I have a character I want to share. I was hoping you all could help me fill in any holes or inconsistencies. I dont have the CotI book but it is in the mail, so my Mentor has yet to be identified as one as I dont really know anything except what was said in the main book.
The underline in my storyline is there to allow my storyteller to fill in so that I can easily meet with one or more of my group members. I dont know if the points on the character add up yet. I think it should, but I'm not sure. The multiple names are there because I havent yet decided on one. Maybe some input on that too? All my listed abilities are my favored. I dont have any points in unfavored abilities. If you think I should take some, please give reason and what I should trade for it. Also, is there anything that should be added or removed from the backstory for consitency reasons? Anything that might just be cool if added? Possibly some information about the Dragon-Blooded guy since I dont know much about DB's. If I can get this character to a good completion I will put the refined character into the submissions thread.Born and raised in Gem, a typical child of the south. Black hair, brown sandy skin. Superstition and Astrology was ingrained in me as a young child. It was the way of the southerners to be that way. I had a good childhood. I had all the things I wanted. My father was a gem hunter, and a good one at that. That is how he made his living and I was proud to follow in his footsteps. I was a renowned gem hunter as I strived in every way to make my father proud. Such a drive makes for a lot of practice, a lot of practice makes you pretty good at what you do.
My father eventually passed away. He was a very hard worker and it had worn him down over time. I guess it had to happen eventually, but I still took it pretty hard. My mother took it especially hard also. So much so that she also died about a year later from compounding illnesses brought on by grief. She took the death of father in a different way than I did. She grieved herself to death. I worked even harder to make my father even more proud.
One day about 3 years later, while working the dunes I happened across a small Hearthstone. Ofcoarse at the time I didnt know what it was. I thought it was just another gem. It was very different than any I had found before though. Some of the others had seen me pull it up and were looking at it also. I guess word gets around. The local thugs of Rankar came knocking on my door requesting I have the stone appraised by an "inspector". There was a huge fuss over it, so I knew I had something special. Rankar VII, in is infinite respect for his people, then ordered his cronies to confiscate my favorite gem. Obviously I didnt give it to them. I lied, I told them that I had lost it on one of my trips around town. They put my home in shambles looking for the thing, but my little hiding place was too descrete. That, still, was too much to handle. The governing forces of Gem, for as long as I can remember, had pushed its people around as they pleased. I felt the need for a change, the only way I was going to get a change was by force. I formed a small militia to start a revolution in Gem. I thought we had a pretty good plan of action. I had thought incorrectly. My band of visionary fighters were quickly dispatched by one of the local strong arms of Rankar VII. All he need do was order one of his powerful units to squelch our whisper of a usurpation. Most of my comrades in arms were slain in the fray, the few that were captured, besides me, were publically executed as an example. I, being the brainchild of the "progressive movement", was given a special sentence. I was dragged naked, tied by the ankles, by horse to a far off, desolate region of the desert. I was strung out in the shape of an X and left for the vultures.
The sun beat hard on my naked body the following day as I grew very thirsty. Day two was even worse, as the sun had seared my flesh to the point that every grain of sand that blew against my body felt as if I were being stung by a thousand scorpions. On the third day I had had enough. I was exhausted and my body wouldnt work if I were to be freed. I had given up. During my last moments, as I look to the sun with my painfully dry eyes, the sun that would be my death, the burning sphere in the sky spoke to me. With profound words of encouragement and purpose, gave me the strength to brake free of my bonds. The symbol on my chest a reminder of whom I owe my life. As of he had been branded from my instillation of power. With my new found energy, I made the journey back to civilization. I had knowledge of how to survive alone in the forsaken areas that I had not previously had. I was able to find shelter, food and water, all I needed to survive on my journey home. I knew home wouldnt receive me well though. I had made a plan as to how I would go about getting into my house to reclaim that which I needed and what I actually needed to take with me.
About a week after being freed I was upon the city I USED to reside. The night came and I made my move. It seemed as though I was being guided when to move and where to move without being seen. My home had been ransacked. Obviously they were looking for the gem. I was happy to see that they didnt find my hidden stash with it and other gems. I would be able to survive with the money I could get from them for a decent amount of time. I put on some of my clothing that had been thrown to the floor in the raid of my home and turned to leave. My way out felt just as guided as my way in. In and out without a fuss, they way I had hoped. I then went to my little hiding place to pull myself together and figure out what to do next. I wanted so badly to change Gem, I still do, but not right now. It is not time for me to die. My mind pondered thoughts of revenge and what I would do when I would return to Gem. All the way back to my hideout my mind was racing. I remember it gave me the worst headache.
