[Exalted 2e] Something Something Realm

[ShadowFox89]

 The Blessed Isle is in turmoil. The Realm is falling apart. The Empress has been missing for far too long. The Houses are making their bid for a new head of state. Anathema walk among the dragon princes in secret. The Realm needs a new leader. Are you the one?




Basic idea- Political intrigue game based in the Realm. Primary focus will be on House politics and individual goals, with little combat but a good deal of social stuff. The game won't always focus on the Blessed Isle though.

Exalt types- I'll open the game to Dragon-Bloods, Solars, Sidereals, Abyssals, Lunars, Infernals, and Alchemicals. That's right, all the exalt types. Note that I don't have much experience with Abyssals, Lunars, or Sidereals, so the mechanics on those will be a bit sketchy. And remember that playing an Anathema (including an Alchie in this case) will be dangerous for you. In addition, we will be going with standardized costs and bonus points instead of xp. That means everyone spends the same amount of bonus points as a solaroid character.

You should have the latest errata, as 2.5 will apply. If you want to play something other than the listed exalt types, ask. You could even play a heroic mortal if you really wanted to.

Just looking to see who is interested first. One thing I will want to know, is if all the players want to be under the same House, allies, or plot against each other.

[Marie Reynolds]

Hmm I would be interested will have to get my hands on a 2e Exalted book and may need some help along the way cause i have only played exalted once and that was a dragon blooded.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I voice out interest to roleplay as dynast dragon-blood. As one fresh Lost Eggs adopted to house Tepet with expectional bloodline quality (for a lost egg that is). His prefered method to combat is to use five-dragon path martial arts combined with jade armor and using direlance (House of Bells graduate). Is basic concept ok?

[ShadowFox89]

 You would still be paying Lost Egg price for Breeding, is that okay with you?

[Zaer Darkwail]

You would still be paying Lost Egg price for Breeding, is that okay with you?

I allow it if you allow me take Destiny 5 background. Trust me, I have a very epic scaled background explain it and I give you full rights screw me over with it (if in return you give some awesome events or 'lucky chances' for my char which befits for Destiny 5 which could be compared to Scarlet Empress or Rand Al'Thorn level influence).

[ShadowFox89]

 I'll have to look at the background.


You aren't born a Dynast, with their purer bloodline. It's going to cost more to have a better breeding.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I know, it costs 4pts past 3 to increase the ranking right? So it costs 8 BP to have breeding 5 (assuming you spend 3pts from background slots to increase it to 3) instead 4 BP what born dynasts do.

But what about abilities; do I get requirement and bonus ability points to cover up basic training the dynasts get since toddler? As note I plan my background wise have similar eguilevant intense training despite I am not born dynast. Also do I get same amount of background dots if those extra dots cover mostly artifacts or resource kind of stuff? As I am after all adopted into house Tepet as full standing member so that itself would lend bonus background dots.

Anyways Destiny 5 just gives mechanic wise a pool of extra dices for moments which serve my 'destiny' or other epic moments. But if I call on the background in any other circumstance provide said dices, I get egual number of moments where I critically fail automatically (by ST's call) or other misfortune to happen to compensate for 'calling up my destiny' in moment which was not written as my destiny.

Example if my destiny is to slay a Yozi I could get freely the background granted dices example with duel against lieutenant of said Yozi but if I happen to to my destiny dice in rescuing a princess from a deathlord then ST can design 1-5 moments or rolls where I automatically fail (or tragic/negative event as to pay up calling the destiny dice in earlier moment).

Also overall Destiny background gives ST a excuse to throw other stuff which are beneficial to person who has it (heroic mortals and DB's can get this background, none exalted guys can get it). Beneficial stuff can be a free allies, a god granting a blessing which it has never given before or have otherwise overwhelming enemy perform a critical mistake when it normally would not.

Simply said; imagine Destiny background for creating ta'veren (check Wheel of Time dictionary for full meaning of the word) at Creation, a people who pull strings of fate/destiny to perform their destiny which matches the scope how many dots you have in it (and so any beneficial stuff also scale similarly). If someone would start as heroic mortal and have destiny 4-5, then their destiny could be simply as 'exalt as solar' and when they exalt they loose the background as their destiny has been fullfilled. Same case when char fullfills his destiny he looses the background.

[ShadowFox89]

 I know what Destiny is. You can start off with the other stuff that a dynast gets, but the destiny will need to be appropriate. Giving yourself a destiny to rule the Realm and similar is automatically denied.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I know what Destiny is. You can start off with the other stuff that a dynast gets, but the destiny will need to be appropriate. Giving yourself a destiny to rule the Realm and similar is automatically denied.

Damn, you just shot down my top one choice :P. Oh well, it does not change my background but this case scenario I let you decide what my exact destiny is then. I will send you the background in PM for approval. I just hope we get enough interest for this game so it takes off.

[avorae]

Iwould be interested in playing in this game. If possible i would like to play a half-caste but if not then I'll play a Solar.

[fallensaviour]

Color me interested ill have to get my external hdd working so I can get the books though

[AndyZ]

I could see interest in playing either a Night or a Sidereal.  Maybe I could do a DB but I'm not as much a fan of them.

[ShadowFox89]

@Avorae- No material from Scroll of Heroes, sorry.

@All- Good to see so much interest. I only have 3 basic rules which you should consider before seeking to join:
1) Please use past-tense 1st-person view for posts.
2) Please be able to post at least once every two or three days. If you cannot for some reason, let me know.
3) There are likely to be events in the game that will involve your character being forced to do things, including through physical force, blackmail/extortion, and mind control.

If you can't agree to all of these, please seek a game elsewhere.

Otherwise, just one more thing I'd like to know- Would you prefer everyone working under the same House (if so, please suggest one or we'll go with Tepet) or work alone for the most part?

