[Exalted] Protectors of the River Province OOC

[rhoenix]

I do hope I can fit in with all of you and you'll forgive my relative unfamiliarity with the system. I think I have the majority of the mechanics worked out, but I expect to make some mistakes.

No worries. Basically, it's much like White Wolf 2.0 games, with a few differences here and there.

Glad to have you here.

[LadyTevar]

I don't think so, but on second thought, weapons made of the magical materials often count as "magic" for the purpose of creatures or objects that are immune to mundane attacks. I'll ask around on an Exalted board. Well, you should try to fan the cloud off his throat, in the meantime

It is listed as an "Artifact Weapon"

[rhoenix]

I don't think so, but on second thought, weapons made of the magical materials often count as "magic" for the purpose of creatures or objects that are immune to mundane attacks. I'll ask around on an Exalted board. Well, you should try to fan the cloud off his throat, in the meantime

It is listed as an "Artifact Weapon"

Its probably moonsilver, then.

[SirNitram]

And has the modifications. Sorry if I didn't make it clear; yes, they are moonsilver fans.

[Academia Nut]

Ake, Solar of the Zenith Caste

Attributes
Primary Physical, Secondary Social, Tertiary Mental
Strength 4
Dexterity 4
Stamina 3
Charisma 4
Manipulation 2
Appearance 3
Perception 3
Intelligence 2
Wits 2

Abilities
Caste
Performance 0
Integrity 0
Survival (specialty tracking) 2
Presence 3
Resistance 3

Favoured
Dodge 3
Stealth 2
Melee (specialty spears) 4
Archery 2
War 3

Other
Linguistics 1
Awareness 3
Ride 2
Socialize 1

For linguistics his native tongue is Forest-tongue while the one he picked up with linquistics is Riverspeak.

Background
Cult 2
Resources 2
Artifact 2+1

Back home he has converted a few villages within the forests of the threshold to the worship of him as their saviour, but upon the recommendation of the elders he decided to travel far from his domain to keep prying eyes away from them and so that he can begin rallying a larger army. He came to Lookshy to seek out strong warriors to assist in his cause. Artifacts are an orichalcum dire lance and an orichalcum breastplate, detailed below.

Virtues
Compassion 3
Conviction 2
Temperance 1
Valour 4
Virtue Flaw - Foolhardy Contempt

Miscellaneous
Willpower 7
Essence 3
Personal Essence 16
Peripheral Essence 31
Hardness 3L/3B
Soak 1L+8L (9L) / 3B+6B (9B)

Anima Effects
Can spend a mote of essence to burn dead bodies and send souls on and ensure they do not rise as undead, either physical or as ghosts. Can spend 10 essence and be surrounded by the holy light of the Unconquered Son, illuminating (Essence x 10) yards as if it were noon. For the remainder of the scene gains additional lethal and bashing soak damage equal to Essence against all creatures of darkness. Also, will add Essence to the minimum number of dice rolled for any attack against creatures of darkness.

Charms
First Melee Excellence
Dipping Swallow Defence
Bulwark Stance
Heavenly Guardian Defence - Compassion Flaw
Solar Counterattack
First War Excellence
Rout Stemming Gesture
Mob Dispersing Rebuke
Durability of Oak Meditation
Spirit Strengthens the Skin

Combos
Bulwark Stance + Solar Counterattack + First Melee Excellence = Infinite Retaliation Stance of the Sun

Bonus Points
Specialties 1
Combo 3
Virtue 3
Essence 7
Ability 1

Gear
Sun's Wounding Tear (Orichalcum Dire Lance, Artifact 2) - Speed 5, Accuracy +2, Damage +8L/12L, +3 Defence, Rate 3, Attune 5, 2 handed, lance, reach
Unconquered Plate of the Sun (Orichalcum breastplate) - Soak +8L/+6B, Hardness 3L/3B, Fatigue 0, Attune 2, Can be concealed under heavy jacket or cloak
Regular longbow with broadheaded arrows
Clothes befitting someone from the dense forests of the edge of the Threshold in the East

Story

First Age
In the First Age the Zenith known, among other things, as the Hunt Leader served as a general for the armies as they pursued the Primordials outside of open battle. Skilled at arms, at tracking, and at stirring those under him into greater feats of battle, he was well loved by his troops for his bravado and sense of comradery, always fighting shoulder to shoulder with them when possible.

