Mastery - Interest Check

[Satheon]

Out of Character (OOC)

This is a budding idea, and I would work out more details if even just a few serious people voice interest. I also want to make this a collaborative work; the more creativity involved, the better!

There are various inspirations for the RP: Sword Art Online, RPG games in general, Ragnarok Online, Dungeons and Dragons / other tabletops, LARPs... In any case, the point is to have an RP with a growth/leveling system. There will be a setting and maint storyline, with subquests and hunts proposed for the extra strengthening of the characters.

Here are the basic game guidelines I have developped enough to share:
- Everyone starts level 1 with the same basic skill set... a bag of rocks and a branch.
- The way you fight will influence how the weapon evolves. Indeed, weapons will have their own set of experience, levels and skills.

Example: The new character fights with the branch two handed in slashing motions, it will become a broadsword. If they fought with by throwing stones, they and the branch would evolve into a bow and arrows. As the character gets stronger, it will unlock different abilities like dual wielding, weapon mastery and a variety of other "wielding" skills.

- Magic will be elemental imbuing, so combat remains weapon-based.

Example: Though you couldn't launch a fireball with your bare hands, you could set your weapon on fire. On higher levels of the skill a player could hit the ground and send a wave of flames towards an ennemy.

- Healing / White magic will be it's own set of skills.
- Once a character reaches a certain level and skill set requirement, they can pass a test/quest to gain a specific class, unlocking exclusive skills and bonuses.

Of course, this is based on the quality of the player's RPing. If you take a hunt and finish it within a paragraph, experience and loot will be minimal. I didn't want to at first, but I think it will be best to roleplay this in a .hack/SAO fashion: players' characters are logged into a game. Though, I don't think I'll be making any "real life twists" in the beggining. Only game-based stories to start. Though, uncovering mysteries is always fun...

Anyone interested? I have done something around these lines before, so getting set up won't be too hard. I just want to make sure I have people to play before I produce all the content.

Cheers!

Sath

Mastery
~ Own Your Weapon: Save the World ~

[Map to come.]



Welcome to the world of Aea*, player, a world of a single immense continent surrounded by endless blue ocean. For ages upon ages since creation, there were no nations, no wars and no land claims. Life was simple and peaceful, if only for the monsters lurking in the wild areas. One day, acts of terrorism happened simultaneously around Aea, triggering panic, fear, chaos and a level of distrust between people. Most large cities closed up on themselves and politics became much more strict. Eventually, a cult appeared, claiming responsibility for the mass murders, explosions and fires set on that fateful day. The expressed their goal of separating the continent into different islands by using an ancient power they had recently discovered. Unlikely story, it seemed, except that the cultists possessed the never before seen ability to control monsters, so none took the threat lightly.

This is where you come in, young adventurer! The Aean Collective for Unity (ACU) is hiring mercenaries to join their ranks in defeating the Cult and preventing an engineered catastrophe that would change the world forever. You must first work hard to gain strength to be powerful enough that the ACU would accept hiring you. Good luck!

Your help could determine the fate of Aea.

*Pronounced "ey-ya"

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I will call this a "collaboratively written virtual MMORPG". You play a role within a role. Your character is a player who has a character in a virtual reality MMORPG, in which 90% of your writing should take place. That being said, your character's real life should transpire into their MMO actions. Create a personality for your character, and then create their own MMO persona, which needs to be different. "People role playing people role playing people", that is what you need to keep in mind. Exploit the theory that in RPGs people often create vessels, their characters, for parts of their own persona they could not otherwise express.

