[ohh and very very sorry....just remembered there is a specific area for pvp stuff.....]

I'm sure that this has been brought up before but I had a unique idea that I really like  I'm just hoping that this is an okay place to post it....

Well while going through some of my old games I stumbled upon a game I used to play as a kid called Monster Rancher 4 (its a really lame game...). I couldn't remember why I liked it so I decided to play it again and then I instantly remembered. The combat system. Its mainly a turn based system in which your monster has a list of skills. These skills are displayed for you when you battle.

How it works is that first you spend forever training your monster in its base skills (speed, strength, accuracy, life, defense, etc). You also get specific attacks (varies on the monster). When a battle with another monster starts up your skills are displayed, your monster facing the other monster. Then lets say I attack using one of my skills. Depending on my accuracy and my opponents speed I may or may not hit. If my accuracy is higher by much then luck is with me. If much lower than the opponent will dodge. If somewhat equal then there is equal chance. To make it more intresting (for weaker monsters) there is a counter sytem. Even against an uber powerful monster one could win simply by counter attaking the opponent (but counter attacks are based on luck).

Of course the one unrealistic thing about turn based games is that its you than me then you than me, etc. However in this game one can attack without waiting for his/her opponent to take a turn. In other words you can attack the whole match and win or sit and counter every move (if that lucky). Of course then you wonder what about spamming the attack button to win? Well they already solved that. There is a "guts" ssytem. Guts are pretty much the monsters stamina. If you attack too much you use it all up. Some skills end up taking more stamina, being stronger, others take less stamina but are weaker and less likely to hit. In other words the players skill can't interfer with that of the monster.

I'm sure many of you already see where I'm going with this. A system based on these ideals only adapted to planeshift. Take the turn based system (in which we don't have to take turns). The attack buttons we have now (bloody, normal, etc) as well as any glyphs one has can be used as skills. Endurance will replace the "guts" system. To make countering more understandable I say do at least one of two things. Firstly make charisma and intellegence stats by which you can counter better (intellegence for seeing through attacks to counter and charisma for distracting the opponent). That or when battling someone using the same weapon skill (sword, dagger, etc) have the person with the higher skill more able to counter the one with the lower weapon skill (because they'd know more about using that weapon). Of course agility would serve as speed and your skill with the weapon/magic way serves as your accuracy. 

While there are some flaws in this system I think it to be a much more realistic way to fight. There isn't a real way to rely on player skills. Only the skill of the actual character will really be shown. If you look into the game it does support multiple combat (more than 1 on 1) but the main flaw I see in this is that it wouldn't work well in things like guild wars, group battle etc...Even when normally training game play would be changed dramatically (unelss this was only used as a pvp function). I'm guessing implementation might also be complicated but I thought despite the problems it was worth mentioning 

The Fallen Kingdom

Fall of the Kingdom

Before the Kingdom existed there was an alliance known as The Dark Hand. It was a group of guilds, each created for different reasons, with the joint purpose of finding what they called "the ultimate darkness." This alliance was formed from the union of three guilds, The Decayers of Light, The Church of Tiren, and The Knights of Vengeance. The first two guilds of the alliance eventually fell, its remainding members joining the Knights to form what they called The Fallen Kingdom. The Kingdom, under the rule of Xeonart Darkom, was weak, quickly dwindling to nothing.

Rise of the Fallen

There is a reason why the the kingdom called itself "fallen." One may think its followers are sentencing themselves to failure. The truth is that there is a belief those of the kingdom share. One can not taste the sweetness victory till his tongue has been scorched by the flames of defeat. Those who have fallen are believed to posses the greatest potential, the greatest strength, if they have the will to stand back up again. Hope shines once again on those who serve the kingdom, hope and a great need to accomplish what has yet to be done.

Truth, Power, Control
Truth, Power, and Control are the three goals of the Kingdom, its very purpose for existing. Each of these goals work together, achieving one helping to achieve the others. Those who search for means to accomplish one or all of these goals are people who most likely belong within our ranks.

