Abyssals

A Shadow Falls

Exalted MUSH is currently using a fan-written homebrew writeup of the Abyssal Exalted.
Abyssals: A Shadow Falls

Traits

Flaws

Although technically alive, Abyssals are Creatures of Death. Abyssal Exaltation also inflicts Creature of Darkness status, and to date no Abyssal has attained an exemption from this by the Most High.

An Abyssal who takes the Hideous Flaw may appear as a dessicated mummy, an ever-rotting (or even partially skeletal) corpse, or some other form of grotesque dead-thing-that-walks short of a bare skeleton. This Hideousness is only skin-deep and does not affect the Abyssal's biology, short of further mutations from Charms, necromancy, etc.

Essence Respiration

Apart from Day Castes, Abyssals who eschew the trappings of death respire 2 fewer motes per hour than other Exalts while in Creation. This penalty is waived if the Abyssal is in a Shadowland or the Underworld. The breath of war mote regen is unaffected by this penalty.

Magical Materials

Abyssals are Resonant with Soulsteel. They are Neutral to everything else.

Shadows of Death

Whether an Abyssal embraces, rejects, or finds herself ambivalent toward her nihilistic destiny, she cannot escape the fact that where she walks, death walks with her. All Abyssals are plagued by unnatural and unnerving manifestations of deathly power, caused by the friction between their own necrotic Essence and the world around them. Abyssal scholars and the Deathlords know such as the Shadows of Death, and all Abyssals must pick two effects that they are known by. These two effects happen frequently when in the living world, whether the Abyssal likes it or not. Note that the Shadows of Death are largely cosmetic from a mechanical perspective. On their own, they cannot be used towards any real benefit. They are, however, great material for stunting and tools of intimidation. An Abyssal's player may invoke any Shadow of Death style effect when dramatically appropriate as a stunt, when the Abyssal's emotions are stoked, or as an embellishment to Charms usage, spellcasting, or Anima Flares, though the Abyssal character has no direct control of such.

Some example Shadows of Death include...

• A chill wind sometimes blows around the Abyssal, particularly when she makes an entrance or dramatic statement.
• The Abyssal's eyes glow with an unearthly light when in the grip of strong passions.
• The Abyssal's shadow sometimes becomes monstrous and distorted, or else moves out of sync with her body. Perhaps it menaces surrounding characters.
• Alternatively, the shadows of everyone present stretch towards the Abyssal or bow in the presence of the Deathknight.
• The Abyssal's reflection is that of a rotting corpse.
• Alternatively, mirrors crack and shatter when forced to hold the Abyssal's reflection.
• Holy symbols tarnish or splinter in the Abyssal's presence.
• Small plants wither and die when the Abyssal touches them.
• Crows, ravens, owls, and other birds of ill omen tend to follow the Abyssal and congregate in enormous and intimidating numbers if she stays in one place for a few days.
• The Abyssal smells of formaldehyde, natron, or some other substance used in the preparation of corpses.
• Things sometimes crawl feebly out of the shadows when the Abyssal is present. They vanish if anyone turns to look at them directly.
• Small flames gutter and go out when the Abyssal nears, or else glow in ghostly and unnatural hues.
• Vermin such as rats, flies, worms, or locusts tend to dog the Abyssal's steps, following her wherever she goes.
• Things that really shouldn’t bleed sometimes do when the Abyssal is around (trees, rocks, food, household appliances).
• Animals (apart from scavengers, vermin, or those of ill omen) howl, panic, and flee the Abyssal's presence.
• Nearby edible food spoils or explodes into maggots, water the Abyssal lingers near becomes brackish and stale or freezes over with a thin layer of ice.
• Those sleeping nearby experience horrific nightmares featuring the Abyssal. This doesn't inhibit Willpower regeneration.

Dark Fate

Abyssals know this as the Black Resonance of the Grave, or Resonance for short, a force which ensures that death will always have its day.

Each Abyssal Exalt has a 10-point Resonance track. This works much like the Limit track of their Solar counterparts, but with some key differences.

The Path to the Light

To date, no Abyssal has managed to purify their dark nature and reclaim their station as a Chosen of the Sun. If such a thing is possible, it would require many life-changing efforts to internalize the nature of Solar Essence and affirm the virtue of life over death. So-called "Redemption" is not a matter of morals, or of good vs evil, but of the manner in which the power is used and reasons. In order for an Abyssal to have even a fraction of a chance at a thing which may or may not be possible, they must essentially learn to be an entirely new person. It is a deeply personal matter and what helps one Abyssal may not help others.

Charms

Integrity

New Charm

Unconquered Hero's Faith

Cost: 1wp; Mins: Integrity 3, Essence 1
Type: Reflexive
Keywords: None
Duration: One Scene
Prerequisite Charms: None
Within every Abyssal lies a dim and flickering hope, a shining spark of Solar glory that no necromancy or unholy darkness can entirely suppress. When stirred to act on behalf of a Defining Tie or Principle held towards the living, the Abyssal may pay 1 point of Willpower and suffer 1 point of Resonance to fan these guttering flames. While Unconquered Hero's Faith is active, the Abyssal cannot gain Resonance for defending the living, even if opposing the forces of death (though other sources of Resonance still apply), and may draw upon the Anima Powers of their equivalent Solar Caste while losing access to their native anima powers. Sparks and streaks of Solar anima displays may be seen in the Abyssal's anima when it is flaring, especially during moments of dramatic emotion, and the Shadows of Death are temporarily suppressed while this Charm is active. This Charm may only be used once per story, and cannot be used if the Abyssal is already at Resonance 10 and awaiting an Eruption.

Special Activation Rules: An Abyssal who acts on behalf of their Lunar Mate may always activate this Charm, even if their Tie is not Defining or they have already used it this story, unless they are already at Resonance 10.