"A long time ago, in ancient China, an evil general named Dragon Fist overthrew the old emperor in a coup and became the new ruler. Under his rule he created an oppressive regime, stamping out rebellion and consolidating his empire. Under the order of the Jade Emperor, several spirits were incarnated among men to restore peace to the land."
This is a new RPG I am starting with a completely different "game engine." Based on the wuxia genre of books and movies (think Hong Kong kung fu flicks), players will be able to choose from 3 classes, 5 elements (will be explained later), 11 skills, 9 fighting styles, and 12 weapons.
Most RPGs here borrow game mechanics from Sonny or Monsters Den, which is fine, but has the downside of becoming overly predictable. To address this, I have developed a system of combat utilizing playing cards. I'd like to demonstrate this system first before starting the game.
In this demonstration, I'll use the Brawl fighting style, which is the basic fighting style that thugs, soldiers, and those unversed in martial arts will use. We have two soldiers with 2 health, and basic attacks that deal 1 damage.
Each soldier has a deck of poker cards representing their moves. Number cards (2-10) represent their basic attacks, face cards their special moves, and aces their ultimate move. As you level up in this RPG, you will have the freedom to choose or even develop your own moves based on your fighting style, and build up your deck.
Now in order to deal damage to the opponent, one side must win a "bout" of 5 draws. To demonstrate this:
1st draw: Soldier #1 drew an 8. Soldier #2 drew a 4. Soldier #1 wins the draw. 2nd draw: Soldier #1 drew a 3. Soldier #2 drew a 6. Soldier #2 wins the draw. 3rd draw: Soldier #1 drew an 8. Soldier #2 drew an 8. Neither of them wins the draw. 4th draw: Soldier #1 drew a K. Soldier #2 drew a J. Soldier #1 wins the draw. 5th draw: Soldier #1 drew an Ace. Soldier #2 drew a 10. Soldier #1 wins the draw.
In this bout, Soldier #1 won the majority of draws, therefore, they get to deal damage. I choose the highest draw to become the damage dealer, which in this case is the Ace. In the Brawl fighting style, the Ace attack is the Strangle, which we'll say deals 2 damage in this case. Soldier #1 deals 2 damage to Soldier #2 and wins.
However, I will not reveal draws like this; instead, I will narrate them in a more active style. I might narrate this fight like this:
The two soldiers face each other, ready to battle to the death. Soldier #2 charges and attempts to throw a punch, but Soldier #1 side steps the attack, grabbing him by the throat and strangling him. The attack is fatal. Soldier #1 wins!
It might be a little complicated at first, but I have tested it thoroughly to make sure it works.
Name: Gathering Storm Level 5 Monk Experience: 30/300 Element: Earth Skill: Soothsaying Fighting Style: Crane Weapon: Wind and Fire Wheels Inventory: 75 Taels, Bread, White Crane Manual, Nei Jin Manual, Antidote Attributes : [4] Body, [6] Mind, [10] Spirit Chi Level 6: All pressure points protected, withstand moderate poison, ability to go into Invincibility Mode
We can't have come this far to not find the rest of the fighting force. We will carefully continue searching for both the Renzhe and the main force before returning to the Monastery.
BladeBreaker Level 4 Fighter Experience: 82/250 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [8], Mind [5], Spirit [5] Inventory: 60 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual, Tiger's Tooth, Silver Needles, Gold Ring Chi Level 3: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain, to stop a wound from bleeding, or to blind an opponent Status: Wounded
I'm also sorry for the mixup that happened. CloudHill, yours is on page 11. I must also remind you to copy and paste your stats with every post you do.
Bluydee, I'm sorry for the mixup. I will allow you to go along with the choice that CloudHill made for you, or to choose a different choice on page 13. I must also trouble you to not just put the letter of the choice you're taking, but also to put the choice. It saves me backtracking and confusion if you do so. Thanks, and I apologize for that.
Flame of the East Level 5 Fighter Experience: 250/300 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 230 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual, jade pendant, gourd of spring water Chi Level 6: You can punch through iron with your fist, enter Strength Mode. Attributes: Body [7], Mind [5], Spirit [5]
You head to the gardens and wait. Sure enough, you see Baboon using his Qinggong to float over with the sack. Underneath, Thunderleg runs over, when he sees you and stops.
"You! How did you survive my 36th Tang Kick?"
"Never mind that! Why do you want the book?"
"Even if you survive me, you will not survive Emperor Dragon Fist. We've been watching you!"
And at that he attacks. You're caught off-guard by the sudden attack, and he knocks you back. You manage to land on your feet and ready your Snake style. He uses his kicks, but you have already figured them out. Blocking them, you suddenly realize the secret of the Snake's ultimate move, Serpent Fury, and you unleash it, striking Thunderleg again and again. He staggers back, but somehow manages to get up.
"An excellent move. Unfortunately for you, I have honed my Nei Jin for a long time. Now you will feel the wrath of my Invincibility!"
He taps into his Chi and reaches invincibility mode. Now he presses in the attack, forcing you back. You realize that as long as he is tapping into his Chi, you cannot damage him. But his weakness...
