Showing posts with label kemp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kemp. Show all posts

Sunday, April 4, 2010

savior.

[-savior-] All right, this will be a combat-heavy scene. I'll be starting us out and laying out the framework, and we'll likely be initting within 2-3 posts at most. Narration will likely be thrown in in small blurbs throughout, rather than in large chunks between rounds or whatnot. A reminder of the rules:

1. If we're in narrative, 10 min per post OR LESS. Preferably less. If/when we're dicing, declare in 3 min. Roll in 2 or I'll roll for you. If you want to post ICly during combat, keep it to when you're not actively declaring/rolling, or else keep to the 2- and 3-minute deadlines.
2. If you happen to be multitasking, make sure you can keep up with the 2/3/10 min deadlines. Otherwise, I'll ask you to stop your other scene.
3. No posting order, but please post ONCE for every post I make unless I say otherwise.
4. Keep track of your own health and tempers.
5. Questions in the chat. Don't IM me. If I don't see the question, repeat it until I do *LOL* If I don't respond for minutes on end -- I'm probably posting. You should wait, unless it's absolutely urgent, upon which you should PM me once.
6. PM me your applicable flaws. This includes stuff like nightmares and phobias and hatreds and compulsions!
7. If there are any off-limits themes, imagery or events you do NOT want to see in a scene, PM 'em to me now.
8. I'll be starting us off.
9. Just a reminder: this scene will be hazardous. Enemies will be smarter than your standard oneshot fare, and will actively use tactics, gang up on the weakest, and go for the kill. Your characters will need to work together, be willing to defend and heal one another if necessary, and fight smart or risk being picked off one by one. Finally, if you are not willing to risk losing your character, drop out now -- I won't take it personally!

[Moving Mountain] Hatred for Serbians, nightmares of the Bosnian war.
to -savior-

[Truth in Frenzy] No flaws
to -savior-

[-savior-] Addendum!

10. You may declare, at any time, that you are taking a hit for another character reflexively. You may also switch an action to defending on behalf of another character at no difficulty penalty.
11. You may change targets due to your original target dying at no diff penalty.

[-savior-] Assault night.

The scouts have given them what information they could. The kin have paved the way for a human-world church takeover of the community center. All that remains now is to cleanse the place: with rage and blood.

They are not the only Garou here tonight. Half the sept is here, seasoned warriors as well as fresh-eyed Cliaths, riding up or running up in teams, some quiet, some tense, some meditating, some simply preparing, or prepared. They slip into the Church a few at a time, hours apart, moving in as part of the mortal pre-Easter crowd and then crossing over. In the end, some twenty or thirty Garou stand in the vast echoing nave, the Knights moving curiously past them as they gather and discuss.

"We'll start with two teams in the library," Wyrmbreaker says. They're not so disrespectful as to use the altar as a table. They're in the front row of pews instead, gathered around. "One, a small decoy team of three, who will cross over and start destroying minor banes. A second, larger war team of five, who will cross over only after they've drawn fire from larger banes coming to assist. A third team of fifteen will take the main wing and clear it out, bottoms-up.

"And a fourth," that's them -- Banshee, Anklebiter, Moving Mountain, Muerte Fria, sklora-Myrgen and Truth in Frenzy, "will take the basement.

"Our scouts were unable to determine the nature of the enemy there, only that it is likely to be far more than meets the eye. Proceed with caution. Explore the Umbra. Expect anything. I leave command of that team in the capable claws of Truth-in-Frenzy-rhya. Obey him; he is a far wiser Garou than most of us will ever be, and he has survived innumerable battles against the odds.

"One last thing. The Wyrm knows we are coming, and they will be prepared. Some of you, perhaps many, will not return home alive tonight. But if you must die tonight, make it worthwhile. Don't throw your life away on empty heroics. Accomplish something with your death, and you will be remembered until the end of days."

--

They disperse after that. They enter the community center as the scouts did: by breaking in, by entering through the front door. In the cafeteria, the twelve other Garou they came with begin to cross over.

They take the elevators downstairs.

When the doors open into the basement, they face a tiny room, perhaps 10x12, dark and cramped despite being wholly empty. The taint here is like a drumbeat in their minds. Both elevator shafts open into this space: one to the library wing, one to the main.

There is nothing realmside. They begin to cross over, and as the realm fades and the penumbra unfurls...

they find themselves facing a tunnel, perhaps large enough for three Hispo abreast or two Crinos, where there was only blank wall. It slopes sharply downward. Shrieks, chitters, snarls and growls waft up, along with a potent stink, a humid, suffocating heat.

What awaits them down there?

[-savior-] [BTW, if you are carrying talens, go ahead and PM me a list of what you have.]

[-savior-] [Oh and also! If you would've activated any gifts before gametime, go ahead and roll them/post 'em now.]

[Banshee] Merits - Second Sight, Concentration Flaws - Color blind

Talens - Gaia's Breath, Soak talen, Stormfeather
to -savior-

[sklora-Myrgen] War Crucible is there, two strong but both absolutely dedicated and prepared for what is about to go down. sklora-Myrgen and Muerte Fria stand side by side as they listen to Lukas give the orders, as they move to stand as one by Truth in Frenzy's side. Both of them having embraced Athena's gifts, both of them moving with unnatural grace and speed, such that they seem to almost float through the air, to glide with ease where others must ponderously tread.

sklora-Myrgen stands on all four paws, shaped in his dread Direwolf form, his hispo bulk covered in a thick winter pelt of ivory white that is only now beginning to thin out. Eyes a wintry blue, bled out to be near white. There is a calmness to him that is almost at odds with the tension, the palpable excitment that suffuses the air; Athena demands cold reason, demands strategy and clarity of thought, and it is this that he and Sol represent, seek to attain even now in the heart of the mission.

When it comes to moving out, sklora-Myrgen follows closely behind Truth in Frenzy, keeping pace. Even as he moves he begins to draw his Gift about him, bringing his will to bear so that all thoughts of pain and its hampering effects fall away.

A chuff to Sol as they enter the elevator, as they descend into the basement. Shoulders pressed. Entering battle together as they have done so many times before. If they die tonight, then both know they will do so having wrought damage against the Wyrm in their time.

Through the Gauntlet. The tunnel. Hackles rising. Waiting, watching the Fenrir for his first command.

[Truth in Frenzy] He looked at each of them, then with a small nod, he shifted in the basement, shifting up to Warform. Silently he began to draw on gifts as he could. Resist Pain, then Trollskin. And he kept his voice low.

"We go through, we keep as quiet as we can. I will take the lead. Fight back to back, protect each other."

Then it was into the tunnel he went.

[Mama Ankle-Biter] The little Gnawer waiting, meditative, as she sits in her war form. Naturally small in height, barely cresting five feet and three inches in homid, this frame is lucky to be any taller. Grey and black speckled fur covering her frame. She listens to the orders given along with everyone, sitting as she began to draw on the gifts that may help her along the way.

Luna's Armor
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 7)

[Moving Mountain] The large Glass Walker Ahroun remained silent at the briefing, his thoughts on the community center and what they'd encountered then on the recon team. His memories of the event were unpleasant but he felt his blood boil in excitement. Several of the other members of the scout team were present in his team now, it was time for them to get their revenge against the banes and the fact they hadn't been able to stand a fight.

More than fear of what he knew waited for them inside, he felt enjoyment and excitement at the prospect of the battle to come. When they'd crossed through the basement, a place he hadn't been before, it was then that he transformed. Today was not the day for guns and foolishness, he'd be going in as a massive dire wolf, the form known as Hispo.

His claws sharpened on the walls into razor sharp implements of death. Then he simply waited silently for the leader to give his orders, he was a mere pawn as far as this went, fulfilling their mission was his only concern now, not their potential deaths.

[Preparing Razor Claws]

[Truth in Frenzy] (( Trollskin. Stam+PU diff 7))
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 7) Re-rolls: 1

[Muerte Fria] Soledad stood with sklora-Myrgen, faithful a Beta to him as she had once been to Buried Hatchet. She was always an inch back, but near to his side despite. He would lead, as it was his place, and she would support in any way necessary as was hers.

They cut through the Gauntlet, from the calm quiet of the Realm to the discordant promise of war of the Penumbra, and Soledad slipped through the Weaver's tight webs of reality as though she were a hot knife and they were butter, with ease many a Theurge could not boast.

Her Alpha took up the Hispo form, and Soledad kept to his right wearing her Crinos. Her pelt was thick, still long from the winter, and the sort of black that was nearly red, presumably a permanent stain from her many battles fought. Her mane was long, mimicking human hair, a mess of curls and licks painted red like war, with many bits of bone, claw, fang, feather and scale tied into it throughout. A large black-clawed hand gripped her spear, a plain trusty thing with no trinkets tied to it to match her mane, as such things would slow it down in flight.

sklora-Myrgen chuffed, she rumbled back, and Kemp gave his orders. Sol's moon-yellow eyes focused on the Adren, and her triangular ears flicked in affirmation to his orders.

Stealth first, take what surprise they could, then victory or death along the way.

[Banshee] Before shifting to Hispo, she made sure she had what she needed. She was the only Unbroken to be in the main assault team (I think). She pulled out the Soak talen and broke it, letting the ashes spill over her.

Gnosis 4 diff 7

Once that was done, she shifted to Hispo, and awaited Kemp's orders.
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 7, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 7)

[-savior-] The tunnel slopes sharply downward for the first ten, fifteen feet, then gentles. They're still going down -- they can feel it in the way their claws have to dig in for traction -- but it's milder now.

The ground beneath them, once concrete, is now earth. Loamy. Faintly sticky, wet, and infirm. There is a blind curve ahead; they can see nothing past it, but all at once there is a shriek -- loud, and quite close --

and then a bane flits around the corner.

It resembles an enormous centipede: innumerable legs, ability to move seemingly impervious to gravity. It spirals up the wall and freezes when it sees them, as shocked to see them as they are to see it. More so, likely. When it raises its carapaced head, it reveals a human face -- a placid, lovely, youthful face, androgynous, with an insect's compound eyes.

It begins to shriek alarm.

[annnd inits!]

[sklora-Myrgen] [Gift: Resist Pain -1 WP is in effect from my first post]
to -savior-

[Truth in Frenzy] Inti +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 3

[Banshee] Inits +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 9

[sklora-Myrgen] [Inits! +12]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 1

[Muerte Fria] [+9]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6

[Mama Ankle-Biter] 7+
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 2

[-savior-] Sentry Bane +5
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 2 (Failure at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [+8]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 1

[Truth in Frenzy] The thing turned up, right up the sides of the tunnel over their head. And when it started to scream the alarm, he went into action, snapping orders.

"Shut it the fuck up and ward the Theurge!"

And he stepped right up to the blind corner to intercept whatever came to the scream, leaving just enough room for another to fight shoulder to shoulder with him.

[-savior-] Banshee 17
Sol 15
sM 13
Kemp 11
Kire 9
Mama 9
Bane 7

Bane
1. Ring the alarm!

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Mama holding action

[Moving Mountain] 1. Guard Mama

[Truth in Frenzy] He had moved up to the corner right where the sharp turn was after barking the order to shut the thing up. Waiting for whatever came to the call of alarm with just enough room for another at his side.

[sklora-Myrgen] sM
1a. Bite Bane
1b. Bite Bane
1c. Bite Bane!

[Muerte Fria] 1a. Spear, Headshot [WP]
1b. Bite

[Banshee] 1) Moves to join Kemp's side

[-savior-] [Okay, formation, front to back, is:

Kemp-Iona
(Bane)
Sol-sM
Kire-Mama]

[-savior-] At the turn of the tunnel, Kemp and Iona can see that it continues downward for another stretch, still narrow -- 2 crinos abreast, or 3 hispo -- until the next blind turn, where it opens out slightly into a small chamber. All six of them could fit there.

So far, the tunnels are clear.

[Muerte Fria] [Spear Throw: Dex + Melee, -2 split]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8) [WP]

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str + 1(spear) + 2 suxx (L)]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [weak little bane soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 5, 5, 7 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite: Dex + Brawl, -3 split]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str + 1(bite) + 3 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 4, 4 (Failure at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -3 = 9)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 7, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Damage: Str 6 + Bite 1 + Hispo Bite 1 + 1Suxx)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -4 = 8)
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 4 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Damage: Str 6 + Bite 1 + Hispo Bite 1 + 3Suxx)
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [nooo i wanna liiiive!]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 2, 4 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] Not a single sound leaves the bane's throat. Athena's warriors unleash a flurry of blows that trample the bane to the ground.

The tunnels are still clear.

[out of combat for now!]

[Truth in Frenzy] When silence hit he lead the way forward again, down the tunnel to the next turn. Listening for sounds of something coming to investigate. When they reached the next turn where it widened to a small chamber, he slipped through and to the right to leave room for the next to come in.

