Character Creation (Sit Down)

[Thanos]

This is for the players (and GM of course) to collaborate on their characters to help create a circle that can work together.

[Thanos]

I figured as a Night Caste that I could cover the majority of stealth although I would like everybody to have at least a dot in it. This is why; a 5 Dex and a 0 stealth = a 3 die pool for stealth which will usually get you caught by any mortal guard. A 5 Dex + 1 stealth = 6 dice, which is enough to get past most mortals, even ones looking for you.

I can pretty much completely handle Larceny. I plan on having a relatively aware+perceptive character, but it depends how social Merbak's character might be.

Integrity+Resistance+Buro+Medicine would round out most of the rest of the skill choices. Minors in presence and performance depending. Either way the character will be more attractive than average.

As for combat, I narrowed things down to: Archery, Martial Arts with Violet Bier of Sorrows Form (yes I know, its normally for Sid's, but I have an interesting Back Story idea for this), or Throw. The character is not likely going to be front line until well into combat. VBoS takes time to get powered up and the other two ideas are ranged.

I was also debating on "finding" a Cloak of Vanishing, a Belt of Shadows, or Wings of the Raptor as the character's major artifact. No ideas on hearthstones, but the lv3 that opens portals might be very cool. There are some very awesome lv1's if he happens to have enough slots for them!

[Explosive Cheese]

Umm, you might hate me for this, but I've created a very detailed post about my character already. All of it is flexible, and since I've never actually made a character before (with the exception of a very simple In a Wicked Age character), all input is appreciated:

Mnemon Calsin. Non-dragon-blooded dynast missionary, turned Twilight Solar Exalted. His anima totem is a blazing, golden gigantic, ornate scroll, with a shining green key “drawn” on it. May use this anima as a protective sheild.

Possible Motivations:
1. Because of his obsession with Jupiter (and the rest of the Maidens), his overall motivation is to understand why there aren't any Chosen of the maidens, or discover them if they are shown to exist, and reveal this to the world. Not that epic, but matches the character.

2. As a result of him learning to accept the concept of chosen, he strives to banish the concept of Anathema, and show to the world that the chosen can help them.

Attributes:
Primary- Mental: (4 bonus points)
Intelligence: 5
Wits:4
Perception:3

Secondary- Social:
Charisma: 4
Manipulation: 2
Apperance: 3

Tertiary- Physical:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 3
Stamina: 2

Caste abilities: Craft, Lore, Investigate, Medicine, Occult/(maybe I'll be Zenith)
Favoured abilities: Martial Arts, Athletics, Linguistics, Presence, Socialize
Abilities (4 bonus points):
Lore: 5 (2bp) Martial Arts: 5 (2 bp)
Investigate: 3 Athletics: 1
Occult: 3 Linguistics: 3 (Old Realm, High Realm, River, (whichever language group fits the setting))
Craft (air): 1 Socialize: 1
Awareness: 1 Resistance: 3
Performance: 1 Stealth: 1
Presence: 1 Archery: 1
Thrown: 1 Melee: 1


Virtues:
Compassion 2, Conviction 2, Temperance 4, Valor 1
Ascetic Drive flaw.

Background:
Resources 1 (has only what a wandering dynast Immaculate monk might be expected to have)
Backing 1 (Is still officially an Immaculate monk, and receives the benefits of being such, until the Realm learns that he is Anathema)
Inluence 1 (Is a dynast)
Artifact 2 - Orihalcum Hearthstone Bracers
Artifact 2 - Orihalcum Serpent-Sting Staff

Essence: 3 (7bp)
Willpower: 6
Personal Essence: 15
Peripheral Essence: 36

Charms:
Durability of Oak Meditation
Iron Skin Concentration
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Spirit Detecting Glance
Striking Cobra Technique
Serpentine Evasion
Snake Form
Essence Fangs and Scales

Health Levels:
-0 []
-1 [] []
-2 [] []
-4 []
Incapacitated []

Equipment:
Buff Jacket
Orihalcum Hearthstone Bracers
Orihalcum Serpent-Sting Staff



