CallMeCanon/Xenomorphics

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The Xenomorphic Exalted

by CallMeCal
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(Credit for the name "Xenomorphic" goes to my Storyteller)
Several Xenomorphic Charms reference the Penitence Chakra. See this page for more details.

Synopsis

[PLACEHOLDER]

Castes

When Luna's chosen were Exalted, they were given the sobriquet “Steward”, for they were to watch over Creation and keep it safe from the threat of the Wyld. The Xenomorphics have much the same purpose, but they are keeping Creation safe until the day the Yozis may reclaim it for their own. These Caretakers of Creation rise and fall to match the tidal fluxes of the Wyld, keeping chaos at bay until the Primordials may reign once again.

◆ High Tide

(Strength, Dexterity, Stamina)

When the forces of the Wyld are at their strongest, so must Creation's Caretakers be. High Tides are warriors, masters of Strength, Dexterity, and Stamina. They fight directly against the foes of True Creation, be they Wyld, gods, spirits, or Exalts. All those who would stand against Creation's return to purity are crushed beneath the mighty waves of Xenomorphic High Tide.

▲ Flood Tide

(Charisma, Manipulation, Appearance)

As the forces of the Wyld are rising, the Caretakers must prepare Creation for the battle that lies ahead. Gods and mortals alike must be made aware of the oncoming danger, and made able to do what they must to protect the purity of their home. Flood Tides are priests and courtiers, masters of Charisma, Manipulation, and Appearance. Through social prowess, they appeal to Creation's inhabitants on behalf of its Yozi parents, aligning them with truth and purity of being. Those who will not be swayed will be simply washed away in the Xenomorphic Flood Tide.

◀ Slack Tide

(Charisma, Manipulation, Intelligence)

When the Wyld currents slow to a stop for a moment before changing direction again, this is the time to strategize, to plan. Slack Tides are observers and tacticians, masters of Charisma, Perception, and Intelligence. These Caretakers see through the flaws and weaknesses in the plans of Creation's enemies, and construct battle strategies to sweep away the tainted and impure. None may stand for long against an army led by Xenomorphic Slack Tide.

▼ Ebb Tide

(Dexterity, Manipulation, Wits)

As the forces of the Wyld fall back, they are at their most distracted, and the Caretakers may infiltrate and sow confusion and discord among the enemies of Creation. Ebb Tides are spies, tricksters, and assassins; masters of Dexterity, Manipulation, and Wits. Creation's impurities are taken out one by one in the outflow of Xenomorphic Ebb Tide.

◇ Low Tide

(Perception, Intelligence, Wits)

When the Wyld has been pushed back for another cycle, the Caretakers must meditate on what they have discovered over the course of the fight, that future battles may be won more easily. The Low Tides are scholars and sorcerers, masters of Perception, Intelligence, and Wits. Creation's purity rests in the knowledge gained by Xenomorphic Low Tide.

◈ Intertidal

Every Xenomorphic starts its Exaltation as an Intertidal, shifting Caste with the flux of the Wyld as Luna was meant to do, keeping pace with it and keeping it at bay. Most Caretakers choose one Tide to be bound permanently into, specializing in what they are good at and leaving the other tasks to the other Xenomorphics. However, the Primordials in their infinite wisdom have found a way to bind the Xenomorphic to reality, keeping out the Wyld taint and preventing chimerism, while still allowing for the natural shifting of Caste to match forces with the Wyld. While most Xenomorphics are tattooed with straight and ordered lines of text, litanies of sin and penitence binding them firmly into their caste, the Intertidals' tattoos appear more curved, flowing like the Wyld currents they mimic. If you look closely though, each line in the twisted patterns of curves and angles is a string of words, spelling out the same litanies of sin and forgiveness that cover the skin of every Xenomorphic. The Intertidals are not allowed the comfort of specialization, nor the luxury of minmaxing, but must be ready to fight against Creation's enemies at every flux of the Wyld, in whatever way Creation needs protecting.

Charms

STRENGTH

Essence Gaining Method
Minimums: Essence 2, Strength 2
Cost: 5m, 1 wp
Duration: One Scene
Prerequisites: Any Strength Excellency
When this Charm is active, any time the Xenomorphic deals damage with a Strength based attack, she may sacrifice up to her permanent Essence in points of damage dealt and regain twice that many motes instead.

Essence Stealing Strike
Minimums: Essence 3, Strength 4
Cost: 2m
Type: Supplemental
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Essence Gaining Method
This Charm is used in conjunction with a Strength based attack against a being with a mote pool. If the attack deals damage, the Xenomorphic steals a number of motes from her target's mote pool equal to the damage dealt.

