The world of Lapis is a beautiful and mysterious land! There are many wonderful places, like the Sky-Canyons where it is said even humans can fly if they try. Or the Aerial Maze-like Canal city of Onuxia. Or the Valley of U=E=I, which has many statues from an ancient race. Across the Eastern Sapphire Sea, it is said people can even call out spirits of objects!
Of course, there is the Crystal Flowers Meadow, and the Sparky Plains Storms, and even the Myrra's Giant Windmills that must have been built by giants.
Needless to say, it is a land for travelers and sightseers!
Ah, but this journey is to be a humble story. Every story must have a beginning. So, let's tell this story about novice travelers' first journey from Paxileve!
Hello, my name is Kasanip! This time, it is a role as GM for this game.
Nice to meet you! Let's do our best!
This game is called Ryuutama. It is a travel story, to tell the heartwarming story of travelers in a mysterious and fantastic world.
Because Ryuutama is an unknown system for all players, maybe it will be mysterious too! However, don't worry!
Every journey is a little scary at the beginning, don't you think?
But, if everyone works together, it can be an enjoyable game.
Let's start!
To show outline of this OOC thread, let's begin:
Introduce Dragon Person GM
Paxileve, our town! (To make together, the starting town!)
Character Introduction (Character Creation)
Start Travel! (and IC thread!)
To say one more note, it is more interactive [creation] style, so I hope it is not too confusing.
If text is green color, it will be narrator character speaking.
If text is usual black color, it is a certain Kasanip. In IC, probably most always to use green color of narrator character speaking, but sometimes GM command will of course be black color, like "roll Direction check."
So, first it must be said, a unique point of Ryuutama is to have special character. This character is the GM's character. Unlike some TRPG games, GM has limited role in Ryuutama! Such a GM sometimes is powerless in a story! But still, to be a powerful person, so to introduce the Dragon Person. She will be the storyteller, and to record the story of the travelers to feed to the dragon. Of course, she can help the party if it becomes too troubled, but be kind to her too! She does her best earnestly.
Kasagamiko
Spoiler
Name: Kasagamiko Race: Green Dragon Shapechange Appearance: Horned-Human, Great Dragon, Umbrella-carrying-girl Level: Level 2 Life Points (LP): <3> Artifact: Fairy Sextant Bless: The Tale of Nostalgia (if the PCs roleplay having nostalgia of home, negative personality status effect can be ignored (2 PCs at one time)) Awaken: Guidance of the Dragon (can change PC failed Direction Check to success, costs 2 LP)
Appearance: This green haired dragon child looks hopeful. Her aura is energetic, but softly green light.
Personality: Tries to maintain a dignified appearance and helpful manner, but often becomes too engaged in a story. Is sometimes thought of to be an unreliable crybaby, but is honest. Says "-nyo!" as a unique speech trait.
Mission:
"I want tell a tale of shared triumphs and beautiful scenes"
Home:
A humble palace on top of forest hidden mountain
Travelers (Player):
______(A Rainy Knight)
______(Just Ice)
______(TechnOkami)
______(Fri)
______(C'nor)
______(Story Time)
The World: Lapis
Please make your introduction!
"H-Hello and welcome! I'm Kasagamiko, nice to meet you!
Thank you for coming today. You want to hear a story about adventure, right?
I think I can help you.
Please sit down and drink some tea, ok? Today I will tell you a good story!"
"Let's see.... Yes! Let's tell this story!"
＃2 Paxileve, our town!
"Ok, yes, I think this story will be perfect! Now listen carefully pleasenyo! Are you ready?"
Yes!
"This is a story of travelers. All stories have a beginning, just like they have an ending. But before we can go to the end, we have to have a beginning!
And like all stories, the beginning of the story of travelers starts at a town. Where did they come from? I knew you are asking that question!
Take the Onuxia International Highway Route 201 from Al=Abastos.
