The Abyssal Exalted are a sub-category of semi-divine heroes from the role-playing game Exalted published by White Wolf Game Studio. Their powers and cultural outlook are detailed in the "fatsplat" (hard-cover sourcebook) Exalted: The Abyssals (ISBN 1588466655). The book draws heavily on another White Wolf game, Wraith: The Oblivion.

Overview

To understand the Abyssal Exalted, you must first understand their enemies, the Solar Exalted. The central premise of Exalted is that gods have the ability to infuse ordinary mortals with a shard of their divine soul, exalting the individual into a demigod. The Solar Exalted derive their powers from the strongest of the gods, the Unconquered Sun. In terms of raw power, the Solars clearly outrank the Lunar Exalted, Sidereal Exalted and Terrestrial Exalted, or Dragon-Blooded.

Before even the gods existed, there were creatures called Primordials, who created Creation itself. There was a war – accounts differ as to why and how – and many Primordials were slain. Trapped in the Underworld, on the far side of death, they became the Malfeans, creatures of slumbering darkness.

The Solars eventually became corrupt and were overthrown by the Sidereals and Dragon-Blooded. Upon their souls' descent into the Underworld, the ghosts of the murdered Solars encountered the Malfeans, who offered them the power to seek vengeance upon the world that had betrayed them. Thirteen of these fallen heroes cast their names into the Abyss to become the Deathlords, the most powerful ghosts in existence. Later, the disembodied sparks of Exaltation of slain Solars were captured and fused to recently deceased mortals, creating the rank-and-file of the Abyssal Exalted. Half-alive and half-dead, the Abyssals must feed on blood or raw flesh to survive in the land of the living.

Most servants of the Malfeans strive for the eradication of all life, whether out of a twisted sense of mercy ("Oblivion will ease the pain of living") or hatred ("Damn them all") or simple nihilism ("I never had this much fun when I was still breathing"). Only a few rebel, horrified by what they've become.

The Abyssal Exalted are the exact opposites and arch-enemies of the Solars. They are the only sub-type of Exalted that can match and even best the Solars--at least in combat. The Abyssal Exalted aren't nearly as versatile as their enemies, especially in less martial areas.

Gameplay

There are five castes of Abyssal Exalted, each directly opposing a Solar caste.

Dusk Caste. Opposes the Solar Dawn Caste. Mighty warriors who gather at the fall of night to drive back the forces of living.

Midnight Caste. Opposes the Solar Zenith Caste. Prophets and heralds of the Malfeans.

Daybreak Caste. Opposes the Solar Twilight Caste. Vivisectionists and necromancers who see the rising sun as a challenge to their cleverness and ingenuity.

Day Caste. Opposes the Solar Night Caste. Spies and assassins who butcher those foolish enough to believe a sunny day will keep pure evil at bay.

Moonshadow Caste. Opposes the Solar Eclipse Caste. Diplomats who offer devil's bargains.

All Exalted have the ability to manipulate Essence, the building-block of creation, through the use of Charms. Abyssal Charms are notoriously destructive, with ominous names such as Ebon Lightning Prana, Unfurling Iron Lotus and Artful Maiming Technique. The ghosts of the Underworld also have Charms, known as Arcanoi. In general, Abyssal Charms hinder the efforts of their opponents, as opposed to the Charms of Solar Exalted which increase their own abilities. Abyssal Exalted can learn the Terrestrial and Celestial circles of Sorcery, but the Abyssals may also master the magic of necromancy.

The Abyssal Exalted have a natural affinity for the terrifying substance soulsteel, one of the Five Magical Materials, which is actually forged from unproductive ghosts.

Finally, since the existence of an Abyssal is greatly influenced by the Deathlord he calls his liege, the nine of the thirteen that the writers detailed (the other four are left for the Storyteller to create) are listed here:

The Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible

The Bodhisattva Anointed By Dark Water (AKA "The Silver Prince")

The Dowager of the Irreverent Vulgate in Unrent Veils

The Eye and Seven Despairs

The First and Forsaken Lion

The Lover Clad in the Raiment of Tears

The Mask of Winters

The Princess Magnificent with Lips of Coral and Robes of Black Feathers

The Walker in Darkness

External links

RPG.net's review of Exalted:The Abyssals