With the defeat of the Primordials, he then took up the mantle of a priest-king in the East, and as a king he saw it as his highest priority to protect his subjects. Thus he ranged far and wide across Creation hunting down demons and undead and anything that might have leaked in from the Wyld. He was bombastic and raucus, and his mortal subjects loved him. But as the Great Curse amplified he spent less and less time performing other duties and more time on the hunt, even when there was nothing left to pursue. Burdened with civil responsibilities that he should have been performing, his Terrestrial Exalted underlings became increasingly angered with his activities and he saw not their displeasure. Thus when the Sidereals convinced the Dragonblooded to overthrow their Celestial masters, the Hunt Leader's lieutenants gladly took them up on their offer.

Despite their betrayal, the Hunt Leader lasted for years after the initial Usurpation, leading forces of skilled men in daring guerilla raids. Finally though, it was not his bravado that broke, but his heart. One day he turned about and saw how his men were broken and weary from endless campaigning without hope of victory, and yet still they wore only smiles when they saw his face. He remembered the faces of his Terrestrial lieutenants and was moved to tears when he realized how he had treated them. What a precious gift they had given him when they first swore oaths of friendship and loyalty! And he had squandered it!

Weeping freely, the Hunt Leader gathered together his remaining mortal troops and told them how unworthy he was, that they should follow him in battle against other Exalted. But he had realized his folly and he would no longer squander their lives. He stripped off his armour and his weapons and gave them to his men and told them to take them into the deep forests and hide them safe, so that perhaps one day a more worthy incarnation might find better use of them. He then took a mortal spear and walked out before the army sent to pursue him.

He dared them to strike at him, and they showered his position with arrows. He charged through as if they were rain, ignoring the pain as some slipped through his defences. Broken and weary but refusing to give up, wanting to give his men as much time as possible to slip away, he crashed into the front ranks, cutting down many until the Dragonblooded general, his own former right hand man, challenged him to single combat. The Hunt Leader was limping and had arrows fired from Exalted archers sticking out of him, while his foe was fresh and had weapons and armour befitting an Exalted. The Hunt Leader of course accepted.

It was a battle for the ages that none remember, but when all was said and done, the Hunt Leader found himself run through. His last words to his former lieutenant were, "I'm sorry..."

Current Age
Ake was a firm young man who lived amongst the endless mazes of forest in the East, a hunter for his village. Strong and curious about the world, he would often ascending into the high canopies to gaze out upon the sky and the blazing sun that was often occluded by the trees. Strong of heart as well as body, his skills lay not just in the spear but in organizing clever ambushes and the skilled movement of men both in the hunt and when his village went to war with others.

Ake's life as a mortal came to an end when his village was attacked by a band of marauding hobgoblins. Quickly organizing the warriors of his village, he attempted to turn back the tide of battle, but the Fair Folk quickly began to overrun their defences. Then, at the darkest hour, when it looked like all was lost, Ake felt as if the canopy open up and the sun poured down just on him. Feeling strength pour into his limbs, Ake grabbed rallied his village while proceeding to cut through the remaining hobgoblins and hunt them down to the last after they routed.

Flush with success, Ake then found the eyes of his village turned upon him, wondering what he had become. Far from the Realm and the influence of the Immaculate Order, they did not immediately shun him, but neither did they embrace him. First he had to prove himself. Guided by a calling and ancient, half remembered memories, he searched the ancient forests until he discovered a tomb without a body. His tomb. Within, the Hunt Leader's spear and breastplate had been secreted away so many centuries ago, their orichalcum still as brilliant as they day they were made.

Returning now girded, Ake proved himself the ancient hero the oldest tales spoke of, and many took to worship him. While Ake has managed to convince many to send their prayers to the Unconquered Sun and include mention of his name if they felt like it, in truth it is the other way around. Still, he treats every prayer as a precious gift and ensures that what messages he does hear he passes on to the Unconquered Sun, so that those who have given him their trust will stay safe and sound.

As Ake learned of his new abilities and word of his influence grew, he suddenly realized that he could once again pose a danger to his people. He would not run, but he knew that if he stayed he would only attract attention from the Realm or increasingly powerful Fair Folk. If he wanted to protect his people, he would have to change the order of Creation. He would have to reinvigorate the wards that pushed back the Wyld and he would have to strengthen the East from the predations of the Realm. As such, in consultation with the village elders, he set off alone, vowing to raise an army to seize control of the East and the First Age artifacts that would let him push back the Wyld to where it was so long ago. His first goal was Lookshy and the warriors legend spoke of.

