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Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)

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Hmm, instead of fighting all the enemies pouring into the room, could we block off or collapse the entryway? Either with our Tool constructs, or Lydia's stone shaping?
As long as it keep them away for a couple of turns that will likely be good enough. Then all three of us can focus on the raksha.

I'm also going to suggest not using the Crown Of Eyes here. We may want to use it on something later, and we don't have a lot of Essence to spare. We can just find out the raksha's anatomy via vivisection. We are likely to get a +2 essence trigger in this scene anyway by examining the ritual setup.
 
Artemis1992 said:
As much as it would suck narrativly, we might want to leave the Raksha to Michael and Lydia.

We are by far the toughest member of our group, we can hold off the armed Formori for as long as it takes.

Meanwhile Micheal has a sword that is certain to work against the thing and Lydia can cover him with some defence and additional damage.

This whole situation is a complete failure if we manage to kill the Raksha only to look back and see that they gunned down our father.
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Nah.
Lydia is an Earth bender. Enough to use it to travel. And the door is still there.
With the two first responders down, Michael can just kick the door shut and Lydia can wall it up with concrete

Wish I'd rememberd to bring cold iron.
 
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JayTar said:
I was thinking less a general guide and more something more specific. A generalized guide seems like it would be quite provocative. Maybe something for when we plan a big to change the world, but not as a first book.

Like, think of it this way. If someone who has read Harry Potter learns magic exists they are going to go in with certain assumptions. Even though they know Harry Potter is fiction.
So if we write a book or series or whatever, and bake into it's foundation "Do not abuse magic/powers by doing ___" . Then when anyone who has read our book learns about magic (or discovers their own) then they will be much more cautious about using it in ways that would break the laws of magic.

Like how someone who has watched or heard of PMMM would be much more skeptical and cautious about a cute little creature offering them a wish.
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Yes, that's a good idea. Harry Potter movies are still coming out, so writing a young adult fiction about a teenage girl that discovers she can do magic could work quite well. There's market for that. Weave in information about the Laws, how to (not) deal with fae, the idea that vampires are bad, etc. No need to explain everything in one book either. Start slowly, but seed in enough that it'll work as a guideline.

But also make a guidebook for Rosie. Possibly publish some of it as "my notes for when writing the books". Do some interviews where we'll hint at greater truths...

Yeah, this could work.
JayTar said:
I'm also going to suggest not using the Crown Of Eyes here. We may want to use it on something later, and we don't have a lot of Essence to spare. We can just find out the raksha's anatomy via vivisection. We are likely to get a +2 essence trigger in this scene anyway by examining the ritual setup.
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While we might want to use the raksha's corpse for something later, I feel that the benefits outweight the costs here. And the use would be essence neutral (-1 essence for using it, +2 for raksha anatomy, -1 for Green Sun Nimbus Flare).

I want to put down the raksha as quickly and as brutally as possible. It's likely connected to its cultists in at least some way. Killing it should have an effect on them.
 
Bedtime for me. Discussion later.

VOTE
[X]Plan Joyful Cessation of Restraint
-[X]Turn 2:
--[X]Full defense
--[X]Shintai Activation: 1 turn of concentration: -2 Essence, -2WP
-[X]Turn 3:
--[X]Attack Action: Attack + Green Nimbus Sun Flare. -1 DC = DC6 + DC1 = DC7: -1 Essence
--[X]Defense Action: Parry. -2 DC = DC4 + DC2 = DC 6.
--[X]STUNT: They were further advanced than we thought were your first, oddly calm thoughts as the naggingly familiar monster began to swarm across the floor towards your party.Wish I'd remembered to bring some cold iron. "Wall up the door, Lydia" you say almost casually as you turn on your heel, letting your father past you as you settle into a stabler stance, the bruising of your shoulder all but forgotten. "Then you and Dad join me if you can." Your full regard settles like a weight on the approaching enemy. "You should not have left your prison, Old One. Demon-Emperor Shintai."


