Arrival and Reaping

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

* When the Exalts piled out of Arachnia's manse, they would see the smiling face of the omnipresent former emperor, Sentinel. He bowed to the lot of them, before motioning to the large and now rebuilt entrance to the Armory, which swung open for them*

" The Warstriders are in there, at the very back of the armory against the western wall. I am not sure which is for who, or what any of them do... but I will help in any way I can."


(( Wits+Awareness difficulty 3 for Lirimana and Arachnia, difficulty 5 for Dal and Wise-River))

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 3

Dal laughed as he trotted into the armory doorway. Upon entering he stopped and marveled for a moment at the wonders that lie to behold.

"Oh.. Man Look at this place! This is incredible! *His voice echoed through the vast innards of the Armory*

"What do you mean, which is for who, you mean which of these warstriders belongs to whom... Has ownership been predetermined? I've never even seen these before, how am I supposed to know which one I'm to use?"

Dal squinted and looked at the Warstriders, glorious gold, silver, and jade hulks neatly packed away against the far wall, relics of first age might, untouched for at least a thousand years. Dal thought that perhaps it would be wise to just wait and see if the others knew which ones to use.

"Ah... Maybe we will figure it out when we get closer."

*Dal began to make his way towards the Warstriders at the other end of the Armory.*

(3 Success of 5: Failure. )

{ ST Narration}

* As Dal began walking closer to the Warstriders, One large one in particular stood out to him, and with every step closer he came to it, its eyes began glowing a brighter yellow, until Dal was at the feet of this first age marvel, of which was now noticeably 'alive'... if something like this could truely be called alive.*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood 3,

*Arachnia glided out of the manse as she ushered the others into the Armory she stopped and cocked her head to the side at a faint angle. Her eyelids lowered a little and it appeared as though she was listening for something. Her eyes narrowed and she looked in the direction of the difference she had sensed*

I will show you what is already claimed and you may choose from the rest.... As it is, there is already one missing

*Arachnia trailed off as she watched Dal'Lumen go and speak in Old Realm to the Warstrider. She watched him place his hands on the ancient machine and nodded knowingly as it responded. Given what he had said, it made sense. Perhaps he was a High Priest? Being a Priestess herself she understood how such things were made to happen. After he had awakened the Warstrider spirit Arachnia cast an aggravated eye upwards*

Sentinel, why was I not informed to the disappearance of the Black Jade Warstrider that was here the last time I visited?




{{Wits+Awareness difficulty 3... 4 successes}}

[Lirimana]

Resplendent Wood 3,

*Lirimana had been quick into the Armory but she stopped in similar style to Arachnia a few feet into the entrance. Something felt strange.. And there it was, apparently Arachnia had noticed it, too*

Hey, you saw it, too. Dal'lLumen? I didn't know you knew how to awaken Warstrider spirits

*the Twilight looked at Dal'Lumen after she had witnessed him walk over to the Warstrider and put his hands on it, muttering in Old Realm the prayer that caused its eyes to glow*

Where did you learn that prayer? That must have been your Warstrider in a past incarnation for you to have gone specifically to that one



(Wits+ Awareness difficulty 3... 3 successes. Success.)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

* Sentinel blinked a few times.. confused as to what Arachnia was talking about... but quickly put two and two together*

" Oh! do not worry. Someone came in here with a letter from The Emperor stating that he was allowed to take a warstrider, and do not worry, I ran an analysis on the writing and the signature at the bottom... it was genuine Ress. I thought you might have known about it, so I thought nothing of it... do you think this is a problem?"

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 3

Dal was silent a moment after addressed by Lirimana, but he seemed to come to his senses as if he had just been day dreaming. He glanced up at the Warstriders face, and then back down at his hands pressed against the machine surface, removed them, and slowly took a step back. He turned and looked at the others with a sort of surprise on his face.


"I just... I what? I don't know what you mean, I didn't do anything. This is my first time seeing a Warstrider."

*Dal felt something new come over him, a sort of nostalgia, that seemed like it had always been there, he had only just noticed it now.*

"Wait - how do you know this was mine? You mean my past incarnation was here, in Imperveress and this was my Warstrider?"

