AntiVehicleRocket/CreationFAQ

Creation Writeup and FAQ v1.0 (by AVR, presiding GM)

Players! AntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents is now up and running as a scene-by-scene log, so enjoy this crazy experiment. This is all.

0. Changelog

21 March 2005 -- Just tossing up Grin. Just because. Yeah. --DarkheartOne

13 February 2005 -- RL appears to have eaten us all alive, more's the pity. Ah, well. Didin added to NPC roster; huwei.

12 December 2004 -- Much PC and NPC catch-up done -- many of mine that had yet to be listed, alas. MoreAntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents. The dice must flow.

28 November 2004 -- Another new PC! Everyone welcome Tarok Eiyaza.

27 November 2004 -- Switched Mareva's place on the roster and updatedAntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents.

18 November 2004 -- Added Gallad Blueback to the roster. yey.

12 November 2004 -- Added One Thousand Weapons and Broken Chains to the PC roster and added Rannath to the NPC roster (merciful God, we have an NPC!) UpdatedAntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents with the ongoing Western Forcing-an-Exaltation Saga.

07 November 2004 -- Added link to Autis's charsheet, added the Fair Priestess to the roster, and updatedAntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents. Yay for housekeeping.

28 October 2004 -- UpdatedAntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents and added Autis to the roster. Whee!

20 October 2004 -- Added Aurora, Marcellus, and Tomaso to the PC roster, and I updated AntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents while I was at it. Yay.

05 October 2004 -- Hey, look, AntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents is current again! Thanks, Ben-San. Stupid college.

20 September 2004 -- Added Caith to the roster and updated AntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents with the summary of a scene between Serpent and Preacher.

17 September 2004 -- Added Preacher to the roster and updated the current-events log. Changed formatting a bit -- it's finally looking clean and nice and such.

6 September 2004 -- Finally got around to adding Akesha to the roster. Also added a new page as a Daring Gaming Experiment[tm] -- the #Creation current-events log. Several formatting changes.

31 August 2004 -- Changed formatting on the PC roster some to be a tad clearer and added Dune to it.

30 August 2004 -- Added Wing to the PC roster and amended the wiki link for Tiffa.

25 August 2004 -- Added Jamik and Mareva to the PC roster.

24 August 2004 -- Added Marxis to the PC roster and amended the wiki link for Ben-San.

14 August 2004 -- Amended Zim and Mar's names and added Mar to the PC roster.

13 August 2004 -- First posting at the Exalted Wiki. Added Jarik, Serpent, Vor, White Swallow, and Zim to the PC roster. Made Section IV into a more complete discussion of metaplot events and changes. Changed some Wiki-formatting issues, including removing octothorpes from channel names -- presumably context should make clear whether "Creation" refers to the channel or the world, but let me know if it doesn't and I'll find a formatting fix. A few minor changes (fixed tenses where appropriate, general proofing) from original DEVS version.

I. Channel Premise and Mechanics

Creation is a channel dedicated to semi-casual gaming in the Exalted universe. The game is described as "semi-casual" in that it is not a scheduled game following any formal GM-determined plot and freely allows casual play, but there are character submission guidelines and more of a GM hand on events than a "true casual" game like Traverse Town.

Creation allows use of the entire Exalted setting, and games may be set anywhere in Creation or other appropriate settings for the characters. ("Appropriate settings for the characters" is very important for settings outside Creation proper. For example, casual scenes in Yu-Shan will generally be limited to celestial gods, Sidereal Exalted, and possibly God-Blooded or Dragon Kings; scenes in the Underworld to Abyssal Exalted and ghosts; scenes in the Deep Wyld to Lunar Exalted, Wyld barbarians, and Fair Folk; and so on.) The setting is as currently outlined in the Exalted sourcebooks, with all plot points there assumed to be in force with the exception of those outlined as future possibilities (i.e. the Locust Crusade). (See Section IV for more full elaboratation of Creation's status with regards to ambiguous metaplot.) Players do not need to be familiar with the plot developments of the world in-depth, but they should be aware of the general premise, setting, and tone of Exalted.

The general tone of the game is semi-dark epic fantasy, much as presented in Exalted proper. Casual interaction and plots revolving around mortal characters are allowed, but the assumption is that most if not all of the PCs will be supernatural beings, primarily the Exalted.

While based in the Exalted worldsetting, Creation is a freeform game and does not use the Exalted system for resolution of tasks and combat. Some knowledge of the system is required for character creation (see below), but actions and combat are resolved via selling/discussion like any other freeform game.

