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Essence of Dynasty	By : JohnDoe Category: +A through F > Exalted RPG Views: 766 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: White Wolf, Exalted and Exalted 3rd Edition are all trademarks of White Wolf Publishing AB, and official characters, names, places and text are copyrighted by White Wolf. I do not own Exalted and I'm not making money from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Session 1 – Weapon Shrinkage – (Melody: M0/0/0 M0/0/0 P0/0/0 E0/0/0; Jin: M0/0/0 M0/0/0 P0/0/0 E0/0/0, 314: M0/0/0 M0/0/0 P0/0/0 E0/0/0)

The Blessed Isle
Sion
The House Of Black Waters
Matriarch Alinos’s Study

One month ago

Gracious Pealing Melody of House Alinos stands to smart attention in the House Matriarch’s study. She wears the crisply pressed uniform of an Admiral of the Empress’s Navy. Seated behind a grand oaken desk, sits Matriarch Alinos, dressed in a flowing white robe, decorated with intricate embroidery, not so subtly in the house colors of purple and gold.

The wearing of house colors had been out of fashion for years. Then, with the disappearance of the Old Empress and the unrest that led to the Ascension War, they had rapidly come back into fashion as an immediate uniform and declaration of intention. Alinos had proudly worn Mnemon white and purple, even when it hadn’t been fashionable. But now the war was over, and though the new Empress entrusted the Great Houses with more power than her predecessor ever had, it wasn’t wise to declare one’s allegiances quite as unsubtly as to use block colors – filigree and accessories being the new vogue.

Melody speaks first, “Weapon shrinkage.”

Alinos raises an eyebrow. Melody had been born a commoner before being graced by the gifts of the Dragons, and her mannerisms could, at times, be confusing.

“Well,” Melody elaborates, “I’ve been doing this ranger crap for two years now, mommy needs some new ability dots...” She smiles at her own private joke, and with how unhelpfully obtuse she’s being.

Alinos pauses, tents her fingers, and still having no idea what Melody is talking about, slowly responds, “Quite... Well… be that as it may, I have an assignment for you.”

“Another assignment? As well as than trying to collect tribute for the entire empire with a third of the ships I need, dozens of Satrapies in open revolt, and an endless tide of pirates on the seas?” Melody smiles and cocks her head insubordinately. The look of a mischievous cabin girl on the face of a woman in an admiral’s uniform is especially absurd.

“She needs your help.”

Melody straightens up at once and looks immediately somber: the picture of a perfect Realm Admiral. There’s no need to ask who “she” is: Alinos’s only daughter, Melody’s sworn sister, Alinos Danireya.

Alinos continues, “I need you to travel to Juche: from there, the Jadeborn capital, then on to Shining Kren.”

Melody is one of the few who know that House Alinos is using Shining Kren, an underground Jadeborn city, as a staging ground for unearthing the treasures of a lost city of the First Age. She also knows, or at least is reasonably sure, that Danireya is not in Shining Kren – that she is, in fact, over a thousand miles East of Shining Kren. She waits for Alinos to elaborate, but when no explanation is forthcoming, she is forced to speak.

“May I ask why, matriarch?” Melody asks, her voice neutral, her words clipped with practiced, military precision.

“Is my word not reason enough?” Alinos replies with cool indifference.

Melody keeps her gaze fixed rigidly ahead, “Apologies for my earlier flippancy. But Empress Mnemon has tasked our – your – House with the collection of the Realm’s tribute. As you know, this is not an easy task. I feel that I am needed here, or upon the waters, but not underground, on the fringes of civilization, where I can’t do my duty. Ma’am.” There is an awkward pause. Melody allows her gaze to flicker, “Besides… Ganan’s there, what could possibly go wrong?”

A woman standing behind Melody clears her throat. Despite herself, Melody jumps. She hadn’t realized there was anyone else in the study with them. Or… had she? She regards the non-descript secretary before her… what was her name? Eldora? Elsa? Anna?

“Ylva Wataru,” The green-eyed woman prompts, as if reading Melody’s mind, “We have met.”

Melody nods uncertainly and clears her throat, “Of course… you’re… the… uh… Empress’s…”

“Convener of Special Taskforces.”

“Riiiight…” Melody says, “Sorry, I didn’t notice you standing there. And the Empress wants me for a ‘Special Taskforce’?”

Ylva walks slowly around Melody to stand by Alinos’s shoulder, “The Empress notes that Great House Alinos has already founded a Special Taskforce, for the excavation of the lost city of Dari. The Empress grants her loyal subjects dispensation to pursue these kinds of… special interests? But in this particular case, she asks that you be directly involved.”

“Okay… but why me?” Melody asks, suspiciously, “As previously mentioned, I do have other duties.”

“Who can divine the will of the Empress? Perhaps it is written in the stars that you should be part of the expedition to Dari.” Ylva smiles the same shit-eating smile Melody had when she was joking about ‘weapon shrinkage’.

Melody regards Ylva with open contempt, “Remind me, you are not Exalted, are you?”

Ylva bows graciously, “Alas, I have not been graced by the Blessings of the Dragons.”

“Then perhaps you should strike that smile from your face, before I strike it for you.”

Ylva’s smile fades and she clasps her hands demurely in front of her.

