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Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)

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[X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
-[X] Etiquette Excellency: 1m
-[X] Impervious Primacy Mantle + All Things Betray: 2WP
-[X] STUNT: Between one heartbeat and the next your senses expand around you, bringing formerly fuzzy impressions of the mudnane and supernatural world around you into sharp focus. You turn away from the silverbright impression of Lydia's presence beside you, seeing past the wan glow of the ghost revellers around you to lock unerringly on the intruder. Cocking an eyebrow, you mutter to Lydia "Keep an eye on Daniel" before you begin to make your unhurried way towards the Wan Kuei envoy. Unheard by everyone else, Usum begins to whisper in your ear.
 
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Yog said:
Not unbound. Our dress was specifically designed for our sword to be displayed:

We don't have the sword drawn because we didn't want the cops alarmed by seeing us with a sword when we arrived. That's not an issue now, as they are maintaining the outer perimeter, and we are inside it.

@DragonParadox my stunt, as I wrote it, was for Molly to stealthily manifest her sword so it completes her dress, not to have it in her hand and ready to fight. Was this clear? And, as far as Molly can tell, would it alarm the ghosts?
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Yeah, I got that.
 
fictionfan said:
If this is a young Jade court vampire doesn't that mean that it needs to eat human flesh? Or does it not have to be human? Just saying we might be able to subordinate it. New minion get. And the Jade is able to brag to all the others how it has transcended the need for flesh at such a young age. It only needs it's own loyalty to support itself.
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Only the extremly new and almost completly mindless Wan Kuei need flesh.

From Dharma level 2 upwards you can live from blood. And have enough control to avoid killing, just like Reds here, or WoD Kainites.

Nobody would try to use a mindless hungry dead as messenger.
 
On alarming the ghosts - Molly is not just a party guest. She's clearly Lydia's ally, and, as such, at least partially in charge of party's security. Wan-kuei party crasher is exactly that, a party crasher. Ghosts do not like them being here. Confronting him in "serious mode" with our sword manifested, but not drawn, would, in my opinion, be seen as reassuring.
 
Actually, let's take a look at Wan Kuei and their feeding habits:

Dharma 0: Flesh
These Wan Kuei are called Chi-Mei, they are mindless and broken from their experiences in the Hells.
It either takes a lot of time and a strong will to scramble back to sapience in this state, or the help of older Wan Kuei with mental disciplines to force a bit of self-control on you.
Traditionally more advanced Wan Kuei don't eat flesh anymore, though there are of course always rumors that some do.
In practical terms, living flesh provides Yang Chi, a cold corpse provides Yin Chi, a fresh corpse can provide a bit of both.

Dharma 1+: Blood
This is what the vast majority of Wan Kuei need.
They drink like western Vampires, non-lethally for the most part, unless they take too much.
This feeding can provide either Yin or Yang Chi and the regular human has 10 points of it.
While Elder Wan Kuei don't have to use this method, it's propably the fastest and easiest way to restore your Chi, so in an emergency almost any of them will do it.
Drinking from non-humans can have various effects depending on the type of non-human, but our blood in particular would likely produce tainted Chi that is very harmful to most Wan-Kuei. Lydia would propably provide a good amount of Yin-Chi from her Essence, in addition to the regular Chi in her blood.

Dharma 5+: Breath
You noticed the big leap here? Only the bigshots go beyond blood.
This one is nice for Wan Kuei because they can feed without anyone mortal noticing. If they take a lot it is still harmfull or deadly of course, but small amounts can be taken without the victim or any observers being wiser about it.
Unlike blooddrinking this is restricted though. The Vamp can't do this if he is in frenzy (meaning a Wan Kuei mad with hunger will always go for blood over this more subtle method) and he has to make an opposed roll against the victims Stamina, so there's only a limited drain for his actions.

