Welcome to Exalted. A high-fantasy land of eastern and western mythology combined into a bizarre amalgam.
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>>6028398
>One of them was a boy, the other a girl (Male MC)

>>6028398
>>One of them was a boy, the other a girl (Male MC)

Male MC wins
>writing

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A few minutes, and the necessary preparations later, the gilded doors of the chamber creep ajar. One of the midwives beckons the father.

"How is she? Is everything-"

"They are fine my lord. All of them are. Come."

He is brought before his wife, who's been made presentable. In her hands she holds one babe each. Their cries have ceased as they clung to their mothers teats. The father can barely contain himself and he gets on his knees beside his wife.

"They are beautiful!"

"They are strong!"

His wife corrects him, as a reminder of what's important. They exchange a glance but how the other one beams makes them laugh. Both of them agree to stop as it's not befitting of their station. Rather, they move onto the matter of names. They had an easy job, as they already picked up a name for a potential son and a daughter as well.

Mnemon Jet would be the son.

Whilst the daughter would be called Mnemon Kaya.

They are good names. Strong names. Ones worthy of scions representing the main branch of the house. These great-grandchildren of Mnemon won't disappoint, of that they were sure. But the proud and happy moment could not last long. Tradition demands it doesn't. The new parents spend only a day with their children, and only so the wife could recuperate from the ordeals of childbirth. When the Sun next rose on the horizon they picked up their children and took them over to their "uncle". He was not in fact their family member, but an old battle-brother of the father. He was chosen to be the ward of the kids, and he gladly accepted.

Being a child was not easy for anyone in the Age of Sorrows. Not even for a Dynast, despite what the plebeians believe. The Great Houses do not allow for weakness of any kind, and they viewed familial attachment as such. Thus, every child is raised by someone other than their parents. Sure, they are born on silk sheets and are fed with spoons of silver and jade. But no Dynast has a good relationship with their family, be they parents or siblings. Only distant cousins of such tenuous connection it takes years to trace back in the archives of the Thousand Scales.

With the twins however, they broke tradition already. They were allowed to remain by each others side, hoping that it would bring them fortune. At their uncles palace in the Imperial Palace they were raised by a small army of wet nurses, servants, slaves and caretakers. They are kept well fed, clean and happy but their education starts early - dragons have no time for leisure.

They are read to from the holy scriptures of the Immaculate Texts, their limbs are strengthened with simple exercises, and the games they are allowed to play all serve some sort of educational purpose. By the age of 5 a child is expected to know basic arithmetic, and how to read and write in at least High Realm. They are also expected to know how to dance, play an instrument and basic combat maneuvers.

It's also at this age when their instructors started to get a feel for the twins. Although they looked almost identical, with both sporting prominent red hair and green eyes - a sign of Mnemons blood running quite strong in their veins - the two were radically different in personality. Kaya, the daughter, was aloof, carefree and energetic. She displayed the infinite energy, aloofness and the curious nature of air. What lessons she cared not for she ignored, and was prone to wander on her own to find things more to her liking. Jet however was more content in his place. He found solace in reading and absorbing whatever his tutors wanted to teach him. He knew what was expected of him as a Dynast and he wanted to excel at it. A clear affinity for the stable and sturdy element of Earth. This pleased his family, as House Mnemons favored element was Earth, with Mnemon herself bearing that aspect.

But above all things, it became clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that the boy was more naturally inclined towards activities that were more-

>Physical
>Mental
>Social

>>6028430
>Social

>>6028430
>Social

Social wins
>writing

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-social.

He differed greatly from his sister in that. Kaya was a thrill-seeker, an adventurer. Where she snuck away during free hours to climb trees, run around the palace grounds and to get into fights, Jet preferred surrounding himself with his peers. He loved feeling out the flow of the groups social dynamics, who had problems with whom, which kids became secretly friends when others weren't looking. And he adored manipulating it. It may seem innocuous but he learned from the grown-ups, when during parties and social gatherings they partook in games of manipulation and coercion of such intensity it made him dizzy whenever he tried to follow it. He was convinced that if they wanted to his Exalted family members could convince any man to murder those they loved most in just an hour or so. He aimed to be like them, to be a true Mnemon.

Time passed without the kids ever really interacting with their parents. Once a year they'd show up, or they'd meet during some event or party. But these were evaluations, not times for familial bonding. And this was fine. For the only time a Dynastic child typically talked privately with their parents, was when they were in big trouble. But neither Kaya nor Jet were found lacking, even their eccentricities were within perfectly acceptable parameters. Really, their parents were quite proud of their progeny. Especially once Kaya started manifesting markings of the Dragons on her body, specifically pale-blue scales around her collarbone in the shape of a dragons claw.

A year later however the twins started enjoying a different kind of attention, when the other ten Great Houses also became aware of the prodigies. It happened during one day when Kaya once again ditched her courses on horseback riding. This wasn't anything abnormal but when she failed to show up for family lunch, people began to worry. After most of the family was dispatched to search for her, they found the girl standing on the edge of the palace roof. She stared absentmindedly out of her head, her hair billowed even though there was no wind blowing that day. Her manic laughter could be heard echoing through the entire Imperial Palace as she hurled herself into the depths. But instead of becoming a stain on the pavement, she was struck by a bolt out of the blue. Or rather, a bolt of lightning erupted from her and struck the heavens. She then landed, wreathed in petals of snow and caressed by jolts of lightning. Her hair now bore a streak of pure white. The elemental dragons have spoken. She was enlightened. She was Exalted. A chosen of Mela, Immaculate Dragon of Air.

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She became chosen at the age of only 6. A thing thought nearly inconceivable in the Second Age. In cases of truly exceptional breeding, a child might Exalt as early as the age of 10. In some cases it could take as long as 20 years for the dragon blood to stir in someones veins if it's thin enough. This was a thing of legend, made even more awe inspiring by the fact that Kaya seemingly knew it was happening to her. Often it takes some sort of emotional trigger to start the change. For her, it was something inevitable and natural. Like she was born to Exalt. Every Dynast grows up thinking that, but deep down they dread that they will remain mortal forever. For her it was never a question.

Jet couldn't wait for when his turn would come.

Two more years passed. And the children were now 8 years of age. This was the earliest the Realms Primary Schools accepted new students. By this time they had already received a basic education that put them well past most of the illiterate peasants of Creation. Though primary schools were not considered to be nearly as important as the four great Secondary Schools, they were still the foundation that the great institutions built upon, so only fools ignored it.

Though the best education centers were prohibitively expensive, even to some Dynastic households, to the primary branch of House Mnemon it was not beyond reach, though it was still considered a huge investment reserved only for the best "eggs".

Jet and Kaya were both admitted to such a boarding school that had close ties to their house and they would spend the next four to six years of their lives, depending on how well they perform in their studies. This institution, like most of its kind, offers a more specialized curriculum that prepares young nobles, both Dynasts and patricians alike, for their duties later in life. They offer classes in swordsmanship, archery, athletics, horseback riding, geography, history, political sciences, spirit sciences, courtly etiquette, philosophy and the basics of Immaculate Doctrine. It even has a few courses on basic thaumaturgical theory for those more magically inclined and who'd pursue careers as sorcerers later in life.

Though Jet was a bit unnerved by the fact that his sister had a two year lead on him in terms of Exaltation, he was thrilled at the prospect of school. It offered him his first real opportunity to establish himself as an up and coming Prince of the Earth.

>He joined the martial-arts club
>He found the Immaculate Texts fascinating, and focused on learning about the faith.
>He took up a few courses in thaumaturgy and magical theory.
>He focused on his studies.
>He found some poor kids of lower birth and terrorized them to make himself feel better
>He focused on socializing and making some connections.
>other?

>>6028473
>He focused on socializing and making some connections.

>>6028473
>He found some poor kids of lower birth and terrorized them to make himself feel better

This is going to be real awkward with only 2 people

>>6028490
Supporting this

>>6028507
I'd just roll a dice or wait a bit for another voter. I'd switch votes but the option the other anon voted for is honestly the one I least want.

>>6028509
Honestly fair

Quick question. Would it be preferable to switch over to daily updates?

>>6028512
It may be better for big decisions to give more time to vote, but for character creation I'd say it's better to just speed through it and get started like you're doing now.

>>6028516
Okay, we'll do that. I'll try to get it over with quick so we can get to the good stuff. And thanks to anons help we have a winner
>writing

>>6028473
>>He focused on socializing and making some connections.

Whatever schedule you want, had to take a call.

With his previous experience he had no problems adjusting to the change in his personal life. Whether it was his distant cousins or just a bunch of random Dynasts and patricians it mattered not. With just a little effort he managed to become one of the more popular kids at school. A small gaggle of students always surrounded him, each seeking his approval. When he wore a new article of clothing, the next day everyone who wanted to be someone got a similar one. There were those who did not care that much about him. For them he had a few other tricks up his sleeve. Poem recitals, playing songs on an instrument or elaborate dances were enough to sway even them. Naturally he did all this so it wouldn't affect his grades. That would be unacceptable.

Unfortunately there is a darker side to popularity. One can not make this many friends without making at least a few "enemies". His first one, among many no doubt, was one Cynis Hotaro. He was the scion of the irreputable House Cynis. Jet had heard about his house, a veritable hive of scum and villainy, a shame to the entire Scarlet Dinasty. They were little more than a group of hedons masquerading as princes of the earth. Their frequent parties are filled with such debauchery they'd make the Immaculate Dragons weep. Not like his great and respectable house which is famous for its architecture, magical prowess and their strong ties to the Immaculate Faith. Now it does bear mentioning, that House Cynis is not just made up of drug addicts, slavers and sodomites. Their close affinity with the element of wood made them healers and alchemists without compare. It's just too bad that most of them use that talent to get high or drunk.

But Hotaro was definitely not of this more venerable stock. He embodied all the worst qualities of his house. The envious little vermin was jealous of his popularity, because he saw it as Jet "poaching" what was his stock. His blood demanded that he'd be the center of attention, the one true social butterfly in the class. He tried to smuggle the illicit substances his family is known for into school. But such petty bribes were of course no match to Mnemon refinement and spiritual purity.

One day as he was on his way to class Jet stumbled upon Hotaro as he was in the middle of bullying a small, pudgy patrician boy. Since he couldn't compete with Jet in a straight manner he resorted to attaining popularity by tormenting those below him in the social structure.
"Enough Cynis. Leave him alone."

"What? Oh. What's wrong, uptight, stinky Mnemon? I was just teaching this peasant to remember his place!" The Cynis kicked the boy while he was on the ground. "You got a problem with that?"

"Yeah. I do. You're making us look bad."

"Bad? I'm a dragon you dumbass! I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, to whomever I want!"

"No. You're a so called dragon that feels the need to torment mice to feel big and strong. You bring shame to the entire Dynasty. Behave yourself."

I accidentally uploaded the wrong text.
Apologies

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The Cynis looked as Jet raised his fists. Though he was a weak and cowardly kid, he was not stupid. He would fight under normal circumstances, getting into trouble did not bother him. But potentially loosing a straight up fight against another Dynastic kid? The Dynasty can tolerate the occasional misbehavior, but it does not tolerate weakness. That is one lesson that's beaten into them at an early age. So he spat on the patrician kid and walked away.

"Watch your back Mnemon. A mouse won't save you, no matter how much you grovel before it."

Jet simply ignored him and turned to the kid.
"Hey, you good?"

"N-No. But thanks for the help."

"No problem. Here. Let me help you up. I'm Jet."

"Ugh. Yuen."

Yuen was the first, and only son of a relatively new and wealthy Gonren family. He was pudgy, weak and thus easy to abuse. Being fat might be a sign of wealth and power among the rabble but there are few things that disgust a Dynast more than someone purposefully degrading their own body in such a manner. But Yuen was still a good kid. He was fun to be around. So Jet decided to add him to his friend group.

School proceeded normally afterwards, with Hotaro not daring to act on his threat. They learned the Immaculate Texts and how thoroughly they were connected to his history lessons. One could not study much of history without delving into the religious philosophies of the Order. According to the texts a long, long time ago, was the First Age. In this Age of Splendor the Anathema ruled. He had heard about them before, he heard how they are the arch enemy of every Prince of the Earth, meaning him and his family. But he never knew just what they truly were. Turns out, they were men.

Wicked men and women, whom after bartering with demons and selling their souls, gained great and terrible powers. They enslaved Creation and mortalkind and abused them to satisfy their infernal desires. It was this thorough and ungodly long rape of the world that angered the Elemental Dragons: Hesiesh - Dragon of Fire, Mela - Dragon of Air, Daana'd - Dragon of Water, Sextes Jylis - Dragon of Wood, and Pasiap - Dragon of Earth.

These five would later create the Immaculate Dragons of the same name, perhaps they reincarnated as them, or created them. The details were lost a long time ago and don't really matter. It was the Immaculate Dragons who sired all other Princes of the Earth and together slew the wicked Anathema. And to this day the Exalted, especially those who join the Immaculate Order as monks, they hunt down these demons wherever and whenever they surface.

Finally he understood why his great-grandmother Mnemon was so obsessed with the faith. And now he was proud that he could be part of that legacy, instead of that degenerate Cynis bloodline.

However things weren't all good at school. He tried his best and he excelled in his studies, that is true. But two more years passed by with the long awaited awakening of his blood still eluding him. It was aggravating. Especially when he saw Kaya managing to do just as well as he did, but with minimum effort. He was not envious of her, he did not hate his sister. In fact, despite the constan buzzing of his sycophants he still spent most of his time in his sisters company. What he felt was greed. He simply wanted what he felt was his right, what had already been given to her but not to him.

"You seem down."
Yuen approached him during lunch time.

"Just thinking."

"Oh yeah. I get that. Exams are coming up. You studied yet?"

"Of course. I aim to get a perfect score as always."

"Oof. I envy your ambition. I'm just trying to pass. Anyway have you thought about where you'll go from here?"

That too was troubling him, yes. The fastest one could finish primary school was four years. He was about done with his second. It was time to decide what he wanted to do with his life, as it was ones Secondary School that actually mattered in the eyes of The Realm. With his skills he could get into any school he wished to. But there were only four worth mentioning.

