The GM says, "So when last we left off, you'd just been booted from 
Asgard, gotten a promise from Dorotea to quit hanging around Wrinth when 
the Will-war wore of, and had returned to Civis to report and get the 
following orders:"

----------------------------------William--------------------------------
--
Neil says, "I plan to return to Civis and make a full report. As far as 
Neil's concerned, he's done until something else goes wrong. We're 
unlikely to get a squad of Malakim to perform a recon in force on the 
suspect domains, and that's really all that's left worth doing, isn't 
it?"

Thais is not big enough to constitute a squad, so is likely to do the 
same. "Report back, ask for further instructions. She's all about the 
chain of command, baby."

Ekur says, "Yeah, though Ekur is willing for a recon-by-stealth attempt 
by the three of us, too."

The GM says, "Congratulations, the three of you hereby constitute a squad 
and are ordered to make the necessary examination.  :^)"

Jesdyn [to William]: Aaaaugh, I hope you're kidding. d:

Ekur . o O ( What can they have that's worse than Wrinth? )

Thais says, "Well, a 1/3 Malakite squad is...similar to a squad of 
Malakim!"

The GM says, "By preference, you are to remove whatever hold Wrinth has 
on the Mastery of the Domains that allows him to offer it to other 
Ethereals."
---------------------------------finished--------------------------------
--

William [to Jesdyn]: And you added after this, "When the next session 
opens, I'm going to try to recruit help from Civis."

Thais yay recruitment!

Jesdyn [to William]: That's right. If Wrinth can do it, then SO CAN I -- 
I'm offering a crack at mastery of the domain to Yazz, Bloom, and anybody 
Jane, Nayenzegani, and that Voodoon guy would like to suggest.

StevenE [to William]: OOC matter -- XP?

Jesdyn [to William]: Neil will present the situation honestly -- he makes 
no guarantees the domain will be suitable for Mastery or not inimical to 
Heaven's goals, but since he plans to go break Wrinth's hold on it, well, 
there /is/ a chance.

The GM says, "I may have been unclear when asked about the end of the 
arc.  I know it's been a long one, but I meant that the part of the 
mission you're undertaking will be the end of this arc.  So, XP after 
this series of events."

Jesdyn [to William]: Ahhhh. I thought that was the end of the arc too. Ah 
well.

William [to Jesdyn]: Hmmmmmmmmmm.

William [to Jesdyn]: That is a very interesting tack, and reactions will 
be varied.  I think it will be important in what order you decide to make 
the offer.

Jesdyn [to William]: I'm also going to see if Civis Admin can manage to 
tank me back up on Essence.

William [to Jesdyn]: Matthias thinks this is entirely reasonable and some 
donors are found to fill the three of you back up.

Jesdyn [to William]: I'm not going to do it in any order -- I'll call the 
people I mentioned there to a meeting and present it to the group at once 
after bouncing the plan off Ekur.

Thais has never been 1/3 of a squad before. She's going to have to 
prepare. Somehow. Possibly by tracking down an older Malakite to wibble 
at anxiously.

The GM says, "Okay.  Nayenezgani isn't a resident of Civis, he's back in 
Cibola with his people, so he's not there.  The others you know are, 
though.  Thais also has favors both owed and collectable, if she would 
like to drop any lines or Ekur has any people he'd care to think of."

William <ooc> By the way, several tracks on the CD were chosen with 
scenes likely to happen today in mind, and will be cued up for flavor at 
appropriate moments.

Jesdyn [to William]: Jane I figures knows somebody who'd like a shot at 
it; I don't imagine she'd suggest anybody who she'd think would fail the 
Resonances Of Doom, so I'll ignore whatever other motives she might have.


fadethecat [to William]: I shall pull up the playlist promptly.

Jesdyn [to William]: Yazz I'd just like fighting with me. Bloom might 
come -- well, who knows why he might. Shadow-guy whose name I also can't 
recall because I didn't reread the logs before his session I'm NOT 
bringing along.

Thais hmm. "If I'm owed a favor by anyone who seems both Honorable and 
reasonably powerful, preferably with a martial bent, I'll track him down 
for recruiting on this mission. If there are any Malakim--especially of 
Stone, War, or the Sword--who owe small favors, I'll go check to see if 
they have advice."

Jesdyn [to William]: As for Mr. Voodoo, I'll ask him if he'd like to come 
to a meeting to discuss an opportunity.

William [to Jesdyn]: Oh, the Rastathereal?  Also a non-native, he was in 
town for reasons similar to Nayanezgani.

Jesdyn [to William]: Well, I figured the Loa would keep a permanent 
diplomatic presence. I figured the Indians would too, actually, since 
they came to beg for one from US.

The GM says, "I should further add, as you are making preparations, that 
Thais receives a CelTongues midway through the morning.  "Maureen, giant 
win contest; Loki discussion with Odin; leaving anticipated midnight for 
Selkirk: Wrinth, Maureen, giant.""

Jesdyn [to William]: Either way, that's fine; I was looking for some 
ambitious muscle from allied pantheons, but I'll take Civis natives.

Ekur can't think of anyone obvious.  So he does the next best thing -- he 
asks Priest if he has any people he knows who'd be interested in a 
dangerous mission against Hell of uncertain but potentially great reward.


Jesdyn [to StevenE]: D'oh! Totally didn't think of them.

William [to Jesdyn]: Yes, but not those particular two.  At any rate, you 
have Yazz, Jane, Bloom, Thais' friend in the business Xiao Li the 
swordsmith, and recommendations from the Voodoun and Amerind embassies in 
the city.

William catches Ekur's last and adds Priest himself into the list.

The GM says, "Matthias and Jack have been briefed, but are sitting back 
and letting you three do the presentation."

Neil [to Ekur]: You've got seniority -- your show or mine?

Thais passes on the news of the win to the others, and rather distantly 
hopes Maureen will find some stellar opportunity to push Wrinth into a 
volcano for kicks on the way.

StevenE [to Jesdyn]: Your idea.  Run with it, Intercessor.

Neil says, "Thank you all for coming today. Heaven has a problem -- and 
you have an opportunity."

Neil dreamshapes a slide projector and display panel.

Neil snaps Wrinth's picture up there.