Follow the eastern mountains and Sparky Plains. Past the Great Valley of Statues, and Sky Canyon. You must then go South past Madako Mirror Lake. Here in the South after the rainy season in summer the International Highway becomes overgrown by rich and abundant green plants! Only the sign posts with strangle-ivy, and the small stone shrines can be seen. Let's continue south a little more! After the Blue Crow Mountains and hills...
Here at last, we have arrived! This is the town where our story will startnyo!
Like all things, it has a name. This town's name is Paxileve!
And....
Ah..."
Don't tell me you already forgot!
"Of course notnyo!
This town's name is Paxileve, and it is...."
Making Our Town
As posting order, please describe the town!
Please choose One Description on the below list to answer.
When everyone has posted, I will finish the unwritten things, and our town will be created! Then we can do Character Creation.
Spoiler
Town Name:Paxileve
Town Population: Is it a Village (50-500) Town (500-5,000), City (5,000-20,000) or Large City (>20,000)?
Ruler or Representative: Is there a [Aristocracy]or[Democracy] or[King]? Please name and describe such important person!
Environment: Is it topography of town, like [haunted woods] or [in a canyon walls] or [on a seaside cliff]? Please describe environment!
Representative Building Write down some buildings or colors that represent the town, such as "a white castle atop a sharp cliff" or "Big clock tower in the center".
Specialty Goods: What special goods are produced at this town? Like, toys, oranges, wool. Please choose what is famous from this town for trading and selling.
Town's Sight/sound/smell what kind of experience a traveler may have to come to this town?
Town's threats What various people, monsters or situations maybe currently threatening the town? (It can be peaceful or weak threat too)
So... I'm thinking of answering topography with 'a flying city made of crystal and metal', with more detail if such is desired. Would that be acceptable?
__________________
Plague Rat in the Playground
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim ranger
I support the godly magazine idea, and hope that Eld can serve as mix of town crier and incredibly deadpan game show host in some sections. Also, for some odd reason, he will also make appearance when it comes to godly fashion tips, for even if he is grim reaper he will be the most bishounen god there is. Just you wait
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonwolf
Damn you and your comprehensive understanding of synergistic tactics. :|
I think that might be a bit (heh) lofty for the beginning of the game, but that's up to everyone!
To fit in with said geography, perhaps the rulers of such a town should be a council of elders; they're crotchety and not particularly good leaders, but they know quite a lot and are excellent at keeping our fair town aloft.
Good introduction, Kas! I'm definitely excited, and I hope everyone else is!
So... I'm thinking of answering topography with 'a flying city made of crystal and metal', with more detail if such is desired. Would that be acceptable?
If it is ok with everyone.
In setting of Ryuutama there is such a place [Ashilum: The Castletown of Rain and Rainbows] to have Castle to reach by walk on rainbow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Ice
I think that might be a bit (heh) lofty for the beginning of the game, but that's up to everyone!
To fit in with said geography, perhaps the rulers of such a town should be a council of elders; they're crotchety and not particularly good leaders, but they know quite a lot and are excellent at keeping our fair town aloft.
Good introduction, Kas! I'm definitely excited, and I hope everyone else is!
Thank you!
Somehow it is becoming [The Legend of Zelda] feeling a little.
...Kasanip's introduction to the Dragon Egg game is the best that I have ever read. The best. The attention to detail for the Dragon Person character and the images associated with that character are...
Kasanip, you are an inspiration.
And just as Kasanip, I also would like to make a beautiful game that results in a beautiful story for the dragon egg. To do this requires a suitably humble starting point. A humble first adventure.
Town's Threats:
Spoiler
Paxileve has a number of passive threats and active ones. All communities do in a fantasy setting. Paxileve's primary threat is pigeons and other birds who like to perch on roofs, balconies, and gutter-ways. Birds of all types could pollute the rain water collected by the town people for drinking. But it is relatively easy to put up a scare crow or to shoo away the avian trespassers.
A slightly more serious threat comes in the form of Buzzy Bees, Iron Wasps, and other insects. Perhaps there are bee keepers in Paxileve? The flying insect threat is best mitigated by having many flowers in the fields below the city so that bee-type creatures can pollinate appropriately and create the rare and mythical Royal Jam.
