Chronicle idea - Viable?

[Iceshard]

Hello all,


I've been lurking around for some time here and on WW board trying to get the feel of an Exalted game. Up to now, I was just savoring the discussions and hoping that one day I could become one happy individual and actually play Exalted. As luck turns out, I finally managed to convert some coworkers to the wonders of role playing games (we are on a Pafthfinder APG right now) and, one day, they saw Exalted core rule book and became curious. So here I am toying with a chronicle idea and that's where I need some help from you nice and knowledgable people.


I wanted the big bad evil guy to be a dawn caste solar that survived Usurpation, very young and inexperienced when it happened. My ideia is that he "survived" by being hidden by his sideral tutor (once his mother) on the bordermarches, since she was incapable of killing her own son. Cutting some rather long (and still unfinished) backgroung, my problem now is: how could he pull out this stunt? Would not siderals track him down via loom of fate and just keep sending wyld hunts/assassins/whatanot until he was killed? What other implications this could cause?


Thanks for your time and sorry for my weird english

 

[Virjigorm]

The only issue I see is that this Solar would be old enough to have Essence of at least 8. There's not much in Creation as powerful as a Solar at that level, and a party of new PCs would be completely outclassed. It would be worse than sending them up against a Deathlord. I might approach it this way:


The Solar is a reclusive villain who's minions do something to gain the party's enmity. They track the source of the evil deeds, find evidence of Solar involvement (Sun icons on followers' garb, descriptions of the big bad guy in shining golden glory, etc.), and take whatever course they deem appropriate. It all leads up to an eventual confrontation and possibly a battle, or maybe a meeting to discuss apprenticing the younger Solars if the baddie is so inclined. Here's the catch; he's not a Solar! He is a Raksha posing as an elder Solar in hopes of luring Celestial Exalts into it's sanctuary to consume their dreams, souls, and (it hopes) maybe even an Exaltation. It could be a weak Unshaped left over from the Balorian Crusade, or maybe a powerful Cataphract or some such. You could pull off the fake Solar in other ways, but Glamour and fae trickery are probably the easiest. I do think you should really fake it because higher Essence Solars are just so ridiculously powerful, you might not like the can of worms you open up.


Another idea...


If you want to introduce the party to a Solar who survived the Usurpation for purposes related to a future story idea or something, you might check out the spell "Eternal Crystalline Encasement". Maybe his mother used this magic to keep her son safe from the Wyld Hunt. Another possibility for this would be "Pressed Beyond the Veil of Time". It's Solar Sorcery, but the Solar could have used it even if he were relatively new to Exaltation. Either spell could allow a less experienced Solar to come to the late Second age with ancient knowledge and perspective, but without the game wrecking charms and powers that a truly Elder Solar would have.


Hope something in there helps.

 

[Iceshard]

The only issue I see is that this Solar would be old enough to have Essence of at least 8. There's not much in Creation as powerful as a Solar at that level, and a party of new PCs would be completely outclassed. It would be worse than sending them up against a Deathlord.

Yeah, I thought as much. My previous post was not clear on the subject but I plan on him to be the final boss of the game, some who stands in the shadow, pulling strings and being completely afraid of showing his face for fear of being shunned or locked again. The final showdown would be something like the confrontation with Hao at the end of Shaman King, since even at then the players will be far behind it terms of raw power. But lets keep on moving....

I might approach it this way:
The Solar is a reclusive villain who's minions do something to gain the party's enmity. They track the source of the evil deeds, find evidence of Solar involvement (Sun icons on followers' garb, descriptions of the big bad guy in shining golden glory, etc.), and take whatever course they deem appropriate. It all leads up to an eventual confrontation and possibly a battle, or maybe a meeting to discuss apprenticing the younger Solars if the baddie is so inclined. Here's the catch; he's not a Solar! He is a Raksha posing as an elder Solar in hopes of luring Celestial Exalts into it's sanctuary to consume their dreams, souls, and (it hopes) maybe even an Exaltation. It could be a weak Unshaped left over from the Balorian Crusade, or maybe a powerful Cataphract or some such. You could pull off the fake Solar in other ways, but Glamour and fae trickery are probably the easiest. I do think you should really fake it because higher Essence Solars are just so ridiculously powerful, you might not like the can of worms you open up.

