Interest Check: Exalted 2.5 (NC:H, LBGTQA Friendly, All Genders Welcome)

[hellrazoromega]

So Since Onyx Path looks as if they won’t have 3rd edition out anytime soon and Exalted is my all-time favorite game, I’m gonna stop holding my breath and try my hand at a game here.

This will be a game of empire-building open to Solars and Lunar Bond mates (with some special rules relating to all that). I might be convinced to allow one Alchemical ambassador and one Sidereal, but only with a really good sell. Also be forewarned Characters who are not in Solar-Lunar Parings will find themselves at an even greater disadvantage against these pairs due to the way I am thinking of doing bonds. Abyssals and Infernals are antagonists and will not be allowed so please don’t even try. All players must be ostensibly allied and seeking some manner of cooperation or restoration of the Deliberative. That said, ulterior motives are allowed and probably expected—just not sufficient to ruin anyone’s fun. What I am looking for is flawed heroes—not villains in disguise.

Note: most of what is listed below is subject to change.

[/color]

A Tentative Background.

The Realm slowly slipped into chaos when the Scarlet Queen vanished, not all at once to be sure, but it died the slow death of intrigue, factionalism, betrayal, and infighting. At first the return of the Chosen of the Sun only added to the turmoil but gradually they managed to wrest order from the chaos. Through the strength of their abilities and after over 100 years the Solars have managed to reorder Creation yet again. The Realm has fallen and thousands of years of Dragon Blooded propaganda has been put to rest. This is not to say that the Dragon Blood Resistance is not still alive and well. The Bronze Faction has been reimagined after seeing the seeming inevitability of Solar rule, their mission is in a state of flux.

For their part the Sun Children have managed to come together to face great threats to Creation. Deathlord incursions, vengeful Green Sun Princes, invasions in the South by the forces of Autochthon, shifting masses of Fair Folk, and rebellions from Lookshy have all been stopped. The Exalted are even now aware of the Great Cruse, though they find themselves powerless to stop it. The Curse was only a last bit of spite, the true trap is the Games of Divinity which prevent the Incarna from freeing their Chosen and no Solar is yet powerful enough to free themselves. But when these greater threats have been dealt with the Solars return to their newly minted kingdoms and empires to plan and plot. Some suggest they rebuild the Deliberative, others point to past failures and suggest a Confederation of independents states, and there are those who want to rule it all.

The State of Things (WIP).

Many Dragon Bloods now serve various Solar masters, others have formed their own city-states similar to Lookshy, and some have formed a resistance against Celestial rule.

The forces of Autochthon have carved out a large section of the South but after repeated thrashings by various unions of Solars they have ceased their advance and opened up dialogues.

The Deathlords and their Shadowlands have been contained but are still a threat, despite the fact that several Abyssal Essences have been redeemed and only a relative few corrupted essences remain.

The Lunar Castes have been restored and the bonds they have with their mates have flared to First Age levels.

The Sidereals are attempting to sort the entire mess out and figure out why Fate has thrown them a curveball.

Other Notes to Get in the Open.

1.   I should note I am a bit more strict about stunts than some storytellers, if the descriptions become passe it is not worth a stunt or may be worth less dice, IMO. I don't do this often, but be forewarned it could happen.

2.   Characters need to be well-rounded but not so versatile as to be ineffective. ‘Glass Cannon,’ characters will not do well in this game. If you are the great Socializer or Warrior and literally unable to do well at anything else, this is not likely to be the game for you. My antagonists will exploit any ‘one trick ponies.’

3.   I am kicking around the idea of the Bond conferring great power to the bonded pair and making them very nasty as a team, providing enhancements for both members of the bond. This is part of the explanation for the ability of Celestials of lower essence to defeat much stronger foes.

4.   Players will have 3 options (unless someone comes up with others). Their Bondmate can be another PC’s or the Bondmate can be an NPC controlled with by me or themselves. The latter option could of course come with certain restrictions and GM caveats. (And yes the PC could be the Lunar and the NPC the Solar).

5.     I am open to ideas for changes to the setting from interested players (well from anyone with constructive input, actually).

6.   And yes the game could get kinky.

[Lockepick]

Posting interest in hearing more!

[HairyHeretic]

So would the players start in control of a city state to begin with?

[Marie Reynolds]

Hmm this has me interested and I would love to hear some more!

[hellrazoromega]

So would the players start in control of a city state to begin with?

That had been my original thought, however I am a very flexible GM and would probably poll my players and see what they wanted to go with. Would they rather seize a city-state or start small and grow from there. I had even toyed with the idea of the game opening in media res with the PCs topping the rulers of a despotic republic or confederation and taking control.

Hit me with other questions if you have them, the idea for this is rather solid but not 100% fleshed out (maybe say 85%) so I am open to ideas or wishlists from potential players. What more would folks like to know? I'll gladly spill.

[Rook Seidhr]

Interested.

Thinking Dawn Caste, recently redeemed Abyssal, a motivational speaker and teacher as well as a warrior and general, who hates Necromancy but keeps falling back on it because it's a familiar tool. I would prefer a PC Lunar bond, maybe the one who pushed my character into turning to the light. My character would be a lesbian, but if her bondmate were strictly male, that would be fine; she'd find another sex partner.

hellrazoromega, are you willing to share what the starting build parameters would be? It sounds like we'd be starting with more than default.