[Muerte Fria] Soledad is the first to lunge, battle screams in her veins and Kemp's orders echo in her ears. Shut that thing up. So she does precisely that.

Her spear dips into that pretty face's left eye like it was meant to be there, and her jaws close along the thing's body at the length where a shoulder would probably be were it shaped more human. Great hunks of flesh rip away, scatter to the floor, and sklora-Myrgen appears as a white flash along the bane's other side, tearing so that the two wounds meet and the Bane falls into two pieces on the floor.

Not a sound was made. Soledad did not roar victory, or even snarl it. She simply straightened, wiped the gore from her mouth with a hand and flicked it to the wall, then moved to follow after Kemp as soundless as the Bane's death.

[Banshee] Iona had her Elder's back, staying right on his tail and keeping ever observant

[Mama Ankle-Biter] The Bane taken care of. The Gnawer begins to tread into the Cavern only after the others start into it. Eyes skimming up and around, looking at all the walls and then down at the floor. Nostrils flaring as she breathes in and out, ears rolling high atop her head. She drops to all fours to pad along, keeping up with the group, her head tilting around to glance behind them to make sure they weren't followed.

[sklora-Myrgen] With preternatural speed and agility, both of Athena's warriors leap up, spear flashing moments before jaws clench and rend and crush the bane afixed to the ceiling. With a sharp shake of his head, sklora-Myrgen drops the bane to the ground, lips pulled back in a silent snarl. Close. His heart beats like a great drum in his voluminous chest. A moment as he meets Sol's eyes, and then they move together after the Fenrir.

[Moving Mountain] Even at the sight of bane being vanquished before it has a chance to summon the hordes of the Wyrm upon them, Kire remained at Mama's side. He'd continue to guard the Theurge until given orders otherwise. As they approached the chamber, he slowed down his pace, uneasily scanning what he could of their surroundings for signs of traps or hidden passages.

[-savior-] Yet another twist in the tunnel stretches ahead. Yet another run of downslope. The stench is growing ever stronger down here. The heat in the air builds: a thick, sluggish, wet heat, suffocating, like a Gulf coast summer.

A difference, though. Where it's been growing steadily darker, it now begins to brighten again. Not daylight, though, nor moonlight, nor lamplight.

A sickly, flickering, greenish-yellow glow bathes the next turn in the tunnel, where Kemp can see that the tunnel begins to delta out. A room? A chamber?

[Truth in Frenzy] He didn't like the light coming from ahead and he turned back for a moment making a circular motion with his hand.

"Looks like it widens ahead. Keep close, keep quiet."

Then he slunk forwards for a look.

[Muerte Fria] [Making Sense of Battlesense: Wits]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 7, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 8)

[Banshee] Iona just gives a nod, staying on Kemp's back, curious as the the green light.

[-savior-] Battle all around, confounding her senses. She concentrates. Focus.

Two Dancers around the corner. And ... one bane. No. Two. Two banes. Wait. Three?
to Muerte Fria

[Mama Ankle-Biter] She stares at the chamber, eyes flicking to the eerie greenish-yellow glow that seems to brighten up the next turn. She pushes forward, eager to see what it was, shouldering against Kire on their way into the next cavern.

[Truth in Frenzy] ((blur attempt))
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8)

[Muerte Fria] Soledad's snarl is a quiet thing, gentle, almost lost in the din surrounding them, consumed by humidity.

"Wait."

Her ears flick forward, then back, and her eyes narrow some.

"Two of the Spiral Dancers, just around the bend." Her claw flicked to indicate. "Banes.. Several... three or more, I believe, it is... difficult to tell."

[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen and Muerte Fria follow behind Kemp and Banshee, and when she speaks, gives her snarl, he slows, stops.

[Banshee] Blur 3d diff 8
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 3, 4 (Botch x 1 at target 8)

[Truth in Frenzy] ((Stealth roll spec taking point))
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 2, 3, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] Kire continues to follow Mama, keeping an eye out for things and staying quiet. He sticked to the shadows while staying as close to her as possible.

[Dex + Hispo 2 + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 4, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 5)

[Truth in Frenzy] + 6 more dice
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 4, 7, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1

[Banshee] Dex + Stealth 8d diff 8
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 6, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8)

[-savior-] [combined alertness check for everything around the corner!]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 5 at target 6)
to Truth in Frenzy

[-savior-] As Kemp and Banshee approach the corner, their sensitive ears begin to catch voices. The low, guttural, foul snarls of the Dancer Tongue, barely intelligible across the distance, and after thousands of years in their fetid labyrinths.

"...Anhkahahn [unintelligible] hurry. They're [??] pressed hard upstairs."
"What does [??] want? Going [??] as I can. Not like [?? ??] faster."
"Just hurry."


And then a squealing shriek.

As they approaches the turn where the tunnel begins to widen, they can hear a low rushing sound, too. It's somehow... familiar to Kemp. Then they look around the corner. A tiny peep. And Kemp, at least, knows why he recognizes the sound.

He's seen it before. It was vaster than this one, but there's no question about it: the same beast, back again. A Wyrmhole, sprawling in the center of the chamber: ten or fifteen feet across. Like an abominated mirror of Maelstrom, it's a swirling eye of chaos that spits taint out the way the way Maelstrom takes it in, devours it, ends it.

At the far side, there's barely two feet between the edges of the wyrmhole and the sloping walls of the chamber. At the near side, there's perhaps four or five feet of clearance to the right, there's a largish patch of open space. Two malformed Crinos Garou stand there with long hooks, pulling banes from the vortex as they're formed. Three other banes are already patrolling the edges, cavorting in the air over the hole. One is being birthed as the Ragabashes watch. It thrashes onto the shore, wet, slimed with the foul substance it was formed from, roaring. The Dancers keep their distance, use hooks to peel the afterbirth from its form, and then --

and then one of the other banes, the ones already patrolling the edges, spots Banshee.

This time there's no chance of crossing the distance and silencing it. It shrieks, and everything in the room turns to see what the commotion is about.

[annnd we're back to combat! i'll be initting up the things in the room. right now, Kemp and Iona are at the mouth of the tunnel. Everyone else is back at the last bend, and need to take one splittable action to cover the ground.

The mouth of the tunnel has enough room for six Garou all-abreast. Only 2-3 Garou (dep on form) can fit in the narrow spaces on the near side of the Wyrmhole; on the far side, only one Garou would fit. To the right, there's space for all of them.]

[Truth in Frenzy] Inti +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6

[Muerte Fria] [+10]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 5

[Banshee] Inits +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6

[sklora-Myrgen] [Inits +12]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 5

[Moving Mountain] [+9]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 4

[Mama Ankle-Biter] 7+
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 3

[-savior-] Adam +7

[-savior-] Ben +7
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 2 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] [...actually, you know what? For simplicity, Dancers will act as a unit, and banes will act as a unit.]

[-savior-] Dancers
Adam + Ben, init +7
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 1 (Botch x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] Banes
Chad, Dan, El and Fred, init +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] sM 17
Sol 15
Kemp 14
Banshee 14
Banes 14
Kire 13
Mama 10
Dancers 8

[-savior-] Wyrmhole: effect init = 0.

[-savior-] Declares!
Dancers
Adam
1. Gouge Iona with hook!
R1. Grapple with hook!
R2. Try to toss into Wyrmhole!

Ben
1. Finish helping Fred get born
R1. Bite Iona

Wyrmhole
...spits out one new bane per round

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Wyrm Lore! Figure out how to close the damn Wyrm Hole!

[Truth in Frenzy] He didn't say more than a whisper to Banshee before slipping further in, he was going for the two with the hooks with every intention of trying to get the drop on at least one of them, hoping to shove the fucker into the swirling vortex.

"Spotted, warn them! Got to stop that birthing hole!"

With the order passed he attempted to make it for the Dancers as quick as he could before spotted.

[-savior-] [Roll Wits + Occult (+Wyrm Lore, if any) for IC hints. Diff 6 if you have Wyrm Lore or if you're Kemp, who's seen one before. Diff 8 otherwise.]

[Truth in Frenzy] ((wits+occult)
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 4, 4, 5, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] [Wyrm lore + Wits + Occult]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 10 at target 6) [WP] Re-rolls: 2

[Muerte Fria] [Wits + Wyrmlore]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 5, 6, 6, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Wits + Occult]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 7 (Botch x 1 at target 8)

[-savior-] All right, you have some options here:

1) Attack it directly. This is the easiest, but probably least efficient, as it has a good amount of essence. A fullsized Wyrmhole has 200 essence. This one is quite small, but it's still going to be pretty resilient.

2) Flood it with Gaian energy. Cast gifts of Gaia at it (for example, healing gifts, or any gifts that causes a direct emanation of energy); give Gaian gnosis to it. For every success or point of gnosis given, it will lose 2 points of essence.

3) Try to choke it with the bodies of the dead. It will take 1 point of damage per point of dead-body's-original-healthpoints cast into it.
to Mama Ankle-Biter

[-savior-] Well -- what Kemp remembers is that Gaian energy closed the last one. Namely, a spirit sacrificed itself. Maybe they could sacrifice some form of energy?
to Truth in Frenzy

[-savior-] Soledad knows you can actually close a Wyrmhole by just attacking it directly. As for the Dancers -- they seem to be helping, but it's likely the Wyrmhole will spontaneously birth banes regardless. Possibly at a slower rate, though.
to Muerte Fria

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Mama Ankle-Biter is... in her element at the moment. She crept forward to see the Wyrmhole. Eyes narrowing as her ears fold back along her skull. Tail pressing against the inner thigh of her hindlegs as she squints and hums softly under a closed muzzle and simply stares at the twisted hole that banes are birthed from.

"Wyrmhole. Births the banes." She grunts to anyone listening to her, "Few options to deal with it, need to close it. Attack directly, easy, but least efficient, pretty healthy. Or, flood it with Gaian Energy... or.. try to choke it with the bodies of the dead."

[Truth in Frenzy] He turned his head, though he wasn't sure she could see him so well and grunted.

"Choke it and throw what we got when we run out of bodies."

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Summoning up Jaggling earth elements.

[-savior-] [Okay -- 2 turns to summon! I'll ask for rolls at the end]

[Moving Mountain] 1. Guarding Mama

[-savior-] Adam, reflexive:
"Kill the [???] Theurge!"

Banes
Chad
1. Breaks rank and attacks Kire!
R1. Again!

Dan
1. Attack Mama!
R1. Again!

El
1. Attack Mama!
R1. Again!

Fred
1. Attack Mama!
R1. Again!

[Banshee] (reflexive: Spend 1Gn to activate Stormfeather)
1a) Bite Adam
1b) Bite Adam

[Truth in Frenzy] Rushing in to try and get to one of the Dancers to kill the fucker and stop the birthing/pulling thing.

1a claw
1b claw
1 r claw

[Muerte Fria] 1a. Spear, Headshot at Ben
Rage Shift Hispo Here
1b. Bite Ben

1r. Bite Ben

[-savior-] Ben
Changing actions:
1. Drop hook, bite Kemp +1 diff
R1. Bite Kemp +1 diff

[sklora-Myrgen] [sM declare: Reflexive: Lambent Glow, standing before Mama
1a. Bite Dan
1b. Bite Dan
1c. Take Dan's attack on Mama
Rage 1. Bite Dan
Rage 2. Take Dan's attack on Mama
Rage 3. Bite Dan

Switching from Dan to El if Dan dies]

[sklora-Myrgen] [sM declare: Reflexive: Lambent Glow, standing before Mama
1a. Bite Dan
1b. Bite Dan
Rage 1. Bite Dan
Rage 2. Bite Dan

Switching from Dan to El if Dan dies]

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -2 = 10)
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 10, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Damage: Str 6 + Bite 1 + Hispo Bite 1 + 1 Suxx)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -3 = 9)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) [WP]

[sklora-Myrgen] (Damage: Str 6 + Bite 1 + Hispo Bite 1 + 3 Suxx)
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 6, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Spear Headshot to Ben: Dex + Melee, -2 split, +2 diff headshot]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[Muerte Fria] [Pity Die 'cause Kenna's memory is fail]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6 (Failure at target 8)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str + 1 spear + 1 suxx (L)]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Ben soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Rageshift to Hispo]
[Bite: Dex + Brawl, -3 split]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 1 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str + 1 bite + 1 hispo (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 1, 6, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] In seconds, chaos erupts. At the command from one of the Dancers --

"Kill the Theurge!"

-- the banes already birthed rise up in a vortex of fury, swarming straight at Mama Anklebiter.

The Theurge isn't fazed. She closes her eyes. She summons. And two Ahrouns slam in front of her, shoulder to shoulder, one dappled, one pure white; one grey Rotagar up ahead shoulderchecks the banes as they pass.

Meanwhile, Soledad has raced down to support her septmates at the delta of the tunnel. Her spear only manages to graze the Dancer she aims for. It thuds into the wall behind him, quivering. The Ahroun herself is right behind it, teeth snapping.

