to his banners to Noldarr when the courier arrives.
[13:01] <Noldarr> "Ah, I see, what an innovative ordering."
[13:03] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Yes, thank you." He gives the mortal courier a small nod, before returning to the explanation. "... so the ones marked red-white-red should be in the front where possible." Then he stops, a strange expression passing over his face.
[13:04] <Noldarr> "Something the matter?"
[13:06] <Courier> While facing Nomoe, for a fraction of a second it appears the courier's eyes widen with what could be shock and recognition before returning to the emotionless gaze she favours.
[13:06] <Nomoe_Hideaki> His eyes return to the mortal, this time meeting her eyes as his perception shifts to seeing her as a person rather than a just another servant with a function to perform. "Excuse me, officer ...," he addresses her before she disappears into the crowd again. "Have we met before?"
[13:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> A moment, please, Nomoe Hideaki indicates to Noldarr in a polite gesture.
[13:07] * Noldarr a knowing smile on his face, Noldarr nods accommodatingly.
[13:08] <Courier> "Not that I am aware of Deliberator Nomoe, but I'm sure that as an officer with such responsabilities as mine it was only a matter of time." The last part of that phrase seems to hang in the air a little longer than it should
[13:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **/I could have sworn.../ unaccountable familiarity and confusion** "What is your name, officer?" **/Perhaps a family resemblance .../**
[13:12] * Nomoe_Hideaki tilts his head slightly as he asks the question, his language carefully polite
[13:13] <Courier> **/He can't know.../her own wave of discomfort feeds back** "My name? Bright, Deliberator, Young and Maiden Bright."
[13:16] *** Courier is now known as Young_And_Maiden_Bright
[13:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I can't know? Can't know what?" Now Nomoe Hideaki is truly confused. Did she speak to herself under her breath?
[13:18] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And since "when in doubt use the Sorcerer's Eye" has proven a useful maxim in the past he activates his essence sight.
[13:23] <Young_And_Maiden_Bright> "I didn't speak Deliberator." **/At least I think I didn't/Nervousness fills the bond**
[13:24] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **/That shimmering silver essence ... one of Luna's Chosen!/ he should be suspicious, but somehow isn't** Nomoe Hideaki's eyes narrow, then he smiles as if understanding something. "Deliberator Noldarr, would you excuse me?"
[13:24] <Noldarr> "Naturally."
[13:24] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And he gestures his attendants to give him some space.
--> The first meeting between Bright Snow and Nomoe Hideaki

[13:34] <~Anshu> After giving Nomoe and Bright Snow a moment together, the Grand Circle and you are gathered up and shown to a float; Brazen refuses, preferring to take on his enormous combat form for the parade, and his vacated seat is offered to Nomoe's mate, should she wish to join them.
[13:36] * Brazen_Sand stomps behind the float, intending to cow and entrance the onlookers with this massive display of power.
[13:36] * Noldarr on his horse is pulling the float.
[13:39] *** Young_And_Maiden_Bright is now known as Bright
[13:39] <Bright> Snow has elicted not to attend on the float, remaining in her courier disguise, riding alongside with much of the cavalry.
[13:41] * Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix silently, uncomfortably, finds herself a part of the parade. She does her best to mimic what proud Champions do during such events, but it feels strange and awkward to the Adamant Alchemical.
[13:42] <~Anshu> The float gets underway soon after, and there is much cheering and so forth as they pass.
[13:43] * Brazen_Sand finds it amusing that just months ago, the entire town would have been screaming in terror if they had seen him as he is now, yet in such a short time, they cheer his passing.
[13:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Even without the smallest hint of active anima Nomoe Hideaki's presence shines forth from where he sits, a regal figure in his fantastically rich clothes, his expression full of wisdom and compassion. He does not wave, but gives small nods to acknowledge the crowd's cheering.
[13:51] <~Anshu> However, it seems not everyone lining the streets is so approving. Within 10 or 15 minutes of their joining the parade, a woman in unseasonably bulky clothing jumps in front of the float and screams, "Down with the Anathema! For the Dragons!" And jerks at a string leading inside her clothes. A fireball engulfs her as she stands in the middle of the street before Noldarr.
[13:52] <~Anshu> More fireballs then go off in the crowd, and the cheers turn to screams of pain and panic.
[13:54] <Noldarr> Before the attack occurs, the ears of Noldarr's steed twitch, and he halts the procession with an upraised hand, eyes searching...
[13:55] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen Sand's three eyes scan the crowd, the roiling essence burning in his eye-sockets searched through the now panicking crowd for these madmen. Damn them, attacking these innocent mortals who wanted nothing more then to bask in the reflected glory of their heroes!
[13:59] <Brazen_Sand> "SHOW YOURSELVES" he commands in a voice that is literally made out of authority, as spouts of flame burst from his eyes and mouth
[14:00] *** Shadow_Ruby_Phoenix is now known as Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby
[14:00] <Noldarr> Like the sun burning upon a mirror, Noldarr's caste mark flares as he disappears in a blur of shining steel.