Dharma 6+: Osmosis
This is the ultimate trick, the Wan Kuei can absorb Chi from the world around him like the Wan Xian once could...
The thing is though, you need a Dharma-rating higher than the local gaunlet/wall and you have to roll against the difficulty of the Wall. If you fail you can*t use this option in this place, unless you are willing to unleash your P'o soul and ravage the land.
That option allows you to fully restore your Chi, but greatly upsets the local spirit world and it can permanetly damage local caerns or Dragon's Nests. That also pisses of all kinds of spirits, werecreatures and other local supernaturals.
 
fictionfan said:
By that logic someone can blow up our brain with us having no chance to resist. A beyond perfect attack because defense isn't possible.
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Holden added superlative charms for solars that pierce perfect defenses, so it wouldn't be the strangest thing in the book.

More seriously, for defense I think it comes down to basically replacing your block/parry and soak action elements; it fills in that time slot which is always available when under physical attack.

Mental attack doesn't have that, your defenses are predicated on your deciding to use them and some of them can attack that mechanism.

There's presumably a difference between passive and reflexive other than the upkeep, and this seems like were we'd find it.

This is all speculation though, I don't have the evidence to pin it down further. I'm not so much advocating for this particular theory as I am for pattern recognition in regards to prior holes in the defense IPM provides.
 
I want to point out that Ego-Induced Pattern Primacy has a passive component where anything that affects us and EIPP would allow us to defend against is automatically Obvious, and can be reacted to with reflexively activating the charm even if we wouldn't otherwise be aware of it, and the way it's worded means we could be alerted to a mind-effect by EIPP and respond by activating IPM, IIRC.

Just as an option to throw out there.
 
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Feb 12, 2023 at 6:09 AM, finished with 104 posts and 23 votes.
  • [X] Uju32
    [x] yog
    [X]BronzeTongue
    [X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
    -[X] Activate ATB with willpower
    -[X] Activate Etiquette excellency and IPM with essence
    -[X] Stunt: As Molly walks towards the Jade delegation she takes a moment to prepare herself. As she takes a slow breath, the world seems to lean inwards. In the corner of one's eyes the shadows seem to bend towards her in supplication, only to snap into place just before they can be caught by a mortal gaze.
    -[X] As she continues forward a chill wind seems to flicker across the path ahead, and in a thousand innocent coincidences clears it of loose debris with the speed of a footman unfurling a carpet for his queen.
    -[X] Approaching the messenger, something like recognition glimmers behind Molly's heart and for a moment the breeze carries just the right amount of frost to call to mind the touch of Kakuri in those who have felt it's bite.
    -[X] Looking them over, Molly silently reaches to Usum for the proprieties necessary to greet an emissary of the hungry dead.
    [X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
    -[X] Etiquette Excellency: 1m
    -[X] Impervious Primacy Mantle + All Things Betray: 2WP
    -[X] STUNT: Between one heartbeat and the next your senses expand around you, bringing formerly fuzzy impressions of the mudnane and supernatural world around you into sharp focus. You turn away from the silverbright impression of Lydia's presence beside you, seeing past the wan glow of the ghost revellers around you to lock unerringly on the intruder. Cocking an eyebrow, you mutter to Lydia "Keep an eye on Daniel" before you begin to make your unhurried way towards the Wan Kuei envoy. Unheard by everyone else, Usum begins to whisper in your ear.
    [X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
    -[X] All Thing Betray, using willpower
    -[x] Etiquette Excellency
    -[X] STUNT: Composed and regal, you move towards where the envoy of Jade Court is waiting for you, and your senses sharpen, expand, the shadows in the mists coiling to reveal to their mistress the hidden details of the world. You pass between a pair of trees mid-tact of the music permeating the area, momentarily hidden from sight of everyone present by happenstance and design, and when you are seen once again, your sword is there, a masterstroke of your outfit, making it clear that you are not someone to be trifled with. In your mind, Usum feeds you the lines appropriate for a first meeting with a foreign power.
    [X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
    -[X] All Thing Betray, using willpower
    -[X] Impervious Primacy Mantle, using willpower
    -[x] Etiquette Excellency
    -[X] STUNT: Composed and regal, you move towards where the envoy of Jade Court is waiting for you, and your senses sharpen, expand, the shadows in the mists coiling to reveal to their mistress the hidden details of the world. You pass between a pair of trees mid-tact of the music permeating the area, momentarily hidden from sight of everyone present by happenstance and design, and when you are seen once again, your sword is there, a masterstroke of your outfit, making it clear that you are not someone to be trifled with. In your mind, Usum feeds you the lines appropriate for a first meeting with a foreign power.
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Winning Vote for clarity
[X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
-[X] Activate ATB with willpower
-[X] Activate Etiquette excellency and IPM with essence
-[X] Stunt: As Molly walks towards the Jade delegation she takes a moment to prepare herself. As she takes a slow breath, the world seems to lean inwards. In the corner of one's eyes the shadows seem to bend towards her in supplication, only to snap into place just before they can be caught by a mortal gaze.
-[X] As she continues forward a chill wind seems to flicker across the path ahead, and in a thousand innocent coincidences clears it of loose debris with the speed of a footman unfurling a carpet for his queen.
-[X] Approaching the messenger, something like recognition glimmers behind Molly's heart and for a moment the breeze carries just the right amount of frost to call to mind the touch of Kakuri in those who have felt it's bite.
-[X] Looking them over, Molly silently reaches to Usum for the proprieties necessary to greet an emissary of the hungry dead.
 