[AndyZ]

Keeping an eye on this.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Definitely interested.

[ChaoticSky]

Also interested.

[eternaldarkness]

I am so interested, especially if I could get that sole Sidereal spot. Since a Sidereal game has a 0% chance of ever happening, I'm willing to deal with the disadvantage of not having a bond just to play one.

[hellrazoromega]

Interested.

Thinking Dawn Caste, recently redeemed Abyssal, a motivational speaker and teacher as well as a warrior and general, who hates Necromancy but keeps falling back on it because it's a familiar tool. I would prefer a PC Lunar bond, maybe the one who pushed my character into turning to the light. My character would be a lesbian, but if her bondmate were strictly male, that would be fine; she'd find another sex partner.

hellrazoromega, are you willing to share what the starting build parameters would be? It sounds like we'd be starting with more than default.

I am thinking of going with a modification of the Established Solar from Lords of Creation, Let me look at the numbers again and I will nail that part down. But it is close to that.

I would like to ask those interested if they would prefer the game open right before seizing their holdings, during said events, or at a time after the actual "dirty" work. Note that when I use words like seize I include those who may use means other than the physical to meet their goals. Whatever the case may be, as with all rulers in troubled times, the PCs and their allies would have to deal with threats both external and internal.

I am so interested, especially if I could get that sole Sidereal spot. Since a Sidereal game has a 0% chance of ever happening, I'm willing to deal with the disadvantage of not having a bond just to play one.

See what the others come up with and sell me on a good background and I'll let you know. If the background is good it is doable.

[eternaldarkness]

After is my vote. As for my character idea, I'm thinking a Chosen of Serenity who is keenly interested in seeing this new city-state flourish and has been using his charms and other talents to help the Solars and Lunars along secretly is what I'll go for. Since Arcane Fate ensures he'll not even be remembered, naturally the others probably have no idea he was helping them at all. Or that he even exists.

Hilarity will ensue as he does his level best to ensure happiness and prosperity for the new rulers, and abject misery for everyone giving them trouble.

[Angie]

Oh god, yes...I so want in on this, since I have a character heavily inspired by Garrett of Thief fame (and I mean OLD Garrett, not the piece of shit new guy...), and I've been dying to play him. Question: Is there any chance of playing a character that doesn't think he's Exalted and just thinks he's that damn good? At least at the start, he'll learn pretty quickly that he's likely a Night Exalted because he IS that damn good.

Also, I know second edition, how far removed is 2.5 from the original 2.0 Core Book (which is what I have)?

[Zaer Darkwail]

I am interested on this :). Anycase one useful house rules what have been common in games which I have joined (these are just suggestions for hellrazoromega);

1) Every caste and favored ability with even single dot invested yields free first, second or third excellency with said ability (with lunars it's their caste or their favored attribute dots). Lunars get to pick two favored attributes and pick two caste attributes.

2) Every essence dot gives freebie ox-body purchase (and can purchase additional ones with normal limits based on stamina or resistance).

3) When learning sorcery access charm you learn also a sorcery spell (or necromancy) from same tier for free.

4) Combine all elemental crafts to single ability (every dot gives just knowledge/skill to craft a elemental craft; like 3 dots can teach person do fire, earth and wood crafts with 3 dot expertise). Special crafts like fate, magitech, necrotech are still calculated separately.

All above besides the usual 2.5 errata stuff.

[hellrazoromega]

Oh god, yes...I so want in on this, since I have a character heavily inspired by Garrett of Thief fame (and I mean OLD Garrett, not the piece of shit new guy...), and I've been dying to play him. Question: Is there any chance of playing a character that doesn't think he's Exalted and just thinks he's that damn good? At least at the start, he'll learn pretty quickly that he's likely a Night Exalted because he IS that damn good.

Also, I know second edition, how far removed is 2.5 from the original 2.0 Core Book (which is what I have)?

"2.5" is just all the added rules from Scroll of Errata.

I am interested on this :). Anycase one useful house rules what have been common in games which I have joined (these are just suggestions for hellrazoromega);

1) Every caste and favored ability with even single dot invested yields free first, second or third excellency with said ability (with lunars it's their caste or their favored attribute dots). Lunars get to pick two favored attributes and pick two caste attributes.

2) Every essence dot gives freebie ox-body purchase (and can purchase additional ones with normal limits based on stamina or resistance).

3) When learning sorcery access charm you learn also a sorcery spell (or necromancy) from same tier for free.

4) Combine all elemental crafts to single ability (every dot gives just knowledge/skill to craft a elemental craft; like 3 dots can teach person do fire, earth and wood crafts with 3 dot expertise). Special crafts like fate, magitech, necrotech are still calculated separately.

All above besides the usual 2.5 errata stuff.

Yes, same here. All of those would be used, I hate to see Charm Slots wasted one Ox-Body, spells, or Excellencies needlessly.

Depending on my schedule either later today or Saturday I will look at getting a thread up since there seems to be enough interest and I will nail down build points.

[AndyZ]

I've got three concepts I'd love to reuse, but two of them involve either a custom artifact or a custom MA, so I may just go with the Night-caste assassin.