Backstory:
Calsin was born on the blessed isle, and adopted into House Mnemon (possibly into the Mnemon Caras line). He went through the same basic path that all expected Dragon-Bloods do, eventually enrolling in the Cloister of Wisdom, at age 15. He proved to be very studious, and shunned the normal rivalries that the others participated in. In fact, almost all of his social interaction was with his teachers, and peers who were interested in discussing philosophy and religion. This lead to a not small amount of bullying, though his tendency to avoid conflict got him out of a few scrapes. Besides being very studious, he was also very devout believer in the Immaculate Philosophy, but not a blind believer. To him, it was never enough that it was told to be true, he had to know why. While this pushed him to excel at his studies, it also created some strife with some of his more conservative teachers. Eventually, strife with one particular teacher reached the point where he was nearly thrown out of the Order. To avoid this, he decided to become a missionary, and remove himself from the conflict, while proving he was devoted to the cause. So he ships off to (whatever setting we end up going with).
As a product of his questioning nature, he learns about the 5 Maidens, and is fascinated by them, particularly Jupiter (this starts before he becomes a missionary, though it is minor then). Some time after he arrives at his monastery (I think that's where the missionaries were based, right?) he joins an archaeological dig at a First Age site. There he discovers (whatever artifacts I choose to give him), and a beautiful painting of Jupiter. Rather than hand the painting over to the abbot, he decides to keep the painting for himself. This painting starts an obsession of his with learning about Jupiter, almost to the point of worship. This obsession leads him into conflict with the rest of the monastery, particularly the abbot (tell me if I have my terms wrong). Eventually, this conflict leads the abbot to exile Calsin. He becomes a wandering Immaculate monk, spreading the philosophy, attempting to deal with spirits (though he can't yet see them when they are immaterial), and otherwise performing the duties of the monk. In addition, he searches for various First Age artifacts, in order to find more information on the Maidens (possibly on one of these searches he finds his artifacts - otherwise they could be heirlooms). He is still accepted by Realm officials and citizens wherever he goes (still being recognized as a dynast of House Mnemon), but is no longer affiliated with his monastery, and cannot return there.
During his journeys, he receives a vision: He sees himself with his shining anima banner (which he doesn't recognize yet, obviously), fighting back Dragon-Blooded through supernatural martial arts and sorcery. This vision disquiets him greatly, because it implies that he is destined to become Anathema. He collapses within seconds of this vision. When he awakens, he finds himself recuperating in a hut, tended by a village elder. The elder, Jalid Safar (secretly part of the Cult of Illumination, and even more secretly, a Sidereal Exalt), asks him why he collapsed when he was in perfect health. Calsin relates his vision. Jalid fails to see the problem with Calsin being destined for great power, and draws Calsin into a philosophical discussion about Anathema. Over the course of Calsin's recovery, he and the elder discuss many aspects of Calsin's belief, slowly eroding his fear of Anathema (and being one of them). It is during this period that Calsin first learns about the concept of Chosen. By the end of his recovery, Calsin no longer accepts the Immaculate Philosophy without question, and sets it as his new mission to learn the Truth. Jalid invites him to stay, but Calsin is determined to set forth on a new pilgrimage, one focused on learning from others instead of teaching them.
Eventually he makes it to ******, and meets up with Tobar and Alkior. Eventually, they'll set off to search for First Age relics (how and why, I leave up to Gavis, though I know why Calsin will be interested). During this adventure, he'll need to sacrifice his painting of Jupiter (not sure how) – This will trigger his Exaltation and give him access to Sorcery. The sacrifice was his fifth and final (unintentional) step along the path of Sorcery:
1.Humiliation: Not being dragon-blooded (humiliating for a dynast); being bullied because of this; and more recently, his two banishings.
2.Tutelage: He studied sorcery all through his studies, though of course he didn't enter the programs for those Dragon-Bloods who wanted to be sorcerers.
3.Pilgrimage: His days as a wandering Immaculate monk.
4.Fear: His fear (and consequent suppuration of this fear) of becoming Anathema.
5.Sacrifice: He sacrificed the painting of Jupiter (one of his initial Intimacies).
I hope it's okay that his fulfilling the path of the sorcerer is the trigger for him exalting – I'm not sure if it needs to be more heroic or dramatic... If you have suggestions, by all means share them.

At this point I can see 2 motivations. The first is closer to his character, and Twilight in nature. The second is more epic, and more Zenith in nature. I'd like to do the first, but it might prove to be to limited as far as legendary feats go:

1. Because of his obsession with Jupiter (and the rest of the Maidens), his overall motivation is to understand why there aren't any chosen of the maiden, or discover them if they are shown to exist, and reveal this to the world. Not that epic, but matches the character.
This can be modified into learning what really happened during the Great Usurpation (how do the believers of the Immaculate Philosophy describe this event?). It still has the problem of being too personal and not epic enough.

2. As a result of him learning to accept the concept of chosen, he strives to banish the concept of Anathema, and show to the world that the chosen can help them. Might tie into his starting a cult whose ideology is to teach individuals to question all teachings, and to create their own personal philosophy.

At his heart, he is a scholar in search of the truth, trying to learn from every philosophy in order to find the best philosophy. (This makes me think he's more of a Twilight Caste). He doesn't completely reject the Immaculate Philosophy, nor does he have any reason (yet) to embrace the Unconquered Sun. He is, though, overly obsessed with Jupiter, and will be somewhat blinded to other concepts because of that.

All input greatly appreciated!

[Explosive Cheese]

This is what my Anima banner might look like (more brilliant and transparent, of course):
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs102.snc3/14996_1413013370448_1385962886_31111091_2400959_n. jpg


I made a more transparent version, but I can't upload it well (whenever I try and upload something transparent, the internet decides to screw with me).

[Thanos]

LOL. This character is likely the crappies missionary EVER to grace creation ;-)
Cha/Man of 2 and a Presence of 1. No offense intended, of course.

With no feedback from Merbak yet, I am a slight bit adrift. Should he make a highly social Zenith, then I can ax a couple of charms and skills for more important things, like Combat and Higher Essence Scores.