II. Character Generation and Submission

Players in Creation may play either original characters or canonical characters detailed in the existing sourcebooks. The submission process for both types of characters is the same; players interesting in submitting or claiming a character should discuss the character's background, powers, and goals with the GM. Players will be expected to have a good idea of their character's place in the world, his/her history and motivation, and his/her powerset. Players will be expected to prepare a minimal "character sheet" detailing the character's supernatural powers and abilities -- Charms/spells, anima powers, shapeshifting forms, colleges, and so on -- and notable magical possessions.

PCs in Creation may be of any kind of character which has been presented as playable in Exalted sourcebooks: heroic mortals and savants (or normal mortals) and ghosts along with the various types of Exalted, spirits, God-Blooded, and Dragon Kings. There will be no standardized "power level" for PCs; PCs may be as experienced or inexperienced as is appropriate for their concept. As such, there may be a significant power differential between PCs. However, all PCs should be capable of casual non-combat interactions with at least some other PCs; the primary divider between PCs and NPCs is less power than plot function, with PCs playable casually and NPCs bonded to a plot. (Note however that PC power must be within reason; PCs who are at the level of power of the highest gods, Deathlords, and eldest Exalted will probably be excessive. The tentative cutoff for PCs is that a PC should be no more powerful than roughly a standard Essence 5 character, although exceptions are possible.)

Claiming canonical characters will work similarly to submitting original characters, with the same discussion and the same minimal "character sheet" requirement. Since most Exalted signature characters are not given full statblocks in the sourcebooks, and those who are are primarily discussed in splatbooks the GM may not own, please be as complete in backstory, personality, and powers as you would be for an original character. Virtually all canonical characters can be claimed; the only exceptions are those of particularly ludicrous power, on or above the level of Chejop Kejak or Ma-Ha Suchi.

Players may also claim or submit NPCs -- characters focused on a specific plot or tinyplot or otherwise not fully viable for casual play. (An example would be Yurgen Kaneko, whose plot entanglements make him unsuitable for normal play but whom could be played as the NPC focus of a plot.) NPCs may also be characters inappropriate for PC play because of reasons of power or volatility; NPCs may be much more powerful than PCs and may be entities not suitable to PC play, like Fair Folk or demons. Both original and canonical NPCs may be claimed. However, players who claim or submit NPCs should be prepared to work closely with the GM and other players to execute the plot and should be careful to use their NPCs only in service of their plots. Using NPCs as "mock PCs" is discouraged.

There is no limit on the number of PCs and NPCs one player may control at one time, but reason should be exercised. Players should be careful not to overextend themselves with characters and plots, and the GM may reject new PC or NPC submissions if she feels that the player should concentrate on his/her existing characters.

IIb. Characters Claimed

PCs:

Solars
Marxis Begman, Dawn Caste (played by Wilson)
White Swallow, Dawn Caste (played by Ben-San)
Gentle Aurora, Zenith Caste (played by Tiffa)
Zim Storm, Zenith Caste (played by Tiffa)
Tarok Eiyaza, Night Caste (played by Will)

Lunars
Gallad Blueback, Full Moon Caste (played by DarkheartOne)
One Thousand Weapons, Full Moon Caste (played by Tiffa)
Jarik Sanras, Changing Moon Caste (played by Will)
Broken Chains, No Moon Caste (played by Tiffa)

Dragon-Blooded
Cathak Jensa Coenn, Fire Aspect (played by DarkheartOne)
Peleps Caith, Water Aspect (played by Will)
Peleps Shinoko Mareva, Water Aspect (played by AVR)
Tepet Durban Autis, Wood Aspect (played by DarkheartOne)

Sidereals
Golden Harmony, Chosen of Journeys (played by Will)
Tomaso Too-Tall, Chosen of Journeys (played by AVR)
Mar Storm, Chosen of Serenity (played by Tiffa)
Vorian Ozarkos, Chosen of Serenity (played by Will)
Master Wing, Chosen of Secrets (played by Ben-San)

Abyssals
Bloodied Jade Serpent, Dusk Caste (played by Will)
The Fair Priestess Wreathed In The Scent Of Aconite and White Lilies, Midnight Caste (played by Tiffa)
The Preacher of the Ivory and Crimson Testaments, Midnight Caste (played by Ben-San)
The Remnant of Love Twice Scorned, Moonshadow Caste (played by AVR) Empty Grin of the Sanguine Humours, Day Caste (played by DarkheartOne)

Mortals, Dragon Kings, God-Bloods, and Other Miscellany
Akesha Mera, buyer of rarities (played by AVR)
Dune, journeyman Anklok (played by Will)
Jamik, Deep West fisherman (played by Ben-San)
Marcellus, Nexus "odd-jobs" man (played by Ben-San)
Patient Mantis, terrified fugitive (played by AVR)
Sweet Virtue's Star, wine dealer and apprentice wine god (played by AVR)

NPCs:

Rannath of the Spear, Dawn Caste warlord with big dreams (played by Will)
"Swiftwater," murderous Changing Moon (played by Ben-San)
Didin of Gilt Leaves, wandering Fair Folks (played by DarkheartOne)

III. Channel Rules and Guidelines

Creation generally follows most commonsensical rules common to freeform semi-casual games. All players are expected to react appropriately to other characters' actions ("sell"), respect the GM's rulings, and generally treat the game and the other players with respect.

