Meleck

Cardinal Rift

Abbi all but locked herself in her lab. Eliona And Rendyl were struggling to keep control of things. The armor helped when she needed to get her way, but that only seemed to last as long as she was a threat. It was clear that her powers of kingdom building were lacking. She did not have the drive or desire to just kill some out of anger and that was a needed skill.

She started to pack up her belongings. What was it that these people needed, an enemy, a common enemy. She could make explosive and there were targets that would rally the nation to defend herself. Heck, they might be able to capture the gold shipment passed through the country. They would need gold if they were going to raise any fighting force. The problem was people did not hand that over without a fight. She knew the place to do it. Two bridges met at a mountain peak. she could blow the bridges with the party trapped there. It would keep it out of the enemies coffers and allow them a chance to recover it.

She also made some smaller charges that she would place different places to destroy just enough to make the masses demand something be done to protect them - Bridges were good targets, water works, big things first, maybe one of the minor nobles barns. No one would expect a single girl and a wyren. So she set to work mixing charges and making pipe bombs that would work.

She would get this kingdom to get over who they follow and focus on the why.

The part that worried her was she would need to leave the armor.

Cardinal Rift

Abbi
Gathering - pre battle

---

As Abbi lay in the grass, she felt more emotions than she liked. She was glad that she had save a number of the servants from being crushed. She was angry with the very strong probability of war coming. She was sore from making this metal suit move and enraptured from the use of magic she needed to use to move it. She was worried about here people and wanting to make sure they were safe. She was appalled at the destruction of knowledge and life. As a paper maker and bookbinder’s daughter, the loss of the libraries was horrid. The worst part was that she was curious and wanted to know how whatever happened allowed her to tap that magic. That was dangerous thinking as it was her magic calling her to find a way to give into it. She sent servants to look for any remains of devices from the blast.

Abbi did the only thing she could do at the moment, she committed a high crime. She looked like a noble, so she needed to act like one. It took her servants and a few passing by to get her back on her feet. She had the guard draw the sword and hand it to her point down. It was heavy enough that he would have tired in battle in moments, which meant Abbi would not be able to lift it for long and not in the armor. Moments of inertia made this a tipping and falling problem and it was very clear to her.

With her red hair flying and sword out, she channeled her angry Mother voice then she started to bark orders at peasants asking what they were doing and assigning tasks to those that could not answer. Engineers, unlike scientists, are good at improvising. She had people looking for her lord, Rendyl, Elaina and others. She sent another to find their carriage and the team of horses. Sitting on the rear servants bench would keep her from falling over and allowing her to be moved. Being a mage with a minor force gate and engineer she wanted to figure out the secret of this metal and see if she could make it lighter.

For the most part her ploy worked. The dark armor and sword did most of the speaking the warriors who wore them were terrifying and brutal. As Abbi was learning, they needed to be. She understood why they fought the way they did. It also gave her ideas on how to fight against them if she had too.

Cardinal Rift

Abbi

---

---

The building started to rumble as large stones fell from up high. The battle that had raged between the two Lords had started the floors to collapse into the hall. Abbi knew that is was only a matter of time before this part of the building would collapse in upon itself. Killing the innocent people trapped in the hall. The killing that took place, the woman falling to her death, the thief, and now oncoming death to those around her made her heart sick. The effects of the mana blasts and using her magic were playing with her emotions as well.

The hall started to collapse first pebble coming down, then would come chunks of stones and timbers. Abbi yelled to the others get near a corner or in archways and to use their gates to make a hole in the wall. She did her best to protect the bodies of the Lords for the moment. She searched for their signets and weapons so she could return them to their houses. Then she said a little prayer over them. Chunks of stone blocks started to rain down around them. In her mind the thought raged, “I’ve failed my lords and my queen. War was coming and she had not made enough allies to protect Solaris. Every army from the north and south would come through their lands taking what they wanted, raiding their wealth and supplies.”

A large block started to fall upon her and she lifted her arms and pushed with her magic to deflect the block. She screamed in pain but the block moved tumbling away from her and others that were living. From one of the floors above one of Lord Kothlin’s attendants fell in his armor along with heavy debris. She scrambled towards them trying to save the attendants life if she could. The blood flowing from the suit told her the pilot was dead. At this moment, she would have gladly killed Lord Kothlin or one of his guards to get a hold of one of these suits. She wanted to save people. She speculated that with a bit of her magic amplified through the suit, she could do that.

