[Exalted] Solar Martial Arts
Patrick Baldwin
Solar martial arts Charms are a bit of the
suck. From what I've seen/heard, Sidereals
have martial arts Charms that are, in fact,
the bomb.
So- are the existing Solar martial arts
likely the best we can expect for Solar
martial arts?
Or do you think we might see some lost
Solar arts from the First Age show up
at some point?
Blazing Fist of the Avenging Sun style,
maybe? Glorious Solar Dragon?
~Pax
Stephenls
Solars are stuck using Celestial MA just like every other Celestial. On
the other hand, they benefit from large Essence pools and low XP costs
for learning new charms, so they tend to be better MAists than, say, Lunars.
If you think Solar MAs are teh suck, you've forgotten Armor Penetrating
Fang Strike + Essence Venom Strike, possibly one of the most evil combos
in the corebook. I find people tend to forget that because it's obvious
and it's in the corebook, and thus not new or exciting, but man is it
still dirty.
We won't be seeing Solar MA styles specifically because Solars don't get
exclusive MA styles -- they get an exclusive Sorcery Circle. Sidereals
get semi-exclusive MA styles, but they're not really exclusive. Solars
(and Lunars and Abyssals) can learn Charcoal March of Spiders Style,
Citrine Poxes of Contagion Style, and Prismatic Arrangement of Creation
Style for 13/15 XP per charm, only three XP per charm more than
Sidereals pay.
Mind you, we /might/ see a high-Essence Celestial MA cascade at some
point. That'd start to rival the Sidereal MAs for power.
--
Stephenls
Geek
"Go then. There are other worlds than these."
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> So I'm of the opinion that most of the
> Solar martial arts Charms are a bit of the
> suck. From what I've seen/heard, Sidereals
> have martial arts Charms that are, in fact,
> the bomb.
This is not entirely accurate.
I dislike snake style because it was the first martial art, and at the
time it failed to live up to what I expected from charm trees that dealt
in combat (no defenses, dice adders, etc). As it turns out, it doesn't
really need them and actually works nicely. Tiger's great, as is Ebon
Shadow. I've only nearly used the Mantis style once, so couldn't speak
about it.
> So- are the existing Solar martial arts
> likely the best we can expect for Solar
> martial arts?
Well, you might want to call them "Celestial martial arts," since anyone
can have them.
--
Elizabeth D. Brooks | kali.ma...@comcast.net | US2002021724
Listowner: Aberrants_Worldwide, Fading_Suns_Games, TrinityRPG
AeonAdventure | "Dobby likes us!" -- Smeagol
-- http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/view/6856
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> Solars are stuck using Celestial MA just like every other Celestial. On
> the other hand, they benefit from large Essence pools and low XP costs
> for learning new charms, so they tend to be better MAists than, say, Lunars.
>
> If you think Solar MAs are teh suck, you've forgotten Armor Penetrating
> Fang Strike + Essence Venom Strike, possibly one of the most evil combos
> in the corebook. I find people tend to forget that because it's obvious
> and it's in the corebook, and thus not new or exciting, but man is it
> still dirty.
Very true. I still don't like Snake style much, but I know how effective
it is. My players fought a master of the Snake style once. He had the
lowest soak of the three Solars the PCs were fighting, and the lowest
number of combat charms, and he took the longest to kill. Why? Snake
form, dodge charms, a certain Presence charm...and his Penetrating Fang
Strike + Essence Venom Strike nearly killed one of the PCs.
> Mind you, we /might/ see a high-Essence Celestial MA cascade at some
> point. That'd start to rival the Sidereal MAs for power.
We might, but if we do, the Sidereals probably invented it.
Vis Sierra
> Patrick Baldwin wrote:
> > So I'm of the opinion that most of the
> > Solar martial arts Charms are a bit of the
> > suck. From what I've seen/heard, Sidereals
> > have martial arts Charms that are, in fact,
> > the bomb.
