BZPRPG - Ko-Wahi

[Nato G]

IC: Dayeth - Ko-Koro Streets.

 

Grinning from ear to ear, Dayeth strolled calmly down the icy Ko-Koro street, relishing in Echelon's victory over the Brotherhood heathens. They were gone from the city now; it belonged solely to the followers of Makuta. 

 

Finally, she had a place to call her own. 

 

OOC: Dayeth open for interaction. 

[Vezok's Friend]

OOC: I have nothing against characters tagging along for stuff, but I would prefer it if there was an explanation of how they got there. Especially if it's used to just handwave gaining that kind of info in two sentences. 

 

IC (Kohra):

 

Just as she passed the door inside, the Vortixx heard approaching footsteps from behind, she stopped a little ways inside and looked back, to see Agrona approaching. Out of the corner of her eye, she also caught sign of the lapdog that had followed Vezok around uninvited on the tour and peaked into every corner with shifty eyes. The Ga-Matoran was talking to the Piraka in hushed whispers while glancing over and giving her the old stink eye. Unfortunately, Kohra caught the glimpse and returned the look, which made one point very clear: I know your game.

 

The whole exchange lasted maybe a second, then she turned again and continued on inside, the steps of her heels loudly clicking against the icy floor.

[Palm]

IC: Agrona - Ko-Koro - The Citadel

 

     I saw Kohra as clearly as I could hear her footsteps. It usually didn't bode well for somebody to get such a knowing glance from the woman. Kohra was sharper than any knife I had ever known and was as tough as the best of us. I never wondered what it would be like to take on Kohra since many people had already done that terrible work for me. So as far as I was concerned, when Echelon first spoke to me about this group I was nearly elated to find out she was a part of it. No issues there.

 

     I took larger steps to catch up to my colleague vortixx, "Kohra," I said melodiously, "Acclimatizing to new citizens I see." I knew Kohra could certainly take care of herself. That wasn't the issue. My chief concern was potential dissenters. It was inevitable that creating a new Ko-Koro would invite people which could potentially threaten Nightfall's balance (as power should). I didn't think it could happen easily, but as long as I was alive, there was nothing wrong with keeping tabs on each other and the people around us. Watching and keeping the others healthy was my job after-all.

 

     With a chuckle I continued somewhat sarcastically, "Terrible bunch we've brought to the village haven't we?"

Edited March 17, 2015 by Palm

[Dane-gerous]

IC: Xaru'Ka

The trio entered the T.O.Y store, making Noxas even more paranoid.

[Perp]

IC: Arcturia

The Onu-Toa still did not notice Varan, slinking further into the shadows of the building she'd entered.

[Vezok's Friend]

IC (Kohra):

 

The Vortixx' right hand casually fiddled with the black cloth wrapped around her upper body as she and Agrona walked further inside together. 

 

"Yes, quite terrible." she said, before adding: "But they make for infinitely better neighbours than the previous inhabitants."

[Jakura Nuva]

IC: Varan

 

Varan sighed, activating his Kanohi. Immediately, his senses heightened - he could hear, see, smell, taste, feel... everything. Well, almost everything - his mask wasn't that powerful.

 

Leaving the annoying little whatever-he-was behind him, the Ba-Toa went further into the building, trying to sense Arcturia. He called out in a hushed whisper.

 

"Arcturia... where are you?"

[otter]

IC:

 

"Only so long as they continue to respect where the power lies in this village," a voice rang out, the bearer of that voice striding quickly over to Kohra and Agrona. "Otherwise they'll be naught but the same, minus the religious fervor behind their assaults upon us." Another step and the large Kaiakan who had spoken was walking abreast of his two comrades, and if either of them took care to look they might notice mingled annoyance and disappointment upon his face, likely related to the earlier discussion between Larikon and Echelon.

 

"Any thoughts as to what this will be about?" Karnakie asked the pair he was walking with, some curiosity evident in his voice. "Certainly must be something important, for Echelon to gather all of us on such short notice."

[Ghidora131]

IC Rinnoz

 

Little whatever they are don't like to be alone, so Rinnoz followed him again, stopping at the entrance to the building.

[Palm]

IC: Agrona - Ko-Koro - The Citadel

     I was about to respond to Kohra myself when Karnakie's low voice boomed within the Citadel halls.

