@RtronThere sure is!

Excellent! I'll begin whipping up a CS soonish.

Well shit, now I actually have to finish my CS. Haven't RPed with Rtron in years.

You do. It is now contractually binding It has been too long.

@CleverbirdCouple things, after Gold and I put our heads together:

After reading your description of blood magic, we were hesiant because we felt it didn't jive with how we envisioned the seting. Hard to put consisely, but here goes - Blood magic is kosher in the setting, but in a more suble way. We'd prefer to see the effects move away from buff/debuff terminology and direct manipulation. Its effects and the procedure of casting should be more nuanced... ritualistic? Grounded more in ceremony and something resembling voodoo, opposed to waving one's hands behind the frontlines and churning the lifeblood out of your enemy.

Do you remember the witch, Mortianna, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? There's a scene where she uses blood, saliva and other substances mixed together to discern visions of the future. This is the sort of magic we have in mind. Subtle, with often unforseen effects, but also powerful in the right situation (as evidenced in the Conan stories where sorcerers might extend their lives, call forth extraplanar creatures, conjure illusory effects, and so forth).

Also, on the matter of gods - this blood cult is free to believe it sources its power from whatever deity it worships. But as to whether that deity is real or not, there is no solid confrmation, nor denial. It should be a faith-based matter. How a sorcerer choses to interpret his dreams is on him, for example. There are powerful beings and monsters out there thay may seem godlike, and folks can choose them as patrons, but all 'godhood' is on faith.

Other than that, there aren't any glaring issues. What are your thoughts?

So would things like magically enhanced artifacts, or premade spells work? Like a magic spear that finds the throwers target or an orb that once broken summons a minotaur or what have you.

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

So would things like magically enhanced artifacts, or premade spells work? Like a magic spear that finds the throwers target or an orb that once broken summons a minotaur or what have you.

Yes, magic artifacts are definitely a thing - maybe the most prominent source of magic your characters will encounter beyond the monsters or your own spellcasting ability (if you've got it).
These artifacts are a throwback to things like the Golden Fleece or the armor of Achilles, or the Spear of Longinus, etc.
Ideally, these would be found during the IC, instead of starting equipment.

<Snipped quote by Rtron>

Yes, magic artifacts are definitely a thing - maybe the most prominent source of magic your characters will encounter beyond the monsters or your own spellcasting ability (if you've got it).
These artifacts are a throwback to things like the Golden Fleece or the armor of Achilles, or the Spear of Longinus, etc.
Ideally, these would be found during the IC, instead of starting equipment.

Could I have an artifact but the character has no idea what it does? And somewhere along the way, (not immediately) they have an 'Oh, so that's what it does.' moment after they figure out how to use it. I can tell you in advance what it does, so that you can plan around that and it's not an accidental deus ex machina.

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Could I have an artifact but the character has no idea what it does? And somewhere along the way, (not immediately) they have an 'Oh, so that's what it does.' moment after they figure out how to use it. I can tell you in advance what it does, so that you can plan around that and it's not an accidental deus ex machina.

Could be an ineresting angle - shoot PM to @Goldeagle1221 and I and we can chat about it!

<Snipped quote by Crimson Raven>

Could be an ineresting angle - shoot PM to @Goldeagle1221 and I and we can chat about it!

Gotcha. I'll do so in the morning. or whenever I wake up, could be noon It's getting late.

@Rtron

Maaaaaaaaaaaan, I haven't even started on my character yet outside of a name and a vague idea of visualization.

@Rtron

Maaaaaaaaaaaan, I haven't even started on my character yet outside of a name and a vague idea of visualization.

Grounded.

We have a discord for everyone who is either accepted, or is very close to being accepted.

@Goldeagle1221Would be nice if the link is shared!

