How awesome is this pic crew

This a picture of Oren Koto. A Night Caste Solar in a campaign I am about to run called Mist, Jade, and Bamboo about Solar Exalted on the Blessed Isle.

Late Night Thoughts

I have a lot on my mind. I am taking my life one day at a time. I am attempting to balance my social life in a way that is healthy for me. I am powering through dealing with disappointing folks, which is very difficult for me. I am realizing that things that are normal for folks have become intense panic triggers. I step aside and I look at myself and wonder "where is all of this coming from?" I used to be gung-ho and ready into plunge new projects all the time, and take risks to embrace awesome new experiences. Nowadays I seem very risk averse, and it just doesn't feel right.

In many cases in the past I have been handed a raw deal after plunging 100% of my heart into something. Many times, through no direct fault of my own, I have crashed and burned. Putting your full heart into something is simply not enough. You have to do the work, be present, and be willing to truly risk it all to succeed. But I have done this so many times and failed that I am becoming too scared to even try anymore.

I also sometimes feel trapped by my own successes. I have tons of creative ideas and fun hobbies I am passionate about. However if I do well, and get people invested in me, I feel obligated to continue and be the best I can because if I don't the people around me will be disappointed and perhaps even grow to resent me for taking away something that brought them so much happiness.

Everyday it feels like I am just surviving.

But I want to THRIVE, and FEEL it.

There is so much more self-work to do, but I am so very tired.

I wish I had more time and energy. With more time and energy I can:

Write more poems and truly memorize them so I can perform at bardic events in a way the *truly* captivates people.

Write and perform and share my poetry with the local writing community in San Diego, and make the connections I need to get published one day

Perfect my sewing skills so I can make my own cool SCA garb.

Work out three times a week, and be able to concentrate on a good eating plan to get fit and loose weight.

Take a driving school and study the California Driver manual so I can finally learn to drive.

Take my last 4 classes to get my Associates Degree in Sociology.

Work out the paperwork and phone calls I need to make in order to get myself into therapy via my MediCal.

"Kondo" my Living Space again.

Fully detail my D&D setting and write amazing stories for my players.

Start an awesome geeky Podcast that is TTRPG related, with enough of a following I can setup a Patreon and be able to write gaming content and make some income from my art.

Organize more SCA Events and get more actively involved so I can improve my Barony and my kingdom for the better.

Have a better relationship with mom and my immediate family where I call them weekly and they are kept up to date on my life.

Rejoin the Muscoavy Company Guild at Faire and have fun at Esco Faire being a Russian Mercenary.

Take Jon my boyfriend out on a date at least twice a week and get to spend the night together multiple times a month like we used to when we first started dating.

Right now I dream of being able to do all of this, but it just seems so impossible. I am going into my 40's a complete failure.

I did not mean to end this on such a sour note. I am just struggling in my own mind. Tomorrow will be better I am sure. However tonight, tonight is just hard.

30 Days of Poems: In Memoriam

Someone I deeply admired and respected passed beyond the Rainbow Bridge to feast in the Hall of Ancestors eternally today.

I wrote this piece in tribute to them, during their final days in this realm.

The Yellow Hood

Wrought by hands strong, yet gentle

A mother's hands

A crafts woman's hands

Hands of one who would be queen.

A hood composed of linen

saffron and bold.

Regal in its simplicity.

Warm in chilling winter

Cool in blazing desert.

Hand stitched with evergreen thread

sent far and wide to fingers she chose to trust.

Guided by wisdom deep as a mountain well.

Adorned first upon the shoulders of Knights, Lords, and Gentles

standing guard upon the Vigil of truest love.

It travels now, in many places in this Known World.

Feasts, Coronations, Tourneys, Festivals

and everything in between.

A badge of honor

A testament of virtue

A pure and eternal manifestation of the Dream she shared with all.

All sewn together

with utmost care

a linen yellow hood.

30 Days of Poems: Secret

There is something going down in my life that moved me to write this poem. Its about something that happened a long time ago that recent events have reminded me of. So I wrote it down. I may revised it later but I feel the need to get it out there.

Secret

I have friend whom I call brother once confessed to me a terrible secret,

that he was once apart of a tribe who hunt and kill my people in the name of the king.

He showed me that terrifying banner, scarlet, sable, and argent

danced across my eyes and chilled me to the bone.

He kept it hidden in a dark chest, a shameful reminder of what he once was,

a bloodied, wicked threat to my life.

He ran his fingers along my rose cap,

his eyes full of regret.

I thought for a moment of all who came before me,

all who passed to the grave.

Covered in red, darkening their caps, all at the whim of a King.

Perhaps it was the look in his eyes.

That I held no value for myself, perhaps it was a sign?

Perhaps I had come upon a moment of grace.

For it was forgiveness I gave him that night.

Not a fleeting pass to keep the peace.

Nor a flagrant lie.

Upon my word I pledged forgiveness, upon a mid-winter sky.

Exalted Third Edition: The Fellowship of the Rose

No poems today.

However, I would like to share a bit of writing I did for the Annual Exalted Forum White Elephant Exchange. Wise Old Guru, Artist and Writer behind the amazing Exalted Web Comic God-Kicking Boot was who I drew as my recipient. I was incredibly nervous because I am such a huge fan of their work. Yet I powered through. Wise Old Guru requested some content he could use for his House of Bells set Dragon-blooded boarding school drama. So I decided to build an homage to one of my favorite boarding school-fantasy anime, Revolutionary Girl Utena.

Fellowship of the Rose

The Fellowship of the Rose is a covert society of students dedicated to the principles of the honorable duel. Only the most elite, and prestigious of students at the House of Bells are permitted to pledge to join its ranks. Those who are accepted into the Fellowship become apart of a lifelong social network that crosses the boundaries of House, Aspect, and Class that spans the entirety of the Scarlet Empire.