[fallensaviour]

I accept terms 1 and 2 with no questions and I accept 3 provided our ons /offs list is respected...or at the very least offs occur off screen

[Zaer Darkwail]

I accept the terms, if posts are frequent I also post frequently. Anyways I would not mind work (besides Tepet considering my char background) Cathak, Mnemon, Sesus or Cynis house.

Considering as metaplot; Tepet could be desperate enough perhaps do heretical scandal to avoid their house fall completely is perhaps employ discreetly solars or 'other anathema' bolster itself. Perhaps as idea by one the head elders of the house but not by all five. But to able use anathema their animas must be changed to look elemental aspect kind and there is celestial level sorcery (or heartstones and charms) to do that.

[Chajesdad]

     I wish to voice a request for admittance, I would greatly enjoy an Immaculate of either Wood or Earth Dragon Style. Though I have a Fire Dragon Sorceror  concept that I have not utterly burned out yet. I have no concern about power discrepancies between Solar and Dragonblooded, as to the afore mentioned terms, I feel comfortable with each as long as we take care not to step on toes with Ons and Offs. I was thinking V'neef, as one of the smallest houses but in a strong position would offer a ton of opportunities.

[ShadowFox89]

 I'll probably limit the group size to 5, I don't want to take too many players on unless I can get a co-ST.

[Marie Reynolds]

Hmm I'm fine with most of those request as long as limits are respected and well actually I wouldn't mind a more hodge poshest group cause I was looking to play a dragon blooded from look shy but if that's not what the group wants to go with I'll finagle something.

[ShadowFox89]

 A Dragon-Blood from Exalted!Sparta in Exalted!China would get a lot of odd looks. And assassination attempts.

It might be better to go with a background that isn't likely to get you killed....

[Marie Reynolds]

Lol alright no problem

[Zaer Darkwail]

If this case DB from Lookshy has not somereason or another defected from Lookshy by marrying a exalted dynasts. If she is not assassinated she is openly a social outcaste in Dynast society consider grudge from two or three wars Realm hitted on Lookshy to try conquer it and failed each time.

[ShadowFox89]

 I'm not saying don't go for it, but you'd have the same problems as any anathema hiding out on the Isle.

[Marie Reynolds]

Oh it's no problem I've been invited to another exalted game the look shy db will fit better their so ill come up with something more fitting for this one

[ShadowFox89]

 So how are people doing with their ideas?

Zaer- Comet, dragon-blood
Avorae- ? Solar ?
Fallensaviour- ???
Chajesdad- Earth or Wood Aspect Immaculate?
MarieReynolds- ?
AndyZ-  Night? Sidereal? DB?

[AndyZ]

Unfortunately, my Night caste idea would end up trying to sew chaos and get the Realm to destroy itself from the inside out, and I don't think you'd want that kind of character in your game.  Neither the Sidereal nor any DB ideas really manifested for me.

[ShadowFox89]

 Well, the Night caste could probably work as long as s/he focuses attention on the other houses.

[AndyZ]

I could see it working if we were all part of Tepet one way or another.  She'd want to elevate the weakest house in order to make it easiest to destroy them all.  When the time came, though, she'd try to stop everything in order to make things safe for the Solars.

I could easily see her being mistaken for a lost egg, especially if she had a Sidereal mentor cast Disguise of the New Face to conceal her anima.

[ShadowFox89]

 No better way to make the Blessed Isle safe for Solars than to be crowned the new Empress :P

[Zaer Darkwail]

Indeed ;). Solar crowned as new empress while having anima disguised and have heartstone which allows mimic elemental powers of DB caste which you choosed mimic works. I think it is 3 dot heartstone to mimic fire aspect anima effect (immunity to fire and do fire dmg in close radius). So would not be far fetch get heartstone for earth, wind, water or wood.

Anyways start working the char this weekend, last week was quite spiral ride school wise.

[AndyZ]

Been trying to work on this today but nothing seems to be meshing together for any decent character concepts.  Sorry.

[fallensaviour]

I will probably have to bow out since I don't have my books anymore

[ShadowFox89]

 >.<

Doesn't seem like this idea is going to take off at all.

[Chajesdad]

Dark Oak Bodhisattva is almost ready for discussion, Wood Aspect Immaculate, of Cynis married into Tepet. I really hope this has a prayer, I like the build up.

[ShadowFox89]

 Well, if anything, I'll run it for the few that are able to get a character done.

[Marie Reynolds]

Im working on a wood aspect member of House V'neef at this very moment i should be finished some time today.

[Zaer Darkwail]

I have pretty much all done but it's about to type it neatly my usual fashion what is the pain in the ass to do. I would sell myself a easy and neat online exalted charsheet which asks no money any kind to form account for or ask weird program downloads.

[ShadowFox89]

Code Select Expand

Name(s):
Caste:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Hair:
Eyes:
Skin:
Languages:

Motivation:

Intimacies:

Essence:
Personal:
Peripheral:
Overdrive:

Willpower:
Compassion:
Conviction:
Temperance:
Valor:

Health Levels;
~0 x 1
~1 x 2
~2 x 2
~4 x 1
~Inc x 1
~Dying x 3

Strength:
Dexterity:
Stamina:

Charisma:
Manipulation:
Appearance:

Perception:
Intelligence:
Wits:

Abilities:


Charms;


Backgrounds;


Calculations;

Bashing soak -
Lethal soak -
Hardness -
Dodge DV -
Join Combat -
Move/Dash -
Dodge MDV -

Attacks:


BP Spending:


[Zaer Darkwail]

Thank you Shadow :). I start work on it.

[Chajesdad]

Do we have a list of approved or disapproved merits and flaws?

