TBA: To The Ends of the Earth: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:25, 14 February 2009

Suggested Music: Final Fantasy X OST - Time of Judgement

The Violet Bier of Sorrows, Yu-Shan, 1 Ascending Air

Black Ice Shadow waited patiently, his imposing frame centered a few feet into the entrance corridor. The two younger Sidereals approaching him already knew the gravity of the issue they were being called to investigate, making the Saturn's countenance seem all the more severe. As the pair strode within earshot, the darkly clad Sidereal spoke.

"I doubt any of us has much of an appetite for pleasantries."

When the two came within a few feet of where he stood, Black Ice Shadow about-faced and began walking, just a few steps ahead of them as they strode down the grand corridor, and continued speaking.

"As you know, the Sidereal grand master Five Thunders Falcon was reported dead to the Division of Endings. He was in charge of training the Solar Exalt Baldur, in the hopes that Baldur might lead an army sufficient to defend Creation against the Legion Sanguine, were it ever unleashed from the Underworld, or perhaps even destroy it preemptively."

Still walking, he glared back at them briefly, as if daring one of them to showcase his ignorance with an inquiry on the nature of the threats he'd just described. Met with eager silence, he returned his gaze forward.

"Baldur had a history of being a loose cannon even before his Exaltation. Prior to this fiasco, that was merely a concern of the Gold Faction - it would reflect poorly on their cause to claim responsibility for a bloodthirsty barbarian. Now, an agent of the Bureau of Heaven is dead, and the matter is an official one."

The trio came to a stop in one of the colossal structure's many briefing rooms. With but a gesture, Black Ice Shadow beckoned two automaton orbs, which duly detached themselves from the pillars to which they were affixed and hovered in front of him with a gentle hum. With another gesture, the orbs oriented themselves diagonally, projecting two images into the air, side by side. The first image showcased the Lap and mountain range just southwest of it, while the second projected a representation of the Loom of Fate. Black Ice Shadow snapped his finger, and one of the threads in the Loom split in two with an almost-audible twang, like a broken guitar string.

"Five Thunders Falcon's thread was cut long before his scheduled end. It is entirely possible that Baldur has lost his mind and managed, in a stroke of luck, to kill him. This is our hope - Baldur's death is easily scheduled, if necessary, and the problem is self-contained. It is unfortunate, however, that darker forces seem to be at work. It is unlikely that Baldur would be able to slay Five Thunders Falcon unassisted, or even with the assistance of mortal troops. This suggests the involvement of another supernatural power, and hints at the possibility of subversion by the agents of the Lion. I shudder to think of Baldur with a master who encouraged his destructive tendencies."

He began pacing around the central discussion floor of the briefing room, drawing a circle underneath the floating orbs with his path.

"We also cannot rule out what is perhaps an even less auspicious possibility - that Five Thunders Falcon was the direct target of an Abyssal assassin. This would imply that the Deathlord knows far more than we thought, perhaps even being able to identify, track down, and destroy our key functionaries. If an internal source is hemorrhaging information, it must be dealt with immediately. I don't need to tell you how dangerous this mission is, with the possibility of something running amok in the region that was able to destroy a Maidens' chosen centuries my senior. Honestly, I don't know what Oversight was thinking, ordering the two of you down there..."

Black Ice Shadow stopped his pacing and raised a placating hand to the pair.

"I apologize. I spoke too soon; I merely wish for you to understand the possible depth of the situation. I must confess to being a bit behind on my internal detective work - Before we continue the briefing, why don't the two of you tell me about your training and previous experience?"

Dan 02:15, 7 January 2009 (EST)

Bodhisattva of the Masked Starfall followed quietly behind his superior, arms folded neatly behind his back, through the familiar grand corridor, listening intently to the mission briefing. This was the kind of work he did for the Gold Faction, but this mission was without a doubt the most dangerous he’d been assigned to. Black Ice Shadow was right after all, Five Thunders Falcon was many years his senior, which meant that whoever had killed him would likely be able to make short work of the two younger Sidereals. He glanced to the fellow Sidereal who would be his companion on this trip as Black Ice Shadow apologized to them, looking back to their superior with a confident smile.

