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| When the spirit of the city of [[Q'in Sanizaj]], in a desperate attempt to stave off the Wyld forces assaulting it, attempted but failed to create a stable merger of itself, the city and its inhabitants, the tragic result was an unshaped, Wyld monstrosity, an entity now known as Kinaniz.
| | == Cast == |
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| Formed from a slowly shifting mix of environments, some urban, some natural, some a disturbing or wondrous melding of both, Kinaniz moves slowly, using its outer waypoints like the legs of an insect to propel itself. When stationary, it will elevate itself on a tree trunk miles in diameter and a hundred miles high, and arrange its waypoints into a more defensible arrangement, generally forcing visitors to enter through the hall of glass.
| | {{Include|Korlysto|3}} |
| | {{Include|Sulvad Tiaosa|3}} |
| | {{Include|Poison Vault|3}} |
| | {{Include|Faithful Pia|3}} |
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| ==History== | | == Handouts == |
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| Little is known about Kinaniz's history, even to Kinaniz itself. Barely sentient when initially formed, it's first act was to eject [[Wyr'palja's mausoleum]], it's reality engine irritating the innards of the beast. It then assimilated, destroyed or expelled the vast majority of the raksha who had been trapped by its formation, shaping what remained of them and their freeholds into itself. Those citizens, both alive and dead, who were incorporated into Kinaniz remained protected by the unshaped as best it could manage, and many of these ghosts remain within Kinaniz today. As the Fair Folk invasion of Creation continued, it wandered the Wyld. By the time the Empress had expelled the invaders, Kinaniz was in the Deep Wyld, slowly mutating even further.
| | *[[Forgotten Suns: Questions]] |
| | *[[Exalted Artifacts]] |
| | *Sheets |
| | *Message in dragon blooded bottle |
| | *Memories in gems |
| | *Finish visions |
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| Stories of its existence would surface occasionally in Fair Folk courts, usually as an unstoppable force that wondered in from the deep Wyld, absorbing or destroying those foolish enough to try to tame it, then wandering back out again.
| | == Scenes == |
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| As time progressed Kinaniz become more intelligent, self-aware and focussed. About a century ago, it realized that it was once a city, and wasn't sure what to make of that. A few decades later, it realized that not only had it been a city, but it was possibly one of the greatest cities ever made. A few decades after that, he decided it could be so again and began looking for its original location. During its search, it also realized that, quite naturally, it was the site of a great deal of treachery, murder and conflict. Concluding that this must be the natural state of all great cities, certain changes began to take place within itself to embody this idea.
| | ===Pre-Flight=== |
| | ''Setting:'' Kether Rock<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Focus the circle on what they want to do.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' On the ride home, ponder the [[Forgotten Suns: Questions]]<br> |
| | ''Complications: None'' |
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| Most recently, it came across [[Wyr'palja's mausoleum]], which had come under the control of [[Cahlenna]] a high ranking member of the [[Opal Court]]. Without realizing exactly what it was, Kinaniz realized the tomb was once important to the city and promptly surrounded it. Cahlenna, of course, led an expedition into Kinaniz to get the tomb back, which did not end well for Cahlenna. Most of the expedition was destroyed, and Cahlenna and her entourage were bested and force to swear an oath to protect the tomb. She remains within, torn between scheming to escape and scheming to gain control of Kinaniz.
