The Emerald Strix (GSP Rodrigo Gomez by frozenchicken)
frozenchicken
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Alright, finally, here is the intro for our Cecelyne-favoured Superhero: The Amazing Emerald Strix!
AN: Alright you know what, this omake was just evil to write. I've scrapped big chunks that I was trying to include and I'm still not satisfied with it. I'd really wanted to build more on how he was inspired by his past life, his interactions with 'Catwoman', and how his charms influence those who call for his aid (The reverence intimacy from 'Temple-Self Apotheosis' always results in him being called 'Amazing'). Regardless, I'll throw down what I've got here and call it done. Maybe I'll get a new perspective after wiping my hands of it.
--------------------
Rodrigo finished lacing his boots and paused before the final portion of his costume. The mask of the Emerald Strix had swept-back wings along a headbrace, in imitation of the headpiece he had worn is his past life. It was a pale shadow of the object that had inspired it, being dense green plastic instead of enchanted golden metal, but he rather liked the symbolism of it. Humble in appearance rather than an extravagant display from an age of glory, and made as cheaply and pragmatically as possible, as befitting....well, someone from a ghetto.
Mask in hand, he glanced out through the window at the surrounding sunset-kissed midrise buildings. The area was technically an affluent one, as a one-time centre for commerce and government, but it had degraded swiftly as everyone with the money to move away did so. There were a lot of reasons touted for it, from the rising rate of nightcrime in this quarter of the city, to a desire by many to avoid being seen as powerful in the wake of the Britannian's most recent act of oppression, but as was often the case, these were mere symptoms of a greater truth. Three years ago, when the Britannians crushed the Britannian-Latino Diplomatic Organisation with accusations of sedition and treason, the following massacre of individuals associated with the body tainted the city in a way not easily visible to the mundane eye. Though the effects mainly displayed as a sense of deterioration and desolation during the day, it was the transition to night that truly showed the horrors such death unleashed-and judging by the feeling in his gut, such a transition was not long away.
As the last rays of the Sun dipped below the horizon, everything happened all at once. Tameral, his Tomescu Coadjutor, began an unendimg screech inside his head and Rodrigo's gut frothed and churned to the same beat. The landscape outside of him twisted even more dramatically, as shadows coated the streets far faster and widely than believable, and the grass outside suddenly wilted. Though nothing about the buildings nearby appeared to physically alter, every building now seemed dilapidated, and every shuddering creak from them now sounded like the wails of the dead and damned.
Excepting of course where those noises actually were the wails of the dead and damned.
As Tameral's screech dropped in volume, Rodrigo gathered essence and channeled them to his legs and a faint green glow developed on the centre of his headpiece. In a move he'd copied from a vision of the original Golden Strix, he jumped out the window and onto the next roof. It was time for the Emerald Strix to take wing.
--------------------
Lola crouched low behind the fence, panting hard and wiping away blood from a spindly claw mark on her cheek.. The night was quiet and free of its' usual haunted wailing-which would have been a relief if she didn't know for a fact that one of the spirits of the night was currently hunting her. She had first felt its' touch a few blocks back, when she was hurrying home after having run overtime at work. It didn't even hurt her at first, simply poking her in the back with a chillingly cold finger and fading out of sight when she span around to face it. Her vague sense of unease quickly escalated as she realised that it being unseen didn't prevent it from following her and her frightened attempts to push it away simply passed through it like mist. The misty figure seemed to enjoy letting her run, though her panic had driven her into a neighbourhood she didn't recognise, shadowy and dilapidated as it seemed.
When the game started to become painful, she decided that it was time to try something more....embarrassing.
"Please, Emerald Strix. I'm being hunted. If...if you really exist, I could really use your help right now."
For a moment she thought she saw a glowing green orb in front of her, but the sound of a loud howl behind her diverted her gaze. Her eyes tracked wildly, seeing no sign of either the mysterious monster hunting her or that half-seen orb but feeling sure that there was more to be observed. Panic gripped her heart and she burst into a run once more-only to freeze as the being materialised in front of her.
For once she finally got a good look at the being. Though misty, it was clearly human-shaped, looking somewhat like a withered hoodlum of indeterminate age. Despite looking like something dead....and possibly being one....the spirit seemed fairly lively.
Slowly, he strolled forwards, gesturing at her.
"What a wonderful game of tag! You're such fun to play with. I know! You can come play with me during the daytime! It'll just take one more tag....and then you can be....IT."
Suddenly, a long, loud noise echoed through the air. It almost sounded like someone yelling from an incoming train. The spirit glanced upwards, his arm stretched out towards her.
"NEEEEEVEEEERRR FEEEEEAAAARRR!" echoed through the air, as a green-glowing man landed on the spirit, his perfect axle kick knocking it to the ground, scattering sand everywhere. "For the Emerald Strix is here!"
