[Exalted, ?] Most High

[Rihaku]

Alright, I'm going to post the Evocations for Ambition (up to Celestial) and Zao's Storm Armor. These are still subject to change, but you can get an idea of what you're buying. Each Evocation is 80,000 XP to Flash-buy, or 40,000 normally. If someone could make good-looking Charm trees for this, it would be really helpful. There would be much XP in it for you.

As suits its status, all of Ambition's Evocations are at or near the limit of power / efficiency for Evocations. It is really powerful, and care should be taken with its introduction to any campaign. Ambition's tags are as follows: Light, Melee, (Two-handed, Chopping)*

*Only when wielded with two hands. Represents the incredible speed, balance, sharpness, and raw killing power inherent in the blade.

Ambition

Killing Perfection Technique (E1, 4m, Supplemental)

Against those who believe its edge can be stopped, Ambition cuts seamlessly through. Odyssial's strikes significantly reduce the effectiveness of enemy armor, and his killing blows are murderously deep. Ignore (Dexterity) points of soak on a withering attack, or Double 10s on a decisive attack.

Flash of Steel (E1, 2m, 1wp, Reflexive)
Pre-req: Killing Perfection Technique

Against those who believe its reach to be limited, Ambition may deliver a swift reply. When attacked from outside melee range, Odyssial may meet that attack head-on. Sunlight flashes off his blade as if it were high noon, and he if overcomes the strike, so effortless is his deflection that it robs all momentum from his assailant.

Odyssial may reflexively Clash a non-melee attack directed at him from beyond close range; if successful, he gains one Willpower. This Clash must be withering, and inflicts Initiative damage if successful. This does not count as his action for the turn. He may not clash any other type of attack with this Charm.

Flawless Mirror Shield (E1, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Flash of Steel

Against those believe its guard will ever fail, Ambition finds a way. When the bulwark of its edge is raised, Odyssial may block even unblockable attacks.

Odyssial's Bulwark Stance (and Fivefold Bulwark Stance) now allow him to apply his Parry Defense against unblockable attacks for the duration.

Saber Mirror Shield (E1, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Flawless Mirror Shield

Against those who believe that it can be overcome by a hundred thousand lesser swords, Ambition displays its utmost scorn. Odyssial's superhuman guard grows in efficacy the more times he is attacked during a round.

Odyssial's Bulwark Stance (and Fivefold Bulwark Stance) may now reverse onslaught penalties instead of merely negating them.

Sunbeam Pierces Mist (E2, +2m, +1wp, Reflexive)
Pre-req: Saber Mirror Shield

The edge of Ambition parts metal as a lesser blade parts mist.

This technique upgrades Killing Perfection Technique. If he pays the surcharge (+2m, +1wp), Odyssial's attack also ignores soak from armor if withering, or also ignores Hardness if decisive.

The King Stands Against (E1, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Flawless Mirror Shield

The King stands against those who none other dare face. When faced with an opponent whose Permanent Essence is greater than 5, and who the ST adjudicates to be significantly stronger than him, the cost of Odyssial's Melee Excellency is reduced by 1 mote per point of their Permanent Essence above 5, to a maximum reduction of 5 motes at Essence 10.

---

Celestial Evocations

Sunlit Brilliance Stroke (E2, +4m, Reflexive)
Pre-req: Saber Mirror Shield

This technique upgrades Flash of Steel. If he pays the surcharge (+4m), he may instead Clash any type of attack with Flash of Steel.

Beyond Perfection Ascendancy (E2, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: The King Stands Against

Once per Essence level, Odyssial may treat his permanent Essence as one dot higher for purposes of learning a Charm. Ignore that Charm's training time. Knowledge of the Charm fades if the wielder is separated from Ambition for more than one month.

This Charm may be re-purchased as an Adamant Evocation, with the same effects.

Flawless Killing Instrument (E3, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Sunbeam Pierces Mist

When faced with limits, Ambition exceeds them.

Ambition's Accuracy and Damage permanently increase by 1.

Odyssial may pay a 1wp surcharge upon activating his Killing Perfection Technique to extend its duration to One Scene, or until he resets to base Ini, whichever occurs first. He must still pay for any upgrades to the basic Evocation on a per-activation basis.

Annihilating Stroke (E3, 4m, 1wp, Decisive-only, Supplemental)
Pre-req: Flawless Killing Instrument

Against an enemy with lower Initiative, this technique adds the difference to the raw damage of a decisive attack against them. Odyssial loses twice the normal amount of Initiative if this attack fails. Once per scene, unless reset by incapacitating an enemy. Strikes dematerialized opponents.

At Initiative 15+, the attack and damage rolls gain Double 9s.

The King Stands Alone (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Beyond Perfection Ascendancy, The King Stands Against

When faced with more than one worthy opponent (as adjudicated by the ST; a battle group counts as one opponent), the cost of Odyssial's Melee Excellency is reduced by 1 per opponent, to a maximum reduction of 5 motes at five or more opponents. Under such conditions, he could purchase 5 dice for free, or 10 dice for 5 motes.

All Under Heaven (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: The King Stands Alone

At Initiative 20+, Odyssial's Heaven Sword Flash is now effective out to Medium range. At E5+, his Circle of Reaving is also effective out to Medium range.

---

Adamant Evocations

Peerless Skill (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Beyond Perfection Ascendancy, Rising Sun Slash

He who masters his Ambition is unrivaled in all stances and forms. While his anima banner is at bonfire and his Initiative at 20+, lower the TN of all Odyssial's actions by 1, to a minimum of 6, and raise his static defenses by 1. Additionally, lower the TN of his damage rolls by 1, to a minimum of 6.

Outside of combat, Odyssial is always considered to have enough Initiative to benefit from this Evocation, if he spends at least one scene working to prepare for the action.

If Odyssial benefits from TN lowering effects due to Sidereal Astrology, instead the TN minimum of this Charm is 5.

Divine Dragon Speed (E4, - (5m, 1wp), Reflexive)
Pre-req: Flawless Killing Instrument, Awakening Eye

When Joining Battle with Awakening Eye, Odyssial may re-roll (Athletics/2, round up) additional non-successes.

When resetting to base Initiative after a succesful decisive attack, if he would benefit from the Dawn Caste bonus to Base Initiative, that bonus is increased to (Essence) from (Essence/2).

Scattering August Leaves (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: The King Stands Alone, Divine Dragon Speed

This permanently upgrades The King Stands Alone.

When Odyssial vanquishes a foe while under its benefits, he adds +1 to the base initiative he resets to afterwards for each worthy opponent still opposing him, to a maximum of (Melee) extra base initiative. This effect stacks with Divine Dragon Speed.

If Immortal Blade Triumphant is active, Battle Groups do not apply their Size modifier to attack rolls against him.

Ordering the Constellations (E5, 7m, 1wp, Simple)
Pre-req: Peerless Skill

As a normal withering attack, but additional successes on the attack roll are treated as a multiplier to final damage rather than adding to raw damage. Once per scene, reset by incapacitating a worthy foe or destroying a similarly worthy battle group.

Unassailable Wall of Blades (E5, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Divine Dragon Speed

This permanently upgrades Flash of Steel. The cost of that Charm (including surcharges from upgrades) is reduced by 2m per activation in one round, to a minimum of 0m.

Fell-Handed Fury (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Annihilating Stroke

This permanently upgrades Annihilating Stroke. Against spirits, creatures of darkness, and those to whom Odyssial holds a Defining Tie of hatred, it applies the effects of the Ghost-Eating Technique - Aggravated damage, motes stolen by wound level, and final obliteration if killed by this strike.

If Immortal Blade Triumphant is active, at Initiative 35+, simply double final damage rather than applying double 9s to the damage roll.

---

Awoken Mind Evocation Tree

Celestial Evocations

Saint and Killer Awakening (E3, -, Permanent)
Pre-req: Flawless Killing Instrument

The Ambition of Odyssial rouses from its slumber, the links of attunement firing like optic nerves, interfacing with soul and Exaltation, fusing inextricably.

Once per day, Ulyssian may draw five motes reflexively from Ambition, as though it were a familiar linked to him with Spirit-Tied Pet. Once per day, he may draw a single point of Willpower as a Simple action.

Once per scene, upon vanquishing a worthy foe, he may pay 3m to gain one point of temporary Willpower. A battle group counts as one foe.

