Go West (recruitment drive)

[Haku1]

So... Go West is experiencing a reboot due to player displacement and such.


The game is being rebooted, so no in the middle of the game joining in and being lost. New players MUST be able to commit to post at least once a day or close to that, more would be good.


The reboot recruitment drive will last 1 week (7 days), with me hand picking those approved. It's NOT a first come, first serve.


The game theme concepts are; It's the West. There are ships. You are Exalted.


Pirates may be involved as may certain Imperial Navies. Mermaids can and do exist... but so do the faeries.


Because this is a reboot, this does mean that there are existing players and a VERY limited availability.


I'm going to keep the number of player positions quiet. What I want to see is this from those who want in, player concepts that will mesh well with the existing players.


Types permitted are; Solars, Lunars, Sidereals, Dragonblooded, Abyssals. Various godblooded and mortals are allowed, but REALLY not recommended. Merits and Flaws are generally NOT allowed, unless you can sell me on them.


To apply, I would like to see rough charactersheets with background and such being MORE important than hard numbers and dots. ie Mechanics MUST follow Character design and NOT the other way around.


Character generation are as follows;


Normal character creation, only you get 14 charms (Lunars get the joys of splitting knacks and charms as normal, with a minimum of 1 knack and 4 charms in any combo). Minimums must still be met for charm selections (5 minimum favored/caste charms for solars and so on).


Everything else will be as normal, the extra bonus points and XP netted along the way will help pad you up.


Some degree of sail is needed. As is knowing the western language of Seatongue (extra languages are a bonus and may help you out in game).


Craft will be handled slightly different. It works like Linguistics, in that each dot provides one element (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Wood) or type (Magitech, Bio-Genesis, Fate, Glamour, Necrotech). And if you are at 5 dots, you have 5 different craft 'types', all which are rolled at 5 die each.


After character creation, you then get to spend 447 XP.


If your character is approved, you may end up with additional bonus points for artwork, background stories and so on.

 

[Haku1]

viewtopic.php?f=321&t=135&start=0[/url]"]Azure seas that span the world, meeting the heavens in the distant horizon.
Islands and continents that dot the cerelean expanse, waiting to be explored.


Harbour ports and cities that shelter privateers and smugglers. Home to merchant fleets.


The vast armada fleets of the distant Realm guard the sea-lands, enforcing the law and order of the Scarlet Empress who rules the Blessed Isle. The Realm, home of the Ten Thousand Dragons, warriors without peer. A distant power that rules the world.


But here in the western fringes of the world, there is freedom for one to make one's path outside of the order enforced by the Immaculate Order.


Here in the west...


where the Fey sail in ships of glossamer and pull their victims into the unforgiving depths.


Where the Lintha's domain lies unbroken and their might is feared.


Where a bold Dragonblooded may make his way and stand proud upon the deck of his ship.


Where Anathema may raise their flags with inpunity and challenge all who dwell beneath the Heavens.


What tales will YOU leave behind on the endless seas of Creation?


***


So, I'm thinking of a western game, somewhat based on Pirates of the carribean and Peter Pan/Hook and various sea-based themes.


If you wish to join, all I ask is that you be able to post at least once a week, if not more. That is the committment I ask for. If you can post more, that would be nice and appreciated.


I'm also thinking of streamlining combat rules. To enable less rolling between posts.


I would also recommend that players be willing to work with one and other. Also, please, no massive numbers of NPC followers and allies and such, if you're going to get such.

 

[Chaka]

I... you...


447xp?!?


I'm trying to become more active again. I might be interested.


I suppose a Green Sun Prince is completely out of the question..?

 

[Haku1]

I... you...
447xp?!?


I'm trying to become more active again. I might be interested.


I suppose a Green Sun Prince is completely out of the question..?

Completely out of the question. Just wouldn't quite work. You'd need to explain why your GSP is running around, working with the (alleged) defenders of Creation in the long term...

