Story Hooks

by Ross Shaw (ross@inkmonkeys.net)

Summary: A collection of story hooks for Exalted.

This article originally appeared on Ex Libris Nocturnis at the URL:

http://www.nocturnis.net/articles/exalted/default/2004/April/427/page1.html

This is a collection of random ideas that I have had, most of them rather small, and intended to add a little flavor
to Creation, while others are possible story hooks.

White Bell Scorpions

"Honored Lady, we've just applied the taris leaf wrap to your body, and are about the remove the Sijanese mud
mask, now, let me get the scorpions."
- Anonymous servant in Ikos, one of Nexus' most popular spas.

Those mortals with enough time and money often engage in a war against time itself. A mortal, no matter how
rich, must eventually, reluctantly accept the fact that they are, in fact, mortal. Until that time; however, there are
many number of ways to fight against it.

One of the more drastic is the use of the White Bell Scorpion. A very small scorpion, named for the small bell-
like marking on its back, this animal has become popular enough that they have been imported from their natural
territories in the South throughout the rest of Creation.

The White Bell Scorpion is agitated slightly, and then held over the face of a spa patron, usually around the
forehead, cheeks and jaw line. The scorpion strikes, with its very small stinger, injecting a minor poison.

This poison causes paralysis in the muscles which cause wrinkles, giving the patron a smoother, younger
appearance. The effect usually lasts for about two to three days, meaning there is a lot of repeat business. For
those coming in just for a "White Bell Treatment" to process if very quick, usually taking just under two
minutes.

Of course, the more often a person uses the treatment, the less effective the poison becomes. In certain cases, it
takes over 30 stings for the treatment to produce results.

Vanity is not limited to just mortals; of course, some Dragon-Blooded use this treatment as well. Rumor has it
that Mnemon herself has a small collection of the scorpions.
Lathanism
"I am sorry to wake you, Lord Othan, but I wanted you to know that you will be dead in ten seconds. Please try
to ease your mind of any troubles."
- The Black Hand, to one of his victims.

There is a religious phenomenon that exists as a minor cult within most other religions, including the
Immaculate Philosophy. Its existence within these religions is safeguarded by its lack of importance. It is a
minor thing, of very little real consequence, not worth the trouble of stomping out.

Its been called by many different names, though Lathanism is the most common. The basic idea behind
Lathanism is a simple one. In addition to other events which might cause the creation of a Hungry Ghost, such
as a brutal murder, a Hungry Ghost may be created if the Ghost does not know its dead.

A Lathanite believes very strongly in this. If a husband dies in his sleep, his wife will do all she can to inform
him that he's dead. In some areas, this can include elaborate songs, the use of mediums, and the burning of the
dead's clothes of possessions. In other cultures, it's a much simpler process.

Even a Lathanite assassin will not kill from surprise, or murder someone in their sleep. They will often wake
them, and keep them quiet and immobile while they inform them of their upcoming death.

Because of their beliefs, Lathanites feel that dying of a disease, or a wound that lasts several days, is the best
way to go, as it allows the person to become intimately familiar with their impending death.

Suskiya
"You think you can hide your intentions? The storm clouds are speaking to me! I can see your deepest thoughts
in the falling snow. You son of an omen dog! My blood will not warm your hands!"
- Kar Isud, to her three month old son, Gurgur

Suskiya is a common and damning creation among certain barbarian tribes of the East. This evil brew is a
mixture of fermented blood, mashed animal or insect matter, milk, and any number of fungi. Large amounts of
sugar are added, and then the concoction is then cooked a very low heat for several days, finally, if any other
form of alcohol is also available, it is added to the brew.

The liquid is thick, heavy and tastes terrible. Even the hardiest of Wyld-tainted barbarians has significant trouble
holding down suskiya the first time they drink it, and common wisdom holds that no one can hold down the first
swallow of high quality suskiya.

The effects of suskiya vary widely from batch to batch, as there are no actual recipes for the stuff. The amount of
blood and milk used, how long they were fermented, the type and number of mushrooms, and every other aspect
of suskiya changes from brewer to brewer, and batch to batch. Nausea, euphoria and vibrant hallucinations are
common, as are feelings of drunken sluggishness, restlessness, hyperactivity and paranoia.

