The stranger blows into town

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

*Quie-Ra's eyes widened in surprise at the swiftness of Dal's strike, but just as quickly noticed the intention to harm leaving him as the milliseconds crawled on. His readied arm reached out as reflex and batted the oncoming spear-hand to the side.

Quie smirked, then tossed his oat colored hair over his shoulder, chuckling softly as he locked his gaze with Dal's*

"Snake Style martial artist? How exciting. It has been a long time since last I fought another martial artist. Forgive me if need this as a warm up."

*Quie-Ra took a step forward, and with a loud kyaa, brought the hand that was facing the sky down across the chest of the Snake Style practitioner*

( 6 attack successes.)
(Intelligence+Martial Arts to discern what martial arts style Quie-Ra is using)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent wood, 1

Dal' seeing that he was in danger quickly shook the day dreams from his mind, and retracted his form quickly. Stepping back off his right leg and sliding off his left leg forming a crescent around behind him, spinning him in place and placing him safely out of the way as Quie-Ra's slashing strike came down behind Dal's back. Dal's Stance was now reversed with the left leg forward held a dangerous secret as his left hand which had followed his body and was now whistling towards the left side of Quie-Ra's neck, which had just become undefended. Hoping to understand the style Quie-Ra was using Dal used this opening as an opportunity to observe how the god would react.

As Dal' body turned and his hand whipped around, he had seen enough of the so called "Empty Palm Fighting", It was a solid style, very deliberate, but flowing easily from one movement to the next. Dal'Lumen recalled this form being used in nexus, occasionally by guild members, and underground rival sects.

"And you, with the Ill Lilly style, a form more often used by criminals as I recall!"

Dal' hit Quie Ra in the side of the neck with the outside edge of his hand, causing an audible, and satisfying thud. While not being a strike intended to cripple Quie Ra, it was enough to show that Dal wasn't messing around and intended to win this contest of martial prowess.

sliding his right leg back and proceeded a slow, counter-clockwise circle around Quie-Ra creating some distance between he and and the God. Leaving his stance somewhat wide to allow for the opportunity to strike from a distance for the next opening.



(6 success attack)
(2 B HL)
(2 success to discern fighting style)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* Quie-Ra stumbled from the hit, feeling the angry red mark on his godly flesh pulse and begin forming into a bruise. He was surprised at the strength behind such a blow.. but at the same time excited that he finally had someone of impressive power to spar with*

" Not bad, Dal'lumen. But the warm up is over now..."

* he stepped back, then dashed forward, pulling back his fist like some style less thug, but only a few feet away, he rolled his left foot onto its knife and used it to leap to the right. With his right foot, he absorbed his impact upon the smooth pearl wall and sprang off.
Rolling his hip, he swung his leg around to lay a round kick to the back of the Solar's head. He was done with playing around and wanted to really see what Dal could do*

" Criminal? Hardly, this is a style for anyone who respects what grows"

( 13 attack successes )
( Lethal & Bashing soak increase by 3)
( -1 DV for attacking)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent wood, 1
Feeling confident Dal grinned, and readied himself for whatever might come at him. Dal's eyes narrowed, and those pearly whites were quickly covered, as he watched the dramatic leaping attack preformed by Quie-Ra. There was no room for mistake, this kick could be devastating should it land... There was no time to fall to injury. *This power was entrusted to me, this empire's pain called me, and if I am too weak to heal it... how could I forgive myself.*

*For every moment wasted in this fight, the emperor sits in a miserable cell... every moment a womans mind remains tormented and shattered, a husbands heart remains broken as he watches and waits for a strangers promise to be fulfilled.*

Dal'Lumen roared and as if carried by the wind itself vaulted himself several feet into the air, his right leg lead the motion by swinging up high in the air which was catalyst to his hips spinning and flinging his left leg up in the air as well... His arms, came in to his chest as he began twisting around completely from head to toe in a mid air cartwheel. This spectacular aerial moment hung in time as Dal's head turned and watched as Quie-Ras Foot came hurtling towards his head...

It was too late, Dal was unable to get out of the way in time, and as he spun to see the kick in time just as it planted itself hard against the side of his face. Fortunately a large part of the force from the blow was avoided, but it was all Dal could do not to fall as much of his body was still Topsy turvy. Landing harder than he had hoped, he had to bend his legs upon landing, and catch himself with his left hand on the ground...