“I am Bodhisattva of the Masked Starfall, chosen of the Maiden of Endings.” He bowed slightly as he spoke; calm and confident tone matched his demeanor. “I serve the Division of Endings and am a member of The Convention of Fire and the Convention on Natural Disasters, I am a student of Brilliant Tsunami Masked by the Tower."

He wasn’t much of a story teller and he certainly didn’t embezzle anything to make himself sound more impressive, his response was short and business like. He doubted that it would make a great deal of difference, Black Ice Shadow wasn’t likely to take them off this mission if they told him they’d exalted yesterday. These was the kind of missions that no one wanted, the kind of mission where all you can do is run into the dark and hope you come out on the other side.

--FyreFly 00:13, 8 January 2009 (EST)

Empyrean Dream Magistrate walked down the corridor next to Black Ice Shadow and Bodhisattva of the Masked Starfall, his hands tucked neatly in the opposite sleeves of his robes in front of him. He listened intently to the briefing. He agreed with his superior that the situation was indeed dire and unexpected, and the latter was likely the reason that these two were chosen to investigate and not someone more powerful. But perhaps that was not the only reason, Empyrean mused. Perhaps there is a rift of trust among the Gold Faction over such a staggering loss, or perhaps a political battle was playing out somewhere in Yu Shan. Regardless, this mission was assigned to him; and while this may look like a mission that no one else wanted, Empyrean relished the opportunity.

After Starfall spoke, Empyrean removed his top hat and introduced himself to Black Ice Shadow. "Empyrean Dream Magistrate, Chosen of Journeys. I too am a member of the Convention of Fire. I have traveled the south extensively, and have done much work to prevent Solars and the Wyld Hunt from crossing paths." That had been one of his priorities since exalting and going to work for the Gold Faction.

He could see the merits of his assignment to this mission: someone with extensive experience traveling in the south and protecting Solar exalts for the Gold Faction. He hoped that Starfall's skills would augment his own.

Kirkland 14:20, 8 January 2009 (EST)

Black Ice Shadow listened intently before nodding to Empyrean Dream Magistrate in somber acknowledgment.

"Good. You may need to put those skills to use - It was all we could do to pull for the assignment of Gold Faction members to this case. The only investigative unit Chejop wanted to send on this mission was the Wyld Hunt. Formally, we've got enough leverage to clear the scene for now, under the auspices of a Divisional investigation into Five Thunders Falcon's death, to which Baldur may be a witness. That said, if I were you, I'd watch the horizon - the Wyld Hunt may creep over it at any moment. Even if the Bronze Faction backs down, the Wyld Hunt has its own investigators who may pick up on the raucous nevertheless. And that's if the Bronze Faction backs down."

He let the implications of his last statement play themselves out in a fleeting moment of silence. He resumed his pacing, habitually brushing aside his cape with his right hand and resting his palm on the bulbous end of a sheathed, Starmetal short daiklave. He gesticulated with his left hand as he continued speaking.

"Officially, the purpose of this mission is to ascertain the nature of Five Thunders Falcon's untimely exit from the Loom of Fate. There are several underlying implications, however, that my necessitate investigation beyond what might seem apparent. Regardless of how he was killed, Five Thunders Falcon's fate was not properly carried out, and Celestial censors have already determined that this was not due to negligence on our part. That means we couldn't have seen this coming - his death occurred outside of the Loom of Fate."

Black Ice Shadow paused again, removing his palm from the hilt of his dagger and stroking his cowled chin slightly.

"This suggests the possibility that he was killed in the Underworld, or on a shadowland, at night. Neither situation is favorable to us, though the presence of a significant shadowland would be far less auspicious. Over the course of your investigation, see to it that a thorough combing of the area is conducted, and report any findings that indicate the presence of a shadowland, or the possibility one may be forming. I noticed that neither of you are members of the Convention on Deathlords. If the depth of this situation is as I suspect it, I have a feeling that in short enough time, you will be."

