Character: nuShrike

A character from A_Date_with_Destiny

• Veil-Winged Shrike
• Caste: Eclipse
• Concept: Queen of Death and Beauty
• Veil-Winged Shrike is one of the premier beauties of the Scavenger Lands, as brilliant and harsh as sunlight reflecting off the edge of a drawn blade. Her build is actually substantially more trim and athletic than her usually-languorous demeanor might suggest: slim-hipped, long-legged. She moves with an inhuman grace, the slightest movement suggestive of a sublime dance. She used to dress to make the most of her beauty, clad in the barest minimum necessary to preserve her modesty, accentuated by the addition of dozens of fluttering veils that shift with the breeze and her own movements. Lately, she has favoured a more conservative, magisterial mode of dress to match her high office. Her long, red-highlighted golden hair, in contrast with her bronzed skin, is usually left in a series of long, thin braids, each one tied with a ribbon and a tiny bell; Shrike jingles softly as she walks, the music of her hair answered by the matching bells on her bangles and anklets.
• Anima: Wings of golden light unfold from her back, and ethereal streamers flap and flow from her wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Each pennant is a prayer-strip, inked in an exquisite gold calligraphy, each one a prayer extolling Shrike's beauty, majesty, and inevitable victory, although the wording changes depending on the situation. Shrike can control her anima using Phantom-Conjuring Performance.

Motivation

• Bring the light of Solar rule to the benighted hordes of the Underworld

Intimacies

Natural

Negative

• destroying the Deathlords and Abyssal Exalted (fierce hatred)
• creating art (vanity)

Positive

• Mari (love)
• the people of Thorns
• her Circle (affection)
• freedom from oppression (idealism)
• Killing Frost (love)
• the duty of the Exalted to protect mortals (stoic)

Anima

As a Quicksilver Falcon, Shrike's anima power enables her to make oaths binding. For the cost of 10m 1wp, she may sanctify an oath she is witness or party to by touching the hands of those involved. Anyone who breaks the oath (including Shrike herself) will suffer 4 botches at critical actions. Heaven itself will act to ruin those who are forsworn. Shrike is also protected by ancient pacts, granting her and her companions diplomatic immunity when treating with the spirit world, demons, and the Fair Folk. Finally, Shrike may learn non-Solar Charms for twice their experience cost and +2m to their activation cost.

Attributes

Physical

• Strength 2 +3
• Dexterity 3 +3
• Stamina 2 +3

Social

• Charisma 3
• Manipulation 3
• Appearance 5

Mental

• Perception 3
• Intelligence 3
• Wits 3

Abilities

Caste

• Bureaucracy
• Linguistics 5 (+1 written attacks) (Rivertongue (native), Old Realm, High Realm, Low Realm, Claw Speak)
• Ride
• Sail
• Socialise 5

Favored

• Integrity 5
• Melee 5 (+1 spears)
• Occult 5
• Lore 5
• Presence 5 (+2 commanding)

Unfavored

• Investigate 2 (4 xp)
• Awareness 5

Backgrounds

Artifact 5: The Crown of Thunders

+3 to all Physical Attributes. +10m/scene grants +5 dice to all social actions. +10m to appear glorious and mighty: mortals cannot attack and must obey all compulsions; gains +3 autosuccesses vs Dodge MDV of others; 2WP to resist, immunity for 1 month.
When Shrike unearthed the Crown of Thunders from an ancient ruin and placed the artifact on her brow, she inadvertently, but no less majestically, inaugurated the return of the Solars to true political power, by laying claim once again to the Creation-Ruling Mandate. The Crown would later assist her and her Circlemates in conquering Lookshy and the surrounding regions, founding the first Solar principality since the ending of the Age of Dreams. Since then, it has become part of her royal regalia: a symbol of her power and majesty. While she wears it constantly, she rarely activates its supplementary powers unless making proclamations in public.

Artifact 2: Reinforced Orichalcum Breastplate

A gift from her grateful population. In honour of her mate Killing Frost, Thorns' de facto military leader, she has had the armour silvered, save for tasteful swirls of orichalcum filagree and a device of the Sun at Midnight: a replica of her Caste Mark, blazoned between her breasts. The pauldrons bear the motif of a snarling wolf's-head.

Cult 4: the Rule of the Golden Word

The ascent of the Veil-Winged Shrike to the position of both queen and tutelary goddess, symbolic bride of Thorns' newborn city father, was anticipated by sacred scripture. The Rule of the Golden Word foretold a coming age of Solar magnificence, the liberation of Thorns from the occupation of the Mask of Winters, and the ascension of 'the Last Daughter of Thorns'. Shrike is venerated not only by the citizens of Thorns but also by the oppressed and the aesthetically-inclined all across the Scavenger Lands. This level of metaphysical clout has not only brought her great power and influence, but also the enmity of many members of the Celestial Bureaucracy.

