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Around the Fire Pit

The small rock-shielded firepit just within the path of the Wheel contains a small, brightly burning fire. The ground is baked near it, and grasses grow in waves away from it, starting scraggly and getting greener near the inner groove of the Wheel. To the west is the earthen mound, and back to the south is the small pool. Contents: Bright Eyes Thunder's Claws Thena Shows-the-Way Oaken Soulcatcher Hope-Star Obvious exits:

Forward Back Center of the Wheel

Thunder's Claws looks up from the fire as Sword-Eater arrives and chuffs a greeting, then asks if it is time to go again.

Bright Eyes nods. Yes. This one is glad to have Shows-the-Way with us.

At the center, Carl takes a deep breath. "I can talk with my old Sept in Seattle. Their Don already loaned us money to buy the caern."

Sword-Eater ducks his head and growls. Yes. Lucas has returned, and Fire-Eater stays with Persephone until she finishes recovering from the ~dragon.~

At the center, Eligio Sacateca says "I would ask to hear more of this sept, but it is a possibility." At the center, Al Harsin frowns at the word 'don', but keeps his mouth shut.

Thunder's Claws pushes to his feet. His left hind leg is still hairless and slightly stiff, but other than that, the Shadow Lord looks fully recovered.

At the center, Carl looks up at the sky again. "Um. I have to deliver a message to Kosh, but after I'm done, I can come back here and talk about the Sept.

On the southern curve, Dylan comes in from the woodland to the south. On the southern curve, Dylan follows the Wheel to the Pool.

Near the Pool, Dylan follows the Wheel north past the Pool.

On the eastern curve, Dylan follows the Wheel to the Fire Pit.

Dylan circles the Wheel, arriving from the eastern curve. Dylan pads up quietly.

Shows-the-Way's tail thumps the ground a couple of times as Dylan walks up.

Thena nods to Dylan. "Hey."

Dylan chuffs to Thena and the others. Good evening.

Oaken smiles at Dylan.

Bright Eyes cocks her head as Dylan approaches, then whuffs a greeting.

Sword-Eater inspects the Shadow Lord, then gives a chuff of assent. We run. He looks toward the center, then indicates that the younger Garou should follow him.

You walk southwest, back toward the center and heart of the Wheel.

Center of the Great Wheel

This circular clearing is about 40 yards in diameter and completely bounded by the Wheel of Nature inscribed in the ground. Soft green grasses cover much of the ground, but several paths have been worn to bare dirt over time. The only landmark within the Wheel is the low Table Stone at the center, but four important landmarks make up sections of the Wheel: the windy spot to the southwest, a small pool to the southeast, a firepit to the northeast, and a large mound of earth to the northwest. Contents: Carl Quiet Al Harsin Eligio Sacateca Table Stone Obvious exits:

Windy Spot South Pool East Fire Pit North Earth Mound West

Near the Fire Pit, Thunder's Claws heads into the center. Thunder's Claws sets off after Sword-Eater, greeting those in the center when he arrives.

On the northern curve, Cujo emerges from the thin treeline to the north.

Carl waves to everyone in the center. Later.

On the northern curve, Cujo trots into the wheel and sniffs.

Carl heads west, away from the center of the Wheel.

On the western curve, Carl contorts and blurs as he is transformed. On the western curve, Carl shifts into Lupus form. On the western curve, Hides heads west, out past the rim of the Wheel. On the northern curve, Cujo heads into the center.

Near the Fire Pit, Hope-Star rises to her feet and shakes herself as the Stargazer arrives. Hackles bristling slightly in anticipation, she sniffs the small group gathering on her side of the fire. And we are ready? she asks softly.

Cujo heads northeast to the fire pit.

Sword-Eater also greets the others, giving the Ritemaster and the Get a rough and casual greeting. The Warder elects a slightly more formal response. The galliard looks at the Uktena. We go to patrol, Rain Walker-yuf. Is it all right with you if I open the bridge here?

Near the Fire Pit, Cujo finds a spot very near the fire and plops down on it. Near the Fire Pit, Thena flexes her hands. "As far as I know." She turns to Cujo and waves.



Near the Fire Pit, Cujo hurfs to Thena. Near the Fire Pit, Dylan flicks an ear at Sepdet. I am ready. Near the Fire Pit, Soulcatcher climbs to his feet as well, and indicates he is ready. Near the Fire Pit, Shows-the-Way nods slightly.

Quiet shakes her ruff a little at the Get, seeming more interested in Thunder's Claws. At the commotion at the fire pit, her eyes drift that way.

