Krayzikk

IC:

"Unannounced is fine," The Akiri said waving the idea of an inconvenience away with his hand. "If I couldn't be interrupted someone out there would have said so. They're the taskmasters that remind me about the dull things that need doing."

He flashed a grin at one of his longtime subordinates but he could tell there was something else behind his demeanor, too. Something different from the norm. Nothing so serious as to push about it yet. Agni's business was his own and he'd earned that privacy after so many years of service. And he'd earned the trust that if it was affecting his work he'd say so. His report was of more immediate concern for certain, either way.

"A fleet?" Jaller rocked back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the arm of it quickly and deliberately. "That could get complicated pretty quickly. Alright. Any idea how many? Best guess?"

21 minutes ago, EmperorWhenua said:

Sir please stop screaming into the Void

I will not that's the guy we need our snarky moneygrubber Saihoko back

IC:

Krayn nodded slightly as the offer was made explicit at last. Kale had hinted at the same, but Dehkaz had said it much more directly. It was a difficult offer to accept. The name felt wrong. That was a big part of it he decided. There wasn't a lot of the original team left. A lot of them retired had retired, the ones that were left... Well there weren't quite the same, were they? It had been a long few years. If he came back...

"I appreciate that. Whether I come back..." He shrugged again. "I can't do nothing. Can't really go back to the Gukko Force, either, and I can't really do much by myself. But I'm not sure if I'm the best fit anymore. You and Kale have been putting together a good crew here. Just not certain my spot is in it. Planning to visit Po-Koro to talk about it a bit if you've got the time to join me."

He raised a hand in greeting to the newcomer and nodded but didn't comment. If he wasn't even sure if he'd be rejoining the group he didn't have much say in its membership.

IC:

"In one piece." Krayn shrugged, a motion that raised one shoulder more than the other. "Anything else comes secondary, right? I'm glad you all have been doing well. I was just talking to Kale about how the island is, but he seems to be hearing the same things I've been seeing."

IC:

"Uhhh, I don't really wanna pay for any property damage. So outside I guess. Guards are easier to duck than angry innkeepers."

IC:

"Come on in."

The Akiri called from inside his office, just beyond the guards. The door was generally kept open during normal hours for this very purpose; skipping the time needed for his guards to check if the person outside was allowed inside saved hours of time in the long run.

"Close the door on your way in, Agni, please."

1 minute ago, Void Emissary said:

Wow!! So excited to be back for Arc 3 -- looking forward to RPing with all again!

I just wanted to check (and forgive me if this has already been asked and answered), but for people porting characters over from Arc 2, do we need to get any foreign tech and/or loot items re-approved?

Thanks for all your hard work, GMs!

-Void

VOOOOOOOOOOOID

58 minutes ago, Harvali said:

Hey I wanted to check something if that’s okay, regarding the Vortixx. I know a Vortixx PC cannot start off with a mask, but are they still able to use the powers of masks? From what BS01 says they can, but I was not sure if Vortixx are the same in the bzprpg, especially since I do not believe it’s known where they come from in the game’s canon.

There has been the precedent for a Vortixx to use a mask, but it has only happened once as a quest reward. So it's not impossible but it is subject to staff approval and exceptional circumstances.

IC:
 

First there was disbelief. Then his eyes narrowed in thought. Then a look that almost seemed chagrined came onto his face, eyes closing in deep prayers for patience to the Spirit above.

"Ah. I see." They opened. "No, I don't believe that was running the last time I spent any time in Po-Wahi. I was only here briefly before we left for Ko-Wahi. I suppose that would have taken some time off of the journey, wouldn't it have?"

IC:

There was a theory that sufficiently dense material was enough to dull transmissions on the mental plane, much the same way as distance does. But it was a tricky proposition to test. Obviously the range wasn't infinite, but where did it peter out? The whole Archipelago was full of people who could transmit it was nearly impossible to isolate a single transmitter and see how far away they could be detected. Trying to test the density of material was worse because the crystal used for their buildings didn't seem to have the same effect and no one had truly bothered to build with stone in Nui knows how long. There was a clan, just one, that liked to live underground. But they could still be picked up from the surface. So how far was too far, or how dense was too dense?

Personally Umbraline Sinshi subscribed to the theory. That was why she didn't notice all of the chatter on time. Her head was blocked. That was her story and she was sticking to it.

The buzz did penetrate eventually, though, enough to rouse the Menti from slumber. And when the content of the hubbub registered she sat bolt upright and rolled out of bed.

"Up, White, up," She said, pulling on her boots and reaching for her jacket. The purple garment went on quickly but stayed unfastened; Ga-Koro was rapidly becoming more comfortable but wearing the jacket buttoned on anything but a rainy day was far too warm. A small, gleaming metal badge was secured to her collar; not a Marine's badge, but something to mark her as a liaison. Akiri Hahli had decided that since the Menti Sinshi and Sergeant Munequita were working together so well they might serve as an official point of contact for the cultures, a little closer to the ground. Her swordbelt came next, wrapped around her waist and buckled securely. There used to be only a single blade on it, buckled at her right. A crystalline rapier. It had a fraternal twin now in the form of a local blade made right here in Ga-Koro. It was heavier than its older sibling. Figuring out on which side to place it had taken some thought. Replacing it on her right seemed disrespectful, as though it were her plebeian, everyday tool. But to place it on her left would be to see it disused as though it were an unworthy gift.

In the end practicality had been the tiebreaker. Sinshi was functionally ambidextrous but she had used her right hand first. Her new blade was superb but its weight was unfamiliar. So she had buckled it to her right and moved her original to her left where she could use the lighter blade easier. 

"White, there's a whooole Dasakan fleet coming in and you and I are already late."

IC:

"Forget peace. Peace sucks. What about violence?"

"Look," The chair clattered one more time before its occupant rocketed to her feet in an defiance of boredom's inertia. Saeva spun around on the planted foot, a full rotation, and stamped the other lightly upon the floor. "Tor messed up her nose and it wasn't even fighting. Peace is the danger, Red. You're gonna want ice."

