Vote Up A Charm! Round 5! Vote on an Idea! [Exalted]

[The Demented One]

So, GitP Exalted crew. We've not really had much in the way of Exalted homebrew on the forums, so I say we change that. Together. Let's make us a charm!

Rules of Voting and Submission (Read before Posting!)

1. Only a single vote per person per aspect is allowed. Multiple voting will not be counted.

2. Post all votes in this thread.

3. Please do not criticize or disparage the votes of other forum members. Let the votes fall where they may. Just be patient, and allow other voters to voice their own opinions.

4. Changing of votes is not permitted. Just because something has a lot of votes at some point, doesn't mean you have to hop on the bandwagon.

6. If your vote cannot be tallied due to violation of any of these rules, I will post to inform you of that before voting ends. I will also ask you to modify your vote, so that it may be changed.

7. Unless otherwise stated, each poll's result will be winner-takes-all.

8.Upon commencing each vote I will announce the deadline by which time votes must be in. Voting rounds will last about a week, submission rounds will last until I get a goodly number of submissions. All times are by the Central Time Zone.

Past Rounds

Round 1: Charm Type
For starters, let's figure out what type of Charm we should be making. Your choices are:

• Solar
• Lunar
• Dragonblooded
• Abyssal
• Yozi (Which would include Infernals)
• Martial Arts
• Other (Spirit, Ghost, Fair Folk, Alchemicals, and so on).

Voting ends on Monday, October 5. Ready? Go!

{table=head;sort=2d]Charm|Votes
Solar|1
Lunar|6
Dragonblooded|2
Abyssal|4
Yozi|0
Martial Arts|4
Other|1
[/table]

Round 2: Charm Ability
It's a Lunar! Now, vote for which Ability the charm should use.

• Strength
• Dexterity
• Stamina
• Charisma
• Manipulation
• Appearance
• Perception
• Intelligence
• Wits

{table=head;sort=2d]Ability|Votes
Strength|1
Dexterity|0
Stamina|1
Charisma|1
Manipulation|0
Appearance|6
Perception|0
Intelligence|2
Wits|0
[/table]

Round 3: Essence
So, we're making an Appearance charm. For this round, vote on what Essence level should be required for the Charm.

• Essence 1: Minor tricks, difficult to distinguish from ordinary competence or luck.
• Essence 2: Heroic, nigh-superhuman feats.
• Essence 3: Powers that are almost unquestionably magical, beyond all mortal human reach.
• Essence 4: World-shaking powers of true Exalted might.
• Essence 5: The power of a Lord of Creation.
• Essence 6+: Beyond all power imaginable to the Exalted of this Age.


{table=head;sort=2d]Essence|Votes
Essence 1|0
Essence 2|1
Essence 3|5
Essence 4|2
Essence 5|0
Essence 6|1
[/table]

Round 5
Now we've got Charm concepts–vote on your favorite one!

Blood-Curdling Savage Mien: Terrify your foes, driving them back with the raw terror of your deadly form!

Haunting the Hen House: Conceal yourself among illusory doppelgangers!

Moon's Glorious Face: Exult in the revelation of your true nature as a Steward of Creation!

Peacock's Irresistible Grace: All who see you fall in love with you!

Resplendent Pack Aura: Use your Appearance charms to benefit your allies!

Wyld Madness Allure: Command the forces of the Wyld through your beauteous presence alone!

{table=head;sort=2d]Charm|Votes
Blood-Curdling Savage Mien|2
Haunting the Hen House|5
Moon's Glorious Face|1
Peacock's Irresistible Grace|4
Resplendent Pack Aura|1
Wyld Madness Allure|0
[/table]

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Abyssals get my vote.

[The Demented One]

Abyssals get my vote.
Gasp! Surprise! Krimm, voting for Abyssals? Be still, my gentle heart.

[The Rose Dragon]

Abyssal also gets my vote.

Shame we can't create new Sidereal charms.

[The Demented One]

Abyssal also gets my vote.

Shame we can't create new Sidereal charms.
A vote for "Martial Arts" is a vote for "Sidereal," pretty much.

[The Rose Dragon]

A vote for "Martial Arts" is a vote for "Sidereal," pretty much.

I would be much more interested in creating a second Celestial style for Infernals, if we went the martial arts route.

In fact, I already have a half-finished one.

[WhiteKnight777]

Tossing in a vote for Lunars - and certainly not out of any sort of self-interest.

