Walking in the Footsteps

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2

Good byes; Dal had always hated them. When He was a kid it meant someone would be gone for months, or years at sea. In other cases good byes were things never said, things that couldn't be said when they should have been. the most onerous part was the part where he was supposed to walk away. He couldn't remember the last time the walking away part ended well. He didn't like to think about it.

*Dal sighed, glad he had helped someone and fulfilled a promise. The tinkling of the crystals in some hidden-away pocket in his blood and gold silk pants. He was headed towards the Marina now, it hadn't taken too long, the trip was much shorter than from his manse to Tari and Waves.*


Dal'Lumen slowed out of his run, his perfect boots stomping against the smooth surface of the white jade and marble bridge as he made his way towards the floating structure ahead. He closed his eyes for just a moment as he breathed in the wet, living smell of the Gray river below him. Opening his eyes he scrutinized the situation. Everything seemed calm? He centered himself on the target and strode onwards, hoping for best, expecting the worst.

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* The dark, glassy water erupted as Dal put his foot on the bridge as four river dragons leapt up onto the first age bridge. they all reared back, all facing Dal under the dim light of the crescent moon. Their low gravely grow was like that of a giant crocodile.
They remained immobile for the moment, bidding a warning to the approaching Zenith.

The doors to the Marina were slightly ajar, betraying the fact that someone had come in. The Marina began to bob slightly on the waves, as if a storm was brewing... an ill omen indeed*

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2

Dal smirked, adrenaline rushed through his body like an electrical surge as his hand jerked to the long, cloth wrapped object on his side and held it there. Poised in a wide stance left foot forward while his left was held out in front of him, his wrist cocked back, and fingers forward like the head of a cobra with its hood displayed. Dal'Lumen swayed back and forth a moment, then began a slow methodical sideways stride moving to his right trying to isolate the directions he could be attacked from to one. It all felt right, it felt... predatory, and his eyes pierced his soon to be prey.

*with head back, his hand and body swerved and undulated hypnotically.*

"I was hoping It wouldn't be as easy as that" His words were a low rumble which returned to the dragons a sort of growl of his own.

Striking first when presented with an unpersuadable foe is a lesson one only truly learns from experience. His other hand joined with its counterpart as he slid it down to the wrap on his side.

*The patter of water dripping off the creatures in front of him, and the low growl issuing from their toothy jaws gave way to the sound of a rushing of wind and taring cloth. The tatters of the cloth drifted like spiderwebs on the gust of wind and hung around Dal'Lumen like a mantle of dancing fibers before they were pulled away into the darkness. A flash of steel in the final light of the day shone orange, like hot metal on their finely polished surfaces. The reflected light obscured the blades from sight but the hilt was visible, the pommel of each hilt ended with a dragons head, mouth agape with long dagger like fangs, a red tastle spilling from the steel jaws like fire. The grip under his hands was a dark black cherry red leather, which had been designed to look like dragon scales. The guard raveled around and extended down the outer edge of the hilt extending nearly to the base ending in a point like a flat fang. As Dal continued to move to his right, angling the blades into the western sunset the scale theme continued up the spine of the swords tapering from its widest point at the guard and ending as the head of the blade hooked elegantly forward in on itself like a J. The steel swords Rang out in a harmonious song, warning those listening of their coming death.*

"So... lets do this!"

{Snake form Active}
(3 success Join Battle)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2-3

* The four great beasts reared up slightly, then al charged as if thinking with one hive mind mentality.

The three swifter River dragons leapt forward, the center beast biting, as the other two slashed viciously at Dal, not only trying to rake him to death, but toss him overboard into the dark, churning water below*

( River dragon:4, River dragon:4, River dragon:4, River dragon:3

Stats can be found in core book

Dragon 1: Claw slash- 2 suxx [failure] 6 Ticks -1 DV
Dragon 2: claw slash-1 suxx [failure] 6 ticks -1DV
Dragon 3: bite- 4 suxx [failure] 5 ticks -1DV
Dragon4: Waiting - 1 Tick

Extras don't get stunts and 10s count as 1 suxx)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2-3

Excitement pored through Dal'Lumen as the snarling beasts charged him. Slow things, these river dragons, the lazy one in the back had left itself open by not joining with the others in their frenzy.

With a single fluid stride Dal hurtled towards the center dragon as it tried to clamp its jaws down on him, his foot finding warrant upon the top of the beasts skull. The hook sword in his left hand flashing down quickly to slash at the beasts exposed back.

The sickening sound of metal rending flesh and sloshing blood echoed down the blade in its symphony of death. Using the dragon as a sort of vault point he thrust down on its head forcing its jaws to the ground and with the other foot sprang off its sturdy shoulders into the air, his entire body twisting, in the air in preparation for a landing that would prove painful to his lethargic target which had decided on some simple bestial comprehension, to hang back.

