(no subject)
Name: Ladarius
Player: Russel
Caste: Twilight
Motivation: Find the truth behind the Council of Nexus' mysterious Emissary.
Anima totem manifestation: A great, keen-eyed hawk.
Banked XP: 29
XP spent: 244
Total: 274 (177 from sessions, 29 bonus, 10 for arc completions)
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4
Stamina: 1
Charisma: 2
Manipulation: 5
Appearance: 3
Perception: 5
Intelligence: 4
Wits: 5
Abilities: (* are favored)
Dawn:
Melee: 3
Martial Arts: 1 [NOTE: When using this skill, Dari is recognizably moving unlike himself.]
Night:
*Awareness: 5
*Dodge: 5
Stealth: 1
Athletics: 2
Zenith:
Integrity: 2
*Resistance: 2
Eclipse:
*Linguistics: 3
-Native Riverspeaker, learned High Realm, Old Realm and Low Realm.
*Socialize: 2
Twilight:
*Craft: -
*Investigation: 5
*Lore: 5
*Medicine: -
*Occult: 5
Advantages:
Backgrounds:
Mentor: 2
Contacts: 3
(Ladarius has been involved in an information network in the past, and his investigation of the Emissary has required that he make some contacts. One is Achan, a Guild merchant lord, a man Ladarius has worked for in the past and has often traded information with. The second is Nanda, a quartermaster for the Hooded Executioners, who Ladarius convinced after some time to provide information on the going-ons of the group in return for certain favors. The third is Hadiya, an associate from before Dari took his Second Breath; she is currently working for the Hsiung family.)
Resource: 1
Artifact: 2 (Crystalweave Armor; see equipment.)
Influence: 2 (Great Forks.)
Cult: 3
Charms:
-Terrestrial Circle Sorcery. Cost: N/A
-Celestial Circle Sorcery. Cost: N/A
-Body-mending Meditation. Cost: 10m
-Ox-body Technique. Cost: N/A (one -1 health level and two -2 health levels)
-Shadow Over Water. Cost: 1m
-Seven Shadow Evasion. Cost: 3m (perfect dodge; virtue flaw Temperance, cannot move after use until Dari's DV refreshes twice.)
-2nd Investigation Excellency. Cost: 2m per success
-Crafty Observation Method. Cost: 5m
-Evidence-Discerning Glance. Cost: 5m, 1 WP.
-Judge's Ear Technique. Cost: 3m
-Irresistable Questioning Technique. Cost: 4m (roll social attribute+Investigation)
-Courtier's Eye Technique. Cost: 3m (roll Perception+Investigation)
-Spirit-Detecting Glance. Cost: 3m.
-All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight. Cost: 6m (reflexive, Int+Occult to analyze)
-Sorcerer's Burning Chakra Charm. Cost: 1m (activates free when anima is at or beyond 4-7 mote level. Provides cheaper All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight.)
-Salinian Absorption (recieve additional, relevant info on Perc. or Int. rolls with a threshold of 5 successes; substitute any arcane link for any other of the same subject--and with three arcane links to a person or place, can target them with ANY spell)
-Graceful Crane Stance. Cost: 3m. Athletics 1, Essence 2; Type: Reflex.
-Second Awareness Excellency. Cost: 2m per success.
-Surprise Anticipation Method. Cost: 1m. Awareness 5, Essence 2; Type: Reflex.
-Keen Sight Technique. Cost: 3 m. Type: Reflexive. (Grants 2 bonus successes to sight Awareness rolls)
-Unsurpassed Sight Discipline. Cost: 2m. Type: Reflexive. (Doubles sight Awareness successes before external penalties are applied)
-Eye of the Unconquered Sun. Cost: 12m, 1 wp. Type: Reflexive. (Immune to Stealth, Deception and Concealment effects both mundane and unnatural. Automatically flares anima to 16 mote level)
-Sage Tactician Practice
Cost: 5m, 1WP; Mins: Investigation 5, Essence 3; Type: Simple (Speed 5, DV -1)
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Scene
Prerequisites: Evidence-Discerning Method
It is said that the Lawgivers can see into a man's heart and soul, and read his intent as a mortal would read a book. This Charm allows a Solar to use that insight in battle, predicting an opponent's intent before they even move.