I got back to my hideout and made myself a little fire and cooked up a tiny meal. I still had to eat even at a time like this. I was so preoccupied with everything else, it took me atleast 10 full minutes to see that someone had been here. I stayed calm in case they were still around so to not let them on that I knew. I moved my eyes around to see if I could catch a glimpse of anyone. Once I had convinced myself to get up, I had a thorough look around. They had gone whomever it was, but had left an exquisite piece of armor and a scimitar. Both a brilliant golden color. A note attached read only this;
*Gifts to help you on your way.*
~A friend
How thoughtful I thought sarcastically. This was absurd. How could anyone know that I had survived, let alone be a friend. I took the "gifts" anyway, and proceeded to pack up and head out. I didnt like the idea of anyone whom knew me knowing where I was.
Knowing the exact direction of Gem, I was able to make my way to The Lap. The closest city to Gem. Being that it is such a vast distance to cover, even for being the closest city, I had to find a means of transportation. I had my gems though, so I was able to buy a way. A caravan headed there from Gem. I knew this caravan, they made trips every so often so I knew they would know nothing of me. I was expected to be dead so why would there be wanted posters for me? I helped the caravan with what I could on the way so as to not be dead weight. It took 3 full moons to get to The Lap. The ride was long, I was very excited that it was over. I immediately took in the surroundings and familiarized myself with the local places of interest. The inn, the pub, the convienience store. I was able to get settled after a couple weeks. I found work helping man the squash farms. I was able to rent out a small hut to live in. All in all it was good. I had my peace and quiet at night so that I could prepare for the journey ahead.
On the 18th night since I arrived at The Lap, I got a wrap on the door of my small hut. I had a couple friends already from the farm. I figured that it was probably just one of them. I opened my door and there was a slender man that I had never seen before. My first thought was "they knew I was alive and have found me". I kept my composure though, and politely asked "may I help you?". The man said he had come to talk about some things. I asked "what things?". The man said "I'm A friend". I felt I was in no immediate danger from this man, and remembering the note, I let him in. He stayed for a good amount of time, explaining to me my recent experience in the desert. I had assumed that with all this information, he must be a patron of the Unconquered Sun. This went on for a couple more weeks with him coming by at night and staying for a good amount of time. He even helped point me in the direction I was to go next. I had a "feeling" that what he said was true, and that I would have done so myself. I had a feeling that there was someone I needed to meet in ________. I had seen it in the stars.
==========================================================================
Reason for exaltation - (my ST is really anal about why we were chosen to be exalted)
Because I took on a leadership role to combat what I felt was unjust, I was chosen to be exalted in my time of need. I still hold a strong desire to rid the realm of unjust governence and is driven further by my exaltation. Signs from the Unconquered Sun point me in this direction to "cleanse" the realm of what is corrupt and unjust. To take back the realm from the Dragon-Blooded.
Aspect of Fire Dragon-Blooded of house Cathak w/ Red Jade Artifact weapon laden with hearthstones as shown on p31, example A.
Name: Crimson Tiger, Crimson Lion, Crimson Wolf, Bronze Tiger, Bronze Lion, Bronze Wolf,
Ruby Tiger, Ruby Lion, Ruby Wolf, Silken Tiger, Silken Lion, Silken Wolf.
Caste: Zenith
Archtype/Nature: Visionary Rebel Leader
Compassion: 2
Conviction: 2
Temperance: 3
Valor: 2
Willpower 7 (4 freebie points)
Backgrounds:
-Mentor: 2
-Artifact:2 (Orichalcum Breastplate, p.346)(Orichalcum Scimitar)
-Manse: 1 (Hearthstone)
-Resource: 2
Str. 3 Cha. 4 Per. 2
Dex. 4 Man. 2 Int. 3
Sta. 4 App. 3 Wit. 2
Melee 4 (Specialty Sword x2, 1 freebie point)
-Excellent Strike
-Hungry Tiger Technique
-Golden Essence Block
-Dipping Swallow Defense
-Solar Counterattack
Athletics 3
-Increasing Strength Exercise
Investigation 3
-Ten Magistrate Eyes
Endurance 3
-Ox Body Technique
-Essense-Gathering Temper
Performance 3
-Masterful Performance Exercise
Presence 1
Survival 3
-Hardship-Surviving Mendicant Spirit
Resistance 3
Lore 2 (1 freebie point)
Occult 1 (Specialty Astrology, Horoscopes x2) (1 freebie point)
Combos
Satisfying Retaliation (Solar Counterattack + Essence-Gathering Temper) (2 freebie points)
Cost: 4 Motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Savage Tiger Strike (Excellent Strike + Hungry Tiger Technique) (2 freebie points)
Cost: 1 Mote + 1 Mote per die, 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Supplemental
Merits & Flaws
Superstition (1 point flaw)
Equipment:
Orichalcum Breastplate (artifact 1): L:8/B:6 Fatigue -0, Mobility -0
Orichalcum Scimitar: Speed +4, Accuracy +2, Damage +2L, Defense +2
Silk Clothing: Cloak, Shirt, Pants. Red sand colored.