On the Edge of Extinction...

At the November 2016 Gathering, a new Archbishop was anointed for the City of Auckland.

Then began the rumblings. The seas shook, and mighty Rangitoto began to stir...



The Lupine, Heimdall, had planned a revenge; offering the Phoenix Ring as a bribe to the spirits of the Council of Volcanoes to sweep the city with magma and cleanse it of it's vampiric infestation (and, incidentally, a great deal of the humans) - a plan calculated and executed so as not to offend his Shifter brethren.

The Sabbat of Auckland had, eventually, assembled around the volcano. Investigating, they discovered the ongoing situation and cunningly managed to talk Heimdall into a "pack on pack" combat to resolve the issue - and even negotiated an extra combatant for their own side, five against four. Then they went to work calling the mightiest warrior amongst their number to the scene. They need a champion, and Archbishop Cecil Hely-Hutchinson is willing to answer their call. He listens to their pleas for assistance, and answers.

"My flock needs my aid? I shall be there as soon as the skies can carry me there."

Some minutes later, a second communique reaches them.

"Rupert informs me that there is no chance I will be able to peaceably entreat with the spirits of the Volcano. As such, I command you all to remain on Rangitoto. I intend to launch an all-out assault on that volcanic fortress, slay the spirits within, and for that, the Sword of Caine must act as one. Many will no doubt die gloriously; your sacrifices will be remembered. The blessings of the Dark Father be upon you."



This leaves the assembled Kindred with a choice: wait for their leader and plan the coming assault, or act swiftly and commit to their own plan.



OOC: So. There will be NO downtime actions processed until after the JANUARY game, but at that point, you can have two sets (basically, twice as many).

You, the players, have a choice for how to resolve this. Either wait for Cecil, and everyone goes in guns blazing etc. in an all-out assault on everything inside the Volcano, or you can send in your own team of PCs to "duel" Heimdall and his pack. Only you can decide!!

The January Game will be the resolution of the situation (whichever way you guys decide to handle it). Good luck guys!

Please comment below either here or on facebook on your decision as soon reasonably as possible.

When the game ended I was headed down to talk to them about moving the fight to the surface, or letting the challangers pass. Failing that, nope I am headed outta there.

OOC: This is an IC forum, so consider this an IC scene. Others, feel free to jump in on it... /OOC


Tavasz makes his way back into the Spirit Realm of Rangitoto. Small rock spirits (like his new friend Rocky) roam and lurk the halls, as do uncomfortable-to-behold little fire spirits, barely more than walking candles but nonetheless distracting for one of the Kindred.

The heady scent of the small pool of greenish Blood-of-the-Land stirs the hunger of the Beast, but for now the Man remains firmly in control - and besides, Tavasz can already hear and understand the chatter of all the spirits of this Realm using his own blood magic, he has no need to borrow that power.

Corridors go off in various directions, but he retraces his path to where he had been talking to the (rather cute, not too bright) little air spirit that was a servant of the shaman of Thor's Hammer and had been relaying questions back to Heimdall and his pack.

It is still there. "Oh hello! Is it just you?" it asks. "The boss says that if you come back before he's finished persuading the Volcanoes to blow everything up, I'm supposed to escort you into the Council room, but he said to escort you and everyone coming with you and you're just you. I think. Are mortals sometimes more than one person at the same time?"

Unknown

Not sure how time works in this form of game but he shouldn't go alone so I will either go with or follow after Tavasz and track him. Or if it's too late for that well I will be there when he comes out.

*Bob travels down with Tavasz, but is unaware of the nature of the pool, so asks Tavasz to ask Rocky what it signifies, wondering aloud if told that if it is the blood of the land, is this not a wound in need of healing? But regardless of this aside he does not drink, but merely continues behind his superior. He taps his engagement ring finger against his sniper rifle in an uneven pattern, a little nervous about what's potentially going to happen down in the depths, metal striking metal as he constantly checks to make sure that his magazine is in place. Though he does not speak after the blood-of-the-land question, he seems to want to say something.*

((OOC, Bruni, we stopped just before Tavasz went down, so we're heading down as a group))

Tavaz mentions that it is "blood of the land" and will let someone speak to the spirits, but that he has been warned by others that it has some bad side effects and should not be drunk. He will lead the way back down as quickly as he can, stopping occasionally to check with Rocky that they are going the right way.