“I am sorry to do this,” she said as she started to get the armor off the dead body. The joints were still working bit it had suffered some damage. It would not withstand combat after the impact it took. She placed her hands on his head saying a prayer that he would be at peace and then closed his eyelids. As people started to scream and larger sections started to come down. She scrambled into the armor. She was grateful for being smaller that the muscular soldier that it had contained. The armor tighter in the chest than she liked but the pressure was not important at the moment. The floor two levels up started to collapse adding pressure to the ceiling. She knew that the walls would give way and they would all be crushed. So she rolled and managed to get to her knees. She channeled her magic that allowed her to get to her feet and start walking to where the crowd was. There she was like Joan of Arc, red hair loose, covered in dust walking to do battle with a wall before the suit gave out or she did. She wanted to draw the weapon and feel its power.

It took all her might and magic to push the suit to move the stone blocks and get most of the people free. Her body guard and maid hovered as she lay down away from the tower. She wanted food, she wanted sleep. She had saved many people from both the north and the south and that made her feel good.

Cardinal Rift

Abbi

Day of talks - 15th day of Anais
Location: Harrows Tower

---

Morning

Abbi being an early riser woke as bright and cheerful as her birds. Morning had begun and she had a full day of… Sitting, waiting for Lord Drakus to call on her. So she could answer questions with limited detail having to make assumptions about motive, ability, and technical competency. She sighed; all she could do was her best. It was much better than being homeless and Lord Drakus had given her very liberal restrictions. There was the restriction against making explosives in the keep. It was only one window in the lab that was blown out, thanks to the doors being about two inches thick and the chimney flue really did get a good cleaning from it. There was also the sulfur experiment that made the southwest wing smell like rotting eggs for a week. And she couldn’t forget the time that one of the cats went after her birds only to find that birds could breathe fire, which hurts.. It nearly burned the fur off the entire cat and darn near caught the west wing of the keep on fire in the process. Accidents happen in her line of work. She tried very hard to contain them.

She headed she headed to a lower storage room to find her bird. They were constantly chirping and flittering in their cages. Freshwater and seed were placed. Next she headed down the Library. A monk taught her the basics of using the teleporter for a later return trip.

Breakfast was a delight. The serving staff had done well. She ate in the servants dining hall to hear the gossip of who was sleeping with whom, which noble the maids wanted to bed, and any gossip that might be of technical use. She also told a couple white lies that would help Lord Drakus negotiate with the other northern houses. Mainly that he would have to side with the southern houses if he couldn’t get something that he people would value from them. She pushed for teachers for the university and technology for manufacturing and processing. She made a note of who was acting aggressively towards the creation of House Solaris and who wanted to entertain Lord Drakus, for manipulative purposes.

After breakfast, she headed to the Library to look for books to look at while she was waiting. Her first selection was on ornithology to learn more about birds, their flight, illnesses and cures, and breeding for stronger gates. The second selection was on the development of simple mechanical devices like gearing, pulleys, and things like that. Her final book was a book of poetry that the monk recommended. She quickly penned a note about what she had learned and saw at breakfast on to pass on to her employer and Rendyl, she sent this with a scribe in one of her message tubes.

Leaving the Library, she used the teleporter herself. True to Abbi’s nature, there was a slight detail that the monks did not impress on her. They told her to focus on herself moving to the place she wanted. They forgot to include the idea that she also needed to include the dress she was wearing in that thought process. So, Abbi appeared at the end of the hall to her bedroom with the books in her arms, with barely a stitch of clothing on. It took her a moment to realize the problem. The cold draft indicated to her brain that something was not right. Her hang over did not help her thought process either. She let out a little shriek and streaked for her room. She had done house Solaris proud, she had entertained a small crowd of servants and heirs. A few moments after making it to the room, the Librarian brought her the dress and garments left behind in the process.

