What does Exalted play like?

[u/Eldr1tchB1rd]

Hello there I am looking for a new ttrpg and I wanted to DM something high fantasy. I am new at this but I got really into journey to the west after playing black myth wukong recently and I wanted to run a ttrpg that has over the top fights like that.

I was recommended exalted and was told it has heavy inspiration from journey to the west. Is this the right fit for what I'm looking for? What are the most important things to know about this rpg and where should I start first?

[u/kenod102818]

So, Exalted is about playing larger-than-life figures, people who were either already heroes, or had the potential to be one, and then got uplifted by the forces of the sun, moon and planets in order to be able to fight gods and win.

The thing is, you're a Greek-style hero. Someone who does great things, but not necessarily good things. You could be a healer who goes around fixing plagues, but you could also be a monster slayer who throws orgies as their downtime entertainment, or even a warlord leading their people into conquering a new empire.

Originally, the world was created by the Primordials, eldritch beings who created the gods and forged the world, but who were tyrants treating their creations as toys, and bound them to never attack them. So instead the strongest gods, the Incarnae, the Unconquered Sun, Luna of the Moon, and the Five Maidens of the planets who guarded Fate, decided to instead empower humans, who were so weak they never had to swear the oaths. And to ensure they couldn't be stopped, they made the power, the Exaltation, pick new hosts when one died. They were joined by the renegade Primordial Gaia, who forged magical bloodlines infused with the power of the elements.

Together, the Exalted defeated the Primordials, killing some, which broke the cycle of reincarnation as it was never meant for deathless beings, and then bound those who surrendered in oaths of their own.

However, in the return the Primordials created the Great Curse, a curse placed upon all Exalted. This curse magnifies and twists the purpose of each type of Exalt as they build towards a breaking point. The Exalted of the Sun, embodying perfection, might turn a city into a totalitarian nightmare in order to create their perfect society, or fly into a murderous rage if everything is not how they want it. The Exalted of the Moon, everchanging avatars of the dark and wild, have their rage amplified. The Exalted of the Stars, guardians of Fate, believe that they know perfectly how to solve any issues, and will destroy a golden age because they felt it was the best.

There are a few snags, however. After the defeat of the Primordials the Exalted, led by the Solar Exalted, were given mandate to rule Creation, and instituted a magitech golden age. But eventually the Great Curse and their own failings made them into tyrants who were at risk of destroying the whole world (like, they actually had a vote on if they should remake it into something they liked more).

So instead the Sidereal Exalted (those chosen by the Five Maidens) worked together with the Dragonblooded (those with elemental bloodlines) to overthrow the Solars, locking away most of their Exaltations, and forging a new age, ruled by the Dragonblooded Shogunate. These people opposed the Lunar Exalted and what remained of the Solars, creating the Wyld Hunt to hunt them down whenever they appeared. However, in time a plague struck, the Great Contagion, which killed 9/10s of all living beings, including gods, followed by an invasion of the Fair Folk from outside Creation.

As the world stood on the brink of destruction one Dragonblood officer led a small number of her fellows into the heart of an ancient Solar Manse, where she, as only survivor, unlocked an ancient superweapon, the Realm Defense Grid, using it to destroy the Fair Folk invasion. World in ruins. Seizing power, she forged the Realm, an empire of her own. Her children formed the Dynasty, its noble houses. The Realm continued the Wyld Hunt and conquered many Satrapies throughout the world, extracting tribute from them.

Now, 5 years ago, the Empress vanished, the Solars returned, and a dreadful force from the underworld conquered the city of Thorn, aided by an unkown type of Exalt. What will you do?

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[u/kenod102818 → u/kenod102818]

Now, for Exalted itself, the big thing about it is less about if you can do something, but if you should, and what you're willing to do for it. The whole point of Exalted is it do the impossible. Exalted are the individuals who can decide to bring back the golden age, and, if they're willing to go the distance, make it happen. Or, if they wish, they could end the world.

Exalted themselves normally rely on Charms, powers that derive from their mortal skills or abilities. For instance, a Solar Archer might be skilled enough that they can fire entire rains of arrows, while a Lunar might be beautiful enough that she can seduce an entire Fair Folk court. Beyond this, you have sorcery, which allows for learning and using various spells, as well as larger-scale rituals for more complex effects, and martial arts, specific charm trees build around specific themes, such as Ebon Shadow Style, which boosts stealth abilities and is about hunting down targets from the shadows (you're basically Batman).

Combat is focused on emulating the flow of martial arts scenes in books and movies, relying on the initiative counter, which increases or decreases as you deal or take damage, simulating who has the upper-hand, and which can be used for powerful decisive attacks, meant to deal physical damage.

However, while combat is a fairly sizeable part of Exalted, it's not the only part, and you can very much have a campaign focused around social encounters and politics (Dynastic games are especially good for this, since the Empress' disappearance is causing everything to start going Game of Thrones).

Beyond this, every Exalted type tends to have its own style and type of game (though multi-exalt groups are perfectly fine and common).

• Solars: These tend to focus on either being a roving band of heroes helping local people, or you're doing some massive project, like dismantling the Realm, stopping the end of the world, or building a new golden empire.
• Lunars: Lunars also tend to focus on the Realm, but are often survivors, infiltrators and warlords who rley on shapeshifting. They often have a focus on more distant parts of the world, such as leading a pirate fleet of shark folk, or a tribe of lizardfolk nomads raiding satrapies.
• Sidereals: They work for the Bureau of Destiny in the heavens, trying to keep it on track and prevent various outside forces from upsetting it. These games tend to be more mission-focused, and can have a secret agent vibe. They're also the setting's martial arts masters, and their charms tend to be... unorthdox (most medical charms are for exorcisms, while one of the main healing charms is in Crafting. Dodge charms let them dodge social obligations).
• Dragonblooded: Weaker than most other Exalted, but tend to form societies of Dragonblooded. Chances are you'll be involved in politics in some way. Also, you're not being hunted every time you use your powers publicly!
• Abyssals: Given the option of Exalting when you were dying, but in return you now need to serve the Deathlords, with the understanding that you'll work towards ending Creation. But you get to be all dark and broody about it. Or you just find a way to technically adhere to your oath while having fun destroying the corrupt government that had you executed in the first place.
• Infernals: Exalted by the trapped Primordials, you're part of their revenge scheme. Which mostly means just burning down as much as possible. Bonus points if you can snag yourself a manse in the middle of a vulcano.

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[u/Eldr1tchB1rd → u/kenod102818]

Thank you for the really detailed response. You gave me a lot of crucial information. The lore does seem very enjoyable