[IC][Exalted 2.5] The Emerald Labyrinth

[Belkra]

The Prodigal works his way carefully and quietly into the teahouse. He does his utmost to disturb no one or give the impression that he is doing anything other than trying to get a good look at whatever it is that is going on.

In truth this is the second time he has seen this princess involved in a disturbance. The way everyone fawns over her is not natural. The Deathknight had heard of spirits and fair folk that would be able to elicit such a reaction, but this didn't seem like one of those situations. This was all together different and oddly familiar. He sits back a safe distance and merely observes. It would not do to act rashly, especially with the Icecrowner right there.

I will be activating my Lore Essence Overwhelming for eight (8) dice, spending eight (8) personal motes. I am attempting to get a good bead on what is going on and focusing mainly on the Princess, but will take any information on the Icecrowner I can get if I score well enough. So, I am rolling Perception of three (3) + Lore of five (5) + Excellency for eight (8) = a total of sixteen (16) dice for a total of nine successes. This will leave me with a personal essence pool of six (6).

[dreamking89]

Orca had been watching the figure pass overhead, his hand flexing as he fought the urge to reach for his flame pieces. When he turned around he removed his hat and gave a bow. "The pleasure is mine, Squire of Winter Wolves. I was called the Firedust Hurricane in the West, but you can call me Orca." He flashes the minor god a grin. He knew the most important thing to do in a new place (other than avoiding the Wyld Hunt) was to befriend the local divinity. "We'll help you find your mother and brothers, but until then you may stay with us."

"It's been a while since I've cooked anything," Orca shrugs to Lover as the group turns to leave the alley, "That pub where Miss Zarah was might serve food...."

[Magnusar]

The Lover watches the figure leave "Yeah like she said but could we go to the warehouse ? I'll feel better with something solid over my head if you don't mind and I believe I owe you and Zarah a story captain, I'll need your help to prepare the weapons for our journey through the labyrinth." The lover pause as a mechanical growl is heard coming from him "Seems like I'm hungry is there something like a culinary specialty here ?

[The Revenge of TV Head]

"That?" Xisa asked catching a glimpse of the strange figure. "You wouldn't happen to know what 'that; is, I presume?"

[Dietaku]

(Pub)

"We're leaving tomorrow at dawn. If you wish to accompany us, I'd advise you to procure some weapons and armor. Oh, and also to put your affairs in order. No offense to you, Miss, but you do not have the look of a fighter," Alma says, taking a short bow to Zarah, and returning to attending to Zan's sleeping body.

(Alley)

"I'll have you know, I am over fifty summers of age. But, since you called me adorable, I will let it slide. I am Hutzupo, Squire of Winter Wolves. Tziyga, Mistress of Wolves, is my mother, and also the patron of Mitzi's tribe. She kindly allowed me to possess her while--" the tiny god paused, froze, and hid in Mitzi's arns as a shadow passed over the roofs. Tall, lanky, and impeccably dressed, the figure floated overhead for a moment before moving on.

"T-that is what I'm trying to avoid. It wants to take me to its Mistress' castle. I can't find my mom or brothers anywhere, and I have THAT following me," the puppy whined, peeking out of his impromptu burrow.

(Prodigal)

Your investigation returns you to the square, where a posh teahouse is in an uproar. Apparently a famous princess is inside, discussing business with Zadro, one of the Icecrowners. Surely Merciful would be involved in such dealings, correct? Besides, your occult senses can smell something amiss, which surely he has his hands in as well.

What will you do?

[The Revenge of TV Head]

Staring balefully at Orca, Xisa gave a bow. "Your hospitality is appreciated." She said through gritted teeth, before following behind. She brought up the rear, an old habit from her days with the Wyld Hunt.

[dreamking89]

"I doubt any of us would object to an adorable puppy god living at the warehouse with us." Orca says with his trademark grin, "We got more than enough room for him, let's head back." He starts walking back towards their home base, turning back to look at Xisa. "You can come too, monk. Call it a much slower-paced chase."

[Belkra]

The other Exalt has to be around here somewhere. The Prodigal is sure of it. He had seen Merciful make to disembark the ship shortly after it landed. If he did go anywhere in the town, he would have to leave a trace of some sort, and that is exactly what the Daybreak sets out to find. He thinks about all the likely places and starts to mentally list the order of likeliness, until he has a short list of places that would yield the highest chances of finding who he sought.

That done: he starts at the top of his short list and makes for his first destination.

I have three (3) Perception + three (3) Investigation = six (6) dice for three successes. I am not going to assume what kind of stunt that was. I think stunt dice are academic at this point, though as I have met the difficulty of three (3).

[wonderandawe]

(Pub)

I've dawdled here long enough. Though, it was not time wasted. This conversation gave Zarah much to think about. Zarah finishes her drink. "I must be going. I have a few more things to take care of. " Zarah gets up from the table to leave, but then turns around. "What time do you plan on leaving in the morning?"

