Exalted 2.5-Infernals

[Empyrean]

Hello everyone.

So I've been re-reading the MoEP: Infernals and I have an itch to play as one of the Green Sun Princes. I actually have two ideas percolating in my mind for a character. I'm hoping to find fellow players and a GM to run for us. :)

[Rajah]

Well, in as a fellow, definitely.

[Empyrean]

Awesome! Any idea of what you want to play?

Personally, my two ideas were as follows.

1.) A reincarnation of Amyana of Luthe as a Green Sun Princess. Malefactor with an Ophidian or Kimberian Urge.

2.) A young exalt who is the reincarnation of the sorcerer Five Moons. A Defiler with probably a Cecelyian Urge.

[Rajah]

I'd love to run a Slayer favoring Revlid's Metagaos! A sort of dark-eyed mashup of Conan the Barbarian and Thulsa Doom, with aesthetic influences from the British Raj.

Alternatively: Scourge favoring She Who Lives in Her Name. Love, zen, murder, and mad science.

[Empyrean]

Where is this Metagaos writeup?

And if we can find a GM what power level do you think we should start at? Fresh out of the box or more experienced Infernals?

[RSGAlex]

Gimme two or three days (to hopefully finish getting over whatever I've caught) and a link to the Metagaos stuff and I'll throw my hat in for GM. Or player if somebody else wants to do GM duties.

[Rajah]

Metagaos, the All-Hunger Blossom

I'm personally in the camp that the game runs best Essence 3-5 and falls apart pretty much immediately once you have stuff on your sheet that says "prerequisite: Essence 6." So I'd vote for slightly experienced but not very experienced, if our prospective ST is amenable to voting.

I know every Infernal player wants to play with the Devil Tiger stuff some day; a solution that worked okay in my home tabletop game was to hardcap Essence at 5 (cannot exceed by any means, Charms, age, Endowment, whatever) and just drop the entire tree by a point, which didn't break anything, since most of it's just aesthetics. But even without the DT stuff, I'd recommend staying below E6.

[ExisD]

Heya, I'd also be potentially interested as a player. While I do enjoy GMing Exalted, I don't enjoy doing it via pbp.

I have a couple of ideas dependent on what power scale is decided on. The biggest two are a Defiler of Kimbery with a heavy focus on craft(genesis) and minions or a Malefactor of Malfeas/Isidoros(if revlid's charmset is allowed) who really does want companions, but might not have the best ideas of how to go about getting them.

[Empyrean]

I like the idea of E 3-5 if our ST is cool with voting, and I like Rajah's solution of bringing the DT stuff down a dot.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I voice interest also and I agree dropping devil-tiger stuff by one dot, helping qualify for them without taking charm which allows buy 6th dot essence before first century. So far my own idea is a fiend deeply into Golden Years Tarnished Black, along with custom shintai charm in said tree.

[RSGAlex]

I gave Metagaos a quick look over and want to say it looks okay at first blush. Right now I'll be looking over the pompadour pig and digesting what's in that set. If people want to mess around with DT stuff, I don't' mind dropping it some.

As for where to start, if you guys want to pitch some Ess/Exp total ideas at me, pitch away. I'll give 'em a listen if nothing else.

EDIT: As I look over the Isidoros charms, I misread the line about 'peasants onto thrones' as 'peanuts.' I wondered if I missed an in-joke before re-reading.

[Re Z L]

I gave Metagaos a quick look over and want to say it looks okay at first blush. Right now I'll be looking over the pompadour pig and digesting what's in that set. If people want to mess around with DT stuff, I don't' mind dropping it some.

As for where to start, if you guys want to pitch some Ess/Exp total ideas at me, pitch away. I'll give 'em a listen if nothing else.

(Also, I'm always interested in Exalted)

I've also noticed that people tend to really like Infernals primarily for the DT stuff...  Why not just cut to the chase?  If we're already lowering the requirements, why not just start off as Essence 3 Devil-Tigers with our own charm sets?  Just a thought.

[ExisD]

I gave Metagaos a quick look over and want to say it looks okay at first blush. Right now I'll be looking over the pompadour pig and digesting what's in that set. If people want to mess around with DT stuff, I don't' mind dropping it some.

As for where to start, if you guys want to pitch some Ess/Exp total ideas at me, pitch away. I'll give 'em a listen if nothing else.

EDIT: As I look over the Isidoros charms, I misread the line about 'peasants onto thrones' as 'peanuts.' I wondered if I missed an in-joke before re-reading.

I'm actually much less interested in DT since coming up with entire charm sets tends to delay a lot of things and can be a problem for the GM.... Though this is coming from someone who decided to re-write the solar and abyssal charmsets at one point and I wouldn't object if everyone is up for it.

[RSGAlex]

No, it's a kind of tea. It's even in the name.

More seriously, I mentioned DT stuff because, one it was mentioned in the thread and two, because it's almost fully half of the signature Infernal high essence stuff. If the game does go far enough to make Ess 6 a consideration, I'll try to come up with something more impressive than just raw dice. (Although if anyone wants to tell me now that they want to make their character into Isidoros or Metagaos, say it now. I need to plan around these kinds of things. :P)

[Empyrean]

Essence 3 or 4 sounds good. Experienced enough to have maybe made names for ourselves.

Re ZL: Starting as Devil-Tigers. That's an interesting thought, but wouldn't that also mean starting with the Yozis already infuriated with us and gunning for us? Maybe the DT stuff can be something some of us work towards from creation if we're interested, without having achieved it yet?

[Re Z L]

Essence 3 or 4 sounds good. Experienced enough to have maybe made names for ourselves.

Re ZL: Starting as Devil-Tigers. That's an interesting thought, but wouldn't that also mean starting with the Yozis already infuriated with us and gunning for us? Maybe the DT stuff can be something some of us work towards from creation if we're interested, without having achieved it yet?

No, it's a kind of tea. It's even in the name.

More seriously, I mentioned DT stuff because, one it was mentioned in the thread and two, because it's almost fully half of the signature Infernal high essence stuff. If the game does go far enough to make Ess 6 a consideration, I'll try to come up with something more impressive than just raw dice. (Although if anyone wants to tell me now that they want to make their character into Isidoros or Metagaos, say it now. I need to plan around these kinds of things. :P)

The real difficulty behind DTs is building your charms, as ExisD pointed out, starting out as DTs at a lower essence (I couldn't see doing it at 2, but 3 is reasonable I think) means that you can build the charms a little more organically so to speak.  You'd only need to build up to Ess 3 charms at the beginning and could then create more as the game progresses and you gain essence.  It also means challenges are a bit easier to manage--things can get pretty silly at Ess 6+, where you're not usually fighting or adventuring so much as reshaping whole swathes of creation/underworld/malfeas to fit your vision of things.

The Yozis could be angry with them, though it's possible they don't fully understand what they're becoming either and think they still have a hold over them to some degree.  You could end up being the superstars of the Infernals (not necessarily a good thing), or you could be on the run from Hell AND the Realm AND the Sidereals AND...  you get the idea.

I'm not trying to advocate it or anything, and I've never done anything this way before so I don't really have any experience with how it might work out, just pointing out some options.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Usually if game starts with 'everyone is devil-tiger' it looses some charm in becoming one as I really want to play entering the chrysalis and the transformation but after I had done stuff as regular infernal.

So my own suggestion is that we start at hard cap 3-4, get bunch freebie charms/backgrounds (or plain XP if wanted) to make chars which can survive in exalted setting. Also some ST's had ruled you get automatic purchase of ox-body (or equivalent) from every essence increase past 1 (so essence 4 infernals in such rule has 3 purchases of devil-body). As means make chars survivable and not be 'that scared' of mortal hitting them with a mace to the face.

However point being I do like DT stuff come down the line but I also work way up to it (discover it, have secret talks with other PC's about discovery and means how we figure out alternative path to power and also get reason to become DT's in first place; why we would risk such gambit unless we wanted to be free from yozis influence).

[ExisD]

I'd second the suggestions of starting at 3-4 with some extra charms/backgrounds. I also think DT fits better when you're a bit higher power. The characters should be chaffing at their restrictions, both thematically and politically, then so rebellions fits much better. It also gives me at least more of an idea about where the character is going.

And one of the house rules I used to give some survive-ability is giving characters Stamina -0's, it also makes stamina worth buying.

[RSGAlex]

I'm always in favor of (Ess) Ox-Bodies. (Well, Hardened Devil-Bodies.) So that one's definitely in. As is 'Can buy extras HDBs to the normal limits for the charm.'


(And I would have to post juuust after Rajah left.)

[Empyrean]

I like the idea of building towards DT. I can certainly see my character (especially the Malefactor), chafing at the limits and wanting to be more. Starting off as regular Infernals and then building towards DThood seems like it would be an awesome story arc. :)

Also: What category should the game be in?

[Rajah]

Voting for Essence 3 and Essence rising by Storyteller fiat rather than experience. I'm against starting as Devil Tigers and for lowering 'em a dot, mostly for the same logistics reason that's been covered.

I got no intentions of playing the I'm-the-other-Malfeas game and am less excited by the Devil Tiger stuff than average; the Heretical keyword usually covers most of my homebrew needs, which aren't themselves immediate either.

I'd vote for (Essence) Ox-Bodies and free Caste or Favored First and Second Excellencies.

Also: What category should the game be in?

I'd vote Bondage Exotic Small Groups. Covers everything except NC.

[ExisD]

Also: What category should the game be in?

Given the events that happen, and things that exist, in canon in Exalted I'd say we'd probably want NC:Exotic unless people have major objections to potential content that would occur there. We aren't playing Lunars who would definitely call for that, but Infernals are the second worst, or best depending on how you look at it, in that regard.

If someone does have objections, I'd agree with Bondage being the right level.

[Empyrean]

NC: Exotic sounds like it would be good. Or Bondage.

[Rajah]

If I'm being honest, the reason I'm on Elliquiy is because it's one more site that offers roleplay, widening the net, rather than for its relatively unique culture and content offerings. No personal interest in NC content, but no objections either.

[Zaer Darkwail]

NC:Exotic I think is good also for exalted adult games (consider exalted canon). It may be not Rajah's cup of tea but other players may want do some stuff in exotic format (ofc in smut threats or own personal solo threads than in main story ones unless it's part of the plot).

So overall fine with essence 3 start along with that your favored/patron yozis first excellency and second excellency are bought as freebies if you got charm purchased from both (overall it can apply all exalts in the game; if you buy charm from a favored/caste ability you get first and second excellencies for free while third ones need purchased). Along with rule essence x ox-bodies purchased freely and can also buy extra top of that (up to usual limit which is stamina).

Besides extra XP or freebies (more BP to buy stuff or simply dictate '+10 charms from standard' or such).

[RSGAlex]

So my bad jokes about the possibilities of wearing ties aside, here's what I'm seein and thinkin' for making characters.

Ess 3, 3 free HDBs, your choice of free First and Second excellencies from either Patron or Caste Yozi (you could split that, but why?), 25 BP (Total), 175 XP, and (optionally) one Flaw that works FATE style. Meaning when it comes up, everyone gets extra EXP for it.

[ExisD]

That sounds good on my end. Though I do have one question still. What part of the setting were you thinking we'd start in?

[RSGAlex]

My initial, top-of-the head responses would be where the North starts to meet with the East or West, but I'm also a little partial to the South. I can also work some stuff in the straight up East or West. And given the scales, even avoid pirates and seas for that second one. :p

[Rajah]

My initial, top-of-the head responses would be where the North starts to meet with the East or West, but I'm also a little partial to the South. I can also work some stuff in the straight up East or West. And given the scales, even avoid pirates and seas for that second one. :p

Northwest sounds awesome. Never been there before.

[Empyrean]

Do we buy Backgrounds with a cost of 3xp per dot once we get into the xp part of making the characters?

[Re Z L]

The West and South are probably my favorite directions, followed by the East.

Say I don't suppose we could talk you into flat-xp costs  ;D

[ExisD]

My initial, top-of-the head responses would be where the North starts to meet with the East or West, but I'm also a little partial to the South. I can also work some stuff in the straight up East or West. And given the scales, even avoid pirates and seas for that second one. :p

Any of them besides straight East I like, though that's mostly because of how many games are just the East.

[Empyrean]

The West sounds interesting. My own character will be from there, though I'm open for playing wherever.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Many games in east but I am fine otherwise into any direction really.

[RSGAlex]

So, West or North-West, yes buy dots of backgrounds for 3 xp, and for flat XP I'd want charts, pies, and perhaps even hybrids. Or I could hand out BP in thread instead.

That sounds workable. I'd just need to break my love of 5.

[ExisD]

So, if anyone else wants to use it, here's a forum character sheet template I made a while ago.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Name: lorem ipsum

Caste:

Motivation:

Attributes

Strength:	1	Charisma:	1	Intelligence:	1
Dexterity:	1	Manipulation:	1	Wits:	1
Stamina:	1	Appearance:	1	Perception:	1

Abilities

Archery:        1 Martial Arts:        1  Melee:    1  Thrown:    1  War:    1

Craft:        1 Investigation:        1  Lore:    1  Medicine:    1  Occult:    1

Athletics:        1 Awareness:        1  Dodge:    1  Larceny:    1  Stealth:    1

---

Integrity:        1 Performance:      1  Presence:    1  Resistance:    1  Survival:    1

Bureaucracy:        1 Linguistics:        1  Ride:    1  Sail:    1  Socialize:    1

Specialties:        # words        1  more words    1  even more    1  and done    1

Virtues Compassion:  (1)1 Temperance:  (1)1 Conviction:  (1)1 Valor:  (1)1

Essence, Willpower, and MDV Essence: 3 Willpower: (4)4 MDV:    5

Backgrounds: #            words here    1     more word    1

Intimacies:     words here        more word

Combat

DDV:

4

PDV:

3

Soak:

4B/4L/2A

Hardness:

4B/4L/2A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Punch	5	2	0L	2	3	M	-

Health -0 ( )( )  -1 ( )( )( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )  -4 ( )( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  10/10 Peripheral:  10/10 Committed:  10/10

[Empyrean]

RSG: Do you think we'll be spending any time in Malfeas in between missions?

[RSGAlex]

That will definitely depend on you fine, (not-)fair folk and your choices. But it's certainly an option if you need to hide.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Aye, our own reps/behavior in Creation or Malfeas determines the factor can we go Malfeas (or do we need to).

[Empyrean]

Okay. I was just wondering because I was thinking of getting a Key to the Infernal Gates. Handy little artifact that opens a one-way passage to a random spot in Malfeas. Depending on the game it might or might not be necessary to have a quick way out of Creation. And I was considering a Hemisphere of Underwater Respite, which would let us have an undersea base of our own.