Near the Fire Pit, Bright Eyes bounces to her feet, then makes a visible effort to reign in her eagerness. This one is ready. Near the Fire Pit, Shows-the-Way climbs to his feet and shifts to warform. Near the Fire Pit, Shows-the-Way contorts and blurs as he is transformed. Near the Fire Pit, Shows-the-Way shifts into Crinos form.

Eligio Sacateca considers this for only a brief moment and then nods. "You may."

Near the Fire Pit, Seshemw rumbles quietly, ~Whenever, rhya.~ Near the Fire Pit, Dylan looks at Bright Eyes, and his tail twitches a few times in gentle amusement. Near the Fire Pit, Thena smiles and darts out of the caern for a moment bringing in a heavily wrapped package and hands it to Seshemw. Near the Fire Pit, Hope-Star's ears splay at Sword-Eater's question. She looks towards the center anxiously, but after a moment's silence, rises and circles warily around towards the water. Near the Fire Pit, Seshemw smiles at Thena, rumbles, ~Thank you.. I'll see how it works out, if things go poorly.~ Near the Fire Pit, Hope-Star contorts and blurs as she is transformed. Near the Fire Pit, Hope-Star shifts into Crinos form. Near the Fire Pit, Dylan contorts and blurs as he is transformed.

The galliard ducks his head and then raises his nose. His strong howl echoes through the dark night, calling on his totem. ~Ophaniel, make our path so we may patrol for your Mistress of Night!~

Near the Fire Pit, Dylan shifts into Crinos form.

Sword-Eater contorts and blurs as he is transformed.

Al Harsin nods at Josh, and tosses a look at the Lord.

You shift into Hispo form.

Name set.

Near the Fire Pit, Thena grins and nods before shifting herself. Near the Fire Pit, Bright Eyes contorts and blurs as she is transformed. Near the Fire Pit, Thena contorts and blurs as she is transformed. Near the Fire Pit, Bright Eyes shifts into Glabro form. Near the Fire Pit, Thena shifts into Crinos form. Near the Fire Pit, Sepdet glances between the Walker and her tribesmate. ~If it is dedicated to you, no-moon,~ she suggests, ~It may be best if you hold it until we are through the Gauntlet.~

Thunder's Claws doesn't look at any of the others gathered at the center. In fact, he seems very focussed on the table stone. His only motion is to shift up with Halfhand. Thunder's Claws contorts and blurs as he is transformed. Thunder's Claws shifts into Hispo form.

Near the Fire Pit, Sepdet heads into the center.

Near the Fire Pit, Dylan heads into the center.

Sepdet heads southeast to the pool.

A flash of silver arrows from the sky. Even as it touches the ground, Joshua Halfhand leaps on its seemingly-formless path and shifts to hispo, running up its length and out of sight.

Dylan heads southeast to the pool.

On the southern curve, Anpwhotep comes in from the woodland to the south.

Aetherial Realm(#3995RJ)

Another of the many Moon Bridges which tunnel through the Aetherial Realm.

The patrol starts out relatively calm. While the Umbra has become a bit more hostile with the waning of the moon, such things have less of an impact in such rarefied spaces. Especially since the sort of creatures who would dare to defile a Bridge are the sort that would do so no matter what the phase.

Sword-Eater continues to lope at a even pace, his posture alert but relaxed. The few lunes seen guarding the bridge in the early patrol show no sign of alarm, and the Get has learned to trust their senses when patrolling without his sharp-sensed packmates.

Thunder's Claws walks along beside Sword-Eater, his senses alert for signs of danger; he has not learned to trust in the lunes yet, and is well aware of Sword-Eater's lack of perception.

After long hours, you notice that the Lunes are becoming both rarer, and more frenetic, as if spooked by something.

Thunder's Claws, paying too much attention to the empty air and not enough to the lunes, misses the obvious signal.

Some of the Lunes even seem to have, well, pieces missing, for want of a better phrase.

Sword-Eater growls softly. ~'Ware.~ He does not attempt to speak with the lunes, being no theurge, but he continues to watch the lunes. The sight of the injured spirits seems to anger him greatly, his hackles flaring with his louder growl. His glyph blazes on his forehead, but the new moon hanging in the sky helps him control his anger.

Thunder's Claws tenses at the Galliard's warning, and finally notices the condition of the lunes near the bridge. He mutters a curse and starts looking around, paranoid now.

