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Multi-Paragraph Freefrom RP (Fantasy Signup/Initial Discussion)

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Mao What? Since: May, 2011
What?
#1: Jun 27th 2011 at 10:18:27 AM

This RP is a general area for which anyone interested can post ideas for creating an environment and perhaps a plot to tie us together. The setting will be fantasy in nature but within that parameter anything can be discussed and chosen. Please remember though that this is for anyone interested in DESCRIPTIVE, MULTI-PARAGRAPH roleplaying. I myself am prepared for several different genres of roleplay, so if others hold an interest in this then I will express my wishes.

What I need from anyone interested-

Setting:

  • Do you want this be High or Low Fantasy? To clarify High Fantasy means a world that works in a way different to our own, while Low Fantasy means a world that works the same way as it would for us. This is commonly associated with if or if not magic, monsters, and the like actually exist in the setting.
  • What Genre(s), if any, would you like be a part of the Fantasy of this RP? Examples include Romance, Horror, Mystery, e.t.c.
  • What do you want the starting point to be located? Examples include Small town market place, Forest glade, Battlefield, e.t.c

Character:

  • Name: Self Explanitory
  • Race/Species: can be anything to your hearts desire
  • Age: simple and understandable
  • Appearance: What your character looks like. Please give at least a paragraph in description.
  • Personality: What kind of character is s/he? Give at least a paragraph in mannerism, quirks, e.t.c
  • History: What your character has been through. 2-3 paragraphs would be appreciated, but a general overview is requested
  • Clothing/Armor: What the character is wearing. This overlaps with Appearance, but is here to prevent confusion if combat becomes involved.
  • Abilities: General List of Powers, Techniques, and/or Abilities of your characters. Please explain each ability, in bullet format, in detail so that even those unfamiliar in its intent and power can understand

"To fan the flames of war is to burn the land away"
Moerin (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2: Jun 27th 2011 at 10:36:16 AM

Ooh... Um, I like this idea a lot, to be honest, although I'll have to somehow unclog the rust from the gears a little bit, as I haven't done multi-paragraph R Ping for a while now. >.> But still, uh... Hmmm... Yeah, I think I'll try to give this a shot, ahah~

As for setting... I'd probably be fine with anything, but I'd personally favour a low fantasy, somewhat comedic (or at least slightly tongue in cheek) kind of thing (along the lines of Slayers, or early Discworld, I guess). Probably starting off in a town or something, but, uh, the starting point is a little less important to me.

Anyways, guess I'd better get to work on drumming up a character, ahah~

KarlKadaver Stupid Man Suit Wearer from Just offscreen... Since: Apr, 2011
Stupid Man Suit Wearer
#3: Jun 27th 2011 at 1:06:34 PM

I've added this to my watchlist. I'll try to create a character in the meantime and come up with some ideas.

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
eX 94. Grandmaster of Shark Since: Jan, 2001
94. Grandmaster of Shark
#4: Jun 27th 2011 at 1:59:44 PM

I did so as well.

KarlKadaver Stupid Man Suit Wearer from Just offscreen... Since: Apr, 2011
Stupid Man Suit Wearer
#5: Jun 27th 2011 at 8:14:36 PM

[Deleted]

edited 1st Jul '11 11:08:22 AM by KarlKadaver

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
Alhazred23 Since: Jun, 2011
#6: Jun 27th 2011 at 9:44:04 PM

Hello!evil grin
I think i'd like to see what sort of setting everyone decides on before putting together a character (the better to be 'in theme'), but in terms of genres i'd be interested in playing... maybe something adventurous? Plunging into the unknown can be fun and flexible, whether it be an epic 'age of exploration' type setting or dark mysteries in an urban environment twisted by the uncanny. I also like weird or unique magic/technology/belief systems or fundamental setting conceits; crunchy stuff that may change the way things are done in both grand and subtle ways. I might be in the minority there. =_=;

In terms of 'realism' level, either high fantasy or low fantasy is fine with me, though other genre elements might favor one more than the other. For the most part, i'd be happy as long as the setting we end up with feels 'solid' and holds together pretty well under its own internal logic - and aren't Slayers and Diskworld 'High Fantasy?' O_o;

For starting locations... well, for disparate parties without a personal history with each other, i think 'in transit' is a traditional choice; whether they are on the run for something or other or just leaving home for the first time, chance meetings when going from one place to another are a good way to railroa- er... encourage characters that wouldn't normally associate with each other to interact.