“Fine…” Melody mutters. She salutes and Alinos dismisses her. She mutters to herself as she leaves the office, “Every time I try to get out…”

****

The Southern Threshold
Under the Paragonese Desert
The Lost City of Dari
The Alchemical Mausoleum

One minute ago

+System Diagnostic Complete+
++Erymanthoi detected in Inner Sanctum++
+++Stand-by+++

+Override Codes Accepted+
++Activating++

Alchemical Champion Unit 26x12 And Two opens his eyes. His body of magical clay and enchanted Jade is numb and his vision is blurry as he awakens from stasis. He tries to move his body, but his stasis paralysis has not worn off. Slowly the glass of the stasis chamber descends, freeing him from it’s tomb-like embrace.

He sees two figures who seem to be arguing with each other in a language he does not understand.

****

Meanwhile, just outside the building

Outside of the Alchemical Mausoleum Gracious Pealing Melody takes a step backward. She’s been trying to break into the building using brute force, but now the impenetrable moonsilver doors swing open of their own accord.

Suspecting a trap, she cautiously enters. She doesn’t need a supernatural connection to Ganan to track him – she can hear him angrily shouting from the level below.

****

Now

Gracious Pealing Melody, Cynis Falen Jinabar, and Tepet Cynis Ganan, stand in Dari’s Alchemical Mausoleum. Before them is a large man made of jade and enchanted clay. The figure stirs and looks at them, regarding each carefully in turn.

His voice, baritone, yet surprisingly full of human emotion (weary but warm), speaks to them in Old Realm. His dialect is clipped and unusual “Identifying. Jade Caste Exalted. Error. Elemental Dragon energy detected. Reevaluating. Query: You are Dragon-Blooded?”

Jin straightens and composes herself, “We are. Who, and what, are you?”

The man steps forward, carefully climbing out of the stasis chamber, “Alchemical Champion Jade Caste Unit 26x12 And Two reporting for duty, ma’am. Ready to fight for the liberation of Dari.”

“Okay… that’s… surprisingly better than expected.” Jin says, blinking in shock.

“Liberation of Dari from what?” Melody asks in High Realm, an arrow notched in her bow.

(Ganan shoots her a curious look, surprised she can understand the Alchemical.

“I’ve been learning Old Realm. Sue me.” Melody shrugs back, “My pronunciation still kinda sucks.”)

The Alchemical looks at Melody for a long moment, when he speaks, it is in broken High Realm, “Language. Assimilating. We fight the Enemy. The Empyreal Tyrant and his loyalist brothers and sisters.”

Melody gives Jin a blank look. Jin shrugs back and looks at Ganan.

“Malfeas. And the Yozi.” Ganan responds, “Three-Fourteen here wants to free Dari from the Yozi. He’s talking about the Dawn War. The Divine Revolution.”

(“Three-Fourteen?”

“Twenty-six times twelve is Three-Hundred-and-Twelve. Add two is 314.”)

“Wait,” Melody blinks in confusion, “He wants to fight in the war that happened at the beginning of time?”

“Oy,” Jin addresses 314 kindly, “I have good news and bad news: you might want to sit down for this.”

314 makes a show of looking this way and that around the control room. There’s nowhere to sit.

Jin continues, “Well the goods news is… the war is over, and we won. The Empyreal Tyrant was cast down, the Dragon-Blooded rule Creation. The gods rule the heavens.”

314 repeats back slowly, “The war is over? The war I was created for… is over? And the Dragon-Blooded rule Creation?” He pauses for a moment, “I may need longer to assimilate this new language. What’s the bad news?”

Jin clears her throat, “This happened…” Unsure herself she looks over to Ganan for confirmation, “Five thousand years ago, give or take?”

Ganan nods and makes a fifty-fifty gesture.

“Five thousand years!” 314 slowly seems to buckle. With nowhere else to sit, he sits on the floor. His speak unconsciously slips back into Old Realm, “I was supposed…! Months! The Exalted were supposed to attack in a matter of months… I was supposed to help them…”

Melody draws her bowstring tights and points it at the Alchemical, “Okay, granted, I’m still learning, but I’m pretty sure he just said he was supposed to help the Anathema attack the city.”

Ganan gently motions for Melody to lower her bow, “Actually 'Exalted' has a number of translations, but more importantly, the Anathema were actually on our side at the beginning of the Divine Revolution. If our friend here predates time itself… He doesn’t know.”

314 looks up, “I don’t know… what?”

Jin cautiously takes a step backward, “Yeah, about that... we Dragon-Blooded are Exalted by the Elemental Dragons. What, exactly, is a ‘Alchemical Champion Jade Caste Unit’?”

314 looks confused, “You don’t know what an Alchemical Exalt is? As you are Chosen by the Dragons, I am the Chosen of Autochthon.”

Melody sidles up to Ganan, “That’s good, right? Autochthon is on our side, so he’s like… a Super Jadeborn?”

314 rises to his feet, “I am not a Jadeborn. I am human.”

“Oh, less good: he’s crazy.” Melody says.

314 holds up his hands, “This body was forged by Autochthon to prove…” He makes an exasperated gesture at the Dragon-Blooded, “To prove it was possible to create you.” He gestures to the gem set in his forehead, “But my soul is a human soul.”

“Okay… that’s better… wait… is that better?” Melody asks, with obvious confusion.

“What don’t I know?!” 314 demands.

Jin motions to Ganan, “You take this one.”

Ganan clears his throat, “Before the beginning of time-”

“Please stop saying that.” 314 says, bitterly, “Time existed.”