[Explosive Cheese]

He didn't choose to become a missionary out of skill or desire (though he'll happily debate philosophy with anyone and try to convince them); he became a missionary to avoid being tossed out of the Order.
So yeah, he probably is likely the crappies missionary EVER to grace creation

So what do you think about him so far?

[Thanos]

So far, he is a lot more Twilight than Zenith.

You could go Tiger or Snake Style (if they have come out with that) for the Twilight if you also get Invulnerable Skin of Bronze to augment your soak ability. As he stands your average guard with a chopping sword has a decent chance of slicing you open. Snake style you could have to put up Essene Fangs and Scales Technique first every combat....just so you could get that high soak and hardness from ISoB.

[Merbak]

I'm working on nailing my guy down a bit. I generally work out story first and make mechanics choices after. For this guy, I'm thinking he'll end up a melee man with a heart of gold, wilderness skill, and possibly some medicine... definitely not the high-social Zenith.

[Thanos]

Ok. Here is my more social Night Caste.

Tobar Neu’er
Night Caste Solar
“The Unconquered Sun’s Unseen Hand”
An assassin, treasure hunter, and body guard.

Born in *****, Tobar was the child of somewhat wealthy merchants. Although he knew of his trade, he was a bit rebellious and fell in with more nefarious individuals. Often his parents were paying fines to get him out of jail, damages for his brawls, or just out of trouble. That is why they started sending him out on long trading ventures. As chance would have it the Calibration Gate was near one of the Neu’er trade routes while Tobar was taking a round along them. His curiosity got the better of him and he headed towards it and walked through the Gate to find himself in Yu’Shan for the Calibration Festival.
While this would have been a wonder for any normal mortal it was a fascinating thing for Tobar as he realized there was an entire world unseen by mortals. This made him and his concerns seem so petty, so small, all but insignificant. That was when he met AYESHA URA and everything changed. As stories go, it was a rather plain seduction, but one that Ayesha enjoyed for the entire Festival.
At least that is what everybody else thought. What Ayesha was really doing was locking away a storehouse of various knowledge and skills in Tobar’s head to be used later for her purposes. Certainly the resources at his command as a merchant were handy should she ever find herself in ****** in the next 40 years or so. Between spells she did take her joy with Tobar, not that he really ever remembered her face.

Now there is only one real problem, the Calibration Gate doesn’t stay in one location and it has dropped Tobar off in……



6’0”
(Picture fortcoming)
(Anima: Undecided)

Str 2
Dex 5
Sta 2
Cha 2
Man 4
App 5
Per 3
Int 2
Wits 2

Martial Arts 5 (2fb)
Integrity 1
Presence 2
Resistance 1
Survival 1
Lore 2
Athletics 1
Awareness 1
Dodge 1
Larceny 3
Stealth 3
Bureaucracy 1
Linguistics 2 (North, River, Old Realm)
Ride 1
Socialize 2

Backgrounds
Resources 3
Influence: ****** 3
Backing: Merchant Family 1

Compassion 2
Temperance 1
Conviction 5 (6fb) (Heart of Flint)
Valor 3

Willpower 8
Essence 3 (7fb)

Charms:
Lock Opening Touch
Easily Overlooked Presence Method
Invisible Statue Spirit
Frugal Merchant Method
Mastery of Small Manners
Ox-Body (1, -1; 2, -2)
Body Mending Meditation
Secrets of Future Strife (VBoS)
Blade of the Battle Maiden (VBoS)
Joy in Adversity Stance (VBoS)

Equipment:
A pair of Excellent Hooked Swords
One Perfect Short Sword
Black Suit of Clothing with hood and mask.
Bag of Chalk
Bag of Marbles
Bag of Glass Beads: Small
Several Smoke Bombs
Climbing Hand Hooks
Rope, Silk, 30'

[Explosive Cheese]

I'm thinking of taking these charms (11, so I use 4bp on a charm in a Twilight/Martial Arts ability):

Durability of Oak Meditation
Iron Skin Concentration
Ox-Body Technique (1, -1; 2, -2) (Might drop this so I can get the Essence 3 for Sorcery)
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Spirit-Detecting Glance
Striking Cobra Technique
Serpentine Evasion
Snake Form
Essence Fangs and Scales Technique

Hopefully the DoOM, Ox-Body, ISoB, and EFaS (and, to some extent, the Snake Form itself) will make him less vulnerable. Do you think this is redundant at all?

Edit: I'm not sure how knowing sorcery is going to fit in with my character... Even knowing charms is problematic, since he starts the game as a non-Exalt of the realm, though I'm sure we can figure out a way to overcome this. But sorcery is much more complicated, and since he wasn't going to attend the Heptagram, I'm not sure how he can start the game with access to sorcery, however much he's studied in the field...

[Thanos]

I'm thinking of taking these charms (11, so I use 4bp on a charm in a Twilight/Martial Arts ability):

Durability of Oak Meditation
Ox-Body Technique (1, -1; 2, -2)
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Spirit-Detecting Glance
Spirit-Cutting Attack
Striking Cobra Technique
Serpentine Evasion
Snake Form
Essence Fangs and Scales Technique

Hopefully the DoOM, Ox-Body, ISoB, and EFaS (and, to some extent, the Snake Form itself) will make him less vulnerable. Do you think this is redundant at all?

