[Exalted 3E] Interest/Recruitment: The Transit of Sol - Recruitment Closed!

[CeruleanSerenity]

I ended up going with Zenith instead, since it fit my concept better. I maybe should have made the "brief background" a bit briefer, but sometimes I get carried away when writing. It's about half the size of my first attempt, anyway...

I left some things vague, but I'm exhausted and I wasn't sure how to work them into the game before details are determined for the group... if there are any problems at this stage, I'll be willing to edit things and work them out later.

Name: Singing Sparrow
Concept: Slave turned free-spirited courtesan
Caste: Zenith
Supernal: Presence
Brief Background: A slave from birth, born to a mother who barely survived to her fifth year, Sparrow's life was harder than many - certainly more than the pompous nobles who ruled it. But hardship taught her determination, resourcefulness, and empathy for others like her. She learned to keep her head down, get what she could, when she could, and stay strong when punishment caught up to her. And one day, a particular bout of cruelty towards those she cared for made something in her snap, and nobody was more surprised than her when she felt a power welling in her and saw her captor cowering before her. Or when a mysterious bystander spoke up, offering to purchase her on the spot... and to this day she doesn't understand why she didn't refuse.

But she didn't regret it. She was treated well, taught to use her body as a weapon in more ways than one, and many things besides. She learned what she was, what she was capable of, and what that meant for her place in the world. And when she was finally inducted into a group called the White Rose Society, an organization of courtesans whose skill was famous and true purpose a closely-guarded secret, Sparrow found she had what she always wanted: purpose, happiness, and above all, freedom. She's still not sure she's cut out for the power and responsibility Exaltation brings.

But she's not about to let that stop her.

[Re Z L]

So, in no particular order...

HairyHeretic

Can't say I really know anything about the Dreaming Sea, but I'd be game for that.

There's a wealth of stuff in the area, from ancient sorcerer kings ruling a vast empire to the southeast to a criminal city shrouded in eternal night.  Basically forms the border between the East/Scavenger Lands and the South.

Concept: Gentleman Thief (Gambler, con man, etc)
Caste: Night
Supernal: Probably Thrown Larceny
Brief Background: Wei Xiaobao grew up aboard the Saikal's Maw, the ship of the infamous Pirate Queen Crimson Smile. The only male amongst a ship of women pirates, his upbringing was unusual to say the least. As he grew older, he caught strange glances and heard almost whispers of conversations about his birth, though none would ever speak directly of it.

At the age of ten, his mother took him ashore in Wu Jian, the first time he had ever been off a boat, and abandoned him there. Her only words to him were "I've fulfilled my oath, and the debt is paid. You tell him that, hear me?", and then left without a backward glance.

Wei fell in with a gang of street children, leaning the tricks of their trade, though it was in gambling he found his true calling. Over time he learned the ways of the rich and powerful ... after all, they had more to gamble with, and more to lose.

Wei drew his Second Breath at the end of a high stakes gambling bout, the final players being a Fire aspected Outcaste crimelord of Wu Jian, Wei himself and (so he claims) Plentimon, the God of Gamblers. Stories are still told of the night that mountains of jade were won and lost on the roll of a dice and toss of a card, the power of Emerald Eye Han and the Five-fold Lotus Brotherhood shattered, his closest lieutenants slaughtered and his fortress casino burned to the ground.

Sounds great to me!  Gives him plenty of reason to maybe try and be as far away from the West as he can get, which means he could end up just about anywhere really.  The Dreaming Sea sounds like he'd be at home--plenty of pirating going on out there as well.  I'd be interested to see what else you come up with for his background--there's no need to get too specific about how he gets from where he starts out to any particular place we decide to stage the game though, I'll try and work that out individually with everyone.

I'd say definitely start putting some dots onto a sheet if you've got a clear idea of what you want to do with him.  Maybe go watch Maverick while you're at it  ;D


Guancyto

Name: Ayala, Purple Witch
Concept: Wandering halfie troublemaker
Caste: Eclipse
Supernal: Occult
Picture:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Brief Background:
Born of a humble neomah on the Street of Golden Lanterns, no one particularly expected You There Brat to survive, much less to thrive, but with a ready intellect and boundless ambition she eventually fell into the claws of ever-stronger and scarier demons, finally ending as one of the servants of Deer-Footed Mara. Learning the secrets of sorcery from the Shadow-Eater and learning of a world outside the Brass City, she resolved to bargain and barter her way to freedom. On the fifth day of that freedom, the grains of silver sand fell away from her feet and she beheld for the first time a yellow sun. The sigil of the Eclipse lit upon her brow, declaring her one who would walk between worlds without fear.

She doesn't really... get Creation. But having been appointed by the Sun as an emissary and champion, she'd be remiss in not putting forth the effort.

Sounds like a good concept to me.  There's only one thing that doesn't sit well with me and that would be being born and raised in Malfeas--though it's certainly the background a hero of Creation could have.  I think i just need to know more.  I think the Exaltation could use a little more work as well--was it just seeing the sun that triggered it?  Usually the Exaltation accompanies a moment of great "stress, danger, pressure, or turmoil", some kind of a conflict.  Maybe when she finished the trek across Cecelyne she appeared somewhere inconvenient and had to explain herself (perhaps only to then realize she didn't speak the same language).  The event could even be accompanied by a solar eclipse, that would be auspicious in a way.  Or maybe there were demons that were blocking her way and she had to figure out a way past?  Just some ideas.

I think it's got great potential, but I would like to know a little more details.  :)


Terian

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

And here's version 1.0 of the character sheet.  Let me know if you see any issues with it?

