First:
here is a handy resource for making Exalted names without having to string together random chinese-sounding syllables. The
General list link is probably the most useful on there. One of the other links sends you to a funny section on bad names for Abyssals, including the following trio:
The Song that Never Ends
The Song that Does Nothing But End
The End that Watched Everyone Else Singing and Felt Morose
I could see certain of our group coming up with these exact names, in this exact order.
The main event:
Name: Golden Pike
Caste: Dawn
Totemic Anima Banner: An image of a thrashing pike that bites or thrashes wherever Pike's weapon strikes. (try saying that three times, fast)
Origin: The city of Thorns, central Threshhold
History: Pike grew up in Thorns, eventually joining the military when the new Autocrat decided that it needed to be expanded to attack the Confederation of Rivers on behalf of the Realm. He ended up as a mid-rank officer (analogous to lieutenant?) in charge of one scale (a 25-man unit that is typically divided in to five 5-man fangs). As Thorns was conquered by the Mask of Winters, Pike led a portion of his men out of the city through the tunnels below. During this, he Exalted, which caused some of his men to desert after their escape. Knowing a little about the politics of the day, he led his remaining men to the city of Great Forks, where he presented himself and his unit to the three ruling gods of the city.
Pike and the Three worked out a mutually beneficial agreement: Pike and his men would help to train the weakened Great Forks troops for five months out of the year (the year has about fifteen months), and serve alongside them in battle as required. In exchange, the Three agreed to pay Pike and his men relatively generous stipends and to give Pike control of a Solar manse in the vicinity of Great Forks to use as his base of operations. The Three know that Pike intends to defeat the Mask of Winters, and they are generally (if not officially) in support of this.
Motivation: To defeat the Mask of Winters and restore Thorns
Intimacies: Pike cares dearly about the citizens of Thorns, and he does not wish harm to come to them. This extends to the troops who left Thorns with him, although he is willing to allow them to fight. Pike also has an heirloom sword that was passed down to him from one of his erstwhile commanding officers, and he values it as another sumbol of what he is fighting for.
Future development: Pike would like to see the army of Great Forks restored to its former glory, to act as the elite and holy shock troops in an eventual war to take Thorns. Pike is always on the lookout for warriors who could aid him in this endeavor, and the Three would probably be willing to renegotiate his responsibilities if he got a few more Celestial Exalted involved on their side. Pike also knows that he will need to do some searching to find better arms for himself and possibly the god-blooded soldiers of Great Forks, which could involve tomb-raiding, overcoming the undermanned Wyld Hunt as it appears, or even establishing appropriate mines and magical manufactories.
I would like to see Pike learn charms that make him an effective military commander and trainer, an inspiring leader, and a superb swordsman. I would like to see him eventually aquire artifacts that have similar effects, such as a Daiklave of Conquest, a banner that raises the morale of his troops, a suit of golden armor that glows with holy light, or similar items. Lesser artifacts, especially artifacts that he could give to the troops that will eventually be under his command, are of course acceptable.
Other details: I will need to slightly rebuild the character I gave Randy a few weeks ago to take all of this into account. Specifically, the backgrounds will need to be reworked. I may flesh out some of Pike's history later if the mood strikes me (i.e. who among Pike's Thorn's troops are noteworthy? What about Pike's family? How significant was the officer who gave him his sword? What does Pike look like?).
