Mahalanka: An Exalted 3E Setting Repository and Resource
@mahalanka
Unoffical. I am not affiliated with Ony Path Publishing or White Wolf Publishing. I'm just a big fan. Aim is to assemble the lore of Exalted 3E in one place, with listed sources. There are no game rules or mechanics information here.
The Immaculate Order is the state sanctioned religion of the Scarlet Empire. There are two main thrusts of the religion:
There is a “Perfected Hierarchy” of beings, with the Dragon Blooded at the apex of that hierarchy.
Instill morals and virtues that would, ideally, curb the worst abuses and excesses the Dragon Blooded could inflict on those below them.
The Perfected Hierarchy
The central tenant of the Perfected Hierarchy is that Creation is in a constant state of reincarnation that is influenced by an individuals struggle for enlightenment and purification of the Essence. This is why the Dragon Blooded are at the top of the hierarchy. They are viewed as having the most refined Essence and are thus closest to enlightenment.
Monks are in a special category slightly to the side of the Hierarchy. Their mission is to be the stewards of the Perfected Hierarchy by reinforcing it in the lives of the lay people and eliminating threats to it.
The Order and Worship of Gods
Central figures within the Immaculate Order are the Elemental Dragons and the Immaculate Dragons. The Elemental Dragons are the source of Creation and the source of all Essence. The Immaculate Dragons were Exalted Heroes during the Usurpation and its aftermath that displayed the best of their element. Despite their centrality, the Elemental Dragons and the Immaculate Dragons are not figures of worship. Emulation, yes, but not direct worship.
That is where the gods come in. Sort of. The Order keeps a prayer calendar that regulates when and how much prayer individual gods receive. The internal justification for this is that it is to prevent gods from extorting the mortals that pray to them. The Gods themselves view it as a way the Order exudes undue control.
The Dragon Blooded, unlike other mortals, are not bound by the prayer calendar as a concession to their spiritual refinement.
Heresy
Of course there are heresies.
These heterodox teachings are some what tolerated by the Order as a whole, if those lead astray can be brought back to orthodoxy.
A collection of the most common heresies are cults that worship the Immaculate Dragons directly. Cults to Sextes Jyles are the most popular, while cults to Hesiesh are rare.
Other Well known heresies include The Pure Way, The Sisterhood of Pearls, and the Hundred Gods Heresy. Of these the Pure Way could be said to be the most tolerated, as it has the might of the entire empire of Prasad behind it. On the opposite side the Hundred Gods Heresy is truly a catch all name for any form or worship that falls outside of the Order’s control, that they especially don’t like.
Anathema
There are more Anathema than Solar and Lunar Exalted, though they do make up the majority of those named as Anathema. Anyone who is deemed to be a viable threat to the Order can earn the label of Anathema.
As far as the Order is concerned Any Dragon Blooded has permission to start up a Wyld Hunt. The goal of a Wyld Hunt isn’t always to kill the Anathema that they are sent after. There are some Anathema, especially in years past, who were specifically captured rather than killed so their skills and knowledge can be used for the benefit of the Realm.
Within the Order, it is known that Solars and Lunars are the chosen heroes of the Unconquered Sun and Luna. Their perspective though is that Solar and Lunar Essence is too much for a mortal to handle, by being, respectively, too perfect or too chaotic. The polarizing extremity of the Essence, in the Monk’s view, will inevitably lead these exalts to insanity. They do not tell any Lay folks this, as it would just confuse them, and would be too much work to disabuse them of their preconceived notions about Solars and Lunars
Dauntless is made from Orichalcum plates bound together with arcane fibers and blessed by a spirit of zeal.
The armor was made in the First Age by the circlemates of the Dawn Caste Solar Zan the Invincible because of their worry over how Zan leapt ferociously into battle.
Dauntless has powers that assists its wearer in throwing themselves into battle and being victorious.
Nearly a yard long, Black Wind is made completely of soulsteel generated from the souls of one hundred murderers.
It was first wielded in the First Age by Shih Azen, a Night Caste Solar, who used it to kill dangers to the early consolidation of the Solar kingdoms. The most recent wielder of Black Wind is Sesus Choran, who seal the weapon in a norther demanse behind blessed ropes and prayer strips 110 years ago.
Black wind has powers that generate additional blades of blood to attack multiple targets
Volcano Cutter is a truly immense grand daiklave made with a white jade and orichalcum hilt attached to a giant blade of red jade. It has a sharp single edge, and a second grip on the dull side to make using it in combat easier.
It was made during or just after the war against the Creators of Creation by the Twilight Caste Solar, Urashni. He made the blade in a forge that was an inverted volcano. What he created is one of the most destructive fire based dailkaves ever known.
Currently, Volcano Cutter has no master for its powers of creating conflagrations of fire and magma.