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Edge of Destruction- A Gem City Watch Campaign

This is my aide memoire for the Exalted game which I'm running for YerMum, Vervain and others in London. Basic Premise is to run a Heroic Mortals game with the PC's as Gem's underfunded City Watch.

Conceptually its Exalted meets Ankh Morpork meets Crowner John and the Falco mysteries. Origins of the campaign

My vision of Gem-

Gem is set into the side of a (supposedly) extinct volcano Minas Tirith style, with great markets, homes, slave pens set deep into the lava tunnels and chambers of the mountain. The rich and noble live at the top on the Peak, dominated by Despot Rankar VII's Diamond Palace.

Down the northern, shaded and cooler slope the middle class and prosperus live in the Shades district. The Watch's HQ, the decaying Granite Tower is mid-Shades. At the foot of the mountain, spread out on the desert plain, exposed to the sun and heat is the Hot District- a sprawling shanty town surrounding the base of Gems volcano, filled with beggars, cattle pens, caravanesaris, hovels, adventurers, cholera and typhus, and of course the destitute. Here the Ruby Citadel and the mercenary army guards the approaches to the city.

The economics of Gem rely on the valauble minerals to be found in this hellhole. Like many human ventures, its the Jewel-rush which makes Gem a viable settlement, despite having to import most of its water and food across the desert.

The Despot grants local monopolies to those nobles and Guilds able to afford them. As long as he receives his cut, he is happy to leave business to them, so long as they take responsbility for their own security. He is rumoured to have reached an accomodation with the powerful Obsidian Thieves Guild, partially legalising them. He's found its more economic if the theives do less work then if he pays the Watch to do more. Now the theives sell protection to citizens (giving them a black armband to wear, which then warns thieves off them) and when they steal, they leave a shard of obsidian behind. If citizens want their stuff back, they can go to certain taverns and buy it back from the Guild.

As a result, over the last decade or so, the City Watch has been stripped back, Watch Houses closed, wages frozen, discouraged from pursuing the criminals. Now only the disgraced and desperate work for the Watch, patrolling the streets and ringing their bell to announce "All is Well!".

But all is not well in Gem......

Cast of NPC's

(which may well organically expand further)

Despot Rankar VII- as played by the Patrician.

Lord Steward Valtess- Gives the PC's their orders. Mouthpiece for the Despot Arrogant & dismissive of Captain Brand and busted him down to the City Guard in disgrace. Currently under arrest for High Treason. Played by Alan Rickman

Great Aunt Marigold. Age 73, the Despots last living relative.

Chief Clerk Sitting Dove. The paymaster for the Despots Treasury- Peter Mandelson

General Braun Dragonroar- commander of Gems Mercenary armies. Usually to be found drunk. Brian Blessed

Major Ymes (WHY-mes), formerly of the Palace Guard. Hates the Watch as incompetents and disgraces. Punished for High Treason against the Despot he is now the Head of Maintenance and Janitorial for the Scorpion Pits.

Guilds & Nobles
Rankar- Gems & Jewelry
Arbani & Sons- Firewands
House of Sahlak, led by Mother Sahlak (who is played by Glenn Close) is brothels & dream parlours
House Iblan- Gold & Silver trade- 3 sons- Amir (23), Fareem (19) and Ahmed (10))
House Dari- Water and Camel Dung (Utilities). Lady Dari and her 2 daughters, the beauty Topaz (18) and the brat, Amethyst (11)
Circla & Co. Gladiators Arena
Trasti- Banks & Gambling Dens
Quiet Fox is the defacto head of the Obsidian Thieves Guild- stolen items can be bought back, protection against theft available if you wear a black badge. They leave a piece of obsidian behind to mark their crimes. Now on the run after their failed Coup attempt
Black Night- Assassins Guild

Diplomats & Travelers

Ambassador Hollow Reed of Paragon (Looks like Neville Chamberlain)
Demi-Prefect Shania, his bodyguard or minder? (played by Denise Crosby)
Deputy Khan Fast Horse- envoy from Chiarascoro. Likes the desert races.