[ShadowFox89]

 No merits or flaws, I'm not even going to bother looking at them. As said in the OP, we'll be doing BP rather than XP, making taking flaws for anything except fluff unnecessary.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Here comes my char. Shadowfox got my background in PM so if your wondering his 'real' full name it is secret for now :P. Anyways I need suggestions for my manses. Considering Tepet legion members got killed and heartstones cracked when attunements were broken on purpose so anathema could not use them it left house Tepet lots of manses linger around. So they gave to Comet (kind of rising star in house) access to one their best manses (second only to ones which elders have) and access to one 3 dot manse and one 1 dot (or two 2 dot manses). So I am up on ears for any good heartstones which would benefit a DB general. I think his 4 dot heartstone is the seven leaping dragon (a kind of essence reinforced/magical dojo/castle which doubles as Comet's home/residence). So open ears for the rest heartstones.

Name(s): Tepet Comet (full real name; Sesus Comet of Arjuf of house Tepet)
Concept: A mysterious Lost Egg with unsurpassed pure bloodline adopted to house Tepet at age of 13 (after fall of legions) and top graduate from House of Bells, renown for being good MA duelist
Caste: Fire Aspect
Age: 18
Height: 5'8'ft
Weight: 180lb
Appearance
Anima
Languages: Riverspeak (native), High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm

Motivation: To become great Dynast general who protects both Realm and neighboring nations from dangerous threats, seek to protect and not abuse.

Intimacies: Tepet Vaneran (deep respect), House Tepet (gratitude), Dragon-Blood Dynasts (cautious paranoia), Thousand Scales (respect), Sesus (wonder/longing), Mnemon (fearful respect), Immaculate Teachings (doubt)

Essence: 2
Personal: 13/13
Peripheral: 23/10
Commited: 13
Overdrive:

Willpower: 6
Compassion: 3
Conviction: 2
Temperance: 2
Valor: 3

Health Levels
~0 []
~1 [][]
~2 [][]
~4 []
~Inc []
~Dying [][][]

Strength: 3
Dexterity: 4
Stamina: 3

Charisma: 3
Manipulation: 1
Appearance: 5

Perception: 2
Intelligence: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities

Air
() Linquistics 3
() Stealth
(F) Lore 2
() Occult 1
() Thrown

Earth
() Awareness 2
() Craft:Water 1
() Integrity 2
() Resistance 1
(F) War 3

Fire
(F) Athletics 1
(F) Dodge 3
(F) Melee 3
(F) Presence 3
(F) Socialize 2

Water
() Bureucracy
() Investigation
() Larceny
(F) Martial Arts 5
() Sail

Wood
() Archery 1
() Medicine
() Performance 1
() Ride 1
() Survival 1

Specialities: Wine making (Craft:Water)², Form Focus (Martial Arts)²

Charms

War
Second excelency, 2m/1 sux

Martial Arts
First excelency, 1m/2 dice
Five-Dragon Claw, 1m (unarmed lethal, ignore hardness)
Five-Dragon Force Blow, 2m (2xraw dmg/no sux counted, knockdown)
Five-Dragon Fortitude, 1m per 2B or 1L soaks
Five-Dragon Blocking Technique, 4m, 1wp (scene) (1/2 essence = PDV, can parry lethal)
Five-Dragon Form, 5m (Form) (bashing=lethal soak, unarmed dmg=lethal, form weapons=+1 Acc, essence + Str/Dex stuff)

Backgrounds
Breeding 5 [distant secret relative of emperor by dozen generations, closely connected to empress through Sesus being mother]
Destiny 5 [Something big and epic upon ST's planning]
Artifact 3 [green jade direlance, red jade superheavy plate, red jade pendant/heartstone amulet (background related)]
Manse 3 [ideas?]
Resources 2 [house Tepet stipend for Comet atm]

Calculations

Bashing soak 18
Lethal soak 16
Hardness 10/10
Special: Subract -2 dice from environment hazard dmg
Dodge DV 3
Parry DV 5 (with direlance)
Join Combat 5
Move/Dash 2/8
Dodge MDV 5

Attacks
Unarmed Fist
Speed 4, Accuracy +10, Damage +3B, Defense +10, Rate 3, Tags: N
Unarmed Kick
Speed 4, Accuracy +9, Damage +6B, Defense +9, Rate 2, Tags: N
Clinch
Speed 5, Accuracy +9, Damage +3B, Defense --, Rate 1, Tags: C, N, P
Harvester of Crimson Fields(direlance)
Speed 3, Accuracy +11, Damage +12L/2, Defense +11, Rate 2, Tags: 2, L, O, R, Th

BP Spending
2-Increase Ability: Martial Arts 2 dots
14-Increase Background: Breeding 2 dots, Resources 2 dots, Destiny 2 dots
1-Increase Virtue: Valor 1 dot
1-Increase Willpower: 1 dots

[AndyZ]

Name(s): Aya
Caste: Night
Age: 17
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 135 lb.
Hair: Blue
Eyes: Blue
Skin: White
Languages: High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm

Motivation: Ensure the safety of Solars from the Wyld Hunt

Intimacies: Solars (trust and respect), Rising Petals (trust and respect), House Tepet (ally unless they prove unwilling to aid the Solars in the end), Houses allied with Tepet (ally unless they prove unwilling to aid the Solars in the end), Immaculate Monks (untrustworthy but can be allies on a leash), Lunars (trust and respect),

Essence: 2
Personal: 15
Peripheral: 34 (16 committed, 18 uncommitted)
Overdrive:

Willpower: 9
Compassion: 2
Conviction: 5
Temperance: 2
Valor: 2

Health Levels;
~0 x 1
~1 x 2
~2 x 2
~4 x 1
~Inc x 1
~Dying x 2

Strength: 2
Dexterity: 5
Stamina: 2

Charisma: 2
Manipulation: 2
Appearance: 3 without gem, 7 with gem

Perception: 4
Intelligence: 3
Wits: 4

Abilities:
Athletics* 1, Awareness* 5, Dodge* 1, Integrity* 1, Investigation 2, Larceny* 1, Linguistics 2, Lore 1, Occult 1, Performance 1, Presence* 1, Resistance* 1, Socialize* 1, Stealth* 5 (In Cities +3), Thrown* 5 (Boomerangs +3)

