Character:Nomoe Hideaki

Dawn of the Third Age

Nomoe Hideaki
Biographical information
Birthplace	???, Sanken
Birth	RY 750, 15th day of Descending Air.
Occupation(s)	Princeps of House Nomoe, de facto ruler of Sanken, member of the Celestial Deliberative
Gender	Male
Hair color	Black, long and straight
Eye color	Gray
Height	6'1"
Statistics
Type	Solar
Caste	Eclipse
Anima	A majestic Celestial Crane spreading its wings
Affiliation	House Nomoe and Sanken, the Celestial Deliberative, the Hierarchist faction

Nomoe Hideaki
Eclipse Caste nobleman martial artist

A man in his late twenties of aristocratic bearing, uncommonly handsome but often seeming cold or distant. He is of slight build with the fair complexion and almond eyes common to the region around Sanken. The color of his eyes is a gray reminiscent of a cold winter sky or, on the rare occasion that he lets his anger show, gathering storm clouds. His long, black hair he keeps out of his face and back with intricate silver jewelry. Though his apparel can vary from one hour to the next he generally prefers loose clothes in tones of blue or violet so dark as to appear almost black, over which he wears a white haori with the Mon of the Nomoe family. At his side he carries a beautifully made sword of the highest craftsmanship.

Motivation

Drive back the Wyld and restore Creation, starting with his nation.

Intimacies

• Personal Honor
• His Family (Love, Duty)
• The Family Name (Pride)
• His Nation (Duty)
• Elegance and Dignity
• Bright Snow (Surprising Trust) [Solar Bond, Eternal Vow]

(Intimacies in italic are protected by Charm effects)

Anima

When Hideaki taps into peripheral essence his castemark shimmers in pale gold. With further expenditures his Anima becomes visible, surrounding him as a coruscating corona of light in a bright shade of gold suffused with silver and pearly white. At its maximum it coalesces into its iconic form, a majestic celestial crane spreading its wings and looking down on the world with infinite wisdom and dignity.

• Sanctify oaths: 10m, 1wp. No cost at Bonfire level Anima.
• Ancient pacts: Diplomatic immunity with spirits, demons and Fair Folk, also extended to companions.
• May learn foreign Charms at doubled price.

Attributes

PHYSICAL: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4
SOCIAL: Charisma 5, Manipulation 4, Appearance 5
MENTAL: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4

Abilities

[13 BP]

Caste Abilities

Bureaucracy 5, Linguistics 5 (Riverspeak, Foresttongue, High Realm, Low Realm, Old Realm, Airtongue) (Calligraphy +3), Socialize 4

Favored Abilities

Athletics 5 (Lightfoot +3), Martial Arts 5 (Unarmed +3), Lore 5, Presence 5, Resistance 3, Investigation 3, Integrity 3

Unfavored Abilities

Awareness 3, Performance 3, Occult 2, Stealth 1

Backgrounds

[10 BP]

Influence 5

The country of Sanken in the North-Eastern Scavenger Lands in modern times was merely one of the larger dominions in that region. This changed drastically with the Second Balorian Crusade, though. Boasting not only only a fair number of Outcaste Dragonblooded but also an organizational structure capable of motivating, coordinating, and deploying them efficiently, and a populace with the morale to remain steadfast throughout a decade of war against an enemy with infinite numbers Sanken's success is resisting the hordes of the Fair Folk made it the crystallization point for all efforts at survival and resistance across the region. As a paradoxical result the near-end of Creation and the continuing assault on its integrity led to an enormous gain in territory (as neighboring nations allowed themselves to be annexed in order to gain protection, and later as Sanken's island of stability merged with other, smaller islands discovered floating through Chaos), people (from subsumed countries as well as great numbers of refugees), and wealth (especially in the form of artifacts which persisted even after their previous owners had fallen to the Fae all around).

Sanken is ruled by the council of the noble families. On the council as in reality Nomoe is the most powerful and by its own influence and that of its allies its votes determine the course of politics. Nomoe Hideaki is the Princeps of the Nomoe family, the heir apparent, representative, and in wartime commander of the family military forces. Though his elders expect him to listen to their wisdom and experience it is he who has the final word. In this way he rules the largest dominion in the East apart from Denandsor itself, commands vast resources and armies, and his influence even in the corridors of Exalted power is great.