She picked up the glass and planted a finger in it, letting it chill and crackle as she sucked the heat out of it and it began to freeze. Once it was solid enough to have a degree of integrity she twirled her fingers through it, breaking the ice into smaller chunks as it continued to freeze. Withdrawing her finger and flicking off the excess she held the cup out for use on the schnozz in question.

"Here. Come on, guys, I don't wanna fight E again. Red won't spring back. I gotta do something. Tor, you wanna take a swing?"

IC:

"Sure you don't, Daring. Why don't you get yourself a weekend pass and come back focused? As much as ever, at least." 

The laughter rippled just under the surface of his voice, held in place by a laudably serious expression and an exercise in self control. He had forgotten just how easy it was to rile his old Commander up. Not that Krayn had ever really been in a position to do it but he'd seen it done often enough. Now, well... Turned out being a private citizen did have some benefits. He followed Dehkaz deeper into the ship and marveled at how much things had changed just in the time that he'd been away.

This wasn't his first time seeing electric lighting, for example, but it was certainly the first time he had seen it outside a Koro. And it was the first time he had seen a ship covered in metal. And, and, and. Some shipbuilders had been very busy while he was away.

"I'd appreciate that, Commander. And you too Kale. I can get by for a while with what I have but if we ever make it to the vicinity..." The sentence trailed off, the Toa's eyes narrowing slightly as part of that answer- and question- registered. "What the Karz is an Iron Mahi?"

IC:
 

"Well I can't imagine I'll have wandered off before then. Though," Krayn glanced over at Kale again. "I was thinking, Kale, with a last name like that you probably know some people who can help me out. I need a few things that are a little specific. And I think eventually I'll need to make my way to the Koro proper."

"Skyra," Green eyes rolled. "You might want to tease people a little less. At least until you can persevere through getting it turned around on you. And stop corrupting Luten, go see the red lightstone district in Onu if you need to get it out of your system."

IC:

"I walked," He answered absently, one eye still on the antics of his erstwhile colleagues. The widget bounced expertly off of Skyra's face rebounded satisfyingly into his hand. "Took a while. Had to check Forsi before I got here. But I figured that the Fowadi had to be in one of the two. I appreciate the shopping offer, but—"

"Krayn!"

The former officer pivoted on one foot, catching sight of the caller descending towards the deck. Dehkaz was someone else he hadn't seen in quite some time. Not since Ihu-Koro, either, when they'd had something of a conversation. One he'd done his best to take to heart since not that it was an easy thing to do. Rather than wave with his free hand and have to use his shoulder he waved with his right, widget held between his first two fingers.

"Commander," Krayn answered with a nod. "The grownups were about to head belowdecks. Kale here wanted to show me the refits. Care to join us?"

IC:

"Come onnnnnn."

The chair rocked back and forth, tapping on the stone tile of the Magma Lounge's floor. Seated within it was the most bored Toa that perhaps had ever lived in Ta-Koro, mired in inactivity, desperate for distraction, and overall spoiling for something, someone, anything to hit in the face.

That wasn't Erzu, she was bored of that.

"When the Karz did Ta-Koro get so dull? This was the place! There was always somebody who needed punching, or looking for a fight, or something! What the Karz happened?" She groaned again, louder, and rocked her chair harder. "Nothing's going onnnn."

Saeva let out another groan, turning into a low growl somewhere halfway through the sound. This was awful. It was practically intolerable. She hadn't gotten to hit someone new in ages. Ages! It had been at least a couple of weeks, and that was absolutely unacceptable. But nothing was going on here, not after those Skakdi rolled through and trashed the Lavapool. Blugh. Why did nothing exciting ever happen anymore?

IC:

"Awful." Krayn fished a widget out of his pocket, examined its shine for a moment and balanced it on his thumb. With a solid flick it flew, unerringly, to meet the point squarely between Skyra's eyes. "But it's attached. It works. And I'm still alive. So I owe you, as well as Four and Dehkaz, quite a bit. In that light I suppose I can't complain, can I?"

More soberly he nodded to Kale, letting out a deep sigh he hadn't really realized he was holding.

"I was afraid you'd say something like that. I don't know how long I'll be here, specifically, but I'll have to do something. Probably means it's time to rearm a bit."

IC:

"Chojo?"

I eased the door open slowly, a little uncertain if I had heard her voice at all. So long aboard a ship, even as lovely a ship as this one, had not been kind to me. The movement, the sound, and worst the lack of fresh air. Very tactfully the vessel's captain had suggested that I remain belowdecks. I took her point quite quickly. In such open air my Arthron helps me little, I could too easily fall over the side if the deck shifted unexpectedly. So I remained below, and with every moment grew closer to gaining a claustrophobia I had never felt before.

Absolutely wonderful.

And all the while I have, to the best of my ability, watched over the Dashi and the Chojo. 

"Is that you?"

IC:

"Wouldn't be the first time, Skyra." He commented, flashing his former commander a wider smile. "Nor, I'm sure, the last."

"I'm not sure yet." Krayn shook Kale's hand and his smile faded slightly. "I'm not really tapped into... Well, much of any information anymore. But I've been spending my time up in Ko-Wahi lately and some of the things I've seen there have been pretty worrying. I was hoping you, and the Captain if he's around, might be better informed than I am. Put my mind at ease, I suppose."

"And of course it's always good to see you all. Even you, Praggos. Sometimes."

IC:

"Well, I suppose I am." Krayn said to the diminutive figure, nodding his head in respectful greeting. "I'd like to think so at least. My name is Krayn."

He started up the gangplank, bracing with the left-hand railing as he adjusted to the way the ship shifted in the water and grimacing at the protest in his shoulder. He crossed to the end of the plank in a few strides but stopped at its end and waited patiently.

"How have you been, Lady Daring? And permission to come aboard, Mr. Ironshaper?"