>
> This is not entirely accurate.
>
> I dislike snake style because it was the first martial art, and at the
> time it failed to live up to what I expected from charm trees that dealt
: in combat (no defenses, dice adders, etc).
You dislike the snake style martial art because it lacks
dice adders? I've heard of game mechanics reflecting in-
game themes before, but come on.... :)
Vis Sierra
Julie d'Aubigny
I know, but the dice cobras aren't up to par.
Patrick Baldwin
:
: Solars are stuck using Celestial MA just like every other Celestial. On
: for learning new charms, so they tend to be better MAists than, say, Lunars.
Right, Lunars seem to be more about the grappling and rending
than ninja-kicking you.
What I'm looking for isn't so much "Solar only" martial
arts, as ones that are more in tune with their celestial
origin. For example, the Dragon-Blooded have martial
arts flavored with elemental stuff, the Abyssals have a
martial art flavored with spooky dead guy stuff, etc.
The animal styles don't seem very solar flavored to me.
: If you think Solar MAs are teh suck, you've forgotten Armor Penetrating
: Fang Strike + Essence Venom Strike, possibly one of the most evil combos
: in the corebook. I find people tend to forget that because it's obvious
: and it's in the corebook, and thus not new or exciting, but man is it
: still dirty.
It sure kills the hell out of things, yes. But the problem
the martial arts based characters I've seen run into is
it not being compatible with armor, and needing to spend
a round going into the form to get the most out of your
kung-fu skills. It's ended up getting them messed up
pretty bad.
: We won't be seeing Solar MA styles specifically because Solars don't get
: exclusive MA styles -- they get an exclusive Sorcery Circle. Sidereals
: get semi-exclusive MA styles, but they're not really exclusive. Solars
: (and Lunars and Abyssals) can learn Charcoal March of Spiders Style,
: Citrine Poxes of Contagion Style, and Prismatic Arrangement of Creation
: Style for 13/15 XP per charm, only three XP per charm more than
: Sidereals pay.
Yeah, but still, it really seems that the way to go for
both offense and defense as a Solar is Melee. Which
is OK I suppose; it is somewhat realistic that the best
way to hurt someone is with a weapon.
: Mind you, we /might/ see a high-Essence Celestial MA cascade at some
: point. That'd start to rival the Sidereal MAs for power.
I think we should see that; it certainly makes sense
that such things would have existed in the world,
although I'd buy them being lost at the end of the
First Age.
~Pax
Patrick Baldwin
: Patrick Baldwin wrote:
: >
: > So I'm of the opinion that most of the
: > Solar martial arts Charms are a bit of the
: > suck. From what I've seen/heard, Sidereals
: > have martial arts Charms that are, in fact,
: > the bomb.
:
: This is not entirely accurate.
:
: I dislike snake style because it was the first martial art, and at the
: time it failed to live up to what I expected from charm trees that dealt
: in combat (no defenses, dice adders, etc).
Which is why I don't like it much.
: As it turns out, it doesn't
: really need them and actually works nicely. Tiger's great
I haven't actually found either of those things to be
true, but YMMV of course.
: as is Ebon
: Shadow. I've only nearly used the Mantis style once, so couldn't speak
: about it.
Ebon Shadow does look promising, but I haven't seen Mantis.
: > So- are the existing Solar martial arts
: > likely the best we can expect for Solar
: > martial arts?
:
: Well, you might want to call them "Celestial martial arts," since anyone
: can have them.
I was trying to distinguish the Solar animal styles (and
Ebon Shadow) from the Celestial martial arts in general.
~Pax
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> : I dislike snake style because it was the first martial art, and at the
> : time it failed to live up to what I expected from charm trees that dealt
> : in combat (no defenses, dice adders, etc).
>
> Which is why I don't like it much.
I still don't like it now because I initially didn't like it, but having
used it to great effect, I realize that my reasons are not entirely
correct.