Street Contacts

Hal- street urchin- knows whats going on. Claims to have Terrestial ancestors.
Blind Man Fish- beggar
"Two Ales" Sextus- tavern proprieter
Young Iblan Ahmed- YasalCrystalDuellist
Ginger- YasalCrystalDuellist
Amethyst Dari - See above- a YasalCrystalDuellist
Fragrant Blossom- Houri with a Heart.
Khalid the Slaver- partner to the deceased Weyoun & his legal heir
Marta- Head slave of Weyouns Household. Willed to Khalid.
Euphenes the Scribe- slave accountant to Weyoun & Khalids partnership. Willed to Khalid
Silver Coin- supposed pawnbroker, suspected fence for non-Obsidian theives.
Desert Goat- money man for the Obsidian Thieves Guild, now deceased
Ahram the Trader- dodgy trader who lost a bundle 3 years ago. Had a Firedust export lisence. Fled to the Lap
Prophetic Voice- astrologer for hire, sensitive to noise.
Venerable Otaki- deaf ex-miner.
Dashing Hare- Rogue & Scoundrel. Seduced Topaz Dari.
Nesta the Maid- a woman seduced and then disapointed by the Captain.
Five Knives- a psychopath and lieutenant of Quiet Fox.

Religions

Immaculate Order- Master Ledaal Tanaka- wise Sifu and traditionalist- now a Phoenix
Cathak Anaria- female hot head with Fire Dragon Style, currently conveting to the Solar Church
Mad Fraho- Cultist of Ikerre. Fae hater. Claims to know where the Eye of Ikerre fell.
Mrs. Ahlat. Bride of Ahlat. Hundred God Heretic. Tall, lean Zulu.
Angry Tiger- revolutionary & idealist.
Righteous Serpent- High Priest to the Temple of the SnakeGodSsseth.

Exalts in Gem

Cathak Aron. A Legionnaire stationed here. Hates Gem, keeps having accidents with firedust. Brother of Anaria
Lord of Silent Repose- Moonshadow Abyssal emissary from the First & Forsaken Lion. Currently free, his carriage is said to visit the Diamond Palace most nights.
Maiden of the Mirthless Smile- Dusk Caste warrior and dread interior decorator. Voiced by Linda Barker.
Knight of Dark Renown - a Moonsilver Plate clad Daybreak and necromancer.
Voice of Oblivion- A silent Midnight Caste zealot, feared by other Abyssals
Disciple of the Seven Forbidden Wisdoms- a Day caste Archer par excellence
Cathak Anaria (see above)
Master Ledaal Tanaka (see above)
Demi-Prefect Shania (see above)
King-Of-The-Desert- a feral Full Moon caste Lion-totem Lunar
The Mahdi- Zenith Caste Messiah of the Dehennen Nomads

Victims

See the ChalkBoard for more details

Drunken Horse- Dead & Eviscerated in the Hot District. Sewer Monster case closed.
Unknown drayman- second victim of the Sewer Monster, eviscerated in Hot District. Closed
Weyoun the Procurer- presumed dead of Spontanous Human Combustion. Under Investigation.
Jade Eyes- dead Courtesean found in Hot District bedsit. Spontanous Human Combustion. No apparent connection to Weyoun other than manner of death
Joaqim the Dreamer- anarchist and orator. Reportedly missing, had 2 close friends- Petal the girlfriend & Yellow Dog, a layabout/ ne'er do well who sold Joaqims stuff to Silver Coin, a fence
Autumn Breeze, artist, scultress and dreamstone addict. Dissapeared in a golden blaze during the night but didnt leave ashes.
Achmed, Wali and Djion- three rich johns killed & possessed by Yigor to go whoring & visit Fragrant Blossom.
Ali al' Mazarin- last Watch Exorcist. Died 5 years ago, eaten by Hungry Ghost.
Old Tam and McMurty- decapitated by the alien Hunter in Gate Tower.
Desert Goat (Lieutenant in Obsidian Guild) & unidentified slave messenger- Killed by alien Hunter at 15 Opal St.

Locations-

Diamond Palace- Home of the Despot, set high in a lava tube.
Ruby Citadel- Gems Armies.
Granite Tower- base of the (reduced) City Guard.

The Market- set in the interior of a mid level lava tube
The Slave Stalls- slave market- Deep interior low level lava tube. Cholera & Typhus rampant.
The Camel Pens- Hot District, scene of murder most terrible.

Emerald Bower- a posh and trendy restaurant in the Upper Shades
Dragons Rest- tavern & watering hole for the Guard in the lower Shades.
Hungry Yeddim- saloon/cathouse in the Hot District
Camels Bottom- the worst hive of scum and villainy in the Hot District. Now destroyed, but sure to rise again.