(Before Tavaz heads down):
Just make sure that you inform the coward Heimdahl that if he wants to hide and cower in the mountain and not come out and face our best five, then he is a complete pansy like the rest of his kin. A real show of character would be gripping what balls he has left and come up to show us differently.

He wants us to come to him, so that we trigger the mountain and it wipes out the bloodbags of Auckland. That is what the coward wants. Failing that, he wants not our best five in the challenge so that the coward stands a better chance and still blows up the mountain.

The gutless dishonourable worm doesn't have the balls, unless he picks them up and wanders outside to take on the best five that the Sword of Caine can muster, in an epic challenge worthy of the fate of the bloodbags in Auckland.

If he accepts this challenge to collect his ball sacks outside the entrance, we will garauntee that only our best five shall combat them. In the unlikelyhood that we lose or a Cainite from the Sabbat interfers, then by all means, blow up the mountain. If any of our five best flee, blow up the mountain. If any of Heimdahl's flee, they are truly gutless and not worthy of contempt, having no honour for the rest of enternity.

Hopefully that motivates the worm to come out and face the glory and wrath of Caine. Praise Caine!

The Mountain knows this - Heimdahl is hiding under its skirt and expects The Mountain to fight HIS battle. Who doesn't want another party to fight their battle? Us. Unlike the dribbling toddler who sucks his dummy still and hide unders his mum's skirt.

Let's see if we can get a chant going to inspire Heimdahl to gather his nuts and come out and play...  

I start singing from outside (im on a path):
Heimdahl's chickens, come out and playay
What's the matter little chicken, hiding under moma's skirt?
Heimdahl's chickens, come out and playay
Heimdahl's chickens, come out and playay

(ooc: The Warriors, with a bit of Vlad's flair)

Troy and Cricket are heard having discussions with Johan before they join to follow down.

Our first choice is that the fight occurs where Cecil and Johan can be involved in the fight. Our second choice is that we have a Monomacy style circle, and if one leaves the circle, they forfeit being part of the challenge. Our last resort is that the five of us entering will be those defending the city at all cost.

Cricket shouts to those remaining "We live for Caine, the dark father, we fight for Caine, the dark father, we die for Caine, the dark father. Let us prove that we are better than those that would seek to destroy us, and show them what Caine thinks of mercy."

He then descends alongside Troy. "My brother, today we get to prove our mettle. Let them find out what happens when Brujah fight as one."

I think i was doing crowd control outside. I will "tidy" up there and if required follow in as the second wave.

May darkness reign upon the enemies of Caine.

I would reccomend that Tavasz talk to the spirits of the mountain with proper etiquette and civility befitting his position, asking politely if they can guarantee safe passage for those on a path to make this fight happen, while I talk to Heimdall and try and convince him to come up IF the spirits say no. Because I'd rather not anger the Arcane Spirits that could happily one shot me, and two-three shot everyone else in the Sabbat.
(Do not anger dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup)

Unknown, Bob, Troy and Cricket appear behind Tavasz as the little wind spirit asks it's question. It is somewhat startled and bounces up and down.

"Oh! There you all are! Very sorry, Shaman. So these are the five who wish to fight? Hmmmm hmmmm hmmm, dum de dum... okay, they seem fine to me... can't be too careful, we've had so many incursions from darkspawn. So nice to have you all here, you are all so... interesting!"

The words are, of course, in the mostly-incomprehensible language of the spirits.

However, the chorus of insults echoing down the corridors seems to provoke something. A second spirit floats in, arriving from the left-most exit to the cavern people have been stopping in to talk to the wind spirit.

Unlike the other, this one is man-sized and looks vaguely human, although one draped in a heavy cloak.

Also, it speaks English. "Master Scents the East Wind would like to ask why your colleagues are chanting something about cowardice, since their challenge was already accepted?"


OOC: PLEASE don't wait for other PCs, you can end up waiting for days over misunderstandings once people start doing that. We can massage the timeline if we have to. (...and gripping hand, Porl seems busy, and I do not blame him!)