Suskiya is considered holy, allowing a mortal to put herself closer to her gods. Regular drinkers of the brew
claim the high it provides is wonderful, if demanding, and most that begin using it drink suskiya first as a
combination of a vision quest, and a test of womanhood. Among males, the successful drinking of suskiya is the
most common way to prove themselves. In many tribes; however, a man daring to even touch a skin containing
suskiya, much less drinking it, can be beaten severely, or be put to death.

All agree it is not a drink for the weak of heart, as hallucinations can turn fearsome and angry quickly, and
violence becomes very common, especially if many drinkers of suskiya are congregated together.
Unfortunately, while all regular drinkers still claims the drink is holy sacrament, once suskiya can be stomached,
it is easy to become addicted to the stuff, and the sacred liquid quickly becomes regulated to a commonly-abused
substance, with no real religious meaning.

Death occurs often with the use of suskiya, without counting what poisons might be present within the
mushrooms, the fermented blood and milk can often lead to fever and death on their own, and the alcohol used
in the suskiya is often dangerous itself. However, even more frightening is the death toll caused by abusers.

Were it not for the naturally fertile nature of the East, and the fact that most tribes go on hunting parties to find
breeders, any tribe utilizing suskiya would quickly kill itself off. As it is, no tribe using suskiya ever grows to
any real significance.

Mother's Sorrow
"Do you hear the white bird's song?
Her voice calling late at night
Children follow, singing along
Dancing after in the moon's light
The white bird's song stops with the sunrise
And all you hear are the parents' cries
Do you hear the white bird's song?
Children follow singing along"
- a common nursery rhyme

In the Realm, and in the East, there is a bird, about the size of a raiton, with beautiful, pure white feathers.

They are nocturnal animals, and have absolutely beautiful, haunting voices. In the East, these birds are called
ivories, and are kept as singing birds. They are often sold, and can cost as much as a horse. In Nexus, an ivory
with a particularly strong voice or unique singing pattern can cost as much as ten horses.

In the Realm; however, they are most often known as Mother's Sorrows, or simply "the white bird". The
haunting song of the Mother's Sorrow is believed to have the ability to entrance little children, who will sneak
out of their homes, in order to find the bird. Then, when the bird begins to fly away, the child (or children), run
after it, never to be seen from again.

Due to this legend, Mother's Sorrows are killed whenever they are seen. In order to appease her superstitious
people, the Scarlet Empress instituted a Realm-wide bounty on the bird; however, this bounty was lifted two
years ago, in order to save money.

Many people believe Mother's Sorrows are shape shifted demons, and not truly animals. Therefore, whenever
possible, they killed in the most brutal or horrific way possible. The bodies are then often fed to dogs, or other
guard animals, under the belief that the meat of the white bird makes the animals smarter and more malicious.

Scrape and Sluice

"This is not the Nexus you've read about in story books. We are not good hearted rogues, and a beautiful woman
is not waiting around the corner to be swept off of her feet by a man with an Imperial accent. We are thieves and
murderers, and the beautiful woman waiting around the corner will either fuck you for half a silver bit, or kill
you for a whole bit, depending on her mood. Welcome to the threshold, Scraper."
- Four-Fingered Kydan, to Tylus Jalen, who has no idea what a Scraper is.

There are a countless variety of drugs within Creation, and, as the demand never seems to wane, more are being
discovered or designed all the time.
Among the richer aficionados, the use of the petals from the sky-at-midnight flower is very popular. Without the
antidote, the sky-at-midnight can cause horrific, immobilizing pain, as your body's senses all increase to a level
of sensitivity infinitely higher than normal. Death often occurs; the body's organs begin to shut down, as the
brain believes them to have been grievously injured. With the antidote; however, the flower provides a feeling of
euphoria, and a much lower increase in sensual perceptions, which many people attribute to increased creativity,
emotional well being, and ability to connect with others. The antidote is of course, far more expensive than the
flower itself.

The oddest type of drugs, are also the most expensive, rare and sought after by the elite, especially in Nexus.
They aren't truly drugs at all. They are spells.

