Editing Dynasty & Decadence/Medoina

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==Peleps Taric Medoina==
*Aspect: Earth
*Concept: Reserved Manse-Architect
*Motivation: To create a lasting legacy
*Anima: Pure white stone pillars
*Anima power: After spending 5 motes, the exalt can soalk all lethal damage with her full stamina.  She may added her essence to rolls to resist grappling attacks or avoid knockback.  Finally, she may add her essence to her stamina for all purposes, but only when her feet rest on either earth or stone. 


==Description==
Medoina’s appearance doesn’t draw much attention, positive or negative.  As is customary for Earth Aspects, she has a compact and stocky build.  She is slightly shorter than average and has a toned musculature that indicates that she frequently engages in physical activity.  Her skin is the grey-white of granite.  Her dark brown hair is shoulder length and generally worn lose.  Though, when she’s doing something active, it isn’t unusual to see it pulled back into a pony tail or braid.  She has warm brown eyes.  Her customary expression is generally either a relaxed smile or a thoughtful frown.  

Her clothing tends to be well made and is normally practical in style.  She generally wears earth tones: browns, tans, grays, whites.  Her white breastplate is designed in the traditional elemental style.  She typically wears little to no makeup and her fingernails are kept short and unpolished.


==Attributes==
====Physical====

* Strength: 3
* Dexterity: 4
* Stamina: 3

====Social====

* Charima: 3
* Manipulation: 2
* Appearance: 2

====Mental====

* Perception: 4
* Intelligence: 4
* Wits: 3


==Abilities==

====Air====
* Linguistics: 3  (High Realm (native), Low Realm, Old Realm, Riverspeak)
* (F) Lore: 5 (Manses, The Realm)
* (F) Occult: 5 (Manses)
* Stealth: 0
* Thrown: 0

====Earth====
* (A) Awareness: 3
* (A) Craft: 5 (Manses)  (Earth 5, Wood 5, Fire 5, Air 5, Water 5, Magitech 3) 
* (A) Integrity: 2
* (A) Resistance: 3
* (A) War: 2

====Fire====
* Athletics: 2 
* Dodge: 2
* Melee: 4
* Presence: 2 
* Socialize: 2

====Water====
* (F) Bureaucracy: 4  (commerce)
* Investigation: 3
* Larceny: 0
* Martial Arts: 2
* Sail: 1

====Wood====
* Archery:  2 
* Medicine: 1
* Performance: 2 
* Ride: 2
* Survival: 1


==Backgrounds==
*Allies 2:  (Peleps Cyrelin, Sesus Vella)

When an earth aspect forms friendships, they are often a deep and lasting ones.  Medoina has a couple of those types of friendships.

Peleps Cyrelin, Air Aspect: A quiet, but a gifted scholar and historian, he and Medonia have been close friends since primary school.  Although most of their lengthy letters and conversations focus on their studies, work, and shared interests, Cyrelin has recently sent a few warnings to Medoina about the shifting opinions of the elders in the main Peleps house.

Sesus Vella, Fire Aspect: Mediona met Vella while they were attending the Spiral Academy. (Though Vella would have much preferred to have been in the House of Bells.) The adventurous young woman accepted a job with Medoina's company as a specialist in obtaining rare items and makes frequent trips outside of the Blessed Isle to do so.  She is the person most likely to drag Medonia off to have an adventure, when she thinks the craftswoman has been working too hard. She, also, deserves at least partial credit for Medoina's skill with her daiklave.

*Artifact 3:  (See below)

*Backing (House Peleps) 1:  House Peleps sees Medoina as a useful resource

*Breeding 3:  Both of her parents are Dragon Blooded, as are many of her family members.

*Connections (Industry)  2:  The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted works regularly with the workers and craftsmen of the Realm,  One of the towns nearest to her primary estate has become a mecca for artisans and craftsmen.

Diligent Stone:  owns several quarries and employs a large team of stonemasons

Cedar:  a master carpenter

*Connections (Merchants) 2:  The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted, also, works regularly with the Realms merchants.