Leadership of the fellowship is known as The Rose Council, the highest ranked and most esteemed duelists among them. In order to have seat on the Council one must be a currently enrolled student in the House of Bells, a fully initiated member of the Fellowship in good standing, and possess record of no less than three honorable victories in the sacred Rose Duel.

Members and Alumni signal to one another membership by wearing a small green jade & gold rose pin on their person.

The Rose Duel

This is a special duel that is practiced only by members of the Fellowship, and it is considered to the epitome of honor to participate in. Both parties involved fight unarmored, with a single blade, and with a freshly plucked rose pinned to the lapel of their uniform jacket. The object of the duel is to cut the blossom off one's opponents lapel first. The duel is not over until one of the participant's rose has been cut off.

New Gambit:
Strike the Rose (Difficulty 7)

Upon success of this Gambit, a small object is removed cleanly of an opponent's lapel using a single strike from a bladed weapon. If the item is of a delicate a nature, such as a glass brooch or flower blossom, the object is destroyed.

The Rose Consort

Winners of the Rose Duel may claim the prize of The Rose Consort. The Rose Consort is always a student whom is among the rare and exceptional Dynasts whom have not taken the Second Breath that were accepted into the Academy. The Rose Consort serves as both a personal retainer and consort to social events. A potent sorcerous working binds The Rose Consort to both secrecy and loyalty to current Rose Champion. In exchange, the Consort has the entirety of their tuition compensated, and garners the opportunity for a marriage match to an Exalted after graduation via the vast social network of the Fellowship.

30 Days of Poems: Love Reflections

So I ran out of a bit of creative steam. I started working on a new Exalted Third Edition game and my creative energy got sucked up writing things up for my setting and plot. So I took a bit of a break from writing new poems.

However, I am back and I have written some new material. I am calling this piece "Love Reflections" each is a stanza about a past or current love. They are functionally all opening stanzas for poems dedicated to each one, but I am grouping them all into one piece. This is the beginning of what I hope will be a much larger work in the future:

Love Reflections

I once loved a solider

who's hair was the color of fire.

I once loved a tree feller

with hair all over his body

like a bear's pelt.

I am courting a viking

with hair spun of gold

in the sun.

30 Days of Poetry: Haiku Time

Okay so today I slept in until noon and relaxed. I have work later this evening, so I decided today I would write something short.

So today I tackled the ancient Japanese poetry form of Haiku. I managed, without trying, to get to under 17 syllables, of which I am very proud:


falling blossoms
eternal promise
on a single droplet of dew

30 Day of Poems: Love Rhyme

So my good friend Blake, aka Lord Thorgrimm the leader of my SCA household, is one of my biggest supporters of my bardic pursuits. He likes to tease people however. Blake has teased me about how my poems don't rhyme. So I wrote this one for him, with a little inspiration from the Rapunzel myth for good measure:

Love Rhyme

The fiery footed fellow

sped across the meadow.

To meet up, with his lady love.

He push obstacles

with a brutal shove.

He leaps and bounds with poem in hand

to tell her true

where their love stands.

He finds her in

a locked up old tower

he curses then

as he forgot her a flower.

Climb and Climb up to the sky.

To the kiss of a maiden, ever so fine

30 Days of Poems: 12th Night

For the next 30 days I am challenging myself to write a poem every day. Most will be in an archaic style as I am training my skills as a Bard for the SCA.

Below is the first entry, inspired by my favorite annual SCA event:

12^th Night

Lords and ladies in colorful attire.

Fine smells

Mutton, lamb, and saffron

waft from the kitchen doors.

Grand pageantry with banners argent and azure

billowing amongst holly and white candles.

Small, yet meaningful gifts shared with friends old and new.

Songs and stories shared in an echoing hall.

Emotions stirred that warm the heart and quicken the mind for the coming new year.

Dancing steps shared and laughter when they are missed.

Cries of victory when they are stepped correct.

A raucous time is had by all.

Twelve nights we waited in the darkness and cold.

Twelve nights we dreamt of hot cider and halls.

Upon this joyous holiday we laugh, as the twelfth night has come upon us, at last.

Exalted Third Edition: Adamant Crane, Dawn Caste

Adamant Crane

Dawn Caste Solar Exalted

Temple Guardian of Palanquin

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 3
Dexterity 5
Stamina 3

Charisma 4
Manipulation 2
Appearance 3

Perception 2
Intelligence 2
Wits 4


ABILITIES

Archery 0
Athletics 1
Awareness 5
Brawl 1
Bureaucracy 1
Craft 0

Dodge 3
Integrity 3
Investigation 1
Larceny 0
Linguistics 1
Lore 1

Martial Arts 3 (Crane Style)
Medicine 0

Melee 4

Occult 3

Performance 2

Presence 3

Resistance 3
Ride 0
Sail 0
Socialize 1
Stealth 0

Survival 0
Thrown 0

War 2


SPECIALTIES

Awareness (Join Battle)
Awareness (Ambushes)
Melee (Defend Other)
Occult (Exorcism)
Performance (Prayer)
War (Frontline Commands)


MERITS

Backing (Heavenly Gate Temple) ••
Influence (Palanquin) •
Language (Old Realm) •
Martial Artist ••••
Resources •


INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: “I shall battle the heartless at the price of my hopes and dreams.””
Major Tie: Heavenly Gate Temple (Protective)
Major Tie: Palanquin (Love)
Major Tie: Ysyr (Resentment)
Major Principle: “Fallen blossoms do not return to branches; a broken mirror does not again reflect”
Minor Tie: Unconquered Sun (Gratitude)
Minor Tie: The Gods (Reverence)
Minor Tie: Heaven's Gate Guardians (Fellowship)
Minor Tie: Heaven (Awe)
Minor Tie: Faith (Important)
Minor Tie: Demons (Hate)
Minor Tie: Ghosts (Distrust)
Minor Tie: Remi Siama
Minor Tie: Meysan (Protective)
Minor Tie: Serene Finnay (Fascination)
Minor Tie: Geb (Respect)