You continue on; there are fewer and fewer lunes, and they seem to be rushing away from the area. A small contingent clusters around you, mostly behind, as if looking to you for protection. Now the bridge itself begins to look strange; it is both dimmer and less translucent. A closs inspection reveals small black threads through it. These become denser with time, forming a pattern not unlike the cracks of a bowl that has been dropped, but not quite shattered.

Sword-Eater again growls, anger at the assault on his protectorate rising to the fore. He ducks his head lower, tail out in agression. He continues to run straight ahead, wary of his footing.

Thunder's Claws looks at the lunes that hover around himself and the Get, then down at the bridged. Lowering his head, he pushes on, keeping up with the larger Hispo.

Finally you near the heart of the disruption. A creature crouches on the floor of the bridge, hands splayed on its surface. A blood-red glow tinges the bridge at this point, deepening to black as the stain extends from the center. The area of blackness extends for about ten feet around the being, where it begins to loose cohesion, fracturing into sections of black alternating with normal (if dull) sections of pathway, and then finally the webwork you've been noticing for awhile.

Thunder's Claws draws back, out of sight, before the creature can notice him, and hopes fervently that Halfhand does the same. He doesn't risk saying anything.

Sword-Eater reluctantly follows his patrolmate, his anger-filled eyes shooting a deadly glare at the spirit before retreating to confere with the Lord. He shakes his paws slightly with each step.

Thunder's Claws cocks his head in the direction of the spirit, then asks as quietly as he possibly can what would happen if it were pushed from the bridge?

Sword-Eater growls softly, his wish to simply assalt the creature easy to read. He says abruptly that he is not sure, though this spirit is probably tougher than the dragon. Its abilities are...disturbing.

Thunder's Claws doesn't look pleased at the idea of somthing tougher than the dragon. He indicates silently for Sword-Eater to remain here and he inches his way forward again, trying to get a glimpse of the thing without exposing himself overly.

Sword-Eater doesn't look pleased at being asked to stay still. The Get fidgits as he watches the Lord, his tail jerking back and forth. The galliard continues to hold his rage in check, seeming only angry and eager for the battle.

Thunder's Claws studies the creature for a few moments. And then for a few more. And more. He doesn't move or speak, he simply stares at the spirit.

Sword-Eater begins to look disturbed as he notices the frozen nature of the other Garou. He growls to himself--the wolf equivalent of 'Fuck this.'--and moves to the Lord's side. He nudges the ahroun impatiently, half his attention on the powerful spirit.

The Lord does not react; the color of his eyes slowly deepens, moving toward black.

Sword-Eater contorts and blurs as he is transformed. You shift into Crinos form.

Joshua Halfhand moves to physically wrench the ahroun's line of sight from the spirit, his whole and maimed hands on either side of the huge hispo head.

Thunder's Claws' eyes blink several times as he tries to focus on something else, then he steps back and away again. His movements are somewhat jerky and he warns the other Garou not to stare at it too long; that was a bad idea.

The cracks around you are subtly more pronounced. The damage continues, though the progression is slow.

Joshua Halfhand snarls an agreement. He slits his eyes and springs forward, a snarling battle-cry rumbling in his chest. His only concession to the Lord's statement is to half-slit his eyes, narrowing them in eager anticipation as he seeks to reach the destroyer.

Thunder's Claws shakes himself out again, trying to dispel the numbness in his body. Then he, too, moves in.

With a weird, shrieking-metal/screaming-baby squeal, a huge section of the moon bridge under Joshua suddenly gives way. He begins to fall, like a skater through ice.

Joshua Halfhand attempts to backpedal, reaching out his arms to grab if he does fall. His form blurs with the speed of his effort.

Thunder's Claws, behind Joshua, reaches out with his front claws, shifting instantly, the better to grab him with. Thunder's Claws contorts and blurs as he is transformed. Thunder's Claws shifts into Crinos form.

The bridge continues to break up, and Joshua drops through. He manages to hook his right arm over the edge of the hole. Below him, faded, broken Lunes weakly cavort. Below them, endless, star-filled space.

The Get hangs on to the side of the hole farthest from the black creature, nearest Thunder's Claws. The substance of the bridge continues to buckle under his clinging arm, and under the Lord's feet, threatening an even greater rent.

Joshua Halfhand struggles to swing himself up, with the aid of the other Garou. His feet kick in empty space.

Thunder's Claws gets a good grip on the other Crinos and begins trying to pull him up as the bridge crumbles under him. ~Shift or we're both fucked,~ he growls.

Eclipse either is unaware of you, which seems unlikely given your plight, or does not deign to notice you. It remains crouched and still on the bridge.