The GM says, "Half the audience grrs."

Neil says, "Wrinth, Impudite of the War, has allied himself with the 
Norse pantheon, and made them an offer they've decided not to refuse."

Thais looks perky and assistant-like, and stands aside for Neil to do the 
presentation until she's called on.

Neil snaps a picture of the giant and Maureen up on the screen -- not to 
scale.

Ekur is a bit back, looking Elohite-serene.

Neil says, "He's offered these two Ethereals -- the winners of a riddle 
game held in Loki's hall just yesterday -- uncontested mastery over two 
domains of ill repute, Selkirk and Roxburg."

The GM says, "Several audience members get a spark in their eye.  Bloom 
frowns, troubled."

Neil says, "Thais, Ekur, and I have been assigned to stop that..."

Neil says, "And I've been authorized to offer you first crack at the 
domain in exchange for your help in this."

The GM says, "Yazz stands up.  He looks over at Jack Mann for a long 
moment.  Jack sighs, and nods.  'You've been a good right-hand man, Yazz.  
Now's your day, I suppose.'"

The GM says, "Yazz steps forward.  'I'll take that opportunity,' he says 
to Neil."

Neil shakes his hand warmly. "Was hoping to have you aboard."

Neil pings the hell out of him while he does so.

The GM says, "Roll it."

Ekur autorezzes too, but no action-reaction question.

Neil rolled 5 versus 18 and critically succeeded by 13.

William [to Neil]: Yazz stands at a critical juncture in the development 
of his relationships with others.  Everything is in flux, and he is 
willing to follow you through fire and brimstone to achieve one of his 
lifelong goals.  He is as trustworthy as you could hope.

Thais is reasonably confident in her previous assesments of Yazz, and 
doesn't resonate him, in a shocking change of pace.

Neil looks at the others.

William [to Ekur]: Yazz is excited by a tremendous opportunity, and 
anticipatory of combat.  He feels he's earned this chance and is 
confident in his abilities to take on Asgard's champion.

Thais says, "It'll be good to have you along, Yazz."

Ekur . o O ( Excellent. )

Ekur makes an Acting roll.

Ekur rolled 15 versus 18 and succeeded by 3.

Ekur exudes approval at Yazz.

The GM says, "Priest shakes his head.  'I am content in my duties here,' 
he says.  Bloom says, 'You already know my goals.  I can guide you to 
this place, but I have work to do here.'"

Neil nods to both of them. "Yes, but I felt you were owed the 
opporunity."

Ekur . o O ( Nod.  As expected, x2. )

The GM says, "Jane sits back and strokes her chin.  'This Maureen 
Birnbaum.  She was made a champion by a riddle game?  Do you know whether 
she can use that sword?'"

Neil says, "Walking around in that outfit? Bet she learned."

Neil says, "She plays a fair crossword, I know that much."

Neil says, "And out here, that's just as good as a sword."

Thais says, "I didn't see the sword in use, but it seemed more than 
decoration."

Neil watches the Native American and Haitian delegation. They seem 
interested?

Jane thinks a bit more.  "What the hell, let's throw the dice.  No good 
being rich if you don't spend it."  Jane turns to Xiao Li.  "What do you 
say to discharging your accumulated debt to me for my business services 
by acting as my champion in this matter?  I can sweeten the pot based on 
hazard pay."

Neil pings Xiao Li, then Xiao Li and Jane as a group.

Neil rolled 7 versus 18 and succeeded by 11.

Neil rolled 10 versus 18 and succeeded by 8.

Xiao Li blinks once at Jane, considers the deal, and accepts with a bow.  
The Amerind and Voodoun representatives demur; they consider it too big a 
bite for them right now.

William [to Neil]: Xiao Li remains as you resonated him last in most 
cases, although you weren't aware of just how good he was at using those 
relic weapons he could enchant.  He considers Jane's request a fair 
repayment for the services she has rendered him for the past decade or 
so, and intends to hold up his end of the bargain as a champion.

Neil thanks them. "I appreciate everyone who came to hear our request. I 
hate to seem curt, but we have a lot to cover with anyone coming with us, 
so I have the rest of you to leave."

Neil . o O ( Have to /ask/. )

Neil Waits for everyone to leave before he drops the other shoe.

The GM says, "Most of them nod and get back to their business.  Before 
leaving, Priest asks, 'By the way, is this classified or can we speak of 
it to others?'"

Neil looks at Matthias, and slowly answers, "If you could wait a week or 
so, we'd appreciate it, but I don't think "we're going to go stomp 
Wrinth" is anything we don't want people to know.

Neil stomps, and thinks.

Neil says, "WAIT a second."

Neil says, "/One-Eye/."

Neil says, "Almost forgot. Yes. If you could avoid mentioning it until we 
come back, that would be best."

Priest understands, as do the rest, and they indicate they will keep it 
under their hat.  They depart.

Neil says, "Yazz, Xiao Li, thank you for staying. Now, here's what I 
didn't tell you."

The GM says, "Before you say this..."

Neil stops.

The GM says, "Jane stays, since she's the employer of Xiao Li and he's 
acting on her behalf.  Let her know if she should go.  Bloom mentions 
that he supposes he would guide the group to Selkirk and Roxburgh and 
wants to know if he needs to stay or go as well."

Ekur says, "Yeah, we should keep both of them."

The GM says, "Very well then.  You now have you three, Matthias, Jack 
Mann, Yazz, Xiao Li & Jane, and Bloom in the room."

Neil says, "No, that's okay, you can stay -- Jane so she knows what she's 
attaching to, and Bloom so he knows what he's guiding us to."

Neil says, "The domains are corrupted. Or something. Nobody but Wrinth 
has managed to enter them and report back in several hundred years. 
There's a god in one of them. A dead one."

Neil says, "All we've got are the name 'Black Oaths' and the knowledge 
that they're going to be arriving at the first of the domains around 
midnight."

Neil says, "We don't know what Wrinth's leverage is or why he needs a 
Master, and we have no idea whether or not we can do something about it."


Neil says, "This is not a sure thing, even if we kill Wrinth and defeat 
his champions again."

Yazz waits until Neil is done.  "Nobody ever took a Domain the easy way," 
he grins.