[Angie]

"2.5" is just all the added rules from Scroll of Errata. 

It's a good thing "Garrett" is already built for 2.5 then!

All of those would be used, I hate to see Charm Slots wasted one Ox-Body, spells, or Excellencies needlessly.

Depending on my schedule either later today or Saturday I will look at getting a thread up since there seems to be enough interest and I will nail down build points.

But not built for this! I'll have to update the sheet, Garrett will have a shit load more excellencies now. And 4 more Charms to pick-I assume extra excellencies beyond the first still need to be paid for (he has first and second Stealth).

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, extra excellencies besides the first freebie one needs paid (even if it's favored or caste ability related). The freebies is meant to help round the char and fit for image to be exalted (excellencies and such are unneeded charm taxes as they are mandatory).

[hellrazoromega]

Oh god, yes...I so want in on this, since I have a character heavily inspired by Garrett of Thief fame (and I mean OLD Garrett, not the piece of shit new guy...), and I've been dying to play him. Question: Is there any chance of playing a character that doesn't think he's Exalted and just thinks he's that damn good? At least at the start, he'll learn pretty quickly that he's likely a Night Exalted because he IS that damn good.

Also, I know second edition, how far removed is 2.5 from the original 2.0 Core Book (which is what I have)?

The Night Caste is the only one where I could see that being half doable since they can mask their charm usage.

I've got three concepts I'd love to reuse, but two of them involve either a custom artifact or a custom MA, so I may just go with the Night-caste assassin.

Night is my favorite Solar Caste.

It's a good thing "Garrett" is already built for 2.5 then!

But not built for this! I'll have to update the sheet, Garrett will have a shit load more excellencies now. And 4 more Charms to pick-I assume extra excellencies beyond the first still need to be paid for (he has first and second Stealth).

Yes any other Excellencies will need to be bought normally, but I am modifying some of the rules from Dreams of the First Age to take all the 'free' goodies into account, so you will end up with lots of charms.

[Angie]

The Night Caste is the only one where I could see that being half doable since they can mask their charm usage. Night is my favorite Solar Caste.

I specifically built "Garrett" to have a bunch of Charms, and I'm pretty sure everything he has is "non-obvious". I'm just going to have to swap out his Artifact Powerbow for a regular bow because the way this setting seems set up, the moment he reveals he can use that, everyone would immediately go "SOLAR!" Now I'll have to be even more careful in picking charms :P

EDIT: There's a couple awareness charms labeled "Keen Sense Technique" and "Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline", that are three different charms that all need to be bought on their own. Can we houserule it to where we just get them all?

[Rook Seidhr]

I would like to ask those interested if they would prefer the game open right before seizing their holdings, during said events, or at a time after the actual "dirty" work.

Immediately after. Like, just as the previous ruler's severed head hits the floor, the remainder of his bodyguards surrender, and we drop out of combat time. Including some sort of mechanism for randomizing how low we are on Essence, Willpower, etc.

I am interested on this :). Anycase one useful house rules what have been common in games which I have joined (these are just suggestions for hellrazoromega);

I dislike #1 and hate #4, but I'm not the ST.

EDIT: There's a couple awareness charms labeled "Keen Sense Technique" and "Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline", that are three different charms that all need to be bought on their own. Can we houserule it to where we just get them all?

Please no?

[Angie]

Actually, in that case, "Garrett" (I'll change the name I swear-unless no one has a problem with him just being Garrett) would probably be nowhere near the fight. He's a sort of pacifist. He won't kill anyone doing their job (guards and such), may kill people trying to murder him (prefers to knock 'em out), and would not participate in a battle for the city. I don't really care where we start, but Garrett might not even show-if he DOES, he'll be too busy stealing everything that's not nailed down.

(The 'pacifist' thing is an homage to the game, where expert mode forbid you from killing, and even mentions in the briefings that "violence is the mark of the amateur".)

[Rook Seidhr]

I don't really care where we start, but Garrett might not even show—if he DOES, he'll be too busy stealing everything that's not nailed down.

I kinda like that idea, actually :)

[Angie]

It is the perfect opportunity. Slip in while everyone's killing each other, steal everything, walk out. We could even have an entertaining little moment where Garrett does his damnedest to lose you guys with all his stealth tricks (and unconscious use of Charms) while you guys try and find him. And yeah, that's how I plan on doing his Charms until he learns his nature as a Solar-things just sort of work out for him. It's more amazing luck in his eyes then supernatural power. Sadly I can't play him as the atheist I intended him to be-you deny that Gods exist when the Exalted, who might as well be gods, are right in front of you.

[Rook Seidhr]

If we're starting as Established Solars, he will have been denying his nature for quite some time.

EDIT: Also, Exalted or not, being an atheist in Creation, where the little gods routinely run protection rackets, is even more oblivious than thinking you're not a Solar. Maybe he's just completely lacking in reverence? Gods are just corrupt assholes like everyone else.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

For a Garret style character that would probably be the best way to go honestly.  Gods are just “people that have won the cosmic lottery” and are not deserving of his worship except when he needs something from them.  As for the big ones like the Unconquered Sun, he’s never done anything for him and so why even bother acknowledging him?   

