D&D 5E ASCENSION, The Codex of Exalted, Book 1: Players Guide

[Rogerd1]

Yes, I have Primal Order (WotC first RPG product I believe) and it is one of the influences for my work. I don't think I have any of the other books - yet!

EDIT: DriveThru says I have already purchase them all - I guess I just haven't read them them yet (except Primal Order).

Glad we are thinking along the same lines then

Recommend the second book when it discusses Metaplanes that is really helpful; have a great rest of day.

 

[dave2008]

OK, I have finally updated the Introduction and chapters 1 & 2 to the new streamlined format.* Sorry it took so long, I had to make some decisions about hit points and Exalted Recovery that took some time as I weighed many alternatives. The end result is starting hit points higher than I wanted, but I can live with that.

I will work on Chapter 3 - Authority next, which is the equivalent to the Class chapter in the PHB. Lots of work to do in that section. After that I will either stat some gods or work on Chapter - Exalted Combat.

*As a reminder this format is intended to simply the design process and it is not permanent. Once the design is more solidified I will be updating these sections with more eloquent language, images, and bits of lore.

 

[dave2008]

MATTER (WIP)
Intro text TBD

MATTER

Divine Level	Exalted Rank	Features
1	1	Authority Powers, Authority Stance, Exalted Feat, Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance
2	1	Authority Power
3	1	Exalted Feat, ASI
4	1	Elective Power
5	1	Exalted Feat, ASI
6	2	Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance, ASI
7	2	Authority Power
8	2	Exalted Feat, ASI
9	2	Elective Power
10	2	Exalted Feat, ASI
11	3	Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance, ASI
12	3	Authority Power
13	3	Exalted Feat, ASI
14	3	Elective Power
15	3	Exalted Feat, ASI
16	4	Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance, ASI
17	4	Authority Power
18	4	Exalted Feat, ASI
19	4	Elective Power
20	4	Exalted Feat, ASI
21	5	Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance, ASI
22	5	Authority Power, ASI
23	5	Exalted Feat, ASI
24	5	Elective Power, ASI
25	5	Exalted Feat, ASI
26	6	Track Feat, Track Power, Track Stance, ASI
27	6	Authority Power, ASI
28	6	Exalted Feat, ASI
29	6	Elective Power, ASI
30	6	Track Feat, Track Power, ASI

AUTHORITY TRACK
When your character ascends or incarnates you must choose a path you will follow within your chosen Authority. This is called your Authority Track. The Track you choose determines the features and some of the Powers and Stances your character acquires. Choose one of the Following Tracks:

Controller (grappler?)

• Controller Features at 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 30th divine levels.
• Get an extra Controller Stance at divine level 1.
• Get an extra at-will power at divine level 1.
• Get a domain at ??

Defender (buff defense of self and others)

• Controller Features at 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 30th divine levels.
• Get an extra Controller Stance at divine level 1.
• Get an extra at-will power at divine level 1.
• Get a domain at ??

Leader (mix of all three)

• Controller Features at 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 30th divine levels.
• Get an extra Controller Stance at divine level 1.
• Get an extra at-will power at divine level 1.
• Get a domain at ??

Striker (damage focus)

• Controller Features at 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 30th divine levels.
• Get an extra Controller Stance at divine level 1.
• Get an extra at-will power at divine level 1.
• Get a domain at ??

DIVINE POWERS AND STANCES
Intro text here

• Powers are the defining abilities of deities. The are the physical, mental, and magical prowess that make gods, gods.
• Many powers cost Exalted Surges (ES) to use. The cost in ES is listed in the power description. You must spend this cost each time you use the power.
• There are three types of powers: Authority Powers, Track powers, and elective powers.
  • Authority powers must be selected from your Authorities list of powers.
  • Track powers are a subset of Authority powers assigned to a specific Authority Track. When you select a Track power, it must be from your list of Track powers
  • Elective powers can be selected from any Authority and Track.
• You get each type of power as noted in your authority advancement table.
• When you select a Power, you must select a Power of your Exalted Rank or below.

DIVINE STANCES OF MATTER
TBD

DIVINE POWERS OF MATTER

EXALTED RANK 1 POWERS

POWER STRIKE (ER 1, At-Will, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: -- Actions: 2 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 2[Base Dice] x Base Damage (Fort), bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) and the target must make a Fortitude saving throw or knocked Prone.

