I am thinking about starting a new RP – this one based on concepts of wuxia (martial arts) and cultivation (extending their lifespan and gaining supernatural powers through practicing a set of martial and mystical arts involving meditation and the cultivation of Qi). Basically, martial arts RP with magic/powers in fantasy/mythology setting. Including magical creatures – rabbitfolk, catfolk, snakefolk, etc. The Setting: The players belong to a large sect, which was attacked and destroyed by the dark sect. The spirit of recently killed leader of the sect, lead them to treasury, and pointed them to pills that would allow them to breakthrough and become cultivators. After making their escaping, they make their way in the world – they could travel, rebuild the sect, join dark sect or any other sect, resurrect the master of original sect, fight bandits and mythical beasts, avenge their sect, etc. while cultivating on their path to immortality. The players would start as fresh cultivators, and slowly develop their path... Spoiler: Inspirational pics. Spoiler: A short 3d movie
Some Worldbuilding - comments, suggestions, ideas are welcome. On cultivators, skills, Sects and moral codes Cultivators A cultivator, is a person who walks the path of ascension, to achieve immortality. It’s a person who by means of training, accidental events, or through artificial means - like a pill, managed to break through and achieve enlightenment. There is no question, that the Cultivators are superior to mortals. A fresh cultivator is faster, stronger, more durable and possesses sharper senses than the majority of mortals. Yet, despite their powers, cultivators are still mortals. Yet they have the potential to ascend into realms of immortals… The path of Ascension to immortality is a long path. To master it, one has to refine himself or herself by the ways of cultivation. The first stage is Qi cultivation which makes the body stronger, makes one more lucky, makes the havens look more favourably, develops one talent, enhances one senses… The first stage, makes Cultivator stand above mortals… Yet it’s just the first stage to immortality. Eventually, one will be able to fly, call storms, create magical beings… and maybe even ascend to realms of gods. Skills Cultivators are known for several skills they possess: Martial prowess – Cultivator’s ability in combat – with the usage of one’s body, artefacts and weapons. One starts faster and stronger than the others. Eventually, a person would be able to split a mountain with a punch. Spells – the ability to use various spells – whether it be casting a fireball, shield, healing or changing weather. Artefacts – ability to use artefacts to their greatest potential. A magical sword, used as a normal, but slightly sharper blade by one cultivator, can become 20 meters long fire blade in hands of an experienced Cultivator. Artefact Crafting – the ability to craft artefacts – such as swords, shields, amulets with magical properties. Energy shields, blades that can create multiple Qi blades, rings firing fireballs are but the simpler of artefacts. Alchemy – the ability to craft alchemical pills. Pills can extend life, give ten times the Qi one has, breakthrough to another level of cultivation, reverse age and reincarnate… Talismans – ability to draw and use various talismans – protect from cold, create a boundary field, create golems or explosions. Sects The majority of cultivators gather into sects. The hierarchy of the sect is usually as follows: Sect Leader - usually the strongest from among the cultivators. The sect leader is an absolute ruler of the sect, and someone the cultivators strive to be. Inner disciples – members of the sect who are cultivators. They spend most of the time practising, cultivating, and – if there is such a need – fighting. Outer disciples – mortal members of the sect. They are cultivator hopefuls, doing various menial tasks, like cleaning, cocking, etc. When they are not working, they spent time training. Very few of them actually manage to become cultivators. Moral Codes The sects follow various moral codes – which are more like gathering tips rather than hard rules. The most common of the codes are: Path of Hawk – the path of freedom. Path of tolerance, coexistence and cooperation with other beings. Followers of the path are usually laid back and tolerant. The rules ‘live and let live’ or ‘I don’t mind as long as you don’t get in my way’ are those that would describe them the best. It’s not necessarily a path of non-violence, but one most inclined for peaceful resolutions of conflicts. Path of Lion – Path of order. The other followers of that path, believe in the need for order – that every being has his or her place in the universe. The obedience to one superior’s, one's sect, laws and rules is valued. The rule-breaking, chaos creation is something that is not tolerated. Path of Shark – a path of strength. Also known of the path of consumption. ‘Might makes right’ can be considered what describes the path the best. Those following those paths seek to prove their superiority by dominating others and taking their strength. They will not hesitate from dominating, stealing or killing if that will make them stronger.
