zang269

I'm still here too. I think the only one missing is the GM, and he might have just forgotten the game is on Baldr, considering he hasn't logged onto it for about a week.

With applications closed, any idea when players will be selected?

Updated the evocations to be a bit more balanced, and picked up a Hearteater charm for damage.

I am tempted to swap out one of Whispers charms for sorcery, but I feel like learning it to fit in with the group during play would be more fun. If I go in with a particular player, he might try and redirect her attention as a tutor onto him.

Oh wow yeah that's atrocious. I'll get to fixing that.

Alright, I think Restful Whisper is done, assuming the Evocations for heavenly dancer are good to go, and there isn't anything else.

I don't think he would have been one of the people helping her settle in officially, so much as someone who showed up after she started making compromises. He just so happens to know some people who might value the parts of her domain she's more comfortable with! Or he's convinced them that their exotic, dangerous pets have a chance to get loose, and wouldn't you know, there's a goddess of lost pets in the area who could handle that pretty well, as long as they keep her offering bowl full. I switched backing to influence, so    Also, I should probably clarify it in my own thread too, but he isn't in the Commission of Distinguished Guests, which include immigration and trade, but the Commission of Kingdoms and Nations, which includes diplomacy, espionage, military deployment, and housing foreign dignitaries. His listed job is just doing that last one, but he's more involved with espionage within the city.

Looking more at Trespass of Soft Paws, he seems like he would have an affinity for things like Hearteaters. Do you think he might pick up that there's something funny going on with Restful Whisper? I wouldn't mind him catching on that he's a bit forbidden himself.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for when I have the xp for it.

I decided to switch Whisper to a ranged combatant, considering I wanted him to be able to run away from fights that were particularly difficult, so now he has rainbow devil caster instead of a knife. I also started writing dossiers on what the other characters look like to a professional spy that doesn't know everyone is secretly Anathema. Let me know if you think something should be different!

Alright, so this ship shows up out of nowhere carrying 300 people led by an exceedingly ambitious sorcerer king, carrying two other sorcerers and a runaway dragonblood, who's in contact with a retired Wyld Hunt leader and her sorceress attendant. I think Restful Whisper has some official status with the diplomatic commission in Great Forks, and he'd definitely be interested in all that suddenly happening. Especially because none of you respond to his anima power to track possible Pawns for some reason! He might get assigned to keep an eye on you in an official capacity, given all the waves a guy with a 300 strong cult and a promise to exceed the Realm can stir up.

It bears mentioning, Great Forks isn't so much tolerant of Anathema as it is intolerant of the Immaculates. They do have quite a few exigents and godblooded that a solar could pretend to be, but you probably don't want anyone to find that out.