	☼		☼
		Name: Kanaria of the Red Pines Player: Terian Chronicle: Transit of Sol Concept: Champion For Hire Exaltation: Solar Caste: Dawn Anima: Golden Feathers Falling in her wake Face Claim: N/A		Gender: Female Sexuality: Bi Age: 24 Height: 5’11 Weight: 150 lbs Eye Color: Green Hair Color: Black Skin Tone: Fair

	☼		☼
Attributes Physical       Strength •••••       Dexterity •••••       Stamina ••••• Social       Charisma •••••       Manipulation •••••       Appearance •••••       Mental       Perception •••••       Intelligence •••••       Wits •••••                   Merits       Artifact •••••       Martial Arts •••••       Ambidextrous ••       Followers •••       Influence •••••       Resources •••••		Abilities Specialties Supernal       Melee •••••       Swords Caste       Martial Arts (Steel Devil Style) •••••             Resistance •••••       Poisons       Awareness •••••       Hearing       War •••••             Favored       Presence •••••             Athletics •••••       Long Distance Running       Integrity •••••             Socialize •••••             Survival •••••                   Archery •••••             Brawl •••••             Bureaucracy •••••             Craft (Max) •••••             Dodge •••••             Investigation •••••             Larceny •••••             Linguistics •••••             Lore •••••             Medicine •••••             Occult •••••             Performance •••••             Ride •••••             Sail •••••             Stealth •••••             Thrown •••••             Crafts       Fill •••••		Essence       •••••       Personal       13 / 13       (Essence x 3) + 10 Peripheral       33 / 33       (Essence x 7) + 26 Committed       9             Willpower       ••••••••••             •••••••□□□             Limit       □□□□□□□□□□       Trigger       The Solar tells a lie, deliberately deceives someone, or breaks a sworn oath.
	☼		☼

Equipment Twin Straight Swords       Withering Attack 13       Dex + Combat Ability + Weapon Acc       Decisive Attack 11       Dex + Combat Ability       Damage 13             Defense +1             Overwhelm 2             Tags Lethal, Melee, Balanced       Crimson Wing Regalia       Soak 12             Hardness 7             Mobility Penalty -1             Tags Silent       Crimson Wing Regalia (••••)       Page reference Core 600             Brief Description Armor of the Lady of the Red Pines, claimed by Kanaria when she killed her former master and took her title for herself.  Using a supple suit of some unknown material as a base, it integrates light Red Jade plates where possible to deflect blows aimed at the wearer's vitals.  Undoubtedly has great power still untapped             Bonus Artifact Medium Armor: Counts as a Reinforced Buff Jacket       Hearthstone Name (•)       Page reference Fill             Brief Description Fill             Bonus Fill       Miscellaneous Item Name       Page reference Fill             Brief Description Fill             Bonus Fill		Intimacies Defining (+4/-3)       Principle:       I will redeem the Red Pine Sect and turn it to a force of righteousness Major (+3/-2)       Tie:       Tyrants (Too much like Master)       Principle:       Honor and Success are not mutually exclusive Minor (+2/-1)       Tie:       Fellow Orphans (Sympathy)       Principle:       If you can't win with your head held high, it's not worth it.		Defenses Physical       Parry 7       ((Dex + Brawl/Martial Arts/Melee)/2 round up) + weapon defense       Evasion 2       ((Dex + Dodge)/2 round up) - armor mobility penalty       Natural Soak 4       Stamina + Charms       Total Soak 12       Natural Soak + Armor Soak       Hardness 7       Armor Hardness + Charms Mental       Resolve 2       (Wits + Integrity + Specialty)/2 round up       Guile 2       (Manipulation + Socialize + Specialty)/2 round up       Combat Actions       Join Battle 6       Wits + Awareness       Rush 8       Dexterity + Athletics (contested)       Disengage 6       Dexterity + Dodge (vs. opponents' Rush)       Rise from Prone 6       Dexterity + Dodge diff. 2       Take Cover 6       Dexterity + Dodge       Withdraw 8       Dexterity + Athletics       Health       -0 □             -1 □□□             -2 □□□□             -4 □             Incap □
	☼		☼

		Charms and Sorcery
Solar Charms Melee       Dipping Swallow Defense             Excellent Strike       Athletics       Graceful Crane Stance             Monkey Leap Technique       Resistance       Ox-Body Technique             Body-Mending Meditation             Whirlwind Armor-Donning Prana             Armored Scout's Invigoration       Presence       Listener-Swaying Argument             Harmonious Presence Meditation             Tiger's Dread Symmetry		Martial Arts Charms Steel Devil Style       Naked Fang Draw             Double Attack Technique             Steel Devil Strike             Steel Devil Form		Evocations/Sorcery Crimson Wing Regalia       No Evocations Known
	☼		☼

Most things look to be in order--I'll do the number crunching later.  Just a couple niggling things:

I updated the sheet template so that there's a spot for Martial Arts styles similar to what I did for the different crafts.  Also your Brawl would still be favored/caste as appropriate--the only time that's different is if you pick one as Supernal.
Peripheral Essence would technically only max out at 24 (with your 9 committed)  I've seen half a dozen ways to annotate that, so not too concerned with how it looks.
Were you wanting to do anything with Evocations?  We can work themes out at a later time if you were planning on it.

Sure, I'll give this a shot,


Kanaria of the Red Pines
Concept: Former Orphan turned Master of Martial Arts
Caste: Dawn
Supernal: Melee
Brief Background:

Orphans are regularly made in the war-torn vistas of Creation, as one nation or another decides to beat up their neighbours for treasure or sport.  Kanaria is one of them--what is somewhat less common are the ones who are slurped up by one master of the Martial Arts or another, some hidden potential spotted and the poor victim brought in for training.  Kanaria was one of many trained by the former Lady of the Red Pines--a Fire Aspect master of the Steel Devil form, and raised--along with several others--as an acolyte.  Right up until her training was near completion, and she was ordered to execute the remaining students to 'Cleave away the last of your attachments.'  Kanaria refused--and would have been executed in time as a failed student if she was not given the gift of Exaltation in that period of time. Defeating the old Lady of the Red Pines, Kanaria has largely taken her panoply and her role in things--and lives life as a Champion of great skill for the hire of the various nations--so long as they can meet her fees.

more detailed backstory pending when I get around to character generation.

