2014.12.15 A Match Made in Metal

Log Name: A Match Made in Metal

Date: December 15, 2014

Setting: The Twisted Pen-Umbra of The Lost Kingdom offers The Aristocrats a perfect setting to Summon Metal Elementals

Participants: Eris, Russ, Van

Host: Franko

---

Eris's basically told everyone where to meet her. She's chosen, oddly enough, the Kingdom to do the summoning in. There are many metal spirits here; sleeka nd powerful and the only things holding up against the slow decay of everything else. Esxactly what Eris is looking for.

Van comes slinking out of the darkness, up to Eris, giving her a light little nudge. "Whats your strategy?" he murmurs softly. "I've a gift that may prove useful..." he says, slipping a small glass vial out of his pocket. It seems to be filled with..blood? As he opens and pours its contents on the ground it does indeed seem to be blood, but at the end he reaches down to catch a simple silver ring, pops it into his mouth, then spits it back out clean. "Think of this as camouflage..You can trick the spirits into making them think you're friendly and to be trusted. If you so wish.."

---

Magic Ring

Lvl: 3 Successes: 3

Description: Van has an enchanted ring that allows him to blend in with spirits. Spirits of the Wyld, Weaver and Wyrm will see Van as non-threatening and leave him be as long as he takes no offensive action against them (This includes insults, any sort of physical, social, mental attack, etc). In order to keep the ring 'charged' Van must soak it in his own blood every 24 hours or it loses its effect.

System: Roll Manipulation + Subterfuge diff 6. If successful, spirits will effectively ignore him and consider him as 'one of us'. Depending upon how many successes gained determines the effectiveness of the enchantment.

---

Eris laughs at Van, "And our lovely Russ? Hmm?" She asks softly reaching up to take the ring and smiling at him and rolls the ring in her hand, "You should use it. I may need your aid in wearing the thing down. You're more likely to offend it than either Russ or myself. I've little but good reputation wih spirits and Russ is a theurge." She rubs her hands together. "I'm going to do what I always do, set down a ritual; summon and offer chimenage.. which since we're in the park here promising that someone.." Cough. "Will be sure to make sure that the metal in the area is tended to and rust worn off; fused and bolstered if needed for a few months. Some Gnosis. We need busy work for people anyway. And it will be something I can do when I cannot do anything else."

Van just grins slightly and slips the ring out of her hand and onto his own finger. "Fair enough, my love...I'll just settle back and watch, see how you kids do all on your lonesome.." yeah, because he'd be soo useful to begin with. He gives Eris a little hip bump and slinks away, sniffing at the air and setting up on one of the picnic tables as he waits for young Russel to join them for the nights activities.

Russ shows up, a little late. He walks out of the Funhouse and has a dingy green muscle shirt on that says GOD, SAVE THE QUEEN in a bold font. He has a leather jacket over that but lacks any hat or glasses. He has a black drawstring bag over one shoulder. He hails those of his pack as he gets closer, "Sorry I'm late, meditating. Trying to make sure I was prepared for ritual work." He explains as he draws casually closer to them. He hefts his shoulder bag idly.

Eris has her ritual elements out. She's quick to give Russ some things to wear then asks him to strip, find a comofrtable form, and wear some rather gearhead jewlery; okay it's not jewlry but it's effective. She doesn't run things like most Wyrm folk but hey if it comes down to it she'll lay the smackdown. But as this spirit will be residing in Van she'd rather make it nice.

She's asked Van to sit in front of her and Russ as she settles in to zone the fuck out for a while as she chants softly in the Spirit Tongue and in the First Tongue. The rites she was taught were severely old school. And so she leads Russ in the chant hands out, naked save for the fact she's draped herself in effagies to the Spirit she's summoning; metal metal everywhere. Russ, thankfully, helping will make this easier.

Van nods slowly and slinks over to the pair and does as asked, taking a deep breath and removing his shirt to bear the brand as he sits down and closes his eyes, trying to relax as he listens to Eris chant, abandoning himself to the duos (hopefully) competent hands.

Russ remains in homid but the Mixed Morph does take on some traits of his lupine form. His already wolfish face elongates to better mimic a snout. His face grows full mutton chops in a bright, familiar red. His horns curl but never fully turn into those of the ram as they do in Crinos; now Russ wears horns that would look more at home on an immature saytr. He applies the metal accents smoothly, not seeming to mind his lack of clothing since much of his skin is even now decorated in art, and scars, and fur.

Russ wears chainmail on his shoulders and hips, the crown of twisted nails and angry metal is placed at a sacreligious, jaunty angle at the back of his skull.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eris rolls Wits + Rituals vs 3 for 7 successes. +3 +4 +4 +7 +8 +10 +10
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<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Russ rolls Wits + Rituals vs 5 for 7 successes. 4 +6 +7 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Eris' raising her hands above her head after a time and once the preparations have finishes Eris simply begins to chant to call the intended spirit to her; a sleek powerful metal spirit somewhere along the midlines; easy enough to talk to and to ply with little promises to keep it placated so that she could bind it into the scar. She's done a ritual cleansing on Van a few times now and added some cool clear spring water to the mix. And -then- she forced him to sit out until he got some sun. She's mean. But she wants the whole thing to run as perfect as possible.