CHARMS

Surprise Anticipation Method
Sensory Acuity Prana
Keen Sight
Keen Hearing and Touch Technique
Awakening Eye

Dipping Swallow Defense
Bulwark Stance
War Lion Stance

Spirit Detecting Glance
Spirit Cutting Attack
Terrestrial Circle Sorcery

Durability of Oak Mediation
Spirit Strengthens Skin
Ox-Body Technique

War God Ascendant


OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Willpower 5
Essence 1
Parry 5
Evasion 4
Join Battle 10
Resolve 4
Guile 2
Disengage 8
Rush 6
Soak/Hardness: 3/0


SORCERY

Initiation: The Talisman of A Thousand Eyes
Ritual: 1 wp during Awareness Join Battle or Investigate Threat roll, gain 1 sm per two success.
Control Spell: Summon Elemental


GEAR

War Fan
Hook Sword
Straight Sword
Temple Guardian Robes
Incense
Calligraphy Kit
Jar of Salt
Scroll of Crane Style Techniques



BACKGROUND

Adamant Crane was born to the Kyo Noble Family of Palanquin. Shortly after his birth, his family was discovered to be leaders of a Resistance against the occupation of Ysyr. When the Sorcerer-Princes forces came for his family, his grandmother, a retired temple-priestess of the local cloud goddess Soft Gale, fled with him in the dead of night to the Temple of the Heavenly Gate. As she had so many connections among the various temples, and many truly did not suspect an old woman of covert activity, she was able to elude her pursuers easily. She gave him over into the care of the warrior-monks who residing in the temple, she left a generous donation to the temple in gratitude and fled into exile.

Adamant Crane spent the rest of his childhood and adolescence living among in the vast Temple complex surrounding the heavenly gate. He trained in the way of battle, tactics, and occult arts under the watchful eye of temple priests. Crane believed it was all for the expressed purpose of devoting his himself to protecting the Heavenly Gate. That was partial true. Agents from his now hiding extended family would occasionally visit him at the temple, aiding in his tutelage in secret. Shaping him to one day be the military leader the noble families of Palanquin would need to throw off the yoke of a hundred years of Ysyr oppression.

On his 16th name day, Adamant Crane officially joined the ranks of the Heavenly Gate Temple Guardians. No longer a Ward of the temple, Adamant Crane began to gain the respect of his fellow citizens for his piety, humility, and fighting prowess. Five years pasted as he continued his sacred duties guarding the Heaven's Gate and growing and improving at the Art of the sword, the sacred Crane style, and his arcane studies. In secret, he learned from his family and from his fellow citizens the full history of the Ysyr conquest and occupation. He then grew to resent the hegemony of the Sorcerer-Princes.

It was this resentment that drove him to draw sword against the arrogant Sorcerer-Prince Etuko Na, whom was attempting to perform magical experiments upon The Heavenly Gate. He rallied his fellow temple guards in a no holds battle against the Sorcerer and his demonic servitors. During the fight the Second Breath came upon him, the Unconquered Sun choosing him as a sword of heaven. In the bonfire of golden light he cut his way through the demonic hordes, banishing them back to hell with the slice of his blade. He struck down the villainous Etuko and fulfilled his sacred duty to protect The Heavenly Gate. He claimed Etuko's talisman, as memories of his solar incarnation that filled his mind drove him to realize it was a relic of great sorcerous power.

In the coming days the Heaven's Gate Priests of the Temple would aid the young exalted in a daring escape from the Ysyr authorities: Creating a cover story about the wrath of the gate itself smiting Etuko, distracting the Ysyr Inquisitors, and buying Adamant Crane enough time to escape upon ship until such time that his name was a distant memory.

Crane, now far from home, with his skills at swordsmanship and the occult, and a modest Temple-Guardian stipend he collects from the Guild banks once a moon phase, wanders alone to understand his new Exalted nature. He seeks to rights the wrongs of world, and continues to gain the strength and power to one day liberate his people from the enslavement of the Sorcerer-Princes of Ysyr.

Exalted Third Edition: Respectful Wolf, Zenith Caste

Respectful Wolf is a member of the Leaf Song Tribe, one of a coalition of tribes inhabiting the coastal forestland southwest of Fortitude. They are a strongly proud people who are hunter-gathers that live in harmony with the forest and the bounty of the sea. They have clashed with both Imperial forces and conquering gangs from Fortitude over territory. The Song Tribes remarkable infantry and guerrilla tactics have kept these expansionist threats from completely overcoming their ancestral home.

Respectful Wolf was raised to hunt, as was tradition for all men of his tribe. However, the stars of his birth revealed to the tribe’s shaman that he was chosen by the gods for the lofty position of Guardian: The dedicated protector of the Chief’s family. He trained hard in the arts of protection, until the day came he was to step up to the position. The totem of the tribe, Drifting Leaf, manifested and foretold that Respectful Wolf must go out into Creation, to cross the cold waters and face a destiny that will prove the ultimate salvation of the Tribe.

Now Respectful Wolf is traveling, with only his Elk Steed for company, in search of a means to cross the cold waters.

