EXALTED
Age of Sorrows
Age of Sorrows
Preface
This is a prequal to my World of Darkness RP and set in the distant past. Before the world became a universe of gothic, Lovecraftian, self horror. It is a world that still holds onto hope and returning to a glorious past. Ever since I launched Masquerade I've wanted to do an Exalted RP and well, here it is, but I came to some issues in how to go about it. How does one check possible excesses? Well why not have players be able to make their characters be Exalted or not, and if they choose the former, why not choose the most flexible kind that also makes each person individually an underdog in terms of raw capability. Promoting players to interact with each other to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
What is Exalted?
Exalted is a world of gritty high fantasy! Mages, supernatural creatures, magitech, the absolute gamut all over the backdrop of endemic warfare, political assassinations, courtly intrigue, social maneuvering, and sheer survival in an increasingly bleak world. Gone is the wonder and hope of the eras prior! Now is a time of survival as warlords wage campaigns across the globe, rulers reign with a just or cruel hand, and evils from beyond the veil grow in power. Will you survive? Possibly. Only time will tell!
You, dear player, will take the role of a character (or more, up to you) starting out in the Imperial City. The capital of the greatest empire of the age, from there you go where you wish, as you scheme, plot, murder, and finagle your way into power; or, simply fight to survive. The metaplot is very flexible and open ended thus player actions do possess a butterfly effect on their surroundings. It is encouraged that players band together for mutual support and safety in this dangerous world. You can be the head of a Minor House in The Realm starting out in your family's residence in the Imperial City; or a nomad wandering the Southern deserts, or perhaps a nomadic warlord? Too a petty king in the Scavenger Lands to the East of the Imperial City visiting to give tribute or diplomacy. The choice is up to you and the world is vast.
What are Exalted?
Exalted are Humans that at some point in their lives gain an Exaltation, Second Breath, A Third Soul. A tiny shard of a God's essence binding to your Upper and Lower Soul (Yin and Yang so to speak. Upper soul is all higher levels of consciousness while the lower is your natural instincts and primal nature) and giving you supernatural power. Your power taking in the form of supernatural abilities that can be expressed in a variety of ways. You, the player, will have the option of being a Terrestrial Exalted, The Dragon-Blooded, Princes of the Earth! Whose power stems from the Five Elemental Dragons and passed down from generation to generation. As such political marriages can be beneficial in the long run in securing alliances for those players who wish to partake in the ever evolving political and statecraft angles of play.
The Titanomachy
In the beginning there was just darkness, nothingness, save for the twisting chaos of the Wyld. Formless energy pulsating and twisting endlessly within the void. From which birthed and lived the Primordials. The first borne of the cosmos and its chaotic energies. Massive incomprehensible beings of what later scholars could guess to be the equivalent of millions of souls. Beings so massive and incomprehensible that it would seem as if every organ and part of them bore its own personality, intellect, and soul that formed a larger consciousness. You had, Malfeas, King of the Primordials; Cecelyne, the Endless Desert; Cytherea, Mother of Creation; The Dragon's Shadow (In Age of Sorrows as the Ebon Dragon, Lord of Treachery); He-Who-Bleeds-The-Unknown-Word and later known as Elloge the Lord of Speech; The Lidless Eye (later known as Sachaverell, He Who Sees The Shape and Things to Come); Hegra, The Typhoon of Nightmares; Isodoros, the Black Goat whose Tusks twist the Sky; Kimbery, the Ocean that marched against the Flame; Metagaos, the Unwilted Petals of the Thousand Toothed Blossom; Oramus, The Dragon Outside the World; She Who Lives in Her Name; Szoreny, The Silver Forest; Gaia, The World; and, Autochthon, the Builder and Artificer. Each of these Primordials hosting their own complete sub-types capable of manifesting semi-independently and working autonomously, sometimes even against each other.