Any of this sound interesting to anyone else?

H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
KiriAme Thom Raiwhat? Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
Thom Raiwhat?
#7: Jun 27th 2011 at 10:35:07 PM

Hmm... this intrigues me.

I won't create a character until I know more about the setting, but I think a quirky fairytale-inspired setting would be kind of cool. That way we could have fun with creating folklore and stuff ^_^

But I'll go along with anything, really.

edited 27th Jun '11 10:35:29 PM by KiriAme

Anyway here's Blackwall
Moerin (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#8: Jun 27th 2011 at 11:37:58 PM

[up][up]Discworld is most definitely low fantasy (one look at Ankh-Morpork is all you need to tell that, really). Slayers... Is more of a Your Milage May Vary thing, but I see it as low. Possibly because I always saw high fantasy as tales of shining knights, noble kings and better-than-thou elves, whilst Slayers is about a group of borderline antiheroes led by a sorceress who can easily be tracked by the trail of collatoral damage she causes. >.> But I digress.

As for everything else you say, I like the sound of it. Weird magic/technology/belief systems are always things I enjoy (case in point, I'm playing in a D&D game as a paladin whose religion is based around the Valley Girl stereotype and enjoying it far more than I really should), so I'd be perfectly willing to run with it. And I'd be pushing for a good base of magitech and steampunk. Especially steampunk, as it is the best kind of punk.

...Well, other than the Dead Kennedys, anyways. >.> <.<

[up]I like that idea, to be honest. But then again, I love fairytales, so, uh. Although I tend to side more to the Grimm side of things, ahah. I like my fairytales dark and creepy, eheh~ Or at the very least, nice and black humoured~ But, uh, hmmm.

I'm... Also thinking that we should probably work out just the bare bones that we need to get started and making the rest up as we go along. Starting with just the smallest possible mark on a blank canvas we need to get started, and just building it up from there. I love worldbuilding, ahah~ There's just something about seeing everything fall into place that's so enjoyable~ Even though with me on the team it'll probably end up kinda weird, but that's possibly not too bad a thing, right? >.>

edited 27th Jun '11 11:41:08 PM by Moerin

KiriAme Thom Raiwhat? Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
Thom Raiwhat?
#9: Jun 27th 2011 at 11:46:52 PM

Hey, a weird fantasy world would be awesome! ...Or memorable, at the very least.

There can always be a micture of lighter and darker elements. I don't see any reason why we should stick entirely to one end of the scale.

A starting point for world-building, hmm? Well... How about a lake?

The lake might look perfectly normal by day, but when night falls tiny golden lights appear under the surface, spreading out from a point near the centre until they reach the water's edge.

...Or something like that. Eheh.

[up] Wait... Valley Girl paladin... Dear gods, that sounds amazing [lol]

edited 27th Jun '11 11:47:36 PM by KiriAme

Anyway here's Blackwall
DAcriznips Quaerat et Intelligere Veritatem from Titan's tower Since: Apr, 2011
Quaerat et Intelligere Veritatem
#10: Jun 28th 2011 at 12:32:56 AM

I might join so I'll keep watch on this thread to see how the setting for the world will turn out. I like the idea of High fantasy (floating islands, giant monsters, ect), but in some cases it can get complicated or blown out of proportion o_O. So maybe a watered down version of High fantasy with a magitech system that can be powered by magic crystals. Other than that I'm okay with anything.

Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing- Wernher von Braun Until proven otherwise, Everything is Relevant
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#11: Jun 28th 2011 at 1:12:12 AM

Posting interest. Will make a character and answer questions tomorrow.

KiriAme Thom Raiwhat? Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
Thom Raiwhat?
#12: Jun 28th 2011 at 2:07:20 AM

@ D Acriznips - Hmm, the magic crystals could be interesting. I was imagining having a sort of focus on the Fair Folk, but if there were both of these in the setting...

It could provide a good contrast. Wizardry vs Witchcraft or something.

EDIT - Since this is sort of sparking my imagination, I think I'll just jot down some of the random ideas I've brainstormed. Sorry if they're not particularly coherent at this point in time; it's basically just random junk that we might be able to use to build a world, not the finished product.