Neil grins right back. "Alright. I warned you. If you win it, you'll 
surely have earned it."

Neil says, "Xiao Li, any questions?"

The long-lined Chinese swordsmith with the thin mustache shakes head.  "I 
shall desire to collect some of my craft from my dwelling, but shall be 
prepared to go upon the instant thereafter."

Neil says, "Alright. Then I see no reason to dally. Ekur? Thais? We 
ready?"

Ekur nods.  "I believe so."  He picks up his sword and shield.

Neil idly counts days in his head. He's currently in the window for a 
visit from Dominic...

roll 1d6

On 1d6, you rolled 4.

William [to Neil]: Yes, it varies a day or two but it's definitely any 
day now.

Neil says, "Alright. Yazz, you ready now or you need to swing by home?"

Ekur . o O ( Would be convenient if he stopped by Selkirk while we were 
there, no? )

Yazz ceremonially hands over his clipboard to Jack, summons his 
jerry-rigged axe and rubber-tire armor, and straightens up by about an 
inch.  He *exudes* ready.

The GM says, "Jane claps Xiao Li on the shoulder and heads back to her 
office to await news of the result."

Neil says, "Alright. We'll swing by Xiao Li's shop and then get out of 
here. Jack, Matthais, see you soon."

Ekur nods, and heads out the door.

Neil piles everyone in to the Judgementmobile, unless Yazz or Xiao Li can 
provide their own ride.

Thais moves near Bloom as the the group heads out, as he's the closest to 
a non-combatant in the theoretical squad.

Neil is much happier. Five guys and a medic instead of three.

The GM says, "Xiao Li picks up a Chinese broadsword and, a little 
unusually, a relic scabbard for the back.  He speaks to the two of them 
in Chinese for a minute and sheathes the sword, ready to go.  Yazz picks 
up his own ride, a Factory special, but Xiao Li rides with you."

The GM says, "Bloom drives, and you set off from Civis as the morning 
draws close to noon."

Bloom says, "Let's see if I remember the look of the place right..."

skill 16 Bloom_AK(Marches)

You rolled 13 and Bloom_AK(Marches) - succeeded by 3.

Thais [to William]: As we go, Thais will be checking Wrinth's position 
and movement against the upcoming destination, for an idea of who'll get 
there first, and if he's taking an unusual route. (Or going somewhere 
else entirely.)

"As you set off, you get the feeling that Bloom's memories are a little 
patchy.  He has to stop and think a few times.  All of you can't help but 
notice that, while Beleth's Tower is technically part of the Vale and not 
the Far Marches, you're definitely heading in something like that 
direction as he gets closer to his recollections.

The GM says, "As you set off, you get the feeling that Bloom's memories 
are a little patchy.  He has to stop and think a few times.  All of you 
can't help but notice that, while Beleth's Tower is technically part of 
the Vale and not the Far Marches, you're definitely heading in something 
like that direction as he gets closer to his recollections."

skill 17 Thais_Perception

You rolled 15 and Thais_Perception - succeeded by 2.

Ekur nods.  Matches Dorotea's model of the marches in her dream.

William [to Thais]: At present, he's in a Domain, not the inter-Domain 
Marches.  That holds until and for a while after your arrival.

Jesdyn [to William]: Our arrival where?

The GM says, "It takes you until the strike of Demon's Dawn to get to 
Selkirk and Roxburgh.  The mists do not so much part as change texture.  
Suddenly, the Judgmentmobile stops moving, and the engine whines when 
Bloom tries to press it onward.  You become aware that the gray sands of 
the Marches proper have become a wet, sticky mass."

Bloom says, "I think we're here."

Ekur steps out of the car to take a gander around.  Tries his autorez on 
the Domain itself, just in case he can pick up anything.

Neil gets out and examines the ground.

Jesdyn [to William]: Can I dreamshape some wider tires?

William [to Ekur]: Take...

roll 1d6

On 1d6, you rolled 4.

Thais steps out as well, scouting the mists for potential danger. She 
lifts a foot against the tacky ground. "Ew. I mean, interesting, 
but...ew."

The GM says, "...4 Mind Hits.  Why yes, you *can* sense something.  
Emotions woven into the fabric of the Domain: hatred.  And *pain*."

William [to Jesdyn]: You could...

Ekur says, "Pain.  Hatred.  This place is suffused with them.  It's 
terrible."

skill 18 Ekur_Will

You rolled 6 and Ekur_Will - critically succeeded by 12.

The GM says, "Okay, he *did* in fact manage not to cry out at that."

The GM says, "Stoic."

Neil says, "Hmm. Well, we'll see if we can help it out some."

Thais pauses in mid-complaint. When an Elohite describes something as 
"terrible" it's time to take notice. "People within the Domain, or the 
Domain itself?"

Unwarned by Ekur, Neil will go ahead and widen the Judgementmobile's 
tires.

Neil rolled 8 versus 21 and succeeded by 13.

[ snip Judgmentmobile roll ]

Ekur says, "The Domain itself.  It's . . . like a piece of Hell.  Like I 
imagine the Dark Tower to be."

William [to Neil]: The Judgmentmobile tries to dreamshape itself back, 
fails, and settles for reversing slightly away from the Domain.

Yazz grumbles behind you.  "I don't think the figments want to go in.  Me 
own car doesn't either.  Come on, old boy, we've been together fer years, 
I wouldn't see ye hurt..."

Neil addresses the Judgementmobile directly. "Not up for this place, are 
you?"

William [to Neil]: The engine gives a falling whine.

Thais pats Neil's car reassuringly on the hood, and takes a few steps 
further away. "I can't entirely blame them. They're made for roads, or 
things close to it, not this muck."

Ekur says, "I, well.  Given the nature of this Domain, and the lack of 
willpower the figments have, it's perhaps best if they stay out."

Jesdyn [to William]: Check me. I paid for the Judgementmobile as an Ally, 
so I can't /force/ it to do things and I can't wantonly endanger it, 
merely reasonably.

Xiao Li gets out, dreamshapes himself some mudwalking sandals a few 
inches high.

William [to Jesdyn]: Right.  It's willing to follow you into danger, but 
it's not very bright and it's presently scared.

