[center][h1][color=mediumspringgreen][i][b]The Arc Academy[/b][/i][/color][/h1][/center]

[center][img]https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-zmydJV8Hiao%2FUkDjjtjMK2I%2FAAAAAAAAEfU%2FeYkFeNX_sww%2Fs1600%2FDL3.png&f=1[/img][/center]

[i][color=limegreen]Unknown to the general population, humans and other species have energetic bodies as well as their physical form. These energy bodies flow from within a person and out into what is known as their '[b]aura[/b]'. Using one's aura, one can alter many things about themselves and the environment around them. A user could, for example, amplify their strength, endurance, or speed. One could also create an energetic attack, using their own inner qi as ammunition.

Qi is present in all living things, literally '[b]life energy[/b]'. Becoming attune with one's own qi, a person begins to experience the world very differently. They can see auras, sense others, and perform feats some could only dream of. 

But as the universe must always be in balance with light and dark, Yin and Yang, good and evil, creation and destruction, order and chaos, qi must also be balanced. Energy flows through the body through meridians, and these must be balanced with mental fortitude. Qi users must train their entire lives, constantly growing more powerful and personalizing their own unique qi techniques, or those taught to them by their masters.

Again, as balance must be kept, it is a small portion of the population that ever properly learns to use their qi. Certain species naturally display qi techniques. Among the population of qi users, there are those that seek to help others; including non-qi users. However, there are also qi users that seek to use their abilities for personal gain. Some will go so far as to ignore balance and use their abilities to overpower qi and non qi-users alike. The general population is unaware of how qi manipulators battle amongst each other or use their abilities to influence the general population itself.

Understanding that both sides of the coin are necessary to exist, there is an organization that seeks to retain balance on planet Earth. Secret from everyone but high level government officials, this is an actual institution known as [b]The Arc Academy[/b].

The Academy, as most simply call it, is more than a place of learning. Here, the most powerful and knowledgable people in all the world gather. They come from many different backgrounds and are specialists in many different fields. Many are great fighters and weapon masters, however others research dangerous areas normal humans could never reach, study creatures humans would never think existed. The Academy seeks to be well equipped to explain the most bizarre phenomenon and protect Earth from any threats that seek to disrupt balance in the flow of qi. As such, The Academy is not necessarily revered as a justice seeking organization.

That's not to say there aren't would be heroes in its ranks, but rather that The Academy does not discriminate against any associates personal desires and wishes. There is not an extensive list of rules or code for those enlisted in The Academy to follow. Once a person becomes an Academy Associate, they gain a special license that grants them access to incredible resources, knowledge, free transportation, and even special access to areas typically off limits to the general population.

The general most important rule of The Academy, is to not overstep the overall balance of qi but instead always use one's abilities to retain balance. This is very vague and does not refer to good nor evil. 

The other, next most important rule and requirement of being an Academy Associate, is to answer the call to duty.

This particular rule may seem very binding, but in actuality it is very loose. While there may be times that Associates are required to service The Academy due to severe circumstances that threaten the world or its balance, they for the most part are free to go about their own business. An Associate more often than not can actually reject a job sent to them by The Academy. The rule more specifically means, one most always respond to the call of duty, even if not absolutely required to accept the job. So long as an Associate responds to jobs they receive, and complete jobs they accept, they will retain their license for life.

Academy Associates may also seek work from The Academy themselves, or offer their services to private groups that are aware of the The Academy (or at least qi's capability to be manipulated). Academy jobs range in reward, though they can be very substantial. Private groups range in reward as well, however Associates often only accept private jobs that pay highly in some form of value.

There are even further positions within The Academy than simply being an Associate. One can seek to be an instructor for example, and earn a steady income from The Academy while also gaining additional perks. Certain members serve The Academy as consistent researchers and ambassadors. Others attain to be regular contract workers by always completing a certain number of jobs monthly or weekly. Some levels require that a member accept certain jobs, whereas an Associate could easily decline.