The Exalt rolls Perception + Investigation, subtracting an external penalty of the target's [(Manipulation+Socialize)/2]. This counts as a social action for purposes of Evidence-Discerning Method. If the roll succeeds, the Solar immediately gains insight into the target's combat style. He may choose to exploit these weaknesses offensively (an external penalty to the target's DVs) or defensively (an external penalty to the target's attacks). In either case, the penalty is equal to the Solar's successes on the roll, to a maximum of his Investigation, and applies only to actions which he takes, or which target him. By spending a miscellaneous action shouting advice or orders and reflexively commiting an additional mote of Essence per target, the Lawgiver may share his insight with others, to a maximum of his Charisma. The supernatural insight lasts for one scene.
In social combat, the Lawgiver may choose an additional effect; he may forfeit the attack or defense boni, using his understanding of the target increases all Willpower costs to resist mental influence of any kind by one.
Sorcery:
-Virtuous Guardian of Flame (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 25m (5m committed)
This spell summons a construct of flame to defend you or another
creature you touch. The construct generally takes the shape of a
torch-flame floating near you, but when you are attacked it expands into
a great flaming sword (for melee attacks) or shield (for ranged
attacks). The guardian grants you a Parry DV of (Wits + Occult +
Essence)/2 which is not reduced by any penalties other than onslaught or
coordinated attack (Stel and I will explain these, but you don't have to
worry about this Parry DV being reduced when you cast as your normal
ones are). It also burns people who attack you with natural weapons,
but it's easily tricked and surprise attacks catch it offguard. The
spell lasts for one day, or as long as you keep 5 motes committed,
whichever expires first.
-Thunder Wolf's Howl (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10m
You unleash a word of power once used to warn of the approach of the
behemoth Thunder Wolf, focusing your Essence into a deadly sonic
attack. This spell affects a twenty-yard burst within 100 yards of you;
all targets in that burst suffer an Intelligence + Occult attack which
can neither be parried or dodged. This attack deals base unrolled
bashing damage equal to your Essence (damage caused by additional
successes is rolled as normal) and ignores armor soak, halving the
natural soak of inanimate objects and undead. Creatures in the area of
effect are also disoriented, losing two dice from all rolls for a period of five
ticks (about one action) per success on the attack roll.
(Attack roll is Int 4 + Occult 5 = 9)
-Peacock Shadow Eyes (Terrestrial Circle): 10m.
Your gaze burns with irridescent flame that compels a target witin ten meters to stunned silence. Make a Wits + Occult attack against the target's Dodge MDV. If you succeed, the target believes everything you say for the next five minutes, and remembers your words as if they were his own memory. When the spell's effect end, an Illusion effect convinces the target that he has undergone a normal, innocuous conversation with you. Removing the effect naturally requires a number of successful Investigation-based social attacks equal to your Essence. This is an unnatural mental influence.
(Attack roll is Wits 5 + Occult 5 = 10)
-Summon Elemental (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10+m.
As in corebook.
-Emerald Countermagic (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10m (protect self for current and next action); 20m (shatter a spell within 250 ft).
-Sapphire Countermagic (Celectial Circle). Cost: 15 m (protect self); 20 (shatter a spell)
-Magma Kraken (Celestial Circle). Cost: 35 m. As in White Treatise.
-Threefold Binding of the Heart (Celestial Circle). Cost: 30 m. As in White Treatise (Manip+Occult for compulsion effects)
-Cloud Trapeze (Celestial Circle). Cost: 25 m. As in White Treatise.
Combos:
-Indelible Tactician's Triumph. Cost: 5+3+2 per purchased succession motes, 2 wp.
(Sage Tactician Practice, Second Inv. Excellency, Seven Shadow Evasion)
A testament to the Copper Spider's drive to know all about those around him, even in the midst of battle, Ladarius developed this combo to allow him to overwhelm his target's mental defenses with gratuitous amounts of essence, giving him a decided advantage in combat or even more social events--and tying in a perfect defense to guard against retaliations to this rather invasive combination of Charms.