Together they formed Creation, also known as the world, out of the Wyld's raw essence. Establishing the Five Pillars of Reality to bind it together. Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Wood. The Primordials then went about creating the Gods and all the creatures in it. Ordering the Gods to watch over and govern Creation. The number of Gods being vast in number. From massively powerful Gods such as the Unconquered Sun and Luna to Gods of streams and forests to currency and minerals. However, the Primordials were complacent in their dominion, preferring to stay in Yu-Shan, also known as the Heavenly City. A realm that perfectly follows the contours of the Blessed Isle on Creation except as one giant beautiful city. Finding it more to their liking so sit and play the Game of Divinity. Unaware and uncaring in their actions and their decisions in regards to the sentient races on Creation.
Eventually, the Unconquered Sun led a rebellion. But the God's could not harm the Primordials, for the latter engineered the Gods to be unable to directly harm them, and thus the Gods created the Exalted. Humans blessed with a shard of a patron God embedded in their souls. Allowing them to channel a fraction of that Gods power and thus the Unconquered Sun, with the guaranteed neutrality of Gaia and Autochthon, opened the Gates of Yu-Shan. Allowing the armies of Exalted humans to assail the Heavenly City and slaughter the Primordials. The Primordials slain became the Neverborn and confined to the newly created Underworld. The other Primordials were sealed within the body of Malfeas, he himself turned inside out and made into his own prison as a perverse decision by the Gods, these Primordials became the Yozis. The Demon-Gods and home to their own Demonic Realm that was and is made up of Malfeas own body. However, in a last act of revenge the Neverborn and Yozis Cursed the Exalted so that they would be susceptible to Hubris and Madness.
Thus began the First Age.
The First Age
Stretching from the Primordial War that saw the slaying and imprisonment of the Primordials along with the ascension of the Gods into the thrones of Yu-Shan up till the Great Contagion and the End of the Solar Deliberative. It was a time of endless wonders as the Solar Exalted, put in charge of the world as Demigods and Generals beyond measure ruled all of Creation in the name of the Gods. It was at this time the Shogunate stretched across the Realm as a united Kingdom of all Mankind and countless Supernatural creatures. Overseen by the Solar Deliberative and guided by the Sidereal's overseeing the Loom of Fate. It was an age of incalculable progress leading to the rapid expansion of beautiful cities, longevity increasing exponentially, and the mastery of the very elements. Academic and Scientific progress exploded across Creation as technology and magic blended together to form constructs, weather controlling machines, geomantic defense systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced airships.
However, this glorious era was not to last. Just as the Primordials neglected their own Creation so too did the Gods in time. Leading to the Solar Exalted exercising more and more power until they effectively fancied themselves as the true Gods. Becoming cruel and full of hubris in turn. Seeing the imminent danger of this the Sidereal Exalted conspired with the Terrestrial Exalted. The Terrestrials, the only Exalted capable of passing their Exaltation via reproduction, and vastly outnumbering all of the other Exalts yet individually weaker in raw power, rose up with the backing of the Sidereals to storm the Solar's palaces. Murdering them all in a bloody purge and driving the Lunar's, who were the Solar's confidants and bodyguards, to the four corners of the world. This was known as the Usurpation. Yet, this was a time ripe for revenge. For as the Solar's perished under the blades of the Terrestrials thirteen of them were caught by the Neverborn and became the Deathlords. The Ghost-Kings of the Underworld and horrible twisted dark versions of their former selves. Unleashing them upon the world along with unleashing the Great Contagion, concocted by the Yozis, and with the aid of the Fair Folk who found the stable existence of Creation and affront to the natural order of the universe assailed the entire world. Untold millions perished and war ravaged entire continents. The Fair Folk and Great Contagion along with the armies of the Deathlords eventually preparing to strike at the Blessed Isle and Yu-Shan itself.