Edit: I'm not sure how knowing sorcery is going to fit in with my character... Even knowing charms is problematic, since he starts the game as a non-Exalt of the realm, though I'm sure we can figure out a way to overcome this. But sorcery is much more complicated, and since he wasn't going to attend the Heptagram, I'm not sure how he can start the game with access to sorcery, however much he's studied in the field...


Your character will HAVE to have an Essence of 3 in order to learn Sorcery as well as an Occult of 3.

Ditch Spirit Cutting and get Iron Skin Concentration. It will keep you alive even if you can't power up while using it. It also gives you a defense against SURPRISE attacks!


IMPORTANT: Your character needs to FAVOR both Presence and Socialize if he is going to 'efficiently' realize his goal. Read the first Socialize Charm (Wise-Eyed Courtier Method). Having a reasonable charisma might help.....so if Social is 3rd stats could be 3Char 2Man and 2 App. Just trying to help you be able to reach your goals before 4-5 years of gaming ;-)

[Explosive Cheese]

Ok, I changed my character around a bit:
Re-worked his abilities: added some abilities befitting dynast training, changed favoured abilities, dropped a few abilities (including dropping a rank of investigate - I hope to get this back soon). Bonus points used dropped to 4.

Dropped Spirit-Cutting and Ox-Body, took Iron Skin. I know the Ox-Body is important, but I need the bp to raise my essence to 3 so I can use Sorcery.

Raised Essence to 3. Used all 15 bp (4 for attributes, 4 for abilities, 7 for essence).

Added Background, including two Orihalcum artifacts.

I expanded his backstory a bit too - I put it in my earlier post.

[Thanos]

I still don't see 11 charms on the original. Could you list what charms your taking again?

[Explosive Cheese]

Wait - you seem to be right...
Let me try this again, to check how many charms I have:
Durability of Oak Meditation
Iron Skin Concentration (Just realized I can't take this without getting another point of Resistance, which would be tricky...)
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Invulnerable Skin of Bronze
Spirit Detecting Glance
Striking Cobra Technique
Serpentine Evasion
Snake Form
Essence Fangs and Scales

...Huh, that's nine. I think I counted the Snake Style charms as 5, when they're actually 4. Okay, so I'll take the Ox-Body Technique giving me 1 -1 level, and 2 -2 levels.
Of course I still have the Resistance issue...

Also, I think I'll take the socialize charms later in game, where they'll be more useful. Besides, they make more sense for Calsin to learn them later anyways - He'll only want to learn these charms when he begins his crusade (still not sure which one it'll be yet though).

[Merbak]

Zhung, Adamant Cliff Storm
Zenith Caste Solar
Anima Banner: A towering golden mountain under a white gold noon-day sun.
Implacable Warrior, Defender of the Weak
6'3"
A rock solid 260 lbs

Attributes
Str 3
Dex 4
Sta 4
Cha 3
Man 1
App 3
Per 3
Int 2
Wits 4


Abilities:
Martial Arts 5 (2fb), 2 specialties in Elemental Dragon Style Martial Arts (1fb)

Integrity 3
Performance 1
Presence 1
Resistance 3
Survival 1

Craft(wood) 1
Investigation 2
Lore 1
Occult 3

Athletics 1
Awareness 2
Dodge 4
Stealth 1

Linguistics 3 (High Realm, Old Realm, Skytongue, Riverspeak)

Backgrounds:
Artifact 3 Jade Sorcery Capturing Cord (1 casting of Earth Dragon's claws knotted)
Artifact 2 (Reinforced Buff Jacket - Orichalcum)
Manse 4 (Gem of Adamant Skin) (3fb)
Artifact 2 Skin Mount Amulet (2fb)

Virtues:
Compassion 1
Temperance 1
Conviction 3
Valor 4

Willpower 7
Permanent Essence 3 (7 fb)

Peripheral Essence: 45
Personal Essence: 16

Wounds:
-0 []
-1 [][][]
-2 [][][][]
-4 []
Incapacitated/Dying []

Charms:
1st Martial Arts Excellency
Force of the Mountain (Manual of Exalted Power: the Dragon-Blooded)
Unmoving Mountain Stance (MoEP:tDB)
Stone Dragon's Skin (MoEP:tDB)
Earth Dragon Form (MoEP:tDB)
Stillness of Stone
Ox-Body Technique (1x-1, 2x-2)
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
Unbreakable Bones of Stone
Earth Dragon's Claw

Equipment:
Long cloak with hood and deep pockets
Long knife
Hatchet
Rope (mundane)

[Merbak]

Working on a Solar, with a similar-ish background/story, in case anyone dislikes the idea of having a Lunar bodyguard in the party.

[Explosive Cheese]

I'm fine either way - though I'm a bit confused, 'cause I've only read the Solar info. But since it's your character, it doesn't really matter too much if I get the rules.;)

[Thanos]

Still think that EC's character sounds like a Zenith.......

[Merbak]

I mostly agree with Thanos, your character seems very Zenithy. (This is not to say you have to change by any means, though you could - call Lore one of your favored skills, your anima ability changes, and everything else pretty much can stay as is, and there is no rule saying that all Sorcerers must be Twilight).

