BurgerSlave/CelestialConfigurationOfHeavenStyle

Celestial Configuration of Heaven Style Martial Arts

The Sidereal Exalted are peerless masters of the martial arts, rivalling even Dawn Caste Solars for their disciplined command of Essence. They alone hold the secret of the Blossoming of the Lotus and the creation of Sidereal-type martial arts. Each Sidereal style encompasses a broad concept inherent to Creation. The Celestial Configuration of Heaven was created so that those Sidereals interested in the nuances of controlling destiny could further refine their power over fate.

Like all Sidereal-type martial arts, a student of Celestial Configuration of Heaven style must have mastered the ultimate Charm of a Celestial-type martial art before they can learn this style's Form Charm. Because this style draws so heavily upon Sidereal control of fate, even those Chosen of the Gold Faction are wary of teaching Solars this style. To do so would be to give the Solar Exalted some limited command over the one thing the Sidereals hold uncontested mastery.

The signature weapons of Celestial Configuration of Heaven martial arts are the war fan (wind-fire wheels) and the shuriken. This style permits the use of starmetal armor (or orichalcum for Solars). Subtract the mobility penalty from all Martial Arts rolls when using this style.

Solar Initiation: It is possible for Solar Exalted to be initiated into Sidereal-type martial arts, and thus learn Charms out of Celestial Configuration of Heaven. The first time a Solar Exalt learns a Charm from this style, he immediately gains notoriety among the pattern spiders. The mechanical effect of this is the Solar now gains a Paradox Trait, just as if he were a Sidereal. He does not gain the ability to learn astrological Colleges or access the Loom of Fate in any way. However, through study of Celestial Configuration of Heaven martial arts, he becomes able to break some of the rules of destiny. Thus, he runs the risk of angering the pattern spiders and suffering Pattern Spider Bite. For more details, consult Exalted: the Sidereals. Beyond this, follow the usual rules for Solars learning Sidereal-type martial arts. Each Charm costs 15 XP, or 12 if Martial Arts is Favored, and requires a Sidereal tutor, unless the Solar has Essence 6+. Any Charm that is listed as Sidereal-only usually has effects on astrology, or otherwise has a prerequisite that only Sidereal Exalted may fulfil. Solars do not need to buy these Charms (which they cannot use anyway) when satisfying Charm prerequisites. Instead, increase the XP cost of any Charm by 5 for every missing prerequisite Charm.

The Student's Sutra of Destiny: "Once, there were many little maidens, that danced throughout the skies..."

Stellar Conjunction Prana
Cost: 1 mote per trapping
Duration: One day
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: None
Special: Must have a rating of 5 in at least one College
"...sometimes, the little maidens danced together..."

The motion of the stars can foretell the future. At least, that is what is widely accepted among mortal astrologers. However, only the Sidereal Exalted know that the stars are merely a status indicator, part of the great machinery that runs destiny. By invoking this Charm, the character is able to blur the readout of the skies, permitting him to bend the rules of his astrological Colleges. Whenever bearing the trappings of a College for astrology purposes, the Sidereal may pay one mote in order to count the trappings of another College towards the one he wishes to invoke. No more than one trapping per 'off' College may be adapted in this manner. This is a Sidereal-only Charm.

Inauspicious Plummeting Star Meditation
Cost: 3 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: None
"...sometimes, the maidens would quarrel with each other..."

This insidious Charm allows him to cause the pattern spiders to regard another person with ire. By inscribing a shuriken with certain kanji that slander the spiders, the Sidereal may make a standard Martial Arts attack against a target no farther than a shuriken's first range increment. If the attack is successful, the target takes no damage, but must instead roll a number of Paradox dice equal to the raw damage of the attack, reduced by his permenant Essence score. The Sidereal using this Charm must roll Paradox dice equal to half the attack's successes (round up).

Beloved Minister Style
Cost: 5 motes, 1 health level
Duration: Indefinite
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: None
"...they formed little cliques..."

