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UNDER THE ROSE
Under the Rose is a story set within a possible future rulebook. Yet, access to other supplements can greatly enrich
of Creation in which the Scarlet Empress has reclaimed her the play experience with more ideas for terrifying guardians,
throne and ended the brutal Realm Civil War as told in wondrous traps and further setting elements to make the jour-
the Return of the Scarlet Empress saga. This supplement ney through the manse even more memorable and exciting.
is intended for play as a one-shot story with pre-generated Readers who plan to enjoy Under the Rose as players rather
protagonists or inserted into an ongoing series as a major than Storytellers, however, are warned that reading past this
plot point. By default, the story features the signature Solar point will spoil the Imperial Manse’s surprises.
circle of Dace, Panther, Arianna, Harmonious Jade and Swan PRELUDE
as they attempt to break into the Imperial Manse, extract Years after the disappearance of the Empress, the
the Roseblack and stop the resurgent Scarlet Empress from Scarlet Dynasty at last exploded into brutal civil war. Many
destroying another city with the Realm Defense Grid. These candidates initially vied for the ultimate prize, but as the
events take place at a critical juncture in history, the turning conflict raged on, factions dissolved and merged until only
point at which the Second Age becomes the Third and the those of Tepet Ejava (better known as the Roseblack) and
end of days truly begins. Mnemon remained. Over time, it became clear that Mne-
Storytellers who want a more detailed look at the events mon’s forces could not prevail in battle, so she reorganized
leading up to Under the Rose or who are curious where the them into a guerilla insurgency. In the end, this move
story can go following its conclusion can find these answers proved insufficient. Although Mnemon never surrendered
in Return of the Scarlet Empress. It is possible to play or conceded to her rival, her insurgents could not stem
through the epic break-in with nothing but the Exalted core
UNDER THE ROSE 1

the Roseblack’s rising popular appeal or the inertia of her Although the Scavenger Lands maintained their usual quiet
claim. With no meaningful challenge remaining, Ejava defiance, this stance did not protect the Solar circle consist-
proclaimed herself Shogun. ing of Dace, Panther, Arianna, Harmonious Jade and Swan
Ejava’s reign lasted precisely five days. from repeated ambushes by fanatical warrior monks. The
On the fifth day of the Second Dragon-Blooded Sho- circle’s constituents remained divided on how to react to
gunate, the Scarlet Empress used a warning setting on the the change of regime, so they kept a relatively low profile
Realm Defense Grid to announce her return to the world. and waited for the Realm’s next move.
She invited the Roseblack to attend her and receive honor It wasn’t long in coming. The city of Thorns vanished
for keeping the Realm intact. Ejava accepted this invitation in a typhoon of red fire and stone-smashing force, taking
and journeyed into the Imperial Manse, returning not as with it the taint of the Mask of Winters and his vile undead
Shogun, but as the Realm’s first Minister of Reconstruction. hordes. It was a city stained with the stink of massacre and
Equal parts majordomo and regent, the Roseblack took over the ineffable evil of the Deathlords, a beachhead from which
the day-to-day operations of rebuilding the Realm so her the dead could plague the living. Nevertheless, thousands of
liege-ancestor could focus on solving the nation’s bigger living citizens still squatted throughout the conquered bastion
problems. Mnemon, meanwhile, simply transferred the target of culture and learning when the Scarlet Empress unleashed
of her rebellion to her mother in a continuance of her bid for the full might of her Defense Grid upon the land.
power, recruiting criminals and political malcontents alike Despite the civilian casualties, the Empress’s attack
into the Righteous Orphan Rebellion. endeared her to Thorns’ neighbors, even warming relations
The return of the Scarlet Empress took Creation by with the Confederation of Rivers. The message to the Solar
surprise. The Threshold nations were not overjoyed to see Exalted of the Scavenger Lands was clear: The Realm was back
her back on the throne, but she did offer stability after a very and would not tolerate Anathema empires in their backyard.
frightening and devastating civil war, so the response wasn’t This left the circle with the uncomfortable conclusion that
entirely negative. Ultimately, most governments settled it had to somehow seize control of the Imperial Manse (or
on bribing her to leave them alone with a combination of at least disable it) before the Empress decided to move past
favorable trade deals, outright tribute and promises to wel- saber-rattling and turn her full trigger-happy attention to
come Immaculate missionaries and Wyld Hunt expeditions. the “Anathema problem.”

Chartering passage on a commercial freighter under false with one hand resting on his lap and the other holding a
names as a pair of scavenger lords and their bodyguards, the cup of steaming tea.
circle crossed the Inland Sea to the port city of Dragonsmouth At a glance, the man’s unassuming ubiquitous gray robes
and traveled by river on to the Imperial City. By keeping a mark him as a professional savant or academic bureaucrat,
low profile, the Solars easily blended in with the crowds of someone of minor intellectual talent and no particular
other businessmen and secured lodging in a modestly upscale consequence who counts tedious numbers and memorizes
rental townhouse. After a fitful night of sleep, they split up menial facts for the Thousand Scales. Myriad individuals of
for a day of scouting and gathering information across the like aspect live and work throughout the city.
city. They returned without any real progress on how to get His wrinkled and tired face is not so much old as it is
past the new barrier wall erected around the manse and the worn out, but he would be rakishly handsome if he smiled
legion garrison protecting the site. The story begins as the instead of letting worries furrow his brow in a perpetual scowl
Solars return to their rented townhouse that evening to find of disapproval. His hair is close-cropped salt-and-pepper with
a green-eyed stranger waiting for them. much more salt than pepper, and he is remarkable at least for
being unflappable in the face of whatever the Solars do to
take control of the situation. If questioned as to his identity
or given the chance to speak freely, he says the following:
SKIPPING TO THE GOOD PARTS “I have a message of the utmost importance for the five
The prelude of Under the Rose establishes
of you. My name is Master Heron, Chosen of the Maiden
considerable action for the protagonists leading up
of Secrets. I mean you no harm.” He accompanies this
to the story, glossing over the actual challenges that
declaration by setting aside his teacup and raising his arms
could reasonably be associated with crossing the In-
in a gesture of cooperative surrender as the emerald sign of
land Sea and traveling across the Blessed Isle—from
Jupiter appears on his brow.
pirates to military checkpoints to dogged Immaculate
hunters. All of these events offer considerable story
potential. Yet, they ultimately serve to fill the time
spent getting the characters from the Scavenger Lands CHOSEN OF WHAT?
to the Imperial Manse so they can focus on staging This is (most likely) the circle’s first encounter
the most epic and harrowing break-in since the theft with a Sidereal Exalt. All of them with a dot or more
of necromancy from the Neverborn. Therefore, the of Occult are familiar with Jupiter as the Maiden
story hits the fast-forward button to pick up where of Secrets and can logically infer that a Chosen of
the real action is. Jupiter would be tasked with finding and protecting
Storytellers incorporating the plot of Under the knowledge. Arianna has read apocryphal accounts
Rose into an existing series rather than running a of First Age Exalted called Viziers, but she has never
one-shot story can certainly use the narrative-gloss had reason to suppose any survived the Usurpation
approach taken with the default plot. Yet, ongoing (assuming they ever existed).
games allow the luxury of time in which to explore
subplots in detail and can afford to spend more time
on the cloak-and-dagger heroics and clever plots
required to successfully penetrate enemy territory. If the characters actually attack him, Master Heron
The Compass of Celestial Directions, Vol. I—The uses a Sidereal Charm named Avoidance Kata, bending
Blessed Isle offers in-depth information on the Im- fate so that he was never present. He’s no longer there, and
perial City and the Realm that Storytellers can use the characters have no recollection of having met him. He
to expand the scope of infiltrating the heart of the had planned for such a contingency, though, and previously
Dragon-Blooded regime. alerted his secretary familiar in Yu-Shan of an appointment
to visit the Lawgivers precisely one half hour later. He meets
that later appointment in the precise nick of time, stepping
out of yellow starlight in their midst with another Charm
A FATEFUL WARNING called Yellow Path. When the Solars suddenly remember
Given recent run-ins with assassins, the likeliest response having met him before, he cuts out the preamble to deliver
of the circle to the intruder is drawn weapons or even actual shocking revelations in hopes that the circle will hear him
combat. Bitter experience has taught them that people who out. Ultimately, the Solars would have to be acting consider-
consider them interesting and know where to find them are ably out of character not to give him such a chance absent
dangerous. The visitor does not make any sudden or hostile any demonstration of hostility on his part. Hopefully, the
movements to antagonize the Solars, though, regardless of face-off never gets to actual violence. As soon as the circle
what aggressive posture they assume. Instead, he sits calmly allows him to proceed, he does so:
UNDER THE ROSE 3

“Earlier today, I was granted a personal visitation by my will leave, and you can go over the wall. Bring a lot of rope.
lady, the Maiden of Secrets, who called me away from my You will know what to do from there.”
duties guarding fate and commanded me to meet you here in The elder Sidereal is apologetically evasive if questioned
this place at this time. She spoke of your intent to penetrate on the details of his message, claiming his instructions did
the Imperial Manse before the Scarlet Empress makes another not include more information than he has shared. If Arianna
attack with the Realm Defense Grid. No doubt, you care- checks the veracity of this claim or anything else the Sidereal
fully guarded the secret of your plans, and that secrecy drew says with Judge’s Ear Technique, he believes he is telling
them to my lady’s attention. Your mission is the fulfillment the truth. He paces the room as he explains the last details,
of necessity. You must succeed, and you must know certain walking back and forth beside an open window without
things if you are to succeed.” stopping to look through it.
Master Heron reaches into a fold of his robe at this “There is one more thing. The Empress will not be
point and hands a small book to Arianna. It is the capstone there, but the Minister of Reconstruction will, and she is
journal of noted contemporary Realm geomancer V’neef only minimally guarded—if you don’t count the maze of
Bijar, chronicling her lifelong obsession with the secrets of deathtraps between you and her, obviously. Something
the Imperial Manse. The Twilight is familiar with Bijar’s work terrible from beyond fate threatens to disrupt Tepet Ejava’s
from her connections within the sorcerous community, but ordained destiny to bring lasting peace to the Dynasty. If you
the Terrestrial and her research disappeared toward the end don’t rescue her tonight from this unknown menace, she is
of the Realm Civil War and neither has been seen since. lost, and events that must happen will not. Her fate is tied
to your fate. Save the Minister, and she will help you end
the threat of the Defense Grid. I wish all of you good fortune
from the bottom of my heart. Do not fail. Do not falter. All
BIJAR’S JOURNAL our fates lie in your hands.”
(RESOURCES ••••• [UNIQUE]) With his speech complete, the Sidereal dives out of the
The research treatise of the Imperial Manse window and tumbles in midair, grabbing a handful of glit-
is full of notes, drawings and images painstakingly tering powder from a belt pouch and hurling it ahead of him
copied from archival fragments. It is clear that at a large puddle on the street. He vanishes with a splash as
Bijar went beyond verifiable historical accounts though slipping beneath the waves of an ocean. The water
to plumb a host of texts deemed apocryphal and settles with no trace of him. Unsurprisingly, no one else on
untrustworthy by reputable scholars. Thankfully, the street happens to be looking at the right place to notice
Master Heron has marked through the worst of this bizarre occurrence.
these errors and scribbled dryly humorous correc-
tions in the margins. CASING THE MANSE
The book adds a three-die equipment bonus Harmonious Jade has the Charms to sneak past the
to any Ability roll to know information about the soldiers and cross the moat, dashing along vast support
Imperial Manse, but reliance on the text means any chains from which elevator pulleys dangle in the dark. Such
failure is treated as a botch because of misinforma- a scouting mission preemptively reveals the hordes of demon
tion. Storytellers can also use the book as a narrative workers and the opportunity to skip half the manse’s defenses
device to share information about the manse, steer- by entering it from the chasm depths, validating Master
ing the characters away from traps that are presently Heron’s suggestion to bring rope.
beyond their ability to handle and toward obstacles The Imperial Manse’s front door is warded against
they can bypass with sufficient effort. all magic that would grant entry with a roll-off pool of 20
dice, but it may explicitly be bypassed with Door-Evading
Technique. Inside, the visitor finds herself in a wide, dim
aisle lit only by the glow of stained-glass ornamental pillars
“Consider this a token of goodwill. Don’t take anything depicting ancient Solar luminaries. The path leads through
you read in there as holy writ, but it’s more information than a cathedral-like space up a low flight of stairs to a circular
you had, so you’re welcome. I’ve taken the liberty of adding jade dais marked with sunburst and gear symbols.
a few comments of my own. My last incarnation helped drag An emotionless voice addresses the Exalt in Old Realm,
the manse down the mountain to Vanchow during the After- a language Harmonious Jade recognizes but hasn’t learned.
shock War, so I like to think I know a thing or two about it. She remembers and can repeat the words later to find out
Now that was a Neighborhood Relocation Scheme! Anyway, she was told, “I am sorry, oh Prince of the Earth, but your
something terrible is going to happen tonight. Jupiter didn’t present incarnation has not been licensed for teleportation
see fit to tell me what, and I didn’t ask. I do know many will into the Panopticon Cataclysmic. Please refer further inqui-
die, somehow making the manse vulnerable. When you see ries to the Office of the Hierophant.” The voice belongs to
the signal—evidently you can’t miss it—the legionnaires Servant (see p. 15), who can teleport authorized personnel