Influence 1: Mother of Thorns

While Shrike is technically the head of state of Thorns, she prefers to rule via proxy rather than as an autocrat. She is advised by a Privy Council and in turn sits on Thorns' ruling body, ruling much as Queen Merela did in the First Age. She sets agendas for its seasonal convocations and chairs meetings, but does not vote on everyday matters, retaining only a veto to block legislation for one season and the power to declare a state of emergency on the advice of her Privy Council. In theory, this demonstrates her commitment to working together with mortals rather than lording it over them. It makes for good PR when comparing Thorns to the Realm.
In practice, she wields so much direct power over the hearts and minds of her people with her Charms that the entire political structure is merely a convenient way for her to delegate the boring business of state administration to bureaucrats and politicians.

Manse 5: The Gem of Perfect Mobility

Extracted from the heart of Thorns' central Manse. Surmounts the Crown of Thunders.

Manse 3: Stone of Compassion

Mounted in the Crown of Thunders.

Lunar Bond 5: True Love

While Shrike's initial encounter with her Lunar mate Killing_Frost was less than smooth, their relationship has since undergone a gradual blossoming, as she found in him a reliable partner and fierce protector.

Charms

Awareness

• Surprise-Anticipation Method (1m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK: perfect success on any Awareness roll to detect danger)

Integrity

• Second Excellency
• Integrity-Protecting Prana (5m 1wp, Reflexive, 1 day, Combo-OK: perfect defence against Shaping)
• Epic Zeal of Compassion (Infernals) (Permanent: Compassion dice are automatic successes)
• Phoenix Renewal Tactic (Permanent: when recovering a WP, can regain Virtue channel instead)
• Sidereal Compassionate Essence Replenishment (Permanent: 5/day, regains 10m from succeeding on Compassion channel OR regain 5m from using Performance in a manner consistent with Compassion)

Linguistics

• First Excellency
• Whirling Brush Method (4m, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK: write 50x faster)
• Flawless Brush Discipline (8m, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK, Emotion: +5 to Linguistics 'Appearance' effect, spend 3WP or Intimacy love Shrike)
• Letter-Within-a-Letter Technique (6m, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK: conceal message within written work; concealed message can be NMI or UMI)
• Sagacious Reading of Intent (3m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Social: perfectly identifies intention behind any statement, negates any social attack hostile to Shrike or her Motivation)
• Twisted Words Technique (6m 1wp, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK, Compulsion, Illusion: Man+Ability to create Compulsion or Illusion, 3WP to resist, +3MDV if earlier victim)

Melee

• First Excellency
• Dipping Swallow Defence (2m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Martial: negates penalties to Melee PDV)
• Bulwark Stance (5m, Reflexive, Action, Combo-Basic, Martial: negates penalties to Melee PDV)
• Heavenly Guardian Defence (8m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Obvious: perfectly defends against even unblockable attacks, breaks mundane weapons if damage > 25L, Compassion Flaw)
• Protection of Celestial Bliss (3m, Reflexive, Scene, Combo-OK: no DV penalty from enchanted weapon, +2 Defence, perfectly parry 3/scene and end Charm)
• Solar Counterattack (3m, Reflexive, Combo-OK, Counterattack, Martial-ready: counterattack at full dicepool)

Performance

• Second Excellency
• Phantom-Conjuring Performance (min 1m, Permanent: create images and sounds within 50 yards; can alter iconic anima display)
• Heart-Compelling Method (6m, Supplemental, Scene, Combo-OK, Emotion, Social: UMI to create Emotion for Scene; 2WP to resist)
• Husband-Seducing Demon Dance (10m 1wp, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK, Emotion, Obvious, Social: +5 dice; 2WP to resist; Intimacy of love for Shrike)
• Immanent Solar Glory (Permanent: +10 Peripheral motes)

Presence

• Second Excellency
• Majestic Radiant Presence (7m, Reflexive, Scene, Obvious, Social: Valour (1) needed to attack Shrike; 3WP to resist)
• Terrifying Apparition of Glory (3/2m, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK, Social: renders Dodge MDV vs any social attack inapplicable, supplement any Ability)
• Abyssal Killing Words Technique (2m 1wp, Permanent, Combo-OK: instead of paying WP, target loses equivalent lethal HLs instead)

Ride

• Second Excellency
• Heroic Course Familiarity (Facets) (Permanent: no penalties for inadequate Abilities for any Ride-based vehicles; when stunting to pilot/ride, converts stunt dice to automatic successes)

Occult

• Second Excellency
• Terrestrial Circle Sorcery (Permanent: Shape Sorcery)
• Spirit-Detecting Glance (3m, Scene, Reflexive, Combo-OK: detect dematerialised creatures)
• Spirit-Cutting Attack (1m, Instant, Supplemental, Combo-OK, Obvious: strike dematerialised, aggravated damage to spirits)
• Magic-Shattering Strike (DotFA) (15m, Instant, Supplemental, Combo-OK, Obvious: strike spell or Sorcerous Charm effect (Circle x3 or Min Ess +2 PDV), gain (Circle x4 or Min Ess +2)m if successful)
• All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight (6m, Scene, Reflexive, Combo-OK: Essence Sight)

