So, the Bull of the North has problems. He (and his Circle) are snowflake even by Exalted standards, and camp out on firmly PC territory. So, inspired by some rants, here's my more PC-friendly interpretation of the Bull, his Circle, and his overall situation.
The Tepet Campaign.
To those who know what to look for, the Tepet legions were sent to die. While there is no hard proof, anyone with an ear for Dynastic politics or an eye for military affairs can see that the army that blundered into Futile Blood is not the army that clawed its way out drenched in the blood of its foes. Similarly, the Sesus that proved so incompetent in support were not the Sesus who so swiftly took command of once-Tepet satrapies.
To those not in House Tepet, the campaign was a qualified success. While the Bull himself escaped without serious harm, the same could not be said of his forces. Two of his Circle were killed, with two others maimed. His army took heavy casualties, including the loss of many arcane war machines and spirit allies. The Bull's losses have forced a once-growing empire into stasis, and even contraction, with most of his power now concentrated on the River of Tears.
The Circle
Fear Eater. Eclipse Caste, deceased. During the Bull's rise, he was vital in securing treaties with both mortal and spirit, giving the warlord supernatural aid and secure flanks. His death at the hands of Tepet Arada has deprived the Bull of the North of the silver tongue needed to keep the remnants of his army from being wasted away in endless petty border conflicts.
Raneth of Diamond Hearth. Eclipse Caste, deceased. A talented engineer, he created many siege engines and other, stranger war machines that played a crucial role in a dozen different victories. Off the battlefield, he devised many improvements to the infrastructure of the conquered territories. His crowning achievement was to be the repair of the Saltspires, which would both bring in silver from the sale of salt and secure a rich breadbasket for the Bull's empire.
Nalla Bloodaxe. Dawn Caste. The Bull's personal champion, Nalla was always in the vanguard, striking straight at the enemy's commander. At Futile Blood, he lived up to his reputation, taking the life of Tepet Usala. Unfortunately, the sight of the Tepet matriarch bleeding out into the snow would be the last thing he ever saw, as a lightning blast from one of her bodyguards would rob him of his sight. Now, he struggles to adapt to a life without sight, spending his days training to regain his skill, and his nights drinking away his depression.
Crimson Antler. Night Caste. The only one of the Icewalker Circle not to fight at Futile Blood, she was leading a cavalry patrol to the east, watching for an attack from the rear. Upon returning to learn of the mutual slaughter, she has become quietly furious with the Bull for his continuing treatment of her as a child. She has thrown herself into the work of ferreting out threats to the Bull's rule over the Saltspire League, with the goal of being recognized for her maturity, or leaving for the South.
Samea. Zenith Caste. The first Solar to join the Bull's ranks, back when he was known only as Yurgen Kaneda, Samea is an accomplished Sorcerer of the Celestial Circle. Her prestigious position among the icewalkers was key in solidifying his early conquests, and she remains his most trusted advisor. After losing an arm at Futile Blood, she has become somewhat more withdrawn, and some days her rage against the Realm threatens to carry her away with it. Still, she is invested in the task of preparing the empire for a generation spent on the defensive, waiting for the children of today to become the warriors of tomorrow.
Yurgen Kaneda, the Bull of the North. Dawn Caste. Likely the oldest Solar alive today, both in time since birth and time since Exaltation. With his Circle by his side, he conquered along both coasts of the White Sea, leading his Icewalkers to victory with supernatural skill. But those years of conquest have come to end, with the Battle of Futile Blood taking the cream of his warriors, and killing or breaking his Circle, for all that he broke the Tepet in return. He spends his days at Plenilune, training Tiger Warriors and aging a month for every day with truths he cannot tell. He cannot tell Crimson Antler that he does not regret ordering her away from the fight, that every day the Sun shines on her too-young face is worth all the resentment she may have for him. He cannot tell Nalla that he is right, and an engineer or diplomat would be useful than he is at the moment. He cannot tell Samea that thousands of their tribesmen were killed for political jockeying in the Realm. He cannot tell himself that the Icewalkers are any better off than they were before he Exalted.