Truth- Within the darkness one can find the greatest truth. It is because darkness, like the truth, is feared sometimes even hated. People ignore the truth, obscuring it and creating whatever fantasy needed to avoid it. Such is the same with darkness. People fear what they do not understand. However we of the kingdom do not fear it, we wish to learn it. Truth grants one control over others like nothing else.

Power- We of the kingdom wish to become stronger and to continue growing. To gain power one needs knowledge as knowledge is power and what greater knowledge is there but truth. To grow to become more powerful and if possible to surpass what our mortal existences are capable of.

Control- Power without control is no power at all. To continue to gain power we must learn to control it, to wield it, to master it. We work hard in order to learn control of the powers we gain for if we do not these powers might control us.

Rankings

Fallen- It is a belief of the kingdom that those who have fallen are mortals with the most potential. The reason why is because once you've lost it all, standing at the bottom of your hole, there is no where to go but up. The Fallen are such and though they are the bottom rank not all start as Fallen.

Chaotic Invoker- Without a mind the body can be used as nothing more than a tool. The Chaotic Invokers are tools, mortal weapons of the king, to be used to see truth but fated never to understand it.

Chaotic Elite- Members of the elite serve under either a Shade, Knight, or Decayer. They are apprentices but ones that can be called forth for war. As an elite you are an official member, you are now officially bound to the kingdom and its laws.

Shade- They work as spies, gathering information and watching the people. Information they find is reported to the Knights and the Captains if concerning the king.

Knight- Warriors sworn to protect the kingdom and all its people. Accepted by oath, they are responsible for the fallen directly but also for the lives of every member of the kingdom, except the Chaotic Invokers. They enforce the laws created by the king and council and may arrest people in the kingdom for breaking those laws.

Decayer- They are dark mages and researchers. They're duties are to further the kingdom's knowledge, especially in the dark arts, and search for ways to decay(surpass) that which blocks us from truth. They can control the Chaotic Invokers.

Captain- Powerful members who have command over one of the 3 core jobs (knights, decayers, and shades). They lead that ranks members as well as all those under them. One may only become a captain with the approval of members of the Council of Shadows and the King.

Council of Shadows- A group of people, limited to seven, who serve till they quit or are unable. They help him make desicions and take over when the king is absent or a new king must be decided. They may command the Captains but may directly command any other members of the guild. They also decide the fate of criminals in the kingdom though they must inform the king before carrying out punishments.

The King- Ruler of the kingdom and commander of all its people. The king once crowned selects a title, one that shall remain the same throught his rule. He makes the laws and may enforce them. The king serves till he quits or is unable to.

Law

Only the king has the power to make laws. Within the kingdom there are two kinds of laws the king can make, Mortal laws and Divine laws.

Mortal laws are name such for the fact that they are mortal. A king may pass a mortal law and during his reign he retains the ability to amend this law or remove it. Likewise a new king may come and do the same to a mortal law, amending it as he feels or removing it completely. A law that was passed once then later removed can be passed again. Mortal laws can "die" and they can also be "reborn" just like mortals.

Divine laws are much different and more complex to make. For a king to attempt to make a Divine law all seven seats in the Council of Shadows must be filled. The reason why is that a 6/7 vote from the council can veto a Divine law before it is created. However, if the Council does not get a 6/7 vote then the Divine law is created and just as the gods are immortal it too shall remain in the kingdom forever. Once put into effect only the king who made it may edit or remove it during his reign. At the end of that certain king's rule the Divine law he made becomes a permanent addition.

