Sanity not included
This looks interesting.
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Nice concept, but I feel that you gave little information about the setting (yes, I know humanity has dug caves and now lives underground like dwarves, but how exactly do their societies work?) and about how magic is learnable (taught on schools? Condensed in old spellbooks sold on creepy looking stores? A part of everyone and thus can be used by anyone at anytime?) and what they need to use it.
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
I honestly didn't figure it was important enough to mention, but... Regarding human society, they're very scattered and very paranoid (they'll kill anyone they think is Afflicted for starters). The Dark Arts was previously deemed "the devil's work" so most practitioners before were witches and warlocks. Magic is considered really evil, and even though they use Humonculi & Golems to save themselves humanity on average sees them as "godless creations". I suppose the only people who can perform the Dark Arts are those with demonic heritage, and to work any spell they just need to perform a chant & ritual befitting it. So in short its very much like Rule Magic with a splash of Alchemy and Device Magic with a Necromancy/Black Magic/Blood Magic basis.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
The Fantabulous
What kind of powers can Golems/Humonculi possess?
EDIT: Also, would they have different naming conventions? What would their living conditions be like?
edited 6th Sep '14 8:29:21 PM by Lt.BGob
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
Any sort of power, though Golems frequently have powers derived from their physical structure (like super strength or regeneration) than something external like telekinesis or teleportation. Regarding naming conventions, there really is none and since they're made to be slaughterers only they're viewed little more than tools. However they lack the needs that humans have, and are pretty much a slave race. Though they're frequently being sent out to cull the aboveground of Afflicted, so many get to live amongst mankind's ruins than have to be cooped up underground.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
The Fantabulous
Ok, do they have any physical needs? What keeps them from rebelling against their human masters?
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
Not really, the only thing they have to worry about is not dying/falling apart. They're also either made in servitude to humanity or shown that rebelling isn't in their best interests. More benevolent masters would reward their servitude or treat them like people.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
The Fantabulous
Cool, just wasn't sure how human-like the homunculi would be and such. Sorry for the storm of questions, I think I'll try making up a character sheet later.
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
I honestly love questions, it lets me know people actually like my projects. Besides that, for those interested in Sin Myopia would you care to see sheets for the Demon Lord's five generals?
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
Sanity not included
Yes.
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Do Homunculi and Golems have personalities of their own, or are they merely puppets? About humans, just how rare is it to have one born with magical ability?
The Fantabulous
Would love to see some sheets, Demonic or otherwise.
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
They do indeed have personalities of their own, as anything that lives automatically has a soul. Regarding rareness, common enough that at least one person in a settlement can but not just any random schmuck can. I still have to finish the five generals' backstories (I come up projects very easily), but here's a rundown on them: The first is a former human who most resembles a demon (her powers involve Space such as teleporting and telekinesis), the second is more or less a tengu swordsman who primarily uses his skills & natural abilities, the third is a feline who is also the resident spellcaster (also capable of taking on human form), the fourth is a draconian orgeish thing who is a magic knight, and the fifth is a vampire/succubus thing who feigns humanity before eliminating her vitcims with Darkness Magic.
Though while I do need to work on their backstories, I sort of don't want to put in the effort if nobody is making applications. So anything else specific you guys need to know before making your applications?
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
The Fantabulous
Any common traits to humonculi/golems/afficted?
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
Sanity not included
How fast can magic be used? Like, are people able to use it to defend themselves on the spot (as long as they're willing to prick a finger or whatever for the "sacrifice" part), or is it the type of thing where you need elaborate rituals for everything?
edited 7th Sep '14 3:43:13 PM by Dragon573
It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
The Prince of Foolish Relevations
It depends on the type/power/complexity of the spell, and all powerful spells (such as casting plagues, causing mass destruction or making life) need an elaborate ritual. Weaker spells just need a chant (like "By the power of blood, begone!") and stronger ones would require some sort of focus as well. Though part of the reason for rituals is to focus the magical energy, as otherwise part of it'll just escape into the aether resulting in a weaker or malformed spell.
Regarding common traits... All Afflicted are to some extent the realization of their darkness, so only cannibals or likewise get zombie-like changes and so on. Even when an Afflicted hadn't been harboring evil desires, the transformation is painful enough to drive one into destructive madness. Though, their transformations never include their mask or persona into the mix.
Besides instinctively having a soul, Humonculi tend to gravitate towards emulating humans (due to being made from people) if they're humanoid enough while Golems are more self-contained entities (due to the lack of [living] organic matter sans the occasional Plant Golem). Though powerwise, nothing really stands out as common. They're frequently outfitted with abilities that would be beneficial to survival, and generally have rather direct destructive powers than anything that inherently requires planning or waiting. Though it all depends on what their creator wants so...
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."
The Fantabulous
Awesome - I'll try and have my sheet up by tonight, I'm just trying to finish off an assignment at the moment. I have a character in mind, though.
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
I'm interested, but I'll wait till tomorrow to actually post a sheet.
Forward, boys! For God's sake, forward!
The Fantabulous
Whoops, sorry - I just got a bit swaped with uni the last few days. I'll put up a sheet today if this is still on...
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
In the waking morn of long ago, a shadow crossed the land. From this darkness came disease, and from disease came horrors. What once were men, were now demons seeking destruction. What once were beasts, were now hellish creatures of death. Transformed by this shadow, they turned their sights to man. Driven to the ground below, man had to go even lower. Casting aside their morals, they engaged in the darkest of acts. Crafting monsters of their own, they enslaved decay. Made with one purpose, they will fight the monsters above...
The lyrics should of quickly summed up the setting and plot, but to elaborate: Several years ago (twenty) a Demon Lord unleashed a mutagenic airborne plague on the land (vaguely medieval but not this universe) that realized the darkness of those afflicted by transforming them into forms befitting (such as cannibals becoming zombie-like creatures as an overly simplified example). In response, humanity had to seal themselves and learn magic (known as the Dark Arts since its all powered by killing). Murdering criminals, undesirables, those they couldn't support and the monsters above, the flesh & souls of the sacrificed would then be used to create Humonculi (artificial organic entities) and Golems (magically bound constructs) since they would be immune to the demon's plague. While you can play a human, it is impossible to cure the afflicted. You can still play as your character even if they become afflicted and transform however.
Some more detail on magic: For humans, to perform any kind of spell they need to sacrifice something that once lived. This can be as minor as a drop of blood or some fingernail, to entire limbs or whole bodies. Stronger spells requires greater and more numerous sacrifices, with spellcasting typically involving runes & rituals. Humonculi and Golems can possess powers inherently, but cannot grow stronger (they can wield magical items however). The Afflicted gain powers befitting their inner darkness, and can learn the Dark Arts (assuming they're stable or intelligent enough). The only true magic users however is the Demon Lord and his five generals (each one of the Afflicted).
- Name:
- Race: (Human, Humonculi, Golem or Afflicted)
- Appearance: (The Afflicted can in all sorts of forms even for those with similar darkness)
- Inventory: (Whatever you can justify)
- Abilities & Skills: (Abilities means special powers, while Skills means anything learned including mastery of the Dark Arts)
- Backstory: (Elaborate on everything else not mentioned, and here's the general timeline of events: The plague happens, the Afflicted start transforming, humanity is driven underground, they turn to the Dark Arts, and start making Humonculi & Golems [or enslaving Afflicted] to kill the monsters above)
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."