Lola watched in awe as the previously untouchable spirit was brought low-literally and repeatedly. The superhero paused with his foot pressing down on the back of the fallen ghost and turned to her.
"Do not take fright at the foes of the night, for their might deserts them in my emerald light!"
Lola stared at the urban legend, taking in his flowing cape, vibrant costume, glowing aura and what appeared to be a holographic owl flaring in the air above him. Before her eyes, the spirit collapsed into nothingness under his feet, leaving only a slight cloud of silvery sands that fell to the ground. Myriad insightful questions came to her mind, but what came out was "Do you practice saying that?"
The hero paused a moment then nodded. "Extensively! I've got a bunch of variations to fit different circumstances whilst keeping the rhyme, including the words plight, blight, flight, height and spite. I tried kite for a while, but it sounded really dorky."
"...Wait, flight? I was pretty sure you just jumped down from that roof there. That's hardly flight."
"I did jump down, but that falls under 'height'. As a matter of fact, someone else needs me now, so I'll show you what 'flight' means. "
The man tensed then leapt impossibly high up in the air. His glow expanded vastly, and his owl totem grasped him in its' talons. The light shone blindingly for a moment, and when it receded he hung in the air above her, flapping on vast feathered wings. Looking down from above, he addressed her one last time.
"Please, tell your friends about the events of this night. I respond to those who call my name, but I cannot protect those who do not desire my aid. Farewell!"
Lola watched the absurd vigilante fly away, off to rescue someone else. She didnt quite know what to make of him. He was so weird, he was so dorky, he was so....AMAZING.
----------------------------------------------------------
On the furthest edge of the Shadowland, a woman with strange tattoos and clawed hands fought a hungry ghost. Nearby, a civilian man cowered in fear, apparently praying for help. Julia scowled in annoyance-why couldn't the idiot have the good sense to run when he got the opportunity? Or at least direct his prayers to the woman actually helping him, where they might do some good. Still, this ghost was fairly weak, so at least the night wasn't so bad...
"YOUR FAITH THIS NIGHT BRINGS THE SHELTER OF MY-OH, Hey Catwoman! Good to see you!"
...Though it could still get worse. With a surge of rage she thrust her rather feline claw into the chest of the ghost before turning to the annoying flashlight floating above her.
"STOP CALLING ME CATWOMAN!"
Name: Rodrigo Gomez
Titles: The Emerald Strix
Concept: An Infernal who, inspired by his past life, becomes a superhero who uses the prayers of his followers in order to protect them.
Caste: Malefactor
Patron: Cecelyne
Favored Yozi: Malfeas
Motivation: Form a heroic organisation that protects the inhabits of his hometown from the dangers of the shadowlands.
Urge: Form a Cult that influences all of Area 5 (Cecelynian)
Essence: 2
Willpower: 5/5
Anima Banner: A swooping Owl, with wings spread wide and talons ready to snatch.
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4; Charisma 4, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4; Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Martial Arts 4 (Fighting Undead 1), Athletics 2 (Rooftop-Hopping 1), Awareness 2, Dodge 4, Stealth 2, Integrity 2, Presence 2 (Intimidating Criminals 1), Resistance 3, Survival 1, Investigation 2 (Locating Trouble 1), Medicine 1
Backgrounds: Cult (Strix Fans) 3, Backing (Citizen's Militia) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Tameral) 1, Past Life (The Golden Strix) 2, Contact (That Lunar who does NOT to like be called 'Catwoman') 1;
*Unwoven Coadjutor is a Tomescu
Traits from Unwoven Coadjutor: If asleep, he always awakens precisely at Dawn and Dusk.
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 2, Temperance 2, Valor 4
'The Golden Strix' is actually a reference to my favourite Exalted fanfic 'Anathema'(Scroll down to the bottom) by Bek Corbin, though this is really more of a name drop than an expy.
AN: Alright you know what, this omake was just evil to write. I've scrapped big chunks that I was trying to include and I'm still not satisfied with it. I'd really wanted to build more on how he was inspired by his past life, his interactions with 'Catwoman', and how his charms influence those who call for his aid (The reverence intimacy from 'Temple-Self Apotheosis' always results in him being called 'Amazing'). Regardless, I'll throw down what I've got here and call it done. Maybe I'll get a new perspective after wiping my hands of it.
--------------------
Rodrigo finished lacing his boots and paused before the final portion of his costume. The mask of the Emerald Strix had swept-back wings along a headbrace, in imitation of the headpiece he had worn is his past life. It was a pale shadow of the object that had inspired it, being dense green plastic instead of enchanted golden metal, but he rather liked the symbolism of it. Humble in appearance rather than an extravagant display from an age of glory, and made as cheaply and pragmatically as possible, as befitting....well, someone from a ghetto.