The Cloister of Wisdom was an institution directly connected and run by the Immaculate Order. In its halls aspirants would dedicate themselves to spiritual pursuits, deeply immerse themselves in the Immaculate Scrolls, study their sutras and holy rights, and even study deadly magical martial arts in order to purify their spirits. These were not the brawls they were participating here. Real, genuine martial arts. And the best thing is, that studying in the Cloister did not force one to join the Order afterwards. Plenty of Dynasts attend (mainly to study said martial arts) and never look at the Order afterwards.

The House of Bells meanwhile was the Realms premiere military school. In reality anyone can join the Legions, in fact it's one of the few ways a commoner could achieve himself a higher rank in society and maybe make himself rich in the process. But those who attend the House of Bells become not just soldiers for a lifetime but become officers after they graduate. They are the fiercest fighters and most brilliant tacticians The Realm can muster.

Meanwhile The Spiral Academy is responsible for training the innumerable bureaucrats working in the many institution of The Thousand Scales (the collective name for the many government institutions of The Realm). While it's true that the monks are responsible for The Realms spiritual wellbeing, and the Legions are the sword and shield of the Scarlet Dynasty, none of it could function without the officials doing the mountains of paperwork necessary for its function. It is also the other way a peasant may make himself filthy rich and rise in status.

The last school however is a questionable one. The Heptagram is the smallest of the four schools and the ONLY institution in the entire Realm where one might study true, genuine sorcery. But only the Exalted may study there. Mortals are not allowed. Until he Exalts it's foolish to even think of attending it.

In the end he chose-

>The Cloister of Wisdom
>The Spiral Academy
>The House of Bells

And I think this is a good place to stop, as the choice of school will be pretty influential and will be the foundation on which everything else will be built.
Starting tomorrow we shift over to one update per day to see how it works

>>6028561
>The Cloister of Wisdom

>>6028563
>The spiral academy
We have a way with words, why not use them in a meaningful way?

>>6028561
>The Spiral Academy

Full social power. That said I wonder how it will work out to not be doing some crazy ass kungfu chi explosions. I've heard of Exalted but never actually had any interaction with it.

>>6028589
Exalted with social powers are fucking terrifying. Basically high level social-fu might as well be brainwashing. They are so convincing, so good at gaslighting they can rewire your brain. They make you forget how you loathe someone and eventually make you love them instead. They can also do the reverse. And they can turn a mob of gruel eating ricefarmers into the most devoted, zealous mob you've ever seen.
If they combine it with training charms they can turn a village of idiots into the most elite fighting force in the world in a week.
It also helps with governing.

And at later levels they can develop auras that make everyone around them believe they can do no wrong. You'd sooner believe you did something than that he's responsible

>>6028563
>The Spiral Academy
socialmaxxing

>>6028473
btw where did you get those images ? specially this one

>>6028612
All images, minus maybe the logo, are from 2nd edition Exalted rulebooks.
I can't promise I'll only use those as there isn't one for every occasion, and a lot of them have boobs on them. But I'll try to use whenever appropriate to help convey the style

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>>6028612
By the way these are elite fighting forces of The Realm
Yes, they have pantsu with little hearts on them and it's exposed like Supermans undies

>>6028615
>All images, minus maybe the logo, are from 2nd edition Exalted rulebooks.
wait, so it's an rpg thing like d&d ?

>>6028630
Yes. Made by White Wolf. The people who made Vampire the Masquerade.
In fact, it was originally meant as a pre-history for World of Darkness.

>>6028563
>The Cloister of Wisdom
I'm going to go against the grain here and say that we actually stand to benefit more by leveraging our social prowess against less socially capable shut-ins and wizardmaxxers so that we have a lot of mystically powerful friends to call upon when necessary.
Going into the Spiral Acadamy would pit us against a lot of equally socially savvy people. While that would definitely help us to grow our social prowess, there's not as much benefit to having a bunch of face-statted friends compared to a bunch of wizard or fighter friends in my opinion.
You could always use the argument that 'well your social butterfly friends could have wizard friends of their own!' but I counter that with 'Are you really willing to help a friend of a friend all that much?'

>>6029295
Cloister of Wisdom is full of holier than thou buddhist monks, not sorcerers though

>>6029298
So you're telling me that it's the Wuxia club?

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>>6029303
Kinda?
The 3 things they believe in are mastering their mind through meditation, body through martial arts and spirit through essence cultivation.
Past that the monks spread the religion, fight gods who break the law, run the temples or simply fuck off into the woods and become hermits

>>6029305
That just seems like wizardmaxxing with a side of getting swole and religion. It even has wood hermits! I stand by my choice.
Also picking up friends that are willing to throw hands with god is always good.

>>6029312
Fair, I just wanted to be transparent
Just know that while Martial Arts are magic, sorcery is a very different thing

-the Spiral Academy.

The prospect of leading armies did not interest him. Leave the military to the Cathak, Sesus and the Tepet. He considered the Cloister of Wisdom. Studying the enlightened martial-arts would be beneficial indeed, as all Dynasts are expected to know how to fight. But the prospect of religion interested him not, despite his houses close ties with the Immaculate Order.

But the sheer number of opportunities the Academy would offer him are staggering. Accounting, finance, oration, poetry, rhetoric, calligraphy, political science, and all other skills necessary to keep the Imperial Bureaucracy running smoothly are taught there. And all those skills can be used to make oneself ludicrously influential, not to mention rich.

"Actually it might sound crazy but I'm leaning more and more towards enrolling in the Academy."

"Holy shit, really? Me too man! That means we get to stay buddies!"

Jet chuckled.
"Well, that too is a perk. But just imagine what we could do if we got into the Thousand Scales."

"Trust me. I don't have to. I already have it all figured out! Get a nice cushy job, be filthy rich, buy myself into House Nellens and get myself a nice Dynast wife! Become the bedwarmer of some higher ranking mistress! The limits are the Heavens!"

"Uh... good for you. As for me, I just hope my parents won't be too upset about my choice. Since they are in the wyld-hunt and all."

"Whoah. Your parents are shikari?"

"Yeap. They even hunted Anathema back in the day. I want to make them proud. And my house. But just on the off-chance I'm not going to Exalt I need to ensure I can still be useful to my family. Preferably not by joining the military."

"Yeah. But hey, IF things don't work out the Spiral will be your best bet anyway."

"How so?"

"Apparently in ye olde days they thought paper pushing was beneath them. So a bunch of normal people took the best posts, and they've been gatekeeping them since. Because the Dynasts realized how much money is there to be made."

Jet was amused by this.
"Don't let me ever underestimate the shrewdness of mortals."

Yuen smiled back.
"I'll try."

The two of them chatted a little while longer, but eventually Yuen went to sleep and Jet returned to his studies. Despite being confident in his abilities he knew he could not laze around and expect to excel with no effort. That's not what a virtuous man does.

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He later aced his tests, but with great effort. They were more demanding than even he anticipated. In one history question they asked which event marked the end of the First Age, and the end of the Shogunate. The Great Contagion, an illness that swept across all of Creation more than 700 years ago and killed 9 out of 10 of everything, including animals, plants and even Exalts? Or the Balorian Crusade, when the Fair Folk invaded from beyond Creations rim to destroy all that exists? It was a trick question of course. The answer was both, back to back. Nothing less could bring the chosen of the Dragons to their knees. In another he had to give an extensive report on the four celestial directions beyond the Blessed Isle. Thankfully he studied that thoroughly, as House Mnemon has satrapies in all of them, so he must be familiar with it.

Each direction corresponds to one of the Five Elements, with the Blessed Isle at the center representing Earth. North is wind, East is wood, South is fire and West is water. The elements are what define the lands. As one moves further in any direction things get more and more aligned with said element, including the flora, fauna and the people living there.

The north is cold, rigid and harsh, so are its people. Though the word "barbarian" describes anyone not of The Realm the northern folk earn it more than most. They survive the harsh conditions by worshiping ancestors spirits and by prostrating themselves to animal totems. The weak are abandoned, including kids who don't pull their weight and the old who can no longer contribute. If they are lucky they get sent out into the wild to perish, if they are not or if it's a particularly harsh winter they get eaten. The northern folks strength would be admirable, if it stemmed from self improvement like in The Realm not from simply culling the weak. The Realm respects strength, but even the meekest may live there and are put to use.

The western regions are dominated by water, with precious little land to sustain and cultivate life. The people there are primitive, with their isolation sometimes birthing even more degenerate traditions than those found north. But a lot of them are also peaceful, given how they can't afford to wage wars. Due to there not being much of value worth extracting the Realm largely leaves these savages be.

In the south savannas turn to deserts, which turn to fields of volcanoes as one travels further away from the Blessed Isle. Those who live close to the inland sea live relatively normal lives, enriched by the bounty of rare southern goods. Gemstones and rare spices make the direction abundant in resources, despite the harsh climate. The Realm covets most of these goods but given the logistic nightmare of supplying troops with food and, more importantly, water means it's only the second most important direction to the Realm.

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The east meanwhile is the land most ideal for sustaining life, next to the Blessed Isle of course. The element of wood and the many rivers running through it make the land rich and easily habitable. But it also makes it dangerous, as hostile powers are easily capable of sustaining themselves in the region. The Thousand Kingdoms (a coalition of the innumerable petty empires found there) and the traitorous army of Lookshy (Dragon-blooded who foolishly reject the legitimacy of the Empress) are both found there. This area is known by many names. The River Province, and the Scavenger Lands (due to the many ancient temples and lost, forgotten technologies still waiting to be uncovered) are just the two most popular. Beyond the River Province however the East is no less barbarous then the other directions, with primitive men living in endless forests wearing nothing but loincloths made of animal skin and using wooden clubs as weapons.

Jet felt quite proud of himself when his dissertation was later used as a prime example of how one should write about the subject matter. He was so proud in fact that when he was recalled to the family estate he fully believed it was to congratulate him on a job well done. He couldn't be more wrong.

Upon returning he was unceremoniously dragged away by servants, cleaned thoroughly and put into the finest garments he ever wore. He was then brought before none other than his great-grandmother Mnemon herself. The founder of her house, and arguably the second most powerful Exalt living today. An almost 400 years old demigod. But he was not there to finally meet her, oh no. He was sat down at a separate table, propped up like some commodity and told to behave. A bit later important looking delegates arrived bearing the symbols of House Ledaal. A house who favored the aspect of air and who were renowned strategists and far-thinkers. They had a little girl with them, someone of roughly the same age as Jet who was sat down in front of him.

Suddenly everything became clear to him. They were discussing matters of marriage. And this girl was to be his bride.

>He tried chatting up the girl in front of him
>He sat quietly and behaved like he was told to
>He tried listening in on the adults conversation
>Custom

>>6029427
>He tried listening in on the adults conversation

>>6029427
>He tried chatting up the girl in front of him

>>6029427
>>He sat quietly and behaved like he was told to

>>6029427
>He tried chatting up the girl in front of him

>>6029427
>He tried listening in on the adults conversation

>>6029427
>He tried chatting up the girl in front of him
Knowing chinese kungfu stories, she'll probably break off our marriage arrangement or something lol

>>6029772
She has no say in the matter. Neither do you desu.
Realm marriages are 100% political. But they are a pretty sweet deal. If you produce a few kids and keep up appearances (and don't get caught) you can just do whatever you want on the side and nobody will care.
Not that happy marriages don't exist but most people know it's just business and simply act professionally.

>>6029427
>He tried chatting up the girl in front of him

He looked over at the two women sitting at the "grown-up" table. He could listen in on them, to try and figure out the exact details of the deal being made. But that'd be a mistake. By age 10 a Dynast is expected to behave properly, like an adult with perfect decorum. If he made a mistake and embarrassed himself it would be unacceptable. Most likely, though they are not directly observed, they are being measured and judged. He will not disappoint.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Jet of House Mnemon. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

"Ledaal Catala Ena. An honor."

Three names. A member of the Catala line, not the primary Ledaal one. Though it isn't a minor one, as the Catala households name is somewhat known. The Ledaal are an eccentric bunch. A lot of their numbers don't live on the Blessed Isle, preferring to live in the Threshold where they seek and study ancient knowledge. This goes double for the Catala line, who moved wholesale eastward to the Scavenger Lands. Or at least that's what Jet remembers reading about them. He finds it strange that Mnemon would arrange a marriage with an offshoot of a proper Great House, but given the Catalas large number of sorcerers and Mnemons own affinity for the magical arts it's not that surprising.

"Ah. You're from the Scavenger Lands then? How are things in the River Province nowadays?"

"Did my accent give it away?"

"Not at all. Your High-Realm is flawless. I'm simply knowledgeable about your house."

"M-My apologies. I did not mean to offend. Things are as they always are in the east. Tumultuous. Every day a dozen petty wars break out. And it's thanks to that, that the Seventh Legion does not push to remove us from the province. And the occasional Anathema also cause problems. But the Wyld Hunt usually takes care of that pretty quickly."

"Sounds chaotic."

"A bit. But it's part of everyday life. And it's a small price to pay for the treasure troves of knowledge just waiting to be excavated. Erm… you said you read about us Mnemon Jet. I take it you enjoy studying as well?"

"Honestly? Not really. I study because I must. My curriculum at school doesn't really cover subjects I'm interested in."

"And what would those be?"

He wanted to say money. But that may be a bit too boorish of an answer. He wouldn't want to come across as one of those money-grubbing Ragara.
"It may sound a bit boring, but I'm actually invested in bueraucracy. Which is why I wish to enroll at the Spiral Academy, to become an official at the Thousand Scales, or a minister, perhaps a satrap."

"Oooh. That's quite impressive! I wish I could join one of the illustrious institutions of the capital one day."

"What's stopping you?"

"My family. The Catala household aren't the richest. And we're several thousand leagues away from the Blessed Isle. Only the best of the best in our family get sent to study at the Imperial City. The rest of us get home-schooled by our relatives."

"That's a shame."

"It really isn't. My family members are well versed in a lot of subjects. I'm not worried about my education."

"My apologies. It appears I misspoke. By that I meant we won't have a chance to get to know each other before getting married."

