General Exalted Discussion II: No Longer Mortal

[Tavar]

Considering he only exalted after the war, I don't think so.

[TheCountAlucard]

I don't think Surly's method required Essence 10. Though, didn't Porkchop Crackerjack get pretty close anyway?

Oops, my mistake - I was still thinking of the Lunar/Solar combo.

[golentan]

Bear in mind that solars had a lifespan of what, six thousand years and the first one died of old age around year 2000 post primordial war. And the time warping thing they had going then as well (my favorite quote is about one of the pivotal battles is that it took place somewhere between the second week and second century of the war).

I'm sure some of them could have done it.

[Tavar]

Where does it actually go over the ages that exalts live?

[golentan]

Where does it actually go over the ages that exalts live?

Dreams of the First Age, Volume 1, Page 36, sidebar: The Exalted Lifespan.

It would appear that the 5000 year lifespan is a charm probably developed post-realizing-we're-mortal and that the natural solar lifespan is "merely" 2-3000.

[Xefas]

Considering he only exalted after the war, I don't think so.

Ah, I guess I'm getting my timeline mixed up.

So, an unrelated question: Zapp Brannigan; Best Dawn Caste or best Solar?

(Would it be unreasonable to modify Foolhardy Contempt to involve sending wave-after-wave of your own Follower Extras at something?)

[golentan]

Zap isn't even a heroic mortal. He's a fellow who Kif (sidereal) regrets convincing he was a solar. While it has given Kif the influence he desired over interstellar politics and military, keeping Zap alive and popular is more trouble than it's worth and Kif insufficiently invested in social fu.

[Kyeudo]

Because the Sidereals clearly had time to get to Essence 10 before/during the Primordial War...

Actually, all accounts mention that there WAS a time between the creation of the Exalted and the start of the war (at least one year, as the Dragon-Blooded had time to sire the first generation of children at the least). The Sidereals actually were spying on the Primordials under the guise of being the Five Maidens' special assistants long before the first blow was struck and were responsible for opening the gates of Heaven for the first assault.

Exactly how long this time span was is left to the Storyteller to decide. Personally, I expect it was a good few centuries.

[Tavar]

Okay, regarding the differences between Terrestrial/Celestial/Sidereal martial arts, does it end something like this? Terrestrial Martial arts are basically melee charms by another name, not making one essence in tune with anything beyond making the punch/kick/whatever stronger. Celestial Martial arts really begin the emulating, with things like animals, professions, heroes(Lunar Hero, Solar Hero, Celestial Dragon styles, etc). Sidereal Martial arts emulate not physical things, but grand, overarching concepts (love, entropy, death, deceit, etc). Right?


Also, I'm using this Familiar fix:

Spoiler

Show

Familiar
Its a simple fact that as far as backgrounds go Familiar is fairly weak. To most beginning Solars a Familiar is of 0 challange to kill in a fight. A 'dangerous' animal like a tiger is actually no real threat to any Exalt. In fact in any fight where the character could be threatened the Familiar has no hope to survive. This means to me the entire area needs an edit. So here is my try at it.
First of all the Familiars are so bonded with the character's essence they gain a form of immortality. A familiar heals one level of damage an hour regardless of source. This happens even if a familiar is killed. Familiars do not age and while they can grow hungry they will never starve or die from such normal means. To kill a Familiar permenently requires one of three ways. First of all is seperate the Familiar from the character. If you can put a mile of distance per level of Familiar between a Familiar and its master and slay the creature they will not heal and rise up. Second method is to kill the character first and then slay the beast. The third way is to use god-killing charms to finish it off. With the first two ways a Familiar can be revived by a character finding its body and letting it slowly restore to life. In fact a Solar could potentially find an old tomb or ruin, find a long forgotten set of bones and watch as an ancient ally and friend springs to life to rejoin them. Second of all Familiars are all able to understand and communicate with a character. Weaker Familiars will think in basic animal terms but more powerful ones are easily as intelligent as your average human if not smarter. They have a short telepathic bond of about 100 yards. They can communicate by telepathy or by facial expressions, natural animal noises and postures as well that the character and character alone can understand. All Familiars grant an additional 5 motes of Essence that a character can draw on when in contact with the familiar. Finally there should be a scaling effect available with charms. Just as a level 5 artifact is never going to be obsolete neither should a level 5 familiar.
• This level of familiar is something like a loyal and intelligent tiger companion.
•• Familiars of this level are either more intelligent then the norm or have some small and minor powers in the form of appropriate charms to the type of character exalt or god Charms.
••• Familiars at this level are likely full on Godblooded or minor dieties or elementals.
•••• Familiars at this level are credible threats to young Exalted who are not heavily invested in being skilled in combat. Alternatively they should provide great aid in some area outside of combat. A supernaturally wise owl who serves as a tutor in sorcery or charms as well as being able to carry a character around the world for example.
••••• This is a level of Familiar oftentimes created more then found. Always unique at this stage many were forged of the First Age Sorceries or technology of the time. These should be the perfect companion to a character granting useful powers able to be used in tandem. Familiars of this level are often times famous in their own right and those who see you with one will know you are a being of power.

For a Level 3 or 4 familiar, any guidelines on how strong it should be? Assuming it's focus is combat?