Effects:
Imperial Primacy Mantle: Mental defenses
Viridian Legend Exoskeleton: +4 Soak
Scar-Writ Saga Shield: -1 DC to soak rolls. Soak DC is now 5.
Melee Excellency: 2x combat turns
Rage Recast Aspects: Flight, Transcendent Anathema.
Anima Banner: Active. Surprise negator

Normal Status
Essence 6-3/12= 3/12
Temp WP 7-2/9 = 5/9
Current HL = 9/11
Wound penalty: 0
Max Movement rate = 32 yards/turn

Shintai Status: ACTIVE
Strength +1, Dexterity +4, Stamina +1 = Strength 5, Dexterity 8, Stamina 4
Soak = Stamina 4 + Ebon Scales 1 + VLE 5(highest is Strength) + Demon Armor 4 = 14
Current HL = 12/12
Max Movement = Base 32 x Swift Stride 2 = 64 yards/turn
Melee Dicepool = Dex 8 + Melee 5 + Excellency 13 = 26 dice
 
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uju32 said:
Not especially.
We arent likely to be involved in the nitty gritty rulership of our Horizon Realm. We cant even be in our Hell for more than five days.
Expect Molly to be have a regent/seneschal/council/elected assembly handling most of the governing.

Do remember that Michael juggles two fulltime jobs as Knight and parent, with a career as a carpenter and building contractor.
With the only overt aid being his wife, who is his sparring partner, armorer and co-parent.
Her examples set a pretty high bar.

Respectfully thats nonsense.
Money buys resources and access, it doesnt buy knowledge or respect or networking. And significant characters repeatedly demonstrate that knowledge and education is valued in this setting.

Listens to Wind goes back to university every decade. Paolo Ortega was a university professor. Tali Inverno is a lawyer; so was Lucius Glau.Dresden on-screen is proud of the fact that his daughter is on the path to doing better than his GED
This shit matters here.


No, I dont think thats what it says. That the Erlking consumed power yes.
That he ran a Darkhallow no.

Just the mechanics dont work.
There were no population centers in the Old World of the density of 20th/21st century cities whose sacrifice would power the ascension of a Mab-tier magical power back when the Erlking became a thing.

And it definitely does not say that for the Fey Queens, something thats supported by the fact that later books have given some indication of where the power thats invested in the Queens came from.
The triple goddess motif is not coincidental, and Mother Winter answered to the name of a Fate when Dresden summoned her.

I dont really think thats likely to be in line with the game's themes.
Its an RPG, not an empire builder.
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I'll note population centers almost definitely not. Enough gribblies and spirits and such definitely existed. As far as we know the courts could of eaten a pantheon to get where they are.
 
Yog said:
But also make a guidebook for Rosie. Possibly publish some of it as "my notes for when writing the books". Do some interviews where we'll hint at greater truths...
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Or do it as an "IC companion booklet". Publish the first book, and either as a separate anthology or an additional section to the base book include a bestiary, magical law book, and similar. That way there's a quick reference for anyone who needs it that doesn't require paging through the actual novel.
 
BronzeTongue said:
Or do it as an "IC companion booklet". Publish the first book, and either as a separate anthology or an additional section to the base book include a bestiary, magical law book, and similar. That way there's a quick reference for anyone who needs it that doesn't require paging through the actual novel.
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Yeah, something like that. Background notes, bestiaries and such. Maybe throw in an RPG module too.

uju32 said:
[X]Plan Joyful Cessation of Restraint
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Drop the "demon emperor" please. There's zero reason for Molly to call it such. And we don't want Molly to think she is a demon, to internalize that.

Also, why not use the crown of eyes on the raksha? Unless you want to use it later to search for any other raksha trapped in the world, we need the information on where to strike. We don't know what to cut. And we need extra essence.
 
Yog said:
Also, why not use the crown of eyes on the raksha? Unless you want to use it later to search for any other raksha trapped in the world, we need the information on where to strike. We don't know what to cut. And we need extra essence.
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Using the crown and entering Shintai both take a moment of concentration; I'm not sure we can do them both at once.
 
Yog said:
Drop the "demon emperor" please. There's zero reason for Molly to call it such. And we don't want Molly to think she is a demon, to internalize that.
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Agreed. Even a joking "Sailor Nuclear Hell Princess" would be more appropriate here than actually calling ourselves a Demon Emperor in this situation.
 
uju32 said:
Just by existing as a force in being, they change the supernatural power balance, and Molly's place in it. That has second- and third- order effects on the mortal world, just indirectly. Not to mention that they provide IC justification for the Backup Background, a Resources 10(My Personal Hell) and a secondary internment site for prisoners and HVTs that isnt Demonreach.
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Speaking of, have we put any thought into Molly's Second and Third Circle Demons yet? The ability to call up those would be very useful too. (And would also hopefully help fix my biggest issue with the - otherwise great! - current writeup of our tiger empire, namely that it feels rather disconnected to Molly and who she is as a person, to me at least. Though I should note that my main exposure to Tiger Empires in practice is Kerisgame, which handles them very differently.)

