The Unstealable Jewel (Exalted)

PoH's rewrites are pretty much blanket okay. They're usually much better balanced than the martial arts in the book.


And wanting to find the CoT is fine. Starting with it is a little much.
 
Also, Merits and Flaws? I was thinking about the Legendary Dex Merit to have a 6 Dexterity.
 
Alia Naijishi is a Twilight Caste Solar, and she is very, very confused.


It used to be that she was an enlightened mortal technician (second rating) aboard the Flash of Sunset, a FAITH-class aerial destroyer, when a sabotaged mote inversion coil in one of the Flash's four Essence drives caused a catastrophic failure in her beloved engine that resulted in a whole lot of dead people and the airship to fall from the sky. Despite orders to evacuate to the lifeboats, Alia was utterly certain that her pet engine could be saved, and that spark of inspiration, coupled with the will to attempt the impossible in a situation of dire peril, attracted a free-floating Solar Exaltation. So deep was her concentration that she hardly noticed it alloying itself to her soul, but as she worked on the devastated machinery, she instinctively flexed metaphysical muscles she never had before, completing the emergency repair in the scant few seconds the Flash had before its course became terminal.


The Exalted crew soon realised that something was wrong when they were not, in fact, splattered across the countryside, and when they went down to Drive Four's Coil Chamber, they found a glowing Alia crouched over a hastily-restored inversion coil, a look of exultant victory on her face. This was replaced by a look of surprise as her Dragon-Blooded superior knelt to her, and called her Lawgiver. The Flash pulled into port, Alia was feted, given the golden vestments of the newly-Exalted, and her squadron's commanding Dawn tossed her a bunch of educational lorecrystals and brusquely told her to learn all of it in time for the Calibration Feast next week.


Yes, that Calibration.


Alia was in transit aboard the (INSERT MACGUFFIN LOCATION HERE) when the kill order came. Given that she had barely been Exalted for a week, the Bronze Faction planners decided to allocate two Dragon-Blooded to be her bodyguard murderers and be done with it. That saved her life, because Alia had developed a strong danger sense ever since nearly being blown up by an Essence engine and that allowed her to avoid instant, horrible death at the hands of her protectors. She didn't understand how or why this was happening, but she knew what she had to do; she fled through the innards of the (INSERT MACGUFFIN LOCATION), triggering as many doors, overloads and shutdowns as possible, until her pursuers gave up and simply set the entire section to explode instead. Unbeknownst to them, the region of the (INSERT MACGUFFIN LOCATION) she was in had been equipped with a very interesting (and experimental) emergency evacuation system; it would bodily teleport any survivors to a safe location, which would typically be in a heavily armored panic room that possessed its own independent movement capabilities (in this case, flight).


One problem; the combination of overloads, controlled self destructs, damaged power conduits, and the fact that the teleporter hadn't been properly tested meant that while she discorporated moments before the entire section of the vessel she was in blew up, she materialized much, much later than the 2.1 seconds it should have taken. Specifically, temporal refraction of the carrier beam meant that she only returned to Creation about 1500 years after that incident, which deposited her in a secure holding room that had been abandoned for over a millenium and a half.


And when she opened the door, she found herself faced with a bunch of people she didn't know, dressed in clothes she didn't recognized, who didn't even speak proper Old Realm!


As you can imagine, she is very, very confused.
 
Gaia damn it! Why do all the interesting games open and fill up while I'm asleep?!?! :mad:
 
Hmm, no alchemicals... Unfortunate, claiming the city in the name of Claslat would be a fun way to stave off isolation insanity.


Would it be possible to play an older more experienced Terrestrial?
 
@Esbilon Mostly because I wasn't sure how much interest my goofy ideas would garner. I think I'm gonna cap out at seven exalts, judged on their character concepts; it would be unfair to do it based on time.


@Arynne I'm accepting players based on merit, so go ahead and throw your hat in the ring.


@Silent Wayfarer That's a neat character concept. I assume by "MacGuffin" you mean the floating city?


@vinom Unfortunately, I've found that Terrestrials end up either overshadowed by other exalt types, or, when given handicap XP, become terrifying monsters, so I'm gonna say stick to Celestials and celestial-esques.
 
[QUOTE="Silent Wayfarer]If Alia gets in, she might end up clinging to Suhiko, since she's not a natural warrior/leader/etc.

[/QUOTE]
They're also both used to a life of luxury, and have a naval education! They'll go great together.
 
I haven't seen any ruling on Merits and Flaws yet...
 