I am also integrating some real RPG elements to this RP. There will be quests for which exp will be awarded. Your characters will level up, develop skills, search for loot, buy weapons, etc. This being said, there is a balance to be found between anal GM controlling and RP "magic". We won't be throwing dice every step of the way, so you need to write everything out and make sure your character goes through adequate strife. You can't always win, but that does not mean you are not rewarded. I will award exp and loot based on the following criteria:

- Quest Completion (obviously)
- Quality of writing
- Integration of the video game aspect in the storytelling

Since your characters will be constantly evolving, you will need to update your CS after almost every post. Sounds tedious, but doing it so often actually just makes it easier and very quick. Add "health potion" to your inventory, choose a new skill, update your gold amount, change your level... Not rewriting it! *dispels apprehensions*

I trust you, now you trust me: this will be awesome!

Live Person

Do not include a physical description of the real life person. Anonymity is part of the game.


Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Personality:

MMO Character

Name:

Gender:

Appearance:

In-Game Personality:

Level:

Experience Points:

Weapons' Appearance:

Class (when unlocked):

Skills:

Inventory:

Current Quests:

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Here are the Combat Skills I have developed. The idea is acquiring a variety from the main weapon type and then mixing them. Literally fusing them! Example (refer to the Bow skills): Explosive Ghost Arrow (Explosive Arrow + Ghost Arrow). Or maybe (refer to Fists skills): Crash Landing (Aerial Combat + Judo), used after an Uppercut, the adventurer jumps into the air, grabs his target and slams it on the ground.

Cool, eh? As long as you can RP it properly and it makes sense, I will allow it! Build up your character to be unique! The custom skills will be regulated through an "in-game" creation system. So you can't just come up with something mid-battle. It still needs to make some video game sense. For example (from HAMMER SKILLS), you would REALLY need to explain how a "crippling quake" works...


Combat Skills

Base Skill: Charged Arrow ; By take a few seconds to pump his bow to the maximum, the adventurer is able to do more damage with a single arrow.

Options and Tier Progressions

A. Double Strafe
The adventurer is able to shoot two arrows at once.

A 2. Explosive Arrow
The adventurer shoots an arrow that explodes on impact.

B. Snipping
The adventure is able to precisely shoot a target from a long range.

B 2. Piercing Arrow
The adventurer's arrow can pierce through his targets, hitting every one in it's path.

C. Running Shot
The adventurer can shoot arrows and use bow skills while running.

C 2. Close Combat
The adventurer is able to use his bow and arrows as close combat weapons.

Hidden Skill: Ghost Arrow ; The adventurer's arrow can pass through obstacles to hit hiding enemies. (can not target objects)

Base Skill: Triple Punch ; The adventurer launches a rapid series of three punches to riddle his enemy with bruises.

Options and Tier Progressions

A. Uppercut
An upward punch that launches the adventurer's target into the air.

A 2. Aerial Combat
The adventurer jumps into the air to meet his opponent and riddle it with hits.

B. Kicking (passive)
The adventurer can also use his legs to attack the opponent.

B 2. Judo
Using all four limbs and tremendous strength, the adventurer grabs, immobilizes and throws his opponents.

C. Extra-Sensory (passive)
The adventurer has refined his senses through meditating and training, allowing him to predict enemies' movements, to avoid attacks or land perfect hits. Increases Dodging and Critical Hits.

C 2. Phantom Fist
Furthering his discipline training, the adventurer has gained control over his inner Ki, allowing his punches to hit enemies at a very short, but still useful, distance.

Hidden Skill: Ki Blast ; Achieving ultimate self-awareness and discipline of spirit, the adventurer can launch a focused energy blast to hit an enemy from a distance.

Base Skill: Full Force ; The adventurer uses his full force to launch a much more powerful attack.

Options and Tier Progressions

A. Sonic Charge
Launching forward in a straight line, the adventurer strikes his opponent at high speed. Allows the player to rapidly move up to an opponent.

A 2. Fencing Flurry
Using a fencing-style, the adventurer stabs his opponent with pinpoint precision and super speed. Single handed swords only.

B. Armor Break
By charging his blade, the adventurer destroys the enemy's armor and lowers their defense, while dealing damage. Has a special effect on certain enemies.

