Chronicle Report

[ElfSpeaker]

With a new exalted chronicle getting off the ground, and me taking plenty of notes anyway, I though I'd share my groups play experience here. I've been running exalted forever, but the players are mostly new to the setting. We only play once per month and we just held our second session. Session 1 had a bit of a prelude and we did a lot of relationship building between the characters. Session 2 was our first proper session, so this write up will start with session 2. I do a ton of world build that doesn't always make it into the sessions, so if you want details about anything else related to the session write ups, just let me know.

So without further delay, our heroes...

Drac Ir is a cavelry officer from Puyo. He exalted as a dawn caste when the amassador from Puyo was attacked by unknown assassins before she was to speak before the Confederation of Rivers in Marita. He fled to avoid potential repercussions from the Hunt. He is morose and proud.

Genjo is a former crime boss with aspirations of being a refined gentleman from Thorns. When Thorns fell, he smuggled his family out and set up a refugee community in Nexus. He exalted as a zenith caste while defending his community and left Nexus to avoid drawing to much attention. He's a big jovial man who fights with his fists.

Zakiti is a young thief turned sorcerer from Nathir. She grew up on the streets, fending for herself and gaining great resentment for the wealthy. She exalted as a twilight caste when she broke into the House of Thirty Seals, stole a book of Malfean lore, and fled the demon guardians of the House. She's on the run from the Masters of the House of Thirty Seals. She steals from the rich, helps the poor, and keeps a bag of spirits trapped in earthenware jars.

Kaveh is a merchant from the Lap. He exalted as an eclipse caste negotiating and impossible contract between his family and the Guild and immediately had to go on the run to avoid the local dragonblooded. During his flight, he met Madame Marthesine of the Lost and traded his memories of family for an artifact that lets him summon illusions of essence. He believes becoming exalted makes him a hero, even if he isn't terribly skilled in a fight.

Each of them has an extensive backstory, and I'll craft later posts to fill out the details on each of them individually. If there's a particular character of interest, call that out and I'll post that character first.

[ElfSpeaker]

Session 2

Traveling through the south eastern reaches of the Hundred Kingdoms, our heroes come across the half eaten remains of several militiamen and a number of sheep. Investigating the area, they spot an ambush ahead along the road. Zakiti crests the next hill in hopes of a counter ambush, but she steps on the broken bones the Arczechki have set as a warning system, alerting them to her presence.

A fight ensues, in which Zakiti kills the two that came up after her. Drac's horse is spooked by the bestial barbarians. Kaveh trades blows with, and eventually kills one. The fight is ended by Genjo breaking one of the barbarians against the ground and intimidating the rest: "Why do you even try!" Drac rides down the surviving Arczechki, so none escape. Our heroes are careful not to display their power too obviously during the skirmish. Drac suggests taking the head of one of the Wyld twisted barbarians to prove their presence, but is dissuaded by Kaveh's repulsion.

The next afternoon, our heroes arrive outside Meresh. Refugees crowd around the city gates and order is barely kept by the constables and militia. Livestock, especially sheep and goats are crowded into makeshift enclosures circling the city. Genjo and Zakiti learn that folk from the countryside are fleeing to the protective walls of the city. The poeple hope that the Urial White will be able to protect them. (Genjo remembers that Urial White was an honorable commander who opposed the armies of Thorns during the last war.)

Since Kaveh has a cart full of much needed food, our heroes are granted passage into the city proper. The streets are crowded with refugees, though the city seems to be doing its best to accommodate them. Kaveh travels to the merchant district and negotiates a bill of exchange for his wares. He also learns that the refugees have been pouring into the city for the last few days, especially since the abbot from the Immaculate temple was ambushed and killed on his way to a nearby town. Drac comments on his 'mercantile abilities' before finding an inn and stable.

Genjo makes contact with Ohn Ram, a businessman and smuggler. He confirms what Kaveh learned, discovers that Urial has locked herself in the mayor's palace, and offers himself and his companions for work if Ohn needs anything. Zakiti makes contact with a young cutpurse to gather information. She learns that the Mayor is well respected by the people and a descendant of a hero who defeated the Arczechki in the past. Wanting to know more about the mayor's palace, she asks who would be able to provide more information. The cutpurse tells her she should speak to Beneficent Crossarchus, a local master of the criminal underworld.