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 3	Charisma 2	Perception 2
Dexterity 5	Manipulation 4	Intelligence 2
Stamina 3	Appearance 3	Wits 5

ABILITIES

Archery 3	Athletics 3	Awareness 4
Brawl 1	Bureaucracy 0	Craft 0
Dodge 3	Integrity 3	Investigation 0
Larceny 0	Linguistics 0	Lore 0
Martial Arts 0	Medicine 0	Melee 4
Occult 0	Performance 2	Presence 0
Resistance 2	Ride 3	Sail 0
Socialize 3	Stealth 1	Survival 3
Thrown 0	War 0

SPECIALTIES

Awareness (Join Battle)
Athletics (Combat Reflexes)
Dodge (Disengage)
Integrity (Iron Will)
Melee (Sword)
Socialize (Cool Demeanor)

MERITS

Artifact ooo
Boundless Endurance oo
Direction Sense o
Familiar (Oak, Elk Steed) oo
Fast Reflexes ooo
Fleet of Foot oooo
Iron Stomach o
Language: Local Tongues (Song Tribes: Leaf, Seal, Pine, and Raven) o
Natural Immunity oo
Quick Draw (Archery) o
Quick Draw (Melee) o
Tempered by the Elements (Forest) oo

INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: “Let no harm befall my charge”

Major Tie: Protection (Fulfillment)
Major Tie: Kurjack (Respect)
Major Principle: “All in the Tribe are due a share of the hunt.”

Minor Tie: Leaf Song tribe (Dedication)
Minor Tie: Family (Love)
Minor Tie: Oak (Affection)
Minor Tie: Assassins (Hate)
Minor Tie: Small gods (Respect)
Minor Tie: The Realm (Distrust)
Minor Tie: Hunting (Duty)
Minor Tie: Music (Appreciation)
Minor Tie: Undead (Dislike)
Minor Tie: Unconqured Sun (Gratitude)
Minor Tie: Harmony in the Wind (Affection)
Minor Tie: Thrya (Respect)
Minor Tie: Fair Folk (Distrust)
Minor Tie: Snow (Friendship)

CHARMS

Wise Arrow

Graceful Crane Stance
Monkey Leap Technique
Increasing Strength Exercise
Thunderbot Attack Prana

Sensory Acuity Prana
Surprise Anticipation Method

Dipping Swallow Defense
Bulwark Stance
War Lion Stance

Ox-body Technique

Master Horseman’s Techniques
-Harmony of Spirits Style
-Spirit-Steadying Assurances
-Blood Rider’s Toughness
Flashing Thunderbolt Speed
Seasoned Beast-Rider’s Approach

Shadow Over Day

Friendship With Animals Approach
Spirit Tied Pet

GEAR

Hide Armor
Travel pack
Tent
Saddle and Tack
Wooden Flute
Long Bow
Straight Sword
Quiver with 20 arrows
“Snow” Eagle pet

ARTIFACTS

Bottle of Age Staving Cordial
Sunlit Resolution (Orichalcum Lamellar, Artifact ooo)
Badge of Vajra’s Favor (black pearl)

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Willpower 5
Essence 1

Exalted Third Edition: Ten Stones, Night Caste

So my Night Caste Ki Ken met an unfortunate and untimely end at the hands of a powerful deathknight. Character death happens and I took this as an opportunity to build a character more efficiently for EX3 rather than dealing with the stress of playing a conversion character.

So took one of Ki Ken's Followers and made him into a full character. The Storyteller gave me a secret backstory as a solar spy secretly trained by Sidereals who was "keeping an eye" on the circle for quiet some time. It has been a fun ride playing this character and recently he has received a large upgrade in power via storyline.

I am in love with this character and really enjoy playing him. Meet Ten Stones, the careful spy:

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 4
Dexterity 5
Stamina 4

Charisma 3
Manipulation 4
Appearance 4

Perception 3
Intelligence 3
Wits 5

ABILITIES

Archery 0
Athletics 3
Awareness 5
Brawl 5
Bureaucracy 0
Craft 0
Dodge 5
Integrity 3
Investigation 4
Larceny 2
Linguistics 1
Lore 1
Martial Arts 0
Medicine 4
Melee 0
Occult 1
Performance 1
Presence  3
Resistance 1
Ride 0
Sail 4
Socialize 3
Stealth 3
Survival 0
Thrown 0
War 0

SPECIALTIES

Awareness (Eavesdropping)
Investigation (Profiling)
Medicine (Remedies)
Larceny (Disguise)
Occult (Fair Folk)
Lore (Blessed Isle Culture)
Stealth (Infiltration)

MERITS

Artifact ••
Artifact •••
Allies (Mayuri) •
Contacts (Azure) ••
Eidetic Memory ••
Fast Reflexes •••
Followers (Blue Lotus Courtesans) •
Influence (Shark Tooth Cove) •
Language (High Realm) •
Language (Old Realm) •
Language (Sea Tongue) •
Mentor (Life Thru Small Deaths) •••
Mentor ([[:mint-by-midnight | Mint by Midnight]]) ••
Manse ••••• (Flame Serpent Sepulchre)
Natural Immunity •
Resources ••
Tempered by Elements (Urban) ••

INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: " Loyalty is the greatest gift one may ever give"

Major Tie: Kiken (Loyalty)
Major Tie: Children (Compassionate Care)
Major Tie: Mint By Midnight (Awe)
Major Tie: The Blue Lotus (Gratitude)
Major Tie: Mayuri (Friendship)
Major Tie: Immaculates (Distrust)
Major Tie: Captain Tyrus (Respect)

Minor Tie: Secrets (Important)
Minor Tie:  Tepet Maru (Wariness)
Minor Tie: Tepet Maru (Protective)
Minor Tie: Eight (Respect)
Minor Tie:  Life Thru Small Deaths (Respect)
Minor Tie: T'obi (Curiosity)
Minor Tie: Zahara (Respect)
Minor Tie: Childhood Toy (Love)
Minor Tie:  Mnemon Talc (Affection)
Minor Tie: Disquietous Shadows (Wariness)
Minor Tie: Fair Folk (Fear)
Minor Tie: Commander Taku (Obligation)

