Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 15

Brazen_Sand: The beastmen horde scattered in terror, retreating as they saw their own powerful leader brought down by the efforts of these Celestial Exalted heroes

Brazen_Sand: Slowly, the inhabitants of Nylathin came out of hiding, stunned at the destruction to their city caused by the ravenous horde of savage beastmen (and an Infernal Exalt), still, they thanked their heroes, although in voices tinged with shock. All they could do was try to rebuild their unremarkable city and get on with their lives.

Brazen_Sand: They felt unhappy though. Wasn't the Deliberative supposed to be able to present such invasions?

Brazen_Sand: An unconscious Lunar still in War-form was tossed from a large height into the cement and stone rubble of what was once a garrison.

Brazen_Sand: The citizens immediately retreated from that place, deciding that picking through the rubble to find their dead would have to wait until later...

Nomoe_Hideaki: moves among the survivors and still living victims, a figure of unearthly grace. The force of his presence is akin to an incandescent invisible flame, making all that it touches part of itself. He does not speak a single word, nor lends a helping hand, he merely observes.

Nomoe_Hideaki: And yet seeing the great lord of the Deliberative walk among them reassures them, gives them hope. Their betters are watching out for them, their lieges keeping to their duty just as they should return to their own.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen slammed into the ground like a meteor. The villagers did not run, but regarded him with cautious awe. They had seen him fight their attackers and save their prisoners, but his bestial appearance and aura of savagery kept them from doing more then cheering from a distance.

Brazen_Sand: For what it was worth, Brazen drank in the citizenry's adulation like fine wine.

Nomoe_Hideaki: A circuit or two around the ruins at the center of the city, pock-marked with craters the bare rock still burning with green or silver fire in some places, then Nomoe returns to where Ma-Ha-Suchi lies. Not that he'd ever averted both eyes from his supine form - he would not allow anyone to murder the defeated Elder.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen immediately loomed over the same elder, but this time with his burning brand poised over his throat.

Brazen_Sand: He raised the spear without hesitation, ready to send it down into the savage's throat and end him once and for all

Nomoe_Hideaki: "It is not necessary to keep quite so close a watch," Nomoe mentions, his tone somewhat amused. "I don't think he'll jump up and try to bite you for a few minutes at the least."

Brazen_Sand: just groweled from deep within his throat

Nomoe_Hideaki: He approaches at the same measured pace he usually affects, once more wearing the white haori with the Mon of House Nomoe over his near-black robes.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: As the mighty giant who called himself Ma-Ha-Suchi fell to their blows, dust unsettled by his girth and massive weight Harmony couldn't miss the beast burning with a crowning corona of sickly green fetid essence standing over him in victory. Vanity and victory go hand in hand it would seem.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She stood next to her valiant sister, glancing quickly with her sharp wit and perceptive mind at the devastation surrounding them and rapidly escaping barbarian armies. Send soldiers after them later, get rid of the problem at the root.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "This is little more than an unmitigated disaster." she declares after a few moments of deliberation "Far too much collateral damage given the show of force that was made her. Unacceptable." she shakes her head even as she steps forward,

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: closer to the unmoving form of Ma-Ha-Suchi and beside Brazen Sand, giving little notice to him as she glares slightly "Ma-Ha-Suchi has many crimes to answer for." she points out firmly, seeing the glimpse of something unpleasant in Brazen's eyes.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen snarled at the fallen Lunar. "Good, I have a way to make him answer for them!" He said, and then jabbed the spear down towards Ma-Ha-Suchi's vulnerable thraot

Nomoe_Hideaki: "No," Nomoe states quietly. In a rush of air he stands beside Brazen, lightly holding the arm wielding the spear by the wrist. "Not yet anyway. This is not your decision alone." ~Anshu: The Lunar's eyes flutter open, and he glares up at the Infernal and Solar standing over him.

~Anshu: "You're not going to kill me?"

Brazen_Sand: "Yes I am." Then Brazen stabbed him through the throat

Nomoe_Hideaki: Strengthening his hold on Brazen Sand's wrist with a slightly apologetic incline of his head, Nomoe looks down at the Lunar. "No, we're not."