Charms;

2nd Thrown, Diving Sparrow Technique (Thrown variant of Hungry Tiger Technique), 2nd Investigation, Judge's Ear Technique, Graceful Crane Stance, Monkey Leap Technique, 2nd Awareness, Keen Sight Technique, Keen Hearing and Touch Technique, 2nd Stealth, Easily Overlooked Presence Method, Mental Invisibility Technique, Whirling Brush Method

Backgrounds;

Jade Sky Cutter 2, Jade Hearthstone Bracers 2, Stone of Inhuman Beauty 4, Mentor 2 (Rising Petals), Resources 3

Exceptional Chain Shirt - Bashing +2, Lethal +4, Mobility -0, Fatigue 0
Exceptional Lockpicking Tools
Sleep Grenades (A decent number)
Coral Snake Venom (Lots of it)

Calculations;

Bashing soak - 2 without chain shirt, 4 with chain shirt
Lethal soak - 1 without chain shirt, 5 with chain shirt
Hardness - 0
Dodge DV - 6
Join Combat - 9
Move/Dash - 5/11
Dodge MDV - 6

Attacks:

Sky Cutter - Speed 3, Accuracy 14, Damage +7L/3, Rate 2, Range 60

BP Spending: Abilities 1, Backgrounds 5, Charms 9, Virtues 2, Willpower 4, Specialties 1



Aya has lived upon the Blessed Isle for most of her life, struggling to survive, staying out of the way of the Dynasts and dealing with existence as best she could.  Occasionally, she'd end up getting "chosen" by people within the criminal underworld, getting paid just enough to perform certain tasks.  Often, it was simply to trail people, but sometimes she'd have to spill a drink, pick a pocket or little things.  She never even knew who was making her do these things, simply that if she wanted to make it through, she didn't have any choice.

Only one person ever really stood up for her.  Rising Petals, one of the Dynasts but much kinder, showed up on more than one occasion in order to help her out.  Friends weren't a luxury that she could afford, not when limited resources meant that everyone had to fight over food, but she wanted Rising Petals to be a friend.  Even when Rising Petals wanted something from Aya, it was never a trick, and Rising Petals  knew enough about the places in order to make the jobs easy.

Maybe that's why she lashed out.  She hadn't meant to do anything, but when she and Rising Petals were alone planning out how to stop some of the pirates who had come up on shore, one of the other Dynasts burst in.  He was drunk, he was upset with Rising Petals about something or other, and wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Aya was used to being used.  Had he grabbed her, she would have simply gone placid and waited for it to end.  Some of them were even kind.  Some showed her pleasure to mask the terror, but most didn't.  It was such a foolish action, trying to stand up for her only friend, but what else could she do?

She had a small boomerang, only really used to knock the apples off of trees during Wood Season.  It was crazy, but she hadn't really thought.  She just didn't want to live in a world where her one and only friend could be so easily taken from her.  Rising Petals only appeared once a month or so, but Aya found herself craving those times, waiting to be truly understood and accepted, instead of just used.

The boomerang took on a strange, golden glow as sheer power flowed through her, burying completely through the man's neck and nearly removing his head.  Her first thought was understanding what it was, trying to fight, to suppress the idea before she became Anathema, and she closed her eyes to strain herself to fight.  As the memories came back, though, the flood of surprise and amazement, she was able to suppress her power but couldn't help but revel as a newfound Solar.

Rising Petals' smile seemed to suggest that she knew all along.  Although she now knows that Rising Petals is no mere Dynast, she doesn't really know what and doesn't feel it right to ask.  She simply knows that everything is wrong, that the Immaculates developed their dogma in order to fully betray the Solars, and she has to find a way to fix everything.

Now, she hides as a Lost Egg.  Rising Petals has set her up with a few jade artifacts and a stone which makes Aya look stunningly beautiful, as well as a spell to help convince everyone that she was blessed by Mela.

Her trust has to be earned, and now she's even less likely to grant it, knowing that not only her life but her mission is at stake should she fail to keep her secret.  That was alright: she had memories of far worse times under incalculable odds, and would never let herself give up.  Becoming Empress herself didn't hold the allure that others felt because it presented too easy a target, but if she couldn't find another way to ensure the safety of the Solars, it was one possible option.

She was still afraid, but now at least her existence wasn't meaningless.

[Marie Reynolds]

I hate to announce this but I am having character concept Attention Defict Disorder so i will be withdrawing to not hold things up.

[ShadowFox89]

 Alright Marie.

Hopefully, the others don't suffer the same problem :-\

[Zaer Darkwail]

No problem with me but I had do some major edits once I realized I forgot purchase one important background for my concept; Destiny. So my char has been edited again and waits final approval (also changed him use superheavy plate once I realized it was 1pt difference between reinforced breastplate). However I now need ideas for 3th level heartstone and then one 2th level and one 1st level heartstone. Altough he can hold on two heartstone as he has spot in for direlance and one spot in his jade pendant.

[Chajesdad]

Wanted everyone to know I hould have Dar Oak Bodhisattva up for review by this afternoon, sorry took so long.

[Muse]

  Still got room for one, Shadow? 

[Zaer Darkwail]

So far as I know only me and AndyZ had charsheets and are active enough to considered as players Muse, so feel free roll up a char :).

[ShadowFox89]

  Still got room for one, Shadow?

Still have room until I get 5 sheets in.

[Chajesdad]

Name:   Dark Oak Bodhisattva   
Type:   Dragon-blooded (Dynast)   
Aspect:   Wood Dragon   
Intimacies: House V'neef, House Tepet, Immaculate Faith, Sister (Medira), Hostel for Benevolent Life, Grotto of the Twisted Monkey, To Attain the Dog-faced Gremlin
Motivation: Perfection, through the successful understanding of Essence in all of it's forms.