One approach might be to riff on the mirror cabinet scene in the books, with each 3CD being a different reflection of Molly how she could have been, if things had been different. Molly the Wizard, Molly of Winter, Molly the Rebel, Devout Good Girl Molly, Molly the Ragged Lady, and so on. Could be interesting to see how each of those shapes their slice of the Tiger Empire.
 
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BronzeTongue said:
Using the crown and entering Shintai both take a moment of concentration; I'm not sure we can do them both at once.
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Ok, that's fair.
Gnarker said:
Speaking of, have we put any thought into Molly's Second and Third Circle Demons yet? The ability to call up those would be very useful too. (And would also hopefully help fix my biggest issue with the - otherwise great! - current writeup of our tiger empire, namely that it feels rather disconnected to Molly and who she is as a person, to me at least. Though I should note that my main exposure to Tiger Empires in practice is Kerisgame, which handles them very differently.)

One approach might be to riff on the mirror cabinet scene in the books, with each 3CD being a different reflection of Molly how she could have been, if things had been different. Molly the Wizard, Molly of Winter, Molly the Rebel, Devout Good Girl Molly, Molly the Ragged Lady, and so on. Could be interesting to see how each of those shapes their slice of the Tiger Empire.
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Soul hierarchy establishment is firmly outside ExvsWoD design. However, should it manifest at some point, I would guess there would be something representing ancient past and legacy Molly bears (possibly Usum manifesting), something representing modern humanity Molly is a part of, and something representing infinite possibilities of exalted future.

Not sure if Molly of Winter would be a part of this Molly's soul. Well, Kakuri cold is, I guess.
 
[X] uju32
Yog said:
Ok, that's fair.

Soul hierarchy establishment is firmly outside ExvsWoD design. However, should it manifest at some point, I would guess there would be something representing ancient past and legacy Molly bears (possibly Usum manifesting), something representing modern humanity Molly is a part of, and something representing infinite possibilities of exalted future.

Not sure if Molly of Winter would be a part of this Molly's soul. Well, Kakuri cold is, I guess.
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I did post a custom subsoul Charm. It is a lot more limited than the one in original Exalted though And I don't think it would be worth taking until like Essence 3 because the strengrh of the spirits it produces are determined by Essence rating. Of course whether it is good enough is up to DP. I could see issues do to setting differences, but I can also see just letting them create ectoplasmic bodies instead.
General Charm - Soul-Vassal Conception (•••••)
Infused with the powers of Hell, the Infernal finds her soul becoming fat and bloated on demonic power. An Infernal with such a powerful soul has the potential to think and feel the things she cares about to such an extent that those feelings can develop the ability to think and feel themselves. To do this, the Infernal just has to express them with a little preparation and an act of will.
System: The Infernal must first journey to a location brimming with corrupt essence, such as a tainted Dragon Nest, or in a place such as Yomi Wan or Malfeas. There, the Infernal may spend 10 Essence, 1 Willpower while meditating on one of her Intimacies to grow a chrysalis to be nurtured by its power. Over the course of (Essence) days, that Intimacy festers and feeds on corrupt Essence, gestating into a wicked spirit known as a Subsoul.
Subsouls are the Infernal's Intimacies given form, so they themselves possess the the same Intimacy, or a slight variation of it if appropriate. They also have an Intimacy of unshakable loyalty to their Infernal master and are unable to purposely hurt her, even if in some rare cases they do not even like their master. A Subsoul has a maximum amount of Essence equal to the Infernal's (Essence rating x 5), and is generated using spirit rules. The Subsoul has a number of Attribute dots equal to its maximum Essence to divide between Gnosis, Rage, and Willpower, and a number of spirit Charms equal to the Infernal's (Essence rating - 1), along with the basic Charms known by most spirits. Realm Sense usually only applies to an Intimacy that is a place, but it can also be applied to a personal fiefdom in the Infernal's Hell-Realm if the Infernal has one. Re-form sends the Subsoul to its master's side, albeit on the other side of the Gauntlet if the Infernal is in the material world, or to its master's Hell-Realm.
The Infernal has a general awareness of what direction her Subsouls are currently in, and can choose to summon one to her side by spending 5 Essence and 1 Willpower. If a Subsoul is destroyed, the Infernal regenerates it at the beginning of the next story. Powers that can permanently kill the unkillable, like those wielded by other Exalts, can permanently destroy the spirit and the Intimacy it represents, but the Infernal can potentially replace it with a new Intimacy that is more or less the same as the old one if she puts in the effort to rebuild those feelings.
If the Intimacy that the Subsoul is based around is replaced with another, its base personality, memories, and form are maintained, but certain details may shift, allowing the Infernal to redistribute the Subsoul's Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower ratings, along with its selection of Charms.
It is important to note that while the Subsoul is loyal to the Infernal, it is likely to develop desires and goals of its own based off various factors in the Infernal's subconscious and its own life experiences. While demonic in nature, most Subsouls are no more evil than the Intimacy and person that spawned them, even if they do not necessarily think like a human.
 