@AristoThe reason I posted my WIP sheet was to get feedback, which I got! Funnily enough, in my first draft I did write her up to be more of an oracle/seer, as you described with Mortianna; but decided against it since it was nigh impossible to RP as such, since I dont know what happens in the future, and I dont want you guys to spoil possible surprises (even if written vaguely, as they should).

It's hard to write up compelling and interesting magic that doesnt immediately show its effects. Ideally I'd love to come up with magic that might manifest itself days after the initial casting, but that'd be awfully boring and difficult to write given how long IC days can take OOC. Not to mention that I imagine our group will be travelling a lot, so its rather hard to keep setting up ritual sites.

I'll tone down the direct effects and switch it to more witchcraft. Salves, charms, visions, etc. Did just realize that Game of Thrones also had some pretty fantastic low fantasy magic... But I guess birthing shadowy demons would be a no-no on this website. Are we allowed to summon demons, or would that still be considered too direct?

Oh and as for their God, I dont think it's really relevant if he truly is or not. I think it's like current religion, where every group thinks their God is the one True God; with everybody else being impostors. That said, in my head Marra was merely an arch-mage from before the Cauldron who unlocked the secret to immortality, just not in the way he envisioned it. Essentially, he exists only because people remember him, which over the many years since turned into a twisted sort of worship.

@Goldeagle1221Would be nice if the link is shared!

@AristoThe reason I posted my WIP sheet was to get feedback, which I got! Funnily enough, in my first draft I did write her up to be more of an oracle/seer, as you described with Mortianna; but decided against it since it was nigh impossible to RP as such, since I dont know what happens in the future, and I dont want you guys to spoil possible surprises (even if written vaguely, as they should).

It's hard to write up compelling and interesting magic that doesnt immediately show its effects. Ideally I'd love to come up with magic that might manifest itself days after the initial casting, but that'd be awfully boring and difficult to write given how long IC days can take OOC. Not to mention that I imagine our group will be travelling a lot, so its rather hard to keep setting up ritual sites.

I'll tone down the direct effects and switch it to more witchcraft. Salves, charms, visions, etc. Did just realize that Game of Thrones also had some pretty fantastic low fantasy magic... But I guess birthing shadowy demons would be a no-no on this website. Are we allowed to summon demons, or would that still be considered too direct?

Oh and as for their God, I dont think it's really relevant if he truly is or not. I think it's like current religion, where every group thinks their God is the one True God; with everybody else being impostors. That said, in my head Marra was merely an arch-mage from before the Cauldron who unlocked the secret to immortality, just not in the way he envisioned it. Essentially, he exists only because people remember him, which over the many years since turned into a twisted sort of worship.

The link is shared with accepted players! As for rping birth, it's better if that's done out of scene to avoid upsetting anyone.. Although I don't know why you would? As for summoning demons, that should be fine in limitation, as we already accepted one summoner character. The summoned creature would follow the same rules as a regular character. I.E nix metagaming/powergaming. Summoning the creature should be done either by an artifact (preferably one with a negative side effect) or done by ritual.

@Aristo agreed?

So I'm assuming there's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes, since I haven't seen a single character sheet or any real discussion in here yet. Which kinda bums me out, as I feel robbed of getting better insights into this world... How many players are there anyway?

I've also given blood magic some more thought and feel like I've reached a nice conclusion. Instead of focusing on physical effects, I want to focus on more emotional aspects of it. So why not have my character be able to drink it and use it to re-life memories and emotions? Maybe even have it work the other way around, by making those ingesting the blood feel love, fear or even pain towards my character (dont trust her cooking!).

Blood magic could be used as a form of fantasy CSI, allowing her to gain information about someone: their heredity, physical characteristics, family; if they match blood found somewhere else. Anything you see on the cop shows could be replicated in game.

Maybe even let her use blood to gain attributes from animals? A hawk's vision or a dog's smell, stuff like that.

I guess it does depend on whether this RP is more focused on combat, or has room for intrigue as well. If it's more combat focused, I'd probably just ditch this concept and go for a more straight forwards character.