| | ===Memories of the Dead=== |
| | ''Setting:'' Chiaroscuro<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Extract memories of the location of Soul Mirror from the gems.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' May possibly ask Grandmother Bright for assistance, but this is not likely. They might also find information in Wyr'palja's tomb that will help. The basic gist is that a celestial circle spell can extract the information. It's also possible that the souls in the axe could be used to extract the information. The drawback is that the axe would likely be destroyed and the dragon-blooded would certainly now remember the gem contents. A spirit involved (Bright) would be able eavesdrop on the process and know the memories as well.<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' Destroying the axe would be bad, because the lieutenant inside it is cruicial to curing the Empress. |
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| The tomb itself is now nestled like a pearl within Kinaniz, its reality engine now more of a source of comfort than irritation to the rest of the unshaped's body. | | ===Return to the Manse=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Forgotten Manse]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Reuinite group. Introduce dragon kings.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' Fly to manse. Not sure how Jorias fits into the vehicle. Maybe Stag posesses something? From the air, they see scafolding. The sphere is weaving more than before.<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' Probably none. |
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| == Structure == | | ===Repairing the Manse=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Forgotten Manse]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Reset corrupted hearthstones and make repairs dramatic.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' When manse is repaired, a wave of energy blasts the jungle away from the manse, revealing a pedestal of glass and exploding the hearthstones. This deals 8L. They will need two weeks to regenerate.<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' Probably none. |
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| An an unshaped Kinaniz is a mobile freehold, currently containing 16 waypoints. As a freehold, it contains an arcane redoubt, a stronghold, a fountainhead and a glory, but lacks a throne room. This means the unshaped has purpose, strength, self-awareness and majesty but no real society. Life within the freehold functions much like an ecosystem or immune system would, guided by its own internal forces but without any guiding society. While the guiding intelligence and more powerful fair folk function on a network of oaths, the vast majority of manikins, poppets, ghosts and common fair folk do as their natures dictate. The result is a city without a society, making the majority of the freehold a somewhat familiar urban setting hosting extremely unorthodox behavior (and, occasionally, vice versa).
| | ===Sylvan Crucible=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Sylvan Crucible]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Introduce the lunars.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' In a mix of tropical and disiduous forest, a system of marble walkways and pools wonders through the forest, with several circles of columns. Stairways often rise to nothing or descend to stone or water. Around a large central courtyard, there is also a massive feasting hall, a shrine of sorts and a defensible tower containing the hearthroom. Lots of animals, deer in particular. Some deer- or other beast-men.<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' If unannounced, reaction will be hostile. |
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| The urban landscape is more dense with both structure and ideas. As such, the narrative waypoints that make up Kinaniz are fairly compact for waypoints, usually only a one or two miles across. Some are even smaller. Kinaniz may occasionally grab additional waypoints, usually sections of wyld forest, with which it surrounds itself.
| | ===Meeting with Stag=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Sylvan Crucible]], before dinner<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Give Stag background on one of the lunars.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' Sulvad Tiaosa recognizes Stag by his smell. Shows himself in old identity. Curious about what happened to him. Rumors of consorting with the Empress.<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' None. |
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| <center>[[Image:KinanizWaypoints.png]]</center> | | ===Lunar Council=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Sylvan Crucible]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Introduce the point of the wyld run, exposition for empress return.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' High points:<br> |
| | * "Come only in your true face". |
| | * "That is his true face, lord. Or one of them, at any rate." |
| | * The existance of [[Second Chance]], a potion that erases things, including lunar tattoos. |
| | * Disposition of Pia. |
| | * Suggestion of sweat lodge. Shows visions of the future. May show memories as well. |
| | * Question as to why Guen as not called a ''tlak''. |
| | * Revelation of Sulvad that he was brought by vision, he thought to talk with Korlysto, but more likely to the circle. Mnemon knows of a wedding to held coincident with empresses funeral. Stopping funeral may interrupt wedding. Time of funeral is a political game, as if brings questions of succession to the fore. |
| | ''Complications:'' Probably none. |
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| ===The Glass Lamentation=== | | ===Sweat Lodge=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Sylvan Crucible]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Expose some character secrets and drop hints about the future.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' Circle meditates in chamber. Sees shared [[Medicine Lodge Vision]].<br> |
| | ''Complications:'' Probably none. |
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| Remnants of the neighborhood turned into glass. Guarded by a glass dragon behemoth?