Did you have an origin/background for the Lady of the Red Pines in mind?  My initial thoughts go directly to Linowan/Halta.  If you had some ideas in mind I can see what I can work out, otherwise I'll piece together a bit of a history of her and the organization.


CeruleanSerenity

I ended up going with Zenith instead, since it fit my concept better. I maybe should have made the "brief background" a bit briefer, but sometimes I get carried away when writing. It's about half the size of my first attempt, anyway...

I left some things vague, but I'm exhausted and I wasn't sure how to work them into the game before details are determined for the group... if there are any problems at this stage, I'll be willing to edit things and work them out later.

Name: Singing Sparrow
Concept: Slave turned free-spirited courtesan
Caste: Zenith
Supernal: Presence
Brief Background: A slave from birth, born to a mother who barely survived to her fifth year, Sparrow's life was harder than many - certainly more than the pompous nobles who ruled it. But hardship taught her determination, resourcefulness, and empathy for others like her. She learned to keep her head down, get what she could, when she could, and stay strong when punishment caught up to her. And one day, a particular bout of cruelty towards those she cared for made something in her snap, and nobody was more surprised than her when she felt a power welling in her and saw her captor cowering before her. Or when a mysterious bystander spoke up, offering to purchase her on the spot... and to this day she doesn't understand why she didn't refuse.

But she didn't regret it. She was treated well, taught to use her body as a weapon in more ways than one, and many things besides. She learned what she was, what she was capable of, and what that meant for her place in the world. And when she was finally inducted into a group called the White Rose Society, an organization of courtesans whose skill was famous and true purpose a closely-guarded secret, Sparrow found she had what she always wanted: purpose, happiness, and above all, freedom. She's still not sure she's cut out for the power and responsibility Exaltation brings.

But she's not about to let that stop her.

Sounds good to me  :)

I saw you were interested in doing Dreaming Pearl Courtesan Style, unfortunately there's been no official port of the style over to 3E, so we would either have to make up a full custom style.  However, Silver-Voiced Nightingale Style should probably suit what you have in mind (and it can be adjusted a bit to use different performing arts instead of singing).  Or, if you prefer the White Rose Society to perhaps have a slightly darker mystery within them Black Claw Style would certainly work for you as well.

Just a couple things to think about  :)


Jarick

Tentative throwing the hat in!  Back during some High Piracy days a friend of mine tried and utterly failed to get an Ex3 game started, but I liked the character enough to keep him in mind.

Sesus Shanjing
Concept: Layabout Dynast / Informant for the Eye
Caste: Night
Supernal: Larceny
Brief Background: Shanjing's failure to Exalt defined the rest of his life.  Rather than work hard to ensure his next birth was one destined to Exalt, he began grandiosely pissing away his share of family fortunes, barely pulling his weight until his indiscretions went too far and caught the attention of the All-Seeing Eye.  They impressed him into their service as an informant, and to his surprise, he found a certain entertaining purpose in being blackmailed in order to blackmail.  He's not yet had to betray his House yet -- even when Certain Things happened, which he is certain not even the Eye knows about -- but he's almost looking forward to the challenge of balancing everything -just- right.  Besides, he may have a demon-worshipping sorcerer's soul lurking in the depths of his own now, but don't the Immaculate texts say that even a demon can be made to serve justice by a righteous master?

I've already kind of addressed this character, but he sounds interesting and would certainly add a good dynamic to any group I think.  :)


RSGAlex

I'll float this by you for a Zenith caste.

Concept: Overachieving Noble Hegemon gone further afield
Caste: Zenith
Supernal: Presence or Performance
Brief Background: Third Spear of the Lost Days was once a young noble for the Triarch of the Lake-City. He rose to great heights, setting his lord above the Triarchs of the Forest-City and Mountain-Fortress to become Great Triarch of the Threefold Alliance. In return, the Great Triarch granted him power, status, and the title of First Mouth of the Divine. But the Great Triarch grew old and frail while his greatest servant only grew older, having taken the Second Breath some at some time forbidden to speak of by all in the Threefold Alliance. The next Triarch of the Lake-City feared the First Mouth of the Divine, and called him to a meeting of the Triarchs. The retirement ceremony was strained, the gifts pitiful compared to his services, and Third Spear was only allowed to keep a small amount of his panoply, but Third Spear let the farce go through. For while his skills were enough to be Triarch of any of the cities, Grand Triarch would be beyond him for now. And so setting a few of his newly gained servants to the task of managing his new estate, Third Spear set off with his enchanted blade and Garuda-feather-and-tiger-skin armor to bend the greater world around him and learn those skills he'd need upon his return to the Threefold Alliance.

Similarly I've already mentioned a few of my thoughts.  My instinct tells me that Presence would probably be the more likely of the two Supernals.


Summary

Player		Caste		Supernal		Concept
RSGAlex		Zenith		Presence or Performance		Overachieving Noble Hegemon
Jarick		Night		Larceny		Agent of the Eye
CeruleanSerenity		Zenith		Presence		Slave-Turned-Free Spirited Courtesan
Terian		Dawn		Melee		Former Orphan turned Blade Master
Guancyto		Eclipse		Occult		Half-Blood Troublemaker
AndyZ		Twilight		Integrity		Arbiter
HairyHeretic		Night		Larceny		Gentleman Thief/Con-man

[CeruleanSerenity]

Sounds good to me  :)

I saw you were interested in doing Dreaming Pearl Courtesan Style, unfortunately there's been no official port of the style over to 3E, so we would either have to make up a full custom style. 

There has been, actually. It's just really easy to miss in the corebook because it wasn't bookmarked... it starts on page 456.

(Apologies if I'm missing anything else I need to respond to... I'm in a bit of a hurry so I couldn't read through your post properly.)