• Capital: ???
• Languages: Riverspeak, Low Realm, Foresttongue
• Population: Approximately 15 million
  • Dragonblooded: ~850
  • Godblooded: ~???

Manse 5

Nomoe Hideaki is attuned to a number of powerful manses under control of the Nomoe family. In the interest of leaving Sanken with enough strength to resist the Wyld even in his absence he carries only one hearthstone himself, though. This is the Eye of the Sorcerer (cf. Eye of the Crafter) produced by the Palace Tranquiline, his personal domicile.

The Palace Tranquiline sprawls over a broad hilltop, overlooking the countryside. A number of elegant single story buildings are arranged in an auspicious pattern interspersed with courtyards and surrounded by old, meticulously tended gardens. Together they form a tiered complex around the center palace, with each part assured peace and quiet despite housing several hundred people in all. The open and light-flooded architecture resonates with the principles of excellence and Solar essences in particular, making it an auspicious place for Nomoe Hideaki to choose as his seat of power. Accordingly scribes, accountants, diplomats and senior politicians - the core apparatus of Hideaki's rule - comprise a large part of the Palace's population. Additionally the Palace Tranquiline doubles as a place of learning, housing a number of Sanken's most eminent scholars along with the country's brightest young students in the outer buildings. Taking all of this into account it's no wonder that security at the Palace Tranquiline is almost as high as it is at the <NAME>, the main seat and center of power of the Nomoe family. Between the well-trained and discreet guards, reinforced by trusted Dragonblooded officers, and the manse's own capabilities to detect, identify and report on any unauthorized presence or movement, the Palace Tranquiline is quite as safe as its name implies without surrendering its contemplative and peaceful air.
Known only to the inner circles of the Nomoe family the Palace has an additional, important function. As part of a network of manses across Sanken it helps facilitate fast and secure communication the military value of which is enormous. And thanks to the special sympathetic connection the Palace also ties the Hearthstone bearer into this network, allowing Nomoe Hideaki to be updated on important affairs in Sanken at all times and to deliver his instructions even while away on Deliberative business.

The Palace Tranquiline: Magical Conveniences (1), Well-Flavored Aspect (1), Network Node (1), Central Control (2), Glorious Halo of Hesiesh (2), Mela's Sweet Whisper (2), Sympathetic Communication Link (2), Analytical Senses (3). Maintenance 4.

Resources 5

As Princeps of the Nomoe family Hideaki can call upon full treasuries and valuable debt markers even for his personal use.

Lunar Bond 5 & Eternal Vow

Nomoe Hideaki is connected to his Lunar mate by a powerful bond, but he has not met them yet.

Ally 2

Air-Aspected Immaculate master.

Artifact 6

A number of risk-laden expeditions into old ruins, warded tombs, and hidden islands in the Wyld have in addition to their goal of providing Sanken with the resources and powers to secure its borders left Princeps Nomoe with a few artifacts he has appropriated for his own personal use. And since he is not only the heir apparent of Sanken's most powerful family but also the one who lead most of those expeditions who would complain?

