Keychain of Creation 5: Can't Hit 6 for a Century

[The Rose Dragon]

So, fifth thread. We're on a roll here, it seems. Sure, we spent months meditating on the last two threads, but that doesn't stop our inevitable reach to Essence 10... and beyond!

First thread is here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63555)
Second thread is here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121860)
Third thread is here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145846)
Fourth thread is here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156744)
Comic is here. (http://keychain.patternspider.net/)
Comic's first page is here. (http://keychain.patternspider.net/archive/koc0001.html)

Also, we'd like to remind you that frequent peruse of these threads might allow you to hear the Whispers of the Neverborn. Tread carefully.

[Lix Lorn]

Hooray for KoC. :smallsmile: Long may it continue!

[Weimann]

Hooray for KoC. :smallsmile: Long may it continue!Hear, hear.

That's just awesome. I love how everyone (me included) just assumed the robbers were Terrestrial because their colours matched.

Even Misho and Marena seem to have taken their Exaltation for granted. I guess they just assume that if the world lets them get stopped by robbers, it'll be some robbers of conequence.

[rocketpony]

Happy birfday Jukashi :D May you use it to get older and more beautiful!

It's okay Marena, sometimes I forget too :(
p.s. Jukashi you totally had me going, well done :D

[Weimann]

Oh yeah and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jukashi.

[Jokasti]

Happy birthday to Jukashi, may his hands never tire of pleasuring us.
...
You know what I mean.

Also! That guy must have been thinking "Screw the rules! I have green hair!"

[Leliel]

Now what on earth could MINIONS get their mitts on to make them able to imitate dragon-blooded?

Or is it just the armor? :smallconfused:

The trait for Heroic Mortals is Henchmen...

And I suspect the two are certainly heroic, given how they're able to move with Jade Armor on.

On a side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUKASHI!

[golentan]

The trait for Heroic Mortals is Henchmen...

And I suspect the two are certainly heroic, given how they're able to move with Jade Armor on.

On a side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUKASHI!

It was the powerbow that convinced me... It looked like a powerbow anyway.

[Mando Knight]

Silly Marena. Green is a perfectly natural hair color. :smalltongue:

[Morty]

Hm. I wonder what the penatly for impersonating a Dragon-Blooded in the Realm is. :smalltongue:
I also wonder how long have these guys been doing that. I suppose they might as well have been pretty succesful, because the real Dragon-Blooded are too busy with their civil war to bother and a mortal citizen's response to being demanded a toll from a Terrestial wouldn't be "prove you're a Dragon-Blood".

[Sanguine]

Happy Birthday Jukashi!

[Weimann]

What clicked it for me was the fact that one was named Meadow.

I mean, if you were a common mortal, you'd be names Tacat Ajara or something equally Blessed Ilse-sounding. Only Exalts have names like Ten Winds and Meadow and Furious Trout.

Of course, the robbers would know that too, wouldn't they? >.>

[Lix Lorn]

What clicked it for me was the fact that one was named Meadow.

I mean, if you were a common mortal, you'd be names Tacat Ajara or something equally Blessed Ilse-sounding. Only Exalts have names like Ten Winds and Meadow and Furious Trout.

Of course, the robbers would know that too, wouldn't they? >.>
Thanks a lot, now I need to roleplay a Terrestrial. ♥

[Gez]

So this "Chejop Kejak" fellow, from his name, he's a mortal, right? :smalltongue:

[Jokasti]

So this "Chejop Kejak" fellow, from his name, he's a mortal, right?

Yes. Completely mortal.

[The Rose Dragon]

Who? Chejop Kejak? I know of no Chejop Kejak.

Incidentally, have you met the advisor of the Mouth of Peace? Such a sweet man!

[Lix Lorn]

...I get twice as many of the jokes in KoC now I know some rules, but there's still so many going RIGHT over my head. XD

[Recaiden]

Happy Birthday, Jukashi.

Nice, comic, too.

[Leliel]

Who? Chejop Kejak? I know of no Chejop Kejak.

Incidentally, have you met the advisor of the Mouth of Peace? Such a sweet man!

Why yes, I have, and he is.

Weird though. Every time something goes right for him, he clasps his hands in front of his face and gives that spooky grin...

[Rhyvurg]

Damn! I apparently forgot, but Ten in the new art style looks bad-ass!

[Revlid]

Nice jab at the speculation there. :smallbiggrin:

And a happy belated birthday, Jukashi!

[Gez]

Nice jab at the speculation there. :smallbiggrin:

Wait, if they're not Exalts, then they may be... Primordials! :smalleek:

[Lix Lorn]

Wait, if they're not Exalts, then they may be... Primordials! :smalleek:
Don't be silly!
They are actually MISHO'S KIDS! The ones he thought the fair folk killed!

[Morph Bark]

Don't be silly!
They are actually MISHO'S KIDS! The ones he thought the fair folk killed!

Nonono, you got it all wrong. They're descendants of Marena's lost child who ended up timetravelling to the past!

[Lix Lorn]

:O
...
Marenas kids in the past WITH Misho's kid he thought died?!

[Morph Bark]

:O
...
Marenas kids in the past WITH Misho's kid he thought died?!

And obviously at least one of them is a previous host of Secret's Exaltation!

[Lix Lorn]

...
YES.
Just yes.

[Gaius]

Gadzooks!

I can already hear the mournful, "nooooo my scheme" of the Jukashi.

[kts2008]

officially making this wmg now: both of the bandits are going to exalt as terrestrials. and it will, some how, be Ten Wind's fault

[Rockphed]

officially making this wmg now: both of the bandits are going to exalt as terrestrials. and it will, some how, be Ten Wind's fault

No, terrestrials is too obvious. They will exalt as Infernals.

[Gaius]

To make both kts and Rockphed both technically (or at least functionally) correct: they both Exalt as Terrestrials, and then immediately agree to be Akuma. One or more people will afterward turn to glare at Ten and say, "Thanks," with an icy word balloon.

[Lix Lorn]

Gadzooks!

I can already hear the mournful, "nooooo my scheme" of the Jukashi.
I like that meme. I shall help force it. XD

[Morph Bark]

Now that I think about it, while I know it's part of the whole naming thing Exalted has, for a good while I thought Ten Winds was just the Tenth of something, so I presumed at some point they'd come across a Two Winds and so on. :smalleek:

[Coidzor]

Gadzooks!

I can already hear the mournful, "nooooo my scheme" of the Jukashi.

So, wait, Jukashi is like the little brother version of Tzeentch?


Now that I think about it, while I know it's part of the whole naming thing Exalted has, for a good while I thought Ten Winds was just the Tenth of something, so I presumed at some point they'd come across a Two Winds and so on. :smalleek:

Me, I was left wondering what the last 2-6 directions were.

[Jokasti]

So, wait, Jukashi is like the little brother version of Tzeentch?.

Wouldn't that be if he planned for us to guess that? I don't know much about W40K, but doesn't he say "Just as planned" or something?

[Coidzor]

Wouldn't that be if he planned for us to guess that? I don't know much about W40K, but doesn't he say "Just as planned" or something?

So Nega-Tzeentch would be more appropriate then, you say?

[Jokasti]

[QUOTE=Jokasti;9592205] I don't know much nothing about W40K, /QUOTE]

Sorry, this is more appropriate. I only know about Tzeentch cause one of my friends says "Just as planned" a lot and I asked him about it.
So, uh, yes?

[Lix Lorn]

Tzeentch, but less successful.
And probably cuter. XD

[Drascin]

Wouldn't that be if he planned for us to guess that? I don't know much about W40K, but doesn't he say "Just as planned" or something?

Well, actually, the "Just As Planned" thing is a Death Note meme, but its relation to Tzeentch is weird. It's true that everything goes just as planned for Tzeentch, but a bit part of that is that Tzeentch plans for everything. I don't mean every eventuality that could screw his "master plan" - I mean he has a million plans going on at once. Many of his plans are in direct contradiction to his other plans, and he regularly boycotts his own plans for laughs and to see the despaired faces of his pawns. Tzeentch is the Lord of Change. Tzeentch doesn't always care much in which direction the Change goes - which many sorcerers find out entirely too late :smallwink:.

