Dice Trial by Fire - Exalted 2e OOC

[jaydude]

In other news, I noticed that a few people seem to be checking out our interest thread. Are we going to say anything to them?

 

[Rykon]

Psychie , what do you think about one more roll for Hax, take an IC breather for the day then focus on Mellar the Sidereal exclusively while the 3 stew in their new memories for a bit?

Edit: Nicely done. Now we have to deal with mister flight risk.

 

[MasterDAF]

Sherwood Would it be alright if I made my first roll to study the Essence Pulse Grenade (and subsequent rolls as Viktor fails to replicate it but does accidently stumble upon a way to form the prototype Red Jade capacitor)?

 

[Sherwood]

Be my guest.

 

[jaydude]

Psychie , what do you think about one more roll for Hax, take an IC breather for the day then focus on Mellar the Sidereal exclusively while the 3 stew in their new memories for a bit?

Edit: Nicely done. Now we have to deal with mister flight risk.

Remind me again, who's "mister flight risk"?

 

[MasterDAF]

Remind me again, who's "mister flight risk"?

I think he's referring to the Bronze Faction Sidereal, Mellar.

 

[MasterDAF]

Sherwood Assuming everybody else is okay with it (and if not, then I'll hold off), could I get a listing of the artifacts/items our captives were holding on to at the end of the failed assassination attempt? I'd like to log them all in the storage section of my workshop, so that we can use and repurpose them moving forward.

 

[jaydude]

Sherwood Assuming everybody else is okay with it (and if not, then I'll hold off), could I get a listing of the artifacts/items our captives were holding on to at the end of the failed assassination attempt? I'd like to log them all in the storage section of my workshop, so that we can use and repurpose them moving forward.

I'm fine with it. Use our spoils of war for our own ends.

 

[Rykon]

I think he's referring to the Bronze Faction Sidereal, Mellar.

I am yes. An elder exalt can prove to be a wily opponent even if their essence is suppressed. I want to avoid the risk of him attempting to execute an escape plot.

 

[Sherwood]

Here is a list of goodies that you guys were able to strip off of the assassination crew:

Starmetal Serpent Sting Staff
Silken Armor
Starmetal Hearthstone Bracers
A 4 Dot Sorcery Capturing Cord
Folding Land Ship

Infinite Jade Chakram
Silken Armor
Jade Hearthstone Bracers
Collar of Dawns Cleansing Light

Jade Daiklave
Jade Reinforced Breastplate
Jade Thunderbolt Shield
Perfected Boots

Jade Wrackstaff
Jade Chain Shirt
The Ultimate Document
A 2 Dot Dragonfly's Ranging Eye
Wings of the Raptor

A set of Jade Khatars
Jade/Moonsilver Infinite Resplendence Amulet
Jade Perfected Kata Bracers
Perfected Bots

Jade Reaver Daiklave
Jade Reinforced Breastplate
Hearthstone Amulet
Windblade-Class Personal Transport

Jade Grand Daiklave
Obsidian Armor
Collar of Dawns Cleansing Light

 

[Sherwood]

Also, I am starting to work with Kalin Scarlet to make up a character. Please join with me in welcoming our new player, and offer up any assistance you can; he's new at Exalted and has many questions.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Hi everyone! Excited to play with you all!

 

[Rykon]

Welcome! Let us know if we can be of assistance.

 

[MasterDAF]

Hi everyone! Excited to play with you all!

Hi Kalin Scarlet! Glad to have you aboard!

Not trying to rush you, but do you have any idea of the type of character you'd like to play? Looking forward to RPing with ya!

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Well, for starters, I could use a good template for marking down my character info. I'm on my phone, so PDFs and the like aren't cooperative with me, unfortunately.

 

[Rykon]

For a phone? Hmm... I usually use pen and paper or an excel sheet for point buy crunch.

 

[MasterDAF]

Rykon You put together a guide for new players a little while back, right? Assuming I'm remembering correctly, do you still have access to it?

 

[Rykon]

It's in this thread several pages back, but yeah. It's also incomplete, but I can bring it back.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Hi Kalin Scarlet! Glad to have you aboard!

