[Ganurath]

Joy will speak in Royal Blue.

Spoiler

Name: Joy of Discovery
Caste: Sidereal of Serenity
Anima: A holographic sheath of bright blue light.

Motivation: Help those in realspace better themselves.

Backstory

Spoiler

Once, there was a maiden…
…who was the living embodiment of everything right with the world.
While she lived, no real harm could come to anyone.
Oh, wounds, disease, even death, sure.
But she stood between the world and everything worse.
“Except,” she said, “I’m going to die.” And no one listened.
“I’m going to die tomorrow,” she said. And no one heard.
Into the silence, she said, “There’s always an ending, after all.”

Joy was a young girl from a technologically isolated world who liked to explore the urban ruins outside her native farming community. She never expected to learn anything, but there was enough of the infrastructure left to imagine the entertaining stories the city once had. On one such occasion, she came across a manse that had been struggling to maintain power due to the incidental destruction of its artificial custodian some years before. While the dialect it used was old, it did manage to forewarn that strangers would come from the heavens upon its destruction. For several years, Joy paid the warning no heed.

Once, there was that old thing…
…that wasn’t like a shadow, because you could see it too well.
…and that wasn’t like a light, because it didn’t make flowers grow.
So, it had to be a maiden, but she didn’t mind.
“To know the world is to love it,” said she.

When the Ratch discovered the hidden canals near their native territory, they demonstrated their cultural lack of creativity by naming the first system they found their native word for "Discovery." While they were disappointed to find that the new worlds were occupied by human natives, being greeted by magnanimous locals like Joy softened the blow. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Discoverian and Ratch alike learned why the canals had been hidden.

Once, there was a maiden…
…who was driven from her land.
Great black stags chased her, and their eyes shone blue.
Monsters scrambled after her through the bush, though they found her not.
Stumbling on a log, she fell; and thought to surrender, and end the torment of the hunt; but then, she stood, and stuck out her tongue at the dark woods behind her.
“Love is smiling at your troubles,” she said.

The Shrieking Hordes burst forth from the canal in the wake of the Ratch, descending upon farmer and explorer alike in indiscriminate hunger. Joy, fearful and brave at the same time, shout for the attention of a few of the lesser horrors and lured them toward the urban ruins, hoping to lose them or trick them into danger. Eventually, it seemed she had managed the former.

Once, there was a maiden…
…who met a thing that lived outside the world, and there was beauty to it.
It burned with an unholy wrath that could destroy Creation.
It hated her as much as it loved her.
Its kiss was blood and perfection, for its teeth were sharp.
It offered her power, and with it, hooks to tear her soul.
With care not to burn her fingers, she took it into her life.
“Love is what you make of it,” she said.

On her way back to the village, she came across an old woman with blue eyes sitting upon a pile of dead horrors. Specifically, the horrors Joy had thought had chased her. The woman was kindly, introducing herself as Momma Autotune. She offered Joy the chance to help her work against such monsters. Hoping for a life of thrilling adventure, but not wanting to hurt her loved ones, Joy explained that she wanted to check with her family first.

Once, there was a maiden…
…whose friends left her.
And her enemies, too.
“I’ll miss them, but I know why they had to go.
“It’s not just or right.
“It just is.”
She drew out her lover’s handkerchief, and wiped away her tears.
“Survival is chance,” she said.

When the pair arrived at the farming community, they found nothing but devastation. Villager, Ratch, there were no survivors. There were a few dead horrors, too, but there weren't any signs that anyone had escaped with their lives. Joy cried into Momma Autotune's shoulder for nearly an hour before they were ready to cremate the dead.

Once, there was a maiden…
…who fled a shadow, in the company of a friend.
They traveled through strange places, and among strange people.
“How can you trust me,” he asked, “with such horror behind you?”
“Love endures,” she said.

After the bodies had been tended to, Momma observed that they would need to leave the planet before another wave of the Shrieking Horde arrived. Joy went along without hesitation, and Momma decided to wait until later to ask. When she did, Joy explained that before the attack she learned that there were thousands of other worlds that had never learned of the sheer good of her homeworld, and she wanted to share it despite the attack.