Ganan continues, “The Primordials abused Creation. Gaia, who so loved the world, wept, until her brother Autochthon, shared with her the secrets of Exaltation. Gaia’s children would empower champions to cast down Creation’s corrupt rulers. United with Autochthon’s favored people – the Jadeborn – and the other ardent defenders of Creation, the Dragon-Blooded would eventually overthrow the tyrants – and the tyrants became the Yozi, the Demon Kings. The Primordials abused all of Creation, but especially the gods. Many of the gods wished to stand with us in battle, but were under potent geas to never harm the Primordials. Foolishly, in desperation, Autochthon shared the secrets of Exaltation with the gods. The Elemental Dragons are a stabilizing force of Creation: their blood flows in our veins and thus every Dragon-Blooded is an agent of stability. But a mortal body is not meant to endure the powers of the gods: those Exalted by the Sun and the Moon were driven to madness. Once unleashed into the world, the Exalted power of the gods could not easily be recalled. These Exalted became Anathema: antithetical to the very nature of Creation, abominable, cannibalistic monsters. They turned on us, made war on Creations peoples, became worse tyrants than the very Primordials they had helped us overthrow.”

“The Solar and Lunar Exalted are the… enemies of Creation?” 314 surmises, “They were supposed to be the best of us…” He muses bitterly.

“Well… they’re certainly the most powerful,” Jin concedes.

“The most dangerous,” Melody adds, “But… that’s got me thinking… Autochthon isn’t a god. And 314 doesn’t have a mortal body. So…”

Jin nods, “Certainly his spiritual position is no worse than that of an Exigent.”

(“What’s an Exigent?”

“Let’s move on.”)

Jin motions for 314 to follow, and she leads him out into the deserted streets of the city. The underground cavern is dark, but argent light pours from the mausoleum, reflecting off the opalescent stone of the ruins, and casting eerie shadows in the mists. “Dari was destroyed. Thousands of years ago. There’s no city left to liberate here. But…” She gestures upward, “There are still humans who need our protection and our guidance. We Dragon-Blooded rule over the Blessed Isle, but the lands here, beyond the Inland Sea, are at the mercy of the Anathema… and the Yozi (the very enemy you were created to fight). There was a Warstrider bound in the chamber below yours.”

“Created by Ligier himself,” 314 confirms, “You do… know… who Ligier is? Was?”

Jin nods, “Is. It was stolen. By a servant of Sondok.”

A look of pure terror crosses 314’s face, “If Thamuz is free, he will tell our plans to…” 314 scoffs, “The war is over,” He reminds himself, “It’s thousands of years too late for him to…” Realization dawns, “But if he’s free, and there are no Champions here to stop him, he will burn all of the South in revenge.”

Jin lays a hand on 314’s shoulder, “Well, there are three champions right here, ready to stop Thamuz. We could use a fourth.”

314 turns to her, “I will help you…” He pauses, inviting introductions.

Jin gets his meaning, “I am Jinabar of Cadet House Cynis, call me ‘Jin’. This is Gracious Pealing Melody, of Great House Alinos-”

“Melody is fine.”

“And Ganan of Great House Tepet.” Jin continues.

“Also known as ‘Sir Will Not Be Appearing In this Adventure’.” Ganan smiles. The others look at him in dismay. He holds up the Orb of Peace, “Reya needs this. In Paragon. And I am… not… able to kill my own daughter. I don’t want to do this, and I would only be a liability to you. I am going to return to Paragon, and spend some time with my other, not-evil-demonic-servants-bent-on-destroying-the-world, daughters.” He flashes the mudra for peace.

Jin makes a face, “Wait, come this way.” She runs back into the mausoleum and heads down to the Warstrider bay. The others follow her. The previously closed blast doors are open, but the tunnel beyond has been completely caved in. The rocks themselves have been scorched and melted by the Hellstrider Thamuz’s tremendous power. Jin points down the caved-in tunnel and addresses 314, “Do you know where this leads?”

314 shakes his head slowly, “Dari was… above ground in my time.”

“I guess you don’t know any shortcuts back to the surface then?” Ganan rues, bitterly, “We’re so close to Paragon, but I’m going to have to backtrack all the way to the Firepeaks…”

314 considers for a moment, “Well… the basic layout of the city seems to be more or less the same. There were once service tunnels under the city that connected it to the great Jadeborn tunnels: they would be above us now, but they should still connect to the surface.”

****

The Exalted take a quick trip back down into the Warstrider bay. The hanger doors are now open, but the tunnel beyond is completely caved in – and it is no natural cave-in, the rock is twisted and bent – unnaturally burnt and shot through with veins of basalt and brass. Ganan and 314 pick out some of the imperishable tools, and the Circle heads out.

****

314 leads them through the shattered ruins of Dari. The fallen city is spread over uneven ground and shrouded in mist. Melody passes out torches, which Jin lights, as they leave behind the eerie light of the mausoleum. The Dragon-Blooded effortlessly pass over the broken rocks and treacherous terrain, but the Alchemical stumbles in the torchlight, struggling between how the city is and how the city he remembers should be.

314 leads them to a mostly intact tower – the tallest in the city – then calls them to a halt. “There’s something not right here…”

Energy ripples around 314’s body, as he calls forth a suit of armor.

(“Okay, that’s cool.” Jin says in awe as the Alchemical flexes his armored limbs.)

Melody surveys the terrain, “He’s right. See the way the rubble falls there, the way the ground slopes down, how this entire area around us is devoid of cover… it’s like it’s been set up as an-”

“Ambush!” Jin cries.

For the first time, our heroes encounter native life in Dari. Leathery skinned, hairless orangutans, with large milky-white eyes spring up from the darkness – fang barred.

“Darkbrood!” Melody exclaims.

