Exalted - Essence

Chosen by the gods, their power tempered only by human hearts, the Exalted are all that stand between Creation and the forces that would ruin the world. Set in a rich and intriguing setting that draws from real-world histories and fantasy archetypes, Exalted has thrilled players across three editions.

Exalted: Essence is a streamlined version of Exalted Third Edition, designed to welcome new players and reintroduce old friends to the world of Creation. It contains all the mechanics and advice players and Storytellers need to run complete games of Exalted: Essence, though setting material and character, place, and creature ideas can be supplemented by the core line’s content.

All the material in the book is compatible with Exalted Third Edition, so new and established fans can collect the core line’s books and use them with a beginner-friendly and less mechanically dense system. Inside you will find:

Rules for creating all 10 Exalt types: Solars, Dragon-Blooded, Lunars, Exigents, Sidereals, Abyssals, Infernals, Getimians, Liminals, and Alchemicals.

A brief overview of Creation, so players and Storytellers can dive right in.

Rules for Universal and Exalt-specific Charms, Artifacts, Martial Arts, Sorcery and Necromancy, and more!

Advice for running and playing Exalted with mixed parties or same-Exalt parties, in multiple interesting styles of play

Exalted: Essence is not a revision to the Exalted Third Edition system, nor is it an outright replacement. Instead, Exalted: Essence provides an alternate framework to interact with the characters, setting, and story of Exalted. Where the Exalted Third Edition game features a robust system of mechanics and rewards system mastery, Exalted: Essence streamlines the system, shifting focus to the characters and story. Exalted: Essence paints in bold, bright colors, showcasing epic tales of action, intrigue, and heroism, whereas Exalted Third Edition delves deep into the details, allowing you to examine individual brush strokes and each thread of the tapestry.

Both games are tales of the Exalted, set in the same world of Creation. Both share the same characters, have the same histories and geographies, and chronicle the same epic legends. Exalted: Essence and Exalted Third Edition simply provide different interfaces to connect with the world of Exalted. The systems are not designed to mix-and-match — they're different engines powering the same car — but all of the lore for the setting, all of the information about Creation presented in either game is consistent and equally valid.

Exalted: Essence includes:

Chapter One: Welcome to Creation is a brief rundown of the setting, and what it is that players’ characters do. It touches on where Creation is now, with some nods to the past. It also introduces the cosmology of Creation, brief bits of all eight directions, and some of the lands beyond, like the Wyld. The chapter also features Storyteller advice on the real-world inspirations for the cities and cultures of Creation and how to incorporate them in your characters and your game.

Chapter Two: The Exalted gives a rundown of all 10 Exalt types, their innate Exalted abilities, and why you would want to play one, in addition to their anima and caste or aspect abilities.

Chapter Three: Character Creation explains the process of building an Essence character. It includes how to spread your points, pick your Exalt type, pick your Caste and Aspect from within that type and apply those modifications and abilities. Additionally, it explains how to pick your Charms, Backgrounds, Merits, and any other customization you may require.

Chapter Four: Systems comprehensively covers all the new mechanical systems and explains them in a clear and concise manner that’s easy for beginners to read and understand.

Chapter Five: Storytelling addresses how to run a game of Exalted: Essence. This section goes in depth to the hows and whys of playing the game. Exalted is a game that can include many different play styles; this chapter extensively covers them.

Chapter Six: Charms includes Universal Charms, which all Exalts can learn, as well as their Modes when applicable, which do not have an additional cost. It also includes Exalt Charms that encapsulate the flavor and feeling of being that Exalt type. Also in this chapter are Martial Arts and Sorcery.

Chapter Seven: Antagonists details enemies the Exalted might face, from Wyld-touched brigands to mighty war gods and other Exalts. It also covers animals, which double as rules for Lunar spirit shapes.

Chapter Eight: Panoply covers equipment, including mundane gear, Hearthstones, Artifacts and their Evocations, and other wonders.

Appendix: Character Conversion is a brief overview of how to convert a character and their Charms from Essence to Exalted Third Edition, and vice versa. It also covers custom Charm creation for Essence and Exigent Charm creation.