What Rouses Glory (E3, -, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: Saint and Killer Awakening

Awakened, the blade Ambition is no separate object, but an inseparable reflection of its wielder's glory. A tyrant lizard might have two brains; a human being might have two souls - still they are one entity. Who awakens his Ambition gains the following powers:

Inexhaustible: So long as Ambition is manifest, training counts as deep meditation for purposes of restoring Willpower and motes.

Relentless Force: Ulyssian can put off up to (Essence) days of sleep per month; so long as he is engaged in activities that are both urgent and important, he benefits at dawn each day as if he'd rested completely. He must recover at least half the sleep so postponed, after the crisis has passed, in order to use this Charm again.

Indomitable Will: If Ulyssian knows the Charm Righteous Lion Defense, he may ignore the clause against overly broad Intimacies, so long as the principle in question is "I always find a way."

Clarity of Purpose: If Ulyssian knows the Charm Phoenix Renewal Tactic, he may always use it to defend against Psyche Effects.

War-Binding of Eternity (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: Saint and Killer Awakening, Immortal Blade Triumphant

A weapon peace-bound cannot be drawn. A weapon war-bound always is.

The character may accept a point of Indefinite Limit, which cannot be released unless he wills it. The duration of his Immortal Blade Triumphant is extended indefinitely, until that point of Limit is released. The Charm will persist even if the character banishes and summons his weapon with Summoning the Loyal Steel, allowing him to free that hand for normal use.

This Charm may be re-purchased as an Adamant Evocation. This allows motes committed to Immortal Blade Triumphant to be used towards Ambition's attunement cost, and gives the blade the Smashing tag, as the flat, pommel, and hilt of the blade become equally lethal as its edge. This function is believed to be new, introduced from Ulyssian. [Repurchase Acquired]

Adamant Evocations

Stroke of Benevolence (E4, 2m+, Reflexive, Instant)
Pre-reqs: What Rouses Glory, Peerless Skill

The apex of unfairness is the selective imposition of fairness.

Odyssial may ignore all penalties to an Ability roll or static defense. If he does so, his opponent ignores all penalties to their contesting roll or appropriate defense. If he has no opponent, this Evocation instead costs 5m. This effect does not protect against ambushes.

Hymn of the Morning (E4, -, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: Stroke of Benevolence

Cloaked in the light of the morning, Odyssial's movements betray a fluid symmetry of form, a grace beyond swordsman or forest predator. The character must accept a point of Indefinite Limit to benefit from this Charm.

If fighting at the head of a battle group, Odyssial is considered to be using Defend Other on that Battle Group reflexively, if he so desires. His awe-sundering skill inspires supreme coherence, defensive coordination, and true grit in those he fights beside - alternatively, he simply intercepts every attack directed their way.

If Immortal Blade Triumphant is active, the per-scene effect of Saint and Killer Awakening is now reset every time Odyssial dispatches a worthy foe or Battle Group, and its cost becomes 0m. Effects from his opponents which single out particular Charms, like Hundred Shadow Ways, may not target Immortal Blade Triumphant.

Captain of Ten Thousand Orisons (E4, -, Perilous, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: Hymn of the Morning

Odyssial is the destroyer of ten thousand abominations, the liberator of ten thousand peoples, the Strategos of ten thousand armies. Before his advance, fleets crumble, monsters flee; nations and armies are rendered to dust.

After activating Immortal Blade Triumphant, Odyssial adds his (Essence) to the raw damage of all attacks, halves all post-soak withering damage taken, and may ignore (Essence/2, round up) levels of damage taken every turn. He may allow damage from one attack to pass in order to block damage from another, or split the levels. At E5+, Battle Groups that benefit from Hymn of the Morning also receive these benefits.

If Immortal Blade Triumphant is active when he Joins Battle, he always claims the benefits of this Charm until his second turn in combat. At the beginning of his second and subsequent turns, he must have spent 8+ motes on offensive Charms in the previous turn, or launched a decisive attack sometime during the previous turn, to benefit from this Charm. He does not benefit from this Charm while Crashed.

Crowned By Metis (E5, -, Permanent)
Pre-reqs: Beyond Perfection Ascendency x2, Captain of Ten Thousand Orisons

Odyssial was born of no especial provenance. His crown he seized by what lay below it. He who masters his Ambition, will always find a way.

When Odyssial uses this Evocation, a slender crown of pure white light bursts upon his brow, its central teardrop jewel shining like a star of grey and silver. This effect cannot be concealed or altered by any means.

Once per scene, Odyssial may add his full (Int + Lore) in dice to any stunted Ability roll that does not use Archery, Brawl, Martial Arts, Melee, or Thrown. He may always add up to ten dice if he would break the dice cap for that Attribute + Ability, but still may not add more than ten dice total from Charms.

Once per story, Odyssial may spend 1 Willpower and gain 1 Limit to reflexively roll Join Battle at any point in combat, doubling 8s and gaining motes equal to the number of successes. If this restores him to above base Initiative, it ends Initiative Crash.

This Evocation can be reset upon entering Limit Break, or by performing a three die stunt of spectacular ingenuity (GM's discretion) in the advancement or defense of a Defining Intimacy.


---

The Storm Armor of Shogun Feng (Artifact 4 Heavy Armor)
This form-fitting articulated lamellar is of blue and black jade construction. Few indeed know that some of its armored inserts are forged of soulsteel. Into this armor, Lung Feng Zao once drew all the winds, save the West wind, and bound them to serve him.

Southern Wind Deflection - (E1, 3m, 1i, Reflexive, Dual, One Round) - The character subtracts (Wits/2, rounded up) dice from post-soak withering damage, or adds that much to his Hardness.

Northern Wind Offensive (E1, 3m, 1i, Reflexive, One Scene) - Every time the character strikes an opponent with a close-ranged withering attack, she may increase her armor's soak value by 1, to a maximum of three. While her soak is augmented, she may apply the Smashing tag to her weapon.

Eastern Wind Invigoration (E1, 3m, 1i, Reflexive, Indefinite) - The character may fly. She may move range bands vertically as well as horizontally at normal speed. If she could already fly, this Evocation costs 2xp to learn.

---

Celestial

Crackling Onslaught Voyage - (E2, 1m per 1a, up to 3a, Indefinite) - To assault the character is to embark on a voyage of cruel winds and thunderstorms.

The character shunts her anima into her armor, generating fierce arcs of lightning from its surface. The actinic glow imposes a -3 penalty on Stealth attempts. She may store up to three levels of anima at once. While this effect is active, each 1 in an attack roll targeting her subtracts 1 point of Initiative from the opponent who launched it, to a maximum of (anima levels stored) points per strike. She is also completely immune to wind-, cold-, and lightning-based environmental hazards.

At E5+, Initiative lost from this effect is awarded to the wearer.

Swifter Than Silence (E2, Permanent) - Long seconds after lightning splits the sky, it reigns silent, awaiting the thunder to catch it.

The character may suppress the Stealth penalty and associated visual / auditory effects of Crackling Onslaught Voyage, and ignores any mobility penalties to Stealth.

She increases the permanent soak and Hardness of this armor by 1.

Shock and Thunder Arrival (E2, 3m, Supplemental) - The wearer may use this Evocation against any opponent whose Initiative is lower than hers. Her attack ignores penalties from cover and concealment. If her attack Incapacitates the target, she gains one point of temporary Willpower.

If used in the first round of combat, her attack gains one non-Charm success.

---

Adamant

Hurricane Force Harnessed (E3, 5m, 1wp, Supplemental) - The character adds half her armor's soak (rounded up) in dice to a Clash attack, and may re-roll (Essence) dice that come up failures. If her attack is Smashing and decisive, she inflicts short-range falling damage upon her opponent in addition to normal damage done.

Eye of the Storm (E4, 6m, 3i, 1wp, Reflexive, One Scene) - If the character possesses the full 3-point soak bonus of Northern Wind Offensive, as well as a full 3 levels of anima stored by Crackling Onslaught Voyage, once per story she may unleash this Charm in response to being struck by an attack with at least 20 raw damage. Set her soak to infinite against that attack if it is withering, or double her Hardness if it is decisive.

A Difficulty 5 (Resistance + Stamina) Environmental Hazard with Damage 7i (7L in crash) manifests around her, and any attacks targeting her that originate from a zone outside hers must contend with a -5 wind penalty. The size of the Storm expands rapidly: one range band in radius per turn, soon evolving into a full-fledged hurricane. Outside her zone, the Damage and Difficulty of the Hazard are halved (round up). Armies and nations are shattered before her wrath; after the storm reaches Extreme range in radius, it cannot be stopped until she wills it or it vents its fury. All characters besides the wearer also suffer the full normal consequences of being inside a hurricane.

