Tales of the Moonlight Maiden: Descent (Exalted)

Well hello there again, my good folks. I'm back with more adventure from the crew of the Moonlight Maiden.

I can't think of any major personal updates, though just as a reminder I recently posted a mini-fic that ties into this storyline. After this post, you should have all of the context you need for it to make sense (as well as why writing the story put me in kind of a melancholy mood).

But anyhow, with that, let's descend into the Underworld!

(No, really! Sort of.)

Where we left off, the trio were creeping down the spiral staircase that opened in Darthon's sacred fire pit. The ghosts' wailing song fades as they go underground and into a long tunnel. Xương goes first, and behind him Hǎifēng and Shango follow, the former in their hybrid form in case they face any traps. It's a couple of miles of walking, and takes about an hour until they find something interesting -- some Old Realm etchings just ahead of a chamber.

Well, I say 'chamber,' but really it's a crypt of some sort, with spaces carved into the walls for about thirty skeletons to lay, enough to match the ghosts they saw leave the tunnel up top. There's no good way to tell how old the skeletons are, though there's no meat or soft tissue left on them, and touching a scrap of fabric on one instantly turns the fabric to dust. There are Old Realm pictographs next to each one, possibly labeling them. The tunnel continues on the other side of the chamber, and the group can see some faint green light coming from whatever's down that way.

They venture further and find what appears to be half of a set of a double door leaning against the frame. The door is metal, likely some sort of steel with what might be some soulsteel banding on it. There's a warning painted on it, definitely much more recently than everything else down here but it's in that weird dialect of Seatongue that the locals use.[0] It's definitely a warning of some sort, but only Xương can translate it enough to realize it's warning that past the door is a small shadowland.

Shadowlands in Exalted, for those of you unfamiliar, are places where Creation and the Underworld overlap. Ghosts can more easily materialize in them and are often naturally solid (at least at night), and are protected from the effects of sunlight. During the day, leaving a shadowland takes you into Creation, but at night crossing the boundary takes you into the Underworld (from which the only way back is the same or another shadowland).

What this means is that, as it's not only nighttime but after midnight at this point, passing through that doorway means the Lunars are committing to remaining in there until sunrise unless they want to go on a romp through the Underworld. There is no good or even bad reason for them to go on such a romp, so this is their equivalent of 'No opposite on-ramp at this exit.' 

Everyone kind of looks at each other for a moment and shifts into not only their hybrid forms but also war forms (with Deadly Beastman Transformation), expecting a fight against something crazy. Hǎifēng even takes on a Laughing Monster stance. Xương goes first, and Hǎifēng has kind of a 'spooked Shaggy' moment before shuffling in behind him, and Shango readies his bow to follow. They enter a chamber with figurines of what appear to be servants, and there are vases, and assorted grave goods. There are a couple of braziers glowing with a ghostly green flame, and more spontaneously light up as the group comes in. There's another chamber ahead. Glancing back, they can see that there used to be a 'sliding door' mechanism on the double-door, something meant to crank the door open and closed and seal it, but at some point someone disassembled it and likely used the components (and, probably, the metal from the remaining door) to make the spiral staircase mechanism. Which just seems rude to them.

They go into the second chamber, which is decorated with hieroglyphs and murals depicting a pair of rulers, one a human-looking adventurer shining as if golden, and a jackalfolk glowing silver. The murals, among other things, depict both humans and jackalfolk living on the island. Centered in the room is a pair of sarcophagi depicting the same figures, one trimmed in orichalcum and the other in moonsilver. (I imagine I don't have to go out of my way to point out which is which) Another couple of doorways continue on into other chambers. 

There's no sign of any ghostly activity, and Hǎifēng speculates that perhaps the ghosts were never awake at all.

"We go through periods of dormancy," a raspy voice says in thickly accented Firetongue (having heard the group talking in it among themselves).

Everybody jumps about a foot in the air and look at one of the doorways leading deeper into the tomb, where a translucent, gray, ambiguous humanoid jackal leans against a doorway, sizing them up. They go on to explain that the wards meant to keep their ghosts suppressed were designed to take advantage of the local geomancy, but as things have shifted over the centuries, particularly during the Fair Folk Invasion that followed the Great Contagion, the geomancy has shifted as well so they're not as powerful as they could or should be. Xương laments that it's always something complicated like that, and then just outright asks if the ghost has been 'eating people.'

(Before I get too much deeper into this conversation, here's my common disclaimer that I neither scripted nor recorded the conversation but took notes as I went so I'm sure I'll miss details here and there, occasionally put stuff in the wrong order, and so forth.)

