Interest Check: Exalted Campaign

[BruceTheCat]

Hey guys,

I'd like to get a group together for a full Exalted campaign. This would involve creating character sheets, having rolls, etc etc. Obviously this would require the players to be on at least somewhat often so that we can continue to move the story forward. Honestly I haven't decided which type of game (Abyssal, Solar/Lunar, Dragonblood) that I would like to run and wanted to get the input of anybody who'd like to play. PM me or comment her if you would like to participate.

And now for your viewing pleasure, some Exalted fanart:

[AKunoichi]

Put me down as tentatively interested. I have a few Solars from campaigns that died or never went anywhere.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Exalted is always a good time.  Though I'm never very good at the whole min/max thing.

[BruceTheCat]

You won't need to min/max to have fun, this is mostly for the story and what not. If there is an overwhelming desire to not have character sheets I don't mind just going *off book* so to speak.

[avorae]

I would be interested in playing in this game.

[BruceTheCat]

Great, do you guys have a preference for what type of Exalts you'd like to be?

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I don't have much of a preference in type of Exalted.  They all have their pros and cons.

[BruceTheCat]

Not yet, I wanted to get everyone's opinion on Exalt type to start with.

We could do a mixed campaign of Solars and Lunars, even maybe a Dragon-blooded if they were willing to forsake the Realm. With Sidereals and Abyssals I would prefer if we did a *all or nothing* game with that Exalt type

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I do have an issue with Dragon Blood being with Celestial usually.  I always hear the argument they can be just as strong if given certain circumstances, but I find that the ST spends the story trying to make those circumstances come to life or trying to bring them up to the Celestial level.  So for them, my personal stance, is Dragon Blood should be "all or nothing" as well.

[BruceTheCat]

Sure Pumpkin, that's fine with me as well. Unless anybody has any strong feelings otherwise, a Dragon-Blooded game would essentially be a Pro-Realm game.

[AribethAmkiir]

I'm interested. 

Solar - Lunar - DB - Sidereal, as far as ranked interest goes.

[BruceTheCat]

A Solar and Lunar game it is. Do you guys have a preference for actually using sheets and dice, or instead going without and just leaving it to me to decide whether you hit or miss based on what would be good for the story?

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Sheets tend to provide a great framework for a character's power level, strengths, weaknesses and focus.  A sheet also allows the player to gain a feeling advancement and a goal to work toward as they collect not only items, but also skills and powers.  I mean its one thing to say, I unleash a fireball.  Its another thing to watch as you spend points going from a flicker to an all out fireball.  At the same time the Whitewolf system opens itself up to alot of min/maxing, restrictions, odd situations and slow downs.  So I'm kind of a sheets on the table, dice out of sight person. 

Also, I'd like to try and bring back a Solar I was using that was more of an inventor and technology type.  I kind of draw inspiration from Final Fantasy type stuff with her if that is alright.  Oddly enough also draw some inspiration from Warhammer 40k.

[AribethAmkiir]

I can go either way.  I agree with Pumpkin on the benefits of sheets, but I'm of the opinion that I'd rather the mechanics just be behind the scenes and not worry about dice rolls, xp, or anything else.  I'd love to participate in more of a "freeform" Exalted game.

[AKunoichi]

Mostly into solars because I have half built solar characters ready.

[BruceTheCat]

Do you guys want to volunteer to be Solar or Lunar mates of any of the other PCs? If not I can just implement that into the story at some point.

[AKunoichi]

Important question but how porny are we allowed to be? Would playing a temple prostitute zenith be acceptable? I know this is an adult board and exalted as a reputation, but I got rejected from a game for making a topless character before.

[BruceTheCat]

I'm fine with it, does anybody else have a problem with it? It is an adult board, so I had assumed that there would be sex in the game. Would anybody prefer otherwise?

[AKunoichi]

My Zenith's build was based on being able to induce orgies.

[1SAZ]

Always up for an Exalted campaign. A number of ideas I have running around in my head for various concepts, and a few old ones I wouldn't mind bringing back. Is there enough room for one more or are you all filled up?

@AK47: Book of Swallowed Darkness? :P

[BruceTheCat]

I think with you 1SAZ that will make 5. Which is a good number for a party in my opinion. Pending we don't stop hearing from some people, I think this will be our group:

1. AK47
2. 1SAZ
3. Roxy
4. Aribeth
5. Pumpkin

I'd like to say before we go any further that I'd like if we could make a bit of progress on at least a every other day basis. Do you guys get on E enough to be able to post once or twice every two days or so?

[BruceTheCat]

I'm happy with or without it. Er, the sexy focus that is.

I can pair off with someone for the Solar/Lunar mate routine.

Let me know if I should include the mass, lust-inspiring social charms or take that knack that lets a Lunar go all hermaphrodite. Otherwise I'll just make my usual awful choices.

Haha, go for it Roxy. I'm going to try and play this as realistic as possible so if you convince the Despite of Gem to give you the location of Luthe by sleeping with him, well that's Exalted.

I'll also be playing as maybe some NPC party members who will come and go, so in reality we have 6 people.

[AKunoichi]

@AK47: Book of Swallowed Darkness? :P

Not even, just solar performance charms from core. Although as a result she was totally helpless combat-wise (just dodge charms), and even in the social combat field she was optimized of mass brainwashing of mortals.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I’m not big on sex being part of any theme in role play.  Romance is always fine, flirting characters or sexually charged ones are fine, but I’ve always found sex to be more of distraction from good RP.  Sex is good for bringing characters together in those hot, steamy moments that really illustrate their romance.  Such as in Game of Thrones with Khal Drogo and Daernerys (sp?).  The scenes of them having sex really showed the power play between the couple, which was an important aspect for the series. 

In conclusion I guess I am more for the scenes where you just feel that all the tension, all the flirting and all the interest has come together in that great love scenes.  Otherwise I’m kind of a fade-to-black girl or take it off to another thread.

As for time, there are some days after work where I literally can’t move.  Then there are times when I could just write and write and write.  So I’ll try my best to stick to every other day, but I’ll also let you know if I’m just running into problems.

[Roxy Rocket]

(removed for now)

[AribethAmkiir]

I can generally post once every couple of days.

As for sex being centrally themed to the game, I have feelings similar to Pumpkin.  I'm not saying that it shouldn't be there, it can be very fun.  It's just that I don't want every social scene, combat scene or conflict to be reduced into an orgy.  It kind of defeats the purpose of playing Exalted if that happens.

I also have very strong feelings about male players playing female characters that are nothing more than sex objects.

I also would want to know why a prostitute would be Exalted?  What exactly did she do that was heroic enough to cause her to exalt?

I can pair off to be someone's mate, but does that mean we've got to waste that Background point on our character sheet since it sounds like that's a mandatory thing for the game?

Final also, I promise.  With 3 female players can we allow the female players to have dibs on the female characters?  That is, of course, assuming that we're wanting a mixed gender group.

[BruceTheCat]

To answer the comments about sex in the RP:

I agree with you Aribeth and Pumpkin, if sex is used in the RP it will strictly be introduced as the climax to an incredibly tense connection between two characters. I have too much respect for the game of Exalted to reduce everything down to just mindless fucking. So no worries there, my primary interest was just seeing if we had anybody who is loathe to the idea of sex in an RP at all.

To answer the rest of your questions:

I also have very strong feelings about male players playing female characters that are nothing more than sex objects.

I don't believe this will be an issue because of what I stated above. If this sort of thing goes against the grain of the game, and is unrealistic to the setting, then I will stop it. However in the setting of Creation, where diplomacy is one of the major intrigues of the game, playing at seduction can be a powerful tool whether any physical activity comes as a result.