Notes

Slavery in Gem
Gem's relationship to the Realm
City Watch Department of Forbidden Magics and Profane Rites
Calendar for Creation
Oaths Sanctified by Floating Summer Orchid
Mail & Steel stats for the City Watch
Fae in my campaign
Treasures of Gem
How the Lord of Silent Repose came to be Imprisoned below the Granite Watchtower
What savants know of Aranea Spirits of Secrets
Realms ABC Primer The "ABC" for the Realm Education system
Solaria What you have heard about this tiny country.
Immaculate Hymns A small selection...
Solarian Exalts The Realm's outcasts
The Sky Eater The Sky-Eater- First & Forsaken Lions Flagship

Players Characters

Burning Brand
Jak
Captain Ibrahim al'Amarah
Ravitsu Cail
(Cathak) Alana
Floating Summer Orchid

Campaign Log

ChalkBoard
SJESJE/GMSection
SJESJE/CampaignHouseRules
SJESJE/Session1 (10 Descending Fire) - In the Beginning...
SJESJE/Session2 (11 Descending Fire) - Demons and Abyssals
SJESJE/Session3 (12 Descending Fire) - Stealing from Sssseth
SJESJE/Session4 (13 Descending Fire) - Lion Taming, Exalted-style!
SJESJE/Session5 (13 Descending Fire) - Send in the Clowns
SJESJE/Session6 (14 Descending Fire) - Yigor the Nemessary
SJESJE/Session7 (14 Descending Fire) - Nobody expects the Wyld Hunt...
SJESJE/Session8 (15-16 Descending Fire) - Investigations continue
SJESJE/Session9 (16 Descending Fire) - The Darkness Below
SJESJE/Session10 (17 Descending Fire) - Exaltations Complete
SJESJE/Session11 (18 Descending Fire) - New Arrivals
SJESJE/Session12 (18-19 Descending Fire) - Predator
SJESJE/Session13 (19 Descending Fire) - The Ambassadors Reception
SJESJE/Session14 (20 Descending Fire)- The Chase is On!
SJESJE/Session15 (20 Descending Fire)- End of the Hunt
SJESJE/Session16 (21-22 Descending Fire)- Together They Fight Crime!
SJESJE/Session17 (23 Descending Fire)- Fox Holed
SJESJE/Session18 (24-25 Descending Fire)- Road Trip
SJESJE/Session19 (25-28 Descending Fire)-Paragon Arrives
SJESJE/Session20 (28 Descending Fire)-Behind Enemy Lines
SJESJE/Session21 (28 Descending Fire)- Stampede
SJESJE/Session22 (1 Calibration)- The Prodigal Returns
SJESJE/Session23 (1 Calibration)- Scorpion Pits and Beer Duels
SJESJE/Session24 (1-2 Calibration)- Bollywood, Exalted-style!
SJESJE/Session25 (2 Calibration)- Dueling Demons
SJESJE/Session26 (2 Calibration)- The Passion of the Captain
SJESJE/Session27 (2 Calibration)-From Hell
SJESJE/Session28 (2 Calibration)- Sacrifices
SJESJE/Session29 (2 Calibration)- Dark Deeds
SJESJE/Session30 (2 Calibration)- Betrayal!
SJESJE/Session31 (2 Calibration) - The Final Battle Pt.1
SJESJE/Session32 (2 Calibration) - The Final Battle Pt.2
SJESJE/Session33 (3 Calibration) - Carnival of Meeting
SJESJE/Session34 (4-5 Calibration) - Excession
SJESJE/Session35 (5 Calibration) - Contact with the Autocthonian Culture
SJESJE/Session36 (5 Calibration - 1 Ascending Air) - The Great Gem Kettle Shortage
SJESJE/Session37 (1-2 Ascending Air) - Regime Change
SJESJE/Session38 (2 Ascending Air) - A Fistful Of Chakrams
SJESJE/Session39 (2 Ascending Air) - For A Few Chakrams More
SJESJE/Session40 (2-4 Ascending Air) - The Good, The Brand And The Ugly
SJESJE/Session41 (4-6 Ascending Air) - You're Not Smiting Any More
SJESJE/Session42 (6 Ascending Air) - Dangerous Liaisons
SJESJE/Session43 (6-7 Ascending Air) - The Filth And The Fury
SJESJE/Session44 (7 Ascending Air) - Deliverance
SJESJE/Session45 (7-9 Ascending Air) - The Revenge of Ssseth
SJESJE/Session46 (9-10 Ascending Air) - Snakes In A Fane
SJESJE/Session47 (11-12 Ascending Air)- Gods & Exalts
SJESJE/Session48 (13-14 Ascending Air) - Damascene Conversions
SJESJE/Session49 (15th Ascending Air) - The Fall of the Temple
SJESJE/Session50 (16-20 Ascending Air) - Uninvited Guests
SJESJE/Session51 (20 Ascending Air) - Trouble in Paradise
SJESJE/Session52 (21 Ascending Air) - Framed for a Crime they have yet to commit...
SJESJE/Session53 (21 Ascending Air) - Lie Low & Stitch
SJESJE/Session54 (21-24 Ascending Air) - The Five Commandments
SJESJE/Session55 (25 Ascending Air) - Mugs (Where Everybody Knows Her Name
SJESJE/Session56 (25-26 Ascending Air) - Enemy At The Pub
SJESJE/Session57 (26 Ascending Air-3 Resplendent Air) - Heart of Darkness
SJESJE/Session58 (3 Resplendent Air) - Black Narcissus
SJESJE/Session59 (3 Resplendent Air) - Heart of Darkness Redux
SJESJE/Session60 (3-5 Resplendent Air) - Strange Bedfellows
SJESJE/Session61 (5-10 Resplendent Air)- Intermission
SJESJE/Session62 (10-16 Resplendent Air)- Day & Night
SJESJE/Session63 (16 Resplendent Air)- Igor, Throw the Switch!
SJESJE/Session64 (17 Resplendent Air)- Party Before You Die
SJESJE/Session65 (18 Resplendent Air)- Thunderbirds Are Go...
SJESJE/Session66 (18 Resplendent Air)- What Goes Up...
SJESJE/Session67 (19-22 Resplendent Air)- What Price Victory?
SJESJE/Session68 (22 Resplendent Air)- The Face of Oblivion
SJESJE/Session69 (22 Resplendent Air)- Last Stand at the Coral Corral
SJESJE/Session70 (22-15 Descending Air)- Where the Wild Things Are
SJESJE/Session71 (15 Descending Air- 1 Ascending Water)- Absolutely Fabulous
SJESJE/Session72 (1 Ascending Water) - Carry on Catering
SJESJE/Session73 (1-5 Ascending Water)- Court TV
SJESJE/Session74 (5-10 Ascending Water) Wedding Bells
SJESJE/Session75 (10-12 Ascending Water) A Day at the Races
SJESJE/Session76 (12 Ascending- 15 Descending Water) Spider, Spider on the Wall...
SJESJE/Session77 (15-22 Descending Water) An Interesting Proposal
SJESJE/Session78 (22-28 Descending Water) Terms of Surrender
SJESJE/Session79 (1 Ascending Earth) Mad (as a) Hatters Tea Party
SJESJE/Session80 (1 Ascending Earth) When Exalts Collide
SJESJE/Session81 (1-28 Ascending Earth) Reconstruction
SJESJE/Session82 (1-15 Resplendent Earth) The Tragedy of Saint Alana, Shakespeare-style.
SJESJE/Session83 (15 Resplendent Earth) Into the Belly of the Beast
SJESJE/Session84 (15-20 Resplendent Earth) I am Rubber, you are Glue

