"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.
Level 2 Fighter Experience: 82/150 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [5], Mind [1], Spirit [3] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
Kewl. I would like to continue on my way (traveling by foot)
Level 2 Fighter Experience: 82/150 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [5], Mind [1], Spirit [3] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
You exit the tavern, thanking the owner. The path leads into a forest. As the afternoon sun starts to become hot, you manage to find a shaded spring of cool water, where you stop to rest and refresh yourself. Suddenly, you hear a cry of terror and a roar in the depths of the forest! What will you do?
A) Move towards the source of the noise, which is away from the path. B) Stay where you are. C) Continue down the path and away from the noise.
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [2], Spirit [4] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
You make your way through the shrubbery until you reach a clearing and see the source of the noise: A positively monstrous bear towering over a young man. The man's arm appears to be bleeding heavily, and an ax lies useless on the ground.
Quickly you spring forth to help him, whipping out your hook swords and sinking them into the bear's back. The bear whips around and roars at you, lunging for you now. Thankfully, you sidestep his attack. You try to cut him as he races past, but it does not pierce his skin. He tries to bat you away with his paw, but you dive roll to the side. Hooking your swords together, you try to hit him again but the bear bats them down to the ground.
Now your weapons are gone, but you feel the power of the tiger surge through your veins. Nimbly you dodge the bear's paw, then you hit the bear's pressure point in its elbow, causing it much pain. You follow that up with a stunning combo: a Tiger Swipe, a High Kick, and then an Iron Tail Sweep. The attack knocks the bear to the ground, unconscious. Quickly you pick up your hook swords and impale its head, dashing out its brains and killing it.
For killing the bear, you receive 200 experience, and you leveled up! You get two attribute points to spend.
The young man is unconscious and bleeding. You hit a pressure point and stop the bleeding, but he is still wounded. Do you:
A) Leave him there B) Take him to the spring C) Take him to the tavern D) Take him down the path and hope someone is there.
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [2], Spirit [4] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
D) Take him down the path and hope someone is there
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [2], Spirit [4] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
Remember to spend your attribute points.
You walk down the path, carrying him on your back. As you go down, you find a fenced cottage. A woman is tending to her chickens outside; when she sees you, she runs to you!
"Lao Zhang!" she cries, pointing to the man you're holding. "What happened?"
"He was attacked by a bear. I managed to rescue your husband."
She lays her husband, Zhang the woodcutter, on a bed, bandaging his wounds. "Where are you from, kind stranger?"
"I'm from Jiangshan. I've been sent to deliver a message to the Lotus Monastery."
"I have a brother there who makes clothes and armor. If you stay around for supper, I might tell you how to reach him."
Do you:
A) Stay for supper at their home? B) Continue down the path?
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [3], Spirit [5] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [3], Spirit [5] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual, Letter, Tiger's Tooth, Silver Needles Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
You stay for supper.
"Ever since the evil came, we have been living rather poorly. I hope you will not think badly of our simple living."
"Not at all."
"My brother owns a shop just outside the monastery selling clothes and armor. I want you to take this."
She holds up what appears to be a tooth. "This is the Tiger's Tooth. If you have this with you, you will be recognized as an ally of the cause. I also want you to bring this letter to him."
She hands you a letter.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, so I should give you something. Here..."
She goes off and takes a small, red wooden box. She opens it to reveal...a set of acupuncture needles.
"I see that you are a master of Dian Xue. In that case, you'll probably have more use of these needles than I would. These needles are made with silver, and I had the monks at the Lotus Monastery imbue them with special healing power. Use this in your quest."
You thank her and part just as the sun is about to set. You keep walking, and the trip is uneventful. It is dark now, and you have two choices.
A) Keep walking down the path through the night. B) Take refuge in the old deserted temple you see off the side of the road.
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [3], Spirit [5] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual, Letter, Tiger's Tooth, Silver Needles Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
A) Keep walking down the path through the night.
I know writing a storyline can be hard, but can you offer more choices?
Ah wtfruit!!! O gp to sleep for one night and all this happens o_0.
Flame of the East Level 2 Fighter Experience: 2/150 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Attributes: Body [4], Mind [2], Spirit [3]
C) Walk the way to the Lotus Temple (this maybe a bit late :P)
Flame of the East Level 2 Fighter Experience: 2/150 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 100 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual Attributes: Body [4], Mind [2], Spirit [3]
Just as you are about to leave, the abbot stops you. "Wait! Let me give you something." He hands you two books. "This is a book with the secret arts of the Snake style, and this one is a manual on the deadly art of Fa Jin. If you have time, you can read them and learn new and powerful moves."
You also walk down the road, and as the day starts to end, you reach a tavern.
"Welcome," the owner of the tavern welcomes you with a small dish of stir-fried peanuts. You have a few options here:
A) You can purchase a room to rest for the night at a cost of 20 taels. Resting will cure any special conditions you have (poison, wounds, etc.), grant you a small amount of experience, and perhaps even a free item from the kindly tavern owner. B) You can train through the night in their courtyard to gain experience. C) You can read the books that the abbot gave you and learn new moves. D) You can buy some herbs, food, or wine from the tavern owner. E) You can do any combination of A-D. F) You can leave the tavern and continue in the night. It will lessen your journey by a day at the increased risk of running into bandits and wild beasts.
BladeBreaker Level 3 Fighter Experience: 132/200 Element: Metal Skill: Craftsmanship Fighting Style: Tiger Weapon: Hook Swords Attributes: Body [6], Mind [3], Spirit [5] Inventory: 120 Taels, Bread, Tiger Manual, Dian Xue Manual, Letter, Tiger's Tooth, Silver Needles Chi Level 2: Can hit pressure point for momentary pain or to stop a wound from bleeding
(I'll try my best at the storyline; some parts are naturally going to have less action than others.)
You travel in the dark. Luckily, the moon is bright, and you can see the way. Suddenly the path stops at a large chasm. The remnants of a rope bridge can be seen dangling from the other side. The chasm is too large to jump over. There seems to be a hut to the east on your side that appears to be inhabited; there's a thin trail of smoke coming out of its chimney. You have a few options here:
A) Go to the hut and ask for help. Remember that you don't know whether they're friendly or whether they're foe. B) Go back to the temple ruins you passed by and see if you can get something to help. C) Go into the forest and hope you find another bridge further down. D) Take refuge on a tree top and rest there for the night.
Flame of the East Level 2 Fighter Experience: 2/150 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 100 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual Attributes: Body [4], Mind [2], Spirit [3]
E) Read the books given and practice any new moves in the courtyard.
Flame of the East Level 2 Fighter Experience: 52/150 Element: Fire Skill: Art of War Fighting Style: Snake Weapon: Staff Inventory: 100 taels, bread, Snake manual, Fa Jin manual Chi Level 2: You can break two boards with your fist. Attributes: Body [4], Mind [2], Spirit [3]
In the tavern courtyard, you read the manuals you received. From reading the Snake manual, you learned a new move, Bamboo Viper Strike. From the Fa Jin manual, you gained a Chi Level, and now you are able to smash two boards with your fist. After reading, you train, and gain 50 exp.
At the crack of dawn you exit the tavern and continue down the path. As you walk, you find a tree with its bark stripped away. On the bark there appears to be a map. Checking the map, you see that there is a very small, dusty road that supposedly will get you to the Lotus Monastery quicker. What do you do?
A) Follow the existing path. B) Go up the small, dusty road. C) Go through the forest and not follow any path.
