Wyr'paljan Caduceus and Ophidian Kata Rings Vision: Difference between pages

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{{ExaltedArtifact
As you extend your anima into the bands, a vision fades in, replacing what you see…
|summary = Amplifier of bird-themed sorcery
|description = The first solar to master [[exalted:Wordman/BeyondAlchemy|magical alchemy]], [[creator::Wyr'palja]] was also a formidable First Age sorceress. She had a particular fascination with birds and the elements and built an orichalcum device, a golden caduceus, to assist her in casting her favorite spells. The caduceus can change in size from a small amulet to about the length of staff. Any attuned user can do this at will, but using some of the abilities forces it to become a certain size. Generally, the more powerful the effect, the larger the caduceus must be.


Apart from the size changes, the caduceus has no real power in and of itself (making its attunement cost low). Instead, it acts as a conduit or lens (and, in some cases, teacher) for specific spells. When these spells are cast through the caduceus, the caduceus allows the caster to alter the spell in various ways, either making the casting easier (which tends to reduce the cost of casting) or more flexible (which tends to increase it). As a spell is cast through it, the snakes on the caduceus shift into patterns to better channel the spell.
''A man stands at a table made of pure marble, intently working a detailed, intricate design into a snake made of golden metal, lying rigidly straight on the table's surfice. Arrayed on the table, four identical, completed snakes stare lifelessly into the room, a vast workshop filled with forges, fantastic tools and raw materials scattered about haphazardly. The man is young and not particularly handsome, short black hair ruffled over a furrowed brow. His lips neither smile nor frown, framed by a black mustache that wraps down to his chin line. He works calmly, but with inhuman speed, working an orichalcum tool into the snake, rapidly expanding the design. As he finishes, he says "It is time."''


This is an incidental incremental artifact, with a fairly long chain of stages. The key to unlocking the caduceus are Wyr'palja's passions: the birds that inspired her magic, the joy she found in crafting and artifice, and her lunar lover, who spurred her on as a sorcerer while he lived. It was her emotional reactions to these things and the insight they gave her into sorcery that allowed her to fashion the caduceus in the first place. Some of this leaked into the caduceus when it was forged, and there remains enough vestigial memory that an attuned user experiences feelings that act as hints to the next state.
''Two clockwork servants made into the shape of burly men, approach, carrying opposite ends of a long metal pole, with a clear crystal brazier hanging from it. The coals within it glow an incandescent white, nearly blinding, but not impressing the servants, who lift the pole to let the brazier hang behind the man, who begins to chant. The air seems to crackle as he raises the completed snakes in one hand and holds them over the brazier. As the light plays over the surface of the snakes, streaks of energy begin to race within them. With a quick motion of his other hand, the man twists the stiff metal of the snakes around each other, then drops them into the brazier. As soon as they hit the coals, the snakes animate, writhing together in the heat, slowly reaching a dull red glow.''


{{{TableMarker}} class="wikitable"
''As the snakes continue to heat, the man produces a stack of extremely thin ivory cards, each with an elaborate pattern cut all the way through it. He holds each up to the light of the brazier, the incandescence shining through the pattern, leaving afterimages. One after another, he throws the cards into the brazier, where they immediately ignite with a very loud hiss and are consumed by the snakes. As he holds up each card, he says a single word before tossing the card into the fire. You hear only the first word: "mantis". The words spoken for other cards are drowned out by the sound of the prior card burning. Some of the patterns on the cards look  vaguely familiar, but you can't place them.''
{{TableMarker}}-
 
{{!}} Plot Requirement
''After 25 cards have been so consumed, the mechanical men turn, taking the pole with the brazier on a slow march out of the room. The man walks with them, chanting over the brazier and they leave the workshop, walking slowly onto a wide stone street. The sun is just about to rise, but the workshop lies in the shadow of a huge step pyramid, toward which the trio stride with a purpose. Joined by two creatures you now recognize as the flying variety of Dragon King and five humans in white robes, the group walks up the long flight of stairs to the top of the pyramid.''
{{!}} Mechanical Requirement
 