Unbridled Originality] [URL="https://www.rpnation.com/profile/9020-silent-wayfarer/ said:
@Silent Wayfarer[/URL] That's a neat character concept. I assume by "MacGuffin" you mean the floating city?
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Yup. Basically, she's really, really newly Exalted, so she didn't even complete her basic training as a Solar before all the bad craziness happened. She also hasn't had any experience with the floating city at all (it was something like a layover for a connecting flight at an airport) so she doesn't know much more about the place than the others. Basically the place is as new to her as it is to the others.
 
[QUOTE="Unbridled Originality]Oh, sorry. No merits and flaws.

[/QUOTE]
No problem. I was planning on taking a few flaws for zero points that will go with the concept, though.
 
Here is some background stuff for my Sidereal. If you want something different, just let me know and I'll tweak it.

Balancing lightly on the balls of her feet, O-Ren felt the sweat running down her body as she sparred with her sifu, Aiken. She tensed, then lashed out with a rapid kick. Aiken blocked it easily, and observed in a casual tone, "Have you completed your analysis of the lines of alliance with the Markuran clans?" He then followed up with a series of punches.


O-Ren winced at the sudden pain from the strike that penetrated her defense. "Yes, Master. With the birth of Jens Larson, the line now has a successor," a spin kick shoots out, and is easily blocked, "so the Crowley line will not be in a position to take control of the market."


Aiken reached out, grabbed O-Ren's wrist, and threw her across the room. She was able to twist about and land on her feet. "I don't believe you have taken into consideration the pressures being placed on them by the other trade houses. You will need," with a slight pause, he blocks several strikes and his eyes widened as one punch actually connected, "to re-evaluate your information. Not bad, by the way. Your form is much improved."


Between gasps of breath, she said, "Thank you, Master."


Aiken moved smoothly forward and continued to pressure O-Ren. "You are still having trouble sleeping, aren't you?"


He knew! How? Pain flashed in her head as Aiken's foot smacked into her skull. With a groan, she rolled over and sat up. "Y-yes, Master. The dreams continue."


"You struggle with your desire to regain your lost memories. Trust in the role that the Maidens have given you to perform, and your dreams will fade with the completion of your work."


She sighed. "I try, Master. It is not so easy for me to turn away from the questions that trouble me."


He placed a hand on her shoulder. "O-Ren, you are my most promising pupil. You are also one of the most frustrating. I fear you will be the death of me."


"Oh, no Master! I could never hurt you!"


He rolled his eyes. "That's not quite what I meant." He stands and tosses her a towel to wipe away the sweat of the workout. With a casual air, he asks, "Have you reconsidered our offer of a position with the Bronze Faction?"


"No, Master. The issues are not clear for me. I just need more time to decide."


"Then you will have to make your deliberations as you pack."


Her eyes snap to the face of her Master. "Pack? I don't understand. Have I upset you? Am I being reassigned to a new master?"


"No. I feel that it is time for you step out of the confines of Yu-Shan and stretch your legs. I have some work for you to do in Creation. As a servant of the Maiden of Endings, you will be given a list of people that have tried to alter their destiny from the plan given by the Loom. You are going to end their disruptions."


"You mean-"


"Use your judgment, of course, but yes, they are to be sanctioned to prevent tangles in the Loom. The Pattern Spiders don't like their work being disrupted."


O-Ren could feel the excitement rushing thru her. "Shouldn't Cain be the one to go? He has been working with you for much longer."


Aiken nodded. "True. But, he does not have your eye for improvisation. Finish cleaning yourself up and come to my office. I'll have more information for you there."


Cleaned and appropriately dressed, O-Ren opened the door to her room on her way to speak with Aiken and was surprised to see Cain leaning against the opposite wall. "I hear that you have been chosen to take care of a list for Aiken." He was angry, but was keeping it in control.


"Yes. I'm on my way to get the details. If you will excuse me..."


But he didn't move. "He chose you. I find that hard to believe."


"So do I. But, at least I know enough not to question our Master on such things."


His hand slammed into the wall next to O-Ren. "This should be my mission! I have been training with that old fool for longer than you! I am ten times the fighter than you are! Why you?"


She opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Aiken walking around the corner. "Because I chose her, that's why. Perhaps I'm just being an old fool. Come, O-Ren. We have much to discuss."


Cain shot a glare fierce enough to level mountains. In a harsh whisper, "I will not forget this insult! You will suffer my anger!" He then stormed off, leaving O-Ren smiling at his back.