Mask in hand, he glanced out through the window at the surrounding sunset-kissed midrise buildings. The area was technically an affluent one, as a one-time centre for commerce and government, but it had degraded swiftly as everyone with the money to move away did so. There were a lot of reasons touted for it, from the rising rate of nightcrime in this quarter of the city, to a desire by many to avoid being seen as powerful in the wake of the Britannian's most recent act of oppression, but as was often the case, these were mere symptoms of a greater truth. Three years ago, when the Britannians crushed the Britannian-Latino Diplomatic Organisation with accusations of sedition and treason, the following massacre of individuals associated with the body tainted the city in a way not easily visible to the mundane eye. Though the effects mainly displayed as a sense of deterioration and desolation during the day, it was the transition to night that truly showed the horrors such death unleashed-and judging by the feeling in his gut, such a transition was not long away.
As the last rays of the Sun dipped below the horizon, everything happened all at once. Tameral, his Tomescu Coadjutor, began an unendimg screech inside his head and Rodrigo's gut frothed and churned to the same beat. The landscape outside of him twisted even more dramatically, as shadows coated the streets far faster and widely than believable, and the grass outside suddenly wilted. Though nothing about the buildings nearby appeared to physically alter, every building now seemed dilapidated, and every shuddering creak from them now sounded like the wails of the dead and damned.
Excepting of course where those noises actually were the wails of the dead and damned.
As Tameral's screech dropped in volume, Rodrigo gathered essence and channeled them to his legs and a faint green glow developed on the centre of his headpiece. In a move he'd copied from a vision of the original Golden Strix, he jumped out the window and onto the next roof. It was time for the Emerald Strix to take wing.
--------------------
Lola crouched low behind the fence, panting hard and wiping away blood from a spindly claw mark on her cheek.. The night was quiet and free of its' usual haunted wailing-which would have been a relief if she didn't know for a fact that one of the spirits of the night was currently hunting her. She had first felt its' touch a few blocks back, when she was hurrying home after having run overtime at work. It didn't even hurt her at first, simply poking her in the back with a chillingly cold finger and fading out of sight when she span around to face it. Her vague sense of unease quickly escalated as she realised that it being unseen didn't prevent it from following her and her frightened attempts to push it away simply passed through it like mist. The misty figure seemed to enjoy letting her run, though her panic had driven her into a neighbourhood she didn't recognise, shadowy and dilapidated as it seemed.
When the game started to become painful, she decided that it was time to try something more....embarrassing.
"Please, Emerald Strix. I'm being hunted. If...if you really exist, I could really use your help right now."
For a moment she thought she saw a glowing green orb in front of her, but the sound of a loud howl behind her diverted her gaze. Her eyes tracked wildly, seeing no sign of either the mysterious monster hunting her or that half-seen orb but feeling sure that there was more to be observed. Panic gripped her heart and she burst into a run once more-only to freeze as the being materialised in front of her.
For once she finally got a good look at the being. Though misty, it was clearly human-shaped, looking somewhat like a withered hoodlum of indeterminate age. Despite looking like something dead....and possibly being one....the spirit seemed fairly lively.
Slowly, he strolled forwards, gesturing at her.
"What a wonderful game of tag! You're such fun to play with. I know! You can come play with me during the daytime! It'll just take one more tag....and then you can be....IT."
Suddenly, a long, loud noise echoed through the air. It almost sounded like someone yelling from an incoming train. The spirit glanced upwards, his arm stretched out towards her.
"NEEEEEVEEEERRR FEEEEEAAAARRR!" echoed through the air, as a green-glowing man landed on the spirit, his perfect axle kick knocking it to the ground, scattering sand everywhere. "For the Emerald Strix is here!"
Lola watched in awe as the previously untouchable spirit was brought low-literally and repeatedly. The superhero paused with his foot pressing down on the back of the fallen ghost and turned to her.
"Do not take fright at the foes of the night, for their might deserts them in my emerald light!"
Lola stared at the urban legend, taking in his flowing cape, vibrant costume, glowing aura and what appeared to be a holographic owl flaring in the air above him. Before her eyes, the spirit collapsed into nothingness under his feet, leaving only a slight cloud of silvery sands that fell to the ground. Myriad insightful questions came to her mind, but what came out was "Do you practice saying that?"
The hero paused a moment then nodded. "Extensively! I've got a bunch of variations to fit different circumstances whilst keeping the rhyme, including the words plight, blight, flight, height and spite. I tried kite for a while, but it sounded really dorky."
"...Wait, flight? I was pretty sure you just jumped down from that roof there. That's hardly flight."
"I did jump down, but that falls under 'height'. As a matter of fact, someone else needs me now, so I'll show you what 'flight' means. "
The man tensed then leapt impossibly high up in the air. His glow expanded vastly, and his owl totem grasped him in its' talons. The light shone blindingly for a moment, and when it receded he hung in the air above her, flapping on vast feathered wings. Looking down from above, he addressed her one last time.
"Please, tell your friends about the events of this night. I respond to those who call my name, but I cannot protect those who do not desire my aid. Farewell!"