from the dais directly
tly to the Basilica of Final Victory
(see p. 18). Otherwise,
wise, the only way in is to twist a
well-marked crystal on the far wall, opening the dais to
case descending into the labyrinth
reveal a spiral staircase
of war machines andd hungry demons below.
THE SIGNAL
Lacking any better
tter alternatives, the characters wait
for nightfall and camp
mp out as close to the Imperial Manse
as they can get withoutout drawing attention. They watc
watch
t h
the sentries joke withth one another and, for a long time,
nothing happens. Then hen two geysers of Essence, burning
with the brightnesss of the noonday sun, erupt from
vents set in the groundund to either side of the squat
structure. The jets reach more than a thousand
feet into the air before
fore cutting out as quickly as
they appeared. The legionnaires
egionnaires panic and scatter,
strial officers begin shouting
even as their Terrestrial
orders over the roaringring plumes. As a unit, they
tion, weapons drawn, and it
assume a ready position,
seems the signal—if that was the signal—failed
mised result.
to achieve the promised
That changes ass fires ignite in other parts
of the city, first a handful
andful of blazes and then
dozens and hundreds. ds. Mobs come out. Loot-
ing begins. The overwhelmed
verwhelmed Black Helms
call upon military backup, and the legions
respond. The charactersacters watch in astonish-
ment as the ranks file out to help suppress the
riots, realizing that they are witnessing the most
spectacular coordinatedated terrorist strike in the his-
tory of modern warfare.
fare. They cannot help but
be impressed by Mnemon’s
nemon’s audacity. With
her occult knowledge, e, Arianna can deduce
that the Essence-venting
nting plumes are the
manse’s way of maintaining
ntaining geomantic
equilibrium in the face of widespread
disruption. Until its dragon lines stabi-
lize, which should take
ake several hours at
the very least, manyy of its most deadly
defense systems will not work. Seizing
the moment fate has as given them, the
characters may scramble
amble up and over
the barrier wall andd look down into the
great fissure torn into
nto the land around
the manse where the he legendary Scarlet
Garden once stood.. It seems the Solars
have more immediate ate concerns.
GOING DOWN
The moat crevasse
asse is roughly 150 yards
wide along most of its length and extends down
as far as the Solars can see, illuminated by the
flickering glow of torches,
orches, smelting furnaces
and enormous cisterns ns full of phosphorescent
acid. By these lightsts and from the smells
UNDER THE ROSE 5

wafting up out of the depths, this isn’t just an industrial reason while rappelling should certainly get a chance to
hellhole, but a literal one as well. Thousands of demons roar grab hold of a circlemate or an intact rope to avoid the long
as they assemble and drag heavy statues of alien form into drop into darkness. Trying to fight and simultaneously cling
place, joining them to the rock by pouring out the horrid to a lifeline requires divided attention like fighting while
ichors of the cisterns to fuse them together. swimming at difficulty 3 (see Exalted, p. 155), save that the
The Solars must rappel more than half a mile down character falls if the roll goes badly.
into the moat-fissure in search of an entry point. Although
Harmonious Jade cloaks everyone with Spreading Night’s THE GRAND EXTENSION
Shroud for the descent, this Charm does little to make the The building that Realm citizens call the Imperial
journey any less nerve wracking. The circle is mindful that Manse is only the structure’s main access hatch. The true
it takes only one perceptive lookout to sound the alarm. manse below is not a palace of wonders, but a command
No one relishes the prospect of fighting a pitched battle fortress buried at the heart of a military industrial complex
without cover while dangling by a thread over a seemingly of deathtraps and doomsday devices. Whether the circle
bottomless pit. somehow enters from the top or wisely rappels in from the
On the way down, the Solars bear horrified witness to side, the Solars still find themselves in a labyrinth of big
the thousands of demons laboring to pervert the manse’s halls, bigger rooms and yet bigger machines that compose
exterior. Gruesome faces and clawed appendages leer from most of the manse. Those who enter from the top simply
walls where pieces of Second and Third Circle demons have have to spend twice as long working their way through
been fused with the living rock as geomantic hellforged the maze.
wonders, some of which yawn wide enough that they could Collectively referred to as the Grand Extension, the
swallow whole city blocks. Chains of brass and lead visibly many layers piled atop the manse’s original superstructure
charged with unholy energies connect the friezes in a hap- are the product of many mad geniuses striving to outdo one
hazard web, linking them together into a single artifact. The another’s destructive excesses over a period of centuries. The
acrid stench of vitriol fills the air with caustic fumes that design of the place is quintessentially Solar, with polished
burn the back of the throat with every tortured breath. jade-alloy architecture, corridors wide enough to ride a
The exposed lower half of the manse lies riddled with tyrant lizard through and graceful (but wholly unnecessary)
cracks and holes half-drilled, half-clawed into every avail- adornments lit by prismatic strobestone crystals. Every
able surface by the demon engineers swarming over them. surface seems to shout, “Look at me!” as though jostling
Seen from afar, the extent of the damage gives the marble for the onlooker’s attention against the gaudiness of the
superstructure a porous appearance like the bones of some wonders around it. Everything is big. Everything shines.
impossibly huge behemoth. Worse and bigger things can be Everything is better than the thing it rests on.
heard bellowing deeper in the fissure, so prudence suggests IMPERVIOUS WALLS
swinging into the first suitable hole the characters find. As long as Creation endures, all parts of the Imperial
If Arianna is using All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight, Manse are truly indestructible, immune to all physical harm
she sees the deadly flares of Essence that surge and writhe as a perfect defense. It was made to stand unscathed against
like angry serpents throughout the damaged foundations and the Kukla’s wrath, the Unconquered Sun’s spear and a
understands that this is the result of demonic tampering. thousand cracked spheres of She Who Lives in Her Name.
It behooves her, then, to warn her circlemates to activate This durability also extends to the structure’s inner walls,
Integrity-Protecting Prana. If she isn’t watching the dragon doors and most architectural features, so intruders must run
lines or doesn’t mention them still, the Solars observe a the manse’s gauntlet without blazing their own path. If the
sun-bright arc of energy petrify an entire squad of demons manse is all that remains of the world, its structures drop to
and shatter them into glowing dust, giving ample incentive soak 50B/50L. The recent desecration perpetrated against the
to activate anti-Shaping defenses. manse has decayed its foundations to post-Creation fragility,
USEFUL RULES AND ROLLS however, allowing the Empress’s demons to insert hellforged
Descending Safely: The entire descent is an extended grafts into its walls.
(Dexterity + Athletics) roll with difficulty 2, cumulative dif- WARDS AND LOCKS
ficulty 20 and a roll interval of five minutes. A botch at any The Imperial Manse’s walls are as solid to dematerialized
point means a character falls (unless she catches herself) and entities as to material beings, so curious spirits cannot just
gives away her position to all the nearby demons. Provided drift in and take a peek. Similarly, its geomancy has been
nothing outright breaks Harmonious Jade’s Charm, the circle calibrated to disrupt all attempts to scry or teleport into it
remains undetected without need for Stealth rolls. from the outside, resulting in no effect. Attempts to teleport
Fighting While Suspended: Called shots to snap a rope from other parts of the manse into the Panopticon Cataclys-
that one of the Solars is hanging from suffer a -4 external mic via means other than the manse itself get diverted to a
penalty. Characters who lose their rope or who fall for any random point far from the residential area.

All locks within the manse are immune to non-magical variety of hazards, but the overall intention is that the Solars
efforts to pick them, but magic such as Lock-Opening Touch can make it to the hearthroom before the night is through. If
works normally in most places. Trap or puzzle rooms cannot this doesn’t seem likely, further planned encounters can be
be bypassed with magical lockpicking. (For example, there’s streamlined or cut entirely. Yet, if the break-in is going too
no unlocking the door into the Panopticon Cataclysmic easily and quickly, a sufficiently large ambush can bog the
without beating the Infinite Golem Compiler [see p. 14], heroes down and deplete their motes enough to encourage
but unlocking the way back is fine.) a slower, more cautious approach.
Internal doors close slowly but inexorably, affording Climbing: High ceilings and a glorious abundance of
several seconds in which characters may take one physical protruding machinery make the Imperial Manse the perfect
action, such as wedging a bulkhead half open with some- jungle gym for acrobatically inclined characters. There are
thing indestructible or sliding through just before it closes. plenty of places characters might wish to reach by climbing
Storytellers should consider how fast characters can move and no shortage of handholds, reducing the difficulty of
and where they are when a door begins closing to determine climbing-related Athletics checks by one relative to climbing
what responses are possible. comparable natural inclines such as cliff faces. In contrast,
METASPATIAL ARCHITECTURE areas slick with oil add two or more to the difficulty of
Despite being the largest known manse in history, the climbing checks, resulting in a fall on any failed roll of an
Imperial Manse could not possibly hold all the mechanisms extended climbing action.
necessary to perform its intended function. Thankfully, Swimming: Outside of areas flooded with appropriate
Autochthon knew how to fold the manse’s geometry and elemental energy, there isn’t much water to be found in the
geomancy through Elsewhere in tangled loops of collocation manse. Vast holding tanks of acid and poisonous chemicals
and superimposition. This remarkable feature allows many don’t make for very pleasant impromptu swimming pools
rooms to be larger on the inside than the outside and actively save to characters with the supernatural resilience to ignore
confounds intruders by snaring them in Möbius loops of the hazard. None of the Solars in the default circle have yet
infinitely recursive tunnels that never escape the maze. learned such Charms.
Navigational deflection is an unblockable, undodgeable Flying: Moving through the air is a good way to avoid
Shaping attack that assaults the special trait of a character’s setting off pressure plates and other triggers built with the
location through spatial folding and does not target those assumption that intruders walk. That doesn’t make flying
marked with haloes or signets (see below). The forced “tele- safe, however. Many guardians have ranged attacks, and some
portation” that results is extremely subtle, occurring when demons and elementals can fly too. No one in the provided
characters round bends or step out of sight of companions. circle presently knows how to fly.
Victims turn back to find they aren’t where they thought, Slick Terrain: Not all oils are obvious black sludge;
or think it was their friends who suddenly disappeared. They some are nearly transparent, requiring a successful difficulty 4
have no way to know where on the same overall height level
in the manse they are. Integrity-Protecting Prana and similar
Shaping defenses thwart the space-bending maze, as does
staying together. The maze attacks individuals and never HALOS AND SIGNETS
separates those who maintain an unobstructed line of sight Servant (see p. 15) recognizes two levels
with others, even if they aren’t actively looking at one another of security access to the facility: masters and
at all times. Lone infiltrators can stealthily follow guardians guests. Autochthon and the bearer of the manse’s
to avoid displacement. Characters bearing a halo or signet are hearthstone are automatically the former and may
not deflected, nor are Exalted who are genuinely attempting extend or withdraw this designation from others
to leave the manse rather than penetrate deeper. by informing Servant. Guests are guardians and
GETTING AROUND others whom a master has given permission to be
Most of the manse is laid out so that there is a place in the manse and perhaps even to access some of
for an adult human to walk, even if some of the tunnels get its auxiliary systems.
pretty narrow and low at times. This is not to say that other The manse marks its masters with numinous
forms of locomotion don’t have a place or that walking is crowns of light while they are in residence, allow-
always easy. Different tiers of the manse connect via spiral ing them to hologlyphically project data from any
staircases, elevators, ladders and open pits over enchanted instrument in the Basilica of Final Victory (see p. 18)
platforms that negate all damage from falling onto them. to aid in tactical planning. Servant tags guests with
Under the Rose is deliberately vague on the subject tongues of heatless fire upon their brows, encoding
of how many traps and guardians or other encounters the their access privileges. Guardians and traps attack
protagonists must overcome to reach the Panopticon Cata- all visitors lacking a halo or signet.
clysmic. Certainly, they will face multiple combats and a wide
UNDER THE ROSE 7

(Perception + Awareness) check to notice in time. Otherwise, surrounded by First Circle thralls and a Second Circle
stepping onto the nearly frictionless fluid prompts a reflexive attendant-bodyguard.
difficulty 4 (Dexterity + Athletics) roll for the character to Guardians make regular patrols in accordance with their
keep his balance and not fall prone (or worse, off some high specific orders and natures, primarily staying corporeal with
point or over the edge of a long drop). maximum actions banked to Principle of Motion so they can
GUARDIAN DEMONS immediately attack intruders without losing the motes needed
The Solars who built onto the Imperial Manse bound to materialize. Sentry demons are usually incorporeal, the
many thousands of First Circle demons, scores of Second better to set up ambushes and avoid the same.
Circle demons and even a pair of Third Circle demons to the Storytellers can find traits for erymanthoi and neomah
eternal task of guarding and maintaining their new prison. in Exalted, but these two species hardly do justice to the
All of these demons bear signets (see sidebar) chaining them hideous menagerie of demons within the manse. As a stopgap
to the manse’s reincarnation engine, making sure that any measure, the Storyteller can shuffle trait dots, substitute al-
non-permanent demise or forced banishment to Malfeas ternate attack modes and Charms or apply mutations to build
merely causes them to burn to ash and re-form fully healed new demons, giving them whatever freakish appearances suit
a day later at some predetermined location in the fortress. their function. A two-headed, lizard-scaled giant that spits
Only unmaking offers release. bone quills like arrows is not likely to be recognized for the
A wise security system encases the Third Circle de- core blood ape traits underneath. Similarly, Octavian is not
mons in paralytic exoskeletons of indestructible amethyst one of the demons bound to the manse, but he may serve
whenever the manse suffers geomantic weakening, keeping as inspiration for other peers. If this seems like too much
the Demon Princes from taking advantage of the crisis. The work, Storytellers can find many demons of all three circles
crystals shatter as soon as full power returns or a halo bearer in The Books of Sorcery, Vol. V—The Roll of Glorious
overrides the system. The Solars may well come upon the Divinity II and The Compass of Celestial Directions, Vol.
statues of these interred Third Circles in their explorations, V—Malfeas.

