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The Sidereal Exalted are a sub-category of semi-divine heroes from the high fantasy role-playing game Exalted published by White Wolf Game Studio. They are briefly described in the game's core rulebook, but are given full attention in the "fatsplat" (hard-cover sourcebook) entitled Exalted: The Sidereals.
Overview
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 Sidereals derive their powers from the Five Maidens. In terms of raw power, the Sidereals rank below the Solar Exalted and Abyssal Exalted, roughly equal to the Lunar Exalted, and above the Terrestrial Exalted, or Dragon-Blooded.
The Sidereals are master manipulators. They watch the skies and draw up astrological charts, decide what future will be best for the world, then re-weave fate to their liking. All Sidereals have the simultaneous benefit and hindrance known as Arcane Fate, which causes their faces, names and very existences to quickly fade from the memories of mortals.
Sidereals have an affinity for starmetal, one of the Five Magical Materials. Weapons of this substance shift destiny in subtle ways, making their blows more damaging and deadly. This metal is forged from meteors that are actually the husks of dead gods that have been cast out of Yu-Shan, the Heavenly City.
Like all types of Exalted, the Sidereals have a plethora of unique Charms. The Charms of Sidereal Exalted are channeled through their abilities, and are capable of twisting fate in the favor of the Sidereal employing the Charm. More complex Charms require the intervention of minor gods, requiring the Sidereal to send a request in the form of prayer papers. In addition, they study several occult and dangerous martial arts styles, including the Charcoal March of Spiders and the Citrine Poxes of Contagion. Sidereals can also learn and use the Terrestrial and Celestial circles of Sorcery.
Castes
There are five castes of Sidereals.
- Chosen of Mercury. Those selected by the Maiden of Journeys are couriers and spies.
- Chosen of Venus. Men and woman exalted by the Maiden of Serenity become diplomats and seducers.
- Chosen of Mars. These warriors have been favored by the Maiden of Battles.
- Chosen of Jupiter. These wise counselors and sorcerers are frequently the leaders, just as the Maiden of Secrets leads her sisters.
- Chosen of Saturn. People gifted by the Maiden of Endings are typically assassins and censors.
Factions
The Sidereals typically subscribe to one of two outlooks.
- The Bronze Faction has been the status quo for centuries; they believe the decadent and corrupt Terrestrial Exalted should be supported, because while their rule is neither glorious nor noble, it has proved exceptionally stable.
- The Gold Faction are rebellious risk-takers; they believe the Solar Exalted should lead the world back to the wonder of the First Age. If that means risking the sudden destruction of the world, so be it; better to go out in a blaze of glory than to slowly succumb to slow attrition.
A third fringe group of Sidereals, the Silver Faction isn't taken seriously; nobody really believes the savages of the Lunar Exalted could handle the day-to-day affairs of ruling Creation. However, a few enjoy imagining the barbarians trampling all of civilization underfoot.
See also
R. Sean Borgstrom
"Sidereal Exalted"