Eastern Fantasy

[Oll N]

This looks awesome and I love the hype and discussion. I am invested.

3.) PvP only with two consenting parties

@Takashi

I do think all this talk about 'mechanics' is a bit arbitrary when it comes to RP's, however. In real life there aren't really 'mechanics' for anything. Incorporating stats and limiters and such things into an RP, I've always found simply silly and ridiculous.

@Rune_Alchemist

To be honest, I'd avoid any outright "Okay this is the list of races" and just see what people come up with, then talk about stuff on a case-to-case basis.

@Rainmaker

I agree with these statements.

This is what I'm envisioning so far:

We are a Guild/Free Company/Clan of Mercenaries who get hired to do various jobs/quests/missions. Maybe there's rules such as "Never go alone" to encourage people to interact. Character's strength and 'OPness' can really only be controlled by the person controlling that character so there's not much we can do beside all shake hands and agree to keep ourselves at least somewhat "even", the longer your character has been around the stronger they are compared to someone else? I dunno, I personally don't care being 'weak' or whatever but I can see it being annoying when some just Saitama-sama's the fuck out of the big boss.

Also how do we handle magic? Magic is largely a western influence thing with wands and incantations. In Eastern traditions magic always seemed more mystic and ceremonial. What do you guys think?

[Ashifili]

Magic should be based off the Asian Five Elements, Yin-Yang shenanigans, feng shui, and some good ol' praying, imo. Western magic seems to love doing that whole mana thing, so it might be fresh if magic here focused more on drawing out power from the environment and the Gods. Of course, that has it's own sets of limitations, and perhaps people don't like shackling their character ideas early on.

Incantations and mantras are cool too, but yeah, maybe I'm just in a Tokyo Ravens mood atm.

[IncredibleBee]

I'm interested.

I don't care either way on a guild-type format, but it takes second priority to a good plot-hook and some interesting villains.
If I were you, I'd look to samurai cinema for inspiration; films like Seven Samurai can be the source of a good adventure for your players. In a lot of cases, however, a guild becomes unnecessary or even burdensome. Adventuring guilds are a staple of D&D and other western stuff, but aren't necessary depending on the plot.

If the game takes place during a war, for example, you don't need a guild, but you'd do a lot better as part of a standing army or even a group of mercenaries.

Another thing you should decide is the era. Even if this is largely a fantasy game, you should take note of the year, because Japan's history has a huge influence on its stories. Sengoku and Bakumatsu are both popular war eras, but have different overtones due to what was happening and even Japan's interactions with the outside world. Edo and Meiji are popular peacetime eras, but also have different flavors. Edo is better for the quintessential wandering samurai, whereas Meiji often deals with the decline of the samurai. Even the first few decades of Edo are different from later years.

[Rekaigan]

When it comes to Eastern Fantasy, you guys need to keep in mind that Eastern Magic is different from Western Magic. A lot of the time, Eastern magic involves spirits, gods, chi/inner energy.

Eastern (Or rather Chinese) elements are the following: Water, earth, fire, wood, metal. Air is often forgone for whatever reason, but feel free to have air in it too.

If we were to use Japanese elements: Earth, water, fire, wind, void (ether)

Void is regarded as 'Heavenly' or 'beyond everyday experience' and is often related to the concept of 'Pure energy' and metaphysicals like thought, spirit and creative energy.

[Shisa]

I'll go ahead and post my interest as well. I've been wanting to get in on an eastern fantasy game, so whatever ends up being decided will probably be enjoyable for me.

[Takashi]

Okay, there's a lot of good conversation going on and I'm getting a good feel for where everybody stands. I'll post a concrete idea tomorrow and we can work off of that.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Awesome, looking forward to it~

[Takashi]

So, here is the idea I have in mind so far. It's an older idea I had that I'll try to rehash. Feel free to tell me anything you like or dislike about it.

* * *

In this world, mortals live alongside the various races of supernatural beings called "spirits." Spirits are the term given to magical beings of all kinds. Dragons, griffins, kitsune, oni, and all manner of innately magical sentient creatures fall into this category of beings. Spirits are generally long lived, dying to illness or injury before they feel the effects of old age, and usually have some kind of magical ability. Spirits also possess the ability to appear as a mortal. For many generations, people never knew if the nice old man selling them their clothes was a spirit in disguise. This allowed spirits to live among mortals peacefully, but also kindled apprehension, fear, and hatred towards their kind when they were discovered.

This all changed when "the brand" was created. Mortals created a way for spirits to willingly step forward and reveal themselves in exchange for equal treatment. The brand is a tattoo that is put across a spirit's forehead in their mortal form that designates their race. While no spirit has ever reported the brand causing any negative side-effects, it was mandated that all spirits step forward to be branded or they will be hunted down and executed. In order to enforce this law, The Guild was created.

