Jade and Cattle log, 7/9
Storyteller says "When last we met our heroes, they were setting up camp and the like. Then Kanfi and PM went off to have a tearful reunion. And, then, of course, there was sleeping to do... but I seem to recall that certain people here were short some willpower?"
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "I think I had mine back. >_>"
Storyteller says "Okay, that's one. I believe, though that at least Diamond and maybe Kanfi too used willpower?"
Diamond Borealis thought he had got full back up.
Kanfi doesn't remember using willpower?
Storyteller says "That means your night passes uneventfully. No problem at all."
Diamond Borealis says "Sweeet."
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Heh. I think the boss wanted to disturb our slumber."
Kanfi says "Huzzah and also yay."
Storyteller says "While hunting, Kanfi, PM, the pair of you discovered extremely large structures nearby-- or at least, you saw them from a distance. Although time and the jungle has corroded many of the external designs beyond recall, some, at least remain-- elegant dragons made of red jade. I'm saying that you chose not to explore due to Diamond and the Legionnaire being back at camp, and Kanfi's injuries. Speaking of, get a health level back, Kanfi. It is now the next morning. You've slept well."
Diamond Borealis is up early, working on repairs again. He's sipping some water from some found at a nearby stream and sitting cross-legged next to the Legionnaire. His special tools are laid out on either side of him on their leather wrappings. He's whistling softly to himself as he works; it seems he is an early riser and is putting to good use the time while he waits on the others to complete a few other last minute adjustments.
Phoenix Maiden has little enough to do after rising, and is idly exercising, practicing her parries.
Kanfi stretches and paces the perimeter of the clearing, testing to see how badly the wound is still affecting his reactions.
The Brass Legionnaire is patiently waiting to be repaired. For some value of 'patiently', anyway; periodically it spouts extremely good insulting-loving poetry about Kanfi, although it's started to wind down as its limited stock of poetic metaphors runs down.
The morning air is anything but crisp and clear; you're surrounded by the dark, humid -heat- of the jungle. The light is shadowy and poor but the Unconquered Sun is already mercilessly displaying his prowess; it promises to be a truly steamy day.
"Did you find anything?" Diamond asks while working. He's picking up more of the automatons repeated metaphors and chuckles at one particularly favorite phrase. The sweat runs down his face in little trickles but it does not deter his steady hands from his work.
Phoenix Maiden translates poetry at Kanfi every so often, with a certain mischievous amusement, stumbling over the odd metaphor she doesn't recognize. At Diamond's question, she ponders. "Just some old buildings. Big ones."
<> Diamond Borealis says, "Where are we in relation to the central temple?"
<> Storyteller says, "South of it. You don't have enough geographic clues yet to determine much more."
Kanfi shrugs, holding up his hands apologetically. "The place looked like it used to be very nice if what's left of the decorations is any indications. Gigantic jade dragons and that sort of thing." He grins at a particular couplet with strikes his fancy and (much to his own surprise as anything else) comes up with a few more rhyming lines in Old Realm.
<> Storyteller says, "Diamond, make your Int + Craft + 2 roll, please. You need 4 successes to get it operational today, otherwise you're going to need to rig some sort of carry device to travel further in."
"Big old buildings?" Diamond asks. He stops in mid repair, holding his tools slightly above the brass chest of the automaton.. "You two found a couple of large, old buildings with massive jade dragons? Were they -red- jade dragons?" As he asks the question he goes back to working on the automaton.
Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 4 6 6 7 8 8 8> for 4 successes.
<> Diamond Borealis says, "Ha!"
Phoenix Maiden nods. "They were."
The Brass Legionnaire is functional. "Oh, Mighty and Dread Forces of Corruption and Perversion, what is this unit's designation in your unholy legions of terror?"
<> Storyteller says, "Functional, broadly, anyway."
Diamond Borealis smiles like a proud parent as the Legionnaire begins to actually function. "Got him working, so we can get a move on." He calmly starts putting his tools away, rolling them up and putting them into his pouch. "Red jade dragons of enormous size around huge, ancient buildings that are here in the jungle, to the south of our target temple." He offers, standing up and looking toward Kanfi and then PM.
Phoenix Maiden translates for the legionnaire again. "I'm not sure he wants us to name him or just give him orders. And I am not a force of corruption or anything else!"