He began pacing again, resuming a similar pose. With an idle twist of his left hand, the image of the mountains outside of the Lap rotated and focused, indicating with a blue, rectangular overlay a large region in the mountains.

"That in mind, there are a few things worth knowing before you travel there. Have either of you visited the Underworld?"

He stopped and looked in their direction, one brow slightly quirked.

Dan 03:03, 11 January 2009 (EST)

He listened intently as Magistrate spoke, nodding slightly as he did so and turned to look back to Black Ice Shadow as he replied.

He smirked slightly before he spoke humbly in the short pause that Black Ice Shadow allowed, "The Wyld Hunt's involvement may not play entirely to our disadvantage, depending on how things play out. They are nothing more than a tool, though typically a relatively dull one, that we can use to our devices as well."

Most of what Black Ice Shadow said next he had anticipated, at least on a broader level. They would not be here if Five Thunders Falcon's string had been cut purposefully by a member of The Division of Endings. He watched as Black Ice Shadow resumed his pacing before he looked back to the area outside the Lap that was being marked, nodding slightly as he studied the piece of land.

At Black Ice Shadow's question he looked back to him, shaking his head slightly before confirming the gestures implication with his words.

"Never completely into the Underworld, I have been in a shadowland under light of the sun however." He paused briefly as he switched from answering a question to asking one, taking a few paces himself with arms still folded behind his back. "By the way you talk I deduce that we have ruled out the play of Fair Folk. Is that right, or are they simply the less likely on a list of possible suspects?"

The list could be quite long, which would make the situation drastically more difficult to investigate. Besides the deathknights and their cronies, there were Fair Folk to concern themselves with, and the mountain range in question was not so far inland to completely rule out the infernal Lintha family. That is if he was not in a shadowland, the underworld, or a pocket of Wyld which reopens the suspects to everyone in the book. Hopefully this Baldur would be of use, otherwise this would not be an easy or short investigation.

--FyreFly 13:40, 12 January 2009 (EST)

Magistrate shook his head, indicating that his travels have never led him into the Underworld. Black Ice Shadow was correct, they would need to be on the look out for the Wyld Hunt; there was no telling how involved the Bronze Faction was going to be. The Wyld Hunt wasn't what worried Magistrate, as he had plenty of experience keeping his eyes out for them. He listened as Starfall and Black Ice Shadow exchanged questions and answers. He had none of his own for now.

Kirkland 13:49, 13 January 2009 (EST)

Suggested music: Final Fantasy XII OST - Time of Change

Black Ice Shadow began to slow his pacing, and nodded to Starfall in acknowledgment of his theory.

"You are correct, Bodhisattva of the Masked Starfall. We cannot completely rule out the interference of the Fair Folk. Given the nature of Baldur's post, it seems far more likely that the pair would become entangled in Underworld affairs. The unpredictability of Fair Folk activity makes it very difficult to prepare for. Coupling these factors, operating under the assumption that Abyssals may be involved isn't our only option, but it is our most practical one. I'd like to think anything less than foul play from one of those two parties would have been detected by the Convention of Fire, but--"

Black Ice Shadow stopped his pacing squarely in between the two automaton orbs. They hovered exactly on either side of him; the orb on the right, which was projecting the mountain range, was floating a foot higher than the other.

"--I've been wrong before."

The tone in his voice was warning enough for the pair of younger Sidereals to keep in mind the lesson they'd undoubtedly learned many times already -- expect the unexpected. He continued, his speech relaxing a bit, as he raised his hand, with an open palm, to indicate the Essence-drawn display above him.

"The Underworld is a dark reflection of Creation. Beneath the mountains, in this dark shadow we call the Underworld, is an impossibly large mountain-fortress aptly deemed 'The Thousand' by its eternally damned creator."

The image flashed as Black Ice Shadow spoke, the topology of the land displayed contorting into a darker, crag-ridden mountain range. The identity of that land was confirmed as the floating orb drew out basalt and soulsteel spires protruding from the length of the mountain range.

