Tales of the Exalted

Everyone took their time getting back together in the morning, but it happened. Cold buttery bread and hot cereal waited at the tables as everyone gathered. "I understand we want to finish up this possible agreement with the god in the town, but does anyone know what this place we are looking for has? Is there any history on the mad spirit that haunts the city?" He looked decidedly at Tsubaki as he asked the questions, since he knew everything else that happened here, he probably had these answers too. He probably knew the request was going to be made of them anyway...

Tsubaki smiled at the Nahuatl Solar. He would be an interesting complication.
"The Ruins of Ataraxia are said to contain troves of First Age treasures that have been left untouched since the great betrayal. Rumor has it that the Dawn who made the metropolis his home managed to befriend the Golden Hierophant of Ataraxia, the city's God. During the Great Betrayal, so the story goes, the Hierophant was tricked into being absent by the Dragonbloods. When he returned to his home, he found it a ruin and his friend slain by his own soldiers. Mad with grief, the Hierophant refused to leave ever again, nor allow any to disturb the resting place of those he failed. Now he patrols the ruin, said to be unable to tell the difference between the present and the past." he explained. He knew the story was true, and likely that it was more complicated still.
But it was about a Circle of Solars he didn't have history with and so he didn't investigate it much. Perhaps the Hierophant might be a useful ally some day, but for now he was dangerous and Tsubaki had no interest in him.

The dining hall was mostly vacant except for the Lunar man and Eida when Callista went down for breakfast. She wasn't surprised to see the sorcerer there but she hadn’t expected any of the people who had stayed at the Drunken Monkey to be up so early.

”Good morning gentlemen. How was your evening, Tsubaki?” she said, taking her seat and smiling at the two men, a bit curious as to what kind of events took place after they had left. ”I did not mean to overhear, but when you said ruins I could only assume that you meant the city we are heading to. Have you been there before Tsubaki?”

Tsubaki smiled warmly at the Princess. If Cion truly favored her, sleeping with the other redhead must have been a side effect of his unrequited feelings. He would work to win her favor and try and pass it on to Cion.
"I have not been, no. But I've been interested, and once or twice hired supposed treasure hunters to seek out a few items. Money poorly invested." he sighed.

Jill came in carrying a plate piled with enough food to feed three of the men and proceed to plop down next to the princess. "I've only heard rumors but had no reason to venture there myself. I don't see why we all need to go just to retrieve one item." she said while stuffing a large bite into her mouth. Ruby hadn't come in until early morning and currently was still asleep so Jill was a touch worried about her present state. Even though she generally knew what happened, she was both curious and wanted to get away at the same time. Did Ruby really need her tagging along if she'd found herself a Solar lover? The Lunar felt she'd just get in the way and she didn't want her not to pursue something she wanted under the assumption it would bother her. "I could go and be back in no time. Then you don't have to put anyone in danger and the Princess doesn't have to go traipsing across unknown land."

Ruby woke up to the door closing. She lay on the couch, half dressed, covered with some furs she knew she didn't go to bed with. The night before was fun, but she felt guilty for leaving her friend to fend for herself in there with the new Lunar. She pulled the fur over her head and sighed, trying to decide if she really wanted to go downstairs right now.

Mayumi woke up, head pounding and feeling sick. She sat up slowly, the light bothered her eyes. She realized she was naked and frowned. Callista must have given up trying to get her into her night clothes.
She looked over to apologies to the Princess and nearly jumped from the bed. Which was a mistake with how bad her head was pounding. The form lying next to her was not Callista, but the new girl Pyrrha.
The other woman rolled over, clearly groggy as well and smiled at May. May quickly snatched up the blankets to cover herself and blushed. Pyrrha's green eyes seemed to realize what was going on in May's head.
"You had too much to drink. You got sick all over your clothes, I sent them to be washed. You begged me not to let Lady Callista see you like this. Don't worry, nothing happened." she explained gently. May lowered her head in shame.
"I am sorry to have troubled you so." she said bowing. Pyrrha giggled.
"Well you didn't snore and you kept the bed warm, I can't complain. Let's get dressed and get some water in you." she rose from the bed and May quickly looked away, realizing she was nude as well.
Thankfully Pyrrha didn't seem to notice or care about any of May's reactions and simply got dressed and offered to get her spare clothes from her bags.
The two women came down the stairs together and sat with the group.