That is one hell of nice ideia! I really do no know much about fae outside of what is in the core rules but now I really want to put my hands on Graceful Wicked Masks just to incorporate this on my storie. I love fae and this is sure to get into the game. Right now I not sure exectly how to mesh this with my original ideia but the weekend is just starting...

Another idea... If you want to introduce the party to a Solar who survived the Usurpation for purposes related to a future story idea or something, you might check out the spell "Eternal Crystalline Encasement". Maybe his mother used this magic to keep her son safe from the Wyld Hunt. Another possibility for this would be "Pressed Beyond the Veil of Time". It's Solar Sorcery, but the Solar could have used it even if he were relatively new to Exaltation. Either spell could allow a less experienced Solar to come to the late Second age with ancient knowledge and perspective, but without the game wrecking charms and powers that a truly Elder Solar would have.

Eternal Crystalline Encasement was spot on, specially its a Celestial Circle spell and thus viable to be used by a Sideral (thanks exalted wiki and google). I will toy around with this too as to adjust when he awakens.


I want him to be powerfull, but not so to the point of shifting attention away from Deathlords or Yozis, just so much that he can be a shadowy influence and suicidal to draw a sword against, even at end game, so that the players have to find an alternative route to defeat him.


If I'm not mistaken, Fist Age solars undergone some kind of fast training no? So then I could have him with knowledge and powers a plenty and still avoid some of the weird charms.


Thanks Virjigorm you gave me plenty to think.

 

[Virjigorm]

If I'm not mistaken, Fist Age solars undergone some kind of fast training no? So then I could have him with knowledge and powers a plenty and still avoid some of the weird charms.

There are alternate character creation rules in Dreams of the First Age that reflect the extra training and privileges the Solars had access to in the First Age. It's mostly a bunch of extra ability dots and charms, but maybe worth taking a look at.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

If he was less that 100 years from his Exaltation when he got ECC'd, he would be capped at Essence 5. Even with the passage of time from the First Age to the present, he would not have experienced anything in the way of time. Thus he could be a medium-high level threat to the PC circle depending on how long they end up taking to track him down. Give him a paranoia Combo and a couple of combat Combos, maybe even a Social Combo to build himself up a shadow empire super-fast and let him loose on Creation....


<EDIT TO ADD> Another alternative, use both the First Age Solar and the Fae ideas. Have the PCs think they are homing in on the Solar, only to find out that the Fae has heard of their quest and decided to pull them into his story. So they end up splattering the Fae and start patting each other on the back, now they've dealt with 'the Big Bad Evil Guy'. Then have one of their contacts get brutally murdered. They track down the killers, whose dying breaths tell them that their employer, a character matching the description they have of the First Age Solar, told them to kill the contact. Weeks after the PCs supposedly killed him?</EDIT>


Captain Hesperus

 

[ghoti115]

I have a few ideas that might help.


Starting with the Eternal Crystalline Encasement, the reason for the Fae involvement was they had (accidentally) set the Solar free after years of imprisonment. They might have just noticed it being something static that had recently become part of the Wyld (due to shrinking borders of Creation).


Because of the nature of the Eternal Crystalline Encasement, he could be any age and could have woken up in the past few years (or even past 100s of years) making it very easy to set his power level where you need it to be. An interesting idea would be to have him imprisoned about 60 years after his Exaltation and freed about 100 years before the start of game. This would give ample time in both Ages to understand what has happened and get his puppets into place.


