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Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)

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It's early and all the plans haven't been posted yet, but I'm not voting for anything that doesn't include Molly learning Sand Strike Blast.
 
On the subject of Eschaton Shintai. Optimization vs. flavor. From the optimization viewpoint, it makes the most sense to put all aspects into Hardened Devil Body and use By Rage Recast for actual features. The features being Extra Limbs, Energy Projection and probably Keen Sight. But that's boring, to be frank. I am torn.
 
Yog said:
Several issues here:
1) We are currently limited to 1 and 2 dot charms from Fifefold Courts. Higher tiers are gated behind conquering the Labyrinth.
2) Despite it being our own custom charms, they are not currently counted as favored. I am guessing that it is also gated behind the conquest of the Labyrinth.

I would like Five Paths, One Ring ● very much, yes. Drop counterspelling for Molly right now and go for it? Bank 2 XP for later.
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1) I forgot about that ruling, we should really move that expedition up out to do list.
2) Are you sure about that, I thought they did by default. They're Molly's personal themes, why wouldn't they count?

In any case I do think FPoR is more valuable than the counterspelling right now. I see at least 3 alternative options to blocking hostile magic in reach right now so I don't think buying more at the opportunity cost of more significant increases in capability is a good trade.

I'd argue dropping the ox body in favor of Running to Forever then banking the last point would be better though. We're very tanky, but RtF would help out essence management and offers what I think will be a key combat trick for us:

running to Forever (•)
The Infernal is tireless as the flaying winds of Hell.
So long as she remains in motion, whether running, driving, or by whatever other means, she suffers nei- ther fatigue nor exhaustion nor even need for sleep.
System: This Charm's effects are permanent. If the Infernal remains in constant, unceasing motion for 24 hours, she completely replenishes her Essence. By reflexively paying 1 Essence, the Infernal may run full-out reflexively rather than being forced to use an action for the rest of the scene.
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Sprinting our full movement speed becoming reflexive means it no longer causes an action penalty and we can do it while performing other actions. Molly could fly around at just below the speed of sound and any range extension would require melee monsters to match her speed to be allowed to attack.

If you do want to keep the Ox-body I'd say paying off touch of frost with the change is a better use than banking it. It'd be nice to have later, but there are social benefits to consider with not being frozen. I think it'd help with Charity, for example, if Molly could give her a hug without reminding her how much has changed.
 
Yog said:
On the subject of Eschaton Shintai. Optimization vs. flavor. From the optimization viewpoint, it makes the most sense to put all aspects into Hardened Devil Body and use By Rage Recast for actual features. The features being Extra Limbs, Energy Projection and probably Keen Sight. But that's boring, to be frank. I am torn.
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I think we have all the combat-prowess we need, definitly go for flavor.
 
Yog said:
On the subject of Eschaton Shintai. Optimization vs. flavor. From the optimization viewpoint, it makes the most sense to put all aspects into Hardened Devil Body and use By Rage Recast for actual features. The features being Extra Limbs, Energy Projection and probably Keen Sight. But that's boring, to be frank. I am torn.
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Energy projection is a trash feature, and we don't even have the build to fully use what it does offer.

When we voted on Shintai the first time around there was a lot of talk about doing the optimal thing for base and the super monster many of us wanted with the second version. If we follow through on that flexibility would be a good alternative.
 
I remember the Shintai discussion and I totally agree that the second form should be a super monster form. Maybe a huge flaming wheel of eyes like someone suggested back then.
 
Honestly I think we also need a form that will contrast with the current The Glorious Apocalypse Princess. Aka something big, industrial cyberpunk and reflective of Molly's new world. We need MechaGodzilla via magitek. The first Shintai is the song of a world gone by. The new Shintai must be the melody of the promise of a new future.
 
BronzeTongue said:
Energy projection is a trash feature, and we don't even have the build to fully use what it does offer.
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Why? It's a ranged attack done with 13 dice (11 Dex + 2 athletics) at no essence cost, which does 12 dice of lethal damage. That's not bad. Range is worse than Sandstrike blast, but it doesn't cost essence and does more damage.
BronzeTongue said:
When we voted on Shintai the first time around there was a lot of talk about doing the optimal thing for base and the super monster many of us wanted with the second version. If we follow through on that flexibility would be a good alternative.
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Ivar said:
Honestly I think we also need a form that will contrast with the current The Glorious Apocalypse Princess. Aka something big, industrial cyberpunk and reflective of Molly's new world. We need MechaGodzilla via magitek. The first Shintai is the song of a world gone by. The new Shintai must be the melody of the promise of a new future.
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Unbound Eschaton Shintai is supposed to build upon the base shintai form, though.
BronzeTongue said:
1) I forgot about that ruling, we should really move that expedition up out to do list.
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Probably the month after the next one. For the next month, I will be proposing the following list:
Securing (NOT releasing) the solar exaltation - this also counts as a follow up to Vegas
Dealing with Peabody - long overdue
Dealing with Evil Bob - that's an immediate priority, as he's an active hostile
Paying off crafting debt - we have to start. And if the Forge is not ready by that time, than finishing the Forge
Creating the god of Chicago - this provides at least some city-wide measure of security
Winning the lottery - personally I don't think that's required, but if this is the optimal time to do so, might as well. And the money can be useful for setting up stuff Earthside, including in Vegas.