The different positions all have different requirements and offer various perks, however majority of Academy members are simply Basic Associates or few tiers higher.[/color][/i]

[h3][u][b]Becoming An Academy Associate[/b][/u][/h3]

[color=deepskyblue]To become a part of The Arc Academy, one does not simply apply. Even if you have the rare knowledge that The Academy exists, the location and means of contact are secret. To even begin your application, you must somehow learn of The AAA Test, or Arc Academy Associate Test (AAAT). From there, you must learn the cycle of the AAAT, as it only occurs once every three years. Now knowing this, you must learn the location of the AAAT, which changes every time.

The AAAT is never the same, always changing in its challenges and sometimes instructors. Very few people are capable of finding the AAAT, even fewer will ever pass. Many take the AAAT over and over again, hoping desperately to get their Academy License.

Now, it is time for the next batch of Academy Associates to earn their place.

The Next Arc Academy Associate Test has come![/color]

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[b]GM:[/b] Acid Hippie (Obviously)
[b]Co-GM:[/b] 
[center]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[/center][hider=Character Sheet]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Species:[/b] (Human, Cyborg, Demon[Corrupted Human], Alien; Opening up the idea to other species but it must be a well written character and make some kind of sense for their rarity)
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b] (Write as much as you desire, but really try to flesh out your character and envision how they would react to various intense situations)
[b]Appearance:[/b] (Photo preferred, description optional)
[b]Level:[/b] (Associates start at Level 1)
[b]Abilities:[/b] (Characters will start at relatively low levels and thus know few abilities, so focus on non-qi abilities and then list 1-2 abilities you would like your character to develop quickly within their training)
[b]Equipment:[/b] (Any weapons or gear your character users)
[b]Academy Role:[/b] (Newly joined members start as [b]Associate[/b]; also include desired role such as: Ecologist, Mineralogist, Wildlife Agent, Conservationist, Bounty Hunter, etc.)
[b]Background:[/b] (Brief history from time before Academy admission. Include why character wishes to join The Academy.)
[b]Extra: [/b](Anything extra you would like to add)[/hider]

...

[hider=Elements of Qi]
[b][u]Elements of Qi[/u][/b]
Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal

[img]http://images.chinahighlights.com/allpicture/2015/06/c659771b858e447c808dc13c.png[/img]

[b][u]Generation Cycle[/u][/b]
* Water generates Wood -- Water feeds wood (trees, plants, etc.).
* Wood generates Fire -- in the way that burning wood creates natural fire
* Fire generates Earth -- ash is formed from burned wood and becomes a part of the soil
* Earth generates Metal -- as metal ore is mined from the earth
* Metal generates Water -- it's minerals call to and change the properties of water 

[u][b]Control Cycle[/b][/u]
[i]Earth[/i] absorbs [i]Water[/i], [i]Water[/i] quenches [i]Fire[/i], [i]Fire[/i] melts [i]Metal[/i], [i]Metal[/i] penetrates [i]Wood[/i], [i]Wood[/i] separates [i]Earth[/i].
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[hider=Discovering One's Element]
[b][u]Discovering One's Element[/u][/b]
When one manipulates qi, there are many different abilities one can learn, create even. These are determined by their dominating element. Each element is associated with certain characteristics and personalities. Thus, one usually has a natural ability to learn a certain element easier than all others. Once one chooses an element and begins practice, they will eventually see great powers develop in this respective category. One usually begins with teachings from a master, learning techniques passed on from generations of more experienced users. From here, they can actually obtain the power of their representative element. This is due to the fact that humans have discovered their qi abilities by learning from the Earth and all its elements, thus becoming of the elements and picturing them when meditating and honing their skills.

There is much more one can do then generate their natural element however, and many qi manipulators in modern day forsake learning the elements altogether. Instead they focus on abilities representative of their element's strengths and archetype. They embody the traits associated with this element and manifest their energy into diverse abilities, some unique to their user.