"Publicly, the Mask of Winters and Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Water are creation's greatest threat, to those in the know. In reality, the First and Forsaken Lion is at least as concerning, if not moreso. These citadels house the Legion Sanguine, a three-quarter-million strong -- No, I didn't misspeak -- legion of war ghosts, necro-technological siege weapons, and worse. From what intelligence I've collected, the Lion has been confined to his Underworld prison by his Neverborn master, and is currently unable to directly affect Creation. That said, we know he's taking an interest - members of the Convention on Deathlords have been approached by mystics and in one case, assassins who appeared to have some affiliation with the Legion Sanguine, despite its relative obscurity in the living world."

He cleared his throat, and resumed pacing. As he continued speaking, he picked up his pace slightly.

"With this in mind, the Gold Faction chose to oversee the training of a Solar champion for the Southern nations, should it ever come to a state where it was forced to defend itself from a threat of such magnitude. Baldur was chosen for this role. You've already received the profile Kether Rock kept on him, so I'll spare the details. Heaven's biggest concern, and, vis-a-vis the Convetion's biggest concern is that Baldur and/or Five Thunders Falcon have discovered what may be the precursor to a significant Shadowland in the area, which, in turn, has allowed servants of the Lion more convenient access to Creation. Something has obscured the Loom of Fate in the area, and Baldur has broken off all contact with our network in the area. We don't know why. It's possible, however unlikely, that he may no longer be on our side, so don't stray too far from your weapons; I'm certain that's how he'll want to settle things if it boils down to conflict, whether you two like it or not."

Black Ice Shadow paused momentarily, as if calculating something in his mind. An errant glance to the ceiling was followed by more pacing, and a heightened sense of purpose in his tone.

"Time runs short, so I'll get to the point. Your assignment, as reported by Oversight, will be carried out for the Division of Endings. You are to ascertain the cause of Five Thunders' Falcon's premature death. Secondarily, you will also determine why whatever caused his death was not prophesied by the Loom of Fate. This is most likely a pre-mature Shadowland formation causing a disruption, which is why I've been assigned to supervise the case. Wayang, my superior in the Division of Endings, is the head of the sub-division on shadowland formation. Your report will go through me to him. I have mission dossiers for each of you."

Black Ice Shadow produced, from some obscure fold within the tenebrous trails of his cape, two sealed, capped scrolls. Upon their unfurling, they were scribed with identical messages in Old Realm.

To: Empyrean Dream Magistrate, Bodhisattva of the Masked Starfall

From: Office of Wayang, Division of Endings, Sub-division of Shadowland Formation via Convention on Oversight

You are to determine the cause and nature of Five Thunders' Falcon's untimely departure from the Loom of Fate.

Mission Profile: 5 Ascending Air, The Last Supplicant ('The Lap')

You are to travel to the The Last Supplicant, the area of the Solar Dawn Caste Baldur's operation, and also the last known location of Five Thunders' Falcon. Determine how Five Thunders' Falcon was killed, and why his death was not forecast. Report any possible shadowland formation immediately, and investigate the connection of any possible shadowland formation to the servants of the First and Forsaken Lion. Further briefing and mission supervision will be handled by Black Ice Shadow. Be advised that a mortal is forecast to Exalt under Luna's blessing in the area this week.

Probability of hidden Solar presence: 26.6%
Probability of hidden Lunar presence: 7.3%
Probability of Fair Folk presence: 35.1%
Probability of demonic presence: 33.2%
Probability of Abyssal presence: 76.8%

After giving the two young Sidereals a moment to absorb their task, he resumed his briefing.

"As I mentioned before, your assignment to this case came at the cost of a few favors Ayesha Ura had to call in. With that in mind, she's asked me to see to it that Gold Faction's interests are kept in mind - if necessary, the Cult Of The Illuminated has a limited underground following The Lap, and they are at your disposal, if it becomes necessary to provide Baldur with a place to lay low. Ayesha hopes that the investigation will show that Baldur is not connected to the death of his Sidereal mentor."