This effect can be reset by destroying a major obstacle to the character's plans - an army, temple-fortress, or city that opposes her.

 

[Rihaku]

The Reaping

Nellens Saery believed in the power of friendship.

The world didn't, but that was okay. Saery knew that she lived in a hostile world, full of horror and danger, a world that was distinctly unfriendly to human life in general and to her kind in particular. A thousand Lunar empires encircled the Realm, awaiting only the scent of blood in the water. The Deathlords and Raksha had nearly destroyed the world, and only the timely intervention of the Empress, centuries ago, had driven them back. Now the Empress was gone, and all that was left were Dragon-Blooded like her, Ten Thousand Dragons that sometimes fought together.

But she was still Nellens, and Exalted to boot. Hers was the least of the Houses, but still it was a Great House of the Realm. And the Realm was in decline, but still it was the greatest power in the world. So Saery knew that, while the world was unfriendly to her kind, it was downright cruel to many more. The Dragon-Blooded often had trouble thinking of mortals as people, though they would claim otherwise. At best, mortal humans were treated as particularly loyal or beloved pets. At worst, as beasts of burden, or less than that. People did not torture beasts of burden to make an example of them.

The Dragon-Blooded of House Nellens knew that mortal humans were people just like them, with the same passions, the same fears and worries and pains as the greatest of Dragon Lords, even if mortal affairs were often of humbler scope. Theirs was the least of the Great Houses, but Saery liked to think that they did the most good. Of course, the council of mortals that secretly ruled their House didn't do good for altruistic reasons, but at least they weren't blind to the suffering of their own kind. Mortals didn't have the power to stand up for themselves, not against the might of the Immaculate Order, especially not against the Realm that supported it. That was what the Dragon-Blooded of House Nellens were for. That was their duty and mission - not sacred, but important nonetheless.

Saery knew it was propaganda, but she thought it had a point. The strength of the Dragon-Blooded was that they fought together, be it with their own kind, or alongside mortal shoulders. It was written into the very powers of their Exaltation: Five Dragons, one of each element. Together they comprised all the stuff of the world. The Exalted of the Elemental Dragons.

Saery believed that if all of them started from genuinely good intentions, and committed to truly working together, they could make Creation a good place to live, even if Creation resisted them.

That was why Nellens Saery believed in the power of friendship.

Recently, that friendship had been tested.

Sesus Ulyssian had been a mortal, and had Exalted when he rushed in to save the life of Empty Moon. This she knew for a fact. Others may have been deceived, but House Nellens knew mortals. They knew the limits of mortal ability. Saery herself had met three humans who were contenders for the title of world's greatest mortal swordsman, and Sesus Ulyssian had been one of them.

Ulyssian had told them "the truth," but Ulyssian was a terrible liar. Tepet Nilul said she believed him, but Tepet Nilul was an incredible liar, and she likely already knew the truth. They simply wouldn't have been able to keep it from her. Empty Moon said she believed him, and acted like she was greatly hurt, but she was a pretty bad actor. No one knew Ulyssian like Moon did, and if he would tell anyone the truth, it would be her.

When they had tried to convince Saery, Nilul's account had been completely believable. Ulyssian's account might have been believable, if Saery weren't the noble scion of a Great House of the Realm. The obvious conclusion, then, had been that they were lying.

Whatever they were trying to cover up, Headmaster Zao was involved, so it was probably important. But it did hurt Saery, just a little, that Ulyssian had told Nilul and Moon, but not her. They hadn't told Mountain Hero either, who was the last of Ulyssian's close friends, but that was only small relief. After all, her family had seriously been considering marrying her to Ulyssian, before he had Exalted. Of course, afterwards, negotiations with House Sesus had broken down swiftly.

She had tried to be a true friend to all of them, as best she knew how, and true friends forgave each other, even for great trespasses. But true friends also didn't lie to each other in the first place! Saery worried her lower lip. She felt justifiably indignant, but she also didn't want to betray a friendship.

The scion of House Nellens sighed. Here she was, in the stands of the Great Coliseum of the Naval Academy, sitting next to Moon and Nilul. Moon, who was pretending to be heartbroken and was trying (badly) to conceal her concern for Ulyssian, and Nilul, who Saery could not read, but who was probably at least a little concerned as well. It was, otherwise, a beautiful day. The sun was bright, and the sky was a pale blue that contrasted with the dark azure of the Coliseum stones. A gentle breeze blew in from the shore, carrying with it the scent of the sea. Aspected to Water, Saery felt a longing for it in her bones.

They were here to witness what was very likely the execution of Sesus Ulyssian, and Saery was worried herself. Ulyssian had lied to her, but she didn't think he had only pretended to be her friend. And even if he had, that didn't mean he deserved to die!

He was accused of being Anathema, and five fully ordained Immaculate Monks had descended to issue his judgement. If he was truly Dragon-Blooded, they had claimed, then the grace of the Dragons would protect him from their blows. Saery didn't believe the Dragons acted so blatantly, but she hoped they would see fit to spare Ulyssian today. Unless he actually was Anathema, which would explain why everyone had been lying to her, but wouldn't explain why they hadn't turned him in themselves!

Down there, in the arena, Ulyssian was speaking. There was a sense of danger to him now, a fluidity to his movements that was beyond mortal ability.

The mortals had a proverb: a tiger, they said, could ignore you. With training, a tiger could even be your friend. But it only a fool would forget the tiger's strength, its power to suddenly and utterly end your existence. Sesus Ulyssian was to her what a tiger was to a mortal. Was this really the boy, the young man, who had months ago hidden in her closet, wary of enemy predictionists?

"The Immaculate Order," Ulyssian said, "has gravely insulted the dignity, honor, and intelligence of my mentor, the esteemed Lord Admiral Zao. They have intruded upon his grounds and accused me of being an Anathema in disguise. They claim that, five nights ago, in plain view of the entire Academy and hundreds of Dragon-Blooded, I became Anathema undetected. If their slander is accurate, then I must be but a newly born Anathema, and utterly incapable of withstanding the power of five fully ordained servants of the Elemental Dragons. If, on the other hand, I Exalted when the Headmaster says I did, then I must have been extensively trained by him, and would be capable of holding them off."

He was speaking for the benefit of the audience, which had grown as they moved to the Coliseum. His tone was light, almost arrogant, not at all like his usual darkly serious demeanor. He was putting on a show, playing the Sesus stereotype. Valor was their watchword, though some would say that brutality was a better fit.

Zao's expression was a stormcloud, disapproving. He stood tightly at the Headmaster's box, focused on the proceedings, not even speaking to Professor Ivory at his side. Beside her was Tepet Numida, medical tools already in hand.

The Immaculates had fanned out to surround Ulyssian, a pentagon of armored jade with their target at the center. Ulyssian himself was wearing armor, heavily articulated lamellar of blue and black jade. Nilul had told her that it was from the Headmaster's own armory.

In Ulyssian's hand was a sword whose splendor dwarfed even that of his armor, a wishmetal blade that caught the sun and reflected pure white. A purer, harder light than even the hottest furnace could produce. Nilul had not said where he had gotten that.

"Sesus Ulyssian," the Water Aspect, Ledaal Syryns, said gravely, "are you prepared to meet the judgement of the Dragons?"

"I am prepared," Ulyssian replied, "to show you the results of my training."

And then there was only violence, sudden and utter. At the start of the year, it would have been only a blur to Saery, but now she could pick out individual actions.

Ulyssian stood, utterly unconcerned, sword held almost limply at his side. There was no tension in him. Nothing at all like fear.

The Immaculates did their best to strike as one, but each had their own individual reaction times, differing by only slivers of a second. The Air Immaculate was the first to attack, and then Ulyssian moved. Suddenly his face was a mask of calm focus, and with impossible speed he darted forward, slapping aside the Immaculate's chakram with casual disregard, blade poised to impale her. Desperately she flung herself back, barely managing to evade the thrusting point. But then Ulyssian had closed, the shining edge hounding her mercilessly, swiftly and methodically closing off all paths of retreat. All this Saery saw, in the hundredths of a second since the fight began.