"M-Married?!"

Jet is taken aback. The girl had not figured the situation out. And her sudden yelp had earned both of them a stern look and a harsh command of silence. At least it wasn't him that messed up. For the rest of the meeting they sat in silence, patiently waiting for the adults to finish. Once it was over Ena was taken away, with her caretaker profusely apologizing for her improper behavior. After they left Mnemon looked over at Jet and began questioning him.

"Tell me child. What was your impression of the girl?"

Jet pondered for a moment. His great-grandmother towered over him like a mountain. Mnemon is a known perfectionist. She demands only the best from her children and their obedience. She did not care about his opinion. She wanted to know if he had the ability to read a person.

"Her families troves of knowledge will be of great benefit to us."

Mnemon smiled. She was pleased by his answer. Do not seek personal happiness, seek what's best for the house. She pat him on the head, a rare show of affection from the head of the house, or so he heard.

"Good. My servants will escort you back to school. And you'll receive a one-time bonus to your stipend. May the dragons guide your path."

"Thank you grandmother."

Things were progressing fast. Almost too fast for his liking. He was already done with half of his studies, the prospect of secondary school was looming over him, and now he just had his future marriage arranged for him. Even though he felt like he was just getting started with life. Just about the only thing taking its sweet time was his Exaltation. Jet did not like to admit it, but he was starting to feel tense. It was a sign of weakness. In times such as these he liked to confide in the only person that was always there for him, no matter what. Kaya.

The schools rules were clear. Children were segregated depending on their sex, and were not allowed into each others dorms. Not even siblings. Especially not siblings, given some of the less flattering stereotypes surrounding the Great Houses. But he never really cared about it.

After getting back he snuck into his sisters room, where her roommates immediately start chastising but Kaya is quick to shut them up.
"He's my brother you jackasses! He can come and go as he pleases! Hey Jet. Heard they took you back home. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah just… Mnemon arranged my marriage."

"Wow. Already? Nice! I wonder when my turn will come."

"Maybe if you stopped behaving like an ape you'd have more suitors lining up for you."

"Why you!"
Kaya put her brother in a headlock and gave him quite a strong noogie for his comment.
"I am still a Prince of the Earth! Until your balls drop little Jet you gotta respect me!"

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"Ow! Ow! Okay! I give! I give! I'm sorry!"

"That's better. Anyway, tell me more! Which house is she from? Oh please tell me she's a Cathak!"

"Ledaal actually."

"Wait. Is she related to that weirdo Kes?"

"The one that's really good at gateway?"

"And the one that likes wearing girls robes, yes."

"Technically yes. But she's from a major line."

"Oh. That's better. Well I'm happy for you in that case."

"Thanks. Anyway, I've been meaning to tell you something. I've made up my mind about what I want to do. I want to join the Spiral. Now if you want something else that's cool too. I'll adjust if you want to go to the House of Bells or something."

Kaya began sucking her teeth.
"Yeah… about that."

"What?"

"Look. I've been meaning to tell you already. I just… didn't have the time. I don't think this whole school thing is cut out for me. I'm already getting sick of studying."

"Then what are you going to do?! You can't just abandon your duty!"

"I'm not gonna. But I think it'll be better for both me and the House if I did my own thing. I talked with some girls here. Some of their dads are traders. I'm going to buy a passage to the Scavenger Lands and go adventuring instead of doing all that bookworm stuff. You know, fight some bandits, discover ancient ruins, make a shitton of money, all that good stuff! And with a little luck I'll get a few more satrapies for the house as well!"

Jet felt the world crumbling around him. He thought the two of them would still be together after primary school. Hell, he expected that after he Exalted the two of them would form a Sworn Brotherhood and go off together. But now Kaya is saying that she wants to do that alone. Presumably because he's just a mortal and not strong enough to go with her. Granted, he still has two whole years to Exalt. But what if that doesn't happen?

>"That's good. I'm happy for you!"
>"Please don't go."
>"Fine. Then I'll go with you."
>Custom

>>6030241
>Custom
Use that social brain to try and keep Kaya from doing anything too crazy, or atleast with some better arrangements and working our social connections. If things look workable maybe it might be interesting to go out there?

Wars break out all the time there every day, and even Anathema show up. The knowledge out there has to be excavated, does she know how to excavate? Our future wife Ena is Ledaal and they have a whole setup out that way in the Scavenger lands, a bit of writing to each other might reveal the reality of things out there to inform this decision. Atleast If she wants to go out that way then get a better idea of what skills and equipment needed, maybe one of the secondary schools would suit that very well and we can adjust. Plus an arrangement so they can keep up communication or she can use Ena's home as a base. There could be several ways to get a look at those lands before committing to this, some kind of gift or wedding related ceremony to go out to the intended wife's land? Could double as a chance to get to know each other or work out other benefits to the family.

>>6030266
Supporting this
She may be exalted but she's all brawn and no brain. I mean at least train to fight in the cloister of wisdom or learn some sorcery in the heptagram, only a fool charges forward with no thoughts.

>>6030266
Huh. That's... actually smart
Alright anon. If this vote wins you just earned a +2 stunt bonus for the roll

>>6030266
>I'll support that.
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. We're presumably happy to help, but it ought be done right.

>>6030241
>>6030266 +1

>>6030266
+1

Alright, well I don't think this >>6030266 is getting beaten anytime soon
So, please roll 1d20
Best of first 3 count
DC 10 but you get +2 to the result of your roll

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6030480

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6030480
Rollan

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>6030480

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>>6030496
Saturn took one look at this and said "no"

>>6030239
so prince in an unissex term ?

>>6030809
All of that type of exalted are called Princes of Earth. Ain't no princesses of Earth in this bitch.

>>6030809
Yes

>>6030505
>Jet exalts through the power of SOCIAL

>>6031082
Unironically how some people Exalt. Do something awesome enough? Exaltation
Bake a cake so good it reforms a villain just after one bite? Exaltation.

>>6031088
True. Also let’s face it, talking down a Dragonblooded isn’t that impressive. Talking down a rambunctious sibling, that’s the impressive part.
>Jet already focused Social then rolls a 22 on a D20 and exalts as a Zenith. They’re off to the Scavenger Lands after all.

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Jet closed his eyes, rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a weary sigh.
"Kaya-"

"Jet. I've already made up my mind. I'm not going to stop just because you don't like it. I'm a-"

"You're a Prince of the Earth, yeah yeah. You may do as you wish, yadda yadda. But you may not. You are, or will be, the protector of ALL Creation. You are supposed to act with bravery, but also with wisdom and responsibility. And what you're doing now is extremely stupid."

"And who are you-"
She raised her hand but Jet immediately grabbed it.

"I'm your brother. And you're my sister. So please just listen to me. Going to the Scavenger? Without any relics? Without a Sworn Brotherhood to rely on? Do you know how foolish that is? There are bandits there, a hundred kingdoms who are our enemies and would kill you, the dogs of Lookshy. And that's not counting rogue gods, demons or the fae that lurk there! You want to go on adventures, excavate relics and conquer lands? Do you know how to do any of that? How to cook the food you hunt? How to excavate relics? How to plunder tombs? How to subdue nations? I'm not telling you "no", I'll never tell you that. I'm telling you to be smart about it! Who are we?"

"The... twin dragons."
She muttered the silly name the two of them made up when they were smaller.

"Yes. You're the brawn, I'm the brain. That's how it always was. One day you'll be the best of the Chosen, better than Mnemon, better than the Empress. And I'll be there to help you soar ever higher. So please Kaya. Be smart and let me help you soar. Don't be stupid."

Kaya sighed, defeated.
"Okay Jet. Okay. So what's your big brain maneuver?"

"Mnemon already established a connection between me and House Ledaal. I'll try to leverage that. Maybe I can arrange accommodations for you there. And those eggheads are obsessed with Shogunate artifacts. I'm sure you could learn a thing or two from them. You'd have a roof over your head, cousins to learn from and more importantly, help if things go wrong."

She scoffed.
"And how are you going to do that? Hello! Jet! You're a kid. An un-exalted kid! Do you think they'll take you seriously? And even if they do, if Mnemon finds out-"
Jet looked at his own outfit and ripped out a thread of gold from it, which he tied around his own and Kayas little fingers.
"W-What are you doing?"

"I, Mnemon Jet, solemnly swear before the Immaculate Dragons on my House, on the Scarlet Dynasty and my name, that I will always support Mnemon Kaya. No matter the cost. In exchange, I request that you trust me. This is an oath. Do you accept?"

Kaya did not know how to respond. She tried looking her brother in the eye, but she could not do so for long. In her eyes he was as radiant as the sun itself at that moment. Finally she nodded.
"I, Mnemon Kaya, accept your terms Mnemon Jet. Be the wind that raises this dragon higher. From now, until the day we die."
In that moment the golden thread Jet tied around the two of them began to heat up from Kaya until it started to singe their fingers. Jet hissed but Kaya barely even budged. Yet he held on and never looked away from his sister, even as the golden thread burned a permanent mark into their fingers that formed a circle when put together.
"The pact is sealed."

"Pant. Pant. You could've warned me you know."

"I didn't want to spoil the moment."

The two embraced and after the two separated Jet got to work. In his chamber he grabbed a brush and began composing two letters. A poem to his future fiancé and an introductory letter to the head of her house. It was, by all accounts, a foolish idea. He was a 10 year old child. No, less than that, a mortal. Nobody would take him or his efforts seriously, and nobody would care about his wishes. He was well aware of that. But in that moment he felt like he was possessed by something. The words he wanted to commit to parchment flowed from his bush with grace befitting the greatest diplomats of the Realm. The calligraphy of the letters was nothing less than a work of art, the words so eloquent it should be taught in schools. When he was done he sealed them with the Mnemon family crest, which he absolutely had no right to use, and sent them on their way.

A few weeks later he received a reply from lady Catala herself. A surprise to be sure. For several paragraphs it went on and on about what an honor it was to be sought out in such a fashion, which unnerved Jet a bit. As it turns out there was some major misunderstanding. The letter was written as if it would be sent to the head of a fellow branch line. This was not good and had to be remedied immediately. It's one thing to go behind the House Heads back, it's another to lie about ones status. Surprisingly, nothing came of it and the two parties kept exchanging letters throughout Jets school years. Presumably because nobody in a position of power would want to admit to such a blunder as mistaking a literal child for a House Elder.

But it was a most fruitful endeavor, as while he finished his studies Jet managed to arrange accommodations for Kaya. With Ena of all people. And as long as she kept earning her keep she'd be allowed to help the Ledaal Catala line with their archeology projects. It was a win-win for everyone. With nobody in House Mnemon being any wiser. And after he finished with his finals at primary school he tearfully parted ways with his sister, knowing that at least she'll be in good hands at the Threshold.

Things were not all sunshine and rainbows for him however. His expert handling of the matter with Kaya, and him graduating with top marks were proof of his capability. Which only served to further confuse him when his Exaltation continued to elude him. Especially when he heard the news that the warty toad Hotaro exalted just as he got caught cheating and in a brazen abuse of power threatened to have his teacher flogged for his insolence. Under normal circumstances that stunt would've earned him a quiet exile to the satrapies with a minuscule stipend to remove him from the house. But because he was chosen, he was instead celebrated and the professor who by all accounts was a respected and reputable teacher lost his illustrious position.

It drove him positively mad.

But he steeled himself and focused on The Spiral Academy instead. He was 12 now. Practically an adult. And he needed to redouble his efforts. With each passing year his chances at exalting lower dramatically. The Realms secondary schools are the perfect gauntlet to help him. They expect nothing short of perfection, and even some chosen struggle there. He'll show everyone by crushing it, and earning his place among the Ten Thousand Dragons of the dynasty.

But first he'd need to choose a field to focus on. The Spiral Academy offers far too much for even one as ambitious as him.

>The justice system
>Business
>Governance
>Custom

>Or he could throw caution to the wind and simply start enjoying student life

>>6031563
>Business
Be good at making money, and you’ll never lack for patronage.

>>6031563
>Governance

>>6031563
>The justice system
There is no logical reason for this, i've just been watching too much better call saul. I mean i've thought of a catchphrase already
"Always bet on jet"

>>6031563
>Governance

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>>6031582
Your honor, how could my client violate the Creation Ruling Mandate when the man he killed was not a... Solar as you'd call it, but a vile and reprehensible Anathema?

>>6031630
Or he could become an investigator. Everyone looks down on him for being mortal (for now, don’t know if Exalting is in the cards here), and then, when the killer thinks they’ve gotten away with it, Jet turns around as he’s leaving.
>”Oh, uh, there’s just one more thing.”

>>6031563
>Especially when he heard the news that the warty toad Hotaro exalted just as he got caught cheating and in a brazen abuse of power threatened to have his teacher flogged for his insolence.
wtf, people can exalt by being assholes as well ?

>The justice system
Schmittmaxxing

>>6031684
>wtf, people can exalt by being assholes as well ?
Dragonblooded Exaltation doesn’t work like Celestial Exaltation, it’s a matter of whether or not your bloodline is good enough for you to Exalt.

>>6031559
>In her eyes he was as radiant as the sun itself at that moment

I don't know if solars actually do that, but its a funny thought to me if its not just momentary divine inspiration. If he did turn into a Solar can you even hide that sort of thing or fake that hes a lesser Exalt? Join the people who investigate/hunt them down so he can divert attention? Be a traveling merchant business man or a Mediator going from place to place. Or out in the boonies.

>>6031563
>Governance

I feel that Governance is probably the ambition route, and if we do end up going to Scavenger land to be with Kaya and Ena it could be handy to try and run whatever little satrapy? they might set up out there. Though I could see Justice System if he was really starting to get a bit ticked off at these dudes that exalt in moments of pulling rank and acting like little shitters.

>>6031864
>I don't know if solars actually do that, but its a funny thought to me if its not just momentary divine inspiration. If he did turn into a Solar can you even hide that sort of thing or fake that hes a lesser Exalt?
Now that you mention it:
>But in that moment he felt like he was possessed by something. The words he wanted to commit to parchment flowed from his bush with grace befitting the greatest diplomats of the Realm. The calligraphy of the letters was nothing less than a work of art, the words so eloquent it should be taught in schools.
Solar Exaltations usually wait until you’re somewhat older then Jet is, so he might Exalt once he grows up some more. As for hiding it, it could be done in the short term, but if Jet becomes a Solar he’d better make some excuses and go visit his sister so he can leave the Realm.