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Courtesy of maragas over on sb

Most likely yeah.





I tried looking for it since I remember posting it but I couldn't find it.

So here, straight from the source. I had to go back home to get my pdfs.


Though to clarify, no Werewolf could even get close to Ravnos Antediluvian, let alone fight him. At least from what I remember.

They were too busy with all hell getting loose. The Underworld Storm spewing blood and bone, illusions manifesting as reality, spirits, Wraith and Ravnos vampires rampaging etc.
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Edit how do i add pictures.

But the point is that only the bodhisattva fought the ante
 
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Winning Vote
[X] As you are, no need to spook the spooks
-[X] Activate ATB with willpower
-[X] Activate Etiquette excellency and IPM with essence
-[X] Stunt: As Molly walks towards the Jade delegation she takes a moment to prepare herself. As she takes a slow breath, the world seems to lean inwards. In the corner of one's eyes the shadows seem to bend towards her in supplication, only to snap into place just before they can be caught by a mortal gaze.
-[X] As she continues forward a chill wind seems to flicker across the path ahead, and in a thousand innocent coincidences clears it of loose debris with the speed of a footman unfurling a carpet for his queen.
-[X] Approaching the messenger, something like recognition glimmers behind Molly's heart and for a moment the breeze carries just the right amount of frost to call to mind the touch of Kakuri in those who have felt it's bite.
-[X] Looking them over, Molly silently reaches to Usum for the proprieties necessary to greet an emissary of the hungry dead.
 
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Arc 5 Post 37: In Black Ink
  • Threadmarks
    • In Black Ink ​

    30th of September 2006 A.D.

    As Essence sweeps around you, turning the balmy autumn night into something colder, sharper, clearer you fall into your own shadow ever-whispering and yet in will you are unmoved as a mountain under the starts and the world rises to meet you. A thousand small coincidences sweep all impediment from your path, fate and fortune trembling upon the cusp of the meeting. Is it the dead that move in strange accord, in supplication or is it more? You wonder as you peer ahead at the only other material being in Bachelor's Grove.

    Lost 2 Essence and 1 Willpower -> now at 9/12 Essence and 8/9 willpower

    The vampire lingers under a linden tree, away from any gravestone, like a shadow made solid in a suit of unrelieved black, high collared save for the single silver thread woven through it, barely seen in the moonlight, a bone mask shrouds their features, not carved Usum tells you, but grown. As you meet the eyes behind the mask something like recognition stirs in your heart. This is one who has known the touch of Kakur.