Unfortunately, along the way a Wyld Hunt caught up with him and he was forced to flee across the Yellow River in a boat he knew little about. He has spent the past week grumbled about how the Wyld Hunt was basically his job in the First Age and not only has it been perverted, but they clearly aren't very good at it if he managed to escape.

[LadyTevar]

Ok, we need a Zenith, and that one looks pretty good to me.

[rhoenix]

Ok, we need a Zenith, and that one looks pretty good to me.

True. Tev, your character pretty much has the Eclipse part covered, so I'd say we're pretty much good on the basics now that Academia Nut's playing a non-zealot Zenith (thank you, by the way).

...Now the real question is, how will he deal with some of the more..."interesting" personalities amongst the PC's? Hmm...

[LadyTevar]

Ok, we need a Zenith, and that one looks pretty good to me.

True. Tev, your character pretty much has the Eclipse part covered, so I'd say we're pretty much good on the basics now that Academia Nut's playing a non-zealot Zenith (thank you, by the way).

...Now the real question is, how will he deal with some of the more..."interesting" personalities amongst the PC's? Hmm...

How will he deal with Kolth, you mean?

The Lunar just gives him hell right back.

[rhoenix]

How will he deal with Kolth, you mean?

Actually, I was thinking of how he'd react to Teamhair and Orduin, but that's another good question.

The Lunar just gives him hell right back.

Yeah, well. Those who cause trouble for others need to practice, after all.

[Academia Nut]

Man, shows how much I know about the game, I had no idea Zeniths had a reputation for fanatacism. I just made a character and figured out the mechanics later. Technically he started out as a Dawn Caste general but when The Nomad pointed out that a Zenith or Eclipse was needed I realized I could get the same character concept starting with a Zenith build.

[LadyTevar]

You do have more of a direct connection with the Unconquered Sun. In a way, you're a Paladin/Priest.

Although why you'd have a problem with Orduin or Teamhair, I've no idea

[Academia Nut]

Pffft. People only think of paladins the way they do because everyone does them wrong. You want to do them right, you look beyond the codes to what is supposed to be the motivation for the codes in the first place. A paladin is supposed to be someone who has dedicated their life to the cause of justice and honour. They do not do things because they are told to, they do them because of who they are. Good and righteousness flows from them naturally and if they pick up a code of behaviour it is simply an affirmation of who they already were at the time of swearing an oath. All other considerations should slip to the wayside before the question, "Is this right?"

Sure, they can screw up, they can get blindsided, they can suffer 'he who fights monsters', and they can fall, but that's secondary. Lawful stupid behaviour stems from a lack of conception of understanding the question "Is this right?"

[rhoenix]

Although why you'd have a problem with Orduin or Teamhair, I've no idea

A segue to a "you're not married!" joke involving our new priest, is all.

Sure, they can screw up, they can get blindsided, they can suffer 'he who fights monsters', and they can fall, but that's secondary. Lawful stupid behaviour stems from a lack of conception of understanding the question "Is this right?"

Well, now. This could be very interesting.

[Academia Nut]

You know, reading it over, my character is actually more likely to end up saying something more along the lines of "Would you like me to do the ceremony?" rather than crack wise about their love. He may be strongly martial minded and have valour as his greatest virtue and his flaw, but he's got strong compassion as well. Also, note the Temperance of 1. He's the kind of priest-king who was into partying down for the glory of the Unconquered Sun. This of course pissed off everyone who had to clean up after, but hey, no one's perfect.

[rhoenix]

You know, reading it over, my character is actually more likely to end up saying something more along the lines of "Would you like me to do the ceremony?" rather than crack wise about their love. He may be strongly martial minded and have valour as his greatest virtue and his flaw, but he's got strong compassion as well. Also, note the Temperance of 1. He's the kind of priest-king who was into partying down for the glory of the Unconquered Sun. This of course pissed off everyone who had to clean up after, but hey, no one's perfect.

Ah, alright. This should be very interesting once he meets Kolth, however.

Heh.

[SirNitram]

Remember: The US is not the Christian God. At present, he's playing a supernaturally addictive game with a small horde of female divinities.

[The Nomad]

Remember: The US is not the Christian God. At present, he's playing a supernaturally addictive game with a small horde of supernaturally hot female divinities, and a weird hermaphrodite.

That's better.

