#Exalted

[tacticiankate]

Forgot I never posted this here, a comm from a couple months back of a client's full moon Lunar for an exalted game!

[disquiet-dream]

people talk about fictional religion so fascinatingly

specifically, as i've gotten back into exalted i've seen people talking about how the immaculate order in exalted 3e isn't so evil, as if it's primary social purpose isn't still to prop up a colonizing empire and (more importantly) it's caste system and divine right of kings

i mean to be clear i do think it's an improvement over previous version of it, since it's no longer "it's bad because it's a bunch of stupid wrong stuff anyone with a brain should understand is made up" - but it is still like. bad. just in the way, say, medieval christianity was bad, where it's ultimately just an extension of the existing social order, sometimes has some good effects on that social order, and you can see how someone could believe it earnestly without being stupid or evil

and like it doesn't really surprise me that people would basically go "supporting divine right of kings isn't all bad, it's nuanced when it's faith based". but like. come on lol.

(although, tbf, iirc previous versions were also less "it's bad for supporting the divine right of kings" and more "it's bad for supporting the divine right of bad kings (dragon blooded) instead of good kings (solar exalted)", so. further issues there.)

(actually i just realized the authors (along with some fans lol) were probably like that partially because solar exaltation is vaguely merit based. so a couple hundred people being divinely ordained god kings is a-ok so long as it's based on being cool instead of bloodline. which. well. is something.

anyway,)

[prokopetz]

Running an epic year-long Exalted 3rd Edition campaign culminating in a confrontation with the Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible purely to see the dawning horror in my players' eyes as debate breaks down, blades are drawn, and as I cue up the music for the final battle they hear the opening notes of Megalovania.

[halfbloodfanboy]

Solar Archery Capstone:

Sidereal Archery Capstone:

Abyssal Archery Capstone:

[an-teng]

King of Heaven, the Unconquered Sun.

[vixensdungeon]

Exalted isn't just a game for perverts who like lore, it's for absolute sickoes who like lore that's backed up by game mechanics.

[retroactivebakeries]

[chosenofthegods]

[probablybadrpgideas]

Abyssal exalted, as part of their dark bargain, can no longer use their living name. Instead, they must choose a new one from the following list:

Ol Boney' Bob

Susan "Spooks" McGee

Timmy Ghoulson Jr.

Bloodspiller Betty (of the Bloodspiller Betties)

Miss Murder Margret

Dr. Bonejangles

If they use any other name they immediately die. This is canon to all editions of Exalted, if the books say otherwise they're wrong.

[out-of-aces]

"kill them with kindness" WRONG. GHOST EATING TECHNIQUE

[karagna]

The queen "A Resplendent Eclipse Heralds the Arrival of the Heavenly Celestial Daughter" and her High General in Command, Andreus.

[tacticiankate]

Emerald and Percy officially got re-engaged a couple sessions ago, drew this based off that one photo to commemorate :)

[astrolovecosmos]

Sagittarius's and Gemini's Exaltation and Fall

I've noticed there isn't a lot of information online about how/why Sagittarius is exalted in the south node and fall in the north node and for Gemini vice versa. There can be some debate about this in certain practices.

South Node Exalted in Sagittarius: Sagittarius is famous for ideas around wisdom and philosophy which may at first seem more compatible with the North Node. However Sagittarius's zealous nature can root them in a stagnant comfort that doesn't want to challenge their beliefs. Their pride, selfishness, and potential limited experiences can hold them back in growth. The South Node is all about what we are comfortable with and this can encompass strengths and weaknesses. The South Node is comfortable in one's self and morals which is a great power for any individual. While the South Node is all about what we may need to leave behind, about our karma, Sagittarius's natural curiosity and depth allows the South Node to shine in terms of survival and being. There can be contentment, natural worth, and meaning in understanding and embracing the past or what is.

North Node Fall in Sagittarius: The NN in Sagittarius can feel overwhelmed in their quest for greater knowledge and purpose. Overconfidence in themselves or beliefs may cause frustration when confronted with uncomfortable growth or challenges. Sagittarius's need to anticipate the future can also present them with many disappointments. Sagittarius's impulsiveness and hard to satisfy nature can make this placement harder. Biting off more than they can chew may be the best way to describe the fall. But the lessons/wisdom this placement learns should truly be cherished and honestly, probably recorded for others.

North Node Exalted in Gemini: Gemini's curiosity can sometimes be more childlike or unassuming than Sagittarius's fiery and passionate pursuit of knowledge. This can help the North Node's expression. Their ability to listen and understand others, their appreciation for different kinds of connections helps pave the path for growth and change. Here Gemini looks for truth in people and in themselves vs. abstract ideas, beliefs, spirituality, religion, or ethics like Sagittarius might. Gemini's flexibility helps them to embrace the many choices of life and to step out of one's comfort zone often. (while Sagittarius is also flexible, they hold a clarity or honorable goal that Gemini might not.) Gemini in the NN learns to be open-minded, to express itself with confidence, and to view change positively.

South Node Fall in Gemini: The lack of focus and depth that comes with Gemini can cause the SN to often feel uncomfortable or insecure. The SN is what is comfortable, one's initial response or you could maybe look at this as one's programming, reaction, and stagnation. Gemini in the SN can be scattered, restless, and undisciplined never feeling quite at home, misunderstood by others, or feel disconnected to themselves. Their attachment to logic and intellect can be a great strength. They may feel most comfortable in situations that require logic, facts, and intellectual engagement. However, they may struggle when life demands deeper emotional or spiritual insight.

Because Sagittarius - Gemini are polar opposites, if you have one placement, you have the other. Which means you must navigate having one node exalted and the other fall.

Here are other posts about exaltation, fall, and some detriment planets.

[prokopetz]

I know Exalted 3rd Edition is just using "uncountable" as a game-mechanical term of art because saying "infinite" would clash tonally, but I kind of love the idea that some baddies can punch you so hard that they inflict a non-countably infinite number of levels of damage. I'm not sure what inflicting non-countably infinite damage would look like in practice, but I'd like to see it.

[dare-to-dm]

I don't really have a dog in this race as I'm very happy with my current TTRPG experiences and not looking to make any changes.

But y'all throwing tantrums about people wanting to play or mod D&D instead of trying other systems are not making it a very attractive prospect. I mean, the very way you express it comes off as insulting to your target audience, like if only they weren't so dumb and stubborn they'd be willing to try something else.

I've always been willing to try something new when someone's like "Hey, I'm running a game of [x], wanna join?" But I'm generally not willing to spend time with people who insult one of my favorite hobbies and act like I'm dumb for liking it. It's honestly a huge turn off.

And frankly, I've tried a few other TTRPGs and I still liked D&D 5E better than any of them. 5E is my least favorite version of D&D but it's still really fun. So the implication that if I could only bring myself to try something else I'd see what a fool I've been this whole time is just kind of dismissive.