[Truth in Frenzy] 1 a claw
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 5, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] dam
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Ben soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 5, 5, 8 (Failure at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] 1b claw
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6) Re-rolls: 2

[Truth in Frenzy] dam
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [ben soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] After numerous false starts, the Adren Fenrir tears Ben's throat out.

Night night. Into the Wyrmhole with him. A deep groan shudders through the chamber -- the ground shivers beneath their feet.

[Banshee] 1a) (Hispo Bite Adam - Dex 5 + Brawl 2 + 3 Brawl totem +1 hispo Bite +1 wyrmy totem thing bonus - 2 split diff 5) 10d
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 7 at target 5)

[Banshee] Damage 13d
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 7, 7, 7 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1b) 8d diff s
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 6 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[Banshee] Damage 9d
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Adam soaks again!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 4, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Though Banshee's first bite manages to nick the Dancer, her second blunts itself against his tough hide. One advantage, though: at least she's within the reach of his hook, forcing him to discard the weapon and face her with his teeth.

[Redeclare:
1. Bite Iona!
R1. Grapple Iona!
R2. Toss into Wyrmhole!]

[-savior-] The banes have poured up the tunnel, then. The first of them breaks from the swarm, talons flashing as it dives for Kire.

Chad
Attacking Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +2]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Kire soaking!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 5, 6 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] First blood, hot and red, the only pure thing in these tunnels: Kire's, splashed out as a bane -- a skullface, straggle-haired, emaciated mockery of a human -- lashes at him with its talons.

The rest of the swarm go for Mama. They meet sklora-Myrgen. And Kemp. And Kire.

Dan
Attacking Mama -- deflected by sM.
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 9, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] El
Going for Mama, deflected by Kemp
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +4]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] soak
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 4, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 8 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
Attacking Mama, deflected by Kemp
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 5, 6, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] soak
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +2]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] Kire: guarding

Mama: summoning (rolls later)

Adam
1. Bite Iona!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Damage +2]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Banshee] Soak 7d
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 5, 8, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Bite dan!]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 8 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Dan soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] Almost cheerfully, the Adren Fenrir takes blow after blow. It doesn't even rock his balance. The Ahrouns are starting to edge behind him -- though sklora-Myrgen leaps at the bane he's called for himself, tearing its wing off with one great bite.

It's started to look a little ragged.

[sklora-Myrgen] [Bite!]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage!]
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite: Dex + Brawl]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 9 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str + 2 hispo bite + 8 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 16 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 10 at target 6)

[-savior-] [nooo i wanna liiiive!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] That's two.

Soledad rips into the remaining Dancer, tearing his shoulder apart. Half of his torso goes with it. He drops, dead.

[Truth in Frenzy] 1 r claw a fresh bane!
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) Re-rolls: 2

[Truth in Frenzy] dam
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [chad soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 9, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] soak
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] Chad
Attacking Kire!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [dam +1!]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 7, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Soak, damn you!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 5, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] Dan
Attacking mama - deflected by sM
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [dam +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] El
Attacking Mama, deflected by Kemp
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 7, 7, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +5]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] soak
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 8, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
Deflected by Kemp
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Damage +3]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 9 at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] soak
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7 (Failure at target 6)

[Truth in Frenzy] dun dun dun....
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3 (Failure at target 8) [WP]

[-savior-] Here's the story they'll tell when the Galliards speak of Kemp, years from now:

That Kemp was an Adren. That he was mighty. That once upon a time his packmates literally catapulted him at a monster -- was it a thunderwyrm? was it a ur-skrag? -- and he tore it apart before he hit the ground. That his strength was that of three men. No, ten. That he was the Jarl of one of the consistently largest and strongest tribes in the Sept. That he was the master of his Auspice. That he was glorious, and honorable, and wise, and respected universally.

They'll say: he raised a caern.

They'll say: that he went into this final battle alert and cunning. That he took point on every blind turn. That he was fearless. That he was honorable. That he protected those given into his keeping.

They'll say: he tore a Dancer's throat open. Tore his head clean off. One bite, and the fucker was dead, man.

They'll say: he died defending a weaker Garou that wasn't even his packmate.

--

It's not some Dancer Athro that kills Truth in Frenzy. It's not some nexus crawler, some huge beast out of nightmare and prehistory.

It's just a goddamn bane. A footsoldier, something like a scrag, a little shit of a thing... just like the other little shit of the thing beside it, and the other, and the other, and all of them were attacking the Theurge, and even though there were four other Garou here, four other fucking Ahrouns, it was the Ragabash that took the majority of the hits.

Because he's like that.

--

Here's the story they won't tell.

That once upon a time Kemp was a scared, troubled boy who ran away from every foster home the state assigned him to. That Kemp never knew his father, or his father's father, or any of the mighty wolves in his lineage that gave him his changing blood. That gave him the touch of Fenris in his face and his fur, even if it's muddied through years of neglect and loss.

That once upon a time he was skinny kid that hid under a dumpster in a cookiecutter condo complex in northern Jersey. That some asshole of a Modi -- was he Cliath then, or Fostern already? -- grabbed him by the heels and hauled him out kicking and screaming. That later on some asshole of a Modi tossed a silver charm bracelet at him and made him freak out, then chased him around and around a Glass Walker's living room, shattering the coffee table and gouging over the couch, until the kid had nowhere left to go

and became a wolf.

That he had a pack before the pack he leads now. That there was a Glass Walker, and a Bone Gnawer, and two other Fenrir. That it was the Bone Gnawer that named Kemp, because on the night of his Rite of Passage he frenzied and came to some indisputable truth: that he's a Garou. That he's of Fenris.

That they had no Sept, but were the fucking terror of the Jersey slums and docks and factory rows and warehouses and junkyards. That they fought their own as much as they fought the Wyrm.

That once they had a race on the streets: Kemp on his goddamn motorcycle, that asshole of a modi in his truck, trying to run him over. That they used to beat each other up for fun.

That Kemp has a son somewhere, borne to him by a batshit insane Shadow Lord kin. There's no love between mother and father. There's little contact -- if any -- between father and son. But Kemp loves his boy. You know, because he sends his boy money out of what little he has, even though more often than not Kemp goes around in shoes that are flapping open at the end and jeans that are almost worn through at the seat. You know, because Kemp never knew his father, and he would never abandon his son like that.

--

When the end comes for Kemp, there's no pain. His gift keeps that from him. There's no time to think, no flash of his life before his eyes. That'll have to wait for posterity. For the tales people will, or won't tell about him.

All there is:

is a sudden flash of knowledge, a sense of claws cutting too deep, of internal organs coming unmoored, of ligaments torn loose and membranes ruptured and damage, damage, the killing kind, because you only have to look at Kemp to know he's survived so many of these before.

But not this one.

--


Here's another story they won't tell:

That he broke with his old pack. That he wandered alone for years. That the rest of that old pack drifted into the ether: the Glass Walker, the other Rotagar, the Bone Gnawer. That of the one brother left, there was so much bad blood between them that they scarcely spoke for years. That the jury's still out on whether his schism was an act of betrayal

or an act of deepest, starkest honor.

Here's the story they won't tell:

That for a while, Kemp was very close to Harano. Very close to a grey, nameless end. That he rose from that. That he gathered young wolves to himself, and forged a pack. That he guided his pack and his tribe with wisdom and honor -- but also with some deep and abiding sense of never being good enough, though that was not true, and never was.

That near the end, it took immense strength for Kemp to simply admit:

I am a leader. I am good enough.

--

This one, though. This hit. This last, terrible blow.

It's the first of its kind, and the last: a killing blow. A truly fatal blow. And he's wise enough, and experienced enough, to know it.

There's no pain. There's no rage. No outrage, either. No sense of being cheated, or being wronged, or not having completed some imaginary task or deed.

No confessions, no last vision, no last words, nothing to set his affairs into order. No last command to his pack. That's for the followers of the white christ, or whatever totem or god those weaker wolves believed in. For a Fenrir, there's only this much:

all right, then.

And this:

i'm ready.

--

One more story. One more tale they won't tell, years from now.

That at the end, the Ahrouns with Kemp were no longer jostling to take the hits. That as the damage piled on and the banes kept on coming, they started to look to their own wounds. They looked at his troll skin. They presumed him immortal, and invincible.

That at the end, they were happy to let him suffer blows for them. That of the six hits directed at their Theurge, Kemp took four. Gladly.

That sklora-Myrgen took two of his own volition.
That Kire took only what was coming for him.
That Soledad took none at all.

That's a story the Galliards won't tell. At least not years from now when they speak of Truth in Frenzy's glory, and sacrifice, and honor.

But it is the brutal truth.

--

All right, then.

No fear; no hate; no indignation or outrage. Leave that for others. For him: just this.

He's ready.

--

One last story:

Once upon a time, when they were cubs and cliaths and fosterns, they sometimes laid out in the lawn of the green belt out in front of the Glass Walker's condo. That spring was mild and that summer was long and lazy and warm. That night was endlessly clear. The grass was wet under their backs, and it smelled clean and green and fresh. He can almost feel it, the wetness of the earth seeping through his clothing. The prickle of the blades of grass.

And he can almost feel them around him, that first pack, the Fenrir, the other Fenrir, the Glass Walker, the Bone Gnawer, and the Fianna kin that lived next door to them all:

sprawled out in the summer grass, seven years ago, blissfully ignorant of all that would come,

passing a joint. Watching the stars.

[-savior-] [All right, sumup:

Sentry Bane 10A +4overkill
Adam 7A +1overkill
Ben 7A +1overkill
Chad 3A
Dan 7A
El OK
Fred OK
New bane: Gunnar OK

Banshee 3A
Mama OK
Kire 4A
Sol OK
sM 5A
Kemp RIP

And action order:
sM 17
Sol 15
Banshee 14
Banes 14
Kire 13
Mama 10]

[-savior-] [Oh and! Wyrmhole has taken 14 damage from 2 bodies thrown in]

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Still summoning

[Moving Mountain] [Reflexive: Blocking off for Mama; 1a. Block, 1b. Block again if necessary

[Moving Mountain] [Rage 1a. Attack El, 1b. Attack El]

[-savior-] Even as the mighty Adren is breathing his last, a new, foul beast is crawling from the depths.

The Wyrmhole shudders with every body thrown in. Little by little -- though perhaps they're only imagining it -- the edges are receding from the walls. The hole is beginning, only barely beginning, to close.

The newest bane drags himself from the edge with talons as long as daggers. His voice is a hideous hiss that only Mama (barely) understands.

"Kiiillll the weakessssst..."

It doesn't matter, though. Soon enough they'll all understand the meaning when the banes swarm and strike.

[Chad, Dan, El and Fred:
1. Attack sM
R1. Attack sM

If sM goes down, they will swarm Kire next, then Banshee.

Gunnar
1. Finishes getting born
R1. Attack! Same order as the rest.]

[Moving Mountain] [Reflexive: Change to blocking from El]

[Banshee] 1a) Bite Dan
1b) Bite Dan (Or Chad if dead)

[-savior-] [If you're taking a bullet for a buddy, declare it now! It's reflexive, but state which bane(s) you're taking hits from.]

[Muerte Fria] Reflexive: Block El and Fred attacks on sM

1a. Bite Dan
1b. Bite Dan

r1. Bite Chad
r2. Bite Chad

[sklora-Myrgen] [sM: Lambent Flame & Resist Pain still active.

1a. Bite Dan
1b. Bite Dan
Rage 1. Bite Dan
Rage 2. Bite Dan

Change to Chad if Dan dies, change to El if Chad dies.]

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -2 = 10)
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage on Dan]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -3 = 9)
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 5) [WP]

[-savior-] With a shriek, the first of the banes goes down.

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage on Chad]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [chad soaks!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 7 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite 1 on Chad: Dex + Brawl, -2 split]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 5 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 8 at target 6)

[-savior-] [nooo i wanna liiive!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite 2 on El: Dex + Brawl, -3 split]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 5 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 5, 5, 6, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1a) Bite Fred 9d @ diff 4
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 6, 6, 6, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 13d
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1b) 8d @ diff 4 Biting Fred
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 5, 5, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 10d Die you stupid fuck
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] El
Intercepted by Sol!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
intercepted by sol!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 7 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] Gunnar
Crawlin' out!

[Moving Mountain] [Bite El, dex + hispo 2 + brawl - 2]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 4, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 5)

[Moving Mountain] [Dam + Suxx + 1 bite]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 6, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Bite +2, dex + hispo 2 + brawl -3]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 7 (Failure at target 5)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Summoning. Jaggling Water Elemental.
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 5, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5) [WP] Re-rolls: 1

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Gnosis!!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Behind the shield wall of her Septmates, Mama's low chanting suddenly hits a new pitch, fervent. The air grows cool. The walls of the tunnel grow damp, bead condensation. It's a trickle first -- then a flood.