2 minutes ago, Smudge8 said:

How many :Dii are there? I have a character idea of a skakdi who is trying to live up their grandparent's legacy, and I was wondering if it would be ok to make up a skakdi that achived :Dii status.

Very few people have reached that status. I think Tyler's estimate was a couple dozen in all of Skakdi history. A ;Dii sounds more like what you're looking for. No less respected, but more fitting for an ancestor to live up to than a :Dii. A family standard rather than a species one.

IC:

"A lady?" The De-Toa squinted, straining to correct the obvious deficit in his vision. "That's a new one. I kind of thought you looked like Skyra."

Skyra's expression changed quickly but there was a certain concern to it before she grinned. An element of chagrin, maybe. Not much of a shock. He pulled the hat off his head, safely out of direct sunlight, and flashed a subdued half smile. By his standards he practically beamed. 

"Good to see you, Kale. Who is your small friend?"

IC:

"Not too soon, I hope."

If Ko-Wahi was a cold, barren waste— and it was— it was at least a quiet one. You could go weeks walking the Wahi without running into another soul or hearing anything but the howl of the wind. Krayn had spent some time doing just that; though if he was totally honest, he slipped out of Ihu-Koro's impromptu recovery wing as soon as he was able. And, he also admitted, without saying much in the way of farewell. Aside from his talk with Dehkaz he had only spoken with the crew of the Fowadi and Skyra once, and he had been pretty out of it in exhaustion. As proof of life it worked fine. As a chance to talk anything through? Not so much. But then he hadn't really wanted to talk anymore. He wanted to move, and work, and find his way back to center if he could. But it hadn't really worked out that way.

The handful of predators in Ko-Wahi were never timid but their hostility was unusual. Rather it had been very usual... While Makuta was still around. It was a small thing, small enough to be his own bias, but he felt it more than he saw it. The creatures in the world were moving again in ways that belied a greater pattern. It worried him. If it was nothing he could head back up into the mountains, but if it was something... 

The gang had long cleared out of Ihu by the time he got back, which wasn't a surprise. But he owed it to the people there to let them know what he'd seen and what he suspected on his way out of the region. They'd helped heal him, gave him somewhere to rest, and let him buy the supplies he had taken with him into the Wahi. Small things but for a settlement like Ihu-Koro, only just beginning to claw its way into relevance, it wasn't a small gesture. The Toa almost stopped in Onu-Koro to pick up his things but he decided against it almost at the last moment. He told himself that it was for reasons of efficiency but the truth of it was that there was nothing there he wanted to collect. It didn't exactly feel like his stuff anymore. He could always go back and get it later, if it was really important to him.

That did leave the question of finding them though. If they were at sea there wasn't much he could do. For that matter the only ones that he might reliably expect to find in the same place were Dehkaz, Kale, and their crew. Everyone else was independent or serving in another force and without an imminent threat had probably returned home. But knowing the vessel he was looking for, the allegiance of its crew, and its officers at least reasonably well they had probably gone back to Po-Wahi for supplies. Since the village itself was a parched, barren place without anything so nice as a stream in sight that meant Forsi or Ostia. 

Which for one Krayn Inzaka's sins meant having to walk through all of Po-Wahi. 

He'd wrapped his cloak up as soon as he reached the edge of Ga-Wahi, but by the time he reached Po-Wahi that wasn't enough. Fortunately he'd had an inkling that it might be— he still remembered those first awful sunburns when he was stationed there as a liaison— and he had stopped in at Forsi to buy a hat. The Fowadi wasn't there. If not a surprise it was certainly a disappointment. The trip to Forsi was fairly scenic. Getting from there to Ostia... So onto his head the wide brimmed hat went and into the desert he trekked. Ostia was too loud for his tastes, but at least it offered some respite from the brutal sun. And the sea breeze was nice.

More importantly the ship he was looking for was docked there, recognizable pretty quickly. It wasn't as though Po-Koro had many ships like her.

Recognizable, as well, were some of the people on and about its deck.

"I'm kind of looking for a few people. Maybe you ruffians have seen them?"

Name: Warlord Vanok the Undying

Species: Skakdi

Gender: Male

Element: Gravity

Vision Power: Laser Vision

Appearance: Age has begun to rob Vanok of stature but only just. The hunch in his back had not been there in his youth but only a fool would call it a sign of weakness. Vanok’s muscles were built young, as broad and strong as any Skakdi, and never faded. He wears no unnatural armor; the black Warlord’s front is covered in scars, thick and thin, faded and new. Scarcely an inch of skin is bereft of one, white marks tracing muscle in stark contrast to his skin. A single scar marks his back, just to the left of his spine, a thick, circular mark where a weapon was driven deep. It lies just behind the largest mass of thick, well-healed scar tissue surrounding a battered and scratched metallic plate in the center of his chest. The device, for it can be nothing else, was clearly not made by Skakdi hands. It’s too smooth for that, even after a lifetime of wear and tear, and the individual parts fit together too closely. The word ‘Nak’ has been scratched into its surface and purple light emanates from the seams and lettering. Faint by day but unmistakable in the dim Zakaz dusk. A crown has been crudely tattooed above it, matched by a series of crimson lines to its left. 

Despite his age Vanok still stands as tall as almost anyone on Zakaz. Age has dulled neither the intelligence in his eyes nor the command in his voice, and the harness for his axe fits as tightly as the day it was made. The two handed weapon rests on his back cresting his right shoulder, a Tahtorak’s tooth set into its base. Hide from the same beast makes up the boots on his feet and the leather of his belt. 

Weapons: Zakaz’s technology has a look all its own, and at a glance the device in Vanok’s chest isn’t it. It’s of an older, more advanced make; crafted by Vortixx hands before their kind vanished from the island. It serves as the heart he lost, a mechanical, infallible, inexhaustible machine that keeps Vanok on his feet when a lesser warrior would have dropped from exhaustion. He doesn’t get winded, he doesn’t lose his breath, he (and it) just goes and goes and goes. The axe slung across his back is less advanced but no less effective for it; every movement made feeds into its power, every bit of power inside it can be focused and fired from its edge like a Skakdi’s Impact Vision. Only much sharper, and if you’re unlucky enough to catch it fresh, much stronger.