• Resplendent Phoenix Wings (5): This set of three hearthstone sockets that are implanted into the bearer's body don't look like much at a first glance, but may well be the most useful personal convenience artifact there is. Weaving solid matter from pure essence the Resplendent Phoenix Wings can create any form of outfit the bearer can imagine, however grand or humble. Changing, repairing or cleaning the outfit requires no more than a diceless miscellaneous action. In addition to all the normal benefits of perfect quality clothes these also provide one automatic success on all rolls to resist environmental conditions, toxins or diseases. Moonsilver fibers woven through the fabric provide two bonus dice to Stealth and Larceny (disguise) rolls and render the clothes resistant to attacks (+5B/5L soak). The Orichalcum component allows the Resplendent Phoenix Wings a palette of colors and textures worthy of a Solar's glory - if desired this provides +4 Appearance as an Obvious effect that inhibits Stealth. Finally, by committing five additional motes, the bearer may shape ambient essence into powerful wings stretching six yards from wingtip to wingtip that allow him to fly at five times his usual running speed or hover with slow and graceful beats. Outside of combat they provide a travel speed of 80 miles per hour. All maneuvering rolls are reflexive (Dexterity+Athletics+6). Attune: 5m.
• God-Body Elixir (4): A small vial of indestructible Adamant wrapped with Orichalcum threads the purpose of this artifact is mysterious at a first glance. Upon attunement it distills the bearer's essence flowing through it into clear liquid of unusual properties. Drinking one dose (the amount created in one day) at first results in nothing but a feeling of enduring cold lasting for most of a day. But if despite the unpleasant feeling this is repeated for a full week the liquid begins to have a strange effect on the body: Skin becomes like steel silk soft and yet impervious to weapons, bones gain the hard but flexible strength of feathersteel and muscles melt away but paradoxically grow even stronger. When cut the drinker of the elixir bleeds not red blood but instead a clear liquid with a faint golden shimmer to it, and the pain of the wound is distant and easily ignored. As long as he keeps drinking the liquid created by the vial the Accuracy, Damage and Defense of the user's unarmed attacks are increased by his Essence, their rate is increased by two, and his natural soak by five. When deprived of the elixir the user suffers a cumulative -1 internal penalty for every day without it to a maximum of his Essence. At that point the elixir's effects start to fade at a rate of one point per day. Finally, when all the positive effects have drained away, the internal penalty begins to subside and lowers by one every day until at -0 the withdrawal effects are overcome. Attune: 8m.
• Hand of the Great Maker (3): As per DotFA p93.

Merits and Flaws

[-6 BP]

Enemy 3

The Diamond Sage, a Raksha noble of great power.

Obligation 2

To Starcc Antonee for his support, both political and technological, in drawing Sanken within range of the Realm Defense Grid and hardening its borders against the Wyld.

Code of Honor

As per Scroll of Heroes: "For one point, your character is incapable of lying to anyone toward whom she has an Intimacy or betraying an Intimacy in any way unless her player first fails a Conviction roll."

Charms

[8 BP]

Martial Arts

Fists of Iron Technique (--, unarmed attacks gain perfect quality, Orichalcum bonus, +Ess/MA Dmg and Piercing tag)
Sledgehammer Fist Punch (3m, reflexive Step 1, double base damage, double raw damage vs. inanimate objects)
Dragon Coil Technique (3m, reflexive Step 1, add (Ess/2) sux to Clinch roll, +Ess Dmg, may clinch with one hand, may parry/dodge freely while in clinch)
Solar Hero Form (6m, reflexive Step 1, spend 1m to double extra successes on attack)
Immortal Blade-Deflecting Palm (4m, perfect parry, +1m to defend another)
Orichalcum Fists of Battle (3m, add primary virtue to Acc and Dmg, unarmed attacks gain Holy keyword)

Secrets of Future Strife (--, double Join Battle successes)

Integrity

Epic Zeal of Conviction (--, every Conviction roll counts as 5 sux, regain one channel every sunset, spend 1wp to negate any changes to intimacies)

Investigation

Judge's Ear Technique (3m, always recognize lies, evasions or half-truths, +Ess sux to oppose perfects)

Lore

Chaos-Repelling Pattern (8m, Ess meter radius around character functions by Creation's laws)

Athletics

Graceful Crane Stance (3m, perfect balance)
Monkey Leap Technique (3m, double jumping distances)
Lightning Speed (3m, add Athletics to base Move)
Unparalleled Acumen Meditation (6m, gain effects of all Ess 2 or lower Athletics Charms indefinitely, negate all internal penalties to Athletics actions)
Light Body Form (--, Unparalleled Acument Meditation changed to Permanent, perfectly overcome opposing perfect effects, +Ess to opposed roll)
Divine Flash Step (1-8m, +1wp, instantly move 2x, 5x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x, 100x, or 300x base Move distance)