As for how he has avoided detection by the Siderals, his Mother could have given him an Artifact that would "place him outside of Fate". I am almost certain there is one, but don't remember what it is called or which book it appears in, which I know isn't very helpful. However, even if it does not exist, you can make it up.


When it comes to the Wyld Hunt, Assassins, and others trying to hunt him down, if he is really going to be the puppet master there shouldn't be a need to worry. He should be hidden away in the shadows until he sees his time to make his move.


Which brings us to the point of motivation for the "villain". What is it he is trying to accomplish? What was it he decided to do after being freed from his imprisonment? Does he want to restore the world? Does he want to destroy the Bronze Faction? Does he simply want to stay hidden in the world and work his plans without anyone noticing? Did he strike a deal with the Fae who freed him (assuming you like the idea above) or did he destroy them and now has the Fae after him too?

 

[Iceshard]

If he was less that 100 years from his Exaltation when he got ECC'd' date=' he would be capped at Essence 5. Even with the passage of time from the First Age to the present, he would not have experienced anything in the way of time. Thus he could be a medium-high level threat to the PC circle depending on how long they end up taking to track him down. Give him a paranoia Combo and a couple of combat Combos, maybe even a Social Combo to build himself up a shadow empire super-fast and let him loose on Creation....[/quote']
I still do not have a firm and total grip on the rules, but would it make a huge leap to give the First Age guy essence 6, someting just outside de PC's reach in terms of power?


As for combos, paranoia is one of the main theme's for the villain so he is sure to have a strong suite of defensive combos. Since his name is Morning Soaring Eagle and I intend to use bird themed props, names and designs for the PC's to easily identificated anything associated with him, he seems suited to practice Crane style MA further adding to his defensive nature.

<EDIT TO ADD> Another alternative' date=' use both the First Age Solar [b']and[/b] the Fae ideas. Have the PCs think they are homing in on the Solar, only to find out that the Fae has heard of their quest and decided to pull them into his story. So they end up splattering the Fae and start patting each other on the back, now they've dealt with 'the Big Bad Evil Guy'. Then have one of their contacts get brutally murdered. They track down the killers, whose dying breaths tell them that their employer, a character matching the description they have of the First Age Solar, told them to kill the contact. Weeks after the PCs supposedly killed him?</EDIT>
Captain Hesperus

You almost hit the bull's eye on my ideia. It is nearly as you described except that the First Age Solar true minions would break into the faerie noble's freehold right after the PCs have dealt with not giving them time to fell happy about their victory.


Iceshard

 

[Iceshard]

I have a few ideas that might help.
Starting with the Eternal Crystalline Encasement, the reason for the Fae involvement was they had (accidentally) set the Solar free after years of imprisonment. They might have just noticed it being something static that had recently become part of the Wyld (due to shrinking borders of Creation).

Hmmm...and maybe, because of this, his base of operations could be one stable island one the Wyld, kept so by some lost technology and which could account for a safe place to hide outside creation and a small cache of First Age goods for him to use.

Some nice suggestions cut short to avoid wall of text

The artifact ideia, a heirloom from his mother that still protects him from detection, has been add to the thing to integrate into the adventure. Thanks for this one! I can also imagine an arc where the PCs find the amulet that was lost for some reason and that how first contact with the villain is made....

Which brings us to the point of motivation for the "villain". What is it he is trying to accomplish? What was it he decided to do after being freed from his imprisonment? Does he want to restore the world? Does he want to destroy the Bronze Faction? Does he simply want to stay hidden in the world and work his plans without anyone noticing? Did he strike a deal with the Fae who freed him (assuming you like the idea above) or did he destroy them and now has the Fae after him too?

He is mad at everything. His first gut reaction was "Kill the Siderals!" and when planning on how to do this, he stumbled upon one thing: Why hasn't the Unconquered Sun moved to help his chosen? Why, even after the fall of the First Age, is the Sun doing nothing? So his motivation at the begging of the game is: "I will replace the fallen Unconquered Sun and bring glory back to the world".