[14:11] *** Bright is now known as Bright_Snow
[14:17] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Suddenly Nomoe Hideaki flies forward like an arrow let loose from the string, without any prior movement to prepare or - to those with essence sight - even activating any Charms. Light as a feather he lands on the street before a woman jumping into the parade's path.
[14:17] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Down with the Anathema!" she screams, before a pressure point attack against the throat cuts her off even while the Eclipse holds her other arm in an iron grip. There is a momentary flicker and bother figures are gone, disappeared.
[14:20] <Nomoe_Hideaki> On a rooftop two hundred meters away Nomoe Hideaki appears before a trio of automaton guards. "This one is a criminal against the Celestial Deliberative," he instructs them flashing his castemark, "Please keep her imprisoned until formal charges can be laid."
[14:27] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Then, as more suicide attackers mobilize from within the crowd suddenly Nomoe Hideaki is among the people, knocking out one with a light touch to the back of the head, then - effortless carrying the first one along - flowing seven meters further, lightly running over shoulders and heads without so much as a disturbed hairstyle to aggrieve the cheering mortals, to catch and knock out a second one.
[14:57] * Brazen_Sand leapt into the air on flaring wings and spoke in a terrible voice that promised punishment un-ending to those who refused to heed it's demands. "THOSE THAT DARE TO ATTACK THIS CITY, COME FORWARD IMMEDIATELY AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INIQUITY, OR DIE WHERE YOU STAND!" Another flare of hideous green fire burst from his mouth as he spoke these words.
[15:02] * Noldarr thunders into the air, right above the heads of the spectators, eyes searching the crowd for more attackers. Those he finds, he lays low.
[15:07] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby is pretty confused, first Nomeo disappears, then Noldarr jumps into the crowd to take people out seemingly at random, then ofcourse Brazen Sand's words at least alerts her to a great threat, but even so she has no idea how to identify the threat and so... resists summoning her cannon and instead draws the hilt of her blade falling into a guarded position. (Guard...)
[15:07] <~Anshu> As Brazen's words thunder over the gathered mortals, Noldarr suprs his mount into the air, striking at those who stir in response to the Slayer's command and laying them out cold.
[15:12] * Bright_Snow glances over the crowd a knife in hand poised to throw. Watching what then occurs and how quickly the Exalts on the float handle things, she sheaths the blade and instead inspects the woman who has just drawn a blade who stands near her in the melee.
[15:13] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Back to the float, the parade must continue," Nomoe Hideaki tells Noldarr in a low voice. "I'll take care of imprisoning these."
[15:13] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen carefully landed back onto the ground, the rumbling sound of his weight meeting the pavement could be felt and heard for blocks around
[15:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And over the next fifteen second the unconscious would-be attackers disappear in repeated flickers of superlative movement.
[15:14] <Brazen_Sand> A burning sun continued to flare on his monstrous forehead.
[15:14] * Noldarr nods. "Please do. And, Deliberator Nomoe - schedule us a meeting with the head of security, would you?"
[15:14] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby frowns and sighs, replacing the grand beamklave hilt back in its small sheath she glaces around her and sighs a second time.
[15:14] <Brazen_Sand> "THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN GEM"
[15:15] * Nomoe_Hideaki acknowledges that with a nod before continuing his work.
[15:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> The automaton guards on the far roof top he instructs accordingly, making sure that they will imprison the mortals - sans their explosive devices, which he tells them to store safely and separately.
[15:17] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "This day gets more and more unusual."
[15:17] <~Anshu> The crowd is stunned by the sudden outbreak of furious, flickering violence, and seem half inclined to panic. Anshu stands up in the float and begins to address them, reassuring them and telling them that while sinister and iniquitous forces had attempted to disrupt the parade with death, the heroes of the Lap had taken quick, decisive action and prevented innocent casualties, and that the parade would soon resume.
[15:17] <Brazen_Sand> "IT IS NOT SURPRISING. THIS WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR A COWARDLY ATTACK SUCH AS THIS"
[15:19] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "Are we sure that they were not aiming at you, oh monsterous one," Ruby says with a playful smirk to Brazen.
[15:20] <Brazen_Sand> "THEN THEY WERE TRULY COWARDS, AND EXPLODING THEIR PUNY SELVES WOULD AVAIL THEM NOTHING"
[15:20] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Arriving back in his seat on the float in the usual flicker accompanied by a rush of air Nomoe Hideaki nods to Ziyad. "Deliberator Antarah, I have taken the liberty of delivering the attackers to the automaton guard. I hope I did not overstep my bounds." After a moment he adds: "Deliberator Noldarr also asked for access to the prisoners at a convenient time."
[15:21] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby wonders to herself if she should tell Brazen to use his inside voice, but considers that impossible considering his form.
[15:25] <~Anshu> Ziyad nods. "It will be arranged. Let us continue."
[15:25] <~Anshu> The rest of the parade passes without incident.
[15:26] * Nomoe_Hideaki inclines his head and returns to smiling for the crowd
[15:35] *** Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby has quit IRC: Disintegrated:
[15:58] *** Bright_Snow has left #celestialdeliberative
[16:37] *** Brazen_Sand has quit IRC: Disintegrated: