History Roleplay / WuXingInterdimensionalFantasyAdventure

%%* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Not only is there a whole world for the setting, but apparently half the entire RP forum decided to sign up. With multiple characters.

* ATankardOfMooseUrine: The tavern where the players meet to split up, [[spoiler:The Moldy Armadillo]], is a good example of this type of bar.
* ChaseScene: Ends up being a non-traditional example as [[spoiler:　　　　　　　, 　　　　　　　　　　　　; 　　　 　　　　　　　　　. And　　　　　　　　　, but　　　　　　　 　　　　　,　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　.]]
* ElementalEmbodiment: Some of the elementals the players fight, such as in [[spoiler:　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　]] or [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　]].
* ElementalRockPaperScissors: In force for the setting-native elementals and elemental-based magic, but Averted for the players, as since they come from their own universes, they don't use the Wu Xing system.
* FantasyKitchenSink: Not quite ''everything'' is present, but a large number of fantastic creatures, settings, and races exist.
* GenreBusting: Inevitable when characters are pulled from their home settings around the multiverse to participate.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: Shows up in the [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　 　　 ]]. However, for the players to get this, and [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　 ]], they have to travel through the [[spoiler:　　　　　　, which includes a 　　 　　 , a 　　 　　 , and a 　　 　　 .]] Made even worse by the fact that the sword is [[spoiler:only usable by 　　　 　.]] Arguably, the [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　 　　 ]] and [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　 　　 ]] could count too.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Not only is there a whole world for the setting, but apparently half the entire RP forum decided to sign up. With multiple characters.
* {{Magitek}}: Prevalent in the setting, in the forms of [[spoiler:　　　　　 　　,　　　　　　　　,　　　　　　 　　,　　　　　　　　　　　, 　　　　　　　　　　　, and　　　　　　 　　　. Also in　　　　　　　　and　　 　　　　　　　　.]]
* MassiveMultiplayerCrossover

* TalkingIsAFreeAction: Probably abused during the fight with [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　　　, at least for the　　　　　 　　　　　]]

* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Shows up multiple times in the [[spoiler:　　　　　　　　 　　 ]]. Arguably also present for the in-setting [=NPCs=] when confronted with the interdimensional adventurers.

We join our adventurers as they are summoned forth from all corners of the multiverse into the land of Mazovia, a once free kingdom, now ruled with an iron fist my the mighty Elemental King. Our benefactor, Jaold Drotonroth, has given them the quest to join the resistance to defeat the Elemental King once and for all, but are our protagonists up to the task? Intrigue, action, and cheesy jokes abound in this interdimensional fantasy adventure, as our characters must tread carefully, fight well, and not get too [[SidetrackedByTheGoldSaucer distracted by the sidequests.]]

!! Guidelines

* Write what your character does like a collaborative story or choose-your-own-adventure book
* Please at least skim the FAQ (to avoid any misunderstandings about mechanics)
* Have Fun! :D

!! Setting Overview

''Information about the setting will be revealed when the RP starts and is ongoing. Sonzai was a goofball and put up the elemental system early, but the rest is secret for now.'' :P

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Player Characters]]

* For now, you can see the [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13348651340A47920100&page=1#1 list in the signup thread.]]
* You can also visit the [[Characters/WuXingInterdimensionalFantasyAdventure characters page]], but it needs WikiMagic and some love before it'd be able to provide any information.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Frequently Asked Questions]]

'''Is there anything different about how my character works in this setting as opposed to their home setting?'''

Almost everything works the same, except:

* Your character is granted the (optional) power of CriticalExistenceFailure-type damage. This means that they can take bullets, sword hits, and fireballs as long as their life force can hold them together. This works like hitpoints would, but no one in the setting ''actually'' has any hitpoints literally.
* Your character is also granted the ability to understand the common language (reading, writing, speaking, and listening fluently).
* Energy-type attacks from [=NPCs=] can hit intangible player characters (I'll mention this when I post NPC actions.)
* Attempting to perform an overpowered action (such as summoning a tank) may result in failure for that particular magical action. Ideally, this restriction will never affect players during the RP, it's just intended as a failsafe to keep balance.
* Otherwise, your characters do not obey the elemental/energy system or other restrictions of the setting.

