[Exalted] Protectors of the River Province OOC

[The Nomad]

Oh my... it's been nearly two years since this game died. It's been some time since I've mastered it, and I wondered about the possibility of resurrecting the Protectors of the River Province.

Obviously this is adressed in priority to the original players, to return to their old characters and resume the intrigue where it was left two years ago. There would be an opportunity to partly rebuild your characters in accordance with the new material provided by Errata Team Prime and the Ink Monkeys (notably the new chargen and the Dawn Solution).

If none or too few of the original players happen to be intersted, I'd be amenable to create a new game (most likely a single-Exalt type, give or take a 'guest star'). Or make a temporal ellipse to allow for a cast change of the original game.

Soooo.... what say you?

[frigidmagi]

Funny thing, I can't find the game thread. DS, B4, DXIII? Our search engine sucks hardcore.

[The Nomad]

Well, it was still on the first page

http://libriumarcana.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5571

[LadyTevar]

Nit and I are in. :)

[Marcao]

I am open to the idea. *nods*

[rhoenix]

I am cautiously interested, and would like to know more.

[General Havoc]

Never played a game of Exalted, but I might be convinced to try.

[The Nomad]

Mmh, that would make five players... including four of the original ones. It looks like we might be heading towards a resurrection rather than an entirely new one.

So, Nitram, Tevar, rhoenix, Marcao, would you like to play your old characters again? Vote up!

General Havoc - do you have access to, at least, the Exalted corebook? Do you think you could read the essentials in a couple of weeks? I will provide help for creating the character, mechanics and background-wise (so that it can fit in with the rest of the group, at least).

Needless to say, the game will incorporate the latest errata (including the nerf to the Twilight anima), and Ink Monkeys materials (with the notable exception of the Ivory Pestle and Cobra Styles) will be allowed in the game.

[LadyTevar]

Yes, Nit and I are happy to stay with our Solar Bond pair

[Marcao]

I would want to keep my existing character if at all possible. I liked his background and motivations.

[rhoenix]

As tempting as playing a Twilight caste mage might be, Kolth grew on me pretty fast. His motto of "if it doesn't have a weak point, go make one" is a philosophy I liked.

So, if the game starts, Kolth it is.

[The Nomad]

So it looks like a true continuation of the original game. I'll use Kolth's return with new information to spur you in the right direction.

General Havoc, still interested?

[LadyTevar]

Havoc's on a Road Trip right now. Give it a week

[Lys]

Hi everyone!

You all seem like a neat group of people to play games with, and I've been watching this forum for a while seeing if any games open up. I was wondering if there's room for an unknown player in this one.

I really like Exalted, but the one game I played didn't go anywhere. My character was a hardened veteran of the Legions who during battle Exalted into a Solar with a bear anima. The game died because the Storyteller was too mercurial for the job, so I didn't get to do much in the way of heroics. She was better as a Wushu GM. It was so fun playing as an Inquisitor in a 40k variant of the system. I even had a pet Ogryn! Alas, that did not last very long either.

Anyway, the Exalted game was years ago. I remember the salient points of the setting, but nothing of the rules. If you'll have me I can look around for the Core Book and read it again. Second Edition, right?

My tentative character concept one of the Fair Folk. I always wanted to play a Fae, they're neat. I am also pretty sure that I have... *looks it up* Graceful Wicked Masques lying around somewhere. Would have to also read that one again to get anything more solid character wise. I glanced at the game thread and I think that a Fae should be compatible. They're not nice creatures, but their nature as living narratives means that they can take an interest in good causes if it makes a good story.

[LadyTevar]

Since we're hunting Fae and Demons, that might not be a good idea. However, we have 4(?) Solars, and only one Lunar :(

[Lys]

I suppose whether it works or not depends on the specifics of the hunting. If the party merely suspects that the Fair Folk have been up to shenanigans then it's a matter of convincing them they haven't in that case. If the Fair Folk have actually been confirmed to be behind whatever it is you're hunting them for, then it's really iffy. If the party thinks that the only good Fae is a dead Fae, then no it's not going to work.