All those are time sensitive.
BronzeTongue said:
2) Are you sure about that, I thought they did by default. They're Molly's personal themes, why wouldn't they count?
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The last turn we bought them at 4 XP per dot.
BronzeTongue said:
If you do want to keep the Ox-body I'd say paying off touch of frost with the change is a better use than banking it. It'd be nice to have later, but there are social benefits to consider with not being frozen. I think it'd help with Charity, for example, if Molly could give her a hug without reminding her how much has changed.
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I do somewhat want to keep it, to satisfy paranoia. Paying off touch of frost is an option, yes.
 
Yog said:
The context of the discussion was "can White Council providing vampire corpses equal or even approach the usefulness of having access to a steady source of gossamer?". The answer is no, it cannot, because vampire corpses, barring lords of outer night, cannot be used for high level splendor crafting, while gossamer can. All the discussion was always in context of high level splendor crafting. Gossamer is a high level magical material.
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No it wasn't. It was "Can they provide us viable crafting regents without AP hog". That is how I originally presented it as I viewed the crux of your issue being that we haven't implemented a passive regent farming method, not the rarity difference. Especially with the Forge lowering the rarity cost later on.
Yog said:
While that doesn't, on the face of it, sound objectionable, it is very much a destabilizing factor, and, also, it's an AP hog
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BoredMan said:
The point is to get regents without burning AP right?
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Though reading back over the discourse following my original reply, I can definitely see where the miscommunication came from.

Edit: Seems like the goalpost was moved at some point back then. Probably a result of the way I presented the rest of my reply when I asked for an adequate replacement to Embermane.

Yog said:
I would like to see examples when I argued against using replenishable resources.
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We don't have replenishable regent resources because we haven't set anything up so there aren't examples to pull. The only instance that comes close to what your asking for is with the elf trade offer in which you didn't see value in trading gossamer or the corpse for more 'points'.

My point is that even if we were getting more of it passively, via Embermane, that unless we got an absurd rate of production from him, you'd still have aspirations for it to go elsewhere. Which is where I see conflict being derived. The implication from your posting is that crafting should be prioritized more.

If it was a once a month thing for a jar or so with you wanting it for many small projects and grander ones besides I wouldn't expect it to go towards Fae favor trading without issue and I'd think that the Forge would encourage even more crafting involvement exasperating this even while it lowering the cost.
 
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Okay, one charm that I think we should really get since we've now hit E4
Unsurpassed Devil Craft (Manual of Exalted Power - Infernals - Broken Winged Crane page 44)
Cost: —; Mins: Essence 4; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Heretical, Stackable
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Any two of the following:
Demonic Primacy of Essence, Dread Panoply of
the Silent Wind, Sun-Heart Furnace Soul, Tool-
Transcending Constructs

The Infernals cannot wait for age to ripen their
creative genius—they have worlds to conquer! The
warlock adds one bonus success to all rolls to craft
infernal relics and hellforged wonders. Addition-
ally, she reduces by one dot each the minimum
Craft, Lore, Medicine and Occult requirements
to build or repair artifacts, to a minimum require-
ment of one dot for any Ability normally required
for the task. This Charm may be purchased again
at Essence 5+.
Our ability to craft useful tools and artifacts for ourselves and others, is one of our biggest strengths. Also, we get involved with ancient artifacts a lot and the ability to craft new stuff easier and more importantly, repair the very old important artifacts easier is big.
 
slenderman1942 said:
Okay, one charm that I think we should really get since we've now hit E4
Unsurpassed Devil Craft (Manual of Exalted Power - Infernals - Broken Winged Crane page 44)
Cost: —; Mins: Essence 4; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Heretical, Stackable
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Any two of the following:
Demonic Primacy of Essence, Dread Panoply of
the Silent Wind, Sun-Heart Furnace Soul, Tool-
Transcending Constructs

The Infernals cannot wait for age to ripen their
creative genius—they have worlds to conquer! The
warlock adds one bonus success to all rolls to craft
infernal relics and hellforged wonders. Addition-
ally, she reduces by one dot each the minimum
Craft, Lore, Medicine and Occult requirements
to build or repair artifacts, to a minimum require-
ment of one dot for any Ability normally required
for the task. This Charm may be purchased again
at Essence 5+.
Our ability to craft useful tools and artifacts for ourselves and others, is one of our biggest strengths. Also, we get involved with ancient artifacts a lot and the ability to craft new stuff easier and more importantly, repair the very old important artifacts easier is big.
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We are not using E2 or oither classical exalted books. This is Exalted vs. World of Darkness revised quest, which uses thiese source books:
DragonParadox said:
Links to Source Books
  1. Core Book
  2. Crafting Guide
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Plus a lot of WoD books.
 
