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Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)

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BeepSmile said:
Well. Darn.

Can you tell me what to google that can give me a explanation on the mechanics that govern [cultists] please?
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Chirality Prohibition Index (•••)

The Infernal may lead a group of mortals or bake- mono in a regimen of training, worship, and indoc- trination, quickly forming them into a shape of her desiring and creating the nucleus of a cult.

System: During each day of training a group of mortals or bakemono, spend 1 Essence per acolyte. At the end of seven days of training, all students gain 30 experience points to spend raising their Physical Attributes, Manipulation, and Alertness, Brawl, In- timidation, Larceny, Melee, or Occult Abilities. No Ability can be raised higher than that of their Infernal instructor. This Charm can be used on the same aco- lytes repeatedly, but bestows only 20 experience points on subsequent training regimens. Any unspent experi- ence is lost. Completing a training regimen under this Charm makes the acolytes into creatures of darkness, if they were not already.

Additionally, each course of training alters an acolyte's personality in the following fashion:
• After one course of training, he will grow to vio- lently despise one concept specified by the Infernal.
• After two courses of training, he will only speak a selection of languages approved by the Infernal, and will learn the primary language among this approved list if he does not already speak it.
• After three courses of training, he will only wear a spe- cific uniform or style of clothing endorsed by the Infernal.
• After four courses of training, he will shun and scrupulously avoid certain actions or modes of thought proscribed by the Infernal
• After five courses of training, he will adopt one obliga- tion he must regularly discharge, as defined by the Infernal.
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I'm a bit torn on the dex/soak divide. Speaking from experience with tabletop Exalted, I know that while it's nice to have enough dex to parry or dodge everything thrown at you... Unless you have the charms to avoid splitting dice pools, multiple attackers are still a bitch for dex builds. Meanwhile, soak monsters can just wade through chaff and basically ignore them no trouble.

So it's kinda 'will we have the charms and essence to make real use of that dex?' On the other hand, being big sounds inconvenient.
 
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Winning Vote
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Aug 13, 2022 at 11:58 AM, finished with 146 posts and 24 votes.
  • [x] Diplomatically (Charisma+Empathy)
    -[x] use excellency
    -[x] "Has this ever helped?" Molly asked as she put a hand on Leech's shoulder. "If the goal is to convince people of something snide barbs aren't the way to go about it. If the goal is simply to make yourself feel better then you have more important business to deal with than ours."
    -[x] Taking a deep breath, Molly sighs. "To be honest, you annoy me; but maybe this is a lesson for both of us. 'For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God' specifically."
    -[x] "How about we both try to judge a little less instead of sniping at each other in front of a church?"
    [X] With subtle threats (Manipulation+Intimidation)
    -[x] Molly holds her little sister by her side as the church bell rings, shifting her feet to draw on her full height, and staring Mrs Evans in the eye, smiling like a shark... or a dragon. "Mrs Evans, I'm 'certain' our mother would be as happy to hear your comments as she was the last time." Molly briefly considered bringing up the Lord's comment about not casting the first stone, but remembered her father's explanation of the Third Commandment, so tried a different track. "And I'm certain my father will want to be aware of your comments as well."
    [x] Diplomatically (Charisma+Empathy)
    [x] Diplomatically (Charisma+Empathy)
    -[x] use excellency
    -[x] "Has this ever helped?" Molly asked as she put a hand on Leech's shoulder. "If the goal is to convince people of something snide barbs aren't the way to go about it. If the goal is simply to make yourself feel better then you have more important business to deal with than ours."
    -[x] Taking a deep breath, Molly sighs. "To be honest, you annoy me; but maybe this is a lesson for both of us. 'For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God' specifically."
    -[x] "How about we both try to judge a little less instead of sniping at each other in front of a church?"
    --[X] Go even further, and quietly ask the priest if you can deliver a sermon, or at least take up the sermon segment to give a reading to the congregation about the value of opposing authoritarianism.
    --[X] use excellency (up to two essence) to help guide your words: Themes of understanding and acceptance of others, thoughtfulness and understanding one one's self: seek to understand why one believes what one believes, and the value and virtue and importance of opposing the efforts of the small minded and those who seek to control others.
    [X] With subtle threats (Manipulation+Intimidation)
    -[X] Stunt: "Maybe sanctimonious shrews should keep their opinions to themselves? That seems less likely to inspire violent teens to...act out, don't you think?"
    [X] With subtle threats (Manipulation+Intimidation)
    -[X] Stunt: "You think a story about slaying vampires is too violent? There's nothing wrong with smiting the wicked to preserve the innocent. If you really think violence should be avoided altogether... You sure don't act like you're trying to avoid it."
    [X] With subtle threats (Manipulation+Intimidation)
    -[X] (Excellency) Get up close in her personal space, look down on her and tell her that she should propably stop talking to or about you and your siblings or someday she might learn that TV-shows are far from the most violent things in this world.
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drake_azathoth said:
I'm a bit torn on the dex/soak divide. Speaking from experience with tabletop Exalted, I know that while it's nice to have enough dex to parry or dodge everything thrown at you... Unless you have the charms to avoid splitting dice pools, multiple attackers are still a bitch for dex builds. Meanwhile, soak monsters can just wade through chaff and basically ignore them no trouble.
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Just take the extra limbs option which allows for taking more actions. While the difficultly raises you don't take a dice penalty.
 