 

[Chaka]

hmm. A Sidereal, perhaps...


I have always wanted to play a Joybringer.


So, uh... that 447.. that's not a typo, right?

 

[Haku1]

hmm. A Sidereal, perhaps...
I have always wanted to play a Joybringer.


So, uh... that 447.. that's not a typo, right?

Not a typo. That's the XP the current players have.


Also, some degree of combat would be good as would skills in other fields.

 

[Chaka]

I'm pretty sure with 447xp I can give you something well-rounded.


Hoo boy.


*gets out the character sheet*

 

[Haku1]

Just remember character design/story first, and not mechanics first.


And this is just to apply, no guarantees. Also, there will be a 1 week application period.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

What character concepts are in the game? so far I could only see one

 

[Chaka]

*nod*


I've had an archetypal character in mind. I don't know the exact details of your plot, but here's the basic background:


Manosque Preska


"There's always a third path. Will you walk it with me?"


Born in R.Y. 240 to a scion of House Manosque, Preska was taken from the Blessed Isle at birth and raised in Yu Shan. The girl's training was a matter of interest to several powerful factions in the Bureau of Destiny as she was destined to bear the Exaltation of Hadeon, one of the longest-lived and most respected Sidereals in history. Several important people oversaw her education in preparation for her Second Breath; Chejop Kejak not least among them. He had lost a powerful ally with Hadeon's death, and hoped his successor would be equally amenable. Four years after Preska's birth, her House was obliterated by the Scarlet Empress after Manosque Viridian attempted a coup using the Eye of Autocthon. This obliteration was to colour her early career.


Following her Exaltation at age 19 Preska, always a spirited youth, was informed of her family's fate as part of her final training. The Chosen of Serenity was incensed and horrified to learn of this, and her passion made her unruly. She passed from one sifu to the next, unable to settle down and concentrate on anything. Eventually she was given to the tutelage of Turico Yashima, a Chosen of Journeys two centuries her senior. It is rumoured the two were lovers for a time, and neither has ever confirmed or denied the truth of this. Whatever the case may have been, Yashima first guided her grief and sorrow into an unconditional love for all life through the Crane Style of martial arts, and then helped her to sacrifice the last of it to unlock the secrets of Emerald Circle Sorcery. After this she ceased to use her family name, stating that connection had never truly been hers and her grief had been a child's grief, mourning the idea rather than the actuality of a family she had never known. The Fellowship was her family.


After settling down, Preska spent time on the Convention of Wood and the Convention on Essence-Wielders. Her gentle and compassionate nature meant she found it difficult to embrace the tenets of the Bronze faction, but her time studying history made her believe the (then extremely minor) Gold Faction were mistaken to think the return of the Solars would solve all problems. She became friends with the Reckoner Nazri, choosing his middle path of independence. After her tenure on the Convention of Wood, she sojourned on the Convention of Fire as his second-in-command, bringing succour where possible to the suffering of the southern tribes. During this time she initiated into the Blossom of the Perfected Lotus, studying the Sapphire Veil of Passion Style.


Centuries passed. Preska's service to the Bureau was exemplary, and her standing grew. In time she became a sifu to young Sidereals herself, and by her fifth century Preska was well thought of as a relatively young but established Vizier and an asset to the Bureau.


Then she left.


in R.Y. 768 Preska announced she was taking an extended sabbatical (having never taken one in her long years in the Bureau, none could gainsay her; a Sidereal of her rank and experience was entitled). She refused to say why; when asked by friends and colleagues where she was going, she simply replied "I must walk another path for a time." Gathering some possessions to take with her, Preska walked out of Yu Shan and off the radar.


The truth was something she told no-one: Preska needed to leave Yu Shan because of her dreams. For a decade, she'd had a recurring dream: a road paved in bronze and a road paved in gold entwining around one another, leading down into a dark, evil crevice. In her dreams she walked these roads, and horrors awaited. However, always out of the corner of her eye she saw a barely visible path break away, one you would miss as likely as see. It led away from the crevice toward a distant light. With the return of the Solar Exalted shaking everything up, Preska decided it was time to seek this third path: somewhere in Creation she might find the answers she sought, and thus save the world.


