[OOC] Exalted: Lullaby of a Dying Realm

[Carlyle]

The Scarlet Empress has gone missing.

With the disappearance of the Scarlet Empress and the return of the Solar Exalted, or otherwise known as Anathema by their Terrestrial usurpers, has sent the Realm into chaos. The throne lies empty with various contenders from the great Dynast houses, each hoping to claim the throne for themselves. Petty squabbling and betrayal lurks every corner, even while Creation continues on its path of destruction. Wars are fought, empires are forged and crumbled, and the shadowlands and the fae dominions seem to continuously expand.

Yet it is not the Realm our story takes place in, rather, a place of many different civilizations and societies. A place where a king might rule his kingdom next to a republic. A place where tiger warriors might do battle against janissaries. This is the Hundred Kingdoms--a land of many countries that coexist next to each other. However, with Fair Folk to the north and shadowlands all around, the Hundred Kingdoms seem destined to fall to one or another... or even to their neighbors. Will they be able to unite to save their people, or are they destined to fall into the history books?

The fate has been weaved, yet only time will tell.

Evident by the title, this will be an Exalted roleplay--without the dice mechanics. That being said, with Exalted more or less playing by the rules of "if you're a mortal, you're--in all likelihood--screwed" due to the power any type of Exalted wields, I'm looking for a smaller group than I normally GM for. This is simply to reduce the chances for "godmod-esque" situations, seeing, for example, as one Exalted can cut through thousands with a few strokes of their sword, and city-destroying weapons are quite possible (provided one can get it working).

If you're interested, I do have a few rules I use in every roleplay I GM, located directly below.

• As with any RP, all guild rules apply to the RP and those partaking as roleplayers.
• GM(s)' word is law. Issues may arise, but do not keep arguing after a decision has been made.
• No godmodding, no overpowered characters, etc. We're all capable roleplayers to know this.
• Romance is allowed, but remember to fade to black and take it to the PMs if it starts to be 18+.
• Please be active for the sake of the RP. If you must leave or decide to, please say something beforehand.
• One character per player. NPCs created should be made with the same detail as a PC.
• Format the CS as much as you want, but do not post it in the character tab until it has been accepted.
• Sheets are to be in spoilers/hiders, or else they will not be accepted until the issue has been fixed.
• Lax post expectations. A post is expected at least once a week to avoid rushed and hastily written posts.
• Quality over quantity. Exalted encourages descriptive writing, but don't post straight fluff.

Currently, player characters are limited to solely to four types: Solars, Lunars, Dragonblooded, and mortals. I may open other types of Exalted open for players in the future, but not now. However, Sidereals will be off the table completely unless I happen to change my mind. Sidereals, while fun, can be stupidly broken in a forum roleplay, and therefore I wish to avoid them all together except for possible NPCs.

Whilst the world of Creation is vast, with multiple real-life cultures having influenced it, I wish to focus on a specific location--for now. This location happens to be the Hundred Kingdoms, which--true to its name--is a bunch of kingdoms, each with their own little quirks and traits. Additionally, there also happens to be a few shadowlands and the Fair Folk nearby, which may or may not play a part in the future of this roleplay should it get going and on its way.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

Maps of Creation

Calendar of Creation

Character Sheet

Name: Names in Exalted can be anything from actual names or colorful, descriptive names like Quilted Sky. Dragonblood, however, have specific naming styles--House Name, Family Name, Personal Name if they're a Dynast, Personal Name Gens Name if they're from Lookshy, and whatever name one could come up with if they were born anywhere else.

Second Name: Solars and Lunars get a second name such as--for example--Jade Tiger Blossom or Moonlit Snake of the Seventh Night upon their exaltation, usually based around their personality or concept. Skip if the character is neither of the two.

Caste/Aspect & Exalt: Ignore if you are a mortal.

Limit Break: Something like "allies are accidentally harmed by their actions." If this happens too much, an Exalt, for example, could potentially turn batshit crazy, killing everything in their path from allies to enemies, or fall in a deep depression, forced to depend on others for sometime. This tends to be more destructive the older an Exalt is, and Dragonbloods can somewhat control the effects. Ignore if you are a mortal.

Gender: Male or Female.

Age: Mortals live as long as normal humans would, Dragonblood live as long as several hundred years, whereas Solars/Lunars can live up to several thousand. However, in all likelihood, the average Exalt is not some super ancient being.

Birthplace: Whatever you want as long as it sounds plausible.

Appearance Description: Mandatory without picture (anime or artwork; no real-life photos), otherwise optional. Extra arms, tails, and so on are viable, but are often looked down upon in certain societies.

Gear: Weapons, armor, supplies, etc. Remember the average person is more than likely not to have any sort of artifact that has some hidden power (think Saber's Excalibur from the Fate series).