The hook of the sunset gleaming blade caught under the left side of the beasts jawbone, in one flawless instant. The force of the blades blow, compliments of its initiators immense solar strength, bowled the beasts head to one side wrenching its neck so forcefully that its entire body was lifted up off the ground, dangling by its jawbone which hung from the savage crook in the sword. Dal held it there slightly suspended above the bridge surface as the wounded creature writhed and jerked with its life draining to the ground in a hot sticky pool.

The beast he had leaped from groaned and growled, agonized from the deep gash down the strip of muscle where the spine and ribcage connected. The target was the delicate highway of muscle, nerve clusters and arteries located there.

The racket behind him indicated that his target had been hit, and would now likely try even more furiously to reach Dal with its Teeth and claws.

His back still turned toward the other two dragons he unhooking the blade from the second dragon, the swords in Dals hands now found themselves held out to either side of him, angled towards the ground like the catch pints of a broad head arrow.

His head slowly turned over his left shoulder to catch sight of the three behind him in the corner of one eye. There he stood, waiting for the next stage of this dance.

( ST updates are in purple)

? (5 attack sxs [-1 dodge defense value] + 7 weapon raw-12 Lethal Soak {11 die pool -2 for flurry and offhand} divided by 3= wounds dealt to extras "Biting Dragon")

(9 attack sxs [-2 dodge defense value] + 7 raw weapon -12 Lethal Soak {11 die pool - 2 for second action in flurry} divided by 3= wounds "Lazy Dragon"?

(2 dice stunt) rendered failure

Dragon 1: 5 Ticks -1 DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 2: 5 ticks -1DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 3: 4 ticks -1DV
Dragon4: Ready! - 0 ticks -0DV

Dal: 5 ticks -2DV

[Trying to remember how this is done]

(doing well so far)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2-3

* Blood dripped from the stricken river dragons, causing them to roar out in anger, but there was nothing the first one could do, it was simply too slow to catch up with the quick Dal... but the one who waited was ready for just this sort of thing and leapt forward, snapping up at the striking solar just as it was being hit.

At the same time, up from the bubbling dark water came a giant squid. It was uncertain how large it was exactly... but a rough estimate would be anywhere from 30 to 50 feet. Two of its huge hooked tentacles reached out of The Grey River and lashed out at Dal, working somehow in tandem with the river dragon. It was now obvious that there was supernatural influences at work here*

(Dragon 1: 5 Ticks -1 DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 2: 5 ticks -1DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 3: 4 ticks -1DV
Dragon4: 5 ticks -1DV, 5 attack suxx [failure]

Squid: 5 ticks -2DV, 8 attack suxx - 15 parry DV [failure]
8 attack suxx - 15 parry DV [failure])

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2-3

Having easily shirked the snarling jaws of the dragon he had come to know as the 'lazy one'. he slithered to one leg and catapulted himself, body arching through the air his feet dancing against the endless starry sky. The swords in his hands glistening with not just their usual shimmer, but the wet gloss of thick blood trickling down the blade. This was whipped off shortly after he had landed several feet away with a single quick jerking motion, which sprayed blood across the elegant marble.

The sound of water in uncharacteristic pandemonium alerted Dal'lumen that something large was moving below, the hulking tentacle craning over him in the darkness forming in the east edge of the bridge caught his notice just as it came down like forest shaking force of some immense falling tree.

*Dal'Lumen looked up desperately, the surprise relevant in his eyes.*

There was a night splitting flash of light that renewed the bridge in the glory of the sunlight. Dal's essence had become ablaze in the excitement, the light emanating from his own rippling frame lit the battle between and the titanic tentacle threatening to crush him, with time seemed to stand still just before it's homicidal furry came down upon him, the way a moment hangs for an eternity when mortal destruction is nearly the only pervasive element left.

A fearsome roar of effort and furry bellowed from the earth shattering racket of beasts and combat. The squids grasp met with the thunderous force of Dal's will to survive, an explosion of sound as he hurtled upwards to meet his foe in the air spy rolling through the air, both swords held together in his hands. His final rotation in the air ended with the extension of his arms and blades resulting in an aerial home run that only the chosen of the sun could hope to achieve. Using the flat edges of the swords together he swatted the pummeling arm away as if it had no force behind it at all, sending it careening away from him.

*Landing safely on the ground slouching slightly, heaving heavily from his recent explosion of effort.*

"Zeriku... I think we have a small...*he puffed* tiny... PROBLEM!! I need you here NOW!"

It was clear to Dal that this was going to keep getting uglier the longer he stayed here, and was readying himself to make a last ditch sprint for safety.

(Parry value enhanced to 15)

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2-3

*as soon as her name was spoken the silver light that announced Zeriku's arrival appeared and instantly solidified into the image he was used to seeing*

You require assistance? Arachnia will be summoned upon your request, and anyone else you desire. Shall I?

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2/3

Dal'lumens eyes erupted with golden light when Zeriku appeared.


"Yes, Let Arachnia know that something powerful is at work here, I'm becoming outnumbered fast and I don't think we have seen the limit of the trouble here. I Feel this will only get worse the closer I get to that door to the marina!"

