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Solar Exaltation is for heroes. Those who look at the world and determine that it could be better and that they will take action. Men and women of conviction and purpose. These individuals can shake the foundations of Creation. In all of their cases, they are presented with their heroic opportunity and they rise to the occasion, standing for their beliefs with the power of the Sun exploding from their bodies. Many people face this opportunity. But some of them fail. Those who have heroic potential still choose to turn away from their destiny. It is too hard. They are frightened. They feel weak. It is in these moments that the Yozis smile. From these failed heroes they create the Chosen of Hell. The Infernal Exalted. Empowered by mad, mewling things, driven beyond the borders of Creation , the Infernal Exalts are twisted away from their human heritage and pushed to embrace the alien and demonic. They are joined, body and soul, with a demon of the First Circle, warping their minds and changing their bodies. They see the horrors of Malfeas, the chaos and destruction that is life in the Demon City, and they call it home. They stand, radiating the awful light of Ligier, the Green Sun, heroes of Hell and champions of the Yozi's cause. Creation must be poisoned and corrupted so far that there is no distinguishing it from Malfeas. When this occurs, their masters will be able to cross the boundary, free from their prison and wreak a terrible wrath upon all who have wronged them. With this terrible purpose, they return to Creation's shores, full of malice and a twisted power. What the Yozis have forgotten is that their servants, whom they have twisted as far as a human can go, were destined to be heroes. *** I know I said I wasn't going to join this challenge. I am still feeling very overwhelmed. I'm not even sure how I'll be able to do. But motivation comes from strange places sometimes. I felt, and still feel, a failure. But my goal has not yet changed. If you didn't see my last challenge, allow me to restate. To become worthy of a Solar Exaltation. Exalted fans among the crowd may start frothing at the mouth with all this talk of an Infernal Exaltation when my goal is to become worthy of a Solar Exaltation. Nerd scholars will admit that an Infernal Exaltation is merely a corrupted Solar Exaltation. 'Nuff said. Going deeper into the nerdery here, I feel more like the Infernal Exaltation better suits my mood, temperament and current mental state. My depression predisposes me to regard everything in my life as a failure. My job, my marriage, my status as a friend, my whole life. And this is even when I can logically stack up rather a large number of events that were overwhelmingly positive. So it's hard for me to look at the potential for heroic opportunity and not immediately think that I would turn away. That's when the Yozis begin their seductive temptation. So how will we do this? Well, the Yozis sure do have a lot to teach a budding Infernal. Tap into Malfeas' indestructible fury The Slayer Caste are the warrior-generals of Hell. Malfeas gives them rage and potency. They are unstoppable in battle. I must channel my energy into the fight. Go to 2 hapkido classes a week. Marked out of 12. +1 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Stamina Follow the laws set down by Cecylene Cecylene's laws are not the laws of Creation. She decides almost on a whim what can and cannot be done within the Demon City. Despite her madness, her priests enforce all of her laws with an iron fist. One of those laws is a capacity for battle. Might makes right in Malfeas. So one must be ready for battle at all times. I will accomplish this by starting a stretching routine. I don't know any yoga, and my only access to yoga routines is though my wife's Wii Fit, but that's a start, right? Twice weekly. Marked out of 12. +2 Dexterity, +1 Stamina Live the unrelenting movement of Adorjan The Silent Wind never stops moving. And where she goes, all living things are silenced. Forever. Last challenge, I tried a push-up challenge. And while I failed at it, I found it valuable to be building the habit of doing something physical every day. Not strenuous or to make myself sweat like mad, but something. Do something physical every day. Marked out of 42. +1 Strength, +1 Stamina I've been here for a little while, so there's a life goal, too. Plumb the secret knowledge of She Who Lives in Her Name The Pyrian Flame knows of things that Creation cannot even fathom. When she shattered three of the spheres of her being against the walls of Malfeas, she destroyed concepts and ideas that even now cannot be known in Creation. Surely she would know a thing or two about an Infernal Exalt. I've started seeing a psychologist and I like how she approaches therapy. My schedule to see her is entirely in my control. And I need to make this consistent or I will never overcome my depression. And it's expensive, despite having coverage through my and my wife's benefits. So I am reluctant, even though it is necessary. See my psychologist 3 times over the challenge. +2 Wisdom, +1 Charisma And a non-workout-y fitness goal. Develop a secret plot worthy of the Ebon Dragon The Ebon Dragon has been plotting his escape since he first set foot in Malfeas. He has never succeeded, but it is in his nature to fail. This has not stopped him from executing cunning plans throughout the millenia, including that which placed fifty Solar Exaltations into the hands of the Yozis. For the Ebon Dragon, success is making a plan. I often plan what to eat an hour before I eat. Or when I'm at the grocery store. I cook breakfast and dinner, but I often don't have a schedule before I actually need it. I started working on this as a habit but life circumstances have knocked me right off the habit again. Make 2 meal plans each week. Planning for a whole week is too much. Marked out of 12. +2 Constitution, +1 WIsdom *** Now for the disclaimer. Everyone's support is great and I love all of you for it. But I am likely to be pretty quiet this time around. Physical activity is one of my soothing behaviours, so I'm definitely going to be trying to do this stuff. If I don't respond to your encouragement or comments, I guarantee that I'm not trying to be anti-social or ignorant. You guys inspire me, so I'm going to keep trying to fight the Infernal nature. Even those who have fallen can stand again. They might even be heroes.