---

Abbi sat in a stuffed chair wearing a simpler cotton dress with roses and she had perfumed herself with a little bit of rose water. Now she spent time reading making notes in a couple blank books she had made and bound herself. Lord Drakus had sent a messenger a couple times to ask her questions, she thought more for show and reputation than need. They had been over the issues and the arguments many times and Drakus had is calculus down to a tee.

---

After blast.

The first thing that happened when the blast happened was a sudden sickness hit Abbi. It really hit her maid and guard harder as they did not have strong gates. She would have to help them learn to use their power. Then the world seemed to come crashing in. Walls floors and ceilings were in places that they did not belong. She in her chair was in a place she didn’t belong. One of the stewards, a well fed, formerly nice looking man, collapsed on her and the chair she was sitting on. He was dead. Abbi screamed at the sudden weight and attack. As she tried to push him off, she grabbed his keyring from his belt. Then with her force gate, she pushed him off of her. With use of magic, that the world started to clear. Mana explosion of some form, she thought. The power surged in her more than normal and it felt better than the peppermint tea. She would have to really watch her magic as the power was calling her to push her abilities.

She found her guard and maid, both alive but with mana sickness. She set off to search for survivors. At times like these, Rendyl had told her always carry a knife. But she would have to search for one or better yet, find a nice person who has one and knows how to use it. She had some bearings and class marbles that she could use her force gate to “fire” them like a bullet. But she had limited speed and power.

Abbi made her way through the remains of buildings, rooms, and halls. Squashed and twisted. She had to use her force gate a few times to push parts of walls away from her. As she worked her way searching for people she came across a man looting the dead bodies of their posessions.

Abbi screamed at the sight hoping that others would hear her and come to her aid. Fighting was not in her normal skill set, at least not with weapons.

Exalted: Fall of Creation

Cilia Cosgair

---

Link to Cilia's Sheet

---

After dinner Cilia went up to her room. The room was small but warm with a wood fire in the corner. She could hear the crowd from downstairs whooping and hollering, drinking and telling stories. It was the sound of life. The windows had simple drapes that could be pulled. She had requested hot water for a bath and planned to soak in the tub till she was clean. Two candles sat on a table in holders lit with a third on the table. The glow of the candles light was the color of honey that had been warmed and flickered as it danced in a little draft caused by the heat of the fire. Hanging on a hook above the fire was a large pot with water warming.

Fergus knocked on the door offering her candy which she delighted in receiving. She put one piece of the candy into her mouth after she thanked him. Trying not spit on him, excitedly told him about the fact that the room had a bed and they brought a tub with hot water and real soaps that smelled like flowers. The smell of which also scented the room.

After Fergus left, Cilia enjoyed the bath till it was cool. She soaked in the tub for almost an hour. Then she washed her clothing and hung it to dry by the heat of the fire.

Then like a princess, she climbed into the bed with its down comforters and pillows. The heaviness weighted her down, like her dog had when the cuddled in. Sleep came upon her and she was so tired from the running and the tub that she did not dream that night.

---

In the morning she woke to a light tap on the door then a key turned in the lock. It was the maid coming to empty the tub. She turned Cilia’s clothing so that the other side would be completely dry. She offered to bring her breakfast, figuring that Cilia only had a single set of clothes. This also delighted Cilia and she snuggled back down into the warmth of the bed as the maid poured the dirty wash water from the tub out the window. The fire was relit and oak logs stacked to burn.

Breakfast was a feast for a girl that was use to savaging for food. Ham, eggs, bread, and other items were on a tray. Cilia ate carefully in the bed not wanting to spill anything or waste it and then she nodded back off to sleep.

---

She finally woke again and headed down to the main room, dressed with her hair freshly braided and smelling of rose pedals. She sat in a corner talking with a young lady doing embroidery as she waited. She greeted her friends and headed out with them to meet they mayor. Hoping that it would do some good.

Cardinal Rift

Abbi, Christina Young, and Alexander Reason

in the Minor Library

15th Anais, Afternoon

---

Abbi appeared out the other end of the transport circle, disoriented. The tea cup dress was still in place which she worried about. A bit of hair floated in the air and she brushed it back in place. It would take a bit to get used to the whole sensation of instantaneous movement. The monk had brought her across with barely a word while scornfully eyeing her dress. Abbi blushed thinking that the monk was eyeing her, which made her uncomfortable.