So yes, chances are Tzeentch would have planned for us guessing. But it wouldn't make much difference to him. Much like Jukashi probably doesn't mind much when we guess his plot points before he comc's them :smallbiggrin:.

[rocketpony]

No, terrestrials is too obvious. They will exalt as Infernals.

Too obvious!
They'll both exalt as Alchemicals somehow! (Nova alluded to other Alchemicals in Creation, it's not impossible that there's, like, a Soulsteel or Adamant hiding on the Island, trololo)

No wait even better
THEY'LL BECOME DRAGON KINGS

SOMEHOW.

[horngeek]

Too obvious!
They'll both exalt as Alchemicals somehow! (Nova alluded to other Alchemicals in Creation, it's not impossible that there's, like, a Soulsteel or Adamant hiding on the Island, trololo)

No wait even better
THEY'LL BECOME DRAGON KINGS

SOMEHOW.

...okay, this is getting ridiculous. Of course, given how the author works, he'll pop in just to confirm them. :smalltongue:

[Lix Lorn]

nooo his scheme!

[Coidzor]

Too obvious!
They'll both exalt as Alchemicals somehow! (Nova alluded to other Alchemicals in Creation, it's not impossible that there's, like, a Soulsteel or Adamant hiding on the Island, trololo)

No wait even better
THEY'LL BECOME DRAGON KINGS

SOMEHOW.

Nah, we'll have to wait for their blue-haired friend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipy1ZJQeUcs&feature=related)to show up for them to pierce the heavens like that.

[Lix Lorn]

Going back to sanity, just for a change-they could be solars. Or lunars. It'd explain why they're pretending to be dragon-blooded...

[horngeek]

Going back to sanity, just for a change-they could be solars. Or lunars. It'd explain why they're pretending to be dragon-blooded...

Except both of the above have even better things to do than banditry. Like run all the bandits in the Blessed Isle, or something. :smalltongue:

[Lix Lorn]

How do you know they don't?

[horngeek]

How do you know they don't?

But then, why would they be robbing mortals personally? :smalltongue:

[Lix Lorn]

First rule of command: Never order your troops to do something you wouldn't do yourself. ;P

[The Rose Dragon]

But then, why would they be robbing mortals personally? :smalltongue:

The thrill of the kill?

[Tavar]

First rule of command: Never order your troops to do something you wouldn't do yourself. ;P

Maybe they just have really low Mental Stats.

[Coidzor]

The thrill of the kill?

Except, as shown, they weren't exactly eager to kill Misho and company.


First rule of command: Never order your troops to do something you wouldn't do yourself. ;P

A commander who leads by charging at the front of battle cannot give ANY orders as the battlefield changes.

[Revlid]

New Ink Monkeys is up. (http://forums.white-wolf.com/cs/blogs/freelancers/archive/2010/10/20/ink-monkeys-vol-36-hell-s-chosen-part-ii.aspx)

No new SWLIHN Charms.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/Revlid/sadswlihn.jpg

I wonder when someone is going to reference the Dawn Solution with regards to Karen's effectiveness?

[horngeek]

...holy crud.

Looking back through the comic, there's so much foreshadowing that Ten's secret was Sidereal-related.

Panel 4, and pay attention to what Marena is saying. (http://keychain.patternspider.net/archive/koc0183.html)

[Lix Lorn]

Also... is that the guy who talked to Sidereal badass girl and persuaded her to say Just As Planned?

[Coidzor]

Also... is that the guy who talked to Sidereal badass girl and persuaded her to say Just As Planned?

It would appear so, yes.

[horngeek]

Heh. I remember having a minor freak-out when she pulled that.

Along the lines of "HOW IS SHE CHANNELING LIGHT? :smalleek::smalleek:"

Yes, I knew she was a Siddie, but she was meant to be blunt. :smalltongue:

[Lix Lorn]

A Sidereal who DOESN'T channel Light is like... uh...
...
Simile fail. Let's just say there aren't any. XD

[horngeek]

I so want to play a Chosen of Serenity in a game.

...I'd be playing her in the Exalted for newbies game (as the moar experienced player) but someone else is already going for a Siddie.

...that said, nothing says I can't do one as well... hmm.

[Lix Lorn]

You still being a lunar in mine? (curious)

[horngeek]

Yeah, I am. I'm tempted to go Siddie instead... but still Lunar.

...just need to type up the sheet for the thread, and get background down. I hate doing the former. Hatehatehate.

[Lix Lorn]

Is hard work @_@

[horngeek]

Yeah... actually, the idea would probably work better as a Chosen of Secrets.

[Morph Bark]

But then, why would they be robbing mortals personally? :smalltongue:

Who says they're robbing mortals? :smallamused:

[horngeek]

Who says they're robbing mortals? :smallamused:

They THOUGHT they were robbing mortals. :smalltongue:

[SlyGuyMcFly]

They THOUGHT they were robbing mortals. :smalltongue:

Who says they THOUGHT they were robbing mortals? :smallamused:

[Coidzor]

This is just getting silly.

[The Rose Dragon]

Who says they THOUGHT they were robbing mortals? :smallamused:

Horngeek does.

Well, that was amusingly simple.

[Morph Bark]

Curiously, those "mortals" they may or may not have been thinking to be robbing are also thinking they are being robbed by robbers who aren't thought to be Dragon-blooded once Ten Winds pointed out that they aren't whereas previously they were thought to be Dragon-blooded robbers.

I think. :smallamused:

And therefore I am.

[Lord Raziere]

Curiously, those "mortals" they may or may not have been thinking to be robbing are also thinking they are being robbed by robbers who aren't thought to be Dragon-blooded once Ten Winds pointed out that they aren't whereas previously they were thought to be Dragon-blooded robbers.

I think. :smallamused:

And therefore I am.

:smallconfused: .......What? Can you please simplify that for me please....

[SlyGuyMcFly]

:smallconfused: .......What? Can you please simplify that for me please....

The robbers we thought were dragon-blooded (but weren't) thought they were going to rob (we think) what they thought were mortals (but weren't) who in turn also thought the robbers were dragon-blooded (like we did). :smalltongue:

[Jokasti]

:smallconfused: .......What? Can you please simplify that for me please....

Cogito, ergo, sum.

[Revlid]

Cogito, ergo, sum.Veni, vermini, vomui.

[Morph Bark]

A horse for Even Human and a kingdom for Jokasti! (And cookies for all!)

Je pense donc je suis, ooh la la. ...wonder if Misho would get that, actually.

[Rockphed]

Veni, vermini, vomui.

I came, there were rats, I puked?

[Weimann]

New comic.

This is so coming back to bite them in their butts. When on the Blessed Isle, make like the Terrestrials.

If anything, they might question why an elder Immaculate Monk is taking orders from someone else.

[Doran]

There aren't any memory erasure charms or spells in Exalted?

[Gaius]

I agree this is a concern to them, but they can still explain things away. The bandts (hehe) only know the group has an Immaculate Monk with them. Misho spoke against killing the bandts before Ten relented, but it's possible to play that off as a suggestion and not an order. Sure, Misho and Marena can't use their peripheral Essence, but they're still social-focused Celestial Exalts: their relevant attributes and abilities are very high (to say nothing of small Charms from personal Essence, if needed). If there's no double-subversion waiting in the wings, I don't think the bandts are going anywhere without believing whatever the circle wants them to believe.

Also: adorable peeping Secret is adorable.

[lord_khaine]

Really, what does the bandits know besides Ten being a DB?

The rest of the party has not done anything to reveal themself, and the truth, that a Imaculate master is traveling with a group of Anathema, is so insane noone would belive it without serious proof.

