sol invictus.indd

EXALTED • SOL INVICTUSTo use this Charm, the Exalt must have a platformupon which to speak, and the audience must belistening to him. Upon uttering the statement, allonlookers with a Permanent Essence lower thanthe Exalt’s are utterly stunned — they are unable totake any action other than stare in amazement at theSolar and ponder the implications of his statement.This state lasts for a number of turns equal to Exalt’sEssence. During this time, the Exalt can do nothingbut stand and be stared at; any other action breaksthe effect, as does any attack or violent action uponthe enthralled masses. Those stunned by this Charmdo retain their senses while unable to act.TRANSFIXING SOLAR STARECost: 10 motes, 1 WillpowerDuration: One sceneType: SimpleMinimum Presence: 5Minimum Essence: 5Prerequisite Charms: Shocking PronouncementStyleThe Solar’s head is silhouetted by brilliant raysof light shining from behind, while her eyes takeon the golden glow of the sun itself. The powerbehind this stare is so immense that anyone it fallsupon is utterly transfixed to the spot. As long as theSolar continues to stare at an individual target, thattarget cannot move from the spot they are standingupon. Characters with Willpower lower than theSolar’s Permanent Essence are unable to take anyaction at all while thusly transfixed. Those witha Willpower higher than the Solar’s Essence mayroll their Willpower against the Solar’s Essence inorder to take actions, though they still cannot movefrom their spot.Obviously, the Solar can only affect a single targetwith this Charm at one time — if he redirects hisgaze to a new target, the previous target is instantlyfreed. This Charm has no effect on individuals witha Permanent Essence higher than the Solar’s.RESISTANCEPHILOSOPHYThe Resistance ability covers two separate butrelated areas — soaking damage in combat, andprotecting against other things which might directlyharm the character. The largest tree in Resistancecontains soak Charms, explicitly designed to protectthe character from harm during combat. The Solarsoak Charms are generally quite straightforward— they increase a Solar’s soak or hardness directly,with very little subtlety involved. At higher levels,Resistance Charms should grant superior soakeffects and improved (though not invincible)perfect effects.The lesser trees are generally in the same style asthe Endurance trees, following a straight line orjoining together. There are a few such small trees,each protecting the character from somethingdifferent: poison and illness, the effects of alcohol,or physical pain. There is also an armor-summoningtree. These trees should be extended in a fashionsimilar to the Charms already present, althoughsome branching might be appropriate, especiallyin the armor-summoning tree.ABYSSAL EQUIVALENTSThe primary example of an Abyssal Charm whichdirectly implies a Solar equivalent in Resistance isVoid-Banished Mail. This Charm allows an Abyssalto place their armor Elsewhere and instantly retrieveit at any time. This is an obvious extension of theSolar armor-donning tree (especially given theparallel to the weapon-retrieving Melee tree). OtherAbyssal Charms, providing effects like poisonedblood and bodily weapons, are too heavily tied tothe Abyssal style to have Solar equivalents.78