“Cathan!” 314 shouts at the same time.

Melody and 314 share a look.

“Cathan?”
“Darkbrood?”

“Angry mob trying to kill us! Fight now, talk later!” Jin barks.

314 raises his arm-mounted crossbow and fires repeating volleys into the Cathan Darkbrood. Some unseen mechanism reloads the bow after every shot as he lays down suppressing fire. Despite the darkness, and the enemy’s defensive positions, the hammering shots (10 Power, 14m, 1a).

Jin rushes at their attackers, leaping over the barricades and swinging out into the gloom with her wrackstaff. The Darkbrood stagger back under the assault and Jin pushes the advantage, striking out again with Exalted excellence as she makes many attacks (10 Power, 13m, 2a).

Melody takes aim with her powerbow and sprays the Darkbrood with a storm of arrows (7 Power, 14m, 1a).

The Darkbrood vanguard rounds on Jin, smashing against her with wicked glaives. Though the blows would slice a lesser opponent in two, Jin’s Mountain Folk armor absorbs the worst of the punishment (2 damage).

“Could use another frontline fighter up here!” Jin calls out to Ganan.

Ganan makes a finger gun back at her, “I’m holding this torch so you can see what you’re doing. Unless you’ve got that sensor suite in your armor working yet?”

“I’m coming!” 314 yells as he barrels into the Darkbrood, sword drawn, lashing out in all directions. Cathan drop before 314’s jade weapon, spilling guts and viscera. The Darkbrood break and flee under the Alchemical’s crushing assault.

Jin nods appreciatively, “Wow, you do not mess around! That was brilliant!” She starts to take off her armor.

Melody walks over to Jin and sizes up her wounds, applying a foul-smelling paste of crushed roots and medicinal leaves to the site of injury.

314 returns the nod and grins widely, “I have never actually met a Dragon-Blooded before: you have exceeded my expectations also.” He looks at Ganan, “Mostly.”

Ganan gives a sarcastic salute.

****

With Jin’s wounds treated and armor strapped back on. The Exalted climb the airship tower. It is not a simple ordeal: the magic that once sustained the towers has long faded, the enchantments that would have whisked them to the flight deck have failed, and even the basic structure of the tower has started to come apart. Our heroes face crumbling stairs, gaping holes, and collapsed passages.

Only 314 seems to struggle with negotiating the tower. (A fact that Ganan stores away for later.) The Alchemical is amazingly strong and resilient, but gracefulness is not a strength that the ancient being possesses.

Eventually they reach the top and look around: once this might have been a hanger bay for half a dozen vehicles of differing sizes, but now it is little more than a ruin, empty but for piles of rubble. The tower lies exposed to the natural rock walls of the cavern beyond, which shear through, bulging into what was once the flight deck.

Ganan picks his way through the destroyed flying vehicles – there isn’t anything worth salvaging.

314 sounds out the rock wall, rapping an armored hand against the surface. “The airship tower was directly above the main junction into the Jadeborn tunnels. Stands to reason that we should now be immediately below them. Thus, all we need to do…”

“Is blast our way through!” Melody finishes.

“You know, I joke, but you really are very similar to Gifty.” Jin muses, “Seriously, am I the only one who sees it? I feel like I am taking crazy pills!”

“Gifty?” 314 asks, “This is your Anathema, yes? Who stole Thamuz for Sondok?”

Melody clears her throat, “I believe the technical term is Dragon-Blooded Akuma-”

Ganan interrupts her, “If she’s stolen a Ligier forged Warstrider on behalf of Sondok’s armies, she is Anathema.” He looks over to 314, “All of the once ‘Celestial Exalted’ are Anathema. Dragon-Blooded are resistant to corruption, but we are not immune. Even powerless mortals can be seduced into the service of the enemy.”

314 repeats back, memorizing, “All Solars, Lunars and Sidereals are Anathema. Plus some Dragon-Blooded and others. Check.”

Melody balks in shock, “You know about the Sidereals?”

314 shrugs, “I’ve never met one. But I knew a Starmetal Caste and made the logical… why shouldn’t I know about the Sidereals?”

“I… okay… uh…” Melody looks over to Ganan for help, who shrugs helplessly back at her, “No-one in Creation knows about the Sidereals… I mean, not really. They’re the Exalted of Heaven. They watch over fate and destiny. Those who stay in their place are not Anathema, but those who descend to Creation… it’s complicated. Sometimes they’re driven mad with power. Sometimes they fall into the service of the Anathema – and become Anathema themselves. Sometimes they can stay focused on their heavenly mission – they lend their assistance to us then return to heaven.”

314 makes a puzzled face, “That… makes sense… I suppose. In my time, Yu Shen was home to the Enemy, but if they’ve been cast out…”

“I know this one!” Jin exclaims, holding up a finger as she recites, “‘Celestial gods, Live on high oblivious, to mortal concern.’”

“Are we not looking for somewhere to blast?” Ganan interrupts, clapping his hands together, “I for one would like to get out of here sometime today!”

“Right,” 314 says, extending his arm rigid. A compartment opens on his arm: it looks too deep to just be built into the armor, almost as if 314’s whole arm is hollow. From out of the compartment flies a small, mechanical, bird. “Fly along the wall.” 314 says to the bird, pointing in one direction, whilst he heads off in the other. The mechanic bird raps on the wall with its beak as it flies, 314 raps with his knuckles.

Jin approaches Ganan and drops her voice, “Are you just being a dick?”

Ganan’s eyes harden “We need to know what this thing can do. In case it turns on us.”