The Poison Dagger Ritual

As king you have control over the kingdom and its people. However to become king you must take part in a ceremony called The Poison Dagger Ritual. When the current king dies any number of people may apply to do this ritual. When all the "potential kings" are choosen the ritual starts. Each potential king is stabbed and carved into with multiple poison daggers. The intention is to kill the king, either by blood loss or by the poison. He who is able to not only make it to the realm of death but survive the journey back to the living realm first is crowned the new king. The blood and suffering experienced by the king is an offering to his people, repaying them for whatever blood and suffering they may experience. This ritual is preformed by the Council of Shadows and is open for any to watch.

Joining

Intrested in joining? Simply contact us ingame or on our forums.

Website/Forums

www.freewebs.com/handofdarkness
This website is for aditional information on the guild for those still curious.

http://s4.invisionfree.com/The_Dark_Hand/
These are our forums. If finding us ingame isn't easy there is a place for registration in the Non Members Area. Simply follow the instructions and I'll get back to you right away.

I was thinking before about the magic system in place and the game history. Right now we use glyphs to cast all magic. According to the history there was an alternative type of magic. It was "raw magic" (that was gifted to Galeran by Laanx). This brought up the question of alternative magics besides that of the glyph. More importantly it made be think about the actual races and the worlds they were said to have lived on before Yliakum. My assumption is that when they were on these worlds they would not have been without magic. The form they used just would have been different from what Laanx and Talad brought to the world.

My idea is that races could use a certain magical traits that no other race would posses. Since each race is going to have a city (they still are right?) a "special trainer" could be located in their city. Inorder to gain the trainers trust you would first have to gain the trust of the race of that city. After that you would have to do whatever task(s) the trainer would say before he/she would be willing to train you. You would have to be the required race to learn whatever skill the trainer would offer or else it would just be wasted time. Actual specific skills would go along with the background history of the race and because not all races were from a different world they all might not have special magics or maybe they would have a gainable trait different from the rest.

Since this game is supposed to be realistic its not very belivable that just because your race can do a special kind of magic that everyone can. Possibly the characters ability to use their races magic could be decided during the character creation. It would gage not only if they could do the magic but their limitations at it.

Not all magic is "good" and just accepted. I would think the same about these special magics. Possibly there were special spells forrbidden in the different races home worlds and still banned here but accesible through secret quests that can also be unlocked in the races city. It might even make more sense if the person teaching these forrbidden powers was located outisde the city or in another to keep herself/himself hidden from his/her race.

Since it is a special magic it should have some sort of cost instead of mana like regular spells. Whether its forbidden or not having a dangerous cost could add to fear in using the spell at all. That way just because you recieve a powerful ability doesn't mean your going to go around killing everyone because you lose something everytime you use it. The cost should not be something as high as death (for the fact that once DR is completed it will be much harder to get out of and then there would be no point in getting the spell) but close enough to make people not want to use it unless its absolutly needed. A kind of last resort spell.

Remember this spell would go along with the specific races traits. As simple as a spell to further increase the already heightened senses of an Enkidukai (to kind of make their agility exceed its normal limits) or temporarily double a krans strength. Or the spells can be as complex as you like.

Duraza stands on a hill taking a look at Hydlaa from outside, a mysterious person wearing a cloak standing beside him.

"Will you ever return to this city?"

Duraza turns to face the person "Yes one day, but a day far from now."

"What of those who still are loyal to you here?"

"They will either continue to be faithful and wait for my return or give up and abandon their position... I don't care which they do, the choice is theres..."

"And your slaves?"

"I don't have the power or skill to keep my spell connected to them over such great distances as we will travel. They are free of my grasp...One day, I will return though and I will finish what I started here. I will never abandon my purpose, my goal....."

After that the two turn around and walk off...dissappearing in the mornings mist....

[Bye everyone! hope to come back to this game eventually  Have fun without me.]

A hand covered in dark flames reveals itself from under a cloak and grabs the head of another, "Do you wonder the point of your existence?  Think that you lack true power? Want to Unlock your full potential? Well my child I can give you all that you ever wanted.  I hold the key to fufilling your dreams.....all you have to do is stand still....remember all good things come at a price.."