<> Storyteller says, "Does she say that last in High Realm or in Old?"
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Hmm. I was thinking High, but Old would probably be funnier."
<> Storyteller says, "I'm going to rule High, for now."
Kanfi dusts himself off and grins. "He does need a name. We can't just wander around the temple complex calling him 'giant machine thing who doesn't like working for us'." /He/ still finds it cute that the legionnaire thinks he's evil.
The Brass Legionnaire begins to test its patched together joints. Apparently, this is better than it has been performing for ages.
"Vile Traitor One." Diamond says dryly, working his mouth once to indicate his faint amusement with the Legionnaire. Watching it test out its joints and discover the improvements of proper maintenance. "I think we should check out those buildings. My guess would be it's the Temple to the Fire Dragon. And we might be able to find an easy route from it to the central temple."
Kanfi pouts. "It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, though. I suppose heading that temple is the best plan we have."
Phoenix Maiden grumbles. "If he didn't like working for us, he'd not be quoting poetry. I think he /likes/ this so-called corruption, just fine." She gives the metal creature a brief glare and shrugs. "Name him if you want - I don't really care. You fixed him," she nods to Diamond, "...and he's in love with you," she eyes Kanfi, "...so, you two can decide." She addresses herself to Diamond, "More importantly, you're probably right about the temple. If nothing else, it would orient us with the rest of complex."
The So-Far-Unnamed-Brass-Legionnaire begins to edge closer to Kanfi, trying to look innocent.
Which isn't easy, considering it has no facial expressions.
At all.
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Hey, it was blushing earlier."
Kanfi pats the Brass Legionnaire's arm sweetly. "Do you have a name?" he asks in Old Realm. He shrugs, indicating his lack of any real opinion in the case of where they're headed. "So, we go."
"This Unit was known as Brass Legionnaire of the Most August And Holy Armies of the Immaculate Dragons, Version 29, Manufacture 32, Unit 7," it says. In a moment it adds, "Such a designation would, of course, be inappropriate while serving under the unholy auspices of the Anathema."
It sounds a bit huffy on that last remark.
Deciding he's going to call it Vile Traitor 1 regardless of what Kanfi decides, Diamond starts walking. "Phoenix Maiden, will you lead the way to where you found those buildings?" He takes his hat off and wipes his brow before replacing it. The bronze skin has faded by this point, and for now he hasn't reactivated it.
<> Storyteller says, "It still needs to be named, by someone who speaks Old Realm. :P"
<> Storyteller says, "It's a formal process."
<> Diamond Borealis says, "ohhhh."
Kanfi sighs and glances at his sister. "Any ideas? I'm liable just to name it 'Seven' and be done with it. Or 'Cute'." He tucks his hands behind his head.
Phoenix Maiden nods to Diamond. "Should be able to. Though I thought the point of repairing that," she jerks her thumb in the direction of the automaton, "...was to lead us around and trigger any traps." She blinks at Kanfi. "I really don't care one way or the other."
<> Storyteller is finding this all amusing, btw. *chuckles*
<> Phoenix Maiden, not robot-friendly.
<> Kanfi says, "Am I the only person who finds the big guy cute?"
<> Storyteller says, "Liuplayer does. But she hasn't met him yet."
<> Phoenix Maiden Player does. Phoenix Maiden of the Unfettered Sky is not greatly amused.
Kanfi shrugs one shoulder. "Alright, then." He turns to the Legionnaire, and switches to Old Realm. "Fine. Seven, you are, then. Which is the nearest temple? We might as well start there."
"There's a formal naming process for them." Diamond explains, looking for the path through the underbrush they took earlier. "But it has to be done in Old Realm. I haven't learned it yet or I'd name him. And yes, once we get to the Temple he'll go first. We'll probably be able to order him to help us find what we need.
Phoenix Maiden nods, and points in the general direction of the old buildings. "We'd be heading that direction to get there."
Seven says, "I am Seven." It ponders this for a moment. "I am Seven," it repeats. And then it begins to speak poetry again, much more cheerfully this time, about the significance of the seven diabolic plans of the Anathema, each foiled by the glorious Immaculate Dragons, but ooo, aren't you pretty, Kanfi.