“He’s a Champion of Autochthon. You love Autochthon.”

(“I don’t love Autochthon.”

“You’re practically in love with Autochthon. You want to have Autochthon’s babies. ‘Oh Great Maker! Take me now!’” Jin makes obnoxious kissing noises.)

“We don’t know if he is a Champion of Autochthon. He’s a… thing that we found in a tube in the middle of a Solar city.”

(“Well, I like him. He reminds me of Reya!”

“Don’t start.”)

“Alright, but promise me that if 314 can’t find a way out, you’re not going to let us all rot down here just to prove a point.”

Suddenly, 314’s bird seems to find something. The Alchemical sprints over and raps the same position. Satisfied, he pulls back a fist and punches the rock face. 314’s armored fist smashes against a solid inch of rock and punches straight through into an open service tunnel on the other side. “I knew it!” He announces in triumph, “Might take a while to make a hole large enough to climb through though…”

“No, it won’t,” Jin reassures him, pushing Ganan forward.

Ganan smashes a hole wide enough even for 314 to stoop through and the party proceeds into the service tunnels.

Much like the (Dune Folk infested) service tunnels by Shining Kren, the tunnel is narrow and pitch black. The Exalted wander for a while before finding the car tunnel again. 314 takes a moment to orientate himself from the car tunnel, then leads them back through the service tunnels. For a while, they circle down, before coming to steep, ever rising stairs, which eventually form a tight spiral which leads up into the desert.

The Exalted blink in the sunlight. They’re standing amongst the pearlescent stone and ubiquitous fog of the Dari ruins. Paragon is visible in the distance.

314 raises a hand to his eyes and looks up at the sun. “Wow. One sun. The yellow one. Trippy. What now?”

“Well, we couldn’t follow Gifty into the under-dark,” Jin says, “Ganan wants to leave us and go to Paragon, but I’m thinking that might be the best place for us to go too?”

Melody nods in agreement, “We can restock supplies; Reya might be able to track Gifty by sorcery; and outside of the All-Seeing Eye, the Perfect’s spy network is probably the most extensive in the South. Plus that’s where I had Clapper shipped.”

“We’re not far from where we did our fly-over. Hey, 314, I don’t suppose you’re preloaded with sorcery?”

“I am not familiar with that term.”

“Sorcery. Wood Dragon’s Claw. Death of Obsidian Butterflies. Stormwind Rider. Conjuring the Azure Chariot.”

314 looks at her blankly.

(“Alright, not as like Reya as I thought.” Jin rues.)

“I can do that last one.” Ganan volunteers.

“Since. When.” Jin shoots back with obvious annoyance.

“Gifty was teaching me. In case we encountered another behemoth, and I needed to fly us to safety.” He performs the mudras needed to focus his will, and the Circle is engulfed in bright blue sphere. Ganan steers them sharply at an angle to the city, before rising up into the air, then making a beeline for the city gates.

“This is nice and all,” Jin complains, “But I’m pretty sure that Gifty’s version is faster. Like… much, much faster.”

(“Everyone is a critic!”)

Melody addresses 314, “I think you’ll like Paragon. It’s not as… sophisticated as the Realm cities on the Blessed Isle, but remember, the Threshold states rule themselves. We set an example for them and offer them our wisdom and guidance, but for the most part the mortals rule themselves. Paragon is not a perfect city, but it is peaceful and orderly.”

****

Ganan sets them down outside the city gates as evening falls, remembering the admonition about not riding directly into the city on a sorcerous conveyance. The Perfect’s guards in their drab grey do not challenge the two powered armored figures, man of bronze, or Alinos fleet admiral, as they stroll directly into the city.

Once more Ledaal Ludila meets them in the streets.

“Cynis Jinabar, your companion is too short to be Gifty. Regardless, I was not expecting to see you back again so soon.”

“We need to see Reya,” Melody says quickly, before Jin can crack a joke.

“Unfortunately, the Satrap is indisposed and will see no-one.” Udi spreads her hands apologetically.

“She’ll see him,” Jin jabs a thumb at her brother.

“Actually, she said that she especially will not see him.” Udi offers a weak smile.

Ganan makes a disgruntled face, “I have it.” He says simply and squeezes his pack to show the outline of a round object.

Udi seemingly ignores Ganan and addresses Melody, “Clapper arrived this morning. I’ve seen to it personally that he has received the best stabling, and I have prepared your quarters within the Satrapal estate. We were not expecting the others, but I’m sure we can find adequate accommodation. The Satrap will, of course, take a brief meeting with her beloved husband. The rest of you, she will see in the morning. In the meantime, please enjoy the hospitality of the Perfect: my attendant, Hasip, will handle any mundane concerns you have.”

A tall, swarthy man, dressed in Paragon-grey steps out from Udi’s side and gives a bow to Melody.

Jin opens her mouth to protest, but it’s immediately clear that Udi will not be swayed.

“Don’t worry,” Ganan reassures her as Udi leads him off, “These things all take time. I will set the wheels in motion.”

“I don’t like this,” Melody grumbles as Ganan and Udi leave.

“Well, he is right. These things take time. Mystically scry, get reports from spies, send word back to Kerin. Makes sense to meet tomorrow.” Jin shrugs.

“Yes, that would make sense if you actually trust Ganan to put any of those things into motion.”

314 clears his throat, “I share Melody’s concerns.”

Melody focuses on Ganan as he leaves and projects the list of tasks she wants achieved in his mind. Ganan offers her telepathic reassurance.