Originally, Preska was going to start her search in the South; however she decided to start in the West first instead. Too many people knew of her affinity to the direction of Fire, and besides, it just felt right...

 

[Sherwood]

I'm playing one of the original characters in the game, a Lunar that Exalted in the South and now has moved as far away from the desert sands as she possibly could. Here is her backstory:


She never knew her family. How could she, since they had all been killed when she was just a baby? She also never quite understood why her life was spared; after all, what use was a infant to a bunch of desert nomads? No one ever told her why. No one ever bothers to give such details to a slave.


The tribe called themselves the Vashni. They lived hard lives in the desert, making a home in a place where most could not. If life was hard for the members of the tribe, it was nearly Malfeas for a young slave girl. She never even had a name. They just called her chula. She was a thing, a piece of property to be used as they saw fit.


Her days were filled with torture and humilation, and her nights were consumed with loneliness and a longing to belong. She picked up a bone chip one day, and would lay awake at night carving at it with her small stone knife. She would create her salvation. Her freedom. She would call for a monster to come and rescue her. It would come and take her far away to a better place. Every night, she carved the bone chip into the rough shape of a scorpion; the first thing that came to her mind in the desert heat.


The carving took shape slowly, but finally, she was done. She carried it with her everywhere. She talked to it, whispering stories of how great it was, and giving it a terrible hunger. It would come for her and free her. Finally, one day, it did.


Members of the tribe were being hunted by some monster living out in the wastes. One by one, the villagers were taken. The warriors seemed helpless trying to find this predator that was feeding on their people. The tribe's shaman finally stood before his people and begged thier gods for deliverance. He proclaimed that the one to free them from this scourge would recieve the blessings of the gods themselves.


That night, she decided to hunt this beast herself. She was certain that she had called it out by some means, and it was up to her to stop it. It didn't take her long to gather her things. One advantage to not having much. Her only weapon was her simple stone knife. It would have to do.


The tracks lead her deep into the wasteland until she found its layer. A cave hidden behind the rocks and brush. She knew it was a foolish thing to go inside to fight the creature but she had no choice. Too many lives lay at her feet for calling it out.


A scorpion awaited her. She could feel its hunger and hatred flowing from it. With a wordless cry she charged. Pain blurred her mind as she became something less than human, something primal. Fueled by her rage, she fought on, ignoring the wounds and poison in her body. After what seemed to be hours, she found herself kneeling at the side of her fallen foe. With her small stone knife, she carved open its body and pulled out its heart and ripped into it with her teeth. Its power was now hers. Her final trophy was to take the stinger from its tail; proof of her victory. She was chula no more.


She returned to the tribe and threw down the stinger before the shaman. Before the tribe, she demanded her due. Where were the blessings he had promised the one to rid them of this foe? He had no answer. He just stared in horror at the mark on her forehead. One of the warriors of the tribe cried out that she was a liar to claim victory when so many skilled warriors had fallen to the beast. He said he would prove this by dispatching this arrogant chula that would think it was a person.


Her rage returned. She could feel the strength flow through her once more. How dare he? He would pay! She had her own blessing. One from her goddess, the one that had granted her the strength to prevail in the face of certain death. She could feel her body change and grow into a new form. Taking the Warform granted to her by Luna, the tribesmen watched in horror, she attacked the one that questioned her and ripped him to pieces with her bare hands.


She then turned to face the others. "The next one to call me chula will join him in the Underworld! No one will ever call me that again! I am Scorpion, Blessed of Luna! I should kill you all, but in my strength I am also merciful. More so than the lot of you deserve! Know this! Cross my path again and next time I will not stay my hand!"


