FrivYeti/NihilicOrigins
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Possible Origins of the Nihilic Exalted
As a noncanonical Exalt type, there are many ways that the Nihilics can be worked into a game. The following are a few such.
Recent Additions
When the Yozi gave the secrets of corrupting Exaltation to the Deathlords, they unleashed an unfathomable danger onto the world, one that even they failed to understand. It was intended that the Deathlords would corrupt the Solars, creating new servants. The Deathlords saw things differently. More expansively.
Adapting their research to apply to the Lunar Exalted was difficult, but far from impossible - all of the Celestial Exalted were, after all, crafted from the same basic pattern. Capturing Lunars to experiment on without being discovered was much more difficult, but still doable. Eventually, after several years of research, the Deathlords were done, and began the task of corrupting the Lunar Exalted.
Under this system, the Nihilic Exalted are a rare breed, controlled by only one or two Deathlords. Most likely, it is one of the scholarly Deathlords that has cracked the secret of corruption, and they are likely to be seen coming from the halls of the Dowager, the Lover, or the Eye. It is also likely that whichever Deathlords co-operated for the power will guard it jealously, possibly going so far as to sabotage others' attempts to copy their success. Teams of Abyssals could unleash a cold war across the Underworld, stealing one anothers' secrets and sabotaging progress. The Silver Pact will react will horror and outrage if they discover the truth about what is happening, leading to further wars and conflict.
Simultaneous Creations
Under this plan, the Yozi gave the secret of corruption to the Deathlords without it requiring only a Solar Exaltation to transform. The Deathlords were able to begin their plans immediately, ensnaring Lunars as soon as the Jade Prison shattered and beginning the secret process of transformation. If this is what happened, every Deathlord is likely to have one or two young Nihilic Exalts at their command, as they slowly siphon away the power of the Silver Pact. For their part, the Pact is suspicious and begins to investigate, eventually discovering that their former comrades have been twisted to darkness. They are again outraged, but this time it is the entire Underworld that they face, and the Nihilic Exalted are stronger and more numerous than before. Unable to match themselves against thirteen Deathlords, the Lunars look for allies and conduct the same strikes and raids as in normal canon - the only different is that Nihilic Monstrances become prime targets.
Ancient Nemesi
It is also possible that the Deathlords have been planning transformation for centuries. Long before they worked their deal with the Yozi, they began to steal Lunar Essences, using the Lunars' self-exile into the Wyld to cover for the disappearances, leading Lunars to believe that chimerae were being created in ever-greater numbers. The Nihilics were used exclusively in the Underworld until after the Abyssals joined them, and the Lunars have only recently learned how totally they have been taken in.
This is the most powerful option available. If it is true, the Deathlords have been cautiously gathering forces for at least a century, possibly more. Every Deathlord is likely to have at least a full Circle of Nihilic Exalted, with dozens or scores of Lunars twisted and corrupted to their service. Their forces gather in every shadow, and the world trembles at their approach.
