Abyssals

The Abyssals in Exile

I myself think the Abyssals aren't nihilists here - they see themselves as messiahs. Even while captured, they never gave up - and their faith in their cause was rewarded, being the first able to permanently kill a Primordial. Even still, rising from its powerful grasp with part of its power to live again - and this time, with no clear limit their strengths. They are what the Exalted were always meant to be - perfect weapons.

Regardless, the Abyssals work together to make great and marring strikes against the Spiral, bringing as much as they can into their domains through their assaults. As all dead Primordials share the hivemind of the Neverborn, however, they hear the siren song of the Engine of Extinction among the stars - or perhaps is the swan song of Autochthon. Regardless, the call has grown too tantalizing to ignore, and so they have sent an expeditionary mission to investigate what the Abyssals could stand to gain should they bring the rogue Primordial into the Black Non, and the answer they hear may excite them enough to make their dead hearts skip a beat.

Notable Abyssals

As such, I think their names are not 'this is the end,' but 'this is a new beginning.' Also, on the plus side, we don't have to look at the Abyssals at all, just the Deathlords. We COULD given them the power to make weaker and more manageable Abyssals from mortals (combining First Circle souls, perhaps), but as it is right now I think their narrative power is drawn from how rare and powerful they are.

The Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible

• His normal name WORKS, but it's a bit flowery and not quite 'sunny,' you know? His other titles include 'The Shining One' and 'The High Priest . . . ' which are probably more what we're going for.
• His bit (it's even called 'The Shining Path') translates 1:1 I feel, but for different reasons - he truly believe death is salvation, and those who embrace it have nothing to fear. He's been rewarded in own way, and is able to provide powerful benefits to ghosts to follow his cause, so it's hard not to believe him on some level.
• Likely a Third Circle Soul, a sifu and priest for any forces of death without end. His staff also has the power to transform into a clockwork bat which he can use for scouting if need be, though there are others better suited for the task. Its touch can also turn a mortal into a ghost for a day, who is then bound to the Bishop's will, but I'm not sure to play that up. We can (and I think I saw a decently done) give him a full version of Gentle Embrace Style.

The Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Water

• Name is too 'dark,' I'd go with The Bodhisattva Twiceborn (or Twice Reborn depending on how he view the Solar Exaltation) or something. Alternately, we could play up 'a 'Waterwalker' angle with him, but it hard to think of a title that flows well with that meaning. The Silver Prince is his other name, so we could easily make him the Golden Prince. The Bodhisattva of the Golden Crown/Throne maybe?
• Like the Bishop, it is easy to translate his front and just chop off the backside of the whole 'secret soulsteel island' bullshit. He draw people in with charm and charisma, and tells them they will live forever if they follow him, that's fine, he doesn't need to be a dick about it.
• I'd say even if we're limiting Third Circle Souls, he definitely gets one regardless, acting as a general for the dead rallying behind them. The Bodhisattva to me embodies the greatest strengths of the Deathlords - he is charming, powerful, and capable of leading an armed force. His sword forces anyone it strikes to follow him for the next 100 days in Vanilla, but we can probably tone that down.

The Dowager of the Irreverent Vulgate in Unrent Veils

• Name is too 'dead flowery' (deathblossomy???), and Shoat of the Mire is not a great alternative. Perhaps play up a 'Golden Child' angle, either as part of the actual title or in the figurative sense 'golden child' means prodigy and work a new title from there. The Gold Child Born From Ash? Eh.
• The Well of Udr is a possible hook should she board the Gunstar (though I imagine until the Abyssals take more Neverborn it's still in Primordial hands), but the Great Contagion is much more. Perhaps not as strong, but she could roam through the streets of the Spiral (and later the Gunstar) spreading deadly disease by her mere presence as a Typhoid Mary, then take over another child's body to avoid any persecution and do it all again, bolstering the servants and power of the dead. She's also considered the best necromancer among the Deathlords, though I may transfer this to lover due to the Third Circle Soul bit. Regardless, she still probably has great acumen with it even if she's not the best.
• I'd say she has a Second Circle Reflective Soul in her, leading her to wander and change. But this makes her an excellent spy into the Spiral, as she able to steal bodies for herself as well as cause chaos among the population. Her bow shoots harpoons, which clasp around bone of the target they hit.

Eye and Seven Despairs

• Eye and Seven Triumphs is one we discussed and certainly not a bad one, though I'm open to anything that sparks in your mind.
• Eye doesn't really have much going for him in Vanilla. But we'll change that. He quickly learns of and embraces Voidtech, elevating gremlins from a minor threat to something that can threaten the health of nations. Perhaps he was even the one to find the flaw in Alchemicals that makes them go Apostates, and flipped the switch while whistling to himself. Later, he probably abuses that cult in Claslat that's Tripartite members who are hungry ghosts stuck in bodies. Maybe he even started the idea, long ago.
• I'd say he has a Second Circle Soul, perhaps Gratifying/Indulgent, as he throws himself entirely into his work of necrotech, and is deeply fascinated by the related Voidtech. A capable infiltrator and inventor, and hey the soul choice would also explain his weird lethargy and seduction plays.

First and Forsaken Lion

• First and Transcendent Lion is one I threw out in passing, but again if you have a better one feel free.
• Probably Third Circle, it'd really kinda make sense (in the weirdest of ways) for him to have the Fetich if he WAS the first, but that's really not that important right now. Likely to the be the general and leader of the Abyssals planning their next move from start to finish. He likely allots the resources as well - what soulsteel can be used to make new warstriders and battle cruisers, what soulsteel go to arming the masses, and what go into promising new oddities each of the others hope to explore - himself of course benefiting the most from all three.

The Lover Clad in Raiment of Tears

• Too emo of a name at the end. The Lover works, of course, but again we want them to think of saivors first and dead second. The Lover Whose Touch Brings Salvation? Eh.
• Probably Third Circle, and easily still the best sorcerer among them. She routinely slips into cities, where people may recognize her threat but become entranced by her beauty anyway, causing civil war with her presence or just casting Total Annihilation and bringing them all back into the Black Non for an orgy of death.

The Mask of Winters

• Too emo to me. The Masked Savior, the Mask of Miracles, something like that.
• Probably Third Circle, though I could see Second because I don't really care for him!

Princess Magnificent with Lips of Coral and Robes of Black Feathers

• Princess Magnificent works for sure, Lips of Coral isn't bad, Robes of Black Feathers might be changed to something more messianic.
• I'd say she has a Second Circle Defining Soul in her, possibly of the Fetich, explaining why she has such a close connection with the Whispers of the Neverborn. Also could explain her lack of direction a bit in some weird sense.

The Walker in Darkness

• Nope. He Who Steps Into the Light???
• Probably Second Circle, because I don't really care for him!

The Warden of the Primordials

• Perfect.
• Third Circle, PERHAPS the Fetich just to be completely terrifying, but it could have just been a dark soul (ah, ah) before anyway.

If we want to pin down a the last three, the Shadow Isles champs probably aren't a bad place of inspiration actually, both Even and Karthus in particular lends to interesting ideas that aren't covered by others, stealthy assassin and singing sorcerer.