Title Restful Whisper is a thief and a liar, or, as his employers would say, a spy. He collected information, put it together, and rather frequently used it for blackmail. A good network of informants, the right bribes, and outright falsehoods in the right places could make the tightest lips spill some intriguing secrets. A hidden temple, for example, ripe with plunder as its wards finally failed.   Whisper made it into the temple easily enough, and found the skeleton placed at the center, with a dagger of adamant by its side. He didn't think that he touched the bones, but he found those skeletal fingers around his, and what was left in them tried to eat him alive. He stumbled out of what he now realized was a vault, keeping the Hearteater's exaltation sealed away, and went to his contacts, to see who else knew about the vault. He found that the best of them, the ones he had respected as at least nominal equals before, were just food now. Faded memories tell him the only ones who could be his true companions are the Exalted host, and that they would hunt him like an animal for the existential crisis he posed. A reasonable reaction, he had to admit, but not one he was fond of seeing happen. Now, he spreads his tendrils out among the people of Great Forks, hoping to find others that can be trusted with the knowledge of what he is. Of course, he is also very, very hungry, and as he sees the gods out among the streets, he begins to hunger for a more refined prey than mere mortals. Balancing that is likely to be difficult.   Current Status Restful Whisper is, by all appearances, a successful if low-ranking member of the Commission of Kingdoms and Nations, coasting by in his position largely through nepotism and doing a few choice duties very well. In reality, this is entirely accurate, but he also manages a large network of informants to blackmail or manipulate people of interest, and writes dossiers for his personal perusal or the benefit of his superiors. He's paid enough for the information he collects to qualify as a koruphe, but stays a Mesos to avoid drawing any excessive attention. Having become a Hearteater, he's sought to bring some of his more important contacts under his direct control, including a ghostly shrine gang leader, an actor who frequents a number of social events, and a smuggler of various goods. With his new power, he's also started setting his gaze higher, and collecting information on supernatural beings previously beyond his grasp. Appearance Restful Whisper is a lanky man with a peaceful smile, most days, with pale skin, short dark hair, and callouses from archery practice. He carries a pouch of firedust and a pearl flame piece mostly obscured by a thin cloak, most of the time, and has Heavenly Dancer wrapped in a satchel. The chain shirt underneath his regular clothing has kept more than a few sharp objects out of his flesh, and he's happy to keep it on. Personality Whisper presents himself as an easygoing, friendly, carefree man content with providing hospitality to foreign guests, and enjoying the literature of Great Forks. When he isn't bothering to pretend otherwise, he's a patient, ambitious, and competitive man looking for every edge he can get, fully prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. He's seen and done some pretty bad things, although the only joy he got from them was the sense of victory. Lately, he's been thrown off his game by his newfound power. The people he once thought were solid as stone crumble into sand when he applies enough pressure, and he's desperate to know he has peers in the world, instead of just untouchable gods and outmatched mortals. Dossier #1: Andorion Thoth The leader of a small cult, they sailed off somewhere currently unknown. Those who came into contact with the boat mentioned he seemed to be controlling the Tidemare, implying some talent with sorcery. Finding out where they went is a high priority, as he's either found somewhere for them to live semi-permanently, they've been sacrificed in a ritual of some sort, or they've all died and he continues unflinchingly. Considering the various sorcerers associated with him, this requires my immediate and personal attention.  