Eclipse
Caste
When the sun and the moon are in perfect
alignment, the result is a spectacular solar eclipse. Visible from every corner
of the world, it is a most auspicious event. The Golden Lord and the Silver
Lady become one — a crown of light flares out, and the day dims enough that the
Five Maidens are visible. All of Heaven can be seen, displaying the unity and
harmony of the natural order. So the Eclipse Caste brings unity and order to
the people of the world. It members touch all corners of society, crossing
boundaries and bringing people together.
During the reign of the Solars, the
Crowned Suns were the mortar that held the Realm together. These Exalted helped
forge consensus between the countless factions of the Solar Deliberative. They negotiated
treaties between the Realm and barbarian tribes, the spirit courts and even the
Fair Folk, until it was safe for men and women to trade and travel from one end
of Creation to the other. As administrators and censors, they kept the gears of
the empire running smoothly.
When the Dragon-Blooded began their
coup, the Eclipse Caste was stunned. Those Harmonious Voices who survived the
Terrestrials’ treachery attempted to resolve the crisis with diplomacy. But
their efforts were met with lies, treachery and murder — the Dragon-Blooded
were not interested in diplomacy. Overtures of peace were met with military
force. The surviving Crowned Suns fled to the houses of their allies and called
on the spirit courts, the elementals and the princes of the beasts for aid.
Yet, these allies were not enough, and one by one, they fell before the armies
of the Dragon-Blooded.
When the Solars returned, the world
witnessed the first solar eclipse since the Terrestrial Exalted took power.
Now, the Eclipse Caste has begun the difficult process of reunifying the world.
With diplomacy and trade routes, the Crowned Suns forge links between distant
people and places, binding groups together into something greater than the sum
of the parts.
Members of the Eclipse Caste are chosen
from those who excel at social interaction. Unlike the Zenith Caste, which is a
shining beacon for all to see, the Crowned Suns work quietly. They are
socialites who move with effortless grace, influencing the opinions of others.
They are the shamans who make pacts between men and spirits and the censors who
keep governments functioning honestly. They are the true masters of
communication and organization.
Members of the Eclipse Caste are
frequently the voice of their Circle. As natural communicators, they turn
strangers into allies and their organizational skills keep the group running
smoothly.
Anima Banner: Eclipse Solars have a golden disc within
a circle for their Caste Mark. Their animas are brilliant whites and golds,
almost sparkling, but filmy and fluctuating, like the corona of the sun during
an eclipse.
Anima Effects: When an Eclipse Caste Solar is party or
witness to an oath, he may use his anima to sanctify it. The character must
touch hands to seal the agreement or touch the hands of those who are party to
it. His anima burns brightly, swirling with the words and runes by which Heaven
gave him the right to arbitrate such matters. Those who break such an oath
(including the Exalted himself) suffer a terrible curse.
The Exalted spends 10 motes of Essence
and a point of Willpower to sanctify the oath. Those who break it will suffer
terrible luck from their oathbreaking. A number of times equal to the Exalted’s
Essence at the time he witnesses or agrees to the oath, the oathbreaker will
horribly botch a critical roll. When this happens is up to the Storyteller, but
it is always at the worst possible moment. The Exalted need not be alive when
the curse takes effect — he sanctifies the oath, but Heaven enforces it.
Also, Eclipses are protected by ancient
pacts with the spirit world, the demon princes and the Fair Folk. Crowned Suns
and their companions who are on legitimate business with those beings may not
be attacked without just cause (though they may be goaded into attacking and
nullifying the oaths), and such creatures must honor the rules of hospitality.
Such beings may pretend to be uncompelled but ultimately cannot attack members
of an embassy unless they can provoke the characters into breaking the peace.
Finally, the Eclipse Caste Solars are
talented generalists. Provided they have a willing tutor, they may learn the
Charms of other types of Exalted, and even of spirits. Such Charms cost double
the normal experience to learn (usually 20 points) and use. Eclipse Caste
characters may not start the game knowing the Charms of other such beings
without Storyteller permission.
Caste Abilities: Members of the Eclipse Caste excel in
all forms of communication, organization and travel. They have a natural
affinity for the skills of Bureaucracy, Linguistics, Ride, Sail and Socialize.
Associations: The period of Calibration, the color
silver, the center direction, the element of air, the gibbous moon and the
Maiden of Journeys
Sobriquets: Crowned Suns, Harmonious Voices, Solar
Winds, Quicksilver Falcons, Quills of Heaven, The Deceivers (derogatory)
Concepts: Elderly society matron, ambitious young
noble, professional diplomat, trade intermediary, village shaman, careful spy,
ambitious courtier, professional messenger, adventurous sailor, army
quartermaster
I
negotiate in good faith,
and you
respond with treachery.
Sadly
for you,
I have
learned to anticipate such duplicity.
Even if
you survive the wrath of my Circlemates,
you must
answer to Heaven as well.