I have been wanting to play a Socialize-focused manipulator/Black Claw stylist for ages, but that's a concept I'd rather leave for the future, when I'm more confident with Exalted's system and my own writing ability.

[Re Z L]

There has been, actually. It's just really easy to miss in the corebook because it wasn't bookmarked... it starts on page 456.

(Apologies if I'm missing anything else I need to respond to... I'm in a bit of a hurry so I couldn't read through your post properly.)

I have been wanting to play a Socialize-focused manipulator/Black Claw stylist for ages, but that's a concept I'd rather leave for the future, when I'm more confident with Exalted's system and my own writing ability.

So it has!  That makes things easier  ;D

Yea, it's missing that little pdf bookmark, what a nuisance.

Well, if you'd be interested in exploring Black Claw in the future with this character we can certainly leave that option open  :)

[HairyHeretic]

There's a wealth of stuff in the area, from ancient sorcerer kings ruling a vast empire to the southeast to a criminal city shrouded in eternal night.  Basically forms the border between the East/Scavenger Lands and the South.

Criminal city eh? That sounds like a fun place to investigate

Sounds great to me!  Gives him plenty of reason to maybe try and be as far away from the West as he can get, which means he could end up just about anywhere really.  The Dreaming Sea sounds like he'd be at home--plenty of pirating going on out there as well.  I'd be interested to see what else you come up with for his background--there's no need to get too specific about how he gets from where he starts out to any particular place we decide to stage the game though, I'll try and work that out individually with everyone.

Well, reasons for moving on ...

Wu Jian is a fairly small place, in the grand scheme of things. Only so many people, and so many tricks you can pull on them. Eventually you want to set your sights on bigger and better places, and richer scores.

The fact that most of the important people in the city would like his head, body unimportant, is not really a factor in his decision to seek greener pastures. That little ... misunderstanding ... with the Lintha, that just expedited the decision.

I'd say definitely start putting some dots onto a sheet if you've got a clear idea of what you want to do with him.  Maybe go watch Maverick while you're at it  ;D

Will do. Anything outside of standard character generation I should know about?

And I'll probably want to put together an artifact set of cards. I think they'll form part of his exaltation story. A treasured heirloom of the Five-fold Lotus Brotherhood, said to be older than Wu Jian itself, and only brought out for the most high stakes and special games. Almost no one there would realise just how special they were, til the show started. Plentimon might have ... but he didn't say.

[Latooni Subota]

I am in fact still here! I plan to have something up ASAP. I promise D:

[Latooni Subota]

Double-post to ensure you notice before I get too deep into the fluff. The really big thing that popped into my head was of a robin hood-esque bandit leader, raiding the wealthy and dragonblooded and becoming a bit of a folk hero in the region (To the poorest of the poor, at least). Any limitations that I haven't noticed in regards to having minions/cult?

[Re Z L]

Will do. Anything outside of standard character generation I should know about?

Character creation is pretty standard, I made a couple minor modifications, you can see the full character creation rules on the second post of this thread.

I am in fact still here! I plan to have something up ASAP. I promise D:

*Activates Laughing Wounds Style form charm for extra motivation!*  ;D

Double-post to ensure you notice before I get too deep into the fluff. The really big thing that popped into my head was of a robin hood-esque bandit leader, raiding the wealthy and dragonblooded and becoming a bit of a folk hero in the region (To the poorest of the poor, at least). Any limitations that I haven't noticed in regards to having minions/cult?

You caught me right when I was about to make a post!  haha.

No restrictions in that area, the only difficulties being the usual stuff like travelling with large groups of people, and taking care of your pets humans.



In other news, I'm fleshing out more of The East in the world-building thread.  I should have it all finished by later tonight, along with a couple more adventure hooks/rumors

[Terian]

Terian

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Most things look to be in order--I'll do the number crunching later.  Just a couple niggling things:

I updated the sheet template so that there's a spot for Martial Arts styles similar to what I did for the different crafts.  Also your Brawl would still be favored/caste as appropriate--the only time that's different is if you pick one as Supernal.
Peripheral Essence would technically only max out at 24 (with your 9 committed)  I've seen half a dozen ways to annotate that, so not too concerned with how it looks.
Were you wanting to do anything with Evocations?  We can work themes out at a later time if you were planning on it.

I'm probably going to make Martial Arts Supernal after all just based on some more thought.

As for your fluff details, I kept the position vague, but the Lady's home being up in the Linowan/Haltan region works nicely.  I envisioned it as a very, very long line of amoral Dragon Blooded martial arts masters who travelled the world, fought for whoever gave them the most coin (Most frequently the Realm), and occasionally picked up young girls from the streets and brought them to her secret home, where she taught them in the killing arts--selecting the most promising as a pupil and then "Adopting" them in an arcane ritual before teaching them the deeper secrets.

Then when they mature and master the Form, they have the child kill their siblings in an attempt to spark the newly infused Dragon Blooded potential (From the adoption ritual).  If they refuse?  Kill them and start again.  If they do it and fail to exalt?  Kill them and try again.  If they Exalt appropriately?  Die by their blades and let the cycle continue once again, with the skills developing over the ages.

Kanaria basically told her to fuck off, then Exalted as a Solar anyway and killed her, breaking the chain--but she keeps the title anyway as a reminder of what can be done if you let power and skill act as their own justification for what you're doing.

I'm very interested in Evocations though of course!  She's got the Regalia, and it's significantly more powerful than 'Ordinary' Artifact Armor, but she hasn't mastered any of it's secrets just yet.

[HairyHeretic]

Character creation is pretty standard, I made a couple minor modifications, you can see the full character creation rules on the second post of this thread.

Cool. I'll see if I can make a start on something in the morning. I do have a few ideas of stuff I'd like to have

Artifact cards that would function as throwing knives (or something similar). I'd need to figure out the evocations and stuff though. Maybe something like them automatically returning to the deck after being used?
Ebon Shadow martial arts

No restrictions in that area, the only difficulties being the usual stuff like travelling with large groups of people, and taking care of your pets humans.