DAZING STRIKE (ER 1, At-Will, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: -- Actions: 1 Target: One creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 1[Damage Dice] x Base Damage (Fort), , bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) and the target must make a Strength saving throw or be Dazed until the end of their next turn.

EMPOWERED STRIKE (ER 1, ES 1, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 Exalted Surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 1[d8] x Base Damage (Fort), bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) Miss: Target must make a Reflex saving throw or take half damage. Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 1.

BRUTE STRIKE (ER 1, ES 2, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 Exalted Surges Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 1[d10] x Base Damage (Fort), bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 1.

EXALTED RANK 2 POWERS

RECKLESS STRIKE (ER 2, ES 1, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex (w/ disadvantage) Hit: 2[d10] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 2.

STUNNING STRIKE (ER 2, ES 2, Striker)​

Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 2 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex (w/ disadvantage) Hit: 2[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) and the target must make a Fortitude saving throw or be stunned until the end of your next turn. Miss: half damage Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 2.

EXALTED RANK 3 POWERS

ANNIHILATING STRIKE (ER 3, ES 1, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex (w/ disadvantage). Hit: 2[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice), plus 1[d8] x Fort, force damage. Special: Any mundane object or mortal creature is destroyed (up to the size of your Aura). Magical...

THUNDEROUS STRIKE (ER 3, ES 2, Striker)​

Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 2 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 2[d10] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) plus the target, and any creature or object within the radius of your aura from the target, musts make a Fortitude save or take 1[Base] x Fort Thunder damage on a failure or half as much damage on a success. Special: Increase the number of damage dice of each damage type by one for each rank above ER 3.

EXALTED RANK 4 POWERS

PUSHING STRIKE (ER 4, ES 1, Striker)​

Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex. Hit: 4[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning damage and the target is pushed a distance, in a direction of your choice, equal to your aura radius. If the target is directed at another object or creature in this movement, that object or creature must make a Reflex saving throw or take the same damage on a failure. Exalted creatures have advantage on this saving throw. Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 4.

REAVING STRIKE (ER 4, ES 2, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 2 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 5[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) plus the target loses 1d6 Exalted Surges until they complete a Short Rest.

ALL-STRIKE (ER 4, ES 2, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 2 Target: All creatures or objects of your choice in range Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 1[Base] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice).

EXALTED RANK 5 POWERS

CRIPPLING STRIKE (ER 5, ES 1, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex. Hit: 5[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning damage and the target is Slowed. Special: Increase the number of damage dice by one for each rank above ER 5.

LEAPING STRIKE (ER 5, ES 2, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 5[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) plus 1d8 x Fort Force damage and the target is knocked prone. Special: Prior to making this attack you can move up to your speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

EXALTED RANK 6 POWERS

CRUSHING STRIKE (ER 6, ES 1, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 1 surge Actions: 1 Target: 1 creature or object Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex. Hit: 6[d8] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice) and the target takes a -2 penalty to its Fortitude defense until the end of your next turn.

RUINING STRIKE (ER 6, ES 2, Striker)​
Type: melee weapon attack Cost: 2 surges Actions: 2 Target: 1 creature Range: Aura Attack: Fort vs. Reflex Hit: 6[d20] x Fort, bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice). Miss: Half damage. Special: If on a hit this attack reduces the target to 0 hit points: it dies, if it is mortal; or it is Ruined, if it is Exalted.

 

[dave2008]

ENERGY

 

[dave2008]

TIME

 

[dave2008]

THOUGHT

 

[dave2008]

ENTROPY

 

[dave2008]

OK, I guess I lied a little bit. I decided to go ahead and get started on Chapter 5 - Exalted Combat before I tackle Chapter 3 - Authority. This is still very much a WIP, like everything else, and will continue to change as I go along.

 

[dave2008]

I've been updating several chapters recently with a larger emphasis on:
Chapter 5: Exalted Combat and Chapter 8: Exalted Equipment

Also, I realized I made a mistake in my Hit Point calculation method and some features of the Divine Advancement table. I will update that information when I get it corrected. I just need to do some number crunching first.

 

[dave2008]

STANDARD PQ COST BY DIVINE TIER

EXALTED TIER	COST IN PQ
Demigod	125
Lesser god	250
Intermediate god	500
Greater god	1000
Elder god	2000
Over god	4000

 

[dave2008]

I have started Chapter 3 - Divine Authority & Chapter 4 - Exalted Feats. Once these chapters are more complete I will start working on an official playtest. However, I would expect that until the end of summer at the earliest.

