Thorn_
CHYOA Guru
So, as most of you are actually already perfectly aware, I had an idea I'm toying with. The player characters are demons each representing a major sin where they work against other demons, angels, among other things.
The setting takes place in the Netherworld, and technologically, they are roughly caught up into the human era, though largely, still focus on the power of magic. Depending on what realm it is, technological growth may be encouraged, outdated, suppressed, or combined with magical might. As far as combat goes, even low level demons are generally much stronger than tougher than most human weapons or vehicles, and missiles while generally more than enough to kill most low level demons, are just minor nuisances to the higher orders of demons. If guns and explosives are used in the demon world, they are almost certainly magically empowered and imbued(Meaning they also run off of elemental affinities.)
It's direct relation to the mortal world is...bizarre. Depending on what realm or part of the Netherworld, certain realms can exist in entirely different timelines in relation to the mortals. Generally, where time is most stable, is right at the verge of the Netherworld at the Gate. Where exactly a dimension portal is opened can play an adverse effect on where and when they'll end up.
The game itself revolves around the players as one of the seven Archdemons of sins. More of the idea still needs to be deliberated on, but the Archdemons would typically belong to the same family line, though it's still entirely possible for a holder of a Crest to be some random demon off the street if they're strong enough, or a rival family. The place of origin isn't typically too emphasised other than by some of the most traditionalist demons, since if the Crest has already chosen someone as an Arch Demon to bear it, then they've already been shown to be worthy of it and as far as the Crest is concerned, that demon is a noble, if they could claim it.
Examples include, butlers who simply wanted to hold onto the weapon in question, for safe keeping for their master until they were ruled a much better fit and took the status of an Arch Demon themselves. Or con artists who tricked the wielder into giving them their Crest and never faced any punishment if the Crest was impressed by their cunning enough(Usually though, these kind of attempts end up as the person becoming a puddle, but there's always those who remember the one time it worked and feel like they're smart enough to be another exception.) Sometimes even just a childhood friend of a powerful demon can find themselves ending up with it, one day. How it happens or when the Crests decide in some situations this person is valid and not others, is a question, but it's generally accepted that it's more than possible.
Archdemons act as vassals to the current King or queen of the age. While there's many Archdukes, lords, and ladies, the Archdemons are second only to the ruler of the Netherworld themselves. But there's always those looking to usurp a new position or the Arch Demons of the Old Pantheons looking to reclaim their place.
This is a rough draft of how things work, and not a committed final idea. I may revise some of it if people feel like it's too unnecessarily complicated.
Name:
Class:
The class of demon is represent in a few groups:
Old Pantheons: Former Crest Bearers. Either retired, disgraced, usurped, or some other means they are no longer the current reigning Arch Demon, but not necessarily any less powerful.
Arch Demons: Current wielders of a crest and the official reigning Arch Demon of the age for their respective sin. Usually born from royalty on account from generally being some of the strongest demons by default, but every once in a while, a demon from outside the family or another house can find themselves in such a position.
Claimant: A demon that doesn't bear an already occupied symbol, but has a very real claim to it as a potential wielder. It can happen from a Crest feeling someone is potentially worthy of it. Not uncommon when some of an Arch Demon's siblings also prove to have the same power and show a great affinity for an already assigned Crest. A few times a demon that's made it's name for itself as a general or just a savvy and wealthy enough businessman have found themselves selected by a Crest to become the new wielder because of their worth. A Claimant would typically own power roughly on the same footing of an Arch Demon, if they are serious enough candidate that the Crest would consider them. As a result, the Arch Demons might have not met them personally, but will still know who their potential rivals are due to the Crest at the same time, using it's abilities to inform the Arch Demon of a potentially equal or better wielder. After all, the best way to see whose truly the superior demon is to see who will ultimately come out on top.
Branch of Sin: Branch of sin and the player's house. It doesn't bar a demon from engaging in other sins, or even having standards they might not stoop too. A greedy demon might still draw the line at starving workers to save profit(Just have the price of food come out of their pay), and nothing stops a lust demon from being incredibly wrathful and vindictive. The Branch of sin does also have a tendency to reflect the more abstract powers a demon is capable of. Sloth demons are quite good at manipulating dreams and nightmares or inducing weariness in others. Wrath demons aren't just good at battle, but also potentially inciting killer instinct in other people. While the power of High demons isn't entirely infinite, the things they can accomplish within the sphere of their domain is impressive.
How to limit what exactly they can and can't do, I need to think about.
Exclusive to Old Pantheons: Gloom, Vainglory, Acedia(Replaces Sloth), Avarice(Replaces Greed)
Crest(If applicable): The Crests themselves are...bizarre. Despite the name, they are the living weapons wielded by their masters. Powerful weapons with minds of their own. A common misconception is they alone are the source of an Arch Demons powerful. In actuality, they just make already powerful demons, better. The shape they take isn't necessarily the same for another holder. but the things are...fickle...and once they set a shape for a wielder, they lock into that form for good. Not that this is much of a set back with being just about unbreakable and powerful weapons. They can range from balls and chains, to spears, the occasional sword umbrella, and just about anything.