Not trying to rush you, but do you have any idea of the type of character you'd like to play? Looking forward to RPing with ya!

Glad to be here! I had an idea for a sorcerer. Though whether I want to play them as a really cocky, prideful individual who wants fame and glory(while deep down wanting to make those they care for happy) or a generally nice person who just wants to protect others to make up for the one person they couldn't save before...still up in the air

For a phone? Hmm... I usually use pen and paper or an excel sheet for point buy crunch.

I might just do that. Would be...relatively easier, I'm guessing.

 

[Rykon]

Glad to be here! I had an idea for a sorcerer. Though whether I want to play them as a really cocky, prideful individual who wants fame and glory(while deep down wanting to make those they care for happy) or a generally nice person who just wants to protect others to make up for the one person they couldn't save before...



I might just do that. Would be...relatively easier, I'm guessing.

I can post my excel template here soon. Work day is about done.

 

[MasterDAF]

Kalin Scarlet A sorcerer could be really useful, if that's what you ultimately decide upon. My character knows a little sorcery, but mostly just support stuff, as he is focused more on crafting. So whether you decide to do a character that uses sorcery in a similar manner, or someone who is much more focused on sorcery, I think either way they could easily provide a great benefit to the group as a whole.

 

[Rykon]

Spitballing Template: CharacterBrainstorm.xlsx

2.5E for the Curious and Insane (Solars)
An Exalted Guide by Rykon

Here's a quick reference for what points you get and how to use them. Errata included

Spoiler: Sherwood's Game Shortcut of Magic

Step 1. Concept
Pick a Name, Caste, Motivation, and Concept (this last one has no mechanical implications it just helps you commit to a theme)

Spoiler: Castes

Dawn-King Leonidas
Abilities: Archery. Martial Arts, Melee, Thrown, War
Zenith-Reverend Juggernaut
Abilities: Integrity, Performance, Presence, Resistance, Survival
Twilight-Nerds
Abilities: Craft, Investigation, Lore, Medicine, Occult
Night-Psychopaths
Abilities: Athletics, Awareness, Dodge, Larceny, Stealth
Eclipse-Nomadic Assholes
Abilities: Bureaucracy, Linguistics, Ride, Sail, Socialize

Step 2. Attributes
Allocate 8 points to a primary attribute group, 6 to a secondary attribute group, 4 to a tertiary attribute group. Each attribute starts at 1, you can raise them up to 5. Assume point spend is 1 for 1 unless specifically called out.

Spoiler: Groups

Physical-Strength, Dexterity, Stamina
Social-Charisma, Manipulation, Appearance
Mental-Perception, Intelligence, Wits

Step 3. Abilities
Pick 5 favored abilities that aren't your caste abilities. You get 28 points to allocate across all abilities, at least 10 must fit in caste and favored, each favored (not caste) must be at least 1. You can raise any ability up to 3 with this pool.

Spoiler: Abilities

Archery-Bows, Crossbows, and Flame Guns
Martial Arts-Fists and Exotic Weapons
Melee-Sword, Axe, Spear, Mace, etc.
Thrown-Knives, Rocks, Axes, so long as you physically throw it, it's valid
War-Tactics and Military Leadership

Integrity-Mental Fortitude and Resistance to Shaping Effects
Performance-Public Speaking, Music, Dancing, Acting
Presence-Persuasion and Deception
Resistance-Physical Fortitude
Survival-Tracking, Hunting, Foraging, Land Navigation

Craft-Save yourself the pain and move on
Investigation-Active Search, Profiling, Information Analysis
Lore-Nerd (at least one for literacy)
Medicine-First Aid
Occult-Spirit Nerd

Athletics-Balance, Jumping, Lifting, Speed
Awareness-Passive/Instant Notice
Dodge-...
Larceny-Pickpocketing, Lockpicking, Disguise, Sleight of Hand
Stealth-...

Bureaucracy-Office Nerd, Rich Asshole
Linguistic-Caligraphy/Penmanship, Number Languages Known +1
Ride-Horses, Carriages, Artifact Bikes, Clockwork Horses
Sail-Navigation in Sea or Sky, Driving anything that handles like a boat
Socialize-Manners, Reading People, Interacting with organized groups of people

Step 4. Advantages
You get 7 points to allocate in any background that isn't Artifacts or Manse (up to 3). You get 12 points to buy artifacts (up to 5), and 3 points for manses.