Yet, a group of Terrestrials fought their way through the magical defenses of the Imperial Manse on the Blessed Isle with the sole survivor activating the Geomantic Defense Grid and thus destroying most of the Fair Folk and Deathlord armies. Banishing the latter back to the Underworld and the former being driven to the fringes of Creation. This sole surviving Terrestrial crowned herself the Scarlet Empress and proclaimed the dominion that would become known as The Realm. Informally, known as the Scarlet Empire.
The glory of the First Age passed.
The Second Age, The Age of Sorrows
The Second Age starts in Realm Year 1 with the coronation of the Scarlet Empress and the foundation of The Realm. Claiming the entirety of Creation (effectively the Old Shogunate) under its purview. Yet, with the damage wrought in the aftermath of the ending of the First Age it could only establish effective control over the Blessed Isle. Even with the passage of centuries it only has managed to secure several tributary states and mainland territories. While all around various new kingdoms arose from the ashes. The Second Age, however, is an era that pales in comparison to the First Age in terms of technology and wonder. While the ruins of the First Age dot the landscape many of the ancient machinery, spells, and artifacts of that era were destroyed or damaged beyond the ability of the current civilizations to fix. Yet, civilization carried on for the next 763 years when the Scarlet Empress disappeared. Throwing the greatest empire in Creation into turmoil and upsetting the balance of power the world over.
The Terrestrial Exalted and The Realm
The Dragon-Blooded or also known as the Princes of the Earth. They are the most numerous, if weakest in individual raw power (though that's always relative), of the Exalted. They are also the only Exalted that can pass on their Exaltation via bloodline. Even so much as two powerful Terrestrials conceiving a child that would be stronger than their parents individually. As such political marriages and selective eugenics are relatively tolerated in Imperial society. However, all children of known Dragon-Blooded are treated as they are exalted until they hit puberty (when their Exaltation typically manifests) and they either do so or are treated as second class, failures, outcasts, or patricians depending on which House you are referring too.
The Dragon-Blooded's powers are based off the elements with each Terrestrial specializing in one but able to learn smaller amounts of other forms. Allowing truly interesting elemental combinations that provide immense tactical flexibility. Additionally, their powers are channeled and focused through their own martial arts that is passed down throughout the Houses. As such while the other Exalted may have more raw power they are often bested by sheer combat skill from the Dragon-Blooded.
Breakdown of Other Exalted types you may encounter:
On Magic, Essence, and Motes
Essence is the pool of mana you can use to cast charms, spells, and wield your elemental powers. It is drawn from the energies of your Exaltation, that mystical third part of your soul added by a God. Charms are passive abilities that you can innately use and cost the least amount of Essence to use compared to spells or advanced elemental abilities. While, Spells are ones you verbally or physically cast (using glyphs, scrolls, and drawn diagrams), which always have a danger of backfiring or being turned back on you by opponent magic users. Your Elemental powers are the most scalable with the lowest costing little to no Essence while the higher tiers naturally take more. Essence it typically used in actions mechanically termed as Motes. Your character is capped by how many Motes can be cast per day and thus preventing magic users from just spamming constantly. So high end magic users will have more room to make mistakes but still must think tactically in the usage of their essence. Using up all their essence yields exhaustion as your character physically and mentally since you are in effect overstressing your very soul. Charms will fail, Spells will do nothing or backfire, and your Elemental powers will progressively diminish to a shadow of their former selves. To remedy this one must relax, sleep, or engage in non-essence using activities for a minimum of 24 Hour ICs. At which point your essence will be fully recharged. But not before 24 hours since your last cast and you've had down time.
Charms
Innate manifestations such as defensive wards, soothing an NPC, conversing with animals, or used in some way or another to enhance your character's passive actions. Measured from Essence 1 to 9 and dictates how much Essence they use per day. So if you cast a defensive Ward that will last for a few days and costs 7 essence to successfully block the attacks you expect then you'll automatically be down 7 essence per diem. Charms may also be stacked and used in conjunction with any other form of magic. Allowing a quite impressive display of combinations and allow homebrewing of magical abilities. Failed charm casting does not take up a mote but still uses essence.