Essence Sapping Stance
Minimums: Essence 4, Strength 5
Cost: 10m, 1wp
Duration: One Scene
Prerequisites: Essence Stealing Strike
When this Charm is active, any time the Xenomorphic deals damage with a Strength based attack, she regains that many motes. If the target has an Essence pool, she also steals that many motes again from the target's mote pool.

STAMINA

Caretaker's Brazen Resolve
Minimums: Essence 3, Stamina 4
Cost: --
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Any Stamina Excellency
The Xenomorphics are protectors over Creation, and are empowered by their stewardship. With the purchase of this Charm, the Xenomorphic may recover motes by working to protect any social or military unit from danger or harm, so long as its protection is within the will of her patron Yozi. If so, each hour spent on such a task recovers motes equal to the unit's Magnitude. Otherwise, each hour spent on this gains her one point of Sin.
Each purchase of this Charm also adds 15 motes to the character's Peripheral Essence pool. This Essence cannot be committed to any artifact, and can only be recovered through the method above, or through Essence recovery charms. A character may not take this Charm more times than her permanent Essence.

Essence Drinking Defense
Minimums: Essence 3 Stamina 4
Cost: 5m, 1wp
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Any Stamina Excellency
Essence moves and flows within every aspect of Creation, be it the mass of an object, the energy of a thought, or the force of a motion, as it is this very essence from which the Primordials crafted reality itself. The Xenomorphic knows this, and when faced with an attack stands perfectly motionless, waiting. When the attack hits her skin, however, it stops dead, the essence of the blow's force absorbed into the Caretaker's mote pool. In response to an attack, make a parry with (Stamina + Resistance) in place of the normal parry stats. If the parry succeeds, calculate damage as though she had simply allowed the attack to hit her; the Caretaker regains one mote for every health level of damage rolled. However, if the parry fails, half of the damage dealt becomes Aggravated as the blow's essence tears through her soul. This charm can only parry physical attacks.

CHARISMA

Attention Grabbing Charms

Method of the Everpresent Stage
Minimums: Essence 2, Charisma 3
Cost: 2m
Type: Supplemental
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: Any Charisma Excellency
The Malfean performers are among the greatest within or without Creation, and know how to attract and maintain a crowd. When this Charm is used in conjunction with a long Charisma based action - such as making a speech, or performing a song or a dance - all those within visible distance or (Presence x 10) yards (whichever is smaller) instinctively realize that some sort of spectacle is occurring where the Caretaker stands, as if she were standing on a brightly decorated stage. Some may be intrigued, some disgusted, others disinterested, but all of their attention will be drawn and held for the duration of the action. Anyone with equal or higher Essence may make a Willpower roll to ignore the spectacle, difficulty of the Caretaker's Charisma. Lower Essence beings must burn a Willpower to ignore the spectacle.

And the Masses Shall Hear
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 5
Cost: 10m, 1wp
Duration: One Scene
Prerequisites: Method of the Everpresent Stage
The Primordials built Creation from the very Essence of existence, and if their heroes have a message for it they will be heard! While this charm is in effect, the range of any aural attacks - be they social or otherwise - made by the Xenomorphic and up to Charisma allies within (Presence x 10) yards have their range multiplied by (Essence - 2). In addition, all sentient beings (including demons or undead) within range automatically fail any attempt to ignore the attack. They may still resist any damage or other effects of the attack - including penalties due to distraction - but they must do so in some way other than by simply tuning it out.

To Rock and Roll Creation
Minimums: Essence 7, Charisma 6
Cost: --
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: And the Masses Shall Hear
This Charm permanently enhances And the Masses Shall Hear, so that it may include up to (Charisma + War) allies within (Presence x 50) yards, and so that it multiplies range by (Essence + 2). It also multiplies any damage or other effects of the attacks by (Essence - 5), and adds the Xenomorphic's (Presence) to the difficulty of resisting any of those effects. (Attempts to resist by tuning out or ignoring, obviously, still automatically fail). However, it also changes the cost of casting the Charm to 15m, 2wp

Musical Attack Charms

(Without a Charm or a Stunt, music may not be used to deal damage)
(Unless otherwise noted, all Musical Attack Charms have the Keywords Obvious and Area of Effect)
(All Musical Attack Charms are Unexpected unless the opponent has seen the attack before, or knows that the Xenomorphic can attack with music)
(If the Caretaker is attacked, she must succeed on a [Wits + Resistance] roll, difficulty of the damage received, to ignore the attack and keep playing)

Striking Rhythm Method
Minimums: Essence 1, Charisma 1
Cost: --
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Any Charisma Excellency
The Xenomorphic can see the flaws in the essence patterns of Imperfect Creation, and can resonate her music to realign them as they were meant to be. This Charm allows the Caretaker to make a musical attack with (Charisma + Performance). Range of this attack is the Xenomorphic's (Performance x 2) yards.

