I have had the opportunity to see a range of loot systems implemented in the last few years. The algorithms currently used to generate "loot tables" by developers and further to select actual "drops" during gameplay vary greatly in complexity. I will not go into calculation at this point. I will simply outline core principles. I do not have insight into the mechanics used by other game developers and so I can only refer to the player experience.
Let me first state that I have not yet found an instance of a system that completely customizes loot. I have often found myself using weapons that are a poor fit for my class/play style/etc. due to their significant improvement over my previous weapon. I believe the same could be said of many players. In cases where the loot is not useful to the player, their options are to sell it to an NPC, destroy it in some way that changes it into a base material, or simply discard it. In multiplayer games, trading items with other players is often limited so as to not negatively effect another aspect of the game. Although I do not feel it is possible to completely customize loot based on the player and their play style, I do feel that it should limit items based on class.
In some cases, the loot dropped appears completely random. The stat combinations are obscure or do not complement one another. There may be players that desire some odd stat because of an effect it has on an ability at certain levels, but an item should not be useless to 99% of those that receive it.
I also feel that player freedom is important. A warrior may wish to use a staff and a mage may wish to use a sword while playing and should be free to do so. Very often lore-based limitations are added which I do feel add to the overall game (priest-type classes being unable to use bladed weapons, shields making it impossible to cast spells, etc.) but outside of those constraints, the player should be free to play as they wish. I do not, however, think this freedom should effect loot drops.
I feel that loot drops should be tied to class. I feel that this should apply to groups as well (i.e. a rogue specific item should not drop when a group of 10 people have finished something and none of them are playing rogues). As the game's developer, I have a great deal of insight into what combination of stats will provide the "best" result. I should, therefore, only include stats which will positively effect the player that receives the item.
How then would someone account for a player 20 points away from the haste cap for blah, blah, blah...? Simple, let the players customize it. More specifically, via crafting. I feel that crafting should be a viable means to gear up. Obviously, limitations can be implemented so as to prevent a user from acquiring "best-in-slot" gear without ever completing high-end content, but this can easily be done with material limitations. A blacksmith should be able to modify an existing piece of plate armor. I also feel that few top-level crafters should exist in a given profession.
Now, you may be wondering why I mentioned PVP and loot in the same title. I am not going to go into structured PVP. A fellow player will often be the most difficult encounter a player will face. I do feel that players should drop loot. Whether or not the defeated player loses the items is a separate discussion. Looting people during a battleground (or equivalent) would negatively effect teammates as well as competitors, however, if players square off in the game world, the winner should be rewarded. This is, of course, allowing for level differentiation, etc.
Further, I feel that "world bosses" are a great mechanic and that "tagging" mobs is unwieldy at best. However, to encourage world PVP, I feel it would be ideal to have the loot from world bosses be limited by faction. My current thought is that the faction that is responsible for the majority of the damage receives loot, while the other factions do not. Whether or not attacking a world boss tags a player for PVP, I have not yet decided. I do not feel it should. I believe this would lead to "griefing" rather than world PVP.
I would like to get others' thoughts. Actual encounter design is far off if it ever occurs but I do wish to take the necessary steps to allow for the development in the future.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Physical limitations and shapeshifting
As I continued to think of character design, I came to the conclusion that I wished to incorporate limits. Certain aspects of character design can only be modified to certain levels or degrees. These limits would be tied to the base stats of the character. The basic idea would be tied to immersion. A character with a strength of 3 should not be built like the Incredible Hulk.
That being said, the very nature of the Kin makes initial character creation less of a concern. All kin are shapeshifters. Their ability to maintain a form varies. Only the most skilled shapeshifters can make permanent changes to their appearance. The Kin must be able to envision a form to maintain it and so their memory of the form plays a key role. As a gameplay mechanic, this would probably be tied to base intelligence. Then there are the Molders...
Molders are hypnotists or mesmerists in our parlance although they would not think of it this way. Dragons discovered that while in a trance-like state, they could memorize a form. The memorized forms were easier to maintain and could be shifted into much more quickly. They also discovered that these memories could be changed. The Kin are not able to memorize new forms without aid. The parts of them that are human also prohibit continuous or radical experimentation as death can easily occur if the form is not able to sustain life. They need coaches. Molders allow Kin to envision a form without shifting into it. They are also able to imprint the memory of the form so that previous memories of the form are replaced. This does lead to discrepancies between memory and actual events.
Originally, all Molders were full-blooded dragons. They aided their offspring through the pitfalls of shapeshifting. Over time, the Molders did take apprentices from those that were able to memorize forms most readily. They were able to teach some the method of imprinting onto another that allow the Molders craft. Most of the dragonflights have since stopped teaching the Kin these techniques fearing the effects of this gift and no Kin has, as of yet, been able to instruct another in the technique. Whether this is an actual physical limitation is not known to any currently living Kin.
