Dice Shadows of the Setting Sun (OOC)

[WlfSamurai]

WlfSamurai
So what do you think about merging Lathik and Fortitude?

Thanks for reminding me. I completely forgot to answer.

I don’t think that fits. Fortitude is run by rival gangs, mad with worshiping the darkness and their god underground. They unite once per year and rampage across the land nearby. It doesn’t really strike me as something Cathak—or any house—could subdue easily, let alone give away to one of their lesser family members.

But those gangs and their yearly bloodlust rampage sound pretty perfect for Afureru's story. It’s be an interesting place for you guys to conquer and setup a power-base, too.

EDIT: Sorry, not Toun, Afureru. Had Toun on the mind for some reason.

 

[WlfSamurai]

D. Rex , maybe I can build Latif into something better suited for you. Or someone else? Remind me again what were the parameters for what you need to fit her past?

 

[D. Rex]

Thanks for reminding me. I completely forgot to answer.

I don’t think that fits. Fortitude is run by rival gangs, mad with worshiping the darkness and their god underground. They unite once per year and rampage across the land nearby. It doesn’t really strike me as something Cathak—or any house—could subdue easily, let alone give away to one of their lesser family members.

But those gangs and their yearly bloodlust rampage sound pretty perfect for Toun’s story. It’s be an interesting place for you guys to conquer and setup a power-base, too.

D. Rex , maybe I can build Latif into something better suited for you. Or someone else? Remind me again what were the parameters for what you need to fit her past?

I dont mind if its Fortitude or elsewhere. It seemed to fit well as a narrative tool more than some of the surrounding cities.



As for the where's and who's.

The story beats for the story are:

1. At young age trained by very competent Master. Competent enough that mortal essence is drawn forth. The form doesn't matter. This could be the dark God of Fortitude, an anathema with a bone to pick with the world, or a monk driven mad with zeal towards a violent goal. Afuru would not be the only student, as she is eventually brought down by one of her own.

2. War. It does not matter who or why. But a lasting one or multiple.

3. A Leader/City that would not bat an eye at her reputation. Bonus points for there being an environment where her ruthless attitude can be cultivated and flourish.

4. Afuru becomes more trouble than she is worth and is ordered killed.

5. Fallen and left for dead. Afuru is left to reflect while on deaths door. Where a family trying to keep her alive makes her see the world in a new light. And she exalts to protect them from those who seek to make sure she is dead.

 

[WlfSamurai]

I dont mind if its Fortitude or elsewhere. It seemed to fit well as a narrative tool more than some of the surrounding cities.



As for the where's and who's.

The story beats for the story are:

1. At young age trained by very competent Master. Competent enough that mortal essence is drawn forth. The form doesn't matter. This could be the dark God of Fortitude, an anathema with a bone to pick with the world, or a monk driven mad with zeal towards a violent goal. Afuru would not be the only student, as she is eventually brought down by one of her own.

2. War. It does not matter who or why. But a lasting one or multiple.

3. A Leader/City that would not bat an eye at her reputation. Bonus points for there being an environment where her ruthless attitude can be cultivated and flourish.

4. Afuru becomes more trouble than she is worth and is ordered killed.

5. Fallen and left for dead. Afuru is left to reflect while on deaths door. Where a family trying to keep her alive makes her see the world in a new light. And she exalts to protect them from those who seek to make sure she is dead.

Actually, Fortitude works great for all those! I'll call out one of the gang leaders. Afureru can be his lieutenant. Normally, throughout the year, there's constant fighting and vying among the gangs. The, once a year, Afureru would lead some of the raids and battles on the surrounding villages. Then, he can go to rival gangs later after realizing she threatens his power and tries to make a deal for them to kill her.

It's super brutal in Fortitude and always in constant conflict.

Thoughts?

 

[Sherwood]

The Wednesday/Thursday start date is fine with me. I am all set to roll.

 

[D. Rex]

Actually, Fortitude works great for all those! I'll call out one of the gang leaders. Afureru can be his lieutenant. Normally, throughout the year, there's constant fighting and vying among the gangs. The, once a year, Afureru would lead some of the raids and battles on the surrounding villages. Then, he can go to rival gangs later after realizing she threatens his power and tries to make a deal for them to kill her.