At least three different spells of the Terrestrial Circle exist that have no other function than producing a highly
enjoyable experience for their targets, and those casters with access to any of them can command huge prices for
their services.

There are myths of a Celestial Circle spell able to lock a willing person to a constant, blissfully euphoric state of
catatonia.

One malcontent and useless son of a now dead merchant prince would be willing to give his entire fortune,
including several homes, prize winning horses and several small gold and silver mines in trade for the use of this
spell.

Of course, not all users of drugs are rich. Some can't even afford qat or marijuana. For them, numerous drugs
exist.

Of the discount drugs available in the Scavenger Lands, none is cheaper or more popular than Scrape. While
Scrape dealers do try to hide the drug's origins, much to their chagrin, it is one of the worst kept secrets in the
River Province.

Scrape is the product of a red wanderer, a now common breed of cat whose bloodline was subtly affected by the
Wyld. These cats are fed a very strict diet of certain specific herbs and vegetables, with just enough meat to keep
them relatively healthy.

The cat's excreta is then collected, pressed flat, placed upon ceramic bricks and left in the sun to dry for three
days. Several other herbs are added to the product during the drying phase, both to increase it's potency, and to
mask the taste and smell as much as possible. When finished, the Scrape looks like a thin strip of grey beef
jerky, with several flecks of black and brown.

The Scrape is usually crumbled into a powder and smoked, though the truly desperate can eat it. In either case,
the effects are a state of euphoria and sluggishness, similar in almost all ways to the use of marijuana. Those
who use it in massive quantities also experience a loss of inhibitions, and impairment of judgment, similar,
though not as pronounced, as alcohol use. Overdosing on Scrape is a relatively safe thing, resulting only in
vomiting and a slight headache.

Users of Scrape usually eat mint leaves, if they are available, while smoking it, to try an cover the taste in their
mouth. The smell of a Scrape user is unmistakable.

Worse, however, by far, than Scrape, is Sluice. After years of being subjected to the unhealthy diet necessary to
create Scrape, most red wanderers are no longer able to produce solid waste. Instead, their excreta are diarrheic
and cannot take a solid shape.

Further, when it dries, it crumbly, and lacks almost any euphoric effects. Therefore, until recently, most red
wanderers were killed or set loose soon after they turned five years old. However, just within the last ten years,
one enterprising dealer began to collect the product of one of these older cats, and, rather than drying it, put it
into a bowl, and added a rather large number of very cheap but potent herbs and spices in order to cover the taste
as much as possible.

,p>He then began selling it as Sluice, at less than one third of the cost of Scrape. Some people actually prefer the
Sluice, stating that the high it provides is more potent. Now, most Scrape dealers also produce Sluice, and the
price has risen to about half the cost of Scrape. Many Sluice eaters mix it with cornmeal or rice, in an attempt to
cover the taste even more than the herbs and spices already do.

Over the last thirty years, the term Scraper has come to be a major insult in the Scavenger Lands, and is actually
growing popular in the Realm, thanks to the always trend-setting Cynis. At one time, Scraper simply meant one
uses Scrape. However; over the years it has changed to mean anyone of a disgusting or pathetic nature. A person
so debased they would be willing to smoke cat shit to get high.

Teles'rhad
"We must not allow ourselves to give in to our darker nature, Adenos. When the shadows within and without
begin to wear upon our soul, we must rely on each other for support. We must rely upon our friends. More than
that, though, we must rely upon faith. And whiskey."
- Samarand the Longstriding Messenger to Davan Keth

The city of Teles'rhad was, at one time, the second biggest in the First Age. Even when other cities began to
grow larger, few could match the beauty and wonder of Teles'rhad.

A little more than two thousand miles north from what is now Kirighast, Teles'rhad was warm in the day; cool at
night, lush and green. The entire city looked as though it were carved from a single, impossible pearl. Huge
streets, wide enough to allow four yeddim to walk shoulder to shoulder were inlaid with beautiful, scrolling
designs made from black pearl in order to provide traction.

Watchtowers were studded with beautiful diamonds that absorbed the sun's light, rather than reflecting it. The
city's walls were covered in a nature scene mural, made from gemstones rather than paints, making them harder
than steel. In times of need, these gemstones would shift from being smooth to the touch to being razor sharp.