She found herself in the Minor Library. Shelves covered every centimeter of the walls. Every space not occupied by the books was instead a study table or reading station. Only a nook in the corner fitted with some comfy chairs gave pause to the cramped space of knowledge.

In front of her, Abbi could see Reina Young engaged in discussion with Melodia Lapseus. The two small women were murmuring to each other quietly. It wouldn’t be a good idea to disturb them. However, Abbi could spot Alexander Reason and Christina Young just sitting and reading.

When Abbi’s wits were in place with her equilibrium, she looked at the monk and nodded thanks. She realized it wasn’t her that he was displeased with, but the dress. She agreed, but she was representing Solaris, so she needed to dress the part. She made her way over to the young couple and using the customs she grew up, she bowed gently as was the custom in Young.

“My Lady and my Lord, might I talk with you?” she asked trying not to have the entire conversation in a single breath. She wanted to make a good impression as she was also representing her university and advisors back in Young. She breathed in the smell of aging leather and paper and it brought her peace.

Christina looked up from her book, On the Basis of Language. “Of course! Sit down, please. Who might you be?” The shorter woman smiled and patted Reason’s hand. “Reason. We have a guest.”

Her fiance nodded and turned in Abbi’s general direction. “Alexander Reason. Pleasure.” He didn’t quite meet Abbi’s eyes, instead seemingly staring off at a point somewhere over her right shoulder.

Abbi smiled to them and sat down.

“I am Ms. Abbi Smith and I recently graduated from the University in Young. My advisor suggested that I take the position as the Technical Advisor for House Solaris. So, I have. One of my tasks that I am assigned with is helping to find instructors to help teach at the university there and to try to help introduce new technology. I was thinking we have two things we can offer. The first is that we are centrally located so we would make a good distribution hub that does not require going over the mountains. The second is that we can use some of our entertainment and media resources to help promote your products and help increase your profits giving you resources for other projects,” she said with enthusiasm and in a single breath.

Christina leaned back, surprised. “Okay. That was a lot. Uh, let’s go through this piece by piece. You’re from Solaris, yeah? And you’re offering advertising and distribution opportunities? What exactly does Solaris want from Young? It won’t exactly put you in the good books of the other mage houses.”

“My lady, I’m one of yours from Young, working for Solaris. My parents were killed in a fire years ago. I am looking for instructors from both your lands for the university in Solaris. As you Lords and Ladies would need to finalize any arrangements, I can only propose what we might be able to do to help. I am just looking at what Solaris does well and how it might be useful to you,” she said smiling an honest smile. “As for the other houses, my Lord let me know that is above my station to worry about.”

“She might want your new music technology,” said Reason. “Gave it a listen, myself. Excellent quality. Take it from a man who only has his ears now.”

“Well, yes, it’s quite nice, but something like that isn’t important enough to facilitate a trade discussion, is it? And when did you get a hold of my player?”

“I found in your drawer.”

“My- Reason, that’s my- don’t ever look in that drawer again!” Christina blushed.

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t,” said Reason. “Bit hard to see anything there anyways.”

Abbi got excited at the music player topic, “Oh, that technology would go over really well in Solaris and I bet with some of the artists using it, we could increase the demand for the players throughout the kingdom. Maybe we could even send a couple instructors to train some of your people too or maybe performers for your wedding?”

“Oh, that would be delightful,” said Christina. “But.. what is Solaris looking for in return?”

Abbi made a mental note to make arrangements. With any luck she might even get to be part of the delegation to the wedding. Who didn’t like a beautiful royal wedding?

Abbi smiled again and said, “I think knowledge and access to new technology is what we gain.”
She leaned forward a little to show her sincerity, “My Lady, I am going to guess that you are wondering if I have an ulterior motive.” she blushed because her other motive was to get into normal clothing and out of the tea cup dress. “As you can see, with my red hair and pale complexion, I can’t lie because I blush easily and I am not use to courtly politics. I find most game-playing like that to be a waste of people's time and does not help people reach their goals.”