For allies, I think about the sideral who has his mother's exaltation now and some kind of goons, maybe automatons or some kind of unique race.


As for the Fae, he attacked then when he woke up but they do not hate him as for now. They are fascinated with his story and what he is trying to do so there are some that keep followinf him around, like some kind of strange puppies and a noble that impersonates him.


I've been toying with what happend to his circle and his lunar mate but this is still very crude. When I polish it some more I will post here.


Iceshard

 

[Captain Hesperus]

You almost hit the bull's eye on my ideia. It is nearly as you described except that the First Age Solar true minions would break into the faerie noble's freehold right after the PCs have dealt with not giving them time to fell happy about their victory.
Iceshard

Interesting, howeversnatching the PCs victory away right after they get it is kind of a gutting experience and you might have to stretch to make it work...


Unless, imagine the scene:


PC's stand victorious over the Fae's dissipating body, high-fiving and whooping. Then a squad of suicide ninjas storm in behind them, distracting them. They (hopefully) turn and fight and, while distracted, only notice too late another ninja (with Awakened Essence) turns up by the Fae's body and steals the Artifact 3 Reaver Daiklave the Fae was hitting the PC's with. He drops it into a Cache Egg, then flits off out the window, leaving the PCs to wade through a horde of ninjas. One of the dying ninjas then reveals that the Daiklave belonged to their master, the true First Age Solar, and he had manipulated the PCs into defeating the Fae for him, so he could get it back without revealing himself.

As for how he has avoided detection by the Siderals, his Mother could have given him an Artifact that would "place him outside of Fate". I am almost certain there is one, but don't remember what it is called or which book it appears in, which I know isn't very helpful. However, even if it does not exist, you can make it up.

Wonders of the Lost Age, Purview of the Crimson Panoply: Armour of the Unseen Assassin. Has a Fate-blocking effect. It's quite powerful (then it is a level 5 artefact), so you could power it down slightly by having it needing lots of maintenance owing, thus many of the powers are off-line. Also, Solar Larceny and Stealth Charms.


<EDIT TO ADD> Ninja'd!

He is mad at everything. His first gut reaction was "Kill the Siderals!" and when planning on how to do this' date=' he stumbled upon one thing: Why hasn't the Unconquered Sun moved to help his chosen? Why, even after the fall of the First Age, is the Sun doing nothing? So his motivation at the begging of the game is: "I will replace the fallen Unconquered Sun and bring glory back to the world".[/quote']
Arcane Fate, the effect the Sidereals invoked by breaking The Sign of The Mask, was an attempt to hide all evidence of the Sidereals' involvement in the Usurpation. Sadly, the effect worked beyond their wildest expectations, to the point of retroactively wiping peoples' memories to the facts. Even the elder Lunar survivors from the First Age only suspect the Sidereals had some involvement, but they can't find evidence, if they even remember the Siddies. No, most remember that it was the Dragon-Blooded who did the uprising.


Hope this helps,


Captain Hesperus

 

[wordman]

Not sure if this idea is still true in 2E, but in 1E being in the Wyld put you outside of Fate (that's why the Lunars went there).


Also, just because an 800 year old solar could have Essence 8, doesn't mean he necessarily would, even without contrived "hibernation" side plots. He might, just as an example, have a mother with a vested interest in keeping his power under control who discourages his Essence advancement. Or, he is secretly afraid of getting too powerful as that would (rolls d10) bring down the Wyld Hunt on him or (rolls d10) increase the chances of his going nuts like the pre-Usurpation solars. None of these has to be true, he just has to think they are.

 

[cyl]

Also, living in the Wyld does not leave much time for one to meditate and raise essence to a significant level.


You'd also have to explain how he survived the several Fae crusades... which could be problematic.


The best option would be indeed the hibernation technique.


Now you can use several stuff here: spells, charms, and artefacts.