[Jokasti]

There aren't any memory erasure charms or spells in Exalted?

Sidereals have a few, iirc. Plus, Arcane Fate. They won't be able to remember what Ten Winds looks like.

[Tavar]

You could probably use some of the social fu ones creatively to get the desired effect. Especially the Solar ones.

[Green Bean]

There's Theft of Memory, which I think is a Terrestrial level sorcery. And there's Memory Reweaving Discipline, which is a Solar Performance charm. Marena, Misho, Secret, or Ten could conceivably have the former, and Mish the latter.

[Revlid]

I came, there were rats, I puked?I came, I got ratted, I threw up.

[Ganurath]

So, anyone else think that Ten is going to sic Secret on them after the cart gets moving again?

[golentan]

So, anyone else think that Ten is going to sic Secret on them after the cart gets moving again?

Well, she could probably use the blood.

I don't buy the commentary that jade armor would be the same weight as steel. different densities and all.

[Recaiden]

I don't buy the commentary that jade armor would be the same weight as steel. different densities and all.

I can buy it. It might be a bit heavier than steel, but orichalcum and moonsilver, at least, shouldn't be too heavy, and this isn't starmetal or adamant they're dealing with. And soulsteel, I can't guess as to the weight of.

[WalkingTarget]

I thought that artifact weapons and armor were mostly still steel anyway, just with various magical materials in an alloy.

I know that a lot of the weapons say they can't be used without at least partial attunement (if a Solar wants to use a Jade daikalve they can pay the base cost to get the lightening effect of attunement or double the motes to get the special Jade bonus). There isn't similar text in the main book when talking about armor. Is there an errata or mention in other books for how one should treat unattuned armor? Maybe it just acts like equivalent mundane armor?

[golentan]

I thought that artifact weapons and armor were mostly still steel anyway, just with various magical materials in an alloy.

I know that a lot of the weapons say they can't be used without at least partial attunement (if a Solar wants to use a Jade daikalve they can pay the base cost to get the lightening effect of attunement or double the motes to get the special Jade bonus). There isn't similar text in the main book when talking about armor. Is there an errata or mention in other books for how one should treat unattuned armor? Maybe it just acts like equivalent mundane armor?

I always houseruled that it added -5 to the mobility penalty, and that that COULD make it so you couldn't move. I.E. takes your full exertion to walk (if doing a dash action), or you're stuck where you are if doing something else.

Edit: Or you're epic.

[Coidzor]

I don't buy the commentary that jade armor would be the same weight as steel. different densities and all.

Is exalted Jade, well.... jade?

[lord_khaine]

Funny enough, real jade actualy have about ½ the density of steel, so normaly armor made of the stuff would be much lighter.

[golentan]

Is exalted Jade, well.... jade?

It can be alloyed with metals, used as effective armor and weaponry, and has numerous other interesting properties, so I'm going to go with "no."

[Coidzor]

Funny enough, real jade actualy have about ½ the density of steel, so normaly armor made of the stuff would be much lighter.

Metal is more dense than stone generally, after all.

and Jade hauberks are described as never tiring the wearer on the exalted wiki. Though I'm not sure if all jade hauberks are magical due to being made of a magical material or if they have to be enchanted in addition to being made of magical materials.


It can be alloyed with metals, used as effective armor and weaponry, and has numerous other interesting properties, so I'm going to go with "no."

I meant the pertinent physical ones, like weight.

...And something I didn't already know... :smallsigh:

[golentan]

I meant the pertinent physical ones, like weight.

...And something I didn't already know... :smallsigh:

My point was more just that alloying is a metallic property, not a mineral one, implying jade to not be a mineral in exalted. Other properties seem to back that up, and I'd guess that weight is also changed as long as nothing else is the same anyway.

Also, the reason Jade hauberks don't tire the user is that its magical material bonus is that it removes the fatigue of wearing armor.

[Coidzor]

So it removes the fatigue of wearing armor but doesn't counteract the weight being too much for mortals despite the weight being the source of fatigue? :smallconfused:

How delightfully screwy.

[Recaiden]

So it removes the fatigue of wearing armor but doesn't counteract the weight being too much for mortals despite the weight being the source of fatigue? :smallconfused:

How delightfully screwy.

It only removes the fatigue if a Terrestrial is wearing it. Because they're elemental essence is attuned to the jade, or something. But Mortals can't do that, so it's just good armor for them, nah?

[Gez]

Funny enough, real jade actualy have about ½ the density of steel, so normaly armor made of the stuff would be much lighter.

On the other hand, you'd probably not have the same thickness. Metal can be fashioned in thin plates, flexible plates. Stone, not so much. It'd have to be much thicker to keep cohesion and not break at the slightest shock.

[The Rose Dragon]

In Creation, jade can be alloyed like a metal, but carved like a stone.

[spectralphoenix]

I seem to remember that the books said somewhere that Creation's jade was not the same thing as real jade, but I can't remember where. Oadenol's Codex, maybe?

[Weimann]

Really it stands to reason it's not the same thing as in reality. It's would be way to brittle to be forged at all, to begin with. Also that fact that it's magical should be a pretty clear hint that it's not what we call jade here on Earth.

[Coidzor]

Really it stands to reason it's not the same thing as in reality. It's would be way to brittle to be forged at all, to begin with. Also that fact that it's magical should be a pretty clear hint that it's not what we call jade here on Earth.

Again, the only thing that really matters is its density/weight.

Surely they gave some figures for this somewhere?

[Barefoot Monkey]

Magical metals are generally very dense. Orichalcum weighs more than gold. I can't imagine Jade alloy weighs more than regular steel though. A big part of the reason that magical materials are used is that they make it feasable to create HUGE weapons that are still actually useful in a fight. This is because objects made from magical materials (if made properly) can be attuned to the flow of the wielder's Essence, becoming spiritually an extension of the wielder's body. When attuned, carrying an artifact is almost as easy as carrying nothing at all.

Edit: attuned artifacts still have all their inertia though, so you will need to be strong to swing a goremaul and you will get fatigued from walking around in superheavy plate mail even if you are attuned to it.

Jade in Exalted is a stone, but can be ground into dust and used to create a metallic alloy, the same way that carbon is used with iron to make steel. Armour made from Jade has the special property that it doesn't cause any fatigue at all when attuned fully (Dragon-Blooded Essence resonates naturally Jade; other Exalted need to spend extra effort to harmonise their Essence with it).

In this case our mortals were wearing Jade breastplates. Breastplates are fairly small pieces of armour and don't cause fatigue anyway, so the fact that they couldn't attune to it did not cause them inconvenience.

[The Rose Dragon]

Heh. Nice punchline.

Also, I expect Misho will make a scarf out of the jade in the armors.

[Yuki Akuma]

Note: Mortals can attune to artifacts like jade armour. It just usually requires either esoteric methods or Enlightenment, and the first Exalt to come along will just take it from you and attune to it anyway, so usually there's no much point.

[golentan]

Note: Mortals can attune to artifacts like jade armour. It just usually requires either esoteric methods or Enlightenment, and the first Exalt to come along will just take it from you and attune to it anyway, so usually there's no much point.

Aegis inset amulets or that meditation thing in scroll of heroes I think it is?

Aegis is easier, but does have that pesky side effect of dying twice as quickly. Course, given that you're the sort of person who is given aegis inset amulets, living to ripe old age is probably not a major concern anyway.

[The Rose Dragon]

There is the geomancy ritual that allows you to attune artifacts without knowing how to perceive Essence.

[Yuki Akuma]

There is the geomancy ritual that allows you to attune artifacts without knowing how to perceive Essence.

One day I'm going to make an Exalt that knows that ritual. Just for lulz.

[rocketpony]

Note: Mortals can attune to artifacts like jade armour. It just usually requires either esoteric methods or Enlightenment, and the first Exalt to come along will just take it from you and attune to it anyway, so usually there's no much point.