Water comes, drenching them all to the knees before forming into a semi-solid, amorphous, shifting shape: now a sphere, now a humanoid, now a curl of wave.

It observes. It does nothing to aid or hinder, yet.

[sklora-Myrgen] [Bite El]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] {damage}
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Water initting +6]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 5 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 6, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite El: Dex + Brawl, -1 diff flanking]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 5 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Bite El, Dex + Hispo 2 + Brawl -2]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 4, 9 (Failure at target 5)

[-savior-] El
Attacking sM, deflected by Soledad
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6)

[-savior-] dam +7
Dice Rolled:[ 15 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
Attacking sM, deflected by Sol
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [agggg. dam +5]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Soak]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Rage Back]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 2, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8) [WP]

[-savior-] Gunnar
Attacking sM, undeflected
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 5, 5, 8, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage!]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 5, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 8, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] Bite Fred!
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 6 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage +5]
Dice Rolled:[ 13 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, 7, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 4, 6, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Fred: Dex + Brawl]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 1 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 9, 10 (Failure at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Bite El! Dex + Hispo 2 + Brawl -2]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 5, 6, 8 (Success x 2 at target 5) [WP]

[Moving Mountain] [Dam + Suxx + Bite 1]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 4, 4, 4, 7, 8, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 4, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] In the wake of their elder's death, the Cliaths quite simply lose their shit.

Teeth snap. Chitin crunches. Three banes go down in heaps of filth and corruption. One stands relatively strong.

A fresh one drags itself from the birthing-hole, goes for them. And then another. It slashes, thrashes free of their sacs and membranes. The Garou can see needlelike fangs, slashing claws.

The banes are growing larger. Even as the wyrmhole dwindles -- no more than a third its original size now -- it seems to be spitting out mightier and mightier banes. They're running out of time.


[Banshee 2A
Mama OK
Kire 4A
Sol 5A, post rageback
sM 5A

Fred 3A
Gunnar OK
Harry OK
Wyrmhole has taken 44 damage, and looks much smaller.

Given all the wound penalties and new banes/elementals, let's reinit!]

[Mama Ankle-Biter] 7+
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 6

[-savior-] [Banes +8]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 7 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Water +6]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 2 (Failure at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] 12
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 9

[Banshee] Inits +8
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 7

[Muerte Fria] [+11]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 1

[Moving Mountain] [+7]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 7

[-savior-] sM 21
Banshee 15
Banes 15
Kire 14
Mama 13
Sol 12
Water 8

Water
Holding action. Observing.

Sol
1. Bite! Fred
R1. Bite! Fred
R2. Bite! Fred
R3. Bite! Fred

If Fred goes down, i'll redeclare for her!]

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Reflexive Give -1 Gnosis feed Water Elemental
Split Actions: -3 Gnosis Mother's Touch.
1a sM
2a Kire
3a Sol

[-savior-] Water
Ooo, yummy. I LIKE her.

Action change: Heal Mama.

[Moving Mountain] [Reflexive: Give -3 Gnosis; 1a. Bite Fred if he dies then Gunnar, 1b. Bite Fred if he dies then Gunnar]

[-savior-] Water
Wait wait. I like HIM better.

Action change: heal Kire.

[-savior-] Reflexive, Gunnar: "The weakest! End her for good!"

Fred
1. Attack Sol
R1. Attack Sol

Gunnar
1. Attack Sol
R1. Attack Sol

Harry
1. Get free
R1. Attack Sol
R2. Attack Sol

[as before, if you're taking hits for someone else, declare it now!]

[Banshee] Reflexive -1Gn to the Wyrmhole
1a) Bite Harry
1b) Bite Harry +WP
1R) Bite again

[Banshee] Delete reflexive then

[sklora-Myrgen] [sM: Lambent Flame & Resist Pain still active. Taking Fred/Gunnar/Harry's attacks on Sol.

1a. Bite Fred
1b. Bite Fred
1c. Bite Fred
Rage: Bite Fred

Change to Gunnar if Fred dies]

[Mama Ankle-Biter] [Taking Sol's attacks]

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -3 -2 for flank = 9)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8 (Success x 5 at target 4)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage!]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [just checking: mama's trying to take all attacks on Sol. is everyone else going with that?]

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -4 = 8)
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 5 at target 4)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 5, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] (Hispo Bite: Dex 9 + Brawl 3 -5 = 7)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 4 at target 4)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [nooo i wanna liiiive!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1a) 9d @ diff 4 flanking Biting Harry
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 7 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 14d
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] noooo i want to liiiive!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1b) 8d @ diff 4 + WP Same
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5 (Success x 1 at target 4) [WP]

[Banshee] Damage 8d
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [oy!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 4, 6, 10, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
Attacking Sol -- deflected by Mama
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 5, 7, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] Dam +3
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Soak!!! [Sacrifices Jacqui!!!!]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 8, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] Gunnar
Attacking Sol - deflected by sM
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] dam +2
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 3, 4, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 9 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Soaks?]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Rage 5 + WP

PS: I wanna liiiiii]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 5, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[-savior-] sM back at 6A and frenzied!

[-savior-] Harry
Attacking Sol - deflected by Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Dam +2
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 8 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Sooooak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 6, 7, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] 1a Mother's Touch on sM Specialty [Combat Healing]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 3) [WP] Re-rolls: 1

[-savior-] After a slow start, scrimmaging, skirmishing, the battle is now brutal and heated. Every hit is solid. Every drop of blood shed precious, as the Garou come down to the wire.

They've learned. Whatever else, Kemp's death has taught them: they need to work together. And by god, they do.

Every last bane is swarming onto Soledad. The Uktena is maddened, beyond reason. Not a single one of them manages to touch her.

In the process, a Bone Gnawer goes from perfect health to near dead. A Glass Walker drops unconscious. A Silver Fang dies and comes back.

No one touches Soledad.

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Mother's Touch on sM reroll
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 3, 5, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 6 at target 3) [WP] Re-rolls: 1

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Mother's touch on Sol
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 5, 6, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 3) Re-rolls: 1

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Mother's touch on Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 5, 9 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[-savior-] Banshee 3A
Mama 6A
Kire 5A
Sol 1A, frenzied
sM 1A, frenzied

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Fred: Dex + Brawl]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 8 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 7 suxx (A)]
Dice Rolled:[ 15 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] noooo i want to liiiive!
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Water
Cool water bathes Kire: his Gnosis donation returned.

[10 gnosis, diff 8 for agg wounds!]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 1 at target 8)

[sklora-Myrgen] Bite!
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] [D]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 8, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1R) Biting the fuck outta Harry 10d @diff 4 still
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 9, 10 (Success x 1 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 8d
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 6, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] Fred
Attacking Sol. mama deflects.
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] [dam +2]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 8 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] SOAK MAMA!
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Rage Revive.
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 3, 8 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[-savior-] Gunnar
Attacking Sol. Kire deflects.
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 5, 7, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +3]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] Harry
Attacking Sol
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 5, 5, 5, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [forgot -- Kire deflects. dam +3]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Soooooak, plz. It's Easter, show me Jesus!]

[Moving Mountain]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 7, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Fred: Dex + Brawl]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 2 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage: Str 6 + 2 hispo bite + 1 suxx]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [just die!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] Gunnar
R2 - Attacking Sol
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage!]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 4, 4, 4, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [SOAK]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Fred]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8 (Success x 3 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 4, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [just die!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] [Soledad: I'm so angry! Who do I attack next?
1-3: Water
4-6: Gunnar
7-10: Harry]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 5

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Gunnar]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-savior-] Three Garou in wild frenzies.
Two barely hanging on to their sanity -- and their lives.
One dead.

Against that:

One bane, finally groaning to a standstill.
Two more, strong, birthed last, still fighting.

And:

The wyrmhole -- one more bane, larger than all the rest, clawing its way out of it. It's huge, corpulent, what features it might have obscured by rolls of flesh. Human-looking flesh, devoid of features. Tufts of hair here and there. A suddenly huge mouth, letting loose a resonant, shuddering moan. Almost out. Almost here. Almost --

and then those still aware throw their latest kill in. And a soundless implosion pushes against their eardrums, shudders the ground beneath them. The bane's moan becomes a scream, frantic, furious. Claws burst out of its flesh and cling scrabbling to the bloodied earth. Clings to life, clings to the world --

-- slips, at last, and is sucked back into the collapsing wyrmhole.

The baleful glare is gone. It's dim in here now, but they can still hear the two banes still with them, hissing.

[Hopefully final round!
sM 21
Banshee 15
Banes 15
Kire 14
Mama 13
Sol 12
Water 8

Gunnar 4A - looks damaged, but not severely.
Harry 2A -- looks barely scratched.

Banshee 3A
Mama 6A post rageback
Kire 4A
Sol 5A post rageback
sM 1A post rageback

Water declares:
1. Holding action again. Pay the piper!

Soledad declares:
1.
R1.
R2.
R3. - Attacking Gunnar ]

[-savior-] Mama
1d10, same as the last, to determine next target.
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 3

[-savior-] [scratch that! evens gunnar, odds harry]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 8

[-savior-] Sorry, I should be specific:
Soledad
1. Bite
R1. Claw
R2. Bite
R3. Claw

Mama
1. Bite
R1. Claw
R2. Bite -- all on gunnar.

[Moving Mountain] [1a. Bite Gunnar; R. Bite Gunnar]

[-savior-] Gunnar
"The weakest! Bring her down!"
1. Attack Mama
R1. Attack Mama

Harry
1. Attack Mama
R1. Attack Mama
R2. Attack Mama

[as usual, if you want to declare taking a hit, do it now! only unfrenzied chars have this option]

[Banshee] 1a) Bite Harry
1b) Bite Harry + WP
1R) Bite Harry one more time

[-savior-] sM
1-3 Water
4-6 Gunnar
7-10 Harry
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 4 (Failure at target 6)

[sklora-Myrgen] [Bite]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 10 at target 5)

[-savior-] sM
1. Bite Gunnar
R1. Claw Gunnar
R2. Bite Gunnar

[sklora-Myrgen] [D]
Dice Rolled:[ 17 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 9 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1a) 9d @ diff 4
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 4 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 11d
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 4, 7, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1b) 8d @ diff 4 + WP
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 9, 9 (Success x 5 at target 4) [WP]

[Banshee] Damage 12d
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 7, 10, 10, 10 (Failure at target 6)

[-savior-] Gunnar
1. Attacking Mama - deflected by Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 4, 6, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [dam +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Soak, c'mon baby Jesus]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 2, 5, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] Harry
1. Attacking Mama - deflected by Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9 (Failure at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Bite you, Gunny; Dex + Brawl + Hispo 2 -2] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 2 at target 5) [WP]

[Moving Mountain] [Dam + suxx + bite 1]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8, 8, 8 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Bite
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 6, 7, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 5)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Damage
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] gah!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 7, 7, 8, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Muerte Fria] [Bite Gunnar]
Dice Rolled:[ 11 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 5)

[Muerte Fria] [Damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [nooo i want to liiiive!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 7, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] Slowly but surely, the tide seems to be turning.

Only one bane now.

[sklora-Myrgen] Bite!
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 7 at target 5)

[sklora-Myrgen] [D]
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-savior-]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Banshee] 1R) 10d @ diff 4 Die you fucktard
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 5 at target 4)

[Banshee] Damage 12d
Dice Rolled:[ 12 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] soak!
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 9, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] Harry
Evens Iona
Odds Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 1

[-savior-] Harry
Attacking Mama - deflected by Kire
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-savior-] [damage +1]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Soak, c'mon! Last round!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Moving Mountain] [Rage back!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 5, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[Moving Mountain] [Dex + Hispo 2 + Brawl]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 5, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 5 at target 5)

[Moving Mountain] [Dam + suxx + bite 1]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Claw
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Mama Ankle-Biter] Damage
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)

[-savior-] [soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-savior-] By the end, none of them even know what the fuck is going on anymore. Four of them are frenzied. One is dead. One is still sane, still alive -- but it's too damn dark to see, and the air is fetid with blood, with visceral stink, with taint and corruption.

All they know is:

It's over. The throb of hate, hate, hate in their minds is gone. The source is closed. Overhead, the battle rages on, but none will come to replenish the ones killed now.

They've won. They've lost one of their most respected warriors, and nearly every single one of them has died and come back tonight, and nearly always for someone else's sake --

and they've won.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

the one who was foretold [ii]

[-the foretold-] When the last cadence of the Garou's voice falls away, they are left alone, lost, suspended in a darkness that obscures even their awareness of themselves. It's like they've lost all proprioception -- all sense of where their bodies begin and end -- all sense of living, of being alive, of having physical form at all.

There's an interminable period of this. Or perhaps it's only an instant. Such oblivion obliterates all time-sense as well.

Then: things begin again. Things are, they come into being. First, the tolling of a distant bell; but this is different from the urgent toll of the bell in the tower, warning dangerdangerdanger with every strike. This is a freer, more melodic toll, many sounds blending into one, and as it swells and grows they become aware of other things.