{{!}} Rating
''Though the man barely notices, the view at the top is amazing. The pyramid stands at the center of a wondrous city, home to thousands of tall crystal buildings, at least two other pyramids and a tall spire to which are moored numerous flying vehicles. Outside the city walls, a lush jungle rolls as far as the eye can see. Those on the pyramid, however, only have eyes for the brazier. The man walks to the center of the platform, while most of the others align themselves on its west side, with the brazier in the middle. A human is stationed at each corner, and the remaining one prostrates himself just underneath the brazier, chanting prayers.''
{{!}} Attune
 
{{!}} Unlocked Abilities
''As one, the two Dragon Kings don crystal gloves and approach the brazier, along with the man. As the man reaches out his arms, palms straight up, each dragon king pulls a snake from the brazier and they drape them over the man's wrists. As his flesh burns, the snakes wrap around, eating their own tails, and pulling tight. The man immediately puts his palms to the ground, and lifts into a handstand. Two more snakes are extracted and wrapped around his ankles. Even as the red hot metal burns him, the man reverses himself into a kneel, ready to receive the last snake. The dragon kings each grab one end and wrap it around the man's neck. He winces as it burns him and tightens around his neck, but gives no other sign of pain.''
{{TableMarker}}-
 
{{TableMarker}}Must possess the artifact
''Suddenly, the man whirls to his feet, just as the first rays of the sun break the horizon. They glint from the glowing metal of the snakes as the man starts to perform numerous martial arts kata, leaving contrails of light in the air. As the sun continues to clear the horizon, the man covers at least twenty different martial arts styles. You recognize snake, mantis, tiger and some others, but the majority are completely foreign to you. It occurs to you as you watch that the contrails left behind by the man's movements bear a strong similarity to the patterns on the ivory cards. The man's movements get faster, until the sun completely clears the horizon, when he completely freezes. A second later, the man's anima erupts from him, a red-orange and violet eagle, crying out and spreading its wings. The mark of Twilight blazes on his head. The eagle burns for nearly a minute, until suddenly being sucked into the snakes, leaving the blazing caste mark on the man, and perfectly cool golden snakes around his wrists, ankle and neck.''
{{TableMarker}}Attunement
 
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|2}}
''One by one, the humans approach the man, each carrying a pillow. As each one passes, the man slides one of the bands off his scorched flesh and places it on the pillow.''
{{TableMarker}}1
 
{{TableMarker}}While the user is attuned, he gains the knowledge of the spell Flight of Separation [whit.45] and may cast it reflexively, even if he does not know sorcery. He still pays normal cost for the spell, but it takes no shaping time.
As the vision fades, you become sure of the following:
{{TableMarker}}-
 
{{TableMarker}}Wyr'palja had a very strong sense of self, so the first step is to discover her name and caste (twilight)
*You are attuned to the bands (committing three motes)
{{TableMarker}}Essence 3
*These bands must be used as a set
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|3}}
*These bands enhance all martial arts forms
{{TableMarker}}1
*While a form is active, you:
{{TableMarker}}While the user is attuned, he gains the knowledge of the spell Death of Obsidian Butterflies and may cast it, even if he does not know sorcery. Cost and timing remain the same, but visually the spell summons small, brightly colored glass birds instead of butterflies.
**may inflict either lethal or bashing damage with unarmed attacks (including with form weapons)
{{TableMarker}}-
**parry lethal attacks without a weapon
{{TableMarker}}Sorcery colored the majority of Wyr'palja's life, so the user must uncover which school she followed (Salinan).
**gain +2B/+1L/+1A to your natural soak
{{TableMarker}}Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
**if you attune to orichalcum, all unarmed Martial Arts attacks against demons, ghosts and the walking dead that actually inflict damage do additional dice of aggravated damage equal to your permanent Essence. These damage dice are applied separately after resolving the normal damage for the attack and can be soaked, but not otherwise defended.
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|3}}
*These bands have additional capabilities as well, but you cannot access them. You are certain that more of their power could be unlocked if could identify the city in the vision and new something about working metal.
{{TableMarker}}2
 