Also I don’t know if the “I’m just lucky” idea works when using his luck too much makes him glow in the dark.  I mean Solars are the pinnacle of their skill before becoming Solar, so he’d probably be justifiably “that good” to start.  Maybe just more have him denying that he has any responsibility to Creation or anyone else but himself despite having these abilities that are supposed to make him a champion. 

[Rook Seidhr]

Also I don’t know if the “I’m just lucky” idea works when using his luck too much makes him glow in the dark.

That part I can almost sort of kind of see, if he doesn't know any Obvious Charms and always, for whatever screwed-up subconscious reason, spends the extra motes to mute his anima when he spends Peripheral.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I say you cannot be atheist in Creation (as gods are very widely spread and some are quite outright flashy; especially during festivals devoted to them). So Garret may be someone who just does not give no care nor thought for worship or about gods (he simply disregards them and he could even have learned how to steal stuff from god's sanctums albeit in such case he would be obviously using sorcery or a artifact to do so to break in to sanctums).

Anycase ignorance for his nature or simply rejecting any responsibility being a solar could also work. I myself would like go for Zenith slot as a naive pure hearted man (perhaps bit self-righteous) who has not yet faced some harsh truths of life :P. Only lucky because resistance is part of Zenith ability tree.....he sort of would pester Garret not to steal or if he would steal, steal some food for the poor or such XD

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Thinking I might go Lunar for this one.  Having trouble finding my books though since I moved to this new apartment.

[Annaamarth]

I would be interested in this game.  I have an old Solar concept for an eclipse that I could rebuild, but I don't recall the "established Solar" rules.  I'll have to look into those while I hunt down my books.

If we are terribly unbalanced Solar/Lunar wise, I'd also be willing to give the whole "lunar" schtick a shot.  I'm not so familiar with them though.

Are Ink Monkeys in effect?  They sort of came out with the Erratta, but I figure I should ask.

[Caehlim]

I would be interested in playing a Lunar.

Edit: Where does the information on the lost lunar castes come from? On that topic I've only got the books for Lunar, Sidereal, Dragon-blooded and Scroll of the monk. It sounds like you're doing some pretty complex stuff with the entire source cannon, are we going to run into troubles as players if we don't have the entire Exalted set?

[Lockepick]

To offer up some more details -- I'll be going a male Solar if I can, I'm happy for a Lunar Mate as a PC or a NPC, as long as it's also a dude.

If we're starting off at some higher level of power -- I might consider a Twilight Crafter/Sorcerer -- especially given that I haven't heard anybody else say 'Twilight' or 'Sorcerer' yet.

[Rook Seidhr]

Are Ink Monkeys in effect?

Please please please yes?

[Caehlim]

To offer up some more details -- I'll be going a male Solar if I can, I'm happy for a Lunar Mate as a PC or a NPC, as long as it's also a dude.

If we're starting off at some higher level of power -- I might consider a Twilight Crafter/Sorcerer -- especially given that I haven't heard anybody else say 'Twilight' or 'Sorcerer' yet.

Well I could match up my lunar with your Solar potentially, depending on how things go. I'm still thinking on ideas but leaning towards a stealthy, infiltrating, shapeshifting focused character.

[Lockepick]

@Caehilm: I'd love to work with you! Happy to drum up some ideas/dynamics/etc with you. <3

@GM: Having just realized you mentioned using the rules from Dreams of the First Age, a couple of First Age questions that don't need immediate answers -- just stuff that will need to be clarified:
1) Are you using the First Age Backgrounds such as Arsenal/Wealth/Panoply vs Resources? Are we using the Manse/Artifact from LoC or from the normal books for our Splat? 
2) The "Established" rules in LoC state maximums to Abilities/Backgrounds during character creation that contradict the 2.5 rules -- though with the higher numbers, they might be useful? Just might want to clarify which way we're going.
3) Ditto on Bonus Points. LoC stats 15 BP, but 2.5 Errata usually offers 18 BP.

[Caehlim]

@Lockepick: Awesome. I only just found the thread and haven't thought much about Exalted for a few years, so I'm still just free-associating some ideas at the moment but definitely that sounds great.

Also Riveda's helped me out with some of the details and questions I had before, so I'm a bit clearer on those elements. Thanks Riveda.

[Rook Seidhr]

Also Riveda's helped me out with some of the details and questions I had before, so I'm a bit clearer on those elements. Thanks Riveda.

You are welcome!

[Angie]

Riveda/Pumpkin: I should explain the 'atheist' thing as 'denying their divinity'. That's being dropped though.

Also, I assume that Garrett, up to this point, has never had to use Periphery Essence since his only opponents have been mortal-opponents he was beating easily as a regular mortal. I mean he's packing a 10 die pool for any Larceny and Stealth rolls, watch some garden variety guard beat that.

[Rook Seidhr]

Also, I assume that Garrett, up to this point, has never had to use Periphery Essence since his only opponents have been mortal-opponents he was beating easily as a regular mortal.

Per the ST, we're starting more or less as Established Solars per DotFA, not as core-book starting characters. That means we've been kicking around for decades past Exaltation. What's he been doing all that time to challenge himself?