Precision Tempo Meditation
Minimums: Essence 2, Charisma 1
Cost: --
Duration: Permanent
Keywords: Not Area of Effect
Prerequisites: Striking Rhythm Method
The Xenomorphic can refine her music such that it resonates only along the seams she chooses. She may now make a focused attack on a single target. This attack is made with (Charisma + Performance) ÷ 2, but is only two ticks long. She may change targets with one tick if they are within (Wits ÷ 2) yards of one another; otherwise, changing targets takes two ticks. If the target is changed, the second becomes unexpected. The range of this attack is (Performance x 5) yards.

Perfect Harmony Prana
Minimums: Essence 3, Charisma 4
Cost: 2m or 1m (committed)
Duration: One Scene or Indefinite
Prerequisites: Precision Tempo Meditation
The Xenomorphic knows that her job is to destroy those who stand against Pure Creation, and leave that which remains as it should be intact. With this Charm, she is able to choose up to (Charisma + War) people who will be unaffected by her musical attacks, including Area of Effect ones. She must spend 2 motes per person she wishes to protect for a scene, or she can commit 1 mote per person to protect them indefinitely (until she decommits the motes). Demonic beings are automatically protected by this Charm, but do not count against the total and do not cost motes. This Charm also permanently increases the range of Striking Rhythm Method to (Performance x 10) yards, and Precision Tempo Meditation to (Performance x 15) yards.

Song of Shattered Air
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
The Xenomorphic makes the sign of Air's undoing and begins to sing or play. A slow, haunting melody floats forth from the Caretaker's lips or instrument. The perfect notes hang in the air around her, filling a circle of up to (Performance x 10) yards radius around her. As the last note of the melody approaches, it is suddenly replaced by a piercing note from the Malfean scales, which the air of Imperfect Creation cannot handle. The atmosphere in the circle pressure-detonates, causing the eardrums of all those in range to be destroyed, and dealing (Essence ÷ 2) unsoakable bashing damage. Mortals never recover; Exalts' eardrums are regrown once all health levels from the attack are healed. (This attack may be parried with [Stamina + Integrity]) Any beings who rely on Air based Essence (Air Elementals, Air Aspect Dragon Blooded, etc) may not respire Essence for the Caretaker's (Essence + Performance) actions.

Song of Shattered Earth
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
The Xenomorphic makes the sign of Earth's undoing and then begins an arpeggio of notes, dropping down a scale with each iteration. As it passes through the lower registers, it enters registers supernaturally low which Imperfect Creation cannot handle. An earthquake begins, affecting a circle of up to (Performance x 10) yards radius from the Caretaker, causing penalties due to distraction and unsure footing. Any buildings or other objects not made earthquake-safe are at risk just as they would be in a natural earthquake. The Xenomorphic may continue this Charm at a cost of only 1 mote per action, so long as she is not interrupted. The earthquake continues so long as she is playing, and stops as soon as she does. She may stop playing at any time as a reflexive action. Any beings who rely on Earth based Essence (Earth Elementals, Earth Aspect Dragon Blooded, etc) may not respire Essence for as long as she is playing, and for the Caretakers' (Essence + Performance) actions after she stops.

Song of Shattered Fire
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
The Xenomorphic makes the sign of Fire's undoing and begins to sing or play. The temperature around the Caretaker begins to drop to supernaturally freezing levels, starting from the point on which she stands and spreading outward at a rate of (Essence) yards per tick, to a maximum of ([Essence + Performance] x 10) yards. All natural fires in the area are extinguished, and any Essence based fires must make a resisted roll (difficulty of Xenomorphic's Essence, dicepool of Storyteller's discretion) to stay lit. Anima flares within the area are suppressed to half their strength, and all Anima effects require a Willpower roll (difficulty of the Xenomorphic's Essence) to activate. All Dexterity-based actions within the area suffer a -1 external penalty due to cold. Any beings who rely on Fire based Essence (Fire Elementals, Fire Aspect Dragon Blooded, etc) suffer a -2 penalty, and may not respire Essence for as long as she is playing, and for the Caretakers' (Essence + Performance) actions after she stops.

