The Story So Far (Read First)

[Arc]

Well, here's my synthesis for the plot of this RP. Volk and I are going to start trying to get this going, so here's where we're going with it. If the allusions and references dont click for you, I'll try to include links to the items, but you could also run a search on them too.

The name of the game here on out will be a little more focused to the following concept: A Martial Arts combat theme.

What I mean by that is this: the characters should be focused on different fighting schools and martial arts, or perhaps more arcane schools of war.

Enter my two favorite manga (since this IS a japanese/korean/chinese style game) Ruroni Kenshin, and Chronicles of the Cursed Sword.

Most of you should know about Kenshin. Its more or less about a crowd of friends and their part in a historical part of japanese culture. Kenshin fights against the mighty Shishio Mokoto for his friends and his country. The series goes much like a string of fights between certain individuals as they struggle to get to the top guy (shishio) and make him stop, no matter the cost.

Chronicles of the Cursed Sword is about a young man and a young king who are given arcane swords of power, one that absorbs energy from demeons and one that absorbs power from slain men. The premise of the series is that this Rey Yan must overcome the very weapon he has been given to wield so that it doesnt take over him first. Also, in Cursed Sword, theres a lot of magic and arcane power derived from the Heavens, the Underworld, and various Sages. The clash of titantic powers in the later parts of the series makes my spine tingle.

So what I would like to see is some of all of thes aspects. I'm going to try to put things in player perspective here in a moment.

The story should consist of various characters with extendable abilites (so that they can grow and arent all powerfull from the start) and pit some or all of these characters interests against one another. The players can forge aliances (especially if you dont want so much player versus player, in which case I'll provide some excellent bad guys to fight). Add in the opposite side of the story: the behind the scenes guys (as either playables or as NPCs) who plot and plan who fights who and how to get it to happen. And on top of all that, some characters (of lower general power) will receive Cursed Sword-esque Artifact swords to deal with. More In the next post on making characters.

[Arc]

Big Players: The Key NPCs or Groups
The Sorcerers of the Fourth Ages: Sorcerers of the days of yore, all of immense personal power and wealth, often controlling vast cities, fortifications, pavillions, or temples. These people date back to the Fourth Age, when the Empire was strong and shining.
The Empirial Line: The ghosts of the Imperial line, the very very few individuals actually descended from the Last Emperor. These individuals could be almost anyone int he current age, and are slowly bringing about plans to retake what was once theirs.
The Spirit Council: The Second of the Four Realms is ruled by this group. The Spirit Council is made up of the greatest and most powerful Kami and Gami in the Four Realms, but they serve no visible agenda. Their motives are as always mystifying. Only the Grand Sages might know of their intentions.
The Grand Sages of Gangantoshite: The most powerful mortals of the whole of Akashima, these people stay in the Grand Temple where they are content to teach those who can reach them and offer their service. They are the true rulers of the lands and only ever need interfere in massive, huge scale movements not even visible by most mortals. The Sages of the First Realm oversee events in the Mortal Realms and make sure that they go according to plan.
The Grand Sages of the Heavens: The Rulers of the Third Realm are the source of power for all "holy" and sacred rites and magics. They provide the inspiration for abilities such as Heaven Scroll and Forbidden Scriptures.
The Grand Sages of the Depths: The cruel rulers of the Fourth Realm are the epitome of evil and hate. They are the corrupters who create demons, oni, yasha, and akki. They also act as the patrons for the workers of Dark Arts, providing the source of power for Taint and Blood Magic.

So here are the basic achetypes to play in this particular game:

• Type A: A hero (or antihero) who has an enemy who is somehow entangled with one of the Big Players (For those interested in the fighting aspect, and also more immediate character interaction)
  
• Type B: A hero of less starting Skill, participating (by choice or by force) in a program by one of the Big Players to stop the others using an Artifact weapon (For those interested in Plot and Fighting)
  
• Type C: A more powerful Sorcerer, Sage, or Spirit who DOES NOT interfere Physically with the Type A or B players UNLESS actually provoked. (This character Type is more plot and maneuvering than actuall fighting.)