[Exalted, ?] Most High

How would Zao be able to keep her busy with the Heretical Dragon Blooded. He will be busy keeping his hold on the Navy while, for all intents and purposes what the Realm views as Hessiah, is trying to pull it away from Zao's hands. With the Scarlet Flag prophecy we could relieve it and actually give Zao breathing room to start working against Anys, remember that she cannot keep the charade up for long, especially with her plans. If Zao remains strong, when it is time for Ulyssian to return to the Realm to oppose Anys we will have the full backing of the largest military force in the Realm who is under the control of a single dragon-blooded who we are viewed as the Successor to with little to no dissidents.

No the Heretical DB's popping up would keep her busy while Zao focuses on stopping her from eroding his influence and then upon our triumphant return as a "chosen hero of the Dragons" we can reveal "Hessiah" as a fake (possibly using EotUCS) and not having to worry about accusations of "Anathema" due to the prophecy we set up.

Choosing Heretical doesn't guarantee his death, just as Scarlet Flag doesn't guarantee his safety, but we've continually chosen options that prioritize Zao's well-being. Saving his life is a matter of stacking the odds as much as possible in favor of that outcome; this perpetuates that trend.

Focusing on Zao's well being all the time isn't going to help us much you know, at some point you have to trust the dice and getting tunnel vision around "Save Zao, he'll fix everything" can easily mean we get blindsided and killed.
 
I have a question for you all. Who, as a class of exalt, is in the better position to take advantage of the idea that some anathema can be worked with? Lunars, whom have been a regular threat to the Realm and thus have built-up animosity while Exalting rather randomly into situations where they don't already have a support base, Solars who have shown up much more rarely, feature into the Anathema myth as the Biggest of Bads, and also exalt rather randomly and without a built-in support base, Abyssals, whom are new but have the reputation that Thorns' conquest brought, who Exalt with the support of one of the Deathlords, or Infernals who are totally unknown, exalt with the support of the Yozi, and also have some amount of extra support due to careless sorcerers?

Because I'm thinking the list of most able to benefit goes something like Infernals>Abyssals=Solars>Lunars. I mean, the belief we'd be spreading would be that the Anathema are demons, but some demons can be useful. That makes the Infernals the "honest" ones of the bunch by that reckoning. I'm sure Big Red would be able to get a lot of use out of us paving the way for her to reclaim her power with her Infernal allies working openly.
 
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No the Heretical DB's popping up would keep her busy while Zao focuses on stopping her from eroding his influence and then upon our triumphant return as a "chosen hero of the Dragons" we can reveal "Hessiah" as a fake (possibly using EotUCS) and not having to worry about accusations of "Anathema" due to the prophecy we set up.

Focusing on Zao's well being all the time isn't going to help us much you know, at some point you have to trust the dice and getting tunnel vision around "Save Zao, he'll fix everything" can easily mean we get blindsided and killed.

Assuming you even can save him!

I have a question for you all. Who, as a class of exalt, is in the better position to take advantage of the idea that some anathema can be worked with? Lunars, whom have been a regular threat to the Realm and thus have built-up animosity while Exalting rather randomly into situations where they don't already have a support base, Solars who have shown up much more rarely, feature into the Anathema myth as the Biggest of Bads, and also exalt rather randomly and without a built-in support base, Abyssals, whom are new but have the reputation that Thorns' conquest brought, who Exalt with the support of one of the Deathlords, or Infernals who are totally unknown, exalt with the support of the Yozi, and also have some amount of extra support due to careless sorcerers?

Because I'm thinking the list of most able to benefit goes something like Infernals>Abyssals=Solars>Lunars. I mean, the belief we'd be spreading would be that the Anathema are demons, but some demons can be useful. That makes the Infernals the "honest" ones of the bunch by that reckoning. I'm sure Big Red would be able to get a lot of use out of us paving the way for her to reclaim her power with her Infernal allies working openly.

Anathema have stolen the power of the Moon and the Sun, Abyssals and Infernals may be some kind of Anathema but they're more likely to be identified as akuma. Remember, there were no infernals or Abysslals until five years ago, so there hasn't been much time to introduce them into the Anathema mythos.
 
The issue with picking the Navy is all we'd be doing is treading water, it even says right in the update it's a temporary defense against Anys influence. So both choices will require reinforcement in the future. With the Heresy at least we actually have the opportunity to make some meaningful headway on the path we picked.

As for the idea that picking Flag makes Zao less likely to die, it seems a stretch to me. Giving him more influence in the navy while giving Anys the time to solidify her hold elsewhere just means he's even more of a priority target for assassination, with the resources to carry one out more readily available.
 
The issue with picking the Navy is all we'd be doing is treading water, it even says right in the update it's a temporary defense against Anys influence. So both choices will require reinforcement in the future. With the Heresy at least we actually have the opportunity to make some meaningful headway on the path we picked.

As for the idea that picking Flag makes Zao less likely to die, it seems a stretch to me. Giving him more influence in the navy while giving Anys the time to solidify her hold elsewhere just means he's even more of a priority target for assassination, with the resources to carry one out more readily available.
Ah, but treading water is exactly what is required right now! For each month bought is a month for you to grow stronger.
 
What I'm hearing is that spreading information that there are some anathema that can be worked with would be one hell of an opportunity for them to take advantage of not being part of the mythos yet.

They're already classed as akuma, though. But everyone at solar level has perfect disguise Charms, so a Solar can pretend to be an Infernal, and an Infernal, a Solar - or just straight up pretend to be a DB.
 