Grass Leapers -- a cousin to the grass hopper with incredibly powerful legs -- are also pests to Paxileve citizens as they can avoid the chain-rope-ladders, cranes, and other devices which connect Paxileve to the surface and simply jump up into the city proper.
Strong winds are also a concern and many creatures exist which can create strong and sudden winds without the natural signals given by weather. The iron chains and weights which the city uses to anchor itself some-what mitigate this danger, but do not completely eliminate it.
On calm days Paxileve remains stationary enough, but rust, corrosion, and crystal growth which might snap the chains are also considerable threats. Most of the buildings which anchor Paxileve to the surface are on the outer edges of the city, rather than the center. This prevents a forest-of-chains vision from greeting travelers who wander under the city.
...yes, I understand that this post can and will be edited if a floating city is determined to be too lofty of a starting point or if metal is determined to be the wrong mood for the game. I...would like to suggest...that the city not float very far from the ground. There is nothing wrong with floating buildings that vary in altitude from between three to twenty feet.
Last edited by Story Time : 08-17-2012 at 12:25 PM.
Reason: Grammar
As for a particular item they trade/sell/make/craft/ect. why don't we have that be (since the city is a flying crystal city), crystalline items? Perhaps crystal has innate magical properties that pushes items to the extent of their abilities, increasing the accuracy of compasses, sharpening the blades of swords, or hardening the resilience of pots and pans, sort to speak.
As for a Key building of sorts? It should be a crystal observatory ('cause hey, you're already so high up, looking at the stars w/o cloud cover whenever you want has to have some perks to it).
As for a feeling of the town? I'd say adventurous. I mean, beautiful vistas of various types of land wherever the city floats and the wind always blowing? It would also be relaxing at times, being all the way up there without a care in the world, but somewhat hectic when the city comes down to resupply and trade with other cities.
Oh, and this song really spoke to me as a feeling for this game.
That seems to be a good compromise, story time. I like your proposed threats quite a lot, too! This is coming together quite well, I think.
Let's give some names to some of our elders, shall we?
Spoiler
Elder of the Wasp: oversees agriculture. The current one is Fargo Agincourt, a highly neurotic blob of a man with no hair but his prized blond mustache. He often raises issues over imaginary threats, but his knowledge of the wasps is second to none.
Elder of Iron: oversees industry and construction. The current elder is Madame Lombre, an infirm old lady who wears a pink hat with long feathers coming out of it. Her hat is too large for her head and she can barely see. Madame Lombre is not a very pleasant woman but she keeps the other council members in line as well as dealing with some of the town's trickier problems.
Elder of Arms: oversees the defense of the town. The last Arms Elder recently passed away, and this position is not filled at this time.
Elder of Winds: oversees trade and some technologies outside of the scope of the Steel Elder. This position is currently filled by a tiny old man by the name of Yuto Cobbler. He is quick to anger and turns beet red when he is, but his ingenuity has kept Pixaleve in the black for these many years.
Elder of Crystal: oversees the growth of the crystal as well as keeping the city aloft. In addition, the census is also the responsibility of this position. At this very moment, the position is filled by an old gentleman by the name of Cedric Fullton, the oldest member of the council and a grey-maned looker despite it. He often throws the council into dis-array, but it is in the name of properly representing the people of Pixaleve. He is considered by many to be a very good role-model for young men and is much of the reason the council has decent public relations, but his inflexibility on matters of principle often hurts more than it helps. He has had some health scares in the past with heart issues and strange, untreatable lumps, but despite this he's made it to the ripe old age of 86.
More can be added, or expanded on, or they can be changed if desired.
Just Ice makes interesting elder characters to read. Despite that some of the titles are blatant stealing! ...I'm more flattered than any-thing, though. I'm not hurt.
I have one suggestion, though. The title: Elder of Wings, instead of Elder of Winds? The title might fit more closely to aspects of the town rather than aspects of nature.