Wind Perian:  a dealer in high end furniture and artwork

Sweetsky Senis:  manages many of the carrivans that transport goods throughout the Realm. 

*Connections (Thousand Scales) 2:  Medoina has several friends from the Spiral Academy who have moved into helpful positions in the Thousand Scales.  She is also quite aware of who she needs to speak with to obtain the various licenses and permits she need quickly and easily.

Ragara Myhor:  A minister in The Honorable and Humble Caretakers of the Common Folk.

Ledaal Tali:  A minister in The Ethical and Diligent Interpreters and Maintainers of the Imperial Code of Law

*Henchmen 2: Medonia’s most valued employees include: 

Peleps Myra:  An unexalted dynast that she attended primary school with, Myra currently acts as Medoina's highly skilled and trusted secretary. 

Wind Lenu:  The most skilled thaumaturge that works for Medoina, he is responsible for managing the other thamatures that work for Mediona's family and company.  He personally is a master of enchantment, and geomancy, and has some knowledge of alchemy, husbandry and warding. 

Storm Renjarel: A master craftsman and manager of the skilled craftsmen that work for The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted.

*Manse 3:  (See below)

*Reputation 3:  Medoina is considered one of the best (if not the best) manse-architect in the Realm.  She is currently capable of creating level four manses of all five elemental types and in a few more years will probably be able to create basic level five manses as well.

*Resources 3:  The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted is a highly successful business providing a rare and useful service.  Mediona is quite skilled in business and finance herself and is, also, quite willing to listen to her husband's suggestions.  This means that many of her profits have been wisely reinvested and that she has managed to obtain a significant amount of property.  

*Retainers 4:  The creation of manses requires a vast team of skilled laborers, along with other artisans and craftsmen to provide the necessary supplies, equipment, and furnishings.  Mediona's more generous than average attitude to her workers (both slave and citizen) may have increased her labor expenses and slightly reduced her immediate profits.  However, she also manages to attract and retain very good employees, most of which are quite loyal to her.  One of the towns nearest to her primary estate has become a mecca for artisans and craftsmen.  She has even founded a trade school there, which is run by one of the patrician families (the Wind family) she supports.  Additionally, she and her husband control a significant amount of property. 


Shared Backgrounds:
*Manse 2: Medoina has been more than willing to utilize her skills at manse building to benefit her family.


=====Artifact details=====

*''White Jade Dragon Tear Tiara (Artifact 2, Main Book p. 381)''
Commitment 2 motes.  Adds one dice to the users perception pool, or three dice if she is performing a task that requires occult sensitivity (not including sorcery).  It also has a setting for a hearthstone.  Gift from Taric when she graduated from the Spiral Academy.

*''White Jade Enhanced Collar of Dawn’s Cleansing Light (Artifact 2)''
Commitment 2 motes. Keeps wearer clean. Adds two dice to stamina + resistance rolls vs disease or poison. Also acts as a jade hearthstone amulet. Created by Medoina. 

*''Defender of Stone Peak: White Jade Daiklave (Artifact 2, Main Book p. 385)''
Commitment 5 motes.  Speed 4, Accuracy +3, Damage +7L, Defense +2, Rate 3.  Contains a hearthstone setting.  Gift from her parents.

=====Hearthstone and manse details=====

*''Jewel of the Maker’s Hand (Manse 3, Oadenol’s Codex p. 90)''
Earth apected hearthstone grants a +4 bonus to Craft (Earth) rolls, a +2 bonus to craft rolls aspected to other elements, and a +1 bonus to esoteric crafts.  The manse is located on Medonia and Noltis’ primary estate, in Juche, and was created by Medoina.  This manse will eventually be fully detailed.

*''Jewel of the Clever Merchant (Manse 1, Oadenol’s Codex p. 95)''
Water aspected  hearthstone grants a +3 bonus to all mental or social rolls involving trade, bargaining, contract negotiations, and other business dealings.  The manse was a wedding gift and is located in the “estate ring” surrounding the Imperial City.

