View source for Celestial Lion

Celestial lions are the incorruptible guardians of Heaven, and unless they willingly choose to abandon their duty, cannot be forced to break faith with their office (They can be tricked, however). Like lion dogs, however, when celestial lions do decide to forsake their honor, they can be glorious, or terrible, as whim dictates. They guard all of the gates from Creation and operate as a police force in the city itself. The departments and bureaus can ask for a force of lions to guard their offices or investigate intrusions. A special branch, led by Shining Barrator, is proactive and investigates threats to the city proper, answering only to the heads of the Bureau of Heaven.

Celestial lions appear as orichalcum lions polished to mirrored perfection, standing three yards tall at the shoulder, and are all nearly identical. Their incorruptibility does not mean they are not world-weary, however—millennia of policing the corrupt and petty have made even the most passionate lion cynical. They are proud, despite their exhaustion with the empty pomp of Heaven, and will devour those who do not pay them proper respect, which most gods except those of the highest rank are wont to do. When the situation demands it, they are empowered to command squads of lion dogs and scarab guardians.

'''[[Sanctum]]:''' Celestial lions all have small, luxurious mansions in Yu-Shan and eschew sanctums.<br>
'''[[Motivation]]:''' To protect Yu-Shan from harm, with all that emphasis entails—the celestial lions are far less likely to be concerned about the gods, singly or in groups, than they are the health of the city as a whole.<br>
'''[[Attributes]]:''' [[Strength]] 12, [[Dexterity]] 6, [[Stamina]] 10, [[Charisma]] 5, [[Manipulation]] 4, [[Appearance]] 5, [[Perception]] 5, [[Intelligence]] 4, [[Wits]] 6<br>
'''[[Virtues]]:''' [[Compassion]] 1, [[Conviction]] 4, [[Temperance]] 4, [[Valor]] 4<br>
'''[[Abilities]]:''' [[Athletics]] 5, [[Awareness]] 5, [[Bureaucracy]] 3, [[Dodge]] 5, [[Integrity]] 5, [[Investigation]] 4, [[Larceny]] 4, [[Linguistics]] (Native: Old Realm; Others: five others) 5, [[Lore]] 5, [[Martial Arts]] 5, [[Occult]] 5, [[Presence]] 5, [[Resistance]] 5, [[Stealth]] 3, [[Socialize]] 2, [[Survival]] 5, [[War]] 4<br>
'''[[Backgrounds]]:''' [[Backing]] 3, [[Celestial Manse]] 3, [[Salary]] 4<br>
'''Charms:''' <br>
:''[[Bane Weapon]]''—Against the enemies of Heaven
:''[[Bread of Weak Spirit]]''
:''[[Essence Bite]]''—Against foes who stand in the lion's path without surrendering
:''[[Essence Plethora]]'' (x3)
:''[[Hurry Home]]''—Tactical Retreats.
:''[[Materialize]]''—Costs 65 motes
:''[[Measure the Wind]]''—Sizing up opponents and determining the rank of beings in their presence
:''[[Ox-Body Technique]]'' (x5)
:''[[Principle of Motion]]''—Eight banked actions
:''[[Regalia of Authority]]''—Against transgressors of Heaven's laws
:''[[Sheathing the Material Form—]]''All-Encompassing
:''[[Spirit Cutting]]''—Against spiritual foes
:''[[Stoke the Flame]]''—When lives are threatened
:''[[Touch of Saturn]]''—Under orders from superiors
:''[[First (Ability) Excellency]]''—[[Awareness]], [[Dodge, [[Integrity]], [[Investigation]], [[Martial Arts]]
:''[[Second (Ability) Excellency]]''—[[Dodge]], [[Investigation, [[Martial Arts]]
:''[[Third (Ability) Excellency]]''—[[Dodge]], [[Martial Arts]]
:''[[Divine (Ability) Subordination]]''—[[Martial Arts]] and [[Occult]], in the service of defending Heaven
:''[[All-Encompassing Divine (Ability) Subordination]]''—[[Investigation]]
'''[[Join Battle]]:''' 11<br>
'''[[Attacks]]:'''
:''Bite'': [[Speed]] 5, [[Accuracy]] 11, [[Damage]] 19[[L]]/2, [[Parry DV]] -, [[Rate]] 1
:''Claws'': [[Speed]] 4, [[Accuracy]] 12, [[Damage]] 17[[L]]/2, [[Parry DV]] 5, [[Rate]] 2
:''Clinch'': [[Speed]] 6, [[Accuracy]] 11, [[Damage]] 12[[B]]*, [[Parry DV]] -, [[Rate]] 1
:*When performing a crush action while clinching, celestial lions may elect to inflict lethal damage rather than bashing, through use of their bites
'''[[Soak]]:''' 30[[L]]/30[[B]] (Orichalcum Hide 25L/20B; [[Hardness]]: 10L/10B)<br>
'''[[Health Levels]]:''' -0/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap<br>
'''[[Dodge DV]]: 5, '''[[Willpower]]:''' 8<br>
'''[[Essence]]: 5, '''[[Essence Pool]]:''' 120<br>
'''Other Notes:''' None

[[Category:Compass of Celestial Directions, Vol. 3]]
[[Category:Spirits]]