> : As it turns out, it doesn't
> : really need them and actually works nicely. Tiger's great
>
> I haven't actually found either of those things to be
> true, but YMMV of course.
How much have you used it? In my experience, Snake style masters tend to
be nearly impossible to take out.
> : > So- are the existing Solar martial arts
> : > likely the best we can expect for Solar
> : > martial arts?
> :
> : Well, you might want to call them "Celestial martial arts," since anyone
> : can have them.
>
> I was trying to distinguish the Solar animal styles (and
> Ebon Shadow) from the Celestial martial arts in general.
Well, the Solar animal styles *are* Celestial martial arts in general.
Sidereals can learn them, Solars can learn Violet Bier of Sorrows as
well as the Five Dragon styles.
Shane Graves
> Patrick Baldwin wrote:
> > : > So- are the existing Solar martial arts
> > : > likely the best we can expect for Solar
> > : > martial arts?
> > : Well, you might want to call them "Celestial martial arts," since
anyone
> > : can have them.
> > I was trying to distinguish the Solar animal styles (and
> > Ebon Shadow) from the Celestial martial arts in general.
> Well, the Solar animal styles *are* Celestial martial arts in general.
> Sidereals can learn them, Solars can learn Violet Bier of Sorrows as
> well as the Five Dragon styles.
Ok...since I never got a chance to get into Martial Arts when I ran Exalted
back in the day, I never paid much attention to it (surprise surprise, I
know ^_~). The Martial Arts trees aren't like normal Charm trees, as in any
Exalt can learn them. Or something like that. Right?
It's also the end of a very badday, and I tend to think less than usual in
these situations.
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> Ok...since I never got a chance to get into Martial Arts when I ran Exalted
> back in the day, I never paid much attention to it (surprise surprise, I
> know ^_~). The Martial Arts trees aren't like normal Charm trees, as in any
> Exalt can learn them. Or something like that. Right?
Yes. Terrestrials need to learn special ways to channel essence to learn
them, but they're available to any Celestial without any restrictions.
> It's also the end of a very badday, and I tend to think less than usual in
> these situations.
--
Patrick Baldwin
: >
: > : I dislike snake style because it was the first martial art, and at the
: > : time it failed to live up to what I expected from charm trees that dealt
: > : in combat (no defenses, dice adders, etc).
: >
: > Which is why I don't like it much.
:
: I still don't like it now because I initially didn't like it, but having
: used it to great effect, I realize that my reasons are not entirely
: correct.
See, initially, I liked it, based only on "keen, snake themed
martial arts". Then I tried using it, and found those missing
things you mentioned were something of a problem.
: > : As it turns out, it doesn't
: > : really need them and actually works nicely. Tiger's great
: >
: > I haven't actually found either of those things to be
: > true, but YMMV of course.
:
: How much have you used it? In my experience, Snake style masters tend to
: be nearly impossible to take out.
Not all that much, really. But what's making them so hard
to take out? Close your eyes and Excellent Strike, dead
Snake master.
: > : > So- are the existing Solar martial arts
: > : > likely the best we can expect for Solar
: > : > martial arts?
: > :
: > : Well, you might want to call them "Celestial martial arts," since anyone
: > : can have them.
: >
: > I was trying to distinguish the Solar animal styles (and
: > Ebon Shadow) from the Celestial martial arts in general.
:
: Well, the Solar animal styles *are* Celestial martial arts in general.
: Sidereals can learn them, Solars can learn Violet Bier of Sorrows as
: well as the Five Dragon styles.
Hrm, I guess I was assuming that since it's primarily
animal styles we see in the Solar books, that there was
supposed to be something inherent to them that made them
the martial arts Solars usually used.
~Pax
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> See, initially, I liked it, based only on "keen, snake themed
> martial arts". Then I tried using it, and found those missing
> things you mentioned were something of a problem.
Hmm.