"Because that wouldn't be a very good test of their abilities. Or I'd retrieve the item Mlungisi desires and we'd have no need of the Peacock." Sanjuro said appearing from nowhere and leaning against the wall, shadows clung to him as always.

So we're being tested then? Donovan chided as Mercy and he came in from the back. Sweat streaked lines down their faces through the layer of dust, their hair tousled and bent at angles worse than any bedhead. They crashed into their chairs, flush and just recovering their breath.

It was a training day, and that ment morning drills.

Mercy grabbed a sausage off of Jill's plate and chewed it spitefully glaring at a slash of clean area across his cheek. Could have at least bruised she muttered under her breath.

I would that you don't go alone. Not that I don't think you would be successful, but it doesn't give much room for a plan "B", and the cavalry can't save the day if it is too far to make the journey.

Sanjuro cocked an eyebrow at the Knight's tone.
"Make no mistake, all of you, if you cannot prove as useful as you are dangerous then your time as Chosen will be very short. Word of what you are will be reaching the furthest kingdoms by now, and soon to the true powers of the Scavenger Lands. The Great Khal will make many enemies with you among his ranks, and he expects you to be worth such risk." he said. They were all so angry and in denial of their positions. Perhaps they needed reminding.

"Thank you, Chanekeh, for the reminder. Please do remember the risks of motivation through threats though. We were already planning on moving to the city to look at it, what you say only breeds enmity. Not everyone here owes as much loyalty to the Khal as you do.

He turned to the mostly assembled group, motioning towards Jill as she devoured her portion. "Thank you for the offer, Jillian, however, this would most likely better solved using all of our abilities. Donovan has the right of it. We travel together. A mad spirit can be distracted, and one alone does not make a good distraction."

"Sanjuro isn't threatening, he's begging. It would be by his hand that you would die. Isn't that right, Chaneketh?" Tsubaki said with an amused grin. Sanjuro said nothing as usual. So they didn't know him very well.
"The mad God isn't all you would have to contend with. First age ruins, especially those belonging to Solars, are notoriously dangerous. Sure Jillian or Sanjuro could sneak in, but that may not be enough depending on what defenses remain after all this time." that's what made the mad God so dangerous. He wasn't alone.

"It does not matter the notions under which the comment was made, Tsubaki. What matters is the increased stress and reminder of the matter on a task we already decided to undertake where there was already significant risk involved."

"Now now children," Ruby walked down the stairs, hair dripping wet and pulled as straight as is it could in a ponytail. "It doesn't matter who was right. So shut up. We're all going. And if Tsubaki doesn't have any help to give us, we'll figure it out when we get there." She sat herself down at the table and picked a ripe fruit from Silver's plate. "The only question I have is: how long we waiting?"

I see little point in remaining idle when a task is at hand. I think that our departure depends entirely on our new colleague here though Donovan said looking at Tsubaki. The Artificer God was in little mood for exposition when we held court with him last night, I doubt very much he is in a m ore business-like mood now, or ever until our return. You have revealed what you know in tantalizing snippets, as deemed convenient by conversation. I would have you speak plainly about EVERYTHING you know regarding the Mad God and the area. What is known, what is rumor, and what are our known unknowns. I for one am unfamiliar with the tale of the area, if possible we gather more information about the history of the place. If the mad god cannot tell the difference in what time he is in, than knowing as much of the history of the place may prove invaluable. In either case, once we arrive there we perform a brief reconnaissance of the area and finalize the plan there before moving in.