*He sounded both surprised and marvelously intrigued.*

"I guess that makes sense, I've always felt I was drawn here for some reason, guess I was just returning home."



*Dal took a couple more steps back to take in the full size of the machine, and beamed brightly at it.*

"Hello old friend, it as been too long... How do I get in there..."

*His voice was quiet, and faint, as if he were talking to himself rather than it.*

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

* Sentinel looked up from Lirimana and Arachnia and over to Dal, noticing his search for an entrance. he chuckled and shook his head as he pointed to the far end of the Armory, just beyond the line of Warstriders*

" at the far end there is a staircase, go up the staircase and stay on the road until you arrive next to your warstrider. place your hand to the back and it should open. step into the fuselage and strap into the interface. Then you will begin attuning to it. That is all for the Warstriders intro course... the rest is hands on experience."

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent wood, 3

Dal, being a bit smitten with his warstrider, had not been paying any real attention to what the others had said just moments before, but soon a few key points came rushing back to him.

"What? A letter from The Emperor, when was this, what did they look like? You said it was made of black jade... just like the U.S.L.B. Do you think that holds any significance?"

He traced the path to the entrance to his Warstrider with his eyes, only naturally wanting to run up there and jump right in. He also didn't want to appear too eager to the others, so he restrained himself and waited for the others to speak.

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

* Sentinel thought a moment, spacing out into a large essence cannon before answering Dal's question*

" The person? They arrived about fifteen minutes ago or so... Yes, the unfinnished weapon in the sea isalso made of black jade. it is a very useful material when it comes to the water.

The man in question? Im not sure who it was. I thought you might.

His voice held athourity, and when he handed me the letter from The Emperor, my first thought was to just let him pass without checking it... but of course I did... came up genuine.

He looked like a traveler. wore a lot of earth tones on his cloth and leather garbs. It was a little surprizing to see that someone dressed so plain can act like that.

He had dark skin and blue hair... looked like a farmer or something... like he had worked with his muscles all his life. I instructed him as to attune to the warstrider... then, he ran off."

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 3

"Dark skin and blue hair... It couldn't be. Sentinel, you've just described Roaring Wave, the man whose wife I helped just yesterday. He's the only man I know that fits that description and is capable of wielding essence.... When did he get a note from the Emperor, was it Dated?"

Dal had a well contained anger brooding within him. His eyes were like a thin layer of glass holding back an ocean that could drown an army in it's wrath. Despite this his voice was calm and calculated as he looked Sentinel dead in the eyes.

" And remember the situation we are in Sentinel, from now on, any permissions granted, or orders that claim to be from the Emperor, The Empress, or any of the rest of us are to be reported to and confirmed by Arachnia personally. If for whatever reason she is indisposed as such that she can not be contacted, reach both myself and Lirimana as secondary authorities. Is that understood?"

*Dal stood his ground and watched Arachnia. He wondered how she would respond to him taking a strong stance and giving orders. It was his wish to prove his talents at leadership. He looked back to Sentinel.*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood 3,

*the Empress's lips were pursed with what looked liked distaste or even disappointment. However, they were aimed at Sentinel. Her arms had crossed themselves underneath her breasts, inadvertently causing them to appear increased in size. Taking a step forward, she now stood face to face with Sentinel, aware that she was unable to touch him*

We are in a state of distrust here, Bo-Ki-Sa-Chi, and you having been an Emperor before makes this even more of an irritation. We are dealing with an unknown Exalt type and liars and backstabbers all around. What made you believe that you had no reason to confirm the note with either myself or Ress, the proposed author of the note. If it was indeed Roaring Wave, I do not see how he could have reached here and still claim that he and Tari are in need of help getting to Ress's trial

*this last statement was more aimed at the other Exalts as her eyes flickered over them while she said it. Her gaze settled on Dal'Lumen and she turned her back on Sentinel, knowing that he would understand the primal importance of one who intentionally exposes a point of "easy attack." It was a split second that she considered the Zenith and what he had said, studying the look in his eyes*

I believe that that is a wise decision, Dal'Lumen.