> : > : As it turns out, it doesn't
> : > : really need them and actually works nicely. Tiger's great
> : >
> : > I haven't actually found either of those things to be
> : > true, but YMMV of course.
> :
> : How much have you used it? In my experience, Snake style masters tend to
> : be nearly impossible to take out.
>
> Not all that much, really. But what's making them so hard
> to take out? Close your eyes and Excellent Strike, dead
> Snake master.
What? If the freak I'm fighting closes his eyes, then I'm leaving.
> : Well, the Solar animal styles *are* Celestial martial arts in general.
> : Sidereals can learn them, Solars can learn Violet Bier of Sorrows as
> : well as the Five Dragon styles.
>
> Hrm, I guess I was assuming that since it's primarily
> animal styles we see in the Solar books, that there was
> supposed to be something inherent to them that made them
> the martial arts Solars usually used.
I think they're the easiest to pick up without training.
That said, I really like the combination of Mantis Form with Blade of
the Battle Maiden.
Groovelord
"Julie d'Aubigny" <kali.ma...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3F8672AA...@comcast.net...
> Stephenls wrote:
> >
> > Solars are stuck using Celestial MA just like every other Celestial. On
> > the other hand, they benefit from large Essence pools and low XP costs
> > for learning new charms, so they tend to be better MAists than, say,
Lunars.
> >
> > If you think Solar MAs are teh suck, you've forgotten Armor Penetrating
> > Fang Strike + Essence Venom Strike, possibly one of the most evil combos
> > in the corebook. I find people tend to forget that because it's obvious
> > and it's in the corebook, and thus not new or exciting, but man is it
> > still dirty.
>
> Very true. I still don't like Snake style much, but I know how effective
> it is. My players fought a master of the Snake style once. He had the
> lowest soak of the three Solars the PCs were fighting, and the lowest
> number of combat charms, and he took the longest to kill. Why? Snake
> form, dodge charms, a certain Presence charm...and his Penetrating Fang
> Strike + Essence Venom Strike nearly killed one of the PCs.
>
> > Mind you, we /might/ see a high-Essence Celestial MA cascade at some
> > point. That'd start to rival the Sidereal MAs for power.
>
> We might, but if we do, the Sidereals probably invented it.
Not necessarily. In fact, Celestial MA could be very well a 1st Age *Solar*
invention. I'm certain that there are out in Creation hidden advanced
Martial Arts styles that are oriented towards Solar Essence (but learnable
by Sidereals, etc.) that just haven't been found yet.
I do agree that the Solars need more *basic* forms - more animal forms, and
so on.
For my own game, I'm developing a Solar Dragon style, that will be a solar
themed advanced form, but the players will discover that later, if I decide
to let them.
CB
Shane Graves
> I do agree that the Solars need more *basic* forms - more animal forms,
and
> so on.
Yeah. I found the fact that the Solars had animal forms a little demeaning,
only cause everyone else got significant themes to their Martial Arts.
> For my own game, I'm developing a Solar Dragon style, that will be a solar
> themed advanced form, but the players will discover that later, if I
decide
> to let them.
Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure out an
appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
Style".
Stephenls
> Yeah. I found the fact that the Solars had animal forms a little demeaning,
> only cause everyone else got significant themes to their Martial Arts.
Well, Solars are generally without gimmick. Animal styles are
essentially super-powered versions of the MA styles that mortals develop
using thematic links to actual animals, mostly because mortals can't
develop MAs with thematic links to, say, fire, or the color citrine.
> Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure out an
> appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
> Style".
Radiance of Spirit Style?
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves wrote:
> > Yeah. I found the fact that the Solars had animal forms a little
demeaning,
> > only cause everyone else got significant themes to their Martial Arts.
> Well, Solars are generally without gimmick. Animal styles are
> essentially super-powered versions of the MA styles that mortals develop
> using thematic links to actual animals, mostly because mortals can't
> develop MAs with thematic links to, say, fire, or the color citrine.