[Tavar]

Lets go for Solars...

[The_Snark]

Dragon-Blooded. Dragon-Blooded should have more cool charms.

[The Rose Dragon]

Dragon-Blooded. Dragon-Blooded should have more cool charms.

Dragon-blooded should not get anything cool. That's like a law or something.

[GryffonDurime]

I'm going to toss my vote in for Jadeborn.

Because I'm a terrible person.

[The Demented One]

I'm going to toss my vote in for Jadeborn.

Because I'm a terrible person.
Hey, Gryffon. What did the Ebon Dragon say to Autocthon?


NEEEEEERD!

[InfiniteNothing]

I vote for Lunars.

[The_Snark]

Dragon-blooded should not get anything cool. That's like a law or something.

Bah. The Dragon-Blooded are the underdogs of the Exalted, current social structure notwithstanding. They've fought pretty much everything the Solars have, plus the Solars themselves—without the power of the God of Winning At Everything at their personal disposal. Takes guts to do that. They aren't quite Badass Normals, but they're the closest the setting has.

And they should have more cool stuff.

[Tavar]

Wouldn't Heroic Mortals be Badass Normals? Or are they just not Badass enough in the setting?

[The Demented One]

Wouldn't Heroic Mortals be Badass Normals? Or are they just not Badass enough in the setting?
Mortals can never win.

[PirateMonk]

I'll vote for Abyssals.

[The_Snark]

Mortals can never win.

Right. They would count if they could manage to be badass, but even the toughest mortal martial artists and most powerful sorcerers are outmatched by not-terribly-experienced Dragon-Blooded, so it's hard for them to accomplish anything at all impressive. It's like trying to be an action hero in a story written by H.P. Lovecraft.

[The Rose Dragon]

Well, they are known to win the Heaven-and-Earth Invitational from time to time. At Essence 3. With only Terrestrial Martial Arts.

[The Demented One]

Well, they are known to win the Heaven-and-Earth Invitational from time to time. At Essence 3. With only Terrestrial Martial Arts.
Even Exalts can botch. From time to time. And be willing to go easy on mortal opponents, or just generally incompetent.

[Tatsel_Ganav]

Abyssals, because they are awesome.

[Chucho108]

Down with the Abyssals, and up with some nifty Martial Arts.

[GryffonDurime]

Jadeborn aren't going to win, are they?

Fine. I'll make my own Path. :smallwink:

[Madmal]

Lunars, lunars!

[WhiteKnight777]

Jadeborn aren't going to win, are they?

Fine. I'll make my own Path. :smallwink:

It is the way of heroes and saviors to walk alone down empty roads.

It is also the way of nerds. :smalltongue:

Also, yeah, Mortals suck. It's an interesting dichotomy in the setting - even though it's high-fantasy epic adventure for Exalts, it's almost as grim as Warhammer for many mortals.

[Chucho108]

It is the way of heroes and saviors to walk alone down empty roads.

It is also the way of nerds. :smalltongue:

Also, yeah, Mortals suck. It's an interesting dichotomy in the setting - even though it's high-fantasy epic adventure for Exalts, it's almost as grim as Warhammer for many mortals.

Bah. That just means they have to work harder. Problem is, those mortals who have the cajones to make their way in the world have a tendency to exalt.

It's the reason I've started to work on one of my projects, though I have no idea if it'll get off the ground. Converting Hunter: The Vigil to Exalted.

[lesser_minion]

I'll go with Martial Arts.

[Vadin]

Gooooooo Martial Arts!

[Raz_Fox]

Bah. Lunars for the win.

After all, WhiteKnight is playing a Lunar in GKoL. Is this not enough proof enough that Lunars are the best? :smallwink:

[The Demented One]

Bah. Lunars for the win.

After all, WhiteKnight is playing a Lunar in GKoL. Is this not enough proof enough that Lunars are the best? :smallwink:
WhiteKnight isn't playing a Lunar. He's playing a kung-fu giant robot dinosaur cop Lunar. There's a difference.

[GryffonDurime]

WhiteKnight isn't playing a Lunar. He's playing a kung-fu giant robot dinosaur cop Lunar. There's a difference.

Wait, I thought that WhiteKnight was actually playing the Scarlet Empress, who is in actuality a male Sidereal.

And the Green Lady.

And at least two of the Deathlords.