Dossier #2: ???? Shibaki A young dragonblooded sorceress and her sister, another sorceress. They have been seen speaking with Andorion, as well as Cathak Chimari and her sorceress assistant. Whatever they spoke of, she and Cathak Chimari seem to have a relatively stable relationship, which raises questions about why a Dragonblood of little to no name is so favored by a champion of the Wyld Hunt. Interaction between their sorcerer assistants may be responsible for the familiarity, investigate their methods of initiation. Habiki isn't a dragon-blooded, so I might be able to get more information out of her. Dossier #3: Trespass of Soft Paws Dossier #3: Trespass of Soft Paws The holy fire of Exigence, granted to a god of lost pets. She's relatively quiet about how that happened, and I have no idea what she would need it for, but nonetheless, it happened, and she's in Great Forks with her champion. Whatever powers he does have may be useful for my network, and his patron goddess could certainly use a bit of assistance properly settling in to Great Forks. Dossier #4: Cathak Chimari The renowned demon slayer general, who retired from the Wyld Hunt to start an independent mercenary company for no discernable reason, making her sorceress assistant her nominal equal, presumably to grant her authority in occult matters. As for why she came to Great Forks, one of the least Immaculate cities in the 100 Kingdoms, is entirely beyond me. She may well be an enormous threat to me, personally, but she might put her experience fighting face-stealer anathema over killing me, if things go wrong. Perhaps I should make some connections with her sorceress partner, Thorn From the Poisonous Vine? The First Bloom may well be put to good use hunting hungry ghosts or other spirits of the Underworld. Dossier #5: Thorn From the Poisonous Vine Early reports seem to indicate that she is, like most people in her immediate social circle, extremely impressed and somewhat intimidated by Cathak Chimari. She seems to be the rogue general's pet project, and a lot of effort has been put into raising her status up. She still handles a number of errands, and Chimari is training her, but they're equals on paper, and Thorn's sorcerous abilities might be more than I expect. Further investigation is required. Dossier #6: Red Monkey There's next to no information about this man whatsover. As far as I can tell, he's a rich man who enjoys fine luxuries and knowledge, but I have no idea where his money is coming from, and he's nearly impossible to read. Continue investigation whenever possible, hopefully some information about his past will open up a simpler route of investigation. Dossier #7: Jiet Sang The Bringer of Truth is in Great Forks. He's going to be a lot of trouble for anyone trying to bend the rules, and there isn't a lot I can do to him. Keeping him busy with some other conspiracy might work, but showing up too frequently might get him asking questions about me. I can't let that happen. Still, this isn't his home. Explaining to him that some things are necessary for the city to function may be a delicate proposition, given his resistance to threats. Dossier #8: Hotah A particularly aggressive practitioner of Tiger style, Hotah seems to have a boiling hatred for half of Great Forks, and those directly involved with slavery in particular. Still, his abilities are far beyond average, and he may well be seeking the flame of Exigence. He's certainly one to keep an eye on, either as pressure on others that seek it, or a possible recommendation to put forward. Attributes Strength ●●○○○ Dexterity ●●●○○ Stamina ●●○○○ Charisma ●●●○○ Manipulation ●●●●● Appearance ●●●○○ Intelligence ●●○○○ Perception ●●●○○ Wits ●●●●○    Abilities Archery*Flame weapons ●●●○○ Athletics ●●○○○ Awareness ●●○○○ Brawl ○○○○○ Bureaucracy ○○○○○ Craft ○○○○○ Dodge ●●●○○ Integrity ●●○○○ Investigation*Digging up history ●○○○○ Larceny*Disguise ●●○○○ Linguistics ●○○○○ LoreSorcery ●○○○○ Martial Arts ○○○○○ Medicine ○○○○○ Melee ○○○○○ Occult*Godly magic ●●○○○ Performance ●○○○○ Presence ●●●○○ Resistance ●○○○○ Ride ○○○○○ Sail ○○○○○ Socialize ●●●●● Stealth ●○○○○ Survival ○○○○○ Thrown ○○○○○ War ○○○○○       Advantages Merits:  ArtifactWings of the Raptor (Moonsilver Artifact ••••) -Arms of the Chosen pg 126 ●●●●○ Contacts ● Influence ●●●○○ LanguageRiverspeak and Old Realm ● Resources ●●●   Anima Powers: 1 MoteDiscern the precise time of day and the locations of any auroras within (Essence x50) miles. Sense the direction and approximate distance to one of their pawns. 3 MotesAdd (higher of Essence or 3) non-Charm dice on a roll to track a character she’s capable of making a pawn, or on a roll to navigate to a location populated by such characters. If she’s tracking a group of at least a dozen such characters or navigating to a settlement at least the size of a small city, she adds that many non-Charm successes instead. 