The other Immaculates reached them then, and the melee began in earnest. A seemingly chaotic, almost uncontrolled explosion of scything blades and armored fists, with Ulyssian at its center, his ever-present sword like a lucent wall against them. Somehow his strikes had forced the Air Immaculate to stagger in a way that hindered the movements of her allies, and he himself was perfectly positioned. Moving with uncanny concert, the Immaculates recovered and struck, but all were thrown back. With minuscule movements, Ulyssian controlled the space he threatened and occupied, somehow forcing them into moves that interfered with each other, despite their near-flawless unity.

The Water Caste and her golden claws, casually swatted aside. The Fire Caste, twin blades flashing, cut brilliantly through nothing but air. The Earth Caste, whose mighty goremaul fell like a mountain, found it simply halted by Ulyssian's longsword blade - as if mere physical force had attempted to overcome a crystallized ideal. The Wood Caste's deadly wrackstaff was deflected with such strength that it nearly fell, nerveless, from his trembling hands.

That was all of them, overextended, for a fraction of a fraction of an instant. And then Ulyssian struck back.

That part, Saery couldn't see very well. It appeared simply as if Ulyssian discorporated, and suddenly there were five Ulyssians, seven of him, ten, twenty, a hundred and twenty: around and among his scattered enemies, the outline of the afterimage of a blur. He was a storm of killing coldness, a phantom of blood and sharpness, a shining razor wind.

Only a fool would forget the tiger's strength.

There was blood, spurting up and out, like calligraphy-strokes in the noonday sky. There was Ulyssian, breathing heavily, moving still, sprinting forwards. A shroud of flame had begun to blaze around him, white-hot like the light of his blade. There were body parts that had once been Chosen, falling ever so slowly towards the ground. And there was Ledaal Syryns, leader of a murdered Brotherhood, first among equals, now last and only. Spinning like a whirlpool in midair, a vortex of pure water essence, drawing countless effigies of harm into her bottomless depths. The legendary defense of Daana'd, which only masters of Immaculate Water could ever dream of performing.

Eventually she touched the ground and spun to a stop, ten steps from Ulyssian who was still charging her. Long gashes of red had appeared on her arms, torso, and right cheek; there had been too much killing power for even the whirlpool to drown. In a few moments she would begin bleeding profusely, but the battle had been too quick for that.

In her eyes, Saery saw shock, dismay, and a steady sort of meditative calm. Ledaal Syryns, one hundred and twenty years of age, a rising star in the Immaculate Order, the abbess of the Whirling Heart monastery where Saery's brother had gone to study, who had slain a half-dozen Anathema and was just now about to die, sallied forth one last time.

Ulyssian did not so much as break stride. His blade seemed to splinter, like light through a prism, six swords where there had once been one, and all her attacks fell to naught, and death descended upon her.

---

[ ] Execute Her - Beware you who sow the wind... They started it. Now you will finish it. They came here, defying the Admiral, with full intent to kill you. Likely she believes you still to be Anathema. This will not change that belief. She is the tool of the Bronze Faction. Now they have one less tool. [50,000 XP]

[ ] You've Made Your Point - Four Dragons died today who could have protected the Realm. Let it end at four. [Unknown effects, possibly negative effects]

Next up, training! The time has come for you to grow your power while Creation is still stable, and it has able defenders. You may pick one of the following options, plus one for each level of Stress you accumulate. Odyssial can persevere in the face of fairly extreme Stress, but I won't tell you how much he must accumulate before he begins to accrue Limit. Let's just say that Limit Breaks can be unpleasant for everyone, if Odyssial is still reasonably containable, and severely unpleasant for everyone that isn't him, if he's not.

Your current Stress is zero. You will be able to spend a total of [240,000] XP this month. Please choose your activities for this month.

[ ] Intense Training - Increases your total XP spend to [360,000], as Ulyssian devotes more time and energy this month to training. Given that he is already fanatical about training, this represents a truly extreme degree of self-improvement.

[ ] Studying For the Naval Exam - You must pick this option at least two times in the months to come, if you want to pass. You must pick it at least five times if you want to pass with flying colors. Passing with flying colors will make placement easier, if you intend to go into the Navy.

[ ] Tepet Number Five - Nilul has devised a scheme to cheat the Cynis casino on nearby Shimmering Opal island. She is attempting to recruit co-conspirators. Moon has already reluctantly agreed, as she owes Nilul too many favors, and you think Saery is going as well. She needs two more, and would like you to be one of them.

[ ] Field Trip - Ivory will be dispatched this month to investigate a port of moderate interest; Pearl asks if you'd like to come along. It'd be a valuable opportunity to get some field experience, though you two will be alone and with minimal support if anything goes wrong. Pearl is very capable of extracting herself, but has no power to help others do so.

[ ] Write-In - If you guys can come up with cool / interesting stuff to do in your "free time," I may accept them here.

So yeah. You guys got really, really lucky. It was touch and go for a second there, you almost failed your first clash (5 successes on 26 dice, but luckily you had a two-point stunt and Excellent Strike for some re-rolls, and Hail-Shattering Practice), and your first damage roll was surprisingly low, but then the DBs all rolled terribly too. Three of them outright missed you, and the one that didn't (the Earth Immaculate) hit by a small enough margin that you were able to Hail-Shatter him.

Then it was your turn again, and you actually rolled above average damage for Heaven Sword Flash, 14 successes on 24 dice, and that was 70 damage levels when they only had 46 between them. The Water Caste survived due to Bottomless Depths Defense, but she was still reduced to her -2s, cleanup for a Solar in 1v1.

 

[Rihaku]

The Realm! The political Omphalos of Creation. Will you guide it to victory, or shatter it in ruins?

Hm, it looks like most people aren't voting for Intensive Training, so let's talk about Titles! You could pick up Better Listener, which contributes somewhat to combat as well as utility, but there are many other options that would be quite relevant...

[ ] Fortune-Stealing Palms (200,000 Normal XP) - The ultimate thief learns to acquire not merely material possessions, but the flow of the world itself! Somehow, he always finds a way. Useful inside the casino, and out!

*Ulyssian can manifest supernatural excellence without effort, several times per day, in the field of surreptitious activities. This is extremely useful when one is attempting to avoid flaring anima.
*Ulyssian improves his powers of perception, allowing him to cold-heartedly evaluate his enemies. He can learn whether they believe their chances to be good, great, or poor. Works for games of chance as well as strategy.
*Ulyssian can cheat effortlessly at cards or dice, so swift are his hands. Put it all on red, and make sure it spins to red! Only the very most powerful of supernatural detection can catch him, the first few times in a scene he does this. Also allows him to slip poison into any food or beverage undetected.
*Ulyssian's plans are so comprehensive and cunning that it appears he steals fate itself. Once per day, he may dramatically improve his odds at any one action, as he finds a way. This may be re-purchased at Essence 4 to grant truly ludicrous competence, once per day.

[ ] Growing Ambition (200,000 Solar XP) - A powerful set-up for future development, granting you access to one Essence 4 Charm in a later month. Good for lots of edge cases in combat, as well, rounding you out as a person fighter.

*Flash of Steel, Flawless Mirror Shield, Saber Mirror Shield, The King Stands Against, Beyond Perfection Ascendancy
*This gets you access to Beyond Perfection Ascendancy, which allows you to learn Essence 4 Charms. It's really, really good.
*You also become much better against multiple foes (Saber Mirror Shield), ranged foes (Flash of Steel), foes, like Sidereals, with Unblockable attacks (Flawless Mirror Shield), and extremely powerful foes (The King Stands Against).

[ ] Better Listener (160,000 Normal XP) - Long millennia ago, on the advice of his Lunar Mate, Odyssial became a better listener.

*The keenness of his hearing and touch increase dramatically, allowing him to feel the vibrations from a insect's tread, or listen to conversations insulated by solid stone.
*His powers of sight are improved as well, giving him superlative vision under all circumstances. He can make out details through a blindfold, or read a letter through a window from three rooftops away.
*His heightened senses allow him supreme readiness for battle. With a modest exertion of power and will, he can leap into the fray with uncanny speed, seizing the momentum of the fight and significantly increasing his ability to spot hidden enemies.
*At Essence 3, his comprehension of physical vibrations is unmatched; he can feel the movements of individual formations through the ground of the battlefield, comprehend the utmost whispered discussions of enemy generals leagues away in their tents, or stalk a trackless foe by the miniscule vibrations of steps left hours ago. A one-man intelligence operation, he can ferret out secrets from a room hours after they were spoken, or monitor the entire guard detail of a fortress by crawling along its walls.
*All effects occur in a manner that avoids overwhelming Odyssial.