Brazen_Sand: "Yes. I am."

Brazen_Sand: *stab stab stab*

Nomoe_Hideaki: sighs and along with the Lunar translocates a short distance away. "Brazen Sand," he addresses the Infernal by name for once, "consider this for a moment, think. Who has he committed crimes against, you? Or the Deliberative and its subjects?"

Brazen_Sand: "WHAT DO I CARE WHO HE COMMITTED CRIMES AGAINST?! HE HURT THESE PEOPLE. HE DESERVES NOTHING BUT DEATH."

Brazen_Sand: He snarled back, unable to believe that the Deliberater was defending this monster.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "He hurt the subjects of the Celestial Deliberative. It is for the Deliberative to try and punish him," Nomoe states evenly. "He will not escape that."

Brazen_Sand: "WHY DOES IT MATTER? YOU TORE THROUGH THOSE BEASTMEN WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT! BUT HE GETS SPECIAL TREATMENT?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "He is a *Celestial Exalt*," Nomoe says with the tone of stating something incredibly obvious, "an Elder of the Silver Pact. Yes, of course he does."

Brazen_Sand: Brazen shook his head. "THEN HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THEN ANYONE ELSE."

dakkareth: nods, ceding that point. "He should have. That changes nothing, though."

Brazen_Sand: "IT CHANGES EVERYTHING!" He snarled

Nomoe_Hideaki: tilts his head. "Then that is where we disagree."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "What do you think you're doing?" Harmony ask of Brazen as she heft Moment of Verdict and points it toward him "Lest you forget, you are no magistrate. Would you take the law in your own hands in violation of the Deliberative's authority?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "However," he adds coldly. "Even so you should consider whether it serves your plans, serves your people, to antagonize the Deliberative." His tone is not threatening, merely stating facts. "You do care for them, do you not?"

Brazen_Sand: "WHO ARE YOU?"

Brazen_Sand: He said to the short woman who had just shown up and shouted at him

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Have I not introduced myself already? I am a senior magistrate for the Deliberative and to you at this moment it should suffice as I say this: Stand down and aside, I will bring this man to justice."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: Rain herself following in the wake of her sister, a final tired sigh sent at the escaping beastmen. They're not going to be fun to chase down, she's rather sure of it. Sword dissolving into glowing motes as she sends it elsewhere.

Brazen_Sand: "WHY? HOW DO I KNOW HE'LL BE PUNISHED? YOU DIDN'T CARE ABOUT TOLERATING THIS MONSTER BEFORE!"

Nomoe_Hideaki: inclines his head toward the Justicar in polite acknowledgement that she has joined the ... discussion. "Justicar Imperative Harmony of Order is indeed the nearest authority on such matters, Brazen Sand."

Brazen_Sand: snorted a burst of flame from his nostrils

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "How would you know that? I relish the opportunity to bring upon Ma-Ha-Suchi the retribution which he so richly deserves. Know that, and do as I have asked, if you would. It would suit you ill to stand in defiance of the law at this juncture."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Please, be reasonable."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "Actually.. I did. Finding him though turned out to be no small problem." Rain interjects. One eyebrow raising at the small lick of flame

Brazen_Sand: Brazen turned away from the Lunar warlord and leaned down until he was face to face with the Justicar

Brazen_Sand: He was big enough to eat her in a couple of mouthfuls.

Brazen_Sand: ..."Do you *swear*" He hissed with a whisper like steam escaping from a volcano

Nomoe_Hideaki: "It would have been difficult if not impossible to justify an intervention against a foreign and at the time neutral power, besides," Nomoe adds.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Do you seek to intimidate me, tear of Malfeas?" she quirks an eyebrow slightly, fearless and emotionless as ever in her handling of the situation, though she chuckles faintly "The truth is all I speak, I swear."