[ElfSpeaker]

Session 3 came and went and it was a busy one!

Session 3
Drawing on what they had learned, our heroes decided to split up to pursue their objectives. They agreed to meet back at the inn later that evening. Feeling morose, Drac Ir spent the evening quietly drowning his sorrows. [Drac's player was not available for the majority of the session. For most of the session, I jumped between scenes for Genjo and Kaveh and scenes for Zakiti.]

Genjo and Kaveh went the to the palace to try to speak to the mayor, Urial White, who had not seen any visitors for several days. Dressed in southern finery, Kaveh talked his way into the palace, claiming to have knowledge about the fate of the abbot. The guards revealed that the abbot was also the mayor's brother. Our heroes were forced to wait over an hour for an audience.

Meanwhile, Zakiti went to a shadier part of Meresh to make contact with Beneficent Crossarchus. Focused on her goal, she failed to notice the watching street tough in the ally. The man grabbed her, and threatened her safety. She surreptitiously placed a knife to his femoral artery, and stated she was safer than she appeared. He backed off and directed her to meet Cross.

Back at the palace, Genjo and Kaveh are finally shown to the mayor's quarters. They immediately recognize that she is preparing for a journey. Through conversation, they discover that she is distraught at her brother's death and is preparing to go on a pilgrimage to the Immaculate Temples of the Five Directions, which she had promised to do with her brother and is now undertaking in his memory. Genjo tries to convince her to stay by claiming that her brother would not want her to abandon her duty. She responded emotionally, leaving Genjo at a loss for words.

Zakiti met with Beneficent Crossarchus, criminal prince of Meresh. He opened the conversation: "I hear you gave my watchman quite a surprise." She asked for information about how to break into the mayor's palace. He said he'd be able to provide, but she'd have to pay for it. She offered her service in dealing with any troublesome spirits. Cross asked her to deal with a diligent street god who saw it has his duty to disrupt criminal activity on the streets near the river loading elevators. She agreed to deal with the spirit.

Back at the palace, Kaveh steps into the negotiation and convinced the mayor to leave the city in his able hands. He used his artifact's illusions to convince her that he and his companions were dragonblooded pursuing anathema in the region. He said that she would be free to pursue her pilgrimage to honor her brother and that the city would be safe in his care. She agreed and let Kaveh and Genjo take their leave and stay as guests in the palace. Kaveh settled in for a comfortable evening while Genjo tried to figure out what to do next.

Zakati found the spirit tending his street, coaxed him into an ally, and spoke to him. She learned the spirit was called Harmonius Shale and convince him that working with the criminals would improve the wealth of his district. He agreed to leave the lanterns unlit 2 nights a week, chosen by Cross by lighting ceremonial incense at the ends of the street.

Genjo questioned the servants to learn who the mayor might confide in. He learned that Resourceful Argali, the captain of the constabulary, would be the most likely confidant. Despite the late hour, he found her house, demanded that she be woken, and spoke to her about the mayor's plan. She said the best option might be to quote the Immaculate scriptures as her brother would have done. Genjo then went to the Immaculate temple in the city, and asked a monk to find an appropriate piece of the scripture.

Zakiti returned to Cross, communicated the deal with the spirit, and agreed to return for the dossier of information about breaking into the palace. She returned to the inn, and found her companions missing. After waiting a short while, she went to the palace to look for them. The guards at the gate stopped her, told her that her friends were staying as guests, and offered to bring word to them to verify her identity. Genjo arrived back at the palace at the same time, ushered he in, and caught her up on the events of the evening.

Using the Immaculate scripture, Genjo confronted the mayor once again to attempt to change her mind. He was unsuccessful, and left the conversation with cool fury and derision toward the mayor. Having watch the encounter, Zakiti waiting for the mayor to go to sleep, then summoned the Mists of Eventide to seize control of the mayors dreams. The dream depicted the mayor and her brother walking through a field, which twisted into blood and darkness, and ended with the mayor sleep walking and shattering her wall mirror.