Joshua Halfhand contorts and blurs as he is transformed. You shift into Homid form. Joshua Halfhand grimaces, then shrinks to his natural form.

Thunder's Claws lifts the homid easily and swings him onto the bridge, then rolls back away from the chasm, onto firmer ground.

Joshua Halfhand, once on firmer ground, shifts back into the war form. He growls at Thunder's Claws, ~You got any way of spanning that gap?~ Joshua Halfhand contorts and blurs as he is transformed. You shift into Crinos form.

You could probably edge around the space, or maybe jump across it. It's hard to tell the difference between the darkened sections of bridge and the gaping hole, until you realize one has stars in it.

Thunder's Claws shakes his head, scowling. ~We could try going around the edge, but I don't think it will hold our weight.~

Joshua Halfhand crosses his arms. Uncrossing them, he then motions back, toward the completely unaffected part of the bridge.

Thunder's Claws nods and follows Halfhand back up the bridge.

Joshua Halfhand says bluntly after the two are on firm footing, ~Unless you have a better idea, I'll call it to us. We may get more than just it, but we can't let it just eat this bridge. It must be driven off, or destroyed.~

Thunder's Claws nods. ~You call, then. I'll try and knock it off with...~ he wriggles his clawed fingers meaningfully.

Joshua Halfhand nods. Running through a quick shift, he pulls a battered black horn off his shoulder. The dismal thing was obviously created for crinos lips, and is scratched and beaten. No other details can be seen in the dim light.

Thunder's Claws shifts downward as Halfhand blows his horn, knowing that his Gift functions better in the faster forms.

Joshua Halfhand raises it to his mouth and blows. A dead sound, like the call of funeral horns creeps along the bridge, spreading in all directions.

Thunder's Claws contorts and blurs as he is transformed. Thunder's Claws shifts into Hispo form.

Joshua Halfhand(#3154Pc) Towering at no less than nine feet tall, this monstrosity is a meld out of a nightmare, his blunted muzzle opening to expose huge slightly-yellowed fangs and his entire scarred bipedal body covered in a sheen of lusterless grey fur. His dark eyes glitter at you with a cold expression, sizing you up. This Get's posture indicates a barely-controlled threat, his every move speaking of an unconscious menance. A purplish keloid scar slashes from the side of his muzzle up to the top of his head, swollen and grotesque. His hands are usually outstretched, dull black claws standing starkly and cruelly from each of his remaining eight digits; his left hand has been maimed where the smallest two fingers are missing. He is wearing what look to be overstretched jeans over his bottom half, but his upper half is only covered with fur, with the exception of a bronze armband on his upper right arm. Engraved in the armband is the sigil of the Shadow Lords. On his forehead, in whiter skin seemingly burning with a cold fire, is the sigil for the gibbous moon.

Eclipse finally moves, rising smoothly up out of its crouch. The dull red glow that had extended around its hands fades, though the decay throughout the bridges remains. It cocks its head, as if listening, then melts like wax into the darkness at its feet.

Thunder's Claws steps back, alarmed, and watches the moon-bridge for signs of the thing rising up out of it. ~Watch your back.~

Joshua Halfhand rolls his eyes at Thunder's Claws, though he continues to watch. The horn continues to call, drawing destruction to its tune.

The jagged black lines extending from the core of darkness bulge and thicken in a rippling motion, like viscous fluid moving through flexible pipes. The ripples move swiftly along, in an arrow towards the pair of Garou.

Thunder's Claws backs up automatically as the thing comes nearer.

Joshua Halfhand does not. His free hand flexes as he stops the call, prepared for the strike.

Thunder's Claws stops when Halfhand doesn't follow.

Eclipse rises up out of the ground, simply reverse of the melting process earlier. It is facing (well, would be, if it had a face) its caller.

Joshua Halfhand moves to engage the creature, his dull black claws flashing toward the thing he has called to him. His howl cuts through the afterfeel of the horn call with an honest savagery.

Thunder's Claws moves foward silently, one paw swinging out: a blow meant only to make contact.

Eclipse does not move, accepting the strikes. Joshua's clawed hand enters the substance (not truly flesh) of the creature, and comes through it. But now it lacks its horny nails. Similarly, TC makes mock-gentle contact, and removes a hairless forelimb.

Thunder's Claws is caught completely off-guard by the utter failure of both attacks and just stands there.

Joshua Halfhand bellows in rage, ~That was my good hand, fucker!~

The creature stands there for a moment, then crouches down again, right between the two of you. It lays its hands on the silvery Moon Bridge; soon that disturbing red glow emanates from its hands again.