Spoiler: Backgrounds

Allies-I don't recommend opening this pandora's box, even for veterans
Backing-The prestige of your day job (should it come with perks)
Contacts-People you can lean on for favors and intel
Cult-Another settlement that needs your help
Followers-The settlement that gives you help
Familiar-Magic animal helper, I don't recommend this for beginners but it's doable
Influence-Fame and Political Importance
Face-Fame but specifically in Martial Arts
Resources-Money
Manse-Magic house that gives you FF7 stat buff materia...and I can't believe it's not mana regen
Artifacts-Magic items that either hurt people, provide damage resistance, or do cool shit generally speaking

You get 5 points to allocate among the four virtues. Each start at one.

Spoiler: Virtues

Compassion-Empathy. Low is Psychopath, High is Pacifist
Conviction-Give a damn factor, even in things that actually matter to you. Low is Lazy, High is Zealot
Temperance-Self Discipline. Low is Hedonist, High is Ascetic Prude
Valor-Ability to face fear and sense of honor. Low is Courage the Cowardly Dog, High is Achilles

Step 5. Finishing Touches
Your Essence starts at 2, unless you spend 7 bonus points to raise it to 3 (which I recommend you go ahead and do that right now even if you don't know what that means)

Your Willpower Maximum is 5, unless you spend bonus points to raise it. (it's 1 for 1, and it's a really useful resource to buy. This also increases your mental fortitude. I recommend spending 5 points right now to cap it to 10. Raising with XP will bankrupt your great grandchild's XP pool. This is a now or never type deal mathematically speaking if you have even a drop of munchkin in your blood. Dead serious.)

So again, I really, really recommend using 5 bp for willpower out the gate, before anything else, no questions asked. Essence you can probably buy level 3 with XP and take the level 4 freebie unless you really need Essence 3 for one of your 10 starting charms.

Spoiler

Spoiler: Mote Pool Calculations

Personal: Essence*3 + Willpower (If you trust me at my word on the two suggestions above this should be 19)
Peripheral: Essence*7+Willpower+The sum of your virtues (Again, if you took my advice, and also didn't add any additional points in virtues this should be 40)

Bonus Points
You get 18 of these. To save yourself XP slowdowns, I recommend making sure your Willpower, Abilities, and Attributes are where you want them for the foreseeable future.

For using Bonus Points...

Spoiler

Willpower costs 1/dot (and current rating x2 if you're buying with XP. so dot 6 is either 10xp or 1bp. 5bp gets you 70xp worth of Willpower)
Virtues cost 1/dot
Essence is 7/dot
Favored/Caste abilities are 1/dot
Other abilities are 2/dot
Favored/Caste specialties are 1 for 2 dots
Other specialties are 2 per dot
Backgrounds are 1/dot for dots 1-3, and 2/dot for dots 4 and 5 (obnoxious I know, we didn't write these rules)

Closing Considerations
Quick checklist of important things to remember.

Lore 1 is necessary for Literacy
Linguistics determines languages known
Awareness is used for avoiding surprise attacks(Perception Attribute) and rolling initiative(Wits Attribute). Don't dump this long-term without a way to negate surprise.
Make sure you have a way to boost your defenses with charms. This includes DV penalty negation (Melee/Dodge), Soak boost/perfect soak with free health levels (Resistance), Surprise Negation (Awareness/Dodge), Perfect Parry (Melee +some specific Martial Art styles), Perfect Dodge (I'm gonna let you guess where this one is.)