With her bags packed and the list of her targets firmly in mind, O-Ren set off to Creation, traveling under the disguise of an Outcaste Dragon-Blooded. So much easier to explain the occasional display of Essence, after all. She set off, determined to show her sifu that he made a proper choice, and perhaps, be able to unlock the dark memories trapped deep within her mind.
 
Arynne said:
Gaia damn it! Why do all the interesting games open and fill up while I'm asleep?!?! :mad:
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I would definitely agree. That said, I do think that there's something refreshing and heartening about seeing a newly announced Exalted game exploding in activity within a fraction of day. :)

Unbridled Originality] [URL="https://www.rpnation.com/profile/8407-arynne/ said:
@Arynne[/URL] I'm accepting players based on merit, so go ahead and throw your hat in the ring.
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This approach is quite appreciated since timezone issues do occur and player applications may be submitted at a later point due to them. (There is still the problem of people not having enough time to vote for their preference among the game concepts, but I can fully understand a Storyteller's wish to move quickly with the game starting procedures, in fear of stagnation).


If I understood it correctly, though, you've decided to run the last of your proposed ideas. Truth is I was personally leaning more on the Abyssal only / Sidereal only games, therefore it should be best to pass on this.


Still, I can wish you all luck with this gaming endeavour and may Sol, Luna and the Maidens look favourably upon the tasks you're about to undertake. :)
 
Sherwood said:
No problem. I was planning on taking a few flaws for zero points that will go with the concept, though.
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I mean, if they have no mechanical effect, just say they're a character trait, y'know?


I like your scene, by the by.


@Ebon_Arbiter Thank you! I might try the Thorns game again at a later date, since there was also a lot of interest in that.
 
I'm running into some writers blocking... First three ideas got squished under blocks and now I'm trying to salvage something... No Alchemicals, no Terrestrials, and Lunars I suddenly don't understand... I don't have any good ideas on tap for a solariod, and I've never done a sidereal before and am unsure as to what to do with one as all the good ideas I have for them wouldn't get tasked with this city issue....
 
Well, I'd love to play Ash again...

Ash.jpg



HAVE YOU BEEN HIT HARD BY THE TIME OF TUMULT?


WE HAVE THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEMS!


Has the Realm toppled your tiny country's government as its latest domino? Are undead artificers field-testing their latest necrotech abomination on your beloved peasant village? Have demon pirates made a Hell out of your island paradise?


Never fear: you've got two friends with a state-of-the-art war machine better than anything your enemies can field, ready to defend your freedom and your way of life. We're experienced, we're (reasonably) discreet, and all we ask is a small donation to help keep our baby running.


We're Ashen Thunder. We go where we're needed.


Thunder.jpg



...but if the duo are too overpowered (or just over-the-top)...


Talya was the daughter of a patrician family in service to one of the Great Houses of the Scarlet Dynasty. They served as factors for their patrons overseas, managing an import-export business that dealt in exotic items and magical ingredients -- and, clandestinely, in First Age artifacts. Her family’s connections and her own brilliance ensured that she received the best education available to a mortal; she was permitted to study thaumaturgy, specializing in fueling and maintaining the House's private stock of weapons and armor. Pleasure-loving and well aware of her privileged position, she thought very little about the consequences of her work.


All that changed when she was kidnapped by a group of mortal rebels who forced her to produce weapons and potions that they vainly hoped would allow them to take on the Princes of the Earth; they also tortured her for information about the Dynasts' plans, and demanded that she fix the few (badly damaged) artifact armors and weapons they had been able to acquire, and make them usable by mortals. An impossible task, but one she had to attempt, on pain of death -- and in attempting to do the impossible, Talya Exalted.


Restoring one of the suits of power armor was child’s play. Immediately after, the rebels received a short, sharp shock. Very short.


With all the witnesses dead, Talya has been able to conceal her Anathema status from her family, but the price has been an increasing distance from everything and everyone she loves. She has finally accepted responsibility for managing one of her family's business concerns, and works herself to exhaustion, but she also continues to play hard as well. Secretly, she now resents having to turn over relics of the First Age to the heirs of her former incarnation's murderers, and her anger is growing. But she still has the suit of armor she rebuilt...and she has plans...


TalyainArmor_zpscf7dcac5.jpg
 
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I need to ask; will you be condensing Crafts for this game? Because having to buy them all up separately is a pain...
 
[QUOTE="Silent Wayfarer]I need to ask; will you be condensing Crafts for this game? Because having to buy them all up separately is a pain...

[/QUOTE]
Yeah, crafts will be houseruled. Will post full houserules once I'm off work.
 
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