Willpower: 10/10
Virtues:
Compassion: 4
Conviction: 2
Temperance: 4
Valor: 2
Virtue Flaw: Overindulgence
Limit: 5/10
Essence: 5
Personal: 25/25
Peripheral: 55/57
Committed: 2 (2 Dragon Tear Tiara)
Equipment:
-Staff (fine): Speed 6, Accuracy +2, Damage +8B, Defense +2, Rate 2; two-handed weapon with reach.
Total attack pool of 9 dice. It is not uncommon to see Ladarius leaning on and generally using his staff as a walking stick. Damage is Weapon 8 + Strength 2 +successes over target's DV.
-Crystalweave Armor (Artifact **): An experiment in motonic physics and materials science, this chain shirt is made of orichalchum woven, though some unknown process, with yasal crystal. It provides equivalent protection and mobility to an orichalchum chain shirt, but its true power becomes evident when the wearer is attacked by a Charm-wielding opponent. Whenever the wearer is struck by an attack enhanced or generated by a Charm or spell, he regains one mote of Essence for every ten motes in that Charm or spell's cost, channeling the Essence into his pool as it dissipates. This does not apply to effects with a duration longer than instant, nor does it affect the operation of the effect in any way. Should the wearer have full Essence pools, the absorbed Essence dissipates harmlessly in a display of crackling light appropriate to the aspect of the Charm-wielder.
Artifact Orichalcum Chain Shirt: Soak +5L/3B (+7L/5B worn by Solars), Hardness +2L/2B (+3L/3B worn by Solars), -0 mobility, 0 fatigue. Can be concealed beneath normal clothes (and Ladarius does so whenever possible). Attune: 2.
Dragon Tear Tiara (custom): This Dragon Tear Tiara was created by the grateful workers in Thorns for Dari. It is a starmetal and orichalchum circlet that acts in all ways as a dragon tear tiara, except that the full three-die bonus applies to all perception-based rolls.
Adds: +3 Perception, +3 Geomancy, Astrology, detecting spirits or otherwise performing Occult tasks (except sorcery).
Attune: 2.
Soak:
Bashing: 6 (+5 from chain shirt)
Lethal: 7 (+7 from chain shirt)
Aggravated: Equal to Lethal.
Dodge DV: [Dex (4) +Dodge (5) +Essence (5)]/2=7
Parry DV: [Dex (4) +Melee (3) +Weapon's def rating (2)]/2=4
- Virtuous Guardian of Flame Parry DV: [Wits (5) +Occult (5) +Essence (5)]/2=~8
Mental Dodge DV: [Willpower (10) +Integrity (2) +Essence (5)]/2=~8
Mental Parry DV: [Charisma or Manipulation (Manip 5) +Ability (Investigation 5)]/2=5
Health Levels:
-0: [ ]
-1: [ ] [ ] [ ]
-2: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
-4: [ ]
Incapacitated: [ ]
Intimacies: (in no particular order)
-uncovering secrets
-his mentor, Ricca
-assisting Hsiung Kuan-Yin (Shadow).
-Helping Feathers discover the truth behind her uncle's death.
-hidden intimacy
Background: Raised in a family of thieves, Ladarius grew up with a fairly loose sense of the privacy of others and tends to stick his nose into matters he has no business of being in. Because of the parent's occupation, the family certainly was not bad off. Despite learning his way around some physical abilities, however, Ladarius never took much of an interest in following in his parent's footsteps. Instead, he took a greater interest in intellectual pursuits, and eventually became driven by his own sense of curiosity. Though he had no interest in pursuing the line of work of his relatives, Ladarius was well aware of the risks a thief had to take, and what began as a nervous worry easily grew into a fear of abandonment when his father eventually never returned from a job.
When Ladarius did finally screw up the courage to strike out on his own and make an effort to become independent, he managed to scrape by as an investigator and general source of information. His curiosity was eventually the trigger to the series of events that also ended his life as a relatively normal mortal.
Ladarius became interested in discovering the secrets of the Emissary, who has somehow been the only member of the Council of Nexus to remain since its founding. A secret that has been so well-guarded for so long was obviously something terribly interesting to him--but it also was not yet within his abilities. It was during this first, failed attempt to uncover the Emissary's secret that he drew his Second Breath, at which point his life was essentially turned upside-down and he temporarily put his occupation and attempts to investigate the Emissary aside.