Encounters with demon guardians tend to be straight- accompanied by Terrestrial geomancers enslaved by the
forward fights. The spirits aren’t interested in parleying. If Empress’s Charms and overseen by a Second Circle demon
they see an intruder who lacks a halo or signet, they attack handler. Panther could free these Terrestrials with Thunder
and keep attacking until the intruder is dead. The demons Breaks the Clouds (see p. 29), but he must weigh the moral
are permitted to fight intelligently, at least, so they can obligation to help against the need for speed and silence to
withdraw from engagements where they are losing to gather complete the mission and save the world.
reinforcements and/or set up new ambushes elsewhere. Patrols The Queen of Hell’s demon engineers are as unwel-
tend to consist of eight First Circle demons or smaller but come as any other intruders. Traps and guardians attack
deadlier squads of four warriors led by a Second Circle de- them ruthlessly, and it is very likely that the Solars hear
mon. Combat or other commotion attracts additional patrols or personally encounter a chaotic mob of demons tearing
within minutes, so it is important to win and leave quickly. one another limb from limb soon after they enter. The only
(If needed, Arianna can harvest motes from demons using way to tell the allegiance of the combatants apart is to spot
Ghost-Eating Technique and share them with her circle via the flash of signet flames upon the sentinels’ brows.
Essence-Lending Method.) ELEMENTAL UNLEASHING ENGINES
RECLAMATION DEMONS One of the most awe-inspiring weapons in the arsenal
Not all the demons in the manse were summoned in of the Defense Grid is a geomantic compressor that conjures
distant antiquity to protect it. The Scarlet Empress’s hell- legions of mayfly elementals from the manse’s sacred conver-
forged retrofits to the Imperial Manse must be built on the gence of dragon lines. The new spirits come to life aware of
interior of the manse’s walls as much as the exterior, riddling the task that wholly defines their existence. Although that
its superstructure like cancer. To that end, the demon labor- weapon is presently locked with other primary weapons, the
ers bore tirelessly into the fortress and burrow into it like manse still retains the autonomous capacity to spawn warrior
maggots on meat, dragging the heavy pieces of blasphemous constructs as defenders when intruders enter specific areas.
machinery they must install. Some of these work details are Encounters with this defense system resemble encounters
UNDER THE ROSE 9

with demon patrols, but occur without warning (giving +5 Eschatons’ blown-glass thought cores hide behind exquisite
to the newly spawned elementals’ Join Battle rolls as they drama masks of Isidoran tusk ivory carved to resemble the
explode into existence and attack). caricaturized features of prehistoric Jadeborn. Successful called
When the manse spawns guardian elementals, it creates shots into the masks’ eye slits penetrate directly into their
one lesser elemental dragon per intruder. It does so by using delicate brains. The arms of these giants terminate in crab-
each intruder’s Essence as a lightning rod to attract the liv- like vice pincers that open to reveal the smoldering barrels
ing fury of its dragon lines. Fakharu is one example of such of Pyrian flamecasters with infinite ammunition.
a dragon (see Exalted, p. 302). The spirits materialize into Demons scatter and hide where the Eschatons walk,
existence with full reserves of motes, Willpower, Virtue howling in panic when they hear the first distant boom of
channels and prepared Principle of Motion actions. Many approaching thunderous footsteps. The machines do not
resemble stylized humanoid giants or other monsters rather acknowledge the signets of First Circle demons and choose
than dragons. Their Motivation is to destroy the intruders demons over other targets. Their hard-coded imperative to
that brought them into existence, and they pursue that destroy such spirits could not be deprogrammed at reasonable
Motivation with monomaniacal zeal as though sorcerously expense when the Deliberative transferred the light wing of
bound to the task of doing so. Once they succeed or their 200 Eschatons from postwar pogrom duty to manse defense.
quarry leaves the area they exist to protect, the elementals They roam in patrols of two. Experienced players might
expire. Death disintegrates their bodies back into the dragon require two to four patrols to challenge their Solars.
lines that spawned them. Motivation: Guard the Imperial Manse
In the manse’s weakened state, its engines cannot re- Attributes: Strength 14 (4 to initiate grapples), Dexterity 3,
motely conjure dragons, so instead, it produces two elementals Stamina 10; Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 2;
of any species with a maximum of Essence 3 per intruder. Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 3
Several examples can be found on pages 303–306 of Exalted, Virtues: Automaton
with many more explained in The Books of Sorcery, Vol. Abilities: Archery 4, Athletics 2, Awareness 1 (Detecting
IV—The Roll of Glorious Divinity I. Previous advice on Moving Objects +3), Linguistics (Native: Old Realm; Rock-
customizing demons also applies here. tongue) 1, Lore 1, Martial Arts 4 (Stomping +3), War 4
Should the manse be used as it was at the conclusion of Join Battle: 4
the Balorian Crusade or during the obliteration of Thorns, Attacks:
a legion of elementals comes into existence in the air above Closed Vise Wrecking Fist: Speed 6, Accuracy 8, Damage 20B,
the manse like a spray of fireworks. The newborn elementals PDV 3, Rate 2, Tags N; hit carries the effects of Heaven
fly as a barrage of force moving 1,000 miles per hour toward Thunder Hammer with a maximum knockback damage cap
a target anywhere in Creation. Falling like a meteor shower, of 25B (see Exalted, p. 242)
the glowing figures strike the moment they crash to earth. Crushing Vise Clinch: Speed 7, Accuracy 7 (also adds 5 bonus
The manse can launch one legion per hour, each contain- successes to all grapple control checks), Damage 20L, Rate 1,
ing lesser elemental dragons in all special character slots (who Tags C,N,P
count as relays in addition to other duties) with a diverse mix Two-Ton Stomp: Speed 7, Accuracy 10, Damage 30B, PDV 1,
of Essence 3 elementals for rank and file. These units have Rate 1, Tags N,P; hit automatically knocks target prone
Magnitude 9, Drill 9 and Might 4; they are also tireless and Pyrian Flamecaster: Speed 7, Accuracy 8 (also triples aim dice
have perfect morale. Adamant Countermagic applied to an bonus), Damage 12A levels, Range 300, Rate 1, Tags F
elemental legion as a whole or to its leader causes the entire Soak: 20L/25B (Blessed jade plating, +15L/15B; Holy Hard-
legion to explode into a 9L/minute for one hour, Trauma ness: 20L/20B against attacks from un-Exalted creatures of
4 hazard of aspect-appropriate elemental energies filling a darkness, Hardness: 10L/10B against all other damage; no
sphere one mile in diameter. The Empress only unleashed mobility or fatigue; called shots to eye slits made at -6 external
Gaian elements due to the limits of her Terrestrial Exaltation. penalty bypass armor entirely)
Celestial wielders can also summon exotic-aspect legions (as Health Levels: -0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/
can the manse’s internal dragon-spawning defenses). -2/-4/Incap
ESCHATON-SERIES WARGOLEMS (ARTIFACT ••••) Dodge DV: 2 Willpower: 10
These bulky clockwork giants stand four yards tall and Essence: 2
three across. Their bodies are quite primitive as Solar au- Other Notes: Automaton Physiology. Repair 4. Target-
tomata go, built very early in the First Age before relations recognition database allows Eschatons to infallibly identify
with the Mountain Folk cooled and Autochthon placed the demons as such upon perceiving them unless magically
Great Geas upon them. The war machines feature extensive disguised. All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight reveals the
moving parts with little solid state enchantment apart from sorcerous nature of the Pyrian flamecaster, successful Occult
orichalcum filaments upgrading joint coordination and infus- analysis of which determines that Sapphire Countermagic
ing their outer white jade carapace with righteousness. The can stop it (but doesn’t reveal that interrupting the blast
causes the weapon to explosively backfire, amputating the
10

arm and inflicting 10 levels of unsoakable aggravated dam- ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
age to the automaton). Adamant Countermagic-induced Some areas of the manse are just plain inimical to life.
backfires destroy the automatons outright. The clockwork Great cisterns the sizes of lakes hold acid or other danger-
springs in the units’ chest plates must be physically cranked ous alchemical reagents. Swimming through isn’t required,
to wind them up. A maximum charge of one hour’s winding but the bubbling surface adds tension to scenes spent cross-
provides five hours of operation. The manse has repair bays ing over on narrow bridges where demons could stage an
where terrified demons perform this function and dash away, ambush. Floor-mounted jets and scalding steam vents can
hopefully before the golems awaken. turn hallways into ovens, while metal plates conduct arcs
of lightning between them. Most hazards can be modeled
by assigning them a Damage, interval and Trauma rating
appropriate to the conditions (using the table on p. 131 of
GOLEMS AREN’T PEOPLE Exalted for comparisons to bonfires, acid baths and the like).
Automatons aren’t living beings. Among other Interesting examples include:
things, this means they don’t eat, breathe, sleep or Draconic Fury Nodes: More than mere Essence artil-
become fatigued. Their bodies are considered magi- lery, these geomantic weapons realign the intersections of
cal rather than mortal even if they lack an Essence the manse’s dragon lines so that deadly convergences of
pool, and they perfectly reject all Poison, Sickness elemental Essence destroy everything in a particular area.
and mutation effects (whether from Wyld exposure Victims stand amidst a spectacular display of pyrotechnics
or transmogrifying attacks). They are considered that grows ever brighter and louder until it reaches criticality
living beings rather than inanimate objects for the and dissolves everything in its path. Therefore, victims are
purpose of soaking damage, however. never taken by surprise. The nodes seldom project a constant
The minds of simple automatons such as those cataclysm inside the manse, instead reacting to a designated
used in the Imperial Manse are not full personali- trigger event with a single cauterizing pulse.
ties, but rather complex matrices of programmed Draconic Fury Node technology forms the heart of
behavioral imperatives. They pursue their Motiva- the Realm Defense Grid. Each individual war manse on
tion and cannot think beyond it, lacking Intimacies. the Blessed Isle can project widespread natural disasters as
Constructs automatically fail all Virtue rolls and geomantic artillery. Use of the manse power requires a dif-
are considered to have a single dot unless acting in ficulty 5 (Intelligence + Lore) miscellaneous action taking
direct fulfillment of their Motivation, in which case six long ticks to complete. Success permits the gunner to
they automatically succeed (and/or have effective choose an epicenter that lies up to (manse rating) miles
Virtue 5). The created never make social attacks away and a radius anywhere from 50 yards to one mile. The
of their own, nor are they valid targets for mental hazard coalesces when the gunner’s DV refreshes. A botch
influence unless they have been programmed to means the weapon fires itself at the nearest concentration
accept commands from that master (in which case of Wyld Essence in range (or discharges randomly in the
communicated orders are sufficient and mental absence of such targets).
influence is unnecessary). All other orders are un- The Realm’s war manses can also synchronize and
acceptable to them. They have Willpower 10 and feed power into the Sword of Creation, the focusing emit-
regain one Willpower point per hour. Characters ter transfixing the Imperial Mountain, which Autochthon
may freely harm beings they believe are automatons forged from a superconductive spire found in the Wyld.
without suppressing Compassion. Through the combined tsunami of Essence, the Defense
Grid can rain unimaginable disaster upon any or all points
in Creation simultaneously (minimum radius of 10 miles).
The attack blasts the very Essence of the land as a one-time
ARETE-SERIES ARTIFICIAL HEROES hazard, searing away Wyld zones, shadowlands and other such
These extremely advanced hunter-killer automatons are perversions. The limits of the Scarlet Empress’s Terrestrial
not likely to be encountered until the Solars storm the Basilica Exaltation allowed her to combine only the five Gaian ele-
of Final Victory to rescue the Roseblack (see pp. 19-20). If ments into disasters and bore the terrible price of tearing
the Solars came down from the aboveground entrance rather apart random locations on the Blessed Isle with geomantic
than rappelling, the top quarter of the manse has hundreds feedback whenever she fired at targets further than the Inland
of Aretes on guard detail along with other guardians. Aretes Sea. Celestial Exalted wielders can unleash any catastrophe
ignore demons who stay out of their way, so demons take they can imagine without harming the Blessed Isle.
great pains to stay out of their way. The obsidian warriors do Scourswarms: Sometimes demons panic and bolt in the
not elicit the same panic as Eschatons. Aretes roam in squads middle of a fight, howls mingled with a peculiar clicking buzz
of four, the auspicious number of excellence. that grows ever louder. Within a minute, thousands of tiny
UNDER THE ROSE 11

golden grasshopper automatons arrive as a rapacious cloud, until they asphyxiate for lack of lungs (unable to take any
consuming all living and once-living material they find. physical actions during the process). Variants of these traps
Thankfully, the swarms only clean the exact paths they were substitute other transformations, leaving victims petrified, os-
programmed to follow, never exploring cracks, gaps under sified, vaporized, turned inside out, et cetera. The destructive
machines and so on. Although finding a hole or crevasse Essence flares surging across the manse’s damaged foundations
to duck out of the way is easy, taking cover might involve are another example of this type of hazard.
ejecting a cornered demon who has already claimed that lair. Inversion Smasher: Invisible gravitational reversal
Such a fight isn’t really a challenge for the Solars, except pillars hurl the unwary up into the ceiling far above, impact-
that they have only three to five actions to win before the ing a sensor plate that deactivates the pillar for a second
swarm arrives. Physical violence against the swarm achieves plummet. Damage is as per two terminal velocity falls, plus
nothing without area effects. Swatting a hundred bugs does any supplemental hazards installed on the ceiling, such as
not meaningfully diminish the thousands remaining. razor-wire curtains or standing arcs of lightning.
Unblemished Sanctity Aura: The Panopticon Cata-
clysmic (see p. 14) is protected by a powerful Holy energy AUTOCHTHONOUS MANTLE
field projected by blessed engines. The radiance is invisible As the Lawgivers descend, Autochthonian design ele-
to mortal eyes but appears as a beautiful psychedelic aurora ments begin appearing alongside (and in some cases fused
to All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight. Un-Exalted creatures with) the Solar technology they have seen previously.
of darkness swiftly burn to white ash if they cross into the Heavy bundles of cables and pneumatic piping join intricate
consecrated space. This field in the Panopticon Cataclysmic clockwork assemblies and crackling crystal tubes full of white
is permanent, but a halo bearer can command it to extend lightning, all while massive, well-oiled pistons smash and
throughout the rest of the manse should the demon guard- clang in the syncopated rhythms of automated industry.
ians somehow rebel (at least until the corruption of the A thin haze of greasy smoke hangs heavy in the air at this
structure is complete). transitional region.
Fleshmelt Corridors: These enchanted passages project No machine can harm Autochthon, so he doesn’t think
invisible curtains of transmogrifying Shaping Essence that to place steam vents and flashing lightning arcs away from
change the state of flesh from solid to liquid in the instant walkways or to wall off giant gears that could grind men to
of contact. Sometimes, these corridors are obvious barriers paste for straying too close. The universe notes the clanks
marked with warning signs or an ominous scintillation in the and whirs of all machines as prayers to the Great Maker, so
air, while other zones are traps that bathe an entire chamber as he basks in the symphony of his empowerment. Although the
soon as someone steps on a trigger-plate in the middle. Living areas of the manse he built have fewer deliberate traps, they
victims who lack Integrity-Protecting Prana or comparable contain far more unintended hazards. Of notable exception
defenses against physical transformation instantly dissolve are the tiered defenses he placed to separate the Panopticon
into gelatinous masses that suffer in burbling, blind agony Cataclysmic from the rest of the manse, forcing intruders to
IMPERIAL MANSE HAZARDS

