Taichara/AlternateElements

From the North comes the Black Warrior of Winter.
Its Element is Water; its Star is Mercury.
From the South comes the Vermilion Bird of Summer.
Its Element is Fire; its Star is Mars.
From the West comes the White Tiger of Autumn.
Its Element is Metal; its Star is Venus.
From the East comes the Azure Dragon of Spring.
Its Element is Wood; its Star is Jupiter.
At the Centre lies the Yellow Emperor, the Balance of Four Seasons.
Its Element is Earth; its Star is Saturn.


What if the elements of Creation were similar to those of the Five Phases Theory?

Aside from an intriguing parallel with Kindred of the East (as if the Dragon-blooded Host needed more of those), there are some nifty alternate-universe possibilities with this kind of system.

(This is a great brain-devouring work in progress; consider this fair warning  ;) )

Creation

If Creation were laid out using these elements, one possibility could look something like this:

- The directions of East, South and Centre (Wood, Fire, Earth) could remain much as they are in the canon representations, allowing for certain stylistic variations to be worked in.

- North (Water): Here, the status quo could stand to be shaken somewhat. In this "version" of Creation, perhaps the North, rather than the West, would be the great endless sea filled with shattered bits of island. This is the Winter direction; half-frozen glaciers and snow-filled coasts giving way to isles of ice and dark splintered stone has a certain aesthetic appeal. Less extreme portions of the northern terrain may resemble the Orkneys or the Shetlands.

- West (Metal): Metal is an ... interesting element to try to cast in environmental terms (which is possibly one reason why this system was not used in canon Creation; who knows?). This is the Autumn direction; perhaps an expanse of sparse, vaguely barren terrain, where metallic ores streak and spark from the rocks and even the very foliage (ironoak, anyone?). Vast outcroppings of metal, closer to the Pole, painstakingly hollowed out for exotic cities; and the rain falls razor-sharp, laced through with pinpricks of copper, iron, lead, and others.

Or perhaps -- for something completely different -- perhaps the Direction of Metal is inhabited by stranger beings; that it is the domain of the Autochonians, and the land itself, rippled with metallic striations ... moves.

The Seasons

These I know will also need some lengthy overhauling. For the time being -- and so that I don't confuse myself this early on -- I will continue to reference "Terran" seasons as elemental affinities until I have things straightened out.
No fear, I am aware of the discrepancy!  ;)

What about the Dragon-blooded?

The Dragonkin would require a considerable overhaul in a setting such as this, with different Aspects requiring more or less adjustment. The most obvious change, of course, would be the removal of the Aspects of Air and the addition of the Aspects of Metal.

Some of the more "fluffy" aspects of the Dragonblooded will be considered below as this idea is explored further. Mechanical changes require much greater familiarity with Exalted crunch before I feel at all brave enough  :)

Aspects of Water

Associations: The season of winter, the color black, the northern direction, the virtue of faith, and the Maiden of Journeys.
Sobriquets: Onyx Dragons, Dark Warriors ...
Appearance: Water-Aspected Dragon-blooded show a tendency towards bottomless eyes of black or deepest midnight blue, and long, flowing black hair which may writhe or twine around objects of its own accord. Those of higher Breeding have a shadowed or black tint to their skin -- darkening with age -- and often a light veneer of iridescent, piscine or serpentine scales.

Aspects of Fire

Associations: The season of summer, the color red, the southern direction, the virtue of knowledge, and the Maiden of Battles.
Sobriquets: Crimson Dragons, Firebirds ...
Appearance: (essentially unchanged from the canon description, for now ...)

Aspects of Metal

Associations: The season of autumn, the color white, the western direction, the virtue of righteousness, and the Maiden of Serenity.
Sobriquets: Alabaster Dragons, White Tigers ...
Appearance: Aspects of Metal tend towards thin, lean builds and sharp features, often excessively so. Their hair is fine and often possesses a metallic sheen or glow; their eyes may resemble featureless orbs of metal; their nails often grow long, thin and also clawlike. Those of higher Breeding also exhibit a metal coloration to their flesh, making them resemble nothing so much as living statuary. Most metal-Aspected Dragon-blooded have pale or frosted coloration; those who more resemble the darkness of, say, iron, may be suspected of Underworld ties by the more high-strung or superstitious.

Aspects of Wood

Associations: The season of spring, the color blue (or green), the eastern direction, the virtue of propriety, and the Maiden of Secrets.
Sobriquets: Azure Dragons ...
Appearance: (As the canon description, with the addition of a blue or teal tint to hair, eyes or even flesh)

Aspects of Earth

Associations: The "season" of transition (or Calibration), the color yellow, the centre direction, the virtue of benevolence, and the Maiden of Endings.
Sobriquets: Golden Dragons, Yellow Rulers ...
Appearance: (As the canon description; with perhaps a few additions such as a regal posture, gleaming golden-yellow eyes, and a tendency towards deep golden hair-color ...)

Comments

I have no clue where I might actually wind up with this idea ... but it won't leave me alone, so here it is. Hope to have more to add to it. -- Tai

I like the descriptions for Water- and Metal-aspected DBs, here. Using the Phases version of water gives the more of a, I dunno, sinister look? Anyway, I hope you develope this more -Okensha

More support for this wonderful idea. If you can come up with enough fluff, I might drop in a dew suggestions about crunch.
-- Darloth

The support is much appreciated  :) I shall keep you updated, and may take you up on the offer .. *winks* -- Taichara