I think I'll probably have a small crew of mortals along, Wei's closest friends and fellow partners in crime. Probably a handfull, though I'm not sure if Retainers or Followers work best. Leaning towards retainers, but I'll have to see how the points break down as well.

[RSGAlex]

RSGAlex
Similarly I've already mentioned a few of my thoughts.  My instinct tells me that Presence would probably be the more likely of the two Supernals.
Summary

Player		Caste		Supernal		Concept
RSGAlex		Zenith		Presence or Performance		Overachieving Noble Hegemon

Yeah, in my current sheet I've got Presence as the Supernal. It was a bit tight on dots with the loss of a few Ability dots, but being far enough away that Influence is a bit moot frees up a little.

[Re Z L]

I'm probably going to make Martial Arts Supernal after all just based on some more thought.

As for your fluff details, I kept the position vague, but the Lady's home being up in the Linowan/Haltan region works nicely.  I envisioned it as a very, very long line of amoral Dragon Blooded martial arts masters who travelled the world, fought for whoever gave them the most coin (Most frequently the Realm), and occasionally picked up young girls from the streets and brought them to her secret home, where she taught them in the killing arts--selecting the most promising as a pupil and then "Adopting" them in an arcane ritual before teaching them the deeper secrets.

Then when they mature and master the Form, they have the child kill their siblings in an attempt to spark the newly infused Dragon Blooded potential (From the adoption ritual).  If they refuse?  Kill them and start again.  If they do it and fail to exalt?  Kill them and try again.  If they Exalt appropriately?  Die by their blades and let the cycle continue once again, with the skills developing over the ages.

Kanaria basically told her to fuck off, then Exalted as a Solar anyway and killed her, breaking the chain--but she keeps the title anyway as a reminder of what can be done if you let power and skill act as their own justification for what you're doing.

I'm very interested in Evocations though of course!  She's got the Regalia, and it's significantly more powerful than 'Ordinary' Artifact Armor, but she hasn't mastered any of it's secrets just yet.

Sounds great!  Definitely something I can work with.  We can sort through potential Evocations later then  :)

Cool. I'll see if I can make a start on something in the morning. I do have a few ideas of stuff I'd like to have

Artifact cards that would function as throwing knives (or something similar). I'd need to figure out the evocations and stuff though. Maybe something like them automatically returning to the deck after being used?
Ebon Shadow martial arts

I think I'll probably have a small crew of mortals along, Wei's closest friends and fellow partners in crime. Probably a handfull, though I'm not sure if Retainers or Followers work best. Leaning towards retainers, but I'll have to see how the points break down as well.

Luckily the way weapons were all put into discreet categories makes coming up with custom artifacts pretty simple.  All that really needs to be figured out is the minor effects they have.  They should probably effectively work just the same as the Infinite Chakram, and we can work out any special Evocations for them at a later time.  I think Starmetal and/or White Jade should probably feature in the construction/theme.


Update:  The East is basically finished, the areas around the Dreaming Sea have been written up and I've finished the rumors/legends section with some adventure seeds.  The game will begin in the empire of Prasad (capital city being Kamthahar).  It is a region that roughly separates the South from the Dreaming Sea, whose peoples fit into rigidly defined caste systems, following a clan-like structure.  It is a far-flung satrapy of the Realm whose Immaculate Philosophy has taken a rather different turn than the traditional philosophy.

[Guancyto]

Guancyto

Sounds like a good concept to me.  There's only one thing that doesn't sit well with me and that would be being born and raised in Malfeas--though it's certainly the background a hero of Creation could have.  I think i just need to know more.  I think the Exaltation could use a little more work as well--was it just seeing the sun that triggered it?  Usually the Exaltation accompanies a moment of great "stress, danger, pressure, or turmoil", some kind of a conflict.  Maybe when she finished the trek across Cecelyne she appeared somewhere inconvenient and had to explain herself (perhaps only to then realize she didn't speak the same language).  The event could even be accompanied by a solar eclipse, that would be auspicious in a way.  Or maybe there were demons that were blocking her way and she had to figure out a way past?  Just some ideas.

I think it's got great potential, but I would like to know a little more details.  :)

Sure! Hmm, let's say her father was a visiting Guild merchant, of the sort detailed in Masters of Jade (short version: a pure, mundane human needs alchemical juju to survive sustained periods in Hell, the likes of which will eventually make you look strange, but the profit potential is enormous so there are Guild ventures there too). He had no interest in his progeny and his progeny had no interest in him. I'm sure he'll never, ever turn up again. *whistles innocently*

I say she was born to a "common" neomah (who I'm sure will never turn up again either), but the Street of Golden Lanterns is the most sought-after brothel in a nigh-infinite city for more reasons than, you know, itself being a third-circle demon - it serves a lot of tastes, and one of them is classy. Even before entering the service of Deer-Footed Mara, Ayala possessed a superior education the likes of which royalty rarely can boast of. She wasn't even particularly unusual - neomah make lots of kids, and a place full of them is going to have a lot of brothel children.

Now, entering the service of the Shadow-Lover rather than taking up the family business, that is unusual. Supposedly Mara only takes those destined to cause great misfortune, so it's pretty safe to say that she knew something nobody else did. I'd prefer to keep the specifics of how she bartered her way out of Mara's service ambiguous, that way you and I can come up with all sorts of esoteric debts that she owes to other parties as a result. :D However, as a sorceress, she was one of Mara's premier agents, so plenty of potential for trouble that direction.

It wasn't simply seeing the sun that did it, but that it was the culmination of everything that had been done to get there. If that's not dramatic enough for you, she could always emerge to a gathering of demon-cultists and swiftly turn them into her own personal cult, that sounds like an Eclipse thing to do.