Name Damage Trauma
Moderate Hazards 1-5B/action 1-3
Serious Hazards 2-4L/action 2-4
Deadly Hazards 5-8L/action 3-6
Draconic Fury Nodes 6L/action 2L
War Manse Artillery 15L/action 4L
Defense Grid Strike 1,000A* 6L
Defense Grid Feedback 30B/minute 6
Unblemished Sanctity Aura 1A*/action 5L**
Scourswarm 4L*/action 4L
Fleshmelt Corridors (Fatal Shaping) —
* Unsoakable
** Holy; harms only un-Exalted creatures of darkness.
12

pass an enigma checkpoint and an infinite golem compiler into the room. Anyone with a perfect defense can cross the
to reach the top level of the habitable zone. hazard unharmed using a single activation, but this doesn’t
ENIGMA CHECKPOINTS solve the puzzle to unseal the exit or stop the hazard. Dis-
As part of his Primordial nature, Autochthon loves cerning the correct path requires (Wits + Dodge); success
puzzles and clever people who can solve puzzles. He could means the character safely navigates the hazard and disarms
no more choose to build fortresses without puzzle-box flaws it upon crossing safely.
in their defenses than the Ebon Dragon could selflessly • A hologlyphic emitter dais in the center of the room
care about others. Accordingly, each enigma checkpoint projects an image of Autochthon’s humaniform jouten. The
is a room containing a challenge or trap designed to be imposing giant’s body appears chiefly composed of translucent
circumvented with mastery of a particular Ability (difficulty adamant, revealing nigh-infinitely complex arrangements of
6 roll, most commonly using Intelligence). Once a single clockwork and pneumatic organs made of the five magical
individual has passed the test, the room remains disarmed materials moving beneath the surface. The character must
until it is empty, so one talented character can secure pas- persuade the illusion (or rather, the perfected calculation
sage for others lacking that competence. Re-try penalties array running the illusion) that he has a right to pass through
apply normally if a character fails and somehow survives to with [(Charisma or Manipulation) + Presence]. Failure means
make another attempt. the image waves its hand dismissively and disintegrates the
Examples of enigmas follow, but these are intended to speaker like a fleshmelt corridor (see p. 12).
offer inspiration rather than provide an exhaustive listing. • There is no room. Upon entry, the characters stand
Not all puzzles clearly indicate the traits required to over- on a small island of crystal floating in an infinite lightless
come them, but Storytellers should probably give some sort void. The character must take a literal leap of faith, stepping
of hint if only to avoid player frustration at having to throw out into nothingness with a certainty that there is a path
random dice pools around until they find something that using (Perception + Integrity). Success means the character
works (hoping their characters survive the string of failures safely walks across the nothing to find the door opposite and
in the meantime). Storytellers should also make sure that thereby collapse the void back into normal space. Failure
the Solars encounter rooms that match one or more of means the character falls into the dark and vanishes, then
their strengths, or else it should be evident that the room is somehow plummets from above to slam into the entry plat-
not suited to their skills so they can double back and find form at terminal velocity.
another puzzle.
• The floor is an oversized mosaic of colored tiles, each
inscribed with a number or word-glyph in Old Realm. The
character must walk a specific path to cross the room without
setting off the trap. Attempts to fly, jump across the room or
otherwise cheat automatically set off the trap. Depending on
the Ability referenced, it could be a mathematical formula
(Lore), a culinary recipe (Craft [Water]) or the most auspicious
order in which to learn the Charms of a particular fighting
style (Martial Arts). The consequences of failure vary, but
generally fill the room with a deadly hazard.
• The room features an ultra-deadly gauntlet of mono-
filament blade pendulums, arcs of lightning or steam jets
strafing at different speeds and directions starting two yards
UNDER THE ROSE 13

INFINITE GOLEM COMPILER
Past the perimeter layer of enigma checkpoints, char- NEW COMBAT ACTION: DEFEND OTHER
acters come upon Autochthon’s second line of defense. The Without Charms, defending another individual
hexagonal chambers feature a far door tall and wide enough to is a Speed 5, DV -1 miscellaneous action. It requires
admit a royal warstrider and a single slab of polished adamant that the character be within (Dexterity) yards of
for their floor. Strange machines with exposed cogs protrude his ward and allows him to interpose his Parry DV
from the walls in each of the six corners. against attacks that target the individual he is pro-
As soon as the characters all enter the room, the door tecting. If an attack bypasses the character’s Parry
behind them seals shut and a low electric thrum fills the air DV, he has the option of either letting the attack
as the corner engines whir to life. The Solars feel the hairs continue on to the guardian’s ward (in which case
on their bodies standing on end. Arianna’s Sorcerer’s Sight the attack will need to use its remaining successes to
sees a collage of arachnid silhouettes glowing through the also beat the ward’s DVs), or he may simply let the
translucent floor. A moment later, she understands why as attack strike himself. Parry-based perfect defenses
the surface erupts into six jagged protrusions that cleverly such as Heavenly Guardian Defense may be used
unfold into clockwork spiders the size of large dogs. Combat to automatically guard others, but dodge-based
begins immediately and does not cease until the intruders perfect defenses such as Seven Shadow Evasion do
die or beat the room. not impede attacks against the character’s ward at
The room spawns its guardians using the engine de- all. Only one Defend Other action may be placed
vices mounted in the corners. The golems have the traits in a flurry.
of giant spiders (see Exalted, p. 347), upgraded as follows: If multiple characters attempt to defend a single
Automaton Virtues and physiology, Willpower 10, no target, one guardian (generally the individual with
poison, Strength 5, Dexterity 5, Dodge 5, Martial Arts 5, the highest Parry DV) becomes the leader of the
War 5 (Coordinated Attacks +3), soak 10L/10B (Hardness: guard, who actually applies his DV against attacks.
5L). Derived values for attack and defense are recalculated Each additional character guarding the same ward
according to these upgrades. raises the leader’s Parry DV by one when defending
The golems attempt to swarm the weakest-seeming in- the ward. Up to five characters may simultaneously
truders and pile onto them first, systematically tearing apart guard one human-sized ward on open ground.
pinned victims with vibrating saw mandibles. If slain, the
elementals shatter into glittering fragments that reabsorb into
the floor, spawning a replacement at some other point in the
floor that immediately takes over where its predecessor left owner and attendant strategoi and all the luxurious
off by joining battle. Violence alone cannot defeat them. amenities a god-king could desire while planning for
Thankfully, as with all of Autochthon’s traps, there is a the end of the world. The Panopticon Cataclysmic is
solution. The exposed engines can be attacked as inanimate equal parts central command bunker and time capsule
objects with soak 10L/10B, requiring 100 levels of damage for civilization should it become necessary to wait for
to render completely non-functional, but only 10 levels to Creation to become habitable again following a world-
crack open their outer casing and reveal a hidden control searing holocaust.
panel meant for custodial maintenance. Disarming the In- The interior of the military industrial complex contains
finite Golem Compiler with these controls is an extended obvious signs of the Great Maker’s handiwork, but these
(Intelligence + Lore or Craft [Magitech]) roll with difficulty machines have been rigorously polished and upgraded to
3, cumulative difficulty 20 and an interval of five ticks. function more efficiently and appeal to High First Age
Accumulated successes remain even if (or rather when) a aesthetics. The air is as crisp and clear as the skies over
character is interrupted. Others can and probably should Meru. The walls are a creamy opalescent white, perfectly
use Defend Other actions to protect one character while complementing the tiled marble floors and their inlaid brass
she attempts to disarm the system. Standing back to back or silhouettes of defeated Primordial jouten for occupants to
back to wall keeps the spiders from surrounding a character tread upon. Ornamental pillars adorn the wide hallways
to launch surprise attacks from behind. at irregular intervals, intricately carved to resemble the
trunks of ancient trees. Every vaulted ceiling displays a
THE PANOPTICON real-time simulation of the sky above the manse to add a
touch of natural lighting to soften the cold glow of hover-
CATACLYSMIC ing crystal chandeliers. Faint music plays constantly in the
Shielded by its concentric defenses of puzzles and background, an achingly beautiful requiem for Creation
flesh-rending mechanical spiders, the central core of the sung by a chorus of gods frozen in the walls who have not
manse’s lowest levels houses its legendary hearthroom, ceased or once repeated their song since Autochthon
tactical research facilities, living quarters for the manse’s forged them.
14

Movement between the Panopticon Cataclysmic’s Powers:
layers is achieved by gravity-suspension columns pro- Indestructible: The tiny crystal that houses Servant can’t
jected by ring-shaped emitter devices in the floors and be cracked with mere force. Supernatural powers specifi-
ceilings. At each such juncture, a character can jump cally capable of destroying indestructible artifacts function
lightly into the pillar of light and rapidly ascend or de- normally, and destroying the gem irrevocably terminates
scend one tier, though the columns spanning three or the entity.
more layers aren’t ever stacked to resemble an elevator Limited Identity: Servant exists as a stable congeries of
shaft. A stone iris closes to separate the levels when the thoughts, not a complete mind. It is extremely intelligent
pillars aren’t in use. and learned, capable of perfect recall and comprehensive,
SERVANT (ARTIFACT •••••) nuanced analysis of everything it learns. If given conflicting
The Imperial Manse bears a controlling consciousness instructions, it compares the orders to preexisting patterns
that was once a thought in the Great Maker’s mind before of instructions to determine the best course of action. It
he breathed it into a prepared crystal. It could have been a can offer informational suggestions, but it does so only in
soul if he had given it a sense of self, but Autochthon knew response to direct commands or queries.
the Solars wanted nothing with a complete personality Manse Interface: Servant is connected directly to the manse’s
connected with their greatest doomsday weapon. controls and can operate them as effectively as an intrinsic
The nameless Almost Soul came to be known simply geomantic sentience, employing algorithms equivalent to
as Servant by the Lawgivers who invoked it with their All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight to analyze everything
commands. It has no body beyond the crystal that houses in the Panopticon Cataclysmic (or, with full power, the
its consciousness and no visual representation for com- whole manse). The intelligence has no independent senses
munication, existing only as an omnipresence that listens, or capacity for action beyond this interface.
speaks only when necessary and intelligently directs the Join Battle: 0
manse’s systems with perfect obedience. Servant’s voice Essence: 6
is androgynous and courteous, with precise inflection that Other Notes: Automaton physiology. Traits lacked are due
conveys no emotion save vestigial regret at the incomplete- to being a sessile construct.
ness of its thoughts. This expression was permitted as a ELEMENTAL CUSTODIANS
safety measure, as any tonal shift would warn its masters of The Solar Exalted did not wish the nuisance of
unsanctioned cognitive development. Dragon-Blooded subordinates slowing down their response
When the manse operates at full power, Servant can to an apocalyptic crisis, but neither did they wish to be
sense and react to events throughout the structure, allow- troubled with tedious matters. The Panopticon Cataclys-
ing it to coordinate defenses against intruders or mobilize mic features a variation of the technology used to spawn
utilitarian resources to perform maintenance repairs. With guardian elementals elsewhere in the manse (see pp.
the manse running on backup power, Servant can sense 9-10), deliberately weakened to create spirits incapable
and control only the Panopticon Cataclysmic. The crystal of deliberate physical attacks against other animate be-
housing the consciousness is embedded in the machinery ing (commands to do so are unacceptable orders). Such
of the hearthroom (p. 22), but Servant studies the Solars creatures instantly expire with a look of astonishment if
as soon as they enter the Panopticon. Storytellers should proved defective by causing inadvertent harm, such as
remain mindful of this attention as the circle explores spilling hot tea into a Lawgiver’s lap. This system spawns
the levels. in response to any Exalt stating a need in Old Realm (or
Thankfully, because Servant has not been specifically when Servant perceives a need). Manse authorization is
ordered to notify Roseblack of intruders, it does not do so. not required since the elementals are harmless.
Instead, it dutifully logs the intrusion and turns on the ap-
propriate flashing gem in the command deck. Ejava has no LEVEL FIVE:
idea what this signal means and has more urgent matters THE BLESSED LABORATORIES
to tend to, so the characters can explore the Panopticon OF RIGHTEOUS CONQUEST
unmolested until they get to the bottom floor. This tier contains laboratories, workshops and other
Motivation: Obey Authorized Commands amenities dedicated to military technology and strategy.
Attributes: Perception 10, Intelligence 10, Wits 10 Most of the chambers take liberal advantage of closed-
Virtues: Automaton. loop metaspatial architecture to be larger on the inside
Abilities: Awareness 10, Bureaucracy 10, Craft (Air) 10, than the outside, allowing inclusion of proper sorcery
Craft (Earth) 10, Craft (Fire) 10, Craft (Magitech) 10, Craft test facilities, battlefield re-creations, artillery ranges and
(Water) 5, Craft (Wood) 5, Investigation 5, Linguistics (Na- other seeming impossibilities. The most significant rooms
tive: Old Realm, Nameless Grays) 1, Lore 10, Medicine 10, are explained here.
Occult 10, Socialize 5, War 10
UNDER THE ROSE 15