  • Maybe there could be some sort of conflict between humans and faeries? Like, faeries, hedgewitches etc. have one type of magic and ordinary humans having another (possibly involving the crystals that Acriznips mentioned), and there could be a sort of Harmony Versus Discipline debate going on.
  • There could be a faerie realm somewhat seperate from the human world, where natural laws don't work. This could be where hedgewitches and the various types of Fair Folk draw their power from, while most humans draw power from the crystals.
  • Crap, this all seems rather cliched so far... Sorry, guys. I'll try to come up with some better ideas...
  • Hedgewitches: that's basically the term I'm using for the moment to refer to humans who have (for whatever reason) been gifted with faerie powers. I'd see them as being outcasts among regular human society to a certain extent.
  • There could be an interesting contrast between the Magitek realm of the humans and the wilder, more confusing Faerie Realm. OK, so maybe I just like the idea of Harmony Versus Discipline in general.
  • ...Naiads. Naiads living in an underwater city where they plot to take over the world and make everyone else their mind slaves. That is all.
    • And an each uisge is somehow responsible. Because those things are FRIGGIN AWESOME.

edited 28th Jun '11 2:24:59 AM by KiriAme

Anyway here's Blackwall
KarlKadaver Stupid Man Suit Wearer from Just offscreen... Since: Apr, 2011
Stupid Man Suit Wearer
#13: Jun 28th 2011 at 6:17:41 AM

Just adding my two cents. Feel free to ignore it.sad

I once wrote a Low/Mid fantasy campaign for an RP. Here are the elements:
1) Magical creatures, like dragons, gargoyles, fey, demons, angels, etc. used to exist. They were nearly hunted to extinction by humans.
2) The magical creatures banded together and created their own civilization where they interbread with some humans who sypathised with their cause.
3) When the magical creatures left the land, the magic went with them. The most powerful human sorcerers are only capable of parlor tricks compared to what the magical creatures were capable of.
4) The RP itself focused around a power struggle between two warring kingdoms and the land of the magical creatures ("Nyla"). A rogue Nylan began spreading rumors that there existed a "power" that they could use to crush the other kingdom. He was counting on the humans attacking one another and wiping each other out, then he would find some way to have the winners attack Nyla and clean the rest up, thereby exterminating the humans altogether.

Like I said, just my two cents...

edited 28th Jun '11 6:18:32 AM by KarlKadaver

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
Mao What? Since: May, 2011
What?
#14: Jun 28th 2011 at 8:30:14 AM

After reading through all of your suggestions I have now narrowed down the setting, at least moderately as to keep the fun of vagueness for you all.

  • The setting will be mid-low fantasy. This can be changed by anyone but please make sure to be constrained in any alterations. This level essentially means that magic is slightly rare in this world, and the average peasant has never seen anything over the norm of a common boar in terms of monsters. Creatures such as angels, demons, and spirits of nature exist but are extremely recluse.
  • Theme for this RP will not truly decided upon, so let it be called GRIMDARK-STEAMPUNK-ROMANTIC-FAIRYTALE-FANTASY THINGY
  • Steampunk is in affect, but is still relatively unknown to the common folk. Firearms exist but only the wealthy or the peg legged have them in their possession. Anything of this sort is referred to as magic by the population, and are therefore weary of it.
  • The World (Unnamed until suggestions are given or place)is ruled by several empires, the country borders constantly changing because of war and agreements. These empires will be left open to description, but there will be at least one empire with a Fey theme, one of the Celestial nature, and one powered by the Netherworld.
  • Magic is beyond humans hands alone, but can be implemented with crystals containing the souls of the fallen. These are common but difficult to tell the difference between their purposes.
  • Religion is very scattered, and thus persecution is relatively low. Worshipping a blood god still doesn’t get you brownie points though

"To fan the flames of war is to burn the land away"
Alhazred23 Since: Jun, 2011
#15: Jun 28th 2011 at 8:35:21 AM

Hmm... (Edit: Ninja-ed by the GM! evil grin)

One of the freeform games i've played in the past has a lot of the elements that have been floated thus far. It was a setting that all of the players worked on collaboratively before the game actually started, so it was probably more detailed than what we seem to be shooting for, but to sum up the setting conceits, in terms of importance (to that setting as it was played):

Math is Magic: Complex mathematical formule and physical representations thereof had the ability to draw energy from a higher plane and shape it in specific ways. As such, mages tended to be scientist and mathematicians, as they were the ones best suited to holding those concepts in their minds or building them in the physical world in the form of machines that described the 'arcane perfections' with their complex clockwork revolutions.

