Here are the rest of the mechanics. The application will be coming soon.
Attributes
Instead of your typical Strength, Speed, Intellect, Dexterity attributes, I've replaced them with Body, Mind, and Spirit. Body determines your physical strength and vitality, Mind determines your cunning and your speed, and Spirit determines your skill with weapons and Chi. When you level up by gaining sufficient experience, you will have two free attribute points to spend.
Classes
Fighter: Excels in Body, weak in Mind. They are the strongest hand-to-hand fighters and the most survivability. Fighters can gain experience by training or by defeating enemies in battle. Fighters start with 3 Body, 2 Spirit, and 1 Mind.
Rogue: Excels in Mind, weak in Body. Rogues are the fastest and most cunning class, which makes up for their lack of strength or survivability. Rogues can gain experience by receiving money or treasure, or by defeating enemies in battle. Rogues start with 3 Mind, 2 Spirit, and 1 Body.
Monk: Excels in Spirit. The monk is the more balanced class. They have started cultivating their Chi and weapon skill before either the Rogue or the Fighter. Monks can gain experience by defeating enemies in battle or by meditating. Monks start with 2 Body, 2 Mind, and 3 Spirit.
Elements
In this universe, each person has an element that determines their personality and the direction they can focus their Chi. They are the five elements: Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Wood is sensitive, which allows them to empathize and persuade to greater effect. However, they have a tendency to lose their head in anger as a result. Their talisman is the Dragon. As the most poisonous element, Woodâs ultimate power is Anqi, which allows practitioners to use secret, poisoned weapons to quickly take down enemies in a stealthy fashion.
Fire is creative, allowing them to devise ways to get themselves and their friends out of difficult situations. However, they tend to be more proud and possessed of less willpower than the other elements. Their talisman is the Phoenix. As the most destructive element, Fireâs ultimate power is Fa Jin, which allows the practitioner to concentrate Chi to the point where they can shatter rocks with a single fist.
Earth is distinguished by clarity of mind, meaning that they are able to see things as they are, and discern the true natures of people and situations. This clarity of mind also makes them more anxious and stressed. Their talisman is the Qilin. As the most stable element, Earthâs ultimate power is Nei Jin, which allows the practitioner superhuman stamina and vitality.
Metal is marked by intuition, meaning that they are able to predict the actions of others and the results of given situations with remarkable accuracy. However, they are easily depressed. Their talisman is the Tiger. As the sharpest element, Metalâs ultimate power is Dianxue, which allows the practitioner to paralyze, kill, or even heal by striking vital pressure points.
Water is spontaneous, allowing them to get along with others and greater reflexes. In a pinch they are the ones that can think the fastest to buy time for more long-term thinkers. However, they tend to be more jumpy and scared. Their talisman is the tortoise. As the freest element, waterâs special ability is Qinggong, which allows them superhuman speed and even the ability to defy gravity.
Two things to explain. A talisman is a good-luck symbol. For example, if you are Water, and you see a tortoise on your quest, you'll have better luck in your endeavors. If you had a weapon with Tortoise in its name, you might get a special combat bonus with it.
The other is your special ability. As you level up, and as you gain Spirit, you gain Chi levels, which dictate how well versed you are in your superhuman ability. For example, if you start off with Water and Qinggong, you will only be able to jump higher than the average human being. Later, though, as you cultivate your Chi, you will be able to levitate and defy gravity.
Skills
On your quest, you will meet many people. Skills can help you get along with them or help them. The skills are:
Equestrian: Ability to ride a horse in an expert fashion.
Herbal: Ability to create medicines and poison.
Craftsmanship: Ability to create and fix metal objects
Carpentry: Ability to create and fix wood and bamboo objects
Soothsaying: Ability to foresee enemy encounters
Stealth: Ability to move around unseen and sneak up behind others
Theft: Ability to pickpocket and steal objects
Persuasion: Ability to haggle and sway otherâs opinions
Subterfuge: Ability to bluff and deceive others
Art of War: Ability to identify and target weaknesses
Sabotage: Ability to destroy objects
As you can see, some are more physical and some are psychological. You can only have one skill, so choose wisely.
Fighting Styles
Now here's where it gets interesting. There are different schools of fighting, each with their own advantages. There are nine to choose from.
Snake: Focuses on rapid, precise attacks. Masters are capable of hitting multiple times in the time it would take an ordinary man to raise his fist.
Crane: Focuses on countering attacks. Crane masters win by utilizing the opponent's strength and imbalance when they attack.
Mantis: Focuses on defense, followed by a quick strike to a vital point.
Tiger: Focuses on knocking down opponents and immobilizing them with fierce attacks.
Monkey: Focuses on acrobatic dodging and evasion.
Drunken: Focuses on survival by being capable of absorbing damage and dealing plenty of their own.
Wrestling: Focuses on grappling opponents and immobilizing them.
Eight Trigram: Focuses on stability, evasion, and exploiting enemy weaknesses.
Eight Extremes: Focuses on short, explosive attacks.
Weapons coming up!