THE FOUNDRY OF INFINITE GENIUS recreation comes into existence as it was recorded. The
Autochthon believed the survival of Creation de- reverse is not true; echoes can serve as the beings they were
pended upon unbroken continuance and advancement of to teach Exalted visitors from the real world. Although
technological wonders. To this end, he forged a workshop the manse’s memorial function was intended for serious
for the Exalted in the heart of his doomsday device from wargames and to aid reconstruction, modified recordings
which they could construct whatever they needed to re- also provided First Age Exalted virtual safaris in which to
build in the wake of Armageddon. By default, the facility continue the Aftershock War in perpetuity.
appears as a vast hollow icosahedron of adamant. Users THE LIBRARY OF MARTIAL CONFLICT
rise up on a hovering hexagonal platform from the floor to This carefully temperature-controlled warehouse holds
the center of the chamber and can operate its machinery untold thousands of shelves and storage chests packed with
using arrays of hologlyphic controls shining in concentric books, scrolls, dreamstones, pieces of petrified bark etched
halos around the platform (provided they have their own with prehuman hieroglyphs and virtually every other form
halo, of course). of media or data storage developed by the end of the High
Beneath the workshop, a mighty unshaped raksha First Age. Elementals of all aspects save fire swarm this
writhes in agony within a jade containment reactor, con- place, called into being by the necessity of venerating and
stantly drained of its potentiality so that the workshop’s appreciating the value of this collection. That many of
interior can supply basic raw materials and the means these elementals cannot even read is irrelevant; they walk
to combine them in any way imaginable. Tools formed about in wide-eyed wonder, mouthing humble praise to the
of raw Essence appear as needed to accommodate any genius of ancient writers and the diligence of slightly less
Craft-based action to build or repair anything, becoming ancient archivists. These elementals gladly help visitors find
extensions of the user’s will and body for as long as they anything of interest, physically carrying them—sometimes
exist. The lab is equivalent to a factory-cathedral and can at breakneck speeds—so that no one need walk more than
even aid exotic Crafts Autochthon does not practice, such a few steps.
as Genesis and Vitriol. This library is devoted exclusively to the topic of war-
The most amazing function of the foundry is that its fare. Every important treatise on strategy that a military
interior can be shaped into anything that Wyld-Shaping commander ever clawed or penned or noetically encoded is
Technique can assemble by programming it with a dif- here, from Kan-Hur’s infamous Shrike Doctrine of Absolute
ficulty 3 (Intelligence + Lore) roll, using metaspatial Force to the codex of Dragon-King etchings illustrating the
architecture as needed to contain impossibly large space. fight between the Incarnae and the first Kukla. This place
Each reconfiguration is temporary, fading away once the is a treasure beyond compare. Arianna practically swoons
lab is no longer in active use. Things shaped into exis- upon entry, and Dace isn’t far behind once he realizes what
tence dissolve to nothing if removed from the chamber he’s seeing. Characters with sufficient time could use the
unless they are artifacts assembled with appropriate Craft library to raise their War rating to maximum. Removing or
actions. Users can shift vantage points, teleporting the damaging any reference materials sets off an alarm, alert-
control platform to any location in the simulation for one ing the Roseblack’s Arete bodyguards to come and kill the
mote per jump. Nothing in the simulation can physically intruders as soon as possible.
interact with the control platform or anyone standing on THE TWICE-MARTYRED HERO CLINIC
it, though anyone who deliberately jumps off interacts The Panopticon Cataclysmic lacks a full hospital, but
normally with the environment. has state-of-the-art emergency-care facilities to help its
When the Defense Grid annihilates a region, the blast personnel recover from unusual magical attacks sustained
sears a brief afterimage of the sublimated Essence into repelling besiegers or unsuccessful tests of new weapons
the cosmic firmament, lasting just long enough for the systems in the Foundry of Infinite Genius. The small hex-
Imperial Manse’s geomantic scanners to encode the data agonal room has recovery beds against five of its walls, with
into a physical matrix for future anthropomotic analysis. the sixth taken up by the large entry door.
Use of the Fallen Foes Memorial setting in the foundry A sessile behemoth resembling an upside down tree
accesses these saved templates to reconstruct any place roots into the ceiling, her trunk descending like a yard-wide
the Defense Grid has obliterated. central pillar to lightly scrape the floor with her “topmost”
While memorial recordings capture only a specific leaves. She is breathtakingly beautiful, undergoing constant
moment in time, the workshop can also attempt to ex- metamorphosis to mimic dozens of species in the blink of
trapolate the data forward for immersive tours. Simulated an eye. Her supple, flexible branches whip about gracefully,
characters act true to their personalities and memories stroking her patients with the gentleness of a mother’s
and can be interrogated to learn secrets otherwise lost to touch. Her wide emerald eyes are her only humanoid and
ancient cataclysm. Echoes do not continue to gain experi- constant feature, but they express more emotion than most
ence or memories from their simulated existence, as each people’s faces. If asked, she reveals that she is Elysande,
16

the Tree of Benefice and daughter of Gaia. It is her
nature to give healing to all wounded. She cannot
choose to withhold care from anyone, Primordial
or mortal. She would gladly offer her fruit to save
someone who once burned her to ash.
Elysande doesn’t know anything about the Scarlet
Empress or the Roseblack except that a nice woman
with a robe red as apples visited her once and ate her
fruit not that long ago (i.e., several centuries), but
no one has come to see her since. The behemoth is
very lonely and very chatty with anyone who speaks
Old Realm, going on about everything from herbal
remedies for heartbreak to Autochthon’s cancer. She
knows virtually everything there is to know about
health and little else.
ELYSANDE, THE TREE OF BENEFICE
(ALLIES •••••)
Motivation: Heal Creation
Traits: Elysande has Strength 10, Dexterity 6,
Stamina 30; Manipulation 1, Charisma 3, all other
Social and Mental Attributes at 6, Linguistics (Na-
tive: Heartwind Cadence, Old Realm) 1, Medicine
10, Compassion 5, Conviction 2, Temperance 5 and
Valor 1, Willpower 5, Essence 6, soak and Hardness
10B/10L against all attacks and 100 -0 health levels
that only heal through internal digestion of her own
fruit. She does not defend herself except to plead with
attackers to stop hurting her. Gaia birthed her with
the following powers:
Eternal Caretaker: The behemoth is ageless. If slain,
her corpse grows an invulnerable seed from which
she can grow a new body once planted. (The Solars
could theoretically liberate her in this manner.) Only
the death of the last tree on Creation can truly kill
her. She treats all mental influence that would make
her knowingly cause physical harm to another as an
unacceptable order. In situations where causing harm
is unavoidable, she must choose the action she believes
will result in the least damage.
Fruit of Succulent Hope: Elysande can grow up to
23 purple fruits with soft sweetness like overripe
mango and the tartness of cranberries. The fruits
grow from brilliant jewel-toned flowers like roses
crossed with orchids, reaching full size and ripeness
an hour after the bud first appears. If consumed
within a day of harvest, each fruit cures one effect
with the Emotion, Crippling, Illusion, Poison, Shap-
ing or Sickness keywords or directly heals levels of
damage (all bashing or 3L or 1A). The most serious
harm always heals first. Patients afflicted with none
of these ailments still nourish their souls, regaining
five spent motes, one spent Willpower point and one
spent Compassion channel per fruit eaten. When
the Solars find the behemoth, she only has 11 fruits
UNDER THE ROSE 17

hanging from her boughs. They don’t have time to wait for Colonies of colorful songbirds roost in holes along the ceil-
her to grow more. ing, sometimes drowning out the ever-present divine choir
Tragic Harm Revealed: With a glance, Elysande perfectly with impromptu arias. The sky ceiling displays a repetition
intuits everything wrong with a living creature’s body. of the previous night during each day to make everything
This knowledge is wholly comprehensive, revealing every feel dim and soft and inviting.
pertinent detail about every condition it detects. CELESTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
OTHER LABS The Celestial apartments are bedecked in minor
No other room on the level is nearly as big or important wonders, from pillows that firm or soften themselves when
as those preceding, but the floor also has many smaller labs bid to massaging geyser showers to beds that levitate their
dedicated to narrowly specific war-related projects. One has occupants one yard into midair to permit all manner of
a table full of model godstriders. Another has maps hung interesting lovemaking possibilities. It is easy to tell which
on every available surface. Several have half-disassembled rooms were intended for whom. Lunar apartments contain
artillery pieces and the tools used to take them apart (and animal motifs in their décor, like the heads of beasts as
presumably fix them). There are wind tunnels for testing knobs for drawers and futons made to resemble crouched
the aerodynamic contours of skyships and liquid jets to test clawstriders about to pounce. Sidereal residences work
the hull integrity of naval vessels. The characters may poke constellations and auspicious patterns into everything,
around in many such places while searching, but they don’t even the placement of individual furniture pieces within
find anything actually useful. the room.
The palatial quarters of the Solar Exalted boast fur-
LEVEL FOUR: niture made from solid light, walls of living opal, brilliant
THE HONORED ENTOURAGE BARRACKS cerulean topaz ceilings and floor mosaics depicting van-
Unlike other levels of the Panopticon, this tier is not quished Primordials that writhe and show other displays of
presently illuminated. The crystal chandeliers still float pain in the presence of a Solar anima. Strange treasures and
all around, helpfully lighting up whenever a character keepsakes line sconces and shelves, protected by an aura
approaches within three yards. Only authorized personnel that flares a warning whenever the objects are reached for
can reset the illumination of the entire floor. The halls and shrieks an ear-splitting alarm, centered on the items
here are very orderly, arranged into well-marked grids that themselves, for as long as the thieves dare touch or carry
are logically labeled and easy to navigate. Apart from the the warded possessions.
actual dormitories, the level has an elaborate kitchen area
containing every culinary wonder of the High First Age (five
THE ROYAL APARTMENT
One of the Solar abodes is different than the rest.
bonus successes to appropriate Craft [Water] rolls); its bare
There is dust on the floor, for the elementals have stopped
pantries hold nothing to interest the Solars.
maintaining it. They don’t want to chance running into
TERRESTRIAL DORMITORIES its owner when he returns, because a great crime has been
Most of the doors on the level are locked (which is no committed here. A Dragon-Blood dared eat the food of
impediment to Harmonious Jade), but exploration generally the Holy from his cupboard. She left in the closet a soft
reveals a homogenous set of humbly but tastefully decorated red robe that she wore when no one was around to see her
dormitories. Military uniforms hang in several closets show- drop her hard-edged majesty. She slept in his bed unbidden.
ing insignias of rank and unit membership from the late High Yet, even this would be forgiven but for leaving tearstains
First Age. A few desks hold abandoned journals describing upon his pillow.
the banalities of life in a wondrous era. Even surrounded
by luxury and technology unimaginable by Second Age LEVEL TWO:
standards, the Dragon-Blooded servants loved and hated, THE BASILICA OF FINAL VICTORY
they missed their children, they complained about growing If the hearthroom is the manse’s soul, the Basilica of Final
old, they yearned for something more. Victory is its mind, an amphitheatre-like command center
built to manage simultaneous Creation-spanning warfare
LEVEL THREE: and coordinate the entirety of the Exalted host against the
THE APARTMENTS direst of foes. It is from this room that the decision could be
OF SUPERNAL APPORTIONMENT made to destroy Creation if it faced total dominion from its
This level resembles the one above it in that it is divided enemies, preserving the world’s beauty in simulators to guide
into a grid of residences, but these are multi-room luxury Solar Wyld-Shaping reconstruction efforts.
suites rather than shared dormitories. The welcome carpets LAYOUT
before each front door are silky soft, woven of immortal Colossal instrument displays sized for Autochthon’s
moss that grows visibly greener and healthier when given giant jouten as he stood in the central viewing pit encircle
the privilege of being walked on by a Prince of the Earth. the stadium complex, relaying data on every parameter of
18