Linguistics

Sagacious Reading of Intent (3m, perfectly discern a speaker's or writer's intentions, perfect social defense if intent hostile)
Flawless Brush Discipline (8m, +Ess to Liguistics App rating, UMI admiration/love to the writer, 3wp to resist)
Letter-Within-A-Letter Technique (6m, only intended targets can perceive message, +Linguistics automatic successes to social surprise)
Twisted Words Technique (6m, 1wp, supplement a written social attack with UMI, 3wp to resist, 1wp per scene to erode, +3MDV if subject to TWT in the same story before)

Socialize

Mastery of Small Manners (1m, one action, +1 App, opposing groups count as -1 Magnitude, understand basic motivations of everyone in the scene)
Wise-Eyed Courtier Method (3m, 1wp, encourage belief in group, diff leader MDV + (Magnitude/2), UMI 6 Loyalty to resist)

Essence & Health

Essence: 5 --- [14 BP]
Personal: 24/24
Peripheral: 34/44 (57-13)
Committed to Charms: 10m peripheral (Infinite Well of Martial Arts 10m),
Committed to Artifacts: 13m peripheral (Resplendent Phoenix Wings, God-Body Elixir)
Anima Status: None

Health Levels: -0, -1, -1, -2, -2, -4, Incapacitated
(wounds are designated as bashing, lethal or aggravated)

Willpower

OOOOO OOOO (Willpower 9/9)

Mental Dodge DV: 9

Virtues

[6 BP]
Compassion: 2 - Someone in my position can afford neither a bleeding heart nor needless cruelty.
Conviction: 5 - For what must be done no sacrifice is too great. The stars will rain from the sky before I keep not my word.
Temperance: 2 - Overindulgence dulls the mind, asceticism weakens the body; I walk the middle path.
Valor: 4 - Honor and courage - easy words to say, hard rules to live by.

(Virtue Channels used: None)

Limit Break

Disproportionate Retribution
While in Limit Break the character avenges even the smallest perceived slight, insult or disrespect offered with extreme prejudice. He ignores law, tradition, and all proportion seeking only to make the offender suffer terribly for his crimes.

Limit Condition: Feeling slighted, insulted or openly disrespected by someone whose respect he deserves.
Limit: ----- -----

Equipment & Combat

Join Battle: 7 (and double successes on the roll)
DDV: 5
Soak: 12L/14B/5A (+5L/5B/5A Resplendent Phoenix Wings)

• Perfect Sword: Spd 4, Acc 14, Dmg 6L, PDV 6, Rate 3
  

FoIT+GBE:

• Punch: Spd 5, Acc 22, Dmg 14B/L (P), PDV 11, Rate 6
  
• Kick: Spd 5, Acc 21, Dmg 16B/L (P), PDV 10, Rate 5
  
• Clinch: Spd 6, Acc 21, Dmg 14B/L (P), Rate 4
  

FoIT+GBE+OFoB:

• Punch: Spd 5, Acc 22+5S, Dmg 14+5L B/L (H, P), PDV 11, Rate 6
  
• Kick: Spd 5, Acc 21+5S, Dmg 16+5L B/L (H, P), PDV 10, Rate 5
  
• Clinch: Spd 6, Acc 21+5S, Dmg 14+5L B/L (H, P), Rate 4
  

History

Ten years ago when the infinite hordes of the Wyld drowned the lands in chaos Hideaki was just resigning himself to the fact that the power of the dragons running in the blood of the Nomoe family would not manifest in him. Nonetheless as a scion of one of the oldest and most powerful outcaste families in the east it was his duty to serve his family and his country in any way he could. And so while his Exalted cousins led armies against the Fair Folk and operated mysterious machinery to protect the land from the Wyld influence Hideaki's fight was in the realm of logistics and diplomacy where he excelled. After the activation of the Realm Defense Grid, as the years progressed in a constant struggle Sanken emerged as one of the few relatively stable islands in the Wyld beyond the redrawn borders of Creation proper. With a high population of outcaste Dragonblooded, a dutiful and resolved populace, and a few ill-understood artifacts Sanken has resisted the Wyld and its hordes for a full ten years now.