I'm not planning on insisting on anything if the Storyteller or any of the players hates the idea. You're the established members, I'm the new girl. It would be just terrible to start a new gaming relationship with an argument. If anyone really doesn't like something I propose, then feel free to say so directly. Just, please be nice about it, and remember I want to have fun too! ^-^

[LadyTevar]

IIRC, one of the Solars hated them with a passion for something from the First Age. :(

[Lys]

It seems the only character who had any dealings with the Fair Ones in the First Age is Hotfoot's Liayna Naguna. These dealings were largely positive, as was the one incident in the current era.

However, Academia Nut's character, Ake, became Exalted while defending his forest village from a hobgoblin invasion. No way to tell if he holds a grudge against Fae in general. I would not think he would, as Goblins are simple creatures: ugly, brutish, dumb, not really Fair Folk at all. The true Fair Ones, the Raksha, are far more dangerous, but also intelligent and capable of civilized discourse. I guess Academia Nut will have to clarify if he's re-joining the game.


If a Fair Folk character won't work, then I will play a Catgirl... I mean, a Lunar! =^.^=

[The Nomad]

@Lys: I'm okay with having one more player. However, despite the recent errata/IM on the Fair Folk, I'm not comfortable with having them as PCs, for a variety of reasons (for one, I haven't STed in a while, so I already have a largeish amount of rules to reread, I don't have the energy to cram more Fair Folk rules and fluff in my poor lil' head).

While I would be amenable to a new character, would you consider donning the mantle of ancient ones - namely, Lyiana or Ake (assuming their old players do not want to come back)? It would make things simpler for me (dealing with a high character turnover is something that always irritates me, whether as a player or ).

[Lys]

@Lys: I'm okay with having one more player. However, despite the recent errata/IM on the Fair Folk, I'm not comfortable with having them as PCs, for a variety of reasons (for one, I haven't STed in a while, so I already have a largeish amount of rules to reread, I don't have the energy to cram more Fair Folk rules and fluff in my poor lil' head).

*Dissapointed*
Maybe I can help with the rules? Oh, wait, I did say no arguing. Never mind. :(

While I would be amenable to a new character, would you consider donning the mantle of ancient ones - namely, Lyiana or Ake (assuming their old players do not want to come back)? It would make things simpler for me (dealing with a high character turnover is something that always irritates me, whether as a player or ).

I kind of like Lyiana, but I'm not really feeling it. Besides, Lady Tevar has a good point about party balance. If you go by the fluff there should be twice as many Lunars as Solars, because half the Solar Exalts were stolen by the Neverborn and the Yozi. I think 3-4 Solars and 2 Lunars is better, thematically than 4-5 Solars and 1 Lunar.

Though, I've been reading Keychain of Creation (thanks for the link!), and Secret is just so gosh darned adorable I am really tempted to steal her character concept and make a cute Abyssal. Then I could put her through trials and tribulations and everyone would feel sorry for her and want to give her a hug! It'd be so daaawww. ^-^ But no, it's a crime to be so uncreative in Exalted.

Anyway, I'm making a Catgirl! *mew*

Though, now I need to finish reading the books and stuff, plus the Errata. It might be a bit before I'm done.

[The Nomad]

I kind of like Lyiana, but I'm not really feeling it. Besides, Lady Tevar has a good point about party balance. If you go by the fluff there should be twice as many Lunars as Solars, because half the Solar Exalts were stolen by the Neverborn and the Yozi. I think 3-4 Solars and 2 Lunars is better, thematically than 4-5 Solars and 1 Lunar.

You are confusing demographics with thematics. I was aiming for a Perfect Solar Circle, which is thematically better than any other combination of Lunars or Solars. At its core, Exalted is primarily about the return of the Lawgivers (or their corrupted incarnations), and while Lunars and Sidereals are important, my games are almost always Solar-centric.

I will get around to finding ways to restart the game smoothly. I think we're going to skip the current political quagmire, and have Kolth urge the Circle towards their original assignment.

Regarding your character, Lys, would you be amenable to starting as a Casteless Lunar, picked along the way by the Circle (your character can get tatoos, if desired, during downtime)? Alternatively, a Silver Pact character might have some past history with LadyTevar's character (whether friendship or rivalry)?