Teles'rhad, like many other First Age cities, was as symbol of nearly endless power that Exalted could wield.

When the First Age fell from its glory, and the Solar Purge began, three Circles made their home within
Teles'rhad. These three Circles loved and respected each other completely, and frankly, thought of themselves as
one very large Circle. All others were enemies to them. The initial purge failed miserably, and every Sidereal
and Dragon-Blooded that lived within Teles'rhad were tortured in horrifically creative ways.

The Sidereal and Dragon-Blooded greatly feared to war that was to come with Teles'rhad, and rightly so.
Numerous First Age weapons were housed within the city, and the Three Circles were already beginning to use
them. Chejop Kejak himself, at the time still a young man, was nearly killed by the Three Circles, when his own
shadow began to choke him.

However, when the Betrayers finally made their second attack, no one could have guessed just how successful it
would be. An ancient Sidereal named Assuras Sonum, who cut his teeth during the Primordial War made use of
a First Age weapon of great power. Himself, his students, the artifact he used, and the entire city of Teles'rhad
disappeared. All legends state that Sonum sacrificed himself, and his seven Sidereal apprentices in order defeat
the Three Circles and depose of the danger that was Teles'rhad.

In truth, Sonum intended to do nothing of the sort. Assuras Sonum believed the device was using would allow
him to spy on the Three Circles.
Regardless of his intentions, Sonum was a great hero, and probably saved the lives of thousands of Dragon-
Blooded and millions of humans.

Many years later, during the days of the Shogunate, it was first learned that the city was reappearing. After the
sunset on the first night of Calibration, the small town and surrounding farms which was built upon the old site
would disappear, and Teles'rhad would form. Upon the sunrise of the first day of Ascending Air, Teles'rhad
disappeared again, and the small village returned. It's inhabitants had no memory at all of Calibration.

The city was consumed by celebration, as was (and still is) the tradition. Teles'rhad's Calibration Festival was the
most popular in all of Creation, and on a good year, almost a sixth of all Celestial Exalted and a twentieth of the
Dragon-Blooded attended. The streets were filled with joy and happiness, in order to counter the ambitious
drives that might pursued one to make a deal best left unmade.

At night, the city's watchtowers glow softly with the light collected by their diamonds throughout the year.
Streets are lit by various moving sculptures of heatless fire, and the city itself sings a low, quiet song.

During the day, the beauty is just as wonderful. Beautiful birds and butterflies, carved from the pearl of the city,
fly through the air. Animals made from white flames that are cool to the touch and softer than cotton play
innocently with children. Teles'rhad during Calibration, if anything, seems even more perfect.

The Shogun began to send agents into the city in order to find information. After several years studying the
phenomenon, the Shogun learned that the city seemed to repeat the Calibration of the year 2,023, which was
long before the Purge. His agents provided him with information on all of the many Exalted that were staying
within the city for the festivities. Nearly fifty Solars, almost all of them with a Lunar mate, and twenty Sidereals
attended that year, and over five hundred Dragon-Blooded joined them.

The agents also provided what information they could regarding the phenomenon itself. Armed with what he
though was enough intelligence; the Shogun formed a huge and impressive army of well trained elite mortals,
and far better trained Dragon-Blooded. It was the largest army formed for a single battle since the Purge, and no
army has since matched its size. Over two hundred and fifty thousand men took the field. Of those, two thousand
were Dragon-Blooded, and nearly two dozen Sidereals were secretly hidden within the army.

The army attacked the city from surprise, and were roundly, and humiliatingly defeated. In spite of greatly
outnumbering their enemies, the Shogun's men fell like untrained children. Two hundred and fifty thousand
mortals were no match for the might of over one hundred powerful Celestials, and five hundred loyal
Terrestrials. Their trust in each other and personal strength had not yet been drained by the Great Curse, and the
Shogun's men were fell in a little over three hours, with the Exalted of Teles'rhad losing less than twenty men, all
of them Dragon-Blooded.. Two of the Sidereals were shocked the see younger versions of themselves on the
battlefield. The Shogun was informed that one of the defenders of Teles'rhad was, amusingly enough, Assuras
Sonum himself.