Spells
Spells are the opposite in charms in that you must verbally, draw diagrams, or use symbols to cast. Being active in their effects such as controlling an animal actively, shapeshifting, using spells that are outside of your normal repertoire (say your focus is Water but you're using a Fire spell from a scroll) that you cannot elementally cast innately. Spells use more amounts of Essence with the minimum being 5 and scaling up to 100 points of Essence. Each attempt at casting a spell (even if it fails) still takes up one mote and essence.
Elemental Casting
Your primary and secondary foci. The innate powers of the Dragon-Blooded via the Five Elemental Dragons. The Elemental magic is broken down into tiers. Tier 1-3 are free of mote usage at adept level and above, but still use essence, and use one essence per cast/action and cost five if you chain them into a more complex move (such as punches and spin kicking in one post). Tier 1 is for example propelling yourself faster in water by several kilometers per hour, using air pressure to boost yourself up several more feet in a high jump, launching a small fire ball, or raising a small earth wall to shield your body for example. Tier 2 is basically enhanced versions of tier 1 by a factor of four. Water may propel themselves through and on top of water to an appreciable speed capable of catching most maritime craft, air may levitate and glide extended distances with nothing to aid them, fire may manipulate small too medium flames already present in their environment (candle flame to braziers), and earth propelling stones as weapons. Tier 3 takes things a step further whereby Water may for example breathe for short periods of time (hour or so) under the waves, launch water as a weapon; Air may funnel gusts of wind up to knock down opponents and fly short distances (>100 miles); fire can generate palm sized flames via hands and feet (usually via punching and kicking); while earth may tunnel underground for short periods of time rapidly. Tier 4 costs 10 essence points, 20 if chained, and one mote (no mote if Expert), water may be frozen and used as ice weapons/projectiles, Air may fly hundreds of miles in a day, Fire may manifest it freely and use streams of fire, and Earth can wield flurries of stone and earth freely in offensive and defensive use. Tier 5 costs twenty-five essence to cast and costs three motes (one mote if Master and free chaining) and enhances upon tier 4. Generating truly deadly and effective chain/combo usage by Masters of a particular element. Tier 6 is unable to be used unless a Master and costs two motes unless a Grandmaster (at which point it is free of motes) with each cast costing 50 essence for a master with free chaining. Tier 6 yields truly awe inspiring displays of elemental mastery, whether that is summoning a tidal wave, spawning a thunderstorm several miles across with hurricane winds, generating lightning and hellfire, or summoning an elemental spirit. Tier 7 is reserved for Grandmasters and the true pinnacles of Elemental mastery. Walls of water, fire, earth, and wielding destructing lightning storms. Tier 7 costs 25 essence and 1 mote to cast unless chained in which case it is three motes and 75 essence.
But what about Wood? Wood uses the same Tier, essence, and mote scales to the letter. But specializes in Life, Death, and the Senses. Wood focus may commune with spirits and ghosts on lower tiers. Heal grievous wounds in Tiers 3-5 and animate artificial constructs made out of organic/earthly materials (Golems or even Necromancy should you walk a darker path). Higher 6 and 7 tiers may see prolonged life, supernaturally quick senses, and the ability to return plants and animals to life (but not sentients). As such many Immaculate Monks tending to the poor, sickly, and downtrodden walk the path of the Wood focus. While many darker sorcerers use it in their infernal Necromancy to raise zombies, ghouls, and heinous spirits from the Underworld.