So the final draw of the ritual is completed and Eris waits in silence.

Russ is excellent at following directions. He is adept at Ritual work and enacts a pious demeanor while things are underway. All last night and this afternoon, until right before the Rite, he had been in meditation. Russ walked the Labyrinth and thought on their mission for Van, allowing his Gnosis to pool inside himself in case they needed it. At no point does he step out of line or muck up the Summoning, he is quite skilled in his actions as a ritual assistant.

Van watches with half lidded eyes as the spirit draws near, slick and sturdy yet somehow so graceful. He watches, silently, that sedated look soon leaving his face as he watches it entranced, head tilting up and eyes slipping shut. He seems, if only a bit, uncomfortable with all this..

And so he should be. Seems the overachievers here did a good job. /Too/ good of a job, at that. It's quiet for a moment or two, the park. Deathly quiet. Then some of the most horrid sounds of metal screeching upon metal can be heard. The ground shivers slightly as the twisted and corrupt metal of the Umbral park seems to come to life. The screeching is terrible, something much worse than what one could ever hear from a chalkboard. At first, smaller ones manifest. About ten or twenty Elementals of Metal spring forth, made of riveted iron curved into the vague shape of humans, eyes alight with light green flames. Their bodies are covered with a film of decay, rust present on their once-sheen coats and fungi spreading over some surfaces.

Following the smaller Elementals are two larger ones, who crawl and compose themselves with that same horrid sound of assembling metal from some of the larger rides. Ten feet tall, but still in the shape of men. Large, metal men. Finally, the rumbling gives way to a chasm that forms itself in the dessicated concrete of this tainted place. From below, the hand of a behemoth made of steel pulls its form through the earth. A giant metal man reminiscent of the Iron Giant movie. At least fifteen feet in height, it pulls itself to its feet outside the chasm, assembled from tightly bound sewer pipes and the supports from underneath the park. The chasm glows green beneath, then closes itself, as the giant of an elemental lowers itself onto its knuckles, flaming green eyes affixing on the tiny group of Garou the horde of Metal Spirits now surrounds. It gazes upon them all, expectantly.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eris rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge vs 5 for 6 successes. 1 +6 +6 +7 +8 +9 +9 9
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<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Russ rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge vs 5 for 3 successes. 3 +8 +9 +10
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<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Van the Man rolls Manipulation(4) + Subterfuge(3) (7 dice) vs 5 for 3 successes. 1 2 4 +6 +8 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

OUCH; Eris however does not flinch she instead holds her expression steady adn respectful. Ridgid, almost, an expectation of what is to come with the wholly inhuman thing -- or things, she rather quickly notes -- they are dealing with. Well.. That's awkward. She keeps her tongue steady as she greets the creatures in their own tongue. "Gratitude for your appearance." Spirit tongue, so frikken awkward. No apology. At least they sound be friendly; and why shouldn't they be. It's not like the wyrm things don't spend a lot of time close to the terrestrial manifestation of them. "I seek the council among you of which of you all is willing to aid one of ours in steadfast fortitude." A good reason to bring many spirits; right? To find one which is -willing- to work with them. Eris internally tries to pluck the right chords of manipulation with the creatures so they don't flip out she brought them all here. She doesn't fill it with anything flowery, everything direct, sleek and smooth, delivered without too much motion.

Russ uses the Spirit Speech when he addresses the Metal spirits. His words sound like loose metal being tossed about inside an industrial clothing dryer. He may not be the Ritemaster and as such he takes a position showing respect to Eris by being a step behind her on her right side. His head is not bowed to the metal spirits but his does incline it respectfully before he speaks. "Life anew." He adds calmly, edging some helpful lies into the side of her pitch. "Bound to something powerful." His words are softly spoken but clear, the way they slip from his lips is cunning and subtle. If his words are too flowery it is likely because she is -just- that better at manipulating metal.

By the time the others are done speaking, Van is sitting up and watching the largest of the spirits, breathing deeply and slowly. "I beseech you, strongest of spirits, impart to me your knowledge. Show me your strength so we may be one and stand forever strong." Van continues, speaking slowly in that same jagged sort of speech speech, his stance and posture ready and rigid, unbending, unwavering as he addresses the spirits.

The smaller spirits screech with movement, but seem to defer their own voices to the larger one. The giant of metal watches each one in turn as they speak, judging them silently. At length, but not after they've each had their turns in speech, it rises to its feet and starts to stalk around the trio, heavy footfalls and loud screeching of metal emitting from its welded joints. It seems to be taking them in from various angles, clearly the eldest spirit of this particular brood. They're not exactly known for their speech, but he does eventually speak, shrill sounds of high pitched screeching serving as words.