     Everybody within our group was a specialist in some way. While we were all capable of holding our own in combat, Karnakie had a... unique experience. I was always curious about his species but never found the time or utility to ask. All I knew was the history with his people was as bloody as any could be. When it came to Karnakie, the man had seen things most people on Mata-Nui hadn't. But he had a disposition that allowed him to paint those unseen pictures of violence himself. To give you a better idea, he was disappointed when Echelon let Larikon go instead of kill him.

     I gave the Kaiakan address by nodding to him, "I haven't heard anything." I cooed. Edited March 17, 2015 by Palm

[otter]

IC:

 

"Hmm." Karnakie frowned, pondering what all was possible to be the topic of the meeting that was coming. There was always the likelihood that it was some threat, either within the village or out of it, that would need dealing with. "Maybe we've got a new enemy to deal with. Hopefully this one will have more of a spine than Larikon did." The Kaiakan snorted in disgust, thinking of how complacently the Toa of Magnetism had led his followers out of the Koro and back to whatever rock they'd emerged from. "His capitulation was pitiful, especially given how he should know that his sect won't long survive on the island. They've been declining for ages as it is - his surrender and retreat wasn't tactical, it was just cowardly."

[Eyru]

IC (Rorg)

 

I move from the shadows to join my companions; they discuss Larikon's retreat. I have nothing to say on the events that transpired in Kopaka's halls: I am employed for my gun, not my opinion.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

"It was the wisest choice for their survival." 

 

The comment was level, almost conversational, but it had a way of drawing attention. Perhaps due to the speaker, rather than any power of its own. Eisen took a few measured steps into the room, nodding in greeting to the other members of the Nightfall. The Fe-Toa's weapons were stowed on his back, his cape shifting lazily behind him as he moved. He eventually came to a stop, clasping his hands behind his back as he surveyed the assembled warriors. "I apologize for the delay. I was attending to matters in the city."

"The Brotherhood's decline is certain, but Larikon made the best choice he could. If they stayed, they died. By leaving they stand a chance of surviving."

[otter]

IC:

 

"For another hundred years at best," I replied to Eisen. "Unlike before, when they were hidden, now they're known. They're another faction to deal with, and the likelihood of the rest of the island allying with them is quite low. I think it more likely that they'll return to their rock in the desert only to find themselves beset upon again - maybe quite soon, maybe further forward in time than I might guess - by the worshippers of Mata-Nui, and this time I doubt our mutual enemies will prove so sloppy as last time when dealing with this Brotherhood." I looked around at my companions - Eisen had now joined us, as had Rorg, so counting myself, those two, and then Agrona and Kohra...

 

It was the first time I could say we'd truly all been gathered together since we were fighting to take control of this village. The only member of our group missing was the one we were heading towards now.

 

"Rorg, Eisen, do either of you care to hazard a guess as to what Echelon's gathering us for?"

[Eyru]

IC (Rorg)

 

I do not deal in guesswork. Echelon will share his reasons for this summons in moments; imagining his motivations is a lavish waste of air. As I have before, I will note that I am employed for my gun, not my opinions, and remain silent.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"To the shortsighted,  a hundred years is an eternity." The Fe-Toa said simply, taking a place near the gathered group. At the Kaiakan's question he paused, mulling the query of a moment in silence. "Perhaps he wishes to discuss the state of affairs. Doubtful, given that he already knows them. More than likely he wishes to discuss a future course of action, either for an individual or the group."

[otter]

IC:

 

"To the shortsighted, one hundred years is an unattainable goal," I supplied to go along with Eisen's comment. "That's what I figured it would be as well, although what prompted this gathering is what ignites my curiosity."

[Eyru]

IC 

 

Curiosity is dangerous.

[sunflower]

IC: Vezok [Ko-Koro]

 

"Of course she did," I stated simply as Kohra took her leave and moved towards the Sanctum.  It didn't take Hakann's psychotic mental gymnastics to figure out where she was headed.  I preferred the mutual understanding of lack of trust that had formed, rather than finding out that the criminals on this island were a bunch of trusting idiots.  Both parties were weary of the knife that one would most certainly slip between the other's ribs, and it helped with working with them.  That being said, I certainly didn't trust the blabbering matoran to show me around, I could do that on my own.