In truth, everyone possesses every element within themselves. Hypothetically, the most balanced and conscious being would have near perfect balance of all elements and thus display powers characteristic of each one. Of course, no one is capable of such a feat in the natural world. Instead, living beings often are very dominant in one, two, and sometimes even three elements. Dominant elements even change over time and season, according to a user's personality, mental state, and fortitude. 

To start a journey within one's self and the energy around them, one must focus first on one element, preferably their most dominant. The more one practices in one element, the harder it is to learn other elements, particularly those that are further away (closer ones thus being a challenge still, but easier than the furthest). For this reason, though one must always try to achieve balance and never forget to meditate on lower element meridians, users purposefully choose to keep their mind and energy in their first chosen elements; retaining the abilities they've learned and honed over time.

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[hider=Element to Element]
[b][u]Element to Element[/u][/b]
When two elemental qi users face one another, though skill and ability will determine the victor, certain elements have a natural dominance over others. They follow the Control Cycle.

Likewise, elemental abilities also react in the way of the Generation Cycle. That means, certain elements are weaker against their child element (Water against Wood).

When allied, elements that aid each other in the Generation Cycle work well together. Instead of Wood receiving less damage from Water, Water can bolster Wood's strength.[/hider]


[hider=Elemental Balance]
[b][u]Elemental Balance[/u][/b]
One must always try to keep relative balance of all elements. As such, having [i]too much[/i] energy in one element can actually be damaging and negative for a user. Although their abilities may strengthen in said element, it will have harmful affects on the user and eventually if not immediately, their power will become uncontrollable and at some point useless. The ill effects of elemental imbalance are [url=http://www.acupuncture-online.com/tradition3.htm]unique to each user.[/url] [This does not have to be memorized, but can affect the story at some point.]

Meditation is the best method of balancing one's elements. Training is also useful.

Energy flows through the body via meridians. They are associated to particular organs and touch points, and by stimulating these areas one can help balance and empower certain elements. Even should a user be balanced in their elements however, physical ailment and damage can also compromise a user's ability and health. Another elemental user or even someone knowledgable on the matter can attack a user's meridians to shake their balance of qi. Severe enough and often specialized attacks can harm a user to the point of disabling their elemental ability for prolonged periods of time.

For these reasons, though qi manipulators always meditate and train, they often do so in secrecy to keep their abilities and thus their weaknesses hidden from potential enemies and rivals.[/hider]


[hider=Element Characteristics]
[b][u]Element Characteristics[/u][/b]

[b]Fire:[/b] The first element, fire, is the most masculine of the five elements. Fire personality traits are love, passion, leadership, spirituality, insight, dynamism, aggression, intuition, reason, and expressiveness. The fire personality is direct-right out front. A fire type succeeds by becoming warm- hearted and generous. Experiences of love, compassion, fun, joy, and pleasure are healing for fire individuals. The challenge for a fire type is to share joy and laughter without thought of reward. The emotion associated with fire is happiness. Other heart emotions include joy, vanity, jealousy, frustration, regret, grief from loss of love, and disappointment in relationships.

[i]Fire Abilities are typically aggressive in nature. They rely on intuition and one's ability to express themselves. Loss of passion weakens a Fire user.[/i]

[b]Earth:[/b] Earth personality traits are stable, practical, reliable, industrious, empathetic, honest, kind, prudent. Earth types value friendship. Earth individuals do well to meditate and nourish themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They must learn to develop clear boundaries and take care of themselves. The challenge for earth types is to honor their sympathetic nature and show great kindness to others. The emotion associated with earth is sympathy. Other earth qualities are pensiveness, thoughtfulness, and reflection. Just as one assimilates nutrients through the stomach, one assimilates life experiences through the element earth. A strong earth element helps to digest and accept fate and expand one’s circle of knowledge.