He spoke as he darted towards the unharmed water dragon near the west side of the bridge. He leaped into the air just before he reached it, falling meteorically downward upon the dragon where he swung his weapons violently, trying to bulldoze the creature out of his path. His eyes were blazing with his fiery golden aura roaring about his hurtling form. The light surrounding him dimmed as if dispersed by the rushing air, all the same he was still glowing with the radiance of the sun as if he had been left hot by the fire of his essence.

He swung down hard, trying to drive the beast out of his path.

( 1 stunt dice )
(8 attack sxs-0 DV+ 7 Lethal- 12 soak= 3/3=1 Lethal HL

Dragon 1: 1 Ticks -1 DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 2: 1 ticks -2DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon 3: 1 ticks -2DV
1 Lethal hl Dragon4: 1 ticks -2DV

Squid: 1 ticks -1DV

Dal: 5 ticks -1DV

)

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2-3

* A scratchy image in gold appeared a few feet from Dal' Lumen and slowly solidified into the image of Sentinel.. he smiled for a moment, then took up the look of slight worry*

" Mister Dal'lumen... I regret to inform you that a powerful entity is making its way here at an alarming rate and bringing with it many more denizens of the sea. I believe a tactical retreat would be the best idea as present... Zeriku and I can not combat this being, if it happens to be the thing I am assuming it is."

* Cautiously helpful as usual... it was obvious that Sentinel was used to dealing with powerful Exalts, otherwise he would have offered to help soon as arriving*

* All at once, the four deep sea monsters erupted into a frenzy of claws and tentacles... and when it seemed like things couldn't get any worse, another squid rose up from the dark deapths and joined in the fray*

(Dragon 1: 6 Ticks -2 DV Claw slash- 3suxx [failure]
Claw slash-3 suxx [failure]
1 Lethal hl Dragon 2: 6 ticks -3DV Claw slash- 3suxx [failure]
Claw slash-2 suxx [failure]

1 Lethal hl Dragon 3: 6 ticks -3DV Claw slash- 2suxx -1 DV + 10L- 1 soak= [4 lethal HLs]
Claw slash-2 suxx -0 DV+10- 1 soak=[5 Lethal HLs]

1 Lethal hl Dragon4: 6 ticks -3DV Claw slash- 2suxx - 0DV+10-1 soak=[8 lethal HLs]
Claw slash- 0 suxx [failure]

Squid: 5 ticks -2DV tentacle slap- 4 suxx-0DV+10B-3soak= [1 bashing HL]
tentacle slap- 6 suxx-0DV+10B-3soak= [9 bashing HL]

Squid: 5 ticks -2DV tentacle slap- 3 suxx-0DV+10B-3soak= [6 bashing HL]
tentacle slap- 4 suxx-0DV+10B-3soak= [3 bashing HL]

Dal: 4 ticks -6DV )

[ 17 Lethal
&
19 Bashing to Dal]

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2-3

*The attacks coming from every angle fell against nothing, Dal'Lumen moved with quicksilver grace each attack swatting, and lashing past him as if he were little more than an apparition. The still glowing form hurtled over the enormous tentacles that came down over him, the dragons murderous claws falling short yet again. pouncing up on the slick surface of the squids appendage, as it rose from the bridge high into the air above the heads of the dragons which attempted to snap at him even as he reached the climax of the squids reach. bracing himself for a moment he took a look around from this new vantage point and slid down, surfing the furious beasts arm as it tried to buck him.

Teetering dangerously within the grasp of something that would like nothing more than to pulverize him, his squid surfing accelerated him beyond the reach of the other river monsters. His unwilling accomplice, the squid, whipped it's arm attempting to dismount the pesky Zenith. It worked, but Dal'Lumen was counting on this. Going air born, hurtling like a human missile towards the safety of land. He landed on his feet, again sliding several more yards kicking up plooms of gritty sand and dirt before coming to a stop, safely off the bridge.

Dal'Lumen looked himself over, checking for injuries, and found none. He looked back up at the bridge and its host of sea monsters and looked around in amazement that he hadn't a scratch on him.*

"I can't believe that just happened... hah! *He scoffed* You cant touch this! *He taunted* Hey Sentinel, Zeriku I'm going to get outa here, meet me when I get a safe distance from this place!"

Giving a sort of mock salute to the gaggle of beasts, he ran off into the dark distance the faint glow around his body slowly fading away.


{Shadows over water activated dodge value restored 100%}

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2-3

* Sentinel nodded a moment.. before his transmission became scratchy, as if he were going to crash again.

His eyes became wide as his golden body tensed up. Whatever it was that was coming, it obviously had the spectral ally frightened. At that very moment, he closed the transmission, moving away from the situation and out of harms way*

* The river dragons tried to follow Dal off the bridge, but the Solar just happened to be far quicker than any of these sea faring carnivores. Disgouraged, they turned tail and slinked back into the grey river*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2-3

*Zeriku turned and looked at the newly-formed Sentinel, noting that at this moment he had come back and finding the same information that he had just received. Her usually expressionless face turned inward as she thought, disappearing in a sparkle of silver essence about the same time her compatriot did*