Description:   
   Height between 4' 6" and 6'10" At 120 pounds he has a bare stick-like appearance with what skin shows. Shaven head, Prominent brow, Heavy tan almost barklike, mossy green beard and mustache, always moist. Broad thin robes cover obvious shoulder coverings, an elegant silver and blue jade headband rests upon his brow while black and green jade bracers peek from beneath deep sleeves. Has the scent of wet moss and dirt about him.  (Even before he exalted.) 

History: 
   Raised worms and bugs in the garden before he exalted. Quiet child of the House, often said to be elemental in nature because of my interest and comfort with animals and insects. Never truly good with them, but always comfortable around them, he has been bit, gored, and kicked, but never angry at the animal for reacting as it would. Post exaltation gravitated to the martial arts where he  had a natural affinity. Graduated from the Cloister of Wisdom. Recently married into House Tepet. Recently acting as a Fist of the Immaculate Order, being sent out to deal with specific ordeals such as rogue gods, and lone ghosts or small fey, individual annoyances.

Atributes: 
1   Strength
5   Dexterity
4   Stamina

2   Charisma
2   Manipulation
3   Appearence

4   Perception
2   Intelegence
3   Wits


Air:
3   Linguistics      (High Realm: Southern Blessed Isle)
2   Lore
3      *Occult         BiomancyX2
0   Stealth
0   Thrown

Earth
3      *Awareness
0   Craft: Air   
0   Craft: Earth   
0   Craft: Fire   
0   Craft: Genesis   
0   Craft: Magitech   
0   Craft: Water
1   Craft: Wood      Husbandry
2   Integrity   
2   Resistence   
1   War      

Fire:   
3   Athletics
2   Dodge
1   Melee
1   Pressence
2   Socialize

Water
0   Bureaucracy
0   Investigation
0   Larceny
4      *Martial Arts
0   Sail

Wood:
1      *Archery
2      *Medicine      Infection
1      *Performance
1      *Ride
1      *Survival

Languages: High Realm, Old Realm, Riverspeak

Backgrounds: 
3   Arsenal (Imaculate Order:  Dragon Tear Tiara (For service to the order), Folding Servant, Perfected Lamelar)
2   Artifact (Black and Green Jade Hearstone Bracers, Skin Mount Amulet)
2   Backing (Imaculate Order)
4   Breeding
0   Connections (Tepet)
1   Connections (Vneef)
2   Manse  (Rising River Benevolent Hostel of Recovery, and the Grotto of the Twisted Monkey)

3   Essence

Virtues:
2/2   Compasion
4/4   Conviction
3/3   Temprence
2/2   Valor

7/7   Willpower

Motes: 
14/14   Personal
34/17   Peripheral

Charms: 
Pasiap's Humility
Moment of Da'nad

Wood Dragon Martial Arts: 
--Eyes of the Wood Dragon
--Mind over Body Meditation
--Wood Dragon Vitality
--Soul Marking Strike
--Wood Dragon Form



Thaumaturgy:
--Art of Husbandry:  Judge the Pure Beast, Warding the Crop.  1.  2.  3.


Clinch

Punch

Kick

Self Bow
6   Speed
   Accuracy
1+Arrow   Damage
   Range

[ShadowFox89]

 Oh, I should note another houserule- Craft ability is collapsed to one instead of 5. Each dot of Craft gives you access to another basic craft (air, earth, fire, water, wood) while you can pay the equivalent of a specialty for access to advanced crafts provided you would otherwise meet the prerequisites (magitech, genesis, glamour, etc).

[Chajesdad]

Ok, so what you are saying is advanced Crafts are capped at 3, like Specialties? I have to admit, Genesis is on my to do list.

[ShadowFox89]

 Advanced crafts aren't capped but are separate from specialties.

[Zaer Darkwail]

*poke*

Moar charcheese pls folks :).

[Chajesdad]

Name:   Dark Oak Bodhisattva   
Type:   Dragon-blooded (Dynast)   
Aspect:   Wood Dragon   
Intimacies: House V'neef, House Tepet, Immaculate Faith, Sister (Medira), Hostel for Benevolent Life, Grotto of the Twisted Monkey, To Attain the Dog-faced Gremlin
Motivation: Perfection, through the successful understanding of Essence in all of it's forms.


Description:   
   Height between 4' 6" and 6'10" At 120 pounds he has a bare stick-like appearance with what skin shows. Shaven head, Prominent brow, Heavy tan almost barklike, mossy green beard and mustache, always moist. Broad thin robes cover obvious shoulder coverings, an elegant silver and blue jade headband rests upon his brow while black and green jade bracers peek from beneath deep sleeves. Has the scent of wet moss and dirt about him.  (Even before he exalted.) 

History: 
   Raised worms and bugs in the garden before he exalted. Quiet child of the House, often said to be elemental in nature because of my interest and comfort with animals and insects. Never truly good with them, but always comfortable around them, he has been bit, gored, and kicked, but never angry at the animal for reacting as it would. Post exaltation gravitated to the martial arts where he  had a natural affinity. Graduated from the Cloister of Wisdom. Recently married into House Tepet. Recently acting as a Fist of the Immaculate Order, being sent out to deal with specific ordeals such as rogue gods, and lone ghosts or small fey, individual annoyances.