Students of Celestial Configuration of Heaven martial arts learn how to best address the pattern spiders of the Colleges. By activating this Charm, the Sidereal may substitute his Martial Arts for Performance when making an astrological prayer roll. This requires the Sidereal to perform a number of rigid katas and postures, which, in turn, bruise and exhaust the character. This display of discipline impresses the pattern spiders, allowing them to accept such an irregular request without hesitation. This is a Sidereal-only Charm.

Friend-Of-A-Friend Approach
Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: None
"...and they made little social clubs for themselves."

By studying the way destiny spools out from the Loom of Fate, a Sidereal with this Charm learns how best to deflect misfortune and bad luck. Whenever an ally of the Sidereal (who must be no farther away than the character's Essence in yards) botches a roll, the Sidereal may immediately make a reflexive Dexterity + Martial Arts roll against a difficulty equal to the number of 1s rolled. The 'damage' successes on this attack represents the Sidereal slaying the pattern spider that attached the inauspicious threads of misfortune to his friend. The character who botched gains a number of dice equal to the damage successes to re-roll the original botched roll. If no damage is rolled, then the botch becomes a simple failure. Using this Charm curses the Sidereal with 5 Paradox dice. The pattern spiders do not take kindly to those who would kill them. A character may not use this Charm if he himself has botched a roll, nor can it be used against botches that result from breaking an Eclipse- or Moonshadow-sanctioned oath.

Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form
Cost: 8 motes
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Stellar Conjunction Prana, Inauspicious Plummeting Star Meditation, Beloved Minister Style, Friend-Of-A-Friend Approach, one Celestial-type style fully mastered
The Elder Sutra of Destiny: "The five brightest Maidens organized the rest..."

The Sidereal who masters Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form takes his place as a true and proper minister of Heaven's bureaucracy. While this Charm is active, he soaks lethal damage with his full Stamina, and adds his highest rated College to his bashing and lethal soaks. Further, anyone who dares to attack him risks incuring the wrath of the pattern spiders. Anyone who scores an attack on the Sidereal that actually does damage is instantly stricken with a point of Paradox. Characters without a Paradox Trait instead earn a single botch that will strike them at the dramatically appropriate moment. Lastly, the character's preternatural awareness of destiny allows him to reduce the penalty for splitting his Martial Arts dice pool by his Essence.

Solar Exalted who master this Form Charm obviously do not have an astrological College to add to their bashing soaks. Rather, they shine with the lordly mein of the Unconquered Sun and become better able to combat the enemies of Creation. While the Sidereal Exalted, with their lower rank, are unable to affect those things that exist outside of fate, the Solar Exalted are not so constrained by virtue of their high rank. Destiny guides the hands of the Solar using this Charm, adding his Essence as automatic successes to hit when making a Martial Arts attack against beings outside of fate. The other effects of this Charm take effect normally. A character cannot have more than one Form-type Charm active at a time.

Paradox Deflection Defense Mode
Cost: 1 Willpower + 1 health level per die
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form
"They learned how to exercise power without responsibility..."

By this level of mastery, the Sidereal has learned how to sidestep the wrath of the pattern spiders as easily as he ducks a blow from an undisciplined fighting opponent. Any time the Sidereal is forced to roll Paradox dice, he may roll a reflexive Dexterity + Martial Arts parry. Each success nullifies one Paradox die. This Charm cannot reduce the Paradox dice pool from astrology below one die. The Charm's cost is prohibitive--one Willpower and one health level per die negated--ensuring that it is not abused overmuch. The character need not nullify every die in his Paradox dice pool.

Discounted Destiny Style
Cost: 4 motes per success
Duration: Instant
Type: Supplemental
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form
"...and they wore destinies like fine gowns..."

This Charm allows the Sidereal to more effectively invoke resplendent destinies upon himself. He may purchase effect successes up to his Essence, which may then be spent for resplendent destiny effects as normal. This is actually five Charms. Each time it is bought, it applies to one of the five astrological Houses. Regardless of whether or not Martial Arts is Favored, a Sidereal always favors this Charm when buying it for his own Maiden's House. This is a Sidereal-only Charm.