I also would want to know why a prostitute would be Exalted?  What exactly did she do that was heroic enough to cause her to exalt?

A prostitute becoming an Exalted seems to more unusual to me than a farmer becoming an Exalted. Ultimately the two are just different choices at professions. Perhaps the Wyld Hunt had heard an anathema stopped in at her brothel a week or so prior, and arrived to hustle for information. In the process they threatened the life of one of the girls. Her character stepped in, and was nearly killed in the process while trying to defend her friends. But, during the chaos of it all, she Exalted.

I can pair off to be someone's mate, but does that mean we've got to waste that Background point on our character sheet since it sounds like that's a mandatory thing for the game?

Having a Solar or Lunar mate is not mandatory for the game. But should you choose to have one I will not require that you spend points for it in character creation. This is just an added RP bonus if it interests you.

With 3 female players can we allow the female players to have dibs on the female characters?  That is, of course, assuming that we're wanting a mixed gender group.

I agree with you, female characters will have dibs on the female characters. But it wouldn't bother me at all if we didn't have a mixed gender game. Almost all of the players can be female and I don't think it will retract from the enjoyment.

As for time, there are some days after work where I literally can’t move.  Then there are times when I could just write and write and write.  So I’ll try my best to stick to every other day, but I’ll also let you know if I’m just running into problems.

Sounds great Pumpkin! I mostly just want to avoid situations where people don't end up posting for awhile, then everyone gets bored and just stops.

I'm new to the GMing thing on forums, do people create a post order and everyone waits until the *next person in line* has posted? Even if it takes a few days? Or do they just continue and let that person jump back in whenever they return?

[Muse]

*Pounce!* 
Ack, am I too late? 
If there's room for me, just say the word.  I can have a charecter ready in no time! 

[AribethAmkiir]

I'm new to the GMing thing on forums, do people create a post order and everyone waits until the *next person in line* has posted? Even if it takes a few days? Or do they just continue and let that person jump back in whenever they return?

It kind of depends on the guidelines the GM sets, the etiquette of the players and the scene.  If two characters are off on their own, then their players should be able to post between them without causing too much problems.  If a third character appears in the area or interacts with them, then yes they should allow for all characters to respond and interact before moving forward.  If all the players are together then they should all have an opportunity to respond or react or at the very least mention in the OOC that the player will skip this round or let others play on without them.  At least, that's how I think things should work.


Can we get a decision on where the game is going to take place, or begin?  That'll likely have an effect on the character I decide to play.  Though I'm interested in making a No Moon or Night, depending on what the group needs.

[Muse]

  I've been running Exalted on these forums for some years.  What Aribeth says is absolutely correct. 
  The difficulty comes when you get into an initiative order situation.  This is doubly true with a system like Exalted, where your character can make reactions.  In that situation, it can help a lot if you and your players share Instant Messaging information to resolve scenes.  Another useful thing to do is for a character to include information in their post about what they'll do in a given contingency.  This can be kept clean and neat using the Spoiler tags.  (That icon that says Hide will create the tags for you.) 

[Pumpkin Seeds]

See, I can actually see a few version of the temple prostitute becoming an Exalted.  Though not sure if any of the version are what AK might be angling to provide. 

For a Zenith caste, I could see a young woman.  Raised on the steps of a temple, she served diligently to the priests for food and room.  She swept the steps, washed their clothing and cooked their meals.  When she blossomed into womanhood the sisters of the temple saw in her a woman that could provide for them.  So she was told she would serve their God, she would serve to bring others to the temple.  At first she saw herself as another priestess, but soon she saw the harsh reality.  Money changed hands and she lay with the man or woman that paid.  Her world shattered as she saw the truth.  In her moment of despair she found a relic, a piece of history lost inside the basement of the temple.  Sacred writings speaking of the Unconquered Sun.  Somehow the writings touched her soul and she felt once more the elation of the divine.

Even when they beat her, when they raped her to make her repent she refused.  Whips fell on her flesh, metal stripping skin from her body and her women she had once called sisters violated her but she could not deny the Unconquered Sun as her champion.  Then, in a moment of finality as death was to come over her did her savior instead rise to her defense.  A vision was given to her of the world she could create, of a world that had once been and might be again.  Light blossomed from her and scored the flesh of her attackers.  She stepped from the temple, unharmed.  Behind her came the women that had lost their faith like her that had their bodies and spirits crushed by the divine.  Each found faith and hope.  Clutched in her grasp were the sacred writings and from her lips fell the most pure of words to call to arms for a new age beneath the light of the Unconquered Sun.

Then I can see another for perhaps an Eclipse..

Once again a girl that had come to the temple, left their perhaps by her parents.  Purchased perhaps by a priest with an eye for talent.  All knew she would rise to be beautiful and all knew her price would be high.  None could force that with the maturity of her body came the maturity of a great mind.  She lay with men for coin, but from their lips pried their secrets.  From the pleasure she granted she took not money but power.  While her body performed her mind made connections, constructing empires of business and webs of power that would elevate her from beneath them all.  Soon the money made by selling her did not compare to the money she made with her whispers.

The prostitute, secure in her temple and safe from the world outside, reached out her hand to command the leaders of industry and trade.  A twist of her wrist would send the most feared warriors to do her bidding.  Soon the temple was hers to command.  Girls like herself, bought and sold, were brought to her for protection.  Minds were nourished and souls saved from the very life she conquered.  The light of the sun shined down on her.  From beneath her seat began to emerge a throne and from her army of prostitutes and concubines began to grow an empire unseen.

So, I can see a few instances of that.  Anyway, random thoughts and ideas.

[AndyZ]

Possibly interested if there's still room, but I think I'm too late.

[BruceTheCat]

Can we get a decision on where the game is going to take place, or begin?  That'll likely have an effect on the character I decide to play.  Though I'm interested in making a No Moon or Night, depending on what the group needs.

The game is going to begin in Nexus. If you guys have any further questions please let me know, otherwise try to provide me with your character sheet ASAP. I'm not going to go so far as to do dice rolls for the game, but I want to see everyone's strength and weaknesses, as well as the charms you have at your disposal.

Also if you are playing a Lunar I need a list of what creatures you have in your Hearts Blood archive.

[AKunoichi]

See, I can actually see a few version of the temple prostitute becoming an Exalted.  Though not sure if any of the version are what AK might be angling to provide. 

For a Zenith caste, I could see a young woman.  Raised on the steps of a temple, she served diligently to the priests for food and room.  She swept the steps, washed their clothing and cooked their meals.  When she blossomed into womanhood the sisters of the temple saw in her a woman that could provide for them.  So she was told she would serve their God, she would serve to bring others to the temple.  At first she saw herself as another priestess, but soon she saw the harsh reality.  Money changed hands and she lay with the man or woman that paid.  Her world shattered as she saw the truth.  In her moment of despair she found a relic, a piece of history lost inside the basement of the temple.  Sacred writings speaking of the Unconquered Sun.  Somehow the writings touched her soul and she felt once more the elation of the divine.

Even when they beat her, when they raped her to make her repent she refused.  Whips fell on her flesh, metal stripping skin from her body and her women she had once called sisters violated her but she could not deny the Unconquered Sun as her champion.  Then, in a moment of finality as death was to come over her did her savior instead rise to her defense.  A vision was given to her of the world she could create, of a world that had once been and might be again.  Light blossomed from her and scored the flesh of her attackers.  She stepped from the temple, unharmed.  Behind her came the women that had lost their faith like her that had their bodies and spirits crushed by the divine.  Each found faith and hope.  Clutched in her grasp were the sacred writings and from her lips fell the most pure of words to call to arms for a new age beneath the light of the Unconquered Sun.