Having become Exalted, Ladarius quickly developed a healthy respect for the Unconquered Sun, where he had before focused on more worldly matters. As a Copper Spider, he intends to dedicate his newfound power to many of the same goals he had before--essentially, the pursuit and application of knowledge. With it, however, he knows he will be able to reach increasingly higher goals. He began with the study of sorcery.
He was lucky enough to find a mentor, Ricca, to help straighten the life that he had just turned upside-down. Ricca had no qualms with quickly humiliating her student in a contest of wits. Ladarius had always prided himself on his intelligence, and Ricca was glad to teach him the hard way that there was more to being intelligent than just studying--a lesson she still reminds him of. She carried much of this approach into much of the rest of Ladarius' tutelage. When it came time for his journey, Ladarius wandered about the land seeking out and studying demesnes and manses in order to greater understand the way in which essence flows and gathers in the world. It was during these journeys that he acquired a First Age artifact, which had appealed to his natural curiosity. In his next trial, Ladarius--whose friendly and compassionate nature often brought him to depend on the people around him--was forced to face and overcome his fear of abandonment. This was fortunate for him, as in his final trial before initiation into the First Circle of magic, Ladarius sacrificed the remaining ties he had to his family.
After initiation, as he continued his study with his mentor, Ladarius began to slowly pick his work back up. He began to work as an occasional contact for "No-Name," feeling an odd affinity for him as the thief clawed his way up the ranks of his guild, hoping to build an "empire of awesome." Ladarius came to support him in this goal, though his main goal is to have a chance at another shot at uncovering the secrets of the Emissary.
Appearance: The young man boasts bronze skin and a head of mid-length, curly blue hair that suggests that Ladarius' lineage traces back to the Western lands--and when asked about it, he will often joke that his family was probably originally pirates. Despite a rather frail build and the fact that Ladarius' economic situation keeps him in an obviously well-worn set of clothes suitable for traveling, he is a rather attractive-looking man. He carries himself confidently, with a warm smile and clear, dark eyes that roam freely as he tries to take in everything around him.
Elemental: Asharis, Stormward
Motivation: To keep his master safe and free of harm
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4, Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 3, Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 4, Valor 4, Temperance 2
Willpower: 8
Abilities: Martial Arts 4, War 3, Integrity 4, Resistance 3, Lore 3, Medicine 2, Athletics 5, Awareness 5, Dodge 5, Stealth 2, Linguistics 1 (Rivertongue)
Backgrounds: Sanctum 1
Essence: 2 (Essence Pool: 60)
Spirit Charms: Dematerialize (Asharis may dematerialize for a cost of 50 motes), Measure the Wind, elemental powers (all), Principle of Motion (8 actions), Sense Domain, Landscape Hide, Words of Power, Command the Air (10m, 1WP, summons anything up to a powerful windstorm, causing -2 external penalty on all actions); First Excellency for Awareness, Martial Arts, Integrity and Dodge
Join Battle: 9
Attacks: Talon (Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 4L, Defense 4); Dragon's Suspire (Speed 10, Accuracy 9, Damage 8L, Defense --)
Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Soak: 8B/4L (warding winds, 4B/2L)
Dodge DV: 5
Stormwards are elemental guardians, highly sought-after by sorcerers as bodyguards. They have a keenly curious nature, and tend to gather information on the places or objects they guard; Asharis in particular is fascinated by the lore of the ancient past.
Asharis takes the form of a giant falcon made of slowly shifting stormclouds. His eyes and talons burn with lightning, and his voice, though clear, hums faintly with electricity. In battle, his priority is Ladarius' safety, often using Command the Air to harry and distract opponents while he and Ladarius escape or disable them. He is, in general, quite amenable to being summoned by Ladarius, as the Solar has always treated him with respect and kindness.
Notes:
-Letting me know if something is a stupid idea is highly encouraged.
-Languages and equipment have been chosen. Should be done, unless I'm missing something.
-For reference: Feather's character sheet. (Dawn, HB) Peridot's character sheet. (Eclipse, Manfred) NoName/Shadow's character sheet. (Night, Mal) Yan's character sheet. (Zenith, Shunsui)
Player: Russel
Caste: Twilight
Motivation: Find the truth behind the Council of Nexus' mysterious Emissary.