[Empyrean]

Here is a very rough first-draft of my Malefactor. It's not done, but I wanted to get feedback/opinions from the GM and the other players. I picture her as a social-fu monster who appears to be sweet and innocent while manipulating others. I imagine that she's been using her Medicine skill and Satchel of Resplendent Healing to get a reputation as a healer and a downright *nice girl*. Makes it all the easier to set up her/Cecelyne's cult and attract followers.

Zaer: You might recognize her as a variant on Karen. Only more ambitious and without a lover/partner to answer to. :p


BP: 25 (0/25)
Exp: 175 (0)
Charms: First Cecelyne Excellency (x3), Second Cecelyne Excellency, Sorcerous Initiation of Cecelyne, Loom-Snarling Deception, Eldritch Secrets Mastery, Open Palm Caress, Torn Lotus Defense, Flexing the Emerald Claw, Black Claw Style, Lion Mouse Strategem, Lotus Eye Tactics, Sifu's Useful Fingers, Transcendent Desert Creature, Locust Mana Plague

Spells: Flying Guillotine

Backgrounds: Cult (Cecelyne): 2, Backing (Cecelyne): 3, Influence (Cecelyne): 3, Savant: 4, Past Life (Amyana of Luthe): 4, Manse (HS: Stone of Loyalty): 5, Hemisphere of Underwater Respite: 3, Wings of the Raptor (Tainted Orichalcum): 4, Tainted Orichalcum Discreet Essence Armor: 2, Neomah Demon Ink Tattoo: 3, Chrysogona Demon Ink Tattoo: 3, Tongue of the Serpent Prince: 3, Cult: 2, Spies: 3, Unwoven Coadjutor: 2, Followers: 3, Resources: 3, Manse (HS: Jewel of the Lawgiver's Authority): 2, Manse (HS: Prism of Focused Passion): 3, Manse (HS: Jewel of the Desert Bodhisattva): 3, Tainted Orichalcum Dragons' Tear Tiara: 2, Tainted Orichalcum Hearthstone Amulet: 1, Resplendent Satchel of Healing: 4.




Name:            Caste: Malefactor
Motivation:
Attributes
Strength:           2   Charisma:          3    Intelligence:       4
Dexterity:          3   Manipulation:     6   Wits:                3
Stamina:           3    Appearance:       5    Perception:         4

Abilities
Archery:           0
Martial Arts:          5
Melee:       0
Thrown:       0
War:       0
   
Craft:           (Air: 2, Fire: 2, Water: 2, Magitech: 3)
Investigation:          0
Lore:       5
Medicine:       3
Occult:       5
   
Athletics:           0
Awareness:          3
Dodge:       0
Larceny:       0
Stealth:       0
---
Integrity:           5
Performance:        3
Presence:       5
Resistance:       3
Survival:       0
   
Bureaucracy:           2
Linguistics:          2
Ride:       0
Sail:       0
Socialize:       4
   
Specialties:           Bureaucracy (Corruption): 1, Presence (Persuasion): 1, Socialize (Courtly Intrigue): 1, Medicine (Childbirth): 1, Socialize (Seduction): 2

[Rajah]

You'll probably get more mileage out of the Verdant Emptiness Endowment line than Throne Shadow if you want to set up cults and stuff.

[Empyrean]

Thanks! I'll take another look at those charms. :)

[ExisD]

I also have a first-draft mostly finished. Some stuff is probably going to get shuffled around as I get more backstory thought up. Right now I'm thinking of a street fighter who learned how the world worked through violence from a young age.

I'm still working on what her moment of Exaltation would be. However, she continued behaving much the same way afterward, only recently realizing that it isn't the best way to accomplish her goals or actually find companionship rather than just people to fight.

Speaking of which, RSG how much do you want for our character's backstories?

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Name: Empty Sky

Caste:  Slayer

Urge: To be determined

Motivation:  'Befriend' a much more powerful being

Flaw:    Strike first, ask questions later.(Also applies to social attacks)

Attributes

Strength:	5(6)	Charisma:	4	Intelligence:	2
Dexterity:	5(6)	Manipulation:	1	Wits:	4
Stamina:	3(4)	Appearance:	5	Perception:	1

Abilities

*Archery:        0 *Martial Arts:        5(6) *Melee:    0  *Thrown:    5  *War:    1

Craft:        0 Investigation:        0  Lore:    1  Medicine:    0  Occult:    1

*Athletics:        5(6) Awareness:        2  Dodge:    1  *Larceny:    5  Stealth:    0

---

Integrity:        1 Performance:      1  *Presence:    5(6)  *Resistance:    3  Survival:    0

Bureaucracy:        0 Linguistics:        1  Ride:    0  Sail:    0  *Socialize:    2

Specialties:        # Unarmored(Martial Arts) 3  Refuge in Audacity(Larceny)    1  Breaking Things(Athletics)    2  Intimidation(Presence)    1  After fighting someone(Presence)    2  Improvised weapons(Thrown)    2

Virtues Compassion:  (4)4 Temperance:  (1)1 Conviction:  (2)2 Valor:  (4)4

Essence, Willpower, and MDV Essence: 3 Willpower: (8)8 MDV:    6

Backgrounds: #            vitriolic orichalcum smash fists    2     Blood Ape Demon Ink Tattoo    3     vitriolic Orichalcum Hearth Stone Bracers    2     Manse(Prism of inflamed passions)    2     Backing(Isidoros)    1     Cult    1     Influence(Isidoros demons)    1

Intimacies:     Through blows are true friendships forged(Belief/Desire)        Those who challenge her(Lust)        Isidoros(Admiration)        Find a new way of dealing with people(goal)

Combat

DDV:

7

PDV:

9

Soak:

7B/7L/3A

Hardness:

4B/0L/0A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Smash Fists	5	+3(18)	5B/2(13B)	+3	3	M	M, O
Smash Fists Clinch	7	+2(17)	4B/2(12B)	-	2	M	C, M, O, P
Improvised thrown object	5	+0(13)	3+(9B+)	-	2	5y	T

Health -0 ( )  -1 ( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )( )  -2 ( )  -4 ( )( )( )( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  17/17 Peripheral:  30/40 Committed:  10

Charms:

Malfeas:
1st Malfeas excellency*
Hardened Devil Body (3 free)
By Pain Reforged
Purity of Madness Defense
Pathetic distraction Rebuke
Insignificant embers Intuition
Green Sun Nimbus flare
Scarwrit saga shield x2
By Rage Recast    (normally keeps Air Adaptation, Inexhaustible, and Water Adaptation active when she has time to reset them)
{Night Vision 1, Large 1, Small 1, Air Adaptation 1, Fire Adaptation 1, Water Adaptation 1, Enhanced Eyes 1, Skin/Hair color change 1, Inexhaustible 2, Short Gestation 2, Impossible Joints 2, Huge 2, Tiny 2, Stone Body 6, Wings 6}
Devil Tyrant Avatar Shintai



Isidoros:
1st Isidoros Excellency*
Indomitable Hedonism Drive*
Unbothered By Flies*
Weight Exaggerating Ego Density*
Push to Shove Reply*
Beyond Your Feeble Reach*
Foe-Hurling Gore Strike*
Tower Toppling Tantrum Toss*
Regiments like Bowling Pins*
Whorehouse flinging Muscle*
Impeded by nothing*
Sinew and Debrei Corona
Roam All Over Carelessness
Cavorting Pig Idol Influence
Godless Debauchery Enlightenment
Raw Whimsy diligence
Pleasure is business
Door splintering Juggernaut Motion

Martial Arts:
Roots of the Brass Lotus
Lightning Mental Armament
Stubborn Monkey Hesitation
Hunter Bags the Deer
Bird of Paradise Whistles in the North
Poisoned Rat Moves without pride
First Pulse Form

Bp Spent:  25/25
Valor 4 - 3
Martial Arts 5 - 2
Presence 5 - 2
Thrown 5 - 2
Athletics 5 - 2
Larceny 5 - 2
Dexterity 5 - 4
Favored specialties 4 - 2
Manse 2 - 2
Charisma 4 - 4

XP: 171/175
17 charms - 136 xp
6 TMA charms - 24 xp
Stamina 3 - 8 xp
Socialize 2 - 1 xp
Conviction 2 - 3 xp

[eternaldarkness]

I am so very interested in this if there's still room, and I'm even willing to play a minion of someone or supporting character if it's full-up on infernals. I kinda owe ExisD anyway, so there you have it Exis: want a minion to kick around?

[RSGAlex]

It took a moment for me to realize that I hadn't said this, but the Pompadour Pig's charms are in. I think there's room but let me check for everyone one more time and get back to that. (But yeah, I think so.)

RE: Empyrean and sheet. That's one (socially) powerful gal. Throne Shadow (at Ess 3) is a hilariously powerful style against most spirits, mortals, and non-Exalted folk. Depending on the unarmed status of the rest of the group mastery can make it even more (really) scary or just nice additions to what you've got.

RE: ExisD, Two pages, double spaced, collage ruled paper. :P Nah, just a few quick paragraphs will do. If you want something more solid to look at, try a Strange FATE style write up or the like.

[Re Z L]

Hmmm...what do you think about TDO's rewrite of Laughing Wounds?

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Kiss of the Whip

Cost:  2m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 4; Type:  Reflexive (Step 1)
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Crippling, Stackable
Duration:  Instant
Prerequisites:  None

With a predatory smile, the martial artist lashes her foe with vicious exactitude, making him cry out in shocked agony. If an unarmed attack enhanced by this Charm hits its target, it deals no damage. Instead, that character suffers a Crippling effect, increasing the wound penalty he suffers by -1 for the rest of the scene. Multiple uses of this Charm stack their penalties to a maximum of (Martial Arts).

Sensuous Torment

Cost:  3m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 2; Type:  Reflexive (Step 9)
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Counterattack
Duration:  One Tick
Prerequisites:  None

The martial artist thrills to the torment that her pitiful enemies fear. This Charm can be activated in response to any attack that hits the martial artist, even if it does not successfully deal damage. She is overwhelmed by a wash of ecstatic essence, numbing her body to all pain. The martial artist gains bashing and lethal Hardness 20 against all attacks for the rest of the tick.

Laughing Wounds Form

Cost:  6m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 4; Type:  Simple
Keywords:  Form-Type
Duration:  One scene
Prerequisites:  Kiss of the Whip, Sensuous Torment

Even as blood runs down her skin, the martial artist laughs savagely, whirling undaunted through battle like a scarlet-streaked demon. While this Charm is active, any wound penalties the martial artist suffers are not applied to combat-related actions, unless she attacks or defends with a non-form weapon. Whenever she makes an unarmed attack, she adds the magnitude of any wound penalties suffered by the attack's target to her raw damage. Finally, she may pay a level of lethal damage in place of a point of Willpower to channel Conviction or Valor. If she suffers a wound penalty of -4 or greater, she need not expend a channel of the chosen Virtue when doing so.

Instructive Punishment Method

Cost:  4m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Reflexive (Step 1 for attacker, Step 2 for defender)
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Emotion
Duration:  Instant
Prerequisites:  Laughing Wounds Form

The proper application of pain swiftly teaches weaklings how to serve. The martial artist may activate this Charm whenever an enemy attempts to attack her, defend against an unarmed attack made by her, or attempts to defend against mental influence exerted by her. With a crack of her whip or a menacing glance, she terrifies the fool who dares defy her, causing them to suffer a -3 internal penalty on the action.  This is considered to be a wound penalty. If, within the same scene, the martial artist has dealt damage to the penalized character or imposed a Crippling effect on them with her unarmed attacks, this penalty is external. A character may pay a point of Willpower to resist all instances of this unnatural mental influence for the rest of their action.

Brand of Obedience

Cost:  3m, 1wp; Mins:  Essence 3, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Reflexive (Step 7)
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Crippling, Obvious
Duration:  Indefinite
Prerequisites:  Instructive Punishment Method

The martial artist truly owns her pathetic disciples, and can mark them as hers if she deems them worthy. If an unarmed attack enhanced by this Charm deals damage or inflicts a Crippling effect on the martial artist's foe, she leaves behind a disfiguring scar or an ugly welt. So long as she commits the motes spent on this Crippling effect, the wound is enchanted as a symbol of authority, and glimmers with the Old Realm rune for "Mine" if observed with essence sight. If a marked character attempts to attack the martial artist, defend against one of her unarmed attacks, or defend against mental influence exerted by her, she may choose to punish them for their disobedience by paying a single mote. The mark glows red and burns their skin, dealing (Essence) dice of lethal damage to them as a secondary Crippling effect. This damage ignores soak and Hardness from armor. Once the martial artist breaks her commitment to this Charm, the magic fades from the scar, though it remains until it is healed naturally.

Insatiable Slave Stamina

Cost:  4m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Reflexive
Keywords:  Combo-OK
Duration:  One scene
Prerequisites:  Laughing Wounds Form

Grinning as black bruises darken her skin, the martial artist demonstrates an even greater appetite for pain than she expects from her slaves. So long as this Charm remains active, the martial artist does not fall unconscious if reduced to Incapacitated by bashing damage. Instead, she remains fully aware and active, with further levels of bashing damage being converted to lethal normally. Furthermore, she may soak lethal damage with her full Stamina, and adds an amount equal to the magnitude of any wound penalties she suffers to her bashing and lethal soak.

Ecstatic Tenacity

Cost:  8m; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Reflexive (Step 7)
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Crippling, Obvious
Duration:  Instant
Prerequisites:  Insatiable Slave Stamina

The most terrible wounds mean less than nothing to one who has refined her tastes for agony. This Charm can be activated in response to any attack, reducing its raw and final damage to zero. However, this Charm does not prevent the martial artist from suffering, instead converting the damage to a Crippling effect that increases the wound penalties she suffers by -1 for the rest of the scene. Multiple uses of this Charm stack their penalties. This drawback is considered to be a unique Flaw of Invulnerability.

Rapture in Chains

Cost:  3m, 1wp; Mins:  Essence 2, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Supplemental
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Emotion
Duration:  Until released
Prerequisites:  Laughing Wounds Style

Victims restrained by the martial artist find themselves unwilling to break free.  If an unarmed clinch attack enhanced by this Charm succeeds, the martial artist's whip or chains seem to come alive as they twine around her foe, slipping into impossible knots of painful tightness. Whenever the grappled enemy rolls to establish control of the clinch, any wound penalties that apply to his roll are converted to external penalties. In addition, each time the martial artist would successfully deal damage to a clinched opponent by crushing him, she may instead cause him to lose a point of Willpower as an Emotion effect. If a character is reduced to zero Willpower while clinched, he gains an Intimacy of submissive lust towards the martial artist.