Lola watched the absurd vigilante fly away, off to rescue someone else. She didnt quite know what to make of him. He was so weird, he was so dorky, he was so....AMAZING.
----------------------------------------------------------
On the furthest edge of the Shadowland, a woman with strange tattoos and clawed hands fought a hungry ghost. Nearby, a civilian man cowered in fear, apparently praying for help. Julia scowled in annoyance-why couldn't the idiot have the good sense to run when he got the opportunity? Or at least direct his prayers to the woman actually helping him, where they might do some good. Still, this ghost was fairly weak, so at least the night wasn't so bad...
"YOUR FAITH THIS NIGHT BRINGS THE SHELTER OF MY-OH, Hey Catwoman! Good to see you!"
...Though it could still get worse. With a surge of rage she thrust her rather feline claw into the chest of the ghost before turning to the annoying flashlight floating above her.
"STOP CALLING ME CATWOMAN!"
Name: Rodrigo Gomez
Caste: Malefactor
Patron: Cecelyne
Favored Yozi: Malfeas
Motivation: Form a heroic organisation that protects the inhabits of his hometown from the dangers of the shadowlands.
Urge: Form a Cult that influences all of Area 5 (Cecelynian)
Essence: 2
Willpower: 5/5
Anima Banner: A swooping Owl, with wings spread wide and talons ready to snatch.
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4; Charisma 4, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4; Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Martial Arts 4 (Fighting Undead 1), Athletics 2 (Rooftop-Hopping 1), Awareness 2, Dodge 4, Stealth 2, Integrity 2, Presence 2 (Intimidating Criminals 1), Resistance 3, Survival 1, Investigation 2 (Locating Trouble 1), Medicine 1
Backgrounds: Cult (Strix Fans) 3, Backing (Citizen's Militia) 1, Unwoven Coadjutor (Tameral) 1, Past Life (The Golden Strix) 2, Contact (That Lunar who does NOT to like be called 'Catwoman') 1;
*Unwoven Coadjutor is a Tomescu
Traits from Unwoven Coadjutor: If asleep, he always awakens precisely at Dawn and Dusk.
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 2, Temperance 2, Valor 4
FIRST CECELYNE EXCELLENCY
Hellscry Chakra
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Simple
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: None
The Infernal opens his caste mark as an imperceptible third eye upon his brow. This spiritual organ perceives the flow of demonic Essence as a garish synesthetic overlay of colors and tastes. While this Charm is active, the Exalt gains the following benefits:
• He perceives dematerialized demons with all senses, recognizing that they are incorporeal.
• He perceives all possessing demons as smoky anima banners enveloping their hosts.
• He adds (Essence) bonus successes on all rolls to notice natives of Malfeas, track them or pierce any disguise attempts. If the target isn't using magic to contest the action, the Infernal may spend one Willpower to automatically succeed.
• Upon recognizing a perceived character as a demon or a Yozi, its nature becomes Obvious to him. The Storyteller provides a basic synopsis of the target's capabilities and Motivations (if any). This power imparts the same information about Infernal relics the Infernal can perceive.
• He automatically recognizes non-demon natives of Malfeas as such upon perceiving them, although he learns nothing else.
Demonic Primacy Of Essence
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Servitude, Social
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Hellscry Chakra
The law of Cecelyne binds the will of inferiors to their natural masters. Whenever a character with this Charm makes a social attack against a native of Malfeas who has a lower Essence rating, the target suffers an MDV penalty equal to the difference between their Essence ratings, and the attack is considered unnatural mental influence. Attacks enhanced this way cost the usual number of Willpower points to resist. Hierarchy works both ways, however. The Infernal suffers the same penalty against the social attacks of Malfean natives with higher Essence (unless they also have this Charm, in which case the DV penalties for both Charms don't stack), though any natural mental influence remains so. Infernals who also know Wayward Divinity Oversight (see p. 118) apply the MDV reduction to social attacks against gods of lesser Essence, but none of the other benefits or drawbacks of this Charm apply with such beings.
Penitents Like Scattered Grains
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 3
Type: Simple
Keywords: None
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: Demonic Primacy of Essence
The individual mortals who pray to an Infernal are as meaningless as individual grains of sand. Still, it is by the accretion of many grains that deserts come to be. This Charm allows the Exalt to hear individual prayers spoken from places of desolation as though she were a spirit. Actually listening to all prayers imposes a -3 internal penalty to all non-reflexive actions; if the Infernal tunes them out, the Storyteller only relays the most widely repeated or urgently spoken prayers. Supplicants who pray from within a blight the Infernal has created with the Charm Holy Land Infliction (see pp. 125-126) may be answered by causing a random object in the supplicant's presence to glow and change into the Infernal's incarnate image as an Obvious Shaping effect for three motes. The enchanted object delivers whatever spoken response the Infernal sends through it (which may encompass one Social attack or informative response) and then returns to normal.