CHARMS

Sensory Acuity Prana
Keen Sight
Keen Hearing and Touch
Awakening Eye

Graceful Crane Stance

Fist of Iron Technique
Falling Hammer Strike
Thunder Clap Rush Attack
Hammer on Iron
Ferocious Jab

Drifting Leaf Elusion
Shadow Over Water
Reed in the Wind
Flow Like Blood
Searing Quicksilver
Force Stealing Feint

Integrity Protecting Prana

Watchman's Infallible Eye
Inquisitor's Unfailing Notice
Crafty Observation Method
Judge's Ear Technique

Seasoned Criminal Method
Spurious Presence

Ailment-Rectifying Method
Plague-Banishing Incitation
Wound-Mending Care Technique
Wound-Cleansing Meditation
Instant Treatment Methodology

Ox-Body Technique

Mastery of Small Manners
Shadow Over Day
Motive Discerning Technique


ARTIFACTS

Subtle Caress
Starmetal Hearthstone Amulet. Hidden Anklet of woven silk cords. Reflexive Dexterity +Larceny roll to concealment. 1m

Viridian Sentinel
Green Jade Lamellar Armor. First Age design.
5m

Candent Carbuncle 
Greater Fire Hearthstone.


OTHER ATTRIBUTES

|Willpower 5|Join Battle: 11|Disengage: 10|
|Essence 3|Evasion: 5|Rush: 8|
|Personal: 19|Parry: 5 |Resolve: 4|
|Peripheral: 41|Soak: 12|Guile:4|
|Committed: 6|Hardness: 7|Read Intentions: 6|

Exalted Third Edition: Mayuri the Twilight Caste, updated.

So I have played Mayuri for some time now and she has grown to be an amazingly power character. Today I will post her now updated sheet, and then next week I will post some of the fantastic craft projects and Sorcerous Workings she has done over the past year of play. For now check out her new updated sheet:

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 2

Dexterity 3

Stamina 2

Charisma 4

Manipulation 3

Appearance 5 (9)

Perception 3

Intelligence 3

Wits 3

ABILITIES

Archery 0

Athletics 0

Awareness 5
Brawl 1
Bureaucracy 3

Craft 5 (Tailoring)

Craft 5 (Artifacts)

Craft 5 (Architecture)

Craft 5 (Geomancy)

Dodge 5

Integrity 2

Investigation 0

Larceny 0

Linguistics 2

Lore 3
Martial Arts 5

Medicine 0

Melee 0

Occult 5

Performance 5

Presence  1

Resistance 1

Ride 0

Sail 0

Socialize 4

Stealth 0

Survival 0

Thrown 0

War 0

SPECIALTIES

Craft (Delicate Materials)
Lore (Wyld)

Lore (Yozi)

Lore (First Age)
Martial Arts (Improvised Weapons)
Occult (Sorcery)
Performance (Dance)

MERITS

Artifact (Silk Armor) ••••

Artifact (Direlash) •••

Artifact (Spell-Capturing Cord) •••••

Chameleon Garments ••

Child of Madness •••••

Contacts •

Familiar (Snow, white kitten) •

Familiar (Ashe, Wyld blessed pup) •

Followers ••

Influence ••

Language (Old Realm) •

Language (High Realm) •

Language (Lookshy Codex) •

Manse (Greater) •••••

Martial Artist ••••

Retainers (Tyoshi, Small God of the Joyous Blossom) ••

Resources •••

Spider Thread ••

INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: "Creating beautiful things brings joy"

Major Tie: Tyoshi (Friendship)

Major Tie: Performing (Joy)

Major Tie: Dreams (Sacred)

Major Tie: Fair Folk (Hate)

Major Tie: Joyous Blossom (Cherish)

Minor Principle: “All the World's a Stage”

Minor Tie: Snow (Love)

Minor Tie: Wyld (Artistic Fascination)

Minor Tie: Parent's Memory (Cherish)

Minor Tie: Circus (Nostalgia)

Minor Tie: Artist (Respect)

Minor Tie: Childern (Protective)

Minor Tie: Kinrumi (Awe)

Minor Tie: Kinrumi (Affection)

Minor Tie: Nibon (Affectionate Irritation)

Minor Tie: Jiang Delun (Respect)

Minor Tie Jiang Delun (Desire)

Minor Tie: Radiant Song (Gratitude)

Minor Tie : “Compassion” (Distrust)

Minor Tie: God of Hollow (Respect)

Minor Tie: Five Days Darkness (Gratitude)

Minor Tie: Five Days Darkness (Annoyance)

Minor Tie: Peleps Deled (Dislike)

Minor Tie: Ash (Affection)

Minor Tie: Merick Belar (Comradere)

Minor Tie: Mike (Friendship)

Minor Tie: Diamadon (Sympathy)

Minor Tie: Akagi (Respect)

Minor Tie: Akagi (Sibling Affection)

Minor Tie: Serayths (Fascination)

Minor Tie: Serayths (Love)

Minor Tie: Court Lord (Fascination)

Minor Tie: Solar Exalted (Hope)

CHARMS

Sensory Acuity Prana

Keen Sight

Keen Touch and Hearing

Awakening Eye

Frugal Merchant Method

Craftsman Needs No Tools

Arete Shifting Prana

Flawless Handiwork Method

Supreme Celestial Focus

Bright-Forging Prana

Thousand Forge Hands

Reed in the Wind

Harmonious Academic Methodology

Wyld Dispelling Prana

Chaos Repelling Prana

Demure Carp Feint

Elegant Weapon Repertoire

Pearlescent Filigree Defense

Dreaming Pearl Courtesan Form

Flurry of August Leaves

Fragrant Petal Fascination Kata

Seven Storms Escape Prana

Vindictive Pillow Book Understanding

Invoking the Chimera's Coils

Spirit Detecting Glance

All Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight

Terrestrial Circle Sorcery

Celestial Circle Sorcery

Masterful Performance Exercise

Graceful Reed Dancing

Battle-Dancer Method

Shining Expression Style

Thousand Courtesan Ways

Terrestrial Circle Sorcery

Celestial Circle Sorcery

SORCERY

Initiation: Scarred by Nightmares

Spells: Silent Words of Dreams and Nightmares [control], Summon Elemental, Shadows of the Distant Past [control], Cantata of Empty Voices, Ivory Pavilion.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Willpower 7

Essence 4

Two Exalted Characters of the Past

I played two different Eclipse Caste characters in a short lived Exalted Second Edition chronicle two years ago named A Cruel Twist of Fate.