Luckily for the Shogun, his army's retreat went well, and the party-goers seemed unable to pursue them after
more than a couple of miles.

Never again did the Shogun send an army against the First Age city; though he did continue to send agents.
These agents reported that the Exalted of Teles'rhad seemed to remember nothing of the massive attack, and the
Stone Lion, one of the Dragon-Blooded revelers, even invited the man who killed him the battle only a year
passed to drink with him.

When the Contagion came, the Shogun had more important things to worry about, and when the Shogunate fell,
Chejop Kejak thought it would be best if the records of Teles'rhad's continued existence were lost.

When the Scarlet Empire was still young, knowledge of the city faded into legend, and finally into myth.
Kejak's plan was successful, and now, perhaps less than ten people even know the name Teles'rhad. Of those ten,
Kejak knows five of them.

If any PCs enter the city of Teles'rhad during Calibration, they will themselves immersed in the First Age at its
happiest and most grand. People ride metallic horse automatons, with glowing eyes that show their Essence
reserves, mortal guards walk around carrying mundane weapons that are nearly the match of some Second Age
Artifacts, and beautiful dancing women, made of fire illuminate the night sky.

Teles'rhad during Calibration is like Rio during Carnival or New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It is a city that was
known Creation-wide for its wonderful parties, and Calibration is the party it prepares all year for. The Exalted
are not yet the aloof and twisted demi-gods they will become. They are; however, greatly admired and nearly
worshiped. They are something between holy men and movies stars, and the celebrity they possess allows them
many luxuries. While some of the more exclusive parties require the most powerful mortals in Creation to lobby
for years for an invitation, any Exalted can get into them. Meanwhile, there are some parties so exclusive even
Dragon-Blooded have difficulty getting admittance, though, once again, any Celestial Exalted can show up
unannounced and not only receive admittance, but find some mortals attending that are more than willing to
fawn over them.

While the nights are times for wild parties, the days are quieter, though by no means boring. Most revelers use
the days for quiet reflection, shopping or just rest.

If the PCs are Celestial Exalted, the city's inhabitants will see them as their past incarnations, even if they don't
know who that person is. If Joth Danzen used to be Tamrasha Rising Sun's Daughter, everyone will treat Joth as
if he were Tamrasha, from Tamrasha's husband, Shining Panther, to some anonymous street performer admiring
Tamrasha's body. Given the rather limited number of Celestial Exalted out there, it is nearly impossible for a
character to not run into an old friend while in the city.

Of course, this can cause some problems, or at least confusion, if Tamrasha was supposed to be participating in
the casting of some spell at the foot of the Elemental Pole of Earth.

In addition, whatever person they were will not be in the city, even if they normally were. For instance, if
Tamrasha was in Teles'rhad for Calibration, once Joth enters, she simply will no longer be there.

Teles'rhad is truly locked into one long moment in time. If the players somehow manage to destroy the city, it
will still appear next Calibration, and none of the citizen's will have any knowledge of dying in a hail of burning
Essence. Therefore, observant characters who attend the Calibration party enough times can learn how a person
is going to react in each and every situation.

For those PCs who are Dragon-Blooded, the environment is less confusing, but no less welcoming. People won't
mistakenly recognize Terrestrial Exalted; though they may notice some family resemblance. However, even an
unrecognized Dragon-Blooded will still be welcomed as a brother and comrade.

Even Alchemical Exalted could exist comfortably within the city. If they look human, then they will be treated
as such. Even the more alien Alchemicals will be treated as incredibly well made self-willed automatons, just
one of a million wonders that Teles'rhad sees throughout the course of a Calibration.

About the only Exalted types that would not get a good reaction would be Infernal Exalted; who'd be attacked on
sight, and the Abyssals.

People would recognize the incarnation that the Abyssal used to be, but would think there is something seriously
wrong. Most Exalted will just avoid the Abyssal, while others, who were close to the incarnation might try to
talk to the Abyssal, to figure out what is wrong. It is possible that the confrontation could lead to violence.