[Angie]

Oh we've been around for decades? Okay, everything I've been saying about Garrett, drop it-except the pacifist thing. If it's been decades since the Exaltation I can't imagine Garrett not finding out what he is.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Will probably resurrect an old one who was a slave in the South and was being used in pit fights.  I'll have to rewrite her story but her final fight was against a "dragon" type creature that she Exalted while fighting the creature and destroyed the arena where she was fighting.  Full Moon warrior type.

[Muse]

Very, very interested.  Hope I'm not too late! 

[Pretty in Pink]

I'm interested, but I have a quick question, alongside what Muse just said.

What kind of pace are you (the Storyteller), as well as your players, going to be looking for?  I'm not able to guarantee activity right now, and if this game is going to take off like a rocket sled, I should probably not join, even though I REALLY want to play someone's Lunar Mate.

[Rook Seidhr]

What kind of pace are you (the Storyteller), as well as your players, going to be looking for?

As a player, I would say that I prefer to post at least once a day, sometimes more often. Less than that and I lose interest.

[Angie]

Forgot to add in the four specialties that Scroll of Errata hands over. Now Garrett is really good at Larceny and Stealth.

[hellrazoromega]

As a player, I would say that I prefer to post at least once a day, sometimes more often. Less than that and I lose interest.

I like once per day--But I know RL comes first so I won't get two bent out of shape if people post once every other day, I know it will happen with me from time to time. That said that may mean people may get left behind and will have to live with that if they sign on.

I specifically built "Garrett" to have a bunch of Charms, and I'm pretty sure everything he has is "non-obvious". I'm just going to have to swap out his Artifact Powerbow for a regular bow because the way this setting seems set up, the moment he reveals he can use that, everyone would immediately go "SOLAR!" Now I'll have to be even more careful in picking charms :P

EDIT: There's a couple awareness charms labeled "Keen Sense Technique" and "Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline", that are three different charms that all need to be bought on their own. Can we houserule it to where we just get them all?

Those charms will remain as is.

For a Garret style character that would probably be the best way to go honestly.  Gods are just “people that have won the cosmic lottery” and are not deserving of his worship except when he needs something from them.  As for the big ones like the Unconquered Sun, he’s never done anything for him and so why even bother acknowledging him?   

Also I don’t know if the “I’m just lucky” idea works when using his luck too much makes him glow in the dark.  I mean Solars are the pinnacle of their skill before becoming Solar, so he’d probably be justifiably “that good” to start.  Maybe just more have him denying that he has any responsibility to Creation or anyone else but himself despite having these abilities that are supposed to make him a champion.

Yes this^. You can deny that they are “gods” deserving of worship but you can’t deny they are darn powerful (well you can but I would submit that it could be very dangerous with the wrong god—and yes take that as a hint from the ST). That said let me see a write up of how Garrett has denied his nature all this time. Some of is I buy so far—but you’ll really have to sell me on the whole package. I submit that some of it would have to be chalked up to more that “luck.” I am OK with him subconsciously spending the surcharge to “hide” charms but Solars do amazing things that go well beyond even the best of mortal luck. Now if he wants to believe that it all come from him and not from some goodly external source, that I can buy. But I see you are making changes so ignore me  :P

Are Ink Monkeys in effect?  They sort of came out with the Erratta, but I figure I should ask.

Yes. Just please if you use anything outside the Core books please denote the source and page # (In fact that even helps with the Core books)

@Caehilm: I'd love to work with you! Happy to drum up some ideas/dynamics/etc with you. <3

@GM: Having just realized you mentioned using the rules from Dreams of the First Age, a couple of First Age questions that don't need immediate answers -- just stuff that will need to be clarified:
1) Are you using the First Age Backgrounds such as Arsenal/Wealth/Panoply vs Resources? Are we using the Manse/Artifact from LoC or from the normal books for our Splat? 
2) The "Established" rules in LoC state maximums to Abilities/Backgrounds during character creation that contradict the 2.5 rules -- though with the higher numbers, they might be useful? Just might want to clarify which way we're going.
3) Ditto on Bonus Points. LoC stats 15 BP, but 2.5 Errata usually offers 18 BP.

Answers below

For those just tuning in Welcome.
I think I am going to go with the in media res idea of the heads just hitting the floor and ethe PC’s (and their bondmates) have just finished off a despotic council which ruled a confederation of states, leaving each of the Pairs in control of one of those states.

You know I was thinking about putting this in NC:Human but then I thought---Oh, heck---LunarsNC: Exotic might be better---Thoughts?