Voices, a backdrop of overlapping voices, some speaking, others calling. Merchants hawking their wares; heralds shouting the news of the empire. People in the streets -- hoofbeats on cobblestone, wooden wheels groaning. Animals lowing and neighing and grunting. Children, shouting.

Darkness lifts and they stand in the central square of a much larger city than the village they saw before. In 2009, this would hardly count as a village, but now, in 1100-something, it's a bustling city, large enough to justify a church, paved roads, a market square. The stone edifice of a christian church faces them, pigeons roosting in the eaves. The sun is in the sky; their shadows on the stones say it is midday.

It is warm. They are no longer dressed in their everyday clothes, but in the unfamiliar, roughspun garb of the time: long simple gowns belted at the waist for the women; knee-length tunics and braies for Kemp. Each of them carries a leather satchel or purse, inside which they'll find their personal belongings -- whatever they may carry into the world on an ordinary day. It is not necessarily the same assortment as they found on their persons the last time they awoke.

The herald behind them cries: "A royal decree from his Majesty, Alfonso VII, King of León and of Castile, King of Galicia, beloved of our Lord, in the second Sunday of the seventh month of the most holy year eleven hundred thirty-one: henceforth, all tax monies are due at the first of the month. Questions of date-keeping should be addressed to your local priest. No further notice will be given..."

Across the square, a group of preadolescent boys break out into shouts and laughter, running helterskelter beneath the eaves of wooden buildings, past merchant's stalls. From the church come the last of the Sunday mass worshippers, the women straightening their veils, the men shielding their eyes from the brilliance of the summer sky.

[Danicka Musil] This time, the first thing Danicka does is not straighten herself up but look around, checking on the others, making sure she knows who she is with and who they are. Her hair is parted down the center and braided, covered by a veil. In this era that is no surprise: she is middle-aged for the twelfth century, and of course would be married by then. Unless there was something wrong with her.

Her bag is weighed down with things no woman of this time would ever be carrying: a book, for one thing. That's not even mentioning the firearm, the talens, her makeup, a notebook, her cellphone. She shades her eyes with her hand and looks up at the church, then turns her head and looks at the herald.

Three years. Which makes her watch the boys across the square, then, holding her tongue for now just as she did the last time the six of them awoke in a strange place. Strange time.

[Kemp Oates] Leon again. He blinked as his vision cleared and he found himself in....

"Fuck...."

He felt down his body and bent, lifting the front flap of the tunic.

"...panty hose."

Kemp was not the typical Fenrir when it came to coloring. His complexion and hair coloring was suited to this part of the world. His faint breeding and coloring showing that indeed at least once in his ancestry there had been either a Native American or perhaps Spaniard. What didn't blend in was his nearly six and a half foot height.

One foot lifted then the other as he examined his footwear and twisted to look at the backside of the tunic before the church spilled it's contents out the doors.

[Lonna Larson] There were thoughts to be had here, and her first was the simple thought of.. well... she itched. The clothes were not so much comfortable as they were authentic. When the woman looked around, she took in the area. Lonna Larson was a lot of things, and a historian was not one of them... however, this was one of those times that she was fairly certain that she didn't need to be sticking out or something of the sort.

July. 1131.

She's already insanely tall for a woman, she has to stand like a giant in this crowd. Not bad for a spinster, not bad at all. BUt still, she definitely wasn't from here.

[Katherine Bellamonte] For Katherine it feels as if mere moments ago she had just finished waging a battle in defense of those she barely knew. Had it been moments? Or longer? Hours? Days? ... far longer. Suddenly it is bright, there is light surrounding her and her skin is warmer than it has been in weeks, there is material far rougher than she's ever felt rasping at her skin and the Silver Fang's eyes, once adjusted, blink and she raises her arm to shield them.

Wonderful, now where were they and why had they taken her lovely expensive clothing and replaced it with rags?

The Half Moon's fair hair was braided likewise to Danicka, mostly covered against prying eyes by more linen that felt awkward to her, and horrendously unfitting for someone of her stature and standing. Still, she tolerated it because she knew she was not in her own time and where-so-ever they landed now -- 1131 -- at least they looked less conspicuous.

[Liadan Whelan] Just because she's dressed like the common people of the time, Lee doesn't blend into the crowd any more easily than she did the last time she woke in this strange world. She's taller than most of the males who pass her by. Her thick red hair has been braided and covered, but there is still the matter of her glasses. She stands out in the crowd, and no amount of ducking or slouching will hide her, so she doesn't.

The plain leather satchel contains writing utensils, a notebook, a brush, a Canon PowerShot, and her wallet, among other things. She doesn't expect any of it to be particularly useful, unless she needs to call on lightning to give her an advantage in a fight again. She doesn't even bother looking inside to make sure everything is in place.

Her eyes go to the wares being peddled. The jewelry and crafts of 1131 Spain. Boys are laughing in the square. Lee lifts her head to look at them, then her eyes go to the church.

[Imogen Slaughter] Like Danicka, Imogen looks at her surroundings, at the herald who speaks, her brow furrowing at the year she hears.

A quick glance toward Kemp, his bad language, his declaration of 'panty hose', a glance down at the braies. A twist of her mouth, not really humour. "Not quite."

The shout of adolescent boys catches her attention. Her eyes narrow as one hand absently grasps the satchel at her waist, feeling the shape for her weapon.

"Does anyone see any that we saw th'last time 'round?" Her eyes scan the crowd.

The questions of why or how are left out - though she has begun to form her opinions.

[Danicka Musil] [perception + alertness]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1

[Imogen Slaughter]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[Katherine Bellamonte] [Per + Alert: Church goers!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Lonna Larson] {per+alert: general layout of the town, anything familiar?}
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 8, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Kemp Oates] He glanced up from examining the braies with Imogen's question, muttering something like.

"What the fuck? Hope I don't gotta go in a hurry, fucking no zippered shit, where's the damned buttons on this thing?"

Squinting at the scattering boys and people vomiting from the church.

"Try and look natural."

Yeah like that was gonna happen.

[Liadan Whelan] [also scoping out churchy peeps]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1

[Kemp Oates] per+alert...church and boys
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] So far, no one seems to have noticed their sudden appearance -- if indeed they've suddenly appeared. This time they're all on their feet, standing in a loose group, like a cluster of friends conversing after Mass. Their clothes mark them as peasantry or tradesmen, one of the plebeian crowd.

Their height, of course, would never blend in here. Nor their cleanliness, their fine skin, their dental hygiene, their faces which, though they ranged from rather plain to rather pretty by modern standards, were all but edifices of ageless art in this time.

All the women have linen veils, however. That helps a little; shields the flame-red of Liadan and Imogen's hair, dims the brilliant gold of Danicka's and Lonna's and Katherine's, gives them something to pull over their faces a little. Kemp's coloration, indeed, blends here: darkhaired, much like the Leonese in the summer sun. He's also wearing a chaperon, a small cloak-and-hood that can be pulled over his head to obscure his face somewhat... though he'd still be left with his enormous height.

People are starting to notice them now, this group of beautiful giants in their midst. This is a large city, so at least strangers are not an uncommon sight here, but strangers such as these have surely never been seen in these parts before. They get passing glances as the plainfolk go about their business. One little girl stops to stare, her finger in her mouth, until her mother tugs her impatiently along with a suspicious glance toward the strangers.

Across the way, the boys are still shouting and laughing and running, a gaggle of them a dozen or more strong, roughhousing as boys will in this time or another.

The last of the churchgoers have left the stone building now. The last man out looks like an outlander as well: taller than most the men, perhaps as much as 5'9", 5'10" in height, and with very fair skin and hair. The priest seems to be on good terms with him. They speak for a while, then clasp hands and part.

[-the foretold-] You basically see what's already in the post *LOL*
to Lonna Larson

[-the foretold-] In addition to what's in the post, you all notice that the boys across the way appear to be following a leader: they run where he does.
to Danicka Musil, Imogen Slaughter, Katherine Bellamonte, Kemp Oates, Liadan Whelan

[-the foretold-] Additionally, the fellow coming out of the church definitely doesn't look like he's from around these parts. His clothes are of finer quality than most, though, and there's a certain deferential quality to the priest's friendliness; perhaps a minor nobleman, visiting from abroad?
to Danicka Musil, Imogen Slaughter, Katherine Bellamonte, Kemp Oates, Liadan Whelan

[-the foretold-] It soon becomes quite apparent to Liadan and Imogen, however, that the boys are not so much following one boy as they're chasing him. Most of them are laughing and shouting, but he's not. There's also a cruel, jeering quality to the laughter.

The boy looks quite a bit like the boy from the village, Christopher/Cristobal.
to Imogen Slaughter, Liadan Whelan

[Kemp Oates] It was the boys that had most of his attention and he started across the street, trying to avoid mud holes and puddles. Canting his head to those he passed as if greeting them as anyone would after Mass. A sweep of the plain cloak here and there as he regally canted his head murmuring greetings.

For once he was going to find it hard to blend in. He felt like a giant here.

[Danicka Musil] There isn't much hesitation on Danicka's part. She isn't paying attention to the church and doesn't really notice the man coming out of it, shaking hands with the priest. Her eyes are on the leader of the pack over there, and when Kemp starts heading that way, Danicka is just a step behind.

And then more than a few steps behind. Kemp has roughly a foot of height on her and isn't wearing a dress, and Danicka does not run to catch up.

[-the foretold-] Also, the man from the church: definitely a man of status. His clothes are well-made, his person clean and groomed. There are rings on his fingers, at least one of which is a signet ring, perhaps from his patron lord.
to Imogen Slaughter, Liadan Whelan

[-the foretold-] Imogen has an almost preternatural sense of foreboding from the fairhaired man on the church steps.
to Imogen Slaughter

[Katherine Bellamonte] Rather than head for the boys, as Kemp does, the other Garou in their midst falls into her best rendition of a lowly-born wife of someone far too dirty for her to contemplate ever existing and makes a dignified, if careful, bee-line toward the Church steps and the well-dressed gentleman conversing with the Priest.

The other stranger, was, in her own time, far more likely to be her equal in terms of nobility.

[Liadan Whelan] Lee, staring at the church and the people coming out of it, is caught momentarily by the sight of the nobleman. It's not enough to hold her interest, however, the actions of the boys is.

She watches the boys at "play," and she frowns. Lee is not a fan of children, they make her uncomfortable, uneasy. There's a deep sense of hesitation as she takes a step forward, then another. And then, with more certainty, she strides across to where they're running and laughing as they chase one of their number. She recognizes the boy, after all.

Líadan stops just outside the perimeter of their play, waits until the boy being chased is within her reach, and she grabs him by the shoulder, hauling him toward her.

"Cristobal, we've been looking for you," she says somewhat cheerily.

[Lonna Larson] People are looking at them.

In turn, Lonna has found herself interested in the rather impressive, rather notable church in front of her. Katherine was moving in that direction and, in turn, the Child of Gaia thought that this was a good time to go make right with the divine powers that be. Even in the middle ages, women should probably travel in packs.

[Kemp Oates] At least he didn't have fleas. He didn't have louse in his hair. He needed a damned beard or goatee. He would of shaved his legs if he'd had any idea he'd be wearing this funky shit that tugged at leg hairs as he walked. The length of the tunic at least hid his ass in these damned thick, poor excuse for panty hose.

Then Liadan spoke, calling the lead kid by his name and Kemp veered off, finding sudden interest in a horse, who was likely not going to be too thrilled with the sudden interest. This was his version of looking casual.

[Imogen Slaughter] Imogen's gaze has been on the man at the steps. It shifts first as Kemp starts away, and then as Katherine starts toward the object of the slight kinwoman's attention.

She is not so slight here - likely a rare experience.

"Katherine," her voice is low, but carefully pitched. If the Silver Fang turns toward her, she steps forward, her homespun skirt rustling as she moves, eddying about her legs unpleasantly.

"Let me join you."

[Katherine Bellamonte] Lonna, and Imogen, as she addresses her, fall into step with the elegant blond. "Did you notice something?" She asks in what would, one assumes, have passed as the soft gossiping murmur of women of this time period.

[Imogen Slaughter] A glance toward the Silver Fang, her eyes carefully guarded, her expression composed. There is little betrayed of her emotion. If she finds this disorienting, or terrifying, if she is intrigued or resigned.

"Something's wrong," she says simply. "I'm not quite sure what yet."

A pause. "Perhaps when I'm closer."

[Danicka Musil] The Fenrir veers off, but Danicka keeps heading towards the boys. Her jaw tightens when Lee grabs one of them and pulls him over. She finishes her strides to come up to Cristobal and Lee, looking down at the other boys. She must be ancient, to them.