All current Molders are recruited as apprentices. They are taught the various techniques for coaching and reading and are able to eventually modify their own forms. In order to become Molders, however, they must travel to the land of Water. There they request training from the blue dragonflight. Details regarding this training are not discussed even among the Molders. However, only 1 in 5 potential Molders ever return. Should they return, Molders quickly become wealthy. Their services are expensive and they rely on notoriety and word-of-mouth for their custom rather than offering other services.
In relation to gameplay, Molders allow for the customization of any form from the base player character to any other form shifted into.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The first dragons
And so it was that the Sentients returned to Chaos. But something
remained. The Great Wyrm had perceived much that would and had
transpired while it existed, but it had not perceived the time before it
or the time after. In that place, a spark of Chaos bent the
surrounding Order.
The forms that had been were changed. The lines between forms blurred. And a new form became. A form did not adhere to the Rules the Sentients had applied. A form that was a faint shadow of what the Sentients had been. A form that had Will. Only some of the forms of matter were complex enough for this Will to be discernible. The creations of the Great Wyrm were the first. Their movement slowed, stopped, faltered. The force that had propelled them was gone. They became more complex. Their forms morphing becoming more like the matter around them. The idea that was their creation was realized. Moments passed but in those forms what was of the Sentients coalesced. These new forms began to perceive.
They were the Eldest and legends of them are still told among the dragons. Some believe they still exist and some say that they will return but whether or not these things are true, they were the first dragons. Beings of matter given Will and for millenia they thought Will was theirs alone.
But that spark had effected other matter. Much less complex forms but far from simple. Beyond even the sight of dragons, something else came into being. Slowly, weakly, new forms were created destroyed, changed until perception found another home. It would be a very long time until the dragons realized they had neighbors.
The Eldest knew not of their creator. They knew not of Chaos. They did know Destruction as they watched it all around them. The legends will not tell of their early moments. The nascent movements. Their first sounds. For all beings of matter and will stumble. It would be some time before they would learn to communicate with one another, to fly. For they did exist within the confines of the Rules and these too they learned over time.
And so it was that the Eldest watched. They chose domiciles and grew in knowledge. They gave names to the forms they perceived and came to know their own power and its limits. They watched Order change around them. It was one that called itself Water that first noticed something new. A speck in its vision that did not move as the other matter did. Water attempted to move closer but the speck stopped moving. Water begin to seek out these specks and found many. Over time Water learned their movements and learned how close it could approach. When Water first saw 2 of these strange things move away from the point where one had it been, it chose to seek out Ice and communicate. Ice had not perceived these things and could not approach them as closely as Water. This fascinated both and so they sought at many of the others. Ice chose to carry one of the specks that had stopped moving, for many of the Eldest disdained being in liquid. The Eldest gathered nearly the home of Earth and listened to the perceptions of Water.
It was then that distrust was first known among the Eldest. For Fire could not approach the thing that Ice had carried and had not perceived anything similar. Most of the Eldest had not considered that one would communicate something that was inaccurate. Some attempted so now as if they were unsure it could be done. Water could not conceive of a way to verify communication. It asked Fire to come to where these things had occurred, but found that the specks stopped moving as Fire approached.
Water stayed and observed these things that moved. Initially trying to conceive of a way to let the others observe them. But over time as their numbers increased and grow larger Water simply wished to observe them.
And so it was that Ice first observed something moving while well away from Water. It came to Water and shared its perception. Some of these things could be closer to ice than others. It seemed they were changing. Ice wished to gather the others again and communicate to them, but Water did not wish to. Something about what had happened caused Water to avoid those that had doubted.
Ice did not gather the others. However, many years later, Earth observed some movement while moving through the liquid that covered much of Ptera. It watched as the thing that water had described too place. Matter moving as it would not expect. It reached out, and the movement stopped. It found something else moving and observed from a distance. It went to Water and spoke to it. Upon hearing that Water had been avoiding the others, it chose to gather the Eldest so that all was returned. They gathered in the liquid this time.
The others observed and some were able to observe the movement. They began to discuss what this form of matter was. It seemed to enjoy being near Water and none had seen it outside the liquid. It seemed to be many different forms. While some would approach Ice, others moved away from it.
But the discussion was not inclusive. For none of these things would approach Fire or Lava, and neither wished to remain in the liquid for long. It was Fire however, that became impatient. It decided to clear the area of liquid. The others noticed the bubble forming, but those that could see the movement watched as it all ceased. Water turned on Fire and told it what was happening. Water told Fire to stop. Fire simply continued to force the liquid away. Water pleaded. It had come to enjoy the movement, to consider the little moving forms as having importance. Fire simply continued. The liquid already covered too much of the surface of Ptera, a little less would be good for all.