[Kyeudo]

Okay, regarding the differences between Terrestrial/Celestial/Sidereal martial arts, does it end something like this? Terrestrial Martial arts are basically melee charms by another name, not making one essence in tune with anything beyond making the punch/kick/whatever stronger. Celestial Martial arts really begin the emulating, with things like animals, professions, heroes(Lunar Hero, Solar Hero, Celestial Dragon styles, etc). Sidereal Martial arts emulate not physical things, but grand, overarching concepts (love, entropy, death, deceit, etc). Right?

The broad strokes someone once laid it out for me seems to fit better. Say we have 3 martial arts styles, one Terrestrial, one Celestial, and one Sidereal, that all focus on cats.

A Terrestrial martial artist fights like a cat.
A Celestial martial artist is a cat.
A Sidereal martial artist takes the whole concept of cat and kills you with it.

[horngeek]

Or, as Scroll of The Monk says:

A mundane martial artist can split a brick and jump over a hedge.

A Terrestrial Martial Artist can split a boulder and jump over a house.

A Celestial Martial Artist can split a city wall and jump over a mountain.

A Sidereal Martial Artist can split a soul and jump to Yu-Shan.

While we're on the subject of martial arts, I want someone to make the SMA the Sun knows. Not the UCS, he doesn't get any of those. I mean the DAYSTAR.

Specifically, the SMA a Siddie taught it using a GIANT ARRAY OF MIRRORS.

Why doesn't anyone make that martial arts style? ;_;

[Cyborg Mage]

Because chances are if someone thought it worthy to teach it to the SUN, it would probably be stupidly overpowered. Even by SMA standards.

[Xefas]

Why doesn't anyone make that martial arts style? ;_;

I'm already thinking of names for charms. "Foes With Wax Wings Methodology", "'I Am Actually Powered By Nuclear Fusion, You See' Prana", "Don't Stare Directly Into Me! Method".

This could be epic.

EDIT: The reason your eyes hurt when you look directly at the sun is because it's punching you.

[TheCountAlucard]

"Foes With Wax Wings Methodology"

Err, wow. I really actually like that one.

[Cyborg Mage]

Anything to do with the fact it's the only one that actually sounds like a real charm?

[TheCountAlucard]

Anything to do with the fact it's the only one that actually sounds like a real charm?

Idunno, "Vicious Melanoma Atemi" sounds pretty good... Okay, yeah, bad joke.

Let's see, "Radiant Fusion Kata," how's that?

Or, umm, "Horizon-Crossing Meditation?" Ooh, "Rising in the East Method!"

[golentan]

Hmm... I went to reference ink monkeys and it says the Admin's disabled the blogs and forums. Anyone have word about this? It has been persistent this past day or two for me.

[Jokasti]

They're implementing new forums.

[Tavar]

Official Link.

[Weimann]

Really hope it's up by Monday :<

[Reynard]

Hmm... I went to reference ink monkeys and it says the Admin's disabled the blogs and forums. Anyone have word about this? It has been persistent this past day or two for me.

All of the Ink Monkeys charms and stuff have been put up on the Wiki.

[Xefas]

Err, wow. I really actually like that one.

Anything to do with the fact it's the only one that actually sounds like a real charm?

Yeah, I started out thinking of actual charm names, and then the urge to be silly was too great after the first one.

EDIT: The Hegrian Urge (The Urge to be Silly)? Possible?

[Jokasti]

Yeah, I started out thinking of actual charm names, and then the urge to be silly was too great after the first one.

EDIT: The Hegrian Urge (The Urge to be Silly)? Possible?

I think TDO did a Hegra charmset.

[tonberrian]

I think TDO did a Hegra charmset.

He did, but I've heard he doesn't like it, as in his opinion, it's older work that's not up to his current standards. He was working on revamping it before he was monkeyfied, though, so you might see it soon in an Ink Monkeys post near you.

ohmygodIwanttoplayasahighessenceInfernalsobad

[Jokasti]

He did, but I've heard he doesn't like it, as in his opinion, it's older work that's not up to his current standards. He was working on revamping it before he was monkeyfied, though, so you might see it soon in an Ink Monkeys post near you.

That would be bootylicious.

[Xefas]

He did, but I've heard he doesn't like it, as in his opinion, it's older work that's not up to his current standards. He was working on revamping it before he was monkeyfied, though, so you might see it soon in an Ink Monkeys post near you.

He also did an Autochthon charm set that he tries to keep hidden out of shame. I messaged him about it, but he says they're too awful to use. They looked okay to me, though , oh well.

[Jokasti]

Just read through BWC, and, and...
ohmysol
I want Heretical Charms
givemeHereticalCharmsnow
I want to have charms and a world and my own Urge and 15 third circle demons and and and
Someone run a high essence infernals game please.

[Sanguine]

Just read through BWC, and, and...
ohmysol
I want Heretical Charms
givemeHereticalCharmsnow
I want to have charms and a world and my own Urge and 15 third circle demons and and and
Someone run a high essence infernals game please.

I am going to second both the fact that Heretical Charms are awesome and the desire for a high-essence infernal game. Preferably one open to the idea of a character making a Third Circle Hellstrider from their own souls.

[Jokasti]

I am going to second both the fact that Heretical Charms are awesome and the desire for a high-essence infernal game. Preferably one open to the idea of a character making a Third Circle Hellstrider from their own souls.

That would be cool but not as cool as having a dinner party with your souls. You, 15 third circle, 105 second circle, and lots of first circle waiters and musicians. All in your body.
Yes.

[Sanguine]

That would be cool but not as cool as having a dinner party with your souls. You, 15 third circle, 105 second circle, and lots of first circle waiters and musicians. All in your body.
Yes.

The two aren't mutually exclusive.