And now those details. With the House rules I am modding the Established rules some.
Attributes: 10/8/6.  You can buy up to 5 but none over 5 Lunars get to pick two favored attributes and pick two caste attributes
Abilities: 55 (40 for Lunars) (can go to 5 without BP as per Scroll of Errata) When learning sorcery access charm you learn also a sorcery spell (or necromancy) from same tier for free. Combine all elemental crafts to single ability (every dot gives just knowledge/skill to craft a elemental craft; like 3 dots can teach person do fire, earth and wood crafts with 3 dot expertise). Special crafts like fate, magitech, necrotech are still calculated separately.
Charms: 20 (18 for Lunars)plus every caste and favored ability with even single dot invested yields free first, second or third Excellency with said ability (with lunar it's their caste or their favored attribute dots).
Backgrounds (Solar): 15 Max of 4 W/o BP. Arsenal/Wealth/Panoply can be purchased but only one of the three can be bought to 3 dots the other two are capped at 2 dots, (They cannot go higher even with BP at this point). Manse/Artifact from the normal sources not LoC. Also 3 Dots of Cult for free, and 3 Dots of Command for free (These are also capped where they are and can only go up in game—to reflect the kingdoms you have just seized). Lastly 3 Dots of Henchmen for free (this can be bought up as normal).
Backgrounds (Lunar): 15 and are presumed to share the Dots of Arsenal,Wealth,Panoply,Cult, Command, and Henchmen. So you draw from the same background pool in essence, as these are tied in a way to the city-sate you rule and either PC can contribute points to these shared Backgrounds--the ones which can be bought up, that is. This is part of the advantage of a PC Partner. If you have an NPC partner they share your scores by default.
All characters get the Bond (Solar/Lunar) Background at 5 for free (rules for that are WIP and I will post them soon)
Virtues: 7
Essence: begins at 3 can be bought up with BP. (Your Attributes and Abilities can be bought up to 6 if you buy your Essence up to 6 in game). One free Ox-body per Essence Dot.
BP: 18
Willpower, Charm costs and all the rest as per Scroll of Errata.

Whew--Wall of text, Out.
Questions? Comments? As I have stated I am a flexible ST so if anyone has well thought out, constructive arguments for or against any of the things I have posted, then make your case, I am willing to listen.

[ChaoticSky]

Also worth wondering; did they ever get Argent Witches finished? Lunars that work on par with Solars might be ideal for this game.

[AndyZ]

I'll be playing Infinite Sky, a Twilight Crafter.  Looking for a Lunar, don't care which caste.

[hellrazoromega]

So I am thinking of having the bond allow some limited sharing of Mote (with a surcharge of course), or granting a small shared Essence pool. Another idea is allowing the Animas of a Pair to combine and affect both Bondmates I am still pondering and open to ideas on this.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I say with lunars it should go to NC:Exotic (as lunars shapeshifting can bring in potential bestiality to create beastfolks to guard the kingdom example). Anycase for solar bond; there are some good charms to boost it but besides that the bond between solar and lunar can be that they can transfer motes (not favorable manner but still some amount of it, like 10m = 5m for other in close range) and also when they make actions which aid each other they get automatic 1 dice higher stunt rewards.

The anima banner powers could get buffed when they both are totemic (or share each other's totemic animas; full moon lunar mate giving speed boost to dawn solar mate and lunar mate get dawn anima power). This again when they are close together and their animas need blend together.

[eternaldarkness]

So I am thinking of having the bond allow some limited sharing of Mote (with a surcharge of course), or granting a small shared Essence pool. Another idea is allowing the Animas of a Pair to combine and affect both Bondmates I am still pondering and open to ideas on this.

There's a Sidereal charm which does this and then some, minus the Anima sharing, and it only affects the Sidereal plus one other person but gives a good base to work off of:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

LOVER'S OATH
Cost: 20m, 1wp; Mins: Linguistics 5, Essence 4;
Type: Simple
Keywords: Prayer Strip, Fate
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Blue Vervain Binding, Curse of
Abandoned Words, Favorable Infl ection Procedure
This Charm links the Sidereal and another person in
bonds of fate. The two characters need not actually be wed
or even in love for the Charm to work, however. They must
merely give assent of their own free will and understand
how completely their oath shall join them. Still, the bond
is sacred in the eyes of the Maidens, so it behooves the
Sidereal not to treat it frivolously.
To sanctify the Lover's Oath, the Sidereal writes the
Scripture of the Bride on a prayer strip. She wraps the strip
around her hand and her partner's hand. As she does so,
she recites an oath in Old Realm and makes the proper
expenditures. Her player and her partner's player then roll
(Intelligence + Linguistics). If between them their rolls
garner fi ve successes, the oath is sanctified and recognized.
In a fl ash, the prayer strip splits and transforms into two
starmetal rings set with sapphires, one on each participant's
fi nger. (This event is Obvious, but the subsequent effects
of the Charm are not.) Thereafter, neither character can
attempt to remove her or her partner's ring. Either ring can
be destroyed, but only by using the same rules that govern
breaking an activated prayer strip.
Once the oath is joined, each character can use the other's
Essence, Willpower and even health levels as her own (as
long as her partner has them to spend). Motes drawn from
the other person count as peripheral for the character using
them. Using a partner's health levels effectively shunts damage
from one person to the other at the behest of the person
doing the shunting. The recipient has no say in the matter
(at least not where the rules are concerned). The recipient
cannot transfer a wound back, either. That is, a wound can
be transferred from one partner to the other only once. If one
partner is wounded such that he has a more severe wound
penalty than the other partner, new damage that is not
infl icted by transfer via this Charm transfers to his partner
automatically until their wound penalties equalize.

[Marie Reynolds]

I would say  NC exotic would be ideal  for this as well.

[Muse]

Awesome. 

Though honestly the number of charms feels pretty low compared to the power level of the rest. 