Brazen_Sand: "IF SOMETHING IS RIGHT TO DO, YOU DO IT!" Brazen insisted. "HIDING BEHIND REGULATIONS AND LAWS IS JUST AN EXCUSE"

Brazen_Sand: He said to Nomoe

Brazen_Sand: "FINE. TAKE THE PIECE OF SHIT. BUT IF I SEE HIM WALKING FREE, I WON'T HESITATE TO KILL HIM LIKE THE SCUM HE IS."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "If you don't get your face out of my sisters. I'll remove it" Rain says.. pleasantly enough, one hand rather sarcastically rubbing at an ear.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "That is just the point, though. It wouldn't have been right."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Lying is best left to those who would debase itself with it." though she snaps slightly after his outburst "Act as a beast and you will be treated as one." she kneels beside Ma-Ha-Suchi's form "Prisoner, are you conscious?"

Brazen_Sand: He looked at the other Solar...they did indeed look like sisters, he could see their genetic simmilarity in his 3rd eye...

Brazen_Sand: "WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT?!" He asked himself incredulously.

Nomoe_Hideaki: shakes his head slightly toward Rain, his expression resigned. Then he turns to Brazen Sand. "I know you are capable of some politeness. Could you perhaps employ some here?" he asks politely and without rebuke.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen exhaled pointedly through his nostrils again. "Fine." He responded to the Deliberator, making an effort to speak softly...for him

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She digs the tip of her goremaul's haft into Ma-Ha-Suchi's ribs painfully quite deliberately "Yes, prisoner is conscious." she concludes when he groans in pain and motions for her sister to come closer "Could you help me sit him against the wall?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods, acknowledging Brazen Sand's effort.

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "That I can do" she nods, one hand grasping the moaning lunars arm and dragging him towards the nearest piece of upright rubble.

Brazen_Sand: "He'll be dead soon anyway. Final Viridescence kills quickly...for a disease."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She stands up elegantly as she marches so that she is looming over the wounded Lunar, the sun piercing glare's partially hidden by her now darkened form as she speaks firmly "You are Ma-Ha-Suchi." she starts firmly.

Nomoe_Hideaki: gives Brazen Sand a brief look, filing away that bit of information. "Are you capable of taking that back?"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "You have come here at the head of a barbarian army, with no other goal than to enact a vicious and debased attack upon the glorious civilization of the Deliberative. For this, you are criminal scum. Do you concur with this statement?" she stares at him with unmitigated disgust.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen snorted as if the question was ridiculous. "It's a Malfeas charm. What do YOU think?"

~Anshu: "There's no point in denying the second. But..." He begins to change shape.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "A fake doppelganger. How clever. Why did your Master not come in person, monster?" she gives him someone who will listen to his last words, if he is so inclined.

Nomoe_Hideaki: watches the proceedings, his hands hidden in his wide sleeves

~Anshu: His features flow until what was the white-furred chimeric form is a dark-haired bull-headed form.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Answer me." she insist politely for now, but there is something in her voice that let him know that if he would not speak to her now, she would yet get him to tell her everything at her leisure. Subtle threats so light that just as feathers against the light of dawn they... almost vanished.

Brazen_Sand: "You might as well tell her everything. You only have about a day to live anyway." He said to the Lunar, and not without some satisfaction in his voice.

~Anshu: "He had other things to do," he croaks. "Other armies to breed and lead, allies to meet with."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "And so he sent you to your death for no gain and no point. How does that make you feel?"

Brazen_Sand: "BREED!?" brazen roared.

Brazen_Sand: "I'VE SEEN HOW YOU BREED...how you breed your armies right here!" He said, regaining control over himself...barely.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Shush!" she silenced him, glaring before returning her attention to the prisoner, this was delicate.

Blood_Soaked_Rain: Rain has, without a word brought her sword back into being. Leaving it resting against the wall for the moment but near to hand.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Lord Nomoe, please escort your friend away from here... I need to talk to the prisoner without his constant interruptions." she requests from him politely but severely.

Nomoe_Hideaki: eloquently raises an eyebrow as the Justicar calls the Infernal his friend. Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "... companion." she corrects herself apologetically.