Authoritative Jurisdiction Shattering Approach
Cost: 5 motes
Duration: Instant
Type: Supplemental
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form
"...and they invited friends to their balls from distant lands..."

The master of this Charm is able to overstep his bounds when dealing with those creatures that exist outside of fate. By instilling his next Martial Arts attack with the full weight of Heavenly wrath and order, the Sidereal's attack successes are doubled for the purposes of determining damage, and the damage is aggravated. This includes anyone wearing Crimson Armor of the Unseen Assassin. This Charm causes the pattern spiders to be confused, as they must construct an instant's worth of destiny on the spot for the Sidereal's target. Thus, using this Charm curses the Sidereal with one Paradox die.

Fortune Of Fools Technique
Cost: 6 motes + 1 mote per effect success
Duration: Instant
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Celestial Configuration of Heaven Form
"...and they danced together in blissful harmony."

This Charm allows one to meddle with the bureaucratic shuffle involved with astrological destinies. In order to use this Charm, he must make a series of strikes against the target at the places where his destiny ties him to the Tapestry. The character makes a Dexterity + Martial Arts roll. If he matches the successes on effect roll that invoked the astrology, then he may choose to destroy it at that time. Any net successes may be used as a second invocation to the same College, changing the wording of the original petition as the character sees fit. This may only be done if the Sidereal has been initiated into the College of the original petition. Add these extra dice to the character's College + Essence and roll normally, assinging successes for Effect, Scope, Duration, and so on normally. This Charm cannot affect destinies placed by Sidereals with an Essence higher than his own. Not only does this cause the character to roll the same Paradox dice as the original invoker (regardless of how many dice this Charm grants him), but he will also be charged with a Severity 3 offense for causing a logjam in the Bureau of Destiny's paperwork.

Exampli Gratia: Sunset Sparrow of the Bronze Faction curses Captain Flint with his dying breath to "fall prey to the same short-sightedness that has destroyed me." Sparrow has invoked the Banner in its descending mode, giving Flint a +1 TN to all Performance rolls relating to battlefield leadership. He has accumulated 7 successes on his College + Essence roll to invoke the destiny. This will make it much more difficult for Flint to effectively lead the Sun Company. Fortunately, Red Summer is able to attack this unfortunate destiny with Fortune of Fools Technique. He rolls 7 successes on his Martial Arts roll, which is just enough to match what Sparrow scored. With supreme effort, Summer is able to cancel the destiny. If he had rolled more than 7 successes, he could have added those dice to his own to roll for a new effect under the Banner--perhaps to make Flint more charismatic and a better leader in battle. Regardless, Summer will now face a bureaucratic audit for making such a mess of things, and he awaits the censors with grim determination...

Solar Exalted using this Charm only have the option of canceling an astrological effect. They cannot, under any circumstances, rewrite or reword the original petition.

Tapestry-Shattering Strike
Cost: 3 motes, 1 Willpower per level
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 6
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Paradox Deflection Defense Mode
"And Jupiter said, 'I shall tell you a secret'..."

This dreaded Charm is one that makes elder Sidereal sifus the stuff of terrible legend among the youngsters in the Five-Score Fellowship. By charging an attack with this Charm, a Sidereal does not harm only flesh, but one's actual thread in the Tapestry. Make a Martial Arts attack as normal, adding the Sidereal's Essence to the raw damage. If the attack is successful, then the target's maximum Paradox is reduced by the number of health levels lost. The Sidereal must pay 3 motes and 1 Willpower for every Paradox box lost in this manner, but he does not need to inflict the full Paradox damage if he does not wish to. If this leaves the target with a full Paradox track, then he immediately suffers Pattern Spider Bite as normal. Lost Paradox boxes return at a rate of one per the attacking character's Essence days. One's Paradox Trait may never be reduced below one's Essence. Against targets without a Paradox Trait, the Charm's cost must be paid only once, and the damage is aggravated. Using this Charm curses the character with three Paradox dice, and is a Severity 2 offense.