Just imagine.
You've trained your whole life to unlock the full powers of your ancestral sword. One day, you're just minding your own business, and this guy walks up to you, grabs the sword, and it does all its special magic tricks. He tucks it in his belt and walks away. You start to shout "Stop thief!" but then he turns around and suddenly you see a giant King Ghidorah writ in gold and flame blazing around him, and his eyes are like unto the sun.

In conclusion: still terrible to not be a PC in the Exalted setting.

[Recaiden]

Just imagine.
You've trained your whole life to unlock the full powers of your ancestral sword. One day, you're just minding your own business, and this guy walks up to you, grabs the sword, and it does all its special magic tricks. He tucks it in his belt and walks away. You start to shout "Stop thief!" but then he turns around and suddenly you see a giant King Ghidorah writ in gold and flame blazing around him, and his eyes are like unto the sun.

In conclusion: still terrible to not be a PC in the Exalted setting.

Alternately...


You try to take it back, and your valor earns you a solar exaltation.
You try to take it back, and the solar beats you unconscious. A demon comes and gives you an infernal exaltation, the power to defeat the solar and reclaim your family's honor.
You try to take it back, and the solar kills you. You are offered an Abyssal exaltation, to take revenge on the unjust solar and the whole rotten world.
You try to take it back, and against all odds defeat the solar in combat, Exalting as a Lunar for your impossible skills.
This injustice at the hands of the Anathema inspires you to become a Heroic Mortal in the service of the Empire...
You try to take it back, and the solar kills you. Better luck next life.
You live a depressed mortal life, railing at the unfairness of the world. Better luck next life.

All pretty good options, actually. At the very least because of the reincarnation thing.

[The Rose Dragon]

Just imagine.
You've trained your whole life to unlock the full powers of your ancestral sword. One day, you're just minding your own business, and this guy walks up to you, grabs the sword, and it does all its special magic tricks. He tucks it in his belt and walks away. You start to shout "Stop thief!" but then he turns around and suddenly you see a giant King Ghidorah writ in gold and flame blazing around him, and his eyes are like unto the sun.

In conclusion: still terrible to not be a PC in the Exalted setting.

There is only one problem with this plan: you cannot attune to a weapon that is attuned to someone else (something to do with the Essence patterns), and attunement takes 20 minutes without special Charms. So, a Solar won't really get much use out of stealing an artifact weapon for at least a few days.

[rocketpony]

Alternately...
<snip>
All pretty good options, actually. At the very least because of the reincarnation thing.

I mean, there's also
- Your soul is selected by Autochthon for being mad heroic and you get an Alchemical exaltation next time around.
- Your soul is eaten by Autochthon. Because that's what he does. Peace.
- You try to take it back, and the solar kills you. Your soul is held in permanent agony as it is forged into a sword to destroy the world.

In any event, the ways you cited to improve your state are mostly either exaltation or death, so I'm gonna revise my thesis to say that it's terrible to be a mortal in the Exalted setting :P

[Recaiden]

I mean, there's also
- Your soul is selected by Autochthon for being mad heroic and you get an Alchemical exaltation next time around.
- Your soul is eaten by Autochthon. Because that's what he does. Peace.
- You try to take it back, and the solar kills you. Your soul is held in permanent agony as it is forged into a sword to destroy the world.

In any event, the ways you cited to improve your state are mostly either exaltation or death, so I'm gonna revise my thesis to say that it's terrible to be a mortal in the Exalted setting :P

Right. But he doesn't eat the whole thing. If they let the ghosts out, that'd be okay.
You win about the soulsteel thing.

But it's only some mortals who are so unlucky. It's not much worse than being a mortal in reality, now is it?

[Coidzor]

Right. But he doesn't eat the whole thing. If they let the ghosts out, that'd be okay.
You win about the soulsteel thing.

But it's only some mortals who are so unlucky. It's not much worse than being a mortal in reality, now is it?

I dunno, offhand it seems like you'd have better chance of being born in a developed nation IRL than to have a decent life as a mortal in Creation.

[Claudius Maximus]

It seems to me that being made into soulsteel would be *checks math* infinity times worse than being a mortal in reality. I'd say there is literally nothing in real life worse than that. So yeah.

[Mewtarthio]

It seems to me that being made into soulsteel would be *checks math* infinity times worse than being a mortal in reality. I'd say there is literally nothing in real life worse than that. So yeah.

Are you sure about that? (http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/nostalgia-critic/15087-swchr)
Obvious joke is obvious. Pointlessly self-effacing white text is pointlessly self-effacing. And white. And oddly meta.

[Coidzor]

Are we sure that the souls aren't forced to endlessly watch the Star Wars Christmas Special for all eternity as part of the whole being soulsteel?

[Green Bean]

Honestly, the odds of an Exaltation for an individual mortal are so low that you can't really take them into account when you're looking at how good they have it. It's like saying "sure, you live and work in mind numbing poverty; but you might win the lottery!"

[Kris Strife]

Are we sure that the souls aren't forced to endlessly watch the Star Wars Christmas Special for all eternity as part of the whole being soulsteel?

Am I the only person who liked that, even in a so bad its hilarious sort of way?

[Coidzor]

If you liked more than the cartoon that introduced Boba Fett, probably.

[Kris Strife]

If you liked more than the cartoon that introduced Boba Fett, probably.

I did. :smallbiggrin:

Though I think hearing about how bad it was before hand and watching it while reading the BMS strips helped.

[The Glyphstone]

I'm pretty sure the Star Wars Christmas Special is only tolerable as part of a drinking game. Take a shot every time you see a Star Wars character on screen.

[Kris Strife]

No, I was generally entertained by it.:smallredface:

[Barefoot Monkey]

Alternately...
You try to take it back, and the solar kills you. You are offered an Abyssal exaltation, to take revenge on the unjust solar and the whole rotten world.


Nitpick: the solar leaves after mortally wounding you. If you die then you are no longer eligable to become Abyssal.

[Recaiden]

Nitpick: the solar leaves after mortally wounding you. If you die then you are no longer eligable to become Abyssal.

You are correct. :smallsigh: :smalltongue:

[Kris Strife]

You get an Infernal Exaltation and are healed of your wounds anyways. :smalltongue:

[Yuki Akuma]

There is only one problem with this plan: you cannot attune to a weapon that is attuned to someone else (something to do with the Essence patterns), and attunement takes 20 minutes without special Charms. So, a Solar won't really get much use out of stealing an artifact weapon for at least a few days.

Doesn't that Geomancy ritual specifically say someone can just steal the attunement from you by committing the motes?


Honestly, the odds of an Exaltation for an individual mortal are so low that you can't really take them into account when you're looking at how good they have it. It's like saying "sure, you live and work in mind numbing poverty; but you might win the lottery!"

On the other hand, being around a Solar who spends Essence kinda screws with your Fate. Exalting after experiencing a Solar being a jackass to your ancestral sword makes perfect sense.

[Green Bean]

On the other hand, being around a Solar who spends Essence kinda screws with your Fate. Exalting after experiencing a Solar being a jackass to your ancestral sword makes perfect sense.

That's not really how Fate works. Fate's more like causality than destiny.

[Yuki Akuma]

That's not really how Fate works. Fate's more like causality than destiny.

It's actually both.

[horngeek]

That's not really how Fate works. Fate's more like causality than destiny.

However, high-Essence expenditures do increase Exaltations in the area, according to Scroll of Heroes.

[Weimann]

New comic.

That was remarkably uneventful.

[Jukashi]

I know!:smallfrown: It'll be better in the archives.

I hope.

[Delusion]

I'll bet an obold that that character will be cheerier than Marena with new bouncing ball.

[horngeek]

...I get the feeling Ten isn't as unique in being a surviving agent of the Siddies as he thinks. There's just something about the outfit that reminds me of his in his flashback.

[Gez]

It's the smoke.