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Yog said:
Soul hierarchy establishment is firmly outside ExvsWoD design. However, should it manifest at some point, I would guess there would be something representing ancient past and legacy Molly bears (possibly Usum manifesting), something representing modern humanity Molly is a part of, and something representing infinite possibilities of exalted future.
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Alternatively, couldn't we simply purchase Souls with the Ally advantage?
Anyway, that would be a... Seneschal Usum, and a University Student Molly maybe? (And Rebel Molly, of course, has the whole punk subculture stuff locked down, plus automotive engineering if she has a bike.)
Not sure if Molly of Winter would be a part of this Molly's soul. Well, Kakuri cold is, I guess.
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Possibly something related to the harsh truths and painful lessons of the whole Proven Guilty story? Plus of course, like all the Molly squad, an echo of alternate timelines shining through the Infernal Exaltation's lens. And any timeline where Molly ended up the Winter Lady seems like kind of a big deal, metaphysically speaking. (Not to mention that it's the version of her we readers are most familiar with.)
 
Gnarker said:
Alternatively, couldn't we simply purchase Souls with the Ally advantage?
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I thinkwe might be able to swing heroic NPCs from Molly's personal kingdom with Ally purchase, but not altering Molly's soul structure.
Prospalz said:
There is also Emanation-crafting system in Holden's Exalted crafting rework.
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Hmm, that's an interesting idea. Still, it would likely be a long and grand journey to give our soul physical manifestations.
 
BronzeTongue said:
Here's the full WoJ and instigating question for this topic though:


link to source cowl is pretty clearly in the "can fight to a mutual loss in a white room, but beware the fact that Mab doesn't typically stand around waiting in them" group.
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it wasn't mutual loss it was potential win where winning isn't very good cause it comes with near immediate downsides. Though it wasn't a 1v1 in a neutral condition instant win it was a potential win.
 
firefrog600 said:
it wasn't mutual loss it was potential win where winning isn't very good cause it comes with near immediate downsides. Though it wasn't a 1v1 in a neutral condition instant win it was a potential win.
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I'm still curious about who could hurt Mab. Other than Titania, nobody comes to mind.
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Hmmm. In terms of pure, raw power, several who have appeared or been mentioned in the books could pull it off, though neither side would really "win" as much as "continue to exist." Plus, the sudden absence of Mab would do freaking HIDEOUS things to the earth. But here's who has the necessary horsepower do it:
o Titania–though it would be a coin toss. Almost literally.
o The Mothers (who wouldn't)
o The White Council. As in, ALL the White Council. Every wizard on the planet. And they'd need her Name.
o Drakul.
o Ferrovax.
o The Red Court–again, ALL the Red Court, though their odds wouldn't be good.
o The entire White Court–very, very long odds on that, but if they actually pulled it off, whoever took Mab would effectively control her power.
o Cowl (if the Darkhallow had succeeded).
o A union of the old Elders of the Black Court. They were freaking scary until the Whites arranged to have them hounded down by mortals.
All of that, of course, assumes that Mab is standing there alone, outside of Faerie, and not commanding an entire nation, literally millions and millions and millions of nightmarish creatures of every description. Which she does.
There's a REASON that when Mab said, "Sign these Accords and abide by them," people listened. :)
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Bolded bits disagree. The list given here is of people who would not so much win as continue to exist after the fight, which includes cowl explicitly. It also qualifies such a fight as one where Mab gets caught on outside of her and uses none of the resources of her position.

It notably doesn't include the people who could stomp her without question, like Uriel or one of the minor angels that show up working with him from time to time.

Cowl wouldn't have been small time, but the darkhallow would ultimately "just" been enough to buy him a slot in the heavy weight division, not a clean shot at the championship belt.
 
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