CHARM CONCEPT: PLACE OF DESOLATION
Many Charms known to Cecelyne can only be activated in a place of desolation. Any climate or environment inhospitable to most life qualifies, meaning barren glaciers and seas too salty for any fish qualify just as much as sandy deserts or rocky wastes.
A good rule of thumb is that any place that would require a difficulty 4+ roll to forage within counts (see Exalted, p. 139). As always, the Storyteller remains final arbiter. Of particular note, the realm of Malfeas and shadowlands always qualify, while the Underworld does not. Such desolation transcends Cecelyne's understanding as a living Yozi.
Temple Self Apotheosis
Cost: — (1wp)
Mins: Cult 1, Essence 3
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Emotion, Messianic
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Penitents Like Scattered Grains
Cecelyne orders demonic society by religious tenets because the concept of reverence amuses her. An Infernal with this Charm doubles all mote and Willpower awards provided by her Cult background and may choose to heal in lieu of receiving any or all Willpower at the appropriate interval (two bashing health levels or one lethal health level per one Willpower). Additionally, whenever anyone of equal or lesser Essence prays to the character with a standard prayer roll, they must reflexively pay one Willpower to resist unnatural mental influence or instantly develop an Intimacy of reverence toward the Infernal. If the Infernal preys on this Intimacy with a social attack, she benefits from a full +3 Appearance modifier regardless of relative Appearance.
Ephemeral Abrasion Curse
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Simple
Keywords: Combo-OK, Obvious, Sorcerous
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: Hellscry Chakra
The Infernal gestures in the direction of a chosen incorporeal being. If he does not have a target in mind, the Charm randomly selects a dematerialized being from among those with the highest Essence rating within 10 yards of the Infernal. The Essence of Cecelyne grinds the being, manifesting it as an apparition of itself formed out of whirling sands. Although the manifested being remains dematerialized and therefore unable to hit back, the lacerating sands embedded in its ephemera allow corporeal beings to physically attack it as though it had materialized.
However, each such attack drains one mote from Essence-wielding attackers. Multiple activations of this Charm may concurrently affect as many spirits as the Infernal wishes to tag with committed Essence.
Hellscry Chakra
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Simple
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: None
The Infernal opens his caste mark as an imperceptible third eye upon his brow. This spiritual organ perceives the flow of demonic Essence as a garish synesthetic overlay of colors and tastes. While this Charm is active, the Exalt gains the following benefits:
• He perceives dematerialized demons with all senses, recognizing that they are incorporeal.
• He perceives all possessing demons as smoky anima banners enveloping their hosts.
• He adds (Essence) bonus successes on all rolls to notice natives of Malfeas, track them or pierce any disguise attempts. If the target isn't using magic to contest the action, the Infernal may spend one Willpower to automatically succeed.
• Upon recognizing a perceived character as a demon or a Yozi, its nature becomes Obvious to him. The Storyteller provides a basic synopsis of the target's capabilities and Motivations (if any). This power imparts the same information about Infernal relics the Infernal can perceive.
• He automatically recognizes non-demon natives of Malfeas as such upon perceiving them, although he learns nothing else.
Demonic Primacy Of Essence
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Servitude, Social
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Hellscry Chakra
The law of Cecelyne binds the will of inferiors to their natural masters. Whenever a character with this Charm makes a social attack against a native of Malfeas who has a lower Essence rating, the target suffers an MDV penalty equal to the difference between their Essence ratings, and the attack is considered unnatural mental influence. Attacks enhanced this way cost the usual number of Willpower points to resist. Hierarchy works both ways, however. The Infernal suffers the same penalty against the social attacks of Malfean natives with higher Essence (unless they also have this Charm, in which case the DV penalties for both Charms don't stack), though any natural mental influence remains so. Infernals who also know Wayward Divinity Oversight (see p. 118) apply the MDV reduction to social attacks against gods of lesser Essence, but none of the other benefits or drawbacks of this Charm apply with such beings.
Penitents Like Scattered Grains
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 3
Type: Simple
Keywords: None
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisite Charms: Demonic Primacy of Essence
The individual mortals who pray to an Infernal are as meaningless as individual grains of sand. Still, it is by the accretion of many grains that deserts come to be. This Charm allows the Exalt to hear individual prayers spoken from places of desolation as though she were a spirit. Actually listening to all prayers imposes a -3 internal penalty to all non-reflexive actions; if the Infernal tunes them out, the Storyteller only relays the most widely repeated or urgently spoken prayers. Supplicants who pray from within a blight the Infernal has created with the Charm Holy Land Infliction (see pp. 125-126) may be answered by causing a random object in the supplicant's presence to glow and change into the Infernal's incarnate image as an Obvious Shaping effect for three motes. The enchanted object delivers whatever spoken response the Infernal sends through it (which may encompass one Social attack or informative response) and then returns to normal.