...I'm sorry for the confusion in this post. I decided to change my suggestion, but it seems that Just Ice had already read it. Oh well.
Last edited by Story Time : 08-17-2012 at 12:55 PM.
Yeah, iron probably makes more sense than steel and is more appropriate to the setting. I disagree about switching wind for wings, though. Once I'm not on an iPhone, consider it changed.
I have a suggestion for another key building: the Council Chambers, the official meeting place of the city elders. It's a building much like its occupants - not particularly fancy or flashy, but practical. It doesn't see much day-to-day use, but it's where the elders convene to discuss matters large enough to concern more than just one or two of them.
__________________ Beautiful avatar of peerless beauty by Kasanip! Sigatars by Prime32 and Kasanip/me.
Hm... I have an amusing rough idea for a character now, or rather had. You see, I thought that the "Elder of Crystal" would be one that oversaw the creation, production, and distribution of crystalline goods (as well as perhaps the defense of the city). If that were the case, I'd probably make some sort of artisan character who specialized in making crystal-wear, and whose ultimate goal would be to become the new Elder of Crystal.
I have a suggestion for another key building: the Council Chambers, the official meeting place of the city elders.
This is a good idea. I support this notion. It should be much shorter than the observatory.
Also, because population size is a rather limited description type, I wonder if Rainy Knight could provide a few examples of non-player characters that make their home in Paxileve? Maybe not common citizens, but just a few examples which do not connect to the Council itself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechnOkami
[...]"Elder of Crystal"[...]
Ever since I read Just Ice's use of this title, I liked it. I think that it is a good title to have among the elders. I also like the idea of a person who knows much about how the crystal grows and helps keep the city floating. But whether those two concepts should blend together into one character or not, I don't know. If it's okay with Just Ice, maybe there could be another council elder?
Also, because population size is a rather limited description type, I wonder if Rainy Knight could provide a few examples of non-player characters that make their home in Paxileve? Maybe not common citizens, but just a few examples which do not connect to the Council itself.
Okay, here's a few notable folks to add some flavor:
-Cyrus Ellet, an aging astronomer who is the public face of the Observatory. He works with a small team of assistants to maintain the observatory's crystal-assisted telescope and map the night sky.
-Lilian Kohn, a young minstrel whose beautiful singing voice has recently made her the favorite of many local tavern-goers. Quite a few people know her signature song "Love's Last Lesson" by heart.
-the Hankins family, a husband, wife, son, and two daughters employed in the crystal industry who are known for staging public performances of everything from action-adventures to haunting tragedies on holidays as a family hobby. They cover the costs of their hobby through tips and donations.
__________________ Beautiful avatar of peerless beauty by Kasanip! Sigatars by Prime32 and Kasanip/me.
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Ghost
Dangit Rainy, why must you be so smart?
Last edited by A Rainy Knight : 08-17-2012 at 02:24 PM.
Hm. Since I didn't really get to add much detail about the architecture and such, would anyone object if I made some notable people as well?
__________________
Plague Rat in the Playground
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim ranger
I support the godly magazine idea, and hope that Eld can serve as mix of town crier and incredibly deadpan game show host in some sections. Also, for some odd reason, he will also make appearance when it comes to godly fashion tips, for even if he is grim reaper he will be the most bishounen god there is. Just you wait
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonwolf
Damn you and your comprehensive understanding of synergistic tactics. :|
Hm. Since I didn't really get to add much detail about the architecture and such, would anyone object if I made some notable people as well?
Be my guest. That's the point of a collaborative thing between characters, right? To "collaborate" as it were.
Also, if it's about growing crystals, then my character idea isn't in vain! He'll just be a Crystal Artisan as well as the guy who keeps the crystals of the city in working order.
Well, it's not quite what I was thinking of before, but... Here's a building:
The Notehouse:
Spoiler
There are many inns and taverns in Paxileve, some more reputable than others, whether or not their reputation, good or ill, is deserved. But the Notehouse... The Notehouse is different.