My room mate and best friend at the time Haydel was running it, and it was, well a difficult time for me. It became so frustrating for me at one point I had to switch characters, from Mae Lin to Autumn Fox. However, the character's themselves I am incredibly proud of and I hope to one day perhaps update and resurrect them for an Exalted Third Edition chronicle:

Mae Lin Suruki 

Imperial Merchant of Aruf

BIOGRAPHY

Mae Lin was born and raised in the Arjuf Prefecture. She is the second child, and first daughter of Suruki Family, a Patrician Household of wealthy merchants in service to House Ledall. The Suruki oversee the spice and silk trade from the Southern Satrapies.

Mae Lin was raised and educated to be a bureaucracy and manage the books for the Family, and her prospective husband’s family. She proved to be quiet a talented bookkeeper and negotiator, winning her family much profit and acclaim before age sixteen. At age seventeen, Mae Lin was sent with her Uncle Xhao to aid in negotiating a trade agreement for rare spices with a Guild Merchant Prince in Chicaroscuro. A rare honor indeed. Shortly before her departure, her mother whispered to her that a possible arranged marriage to an outcaste Dragonblooded bastard son of a local Ledaal Lord was being arranged by her father. Mae Lin was shocked at the prospect, and the news weighed heavy on her mind as she traveled across the Southern Sea.

When they arrived at the Chicaroscuro, her uncle took ill due to sea sickness. Mea Lin had no choice but to continue the negotiations alone. At the negotiating table, she discovered several inconsistanies in the contracts that would result in her Family, and House Ledaal, being cheated out a large chunk of the profits. Not willing to see her prospects at a good marriage endangered, nor bring shame upon the honor of her family, she very tactfully and directly pointed out the flaws.

The response was not what she expected. The Guild merchant prince informed her that he would only provide the antidote to poison she just ingested in her tea if she signed the contract. Infuriated and determined not let this Guild scum make a fool of her, she ordered her guards to cut the merchant prince down. Unfortunately he had guards as well. As the hired swords clashed with her guards, Mea Lin slowly began to feel the poison over come her, and then she was filled with the warmth of the Sun.

In this moment she took her Second Breath, and felt the voice and presence of the Unconquered Sun. He sent her a vision of a world filled with peace, but that it could only be gained if the wicked were either slain or shown the error of their ways.

The site of the Exaltation of an Anathema frightened the sell swords and the merchant prince into surrender. Mea Lin then used her new found gifts to bind them into a fair contract with the Suruki Family and House Ledaal. Then she bound them all into an oath of secrecy not to reveal her Anathema nature to anyone living or dead. With her trusted guardsman in tow she quickly made arrangements to flee the city before The Wyld Hunt was called. With aid of a mysterious woman named Silk Song, she was able to escape the city undetected. After a few days travel with Silk Song, Mea Lin found her private manse from the First Age. The combination of First Age memories and prophetic guidance from Silk Song lead her to its location. It was outside her Manse she met Crescent Fang, her Lunar mate, the man who would prove to her closest friend and ally.

Now Mea Lin hides, she has written a few clever lies to her Uncle, and avoids her Family at all costs. While her solar exalted nature is a secret for now. It is only a matter of time before the wrong person finds out, and Mea Lin plans on being in a position of power long before that hour presents itself. There will be peace once again between The Realm and the Solar Exalted, she has seen it the past and dreams of it for the future.

Mae Lin is beautiful woman in the full blossom of her youth. She has long brown hair that is kept immaculately combed. She has a smooth peaches and cream complexion to her skin, and deep brown eyes with irises reflect a jubilant red in the sunlight. She has a slight build, but moves with the effortless grace of a dancer. She is always seen wearing the finest of silk garments, with a beautiful silk painted courtier's fan in her hand, or a parasol if she is in the sun.


INTIMACIES

The Realm (Respect)

Immaculate Order (Pity)

Trade (Joy)

Family (Love)

Sol Invictis (Reverence)

Silk Song (Trust)

Crescent Fang (Affection)

The Guild (Distrust)

Autumn Fox

Charismatic Army Quartermaster

BIOGRAPHY

Autumn Fox, or Aki Fokku as is his proper name in Old Realm, was born and raised in Port Calin. His was the eldest son of a wealthy merchant family. When he came of age, he saw a means to elevate his family's status through military service.

At the age of 18 he enlisted into the Calinti Military. His shrewd instincts, and training in commerce garnered him a position among the Quartermaster rather quickly. While he did display a natural talent for tactics and sword play, his superiors felt he shined the most when coordinating munitions, and navigating bureaucracies.

After five years of loyal service, he was assigned to serve in a Talon lead by one of the prestigious Calinti Dragonblooded, Suran. This brought much honor that brought much pride and esteem to his family.

One day his Talon was called out to investigate a series of disappearances from the border provinces of the Shogunate. It was at this time that Suran discovered the missing citizens were being kidnapped and their souls devoured by Fair Folk. Shortly thereafter a horde of hobgoblins lead by a powerful Fair Folk ambushed the Talon. They swarmed out of a Wyld Pocket that was just beyond the borders of the Shogunate. The Rakshan was a nightmarish terror. It swiftly and cruely killed Suran, and all his commanding officers one by one, as the hobgoblins harried and slaughtered the troops. Autumn Fox himself was then battle field promoted to Commander, and steeled himself. He rallied the soldiers and struck back against the Hobgoblins.