Tsubaki smiled at Donovan pleasantly.
"Seems to me I've said most of what I know to your friend Eida. But I'll summarize; Ataraxia was a warrior culture during the first age, ruled by a Dawn Caste Solar skilled not just in war, but in leadership. The city was a wonder to behold, and with the Heirophant as his sworn ally, the Solar never knew defeat. But the Heirophant was lured away by agents of the... Dragonblooded, and that was when their betrayal was struck. Their legions shattered the city with their might and slew the Lawgiver who ruled it. But then came the Heirophant, and the Dragons were driven back. Their mission accomplished they saw no reason to stay and face it. So it has stalked the ruins, driven mad by its shame. It strikes out at treasure seekers and grave robbers alike shouting curses as if they were the betrayers from ages ago." he'd nearly slipped up and given them more information than they were ready for.
"The few who manage to survive foolish expeditions to Ataraxia speak of treasures beyond your imagination. But also of defenses of similar scope." he shrugged.

Donovan mentally grit his teeth, if he had wanted more of the same vagueness that was already given he wouldn't have asked. So he moved on to more pointed questions.
Who are these betrayers from long ago then? And who are these that have traveled there and returned to tell the tale?

Tsubaki suddenly realized they knew nothing about what they were... not knowing about their Lunar bond was one thing, and a thing more strongly felt by the Lunar or so the story went. But to know nothing about the betrayal.... surely one of them would...
"Your second question is much more simple to answer, my friend, so that is where I shall begin; over the decades I have paid attention to such rumors, dozens of expeditions have been sent by greedy Princes, foolish merchants and even a few overzealous Guild caravans. A very, very few have ever returned. As for a specific who, perhaps I could find one or two given enough time. But all they speak of is death." he shrugged, as if offering to go on this fruitless journey if they were but to ask.
"As for your first question... I must explain much." and perhaps gain them as allies in the process, Cion likely wouldn't stray from his Circle and if Tsubaki made himself invaluable to them...
"Long ago the world was ruled by cruel beings, and there was no order in Creation. Sol Invictus, Luna and Terra came together with a plan to give mortals the power to fight these beings, as they were forbidden to by ancient oaths. The Solar, Lunar and Terrestrial Exalted." he paused to let that very brief summary sink in.
"The Solars, such as yourselves, were the mightiest as you'd expect champions of the Unconquered Son to be. Noble, righteous and with a desire to fix the world. Lunars, like Jill and I, were created to be the second half of one of you. Powerful in our own right, with the ability to adapt to what our mate needed or lacked. When it came to Terra, she chose to imbue mortals with the blood of the Elemental Dragons. That way they could sire more and more Dragonbloods to form armies worthy of the Solars to lead into battle." he paused again, this next part would take a build up, but would hopefully anger them.
"And so it was that these champions cast out the cruel beings from creation and set about fixing all the damage that had been caused. A golden age of technology, magic and righteousness. The Solars traveled the land, making sure the Gods were preforming their duties, slaying monsters and bringing order and enlightenment the mortals where ever they traveled. As I said, you cannot imagine the wonders and things at the time considered common would now be considered impossible. Flying ships, statues as smart as a man and able to move, homes able to speak and preform minor tasks as ordered... wonders even I struggle to believe, having seen their broken husks with my own eyes." he took a sip of the coffee he'd been offered. Then set his face hard.
"And then, one day it was all taken away. The Dragonbloods rose up against their Solar masters. They killed them in their sleep, they came to them as friends and plunged blades into their hearts. They fought wars against those who managed to survive the knives in the dark. Mortals and Lunars who stayed loyal to their mates were slain with equal violence. Wonders torn down, entire kingdoms razed to the ground. Very few of my kind managed to escape to the edges of Creation. No Solars survived." he sighed, as if the weight of ancient memories were crushing him. In truth, he'd hardened those memories into hate rather quickly this life.
"They stepped in and took up the leadership that was rightfully yours. And my kind waited for you to return. We waited some three thousand years. In that time, the world has gone to hell. The Gods have gone rogue, the wonders created to make the world easier to manage have long since fallen to disrepair with none who know how to restore them, the Great Contagion destroyed much of the world and the Scarlet Empress rose to power, spreading her cult of with hunters across Creation to kill those of us who know the truth." he spat the last words.

Donovan sat back in his chair. He had expected specific names, but instead was met with a revolution. Thinking back on his own dreams and visions- he couldn't say that it was completely undeserved.

Well then, the god will either be excited to see the return of the Solars or mad beyond recognition. he sighed it seems our lot to be polite and professional, yet at the same time requiring a plan to kill everyone we meet.