Anathema have stolen the power of the Moon and the Sun, Abyssals and Infernals may be some kind of Anathema but they're more likely to be identified as akuma. Remember, there were no infernals or Abysslals until five years ago, so there hasn't been much time to introduce them into the Anathema mythos.
Akuma aren't going to be in 3E, so they wouldn't be identified as that either. Making deals with demons for power or other things is still going to be possible, but it would be an individual, case by case thing, nothing as standardized or deprotagonizing as akuma were in 2E.

Also, wouldn't Abyssals be fairly easy to slot into the Anathema mythos, as they have black versions of the Solar caste marks? Most Immaculates would never have seen the marks outside of descriptions in the texts, and given the Abyssals marks are the same shape, just black and dripping blood, it wouldn't be hard to make the leap that this is some further corruption of the Sun's stolen power.
 
Akuma aren't going to be in 3E, so they wouldn't be identified as that either. Making deals with demons for power or other things is still going to be possible, but it would be an individual, case by case thing, nothing as standardized or deprotagonizing as akuma were in 2E.

Also, wouldn't Abyssals be fairly easy to slot into the Anathema mythos, as they have black versions of the Solar caste marks? Most Immaculates would never have seen the marks outside of descriptions in the texts, and given the Abyssals marks are the same shape, just black and dripping blood, it wouldn't be hard to make the leap that this is some further corruption of the Sun's stolen power.
But... It's not shiny and gold, like our culture says is the mark of the demon! I don't have a problem with the color black.
 
Akuma aren't going to be in 3E, so they wouldn't be identified as that either. Making deals with demons for power or other things is still going to be possible, but it would be an individual, case by case thing, nothing as standardized or deprotagonizing as akuma were in 2E.

Also, wouldn't Abyssals be fairly easy to slot into the Anathema mythos, as they have black versions of the Solar caste marks? Most Immaculates would never have seen the marks outside of descriptions in the texts, and given the Abyssals marks are the same shape, just black and dripping blood, it wouldn't be hard to make the leap that this is some further corruption of the Sun's stolen power.

The fluff part of the book is deliberately unclear, but logically speaking Abyssals encountered in the field would already be identified as obvious and powerful servants of the Deathlords. No need to slap an Anathema label on them to kill on sight, they are already politically and militarily opposed to the Realm regardless, and would be targeted by Wyld Hunts just like the Fae are. Scholars could certainly argue whether these are Anathema that have allied themselves with death or whatever, but that doesn't really matter. In the case of a rogue Abyssal trying to ally with the Realm, it probably would be about as hard as a rogue Solar. But they'd probably be classed as Anathema to those who care about such things - remember however that all the good Anathema heresy says is that Anathema can be good, if rarely. Most Anathema would still be assumed to be pure evil.
 
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Rihaku, I've been going over in my mind on how to boost moon with Sorcery, and have an idea for one method: Could we first remove the limitations that DBs usually face when learning Martial Arts ("Mastery" keyword limitation, as DBs can already bypass "Celestial" -limitation with effort), and as the next step allow her the access to one Siderial Martial Art? Prismatic Arrangement of Creation Style would resonate well with the themes of the Dragon-Blooded, who are pretty good in synchronizing with artifacts made out of any of the magical materials.

I would imagine that it would require sacrificial magical materials the style mimics being offered to help its casting. Jade would likely play a big part, as initiation during the ritual with a Sidereal who has mastered the style would lead the recipient DB first learning Five Jade Fury, which would be closest to the nature of the Terrestial Exalts.

Would this be possible? (If we ever get the Solar Circle Sorcery, that is...)
 
Possible, probably, with enough Solar Circle Workings of the proper Ambition and Finesse 5. Worth the effort? That's another question, and one for you to decide.
 
Can we get an updated vote count? Thanks!

Do you guys have a particular interest in one the three factions? I'm fleshing them out right now, but if you plan on bee lining for one and obliterating them, I will spend my very limited writing time more economically.
 
Right at the borders of Creation by all accounts. Though the terminology used for her conflict with the HMK was couched more in words like Containing, than fighting. Which says worrying things to me I think.
 
[X] The Scarlet Flag Prophecy

Who's HMK? I might have missed where that was said, I've just plowed through this quest in a few days. Great job btw Rihaku
 
Hmm foes to annihilate, the Fae first we have to bring in the End of Stories into play.

@Rihaku, I have experience with Hexographer and will have some time tonight from 8 pm est to work on it.
 
[X] The Grand Heretical Prophecy

I'm esitant to decide, but starting to react in a subtle way is probably for the best. At least, it should create another worry for Syn
 
Can we get an updated vote count? Thanks!

Do you guys have a particular interest in one the three factions? I'm fleshing them out right now, but if you plan on bee lining for one and obliterating them, I will spend my very limited writing time more economically.

The Abyssals? Their Deathlord seems interesting given they possibly have split-personalities.
 
[X] The Scarlet Flag Prophecy

Who's HMK? I might have missed where that was said, I've just plowed through this quest in a few days. Great job btw Rihaku
HMK is the Handsome Monkey King, an expy of Sun Wukong who, during the High First Age, was the rival of Odyssial and his opponent for the hand of the Fairest. Given that the players got Odyssial up to Greatness 10 and HMK was said to be on par with him, and HAS NOT DIED SINCE, he's more than moderately terrifying. He's presently in the uttermost East attempting to do something involving the Wyld that would endanger all of Creation. I think. Lealope, Ulyssian/Odyssial's Lunar Mate, who has also not died, is presently containing him. Their battle is so massive and intricately weird that just GETTING to it has been described as an epic quest on par with Journey to the West.
 
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