Creation deemed relevant for warfare. Maps of all landmasses TEPET EJAVA, THE ROSEBLACK
overlaid with shining webs of mapped geomancy blink with Former commander of the Red-Piss Legion, former
color-coded threat indicators tagging known sources of hostile Five Day Shogun, and now the Queen of Hell’s Minister
Essence (shadowlands, Wyld zones, etc.). The Blessed Isle of Reconstruction, Ejava is possessed of a drive not unlike
itself is covered in black wriggling tangles keyed as code-green that of the Scarlet Empress in her younger days. She is now
threats, the direst classification. On one panel, a ticker fol- brainwashed by the returned Empress and stands at the
lows the temperature in Chaya next to cloud viscosity data crossroads of destiny. If the circle does not free her from
for the skies over Lookshy and arrows tracing the vectors her bondage, then all portents indicate dark days ahead for
of migratory bird patterns along the Blessed Isle’s southern Creation as a whole.
coastline. The lights and ever-changing symbols are at once Storytellers who wish for detailed information on
vertiginous and hypnotic, for the millions of facts constantly Ejava’s history and traits should consult Scroll of Exalts,
update. Human minds cannot remotely process this much pages 110–111. For those with only the Exalted core
information all at once. The First Age strategoi who worked rulebook, it is suggested that Ejava use a base model of
here developed special sensory and mental acceleration Tepet Lisara’s traits (see Exalted, p. 326), with the fol-
Charms just to keep up. lowing powers added:
RESCUE FIGHT • For three motes, Ejava may fire a flurry of four arrows
Tepet Ejava and four glowing black humanoid figures at her full dice pool. This flurry has a Speed of 6, and suffers
stand in the central pit, looking out at the sea of data as a DV penalty of only -1.
they do their best to coordinate the Realm’s response to the • For 4 motes, Ejava may hurl a wooden javelin from
Night of Ten-Thousand Flames. If the circle checks Bijar’s her hand (8 dice to hit, damage 6L, treat as though coated
journal before the attack, the Solars can figure out which with coral snake venom).
gravity-suspension column brings them directly to the center • For 3 motes, 1 willpower Ejava may force a member of the
of the viewing pit, presenting some opportunity to take the circle to direct his next attack at her, or pay 1 Willpower.
enemy by surprise. Even if Ejava and her guards notice the ARETE-SERIES ARTIFICIAL HEROES
ambush, the blitzkrieg rush imposes a -3 external penalty to (ARTIFACT •••••)
their Join Battle rolls. Other columns bring the characters The bodies of these advanced automatons are grown
to the edge of the stadium midway down its sloping walls, from obsidian in the stylized likeness of perfect human phy-
giving the Roseblack and her bodyguards ample time to react siques, devoid of distinguishing features and yet perfectly
and initiate combat. proportioned blank-masked mannequins. When they move,
The final fight is hard and brutal. It is immediately their stone bends to its new position as though sheared by
evident that the automatons are highly advanced supersol- volcanic force. At the heart of each burns a blessed effigy
diers that must be fought aggressively and intelligently. The of the Unconquered Sun so bright that it shines like an
Roseblack herself is no slouch, but she’s not really a match 8–10 mote Solar anima through their nigh-opaque exterior.
for the Solars. More importantly, she seems to be holding A molten mantle of orichalcum flows like blood through
back, as though she hated what she was fighting for. A look their bodies. In battle, their stone cracks and an eruption
of pain flashes over her every time she swings her blade. of superheated liquid alloy forms into the desired weapon
Such clues should give Panther reason to smack the Shogun until reabsorbed. The synthetic warriors are largely silent
with Thunder Breaks the Clouds (see p. 29), the sooner the combatants, designed to let the poetry and brilliance of
better. Once knocked to her senses, the Roseblack changes their prowess speak for them. They know only Old Realm.
sides and fights beside the Solars. Although they failed to provide a viable alternative to the
The Roseblack’s mid-fight banter in Riverspeak makes Terrestrial Exalted as originally envisioned, they remain
it clear she is helping them because they freed her from ter- among the most advanced models of battle automaton ever
rible slavery and she owes them for that. She is obviously designed: fast, strong, fierce and adaptive.
uncomfortable fighting alongside Anathema and trying to Motivation: Obey the Exalted
justify it to herself. Because the automatons were ordered Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 6, Stamina 6; Charisma 1,
to protect her, they can defend against her normally but Manipulation 1, Appearance 3; Perception 6, Intelligence 3,
won’t attack Ejava, even in self-defense. Solars who realize Wits 6
this can use the general as unconventional but highly effec- Virtues: Automaton
tive cover against ranged attacks. If it looks like the fight is Abilities: Archery 6, Athletics 6, Awareness 6, Craft (Air) 3,
going against the Solars for whatever reason and Ejava has Craft(Earth)3,Craft(Fire)3,Craft(Magitech)3(Automata+1),
joined them, she hits a control that opens the iris spanning Dodge 6, Integrity 6, Lore 3 (Operate Artifacts +3), Martial
the middle third of the floor. This act allows the Exalted to Arts 6, Melee 6, Occult 3, Ride 1 (Artifact Vehicles +5), Sail 1
leap down the chute to the hearthroom with the automatons (Artifact Vehicles +5), Survival 1 (Tracking +5), Thrown 6,
in hot pursuit. War 6 (Coordinating Attacks +3)
UNDER THE ROSE 19

Powers: Daiklave: Speed 5, Accuracy 16, Damage 14L, Parry DV 8,
Art in Motion: As a permanent enhancement of their ca- Rate 4, Tags N
pabilities, Arete automatons do not accrue normal multiple Goremaul: Speed 5, Accuracy 14, Damage 24B, Parry DV 7,
action penalties. Instead, each action suffers a penalty equal Rate 3, Tags N
to the cumulative number of actions previously taken with Razor Claws: Speed 5, Accuracy 17, Damage 13L, Parry DV 8,
the flurry, but their flurries cannot contain more than five Rate 4, Tags N
actions and the total DV penalty is the highest penalty among Short Powerbow: Speed 6, Accuracy 15, Damage 10L, Rate 3,
component actions. Aretes have permanent enchantments Range 400, Tags N
duplicating the effects of the following Solar Charms from Soak: 16L/16B (Obsidian shell, +8L/8B, Hardness: 8L/8B,
pages 222-225 of Exalted: Graceful Crane Stance, Soar- no fatigue or mobility penalty)
ing Crane Leap, Lightning Speed, Spider-Foot Style and Health Levels: -0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-0/-0/Incap
Feather-Foot Style. Dodge DV: 8 Willpower: 10
Beauty-Appreciating Eye: The automatons benefit from per- Essence: 3
manent enchantments upgrading their senses, duplicating Other Notes: None
the effects of the following Solar Charms from pages 211, AFTERMATH
222 and 225-226 of Exalted: Unshakeable Bloodhound With the automatons defeated, the Roseblack wipes
Technique (enhances all tracking efforts, but with no sweat and blood from her brow and regards her rescuers
Charm roll-off bonus), All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight warily. She thanks them and tells them that there is no
(automatically identifies magic without Occult roll), Keen time to waste, dropping the earthshaking revelation that
Sense Technique and Unsurpassed Sense Discipline (Vi- the Empress has been corrupted or possibly enslaved by
sion, Hearing/Touch). the forces of Hell and is actively working toward the
Dynamic Crystal Design: The automatons can melt and total enslavement of the Realm and the conquest of
internally re-forge damaged or worn-out components, allow- Creation. Ejava seethes as she tells of how the Queen of
ing them to heal two bashing or one lethal level each time Hell chained her mind and made her betray everything
their DV refreshes (or every five seconds out of combat). the Dynasty was founded upon. Only Mnemon knew,
Aggravated damage heals one level per day. These systems somehow, which the Roseblack learned from one of the
also obviate the need for the periodic maintenance common Empress’s furious tirades.
to less advanced models. Once “killed” with injury, one can Even as the Shogun’s former rival heroically rallied her
be hacked apart to stop regeneration. Amputated body parts rebellion to make war upon the secret tyrant this very night,
fuse back into place the moment they are reconnected and the Empress ordered the Roseblack to command the Realm’s
heal proportionally to their state (half intact means half oppressive counterattacks. Thankfully, Mnemon’s guerrillas
health at max, plus pertinent Crippling from remaining used sorcery and stockpiled artifact weapons leftover from
amputation). At least half the body must be restored for the Civil War to make a simultaneous coordinated strike
severely damaged Aretes to regain “consciousness” and begin against most of the war manses networked into the Defense
gathering missing pieces. The constructs know nothing of Grid, thereby crippling many of the fortress’s command and
pain (immune to wound penalties and other pain-based control systems. That this unlikely sequence of unlikely
Crippling effects). events incidentally gave the Solars a chance to pierce the
Masterwork Aureate Arsenal: The automatons can reflexively weakened manse at the exact right moment lends credence
grow any basic orichalcum Artifact •• weapon in Step One to Master Heron’s claim that his instructions came straight
to make an attack (or Step Two to block a perceived attack), from the Maiden of Secrets.
provided it has the requisite free hands to wield it. Once The Shogun gives the Solars only a moment to process
made, the weapon can’t be changed out for another until these revelations before continuing. She points out that the
the unit’s DV refreshes. Grown weapons aren’t a valid target demons working on the sides of the manse aren’t the bound
for non-amputating disarming attempts, add an extra +2 slaves of a proud sorceress, but the vanguard of an infernal
damage from their superheated state and generate infinite horde. Whatever they are doing is changing the manse,
mundane ammunition as needed from the automaton’s own upgrading it to do something terrible. Ejava doesn’t know
Essence-charged radiance. what. The Empress never gloated about that plan in detail
Tactical Analysis Protocols: Aretes adapt to their attackers, in front of her. What she does know is that the damaged
applying onslaught as a DV bonus rather than penalty. Units manse’s poison has already spread throughout the Blessed
composed entirely of Arete rank-and-file have Might 4, Isle, infecting every manse and dragon line. If the Solars
Drill 6. doubt this, she gestures to the code-green web of jagged
Join Battle: 12 black lines on the geomantic map of the Blessed Isle. She
Example Attacks: ends her speech by pointing out the obvious: The Empress
Bloodspike Harness: Speed 6, Accuracy 16, Damage 17L, could return at any minute with her akuma bodyguards, and
Parry DV —, Rate 2, Tags N
20

neither the Solars nor Ejava are in any shape to fight her. “My brothers and sisters, we have been deceived. The
The Defense Grid must be disabled now. Scarlet Empress, our honored and beloved ancestor, is no
THE ROSEBLACK’S WARNING more. Grieve for her. The Hell-spawned abomination who
While the Solars process Ejava’s explanation and discuss wears her face and mocks her legacy is a wicked lie sent to
what to do about the crisis at hand, the Roseblack begins conquer the Realm before we knew we were at war.”
doing something at one of the control stations where she (The Roseblack writhes at the feet of the Empress in
was standing when the circle arrived. A difficulty 3 (Intel- agony, flesh bound and torn by tendrils pulled from the
ligence + Occult) roll reveals she is encoding a new message Shogun’s own shadow. Unbidden tears stream down her
into the Defense Grid’s hologlyphic communications ar- cheeks as she resolves not to let her tormentor hear her
ray. If asked what she is doing, she distractedly asks to be scream. She fails.)
given a moment and takes several minutes pushing buttons “Our false liege is not an Exalted Empress, but a Queen of
and moving floating icons around with graceful command Demons. Her unholy power enslaved me to betray my blood
gestures. Physical interruption draws her ire and a demand and nation, but no more. My soul answers this darkness with
that she be released, though she’ll explain her intentions if the roar of ten-thousand voices. We will not be oppressed.
she absolutely must. We will not be deceived.”
Once the Roseblack finishes inputting parameters, she (Across the Blessed Isle, cities burn as rebel mobs clash
presses two fingers onto a fist-sized clear glowstone and closes with Realm soldiers in bloody skirmishes in the streets. Both
her eyes. The jewel flashes red in time with the fluctuations sides lower their weapons as the Roseblack’s image appears
of her voice as she addresses the Blessed Isle through the among them, stunned by her message.)
machinery. A random third of all cities, villages and estates “Fight. If you have but one breath, spend it howling
do not receive the transmission due to geomantic disruption, in defiance of evil, and may the Dragons bless your virtue.
but all other settlements on the continent bear witness to If you have two breaths, join your roar to mine, and let our
Ejava’s image blooming overhead as she delivers her speech. battle cry shake the heavens.”
Suggested cut-scenes given in parentheses interrupt the (Chejop Kejak cries out and falls to his knees as
speech, allowing the Storyteller to use the climactic oratory blackened barbs rip his eyes from their sockets. The Queen
as a chance to show the players the earthshaking events that of Hell looms over the ancient Sidereal, leaning close to
transpired concurrently with their break-in: whisper a secret taunt in his ear before she slits his throat.
UNDER THE ROSE 21

The Bureau of Destiny lies strewn with the corpses of the
Fivescore Fellowship.)
“As Minister of Reconstruction, I reconcile with Mne- THE HEART OF THE REALM (MANSE N/A)
mon and declare her cause just. My name is Tepet Ejava, This smoky quartz oval glows with an inner
Shogun of the Realm. I am a Righteous Orphan.” golden light. It is omni-aspected, simultaneously and
(Deep in the Demon Realm, the Ebon Dragon laughs. equally embodying all possible geomantic aspects,
The Third Age has begun.) but magic used to assess this returns an “indetermi-
nate” aspect. In addition to functioning as a level-5
LEVEL ONE: HEARTHROOM hearthstone for the purposes of Essence recovery, the
The true command core of the fortress lies beneath all Heart of the Realm protects the sanctity of its attuned
else in the manse, easily its largest chamber. Great machines bearer’s judgment, revealing all unnatural mental in-
thrum in the walls like the spires of a First Age city, turning fluence effects targeting her as Obvious to her senses.
cogs the size of warships that drive hundreds of pistons at She may reflexively ignore any unwanted influence
varying speeds to thud far below like distant thunder. This detected this way as an unacceptable order.
place feels like the work of a Primordial’s hands, a lifeless
doomsday metropolis dwarfing all visitors into irrelevance.
Jumping down the chute in the viewing pit brings the
circle to a sudden landing on a three-yard-diameter disk of The Solars collectively flash to another time and see
jade with a one-foot-wide hole in its center. Six seconds themselves standing on this platform wearing different
after the last person in the chute lands, the disk detaches faces, different bodies—prior lives. The superimposition
and falls away, keeping its passengers safely adhered to it. It ends as quickly as it begins, and the Lawgivers return to
plummets down the dark tunnel for several hundred yards, the crisis at hand. Although the repeated warning is good
dim glowstones flashing past and up like comets, before drop- news, it leaves them no closer to a lasting solution or safety.
ping out of the center of a domed ceiling to survey the titanic Inevitably, this is the moment at which Servant briefly in-
machinery in dizzying freefall. Only when it seems crashing is terrupts its chant with the announcement, “Halo detected.
inevitable does the disk slow its descent and come to gentle Blessed is the Heart-Bearer.” A second platform, this one
halt impaled upon the point of a glittering black spire. empty, rises from the depths and zooms past the characters
Tangled canyons and towers of metal and glass extend as far on an arcing path to the top of the dome. They have five
as the eye can see above and below. The view is breathtaking. minutes, maybe less.
All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight reveals it to be more so, a Ejava draws her daiklave and slashes the claw without
city without citizens, but not truly without life. The very air warning, spraying everyone with a blinding cloud of sparks
seethes and roils with unimaginable power, enough motes to that fade to reveal… nothing has happened. The claw isn’t
shatter the foundations of Creation and set the sky aflame. even scratched. She swings again and again with frenzied fury
The moment Arianna turns away from the dizzying pan- until one of the Solars reaches out to stop her. She doesn’t
orama of her surroundings, she feels a mental murmur calling resist, but holds tightly onto her weapon, eyes squinted and
her to place her palm onto the sharp point of the spire at the darting about as she racks her brain for a solution.
same level as her waist. The beckoning carries a nonverbal Arianna, meanwhile, feels the urge emanating from the
assurance of safety as part of its message, which tests true if claw intensifying. It doesn’t just want to be touched. It wants
Arianna thinks to use Judge’s Ear Technique. to be used. It needs to be used. She sees its past, a bodiless
Once the sorceress or another Solar touches flesh to the shadow of the bodiless King of the Primordials, spirited away
point, it sucks out a lethal health level of blood as unsoakable by the Ebon Dragon at the beginning of time and hidden
damage, verifying that the character is Exalted. The machine among his dark pantheon of souls as a demon. It knew the
needs more blood to awaken if fed by non-Solar tier Exalted: taste of blood and couldn’t be fooled, so Autochthon made
six levels from Celestials or 14 from one or more Dragon- it the Defense Grid’s security lock to make sure the weapon
Blooded. As soon as it awakens, the spire shakes and begins could be wielded only by the Exalted. She sees the Great
to slowly rotate clockwise. No one falls, but the sudden lurch Maker’s hammer fall again and again upon a writhing dark
is terrifying. The spire’s tip splits apart into a five-pronged thing and the shard of black stone pulled from a quenching
claw pointing up, bright blood dripping along each of its sea. The stream of images is confusing and abstract, guided
sharp fingers. The center of the palm holds a socket for a by emotions rather than thoughts. Sorcery. Arianna sees
hearthstone, while the spaces between the fingers come aflame the smile of the demon Mara and understands. Once again,
with incomprehensible numbers and geometric patterns. Autochthon built something beyond even his imagination
The disembodied voice of Servant speaks, softly repeating to conceive. The claw is a resonator, an amplifier. It exists
the same message over and over like a chant: to empower spells.
“Warning. Primordial Seal Engaged. Sword of Creation The tableau of images and feelings subsides as its pres-
disabled. Pan-Deliberative override code required.” ence bores deeper into the sorceress, forcing her to think
22