 

[Rihaku]

Melancholia in Jade

"So whatever happened to that Immaculate after you spared her?" Asked Nilul, who was spread languorously over the silk divan of their barge. There was only idle curiosity in her tone, a voice that conveyed only the fashionable disinterest of a cosmopolitan scion.

Above, the richly full moon stared down at them, an ever-open eye. Around, the waters of Dragon's Sigh Lake lapped soothingly against the black teak of their craft, carrying them ever onwards to Shimmering Opal Island.

Ulyssian was desperately trying to find an avenue by which to train. This idleness and opulence was maddening. He had resorted to isometric exercises, and had only half an ear open to the "conversation" before him.

"What?" he replied, "Oh, Ledaal Syryns. Zao took her away, presumably to interrogate her. I don't know what occurred after that. I've been focused on my own training."

"You don't say!" Nilul's tone was shocked. She sat bolt upright, fixing him with her eyes.

Ulyssian snorted. "It may come as a surprise to you, but I, too, am capable of a day's hard work. If necessary, of course."

"Your life must be full of necessity," she exhaled, gazing admiringly at him.

Ulyssian only grunted in response, glancing over to their sister barge where Moon and Saery sat, engaged in subdued but earnest conversation. Moon looked pleasant this evening. She wore a strapless dress of dark blue that left her shoulders bare, and a single rose of the same hue in her hair. Silhouetted in the light of her namesake, her skin was so translucent that it seemed faintly to glow.

Catching his eye, Moon made as if to wave, but then caught herself, seeming to remember that they were supposed to be estranged in public. A startled expression briefly came over her before she abruptly turned away, puffing out her cheeks as she huffed. A faint blush came over those cheeks as she realized how badly she'd failed. Saery, looking his way as well, merely raised an eyebrow.

Behind him, Nilul sighed. "That girl... she's completely hopeless. Basically as bad as you, though in different ways. She's cute though, don't you think?"

Ulyssian glared blankly at her for a moment. He had no energy for Nilul's mind games, and told her so. To this, Nilul merely emitted a long-suffering sigh, and turned the conversation to more straightforward topics, like the next meeting of the Incompetents Society.

It was true, they hadn't met since he'd Exalted; he'd simply been too busy with training. In learning to adapt his speed on the battlefield to subtler, more controlled environments, he'd gained nearly preternatural skill at sleight of hand. Zao also had him on a brutal tactical regimen, drilling endlessly on plans for countless varying scenarios: honor duels, small unit tactics, Legion command, mixed Legion and Naval operations, cooking contests, printing a book, infiltrating a fortress to defend its bakers from sabotage. The last had been particularly maddening. Nonetheless, he was beginning to feel a sense of generalized excellence, a means of navigating adeptly the once-inscrutable river called Fate. It was not a state he could maintain for long, but its general applicability was incredibly useful.

Not long after, they reached Shimmering Opal Island, upon which was built the enormous Opaline Palace, a Cynis-ruled casino and den of black-market activity. Nilul's plan had called for him to be paired with Saery and herself to be paired with Moon, an arrangement that would help maintain the facade that he and Moon had attempted to uphold.

So far, things had not gone well, but the damage was contained to only Saery, who smiled brightly at him as they walked towards the gates of the Palace. Those gates, great riveted plates of bronze and brass, swung on oiled hinges to admit them. Inside was a cauldron of luxurious debauchery, revelrous cacophony and the clattering of obels, opium-smoke plumes tinged blue in the light of brightmoth lanterns.

Further into the card pits, male and female dancers gyrated enthusiastically on the stage, casting a play of light and shadow against the walls. Ulyssian made his way to the exchange booth, carefully changing a full roll of obels into stacks of brightly colored chips. Each was intricately carved, depicting scenes of martial glory and decadent excess. The mortal accountant that managed the booth, a studious-looking man with deep worry-lines worn into his face, gave him a well-meaning but somewhat hapless smile.

As they walked away, Saery leaned over to whisper to him. "That man's family used to own the palace. They built its reputation on being one of the fairest and best-policed gambling dens on the Western Coast. Then the Cynis destroyed them when they got too big, and really cranked up the profit margins on this place."

"You really are well-informed," Ulyssian observed.

"Um!" Saery shrugged. "It's my duty as the heir of House Nellens. We pride ourselves on doing a lot with a little."

"I can see why Zao admitted you," he noted unreservedly.

Saery stopped and looked at him. "Did... you just compliment me?!"

"I suppose," he said, wondering why they'd stopped.

"But you never compliment anyone!" She frowned. "I don't think I remember a single time when you've said anything nice about anyone but, maybe Zao. It's not just a Uly thing to do!"

He paused, trying to remember. He was sure he'd complimented Moon or Hero at least once or twice, when they were training. "I just say what I feel, and I'm not often impressed. But you really are impressively well-connected and informed."

"Aww, thanks Uly." She patted him on the arm, sporting a genuine smile.

"Don't... call me Uly."

"You know," she continued, "you're going to have to get used to speaking more diplomatically. Zao talks like that because he's so powerful, no one can challenge him without an army behind them. But if you're going to inherit House Sesus, you'll have to work hard to make the other House Heads see you as anything but an upstart!"

"What makes you think I'm going to inherit House Sesus?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Nilul told me she thought it was probably Zao's plan for you," she said straightforwardly. "Am I wrong?"

"Not entirely," he admitted. "We're not sure what the best path forward is."

Saery hmmed. "Well, what else is there? You're a great fit for the Legions, but they've all been folded into the House armies, which only makes inter-House advancement a better prospect. There's the Navy, but you're more of a marine than a sailor, which means you're not suited for their command-level posts. The Magistracy? The Thousand Scales? I don't see you becoming an Immaculate Monk, that's for sure!"

"What? You don't think I'm a good fit for the Immaculate Order?"

She giggled. "Thanks for sparing Syryns, by the way. I'm sure she didn't mean it, the whole Anathema thing. Her Hunts are usually right, though. Almost always they get their man."

Ulyssian suddenly felt inordinately guilty about the part he had to play. "You don't suspect me of being Anathema?"

"Uly! Don't joke about that!" Saery's eyes widened as she slapped him on the shoulder, only half-playfully. "Look, I know you only Exalted last month, and Zao's covering that up for some reason. I won't ask why! But... you know you can tell me stuff too, right?"

Ulyssian grimaced. This was harder than he'd thought. "I can't. I'm not authorized. Sorry, Saery. I don't like lying to my friends. I have few enough as it is."

"I understand," she replied, tone sincere. "I'm sure the Headmaster has his reasons, and they're probably really important. If I can't know, I can't know. That's just a part of living in this crazy Dynasty."

"Tell me about it," he grumbled. "All too often I wish I could solve a problem with my sword, instead of words."

"Don't solve me with your sword!" Saery hastily exclaimed, displaying open palms.

They laughed, and went on to cheat others out of their money. And when, at the end of the night, the Opaline Palace had had one of its least profitable days ever, the Cynis legbreakers came for them -

And Ulyssian found a problem that his sword could solve, after all.

Not that they'd have found the money he and Nilul had won, given where he'd stowed it.

[You have acquired Resources 4]

If you can guess where they stowed the jade before the next update, I'll award the thread 50,000 XP.

---

Saery has a point. What is your future to hold? What position should you really aim to occupy in the space of the Realm? This is a very important decision point, so think carefully before marking your answer!

[ ] Vagabond Adventurer / Silent Operative - As an Anathema in truth, it would be tremendously inconvenient if you were to be exposed and lose the majority of your power base. That simply is too great a risk to take, so you should focus your efforts on personal power above all. Many young Dynasts engage in war tourism and adventuring once they graduate from secondary or finishing school. Under the guise of the same, you can covertly advance the agenda of Zao while remaining free of obligations to House and Realm. Creation may be ending in five decades, but the Dynasts certainly aren't acting like it. With this month's winnings, you should have little trouble financing such expeditions yourself.

[ ] Satrapal Posting - An area far from the center of Immaculate power, where its dogma is less likely to hold sway. Satrapal officials have immense leeway over the affairs of the place they govern, and you will be able to build up a power base somewhat independent of the Realm itself. If you are revealed, and you have consolidated power appropriately, you can always rebel and use your martial power to ensure your defiance sticks. Or simply kill anyone who dares to accuse you of being Anathema.