I agree on NC Exotic System.  :) 

I'd like to play a dawn caste, then.  He'll probably be a swordsman/war leader, with focus on educating his people and improving their lot in life as well as defending them.  He'll learn Tiger WArrior Training Excercise, for example. 

Where do you want our Essence to start? 
Oh, I see. 

Are merits and flaws acceptable? 

[Marie Reynolds]

So while I am mulling over concepts.Just curious are  Dragon blooded not in consideration for this game?

[Zaer Darkwail]

I think you can play DB's but only for other players and not your main char (perhaps create the henchman/ally which helps lead command rated troops for said solar/lunar pair, or let either solar or lunar run DB chars besides their own chars).

[Rook Seidhr]

Yeah, I was going to ask about NC:Exotic too, because kinky Lunar shenanigans~

[Lockepick]

So I'm going to be that guy... How is our cast being selected? Are we looking for a full Circle? Are we setting up some sort of limitation on a PC Solar:Lunar Ratio?

Is everybody who shows interest in or will you be selecting a set number of PCs? Are you only allowing one per caste?

I was going to do a Twilight Crafter like I said before, but if somebody else is also considering it, your policy will effect what I pitch, you know?

[Caehlim]

You know I was thinking about putting this in NC:Human but then I thought---Oh, heck---LunarsNC: Exotic might be better---Thoughts?

I say with lunars it should go to NC:Exotic (as lunars shapeshifting can bring in potential bestiality to create beastfolks to guard the kingdom example).

Any bestiality would be Extreme category rather than Exotic.

Lunars most of the time would just be considered human though that really depends on how you consider their tells. Exotic would only really be the case for war-form or partial change.

[Rook Seidhr]

Well, NC:Extreme please then. Sorry, I forget all the categories sometimes because I rarely play on the forums.

hellrazoromega, exactly which backgrounds are you allowing? Just corebook plus Arsenal, Command, Panoply, Wealth?

[Caehlim]

Though honestly the number of charms feels pretty low compared to the power level of the rest.

It seemed a bit this way to me as well, although to be honest, I have a hard time judging the power levels in Exalted. I'm happy going with whatever, but it did seem a lot lower than the established solar/lunar for the number of charms.

[Caehlim]

Attributes:Lunars get to pick two favored attributes and pick two caste attributes

So this is instead of the normal three caste attributes and one favoured?

And do Lunars still get the free dot to put in a caste or favoured attribute?

Though honestly the number of charms feels pretty low compared to the power level of the rest.

Oh, actually this is probably because of the free excellencies.

[Rook Seidhr]

I am busily trying to hack Anathema 5.1.3 so it will allow character generation for this set of house rules without too much extra work.

[hellrazoromega]

Awesome.
Though honestly the number of charms feels pretty low compared to the power level of the rest. 
I agree on NC Exotic System.  :) 
I'd like to play a dawn caste, then.  He'll probably be a swordsman/war leader, with focus on educating his people and improving their lot in life as well as defending them.  He'll learn Tiger WArrior Training Excercise, for example. 
Where do you want our Essence to start? 
Oh, I see. 
Are merits and flaws acceptable?

After some consideration I am upping the Charms from 20 to 22--with the free Excellencies that should put folks at around 30. Essence is at 3 to start so with BP you can get to 5.
Still pondering Flaws and Merits.

Also I changed the Lunar Attribute thing to suit my tastes, it is in the link below, but now it is a Lunar 3 Caste Attributes and then they pick 2 favored rather than one.

So while I am mulling over concepts.Just curious are  Dragon blooded not in consideration for this game?

You’d be at a heck of a disadvantage but I am open to the idea.

So I'm going to be that guy... How is our cast being selected? Are we looking for a full Circle? Are we setting up some sort of limitation on a PC Solar:Lunar Ratio?

Is everybody who shows interest in or will you be selecting a set number of PCs? Are you only allowing one per caste?

I was going to do a Twilight Crafter like I said before, but if somebody else is also considering it, your policy will effect what I pitch, you know?

I am open, we don't need to have a full Circle and right now I am open to all comers, but I want to see backgrounds and then I can decide who makes the cut. Selling me on your background and the relationship (healthy or not) that your bond forms is key. This puts non Solars/Lunars behind the eight ball a bit—but sell me, like I said I am open. I am surely open to more than one per caste.

Well, NC:Extreme please then. Sorry, I forget all the categories sometimes because I rarely play on the forums.

hellrazoromega, exactly which backgrounds are you allowing? Just corebook plus Arsenal, Command, Panoply, Wealth?

Mostly, but I am open to petitions for others.

Any bestiality would be Extreme category rather than Exotic.

Lunars most of the time would just be considered human though that really depends on how you consider their tells. Exotic would only really be the case for war-form or partial change.

Good catch.

Character background thread—we can move all this there.