Atributes: 
1   Strength
5   Dexterity
4   Stamina

2   Charisma
2   Manipulation
3   Appearence

4   Perception
2   Intelegence
3   Wits


Air:
3   Linguistics      (High Realm: Southern Blessed Isle)
2   Lore
3      *Occult         BiomancyX2
0   Stealth
0   Thrown

Earth
3      *Awareness
0   Craft: Air   
0   Craft: Earth   
0   Craft: Fire   
0   Craft: Genesis   
0   Craft: Magitech   
0   Craft: Water
1   Craft: Wood      Husbandry
2   Integrity   
2   Resistence   
1   War      

Fire:   
3   Athletics
2   Dodge
1   Melee
1   Pressence
2   Socialize

Water
0   Bureaucracy
0   Investigation
0   Larceny
4      *Martial Arts
0   Sail

Wood:
1      *Archery
2      *Medicine      Infection
1      *Performance
1      *Ride
1      *Survival

Languages: High Realm, Old Realm, Riverspeak

Backgrounds: 
3   Arsenal (Imaculate Order:  Dragon Tear Tiara (For service to the order), Folding Servant, Perfected Lamelar)
2   Artifact (Hearstone Bracers, Skin Mount Amulet)
2   Backing (Imaculate Order)
4   Breeding
0   Connections (Tepet)
1   Connections (Vneef)
2   Manse  (

3   Essence

Virtues:
2/2   Compasion
4/4   Conviction
3/3   Temprence
2/2   Valor

7/7   Willpower

Motes: 
14/14   Personal
34/17   Peripheral

Charms: 
Pasiap's Humility
Moment of Da'nad

Wood Dragon Martial Arts: 
--Eyes of the Wood Dragon
--Mind over Body Meditation
--Wood Dragon Vitality
--Soul Marking Strike
--Wood Dragon Form



Thaumaturgy:
--Art of Husbandry:  Judge the Pure Beast, Warding the Crop.  1.  2.  3.


Clinch

Punch

Kick

Self Bow
6   Speed
   Accuracy
1+Arrow   Damage
   Range

[Chajesdad]

Sorry thought I had already pitched this into the queue. Also trying to wrap my mind around the Craft rules, say I have 4 in Craft, (water, earth, fire, and life) and I purchase Craft: Genesis for the specialty cost of 3 experience, is my Craft: Genesis 1, 4, or 5?

[ShadowFox89]

 Life? You mean wood, right? :P

And it would be Craft (genesis) 4.

[Meliai]

     

Name(s): Iselsi Avelle, Distant Silver Whispers
Caste: Changing Moon
Age: 19
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 135lbs
Hair: Black with hints of deep purple in the sun. Long and wild, usually tied back in in a ponytail an attempt to keep it under control.
Eyes: Sea green
Skin: Rather pale, with tinged sea green around her eyes
Languages: High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm
Spirit Shape: A sleek (or maybe just scrawny) odd-eyed domestic cat with short black fur.
Tell: Miss-matched eyes; left is always blue, right is a color appropriate to whatever form she is in. For instance, when in her original human form people that can perceive her tell see her right eye as its natural green color and her left as blue. In the dark her eyes seem to flash or glow faintly, like a cat's.

Motivation: Uncover the secrets of the Realm Defense Grid to protect Creation from the Wyld

Intimacies: Lunar Exalted (camaraderie)   House Iselsi (filial duty)   Solar Exalted (wary distrust)   Terrestrial Exalted (conflict)   Saraban Riya (trust and gratitude) 

Essence: ● ●
Personal: 12
Peripheral: 34 (8 committed)
Overdrive:

Anima: Avelle's full Anima manifests as field of shadows rising up behind her back and spreading across the ground beneath her feet. Monsterous, yellow, cat-like eyes of every shape and size open across the shadow field and stare balefully at Avelle's foes. Her tell becomes fearsome, causing her mis-colored eyes to glow with an eerie blue like moonlight reflected off a still pond. 
Disguised: When under Riya's Disguise spell, Avelle's anima appears to be that of a rather un-remarkable Water Aspect terrestrial.

Willpower: ● ● ● ● ● [] [] [] [] []
Compassion: ● ● ● ● [] [] [] []
Conviction: ● ● ● [] [] []
Temperance: ● []
Valor: ● ● ● [] [] []

Health Levels:

~0 x 1    ~1 x 2    ~2 x 2    ~4 x 1    ~Inc x 1    ~Dying x 3

[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

ATTRIBUTES:

[] Strength:  [] Dexterity:  [] Stamina:

●●●●●                  ●●●●● ●●●●●

[●] Charisma: [●] Manipulation:    [●] Appearance:

●●●●●                  ●●●●● ●●●●●

[] Perception:  [●] Intelligence:    [] Wits:

●●●●●                  ●●●●● ●●●●●

Abilities:

WAR Archery Athletics Awareness    Dodge Integrity Martial Arts Melee Resistance Thrown War

●●●●●          ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●●

LIFE Craft (air, fire, water)    Larceny Linguistics Performance    *Presence Ride Sail Socialize Stealth *Survival

●●●●●          ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●●

WISDOM Bureaucracy Investigation    Lore Medicine Occult

●●●●●          ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●● ●●●●●

Specialties:
Lore: First age ²
Larceny: Impersonation ²

Charms:
Second Charisma Excellency, Culling the Pride
Second Manipulation Excellency, Mask of White Jade, Falling Leaf Distraction

Knacks:
Humble Mouse Shape, Subtle Silver Declaration

Backgrounds:
Backing: ●● (Silver Pact: Swords of Luna)
Artifact: ●● (Black Jade Hearthstone Bracers)
Artifact: ● (Good luck talisman, disease warding talisman)
Allies: ●● (Saraban Riya, Dragon-blooded sorceress & member of the all-seeing eye)
Manse: ●●● (Stone of Aquatic Prowess)
Resources: ●●●
Hearts Blood: ● (Nightingale)

Exceptional Chain Shirt - Soak +4L/2B     Mobility 0     Fatigue 0
Exceptional Self Bow - Speed 6, Accuracy +1, Damage +1, Rate 3, Range 150,
Arrows -
     Broadhead - Str +2L base damage
     Fowling - Str +2B
     Frog crotch - Str +4L but lethal soak of the target’s armor is doubled before applying the damage
Black Jade Hearthstone Bracers - +3d Dodge

Calculations:
Bashing soak - 3 {5}
Lethal soak - 1 {5}
Hardness - 0
Dodge DV - 4
Join Combat - 5
Move/Dash - 10
Dodge MDV - 5

Attacks:


BP Spending:
4 - Stamina +1
5 - Presence +4, Survival +1
5 - Resources 3, Hearts Blood 1, Artifact 1
3 - Intelligence +1


Avelle was born into the crumbling remains of House Iselsi on an inauspicious, storm-wracked morning. Though her mother clung to the possibility that the awful storms may have been a sign from Daana'd or Mela, the girl's outlook was rather bleak. The branch of the family tree Avelle had been born to was one of the unlucky few left to struggle and die in the wake of Iselsi's false disgrace, a pathetic reminder to the other Houses of what the Empress's wrath looked like. It had been generations since anyone in Avelle's immediate family line had exalted - by the time of her birth, they were struggling just to survive. On top of the same hardships all peasants had to endure the family still had a good deal of responsibilities to the realm they were expected to fulfill, as well as the occasional humiliating visit from once-friends of the family.

