Exalted 3E, West Direction

...15 points, yeah. I derped there, but it's not going to be too difficult to bring it back down- just get rid of the Sail and Old Realm.

And the Presence is fine- we've got a nice contrast, I think, between Seductive Emerald Blossom and Inspiring Chiyoko.

...honestly, Emerald Blossom would have a fair shot if she wanted to get in a relationship with Chiyoko.

 

I'll expand on Shimazu while typing up Chiyoko's backstory, but here's a cliff-notes:

It's about halfway between Coral and Wu Jian on the map I linked earlier- Shimazu has control of a relatively small island chain that's also fairly hilly, but the city itself is... well, I described it as Japanese Venice earlier, and that's a geographic descriptor as well as a descriptor of its role- the city itself is mostly canals and footpaths. It serves as a waypoint on the route from Coral to Wu Jian, but in terms of its own resources, the island chain is actually fairly rich in iron for the West, and along with some fairly rich fishing banks, allows it to trade with Coral (and, to a lesser extent, the Realm- which yes, is where Chiyoko has High Realm from) in its own right.

It's independent from Coral mostly because of the aforementioned resources and because it's at the edge of Coral's ability to project power. They have some samurai warriors, but not many (although Shining Point Into The Void is practiced there, yes)- notably, and unlike IRL Japan or most Fantasy versions, merchants are respected- and Shimazu merchants generally deal with honor. It was founded by an Exigent (from whom the city takes its name) shortly after the Great Contagion- records of previous inhabitants are scarce, and interestingly, there aren't any records of which god empowered Shimazu herself. She also founded a priestesshood, which takes care of the spiritual matters of the island- Chiyoko was one before her Exaltation (and the Silken Armor she wears was worn by Shimazu herself, yes).

Overall, it's in a position that could best be described as a precarious balance. Coral is, officially, peaceful towards Shimazu, but visitors from Coral often cause trouble. And, of course, the Realm isn't that far away compared to most of the West.

Also, made the Bonus Point changes to Chiyoko's sheet.

 

Do we get a Ox body per Dot of essence or something? I mean there are only (-0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -4, and Incapacitated) right?

 

E exposes those health levels less, though, so I suspect it balances out to a degree.

 

Actually, I didn't see you guys getting it. So that is why I asked. Ignore my question, it was my mistake.

 

For now, no. But if it's as lethal as 2E (which I doubt), I'll change my mind.

 

No worries, I just missed them getting Ox Body technique,

Also Nekraa you have the balanced tag in Grand Daiklave so it adds +1 to your overwhelming damage. It is 6 not 5 for you.

 

So I was thinking on writing up a Sorcerer-Swordsman, getting Glorious Solar Blade when at E2, now relying on his Sorcery and Melee charms to kick ass. Craft will probably be used for the purpose of reinforcing my sword, which will be used to create a Familiar through my Occult charms.

 

Spoiler: Story

Back Story:
Starry Night was one of the many faceless mortal Realm Legionaries that were conscripted and sent off to fight the wars in the name of the Scarlet Empress.

Long and hard did he fight under the Dragons. From the cold tundras to the Sweaty Jungles and even in the harsh deserts, he had fought in all of these places and more.

Gaining the friendship of a young Dragon, he learnt a great deal under the young Exalt, even so far as becoming a Sorcerer.

Under the young Dragon’s command their company won much honour and prestige. Though he lacked the natural Charisma to command men from the front, he proved himself an able sub commander, capable of manipulating the battle field to their advantage. This along with his merger yet considerable sorcerous abilities, they achieved heights they had not dreamed off.

To most, he was one of the lucky ones as while his fellow soldiers died to one cause or another, he remained. Yet it was not to be. All his peers long dead, transferred or Exalted, he was finally discharged when his luck ran out.

A was a disastrous campaign, which left his legion shattered and all his friends dead.

Taking an injury to his heart that could not fully heal by itself and not being important enough to be asked to stay, he left the legion and made his way to a home he hadn’t seen in decades.
There he was welcomed back and found solace in helping his sister and her husband with their family and business.

In between drilling the watch and working on the farm, he spent his time tutoring his Niece, Wild Flower, a wilful young girl. He thought her how to fight and how to hunt among other things.

This life was hard but honest and he lent his expertise to the village to in all martial matters. Respected and regarded, he was happy and was prepared to grow old here.

But this too was not to be.

In a routine hunting trip with his niece, he become separated from her and whiling looking around, found a pillar of smoke and an explosion of silver coming from the general area of his village.

Rushing to his home he came upon a horrible sight. For there lay the burning ruins of his village. The bodies piled up, both raider and villager alike.

Though he wished otherwise, he knew that the watch could not have held out against this many raiders. Quickly counting the bodies, he found that while the bodies of all the villagers were present his Niece was still absent.

Thus quickly burying the bodies and spreading salt around the graves to ward off the dead, he set off into the night to find the last remaining family he had left.

Thus did he come upon his niece, glowing silver, and standing before a massive Silver Beastman that he recognized as an Anathema.

Knowing what his Niece had become, yet not caring, he walked towards them determined to make his mind known and protect his impressionable niece from the Aged Lunar.

The Lunar, knowing well the relation between his new ward and the man, sought to scare him away.