*''Gemstone of Deep Drink (Manse 2, Oadenol’s Codex p. 98)''
Wood Aspected Hearthstone protects the bearer from all affects of alcohol, drugs, and natural ingested poisons.  This manse was also created by Medoina.  It’s location is TBD but will probably be her family’s “vacation home.”

Normally, the Jewel of the Maker’s Hand is in her Dragon Tear Tiara.  The location of the other two hearthstones (one in the enhanced collar of Dawn’s Cleansing Light and the other her diaklave) varies depending on the situation.

==Charms==
''Lore''
*Second Lore Excellency
*Elemental Concentration Trance 

''Occult''
*Second Occult Excellency
*Spirit Detecting Mirror Technique
*Terrestrial Circle Sorcery
*Emerald Countermagic
*Infallible Messenger
*Conjuring the Azure Chariot

''Awreness''
*Second Awareness Excellency

''Craft''
*Second Craft Excellency
*Craft Reinforcement
*Shaping Hand Style
*Stone-Carving Fingers Form
*Flaw Finding Examination
*Charm of Lesser Unmaking
*Charm of Greater Unmaking

''Resistance''
*Second Resistance Excellency
*Strength of Stone Technique
*Mountain Toppling Method
*Impervious Skin of Stone Meditation

''Bureaucracy''
*Second Bureaucracy Excellency
*Finding the Waters Depths

''Melee''
*First Melee Excellency
*Dragon Graced Weapon
*Ghost Fire Blade


==Virtues==
*Compassion 3
*Conviction 3
*Temperance 3
*Valor 2


==Other traits==
Essence 4
*Personal motes: 13
*Peripheral motes: 33 
*Committed motes (peripheral): 9

Willpower 6

Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/Incap


==Defense Values==
*DDV: (Unarmed base) 5
*PDV: (Daiklave) 5
*DMDV: 6
*PMDV: Normally 2 or 3  (Note:  ([Charisma or Manipulation + Ability + Specialty)/2])

==Intimacies==
*Her Parents (love)
*Her Husband and Children (love)
*Her Extended Family (Primarily other sub-House Peleps family members and a few members of Noltis's family) (love/loyalty)
*The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted (pride)
*Her reputation as an manse-architect/savant (pride)
*Peleps Cyrelin (friendship)
*Sesus Vella (friendship)
*The memory of Peleps Taric (honor)  (due in part to Pranza's performance)

==Other Information==

Medoina has four children, none of which she has bought as an ally. 

Ragara Rulan - The eldest son of Noltis' union with Medonia, and a member of House Ragara by contract, Rulan is fairly close to his father, and being groomed to follow in his footsteps.  (Purchased as an ally by Noltis).

Ragara Catis - an Earth Blooded daughter and member of House Ragara by contract.  Medoina was involved in several extremely time consuming projects during much of Catis' childhood and she and her daughter are not particularly close.  Catis is currently handing Ragara interests in the South and would prefer to see her mother and siblings brought into House Ragara.

Peleps Taric Kessif - a son, is currently enrolled in an exclusive primary school and has not yet exalted.

Peleps Taric Jerena - the youngest daugheter, is still in the nursery (approximately 1 year old).

==The Five Questions==

1) '''Why are you devoted to keeping this sub-House alive against all odds?''' 

The primary reason that Medoina wishes to preserve sub-House Peleps Taric, is, simply, that doing so is what her mother, aunts, and uncles want.  Medoina is devoted to her family and loves her parents.  Had they decided to return to House Peleps, she would have done so, as well.  If they decide to merge with another house, and, doing so doesn’t cause a rift with her husband, she will join them.  Ultimately, she is more loyal to the people who make up Peleps Taric, than she is to the concept of sub-House Peleps Taric.