| | ===Planning=== |
| | ''Setting:'' [[Sylvan Crucible]]<br> |
| | ''Purpose:'' Figure out where to go.<br> |
| | ''Concept:'' PC consideration:<br> |
| | * Poison Vault will recognize the Forest of Arms if it is described. |
| | * Korlysto knows the name of [[Wyr'palia]]'s city was [[Q'in Sanizaj]]. |
| | * Korlysto will know that [[Cahlenna]] was a member of the [[Opal Court]] and the circle may be able to coerse raksha into revealing information about it. |
| | ''Complications:'' Probably none. |
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| ===The Perpetual Bustle===
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| Main street life, but all at once. A parade, revolts, stabbings, happy couples, friends greeting, etc. Manakins and dream creatures going about daily life.
| | ===Into the Wyld=== |
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| ===The Consummate Repose===
| | *[[Bezul]] |
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| Mish mash of houses. Sleep.
| | ===Hatra Bushes=== |
| | ===Fighting the Revolution=== |
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| ===The Vaporous Anchorage=== | | == Scraps == |
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| On top of trees, towers flying vehicles would connect to.
| | *[[Kinaniz]] |
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| ===The Vicious Bazaar===
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| A trading zone.
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| ===The Antediluvian Necropolis===
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| Transluscent Dream Sheathing Technology
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| ===The Amaranthine Esplanade===
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| A city park, sort of.
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| ===The Sauroid Mnemonic===
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| Remnants of Dragon Kings.
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| ===The Impecunious Propinquity===
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| A maze of slums.
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| ===The Imminent Eminence===
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| Glory. Center and focus of majesty of the freehold. Magical and wondrous place. Hall of Memory? Causes beguilement throughout freehold (pg 190). Might be some stray mortals hanging around. Hanging Gardens style place.
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| Misplaced Promise has embedded his own Cup into the spiritual structure of the freehold, forming this glory. This allows him to prevent selected raksha within from naturally regaining Essence. He can also Cup-shape in any of the freehold's waypoints, and defend the waypoints from Sword-shaping. He could also reflexively give himself the Curse of Alienation though he would be unlikely to do so.
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| ===The Determined Citadel===
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| Stronghold. Center for active and aggressive strength.
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| Symbolism using both trees and the idea of power from the people.
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| The Regency has embedded his own Sword Grace into the structure of Kinaniz to form its stronghold. This allows the freehold to control 40 waypoints, which the Regency may arrange has he sees fit. He can also Sword-shape in any of the freehold's waypoints, and defend the waypoints from Sword-shaping. He could also reflexively give himself the Curse of Namelessness, though he would be unlikely to do so.
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| === Valence===
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| Fountainhead gives freehold self-awareness and identity. Feminine/passive symbolism.
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| Hoi Polloi has embedded her own Ring Grace into the spiritual structure of Kinaniz to form its fountainhead, making the freehold conscious. This allows her to sense anything that happens in the freehold or near its pennants or cysts. She can also Ring-shape in any of the freehold's waypoints, and defend the waypoints with Ring-shaping. She could also reflexively give herself the Curse of Meekness, though she would never do so.
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| ===The Angelic Sacrifice===
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| Before Q'in Sanizaj fell prey to the Great Contagion and the Fair Folk, a handful of raksha called the city home. One of these, an entertainer named Angel Finger, witnessed the formation of Kinaniz, and willingly joined it. Heartbroken at the loss of the city she loved, she volunteered her Heart to Kinaniz, sacrificing her existence to become the bonefire at the center of the unshaped's existence and turning it into a mobile freehold.