Seven eventually remembers to add, "We are just south of the Fire Temple, the main Security Complex with which you will need to work your wicked wiles upon in order to defeat this complexes' guardians."
Diamond Borealis starts moving through the undergrowth in the direction Phoenix Maiden indicates. He glances over his shoulder at Seven. "What's he saying now? The Fire Temple, I caught that much?" Once he gets the translation, he nods once. "Can we ask him for more details on the Guardians?"
Kanfi nods to Diamond as he ducks under a branch. "Seven, what sort of security does the complex have, anyway?" He grumbles, avoiding another branch which is trying to snag his sleeve.
Seven considers this for a moment. "Given the present state of emergency, doctrine calls for 5,000 of this center's 5,1250 Legionnaires to be active, along with the requisite 100 security monks, and a further 100 glorious terrestrials who have monkly training in the martial arts, plus the thousand lay brothers who should be prepared to lay down their lives against your exquisite foulness, as it moves them towards enlightenment and down the path to dragon-bloodedness."
Kanfi purses his lips, brushing aside some leaves. "Are there really that many?" For the benefit of Diamond, he translates what Seven has told him.
Diamond Borealis snorts. H e moves through the jungle as if he were a monkey in a tree. Hardly a leaf disturbed at his passage. He's spent so much time in so many of them, it comes as second nature to him. "You ever known of a bureaucratic order like that to be followed?"
Seven vigorously begins to take up defensive stances around Kanfi. Yes. Defending him... from, er, the jungle. Yes, dangerous jungle that it is. "We are not presently up to spec but expect resupply and new personal from the shogunate at any time."
Phoenix Maiden continues towards the structures as she remembers the location, listening and not adding anything until she feels the need - as she does now. "What are the current, pre-resupply numbers of personnel and legionnaires?"
Seven begins to beep. "Error! Error! Indeterminate number of personnel due to nonstable condition of core! Restricted access! Restricted access! Personnel number imaginary-expanding-irrational!"
Kanfi chuckles softly at Diamond's comment, and jumps when Seven starts going haywire. "Seven, stop that!" he commands, sternly. "Can you tell me approximately how many of the required guardians are operational until your supply shipment comes? And about how many human guardians are staying in or near the temple?" He tries not to grumble at the creature.
Seven begins to answer the first question before the second is asked, but as soon as it is, the poor legionnaire begins to wail error messages again.
Diamond Borealis clears his throat. "One question at a time. You'll overload him, apparently. Also, the guardian may not be human. Consider that."
Phoenix Maiden ponders. "He did say there were human guardians, though. Or were supposed to be."
Kanfi bites off a curse. "Stop. Answer the first question, Seven." He nods at Diamond, grinning wryly. "Sorry about that. Figuring this guy out is going to take some work."
Seven says, "~~~~~... Processing. This is purely theoretical, you understand. If depreciation and cannibalism rates are for the other four secondary temples and possibly for the main te- ERROR! ERROR! NONSTABLE LOCATIONALITY ERROR! CORRUPTED CORRUPTED DEATH DEATH ERROR TAINT..."
<> Storyteller says, "Make Intelligence + Lore rolls, please."
Phoenix Maiden rolls 6 dice: <3 3 3 9 9 10> for 4 successes.
Diamond Borealis rolls 7 dice: <4 5 5 6 9 9 10> for 4 successes.
Kanfi rolls 5 dice: <2 3 5 7 8> for 2 successes.
<> Storyteller says, "Everyone notices the fact that Seven loses it whenever the "Core"-- or the main temple-- is mentioned."
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Wheeee. Death taint, huh?"
<> Phoenix Maiden eyes Diamond. I hold you responsible for this.
Phoenix Maiden says, in Old Realm, "Stop." She continues, asking, "What is the rate of cannibalism and depreciation in this secondary temple, and how many legionnaires are supposed to be stationed in all the secondary temples combined?"
Diamond Borealis clears his throat. "Great. Nothing is left alive in the main temple." He presses his lips together, his mouth hidden by the shadow of his hat. "That doesn't sound good..."
<> Storyteller says, "... You just haaaad to ask for the actual rate, didn't you."
<> Phoenix Maiden wants facts, darn it!
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "...and doesn't much care if she smashes Seven's brains in the process. >_<"
<> Kanfi objects. ;_;
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Oh, don't worry, brother. I'm not going to break your boyfriend. You can't blame the disappearance of the last on me, either. >_> "
<> Kanfi says, "I won't blame you. For now."