It's super brutal in Fortitude and always in constant conflict.

Thoughts?

I can work with that!

I dont think Afureru would be smart enough to make a good lieutenant, or much of a leader. She just wants to be sent to the front kill.

What about instead she is part of a group. A collection of the strongest warriors Fortitude has. Other fearsome fighters that stand out like she does. "Champions" of the city.

All of whom trained by, if you allow, this dark God of the city. A divine teacher would be able to raise select mortals above their compatriots. That way, if we ever return there, we don't have lowly mortals to take on. We have a god to straighten out, and potentially a few mean spirited exalted. Not to mention a place where our two great golden priestesses can set right.

Not to mention, its also close enough, and troublesome enough, to potentially threaten Zoya's home, if Esbilon needs an excuse to go back there.

 

[D. Rex]

I'm also very amused that each solar so far is an appearance 5 divine beauty.

 

[Sherwood]

I hadn't noticed that until now.

 

[D. Rex]

I hadn't noticed that until now.

It could be a interesting gimmick to play up in the rp. They would be well primed to win followers.



Separately. I also wonder how the Bull of the North is going to react to their presence.

 

[Sherwood]

Probably will want them for his harem.

 

[WlfSamurai]

I didn't notice that either. I'm totally going to play that up!

 

[WlfSamurai]

I can work with that!

I dont think Afureru would be smart enough to make a good lieutenant, or much of a leader. She just wants to be sent to the front kill.

What about instead she is part of a group. A collection of the strongest warriors Fortitude has. Other fearsome fighters that stand out like she does. "Champions" of the city.

All of whom trained by, if you allow, this dark God of the city. A divine teacher would be able to raise select mortals above their compatriots. That way, if we ever return there, we don't have lowly mortals to take on. We have a god to straighten out, and potentially a few mean spirited exalted. Not to mention a place where our two great golden priestesses can set right.

Not to mention, its also close enough, and troublesome enough, to potentially threaten Zoya's home, if Esbilon needs an excuse to go back there.

Noted on the lieutenant piece. Makes sense.

That all sounds good. So, she rose through the ranks, then got direct access to this dark god, Fortitude, and trained with some others under it. Then she was seen as a threat by ALL the gang leaders and they attempted to remove her before she took over the entire city?

Does that sound good?

 

[Esbilon]

I'm also very amused that each solar so far is an appearance 5 divine beauty.

I hadn't noticed that until now.

I think the reason for this is two-fold. One, everyony likes feeling pretty, even if it's just through a character, and so far we've mostly seen combat characters who don't really care about their social stats.

Second, Exalted has since 2e made the rules massively favor Appearance over the other social stats. In Ex2 every dot of App netted you one success on both offense and defense regardless of whether a social attack used Charisma or Manipulation. In Ex3 it only gives 1 die and only on offense, but it still works on both Cha and Man attacks.

 

[D. Rex]

Probably will want them for his harem.

The pervert. Though it would be an interesting predicament to be forced under the thumb of a much stronger Solar. Don't often see much Solar v Solar conflicts.

 

[Sherwood]

The pervert. Though it would be an interesting predicament to be forced under the thumb of a much stronger Solar. Don't often see much Solar v Solar conflicts.

We have some tough Lunars to help out with that, to be able to pull the Solars' bacon out of the fire for them.

 

[D. Rex]

Noted on the lieutenant piece. Makes sense.

That all sounds good. So, she rose through the ranks, then got direct access to this dark god, Fortitude, and trained with some others under it. Then she was seen as a threat by ALL the gang leaders and they attempted to remove her before she took over the entire city?

Does that sound good?

I was thinking that she was probably started in learning the style at a young age. After all a Celestial Martial art can not be easy for mortals to imitate.

To get to an essence heavy form like White Reaper form, where you literally have essence coalesce around you, that sort of thing would take more than a simple Kung-fu montage. And the prodigal genius statys would already be used up just getting to be an adept of a celestial style.

Amd other than that, sounds about right! While Afureru may not have had any upward ambitions. She is definitely too unwieldy and dangerous to keep around. And as a bonus! Her dying would take some of the heat off, as the Realm would see it as less threatening.