Also, previous page, little typo: sacrilegious; not sacriligious. :smallsmile:

[Xelloss]

It's actually both.
No. Destiny =/= Fate.


However, high-Essence expenditures do increase Exaltations in the area, according to Scroll of Heroes.
The appropriate answer to that is "LOL Scroll of Heroes".

[Yuki Akuma]

No. Destiny =/= Fate.

The department of Heaven that controls Fate is called the Bureau of Destiny.

Sidereals can use astrology to manipulate Fate to create effects called Destinies.

People with the Destiny background can be seen in the Loom of Fate.

Hell, the point where people die can be seen in the Loom of Fate.

In fact, the points at which people meet can be determined by their threads in the Loom of Fate crossing.

Yes, Fate is totally not Destiny. :smallsigh:

[horngeek]

The appropriate answer to that is "LOL Scroll of Heroes".

:smallannoyed:

I happen to like a great deal of the stuff in there, even if I do recognise Flaws and Merits could have been handled a great deal better. Crafted Races, in particular. Also, that statement has not been contradicted in any other source.

In short: that attitude really annoys me, to be honest.

[Weimann]

Hm, it sounds not entirely intuitive for me, but neither does it trigger and instinctive warning bells. I'd have to read it to be sure, but the biggest problem I have is that a "high Essence expenditure" usually is instantaneous and leaves no radiation behind. I wonder how it could have lasting effects.

Also, doesn't Scroll of Heroes give God-Blooded and similar an Essence pool without having to take the Awakened Essence mutation? That's not how it goes, generally (but maybe it should).

[Yuki Akuma]

High Essence expenditure screws up the Loom of Fate something fierce - especially Celestial-level Essence expenditure.

The Loom of Fate controls the laws of physics, among other things. Celestial-level exalts routinely break the laws of physics, so things get screwy.

And God-blooded (and similar) are meant to have Essence pools - they're not mortal.

[Weimann]

Really? I made such a character once and everyone on the official board said "no, you need the mutation". Guess it's different strokes :smallconfused:

[Leliel]

The Loom of Fate controls the laws of physics, among other things. Celestial-level exalts routinely break the laws of physics, so things get screwy.


It would catch these things, were it not for the fact that the pattern spiders rigged it to shut off in cases of sufficient awesome.

Helps with the boredom of knitting for all eternity.

[Drascin]

It would catch these things, were it not for the fact that the pattern spiders rigged it to shut off in cases of sufficient awesome.

Helps with the boredom of knitting for all eternity.

Heh. For some reason, I really like the Pattern Spiders quite a lot. I think it's how sympathetic the job and its travails are. Plus spiders are cute, which helps.

You know, I'm noticing that pretty much all my favorite things in this setting were made by Autochthon. Coincidence?

[The Rose Dragon]

Heh. For some reason, I really like the Pattern Spiders quite a lot. I think it's how sympathetic the job and its travails are. Plus spiders are cute, which helps.

You know, I'm noticing that pretty much all my favorite things in this setting were made by Autochthon. Coincidence?

Well, the titular Exalted, Jadeborn and Pattern Spiders. I think that's the sum of what things created by Autochthon.

[golentan]

Heh. For some reason, I really like the Pattern Spiders quite a lot. I think it's how sympathetic the job and its travails are. Plus spiders are cute, which helps.

You know, I'm noticing that pretty much all my favorite things in this setting were made by Autochthon. Coincidence?

That's because he's the single coolest being in the setting. He's the only relatively sane high essence being who isn't a drooling Xbox addict, has compassion, and has overcome tremendous personal difficulties to stick it to the world and shape it in his own image.

And he did. The setting would not exist if not for him, and he's arguably contributed more to it than any other gods or primordials you might care to mention.

I did like in today's comic. "Have we gone far enough?" *thinks of ten* *implicit no, no we have not.*

[The Rose Dragon]

That's because he's the single coolest being in the setting. He's the only relatively sane high essence being who isn't a drooling Xbox addict, has compassion, and has overcome tremendous personal difficulties to stick it to the world and shape it in his own image.

He is also a psychopath whose aim was to maim and murder his cousins for breaking his toys and making fun of his sickness and created sapient weapons of mass deicide to help him, and a sociopath who collected humans away from their homes and told them nothing about how to live inside him without dying because he did not really consider humans would have difficulty without cities and food.

[Yuki Akuma]

He is also a psychopath whose aim was to maim and murder his cousins for breaking his toys and making fun of his sickness and created sapient weapons of mass deicide to help him, and a sociopath who collected humans away from their homes and told them nothing about how to live inside him without dying because he did not really consider humans would have difficulty without cities and food.

He also eats souls.

[The Rose Dragon]

He also eats souls.

Po souls, which don't really matter that much other than being a seat of mortal power. Nevertheless, by doing so, he is reducing the number of available mortal lives in Autochthonia, causing stillborn babies because they have no animating force.

[rocketpony]

As long as we're ragging on Autochthon, I think it's implied somewhere that if he ever wakes up again, he's gonna bust the Seal of Eight Divinities and unmake Creation for spare parts.
Soooo.

As for the new guy! Smoking a cigar, grey hair... could he be Ten's BROTHER?
No that's not absurd enough.
An Alchemical duplicate of Ten, built by Nova to displace the original and infiltrate the party, and so to win Misho's heart upon her behalf?
THAT'S PROBABLY DEFINITELY IT.

Wait how do we know that it hasn't happened already?! :O :O :O

[Gez]

So, the new guy is the real Ten Wind, and the one with the party is a robot clone?

Makes sense, but it needs more time-travel.

[rocketpony]

So, the new guy is the real Ten Wind, and the one with the party is a robot clone?

Makes sense, but it needs more time-travel.

Or is the new guy the second duplicate that Nova has dispatched because the first one has violated its programming... by falling in love! With Nemen Yi, no less! Just as planned, indeed!
Robo-Ten's new plan is to trick Misho into going totemic on the Island, which will surely draw the attentions of Sidereals, especially ones with an interest in the keys, and so he'll be able to confess his love for her! (I guess Robo-Ten is unable to use the channels real Ten used to contact the star-touched?) Robo-Ten-II has to reach them before this happens, and there's probably going to be an awesome alchemical-masquerading-as-terrestrial battle between them and boy oh boy oh boy.
The real Ten is still in Nova's lab, strung out on the finest Autochthonian liquors.

[Morph Bark]

So, the new guy is the real Ten Wind, and the one with the party is a robot clone?

Makes sense, but it needs more time-travel.

Also needs an evil twin constructing Robo-Ten.

[Lix Lorn]

But you're missing the most important part!
The REAL Ten is in on it, because he wants to keep the circle on guard against any conceivable threat, even those so strange that no normal person could conceive of them! Like these ones!

[Morph Bark]

Well, that would be in line with his character.

And considering we haven't seen a reveal of any straight-up clear BBEG for the story yet...

DUN DUN DUNNN!!

[Lix Lorn]

...
YES. :smallbiggrin:

[Morph Bark]

My players are thrown for a loop every session with regards to encounters, they are thrown for even bigger loops plot-wise every other session. Can you tell? :smallbiggrin:

[Recaiden]

How is it that only three of the stars moved in between panels? Is this some crazy Sidereal Magic thing?

[Rhydeble]

No, terrestrials is too obvious. They will exalt as Infernals.

Infernals is in fact so weird as to become obvious, They will actually exalt into penguins.

[Kris Strife]

Infernals is in fact so weird as to become obvious, They will actually exalt into penguins.

Are they going to fight master criminal HP Lovecraft?

[Gez]

YES. They definitely are.

[Morph Bark]

Are they going to fight master criminal HP Lovecraft, Self-Proclaimed Elder God?

Fixed that for you. :smallwink:

[Coidzor]

Wasn't he scared of flowers or something really mundane like that?

Man this is going to bug me all night now. x.x

[Barefoot Monkey]

How is it that only three of the stars moved in between panels? Is this some crazy Sidereal Magic thing?