 

Or go find Thok, the self-proclaimed puppet master probably having tattooed the map of this place onto the back of his eyelids, and I knew if I hit the prettyboy hard enough he'd talk.  More specifically, lie, but it worked all the same.

 

I should probably go and find Hakann, too.  Leaving that pyromaniac alone in a village of ice for any extended period of time could get messy.  Then again, he'd probably appreciate the wall art.

[Palm]

IC: Agrona - Ko-Koro - The Citadel

 

     Before entering the sanctum where Echelon was likely waiting, Rorg and Eisen joined us in the hall. Rorg of course gave no thoughts on Larikon. At first I couldn't pin down the skakdi when I first met him, but it didn't take too long to figure out. He wasn't interested in doing anything other than his job; which he fortunately was very good at. Initially I was uneasy about bringing a mercenary onto the team but of course I didn't have any say in it. I felt better once I saw him work.

 

     I didn't know him as well as the others at the time, but I knew Eisen was brilliant. The group was full of reliable people, but something about Eisen made him seem especially so.

 

     "You won't need to be curious much longer Karnakie." I say as we approach the final doors. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door with Toros close behind me.

 

     "Echelon, what did you call us for?"

[silo]

IC: (Mortem/TOYS Store, Ko-Koro)

I too step inside, and order a drink from the bar. They all look pretty foul, but anything to calm my current blood-lust will do.

[Eyru]

IC 

 

The dark man watched the Piraka come and go as they pleased, and felt an old spark burst to life in his gut. They, like Echelon, fancied themselves to be greater than any other. He watched and waited, and burned to show them. He would show them. He would show them all. They didn't deserve their power and wealth; they should have been scoured from the land a long time ago.

 

But he would wait. His time would come; he would bear the ache a little while longer. What was that spark's name? Had it been so long since it had burned in his stomach that he no longer knew its name?

 

It wasn't...

 

greed

 

...was it?

[Makuta Miras]

IC: Khil'rayu (T.O.Y.S STORE)

 

"Strongest you have," I supply to the barman, leaping up onto a stool and grabbing the pint as it's placed no the counter, flipping a few widgets at him as payment.

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: A man in a black overcoat who hadn't been there in a long while trudged up the road towards the great gate of Ko-Koro. It could be said he was coming home. Ambages paused at the gate and patiently awaited the hail—the angry, villainous hail from the guard who would look down and be surprised to see a man who had otherwise escaped all detection. 

[Snelly]

IC: Xxeth

 

Xxeth was rarely where he needed to be, the same could be said about where he wanted to be. But today, on this glorious day in Ko-Koro, Xxeth was exactly where he wanted to be. Xxeth had been idle chatting with a Toa of Stone who was posted at the great gate of Ko-koro, who's beauty was only surpassed by how psychotic she was.

 

She did what to his arm? Put it there? He was just about ready to abandon ship when the most wanted person in the entire Ko-koro was casually strolling up to the gate. This was too good to be true. 

 

"Well either I'm in Karzahni itself, or Ambages the Architect is walking right into my hands...later sweet cheeks." Xxeth jumped down from the gate, his power over air letting him land with ease. He didn't believe the matoran to be a threat, but he raised on of his crossbows at his center, just in case. 

 

"Hello, Mr. Ambages." 

Edited March 19, 2015 by Lara Croft

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: Deprived of his network of informants and books, Ambages wasn't able to identify the mercenary who hailed him. If he had, he might have been able to mix his words just right to get what he wanted via his weaknesses, but instead he was left to his own devices.

 

"Hello," he replied curtly and gave a slight, almost pitiful smile as he nodded. "I've come to formally surrender myself and the city to Echelon and would like to be taken to him." Though he was making a good effort to hide his feelings, his anxiety showed through how his temples bulged and lips twitched. He was out of his element and it was for all the world to see.

[Snelly]

IC: Xxeth

 

Xxeth smirked. "I figured you'd say something like that. Very well, I will take you to the necromancer." Xxeth gestured toward the gate. "No funny business, you do anything I don't like, and I'll shoot. Echelon doesn't mind if I deliver you as a corpse." 

Edited March 19, 2015 by Lara Croft

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: "If I were a corpse I wouldn't be able to tell him how to use the key of the city to access the Koro's vaults," Ambages replied and opened his coat to reveal the Seal of Kopaka dangling from his hip. "Surrendering the city would be a moot point and you'd be the one to blame for it, so let's agree that foul play on either of our parts would be unwise."