Vanok also carries a Nakihl shotgun at his hip, and a series of wicked knives festoon his belt. Beyond these, what Vanok chooses to carry depends upon his mood, the battlefield, and what victory he wishes to boast of today.

Powers, fighting style, and weaknesses: Vanok is a juggernaut of unmatched potential, a stampeding Tahtorak, and the original unstoppable force. The loss of independent control over his element was a setback, perhaps, but not a substantial one. The strength of his own back is enough to cleave men in half, and were it not enough his axe’s power can do the rest. Without superior skill to stop him, Vanok will simply outlast and overpower. He has grown old on an island where precious few do, and he is in no hurry to die. If you’re too far away to hit, you’re still in range of his Laser Vision.

If Vanok has a weakness, if, it is that his age has brought him past his physical prime. Though only a fool would consider him any weaker, and many a dead fool has paid the toll for their stupidity. 

Biography: Vanok is a Warlord, and a real Warlord who earned his title the right way. He didn’t claim it on force alone, he went through the trials to prove it. He has lived long enough to see the loss of the Skakdi’s old power, the disappearance of the Vortixx, and countless Warlords rise and fall. Some of them have been his own children and grandchildren. When he was a young Skakdi, not yet a Warlord, a Vortixx tried to kill him. The legend goes that the cowardly schemer dared not face him and instead put a cannon to his back and blew out his chest, his heart with it. But Vanok did not die. His craven attempt doomed to failure the Vortixx begged on his knees for a chance to live, and Vanok ordered the inventor to build a replacement for the heart he had taken through trickery. Superior in every way, or the young Skakdi would strike his head from his shoulders before he succumbed.

The Vortixx built it, and true to his word Vanok let him live… After taking his hands so that he could never again raise a finger to his betters. A true Skakdi’s word is worth something, but be careful what you ask for. 

Vanok the Undying, in his time, has raised hordes and won countless victories. Every heir of his has been given a gift from the trophies he has won through his long life and sent on his way to seek glory. Some have been among the upstarts seeking to bring him down.

None who tried have lived or succeeded. 

Despite his age Vanok is one of the most respected men on Zakaz, and for good reason. 

Personality and Traits: Bloodthirsty, combative, arrogant, and scrupulously fair by Skakdi standards. A Warlord’s word is his bond, at least to another Skakdi or one who has won the right to that respect. Such men do not believe in trickery, their intentions for good or ill are not to be hidden. He can make for a powerful ally if his respect has been earned, and to his extensive family he can be quite paternal. Their successes are his, and their ambitions are worthy of respect… Even those who have been lead to their demise at his own hand. Their lack was not in spirit.

Like any Skakdi, Vanok has a deep distaste for Lesterin as a species and outsiders as a whole. Their worth is unproven, and the hearts are weak. They deserve neither his respect nor his assistance until they have won both. 

Player Characters

Name: Krayn Inzaka, former Lieutenant of the Gukko Force
Species: De-Toa
Gender: Male
Mask: Sanok
Powers: Sonics
Equipment: 
-2x Six-Cylinder Revolvers, and rounds
-Machete
Appearance: Krayn stands taller than most of his species, though it is not immediately apparent. His armor is the natural gunmetal gray and silver of his element, though the former is more prevalent in his armor than the latter. He wears a black Sanok. His eyes, behind the mask, are dark green in color, and often unreadable in expression. If it's true that the eyes are the window to the soul, then Krayn's soul is very guarded indeed. Though that has been changing; following his ordeal the former officer has been making an effort to be more open in his communication with others. Though that hasn’t exactly extended to smiling a lot more yet. Krayn tends to avoid moving his left arm these days, and when he does it often provokes a grimace.

He left his coat, and most of his gear, in Onu-Koro and hasn’t had any inclination to go back. A thick winter cloak purchased in Ihu-Koro has replaced it for his time in Ko-Wahi. Gone also are the weapons he used to carry, replaced instead with a sturdy machete on his back and the holsters on his sides. 
Biography: Krayn was a member of the Gukko Force for an extended amount of time, serving alongside, and later under, Commander Daring. His path brought him into encounters with the Mark Bearers, pirates, criminal syndicates, and included time serving as a member of the Aggressors. He served on the Fowadi for a time, and was stationed in Po-Koro as a go-between for the Force and the Sentinels. He has since resigned his position as a Lieutenant of the Gukko Force, and is presently a civilian.

After his experiences in the battle to retake Ko-Koro Krayn has been traveling, one can’t quite say wandering, the Ko-Wahi Wastes.
Weakness: Krayn’s left shoulder has never properly recovered from its injury. That is his claim, at least; whatever the medical reality it aches and moves stiffly, without the precision and coordination that he expects of it from years of practice. Owing to the healing that took place under skilled hands the lingering effects may be psychosomatic but they impact his ability either way. Krayn shares the sensitivity to loud noises common to all De- elementals, especially if he has been separated from his safeguards.
 

Name: Jaller
Species: Matoran
Gender: Male
Mask: Kanohi Hau (Powerless)
Powers: N/A
Equipment: N/A
Appearance: Jaller is a strong, athletically built Matoran, mostly red and yellow in color. He walks with the discipline of military background clear in his steps. Jaller generally holds his face in a mask of calmness and focus, even if what lies behind it is stirred by irritation at insubordination or danger.
Personality: Jaller has excellent self-control over his emotions unlike many of his fellow Ta-Matoran. He can generally keep his temper under control and is known by all for his courage and responsibility. He has a strong sense of justice. Jaller leads his village firmly, but believes in leading with an ear open to suggestions.
Biography: Jaller served as the captain of the Ta-Koro guard when Vakama was the village’s Turaga. He distinguished himself in combat against the forces of Makuta on many occasions, and his restructuring of the Ta-Koro military was crucial in keeping the Koro safe. When news of Vakama’s death reached Ta-Koro, the citizens of his village almost unanimously supported Jaller to take up the Turaga’s mantle.
Weaknesses: Being a Matoran, Jaller can be overcome physically by most other species of beings in contests of brute strength.