[i]Earth abilities rely on practicality and reliability, often favoring techniques of protection and support. Earth users' power is fueled by their emotions.[/i]

[b]Metal:[/b] Metal qualities include strength, independence, focus, intensity, righteousness, and fluency in speech. The metal personality is very determined and powerful. Metal types succeed by being less opinionated, accepting change, and gracefully releasing the past. The emotion associated with metal is grief. Other metal emotions are insecurity, inability to achieve parental or spousal expectations, and lack of confidence. The challenge for a metal type is to learn how to express grief and find healing.

[i]Metal abilities rely on overwhelming power and rigidity. Techniques are very structured and typically must follow a pattern or requirement. Loss of order and independence weaken a Metal user.[/i]

[b]Water:[/b] Water is the most feminine of the five elements and therefore is considered very yin. Water qualities are creativity, sensitivity, reflection, persuasion, effectiveness, and desire for life and sex. Water types value family and social contacts and possess the ability to attract (being receptive, water can attract, rather than pursue). The emotion associated with water is fear. Other water emotions are indecisiveness, vacillation, and uncertainty. Those born in a water year succeed by not allowing fear to block the fullest expression of creativity. The challenge for water types is to overcome their fears and become active participants in life.

[i]Water abilities are based on creativity, sensitivity, and often reflection. A water user succeeds in charming, persuading, and redirecting damage back to targets. A lack of creativity, loss of social interaction, and falling to an uncertain mind will weaken a Water user.[/i]

[b]Wood:[/b] Wood qualities are bold actions, planning, initiating new projects, idealism, imagination, compassion, and competition. Wood types possess decision-making skills and the ability to create change. From an Asian perspective, the go-getter, do-or-die, pioneering spirit of American culture is very wood. The challenge for a wood type is to learn to control anger and channel it into positive work that benefits all people. The emotion associated with wood is anger. Other wood emotions are tension, criticism, discouragement, regret, excitement, dislike of self and others, negative judgment, and repressed anger related to thwarted affection.

[i]Wood abilities rely on boldness, imagination, and one's personal ideals. Techniques vary greatly as Wood users are "idea starters", but typically focus on control and thus changing the flow of battle. Anger, though it will fuel a Wood user, can harm their ability, as well as lack of excitement, negative thinking on one's own ability, and feeling discouraged.[/i]
[/hider]

[hider=Levels]
[b]Level 1:[/b] 1-15EXP  
[b]Level 2:[/b] 16-40EXP     
[b]Level 3:[/b] 41-75EXP     
[b]Level 4:[/b] 76-120EXP        
[b]Level 5:[/b] 121-180EXP 

[b]Level 5+:[/b] For every 20EXP Earned, a new ability is learned or honed 

*New ability learned with every level up           
[/hider]

[hider=Experience System]
[b]Battle Completion (Group)[/b] = 3EXP
[b]Battle Won (Group)[/b] = 5EXP
[b]
Battle Completion (Solo) [/b]= 5EXP 
[b]Battle Win (Solo)[/b] = 7EXP
*Must be against player or GM/Co-GM controlled character

[b]Master's Instruction[/b] = Earn bonus EXP by having Instructor's in party or partaking in their lessons [/hider]
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[hider=Rules]
[list]-High Casual Writing (1-3 Paragraphs Minimum)
-This game is obviously action oriented, but character development beyond combat is encouraged; mature themes and romance are okay as well, but no smut details or obsessive foul language.
-Player deaths are allowed if agreed upon by players. Respawn or new character available upon death.
-No godmodding. 
-Respect other players.
-Story will be player driven, while GM and Co-GM help shape story and scenarios with NPCs, instructors, and additional EXP bonuses /adjustments to help balance game and keep it character driven and moving forward
-New players will be accepted after games starts (assuming spots are available/manageable) 
-New Rules may be added as GM or Co-GM sees fit[/list][/hider]
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[color=mediumslateblue]***This game is inspired by Hunter X Hunter and Dragonball.

Everything is adjustable! Please provide feedback, comments, or wishes on any concept in the game.***[/color]