[-the foretold-] As the priest returns to the sanctuary of his church, his fairhaired friend begins to descend the stone steps. He carries himself confidently, head up, shoulders back, spine straight. Already tall and bright, his poise gives him an aura of mastery, a presence that makes the plainfolk look upon him with instinctive respect. They keep out of his way, giving him a clear path to the beautiful gray gelding tethered at the foot of the steps, which must belong to the fair-haired man.

Which makes Imogen, Katherine and Lonna stand out all the more as they not only fail to step aside, but approach him directly. Three women, one taller than most the men in this town: the fairhaired man looks at them with mild surprise, which burgeons into a sort of closekept appreciation. His eyes are a clear, soft gray. He is young, his beard neatly trimmed to chin and jaw, a fashion that will not reach this town for at least another decade. He bows to them, a shallow, polite dip from the waist.

"Gentle ladies." He's not speaking modern English, either. They don't even notice unless they stop to think about it -- not the strange consonants and shifted vowels, not the upended word order. "Can I be of assistance?"

--

Meanwhile, the horse Kemp has approached is none other than the fairhaired man's. It is a mature gray, most its coat faded to a pure white, blinding in the sunlight. Only the dark lashes and the dark skin visible at the nose and mouth indicate that this horse was born gray; a true white horse would be pink-skinned.

It dances sideways, apprehensive, eyes rolling when its tether snaps taut.

--

Meanwhile, Liadan has strode across the square. The boys are running in earnest now, the one in the lead plunging straight ahead, not looking back. He's zigzagging across the square, doubling back, heading not for the church but the narrow, cobblestoned street beside the church.

The boys behind him are shouting:

"That's right! Run!"
"Run, you fatherless bastard!"
"Devilspawn!"
"Freak!"
"My mother says anyone who doesn't go to Mass is condemned to burn!"

Liadan cuts Cristobal off, snatches him to a halt. Danicka is behind her, quickening her steps to come up beside the redhead. The boy, Cristobal, stares up at Lee with wide frightened eyes, panting too hard to speak, squinting against the glare.

The group of boys skid to a halt too, panting. One or two shout a few more insults, then fall silent, shifting uneasily, looking to each other for courage.

[Lonna Larson] [per+empathy: what's this nobleman thinking about?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] (counterroll! specialty applies. not revealing specialty. *foldspaws*)
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Kemp Oates] For his part, he was doing his best to blend in and hold back the low rumbled growl that boy's calls made rise from his gullet. In this day and time the Church held great power, he'd seen more than one movie. Anything not explainable, anything that went against the grain was pointed at as Witchcraft and Demonology. But he had been called a Bastard. He'd been taunted for not having parents. He'd gone through a lot of this bullshit and bullying as a child. And he had felt the shame, the hurt and pain of not belonging to anyone. Not being good enough. Of being a freak because he was different.

The dancing horse was forgotten as he fought his own demons and the urge to step into the path of the boys and bare his teeth with a growl. Tension sang from his body and posture, no doubt making the horse all the more unhappy.

[Katherine Bellamonte] [Per + PU]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] They have a hard time seeing under this one's skin. As far as they can tell, he's affable, friendly, aware of his status but not made arrogant by it, and rather pleased -- albeit surprised -- to be approached by such unusually pretty ladies on a pleasant Sunday noontide.
to Katherine Bellamonte, Lonna Larson

[Liadan Whelan] Even in the modern world, Lee is too tall for most children to handle. Now, in this era, where more youths are underfed and poorly cared for, she towers over the bullies. Even in plain, homespun clothing, she looks regal compared to the women of this era. And she doesn't even have the poise of the beautiful blonde woman at her side.

To the boys, she quirks a reddish brow and says, "Really? Mass just let out, and I didn't see you boys with the crowd."

She maintains a grip on Cristobal's shoulders, oddly protective.

[-the foretold-] The horse is snorting and blowing now, its front hooves dancing. It jerks at its tether. Soon enough its owner will notice its distress.

[Kemp Oates] He completely ignored the horse, stepping away from it and towards the pack of braying boys. Stepping right into the path like one great big, mean tempered Giant that was going to grind their bones to make his bread. That's what the bearing of his teeth at the group of boys said.

[Danicka Musil] He's not a leader, then. They weren't following him but chasing him, and realizing this, hearing their insults, a muscle in Danicka's jaw tightens slightly. She has never gone out of her way to fuss over those around her, stroking their hair back or asking after their problems. She is not known for her compassion, at least not back in Chicago.

Once upon a time, in New York City, she had such a stellar reputation, was such a good mark on her family, that even Garou who had never met her knew about Night Warder's daughter, Heals By Pain's sister. A good woman. A good kin.

But not necessarily a tenderhearted woman.

Kemp resists his urge to step in front of the boys who would be about as able to handle his rage as that horse over there and terrify them with a snarl. Danicka tips her head at the group, finds the largest of them, the one with the brightest eyes, the one most likely to be the leader, and backhands him across the face. In 2009 treating a child like this, even a preadolescent, is flat-out abuse. She suspects that to one of these, it's little better than a lovetap.

Or a warning.

She jerks her head down the street. "Christ didn't go to Mass and his Father was in Heaven, as is Cristobal's. Run along."

[-the foretold-] The boys clustered around, sullen with thwarted ill intent, are by and large preadolescents. The youngest is perhaps eight; the oldest and the de facto leader, maybe twelve, which makes him about Cristobal's age and almost a man. He's a tousle-haired, dark-eyed boy, lower lip pooched out now as he glares up at Liadan.

"He has the mark of the Devil on him," he insists to a chorus of yeah!s. "Look at his face. You can even see the claws."

Cristobal's narrow shoulders flinch in Liadan's hands. He's taller than the ringleader -- quite tall, in fact, nearly Danicka's height already -- but slighter, thinner, without the other boy's solid, compact build that was already starting to widen with adolescence. Silently, Cristobal's hand comes up to cover his marked face --

and that's when Danicka's hand flies out to slap the ringleader across the face. The other boys gasp in shock. One or two of the smaller ones clap hands over giggles. The ringleader gapes at the blonde, his own hand now across his cheek, an unconscious mirror of Cristobal.

[Imogen Slaughter] (aw, what the hell.

Perception)
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6) [WP]

[Katherine Bellamonte] Katherine, not successfully peering as deeply as she'd have liked beneath this gentleman's skin settles for regarding him with a forthrightness that does not belong to one of her social standing. Beneath her veil, her hair is fair, her skin wonderfully clear of any markings of malnourishment, of the ill-fed this nobleman is no doubt accustomed to -- or pretending to be. Her lips curve in a smile befitting one utterly humbled by the figure before her.

She all but titters.
And inwardly feels revolted.

"My most humble and revered Lord, we are not fit to stand before you," Katherine lowered her lashes, peeped at him from beneath them. "But myself and my sisters are but travelers here, and we wondered if you could tell us about this great village. Please, spare some time out of your days to inform such ignorant folk as us."

[Lonna Larson] She's usually quite good at reading people. However, right now, she can't get a feel off of this guy. He's affable, he's friendly, he's well aware of his status but it does not make him any less of a gentleman.

Lonna knows how to talk to her betters, and she knows how to ask questions of her betters while she was trying to determine something. She looks down, and she smiles gently. For her, humility was something genuine. She holds her hands in front of her, and instead finds his attire more interesting.

"We would greatly appreciate it, good sir," she might know this sort of thing in two thousand nine, but trying to keep up here was throwing the child of Gaia for a loop.

[Kemp Oates] "How would you fatherless sons of dogs know the mark of the horned one?"

He waved them away.

"Go, return to your homes before the Priest makes you clean the floor for your lack of studies and makes you recite scripture. Go on."

Again the shooing motion as he towered there like a wall between the boys and their intended victim of torment.

[Imogen Slaughter] Even in modern times, the health and strength of these women borders on the preternatural. Here, it is supernatural, inhuman, beyond possibility.

They have white teeth. Clear skin, bright eyes with healthy, white sclera. Their gums do not bleed, and they know the taste of spearmint.

Imogen is still as Katherine titters, asks her questions in a self-effacing manner, and Lonna follows it up. Imogen merely remains silent, still, her veil lowered to half hide her face, in particular her eyes as she watches the nobleman, and then their immediate surroundings.

[Liadan Whelan] The boys gasp and stare at Danicka in shock. Lee takes a step back, then turns, keeping her arm across Cristobal's shoulders as she leads him away toward Kate and the others.

"Do you remember us?" she asks as they walk, tilting her head so the boy can hear her lowered voice. He might not remember them. A moment ago they were in the shadow of a tower on a hill, learning that Cristobal's father had been killed as the world faded away. It's been three years for the slight young man nestled in the crook of her arm. It's an awkward gesture, one not meant to comfort so much as it is to protect, guard. "We were there the day your father died."

[-the foretold-] The fairhaired young lord's eyes flick past the women, touch first on his horse and the forebodingly tall man beside it, then to the boys, just in time to see Danicka smack the boy. He frowns a little, then turns back to Lonna, Katherine and Imogen.

"Ah. I myself am a traveler. I am Durand of Rennes, in the County of Brittany, a few months' ride and sail from here. Nevertheless, let me be the first to welcome you to Compostela. I would be happy to answer all your questions that I possibly could, gentle ladies, but -- " his eyes flick again to the boy, " -- I'm afraid I see an act that cannot be tolerated. Excuse me."

Without waiting for a goodbye, with all the innate assurance of one born to privilege, the fairhaired young man strides past them, across the square and toward where the others are facing off against a gaggle of boys.

[-the foretold-] The boys may have summoned the courage to backtalk two women -- albeit two preternaturally tall, lovely ones -- but when Kemp looms up between them and their target, that's the end of that. The smaller ones simply turn and run, some of them heading straight for their mothers picking at the cheap jewelry and sundry wares of the merchants in the square; some disappearing down crooked, winding streets.

The larger ones bluff and bluster some more before following suit. Last to leave is the ringleader, who takes the time to give Kemp the pretense of a narrow-eyed once-over, head to toe and back again.

"When I'm bigger," he threatens, "I'll show you. Bully."

Off he goes too, then. But as soon as he turns tail, Cristobal pulls free of Liadan, throwing her arm off his shoulders. Head low, fists jammed into the single pouchlike pocket in the front of his tunic, he starts walking away from them.

Across the square, they can clearly see the fairhaired young lord altering his path to intercept Cristobal.

[Kemp Oates] "Come see me when you have grown hair on your lower regions. I wait for the moment."

He called after the leader, chuckling just to add a little salt to the wound.

[Liadan Whelan] The boy pulls away, and Lee lets him go. She's not the type to chase after someone like a mother hen, especially not a boy she knows nothing about. Except that the Wyrm wants him, has already tried to harm him. This could be the time the Wyrm tries to ward him, or tries to corrupt him.

Or both.

Regardless, the tall redhead hooks her thumb against the strap of her satchel and watches Cristobal, watches the fine nobleman alter his course to intercept the boy. She slows her pace by a fraction, hoping to be passing by them as the man reaches Cristobal so she can overhear or easily intercede again. Or something.

[Danicka Musil] "Cristobal," Danicka calls after him, just before she sees the nobleman, "where is your brother?"

As though he should be here. As though he should be the one protecting the boy, watching him. Her brow is furrowed, her neck and shoulders tense as though she had to exert just as much effort as the boys -- more -- to stand her ground when Kemp bared his teeth.

[Katherine Bellamonte] The nobleman abandons them in favor of chasing down Christobal, and Katherine wheels to follow at a more sedate pace, she cuts a look to both Imogen and Lonna, murmuring as she begins in pursuit. "Durand is the key somehow, I am certain of it. We cannot let him leave with the boy."

[Kemp Oates] "Philip."

His voice was a low murmur not far behind Danicka when she spoke to Cristobal. Having a feeling with the day and time and location they last saw this boy, his brother had perhaps died in a later raid.

[Imogen Slaughter] Imogen reaches out, but stops short of actually touching Katherine. It is merely a motion, a gesture to get the Silver Fang's attention.

"Should it be necessary," she says quietly, "I imagine a wolf would make a brilliant distraction."

Katherine moves in persuit and Imogen steps away, moving through the crowd, to where she can see the nobleman and the boy, but not in direct confrontation.

There are enough of them for that.

[Katherine Bellamonte] Imogen gets a glimpse of a blinding smile at that, half-concealed by the Half Moon's headdress. "I agree, that it would, as would any of those ware-carts overturning."

[-the foretold-] Approaching from the other direction, Katherine, Lonna and Imogen can see the boy's eyes flying wide open a second before he abruptly wheels around.

"I remember you," he hurls at Danicka, at all of them. There's surprising venom in his voice. "You think I don't? You were dressed differently then but the fox can't change his fur. I remember the six of you, pretending to be spirits of G-- goodness and grace. Pretending to be guardian angels.

"You let my father die! And now look!"

And then the fairhaired man is there. His hand, strong and firm, descends on the boy's shoulder. Cristobal flinches, but doesn't pull away. Durand of Rennes, if that's his name, leans down to look the boy in the eye.