Thunder's Claws snarls out something unintelligible and steps back to think.

Joshua Halfhand snarls at the thing, a deep primal chord that reverberates out of his chest. ~Stop!~

Eclipse's flesh ripples for a moment, wave after waving ruffling its smooth skin, like a drop of water on ink. It pauses in its predation for a moment, then returns to what it was doing: implacable consumption.

Thunder's Claws lets out a deep breath. ~We could wait until the bridge is weak enough, then break it underneath it.~

Joshua Halfhand grimaces at the thought, though he sees the practicality. The son of Phoebe grits out, ~Only if it cannot be helped.~ Squaring his shoulders, he attempts to concentrate, trying something for only the third time in his life.

Thunder's Claws, for lack of another idea, watches in the other directions, just in case Joshua's horn called more than this spirit.

From afar, Eclipse smirks. The theurge has many theories. Overfeed it until it bursts. Suck energy out of it. Subject it to Rite of Binding. Subject it to an exorcism. Subject it to a Right of Cleansing. She's not sure any of these will work, mind you...

Eclipse pages: Ahh, I have something. 'These creatures are rapists, taking by force. They cannot accept what is freely given.'

Joshua Halfhand trembles, totally oblivious now as he communes with the past. His face twists in a part-snarl as he struggles with the distasteful communion. Suddenly his head snaps up and he nods determinedly. Taking one step forward, he plunges his body into the creature.

Thunder's Claws takes one surprised step foward before he catches himself. He watches anxiously.

Eclipse expands to envelop the Get. For a moment, there is only darkness.

You paged Eclipse with 'Okay, if you want to kill me, go ahead. If you don't, then having me disappear is all right as long as you tell me how I can be found so it can happen in a day or three. If you want to just let me win or fail, well, I'm opening every spiritual stop I can--rage and gnosis--with the theurge's help. I'll give anything to protect the bridge for my Lady. :)'.

Thunder's Claws holds his breath as he waits.

Eclipse pages: Your Rage betrays you, goading you to resist your conscious effort to yield. You seem to lose parts of yourself, a tired feeling coming over you, like drowning in cold water.

Long distance to Eclipse: Joshua Halfhand uses willpower to try to keep his mind on his task, remembering his Lady when the urge to fight takes hold. Gah, glad it's new moon. in order to destroy it utterly.

Eclipse vanishes, leaving Joshua behind. His teeth and claws are missing, gums and pads smooth as if they had never held their sharp weapons.

Thunder's Claws says, ~What happened?~

Eclipse pages: You also lose your Past Lives, the memories amputated. Your might also experience spotty amnesia about your own life. Rage is all gone, and so is your Gnosis (good thing you had spent some rage earlier).

The decay of the bridge remains, but progresses no longer. There is no sign of the strange spirit.

Joshua Halfhand staggers, coughing. His mouth works as he struggles to come back to himself.

Thunder's Claws pads around, watching everything warily, waiting for Joshua to pull himself together.

Joshua Halfhand shakes himself, then touches his mouth with a clawless hand. He grimaces, then gums, ~Hab be gib it prelee.~

Thunder's Claws frowns. ~Had you give it what?~

Joshua Halfhand's mouth works again. ~Rabe. Notis.~ He suddenly looks suprised, ~Da be ib gom.~

Thunder's Claws snorts. ~Tell me when we get back. I can't understand you.~ He seems relieved, however.

Joshua Halfhand looks around the strange caern with an odd expression. His newly-healed mouth works as he explains, ~My...ancestor. She told me that it could only take, not receive. So I gave all energy that I could.~

Joshua Halfhand sighs, ~My rage nearly defeated me, but it worked.~

Thunder's Claws says, ~How much did it take?~

Joshua Halfhand then frowns, rubbing his head, ~But she's...gone.~

Joshua Halfhand looks at Thunder's Claws directly, the calmest he's been since he was human. "All of it."

Thunder's Claws frowns. ~Who's gone?~

Joshua Halfhand shakes his head, ~The bitch. The...theurge, in my head.~

Joshua Halfhand frowns, ~Damned if I can remember her name.~

Thunder's Claws says, ~The spirit took her, too?~ Thunder's Claws contorts and blurs as he is transformed. Thunder's Claws shifts into Crinos form.

Joshua Halfhand frowns, again rubbing his head. ~I guess. It felt almost...almost like the Dream Realm. When I gave up...I gave up...damn!~ Thunder's Claws says, ~What? What? You didn't lose all your rage again, did you?~

Joshua Halfhand's only answer is a shrug.

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