This was an interesting problem.  Exalts being aroused, and then leaving to head South...not at all what one would expect for a Creation-wide disturbance.  Idly scratching the side of his face, he went down the list of possible suspects, examining each one for motive and opportunity.  The means was no doubt whatever was causing this, so that would be figured out, in time.<br/><br/>First up.  Mortals.  Mortals actually had a pretty good reason for trying something like this - they were tired of Exalt rule, and by concentrating them in the South, and keep their minds on an endless orgy, could clear most of Creation of them.  There were only three major problems with that one.  First, the ability.  Mortals couldn't do much anything, and no mortal he knew could do magic like this...or had enough experience with First Age tech to.  Second, themselves - meaning the Sidereals.  If this got to be a big problem, Sidereals could retreat to Yu-Shan, find the source of the disturbance, and then launch a pinpoint strike.  Third, Exaltation itself.  Exaltation went to 'randomly' (to mortals anyway) chosen people, and they would have no idea who could be an Exalt.  Granted, they lived a very long time, but it was still an issue.<br/><br/>Second.  The Fair Folk.  Every operative in the Bureau knew that they could mess with emotions and things like that.  What was more, by occupying the attentions of the Exalted, they would be, more or less, given free reign to run across Creation and cause havoc, much as they did in their previous invasion.  Problem was the Realm Defense Grid - one Exalt could use it, and blow the Fair Folk back outside of Creation again.  So unless they hit every single one, the Fair Folk would eventually be in trouble.<br/><br/>Now, to start with the Exalted.<br/><br/>The Solars.  Overtly, they had very little to gain from this - their own people were affected, and they couldn't produce new Solars, unlike the Terrestrials.  If Solars were strong enough to resist, though, it would allow them to reduce the numbers of their opponents - the Realm and the Immaculate Order.  At least, until all those Terrestrials popped out more Terrestrials, and boosted their ranks.<br/><br/>The Lunars.  Like the Solars, they didn't have a lot to gain, for much the same reasons.<br/><br/>The Infernals...one could argue that Akuma were definitely not Exalts, but were stronger than your average mortal.  If the Infernals were behind this, it would be to occupy the attention of the Exalted long enough to establish a permanent foothold in Creation.  Plus, they'd have access to the demons of Hell, who could do just about anything, given the right demon.  Yet, it wouldn't help them reduce the number of opponents - far from it.  They'd have to fight more, and they seemed to be the fewest of the Exalted.<br/><br/>The Abyssals.  One would think that with their obsession with death, that this would be counterproductive, but that was only if the end was focused upon.  For all anyone knew, the Abyssals' plan would be complete before the children were born.  Seeker never quite knew with them.<br/><br/>The Terrestrials.  They had the most to gain from this - more Exalts, ways to discover other possible Exalted.  What was more, they were the de facto rulers of Creation right now, and while they didn't have the power or experience or learning of the Solars or Sidereals, they had people who could excel in both sorcery and First Age technology.  The question was, though, who was trying to do this?  The Realm?  Lookshy?  That wasn't certain.<br/><br/>And finally, themselves - the Chosen of the Maidens.  It seemed that this new weapon could benefit both the Bronzes - by providing more Terrestrial Exalts to train in Immaculate thought and ways to wipe out the Solars - and by the Golds - for the same reason as the Bronzes, only in the Cult of the Illuminated, and against the Immaculates.  But doing this had caused a reaction in the Loom of Fate...not something entirely kosher with the people upstairs.  They were supposed to fix the problems, not cause them.  If the responsible party got caught, they would be in serious trouble.  Who could do this, though?  Every faction seemed suspect.  The Harbingers were, because people would go on great journeys to the South.  The Joybringers, because sex and having children seemed to be their thing.  The Shieldbearers, because people would fight to claim the most attractive mates as their own.  The Oracles...perhaps it was because it was his own people, but he couldn't think of a reason why...though he did admit, an Oracle would be most likely to pioneer this scheme, and get away with it.  The Reckoners, because this would bring an end to the warring between Exalts.<br/><br/>Regardless, this was all speculation.  Seeker needed more clues and information!<br/><br/>He paused.<br/><br/>There was...one other possibility.  An upper tier god from Yu-Shan would have the power and knowledge needed to work such magic, or such technology.  But...what possible motive would a god have?  Revenge?