(6 success DV increased to 12)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

*Quie-Ra smirked a bit when he felt the very edge of his foot hit Dal, making a substantial thud sound when it landed. He rolled with the inertia of his kick, still twirling through the air, until he landed, his right knee bent and pressed to the soft pearl floor of the Manse, once more holding one fist out in front of him and the other up pointing to the sky*

" Are you ready to leave yet? Only a true Martial Artist can come to me and expect to face me as an equal... now, if you wish for more punishment, I would be happy to grant your wish."

(4 bashing health levels)
(Quie's DV is 4 until his next turn)
( Make one {possibly 2} Stamina+Resistance rolls, each at diff 2. [ When you take more damage than your stamina, you roll stamina+resistance or be stunned, and if the damage is more than stamina+resistance, you roll that or get knocked into prone])

[Dal'Lumen]

Respendent wood, 1

The ringing in Dal's ear taunted him as if his body were screaming at him for allowing it to be hit. The side of his face went numb, and his vision became unfocused as he knelt where he had landed.

"Damn it..."

Dal spat, clearing the blood from his mouth, shook his head and grunted as he stood back up and faced Quie-Ra, his left leg slid forward, his hands went up into a guard position, ready to resume the fight with a look of cold determination upon his face.

*Dal grinned, blood darkening the spaces between his teeth* "Heh, that the best you can do? You're going to have to do more than that to be rid of me, Oat master!"

*"I've got to prevent him from attacking back... here goes nothing!"* Dal thought as he began dipping and weaving back and forth as he stalked in closer to Quie Ra, keeping his eyes trained on the gods. A split second later Quie Ra would see Dal take a long fluid stride and leap into an arching dive, catching himself with his hands, his now inverted body arched backwords, his legs closing toward Quie-Ra's head like a pair of lashing vines determined to entangle the Oat god.


(Attack success 15)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

* Quie smirked, readying himself for another strike so that he might batter it aside with his outstretched left arm, then follow up with another chop across the chest... but Dal proved to be the resourceful one. His quick movements were beguiling and deceiving, continuing to lead him to believe that this was leading up to a strike.... but the leap took him by surprise. He lowered his head and attempted to roll out of the way.. but the feel of his calfs tightly on his neck made a pit in the stomach of his immortal body. It seemed he just was not fast enough this time*

" Gah!..."

( 1st dodge excellency used, Dodge DV 8. Quie is clenched )

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent wood, 1

Dal's legs locked around Quie-Ra's neck, and shoulders, from the curious hand stand position like the death grip of a titanic serpent. Dal was determined not to let the hapless god escape this time.

his thunderous voice roared "Huaaaah!"

Dal walked on his hands in a circle twisting his entire body around driving Quie-Ra, head first, into the ground, simultaneously one of Dal's hands reached out and grabbed Quie around the back of the knee forcing it to bend and knock him off balance.

The two mighty beings crashed to the ground like a pair of entangled trees felled by the axe of some tiny woodsman, Dals legs wrapped around the gods neck and clinched together, as Dal encircled Quie-Ra around the abdomen holding the gods arms to his sides.

Dal Roared with effort, as he again had to shake off the dizziness caused by the kick to the head he had so generously been gifted.
*"Ahhg gotta keep going, I can't stop... I CANT GIVE UP!"*

The legs and the arms of Dal began to do their work, as they cinched tighter and tighter around the oat spirit, The crushing force of the solar exalts tremendous strength would crush mortal bone in an instant and were it not for the strength of Quie-Ra much the same would be done to him. Dal' Rolled Quie over on his side, trapping one of Quies hands beneath their combined weight leaving the other at the mercy of the Dal'Lumen. Proceeding to bend and contort Quie Ra's hand, and arm, all while crushing down on his head and neck with his legs hoping that the god would give up due to the tremendous pain this hold would cause him.

"Hows that feel! you ready to talk yet, or shall I give you some more!"

Dal didn't wait for the answer, he knew what it would be - Quie was just as unlikely to give up as he was, he just squeezed even more relentlessly, and if Quie wanted to tire himself out struggling, then that was just fine as far as Dal was concerned.

