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.

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

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.

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.

Gull 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.

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. She is quite skilled in business and finance herself and aditionally, is quite willing to listen to her husband's suggestions. Which means that many of her profits have been wisely reinvested and that she has managed to obtain a significant amount of property. Her more generous than average attitude towards her slaves and employees may have had mixed results on her profits. Her labor expenses are higher than the might otherwise be, but she manages to attract and retain good employees and many of them are quite loyal to her.

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. 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 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.

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 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 Tier 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
ElementalConcentration 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 Manipulatin + Ability + Specialty)/2])

Intimacies

Her Parents (love)
Her Husband and Children (love)
Other sub-House Peleps Family Members (love/loyalty)
The Workers of Materials Mundane and Exalted (pride)
Her reputation as an manse-architect/savant (pride)

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 realize being the daughter of a sorceress could 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. (The information on House Peleps view about sorcery was taken from the 1ed book.).

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. She has already found herself torn between her mother’s desire for her to learn sorcery and her husband’s desire for her to do no more than dabble in the subject. 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 greatly increase his status in the House.

Additionally, Medoina is 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

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 she would stop encouraging me to learn more spells. I don’t like disappointing her; but, I also don’t like upsetting 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 birthday 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 wary around him.

Grolush: Harsh, sarcastic, and highly focused on capturing and breeding dangerous animals, I’ve never felt entirely comfortable around him or the people who work for him. Not to mention that 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 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

Bonus Point Breakdown

Essence from 3 to 4: 10 bp
Abilities: 11 bp
Specialties: 9 bp
Backgrounds: 15 bp