That was the last she ever saw of them. Free from her slavery, Scorpion set out to start her new life, as far from the endless waste of the desert as she could find. Who knows what adventures await her? Only Luna knows, and she's not telling anyone. Yet.

 

[Sherwood]

And here is her description, although she only has four legs in her Warform, not six.


Character Description:


Scorpion has the dark skin, black hair, and accent that is typical of a Southerner. She appears to be in her mid-twenties, but she freely admits to having no real idea of her true age. She wears her Moonsilver tattoos with pride, and on the rare time that she must hide them, she will wear a poncho over her to conceal them and her armor. Her weapons are a pair of short Moonsilver Daiklaves that she calls Widowmaker and Shieldbreaker. She typically wears loose fitting silks of vibrant colors, and has a taste for alcohol of all types. Two of her most prized posessions are a crude stone knife that she always wears on her side and a bone carving that roughly looks like a bug that she wears on a leather strap at her neck. She is closed-mouthed about her past, and has never admitted any other name besides the one she claims. She has a violent hatred of slavery, and will frequently go out of her way to stop a slaver.

 

[Sherwood]

Just to give the game my own personal plug, it was one hell of a good run and Haku makes a great ST (and I'm not getting any bonus points for that bit, either!). Scorpion has been a blast to play, and I'm looking forward to seeing what fresh blood gets brought in.

 

[Gulup]

Another of the semi-original players here (I wasn't at the very start, but I came in a decent amount of time before the reboot). I'm playing a Renegade Dusk Caste Abyssal who technically never even got the chance of being loyalist or not. His backstory (copied from pre-reboot stuffs):

Before there was the Ragged King, there was Jiao-long.
Jiao-long had something of a misfortune of being born a generation too late. His family had, since his great-great-grandfather's time, been the inheritors of a moderately prestigeous sword school on the Blessed Isle. While not Dynasts themselves, they had a fair amount of prestige and wealth that their dojo provided.


Unfortunately, a few short years after he was born, a rival Master who wished for the lands and students that Jiao-long's father possessed, and using bribery and deception discredited the dojo and caused them to lose all their holdings and pupils. The school broken, the family was forced to leave for the Threshold to try and rebuild.


Jiao-long knew most of this only in intellectual terms, having been too young at the time to properly understand or recall events. While taught some sword techniques by his father, necessity in day-to-day life kept the true lessons of style from being imparted. What lessons he had had did become useful, however, as when Jiao-long became an adult and started out to make his own way in the world he was able to display enough talent to be hired as a guard on several merchant ships.


His family's history came back, however, as one day while practicing with his blade his style was recognized by a patrician who had cargo on the boat he was guarding. Whether the man was a member of the conspiracy that had ruined Jiao-long's family, or simply believed in the lies that had been cast about so long before, he felt it necessary to have Jiao-long ambushed by hired thugs a few days later and killed.


That would have been the end, had Jiao-long not heard a voice in his dying moments. Secretive and feminine, he was called to by the most unlikely of beneficiaries: Princess Magnificent with Lips of Coral and Robes of Black Feathers. Having noted her lack of success with Son of Crows, the Black Heron again ignored her orders forbidding her from creating her own Deathknights to try again. Accepting her offer of revenge, Jiao-long died and was replaced with the Ragged King of Shattered Breath and Sundered Bone. Directing the new Abyssal to a long-hidden cache of minor artifacts from before her failure at Great Forks, she had him equip himself for the trek to a hidden refuge where she would have him properly taught.


Unfortunately, before he arrived Princess Magnificent's plans were undone. Perhaps she had not been as cautious and stealthy as with Son of Crows. Perhaps First and Forsaken Lion had always known about her transgressions, and was not willing to permit a second one. Regardless, all the Ragged King knows is that one day while recieving a mental communication from the Black Heron she broke off suddenly, leaving only the phrase "Lion, no! The monst-" in his head before a sudden upheaval of his spirit. Since then he has not heard from the disgraced Deathlord at all.


