In a world filled with peril, whether in the form of monstrosities spawned by mad science or by eldritch things from beyond this world, the need for heroes of supurb strength and power is always great. Out of this terrible need valiant and heroic souls have stepped forward. And so did the planet itself, infusing each of these first Terrestrial Exaled with aspects of its power. From the scholarly assassins of the Air Aspect, to the craftsmen and generals of the Earth Aspect, the soldier-socialites of Fire, to the brawlers and sailors of the Water Aspect all the way to the woodsmen and healers of the Wood Aspect. But the most wonderous thing of all about these Terrestrial Exaltated, however much they are weaker than their fellow Exalted, is that they can pass on their Exaltations to their children.
Basics on Exaltation
Since the Exalted all have a non-deific origin they of course come from Pure Strain (including barbarian and sorcerer) or Mutant Human, Mutant Animal or in rare cases Mutant Plant stock. As such they use the the better of their caste or base race's hit dice and ability bonuses and maintain what ever mutations they already have.