"You see our park. Dying, decaying." it starts, but eventually comes to a stop before them as it gazes down on them for a while longer. It doesn't really offer its reasons, nor it's intentions. It's a spirit, and metal at that, what do you expect? "We are the great ones in this place. What is it you offer for one of our aid?" it screeches out, green eyes alight with that corruption as it searches out its own boons. "You will speak straight and true, for we do not have time to waste."

Eris doesn't budge; she knows she's soft compared to these things but you do not show those things. Metal does not flinch in the face of decay and so she does not either. Instead she lifts her head to look at the creature above. "I offer a year of service of me or people of my choosing. To ensure while that around withers and decays we shall weld you with support should you be damaged. We will scrub what rust we can find off of you, prime and seal those areas that are too ferrous and will gather water for more rust. I also offer that I, or should I be unable someone in my stead, will come to you and offer you of myself," Gnosis for those in the wings, "Every two weeks." No amount stated, an offering is an offering and likely more than they're getting now.

The sincerity of his words don't need the power of manipulation because Russ is being honest when he offers, "Even now, in Tribute I offer you Gnosis with no strings attached." He has cupped his hands, here in the Penumbra the shallow basin he has created with his hands starts to fill. The light blue essence pools between his palms and the Theurge folds the blue in on itself the way one might fold steel to make it stronger. He does it several times, fusing more and more gnosis into the brick he is making. The skilled hands block the sight of the brick for a moment but when he pulls them away there is the illusion of a bluish silver brick that floats in mid air. Russ pushes it toward the spirits and it floats to the Big Guy on the Umbral wind. "To feed your considerations." His posture has been rigid but he can't help his graceful influences. His fluid movement is an involuntary part of his being.

Van continues sit in that rigid posture, gaze remaining on the massive twisted metal spirit that paces and looms above them. He adds nothing to the offerings and tributes, only sits and stoically watches, attention warily shifting to the horde of smaller spirits before once more setting on the behemoth.

Russ is still, his face impassive as he awaits the Spirit's reaction. He keeps his shoulders squared and takes cues on his posture from the Elders present.

The mass of twisted metal listens further with its stoic, emotionless face. The terms are heard, and indeed, none of them are getting anything now. Regardless, he's not weak, none of them are. Their prowess is legendary! Or so they think. It stares for a long while at the offered materialized Gnosis, and its hand comes up to grasp the bar, crushing it and allowing the shards to fall into the horde of Elementals beneath it. "Your chiminage is great, and your words please us." it tells them, its body rising back to full height as it starts to circle the jagglings while they go about getting at those shards of the offering.

Its steps thunder through the ground as it peers into the group of them, and eventually its hand reaches into them, hard metal fingers wrapping around the body of one of the smaller ones as he plucks it from the group. It's a little cleaner than most, although rust is still evident. One of the younger spirits here, clearly. The spirit struggles, but a few tight squeezes from the giant of an elder are about all it takes to force it into submission. The Elemental is dropped on its knees before the trio, only a little larger than Eris really. It's so much easier to give when it's not yourself doing the giving, isn't it?

Doesn't she know it. "We are pleased for your acceptance. We will show our gratitude through our actions and our offerings." She turns to the littlest one and regards it for a moment then looks back to the bigger elemental, "Your wisdom is welcome." And with that the summoning ritual is over; everyone but the little one can go unless they have other business; but what business do spirits have with fleshy little creatures who've already made their chimenage.

A respectful bow of his head to the Goliath, and then hes silence once more, until the horde and their master have left and its just that poor broken little spirit left behind. "We will be strong together, little spirit.." Van murmurs, glancing over his shoulder to Eris and Russ then, giving them an approving sort of grin before his attention shifts back to the spirit.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eris rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge vs 5 for 6 successes. 1 +6 +6 +7 +8 +9 +9 9
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<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Russ rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge vs 5 for 3 successes. 3 +8 +9 +10
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<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Van the Man rolls Manipulation(4) + Subterfuge(3) (7 dice) vs 5 for 3 successes. 1 2 4 +6 +8 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The little spirit is compliant, forcefully willing. How could he not be? The other spirits, after they finish taking in that offered Gnosis, screech a loud screech in unison before slowly crawling back to their 'homes', leaving their younger sibling to its fate. The exits are much like the entries, loud and painful screeching of metal on metal, and the horrible shaking of the earth beneath the trio. They certainly offered a lot to make sure this went well, and it has apparently paid off, their prize of sorts knelt before them in offering to the greater good.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Van the Man rolls Wits(5) + Rituals(3) (8 dice) vs 10 for 1 successes. 4 4 5 6 8 9 9 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
Eris loses one Willpower
Russ loses one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Russ rolls Wits + Rituals vs 10 for 2 successes. 1 2 6 7 8 +10 +10 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Eris rolls Wits + Rituals vs 10 for 0 successes. 2 3 5 5 7 7 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

((At this point we did the rolls and FTBed the binding, because most of us had to leave.))