No longer sure of that the supposed refuge was safe, let alone what would become of himself if he encountered forces of the First and Forsaken Lion, the Ragged King decided to head westward and avoid such complications. Taking on jobs again as a guard on ships and caravans to make his way (tending to be more... brutal with pirates and thieves than most employers are quite comfortable with) he eventually made his way, honing his new-found abilities and skills. He knows that one day, someone will come for him. The Wyld Hunt, First and Forsaken Lion, perhaps even Princess Magnificent herself. Until then, he gets by, making his own plans in the meanwhile.


Appearance: The Ragged King's true form is that of a dessicated corpse, his flesh crisscrossed with scars and stitches from both before and after his exaltation. He is usually dressed in white funeral robes and bandages, which cover up both his form and the Soulsteel rings of his armor. With his Mask he makes himself appear as he once did in life and with a near-constant cheerful smile, usually avoiding unnecessary attention and trouble... until he gets bored or is fighting. In addition to his sword and pack, he also carries a worn sanxian which he is known to occasionally play haunting and sorrowful music on despite what expression his face may give the appearance of.

and here's pretty much his source from a visual standpoint, in and out of disguise:

 

[xarvh]

Uhm...


A Dawn.


A Dusk.


A Choosen of Battles.


A Full Moon.


At least there is a Zenith...


I feel overwhelmed by the 447 XP thingy, but I'm damn curious to see Haku STing...

 

[Gulup]

I feel overwhelmed by the 447 XP thingy, but I'm damn curious to see Haku STing...

He's a good ST. I've been in a number of games with him before, and he's relatively open on what he'll allow (not to say anything goes. I've seen him refuse... violently once or twice... when someone tried to ubertwink and make overpowered customs) so as long as you have something reasonable that you want, you'll likely get it. Plus, c'mon! You know you want to use the massive XP pool!


I should note that he also gives out extra bp for things like pictures, stories, and general background coolness you give your character.

 

[xarvh]

Plus, c'mon! You know you want to use the massive XP pool!

LOL, yes!


But I'd feel I haven't earned them.


Besides, I'd go all powerplay-rip-your-soul-with-unblockable-attack-combo with so many points, it would get boring after slaying a couple of Incarna.


My only salvation would be to play the Night caste with all Dawn abilities painted white and all Night abilities painted black, but I am already playing that with Shadow Red Claws and Chaka.

 

[Chaka]

out of interest, what's the deal with raising backgrounds via xp?


Also, I have a theme song for Preska:

 

[Haku1]

3 xp per background dot.

 

[Chaka]

Awesome.


I know it seems slightly cheeky considering the sheet amount of xp available, but do you give a free spell with sorcerous initiation?

 

[Lochar]

Haku, I feel a certain amount of rage towards you. I told myself "I'm only going to get involved in one game. Just one."


And then you post this.


The only question I have is will you allow Cthulu? Or save that, Davy Jones?

 

[Coyotekin]

Haku, would you be willing to allow me to bring the Mendicant back into the game?

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

I need to write down the background, but I was thinking an Eclipse. one who desires to make the West, if not unified, at least working for a common goal.

 

[Haku1]

Awesome.
I know it seems slightly cheeky considering the sheet amount of xp available, but do you give a free spell with sorcerous initiation?

Sorry, but no.

Haku, I feel a certain amount of rage towards you. I told myself "I'm only going to get involved in one game. Just one."
And then you post this.


The only question I have is will you allow Cthulu? Or save that, Davy Jones?

Depends on your application. ie how are you doing him/her/it.

Haku, would you be willing to allow me to bring the Mendicant back into the game?

If you want, you can apply Medicant just like any other new player would their character.

I need to write down the background' date=' but I was thinking an Eclipse. one who desires to make the West, if not unified, at least working for a common goal.[/quote']
I shall wait and see what you come up with...