Convinced that their daughter was destined to Exalt and do great things, redeeming at least their little family for the sins of their fore-bearers, Avelle's parents scrimped and saved from the moment she was born, eventually saving up enough to send her to school. Unfortunately for Avelle, the only school they could afford was a rather dour place notorious for the high percentage of it's students who went on to either the House of Ancient Stone or Palace of Tamed Storm. Smaller and far more good-natured than most of the student body, she immediately found herself the target of many of her peers' ire. The fact that she would rush to the defense of anyone being bullied did nothing to help her standing among her fellow students; those she stood up for saw her as a bleeding-heart who'd coddle those too weak to make it in Dynast society, and those she stood up for often resented her for making them look helpless (turns out wealthy nobels don't like being saved by peasant girls, no matter how badly they're being thrashed.)

To the surprise of many, including Avelle herself, nothing managed to break her spirit though over the years she did develop a rather flippant disregard for her own well-being. She proved surprisingly cunning and bright, and without the behavioral problems that plagued most of the student body she excelled in all her classes. However as student after student Exalted around her, Avelle found herself in an ever shrinking pool of students. Spending hours a week praying desperately to Parad and Lytek she gradually grew bitter and fell into a moody despair the likes of which most teenagers could only dream of.

At 15 she gave up schooling, refusing to enroll in a secondary school for un-exalted or enter an apprenticeship. Her parents, for their part, had lost interest in the girl with each passing year and made no protest when she volunteered for a dangerous position covertly investigating possible corruption in a remote stratapy. A young but powerful Water Aspect spy named Saraban Riya took an interest in Avelle and taught her a few tricks, how to put people at ease, how to move silently and go unnoticed. Unbeknownst to Avelle, Riya was in fact a close cousin of her's, a member of House Iselsi and an initiate of the All-Seeing Eye. For much of the year she attended the Heptagram, with the intention of infiltrating the Blessed Isle's sorcery societies after graduation. She felt guilty for the way Avelle's family had suffered to keep the rest of the line safe, and admired the kindness and concern for others she showed despite the fact that she'd gained nothing from it.

Before long Avelle was relocated to the Stratapy, assigned as a simple mortal assistant to the local lord, her only tie to her home the occasional letter from Riya. It was laughably easy to find the evidence her employers were after; poorly hidden documents revealed that the Stratap had been selling citizens of his lands to the Fair Folk for years; orphans or small families that wouldn't be missed. Unfortunately, Avelle was caught. She was throne into the holding cells, tortured for weeks as the Stratap tried to extract the identity of her employers. She remained silent, knowing she'd be killed as soon as he had the information he needed.

WHOOPS still have a couple more paragraphs of my stupidly long backstory to do and I need to re-read the combat rules so I can calculate her attacks but I told Shadow I'd have this up yesterday so I'm tossing it up as a WIP so folks and see what I've got and let me know if I made any stupid mistakes. I'm heading to a concert here in a few minutes, so I'll try and finish this up when I get home later.

[ShadowFox89]

 You only spent 17 of 18 bonus points.

[Zaer Darkwail]

So far background story looks good but Shadow pointed out the only flaw in it :). I would suggest perhaps a contact or influence at All-Seeing Eye? Assuming you are still one their agents.

[Laughing Hyena]

Ooooh exalted. Nice. I honestly haven't played in a while but it replaced 3.5 DnD for me until Pathfinder came along. It takes me back. Anyway Shadow, By my count I see five players so Im out naturally I believe.

[Zaer Darkwail]

This is not first serve game Hyena; those who have completed charsheets and chosen by ST are counted to be in the game :).

[Laughing Hyena]

That's good news, say has anyone here played on the exalted java chats? Dawn of a New Age and Web of Memories? Felt nostalgic and felt like talking with a few old friends but the chats seem to no longer work or Im just missing a plug in.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Nop, not me but I am quite several exalted games over at Rpol.

[AndyZ]

You mean the old chats on White Wolf?  Yeah, I was on there under a bunch of characters, Kiara Thoughtweaver probably being my longest running, with Swift Agony being my favorite.  They shut those down a few years ago, along with their WoD stuff and some others.

If it comes to numbers, I can always drop mine if someone uber excited wants in the game.

[Laughing Hyena]

Anyway Im going to make a Twilight Caste Solar. One from there since he makes a lot of sense in such a dangerous setting such as the Realm where any one not a Dragon Blood or Sidereal is going to be hunted. And also his motivation might actually work this time instead of lounging in what was seemingly an MMO version Exalted Chat.

-_- Nostalgia sucks at time.

And nah I'd rather play again with someone familiar Kiara. Torhan Zed/Aramil Blackthorn here.