The first and most obvious channel-specific rule for Creation is that all players in the channel must be at least somewhat familiar with the Exalted setting. While this need not be exhaustive knowledge, they are expected to know the basics of the setting and the style and tone of the game. The minimum knowledge expectation is that all players will have read through the core Exalted book, with other sourcebooks as appropriate for their character type. While players new to the Exalted world are welcome, they should come in with enough knowledge of the setting to keep up.

Creation is an all-ages channel, and while the nature of the Exalted universe presents a wide array of dark and adult material, scenes played out in the channel proper should be appropriate for all ages. Scenes based around sexual activity, very extreme violence, and extremely disturbing content should be taken to private channels. Players are encouraged to use care and discretion when dealing with the more "adult" elements of the Exalted universe and to discuss with the GM any scenes or plot ideas that they worry might be difficult to implement while staying within the all-ages restrictions of the channel.

(Players should note that certain types of characters open themselves up more naturally to dark or adult content. While not all of such behavior is necessary -- Lunar characters, for example, do not have to breed beastmen or take the heart's blood of humans unless the player is comfortable with that -- players should be aware and tailor their character concept according to the material they're comfortable roleplaying. The GM will not force anyone into plots or ideas they don't want to play, but she will expect players not to shy away from concepts intrinsic to their character types.)

Combat in Creation is a special case. While epic battle is an important element of the Exalted universe (and will no doubt be inevitable as epic personalities and goals clash), combat should not be gratuitous or even particularly common. One well-planned, powerful epic confrontation is more interesting for players and spectators than ten clumsy impromptu battles. The primary purpose of Creation is not as a combat room, and all combats should be highly character- or plot-motivated. Since fights should be important, rare events, the GM recommends that the players involved talk out the battle and its result beforehand and during the fight proper. Large-scale battles (armies against armies) will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

When power levels run high, combat and its aftermath have the potential to be very messy indeed. Players are asked to treat this maturely and reasonably, particularly the very real possibility of PC death. No player will ever be forced to kill a PC, and as such, they are expected to treat a PC's death with some grace. While players are free to submit dead characters' descendents, next incarnations, or ghosts as PCs, and rebirth and revenge is an important theme of Exalted, players are encouraged to be careful and considerate. "Revenge characters" should be fully viable in their own right unless explicitly NPCs in a revenge plot.

As alluded to in the premise, setting elements should be used carefully. Please respect the preexisting locations within the setting; all new settings should be cleared with the GM before used in play. Special care should be taken with locations outside of Creation. As mentioned in the premise, they should only be used by characters who would logically be in that location, and locations like the Deep Wyld and Malfeas should only be used if they're necessary for a plot. Please be careful.

IV. Metaplot, Continuity, and Sundry Such Issues

As mentioned in Section I, the metaplot and continuity of Creation is primarily that described in the Exalted core book and sourcebooks. However, there are a few differences and points of clarification:

• While various Autocthonian powers are considering invasion of Creation as a solution to the "soul crisis," the Locust Crusade has not begun, and it may or may not take place. The level of Locust Crusade activity in Creation will depend heavily on player interest in playing Alchemicals and running the plot.

• Pressure in the Realm to declare the Scarlet Empress dead and name a successor to her throne increases, but the Realm is still deadlocked on the question, and thus no action has yet been taken. The true fate of the Empress is known to only an elite few, if indeed it is known to any at all.

• While Lilith the Owl Woman did meet and have an altercation with Ahn-Aru and Jorst, the results are not as implied by the opening fiction of The Lunars. Jorst was defeated by Lilith, but he was not permanently killed and remains in sway over the Eastern forests. Meanwhile, Ahn-Aru... well, Ahn-Aru, through auspicious omens, investigated a different region that day and never encountered Lilith at all. So to speak.

As for the actual actions undertaken by the PCs, AntiVehicleRocket/CurrentEvents now houses the #Creation Current Events Log, which will detail the results of sessions as they progress. Particularly interesting or historically important sessions will have logs posted.

V. Comments

(As a wiki, of course, commentary is open, but I'd prefer comments from players or prospective players. Being told that this sucks doesn't help me if you're not going to play anyway, but hey. -- AVR)