Starry Night was unimpressed with the Lunar’s attempts and said so by punching him in the face, secure in the knowledge that the Lunar would not kill him. From his knowledge of customs of the Barbarians, he knew that he had to be brave and not show weakness.

No one knew what he had planned to do next, and it mattered not as the moment his fist struck the Lunar, he erupted as a Solar.

Shocked and stupefied, it was the Lunar who recovered first. Bursting out laughing, he had recognized Starry Night from his past incarnation.

The Lunar owed his past incarnation a debt and sought to repay it by helping Starry Night and Wild Flower. Knowing well the seriousness of the situation, they accepted.

Thus they found themselves now, charged to hunt down a fully grown Tyrant Lizard so that Wild Flower may add it to her collection as a rite of passage to become an Adult in the eyes of the Silver Pact.

Spoiler: Char Sheet

Name: Starry Night
Caste: Dawn
Anima: The Silence after
Supernal Ability: Martial Arts
Appearance: Madara Uchiha
Concept: Soldier Returning from war
Limit Condition: Failing to keep a promise

Attributes
Strength •
Dexterity •••••
Stamina •••

Charisma •
Manipulation •••••
Appearance •

Perception •
Intelligence •••••
Wits •••••

Abilities
Caste
Brawl
Martial Arts:
-- Reaper Daiklave
Single Point Shining Into the Void Style •••••
Steel Devil •••••
Awareness •••••
Dodge •••
Resistance •
War

Favored
Occult •••••
Presence •••
Athletics •••••
-- Combat Placement
Socialize •••••
-- Hiding the Truth
Integrity •••••
-- Self Control


Merits
Allies ••••• (Lunar Niece - Wild Flower)
Mentor ••• (Lunar Elder)
Artifact ••• (Reaper Daiklave Pair - Refluffed Spring Razor)
Thaumaturgist •••• Free with Sorcery
Artifact •••• The Talisman of Ten Thousand Eyes - Free with initiation
Martial Artist •••• Free

Charms - Click for more details

Martial Arts - Single Point Shining Into the Void Style
Gathering Light Concentration
Shining Starfall Execution
Single Point Shining Into the Void Form

Martial Arts - Steel Devil
Naked Fang Draw
Double Attack Technique
Triple Attack Technique

Athletics
Graceful Crane Stance
Monkey Leap Technique
Foe-Vaulting Method

Presence
Listener-Swaying Argument
Harmonious Presence Meditation

Socialize
Motive-Discerning Technique

Resistance
Ox-Body Technique

Occult
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
-Mists of Eventide (Control)
- Demon of the First Circle

Evocation
Howling Lotus Strike - Free

Weapons:
Paired Reaper Daiklave (Spring Razor but with Short Daiklave stats), ‘Ruin and Glory’: Accuracy +5, Damage +10, Defense +0, Overwhelming 4, Attunement 5;

Shaping Ritual:
The Talisman of Ten Thousand Eyes - Join Battle (Add Occult to Join Battle and gives 1 sm for every 2 sux)

Intimacies
• “Wild Flower - Niece.” (Defining Tie)
• “Always support your Comrades.” (Major Principle)
• “Betrayers (Hatred).” (Minor Principle)
• "Battles and fights (Enjoyment)" (Major Tie)
• "Mentor (Grudging Loyalty/Respect)" (Major Tie)
• "Money (Greed)" (Minor Tie)

Limit: 0

Health:
-0/ []
-1/ [][][]
-2/ [][][][]
-4/ []
Inc []

Willpower: 5/5
Essence: 1
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33 (5 attuned to Paired Reaper Daiklave)

Bonus Points
15/15
4 on four dots of Martial Arts
2 on two dots of Socialize
2 on two dots of Awareness
2 on two dots of Integrity
2 on two dots of Occult
2 on two dots of Presence
1 on a dot of Allies

Experience
0/0

Solar Experience
0/0

 

I'll get Chiyoko's actual backstory up soon-ish. My computer's being repaired right now (video card issues) so I don't have acces to my books right now.

Personality-wise, she's kind without being soft- she doesn't like killing, but will do so if she has to.

 

Incidentally, as far as area goes, I'm inclined towards the Coral area, although Chiyoko could travel further. I just want to note that a game in the Caul would likely have much less sea travel than other Western games.

…also, part of me wonders whether Chiyoko should develop a crush on Emerald Blossom, Nekraa.

 

Quite possibly.

Chiyoko would probably be more inclined to be attracted to someone who did care, even if they were outwardly rather roguish- and honestly, Blossom seems to fit that, al least from my read of her.

 

*nods* then yeah, it's entirely possible Chiyoko might fall for her.

Or already have done so, depending on when they met in relation to the game start.

 

So 3 Sorcerors in total so far? Man Sorcery is a lot more popular than the last edition.

 

And it isn't completely out of the question for Chiyoko to pick it up eventually, although she's not so likely to with three already.

Sorcery's just flat-out better written in E.

 

Also you might want to max out occult and maybe int because as it is, you are a bit too low beat the demon's resolve to bind it. Might be best to learn summon elemental as they just dissolve if you fail.

 

Emeral got the Initiation from Mara, though. And she got amazing social skill. She probably can just persuade demon...

 

Would we be arriving together at wherever the game starts, separately, or is that up to us?

 

So, people want to play in Wavecrest-Coral?

 

If you want to pair-up, go ahead.