In the morning, Drac was summoned to the palace. Over breakfast, the mayor announced her intention to stay in the city and lead the fight against the Arczechki. The mayor, Resourful Argali, and our heroes held a war council. Everyone agreed on the necessity of meeting the barbarians in the field of battle due to the limited resources in the city to survive a siege. Our heroes agreed to scout the Arczechki location while the mayor and Argali remained behind to must the army of Meresh as best they could...

[ElfSpeaker]

Session four was the culmination of our initial story arc. For most of the players, this was the introduction to the world of Exalted, so I wanted to keep things simple. The next arc will begin to become more complex, drawing more heavily on the character backgrounds. [Rules explanations are italic in square brackets.]

Session 4
Since keeping the Arczechki away from the refugees converging on Merresh was essential, our heroes agreed that the best course of action would be to strike at the Arczechki warlord directly. Without his leadership, they believed that the horde would fall apart into in-fighting. They set out early, following the road north toward Ewemark, where the barbarians struck at the abbot several days ago.

The place of the struggle was not difficult to find. The road was scattered with the remains of the conflict. Drac investigated the scene, and found signs of an enormous animal, which he identified as most likely a yeddim. Zakiti circled the area and traced the Arczechki back to where they had camped. The site was no longer occupied but she called he companions before investigating fully. From the campsite, they followed the trail of the Arczechki north, back to the road, and on to Ewemark.

As the Unconquered Sun was reaching the horizon, our heroes arrive at Ewemark. They found the town smashed and smoldering, over a hundred Arczechki in residence, and the survivors corralled against the river. Amidst the destruction, they spotted the warlord, brooding alone. He was a big man, with the head of an alligator as decoration on one shoulder, and the rest of the beasts hide spanning his back. A yeddim with a battle howdah rested by the riverbank, captives from the town forced to bring it food.

Kaveh and Zakati express concern about the number of foes and began to plot drawing some of them across the river and destroying the bridge to split them up. Genjo refused to wait for a plan to be formed; he saw innocents in danger and felt compelled into action. He walked confidently into town, and cowed the individual Arczechki through his intimidating presence [using Tiger's Dread Symmetry]. Zakiti sprinted off around the town to get into position to destroy the bridge, Drac followed in Genjo's wake, and Kavah use his illusions to hide among the Arczechki now beginning to mass around Genjo.

The smoke and dust of the ruined town swirling around them, the warlord stepped into Genjo's path toward the river where he intended to free the captives. Genjo and Drac saw his fine leather armor was fastened with shining silver, and silver was inlaid in whirling patters across the leather. The warlord unslung his massive axe from his back. "Who challenges Aycus Wallbreaker?" Genjo scoffed at the threat, "You'll break nothing." and concentrated his essence around himself [activating Diamond-body Prana and rolling up to 14 soak!].

Hoping to turn the Arczechki on each other, Kaveh took a javelin, and threw it from the group he was hiding with at another group. The two groups charged into each other, and the fighting began. Genjo struck at Aycus, punching through his parry and landing a withering blow, driving the warlord back a step in surprise. Thanks to Kaveh's deception, the Arczechi clashed with one another. The yeddim handlers began to rouse their beast and mount the howdah.

Kaveh used his supernatural balance [Graceful Crane Stance] to run across the crowd. At the last moment, he sent an illusion leaping at the warlord while personally trying to strike beneath his guard. Aycus spun, shattering the leaping illusion, and blocking Kaveh's strike. Meanwhile, Drac stuck all about him, thinning the throng of Arczechki. Zakaiti ran into positoin, and began gathering sorcerous motes around her.

Aycus turned on Kaveh driving him back. Kaveh had the shocking realization that this foe was beyond his skill, a realization that almost broke him. He was barely able to fend off the attacks of the Arczechki around him. Fortunatley, Genjo took the opportunity to strike a fierce blow [and used Heaven's Thunder Hammer], knocking Aycus through the thronging barbarians. [This deceive attack did some damage to the Lunar warlord, and we agreed that the falling damage that the charm could have applied would be applied to the battle group instead. The damage to the battle group dropped them past their magnitude, so Genjo regained a good portion of his spent initiative.] The yeddim began to lumber toward the ongoing battle.