Groveling Penitence Prana

Cost:  7m, 1wp; Mins:  Essence 3, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Reflexive
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Compulsion
Duration:  Instant
Prerequisites:  Rapture in Chains

Daring to oppose the mistress's will is like begging for humiliation. The martial artist may activate this Charm whenever she holds a clinched enemy, rolling (Charisma or Manipulation + Martial Arts) as a reflexive social attack against his Dodge MDV. If the martial artist's roll succeeds, her foe falls to his knees in submission. He is incapable of acting for the rest of the scene as if he were clinched, even if the martial artist releases him from her clutches. This unnatural mental influence can be resisted for a cost of three Willpower.

Ravishing the Unworthy Heart

Cost:  10m, 1wp; Mins:  Essence 4, Martial Arts 5; Type:  Supplemental
Keywords:  Combo-OK, Obvious, Servitude
Duration:  Instant
Prerequisites:  Brand of Obedience, Ecstatic Tenacity, Groveling Penitence Prana

Shaping her lips into a kiss, the martial artist reaches forward to stroke her foe's chest. Then, with a grinning snarl, she plunges her hand through his ribs to rip out his heart. An unarmed attack supplemented by this Charm deals aggravated damage, leaving behind smoldering welts or bloody scars. In addition, if the martial artist's target suffers a wound penalty that exceeds their (Valor), then the attack is unblockable and undodgeable. If the penalty exceeds their (Valor + 3), it is also unexpected. Characters that have no temporary Willpower always suffer from an attack that is unblockable, undodgeable, and unexpected. If an attack enhanced by this Charm would slay the martial artist's enemy, she is faced with a choice. If she wishes, she may execute him, pulling out his heart with her bare hands or the tip of her whip in a gruesome fatality. A more merciful mistress, however, may choose to cancel all damage past her foe's Incapacitated health level in order to impose a Servitude effect on her victim. The victim's Motivation is replaced with a new Motivation of obeying the martial artist. Characters enslaved by this Charm may pay two Willpower to resist it for one scene, and are freed once they have spent a total of ten Willpower resisting this unnatural mental influence.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Here comes my char, I assume we are using the 2.5 scroll of errata and ink monkeys stuff is okay in general and assume in start anyway we can get dots in Infamy background (introduced in Broken-Winged Crane), works similar like Liege background for abyssals. I need however some people (or just one if able dual roleplay) my two allies; Whitefeather (my char's lunar mate) and Evony (brainwashed solar zenith, formerly prude but now hardcore nympho/sensualist with connections to Cult of Illuminated). As 3th dot ally each they are equivalent of starting chars (like us), anything less would been had 'nerfed' char gen. Also used flaws to get +6 BP points (flavorful weaknesses which could be bought overtime).

Damiel, Shadowclad Armando

Name: Damiel

Caste: Fiend

Urge (Adorjan): Remake anything that offends your aesthetic sensibilities or destroy them.

Motivation: Become free of all shackles binding him and become self-made god king of the world

Flaw: Pervert to fault (beautiful women are his weakness/distraction)

Attributes

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

Abilities

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

Craft:        0 Investigation:        1  Lore:    2  Medicine:    0  *Occult:    3

Athletics:        1 Awareness:        1  *Dodge:    5(8)  Larceny:    2  Stealth:    1

---

Integrity:        5 *Performance:      3  *Presence:    5  Resistance:    2  Survival:    0

*Bureaucracy:        1 *Linguistics:        3  *Ride:    1  *Sail:    1  *Socialize:    5

Specialties:        # Presence: Seduction        3  Ride: Demonic transportations    1  Dodge: Unarmored    3  MA: Unarmed  3

Virtues Compassion:  (3)3 Temperance:  (1)1 Conviction:  (5)5 Valor:  (5)5

Essence, Willpower, and MDV Essence: 3 Willpower: (10)10 MDV:    8(+3 vs manipulation)

Backgrounds: #            Artifact [V.O Hearthstone Bracer]    2     Ally [Whitefeather]    3     Ally [Lambent Spark Dancer]    3     Backing [Ebon Dragon]    1     Infamy    4     Influence [Ebon Dragon Minions]    1     Cult    1     Coadjutor [Neomah]    5     Manse [Shadowglass Valley]    4     Demonic Familiar [Agatae]    5

Flaws&Merits: #            (Use FATE trouble instead)    +?pts

Intimacies:     Mara (positive/love)        Malfeas (positive/home)        Yozis (negative/annoying overlords)        Whitefeather (positive/affection)        Lambent Spark Dancer (positive/trophy)      Gods (negative/neglecting assholes)        Underdogs (positive/entertaining)        Heaven (negative/stuck up folks)        Dragon-Blooded Women (positive/fetish)        Solars (negative/spoiled blessed assholes)        Cult of Illuminated (positive/amusing religion, lots to exploit)      FREE SLOT      FREE SLOT

Combat

DDV:

10

PDV:

6

Soak:

6B/6L/3A

Hardness:

3B/3L/3A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Punch	5	14	4B	+2	3	M	N
Kick	5	10	7B	-2	2	M	N
Clinch	6	10	4B	-	1	M	N,C,P

Health -0 ( )  -1 ( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )( )( ) -2 ( )( )( )( )( ) -4 ( )( )( )( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  19/19 Peripheral:  41/45 Committed:  4/4

CHARMS

Malfeas
Hardened Devil Bodyx3 (free)
By Pain Reforged, 1hl
Scar-Writ Saga Shieldx2, permanent

Ebon Dragon
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Shadow Spite Curse, 3m (free)x2
Witness to Darkness, permanent
Cornered Titan Desperation, permanent
Loom-Snarling Deception, 7m
Eldricth Secrets Mastery, permanent
Life-Blighting Emptiness Attack, 3m
Nemesis Self Imagined Anew, 1m
Soul Crack Exploitation, 1m
Cracked Cell Circumvention, 2m
Brooding Resentment Technique, 5m(+1-5wp)
Bloodless Murk Evasion, 8m

Black Claw (CMA)
Open Palm Caress, 4m
Torn Lotus Defense, 2m
Flexing the Emerald Claw, 3m(4m)
Black Claw Form, 5m
Storm-Calming Embrace, 3m
Doe Eyes Defense, 3m
Table Turning Reversal, 6m
Outrage-Kindling Cry, 10m+1wp

BONUS POINTS 25/25 (12) Increase Abilities +4 Socialize, +3 dodge, +3 Integrity, +1 Larceny, +1 Resistance (3) Purchase Specialties +6 dots worth to favored ones (5) Willpower Increase +5 (5) Raise Virtues +2 Compassion, +3 Valor

XP 175/000 -24 Attributes; +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence, Perception&Strength -6 Increase Abilities; +1 Lore, +2 Occult -57 Increase/Purchase Backgrounds; +2 Artifact, +4 Coadjutor, +4 Manse, +5 Demonic Familiar, +4 Infamy -88 Master 8/9 Black Claw charms, Brooding Resentment Technique, Bloodless Murk Evasion

Shadowglass Valley (manse in creation, deep south)

Name: Shadowglass Valley
Creation Points: 8 base + 6pts from flaws and low hearthstone
Hearthstone: Alluring Deception (allows use manipulation in place of charisma for social rolls)
Maintenance: 0
Fragility: 1
Habitability: 2
Features: Magical Conveniences, Minor Tricks and Traps, Well-Flavored Aspect, Hidden Passage, Puzzle Manse, Ultra-Deadly Traps, Greater Veil of Shadow, Outside Fate
Description: Deep in the south in no-where there is a special valley in middle of the desert which appears ordinary dune to any observer. A unimportant, nothing significant and absolutely nothing special about it.

However if some quirk of faith someone walks into that dune....they soon discover instead feverish burning heat of noon day or cool night they enter to mesmerizing twilight illumination and notice they stand in middle of hard rock grounded valley where stands numerous tall dark black glass pillars which have dark reflective glimmering surface.

The Shadowglass Valley is a manse devoted to Ebon Dragon which is five mile radius, a safe haven for one most cunning fiends in his service; Damiel. Originally a valley with crystal glass and having potent solar aspected demesne thanks naturally created glass pillars storing solar energy in them, Damiel twisted the demesne for more Ebon Dragon's image. At first he got fervid smiths work on the glass pillars and use his various contacts to create numerous illusions, wards and cunning magic entire valley which supports no building but would allow camping or other such transported luxurious base if so wished.

Then after all that work he erased memories of the workers by memory eels and those which he could not force loose memory he oathbound to never speak about Shadowglass Valley or even acknowledge it's existence.

The manse provides some luxuries to the attuned people in there (besides giving weak hearthstone which allows deceivers to charm people), the temperature is always set to pleasant inside the valley. Secondly it allows control shadows and illusions to create whatever imaginary attuned person wishes, including sound but it never creates any loud sounds nor bright colors. Thirdly it allows attuned people navigate through the manse flawlessly and know where it's located even while outside from it (which is invaluable as otherwise they would never know where it is even if they had visited it once). Last but not least is that manse suppress any light source which essence rating is less than manse rating (meaning solars of 3th essence do not glow much when going iconic), this feature can be turned on or off by attuned people in even specific areas in the valley.

Also as manse was build by demons and other beings outside of fate the manse does not register in heaven despite it uses primordial essence and any blasphemy charms used inside manse radius do not show up at all. Nor any astrology locate people who are inside the manse and even most extreme case just mislead pursuer away from the manse once person enters it.

The another potent ability is it's ability hide in plain sight, as mentioned before to anyone outside manse the manse looks nondescript dune. Even to essence sight or other means. Only perfect awareness contested with roll against manse rating vs user's essence would allow them see the valley with glass pillars cloaked in shadows even on noon.

However even if manse is quite fragile to break it's not without defenses or cunning traps. First is that any person not attuned who enters immediately looses sight upon their companions if they loose gaze from one another even for a second. Thanks the illusion clouding the valley they could not hear each other even if they stand adjacent to one another. Only accidental physical contact breaks this simple trick. Then most deadly trap is that if unattuned person walks by glass pillars and looks on their reflection, their reflection leaps out and clinches them! Person needs feat of strength 15 to break free from the grip while shadowy reflection doppleganger drags them towards glass pillar which spawned it. If person does not break free in ten ticks from the doppleganger, they get sucked inside the dark glass pillar and remain imprisoned in shadow dimension (TED's own plane which counts same as being elsewhere) until hearthstone owner comes release them or manse is destroyed.

Also another cunning feature is that those who enter the manse have hard time leaving it out, as illusions, sounds and other geomantic factors make navigating inside the valley by unattuned person very difficult. Resulting them run in circles. With Intelligence+Larceny roll with difficulty 4 they can figure out how illusions deceive them and thus start see the signs when manse attempts deceive them to other direction and thus no longer fall to the trick. However as manse has no rooms and is vast space basically it means they can only use dices for this check which is equal to number of scenes spend in the valley or number of days. Meaning figuring out the trickery is slow and long process even expert cunning minded individuals.

Also manse provides some minor but useful benefits for those attuned to the manse. First is that manse provides minor boon on those who use manse provided shadowy illusion powers (well-flavored aspect) and also provides hidden passages in form of walking into shadow of specific glass pillars which hold dimensional door which allows rapid traveling inside the valley, ambush intruders or allows even exit for it. However to spot said secret doors is perception + [Awareness or Investigation] difficulty 4 if not specifically looking or otherwise 2. However because subtle nature of the manse the doors appear nothing more than unmoving 'deeper and darker' shadows besides glass pillars so intruders may not know significance of it at all without stepping on said shadow and teleported unintentionally it's other end.

Background

Damiel's story as mortal is pitiful case scenario. He was born ugly in east where his parents raised bog pigs, supposedly their shit is top class fertilizer in various nations across Thousand Kingdoms but it did not change the fact his entire life resolved around mucking shovels of shit from hippo sized pigs. Local population was heavily inbred and thus inbred marriages were common, despite his desires to break free from the lifestyle and going adventuring (see the world and become someone) he was bullied by his parents and discredited by his friends who always made jokes on his freakish appearance.

However his parents wanted him settle down (and forget any dreams of grandeur) and they married him second ugliest person in entire community...a marriage which he did not agree to but was forced to endure the ceremony. However ceremony was interrupted by raiders who slew his wife (he had chance save her or get her run with him but he did not do either as he was too scared). Raiders slew his parents but he felt only joy than sorrow from that, including slaying his friends and his wife.

However, as raiders eventually found him he was not killed....he was raped by them (they considered him a freak and they wanted 'play' with survivor) and made suffer torture on their amusement so they got to see 'a human pig to squeal!'. Squeaking he did while begging to be killed.....but instead was left alive broken laying in bile of shit and blood by raiders who did not want even honor him with a merciful death. Leaving him further crippled, scarred and certain to die without having functional limbs left in his body.

By this point neomah approached, most gorgeous being he had ever laid eyes on offered him chance to become great....reshaped, re-sculpted to perfection and made anew. A chance for revenge on the unjust world which had not heard his plea and which had made him suffer so much and being broken and written awful fate....as there was other broken beings who knew what defeat and being broken feels like; yozis. Damiel embraced the offer and thus he was remade anew, forsaking entirely his past life and past life and taking moniker of Damiel as he embraced his new life; becoming most handsome seductive devil as there is. A chosen of Ebon Dragon, yozi of lies and deception.

Albeit chosen as a fiend he dislikes being bossed around, in truth he seeks freedom in his services to reclamation but he haven't found one yet. In itself his goal mimics very closely his patron's to point he is more than eager to betray him.....which no doubt Ebon Dragon would take great delight in knowing his own minion thinks so much alike him and one reason why he gets surprisingly well along with Damiel. Also surprisingly Damiel gets along with third and second circle Ebon Dragon demons than Ebon Dragon itself. Most remarkable case is with Mara herself, which became soon his mentor who taught him martial arts and how to fight gracefully and educated bit on embracing his Ebon Dragon charms effectively. In truth in tutolage he fell in love with Mara; she was all around perfect girl for him.

However, he does not know one reason why Mara so eagerly taught was because she serves as last resort security mechanism as Ebon Dragon knows Damiel plans betray him and amongst first ones to learn it is likely his only loved one; Mara. Once his plan is known and how stop it, Mara's task is to slay Damiel with the ultimate technique of Black Claw, a technique which she haven't taught yet to Damiel. However her attraction to Damiel is not just business but pleasure; as he already in name of Reclamation has caused hefty chaos amongst Icewalkers (which amongst he seduced his lunar mate; Whitefeather) and then later got brainwashed by zealous solar Lambent Spark Dancer but he broke free from her compulsion charms and turned same game against her and turned her from prude purist into shameless nymphomaniac and sensualist (and his lover and have in spirit forsaken Cult of Illuminated but still 'acts' as believer of said cult). So he is man who is bringing misfortune and ruin to others, and that if anything else draws and excites Mara.