But in the end, he's your character, if you say he's twilight, then he is. It's not like the Exalted of a given caste were all cut from the exact same cloth anyways. Just enjoy playing him.

[Thanos]

Hehehe, my first Sorcerer was a DAWN CASTE who had a scene long dodge (1st edition before Power Combat) and two Wands that would 'caste' a specific stored spell each round given enough essence. Bronze Skin and Storm Wind Rider made him VERY hard to kill if he could get everything up.

[Explosive Cheese]

I'm considering switching to Zenith from a character perspective, but I don't really see me raising the Zenith abilities much (besides Presence and Resistance - Performance I'd take at one just because of his origins). And then I'd have to favour Lore, Investigate, Occult (all 3 of which I do want easy access to), then Martial Arts, and Socialize. Actually, that could work, if I think he is Zenith.
But then my Anima banner would be a bit inconsistent (plus the vivid green is rarely seen in Zenith, while it might fit with Twilight)... That's more just fluff though, it hardly matters.
I'll look into it.

[Thanos]

Anima is highly subjective to say the least. The key and green could symbolize a vast quantity of things for a Zenith!

[Explosive Cheese]

Okay, I've thought about it.

While I could change his personality and his stats just a bit, and make him a Zenith, I think that ultimately, he wants to find the truth, not bring the truth to others... Which, to me, makes him a twilight.

So, unless you have objections to my obstinate pigheadedness, I'm going with Twilight. I just don't see him as the steadfast priest-king who never backs down.

[Thanos]

His Motivation might then need to be changed to find the truth about the Sids and not necessarily to Convey that truth to all of creation (which was part of it originally).

Will be very interesting. My character is going to basically have amnesia, other than massive pleasure, from his time in Yu-Shan. Meanwhile the ST has free reign to pop things into my characters head from time to time to push the story in an interesting or pointed direction!


I also had a very interesting Compassion 5 Zenith idea....where he would almost never attack (Demons, Abyssal, Yozi, and other very obvious threats to Creation would be an exception). His 'Circle Mates' would have to take action on his part against regular threats.....The Pious Preacher. Heavy Social skills and almost no combat skills. Resistance would be paramount for him.

[Explosive Cheese]

I had wanted the Motivation to be just finding the truth about either the Sids/Usurpation, but figured it wouldn't be epic enough without, at the very least, spreading that. But it makes more sense that he's looking for it only for himself. If he ever does find the truth, I can always give him a new Motivation of spreading that truth (though he won't suddenly change his caste).

Also, very cool character ideas.

[Explosive Cheese]

Hey Thanos, why does Tobar know Old Realm? Part of the knowledge locked away in his mind by AYESHA? (Also, why did you put her name in all-caps?)

[Thanos]

Yes. I am lazy and copied and pasted her name in...... Hope the ST gets here so he can approve or disapprove of the stuff we have already down.

[Explosive Cheese]

He said he'd be back tomorrow morning... Though I'm itching to get started, and my other game is still slow to start...
Also, the fact that both Tobar and Calsin know Old Realm provide for some interesting dialog possibilities, especially if Tobar doesn't know that he knows Old Realm. Heh, he might only realize that he understands it when he hears Calsin recite the incantations for his spells.

[Thanos]

Man, you like stole my thunder! I was totally going to play it that way! MAN seems great creative minds think alike. River/Sea are the native 'trade' like languages. Screw the realm though.

[Explosive Cheese]

Fear me, for I steal the power of Thunder from the Gods of Roleplaying themselves!
...Man, am I psychic, or what?

Being a dynast, Calsin is obviously going to have High Realm as a native language, and being educated and all, River made sense. Plus North, since I guess that's where we're going to be playing. I'm hoping to have him learn other languages as he searches for evidence of the Sids. He'll need to converse with everyone he meets.

[Darius]

So CG accepted my petition to join your merry little band. I have started a rough draft of a Dawn caste (current motivation: to be the single greatest swordsman that Creation has ever seen). He is currently nameless, but I will try to get his stats up tonight. I was going to adopt the scruffy wandering swordsman concept. What can I say? I'm a fan of Yojimbo/Sanjuro.

[Explosive Cheese]

Good to have you on board Darius! And welcome back from that vacation you took.

[Darius]

Name: Soaring Leopard
Concept: Wandering Sellsword
Motivation: To become the greatest swordsman in Creation

Abilities
Physical- Primary
Str *****
Dex ****
Sta ***
Social-Tertiary
Cha ***
Man ***
App *
Mental-Secondary
Per ***
Int **
Wits ****

Skills
Caste
Archery **
Martial Arts ***
Melee ***** (Daiklave)
Thrown *
War **** (Small Units)
Favored
Craft (Water) ***
Resistance ***
Integrity ***
Athletics ***
Survival ***
Other
Awareness: **
Dodge: **
Linguistics: ** (Riverspeak, Skytongue, Low Realm)


Backgrounds
Artifact: **
Resources: ***
Familiar: ** (Storm Warning- a small grey cat of unnatural intelligence)