That's pretty much what I had in mind, Shines Brightly was a temple prostitute from a hidden village deep in the jungles south of An Teng, that worships the Unconquered sun as a fertility god. When some vacationing Dragon Blooded wandered into town, they started killing and raping all the heretics and torturing them until they repented. Shine refused to repent and exalted. Stunned by her celestial beauty, some of the dragon blooded had second thoughts, and they began to fight amongst themselves. The surviving one, a young Cynis Dynast, swore her loyalty to her, and they proceeded to go on a quest to restore the rightful order of civilization.

[AribethAmkiir]

I'd call that a priestess, but that'd be squabbling over semantics.  I realize Solar exaltation is wonky and with the right story anyone can exalt.  I just wanted to hear the story.   ::)

So who is playing a Solar and who is playing a Lunar?  From what I've gathered it looks like AK and Pumpkin are thinking about Solar characters and Roxy is making a Changing Moon Lunar?  Is this correct?

[BruceTheCat]

That looks correct Aribeth. I've also let Muse submit his character sheet in case somebody doesn't respond back with their information in a timely manner. If everything goes well, I'd like to be able to put my first post up before the end of the day.

[AKunoichi]

I'd call that a priestess, but that'd be squabbling over semantics.

In many ancient religions Priestess and whore are the same thing.

[AribethAmkiir]

Good to know.   :-)

[AribethAmkiir]

What rule set are we using to make our character sheets and how much actually needs to be filled out if we're not making dice rolls?

[Roxy Rocket]

I used the default rules for starting characters. I chose to pay attention to the requirements for charms and knacks. I chose narratively interesting abilities instead of mechanically good ones.

I chose 25 abilities dots based on:
-2 or 3 dots for things she relies on
-1 dot for everything she would be familiar with.
-Prune until you're down to 25 dots.

I avoided things that were hard to explain (like specialties or intimacies or combos.)



How much of that matters? Not that much.

Form list, Charms/Knacks/Sorcery and anything dramatic like hearthstones probably do.

I'm sure if I asked the group and/or Red Lobster for leeway for things I'd get it but:
A) One set of guidelines are as good as the next. I chose the simplest one.
B) Simple means I save time on picking things
C) Simple makes the character easy to describe and straight forward in their role

Those were my reasons, B was the important one. Other people can work out their own choices and reasons based on what is important to them.



If wanted to skip working out the mechanics I would just answer the following questions:

What are they good at? (hunting or fighting or Fancy Book Learnin')
What do they turn into? (birds or predatory dinosaurs or sea mammals)
What supernatural powers do they have? (archery, athletics, sorcery)
What is their motivation or prime virtue? (Cure the Abyssals, compassion/valor with low temperance)
What is their concept or role? (Demi-god circus performer, Love' Lunar Fool, The Zeppo)

[Muse]

Name:      Cinnabar Starlight
Type:      Solar
Caste:      Dawn
Concept:   Warrior/Scholar

Height:       6’3”
Weight:   200lbs
Gender:   Male
Skin:      Bronze
Hair:      Golden Brown
Eyes:      Green

Motivation:   Build a world where everyone has a chance to enlighten themselves. 
Intimacies: 
--His family. 
--Knowlege
--The goddesses of Great Forks (Shield of a New Day and Weaver of Dreams). 

Description:  A tall, copper skinned young man with a barrel chest and bulging biceps.  His hair is golden brown, like ripe barely, and his intelligent eyes bright green.  He wears trigger trousers and silk shirts, sometimes donning an orichalcum reinforced breastplate over them.  (He also owns a reinforced buff jacket for when he needs to get armored up quickly, or more discreetly.) 
   He carries a fine warhammer on his belt, and a daiklaive ready in Elsewhere. 

Background:  The son of a merchant princess from Nexus, Cinnabar was destined to be the ‘man of the house’ for his sister, Twilight Mist.  The two were educated together in the great library of Great Forks.  Cinnabar developed a fondness for the goddess’s of Great Forks—both spiritual and more than a little infatuation.  He has spoken to both personally, and it was fighting against buck ogre raiders alongside Shield of a New Day that he exalted. 
   Wishing to explore his exalted nature, Cinnabar wandered the lands to the south for over a year, fighting the undead of Thorns alongside the Markuni. 
   Twilight Mist has done well by herself, too, taking her inheritance early, and just enough to get her started while her mother rebuilds her full fortune so her younger sister will have something to profit on as well.  She has enjoyed several consorts, and is currently seeking a worthy father for her first child or so. 


Strength      4   Charisma      2   Perception   2
Dexterity       3   Manipulation      1   Intelligence   4
Stamina      4   Appearance      4   Wits      3

*Archery      1
*Martial Arts      0
*Melee         5
*Thrown      0
*War         3

Integrity      1
Presence      1
*Performance      1
Resistance      1
Survival      1

Craft: Air      1
Craft: Earth      0
Craft: Fire      0
Craft: Magitech   0
Craft: Water      0
Craft: Wood      0
Investigation      1
Medicine      0
*Lore         3
*Occult      3

*Athletics      1
Awareness      1
Dodge         0
Larceny      0
Stealth         0

Bureaucracy      1
Linguistics      3
Ride         1
Sail         0
Socialize      1

Compassion      3
Conviction      2
Temperance      2
Valor         4

Willpower      7

Essence      2
Motes: 
Personal      13/13
Peripheral      32/23
Attunemnt      9


Lore: 
--Third Lore Excellency: Essence Resurgent

Melee: 
--Second Melee Excellency: Essence Triumphant
--Dipping Swallow Defense
--Solar Counterattack
--Call the Blade
--Summoning the Loyal Steel

Occult: 
--Spirit Detecting Glance
--Spirit Cutting Attack

Resistance Charms: 
--Body Mending Meditation
--Ox Body Technique (+2 -1)



Virtue Flaw:  Foolhardy Contempt
--Limit      0

Backgrounds: 
Allies      1
Artifact   3   Radiant Aegis (Reinforced Breastplate)
Artifact   2   Illumine Soul (Daiklaive)
Contacts   2
Resources   3


Allies:   Twilight Mist, a minor merchant princess and Cinnabar’s sister.  By the bonds of family, he is expected to teach her sons the manly arts and champion her in military affairs in return for her continued financial support.  He is not expected to spend his entire life at her home.  (After all, other matriarchs out there will want more intimate relationship with him.)  (Notes:  Heroic Mortal.  Backing: Guild, Contacts, Resources 4,


Perfect Hammer: 
--Speed   5
--ACC      +3 (11)
--Damage   +8 (12B, P)
--Defense   +2 (10, PDV 5)
--Rate      3

Illumine Soul (Orichalcum Daiklaive)
--Speed   5
--ACC      +4 (12)
--Damage   +6 (10L)
--Defense   +3 (11, PDV 6)
--Rate      4
--Attunement   5

Dodge DV   3 (3)
Dodge MDV   6
Soak:  Orichalcum Reinforced Breastplate (Mobility -1, Fatigue 1, Attunement 4)
--Bashing   4 (15)/9
--Lethal   2 (14)/9

Health: 
OK   ( )
-1   ( )( )( )( )
-2   ( )( )
-4   ( )
I   ( )
D   ( )( )( )( )

[BruceTheCat]

What rule set are we using to make our character sheets and how much actually needs to be filled out if we're not making dice rolls?