Song of Shattered Water
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
The Xenomorphic makes the sign of Water's undoing and begins to sing or play. Any who have made the arduous trek to Malfeas recognize this as Cecelyne's Melody. The area around the Caretaker begins to convert to supernaturally scorching desert, starting from the point on which the Xenomorphic stands and spreading outward at a rate of (Essence) yards per tick, to a maximum of ([Essence + Performance] x 20) yards. This desert is maintained as long as she continues playing, which she may do at a cost of 1 mote per action, and she may stop playing as a reflexive action. When she stops playing, by choice or by interruption, the desert begins to recede at a rate of 2 yards per tick. All those within the area must make a (Stamina + Survival) roll, difficulty of the Xenomorphic's Essence. If the roll fails, they suffer a -1 external penalty on all actions until they leave the desert. Any beings who rely on Water based Essence (Water Elementals, Water Aspect Dragon Blooded, etc) suffer a -2 penalty if they fail the roll, and may not respire Essence for as long as she is playing, and for the Caretakers' (Essence + Performance) actions after she stops even if they succeed.

Song of Shattered Wood
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
The Xenomorphic makes the sign of Wood's undoing and begins to sing or play. A distorted, eerily beautiful melody floats out from her lips or instrument, causing the sap in all plant life within a radius of the Xenomorphic's ([Performance + Essence] x 5) yards to convert to brass, iron, and other metals. The plants come to life, tearing themselves from the ground and manifesting as an army of troops Magnitude of the Caretaker's Essence. These troops remain active as long as she is playing, and for her Charisma actions after she stops, at which point they crumble into brass ash. Any beings who rely on Wood based Essence (Wood Elementals, Wood Aspect Dragon Blooded, etc) may not respire Essence for as long as she is playing, and for the Caretakers' (Essence + Performance) actions after she stops.

Song of Iron Cold Order
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 5
Cost: 10m, 1Pen
Duration: Instant
Prerrequisites: All five Songs of Shattered [Element]
While Creation has become broken and imperfect, the chaos of the Wyld is far, far worse. The Xenomorphic plays or vocalizes a single Malfean chord, which rings out beautifully into the air. She then begins to sing a song whose lyrics are the words with which reality was torn from chaos, its melody the notes which shaped Creation and gave it form, its rhythm the pulsing beat of logic beating against the waves of nonsense. This attack is made with (Charisma + Performance + Essence), deals Aggravated damage to Fair Folk, and atones for one point of Sin. However, it requires the Xenomorphic to burn a temporary point of Penitence to activate. Any beings who rely on Wyld based Essence (Fair Folk, Wyld-template Exalts, etc) may not respire Essence for the Caretaker's (Essence + Performance) actions.

Song of Creation's Sundered Seals
Minimums: Essence 6, Charisma 5
Cost: 10m
Duration: Varies
Prerequisites: All five Songs of Shattered [Element]
The Xenomorphic makes the five Elemental signs of undoing with a flicker of the wrist and begins to sing or play. Work in Progress.

Other Musical Charms

Melody of Essence Meditation
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 4
Cost: 5m
Duration: At least one hour
Prerequisites: Perfect Harmony Prana
As Champions of Hell, the Xenomorphics respire Infernal essence. However, as Caretakers of Creation, they spend most of their time outside of Malfeas where Infernal essence is scarce. The Xenomorphic sits down and begins to meditate on her Infernal nature and her Yozi masters, and begins to sing or play a soft, tranquil melody, reminiscent of Kamilla moving reverently through Vitalius. A bubble of Infernal essence emanates from her voice or instrument as the music taints the essence around it, encompassing a (Performance) yard radius around her. Any demonic beings, including herself, may respire essence within this area, and any non-demonic beings may not (unless protected by Perfect Harmony Prana). This bubble of essence is maintained so long as the Caretaker continues playing, and remains both focused and relaxed. If she is interrupted, she must make a Willpower roll (difficulty of Storyteller's discretion) to avoid being distracted. (She may burn a Willpower point on a failure.) This charm may not be activated in battle, and a Join Battle roll automatically counts as a successful distraction. The essence bubble dissipates immediately if she is interrupted, or if she stops playing voluntarily. Playing this melody counts as moderate rest. Lengthy use of this Charm may attract the attention of Heaven.

PERCEPTION

Pure Creation Charms

Pockets in Space-Time
Minimums: Essence 3, Perception 3
Cost: 2m (committed)
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisites: Any Perception Excellency
The Xenomorphic can see into Pure Creation, and can find pockets and folds that no denizen of Imperfect Creation could find. Holding any object the character can lift with one hand, she invokes this Charm and folds the object into such a pocket, and it remains there as long as she keeps the motes committed. She may do this with as many items as her permanent Essence. Withdrawing the item is a miscellaneous action.

Pristine Crease Trap-Door
Minimums: Essence 3, Perception 4
Cost: 7m
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Pockets in Space-Time
Work in Progress.