"Run!" you shout to Baboon, and the two of you split up, running through the garden. Thunderleg chooses to chase after you, yelling. Normally he is faster than you, but his concentration of his Chi towards invincibility slows him down. You run down the path, until you reach a pavilion. You wait until he is under the pavilion, and then you focus your Chi into a single kick that brings the whole pavilion crashing down on him.
Although he may be invincible, the impact is still powerful enough to knock him down. You pull him out and then punch him, knocking him down and damaging him. Baboon arrives to hold him down.
"Where are the assassins? Tell me!"
Thunderleg coughs feebly. "The assassin's lair is at--"
A dart flies through the air and hits him in the neck. The poison kills him instantly, and you turn to see a woman float and touch down on the ground. Beautiful but deadly."
"You are skilled, I see...but the secrets of the assassin will not be revealed so easily. Dragon Fist and his army are going to overrun the monastery, and the most elite assassins, the Renzhe, are accompanying them. You and your friends will not survive."
A) Fight the woman and see if you can coax the location of the assassin's lair out of her B) Get back to the monastery as quickly as you can C) Run away D) Other
Name: Gathering Storm Level 5 Monk Experience: 30/300 Element: Earth Skill: Soothsaying Fighting Style: Crane Weapon: Wind and Fire Wheels Inventory: 75 Taels, Bread, White Crane Manual, Nei Jin Manual, Antidote Attributes : [4] Body, [6] Mind, [10] Spirit Chi Level 6: All pressure points protected, withstand moderate poison, ability to go into Invincibility Mode
Sneaking through the forest, you start to hear a large rumbling sound approaching. Quickly you and your comrades climb trees, and underneath you rumbles a large army with a dragon flag...Dragon Fist. The soldiers wear black and silver armor, armed with a variety of weapons. As they rumble on, you see from a distance a man whose Chi is so strong you can feel it. He commands authority, strength, ruthlessness...there is no question that this is Dragon Fist. Suddenly you see the Renzhe float through the air, landing neatly next to the Emperor and bowing. You count 45 in all...there must have been 50 originally. They seem to be reporting to the Emperor what has happened. At this point, you also see a detachment of soldiers running to the army and bowing in front of Dragon Fist.
The whole army stops and looks at the runaways. The captain comes up.
"The Emperor, my Lord. We were pushed back by the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh. We held for as long as we could, but in the end they overran us. We are the only survivors."
Dragon Fist dismounts, pacing. "When I said hold the fort until the last man...I did not mean for a detachment of twenty soldiers to come running back."
"My lord, as the ancients have said, only a man who lives can exact revenge."
"My servant is wise indeed. What did the ancients say about discipline?"
"My lord...I do not remember."
"The soldier who disobeys his general..."
Suddenly in a flash of smoke, Dragon Fist pulls out a sword from no where. This is no ordinary sword; it is enormous and wavy, like an undulating dragon. The end is not a single point but a series of claws. This is the famed Black Dragon, Dragon Fist's sword. Without warning he lunges forth, demonstrating a very powerful type of kung fu that seems to combine all the styles and decimating all twenty retreaters.
"...is not worthy of a pile of horse dung."
With some sleight of hand his sword seems to disappear, and he mounts his horse again. The army continues to march on, and they leave the place in a surprisingly quick amount of time.
A) Follow behind the army at a safe distance. B) Return to the monastery. C) Go to warn the outlaws. D) Other
Flame of the East Level 5 Fighter Experience: 250/300 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 230 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual, jade pendant, gourd of spring water Chi Level 6: You can punch through iron with your fist, enter Strength Mode. Attributes: Body [7], Mind [5], Spirit [5]
Revenge!!! Best served awsome! B) Get back to the monastery and warn them of the danger.
Name: Gathering Storm Level 5 Monk Experience: 30/300 Element: Earth Skill: Soothsaying Fighting Style: Crane Weapon: Wind and Fire Wheels Inventory: 75 Taels, Bread, White Crane Manual, Nei Jin Manual, Antidote Attributes : [4] Body, [6] Mind, [10] Spirit Chi Level 6: All pressure points protected, withstand moderate poison, ability to go into Invincibility Mode
As I have not yet gathered any relevant intelligence, nor anything that would aid either the outlaws or the Monastery, I choose to continue following the army.
Flame of the East Level 5 Fighter Experience: 250/300 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 230 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual, jade pendant, gourd of spring water Chi Level 6: You can punch through iron with your fist, enter Strength Mode. Attributes: Body [7], Mind [5], Spirit [5]
("Revenge is a dish best served awesome." LOL.)
You turn around to go away, but she somersaults over your head and strikes a pose.
"You already know too much. You cannot live any longer!"
Saying that, she charges at you and the two of you battle. She has a very acrobatic yet direct style, but you manage to block each of these moves. You notice, then, that she has a tendency to shift off balance in her punches, so you counter by grabbing her arm and kicking her leg, causing her to fall. She quickly recovers, but knowing her weakness you gain the upper hand. She jumps back and makes an odd signal, and then suddenly Baboon kicks you in the back. A traitor! You try to fight them both off, but in the ensuing encounter you are knocked out.