    Suddenly the messenger as though you had poured a bucket of icy water down their collar and the rigid posture twists: legs splayed apart for balance, arms bent to guard their face and neck, finger hooked into lashing claws.

    Shocked your mind turns to defending yourself, but in the depths Usum laughs, a sound all the crueler for being entirely sincere. Fear has mastered him.

    Perhaps to compensate for the demon's reaction you bow a half-inch lower than he suggests. "Hail Heir to the Ten Thousand, may your path rise ever onward as the rivers of desire turn upon their spring at last and the Hundred Clouds are grasped."

    As the messenger collects themselves, seeming to force dead muscles back under their control the black eyes behind the bone mask does not touch yours but remains firmly planted in the soil of the graveyard as he returns a much deeper bow. In that posture, that manner you read now not shame, but... bewilderment.

    "Rightly did you name this one marked by Emma-O my lady," This time Usum's voice is venom and rage. "Ware the slaves of the Yama Kings."

    Thus you are not surprised when the messenger speaks with trembling voice: "Well met Keeper of the Seed of Night, I bear with me a message of grave weight form the Lady Eiko of the Blood-Stained Chrysanthemum under the Judgement eternal of the Lord of the Night Realm." The words, not quite a threat, not certainly filled with reminders of the might of Kakuri lose something of their gravity when delivered by one who will not meet your eyes.

    "How... unexpected. I regret that I cannot return this greeting with my own lips," you reply, resisting the urge to look around for an elder Akuma hiding in the trees. Usum would warn you, of that much you are sure. You have never felt him more awake and aware then he is now like s serpent coiling to strike.

    "My lady did not wish to impinge upon the festivities, nor trouble your ancestors with the business she must bring forth." In other words she send an expendable servant ahead. Part of you wants to read weakness into the gesture, but one does not endure as an elder of the Hungry Dead, twice damned or otherwise, by being incautious.

    Instead you pluck the letter from the outstretched hand of the vampire, snap open the black wax seal with the mark of Kakuri and read the even almost obsessively neat script.

    To the One by Fate Darkly Blessed

    I shall not here make any pretense of friendship, not with honeyed tongue assail thine ears. Your soul is heavy with that which is rightfully of the Night Realm, yet within you it is not merely a tool in the hand. The black seed has become you and you have become it, a fire that burns with the chi of elder days. Thus as delegated by the Will of the Daimyo Of The Dark I offer parley in good faith, that by your insights into that which you have claimed and which has claimed you the debt upon your soul shall be lifted.

    Mistake not a light touch for a weak one mortal for is you would spurn the will of darkness it shall devour you and neither Cross nor Sword shall spare thee thine fate. If fortune has given you wisdom alongside power may you find your way to the Ping Tom Boathouse at midnight five days hence.

    Lady Eiko of the Blood-Stained Chrysanthemum

    Great,     not so veiled threats from the servant of a lord of hell, you could have done with waiting a few more months without taking up that Carpenter Family tradition. Ping Tom... you think that is in Chinatown, by the South Branch of the Chicago River. Why five days though, why give me time to gather allies and information? You look back up at the bone-masked messenger. It is clear that his only purpose was to deliver the letter and return with news of your reaction if allowed to. And it is just as clear your presence had shaken him to his very soul. Maybe you could get some more information out of him, after all the ears of the lowly often hear much more than their careless betters think.

    What do you do?

    [] Question the vampire (DCs will increase with each question as he recalls less immediate sources of terror; they will be asked in the order voted for)
    -[] How long have the servants of Kakuri been in Chicago
    -[] Where are they dwelling
    -[] What does he know about you/the nature of their mission
    -[] What is Lady Eiko like
    -[] Write in

    [] Use your Crown
    -[] On the vampire (Write in)
    -[] On the letter (Write in)

    [] Write in

    OOC: And here we are. Since we are at the end of the month this will be an action for next turn
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • An akuma, interesting. Probably a lesser akuma not a greater one; although Lady Eiko may be greater.

