Quirks

During character creation, you may choose one free positive (+) quirk. You may then take up to three additional positive quirks, each of which must be balanced out by a negative quirk (-).

Occasionally you come to your senses in strange or random places, with no knowledge of how you got there or indeed of the last few days.

You have somehow acquired an item of great power, one about which stories are written.

More powerful items require this quirk to be taken multiple times.

You have a minor item of power, suited to a single task which it performs admirably. For example, the legendary Sword of Meng, which could cut through bronze in a single swing, a magical compass that lets you navigate in the East, or a ring of protection from blizzards.

You have a moderate item of power, with a broad range of uses. For example, the legendary Sword of Zhou, which could cut through any metal in a single swing or the feathered cloak of Guest of the Rocks, with which she flew over length and breadth of the Empire.

Either through dedicated study, a wise teacher, or through mere chance, you have mastered a secret technique of the universe. You can do something that would be otherwise impossible

More powerful techniques require this quirk to be taken multiple times.

You have learnt a minor secret of the universe, such as how to light a fire with your fingers, the secret word that unmakes knots, or sharpen your teeth into poisonous fangs.

You have learnt a moderate secret of the universe, such as how to project flames from your palms, the secret word that unlocks doors, or how to turn yourself into a snake.

You have a rare disease that physicians seem unable to cure. Your symptoms will make certain things more difficult. Examples include physical weakness, episodes of confusion and being unable to concentrate or extremely bad allergies.

You have a socially unacceptable or otherwise dangerous habit that you just can't kick. Common vices include gambling, drugs and picking fights with heavily armed warriors.

You have started training an apprentice in one of your skills. This apprentice may either be highly competent and motivated, providing you with some much need assistance (+). Or they may be a complete liability whom you are bound to (-).

You have a group of people loyal to your name or person, such as a cadre of bodyguards, a troupe of acrobats, or students at your calligraphy school. They are superior to the common folk and will not desert you should you somehow lose your rank.

Either through dint of birth or shameful action, you have disgraced yourself in the eyes of the Empire. You suffer diminished status and disrespect and your opinion carries reduced weight in court and abroad. This is incompatible with Exalted.

You love someone, and that love does not enjoy the favour of Heaven. Your relationship is doomed to end in misery.

At some point in your life you have made an enemy who is now out to get you. This could be professional rival, a spurned lover or a practitioner of the same style determined to prove she is superior.

Either through dint of birth or exceptional action, you have distinguished yourself in the eyes of the Empire. You enjoy additional status and respect and your opinion carries weight in court and abroad. This is incompatible with Disgraced.

Once upon a time, you became indebted to someone very powerful. Since then, they have maintained a hold over you and occasionally require you to perform actions for them. Needless to say, the consequences of defiance are severe.

You are not a native citizen of the Empire, instead hailing from the bordering lands. Though your actions have somehow merited you a place in the Chrysanthemum order, you will nevertheless find yourself at a disadvantage in any social dealings outside of your homeland.

Your position is impressive even for a member of the Chrysanthemum Order. Perhaps you command a vast army, serve as one of the Ten Attendants or personally rule over huge tracts of land. Your rank is high enough for you to have assets or privileges appropriate to your station. This is incompatible with No Authority.

You bear an Imperial Writ. Bearing the Emperor's Seal, this Writ allows you to engage in a practice which would otherwise be deemed illegal by the magistrates. This may be special dispensation to use a banned style or permission to liaise with the pirates of the East or any number of other things.

You have a good friend who means a lot to you. Unfortunately, be it through bad luck or idiocy, they usually manage to get themselves into bad situations quite frequently. While this person's heart may be in the right place, they are in many circumstances a liability. It will be known that this person is your ally, and it will be noted should you fail to help them when needed.

Jinshi is the title given to whose who have done exceptionally well in the civil service exams. These individuals are highly respected within the Imperial Bureaucracy, and find doors open for them more easily and favours come more swiftly and more frequently.

You have studied at the feet of an accomplished Master. This exalted individual could provide you with invaluable advice and teachings (+) or treat you no better than a servant, and require you to perform outlandish tasks for her (-).

Your rank is nothing more than an empty title and grants you no real power. You may still overawe the peasantry but educated officials will not be impressed by your name. They may refuse you favours and requests for assistance and you exert little authority over the rank and file. This is incompatible with Great Authority.

You and the Emperor share common ancestors. Your Imperial Blood marks you as above the common man. As a result, you enjoy additional prestige at court and abroad.

You have a responsibility that needs your attention to run smoothly. Whether it's making sure food gets to the Empire's military outposts, or overseeing the offerings at a temple, if you ignore your responsibility you will soon know about it.

You have access to a comprehensive spy network. Most of the time your agents remain dormant, preserving their cover until you call upon them. Spy networks are controlled with the Administration skill and have the advantage that you're not in any danger when they seek out intelligence on your before; they downside is that your agents may miss out on information that a truly skilled practitioner of Tradecraft would uncover.

Throughout the Empire, you are renowned for your exceptional taste and fashion acumen. You are often responsible for the current fashion on display in the Imperial Court.

For one reason or another you are independently very wealthy. You can use this wealth to aid in any action you take as long as you can justify how throwing large amounts of money at the problem is beneficial.

You practice a martial arts style which has been banned by the Dragon Throne. If you are seen using this style it may lead to censure or even prosecution.

Your style is particularly graceful, and while this does not make you better at winning fights, it does make you look better while fighting. People witnessing your martial arts will be impressed by the beauty and elegance of your style, win or lose.

The Martial Arts style you practice has a long established rivalry with practitioners of another style. This can result in inconveniently timed challenges, your enemies gaining unexpected allies and the potential for considerable awkwardness on blind dates.

Your Style has one fatal flaw which could be your undoing in a fight. While not obvious to the untrained eye anyone willing to take the time to study your technique is likely to spot it, giving them advantage over you should you ever meet in combat.

One of your ancestor spirits is taking a more than normal interest in your life. The spirit can provide you with beneficial advice, or it may just be your dead mother continuing to set you up with eligible singles from beyond the grave.

You have managed to earn the blessing of Heaven. Since that day, you have enjoyed all manner of good fortune.

Someone has cursed your name, or you have earned the wrath of Heaven. Since that day, you have enjoy ill fortune.

At some point in your past you committed a grievously immoral act and ever since that time you have found your dreams troubled and your waking moments interrupted by strange visions. Something calls to you and it's growing increasingly hard to ignore.

You have become the target of a ghost that has so far resisted all exorcism attempts. This ghost interferes in your life in unpredictable and dangerous ways.

A mysterious object has come into your possession. You have no idea what its use is.