CHARM CONCEPT: PLACE OF DESOLATION
Many Charms known to Cecelyne can only be activated in a place of desolation. Any climate or environment inhospitable to most life qualifies, meaning barren glaciers and seas too salty for any fish qualify just as much as sandy deserts or rocky wastes.
A good rule of thumb is that any place that would require a difficulty 4+ roll to forage within counts (see Exalted, p. 139). As always, the Storyteller remains final arbiter. Of particular note, the realm of Malfeas and shadowlands always qualify, while the Underworld does not. Such desolation transcends Cecelyne's understanding as a living Yozi.
Temple Self Apotheosis
Cost: — (1wp)
Mins: Cult 1, Essence 3
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Emotion, Messianic
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Penitents Like Scattered Grains
Cecelyne orders demonic society by religious tenets because the concept of reverence amuses her. An Infernal with this Charm doubles all mote and Willpower awards provided by her Cult background and may choose to heal in lieu of receiving any or all Willpower at the appropriate interval (two bashing health levels or one lethal health level per one Willpower). Additionally, whenever anyone of equal or lesser Essence prays to the character with a standard prayer roll, they must reflexively pay one Willpower to resist unnatural mental influence or instantly develop an Intimacy of reverence toward the Infernal. If the Infernal preys on this Intimacy with a social attack, she benefits from a full +3 Appearance modifier regardless of relative Appearance.
Ephemeral Abrasion Curse
Cost: 5m
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Simple
Keywords: Combo-OK, Obvious, Sorcerous
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: Hellscry Chakra
The Infernal gestures in the direction of a chosen incorporeal being. If he does not have a target in mind, the Charm randomly selects a dematerialized being from among those with the highest Essence rating within 10 yards of the Infernal. The Essence of Cecelyne grinds the being, manifesting it as an apparition of itself formed out of whirling sands. Although the manifested being remains dematerialized and therefore unable to hit back, the lacerating sands embedded in its ephemera allow corporeal beings to physically attack it as though it had materialized.
However, each such attack drains one mote from Essence-wielding attackers. Multiple activations of this Charm may concurrently affect as many spirits as the Infernal wishes to tag with committed Essence.
FIRST MALFEAS EXCELLENCY
HARDENED DEVIL BODY (x3)
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 1
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Stackable
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: None
Though the Yozis are beyond awareness of most damage, let alone threatened by it, their servants can only manage to embody a fraction of this durability. This Charm may be purchased a maximum number of times equal to the lesser of (Stamina or Resistance). Each purchase gives the Infernal three additional -2 health levels and one extra -4 level.
BY PAIN REFORGED
Cost: 1hl
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: None
Pain puts life in perspective, pushing aside all other distractions. This is the simplest truth Malfeas has learned from his imprisonment within himself. Use of this Charm allows an Infernal to ignore all negative effects associated with bashing damage she has suffered. Such injuries do not cause wound penalties or slow her down in any way. If reduced to Incapacitated by bashing wounds, she does not fall unconscious, but remains fully aware as further bashing trauma converts to lethal. Aggravated and lethal injuries penalize characters protected by this Charm normally. When this Charm ends, all suspended penalties resume immediately.
SCAR-WRIT SAGA SHIELD
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Malfeas does not quietly accept his tortured inversion, but builds up calloused layers and folds them in a vain attempt to seal his wounds and inoculate against future injury. Such efforts cannot achieve their goal, but incidentally toughen the Demon City further. The first purchase of this Charm raises the character's natural lethal soak to her Stamina rating (rather than half) and gives her bashing Hardness equal to her Stamina.
The second purchase of Scar-Writ Saga Shield requires Essence 3+ and adds the character's Essence rating to her natural bashing and lethal soak. Her Hardness remains unaffected. An Infernal needs Essence 4+ to buy this Charm a third time, at which point her natural bashing and lethal Hardness increase to match her natural soak. Additionally, attackers with a permanent Essence at least four dots less than the Infernal can no longer inflict minimum damage to her with their attacks if they fail to penetrate her soak.
By Rage Recast
Cost: —; Mins: Essence 2; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Desecration, Obvious, Shaping
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Once Malfeas was the Primordial King, his power and glory unconstrained by the crude limits of a body. Now, mutilated and caged in the prison of form, his cosmic might and boundless fury can only twist him toward more harmful expressions of his majesty. An Infernal who learns this Charm selects a package of (Essence x 10) points of temporary positive mutations as a "library" of options. She must allocate all of these points at the time of purchase, even if that means choosing mutations she doesn't really want as filler.
Once allocated, the library remains fixed. However, raising Essence allows the Infernal to re-allocate all (Essence x 10) mutation points from scratch as though she just acquired the Charm. At Essence 10, the warlock may reallocate her mutations by spending one full day in either isolated meditation or a series of ancient, ecstatic dances.