Well-spotted. That probably represents Sidereal Astrology in action. In fact, those "mortals" might have been Sidereals all along.

On an unrelated note, I wonder if Misho knows that Terrestrial Sorcery spell which forces a person to keep something secret.

[SlyGuyMcFly]

Wasn't he scared of flowers or something really mundane like that?

Man this is going to bug me all night now. x.x

Fish. It was fish, I think.

[kamikasei]

Fish. It was fish, I think.
Fish, the ocean, New England, miscegnation, poor people, and old buildings. Well, less "old buildings" than "the fact that anything more than a century old exists at all, egads".

[Rockphed]

Fish, the ocean, New England, miscegnation, poor people, and old buildings. Well, less "old buildings" than "the fact that anything more than a century old exists at all, egads".

So we just need an essence 6 fish lunar who fishes for crabs and lobster. There, fish, New England and something more than a century old.

[Recaiden]

So we just need an essence 6 fish lunar who fishes for crabs and lobster. There, fish, New England and something more than a century old.

They also need to have no dots in Resources.

[Kris Strife]

Wasn't he scared of flowers or something really mundane like that?

Man this is going to bug me all night now. x.x

Although he was married briefly, and many years later his former wife was moved to state, peculiarly, that he was an "adequately excellent lover," it is clear from all available evidence that sexuality, procreation, and the human body itself were among the things that scared him the most.

He was also frightened of invertebrates, marine life in general, temperatures below freezing, fat people, people of other races, race-mixing, slums, percussion instruments, caves, cellars, old age, great expanses of time, monumental architecture, non-Euclidean geometry, deserts, oceans, rats, dogs, the New England countryside, New York City, fungi and molds, viscous substances, medical experiments, dreams, brittle textures, gelatinous textures, the color gray, plant life of diverse sorts, memory lapses, old books, heredity, mists, gases, whistling, whispering (http://kitabkhana.blogspot.com/2006/10/lovecrafts-phobias.html)

Also Penguins.

[Mr.Bookworm]

And considering we haven't seen a reveal of any straight-up clear BBEG for the story yet...


http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs30/f/2008/170/2/0/Exalted__Forsaken_Lion_by_chriss2d.jpg

I like how you forgot the single straightest example of a Big Bad Evil Guy in Exalted. :smalltongue:

[Morph Bark]

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs30/f/2008/170/2/0/Exalted__Forsaken_Lion_by_chriss2d.jpg

I like how you forgot the single straightest example of a Big Bad Evil Guy in Exalted. :smalltongue:

I don't play Exalted.

Doesn't stop me from enjoying a nice story with fine characters.

[Tavar]

I don't play Exalted.

Doesn't stop me from enjoying a nice story with fine characters.

But he's also a character in the story. Heck, his first mention is "and this is who we're going to go up against."

[golentan]

But he's also a character in the story. Heck, his first mention is "and this is who we're going to go up against."

And his first actual appearance is "the badguys who are messing with you are terrified of him, and he's sending his armies out to ruin your life and steal all your cheese."

[memnarch]

And here's a full portrait of him pretty much (http://keychain.patternspider.net/archive/koc0278.html).

[Aquillion]

In 1e, the FaFL wasn't actually a BBEG. His thing was that he didn't care about Creation -- he wanted to rule the Underworld, and was punished by his Neverborn masters for showing no interest in the destroying the world whatsoever (because, uh, why would he want to destroy the world? What does he get out of it now that the Neverborn have already given him their toys? This is why you don't pay people in advance.)

The Mask of Winters was supposed to be the world-conquering one. But somehow, various writers mixed the two up, and in 2e the First and Forsaken Lion is just Mask of Winters 2.0 with scary armor and a bigger army.



The department of Heaven that controls Fate is called the Bureau of Destiny.

Sidereals can use astrology to manipulate Fate to create effects called Destinies.

People with the Destiny background can be seen in the Loom of Fate.

Hell, the point where people die can be seen in the Loom of Fate.

In fact, the points at which people meet can be determined by their threads in the Loom of Fate crossing.

Yes, Fate is totally not Destiny. :smallsigh:The way it works is this:

The Loom manipulates causality. It controls the present. It's like a computer that runs Exalted's physics. It doesn't have anything to do with the future; the future doesn't exist yet. However, you can determine the future by examining the thread of causality from the present.

More importantly, you can cheat by influencing causality. And the best way to influence causality is by setting long-term plans -- by writing little notes to the Pattern Spiders that say "when this happens, do this." That's Destiny.

A Sidereal looks at the loom and uses its complete picture of Exalted's laws of causality combined with its complete picture of its current state to make predictions about what will happen in the future. He sees (say) that the current state of causality leads to him getting beheaded by a Solar in a month -- that's Fate. So he writes a note to the Pattern Spiders, essentially hacking the laws of physics to say that when that Solar swings at him, he misses (or gets a target number reduction, but it's the same general idea).

But the Loom doesn't control the future directly. There isn't any past or future -- not in the sense that you can reach out and manipulate it -- there's only the present and causality. Since the Loom controls both for things within Fate, a Sidereal can read causality from the present to predict the future, then tweak the laws of physics to alter what they see... to an extent.

It might seem like a meaningless distinction, but it's important, because it both explains the rules of Sidereal Astrology and Sidereal charms in general, and explains how it's possible to defeat people who can theoretically read and alter the future. While the Loom governs causality, those rules aren't always obeyed -- in particular, sufficiently high essence expenditures can cause things to go off-track from the way causality would normally imply. The Loom says you get hit and die, Seven Shadows Evasions says you don't, SSE wins.

And, of course, since the Loom doesn't handle things outside of Fate, everything involving them can make your predictions fall apart. But at the same time, this doesn't make Sidereal Astrology useless, because even if you can't perfectly predict and change the future, it still amounts to the ability to hack the rules for things within Fate.

This is also why if you read the actual Sidereal Astrology rules, they don't make any mention of the future at all. That's not really how it works. Destiny isn't a single plan (although there may be someone's plan behind it), it's a bunch of conditional branch statements that the Sidereals (and the Bureau of Destiny as a whole) hacked into the Loom.

[Tavar]

He's not a bbeg because of any of that though. It's because his goal is in direct contradiction to the heroes. He wants to get the keys(cause, hey, power. Plus, with all 5, he could probably end his curse/free himself from the neverborn), and the heroes want to make sure that he doesn't.

[Lix Lorn]

Maybe the keys will open his armour, he'll emerge young and beautiful and aid the heroes against that accursed villainous Xanatos, Ten Winds?

...that would be so cool.

[Aquillion]

He's not a bbeg because of any of that though. It's because his goal is in direct contradiction to the heroes. He wants to get the keys(cause, hey, power. Plus, with all 5, he could probably end his curse/free himself from the neverborn), and the heroes want to make sure that he doesn't....why not?

The only reason he wants to destroy the world is because the Neverborn are making him do it. Without his Neverborn masters riding him, he would be less dangerous, not more. He might still decide he wants to rule Creation, but at least he won't have the Neverborn trying to force him to kill it anymore.

[golentan]

...why not?

The only reason he wants to destroy the world is because the Neverborn are making him do it. Without his Neverborn masters riding him, he would be less dangerous, not more. He might still decide he wants to rule Creation, but at least he won't have the Neverborn trying to force him to kill it anymore.

No, he'll just have all five keys, his unholy army, all his first age know-how and tech and one of the largest kingdoms in the multiverse ready to do whatever it is that the sort of twisted person a first age solar who is willing to sell out everything ever for his sick revenge would do if he had an unobstructed path.

I realize that's a twisted up sentence, but I think you get my point.

[Weimann]

Maybe the keys will open his armour, he'll emerge young and beautiful and aid the heroes against that accursed villainous Xanatos, Ten Winds?

...that would be so cool.I think he wants to remove his armor so he can finally bonk Princess Magnificent.