It was then he drew the Second Breath in a glorious blaze of golden light. Visions of his past life in the First Age came flooding in in vivid detail. He recalled the Ancient Oaths sworn by the Fair Folk to the Eclipse Caste and immediately began to fight his way through to the Fair Folk leader.

When he arrived he boldly demanded to know why the Fair Folk was in violation of the Ancient Pacts laid forth by The Princes of the Earth, his Caste Mark blazing upon his forehead with the radiance of the noon day sun. He forced the Fair Folk into a Parlay, ended the conflict, and sent the Fair Folk packing back to its Wyld Pocket. He single-handedly saved the lives his men.

Shortly thereafter, he was put on indefinite leave, equal parts because of the horror he survived, and the danger of his Anathema status. The Calinti military agreed to keep his secret, and in exchange he remained on leave. Five of his most trusted friends in the Talon joined him as well. They then set out to find adventure out in the vast world of Creation.

He was soon joined by the mysterious Lunar Exalted Yuan. With home he shared an intimate connection from the First Age. Yuan has taken him under his wing and tutored him on the lost lore of The First Age. He has also won the friendship and trust of the Oath Sworn Brotherhood, White Jade Bonsai. However, that is a tale for another time...


INTIMACIES

Soliders (Respect)

Justice (Resolute)

Yuan (Affection)

Mortals (Protective)

Beauty (Desire)

Fair Folk (Distrust)

White Jade Bonsai (Friendship)

Build A Just Society

Exalted 3rd Edition: Ki Ken Bimiyo, Night Caste

Another character I am playing in my friend Kyle's EX3 Chronicle Lodestone: The Scabbard of Creation. 
I have actually been playing this character for quiet sometime actually, the first couple of sessions were as a heroic mortal. I very much enjoy playing him even though he is not as coherent of a character as Mayuri.

Ki Ken is a courtesan from the city of Aruf in the Blessed isle. He moonlighted as a bodyguard and assassin for his various clients. Furthermore, he owns his own pleasure house named The Blue Lotous. Which through Sidereal shenanigans was transported from Aruf to an island community in the far western sea know as Shark Tooth Cove. His concept is simply Dangerous Beauty.

Oh and there is a little Easter egg in here! Mayuri is both a retainer and an intimacy for Ki Ken, however this Mayuri is actually his mortal best friend who runs The Blue Lotus while he is way and has a head for business.

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 2
Dexterity 5
Stamina 2

Charisma 3
Manipulation 4
Appearance 4

Perception 3
Intelligence 2
Wits 3

ABILITIES

Archery 0
Athletics 1
Awareness 5
Brawl 1
Bureaucracy 2
Craft 1 (Poision)
Dodge 4
Integrity 1
Investigation 0
Larceny 4
Linguistics 1
Lore 1
Martial Arts 4
Medicine 0
Melee 4
Occult 1
Performance 3
Presence 4
_Resistance_ 4
Ride 0
Sail 0
Socialize 5
Stealth 0
Survival 0
Thrown 0
War 0

SPECIALTIES

Martial Arts (Grappling)
Presence (Persuasion)
Socialize (Deception)
Stealth (Ambush)

MERITS

Artifact (See below)
Contacts •
Followers •
Influence (Aruf) •
Language (High Realm) •
Martial Artist ••••
Mentor (Azure Silk) •••
Retainer (Mint by Midnight) ••
Retainers (Mayuri) ••
Retainers (Tepet Maru) ••••
Resources ••

INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: " Secrets are often whispered upon a silk pillow"

Major Tie: Secrets (Important)
Major Tie: Anonimty (Percious)
Major Tie:  Tepet Maru (Wary Affection)
Major Tie: My Circle (Comradere)
Major Tie: The Blue Lotous (Pride)
Major Tie: Mayuri (Friendship)

Minor Tie: Mnemon (Vengance)
Minor Tie: Captian Tyrus (Friendship)
Minor Tie: Eight (Respect)
Minor Tie: Quills (Guarded Desire)
Minor Tie: Quills (Distrust)

CHARMS

Sensory Acuity Prana
Surprise Anticipation Method

Graceful Crane Stance

Reed in the Wind
Reflex Sidestep Technique

Integrity Protecting Prana

Elegant Weapon Repertoire

Living Shadow Preparedness
Flawless Impentrable Disguise

Dipping Swallow Defense
Bulwark Stance
War Lion Stance

Masterful Performance Exercise
Thousandfold Courtesan Ways

Mastery of Small Manners
Shadow Over Day
Guarded Thoughts Meditation

ARTIFACTS

Greenwood Blade
Heaven Thunder Leaves
Seven Jeweled Peacock Fan
Discreet Essence Armor
Wound Mending Needles
Moonsilver Hearthstone Amulet

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Willpower 5
Essence 1

Tyoshi, Small God of the Joyous Blossom

My Twilight Caste Exalted Character Mayuri has a Retainer who is the small god of her Artisan House. Below are the stats for the Small god I created. It was really fun putting this together. I built him using various NPC spirits from the Exalted Corebook to build something fun, yet balanced.