You wake up tied to a bed in some building...there's a lot of commotion underneath. It almost sounds like a restaurant. Then you realize this must be the lair of the assassins. There's no one here. Why they chose to keep you alive instead of killing on the spot, no one knows. Suddenly, you see Baboon coming towards you quietly with a knife. Uh-oh.
A) Shift to your side and overturn the bed. B) Close your eyes and grit your teeth quietly, this is the end. C) Yell at Baboon for being a traitor. D) Other
Name: Silent Step Level 3 Rogue Experience: 55/200 Element: Wood Skill: Sabotage Fighting Style: Drunken Weapon: Emei Piercers Inventory: 130 taels, bread, 9 rocks, Anqi manual, Drunken manual Attributes: [3] Body, [5] Mind, [5] Spirit Chi Level 3: Able to throw a rock accurately and stealthily, able to throw darts
You pick up a rock and hit the fish, causing it to halt momentarily. The snake catches up and, with the fish in its jaws, swims up to shore and consumes the fish. Suddenly, an eagle comes out from the snake and snatches up the snake, which is too slow to react. This must be an omen of some sort...
You continue down the road, when suddenly you see a flash of metal miss you by mere inches and impact a tree to the left of you with a thump. It is a throwing knife. Suddenly the source of the knife jumps from the trees, but you dodge and roll out of the way.
"Who are you?"
"I am the assassin Poison Eagle! Prepare to meet your doom, Silent Step!"
And with that he charges at you with his Eagle style. You dodge his attack and then grab his legs, tossing him over your shoulder. He hits the ground hard, but kips up immediately.
"How do you know me?!" you cry, but instinctively you know the answer. He reaches into a sack and pulls out a bloody head, Sonic's head.
"He was no match for me," spits Poison Eagle, tossing the head aside, "He told me everything about you and your friends' quests. Already my fellow assassins are hunting them down." Then he attacks again.
He attacks more ferociously this time, jumping and then diving towards you, hitting your stomach. You absorb the blow, and follow up with several hits of your own, which he is forced to dodge. He follows up with a painful grapple to your shoulder and a sudden jerk that flips you to the ground. You roll away, slightly wounded, but your natural flexibility in Drunken style saves you.
You see him reach into his robes and quickly you fall to the ground. The throwing knives whoosh past your head, embedding into the tree. You get up again, and this time you gain the upper hand, chaining a number of maneuvers into a series of powerful hits. Pulling out a throwing knife from the tree, you toss it at him, hitting him in the stomach, and he crumples to the ground. He's still not dead, perhaps he can give you some information?
A) Interrogate him B) Walk away and find some place to treat your wounds C) Finish him off on the spot D) Other
Flame of the East Level 5 Fighter Experience: 250/300 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 230 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual, jade pendant, gourd of spring water Chi Level 6: You can punch through iron with your fist, enter Strength Mode. Attributes: Body [7], Mind [5], Spirit [5]
[Parsat that's a story fail I know he's going to cut me loose...s*** now you're going to make it so he's not]
Name: Gathering Storm Level 6 Monk Experience: 0/350 Element: Earth Skill: Soothsaying Fighting Style: Crane Weapon: Wind and Fire Wheels Inventory: 75 Taels, Bread, White Crane Manual, Nei Jin Manual, Antidote Attributes : [4] Body, [6] Mind, [11] Spirit Chi Level 6: All pressure points protected, withstand moderate poison, ability to go into Invincibility Mode
You follow safely behind the army, using the dust they create and the forest as cover. Suddenly you hear them stop and you shimmy up a tree. You see that the monastery is fully garrisoned up, and that the outlaws have taken a strategic position on a hill across the monastery. Tactically Dragon Fist is at a heavy disadvantage. Suddenly, you hear a large shout from inside the monastery, and Dragon Fist's army charges up the hill in a pincer movement to engage the outlaws. You realize that the Renzhe have probably breached the walls of the Monastery, distracting the defenders.
Quickly you run back to the monastery through the secret door, where the Renzhe are already wreaking havoc. Several monks are already slain, but they are outnumbered and the stalwarts inside are putting up a stiff fight. Pulling out your Wind and Fire Wheels, you charge into the battle from the rear. A Renzhe manages to lasso you with his cord, but Perseverance quickly cuts it and you dispatch the disarmed Renzhe easily. Whirling through you slice another Renzhe down, but another manages to cut you badly. You toss it at him and he dodges it, but it embeds itself in another Renzhe's head. The Renzhe is promptly stabbed by Perseverance.
After a few moments, the Renzhe are all defeated, killed or wounded. You defeated three Renzhe and gained 90 exp. from each, levelling up and with two attribute points to spend. From the walls you can see the battle against the outlaws raging ahead.
A) Go to your quarters to meditate for a while. B) Go to your quarters to focus your chi. C) Conduct a soothsaying session. D) Take some herbs from the herb storage. E) Help fix the defenses. F) Go out to help the outlaws.