Obviously, while the eternal party-goers are basically immortal, characters that enter Teles'rhad are not quite so
lucky. As Kejak could tell if you, those killed by Calibration revelers are very much dead.
Any objects or people taken out Teles'rhad will evaporate into nothingness within a few minutes.

The fate of any who are still in the city when it disappears at the end of Calibration is unknown.

The Starving Children's Rebellion

"521, eh? You've been into books you shouldn't have, boy. Yes, it was a dark year. Never was a task that was so
easily accomplished so hard to perform. It was not my plan to teach you of the Starving Children's Rebellion,
but, if you are old enough to ask the question, you are old enough to hear the answer."
- Wise Grey Dog, slave tutor, to Cynis Belar Darek

Most record books list the even as simply the Peasant Revolt of RY 521. The records state it was easily put
down after six months by the Vermillion Legion. While this is certainly true, quite a bit is left unsaid.

More accurate records do exist; however, and they speak of a horrific event, which required an even more
horrific event to stop it.

Near the end of the RY 519, three children, triplets, seven years of age, began developing the seeds of what
would be an uprising. These three children, two brothers and a sister, along with the rest of their family, toiled
for long hours performing back-breaking labor on a huge communal farm, spanning several miles, owned by
House Casara, one of the now deposed Great Houses. Like the rest of their family, and all of the families
working upon the huge communal farm, and others like it, they worked in a constant state of hunger.

The triplets, Kiad, Chaya and Inum, were all bright for their age and station, and knew the futility of their
position. They were born to parents who were born to grandparents who worked the very same fields that they
did, and each of the three children already had their marriages to the children of other farm workers arranged
before they were two years old. Their parents were not paid; instead, their meager wages were set against a
variety of debts they owed to the Great House. These debts just kept getting larger and larger, as their pay
couldn't quite cover the bill for their food and lodging. When they eventually died, the triplets would inherit their
parents debt, and when the triplets died, their children would inherit theirs.

They knew they were slaves in all but name, and their plight was no different than any other child's on the farm.
Flanked constantly by overworked but well trained guards, the triplets knew they looked forward to a life of toil,
and that when they died, they would die never having been more than five miles from the place of their birth.
When the children complained of this horrible existence, their parents either ignored them, or beat them.

Eventually, the children began complaining to the only groups they knew would listen, other children. Soon,
large groups of the farm worker's children would meet to vent their frustrations, and air their grievances, not just
about the injustices done to them, but on all manner of topics. Even those children older than the triplets looked
to the three of them for advice and comfort.

Throughout RY 520, the children began looking towards the triplets for leadership, as well. The triplets, for their
part, grew more and more dissatisfied with their station in life. They learned; however, to hide this from their
parents, whom they grew contemptuous of. Among their peers; however, their voices were becoming louder,
angrier and even more convincing, and the first blueprints for rebellion were laid down. Plots were devised, and
ideas created, and then, during Resplendent Earth, the 200 some-odd children, along with perhaps twenty adults,
killed their parents in their sleep. Then, they set fire to the fields, and easily escaped while the sleepy guards
tried to save the crops.

The triplets moved their army of children against smaller farming communities, and villages, focusing the
majority of their anger upon members of the Empire's Thousand Scales, and agents of the Great Houses. As they
moved, they continued to gain more and more children to their cause, at an alarming rate. Some adults also
joined the cause. Every step the Starving Children's Rebellion took, fields were burned, cattle were slaughtered,
weapons confiscated and tax coffers were robbed. What they could not take with them, the children destroyed.
Their legend and reputation, while now practically unknown, moved across the Blessed Isle with a speed of
thunder clouds.

The Scarlet Empress knew of the uprising, of course, but allowed it to continue, for two reasons. In fact, she
even ordered the guards protecting two of House Ragara's communal farms to pull back, in order to present a
perfect target for the children. She purposefully had caravans carrying tax money cross their paths. Those
mercenary companies that were hired stop the children; the Empress had attacked by well-trained "bandits". She
allowed food to rot on in the vine, or in silos.

She wanted them to grow, both in numbers and in power. She wanted the Starving Children's Rebellion to affect
the people of the Realm. She wanted the peasants, already hungry, to begin to starve. She wanted the purses of
patricians to become light, and the purses of citizens to become empty.