Coadjutor

The neomah who bonded with Damiel is called Szurai, she is unique amongst neomah's even before merging with Damiel. She is neomah who broke boundaries of her own form in self-performing flesh-crafting charm what neomah's had! It broke no laws back in her time, however such knowlegde approached self-granted ascension beyond her status as serf so Cecelyne made a law that point that neomah's cannot target themselves or other demons with said charm nor research how to do it (so that's forbidden knowledge in itself). However only punishment from her mishap was erasing memory of how she did it. She became elevated serf (a citizen and close to second circle demons over time as she build influence and contacts), fellow neomah adored and worshiped her as kind motherly figure. However, then her reign of celebrity ended as she was assigned to be coadjutor of green sun prince.....and at first she thought it was cleverly pulled ploy by some jealous citizen but then she delighted on finding Damiel and working his ugly misshapen form into anew much handsome form.

Since then she had coerced, encouraged and educated Damiel to be charming, social savy and popular as possible in hell's politics and social circles. In return she asks only regularly have pleasure with someone, in sex, food and so on as Szurai was sensualist in life and enjoyed procreating life even if she does so now through urgings with Damiel (and give sort mental fetish kick for dragon-blood women).

Wildris (agatae familiar)

Wildris was Damiel's assigned mount, escort and bodyguard in Malfeas in his first years in Malfeas where he learned the ropes being green sun prince. He grew fond of Wildris (she was beautiful creature and charming company) and they bonded together in the numerous times he rided on her through Malfeas and just enjoy the flight. Such simple, honest passion bonded them together to point Wildris connected with his exaltation in deeper level and had become even part to point jealously covet for Damiel's time and attention.

Details: Standard agatae expect following changes; +1 to Appearance and Wits. She also has these two charms known; Blessed Air Body (can confer it's benefit to rider as well so long rider is riding agata), Shatter (a 40 yard radius sonic boom which is undodgegable and needs parry DV 10 to avoid and does 14B which cannot be soaked by armor). Only works if agata has lost rider or it's rider is hurt by someone or when agata decides jealously perform it part of jealous temper tantrum.

[RSGAlex]

It'll be a little bit before I can say too much about Wounds Style (need to reference stuff because of numbers changes, et. al) but do want to chime in with this reminder. Flaws are being done FATE-ish, so you have one and it grants good stuff when it occurs.

But while I'm looking up stuff, what do people want to see more, the five closest islands or the city-state of the North closest by?

[Empyrean]

Having an idea of where we're starting is good. I vote the five closest islands and the city-state nearest to them in the North. :)

[Zaer Darkwail]

Well, I have both regular FATE flaw but also there is flaws&merits which have actual rule mechanic element (example intolerance vs ugly people I have to roll temperance or else I go literally insult barrage/hostile vs them to point I can murder someone just being ugly). Vice other hand gives penalty to my temperance rolling and need successfully roll temperance or succumb to the vice.

Anycase cities or places to check out in North; I want check the city state of the north (than the islands). But I am fine with what others prefer :).

[Rajah]

Having an idea of where we're starting is good. I vote the five closest islands and the city-state nearest to them in the North. :)

You just voted for both options. :p

I vote islands. I like islands.

Well, I have both regular FATE flaw but also there is flaws&merits which have actual rule mechanic element

I think RSG is saying we're not using flaws & merits at all - just one Flaw, which is similar to a Trouble in FATE.

[ExisD]

It'll be a little bit before I can say too much about Wounds Style (need to reference stuff because of numbers changes, et. al) but do want to chime in with this reminder. Flaws are being done FATE-ish, so you have one and it grants good stuff when it occurs.

But while I'm looking up stuff, what do people want to see more, the five closest islands or the city-state of the North closest by?

I'd vote for more info on the islands.... even though my character has no good means of reaching them besides hiring someone or using charms to manage something.

[RSGAlex]

Oh, both will be explained. I'm just going to be limited to my phone for the next day or so, which makes more than one a bit of a pain.

Similarly, Urges won't be finalized but if people want to either give me ideas on how much it may chafe their character Or pitch some, I won't be adverse. Just slow in responding.

[Re Z L]

I'd probably vote for the islands as well  :)

On another note, since someone seems to have already chosen to use Black Claw I might not be using Laughing Wounds after all  ;D

I think I'll probably be exploring some Cecelyne and Malfeas charms--wish granting, society/cult building, and green fire wielding specifically.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I think RSG is saying we're not using flaws & merits at all - just one Flaw, which is similar to a Trouble in FATE.

That would be quite a pickle for me to edit the sheet then if that's the case  :-\ . Just want RSG confirm it once he can post in other format than using a phone :P.

[eternaldarkness]

I'm going to pass on this one after all. I just remembered how not fun exalted is to actually play, especially online with a ton of custom content. I'd brave it for Sidereals, but not infernals. Have fun guys!

[Empyrean]

Re ZL: It sounds like we might have two cult-builders then. My character primarily has Cecelyne charms, with a little bit of Ebon Dragon for hiding what she is.

What are we doing for transportation? Should one of us get a airship or something?

[Zaer Darkwail]

My char has agatae as a mount (demonic familiar), so his own mobility is covered but cannot cover the group (I doubt agatae can carry more than 2-3 people at time).

[Empyrean]

My character has Wings of the Raptor for both flight and social-fu purposes. And a Hemisphere of Underwater Respite so we can have an undersea base.

[ExisD]

I was planning on using a combination of Larceny and Pleasure is Business to find transportation when it's needed, even though it may not be the most efficient means.

[RSGAlex]

Well my computer finished the boot time scan approximately a long-fuck-ton sooner than expected, so I'm on it. And yeah, one Flaw (which if you want it to be one of the canon M&F flaws that's not barbarian it can be) which works like a FATE Trouble. And because I have a working keyboard, I'm going to do both the islands and the city-state.

Dalanth Ganharva

Dalanth Ganharva is often considered, by foreigners, to be one of the Realm's satrapies in the North. It's a reasonable assumption, as they see money changers of the Realm, a number of places bear inscriptions in the tongue of the Realm, and the current lord is known to entertain traveling Dynasts with lavish feasts. Those foreigners are wrong, as the five-hundred-thirty-five year succession of (seeming divinely) empowered madmen and women has never once been part of the Realm and (so locals claim) never bent knee to the Realm.

Those locals are technically correct. Through diplomacy, ostentatious but cheap gifts, and ridding the current dynasty of the selfish ghost of a former lord, the Realm has gained frequent gifts and aid from the rulers of Dalanth Ganharva for far less than the food spent for a single legion's wing.

The current ruler is Lord Neti the 12th,  Charan, and has passed the honor of holding the ancestral weapon of the rulers of the city-state on to his wife, Lady Neti, Neo Damega, a minor house patrician. By technicality, the use of the god-bludgeon means that rule has descended upon Charan's wife, but few wish to press the matter as she may not be able to lift it and manifest the smashing head made of woven essence.

Economically, it the city is a place for the more independent places of the West and North to do discrete trade with the Realm, and the city itself employs only a small navy. The current lord and lady of the city are instead focusing on building up their army to expand their claims, with a focus on arming their soldiers against the two largest problems to their claims, the dead and the wyld-folk.

For this reason the foundries of the city make iron day and night and a small academy of necromancy has been... discretely opened.

Their territorial claims cover great swaths of land mostly unopposed. The claims to the north have yet to recover from the predations of the fair folk, to the east the claims are mostly shadowland, and only small parts of the land to the south belong to the Realm. How the satrap deals with the claim is still unknown, but many in the city think that it will be given up for iron and steel.

The inhabitants of the city, due to strange mixtures of Realm-ish phraseology and Immaculate teaching blending with local legends, tend to avoid the use of proper names of locations and spirits outside of titles as proper names are seen as a kind of icon for abstract things.

Five Islands

Of the five closest islands to Dalanth Ganharva, two of them are considered part of the city proper, and are connected by great, many miles long walls that once formed a great enclosed harbor for the city. They are referred to in Dalanth as being the Great Far North and Great Far South of the city. Unfortunately, while the skills that built the walls were exceptional, the materials weren't. A century ago raiders crashed a ship into the southern wall and broke through. The hole remains to the current day.

There is little of interest on either of the islands.  A lighthouse, a small garrison, and a farm was built on each by a previous Neti's decree, but the farms grow little and there are no great raids in recent years. With each year that passes the snowflowers claim a bit more of the farmland, some claim spread by plotting fair folk. Only the most dedicated of map makers knows the islands names, which locals believe attracts the monsters of the wyld, seeking to turn Creation's lands into Chaos.

The uninhabited island of Juniper is the furthest of the unconnected islands and has little to offer beyond juniper trees, wild life, and privacy. Two companies keep small camps to harvest the fruit of the trees and occasionally hunt the animals there, but the island's shape and seafloor offer several points of landing around it's circumference.

The island of Snowflame lies furthest away from anything but the ice sheets and Juniper. It would make a good outside point of departure for its cove and rich soil. Two problems keep the island from falling into the hands of Dalanth or the Realm. The first is that it is inhabited. The natives of Dalanth say it is inhabited by demons of ice and flame. The men of the Realm say that it is personed by men and women warped into unnatural forms by the uncapped demense of a volcano that lies at the heart of the island. The demense is, of course, the second problem as its influence quickly turns any unfrozen water on the island into hot volcanic ashes.

The last island, now called Waste but once called Leeward, was quickly inhabited once the richness of the lands of Shanarinara was announced to the world, as a would-be diviner claimed that Leeward would bring equal richness to Dalanth. It was quickly abandoned as the island showed no such wealth and currently is home to a small outpost that makes claims of cityhood. Some search the island hoping for a vein of jade, but most attempt to make money trading with far ranging ships from the West or the natives of nearby Rajtul (well, relatively nearby).

[Zaer Darkwail]

Okay, so one flaw which can give BP but functions also as FATE system trouble trait (which gives XP). That case I take my vice trait then.

[RSGAlex]

Just one flaw which works like a FATE Trouble. Sorry for not being clearer, but I guess I misread. (And also spent a bit too much time with the two spoiler above. And I need to edit something out of that last paragraph now that I look at what I forgot to remove.

[Empyrean]

I'm not familiar with FATE. Taking a Flaw gives us extra points?

[RSGAlex]

If it comes up in game and is an inconvenience, Extra EXP.

[ExisD]

As of finding there's an infernal version of Swallowing the Lotus Root, I've partially fixed the travel issue.... Assuming Sky can be obvious about it because it's by means of By Rage Recast and growing wings.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Okay, edited my sheet and I got all things I wanted (just needed swap purchase ability dots with BP and backgrounds through XP instead to get just bit extra XP needed to get things which I wanted). So now flaw shenanigans besides FATE one.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Oh, and should mention I got friend of mine play both of my allies (run them both as his own chars, however he may not always be able to post so time to time I NPC my allies when needed).

[RSGAlex]

For the three characters that I see, I have three proposal Urges for their players to consider... or counter-propose.

For Empyrean, I don't see a Motivation, or at least missed it in three re-reads, so I'm not too sure how this one may conflict. Urge (Isidorite): Bring the Coastal Satrapies to rebellion. Explanation: While there's not a motivation, I see a goal and this one dovetail with it. And also provide a problem.

For ExisD, you said something that will chafe later on, so how about (Pyrean) Destroy the Divine Cult of the Hunter's Spear. Explanation: It should bring Empty Sky into contact with several divinities, some laudable, some loathsome, and some even bear those appellations from perspectives other than Hobo-chan's.

And for Zaer, I propose a twist on one of the sample Adorjani Urges. Remake anything that offends your aesthetic sensibilities... or destroy them. Explanation: For some reason, beauty, aesthetics, and the like caught in my mind when thinking of your character. And so with a little change I think it's something that can both be a boon and a spur for becoming the master of your own Urge.

[Zaer Darkwail]

It sounds quite suitable adorjani urge; either turn ugly people beautiful or something what I find pleasing to my own image or destroy/ruin them :).

[ExisD]

That sounds like a pretty good urge on my end.

[Empyrean]

The urge sounds pretty good. I'm thinking her Motivation is: "Rule in decadence and splendor unheard of in Creation, Yu-Shan, or Malfeas, and be adored for it."

Background wise, I'm thinking she comes from the Traitorspawn of Luthe. The descendants of the Dragon-Blooded who killed the Solar Queen Amyana. They live as despised slaves. The way I'm thinking right now, is that she was an exceptionally pretty slave who worked her way into the confidences of some of the overseers and plotted a rebellion. Things went to hell and she abandoned her revolutionaries to save her skin at the moment when an Infernal Exaltation was nearby. Held in prison afterwards to be sacrificed by the cult of Leviathan that rules the city, the demon contacted her. It wasn't a hard sell.

So once she Exalted (with Amyana's Exaltation no less), she fought her way out and escaped to the surface. And now she wants to gather power, followers, and wealth. Basically she wants to become powerful, go back to Luthe, claim it for her own, and use it as a base for the Reclamation. Getting the Coastal Satrapies to rebel (and to worship her) would be a a fitting Urge on her way to her goal. :)

[ExisD]

On backstory, how much should we know about each other before game start?

Sky's fairly low key, for a very unsubtle infernal anyway, but that doesn't sound like it'll be true for any of the others so far.

[RSGAlex]

I figured that absent working together in the past, everyone knows a short introduction  (veracity not guaranteed ) and one at least somewhat impressive event of the past. Veracity still not guaranteed, but more likely.

[Anansi]

Hey, there! I'm Zaer's friend who he wants to play his allies. Quick question: since his allies are basically his girlfriends, are there any restrictions on infernal artifacts? I could see him wanting him to get them something, but at the same time, I think Hell's artisans would have problems equipping celestials who aren't even akumafied.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Well, Damiel has Infamy 4 dots (so he is both famous and highly influential in hell's society). So I imagine if he says his 'girlfriends' which one is lunar and other a solar (neither akumafied) are thoroughly under his thumb thanks UMI/Brainwashing, he can sound pretty convincing about it and so let get them helltech artifacts (example his lunar mate could have those infernal tattoos which help her be immune elements in Malfeas).

