Twilight
Caste
As the Unconquered Sun
slips below the horizon, its light retreats. The shadows grow long as dedicated
scholars and craftsmen light their candles and lanterns, seeking to continue
their work into the night. And so, the Twilight Caste seek
to hold back the night by bringing forth the light of learning and knowledge
and banishing the darkness of ignorance.
During the First Age, the Twilight
Children were the greatest scholars, wizards and craftsmen in the Realm. From
their minds and hands came the wonders and artifacts that were the glory and
the foundation of the First Age. These Exalted
traveled to the four pillars of the world and helped to defend human
civilization with their practical magic and legendary cunning. When the Solars were overthrown, many of the Twilight Caste gave
their lives in the defense of their brethren. Those who survived the initial
betrayal spent their last days seeking to hide their lore and artifacts from
the traitorous Dragon-Blooded, that the Solars might come into their power again, in some future
Age.
With the Solars’
return, the Twilight Children have once again become beacons of knowledge and
learning in a dark and dangerous world. Some of the most learned beings in the
known world, the Copper Spiders now work — and fight — to rebuild the glory of
the First Age in this era of chaos and corruption. They defend towns and cities
with both sword and mind and teach their skills to any who will learn.
Members of the Twilight Caste are chosen
from among those who apply their skills and knowledge to create solid, lasting
results. Few are found among their numbers who were naught but withered
scholars, pouring the years of their life into the pages of dusty tomes. The
way of the Arrows of Heaven is the way of the scavenger, the engineer, the
healer, the detective, the craftsman and the warrior-wizard. Each possesses not
just a thirst for knowledge, but a burning desire to use it. When knowledge is
needed, the Twilight Caste leads the way.
Anima Banner: The Caste Mark of the Twilight Caste Solars is a golden circle, filled in with gold on the top,
but having only an empty ring on the bottom half. Their animas tend to the most
spectacular colors, containing bright golds as well
as bright and dark reds, purples and even blues.
Anima Effects: Solar Exalted of the Twilight Caste may
channel Essence through their anima as a last-ditch protective act. If, after
damage has rolled, a Twilight Exalted will lose health levels, then she may
spend 5 motes of Essence to strengthen her Anima in an attempt to stop the
attack. The character rolls her Essence, and for each success, she can subtract
one health level from the damage the enemy would have done. This can turn an
otherwise deadly blow or reduce a weak attack to harmlessness.
Caste Abilities: Members of the Twilight Caste excel in
the search for knowledge and in the application of that knowledge. They have a
natural affinity for the Abilities of Craft, Investigation, Lore, Medicine and
Occult.
Associations: The season of autumn, the colors of
orange and black, the western direction, the element of wood, the crescent moon
and the Maiden of Secrets
Sobriquets: Descending Suns, Children of Twilight,
Solar Lightning, Copper Spiders, Arrows of Heaven, The Unclean (derogatory)
Concepts: Elderly scholar, warrior-sage, cunning
courtier, slave on the run, destitute student, child prodigy, ambitious
courtesan, educated merchant, village wise woman, cunning tailor, traveling
healer, town constable, optimistic young scavenger, blacksmith
You
would enslave
these
people with ignorance
and
keep their minds small
and
their lives miserable
in
order to fatten
your
own belly.
I cannot
abide such wickedness
and
come bearing the light
of
learning for all
who
wish to see.