True enough.
> > Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure
out an
> > appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
> > Style".
> Radiance of Spirit Style?
Hm. I'm REALLY trying to fit "Four-Armed" in there somewhere.
Seriously...I never noticed that until I read Creatures of the Wyld, and now
I think that's just so awesome.
Stephenls
> Hm. I'm REALLY trying to fit "Four-Armed" in there somewhere.
You might want to look up obscure non-English synonyms for the word
"four," then, and work from there. "Quadruple" is not one I'd chose.
> Seriously...I never noticed that until I read Creatures of the Wyld, and now
> I think that's just so awesome.
Er, the recurring four-armed motif surrounding things that spring from
the Unconquered Sun?
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves wrote:
> > Hm. I'm REALLY trying to fit "Four-Armed" in there somewhere.
> You might want to look up obscure non-English synonyms for the word
> "four," then, and work from there. "Quadruple" is not one I'd chose.
Quadruple doesn't really sound "cool" to me.
> > Seriously...I never noticed that until I read Creatures of the Wyld, and
now
> > I think that's just so awesome.
> Er, the recurring four-armed motif surrounding things that spring from
> the Unconquered Sun?
Yes. Since somehow, I missed it when I read the core (surprise, surprise),
but noticed it when I read the entry on what's-his-face.
Julie d'Aubigny
"Now we add four beefy arms...and some majesty lines...check out all his
majesty!"
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves wrote:
> > Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure
out an
> > appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
> > Style".
> "Now we add four beefy arms...and some majesty lines...check out all his
> majesty!"
There's no need to up the sexual alure of the Exalted God...it's high enough
for me, thank you. ^_^
And I'm sure he has PLEANTY of...er...MAJESTY. ^_~
Julie d'Aubigny
"I said *consummated* Vs!"
I think we're not participating in the same conversation. :)
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves wrote:
> > > "Now we add four beefy arms...and some majesty lines...check out all
his
> > > majesty!"
> > There's no need to up the sexual alure of the Exalted God...it's high
enough
> > for me, thank you. ^_^
> > And I'm sure he has PLEANTY of...er...MAJESTY. ^_~
> "I said *consummated* Vs!"
> I think we're not participating in the same conversation. :)
I think we ALL know by now that it's hard for me to pass up a dick joke.
Especially puns.
Stephenls
> There's no need to up the sexual alure of the Exalted God...it's high enough
> for me, thank you. ^_^
> And I'm sure he has PLEANTY of...er...MAJESTY. ^_~
I take it you're not a fan of Strongbad?
Groovelord
"Shane Graves" <lobst...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:ab6ib.7363$av5....@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
I find inspiration in Tony Wong's Drunken Fist and Force of Buddha's Palm
stories. Nine Continents, the main protagonist of FOBP, uses a style with
that name, with lots of golden light, and nine different levels of using
Buddha power. From an Exalted perspective, he's absolutely a powerful
Zenith caste Solar martial artist.
Drunken Fist actually has a Sun Dragon style within it. I think Exalted
needs Celestial as well as Terrestrial Dragons, and it would be cool for a
Solar to use '5 Heavenly Dragon Stance technique' or some such.
GCG, hear us, oh mighty developer - a book of Martial Arts styles, please!
Best,
CB
Groovelord
> > Ok...since I never got a chance to get into Martial Arts when I ran
Exalted
> > back in the day, I never paid much attention to it (surprise surprise, I
> > know ^_~). The Martial Arts trees aren't like normal Charm trees, as in
any
> > Exalt can learn them. Or something like that. Right?
>
> Yes. Terrestrials need to learn special ways to channel essence to learn
> them, but they're available to any Celestial without any restrictions.
Now, this is wanting me to run a game about a hidden martial arts school in
the Threshold, where wise gold faction Sidereals train up and coming Lunars,
Solars and Outcaste Terrestrials the Ancient Secrets.
