Anarion

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 1. Insecure. Angry.]

Ooof, Anathet felt like her insides were being hurled about every which way, and in distinctly different directions than her outsides. She wants to just double over and lie down, but that wasn't possible for like, twenty different reasons. That had been wrong. Like, way wrong. And Canada had followed her through to boot. Had it been her fault? No, she'd taken Canada many times and nothing should have been different. Maybe...

No time! Set grabs Canada, and shoves both of them deeper into the bushes. If someone is shouting, they've been heard but maybe not clearly seen. Her first reaction would be to port back out, especially if they could duck into cover. But...how sick she felt, it didn't seem safe.

"Something's wrong" she whispered urgently to Canada. "We didn't come out right...some kind of dimensional resonance or something. I think...it's got to be short range, the Annunaki don't have the technology to cover more than a small space, the main building at most. We just need to get a little distance away and I can get us out of here."

Unfortunately, Set isn't doing a great job of actually dealing with the immediate situation of getting spotted, but she's hoping that they can hide long enough to find an opportunity.

[Watched c-beams glitter: 3+4+2=9. Set's claim about the dimensional resonance is right, but it's incomplete, flawed, or tangential]

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 1. Insecure. Angry.]

Set takes #MAT's list and starts scanning it over. Salmon roe, really? And how many kinds of noodles?! Okay, she was definitely getting taken advantage of here, Phantom Thieves were not grocery delivery services. But, it was an excuse for a breather, and it did feel like all of them in this tiny apartment would suffocate with the way Canada was pouting and #MAT was making excruciating slurping noises from her entirely empty bottle.

So, sure, she'd go make a grocery run from the Seneschal's larder. At least that sounded kind of funny, and maybe if she ran into any kitchen staff, she could add to the "Set is all over the estate" rumors that were probably already going around. If she were really lucky, maybe she'd even overhear some rumors about how the Seneschal had been found the other night, tied to the chair with his own torn skirt. That would make her entire day and give something to talk to Canada about that wasn't all don't worry, I'll just push myself until I die and everything will be fine.

As she was imagining these things, she started absentmindedly tracing her portal. This was a safe entry point, so she wasn't going for any particular speed or stealth, just taking the one area of the apartment that wasn't covered with stuff so she could have a nice flat entry to through.

"Okay, I'll be back in a little while, then we can talk again, I'm sure we'll get past this," she said, then looking away from Canada, finishing her portal and opening it up to step through.

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Tristan

A massive beast bursts forth from the forest and the world explodes around you. The sky is raining corrupt soil, rocks and trees burst from the ground like fast-growing mushrooms and everything is chaos. You selected an ideal time to give up all hope of sense and sanity. The way to escape is forward and upward. You have to bring Nin and cause the beast to falter if you hope to wake her, for all the symbolism of this mad landscape is Nin's nightmare channeled through the beast and so you know in your heart that she is trapped here wit the beast.

Here are some things for your consideration (these are your follow ups, but you may ask another if they are inadequate)

The Questing Beast

It is a massive creature, easily thrice your size in bulk. It's skin is as hard as stone (4 armor) and it possesses both claws (3 harm) and poisonous fangs (2 harm, special poison). From within it, there is a great gurgling and rumbling that reflects the chaos of the world around you. It can freely reshape any place where it is and its presence profanes the earth.

special poison: the fangs of the questing beast can induce a sleeping poison. If you are bitten, you must roll Strong to act in the scene. If you miss, you are overtaken with lethargy until the beast passes.

If you can wake Nin, there may be help for you. The Questing Beast is Hunted by King Pellinore, and she cannot be far behind it if only such forces could pass into this chaotic space.

Nin

You are in a smoky place, dark and full of clouds. This is the source of the corruption of this forest, a spiritual reflection of the Questing Beast's internal world. Despite the power that you felt as you rode the beast to crash into the clearing, you feel here an overwhelming sense of fear. The beast is constantly Hunted and that is its overriding emotional existence. Perhaps it could be something different, or perhaps this is all it was ever made to be in its twisted existence. Still, would you seek to commune with it? It's right here with you, perhaps you can bring some calm to this chaos from within, especially with Tristan's help. Tell us what you do here.

Constance and Robena

Apricot snorts and turns her head and you are left in an awkward silence with Robena's question hanging in the air. Constance, do you intend to exercise your right and claim the horse for your travels?