The Realm
The Realm, informally known as the Scarlet Empire, is the largest and most powerful nation in all of Creation. Stretching across the entirety of the Blessed Isle and possessing numerous tributary states, colonies, and annexed mainland provinces. It is a realm ruled and dominated by the Terrestrial Exalted, the Princes of the Earth, and organized in a feudal manner with a strict social hierarchy. The Scarlet Empress sitting at the top, whom deliberately designed the Imperial Government to not be able to function without her, followed by the Terrestrials, Patricians, and Commoners. The Terrestrial Exalted who at least number 10,000 strong in the Realm alone (though it is actually much higher) are organized into the Scarlet Dynasty (broken up into 11 Great Houses that all vie for power) and Outcasts (those born not of a known blood line but often adopted for political reasons and known as Lost Eggs). The Terrestrials are in many ways an over caste that has rights beyond that of the wealthy Patricians. Terrestrials hold many of the most powerful positions in government and have extra-judicial social privileges. The honor heavy society of the Realm has seen quite a few instances of Patricians, even, being summarily executed by a Terrestrial for some act deemed dishonorable. Beneath these classes are Slaves with the practice being fully legal and widespread throughout the Imperial territories and in most nations beyond.
Then there is the Immaculate Philosophy which preaches a reincarnative belief system that places the Dragon-Blooded at the top of the social order. Organized and legitimized as a state religion and Government organ in the form of the Immaculate Order. Whose monks travel across the Realm and its empire abroad.
The Realm thematically is a mesh of Rome, Sengoku Japan, China, and Persia. The provinces are known as Satrapies, the Imperial Military fields Legions and Auxiliary troops, the garb is reminiscent of Imperial China, and the aesthetics of soldiers resembles that of Samurai, Han China, and Rome depending where you are. The Imperial City itself is an eclectic mixture of Han Chinese, Sengoku Japan, Roman, and Persian architectural designs all blended together. Alongside more fantastical buildings made out of supernatural glass and other materials. It is also the largest city in the world with over two million inhabitants as of 763 RY and boasting the largest gathering of wealth since the First Age. It is also home to the large Imperial Manse which was the residence of the Scarlet Empress before her disappearance. For she was only allowed to enter it and from there she could control the magical defenses of the realm located therein.
The Economy
The Realm uses Jade as its standard for currency, maintaining an artificial shortage of Jade to control prices. In addition to Jade, the Realm also uses Jade Scrip as a form of fiat currency. The physical currency is organized by color of the Jade. White being the most valuable and followed by based ten subdivisions in order of Red, Blue, Black, and Brown. The coins getting progressively smaller as one moves down the colors as well. While green notes (Scrip) is used along with Green Jade bars as forms of currency.
The Present
The Realm is fracturing after the vanishing of the Scarlet Empress. Tepet Fokuf, is a weak spined bureaucrat and more or less turning into a rubber stamp for the Great Houses and their machinations. Geographically more and more Imperial Prefectures (Imperial Government run satrapies) have come partly or totally under the control of the Houses (both Great and Minor) while the tributary states, protectorates, and colonies on the mainland show increasing independence or forming breakaway states. Many only nominally accepting Imperial rule and paying their taxes only when an Imperial Fleet or Legion rolls through. Meanwhile, across the Inland Sea, the City-State of Lookshy, having remained independent from the Scarlet Empire since the fall of the Old Shogunate, and the chief polity belonging to the Confederation of Rivers gains in power. Possessing the second most number of Dragon-Blooded, at least 3,000; and possessing a wealth of First Age technology. The Confederation comprising the major cities of Lookshy, Nexus, Sijan, and Great Forks along with many other smaller polities controls the Yanaze River (the major East-West flowing river) and its many tributaries. The Imperial Navy increasingly unable to keep the parity of power needed to keep the river trade routes open to distant Vaneha and Rathess.
Too the South the Tributary Kingdoms of An Teng and the Southern Coast from Kirighast to Paragon show signs of independence or autonomy. Even going so far as to withhold taxes destined for the Imperial City. While to the far North the cities of Whitehall, Pneuma, Fortitude, and the territory of Meno are hard pressed to hold the barbarians and northern tribes at bay.
Current Events (Will be updated as time goes on)