Virtues
Compassion: *
Temperance: **
Conviction: **
Valor: ****

Virtue Flaw
Valor: Foolhardy Bravery

Willpower: 6
Essence:2

Peripheral Essence: 29
Personal Essence: 12

Charms:

1st Melee Excellency
Dipping Swallow Defence
Solar Counterattack
Call the Blade
Iron Raptor Technique
Integrity Protecting Prana
Body Mending Meditation
Whirlwind Armor-Donning Prana
Monkey Leap Technique
Hungry Weapon Technique



Equipment:
Orichalcum Daiklave (Grasscutter)
Lamellar Armor
Cooking Pot

About:

Soaring Leopard knows nothing but war and warfare. For ten years, he was a spear carrier and a caravan guard and a mercenary in the Scavenger Lands. He then learned how to cook.

For 15 years, he was the cook for a small mercenary company that plied its trade throughout the Scavenger Lands. It was during one final battle for a nameless fortress that was being held by a bandit lord that he Exalted. After the battle, Soaring Leopard picked up the daiklave that the bandit lord wielded.

Soaring Leopard, as the sole survivor, sold off most of the arms and armaments and decided to head North, drawn for some inexorable reason.
Along the way he rescued a small grey kitten that he named Storm Warning who often seems to know more about what is going on than Soaring Leopard does.

He named the sword Grasscutter as a bit of a joke, as he first attuned himself to it by cutting through hay.

Appearance:
Fell out of the ugly tree, hit every branch on the way down, then bounced and hit a few of them on the way back up. Soaring Leopard is missing most of his right ear, the ring finger of his left hand, and he wears a patchy grey beard. He typically wears a simple outfit unless he is expecting immediate trouble. But he is strong and agile, and woe to those that think the scraggly swordsman doesn't know how to swing that blade he carries.

[Explosive Cheese]

It has come to my attention that my artifact choices (at least my staff - I might be able to keep the bracers) may be problematic. Could anyone suggest me some alternative backgrounds (that fit with Calsin's character) in the event that I need to change them?

Edit1: Also, it seems odd that a wandering monk would not be trained much in survival... Do you think this is a big enough inconsistency that it should be fixed (I'd really rather avoid taking ranks in survival if possible...)?\

Edit2: Been looking through the artifacts... Can a Solar attune easily to a Jade Dragon Tear Tiara? The manual says that Tiaras made of any of the materials provide the same effects, but it doesn't say specifically anything about attunements for the wrong Exalt. It mentions this specifically in other artifacts, so I thought I'd ask.

[dorkknight23]

A rough draft of my idea: the daughter of a Guild Factor who, after being forcibly betrothed to a pirate prince, and subsequently used her social talents to cause the pirate's organization to crumble, and then picked off the rest cruelly from a sniping point with her bow, which triggered her exaltation. .

Jynni Harrier Motivation: Be loved by the entire world, by force if necessary
Concept: Bored Aristocrat/“Celebutante”
Exaltation: Solar
Caste: Eclipse

Attributes:
Physical:
Str: 2
Dex: 4
Sta: 3
Social:
Cha: 3
Man: 3
App: 5
Mental:
Per: 2
Int: 2
Wits: 3

Abilities:
Dawn
Archery: 4
Martial Arts: 2
Melee: 1
Thrown:
War:
Night
Athletics: 1
Awareness: 2
Dodge: 2
Larceny: 1
Stealth: 1
Zenith
Integrity: 2
Performance: 1
Presence: 3
Resistance: 1
Survival:
Eclipse
Bureaucracy: 1
Linguistics: 2 (Native: Riverspeak; Other: High Realm, Low Realm)
Ride: 1
Sail:
Socialize: 3
Twilight
Craft:
Investigation: 1
Lore: 1
Medicine:
Occult:

Weapon:
Longbow: Spd 6, Acc 9, Dmg -, Rate 3, Range 200, 2, B
Arrows: Broadhead: 4L
Target Arrows: 2L - P

Backgrounds:
Contacts 2
Influence 2
Resources 3

Charms:
Excellencies: First Presence
Archery: Essence Arrow Attack (Righteous Judgment Arrow, Dazzling Flare, and Fiery Arrow Attack,) Phantom Arrow Technique, Summon the Loyal Bow
Dodge: Shadow Over Water Technique
Presence: Hypnotic Tongue Technique, Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment
Resistance: Ox-Body Meditation, Wound-Healing Meditation
Linguistics: Sagacious Reading of Intent, Poetic Expression Style
Socialize: Wild Revery Approach

Virtues:
Compassion: 2
Conviction: 4
Temperance: 1
Valor: 2

Dodge DV: 5

Willpower: 6
Limit: 0
Virtue Flaw: Conviction (Deliberate Cruelty)

Essence: 3
Personal Essence: 15
Peripheral Essence: 36

Soak:
L: 2
B: 3

Health Levels:
-0/-0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/I

Intimacies: Pursuit of Wealth (Obsession,) Pursuit of Status (Obsession)

[Explosive Cheese]

Looks pretty good, just a few notes:
Your entrance, and exaltation, should probably take place around Jades (the jungle city besieged by the beastmen of Ma-Ha-Suchi), 'cause that's where we all are. You might want to modify the concept just a bit, to put you there.
Also, Thanos really, really, wants everyone to get at least a dot of stealth! He can get pretty impassioned over it. Plus, it's good sense, especially considering our starting environment.