Way of the Decayer
The Decayers of Light is a guild belonging to the Dark Hand Organization.  They are a group of dark mages (few warriors are allowed) who believe dark magic is superior. They think the only thing that can stand against dark magic is the power of crystal magic and therefore to make only dark magic powerful they must decay its rival. They don't believe in killing the opponnent unless needed, feeling that torture is better.

Way of the Mage
To the founders of this organization it was believed that "Magic is Might." Those who follow the path of the warrior are looked down upon as inferior and/or weak. They believe that only a mage can match a mage. This leads to the conclusion that mages, whether friend or foe, are equals and all else are worthless. They only show respect for warriors within their own ranks, who they still may feel are inferior.

Ranking

Lost One- Those who are captured by the guild for whatever reason. The Necromancer's use them in tests while researching the dark arts. Those who live are allowed to serve the organization or be killed.

Shadow- Servants of the guild (whether lost one or hired). As the name implies you are to act only as a shadow, to be seen but not heard. If felt worthy you may be lucky to be accepted as a true guild member, most however are not.

Chaotic Invoker- Learner of the dark arts. You will be taught the ways of the mage and learn many dark secrets and forbidden techniques.

Necromancer- Dark mages who practice the art of Necromancy. They study the dark ways, and its magics. Since the magic they practice is illegal they opperate in secret, researching in private locations.

Chaotic Elite- High level mages with allowed to act freely in the guild. They may use a variety of different spells and ways. Only the guild master and Lords can command the Elite.

Black Guard- Warriors and mages who directly serve the guildmaster. They work as the guild masters personal guard and their only required job is to protect the guild master with their life.

Decayer- A member allowed to command all under them except the chaotic elite. They are dark mages who have mastered the arts of weakening and decaying. As such this torturers never kill but only drive the opponent to the point where death is desired.

Lord- Those who serve directly under the guild master. They take control of the guild in times of the guild masters absence, serve as generals in war, and act as a council for helping the guild master in making decisions.

Hand of Darkness- Master of the guild and the Organization. As the name implies the guild master is also the known master a special technique called the Hand of Darkness. When the time comes he/she must choose an apprentince to teach this technique and become the new guild master.

Purpose
Known as the first phase of the organization this guilds only purpose is to weaken the strength of light(the definition of light here is left to one's interpretation...they could mean the crystal itself or be using light as a word to represent good). They belive that like living things that can die and decay light can do the same. 

More Information
Still craving for more?  Lust for the power?  Well you may be one of us.  For more information check the guild website www.freewebs.com/handofdarkness . If you want to speak to us either talk to us ingame or go to the non-members area in the fourms http://z4.invisionfree.com/The_Dark_Hand/index.php . Post whatever questions you may have there or express your intrest to join.

[modified again...]

Former History
Long ago there was a city called Ragon hidden in the mountains.  It was the home of 8 guardians known as the Unholy Guardians.  Each one a master of the Unholy Light.  They protected the city till they became engaged in a war agaisnt "shadows."  During this war the city was destroyed and all but 3 guardians perished.  Now these guardians will attempt to rise again to recreate what has been lost for so long.

Ranking

Apprentice- Someone training to take on a specific job in the guild.

Mage- A beginner or master in the Mage Style of the Unholy Arts

Blaksmith- A beginner or master in the Blacksmith Style of the Unholy arts

Swordsman- A beginner or master in the Swordsman Style of the Unholy arts

Mentor- A teacher of students in or out of the guild.

Adept Guard- Protecter of the guild and its secrets. Hunter of Rogue Guardians.

Researchers- Members who commit their-selves to the discovery of new unholy arts as well as those who seperate the regular moves from the sacred and forrbidden arts.

Guardian Council- Overseers of the guild and its affairs.  Together they have the same power as the grand master over the guild and comand the Adept Guard.

Grand Master- The guild leader and the head mentor.  Also the keeper of all the guilds secrets as well as its Sacred Arts.