Whenever the warlock's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level of expression, she reflexively gains eight points of mutations selected from her library as a temporary Desecration. Horns may curl from the warlock's forehead, leathery wings unfold from her back, or fanged maws open upon her body—whatever demonic features best express the Chosen's fury. She may not gain mutually-exclusive mutations at the same time. This transformation is not optional. In the unlikely event the Infernal cannot express a full eight points without going over (such as by only purchasing Abominations at Essence 3), she must get as close as possible. Once her anima subsides below the 11+ level, the mutations fade back into her body.
By Rage Recast explicitly ignores the normal limit on how many positive temporary mutations a Desecration effect may bestow (see The Manual of Exalted Power—The Infernals, p. 103). Mutation points gained from the Charm do count toward the usual mutation point limit other temporary Desecration effects can bestow.
If the character knows the Charm Fealty-Acknowledging Audience (see The Manual of Exalted Power—The Infernals, p. 116), then she may pay a surcharge of +5m when invoking that Charm to gift those who swear fealty to her with up to eight points of mutations she is capable of manifesting with By Rage Recast. This gift is a permanent Desecration.
With Essence 3+, the Infernal may choose to retain her current mutations when her anima banner recedes. She may dismiss these mutations at any time her anima is below the 11-15 mote level of display with a diceless miscellaneous action, but must flare her anima anew to restore her mutations or change them out for a new suite of grotesqueries.
Pathetic Distraction Rebuke
Cost: 3m; Mins: Essence 2; Type: Reflexive (Step 2)
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Having been humbled once, Malfeas is not keen to repeat the experience. This Charm enhances any attempt to parry an incoming attack, allowing the Infernal to ignore all penalties that apply to her Parry DV (regardless of which Ability or weapon she uses to block). If the Exalt has By Pain Reforged active, she also adds the greatest wound penalty she should suffer as a bonus to her Parry DV and can block lethal or ranged attacks with an unarmed parry.
Infernals may purchase this Charm a second time, in which case, each use of Pathetic Distraction Rebuke cumulatively reduces the cost to do so again by one mote until the Exalt's next action. For example, the cost to defend against a flurry with four attacks would be six motes (3m + 2m + 1m + 0m).
HARDENED DEVIL BODY (x3)
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 1
Type: Permanent
Keywords: Stackable
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: None
Though the Yozis are beyond awareness of most damage, let alone threatened by it, their servants can only manage to embody a fraction of this durability. This Charm may be purchased a maximum number of times equal to the lesser of (Stamina or Resistance). Each purchase gives the Infernal three additional -2 health levels and one extra -4 level.
BY PAIN REFORGED
Cost: 1hl
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: None
Pain puts life in perspective, pushing aside all other distractions. This is the simplest truth Malfeas has learned from his imprisonment within himself. Use of this Charm allows an Infernal to ignore all negative effects associated with bashing damage she has suffered. Such injuries do not cause wound penalties or slow her down in any way. If reduced to Incapacitated by bashing wounds, she does not fall unconscious, but remains fully aware as further bashing trauma converts to lethal. Aggravated and lethal injuries penalize characters protected by this Charm normally. When this Charm ends, all suspended penalties resume immediately.
SCAR-WRIT SAGA SHIELD
Cost: —
Mins: Essence 2
Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Malfeas does not quietly accept his tortured inversion, but builds up calloused layers and folds them in a vain attempt to seal his wounds and inoculate against future injury. Such efforts cannot achieve their goal, but incidentally toughen the Demon City further. The first purchase of this Charm raises the character's natural lethal soak to her Stamina rating (rather than half) and gives her bashing Hardness equal to her Stamina.
The second purchase of Scar-Writ Saga Shield requires Essence 3+ and adds the character's Essence rating to her natural bashing and lethal soak. Her Hardness remains unaffected. An Infernal needs Essence 4+ to buy this Charm a third time, at which point her natural bashing and lethal Hardness increase to match her natural soak. Additionally, attackers with a permanent Essence at least four dots less than the Infernal can no longer inflict minimum damage to her with their attacks if they fail to penetrate her soak.
By Rage Recast
Cost: —; Mins: Essence 2; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Desecration, Obvious, Shaping
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Once Malfeas was the Primordial King, his power and glory unconstrained by the crude limits of a body. Now, mutilated and caged in the prison of form, his cosmic might and boundless fury can only twist him toward more harmful expressions of his majesty. An Infernal who learns this Charm selects a package of (Essence x 10) points of temporary positive mutations as a "library" of options. She must allocate all of these points at the time of purchase, even if that means choosing mutations she doesn't really want as filler.
Once allocated, the library remains fixed. However, raising Essence allows the Infernal to re-allocate all (Essence x 10) mutation points from scratch as though she just acquired the Charm. At Essence 10, the warlock may reallocate her mutations by spending one full day in either isolated meditation or a series of ancient, ecstatic dances.