These will have some stat points on their specific abilities. They aren't necessarily the most powerful weapons, but are universally recognized as the symbol of authority none the less. What to give non holders to balance it yet, I dunno.
Affinity: (Fire, Ice, Light, Dark, Physical, Psychic, Poison, those kinds of things.) An element or kind of force that the demon shows a lot of power in. Two.
Passions: Borrowing an idea from the King Arthur Pendragon RPG(Honestly didn't get super into it, but it did at least have something that looked kind of like a good idea to it.) Passions are what a character believes in, and when acting in their passion they are at their strongest when acting within their passion. "For my King, I will cut down a thousand men!" "I will die before I let my people come to harm!" These enable a character to become especially skilled and powerful when they are putting their abilities towards that goal.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Loyalty (Lord)
Love (Family)
Hospitality
Honour
Concern (my commoners)
Hates Humans/Angels(The example from that game would be Saxons, but for our game it would obviously be different.) This is a kind of a passion that makes a character especially strong when encountering a certain type of enemy.
I'm not sure how many would work for this game. Possibly two would be fine.
Achilles Heel: Even demons aren't entirely invincible. For various reasons. Three. One from each group.
Elemental Weakness: One element or force they are particularly physically susceptible to.
Code: A certain moral or ethic they will not compromise. Be it to never go back on their word, never take more than their fair share, or to never be to hard on their servants, they will not tolerate attempts to sway them into betraying the moral standard they set for themselves and will only consider going against it in the most extreme of circumstances where the situation cannot possibly get any worse. Sometimes not even then.
Mental Vulnerability: A dangerous thing among demons, is showing what you're most afraid of. Being alone, needing constant approval, a superiority complex, many demons make a point of outwitting more powerful opponents by taking the weak points of their psyche and using it to play their opponent into their hands. Unsurprisingly for most demons, their branch of sin can also usually end up as a weakness when a wrath demon is too reckless in it's destruction or a lust demon is too hedonistic to think past their current pleasure. However this can also lead to things like collapsing under pressure when there's too much attention on them.
So that's my current thoughts on this idea, I don't know if people like it or not, and if I do decide to properly go with it, I'll probably aim for a more weekly post thing than a daily thing to try and keep it alive through real life's inevitable attempts to screw me.
The setting takes place in the Netherworld, and technologically, they are roughly caught up into the human era, though largely, still focus on the power of magic. Depending on what realm it is, technological growth may be encouraged, outdated, suppressed, or combined with magical might. As far as combat goes, even low level demons are generally much stronger than tougher than most human weapons or vehicles, and missiles while generally more than enough to kill most low level demons, are just minor nuisances to the higher orders of demons. If guns and explosives are used in the demon world, they are almost certainly magically empowered and imbued(Meaning they also run off of elemental affinities.)
It's direct relation to the mortal world is...bizarre. Depending on what realm or part of the Netherworld, certain realms can exist in entirely different timelines in relation to the mortals. Generally, where time is most stable, is right at the verge of the Netherworld at the Gate. Where exactly a dimension portal is opened can play an adverse effect on where and when they'll end up.
The game itself revolves around the players as one of the seven Archdemons of sins. More of the idea still needs to be deliberated on, but the Archdemons would typically belong to the same family line, though it's still entirely possible for a holder of a Crest to be some random demon off the street if they're strong enough, or a rival family. The place of origin isn't typically too emphasised other than by some of the most traditionalist demons, since if the Crest has already chosen someone as an Arch Demon to bear it, then they've already been shown to be worthy of it and as far as the Crest is concerned, that demon is a noble, if they could claim it.
Examples include, butlers who simply wanted to hold onto the weapon in question, for safe keeping for their master until they were ruled a much better fit and took the status of an Arch Demon themselves. Or con artists who tricked the wielder into giving them their Crest and never faced any punishment if the Crest was impressed by their cunning enough(Usually though, these kind of attempts end up as the person becoming a puddle, but there's always those who remember the one time it worked and feel like they're smart enough to be another exception.) Sometimes even just a childhood friend of a powerful demon can find themselves ending up with it, one day. How it happens or when the Crests decide in some situations this person is valid and not others, is a question, but it's generally accepted that it's more than possible.
Archdemons act as vassals to the current King or queen of the age. While there's many Archdukes, lords, and ladies, the Archdemons are second only to the ruler of the Netherworld themselves. But there's always those looking to usurp a new position or the Arch Demons of the Old Pantheons looking to reclaim their place.
This is a rough draft of how things work, and not a committed final idea. I may revise some of it if people feel like it's too unnecessarily complicated.