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Wait, I thought that WhiteKnight was actually playing the Scarlet Empress, who is in actuality a male Sidereal.

And the Green Lady.

And at least two of the Deathlords.

AND a kung-fu giant robot dinosaur cop Lunar.

He's also the entire Solar circle of Lotus.

[The Rose Dragon]

Wait, I thought that WhiteKnight was actually playing the Scarlet Empress, who is in actuality a male Sidereal.

And the Green Lady.

Everyone is playing the Green Lady. They just don't know it yet.

The entirety of Creation is just a drug-induced hallucination of the Green Lady to begin with.

[vegetalss4]

I vote for martial arts, let us have something everybody can share.

as to mortals winning the heaven and earth tournament, has nothing to do with your opponent going easy on you, nor can it rely on them botching, you win that one by being badass, pure and simple. no one goes easy on anyone in a tournament so important that the uncoungqured sun stops playing the games of divinity just for it.

[Weimann]

I go for Dragon-Blooded, because they can use some love.

Particularly the Wood aspects.

...

I suddenly want to make a Wood Aspect called Morning...

[Primal Fury]

I'm voting for the Lunars. They always seemed like the odd-men-out to me (in terms of charms at least).

[horngeek]

Lunar

Because they are, quite frankly, Awesome.

[The Demented One]

Um. Hey guys. So apparently my film professor decided I should be spending this week studying Soviet cinema instead of, say, doing this. Sorry 'bout that, but now we're on to step 2.

Lunars win it. Now vote for the Charm's Ability!

[InfiniteNothing]

Hmm...

I vote Stamina.

[Tavar]

Why not Intelligence.

[The Rose Dragon]

Appearance. Because frankly, Appearance doesn't have enough Charms.

[The Demented One]

Appearance. Because frankly, Appearance doesn't have enough Charms.
That may have something to do with Appearance not really doing anything.

[Chucho108]

That may have something to do with Appearance not really doing anything.

Which means it would be perfect for us to do,

So count me in for Appearance.

[Raz_Fox]

Well, since I do like them Changing Moons...

Appearance it is!

[horngeek]

Charisma for the win.

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

I throw in for Zephyr's sake, Strength!

[GryffonDurime]

In memory of Humble Jian, how about Intelligence?

[Weimann]

Appearance is interesting. So is Intelligence. Perception also intrigues me.

Still, I shall have to say Appearance. There are very few of them.

[vegetalss4]

the best choice appears to be Appearance (pun SO intended)

[Axelgear]

Appearance!

[The Demented One]

Um. I never actually announced a deadline for this, but it was meant to be Friday. So yeah. Round 2 is done, we're making an Appearance charm.

For the next round, we'll be voting on the Charm's Essence level.

[The Rose Dragon]

Essence 2, I would say, so any starting character can get it.

By the way, is it 1-10 or 1-5?

[The Demented One]

Essence 2, I would say, so any starting character can get it.

By the way, is it 1-10 or 1-5?
It's in the first post. 1 to 5, and 6+.

[Weimann]

This is a hard choice. Hm...

Frankly, I think it'd be fun to make a charm with some punch in it. I say Essence 4.

[lesser_minion]

I'll go with Essence 3. A little more powerful.

[Tavar]

I'll second Essence 3. Not normal starting characters, but not too far out of reach either.

[horngeek]

I'm going to vote Essence 3.

[InfiniteNothing]

Hmm... Essence 4.

[Raz_Fox]

I was originally going to vote 2, but after mulling over Tavar's explanation I'll vote Essence 3.

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Essence 6 is the rightful victor, I say!

[The Demented One]

Essence 6 is the rightful victor, I say!
Luckily there actually are elder Lunar charms for me to balance against. I'd hate to think of having to make an Essence 6 Solar charm.


...besides, like, the ones I've made. Those were okay.

[The Demented One]

For the benefit of people who aren't lobotimized homebrew machines, here's a quick list of Appearance charm effects by level.

Essence 1 Appearance

Appear more beautiful to someone you're interacting with.

Disguise distinguishing marks.

Essence 2 Appearance

Increase the benefits of having a high Appearance score.

Cause someone who's just met you to perceive you as a friend or foe.

Become supernaturally unremarkable.

Blend in with your environment.

Essence 3 Appearance

Make social attacks through body language alone, overcoming the need for speech or language.

Become supernaturally fixed on achieving a goal in social combat.