 

[D. Rex]

I think the reason for this is two-fold. One, everyony likes feeling pretty, even if it's just through a character, and so far we've mostly seen combat characters who don't really care about their social stats.

Second, Exalted has since 2e made the rules massively favor Appearance over the other social stats. In Ex2 every dot of App netted you one success on both offense and defense regardless of whether a social attack used Charisma or Manipulation. In Ex3 it only gives 1 die and only on offense, but it still works on both Cha and Man attacks.

I think you probably hit the nail on the head.

I rather like the change, it feels more reasonable. Still, 1 die per appearance over a targets resolve is a good free boost. And between each of the Solars so far, we can inspire fear, awe, inspiration, and loyalty. Spreading the Solar path is going to be cake.

 

[Teh Frixz]

Probably will want them for his harem.

*eyes poisoned body merit*

 

[Rykon]

It could be a interesting gimmick to play up in the rp. They would be well primed to win followers.



Separately. I also wonder how the Bull of the North is going to react to their presence.

Probably about the same as Toun.

Probably will want them for his harem.

No doubt that and more given how badass everyone in the Circle is in their own way. That would all assume we even care to make contact with him. I suspect we'll be operating in Whitewall for a good while. Plenty of problems to tackle and adventure to be had.

*eyes poisoned body merit*

It's a calculated risk, but we're not all good at math. Can always chalk a loss as an offering to the Evervictor I suppose.

I got you, fam. I am 100% empire grade robust support structure. Can't fight to save my life, shouldn't be allowed to speak to anyone for longer than a few seconds or I'll put my foot in my mouth (but what an awe inspiring few seconds they will be! Nations will adore my brief and remarkably efficacious public appearances.), but wow can I feed a lot of people and keep them healthy. Sadly I can't just sit on my cloud and make people magically better at everything yet - I had to Supernal Occult instead of Presence.

I really appreciate this. Circles are at their best when everyone has a meaningful role to play without breaking their concept or ideal character. If you're up for the bond-mate route, Toun would enjoy the chance to focus on being a god of War, Hunting, and Protection in contrast to the goddess of Life, Health, and Fertility. Speaking of... since her divinity makes her believe she's too sacred to touch the ground, I wonder how she'd react to both him and the circle in general.

I was looking at possible training charms for troops, though after talking with Epiphany her Changing Moon might take up the mantle to raise troops. The charms that actually improve traits are Essence 2, so I'll leave them in the wishlist backlog if there's ever free space to circle back for more Warfare charms.

Other changes I'm considering would be dropping the mentor as a current thing and starting with Resources 2 and Cult 2 instead. I doubt the mentor would be plot-relevant until we leave the city anyway. What are your thoughts on buying mentor back with XP later WlfSamurai ?

 

[D. Rex]

WlfSamurai


Alrighty boss! I think I'm done with the CS. A bit crude, but let me know if you have any questions or i missed something or got something wrong.

 

[Random Word]

One, everyone likes feeling pretty, even if it's just through a character
Second, Exalted has since 2e made the rules massively favor Appearance over the other social stats.

I compulsively pick up Appearance cap breakers for reason one, but do enjoy reason two. And oh how I adore the Lunar Appearance Charm set for letting me be all, "I see you have Resolve 5. That's cute. I am now Appearance 13. Please enjoy my full 8 non-Charm dice and my influence pool of 36. If you'd be so kind as to help everyone in the room pick their jaws up off the floor as you leave..."

Speaking of Appearance cap breakers, I would like to have an E1 cap breaker in Presence instead of Performance, but as appropriate for Presence focused on awe instead of lust. Is this okay? I expressly will not be trying to stack this with Thousand Courtesan Ways, as it's basically a mirror.

Spoiler: Indisputable Divinity Mien

Cost: 5m; Mins: Presence 3, Essence 1 Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Mirror (Thousand Courtesan Ways)
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: Harmonious Presence Meditation
The Solar is a God-Queen of Creation who humbled the Titans that built the world. With her every gesture Heaven itself waits anew with bated breath to see if she will shake the foundations of the world. This Charm raises her Appearance by one for the rest of the scene, even if this increases it past five. When performing obviously supernatural acts she may flurry an Instill Awe action without penalty, as every facet of her being effortlessly makes plain to even the most obdurate observer her glorious and venerable nature.