Name: Tarnok
Species: Matoran
Gender: Male
Mask: Kanohi Kualsi (Powerless)
Powers: N/A
Equipment: Knives; Protosteel saperka; repeating crossbow
Appearance: Like most of those with his element, Tarnok is taller, bulkier and more muscular than the average Matoran. His naturally black armor is largely covered by an external set of gunmetal gray armor, one carefully crafted and issued to all of Ussalry Seventh. It’s closer to plate armor, designed for maximum protection and maximum mobility. A large knife belt encircles his waist, and a crossbow is almost eternally slung across his back. His powerless Kualsi is usually set in an impassive mask.
Personality: Usually quiet, though tends to speak at length when a conversation is initiated. Possesses a very strong sense of Duty, and a determination to keep his village safe. Tarnok tends to be skeptical of Toa claiming to be heroes, and demonstrates little fear of beings far larger and more powerful than himself.
Biography: Tarnok started life as a simple miner, and were it not for a series of unfortunate events, he would have remained one. He joined the Ussalry and was assigned to Ussalry Seventh under the command of Sulov Koskium. During that time, he participated in the Hive battle and acquitted himself reasonably well. In the months following Sulov’s exile he fought off several marauding Toa, went toe to toe with a Valkyr, and fought Whenua's assassin to a standstill. He effectively organized the defense of Onu-Koro in the face of the impending Rahkshi assault, and fought in the battle that followed. After Makuta's fall, little has changed: the restructuring of the Ussalry left him bereft of his former squadron, with many former comrades promoted above him. As a result, his already limited socialization has decreased.
Weaknesses: Tarnok is only a midget in a world of tall people and as such has less reach and zero access to physics-defying powers.

Name: Sinshi
Species: Dasaka
Caste and Clan: Menti of Clan Umbraline
Gender: Female
Mask: Kanohi Calix
Powers: Dual Soulsword Manifestation (Tiger Hookswords)
Equipment: Rapier
Appearance: Sinshi is slightly taller than the average member of her species, a trait evident from her straight posture. Her armor is a regal blue, accented primarily with touches of silver (although her pauldrons possess tints of brass-like gold). She wears the best crystalline armor she can afford, and tries to ensure that the details are in the same silver as her mask. When not in armor, she tends to wear robes accented with purple, and on other occasions, a dark blue coat with the Umbraline insigna in purple. Her Kanohi is a blue a few shades darker than her armor and accented with a simple silver. Though she would never describe herself as such, she is rather pretty when not scowling.
Personality: Quiet the majority of the time, bordering on stoicism, Sinshi is actually pleasant when she opens up. Driven to succeed, and thus earn her family honor, she makes no attepts to disguise her distaste for those in positions they haven’t earned.
Biography: Generations ago, Sinshi’s branch of the Umbraline clan was held in high regard, superior to all but the royal family itself. Yet now it is a mere shadow of its former self, a laughingstock behind closed doors. It is this that drives Sinshi’s every action, for her entire life is devoted to reclaiming her family’s past glories.
Weaknesses: Sinshi is easily enraged by insults to her family, and rarely manifests her Soulsword unless her safety or the safety of others is threatened.
 
 
Name: Saeva Sareta
Species: Toa
Gender: Female
Mask: Kanohi Kadin
Powers: Elemental Power of Fire
Equipment: Sword; Trench Knife; Knife
Appearance: Sareta is a few inches taller than the average Toa, with a medium build. At a glance, she appears to be a merchant or server. Most of her body weight is in the form of toned muscle, a fact that more than one opponent has learned the painful way. Her armor is a deep crimson, accented by splashes of lighter color and touches of black. Her face seems practically built for grinning, her most common expression. Blue eyes are set behind a black Noble Huna-shaped Kadin, and much of the time she seems irrepressibly cheerful.
Personality: An enthusiastic brawler, Saeva enjoys seeking out new and more challengng opponents. Though her temper can often be evident, it rarely reaches true anger. Impulsive, with a fondness for making the most out of every fight, she is however a surprisingly decent tactical mind.
Biography: Born to a pair of Ta-Koro merchants, Saeva spent her days either working in her parents’ shop of satisfying her curiosity and pushing her boundaries. With the village’s tendency for trouble, she found herself involved in the occasional brawl, and attempted to take her experience with her into the Guard. However, disagreements prevented her from doing so, and with the consent of her parents, she found herself travelling the island. She eventually arrived at the Crucible in Ga-koro, combating all who challenged her until she met a certain Toa of the Green. They soon established a vitriolic relationship, and left the fighting ring for greener pastures.
Weaknesses: Saeva tends to make her own battles harder by not using her powers in order to challenge and enjoy herself.
 
Name: Skrihen
Species: Toa of Plant-Life
Gender: Female
Mask: Pakari
Powers: Control over plant-life, as well as her Mask of Strength.
Equipment: A large zweihander with a secondary subhilt and handle above the main crossguard, carried on her back. Crossed opposite it on her back is an Acurahk staff, taken from the Hive battle two years ago. A reasonably sized dagger and a survival knife are secured to her left hip, and a small crossbow to her right.
Appearance: Roughly average height, Skrihen’s armor is colored the muted hues of an evergreen forest in winter. Pale greens accented by light gray, she is at home in most of the island’s forests. Her personal colors are contrasted by the stark black of the waist length jacket she wears, and the well-kept silver of her weapons. Her Pakari is a slightly darker shade of pine green than her body, and her gaze is tempo teal behind her Kanohi. She usually carries a small bag of supplies with her.
Biography: Skrihen’s past isn’t entirely clear. There isn’t much of a trail, of people she knew or places she’s lived, but a general idea can be formed of who she was. For much of her life Skrihen looked out for number one, without much regard for anyone else. Their well-being was their problem. Somewhere along the lines she was burdened with the Mark of Joy, a Mark she had to feed on a daily basis. Her path, rather unintentionally, brought her to the Island Liberation Front’s Pala-Koro just in time to participate in the Hive Battle.