The ghost introduces themselves as Omari-Khenti[1], and they say they are not eating people but they are waiting. Though they don't immediately explain what they're waiting for. Xương proceeds to explain that the trio are down here investigating the 'death cult,' and that he saw some pretty nasty wards and they were expecting something very different. At this point, I think Omari talks a little bit about who put the wards there (basically the Sidereals and their Dragon-Blooded flunkies, right after the Usurpation).

I can't remember exactly how they segue into this, but at one point early on Omari comments that it's been a long time since they've had a conversation with Lunars, sometimes the occasional mortal from above, often one that's Exalted as a Dragon-Blood -- it's not a rite of passage for them when that happens, but most of them wind of venturing down into the tunnel at some point. They ask if the Silver Pact is still a thing, and are pleasantly surprised when the answer is 'yes.' After the Silver Principiate fell, they didn't have high hopes.

Things come around to the subject of what sunk Shasaman Island. First, Omari talks about how they had both human and jackalfolk followers. Many of the jackalfolk were their blood descendants, but there were also trials a mortal could undertake that could transform them into one, and the jackalfolk were given important sacred roles guarding the island. Omari doesn't know exactly what happened to them, but the loss of the jackalfolk directly led to the sinking of the island.

As has been pointed out, Shasaman was big with little festivals and the like. They had a couple of festivals every month that, if disrupted, would lead to the island's destruction (Omari doesn't yet explain exactly how this destruction came to pass). One of the duties of the jackalfolk followers was to perform these rituals. Nobody else knew the exact importance of the rituals or the intricacies of performing them properly, but the human people knew that if the jackalfolk were killed or driven off, that the island's downfall would follow in a month or less. So those still alive had plenty of warning.

Omari explains that after their deaths they and their mate came to realize just how far from grace the Exalted host had fallen (mostly the Solars but many Lunars as well), and while they themselves weren't as bad they still had their moments. Which led to, in particular, the urge to set up what we in the modern world call a 'dead man's switch' for if the island got taken over by the raksha (which were still a major problem in those days). They never expected it to happen in something like the Usurpation.

And that leads into the subject of things getting complicated in these last few years, which leads into the subject of the returned Solars and Omari's mate, whom they've only talked about vaguely and not by name. Their mate was an Eclipse Caste[2] called Nebet the Rider of Shadowed Dreams. 'Rider of Shadowed Dreams' was more of a title, reflecting that they spent most of their time exploring the Underworld and the Wyld, they had a ship that would let them traverse the realms. But this then gets into the subject of the Eternal Wave, and how there are two halves of it. There's the people of Darthon, who are basically peaceful and hold onto old traditions and pray to the ghosts of Shasaman. And then there's Nebet's followers.

Xương asks "Is your mate piloting an eternal pirate ship that rides a ghostly fog?"

Hǎifēng, before Omari has a chance to respond, asks "Is your mate missing their left eye?"

The answer to both those questions is 'Yes.'

Omari explains that after the pair were killed in the Usurpation, they awoke to find their people scattered and no sign at all of their jackalfolk family. No ghosts, no bodies, no trace in the slightest.

Nebet... didn't take it well, and has been tearing ass all over Creation and beyond trying to find out what happened to them. And in their rage and their grief, they've turned to darker forces and found ghosts of other dead Solars who were very much not in a good place emotionally. And they made agreements for dark power, and they and the others gave up their names to the Neverborn. Nowadays, Nebet calls themselves...

The Captain of the Ashen Umbra.

So yeah, for those of you at home who are familiar with Exalted and recognize just what type of name that is... that's right. The Captain of the Ashen Umbra is an actual, for-real, Deathlord.[3] (I don't have Omari actually say the word, but it's pretty clear over the course of the conversation, to the point where I probably lay it on a lot thicker than is really necessary.)

Xương is very concerned. This is a lot worse than he could have expected. The group thinks back to what happened on Dutan Island in this new light, and the necromancer they met back at Beacon. Omari then explains what the 'Ashen Umbra' actually is. It's the name of a notion that Nebet held, that the 'place' between the waking world and dreams (or at least being asleep) was the same as, or at least intersected with, the little gap between life and death. Like there was yet another realm out there out there, perhaps within the barrier between Creation and the Underworld. Omari acknowledges that even they think it's some insane fringe theory and there really isn't anything to it. 

