IkselamInfernal/InitialBrainStorm

Ikselam's Infernal Brainstorming

I. Infernal v. Infernalist

• infernalists are sissies who aren't strong enough to go all the way.
• Infernals are people who have been molded into hate-fueled engines of destruction, fitted with a dangerously overclocked Solar Exaltation and set loose into the world to cause random havoc, and to oppose Gods and Malfeans. Unlike Malfeans, Yozis don't actually decompile and reprogram the Solar Exaltation; they add a Hook which allows them to reel the spark back in when its host dies, and that's it. Infernal burnout mainly comes from the fact that they're taught to run really hot, constantly redlining their body and soul's capacity for Essence channeling (and exploiting the Great Curse for power), rather than an external push from the Yozis themselves.
  • discussion of the Scarlet Empress - WTF is the Ebon Dragon doing with her? Is he mainly interested in the Mantle of Brigid? Has the Mantle given Miss Scarlet a Solar Exaltation through osmosis?
  • Broken-Winged Crane - if the right kind of person reads it, they can indeed be whisked off to Hell to become an Infernal Exalted. Most readers just die, or become infernalists.
  • YoziCults.
  • discussion of how Infernals are created. Any fool with a soul to sell can be an infernalist, but it takes an exceptional person to contain a true Infernal Exaltation. You need to possess exceptional force of will, and be so monomaniacally fixated on one particular goal that it goes beyond something you want, and becomes your whole world. Infernals are not people who "bargain" with the Yozis, or who are pressured or tricked into accepting Exaltation, or who are after power or personal gain -- they are champions of unrighteousness who would not act appreciably differently even if they were not imbued with divine power.
  • a criterion for becoming Infernal might be that you have to find your way to Malfeas, guided by nothing but your hate. If you're consciously trying to get there, you are automatically ineligible.

II. chargen, "Paragon"

• pretty much identical to Solar. Paragon of course has to do with actively -opposing- all the Virtues.
• discussion of how Infernal personalities work.
• Infernal Circles.
• "externalized" v. "internalized" Infernals
  • Externals are the raging berserkers and blasphemous prophets. They often self-mutilate, and don't tend to live very long.
  • Internals keep their rage on a tight leash, and are often subtle and insidious.
• require willpower to start at or above a certain level?
• Infernal virtue flaws? torn on this one. it's tempting to say that they all go berserk, but succumbing to one's virtues could breed incredible self-hatred in a person who lives to oppose said virtues. self-hatred is a big Infernal thing. include discussion of this, and how the various flaws would work.
• new archetypes?
  • Monster - you do not believe in hiding what you are\\

regain when others recoil from your inhumanity

• • Fanatic - your only goal is to die for the Cause\\

regain when you further the cause

• • Predator - you find self-validation only in victimizing others\\

regain when you accomplish goals by making others feel helpless

• • Cipher - your true self is hidden from all\\

regain when you remain opaque in the face of scrutiny

• • Masochist - you only feel alive when you are pushing your own limits\\

regain when you push yourself to the edge and survive

• • Firebrand - you are the eye of the storm\\

regain when you cause turmoil to erupt around you without being obviously involved

• • Loner - trusting in others only slows you down\\

regain when you accomplish a goal without any help

III. Backgrounds, Artifacts

• Purpose - a mission that gives your existence meaning
• Favor - how involved and supportive your demonic patrons are. replaces Mentor.
  • this may also give you a power boost, at the price of permalimit/whatnot.
• Familiar - jacked-up version. Demon-possessed pets.
• Artifact - as Solar; artifacts attuned to Infernals may develop unusual side-effects

• Contacts - as Solar, but probably includes demons and infernalists
• Allies - usually demons, or other Infernal/infernalist Exalted
• Followers - usually infernalists
• Resources - as Solar
• Backing - as Solar
• Influence - as Solar

an important thing to note is that many backgrounds, especially Artifact and Familiar, will be used as external control mechanisms so that you don't betray the Yozis.

• Artifacts: slave marks, various tattoos and piercings, weapons (of course), a couple really unusual things (some kind of hellish fan...?)

IV. Splats and traits

• same as Solar, but referred to by the Immaculate names.
• animas are fiery. Some are like oily red flames, others blue gas fires, still others sickly green balefire. Those with low Favor ratings are almost indistinguishable from Solar auras; those of high-Favor characters may actually do damage. How fiery your anima is may be linked to how much permalimit you have.
• anima powers pretty much identical to Solar. Deceiver diplomatic immunity only applies to demons.

• channel Limit instead of Virtues. Use probably limited by Willpower, maybe Stamina.
• tend to burn out as Essence increases to high levels. Maybe gain derangements and/or permanent Limit.
  • permalimit accumulation: one pt for botching a Virtue check. one pt per pt of Essence above 3. one pt if you're reduced to Incap or below by lethal/agg wounds, but manage to survive. Peter suggests one pt every time you LB, up to a maximum of your perm Essence (include as optional rule for Solars?). You may also get permalimit from the Favor and/or Purpose backgrounds, or by knowing a certain number of Infernal Charms.
• New rules for limit break?
• discussion of how Infernals use and abuse Virtues. They work pretty much the same as for everyone else (except they obviously focus more on certain aspects of the Virtues than others), except if you channel a Virtue, you automatically LB.