    The Wan Kuei hate akuma and hunt them if they discover what they are, so they're bold to openly reveal themselves to us. If we use the Crown to gather information on other akuma they may be a high price for it.

    @DragonParadox if we ask questions about the nature of the Wan Kuei can we repeat similar or related metaphysical questions in a more controlled environment with dice adders or difficulty reducers using other targets for the question?
     
    Alratan said:
    An akuma, interesting. Probably a lesser akuma not a greater one; although Lady Eiko may be greater.

    The Wan Kuei hate akuma and hunt them if they discover what they are, so they're bold to openly reveal themselves to us. If we use the Crown to gather information on other akuma they may be a high price for it.

    @DragonParadox if we ask questions about the nature of the Wan Kuei can we repeat similar or related metaphysical questions in a more controlled environment with dice adders or difficulty reducers using other targets for the question?
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    If you find another focus yes. So if you find someone with a new Dharma you can ask about it, but if you just point the question at the Wan Kuei broadly you only get one answer.

    Yzarc said:
    Also @DragonParadox how much xp are we sitting at if you do not mind me asking.
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    I have not worked it out yet, but odds are you have at least 30 counting the refund
     
    DragonParadox said:
    If you find another focus yes. So if you find someone with a new Dharma you can ask about it, but if you just point the question at the Wan Kuei broadly you only get one answer.
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    Do we have to/ is it better to process the results of a question at once, or can we get the same potential benefits by reconsidering the Occult meaning of a question in a controlled environment later with dice adders/difficulty reducers to better comprehend it?
     
    Alratan said:
    Do we have to/ is it better to process the results of a question at once, or can we get the same potential benefits by reconsidering the Occult meaning of a question in a controlled environment later with dice adders/difficulty reducers to better comprehend it?
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    Molly can reconsider things if she gets new information on a matter from mundane investigations or the answers of a related Crown question
     
    Earth-Destroyer said:
    What an Akuna here?
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    There are two (well, three, but only two matter) kinds of akuma.

    Lesser akuma are people who've sold their service and usually slivers of their soul to a Yama King, and receives something in return, which can be just about anything including a range of pretty decent powers.

    Greater akuma are people who've sold themself completely, body and soul the the Yama Kings and been reshaped by them into a better instrument of their will. When Wan Kuei do it the Yama King reunifies their split soul so they're not in danger of loss of self-control, grants them a fixed artificial elder level dharma rating that allows them to raise traits to transhuman levels and feed on a wider range of things, and then applied soul treatments on top of that to make them ever more powerful.

    The greater akuma's soul is also held by the Yama King in what's basically a liche's phylactery and they can use that to absolutely command them and if their body is destroyed when on a mission if the Yama King chooses to they can reconstitute them a new body.
     
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    Technically the word has three meanings:
    1. An Akuma is a Vampire cast out by the Wan Kuei Courts. This can be for connections to the Yama Kings, but it can also be for some other betrayal of Court or Dharma, or it can be because that vamp has political enemies more powerful than himself.
    Used in this manner Akuma is just a political term.

    2. An Akuma is a vampire who made deals with a Yama King or serves one. This goes from relativly minor things to full sell-your-soul badness, in the same vein the Western Supernatural world might look strangely at anyone dealing with demons, though it is not technically forbidden for the White Council Wizards.

    3. A Greater Akuma is a definite and technical term for a Wan Kuei that has lost his soul to a Yama King. These guys have minds of their own, but they can be immediatly overwritten by the will of the Yama King, to the point of ordering suicide and the Akuma not even getting a roll to resist.
    But in exchange it also means great power, Greater Akuma never frenzy or loose themselves to their P'o Soul, they can never slip from a specific level of Dharma (and neither grow to enlightenment) and they are truly immortal, if the body dies the soul their master can decide to give the soul a new body to inhabit.

    Edit: And ninja'ed, mostly.
     
    So if I read the letter right Lady Eiko of the Blood-Stained Chrysanthemum wants to interrogate us well also saying that she isn't our friend and won't give us anything in return for our knowledge.
     
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