[Re Z L]

Merela, The Demon Queen (WIP)

To Do:

• Character History
• Crunch Calculations

Name: Merela

Caste:  Slayer

Motivation:  Unite the Dragon Kings into worshipping her instead of the Unconquered Sun

Attributes

Strength:	2	Charisma:	4 (+1)	Intelligence:	2
Dexterity:	4 (+1)	Manipulation:	3	Wits:	3
Stamina:	3	Appearance:	5 (+1)	Perception:	2

Abilities

Archery:        0 Martial Arts:        0  Melee:    4  Thrown:    0  War:    2

Craft:        0 Investigation:        0  Lore:    2  Medicine:    0  Occult:    4

Athletics:        2 Awareness:        3  Dodge:    3 (+1)  Larceny:    0  Stealth:    0

Integrity:        2 Performance:      3 (+1)  Presence:    4 (+1)  Resistance:    0  Survival:    1

Bureaucracy:        2 Linguistics:        2  Ride:    0  Sail:    0  Socialize:    3

Specialties:        # Melee (Polearms)        1  Socialize (Discern Motivation)    1  Bureaucracy (Bending Rules)    1  Occult (Demons)    1  Performance (Dancing)    1  Athletics (Graceful Motion)    1  Martial Arts (Performing Kata)    1

Virtues Compassion:  2 [ ] [ ] Temperance:  2 [ ] [ ] Conviction:  3 [ ] [ ] [ ] Valor:  3 [ ] [ ] [ ]	Essence and Willpower Essence: 3 Willpower: 10
	[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Backgrounds: #            Backing (Malfeas)    1     Influence (Malfean Demons)    1     Cult (Malfeas)    1     Influence (Seven Stranded Vine)    2     Artifact (Demon-Ink Tattoo)    3     Artifact (Orichalcum Infinite Resplendence Amulet)    3     Artifact (Crown of Malfean Splendor (as Necklace of Solar Charisma))    3     Cult (Seven Stranded Vine)    2     Manse (Stone of Loyalty)    5     Infamy    2     Cult (Outpost on the Island of Waste)    2

Intimacies:     Dragon-Kings - Dutiful Ownership        An-Teng - Bitter Nostalgia        Florivet - Respect        Malfeas - Empathetic Servitude        Worship - Smug Sense of Deserving

Combat

DDV:

4

PDV:

3

Soak:

4B/4L/2A

Hardness:

4B/4L/2A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Punch	5	2	0L	2	3	M	-

Health -0 ( )  -1 ( )( )  -2 ( )( )  -4 ( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  10/10 Peripheral:  10/10 Overdrive:  0/0 Committed:

Charms   Malfeas   Hardened Devil Body x3   Insignificant Embers Intuition   Green Sun Nimbus Flare   By Pain Reforged   By Rage Recast   Nightmare Fugue Vigilance   Scar-Writ Saga Shield x2   Cold Fire Desolation Brand   Rebuking Impudent Arms   Vitriolic Corona Endowment x2   Star-Piercing Spear of Glory   Impervious Primacy Mantle     Cecelyne   First Cecelyne Excellency x3   Second Cecelyne Excellency   Hellscry Chakra   Transcendent Desert Creature   Demonic Primacy of Essence   Sands Through Fingers Defense   Sorcerous Enlightenment of Cecelyne   Penitents Like Scattered Grains   Temple Self Apotheosis   Locust Mana Plague   Verdant Emptiness Endowment   As You Wish   Scoured Perfection of Form     She Who Lives In Her Name   Chirality Prohibition Index   Sorcery   Slave-Spawn Summons   Conjuring the Azure Chariot

Expanded Backgrounds

Demon-Ink Tattoo (3)

• Gilmyne, the Dancers at the Saigoth Gates
• The tattoo is a glimmering flame that covers her back as well as minute trails that outlines her lithe musculature.  At the center of the tattoo on her back there is a figure of a prismatic being dancing which seems almost to remain in constant motion.
• Specialties:  Performance (Dancing), Athletics (Graceful Motion), Martial Arts (Performing Kata)
• Abilities: +1 Presence, +1 Performance, +1 Dodge
• Attributes:  +1 Appearance, +1 Charisma, +1 Dexterity

Bonus Point Expenditure

• 1 BP - Melee 3 -> 4
• 2 BP - War 0 -> 2
• 2 BP - Occult 2 -> 4
• 1 BP - Dodge 2 -> 3
• 1 BP - Performance 2 -> 3
• 2 BP - Presence 2 -> 2
• 5 BP - Willpower 5 -> 10
• 4 BP - Appearance 4 -> 5
• 1 BP - Conviction 2 -> 3
• 3 BP - Artifact Background:  Orichalcum Infinite Resplendence Amulet
• 3 BP - Artifact Background:  Crown of Malfean Splendor (as Necklace of Solar Charisma)

Spent XP

• 8 xp - Charm:  Cold Fire Desolation Brand
• 8 xp - Charm:  Rebuking Impudent Arms
• 16 xp - Charm:  Vitriolic Corona Endowment x2
• 8 xp - Charm:  Star-Piercing Spear of Glory
• 8 xp - Charm:  Sorcerous Enlightenment of Cecelyne
• 8 xp - Spell:  Slave-Spawn Summons
• 8 xp - Charm:  Penitents Like Scattered Grains
• 8 xp - Charm:  Temple Self Apotheosis
• 8 xp - Charm:  Locust Mana Plague
• 8 xp - Charm:  Verdant Emptiness Endowment
• 8 xp - Charm:  As You Wish
• 8 xp - Charm:  Impervious Primacy Mantle
• 12 xp - Wings Mutation
• 16 xp - Charm:  Scar-Writ Saga Shield x2
• 15 xp - Manse Background:  Stone of Loyalty
• 6 xp - Infamy Background
• 8 xp - Spell:  Conjuring the Azure Chariot
• 6 xp - Cult Background:  Group on the city of Waste
• 8 xp - Charm:  Scoured Perfection of Form

Other Images

Character History

Nothing is more important in An-Teng than the sanctity of Family.  With it one can rise to their nearly predestined station in the world, and without it one is trampled underfoot by even the lowest of Tengese common-folk.  So when the bastard child is born there are only two options for its existence: being taken in by a gracious family or being cast into the ranks of the so-called Misbegotten.  Prince Laxhander was little more than a hanger-on to the whims and culture of The Realm and so it came as no surprise that he often let them bed the women in his family in hopes to curry favor, if not to gain some Dragon-Blooded descendants as well.  When it was his wife he was giving away things got a little more out of control.

A visiting member of the Ragara Soras household, guest of the Satrapy, had complimented Laxhander on the beauty of his wife, which Laxhander took to mean something entirely different.  Tengese culture, as a mystery to The Realm as it was, made the visiting Merchant Lord unsuspicious when Laxhander then offered her up to him.  Laxhander's wife, while angry, dutifully bowed her head and accepted the visitor into her bedchamber.

The Ragara Soras merchant eventually left, ignorant of the damage he had caused.  Laxhander's wife scolded him in secret until she began to show signs of pregnancy.  It was then that the Grandmother of the family became involved.  Laxhander's wife was hidden away to conceal any sign or news of the pregnancy being revealed and after the birth it was decided that the child would be taken away to the scores of other Misbegotten in the Shore Lands.  Few actually knew what had happened, and after the birth the child disappeared from the minds of the royal family.

Years went by, dragging like a blade across the skin, in the Shore Land among the other Misbegotten.  She learned to protect herself as best she could, but was weak and young.  One defining moment of her young life was when she was being accosted by a Tengese merchant who had been spending far too much time among the Lintha smugglers that frequented the port.  She was trying to escape and shouted for help in the busy street, but was largely ignored due to her station.  When he had finally gotten a hold of her she looked up with terror in her eyes before the sun was covered by a large, looming figure that had approached from behind.  An Anklok Dragon-King had approached, wearing a glittering necklace and large obsidian sword in its hand.  It grunted a deep, guttural threat to the man who immediately released her and begged his pardon before retreating.  She fell to the ground and looked just as frightened by the large Dragon-king, though he carefully reached down to help her back up to her feet.  He explained courage and strength to her for a short time while escorting her around the town for a time before leaving to attend to the business that had had come there for.  She took the message to heart, as best she could, and continued with her dreary life in the Shore Lands.

When it became clear that she was at least not the most unattractive of the Misbegotten she joined Those Who Serve the Radiance--a glorified name for a brothel of largely abused men and women.  She'd finally reached what someone could really consider the bottom of Tengese society--without family and left to the depradations of the Dragon-Blooded and other Realm visitors to the province.  Strength, she learned, meant power and power meant station, and station led to others following your lead.  She had none of these things, and without family it seemed that she would never rise above her station.

It came to pass that eventually, by some cruel fate, she was to be bedded by a client who had had a hand in removing her from the Prince's household.  He eventually recognized her, despite the years, and began to gloat--lording her abandoned heritage over her to further her humiliation.  At that point something broke within her and she slew him with an improvised blade she kept to protect herself mid-coitus.  The struggle alerted others that something was amiss, though, which forced her to flee by smashing open a large window.  She managed to escape the city, though she was still being tracked down by what passed for the Tengese police force.  By some strange happenstance she met her former Anklok savior in the beginning portion of the jungle.  This time she repaid him with betrayal.  She convinced the gathered force that it was the Dragon King that had slain the man and kidnapped her.  The mob eventually overcame the Anklok and killed him and in the bloody aftermath she claimed the golden necklace he had worn as a token.  Had she been stronger she would have stood side-by-side with him and eventually stolen away into the desert to live a new life.  Had she been prettier perhaps her family would not have given her up to the Misbegotten.  Had she been better she could have done so much more--been so much more.  The whispering voice of the Agatae Coadjutator had so much to hook onto in her mind and it wasn't long before she was promised a better life as part of a family that would never abandon her.

Florivet, the Whim of the Winds eventually found her after her transcendance from mortality into the ranks of the Infernal Exalt.  He wanted to see where one of his favored Brood Mothers had gone and was marveled by the creature that the nameless girl had become.  She was known simply as Jaded Eyes of Fire and Salt in those early days.  Florivet decided that she was worthy of the beauty of the Agatae and thus gave her wings of her own--diaphanous wings like a dragonfly that had an iridescent shimmer.  She still held on to the necklace that the Dragon King had kept and soon worked to have it reforged into a crown for herself, made of vitriol-tainted Orichalcum, though it maintained the same properties as before.  She wore it with pride though the memory brought her some measure of sadness.  It was suggested to her by Florivet as well that she take on a new name, to which he recommended Merela, perhaps only for his own amusement.  She eventually acceded to the idea of taking the new name and did so, either because she didn't understand its significance or perhaps because it amused her to some degree to claim it for herself.  Of course if she did share the same Exaltation as Merela she has no knowledge of that fact.

She eventually returned to An-Teng after the existence of the Yozi cult was brought to her attention.  It was ripe for her to insert herself as the 'prophesied' Queen that would rise to power over the region.  The time was not yet right to attempt the coup of the current government, so she instead inserted herself into the cult as a new figurehead to focus their worship upon.  She eventually had to direct her attention elsewhere, in attempts to appease her masters while also extending her own circle of influence and so she came eventually to the outpost city on the island known as Waste--an appropriate place for her to dig her fingers into the hearts of the downtrodden.  And so there she works for the time being, until such a time as she returns to An-Teng, perhaps with a handful of Dragon-Kings to attend her.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I think the fourth image in the other images would fit a 'infernal' Merela (just my personal opinion). I take it you plan invest on past lives quite a lot? Along with savant also to present your reincarnation of Merela?

[Re Z L]

I think the fourth image in the other images would fit a 'infernal' Merela (just my personal opinion). I take it you plan invest on past lives quite a lot? Along with savant also to present your reincarnation of Merela?

Nope  :)

[RSGAlex]

Tentative Urge (Ipsum): Lore Ipsum. :p

Well, you know, once I have more to go on for Re Z L's character.

[ravinwulf]

If there is still a spot opn i have an huge interest in your game, I love the exalted system, and would greatly enjoy the idea of being something other than solar for a game.

[RSGAlex]

While I (think) I can handle one more, I need to qualify it by saying that it should be done soon. I don't want to keep this waiting too when I've got three sheets done, and one in progress. I'm also guessing that the background are in similar states of done-ness.

[Rajah]

Re Z L, you don't have to buy your Second Excellency multiple times. It's covered by First Excellency being a prerequisite for it. (it also is technically a Permanent upgrade of the First Excellency to allow success-buying rather than a separately-activated effect, but this is very unlikely to matter)

[Re Z L]

Re Z L, you don't have to buy your Second Excellency multiple times. It's covered by First Excellency being a prerequisite for it. (it also is technically a Permanent upgrade of the First Excellency to allow success-buying rather than a separately-activated effect, but this is very unlikely to matter)

Ah-ha!  So you don't, doesn't change anything on the sheet though since I covered that under the free second XL rule, thanks  :)

While I (think) I can handle one more, I need to qualify it by saying that it should be done soon. I don't want to keep this waiting too when I've got three sheets done, and one in progress. I'm also guessing that the background are in similar states of done-ness.

Should hopefully have mine finished up later tonight

[RSGAlex]

Yaaaay!

[Empyrean]

Quick question. How are you all creating those inserts for your characters? Spoiler tags and uploading pics to Elliwiki?

[ExisD]

Quick question. How are you all creating those inserts for your characters? Spoiler tags and uploading pics to Elliwiki?

For spoiler tags, you use [    and    ] rather than (   and   )   in the example code.

(spoiler=title)
spoilered text
(/spoiler)

title

spoilered text

[Re Z L]

Sheet is largely finished

Still working on the character background, but the crunch is basically finalized--though some calculations (motes/dvs/etc) need to be made, and intimacies added.

[Rajah]

Ksulune Naravi, the Soulcatcher Wendigo

"We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there - there you could look at a thing monstrous and free. It was unearthly, and the men were - no, they were not inhuman. Well, you know, that was the worst of it - this suspicion of their not being inhuman."

-Joseph Conrad (HEART OF DARKNESS)

Quiet and Clever and Ruthless

The Rajtul have a culture, a way of life. It is perhaps not an ideal way, allowing only the smallest and most intrepid of settlements to survive and none to flourish, but it is a way, and the Rajtul are living. When you are so closely hounded by cannibal Wyld barbarians and their twice-ravenous ghosts, you tend to measure prosperity in deathless weeks - but there are those who dream of a greater scale. The elkman Muzzle Soaked Crimson broke from his fellows and their purported wisdom, gathering three villages' worth of Rajtul behind his charisma and grand vision of an inland settlement. A shining future. Ksulune was the principal voice convincing his family to follow Muzzle Soaked Crimson: he was the youngest child, adored and with a silver-tongued gift, and he had yearned to live like those in the great cities since he was old enough to accompany the trading ships to foreign docks, to marvel at high walls and the bustle of civilized culture. He poured all his fledgling art into the effort, dreaming of a world that would open to him like a flower, and so his family packed their things and joined the grand expedition. It chose the empty lands east of Dalanth Ganharva, and upon its arrival spent a long and industrious day raising shelter and palisades in preparation for the real work. The elkmen set wards of salt and bone.