~Anshu: "The destruction of a city is the point. City-dwellers are weak and soft, and the world is harsh."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Would you allow the Lady Justicar to do her work, Brazen Sand? You will, I expect, have time to discuss differences in philosophy afterwards."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "And do you still think it was all worth it, old man?" she asks with a wry smile, tilting her head slightly almost as if she could see everything about him. All the sin and the joy and the sorrow and the years.

Brazen_Sand: Brazen groweled and looked at the people staring at them in fear. Something in his heart called out to them, and he walked to them without a word

Brazen_Sand: "I'll...I'll go help the mortals out." He mumbled

Brazen_Sand: He walked off and allowed his spear to disintegrate out of existence, then started trying to encourage them and help them look through the rubble and help the injured...all done very very loudly.

~Anshu: He falls silent, refusing to answer.

Nomoe_Hideaki: makes a small gesture, inquiring with the Justicar whether he may ask questions of his own

Blood_Soaked_Rain: While the dawn simply remains quiet. Watching the infernal as he moves about helping the survivors.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She blinked once, somewhat surprised that he felt the need to ask questions of his own but a curt nod told him that he was welcome to it "Go ahead."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "What is your name, Chosen of Luna?" Nomoe asks quietly.

~Anshu: "Running Thunder."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: Harmony listens closely for now, waiting for her time to intervene if she felt it necessary. After all, it is conceivable that the Lord Nomoe could find avenues she would not.

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "Will you agree not to attempt an escape until the Deliberative has judged you? Measures unbefitting the station of a Celestial Exalt could be avoided then, to everyone's benefit."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "Unless we can stop your companions magic. I doubt that oath will be of much use"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "I would find it vastly preferable too." Harmony points out firmly, smiling faintly even if more out of good manners than genuine emotion. She could see what Nomoe was getting at clearly "My sister does have a point."

~Anshu: He snorts. "I assume you are offering to heal me then, and wanting my oath in exchange?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Not much use? Especially if we should prove unable to banish that disease in time it is important to be able to allow some dignity even a defeated opponent."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "And no, our efforts to that effect will be independant of such an oath."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Incidentally, I do believe your companion will have to answer for the infliction of such an ignoble pestilence, Lord Nomoe." the Justicar notes.

~Anshu: "So you want me to swear that I won't try to escape your custody while I wait for a trial?"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "It would prevent me having to expedite your trial here for the purpose of avoiding your untimely escape, yes."

Nomoe_Hideaki: sighs. "An undignified and inelegant weapon to be sure, and not one I'd ever chose, but in serious battle against an enemy of the Deliberative ..." Nomoe opens his hands in a gesture equivalent perhaps to a shrug. "A difficult question to consider."

~Anshu: He snorts again. "Trials. Another peice of civilized nonsense. You know what I've done. Caught me at it, even. Why bother to wait?"

Blood_Soaked_Rain: Something Rain could well agree with, but which would likely annoy Harmony to no end.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Yes. Swear that you will not try to escape custody until you have been tried, that will be sufficient."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Do you honestly want to hear the answer?" she asks with something of mild amusement on her visage as she lightly cusp his chin to tilt it up "I doubt it."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "It is a matter of propriety," Nomoe states simply. He will not discuss it further for it is clearly useless, but he does deserve an answer.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "And justice, lest we forget." she adds with perfect timing.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe inclines his head. "Justice is served by a trial, propriety by holding it at the right time and in the right way."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "In any case, there is a healer with the airship. He will see to your ... condition whether you swear or not. I would very much like to avoid subjecting a Celestial Exalt to indignities as would be applied to a common criminal as well, though."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "As he's acted worse than most criminals could ever hope to manage. I don't see any particular reason he should gain any special privileges"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Rain." one simple word but that's nevertheless firm in application.

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "Fine.. fine...treat him as you will"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "He is nonetheless a Celestial Exalt, a Chosen of Luna," Nomoe states simply. "And likely a member of the Silver Pact as well." The last with an undertone of a question to the Lunar.

Anshu_: "Of course. Every Lunar who bears tattoos is."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Indeed. Nevertheless, will you swear the oath?" she asks insistently, having litlte more time to waste on his hesitation.