The Guild is a group of warriors, tradesman, and yes, even spirits, who have banded together to enforce these and other laws. Their duties include seeking out spirits and delivering ultimatums, hunting down those that cause trouble or refuse to accept the brand, and whatever other jobs society may call on them to accomplish. The Guild is a fortress located in the heart of the world's largest city. They have just recently been established and their influence only extends across the city and neighboring regions, but it is steadily growing in power. The Guild is governed by a council who determine what tasks the members will perform and negotiate payment. Anyone may join The Guild, but they are required to consistently accomplish tasks or they will be kicked out and blacklisted. Likewise, anyone my leave at any time, but they will be blacklisted.

* * *

So, if you like this idea, let me know and we can expand on it. I have plenty of ideas for potential plots with the world, and yes, the brand is a controversial among mortals and spirits. I use the term "mortal" here because I figure races like elves and orcs are more akin to humans than the other more fantastical stuff, and so those would be considered mortal races. Also, I'm open to suggestions for the name of The Guild, the city, the region, etc. Throw your lore at me. Otherwise, I have plenty of lore of my own that I can implement.

[IncredibleBee]

So, here is the idea I have in mind so far. It's an older idea I had that I'll try to rehash. Feel free to tell me anything you like or dislike about it.

* * *

In this world, mortals live alongside the various races of supernatural beings called "spirits." Spirits are the term given to magical beings of all kinds. Dragons, griffins, kitsune, oni, and all manner of innately magical sentient creatures fall into this category of beings. Spirits are generally long lived, dying to illness or injury before they feel the effects of old age, and usually have some kind of magical ability. Spirits also possess the ability to appear as a mortal. For many generations, people never knew if the nice old man selling them their clothes was a spirit in disguise. This allowed spirits to live among mortals peacefully, but also kindled apprehension, fear, and hatred towards their kind when they were discovered.

This all changed when "the brand" was created. Mortals created a way for spirits to willingly step forward and reveal themselves in exchange for equal treatment. The brand is a tattoo that is put across a spirit's forehead in their mortal form that designates their race. While no spirit has ever reported the brand causing any negative side-effects, it was mandated that all spirits step forward to be branded or they will be hunted down and executed. In order to enforce this law, The Guild was created.

The Guild is a group of warriors, tradesman, and yes, even spirits, who have banded together to enforce these and other laws. Their duties include seeking out spirits and delivering ultimatums, hunting down those that cause trouble or refuse to accept the brand, and whatever other jobs society may call on them to accomplish. The Guild is a fortress located in the heart of the world's largest city. They have just recently been established and their influence only extends across the city and neighboring regions, but it is steadily growing in power. The Guild is governed by a council who determine what tasks the members will perform and negotiate payment. Anyone may join The Guild, but they are required to consistently accomplish tasks or they will be kicked out and blacklisted. Likewise, anyone my leave at any time, but they will be blacklisted.

* * *

So, if you like this idea, let me know and we can expand on it. I have plenty of ideas for potential plots with the world, and yes, the brand is a controversial among mortals and spirits. I use the term "mortal" here because I figure races like elves and orcs are more akin to humans than the other more fantastical stuff, and so those would be considered mortal races. Also, I'm open to suggestions for the name of The Guild, the city, the region, etc. Throw your lore at me. Otherwise, I have plenty of lore of my own that I can implement.

@Takashi

So basically the premise is that we're going to straight up hunt down minorities and mark them with a yellow star?

[Zombehs]

Sounds bad, but basically yeah.

[Bozo]

I wanna play anti-establishment and kill guild members.

[IncredibleBee]

No seriously, the plot so far sounds more like we're going to play some kind of fantastical Japanese Schutzstaffel. Apparently this was met with so little resistance that said secret police was able to set up an entire castle from which to plan the systematic subjugation of multiple species, and collude with various race traitors who sold out their own kind. Additionally, this secret police executes anyone who doesn't wear the magical star of david, which no doubt must have numbered in the thousands.
And yet, your game isn't about Japan erupting into a magical civil war over this specific thing.

If you'd like, I could probably very easily churn out a few ideas for the main plot that don't involve us being magical nazis but do leave room for honor, and loyalty, and other traditionally Japanese things. I can even arrange them by time period, if you'd like. And most if not all can easily incorporate magical stuff.

Also, you mentioned griffins, orcs, and elves. Those are all extremely western fantasy races; orcs were codified in Lord of the Rings, and griffins originated in Greece and the surrounding areas. If your goal is to have a Japanese setting, you should exclude traditionally western races.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Well, wouldn't mind an idea similar to this...but well, can't say I like a few things.

though, but I don't have time to write up my thoughts at the moment.

Bee just pretty much summed up my own thoughts xP
Although, I have to say you're assuming that spirits are treated badly after being part of this Guild/receiving this mark. We don't really know that, since we don't have enough information in that regard.

[IncredibleBee]

I wanna play anti-establishment and kill guild members.

@Bozo

Well, wouldn't mind an idea similar to this...but well, can't say I like a few things.

though, but I don't have time to write up my thoughts at the moment.

Bee just pretty much summed up my own thoughts xP
Although, I have to say you're assuming that spirits are treated badly after being part of this Guild/receiving this mark. We don't really know that, since we don't have enough information in that regard.