And then someone went and ruined those wards after dark, and by the third night they were overrun.

Ksulune was very quiet and very clever and very ruthless. He had watched carefully: he knew a little of what the elkmen did that they claimed would protect the Rajtul. He knew where his neighbors kept their salt. And he knew that wolves among the herd target the weakest first, are driven wild by cries of pain and the smell of hot blood, and thought that perhaps the undead would be the same in their frenzied rush to devour the living. He was right, and he survived. His family were not so quiet or clever or ruthless - but they were brave. His mother and sisters fought to the end. His father fought almost as long, so that his begging was mercifully short.

After dawn had come, he crept from his hiding place and saw Muzzle Soaked Crimson and a few other elkmen gathered among the bodies. He darted forward, meaning to demand answers, to ask how they - the great warriors and mystics, the protectors of the quiet-minded Rajtul - could live when so many courageous people had died, but something stopped him short: laughter. He concealed himself and listened.

He did not learn all the details, only the broad strokes of the thing: some then, most later. That among the councils of the elkmen were occasional proposals for variants of sacred rites, new interpretations of traditions...that success in such cultural endeavors was a mark of high status, and failure brought the shame of the heretic. That for those shamed, there were sometimes other avenues along which validation could be sought. Heresy became blasphemy. Blasphemy became malevolence. And a door was opened that should not have been, an unthinkable deal struck. The souls of his people would be as slaves, and their betrayers elevated. The betrayers who he had charmed his family into trusting.

Ksulune was very quiet and very clever and very ruthless. Only two of the elkmen survived the day, including Muzzle Soaked Crimson himself, fleeing into the approaching dusk and their waiting allies, leaving the youth and his dripping knife alone to be devoured. He remembers waiting calmly in the dusk, thinking over and over again of his cowardice, his obsessive survival urge. Whether he was sure there was nothing he could have done. Whether there was a difference between the elkman, who had seen the Rajtul butchered for one kind of gain, and Ksulune, who had seen them butchered for another in the form of his own life. He remembers how the knife felt in his hands. How afraid he was. How he told himself over and over, this time I will be brave. I will be a warrior to the end. When I face my family again, shackled as they are shackled, I will have no shame in my eyes.

His courage broke as the last light left the sky, and he ran, ran as fast and as far as he could, ran until his lungs burned and his legs gave out and he lay shuddering and steaming in the snow, hearing the distant hunting howls of the cannibal ghosts, the weeping of their new-bound Rajtul slaves. He almost did not notice the delicate footfalls of the teodozjia until it was upon him, looking down with its expressionless jade face. Pathetic, it said. To dream. To burn with life and terror. Do you not know what it is that draws the dead to the living? That burns away the living until even the best-kept of them join the dead? There is much I could have taught you, in another life. A scripture to extinguish your dreaming heart, so that no madmen could win it, no ghost drink from the chalice of it...or at least how not to be such a miserable coward. But that would have been another life. You have only this one, and little enough left of that - and good riddance. What a mess you have made of it.

But I wonder, quiet child, clever child, child with the hunter's heart - I wonder what you might do differently, if I had another life to give you.

Five days later, Ksulune built a great cairn for all the human dead of his village; the building took near a month, and in that time he weathered increasingly fierce raids by the outraged undead. He learned what frustrated them, what they feared, and what drove them near berserk with rage. He defiled them as his people had been defiled. By its end there was only one beastman left to find, and he had learned of something more, a source for their wickedness: the Shining Path, the black religion of Oblivion, whose tenets Muzzle Soaked Crimson had become fascinated by some years earlier in the process of banishing a Labyrinth-touched ghost. He remembers the shock of taking fresh questions to Hell, being answered with some vague intimation of the scope of the horror that had taken all from him. He remembers contemplating that scope. He remembers thinking, good.

He remembers thinking, I don't want to stop.

Caste: Scourge of the All-Hunger Blossom
Concept: Mad-eyed reaver-witch
Motivation: Tear out the throat of the Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible
Urge: Metagaoiyn (The Urge to Devour)

FLAW - CIVILITY

Etiquette, courtesy, integrity, honor...the ideals he once believed separated man from monster, ideals he has had time and time again to sacrifice upon the altar of black necessity. It was never his culture. The Rajtul are civil, but they are not particularly civilized. No, these were the ideals of his unrealized dream, the things he learned from city recruiters and the rare books of philosophy he cajoled his sisters into finding for him. Now little is left but their trappings, their basest expression not as fundamental truths but as party favors and gala masques - and they have taken on an intoxicating, fetishistic appeal to the Soulcatcher. Whatever he does in the dark, he cannot stand for his image to be stained, cannot resist a ploy upon his "better nature." It doesn't help him. But like a cancer of the mind, it can't simply be hacked out.

Theme Song: Human, by Daughter | Destroyer, by The Birthday Massacre

Request - Robert Vance's "Infernal Band-Aid"

[Empyrean]

I'll try to have a completed sheet up by later today or tomorrow.

[Re Z L]

Request - Robert Vance's "Infernal Band-Aid"

I second this request

[Zaer Darkwail]

I second this request

I triple

[Empyrean]

Cirese Chihiro, the Poisoned Flower of Innocence

Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't.- Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Act One, Scene Five

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Fabled Luthe. Created long ago to serve as a military base during the Primordial War, the base was later decommissioned to become one of the great cities of the First Age. So it remained until the Usurpation. The Solar Queen who reigned there, Amyana, sank the city to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Dragon-Blooded. Although she was killed, her lover, the Full Moon Lunar Admiral Leviathan, avenged her death. After the Great Contagion, he returned to claim Luthe as his protectorate. Many of the ancient wonders of the city remain, tended by Leviathan's cult, but those wonders are reserved for those deemed true citizens.

Cirese Chihiro was not one of those citizens. Chihiro was born to the Traitorspawn. The Traitorspawn are the descendents of the Dragon-Blooded who attacked the city in the Usurpation, or other Dragon-Blooded who lived in Luthe at the time. A despised underclass, the Traitorspawn live as slaves in glorious Luthe, and that was the fate young Chihiro was born to. She hated it and the class disparities from the time she was old enough to understand them, but there seemed to be little hope of changing it. Luthe was run by Leviathan, and Leviathan's overwhelming hatred of the Dragon-Blooded made sure that the class structure remained set. Chihiro hated the class structure not because it existed but because she lived at the bottom of it. Her life was one of hardship until puberty set in.

In her teenage years, Chihiro grew from gawky girl into ravishing beauty. And being a smart and clever girl, she quickly parlayed that beauty to her advantage. From convincing boys and girls to do her share of the labor for her to charming the overseers, Chihiro very quickly grew into a manipulator par excellence. And as she grew she began to scheme. She wanted to escape the bottom of the social ladder. She carefully built a network of sympathetic fellow slaves and a few overseers that she had charmed or seduced. Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she set her plans in motion. Through a carefully arranged set of work stoppages, sabotage, and assassinations, Chihiro planned to throw Luthe into so much chaos that she could use the artifact she had one of her people steal: a Gill Cloak. She planned to use it to travel through the flooded areas of the city (forbidden to Traitorspawn), and try to seize control of Luthe's armory. With the weapons in the armory, she believed her group could overpower the guards and the cultists of Leviathan and create a new social order, with her on top as Luthe's savior.

The plan was a failure. Luthe's internal security had been aware of some of her agents already, and blunted their efforts from the start. The planned uprising took place, but was squashed, and Chihiro herself was captured when she tried to make it to the armory. When she was brought before the judges, she made a defiant last stand. With charisma and her voice, she inspired a massive, impromptu uprising in the streets that quickly turned bloody. It was the moment when she might have recieved a Solar Exaltation...but for the fact that instead of staying to lead the revolt she fled into the city to save her own skin. The demon carrying an Infernal Exaltation was quite amused. Even more so once she was finally tracked down and thrown in a prison cell to await ritual sacrifice to Leviathan. It was then the demon came to her. The shimmering Gilmyne was the mouthpiece through which Cecelyne spoke, offering her the power and glory she deserved. She spoke to her of the proper hierarchy of the world, and of how Chihiro could restore order and reign in the new world. It wasn't a hard sell. Shortly after she was in her Chrysalis Grotesque. Five days later she burst free, murdered her puzzled guards, and tore through Luthe. She knew she couldn't stay, not yet, so she escaped the city.

Eluding the patrols and escaping to the surface in a stolen escape pod (that she wrecked), Chihiro made her way to the interior of the Wavecrest Archipelago. There she practiced her new Infernal powers under the tutelage of her coadjutor. She made sure to select people who wouldn't be missed from the tribes of the islands, avoiding the cities. She stayed only a few days, then fled into Cecelyne. She knew that she would one day return to Luthe to claim it. Or reclaim it, since she bears the Exaltation of Amyana and she considers the city hers by right. But she's not powerful enough to do so just now. Instead, she's spent her time in the Demon City learning all she can to aid in her goals. And in the meantime, she's been building up the Cecelynian cult she was presented to, as well as a cult to herself. All steps in the greater plan she knows. She'll build her might on the surface and then return to Luthe to claim what's hers and rule the entire West in the name of the Yozis.

So far, she's been at work among the Coastal Satrapies of the North. She's used her looks, her charms, and her blessings from Cecelyne to seize control among the Bloody Hand, that group of rebel slaves that fight against the oppression of the Deshan system. She tells the noble freedom fighters (and the slave hunters she's suborned) that she will change the system. In reality, she plans only to replace slavery to the Realm with slavery to her, and through her, Cecelyne.

Caste: Malefactor
Concept: Scheming manipulator beneath a helpless, innocent mask
Motivation: To reign in splendor and decadence unheard of in Creation, Yu-Shan, or Malfeas, and to be adored for it.
Urge: Corrupt and Unite the Coastal Satrapies in worship of her and the Yozis (Ophidian)

Flaw: Cowardice

Chihiro is fond of elaborate plans that minimize the risk to her while maximizing her gain. It's difficult for her to take direct action that might endanger her physically without an extremely compelling reason or payoff.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Attributes
Strength:           2   Charisma:          3    Intelligence:       4
Dexterity:          3   Manipulation:     6    Wits:                3
Stamina:           3    Appearance:       5     Perception:         4

Abilities

Martial Arts: 5 (favored)
Integrity: 5 (Caste)
Performance: 4 (Caste)
Resistance: 3 (Caste)
Presence: 4 (Caste)
Socialize: 5 (Favored)
Lore: 4 (Favored)
Occult: 4 (Favored)
Awareness: 2
Linguistics 2
Larceny: 1
Bureaucracy: 1
Stealth: 1
Craft (Water): 2

Languages: Old Realm, Seatongue, Skytongue

Specialties:

Bureaucracy (Corruption) +1
Medicine (Childbirth) +1
Socialize (Seduction) +2
Presence (Persuasion) +1
Socialize (Courtly Intrigue) +1

BP: 25/25
XP: 175/175
Backgrounds: Past Life (Amyana of Luthe): 4, Spies: 4, Savant: 2, Wings of the Raptor (Tainted Orichalcum): 4, Neomah Demon Ink Tattoo: 3, Chrysogona Demon Ink Tattoo: 3, Tongue of the Serpent Prince: 3, Infamy: 2, Cult (Cecelyne): 2, Influence (Cecelyne): 2, Backing (Cecelyne): 2, Cult: 3, Resources: 4, Followers: 4 (The Bloody Hand and other freedom fighters, escaped slaves, and even secretly slave takers), Manse (HS: Stone of Loyalty): 5, Manse: HS: Jewel of the Desert Boddhisatva: 3, Tainted Orichalcum Discreet Essence Armor: 2, Key to the Infernal Gates: 2 (functions in any keyhole at any time but opens on the Endless Desert), Tainted Orichalcum Hearthstone Amulet: 1, Manse: HS: Jewel of the Lawgiver's Authority: 2, Pectoral of Resplendent Speeches (Tainted Orichalcum and Blue Jade): 3

Charms: Hardened Devil Body (x3), First Cecelyne Excellency (x3), Second Cecelyne Excellency, Sorcerous Initiation of Cecelyne, Loom-Snarling Deception, Eldritch Secrets Mastery, Open Palm Caress, Torn Lotus Defense, Flexing the Emerald Claw, Black Claw Style, Transcendent Desert Creature, Locust Mana Plague, Verdant Emptiness Endowment, Draught of Sweet Infinity, Demonic Primacy of Essence, Penitents like Scattered Grains

Sorcery: Slave-Spawn Summons

Essence: 3

Compassion: 1
Conviction: 4
Temperance: 3
Valor: 2

WP: 5

Peripherial Essence Pool: 14
Personal Essence Pool: 36
Committed Essence: 12

Intimacies:

Self (positive/adoration)
Cecelyne (positive/admiration)
Mara (positive/love)
Cult of Leviathan (negative/hatred)
Luthe (positive/possessive desire)
The Bloody Hand (negative/idiotic pawns)

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Anime+girls&view=detailv2&&&id=A6C81E51BBCBBF9D354EF13EBA0CA04DA554C2E9&selectedIndex=465&ccid=6D%2b8HUFc&simid=608026022333844258&thid=JN.I0eiRXErZHtlke9jgcM%2fqQ

[RSGAlex]

Ironically, I thought that more people knew about that bit of work, and literally only noticed something was wrong when I saw that first post with it in. And Re Z L's sheet with two purchases of VCE.

But more relevantly, here's the next round of proposed Urges.

Re Z L: Urge (Kimberian) - Find the local god of prostitution and tear it apart as if grist for artifacts. Explanation: Well, it would be something hated, and also I wanted to pitch the idea that it had originally been slightly more specific, but then the god in question had to die before there was an actual chance to do anything. Also, it gives a potential reason to get some of Cecelyne's god modifications.

Rajah: This is based entirely on the mentioned Motivation. Urge - Take control of the Necromantic academy of Dalanth Ganharva. It at once dovetails nicely with the motivation, can be a bit incovenient, and also leaves open the possibility of worrying about what comes next. I'd say more, but I don't have a sheet, although some part of me expects Ebon Dragon or Kimbery charm based on that background.