What Roxy said was appropriate. What I need to know primarily is what things you are skilled in, and what are you not skilled in. This can be portrayed to me through a character sheen, or you can list it the way Roxy did. Likewise a backstory would be suitable, as well as your primary goal.

So, to list these are the things I need. If you haven't already done this, or only partially, please post again with the needed information.

1. Appearance
2. Exalt Type
3. Primary Attributes
4. Primary Skills
5. Personality
6. Backstory
7. Epic Motivation

I'm going to make a post here in a bit to add more about where you guys are starting, and why. Obviously we need to get everyone together as a party, so I will need you guys to suspend your disbelief and go just go with it. I realize that some characters might be the 'lone-wolf' sort, and wouldn't be caught dead in certain places, but we have to get everyone together somehow.

[AribethAmkiir]

In Progress:

Name: Intricate Raven
Type: Solar
Caste: Night
Concept: Princess of Thieves

Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145 lbs
Gender: Female
Skin: Olive
Hair: Dark brown with blonde highlights
Eyes: Brown

Anima: A black and gold raven, golden claws outstretched to pluck her target.
Motivation: Redistribute the world’s wealth evenly
Intimacies:
•   Her Circle
•   The poor
•   Living the High Life

Description: Raven moves with a seductive grace that hints at an unspoken promise to the unwary eye.  The leathers she typically wears are dyed in browns or blacks that allow for easier concealment in the streets of Nexus, and are more often than not form fitting to prevent an accidental tear or snag.  Her body is obviously feminine with prominent hips and a bust that is difficult to conceal.  Her blonde highlighted hair is often worn at neck length and can easily be tied up so that it is out of the way.  Dark leather pants and thigh high soft soled boots conceal her long, toned legs.  She has hawk like facial features and unreadable dark brown eyes that make lesser men nervous.

Background: A street urchin born to a nameless whore in Great Forks, Raven was on her own from the moment she could walk.  She learned the lessons of the street quickly and found a niche as a gutter rat.  As she grew older she learned that there were easier yet just as disgusting ways to survive and decided to make her own way.  She turned to pick-pocketing, fencing, and grand larceny until she slowly became a known criminal.

At the age of 15, she was forced to flee Great Forks and decided that Nexus was the place for her.  Upon arrival she quickly found a gang of thieves that accepted her and began working with them.  It was after a particularly profitable score that she found out the true colors of her so called partners.  They turned on her and she was forced to fight and ultimately flee for her life.  She Exalted during her desperate fight for survival and used her newfound abilities to exact her revenge.  Since then, she has taken control of the gang and slowly expanded her influence.  She helps feed the poor and sick and is slowly earning the love and respect of the unfortunate.  It’s suspected that she uses children and beggars as her eyes and ears.

Attributes:

Strength: 3
Dexterity: 5
Stamina: 3
Charisma: 3
Manipulation: 3
Appearance: 3
Perception: 2
Intelligence: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:

Archery: 0
Martial Arts: 0
Melee*: 3
Thrown: 0
War: 0
Integrity*: 3
Performance: 3
Presence*: 2
Resistance:  1
Survival: 2
Craft : 0
Investigation: 2
Lore: 0
Medicine:  0
Occult: 0
Athletics*: 4
Awareness*: 3
Dodge*: 4
Larceny*: 4
Stealth*:  4
Bureaucracy*: 2
Linguistics: 1
Ride: 0
Sail: 0
Socialize*: 2

Backgrounds:

Advantages:

Compassion*: 3
Conviction: 3
Temperance: 1
Valor: 2
Willpower: 6
Essence: 2
Motes:
Languages: Rivertongue*, Low Realm

[BruceTheCat]

@ Roxy and Muse,

Your characters look great guys!

Why have Cinnabar and Nine Clouds come to Nexus?

[AribethAmkiir]

Is a personality the only thing I'm missing?   ;D

[BruceTheCat]

I need your Charms, and any artifacts you'd like to start with as well.

[Roxy Rocket]

I'm going to be dropping.

Long story.

Enjoy the game.

[BruceTheCat]

I'm sorry to hear that Roxy! If you are able to play later, and would like to jump in, just PM me!

I'm going to add a tag to the title of this topic to see if we can grab somebody else.

[AribethAmkiir]

Just a note avorae and Andy Z expressed interest earlier in this thread.

I'm working on charms and artifacts now.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Name: Gears of Heavenly Design
Type: Solar
Caste: Twilight
Concept: Divine Mechanic

Anima: The anima begins with the soft sound of gears working against one another and the heat of steam flowing past her.  Faint, golden images of ancient mechanisms begin to appear behind her.  These images bear more substance as she expends more power.  Around her machines begin to turn on and operate for brief moments, flickering to life at the call of their Mistress.  Intricate designs flash over her skin to reveal the secrets of Creation long since lost, appearing for brief glimpses. 
Motivation: To bring about an era of scientific exploration and wonder
Description: The day is rare when Gears can be found without anonymous stains on her clothing.  Around her is always the scent of metal shavings, oil and the grim of her workshop.  Often times her clothes are simple and durable, selected for their ability to clean easily and withstand her unending need to be pressed into some tight confine or beneath some mechanism.  Projects always need to be done and she works hard to keep pace with her assistants.  Around her waist is always a heavy belt of various tools, some not having seen the light of day for centuries.  At her wrist is an orchialcum gauntlet that never seems to leave her body, stretching from wrist to just beyond her mid-forearm. 

Gears keeps her hair tied back normally.  A few tendrils always seem to escape in her rush to be from one place to another, hanging down over her freckled features.  Perhaps not a beauty, she passes for adorable more often than not.  Large eyes of soft green always seem to be staring at something in wonder.  Eyebrows knitted in concentration over some abstract thought.   Sitting still seems an impossibility as her bounding energy pours out into the world, filling others with the excitement she sees in the simplest of things around her.  Gears sees the world as mystery and puzzle, one that she wants everyone to be excited to solve.

Background

The world was coming toward me.  Well at least the ground speeding past my head was certainly rising at a speed I didn’t appreciate.  There are some benefits to being upside down and one of those is being quite attentive to what is under your head at the time.  For me this consisted of a lot of rocks and sand.  That the sand had a nasty habit of flying up into my eyes did not help my situation, nor did the black smoke pouring out around me.  Sparks were flying from around my hands and bits of hot metal were falling down on my arms.  Stopping what I was doing wasn’t an option at the time with half of a Varang City State following close behind.  So I made do with what was on hand, which wasn’t much.

My hands were wrist deep in mechanics that I had barely any comprehension of how they worked.  Flashes of energy raced down my fingertips, sending sensations through my arm that nearly made me drop my tools.  Strips of metal crackled when I moved them while the slightest modification would send the vehicle barreling one direction or the other.  Was about the only way I knew when I’d reached the steering column.  Next to me an orb sputtered and erupted in more smoke, telling me that the first hover orb was finally giving out entirely.  Truth be told I hadn’t expected them to last this long.  I coughed and sputtered ash from my mouth.  My finger slammed between a few twists of metal, wiring the djala called them, and I began peeling back the coating.  I wanted to scream from the pain this caused but the screwdriver between my teeth kept that embarrassing moment in check.