Cb
J. H. Frank
> GCG, hear us, oh mighty developer - a book of Martial Arts styles,
please!
Yes. I want a 160-192 page book covering all sorts of martial arts,
including the canonical rules on learning the different "circles" of MA
Charms.
--
J. H. Frank
MxLP: Stephenls
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves wrote:
> > There's no need to up the sexual alure of the Exalted God...it's high
enough
> > for me, thank you. ^_^
> > And I'm sure he has PLEANTY of...er...MAJESTY. ^_~
> I take it you're not a fan of Strongbad?
I'm a passing fan. As in, I like what I've seen of Strongbad, but being on
dial-up means I don't often take the full pleasure of having seen everything
on Homestarrunner.
I have been known to drop "Teen Girl Squad" references in classes.
Julie d'Aubigny
And I'm just talking about Trogdor...
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> I'm a passing fan. As in, I like what I've seen of Strongbad, but being on
> dial-up means I don't often take the full pleasure of having seen everything
> on Homestarrunner.
>
> I have been known to drop "Teen Girl Squad" references in classes.
ARROWED! MSGED! CEREBELLUMED!
J. H. Frank
> Stephenls wrote:
> > Shane Graves wrote:
> > > Yeah. I found the fact that the Solars had animal forms a little
> > > demeaning, only cause everyone else got significant themes to
> > > their Martial Arts.
>
> > Well, Solars are generally without gimmick. Animal styles are
> > essentially super-powered versions of the MA styles that mortals develop
> > using thematic links to actual animals, mostly because mortals can't
> > develop MAs with thematic links to, say, fire, or the color citrine.
>
> True enough.
>
> > > Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to
> > > figure out an appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something
> > > like "The Four-Armed Style".
>
> > Radiance of Spirit Style?
>
> Hm. I'm REALLY trying to fit "Four-Armed" in there somewhere.
Make four seperate MA Styles, each revolving around an aspect of the sun.
Maybe something like Unforgiving Sun Immolates the Sinners Style, Invisible
Rays Grant Life Style, Sun Illuminates All Creation Style, and Even the Sun
Must Set Style. I don't know.
It seems cool to me.
Alternatively, you could make a crazy multi-form (like Prismatic Arrangement
of Creation Style) MA with all of it leading to Unconquered Sun Remains
Unconquered Form.
*shrug*
Patrick Baldwin
: > : How much have you used it? In my experience, Snake style masters tend to
: > : be nearly impossible to take out.
: >
: > Not all that much, really. But what's making them so hard
: > to take out? Close your eyes and Excellent Strike, dead
: > Snake master.
:
: What? If the freak I'm fighting closes his eyes, then I'm leaving.
Snake Form's dice penalty thing only works if they can
see you. Fighting blind is only a 2 die penalty.
Thus, the best way to fight Snake masters is by going
all Zen-melee style.
Close your eyes and hew away!
: > : Well, the Solar animal styles *are* Celestial martial arts in general.
: > : Sidereals can learn them, Solars can learn Violet Bier of Sorrows as
: > : well as the Five Dragon styles.
: >
: > Hrm, I guess I was assuming that since it's primarily
: > animal styles we see in the Solar books, that there was
: > supposed to be something inherent to them that made them
: > the martial arts Solars usually used.
:
: I think they're the easiest to pick up without training.
Clearly that's meant to be the case, I'm just wondering
why animals are a Solar thing. Their anima banners are
often animals too.
: That said, I really like the combination of Mantis Form with Blade of
: the Battle Maiden.
What's it do?
~Pax
Patrick Baldwin
: "Groovelord"
:
: > I do agree that the Solars need more *basic* forms - more animal forms,
: and
: > so on.
:
: Yeah. I found the fact that the Solars had animal forms a little demeaning,
: only cause everyone else got significant themes to their Martial Arts.
Pretty much what I was trying to say. I didn't exactly
find it demeaning, just odd and a little annoying.