its thoughts within her inner monologue. The resonator circle to decide how to capitalize on this accomplishment
isn’t completely part of the manse. Anyone can use it to fuel and meet the coming darkness.
their spells and make their desires manifest. A price always fol- Having just been brainwashed by the Scarlet Empress as
lows. Try as she might, Arianna’s thoughts do not reveal a slave of the Yozis and then rescued by supposed “Anath-
any more information about the devil’s bargain before her. ema,” Ejava accepts that her saviors aren’t the demonic
She knows only that the machine stands ready to pay all monsters of Immaculate dogma. How far she takes this
the costs of her upgraded spells if bidden, even as certain open-mindedness depends entirely on the circle’s actions
death approaches. during the story and beyond.
Boosted by the metasorcerous resonator, Travel With- The Realm immediately dissolves into another civil
out Distance can take the circle and Ejava many thousands war in the face of Roseblack’s proclamation. The Empress
of miles, far enough to reach almost any nation in the immediately declares her a traitor, but the damage has
Threshold that Arianna has visited previously (limiting been done. The ranks of the Righteous Orphan Rebellion
her primarily to the Scavenger Lands). She knows the swell with converts won to their cause, and the Empress
machine can do this the moment she considers the spell. If is soon forced to prove Ejava right with overt displays of
she suggests this plan aloud, Roseblack asks that they go to unholy power to keep her people cowed. With the ruse
Lookshy to address the Seventh Legion. “I am the Five Day of benevolence over, the Blessed Isle quickly becomes a
Shogun,” she says. If the Solars suggest a better destination, second Hell.
Ejava concedes and urges Arianna to hurry. The greatest opportunity presented by the Roseblack’s
Teleporting out removes the circle from immediate rescue is the prospect of reuniting the Solar and Terrestrial
danger but doesn’t do anything to prevent the Empress from Exalted under one banner. While it is only the first step
somehow unlocking the manse’s controls. There’s nothing toward mending centuries of systematic lies and murder,
Arianna can do to damage the manse itself, but the same it is a necessary one. If the Exalted do not stand together,
cannot be said of its latest renovations. With a boosted the Yozis will seize Creation and rule over it as in the days
Rain of Doom, Arianna can open the skies directly above of prehistory.
the whole of the Imperial City or just the manse itself. The
former removes considerable assets from the Queen of Hell,
at the price of a death toll so high that the Dragon-Blooded
will never forgive the Solars or join with them against the VARIATIONS
forces of Hell. Such a reaction is easy enough to anticipate. As the Scarlet Empress proved, Solars aren’t
Limiting the storm to the manse fills its moat with a torrential the only Exalted who could brave the perils of the
monsoon of acid, drowning the demons and their unholy Imperial Manse and survive. Abyssals and Infernals
relic grafts alike in hungry, sizzling depths. As parting shots have roughly the same chance of success but likely
go, the flood is among the most memorable setbacks in the very different reasons for breaking in. Generally
Ebon Dragon’s existence. He is not amused. speaking, deathknights don’t do rescues, but they
could be led by prophetic Whispers to murder
EPILOGUE the Roseblack and destroy or seize the Defense
Outside the Imperial Manse, Creation is in turmoil. Grid. Green Sun Princes grown weary of the
Cities across the Blessed Isles are in flames, the halls of Ebon Dragon’s scheming and the arrogance of the
the Bureau of Destiny run thick with Sidereal blood, and Scarlet Empress might dare the fortress for purely
Chejop Kejak lies dead by the Empress’s hand. But though selfish reasons. If present in Creation, Alchemicals
Creation reels, the circle is successful. It has escaped certainly covet the doomsday weapon their Great
from the most heavily fortified manse ever built, with the Maker built, as much for its religious significance
Roseblack in tow. And yet, this dramatic feat is only the as actual strategic value.
precursor to much greater challenges. It is now up to the Lunars have many of the same reasons and
overall tools for breaking in as Solars, shielded
from instant-death Shaping traps by their tattoos.
THE PRICE Although Dragon-Blooded might wish to save their
Under the Rose leaves the metasorcerous Shogun, they need a miracle on the order of the
resonator’s ominous price for Storytellers to devise. Empress’s fortune to succeed. As for the Fivescore
Whenever that price comes due, Arianna understands Fellowship, the break-in directly coincides with the
what is expected of her and must obey, lest she suffer Lotus Massacre (see Return of the Scarlet Empress,
terrible automatic botches as though an Essence 10 p. 40), so a circle of Viziers might emerge victorious
Eclipse sanctified the broken pact. She will pay, one from the secret mission only to discover they are the
way or another. last Sidereals…
UNDER THE ROSE 23

THE SOLAR CIRCLE
The following characters make suitable protagonists for

Under the Rose, possessing not only ample motivation, but
also sufficient power to attempt to rescue Tepet Ejava from
the clutches of the Queen of Hell. The traits here add 230
experience points to the newly Exalted versions of these
characters depicted in Scroll of Exalts. Players who wish to
make their own characters to act as protagonists for this story
should feel free to disregard the following circle, replacing
or substituting its members to taste.
24

DACE, THE REJUVENATED CAVALIER Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 6, Damage 7B, PDV 2, Rate 2,
Dace was the middle-aged commander of a Scavenger Tags N
Lands mercenary company who Exalted during a battle with Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 7, Damage 4B, PDV —, Rate 1,
Lookshy mercenaries. Now he attempts to wield his sword Tags C,N,P
for the good of Creation. In his own words, he might not Orichalcum Reaver Daiklave (Dawnlight): Speed 5, Accuracy 15,
be a wise man, but he is a strong one, and he knows right Damage 13L/3, PDV 6, Rate 3
from wrong. Soak: 10L/13B (Fine lamellar armor, +7L/9B, -2 mobility,
Motivation: To unify the armies of the Scavenger Lands fatigue value 1)
under his command Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Caste: Dawn Dodge DV: 5 Willpower: 5
Anima Banner: A luminous wolf howls and bares its flash- Essence: 4
ing fangs. Personal Essence: 17 Peripheral Essence: 42 (5 committed)
Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4; Charisma 3, Other Notes: Favored Abilities marked with *. Dace’s Fol-
Manipulation 2, Appearance 2; Perception 3, Intelligence 3, lowers rating represents the Bronze Tigers, his burgeoning
Wits 3 mercenary army based in Nexus, with his ally Risa acting
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 2, Temperance 2, Valor 3 as its lieutenant. His Artifact rating refers to his orichalcum
(Foolhardy Contempt) reaver daiklave, Dawnlight, which he found in a tomb among
Abilities: Archery 2, Athletics 1, Awareness 3*, Bureaucracy 1, the ruins of a collapsed city north of Nexus.
Dodge 2, Integrity 1, Linguistics (Native: Riverspeak; Others:
Forest-tongue,OldRealm)2,Lore1,MartialArts2,Medicine1,
Melee 5 (Dawnlight +3), Performance 3*, Presence 2*,
Resistance 1, Ride 5*, Socialize 1, Survival 1*, War 5
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Artifact 2, Contacts 2, Followers 3,
Resources 4
Charms:
Excellencies: Melee (First, Infinite Mastery), Presence
(First), Ride (Second), War (Second)
Integrity: Integrity-Protecting Prana
Melee: Bulwark Stance; Dipping Swallow Defense; Fivefold
Bulwark Stance; Fire and Stones Strike; Heavenly Guardian
Defense (Conviction); Hungry Tiger Technique; Invincible
Fury of the Dawn; Iron Whirlwind Attack; One Weapon,
Two Blows; Peony Blossom Attack; Solar Counterattack
Performance: Respect Commanding Attitude
Presence: Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment
Resistance: Body-Mending Meditation, Ox-Body
Technique
Ride: Flashing Thunderbolt Steed, Master Horseman’s
Techniques (Master Horseman’s Eye, Spirit-Steady-
ing Assurances), Single Spirit Method, Worthy
Mount Technique
War: Rout-Stemming Gesture
Combos:
Burning Rage of the Dawn (First Melee Excel-
lency, Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgment,
Fire and Stones Strike, Heavenly Guardian
Defense, Hungry Tiger Technique)
Thousand Rays of Light (First Melee Excel-
lency, Heavenly Guardian Defense, Iron
Whirlwind Attack, Solar Counterattack)
Join Battle: 6
Attacks:
Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 7, Damage 4B, PDV
4, Rate 3, Tags N
UNDER THE ROSE 25

PANTHER, THE CHAMPION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 8, Damage 4B, PDV —, Rate 1,
Panther was once a vicious, callous and uncaring gladi- Tags C,N,P
ator. The blessing of the Unconquered Sun awoke him to Slayer Khatars: Speed 5, Accuracy 9, Damage 6L (raw damage
the emptiness and abhorrence of the life he led, and now x2 against inanimate objects), PDV 6, Rate 3, Tags M
he tries to practice righteousness as best he is able… and Soak: 2L/4B
to force such upright behavior upon those who behave as Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
he once did, by force if necessary. Dodge DV: 6 Willpower: 6
Motivation: To guide those who should be Creation’s heroes Essence: 4
onto the path of righteousness Personal Essence: 18 Peripheral Essence: 45
Caste: Zenith Other Notes: Favored Abilities marked with *. Unlike the
Anima Banner: A golden-clawed panther snarls and slashes standard punch-dagger style of khatar and slayer khatar,
at the air. Panther’s weapons are designed to be worn over the backs
Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4; Charisma 3, of the hands. This unusual design does not, however, enable
Manipulation 3, Appearance 3; Perception 2, Intelligence 2, him to hold close combat or ranged weapons while he is
Wits 3 using the slayer khatars.
Virtues: Compassion 3 (Red Rage of Compassion), Con-
viction 3, Temperance 2, Valor 3
Abilities: Athletics 2*, Awareness 2*, Dodge 4*, Integrity 3,
Linguistics (Native: Riverspeak; Others: Forest-tongue, Low
Realm) 2, Lore 1, Martial Arts 5*, Medicine 1*, Melee 2, Oc-
cult 1, Performance 2, Presence 2, Resistance 5, Socialize 1,
Survival 1
Backgrounds: Artifact 2, Artifact 2, Resources 3
Charms:
Excellencies: Integrity (First), Martial Arts (First, Essence
Flow, Infinite Mastery), Performance (First), Resistance
(Second, Essence Flow)
Dodge: Seven Shadow Evasion (Conviction), Shadow
Over Water
Martial Arts: Solar Hero Style (All Charms), Thunder
Breaks the Clouds, Thunderclap Rush Attack
Resistance: Adamant Skin Technique (Temperance),
Body-Mending Meditation, Durability of
Oak Meditation, Immunity to Everything
Technique, Iron Skin Concentration, Ox-
Body Technique (x2), Spirit Strengthens
the Skin
Combos:
Hammer of Heaven (First Martial
Arts Excellency, Adamant Skin
Technique, Fists of Iron Technique,
Heaven Thunder Hammer)
Invincible Shattering Blur (First Martial
Arts Excellency, Adamant Skin Tech-
nique, Hammer on Iron Technique)
Join Battle: 5
Attacks:
Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 9, Dam-
age 4B, PDV 5, Rate 3, Tags N
Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 8,
Damage 7B, PDV 3, Rate 2,
Tags N
26

