Specific weapons requests

[Valorius Rageway]

Is there any way i could humbly suggest the inclusion of a Tai-Chi sword in Planeshift?

Ive never seen one in any RPG, which is odd, considering that it is a true master's weapon. And since i've been using one in real life for almost 20 years, it would really 'connect' me with my character.


"Green Destiny", sword of Li Mu Bai from the movie "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon."

Thanx for your time.

[Karyuu]

Tai-Chi doesn't really belong in PlaneShift, however. It is something very specific to our world and thus would not fit within the setting of Yliakum. You will find items that are more unique to the game.

[Valorius Rageway]

A tai chi sword isn't 'world specific', but a short sword, falchion, long sword, and claymore are?

A Claymore is about as highly specialized a niche/nation specific weapon as exists, yet it "fits the world" whereas a tai-chi sword(or katana or whatever other sword you may fancy) does not?

No offense, but that just makes no sense at all.

A tai chi sword is essentially a long sword with spring steel blade for heightened sensitivity. What exactly 'doesnt fit' about that? A broadsword is also a chinese kung-fu weapon, i noticed that plane shift has those(i had a nice crystal steel broadsword up until i sold it 3 hours ago). I fail to see the difference of how one 'fits', and one does not.

[Zan]

The problem lies in the name: Tai Chi sword.

Putting this sword in the game under that name would also mean that Tai Chi exists in the game. Tai Chi doesn't exist and won't exist, something similar with an unique name might. So basically I think if a suitable name can be found for your sword then it might find its way in there some day. Wouldn't count on it any time soon though.

[LARAGORN]

Just call it the 'Long sword of enlightenment' or something. It would have to be a rare and hard to get sword or it would be just another sword.

[Zellgadess]

It's not the name he's pushing for, but the type of sword! Call it a Argan Sword! ^_^

[Valorius Rageway]

The problem lies in the name: Tai Chi sword.

Putting this sword in the game under that name would also mean that Tai Chi exists in the game. Tai Chi doesn't exist and won't exist, something similar with an unique name might. So basically I think if a suitable name can be found for your sword then it might find its way in there some day. Wouldn't count on it any time soon though.

Just a few possible workarounds for the name issue: Perhaps it could be "ancient lost technology" from a long since missing emmisary, merchant, or even a long extinct race or nation. Or as the other lad suggested, you could simply rename it to some other name. "Chi" means internal energy, so perhaps a "Plane-chi", or "Phase-chi" sword, or something along those lines.

The advantages of a tai-chi sword are in it's heightened sensitivity(which is what makes it a masters weapon, as only a master can properly appreciate and utilize that sensitivity to his opponents movements through the blade of a sword), and it's ability to still strike an opponent even if he blocks your attack(the spring steel blade will bend beyond 90 degrees to "wrap around" an enemy blade and attack with the tip if it hits another sword blade at the right angle, then spring back into position. They are also extremely light(about 1/2 the weight of a quality Katana), so they are extremely fast weapons. Short of a fencing foil or maybe some rapiers, a Tai-chi sword is as fast as it gets.

Architecturally, a tai-chi sword aways features a 1 handed handle and can have a blade ranging from about 25-30" in length.

I appreciate your consdierations, and i wont bother the designers with this topic again. I appreciate the chance to have my opinion on this matter heard.

[Nikodemus]

Just a few possible workarounds for the name issue: Perhaps it could be "ancient lost technology" from a long since missing emmisary, merchant, or even a long extinct race or nation.

I think you should learn the setting before giving any suggestions concerning the setting at all.

I don't have much against the idea, but if you are trying to be at least considered, you need to know a lit more.
The fact many things in PS lacks in deepth explanation is no excuse, because this way we will never go above this barrier. <<---- This is for future arguments.

[emeraldfool]

I don't get it. A 'Tai-chi' (Chinese; literally 'ultimate fist') sword automatically means that Tai Chi exists, but a Claymore ('claidheamh mòr' - literally 'big sword'... yeah us Gaels are real original ) doesn't mean that Celts exist?

Isn't that logic just a little bit flawed...?

[Karyuu]

Sure :] Everything has some origin somewhere. But then why even call swords "swords," and instead make up a name like "nrals"? There's a limit to things. Claymores, nowadays, have less of a "this definitely comes from such-and-such place" connotation, while reading a name like Tai-Chi still immediately makes you think of its Earthly origins.

[emeraldfool]

Sure :] Everything has some origin somewhere. But then why even call swords "swords," and instead make up a name like "nrals"? There's a limit to things. Claymores, nowadays, have less of a "this definitely comes from such-and-such place" connotation, while reading a name like Tai-Chi still immediately makes you think of its Earthly origins.

Actually, when I hear 'claymore', I instantly think either 'Braveheart' or 'Scotland' - I'd consider them almost as scottish as bag-pipes, but maybe that's just me...

My primary argument would be that, to a Chinese person 'Tai Chi' is just a word, but come to think of it... there are no Chinese people (At least not that I know of. Even still; This is still a solely english-speaking game...)