That and end the constant, mind-tearing pain the armor makes him suffer every waking minute. And he doesn't sleep.

[Jukashi]

destiny in Exalted

I hadn't actually thought about it that way before. Works well.

But, then, there's also Samsara, which apparently is actually a way to tell the future, that only the Maidens have access to? Only, samsara can also be trumped with enough essence.

Anyways, FaFL. I will say that in Keychain, he has motivations and plans different from most of those he has as described in the game.

[Tavar]

Something I just thought about; has the fight for the throne turned into a full fledged civil war? I knew that the additional time couldn't have been good, but has it deteriorated to that point?

[Coidzor]

Maybe he just wants to destroy the Gods' xbox so they have to get out of the house every once in awhile?

[Morph Bark]

Maybe he just wants to destroy the Gods' xbox so they have to get out of the house every once in awhile?

So that is what Pandora's box did, huh?

[Xelloss]

Only, samsara can also be trumped with enough essence.
IIRC, it can't. That's why Sacheverell must stay asleep, and why the Maidens only see Samasara with a distorted vision according to their domain.

[horngeek]

New comic is up.

First: dun Dun DUN!!!!!!!

Second: Huh. Siddies.

Do eye colors stay the same in Resplendant Destinies? If so, we're looking at a Chosen of Secrets. Hmmmmm...

Yes, I've considered and discounted the possibility it's just a Terrestrial. He is either a member of or works for the Bronze Faction, due to the fact that he knows of Ten and is supporting the Realm, and unless Ten is very much mistaken in his beliefs, the guy can't be a former co-worker.

...unless, of course, the Terrestrial group Ten was a member of kept recruiting. >.< Okay, could still be a Terrestrial.

In which case, I maintain he's a Wood-Aspect due to his coloring choices.

So, my guesses; Greensid, or Wood-Aspect working for the Bronze Faction in the same way that Ten did.

[Morph Bark]

Due to his not having grey or white hair and thus appearing young already, CUE THEORIES FOR BEING'S TEN'S SON/DAUGHTER/NEPHEW/NIECE.

/shot

[Weimann]

"Gentlemen." I laughed. The cigarette is a great added touch. Given the eye colour, I would suspect this person is Chosen of Secrets.

[WalkingTarget]

New comic is up.

First: dun Dun DUN!!!!!!!

Second: Huh. Siddies.

Do eye colors stay the same in Resplendant Destinies? If so, we're looking at a Chosen of Secrets. Hmmmmm...

Yes, I've considered and discounted the possibility it's just a Terrestrial. He is either a member of or works for the Bronze Faction, due to the fact that he knows of Ten and is supporting the Realm, and unless Ten is very much mistaken in his beliefs, the guy can't be a former co-worker.

...unless, of course, the Terrestrial group Ten was a member of kept recruiting. >.< Okay, could still be a Terrestrial.

In which case, I maintain he's a Wood-Aspect due to his coloring choices.

So, my guesses; Greensid, or Wood-Aspect working for the Bronze Faction in the same way that Ten did.

...

I thought it was pretty obviously a Sidereal (and Chosen of Secrets from the color scheme) based on the stars in the previous comic.

6 bright stars start close together, 2 steadily move away from the other 4 over the course of the comic. Since our favorite Abyssal wouldn't show up there anymore, this matches Meadow and Klen running away from team Misho. Furthermore, our Mysterious Figure (very Secretive, no?) is watching the stars.

At least, that's my interpretation.

edit - hmm... or I'm remembering things wrong. Do Abyssals remain outside of fate if they've been running around Creation for a long time? If not, then the lack of a 5th star for the group could be an indication that Ten is outside of fate (which would explain why Nemen Yi - and this new guy, presuming he's Sidereal - are surprised about him being there).

[Leliel]

This is either a former compatriot of Ten's, a Chosen of Secrets, or Chejop Kejack.

Yes, I know those last two are redundant, but it could be one of Kejack's subordinates.

Though, if this is the Dying Mastermind himself, one has to wonder if he's looking for the Keys too...and why he's using mortals when the All-Seeing Eye would probably agree with desire to avoid a civil war.

[horngeek]

I don't think it's going to be Chejop himself. Because if he's going to be against the protagonists next, this comic will come to a premature end.

[DrakeRaids]

I smell Sidereals. Dirty, Dirty Sidereals.

[Rimblah]

edit - hmm... or I'm remembering things wrong. Do Abyssals remain outside of fate if they've been running around Creation for a long time? If not, then the lack of a 5th star for the group could be an indication that Ten is outside of fate (which would explain why Nemen Yi - and this new guy, presuming he's Sidereal - are surprised about him being there).

Abyssals enter Fate after spending a while in Creation, unless they have learned Immortal Malevolence Enslavement. If Secret knows that, I will be totally floored, because that is one evil charm.

~~~

Fate & Samsara-

Not that it isn't perfectly reasonable to houserule Samsara into something Essence-defeatable, but the default is that Samsara's predictions are not something you can invalidate with any kind of magic. Rather oddly, the only thing Samsara is, by default, incapible of predicting is the actions of beings outside an ST's control.

(This creates the odd, sometimes-unwanted situation where an NPC could theoretically identify who the PCs are and get all disgustingly meta. That doesn't happen very often because the very few charms which use Samsara are hugely specific as to what the charm can and cannot foresee)

On the upside, this means that the Maidens actually take marching orders directly from the ST, who is not required to have any reason beyond 'I said so' for one to have done something, at least in regards to her purview.

I'm pretty sure they invented this specifically because fate-based prophecy is practically a synonym for 'Some Exalt wrecks it', and it's cool to be able to make an enigmatic prediction about the Yozis or whatever.