Anima totem manifestation: A great, keen-eyed hawk.
Banked XP: 29
XP spent: 244
Total: 274 (177 from sessions, 29 bonus, 10 for arc completions)
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4
Stamina: 1
Charisma: 2
Manipulation: 5
Appearance: 3
Perception: 5
Intelligence: 4
Wits: 5
Abilities: (* are favored)
Dawn:
Melee: 3
Martial Arts: 1 [NOTE: When using this skill, Dari is recognizably moving unlike himself.]
Night:
*Awareness: 5
*Dodge: 5
Stealth: 1
Athletics: 2
Zenith:
Integrity: 2
*Resistance: 2
Eclipse:
*Linguistics: 3
-Native Riverspeaker, learned High Realm, Old Realm and Low Realm.
*Socialize: 2
Twilight:
*Craft: -
*Investigation: 5
*Lore: 5
*Medicine: -
*Occult: 5
Advantages:
Backgrounds:
Mentor: 2
Contacts: 3
(Ladarius has been involved in an information network in the past, and his investigation of the Emissary has required that he make some contacts. One is Achan, a Guild merchant lord, a man Ladarius has worked for in the past and has often traded information with. The second is Nanda, a quartermaster for the Hooded Executioners, who Ladarius convinced after some time to provide information on the going-ons of the group in return for certain favors. The third is Hadiya, an associate from before Dari took his Second Breath; she is currently working for the Hsiung family.)
Resource: 1
Artifact: 2 (Crystalweave Armor; see equipment.)
Influence: 2 (Great Forks.)
Cult: 3
Charms:
-Terrestrial Circle Sorcery. Cost: N/A
-Celestial Circle Sorcery. Cost: N/A
-Body-mending Meditation. Cost: 10m
-Ox-body Technique. Cost: N/A (one -1 health level and two -2 health levels)
-Shadow Over Water. Cost: 1m
-Seven Shadow Evasion. Cost: 3m (perfect dodge; virtue flaw Temperance, cannot move after use until Dari's DV refreshes twice.)
-2nd Investigation Excellency. Cost: 2m per success
-Crafty Observation Method. Cost: 5m
-Evidence-Discerning Glance. Cost: 5m, 1 WP.
-Judge's Ear Technique. Cost: 3m
-Irresistable Questioning Technique. Cost: 4m (roll social attribute+Investigation)
-Courtier's Eye Technique. Cost: 3m (roll Perception+Investigation)
-Spirit-Detecting Glance. Cost: 3m.
-All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight. Cost: 6m (reflexive, Int+Occult to analyze)
-Sorcerer's Burning Chakra Charm. Cost: 1m (activates free when anima is at or beyond 4-7 mote level. Provides cheaper All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight.)
-Salinian Absorption (recieve additional, relevant info on Perc. or Int. rolls with a threshold of 5 successes; substitute any arcane link for any other of the same subject--and with three arcane links to a person or place, can target them with ANY spell)
-Graceful Crane Stance. Cost: 3m. Athletics 1, Essence 2; Type: Reflex.
-Second Awareness Excellency. Cost: 2m per success.
-Surprise Anticipation Method. Cost: 1m. Awareness 5, Essence 2; Type: Reflex.
-Keen Sight Technique. Cost: 3 m. Type: Reflexive. (Grants 2 bonus successes to sight Awareness rolls)
-Unsurpassed Sight Discipline. Cost: 2m. Type: Reflexive. (Doubles sight Awareness successes before external penalties are applied)
-Eye of the Unconquered Sun. Cost: 12m, 1 wp. Type: Reflexive. (Immune to Stealth, Deception and Concealment effects both mundane and unnatural. Automatically flares anima to 16 mote level)
-Sage Tactician Practice
Cost: 5m, 1WP; Mins: Investigation 5, Essence 3; Type: Simple (Speed 5, DV -1)
Keywords: Combo-OK
Duration: Scene
Prerequisites: Evidence-Discerning Method
It is said that the Lawgivers can see into a man's heart and soul, and read his intent as a mortal would read a book. This Charm allows a Solar to use that insight in battle, predicting an opponent's intent before they even move.