Empyrean: It looks interesting. And dangerous. Which could be fun.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Here comes my allies stats, they are controlled by my friend who had posted already and approved both chars.

Lambent Spark Dancer

Name: Lambent Spark Dancer

Caste: Zenith

Limit: Foolhardy Contempt

Motivation: To indulge herself in her desires, where ever that leads her

Flaw: Vices (general, but especially sex/lust related)

Attributes

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

Abilities

Archery:        0 *Martial Arts:        5  Melee:    1  Thrown:    0  *War:    4

Craft:        0 Investigation:        0  Lore:    2  Medicine:    0  *Occult:    3

*Athletics:        3 Awareness:        3  Dodge:    0  Larceny:    0  Stealth:    0

---

*Integrity:        3 *Performance:      5(7)  *Presence:    5(7)  *Resistance:    3  *Survival:    1

Bureaucracy:        0 Linguistics:        2  Ride:    0  Sail:    0  *Socialize:    2

Specialties:        # Performance: Dancing        3  Martial Arts: Unarmored    3  Presence: Seduction    2  Integrity: UMI's    1

Virtues Compassion:  (2)2 Temperance:  (2)2 Conviction:  (2)2 Valor:  (5)5

Essence, Willpower, and MDV Essence: 3 Willpower: (10)10 MDV:    9

Backgrounds: #            Resources  4     Artifact: Vestment of Holy Vigilance (Orihalcum)  4     Cult 3(4)     Artifact: Infinite Resplendence Amulet (Orihalcum)  3     Backing: Cult of Illuminated  3     Manse (Sphere of Courtesan Constellation)  2

Intimacies:     Damiel (positive/passionate devotion)        Whitefeather (positive/sisterly affection)        True Believers (negative/contempt)        Cult of Illuminated (positive/useful idiots)        Dance (positive/deep enthusiasm)        FREE        FREE        FREE        FREE        FREE

Combat

DDV:

4

PDV:

6

Soak:

4B/1L/?A

Hardness:

?B/?L/?A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Punch	5	14	3B	8	3	M	N
Kick	5	13	6B	4	2	M	N
Clinch	6	13	3B	-	1	M	N,C,P

Health -0 ( )( )  -1 ( )( )( )( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )( )  -2 ( )( )( )( )( )  -4 ( )( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  19/19 Peripheral:  42/32 Committed:  10/10

CHARMS

Martial Arts
Second Excellency, 2m
Third Excellency, 3m

Arms of Unconquered Sun (martial arts)
Day and Night Kata, 4m
Spirit Over Clouds Approach, 4m

Black Claw (martial arts)
Open Palm Caress, 4m
Torn Lotus Defense, 2m
Flexing Emerald Claw, 3m/4m
Black Claw Form, 5m
Doe Eyes Defense, 2m

War
Mob-Dispersing Rebuke, 7m+1wp
Fury Inciting Presence, 10m+1wp
Heroism-Encouraging Presence, 5m/5m+1wp

Integrity
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)

Performance
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Respect Commanding Attitude, 5m
Phantom-Conjuring Performance, permanent
Demon-Wracking Glory, (varies)m+1wp
Heart-Compelling Method, 6m
Husband-Seducing Demon Dance, 10m+1wp
Rose-Lipped Seduction Style, 6m

Presence
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Irresistible Salesman Spirit, 3m
Worshipful Lackey Acquisition, 12m+1wp

Resistance
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Ox-Body Techniquex3 (free)
Durability of Oak Meditation, 3m
Iron Skin Concentration, 2m
Adamant Skin Technique (Conviction), 8m

Survival
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)

BONUS POINTS 25/25 (8) Increase Abilities +2 Dexterity (7) Increase Abilities +3 War, +4 Presence (3) Purchase Specialties +6 dots worth to favored ones (5) Willpower Increase +5 (2) Raise Virtues +2 valor

XP 175/175 -12 Increase Attributes; +2 Charisma -29 Increase Abilities; +3 Resistance, +2 Integrity, +2 Athletics, +2 Awareness -30 Increase/Purchase Backgrounds; +3 Backing (Cult of Illuminated), +3 Cult, +4 Resource, +2 Manse -104 6 charms and 7 CMA charms

Background

Lambent Spark Dancer began life as no one special, really. She was Carman Melroth, daughter of a pair of dancers in a traveling troupe, she got used to the caravan life from an early age, following along after Guild and military caravans while her parents performed for their supper. Eventually, one of those caravans was a little too close to a passing battle, and her parents died, leaving young Carman as an orphan. Luckily, she was able to make contact with a friend of her parents: a caravan guard who took her in and taught her the life. She learned the brutal dance of fists and feet, fighting off bandits and rival merchants with cestuses and katars. Depression was her constant companion in this period, only relieved by its close sisters: drugs and drink. It was after a particularly brutal bender, where she had gambled away her last coins, that Carman pleadingly reached up to the heavens, begging for a chance to change. Lucky for her, someone was listening, and when day dawned she was one of the Zenith priestesses.

Due to her place in the East, she was quickly scooped up by the Cult of the Illuminated and brought to a secret Gold Faction training camp, where young solars could be indoctrinated and taught the skills they would need to survive. With her beauty and passion for performances, Carman (now Lambent Spark Dancer) easily mastered the secret techniques of bending mortal minds.

Soon after she left the training camp on her own devices, she was preaching amongst the Illuminated faithful when she met Damiel. Irked at his blasphemies and the liberties he took with her person, she threw the full might of her mind-bending powers at him and crushed his will, turning him from Yozi loyalist to her faithful sidekick. Pleased, she set about using him to "redeem himself", mostly by liberating slaves or distributing vast fortunes they stole from the Guild to the common folk. After a time, however, Damiel broke the chains on his mind, though he was wise enough avoid telling her.

Knowing he would likely not be able to defeat her in a contest of pure will and wanting revenge, Damiel decided to corrupt the puritan solar. He began by offering to teach her a secret martial art he knew, one with unparalleled power and with illusions that would hide its practice. Intrigued, Spark agreed to learn from him, and soon became initiated into the Black Claw style. As she unlocked the secrets of the style, though, she found herself growing more and more fond of her "sidekick." He was far wiser than she remembered, and increasingly more handsome, as well. Though she had sworn a vow of chastity as a sign of her devotion to the Sun, she eventually succumbed to her mounting desire and let Damiel take her maidenhood.

What followed was a quick slide into debauchery, as Damiel leveraged his subtle charms to suppress her virtues and use each temptation to lure her into another one. Lovemaking with him became ever more elaborate and perverse. Drink became part of every meal, and it wasn't long before every day began with whatever exotic drugs he could acquire for her. When his lunar mate Whitefeather (who had been tailing them for some time) appeared, he convinced Spark to share their bed with her...then to spread her legs for whichever man or woman he desired her to seduce. Within a few months, there was little left of the fairly prude, temperate priestess. In her place was a lust-driven parody, a solar priestess who prayed at no altar but the one between Damiel's legs, and worshiped no god but her next bottle of wine.

Since then, she has fully devoted herself to his service. She can easily put on the manner of her old priggish self when she desires it, but she usually only does so to manipulate Illuminated cultists for Damiel's purposes.

Whitefeather

Name: Whitefeather

Caste: No Moon

Limit: Curse of Drunken Monkey

Motivation: Serve and help Damiel in his schemes while guide him away from darkness

Flaw: Known anathema (served famous Lord Kaneko against Realm)

Attributes

Strength:	2(3)	*Charisma:	5	*Intelligence:	5
Dexterity:	3(4)	Manipulation:	3	*Wits:	3
Stamina:	3(4)	Appearance:	5	*Perception:	5

Abilities

Archery:        0 Martial Arts:        2  Melee:    0  Thrown:    0  War:    0

Craft:        0 Investigation:        0  Lore:    5  Medicine:    3  *Occult:    5

Athletics:        0 Awareness:        1  Dodge:    5(8)  Larceny:    0  Stealth:    0

---

Integrity:        1 Performance:      0  Presence:    2  Resistance:    0  *Survival:    3

Bureaucracy:        3 Linguistics:        2  Ride:    0  Sail:    0  Socialize:    1

Specialties:        # Occult: Sorcery        3  Lore: First Age        2  Presence: Negotiations        2  Awareness: Detect Ambush        2

Virtues Compassion:  (2)2 Temperance:  (5)5 Conviction:  (3)3 Valor:  (2)2

Essence, Willpower, and MDV Essence: 3 Willpower: (10)10 MDV:    7

Backgrounds: #            Tattoo Artifact: Moonsilver Breastplate    1     Tattoo Artifact: Hearthstone Bracers    2     Tattoo Artifact: Hearthstone Amulet    1     Green Sun Tattoos    2     Manse: Jewel of Graceful Courtier    2     Manse: Hearthstone of Szoreny    3     Heart's Blood    2     =Sled Dog, Snow Ferret, Tundra Fox, Mouse, Tundra ox     Icewalker Male (smith), Moose, Tundra Owl (spirit), House cat     Reputation    1     Solar bond    4

Intimacies:     Lord Kaneko (negative/too old fashioned)        Sun Senechals (positive/taught me everything)        Trading (positive/foundation of all interactions)        Solars (positive/bringers of hope)        Damiel (positive/love)        Lambent Spark Dancer (positive/sister-wife)        First age (positive/admiration)        Yozis imprisonment (negative/unjust act)        Yozis (negative/not to be trusted)        Sorcery (positive/power to be respected)        FREE        FREE

Combat

DDV:

7

PDV:

2

Soak:

7B/9L/2A

Hardness:

2B/2L/2A

---

Attack	Speed	Acc	Dmg	Def	Rate	Range	Tags
Punch	5	6	2B	7	3	M	N
Kick	5	5	5B	3	2	M	N
Clinch	6	5	2B	-	1	M	N,C,P

Health -0 ( )  -1 ( )( )( )( ) -2 ( )( )( )( )( ) -2 ( )( )( )( )( ) -4 ( )  inc ( )  Dying ( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

Essence Pools Personal:  23/23 Peripheral:  52/45 Committed:  7/7

CHARMS&KNACKS

Knacks
Humble Mouse Shape
Prey's Skin Disguise
Intimate Training Recollection
Life of the Humming Bird
Changing Plumage Mastery
Twin-Faced Hero
Deadly Beastman Transformation (Mutations; Glider wings 4pts, Feathers 1pts, Enhanced Hearing 1pts, Night Vision 1pts)

Dexterity
Third Excellency, 3m

Stamina
Ox-Body Techniquex3 (free)

Charisma
Second Excellency, 2m
Hard-Nosed Denial Style, 4m
Sacred-Guardian Renewal, Permanent
Lunar Eclipse Technique, Permanent (+1m)

Perception
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Eye of the Cat, 6m
Instinctive Essence Prediction, 4m
All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight, 6m

Intelligence
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Argent Muse Approach, 3m
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Mandate of Hungry Mouse, 5m+1wp

Wits
First Excellency, 1m (free)
Second Excellency, 2m (free)
Meerkat Alertness Practice, 2m

Sorcery

First Sacrifice: Memories of her past life before exaltation (know only the facts through others)

Terrestrial: Demon of First Circle, Infallible Messenger, Droning Suggestion, Sting of Ice Hornet

BONUS POINTS 25/25 (9) Increase Abilities +1 Charisma, +2 Perception (5) Increase Abilities +4 Dodge, +1 Bureaucracy (3) Purchase Specialties +6 dots worth to favored ones (5) Willpower Increase +5 (3) Raise Virtues +2 temperance, +1 conviction

XP 175/175 -16 Attributes; +2 Manipulation, +1 Strength -12 Increase Abilities; +2 Awareness, +1 Thrown -33 Increase/Purchase Backgrounds; +2 Tattoo artifact (hearthstone bracers), +1 Tattoo Artifact (hearthstone amulet) -- +1 Tattoo artifact (moonsilver breastplate), +2 green sun tattoos, +2 Manse (gemstone of shadow), +3 Manse (Hearthstone of Szoreny) -118 11 charms and 3 spells learned (besides initiation)

Background

The Lunar known as Whitefeather began life as Agnis Hjalmarsdottr, the child of a prosperous Whitewall merchant and his wife, a shamaness named Inge. Though they were rich, Agnis lived no life of pampering. Women as well as men were expected to pull their weight on the long sled-caravan paths that sliced through the North, south of the Haslanti airship ranges. She grew up swaddled in furs on a bucking sled, and the baying of the dogs was her lullaby at night. As she got older, she learned the trade from her parents: diplomacy, economy, haggling. Knowing when to bribe bandits, and when to fight them. And of course, above all, the art of the deal itself. In essence: buy low, sell high, and a million variations thereof.

Greed was never one of her father's vices, but after a few hard winters when Agnis was coming of age, he found himself desperate for the money to recoup his losses and get enough money to make Agnis' dowry. He took a subcontract from a Guildsman to pick up a shipment of gossamer goods from the Border Marches of the Wyld. It was a long established contract, and for him, pure profit. When they came to the rendezvous point, though, Hjalmar and his family discovered a Rakshasa slaving party instead. Had the guildsman sensed the change in his client's mind? Had it simply been an insane whim on the Rakshasa's part? Agnis would never know. Her parents were tormented and drained on the spot, but when the Fae noble came for her, Luna's argent power bonded to her soul, and she tore the noble apart.

After a few weeks of rampage along the Bordermarches, a silver pact hunting party tracked her down, calmed with with soothing charms, and put their tattoos on her. She was no longer Agnis, but Whitefeather of the No-Moons, so named for the snowy owl she became on her first transformation. Seeking direction, and having been educated by these Pact lunars in the sun king seneschal school, she sought out the most famous solar in the North: Yurgen Kaneko, the Bull of the North. Yurgen was handsome, wise, and capable, and swept Whitefeather off her feet after a single meeting. She became one of his shieldmaidens, the elite female warriors who were his bodyguards and concubines.

As she got to know Yurgen, though, she grew disenchanted with his arrogance and autocracy. He was a dawn caste of the old type, a dominating conqueror who demanded everyone in his kingdom kneel to him or be vanquished, even fellow solars. Still, she felt he was overall doing good, and so kept on in her position. That all changed when she met Damien while out on a patrol tracking demons to one of the fabled entrances to Malfeas. Unlike the other guardians of the gateway, he spoke to her rather than instantly attacking. Intrigued and strangely attracted to the handsome young man, Whitefeather questioned him about who he was and why he was there. Their conversation went on for hours, ranging through philosophy, politics, and religion, and by the end Damien had gone far in convincing her that the imprisonment of the Yozi was unjust.

