GM: Kevan Forbes
System: Exalted, 2nd Edition
Hand’s Account
As fast as the camels, stupid stubborn beats that they are, would carry us, we arrived in Gem. We had less than an hour before the great games would begin. Urasue could not be late for this event, it would cast a dark mark both her and her husband Omar. With no time, whatsoever to clean and prepare, we had to make to. In my time, I’ve become very good at making disguises, usually they are done my make me or other appear inconspicuous, but this night my talent was put to the test. Unable to wash away the week’s worth of sand, dust and ash from Urasue’s face, instead the Unconquered Sun inspired me to use it like paint upon the canvass of Urasue’s fair skin. Drawing dust into foundation and shades of ash into mascara, I adored Urasue with an unmistakably exotic and unique attire.
With some help from Thunder greasing the wheel at our entrance (apparently someone had forgotten our invitation), we were admitted into the Arena of Blissful Repast and onto a very prestigious venue, the same platform as the Despot himself. Also on our level was house Arbani, the firedust traders of Gem, the Realm emissaries, and a large contingent of Souther Rangers, assuring the only violence that would come to pass would be in the arena. The Rangers failed.
We had spoken with Najib Arbani, and unpleasant businessman prominent in his house of fire dust traders. Though he tried to hide them, there are few things the sun children cannot perceive, and Najibs intentions were made bare. He could not stand the Realm’s presence here as they were pressuring the Despot to sell fire dust for obals on the koku. They would hurt the Arbani family if they could win the Despot’s favor. An unlikely ally, in apposing the Dragon Bloods, but possibly an ally just the same.
The Dragon Bloods, the most honored guests, were seated beside the Despot himself. Amongst their ranks were Cathak Turin, the head of their entourage. Bastion, an immaculate monk and her retinue and two other Dragon Bloods who we would come to know much later. Though the Despot was showing them great public favor and obsequiously bending to their will, it was a facade. A giant show to bolster their confidence while offering them nothing. Honoring guest at gladiatorial event cost the Despot little, while appeasing their egos was priceless. Well played on his part.
The main event began, a muscle bound hulk squared off against a wiry warrior. We would have watched but as per his prerogative the Despot and his family visited each of his guests to discuss various matters with them. House Iblan, Omar’s house, was invited to sit beside the pedestal of the Despot, along side the Realm. We discusses relatively pleasant matters at first but soon inevitable happened. Thunder’s fiery temper sparked against the immaculate monks stony resolve. As there debate became more heated, I watch my companion instinctively reach for his weapon, the same that he had left behind at our manse. Finally something snapped inside Thunder, he shouted profanities and leaped at the monk, prepared to rip her own heretical tongue of lies from her mouth.
I cannot say exactly what happened next. I saw that one of my circle was in grave danger, whether justified or not, he needed my help. Like a Striking Cobra I darted up the banister to the platform the Dragonbloods occupied. For while all the other guests of House Circla came unarmed, the Realm was allowed to keep their weapons, artifact as that, on their person. Cathak dived for her daiklaive but Snake strikes faster than Water. Diving and rolling I gripped the blade and with all my might heaved the heavy jade into the hands of Thunder.
From then on our world changed.
Hours later we recounted the damage. Thunder had revealed our nature in front the Dragon Bloods and the Despot, a large portion of Gem for that matter. Howakan’s cult were murdered, shot down by an unknown assassin. Urasue’s retinue were attached by the immaculate monks, women and children alike fell under their blows. Worst of all, however, our circle had turned against each other. Thunder tried to strike down Wind for standing in his path. Howakan had to knock him out to prevent him from hurting anyone else. Finally, Urasue spoke against her own circle mate and was abandoned by her Xin Ghou. One day. We lost so much.
