The Exalted

The Exalted have been chosen by the great powers of Creation, from the Elemental Dragons to the Deathlords, and given power like that of the gods themselves. A shard of imperishable might has been set within their souls, allowing them to master their internal Essence and empowering them to slay monsters, lead armies, work puissant sorceries and perform other deeds appropriate to the brightest of heroes. Once, the Solar Exalted ruled the world, but they were cursed and fell and were slain, leaving the Terrestrial Exalted—commonly called the Dragon-Blooded—to become rulers in their place.

The Creation of the Exalted

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The Role of the Exalted

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Of the Nature of the Exalted

Among men, Exalted have no equals, for they were created to be the weapons of the gods in the war against those that came before the gods. When young in her power, an Exalt might be mistaken for the miraculous child of a mighty god or for a particularly talented thaumaturge, but as she matures, she far surpasses the potential of both. Each sort of Exalt is its own distinct being, but the following is true of all Exalted, from an adolescent Terrestrial to the most hoary Lunar.

• The Exaltation grants a vast life span. The mayfly Terrestrials endure for only two or three centuries, while the Celestial Exalted typically live ten times as long. In addition, the Exalted are nearly ageless. They endure, seemingly in the prime of their lives, until the very end of their long spans. Any Exalt who appears elderly is ancient indeed.
• The Exaltation grants tremendous vitality. The physical body of an Exalt is incredibly resilient. Exalted heal with incredible rapidity, are largely immune to disease, and are intensely resistant to poison. An Exalt can endure the most incredible hardship and survive wounds that would instantly fell a mortal.
• The Exaltation demands heroes. Exaltation is a fundamental alteration of destiny, turn a mortal into a semi-divine weapon. To be capable of benefiting from the Exaltation’s power, the Exalt-to-be must already have an important destiny. No Exalt is unwilling to wield his power. The Exaltation is not a rational or moral force, though. It simply seeks out beings who can and will wield divine power. It could descend on the most pious of hermits or the most immoral of rascals, so long as the chosen one is of consequence to history and will put its might to use.
• The Exaltation is desirous of hale hosts. The Exalted heal without scar and recover without permanent disability from all but the most terrible non-magical maiming. In addition, the power that inhabits the Exalted is a military weapon. Though rare exceptions occur for those whose talent and destiny surpasses their limitations, the vast majority of those who become Terrestrial Exalted are free of any serious birth defect and are generally superior physical specimens. Those who become Celestial Exalted are almost always of age to serve in the military—between 13 and 60—and possess full use of their limbs and senses. Exaltation knows no gender or ethnic preference. It desires only quality base material from which to make a hero.
• The Exaltation is imperishable and inseparable. No known process can sunder the bond between soul and Exaltation in either Terrestrial or Celestial Exalted. In addition, the Exaltation is protective. As godly beings and creatures of magic, the Exalted suffer lesser or no effect from many magical powers.

When a Celestial Exalt is slain, the power flees her mortal frame and seeks out a new host. Only once has this succession of power been interrupted, when the Solar Exalted were slain and banished, and that merely postponed their return until the current day.