Nature Likes Patterns: Mineral and biological formations with complex internal geometry could also sometimes tap into and shape magic, resulting in magic manifesting in the natural world. The most obvious example of this was floating 'islands' suspended in the air by giant crystal formations.

Magic is Dangerous: Creating magic through technology or the clever use of 'natural' magical objects and creatures was always safer, as sometimes demons from the higher planes would be drawn in along with the magic to possess mages who formed magic within their own minds. The effects of demonic possession were widely varied but always dire.

The World is Vast and Expanding: The techno-magic to create flying ships that weren't built around huge, mined crystal formations had only in the last few decades been refined to the point where such ships could be acquired by parties outside of the various national militaries and huge mercantile firms. This spurred an age of colonialism, exploration and piracy.

The World is Strangely Familiar - To A Point: We made a conscious effort to partially mirror the characters and histories of various real-world nations during their 'golden ages' when we created the nations of the world. That said, it was important to consider how the setting would have shaped the growth of such nations.

...and that was the basic setting we used for sort of techno-fantastical 'piracy on the high skies' scenario we cooked up, with a motley multi-national crew of rogues, a ship financed by a mysterious benefactor, and a Master of Arms mage who might have been possessed.

I'm not suggesting that we use all or even any of these elements, if they don't appeal, but i liked this setting very much. I'm also a fan of retro-tech elements like steampunk, though not everybody likes those. I think we may need to come to a very rough consensus with regard to races and the nature of magic/spirituality beforehand, though, as not doing so can be an easy way to create contradictory setting elements.

edited 28th Jun '11 8:42:12 AM by Alhazred23

H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
eX 94. Grandmaster of Shark Since: Jan, 2001
94. Grandmaster of Shark
#16: Jun 28th 2011 at 8:46:47 AM

^^

Sounds good, I actually prefer a low magic setting like you described to a full fledged, anything goes high fantasy one. More Tolkin than Xanth.

The way you describe the presence of steampunk and magic, I assume the situation is a little like industrialization in todays China: Only the citizens of the biggest cities have access to it, while the common country population might never seen it much less heard of the newest invention.

edited 28th Jun '11 8:47:14 AM by eX

Mao What? Since: May, 2011
What?
#17: Jun 28th 2011 at 8:52:32 AM

[up]essentially yes, only the wealthy have access to the magic crystal or the newest technologies. This extends into their armies, but not drastically as of yet. Guns are extremely difficult to create, and crystals are rarely made at all. So only generals, nobility, and the well connected own any of these.

edited 28th Jun '11 8:56:52 AM by Mao

"To fan the flames of war is to burn the land away"
DAcriznips Quaerat et Intelligere Veritatem from Titan's tower Since: Apr, 2011
Quaerat et Intelligere Veritatem
#18: Jun 28th 2011 at 9:47:13 AM

I thought that the crystals were going to be something akin to magical batteries to allow people without magical abilities to use magic with the aid of magitech. Also in order to be created those with the knowledge and ability to channel energy could charge certain crystals and the duration and/or strength of the magic would depend on the quality of the crystal. But then again if it was this way then magic would be very common and everyone would have all sorts of magitech weapons

Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing- Wernher von Braun Until proven otherwise, Everything is Relevant
Mao What? Since: May, 2011
What?
#19: Jun 28th 2011 at 9:49:13 AM

[up] which is bad evil grin well I'll leave the actual uses of the crystals open to interpretation, just so I don’t railroad people into my sense of thinking

"To fan the flames of war is to burn the land away"
daltar (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#20: Jun 28th 2011 at 10:02:34 AM

Hmm definitely interested.

I doubt the RP will end up using the space pirates format Alhazred mentioned, though it sounds very interesting to me...

The thing with magic being kind of rare sounds pretty good, a stuff of legends and tales... with monsters stalking in the dark forests, the whole world beyond the range of the villager's torches being their secret realm.

Moerin (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#21: Jun 28th 2011 at 10:48:38 AM

Hmmm... Just an idea, but if magic is as rare as it's starting to sound, it might make sense for humans to focus more on alchemy than other forms of magic. Basically, they put more effort into it, it takes longer and usually yeilds less impressive results (other than the occasional explosion), but it's easier for them to grasp. Humanities hat in a lot of fantasy seems to be their superior grasp on science and rationality, so it... Kind of makes sense, I guess?