Once, there was a maiden…
…who was born, and told her mom, “I know how I’m gonna die.
“It’s gonna hurt bad,
and I ain’t coming back.
“…I could avoid it, but I won’t.
“cause one day, death’d come to me and say, ‘Baby, don’t you know?’
“’There’s always an ending.’”

Momma Autotune trained Joy for years, preparing her to receive something called a Sidereal Exaltation. It wasn't until after the training was complete that Momma Autotune explained that she was training her as a posthumous replacement, and instructed her in how to install the Exaltation in herself after she died. With nobody else in the galaxy, Joy complied.

Once, there was a maiden…
…and things didn’t go so well for her.
It was just the way of the world, you know?
She had to give up power to get it, and she didn’t get much.
Some people hated her for getting any power at all.
She needed a protector, so she gave herself to a man named Neccesity.
“Love is hard, she said.”

It was soon learned just how powerful Momma Autotune was by the merit of how powerful Joy wasn't. She quickly found herself in over her head in her efforts against the Shrieking Hordes, the Tomb-Stars' minions, and similar monsters. Eventually, she caught the eye of the Emissaries, who saw an opportunity to recruit an overwhelmed Exile. Seeing a chance for a community where she could belong, Joy wholeheartedly agreed.

Once, there was a maiden…
…who stood at the center of every dance.
Back then, she knew all the dances.
She never missed a step.
One day, she heard something in the music, as a singer dropped the beat.
It taught her the joy of dancing poorly.
She started dancing more and more awry.
“Love has no rules,” she said.

While Joy was initially an ideal recruit, having already been given the basic training by Momma Autotune, she proved as restless as one would expect of a former Exile. She was an eager source of helping in settling conflicts between programs, and her skill with the College of the Musician could only be described as prodigal, but... She was still restless. So, when the Emissaries discovered a group of Exalts determined to exert uncertain influences on the future of the galaxy, they sent Joy of Discovery off to make sure they were the right influences.

Personality
Joy is bubbly to the point of seeming naive, but she's really just that pleasant of a person. She doesn't like hurting anyone, which is why she stipulates in favor of stunners instead of more deadly firearms. She's casually uninhibited, neither going out of her way to respect or violate taboos beyond being considerate of the well-being of others. She has a distinct love of music, primarily due to her training with Momma Autotune, and as a result her every action follows a rhythm, erratic and improvised though it may be.

Appearance

Spoiler

As in the following image, but without the gas mask and neck plug and with the equipment listed in the appropriate section.

Attributes
Physical
Strength ●●
Dexterity ●●●●●
Stamina ●●

Social
Charisma ●●●●●
Manipulation ●
Appearance ●●●●●

Mental
Perception ●●
Intelligence ●●●
Wits ●●

Abilities
Drive
Resistance
Ride
Sail
Survival
Thrown

Craft ●●●●
Dodge ●●●●
Linguistics ●● (Discoverian Old Realm, Canalspeak, Ratch)
Performance ●●●●
Socialize ●●●

Archery
Athletics
Firearms ●●● (Stun Guns ●●)
Melee
Presence ●● (Seduction ●●)
War

Investigation ●●
Larceny
Lore ●●●
Occult ●●
Stealth ●

Awareness ●●
Bureaucracy ●●
Integrity ●●
Martial Arts ●●
Medicine ●●

Colleges
The Musician ●●●●●
The Key ●●

Destinies
“I will bring happiness to others as easily to myself so long as I put deed before thought.” – 7 months
“My counsel shall be persuasive so long as it is given with happiness to guide the listener toward happiness.” – 9 months
“My medical expertise will be of value when none are more able and willing.” – 5 months
“I shall find what knowledge I seek so long as I intend to share it freely.” – 5 months

Backgrounds
Acquaintances ●●●
Artifact ●●
Artifact ●
Artifact ●
Backing (Emissaries) ●●
Celestial Manse ●●
Salary ●●
Savant ●●

Artifacts and Equipment
Starmetal Stormwand – Artifact ● – This starmetal-reinforced bracer holds the cartridge that powers the firing mechanism attached to the back of a connected glove. It has Speed 5, Accuracy +2, Damage 12B/2+Stun, Rate 1, Range 25, Ammo 3, Attune 3, and Piercing.