: > For my own game, I'm developing a Solar Dragon style, that will be a solar
: > themed advanced form, but the players will discover that later, if I
: decide
: > to let them.
:
: Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure out an
: appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
: Style".
:
What, to make extra arms out of Essence? Burny solar fire
damage?
~Pax
James Stein
>
> : Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure out an
> : appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
> : Style".
> :
>
> What, to make extra arms out of Essence? Burny solar fire
> damage?
>
Why not?
Extra Arms = Extra Actions
Burny Solar Fire damage happens to occur in several charm trees, and is
synonymous with "aggravated damage."
Neither of those two things hurt.
Well, the person using them, anyway.
--
"Only two kinds of people can talk without inhibitions - strangers or
lovers. Everyone in between is just negotiating." - James Grippando
Julie d'Aubigny
>
> Julie d'Aubigny (kali.ma...@comcast.net) wrote:
>
> : > : How much have you used it? In my experience, Snake style masters tend to
> : > : be nearly impossible to take out.
> : >
> : > Not all that much, really. But what's making them so hard
> : > to take out? Close your eyes and Excellent Strike, dead
> : > Snake master.
> :
> : What? If the freak I'm fighting closes his eyes, then I'm leaving.
>
> Snake Form's dice penalty thing only works if they can
> see you. Fighting blind is only a 2 die penalty.
>
> Thus, the best way to fight Snake masters is by going
> all Zen-melee style.
>
> Close your eyes and hew away!
And...the snake form guy leaves. Your response is irrelevant. Guy I'm
fighting closes eyes = me leaping somewhere away from the idiot because
he can't see me, and then throwing crap at him for a bit.
> : I think they're the easiest to pick up without training.
>
> Clearly that's meant to be the case, I'm just wondering
> why animals are a Solar thing. Their anima banners are
> often animals too.
>
> : That said, I really like the combination of Mantis Form with Blade of
> : the Battle Maiden.
>
> What's it do?
Blade of the Battle Maiden can double your Dex + MA for a scene. Mantis
Form lets you do cascading parries.
Shane Graves
> Shane Graves
> : "Groovelord"
> : > For my own game, I'm developing a Solar Dragon style, that will be a
solar
> : > themed advanced form, but the players will discover that later, if I
> : decide
> : > to let them.
> : Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure
out an
> : appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
> : Style".
> What, to make extra arms out of Essence? Burny solar fire
> damage?
No. But something named after the US would be spiffy. And I think him
having four arms was just nifty...especially after I noticed how hot
Five-Days Darkness looks.
A hot God is a God I can believe in.
Patrick Baldwin
: Patrick Baldwin wrote:
:
: >
: > : Solar Dragon? Interesting juxtaposition. I'm still trying to figure out an
: > : appropriate title for a Solar-only MA...something like "The Four-Armed
: > : Style".
: > :
: >
: > What, to make extra arms out of Essence? Burny solar fire
: > damage?
: >
:
: Why not?
No reason at all. In fact, it's the sort of thin I'd
come up with, so it's a bit strange to heart it
from someone else.
: Extra Arms = Extra Actions
Or extra dice when splitting pools.
Arms made out of meat or Essence?
: Burny Solar Fire damage happens to occur in several charm trees, and is
: synonymous with "aggravated damage."
I have mixed feels about how good agg. damage doing
things in Exalted are. Granted, it's tough to
defend against, but most of the stuff that does it
costs the world, doesn't do many levels of damage,
or both. In general, I think I'd rather have extra
lethal damage, as you can usually get more of it for
less.
: Neither of those two things hurt.
:
: Well, the person using them, anyway.
Ideally, yes, althought a Temperance fueled
drunken binge combined with the ability to
grow extra arms and exude Burny Solar Fire
could lead to some unfortunate morning-afters.
~Pax
Groovelord
Wow. I should use that in my next Exalted in. That's a good sig line.