Links

RPG.net Discussion Thread RPG.net discussion of the campaign.
Kasumis Sidereal Actual Play An inspiration for my game!
Detecting Exalts
Air Immaculate Discussion
HQ- Actual Play for kids Simply brilliant
Beyond the Lighthouse of Madness Pt.1
Beyond the Lighthouse of Madness Pt. 2
Actual Play: Midnight A previous campaign
Monotheism in Exalted
Free Will vs. Fate
The Iliad in Creation An idea to return to at some point.
Creation is a Lie. Exalted meets Kult Another idea to throw in at some point
Devil Tiger of Malfeas A Lunar Akuma development thread
Realm Civil War Some excellent analysis of Realm fault lines.
DB Teamwork Some ideas for DB tactics & teamwork charms
Kasumi 201 2nd Ed Exalted Combat
War 301 An exellent look at 2nd Ed Mass Combat

Please Add Comments Here

I've been beaten to it. Darn. I've been thinking about a game in which Exalted meets the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, in one form or another, for a while. I couldn't decide if I just wanted to port the heroic mortal rules for Exalted over to Discworld or if I wanted to port the City Watch into Exalted, or if I wanted to do something totally different and crazy involving the Shadowrun rules, of all things. You have a neat idea going, I think. -- Vervain

Just finished reading the thread from rpg.net and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it, sounds like a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable game! Very much pleased to find out it was also a UK group ;) If I was closer (live in Southampton) I'd love to have joined in. Keep up the excellent storytelling :) -- RoninKitty