Neil nods to Ekur. "Would be for the best, I suppose. Alright, you're off 
the hook -- although when we get back, you're getting some training. Can 
you make your way back to Civis?"

Thais checks her boots' traction in the goo. "Poor kid. Its tires 
wouldn't do well in this."

The GM says, "The Judgmentmobile hesitates.  After a moment, the radio 
switches on and a boy-child's voice comes out.  'I... don't want to just 
leave you here...'"

Bloom says, "Why don't I stay just outside the Domain with the two of 
them?"

Neil says, "That's an excellent plan. We may not to leave in a hurry."

Thais blinks back at Bloom. "If you think it would be safe," she says, in 
a tone that suggests she doesn't.

Thais adds, thoughtfully, "Though probably safer than in here. You can 
call for help if anything comes up, right?"

Neil pats the Judgementmobile on the hood. "Tell you what. Leave your 
tires alone for now and stay with Bloom. I'll call you if we need help, 
and then you and he can come for us and we'll all run away. Sound good?

The Judgmentmobile's radio says, "Okay, I promise," and switches off.

Bloom says to Thais, "Will do."  Yazz parks his own car next to the 
Judgmentmobile and walks over to you.

Neil says, "Alright. Let's go."

Neil conjures some waders and still looks good in them, because he's a 
Mercurian and he gets to do that.

Thais is already moving a little ahead of the rest of the group, one hand 
resting lightly on her sword hilt. Her combat boots are a touch out of 
place with the sparkly-hippy look the rest of her clothes suggest. "At 
least it's not raining."

Ekur readies shield and sword, and brings up the rear of the group.  He 
keeps looking around for threats.

Neil shapes a tonfa and a riot shield.

The GM says, "The mists thicken behind you, closing off Bloom and the 
figments from sight.  The muck thins below you from sand into swamp, and 
soon Neil's fortunate choice of waders makes him the only dry one.  Above 
the fog, red brightness suggests a sun setting in an unknown direction."

Thais takes a brief moment to eye her embroidered jeans, and, 
regretfully, dreamshapes them into more practical--and waterproof--pants. 
"Do we have /any/ idea what we're looking for in here?" she asks, 
quietly. "Or are we just heading for Wrinth and company?"

Neil answers quietly, "I don't think we're going to find much leverage 
out here. Just heading for Wrinth, and we'll veer off and investigate 
elsewhere if we get a bright idea."

"Workable enough." Thais keeps a bead on Wrinth's position, and slogs 
onward through the swamp.

William [to Thais]: You, in front, come across something you knew existed 
but had yet to see for real: the corpses of a battle.  Two human-seeming 
objects lie on a tussock rising from the swamp in front of you, clutching 
swords.  One is missing an arm, the other part of his head.  The red 
light around you fades and the mist thins, and you become aware that this 
is the border between the caul and the Domain itself, and the red on the 
ground here is not sunset but blood.

William [to Thais]: Wrinth is not yet in *this* Domain.  Most likely, he 
is in Asgard yet.  If you recall, according to the message you got, he 
was likely to set out at midnight.

Neil gulps. Selfless he may be, but he had a Role and some habits aren't 
easy to break.

Ekur says, "Best to know the lay of the land before you try to fight in 
it.  And i think i'd rather fight Wrinth and the Black Oaths in series 
rather than in parallel anyway."

Neil says, "Hey, if we're here first and we finish this fast enough we 
might be able to snipe the Domain. Assuming we can find a mop."

Thais crouches down, not so low as to be getting the seat of her pants 
wet, and examines the swords. "Old style," she murmurs. "Interesting."

[ snip msg'ing  ]

Neil looks at Thais. "How old?"

Ekur says, "And who knows?  Both Domains might be mastered by friends of 
Heaven and Civis before Wrinth even gets here.  That would spike his 
guns."

"It's not what I use," Thais says, standing up again. "A thousand years, 
maybe? Or more. They're sort of Celtic, though nothing really distinctly 
a style I could name associations to."

skill 16 Thais_Blacksmith

You rolled 14 and Thais_Blacksmith - succeeded by 2.

Thais adds, partly to herself, "I remember seeing angels practicing with 
ones not too dissimilar, when I was younger."

William [to Thais]: Except that angels of the Sword would be ashamed to 
be seen with these.  Crude make, suitable for equipping foot soldiers in 
haste in a time of emergency.  That's all you can make out in this light, 
though.

Neil . o O ( Well, we could /make/ a light, and even shield it, if it's 
worth looking into further. )

Ekur takes his own look at them, and invites Xiao Li to look, too.  Might 
as well have *three* blacksmiths evaluating.

Neil . o O ( Probably just want to go on, though. Too crude to have a 
name on it, isn't it? )

Thais shakes her head, and steps on past. "Not very well made. I wouldn't 
use one of those unless I had no other weapon."

The GM says, "A wind picks up, and the last shreds of the mist clear from 
around you.  You stand on the border of a land of low rolling hills.  
Gray clouds hang thick above, reflecting a tiny bit of firelight over one 
hill a few miles ahead of you, on which a ring of broken stone sits.  The 
swamp extends to your left and right; the only other major feature is a 
long elevated hill far off to your left, which juts suddenly into a 
thicker portion of the mist."

William <ooc> Cue up Track 5.

Thais points out towards the firelight and stones. "Goal, or distraction? 
Either way, I think we should take a look."


William [to Ekur]: It's actually a bit later make than the techniques 
you're familiar with, but your analysis would generally agree with 
Thais'.

Neil says, "Sounds good."

Ekur nods.  "Worth seeing."

StevenE [to William]: Figured it would be.  I mean, unless it's bronze, 
it's later than me.

Neil . o O ( I do not like where this is going. )

Thais takes the lead again, moving onward into the hills. She keeps up a 
brisk pace, and spends a fair amount of time looking around--and at the 
terrain at her feet--as she goes.

The GM says, "The land dries out as you head for the firelight, rapidly 
becoming the only noticeable light in the land.  The countryside around 
you is sere and brown; the wind sounds as if someone is struggling to 
breathe."

Jesdyn [to William]: Did Xiao Li have an opinion?