Besides, the UCS has few teachings beyond "make the world a righteous place", and not a righteous place in the Christian morality sense, but actually it sounds more like a modern secular, utilitarian ethics (of course, these are heavily influenced by the existence of an actual divine order, and the fact that everyone has a place in this universe). The UCS himself does not demand worship in the sense of prayer (he tithes the other gods' worship energy to run the Celestial Bureaucracy ), he merely asks for respect, and an upstanding, virtuous attitude.

[Academia Nut]

Okay, so I just want to get the image clear in my mind here. How many of the nemissaries are within reach of my spear? Also, if I spend between 11 and 15 motes of periphery essence, I trigger my caste ability automatically, right? Because I figure if I'm going to make an entrance I might as well make a grand entrance by firing off my combo with a flurry and then making everything within 30 yards of me look like the noon day sun is shining on it.

[The Nomad]

The boat is not big, so you can have every nemissary within reach, though some of them might have small DV bonuses due to cover (mast, barrels or parcels, etc...).

And you are right about the anima.

[Academia Nut]

Okay, so if I fire off my combo that is 5 motes for the Bulwark Stance, 3 motes for Solar Counterattack, and a minimum of 1 mote for the First Melee Excellency, along with a point of willpower to trigger the whole thing, right? Now, if I perform a flurry, I get up to three attacks, but I take -3, -4, and -5 from my dice, correct? But I can distribute the extra dice from my Excellency how I wish, so if I spend 6m I could make three attacks at -2, -2, -2 or say -1, -2, -3 but with the onslaught penalty to DV if I directed all of my attacks at one target the penalty to my attack would be countered by the enemy's penalty to defence. Hmmm...

I think I shall spend 6m and distribute them amongst my three attacks such that my overall penalty is -2, -2, -2 and attack three of the nemissaries at once. I have Dex 4 and Melee 4 +1 for spears so that is 9, +3 for my lance's accuracy, but -2 after flurry penalties and essence so that would give me three attacks at 10 each, correct? So I would roll three groups of ten dice and count up the number that are 7 or greater as sucesses, with 10s counting double. Now since, I'm not seeing any rolls in the thread, I'm presuming that you do the rolling, correct?

But anyway, that is my intention, to do a flurry of three and spend 14 motes of peripheral essence and one point of willpower to activate my combo and then start with the stabbing.

[The Nomad]

Okay, so if I fire off my combo that is 5 motes for the Bulwark Stance, 3 motes for Solar Counterattack, and a minimum of 1 mote for the First Melee Excellency, along with a point of willpower to trigger the whole thing, right?

Your Combo does not have any Simple or Supplemental Charm, only Reflexives, so you are not obliged at all to activate all the Charms in the Combo, unless you actually want to use them ie you don't have to pay for Solar Counterattack unless you are effectively attacked and wish to retaliate.

Now, if I perform a flurry, I get up to three attacks, but I take -3, -4, and -5 from my dice, correct? But I can distribute the extra dice from my Excellency how I wish, so if I spend 6m I could make three attacks at -2, -2, -2 or say -1, -2, -3 but with the onslaught penalty to DV if I directed all of my attacks at one target the penalty to my attack would be countered by the enemy's penalty to defence. Hmmm...

Correct.

I think I shall spend 6m and distribute them amongst my three attacks such that my overall penalty is -2, -2, -2 and attack three of the nemissaries at once. I have Dex 4 and Melee 4 +1 for spears so that is 9, +3 for my lance's accuracy, but -2 after flurry penalties and essence so that would give me three attacks at 10 each, correct?

That's accurate.

So I would roll three groups of ten dice and count up the number that are 7 or greater as sucesses, with 10s counting double. Now since, I'm not seeing any rolls in the thread, I'm presuming that you do the rolling, correct?

Still correct.

But anyway, that is my intention, to do a flurry of three and spend 14 motes of peripheral essence and one point of willpower to activate my combo and then start with the stabbing.

You don't need to spend that much, just tell me in your post whether you want to activate Solar Counterattack or Bulwark Stance every time you're attacked, or if you want to cap the amount of Essence you want to spend.

[Academia Nut]

Activating the stance and the counter attack (technically just the stance I think) should have pushed my essence use high enough to trigger my caste ability, right?

[LadyTevar]

Let us know if he's glowing ;)

[The Nomad]

6 dice from excellency, 3 die from Solar counterattack, plus 5 Bulwark Stance means you're at the "surrounded by golden bonfire visible from miles at day, plus thirty yards of Zenith noonlight irradiance".

[rhoenix]

So, he's glowing enough right now to be a town lighthouse.