This is just an interest check for anyone interested in an RP based on Chinese Zodiacs, the history behind it and Tai Sui. Anyone who’s seen the anime “Fruits Basket” will probably get the general idea of the history of the asian zodiac, the whole feud between the Cat and Rat, etc. But it won't be based on the anime, unless there's a large demand for it to be based on that.

I’m looking for the RP to take place in either a boarding school setting, or a small town that can be built by everyone involved (with limits, but I enjoy worldbuilding with people and I wouldn't like to limit others’ creativity too much). I’m hoping for around 12 people, but if that doesn’t happen then if people would be willing to double up that would also work. One character for each zodiac, including the Cat (even though it isn’t an actual zodiac animal). The school setting would allow more close interactions, but the worldbuilding town would be more creative. It's possible that both can be used, but I'd want to see how many people are interested first, so however many people are interested and whichever setting seems to get the most favour will most likely be the setting we go with.

It would be pretty much loose-plotted, and developed as people go along, but I’m also hoping to incorporate some sort of plot based on Tai Sui, the Chinese god of age and time as well as a few other things. But, as I said, it will be mostly loose-plotted and people would be free to roam around as they wish. I'm not looking for any specific post-length as long as it's suited for casual, so over a paragraph or two, but not pages and pages.

Maybe, strong maybe, if this gets enough interest there is a potential to add in abilities based on each zodiac animal. Like control over two elements, and adding a combat magic sort-of-thing into it since it’s believed that each Chinese zodiac has two strong element affinities (fixed and monthly, but that’ll be more in-depth in the OOC). I've wanted to try something around the Chinese Shengxiao for a while, and haven't seen anything else about it, so I thought I'd do a check lmao.

Interesting.

Also, I believe each animal has a fighting style. Maybe you could incorporate that? Each Zodiac automatically knows that style or something.

@Zardoric Glad to see interest!

So far I haven't seen anything about so much fighting styles as elements, but I'll definitely look into it.

It isn't in the lore of the Zodiacs.

For instance, the dog style focuses on looking weak and pathetic, often giving up easily, but if the fight is important then they can be just as powerful as the tiger style.

This looks interesting! Will definitely be keeping an eye on this one.

I'm interested. I've not seen this anime however, but the general premise does not seem to be based on it, so it would be possible for me to partake. :)

@Fubsy Thank you for voicing interest!

@Buddha I'm glad you're interested! I used the anime as an example for anyone who's familiar with it to explain better, but everything the anime covers will be covered more in the OOC (If enough people voice interest to get one going). So as you said it would be possible for you (and anyone else who isn't familiar with the anime) to partake!

@Zardoric I did some research last night and found a lot about the martial arts styles. I'm thinking of a possible way to incorporate them, since I couldn't find anything about the dog style you mentioned and a couple others, but I think I have a few ideas.

I like the Fruit basket I am into this one too :)

I guess I should actually read up a bit on all the zodiacs instead of just my real life one. This is a great excuse to do just that.

@Pink Madness Glad you're interested!

Does anyone so far have a preference over the setting? I might try and get an OOC up when 7-8 people have shown interest or so, hopefully more people will jump in then.

I liked the world building one but also interaction is quite important for any plot. I'm okay with either, but the best would be a mixture of the two. However that might be hard to create into an RP. :/

I agree with @Buddha. I'm a sucker for world building, but at the same time I like seeing characters clash or merge with one another. Perhaps a boarding school near/in a small town, with the characters going back and forth between the two?

I'd like to place my interest in this idea. I don't know a lot about the Chinese lore (I'm sad to say), but I don't mind researching it. Also I know quite a bit about martial arts since I take classes. I'm interested to see where this goes. (Also I kinda don't want to claim it, but I would be really interested in playing the tiger)

@aeuternus Seems you are actually gathering quite a bit of interest. Perhaps you can actually fill up all the slots. :D

@Knight of Doom I'm so glad to see you're interested! Extensive knowledge of the lore isn't necessary, the essentials will be explained in the OOC, but I'm glad to see a martial artist on-board! ;u;. If nobody else is interested in creating the Tiger character then it's all yours, if there is someone else then I'm sure things can be worked out.

@Buddha To be honest I didn't quite think It'd get any response ahah, so it makes me happy to see so much interest. I'm thinking of a way to incorporate the two settings without it being overly complicated, but it seems like the most favourable and creative.

@Fubsy That's along the same lines I was thinking, actually. It would be a small town to minimise confusion, but the close quarters of a boarding school would allow for interactions, especially if things such as roommates are put in.

I'll start ironing out the OOC once a couple more show interest, if anyone has any ideas or comments in the meanwhile feel free to bring them up either here or in a PM ;u;.

@aeuternus Well, I don't know if you're familiar with the movie/manga Crows Zero, but it features something like a delinquent school where students fight to 'rule the school'. Basically gangs form -> then armies and then finally the school is united. That obviously never happens, but okay. I don't know what kind of plot you'd be looking for but this is one option however it favors delinquent/bad guy characters. Perhaps not something you'd be looking for but I saw martial arts being mentioned. I'm a martial artist irl so that sounds interesting, but also fighting probably shouldn't be the primary point of the RP should it.

Another question is are we going for a real life faceclaim thing, traditional art (i.e. not a faceclaim but also not anime) or are we going for anime?

Where would the setting take place? America? Asia? Fantasy country? Maybe even Europe, if you feel bold.

@Buddha I've heard of the anime, but never watched it. The martial arts is still up in the air, and I was originally planning on this being a really casual thing that doesn't require too much, but a plot like that would certainly spice things up. I could definitely see "gangs" forming between the zodiacs based on their rotation or fixed elements, but the poor cat would be left out.

As for faceclaims, I don't mind which people use. I've seen people use all types of faceclaims, so unless everyone would prefer a fixed type then I don't mind. The country will probably be in either America (It seems like most people are familiar with that, but it doesn't mean the characters have to be american) or Asia, to fit with the whole idea of it being Chinese lore.

Since martial arts is possibly involved, maybe it's a type of school based around martial arts and training and whatnot? With the occasional tournament being held between gangs?

Hmm, that is actually a really good idea. I like that. I watched a documentary on a Kung Fu school in China (it's called Dragon Girls, it's 90 minutes or so, but it's reaaaaaaaaally good.) and that kind of setting was quite inspiring. It's a highly brotherly/sisterly community but at the same time highly competitive.

However the issue with that arises when we force characters to be a martial artist. I mean, I'm ok playing a martial artist, but is the rest?

@Fubsy Quite possibly! But martial arts is still up in the air.

@Buddha I'll have to look up that documentary sometime. Since the martial arts aspect is still up in the air (but seems likely to be implemented), I am worried that some might not want to make one and some might not have enough knowledge to pull it off well.

Perhaps the original idea of elements could be implemented, giving people a choice of either martial arts or element control based on their zodiac. If tournaments and fighting ever came into play it could be separated between the two, but I'm unsure if it'll get too messy and complicated or not. I'm also open to ideas, but what's everyone's opinion on that? Martial arts could be interesting but difficult for those who might not know enough about it, but elements seems a little cliche, although everyone will be able to pull it off fairly well.