Drawing the final motes from a bound spirit, Zakiti unleash the Death of Obsidian Butterflies on the throng. With the casualties they had already taken, the spell was enough to break their will, and they began to flee. Some of the flitting shards even cut their Lunar adversary. The barbarians atop the yeddim threw a hail of javelins into the fray. Kaveh dove behind Genjo for cover. Drac was struck by one, but entirely protected by his orichalcum armor. Genjo stepped into a defensive posture over Kaveh to protect him.

Fearing defeat, Aycus transformed into an eagle, and began to take flight. Kaveh attempted to stop him, and failed to halt his takeoff. Acting quickly, Genjo leaped up the ruins of one of the nearby buildings, and launched himself through the air to tackle the eagle. He slammed into the escaping bird, grappling him, and tackling him to the ground. As they struggled, Aycus returned to his human form; not the Arczechki warlord, but a wiry and slightly hallow-cheeked man. Despite his essence enhanced strength, he could not break free of Genjo's vice-like clutches.

Seeing their warlord brought low, the remaining Arczechki, including those driving the yeddim, fled the battlefield. [The night was getting late, and while the fight with the yeddim could have been fun, I wanted to focus on the real drama of how Genjo dealt with Aycus.]

Genjo ask why Aycus brought such suffering. Aycus said the suffering was necessary to draw out the Dragonblooded so he could break them and free the peoples of the Threshold. Genjo said the nothing justified the suffering of innocents, especially children, and asked for Aycus last words. Aycus said they would face the vengeance of Ma-Ha-Suchi. With that, Genjo snapped his neck and let his essence burn away the body and spirit of the thwarted Lunar.

Genjo was shaken by his visions of Aycus, a young man whose home was raided and enslaved by the Realm; and battle, and failure to save his family, a terrifying flight out into the Wyld, and the surity of righteousness in tearing down the Dragonblooded of the Real and Lookshy.

During the battle, the captives had seen our heroes reveal themselves as anathema. Fearing the welcome that would await them if they returned to Merresh, they spent the next week breaking up larger bands of Arzechki before heading north along the Gray River toward the heart of the Scavenger Lands, Nexus...

[ElfSpeaker]

Session 5 is the beginning of a new arc. I plan on weaving in a number of the character backstories in during this arc. Also, I'd like to know if anyone is reading and getting something out of this? I write up the sessions for my players anyway, but I don't need to continue posting here if no one's reading it. I'm also happy to answer questions about our play experience or pull the curtain back on what's going on if anyone asks.

Session 5
Our heroes make their way up the rivers through the Scavenger lands to the heart of trade, Nexus. They make their final approach to the city through the manicured estates and densely packed farmlands around Nexus. They wait their turn to enter the city, and having no trade goods, they pay the head tax, and enter the city with throngs of other travelers. Genjo warns them about the laws of the Decree, tells them to meet at an inn called Riverman's Rest across the canal from the Iron Market before heading out across the city. Zakiti disappears into the crowd behind him, secretly tailing him.

Kaveh and Drac set out into the city, following the main broad avenue into the city. After passing along the broad avanue for some time, and crossing a rather large canal, Kaveh began to ask where to find Riverman's Rest. No one had heard of the place. Mildly frustrated, Kaveh continued, into the city. Cresting a hill, he saw the bulk of the city stretching out ahead of him, with the tangle of streets, canals, and suspended cable cars. He and Drac decided to take the cable cars. At the boarding station, they were told they couldn't take their horses on the gondola, and would be best off to pay for their horses to be delivered wherever they were needed in the city. Striking on an idea, Kaveh approached the horse-porters, and asked if they could deliver horses anywhere in the city. The porter said he could, and asked where they'd like their horses delivered. Kaveh named the inn once again, and the porter asked what part of the city that was in. Realizing his mistake, Kaveh told the porter it was across from the Iron Market. At that point, they were able to find a stables to take care of their horses, and make their way across the city to the meeting point.

