JesseLowe/BlackCompany

The Black Company books are a source of inspiration for Exalted. As it happens, I think the Exalted rules would also do pretty well modeling the world of the Black Company.

Some General Notes

• No Exalts, no Dragon Kings, no Rakshas. Every PC starts off as a bog-standard mortal. (Different character creation method, though.)
• Not a lot of spirits, either, though ghosts are probably present. Some gods; no little gods.
• Essence is important.
• Generally, people use the mortal rules for everything. No stunting for anybody.
• Sorcery, Necromancy, Thaumaturgy, and Astrology are all available, but access is dependent on Essence.
• Power Combat is the default.
• Charms are generally unavailable. (Exception: Sorcery and Necromancy Charms, but those might as well be folded into th spellcasting process.)
• Merits and Flaws are available.

Comments

I'm a huge fan of the Black Company, so I like a lot of this stuff. However, No Stunting seems rather silly to me. While it certainly isn't Wuxia-esque jumping about, most of Raven's actions, Croaker's generalship, and the like are really good stunts. Good descriptions should always give stunt die bonuses...and given the setting, I would also argue that underhanded plots, cheap shots, really clever ideas gone horrible wrong, and desperate bravery should all qualify for stunt dice. -LeSquide

Black Company is a great series and i like the idea of Company-esqe rules, but what about being Taken? -Paladinltd

Easiest way would be to treat Taken as Abyssal, making them the exception to the no exalts rule. Alternatively, some sort of super-Benediction gift. - TonyC

I think the Taken should just be built with really high essence, big essence pools, and then allowed to have just about any spell they want as a persistant effect. If they have a particular schtick, maybe some charms along those lines. I wouldn't peg them as abyssal, myself...Lady 'remaking' the Limper seems to almost the definition of what happens to an Akuma. -LeSquide

Now this would rock...sorry. Personally, I'd do Taken as having charms. (The Dominator seemed to have LOTS of ox-body...). Also the dream stuff and memory re-weaving charms seem apropriate. I'd also allow stunting, although, I agree, the stunting style is, well different. More, gritty. It's hard to pin, but I think it's there, IMHO. Now I'm imagining mortals in the Realm army having a sort of similar feel.... --FlowsLikeBits

I still think that all that stuff should be designed as the persistant aftereffects of spells. It's mentioned that the Taken all have many permanant or long lasting wards against death from their magic, and it makes sense to build it into any kludge system you want to use that way, so eventually the little guys can use some of the bigger toys without having to fiat in a charm here or there. - LeSquide