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Arc 2 Post 3: The Weight of Words
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    • The Weight of Words ​

    16th of July 2006 A.D.

    You place a hand on Leech's shoulder in silent assurance. 'I'll handle this,' the gesture says and your sister trusts it. The question now is how you ponder as you contemplate Mrs. Evens proudly out-thrust jaw. like she is about to fight the supposed 'satanism' of a TV show here and now.

    There is a part of you that really really wants to go off on her and you cannot even blame it on Usum, you've wanted to do it for at least a year and half... but... but... it's not the right thing to do, it's not the Christian thing to do for all she is a bad one herself, maybe especially because she is a bad one. People already wandering off the path do not need more shoves, they need a helping hand.

    Lost 1 Essence

    "Has this ever helped?" you ask, keeping your tone conversational, like you are asking about the weather. As you hoped she would that puts her off whatever spiel she was planning to say from simple confusion. Still that will only get you so many words out before she inevitably cuts you off so you had best make them count.

    "If the goal is to convince people of something snide barbs aren't the way to go about it. If the goal is simply to make yourself feel better then you have more important business to deal with than ours." Alright so maybe you are feeling a bit vindictive after all, but you are not trying to scare her, more...

    "Who do you think you are?" Mrs Evens raises her voice so much she is starting to get an audience. Out of the corner of your eye you see Mrs Brown approaching with the save... you don't really need saving, but you do want the audience. If she just turns and stomps off before your 'garishly dyed' self as you heard she once put it she would lose face. So let Mrs Brown come and Mr Thomson the nice old man who used to drive an ice cream truck, but you do not wait for them to speak.

    "I'm just a girl, going to church same as everyone here." you shrug. "I'd like to say that I want nothing more than to stand up for my little brother and have nothing but love in my heart, but that would be a lie under the eye of man and God. To be honest, you annoy me." You sigh, the feeling behind it honest, so no reason not to use it. "Maybe this is a lesson for both of us. 'For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God' specifically."

    "I didn't curse anyone!" she snaps, but you can see the uncertainty in her faded blue eyes. "I was trying to instruct the young." You can practically hear the follow-up, the snide remark about Matthew not ending up like you or some such

    "How about..." the advantage of actually being tired from being out late last night is that it is really easy to sound tired. "We both try to judge a little less instead of sniping at each other in front of a church?" And in front of everyone in the congregation to boot, you don't add, but know Mrs Evens is keenly aware of.

    "I never judge children Miss Carpenter." That is patently a lie, it is also not another veiled attack, which is really the best you can hope for as she turns her back and heads back towards the church.

    Throwing quick grateful smiles at the parishioners who were about to step in you follow her in, feeling a bit more lighthearted for taking the high road.

    ***​

    "...Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." The verse and its message of humility was probably part of the sermon before your talk outside, still it is odd to hear it, odder still to realize the whole thing is about the value of humility and understanding. From the look she gives the priest it seems to strike Mrs Evens as a little more than odd, but that is between her and God.

    Coincidences do happen, you remember your dad telling you when you were a kid. if we try to see a direct sign from the divine in everything that happens pretty soon we will be trying to read the future in the flights of birds and if we have our necks craned up to look at the birds we might trip on the road we are walking. God is in all things, but He isn't a puzzle maker for your benefit specifically.

    ***​

    Usum is quiet throughout the sermon, but at the end he asks. "Was that conceptual goodwill towards those who would be your foes or circumstantial?"

    You know yourself too well to lie inside your own head. "Circumstantial, but I would like for the circumstances to be more common not less, where I can afford it."

    But it isn't the argument with Mrs Evens itself or the talk with your inner demon that is the most surprising conversation that comes about on the steps of the church that Sunday.

    "Molly," your mom sounds almost hesitant, which in your experience is like a fire burning cold, it just doesn't happen... or maybe you have never had the ear to hear it before.

    "Yeah mom," you say casually like nothing odd had happened before service.

    "You handled Clarisse better than I would have," she says simply. Then after a long moment. "You really are growing up aren't you?"

    You don't know what to say that isn't glib and so you say nothing at all.

    "You are not grounded anymore, but I expect you to follow all the other terms we talked about that night," she adds looking equal parts worried and proud.

    What do you reply?