Everything else looks good, though I'm too much of a noob to be able to judge it very well.

[Thanos]

OK, my suggestions:

Drop Integrity as a favored and get Dodge as favored.
Get a point of Stealth, by dropping a dot of Integrity.
You get 5 free dots of Virtues, you have not spent 1, put that in Valor.
Drop Sagacious Reading of Intent, Poetic Expression Style and use the freebies for another dot of Conviction, Archery, and other things that might keep your character alive.
You have the resources for armor, make sure you get some, preferably of Excellent Quality....take away the mobility penalty! :-)


More to come when I have more than 3 minutes.

[Captain Gavis]

*pokes head in* Remember that combat is not the only thing an individual needs to engage in to get out of tricky situations.... and note that you are a full circle of 5 solars 4 of which are possessed of combat heavy charms so a social combat heavy type might go a long way for the group.

[Thanos]

As always, suggestions, well except the Stealth part!

Also, my character had 3 whole combat charms! How is that heavy? ;-)

[Captain Gavis]

i was speaking in general for the 4 of you together

[Explosive Cheese]

Calsin has nothing but combat charms, except for Spirit Vision (or whatever it's called). Hell, even Spirit Vision has combat uses.
Strange, that a guy obsessed with knowledge and thinking, has only combat charms. I blame the fact that there are no decent Lore charms (at least not in the core book - they all have to do with sharing knowledge, not gaining it).

[Captain Gavis]

yea but how many times do you see chinese/japanese movies where the hero must save the day ...by reading

[Explosive Cheese]

I beg to differ. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReadOrDie)

Well, considering that there are card duels (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Yu-Gi-Oh), cooking duels (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CookingDuel), and school tests (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BakaToTestToShoukanjuu?from=Main.BakaTest), among others, that determine the fate of the world (or at least life and death)...

Also, I think we should continue this in the OOC thread...

[Captain Gavis]

Yugi-oh is by no means a lore-focused series....it's Pokemon only they store the monsters in cards instead of balls...the others I will give you except the cooking one which is in fact a comedy. but those are 2 out of how many? plus i meant japanese/chinese martial arts epics (crouching tiger, storm riders, hero etc)

[Explosive Cheese]

Mainly, I was just messing around. And showing that the Japanese turn anything into Serious Business (insert TVTropes link here). The fact that cards determine the fate of the world would seem to imply that anything can. So reading should too.

I realize what kind of system we're talking about here; I still think there can be epic uses of knowledge, like making a Xanados Gambit on the spot (actually more wits related), or pulling the exact relevant piece of information at the crucial moment. I mean, the sids have some okay Lore charms (though not as great as their other charms). I think, at one point, I might like to try my hand at inventing a lore charm.

[dorkknight23]

Looks pretty good, just a few notes:
Your entrance, and exaltation, should probably take place around Jades (the jungle city besieged by the beastmen of Ma-Ha-Suchi), 'cause that's where we all are. You might want to modify the concept just a bit, to put you there.
Also, Thanos really, really, wants everyone to get at least a dot of stealth! He can get pretty impassioned over it. Plus, it's good sense, especially considering our starting environment.

Everything else looks good, though I'm too much of a noob to be able to judge it very well.

Okay, I'll lower Performance to 1 and raise Stealth to 1 then. (Integrity 2 is more integral to the concept.)

As for being in Jades, she could have gone there with one of her father's trading companies under the misconception some crazy party was happening and got caught up in the siege.

OK, my suggestions:

Drop Integrity as a favored and get Dodge as favored.

Ok.

Get a point of Stealth, by dropping a dot of Integrity.

See my proposed alternative above.

You get 5 free dots of Virtues, you have not spent 1, put that in Valor.

I'm not sure on this. Starting at 1, I added 3 to Conviction, 1 to Valor, and 1 to Compassion. 3+1+1=5. I'd be happy to take an extra dot of Valor (and up my Willpower,) but not sure on this.

Drop Sagacious Reading of Intent, Poetic Expression Style and use the freebies for another dot of Conviction, Archery, and other things that might keep your character alive.

Are there any other charms you think I can lose? Because I really liked those ones for my concept! And I tried to go in favor of survivability with Shadow Over Water, Ox-Body, and Wound-Healing and the crap-ton of Archery charms.

You have the resources for armor, make sure you get some, preferably of Excellent Quality....take away the mobility penalty! :-)

Now that I can get behind. Which armor would you recommend? I was thinking something light, like a chain shirt or something?

[Thanos]

I'm not sure on this. Starting at 1, I added 3 to Conviction, 1 to Valor, and 1 to Compassion. 3+1+1=5. I'd be happy to take an extra dot of Valor (and up my Willpower,) but not sure on this.

Ah, I see, well you can not raise a Virtue above a 3 without the use of Freebie points. I had assumed you used 3FB to get that 4th dot.