'''How does combat work? And how do I write my character's interactions, and what do they have to do with the in-universe elemental/energy system?'''

Simply write what your character did, and all results will be handled in the background. (So you don't need to write any mechanics in your posts.) The intention is for this to be a free-form RP, with no restrictions on what you can do, as there are no stats, or defined actions, etc. Play it more like an interactive choose-your-own-adventure-style book, rather than a videogame RPG.

The setting mechanics in more detail:

''Player attacks an NPC:'' You as the player write what you want your character to do, and the resulting 'in-universe system' will then figure out what elements/energies (if any) the attack represents, and determine any strengths or weaknesses to apply to the result. This all happens automagically in the background, and so you don't need to write or worry about any of this. Although, the characters themselves may wish to exploit the setting's weaknesses, of course.

''NPC attacks a Player:'' I write what the NPC attack is, then you write (realistically) what you would expect to happen - completely ignoring the elemental/energy system. (Except for magical attacks hitting intangible creatures, etc.)

''Player attacks a Player:'' You, as the respective authors, say realistically what each other's actions and reactions are, completely ignoring the elemental/energy system. (So player vs. player is fully free-form combat/interactions.)

This means that characters' attacks can be ''interpreted by [=NPCs=]'' in an 'in-universe' way, but players and their characters do not obey those rules. It's like a free-form RP invading a more rules-based world.

'''Help! My character was left behind!'''

Usually you can just assume your character is following along with the group they're in, if you didn't have any time to post. For example, because your flight was delayed, the taxi got a flat tire, the power went out in your home, your laptop was stolen, and you had writer's block.

'''So there's really no restrictions on what I can do with my character? Like talk to the cabbage merchant, for example?'''

For all intents and purposes, there are no restrictions. Your characters have to obey the laws of physics (except when magic, etc. allows them not to) and their own limitations, but they do not have to obey the setting restrictions or system. As well, this is intended as somewhat of a [[WideOpenSandbox Sandbox-style]] world, so while there is an overall plot and goals, there are many different ways to fulfill that goal, and plenty of sidequests or just random places to explore. And even though there's an emergency limitation on power, there isn't one on creativity. :)

[[/folder]]

[[folder:In-Universe Elemental/Energy System]]

[[color:red:'''Caution. This only applies to in-setting natives such as [=NPCs=] and ''should not'' be used in character creation, or when writing your posts. See the FAQ below.''']] (Except if your characters are exploiting the weaknesses of the system, etc.)

In this world, Domatu, there are commonly accepted eight movements of energy/matter. These represent the fundamental nature of transformation and change that empowers existence and allows change, as opposed to a static existence.

'''These are the five elements:'''

* '''Life:''' All things living as opposed to nonliving. This is the movement of growth, development, and evolution. Life is strong against Earth, weak against Metal, is strengthened by Water, and strengthens Fire. Example Life attacks: martial arts, plants, animals, etc.
* '''Fire:''' Reactions, converting material into heat and light. This is the movement of destruction and dissolution. Strong against Metal, weak against Water, strengthened by Life, strengthens Earth. Example Fire attacks: flamethrower, laser, magnifying glass, etc.
* '''Earth:''' Soil, rock, and solid ground. This is the movement of rigidity and defense. Strong against Water, weak against Life, strengthened by Fire, strengthens Metal. Example Earth attacks: boulders, earthquakes, etc.
* '''Metal:''' Metal implements, devices, and weapons. This is the movement of refinement and precision. Strong against Life, weak against Fire, strengthened by Earth, strengthens Water. Example Metal attacks: swords, bullets, axes, etc.
* '''Water:''' Liquid, water, and weather. This is the movement of change, erosion, and weather. Strong against Fire, weak against Earth, strengthened by Metal, strengthens Life. Example Water attacks: icicles, geysers, tidal waves, thunderstorms, etc.

[[http://i.imgur.com/SwrNX.jpg A diagram of the above elements' relations to each other can be found here.]]

''Elements are neutral against each other. Overpowering influence of one can still defeat another element it is weak against.''