The Scarlet Empress knew that anything she did to quell the uprising of little children would be viewed badly by
the masses. While she certainly didn't care overly much about what her people thought of her, she saw no need
to try and attack a bull from the front, and face its horns, when the bull's side was easy enough to strike.

She wanted the children to become a true threat in the eyes of her people. She allowed, and encouraged word of
their actions to spread. Tales were told of small bands of Imperial soldiers, unable and unwilling to attack, being
slaughtered by the Starving Children's Army, their own compassion killing them.

The second reason the Scarlet Empress wanted to wait was because of the Vermillion Legion. They were
involved, at the time, in a bloody battle assisting the Tri-Kahn of the time against would be conquerors of
Chiaroscuro. The Scarlet Mother believed that the Red-Piss Legion were the only Legion mentally capable of
slaughtering a force of little children. She felt any other legion, while able to do so, would be horribly scared
because it, and useless to her thereafter. She didn't feel the Red-Piss Legion, who were subjected to all the
cruelest aspects of war, and returned them in kind, would have that problem. Even if they did, what was the
harm in losing an army of drunkards, convicts and disappointments?

Meanwhile, over the months, the Starving Children became more and more powerful. Their sheer numbers were
impressive, and many of them began to learn to use short swords and bows. The entire Realm began to go
hungry because of them. Many children dreamed that one day the Rebellion would come to their city, town or
farm, and that they could join them. Some poor children didn't wait, striking out brutally against adults who had
somehow wronged them, without ever understanding the meaning of the Starving Children's Rebellion.

With all the turmoil and chaos surrounding the rebellion, none of the Sidereals recognized the signs and Chaya
Exalted without the Wyld Hunt ever being called. The Starving Children's Army, already fiercely loyal and
nearly worshipful of the triplets, believed Chaya when she said was not Anathema. Soon, Chaya was being
called the Voice of the Sun.

Eventually, in the month of Resplendent Fire, the Red-Piss Legion returned home, and everyone in the Realm
called for the deaths of those who took part in the rebellion. The Scarlet Empress wasted little time in sending
the hardened legion of warriors against the children.

Their was only one battle, but it was long and bloody. The Voice of the Sun was a shock, which could have
proved fatal to a legion not used to shocks. Chaya was a shining demon of vengeance, launching wave after
wave of burning eagles and glittering black butterflies. A girl of ten short years, she commanded her army of
nearly three thousand children and five hundred adults with more skill than nearly any mortal general. The
children fought with skill and ability easily matching trained soldiers, while the adults were able to outfight the
Legion's best mortals.

The Red-Piss Legion, while often considered the worst the Realm had to offer, they often out performed the
Realm's best. This was just such an occasion. In spite of their enemy's surprising skill, the Red-Piss Legion
marched forward, step by bloody step. The horrors of watching their companions falling to the blades of children
and the spells of an Anathema did little to faze the Red-Piss Legion. The Legion harried the adults, attacking
their more skilled but poorly outfitted opponents two or three at a time. They pushed to stay close to their
enemies, knowing that each one of them killed by the Anathema's spells was matched by two or more children.
Each time the rebellion scored well against the Legion, they answered back in kind.

The Starving Children's Rebellion did not surrender, and in truth, the Vermillion Legion never provided the
option. The children, and their parents, were slaughtered almost to a man, and even though the Legion lost
nearly thirteen hundred of its men and women, the event looked more like a mass murder than a battle.

Chaya, the Voice of the Sun, managed to escape, though both of her brothers died. Whatever happened to her is
unknown. Despite the eyewitness reports, and later, official testimony, the Immaculate Order never officially
declared Chaya one of the Anathema. The Sidereals within the Order were too embarrassed to admit they may
have missed her Exaltation, and found the idea of ten year old child not only Exalting, but learning Sorcery an
absurd, if frightening, notion.

All Content and Art is copyright ©1998-2004 Katherine Burress and Christopher Simmons unless otherwise
Specified.
Applicable information, books and products are © 1997 White Wolf Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved, any
reproduced artwork or text are for review purposes only.