The lynchpin was when she accepted his invitation to visit the demon realm itself. As soon as they emerged from the desert of Cecelyne and gazed upon the vast, bizarre, beautiful hellscape, she realized she had been there with him before. Damiel was the reincarnation of her old mate, long thought lost. In a rush of emotion, she pledged herself to him, to help him and advise him and never be separated again. They made love that night in his splendid Malfean townhouse, and toured the grandest sights of the Demon City together.

Upon their return to Creation, Whitefeather formally resigned from the Bull's service. Ever since, she has traveled with Damiel, an indispensable part of his schemes in Creation.

Roleplaying: Though she loves Damiel dearly, Whitefeather is no fool. She sees justice in the plight of the Yozis, but was deeply disquieted by much of what she saw in the Demon City. Carefully, she has been working to foster the idea that Damiel ought seek to break their hold on him, that he might secure their release on his terms, rather than their own. In everyday life, she is kind, but also very serious. Taking after her father, she speaks slowly and only after considering exactly what she will say, and is so frugal as to be miserly. In private, however, she loosens up quite a bit and tends to be very generous. Though she most prefers her human or owl forms, she also enjoys cuddling with Damiel as a sled dog or snow ferret. In a pinch, she can turn into a moose to let him ride her, but generally doesn't enjoy the experience.

Whitefeather regards Lambent Spark Dancer in the same manner as one might a bratty little sister: frequently irritating, but ultimately someone she loves and likes.

[Empyrean]

Lambent and Whitefeather will be fun to play with. ^_^

And I edited my sheet above with Chihiro's Intimacies, Specializations, the stuff she gets from her Demon Ink Tattoos, and a pic. Her hair is a deep purplish-black.

Her Followers were also better defined. I used the Bloody Hand and related freedom fighters that she's taken and is corrupting to serve her and the Yozis. By the time she's done, she plans to have the freedom fighters eating out of her hand and never realizing that they've been enslaved to a new mistress. She's also secretly taken on some of the slave finders, to have agents within the Coastal Satrapies and useful muscle.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Lambent and Whitefeather will be fun to play with. ^_^

Indeed they will be :). Although I made the sheets but Anansi approved the stats and wrote backgrounds and will play them both as Damiel's allies (or perhaps more closely as his girlfriends, albeit quite devoted ones as they both know his nature and Lambent's case even for time had brainwashed Damiel).

[Rajah]

Rajah: This is based entirely on the mentioned Motivation. Urge - Take control of the Necromantic academy of Dalanth Ganharva. It at once dovetails nicely with the motivation, can be a bit incovenient, and also leaves open the possibility of worrying about what comes next. I'd say more, but I don't have a sheet, although some part of me expects Ebon Dragon or Kimbery charm based on that background.

I like this a lot! I am a big fan of necromancy.

The count right now stands at 3 She Who Lives In Her Name, 3 Malfeas, 2 Isidoros, 2 Kimbery, and 10 each of Adorjan and Metagaos. I might restructure the background to morrrreee or less the same effect, I feel like I drifted off the British Raj aesthetic.

[Rajah]

Lambent and Whitefeather will be fun to play with. ^_^

And I edited my sheet above with Chihiro's Intimacies, Specializations, the stuff she gets from her Demon Ink Tattoos, and a pic.

As a note - because you have a ton of social equipment - equipment doesn't stack bonuses. I didn't actually check anything so if you've got nothing directly overlapping, no worries.

[ravinwulf]

I need some details for the game. Location, game style(more politicàl or is this an adventure.) any restrictions on gear, or backgrounds, and how in depth our backstory should be. Soon as i have an underdtanding of all this i can finish. Also what is the stance on martial arts?

[Zaer Darkwail]

North likely plays role in the game in start and several players have martial arts (so nothing against that; I am using Black Claw style example and Lambent Dancer Spark uses Arms of Unconquered Sun). Also our slayer uses infernal monster style. Backgrounds wise my char uses Infamy (which is from broken winged crane).

[ravinwulf]

I sense the second one listed is a gunslinger. Ynless arms of the incoured sun is not what i think it is.

[ravinwulf]

My bad, different style, i would love to play a infernal gunslinger for the game which is why i asked all that stuff.

[Zaer Darkwail]

You mean gunslinger which uses martial arts with guns? It's possible ofc :). Plasma pistols are canon as are hellwands and firewands.

[ravinwulf]

There is still a six shooter form of fire wand right?

[Zaer Darkwail]

Eh, you mean plasma repeater, it is 'revolver' sort weapon.

[Re Z L]

There is still a six shooter form of fire wand right?

Closest thing to a six-shooter was the Prayer Piece which was in the Glories: UCS book.  I imagine something like it could be adapted.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Also in wonders of lost age is alchemical weapons in pg75; plasma tongue repeaters are pistols with 5 ammunition and work like firewands for charm interaction purposes.

[Rajah]

We're starting in the far Northwest, probably in Dalanth Gandharva, a city-state written up on Page 3 or something. Character creation rules are at the top of Page 2. Local ethnic influence seems like a mix of India and the Polynesian Islands, so if you're planning to be locally Exalted it's worth taking that into consideration. I don't know about game type or anything, but we seem to have a surfeit of would-be-king types, not that that's not perfectly normal for Exalted.

[ravinwulf]

I am more the warlord, and in my thoughts shapeshifting soulders, offspring on an exalte would make for a good army.

[ravinwulf]

Those chracter creation rules sound really complex though. And that xp amount sounds pretty hefty.

[Rajah]

Those chracter creation rules sound really complex though. And that xp amount sounds pretty hefty.

Oh, my sweet summer child.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Oh, my sweet summer child.

Those are quite complex rules :P. In this game it's simpler.

[Empyrean]

Oh. So things like the Pectoral, the various hearthstones, and the tongue of the serpent prince don't stack? That would change how I spent points. I was building her with the idea that she's really stacked on the social-fu end of things.

[ravinwulf]

Social fu you just need super app and high atributes with the right charm. End result, you win, they look the fool.

[Zaer Darkwail]

MDV is usually higher than most creatures DV's are :P. If stacking intimacies on atop it. So need good base dice pool before buffing to able affect non-exalted usually. But true importance lays in charms also; martial arts what I use and soulcrack exploitation as both are very good for such task (plan go for GYTB charms after char gen).

[ravinwulf]

Dont forget comboes of course.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Yeah, albeit in 2.5 errata you do not need spend XP creating combos nor burn WP to use them.

[ravinwulf]

Really? How they work now?

[Zaer Darkwail]

Just download the 2.5 errata, it's free download from any site which sells exalted PDF's.

[ravinwulf]

Okay, will look into it.

[ExisD]

Really? How they work now?

You can use any combination of charms that would be legal each action, though normal combo rules like what happens with supplemental charms still apply.

[ravinwulf]

Anybody know the effects of a range increase on firewands?

[Rajah]

Oh. So things like the Pectoral, the various hearthstones, and the tongue of the serpent prince don't stack? That would change how I spent points. I was building her with the idea that she's really stacked on the social-fu end of things.

They stack as long as they're not Xing the same Y. Example, if you have adamant hearthstone bracers and a starmetal short daiklave, you don't get both the bracer and starmetal bonus to Accuracy, you just take the higher bonus (I think those are both +1). If you have two hats that give you +2 to Charisma, your total is +2, not +4.

[Empyrean]

So a question for our ST. Would you rule that the Pectoral of Resplendent Speeches and Tongue of the Serpent Prince are stacking the same stat or not? Similarly, would you rule that the Jewel of the Lawgiver's Authority and the Jewel of the Desert Bodhisattva are stacking the same stat or are they applied to different stats?

Based on the response I'll edit the sheet. I might need to edit some of the equipment anyway.

[Rajah]

Jewel of Lawgiver's Authority stacks with all three of the other items.

Tongue of the Serpent Prince, Jewel of the Desert Bodhisattva, and Pectoral of Resplendent Speeches all add dice to social rolls. They probably won't/shouldn't combine those dice ever, but it's worth noting that they activate in different situations. If you're making a speech to convert others to a religion, you only get the Pectoral bonus, but if you're one-on-one with someone doing that the Pectoral wouldn't apply so you get the Jewel's bonus.

However, their subsidiary powers - UMI, faster Intimacy generation, area-of-effect voice cancellation - do all combine.

[RSGAlex]

That was a better thought out and explained version of what I was going to say. And definitely faster as Rajah doesn't seem to have been distracted by the new Triple Crown winner.

[Zaer Darkwail]

That was a better thought out and explained version of what I was going to say. And definitely faster as Rajah doesn't seem to have been distracted by the new Triple Crown winner.

Any comments on my allies? I sort linked/posted them for approval.

[ravinwulf]

Apolgies on the delay, i am finishing my character as fast as i can, but i also have a busy job.

[Empyrean]

Thanks for the help Rajah. I reworked her attributes and backgrounds to reflect that, and added a Infinite Resplendence Amulet.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Attributes
Strength:           2   Charisma:          3    Intelligence:       4
Dexterity:          2   Manipulation:     5    Wits:                3
Stamina:           3    Appearance:       4     Perception:         4

Abilities

Martial Arts: 5 (favored)
Integrity: 5 (Caste)
Performance: 4 (Caste)
Resistance: 3 (Caste)
Presence: 4 (Caste)
Socialize: 4 (Favored)
Lore: 4 (Favored)
Occult: 4 (Favored)
Awareness: 2
Larceny: 3

Specialties: Bureaucracy (Corruption) +1
                  Presence (Persuasion) +3
                  Socialize (Courtly Intrigue) +1
                  Socialize (Seduction) +2
                 

BP: 25/25
XP: 175/175
Backgrounds: Past Life (Amyana of Luthe): 4, Spies: 3, Savant: 2, Wings of the Raptor (Tainted Blue Jade): 4, Chrysogona Demon Ink Tattoo: 3, Infinite Resplendence Amulet (Tainted Orichalcum and Moonsilver): 4, Tongue of the Serpent Prince: 3, Infamy: 2, Cult (Cecelyne): 2, Influence (Cecelyne): 2, Backing (Cecelyne): 2, Cult: 3, Resources: 4, Followers: 4, Manse (HS: Stone of Loyalty): 5, Manse: HS: Jewel of the Desert Boddhisatva: 3, Tainted Orichalcum Discreet Essence Armor: 2, Key to the Infernal Gates: 2 (functions in any keyhole at any time but opens on the Endless Desert), Tainted Orichalcum Hearthstone Amulet: 1, Manse: HS: Jewel of the Lawgiver's Authority: 2, Pectoral of Resplendent Speeches (Tainted Orichalcum and Blue Jade): 3

Charms: Hardened Devil Body (x3), First Cecelyne Excellency (x3), Second Cecelyne Excellency, Sorcerous Initiation of Cecelyne, Loom-Snarling Deception, Eldritch Secrets Mastery, Open Palm Caress, Torn Lotus Defense, Flexing the Emerald Claw, Black Claw Form, Transcendent Desert Creature, Locust Mana Plague, Verdant Emptiness Endowment, Draught of Sweet Infinity, Demonic Primacy of Essence, Penitents like Scattered Grains

Sorcery: Slave-Spawn Summons

Essence: 3

Compassion: 1
Conviction: 4
Temperance: 3
Valor: 2

WP: 5

Peripherial Essence Pool: 14
Personal Essence Pool: 36
Committed Essence: 17

[RSGAlex]

Other than wanting to make a joke about LSD, and asking if the rest of the group is okay with Whitefeather's flaw, they look okay Zaer.

[Zaer Darkwail]

What joke it would be :P. Anycase yeah, flaw with Whitefeather may be entirely negated by sheer amount of shape shifting abilities she has. But her flaw could be that wyld hunts (or Immaculate monks) somehow regularly appear where she is (sort of karmic intervention controlled by ST; squad may be there but they may haven't spotted her yet).

[ExisD]

I'm fine with White Feather's flaw. It would get us into interesting conflicts if nothing else.

[Empyrean]

OOC I see no problem with it. It'll be good for stories. :)

IC, Chihiro would be concerned, if only because getting made by the Wyld Hunt could be a problem for her and for them as a whole.

[Re Z L]

Sounds fine to me too  :)

Working on a flaw of my own as well, off and on, might have it finished today

[Rajah]

(no complaints)

Sheet for Ksulune.

[Re Z L]

(no complaints)

Sheet for Ksulune.

We'll have to get you Hungry Ghost style sometime  ;D

[Rajah]

I like Hungry Ghost Style, but it can't be used in armor and demands claws (or chains or a razor harness, but why) and I really wanted a knight aesthetic for his human form. I spent a lot of time debating between sword-and-shield or big sword, and went with the latter because it adds a little barbarian vibe to the whole imitation-of-nobility thing.

I do have Essence sight from the visor (I spent so long looking for a cheap artifact for seeing dematerialized stuff, I knew there had to be one somewhere - Scroll of Fallen Races, of all places) and Insatiable Eucharist Appetite for eating ghosts. And there's Hungry Harvest and Sacred Kamilla's Inhalation for branching undead-affecting effects off from.

[Re Z L]

Makes sense--and yes while it does fit some of your thematics it doesn't sound like it meshes too well with what you have in mind.

Unfortunately Martial Arts tend to dominate a character due to how they're built once you start learning them, which can be good or bad I suppose.

[RSGAlex]

I like Hungry Ghost Style, but it can't be used in armor and demands claws (or chains or a razor harness, but why) and I really wanted a knight aesthetic for his human form. I spent a lot of time debating between sword-and-shield or big sword, and went with the latter because it adds a little barbarian vibe to the whole imitation-of-nobility thing.

I do have Essence sight from the visor (I spent so long looking for a cheap artifact for seeing dematerialized stuff, I knew there had to be one somewhere - Scroll of Fallen Races, of all places) and Insatiable Eucharist Appetite for eating ghosts. And there's Hungry Harvest and Sacred Kamilla's Inhalation for branching undead-affecting effects off from.

Looks nice and interesting. Also I want to say that there's one spirit sight artifact in Glories: Maidens, which I'll double check right now. If you see an edit soon after, that means I was wrong or just wanted to give more detail.

EDIT: Yeah, AESS and Measure the Wind are what it gives for 5m committed. Measure the Wind is free, but an only be used on those that speak to you. Also if the blindfold's taken  off for any reason it needs to be readjusted to again.

[Zaer Darkwail]

When we open potential OOC thread for this and charsheet section?

[RSGAlex]

When I finish making the first post in ... Extreme was it, right? :p


It's here and in the right place, IIRC.

[RSGAlex]

I'll wait one more day before starting up if anyone wants to make last minute pitches, changes, et al.