Name:
Class:
The class of demon is represent in a few groups:
Old Pantheons: Former Crest Bearers. Either retired, disgraced, usurped, or some other means they are no longer the current reigning Arch Demon, but not necessarily any less powerful.
Arch Demons: Current wielders of a crest and the official reigning Arch Demon of the age for their respective sin. Usually born from royalty on account from generally being some of the strongest demons by default, but every once in a while, a demon from outside the family or another house can find themselves in such a position.
Claimant: A demon that doesn't bear an already occupied symbol, but has a very real claim to it as a potential wielder. It can happen from a Crest feeling someone is potentially worthy of it. Not uncommon when some of an Arch Demon's siblings also prove to have the same power and show a great affinity for an already assigned Crest. A few times a demon that's made it's name for itself as a general or just a savvy and wealthy enough businessman have found themselves selected by a Crest to become the new wielder because of their worth. A Claimant would typically own power roughly on the same footing of an Arch Demon, if they are serious enough candidate that the Crest would consider them. As a result, the Arch Demons might have not met them personally, but will still know who their potential rivals are due to the Crest at the same time, using it's abilities to inform the Arch Demon of a potentially equal or better wielder. After all, the best way to see whose truly the superior demon is to see who will ultimately come out on top.
Branch of Sin: Branch of sin and the player's house. It doesn't bar a demon from engaging in other sins, or even having standards they might not stoop too. A greedy demon might still draw the line at starving workers to save profit(Just have the price of food come out of their pay), and nothing stops a lust demon from being incredibly wrathful and vindictive. The Branch of sin does also have a tendency to reflect the more abstract powers a demon is capable of. Sloth demons are quite good at manipulating dreams and nightmares or inducing weariness in others. Wrath demons aren't just good at battle, but also potentially inciting killer instinct in other people. While the power of High demons isn't entirely infinite, the things they can accomplish within the sphere of their domain is impressive.
How to limit what exactly they can and can't do, I need to think about.
Exclusive to Old Pantheons: Gloom, Vainglory, Acedia(Replaces Sloth), Avarice(Replaces Greed)
Crest(If applicable): The Crests themselves are...bizarre. Despite the name, they are the living weapons wielded by their masters. Powerful weapons with minds of their own. A common misconception is they alone are the source of an Arch Demons powerful. In actuality, they just make already powerful demons, better. The shape they take isn't necessarily the same for another holder. but the things are...fickle...and once they set a shape for a wielder, they lock into that form for good. Not that this is much of a set back with being just about unbreakable and powerful weapons. They can range from balls and chains, to spears, the occasional sword umbrella, and just about anything.
These will have some stat points on their specific abilities. They aren't necessarily the most powerful weapons, but are universally recognized as the symbol of authority none the less. What to give non holders to balance it yet, I dunno.
Affinity: (Fire, Ice, Light, Dark, Physical, Psychic, Poison, those kinds of things.) An element or kind of force that the demon shows a lot of power in. Two.
Passions: Borrowing an idea from the King Arthur Pendragon RPG(Honestly didn't get super into it, but it did at least have something that looked kind of like a good idea to it.) Passions are what a character believes in, and when acting in their passion they are at their strongest when acting within their passion. "For my King, I will cut down a thousand men!" "I will die before I let my people come to harm!" These enable a character to become especially skilled and powerful when they are putting their abilities towards that goal.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Loyalty (Lord)
Love (Family)
Hospitality
Honour
Concern (my commoners)
Hates Humans/Angels(The example from that game would be Saxons, but for our game it would obviously be different.) This is a kind of a passion that makes a character especially strong when encountering a certain type of enemy.
I'm not sure how many would work for this game. Possibly two would be fine.
Achilles Heel: Even demons aren't entirely invincible. For various reasons. Three. One from each group.
Elemental Weakness: One element or force they are particularly physically susceptible to.
Code: A certain moral or ethic they will not compromise. Be it to never go back on their word, never take more than their fair share, or to never be to hard on their servants, they will not tolerate attempts to sway them into betraying the moral standard they set for themselves and will only consider going against it in the most extreme of circumstances where the situation cannot possibly get any worse. Sometimes not even then.
Mental Vulnerability: A dangerous thing among demons, is showing what you're most afraid of. Being alone, needing constant approval, a superiority complex, many demons make a point of outwitting more powerful opponents by taking the weak points of their psyche and using it to play their opponent into their hands. Unsurprisingly for most demons, their branch of sin can also usually end up as a weakness when a wrath demon is too reckless in it's destruction or a lust demon is too hedonistic to think past their current pleasure. However this can also lead to things like collapsing under pressure when there's too much attention on them.
So that's my current thoughts on this idea, I don't know if people like it or not, and if I do decide to properly go with it, I'll probably aim for a more weekly post thing than a daily thing to try and keep it alive through real life's inevitable attempts to screw me.
)