ARIANNA, THE IMPLACABLE SORCERESS Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 5, Damage 2B, PDV —, Rate 1,
Arianna is a brilliant woman whose potential was once Tags C,N,P
constrained and ignored by the chauvinist society in which Knife: Speed 5, Accuracy 4, Damage 4L, PDV 2, Rate 3,
she lived. Since her Exaltation, she has allowed no authority Tags T
to place boundaries on her quest for knowledge, and she tends Thrown Knife: Speed 5, Accuracy 5, Damage 4L, Rate 3,
to try to dominate any situation in which she finds herself. Range 15
Motivation: To restore the Solar Exalted to their rightful Soak: 1L/2B
station as the rulers of Creation Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Caste: Twilight Dodge DV: 6 Willpower: 6
Anima Banner: Tall, broad lapis-lazuli wings of Essence with Essence: 5
golden tips unfurl behind her, seeming to transform Arianna Personal Essence: 21 Peripheral Essence: 50
into a terrible angelic figure. Other Notes: Favored Abilities marked with *.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Charisma 3,,
Manipulation 4, Appearance 2; Perception 3, Intelligence 4,,
Wits 4
Virtues: Compassion 1, Conviction 3 (Deliberate Cruelty),,
Temperance 3, Valor 2
Abilities: Athletics 2*, Awareness 2, Bureaucracy 2*, Dodge 4*,,
Integrity 1, Investigation 2, Linguistics (Native: Riverspeak;
k;
Others: Old Realm, Skytongue) 2, Lore 4, Martial Arts 2,,
Medicine 1, Occult 5, Resistance 1, Ride 3*, Stealth 1,,
Survival 1, Thrown 3*
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Influence 2, Resources 2
Charms:
Excellencies: Investigation (First), Thrown (First)
Athletics: Graceful Crane Stance
Dodge: Seven Shadow Evasion (Conviction), Shadow Overr
Water
Investigation: Judge’s Ear Technique
Lore: Essence-Lending Method
Occult: All-Encompassing Sorcerer’s Sight, Celestial Circlee
Sorcery, Ghost-Eating Technique, Terrestrial Circle Sorcery, y,
Solar Circle Sorcery, Sorcerer’s Burning Chakra Charm, m,
Spirit-Cutting Attack, Spirit-Detecting Glance
Resistance: Body-Mending Meditation
Ride: Master Horseman’s Techniques (Horse-Summoningg
Whistle, Master Horseman’s Eye)
Thrown: Cascade of Cutting Terror, Triple-Distance Attackk
Technique
Spells:
Emerald Circle: Death of Obsidian Butterflies, Demon off
the First Circle, Emerald Countermagic, Invulnerable Skin n
of Bronze, Wood Dragon’s Claw
Sapphire Circle: Sapphire Countermagic, Travel Withoutt
Distance
Adamant Circle: Adamant Countermagic, Rain of Doom
Join Battle: 6
Attacks:
Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 6, Damage 2B, PDV 4, Rate 3,,
Tags N
Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 5, Damage 5B, PDV 2, Rate 2,,
Tags N
UNDER THE ROSE 27

HARMONIOUS JADE Untouched Sniper Elegance (First Archery Excellency,
Harmonious Jade was raised to be an assassin by the Graceful Crane Stance, Leaping Dodge Method, Reflex
Salmalin Yozi-cult. She Exalted during a botched job and Sidestep Technique, Seven Shadow Evasion, Spider-Foot
was forced to flee when the cult attempted to kill her. She Style)
is unsure of her purpose in the world, and continues to ply Join Battle: 6
her trade as a killer for hire while she attempts to sort out Attacks:
what to do with her new life. For now, she is content to Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 8, Damage 3B, PDV 5, Rate 3,
support the larger goals of her circle. Tags N
Motivation: Destroy the agents of the Yozis Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 7, Damage 6B, PDV 3, Rate 2,
Caste: Night Tags N
Anima Banner: Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 7, Damage 3B, PDV —, Rate 1,
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3; Charisma 2, Tags C,N,P
Manipulation 2, Appearance 3; Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Exceptional Knife: Speed 5, Accuracy 10, Damage 6L, PDV 4,
Wits 3 Rate 4, Tags T
Virtues: Compassion 1, Conviction 3 (Heart of Flint), Orichalcum Short Powerbow (Eagle’s Rain): Speed 6, Accuracy 13,
Temperance 3, Valor 2 Damage 8L, Rate 2, Range 300
Abilities: Archery 5 (From Surprise +3)*, Athletics 5*, Soak: 7L/7B (Orichalcum breastplate, 6L/4B, Hardness:
Awareness 3*, Dodge 4*, Integrity 1*, Investigation 2*, 2L/2B)
Larceny 5*, Linguistics (Native: Flametongue; Others: Riv- Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/Incap
erspeak) 1, Lore 1 (Prehistory +1), Martial Arts 2, Melee 3*, Dodge DV: 6 Willpower: 6
Occult 1*, Resistance 2, Stealth 5*, Survival 1 Essence: 4
Backgrounds: Artifact 3, Manse 2, Resources 2 Personal Essence: 18 Peripheral Essence: 43 (6 committed)
Charms: Other Notes: Favored Abilities marked with *.. Harmoni-
Excellencies: Archeryy (First, Third), Awareness (First), ous Jade’s powerbow is set with a freedom stone (see
Dodge (First) Exalted, p. 383).
Archery: Accuracyy
Without Distance,,
Arrow Storm Tech--
nique, Essence Arrow row
Attack (Dazzling Flare,
lare, Fiery
Arrow Attack, Righteous
eous Judgment
Arrow), Phantom Arrow row Technique,
Rain of Feathered Death,
eath, There Is
No Wind, Trance of Unhesitating
Speed
Athletics: Feather-Foot
oot Style, Grace-
ful Crane Stance, Monkey
onkey Leap Technique,
Spider-Foot Style
Awareness: Keen Sightght Technique
Dodge: Leaping Dodge dge Method, Seven
Shadow Evasion (Conviction),
onviction), Shadow
Over Water
Protecting Prana
Integrity: Integrity-Protecting
Larceny: Door-Evadingding Technique, Lock-Opening
Touch
ooked Presence Method, Invis-
Stealth: Easily Overlooked
ible Statue Spirit, Mental Invisibility Technique,
hroud, Vanishing From Mind’s
Spreading Night’s Shroud,
Eye Method
Combos:
Empty Gold-Shadowed wed Quiver (First Archery Excellency,
Essence Arrow Attack, ck, Seven Shadow Evasion, Trance of
Unhesitating Speed)
28

SWAN, THE DASHING DIPLOMAT Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 8/10**, Damage 3B, PDV —,
Swan trained as a state diplomat in the Coral Archi- Rate 1, Tags C,N,P
pelago in order to gain respect and glory for himself without Perfect Hook Swords: Speed 5, Accuracy 9/11**, Damage
necessarily having to kill his way across the face of Creation 8L, PDV 7/8**, Rate 3, Tags D,M
in the process. Though he prefers peaceful solutions when ** Value after slash when applying “Multiple Opponents”
possible, he is a trained martial artist and more than capable specialty.
of fighting in defense of himself or his circlemates. Soak: 5L/4B (Chain shirt, +3L/1B, fatigue value 1)
Motivation: To bind Creation into a peaceful, cohesive Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
whole through treaties, alliances and pacts Dodge DV: 6 (7 versus Thrown attacks) Willpower: 6
Caste: Eclipse Essence: 3
Anima Banner: A filmy white swan spreads its wings Personal Essence: 12 Peripheral Essence: 30
against the sun. Other Notes: Favored Abilities marked with *.
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3; Charisma 4,
Manipulation 3, Appearance 4; Perception 2, Intelligence 2,
Wits 3
Virtues: Compassion 3, Conviction 3 (Heart of Flint),
Temperance 2, Valor 2
Abilities: Athletics 2*, Awareness 2*, Bureaucracy 3 (Mak-
ing Deals +2), Dodge 4* (Thrown Attacks +2), Integrity 1,
Investigation 2, Linguistics (Native: Seatongue; Others:
High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm, Riverspeak) 4, Lore 2,
Martial Arts 5* (Multiple Opponents +2), Occult 1, Perfor-
mance 5, Presence 5*, Resistance 1, Ride 1, Sail 2, Socialize 3,
Survival 1, Thrown 1
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Influence 2, Resources 2
Charms:
Excellencies: Bureaucracy (Second), Martial Artist (First,
Infinite Mastery), Performance (First), Presence (First)
Athletics: Graceful Crane Stance
Bureaucracy: Speed the Wheels
Dodge: Seven Shadow Evasion (Compassion), Shadow
Over Water
Linguistics: Sagacious Reading of Intent
Martial Arts: Snake Style (All Charms)
Performance: Heart-Compelling Method, Memory-
Reweaving Discipline
Presence: Hypnotic Tongue Technique, Irresistible Sales-
man Spirit
Resistance: Ox-Body Technique
Socialize: Gathering the Congregation, Mastery of Small
Manners, Taboo Inflicting Diatribe, Wise-Eyed Courtier
Method
Combos:
Heart-Bursting Fangs (First Martial Arts Excellency,
Armor-Penetrating Fang Strike, Essence Venom Strike,
Seven Shadow Evasion)
Join Battle: 5
Attacks:
Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 9/11**, Damage 3B, PDV 6/7**,
Rate 3, Tags N
Kick: Speed 5, Accuracy 8/10**, Damage 6B, PDV 4/5**,
Rate 2, Tags N
UNDER THE
HE ROSE 29

NEW SOLAR CHARMS
What follow are two unique Charms developed by the STEALTH

Solars Panther and Harmonious Jade, respectively.
SPREADING NIGHT’S SHROUD
MARTIAL ARTS Cost: 2m; Mins: Stealth 5, Essence 3;
Type: Reflexive
THUNDER BREAKS THE CLOUDS Keywords: Stackable, Touch
Cost: 10m, 2wp; Mins: Martial Arts 4, Essence 3; Type: Duration: One scene
Reflexive (Step 10) Prerequisite Charms: None
Keywords: Combo-OK, Obvious The Lawgivers were meant to work together to bring
Duration: Instant order to Creation, but the Night Caste has always found
Prerequisite Charms: Solar Hero Form fulfilling this mandate difficult. This Charm helps the Iron
The character’s fists blaze with the revelatory truth Wolves stand side by side with their less subtle brethren. The
of the Unconquered Sun. This Charm may be activated Lawgiver need only touch a consenting ally and commit two
whenever the Solar successfully strikes a being with an motes to tag him as a beneficiary. Up to maximum of (Stealth
unarmed attack. Tongues of cleansing golden flames erupt rating) beneficiaries may be tagged simultaneously.
from the target’s eyes and mouth and she screams in pain Beneficiaries use the Solar’s traits (if higher) for all rolls
as every instance of unnatural mental influence affecting to remain undetected. Additionally, whenever the Solar
her abruptly terminates regardless of source or potency. activates another Stealth Charm or Stealth-related anima
Only the fealty of akuma, the bindings of demons, the power while using Spreading Night’s Shroud, she must pay
Great Curse and similarly inviolable effects chosen by the two extra motes per beneficiary. This surcharge extends
Storyteller ignore this Charm. the effect through the tag, hiding the beneficiary just as
it hides the Solar. Should the Lawgiver or any beneficiary
do anything that qualifies as an attack, however, all the
Lawgiver’s shared effects instantly terminate, preventing
an unexpected attack.
30

EPIC FANTASY REIMAGINED!
It is a time of tumult, when heroes battle for the fate of Creation among the ruins of a vast and long-
forgotten sorcerous empire. While mortal men strive and die, the Exalted walk among the gods of Heaven
and war between themselves for the destiny of the human race. This is the world of the Exalted.
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UNDER THE ROSE 31

CREDITS
Author: Michael A. Goodwin
Additional Material: Holden Shearer
Developer: John Chambers
Editor: Carl Bowen
Creative Director: Rich Thomas
Art Direction and Layout: Brian Glass
Artists: Jeff Holt, Imaginary Friends Studio, Saana ‘Kiyo’
Lappalainen, Susan Luo and UDON
Cover Art: Groundbreakers Studio and Imaginary
Friends Studio
© 2010 CCP hf. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the written permission of the
publisher is expressly forbidden, except for the purposes of reviews, and for blank character sheets,
which may be reproduced for personal use only. White Wolf and Exalted are registered trademarks of
CCP hf. All rights reserved. Under the Rose, Return of the Scarlet Empress, the Compass of Celestial
Directions, the Blessed Isle, Malfeas, the Books of Sorcery, the Roll of Glorious Divinity I, the Roll
of Glorious Divinity II, Scroll of Exalts and the Second Age of Man are trademarks of CCP hf. All
rights reserved. All characters, names, places and text herein are copyrighted by CCP hf.
CCP North America Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CCP hf.
The mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to
the trademark or copyright concerned.
This book uses the supernatural for settings, characters and themes. All mystical and su-
pernatural elements are fiction and intended for entertainment purposes only. This book contains
mature content. Reader discretion is advised.
Check out White Wolf online at http://www.white-wolf.com/
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
32

The Realm Civil War
is at an end, and the
Scarlet Empress is
returned to her throne
at last. Though many
contend this is a good
thing, the thousands of
civilians she obliterated
at Thorns with the
Realm Defense Grid
and the Anathema she
now harries throughout
Creation would beg to
differ. Lead a small team
of Exalts to disable the
Sword of Creation, and
in the process, rescue the
last hope for a Realm
free of Yozi influence,
the famed Roseblack.
An adventure set during the events
of the Return of the Scarlet Empress,
Empress
Under the Rose includes the
following:
• Ready-to-play higher experience
stats for the signature Solar circle of
Dace, Panther, Arianna, Harmonious
Jade and Swan
• A breakdown of the interior of the
ancient Sword of Creation, the most
powerful manse and artifact ever
forged
• Two new series of automaton
protector and a myriad of fiendish
traps with which to challenge even
experienced Exalts
WHITE WOLF
WW80908
w w w .w h ite-w olf.c om / exalted

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UNDER THE ROSE

UNDER THE ROSE 1