Skills: Is your character an expert swordsman, a limber acrobat, or something even more crazy? Define their abilities here.

Intimacies: Consider these your likes and dislikes, such as what concepts or codes your character upholds or despises. It can also be a person or a place/object/thing, or a combination of one or more of the previous (i.e. to defeat the Mask of Winters).

Personality: A few words or sentences to describe your character, but short enough to allow for heavy character development.

Biography: At least 2-3 paragraphs minimum with enough detail. If they are Solar/Lunar Exalted, there would have to be something that triggered them to exalt. For instance, any of the 300 Spartans that fought the Persians would've likely exalted into a Dawn caste if they existed in Creation. Dragonblood, on the other hand, exalt through their bloodlines, with their Exaltation being purely hereditary.

Other: Anything else not covered within the sheet.

[Carlyle]

@Hushed Whispers
@HokumPocus
@Avanhelsing
@Sloth
@Lord Orgasmo
@Raijinslayer
[@AnyoneelsestalkingorthoseIforgottomention]

[Tominas]

@Sola
Did someone say stalking? I'm actually interested, though I haven't really done anything with Exalted before. If there's still room and you're willing to tolerate the know-nothing I'd be happy to jump in.

[Carlyle]

@Tominas We've already got several people who aren't super familiar with Exalted, so more the merrier.

[Avanhelsing]

Hmmm... I am thinking either a soldier type or a crafter kind of guy.

Character Picture ideas and they both fit the setting.

Warrior

Crafter

[Carlyle]

@Avanhelsing From what I was told, @Lord Orgasmo was going to play a crafter-esque Dragonblood. Maybe you two could work something out together.

[Tominas]

It does occur to me that a general sound-off of character concepts could help people make decisions about what they want to play. Frame of reference, I'm currently considering a Lunar Full-Moon caste as an Old Man(tm) based on Snakes, particularly larger pythons and vipers.

[Sloth]

I'm currently working on the (completely wacky) idea of a newly Exalted, and subsequently Casteless, Lunar who was born in the city of Mahalanka (or Sperimin) but was spirited away by his parents rather than being eaten by Raksi and who essentially got raised by Great Apes and Emerald Monkeys in a giant rip-off of homage to Journey to the West.

Alternatively, I could opt into being a Dragon-Blood or something marginally less zany.

Where's my Solar who Exalted via sailing through a hurricane to escape the Lintha.

[Avanhelsing]

I am making a dawn Solar who is all about that being a good Solar while not exactly getting the whole "Most of Creation wants him dead". He's all bout using his fists more than his words.

Or

A Solar Sorcerer who uses his powers to right the wrongs around him. I know the martial side of Exalted better.

[Raijinslayer]

I'm going Dynast mortal who decided he'd rather live a life of adventure and glory than simply due his "duty" and settle for pampered obscurity. New to Exalted so i need to study the settinh more before i settle on his skill set.

[HokumPocus]

I was originally going to create a psychotic character but am currently thinking on a stable and peaceful wood aspect dragon-blooded with a paladin thing going on.

[Kirah]

YO! I love exaulted. Is there room for me? I have my "I'm a botanist I swear" Solar that I would love to see more action.

[Carlyle]

@Kirah No one has given me a sheet yet, so I think we can squeeze in one more person.

[Ruby]

Subscribed.

[Kirah]

@Sola I left my character sheet for Gwen at home, but I can do most if it by memory (I did just glance over it). So I'll be working on that today.

[Sloth]

I've still got a couple of things to finish in this thing, but hey, the most important bits are sort of done, and somebody's got to get this show started, right?

Did somebody ask for a Blissful Sage?

Name:
Meymun

Second Name:
Joyful Monkey of the Emerald Forest

Exaltation:
Casteless Lunar

Spirit Shape:
Emerald Monkey

Limit Break:
I'd just put down all the stuff for the Curse of the Drunken Monkey here if I could get away with it

Gender:
Male

Age:
23
_{Subject to change because I can't make up my mind}

Birthplace:
The city of Mahalanka in the Eastern Forests of Creation

_{Raised primarily in the city of Kajeth in the Republic of Halta}

Appearance:
Due to his history as an orphaned thief in a nation of tree-dwelling mortals and talking animals, it comes as no surprise to most people that Meymun doesn't quite fit the image of the "civilized" folk. He retains only a single set of loose fitting and altogether tattered clothes covered in dirt, grass, and moss stains. Like most Haltans, he prefers to go barefoot, even if most commoners might balk at his prehensile feet.