[Re Z L]

Sure! Hmm, let's say her father was a visiting Guild merchant, of the sort detailed in Masters of Jade (short version: a pure, mundane human needs alchemical juju to survive sustained periods in Hell, the likes of which will eventually make you look strange, but the profit potential is enormous so there are Guild ventures there too). He had no interest in his progeny and his progeny had no interest in him. I'm sure he'll never, ever turn up again. *whistles innocently*

I say she was born to a "common" neomah (who I'm sure will never turn up again either), but the Street of Golden Lanterns is the most sought-after brothel in a nigh-infinite city for more reasons than, you know, itself being a third-circle demon - it serves a lot of tastes, and one of them is classy. Even before entering the service of Deer-Footed Mara, Ayala possessed a superior education the likes of which royalty rarely can boast of. She wasn't even particularly unusual - neomah make lots of kids, and a place full of them is going to have a lot of brothel children.

Now, entering the service of the Shadow-Lover rather than taking up the family business, that is unusual. Supposedly Mara only takes those destined to cause great misfortune, so it's pretty safe to say that she knew something nobody else did. I'd prefer to keep the specifics of how she bartered her way out of Mara's service ambiguous, that way you and I can come up with all sorts of esoteric debts that she owes to other parties as a result. :D However, as a sorceress, she was one of Mara's premier agents, so plenty of potential for trouble that direction.

It wasn't simply seeing the sun that did it, but that it was the culmination of everything that had been done to get there. If that's not dramatic enough for you, she could always emerge to a gathering of demon-cultists and swiftly turn them into her own personal cult, that sounds like an Eclipse thing to do.

That makes a bit more sense to me now  :)

I do like the idea of the demon-cultists...perhaps when she emerges they're surprised and assume she's some kind of mortal for them to sacrifice or use, until she exalts and convinces them that she's some kind of Demon Heiress perhaps--which means your cultists would still be "demon worshippers" until you managed to show them the light, so to speak (assuming she'd care to change their opinions)

[Guancyto]

Well, I do plan on taking the Infernal Nobility merit and playing it to the hilt when dealing with those sorts of people.

A bunch of demon-cultists shifting their loyalties to the most terrible demons of all - the dread Anathema - wouldn't even be much of a change for them, either. They've traded in for a newer, better model!

[Latooni Subota]

It was a long time coming, but say hello to-

Mei Xi Huang



Mei Xi Huang is the youngest daughter of Ysyr's installed governor of Palanquin, born into wealth and prestige as well as the gift of sorcery. While she did have two brothers and sisters ahead of that would normally prevent her from being little more than a courtier and token for arranged marriage back in Ysyr, she proved to be the brightest of her siblings with the strongest potential for sorcery. Her father, in a moment of generosity, decided to take her training into hand personally. While her mother and eldest sister ensured she could charm the highest of nobles and lowest of paupers, her father instructed her in the hidden lore of the world and the occult. Naturally even-tempered and patient (Though she has had the rare moment of flying into an unusual rage in truly abominable and humiliating circumstances), even visiting nobles could agree that Mei was going places. Until the revolt.

Some of the oppressed non-sorcerers secretly gathered thugs and mercenaries to their sides to try and take Palanquin back from Ysyr . . or at least cut down the noble scum ruling it. Despite the talented guards and sorcerers people managed to make it all the way to the governor's mansion, and Mei's family. Both of Mei's brothers fell in battle, along with her mother being critically injured, before Mei could take no more. With a scream of rage Mei Xi Huang was wreathed in wisps of gold and violet, and fought off the last of the insurgants herself. It was only in the aftermath of the battle, Solar Essence still running potent and strong through her veins, that she realized what had happened. While her injured mother appeared to be at least somewhat accepting, the looks on her sisters' faces made her believe that her new Solar status was not going to remain a secret. This was nothing to say about how her father or the Ysyr nobles would react.

For honors sake she managed to get her family (sans father, who was still dealing with the chaos of the attack) to give her 24 hours before telling anybody of her new condition. That time was spent wisely gathering together jade, an artifact, and getting a way down the city and onto a boat leaving to fetch more supplies for the damaged city. By the time her father knew that his youngest surviving child had Exalted as a Solar, the Twilight Caste was long gone. Even when his men caught up to the merchant vessel, there was no sign of the clever girl who had secretly switched boats after ensuring enough clues would lead to the first ship! God only knows what Ysyr would do to her with her new condition, so Mei's flight is quite understandable!


Caste: Twilight
Supernal: Lore
Concept: Runaway Ysyrian Noblewoman/Sorceress

DID SOMEBODY SAY DEATH OF OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLIES?! *Throws up hands as fireworks and guitar riffs go off!*

[Cessali]

Character sheet!  With Hairy going full on gambler-type, I've decided to move the Supernal to Socialize.  And tweak the name.

Give me a shout if something seems weird or worth asking about.

Sesus Shaoji

image

SESUS SHAOJI
Night Caste
Age: 37
Build: Tall, slender, somewhat effete
Garb: Typically befitting a Dynast

STR 2      CHA 4      PER 3
DEX 5      MAN 5      INT 2
STA 2      APP 2      WIT 3
= [03]

*Archery 5, *Brawl 1, Melee, Thrown, War
*Integrity 1, Performance 1, Presence 3, Resistance 1, Survival
Craft (Poisons) 1, *Investigation 3, Lore 2, Medicine, Occult 1
*Athletics 1, *Awareness 1, *Dodge 3, *Larceny 5, *Stealth 3`
*Bureaucracy 3, Linguistics 2, Ride 0, Sail, *+Socialize 5
= 43 [09]

Bureaucracy (Smuggling)
Socialize (Smiling Liar)
Resistance (Partying)
Presence (Your Best Friend You Never Knew You Had)

Backing 2 - The All-Seeing Eye
Contacts 5 - The All-Seeing Eye
Influence 2 - Representative of the Realm
Language 1 - Low Realm
Language 1 - Rivertongue
Language 1 - Foresttongue
Resources 3 - Living Like a Dynast
= 15 [5 spent]