314 looks at Melody with concern then addresses Jin, “What is she doing?”

Jin folds her arms over her chest and grumps, “Hearthmate stuff. Wait, can’t you just talk to Reya directly with that?”

“Can and am.” Melody reassures her, “She still won’t see us until tomorrow though. I think she’s mad at me for some reason.”

Jin looks at her deadpan, “I have no idea why that might be.”

“So… sorbet?”

****
Melody leads them through the city to a small café between the pier and the Satrap’s residence.

“I’ve been here before, Paragon sent, like, two years of back-tribute. Needed a lot of shipping,” She explains, ordering for them. The trio sit in the shade and an attendant brings them three fruit flavored sorbets. Udi’s man, Hasip, settles with the business owner as the Exalted chat amongst themselves.

Jin addresses 314, who is looking suspiciously at the dish, “You do… eat… food, right?”

314 pokes it experimentally with his spoon, as if to say ‘This is food?’ before taking an experimental bite. “It’s cold!” He exclaims in surprise.

“Well, it’s ice.” Melody laughs.

“What’s ‘ice’?” 314 asks.

“Ice. The stuff that’s on the ground in the North. Frozen water. Mela’s Breath.” Jin tries.

“Oh, so, Mela’s been through here?” 314 looks around, with an obvious look of concern, “You people rebuild fast…”

“No, it’s…” Jin gestures at Melody in exasperation, “You try.”

“The Elemental Dragons slumber under Creation’s Poles. No-one has seen them in centuries. Maybe longer. They’re not out… destroying cities?”

314 takes another bite of sorbet, “The future is strange. Not bad. But it’s strange.”

“This is the present.”

“And I’m not from before time began. Deal with it.” The Alchemical gives a genuine smile, and the Dragon-Blooded chuckle, “So, this ‘Perfect’ who rules the city, he’s an Anklok?”

Melody and Jin exchange a look. Jin shrugs.

“What’s an Anklok?” Melody asks.

“You know…” 314 pantomimes being big and fat and makes dinosaur noises, “An Anklok.”

Jin speaks slowly, “Noooo, he’s… human.”

“Then who carries out the human sacrifices, that the Sun never dims in the sky? You only have one sun, so it must be a pretty important job… is that what your ‘Satrap’ does? She can’t see us because she’s pulling out hearts?”

Melody shudders. Jin steps in, “The sun goes down every night, then rises in the morning. We don’t sacrifice the mortals.”

“That’s basically our whole ‘thing’,” Melody adds, “We’re the ones who protect the mortals. The Anathema are the ones who… murder the mortals in the name of their pagan gods. Ixnay on the urdermay.”

(Jin smiles pointedly and talks out the corner of her mouth, “Are we sure about this?”

Melody leans in, “I’ve stopped your brother murdering his way through Creation for the past two years. We’ve got this.”)

****

The Exalted finish their flavored ice and Hasip shows them back to the Satrap’s compound. Jin’s power armor, 314’s alchemical body, and the forest greens of Melody’s ranger outfit draw looks from the dour grey Paragonese, who give the foreigners a wide berth.

Melody checks on Clapper, who is fed and ready for action. They stay up to watch the sunset, and 314 marvels at the night sky, before Hasip shows them to their rooms. The guest quarters are comfortable, but not resplendent in Dynastic luxury: Jin can’t help but feel disappointed, given that even her room in Shining Kren was better than this.

The Circle agrees to bed down and meet again in the morning.

(“Which is not when the Cloud Arsenals scream, but when the Sun comes up again and lights up the world?”)

****

Come the morning our heroes are awoken by the blast of trumpets. A precession of Paragonese officials in dour grey robes await them outside of their quarters. The Dragon-Blooded dress swiftly, and with some irritation, but 314 takes it in their stride.

A short, pot-bellied, balding, male official, perhaps an inch taller than Jin, unfurls a roll of parchment and speaks in a loud, but almost melodic voice (in acceptable, if somewhat accented, High Realm):

“His Majesty, The Perfect, Ruler of Paragon, Protector of the South, Master of Trade, Scholar of the Forgotten Mysteries, Khan of Onic, Guardian of Dari, Favored Servant of the Mighty Empress Mnemon, welcomes, officially, Your Exalted Excellencies, to His City. The Perfect requires your Enlightened presence for an audience at his palace. His humble servants stand before you to act as your escort and guide.”

314 points at the nearby tall, stepped pyramid of marble that dominates the exact center of the city, clearly visible from the Satrapal guest-house, “That palace? We can find it.”

Melody guffaws.

Jin tries to hide her amusement as she speaks, “Noble envoys of the Great Perfect. We are only within your master’s city to converse with his Satrap. We would not presume upon Creation’s Mightiest Mortal’s time, I really don’t feel-”

The herald cuts her off, “Wise and powerful Dragon-Blooded, this is a matter of common cause and some urgency. The Perfect does not make habit of sending out precessions at dawn. His All-Seeing Majesty knows why you have come to his city and requires that you attend him.” He bows obsequiously, and gestures for the Exalted to go to the palace.

Melody shrugs, “I guess we’re going to see the Perfect.”

****

The Exalted are shown to an antechamber in the palace. Large (but clearly mortal) guards wielding curved swords bar the way. The herald, whose name the Exalted have not bothered to ask, addresses them again:

“His Majesty wishes you to indulge yourselves: the protection of the palace is extended to you. Oh Exalted Champions, for this brief moment, the Perfect will accept your burdens.”