Keep your focus on the why, rather than the how.


Exalted is a bit like Star Wars: anything is possible, and it does not need to be justified.

 

[Iceshard]

Interesting, howeversnatching the PCs victory away right after they get it is kind of a gutting experience and you might have to stretch to make it work...


Unless, imagine the scene: -snips some ninja action-

That's some good advice. I want the PCs to be scarred that the fae was just some Red Hering but I do not want to make them tear the character sheets and kill me with dice like an angry mob. I'll cook this one some more.

Arcane Fate, the effect the Sidereals invoked by breaking The Sign of The Mask, was an attempt to hide all evidence of the Sidereals' involvement in the Usurpation. Sadly, the effect worked beyond their wildest expectations, to the point of retroactively wiping peoples' memories to the facts. Even the elder Lunar survivors from the First Age only suspect the Sidereals had some involvement, but they can't find evidence, if they even remember the Siddies. No, most remember that it was the Dragon-Blooded who did the uprising.

I always forget about Arcane Fate but it is a huge reason for my villain to blame the Sun anyway since he would have a hard time remebering exactly want happened.

Not sure if this idea is still true in 2E, but in 1E being in the Wyld put you outside of Fate (that's why the Lunars went there).

Pretty sure it still hold true as Manual of Exalted Power: Lunars.

Also, just because an 800 year old solar could have Essence 8, doesn't mean he necessarily would, even without contrived "hibernation" side plots. He might, just as an example, have a mother with a vested interest in keeping his power under control who discourages his Essence advancement. Or, he is secretly afraid of getting too powerful as that would (rolls d10) bring down the Wyld Hunt on him or (rolls d10) increase the chances of his going nuts like the pre-Usurpation solars. None of these has to be true, he just has to think they are.

His mother could have left him "clues" and "advice" as to guide him on how to behave, with detailed explanations of what could happen if an exalted rose to power to fast. Hmmm...notes, notes....


And...

Keep your focus on the why, rather than the how.


Exalted is a bit like Star Wars: anything is possible, and it does not need to be justified

:lol: So very true!


Iceshard

 

[Virjigorm]

I once used an elder Eclipse Caste Solar (Essence 8 ) who had a Conviction Flaw that prevented him from taking any action to further a goal or Motivation while in effect. This was combined with a houserule that makes Celestials accrue permanent limit over long periods of time (and many successive limit breaks), resulting finally in a permanent limit break state. The result was a font of unstoppable power hamstrung by a curse to wander Creation with no direction or will to pursue anything. In my game, this character acted as a sometime teacher to the party, and a father-figure/eccentric sifu to the Zenith and Eclipse characters. It worked out well, the character was much loved, and accounted for about 10 dots of Mentor within the party. When he finally died of old age, it was a very emotional session.

 

[Iceshard]

I once used an elder Eclipse Caste Solar (Essence 8 ) who had a Conviction Flaw that prevented him from taking any action to further a goal or Motivation while in effect. This was combined with a houserule that makes Celestials accrue permanent limit over long periods of time (and many successive limit breaks), resulting finally in a permanent limit break state. The result was a font of unstoppable power hamstrung by a curse to wander Creation with no direction or will to pursue anything. In my game, this character acted as a sometime teacher to the party, and a father-figure/eccentric sifu to the Zenith and Eclipse characters. It worked out well, the character was much loved, and accounted for about 10 dots of Mentor within the party. When he finally died of old age, it was a very emotional session.

Cool! Was he know outside of the circle? What was the Eclipse's story?


So as to not derail much, I've settled with the my villain's story as the previous post - locked by mother, freed by faerie folk...


I'm very thankfull to you all for the imput.

 

[Lord Kamina]

Arcane Fate is in reality very easy to get over... at least for a Solar.

 

[Josh the Aspie]

Lunars as well. Second wits excellency, and a few uses of 2 points of essence, and you perma-remember any Sidereal you ever met.