Holographic Interface Visor – Artifact ●● – This starmetal headset with a holographic visor is functionally identical to the Dragon Tear Tiara from Exalted Core, p381. The tint of the holographic display is modified by the hearthstone mounted in the right earpiece of the headset.

Hygiene Regulator Belt – Artifact ● – This device, built in the same style as the Holographic Interface Visor, generates a weak energy field that repels filth and attacks infectious materials. This item is functionally identical to a Collar of Dawn's Cleansing Light.

Persuasive Protocol Node – Manse ●● – This golden disc provides all the power granted through Joy’s virtual manse, being functionally identical to a Jewel of Lawgiver’s Authority. The manse itself has a Central Control system accessed via Sympathetic Dream Link that allows her regular access to the Grand Celestial Mountain, if only in her sleep. Thanks to a Bound Servant in the form of an avatar AI, she can interact freely with her surroundings while within the manse, allowing her to take care of paperwork and meet with superiors in her dreams.

Music Player – Resources ●● – This basic audio device can provide Joy with music to listen to quietly by feeding the music to her Holographic Interface Visor, or it can play the music out loud. Joy often makes use of the option to “toggle out” the vocalist of a song so that she can provide the singing herself, the musical accompaniment acting as a Fine Performance (Singing) tool.

Encounter Suit – Resources ●● – This Fine Bulletproof Vest, a cerulean jumpsuit with polished alloy plates on the chest and lower legs, provides 2L/2B soak against most attacks, 5L/5B soak against attacks using bullets, and is comfortable enough to not impose a fatigue penalty.

Charms
[Craft]
[Excellencies]
[Charms]
World-Shaping Artistic Vision (Nonlethal Force)

[Dodge]
[Excellencies]
[Charms]
Absence
Absence

[Linguistics]
[Excellencies]
[Charms]
Favorable Inflection Procedure

[Performance]
[Excellencies]
*Third Performance Excellency
Propitious Performance Alignment
[Charms]
Heart-Brightening Presentation Style

[Firearms]
[Excellencies]
*First Firearms Excellency
[Charms]
Holistic Bullet Methodology
Steel and Smoke Mandala

[Presence]
[Excellencies]
[Charms]
Force Decision

[Investigation]
[Excellencies]
*Second Investigation Excellency
[Charms]
Auspicious Prospects for Serenity
Efficient Secretary Technique

[Awareness]
[Excellencies]
*Second Awareness Excellency
[Charms]

[Integrity]
[Excellencies]
[Charms]
Compassion Essence Replenishment

Join Combat: 4

Defenses:
Dodge DV 6
Parry DV 5

Soak: 2A/3L/4B, 5A/6L/7B against bullets

Health:
-0 [ ]
-1 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
-2 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
-4 [ ]
-X [ ]

Social Defenses:
Dodge MDV 8
Parry MDV 5

Virtues
Compassion ●●●
Conviction ●●●
Temperance ●
Valor ●●

Limit 0/10
Paradox 4/10

Intimacies
Being Helpful (Eagerness)
Discovery the Action (Enjoyment)
Discovery the Planet (Regret)
Emissaries (Comradery)
Exiles (Desires to Recruit)
Hurting Others (Aversion)
Music (Loves)
Netsharing Community (Distant Affection)
People With Poles Up Their Butts (Annoyance)
Shrieking Hordes (Odium)

Willpower: 10/10

Essence:
Permanent: ●●●
Personal: 16/16
Peripheral: 31/37 (6 Committed)

Bonus Points: 0/18
-8 Essence 2>3
-5 Willpower 5>10
-5 Favored Abilities

XP 0/0