Tales of Aerill: Summer Adventures! OOC

[SamuraiHeroD]

Hello, everyone! As you can tell by the current figure to the right, this is my first post in these forums. I am hoping to make a fun, in-depth, and sexy fantasy adventure game, and I would like to draw a lot of different players into it. Please, if you're interested, read on and post a character!

The characters are young students at an Academy and are training to be great adventurers, and school is finally out for the year, so they are planning on going on "summer vacations" -- which in this sense, means they're forming parties to look for adventure in places they've never been to. Everything takes place in the imaginary world of Aerill, a "high-mana" planet, on the beautiful and lush continent of Cyclea, where humanity faces off against monsters at every turn, and the magic of the Aether permeates everything. Aerill is highly magical because it truly lives; it is the physical manifestation of Ai the Father and Eo the Mother, a male and female force that combined to create what humanity now calls Aiyeo, or simply The Creator. With the legendary Five Great Dragons of the Elements -- Quetzacoatl, Zuu, Jormungandr, Eingana, and Tiamat -- overseeing the world and at the top of the spirit hierarchy, Aerill is full of magical potential. This, however, often leads the people to even greater extremes than can be found on Earth.

Long ago, humanity was greatly violent, and fought with each other over many different slights; civilization did not progress much. When a great force of destruction arose and led the monsters to attack humanity, however, the great hero Cecil Duran and his love the Grand Summoner, Rakisha Amavela, stood against them, helped humanity to band together, and triumphed. Under the guidance of these two wise people, the various heroes of different cultures and ethnicities were able to unify their peoples into different countries and make peace with the other peoples. However, Rakisha had actually summoned the Creator, Aiyeo, as her final attack (a feat never before or since accomplished), and that had left her greatly weakened, so only a month later, she died, and the world mourned her. Cecil retired to a nexus of great magical strength, a beautiful glade in the northwestern part of the continent, and planted his sword Durandal, made magical through his own force of will, in the side of a mighty tree, which then grew at an exponential rate. This place is called World Tree, and it is where the Duran Academy is today. Cecil became a great teacher of warriors and wrote an unnamed treatise which was simply called "The Book of Durandal" by others, and that became the main handbook for adventurers everywhere. It was both a philosophical treatise and a practical guide to winning fights, and it remains a main topic of study and discussion.

Cecil passed away over a hundred years ago, though, and the world has moved on, with commerce booming and the people of the world rapidly advancing their civilizations. Unfortunately, the monsters of the world have begun to grow even more aggressive than usual, for the mana of Aerill has become tainted by an unknown force; a spiritual virus is making the World Soul sick. The great heroes of the world are long gone, and those who know this is happening have no idea what to do about it. For those who are aware, this is a crisis of epic proportions.

For those who aren't, this is a great opportunity for adventure!

Most of our heroes are young students at the Duran Academy. They may simply be Warriors or Rogues -- the Overt and the Subtle, as they are sometimes jokingly called at the Academy -- sent by their parents or having wandered there themselves to train, coming from all different backgrounds, or they may be one of the Blessed, touched by the mana flow of the world and inspired with holy powers, or one of the Gifted, born with Dragon-Blood, the acute ability to seize power from the mana flow and the Aether, the Realm of Imagination, in order to create various elemental magical effects. Whatever their future class or special abilities, all have some ambition, and most are good-looking. What can I say? Maybe the high mana levels make everyone very beautiful, too.

Nobody really knows about the greater impending danger, but they do know that the monsters are getting more violent and more brazen. More young men are being defeated, captured, and enslaved; more young women are found beaten and ravaged; more towns are being held in the merciless grip of orcs, goblins, or even human bandits. Even worse, the nations have begun to mistrust and grow wary of each other, so that their armies don't seem to be doing much about the problem. It's a perfect situation for adventurers and adventuresses to get some training in and make names for themselves!

So, that's the setting. The continent has many places of varying climates, so feel free to invent any sort of country you like as a place of origin, and feel free to get creative with your character's appearance. I'm going for that "anime realism" feel, if you know what I mean.

Next post: Some suggestions for character creation, more specifics on classes and special abilities, and my example character!

