[Six Ages] The First Age-Glories

[zakueins]

Throwing out ideas for a game concept, and here it is-

 

Glories(title to be worked on), is a part of what I call the Six Ages game universe. Think of it as what a HERO version of Exalted would be-all the mythological cities of antiquity-Atlantis, Shangri-La, etc, etc, exist, mystical technology, armies of thousands, wuxia-style martial arts, Gods that exist in mythological time, heroes that can swing a sword and carve canyons...

 

The world isn't quite the continents they are today...think of them as between Pangea and the current world it is.

 

Suggestions, ideas, concepts?

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: [six Ages]The First Age-Glories

 

[Compilation] "to Fantasy HERO Conversions & Adaptations"

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=535398#post535398

 

Exalted to HERO

http://herogames.com/forums/sho...ed&pagenumber=1

http://herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7482

http://herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23982

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=148203

 

 

Hmmm...

 

 

QM

[AmadanNaBriona]

Re: [six Ages]The First Age-Glories

 

Throwing out ideas for a game concept, and here it is-

 

Glories(title to be worked on), is a part of what I call the Six Ages game universe. Think of it as what a HERO version of Exalted would be-all the mythological cities of antiquity-Atlantis, Shangri-La, etc, etc, exist, mystical technology, armies of thousands, wuxia-style martial arts, Gods that exist in mythological time, heroes that can swing a sword and carve canyons...

 

The world isn't quite the continents they are today...think of them as between Pangea and the current world it is.

 

Suggestions, ideas, concepts?

 

Sounds like it could be a potentially cool campaign. The Proto-Atlantic Ocean would look like a bloody archipelago what with all the extra mythic Island continents

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages]The First Age-Glories

 

So far, I have four "big" societies. We start with Atlantis, heavy mystical technology, "western" magic, organized society of quasi-divine god-kings that both control the religious and political aspects of the society-think of it as three chains or a three-legged stool of the military, the religious authority, and the political bureaucracy....

 

The society of Mu is our Chinese/Eastern society. Not quite as much mystical tech, they tend to use more "elemental" magic and it tends to run in more "elements/familes" with some overlap, and a core/cadre of multi-elemental combat agents that can use multiple elemental effects to engage their foes.

 

Not sure what our Middle-Eastern analogue is going to be named, but it'll have all the "problems" that Middle Eastern societies tend to have-amoral familism, corruption, conspiracies upon conspiracies, a general hatred of women (linked to fear, as women are the only ones that can summon the Lillim-powerful demons that bond only to women), and lots of fun arguments about religious faith and power.

 

The last analog, unnamed as of yet (suggestions are welcome) is a Hindi/India analog, lots of small gods, lots of Avatars (the heroic beings that are able to channel the powers of their personal gods).

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

Okay, some of the understanding of the magic system-

 

There are five "big" magic systems in the world, with a whole bunch of side colleges, sub-clans, etc, etc....

 

The Atlantean magic system is very much what would be called a "western" magical system. Harry Potter would find himself very much at home-spells and materials and invoking powers. Deals with critters and such are common.

 

The Mu style of magic is very much classical Chinese elements-each system is bound to a martial art and the personality of the user. Only the rarest and powerful of all mages can use all five elements-by learning all of the martial arts and casting techniques.

 

In the "Middle East" world, there are two major magical system. The first is the binding and summoning of spirits, almost always done by men. Women and ONLY women can summon the Lillim, think of them as letting powerful demons "share" their bodies. All but the most powerful must set binding contracts upon the Lillim, as the Lillim take over everything in their host's bodies.

 

The "Indian" world is the negotiations with the powers of the land and the air and the sea, to borrow a bit of their power for use, and to obey certain strictures for the access to that power.

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

More talking about the Lilim and the magic of the "Middle East" analogue...