***

As for the evening, Constance you take a great switch and let its supple strength guide you as you trace the routes of Britain into the dirt. You toss your stones and they are pulled directly towards Robena, who stands west and north outside your circles. A coincidence, for certain, the directions are clear, Northwest into Powys and Escavolon, though not too close to Camelot which you will pass above. You don't recall what might be there, the land has many ruins and is full of hill tribes. Your stones glow as they scatter though. Reflected starlight? No, this is more true, more real. The one nearest to where Robena is standing. Is she to be your guide? Or is there an old ruined castle just on towards Estragales where you are called? Perhaps that is where Merlin is hiding?

Robena, it cannot escape your notice that where you stand is the center of things. There is something of the scrying, the starlight, the madness of the moon that compels you in this moment to speak your mind. Tell the Lady Constance what you are thinking.

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 0. Insecure]

Set lets her face fall, a mixture of sadness and disappointment. "Canada, I...I've left everything I know and love twice in my life." She looks over at #MAT, still slurping her soda and gives a sort of shrug, she's helping enough she can overhear. Set's aura hasn't really shifted, it's a combination of calm blues and that little bit of red, stern and a little angry. Her skirts swish in multicolor as she sets her feet.

"As a child, I left my home, I left the Earth and went out into the stars where everything was new and different and terrifying. I had nightmares for years and yet I learned to build a life out there. And when I was finally feeling strong and comfortable and had friends and a new family, I left again because I feared for our home. I came back here and I can't even find my mother, Canada. She might be a slave. Or...or dead even." Set is not calm as she says that, but she holds her composure. Takes a deep breath.

"Don't tell me I don't know what pain is. If I'm naïve, fine, but I'm naïve because I'm going to make the world work like I want, not because I'm fool enough to think it will fix itself by magic. Next time, I'm going to be there to take the hits with you, and we're going to work together to make sure none of us has to take those hits if we can help it. We're nowhere near enough people to afford taking hits." She grins lightly, that was almost a joke on her part considering the rumors floating around that she's twenty-odd people.

Set pauses a beat and then tries to lighten the mood. "So, I guess we're stuck here a while longer. Until you ask for help, in fact. Can I get you anything to eat?" That's directed to both Canada and #MAT, who's already made a wasteland of the soda she had in her bottle.

[Canada doesn't have influence over Set, so her stats aren't changed. However, this counts as sharing a vulnerability, so as of now Canada has influence over Set. Marking 1 potential and, hmm, let's say Angry.]

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 0. Insecure]

Boop!

Canada, whatever focus you had on #MAT is interrupted by Set tapping your nose delicately with her index finger. She's smiling down at you, but there's just a hint of sternness in her bearing and demeaner, a little red in her aura. "I see why Marianne dropped you off here. That's the wrong answer, Canada. You got the fleet key and survived because Marianne helped you, understand?" Her finger in front of your face is making a little back and forth admonishment not far from your eyes. "and if you think working together isn't helpful, then I suppose you don't need me to get you out of here or anywhere close to a mirror, isn't that right? But I think you do need my help, and you're going to ask for it because I can see you're suffering. Stop trying to save everyone Canada, you don't have to be our sacrifice!"

[Anat is using her influence to tell you who you are. Shift your savior down and your mundane up or reject her influence.]

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Constance

The Duchess Marianne looks extremely concerned. Her lips purse, and she almost lifts a hand as if to run it through her perfectly arranged blond hair before catching herself. Presently, she lets out a breath and looks you up and down carefully. "You'll need to depart at once. We are not prepared for such an assault and we lack the resources here. Moreover, if you were present in your own vision, it cannot come to pass until your return. I am tasking you with the quest to avert this disaster."

She nods and then turns to Timothy, her master at arms. "See to it that any equipment and provisions that the Lady Constance requires are made available to her for her trip. And, I think, take Sir Robena with you. She has only just returned but she is the strongest of our knights and will ably protect you. If you have need of anything else, you have but to ask."

Well then Constance, your lady and liege wants you to prepare to depart your home. What do you say to her proposal?

Robena

As you lead Apricot from the field for a much-needed rest, you are greeted by the Duchess's master at arms, hastening down the stairs. Despite his beard, he's young for the job, and you might remember him from when he still came barely above your waist. In fact, it might be that you even taught him a few things.