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

CHARACTER CREATION

1) Come up with a name, gender, and physical description, of course!

2) Pick a class. You can do any sort of derivation you like, because what's important is your character's special abilities, not what they say they are or what classes they take: but it's still fun to have a catchy title for your character's classification.

Warriors: Normally, you are a master of close-range weaponry, can dual wield big weapons, and have many special attacks, all of which are mainly physical but some of which have elemental effects, like the fiery Magnum Break. Crusaders tend to have spiritual attacks and some weak protection and healing special abilities, and use shields; Dragoons, or "the Cavalry" as they're known in the Academy, focus even more than usual on flashy special attacks, and use either spears or thin blades like rapiers. Hunters, also known as Rangers, can dual wield and are experts at ranged special attacks like Double Strafing, which is very helpful, and they sometimes have animal companions.

Rogues: You are probably a master of ranged weaponry or dual wield smaller weapons, and you have some "force"-based special attacks, so are more spiritual and less elemental. This includes abilities like Vanish and Haste, though only experienced rogues are usually that magical; unless you're a Ninja, and are especially good at magic. If you're not, you're either a standard Thief-type, or maybe a Dancer or Bard with some extra support magic. With these guys, you can use your imagination; Rogues have some funny tricks sometimes.

Gifted: Most Gifted are Thaumaturgists; they rely on elemental attacks, usually Electricity, Fire, Cold, Earth, Wind, and Mind. Many combine elemental attacks with aspects of the Aether, and use Light and Dark magic; these are not to be confused with the priestly Holy and Evil magics, but are actual attacks based off of sunlight and darkness. These fringe elements also have their own specialist classes, like Warlocks for Dark. The Gifted have a variety of talents, but in the end it usually comes down to their flashy magical attacks.

Blessed: Most Blessed are Theurgists, drawing upon the holy power of the planet to perform Benedictions and Maledictions, and Heal and Harm. Various types of light and dark priests specialize in various aspects of these, but some of the blessed are as unique and famed as ninja or dragoons; there are the Summoners, who call upon totem legendary beasts, and there are the Monks, who rather than worship Aiyeo and the Dragons, simply try to immerse themselves in the flow of the world and gain both spiritual powers and fighting abilities from this.

As usual, just use your imagination. These are suggestions.

3) Talk about your attributes: strength, vitality, agility, intellect, spirit. Give yourselves ratings from 1 to 10, if you are that kind of person; if you're not, just give a vague description of what your character is good at. If you're a student, don't be too overpowered; you still have a lot to learn and plenty of time to grow!

4) Pick three to six special abilities and attacks! This is the best part. Give them cool names, and talk about what they do. If they're based in a certain element, which they probably are, say so. Make some cool and random ones, if you feel like it; as long as you're comfortable shouting the name when you cast it and think it may come in handy somehow, go for it.

5) Finally, give a description of your character's personality and why they want to become an adventurer!

--- My Character: Kieve Rowann ---

Kieve Rowann: a handsome, quiet, friendly young Monk. He has raven black hair that always seems dashingly unkempt, hazel eyes, and beautiful features which make him look younger than he is. He wears a white kung fu outfit with blue lining on the edges, brown leather boots, and green-lensed reading glasses -- you know, those half-lensed ones that you can look over if you feel like. The overall effect is simple but cool. Most people like him just because he's a priest that doesn't preach; even though he'll sometimes make a nonsensical comment about "the Way", people let him off, because he heals and doesn't complain about it. He's only a mediocre martial artist because he's a bit lazy when it comes to practicing and isn't particularly confrontational by nature, but he's the most spiritually powerful of all his fellow Monks, and some of his abilities shock his teachers, as usually only priests have them. Thus, he doesn't try to compete with the warriors on the front lines, usually, but instead makes use of his helpful abilities to benefit his stronger friends. By the standards of Aerillian guys, who are all over the Aerillian girls, he's actually not that lustful, but he does have a funny habit of flipping up skirts. He doesn't even really realize he's doing it. One moment, he'll be talking, and the next, he'll have idly flipped up some girl's skirt and pinched her on the bottom. If slapped, he'll usually finish his sentence before flinching.