5 MotesAdd (higher of Essence or 3) non-Charm dice on inspire or instill rolls that cause others to experience, value, or understand her current emotional state. Resisting such influence requires entering a Decision Point and calling on at least a Minor Intimacy — or, if the target has a Tie toward the Hearteater, calling upon an Intimacy of equal or greater intensity. At bonfire, this power is free. 10 Motes, 1 WPThe Hearteater may attempt to claim a mortal human as a pawn. His Willpower can’t exceed (higher of her Essence or 3) and he must have a Major or Defining Tie towards the Hearteater or something significant that is closely associated with her, like a Tie toward her kingdom or a Principle of belief in the heterodox Immaculate sect she preaches. She rolls ([Charisma or Manipulation] + [Occult, Performance, or Presence]) with (her target’s Intimacy) non-Charm successes as a unique influence roll against his Resolve. If she succeeds, she claims him as a pawn. If she fails, she can’t use this power on him again for the rest of the story. A Hearteater can have at most (Essence + Willpower) pawns at one time.     Health: -0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -4, Incapacitated   Willpower: ●●●●● ●●●○○   Essence: Personal: 13 Peripheral: 33   Limit: ○○○○○ ○○○○○ Vitals: Join Battle: 6 Evasion: 3 Parry: 3 Soak: 2 Hardness: 0 Resolve: 3 Guile: 5 Excellency RulesHearteaters don’t have formalized Excellencies; they can add dice to any (Attribute + Ability) roll or increase any static value for which they have an applicable Ability at 3+ or an Attribute at 5, paying one mote per die. They may add up to (Ability + 1) dice to rolls, adding an additional (Intimacy) on actions that uphold one of her Intimacies or exploit an opposing character’s Intimacy. Automatic successes count as two dice towards this limit. Static values such as Evasion or Resolve can be raised by half this dice cap, rounded down.       CHARMS & SORCERY COMBAT Cracking the MaskCost: 5m Type: Supplemental Keywords: Uniform Duration: Instant The Hearteater’s understanding of her enemy hones her precision. The Hearteater makes her attack roll against (lower of her enemy’s Defense and Guile). If she’s aware of one of her target’s Maj Heart-Flaying StrikeEssence 1 Cost: 3m Type: Supplemental Keywords: Dual Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: Cracking the Mask The Hearteater rends through both flesh and psyche, ripping away her victim’s passions in bloody handfuls. The Hearteater adds (Essence/2, rounded up) dice to the post-soak damage of a withering attack, or adds (Essence) attack roll extra successes to a decisive damage roll of a decisive. If the Hearteater is aware of one of her target’s Intimacies and incorporates it into a stunt, she adds (Intimacy) to this Charm’s damage bonus. If she crashes him or deals any decisive damage, she may weaken it by one step. She must still meet the supporting Intimacy requirement for weakening Major and Defining Intimacies (Exalted, p. 215). Scintillating Veil IllusionCost: 3m Type: Reflexive Keywords: Uniform Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None Many-colored afterimages trail the Hearteater’s movements, distracting and taunting her attackers. 1s subtract successes on an attack roll against the Hearteater unless her attacker doesn’t rely on his sense of sight at all — in which case he would normally suffer the −3 blindness penalty (Exalted, p. 168). If her foe misses, he loses one Initiative, which she doesn’t gain. At bonfire anima, the attacker’s 2s subtract successes as well.   EVOCATIONS Heavenly Lantern TechniqueCost: 1m Type: Reflexive Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None Grains of firedust swirl around the devil caster, glowing with all the colors of adamant. Reload Heavenly Dancer without using an action. Heavenly Lantern Technique awakens at no cost as long as the wielder is resonant with Adamant.   MOVEMENT Broken Fetter LeapCost: 3m; Mins Type: Supplemental Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: Elegant Languor Ascent The Hearteater leaps as if unbound by gravity, moving in ways she should not move to pursue her prey. The Hearteater adds (Strength) dice on a roll to rush or disengage by jumping. If she rushes a character she’s capable of claiming as a pawn, she doubles 9s. If Elegant Languor Ascent is active, she can make leaps up to one range band vertically or horizontally without needing to roll. Elegant Languor AscentCost: 3m Type: Reflexive Keywords: None Duration: One scene Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater is drawn ever-so-slightly skyward, borne up like an aurora in the night sky. The Hearteater may float in midair a few inches off the ground or another solid surface. She must still walk on the ground to move, but may resume levitating once her movement is completely, allowing her to float on surfaces that couldn’t normally bear her weight, remain safe from certain environmental hazards, etc. She can’t be knocked prone while floating.   