I was not alone on this adventure.  There are limits to my stupidity after all.  Atop this speeding ride were several of the djala’s finest and their kin.  Above me small feet padded around frantically as they tried to drive this First Age piece of rubble that I affectionately called Swift Rider.  Projectiles dinged off the metal armor of the craft, which was probably not designed for that sort of task.  From the schematics I had seen this was meant for enjoyment, not fleeing for one’s life.  Necessity demands a lot of strange things.  Like having two people, neither of which big enough to operate the controls alone, driving a speeding vehicle I’m currently riding beneath.  I am starting to rethink those limits I mentioned earlier.

The screwdriver popped out from between my teeth to be surrounded by dirty fingers.  Already my voice was calling for them to turn right and left.  My eyes immediately taking note of which wire reacted depending on the direction they turned the vehicle.  Of course this also meant I was being thrown from side to side with more sand and dirt tossed into my face.   Necessity and all.  The screwdriver was meant to drive a wedge between the wires, separating them as I worked my way to the source of the problem.  Each was then pressed down and adjusted, so that the connections could be renewed.  I felt the steering improve, but also noted further problems.  The amount of energy demanded by the vehicle at this speed was moving beyond the limits of the system.  I felt, before I heard another explosion as a second hover orb exploded beneath me.

Now before I fall off this ride, maybe you’re wondering how exactly I got here.  That requires some rewinding.

Now, I’m not really one for telling stories.  Not really something I’ve been trained to do, plus I don’t keep track of what others consider important while things are happening.  So we will see how this goes and if you walk away more confused than that is how things worked out.  The beginning is well, a haze.  I was born a citizen of the Realm, but don’t tell anyone else that because nobody seems to believe me.  The slavers certainly didn’t when they snatched me up like so much junk.  Anyway, my da’ was a smart man.  Really smart so far as we mortals can go.  He was the assistant librarian and lore keeper for some prestigious university.  I don’t know which.  Obviously, not one I could have attended.  My mother died when I was born so for the longest there was just me and my da’.

Well some big timer in the city we lived in got an idea in his head to form an expedition out to the South.  I remember my da’ complaining and tossing books around about that time.  Probably because of whatever this big guy was saying.  I don’t know, my toys were a lot more interesting.  My da’ gave me a lot of great toys when I was little.  Not just dolls mind you, though I had more than a few of those.  I also had a lot of blocks and metal bits and stuff.  I used to spend hours building little houses for my dolls to play in and those were good times.  One time I designed this swinging door with….well…alright my time is probably going to run out before I get to all those details.  Anyway, needless to say my da’ was asked (more than likely told) to go with the expedition.  He had an expertise in First Age artifacts and history, so he was somewhat important for the research aspect. 

So, course we packed up our things and got on this big boat.  Never been much for boats and water and the like.  When the Realm says march, you march.  When the Realm says sail, you well sit on a leaky boat and hope you make the trip to the other side.  Make it we did, obviously.  To the sandy shores of the South we moved and across the bustling harbor Chiaroscuro we fought to get through.  More people than I had ever seen crowded around me and da.  Bit frightened I remember myself being at the time.  Fighting for air, fighting to move, hell struggling to even see the hand I was holding were my first memories of the South.  Not pleasant ones I assure you. 

Now this excavation site was a grand one.   Even then I knew that this was some big project and something important was being dug up in the sand.  Course digging in sand is a lot like digging in water, so the way was slow going.  Still, I was a kid then and kids find ways to have fun right?  So I would run around under the feet of soldiers, build castles from sand near the site and in general find my way in and out of trouble.  Not a bad life then if one discounts the blazing sun and the lack of a parent for most of the day.  Da was hard pressed to come up with answers to the people’s questions and they took to leaving bruises on him.  Not sure how hitting someone makes them think harder, but I guess they had some method in mind.  So that was our life.  I built sand castles, Da got hit for not reading fast enough and we settled into our tent city. 

There was a lot of discovery then.  Boxes always getting moved out of the hole they were digging.  I only cared cause the soldiers kept stepping on my things as they marched by with their boxes.  Those castles took so long to build and with a stomp, they were gone.  Ridiculous really.  Anyway, so there was a lot of activity going on and a lot of things got lost.  Including me a few times.  Da was pretty good about dragging me out of my ruts and holes, dusting me off and putting me back in my dress.  I got into fights with other kids, played with them more and more while the grownups got their jollies from the boxes.  Nothing wrong there really until one didn’t get his jolly so well. 

I don’t remember much at all about those minutes or the hours that followed.  There was a roar that deafened me and a flash of white that blinded me.  A man walked among us with the head of a great cat and the body of marble.  He moved with a sandstorm.  Blood was all over the place.  Such a smell of fear and carnage that I couldn’t breathe.  The man never stopped.  He just kept cutting through them with a roar, tearing through the proud troops of our homeland.  All I could think to do was run.

There were a lot of people running, a lot of people dying.  Other people shaped like cats came for us too.  I remember watching my friends dragged through the sands screaming.  Remember bloody bodies on the dunes ahead and behind me.  I kept running.  At night I would only sleep when I could go no more.  I kept running, knowing that somewhere the monsters were still coming for me.  There was no escape for my mind from the memories of what happened.  Sometimes I would cry for my Da, but mostly I ran until the sun beat me down.  Some people hate the moment they were taken for slavery, I guess I could only be thankful. 

[Muse]

:) Cinnabar comes home periodically to spend time with his sister and the rest of his family.  Sometimes he guards caravans for her. 

*  *  *

Whoot!  It's gears! 

[BruceTheCat]

Alright guys, I'm going to list out some of the guidelines I'm going to implement for the RP. Nothing too big, just want to cover my bases and let you guys know what you're getting into!

Canon/History

I will be taking *some* creative liberties with the setting, based on what I like or don't like. I am not all knowing about this universe! I will make mistakes on who runs what, and how the social structure or political system works between one place and another. Rest assured I will do my research if I see the RP migrating to a specific city, but in the heat of the moment I have been known to just make stuff up.

If you have a problem with a *fact* I created about the world, let's resolve it over PM, but not in the actual forum itself. I'm going to assume you guys know as much as I do about what the creators of White Wolf put into their world. Do not however assume that it's all true, or that your character would know it just because you do. Play what you think your character would realistically know. If your character is aware of something that I find inappropriate, I'll bring it up in a PM with you.

Below is an example of two things I've changed:

The Lintha: When I was first introduced to Exalted, I was told by my Story-Teller that the Lintha are basically (if you've seen Firefly) the Reavers of the ocean. These cannibalistic, bat shit crazy pirates who have no real purpose other than wandering around and devouring ship crews. Then, years later, I purchased The West book and discovered that they actually have a pretty intricate society and are fairly normal. I preferred what I was originally told, because the Lintha made wonderful mindless enemies. So they will remain the Reavers of the western ocean.

The Scarlet Empress: White Wolf eventually admits that the Scarlet Empress is in Malfeas, overcome by a 5 dot artifact that has forced her to fall in love with the Ebon Dragon. Honestly, I thought that this decision was pretty stupid on their part. So this is NOT what happened to the Scarlet Empress. The truth still remains a mystery.

Post Order

When the RP begins I will post first with a setup for you guys. After my post is finished, you will make your respective posts and we will continue from there forward. I would like to be able to post once a day, or at least once every two days. I find that the easiest way for people to lose interest in an RP is when the posts begin to slow down dramatically. So here is the solution I invented.

In a hypothetical situation, let's say that I post, then two of you do. We are waiting for the third person to post, but a full day or two goes by and still nothing. At that point I'm going to post again. It could be short or long depending on what's going on, but that will be the sign that the other two people can go ahead and begin posting again. That third person can just catch up on what they missed, and jump in when they have the chance.