After that… She stuck around for a while. She was a regular member of the ILF for the rest of their (admittedly short) duration of existence, and manned the village’s bar when its owner left. The culmination of events beyond her control took her Mark from her, and she returned only just in time to defend the village against the Followers of Makuta.She helped to defend against the Rahkshi during Makuta’s fall, and eventually left Pala-Koro for parts unknown. Most of her time since then has been spent traveling the island, taking mercenary work from time to time.

The fall of Ko-Koro has proven to be the first event to truly draw her attention since the fall.
Weakness: While normally an agile being, Skrihen’s zweihander severely limits her mobility when she uses it. Her Pakari enables her to move without too much effort, but she still experiences a drawback in her speed. This is not an issue when using her other weapons. Additionally, the physical nature of her element means that she uses more energy when using it in an area without much plantlife.
 

Name: Masayoshi

Caste and Clan: Menti, Umbraline

Species: Dasaka

Gender: Female

Mask: Arthron

Powers: Mindarm

Equipment: Exact equipment varies depending on the circumstance, ranging from lightly armed to heavily.

-Crystalline walking stick, sword hidden within the body.

-Vambraces, carefully designed with the densest material available. Meant to blend in as part of her standard armor, but reinforced enough to, if necessary, block a limited number of blows.

-Katana sheathed at either side of her waist, a smaller wakizashi just below them. (Katana x2, wakizashi x2).

-Straight short sword, sheathed horizontally at her lower back.

-Dagger in a sheath on her left thigh.

Appearance: Of average height and athletic build, Masayoshi is armored in the same material as most Menti. Her armor is deep blue, with faint accents of pale gold most notably on her body upper arms. On most days, she keeps only the dagger sheathed to her left, only donning her more apparent equipment when the situation calls for it. Her cane is, without exception, held easily in her right hand. Her Kanohi Arthron is shaped like a sleek Kakama, her visage almost pretty but for one thing; the carefully crafted, nearly opaque, crystalline visor slotted into place over her eyes. Very notably, her attire is completely devoid of both the Umbraline’s colors, and their sigil. making it difficult to place her within a clan on sight.

Personality: When one thinks of the Imperial Executioner, one thinks of the stoic, level headed mountain of a Dasaka that occupied the position. His bodyguards are a mere afterthought, silent shadows to the mighty Umbraline.

Masayoshi very much subverts that expectation. While quiet in the presence of the company she often finds herself with, this is only to avoid drawing too much attention to herself. When she starts talking, she’s a very cheerful and enthusiastic conversationalist. Remarkably casual about her own impairment, it’s shown only out of public sight that she’s not half as disadvantaged by her impairment as she lets on.

Biography: Masayoshi was considered one of the best up and coming Menti while training. She used her Mindarm abilities and her Kanohi Calix to, at least among her peers, almost unparalleled effect, weaving in and out of her opponent’s attempts to strike her and dealing out her own from every angle, both with limb and mind. To her pride, she had attracted both attention to her own skill, and attention to her family. Given the nature of the Yards’ methods, pairing students of roughly equivalent skill to spar, she found herself pitted quite often against those supposedly her betters, not the least of which were a handful of First Sons. Rarely did their pride escape intact, and one in particular was consistently enraged by the “nobody upstart”. Himself a Soulsword of considerable ability, the duo sparred often, both due to the instructor’s intentions and her opponent’s own desire to humble the young Umbraline. Sparring in the Yards, particularly with Soulswords and live weapons, was mandated to be strictly light touch, if there was to be weapon contact to the body at all. Near the end of their training, when such bouts became permissible at all, the two fought yet again; it seemed to be much like their other bouts, until, somehow, her opponent’s Soulsword bypassed her guard and connected with her face. Only her Calix prevented it from connecting perfectly, but even then the blow shattered her Kanohi and left a deep wound horizontally along her face.

The healers responded slower than usual, resulting in a single outcome; while most of the damage could be healed, there was nothing that could be done for her eyes. It had taken too long to get her to a skilled enough Sana user. They managed to restore the appearance of her eyes, even a limited degree of functionality, but she would never be able to see. The Umbralines treated her well, even gave her a comfortable job back at their estate, but it immediately became clear that it was as much to sweep the issue under the rug as it was to treat her with respect. The duties she performed were formalities, and the First Son never faced an investigation into the event. It was in her new position that she stayed, for a good many years. She steadily adapted, using her new Kanohi to replace her lost sight, slowly regaining the independence she had once had. All the while, she trained. Trained to regain her skill, to somehow compensate for her lost sense.

Eventually, she attracted the attention of the Imperial Executioner, on one of his visits back to the Umbraline estate. An offer was, after a time, made; Rayuke offered to give her a position as his assistant. She accepted quite quickly, and returned to the Imperial Palace for the first time since completing her training to take on her new duties, despite the whispers behind closed doors.

Weakness: Masayoshi is blind. If she were to uncover her eyes she would be able to see varying levels of light, but she is almost completely blind. Though her Arthron easily compensates for this, if one were to find a way to bar her access to its powers, she would once more be rendered without sight.

Name: Vana
Gender: Female
Species: Lesterin
Appearance: Plants on Seprili have the space, and the weather, to be vibrant and colorful much like the Lesterin of Plantlife. Their blues and greens take on subtle hues accented with a bright, clean yellow. Plants on Seprili could never survive on Zakaz. Vana’s armor is the color of midnight on the river delta accented with dark, burnished bronze. Weather-beaten and bronzed in the harsh sun, but nowadays often covered in a rough hooded cloak. Only her blue eyes, piercing and somehow unfocused, can easily be seen from behind its edge. Despite her recent history— and her reputation— she doesn’t look much like a shade or a skeleton; below the cloak she has a solid, well-toned form. One however marked on her shoulder with the previous warlord of Khy;Barr’s seal. The symbol marks her as a slave, though it is not the only one that she has borne in the past. Warlords come and go, and all of them can be brought low.

