GoldenH/ControversyStones
== Controversy Stones == http://hammerand.com/ControversyStones.jpg Hearthstones designed explicitly in order to create controversy.
I was thinking, looking at the level 3 hearthstones in the book, that it seemed like each one was built to allow a user to ignore any one rule they didn't like. With that in mind, I brewed up 3 hearthstones that gave the user abilities I thought were especially contrversial, and would apprecaite it if you would discuss wether these hearthstones are too powerful or go against the spirit of Exalted or maybe even give me some ideas of things you think might be appropriate for a level 3 hearthstone.
Eternal Soldiers' Hearthstone (Level 3 Solar)
This hearthstone acts like a battery, absorbing essence as it flows through the manse and into the wearer and then releasing it later as it is needed. Mechanically, this means that the attuned user may regain up to 10 motes that would normally be commited through any means that allows one to gain or regenerate essence. This hearthstone was especially prized by the Dawn Caste of the first age, as it allowed them to attune to a larger faction of their panophaly without having to worry about it being committed. The amount of essence committed can never be greater than the user's Personal essence pool in any case - so if a user had two of these hearthstones, and a personal essence pool of 18, they could only regain 18 motes as usual through the effect of these hearthstones. The hearthstone appears as a amber disc, engraved upon which one can see the four devices of the unconquered sun: The horn, the shield, the olive branch and the spear.
Instinctual Renegade's Charm (Level 3 Wood)
In many cases, one simply does not have the luxury to activate all the charms they desire before combat, often finding that if they stop to activate a scenelong defense, it will only allow their foe to destroy them without regard. This hearthstone is a way around that restriction. Through careful meditation and channeling, a Exalted champion can attune the Hearthstone to one of his charms, allowing him to activate it reflexively and without an action cost whenever he wishes. This charm costs the normal amount when activated, but does not count towards his charm use for the turn, and does not affect his action in any way (for instance, activating a martial arts form would be reflexive instead of simple). Originally designed by Dragon Blooded architect who found that he never had a chance to activate his martial arts form before being ambushed by an enemy house, it is nonetheless greatly desired by many among the Celestial Exalted as activating their scenelong defenses leaves them vulnerable to more powerful attacks than they might otherwise have anticipated. It appears as a emerald woven to reflect light so as to appear a white-barked maiden-tree.
Maiden's Insightful Gift (Level 3 Sidereal)
This ruby gem is found among the manses of Heaven, much desired among the Chosen of Battles. Its hearthstone allows the user to activate a single defensive charm twice against the same attack, which must be decided when first attuned to the manse. Should the owner of this hearthstone desire to attune it with a different charm, the hearthstone must be shattered and subtle changes to the geomancy affected before it can be chosen again. So a sidereal with this charm might activate Defense of Shining Joy a second time, allowing them to recieve two reflexive dodges against any attack, subtracting successes form the attack with both rolls. The player may of course choose to use this with a lesser charm, such as a solar's Dipping Swallow Defense, but in any case the charm must be activated twice, no matter the duration for it to have the desired effects.
Comments
Actually, I quite like these. They do seem a bit twinky, especially for lvl 3. I'd probably put them around 4 or 5 depending on a bit of playtest. - nikink
Hmm, interesting. So can you think of any other rules that could make a good rule-breaking hearthstone, and do you think there is a way to tone down the rule-breaking ness so that it's more like a level 3? - GoldenH
Hmm... if we're breaking rules. What about one that let's you counter a counter-attack charm? Or let's you raise the dead (not in the necromancy "GRR! Brains" way but more in the stupid Final Fantasy "Bling! Death is meaningless" way.)! - Halloween
Well, both of those are already in Exalted (Sidereals get a counter-counter attack charm, and the Pheonix Down Effect is in play already, just so long as you don't actually go below Stamina in damage) - GoldenH
Personally, I'm sick and tired of Adamant Skin Technique needing an HL. Maybe even go whole hog and make a stone that allows you to ignore any cost of a charm but the Essence? Another thing I've always ignored are charms that state when they must be used. A charm that simply ignored that text for all charms might be a good controversy stone, too. Like, if the charm says it needs to be rolled before the opponent rolls to hit, you could wait until they hit, you make your defense, and then to the point where they roll damage if you wanted. ~Andrew02
I'm not sure breaking things just to break things is good. I don't think hearthstones should break the rules in such a fashion as is done here. Mainly because these capabilites are so fundamental they should be charms, rather than hearthstones. (Well, they could be both)
- Eternal Soldiers' Hearthstone: Seems good. I like this one actually, although it is the sort of ability that I think should be a charm. Maybe a permanant one.
- Instinctual Renegade's Charm: This one also seems ok, although, I think it should be a charm also. I did a version that is here: SolarMulti/FlowsLikeBits.
- Maiden's Insightful Gift: This one I don't think should exist. Thriple stacked persistants seem to be a bit much. If it allowed you to do that INSTEAD of stacked persistants, I think it would be ok. So a solar could have Flow Like Blood twice, rather than FLB + 5BS. That seems ok to me. As it is though, this is way better than even a windhands gem.
I don't see how triple stacked persistants is anything new, when you can have FLB, FFBS, Ebon Shadow Form, Virtuous Guardian of Flame, Five Dragon Blocking Technique, and a windhands gem all at the same time. I do disagree with the charm thing also, but that's more of a stylistic choice. However it seems like I can get good hearthstones from the principle, despite however much you dislike the way I phrase the rule. - GoldenH