William [to Neil]: Xiao Li seems to be focusing on some kind of internal 
dilemma, brows furrowed and muttering to himself.

William [to Neil]: Yazz keeps casting glances at the spit of land off to 
your left.

Neil nudges Ekur and flicks an eye towards Xiao Li.

William <ooc> Track 6 *not* being appropriate, you may want to loop Track 
5 or simply pause.

Ekur resonantes Xiao Li, including his reaction to being asked what's 
wrong.  Oh, and then Yazz, with his reaction to a question as to what he 
sees in the spit of land.

Thais <ooc> noticed that and looped, yeah.

Thais is paying more attention to the surroundings than her companions, 
given likely sources of danger.

William [to Ekur]: Xiao Li is consciously aware that something is 
attempting to manipulate his actions, and is quietly chanting a mantra 
attempting to resist the incursion.  Yazz detects a threat from the 
direction of the spit of land, something growing.

Ekur says, "Yazz?  Should we head for that spit of land you keep looking 
at?  Is there a threat from there we should be noticing?"

Neil . o O ( And WHY did neither of them think we'd like to know about 
that? <sigh> )

Yazz, continuing to look in that direction, says, "We ought to wipe out 
the lot of them.  They'd hit us first if we... don't..." he winces and 
gets hold of himself.  "Ekur, sir, I've been around the Marches long 
enough to know there's not really an army over there waiting to charge 
across and kill us all, but I also know there is, if you see what I 
mean."

William [to Neil]: Xiao Li, for one, is concentrating furiously.

Jesdyn [to William]: Figured as much.

Neil glances at Yazz, thinks a second, and pings them and -- this is 
going to HURT -- the Chained Queen as a group.

Ekur nods.  "We're in a domain of malice and agony.  It's trying to twist 
you; I can sense its affects on both of you.  I'm wondering, well, if 
it's safe for any Ethereals."

Thais looks over in that direction, and frowns. "It only seems to be 
affecting you two. So far. But perhaps I should be careful of what I 
perceive as a threat, here."

Neil . o O ( Yazz and Xiao Li as the "them". )

The GM says, "Hmm."

skill 18 Neil_Resonance

You rolled 10 and Neil_Resonance - succeeded by 8.

roll 1d6

On 1d6, you rolled 4.

Neil . o O ( Bzaaap. )

Neil, not having an emotional investment in appearing non-emotional, 
doesn't mind a spate of quiet but inventive cursing.

skill 12 Dreaming_Defense

You rolled 5 and Dreaming_Defense - succeeded by 7.

Neil . o O ( What's Mind Hit total again? )

-Neil IQ

William [to Neil]: IQ

William [to Neil]: Your suspicion is correct on both counts.  Since you 
were expecting it, take half, 2 Mind Hits.  You resonate, sense it 
coming, and break off.  Before you do so, you detect that being you've 
come to call the Chained Queen is attempting to exert command over their 
loyalty.

Neil says, "It's not the domain, it's the Chained Queen herself. We 
should hurry."

Neil will note that the Chained Queen is apparently able to detect an... 
oh HAMMERING HOVERCRAFT...

Neil says, "Guys?"

"Oh, lovely." Thais's grip on her sword-hilt is not unlike that of a 
small child with a security blanket.

Thais says, "Yes?"

Neil says, "We've been attacked twice by a being that can /react/ to 
/angelic resonance/."

Neil says, "Just saying that's completely impossible."

Neil says, "We should probably hurry faster."

Thais tilts her free hand in the air. "Hurrying, yes. But is she 
reacting, or is it only, mm, that what you're reading in the resonance is 
inherently painful? Like a Superior fuzz, but less fun."

Thais is saying this as she moves more quickly onward, mind.

Ekur nods at Thais.  "I don't think it's an attack, any more than a child 
burning its hand on a hot stove is attacked.  I could be wrong, though."

The GM says, "Neither Yazz nor Xiao Li loses control of themself in the 
half hour it takes you to hurriedly cross the remaining distance."

The GM says, "When you arrive, you see that what stands above the 
surrounding hills is worked stone in a rectangular shape; this was 
apparently a simple stone building, set with stairs up one side of the 
slope and a flagstone courtyard and floor, but the walls have tumbled; 
the catapult missiles are still strewn around randomly.  Behind the hill 
on which this stands, another, wider stair reaches up a few feet from a 
dip before stopping abruptly.  A wider hill sits behind it, which could 
have been bigger were it not strangely flat, as if soemone had removed 
the top of a hill with a knife."

Ekur looks at Yazz and Xiao Li.  "Does it feel like it's getting 
stronger?  Do you sense a direction for it?"

The GM says, "Inside the cracked remains of the building here, a half 
dozen troops in torn and bloody clothing sit or lie around a dreamshaped 
campfire in a state of complete dejection.  A tattered red banner with a 
knotwork sigil slumps over the back wall."

Thais slows down as she sees the (presumably) still-living troops. 
"Company," she murmurs.

Neil . o O ( Knotwork. More Celtic imagery. )

William [to Ekur]: Xiao Li does not respond, continuing his mantra.  Yazz 
grunts, and points to a figure sitting in the back right corner of the 
ruin.

Jesdyn [to William]: Can I ping without tugging on Symphonic threads 
glowing white-hot with hatred and pain?

William [to Jesdyn]: You never know until you try, except for the 
evidence of previous attempts.

Ekur nods to Yazz, then to Neil and Thais, and approaches the group, eyes 
spending most of their time on the indicated figure.

Thais keeps to Ekur's side as he approaches. She hasn't drawn her sword 
yet; she simply /wants/ to.

Neil . o O ( I know EthHealing, I'm a nine-force angel and I'm not gonna 
take this guff from a hasbeen god somebody already killed. )

William [to Ekur]: The troops pay you no attention.  They continue 
staring at the fire.  The figure behind the fire comes into focus as a 
woman in bronze breastplate.  A sword-slashed red cloak spreads out 
underneath her, and long blonde hair spattered with blood is the only 
splash of brightness on her.  She is the first to shift position as you 
approach, looking up.

Neil pings the figure, trying to ignore the Chained Queen's thread of the 
Symphony.

skill 18 Neil_IQ

You rolled 9 and Neil_IQ - succeeded by 9.