~~~

Mysterious Green Dude-

Clearly Misho's previous incarnation possessing Marena's child, who Exalted as an Oracle and was aged by magic. Now past-Misho seeks to stop present-Misho in order to defeat future-Misho, who is actually the First and Forgotten Lion.

~~~

Merela's name-

Sidereals stole it and keep it in a secret chest!

[Lix Lorn]

Clearly Misho's previous incarnation possessing Marena's child, who Exalted as an Oracle and was aged by magic. Now past-Misho seeks to stop present-Misho in order to defeat future-Misho, who is actually the First and Forgotten Lion.
I support this bit.

[Jukashi]

Clearly Misho's previous incarnation possessing Marena's child, who Exalted as an Oracle and was aged by magic. Now the fool seeks to return to the past, to undo the future that is The First And Forsaken Lion!

Fixed that for ya thar

[Lix Lorn]

Fixed that for ya thar
Best audience interaction ever.

[Raz_Fox]

Fixed that for ya thar

I cracked up, Jukashi.

Which got me to thinking. Jack is totally a Dawn Caste with an Artifact 5 Daiklaive, excellencies in everything, and Enemy 5 (Aku).

[Morph Bark]

Best audience interaction ever.

+1 to that.

[Xelloss]

to undo the future that is The First And Forsaken Lion!

Obviously the future is Ebon Dragon !

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5224/ebonakuavatar.png

[Morph Bark]

Obviously the future is Ebon Dragon !

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5224/ebonakuavatar.png

That looks strangely familiar (http://www.purecraft.net/samuraijack.jpg)...

[Rockbird]

What time is it?
Fanart time! (http://esradman.deviantart.com/art/Ten-Winds-184577649)

[Rockphed]

What time is it?
Fanart time! (http://esradman.deviantart.com/art/Ten-Winds-184577649)

Needs more "JUSTICE!"

And, as regards to today's posting, what are they?

[horngeek]

From left to right:

Marena: no idea
Karen: Again, no idea, though my mind goes to Rokugan for some reason. :smallconfused:
Misho: TENTH DOCTOR! :smallbiggrin:
Secret: Usopp from One Piece
Ten: Gandalf the Grey

[Lix Lorn]

I only got Gandalf... how I missed Tennie I don't know. ._.

[Evil DM Mark3]

You're not the only one...

[Malek]

I might be wrong but that circle with three dots on Karen's kimono plus her hairstyle reminds me of Miyamoto Usagi from Usagi Yojimbo.

[horngeek]

I get the feeling it's the hair color. Also, Tenth is a lot more... maniac... than Misho. :smalltongue:

[Morph Bark]

Gandalf, Doctor Who... what? What is everyone talking about? :smallconfused:

If there is supposed to be a new comic, I ain't seeing it.

[Weimann]

Without having read the thread:

Karen = Miyamoto Usagi from Usagi Yojimbo
Secret = Usopp from One Piece
Ten Winds = Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings

I don't know Marena or Misho.

Also Misho looks really strange with that short hair :smallconfused:

[Indon]

I don't think it's going to be Chejop himself. Because if he's going to be against the protagonists next, this comic will come to a premature end.

I think that depends on how much of his first age power Misho actually has preserved by the Blade of Vitality (which is on the isle) - and also depends on if he's actually hostile to Misho - who might have been a peer during the first age.

I've gotten the definitive vibe that Misho either facilitated, or was complicit in, the Usurpation - which means he knew people in heaven that he did favors for at the least.

[Morty]

Well, I can definetly say I only recognized Ten as Gandalf(duh) and Misho as Dr. Who, although the latter was mostly an educated guess. I've never even head of the characters Marena, Karen and Secret are supposed to be dressed as.

[Werewindlefr]

Secret = Usopp from One Piece

More accurately, Sogeking :p.

[Xelloss]

Misho is brilliant !

[Morph Bark]

Okay, finally, now I can see it.

Only ones that aren't instantly recognizeable are the pink-haired sisters. :smallconfused:

[Revlid]

That looks strangely familiar (http://www.purecraft.net/samuraijack.jpg)...Thatsthejoke.jpg

Misho = Ten
Karen = Usagi Yojimbo
Ten = Gandalf
Secret = Sogeking
Marena = Non idee

[BudgetDM]

Marena = Non idee

If I were to guess I'd say she was Kitsune for Usagi Yojimbo.

[Lix Lorn]

Misho = Ten
Karen = Usagi Yojimbo
Ten = Gandalf
Secret = Sogeking
Marena = Non idee
You know how confusing that is, right? XD

[Morph Bark]

Obviously Misho is Gandalf and Ten is Misho, who is Gandalf, therefore Ten is himself and Misho is Ten, therefore Misho is himself and Gandalf is white.

Obviously!

[Lix Lorn]

Explains everything. XD

[Raz_Fox]

Well, I missed Keychain due to noveling yesterday, but it's time to catch-

*realizes that Marena is Kitsune*

GEEKOUT

*realizes that Karen is Usagi*

FLAILING GEEKOUT

*realizes that Ten is Gandalf*

EPIC FLAILING GEEKOUT

*realizes that Misho is my Doctor*

MY GEEKOUT IS THE GEEKOUT THAT SHALL PIERCE THE HEAVENS

[Lix Lorn]

YOUR doctor? FIGHT ME FOR HIM. <3

[golentan]

YOUR doctor? FIGHT ME FOR HIM. <3

Now, now, children. No need to fi*Bazooka Sneak Attack!*

My doctor.

[Lix Lorn]

(essence cannon flurry attack)
MINE. :smallmad:

[Morph Bark]

MY GEEKOUT IS THE GEEKOUT THAT SHALL PIERCE THE HEAVENS

You make me wonder what the follow-up to this would have been if you had also known/been a fan of Usopp/Sogeking, which is whom Secret is dressed as.

[Gez]

I guess 10 would be my Doctor as well, but I'm going to claim 1 instead. He's classier. :smalltongue:

[horngeek]

(essence cannon flurry attack)
MINE. :smallmad:

Heavenly Guardian Defence! :smallamused::smallamused:

[Lix Lorn]

Only blocks the FIRST attack. (grins)
...I think.

[Justyn]

Only blocks the FIRST attack. (grins)
...I think.

(It has to be activated once per attack, but can be used as many times as you have the Esssence for, and as long as you the Flaw of Invulnerability isn't violated.)

[Drascin]

*enters thread*
*sees massive fight over Misho*
*shrugs, grabs Karen while everyone is distracted, takes away*

[Yuki Akuma]

*sneaks off with Secret*

[Lix Lorn]

(It has to be activated once per attack, but can be used as many times as you have the Esssence for, and as long as you the Flaw of Invulnerability isn't violated.)
But isn't it one charm per action?

[Yuki Akuma]

But isn't it one charm per action?

You can activate the same reflexive charm as many times as you like.

[Drascin]

But isn't it one charm per action?

You can only use one Charm per action, but you can use a reflexive charm as many times as you want (or have opportunities to). So in a flurry, if you use your Excellency, you can use that same excellency to varied degrees to supplement any number of your flurried attacks individually.

[horngeek]

*sneaks off with Karen*

[Drascin]

*sneaks off with Karen*

Sorry, kind of late there, beat you to the punch. You might want to invest in more Wits Charms like I did, next time :smalltongue:.

[Gez]

Karen and Secret are taken, huh?

*Sneaks off with Marena*

[tonberrian]

*Uses Flawless Pickpocketing Technique*

*Steals all three pretty ladies*

[Lord Raziere]

*Uses Flawless Pickpocketing Technique*

*Steals all three pretty ladies*

*Uses Sidereal Planning*

*You have fallen right into my trap, now they are all mine*

[Morph Bark]

*demands to know how the story would work out if the characters they are dressed as had been in their place instead*

[Lix Lorn]

(uses Crypt Bolts to necrotise your face)
(takes entire cast)

:3

The simple solution is generally the best.

[The Rose Dragon]

GODSPEAR OF THE FIVE-METAL SHRIKE!

*destroys all Creation*

[Yuki Akuma]

*Seven Shadows Evasion*

*dodges Creation exploding!*

[Lix Lorn]

Heavenly Guardian Defence!
(BLOCKS Creation Exploding)

[Lord Raziere]

*Just as Planned, is on Autocthonia*

*Brings out the real Karen, Secret and Marena, whom were replaced right before Lix took them with illusions*

[Raz_Fox]

You make me wonder what the follow-up to this would have been if you had also known/been a fan of Usopp/Sogeking, which is whom Secret is dressed as.

GIGA!

GEEKOUT!!

BREAKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

FYI "my" Doctor is a common turn of phrase that is used to indicate which Doctor you grew up with and cherished and cried for when he died all alone and heartbroken

AND NOW YOU KNOW

[The Rose Dragon]

I never watched Doctor Who.

*Flickering Wisp Technique against the fans' backlash*

[Lix Lorn]

(my Sidereal mate stole them back while you weren't looking)

[Lord Raziere]

(my Sidereal mate stole them back while you weren't looking)

I planned for that, killed the sidereal, disguised myself as that sidereal, made you believe that I stole them back.

[Lix Lorn]

I planned for that, killed the sidereal, disguised myself as that sidereal, made you believe that I stole them back.
We planned for that. You actually killed yourself from the past disguised as him.
(We take the charries as you vanish in a puff of logic)

[horngeek]

*steals all the charries, and Lixie*

[Lord Raziere]

We planned for that. You actually killed yourself from the past disguised as him.
(We take the charries as you vanish in a puff of logic)

I also planned for that, I am not actually me. I have made myself you, you are actually a fake you that I have convinced that you were you, which is me all along which was always my plan, and now you have given me all my ladies yourself right into my hands, you fake! :smalltongue:

[Lix Lorn]

Sorry, Ninja always wins.
(happily kidnapped)
xP

Horngeek, we need an avatar. Cause you said you'd be my steed. xP

[horngeek]

You'd have to ask Serpentine for that, since she did the Gold Dragon avvie. :smalltongue:

[Recaiden]

* steals horngeek *

Now, now, why can't someone else ...yeah, we should at least ask Serpentine if we can use her Gold dragon avatar as a basis.