Um... I'm not sure if that made any sense, but, uh, just an idea, is all. >.>

Mao What? Since: May, 2011
What?
#22: Jun 28th 2011 at 10:57:41 AM

well that is an interesting concept. How about this: Magic can be harnessed by use of alchemy, through soul crystals, or having common ancestry to a magical creature? Pure blooded humans being techno gurus, while the fairer folk having access to the older ways of getting things done. Is that savvy for you all?

"To fan the flames of war is to burn the land away"
Alhazred23 Since: Jun, 2011
#23: Jun 28th 2011 at 12:07:36 PM

The medium-magic/mixed-magic setting sounds interesting to me; enough magic that it's a 'strangeness walks among us, but we're getting used to it' situation for the humans, but not so much that the fantastical dominates every aspect of life. I sort of have a character idea forming, but... what sort group is this going to be? Focused on a Shared Goal? Thrown Together? Heroic? Anti-Heroic? Just Trying to Survive?

H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#24: Jun 28th 2011 at 12:12:45 PM

Ok, I'm going to try my hand with the ideas,

  • Magic is powered by your soul: When you use magic, you are literally burning away your soul. If you use to much, your soul will disappear. This does not, in fact, kill you, but instead takes away your sense of morality, in a sense turning you into a Complete Monster. People who have lost there soul also gain the ability to use other people's souls for there magic. In certain springs holy to the Gods scattered through out the land, you can rejuvenate your soul by drinking the water of the spring.
  • Gods are gone: There were once Gods that roamed the land, but most are gone, and no one knows where they went. They didn't die.
  • The world is on the inside of a hollow cylinder: The sun is at the center, and the world rotates around it. The world has very little gravitational pull, but the centripetal force keeps people on it. The sun turns on and off for night and day. It runs on magic, and feeds on the souls of all the inhabitants.
  • There are many species:
    • Humans: They are the simplest. They worship the sun, and sacrifice people and, with a specific ritual, send their soul to the sun. They have the greatest Diviners of all the races.
    • Elves: Elves were created by the Fair Folk as the caretakers of the forests when they left. However, they began to resent their jobs, and rejected all nature and most magic. They are the most technologically savvy and live in huge flying metropolises. They have powerful Artificers and Alchemists.
    • Dwarves: Dwarves awoke in the depths of the mountains before the other races. They are made of stone, and are the oonly race without a soul. This means they cannot use magic. They are the most consistently evil of all the races.
    • Goblins/Orcs: Orcs to their detractors, are a misunderstood race. It is true that they wander the land pillaging villages, and attacking cities, but they don't do so by their own volition. They do so out of fear, for their God is the only one left, and controls them through fear, as most believe that he can destroy any Orc with a mere thought. A group of them have rejected their God, and have taken up the Elves old job as protector of the forests. These ones are called Goblins. Both gorups have the best healer mages.
    • The Fair Folk: The Fair Folk were once powerful creatures that roamed the lands, but they vanished with the Gods. They left behind powerful magical artifacts and the blessed springs.

edited 28th Jun '11 12:16:14 PM by deathpigeon

Alhazred23 Since: Jun, 2011
#25: Jun 28th 2011 at 1:40:12 PM

A race/cosmology suggestion for the setting: perhaps the realms from which the 'other' races originate are not fully integrated, but rather tend to co-locate with specific kinds of places in the human realm, halfway connected but not in any sort of stable or permanent sense. For instance, it might be possible to stray partway into the fae realm when walking through the deep forest, or set a wrong foot in the realm of demons when exploring the dark, bloody alleys of a sinful city?

Some places/nations might be known for more commonly having crossroads with certain realms. This keeps the uncanny at arms' reach, but only if you're being careful. I would suggest discouraging 'pure' specimens of fae, demons or other strange things as player characters, but allowing half-breed bastards that straddle the line between realms, giving them access to the native magics of their parents' realms but also probably subjecting them to some form of social stigma.

Magical alchemy could work because it involves reagents from other realms, while soul crystals could allow the use of magic because a crystallized soul sort of becomes a 'portable crossroads.'

edited 28th Jun '11 1:42:15 PM by Alhazred23

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