William [to Neil]: No resonance roll needed, then.  You were trying to 
avoid the lady herself.

Neil . o O ( Neil is moving in ten seconds unless someone else wants 
point. )

William [to Ekur]: No resonance roll needed here, either.  You've seen 
the look in this lady's eyes in corpses.  A last moment of horrified pain 
is frozen in eyes that aren't really focused on you or anything around 
here.

Neil . o O ( A 'last moment' -- of course. She's a Remnant. Why did this 
not click before now? )

She opens her mouth.  "The Oath does not command you.  You must not be 
spirits."

Ekur says, "Hello.  Would you . . . well, I was going to ask if you would 
stop trying to twist my companions."

Ekur says, "No, we are not Ethereals.  We are angels.  And you are in 
pain."

She looks back down.  "All in Selkirk obey the Oath of Selkirk.  There is 
no volition involved."

She looks up.  "Angels..."

The lady of Selkirk, slowly, agonizingly, stands.  "Then you can leave 
this place.  You can put an end to the war.  You must bring us victory 
and death."

[ snip msg'ing ]

Thais looks out towards the barren hills. "Victory over what?"

William [to Thais]: She flings her arm out over the jutting spit of land.  
"Roxburgh."

She says, "You must overcome the trickster god whole stole our lives from 
us.  Bring back Auchop Cairn.  When my banner flies above it, an ending 
will come."

Neil doesn't need angelic resonance for his cop sense to be going off.

Ekur says, "What is the nature of the Oath of Selkirk?"

Thais . o O ( If there are two Domains tied together here, both of which 
need to 'win' in order to resolve their halves of the situation, I'm 
going to stab someone. Probably Wrinth. He usually deserves it. )

Her eyes close in memory.  "No rest.  No life or death but in the service 
of victory over the ancient foe.  Until Selkirk's banner flies from 
Auchop Cairn over Roxburgh.  Into the Domain and into ourselves we wove 
it, that it would give us power unheard of in the Marches.  And it did."

Neil says, "We'll be happy to get it back for you, ma'am. But... save us 
a trip. What are they going to want in return for it? Why did they take 
it? What are they going to make you give up for it?"

Ekur nods at the woman.  "But roxburgh, I assume, took a counterpart 
oath?"

The lady's eyes open -- such as they can -- and look at Neil.  "We do not 
know who took it.  We do not know why.  It must have been one of the 
great ones, to do such a thing to the Domains without their Masters' 
consent.  Mercury, Loki, Anansi, Coyote.  Perhaps they found it funny.  I 
do not know."

William [to Ekur]: "This does not matter to me.  Let them continue in 
their way.  Such pleasure as I can still experience comes from seeing my 
enemies suffer."

Ekur stands tall, and affects anger.

Ekur rolled 17 versus 18 and succeeded by 1.

William [to Ekur]: It would be obvious to people that you're pretending 
it, but that fact would communicate as well.

Ekur says, "I asked for information, not for your opinion of your 
enemies.  I simply wish to know if Roxborgh took a similar oath.  if you 
want my assistance, you could be so good as to answer a simple question."


The lady pauses.  "Yes, they took the same oath.  The god took Ettrick 
Pen from us in the same night.  You can see the scar behind us."

Ekur says, "Thank you.  Yes, this obscenity of pain must end.  I will 
assist you.  But a last question.  is it necessary to deliver the cairn 
to you?  Or could we merely carry your banner to it?"

She says, "The wording of the Oath says, 'from Auchop Cairn over 
Roxburgh.'  The Cairn must be brought to Roxburgh, and my banner brought 
to it.'  She hesitates, then adds, 'I believe Roxburgh's Oath is worded 
similarly.'

She says simply, "It is a matter of conquest, you see."

Ekur nods.

Thais mutters something under her breath. The phrase "stab in the /face/" 
can be made out within it.

Yazz sits down with the soldiers.

Neil . o O ( Time check? )

William <ooc> In-game or out?

Neil pings Yazz and the group.

Neil says, "In game. Time until midnight."

The GM says, "It's about 9pm."

Neil says, "Excluding Empress Zorch."

skill 18 Neil_Resonance

You rolled 12 and Neil_Resonance - succeeded by 6.

Ekur nods.  "I think we know enough."  he turns to his companions.  "I 
think it's unlikely that the hilltops will be found in these domains.  We 
should go to join the figments, and wait for Wrinth.  He'll either have 
the tops, or we can just kill him and then search for the hills."

skill 12 Dreaming_Defense

You rolled 15 and Dreaming_Defense - failed by 3.

roll 1d6

On 1d6, you rolled 6.

Ekur walks over to Yazz, grabs an arm, and tries to pull him from his 
feet.

Thais frowns, but says, "As you think would be best."

Neil swears and murmurs Ethereal Healing. Hate this domain.

William [to Neil]: The soldiers are the same sort of 
Trauma-Remnant-Zombie the Lady is.  Yazz isn't, yet, but he's deciding to 
throw in his lot here.  And -- *zzap* Ow!

Ekur says, "Do you have another plan, Thais?"

Neil mimics Jack's voice, and roars, "Yazz! Stand TO!"

William [to Ekur]: Yazz says, "It's allright.  I'm staying here.  This is 
my Domain now, and I'm ready to defend it until I've got it in hand."

Jesdyn [to William]: Wait, did I misunderstand you?

Xiao Li takes Yazz' other elbow.  "Unwise, my friend," he mutters.

William [to Jesdyn]: Err?

Jesdyn [to William]: Sorry, stacked actions confusing me. I'm going to 
stick with trying to startle Yazz into a momeny of clarity, using 
Dream-Shaping on sound instead of image.

Thais shakes her head to Ekur. "Unfortunately, no. I dislike a plan this 
passive, given how the Domain is influencing people, but I haven't any 
better." She chuckles dryly. "If I did, rest assured, I'd let you know."

William [to Jesdyn]: Gotcha.

The lady says, "Are you angels talking about the demon that came here 
some time ago?"

Ekur says, "Yazz, if you tell me that when we're with the figments, I'll 
let you come back.  Right now, I think the Oath may be getting to you. 
And anyway, how do you know you wouldn't rather have Roxburgh?"