[ ] The Admiralty - Zao's incontestable sway in this particular arena makes it a good choice for rapid official advancement and recognition. As the single largest military arm of the Realm, and the only one maintained independent of the Houses, the Imperial Navy controls the flow of trade across the Inland Sea and is responsible for the security of the Blessed Isle's heartland. An indispensable tool of policy-makers, it cannot afford to be underfunded even as it takes crippling losses in the West. An opportunity therefore arises for a young Dynast to make his name, and his mark, in the world...

[ ] House Sesus - With great power comes great debauchery. Yes, you may be forced to attend parties and perform tedious negotiations, but there is certainly no official post you can occupy that would exert more strength than the Head of a Great House. Sesus is the second-greatest military power on the face of Creation, surpassed only by Cathak, and perhaps you can rectify that. The shadow of Sesus falls across hundreds of millions of lives spanning ten thousand miles of occupied territories. It is the jade-plated fist of the Realm, and its ruler is one of the most powerful men alive. The risks, of course...

[ ] Write-In: Anything is possible! You are an Exalted Dynast of the Great House of Sesus, after all, and your legend is only beginning to be wrought.

Also, will you tell Saery of your true nature? Of course, Zao would have to fill her in first. You can probably convince him to tell her by telling him that she already suspects something. Well, that or have her killed.

[ ] Tell Saery - She's a good friend, and deserves to know the truth.

[ ] Don't Tell Saery - She already said she understands, and meant it. It's too risky.

 

[Rihaku]

Okay, I'm eliminating Vagabond. Onwards! Hopefully we can clear this decision point quickly so I can get an update out tonight. I'm optimistic!

You may spend [240,000] XP efficiently this month, though given that you are likely to buy Beyond Perfection Ascendancy as well as the second purchase of Fate-Shifting Solar, it's practically more like [160,000].

You Current Stress Level is: 1

[ ] Skeins of Fate - Pearl would like to place some astrological blessings on you and your allies, but must break into Yu-Shan and the Loom of Fate in order to do so. As this is an extremely - almost terminally - risky maneuver, any and all assistance would be appreciated. She is unlikely to go if you do not, though Zao will be unlikely to have the chance. This option inflicts [+1 Stress], though the rewards could be enormous.

[ ] Skill At Arms - Zao notes that next month is the Realm-wide Equinox Invitational, which is the premier martial tournament for Dynasts outside the Master of Flames Invitational. As the Empress is gone and that tournament defunct, that makes the Equinox the de facto top tournament in the Realm, in terms of prestige, purse, and official support. He can secure an invitation for you to attend next month, but you will have to be prepared to face stiff opposition. Do not think that you are near the peak of "Dragon-Blooded" power; you are not even close.

Increases your total XP spend to [360,000], as Ulyssian devotes more time and energy this month to training. Overall focus of training must be martial in nature for this month and the next month. If you win the Equinox Invitational, your martial skill will be renowned throughout the Realm, and you will have acquired the people's acclaim and fame forever.

[ ] Studying With Moon - Having heard of your resolution to graduate within six months, Moon is considering also making an attempt. If you don't pick this option, Moon will decide against it and continue on a relatively normal track to graduation, though she'll still be available during breaks. However, she will be free to participate in activities during your remaining six months here.

If you do pick this option, Moon's free time will be consumed by studying, unless you at some point down the line acquire Lore Charms to help her study faster by sharing some of your XP with her. However, you will also study with her, improving your work efficiency. You will only need to pick this option twice to pass, or four times to ace the Exam. Doing well on the Exam can somewhat improve your odds of securing House leadership or a Satrapal position, or at least reduce the bribes required.

 

[Rihaku]

Eve of Ruthlessness

On a spring day, a rare day of crisp sunlight, in a month full of booming thunderheads and charcoal-tinged skies...

Sesus Ulyssian was training.

The de facto heir of legendary Headmaster Zao sat in the lotus position, index fingers holding him aloft from the ground, on the grassy fields of the Naval Academy where the sprigs and new shoots of wildflowers were cautiously beginning to sprout. The Incompetents Society had assembled again, Sesus Ulyssian and Tepet Nilul and Mountain Hero. They sat together on a picnic blanket, the Tepet sipping wine, beneath the overturned bowl of the sky, porcelain blue streaked with clouds of porcelain white.

Sesus Ulyssian was training, and Tepet Nilul was chattering on happily, and Mountain Hero listened with good-natured forbearance. Suddenly it struck Ulyssian, like an abrupt ray of sunlight released from a sky covered by clouds, that he was happy. That he was a Solar Exalt, with boundless room for growth in every field of endeavor, surrounded by his friends, secure as a Solar could be in this Realm, and his enemies far away.

Immediately he became suspicious. He became suspicious because Odyssial knew that he was presently far too weak to be happy for long.

A peasant of the Realm might live their days in contentment, if they were spectacularly lucky, but the Solar Exalted were a different affair. That was the way of the world - not mere Fate, but the interactions of the powerful.

He ought not be happy anyway, not when they were lying to Hero. The gentle giant had been so overcome, so grateful on Ulyssian's behalf, when it had been revealed that Sesus Ulyssian was actually a Prince of the Earth. It had helped reconcile his devotion to the Immaculate Faith with his respect for a mortal. Zao did not want them spreading the truth any further, though. He had already been irritated to hear that Ulyssian had promised to tell Saery the truth in four months.

Four months. His thoughts turned to the Equinox Invitational, which now was less than two months away. He needed to train harder. He had grown faster than Odyssial of old, yes, but Odyssial of old had had a war to wage, and had still been figuring things out for the first time. Ulyssian had no such excuses.

"Uly?" Nilul's voice. He turned his attention to her.

"Uly, what's wrong?" She briefly mimicked his expression, a standard scowl of concentration, with disturbing efficacy. "You seem more grim than usual."

"I'm not working hard enough," he grumbled. "And don't call me Uly."

"Oh, of course!" Nilul exclaimed. "I should have known. Sixteen hours of nonstop training a day, that's downright laggardly. It's not as if you do anything else but eat and sleep. You're training right now, aren't you?"

She eyed his fingers suspiciously.

"I knew it. Drink!" She commanded, imperious, and her voice had never resembled the Empress' so much before that moment.

Shifting his balance so that he could hold himself up with one hand, Ulyssian accepted the glass and sarcastically drank. With his Solar constitution, it would have almost no effect, but one-handed balancing was a good high-intensity regimen anyway.

"Uly already works really hard," Hero added, looking concerned. "You shouldn't worry too much about the Tournament, Uly. Even Professor Verona didn't win, when he entered last time. Headmaster Zao is strong, but he couldn't expect you to win when you're so young."

"Since you are going, though," Nilul interjected, raising an eyebrow, "I've been meaning to ask you. Who are you going to take as your second?"

She knew already who he'd like to take, if he could, but Zao had forbidden him from being seen in public in Moon. His second thought had been Pearl, honestly, but it would be more than a little strange, for Reminiscent Ivory, who had studied under Zao for decades, to second a student who had only studied for years. Nonetheless, there was nothing stopping him from declaring it, or her from accepting.

"Why?" he rejoined, "are you interested?"

Nilul hmmmed speculatively. "I might be. I wouldn't be able to attend otherwise, with classes, and you know how dreary those are," she rolled her eyes, adopting an air of spoiled indolence.

"Plus," she added, perking up, "it would be a good opportunity to network! You'd need my help, Ulyssian. We both know you're not going to bother keeping track of who you offend, the allies you could be making."

"Such poor academic diligence does little to recommend you," Ulyssian countered dryly, switching hands. "Not to mention your complete uselessness in a fight."

Nilul pouted dramatically, voice breaking. "But, isn't that exactly why we formed this Society, Ulyssian? So that we could help each other confront and overcome our weaknesses, and grow strong together?"

"You founded this Society," he pointed out. "Hero and I are just here for the free food."

"That's not true," Hero said amicably, stuffing a six-inch long sandwich into his mouth. He spoke between bites. "U'm, um, here for my fwends, and, um, duh fwood."

Hero swallowed. "Excuse me," he said politely, before inserting an entire cheese wheel into his maw.

Yes, things were entirely too relaxed around here. He needed to grow stronger, fast.