1,000 Fates In One Second
Cost: 2 motes per success
Duration: Permenant
Type: Special
Minimum Martial Arts: 6
Minimum Essence: 5
Prerequisite Charms: Discounted Destiny Style
Special: Must have a rating of 5 in the appropriate College
"...and Mars said, 'I will make you strong in battle...'"

The Sidereal who masters this Charm has become the true master of his own destiny. Once this Charm is bought, it permenantly increases the character's capabilities. The Sidereal is now able to invoke the powers of the stars without actually invoking a resplendent destiny. By spending 2 motes per success, he may reflexively activate any one resplendent destiny effect of any College he has rated at 5 dots. This curses the Sidereal with one Paradox die on top of any gained by the power invoked. This Charm cannot be used to save effect successes on a resplendent destiny that is already active. If the Sidereal wishes to use a resplendent destiny effect from one he has already invoked, he must spend effect successes normally. This Charm has no effect on resplendent destinies that have been donned in order to serve as an identity. This is a Sidereal-only Charm.

Destiny Requisitioning Stance
Cost: 20 motes, 1 permenant Willpower, 1 experience point per day
Duration: Varies
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 6
Prerequisite Charms: Authoritative Jurisdiction Shattering Approach
"...and Venus said, 'You are always welcome in my home...'"

This Charm marks the user as a highly-ranked official in the Bureau of Destiny. This Charm is anathema to those beings that exist outside of fate. When this Charm is activated, the character makes a reflexive Dexterity + Martial Arts attack against such a creature. If any damage dice are left over after soak is applied, the character then spends 20 motes and 1 permenant Willpower, as well as 1 experience point per remaining damage die. The target will be assigned a destiny by the pattern spiders, woven out of the character's own fate. This temporary destiny persists for a number of days equal to experience points spent on the Charm. This Charm infuriates the pattern spiders, who must suddenly whip up a payload of extra destiny without prior warning. Using this Charm curses the character with one Paradox die per experience point spent on this Charm. This is a Sidereal-only Charm.

Luck Of A Thousand Devils Attitude
Cost: 15 motes, 2 Willpower, 1 health level
Duration: One turn
Type: Supplemental
Minimum Martial Arts: 6
Minimum Essence: 6
Prerequisite Charms: Fortune Of Fools Technique
"...and Mercury said, 'I will lay blessings on all the roads you must travel...'"

Mastering this Charm is to come into exquisite understanding of the Blossoming of the Lotus. Activating this Charm is a reflexive action, which does not count towards the normal limit of one Charm activation per turn. For the remainder of the turn, all of the character's Martial Arts actions are considered a perfect success, as though all the dice had come up a 7. Those who master this Charm become instantly known throughout Yu-Shan as a being of utmost enlightenment and erudite wisdom, and are treated accordingly.

Wondrous Stellar Body Transformation Prana
Cost: 20 motes, 2 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 7
Minimum Essence: 7
Prerequisite Charms: Tapestry-Shattering Strike, 1,000 Fates In One Second, Destiny Requisitioning Stance, Luck Of A Thousand Devils Attitude
Special: Must have all your Maiden's Colleges at 5
"...and Saturn said, 'When you are done, then rest with me. There's always an ending, after all.'"