B 2. Crescent Swing
Using both hands, the adventurer takes full advantage of the weight of his two-handed blade for a mighty swing in an arc in front of him, heavily damaging and knocking back the enemies. Two handed swords only.

C. Dual Wielding
The adventurer is able to wield a single handed sword in each hand.

C 2. Blade Storm
The adventurer spins on spot, turning three times and slashing everything around him. Both one and two handed blades.

Hidden Skill: Energy Wave ; Concentrating his energy into his sword, the adventurer sends a wave of energy forward, able to hit enemies at medium range.

Base Skill: Full Force ; The adventurer uses his full force to launch a much more powerful attack.

Options and Tier Progressions

A. Quake
The adventure slams the ground, creating a small quake, knocking enemies next to him to their feet and lightly damaging them.

A 2. Shock Wave
The adventure slams the ground, sending a shock wave towards the enemy in front of him, dealing damage at short range. Knocks the enemy off its feet.

B. Armor Break
By charging his weapon, the adventurer destroys the enemy's armor and lowers their defense, while dealing damage. Has a special effect on certain enemies.

B 2. Cripple
By dealing a powerful blow to the enemy, the adventure cripples it, making it unable to move and dealing massive damage. Two handed weapons only.

C. Dual Wield
Allows the player to wield a single-handed weapon in each hand.

C 2. Hammer/Axe Throwing
The adventurer hurls his weapon at the enemy to dealing a good amount of damage at medium range. One handed weapons only.

Hidden Skill: Vertical Roundhouse ; The adventure spins in the air, body parallel to the ground, advancing towards his enemy in a crushing rapid spin.

Base Skill: Spinning (defensive)

Options and Tier Progression

A. Sonic Thrust
The adventurer holds the weapon parallel to the ground and thrusts forward at high speed, impaling the enemy.

A 2. Flash Stab
The adventurer stabs his opponent multiple times with a succession of rapid forward thrusts.

B. Trip
The adventurer crouches and spins his weapon around on the ground, tripping the enemies around him at short range but dealing no damage. (has larger AoE than Quake)

B 2. Pole Kick
The adventurer uses his weapon as a perch to high-kick his opponent, causing major damage, and knocking them back.

C. Fling
The adventurer uses the length of his weapon to fling an object at his enemy from a short range or into the air. OR, throw the enemy itself at a short range or into the air, unless it is too heavy. (you won't fling a golem)

C 2. Beat Down
The adventurer strikes downwards with his weapon at full extension, powerfully damaging the opponent and knocking it down. Will do extra damage if the enemy is airborne.

Hidden Skill: Javelin ; The adventurer throws his weapon to strike the enemy at a medium-long range.

Special Skills

Base Skill: Equip Shield ; The adventurer can now equip a shield on his off-hand.

Advanced Skills

1. Shield Bash
The adventurer uses his shield to charge the enemy, knocking is back and stunning it.

2. Shieldmerang
The adventurer throws his shield at the opponent, damaging it at a low range. The shield returns to the player after striking the opponent.

Base Skill: Heal ; The adventurer channels divine power to restore a small amount of health to himself or a comrade. (does not hurt undead enemies, unless a special skill is acquired)

Options and Tier Progression

A. Defense Up
The adventurer applies a blessing that enhances his or a comrade's defense.

A 2. Regeneration
The adventurer applies a blessing that gradually restores small amounts of health periodically.

B. Attack Up
The adventurer applies a blessing that strengthens his self or a comrade.

B 2. Holy Cross
The adventurer uses the power of light to damage an enemy at short range. There is a chance of blinding the opponent.

C. Speed Up
The adventurer applies a blessing that speeds up himself or a comrade.

C 2. Dispel
The adventurer uses divine power to lift minor curses from himself or a comrade.

Hidden Ability: Water Blessing ; The adventurer is able to bless water to make it Holy Water.