[Snelly]

IC: Xxeth

 

"Fine, fine. I see where this is going." It seemed to Xxeth that Ambages was going to use his knowledge of the city's vaults as leverage, to keep himself alive perhaps? No, if he'd been worried about his own life he wouldn't have come to Ko-koro. There was something he wanted from all this. 

 

Though, if you do try something, you're getting shot in the leg. There was always the wound but don't kill option as well, if worse came to worst. 

 

Xxeth jerked toward the gates, "Let's get moving then, don't want to keep a man like Echelon waiting." 

Edited March 19, 2015 by Lara Croft

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic: "I'd love to go in but the gate is still shut," he pointed out with all the patience of a saint.

[Ghosthands]

 

IC: Agrona - Ko-Koro - The Citadel

 

     Before entering the sanctum where Echelon was likely waiting, Rorg and Eisen joined us in the hall. Rorg of course gave no thoughts on Larikon. At first I couldn't pin down the skakdi when I first met him, but it didn't take too long to figure out. He wasn't interested in doing anything other than his job; which he fortunately was very good at. Initially I was uneasy about bringing a mercenary onto the team but of course I didn't have any say in it. I felt better once I saw him work.

 

     I didn't know him as well as the others at the time, but I knew Eisen was brilliant. The group was full of reliable people, but something about Eisen made him seem especially so.

 

     "You won't need to be curious much longer Karnakie." I say as we approach the final doors. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door with Toros close behind me.

 

     "Echelon, what did you call us for?"

 

 

IC (Echelon)

 

As the rest of the Nightfall entered, Echelon was not seated on the late Matoro's throne as one might expect—one who did not understand him, at least. One who did would know that to him, the throne was not a source of vainglorious comfort but a tool of intimidation. When in conference with those against which fear must be wielded (Larikon Torchbearer being an excellent example) it symbolised the epicentre of power in the city, and when commanding wayward underlings it served as a focus: a physical token of his leadership.

 

But without such an audience, it was a lump of cold stone, and there was little to be gained from sitting on it.

 

Instead, they found the Dark Toa examining a panel of the Wall of Prophecy. His finger traced the shapes of the carven Matoran glyphs beneath the Nightfall's chaotic, bloody slogans. He turned away from it as they approached, and pulled his outstretched right hand in to grip his staff in tandem with the left.

 

"Straight to the point, Agrona?" he replied to her question. "Very well: it will be wise not to waste precious time.

 

"Events have progressed exactly as we planned. Ko-Koro is taken, our rallying cry has gone out and been answered plentifully, and the Brotherhood have been driven out with no loss of our own resources. We cannot now be complacent: we all know that the deterrent will not hold for long. The Akiri and their allies will move against us sooner or later, most likely by subterfuge—indeed, I believe they already are.

 

"But of course, I did not call you here to tell you what you already know."

 

He held up the roll of paper the messenger had brought him.

 

"A report from one of our scouts. He is here, in the Wahi. The one our...gestalt friend informed us of."

[Dane-gerous]

IC: Noxas

Oh great spirit, oh mata nui, please help me. Poor Noxas was freaking out, all these scary people were making him nervous. "P-p-please, let me go, I won't tell anyone you tried to kidnap m-me." Noxas stuttered, begging the scary Ba-Toa.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"Then we should intercept." The Fe-Toa said, crossing his arms quietly. "He is unlikely to be an issue, but the possibility should be removed swiftly. And, if possible, quietly. We don't need to give the island a martyr."

[Eyru]

IC (Rorg)

 

A correct statement: I doubt any would rise up in anger over his death, but the Akiri already have many tools at their disposal. To give them one more would be unwise.

[Palm]

IC: Agrona - Ko-Koro - The Citadel

 

I wasn't too surprised. It was bound to happen at one point. I let out a low purr, "Hm," the insect wings beneath my cloak hummed along with me, "Shall we greet him Echelon?"

[otter]

IC:

 

So that was it. One of the few beings who had caused problems in prior times, although relatively powerless now - and still likely to prove an annoyance, regardless. I certainly couldn't fault Echelon for gathering all of us together to discuss this little issue.