>>6031563
>The justice system
I wanna vote on this one to see if we can turn in some kind of investigator more than a lawyer. But if not then

>Business
once we turn into a Solar Exalt (Or we die tragically and we make a deal with a Demon without thinking) we can do a rags to riches run to wherever the fuck we can actually escape is there's more land outside of what we know

Btw, are there more continents aside the Blessed Isles and the elemental territories? I don't know much about the lore. And what's the beef between the Solar and Dragonblood exalts? Anathema I can already figure out the answer, but why are the Dragons having a whole with-hunting group for the Solars?

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>>6032014
This is the map of Creation with the Blessed Isle in the middle and the elemental directions. The map technically extends far more than this but it's in aplace called The Wyld where the laws of reality start to break down.

There are other places (more like dimensions like The Underworld or Hell) but they count as "Outside Creation").
Also creation haa extensive cave systems that are quasi-infinite. And Heaven is also a place

As for why the Dragon-bloodded hunt every other Exalt... the spoiler free answer is that if they are given time to breathe other Exalts will grow much more powerful than they are and shit down their necks. The Dragon-blooded thus must rely on overwhelming numbers and jumping them as fast as possible

>>6031684
>wtf, people can exalt by being assholes as well ?
For dragon-blooded it's in your blood. Doesn't matter what kind of person you are.
For others, technically being an asshole is not a problem. Exaltation only cares about one thing. Are you good enough?
An evil bastard, who rapes entire villages as he passes through but is skilled enough, technically has similar odds as a heroic guy of equally impressive skill.

I taillied the numbers and correct me if I'm wrong because I did this ober the phone but governance seems to have won or it tied with business thanks to this >>6032014 but I guess governance with a focus on the economic side of it works
Unless there are any objections that's how I'll be writing
Now I'd like to ask for 1d20. Taking the best of the first three rolls. Higher is better

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>6032075
I’m b4 crit

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6032075

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6032075
Rollan

>>6032088
No but that's damn close

Simple tally time.
>>6031573
>Business
>>6032014
>Business

>>6031580
>Governance
>>6031604
>Governance
>>6031864
>Governance

>>6031582
>The justice system
>>6031684
>The justice system
>>6032014
>The justice system

After he tasted a bit of everything he found that governance suited him well, especially the part where he had the chance to develop said land and make it prosperous. For the citizens of course. And to make as much jade as possible. He did not think those two were mutually exclusive. After all a thriving society is a rich society.

To that end he took every class that would be good for a prospective satrap. A bit of mathematics to help with calculations and taxation here, a bit of civil engineering there. And he was good at it. Very good. The classes were brutal, with most mortals outright flaking out and only a precious few just managing to get by. Even some Exalts had trouble at the higher levels. But he thrived in there. He wasn't the best by any means. The Chosen who took their lessons seriously and put actual effort in were still the top students. But everyone else? He was leagues ahead of them. And he enjoyed it greatly, even when he himself was struggling.

He even figured out what he'd do for his finals. He had created plans for a new type of settlement that could be theoretically be built anywhere that could sustain human life. But it was so efficient and optimized that it'd yield aproximately twice as much in riches than towns of comparative size, with enough left over to give all citizens a higher quality of life. It was an inspired work incorporating both old traditions dating back to the shogunate era, with the newest inventions. The only projects to surpass his were the manse designs made by his exalted peers that relied on advanced geomantic techniques for fantastical effects. His was more humble, but overall more widely available.

This earned him the respect of not only his teachers but the begrudging acknowledgement of his cousins, and his name became a subject of gossip in the school. His popularity did not diminish one bit since primary school.

But the Spiral Academy is not just a place of learning. Part of their curriculum is the unpaid labor they must provide for The Thousand Scales. This "experience" given to the hundreds of students is a core component of the complex, and frankly bizarre bueraucratic web that keeps the Realm running. Though it blatantly exploits them, Jet saw this as an excellent opportunity to study the different systems at play and it afforded him the chance to notice its flaws. The many bureaus had many overlapping purviews and rights, which resulted in them often stepping on each others toes. It's almost as if they were deliberately set up against each other, lest any one becomes too powerful.

A side effect of this however was that it could be exploited very easily. Which Jet did with glee. Skewing the numbers here or there, skimming a bit of jade off the top every time, investing it in a venture and using the profits to cover ones track became routine for him. And if he ever messed up it was easy to point at someone else and shift the blame on them. But he never took bribes once. Those were more often than not tests by his supervisors and teachers. And even if not they could easily cause his downfall.

For four years he kept this up and amassed quite a bit of wealth that was his own and not a stipend from his family. If he wanted he could already rent himself a flat at the capital and live a decent, if modest life. As a part-timer student. He was already wondering just how big of an estate he'll be able to get once he really gets into the business side of things. But for now he was content just treating himself a little.

During the season of Fire students and masters are let go so they may properly rest up. Opportunities were aplenty, but time was limited and his funds even more so. Yuen, his friend, was available as always. The two kept in touch throughout their studies but they seldom had the opporutnity to hang out too much, as both of them had to work diligently. The pudgy patrician did not change much physically but he matured quite a bit and thrived at the Spiral, becoming relatively well connected and well liked among the mortal patricians. And rumors circulated that he was in talks with House Nellens about marrying into the family. If that was true, then it was an excellent excuse for a celebration.

But his heart also pulled towards his distant sister. It's been four years since he's seen Kaya, though the two of them kept in touch via letters. Sadly she was in the Threshold, across the Inland Sea. Hiring a captain to take him there would be pricey, not to mention time consuming. It'd also allow him to perhaps get to know his fiancé a bit more, a rare luxury for a dynast, on top of being able to meet lady Catala face to face.

At the same time every aspiring bueraucrat needs to network and establish connections. And in the Realm there are no better places to make contacts than at Dynastic and, to a lesser extent, patrician parties. Such events are invite only. But with the help of his House and a few cashed in favors he could probably secure himself a spot on one, or potentially more, of these jemborees to really establish himself as a big player in the political landscape.

>Find Yuen and ask him about the rumors of his betrothal
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya
>Attend as many parties as possible
>Custom

>>6032405
>>6032347

>>6032405
>>6032401
OP, there was a tie with justice

>>6032410
>>6032442
Jet exaltperson has been barred from creation, his chicaenery would have been too much to handle.

>>6032405
>Find Yuen
He is popular, and aside from being our friend, we can connect with his circle.

Maybe another anon will come up with a giga brain social scheme.

>>6032405
>Attend as many parties as possible

>>6032410
>>6032442
I'm sorry. By the time I saw it I had the update written and I couldn't change it because I had a VtM game to run. I'll try to remedy it

>>6032454
In my defense, this one >>6032014 had me a bit confused because I was counting votes on my phone.

I'll rectify it somehow.
Fuck it, I'll just give you all 3 as compensation

>>6032655
Based. Jet is surging.

>>6032628
Thats funny, I'm playing in a Werewolf the Apocalypse campaign and killing vampires is our main goal right now.

>>6032667
Funny. One of my players is meme-ing about Crypto constantly, and the other is a doc who wants to invent cybernetics.
I just thought of having the Glasswalkers and the Technocracy assrape them

>>6032655
Generally, the easiest way to tally votes is to link every one of them to one post, it makes it much simpler to count.

>Fuck it, I'll just give you all 3 as compensation
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShWe-4mtV8w

>>6032670
Doit. Though my guy is a Silent Strider and they HATE vampires.

>>6032405
>Attend as many parties as possible
We’re heavily Social focused, let’s harness that.

>>6032405
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya

Parties are nice but my Jet wants to see Kaya, get to know his fiance, and meet Lady Catala the head of the branch family which seems like a pretty solid move. Close second on the parties tho.

>>6032405
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya
I wanna party hard too but i find it better to strengthen the connection that we already have first. And maybe with some luck tour the scavenger land with our fiance for some well deserved R&R.

>>6032405
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya

Alright. I am definitely certain that the Scavenger Lands won this time

>>6033280
Looks like it.
>>6032476
>Find Yuen

>>6032504
>Attend as many parties as possible
>>6032850
>Attend as many parties as possible

>>6032859
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya
>>6033194
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya
>>6033210
>Secure a fare to the Scavenger Lands and visit Kaya

>>6033421
Thank

In the end the thought of seeing Kaya again had a stronger pull on him. One morning he took a carriage to the ports of Sdoia prefecture so that he could find a ship captain heading to the Scavenger Lands and willing to take a passenger with him. The task proved far easier than he thought it would be, even before he mentioned he doesn't want any sort of special accommodations. As it turns out red-heads are thought to bring good luck to ships and ward off bad weather. How fortuitous.

Unfortunately this blessing doesn't seem to extend to the land, as the next day some grave news shook the Realm. The Empress has gone missing. She was gone for a week now but the ministers only bothered to announce it now. This wasn't that unusual. Her Redness often took long sabbaticals every couple decades. Some think she withdraws from society to commune with the great Elemental Dragons, others believe she dons a disguise as a peasant woman and wanders her Realm for signs of corruption. On more than one occasion it was a simple bait, to see who'd be stupid enough to try and seize her throne the second she stepped away from it. People have come to accept this as just another quirk of living on the Blessed Isle, but the widespread and violent purges that followed the Empress' return made people consider her absence a bad omen. Jet did not care either way. He had his vacation to look forward to.

The journey was not by any means present. The vessel he found was a simple cargo ship headed for Nexus, the trade capital of all Creation. He spent several days in its hull or on its deck with minimal privacy, comfort and ate nothing but a strange gruel most foul. But at least the captain was willing to make a slight detour for just some jade scrip. He worried a journey back would be more difficult to arrange, but he'd deal with that later.

After arriving at Star Bay, the satrapy of the Catala household, Jet was welcomed by a rather small entourage of mortal retainers whom escorted him to the family manse. The Catala estate was much more "humble" than the one he grew up in at the Blessed Isle. But that was to be expected from such a remote estate. What was unusual is that there was a perpetual if slight breeze around the place. It was a manse, a magical structure built atop a nexus of leylines to channel their power, and it was aspected towards air. He was so amazed by it that he did not notice his sister jumping at him.

"Jeeeeeeeeet!"
Kaya tackled him from almost a mile away. After a running start she jumped and the winds of the place carried her straight into him. Now on the ground she had her brother in a headlock and gave him a ferocious noogie.
"Ooooh how I missed you! How have you been?"

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"Ack! Let go you witch!"
He tried to break free but her hold on him was iron. Only once she had mercy on him could he crawl out from her forceful embrace and stand up. He dusted himself off while chastising his estranged sister.
"Damn it Kaya! If you haven't mellowed out at all these past years then the dragons have truly forsaken us!"

"Oh please! I can tell from that wry smile of yours that you're pleased to see me!"
She mocked him.
"I bet bring roughed up like that was the highlight of the last four years of your life. If you prostrate yourself and beg nicely I'll let you enjoy my sweet embrace for a bit more!"

"Embrace my arse. I almost broke my neck you-"
Jet finally got to take a good look at his sister. She had not changed much in the last four years other than growing. But her outfit left him speechless.
"Whoah."
Kaya wore a suit of pale-blue lamellar armor and carried a similarly colored sword on her back. Magical artifacts forged of blue-jade alloy.

"You jelly? Found a nice vein of jade half a year ago. And for my excellent service lady Catala had these forged just for me! So they are brand new. No hand-me-downs!"
She puffed her chest with pride.
"I call the daiklave Summer Snowstorm!"

It was at this moment that Ena also showed up. She wore a much more modest outfit - well, modest for a Dynast - consisting of silk robes.
"We had some scrap jade left and wanted to thank Kaya for her service. Mnemon Jet."
She gave him a bow and he returned the gesture.

"Catala Ena. Forgive me for not recognizing you earlier. Your beauty eclipsed what memories I have of our meetings."

Ena blushed while Kaya leaned on her shoulder.
"Relax poet boy. She's already engaged to you. No need to woo her."

Jet raised an eyebrow.
"A-Are you two-"

"What? Come now! Are you serious? We just hang out a lot. Isn't that right sister?"

"Y-Yes. We spent considerable time together. Though it pains me to say that even with that I failed to teach her some proper manners..."

Jet reassured Ena that their entire household failed to beat some sense into Kaya for years and thus she was not to blame for her brutish behavior. The trio kept exchanging verbal lashes at each others expense for a while until Ena finally thought it was inappropriate to leave the head of her house waiting for so long and escorted them inside. After getting in the throne room they came face to face with the head of the house herself, sitting at the head of a magnificent dinner table. Jet immediately bowed before her.

"Master Ledaal Catala. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

"The pleasure is mine Mnemon Jet. I've been quite eager to come face to face with the child who was so brazen as to message me, and one that managed to impress me despite the fact. Please. Rise."

They were all seated down and partook of a small feast. It was a formality. One that had to be followed. The table manners of the guest told everything the host needed to know about them. It was a test in a way. Judging by lady Catalas unchanging demeanor she was pleased by Jets performance.
"Have you had any troubles on your journey here, Jet?"
Catala broke the silence of the table with a question.

"By the grace of the dragons I did not. I had picked a good time to set sails it seems."

"That's good. How go your studies at the Spiral? I'm loathe to admit that I haven't been able to keep up with matters on the Isle."

"I've earned top marks in my studies of law, business and governance. Though I am not the best, I am the best among all mortals and beat out several chosen as well. If you ask my masters they'll verify that I'm easily in the top ten of my grade."

"I take it your phrasing means you haven't exalted still."

Jet gulped his food down nervously.
"No master Catala. Not yet."

"I see. Such a shame. You know, when we arranged your betrothal so many years ago we did so under the assumption your Exaltation is all but guaranteed. It appears that was a mistake."

"I assure you, it wasn't."