MYSTICISM Spirit Feasting FervorCost: 1m; Mins: Essence 1 Type: Supplemental Keywords: Uniform Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: Ethereal Predator Concentration The Hearteater preys on demons and gods, slaking her thirst with immortal blood. The Hearteater can attack a dematerialized enemy, though she suffers a −3 penalty if she can’t perceive her target. Ethereal Predator ConcentrationCost: 4m Type: Reflexive Keywords: None Duration: One scene Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater’s hunger sharpens her senses beyond the material world. The Hearteater can perceive (but not touch) dematerialized beings. Against possessed characters, she adds (Essence) dice on read intentions, profile character, and tracking rolls. PAWNA Hearteater’s pawns gain Defining Ties of loyal subservience to her, which can’t be weakened or altered by any means. They are also incapable of voluntarily forming or strengthening negative Ties toward the Hearteater, although existing Ties linger and other characters can instill such Intimacies with influence rolls. The Hearteater can always communicate with her pawns, mind-to-mind, regardless of distance, and they can make influence rolls through this connection. The Hearteater can persuade a pawn to perform an inconvenient task (Exalted, p. 216) without needing to roll. By meditating, the Hearteater can assume total control over a pawn within (Essence x5) miles, making his senses her own and controlling him in body and mind. The Hearteater’s overriding influence is depicted by having her player control all that character’s actions. The pawn’s mental and social actions use the Hearteater’s dice pools and static values, while physical actions use the pawn’s dice pools and static values. Any dice over her Hearteater’s (Attribute + Ability + specialty) or any static value bonuses over her base value count as Charm dice, potentially preventing her from using a pawn’s full dice pool. She can’t use Charms or other magic through pawns unless they specify otherwise or she has Heart-Eaten Avatar (p. XX). Her control lapses if the pawn goes beyond (Essence x5) miles from her. While controlling a pawn, the Hearteater doesn’t suffer any damage or negative effects that her pawn does, although she still suffers his wound penalties and penalties from other physical negative effects on actions taken through him. Influence rolls and other effects that target the mind apply to the controlling Hearteater rather than the pawn. The Hearteater’s own wound penalties also penalize her actions through the pawn, as do any other penalties that would impede her ability to focus her mind and exert mental domination over her pawn. If a pawn is incapacitated while being controlled, the Hearteater suffers a mental backlash, taking (10 – her Resolve) dice of bashing damage, ignoring Hardness. If a controlled pawn dies, she suffers (15 – her Resolve) damage dice. A Hearteater may have up to (Essence + Willpower) pawns at any one time, with Charms such as Becoming the Multitude (p. XX) increasing this limit. Likewise, Charms such as Caging the Wayward Wren (p. XX) expand the range of possible pawns she can claim beyond mortal humans. Being a pawn is a Psyche effect. Magic capable of exorcising possessing spirits, such as Burning Exorcism Technique (Exalted, p. 356) can also free pawns. Recognizing a pawn’s condition for what it truly is requires a difficulty 3-7 (Perception + Occult) roll, with the precise difficulty varying based on the observing character’s background and specialties, as well as any relevant facts that have been introduced with Lore rolls. A liberated pawn retains his Defining Tie toward the Hearteater, but it can now be weakened either voluntarily or through social influence. Broken Paragon BindingType: Permanent Keywords: None Duration: Permanent Prerequisite Charms: Identity-Devouring Maw The Hearteater subverts the wills of great heroes and puissant wonder-workers, binding them to her collective existence. The Hearteater may claim pawns that are God-Blooded, sorcerers, or other un-Exalted characters that have supernatural powers but are fundamentally human. They must have the requisite Tie to the Hearteater and fall within the maximum Willpower she can claim (p. XX). Such characters count as (their Essence) pawns towards the Hearteater’s maximum, and she can’t claim pawns with an Essence higher than her own Captive Heart MausoleumType: Permanent Prerequisite Charms: Broken Paragon Binding Death cannot part a Hearteater from her toys. When one of the Hearteater’s human pawns dies, his ghost always lingers rather than passing into Lethe. The ghost remains a pawn. Additionally, the Hearteater adds (higher of Essence or 3) dice on instill and inspire rolls targeting the undead. An Essence 3 repurchase lets the Hearteater claim any ghost or other un-Exalted undead as a pawn. It must have the requisite Tie to the Hearteater and fall within the maximum Willpower she can claim (p. XX). An undead counts as (its Essence) pawns towards the Hearteater’s maximum, and she can’t claim pawns with an Essence higher than her own. Identity-Devouring MawType: Permanent The Hearteater adds (Essence) non-Charm dice on rolls to claim a pawn and increases the number of characters she can claim as pawns to (Essence + Willpower + 5). She waives the Willpower cost to claim trivial characters as pawns. Soul-Gnawing BlightType: Permanent The Hearteater adds (lower of Charisma, Manipulation, or Wits) to the highest Willpower a character can have and still qualify as a pawn.   