A secondary reason, is that her husband, Ragara Noltis, has been subtly discouraging the idea of returning to House Peleps. He is skilled enough politically to have realized that being the daughter of a sorceress, even a sorceress that is considered "one of the good ones," might cause her problems in the main house.  After all, many members of House Peleps tend to see sorcerers primarily as tools to be used rather than family members. And, of course, the fact that the senior members of House Peleps wants the name "Taric" to be forgotten, certainly doesn't make help matters.


2) '''The Dynasty isn't all about family. What loyalties and causes compete with your loyalty to House Peleps Taric?'''

Medoina is, also, devoted to her husband, Ragara Noltis, and to her children.  There have, already, been several occassions where she has found herself torn between her Mother's and her Husband's wishes.  Part of this may be partially due to a misunderstanding.  Medoina has interpreted her Mother's encouragement to learn a few combat spells as a desire for her daughter to follow in her footsteps.  Meanwhile, her husband has made it clear that he would prefer that she do no more than dabble in the subject.  Additionally, Ragara Noltis has maintained strong ties with his House.  And, while he has subtly discouraged her from going back to House Peleps, he wouldn’t mind at all bringing her and their children firmly under the protection of Ragara instead.  Their eldest child is already a Ragara.  And, of course, being the one who arranged for the entire sub-House Peleps Taric (and its vast wealth) to become part of Ragara would likely increase his status in the House.

Medoina is, also, quite proud of her company, “The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted” and to her reputation as one of the Realms pre-eminent manse builders.  She wishes to build a lasting legacy.

While Medoina would not value the small group of people that she considers her friends above her family, she is loyal to them and will assist them when and if she can.


3) '''In what ways are you products of the Dynasty?'''

Medoina is a product of the bright side of the Dynasty.  She was born to “almost the perfect Dynast from the Bronze Faction point of view,” and is was successful at of one of the Realm’s finest primary schools followed by the Spiral Academy.  She is now a highly skilled manse-architect.  While she is more secular than her Mother would prefer, she respects the Immaculate Order and tries to live in accordance with their teachings.


4) '''What have you openly achieved in the past century that makes you a worthy subject for historians of the next Age to investigate thoroughly?''' 

Medoina is currently one of the best, if not the pre-immanent, manse-architects in the Realm. (And, as a result, one of the best craftsmen in the Realm).  She has already created a wide array of manses (of every terrestrial type) and her company, The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted, is highly successful.  She has begun to branch out into the creation of utilitarian artifacts (such as thousand comforts lounges, winter’s breath jars, and enhanced collars of dawn’s cleansing light).

Additionally, to ensure the availability of the highest quality of supplies, she has transformed one of the towns nearest to her primary estate into a mecca for artisans and craftsmen.  She has even founded a trade school for citizens and patricians (though, of course, she  leaves the running of it firmly in the hands of a member of the patrician family she supports).

She has written a series of five books, one covering each of the mundane crafts, that serve as the foundation of that school’s curriculum and which many craftsmen and artisans consider a valuable resource.  The books themselves are rather dry; but they each provide a strong foundation in the craft they discuss.  She has also written a basic text on manse-architecture; which, of course, is on the restricted list (i.e. readily available to Dragon-Blooded but not considered suitable for most mortals).  


5) '''What weaknesses do you possess that aren't just personal failings, but could be exploited by your enemies to cost you the Game of Thrones? What are the fields of engagement where you can't just apply Game Theory analysis, but instead will act against your own interests?''' 

Medoina’s greatest weakness is the fact that she is far more comfortable with information and objects than she is with politics and society.  While  her social skills are acceptable and she attends enough parties and galas to be polite, she is not considered “accomplished” in that area.  She is much more comfortable with small groups of people she already considers friends.  Also, she still has a tendency towards quietness and is often overshadowed by more vivid personalities.

Like most Earth Aspects, she can be stubborn when she’s made her mind up about something.  But prior to that point, she can often be fairly easily manipulated, especially by those she trusts.  She tends to be somewhat naïve as well, and perhaps a bit overly trusting of family members.  For instance, she honestly assumes that Hayabusa has simply been unfortunate in having her first two marriages end in tragedy.