[[http://www.webelements.com/ The real/chemical elements]] still exist in this setting too, they're just the 'static existence' that the first sentence referred to. All chemical reactions, technology, etc. still work, they just might show up as unusual 'elemental'-type attacks.

'''And the three energies:'''

* '''Qi:''' Pure and neutral energy. This is the reservoir that all other elements and energy derive from, the power and nature that binds the universe together. All elements and energies are expressions of Qi and forms of it. Because of this, Qi has no strengths or weaknesses to other forms. (Remember that Qi is said like 'chi')
* '''Divine:''' Energy of a divine nature, granted by the gods for their acts of creation or purification. Divine cannot attack divine, but is strong against Cursed. Divine is also very rare or restricted, and often powerful.
* '''Cursed:''' Energy of an anti-divine nature, driven by the corruption of the energy of the world. Cursed can attack cursed, but is weak against Divine. Cursed is still relatively rare, but is more common than Divine.

'''Enemy types:'''

* '''Lifeforms:''' Lifeforms are living things, and as such are usually a combination of elements, with a life-force reserve of Qi. This allows them to take damage without showing external effects (hitpoint damage) and cast complex spells or other abilities. Vulnerable to energy-based attacks, and all physical attacks as well. Can choose to alter their form (by turning off hitpoint damage) if they so wish.
* '''Elementals:''' Elementals are composed of one or two elements, and as such do not posses a separate reserve of Qi. This makes them nearly immune to spirit-based attacks, but vulnerable to their weaknesses. Hitpoint-style damage does not apply to elementals.
* '''Spirits:''' Spirits are non-corporeal entities, and as such are entirely composed of energy with no physical elements. This allows them to be intangible (cannot touch or be touched) and are nearly immune to physical/elemental attacks, but are vulnerable to energy-based attacks. They can also cast spells or abilities, and have hitpoint damage.
* Other types may show up, but I don't want to give ''everything'' away. :P

''Qi, Divine, and Cursed energy are all energy-based attacks and can hit intangible beings.''

'''Restrictions on abilities imposed by the universal laws:'''

All creatures/forms of life/elementals/spirits must adhere to a total element/energy conservation law. The gods of this setting have enabled a background Qi field that allows all to use its power to perform magic, etc. However, excessive users (without a justification like a power crystal, or charge time, etc.) will be throttled down, and may find certain types of powers stop functioning after a time. Just as one cannot run forever, one cannot cast fireball or summon weapons from hammerspace forever. More experienced users can use this Qi more efficiently and draw more from the field, but everyone will have a maximum limit on all abilities, and will (at least eventually) be able to sense if they are getting close to their limit. For example, this would not affect detonating a grenade or a spell infused into a scroll, as all required energy is stored already, but spontaneous abilities will have this restriction. Also, the hitpoint reserve and energy reserve are generally separate, except in a CastFromHitpoints situation.

'''For your characters:''' None of this effects player characters, except that overpowered abilities may randomly fail if, for example you try to summon a tank or something :P As well, energy-type attacks of NPC characters can hit intangible player characters.

However, player characters ''can'' gain abilities from this setting, and those abilities will follow this system, but there are no actual stats or hitpoints (even for [=NPCs=])

[[/folder]]

[[folder:More Setting Information]]

''More information about the setting will be revealed when the RP starts and is ongoing.''

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Example Posts]]

'''Example Troper'''

James picked up the staff and threw it at the monster.

Preparing a spell simultaneously, he performed the arcane motions, as a small red sphere was emitted from his hands. [[spoiler:This is his fireball spell, when it hits a solid object, the sphere explodes in a ball of fire.]]

"Take that!" he said. ''I hope it's enough, as Maria is still down for the count,'' he thought.

'''{{Tropers/Sonzai}} (GM)'''

The monster unsuccessfully dodged, and was engulfed by the flames of the fireball. In an act of desperation, it yelled out a hollow scream, and hurled a boulder at Maria, attempting to eliminate at least one of its enemies.

'''A Different Example Troper'''

Maria, still lying on the ground, was unable to dodge, but managed to hold up a shield charm at the last moment. A shimmering energy field surrounded her, blocking the boulder and turning it to dust.

"James, it's almost down, hit it harder!" she said, too exhausted to move.

[[/folder]]