Character History Template

Exalted is a game of epic fantasy. Just like the epics that influenced its setting, a lot of momentous things have happened before the curtain rises or the camera fades in on our heroes and their first adventure together. This forum is where you'll be setting up the backstory of your characters, the events that have shaped who they are when we first start playing.

I've structured the template for Exalted Character History a little differently than the suggested prelude form that's mentioned in the Exalted core book. Specifically, I've borrowed inspiration from The Dresden Files RPG and adapted it for use in this game, but the backstory you create will define your character in a different way. You've already got your stats ironed out - your Character History will explore how you got them. Motivation, Backgrounds, Intimacies, Virtues, all these and more can (and should) find expression in the different phases of Character History. Why are some of your attributes higher than others? How did your Virtues take shape the way they did? Where did your artifacts come from? What does your character care enough about to become an Intimacy? When did you first realize the Motivation that would propel you forward into making a difference? These are just a few questions you should keep in mind as you set up your Character History.

That said, let's get into the template itself!

The Background: Where did you come from? What nation, region, tribe or culture are you from? The Scavenger Lands is a vast, diverse region, but maybe you were born in some other region in Creation and brought to the Scavenger Lands by the Cult of the Illuminated later on. What were your family circumstances like? What’s your relationship with your family? How were you educated? What were your friends like? Did you get into trouble much?

The Rising Conflict: What shaped you? Who were the prominent people in your life at this point? Do you have enemies? Rivals? Close and fast friends? How did your Virtues and beliefs shape you and events around you? What were the most significant choices you made? What lessons did you learn in this time? What makes you stand out among your peers?

The Story: How were you Exalted? Where did it happen? Did others see it? Did you injure - or kill - anyone? Did you find the experience terrifying? Exhilarating? Both? Did the Unconquered Sun appear to you? (This is always the case if you're a Zenith, but infrequently so for the other Castes.) If so, what did he say? Also keep in mind that the Cult of the Illuminated somehow knows when certain Solars will Exalt to bring them to safety. Exaltation stories in this game will always end with your character being taken in by the Cult and brought safely to Nexus.

The Co-Star: Who have you worked with? This is where we tie the group together by
having each character contribute to another character’s first adventure. Since the Cult of the Illuminated also serves as a training facility for Solars, they are tasked with certain assignments to help them grow into their power and their role as the heroes of Creation. Choose one other player in the group and collaborate with them to come up with a mission that would play to both character's strengths. What was the goal? Was it accomplished? What complications arose, and how were they overcome?

The Co-Star Redux: Who else have you worked with? This is set up exactly like the above phase, except you have to choose a different player in the group instead of the same one. The end result is to forge a stronger tie with your circle by working with them toward a common goal. (Those familiar with The Dresden Files RPG may note that I changed the last two phase names from Guest Star to Co-Star. This is intentional - no one is taking a back seat or lesser role to another in this game. You're all Exalted, you all get to share in the glory!)

When you're done ironing out your Character History, go ahead and post it on the forum so I can start working it into the storyline. As an added incentive, especially well-crafted histories that paint the clearest picture of your character, as well as those characters incorporated in the latter phases, and give your Storyteller lots of material to work with will net you some extra experience points...

Nice! This will certainly help. I'll post mine up asap.

To help illustrate what the completed template might look like, I'll use an old Solar of mine in a new way.

The Background: Where did you come from? After three failed pregnancies, a farmer and his wife gave birth to their first and only son, Devis. They raised him in a small hut on their lands outside of Thorns - his mother teaching him how to read and write, and his father teaching him the skills necessary to help out on the farm. To ensure that their son was not without friends, Devis would go with them into Thorns and play with the other children while they sold their goods at market. He loved reenacting “Lookshy vs. Realm” games, and especially enjoyed their mock sword fights using tree branches. It was also around this time that he made the acquaintance of a shy little flower girl named Marissa.

The Rising Conflict: What shaped you? As time passed, and old age started to steal his father's strength, Devis took on more and more responsibilities on the farm. Though he didn't look like it, his wiry frame held great strength from plowing the fields, cutting firewood, and loading up the cart for their trips into Thorns. Inside the city, Devis had taken on a role of guardian and champion for his friends, standing up to the bullies who would pick on them. It was this noble trait that brought Marissa out of her shyness long enough for the two of them to dabble in a childhood romance, the two teens sometimes sneaking away to the hidden orchard where she would pick her flowers to sell in town. If Devis had to choose a girl to marry at that moment, it would be her.

The Story: How were you Exalted? It was not to be, however. One very early morning, as he was tilling the soil for the next season's crops, the plow struck stone. Devis cleared a stone doorway set in the ground and pried it open to explore its hidden contents. What he discovered was a long hidden tomb dedicated to a Solar general who had died at the end of the First Age, and two artifacts that looked as though they were forged from the sun itself glittered in his torchlight. From there, his memory of events fragmented, though what he does recall doesn't match up with anything that transpired in this age. When he finally gathered his wits again, he was standing outside the tomb wearing an orichalcum breastplate and matching daiklave, watching the sun rise in the East as he glowed with golden Solar brilliance. Knowing full well that he couldn't return to his family in such a state, he did what any scared boy would do - he ran. Fortunately for him, a mysterious stranger known to Devis only as Ascendant Star took him under his wing and brought him to Nexus, where he learned from the Cult of the Illuminated what he was… and what was expected of him.