Are there any other charms you think I can lose? Because I really liked those ones for my concept! And I tried to go in favor of survivability with Shadow Over Water, Ox-Body, and Wound-Healing and the crap-ton of Archery charms.
You want Body-Mending Medicant Spirit (did I spell that right) instead of Wound-Healing I believe. I also suggest that your first Ox-Body be the option for a -1 and two -2's. Later on if you want to go with all 0's that is fine by me, but on a survival basis its not to have 3 extra health levels instead of 1. As always, your choice.


Now that I can get behind. Which armor would you recommend? I was thinking something light, like a chain shirt or something?
Hehehe, I would go with Exceptional Reinforced Breastplate as the lowest level of armor! Going with Regular Heavy Plate is always a nice idea, but there will be penalties!

[dorkknight23]

Ah, I see, well you can not raise a Virtue above a 3 without the use of Freebie points. I had assumed you used 3FB to get that 4th dot.

Okay, my mistake. I'll lower Conviction to 3 and raise Valor to 3, then.

You want Body-Mending Medicant Spirit (did I spell that right) instead of Wound-Healing I believe. I also suggest that your first Ox-Body be the option for a -1 and two -2's. Later on if you want to go with all 0's that is fine by me, but on a survival basis its not to have 3 extra health levels instead of 1. As always, your choice.

I understand. I was, of course, seduced by the extra -0 to ignore die penalties, but more health levels would likely be better.

Hehehe, I would go with Exceptional Reinforced Breastplate as the lowest level of armor! Going with Regular Heavy Plate is always a nice idea, but there will be penalties!

Okay, sounds good. I have to leave for work, but I'll reproduce an edited version of my sheet later.

[dorkknight23]

Here we go, with some edits...

Jynni Harrier
Motivation: Be loved by the entire world, by force if necessary
Concept: Bored Aristocrat/“Celebutante”
Exaltation: Solar
Caste: Eclipse

Abilities:
Physical:
Str: 2
Dex: 4
Sta: 3
Social:
Cha: 3
Man: 3
App: 5
Mental:
Per: 2
Int: 2
Wits: 3

Attributes:
Abilities:
Dawn
Archery: 4
Martial Arts: 2
Melee: 1
Thrown:
War:
Night
Athletics: 1
Awareness: 2
Dodge: 2
Larceny: 1
Stealth: 1
Zenith
Integrity: 2
Performance: 1
Presence: 3
Resistance: 1
Survival:
Eclipse
Bureaucracy: 1
Linguistics: 2 (Native: Riverspeak; Other: High Realm, Low Realm)
Ride: 1
Sail:
Socialize: 3
Twilight
Craft:
Investigation: 1
Lore: 1
Medicine:
Occult:

Weapon:
Longbow: Spd 6, Acc 9, Dmg -, Rate 3, Range 200, 2, B
Arrows: Broadhead: 4L
Target Arrows: 2L - P

Backgrounds:
Contacts 2
Influence 2
Resources 3

Charms:
Excellencies: First Presence
Archery: Essence Arrow Attack (Righteous Judgment Arrow, Dazzling Flare, and Fiery Arrow Attack,) Phantom Arrow Technique, Summon the Loyal Bow
Dodge: Shadow Over Water Technique
Presence: Hypnotic Tongue Technique, Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment
Resistance: Ox-Body Meditation, Body-Healing Mendicant
Linguistics: Sagacious Reading of Intent, Poetic Expression Style
Socialize: Wild Revery Approach

Virtues:
Compassion: 2
Conviction: 3
Temperance: 1
Valor: 3

Dodge DV: 5

Willpower: 6
Limit: 0
Virtue Flaw: Conviction (Deliberate Cruelty)

Essence: 3
Personal Essence: 15
Peripheral Essence: 36

Soak:
L: 2
B: 3

Armor: Exceptional Reinforced Breastplate
L: 7
B: 6
Mobility -1
Fatigue 0

Health Levels:
-0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/I

Intimacies: Pursuit of Wealth (Obsession,) Pursuit of Status (Obsession)

[Thanos]

The Reinforced Breastplate should give you MUCH better soak than that!

It should give 7L/6B -1 -0

:-)

[dorkknight23]

Edited, my bad. Which book is the Reinforcement thing in? I couldn't find it anywhere in the Core Rulebook.

[Thanos]

Its in the CORE rule book. Its the 3rd armor from the last.

Reinforced Breastplate

[dorkknight23]

Ok, fixed. Anything else?

[Thanos]

Not that I see. You have your 1 in Stealth, so I am happy!

[Explosive Cheese]

If Thanos is happy, that generally means you're solid. Granted, we haven't heard from Merbak or Darius yet. I know that I don't have anything else to contribute.

[Captain Gavis]

How goes the character creation DK? Should I expect you soon? Just need to plan accordingly

[dorkknight23]

I'm done with chargen with everything except the most basic of bio's. Are we good to go, otherwise?

[Captain Gavis]

we were actually in the middle of a vote to go on with out a fifth player since you went MIA...if you intend on playing still PLEASE have your character sheet posted no later than 3 hours from this post(thats when I pretty much go off the grid for the night and contemplate what to post next for the characters).