Meanwhile, Genjo was tailed by Zakiti across Nexus to Nightside, where he had a joyful reunion with his son and father. His father, Noburo, told him that one of the recent civilities demanded that Genjo and his companions appear before the Astrologer, one of the Council of Entities ruling Nexus, within 25 hours of his arrival in the city. [The civilities are the ever-changing laws of Nexus as laid out by any member of the Council of Entities.] He also told Genjo that the community had done well; Hira, Genjo's wife, had a job with the civil administration, and many of the older children were getting an education. The tenements they were staying in had been repaired, and there was plenty of hearty and healthy food for the refugees of Thorns. It was as if fate had smiled upon them.

Sometime later, Kaveh and Drac finally arrived at the Riverman's Rest. Genjo was waiting for them, and told them that they wouldn't need to pay to stay there because his family would host them for free. Kavah, incensed at having marched across the city to find a place that they didn't need to go, stormed into the inn and ordered a strong drink. Genjo followed him in, and tried to convince him to leave. Kaveh insisted on having the drink, and down the tall cup of river rum in a single drought. [Kaveh's player rolled Stamina + Resistance (2 dice) and rolled double ones!] He sputtered, stumbled sideways, and dropped the cup, which Genjo deftly caught. Genjo hoisted Kaveh over his shoulder, and led the others to Nightside to meet his family.

Upon arriving home once again, Genjo was reunited with his wife. She first slapped him, demanding to know where he'd been, then hugged him tightly. While a drunken Kaveh insulted his hosts and bemoaned the state of the accommodations, the others discussed the civility with Genjo and Hira. Hira tells them that the Astrologer's name is Kratz, that her role in the Council is unclear, and that she seems to have some skill for predicting the future. She's worried about Genjo but has prepared formal attire for him to meet the Astrologer.

The next morning, our heroes made their way to the Astrologer's estate, a First Age tower across from the Parko Llana. Kaveh, suffering from a hang over and not yet having changed, used his artifact to garb himself in illusory finery. They were shown in, and asked to wait for the Astrologer to see them.

While waiting, they are served a fine meal of light fare. Part way through the meal, a ostentatiously and archaically dressed man with a corpulent build joined them at the table. He asked Genjo to pass him a bowel of fruit and in exchange, he'd pass the wine. Genjo agree to the exchange. Afterward, the man scrutinized Genjo for a moment, then exhibited a momentary expression of surprise before beginning to gorge himself, glancing warily at Genjo between mouthfuls.

Shortly thereafter, the Astrologer arrived. She is an elegant woman with deep black skin, more common in the south, and short tightly curled hair. She wears multiple layers of fine silks fringed with gold and silver charms. Bangles decorate her wrists and ring her neck and jangle slightly as she moves. She carries herself with a self-assured poise that isn't quite smug.

Smiling at Genjo, she spoke. "So you're the son of Thorns I've heard so much about..." Turning to the corpulent man, "Is he what I though?"

The man replied, "He is. This can't be kept from the Council Kratz."

Kratz: "Ah, but it must. Remember what you owe me. Fear not, your city will be safe and trade will continue to flow. You man go Master Gen."

And with that, the old man took his leave.

Now alone with our heroes, Kratz turned to Genjo.

Kratz: "I trust you have met with your family and seen that fortune has smiled upon them."
Genjo: "I suppose your going to say that's your doing."
Kratz: "It is."

With the tone set, the conversation continued. Kratz asked them to go into the crypts beneath Firewander, and unseal a tomb beneath the old administrative center. She admitted to not know exact what was there, but she knew only the Solar exalted could open it and it would likely contain powerful artifacts or sorceries that could be turned against the dead. Genjo felt he had no choice but to cooperate, but the others were reluctant to go along; they did not trust Kratz with whatever power could be recovered from the crypt. She agreed that they could negotiate about what was recovered after the task was complete. She hope this would be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship.