{{TableMarker}}When Death of Obsidian Butterflies [ex2e.252] is cast through the device, spending three additional motes prevents it from needing a round of shaping.
[[Category:Exalted]]
{{TableMarker}}-
[[Category:Vision]]
{{TableMarker}}Wyr'palja focussed and calmed herself by making things, particularly intricate figurines, mostly of birds. To gain a closer understanding of both her and the birds she loved, the user must create a highly detailed figurine of some kind of bird out of some durable material. The bird must capture the feeling of one of the five elements, and then must be enchanted with that element with Ritual of Elemental Empowerment. It then must be given away.
{{TableMarker}}Craft (Air) 2, Ritual of Elemental Empowerment
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|3}}
{{TableMarker}}2
{{TableMarker}}When Flight of the Brilliant Raptor [whit.46] is cast through the device, it can be given a different elemental aspect for +5m.
*Air: Undodgeable. (Per + Occ)L piercing base electrical damage, plus Essence auto damage successes. For each two health levels dealt, -1 die to Dex rolls next turn, decreasing each turn.
*Earth: (Per + Occ)L base damage, plus Essence auto damage successes. For each two health levels dealt, clinches target for a round.
*Fire: Unblockable. (Per + Occ)L base damage, plus Essence auto damage successes. For each two health levels dealt, -1 die to Dex rolls next turn, decreasing each turn. Three yard blast, giving any who fail a Stam + Res (3) roll a two die penalty for two turns.
*Water: Unblockable. (Per + Occ)B base damage, plus Essence auto damage successes. For each two health levels inflicted, target's knockdown test increases in difficulty by one. Three yard blast, knocking down those who fail Stam + Res (3) roll.
*Wood: (Per + Occ)L base damage, plus Essence auto damage successes; however, instead of actually dealing damage, target infected with poison lasting one round for each success.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}Feelings of longing for a particular mate echo in the user's mind, urging him to discover the name of Wyr'palja's mate (Iron Monsoon)
{{TableMarker}}Presence 2
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|3}}
{{TableMarker}}2
{{TableMarker}}When Infallible Messenger [ex2e.254] is cast through the device, it takes the shape of a bird, not a cherub. For +10m, once reaching the target, the caster can speak through the bird to have a five minute, two-way conversation with the target.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}The user needs to fly in some capacity where he is largely unhindered (on a rope hanging from a skyship, some kind of personal artifact, etc.)
{{TableMarker}}Conviction 3
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|3}}
{{TableMarker}}2
{{TableMarker}}While the user is attuned, he gains the knowledge of the spell Swift Spirit of Winged Transportation [whit.83], and may cast it without knowing celestial circle sorcery. Cost and timing remains unchanged.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}The user sees a day when Wyr'palja took out her frustration on a flock of birds, killing 100 with a single casting of Death of Obsidian Butterflies. The user must replicate this feat.
{{TableMarker}}Essence 4
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|4}}
{{TableMarker}}2
{{TableMarker}}When Death of Obsidian Butterflies is cast through the device, for +10m its damage becomes piercing. This may be combined with other improvements to this spell provided by the staff, but each must be paid for.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}In fairly vivid montage vision, the user sees Wyr'palja and her lover happily teaching each other sorcery against a stunning backdrop, halfway up a wooded mountain, with a small river running through some kind of outdoor manse/temple, then cascading into a spectacular waterfall, thousands of feet down. The nature of the place seems inspiring, and the user knows that he must find where it is (at the source of the meander river).
{{TableMarker}}Celestial Circle Sorcery
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|4}}
{{TableMarker}}3
{{TableMarker}}By spending 10 motes, the user can transform the artifact into a fantastic golden vessel to be carried by the Swift Spirit of Winged Transportation. The artifact remains in vessel form for as long as these motes remain commited. The vessel looks like a flat-bottomed ship covered with intricate metal tracing over the hull, and with the masts replaced by a single post with a crossbar to use as purchase for the bird's talons (this uses stats for a large yacht [king.145], but with +4L/+4B soak). The ship is luxuriously appointed, but contains neither crew nor weapons. Built for air travel, it is not particularly sea worthy, but does float. The user has minor control over the configuration of the ship and can, for example, optimize it for carrying passengers or cargo.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}Together, the lovers were a formidable war machine, particularly in their flying warstriders. Discover the name of Wyr'palja's (''[[Luminous Talon Rain]]'')
{{TableMarker}}War 2
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|4}}
{{TableMarker}}3
{{TableMarker}}When Princes of the Fallen Tower [whit.72] is cast through the artifact, they appear as large birds. For an additional +5m, they can fly at twice their walking speed.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}Learn the name of Iron Monsoon's warstrider (''[[Molt-Defying Plumage]]'')
{{TableMarker}}Presence 3
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|4}}
{{TableMarker}}3
{{TableMarker}}When Summon the Army of the Wyld is cast through the device, any birds that come can be commanded remotely.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}To learn about elemental forces Wyr'palja visited every elemental pole. Start on this path as well and come within five yards of one of them.
{{TableMarker}}Conviction 4
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|4}}
{{TableMarker}}3
{{TableMarker}}While the user is attuned, he gains the knowledge of a spell called Elemental Wrath, a weaker version of Wrath of Five Elements [whit.99]. This effect acts in all ways like a celestial circle spell costing 30m, including casting time and 2wp charm cost. The spell is identical to Wrath of Five Elements, but only one of the elemental effects (decided when the spell is being shaped) is released per casting and the spell lasts for only one turn. Whatever effect is chosen erupts around the target with various avian visual effects (e.g. flock of firebirds erupting from the ground, etc.)
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}Wyr'palja carved her own city out of the the deep forest. Discover the name and First Age location of this city ([[Q'in Sanizaj]], deep in what is now the eastern Wyld)
{{TableMarker}}Essence 5
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|5}}
{{TableMarker}}3
{{TableMarker}}When Death of Obsidian Butterflies is cast through the device, for +5m and +1wp its damage becomes aggravated. This may be combined with other improvements to this spell provided by the staff, but each must be paid for.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}Finish the journey you started and come within five yards of each of the elemental poles.
{{TableMarker}}Solar Circle Sorcery
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|5}}
{{TableMarker}}4
{{TableMarker}}Each time the Wrath of Five Elements is cast through the device, it can be altered in one of the following ways:
*The wp cost is reduced by one and one less turn of shaping is required.
*The caster can select the order in which the five elemental effects activate. He must use each element exactly once and chooses their order as the spell is cast.
*The difficulty of dodging or parrying each effect increases by half the caster's Conviction (round up).
*The caster can automatically channel Conviction while casting, regardless of the situation. This channel counts against the number of channels available per story, but does not cost Willpower. The cost of the spell also decreases by 5m.
{{TableMarker}}-
{{TableMarker}}To gain the same insight into the elements Wyr'palja did, find some way to transform your body, however briefly, into each of the five elements.
{{TableMarker}}Conviction 5
{{TableMarker}}{{Dots|5}}
{{TableMarker}}4
{{TableMarker}}When using the option to select the order of the elemental effects of Wrath of Five Elements, the caster can spend an additional point of willpower to use the elements more flexibly. The total number of turns the spell works remains five, but the caster can use, for example, the fire effect on each of those five turns, or two fires and three woods, etc. The elements used and their order must be chosen as the spell is released.
{{TableMarker}}}
|instances = This was uncovered in [[Wyr'palja's mausoleum]] eventually falling to [[owner::Jorias]].
|rating = 5
|commitment = 3
|materials = [[material::orichalcum]]
|campaign = Forgotten Suns
}}