The master of Celestial Configuration of Heaven martial arts has become a vital cog in the gearworks of destiny. His very presence is a destined thing, and his every action is preordained by the Loom of Fate. When this Charm is activated, the character transforms into a human-sized star, burning with Celestial radience in the color of his Maiden. All his possessions transform with him, remaining unharmed. While this Charm is active, the character cannot be harmed by weapons not made of the Five Magical Materials. Even then, he may instantly and reflexively dodge any attack, whether or not he is aware of it, with his full Dexterity + Martial Arts pool. His attacks are searingly powerful, adding his Essence to his damage. Against creatures outside of fate, this damage is aggravated. Also, the character gains free reflexive access to all powers of any resplendent destinies he has invoked on himself at the time. These powers cost no effect successes, and do not garner Paradox. By spending 5 motes, the character may make a ranged Martial Arts attack with a lance of starfire as a dice action. This lance can strike any target out to the character's Essence x 50 yards, has a base damage of 7L (or 7A against creatures outside fate), an Accuracy bonus of +5, and a Rate of 1. This attack bypasses mundane armor, but armor made from the Five Magical Materials offers its normal protection. Every time the character invokes this Charm, he must spend one permenant Paradox box--mark it right off the sheet. Lost Paradox boxes may be restored by spending 10 XP and spending a month in meditation.

Solar Exalted who learn this Charm do not transform into starstuff, but rather become an incandescent golden avatar of the Unconquered Sun Himself. Solars gain the basic benefits of this Charm--immunity to mundane weapons, reflexive Martial Arts dodges, and a ranged attack of Solar fire. However, rather than gaining free access to resplendent destinies, the character instead increases the potency of his own anima banner, which he may freely and reflexively invoke at any time, free of charge. They also gain the ability to make one of the astrological Lesser Signs, at a cost of 10 motes.

• Dawn Caste Solars strike terror into the hearts of men and Exalts alike, burning with the rage of the Sun. Mortal characters automatically botch their Valor roll, fleeing for their lives when confronted by the Solar. Exalts must roll their Valor to even look at the character. They must roll every time they wish to make an attack against him. If they botch, they likewise run screaming in terror from the Solar. A failure means they flinch away, losing their action, but do not have to run. Success means they may attack normally. Furthermore, they gain the ability to make the Lesser Sign of Mars while this Charm is active.

• Zenith Caste Solars are the bane of the Sun's enemies. Hungry ghosts crumble to ash when bathed by the Zenith's light, as though he were the Unconquered Sun himself. The bodies of the unburied dead are sent instantly into their next life, without leaving behind a ghost. Manifested ghosts are forced back across the Shroud, while demons are instantly banished to Malfeas. Abyssal Exalted and Infernal Exalted are cowed by the Zenith's mighty anima, requiring them to make Valor checks as described under the Dawn Caste anima above. Furthermore, they gain the ability to make the Lesser Sign of Venus while this Charm is active.

• Twilight Caste Solars reinforce their defensive anima to near imperviousness. They gain a Hardness equal to their Essence. Further, the Twilight defensive anima compensates for the weakness in the Solar's own armor. Any effect that ignores or reduces armor, such as Essence Fangs and Scales, automatically fails. Furthermore, they gain the ability to make the Lesser Sign of Jupiter while this Charm is active.

• Night Caste Solars become ghostly and immaterial, flickering like the shadow cast by a candle. All their Essence motes are considered Personal for the purposes of determining anima banner flare. Also, the difficulty to detect a hiding Night Caste with this Charm is equal to the character's Essence. Mundane attempts to spy the character automatically fail. Only Charm-augmented means of detection have a chance of seeing the character. Furthermore, they gain the ability to make the Lesser Sign of Saturn while this Charm is active.

• Eclipse Caste Solars resonate with the uncontested authority of the Unconquered Sun. When an Eclipse Solar speaks, the it is with the full voice of the Solar Deliberative. Mortal characters automatically obey the character's every command, and do not gain a roll to resist. They will gladly throw themselves off a cliff or murder their families at the Eclipse's behest. Exalts may roll their Essence against difficulty 3 to defy an Eclipse's command, but every time they do, they gain a botch that will strike them at some point in the future. This botch cannot be avoided by any means, not even by effects such as Friend-Of-A-Friend Approach. Failure means the Exalt will obey the Eclipse for the remainder of the turn. Furthermore, they gain the ability to make the Lesser Sign of Mercury while this Charm is active.

Solar Exalted who activate this Charm reduce their permenant Paradox and their permenant Limit Break Traits, and both must be bought back in the manner described above.