Cause all who see you to fear you.

Essence 4 Appearance

Become completely unnoticeable by anyone.

Change your caste, if not fixed by moonsilver tattoos.

Essence 5 Appearance

Control what people think of you based on your appearance and body language.

Essence 6+ Appearance

Exist as a being of pure awareness, without a physical or immaterial body.

Appear as someone's worst fear.

[Madmal]

lt's go with Essence 3
though, i'd prefer a Knack. Oh well.

[The Demented One]

So, Essence 3 wins it. Now, we're in the penultimate phase: voting up a concept for the charm to be!

PM me your submission, which can be any of the following
• Just mechanics of a charm, and I'll make the fluff.
• Just fluff of a charm, and I'll make the mechanics
• Just a cool name, and I'll do the rest.
• A complete, fluff-and-mechanics charm, and I'll sit around lazily.

Ready? Go!

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

Irresistible Peacock Grace.

[The Demented One]

Round 5 is finally up! We've got six potential charm ideas, all up in the first post. Check them out and vote for your favorite one!

[vegetalss4]

hmm. this i a though choice...

... you know what i think i will have to think some more before deciding.

[Madmal]

drat, only 2 of them don't seem to draw my interest enough....

but if i need to vote for only one... Haunting the Hen House

[The Rose Dragon]

Moon's Glorious Face.

Just because I'm curious exactly what that description can do.

[The Demented One]

Moon's Glorious Face.

Just because I'm curious exactly what that description can do.
Think the Lunar analogue to the Solar's Authority-Radiating Stance and the Sidereal's Underling Invisibility Practice, with upgrade purchases that take it up to something not unlike Beauty is in the Eye in the end.

[Raz_Fox]

Peacock's Irresistible Grace. All shall love us and despair.

[Vadin]

Oooh! Haunting The Hen House! Because I've always wanted my Lunar to go all animal form and multiple mirror image'd at the same time.

[lesser_minion]

I think I'll go with Blood-Curdling Savage Mien. A nice aggressive charm.

[Weimann]

Both Haunting the Hen House and Moon's Glorious Face does sound interesting, but I think I'll have to go with Blood-Curdling Savage Mien.

[Sanguine]

Haunting the Hen House because it is just awesome.

[The Demented One]

Silvery Lunar Bump!

[vegetalss4]

Glorious bump prana

[Weimann]

How's this looking? Is there any result soming in? :)

[lesser_minion]

I'd have expected there to be slightly more people interested in this.

Admittedly, I'm one of quite a few people who found Exalted a little hard to get into at first (It also seems a little odd that Exalted is a customised version of an outdated game system, as opposed to being based on Storytelling).

[ScIaDrd]

Let´s give Resplendent Pack Aura a shot.

[vegetalss4]

hungry bump technique (this is fun)

[flabort]

If my vote would count, Haunting the Hen House, for vote #4 at it...

[Kuma]

Peacock's Irresistible Grace.

[DaBull]

Haunting The Hen House, ACTIVATE!

[The Tygre]

I vote for Peacock's Irresistible Grace.

[The Demented One]

Oh, yay! People posting! Now that we've got a goodly number of votes, I think I can safely call this round: Haunting the Hen House wins! We'll see the finished charm in just a bit...

EDIT: And here it is! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7227463#post7227463)

[Weimann]

Woot!

The charm is well done. It's pretty close to the Sidereal shtick, but cool none the less. I like how you added further uses at higher Essence; too.

So... what happens now? Does it start again?

[The Demented One]

So... what happens now? Does it start again?
Very strongly considering that.


The charm is well done. It's pretty close to the Sidereal shtick, but cool none the less. I like how you added further uses at higher Essence; too.
Illusion is actually traditionally a Lunar schtick.

[horngeek]

You know, when I read that charm, I immediately thought:

KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU! :smalltongue:

I read too much Naruto...

[The Demented One]

I really need to raise my Temperance...the siren call of homebrew, I can't resist it!

[The_Snark]

I really need to raise my Temperance...the siren call of homebrew, I can't resist it!

"Vice (homebrew) would be a great flaw," you said. "I don't see how it could possibly hurt me!"

Now can you see?

[Weimann]

Illusion is actually traditionally a Lunar schtick.It is? I didn't know ^^

[The Demented One]

It is? I didn't know ^^
At least, it's supposed to be. The mechanics don't really deliver on some of the promises the text makes.