The Tepet Campaign.
To those who know what to look for, the Tepet legions were sent to die. While there is no hard proof, anyone with an ear for Dynastic politics or an eye for military affairs can see that the army that blundered into Futile Blood is not the army that clawed its way out drenched in the blood of its foes. Similarly, the Sesus that proved so incompetent in support were not the Sesus who so swiftly took command of once-Tepet satrapies.
To those not in House Tepet, the campaign was a qualified success. While the Bull himself escaped without serious harm, the same could not be said of his forces. Two of his Circle were killed, with two others maimed. His army took heavy casualties, including the loss of many arcane war machines and spirit allies. The Bull's losses have forced a once-growing empire into stasis, and even contraction, with most of his power now concentrated on the River of Tears.
The Circle
Fear Eater. Eclipse Caste, deceased. During the Bull's rise, he was vital in securing treaties with both mortal and spirit, giving the warlord supernatural aid and secure flanks. His death at the hands of Tepet Arada has deprived the Bull of the North of the silver tongue needed to keep the remnants of his army from being wasted away in endless petty border conflicts.
Raneth of Diamond Hearth. Eclipse Caste, deceased. A talented engineer, he created many siege engines and other, stranger war machines that played a crucial role in a dozen different victories. Off the battlefield, he devised many improvements to the infrastructure of the conquered territories. His crowning achievement was to be the repair of the Saltspires, which would both bring in silver from the sale of salt and secure a rich breadbasket for the Bull's empire.
Nalla Bloodaxe. Dawn Caste. The Bull's personal champion, Nalla was always in the vanguard, striking straight at the enemy's commander. At Futile Blood, he lived up to his reputation, taking the life of Tepet Usala. Unfortunately, the sight of the Tepet matriarch bleeding out into the snow would be the last thing he ever saw, as a lightning blast from one of her bodyguards would rob him of his sight. Now, he struggles to adapt to a life without sight, spending his days training to regain his skill, and his nights drinking away his depression.
Crimson Antler. Night Caste. The only one of the Icewalker Circle not to fight at Futile Blood, she was leading a cavalry patrol to the east, watching for an attack from the rear. Upon returning to learn of the mutual slaughter, she has become quietly furious with the Bull for his continuing treatment of her as a child. She has thrown herself into the work of ferreting out threats to the Bull's rule over the Saltspire League, with the goal of being recognized for her maturity, or leaving for the South.
Samea. Zenith Caste. The first Solar to join the Bull's ranks, back when he was known only as Yurgen Kaneda, Samea is an accomplished Sorcerer of the Celestial Circle. Her prestigious position among the icewalkers was key in solidifying his early conquests, and she remains his most trusted advisor. After losing an arm at Futile Blood, she has become somewhat more withdrawn, and some days her rage against the Realm threatens to carry her away with it. Still, she is invested in the task of preparing the empire for a generation spent on the defensive, waiting for the children of today to become the warriors of tomorrow.
Yurgen Kaneda, the Bull of the North. Dawn Caste. Likely the oldest Solar alive today, both in time since birth and time since Exaltation. With his Circle by his side, he conquered along both coasts of the White Sea, leading his Icewalkers to victory with supernatural skill. But those years of conquest have come to end, with the Battle of Futile Blood taking the cream of his warriors, and killing or breaking his Circle, for all that he broke the Tepet in return. He spends his days at Plenilune, training Tiger Warriors and aging a month for every day with truths he cannot tell. He cannot tell Crimson Antler that he does not regret ordering her away from the fight, that every day the Sun shines on her too-young face is worth all the resentment she may have for him. He cannot tell Nalla that he is right, and an engineer or diplomat would be useful than he is at the moment. He cannot tell Samea that thousands of their tribesmen were killed for political jockeying in the Realm. He cannot tell himself that the Icewalkers are any better off than they were before he Exalted.
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