She took a gentle breath then continued, “My Lady and Lord, I am looking for solutions where all sides benefit. I need Reason’s knowledge of History so the people can learn from the past and make better choices. I need Young’s knowledge of Technology and Science so that my people can learn that not all technology needs to be feared. You can benefit from the creativity of the people of Solaris. We all need each other for economic prosperity for all of us. ”

She paused for a moment then said, “I believe that Lord Drakus is not opposed to technological development, but he is worried that adopting new technologies too quickly might disturb the order of things. I think if I can help broker a beneficial deal with the northern houses, he would be more inclined to side with them at the vote.” She was going out on a limb and stretching her authority a bit. But with the help of Lady Christina Young and Lord Reason, other doors could be opened and she could improve the university from a party school to a place to be proud of.

Christina looked Abbi up and down. “Well, you’ve certainly gotten my attention. I think Mother would be willing to recognize Solaris as a full house as well, provided the terms were good enough.” She leaned back, lost in thought. “I think we could definitely come to a deal. I’m willing to offer specific support in the name of House Young to Solaris. Maybe, say, several prototype music players for testing and review? We could also start meeting with some of your entertainers and discussing distribution methods. A good way to reduce the general populace’s distrust of technology would be...” Christina began to mumble incoherently to herself.

“Don’t worry about her,” said Reason. “She gets like this sometimes. Don’t try to talk to her while she’s thinking, either. She gets crabby about it. Not sure if Tina can hear what’s going on, anyway. What a perfect pair! A man who cannot see and a woman who cannot listen! Whatever could go wrong?” He laughed.

Abbi smiled, “Ah, but a couple that learns to work together and makes use of each partner’s strengths to build each other up can overcome almost any obstacle.” She then said pleadingly to Lord Alexander, “I really need instructors too!” This was her task.

He raised his eyebrows. “Me? Oh, I don’t know about that. Not sure if you want a man who can’t write to teach people history. Or any other subject, for that matter. But… I’ll help you talk to the South about it, if need be.”

Abbi giggled and said, “Don’t sell yourself short. I would love to hear both of your histories some time, I enjoy a good love story. As to the university instructors, it doesn’t need to be you. I am sure that house Reason has many wonderful historians that might like to teach. I would appreciate any help with the southern houses for my project.”

Christina nodded. “I’m glad that Solaris is extending such an invitation as this one. I look forward to working with you.”

It seemed like Abbi had won the duo over.

[WIP] Balick Arken, Medical Doctor - Genetics and Cybernetics

How is this looking now?

[WIP] Balick Arken, Medical Doctor - Genetics and Cybernetics

Yeah, just got hit with life.

Cardinal Rift

Abbi is mostly concerned with complete img her task and thinking like an engineer, she would go talk with houses young and reason in the afternoon. Then in the evening she will go where her lord would like her to go.

Exalted: Fall of Creation

Cilia Cosgair

---

Link to Cilia's Sheet

---

Cilia at a bit of this and that, not wanting to over eat. She stayed away from drinking alcohol rather drinking cider. For the most part Cilia stayed quiet through dinner and kind of kept to herself. She kept to the wall to shield herself from the eyes and hands that might roam. The anger and hurt bubbled inside her. Like a dog, she wanted to snap and growl. She had put herself out there as a woman and was rejected in front of her friends. It was emotionally dangerous ground that she threaded on. Wanting to be noticed, wanting to contribute, and wanting to be safe. If one of the men said something about it, she would probably explode.

So she leaned back on the bench against the wall and closed her eyes, pretending to be drifting off to sleep. She listed to the music and the conversations around her. Men talked about the fishing and the weather. Sailors talked about the sea and home. She did not hear word about the Imperial Ruins or refugees. Fergus would be letting the Mayor know of what was going on. So tonight, she had the luxury and burden of doing nothing.

After Fergus went off to shop, one of the drunks from the counter attempted to come make another attempt at a roll in the hay. As he stood across the table trying to catch her attention, she remained quiet and calm. She knew well enough that starting a fight was not going to help her attitude. So she just did not respond. When he threw a coin at her, she let it hit her. She started to rise knowing that someone else would probably intervene before she could. But in her mood and knowing that drunks were easier to fight, as long as they did not fall on you, and good knee to the genitalia would dramatically reduce his interest in her, she bent over to pick up the coin from the floor to return it to him. Then started to move.