[] Plan Sorcerer Maxing
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] Alchemy 5 12 XP
--[] Mana Manipulation 3 13 XP
--[] Craft 5 4 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Multiple attack potions the ability to make our own version of Periapts (Essence batteries), our clones are capable of using the mortal magic we learn, with Mana manipulation we're capable of causing our own version of the warp storms that the Jades and Sandra used. We can also use it directly to retarget or call Wards to Target someone else or create our own version of All is Poison like in The Lord of the wicked cities hell, not to mention this is what allows you to move and manipulate Ley lines.

[] Plan Clone Maxing
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] Law 3 7 XP
--[] Ox-body, 6 XP
--[] Leadership 5 7 XP
--[] Politics 3 7 XP
--[] Academics 2 2 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Exactly what it says in the name clone maxing all of her clones are in positions where they could use pretty much all of these abilities. Ox-Body makes all of them more durable leadership, Politics and Law for our regent as well ourselves, academics for Pods and us.

[] Plan Murder Maxing
-[] Molly, 27 XP spent 2 Banked
--[] Who Strikes The Wind 12 XP
--[] Ablation Of Brass and Fire 12 XP
--[] Ox-Body 3 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Perfect soaking, perfect Dodge take arbitrary amounts damage without flinching don't take any damage from anything we don't want to. As well as the ability to take more punishment in general.

[] Plan Sandstrike Build
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] Sandstrike Blast, 8 XP
--[] Athletics Excellency 3 XP
--[] Athletics 5 18 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Enough points in athletics that we do not have to use the Excellency to actually hit anything but the Excellence is there for Supernatural opponents that may be able to dodge a high pool of attacked dice. I feel the need to reiterate I really dislike spending experience on things we cannot or do not use so this is something to make Sandstrike Blast not just viable but good to use.

[] Plan Monster Mash
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] Unbound Eschaton Shintai, 20 XP
--[] By Rage Recast Swift Stride 6 XP
--[] Ox-Body 3 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Really leaning into Demonic Aspects more speed especially double speed from our already insane movement rates paired with being a giant monster that's really difficult to hurt is really hard to not like and also doesn't really need a lot of argument for.

[] Plan Minion Maxing
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] False Springs Beckon 9 XP
--[] Mana Maggot Plague 8 XP
--[] Cleansed Maggot Formula 4 XP
--[] Fathomless Poison Haven 8 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3

Ethically feed and protect all of our minions whether it be White, Jade or ghoul. On some of this was the selling point of getting Alchemy 4 so we can make cleansed man of maggot potions that charged up our Supernatural followers abilities without getting the bonus to DC on them.

[] Plan Ancient Magic
-[] Molly, 29 XP spent
--[] Pentacle And Scepter 16 XP
--[] The Trees Many Branches 10 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Lydia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Ox Body, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
-[] Tiffany, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Human, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP
-[] Olivia, 6 XP, 1 banked
--[] Counterspell: Vampire, 3 XP
--[] Counterspell: Spirit, 3 XP

Pentacle and Scepter makes all Ancient Sorcery maybe not the most efficient thing but definitely more viable or provides extra attacks like the trees many branches, it also reduces the difficulty of ancient sorcery and all modern sorceries which makes it a stacking bucket for any and all sorcery that we get going forward essentially a - 1DC on all sorcery it is also passive which means it affects our clones that can also use Mortal Magic Pentacle and Scepter is a really good charm.

@DragonParadox have we/our circle been taking the Nabu Mercury and Astartes Venerian?
 
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Yog said:
Fairly sure that, like with all other paths, we need to take training actions first, in order to unlock buying paths.
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I thought that was only for Qiao or things like The Sight, we have a large theoretical grounding in pretty much any mortal magic that I can think of because of our high occult ability. We have literally participated in Mana manipulation rituals in Vegas I thought we just had to spend the experience to unlock the ability rather than get training it in the first place though the training helps lower the experience costs.
 
Degorium said:
I thought that was only for Qiao or things like The Sight, we have a large theoretical grounding in pretty much any mortal magic that I can think of because of our high occult ability. We have literally participated in Mana manipulation rituals in Vegas I thought we just had to spend the experience to unlock the ability rather than get training it in the first place though the training helps lower the experience costs.
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We had to learn alchemy from Bob, I think? @DragonParadox do we need to take in-story actions before being able to buy Paths? And can our clones do those actions for us?
 