Revision as of 06:41, 5 January 2007

As you extend your anima into the bands, a vision fades in, replacing what you see…

A man stands at a table made of pure marble, intently working a detailed, intricate design into a snake made of golden metal, lying rigidly straight on the table's surfice. Arrayed on the table, four identical, completed snakes stare lifelessly into the room, a vast workshop filled with forges, fantastic tools and raw materials scattered about haphazardly. The man is young and not particularly handsome, short black hair ruffled over a furrowed brow. His lips neither smile nor frown, framed by a black mustache that wraps down to his chin line. He works calmly, but with inhuman speed, working an orichalcum tool into the snake, rapidly expanding the design. As he finishes, he says "It is time."

Two clockwork servants made into the shape of burly men, approach, carrying opposite ends of a long metal pole, with a clear crystal brazier hanging from it. The coals within it glow an incandescent white, nearly blinding, but not impressing the servants, who lift the pole to let the brazier hang behind the man, who begins to chant. The air seems to crackle as he raises the completed snakes in one hand and holds them over the brazier. As the light plays over the surface of the snakes, streaks of energy begin to race within them. With a quick motion of his other hand, the man twists the stiff metal of the snakes around each other, then drops them into the brazier. As soon as they hit the coals, the snakes animate, writhing together in the heat, slowly reaching a dull red glow.