Base Skill: Steal ; The adventurer attempts to steal an item from the enemy.

Options and Tier Progression

A. Hiding
The adventurer can become nearly invisible while staying completely still.

A 2. Mug
While hiding, the adventurer can spring out onto monsters passing next to him, damage them and steal money.

B. Throw Sand
The adventurer throws sand into the enemy's eyes to blind it temporarily.

B 2. Escape
The adventurer can flee, nullifying any targets placed on him by a monster. Note: if the monster is too aggressive, they will chase.

C. Appraise
The adventure is able to appraise an item, discovering it's true nature and worth.

C 2. Assess Loot
The adventurer is able to assess the loot in a chest or on an enemy (potential to Steal, not drops)

Hidden Skill: Plant ; The adventurer can plant items on enemies and even other players with them knowing.

Each element is taught by an NPC or obtained through special quests. When acquired, they are level 1.

Base Types: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Ice, Lightning, Wood, Steel

Level Progression

1. Apply element to base attacks.
2. Apply element to regular skills.
3. Apple element to combined skills.

Hidden Elements: Holy, Dark, Gravity

Classes



Players unlock classes by meeting special criteria and completing an initiation quest. Gaining a class is the goal for the first part of the game, allowing to be hired as a mercenary by the ACU to aid in defeating the Cult and putting an end to their plan of splitting the land mass.

Protectors of the forest. Ranger skills allow the player to tame, track and trap creatures.

Fists of God. Monk skills allow the player devastating power with his fists, focusing on enhancing his physical abilities and ki manipulation.

Blood and fury. Berserker skills focus on explosive force at the price of their own health. Probably the most powerful class in terms of brute strength.

Bandits of high roads. Marauder skills focus on raiding, thieving and a versatile battle style. The class has access to a special weapon type: guns.

Angels of retribution. Paladin skills focus on protecting allies and smiting the wicked.

Voices of God. Priest skills are used to protect, reinforce, heal and even revive allies.

Harbingers of Death. Death Knight skills focus on crippling enemies with sickness and curses, harvesting souls to increase their strength.

Masters of shadows. Ninja skills use pyrotechnics, ranged attacks and close combat abilities to take down the enemy swiftly and anonymously.

Impenetrable and mighty. Shield Knight skills are unique and based around dual wielding of shields, allowing for an impenetrable defense in exchange for a lower damage output. Shield Knight can NOT wield a weapon.

Masters of arms. Weapon Master skills offer maximum versatility in combat, allowing the use of skills from any weapon type. The class comes with a special, unique weapon: the Omni. Can use guns.

Supreme arcanist. Mage skills are spell, using the elements to attack the enemy. They have the most AoE spells. Mages can ONLY use staves (no shields either) and only with the class skills.

[Dharc]

Sounds fun. I'm in.

[Tomaru]

Could be interesting. Do you have any storyline in mind?

[Satheon]

Sure! I will get it up later, I am bed-bound. It is moderately inspired by the Star Ocean games (they all have similar storylines). If you know the games you will have a good feel of the style.

More later! 'night! (Well, good day, but I work nights so...)

[ShowdownVD]

im in always wanted to play one like this

[Satheon]

Sorry I have not updated yet! Have been busy... Taking care of it tonight! Base setting, storyline, character guidelines, some class and skill trees... WOO! Big promises.

[Tomaru]

Cool. I'm interested, but I do want to see what I'm in for before I commit.

[Dharc]

Just wondering, will you be roleplaying with us or managing the quests and such?

[Satheon]

I expect to be mostly managing, since it will be a lot of organizing, but I would very much like to have a character. If anything, at least the recurring NPCs.

Working out the kinks. I'm at the office but it's very slow, so more info will be up in a few hours. It's looking very good I must say! Thanks for bearing with me

[Satheon]

You NEED to check out the first post - I got a lot of game info up. It will give you a VERY good idea of how it'll work and feel.