 

"I don't know that a large number of us need to go on the hunt," I said after a moment. "Though I do agree that he should be removed, with both haste and discretion. I assume you're already possessed of a plan to deal with him?"

[Eyru]

IC (Rorg)

 

Echelon has always had a plan in the past; I do not have reason to believe this time will be different. Will it be a single bullet from a rooftop, or shall we interrogate him here, in the secrecy of the inner sanctum? It matters not.

[Snelly]

IC: Xxeth

 

"Relaxxxxx....it will be open momentarily." With a roll of his eyes Xxeth looked up toward the lovely Po-Toa he'd recently become acquainted with. 

 

"Hey sweet cheeks, open the gate would ya?" After what sounded like disgruntlement and maybe a bit of profanity, the gate began to open. 

 

Xxeth looked to Ambages, "After you...sir." He made a mock bow, before simply shoving the Matoran forward. 

[Ghosthands]

IC (Echelon)

 

"I am," Echelon replied. His eyes flitted to the scout's report, then back to the others. "When seen, he was headed for the Wastes. I have little doubt that if he finds himself outnumbered, he will flee, and in the openness of the Wastes it will be impossible to corner him. Similarly, apprehended by any one of you, he would likely recognise you as a threat and retreat rather than face you openly.

 

"But he will face me.

 

"He and I have a history. His pride will overcome his caution, and that will be his undoing."

 

Echelon looked at each of the Nightfall in turn. Unlike the Piraka—a rabble of petty and self-serving caricatures possessed of more power than they knew how to use—they were a well-oiled machine, each formidable when independent while still being more than the sum of their parts. Echelon did not trust any of them, if 'trust' implies blind faith, but he trusted each of them to act according to their nature. And if he was any judge of nature, that was more than enough.

 

"In any event, the more of us that remain in the Koro the better. The Piraka must not go unwatched, and other pieces may be moving on the board: we must maintain a strong presence here. I will go, and I will go alone."

 

He turned back to the section of the Wall that he had been poring over, and pressed a series of the circular glyphs. The sequence had been extracted from a scholar of the Sanctum, and it held true: each one slid back, a little stiffly, into the wall. As the sixth and final letter sank into its indentation, the entire panel of the Wall slid back and then up, with a grinding of ice and stone, to reveal a winding passageway through which echoed the howling of the wind.

 

"I leave the city in your capable hands. Watch for my return."

 

Stooping, Echelon passed through the secret doorway. It slid shut a mere second after the hem of his black cloak passed its threshold, and fit back so snugly with its neighbours that it was as if it had never moved.

[Vezok's Friend]

IC (Kohra):

 

And with that, the meeting concluded. This was an interesting development indeed, especially considering Echelon was going to handle it personally. Her eyes lingered on the wall, tracing the sequence the dark Toa had pushed to activate the exit and comitting it to memory. It was a neat beat of information to keep at hand, should the occasion arise. 

 

Then, the Vortixx turned to her companions. "It would be prudent to divide the duties of running this village between us until Echelon returns. Depending on how long he will be gone, there will be suspicions about his whereabouts. Not to mention our grinning guests expect to meet him soon."

 

A stinging pain suddenly shot up her left arm and her jaw muscles tightened, but nothing else of her discomfort showed through. She didn't want the others to see this particular weakness. This had been the second time in two days her dark arm had given her trouble and despite her best effort to ignore it, something crept into the back of her mind, not unlike the whispers of her departed master: Worry.

 

IC (Traveler):

 

While Ambages had arrived undetected by the village itself, somebody else had watched his arrival closely from not too far away. Widgets, as the pre-occupation resident doctor of the village had nicknamed him, was safely disguised by the expert application of his Volitak and elemental powers. After all, he had promised the Matoran he would keep an eye on him. He was not one to break his word.

 

The next step would be to enter the village. The guards at the gate were distracted well enough by the arrival of Ambages himself, that the Toa had little doubt that he could slip in undetected if he chose to. But as good as his stealth was, he would not be able to keep it up indefinitely. The sudden appearance of a new face in the city was going to raise questions and the new inhabitants were far less friendly than the previous ones. 

 

No, perhaps this time, a proper introduction would be the better course. Once Ambages was safely inside and out of view, he dropped his mantle of invisibility and silence and approached the gate like any other traveler would...

Edited March 19, 2015 by Vezok's Friend