PvP and PvE

Whenever you guys are confronted with an enemy who's text is in red, they are weak opponents that you guys can describe how you decorate the surrounding walls with their entrails. If this color is not present when I describe a person, or an enemy, that means that they aren't weak enough for you guys to easily crush. In that case, describe your attack, and I'll tell you the result of it. Likely I will expand on this whole coloring system at a later date, but this is all just off the top of my head for now.

If you're fighting another player, you guys can resolve it between each other. I will only step intervene if I think that one person is being unfair to another. I.E. The social character with nothing but social charms claims to be able to easily block the attack from the Dawn Caste Solar with nothing but melee charms.


I think that's it. Let me know if you disagree with any of these things. These ARE NOT make or break it guidelines. I'm more than happy to discuss why I chose this, and reconsider over having somebody just jump ship now. Thanks guys!

P.S. If you have any backstory items that you would like me to use for story hooks or elements, but don't want the other players to know about that part of your character's past, PM them to me!

[Muse]

  Sounds solid to me, moi capitan! 

  What section are you going to put this in?  Light? 

[BruceTheCat]

Honestly I'm not sure. I thought maybe in Bondage just in case? I don't really know how hardcore the mods are on this site (being new) about an RP accidentally progressing or having some of that content on an incorrect board. Thoughts from you guys?

I know we discussed that sex would be something to happen after there has been character progression and tension build up. But even the scene between Daenarys (sp) and Kahl Drogo would have started as NC before becoming Light.

[AribethAmkiir]

Name: Intricate Raven
Type: Solar
Caste: Night
Concept: Princess of Thieves

Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145 lbs
Gender: Female
Skin: Olive
Hair: Dark brown with blonde highlights
Eyes: Brown

Anima: A black and gold raven, golden claws outstretched to pluck her target.
Motivation: Redistribute the world’s wealth evenly
Intimacies:
•   Her Circle
•   The poor
•   Orichalcium Switchklave “Raven’s Talon”

Description: Raven moves with a seductive grace that hints at an unspoken promise to the unwary eye.  The leathers she typically wears are dyed in browns or blacks that allow for easier concealment in the streets of Nexus, and are more often than not form fitting to prevent an accidental tear or snag.  Her body is obviously feminine with prominent hips and a bust that is difficult to conceal.  Her blonde highlighted hair is often worn at neck length and can easily be tied up so that it is out of the way.  Dark leather pants and thigh high soft soled boots conceal her long, toned legs.  She has hawk like facial features and unreadable dark brown eyes that make lesser men nervous.

Personality: Raven is a serious, calculating woman who tends to fluctuate to extremes.  She is conniving and crafty and has a habit of playing her cards close to her chest.  She has had long practice to hide this portion of herself behind a sexy smile and flirtatious look.  She believes full heartedly in helping the poor and downtrodden and is often moved to action when she sees abuse or inequality.  She has a strong belief that what she is doing is for the betterment of the people and almost never second guesses her plans once she’s begun to implement them.  Only a select handful of people know the real Raven and she likes it that way.

Background: A street urchin born to a nameless whore in Great Forks, Raven was on her own from the moment she could walk.  She learned the lessons of the street quickly and found a niche as a gutter rat.  As she grew older she learned that there were easier yet just as disgusting ways to survive and decided to make her own way.  She turned to pick-pocketing, fencing, and grand larceny until she slowly became a known criminal.

At the age of 15, she was forced to flee Great Forks and decided that Nexus was the place for her.  Upon arrival she quickly found a gang of thieves that accepted her and began working with them.  It was after a particularly profitable score that she found out the true colors of her so called partners.  They turned on her and she was forced to fight and ultimately flee for her life.  She Exalted during her desperate fight for survival and used her newfound abilities to exact her revenge.  Since then, she has taken control of the gang and slowly expanded her influence.  She helps feed the poor and sick and is slowly earning the love and respect of the unfortunate.  It’s suspected that she uses children and beggars as her eyes and ears.

Attributes:

Strength: 3
Dexterity: 5
Stamina: 3
Charisma: 3
Manipulation: 3
Appearance: 3
Perception: 2
Intelligence: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:

Archery: 0
Martial Arts: 0
Melee*: 3
Thrown: 0
War: 0
Integrity*: 3
Performance: 3
Presence*: 2
Resistance:  1
Survival: 2
Craft : 0
Investigation: 2
Lore: 0
Medicine:  0
Occult: 0
Athletics*: 4
Awareness*: 3
Dodge*: 4
Larceny*: 4
Stealth*:  4
Bureaucracy*: 2
Linguistics: 1
Ride: 0
Sail: 0
Socialize*: 2

Backgrounds:

Artifacts 3: 
•   Orichalcium Chain Shirt: 7L/5B Soak, 3L/3B Hardness, -0 Mobility, 0 Fatigue, Cost 1, Attune 2. It may be concealed under normal clothes.
•   Orichalcium Switchklave: speed 4, accuracy 4, +4L, defense 2, rate 4, min strength 1, min dexterity 3, attune 6, Piercing (p. 76 Wonders of the Lost Age).
Followers 2 – beggars, thieves, widows, and children
Influence 1 – The poor know her name.
Resources 3

Advantages:

Compassion*: 3     Flaw = Red Rage Compassion
Conviction: 3
Temperance: 1
Valor: 2
Willpower: 6
Essence: 2
Languages: Rivertongue*, Low Realm

Charms

Second Larceny Excellency – Essence Triumphant
Second Stealth Excellency – Essence Triumphant
Flawlessly Impenetrable Disguise
Easily Overlooked Presence Method
Reflex Sidestep Technique
Shadow Over Water
Seven Shadow Evasion – Conviction Flaw
Second Integrity Excellency – Essence Triumphant
Temptation-Resisting Stance
Ox-Body Technique (Option 3)

[AribethAmkiir]

Well I didn't want to double post but my suggestion would be NC: Exotic since we do have Lunars and they have certain charms and there could always be an appearance by a Fae.  It's also my opinion to lean toward being overcautious when placing games.

Also a question, when you're creating an "extra" character that we can splat against the walls, is the whole post going to be red, the description, or the character's name?   I'm sure it'll make sense when we see it but I was curious.

And this is neither here nor there, but I'm hoping we get a few more male characters.  I wouldn't be opposed to having a male Lunar mate for Raven.

[BruceTheCat]

Also a question, when you're creating an "extra" character that we can splat against the walls, is the whole post going to be red, the description, or the character's name?   I'm sure it'll make sense when we see it but I was curious.

It will make sense when you see it I think. Honestly I've never done it before, so this method will be new for me as well. But don't worry, the description will be information enough. With weak characters I often touch on how poor, or unsure their stance is. Or how their hand shakes from holding up the weight of a sword, obviously unfamiliar with it.

And this is neither here nor there, but I'm hoping we get a few more male characters.  I wouldn't be opposed to having a male Lunar mate for Raven.

No problem Raven. I'm not intending to start just yet since Roxy had to leave. I'm going to see if we can get one more character sheet before we get going. If we don't have another volunteer, would you (or anyone for that matter) be opposed to me playing as this character while also Story-Telling?

The problem with being the Storyteller is that you don't get to really play, but this would satisfy that desire for me. But ultimately I want to make this your call as the players.

[AribethAmkiir]

I generally have no problem with Story Tellers also playing characters. 

It has been my experience in the past, however, that STs aren't always as neutral or even-handed with their own characters as they are with other players' characters.  While the degree of that often depends upon the ST, I have seen it get out of hand before.  Please, don't take this as me suggesting this would happen in this case.