I also want to create my first extension for Ephemeral Induction Technique to solve two personal problems. One, I want more than one God. Two, I have a bunch of Occult Charms that trigger on me attacking something, and that's never going to happen. Also, as an aside, I expressly do not intend to use this Charm to have 4 combat capable familiars at Essence 5 and have them all roll Join Battle because that would be really obnoxious to manage. Only one of them will ever be about fighting. Others will probably be healing, crafting (Because why fiddle with White Points and Craft Slots when you can just tell one of your souls to do it?), magic, etc. This is really powerful and it scales like crazy so let me know if you want me to tone it the hell down:

Spoiler: Thousand Facets of Enlightenment Understanding

Cost: -; Mins: Occult 5, Essence 5 Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Thousand Facets Understanding
The Solar need not look to the world for the raw essence of divinity from which to draw forth wonders, for it suffuses the great and terrible engine that is joined with her soul, every flawless facet of this shining gem of enlightenment offering a window into an aspect of her power. This Charm upgrades the prerequisite in the following ways:
She may have up to Essence/2 (Round up) additional Familiars bound at one time.
She may use aspects of her own nature as components when creating Spirits with the prerequisite, but each must be a unique aspect, and their capacities should not unduly overlap. Further, Spirits created in such a way count as sympathetic links to the Solar even if released and share a bond with her akin to the Lunar-Solar Bond, in that each knows the approximate direction of the other at all times and is immediately made aware if the other suffers serious harm or dies.
All spirits created by the prerequisite now count as Familiars for the purposes of the Twilight Anima power.
She may activate Occult Charms on behalf of Familiars created with the prerequisite (e.g. Ghost Eating Technique and Carnal Spirit Rending).

 

[Random Word]

I suspect we'll be operating in Whitewall for a good while.

Oh, is that a thing? I didn't realize we were going to be in Whitewall, just somewhere in the North. I'm writing around my own little village and the character is currently heavily narratively invested in it, but not so much she wouldn't leave for a significant crisis. It could be near Whitewall, though if that's true I anticipate the Syndics might weigh in on her little project before long.

Speaking of... since her divinity makes her believe she's too sacred to touch the ground, I wonder how she'd react to both him and the circle in general.

Well, obviously she's going to think she's better than everyone, and I'm sure that will cause no end of trouble, but there's an implicit sign beside that table that reads "Change My Mind." I will say that while she believes the doctrine of her religion, her public persona of aloofness and arrogance belies a lonely teenage girl who can't genuinely connect with anyone in her society. Even the Dynasts at least have each other for peers, but everyone she has ever known is her worshipful spiritual inferior. She doesn't really know how to deal with an equal, and she can't admit to herself she desperately wants one. She only tends to be herself in the privacy of her gardens or meditation chamber.

It will take convincing to make her believe Toun is every bit as worthy of worship as she is. WlfSamurai has politely and reasonably requested we begin as at the very least grudging allies if not friends, though, and I do not want to be an obstacle to that, so maybe Toun has already done something significant to earn <Insert Name Here>'s respect.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Other changes I'm considering would be dropping the mentor as a current thing and starting with Resources 2 and Cult 2 instead. I doubt the mentor would be plot-relevant until we leave the city anyway. What are your thoughts on buying mentor back with XP later WlfSamurai ?

For sure. You’d just pay the XP cost and then we’d need to RP it out in play as part of the training time.

 

[WlfSamurai]

I compulsively pick up Appearance cap breakers for reason one, but do enjoy reason two. And oh how I adore the Lunar Appearance Charm set for letting me be all, "I see you have Resolve 5. That's cute. I am now Appearance 13. Please enjoy my full 8 non-Charm dice and my influence pool of 36. If you'd be so kind as to help everyone in the room pick their jaws up off the floor as you leave..."