[Lys]

Regarding your character, Lys, would you be amenable to starting as a Casteless Lunar, picked along the way by the Circle (your character can get tatoos, if desired, during downtime)? Alternatively, a Silver Pact character might have some past history with LadyTevar's character (whether friendship or rivalry)?

Don't the Casteless miss out on stuff? Generally Lunars do have a bit of a hard time keeping up with Solars, and it might not be good to make it more difficult. I don't mind if I'm the weakest character in the group, but I worry the other players might resent my character's presence if she's more hindrance than help.

My crazy background idea involves Luna giving the Exaltation to someone who was dying and about to be offered the chance to become a Deathknight. The thought of the Trickster God cockblocking the Neverborn struck me as amusing. My character wouldn't know this, but the Lunar Elders would suspect. I think there's enough overlap in circumstances wherein Abyssals and Lunars become Exalted for it to be credible, but it's okay if you think it is just too crazy.

Anyways! The character background is really defined by the character concept, what she will do in the story. I was wondering what sort of character the circle needs. Do you need another brawler? A spy? A manipulator? An archer? A sorcerer? I do want to fit in with the group above all.

Note that I am also still catching up to the rules. It's not going very fast, but it's going.

[The Nomad]

Castelessness is only a temporary condition and you would be able to get the tatoos during downtime. It's fine if you don't want the hassle of retweaking your character and dealing with Wyld Taint.

I suppose you and LadyTevar can write a common background to explain your character coming - love, friendship (is magic!), rivalry, etc.

Since Lunars are generally selected out of survivors, I'd say that a dying person drawing the Second Breath runs counter to their thematics. Unless the character had received the fatal blow when protecting something or someone dear to her, but then an available Exaltation would have bonded during the situation of crisis and enabled a more favorable resolution; generally I don't think there's much overlap.

Currently we have no sorcerer - we have a Twilight but he's more military engineer than spellcaster.

Also, regarding the other characters - I'm of a mind to allow ancient characters to be remade with Ink Monkeys boosted chargen + original XP.

For reference, the latest errata can be found here, and the latest Ink Monkeys collection can be found there.

[Lys]

I suppose you and LadyTevar can write a common background to explain your character coming - love, friendship (is magic!), rivalry, etc.

If Lady Tevar is fine with doing that, then I am too. Though if any one of the Solar players want a Lunar mate I'm up for it!

Since Lunars are generally selected out of survivors, I'd say that a dying person drawing the Second Breath runs counter to their thematics. Unless the character had received the fatal blow when protecting something or someone dear to her, but then an available Exaltation would have bonded during the situation of crisis and enabled a more favorable resolution; generally I don't think there's much overlap.

Well, there is some room for interpretation in these things. I generally see the Lunar/Abyssal and Solar/Infernal Exaltations as mirroring each other.

The Lunar / Abyssal Exaltation stems from an extreme survival situation. Really simplified: Luna will Exalt those who survive, and the Deathlords offer more time to those who don't. However, there is another, more fundamental difference. Whereas survivors catch the eye of Luna because they survived, it's implied that Deathlords select Abyssal candidates first and then arrange for them to be on the edge of death.

This got me thinking. A mere mortal caught by the machinations of the Neverborn's minions never had a chance. If a Deathlord wants to recruit somebody, that person is screwed. There can be no survivors because the situation is inherently and utterly unsurvivable. So, what about someone who almost did the impossible? Someone who in the face of vast supernatural powers, and the knowledge that she would never make it, kept fighting to live despite at all. Someone who made it closer to the ever-receding horizon than any mortal had any right to! Would that person not then be worthy of Luna? I think she would be.

But anyway I'm just throwing that out there because I think it's neat. If you still don't like it, my other idea involves a shipwreck out of sight from land and an epic swim back to the coast. The sort of thing that impresses Luna, and no Deathlords involved! ^-^ It also fits with her having a cat totem. Who wouldn't hate large bodies of water after nearly drowning?

Currently we have no sorcerer - we have a Twilight but he's more military engineer than spellcaster.

No Moon Shaman Catgirl it is, then!

[The Nomad]

Give your background a try We'll see which parts fit the campaign and which do not.