This leads into Hǎifēng asking about the whole 'merging of Creation's and the Underworld's seas' thing, and Omari says Nebet is trying to break down the barriers that could be hiding their family, and that they could perhaps be hidden in this hypothetical place, the 'ashen umbra.' Omari says that this is partially why they remain at the island, that they're waiting in case their family comes back... or Nebet comes to their senses. The Lunar-ghost then sighs and -- acknowledging this may be the first time out loud they've said this -- that they're not sure they believe either of those things is ever going to happen, and that they're just making excuses to linger. They also say that they remain for the ghosts of their followers who aren't ready to move on yet, but that they've considered taking them into the Underworld to build something there. Omari then admits that it's possible that their followers are only remaining for their ruler's sake, and that it's just all an unhealthy cycle.

Xương asks how to find Nebet, but Omari doesn't know. They know that they're tooling around in their old ship, which used to be called Dreams Written in Clouds, but now it's called the Nightmare's Unyielding Grip and so much of it has been replaced piece by piece Omari doesn't know if it can rightfully be called the same ship any more. Xương acknowledges that people could spend forever debating that.

Omari then says that Nebet's got other allies, mostly other Solar ghosts, but also a volcano god named Blackened Bone Whispers. They're formed some sort of alliance, which is why the Captain's got their allies and flunkies trying to find an Exigence, to allow Blackened Bone Whispers to field an Exalted champion of his own.

Xương, scared and angry, says that in so many words Blackened Bone Whispers is a dead man/god. Omari comments that they have few feelings about Blackened Bone Whispers one way or another, but they'd appreciate if the group could find some way to bring Nebet back from their madness -- but the old Lunar ghost understands that might not be possible. Xương asks if there's some token they can show the Captain to prove they've spoken with Omari, and while Omari tries to figure out something for that purpose the rest of the group goes into a bit of a hate spiral about Blackened Bone Whispers. Arguing that some of these gods have overstepped their mandate with mortals. And Hǎifēng in particular is upset (and everyone knows why), but everyone's in agreement there.

Shango wonders what the volcano god is getting out of the living and dead oceans being merged. Xương says they can ask him before they throw him in a volcano. Omari says that from what they know, it's an alliance just built around convenient means to collect power, and that many of Nebet's allies, with their own melodramatic names[4], have their own schemes going on. In this case, they're two powerful entities just boosting each other. Xương imagines that if Blackened Bone Whispers becomes powerful enough to supplant and replace the 'proper' volcano gods, that means that human sacrifice via volcano could become the norm in the region, and they can't let that happen.

Omari, with a slightly-amused smile, comments that that sort of thing is what the Exalted are for. They actually appear a little more 'solid' when they say that, clearly remembering better times, an era of shining heroes. It's about this point in the conversation when, by now, the living Lunars have relaxed back into their human forms.

Xương suggests that killing Blackened Bone Whispers might inspire the Captain to actively seek them out, and everyone likes that idea. Omari says they'd need allies and resources to do that, and says that the Three Devil Princes might be the biggest power in the region to go to for something like that. (Conveniently, the characters have been planning to go see them anyways.)

And speaking of sources of shiny tokens, Omari's come up with something they can bring to Nebet to get their attention. Omari asks them to slide open the lid on their sarcophagus, and once Xương has done that the ghost reaches in and produces a small starmetal bracelet, one of those that's just a curved piece of metal without any sort of clasp. Omari says that it's the needle on the compass that led Nebet to Shasaman Island the first time. In preparation for one of their expeditions into the Wyld, Nebet was reaching out to the Placid Baron (Omari spits when they say the name), who was in control of a small island in the Southwest. Nebet didn't know that the Baron had enslaved the locals, assuming that they were hobgoblins or some sort other fae. This happened during a festival in the Baron's honor, and they took advantage of the distraction to strike. Omari Exalted in that fight, in fact. But they treat the whole thing like it's an old, boring story, and Xương insists that it's history.

Omari concedes the point and says that if anything will give the Captain of the Ashen Umbra pause, enough to talk or get in a pre-emptive strike, it'll be that bracelet. They offer it to the group, and Xương directs it towards Hǎifēng, who's more of a talker and would wear it better anyways. Omari sadly admits that while they hold onto the memory of 'Nebet the Rider of Shadowed Dreams,' their mate hasn't been Nebet for a long time. The group promises to bring them peace one way or another.

As they talk about some First Age stuff I didn't write down clearly enough in my notes to recount here, Omari at one point laments that they can't offer the group any more help -- there aren't even any sweet artifacts in the tomb.[5] But Hǎifēng says that the group doesn't want Omari's help, but are in fact here to help Omari. In the time they've got left, waiting for the sun to rise, Xương asks Omari to tell the group stories about their life, about when they were happy. He also comments that it's funny because when they came down they were expecting to have to fight the powerful ghost of a maddened ancient tyrant, and that actually gets a loud belly laugh out of Omari, the sort of thing where you'd have to stop and catch your breath after, if you breathed.