[BruceTheCat]

It has been my experience in the past, however, that STs aren't always as neutral or even-handed with their own characters as they are with other players' characters.  While the degree of that often depends upon the ST, I have seen it get out of hand before.  Please, don't take this as me suggesting this would happen in this case.

Of course, I have seen this in the past as well. I will do my absolute best if we are unable to find somebody to fill the slot. I will throw a character together and post it tomorrow evening if we can't find somebody to take this role for you Aribeth.

[AKunoichi]

What Roxy said was appropriate. What I need to know primarily is what things you are skilled in, and what are you not skilled in. This can be portrayed to me through a character sheen, or you can list it the way Roxy did. Likewise a backstory would be suitable, as well as your primary goal.

So, to list these are the things I need. If you haven't already done this, or only partially, please post again with the needed information.

1. Appearance
2. Exalt Type
3. Primary Attributes
4. Primary Skills
5. Personality
6. Backstory
7. Epic Motivation

I'm going to make a post here in a bit to add more about where you guys are starting, and why. Obviously we need to get everyone together as a party, so I will need you guys to suspend your disbelief and go just go with it. I realize that some characters might be the 'lone-wolf' sort, and wouldn't be caught dead in certain places, but we have to get everyone together somehow.

well the character I already have stats for is a Temple Prostitute from An Teng, although Nexus is a long way off so I might make somebody else.
1. Appearance: A dark skinned young woman wearing gold body paint.
2. Exalt Type: Solar Zenith
3. Primary Attributes: Charisma, Apperance
4. Primary Skills: Performance, Presence, Dodge
5. Personality: Naive, Passionate
6. Backstory: Temple prostitute who exalted when she refused to deny her devotion to the unconquered sun.
7. Epic Motivation: Spread worship of the Unconquered sun as a fertility god of free love.

[Brandon]

Hi all, I talked to RL a bit and just submitted my eclipse to the group. For everyone else here's his specifics

Name: Zanin Ortic

Background: Zanin Ortic was born twenty years ago in the realm as the son to one of the often overlooked teachers in the many primary schools that Dynasts and Patrician’s sent their children to. The identity of his mother is a mystery though mostly because his father insists that he does not know who she was. Yet rumors abound that she may have been anything from a slave girl to a Dynast. Whatever the truth is, it no longer matters to him

When he was a child he learned the same lessons that other wealthy families did though some took better then others. Early on Zanin showed his ability with sword and word yet he wasn’t as smart as his father had hoped and found scholarly pursuits to have little interest for him.

What did interest him was the lifestyle of a warrior. The ability to command forces, to destroy opponents that threatened him and his lifestyle, to make creation a little bit safer one battle at a time all called to him early on and by the time he finished school he had already made a name for himself as a competent swordsman who could even hold his own against newly exalted Dynasts.

When Zanin turned sixteen he enlisted as a soldier in House Cathak’s personal guard and quickly worked his way up the ranks as he saw to his duties and helped train new soldiers. In time he earned himself a large sum of money for his intensive training for the houses soldiers and new dragonblooded. After two years he was assigned to a young dragonblooded’s scale as a second in command. The dragonblooded was named Cathak Jerin and he and Zanin soon became as close as true brothers. Zanin served that scale for a year and saw some battle at the hands of heretics, unruly gods, and rival houses.

At the end of that time is when he exalted. The gods of one of House Cathak’s northern satriapies had begun to resent the houses control of its city and inspired a minor revolt, Zanin’s scale was sent in to quell the god by whatever means they chose. Zanin arranged for a place to mediate the problems between House Cathak and the god but what was supposed to be a peaceful meeting ended up being a bloody battle when the god and its followers attacked without provocation. The scale fought hard and for every man that died twenty of their attackers fell till it was only Zanin and Jerin left.

For their part, they knew they were going to die, they knew that there wasn’t hope of their skills destroying the god and the few legions he had left, and they knew that help wasn’t coming. They didn’t back down though, they charged with all the fury and power that a mortal and dragonblooded could muster. What the pair didn’t know was that reinforcements did come but in the form of a true exaltation. When blades met flesh Zanin was blessed with the unconquered suns favor under the Eclipse caste, chosen to be a judge, peacekeeper, and warrior. Though Jerin was scared by the knowledge of his friend being an anathema they fought on till every cult member and their god lied at their feet.

Then their blades were reluctantly turned on each other. By the end both were severly wounded though by virtue of pure luck Zanin was the only one left standing. He tended to Jerin’s wounds before leaving and setting off for the north with the intent of leaving the realm now that he knew he was anathema to them.

Within a month of wandering he came across a small cell that called themselves members of the Cult of the illuminated and they instantly recognized the truth of his exaltation. They taught him much about the Solars and armed him with an Orichalum Daiklave to help him in the future. When he felt like he could survive on his own again he headed further north to Eagle talon, intent on it being the first place in which he would begin his work toward making a world where the Exalted could live in peace with one another

===========================

An interview with Zanin

How old are you?: Twenty, I will turn twenty one when winter comes

What was your family life like?: I was raised in the realm by my father who was a teacher at one of the many Primary schools that Dynasts and Patrcian’s send their students to. I don’t know my mother though there have been many rumors as to her identity, I believe the most fantastic one is that she was a noblewoman from house Cynis that my father bedded after one of their wild parties.

Back to your question though. My father was always busy with his teaching but after everyday we would walk home together and share our days. When we arrived home we would talk about a variety of topics over dinner, his favorite was philosophy. Once dinner was done we would often play Gateway and continue our discussions. I love my father still, though I fear what might have happened to him since my exaltation

Where were you born?: On the blessed isle or the realm, whatever you prefer to call it.

How were you Exalted?: At the time I was serving as a private soldier for House Cathak and had been assigned to a scale lead by Cathak Jerin. One day we were called in to a satrapy because the city’s god had been causing unrest. We tried diplomacy but it was met with betrayal and our scale was forced to fight. Eventually it was only me and Jerin, my dragonblooded commander, and we thought we were destined to die but refused to go down easily so we attacked the god. When my sword cut into its flesh I was exalted and its only because of that that we survived.

How has power changed you?: Has it changed me? Its true that my ability with my voice and sword have been sharpened but beyond that I don’t think I have changed much. This world still needs help, I still desire to make all of creation a safer place and to promote peace to all of the people I meet. Yet even though I am considered Anathema in the blessed Isle I am still a patriot

What do you think of mortals?: Mortals are still my brothers and sisters. I was not born apart from them like other exalted. I was one of them, I am still one of them in mind, body, and soul. The only difference was that I was blessed with an exaltation that makes me much more able to lead the people to prosperity

What motivates you to be a hero?: Ive always wanted to make the world a better place. When I was just a normal person I enlisted in the Dynasts houses because I felt I could make the realm a bit safer. However my exaltation has broadened that view somewhat. Rather then worrying about the realm I can extend my ability to beyond the realm and perhaps effect all of creation

Who or what do you worship?: Nothing that comes to mind. While I am thankful to the unconquered sun for his favor he has never appeared before me. Nor have I found any other gods worthy of worship

What would drive you to commit murder?: I already have murdered in the name of the realm and for the safety of mortals and the dragonblooded houses. I believe I would kill again if it meant the lives of innocent people but few other reasons seem worthwhile to go that far. If people try to steal material possessions or land they can be driven off but driving off an enemy who looks to kill someone who can not protect themselves seems like a worthwhile reason to me. I despise having to commit such acts but soldiers must sometimes fight and even kill for the sake of others.