Seven looks clearly relieved. "Thank you, Dark and Blasphemous One. The rate is--" Some proportion per century-- "And the Most Glorious Resplendency of Hesiesh had 2,000 original assigned units, whereas the other secondary temples had 350 each." You note that, at the given rate, the current occupancy should be 200 and 35 each, respectively.
Kanfi hmms thoughtfully. "Makes sense. The security complex has more guardians."
Phoenix Maiden calculates. "If the main temple had the rest of the guardians and the same rate of loss, it'd be down under 200 itself. This might not be too hard, particularly if the humans are gone... and more so if the same password works on the others."
Kanfi brushes a leaf out of his hair. "Seven, are there humans at the secondary temples?"
"Two hundred." Diamond rubs his scruffy chin as hears that answer. "Ask him if he can give orders to those units and have them obey him?" A snake strikes out from a tree and the Exalt catches it behind the head before it can actually sink its fangs in. He slings it through the trees with a casual flick of the wrist.
Seven says, "There are no living humans at the secondary temples."
As you continue through the jungle path, you are beginning to see the rise of giant temples, overrun with vines and jungle growth, strange, mutated creatures flitting from roof to roof. They look like they may once have been birds.
<> Storyteller says, "Make Perception + Occult rolls, please."
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Bah. Perception."
Phoenix Maiden rolls 4 dice: <4 5 7 7> for 2 successes.
Diamond Borealis rolls 8 dice: <2 2 5 7 7 8 10 10> for 7 successes.
Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <3 5 6> for 0 successes.
<> Diamond Borealis says, "Boo-yah."
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Oh well. SOMEONE around here has eyes."
<> Kanfi says, "Bah, Occult."
<> Diamond Borealis says, "Yeah, but I'm not very pretty or good with social situations. :)"
Storyteller chuckles. "Phoenix, you feel uncomfortable here. Diamond, you do too and you know why- this place's manse is malfunctioning and leaking bad feng shui/essence all over the place."
Diamond Borealis stops all of a sudden. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "I've got a bad feeling about this..." He reaches back, touching the haft of the axe to reassure himself of it. "The Manse, there's a problem with it. Can you feel it? The Essence here is corrupt. Ask VT here if there are any dead or undead humans guarding the place. Or non-humans."
Phoenix Maiden glances around uncomfortably. "This is not healthy jungle, no." She brushes her hands over a leaf, shudders, and pulls them away.
Kanfi pauses in picking his way through the jungle. He doesn't feel anything strange, personally. But if they say so. "Seven, are there any dead or undead humans guarding this area?"
Seven immediately begins to wail about the corrupted core and non-real numbers.
Kanfi sighs. "I think that might be a yes." With a huff, he tells their pet legionnaire to quiet down.
Phoenix Maiden glares at the brass figure. "I don't think we're going to get any sense out of it on the subject of the humans who are supposed to - or /not/ supposed to - be here."
Kanfi waves that off. "We know there shouldn't be any living humans in the area. As for anything else... Well, we'll just be careful is all."
Diamond Borealis starts to incant the spell that will make his skin as hard, or harder than Seven's. Tapping into his personal essence, instead of the tainted flows that are around the jungle here. He closes his eyes, letting the rush of Essence wash over his body. Once the spell ahs completed he opens his eyes. "We'll have to let it take care of any of its kind we encounter. We'll handle anything else that might be in there."
You have come within closer sight of he might Fire temple. Huge, sloping and terraced roofs rise above it. You can still see the remains of emplacements for archers-- even what appears to be some first age or shogunate weaponry, very, very badly ruined, spread across the arc of the roof you can see. Trees, vines, time, water, and other, fouler things have taken their toll; you can barely see the once beautiful geometric (and geomantic) designs that graced the sides of the temple. The temple itself appears to have a number of "points", like five spearpoints arranged in a circle with their butts inwards. A curtain wall runs between each pair of "tangs" on the speartips, and the huge forward gate lies open in front of you, bits of it crumbled to either side in sharp, jagged upward heaps, contrasted by the shards of remnants of the portcullis from above.
