Session 7
Tirigan is fighting The Lady Of Rent Veils. Without his trusty spear, he could be in trouble! Lady Khensa decides not to join him, but rather to head to the Garden, where Ben has summoned the Mists of Eventide! Unfortunately, The Tall Man is caught in the cloud! Master Sui hears the commotion and leaves his fire-fighting duties to assist his colleagues.
Tirigan struggles to deflect Rent Veils' Artefact Shuriken, but the blow is poor, and the poison weak. She holds off his return blows, but is notably surprised at his capability.
People stagger out of the Mist, but Bill pushes it back over the Black Claw devotees. They try to make their way to Ben, but he is ready for them. Stoat makes a run for it through a side door, while Fox turns to hold off pursuers. The Tall Man succumbs to the Mists and collapses. Lady Kensha dodges past Fox and rushes after Stoat. Master Sui leaps up into the Garden, but takes a while to assess the situation (Botch on 6 dice! Ouch!)
Rent Veils continues to look for a weakness in Tirigan's defences, but he is a match for her! He pushes forward his assault, his small blade flashing about him.
The Black Claws eventually fall foul of the Sorcerous Mists, allowing Ben to ease himself into their dreams. Raising their bodies like marionettes, he commands Bill to lift them down into the Vault to deal with the fire. Master Sui's Tiger Style cannot find a chink in Fox's Crane Defence, but Fox does not have the strength or skill to pierce Sui's Diamond Body Technique! They trade blows, and insults.
Lady Kensha catches up to Stoat, and they argue. As matters are discussed, it appears that the common goal of stopping the Satrap's Evil Schemes, and protecting Soba, are paramount. A deal is reached for Stoat to assist with this for a Year and a Day. Kensha ensures that this agreement is recorded in Heaven, to Stoats surprise and amusement.
Shadowed Ribbons of Essence have begun to flare from Rent Veils, a Caste-Circle on her forehead glowing in a sickly parody of SOL's Virtuous Light! She pulls more and more Power from whatever Diabolic sources she has, but it is not enough! Tirigan has been challenged, in the very heart of the City he Swore to Protect, and he will not be found wanting! Slash and swing, lunge and thrust, the blade turns aside Rent Veils' final efforts, and strikes forward, finding its mark. The once-revered Lady falls to the floor, her blood rapidly staining the luxurious rugs, but her Nature no longer staining Creation!
Meanwhile, new-found friends Lady Kensha and Humble Stoat have returned to the Garden and are busy persuading their respective comrades to join forces against the Satrap, who even now summons forth Great Powers, maybe even Anwe himself!
NOTES:
1) We (Lady Kensha) did receive a Sorcerous Messenger from Cynis Allegra, asking for aid in putting out the Fire in the Vault. (When Kensha gets chance to describe it to Ben he will realise it is her Control Spell). 2) Fox and Stoat are denying connection with the Lady of Rent Veils. 3) It actually was The Lady of Rent Veils, rather than some impostor! A close colleague of The Satrap, it would appear that she was in on his schemes!