DragonParadox said:
You do yes and yes they can. You can learn paths off them, they cannot do the same off you because one can adapt to having all the advantages of an exalt, but not the reverse.
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So what paths can we buy we participated in a cleansing ritual over Vegas does that count as Mana Manipulation? Also are we or our Circle taking the potions for Attributes (Nabu/Astarte)?
 
Degorium said:
So what paths can we buy we participated in a cleansing ritual over Vegas does that count as Mana Manipulation? Also are we or our Circle taking the potions for Attributes (Nabu/Astarte)?
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  1. I could see the argument for you guys getting Mana Manipulation after that yeah, you can buy it
  2. Not as a regular thing, if you guys want that to change you need to include it in a vote
 
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Omake: Shintai Form Stella Prasinus
  • Apocrypha
    • I'm going to update the design I posted back then to reflect how the quest has evolved.


    Stella Prasinus

    Standing in her world made manifest the Empress-To-Be casts aside the limits of fate and, as she takes a seat on her newly risen throne, Becomes.

    Bursting into poisonous radiance she seems to open like an impossibly deep flower, revealing an emerald star. Past the all too literal glare it is split down the center by a slitted pupil and crowned by five rings of brass.

    The Emerald Polestar moves freely in flight, but never seems to orient herself. The eye always faces those who gaze on it, in complete disregard of the order of the world.

    At rest her five rings languidly rotate about her body, each studded with five mouths of obsidian fangs. Each ring is engraved with the prayers of countless souls from one of the Empress's five cities, and when she speaks it is with a chorus of their voices.

    At arms her twenty five fanged mouths yawn open so widely that they split apart as her crowns spin to a blur. Shooting forth they reassemble into something between brazen macuahuitl edged in fangs and segmented millipede like limbs.

    Raised up like wings - or the stings of a many tailed scorpion - the infernal can act with uncanny dexterity and strike with unnatural speed.

    Aspects:
    Flexible
    Hardened Devil Body
    Extra Limbs

    —-

    The name for this one, and the Emerald Polestar thing, is a reference to Stella Maris. The latin element of a title for Mother Mary: Our Lady, Star of the Sea. It has an interesting history that makes for a fun bit of heretical parody.

    Allegedly it's a title given by mistake*, a transcription error turned allegory for how Mother Mary as a 'guiding star' on the way to Christ. It eventually came to be used as a nickname for Polaris in the context of using it to navigate.

    Polaris has a rich history with a lot of cultures, but it has a particularly interesting tie in forms from a different Abrahamic faith entirely; Mandaeans. They believe North and Polaris in particular are auspicious because they're linked to the World of Light and that the south isn't because it's linked to the World of Darkness.

    Which is too good of a connection not to use. An Emerald Polestar leading towards the age to come.

    *
    DragonParadox said:
    it's more like a book, the pages turning slowly from first to last, though for those who live in the confines of one page, one phrase before they slip off it rarely matters, but there are some things that stain the paper black, passing from one page into the other. Such if the nature of the power Margret Katherine now holds"
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    Sound familiar Uriel?

    Edit: error
     
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  • Apocrypha
    • Yog said:
    Why? It's a ranged attack done with 13 dice (11 Dex + 2 athletics) at no essence cost, which does 12 dice of lethal damage. That's not bad. Range is worse than Sandstrike blast, but it doesn't cost essence and does more damage
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    We can only fire it 4 times and it doesn't synergize with anything. All of our attacks are boosted by Shintai stats so its comparison to base pools isn't impressive.


    Yog said:
    Unbound Eschaton Shintai is supposed to build upon the base shintai form, though.
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    That's how it was sold at the time, and I don't see why we can't make the flavor significantly different for a change as big as this one.


    Yog said:
    Probably the month after the next one. For the next month, I will be proposing the following list:
    Securing (NOT releasing) the solar exaltation
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    I'm going to be honest here; I don't really trust this. I'm not trying to say you're actively lying or something, but we came home with three terrestrials after going dog shopping. I don't think the solar spark needs more protection and I think if any unusual events come up while we're at it things will immediately flip to releasing the spark.

    I could easily see something like this happening:

    1) We show up and start doing stuff
    2) All the focus on Molly draws attention to the cult.
    3) People start snooping around and demonstrate a determination to figure out what we're doing.
    4) Thread civil war about how we need to let the spark out now because people are definitely on to it if they weren't before.


    Yog said:
    I do somewhat want to keep it, to satisfy paranoia. Paying off touch of frost is an option, yes.
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    That works I guess. I'm of the opinion that more health track isn't the best way to boost survivability at this point though.
     
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