Strength 4, Agility 7, Vitality 3, Intellect 6, Spirit 8. (He's slender and is a bit lazy so gets tired easily, but he's very fit and has reflexes that rival some thieves; he's a good student and can keep up with elemental theory even though he's not Gifted, and he's the best spiritualist amongst the monks, and even better than most priests.)

Special Abilities: Kieve is not a very dramatic character, and as such, does not have very dramatic special move names. Warriors and Gifted usually have the craziest ones.

-- Mana Burn: A close-range, sweeping attack that sprouts "flames" of spiritual energy from his punch or kick. Does partial Fire damage, but it's mostly just pure Force. He rarely uses this, not enjoying hand-to-hand combat much, but it is an original move.
-- Force Bolt: A projectile of spiritual energy, "hadoken" style!
-- Heal: A spiritual healing ability that restores health through holy power.
-- Shield: Creates a wide shield of force that can protect allies. This is one of Kieve's specialties; it has to be close to him and he can't do anything while he's maintaining it, but he can make it wide enough that it will protect people standing next to him, and he can maintain it for quite a while (most shields disappear pretty quickly).
-- Bless: Another ability that usually only priests get, Kieve manages this by tapping into the Way and calling upon the power of the Third Eye Chakra, either in himself or in the target, and thus giving them enhanced awareness and a greater chance to strike enemies.
-- Haste: Kieve's best ability, and usually too draining to cast on anyone but himself. Dramatically increases movement speed and evasive capabilities by immersing the target in the flow and rhythm of battle.

--- And that's it! ---

So, I hope some of you were inspired! Feel free to be more or less detailed. Just pop in with your character idea, and we can start our first quests! This summer vacation: the beaches and temperate forests of Uruun Isle! The townfolk, isolated from the main human forces, are having a hard time dealing with the goblins menacing them, and it's a perfect place for novice adventurers to take care of the problem. With small forces relegated to different tasks, maybe the people of Uruun can be saved without an army!

Plus, did I mention there were beaches? School's out and it's summer vacation, everyone! Fight some goblins and get a tan in while you're at it!

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Bump!

Come on, guys, surely someone's interested in an adventure here?

Your character description doesn't have to be any particular length, if it helps. Just rattle off some names of whatever special skills you want and give a little description, and that's more than good enough.

 

[TheScarletBlade]

I dunno,looks intresting.Mybe if a couple more people show up I might.It all depends but I would probably play a warrior if anything.

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

I'm sure more people would show up if you inspired them by coming up with a character.

Hey, we've got to start somewhere, right?

 

[TheScarletBlade]

Alright I guess,but I gonna take a little time to make my character and think him out,I would rather not slap anything on the board just to inspire people.So expect it later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Hahaha, I was just teasing, man. Take your time.

Any other takers? I wonder if I wrote too much background. Or was it too little?

 

[papillon24]

I'm in. give a bit to come up with my character.

This sounds like it could be fun

 

[papillon24]

Lita Midhaven: Already gifted rougue who wantered into the Acadamy after spending years as a theif. she is petite which has helped her with her theiving abilities. She covers her long waist lenght black hair with a hooded green cloak. At her side she now carries a strong bow and a quiver of arrows which she has aquired and learned to use at the acadamy. She has the ability to apparate when needed.

strength5, vitality4, agility7, intellect6, spirit3

Apparate: She can dissapear and reapear in different spot. this is a handy means of transpotation especially since she can take others with her.

Darkness: One of her abilities which allows her to shade her allies in darkness from the enemy.

Vanish:Invisibility power which drives those around her crazy since they can never find her.

Shenalso has shills in potions(healing, wellness, energy...etc) mainly simple ones though

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Awesome! Glad to have you aboard, Papillon.

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Oh, one more thing, Papillion: you should probably have some special attacks as well as abilities. Probably either a close-ranged special and a long-range special or two different long-ranged specials. Even Kieve, who isn't a fighting character really, has his "Mana Burn". Special attacks are fun to have, and it would give your character a bigger starting repetoire.