As you near the temple, you come into a clearing in the jungle. There is ruin here, too- but more recent-- the tattered remains of tents, broken and rotted crates, a now grown-over fire pit, shattered weapons, broken shields, scattered armor lying on skeletonized, gnawed corpses.
Phoenix Maiden stops at the edge, scanning the clearing quickly for any /currently/ moving hazard. She mutters, "I suggest we not linger here," quietly, backing somewhat into the jungle again if she sees nothing.
Kanfi bites his lip, surveying the area. "What on earth happened here?" He steps out into the clearing a few steps, taking a quick look around. Maybe it would give some sort of clue about what to keep an eye out for.
Seven says, "This is where the last sacrilegious group of outsiders defaced my torso and had me serve their childish whims. They were merely impertinent humans, and not such terrifying beings of horror as yourself."
"We better linger a few moments and see if we can identify what was gnawing on them, and what killed them. If we can, we'll be forewarned." Diamond strolls forward boldly, the sun reflecting on his skin. He crouches down near one of the corpses to inspect the wounds on the remains. The dead bodies don't seem to bother him in the least.
<> Storyteller says, "Perception + Investigation."
Kanfi rolls 6 dice: <2 4 4 4 7 10> for 3 successes.
Phoenix Maiden's eyes flick to the automaton. "What killed them? You? Were you able to escape their control?"
Diamond Borealis rolls 5 dice: <1 2 2 8 10> for 3 successes.
Storyteller says "Well, something literally carved the meat off the bones of some of them; regular, or at least, non-tool using animals, did the rest."
Seven replies, "Though I wished to, I could not. The cause of death is unknown. This unit was set on external sentry and did not have to respond to their inarticulate cries, as it could not comprehend them."
Storyteller says "To clarify- it looks like something deliberately carved the meat off. Butchered them."
Phoenix Maiden nods. "Glad to know you're so /dependable/." Her tone is more sincere as she continues. "This isn't the normal killing pattern of your fellow legionnaires, is it? Would you have known if it was your fellow guardians that killed them?"
Seven says indignantly, "We properly burn and ceremonialize the remains of all of our foes, lest they rise as hungry ghosts and further imperil their souls, O Twisted and Dire Lady of the Blasphemies and Deceits."
Diamond Borealis runs his finger across one of the bones. "Something flensed the meat from their bones. From the irregular pattern I'd say a stone knife was used." He shakes his head. "Poor bastards." He walks over to some of the broken weapons and armor, inspecting them as well. He tosses a couple of broken pieces back onto the ground. "Maybe the corrupt Essence flows mutated the remaining guardians? And they've devolved?"
Seven really thinks that's a compliment, the last one. Is sincere in its newfound devotion!
Kanfi paces across the clearing, poking at the debris scattered all over the place. He mutters a few curses at the savagery with which the people were killed.
Phoenix Maiden glances out across the twisted, broken corpses and shudders, barely bothering to glare at Seven for the 'compliments'. She makes no effort to enter the clearing or look any closer, though she asks, still gazing at the dead, "I know you don't know, but do you have any guesses as to the cause of the slaughter?"
<> Storyteller says, "Who is she asking?"
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "Seven."
Seven replies, "Degenerates, cannibals, worse things such as Solar Anathema..."
Diamond Borealis stands up again and dusts his hands off. "Phoenix Maiden, if you will consecrate their bodies, we can follow Seven inside and find out if a few other Solars managed to arrive her first. Or something worse."
<> Phoenix Maiden says, "How many of these bodies are there?"
<> Storyteller says, "Don't worry about consecratorial essence. It'll come back before you need it."
Phoenix Maiden's eyes flash furiously. "I sincerely doubt the last of those," she informs Seven. Her eyes are still fiery as she looks up at Diamond and bites off something under her breath before moving into the clearing at last to touch the corpses with the holy power granted her by the Unconquered Sun, composing herself to whisper prayers over each body.
<> Phoenix Maiden .oO(If I'm going to have to send up every ill-fated fortune-hunter's body in the damn complex, I'm going to be drained AND glowing like a torch.)
<> Storyteller says, "Folks, Ryuu's switching computers, and Diamond's on the edge of exhaustion. I propose-- short session or no-- we end here. Next week, why don't we try for Saturday as the *actual* date, and do it at noon, so Diamond isn't up 'til way past midnight?"