“Uh, thank you?” Melody says, uncertainly. She tries to continue further into the palace, but the armed guards draw their weapons and bar her way. A pair of Blood Apes materialize out of thin air, looming behind the mortal guards, standing ready for combat.

“Easy.” Jin says to calm Melody, “They just want us to surrender our weapons,” Jin translates.

“Oh, that’s not happening.” Melody’s eyes darken, “We are Exalted. Dragon-Blooded. By birth and blood-right, we carry our arms in defense of Creation itself. Always.”

The herald bows again, “The Perfect means no disrespect. The honor of our beloved Satrap’s allies is not in question.” The herald casts a pointed look at Jin in her stolen power armor and 314’s clearly artificial body, which clearly communicates that there is no way these two are getting an audience with the Perfect whilst armed.

314 extends his arm into empty air. There’s a ripping sound as his summons the Justice Blade to his grip. He takes grasp of the blade and wordlessly offers the hilt to the Perfect’s guards. They struggle under the weight of the blade as they take it away.

Melody growls as she reluctantly offers up Summer Thunder. The Perfect’s guard is reluctant to touch the demon-gold bow, forcing themselves to take the weapon with a shudder.

Jin shrugs apologetically and makes a fist, “I’m a martial artist. My hands and feet are attached. Sorry.”

The herald clears his throat, “The Perfect-”

Melody interrupts, “They clearly want you to remove your armor.”

Jin lies easily, “Oh… I’m naked under here. And it’s armor, not a weapon.”

The herald clears his throat, and an attendant appears with a finely tailored robe of grey silk, clearly expertly adapted to Jin’s size and body-shape.

Jin sighs and changes into the robe, sneaking Calumny into the meeting.

The Perfect’s guards part and allow the Circle to proceed to an intimate study. Three seating places have been set for the Exalted – 314’s chair in reinforced with bronze, as if to support a great weight. The seats face a privacy screen set a good three-paces away. A backlight casts a silhouette of a seated figure onto the screen: presumably, the Perfect is seated on the other side of the screen.

314 takes the seat clearly meant for him and finds refreshments of wine and dates laid out. He cautiously takes a nibble, and on liking the taste sets about eating all the food offered.

“Oh, this is ridiculous!” Melody complains as she walks past the chairs.

The Perfect raises a hand from behind the screen, “Hold! Admiral Gracious Pealing Melody. Do not approach the screen.”

Melody scoffs, “With all due respect, Perfect-” She stops speaking suddenly. Every step she takes towards the screen causes the screen to move further away – the room they are in stretching impossibly. She cautiously steps backward and takes her seat. When Jin sits, the screen draws closer and the room gets smaller until it returns to the same size as when they entered the room.

“Sorcery!” Melody whispers darkly.

The Perfect continues, “Understand, that I mean no disrespect to yourselves, or to the Great House of Alinos. I regret that such measures are necessary, but we have many enemies and live in a time of tumult.”

“The Perfect of Paragon, I don’t believe we have had the pleasure of meeting. I am Cynis Falen Jinabar, Imperial Magistrate.”

The shadow of the Perfect nods in recognition, “Your sister-in-law is my closest and most trusted advisor. You are a long way from the shores of the Blessed Isle, magistrate, but it is my hope that Paragon can offer you a measure of comfort and security.”

“Skip the pleasantries, time of tumult, clock is ticking,” Melody barks in irritation, “What do you want?”

“I think you know that I’ve already got what I want,” The Perfect smiles, coyly, referring to the Orb of Peace, “This said, a demonic warmonger wielding a weapon of unimaginable power is a point of mutual concern. Trade across the entire Southern coast has been disrupted: the demonic forces of Sondok have put Chiaroscuro to sack and Harborhead stands in open rebellion to the Realm. Only Paragon stands as a bastion of peace and stability. From my perfect city, I have projected my armies and brought many allies to our common cause. Make no mistake, if Paragon falls, the Realm’s presence in the South falls with it.”

“Well, we’d still have the Lap.” Melody says, “And An-Teng. And the Varang City States.”

“And which of these nations has a harbor you can use? Are you going to cross your tributes and legions over the distant Firepeaks? I do not speak to aggrandize my own importance. The Lap is an important city: the food stuffs it grows are eaten as far East as Paragon, but the city sits elevated in the artificial mountain of the Penitent. Varang’s artisans and astrologers work with a precision my own cannot match, but let us be honest with each other: I need you and you need me. And we need to capture this rogue Outcaste and her Warstrider before she destabilizes our efforts to pacify the South.”

“With greatest respect, Perfect-” Jin begins.

Melody interrupts, “Could you put that in a memo and entitle it ‘Shit I Already Know’! Why. The Fuck. Are we here?”

A note of impatience enters the Perfect’s voice, “That answers my next question before I’ve asked it. You’ve clearly never fought a Warstrider before. I have seen – in person – what they can do. They are army slayers. Invulnerable colossi of destruction, powered by the limitless energies of a bygone age. Find the Warstrider in the vastness of the desert? Difficult, but possible. Defeat it? The three of you? Even with my armies at your back, you’d be crushed.”

Jin shifts her weight uncomfortably, having never fought a Warstrider before, only having heard the legends and seen them on the Old Empress’s parade grounds.

“I’ve fought a Warstrider before.” Melody says, crossing her arms over her chest.

314 speaks, “This particular Warstrider is especially dangerous. What did you have in mind, Perfect?” His warm voice seems to set the mortal king at ease.

“You may not be aware, but a mutual enemy – a traitor to the Realm and a menace to my rule – also possesses a Warstrider.”