"I saw what the other boys did," Durand says quietly, ignoring all others now. "That was not right."

[Danicka Musil] [perception + empathy: durand]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7 (Success x 4 at target 6) [WP]

[Danicka Musil] [perception + empathy: cristobal]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] (Durand, resisting!)
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Kemp Oates] Yeah, he knew that was going to turn around and bite them on the ass. He had been touched by the wrym alright. They saved his life, but they changed his life in failing to protect the father. This flash forward through time had not helped matters and there wasn't a whole lot he could argue about in what the kid said. He knew what it was like to grow up without a father. He knew what it was like to lack protection and connection.

Still Kemp had a bad feeling about this guy and in the next moment the hood was pulled up on his cloak and he was doing his best strolling, casual saunter towards that horse again. Fully intending to turn the fucker loose with a low growl to send it running.

[Liadan Whelan] Reddish brows hop up at Cristobal's venomous words, but Lee has no retort, no explanation, nothing to give the boy when the man comes up and lays his hand on him. The flinch is not missed.

Dark eyes sweep over the well dressed man, cold and analytical. Then her eyes drop to the area of the man's waist. Lee reads comics, she's watched anime and movies and television shows about this scenario. People from the present being thrown back into the past. It's not something she ever romanticized or even fantasized about doing, and yet here she is. It looks strange, such a tall, solid figured woman looking so demure.

"I beg your pardon, but why does it matter to you what other boys do to him?"

[Katherine Bellamonte] [Durand, when close enough]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6) [WP]

[Liadan Whelan] [Durand]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] Durand is intensely interested in Cristobal. Far more interested than a stranger should be, even a sympathetic one.
to Danicka Musil, Katherine Bellamonte

[Lonna Larson] [poor Cristobel, whatcha feeling?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] In fact, Danicka gets the feeling Durand is here specifically on Cristobal's account.
to Danicka Musil

[-the foretold-] Cristobal is angry and resentful toward the six. He blames them; that much is clear.
to Danicka Musil, Liadan Whelan

[-the foretold-] He also OWed pretty hard when his brother was mentioned. But oddly, it didn't seem much like the sort of grief one gets about a dead relative.

It's hard to say what the 'right' thing to say to him right now is. He's immensely upset by the reappearance of the six, though he's not showing that very readily. He blames them and sort of ... wants everyone to just LEAVE CHRISSY ALONE.
to Danicka Musil

[-the foretold-] fugg. that empathy read should've gone to lonna, not liadan.
to Danicka Musil, Liadan Whelan

[-the foretold-] Shit, sent this to Lee on accident:

Cristobal is angry and resentful toward the six. He blames them; that much is clear.
to Lonna Larson

[Danicka Musil] When he was younger -- and still a boy, despite being perhaps eight or nine, still a boy because he was more protected than anyone else in his village -- Cristobal was given a bead that did not so much break down in his body as turn into a supernatural weight that dragged him under the earth, melded him with mud and dirt and stone. He was aware of the fight going on above him. He could hear the screaming of his neighbors -- family, friends -- as they were cut down. He could only wonder if his brother would live, if it was all his fault, if there was something he could have been doing.

He was buried alive while his father died. And he remembers them from that night, and that night alone, pretending they were going to protect him. Protect any of them. Danicka tips her head as he references foxes changing fur, the corner of her mouth quirking slightly then stilling.

This is the first time that Danicka has gotten a good look at Durand, or whoever he is. Her head straightens, noting that flinch. She looks more closely at the nobleman, holding to the strap of the bag she has. Lee asks him a question about why he's interested in the boy, and Danicka glances over her shoulder at the church. She notes Kemp heading towards the horse and exhales, glancing at Imogen and then back to Cristobal.

She walks over to him, dropping her eyes to the boy's birthmarked face. "Who told you that we were Her spirits?" A pause. Her eyes are not green in this light, but a pale, cloudy blue. "Who told you that we could have saved your father and did not?"

[Katherine Bellamonte] This time, when the Garou makes her approach, she does not even attempt to dress down what she is; her Rage has spiked a notch, her patience wearing away with being stuck in an age before cleanliness was even an object of real concern. If she were forced to long consider the germs abounding her, she would lose her grip on sanity.

So, she focused on the one man she was certain was involved -- Durand of Rennes. She strode right up to the pair, and stared at him, then, dropping her eyes to the boy, added quietly. "We were not the ones who killed your father, Christobal." She leans down, bringing her face nearer to his own and studying his eyes. "You know this, in your heart, you know this." She offers the boy a clear insight into her pale blue eyes, before lifting them to Durand.

"Who are you and why do you focus on this child? I am fast out of patience with you, Sir so do not do me the dishonor of attempting to lie."

[Imogen Slaughter] Imogen has taken a position away from the group, isolated but still in sight. She lingers near one of the ware-carts, her attention shifting from those surrounding the boy to the surrounding crowd.

It is simple: she watches for anyone who might be taking undue interest, anyone who might begin to interfere. She watches the group for any need to act on her part. The moment where a distraction is necessary.

As Katherine confronts Durand of Rennes, her attention sharpens.

[Lonna Larson] She looks at Cristobal, and there is a quiet sort of concern in her eyes, and she bridges the gap.

He resents them, it's all she knows. The woman doesn't crouch to be on his level, she doesn't stoop, she doesn't give any indication, in fact, that he is any smaller than her or beneath her in any way. When she speaks, she speaks to him in the tone reserved for... well... adults.

"Resentment and hatred leads down a terrible path," she says, and she is all sweetness and light because that simply is who and what she is. Ever the voice of a mediator and bleeding heart, "be careful. Be watchful, you're a man. Trust your judgment, and don't let anyone manipulate you."

Present company included.

[Katherine Bellamonte]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 3, 5, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[Kemp Oates] Distractions and chaos, these were his bread and butter. Hard to make points with the boy, hard to keep your attention focused when there was chaos. If this had been back in Chicago and other circumstances, Kemp might of stolen the guy's car to remove his quick get away and cause some chaos. But this wasn't home and the getaway car had four legs. He moved closer the buildings, closer to where shadow might lay and did that thing that might make him a little less noticeable. Then he moved for where the horse was tethered to release the reigns. Just waiting for the right moment to let out the right amount of a growl to send it running.

[-the foretold-] The fairhaired man's eyes slice toward Liadan; he doesn't answer her. He sinks to his haunches instead, turning the boy to face him fully. Cristobal's eyes are sullenly fixed in the middle distance, but this doesn't seem to deter the man, whose own eyes are keen on the boy's face, picking up flickers and traces of emotion with every bit as much adeptness and wiliness as Danicka ever did.

"But," he continues, gently, "that is the way of the world ... Cristobal, is it? That is how things work. The strong take advantage of the weak. The strong rise and the weak are trampled. You cannot count on anyone's protection."

Durand's eyes flick to Danicka as she speaks, then back. Cristobal's eyes rise briefly to fix on Danicka's. He doesn't have an answer for that. No one actually told him that.

Before he can speak, though, Katherine strides forth. The boy's shoulders tense. Durand's hands pull him a little closer: protective.

And the boy flings at Katherine, defiantly: "You didn't save him! You could have! The villagers told me everything; they told me the magic you had"

(and perhaps it's noteworthy that Durand doesn't even blink at the mention of magic)

"the thunder and lightning you wielded. You could have done anything, but you let my father die!"

Durand speaks again: that soft tone, gently chiding, words laid down like radiant truths.

"Now, Cristobal, what have I just told you? You cannot blame them, because you could not rely on them in the first place. You must rely on your own strength," his eyes shift to Lonna briefly, and he nods at her as though they were compatriots, as though they were in agreement, "just as this lovely lady says. Your own strength and judgment, and no one else's.

"You have a brother, is that not so?"

At this, Cristobal's head snaps around. He faces Durand now, startled and wary.

"An older brother? One you trusted to protect you?"

Cristobal nods, slowly.

"Where is he now, Cristobal?"

[Katherine Bellamonte] "Did we not bleed with your own villagers, Christobal," The Silver Fang argues gently, genteelly, looking down at the boy, even as he twists to face Durand. "Did we not risk ourselves to save you all? Tell me what sort of evil-doer would do all this and yet allow your father to die? We are not here to hurt you," her eyes snap back to Durand.

"Do not tell him where your brother is. You cannot trust this man's words."

[Liadan Whelan] Lee's eyes rise to look at the boy, to frown at him. Durand lowers himself to be on a level with Cristobal and she watches him manipulate him. Tell him that the strong domniate the weak because that's the way the world works.

She looks at Cristobal, cocks her head slightly to the side.

"Is that what you want to do, Cristobal? Hurt people? Take advantage of those weaker and less able than you? Make people fear you? Is that what you think strength is?"

[Kemp Oates] Distractions, distractions. Hood up, he skirted closer to the tethered horse and sure enough, untied the reigns. Then he bared his teeth and let out a low growl a human throat should not be capable of before darting back for the shadows with a dramatic evil villain swish of cloak.

[Lonna Larson] He's not going to listen to reason, he's young and he's... well... negativity cloud's one judgment. The blonde doesn't speak, she doesn't quite say much of anything. She steps forward, and there's no reason why a woman should be, well, stepping into a man's space, much less the space of a man (boy, something) who resents both herself and her company. She laid her hand on his arm, and it was gentle. Her skin was soft, her demeanor was calm.

[cha+empathy: try and move some negativity]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 5, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6) [WP]

[Imogen Slaughter] She remains where she is, a hand reaching up absently to tuck a few stray strands of flaming hair beneath her linen veil.

The red is dulled beneath the white, but still present.

There is nothing to be done yet.

[Danicka Musil] Danicka glances at Kemp, and at Imogen, but it's a flick of her eyes, little more. She watches Lee and Kate speak to Katherine. She watches Lonna touch him, feels the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end at the woman's preternatural calm. Danicka exhales, snaps:

"Yes, I wonder how many more of your villagers would have died that night if they had all relied solely on their own strength and judgement. You're an idiot," she says, these last three words pinned at Durand. "And likely a coward as well."

[-the foretold-] For the first time, the fairhaired man, Durand, seems irritated by the persistent interruptions. His eyes rise to the gathered women and he lets out a short breath.

"Gentle ladies," he says, "please. This is a conversation between men, and not for your delicate ears. Please," he says again, and extends his hand, directing them aside.

Meanwhile, Cristobal opens his mouth to answer. Katherine cuts in. The boy's eyes slice to the Philodox, and for a moment -- for the first time since they've met him, this slight, damaged boy with too heavy a burden of destiny laid upon him -- there's a sudden, true strength in him; a flash of the steel that will last through his line for a thousand year.

Staring her boldly in the eye, he answers:

"My brother is not here."

Durand's attention comes back to him immediately, focused.

"My brother is home. With his wife. And their children. He sends to market on Sundays and he tells me it is so I can stretch my legs and see the world, but I know the truth. He just wants me gone. He--"

This is when across the square, Durand's horse suddenly rears, screaming, hooves slashing the air. Kemp vanishes back into the shadow of the church, but the horse is free. It wheels, sending townsfolk scattering from its path, and begins to bolt.

Simultaneously, Lonna lays her hand on the boy's arm. Cristobal struggles against her grip, but only for a second. In the next he suddenly goes limp, staring at her as

memories, emotions, resentment and sullen, seething anger floods from boy to woman. She gets an impression not only of the anger he has spoken of -- that they protected him by letting his father die -- but the rest of it as well.

Growing up in a village surrounded by kin and Garou who know of his destiny. Who know that he could rise to greatness or fall to abominable depths. Who know his fate is already decided, already chosen. Who look at him askance and wait for him to Fall; who restrained their suspicion and their distrust and their hate for respect of his father

who died three years ago.

"Damn it!" The fairhaired man's shout breaks Lonna's concentration, breaks the bond and sends woman and boy gasping apart. Durand bolts upright, looking after his horse -- then turns back, hurried now. His hands move at his waist, and then suddenly there's a dagger in his palm, sheathed still, encrusted in jewels, worked in silver and gold: a weapon fit for a prince.

"Here." He holds it out to the boy. "Take it, boy. The next time the other boys come for you ... you'll defend yourself. Won't you?"

The horse is cantering for the street now, bolting from the square in terror.

[Kemp Oates] Horse down, man to go. He smiled from the shadows, watching the terrified horse run while wanting to howl with glee. And it was through those shadows he moved again. Fortunately he didn't hear the offer of the dagger. He didn't get to click the message of "Take this dagger." Warding/Corrupting/False hope But he was heading that way.

[Katherine Bellamonte] The Garou reaches out to prevent the dagger being passed to the boy. "Violence for violence? What sort of answer does that bring him?" She snaps.

[Liadan Whelan] Líadan's brows rise again at being called a "gentle lady." And at the way he tries to dismiss them.