*Arachnia turned back to face Sentinel, danger lurking deep in the darkness of her eyes. Her arms unwrapped themselves from underneath her bust and found their new home at her hip and sitting silently at her side*

Ress and myself are the first tier to alert followed by Dal'Lumen and Lirimana. If for any reason all of us are not capable of being reached then you will contact Wise River. I trust that you understand how this works, Bo-Ki-Sa-Chi

*The No Moon regarded the group around her, watching their reactions and keeping Dal'Lumen in her peripheral view. She could see that it was in his nature and desire to take control of things and situations. This could either work to her advantage or cause problems. She would see to it that this worked for her*

[Lirimana]

Resplendent Wood 3,

*Lirimana raised a brow at the whole situation. She kinda felt bad that Arachnia was in the situation she was in and that Sentinel hadn't thought to ask her about it, too. Sometimes Arachnia flew off the handle about things, but it was hard to not sympathize with both sides. For now she saw that it was best to stay quiet and continue looking at the different Warstriders to find the one she liked. At least it wasn't her who Arachnia's anger was aimed at this time...*

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

* Sentinel blinked a few times, not afraid or insulted, simply reacting to what the Empress had said*

" I know we are in a time of high alert, and I am not going to dispute that. I also remember a deal of time when I was the Emperor... but at the same time, I know that letter was written by Emperor Ress, having once been a highly competent Solar myself, I still retain a lot of my golden glory. If you have doubts, I would suggest asking Emperor Ress himself about it.

And I very much doubt that this Roaring Wave person was the one to requisition that black warstrider... mainly because this person in question was a Dragon-Blooded... and for his arrival... before I saw him, I heard him mutter the phrase 'thank you, I can handle this myself, I will be right back'. I can only assume there was someone else out there, either as a travel aid or an accomplice... its hard to say.

And I understand this new chain of command... but that directly goes against what Emperor Ress had denoted... he told me that if something were to go wrong, I was to contact and alert the closest exalt, and then work my way across the Empire, so that the problem can be resolved in the most efficient way possible. But I will archive these rules and put your new chain to use."

* As always, when he spoke professionally, he stood upright like a soldier and spoke in a very matter of fact way, moving very little and answering everything to the best of his ability*

[Dal'Lumen]

Dal turned his head to one side and narrowed his eyes.

"Dragon-Blooded? Well this is easy enough to resolve... Sentinel, Roaring Waves shop is within your range, I believe Zeriku, or Arachnia should know the coordinates.

Please Do be polite about it, and go check up on them. If you do see Roaring Wave, then we will know for certain. Tell whoever it is you meet there that I wanted to check in to see how Tari was recovering, but due to the attack I am unable to visit in person."

*The muscle bound Zenith crossed his arms behind his back, and waited patiently. Obviously quite satisfied with himself.*

"I have full faith in your capabilities Sentinel, I do not doubt them.

I will clarify that chain of command further. I believe Ress's plan is still in place, in the event of an emergency, or a problem arises, contact all of us, starting with the closest. That is the Emperors wish as you said.

However, what myself and Arachnia are stating, is this. Orders, and permissions need confirmation from the highest authorities available."

*He grinned, and held out one open hand.*

"For example: If you receive a letter with my signature on it, stating that I give several of my companions permission to go for a joyride in our new found Warbird, not that I would of course. That might be something you want to confirm with Arachnia, and or myself before permitting it. So if I didn't say so personally, you may want to check with me, after notifying Arachnia. Same goes even for The Emperor and Empress, if they didn't tell you to do it in person, you should seek to confirm it. I think that's fair, and should prevent any forgeries getting through."

He loosened up his stance, then began to stride over to the stairs leading to the catwalk behind his Warstrider.

"I'm still wondering if you can track that Warstrider Sentinel?" *He said over his shoulder*

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 3

" I just received the coordinates to Tari and Roaring Wave's shop from Zeriku and checked the shop. They are not home there, and as for the warstrider, I can not track it... it seems to have disappeared... or maybe is within range of the U.S.L.B, which has increased its zone of influence since last we encountered it.

new orders have been noted and are now set into effect and........"

*Sentinel's eyes widened in shock for a reason yet unknown. He then turned on his glowing heels, looking out in the direction of the Imperial Manse*

" The woman known as Tari has been found"

*his spectral hand raised as his index finger extended and pointed out in the direction of the pyramid manse.. though rather high*

" There!... she is there!"