As the snakes continue to heat, the man produces a stack of extremely thin ivory cards, each with an elaborate pattern cut all the way through it. He holds each up to the light of the brazier, the incandescence shining through the pattern, leaving afterimages. One after another, he throws the cards into the brazier, where they immediately ignite with a very loud hiss and are consumed by the snakes. As he holds up each card, he says a single word before tossing the card into the fire. You hear only the first word: "mantis". The words spoken for other cards are drowned out by the sound of the prior card burning. Some of the patterns on the cards look vaguely familiar, but you can't place them.

After 25 cards have been so consumed, the mechanical men turn, taking the pole with the brazier on a slow march out of the room. The man walks with them, chanting over the brazier and they leave the workshop, walking slowly onto a wide stone street. The sun is just about to rise, but the workshop lies in the shadow of a huge step pyramid, toward which the trio stride with a purpose. Joined by two creatures you now recognize as the flying variety of Dragon King and five humans in white robes, the group walks up the long flight of stairs to the top of the pyramid.

Though the man barely notices, the view at the top is amazing. The pyramid stands at the center of a wondrous city, home to thousands of tall crystal buildings, at least two other pyramids and a tall spire to which are moored numerous flying vehicles. Outside the city walls, a lush jungle rolls as far as the eye can see. Those on the pyramid, however, only have eyes for the brazier. The man walks to the center of the platform, while most of the others align themselves on its west side, with the brazier in the middle. A human is stationed at each corner, and the remaining one prostrates himself just underneath the brazier, chanting prayers.

As one, the two Dragon Kings don crystal gloves and approach the brazier, along with the man. As the man reaches out his arms, palms straight up, each dragon king pulls a snake from the brazier and they drape them over the man's wrists. As his flesh burns, the snakes wrap around, eating their own tails, and pulling tight. The man immediately puts his palms to the ground, and lifts into a handstand. Two more snakes are extracted and wrapped around his ankles. Even as the red hot metal burns him, the man reverses himself into a kneel, ready to receive the last snake. The dragon kings each grab one end and wrap it around the man's neck. He winces as it burns him and tightens around his neck, but gives no other sign of pain.

Suddenly, the man whirls to his feet, just as the first rays of the sun break the horizon. They glint from the glowing metal of the snakes as the man starts to perform numerous martial arts kata, leaving contrails of light in the air. As the sun continues to clear the horizon, the man covers at least twenty different martial arts styles. You recognize snake, mantis, tiger and some others, but the majority are completely foreign to you. It occurs to you as you watch that the contrails left behind by the man's movements bear a strong similarity to the patterns on the ivory cards. The man's movements get faster, until the sun completely clears the horizon, when he completely freezes. A second later, the man's anima erupts from him, a red-orange and violet eagle, crying out and spreading its wings. The mark of Twilight blazes on his head. The eagle burns for nearly a minute, until suddenly being sucked into the snakes, leaving the blazing caste mark on the man, and perfectly cool golden snakes around his wrists, ankle and neck.

One by one, the humans approach the man, each carrying a pillow. As each one passes, the man slides one of the bands off his scorched flesh and places it on the pillow.

As the vision fades, you become sure of the following:

  • You are attuned to the bands (committing three motes)
  • These bands must be used as a set
  • These bands enhance all martial arts forms
  • While a form is active, you:
    • may inflict either lethal or bashing damage with unarmed attacks (including with form weapons)
    • parry lethal attacks without a weapon
    • gain +2B/+1L/+1A to your natural soak
    • if you attune to orichalcum, all unarmed Martial Arts attacks against demons, ghosts and the walking dead that actually inflict damage do additional dice of aggravated damage equal to your permanent Essence. These damage dice are applied separately after resolving the normal damage for the attack and can be soaked, but not otherwise defended.
  • These bands have additional capabilities as well, but you cannot access them. You are certain that more of their power could be unlocked if could identify the city in the vision and new something about working metal.
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