(Partly seeing if the reply thing is still glitched) Seems fine. Are player characters exclusive to those three codes? I think if you want to expand on those: (Possibly an antagonist sect) Path of Monkey: They believe life is meaningless and it falls onto an individual to give it meaning by pursuing material gains and pleasure for one’s self. This however, does not make them necessarily evil, as believers that immortality holds no meaning if you don’t enjoy living it. While some members are proudly infamous, this is resented by the majority of other’s on the path who consider it representing the worst part of otherwise valuable ideals. Followers of this path usually idolize trickster and indulgent gods(Something akin to Wu Kong being the most prominent, while something like Dionysus is respected), but view their ideals as something that people should be drawn into accepting instead of forced. Largely, other paths consider them a threat due to their focus on material possession as a dangerous line between self sabotaging their own enlightenment. Path of Rat: Despite the name, it represents the strength of the weak and cohesive unity of people who share the ideals of each other’s well being. They are perfectly capable of bringing harm to those whose aren’t within their own group, but unlike other paths of order, they don’t see order as something to be held by the elite, and believe unity can only come from people mutually desiring it and working for the collective good as equals. Path of Fox: Gatherers of wisdom. It’s not enough to just train your body, but only through meditating on secrets of the universe can progress be made. Other paths pursue power, the Fox concerns itself with how to use that power wisely. Often reserves judgment and prefer going their own way, the refusal to commit to anything until they have all the information makes them well calculated and good at reaching the real problems but comes with the cost of not acting until it’s too late. Most will still intervene if something on the level of a murder is happening right in front of them and the problem must be handled right then and there, but it’s not uncommon for them to see an opportunity and then spend days, if not weeks, deciding on the best possible decision only for that opportunity to completely pass by. Not simply a path for scholars. The only difference between their warriors and others is before they draw their weapon, they stop to think wether or not they should. Inversely, many are perfectly comfortable in sneak attacks and poison. They don’t always act, bur once they do, they’ve already accounted for all pieces on the board.
No - those are but the three most popular codes. And while they are codes of conduct and morality. They are more like tips on how to act... it won't be mandatory to follow it. Those are some good paths you have there... I think I already see some possibilities on using them.
More world-building - I intend to start preparing a character sheet soon Awaken Beasts, Beast-kin, Demons and Spirits Awaken Beasts Sometimes, in the wild, wild beasts manage to awaken the same way as cultivators, gaining combat prowess. Those beasts become extremely dangerous, as they are still driven by their instincts. After some time, some of the awakened beasts actually manage to become intelligent. With time, they change, grow and even manage to take humanoid shapes. Sometimes, they even couple with mortals. Still, those beasts are known to be dangerous and are usually hunted. Beast-kin Beast-kin were originally children of humans and awaken beings. While they take mostly after their human ancestors, their bodies still have more or less triats of their beast ancestor. They are born with highly potent bodies, saturated with Qi. That makes them stronger from the normal mortals – but at the same time, their beastly nature makes it somewhat more difficult for them to cultivate. The majority of Beast-kin prefer to stay away, keeping themselves in mostly isolated villages or traveling carvans – through, there are stories about entire cities populated by Beast-kin. Some choose to live among humans, but that is not a common thing. Most commong among Beast-kin are those with ancestry of dogs, cats, rabbits, wolfs and snakes. But there are less known variations... Demons Demons are creatures of malice. They take many different shapes and forms, but almost always are evil. There are stories about 'good' demons, but even they are portrayed in those stories as somewhat twisted. They have many forms and shapes - can be brutal causing slaughter, or can take human forms and create chaos. They take joy in hurting, deceiving and killing. As with awakened beasts, some of the demons also had spawn with mortals. Those children, while being more powerful than average mortals, and having more potential than others, are looked at with distaste by the Havens... Spirits Death is only part of the way. Once a person dies, they return to the cycle of life - they reincarnate. But some are forced to delay their departure or choose to stay. Those are the spirits. There are many reasons and types of spirits - Some can be friendly beings that guide and teach. Mournful spirits, who cannot continue their way, because of their regrets. Vengeful spirits, hunting down those that hurt them... One could say, there are as many types of spirits, as there are types of people...
So weird fact. I still can’t reply on my laptop, but I can on my phone, apparently. They both obviously have the same login info so I don’t know what’s with that. Are pcs all beastkin or human then? I’m also having a little trouble getting the background system for this. I might just be dense.
@Auraicide NPC's? Yes the starting NPC's are all human. Standard. You write Name, race, gender, maybe add a picture. You compose the character's origins - maybe some short history. Skills and equipment (with a bit of history) are decided by the next choices: First, you choose 3 working activities - one option can be chosen multiple times. Second, you choose 2 Free activities- one option can be chosen multiple times. Third, you choose 1 aftermath option. Lastly, you compose a flaw.
Information thread added - Chronicles I will be using this thread to keep tabs on the character histories.
Okay, posted the main thread. - link. I might not be fast with responses, so please, be patient with me.