The Co-Star: Who have you worked with? His first mission on behalf of the Cult of the Illuminated was with an Eclipse Caste Solar named Five Crickets. The two of them were instructed by the Underground Sanctuary’s master to find a caravan that should have arrived in Nexus a week ago. Backtracking along the route that they were to be taking, the two Solars found fresh tracks that peeled off onto what they might have thought was a shortcut, but in actuality led into a small shadowland. They found the caravan in the nick of time, as hungry ghosts and zombies were about to breach the circle of the wagons to feast on the living flesh of the travelers. They broke the assault long enough for the caravan to get up and moving again, Five Crickets guiding it through the shadowlands back to the world of the living, while Devis protected the flank of the caravan from attack. They were able to guide the grateful travelers safely into Nexus, late but alive.

The Co-Star Redux: Who else have you worked with? Devis’ second mission was with the Night Caste assassin known only as Damaris. The two of them were sent to investigate a village that might be open to the Cult of the Illuminated. Their mission: To promote the belief structure of the Cult to ease their conversion. What they discovered upon arrival was a village that had been recently overrun by a demon cult, which was sacrificing the people in a ritual intended to bring a creature from Malfeas to Creation. The two Solars set to work, Devis carving a path through the cultists to its leader while Damaris picked off key cultists from hiding. By the time he stood before the cult leader, his anima had gone totemic, and all bore witness to the power of the Solar Exalted as their brief fight ended with the head cultist cleaved in two. Awed by the spectacular display, the newly freed villagers were easy converts to the Illuminated Way.

Any questions on how to make your own Character History? Ask them here!

BACKGROUND – Where did you come from?

Da Shan Hua was born on the Blessed Isle to lesser family in the Dynast House Cathak. Unlike many of his kin, he was not born dragon blooded. This left him in a disadvantages position. He was doted on by his elders but because he was seen to be of little use in advancing the houses agenda, nothing much was expected of him. He had a proper upbringing as befit someone of his lineage, and was taught the basics of military and Realm history. Being from a Dynast House had many advantages. Da Shan never wanted for money, and he attended many grand balls and parties.

Though Da Shan got along well with his cousins and kinsmen, he envied the political intrigue the important members of his family were involved with. He pushed hard to be noticed hoping to attract the attention of his elders so that he might too become a player. After much go-between-ing and pleading he finally got fed up of not getting results. Da Shan marched into the tea house at the time that the family elders were discussing business, and made compelling speech about how though he may not be Terrestrial Exalted he possessed a quick mind and grand ideas. His speech was so shocking and heartfelt that his grandfather granted his request and promised that he would arrange for Da Shan to be more involved in House business.

THE RISING CONFLICT – What shaped you?

True to his word Da Shan’s grandfather began to delegate certain matters to his grandson. At first they were of little consequence: order supplies for the house, handle book-keeping, etc. Eventually more and more important matters were delegated to him. Da Shan took his responsibilities serious as well. He would try to accomplish each task with as much effort as possible. He became rather adept at political machinations and manipulating others, even members of his house; nothing was off limits if it meant 100% completion of his duties. Eventually Da Shan’s grandfather was so convinced, that he decided to install Da Shan as overseer to one of the family’s military city-holdings in The Threshold.

THE STORY – How were you exalted?

On the way across The Threshold, Da Shan Hua traveled with a caravan of his house militia, workers, supplies and a trusted family bodyguard, Yoshiro. The holding was several weeks travel from Port Calin, and the way was not completely secure. It was rumored that a mercenary army had resorted to banditry and were now more highwaymen then fighting men.

Two weeks into the trek across The Threshold, the caravan was set upon by the highwaymen. The rumors were true, though not entirely accurate. The caravan had prepared for a small ill coordinated attack. Instead the mercenaries surround the caravan in well organized groups, and there were twice as many as had been anticipated. The caravan never stood a chance.

All around Da Shan, men fell. Yoshiro put up a good defense but though he was well trained, he was no match for the constant pouring of men. Without a bodyguard, Da Shan grabbed a fallen sword and tore into his attackers. He didn’t expect to last long, however something strange happened.
In the blink of an eye, he was no longer on the trail. Instead he was standing in front of a golden dais where a man in elaborate clothes sat in a throne. The man spoke to him and told him that he was the Unconquered Sun. He knew Da Shans desires and explained that he could empower Da Shan to accomplish all that he put before him. He gave an ultimatum, accept his offer and become anathema but with the power to rebuild the world as he saw fit, or deny the gift and take his chances with mercenaries. Da Shan didn’t have to think long.

He was suddenly back, in his body, but he knew that he would be fine. Many swords struck him, though none wounded him. Da Shan swung his sword, and men fell away dead. Da Shan spoke to those mercenaries out of reach, and they retreated, and left him in peace. Eventually, he made his way to Nexus, in an attempt to rebuild his life. He knew he could never go back to his family, or at least not until he had enough power to control the families and rule the Blessed Isle himself. In Nexus he was greeted by a representative of the Cult of Illuminated who somehow knew exactly when he would be entering the city, and so began his new life as a Blasphemer, a Zenith Caste, a Solar Exalted.

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Still working on the Co Star blurbs
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Awesome!

Excellent! That's what I'm talking about!

Might I persuade you to put Da Shan's history in its own thread? I'd like to make it more prominent and give it room to grow once the co-star sections are done, rather than risk burying it in this thread should inquiries come in about certain template details.

The first of the histories is in! Who's next?