Two years ago while traveling with the army of his older cousin Hideaki first encountered the Diamond Sage, leading a force that would have sufficed to crush the Nomoe troops ten times over. Curiously however the Raksha noble was willing to let a duel decide whether he would press on now or turn back and destroy Sanken in five years time. Secure in his overwhelming martial power and knowing that Nomoe Takahiro was gravely injured from a previous battle the Diamond Sage never anticipated that it would be the un-Exalted Hideaki challenging him - in a contest of calligraphy. Styling himself a warrior scholar the Fae accepted and a for a time as the two began it seemed that despite performing admirably the mortal would be outdone by the Fae. But then as the sun rose in the sky and touched Hideaki's forehead he was crowned with light and matchless excellence and by midday the Raksha noble had to concede defeat, swearing to return in five years' time to once more duel his new rival.

Since then Nomoe Hideaki has risen quickly within the hearts and minds of country and family. Despite initial resistance to his new Exalted status his results in organizing the war effort and leading expeditions into Wyld land to uncover artifacts for use against the Wyld spoke for themselves. And although the Nomoe family can trace its line back into the time of the Shogunate the family lore in secret always painted the victory over the Anathema as much less morally clear cut than general doctrine depicted it. A few months back Hideaki finally managed to contact the remnants of Creation, finding to his surprise that a newly formed Deliberative of Celestial Exalted ruled the East and much of Creation besides. Enlisting the help of his fellow Solar Exalts he managed to bring Sanken closer to the circle of protection the Realm Defense Grid can maintain. Although it still is surrounded by the Wyld and has to contend with chaotic pollution and intermittent Raksha attacks in an emergency the Deliberative will be able to assist in defending the country, which Hideaki sees as his crowning achievement so far. Of course, it is only one step on the road ahead of him - once he finds the means and the allies to do it he means to drive back the Wyld and reclaim his home as a part of Creation.

BP & XP

XP gained: 59 XP
XP spent: 51 XP (Unparalleled Acumen Meditation 8 XP, Orichalcum Fists of Battle 8 XP, Letter-Within-A-Letter Technique 8 XP, Twisted Words Technique 8 XP, Ally 2 6 XP, Resources 5 3 XP, Light Body Form 8 XP, Occult 2 2 XP)
XP unspent: 8 XP

XP spending plans:

• Frozen Sunlight Mask (8 XP, custom), Custom Linguistics Charm (8 XP), Guiding Words of Solar Wisdom (8 XP), Infinite Potential Treatise (8 XP), Dialogue-Commanding Speech (8 XP), Poetic Expression Style (8 XP, revised), Custom Linguistics Charm (8 XP)
• Integrity-Protecting Prana (8 XP), Righteous Lion Defense (8 XP), Infinitely Shedding Radiance (8 XP)
• Foe-Vaulting Method (8 XP), Striking Sunbeam Dance (8 XP), Lightning Attack Acceleration (8 XP), Increasing Strength Exercise (8 XP), Glorious Temple Body (8 XP), Sunbeam-Pursuing Alacrity (8 XP), Feather-Foot Style (8 XP), Cloud Treading Method (8 XP)
• Immortal Blade Deflecting Palm II (8 XP), Thunder Breaks the Clouds (8 XP), Divine Transcendence of Martial Arts (8 XP), Solar Hero Supremacy (8 XP), Adamantine Palm Meditation (8 XP), Guarding Star Tactics (8 XP)
• Wyld Shaping Technique (8 XP), Wyld Cauldron Method (8 XP)

Miscellaneous

Sanctified Oaths

• Viridian Inkwell: [An oath] "To the effect, that for the duration of our cooperation you will not knowingly act against the interests of the Deliberative or through inaction allow harm to come to its interests, that you will not knowingly by action or inaction, directly or indirectly, allow information about the current case or other intelligence that could be used against the Deliberative to fall into Reclamation hands, nor knowingly allow situations to come to pass where such might happen without your knowledge. And that said cooperation would have to be formally ended with one week's notice."

Custom Charms

Dakkareth's Custom Charms