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| A single cathedral-like room makes up this waypoint, Kinaniz' arcane redoubt. The room originally was an unrivaled First Age music hall, one of the wonders of Q'in Sanizaj, constructed from equal parts crystalline and vegetative technology of the Dragon Kings. The room has been warped nearly beyond recognition, of course, the tall silver bonefire burning in the center. Air flows through the massive crystal and wood organ pipes, driven by large, misshapen bladders that expand and contract on their own accord. Gilded cages have been added over the centuries, holding wyld creatures possessing unnatural voices that sing, act, lecture or recite poetry. The choir loft is filled with what appears to be the happily singing heads of a mortal children's choir, all connected to the same millipede-like leather body. Instruments of all varieties, including an abundance of those not yet invented, play and move on their own accord, occasionally dancing to the music of their brethren. Individually, every sound, voice and song within the redoubt would make mortals weep with their beauty and passion, but combined the noise can nearly drive men mad.
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| Misplaced Promise has attuned his heart to the redoubt, which allows him to enflesh himself within the freehold, becoming aware of all things the happen within and shape as if present anywhere within (all such test adding Essence successes). He can also spy on any carrying the freehold's pennants or cysts, and may wither this objects at will.
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| ===Tomb Nest===
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| Web of streets. You can fly inside if you want, but this makes you vulnerable to shaping?
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| Within this reality, rasksha will use a shaping action to declare that "the heroes see the impressive display and run away, avoiding the freehold's guards." If the players accept this reality, they will have +1 die to escape the freehold. If they refuse, they suffer environmental penalties as per pg 134. Other raksha will form similar realities. Single target at a time?
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| Perhaps other locations attempt to move the party in specific directions.
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| ===Tomb===
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| ==Inhabitants==
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| ===Guidance===
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| The primary guiding intelligence of Kinaniz, [[Misplaced Promise]] is all that remains of the original spirit of [[Q'in Sanizaj]]. He has embedded his own graces in both the redoubt and the glory, and spends most of his time enfleshed in the body of Kinaniz. He occasionally takes the form of a winged, parrot-headed man. He seeks to return the city to its former glory, but has some confused notions about what its former glory. He will be torn about intruders trying to breach the tomb, concerned about what they might take or damage, but extremely curious about what is inside.
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| ===Secondary Guidance===
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| In addition to everything else it was, Qin Sanijaj can legitimately claim to be the first city taken over by a largely mortal revolt (with the help of Dragon Kings, god-blooded and a raksha or two). All that remains of this revolutionary spirit and the government-by-the-people it spawned has coalesed into the [[Regency]], the second guiding intelligence of Kinaniz.
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| ===Secondary Guidance===
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| Hoi Polloi
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| Pulled in during the merge. Slightly insane
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| Deeper Into Trouble
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| Technique, Furiously Stalling Destiny, Ill-Approving
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| Eyes, Inauspicious Moment for Attack, Laughing Monster
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| Stance, Subtle Hammer; plus Assertion of a Greater
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| Vision, Howling Dream Consumption Prana, Sapphire
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| Emptiness Kata, Shuffling the Pieces, Thieves
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| Fall Out and Unitary Being Forge.
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| This model is suitable for an unshaped wielding
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| litany bones and focusing on defense and support. The
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| guiding intelligence with this model would enter into
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| battle with Howling Dream Consumption Prana and
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| Laughing Monster Stance active, using Shuffling the
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| Pieces to collapse the defense of enemies already
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| wounded by its lesser minds.
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| [http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/2633916 Potrait]
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| ==Inhabitants==
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| #Behemoth representing the rebellion of the citizens? "Revolting Proletariat" or "Soul of the Junta", sprouting or shooting armed peasants as weapons. Artifact: 5. Attacks as Jade daiklave. Mutations (15):Giant (4), Grace of the Infinite Revolving Spheres (4), Regeneration (2), Tough (2), Long-Arm Technique (3). May also be used as Cup-shaping weapon, but only dealing with revolution-like emotions. 2 motes to make ranged attack?
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| #Representation of the neighborhood turned into glass by Wyr'palja.