    [] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there

    [] Make the point about how wrong it would be not to help someone just because you are not with dad again (Charisma+Empathy)
    -[] Write in Stunt (Optional)

    [] Write in

    OOC: No Shintai vote yet because this fit in too well here not to put in, it will be the next vote and then the next turn vote.
     
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    • Artemis1992 said:
    LAnka and Kakuri are not really influenced by technology, besides nuclear fire.
    Most Lanka Charms, more than most other Hell's Charms, still echo the true Demon City.
    Being protected by Brass and the knowledge of your own superiority and striking out with hellfire is still totally on theme.
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    They draw their themes from the Yomi Hells, and heavy armor is not part of the eastern esthetic.
    There isnt very much Malfeas here.

    Kakuri The Night Realm is dark, bitterly cold and reminiscent of northern Japan. Lanka is largely gutted by fire with an apparently sentient citadel. The Hell of Being Skinned Alive mixes desert world and alien esthetics. The Hel of Boiling Oil is apparently largely an ocean of rendered human fat. The Hell of Burrowing Maggots is just that.

    The Wicked City is described as a cyberpunk dream combined with the worst nightmares of a fang shih.
    Yzarc said:
    Hardened Devil Body (x4) – 12 (3 x4) Bruised (–0) health levels.
    We can purchase Essence Ox-Body charms and if we do not take at least 4 then our base form will have more health levels than our shintai. So, by taking it 4 times, this makes our Shintai competitive in High Essence fights as it has the Equivalent of taking x4 Ox-Body technique and can keep up with High Essence enemies that do boatloads of damage in single attacks.
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    Point of information:
    Apparently Ox-Body might not stack with Shintai according to the text.
    Keep that in mind.
     
    If shes really worried about us going alone we could look into getting back up.

    Either mortals with a heroic bent, demons, or spirits.

    We also handled our brothers girlfriend rather deftly I would say. Though that's also a message that even if you keep the peace magic might find you.

    And also a sign to my reckoning that not every magical lead or mystery needs to get run into the ground.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    Usum is quiet throughout the sermon, but at the end he asks. "Was that conceptual goodwill towards those who would be your foes or circumstantial?"

    You know yourself too well to lie inside your own head. "Circumstantial, but I would like for the circumstances to be more common not less, where I can afford it."
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    I actually would have found "Usum's take on Christianity" pretty interesting
     
    Would have preferred to put the fear of Molly into the woman, but this is a nice result. I'll take the win and not try to push any further for now.

    [X] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there
     
    [X] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there
    -[X] I know your always going to worry about me, I know your always going to worry about all of us. Same with dad.
    -[X] What could I do to help you with that? I have made armor and a shield to protect myself at least. And I am getting stronger.
    -[X] You don't have to answer me now, but please. Think about it.

    Were going to have to answer our calling eventually. She knows that just as well as we do. Shes never going to stop worrying about us. Even by the time were well into adulthood. Shes our mother.

    Asking her what we can do to help assuage her worries won't hurt, and would show were taking her concerns seriously.
     
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    LightLan said:
    Do we dare Charity's legendary Will again?
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    Hubris i doth see ye!

    It is not cowardice to not roll the dice against such impossible odds.
    (I'm joking here btw, I don't actually have an opinion on weather we should try to headbutt that adamantium wall)

    ---
    Honestly, I'd like to be open to Charity about the fact that Molly's abilities have expanded somewhat.
     
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    That went pretty well; too bad we didn't get enough for a legendary success differential.

    On a related note, I wonder if we might get a micro-goth minion out of this. Evens has a 13-14 year old who just saw us talk around their overbearing mother in front of the whole congregation.

    If that kid has even a single rebellious bone in their body Molly could basically be a rock star as far as they're concerned. :V

    [X] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there
     
    DragonParadox said:
    "...Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
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    Ah, I know this one. A very common typo you replicated here, but it's actually "...Blessed are the Greek: for they shall inherit the earth."
    I've always found it a bit odd tbh, but who am I to question the Ineffable word of Bob?

    ----

    [X] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there
    -[X] I know your always going to worry about me, I know your always going to worry about all of us. Same with dad.
    -[X] What could I do to help you with that? I have made armor and a shield to protect myself at least. And I am getting stronger.
    -[X] You don't have to answer me now, but please. Think about it.

    I like the bit where Molly is asking Charity to be an active participant in trying to reduce the risk to Molly when she does dangerous things. If this works, Charity will be a part of it [read: risky shit Molly intends to do] and therefore mildly culpable.
     
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    [X] Agree, you can bend the 'no rushing into danger' clause if or realistically when you get there
    -[X] I know your always going to worry about me, I know your always going to worry about all of us. Same with dad.
    -[X] What could I do to help you with that? I have made armor and a shield to protect myself at least. And I am getting stronger.
    -[X] You don't have to answer me now, but please. Think about it.
     
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