@Goldeagle1221@Aristo

Could you give us a general idea of accepted character types? So we don’t end up with 5 summoners or some such.

So I'm assuming there's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes, since I haven't seen a single character sheet or any real discussion in here yet. Which kinda bums me out, as I feel robbed of getting better insights into this world... How many players are there anyway?

I'm still brainstorming and keeping tabs on what the GMs are telling you, considering Baccum has my interest, as well.

(Cuss yeah... The Mennonites are also looking supah fab, tho.)

I'll let Aristo look at your blood magic proposal.

As for behind the scenes shenanigans, there are none besides one player sending me their cs privately. Only one person, @Monkeypantshas been accepted. He should be posting his sheet in the character tab.. Monks!

@Goldeagle1221@Aristo

So I've a character idea that I think'll work with the magic system.

Basic outline is that they were from a tribe the Kothar conquered and had to wipe out because the Tribe chose total annihilation over surrender (or maybe they angered one of the ancients and got destroyed? That might actually work better).

One member survived, the Tribe's only magic user. The character tried to bring their tribe back and succeeded, after a fashion. The character now has all these various spirits of their tribe inside of them (similar to Ermac with less of the flashy magic). And can use ritual to have these spirits do various things. These rituals include, but are not limited to: Seeing through the eyes of one of the spirits as they spy on a faction, communing with the spirits for information, drawing upon the collective energy to heal injuries, and being possessed by one of the three that were the tribe's mightiest warriors to help fight, their weapons being spectral (but still only having the same physical effect The arrows look ghostly but still act like normal arrows, for example).

The character could probably also use the same ritual to chain the souls of particularly powerful slain enemies (or allies you never know) to them for similar effects. But that's just a secondary thought that is probably too powerful, and not something that is in the main idea.

The major drawback being that every time they do this ritual the character has to also fight off the other spirits since, you know, people don't like being trapped between life and death, with a major risk of losing control of their own body or spirits being released through them to try and possess those around them.

Thoughts?

@Goldeagle1221@Aristo

So I've a character idea that I think'll work with the magic system.

Basic outline is that they were from a tribe the Kothar conquered and had to wipe out because the Tribe chose total annihilation over surrender (or maybe they angered one of the ancients and got destroyed? That might actually work better).

One member survived, the Tribe's only magic user. The character tried to bring their tribe back and succeeded, after a fashion. The character now has all these various spirits of their tribe inside of them (similar to Ermac with less of the flashy magic). And can use ritual to have these spirits do various things. These rituals include, but are not limited to: Seeing through the eyes of one of the spirits as they spy on a faction, communing with the spirits for information, drawing upon the collective energy to heal injuries, and being possessed by one of the three that were the tribe's mightiest warriors to help fight, their weapons being spectral (but still only having the same physical effect The arrows look ghostly but still act like normal arrows, for example).

The character could probably also use the same ritual to chain the souls of particularly powerful slain enemies (or allies you never know) to them for similar effects. But that's just a secondary thought that is probably too powerful, and not something that is in the main idea.

The major drawback being that every time they do this ritual the character has to also fight off the other spirits since, you know, people don't like being trapped between life and death, with a major risk of losing control of their own body or spirits being released through them to try and possess those around them.

Thoughts?

Me and Aristo will discuss it. So far personally I like the direction as long as it is indeed ritual based rather than instant, but. Have a feeling you do in fact mean the former. Can you give me an example of how they might conjure these spirits?

Y'all debating about magic and I'm still trying to figure out how I want to write this archer.

Since it was brought up to me, I figured it was worth relaying.

The civilization descriptions aren't very big because Aristo and I were willing to allow a degree of freedom within the presented parameters; however, if you all need more information, Aristo and I can provide as requested and expand on the descriptors and parameters of each civilization.

My current main struggle is finding a name. lol The one I'm working with right now feels a little too on-the-nose.