Kalin Scarlet this is what I have compiled to try and make things somewhat entertaining and less intimidating.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Spitballing Template: CharacterBrainstorm.xlsx

2.5E for the Curious and Insane (Solars)
An Exalted Guide by Rykon

Here's a quick reference for what points you get and how to use them. Errata included

Spoiler: Sherwood's Game Shortcut of Magic

Step 1. Concept
Pick a Name, Caste, Motivation, and Concept (this last one has no mechanical implications it just helps you commit to a theme)

Spoiler: Castes

Dawn-King Leonidas
Abilities: Archery. Martial Arts, Melee, Thrown, War
Zenith-Reverend Juggernaut
Abilities: Integrity, Performance, Presence, Resistance, Survival
Twilight-Nerds
Abilities: Craft, Investigation, Lore, Medicine, Occult
Night-Psychopaths
Abilities: Athletics, Awareness, Dodge, Larceny, Stealth
Eclipse-Nomadic Assholes
Abilities: Bureaucracy, Linguistics, Ride, Sail, Socialize

Step 2. Attributes
Allocate 8 points to a primary attribute group, 6 to a secondary attribute group, 4 to a tertiary attribute group. Each attribute starts at 1, you can raise them up to 5. Assume point spend is 1 for 1 unless specifically called out.

Spoiler: Groups

Physical-Strength, Dexterity, Stamina
Social-Charisma, Manipulation, Appearance
Mental-Perception, Intelligence, Wits

Step 3. Abilities
Pick 5 favored abilities that aren't your caste abilities. You get 28 points to allocate across all abilities, at least 10 must fit in caste and favored, each favored (not caste) must be at least 1. You can raise any ability up to 3 with this pool.

Spoiler: Abilities

Archery-Bows, Crossbows, and Flame Guns
Martial Arts-Fists and Exotic Weapons
Melee-Sword, Axe, Spear, Mace, etc.
Thrown-Knives, Rocks, Axes, so long as you physically throw it, it's valid
War-Tactics and Military Leadership

Integrity-Mental Fortitude and Resistance to Shaping Effects
Performance-Public Speaking, Music, Dancing, Acting
Presence-Persuasion and Deception
Resistance-Physical Fortitude
Survival-Tracking, Hunting, Foraging, Land Navigation

Craft-Save yourself the pain and move on
Investigation-Active Search, Profiling, Information Analysis
Lore-Nerd (at least one for literacy)
Medicine-First Aid
Occult-Spirit Nerd

Athletics-Balance, Jumping, Lifting, Speed
Awareness-Passive/Instant Notice
Dodge-...
Larceny-Pickpocketing, Lockpicking, Disguise, Sleight of Hand
Stealth-...

Bureaucracy-Office Nerd, Rich Asshole
Linguistic-Caligraphy/Penmanship, Number Languages Known +1
Ride-Horses, Carriages, Artifact Bikes, Clockwork Horses
Sail-Navigation in Sea or Sky, Driving anything that handles like a boat
Socialize-Manners, Reading People, Interacting with organized groups of people

Step 4. Advantages
You get 7 points to allocate in any background that isn't Artifacts or Manse (up to 3). You get 12 points to buy artifacts (up to 5), and 3 points for manses.

Spoiler: Backgrounds

Allies-I don't recommend opening this pandora's box, even for veterans
Backing-The prestige of your day job (should it come with perks)
Contacts-People you can lean on for favors and intel
Cult-Another settlement that needs your help
Followers-The settlement that gives you help
Familiar-Magic animal helper, I don't recommend this for beginners but it's doable
Influence-Fame and Political Importance
Face-Fame but specifically in Martial Arts
Resources-Money
Manse-Magic house that gives you FF7 stat buff materia...and I can't believe it's not mana regen
Artifacts-Magic items that either hurt people, provide damage resistance, or do cool shit generally speaking

You get 5 points to allocate among the four virtues. Each start at one.

Spoiler: Virtues

Compassion-Empathy. Low is Psychopath, High is Pacifist
Conviction-Give a damn factor, even in things that actually matter to you. Low is Lazy, High is Zealot
Temperance-Self Discipline. Low is Hedonist, High is Ascetic Prude
Valor-Ability to face fear and sense of honor. Low is Courage the Cowardly Dog, High is Achilles

Step 5. Finishing Touches
Your Essence starts at 2, unless you spend 7 bonus points to raise it to 3 (which I recommend you go ahead and do that right now even if you don't know what that means)

Your Willpower Maximum is 5, unless you spend bonus points to raise it. (it's 1 for 1, and it's a really useful resource to buy. This also increases your mental fortitude. I recommend spending 5 points right now to cap it to 10. Raising with XP will bankrupt your great grandchild's XP pool. This is a now or never type deal mathematically speaking if you have even a drop of munchkin in your blood. Dead serious.)