Essence 1
Willpower 5

Join Battle 4
[Wits+Awareness]
Withering Attack - [Dex+Archery+Accuracy / Dex+Brawl+Accuracy]
- Unarmed Attack - Attack 9, Damage 6 (Bashing Brawl Natural)
[Ranged Damage 7/9/11 L/M/H, Accuracy Range -2/4/2/0/-2]
- Flame Piece - Attack 10+rangeaccuracy, Damage 13 (Lethal Archery(Short) Flame Mounted One-Handed Slow)
- Composite Bow - Attack 10+rangeaccuracy, Damage 11 (Lethal Archery(Long))
Decisive Attack 10 / 4
[Dex+Archery / Dex+Brawl]
Parry 2
[Dex+Brawl / 2 + Weapon Defense]
Evasion 3
[Dex+Dodge / 2 - Mobility]
Rush Pool 4
[Dex+Athletics]
Disengage 6
[Dex+Dodge]

Soak 5
- Stamina 2
- Chain Shirt (Light Armor, +3 Soak, Concealable)

Resolve 3
[Wits+Integrity+Specialty / 2 round up]
Guile 5 (6 when lying)
[Manipulation+Socialize+Specialty / 2 round up]


DEFINING PRINCIPLE: The existence of the Realm is good for Creation.
DEFINING PRINCIPLE: Look out for number one.
Major Tie: The All-Seeing Eye (Wry Gratitude)
Major Principle: Been there.  Done that.  Bored with it.
Major Principle: I don't balk from extreme measures.
Minor Tie: House Sesus (Filial duty)
Minor Tie: The Immaculate Faith (Ethnic Immaculate)

LIMIT TRIGGER: A cause could be advanced by the harm of an innocent or ignorance of suffering.

ANIMA
A set of winding serpent-shapes coil closely around Shaoji's frame; they are a shadowy grey with golden eyes.

CHARMS
ARCHERY
- Wise Arrow (2m Sup Instant: Reduces Heavy/Light cover by one step, No Cover at -1 Defense,
    after an Aim may fire at a Full Cover at only +3 Defense)

BUREAUCRACY
- Deft Official's Way (5m Ref Scene: Sense who's who in a bureaucracy, add [Bureaucracy] dice to
    any ability's Read Intentions when seeking bureaucratic result)
- Speed the Wheels (8m Simple One Task: Accelerate a bureaucracy's work by [Essence] degrees)

DODGE
- Reed in the Wind (2i/1Evasion Ref Instant: Sacrifice Initiative for Evasion, max [Essence] Evasion,
    upgrades at Dodge 5+ Essence 3+)
- Reflex Sidestep Technique (5m Ref Instant: Against surprise attack, set Evasion to 2 + [1 for every
    1 or 2 in attack roll], if full Evasion reached may apply other Dodge Charms)

INVESTIGATION
- Watchman's Infallible Eye (Permanent: Instinctive knowledge of when a Case Scene or Profile Character
    action is appropriate)

LARCENY
- Seasoned Criminal Method (Permanent: May at-will invoke Familiarity in criminal-types, Dissonance
    causing law-folk -2 Bureaucracy and Investigation actions against me, Vulnerability to a particular
    type of crime, or Receptivity to a particular criminal activity)
- Spurious Presence (6m Ref Scene: As long as looks and behaves like belongs, am not normally questioned -
    those who do suspect can try Read Intentions but am at +2 Guile to resist)

PRESENCE
- Harmonious Presence Meditation (5m Ref Scene / 7m Ref Indef: +3 dice to all social influence for all
    non-Stealth skills, all social influence Charm costs reduced by 1m)

SOCIALIZE
- Shadow Over Day (1+m Ref instant: 1m +1 Guile, 2m +2 Guile)
- Mastery of Small Manners (5m Ref Scene: Behave appropriately in host culture, people part of the
    culture gain positive Minor Tie, lowers resistant Ties to foreigners by one step
- Unimpeachable Discourse Technique (3m Sup: persuade or instill action on group policy or attitudes
    rerolls 1s, denies 1s to enemies)
- Easily-Discarded Presence Method (3m1wp Ref Mute: Rival's failed attempt to Read Intentions instead
    yields 'success', reading weak-willed interests into situation)

STEALTH
- Perfect Shadow Stillness (1m1wp Ref Scene: reroll a Stealth action, preserving 10s, upgrades at S5+)
- Blinding Battle Feint (3m Sup Instant: May Join Battle with Dex+Stealth; if goes first, is
    automatically concealed if any viable hiding place exists; if opponent uses non-Awareness Join
    Battle then must still roll Awareness, suffering penalty equal to difference in Initiative, and if
    fails then still loses sight)

[Re Z L]

Today is the day!

I'll close the game to new interest tonight at midnight (approximately 6 hours from the time of this post).

I have 8 applicants that have given me a fleshed-out (for the most part) concept, and a handful of those have given me some crunchy sheets to look over.

At the moment I'm inclined to accept all 8, and over the next few days we'll sort out character sheets and begin the game probably on Monday-ish.

[AndyZ]

Been dealing with a lot of crap outside of Elliquiy, so I forgot to even get started on this.  Have fun everyone.

[RSGAlex]

Lemme toss up a sheet that is not final nor even all that I have. The formatting just gets to me, so I'm working on it in bits. Figured I'd get started on the transcription now, though.