"We'll see. You still have a few years left. Being a late bloomer is acceptable. Not exalting isn't. We agreed on a hefty dowry with Mnemon. If you fail to deliver then we may have to renegotiate that."
She paused.
"Would you be willing to do a little test?"

"A... test master?"

"A blood purity test. Your sister underwent it, with spectacular results I might add. Our current theory is that this unusually strong connection to the elemental dragons is what renders her so potent that she can outperform many of the elders of our house."

"Well I don't see the point. But why not?"

"Are you sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because it might reveal your defect. Suppose the reason why Kaya has stronger blood than me, someone twice removed from the Empress, is that while in the womb she somehow absorbed your potential. Perhaps the dragons deemed her more fit than you and conferred both your blessing only to her. If that is the case I will not hesitate to call off the arrangement. I will not muddle our blood. Are you willing to take that risk? To have your weakness exposed for all to see?"

>He accepts the challenge
>He refuses
>Custom

>>6033593
>Decline
>>Point out that if they break the betrothal Kaya leaves with us.

Why would we do that if we know it could give their house one-up in their negotiations to ours?

>>6033637
Same reason why so many Dynasts fall to their hubris
To show you aren't bitch-made

>>6033593
>Decline.
>"My house stands nothing to gain from such a test other than reaffirming what my elders have already assured, it would simply be a "risk" taken for nothing more than pride. Rest assured that my ascension is an inevitability, upon House Mnemon's word."
This offer feels like a test. Taking the test shows that we put our pride above the needs of our house. That being said, her insistence on this feels like a political and social faux pas. If we were any older we could easily leverage it against her as an insult to House Mnemon's word.

>>6033593
>He accepts the challenge
We've been little good 2 shoes for a long time and that asshole exalting has been eating our mind for a while. Time to throw caution to the wind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcPgeAiK70Y
>>6033644
nice

>>6033654
>This offer feels like a test.
it's a test in both ways, anon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWDJQfPGe2w

>>6033593
>Decline.
>”The Dragons are not so limited as to be unable to grant my sister a double blessing only through revoking my own. If the Dragons have seen fit to withhold their blessing, I am prepared to accept that they know better than I do.”

>>6033593
In my mind if he accepts he gives them a tool to use against the Family. If he refuses he also gives them a tool to use against the Family "Oh he refused lets renegotiate". Change the subject and make her rethink even offering it.

>>Custom
I'll just put together a few ideas for arguments to make her rethink this

No one needs a test to see Kaya is blessed, or even to know that you were impressed by me some years ago. I believe only the True Dragons have the final say on who will Exalt and who will not, not some test. My blood is the blood of Mnemon and this marriage the means of alliance. In the wake of a Bad Omen it may be wise to cleave towards certainty, for the Empress has been officially announced missing rather then some sabbatical.

I have seen the working of the Thousand Scales and without the Empress it will rely on those who master it to get anything done, such as sending support away from the Blessed Isles.

Then taking Kaya with us, or to someone less boorish as to try and test us in a sensitive spot for Jet, is also a good one.

>>6033593
>Refuse.
Nah.

>>6033692
Oh and as a funny interpretation, I presume this engagement is more or less public knowledge. So if immediately after the Empress is announced missing they find an excuse to breakoff the engagement it could be said they don't want to support House Mnemon, have some ulterior motive for doing so (coveting the Throne), or possibly did it to step on Mnemon's toes during a critical period of politic maneuvering.

Maybe more thoughts to follow, though if these are not valid points then please enlighten me.

>>6033702
>”If you discover that my blood is weak, you will have no choice but to call off the engagement. However, to withdraw your support from House Mnemon at a time when the Empress has disappeared could raise questions as to your intentions.”
Something like this maybe.

>>6033712
Mmm yeah thats nice.

>>6033692
Eh, this is a decent extrapolation that I would support but I must point out, The value of an Exalted outweighs the vakue of a very good beaurocrat.

>>6033712
Nevermind.

With these two, I change my answer to
>Support >>6033712
>>6033692

Show absolutely no fear and perfect social control.

So far we have 3 votes for Decline, 2 votes for Custom, and 1 vote for Accept. Fortunately for the ST, the writeins under the Decline votes have a general theme of refusing politely, and the Custom vote is about persuading Catala that running such a test would not be in her best interest at this time, both of which fit together perfectly.

On a different note, the disappearance of the Empress means we have five years until the Solars return, so if we’re headed towards Jet becoming a Solar that’s how long we’ve got until we both get powered up and, unless we’re exceptionally lucky as to where we Exalt, we lose all access to our current resources.

>>6033749
We need to find the equivalent of the Dominican Republic where we can live with all our money without paying taxes because we're rich. Any ideas?

>>6033692
>>6033712
Support

>>6033749
Thanks for the help.

I'm seeing the custom prompts, especially these two >>6033692 >>6033712 and they are good. Pulling out but still trying to maintain control

>>6033593
>If you discover that my blood is weak, you will have no choice but to call off the engagement. However, to withdraw your support from House Mnemon at a time when the Empress has disappeared could raise questions as to your intentions.”

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Jet leans back in his chair and starts thinking. His prolonged silence is seen as an opening by Catala who pierces him with a single, well placed "Well?". He takes a deep breath in response, places both elbows on the table, crosses his hands and leans in on it.
"And here I thought Ledaal Kes was the one to avoid if one dislikes Gateway. I must say Master Catala, you have placed me squarely in checkmate. You have my respect. If I refuse it can be seen as an admission of weakness and an excellent excuse for you to start negotiations with my house from an advantageous position. On the other hand if I accept and fail you have even more concrete proof to use. It seems all I can do is gamble and pray for the best. Well done."

"Thank you. Then let us proceed-"

"Oh but one more thing. It's an interesting idea to suggest that the reason for Kaya's excellence is that my blood was robbed of its potency. I admit I'm the farthest thing from a theologist but it does not sit right with me that benediction of the Elemental Dragons is limited in such a capacity. I might have to ask a few monks about this interpretation of the holy texts."

"Come now. I know House Mnemon is deeply faithful and has strong connections to the order. But let's not change the subject. This isn't a matter of faith. I simply can not in good conscience dilute my bloodline with a defective scion. It's in both of our best interest for you to take the test. If your blood is as pure as your sisters I have no qualms about proceeding with the marriage. And you too would have unquestionable proof of your nobility. Unless of course you already know deep down that you are a failure. That you will never exalt, despite your lineage."

Jet felt a drop of sweat run down his neck. So this was arguing with one of the chosen. Her words were carried by the wind and crept into his ears, where they took root in his mind. She was right. On some level he was deeply, terribly afraid that something was wrong with him. That the dragons have avoided blessing him for some reason. But he simply can not accept that. He was told from the day he was born that he was special. That he would become a Prince of the Earth. That it was his destiny, no, his right. And he fought every day to prove that. He knows he is worthy.

"It would seem so, yes. On the surface anyway. But this alliance had been in the works for many years already. It's not every day such arrangements are made before either of the children are exalted. That's a big gamble. Unless producing heirs is not the main goal. Ensuring an alliance is forged seems a more likely reason."
Jet relaxed his posture a bit and pulled his arms back to appear more nonchalant.
"Now I am the first to admit that I desperately lack experience in political maneuvering. But in the wake of a bad omen like the disappearance of the Empress it's almost as if House Catala is seeking to exploit the upheaval. At best it could seem like extortion. Threatening to pull support in a time of uncertainty unless demands are met. At worst it calls into question the motives of house Catala. In short, no. I apologize but I won't participate in this little experiment. I won't jeopardize my house to satisfy my personal pride. If you wish that sort of loyalty for yourself, then you can have it after I move in. And if it's a monetary issue due to the dowry then there's no reason to involve House Mnemon. Name your price and I'll cover the difference myself."
Jet then pushed himself away from the table and gave everyone a bow.
"Now pardon me. I'm weary from my travels."

"Yes, yes. Understandable. Ena, escort our dear guest to his chambers."

After excusing himself Jet moved to the guest room provided to him by the house and shut himself in, even as Ena asked if he was alright. He was not. His head was spinning and pounding, his stomach was tied into a knot. He thanked the dragons there was internal plumbing at the manse as he had to spend the next thirty or so minutes throwing up what he ate just minutes prior. The nausea slowly faded but he was left dead tired after the ordeal. Weakly he crawled onto his bed and crashed on the spot. He only woke up an hour later when someone climbed up to the open window of his room. It was his sister, now free of her armor and weapon, wearing only a simple outfit.

"Hey. You good?"
Kaya asked him.

"No. Talking with that woman felt like arguing with a raging storm. Argh. My head is still killing me."

"You're lucky that's all you got. Talking back to a Prince like that typically earns mortals beatings."

"Ugh. I think I would've preferred that actually."

"Well at least your attentive, dear sister brought you some medicine to ease your woes."
She brandished a bottle of wine with a mischievous grin.
"I got this from a village to the east. Tastes like piss but kicks like a marukani horse."

"When did you start drinking?"

"The second I stepped off the Blessed Isle."

"Well good for you. Because I don't drink."

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"Come on. Everyone in the dynasty has a vice or two. You're not gonna convince me you became a devote immaculate while I was gone. Now scoot over."
Kaya climbed in and sat down next to Jet as he got up. She pulled the cork of the bottle out with her teeth, then took a swig of it before passing it to her brother. Jet gave it a smell, frowned, then took one sip before almost choking on it.
"Holy shit. You really haven't drunk before, have you? What do you do then? Tobacco? Qat? Opium? No... don't tell me you're like that degenerate Ledaal Kes!"

"Shut up or I'm gonna throw up again."

"How did a little goodie two shoes like you get balls big enough to talk down to an elder Dynast like that?"
The two continued their exchange, swapping the bottle back and forth.

"I'm only trying to live up to expectations and be a good dynast."

"Yeah. Maybe you shouldn't. I mean look at me. I never gave two shits about any of that and just did what came naturally and look where I got. Maybe just once you should stop focusing on what others want of you and just do what you can or want and do it as well as possible."

"What do you think I was doing until now? Anyway... that "test". Did you really do it?"

"Yeap. They mix together all five elements in a jade pestle, along some green goop. Then you draw a single drop of blood from your fingers. Mine exploded in frost and lightning. Lady Catala apparently only produces strong wind. And hers is the biggest reaction in the house."

"No surprise there. Mnemons blood is the strongest after all."

"Yeah, well, some started to badmouth us, saying House V'neef produces even more exalted than we do. Some think in a century or so they'll overtake us."

"Well, they are still a relatively young house and haven't had the chance to royally mess up. Once they do we'll see what else they have beside a supposed purity that matches ours."

"Hehe. Yeah. I bet Mnemon will go for the blood the moment they slip up. She really fucking hates her little sister. Anyway how are things at the academy-"

The two of them kept talking and drinking until the bottle was emptied. Jet had not built up any tolerance for alcohol yet so he was pretty much knocked out from that. And while Kaya was an Exalt and could drink enough that'd kill two mortal men she was content laying down as well. She curled up next to her brother and fell asleep embracing him the same way they did when they were little.

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Later in the night Jet woke up once the wine had passed through his system. He needed to relieve himself bad. Kaya was still latched onto him like a lamprey however. He remembers hating it when she did that, now he thinks he missed it dearly. But it was still awkward. He pried himself free and made his way to the bathroom where he spent more time than he would've liked due to some... complications. Once he was done he walked back into the room and saw his sister laying in bed, illuminated by the bright light of the full moon. He let out a weary sigh and walked up to the window instead where he rested his elbows on the still and held up his head in a silent prayer.

It started as contemplation but turned into begging rather quick as he asked for answers. He wanted to know, more than anything else, why is he cursed like this. He needed to know what he did in a previous life to deserve such cruel and unusual treatment. By all reason he should've exalted with Kaya on the same day. Instead he's giving his all every day only to be denied day after day. And now he even has to argue with Exalts why he's worth their time, when he himself doesn't believe he is. Jet feels like he's failing a test he doesn't even know the question for. And it's driving him mad.

But as he stands there muttering to any god willing to listen something hits his ears that snaps him out of his trance like state. A tiny, high-pitched voice with a chip like the sound of a grasshopper.
"Erm. Excuse me sir."

Jet looked down at the windowsill and saw what looked like an oversized locust, only deformed.
"What?"

"Sorry for troubling you but please sir. I am oh so terribly famished. Please, may I have just a crumb of waste?"
Jet looked down at the bottle laying on the ground and picked it up to check what the hell Kaya had been feeding him.
"Yes! That! If sir doth not need it, mayhaps I can have it? I'm so hungry."

"I'm... sorry but it's gone."
He whispered back to what he thought to be a vivid hallucination.

"Oh it's not gone sir. That nasty poison is still in your body. I could remove it. If it pleases you sir."

Jet frowned. Though the wine clouded his mind he did manage to piece things together.
"Wait. You're real aren't you?"
He looked at the window and, thanks to the moonlight, saw that there was a segment of the wall that was colored differently than the rest. He gave it a hard look and licked it to confirm his suspicion. The window was lined with salt rock.
"You're some sort of spirit..."

"A demon, yes sir!"
It said in tune as chipper as ever.
"I am Sesseljae. A stomach-bottle-bug."

"Begone fiend! Get out of my sight at once!"

"Please sir... I beg of thee. The masters of this temple are ever so beastly. They kept me locked in a gold jar and fed me rarely. I just wish to eat what ails you. I'll be on my way then. I swear it!"

Jet looked at the salt line. Judging by how jumpy the strange insect was it would've entered on its own if it wasn't for the wards. He does not know much about demons. Only what scary stories he heard of them, and what few he occasionally saw that the sorcerers of House Mnemon summoned and had as servants. But Mnemon herself is an acknowledged sorceress and uses demons frequently and regularly for all manners of tasks. But the Immaculate Texts are clear on cavorting with spirits. Only the chosen have the spiritual fortitude to do so safely. Then again... it's not like following the texts ever did anything to him.

Perhaps it was its pathetic mewling, the alcohol muddling his mind, the belief that he was still dreaming or a combination of all three that convinced him but he reached out to lift the bug in. But what happened next terrified him. Instead of jumping in his palm it jumped into his palm. His flesh flowed and warped like water or clay under the ministration of the tiny insect as it burrowed into him. He tried tearing it out but his body was as unyielding to him as ever, all the while he felt the bug swim in him unobstructed. It was not painful mind you, quite the opposite, but it was still terrifying.