Safety in Hidden Purity
Minimums: Essence 4, Perception 5
Cost: 5m (+2m)
Type: Simple
Duration: Indefinite
Prerequisites: Pristine Crease Trap-Door
Work in Progress.

Imperfect Creation Folds Away
Minimums: Essence 5, Perception 5
Cost:--
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Pockets in Space-Time
The more in tune a Xenomorphic is with the Yozis' will, the clearer view she has of the shape of Pure Creation. This Charm adds the Xenomorphic's permanent Penitence to the number of items she can stow with Pockets in Space-Time, and people she can move with - and dice pools for - Pristine Crease Trap-Door and Safety in Hidden Purity.

Many-Seam-Woven Causeway
Minimums: Essence 6, Perception 6
Cost: 15m, 1wp
Duration: One scene
Prerequisites: Safety in Hidden Purity, Imperfect Creation Folds Away
WOrk in Progress

Interrogation Charms

Truth Sees Through Deception
Minimums: Essence 3, Perception 2
Cost: 5m
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Any Perception Excellency
This Charm is used in response to a statement or social attack, and determines whether the speaker is honest or lying. (If Essence is involved, this Charm adds the Xenomorphic's (Essence ÷ 2) successes to the resisted roll.) It only detects a direct intent to deceive, however; if, for example, the statement is false but the speaker believes it to be true, it will be interpreted as honesty. Additionally, statements such as euphemisms, riddles, or even outright falsehoods for the purpose of communicating a more complicated truth* - as the Yozis are known often to use - will also be interpreted as honest. After all, methods used by those who created truth cannot really be said to violate it, can they?
*Example: Telling a child about Santa Claus to impart the wisdom that good deeds are rewarded while bad deeds are punished would register as honest to this Charm.

WITS

Instinctive Arachnid Precognition
Minimums: Essence 4, Wits 4
Cost: 5m
Type: Reflexive
Duration: Instant
Prerequisites: Any Wits Excellency
The Xenomorphic taps into her deepest instincts, tingling alertly to an attack before it is even thrown. This Charm makes any unexpected attack expected.

Always Ready for War
Minimums: Essence 4, Wits 5
Cost: --
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Instinctive Arachnid Precognition
The Primordials lost the war against the Exalts because they were caught off guard and unprepared. They have ensured that their Xenomorphic heroes will not fall prey to the same. From now on, add (Permanent Penitence) successes to Join Battle rolls.

KNACKS

War Form Knacks

The three basic Lunar War Forms all have Xenomorphic equivalents:
Deadly Beastman Transformation becomes Wrathful Djinn Transformation
Majestic Beastman Transformation becomes Wondrous Djinn Transformation
Wise Beastman Transformation becomes Cunning Djinn Transformation
Mechanically, the Djinn forms are essentially identical to their Beastman equivalents, though in flavor everything that is animalistic for the Beastman forms is Demonic for the Djinn forms.

Repudiation of Adorjan
Minimums: Essence 4, Charisma 5
This Knack adds one dot each to Charisma and Performance of the Caretaker's War Form. It also doubles the range of all musical attacks, but lowers the Tell MDV by 2.

Shapeshifting Knacks

Fang of Twisting Vitriol
Minimums: Essence 4, Strength 4
A Xenomorphic with this Knack may spend an extra two motes when shapeshifting into a form for which her weapon is not compatible, and the weapon will shapeshift with her, becoming useable by whatever form she takes. If she does not spend the motes, the weapon is banished to Elsewhere as usual. If a weapon shrinks, its stats are lowered proportionately to the size decrease. If it grows, it keeps the stats for its natural size. This knack only works with Moonsilver weapons. Any time the Caretaker wields a weapon that she could not wield without this Knack, her Tell MDV becomes zero. Any time the weapon is banished to Elsewhere, it reverts to its original shape.

Hide of Flowing Ichor
Minimums: Essence 5, Stamina 5
Prerequisites: Changing Plumage Mastery, Fang of Twisting Vitriol
A Xenomorphic with this Knack may spend an extra two motes when shapeshifting into a form for which her armor is not compatible, and the armor will shapeshift with her, becoming appropriate for whatever form she takes. If she does not spend the motes, the weapon is banished to Elsewhere as usual. If the armor must shrink to fit the form, its stats are lowered proportionately; otherwise, the armor's attributes remain natural. It cannot grow any larger than it would have to to fit the character's War Form. This Knack only works with Moonsilver or Moonfaced armors. Any time the Caretaker wears armor that she could not wear without this Knack, her Tell MDV becomes zero. Any time the armor is banished to Elsewhere, it reverts to its original shape.