==Medoina on Her Family==

*Ragara Noltis:  My marriage to Ragara Noltis is one of the best things in my life.  Not only do I adore him, I trust and respect his opinions.  He is a pillar of strength and wisdom.  My only regrets are that due to the nature of our duties, we are often obligated to spend lengthy periods apart and that I occasionally find myself torn between his and my Mother’s wishes for our family’s future.

*Alaric:  I have fond memories of working in the gardens with him as a child and still enjoy spending time with him.  I have heard the stories about the man he was in his youth; but all I’ve ever seen is the wise and kind great-uncle who noticed me even when more vivid cousins overshadowed me.

*Pranzha:  He does with words what I do with my tools; creates lasting works of art.  The works of many of the artists he has patronized grace the halls of manses I have created and my own home, and many of his works can be found in my library.  From everything I’ve seen and heard, he truly loved my Grandfather.  Since he and my mother are fairly distant, I don’t know him as well as I do some of my other relatives.  Perhaps we can find ways to work together more closely in the future.

*Aisha:  While my relationship with my parents was always good, if somewhat distant, my Mother and I grew close during the time she was assisting me with the founding of my company.  I love, honor, and respect her.  Although, I sometimes wish that I didn't occasionally find myself torn between her wishes and those of my husband. 

*Hinoko:  Strong and steadfast, I could easily see her as the cornerstone of our family.  While my interest and talents lie firmly outside of the military, I realize that she is considered a highly talented Admiral.  I have a great deal of respect for her.

*Haybusa:  Unfortunately, much of her life has been marked by tragedy.  She thrives in the areas where I’m the least comfortable; and like Taen, her beauty and charm, casts a large shadow.  Our paths don’t cross very often.  Still, I wish her the best and hope that, should she chose to marry again, she find the happiness that Noltis and I share.

*Onais:  My favorite uncle is kind, even-tempered, and always so easy to talk to.  I truly enjoy hearing about his gardens and for his next nameday intend to present him with a rare plant that Vella found on her last trip to the West.  He has helped me on more than one occasion.  So, I don’t quite understand why my husband sometimes seems a bit cautious around him.  

*Grolush:  Cold, distant, and seemingly angry with most, if not all, of our family, I've never felt entirely comfortable around him.  I've always had mixed feelings about the rift between him and Grandfather Taric.  He defied Grandfather's wishes to marry a Patrician because he loved her.  Love is precious.  But, arranged marriages between equals can lead to love too, mine did.  Ultimately, I think the greatest tragedy in all of it, is that the rift between them lasted for so long, that Taric was unable to forgive Grolush's "rebellion."   As for the business of breeding and training dangerous and exotic creatures, it is an interesting one.  However, I suspect that the feral gryphon that attacked me and my workers during one of my projects was sold to an incompetent owner by him.  It isn’t fair to blame him for the purchaser’s incompetence, but I am growing quite tired of the story about how I ended up fighting the thing off with my stone mason’s mallet rather than my daiklave.  It’s not my fault I was sound asleep when the thing attacked and ended up grabbing the closest available weapon nor was the fact that I wasn't exactly appropriately dressed at the time.

*Taen:  While I never doubted that Taric loved me, during the times that Taen was in the same room as us, it was almost as if I was invisible.  It sometimes seemed as though he achieved with charm far more than I was able to achieve with hard work.  Was I jealous about that?  Sometimes, perhaps.  Things seem to have changed though.  Even I have heard about the scandals that destroyed his political career.   I don’t dislike him.  But sometimes, I wonder if the only reason he makes an effort to be nice to me, is because he wants something from me.

*Korel:  One of the Realms foremost experts when it comes to Magitech and someone who always has a smile on his face and a friendly word, I’m glad that Onais’ brought him into our House.  When it comes to crafting, our focuses seem to be rather different.  I am far less interested in weaponry than he is.  But, I’ve enjoyed having the chance to work together with him on a few projects.  I’ve heard that he has recently discovered (created?) a new crafting charm and hope that he will be willing to teach it to me.