The Sesseljae made its way all the way to his stomach and mere moments later Jet felt his head clearing. Happy chirping could be heard coming from his gut and the insect let out a burp as it stuck its head out of his chest.
"Ah. Thank you! Thank you! You are most kind, sir!"

"Y-You're welcome. Now can you come out?"

"Of course!"

The bug leapt out of his torso and Jet checked himself for any signs of injury.
"I hope you didn't do anything in there!"

"Oh no, I'd never! Mending flesh is fun. Hurting is not. Ask the masters of the manse, yes. They'll tell how many times I healed one of them. Oh... I know! In exchange for sir's kindness I can live in your stomach and fix you instead!"

>Jet accepted the bugs proposition
>Jet refused and sent it away
>Jet grabbed his boot from the ground and squashed it

>>6034468
>Her words were carried by the wind and crept into his ears, where they took root in his mind.
Looks like we got hit with a charm and burned Willpower to resist.

>>6034476
>Jet refused and sent it away
Bad idea to keep a demon around us for now, even if it is helpful.

>>6034476
>Jet refused and sent it away
>"I'm not strong enough to protect myself, but is a lot more dangerous to keep you around, Demon. I'm happy to have helped you but I'm not willing to accept more of your help, so, go now before whoever kept you locked comes around looking for you"

This is a nice powerup but also a big no-no. I'm interested into keeping little demon critters like him helping us without any contracts binding our souls, but the moment any magical paladin gets a whiff we're done.

>>6034476
>Jet refused and sent it away

>>6034512
That's the thing. He can hang out in your stomach and eat all the nasty stuff for you. With none the wiser.
Unless he sticks something out of your body. On purpose or by accident.
But he's a wholesome little friend still

>>6034476
>Ask the masters of the manse, yes. They'll tell how many times I healed one of them.

That phrasing seems kind of suspicious. Is there someone with a hidden disease? Some very serious beatings going on, or just the demons way of speaking about the wounds of dangerous expeditions? Some kind of secret might be handy to negotiate with.

>Write in
"Is there something wrong with one of the people here that they need to be healed so often?"

"Tell me something secret here and I'll consider us even."

Otherwise
>Jet refused and sent it away

>>6034476
>Jet refused and sent it away

>>6034528
Yooooooo, actually this is such a good thinking. After all, politics and social stuff also include gossips.

SUPPORT

>>6034518

Hmm he does seem pretty handy with poking stuff out of Jet's body as the only tell. Funnily enough after Kaya asks him to take up a vice I suppose he'd end up taking on a false vice like drinking or smoking opium for the bug instead of himself so it can eat hearty, unless its fine with whatever regular stuff produces waste too. He'd still not be taking on a vice for his own enjoyment so it wouldnt do anything for dragon exalting if thats how it works lol.

Then if someone tries to poison Jet and he doesnt get sick cause the bug caught it that would be a funny tell. Still better then getting poisoned though. I'd suppose that suddenly healing any grievous wounds would also be a bit of a tell, but much better then dying. Or excuse it as being a Mnemon or being healed elsewhere.

Yeah thats pretty handy, and funny if Jet has to take up Tobacco and Opium smoking but doesnt even really get to enjoy it so its more about looking cool smoking his fancy ass pipe. I suppose he could still enjoy the flavor at least. Take the bug friend if it doesnt get in the way of the write ins.

>>6034528
>Support.

Knowledge is power.

>>6034518
Oh shit? None the wiser?

>>6034577
Still support the write in, but I want him noe
>Keep the demon

>>6034528
this

>>6034579
None the wiser "unless"
Important distinction
Sesseljae are known to slip up. And it tends to be noticable when an insect leg sticks out of a persons rippling flesh

- DEMONS OF THE FIRST CIRCLE, PROGENY OF ALVEUA, THE KEEPER OF THE FORGE OF NIGHT
Sesseljae, or as they are more commonly known, Stomach Bottle Bugs resemble fist-sized beetles with 10 legs similar to those of a grasshopper. They possess a dangerous appetite for tainted and putrid substances and spend their most of their lives scouring the bodies of the Yozis of those things that might eventually build up enough to cause harm to their masters.
The stomach bottle bugs sometimes discover veins of corruption that sicken the Yozis, and thousands perish only to have their tainted corpses devoured by their kin. New sesseljae are born from the poisoned waste until it is entirely consumed.
Stomach bottle bugs not busy with such work haunt the taverns of the Demon City and plead for entry in childlike voices.
They sometimes manage to swarm the establishments, drinking the alcohol from every bottle and from within other demons. Many demons hate sesseljae for this and often kill them on sight.
Sesseljae make excellent surgeons, although manipulating flesh and bone is more like play to them, and they happily sing with their rear four legs while they draw a body together as though it were soft clay.
The sesseljae can pass through the flesh of humans, animals and demons as easily as air and swim through it like water. This swimming sometimes stirs ripples in the bodies they inhabit, and a moving bug occasionally stumbles and awkwardly reveals a leg or mandible from within its host. Sorcerers typically carry sesseljae in their stomachs, as the demons may rest there indefinitely. This has the added benefit that the demon will suffer the effects of any ingested alcohol or poison in place of the sorcerer.
Interestingly, sesseljae are allergic to pure substances: tears, seawater, silver, gold, salt and virgin’s blood. Such things can seal them from a location or even cause them harm.


I say we go for it, lads. Get information then welcome the little dude in. They seem like good fun and great benefits. We might be a permamortal for all we know.

>>6034476
>>Jet grabbed his boot from the ground and squashed it

>>6035014
>Virgins blood
>He swam through us unharmed

Uhh guys. We need an adult.

>>6035071
>Dorms separated, especially for family members
>Slept in the same bed as sister last night
>Complications when going to the bathroom
Oh yeah. We're keeping the bloodline pure, baby.

>>6034476
>Ask the reason dor the supposed plenty of healing for the master of the manse
>Jet accepted the bugs proposition
Woah shit he can manipulate flesh? Thats cool. And we get our own jiminy cricket too.

Update will take longer than usual. Got stuff to do tonight

Jet felt himself recoil at the mere suggestion of that. Sorcerers are ill trusted within the dynasty, not in small part due to cavorting with demons. He remembered sometimes seeing Heptagram graduate cousins escorted by large, ape-like monsters. It terrified him. Even Mnemon, a very accomplished sorceress herself, was mistrusted and detested. Some even called for her excommunication due to using demonic labor to construct temples for the Immaculate Order. Not to mention all the childrens stories and cautionary tales he heard of the insidious demons tempting the righteous off the path laid down by the Immaculate Dragons.

So no, the prospect of having a demon around him was not particularly tempting for him. Even if it did sound terribly useful. But something did cross his mind. Maybe he can make use of it, if only temporarily. He worried that Ledaal or maybe another member of her house might try messing with him again. The last time he managed to flip the script on her and leave the table before things could turn on him. Next time he might not be so lucky. So if he had some sort of ace up his sleeve...

"I'm not interested in forming any sort of pact with you, demon."

"Aww."

"But. Tell me. You mentioned that you healed the masters of this house. Is there some sort of disease rampaging? Or do you mean the house of Catala is engaged in serious conflicts?”


“I’m terribly sorry sir. I do not know. As I said they kept me in a jar and only let me out when I was needed and all they said was “fix it”. And I was happy to.”


“That’s a shame. In that case if you have some secret to share, I'll consider us even and you may leave freely."

"Secret? Oh no, no mister. I know no secrets. I don't want to know any secrets. And neither should you mister. Secrets are dangerous. If you learn something you shouldn't, it could put you in danger!"

"Then I'm afraid you have no use for me-"

"WAIT!"
The bug raised its two front legs in protest. The panic in its voice suggests it's afraid, even though all Jet wanted was to dismiss him.
"Maybe I know... one."

Jet sighed as the Sesseljae kept hopping in place, asking to be lifted. He reluctantly extended a hand for it and the demon burrowed into his flesh. It was concerning how little the invasion actually affected him as the bug crawled up his arm and into his shoulder before popping out its head. With its childlike voice it guided Jet out of the room, down the stairs, through the winding hallways of the manse and finally into the basement that was obviously not meant to be accessible by outsiders. A massive door stood in front of him with a hefty lock on it. Though as the demon pointed it out it was actually open and only made to look like it was closed. Someone was already inside.

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ith great effort he managed to lift it off before sneaking in. There he saw a long hallway with many doors on both sides. One of them was open and light shone from it. As he approached it he heard three distinct, inhumanly deep and guttural voices conversing in a tongue he did not understand. He took only a peak before he let out a loud gasp. There were three ape-like beings with blood red fur and many spikes protruding from them. They stood as tall as grown men but were much bulkier. More demons. They stood around a barrel and heartily drank from it with cups the size of buckets. It was blood.

And unfortunately his gasp alerted them.

He tried to run, to get back to the stairs where he might lose them. But despite their considerable size they were not lumbering or sluggish in the slightest. In fact they were much faster than him. One of them quickly caught up to him and grabbed him by the shoulder, slamming him into one of the walls and growled at him with its teeth bared.


“Where do you think you’re going?”
It spoke High-Realm with a heavy accent. It muffled Jets mouth before bringing him back in the room for the others.
“I caught the vermin boss! Now let’s-”

But as it spoke the bug popped out of Jets shoulder and waved at the apes.
“Hello!”

“SESSELJAE!”
One of the other apes shouted and quickly slammed a lid on the barrel. It leaned on it with its whole body to protect it.

“Bloody hell!”
The gorilla holding Jet dropped him.
“And I thought we got rid of that thing for good! Fuck it! Let’s eat them both, boss!”

The third demon, that so far did not react to Jet's presence, walked up and gave the one standing over the dynast a good smack over the head.
“Behave yourself you stupid git. Do you think this is another servant? Do you not see his fine garments?”
This demon seemed to be a fair bit calmer than the rest. It even lifted Jet up by the arm and dusted him off carefully, as to not accidentally hit him with its pointy protrusions.
“My apologies for this rude misunderstanding, your excellency. You simply startled me and my colleagues with your sudden appearance.”

“H-How do you know me? W-What is going on here? Why are there so many demons here?!”

“Well we were notified that the house of Catala would receive an important guest today. I presume that’s you since I don’t recognize you. We are Erymanthoi, blood apes, summoned by Master Catala and her children to do their bidding. And this is a rather, how should I say, embarrassing matter. I’m afraid I can’t disclose it lest-”

“They sneak out at night and binge-drink.”
The sesseljae interjects.

The blood ape that composed itself rather well until now frowns, like it’s contemplating tearing the bug’s head off.
“Well, yes. We skim a bit off our daily blood rations every day and ferment it into wine. But we do not slack off on our duties, of that I can assure you. We work dutifully, I swear on my name. It’s just that we like to unwind every now and then.”

Jet looks at the barrel, the one ape protecting it, then the bug still in his shoulder.
“So you are the ones who released the sesseljae-”

“Because it keeps trying to drink our fucking booze, yes. These little pests are one of the most HATED demons in all of hell! Bastards keep drinking all the alcohol, even the one you already drunk. They don’t even like it! They just drink themselves to death and leave nothing to us, the pricks!”

Jet stumbles backwards, his head spinning from the information overload.
“What the hell is going on? Why does Catala have so many demons? Why do they feed them blood? What is their purpose? Why?!”

“Easy there prince, easy. It’s not what you think.”
The demon continues.
“Everyone needs laborers. Dynasts most of all. Catala is no different. They summon us because there’s work to be done. They feed us blood because we get… agitated without it. And no, it’s beef. We prefer pork but this is fine. At least it’s not poultry. We mainly guard the manse, do manual labor and occasionally help when the house ventures into First Age ruins in search of relics. We are brought in when there are still active guardians there. That’s our favorite part! Ahem. But as you may see there’s really nothing malicious going on. Just a few colleagues sharing a drink at night. Please sir, do forgive us for this little incident and don’t report us to the mistress. We actually like this work and would like to keep serving the house. I swear on the Yozis.”
Jet looked at the demon confused. He always assumed these beasts need to be kept in check and bound in chains at all times to behave. But hearing these ones want to be enslaved perturbed him.
“It’s true your lordship. I personally served many masters, my kin less. But House Catala has been good to us. They bind us for a year and a day, and if we do our tasks well they resummon us by name. It helps us stay out of Hell and they get good, loyal servants. Everyone wins. But I’m surprised you ask so many questions, your highness. Do you not deal with demons that often?”

“I’m… not allowed. I’m not a sorcerer. In fact this is the first time I engaged directly with demons in my life. And if you’re not going to kill or eat me then let’s just forget we ever saw each other. Would that be acceptable?”

“Of course! Thank you master. You’re too kind. And forgive me for my presumptions. I just assumed a mighty Terrestrial like yourself would be an accomplished sorcerer.”

“What did you just call me?”

Another one of the demons spoke up.
“Ey boss. This guy doesn’t have a drop of essence in ‘im.”

The leader of the apes sniffed the air.
“Indeed. How… curious. I haven’t smelled blood like this since the First Age. Yes. Pure. Untainted by the dregs of humanity. How remarkable. And how odd. That you haven’t exalted must mean…”

Jet waited for the demon to finish, but it would not. It arrived at a conclusion it wasn’t liking, and one it was not inclined to share. The other two, though slower, did follow it shortly afterwards.
“Well don’t let me stop you now! By all means, continue! Say what you wanted! What do you know about my exaltation?!”

“Should we kill it after all, boss?”
One of them blurted out.

“Fool! You’d have us dragged to Yu-Shan in chains?! I’d rather get sent back to Hell than suffer the wrath of Heaven’s agents!”
The erymanthus turned back to Jet.
“My apologies. Please, let us not speak any more of this. I wish-”

“No! We’re not done until I said so! You speak as if you know what’s wrong with me! Tell me right NOW!”