She doesn't know what Lonna sees, or feels, from the boy. All she knows is that he blames them for the death of his father, and that he thinks his brother doesn't want him around.

He's given a dagger, and Katherine cuts him off. Lee turns her head to watch the horse bolt, then back to the drama unfolding around her. "She's right. Violence begets more violence. If you hurt them, what will stop them from trying to hurt you? A life without trust is not much of a life at all."

She sounds like she's speaking from experience.

[Lonna Larson] The connection is broken, and the blonde's eyes widen slightly.

It's more than hatred, it's more than resentment and anger and insecurities, it's knowing what he has to go home to. It's knowing that your fate is already decided, that's been chosen. He has no control over this, it seems. It's being distrusted, simply for being born.

She inhales, and her breathing is unsteady for several different reasons. Her will is practically non-existent.

Her voice drops, and she is speaking to Cristobal... if for no other reason than, right now? Lonna understands on a level that is inhuman. That is supernatural.

"Your fate is decided," she tells him, "because you are the one who decides it."

She sounds so conflicted, so overwhelmed by that feeling, by wanting to despise those around her, by wanting someone or something to trust in. She does not wish to give him false hope, but rather, to give him some kind of hope at all.

"Trust that you will make mistakes, but also trust that you can repair them. "

[Danicka Musil] She gets away with it.

Danicka -- a woman, and a rather defenseless one -- calls Duran an idiot and a coward in the twelfth century, when that would get her beaten or worse, and he does nothing. He is more concerned with his horse. He does not rise up and slap her. He does nothing at all, and for a moment, the others see a faint glimmer of sudden delight in the blonde's eyes. It does not quite make her fight a smile, but she looks energized for a moment as he gets up and instead of beating her, hands the boy a dagger.

She flinches, though, when Katherine snaps. She has to exhale a breath of air to keep herself from taking a step away from the other woman. Lonna speaks, and Danicka waits a moment before she adds her voice to the mix.

"Cristobal," she says quietly, "Philip is not the only family you could have. You could have a pack. You could have those around you that will not fear you, or push you away, or ...vanish into thin air. Brothers and sisters you could rely on, whose strength will add to your own. But not if that," her eyes flick down to the dagger, "is the only way you learn how to lead them. By making them fear what you could do to them."

[Imogen Slaughter] The horse is freed, running nearly blind with panic, and soon the humans are doing the same. Imogen takes a step back, her gaze moving toward the horse's motions, then beyond toward the Garou - Katherine attempting to stop the nobleman to hand over a dagger, the nobleman turn between hurry and the offering of his gift.

She is jostled by the moving peasants, and in a way, this may be a blessing. It may mask her movements, her intention.

To make the horse's departure more urgent.

Horses are expensive. More than most farmers make in a year. Significant, even for a nobleman.

(barrel headed for horse!)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 4, 5, 7, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] It's a tug of war, and the boy is the rope. He stares at the dagger, conflicted, as it's offered. His eyes are wide. It's possible he's never seen so fine a weapon in all his life. It's possible all weapons were kept carefully from him, even by his mighty father and his bold brother, for fear that one day,

someday,

he might take them and turn on them all. There's uncertainty in the boy's eyes, his stance, but when Katherine reaches for the dagger his hand darts out with surprising dexterity and possessiveness.

"It's mine, woman!" he shouts at her, but then Liadan intercedes, and then Lonna, and the boy's eyes dart from face to face, fixing on the Child of Gaia kin's for a second. On Danicka's, for another.

An inch or two from the gilded dagger, Cristobal's hand starts to draw back again. And just like that, sudden as a thunderburst, Durand loses his temper.

"ENOUGH." The young lord's face is so suddenly and ferociously twisted by anger that he's nearly unrecognizable. The dagger is snatched back, drawn in an eyeblink, the edge wicked and gleaming in the hot July sun. There's a collective inhale from bystanders; eyes turn in their direction, some fearful, most merely curious.

"I am the nephew of the Baron of Rennes," the fairhaired man proclaims -- more for the benefit of the gathered, perhaps, than for the women. "I will not have my affairs interfered with by a gaggle of foolish, meddling women who do not know their place. Silence your wicked tongues; they speak only heresy and rebellion against the natural order of things. Leave my presence now, or I will do what I must to rid this town of your presence."

They can be quite certain that none of the merchants and townsfolk will rise against the young lord. From the way some are grumbling, eyeing their height and their looks -- and the strange adornment on Liadan's face -- it's quite possible some would help.

On the other side of the square, there's an uproar -- the loose horse has crashed through a stall, and veers now toward the gathering. Peasants and merchants are diving out of its way. Imogen moves, quickly, using her relatively smaller size to her advantage, and suddenly she's there, grabbing a barrel half-full of seed that scatters across the cobblestones

(a merchant shouts: Stop her!)

as the barrel tips, and rolls, and collides with the bolting horse's forelegs. A sudden hush: they can all hear the animal's panicked scream, then the cracking of wood, then the duller, wetter snap of its legs as it hurls head over hooves, landing hard on the cobblestones.

There's a shocked silence. It won't last long.

[Liadan Whelan] The dagger is pulled, and Lee steps back. There is a threat on her person, a threat on all of them, and she reacts. Not physically, not with violence. She does something else, something that she can be very good at when she puts her mind to it.

She lies.

She stands tall, proud, and she glares.

"How dare you? Do you know who this is?" she gestures to Katherine. "She is Princess Katherine of Wales, niece of King Henry of England. How dare you speak to her as if you were above her?"

[lying]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 8, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6) [WP]

[Katherine Bellamonte] "Meddling foolish women?" The Silver Fang draws herself upright, and in an act of what may well be the foolhardy rebellion he accuses them of, tosses her veil to the ground, revealing the silky gold tresses beneath it, intricately wound together. "You stupid, ignorant man, have you any notion of whom it is you address? In the future, you will not only hearken to my words, but you will kneel before me like the sniveling wretch that you are.

Townspeople!"

Abruptly, the Silver Fang's finger swings around, reproaching each and every one of them. "Look at my skin, at the manner in which I speak, the guard that would protect me under disguise and then look upon this one who wields a blade at unarmed women! Who would deliver a weapon to a child and have him spill blood for blood! Pay heed to me, and protect us against this -- deceiver."

[Etiquette + Charisma + WP]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 6, 6, 8, 8 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]

[Lonna Larson] Because of what she was, because of who she was, ire spiked and sparked much more quickly than it would have. In her rational mind, she knows that this is not the case. She looks at Danicka and nods gently. The blonde stands straight, and she looks at Cristobal.

She stops.

"What do you think?" a pause, "of all of this... of... what's happened, what's going to happen, what may or may not be?"

She is trying to make some connection again, and her own insecurities and concerns coming to light. The ones she stole, the ones that are makin it so difficult to keep her voice even, and the ones that are making ignoring the chaos so difficult. A barrel tips, a horse rears, people are moving and yelling and in the chaos she seems almost lost. All goodness and light-

Madonna-esque, without the whore's reputation that followed her in Chicago.

She looks, for a second, concerned. She looks at those with her and practically begs, "please calm down, this is not the place for this."

Someone could get hurt.
Someone could frenzy.

[Katherine Bellamonte] [Let's help the fib.]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 5, 7 (Success x 1 at target 8) [WP]

[-the foretold-] (peasants grabbing on imogen! cumulative roll)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Danicka Musil] He's angry. He's angry that they're talking, that Cristobal listened enough to pull his hand back, and Danicka's jaw tightens -- not with tension, but with the effort not to smirk. Duran shouts, and threatens, and she turns to him, about to open her mouth...

...when Imogen kills a horse. Or near enough. Injures it so terribly that it will need to be put down, and there's no farmers nearby with a shotgun handy. Danicka flinches harder than she did when Katherine snapped, more visibly than she did when Kemp snarled. It's not a twitch of fear but something else entirely, the sort of concern that does not usually come across when she's dealing with other people.

Danicka is caught by that for a moment, as Lee and Katherine join each other in lying about who the Silver Fang is. She does not open her mouth. She keeps her eyes down, she stays near Cristobal, and she does not reveal the truth. She simply says, quietly to the young man, as close to a whisper as she dares while still being heard:

"You will see, Cristobal, how those of Gaia stand together."

She moves away from him, then, goes to stand beside and slightly behind Katherine when she announces herself, folding her hands in front of herself and bowing her head.

[manipulation + subterfuge]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8 (Success x 3 at target 8) [WP]

[Imogen Slaughter]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 6, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1

[Imogen Slaughter] (joining in the lie)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 6, 8 (Failure at target 8) [WP]

[-the foretold-] (Durand: You cannot lie to a liar! vs 6 cumulative)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)

[-the foretold-] (townspeople: duhhh what? vs 6)
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 4, 10 (Failure at target 6)

[-the foretold-] The boy is simply petrified now, caught in the midst of a struggle he only peripherally understands. Lonna asks what he thinks. He stares at her. Danicka murmurs in his ear, and his head turns toward her sharply, and then away again to watch the standoff.

The six -- five now -- gather around Katherine. They join the pretense, some better than others. They flank the shining Fang, who throws off her veil, who reveals the glory of her hair, the beauty of her person, the flawlessness of her carriage and speech. No peasant could hope to match that in this age.

No peasant could hope to withstand that, and not believe they were in the presence of a princess. A queen. A goddess.

The merchant that had shouted for someone to grab Imogen forgets that his barrel is overturned, his precious stock all over the ground. He's the first to fall to his knees, bowing his head.

"Your Highness."

Others are joining him now, a sweep of genuflection and subjugation, all the villagers and peasants in the square sinking to the cobblestones, mindless of the screaming horse, mindless of the chaos in the market stalls. Your Highness passes from mouth to mouth, and here and there are cries of Have mercy! and God bless you, my lady!

The only one not to kneel is Durand. Standing proud and angry, his face twisting between disbelief and uncertainty, the point of his dagger lowers, then rises again to point directly at Katherine.

"This is not over. My uncle will have his reckoning."

He sheathes his dagger with a sharp, angry click. The young nobleman turns on his heels, striding swiftly away, leaving the boy, the five, and his horse where they are.

[-the foretold-] (also, i'd say: kate's WP is refilled +1. she's at temp WP 7.)

[Katherine Bellamonte] You are born to greatness.
The role of a Silver Fang is to lead her people.
This is why we put you here, why Gaia gave you your gifts, why Luna blesses you.

They fall to their knees around her, and she lifts her chin with all the nobility and all the haughty grandeour born to one of her stock in the modern age. The most bizarre of all the lies in this intricate webbing is that in truth, her ancestors are not so distant to Durand's. She carries some trace of his own bloodline; more than a trace. The game they now play is dangerous in new ways.

Katherine's pale eyes nail Durand in place; she does not stop glaring at him until he lowers his weapon and even then she continues to look upon him as if he were something to be snuffed out, something impossibly repellent to her person. He utters an oath of reckoning; and she sniffs at him as if amused by his words.

He strides away.
Katherine does not move.
The townsfolk are kneeling before her, and briefly, she raises her eyes heavenward as if feeling some great sense of destiny and fate, clasping hands over her and cheering her on. She turns her attention on the boy, eventually, and extends a hand to him.

"Come, Christobal. The danger has passed."

[Imogen Slaughter] (lost AIM again.)
to -the foretold-

[-the foretold-] (no worries!)
to Imogen Slaughter

[Liadan Whelan] Lee watches Durand level his dagger at Kate and tenses like someone who would jump on that blade to protect her mistress. But she doesn't move. She stays where she is, slightly to the side and behind Katherine, and she waits. For a word or a command for the woman whose identity they all just lied about. People are bowing in the streets, after all. Revealing the lie now would be a disaster.

Katherine extends a hand to Cristobal, beckoning him. Lee watches to see what he will do, which path he will take.

[Imogen Slaughter] Imogen waits.

[-the foretold-] Cautiously, then with greater confidence, the boy takes Katherine's hand.

As though some act of great significance has come to pass, the townsfolk raise a cheer when their hands join. Cristobal, however, remains solemn, his dark eyes looking up at Katherine -- at all of them.

"The elders have foreseen my fate," he says, low. His hand tightens on Kate's. There's a pleading in his eyes, a sort of wild and precarious hope that was not there before. "Tell me what I must do to avoid it."

[Danicka Musil] Thank god her head is down. The peasants murmur praise and prostrate themselves and Danicka closes her eyes as her veil falls past her cheeks to fight off the urge to roll her eyes. She sighs instead, opens her eyes, and as Durand leaves, she looks over at Cristobal to see what his reaction to all this is.

Kate offers her hand and tells him to come, tells him the danger has passed. Danicka does not lift her head, but whispers to the Fang, her lips barely moving but her voice rather clear to those immediately nearby: "Don't lie to him, Katherine."

The danger is never passed.

She looks at the boy then, again. "Be ready," she says. "Find those you can trust. Guard them with all you have."
 
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