	☼		☼
		Name:Third Spear of the Lost Days Fill Player:It's me Fill Chronicle: Transit of Sol Concept: Fill Exaltation: Solar Caste:Zenith Fill Anima: Fill Face Claim: Fill or N/A		Gender: Fill Sexuality: Fill Age: Fill Height: Fill Weight: Fill Eye Color: Fill Hair Color: Fill Skin Tone: Fill

	☼		☼
Attributes Physical       Strength •••••       Dexterity •••••       Stamina ••••• Social       Charisma •••••       Manipulation •••••       Appearance •••••       Mental       Perception •••••       Intelligence •••••       Wits •••••                   Merits       Artifact: Obsidian Wing •••••       Artifact: Garuda-cloak •••••       Languages •••••		Abilities Specialties Supernal       Presence •••••       Performance: War Dances Melee: Obsidian Wing Presence: Mocking Fears Lore: Divine Legalities of the Triple Alliance Caste       Performance •••••             Integrity •••••             Resistance •••••             Athletics •••••             Favored       Melee •••••             Investigation •••••             Lore •••••             Awareness •••••             Socialize ••••••                   Archery •••••             Athletics •••••             Awareness •••••             Brawl •••••             Bureaucracy •••••             Craft (Max) •••••             Dodge •••••             Integrity •••••             Investigation •••••             Larceny •••••             Linguistics •••••••             Lore •••••             Medicine •••••             Melee •••••             Occult •••••             Performance •••••             Presence •••••             Resistance •••••             Ride •••••             Sail •••••             Socialize •••••       Stealth •••••             Survival •••••             Thrown •••••             War •••••             Crafts       Fill •••••             Martial Art       Fill •••••		Essence       •••••       Personal       13 / 13       (Essence x 3) + 10 Peripheral       33 / 33       (Essence x 7) + 26 Committed       0             Willpower       ••••••••••             □□□□□□□□□□             Limit       □□□□□□□□□□       Trigger       Fill
	☼		☼

Equipment Weapon Name       Withering Attack Fill       Dex + Combat Ability + Weapon Acc       Decisive Attack Fill       Dex + Combat Ability       Damage Fill             Defense Fill             Overwhelm Fill             Tags Fill       Armor Name       Soak Fill             Hardness Fill             Mobility Penalty Fill             Tags Fill       Artifact Name (•)       Page reference Fill             Brief Description Fill             Bonus Fill       Hearthstone Name (•)       Page reference Fill             Brief Description Fill             Bonus Fill       Miscellaneous Item Name       Page reference Fill             Brief Description Fill             Bonus Fill		Intimacies Defining (+4/-3)       Tie/Principle:       Fill       Tie/Principle:       Fill Major (+3/-2)       Tie/Principle:       Fill       Tie/Principle:       Fill Minor (+2/-1)       Tie/Principle:       Fill       Tie/Principle:       Fill		Defenses Physical       Parry Fill       ((Dex + Brawl/Martial Arts/Melee)/2 round up) + weapon defense       Evasion Fill       ((Dex + Dodge)/2 round up) - armor mobility penalty       Natural Soak Fill       Stamina + Charms       Total Soak Fill       Natural Soak + Armor Soak       Hardness Fill       Armor Hardness + Charms Mental       Resolve Fill       (Wits + Integrity + Specialty)/2 round up       Guile Fill       (Manipulation + Socialize + Specialty)/2 round up       Combat Actions       Join Battle Fill       Wits + Awareness       Rush Fill       Dexterity + Athletics (contested)       Disengage Fill       Dexterity + Dodge (vs. opponents' Rush)       Rise from Prone Fill       Dexterity + Dodge diff. 2       Take Cover Fill       Dexterity + Dodge       Withdraw Fill       Dexterity + Athletics       Health       -0 □             -1 □□             -2 □□             -4 □             Incap □
	☼		☼

		Charms and Sorcery
Solar Charms Ability (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)       Ability (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)		Martial Arts Charms Style (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)       Style (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)		Evocations/Sorcery Weapon/Armor (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)       Weapon/Armor (Fill)       Charm 1 (Fill)             Charm 2 (Fill)       Terrestrial Circle Spells       Spell 1 (Fill)             Spell 2 (Fill)       Celestial Circle Spells       Spell 1 (Fill)             Spell 2 (Fill)       Solar Circle Spells       Spell 1 (Fill)             Spell 2 (Fill)
	☼		☼

[CeruleanSerenity]

Just to make sure... since we get one free dot in every Caste and Favored Ability, that would be one in both Brawl and Martial Arts if we have the Merit, right?

I wasn't planning to start on my sheet until the groups are decided, but I've been thinking things out. Currently not sure how many Charms to invest in Presence and Performance... I could probably spend all 15 on Presence alone, but that's a bit much.

[Re Z L]

Just to make sure... since we get one free dot in every Caste and Favored Ability, that would be one in both Brawl and Martial Arts if we have the Merit, right?

I wasn't planning to start on my sheet until the groups are decided, but I've been thinking things out. Currently not sure how many Charms to invest in Presence and Performance... I could probably spend all 15 on Presence alone, but that's a bit much.

Yes, if you favor brawl you get one free dot in both it and one MA style after you purchase the merit

[RSGAlex]

Oh, those five are free? I have some recalculations to do. Or I guess some more BP to spend.

[Re Z L]

Oh, those five are free? I have some recalculations to do. Or I guess some more BP to spend.

Free dots everywhere!


Announcement:

Welcome,

Player		Caste		Supernal		Concept
RSGAlex		Zenith		Presence		Overachieving Noble Hegemon
Jarick		Night		Socialize		Agent of the Eye
CeruleanSerenity		Zenith		Presence		Slave-Turned-Free Spirited Courtesan
Terian		Dawn		Martial Arts		Former Orphan turned Blade Master
Guancyto		Eclipse		Occult		Half-Blood Troublemaker
HairyHeretic		Night		Larceny		Gentleman Thief/Con-man
Latooni Subota		Twilight		Lore		Runaway noble/Sorceress Supreme

And with that recruitment is closed -- for now.

Here is my plan regarding groups:

We will do an initial story (introduction of sorts) where all of the characters are in Kamthahar, then the characters may decide they want to go different ways with different groups of people, this will hopefully help everyone get an idea of who meshes well with who.  Of course it certainly won't be required to split up, you could all stay together as well.

Now we'll work on finalizing sheets and a few other things.  But for that we will move the conversation to a brand new thread!

Note:  I will lock this thread probably tonight.