The Exalt rolls Perception + Investigation, subtracting an external penalty of the target's [(Manipulation+Socialize)/2]. This counts as a social action for purposes of Evidence-Discerning Method. If the roll succeeds, the Solar immediately gains insight into the target's combat style. He may choose to exploit these weaknesses offensively (an external penalty to the target's DVs) or defensively (an external penalty to the target's attacks). In either case, the penalty is equal to the Solar's successes on the roll, to a maximum of his Investigation, and applies only to actions which he takes, or which target him. By spending a miscellaneous action shouting advice or orders and reflexively commiting an additional mote of Essence per target, the Lawgiver may share his insight with others, to a maximum of his Charisma. The supernatural insight lasts for one scene.
In social combat, the Lawgiver may choose an additional effect; he may forfeit the attack or defense boni, using his understanding of the target increases all Willpower costs to resist mental influence of any kind by one.
Sorcery:
-Virtuous Guardian of Flame (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 25m (5m committed)
This spell summons a construct of flame to defend you or another
creature you touch. The construct generally takes the shape of a
torch-flame floating near you, but when you are attacked it expands into
a great flaming sword (for melee attacks) or shield (for ranged
attacks). The guardian grants you a Parry DV of (Wits + Occult +
Essence)/2 which is not reduced by any penalties other than onslaught or
coordinated attack (Stel and I will explain these, but you don't have to
worry about this Parry DV being reduced when you cast as your normal
ones are). It also burns people who attack you with natural weapons,
but it's easily tricked and surprise attacks catch it offguard. The
spell lasts for one day, or as long as you keep 5 motes committed,
whichever expires first.
-Thunder Wolf's Howl (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10m
You unleash a word of power once used to warn of the approach of the
behemoth Thunder Wolf, focusing your Essence into a deadly sonic
attack. This spell affects a twenty-yard burst within 100 yards of you;
all targets in that burst suffer an Intelligence + Occult attack which
can neither be parried or dodged. This attack deals base unrolled
bashing damage equal to your Essence (damage caused by additional
successes is rolled as normal) and ignores armor soak, halving the
natural soak of inanimate objects and undead. Creatures in the area of
effect are also disoriented, losing two dice from all rolls for a period of five
ticks (about one action) per success on the attack roll.
(Attack roll is Int 4 + Occult 5 = 9)
-Peacock Shadow Eyes (Terrestrial Circle): 10m.
Your gaze burns with irridescent flame that compels a target witin ten meters to stunned silence. Make a Wits + Occult attack against the target's Dodge MDV. If you succeed, the target believes everything you say for the next five minutes, and remembers your words as if they were his own memory. When the spell's effect end, an Illusion effect convinces the target that he has undergone a normal, innocuous conversation with you. Removing the effect naturally requires a number of successful Investigation-based social attacks equal to your Essence. This is an unnatural mental influence.
(Attack roll is Wits 5 + Occult 5 = 10)
-Summon Elemental (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10+m.
As in corebook.
-Emerald Countermagic (Terrestrial Circle). Cost: 10m (protect self for current and next action); 20m (shatter a spell within 250 ft).
-Sapphire Countermagic (Celectial Circle). Cost: 15 m (protect self); 20 (shatter a spell)
-Magma Kraken (Celestial Circle). Cost: 35 m. As in White Treatise.
-Threefold Binding of the Heart (Celestial Circle). Cost: 30 m. As in White Treatise (Manip+Occult for compulsion effects)
-Cloud Trapeze (Celestial Circle). Cost: 25 m. As in White Treatise.
Combos:
-Indelible Tactician's Triumph. Cost: 5+3+2 per purchased succession motes, 2 wp.
(Sage Tactician Practice, Second Inv. Excellency, Seven Shadow Evasion)
A testament to the Copper Spider's drive to know all about those around him, even in the midst of battle, Ladarius developed this combo to allow him to overwhelm his target's mental defenses with gratuitous amounts of essence, giving him a decided advantage in combat or even more social events--and tying in a perfect defense to guard against retaliations to this rather invasive combination of Charms.