[TomT]

I think one problem is that most medieval fantasy (or otherwise) settings usually center on western European culture.  And people find it odd to see references to anything else but that.  I can not speak for PS in general, but I do not think it is impossible to imagine seeing some exotic weaponry like this in the game.

Of course there are many things that would have to be done before getting them in game.  Foremost would be to find a skilled 3D artist willing to do these sorts of items justice.  We may also want to changes to the combat rules to support exotic weapon fighting styles.  It would be cool to see some combat specialization some time in my lifetime  

As far as crafting is concerned, you may think that the making these swords would also require the need to for specialized skills.  But we might be surprised to find out that the methods were very similar (with the addition of some special techniques.)  Unfortunately, I do not know very much about creating oriental swords.  I will do some research. 

But if anyone has any ideas about the setting and extra crafting steps or tools that they would be interested in seeing for use with these styles of swords please post them here.  To be any use they would need to fit the context as well as the limitations of the game.  For example, the special quench tank containing unusual liquids might be used.  Or some additional tools needed to create that beautiful ornamentation.  Maybe a ceremonial drum would have to be played to put the smith in the correct frame of mind.

Valorius, it is great to hear from someone who is familiar with swords and swordsmanship in RL - as compared to where most of us get our experience.  Thanks for the great post.

[Protomaster]

Protein: you've already dreamed up a setting; exotic weapons come from somewhere exotic. There is a large amount of "unchartered" terrirories in the world especially since there is no map available. (and even if there were, a lot of it would be blank with "Here, Thar be the Dragons/Monsters")

I'm using this as a reference

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=24282.msg269141#msg269141

a possibility might be that one of the races brought it in with them through the portal. I wouldn't know which race might have something like that but I'd have a feeling that Valorius Rageway might know considering that he's trained in that. though this does seem a lot like a "wizard did it" solution by using some end all origin simply by throwing it somewhere else.

in addition an alternate name for the sword could just be it's name in pinyin (chinese characters may be a bit...unexplained) Tai chi jian I think it is. (jian means sword, tai chi is literally supreme ultimate.)

considering that possibilty I've noticed how different oja and hydlaa look, so is there a possibility of oja having different weapons from hydlaa in their shops? it occurs to me that the enki migh thave developed something to supplement their natrual abilities or features. seems sterotypical but catclaws wouldnt be a bad idea, for everyone else they'd just be gauntlets with knives or something.

on a related note this thread is titled "specific weapons requests" and I would like to see a katana and wakizashi I may not have had 20 years of practice in those but 5 years is still a sizable amount I'd say. (plus more years of various martial arts, which would also be interesting in game.) Considering they are a longsword and shortsword respectivly they could just be the result of an alternate way to make longswords and shortswords. I can look up the methods and find weather or not it's plausible that you could make it in much the same way but with a bit of tweaking in how you hammer it.

[Getter]

For reasons none of us will ever understand, this thread has motivated me to register an account (just the forum for now...) amid my passive, stealthy stalking of this game which has gone on for well over a year now.  I look forward to contributing to the wrangling dialogue that'll result in improving the game.

While on the gist of this topic...one of "exotic" weaponry...might I venture to ask what the stance would be on weaponry/"stuff" that is so esoteric at this point that by and large almost anything that attempts to construe it might well be fantasy?  While there are many such "things" throughout known and partially known human history thus far, here's one that particularly comes to mind---no worries on being "overused" in this genre or any other(Even MUDs) for that matter.

Gatka:

http://www.combatkempo.com/Gatka/gatka.htm

I don't mean to suggest this change it all in terms of combat and such....but it is well worth the fascinating read, has some pictures and diagrams, and is generally interesting material.  Sift through this golden powder to look for any gems let's say.   

[Valorius Rageway]

I don't get it. A 'Tai-chi' (Chinese; literally 'ultimate fist') sword automatically means that Tai Chi exists, but a Claymore ('claidheamh mòr' - literally 'big sword'... yeah us Gaels are real original ) doesn't mean that Celts exist?

Isn't that logic just a little bit flawed...?

EXACTLY.

Sure :] Everything has some origin somewhere. But then why even call swords "swords," and instead make up a name like "nrals"? There's a limit to things. Claymores, nowadays, have less of a "this definitely comes from such-and-such place" connotation, while reading a name like Tai-Chi still immediately makes you think of its Earthly origins.

To the contrary a Claymore is EXTREMELY specific to the Celts. If you wanted to merely represent the TYPE of sword, it would be called a "two handed sword" or perhaps a "Great sword." Only one very small island nation on Earth uses Claymores, as the title is NOT synonymous with a 'type' of sword, but rather a very specific weapon in particular.

To have the one and not any other speciifc earth blade is a direct contradiction, unless William Wallace himself once teleported into the planeshift universe.

Even among Scotsmen the Claymore is a very rare weapon(as it was very expensive).

Also, it was stated earlier that there are no 'martial arts' in planeshift. In reality, such a statement merely displays a misunderstanding of what the term "martial art" means.

Quite literally, a "martial art" is any MILITARY type training or skill. So if you acquire a level of sword training, or bow training, or drill and ceremony training, by definition you have just practiced a martial art. If it relates to organized fighting or training among organized forces, it is a martial art.