"The challengers who wish to fight your guardians would not allow. They believe that the creature that calls itself Hiemdell is a coward hiding behind guards and wish him to come forth so they may fight."

I assume that you don't require Mr Black to assist in this challenge? If we need to I can be there

The humanoid spirits cocks it's head. It speaks slowly. "...the Council wants to watch the fight. They're looking forwards to it. There aren't any 'guards' down here, so I must ask you what you mean?"

"The ones on the surface whom you refer to as evil, for they seek a path other than that of Humanity. They have remained above so as not to provoke your wrath, but they feel aggrieved that they have been denied the combat against Heimdall. Many of those above have fought against him in past battles and would wish to fight him again. It was initially why we five came down, to ask him to come up and fight warriors, not diplomats and healers."

Cricket looks very surprised at being referred to as a diplomat or healer... then looks at Troy, then at Heimdall.

"Johan in particular wishes to be along side us, however the spirits? of this place seemed to attack him as he tried to enter with us. I'm not exactly sure of the protocols of this place, or what the Council prefers to be referred to as."

The spirit that Cricket and the others are talking to in the absence of anyone else being present to talk to answers Cricket and Bob.

"Evil? I am somewhat unsure what you mean, but if these others are sworn to the Wyrm, I warn you that even standing in their presence can corrode your essence and pollute you, inside and and out."

It cocks it's head, as though hearing something from far away, then gazes intently upon the group for some moments.

"Heimdal believes you are all Wyrmspawn, which contradicts the evidence of my senses, and doesn't care which five he and his will tear asunder. Four of you are tainted, and you," it nods at Bob "are clean, but none are sworn to it's service.

If your 'warriors' are Wyrmspawn, you should destroy them before their taint consumes you. If not, they are welcome to the hospitality of the Realm of Rangitoto."

*Not for the first time since joining the Sabbat, Bob closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose, wondering to himself how he got mixed up in this level of crazy. He pauses for a brief second, and then returns comment to the spirit*
"Your hospitality is greatly appreciated. I also do not know what you mean about Wyrmspawn, but apparently that's a recurring theme around here."
Bob pauses, and then continues." As we walk down, may I ask you this: What does Rangitoto get out of this destruction? Because from my angle, what would happen if this deal was made is the destruction of Auckland, not just with it's humans, but the were-sharks, the various vampire sects, countless other beings that I had no idea existed until I was embraced, the land and the ocean surrounding it, plus the potential causing of a tsunami wave that may reach other lands and cause yet more destruction. All because one werewolf doesn't like a few vampires? What is worth all that effort?"

The Spirit looks somewhat confused.

"Volcanoes erupt. It is their nature.

Erupting early to cleanse the city of a Wyrmspawn infestation is... unusual, but my master's Alpha offers the volcano a great treasure as chiminage."

It pauses for a moment. "If you truly do not know of the Wyrm, it is the duty of I, Teacher of Cubs, to instruct you. It is... it is the fundamental patron of corruption, of pollution of what should be pure. One cub told me it was like "the Dark Side of the Force", if that human reference has meaning to you. It infects beings, and the corruption grows and spreads, whispering inside you. Those who embrace it and pledge themselves to it's service are termed Wyrmspawn.

Your companions are lightly tainted, but you are not; perhaps they have recently fought such a being while you were absent?"

"Great STOLEN treasure." Bob mutters under his breath, as the group continues walking, before returning his normal voice.* That could be the truth, I have not fought as much as them, I am very young compared to them, not to mention a healer like myself doesn't see as much of the battle.I am best at fixing, damaged bodies, damaged minds, damaged relationships. *he pauses for effect* What about yourself? What would you consider your primary skill?

The Spirit raises an eyebrow. "I am the Teacher of Cubs. I... teach cubs. It is my nature. Is that not apparent?

To return the topic, however - you would know if you had battled such a corrupted beast. It would be recent, and a terrifying foe. There are other ways to be infected; tainted food, air and the like. One of those would seem more likely if you cannot recall the Wyrmspawn they fought."

Bob nods "Clearly I have a LOT to learn about the world outside of humanity."