---

It had been a while since he'd sparred with Moon. He missed it: her face fully determined, holding nothing back; the dangerous elegance of her movements; the near-terror that thrilled through him at the sight of her eyes, focused with the intent to kill. But sparring was noisy, even in a place with as many nooks as the Academy, and so they studied together instead. He still remembered vividly their first day in the library, when the impression of her grace had been seared into him like cold fire. Now that effortless command of the material was his, also, to wield.

Moon had devoted much longer to refining her academic technique, but still he was easily able to keep pace with her. For so long he'd struggled even to understand the work she produced. This new equilibrium was strange.

Moon was happy for him, effusively so, but at the same time her rivalrous instinct had been awakened, and yet this embarrassed her, so she wholeheartedly tried to suppress it. He found himself surprised by how well he understood what she felt.

It was late, now, and they had been working for many hours. Moon had resolved to graduate by the end of this semester, the same time as him - the workload was immense. A towering stack of books loomed before them, and even the formidable volume of material they'd already covered seemed minuscule in comparison.

Outside, the rains had returned, beating a steady rhythm against the Academy walls.

Moon finished her present tome, sighing slightly. Her indefatigable academic energy was beginning to wane.

"Uly," she whimpered, sagging against him slightly.

He hugged her gently with one arm, having given up and retreated into a battle-trance meditation a half-hour ago. "The mighty Empty Moon, finally felled by her fearsome workload. I didn't think I'd see the day."

She shook her head gently. "Not felled, just... taking a break. This is quite difficult, and you're going to be gone next month for the Tournament as well. I'll, um, summarize the material I cover in that time, so you can review it faster when you come back."

"You're always looking out for me," he said, abashed.

"I said I'd always protect you," she said softly, with a hint of willfulness. "And I always will, as long as I can."

"I don't deserve someone like you," he replied, after a moment of companionable silence. "You're too good, it's unfair."

The maiden smiled gently up at him. "The world isn't always fair," she said earnestly.

"Not always," agreed Ulyssian.

---

Next up: The Tournament of the Spring Equinox! Who will Odyssial pick to be his second? He can't pick Zao!

The second is mostly there for ceremonial reasons, and so that the fighters can bring a plus one to the event. Technically they're supposed to help you armor up, equip yourself, and defend you against honor duels and assassinations, but none of that stuff happens much at the Invitational; its prestige has so far shielded it from anything that overt.

Of course, that is not to say that no scheming goes on! Just that the lethality is typically confined to the ring, though poisoners and fixed matches are not unheard-of...

[ ] Saery - Saery knows mortals, and mortals run the logistics, serve the food, pitch the tents and wash the dishes. Mortals are all around any organizational effort, every one of them a human being with their own passions, their own insights and keen observations, be they ever so humble. Their usefulness is very nearly unlimited, and Saery has special dispensation to go anyway, since she is the scion of a Great House. Better to have her on your side, than working against you to prop up the Nellens champion.

[ ] Nilul - Who better to deflect a scheme or weave one, than the (self-proclaimed) Princess of Lies herself! While Nilul is not as well-connected among mortals as Saery, she is far better connected among the Dragon-Blooded, and socially is on another level entirely. Moreover, she knows your true secret, and can therefore work around it. Just watch your back. She may be your friend, but that doesn't mean she can always be trusted. That she may take initiative, however, does not mean that that should deter you; it is a benefit as much as a risk.

[ ] Pearl - Reminiscent Ivory. Heroine of the Realm, Professor of the Imperial Naval Academy, renowned astrologist and master of prediction. While it will be strange for Ivory to accept a position as your second, her "lost arm" can somewhat justify it. Additionally, she is the most personally formidable of your choices, capable of more than holding her own in the social, mental, physical, or even sorcerous arenas. Should assassins come for you, she will likely anticipate them, and would be as great a fighter as you yourself - if not greater - in that dire circumstance. Her predictionist abilities and Sidereal powers can assist you in innumerable ways.

[ ] Moon in Disguise - This is a joke option, don't pick it. Zao will kill you. He will literally kill you.

The tournament is a week-long matter and you are assumed to be training intensely for it in the weeks to come. Combining two months' worth of training, you have [720,000] XP to spend.

 

[Rihaku]

Alright! While we are discussing the topic of the Tournament, let's get on to your Title build! We'll discuss Evocations and Solar XP expenditure at a later point, and you've got some XP earmarked for the repurchase of Fortune-Stealing Palms' capstone - but in the meantime -

[ ] Better Listener - I think you guys know what this does already. Very useful for avoiding assassination, gathering information, and in starting out combats on the right foot. If you have a friend with the same Charms, the two of you can have super secret subvocal conversations! Unless, of course, someone else is listening in... but how would you know?

*The keenness of his hearing and touch increase dramatically, allowing him to feel the vibrations from a insect's tread, or listen to conversations insulated by solid stone.
*His powers of sight are improved as well, giving him superlative vision under all circumstances. He can make out details through a blindfold, or read a letter through a window from three rooftops away.
*His heightened senses allow him supreme readiness for battle. With a modest exertion of power and will, he can leap into the fray with uncanny speed, seizing the momentum of the fight and significantly increasing his ability to spot hidden enemies.
*At Essence 3, his comprehension of physical vibrations is unmatched; he can feel the movements of individual formations through the ground of the battlefield, comprehend the utmost whispered discussions of enemy generals leagues away in their tents, or stalk a trackless foe by the miniscule vibrations of steps left hours ago. A one-man intelligence operation, he can ferret out secrets from a room hours after they were spoken, or monitor the entire guard detail of a fortress by crawling along its walls.
*All effects occur in a manner that avoids overwhelming Odyssial.

[ ] The Guardian - Ulyssian gains the ability to reflexively defend a person within close range, allowing them to benefit from his martial largess. Since it's reflexive, it doesn't take an action and it's basically free. He can fight at full strength while protecting one person at virtually all times. In addition, his powers of counter-attack and raw defense improve, allowing him to interpose a semi-perfect shield even in dire situations.

*The Solar may reflexively defend one target within close range.
*He may respond to enemy attacks with a counterattack that strikes before their blow lands. Decisive counterattacks will also consume his own momentum if they land. If this counterattack kills them, their attack fails.
*He may employ a more expensive and sophisticated counter that does not consume his own momentum on success, but which asserts his control over the battle while also damaging the enemy. If this counterattack inflicts significant damage, their attack is likely heavily reduced or fails entirely.
*He may employ his most potent of defenses, once per scene, even when odds are dire and he has lost total control of the fight.
*All counters can be performed in the defense of his charge.
*This Title increases Ulyssian's combat power.

[ ] The Power Of Exercise - Technique is one thing. But Mountain Hero knows that conditioning can be just as important! With this, Ody trains extensively with Hero, dramatically improving his overall health and supernatural raw power. He gains unnatural vitality, capable of regenerating from grievous wounds in mere hours or days (very fast by Exalted standards), and also becomes tougher and can make himself stronger with prep time.

*Given a few moments to prepare, Ulyssian can dramatically multiply his strength, greatly increasing damage output and improving his facility at numerous activities. This requires intense focus and effort, so he can't do it all the time, but the utility effects of superhuman strength will be fairly available to him. Additionally, he is much stronger in battle when given prep time, especially in conjunction with Immortal Blade Triumphant. Good for duels.
*Ulyssian's body becomes superhumanly tough, allowing him to ride out blows that would slay a mortal man even if they somehow penetrate his impenetrable guard.
*Ulyssian gains the ability to enter a healing trance, recovering from wounds at anywhere from fifteen to fifty times the normal human rate. What ought to take months to heal, instead takes days. Useful if you take any wounds in the tournament, and need to continue on or fight for real!
*Finally, Ulyssian learns a custom Charm that dramatically reduces his need for sleep while increasing his essence restored from sleeping. His Stress is reduced by one, his overall productivity goes up, and he may choose one additional option for free in the coming months. Also, he makes a great sentry.

 

[Priest]

Jokes aside, experimenting with what Zao should actually look like

 

[Priest]

I didn't mean to try and draw ulyssean again????



i didn't mean to make him look so pretty

 

[Rihaku]

In The Shadow of An Empress

"It's so beautiful!" Tepet Nilul was hanging bodily outside the window of their carriage, her voice clear to Ulyssian's ears, despite the rosewood barrier of their carriage wall. All he saw of her was her back half, slippered feet working up and down with child-like enthusiasm, nearly thumping the seat.