 

[LunarSquid]

How is work on the project going? Been keeping an eye on this for months, pretty exciting stuff.

 

[dave2008]

How is work on the project going? Been keeping an eye on this for months, pretty exciting stuff.

It has been a little slow recently. I have been too busy at work lately to spend much time on this project. I have also been thinking about simplifying some things and that has prevented me from moving forward until I make that decision / figure it out. I should be able to get back to it with some more vigor the 2nd half of July.

 

[Daraniya]

Hello my Exalted friends! I am back to working on ASCENSION and plan for it to be the major focus of my D&D energies for the rest of this year. Though I haven't posted much in several months, I have been working behind the scenes and I think I have most of the issues ironed out.

Anyway, I have added Chapter 1 - Apotheosis and updated the Introduction and Chapter 2 (with more updates to come). I hope to get through Chapters 3-5 and maybe Chapters 8 & 9, along with some Friends and Foes by the end of the year. The plan is to have a rough draft of the game pretty much good to go by the beginning do 2022. Then I want to use 2022 to add some more rules, update the rules, and fill out my updated Epic Bestiary with deities and other Exalted.

Finally, as always, I would love any feedback you want to provide. Thank you!

shut up and take my money! Like right now... KIckstart that shite right now! 1,000,000 quatloos...

 

[dave2008]

shut up and take my money! Like right now... KIckstart that shite right now! 1,000,000 quatloos...

I hope to have the draft the end of this year and KS sometime next year.

 

[Daraniya]

you stated that there are fewer gods or ascendants as you gain followers/power.

so glad I wasn't the only one to feel this was very "TPO". Definitely love the flavor. Looking forward to avatars/emissaries/prophets, etc... I have the TPO series, including a couple signed by the author that I bought on Amazon from the author... pretty cool guy.

Oooh, warlock creation! How do you gain warlocks/paladins. I personally don't see a different between clerics and warlocks. Can a god have a warlock and clerics?

 

[dave2008]

you stated that there are fewer gods or ascendants as you gain followers/power.

This is just a correlation. It takes a long time to gain power, and it is difficult, so there are fewer higher ranking gods. Therefore, you typically have many followers by the time your reach those power levels. However, once you reach the elder god levels, the # of mortal followers declines and deities build relationships with other deities instead.

so glad I wasn't the only one to feel this was very "TPO".

TPO was one of the influences, but honestly at this point I have so many and they are all mixed together I have a hard time recalling what originates from another source and what is my own!

Definitely love the flavor. Looking forward to avatars/emissaries/prophets, etc...

I hadn't given this to much thought yet (except avatars & aspects), but your post sparked some ideas. I think I will write them up when I get back to action. I will also add exarchs too.

I have the TPO series, including a couple signed by the author that I bought on Amazon from the author... pretty cool guy.

Not sure who you met, but one of the major contributors to TPO was the founder of Wizards of the Coast.

Oooh, warlock creation! How do you gain warlocks/paladins. I personally don't see a different between clerics and warlocks. Can a god have a warlock and clerics?

I was probably going to save warlocks for non-deity exalted, but there is technically no reason they couldn't. They are fundamentally different however (and a little different from standard 5e).

Clerics & Paladins: Clerics get their power from gods who give them access to magic. The god is just a conduit (like a celestial plumber a deity can turn that conduit to the cleric on or off, but it is otherwise the cleric which controls the flow - I'll work on that analogy). It allows a deity to have many clerics without lessening its own power.

Warlocks: Warlocks get an actually piece of their patrons power. If a patron has to many warlocks and can lesson their personal power.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Thankfully I have the time to wait, my players are only 13TH level and I think we will only get to this level of power by mid-2024, given our frequency of play and the amount of material I intend to get us through.

 

[dave2008]

Thankfully I have the time to wait, my players are only 13TH level and I think we will only get to this level of power by mid-2024, given our frequency of play and the amount of material I intend to get us through.

Well the hope is I can get a book or two released before the 2024 anniversary edition. Not that these rules will be affected by the update, it is just a timing thing.

 

[dndstruction]

APPENDIX D: Character Sheet
More to come!

i can't wait to see the complete project