(ok... 11 raw, 5 damage die to roll, and 3 successes to damage is the outcome... 2,4,9,10,9) {that is the final answer!}

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

* Quie-Ra yelled in pain as his body was crushed in the grasp of the Pillar of the Sun. He shook, attempting to flail his arms and break the hold. It was many years since he was clinched as such by a Snake style practitioner... as a matter of fact, last time he fought one, he lost.

In an act of desperation, Quie attempted to snap his hips around to change position and cause a break in the hold, then wriggle himself free*

( Str+MA roll to break hold, 0 successes. DV-0. 1 WP spent to negate wound penalties)

[Dal'Lumen]

The sickening sound of Quie-Ra's body popping and crackling, along with his screaming, was a confirmation to Dal' that he had certainly succeeded in causing the level discomfort he intended. Quies struggling did little but cause Dal to shift his weight, preventing the god from rolling out of his grip.

"Oh, that wont do you much good... urgh... You were right, this is much more fun... than sitting down to have a conversation... Urah! isn't it! Ha ha ha..."

Dal grinned, his effort against Quie warping his expression into a frightening veined visage. It was all or nothing now, Dal's head still throbbing, even more so now that every muscle in his body was working to crush in on his opposition.

As if the serpent were telling the helpless creature it had in its deadly coils, it's life depended upon if it answered correctly, the riddle it now posed.

" We can talk, before... or after I break your arm off, your choice!"

Dal grabbed Quie-Ra's wrist, and put his other hand against the back of Quies elbow, keeping his weight seated against Quies' shoulders and head. Dal gave another substantial wrench to the oat gods arm, and clamped down hard on his head just to give his warning a greater degree of urgent, and impending, reality.



(5 successes to maintain clinch)
( st4 + {5+1 die} = 4 + 2 successes... 6 raw damage - 1/2 your soak = 0 so i roll my essence {3} finalizing at 1 success... so 1 BHL ?)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

*A loud pop could be heard as the field god was squeezed once more, but this time he was not able to make a sound, as his immortal lungs could take in no more air... it was lucky for him that gods did not need to breathe. He could not respond with anything but a weak struggle.

The bruises around his neck, wrists and face began to rise into angry red and blue marks... A very surprising thing to see on a god, since most of the world have a far higher view on gods then perhaps they should.

He remained motionless for a short time, a smirk crossed his face, as if he was happy to have been beaten, at least this time. He tried saying something, but the lack of air and the quickly encroaching darkness all around him kept the sounds from coming out... so he did all that he could do.. he gave Dal the thumbs up with the arm he threatened to break.

Quie struggled one last time before falling limp, laying passed out on the smooth pearl floor. He was obviously not dead, as bodies of spirits often began disappearing after they died, but one thing was for sure.. this was one fight that Quie did not win.*

( Quie has filled all his health levels and is down. 6 hours till he wakes up)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 1

Dal' felt the last struggles of Quie-Ra before he saw the thumbs up and then the gods body go slack. Dal'Lumen loosened his grip and turned his head to his side.

"Hey?" The limp god remained silent. "Dammit... you done already? *sigh* can't say I didn't warn you!

Dal' wearily let go of Quie-Ra as he rolled off him and sprawled out on the floor beside the unconscious form, taking deep breaths and enjoying the cool pearl floor against his skin. The sky was growing dark overhead, the day was nearing its end.

Dal'Lumen rubbed the side of his head with his hand, and winced as the pain flared up. He turned his head, facing Quie, and allowing his face to press against the cool marble for a moment, before he would again have to keep tracking on to who knows what.

" Bastard *heh heh*... It's been like this ever since I left nexus, hardly time to rest, and now I've got to lug your lazy ass around."

Groaning as he sat up, and then at last lifted himself up to his feet, and looked back down to what was just a moment ago his adversary. Dal reached down, grabbed the back of Quies shirt and leg, and hoisted him up onto one shoulder, arms and head dangling behind Dal.

Dal shook his head "Wish I had a map of this place, hell, of the Empire." and with that he trudged up into the manse grounds, Quie-Ra upon his back.