@Rune_Alchemist

The mark thing was started out of fear for Youkai in the first place. It's safe to assume they're not treated well.

That said, I don't mind the concept itself, I'd just rather see some logical consequences from branding/exterminating every nonhuman you see. Like, say, youkai getting super pissed and starting a war against whatever clan came up with the idea.

[Rune_Alchemist]

<Snipped quote by Bozo>

<Snipped quote by Rune_Alchemist>

The mark thing was started out of fear for Youkai in the first place. It's safe to assume they're not treated well.

That said, I don't mind the concept itself, I'd just rather see some logical consequences from branding/exterminating every nonhuman you see. Like, say, youkai getting super pissed and starting a war against whatever clan came up with the idea.

@IncredibleBee

You know what happens when you assume, don't you? xP

Of course, I'm assuming the opposite at the moment, so I can't really say much. But that's why I said I would want more information about it before I made a final judgement.

I think it's safe to assume that If they were being treated badly, I would think they wouldn't allow the spirits into the ranks of the guild. But perhaps that's just the way I think would be most efficient if they were treated badly. You give them even a shred of power, there's a chance they could turn on you.

And of course, not everyone is going to be happy with it. Most probably wouldn't.

So there should definitely be some consequences for doing something like this. It'd be silly if there wasn't. There should be some obvious consequences for such a system, but Takashi may simply have forgot to say so.

[Ashifili]

All things considered...yokai are generally a bunch of assholes, with the 'good' ones being rare exceptions. I mean, with humans as the majority and a bunch of shape-shifting, human-eating almost-immortal monsters as the minority, yeah, no shit humans would want to have a way of keeping track of them. It's not some secret police tasked with picking out ethnic minorities. It's a bunch of murder-hobos tasked with killing monsters who want to stay invisible and unknown for some edgy, possibly dangerous reason.

Just my thoughts though. Don't know why everyone else is so enamoured with a clean, happy fantasy world without discrimination. Maybe it's the modern sensibility.

[Narcotic Dollie]

I like the concept, but maybe we switch it around and play the band of renegades (or....an ANTI guild! Dun dun duuuuuuuunnn!)? You know, the open minded humans and spirits working to take down their oppressors! Just a thought.

I'd be cool with it the other way too, as long as the spirits that were branded weren't treated that badly. How big a mark are we talking? The forehead is prime real estate and even though we all know I'm a sucker for those face tattoos, even I have my limits. XD

[IncredibleBee]

All things considered...yokai are generally a bunch of assholes, with the 'good' ones being rare exceptions. I mean, with humans as the majority and a bunch of shape-shifting, human-eating almost-immortal monsters as the minority, yeah, no shit humans would want to have a way of keeping track of them. It's not some secret police tasked with picking out ethnic minorities. It's a bunch of murder-hobos tasked with killing monsters who want to stay invisible and unknown for some edgy, possibly dangerous reason.

Just my thoughts though. Don't know why everyone else is so enamoured with a clean, happy fantasy world without discrimination. Maybe it's the modern sensibility.

@Ashifili

Actually a good number of traditional youkai are harmless or even beneficial. Many serve as guardian spirits and have temples.

[Rekaigan]

<Snipped quote by Ashifili>

Actually a good number of traditional youkai are harmless or even beneficial. Many serve as guardian spirits and have temples.

@IncredibleBee

That's if we were to stay completely true to Japanese tradition, which in this kind of rp I highly doubt that would go very well.

I do think @Narcotic Dollie's idea is good with the whole renegade antiguild thing. But those are always really weird to rp and I've seen many of them die quickly.

[Shisa]

All things considered...yokai are generally a bunch of assholes, with the 'good' ones being rare exceptions. I mean, with humans as the majority and a bunch of shape-shifting, human-eating almost-immortal monsters as the minority, yeah, no shit humans would want to have a way of keeping track of them. It's not some secret police tasked with picking out ethnic minorities. It's a bunch of murder-hobos tasked with killing monsters who want to stay invisible and unknown for some edgy, possibly dangerous reason.

Just my thoughts though. Don't know why everyone else is so enamoured with a clean, happy fantasy world without discrimination. Maybe it's the modern sensibility.

@Ashifili

It really has nothing to do with modern sensibility or not wanting any discrimination in my fantasy, and I think it's disingenuous to assume that most Youkai within the context of this world are baby-eating monsters who could only ever want to hide for nefarious purposes. Whether you're a Youkai or some other race, you don't want to be branded by some visible mark that actively segregates you from the rest of the population, especially considering that Youkai would have no trouble fitting in otherwise. This is proven by the fact that everything was fine until they were discovered.

In fact, considering that they had to be discovered in the first place, I think it's safe to assume that most were/are harmless.

And now they have a mark that, in a world that actively dislikes and fears them, shows them to be what they are when they probably just want to get along with everyone.

So, as Bee suggests, I'd like to explore the repercussions of that idea if we do go with it. Though to be candid, I would not throw my hat in with the magical Nazis come game time.