SOCIAL Exquisite Terror AllureCost: 3m; Mins: Essence 1 Type: Supplemental Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater’s bearing is at once enticing and threatening, a paradoxical allure that overwhelms the mind. The Hearteater converts any bonus dice to an influence roll by her Appearance (Exalted, p. 218) to non-Charm successes. She adds bonus dice from her Appearance on threaten rolls even if she doesn’t have Hideous, as well as to bargain rolls, inspire rolls, and rolls to claim pawns. False Heart AffectionCost: 4m Type: Reflexive Keywords: Mute Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater conceals her true monstrosity behind pleasant smiles and empty words. The Hearteater adds ([Appearance or Wits] / 2, rounded up) Guile. This Charm can be used while the Hearteater is directly controlling a pawn. If she uses it against an effect that would reveal discrepancies in her impersonation of the pawn, the Guile bonus is non-Charm. Heart Hollowing RepastCost: 3m Type: Supplemental Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater’s will is inimical to individuality. The Hearteater adds higher of (Essence or 3) non-Charm dice on an instill roll to weaken an Intimacy. If she uses this Charm against a pawn, she waives the supporting Intimacy requirement to weaken his Major and Defining Intimacies (Exalted, p. 215). Taste of the HeartCost: 4m Type: Supplemental Keywords: Mute Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None The Hearteater has keen insights into the emotional lives of others, tracing the elaborate web of needs and desires that shape mortals’ lives. The Hearteater adds (Perception) bonus dice on a read intentions or profile character roll. If she is capable of claiming her target as a pawn, she doubles 9s. Against characters that are already her pawns, she succeeds automatically unless opposed by magic and doubles 7s. Gear Chain Shirt: +3 soak, concealable Heavenly DancerAdamant Devil Caster Heavenly Dancer was made shortly before the contagion, when the Hearteater Night of Nine Dances broke an academy of sorcerers to his will by the grace of his performance. Although he was eventually hunted down and slain, Heavenly Dancer killed dozens with constructs of shining rainbow fire, effortlessly sent forth from its barrel. Weapon Tags: Lethal, Archery (Short), Flame, Mounted, One Handed, Slow. 16 Damage, 4 overwhelming, 5 attunement. Accuracy: Close: +1, Short +5: Evocations:   Heavenly Lantern TechniqueEssence 1 Cost: 1m Type: Reflexive Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None Grains of firedust swirl around the devil caster, glowing with all the colors of adamant. Reload Heavenly Dancer without using an action. Heavenly Lantern Technique awakens at no cost as long as the wielder is resonant with Adamant. Star-Hunter SpiritEssence 2 Cost: 5m, 1-3a Type: Supplemental Keywords: Decisive Only Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: None The wielder's anima surges into Heavenly Dancer, before roaring out in a blast of fire and light. If spending one level of anima, Double 10s on a decisive damage roll. If spending two levels, double 9s, and if spending three, double 8s. Reclining Murder TechniqueCost: 2m Type: Reflexive Keywords: None Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: Slumbering Maiden Tranquility The wielder of Heavenly Dancer might run as fast as he can, but his weapon will remain as steady as ever. The wielder may take a reflexive aim action when he succeeds on a disengage or rush action. Mirage Killer StylePrerequisite: Scintillating Veil Illusion, Essence 2 Cost: 3m, 2i Type: Supplementary Keywords: Withering, Perilous Duration: Instant Prerequisite Charms: Scintillating Veil Illusion Heavenly Dancer knows its opponents tempo, and it's wielder vanishes into a brilliant veil before striking a graceful blow. Treat an opponent in close range as within short range for the purpose of accuracy. Decoy FlamepieceWeapon Tags: Lethal, Archery (Short), Flame, Mounted, One Handed, Slow. 13 Damage, 1 Overwhelming Accuracy: Close: +0, Short +4       Intimacies Defining: Secrets are power Defining: Bad things can be used for good purposes Major: Equals and peers are the most important relationships in your life  Major: Blackmail is a powerful tool Major: Exalted (Respect) Minor: Mortals can no longer compare to me Minor: Sorcery (Fascination) Minor: Heavenly Dancer (Pride)