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| #Freehold
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| #[[Diamaskratos]] Glass dragon. Attack as starmetal reaver daiklave. [[Colossal]] (6), Dragon's Breath (6), Surpassing Excellence (1), Ambrosial Ascension (1), Raging Vortex Form (1, provides half Willpower additional = Grace of the Infinite Revolving Spheres (4)). Lost in Conviction Bedlam? [[Erratic Threnody]]
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| #Poppets
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| Captive fairfolk?
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| Awakened Dream Manufacture
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| Shape Forged Servant
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| Tainted Creature Command
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| == Booty ==
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| *[[Regrettable Evacuation Curse]] - Held by Misplaced Promise
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| == Statistics ==
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| Freehold <span style="font-size: smaller;">●●●●●</span><br>
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| Heart: Embedded by Misplaced Promise.<br>
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| Stronghold: <span style="font-size: smaller;">●●●●</span> - formed using the Regency's sword grace. 40 waypoints maximum<br>
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| Glory: <span style="font-size: smaller;">●●●●●</span> Misplaced Promise embedded own cup grace<br>
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| Fountainhead: <span style="font-size: smaller;">?●</span> - formed using
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| Hoi Polloi's ring grace<br>
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| Throne Room: none<br>
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| Tokens: Cyst <span style="font-size: smaller;">●●</span> (Misplaced Promise), Cyst <span style="font-size: smaller;">●</span> (The Regency), Cyst <span style="font-size: smaller;">●</span> (Hoi Polloi), six pennants
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| [[Category:Forgotten Suns]]
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| [[Category:Location]]
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| [[Category:Freehold]]
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| [[Category:Raksha]]
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Cast
Korlysto
A murr-ya (face 7) no moon lunar following the totem of the sambar deer, Korlysto runs the Sylvan Crucible. He is several centuries old and is much respected as both an expert in administering the trials for new lunars but also as a judge and negotiator.
In his efforts to maintain the Silver Pact, Korlysto has sacrificed much of his immortal vigor, appearing as an old man with braided unkempt white hair. Even in human form, his tell is unmistakable, a covering of downy silver hair resembling peach fuzz. He speaks in a deep, rumbling voice (stereotype: James Earl Jones) and has a predilection for storytelling.
Korlysto is formidable physically, having six levels of beastman form, but gives the impression of being more of a thinker. He is also an extremely powerful sorcerer, but never summons demons under any circumstances.
portrait
Sulvad Tiaosa
An ikth-ya (face 5) changing moon lunar, Sulvad Tiaosa is also known as Talks Without Fangs to some lunars, as he has never learned the beastman form of his horse totem. For the last sixty years, Sulvad has chosen to infiltrate the Blessed Isle, generally studying people he wants to take the place of, then killing them and drinking their heart's blood. He presently works as minor advisor to Mnemon under the guise of an efficient, upwardly mobile female water aspected dragon-blooded named Mnemon Dedyn.
He tends to dress in imperial fashions, usually silk finery. In his natural form, he cuts a striking figure, with a lush mane of black hair and long but powerfully built limbs. He has large, dark eyes which inspire trust and talks with a smile you can hear and an undercurrent of wisdom.
Sulvad is a master of both Five-Dragon Style and Water Dragon Style. Master shapeshifter and social manipulator, few people have ever even had an opportunity to expose him in the imperial court, much less succeed.
Sulvad met Stag years ago under a different guise, an older immaculate monk named Mnemon Ashkimadan.
portrait
Poison Vault
As an albino bat totem, Poison Vault is somewhat off the beaten path, even for a lunar. Even as an uf-ya (Face: 4) no moon lunar, Poison Vault is disturbing even to other no moons.
Poison is an average looking, pale-skinned woman who speaks matter-of-factly and with good humor. She keeps in blond hair long in human form, and favor white silk or gossamer. She is quick to answer and usually correct, but not overbearing. Her venomous reputation, however, causes people to keep their distance.