Essence: 2; Willpower: 4; Join Battle: 4 dice
Personal Motes: 70
Health Levels: -0/-1x3/-2x3/-4/Incap.
Actions: Disguise: 7 dice; Senses: 6 dice; Read Intentions: 7 dice; Performance Art: 10 dice; Social
Influence: 5 dice; Stealth: 7 dice; Weave Fabric: 11 dice; Writing: 7 dice
Appearance 5, Resolve 3, Guile 4

Combat
Attack (Silver Pin): 7 dice (Damage 8 and dream poison when decisive, damage 3i/round, duration 3
round, -3 penalty, falls asleep when crashed)
Combat Movement: 7 dice
Evasion: 4, Parry: 3
Soak/Hardness: 5/0 (Unarmored)

Merits 

Shimmering Crystal Beauty: Anyone who looks upon the god is treated as having a Minor Tie of wonder towards it for purposes of social influence rolls.

Expressive Demeanor: Tyoshi takes no penalties for communicating via body language, and can
communicate even complex messages or carry out conversations with nothing more than their
extraordinarily expressive faces and posture.

Offensive Charms

Principle of Motion (10m, 1wp; Reflexive; Instant; Essence 2): Tyoshi moves with blinding speed, taking a flurry without the usual restrictions—it can flurry two of the same action if desired, and it ignores the usual penalties to dice pools and Defense.

Defensive Charms

Kaleidoscopic Dodge (5m, 3i; Reflexive; Instant; Essence 2): For a moment, Tyoshi seems to disintegrate into rainbow brilliance, as though it were refracted through a prism, adding +2 Evasion against an attack. A successful dodge allows Tyoshi to reflexively move one range band in any direction, if it wishes.

Jeweled Heart Allure (6m; Reflexive; One scene; Essence 2): Tyoshi radiates beauty that dumbfounds even battle-hardened warriors, forcing characters to pay a point of Willpower before they can attack it in a scene unless they have an Intimacy that represents ruthlessness, pitilessness, or a desperate reason to fight it that is greater than the Minor Tie created by Shimmering Crystal Beauty.

Social Charms

Artistic Shapechange (8m; Simple; One scene; Eclipse; Essence 1): Once Tyoshi has read a character’s intentions to determine their ideal of artistic beauty, it may use this Charm to sculpt its body into that form. Its divine nature remains recognizable, but it may alter gender, height, build, facial features, and similar aesthetic traits. While this Charm is active, it adds +2 Appearance when making social influence rolls to inspire the character whose preferences it has tailored itself to, or that play on Intimacies of awe or desire towards itself. This can raise the small god’s Appearance above 5, but is not compatible with other Appearance-enhancing effects.

Miscellaneous Charms

Hurry Home (10m, 1wp; Simple; Instant; Essence 1): The god fades away and vanishes on its next turn, drawn instantly to either the Joyous Blossom or to Mayuri’s side.

Materialize (35m, 1wp; Simple; Instant; Essence 1): The god weaves itself a physical form out of colorful threads of silk, which weave into a body.

Measure the Wind (5m; Simple; Instant; Essence 1): The god can measure the nature of any that comes to the Joyous Blossom seeking to patronize its artisans.

Exalted Third Edition: Mayuri, Twilight Caste

So I am a huge fan of White Wolf's Exalted RPG. I have decided to share with everyone the full write up for my latest Exalted third edition character.

Mayuri is a Solar Exalted of the Twilight Caste. She is an Artist. She tailors beautiful gowns, costumes, and formal wear. In addition to crafting beautiful clothing and accessories, she is a performance artist who specializes in storytelling dance. She stages the set pieces and crafts all her own costumes and fashion.  She runs an Artisan House in the Baistion District of Nexus called Joyous Blossom.

ATTRIBUTES

Strength 2
Dexterity 3
Stamina 2

Charisma 4
Manipulation 3
Appearance 4 

Perception 3
Intelligence 3
Wits 3

ABILITIES

Archery 0
Athletics 0
Awareness 2
Brawl 1
Bureaucracy 2
Craft 5 (Tailoring)
Dodge 3
Integrity 1
Investigation 0
Larceny 0
Linguistics 1
Lore 2
Martial Arts 4
Medicine 1
Melee 0
Occult 4
Performance 4
Presence  1
Resistance 1
Ride 0
Sail 0
Socialize 3
Stealth 0
Survival 0
Thrown 0
War 0

SPECIALTIES
Craft (Delicate Materials)
Lore (Wyld)
Martial Arts (Improvised Weapons)
Occult (Sorcery)
Performance (Dance)

MERITS

Artifact (Silk Armor) ••••
Contacts •
Familiar (Snow, white kitten) •
Followers •
Influence •
Language (Old Realm) •
Language (High Realm) •
Martial Artist ••••
Retainers (Tyoshi, Small God of the Joyous Blossom) ••
Resources ••

INTIMACIES

Defining Principle: "Creating beautiful things brings joy" 

Major Tie: Tyoshi (Friendship)
Major Tie: Performing (Joy)
Major Tie: Dreams (Sacred)
Major Tie: Fair Folk (Hate)
Major Tie: Joyous Blossom (Cherish)

Minor Principle: “All the World's a Stage”
Minor Tie: Snow (Love)
Minor Tie: Wyld (Artistic Fascination)
Minor Tie: Parent's Memory (Cherish)
Minor Tie: Circus (Nostalgia)
Minor Tie: Artist (Respect)
Minor Tie: Childern (Protective)
Minor Tie: Kinrumi (Awe)
Minor Tie: Nibon (Affectionate Irritation)
Minor Tie: Jiang Delun (Respect)

CHARMS

Sensory Acuity Prana

Craftsman Needs No Tools
Arete Shifting Prana
Flawless Handiwork Method
Supreme Masterwork Focus
Bright-Forging Prana

Demure Carp Feint
Elegant Weapon Repertoire
Pearlescent Filigree Defense

Reed in the Wind
Masterful Performance Exercise
Graceful Reed Dancing
Battle-Dancer Method

Terrestrial Circle Sorcery

SORCERY

Initiation: Scarred by Nightmares

Spells: Silent Words of Dreams and Nightmares [control], Summon Elemental

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Willpower 5
Essence 1