And then Omari talks about how while they've never done so themselves, that the other ghosts like to listen at the bottom of the tunnel beneath the fire pit, listening to the drumming of the festivals, feeling the prayer to them, and then go up and it's like the second half of a ritual when they begin singing like that. They also quickly point out that they've offered to let the ghosts stay in the tomb and not out in the tunnel outside the shadowland, but they insist.

But this segues back into the subject of Omari's life, which they tell the group about, and even get into some of the festival dancing.[6] But after some time passes, they can sense the energy shifting and Omari lets the group know they'll be able to leave shortly. As they get ready to part ways, I can't recall off-hand exactly what got Omari to bring this up -- probably an urge to tell someone who'd understand -- but they tell the group exactly how the island was sunk. The ritual that was disrupted? It was a summoning ritual, an invitation for a demon named Stanewald to come dance, that would be completed if the ritual were ever stopped.

Stanewald, also known at the time as the 'Answer to the Earth' but currently called 'She Who Surmounted the Omphalos,' is a Second Circle Demon. And like all demons, she loves to dance. But her dances are exceptionally destructive, capable of casually crumbling ruining walls and over time rendering mountains into hills of rubble. Omari, perhaps due to their current state of being a ghost or maybe even a hint of late First Age wickedness, has kind of an ominous smile when they explain that. But the smile swiftly fades and they tell the group that while they'll appreciate the opportunity to speak again in the future, it's possible that by then they will have moved on to the Underworld proper, or Lethe, or who knows. Xương asks Omari to pray to Luna on the group's behalf, and Omari says they will, though they can't be sure Luna's listening to them any more.

The group leaves the tomb and walks back, passing the ghosts of the Shasaman mortals on the way, and there's just some awkward glances between them but neither side interferes with each other. The Lunars return to the pit, having to open up the staircase again[7], and return to the surface.

They come back to worried stares from people nearby the see them emerge. The locals just look at them, slack-jawed, not sure what to do. Xương just outright flashes his Caste mark at them, and while they're no less afraid there's understanding in their eyes. He tells them that they've spoken with Omari and they have a job to do, and everyone needs to stay out of their way.

So yeah, nobody gets between them and the docks. Urangi, the grimscythe-wielding Dragon-Blood, is at the docks where she can keep an eye on their boat, and she just asks if there's going to be a problem. Xương says he's got a job to do, and as long as she stays where she is, everything's gonna be fine. And she does just that as the group walks past her and climbs into the boat and casts off. As they get back, so quietly it could almost be a trick of the breeze, they hear her wishing them smooth sailing.

And we leave off there, with the Moonlight Maiden sailing off with the morning sun at its back.

And before I go, just another reminder that I've got a mini-fic that ties into this story, and if you haven't already read it, now's a good time because at this point you have context for, like, 95% of it. (I think the only thing you're 'missing' at this point is that there's a character in that story who's the First Age incarnation of someone you don't know anything about yet, but you're not meant to. It's foreshadowing.)

[0]-- We've described it as reading like when Stephen King actually writes out a thick Maine accent for his characters.

[1]-- It didn't occur to me until a little too late that I didn't have a good way to explain the context of this, but 'Khenti' is a suffix like a title in Omari's native language. It basically indicates that Omari is a guardian or a steward.

[2]-- I don't think their Caste came up at the time, but just putting it down on 'paper' here for the sake of argument.

[3]-- For those of you who don't know what that means, I've probably explained it in passing before because a couple have come up, but the Deathlords are the pissed-off, possibly-insane ghosts of 13 First Age Exalts. They basically sold their souls to the Neverborn, the ghosts of the dead titans the Exalted were originally created to slay untold eons ago. In exchange for their souls (and their names), they received power and immortality. They tend to be the patrons of the Abyssal Exalted. Nine of them have been described in canon, with developers deliberately leaving four of the thirteen undefined for individual Storytellers. I have taken advantage of one of those spots since, canonically, there aren't any Deathlords in the Southwest.

[4]-- In one of those 'laying it on a little too thick' moments, I have Omari name-drop a couple of the other Deathlords here.

[5]-- I'll admit, that's partially an oversight on my part. You could make a case for the Captain having taken anything useful when they went out adventuring, but it doesn't make much sense that they'd have literally taken everything. Ah well.

[6]-- Sean, Xương's player, actually spends the XP for Xương to pick up his first dot of Performance from that, reflecting coming away from the lesson with something.

[7]-- Speaking of which, I actually didn't write down when it came up in the conversation, but at some point the subject of the messed-up doors came up and Omari said that dismantling it to build the staircase mechanism was actually their idea, and they allowed the people to do it.