Willpower: 10/10
Virtues:
Compassion: 4
Conviction: 2
Temperance: 4
Valor: 2
Virtue Flaw: Overindulgence
Limit: 5/10
Essence: 5
Personal: 25/25
Peripheral: 55/57
Committed: 2 (2 Dragon Tear Tiara)
Equipment:
-Staff (fine): Speed 6, Accuracy +2, Damage +8B, Defense +2, Rate 2; two-handed weapon with reach.
Total attack pool of 9 dice. It is not uncommon to see Ladarius leaning on and generally using his staff as a walking stick. Damage is Weapon 8 + Strength 2 +successes over target's DV.
-Crystalweave Armor (Artifact **): An experiment in motonic physics and materials science, this chain shirt is made of orichalchum woven, though some unknown process, with yasal crystal. It provides equivalent protection and mobility to an orichalchum chain shirt, but its true power becomes evident when the wearer is attacked by a Charm-wielding opponent. Whenever the wearer is struck by an attack enhanced or generated by a Charm or spell, he regains one mote of Essence for every ten motes in that Charm or spell's cost, channeling the Essence into his pool as it dissipates. This does not apply to effects with a duration longer than instant, nor does it affect the operation of the effect in any way. Should the wearer have full Essence pools, the absorbed Essence dissipates harmlessly in a display of crackling light appropriate to the aspect of the Charm-wielder.
Artifact Orichalcum Chain Shirt: Soak +5L/3B (+7L/5B worn by Solars), Hardness +2L/2B (+3L/3B worn by Solars), -0 mobility, 0 fatigue. Can be concealed beneath normal clothes (and Ladarius does so whenever possible). Attune: 2.
Dragon Tear Tiara (custom): This Dragon Tear Tiara was created by the grateful workers in Thorns for Dari. It is a starmetal and orichalchum circlet that acts in all ways as a dragon tear tiara, except that the full three-die bonus applies to all perception-based rolls.
Adds: +3 Perception, +3 Geomancy, Astrology, detecting spirits or otherwise performing Occult tasks (except sorcery).
Attune: 2.
Soak:
Bashing: 6 (+5 from chain shirt)
Lethal: 7 (+7 from chain shirt)
Aggravated: Equal to Lethal.
Dodge DV: [Dex (4) +Dodge (5) +Essence (5)]/2=7
Parry DV: [Dex (4) +Melee (3) +Weapon's def rating (2)]/2=4
- Virtuous Guardian of Flame Parry DV: [Wits (5) +Occult (5) +Essence (5)]/2=~8
Mental Dodge DV: [Willpower (10) +Integrity (2) +Essence (5)]/2=~8
Mental Parry DV: [Charisma or Manipulation (Manip 5) +Ability (Investigation 5)]/2=5
Health Levels:
-0: [ ]
-1: [ ] [ ] [ ]
-2: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
-4: [ ]
Incapacitated: [ ]
Intimacies: (in no particular order)
-uncovering secrets
-his mentor, Ricca
-assisting Hsiung Kuan-Yin (Shadow).
-Helping Feathers discover the truth behind her uncle's death.
-hidden intimacy
Background: Raised in a family of thieves, Ladarius grew up with a fairly loose sense of the privacy of others and tends to stick his nose into matters he has no business of being in. Because of the parent's occupation, the family certainly was not bad off. Despite learning his way around some physical abilities, however, Ladarius never took much of an interest in following in his parent's footsteps. Instead, he took a greater interest in intellectual pursuits, and eventually became driven by his own sense of curiosity. Though he had no interest in pursuing the line of work of his relatives, Ladarius was well aware of the risks a thief had to take, and what began as a nervous worry easily grew into a fear of abandonment when his father eventually never returned from a job.
When Ladarius did finally screw up the courage to strike out on his own and make an effort to become independent, he managed to scrape by as an investigator and general source of information. His curiosity was eventually the trigger to the series of events that also ended his life as a relatively normal mortal.
Ladarius became interested in discovering the secrets of the Emissary, who has somehow been the only member of the Council of Nexus to remain since its founding. A secret that has been so well-guarded for so long was obviously something terribly interesting to him--but it also was not yet within his abilities. It was during this first, failed attempt to uncover the Emissary's secret that he drew his Second Breath, at which point his life was essentially turned upside-down and he temporarily put his occupation and attempts to investigate the Emissary aside.