"Maybe, I can find a control room... or sentinel?"

(5 successes Strength+Athletics, just in case)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

* Dal would soon hear the sound of slow clapping behind him. should he turn around, he would see the grinning face of Sentinel, smirking as if he caught Dal dong something ridiculous*

" Bravo, Zenith. Quie-Ra is a great martial artist... but it seems he is better when he is fighting to the death... but at any rate, I am very glad to see that you beat him... you see, he could see that you are a martial artist. He is the type who needs to test others skills.

Enough about that, Zenith. Let me give you the two bit tour"

* He pointed down the cloistered pearl hallway to emphasize the direction, the light he gave off showing the way*

" This hall leads to a "gathering hall", but beyond that branches off into three smaller hallways. The one to the far left will lead to two rooms.

One is a bathhouse, complete with a cold flowing waterfall , a hot pond and some strange plants that excrete soaps and scented oils... don't ask me why.
The other is a spare bedroom.. Quie has been staying there.

The center hall leads to three rooms. The top one goes through a kitchen and then topside, where there is a martial arts arena.
The straight across room is the control room and the hearth room, where you can keep track of the area... as well as the magics this Manse commands.
The last direction goes downward, where you will find a training hall.. but be careful, the farther you travel through this hall, the more of the sea's crushing pressure will come down upon you.

The hall to the right leads to two rooms. One is a meditation hall, which simulates the beach on a sunny day.
The other room is the main quarters.

There are other hidden rooms and compartments littered about this manse, but those are the places of importance.

First thing is first, lets bring Quie-Ra to the hearth room and get you attuned to this manse. I have spoken to Emperor Ress and he says you may stay here in the main quarters if you like. I will Initiate the ritual to attune you when you are ready, Zenith."

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 1

Dal' turned his head to listen behind him when Sentinel applauded him, and then turned around to face him once he realized who it was, almost comically swinging a pair of arms and a head that weren't his own, the owner of which, was along for the ride. Following Sentinels simple pointing directions in his mind, and from what he could actually see...

As Sentinel explained that there was a bathhouse, Dal suddenly became aware of a most distinct stench, his eyes slid back and forth, and he quickly gave the god on his shoulder a quick sniff... realizing it wasn't Quie-Ra he then turned his nose down to himself, again giving a small sniff... his eyes squinted as his nose protested.

When Sentinel described where the kitchen was, Dal's stomach tightened up and growled at him, angry that he had not fed it anything proper in the past week or so.

Finally as the Martial Arts Arena, the training hall, the Hearth room, the meditation chamber, and the living quarters, followed by being invited to stay here Dal' grinned like a kid in a candy shop.

"Ahh, its a shame I wont be able to stay too long... perhaps just the night, to recover a bit. Unless for some reason I am in need of this lazy, free loader. *indicating Quie by giving his flopping body a hearty shake* I think I'll go drop him off in his room.

Dal' turned on his heel and took a step down the hall, stopping a moment later, he cocked his head to the passenger free shoulder just enough to see Sentinel out of one eye, But enough for Sentinel to see that he was smiling happily.

" Bye the way... thanks sentinel, you have great timing!" *Dal once again turned as if to walk away, but then stopped again* "Uhm, what exactly will happen if and when I attune myself to this manse?"

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 1

* Sentinel laughed at Dal's statement, giving a little nod of agreement*

" Ah yes... well, I arrived around the time Quie-Ra kicked you in the head, but I figured it would be best not to get between two martial artists.

I will meet you in the hearthroom"

* The shinning body of the spirit disappeared in a bright flash.
If Dal was to follow, he would find the hearthroom. This room was made of the same hollowed out pearl that the rest of the Manse was.. but on the walls was the depiction of a great water dragon etched out of black jade. Its head separated from the wall, and from its opened mouth poured cold water, which fell into an elevated dish made from moonsilver... but within the dish... was something?

straight across from the dragon statue was a large console made from softly glowing crystals, which was obviously the central control.
directly above the dish was a golden sun, an almost strange sight to see in this room which resonated with water.

just behind the dish was Sentinel, smiling as many times he did*

" Whenever you are ready, I will start the ritual"

( Perception+awareness difficulty 2 to see whats in the dish)