Ekur says, "Yes, I believe it's likely it's the same demon."

Yazz says, "The hell with Roxburgh, bunch lying raving hordes of... augh, 
wait a minute, I've never met anyone from Roxburgh.  Damn, man.  Good 
call.  Yeah, I think... yeah, let's get out of here."

The lady says, "The demon does not have the mounts.  I am not sure he 
even knows where they are.  He only promised he knew a way to fetch them.  
He had a human in mind to do it, I believe."

Ekur nods.  "Okay, we know the human, too.  I think we're in position to 
spike Wrinth's plans *and* undo what you did to yourselves with that 
oath."

Neil sings Ethereal Healing on himself, one Essence.

She says, "Bring victory and death.  This is all I desire now."

Neil rolled 11 versus 16 and succeeded by 5.

William [to Neil]: 4 Mind Hits healed, actually (-5 Marches, +4 Ethereal 
Forces).

Ekur <ooc> Unless anybody else has something to say, I think we're good 
to make out way back to the good Doctor?

Thais <ooc> is good to go.

Neil nods. Three hours until they arrive, and if Thais is guiding us we 
can engage them just inside the caul.

Neil says, "Let's go. "

The GM says, "Yazz is having a bit of trouble focusing, so you travel a 
bit slower, but after about an hour you slog your way through the swamp 
and back outside the Domain."

Neil says, "Thais, where's Wrinth?"

William <ooc> People good to keep going to a while?  I'm still up.

Jesdyn [to William]: I'm fine.

StevenE [to William]: Fine.

fadethecat [to William]: Same here.

William [to Thais]: Wrinth is in the Inter-domain Marches.

skill 17 Thais_Perception

You rolled 12 and Thais_Perception - succeeded by 5.

Thais checks on the demon's location. "Between Domains at the moment, so 
we have some time yet."

William [to Thais]: Intending to move, but you can't tell such a thing as 
direction.

Neil says, "We're heading back to Bloom And Co., we assume."

The GM says, "As you say this, Bloom appears in a shifting of the mist 
with the two cars, and also sees you.  He waves and comes over."

Ekur looks to Thais.  "Don't think of it as a passive plan.  Think of it 
as en garde with a riposte planned."

Thais smiles shortly. "Not a bad point. No, ah, pun intended."

Neil says, "Think of it as an eight-to-three ambush conducted from the 
back of converted all-terrain figments."

Thais pats the Judgmentmobile as they approach. "Eight to three? Are we 
considering the two winners automatically hostile, then?"

Neil says, "They will be after we hit them."

William <ooc> Neil and his unique brand of intercession, everybody.

Neil says, "There's a Domain involved -- their domain. They're not going 
to back down any more than Yazz and Xiao Li will."

Jesdyn [to William]: Hey! Blame Dominic, I didn't write the attunement. 
They are clearly in league with Hell, I could hit even humans up to these 
hijinks.

Neil says, "Speaking of, you two feeling better?"

Ekur says, "Maybe.  On the other hand, if we take out Wrinth, are they 
going to bother trying to face us?  If at all possible, I'd like to start 
it as just a confrontation with Wrinth."

Xiao Li says, "Yes, much, thank you."

Yazz nods.  "Yeh.  Whoo, that was a braintwister."

Neil says, "Sure, that'll last. If either of them AREN'T hostile he's 
going to Charm them until they are -- in fact, he knows we're here, I'd 
assume he already has."

Thais frowns. "I don't know about the giant, but Maureen seemed honorable 
enough. I'd prefer to remove Wrinth from the situation, and then see what 
negotiation is useful afterwards." She shrugs. "If negotiation turns out 
to be pointy, well, I'm not saying we should /avoid/ that. Only that it's 
not necessarily tactically sound to attack people who may be willing to 
reconsider allegiances."

Ekur says, "And, well.  I think there's a reasonable chance a Cherub and 
its attuned will show, too.  And it might be . . . interesting how that 
turns out."

Bloom cocks an eyebrow.  "Sounds like we're making battle plans."

Neil says, "Maybe so. But we're trading surprise for the /chance/ that 
they haven't been Charmed, the /chance/ they'll be peaceful, and the 
/chance/ that they won't do well-nigh anything to get their hands on the 
brass ring."

Thais says, "All of which is moot if they attack, of course. But I don't 
see a benefit in /provoking/ such an attack. We're enough that we're not 
immediately in danger if we ignore them for a moment."

Neil turns to Bloom. "We are. There's a very, very bad Oath in Selkirk 
that's much closer to a Curse, a Remnant master, and a domain that eats 
people.

Bloom says, "Ah.  And we're trying to break it?  I'm not fond of 
violence, but freeing people from curses is generally a good thing."

Neil shifts uncomfortably.

Neil says, "Well, we're going to break it by stopping Wrinth from 
breaking it first."

Thais rubs the back of her neck. "We will be, once we're done with 
Wrinth. And I don't think we need to attack people other than him until 
they show themselves to be hostile."

Bloom says, "..."

Bloom says, "Ah!  You mean you'd rather be the ones to break it than 
Wrinth."

Ekur says, "Wrinth breaking it and building a demonic version of Civis on 
the remains is one curse for another.  We're going to /fix/ the 
situation."

Neil says, "Right."

Blook claps his hands together.  "Splendid!  I am eager to help."

"Bloom, even

The GM says, "Bloom, even"

Neil says, "Can you sing a healing for me? This domain keeps shorting out 
my resonance. Painfully. "

Bloom says, "Easily done," and steps over to Thais, singing a short 
phrase.

[ snip Bloom roll ]

William [to Neil]: And you're back up to full.

Bloom looks around.  "Anyone else?"

Ekur says, "I could use a heal."

[ snip Bloom roll ]

Bloom says, "I could tell there was a bit of scrape left, one second..."

[ snip Bloom roll ]

Bloom says, "There we go, that seems to have done it."  You're back up.

Ekur says, "You'd think trying to resonate a Domain would just return 
nothingness, not try to make your Ethereal Forces boil."

Bloom winces.

Bloom says, "Sounds nasty.  So how *do* we fix it before the demon does?"


Thais says, "Somehow, I'm glad I wasn't wondering about the Domain's 
honor."