The main section is a three-tiered circular room, narrowing towards the top, and with a central well in the middle, which, on the ground floor, holds a stage; each level is progressively more intimate and private, but with a worse view and less ability to hear the performers. The bar itself is off to one side, in the entry room, though there isn't really a door separating them, just a wall with a hole in it, so that one can still listen to the events in the main room. The entire building is of moonstone, save for an intricate network of glass channels, through which quickgold* and mercury flow, shifting with the movement of the city, as well as the sounds of the patrons and players.
None of that, though, is so terribly unusual as to have won the Notehouse its reputation; instead, they have gained that for the quality of the performances there.
You see, most taverns either have a dedicated performer (or possibly several, and the same one may work in quite a few different places) or allow anyone to play. While the Notehouse does let anyone play or perform, it requires those who would do so to to pay, only lifting the restriction for the most extraordinary of artists, who are given a chrysophrase half-note on a chain of magically cohesive quickgold and quicksilver; the requirement of giving money to play, and the quality of those who have managed to earn their notes, tends to keep the worse performers from trying out, much less actually playing regularly.
*Much like quicksilver, but with a different color.
__________________
Plague Rat in the Playground
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim ranger
I support the godly magazine idea, and hope that Eld can serve as mix of town crier and incredibly deadpan game show host in some sections. Also, for some odd reason, he will also make appearance when it comes to godly fashion tips, for even if he is grim reaper he will be the most bishounen god there is. Just you wait
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonwolf
Damn you and your comprehensive understanding of synergistic tactics. :|
I guess the acronym for this game is "OIHT". That's not terribly catchy, so I think Onuxia Tale would work fine. Any opposed?
C'nor, the first rule of collaborative writing is to never say "no". That said, as much as I like your ideas and flavour text, but I'm not sure if I'm on the same page as you; having an interesting home town is one thing, but I'm not sure if it should be as fantastical as the rest of the world. Perhaps I am the only one with this opinion, and most likely our styles can co-exist, so this is just me expressing my thoughts.
I guess the acronym for this game is "OIHT". That's not terribly catchy, so I think Onuxia Tale would work fine. Any opposed?
C'nor, the first rule of collaborative writing is to never say "no". That said, as much as I like your ideas and flavour text, but I'm not sure if I'm on the same page as you; having an interesting home town is one thing, but I'm not sure if it should be as fantastical as the rest of the world. Perhaps I am the only one with this opinion, and most likely our styles can co-exist, so this is just me expressing my thoughts.
I think the game should just be called "Ryuutama".
And as per the fantastical thing, I think we should keep it to the city. The rest of the world should have a more homey/earthy feel to it, I think.
Perhaps I am the only one with this opinion, and most likely our styles can co-exist, so this is just me expressing my thoughts.
Just Ice is not the only one with that opinion...
Kasanip made it very clear that the beginning of the story should be simple and humble. Ryuutama is about travel. The green colored Dragon Person is supposed to emphasize environment and journeys. I would prefer that our characters start in a humble place and discover great things later, than to design some-thing mythic early and force Kasanip to keep up through the subsequent excursions.
We should be polite and kind to Kasanip.
...and now that I have gone and opened my mouth about it...
I did not like the idea of a floating city as our starting place. However, I decided to be as harmonious as possible. I removed my initial thoughts about the town because I decided that those were in the realm of describing the environment. That had been, I thought, taken by some-one else. I chose to focus on Town Threats and try to be of assistance there.
This game is Kasanip's. We are players in some-one else's game.
Last edited by Story Time : 08-17-2012 at 07:43 PM.
Reason: Added Second Section
I was less than sure that a floating city, especially one made of crystal, would be appropriate when I made it, I admit, hence why I asked if it would be acceptable, and my reasoning was similar to yours, in that it seemed a bit... Grandiose?... for the description of our travels.