 

[Chaka]

Ok then. in that case, her stats are ready. XP and BP cost sheet available upon request.


Manosque Preska


Caste: Serenity


Concept: Seeker of New Hope


Motivation: Seek a new path to lead Creation out of the coming darkness.


Anima Banner: gentle pulses of sapphire light


Attributes


Strength: 3 Charisma: 4 Perception: 3


Dexterity: 5 Manipulation: 3 Intelligence: 3


Stamina: 3 Appearance: 4 Wits: 3


Abilities (italicised abilities are caste/favoured.)


Resistance: 3 Sail: 2 Survival: 2


Craft: 2 Dodge: 5 Linguistics: 5 Performance:5 Socialise: 3


Athletics: 2 Melee: 1 Presence: 2


Lore: 3 Occult: 3 Stealth: 1


Awareness: 3 Bureaucracy: 2 Integrity: 1 Martial Arts: 6 Medicine: 3


Specialties


Backgrounds


Artifact (Instructive Caress): 2 Artifact (Silken Armour): 2 Celestial Manse: 2


Salary: 3 Allies (Nazri): 3 Sifu (Turico Yashima): 3 Acquaintances: 1


Charms


Dodge


2nd Dodge Excellency


Absence


Duck Fate


Linguistics


Favourable Inflection Procedure


Abandoned Words Curse


Performance


2nd Performance Excellency


Fateful Performance Excellency


Perfection in Life


Song of Spirit Persuasion


Defense of Shining Joy


Presence


1st Presence Excellency


Occult


Terrestrial Circle Sorcery


Awareness


Prior Warning


Martial Arts


2nd Martial Arts Excellency


Crane Style


All Charms


Sapphire Veil of Passion Style


Into Infinite Depths


Eternal Infatuation Dance


Yellow Dragon Flight


Black Dragon Coils


Dissolution of Value


Satisying Idle Fantasy


Sapphire Veil of Passion Form


Combos


Any Eventuality: Fluttering Cry of Warning, Duck Fate, Beak Spears Frog


Sorcery


Emerald Circle


Emerald Countermagic


Summon Elemental


Virtues


Compassion: 3 Conviction: 2 Temperance: 2 Valour: 2


Flawed Fate: Serenity Flaw (Compassion-related). Limit: 0


Essence: 6 Willpower: 6 (0 spent) Essence Pool: 17/43 (Spent: 0/0 Committed: 7)


Combat


Instructive Caress (Starmetal floating ribbon): Speed: 5 Acc: +4 Damage: +8L Defense: +0 Rate: 2 (1m reflexive to attack up to 10 meters away)


Punch: Speed: 5 Acc: +1 Damage: +0B Def: +2 Rate: 3


Kick: Speed: 5 Acc: +0 Damage: +3B Def: -2 Rate: 2


Clinch: Speed: 6 Acc: +0 Damage: +0B Def: -- Rate: 1


Soak: 6B/6L/5A (Silken Armour: 3B/5L/5A, -0 mobility) Health Levels: -0/-1/-1/-2/-2/-4/I


Dodge DV: 8 Parry DV: 6/7/5 Join Battle/Debate: 8/8


Astrology (caste/favoured colleges are italicised)


The Lovers: 1 The Musician: 3 The Pillar: 1


The Sword: 2


Paradox: 0


Social Combat (charisma/manipulation)


Investigation: Speed: 5 Accuracy: 4/3 PMDV: 2/2 Rate: 2


Performance: Speed: 6 Accuracy: 9/8 PMDV:5/4 Rate: 1 (Affects an area)


Presence: Speed: 4 Accuracy: 6/5 PMDV: 3/3 Rate: 2


Dodge MDV: 8


Intimacies: Nazri (friendship and respect), Turico Yashima (love), Chejop Kejak (wary respect)


Languages: High Realm (native), Old Realm, Low Realm, Flametongue, Seatongue, Riverspeak


Crafts: Fate, Air