Whenever the warlock's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level of expression, she reflexively gains eight points of mutations selected from her library as a temporary Desecration. Horns may curl from the warlock's forehead, leathery wings unfold from her back, or fanged maws open upon her body—whatever demonic features best express the Chosen's fury. She may not gain mutually-exclusive mutations at the same time. This transformation is not optional. In the unlikely event the Infernal cannot express a full eight points without going over (such as by only purchasing Abominations at Essence 3), she must get as close as possible. Once her anima subsides below the 11+ level, the mutations fade back into her body.
By Rage Recast explicitly ignores the normal limit on how many positive temporary mutations a Desecration effect may bestow (see The Manual of Exalted Power—The Infernals, p. 103). Mutation points gained from the Charm do count toward the usual mutation point limit other temporary Desecration effects can bestow.
If the character knows the Charm Fealty-Acknowledging Audience (see The Manual of Exalted Power—The Infernals, p. 116), then she may pay a surcharge of +5m when invoking that Charm to gift those who swear fealty to her with up to eight points of mutations she is capable of manifesting with By Rage Recast. This gift is a permanent Desecration.
With Essence 3+, the Infernal may choose to retain her current mutations when her anima banner recedes. She may dismiss these mutations at any time her anima is below the 11-15 mote level of display with a diceless miscellaneous action, but must flare her anima anew to restore her mutations or change them out for a new suite of grotesqueries.
Pathetic Distraction Rebuke
Cost: 3m; Mins: Essence 2; Type: Reflexive (Step 2)
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: By Pain Reforged
Having been humbled once, Malfeas is not keen to repeat the experience. This Charm enhances any attempt to parry an incoming attack, allowing the Infernal to ignore all penalties that apply to her Parry DV (regardless of which Ability or weapon she uses to block). If the Exalt has By Pain Reforged active, she also adds the greatest wound penalty she should suffer as a bonus to her Parry DV and can block lethal or ranged attacks with an unarmed parry.
Infernals may purchase this Charm a second time, in which case, each use of Pathetic Distraction Rebuke cumulatively reduces the cost to do so again by one mote until the Exalt's next action. For example, the cost to defend against a flurry with four attacks would be six motes (3m + 2m + 1m + 0m).
Mutation Library (Essence x10)
-Enhanced (Sense) (2M)
-Hyper-Awareness (2M)
-Natural Weapons [Wings] (4M) [M>3, therefore this mutation adds +5 damage to Wing Attacks]
-Glider [Wings] (4M)
-Flier (4M) [Requires Glider]
-(Appendage) Mutation [Wings] (1M, Negative)
-(Realm) Gatekeeper [Shadowland] (3M)
So in the example in the omake, Rodrigo used a package of Glider and Flier, both with the 'Wings' Appendage Mutation applied, (4-1+4-1=6), plus the Enhanced sight Mutation (+2), which brings the package to the required value of 8 Mutation Points. In different circumstances, the Strix might choose to harden his wings, making them bad at flying but good at fighting, or lessen them further and improve his ability to seek those who were lost in the depths of the Shadowlands, before the Dead can claim them.
-Enhanced (Sense) (2M)
-Hyper-Awareness (2M)
-Natural Weapons [Wings] (4M) [M>3, therefore this mutation adds +5 damage to Wing Attacks]
-Glider [Wings] (4M)
-Flier (4M) [Requires Glider]
-(Appendage) Mutation [Wings] (1M, Negative)
-(Realm) Gatekeeper [Shadowland] (3M)
So in the example in the omake, Rodrigo used a package of Glider and Flier, both with the 'Wings' Appendage Mutation applied, (4-1+4-1=6), plus the Enhanced sight Mutation (+2), which brings the package to the required value of 8 Mutation Points. In different circumstances, the Strix might choose to harden his wings, making them bad at flying but good at fighting, or lessen them further and improve his ability to seek those who were lost in the depths of the Shadowlands, before the Dead can claim them.
CRIMSON LEAPING CAT TECHNIQUE
Cost: 3m
Mins: Martial Arts 2, Essence 2
Type: Supplemental
Keywords: Combo-OK, Obvious
Duration: One action
Prerequisite Charms: None
The character moves with the speed and agility of a leaping tiger. With this Charm active, add the character's Martial Arts score to her Dexterity for purposes of determining how far she can move, dash or jump in a single action.
Cost: 3m
Mins: Martial Arts 2, Essence 2
Type: Supplemental
Keywords: Combo-OK, Obvious
Duration: One action
Prerequisite Charms: None
The character moves with the speed and agility of a leaping tiger. With this Charm active, add the character's Martial Arts score to her Dexterity for purposes of determining how far she can move, dash or jump in a single action.
'The Golden Strix' is actually a reference to my favourite Exalted fanfic 'Anathema'(Scroll down to the bottom) by Bek Corbin, though this is really more of a name drop than an expy.
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