The demon looks at him dumbfounded. Then as it starts talking it walks over to a table where it takes a piece of parchment and scrawls some sort of script on it with its own blood, indecipherable for Jet.
“I do not know what you speak of my lord. I’ve never said such a thing and do not wish to discuss it further. But… you sound like you are troubled my lord. Tomorrow is the night of the new moon. Have you ever tried praying? Maybe the gods will listen and offer you relief from your pains.”


The demon then handed the finished strip of paper to Jet. An offering.

>Reluctantly he takes it
>Angered, he storms away from the demons
>Custom

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>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it
Hmm, I wonder if we took the test it'd be a succeeded horribly situation

>>6035413
>Reluctantly take it.

MUHAHAHAHHAHAHA

>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it

Damn, I was hoping the votes might shift for taking bug friend with us. Also lol. How does Loom feel about the direction Jet is going in after these choices and write ins?

>>6035435
The wheel turns, the loom spins. The loom only wonders when the Maidens will fuck things up

>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it
Well, that last post has enough implications in it to crush a yeddim.

>>6035413
WAIT HOLD ON EVERYBODY, IF WE'RE GOING TO THE DEEP END WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT.

>Get into our bureaucrat mindset and make sure he isn't fucking us over. Ask what are the stipulations of the contract and what is he asking in return.
We always have to read the tiny letters, anon. And if the contract had something really sketchy that maybe the gorilla-demon was going to get us, we can make a good offer in our part of the contract: Take the little critter out of the castle (We don't say when or how or if he's sticking with us so the gorillas won't be bothered, but with how hated these are, surely they would be more inclined to accept)

Unless of course these offerings on Exalted already fuck your soul up, but I would like someone to clarify more of this concept

>>6035413
>Custom
Have our little bug friend read what the offering says

>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it
>Then let little bug guy reads it for him
Cause its probably hell language or something, i think.

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>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it

Speculation time.
>I haven’t smelled blood like this since the First Age. Yes. Pure. Untainted by the dregs of humanity.
That sounds a lot like the Legendary Breeding background from the First Age books. If so, then yeah, we should have exalted a long time ago. That we haven’t likely means a different Exaltation has us booked.
>Solar
The protagonist Exaltation and an obvious choice. However, there’s only a few Solar Exaltations around right now, and Heaven doesn’t know the breaking of the Jade Prison is coming up.
>Lunar
Possible, but I’m not sure how we’d get into the kind of situation that makes you Exalt as a Lunar.
>Sidereal
On the one hand, it doesn’t really feel like the quest is headed this way. On the other hand, it would explain why we haven’t exalted, another Exaltation has us on reserve, and it would explain the name the ST chose.

>>6035541
Fucking kek

>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it

>>6035413
>Reluctantly he takes it

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“What is that? Some sort of contract? You must be mad if you think I’m just going to accept whatever that is without a word. What’s the stipulation? The cost? What are any of your terms?”

“Contract? What are you talking about, young master? Are you sure you’re alright? Maybe a drink would do you good after all, to calm the nerves.”


Frustrated by the demon's game Jet turned to the bug.
“Sesseljae. What’s written on there?”

“Erm. Sir. I can’t read. But that looks like a prayer script to me. Lots of us use those when praying to the Demon Princes.”

“The Yozi…”

“Yes sir. Traditionally one burns the script and makes an offering before saying a prayer. The most common offering is blood.”

The ape nods and nudges the paper once more. Jet looked at the ominous strip of paper and swallowed painfully. He had read many a contract before. But not even the ones with the most devious of fine prints ever made him this nervous. Part of him knew he could deny it, that part screamed at him, begged and tugged at him to simply leave. But the other needed to know. If anything the demon said holds a kernel of truth, then lady Catala was right and there is something terribly wrong with him. Now that he’s being offered an answer he couldn’t resist. He took the paper from the demon's hand, rolled it up and hid it under his belt-sash.

The large blood ape nodded.
“Well I see I can’t convince you. Goodnight your majesty. And uh, please make sure to take that sesseljae far away. Thank you.”

Jet nodded and gave a bow to the apes before leaving them to their drinking. Once he made his way back up the stairs he had the insect leave his body and they parted ways. He headed back to his chamber and the bug dragons know where. But despite the wishes of the erymanthus he did not have a good night. Neither dreams nor sleep came to him. He just laid in his bed, next to his sister, with one hand always resting on the strip of paper he received. It was still not too late, he thought. He could just hand it over to Catala, or throw it out, or tear it to shreds, or a myriad other things smarter than what he was about to do.

When the sun first rose over the horizon and its rays peered through the window Kaya rose from her slumber with a moan and a stretch that made her bones crackle.
“Hmmmm. Morning. You’re up early. Slept well?”

“Actually it was like sleeping with a block of ice under my blanket.”

“That’s what you get for lying next to a dragon of air. But I don’t recall you complaining about it yesterday.”
Kaya hopped out of her bed and put her robe on.
“Something wrong? You look a bit glum.”

“Just tired is all.”

“Alright. Then let’s see if we can’t rouse you from your slumber. What do you say we go on a little hunting trip after breakfast? That should perk you right up! We can take Ena with us as well. Go on a real Threshold safari, just the three of us.”

Jet perked up upon hearing that.
“Yeah that… actually sounds nice. Are we going to camp out for the night as well?”

“You bet! It came to me in a dream and got me in the mood.”
Kaya opened the door of the room and checked if anyone was around to see her sneak out.
“And who knows, maybe we can get you a bit closer to your future wife, huh?”
She gave him a mischievous grin then Jet threw a pillow at her and she left swiftly, all the while giggling to herself.

The three Dynasts made themselves presentable and enjoyed a shared breakfast. At the insistence of the two ladies Jet was allowed to sit and eat with them, rather than at the table of the un-exalted children of the house as is custom for mortals like him. Afterwards they had some horses saddled, equipped themselves and went out to a nearby forest to hunt for some game. Hunting and riding were things all Dynasts were expected to be at least vaguely familiar with. Jet himself wasn’t particularly fond of it, but he could do it. Now however his head was even less in the hunt than usual. The first thing he spotted, and the only thing he killed, was a hare. After its blood splattered on the ground however he did not feel like firing his bow anymore.

The girls were much more into it and frankly did not need his aid. They managed to score some smaller game, but their big catch was a boar Kaya managed to take down with one shot from an arrow that shot out from her bow like a bolt of lightning. And Ena had no problem tracking beasts from miles away. He felt kind of useless. Once they made camp however he could shine a bit. At the Spiral he did pick up some cooking skills to make his meals a bit more varied. Kaya mainly just roasted things over an open fire and Ena could not cook at all. But this was a relatively small boost to his mood. He was a good servant to them, that’s all.

After everyone had their fill and they chatted a bit more the girls laid down to rest and he waited until he was sure they were both in a deep sleep. He quickly took the strip out of his belt and looked at it one last time before taking off with a sigh. There was a lake nearby with fresh water in it. Jet thought that would make for a good place to pray.

As he went however he had an uneasy feeling that someone was watching him.
“Why are you here?”
He asked.

“I’m sorry sir. I just wanted to be sure you’re okay.”

“If those two notice you they’ll kill you.”

“I know. I’m used to it.”
The Sesseljae approached a bit closer.
“I just wanted to say… be careful sir.”

“Why? What do you know that you aren’t telling me?”

“Nothing. Knowing is bad. Secrets are bad. It’s better to not learn anything. Lest you learn something you really shouldn’t.”

“Maybe for you.”

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Jet made his way to the lake. The source of the water was a spring that came from a large rock. It filled a large watering hole that serves the local wildlife well. And it was a secluded but open area where he could see if someone was approaching him. He took a deep breath and sat down beside the water on a flat stone and took the strip out. He did not really know what to do with it. Participating in prayer is something for the plebians, not dynasts. So he had to improvise.

He took the knife he brought to skin animals and opened his own wrist with it. Letting a few drops of blood drip onto the laid out prayer strip, he clapped his hands together and began his silent mantra. With no proper procedures available he simply begged in his own head repeatedly for an answer, from anyone willing to listen. And as the paper ignited with a green flame in front of him something did.

The boy felt a sense of unease come over him. So he opened his eyes. It was a mistake to do so. Before him stood a temple, floating on the water of the lake. It appeared with no sound and no disturbance in the area. It stood there as that’s where it always was. He heard a metallic clang, like the ringed staves of monks that beckoned him. Only there was no way to reach the temple. Only tombstones jutting out of the water and bearing a script similarly indecipherable to the one on his prayer strip. Slowly and with great unease he stepped from one to the other until he reached the shrine and he stepped through the silk curtains that made up its walls.

Inside sat a woman wearing the robes of a shrine-maiden but it was filthy and wet. She had her face buried within her palms and tears rolled down her arms in perpetuity. But her voice did not sound like that of someone in the throes of sadness. She was rather calm actually. And it made Jet terrified. This did not look like a demon. All the other ones he met yesterday were obviously not of this world. But aside from the few strange marks this girl could’ve been mortal. Yet he knew she was anything but.
“Jet, child of Mnemon, come. I’ve been expecting you.”
The girl invited him inside but she did not move her hands to look at him.

“You know who I am?”
The boy did not move an inch.

“It is my purpose to know all things which are special, unique, things destined to blossom into magnificence but which are trampled by others. I mourn for what was meant to be but isn’t. I am Banatos, Who Grieves for Greatness Lost - Reflective soul of The Gardener of Identities. I have known you for a long time, Mnemon Jet. And I’ve wept for you much.”

“Then you have the answers I seek. Name your price.”

“There is no price. All I need is your consent, the affirmation that you wish to reflect on what you’ve lost. When I share that knowledge with you the weight will lift off my heart and shackle yours. It will kill you. Few things crush a mortal spirit faster than the knowledge of what they could’ve been.”

>>6036149
>inb4 we didn't exalt due to outside forces

Jet scoffed, his ego blossomed.
“I know what I’m not and it’s already consuming me. Now let me make peace with it.”

“You know what you’re not, yet unaware of what you are. Come. Sit. We do not have much time.”

Jet sat down on a pillow provided for him, and a brazier suspended by chains lowered before him. Banatos leaned over and let her tears fall into it. The fire extinguished and the rising smoke formed figures which played out the tale Banatos shared with him.

“There once was a maiden. Who was born as two. Their blood was strong. Their bond stronger. The stars said, these two will stand together. Heaven said, no. Fearful of those with the strength to oppose them, the gods wanted to kill them. But those with avarice in their hearts screamed, no. They wanted the power for themselves. Yet they could not wield the Maiden’s power. Kill one and the other will swear vengeance. So they concocted a plan. Let one grow tall and strong, and let the other grow old, weak and bitter in its shadow. And when it dies none would mourn it but Banatos.”

“No, no, no. You’re lying! The dragons would never-”

“Heaven determined you are its enemy. They took away your arms before you could learn to swing them. They deny you your blood because you would ruin their plans. And now that you know they will have to eliminate you. I am sorry. But you will die knowing the truth and know whom to curse. That is the gift of Banatos.”

Jet grabbed his head and screamed. His mind told him it was just a trick, a lie to confuse and hurt him. But his heart knew the words of the demon were true. He just knew. Was everything he knew a lie then? That no matter how much he’d try he’d never be good enough because he was determined to fail anyway? The rage and sadness swelling in his heart threatened to tear it apart. And it would’ve if another presence did not make itself known.

“It’s painful. Isn’t it?”
The shadows in the temple stretched and began to dance. A putrid, sulfur like smell washed over Jet as he looked for the source. All he saw was a vague, monstrous silhouette moving on the curtains, but he saw nothing that could cast such a shadow anywhere.
“To have what is yours stolen by the traitorous dogs of Heaven? It’s more common than one might think. And those who share your pain wish to help you Mnemon Jet.”

“Who…”

“Yu-Shan might despise you. But the Yozi, oh the Yozi love you Jet. They’ve been watching you since the day you were born. How Heaven strangled you with the strings of your own fate. Now they wish to help you. You got your answers from Banatos. Now the princes of Hell offer you a solution.”
The figure now steps through the curtains and it slowly fades into view out of nothing. It looked like a rhinoceros beetle the size of a man, and walking upright. But its shell appeared more like a suit of armor. Its eyes glowed with a menacing green light.
“Heaven made you fail, but Hell wants you to win. So the Yozi sent me to deliver a gift to you. A gift of power and a show of goodwill. If Yu-Shan would reject you then we will shower you with our blessings. And since it’s a gift it comes with no strings attached. We merely ask that you use it to your heart’s content. So I prostrate myself before you Mnemon Jet and ask you…Will you be our champion? Will you be our Exalted?”

>Yes
>No

>>6036185
>No

>>6036185
>"No, if you were actually watching me all this time then you'd know i'm not the kind of person that would take such a vague deal. One with a literal beetle no less"

No strings attached my ass every thing must have it's price paid in full, super chinese magical plot power falling into your palm even more so ergo the cake is a lie. And "our" exalted? Yeah no buddy, stranger danger alert.

>>6036185
>Yes

>>6036185
>Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWDJQfPGe2w I'm gonna do it

>>6036212
Lot of mileage out of DBZA it seems

>>6036185
>No
My Jet will not fall, except into depression. Then he just needs the forbidden love of Kaya and regular love of Ena.

>>6036185
>Yes

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>>6036208
>"our" exalted
Hell does indeed have their own Exalted.
And they are best described as "magitech robocop built by demons" and that's explaining it very, very poorly

>>6036185
>No
Better to be forgotten by all save our sister then to ruin her memory of us.

>>6036242
>So a bard, a nun, a celtic warrior, a mummy and goth girl walk into a bar

>>6036213
indeed. they have a lot of quotables.
>>6036227
>Then he just needs the forbidden love of Kaya and regular love of Ena.
the coffin of Jet & Kaya
>>6036242
of course there's a sexy nun

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>>6036253
Funny thing about the sexy nun... nobody else looks like that in the entire setting
So presumably it was just the demons fucking with that woman
Also the scotsman used to be a woman in his last incarnation. Just a funny little trivia

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Did I mention by the way that the position of Hells Rockstar comes with a complimentary gundam and a a VIP coupon for the demon orgies in the Malfean brothels?

>>6036298
And all it’ll cost is breaking Kaya’s heart.