Most notably, all of Meymun's hair has changed color after his Exaltation. Whereas before it was patently obvious he was no native Haltan due to his shaggy orange mop, the blessing of Luna has dyed everything from the shoulder-length hair on his head to the fur on his feet the same shade of green as that of his Spirit Shape, the Emerald Monkey. While this helps him blend in to a Haltan crowd extremely well, it makes him stick out like a sore thumb most everywhere else unless he happens to be surrounded by a group of Wood Aspected Dragon-Bloods. Not exactly a situation a Lunar would like to be in.

Aside from that obvious tell, Meymun's Exaltation has done wonders for his previously malnourished physique, even if he no longer appears fully human by most standards. Most obviously, Meymun has a pearly white snaggle-toothed fang on the left side of his mouth. His previously rail-thin limbs have become full-bodied overnight, and his previously gaunt features have filled in in such a way that would put even career soldiers to shame.

Sadly, not even the blessing of a Celestial Incarnae could hide the rather ape like quality of Meymun's facial structure. Maybe such a thing was foreshadowing his destiny as a member of Luna's Chosen. At least, that's what he'd like to think.

Gear:
Seeing as he was only recently Exalted, Meymun has yet to track down any of his past lives' artifacts or belongings

Skills:
As one might expect of a Haltan, Meymun is an extremely adept climber and gatherer, having lived on the elevated platforms of Kajeth and Chanta for much of his youth, surviving on whatever nuts, berries, and edible moss he could poach from Haltan farmers and their Emerald Monkeys.

A former apprentice to a Great Ape merchant in Kajeth, Meymun was taught Riverspeak as a second language, and is capable of reading and speaking it fluently, if with something of a Haltan accent.

Though he was eventually caught and exiled to the depths of the Haltan forests, Meymun is an effective thief and pickpocket.

Unbeknownst to him, Meymun's recent Exaltation has also imparted a somewhat subconscious knowledge of hand to hand combat in him. Though his lack of experience and utter lack of formal training is fairly obvious to any dedicated martial artist, being a Celestial Exalt will more than make up for this detriment in most cases.

Intimacies:
Locate the resurrected Solar with whom he shares a Soul Bond
Avenge the death of his adopted father at the hands of the Guild
Liberate the city of Sperimin from Raksi, the Queen of Fangs
Retrieve as many lost artifacts of his First Age life as possible
Explore the length of Creation

Personality:
Don't worry I've got all in my head it's just a matter of putting it to words.

Biography:
Meymun knows precious little of his origin other than that he was born to human parents who could not keep him, and thus was taken in by a Great Ape named Maipa. Unknown to him, Meymun was born to a pair of mortals in the City of A Thousand Golden Delights. Not wanting to see their only child cannibalized by the Queen of Fangs, Meymun's parents pleaded with a traveling Haltan merchant to smuggle their son out of Mahalanka. The merchant agreed, and Meymun found his way to Kajeth in the Haltan Republic. Whether or not Raksi ever discovered this deception and dealt with the perpetrators is anyone's guess.

During his years in Kajeth, Meymun learned the woodcarving trade and the basic skills of life from his adopted father and acted as the go between for Maipa and his foreign patrons who weren't quite accustomed to doing business with a talking Great Ape. Life, for the most part, was great. That was, until Maipa was killed by his so-called "business partners" from the Guild.

Finding his guardian dead after a hard day's work, Meymun reported what he could to the Haltan authorities, and while he likely could've found work as another woodcarver's apprentice, the young boy swiftly found himself as part of the urban poor. Thus began his formative years as a petty thief and conman.

Surviving on whatever food he could poach from unsuspecting farmers and sleeping in whatever Redwood branch he could find unoccupied, Meymun fell in with other young Haltan criminals and developed quite the array of thieving skills. Foreign targets were particularly easy, seeing as they could never give chase to him for long on the elevated platforms and tree branches that served as the streets and roads of Halta. However, even the most skilled of pickpockets is going to slip up eventually, and at the age of twenty, Meymun was finally caught by the Kajeth town guard and escorted to the capital city of Chanta for trial.

Upon his arrival and his subsequent inability to pay the fine for petty theft, it was discovered that Meymun had never completed the Haltan Test of Survival. As this rendered him not a legal adult, the council was at a loss for what to do with the young man, as they were now unable to legally send him into servitude in the Haltan army. It did not take the elders long to simply send Meymun into the forests of Halta to undergo an impromptu Test of Survival, only without the traditional knife, blanket, or waterskin.

He was soon set upon by bandits and beasts alike, but, when it seemed like all was lost, Meymun received his Exaltation from Luna. He made short work of his assailants with his newfound powers and monstrous warform.

Overcome with a newfound wanderlust, and seeing as he no longer had anything tying him to the Haltan Republic, Meymun found his way out of the forests and has begun making his way into the Hundred Kingdoms of the Scavenger Lands, no longer the orphan thief he once was, but as the newest member of the Lunar Exalted.