During the conversation, she also implied that she knew something about Kaveh's family.

[The Wizard of Oz]

I read the beginning and skimmed the rest. I am interested in what other's games are like, what plots they run and so on, but not really the individual details.

[ElfSpeaker]

I read the beginning and skimmed the rest. I am interested in what other's games are like, what plots they run and so on, but not really the individual details.

Would you find a session summary useful to get the plot notes without reading the full text?

[Keichiokami]

I'm really enjoying reading this thread. The story is compelling and the characters interesting. Have you considered starting an Obsidian Portal Site? =D

[ElfSpeaker]

I'm really enjoying reading this thread. The story is compelling and the characters interesting. Have you considered starting an Obsidian Portal Site? =D

I'm glad you're liking it! I have considered an obsidian portal site. My notes are pretty complicated and the wiki format might help some. It would probably also help the players since we only play once a month.

I'm getting ready to write up the characters' backstories in an easier to follow format (right now it's scattered emails and notes). Who do you want to hear about first?

[The Wizard of Oz]

Would you find a session summary useful to get the plot notes without reading the full text?

I would, but don't go to the hassle of it just for me.

[ElfSpeaker]

I'll do it for future posts. It's no extra hassle and it'll be useful for me and my players too I think.

[Keichiokami]

I'm glad you're liking it! I have considered an obsidian portal site. My notes are pretty complicated and the wiki format might help some. It would probably also help the players since we only play once a month.

I'm getting ready to write up the characters' backstories in an easier to follow format (right now it's scattered emails and notes). Who do you want to hear about first?

Zakiti for sure, she is my favorite character so far.

[Volivat]

I liked reading these notes. Please continue posting them here

[ElfSpeaker]

Zakiti for sure, she is my favorite character so far.

I'll do her character backstory writeup first then!

[ElfSpeaker]

I've started working on putting together an Obsidian Portal campaign for this game. It's still in early stages, so I'm not ready to share a link yet.

Here's Zakiti's character backstory in more detail...
Zakiti grew up alone on the streets of Nathir in far east of the Hundred Kingdoms. She scavenged and stole for food and scraped by as best she could. Though wits, skill, and luck, she managed to avoid enslavement and starvation. During this period of her life, she watched poor families destroyed by the machinations of the rich and greedy, especially the Guild. She did see rare acts of charity and kindness by those who had more than others, but never enough to balance the scales.
Frustrated and angry over her lot in life and what she observed in the city around her, Zakiti decided to turn to domonology to show the world that she was worth more than others thought. She sight her sights on the House of Thirty Seals, a center of forbidden knowledge and one of the most powerful establishments in Nathir. Relying on her skills learned over her years on the street, she broke into the temple-academy and sneaked passed its guardian. Finding her way to the inner sanctum, she seized a tome a dark tome. Her act of theft triggered an arcane alarm, and she exalted as she fled, evading the guardians and escaping to the forest beyond the walls of Nathir.
Now in exile from the only home she’d ever know, Zakati used the knowledge in the book and the inspiration of her exaltation to unlock the secrets of sorcery. She found that her exaltation had left her with the knowledge of the strange runes used to write the book, and language she later learned was that of spirits and the Old Realm. After studying in the solitude of the wilderness, she headed west along the Yellow River. At cities along the way, she stopped and dwelt with the fringes of society, using her newfound powers to help those abandoned and cast out from society. She banished and bound ghosts and spirits and punished the wealthy and greedy. Those she help with her powers remember her reverently, offing prayers to their mysterious savior. Fearing reprisal from the sorcerers of the House of Thirty Seals, she did not stay too long in any place along the way.
Genjo was in Great Forks to find out more about what he had become. After all, where better to go than the city of the three gods? Zakiti had made her way there, following the Yellow River and fleeing the slow pursuit sent by the House of Thirty Seals. Genjo probably saw her in trouble, and stepped in to help. Zakiti didn’t need help with the thugs Genjo thought he was protecting her from, but did need help with the pack of demons that found them shortly thereafter. Zakiti would have been able to shed more light on the nature of the Solar exalted. Thus, they began to travel together.