>>6036185
>No

We will exalt without you. We will rise as our own!

>>6036298
Sorry but i prefer a children's card game and we can already have a threesome with our fiance and our sister but not really. QM destroyed by facts and logic

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>>6036300
Eh. You can buy her a new one. They sell clockwork hearts cheap in hell

>>6036312
Boy do I have a demon for you then. Meet Sigereth, The Player of Games.
The ultimate gamer gf technology. She's the box, not the girl. She has every childrens cardgame and is very good at them. And yes, if you stick your penis in the box she'll get preggers and produce viable offspring. Humans are stupid virile in Exalted

Worth keeping in mind, this isn’t our only chance to Exalt. Solar and Lunar Exaltations, by design, cannot be prevented from exalting someone if they’ve done something to earn it.

>>6036312
narrator, is that ?
>>6036298
damn, even more tempting

>>6036185
>Yes
Allow me to explain.
>"We merely ask that you use it to your heart's content."

This gives me 3e vibes, and that means Green Sun Prince Jet isn't an agent of the Reclamation, since there is no Reclamation. The Yozis KNOW they can't get out, but if they can find people who've been screwed over and give them the power to bite back? That's good enough revenge on Creation for them.

>>6036327
Technically even in 2e they couldn't actually force the Infernals to do jack shit, since them having their Free Will intact was a necessary compromise. The Reclamation was optional even back then.

>>6036185
>No
Look brah, I respect the Yozi. The Yozi have good reason to be Creation's biggest haters. Does that mean I want a Yozi-corrupted exaltation shoved in me? No, not really. I mean, I'm all for the cause, but that infernal exalting comes with a lot of things like being the innate enemy of all creation. Also being less effective than a Solar, if we end up qualifying for one.

>>6036594
>Look brah, I respect the Yozi. The Yozi have good reason to be Creation's biggest haters.
explain

>>6036601
You know how it goes. You get betrayed by everyone you thought you could trust and get imprisoned within Malfeas where your resentment and bitterness only grows with every year that passes.

>>6036601
Imagine you're one big happy gaming group. Sure, you've all got your weird quirks. One's a narcissist, one's a fatalist, one's kind of a sociopath, one's delusional, one's the quiet autistic kid, one's a hippy, so on and so forth. Some of you are more stable than others, but you get along well enough, mostly because the main GM is Just That Good at getting you all to do what he says. You all have a lot of fun worldbuilding and making OCs together, and it all culminates in this nice little homebrew world. Sure, everyone else at school makes fun of you all, but who cares?

Then one day the quiet one gets upset about his favorite OC getting killed off in the 'official' timeline and starts getting obsessed with the hireling item you all made a while back. These are one-note, two-bit extras at best, even if some of your OCs collect them and think they're neat. It's cool, right? Whatever floats his boat.

Five seconds later but also two weeks earlier but also a thousand years sideways, the quiet one and the hippy have teamed up with the OCs and the hirelings, who have been empowered to somehow be able to kill you IRL. The hireling item entry now has a special variant that can KILL you IN REAL LIFE, and does this to several of you (which somehow writes whole new sections of the homebrew game because the game was responding to its devs dying when that shouldn't be possible in this context), puts the rest of you in the hospital with varying levels of broken bones and lobotomies, and then somehow gets you all locked up in Literal Actual Hell, which is SOMEHOW also the head GM's digestive tract.

None of this should have ever been even remotely possible, none of this makes even a single modicum of sense, but here you are. This is your life now, forever.

>>6036594
Actually you know what, fuck it.
Changing to
>Yes
We ride together, we die together, Yozi.

>>6036601
The Yozi and the demons? They are the actual creators of the world. If the gods of Creation are the Olympian gods like Zeus then the Yozi are the titans like Chronos.
Or more accurately, Exalted is a game about "What would happen if Lucifer in the Bible won, made Hell specifically to lock up and torture god forever and not to punish sinners?"

>>6036185
>No
Tough choice. I wonder if "use it to your heart's content" turns out to be that he basically removes his 'filter' so to speak. Anything his heart wants he does, nothing stops him from calling the hostess a bitch for trying to pull her little stunt. He wants someone's food he just takes it. Someone annoys him and he mindcrushes them. Or they are really just happy knowing he will be opposed to all creation forever, building some kind of wackass heretical state out here in the woods. Dressing in weird ass robocop from hell aesthetics.

Poor little goodie two shoes Jet. Maybe shoulda just taken the healing bug's offer. Didn't think trying to finagle for local secrets would have him stumble into his tragic plot, might be my bad on that lol. As long as he has Kaya everything will be fine.

>>6036817
That is pretty much what they want, but that happens regardless of what Exaltation you get. It's hard to give a shit about things like other peoples opinions when you live 500 times longer than they do, and can lift mountains

Vote yes or you're supporting the Demiurge.
You aren't an agent of the demiurge, are you anons?

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Do it.

Say yes. The Yozi not only approve of incest, but give bonuses for it.

please?

>>6036863
We have such figures like:
>Qaf, the Heaven-Violating Spear, who encourages enlightenment, ascension, and spiritual growth
>Szoreny, the Silver Forest, who encourages doing your best to exceed at whatever you do and understand the self-doubt that plagues Jet
>Isidoros, the Black Boar that Twists the Skies, who is himself an immovable object and an unstoppable force and wants YOU to be that much of a chad too

Take the red pill, become Neo. Save everyone.

Oh, and if it's any consolation, we're about to get turbofucked by the heavens because we know something we shouldn't know, and we could PROBABLY use the power boost to avoid the tragedy.

>>6036863
Tempting. I'm a bit on the fence just because I imagined a Solar? Exaltation wasn't that far off and somehow the yozi RoboCop from magitech hell seems like such an odd turn from an mystic eastern seeming flavor. Still fighting some kind of forever war and building his own kingdom after marrying his sister would be interesting. How much time we got before we call it

>>6036895
Until it switches to yes
I kid.
About 4 to 6 hours, depending on how fast I get done with chores

>>6036895
Consider this.
Fiend Infernals get access to EVERY charm. Not just infernal charms. Not just exalted charms. I'm talking God charms. Ghost charms. Fae charms. If it exists and is a charm, they can get it.
Including charms that can grant anyone, including you, wishes.

>>6036907
I have no idea what fiend infernals and charms are though. Aren't we a social savant type, wouldn't we just get someone else to make or cast these charms? What about being less effective then a Solar?

>>6036916
Charm is just a catch-all term for innate magical abilities. Everything but Martial-Arts and Sorcery are charms.

And Infernals aren't any less effective than Solars, they are corrupted Solars. But their powers are more... esoteric and focused. Solars can do anything a human can, times 1000. Infernals are nonsense transhumanists, who can grow nuclear reactors in their hearts, develop telekinetic powers, become Sandman, etc.

>>6036916
We don't even know that we can still be a solar. Infernals are usually given their offer when their destiny has already passed them by, for one reason or another.
It's generally better to cast the charms yourself, since encountering someone as powerful as yourself is rare to say the least, and your bonuses will generally eclipse those of the 'native users'. There's also the fact that you can't always have them with you, whereas if you can cast it yourself, it's always available.
Social savant types actually have a particularly effective role as Fiends, because fiends are supposed to be the ones that gather and distribute information while staying unknown to Creation. They are 'master manipulators'. Being able to smooth-talk your way out of any accusations is fantastic. Even better if you can socially maneuver your way into never being accused of anything wrong in the first place. At least, that's what I gather about it all. I'm just pouring over documents and wikis for the first time today.
As far as the gap between infernals and solars go, apparently it's fairly miniscule. And Infernals have a bit of an edge in certain regards, such as Not being cursed and having a way to reduce their equivalent, whereas no other exalt can reduce theirs and having the potential to become a nu-primordial

>>6036207
>>6036208
>>6036227
>>6036247
>>6036308
>>6036817
>No

>>6036210
>>6036212
>>6036236
>>6036327
>>6036670
>Yes

>>6036185
first time poster so do as you wish with my vote
>Yes
or we can leave the offer open

>>6036863
Say no. Prove Heaven wrong.

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>>6037000
Never

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>>6037002
It is unavoidable. It is your destiny.

>>6037002
Also the question is, are you doing a bit or is this actually what you want to write as a QM?

>>6037010
Yes
But I'll write whichever wins.

>>6037013
How would Kaya and Ena react to taking the deal?

>>6036895
This is me, had to go out and do shit

>>6037013
If it's for incest route I'll switch to a yes

>>6037015
Who says they'll know?

>>6037016
One of the Yozi is big into incest if that's what you're into

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>>6037016
I mean, saying no is the kind of thing that could be Solar Exaltation worthy.

>>6037017
We have an inquisitive sister. She will find out.

>>6037019
Kaya is smart but she doesn't have shit on Ted's dickery

>>6037020
She doesn’t have to out-nosy TED, she has to out-nosy us. Which is not hard when we’re critically weak to noogies. Also unless we keep doing a mortal cosplay forever we’ll have to drop the mask at some point.

>>6037022
That's the sweet deal about Infernal Exaltation.
You are not TED, sure. But you are learning his and all the other Yozis powers

>>6037023
Oh, I know all about Infernals. Why else would I be voting no?

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>>6037024
To uphold the status quo and enforce the false doctrines of the twice-betrayers who themselves would not hesitate to betray you if it served the same purpose.
I know what you are.

>>6037022
Keeping the cosplay going until we need to dramatically drop it would be peak cinema.

But I like solar exalted because I understand it to be "You, but the best you." And that is, Truly, what I like most.

>>6037026
Betrayers, you say? The first was no betrayal at all, the second only came about because the Solar’s minds were twisted.

>>6037027
>But I like solar exalted because I understand it to be "You, but the best you."
Basically, yeah.

Anyway I think I'm gonna call it here now.
>>6037016
With this anons permission I think Infernals won just by the skin of their teeth

>writing

>>6037028
It absolutely was a betrayal

>>6037029
I remain sus of that yes vote from a new IP that came in just a few minutes after a tally showed no as being ahead, but when the QM wants something that’s how it goes.

>>6037031
No? The humans swore no oaths.

>>6037034
The real turnaround was the switchvote desu, it shifted by a difference of 2

>>6037034
I think more QM's should exert their executive tie breaker votes.

It's very honest. Regardless, I hope this is gonna be cool.
I've no experience with exalted other than a few memes, what solars are, what dragonbloods are and that they are all somehow in the WoD continuity.

So these "corrupt solars" could be cool. I hope to maintain our loyalty to our house, but some deicide seems to be in order.

>>6037034
It was not the humans who were the betrayers but the gods. Specifically Conky who 100% fucked over his dad

>>6037040
I was going to but, then incest guy switched. If he complains though I'll concede

>>6037037
Yeah, I was just commenting.

>>6037040
Oh sure, I have no issue with QM’s having their say. There does come a point where it feels like they’re trying to direct the vote however, in which case why was a vote offered in the first place?

>>6037042
>gods
Well, yeah. As the quote says:
>http://exalted.xi.co.nz/wiki/QuotesofGoodness
>"Just because they're virtuous doesn't mean they're nice. Remember that Sol Invictus was the guy who murdered his parents because he wanted more time on the PS2"
I thought we were talking about the Solars.

>>6037047
There wouldn't be any Solars or other Exalted without the Sun, the Moon, the Maidens and Autochthon + Gaia

>>6037034
Yeah that was me
Short story : first post since a long time and i tried to do the captcha for ten minutes

>>6037052
>Autochthon
Look, you keep bullying that nerdy kid who’s good with machines, you’ve named your own punishment.

>>6037054
>i tried to do the captcha for ten minutes
Understandable.

Honestly i just didn't want to be a bitch and folded at the first sign of hardship, but then again heaven fucking you sideways is pretty hard for anyone.

“No, if you were actually watching me all this time then you'd know I’m not the kind of person that would take such a vague deal. One with a literal beetle no less! ”
Jet snapped at the demon, which laughed at him.

“Kehehe. As I said before Jet, there is no deal. Merely a gift. Which you may reject or accept. Afterwards you may do as you please. In fact, should you accept, the Yozi want nothing less for you. They know that you are smart, smarter than most of your kind. And you will learn on your own the depths of Heaven’s depravity. After which you’ll join us willingly, and we’ll welcome you as our brother. Nay, our prince!”

“Enough! I… I need time. I need to think.”

“That is the one thing we do not have Jet. You need to make your choice. The Ledaals have close ties with the agents of Yu-Shan. They no doubt already detected our intrusion and are well on the way. And I do not know about you but I do not wish to perish here. Now make your choice. Serve a heaven that disregards, nay loathes your very existence? Or welcome our embrace and rule as you were meant to be? Accept us Jet, for this might be your only chance at seizing your own destiny! What do you wish? Riches, kingdoms, power, indulgence? It is yours. You just have to take it. You just have to say yes!”

Jet starts biting his own nails. He sweats profusely like he never has before. His head is spinning so much he feels like he’s about to throw up. Deep down he wants to spit in the monsters face, to deny it to his last breath, for he suspects rejection will be met with violence. But some part of him, some incessant nagging in his heart is telling him to say it. To say yes and take what all these years was denied from him. He rejects that notion, he tightens his fist so hard it nearly draws blood and musters all his courage to look at the demon and say “no”.

But then Banatos removes her hands from her face. Her shift in demeanor causes the air to nearly freeze around Jet. She looks at him with eyes shining in all the colors there exist, and some that don’t.
“Brass Dragon. The Chosen Of Heaven Hath Seized Your Destiny. Do You Believe Thine Sister Is Any Different?”

“What?”

“What Will Be Of Her When She Is Bereaved Of You? Her Blood Will Be Used To Breed A Great And Terrible Army. Whether She Wants To Or Not.”

“You stay away from her!”

“She Is Of No Use To Us. A Terrestrial Is Too Weak. But Your Kind Hath Been Heavens Hounds For Centuries Now. She Will Make Good Stock For Them.”

“That’s… that’s not true!”

“Yet.”

There was something about that voice, that presence that was utterly undeniable. It rang with truth. Despite his knowledge, his better judgment, the impossibility of it all, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was truth spoken by something far greater than him.
“Then I accept!”