"Sir Robena!" He pants, catching his breath. "My...my utmost apologies. The lady Constance has had a dire vision and the Duchess has, in the midst of the competition, instructed her to prepare for departure at once, recommending you for her bodyguard and accompaniment. I know you have only just returned, but if you could begin preparations to make ready, the Countess has asked that you depart as soon as possible. Please forgive the sudden intrusion."

Well, it's obviously urgent, he ran down from the stands to catch you before you departed. Maybe you'll at least keep ahead of Yomdaeler for a few more days though. What's your reaction to the sudden development?

Tristan

There is something here, some great creature. It is connected to the King and his men. It should not be here and that it is nevertheless is the source of the wrongness that angers the forest and makes it dangerous and hostile. This is a thing of the very oldest ways. Remember: as the king, so the land. As the land, so the king.

Your contemplations are cut short by the sound of Nin behind you collapsing unconscious to the ground. She is breathing, but she will not awake. What do you do?

Nin

You are pursued! You hiss and run, heedless of the direction, seeking cover. You crash through trees that look like matchsticks. The damp canopy sprinkles drops of dew along your back. Your scales are cold and uncomfortable without the sun, you cannot stop. You dig your paws into the damp soil, and heave with your furry, tanned legs, urging your spotted speckled body forwards. Run! Hide! Eat! Your stomach rumbles loudly, the sound like boulders crashing down a hill and you gaze about for something to devour after your terror. The prey here is so tiny. You rut a badger out of its lair, but it runs off and you cast about for other prey, your fangs glistening with your hunger.

Time passes, you find small things to eat, but that sense of being pursued returns to you. You cannot be caught, not ever. You want to run! You want to destroy! You are a great chimera, free and full of rage and ruining all that you touch!

Tell us how you burst onto the scene in front of Tristan!

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

That miss is an advance, so flagging here that I'm grabbing Watch C-Beams Glitter.

My Hider

When you make a claim about a strange situation or phenomenon based on your experience, roll + Freak. On a hit, you were right; the GM will tell you what opportunity your knowledge grants to you. On a 7-9, your claim is incomplete, flawed, or tangential; the GM will tell you how. On a miss, your experiences are incomplete; the GM will tell you what mistake your flawed understanding leads you to make.

I don't feel like we've progressed enough to set up a call to the Zhianku, but I think calling the cavalry is what I'm aiming for next advance, with maybe some plans to pick up the fictional tech Anathet will need for that in this session (maybe even some spare bits from #MAT here to get things started).

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 4. Insecure]

Set walks into the little apartment with minimal fanfare. As with all her travels, she simply arrived here (Étoile provided excellent information for where to fetch Canada, so there was no challenge finding it or arriving safely and quietly). You would not know she had spent the previous night crying, not with her makeup done thickly, her headdress gleaming, her expression calm and composed. Last night, she had time for her problems, but now she has other people to worry about and she is wearing an aura of tranquility. A mild sea-blue, or perhaps the aspect of the unexpected traveler. She may be your water in the desert, Canada. At the very least, she's a ride.

Once she enters properly, her expression drops to a frown, and her aura to a muted blue-purple. "Oh, Canada, what did they do to you? Was it the "god" or Marianne? She had choice words for you last night, I bet it was her." Set kneels down in the cramped little apartment and tentatively looks over the bruises, then turning her attention to Canada's face. "You don't have to do this alone. None of us do. Gods, you're being so dumb. Whatever happened I...I want to help you. So, it's going to be all right. We'll get you wherever you need to go to rest and recover and then we'll come up with a new plan and we'll go get them for real. No running off or trying to do anything else this idiotic, okay?"

[Comfort or support: 2+1-1=2. Marking Anathet's 5th potential and an advance.]

Dark Age (playtest): The Lands of Pendragon

Robena

As you unceremoniously leave the Azure knight to her wound, with the Duchess's assistants coming out to help remove her from the field, you hear her suddenly start to laugh uproariously before it becomes too much and she faints entirely as she's carried away. What story did the bard Yomdaelar tell that she must have encountered before the effects of her curse set in to cause her to laugh so at seeing you slouch away?

Constance

Cerwen suddenly slumps into you, her wine forgotten. It's all you can do to support her sudden weight, and it's like all the strength has gone out of her. She begins to stammer. "I...I...she's my younger sister, you see, left to squire years ago, I've barely seen her, but she took service with Uther, and I came here, I thought, I thought Robena was going to kill her and...and, oh Father, I didn't know what to do, but she's going to be okay, right? Should I rush to her side, I...I just...I..."