Name: Zanin Ortic
Gender: male
Caste: Eclipse
Concept: Charismatic swordsman and peace bringer
Motivation: To forge a lasting peace between all nations in Creation

Attributes
Strength 4      Charisma 4      Perception 2
Dexterity 3      Manipulation 3   Intelligence 2
Stamina 4      Appearance 3       Wits 3

%Notes a caste ability
*Notes a favored ability

Archery
Martial arts
Melee* 3
Thrown
War 2

Integrity* 3
Performance 1
Presence* 2
Resistance 2
Survival

Craft
Investigation 1
Lore 1
Medicine 1
Occult

Athletics* 2
Awareness 1
Dodge* 2
Larceny
Stealth

%Bureaucracy 3
%Linguistics 2
%Ride 1
%Sail
%Socialize 3

%Notes a caste skill
*Notes a favored skill

Specialties
Athletics: In armor

Compassion 3
Conviction 2
Temperance 2
Valor 2
Flaw: Compasionate Martyrdom

Backgrounds
Resources 4
Artifact (Daiklave) 2
Backing (cult of the illuminated) 2

Willpower 5/5
Essence 3
Personal 9/14
Peripheral 35/35
Committed 5

Soak 14B 10L A
Health levels
0 []
-1 [] [] []
-2 [] [] [] []
-4 []

War Gear
Orichalcum  Daiklave Speed 5 Accuracy +4 Damage +6 Defense +3 Rate 4
Plate & chain 8L/10B Mobility -4 Fatigue 3

Charms
First melee Excellency (1m per die)
Hungry tiger technique (1m)
Ox body technique
Whirlwind armor-donning prana (1m)
Righteous lion defense
Integrity-protecting prana (5m 1w)
Second Dodge Excellency (2m per success)
Sagacious Reading of intent (3m)
First socialize Excellency (1m per die)
Mastery of small manners (1m)

Combos

Bonus points
Essence 3 = 7
Resources 4 = 2
Buracracy 2 and 3 = 2
Charisma 4 = 4

[AribethAmkiir]

Welcome aboard Brandon.

So are people PMing their Charms and other stuff to RL or are the characters still being worked on?

[Brandon]

Mine is 100% done though I generally dont share mechanics with people except the GM.

[AribethAmkiir]

Umm... okay.  I really hate that, especially since everything up to now has been done in the open with trust and respect.  I generally feel that people have a need to hide something things aren't all on the up and up, especially when we're all on the same team.  *shrugs*

I'll just trust Red Lobster, but I dislike starting a game like that. 

As for the whole "I do it so people don't metagame" argument, it again doesn't start the game in a positive environment.

[BruceTheCat]

In understand your point Aribeth, people have thus far been giving their entire character sheets on the open forum for all to see.

I don't think Brandon meant mistrust by it, I believe it's just what he's used to. Brandon, can you please edit your character post to also reflect your stats and charms as well? Thank you

[Brandon]

In understand your point Aribeth, people have thus far been giving their entire character sheets on the open forum for all to see.

I don't think Brandon meant mistrust by it, I believe it's just what he's used to. Brandon, can you please edit your character post to also reflect your stats and charms as well? Thank you

Done.

The reason why I dont tend to share mechanics is people "critiquing" my characters. Ive had some very bad experiences here on Elliquiy with Exalted where people all but demanded I change certain things that I wasnt comfortable with. It became very unpleasant to the point that I could not enjoy playing in the games. After the second time I stopped sharing that information with other players

[AribethAmkiir]

I see.  I can understand that motivation for wanting to keep everything hidden.  I think we've got a good group here and hopefully no one will take it upon themselves to critique or say anything negative about any of the characters.

Thank you by the way.

[BruceTheCat]

I will have the first post up this evening.

[AKunoichi]

So am i too late? I was at work yesterday but i have today off.

[Brandon]

So am i too late? I was at work yesterday but i have today off.

I think you are fine AK, write up your character. I only joined after I saw Roxy had decided to drop out so the numbers didnt really change

[AribethAmkiir]

What Brandon said.  I think RL is still counting you as a committed player.

[AKunoichi]

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24299180/Shines%20Brightly.pdf
Well I have a Zenith written up, But she's from An Teng and I might have a hard time explaning how she got halfway across creation while still at E2 without getting caught. (we are starting exalts right?)

I also have an idea for a Dawn Invincible sword princess, it's less smutty (although still has a lesbian romance plot hook), and I'd have to stat her up fresh, but she's native to the scavanger lands.
1. Appearance: A river province woman wearing a long red scarf and Indigo Bikini wielding a Reaper Diklave. Often accompanied by a younger woman wearing ninja gear
2. Exalt Type: Solar Dawn
3. Primary Attributes: Dexterity, Wits
4. Primary Skills: Melee, Dodge
5. Personality: Defiant, Clever self sacrificing
6. Backstory: Member of a secret society of vigilantes in the scavenger lands. Exalted when she continued to fight after guild mercenaries killed the rest of the clan, Now she is the last Red Scarf and fights to avenge them. Since her exaltation heaven has been disturbed with prophecies that she will eventually spell doom for all creation, and that she also cannot be killed through normal means. The solution to the problem that was decided upon was to craft a fate where she would allow herself to be killed to save her friends, Because her friends are already all dead, it was decided to provide her with one. A novice Siderial was sent to befriend The Red scarf, and to subtly guide her into trouble, eventually into a position where the solar would gladly give her life to save her new friend. But what happens if the plan works too well?
7. Epic Motivation: Avenge the red scarf society.

[BruceTheCat]

Which one are you going to go with AK? I don't so much care that how your character got to Nexus makes sense, just that they are in Nexus.

[BruceTheCat]

First post is up guys!

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=145252.0

Just a sort of introduction to the city, and it's state right now while I discover where each of you are.

[AKunoichi]

Well I have one dot of allies, which is a Dragon blooded named Cynis Lalewira, I'm not sure if I finished her stats or not though, could somebody who knows DB look at it?

Anyways, Perhaps Lalewira has an airship or something, and when Shine had a vision that told her to go to nexus, she disguised herself as one of Lalewira's slaves and they all went on a journey. How many dots is an airship anyways?

[BruceTheCat]

Since you won't directly own the airship you don't need to invest any points into it. You're just a stow away after all. That sounds great to me!

[AKunoichi]

Well Lalewra would own it. Unless it's just borrowed from her house, in which case it dosn't matter. Although I do wonder how much an airship costs artifact wise.

Also, chibi art, (I'm a bad person for using this I know)

[BruceTheCat]

Typically for me an airship is at least Artifact 3, worth about Resource 4. This would assume it's something more like Skies of Arcadia, or Stardust where it's basically a flying wooden ship.

[AKunoichi]

Also is there an OOC thread?

[BruceTheCat]

I hadn't made one, would you guys like me too? What do we use the OOC thread for?

[AKunoichi]

Discussion, Sheets, rolling dice and shit.

[AribethAmkiir]

An OOC would be nice.  Can discuss plot, the game, and so forth.

[AndyZ]

This thread moves crazy fast.  What all do you have so far?

[AribethAmkiir]

Andy we have a full circle, Dawn, Zenith, Twilight, Night, and Eclipse and I believe a Full Moon.

Dunno what the recruitment status is.

[BruceTheCat]

Hey guys I created the OOC thread and updated the guidelines! Please read through the 3 or 4 new ones at the bottom, and post your character sheets at inside the OOC.

[AKunoichi]

Link?

[Roxy Rocket]

Behold

Topic
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=145252.0
Off-Topic
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=145286.0