*Sikandi:  I know far more of her from pulp novels and stories than I do from having actually spent time with her.  It seems as if she has accomplished a great deal during her life and had an astonishingly large number of adventures.  I believe that at least some of the supplies I have used in my creations come from her satrap.

==Backstory==
Peleps Taric Medoina, daughter of Peleps Taric Aisha and Sesus Calto, was a reserved (almost shy) child.  She was far happier among her books or playing with the set of architectural building blocks that one of her relatives had given her than she was demonstrating her skills in front of a group of adults.  Although quite intelligent and as skilled as any other properly raised child of the Dynasty, she was frequently overshadowed by her more outgoing relatives, especially Taen, who always seemed to find favor in Tanic’s eyes.

Still, while she might have occasionally faded into the shadows, her family took note of the areas that her tutor reported interested her and saw to it that she was enrolled in the Gourney Academy, a highly respected primary school that emphasized artistic ability and working with your hands.  She excelled in the school, always scoring near the top of her class, and exalted a couple of months prior to her 11th birthday.

There was some debate about which secondary academy she should attend.  Both the Spiral Academy and the Heptigram were considered.  Medoina preferred the idea of attending the Spiral Academy.  While she had nothing against sorcerers, after all, her Mother was one, she wasn’t entirely certain that she was comfortable with the idea of being one herself.  Ultimately, she still doesn’t know exactly what led to the Spiral Academy being selected. (Perhaps one of her relatives exerted a bit of pressure on her behalf).  Medoina was successful at the Spiral Academy, as well.  Although she was not one of the stars of her class.  

After graduation, Tanic assisted her in obtaining an apprenticeship with one of the most respected manse-architects on the Blessed Isle.   Medonia thrived in the position acting as his supply manager and comptroller as she was trained in the challenging art of manse building.  She worked with him until his retirement.  

It was at this point, with the active assistance of her delighted mother, that Medonia went into business for herself, founding “The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted,” a company that handles every aspect of manse construction from design to the supplying of furniture.  The company also offers manse redesign and maintenace services.  While Medonia had always had a good, if, as is normal for Dragon Blooded, somewhat distant relationship with her parents; the collaboration on the company led to her and her Mother grow significantly closer.   

At around the same time, her betrothal to Ragara Noltis, was arranged.  Although, they didn’t actually marry until a decade later, when the company was firmly established and Medonia had a bit more time to focus on that aspect of her life.  While Noltis was a couple of decades older than her and the marriage arranged to strengthen ties between the two houses, the two of them quickly became fond of each other. And, by the time the marriage ceremony took place, they were in love.  They have had three children so far.  The oldest is an Earth Blooded daughter that due to the nature of the marriage contract is considered part of House Ragara and is currently managing one of their estates in the South.  The middle child is attending primary school and could exalt at any time.  The youngest is still in the nursery.

Medoina has made a name for herself as a manse-architect and her business has been quite successful.  At her mother’s urging, the firm regularly donates the design of Manses for Immaculate Temples.  Family members are, also, provided with manses at a substantially reduced cost.  Recently, she has begun moving into the creation of utilitarian artifacts as well and has collaborated with Korel on a few projects.  Her most popular artifact is the thousand comforts lounge, which was admittedly reverse engineered from the First Age version.

Her personality has remained reserved and somewhat bookish and she still is not particularly fond of attending the large social events and parties.  While her social skills are acceptable, they are also the reason she’s not considered “accomplished.”  However, while she is not particularly good with large groups or with those she doesn’t know well, she is devoted to her family and those she considers friends and is quite willing to lend a helping hand when needed.  On the other hand, she tends to be a bit naïve at times; and until she’s made up her mind about something, can often be fairly easily manipulated by those that she trusts.

==Bonus Point Breakdown==
*Essence	from 3 to 4:  10 bp
*Abilities:  11 bp
*Specialties:  9 bp
*Backgrounds:  15 bp