Her left wrist is marred by small, persistent scars from the manacles that bind her hands together. Her right is covered— or perhaps replaced by— a gray gauntlet that extends nearly to her elbow. The device is marked in an unknown script, especially circling the crimson gem inset on the back of her hand. Small, pointed claws end her fingers. 
Equipment: Matches made with photothermic powder, dried Miracle Cactus and other mild hallucinogens. The shackles on her hands, a knotted wooden staff, and her cloak. The last piece of her equipment is not so much a possession as a part of her, perhaps even replacing a portion of her limb. The gauntlet on her right hand drains vitality from whoever it touches, enough to quickly weaken them after a brief period of contact and render them unconscious if contact is sustained long enough. From there, well…

This life force does not simply dissipate but is instead stored inside the device, presumably the inset gem. The power inside can be converted into strength for Vana herself, though once it has been depleted it must be filled anew. 
Powers: Kanohi Tryna, photosynthesis, poison immunity.
Weakness: Vana is not generally permitted the use of her hands, and seldom is she permitted access to any real tools. Despite the way she can be very, very useful to whomever commands her abilities at the moment her lack of any true loyalty to the people who command her makes her a double-edged sword.
Bio: What Vana’s history once was is unknown. Or rather, no one has cared to find out. What they know instead is her value on a land built upon its corpses. No matter where she walks, no matter what battlefield she is brought to, they can be counted on. She can raise them and immediately multiply the forces her warlord has at his or her command. Should any of their horde fall, they may rise again at her command. By no stretch does that warlord command her loyalty, however. Vana has a long history of striking back against her erstwhile masters in search of her freedom, however long it may last. 

Khy;Barr’s previous ruler was one such master. In a bid for freedom she killed one of his top lieutenants and broke free before she was again captured. In punishment he chained her to the fortress’ wall to serve as a warning, unable to move but unable to die. Rain from the coast and sun from above kept her alive until the warlord was overthrown and, told of her existence, Arms had her released.

Not that he trusts her much farther than his predecessor did.

Name: Nihonei

Species: Dasaka

Caste and Clan: Toroshu of Clan Eiyu

Gender: Female

Mask: Mask of Emulation

Powers: Nihonei is an incredibly skilled Sighteye. She usually uses her abilities to educate, but can turn them upon enemies in order to support her allies. In this time of chaos she has traded her Volitak in for a Mask of Emulation.

Equipment: Paired katana and wakizashi, Rahkshi staff with one of the ends missing. Several satchels containing the Eiyu's most important records and texts.

Appearance: Nihonei is of slightly shorter stature than most, and where once she wore a set of crystalline armor befitting a Toroshu she now wears the battle armor of her ancestors. Thicker than her more regal garb, crafted of segmented crystalline plates so as to avoid limiting her mobility. It clearly once had a shoulder cape, perhaps of half length, in Eiyu blue but the fabric is raggedly torn. The armor itself has accrued new damage over the past few weeks.  Despite her peaceful nature, Nihonei is still in the prime of her life, and her movements belie her athleticism. She did not, after all, survive this long by being incapable. Nevertheless a new weariness has set in upon her face, an exhaustion that comes from weeks of fighting and fleeing.

Personality: Despite her stature, she is a very kind and friendly individual to those of the lower castes, with the near constant kind smile on her face a testament to this fact. Rarely subscribes to the clear hierarchy of the empire, though she respects others for their adherence to tradition. Tended towards more passive behavior, barring exceptional circumstances, but that was before the hordes descended on her home. Since then Nihonei has been pushed to her limits, physical and emotional, more times than she can count. One couldn't call her paranoid, nor skittish, but a certain anxiety shadows her thoughts now. An awareness that for the moment she cannot take safety for granted anywhere.

Biography: Nihonei was born into the Eiyu clan, taking to their teachings like a fish to water. The near-infinite possibilities of the Sighteye discipline attracted her during her early studies, and upon undergoing training in Twin Souls, utilized her abilities effectively alongside her sister.  She is an able leader, bringing the Eiyu into a new era of prosperity, until the portal opened on Mt. Koshiki. The Eiyu hailed from Odaiba, and their home was under attack before they even knew of the invaders. Despite their surprise Nihonei was able to coordinate a defense and even an exodus for many of her people, lingering herself to secure the most critical of her clan's knowledge.

Weaknesses: Nihonei is not an aggressive fighter. Not that she is lacking for skill, but she does lack for experience and a certain killer instinct. Nihonei excels as a tactician and strategist, and her skills in a support role (especially for her sister Saritsu) are nearly unmatched. But alone and left to fend for herself Nihonei will go on the defensive, a dangerous tendency in today's Kentoku.

Name: Fursic Kiyaku

Species: Dasaka (Menti)

Gender: Female

Mask: Jutlin

Powers: Sighteye

Equipment: Crystal falcata, kanmuri-otoshi style tantō blade. Dasakan brig Shinushya.

Appearance: What Kiyaku actually looks like has become something of a mystery. She uses her Discipline so liberally, wearing so many different guises, that it can be difficult to guess which face is actually hers.

Weakness: Her Discipline does not have direct, offensive or defensive applications leaving her at something of a disadvantage in a fair fight.

And here we go.

Chapter III. Ends and Beginnings, Victories and Loss

• The Chojo, Umbraline Desdemona, disappears from the Imperial City. Lord Rayuke sequesters himself while his aid seeks her whereabouts.
• Disparate forces begin to infiltrate villain-controlled Ko-Koro, including an effort by Toa Maru Oreius that resulted in a fight between himself and Legacy lieutenant Eisen ending in his defeat and rescue by Korero.
• Lord Rayuke’s aid Masayoshi travels to the Dastana for information, and learns that they have captured Battlemaster Inokio. Under duress Inokio explains that he is working for the Fursics, and that they were behind Rora Yusanora’s death. Masayoshi forcibly enlists his aid to travel to Kozu

• A mysterious Matoran gathers five Matoran, Leli, Lepidran, Kellin, Seven, and Tarnok, and one Dashi, Soraya, to Kini-Nui.