Anshu_: "No."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: shrugs and grabs the hilt of her sword, but does at least look at Harmony before doing anything further.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "As you wish, then. Lord Nomoe, if you would go fetch the physician you've mentioned? I have a few more questions for the prisoner." she insists with a calm expression. Harmony doesn't look at Rain, knowing she would show restraint.

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She didn't want Lord Nomoe to have to see this.

Nomoe_Hideaki: gives the Justicar a measuring look. "If treatment is supposed to precede further questioning then bringing him to the airship seems an obvious choice. If not we can bring him afterwards - unless you have brought transportation of your own, Justicar?"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "I am afraid that I haven't." she sigh softly, appraising the noble man standing before her before adding clearly "Lord Nomoe, there are no chains nor cages at our disposal at the moment that could restrain this man should we cure him."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: She turns around to face him "As a Magistrate, you do know what is my duty in such a situation. Do you not?" she ask with unreadable neutrality.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe's expression is void of emotion or expression. "Do elaborate please, Justicar."

Nomoe_Hideaki: *Nomoe's face

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "I have witnessed the man's crime. I cannot in good conscience risk his escape after this." she motions toward him "It is within my authority to proceed to a customary field trial and sentence if I feel it is necessary." she stares at him straight in the eyes.

Nomoe_Hideaki: inclines his head slightly. "I would respectfully argue the necessity. Even without appropriate implements of restraint we are more than capable of safely containing him, if at the cost of expending greater effort toward that end."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "For long enough to deliver him to a secure location anyway."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Would you take responsibility for his captivity then?" she brings her hand to her chin, hidding her mouth partially as she listens to what he has to say "Knowing what would come to pass should we ever falter in our vigilance."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "how.. exactly? Even were i to tie a rope to him and sleep within the same room. He can just slip out of it. And i'd not mind saying i'd hardly want to try and slumber next to..that.."

Nomoe_Hideaki: There is a hint of disappointment in Nomoe's expression. "If you will not take that responsibility, Justicar Imperative Harmony of Order, then it seems that I will have to."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "I always take the responsibility for everything that happens under my supervision Lord Nomoe. The question is whether you too are willing to do the same." she adjust her hat slightly.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I did say that my secondary aim in coming here was to prevent unnecessary damages, did I not? And I do feel that, your authority nonewithstanding, it would lower the eyes of the Deliberative not to approach the trial of one who should have been one of us with the utmost care."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "How far are we from the closest sufficiently secure Deliberative cellhold?" she asks bluntly, caring little for his disappointment, after all it was a matter of moral responsibility on a greater scale. Ultimately politicians could seldom comprehend such responsibility.

Blood_Soaked_Rain: "For a Lunar of that calibre?" She points towards the fallen one "Lookshy, perhaps. The blessed isle. Perhaps. Any of them are.. passable easily enough though. Not to mention that Ma-Ha may want him back..."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "No more than an hour, I'd guess, though I am no navigator. Denandsor is not far."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "But even to the Imperial City would it would not be too long by airship."

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: "Fair enough. We will yet have ourselves a proper trial then." though she does glance at Nomoe Hideaki for a moment "Let us not question each other's moral character." she lightly chastise him more out of habit than anything else "Rain, if you would take care of our guest?"

Imperative_Harmony_of_Order: It would be preferable if he were unconscious for what was to come, less chance of complication.

Nomoe_Hideaki: spreads his hands. "Some duties we all share, others are ours alone."

Blood_Soaked_Rain: Which gives Rain a.. problem.. for lack of a better word. Looking around for a moment before grasping a discared sword amongst the rubble. Her own far more mighty blade once more removing itself from creation "As did ask nicely.." the next blow rather at odds with her mostly gentle tone, fast and powerful as the flat of the blade slams into the Lunars head to send him to slumber.

Brazen_Sand: "OH HEY DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND!" Brazen shouted

dakkareth: Called by Nomoe a Deliberative airship slowly and majestically touches down near the group of Exalts.