Your hand, holding hers in kindness, is the most adamant stone. As she stay with her and Cerwen lets out her relief in a stream words, she finally realizes the urgency with which she's been clutching you. Sheepishly, shyly, she blushes and gently releases your hand. It's a relief, at the least, the blush brings with it some color to her pale cheeks and she meets your eyes with a sudden honesty that you haven't seen from her before. "Thank you" she says, and smiles genuinely.

With this small crisis in hand and the need for the Azure Knight's removal, if ever there were a time to petition the Duchess, this is it.

Tristan and Nin

You are not ten steps into the forest before you realize that something is immensely wrong here. The soil is damp and rotting, the smell is sickly sweet and cloying and it makes your noses wrinkle in disgust. The damp soil has impressions in it as well, deep, odd-looking hoofprints that seem to sink deep into the ground, yet you cannot perceive any creature nearby. The sound of flying insects is present, but there are no bird calls despite the feast.

Even worse, despite taking a scant ten steps, you cannot see the exit from the woods. It being night, it is as though you've walked for minutes at off angles and now the trees and mossy shrubs surround you on all sides.

Tristan, you may try to understand the unnatural thing you have stumbled into.
Nin, you however, may not try to find your way. The rotting forest is denying you your right to find your way by road or trail. Respond to this denial as you see fit.

Masks: BABYLON MUST FALL

[Potential 4. Insecure]

Solace, alas, is in short supply. Anathet's talent, the Zhianku's talent is no great magic to control or manipulate one's emotions. Quite the opposite, they feel stronger, more sharply. Anathet's talent is the talent that everyone needs at times, some more often than others. The ability to act, even while hurting. Perhaps especially while hurting.

There are techniques that help of course. Anathet's interpretation of Zhianku meditation is to imagine her emotions as a myriad of colors and to visibly calm them almost as though trying to calm a tempestuous sea. In better times, she can choose her colors and wear them, but in times like this they decide for her what will come out. She has practiced imagining her mind almost like a sailor on the sea of her emotions in such times. The sailor can't calm the whole sea, but she can learn how to ride within it without being capsized. She can focus on a few tasks. Breathing and tying off the ropes where they're needed.

And there are some things that are rote. Using her things is rote. The Zhianku trained Anathet well in their technology and so moving isn't a conscious thought and it has no need of focus. She just has to know where she's going and muscle memory with her jewelry does the rest. There is not even a need for care. This is not Set trying to hide, but rather Set sweeping in with power and glory, opening large portals and ushering the newly released prisoners through them to safety. Or such safety as there is at least. To where the remaining rebels hide and hunker down as Shamash hurls around such awful destruction in their home.

It doesn't occur to her, distracted as she is, to bother alerting the rebels in advance, so they even receive a show from Set in all her glory with light and power transporting all these prisoners for them to take. She has no time for explanations, they are commanded to make space and left as to how to do it. Doing the task is much easier than doing it with care, compassion, and constant focus, and so the aspect of Set tonight is the storm and the outsider, that which is beyond comprehension or reason because the aspect that is Anathet is elsewhere.

It's busy focusing on breathing and holding back tears. It's busy trying to wonder what kind of person she is, and wants to be, and why she came back here, what she hopes to achieve with all this. She has no fire of Marianne, nor shame and the need to prove herself like Canada. She worried for her mother, and can't even find her! Can't ask the Seneschal for that or let the resistance know Set is looking for such a specific person, it would give away far too much, so she's left with nothing. For this she abandoned safety, loved ones, a warm home full of gardens she loved and her pet whale? And yes, for this and a vague sense of doing the right thing, whatever that is.

No, there's no solace tonight. There is a sense of duty, a bare minimum of skills to move about where she's needed, and a focus on merely breathing and continuing to move. There is also a practically accidental spreading of the Phantom Thieves' reputation for being many times their own number by appearing visibly in many places within a few moments, but that's of no mind. And of the destruction and the safety of her friends, for now she can do nothing and so she tries to numb herself to these things and ride through the storm of their safety and that of her family and everyone else.

Later, when everything is still, she will cry, time will pass, and she will go about gathering herself once again. That's all anyone can do.