Had it not been workable, I would have been fine with that, set the flying city thing aside for later, and worked on other things. But once Kasa said it was okay and everyone else, so far as I could tell, ran with the idea, it got somewhat harder to go with the whole 'humble journey' thing, since the architectural style and such that that entailed didn't really seem to fit with that.
That said, if people don't want to go this direction, I'm sure we can change it.
__________________
Plague Rat in the Playground
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim ranger
I support the godly magazine idea, and hope that Eld can serve as mix of town crier and incredibly deadpan game show host in some sections. Also, for some odd reason, he will also make appearance when it comes to godly fashion tips, for even if he is grim reaper he will be the most bishounen god there is. Just you wait
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonwolf
Damn you and your comprehensive understanding of synergistic tactics. :|
I think we should leave the Crystal City as a place of importance, or something like that, but perhaps starting there isn't the most "humble" of beginnings. That sounds like a nice compromise to me, but I think waiting for Kasanip on her stance sounds like the best course of action.
I'm here! Sorry for the late coming, I'm in a vacation and just got the chance to access internet.
I also agree that I'd rather us starting in a smaller, more rustic town. But it doesn't have to be backward town. Something like, maybe an industrial town with a lot of factories, or a mining town, or a town that makes pottery, that make us want to adventure to escape the boring normal job the towners have.
Maybe make it something silly. Our town is a hotspring town and everyone works as hotspring attendant! Or something in that line.
If needed,I guess we can work the crystal town thingy though. Just because it's crystal, doesn't mean it have to be big metropolis. A rustic crystal village could work too.
Somehow it should have been expected this would happen. I am happy and chagrin at post responses.
Also to say, probably it should be expected, but the players probably are familiar with [High Fantasy] style of game genre. But, Ryuutama is not this game style. So, please do not feel all the detail must be explained.
First, to say that direction was "choose One Description."
Such a meaning is [1 Player]+[1 Description].
It is nice to see players to make such a teamwork together, however. So, it is difficult feeling for me to express. I am happy with atmosphere of players, and excited to make a play with each other! Unfortunately some players didn't follow above direction, too, so creation became tangled.
Of [flying city made of crystal and metal]
It was said, it is ok if it is what players would like to start.
At such a time agreement was made to this idea, if players agree to it, because I can edit such a thing into the world of Lapis. To say clearly, my image of the appearance at such a time was from this information:
Quote:
Originally Posted by C'nor
So... I'm thinking of answering topography with 'a flying city made of crystal and metal', with more detail if such is desired.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Ice
To fit in with said geography, perhaps the rulers of such a town should be a council of elders; they're crotchety and not particularly good leaders, but they know quite a lot and are excellent at keeping our fair town aloft.
Such a description lets me to change and form such a town more easily. But later, directions were not followed, and suddenly became very elaborate.
So, I want to make a caution. Reason for a [One Description] is that to try to encourage simple and open ideas. It can be seen that [One Description] choices do not have "How?" "Why?" "When?" choices.
I think that concerns of players are good concerns. To be honest, it is much better for a more humble beginning than flying city. Even humble flying city is possible, I think. I think most of the ideas are very good, but to become very elaborate, or to suggest such a city is to fly above clouds and such, or to make many NPC characters (such a thing should be in your Character Creation, not this time, only about representative).
Since all players are here, I think that this GM decision is painful, and I want to make apology to all players, because it is my fault it wasn't explained very well.
Let's try again! Please start over to describe Paxileve. m(_ _)m
You know what? I'm thinking too hard. Why not have a King and a Monarchy? This isn't the type of game where we'd be backstabbed by the King or have to "deal" with tyrannical rule- this is a heartwarming kind of game. I vote for a nice Monarchy with a nice King and Queen, who love, respect, and actually lead their people. This King and Queen should feel safe within their city walls, and perhaps walk the city themselves to be with their subjects on a more personal level. For the people, it's an honor to work and live under such rulers who care about them, and an even greater honor when they are called upon for their skills.
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[りゅうたま]Onuxia International Highway Tale OOC
...I'm more flattered than any-thing, though. I'm not hurt.