Black Ice Shadow waved his hand again, beckoning the as-yet unused orb to float downward, hovering at the level of his waist. It deployed tripod-style legs, and the hum of its Essence battery ceased. A door on the front of the orb fell open, and a tray with a few jade and starmetal trinkets extended slowly.

"The Division of Endings has requisitioned some equipment to facilitate your investigation."

Black Ice Shadow gestured to two identical lenses, crafted of transparent starmetal, with soulsteel rims.

"These lenses function as standard Essence-sight lenses, but with the added ability of deathsight. It will allow you to see through the barrier between Creation and the Underworld in a dynamic fashion. That is to say, ghosts will appear to you more vividly in places where the barrier has become stretched thin, and will be scarcely reflections in places where the barrier holds strong. They should provide a significant benefit in determining areas likely to become shadowlands. They'll require a minor Essence commitment, but aside from that, will function autonomously."

He then gestured to a medium sized ring on the table, set with two hearthstones and two blue jade orbs. The ring itself was woven of orichalum and moonsilver.

"This is a torc of personal projection. I'll be keeping one of these blue orbs, and leaving the other with the two of you. It can be used to establish an open communication channel between us, as well as serve as another set of eyes that can be operated from a distance."

Black Ice Shadow popped one blue orb out of the torc and pocketed it, motioning for one of the pair to do the same.

"Of course, the Division expects these items returned when the mission is completed. The deathsight lenses are rare, but replicable. The torc of personal projection orbs, however, are nigh-irreplaceable. You'd do well to look after them closely."

His tone was just ominous enough to impart the depth of the situation - if Heaven was willing to spare such powerful artifacts to aid in an investigation, they were certainly taking it seriously.

"You depart in four days, and you'll be entering The Lap through Celestial gate 52. Before we wrap things up here, do either of you have any questions?"

The characters each gain an essence/death-sight lense, requiring a three mote commitment to function. The orb belongs to a Torc of Personal Projection, and functions as per the artifact is described in Wonders of the Lost Age, page 69. The characters each gain a temporary Backing (Cult of the Illuminated) 1, representing the willingness of the local Cult members to provide assistance to anyone protecting a Shining One (in this case, Baldur). They can provide housing, food, and, with enough clever manipulation, make a good opportunity to purchase followers/henchman, if the PCs want to recruit some of them as muscle/spies.

Starfall watched his superior Chosen of Endings intently as he explained the probability of the situation, certainly it seemed that a force from the underworld was the more likely. He simply wanted to be certain that, as always, nothing could be ruled out. It was the nature of such missions, and he relished the unexpected challenges that without a doubt lay before them. The First and Forsaken Lion would be more than an adequate new opponent if that really was the case, even if it was only to be the potential minions of the deathlord. They had been enough to get the best of Five Thunders Falcon, which was saying quite a bit. He had heard rumor of The First and Forsaken Lion, but the pure size of his army was staggering to hear aloud.

"We must have had high hopes for Baldur, if we tasked him with something so seemingly impossible. Certainly someone must have seen more to him than what is in the file, Five Thunders Falcon I presume?"

He arched a brow slightly out of curiosity, he had obviously read the file on Baldur, it was his missions. Besides that there were not a great many active solar exalted that operated in the south, it was only natural that he would at least look in on the ones that there were, even if it was from the comfortable distance of the loom of fate. Though perhaps he had simply underestimated what the file had to say about Baldur, not that he underestimated what he might be capable of. None the less it was difficult to believe that a single exalt would be charged to build and lead the army that would defend creation from a three-quarter million. Though he would need remind himself it was the shining ones who were made to accomplish the impossible, that is why the Gold Faction could always cling to hope.

He listened as Black Ice Shadow explained the regimen of the mission, he was familiar working under the Division of Endings of course. Though he had not worked on any cases that involved the formation of a shadowland, at least nothing that was allowed to actually form. He took the offered mission scroll from Black Ice Shadow, unraveling it slowly and reading it over carefully. Memorizing the contents before he would look back up to Black Ice Shadow and nod slightly.