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

A Sidenote to Those Who Might Want to Play Priests

Kieve may seem to have a lot of priestly abilities, but there's more priests can do than just duplicate the abilities I've shown; my character conspiciously lacks priestly attack and bad-status-effect magic, and he'll never get those. Throw in some Smite Evil, Banish Darkness, Soul Wrack, Holy Awe, Blind... you get the idea.

Just another short post from SHeroD.

 

[papillon24]

I'll give her an enchant arrows.: This ability gives her the ability to add to her attack by enchanting her arrows with fire, acid, ice or lightnings(a little secret she stole)

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

I'd actually prefer it if you didn't have the ability to use all those elements with one single ability. If you could, then logically, mages might be able to just have an ability called Bolt, with which they'd be able to use fire, cold, or whatever and make the ability change depending on what they wanted on the fly. I envisioned these as being more static than that. Special attacks are flashy moves that you pull off on the spot, when you're in trouble or especially pissed off; the name should be something you're willing to call out when you use it. Like, you can shout "Vanish!" or "Force Bolt!". Not sure about shouting "Enchant Arrows!", haha.

Instead of that, why don't you pick one of those -- pick an element that's close to Lita's personality or something, like electricity or what have you, and then call it... I don't know... something Arrow. Or anything you like. And maybe pick another ranged special attack that has a different effect; just a different element, if you like, but maybe also an effect-attack, like an arrow that slows enemies down, or poisons them, or blinds them.

 

[papillon24]

how about a frozen arrow and a close renge one power of stun

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Sounds just fine. Thanks.

 

[papillon24]

When do we start?

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Well... it looks like I couldn't get anyone else to join.

Thank you very much, Papillon, but I think I'll have to postpone this indefinately. Maybe later, after I meet some more people interested in the same thing, I'll try again.

 

[Steiner]

Hi, just in case this gets off the ground, I thought I'd post an idea for a Naruto-esque character. Not Naruto himself (I don't think I could shout that much, 24/7!) but a graduate from a similarly styled Ninja Academy.


Kensuke Nozomo

A serious faced young man with dark blue (almost purple) eyes that are dark pools of expression in a pale face usually set in a fairly neutral expression. Has a shock of black hair that seems to be affected by static electricity due to the way it springs up in spikes without the use of any gel or grease.

Kensuke has learned the basic tricks of shadow style ninjutsu. He can walk soundlessly, merge into the smallest shadows and move almost invisibly in the darkness. In extreme need he can move from one shadow to another within sight without passing through the intervening space. He is still not able to duplicate this feat easily or certainly.

When it comes to more mundane weapons, he is fairly skilled with both the short stabbing sword and the shuriken, but his throwing knives are more random and he cannot seem to muster the co-ordination to dual wield or to use the longer slashing sword that he also carries. He practices hard with the slashing sword, and is slowly improving - to the point where he could maybe fight the lesser type of thug or guard with success, but not to the point where he could hold his own with another hero.

He is not yet qualified to wear the full suit of shadows that would mark him as a topgrade ninja. Instead he wears loose-fitting pants and a Karate style open tunic belted around his waist. Over this is a thick, sleeveless jerkin that provides some protection without hampering his mobility. He seems to have knives, needles, pouches and shuriken strapped wherever it wouldn't interfere with his movement or make noise.


Analysis:
Kensuke is a very new ninja who has reached the plateau in improvement where further study will do no good without field experience. People tend to be petrified of Shadow Ninja, but they seldom recognise the Genin (low ranked ninja) for what they are. The depressing truth is that many Genin who survive the tough academy training manage to get killed on the road before they return for further study. Kensuke managed to score very highly in stealth and in his techniques (Shadowgate is an advanced technique that he shouldn't even be able to perform) but his basic agility and physical techniques (things running from walking without trace and eventually leading up to walking on thin branches and water) were merely average whilst his weaponskill scraped a pass despite his accuracy with the Shuriken. It is thought that whilst Kensuke may be an excellent technician, he may have problems with the idea of actually killing people.

 

[SamuraiHeroD]

Awesome, Steiner. Thanks for putting so much work into your character. I really appreciate it.

I'll just keep waiting to see if we can get some more people to join, then.

 

[papillon24]

bump