• Joske confronts, and is killed by, the Necromancer Echelon. Echelon uses his Komau to discover what the hero learned in the Legend.
• Full scale battle results in Ko-Koro after the Toa Maru, less Reordin and Oreius, discover the location of Echelon’s hostages. Independent forces, including those of rallied former Island Liberation Front members headed by Toa Maru Reordin, join the fray.

• The Chosen Matoran are lead by Takua to the Keeping Place, and transported to Lord Rayuke’s garden in the Archipelago.

• Dorian, enraged by Joske’s death, makes arrangements to confront Echelon at the Vault.

• Masayoshi and Inokio storm Kozu, where Desdemona has been captured. Splitting up, Masayoshi confronts and slays the treacherous Fursic Toroshu while Inokio and Desdemona defeat her hired Battlemaster Sheika and return to Sado.

• Dorian and Echelon have a final confrontation at the Vault. During the battle Echelon is slain, and the crystalline flamberge is inserted into the keyhole.

• Rayuke and the Chosen Matoran, having deciphered the riddle left at the Vault, travel to the summit of Mt. Koshiki and insert Rayuke’s metal blade into the corresponding lock there.
• The Portals opened both on Mata Nui and the Kentoku Archipelago, a deal is struck in Nowhere. In exchange for the safety of Rayuke and the Chosen Matoran Makuta escapes from Nowhere onto Kentoku and unleashes his Rahkshi.

• On Mata Nui, Ko-Koro falls under a sustained assault by the Toa Maru, ILF, Gukko Force, a detachment of Sentinels, and the Ihu-Koran Highlanders supported by a detachment of the Ta-Koro Guard. Eisen and the surviving Legacy leadership retreat from the battle, beaten but alive.

• Rora Yumiwa orders an evacuation of the Kentoku Archipelago for the Umbralines and their allies, as well as any who would heed her advice. The exodus is brutal and violent, but both Desdemona and Yumiwa make it safely to their ship. Inokio is killed in the fighting and Rayuke stays behind.
• Assailed by an infected Kanohi Dragon, Desdemona is rendered catatonic by her use of Soulfire to defeat it. Dastana forces sail into the capital for its defense and occupation.

Arc III

• The Dasakan Fleet arrives on Mata Nui, the Chosen Matoran in tow.
   

IC:

the Necromancer. 

His ambitions had never been, his allegiances had been only to himself. But in a world after the Makuta’s downfall he had been invaluable. His was a name, a presence, a face to which the island ascribed a certain fear. Without that reputation rallying the disparate remnants of Makuta’s followers would have been nearly impossible. It had been a tremendous commitment of resources to siege, and take, Ko-Koro. Holding it forever had always been unlikely, the need to retreat always a possibility but this…

His foibles had ruined them and he wasn’t even around to take the blame he so rightly deserved. Perhaps the megalomaniac had finally gotten himself killed. 

Eisen began to laugh and choked the sound off as quickly as possible, the stabbing pain in his ribs a pointed reminder of why he was breathing shallowly. Agrone would fix his injuries easily but not until they stopped moving and there was no time for that yet. Karnak, Rorg, and Agrona had all been in Ko and all three were alive. At least the last that he had seen them. Agrona accompanied him now and he was reminded that the affair had not been a total loss; Oreius Maru had been gravely injured, and now the witch had his Kanohi. A small victory, perhaps. But a victory nonetheless. 

And something had changed. He could no more describe it than he could turn back time to stop Echelon’s more disastrous decisions but he could feel it. There was an energy in the air, a feeling in the ground beneath his feet that whispered of a victory greater than his present defeat. Makuta would rise again, given time. Eisen believed that before all else. And maybe he’d been right.

“Watch ahead of us, Agrona,” He said roughly around an interesting contusion in his neck. “I’ll watch behind. They won’t find us yet, but we can’t be followed back.”

There was nothing else for her to say. The droplets of blood Eisen was leaving with every limping step may have made for a trail to follow, but never one that would be picked out amidst the crimson already shed in the village. And before long the snow would be covered afresh.

No one was too keen to venture into the Darkwalk either way.

____________________________________________________________________________

Sergeant Kan, Ta-Koro Guard, surveyed the village with a certain grim satisfaction. This hadn’t been the most exciting duty he’d ever pulled; training the local forces up in this barren wasteland was pretty unpleasant, all things considered. Though the excitement had shot up pretty significantly when Ko-Koro fell and the refugees started pouring into Ihu-Koro. And when the counterattack began he’d been part of the only detachment of the Guard close enough to assist in capitalizing. 

And capitalize they had. The Highlanders had taken the lead. He’d called it their final exam, something the lot of them seemed to find pretty funny. They hadn’t ignored the advice of their teachers, though; nor had they gone into battle without asking if they’d be willing to help even the odds a bit. A Ta-Koronan training detachment wasn’t very large but theirs was yet the best trained military on the island; the same reason the Highlanders had wanted a crash course in the first place. So he’d liberally reinterpreted the letter of their orders to support the spirit his Akiri would’ve wanted; go help bash the bad guys’ brains in.

They were pretty well bashed, Kan had to admit. The Maru, what looked suspiciously like some former ILF folks, an eclectic assortment of guardsman, and a solid chunk of the Gukko Force had come down on the Village of Ice like Mata Nui’s own fist. Buildings were trashed, though it was hard to tell which had fallen in which siege. Someone had blown the gate down on their way out (or in) and Nui only knew how long it would take to flush out all the rats that might be hiding out in the Koro’s limits. But the brunt, that weren’t dead or maimed, were in full retreat. Their little haven had been retaken and they knew it.

Not bad for a day’s work. But it’d probably be a good idea to arrange for his detachment to stay in Ihu-Koro a little longer, keep an eye on how this panned out.