[hellrazoromega]

There's a Sidereal charm which does this and then some, minus the Anima sharing, and it only affects the Sidereal plus one other person but gives a good base to work off of:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

LOVER'S OATH
Cost: 20m, 1wp; Mins: Linguistics 5, Essence 4;
Type: Simple
Keywords: Prayer Strip, Fate
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Blue Vervain Binding, Curse of
Abandoned Words, Favorable Infl ection Procedure
This Charm links the Sidereal and another person in
bonds of fate. The two characters need not actually be wed
or even in love for the Charm to work, however. They must
merely give assent of their own free will and understand
how completely their oath shall join them. Still, the bond
is sacred in the eyes of the Maidens, so it behooves the
Sidereal not to treat it frivolously.
To sanctify the Lover's Oath, the Sidereal writes the
Scripture of the Bride on a prayer strip. She wraps the strip
around her hand and her partner's hand. As she does so,
she recites an oath in Old Realm and makes the proper
expenditures. Her player and her partner's player then roll
(Intelligence + Linguistics). If between them their rolls
garner fi ve successes, the oath is sanctified and recognized.
In a fl ash, the prayer strip splits and transforms into two
starmetal rings set with sapphires, one on each participant's
fi nger. (This event is Obvious, but the subsequent effects
of the Charm are not.) Thereafter, neither character can
attempt to remove her or her partner's ring. Either ring can
be destroyed, but only by using the same rules that govern
breaking an activated prayer strip.
Once the oath is joined, each character can use the other's
Essence, Willpower and even health levels as her own (as
long as her partner has them to spend). Motes drawn from
the other person count as peripheral for the character using
them. Using a partner's health levels effectively shunts damage
from one person to the other at the behest of the person
doing the shunting. The recipient has no say in the matter
(at least not where the rules are concerned). The recipient
cannot transfer a wound back, either. That is, a wound can
be transferred from one partner to the other only once. If one
partner is wounded such that he has a more severe wound
penalty than the other partner, new damage that is not
infl icted by transfer via this Charm transfers to his partner
automatically until their wound penalties equalize.

I knew I had seen something like that before--we may be working with that.

[eternaldarkness]

I knew I had seen something like that before--we may be working with that.

The Scroll of Errata version is even more perfect - it removed a lot of the restrictions like only targeting the Sidereal and another person.

[Marie Reynolds]

I am okay with not being on the same scale as the  solar's and lunars. I Would be making background ties with two others and working with them. Also I would be more confident in my character for something like this cause i know dragon blooded better then the others.

[AndyZ]

Locke, I've already put several hours into making Infinite Sky and would appreciate if you didn't poach.

[Lockepick]

Locke, I've already put several hours into making Infinite Sky and would appreciate if you didn't poach.

I'm trying not to read into the term 'poach' as being accusatory -- given that you had said before you were going Night Caste (or two other unnamed types). I had also put hours into the concept before you even mentioned Infinite Sky. I'm not trying to be confrontational, but will admit to feeling a little defensive.

[AndyZ]

I understand that you didn't mean anything by it.  That's part of the reason of listing concepts before you spend hours working on them, to keep people from just suddenly showing up with an idea that's too similar to your own.

You can imagine how irritating it would be if neither of us had mentioned and we ended up coming to the table with near-identical characters.

Next time, let people know and it'll help ^_^

[Lockepick]

I did list my concept. After you had listed different concepts. I did let people know. Perhaps you missed my post?

If we're starting off at some higher level of power -- I might consider a Twilight Crafter/Sorcerer -- especially given that I haven't heard anybody else say 'Twilight' or 'Sorcerer' yet.

[AndyZ]

So you did, okay.  Apologies, I missed it.

If you want the spot, I can just drop.

[Lockepick]

If you decide to drop, that's your call. I'm not asking you to drop, and that decision isn't on me.

[AndyZ]

Would you be interested at taking the sorc angle and I'll handle crafting?

[ChaoticSky]

There is no such thing as poaching. Or dibbs, or similar such childishness. Or atleased i hope not.

You should both make what you want, the ST will pick whichever is better, or both of you.

[Angie]

With all of the new rules, how powerful we will be, and significant changes to what he knows, I have decided I will be rebuilding Garrett from the ground up. He will be similar to this current sheet, but do note that currently, he is built for 2.5 Exalted with none of the current house rules (save for I added in all the free excellencies).

Also, locke, Andy, my two cents if anyone cares: I don't think anyone here gives a damn if you guys play characters with similar skills. Solar Exalted are meant to be supreme badasses that end up doing everything ANYWAY. As long as the personalities and playstyles are markedly different, does anyone here give an ounce of Moonsilver if you guys have similar skillsets?

EDIT: For anyone who wants to use Mythweavers, the 'new' sheets only has Exalted "1e" sheets, which lack any way of denoting favored attributes for Lunars. The 'old' sheets have an Exalted sheet that can mark it-as you can see in my Garrett example above. I'll be using the 'new' sheet as it does work for me, but a fair warning for the crowd.

[Marie Reynolds]

So hellrazoromega what will be the creation stuff or Dragon Blooded look like for this campaign?

[Lockepick]

Would you be interested at taking the sorc angle and I'll handle crafting?

I'll be going mostly Crafting. The only Sorcery I plan to take is for Summoning (to assist with crafting), Item Enhancement, and anything that helps with Architecture (Raising the Earth's Bones, Raise the Puissant Sanctum, Solar Sanctuary, etc.).  I might also take The Faithful Ally -- because being able to talk telepathically to my Scout/Infiltration boyfriend Lunar Mate sounds pretty sweet.