"Understood."

He rolled the mission scroll back up as he folded his hands back behind his back, clasping the scroll with one hand and holding it there. It was not surprising that Ayesha Ura had called in a few favors to get this mission done how she wanted it. After all the south was not known to cater to the functions of a particular faction, besides that there was no doubt that the Bronze Faction had been equally eager to jump at the chance to approach the mission from a different angle. The Wyld Hunt would likely be not far off even without their direct involvement, but that might prove useful if it turns out that Baldur has infact been compromised. Starfall was not above using them.

It was the first mission he had been on where the Bureau had deemed it necessary or appropriate to grant him any sort of requisitions. Though this would be without a doubt the most difficult and important of his missions, at least if it turned out to be even half of what Black Ice Shadow expected it would be. He took his portions of the artifacts carefully, tucking them away for safe keeping and use when need be. He knew it would be wise not to let either out of sight.

"Thank you."

He bowed slightly as he spoke, he had no further questions to ask but waited patiently to confirm that Magistrate also had none. Once the briefing was settled and over, as he turned to depart the great hall of the division he would look back to Magistrate.

"I will see you then, I'm sure you are as busy as I am and must make preparations if this turns out to be a lengthy ordeal. If you have no questions for me I will see you at the gate."

If Magistrate had no questions for him he would bow slightly, turn and make his way off a side hall of the great hall of the division of endings. Afterall he served here as well and he held an office here where he often worked out of. It would be wise to make sure all was in order here before he would be in creation, and possibly outside the reach of the loom for an undetermined amount of time.

In the 4 days before they are set to depart he would definitely meet with Brilliant Tsunami if she is available, if not than he would not press the matter. He would of course take care of any assingments or paperwork that needed to be done before he went away, though since it is official business and not jsut faction business some of that is taken care of or easily written off. Finally, he would also make the proper preparations to put up his resplendent destinies. That is all that I had for before their departure.

--FyreFly 22:46, 27 January 2009 (EST)

Magistrate took the mission and read it over carefully. It told him nothing he didn't already know about the situation, and the probabilities given in the scroll were not any more comforting. Black Ice Shadow continued speaking, and presented the artifacts to himself and Starfall. He took one of the deathsight lenses and examined it as the discussion continued. Black Ice Shadow concluded by asking if there were any questions. Magistrate was a bit amused by his phrasing. Of course there were questions; Magistrate had a hundred questions about this situation but none that Black Ice Shadow was able to answer. There could be nothing more said about the situation until their investigation. Magistrate shook his head, silently indicating he had nothing further to say.

He turned along with Starfall to leave the hall in the direction they entered. "I too have some business to attend to, we will convene at gate 52 in four days time. He returned Starfall's bow, and proceeded to his office to put his unfinished business on hold to free up a sizeable length of time for this mission. He expected that things would probably not go smoothly, and budgeted some extra time away from his mundane office duties. It was better to return early than return late.

Kirkland 17:23, 7 February 2009 (EST)

Suggested music: Final Fantasy VII Voices of the Lifestream - No Such Thing as The Promised Land

Celestial Gate 52, Yu Shan, 5 Ascending Air

The Celestial Gate pulsed, ebbed, and flowed, raw Essence spiraling around it like a hopeful maw and contorting itself into inconceivable patterns. Within the framed opened of the gate stood Black Ice Shadow, prepared to bid the young Sidereals farewell. As they approached, he spoke up, extending his right arm out to his side as though ushering them through the gate.

"It is my hope that your mission proceeds smoothly, but my suspicion is that it will not. Oversight has chosen you, and I have faith in your capabilities -- destiny depends on our continued success, in all of our endeavors. I trust that I'll hear back from both of you, in good condition, within due time. Farewell, gentleman."

As the two Sidereals bade their farewells and stepped past them, Black Ice Shadow began to make his way toward the heart of Yu Shan, and eventually, another Celestial Gate, for his own journey - he had escort duty.

Dan 17:25, 14 February 2009 (EST)

Thread closed. Experience Awarded: 2 for each character