Other:
Basically designed solely because I dig the Celestial Monkey Style from the Scroll of the Monk, and every anime inspired anything needs a Sun Wukong expy.

Also note that effectively all of my Exalted knowledge comes from Second Edition, so if anything's out of date or what not, that's my bad.

[Kirah]

@Sloth high five for soul bound!
Also I exclusively know 2nd ed and only played it a few times before our game dissolved. But I play a ton of WoD it's my favorite system

[Kirah]

Forgive me for using dots as terms here, but it is easier for me to make sense of her skill level that way. I tried to describe it without using dots in most places and just clarified with that. Let me know if you'd like to change anything. @sola

Gwyn "I'm a botanist I swear" Bronson

Name: Gwyn Bronson

Second Name: N/A

Caste & Exalt: Night Solar

Limit Break: Foolhardy contempt - The solar loses touch with their fear and rushes headlong into conflict. Partial control: The solar may use tactics and strategy, but thinks nothing of personal risk
Duration: One day
Condition: Having an opportunity to prove one's bravery.

Gender: Female.

Age: 25. Gwyn just exalted a few months ago.

Birthplace: Gethamane, among the deep caves where she was fascinated by the plants and stories, caved and painted on the walls.

Appearance Description: Gwyn has a face that is hard to remember. She blends into crowds for the most part. Only in places where her blonde hair and fair skin stand out does she have a hard time keeping a low profile(merit: innocuous).

Gear: Quarterstaff, botany supplies (sketchbook), a satchel of pears (each a different color of strange flowers). A breastplate, which is hideable under her clothes. Green Jade wrakstaff which can do cold damage when anima is spent on it.

Skills: Gwyn was destined to be night class with a high skill (4 dots) in dodge and stealth. (3 dots in everything else night cast but larceny which has 2 dots)
She speaks several languages due to her travels (Low realm, sky tongue, river tongue and high realm).
Her skill with a quarterstaff is nearly unparalleled (4 dots in Martial arts and 2 in specialty quarterstaff). Gwyn has spent the last several years studying plants and their interactions with people as such she is skilled in medicine (both to help and hurt), and has decent survival skills in the wild.

Intimacies: Gwyn will avoid revealing she is a Solar until the last possible moment. She is too afraid of the White Lotus finding out to just do it at any time.
Gwyn feels a pull (eternal vow) but has yet to seek it out. She knows it isn't the plant she seeks and is afraid of what she will discover when she finds the thing that is pulling at her.
Gwyn enjoys sketching plants and discovering their qualities. Her sketch book spans a good portion of the world. The most recent pages, cut short by bad luck, cover the islands to the west.

Personality: Having grown up smaller than anyone else in the caves Gwyn learned to be scrappy. She would hide in old caverns and study the fantastic artworks. It was this that would eventually drive her a little insane. She started dreaming of a specific plant, one that she hadn't seen in the caves. At first, she was determined to find it among the cave drawings, but as it became clear, she wasn't she decided to leave home. Since exalting, she has kept her secret to herself. The fear of being discovered by the White Lotus driving her to keep her head down even more than usual. She has little care for the laws of the Dragons as they conflict with her very existence. She is driven to find the plant from her nightmares, and to avoid being caught. She'll fight as long as she can without using any motes and causing her anima to appear (though she does love its appearance).

Despite her desire to keep her nature hidden, she finds that she wants to prove herself. She fights the urge to let herself go and destroy her enemies for the sake of staying safe.

Biography: Born and raised in Gethamane Gwyn always was too small, so she picked up some of the more unsavory tricks. She had a love for the unseen plants outside of the cave walls. Around the age of 20 after having learned some Ill Lily style, Gwyn proved herself to the White lotus. She worked her way through some assumptions before deciding to take her work to the road. There she studies plants, looking for a specific one from her nightmares (flaw: nightmares).

As Gwyn started her explorations, she found a coral and befriended it. Sven, the snake, now curls around her body for warmth and when needed will bite as directed poisoning someone. That is the quickest way Gwyn will assassinate someone. Her other preferred method, which takes longer, is via some nastier plants she has found during her travels.

Gwyn exalted while she was exploring some islands. A few solar hunters got close to the group she was traveling with and, she panicked. She is terrified of being caught as a solar because of her connections within the White Lotus. The White Lotus is anti-solar.

Other: Anima - Poisonous plants/vines writhing around and wrapping around her body.

[Raijinslayer]

disgusted noise "Filthy Anathema savages."

Heroic mortal Dynast goil will be up l8r tonight.

[Kirah]

@Raijinslayer I mean Gwyn had the same opinion till about like 6 months ago... then she was like weeeeelll FML