So again, I really, really recommend using 5 bp for willpower out the gate, before anything else, no questions asked. Essence you can probably buy level 3 with XP and take the level 4 freebie unless you really need Essence 3 for one of your 10 starting charms.

Spoiler

Spoiler: Mote Pool Calculations

Personal: Essence*3 + Willpower (If you trust me at my word on the two suggestions above this should be 19)
Peripheral: Essence*7+Willpower+The sum of your virtues (Again, if you took my advice, and also didn't add any additional points in virtues this should be 40)

Bonus Points
You get 18 of these. To save yourself XP slowdowns, I recommend making sure your Willpower, Abilities, and Attributes are where you want them for the foreseeable future.

For using Bonus Points...

Spoiler

Willpower costs 1/dot (and current rating x2 if you're buying with XP. so dot 6 is either 10xp or 1bp. 5bp gets you 70xp worth of Willpower)
Virtues cost 1/dot
Essence is 7/dot
Favored/Caste abilities are 1/dot
Other abilities are 2/dot
Favored/Caste specialties are 1 for 2 dots
Other specialties are 2 per dot
Backgrounds are 1/dot for dots 1-3, and 2/dot for dots 4 and 5 (obnoxious I know, we didn't write these rules)

Closing Considerations
Quick checklist of important things to remember.

Lore 1 is necessary for Literacy
Linguistics determines languages known
Awareness is used for avoiding surprise attacks(Perception Attribute) and rolling initiative(Wits Attribute). Don't dump this long-term without a way to negate surprise.
Make sure you have a way to boost your defenses with charms. This includes DV penalty negation (Melee/Dodge), Soak boost/perfect soak with free health levels (Resistance), Surprise Negation (Awareness/Dodge), Perfect Parry (Melee +some specific Martial Art styles), Perfect Dodge (I'm gonna let you guess where this one is.)

Kalin Scarlet this is what I have compiled to try and make things somewhat entertaining and less intimidating.

I appreciate it! This is all really helpful. Thank you

 

[Rykon]

One final note I forgot to mention as it is relevant specifically to your concept...

As a sorcerer if you do any summoning. A. I'd recommend relying more on elementals due to stigma and the whole creature of darkness thing with demons, B. Most demons have will 10 or close to it, so when you roll a contest of wills, your max willpower rating will be VITAL.

Summoning is not mandatory for playing a good sorcerer. It is, however, a cheap way to get something with near universal usefulness.

Bonus for your trouble. some spells I'd personally recommend (assuming any of these speaks to your concept vision)...
Terrestrial Circle
Peacock Shadow Eyes (Geass people into believing you)
Corrupted Words (Forbid someone from speaking about a designated subject)
Theft of Memory (Seal a target memory(your own or someone else's) in an emerald for later viewing)
Malediction of the Distorted Compass (Break someone's sense of direction over your knee, no movement can be reflexive for the target)
Mists of Eventide (Sleep gas)
Flying Guillotine (Homing blade chain that circumvents cover and hunts for a throat)

Celestial Circle
Raise the Puissant Sanctum (Raise a magic mansion on top of a magic meadow by doing magic meditation things)
Shadow Theft (Torment someone by stealing and sealing their shadow)
Threefold Binding of the Heart (Bind someone to a compulsion of love for you)
Whirlwind of Fate (Store a bankroll of successes you can pull out of your pocket for important rolls)

Solar Circle (We aren't there yet, but this is for the hype)
Unity of the Closed Fist (Fusion dance with five people)
Solar Sanctuary (All manses and demesnes within a territory are capped, manse'd and yours. All materia hearthstones appear in your pocket.
Total Annihilation (Dragon Slave Spirit Bomb throw an orb that explodes for damage that is unsurvivable by all but maybe 10 or so characters in the setting (that's counting the Incarnae).

All countermagics and banishments

 

[Psychie]

Sorry it took me so long to say 'Hi!' but here it is: HI! Great to have some new blood to corrupt -- I mean, to game with! Yeah, that's it!

Seriously, welcome to the mix.