In regards to Solar Dragon Style, I'm going to actually probably have it be
a continuation of the 5 Dragon Paths that the Immaculate use. Why? Because
(a) what the Sidereals teach the Immaculates is probably very powerful and
very, very ancient and (b) I like the idea of the Immaculate faith being a
continuation of a very ancient spiritual tradition, having been practiced in
the 1st Age and (c) The Immaculate Martial Arts Forms are Just That Cool,
and I like the idea of there being a Draconic Martial Arts form for each of
the Exalted, where mastery of *all* of them would lead to perfect
understanding of Essence and spiritual purity.
I'm considering that the Solar Dragon style would encompass command of
Essence, being the most advanced Martial Arts form known (IMG.) However,
since any Exalted (and perhaps many gifted mortals) can learn supernatural
Martial Arts, even the lowliest Small God or Terrestrial Exalt (or even
normal human martial artist) can attain the earth shaking power of the Solar
Dragon form. Of course, being an Advanced martial art, during the first age
Exalted would seek mastery of one of the introductory Essence-using styles,
such as the Snake, Mantis or Ebon Shadow styles. After developing fighting
skills and physical control inherent in such forms, the Exalt strives to
achieve the unity with Gaia (who is the Essence of the world) through her
heart, the Unconquered Sun. The Martial Artist does this through arduous
mastery of the Sun Dragon form.
My idea is that the Martial Artist masters Essence through mastery of his or
her Virtues, in order to become the best and wisest being he or she can
become, using martial arts and spiritual discipline to unify oneself with
Essence, and, therefore, all Creation and Gaia, who is all life. To reach
the highest levels of the form, the Martial Artist must progress in his or
her virtues, studying spirtual lessons, overcoming personal demons and
yoking the Great Curse along the way. Obviously a great goal of many Zenith
caste priests, masters of the Solar Dragon form are the archetype of the
wise, harmonious sage who is at peace and one with all Creation. These
lessons, handed down directly by the Unconquered Sun, are gradually lost as
the Age progresses, although the Bronze Faction still strives to maintain
these teachings through the Immaculate religion and the Terrestrial Dragon
Martial Arts they teach. Why they were ruthless in destroying the Solars
and would do so again, I feel that both factions of Sidereals would honor
what the Solars once were.
Ultimately, a Master of the form could ignore Spells and Charms, never want
for Essence, and hold the Great Curse at bay, placing themselves in the
service of all Creation. Sidereals would avoid the form, as unification
with Solar Essence would open one's heart and mind to the Unconquered Sun,
and Sidereals are ultimately creatures of secrets. I also envision for my
setting's ancient past the 5 Star Dragon and Shining Moon Dragon forms,
celestial counterparts to the terrestrial 5 Dragon paths.
During the Solar Purge, these powerful Masters would have been destroyed by
the Sidereals and their servants first. Perhaps by the time of the fall of
the Solar Exalted, no Solars practiced the form anymore, due to their slide
into disgrace and hedonism. No doubt the Bronze faction Sidereals took this
as a sign that the Solars were beyond redemption. Since the knowledge of
this ancient pinnacle of Martial Arts was lost in the Solar Purge, it is now
up to the new generation of Solars and their allies to recover this ancient
wisdom.
And let's not forget the enemies of Creation. Needless to say, I plan on
developing the dreaded Ebon Dragon style, in which Infernal and Abyssal
Exalted embrace the twin principles of destruction and corruption to reduce
Essence to it's base state. Needless to say, the great teacher of this form
would be the Bhodisattva Anointed By Dark Waters. The Abyssals also need
styles like Gentle Touch Of Unending Sleep Style, Ghost Scream Fist and The
Dance of Charnel Ash. Infernals would get Whirling Demon Vizier, 7 Unholy
Strikes and 8 Inverted Trigams forms.
Ok! Enough Martial Arts madness! To work on these.
CB