Having become Exalted, Ladarius quickly developed a healthy respect for the Unconquered Sun, where he had before focused on more worldly matters. As a Copper Spider, he intends to dedicate his newfound power to many of the same goals he had before--essentially, the pursuit and application of knowledge. With it, however, he knows he will be able to reach increasingly higher goals. He began with the study of sorcery.
He was lucky enough to find a mentor, Ricca, to help straighten the life that he had just turned upside-down. Ricca had no qualms with quickly humiliating her student in a contest of wits. Ladarius had always prided himself on his intelligence, and Ricca was glad to teach him the hard way that there was more to being intelligent than just studying--a lesson she still reminds him of. She carried much of this approach into much of the rest of Ladarius' tutelage. When it came time for his journey, Ladarius wandered about the land seeking out and studying demesnes and manses in order to greater understand the way in which essence flows and gathers in the world. It was during these journeys that he acquired a First Age artifact, which had appealed to his natural curiosity. In his next trial, Ladarius--whose friendly and compassionate nature often brought him to depend on the people around him--was forced to face and overcome his fear of abandonment. This was fortunate for him, as in his final trial before initiation into the First Circle of magic, Ladarius sacrificed the remaining ties he had to his family.
After initiation, as he continued his study with his mentor, Ladarius began to slowly pick his work back up. He began to work as an occasional contact for "No-Name," feeling an odd affinity for him as the thief clawed his way up the ranks of his guild, hoping to build an "empire of awesome." Ladarius came to support him in this goal, though his main goal is to have a chance at another shot at uncovering the secrets of the Emissary.
Appearance: The young man boasts bronze skin and a head of mid-length, curly blue hair that suggests that Ladarius' lineage traces back to the Western lands--and when asked about it, he will often joke that his family was probably originally pirates. Despite a rather frail build and the fact that Ladarius' economic situation keeps him in an obviously well-worn set of clothes suitable for traveling, he is a rather attractive-looking man. He carries himself confidently, with a warm smile and clear, dark eyes that roam freely as he tries to take in everything around him.
Elemental: Asharis, Stormward
Motivation: To keep his master safe and free of harm
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4, Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 3, Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 4, Valor 4, Temperance 2
Willpower: 8
Abilities: Martial Arts 4, War 3, Integrity 4, Resistance 3, Lore 3, Medicine 2, Athletics 5, Awareness 5, Dodge 5, Stealth 2, Linguistics 1 (Rivertongue)
Backgrounds: Sanctum 1
Essence: 2 (Essence Pool: 60)
Spirit Charms: Dematerialize (Asharis may dematerialize for a cost of 50 motes), Measure the Wind, elemental powers (all), Principle of Motion (8 actions), Sense Domain, Landscape Hide, Words of Power, Command the Air (10m, 1WP, summons anything up to a powerful windstorm, causing -2 external penalty on all actions); First Excellency for Awareness, Martial Arts, Integrity and Dodge
Join Battle: 9
Attacks: Talon (Speed 6, Accuracy 9, Damage 4L, Defense 4); Dragon's Suspire (Speed 10, Accuracy 9, Damage 8L, Defense --)
Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Soak: 8B/4L (warding winds, 4B/2L)
Dodge DV: 5
Stormwards are elemental guardians, highly sought-after by sorcerers as bodyguards. They have a keenly curious nature, and tend to gather information on the places or objects they guard; Asharis in particular is fascinated by the lore of the ancient past.
Asharis takes the form of a giant falcon made of slowly shifting stormclouds. His eyes and talons burn with lightning, and his voice, though clear, hums faintly with electricity. In battle, his priority is Ladarius' safety, often using Command the Air to harry and distract opponents while he and Ladarius escape or disable them. He is, in general, quite amenable to being summoned by Ladarius, as the Solar has always treated him with respect and kindness.
Notes:
-Letting me know if something is a stupid idea is highly encouraged.
-Languages and equipment have been chosen. Should be done, unless I'm missing something.
-For reference: Feather's character sheet. (Dawn, HB) Peridot's character sheet. (Eclipse, Manfred) NoName/Shadow's character sheet. (Night, Mal) Yan's character sheet. (Zenith, Shunsui)