 

According to the legends, there are six Gods of Light-and only one Goddess of Night. When the Gods of Light ended the tyranny of the Goddesses of Night, one of them collected up what was left of her sister's bones and then began to tie herselves to the Gods of Light, whom she would seduce, fight to a standstill, trick, and entreat with them. This left the last Dark Goddess standing to be Lilim.

 

Women are the only ones that can call upon the Lilim-men can ask the Gods of Light to call forth powerful beings, but Lilim can only be drawn from the body of women. The henna that many of them wear when Noviates begin is the markings on Her body, calling forth an aspect of power from Her. Many women smile when men insist upon the henna markings when they take a woman as a wife-for the Lilim will protect their own.

 

The role of the Lilim worshipers in the society is always open to question. Officially, she is a barely tolerated "good bad example"-not outright infidel but not officially allowed in, either. Some rulers do not allow the enforcement of the laws against Lilim worship, while others are very vigorous in the hunting down of those that follow the Dark Goddess. These times are usually very bad, as only the Lilim can fight on even terms with the Atlantean Dragoons.

[teh bunneh]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

Very cool concepts. I hope to hear more -- I love this high-powered stuff.

 

Other "ancient mythical societies" you could use -- Leng and Lemuria.

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

Here's my "in my head' crib-sheet on how magic works (not particularly organized...)-

 

"Trick" Atlantean-level magic-Mutipower

Full Atlantean magical ability-VPP with Foci, Gestures, and Incantations requirements (at start, they can be bought off).

Mu Elemental Martial Arts-Multipower with Gestures, linked to a Martial Arts skill package.

"Middle Eastern" Male Magic-Multipower w/summoning power included ("spells" are very short-term summons).

"Middle Eastern" Lilim Female Magic-VPP with a linked "Only In Hero ID" limitation. (Is there a Disad in which the personality aspects of the summoned Lilim changes the person's personality?)

"India Analogue" Magic-VPP with specialized conditions for changing powers.

[Shadowsoul]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

"Middle Eastern" Lilim Female Magic-VPP with a linked "Only In Hero ID" limitation. (Is there a Disad in which the personality aspects of the summoned Lilim changes the person's personality?)

 

Another possibility would be to give them a powerful multiform ability as they mimic the form of the Lilim/Demon that shares their body. A character's different forms can have very different personalities and there is also the option of adding an 'accidental change' disadvantage linked to stresssful circumstances or mental weakness, i.e. a failed ego roll.

 

This build would give a more distinctive flavour to the ability as well.

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

This might work....tho, in my (chocolate-overloaded) mind, being a Lilim is more of a partnership that occasionally has somebody else grabbing the reins more than a "possession".

 

Have to talk about the Really Bad Guys soon.

 

Another possibility would be to give them a powerful multiform ability as they mimic the form of the Lilim/Demon that shares their body. A character's different forms can have very different personalities and there is also the option of adding an 'accidental change' disadvantage linked to stresssful circumstances or mental weakness, i.e. a failed ego roll.

 

This build would give a more distinctive flavour to the ability as well.

[zakueins]

Re: [six Ages] The First Age-Glories

 

Let's talk about The Beast, shall we?

 

The Beast is the devouring hunger of destruction and chaos unrestrained, the thing that devours without hunger, just because it can. One of the few things everybody agrees on, with few exceptions, is that the Beast is a Very Bad Thing.

 

When a man beats his wife, the Beast laughs as each blow lands.

When a tax collector smiles as he ruins a man for the sole reason that he can, the Beast feels warm and happy.

When a woman seduces a married man for the sole reason of drawing him into sin, the Beast rides at her shoulders with whispers and hints.

 

The Beast is in all of man, yet it is not what controls a Man, as long as he doesn't allow it...but if some monsters are allowed in, they will start to take over and destroy them.

 

Sometimes, when the Beast takes over, it makes monsters. These are easy to find and know about. Sometimes, when the Beast takes over, it hides very well behind the corrupt priest, the desperate man, the hungry mage. These are much harder to find and stop, as many of them hide in a spiderweb of power.