What is Unholy Light?
Unholy Light is an extreme form of mental energy.  Its name comes from its history of usage within the city of Ragon and while it is thought of as magic in its previous history more relates to other mental energies like ESP, mind control, and telekinesis. 

What are the Styles?
Through the most stern of disciplines, the members of the Unholy Guardians learn how to focus their power for their life's sake. And with this concentrated power, and through special rites teached onto them, they are able to unleash an energy, a power to form the work we call 'Unholy Arts.  The mage, blacksmith, and swordsman styles are the 3 main styles of the Unholy arts from which all of the moves[taught and sacred] are founded.  The mage stlye focuses on long rage attacks, the blacksmith on making energy weapons that disappear after a short amount of time, and the swordsman which focues on empowering the sword or prefered weapon. 

Purposes

Revival of Ragon- To rebuild the city lost in war long ago

Preservation of the Unholy Arts- To make sure that the arts and their secrets survive. [has to do with the fact they were almost lost during the war]

Teaching of the Arts- To teach possible future masters and make sure they are all united under one rule. This is also our main purpose.  Whether or not you join the guild does not exclude you from learning the Unholy Arts.

Protection- To protect those under the Unholy Guardians or allied with us.  It is on a personal bases whether one wants to protect the people of Hydlaa, Oja, etc.  However unless your job is otherwise protecting your fellow guild members is a must.

Sacred/Forbidden Arts- To make sure the sacred arts stay hidden even if one has to kill their own guild member to do so.  Also to keep the forbidden arts from falling into the wrong hands

Join Us!
We are currently looking for students who would be intrested in learning the style and maybe master it. We have no problem teaching people outside the guild but what you can learn is limited. Anyone can be accepted at the student level it is just progressing to the next that is a challenge.[for more information on any of the guild concepts feel free to contact me in the threads or ingame as Xeonart or contact the Guildmaster Hasseo.]

[1st just wanted to say that all those who are in this rp that its not over.  This thread is for more information about the rp including the background story and details about my death. Hope all are enjoying the rp so far I promise it will just get better ]

This story is the background information about Duraza and Hasseo:

Long ago after the cities of Oja and Hydlaa had settled, another city was made a place hidden in mountains far away. This city was a place of peace and protection to all travelers that had wandered and settled there and remained unknown from the world for years.  It was protected by eight noble guardians each who could wield the very power that flowed through the city and gave it life and beauty, Unholy Light.  In the hands of the guardians the light was a tool of peace and protection for many years.  Then one day rumor spread through the city that a large force was comming to destroy it.  The night that they were to arrive the 8 guardians prepared for an all out attack.  The only person to come to their gate that night was a lone stranger dressed in black robes.  When they asked who the stranger was he did not answer and as they waited for a reply the air started to become thick with fog.  When the guardians looked around the noticed that something moved in the fog.  Then appeared the robed stranger attacking the gates with an army of thousands of creatures, walking shadows.  They attacked with great force wipping out the city and killing all but 3 guardians in 2 days.  The remaining 3 were captured by the stranger.  For years he experimented on their souls.  Soon he decided to take 2 of the souls to make a new servant.  He combinded them and called his servant Hasseo.  However the combined powers of the Unholy Light was too much for his dark curse and Hasseo escaped.  The stranger did not want Hasseo to find help so he used the final guardians soul.  He twisted it to its extent without destroying it makin a being of darkness.  He named this soul DIZ but it became so damaged by the darkness it could not function without a living host body.  So found a mortal body who belonged to a man named Duraza.  He combined the 2 giving them a fake life and identity but still bound to him for servitude.  Duraza would be his tool from which he did his bidding....

*edit*

Recently Hasseo was killed because of a final battle between Peacer and Duvare forced upon him by the stranger.  Duraza was killed by Skreit and Farren and afterwards they experienced the power of the stranger....