Speaking of Appearance cap breakers, I would like to have an E1 cap breaker in Presence instead of Performance, but as appropriate for Presence focused on awe instead of lust. Is this okay? I expressly will not be trying to stack this with Thousand Courtesan Ways, as it's basically a mirror.

Spoiler: Indisputable Divinity Mien

Cost: 5m; Mins: Presence 3, Essence 1 Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Mirror (Thousand Courtesan Ways)
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: Harmonious Presence Meditation
The Solar is a God-Queen of Creation who humbled the Titans that built the world. With her every gesture Heaven itself waits anew with bated breath to see if she will shake the foundations of the world. This Charm raises her Appearance by one for the rest of the scene, even if this increases it past five. When performing obviously supernatural acts she may flurry an Instill Awe action without penalty, as every facet of her being effortlessly makes plain to even the most obdurate observer her glorious and venerable nature.

I also want to create my first extension for Ephemeral Induction Technique to solve two personal problems. One, I want more than one God. Two, I have a bunch of Occult Charms that trigger on me attacking something, and that's never going to happen. Also, as an aside, I expressly do not intend to use this Charm to have 4 combat capable familiars at Essence 5 and have them all roll Join Battle because that would be really obnoxious to manage. Only one of them will ever be about fighting. Others will probably be healing, crafting (Because why fiddle with White Points and Craft Slots when you can just tell one of your souls to do it?), magic, etc. This is really powerful and it scales like crazy so let me know if you want me to tone it the hell down:

Spoiler: Thousand Facets of Enlightenment Understanding

Cost: -; Mins: Occult 5, Essence 5 Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Thousand Facets Understanding
The Solar need not look to the world for the raw essence of divinity from which to draw forth wonders, for it suffuses the great and terrible engine that is joined with her soul, every flawless facet of this shining gem of enlightenment offering a window into an aspect of her power. This Charm upgrades the prerequisite in the following ways:
She may have up to Essence/2 (Round up) additional Familiars bound at one time.
She may use aspects of her own nature as components when creating Spirits with the prerequisite, but each must be a unique aspect, and their capacities should not unduly overlap. Further, Spirits created in such a way count as sympathetic links to the Solar even if released and share a bond with her akin to the Lunar-Solar Bond, in that each knows the approximate direction of the other at all times and is immediately made aware if the other suffers serious harm or dies.
All spirits created by the prerequisite now count as Familiars for the purposes of the Twilight Anima power.
She may activate Occult Charms on behalf of Familiars created with the prerequisite (e.g. Ghost Eating Technique and Carnal Spirit Rending).

I’m fine with it since the mins are so high. And I trust you not to exploit it (what does that even mean in a game about demi-gods?) like you mentioned.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Oh, is that a thing? I didn't realize we were going to be in Whitewall, just somewhere in the North. I'm writing around my own little village and the character is currently heavily narratively invested in it, but not so much she wouldn't leave for a significant crisis. It could be near Whitewall, though if that's true I anticipate the Syndics might weigh in on her little project before long.

Well, obviously she's going to think she's better than everyone, and I'm sure that will cause no end of trouble, but there's an implicit sign beside that table that reads "Change My Mind." I will say that while she believes the doctrine of her religion, her public persona of aloofness and arrogance belies a lonely teenage girl who can't genuinely connect with anyone in her society. Even the Dynasts at least have each other for peers, but everyone she has ever known is her worshipful spiritual inferior. She doesn't really know how to deal with an equal, and she can't admit to herself she desperately wants one. She only tends to be herself in the privacy of her gardens or meditation chamber.

It will take convincing to make her believe Toun is every bit as worthy of worship as she is. WlfSamurai has politely and reasonably requested we begin as at the very least grudging allies if not friends, though, and I do not want to be an obstacle to that, so maybe Toun has already done something significant to earn <Insert Name Here>'s respect.

I think we have a couple focuses going on for starting and such. I haven’t really pushed to shape it as I think we were still letting people work out what they wanted to play.

There are so many threats and potential issues swirling around Whitewall and that area, I think it may take all of you to work together on different fronts with different skills. This is my current thought about our start, actually.

Whitewall would be a good focus to start with, though.

Tagging: Esbilon , Epiphany , Rykon , Sherwood , Funnier President , Random Word , Teh Frixz