Spells

• Summon Elemental
• Demon of the First Circle

Essence

• Essence: 5
• Personal: 25/25
• Peripheral: 21/40 +10
• Committed to Charms: 5 (5: Integrity-Protecting Prana)
• Committed to artifacts: 14 (10: Crown of Thunders, 4: Reinforced orichalcum breastplate)
• Willpower: 10
• Anima status: Quiescent

Virtues

• Compassion: 5/5
• Conviction: 1
• Temperance: 1
• Valor: 2

Limit Break

• Virtue Flaw: Red Rage of Compassion. All the suffering the character has seen fills her with an unquenchable rage. She immediately attacks the most obvious cause, without consideration for herself or the situation. The character’s rage overcomes sense and reason. She is unlikely to perform even simple acts such as putting down objects in her hands or drawing a weapon. However, she does not suffer wound penalties while in this state. Characters without obvious targets enter a terrible rage, moving erratically from area to area, smashing objects without consideration for value and lashing out at anyone foolish enough to interfere.
• Partial Control: The character must immediately attack any source of suffering, but she can apply her rage effectively, using weapons, Charms and spells normally. Without a nearby target, the character seeks out oppressors she has seen before and does not calm down until she finds one. She will also attack anyone who attempts to stop her. She suffers normal wound penalties in this state.
• Condition: The character sees innocents suffering and is unable to effectively intervene.
• Duration: One scene in combat or hours equal to Compassion

Conflict

Physical

• Join Battle: 8
• Dodge DV: 6
• Parry DV: 8
• Soak (L/B/A): 14/16/12 (12/11/12 from armour)

Movement

• Move: 6
• Dash: 11
• Jump: 5 up, 10 across

Social

• Join Debate: 8
• Dodge MDV: 10
• Parry MDV: 5

Health Levels

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

Equipment

She has a preference for creating javelins with her Fiery Solar Chakrams Charm, although she will alter her choice of weaponry based on circumstances.

Fiery Solar Javelin (stats include enchantment from Protection of Celestial Bliss)
Melee: Speed 5, Accuracy +6, Damage +5L/3, Defence +4, Rate 3, Thrust
Thrown: Speed 4, Accuracy +5, Damage +7L/3, Rate 2, Range 50, Piercing

Reinforced orichalcum breastplate 12L/11B soak, 9L/9B Hardness, 4 Attune, -1/1 Mobility/Fatigue

As the city's patron, her regalia weapon is a staff of bronze. The head bears the crest of Thorns: newly redesigned to resemble her Caste Mark, with the corona wrought in gold, the eye of the Eclipsed sun of jet. She carries it when she appears in public, although when in combat situations she is more likely to cast it aside in favour of her Fiery Solar Javelin.

Exceptional staff Speed 5, Accuracy +3, Damage +5B, Defence +3, Rate 2, 2 Hands, Martial, Reach

For transport, Shrike rides an agata, which travels 30mph or 15 yds/tick. Chinchirrikit has been on the receiving-end of Shrike's relentless mind-control to the point where it exists but to serve her. When not transporting her, Chinchirrikit is usually dematerialised nearby, ready at a moment's notice to use its Hurry Home or Portal Charms to relocate Shrike should she be in any danger.

Chinchirrikit
Motivation Serve as Shrike's mount
Attributes Str/Dex/Sta 6/3/5; Cha/Man/App 3/1/6; Per/Int/Wit 3/5/2
Virtues Compassion 3, Conviction 2, Temperance 1, Valor 3
Abilities : Athletics 3, Awareness 1, Dodge 1 (Airborne +2), Integrity 1 (Resisting External Temptation +1), Investigation 1, Linguistics 2, Lore 1, Martial Arts 1 (Sting +2), Occult 1, Presence 1 (Inhumanly Beautiful +1), Resistance 3, Survival 3
Charms Essence Plethora (+10m), Hurry Home (10m 1wp, now targets Thorns instead of a location in Malfeas), Materialise (45m), Portal (8m 1wp, 30 miles, aerial location it can see), Principle of Motion, Excellencies
Join Battle 3
Attacks Claw: Speed 5, Accuracy 5, Damage 6L, Parry DV 3, Rate 2; Sting: Speed 4, Accuracy 7, Damage 9L, Parry DV 3, Rate 3
Soak: 5L/9B (Thin carapace, 2L/4B)
Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap
Dodge DV: 4 (5 if airborne)
Willpower: 6
Essence: 3
Essence Pool: 70

BP

• Starting: 18
• Spent:
  • -13 Abilities
  • -5 Willpower

XP

XP

• Earned: # 260
• Spent: # 220 (-216 Charms, -4 Ride 2)