That was all he saw, but he heard much more. Through the rattling of the carriage against the road he felt the presence of peasants in the rice fields, and faraway he listened to the distant caws and shrieks of milling birds, judging their numbers and location. The Blessed Isle had been so named for a reason, but the way Nilul was reacting, one would think she'd never been outside the Academy Grounds.

Ulyssian considered that for a moment. She was Anathema, sheltered by Zao, so perhaps that was an actual possibility. It seemed unlikely, though. The other Tepet students in the academy clearly knew her, so either her unknown powers allowed her to twist memory itself on a massive scale, or she had had some kind of life before. Regardless, he did not think her enthusiasm was unfeigned, even if some of her mannerisms often were. Which raised the question: why was she showing this, her genuine enthusiasm, to him?

Was there something she wished him to conclude, or did she simply trust him?

"Nilul," he said sharply, "come in."

Reluctantly she returned to her seat, shutting the window with a longing expression. Her hair was windblown and wild, a bird's nest pandemonium not at all appropriate to the composed young Dynast she often presented herself as. A great, broad, devilish smile was on her face, and remained there as she spoke.

"Despite your tyrannical demeanor," she importuned, "your faithful second obeys.

She adopted a squire-like eagerness, hands clasped, eyes upturned. "Yes, Ulyssian, what is it? Would you like me to help you put on your armor? Or perhaps oil your sword?"

He had a sense for voices now, heartbeats and lungs too, all the rhythms of human respiration. Long, long ago, Odyssial-that-was had been advised to become a better listener. Ulyssian was not at that level yet, but his powers of hearing had been honed sharply in the months prior. Nilul had thought it would be useful for the Tournament and its associated political maneuvering, and Zao had agreed.

Zao's voice was imperious, curt. It betrayed absolutely nothing, and suggested only what he intended. To hear it more clearly was merely to fear him more.

Pearl's was playful, more affectionate than she ever let on, but with an undertone of deadliness. Always ready - not to fight, but to end fights. To murder, to silence, to kill. There was no malice to it, though.

Moon's was gentle and clear, like her namesake on a cloudless night, or perhaps its reflection in the soft waters of an undisturbed lake. Hopelessly genuine, but with an intensity that was endearing to work besides, and terrifying to face.

Nilul's, though - every pitch and tone was carefully calibrated, an orchestra of vocal chords attuned in perfect synchronicity. Even when wheedling, she was somehow pleasant to listen to. Her voice gave off every impression of a spoiled Dynast princess, and yet it also compelled the listener to indulge that spoiled-ness, those capricious whims, for there was something arrestingly beautiful about them, about her.

Though he felt them just the same, Ulyssian was unfazed by such compulsions. Perhaps that was why they got along in their own particular way.

"Nilul," he answered, "I am your friend. You have done nothing but help me since we were accepted to Zao's class, even when I was only mortal. I would defend you against most reasonable and some unreasonable enemies. But you constantly lie, so I can't trust you fully. I want to resolve this, one way or another, before we reach the Tournament."

"How straightforward of you," she said, sitting back up and crossing her legs. Her foremost leg rocked gently, playing with the high-heeled slipper that hung by a toe. She was the incarnation of utter unconcern. "But do you really have to call it lying, Uly? Most of what I say, I mean. Or at least the meaning is clear. You're good at detecting lies, even if you're not good at telling them. This is simply how I am, you should know that by now."

"I don't know what your goals are," Ulyssian said, "or what enemies you might call down on us. I don't even know your true name."

"Nilul is the name I choose for myself," she answered, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "It's as true a name as I have, I suppose. I think I've been more genuine in these past months than I ever have in my entire life..."

He sat silently as Nilul mused. Minutes later, she spoke again, looking distantly out the window.

"I don't think my goals are very complicated. Find security. Try to make friends, maybe more. Try to be happy. My enemies are always searching for me, so I've had to take drastic measures. As for the rest... well, you'll just have to be patient with me, Uly. I'll promise you this, though. I'll never ask you to face an enemy that I don't think you can beat. And I'll always warn you ahead of time, as best I can, with all the tactical information I can give."

He started to speak, but Nilul reached out and placed her finger against his lips. "Don't," she said, "promise anything in return, or say anything that could be construed as a promise."

A blot, a sun of pure blackness, appeared then on her brow, a void that was the enemy of all light. "Like your Eclipse Caste, I have the power to seal pacts and agreements. Unlike them, I can renege on my agreements with no consequences, while the counterparty still has to uphold their end."

Well. That was not something Odyssial had ever encountered directly, as far as he knew.

"I was only going to say," he responded, "not to call me Uly."

Nilul smiled, and there was a gentle sentimentality to it that did not seem false.

"Now who's lying?" she said.

Ulyssian shrugged, but felt his face tugging itself into something between a grimace and a grin. It was a strange feeling, to have an in-joke between friends, like those his cousins paraded around to demonstrate his exclusion. He didn't remotely enjoy the thought of becoming more like them, though.

Nilul sighed, gaze returning to the window. "I really do enjoy this, you know," she began. "If I'd just wanted to be safe, I could disguise myself as a random groundskeeper, as easily and flawlessly as you could. No one would ever catch me. No one would ever know. But... I can't live like that."

She paused. "No. Rather, I refuse to live that way. That, that is everything I hate. To be trapped like a serpent in a cage, always seeking only to escape, ceaselessly plotting, pursuing only advantage, thinking of nothing else... Prowling, spiteful, hateful. I would be stronger like that, probably. But I would also hate myself, hate others, hate living."

"This..." she gestured vaguely, fingers fluttering, "this is my attempt to be happy, I suppose. It's harder than just surviving. I'm not suited for it. But, I don't regret it."

There were none of the tells that usually indicated she was lying, or even putting on a facade. Ulyssian knew that did not mean he could be sure she was telling the truth - she could just be a better actress than had previously been demonstrated - but it felt genuine to him.

At some point, he simply had to believe. That was what trust meant.

"I didn't expect that you'd actually tell me all this," he said, feeling at once a sort of connection, as well as extreme awkwardness.

"Well," her eyes met his. She seemed a bit surprised herself, but already the mask was returning, the spark of playfulness. "What can I say? My fellow Anathema. We're the only two of our kind, you know."

---

And that, he felt, was about the sum of what he would get out of her, at least for the present. But with the hints she dropped, Odyssial felt he had a good enough idea of what she was associated with, and what she so fervently despised. The Shadow of a Dragon...

[ ] Trust Nilul - She has exposed more of herself than she ever has before, you will have to content yourself with that, and the strength of your friendship. Nilul has never betrayed you, despite her clear strengths in the area, even when it would have been convenient to do so. With the mental energy you spend managing your distrust for her freed up, and full faith in each other, you will be a far more effective team.

[ ] Don't Trust Nilul - The Dragon's Shadow is not to be trusted. That is the first and most fundamental rule when dealing with the Dragon's Shadow. Are you so arrogant as to believe that you can see through her most masterful lies? She may well have been telling the truth, and yet still lying with it - causing you to draw conclusions from implications that are not entirely correct, for example. And now she wants you to defend her from unspecified enemies, with such scarce information? No. You are no one's pawn, or fool. When the time comes, you will decide whether to turn her enemies aside - or turn her in. Ultimately, there can be no other way.

Also, it's time for the opening feast! Nilul wants to attend, mingle~, and make an impression! She believes it'll be good for your future endeavors if things start off on the right foot, and this is a rare chance where she'll be by your side to help manage and redeem your attempts at socializing. You don't have to be amazing, you don't even have to be likeable, you just have to be - memorable.

[ ] Attend the Feast - Why did you take her along, if not for occasions like this? Regardless of whether she can be trusted, her adeptness in the social arena is supreme. She wields her words like you wield a sword, and that is no light compliment to make. While you are still friends, it would be foolish not to seek advantage wherever you can. She is not Lea, but Lea is not here, and the absence of someone like Lea is keenly felt, to Odyssial.

[ ] Register and Get Out - Odyssial destroys his enemies before they know they are his enemy. Letting your name, face, tendencies, and location be observed for several hours is a massive and unnecessary security risk. All you will face is some social stigma, which is irrelevant in the face of true strength. No, you need to prepare, to reconnoiter, to arm yourself. Research your opponents as you always have - from distance, and with objective thoroughness. Then prepare to dismantle them.