[The Revenge of TV Head]

"I would agree to with..." At this point, Xisa looked at the strange metal man, and realized something quite embarrassing. "You. We haven't been properly introduced, have we? Another time perhaps, when we're surrounded by four walls and a roof."

[Dietaku]

(Prodigal)

To find Merciful, roll Perception+Investigation, at difficulty 3.

(Alleyway)

Orca doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary with Mitzi, save her odd posture. However, when he turns to listen to Lover's warnings, she leans over behind him before jerking back and grunting.

"No, no! I won't smell him! That's where I draw the line!" she mutters, assuming her earlier somberness.

"Pooie, Pooie, I says," an immaculate white wolf pup says, appearing in her arms," You all talk about the Hoofed Lord like he's no big deal. You all are a bunch of alphas, and then there's THIS party pooper. Well, I'll hang with them, mortal Mitzi. You may return to your own life if you wish," the wolf says.

"I will not leave you, Lord Hutzupo, but you must understand. Even in my...culture, sniffing someone's behind is most shameful," she mutters, petting the fluffy god in her arms.

"Woof, whatever you say," the puppy god says, grinning at the attention.

What will you do?

[Magnusar]

The lover quickly analyse the situation before turning to the captain "We should go back to the warehouse with you're new friends if they wish to come, Zarah asked me to keep a low profile and I am sure that certain element in your world will wish me dead if they knew about me. We should go..." The lover seems strangely agitated all of a sudden for some reason.

[dreamking89]

Orca eyes the strange shaman carefully. He had not met Mitzi earlier (he and Lover had been clearing the warehouse), but something was certainly peculiar about the woman standing before them. The way she spoke of 'alphas', the way she stood and shook her rear, there was something about it that was almost.....animalistic. He had once run across a tribe of beastmen in the West who referred to their chieftan as "Alpha", but this girl certainly didn't look to be any less monkey than usual. And she certainly wasn't trying to sacrifice him to any beastmen goddess (a rather stunning Lunar woman, as it turned out, but another story for another time....)

"Miss Zarah's being hunted by an ancient beast, we're being hunted by undead, she used to be hunting me," he nods her head towards Xisa,"Everyone's being hunted by something it seems." Orca says aloud, studying Mitzi quietly as he draws his flame pieces, preparing for whatever might run into the alley after the Wyld shaman.

I'm gonna roll for Perception+Investigation to study Mitzi and figure out what seems to be strange about her.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4857844/

Here's hoping 2 is enough....

[Dietaku]

(Teahouse)
"That's all very good and nice, miss, but let me be frank. What assurances do you have of this "hidden knowledge," " Zadro says," Many spin such tales, but do you have any proof that I can see to back up my investment in your ventures?" He asked, eyeing Mirthful squarely.

(Pub)

"It's just an expression. His family stands on the edge of the Fairy Lands and does battle with them. I understand that he speaks the language of the Ancients, so he's always peppering his language with these..flowery expressions. He's also been a little drunk since he came to town, so pardon him if he's been overly friendly," alma says, patting her friend on the back as he mumbles something about "Flowing Wolf Fang Fist Kata."

(Alleyway)

As the circle talks about the benefits of Autochthonian weaponry, a newcomer hops into the alley as well. Garbed in rags, and with their long hair in braids, it is none other than Mitzi, the wyld shaman you met when you first entered the town. However, she's acting a bit...off.

"Wow,wow, wowie, wow! Misters and Misses! You're strong! Very, very strong! I beg of you, please help me! I'm being hunted right now, and I need a bunch of alphas like you to help me! Please?" she pleaded, wagging her behind.

Clearly something has happened, but you cannot put your finger on what. What will you do?

[Magnusar]

"Take it easy," Orca says to Lover, "If she wanted to kill me, she'd have tried to by now. As for why I'm here, monk.....Let's call it a very elaborate bet." Orca silently thinks back to that fateful night in the Diving Sea Snake. Plentimon better not be taking me for a ride, he thought silently to himself.

"A better arsenal: my three favorite words," Orca suddenly says with a grin. "I had a few ideas, mainly about these." With a flick of his wrist, one of his flame pieces is in hand and showing it to the Alchemical. "I can always go for more firepower, but the real issue is efficiency. One shot and the piece is spent. If I didn't carry so many on me, I'd be corpse food. What I need is something with multiple barrels that fire in succession."

He takes a look around, "Perhaps I should show you my sketches back at the warehouse."

The lover smiles a bit at the captain's word concerning the arsenal before his arm cannon retransform into a somewhat normal arm.

"Better be careful about what you wish for captain, I have helped built engines of destruction that could level entire cities, and I could make them if given enough time and ressources."

The lover chuckle as he remember his days in his laboratory. "I would love to captain, now that I have seen what your weapons do I can help you, what kind of amunition does it use ? Speaking of which we should meet with Zarah I asked her to procure steel for me, I have to work on building the repeating crossbows for the expedition if you wish we could help each other."