Neil says, "Oh, it's quite honorable. Honorably hosed."

Thais says, "All things considered, I think we fix it after we've sent 
the demon running back home with more Discord or a few Forces torn off."

Ekur says, "We need to track down actual chunks of the Domains that a 
trickster god, of unknown identity, stole.  Wrinth had a plan involving a 
sorceress who's currently under Cherubic surveilance."

Bloom looks at Ekur.  "Trickster god... didn't Grandmother Spider mention 
one that had been messing around here?"

Neil . o O ( Rawr! Thanks for the poke, William )

Neil says, "THAT's what she meant by Anansi."

Bloom nods at Neil.  "Right, that was the one."

William <ooc> Okay, so currently going with the "wait and ambush Wrinth" 
plan?

Jesdyn [to William]: Yes. It's hard to tell where he's going to come 
through, but if we keep the cars converted and stay mobile, we can catch 
up to them before they cross the caul.

Ekur <ooc> still hasn't come up with anything better.  You guys?

fadethecat [to William]: We may need to hash out the "ambush Wrinth" vs. 
"ambush Wrinth and everyone he's with while we're at it" details.

Jesdyn [to William]: I assume Yazz has the same turbo the Judgementmobile 
does.

William [to Jesdyn]: Yep.

Neil says, "Well, my plan is how to catch up with them. We can ambush 
them with diplomacy once we do."

Neil keeps an ear out for their plan while he sets to work converting the 
Judgementmobile for offroad racing. "Yazz, mind if I touch up your ride?"


William [to Ekur]: Ultimately, of course, the decision rests with you.  
Welcome to life in a theocratic military regime.  ;^)

"Ambush them...with diplomacy. Right. If we could just agree not to stab 
people /immediately/ if they look conflicted about the whole fighting us 
thing, I'll be happy enough." Thais shakes her head, and goes back to 
tracking Wrinth's approach.

Neil raises the Judgementmobile's chassis a little and adds larger tires 
as well as wider ones. "We're not going back in there, but we need to 
catch Wrinth when he tries to come through out here. Ready to finally use 
that turbo?"

Thais [to Ekur]: You conveniently outrank us all!

William [to Neil]: The Judgmentmobile revs briefly.

Neil adds mudflaps and changes the cloak logo to desert camo.

Ekur says, "When Wrinth's dead again, we can go visit Anansi about this 
place, maybe take Dorotea along with us, if she shows up with Wrinth.  
Oh, and if we can strip some Forces off Wrinth while we're at it, that 
would be nice."

Thais smiles dreamily. "I can work with that."

Thais takes a few minutes to dreamshape her clothing back into something 
dry, clean, and neat. One doesn't go into battle looking untidy if it can 
be prevented, and with this much forewarning, there'd just be no excuse.

Neil quietly confers with Yazz.

The GM says, "As you circle the border of the two Domains, you learn that 
Selkirk and Roxburch are coterminous, forming a sort of bulging figure 8 
around the raised plateau.  Midnight strikes, and the lands themselves 
seem to groan with effort.  Additional firelights leap into the sky above 
the Domains, their source out of sight from the misty border but 
obviously close to each Domain's center."

The GM says, "Another hour or so passes, and as you swing by the raised 
plateau again you see that armies in blood red and cobalt blue have 
ranged themselves on either side of the plateau, blazing torches lighting 
the bare, rocky battlefield.  It is at this juncture that you see Wrinth 
casually approaching Roxburgh, a frost giant and a busty human girl at 
his side."

The GM says, "You hear him laugh at the same sight.  He has yet to notice 
you."

Jesdyn [to William]: How much noise are we making? Lots?

Thais . o O ( Ah, yes. Time to stab. )

Ekur moves toward the three, quietly as possible.  I've got Stealth-18 in 
the marches.

Neil can either sneak closer or gun the turbo and cut him off. Diplomacy 
can happen AFTER we have the high ground.

Jesdyn [to StevenE]: Yeah, but does my car?

William [to Jesdyn]: Depends whether you sneak or gun the turbo.  The 
engine will eventually draw his attention unless you approach on foot -- 
whether he has time to react is another question.

Ekur says, to neil, "When I get close, gun the engine and run on in.  
I'll try to stab him by suprise while he's startled.

Thais nods cheerfully in agreement with this plan.

Neil nods. "Yazz, Xiao Li, if you can do it, sneak on in with them. If 
not, I can use you here.

Thais follows Ekur onward, with a close eye on Wrinth.

Yazz has his own car and is following Neil's lead.  Xiao Li gets out and 
unsheathes his sword behind Ekur.

Neil says, "Alright, I think our plans are now solid. They're sneaking, 
and I'm waiting for the perfect time to seize their attention."

Neil takes one last second to dream-shape a red-and-blue light and 
siren...

-----Combat Prose Redaction-----     The team then ambushed Wrinth and 
the two champions of Asgard.  Neil and Yazz buzzed their foes to distract 
them, and Wrinth's side remained heavily on the defensive for the entire 
battle.  They focused solely on holding off the attack and making it to 
the Domain.  In fact, Thais and Ekur pressed the attack on Wrinth, 
celestially and ethereally respectively, and Neil, Yazz, and Xiao Li 
supported from the edges.  We learned that ethereal and celestial were of 
radically different utility in the Marches and instituted the house rule 
that celestial combat attacks targeted either Forces or attributes, 
guaranteeing at 0 Soul Hits the loss of a random element from those 
groups before the standard aging rules were employed.

     In lieu of rebooting the fight under the new rule, the knowledge was 
retroactively assumed and it was calculated that Thais had done 
significant Force damage to Wrinth (2 unknown Forces) while Ekur had 
whittles his Mind Hits down nearly enough to add another layer of 
Discord.  Becoming desperate, Wrinth ignominiously fled the battle at top 
speed, obtaining aid from the archers of the Lady of Selkirk and landing 
in safe haven among her troops.  At the close of the session, Wrinth was 
inside the Domain, while a large wall the angels had Dreamshaped during 
the battle cut off direct access to the Domain for the as-yet-unnamed 
frost giant and Maureen, who had been attempting to make their way 
inside.

--------------------------------------