“Saloy Hin.” Jin grinds her teeth.

“Saloy Hin,” The Perfect confirms, “I take it that our demonic foe is also aware that the rogue General possesses The Breath of Fire?”

“I think all of Creation has heard the tale of the Realm General who stole a Warstrider.” Melody answers.

“A Warstrider of our own will significantly help to even the odds.” 314 nods sagaciously, “Where can we find Saloy Hin?”

The silhouette of the Perfect eases back in his chair, “That, my Exalted allies, is why I have summoned you here. My rule stretches for a hundred leagues in every direction, save across the Inland Sea. To the South live many tribes of nomads, who wander between the oases: the Sulik tribe, loyal to me, have tracked Saloy Hin’s incursions into my lands. This… insurrectionist would cast the entire South into anarchy in his vainglorious quest for power and treasures. His rogue legion is the most dangerous of all the bandits of the Burning Sands – plundering and pillaging, bringing chaos where my armies strive for order. My Sulik will lead you to him. And you will solve one problem with another.”

(“And win a victory for the Southerners,” 314 muses, “In other words, a quid-pro-quo.”)

Melody makes a noise of frustration, “Perfect, forgive me, but I can’t help but feel like this is a massive distraction. I am very sorry that Saloy Hin is giving you competition for The South’s Most Powerful Warlord, but I really don’t see how stopping him helps us. We have bigger concerns.”

“You don’t know where your Anathema is. It will take time for my spies to find her. If I were her, I would be heading for the biggest threat to me and destroying it before they learn of the danger I possess: there is a very good chance that you will encounter your quarry on this mission. In the worst case, you get to practice fighting Warstriders whilst you wait for my spies to find your target. In the best case, you and Saloy Hin kill Dragonsgift together. Neither scenario is a waste of your time.” The silhouette of the Perfect rises from his chair, and the backlights casting his shadow are extinguished, “Now, if you will excuse me, I have matters of state to attend.”

The doors by which the Exalted entered are opened behind them, and it is clear their audience is over. The Perfect’s guards return their weapons, and Hasip (Ledaal Ludila’s assistant) is waiting for them.

Hasip bows, “The Satrap will see you now.”

****

Hasip does not return them to the Satrapal estate, but instead leads them to a nearby office within the Perfect’s palace.

Alinos Danireya, Satrap of Paragon; Ledaal Ludila, Satrapal Advisor; and Tepet Cynis Ganan await our heroes within the office. Reya’s infant daughter, Lezabe, and granddaughter Raenyah, play in the corner of the office, watcher over by their nurse-maid, Aline.

Danireya rises from her desk and approaches the trio. She gives a respectful short bow of respect to 314.

“I am honored to meet one of Autochthon’s Chosen,” She looks the Jade Caste Alchemical up and down, “I think I see something of myself in you. You will have the full support of Paragon and Great House Alinos in your quest to bring this demonic Anathema to justice.” Her tone is cool and formal.”

“Thank you Great Satrap,” 314 responds warmly, “You are as wise as you are beautiful.”

Ganan clears his throat pointedly. Reya nods graciously at the Alchemical, “What is about to transpire is for Dragons. I would normally ask that you leave… but you may stand witness if you wish.”

314 nods uncertainly and takes a step backward.

Reya turns to Cynis Jinabar, “Ada Augusta, once my Hearth was whole, but we lost our Child of Hesiesh to the Ascension War. For a time, I had hoped that Dragonsgift could fill the void left by her father, but she has proven a faithless traitor. Despite any past misdeeds, you have proven yourself true. We,” And at this, she gestures to Udi and Ganan, “Would be honored to welcome you to our Sworn Kinship.” She looks to Melody, “Providing there are no objections?”

“To welcoming an exiled traitor? The prolific pirate who has cost this family more Jade than any other across Creation? This deceitful, lying mare, who stole from our most trusted allies, and played us for chumps whilst lining her own pockets? Who is already related to us by blood and offers us no political advantage in becoming Sworn Kin?” Melody smiles and slaps Jin heartily on the back, “Frankly, I’m surprised it’s taken us this long to offer, what-do-you-say, kid?”

“We are the same age, don’t call me kid.”

(“Pretty sure I’m older than you.”

“Ferad is older than me. We are the same age.”) Jin raises an eyebrow, “So… you want to be my Sworn Kin because I’m a Fire Aspect, and that completes the set?”

Ganan scoffs, “You have been a stalwart defender of Creation, foiling the schemes of Sondok and the machinations of the Mask of Winters. You helped me recover the Orb and without hesitation, you have thrown yourself into this new cause. You are perhaps the dedicated and worthy Dragon-Blooded in Creation – not already in our Kinship that is. It is a pity that you and I are already bound by blood.”

“Fortunately,” Melody adds, “We’re not the type to hold the circumstances of your birth against you. Come on, you know you want to.”

Jin shakes her head at herself, “I suppose I don’t have any better offers.”

The five Dragon-Blooded recite the Oath of Kinship, renewing their vows to each other and welcoming Cynis Jinabar to the fold.

****

Jin gains an Exalt Beat for convincing 314 to join their cause. Melody gains an Exalt Beat for meeting an Alchemical for the first time.

Melody gains a Personal Beat for treating her friend’s wounds. Jin gains a Personal Beat for joining the Sworn Kinship. 314 gains a Personal Beat for finding a new Community to Defend, triggering a Group Personal Beat.

Melody and 314 spend their Personal Milestones on repurchasing Ox-Body Technique.
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Essence of Dynasty