Poison is an accomplished sorcerer and a master alchemist, well versed in a wide array of poisons. She herself is poisonous when she needs to be as well.
portrait portrait
Faithful Pia
The companion of Jak the Outrider of Kether Rock, detailed in Cult of the Illuminated (ISBN 1-58846-682-5), pp 120-121.
Handouts
Scenes
Pre-Flight
Setting: Kether Rock
Purpose: Focus the circle on what they want to do.
Concept: On the ride home, ponder the Forgotten Suns: Questions
Complications: None
Memories of the Dead
Setting: Chiaroscuro
Purpose: Extract memories of the location of Soul Mirror from the gems.
Concept: May possibly ask Grandmother Bright for assistance, but this is not likely. They might also find information in Wyr'palja's tomb that will help. The basic gist is that a celestial circle spell can extract the information. It's also possible that the souls in the axe could be used to extract the information. The drawback is that the axe would likely be destroyed and the dragon-blooded would certainly now remember the gem contents. A spirit involved (Bright) would be able eavesdrop on the process and know the memories as well.
Complications: Destroying the axe would be bad, because the lieutenant inside it is cruicial to curing the Empress.
Return to the Manse
Setting: Forgotten Manse
Purpose: Reuinite group. Introduce dragon kings.
Concept: Fly to manse. Not sure how Jorias fits into the vehicle. Maybe Stag posesses something? From the air, they see scafolding. The sphere is weaving more than before.
Complications: Probably none.
Repairing the Manse
Setting: Forgotten Manse
Purpose: Reset corrupted hearthstones and make repairs dramatic.
Concept: When manse is repaired, a wave of energy blasts the jungle away from the manse, revealing a pedestal of glass and exploding the hearthstones. This deals 8L. They will need two weeks to regenerate.
Complications: Probably none.
Sylvan Crucible
Setting: Sylvan Crucible
Purpose: Introduce the lunars.
Concept: In a mix of tropical and disiduous forest, a system of marble walkways and pools wonders through the forest, with several circles of columns. Stairways often rise to nothing or descend to stone or water. Around a large central courtyard, there is also a massive feasting hall, a shrine of sorts and a defensible tower containing the hearthroom. Lots of animals, deer in particular. Some deer- or other beast-men.
Complications: If unannounced, reaction will be hostile.
Meeting with Stag
Setting: Sylvan Crucible, before dinner
Purpose: Give Stag background on one of the lunars.
Concept: Sulvad Tiaosa recognizes Stag by his smell. Shows himself in old identity. Curious about what happened to him. Rumors of consorting with the Empress.
Complications: None.
Lunar Council
Setting: Sylvan Crucible
Purpose: Introduce the point of the wyld run, exposition for empress return.
Concept: High points:
- "Come only in your true face".
- "That is his true face, lord. Or one of them, at any rate."
- The existance of Second Chance, a potion that erases things, including lunar tattoos.
- Disposition of Pia.
- Suggestion of sweat lodge. Shows visions of the future. May show memories as well.
- Question as to why Guen as not called a tlak.
- Revelation of Sulvad that he was brought by vision, he thought to talk with Korlysto, but more likely to the circle. Mnemon knows of a wedding to held coincident with empresses funeral. Stopping funeral may interrupt wedding. Time of funeral is a political game, as if brings questions of succession to the fore.
Complications: Probably none.
Sweat Lodge
Setting: Sylvan Crucible
Purpose: Expose some character secrets and drop hints about the future.
Concept: Circle meditates in chamber. Sees shared Medicine Lodge Vision.
Complications: Probably none.
Planning
Setting: Sylvan Crucible
Purpose: Figure out where to go.
Concept: PC consideration:
- Poison Vault will recognize the Forest of Arms if it is described.
- Korlysto knows the name of Wyr'palia's city was Q'in Sanizaj.
- Korlysto will know that Cahlenna was a member of the Opal Court and the circle may be able to coerse raksha into revealing information about it.
Complications: Probably none.
Into the Wyld
Hatra Bushes
Fighting the Revolution
Scraps