Let's just see if I remember how to do this.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Well, just note the 2.5 errata rules are in use. I give below quick brief about the changes in below;

Character Creation
Exalted Character Creation
(pp. 73-85)
The following adjustments should be made for the creation
of Exalted characters. These changes apply in whole to Solar,
Abyssal and Infernal Exalted. Those marked by an asterisk also
apply to Dragon-Blooded, Lunar, Sidereal and Alchemical Exalted
character creation.
• Players may raise any of their character’s Abilities to five
without spending bonus points.
• Players receive four specialties to distribute amongst their
character’s Abilities.*
• Virtue dots may be purchased for 1 bonus point each.
However, Willpower is calculated independently of Virtues.*
• Characters begin with Willpower rated at 5. Willpower
may be increased at a cost of 1 bonus point per dot.*
• Characters may start with (Willpower + Compassion) Intimacies
without spending bonus points.*
• When selecting Charms, players no longer need to choose
at least five Charms from Caste or Favored abilities. The character
may start with any ten Charms she meets the prerequisites
for.
• Charms cost 4 bonus points, or 3 if they come from a Caste
or Favored Ability.
• Players receive 18 bonus points at character creation.*

Also all perfects costs 8m (even DB one's which costs WP too :P). Also weapon stats (mundane and norm) have changed across the board (I can provide specifics if need be). Also piercing tag no longer halfs soaks but gives -4 penalty for it. Also no longer you do minimum dmg egual to essence but only 1 dice (or using artifact weapons, as now all of them give O tag which mostly is 2). Shields count now weapons which have high defense rates. But overall 2.5 errata could be downloaded for free and exalted wiki has errata notices edited in.

[Laughing Hyena]

Well I have been out of this for a while. What the heck is the Overdrive keyword!? Really? All perfect Ds now cost 8 motes? For real? Man I was out for some time.

[AndyZ]

Anyway Im going to make a Twilight Caste Solar. One from there since he makes a lot of sense in such a dangerous setting such as the Realm where any one not a Dragon Blood or Sidereal is going to be hunted. And also his motivation might actually work this time instead of lounging in what was seemingly an MMO version Exalted Chat.

-_- Nostalgia sucks at time.

And nah I'd rather play again with someone familiar Kiara. Torhan Zed/Aramil Blackthorn here.

Let's just see if I remember how to do this.

Names are very familiar but I'm blanking in my sleep-deprived state.  But yeah, Exalted didn't tend to work very well in a chat setting, where you're just saturated with power but they had to keep you from destroying the setting.

Fair warning that for this one, it'll be on the Blessed Isle, so only go for an Anathema if you think you can hide.

And yeah, make sure you download the latest Scroll of Errata.  http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/84593/Scroll-of-Errata has it for free.

[Laughing Hyena]

Considering I had the notion of running a restaurant within the Blessed Isle as a front and heavy on perhaps social and sorcery, I shouldn't have too many problems hiding my true nature or running like a little girl. This actually did fool a TON of people when I first did it. Hell even an ST was thinking that it seemed kind of underwhelming and she questioned me on why I was even exalted if I just "cooked food". In the end I got to keep him exalted.

[Zaer Darkwail]

The errata was launched few months ago. Also extra scary be for any UMI's. As of now that besides the base cost to resist them (which is between 1-3) if there is roll involved vs your MDV, if aggressor gains 3 sux over your MDV it costs additional WP to resist UMI (and it stacks so if 6 sux over MDV then it costs +2 extra WP to resist and so on. Max WP cost any UMI along extra sux is 5 though).

But there was good stuff too; no longer combos cost WP to activate and no longer need spend XP in making them. So in essence you can mix charms whatever fashion you like in combat.

Anyways check errata as it has also updates for Twilight and all charms with new key words. Overdrive is something related to Ink Monkeys but not sure do we use them. But you can download Ink Monkeys Ultimate Collection for free in same website where Andyz linked at. Overdrive charms in general just give free motes in specific scenarios. Example infernals who favor Adorjan gets charm which allows collect overdrive whenever they feed via using one their charms (or kill mortals in general). Overdrives usually lock on 10 extra motes.

Anyways I think we can help you make twilight :). Just need contact, ally or mentor who disguises your anima to look like elemental aspect instead solar alike and cheat with heartstone to mimic anima power benefits of aspect your cheating to be.

[Laughing Hyena]

Well I know I'm not going to be able to hide impeccable and ultra incredible cooking as a mere mortal. However I take disguise of the new face and mask my anima to look like a minor god of culinary or something. As for those pesky destiny seeing sidereals, the best defense is a gold factioned sidereal that has been covertly keeping an eye on Curious after finding his thread involves innovations and inventions to help Creation recover from the fall of the First Age. The sidereal intends to make sure nothing happens to Curious until he sees for himself what he can do at his own devices.

I do know however I will need lots of motes and the most common ways to get those are manse and hearthstone amulet sockets. So just one of those and then a few of those overdrive charms in managing my businesses.

The tavern and inn Curious runs is but a front for an information gathering bracket. People tend to be rather relaxed in conversation when eating, of which Curious takes tremendous advantage of to get information. It also hides his more private experiments with engineering and inventions. His first idea was one to invent more revolutionary and mundane means of flight.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Gold Faction sidereal sorcerer is your best ally sit tight and hide in Realm indeed :). Anyways do you plan only cook or will you actually participate in events more direct manner? Or is it more long term plan once you learn kung-fu from same gold faction sidereal?

Anyways benefit as twilight you could copy cat DB's charms or god charms for that matter to act like minor god who walks in flesh running best restaurant in Nexus (at moment). So you could have many contacts among high society of Realm.

[Laughing Hyena]

Thats an eclipse yer thinking of right Zaer? I thought they were the ones with the skills to learn charms outside their boundaries? Curious upfront only cooks. However that same tavern doubles as a way to gather information and because Curious would probably have multiple fronts he would be probably a very well informed man. How much of that is the Gold Sidereals doing is another's guess. He doesn't sell this information. But he does harvest and use it. Lastly it also masks his true work which is involved in his inventions and studies. His first intention was to replicate and improve upon the flying machines of the North and the East. The reason is because it would revolutionize trade, and war. Since the realm is headed in that direction tis a good time to try and become a silent trading superpower in it.

[Zaer Darkwail]

Ahaa, my bad. I mix Twilight and Eclipse name wise :P.

[Laughing Hyena]

Wonder why.