Water then pushed back. The liquid around them flooded back. Fire paused. Feeling itself surrounded by liquid again. It looked upon Water. It felt distrust. It doubted all that had been said. Here, Fire could be bent, contained. It had been brought to the liquid to be chained. It flashed out, straining to clear all around it. The others all spoke. This was pleasant for now, the surroundings changing again and again. Earth came between Water and Fire. It perceived anger in both. It spoke of returning to the discussion. Surely, knowledge held more joy than the use of power. But Fire distrusted Earth as well, for Earth had chosen this location. Fire struck out at Earth pushing it away.
All of the Eldest paused. Something had changed. Many of the Eldest backed away wishing to avoid
whatever transpired next. Some were considering resolutions. Before any could speak, Water struck. It did not aim to return the liquid. It aimed to strike directly at Fire. The liquid did return as Fire was knocked back. Fire seized Water and sprang toward the surface. But Water freed itself and struck at Fire again. Fire was knocked back again and lunged toward the surface. Water chased Fire and they both broke the surface and took to the gas above. Fire and Water squared off and both poured forth Destruction in their forms. All around them boiled. Water watched as the Destruction reached the surface and pushed down. Water dove beneath the surface and sprang up driving the liquid before it. The combined force was too much for Fire. It fled toward land, vowing to strike again if Water ever left its horrid domain.
From that moment on, the Eldest never gathered as one. Earth sought to mediate but found those closest to it at odds. Lava and Metal felt that Water was not to be trusted. Acid had seen Fire strike first and considered it a threat. Above the surface, Wind and Lightning were also at odds. And so, the Eldest began speaking of realms and boundaries. Earth, Metal, and Lava still spoke often, and whatever boundaries may have existed between them were ignored. Acid spent time both on land and in liquid and spoke to all save Fire. Water never again walked upon solid but would speak to Acid and Wind and inquire as to Earth. Wind spoke less to Earth over time feeling that Earth's attempts to remain neutral had made the situation worse.
Water watched as the complex forms around it changed and grew and multiplied. It watched as the liquid changed. It watched as many stopped moving. It watched as some moved to the surface. It watched as new forms appeared. It was when the first of these forms were spotted on land that Earth again spoke with Water. It showed Water what it had found and Water was amazed. It had changed to live outside the liquid. Earth was less happy about the new form and wondered if Water did seek dominion. Water felt again the injury of distrust. Water turned from Earth. Earth returned to the land and destroyed those things it saw.
But the small beings continued to grow and change and multiply. Until one was seen that looked very much like the Eldest. Wind saw it on the surface of the liquid and tried to communicate with it. The small being could make noise but that noise did not seem to vary. Wind went to Water and showed it this new thing. Water had seen things similar but this was different. Its surface was nearly that of the Eldest, but much thinner. Water asked Wind if it may be possible to change this thing to be more like them. Wind looked upon the small creature and imagined communicating to many. Wind agreed and together they worked to bend this small thing. Over time, they made it larger and worked to give it flight. As they worked, the form seemed to head toward land whenever not contained. Water did not wish for this being to be known. It recalled Earth's disdain. It sought Acid and asked for its assistance. Acid would allow it to live in its domain in exchange for another like itself. The 3 began working together to create a pair. Over time, Lightning wondered on the absence of Wind and sought her out. At first Lightning looked upon their work with anger, but then Wind spoke to it saying that it was to be in form like them all, but in strength like Lightning, for Wind though Lightning the greatest among them. Lightning aided them and gave to the one the power to control the energy it loved.
They found however, that unlike the other forms that Water cared for, these 2 could not produce a third. Water had observed this and thought that only those that were very similar could multiply. The 4 Eldest again gathered and created mates for the 2 first born. And so it was that in the realm of Acid these new creatures lived and mated and like the small being that had been spotted by Wind, laid eggs. It was when those eggs had hatched that Water approached Wind without the knowledge of the others. Water asked Wind to go to Earth and bring 2 of these that Water had created to let them be filled with Earth's power. In exchange she would create 2 for Wind. Wind agreed and so brought to the realm of Earth the offering. Wind instructed Earth on their design and spoke of how they could be made in Earth's likeness. Earth followed the instructions and the first Earth dragons took breath.
Earth than sought out Water. It found Water among the newborns in the realm of Acid. Water looked upon Earth with dread. Earth bowed to Water and spoke kindly. Earth had watched the small creatures. It said they should be called Children of Water and named these the greatest. Earth then said that it had watched these creatures and the way they interacted. It mimicked this interaction rubbing its long neck against Water's. And so it was that Earth and Water found peace. Both relinquished their domains and chose to request to stay in the realm of Acid.
Water taught Earth of the shaping of creatures and they prepared 2 to present to Wind. But Fire had learned of these new beings. Lava had told Fire of what it had seen in the court of Earth. Fire stole into the realm of Acid and imbued the fledglings with its own power. Wind grew furious and would have destroyed the pair if Water and Earth had not intervened. The judgement would be against Fire not these. And so it was that Fire was banished from the surface and the gas above. Lava too was furious and tracked and hunted Fire whenever it came near. Lava bowed to Wind and asked forgiveness for sharing the knowledge with Fire. Fire took refuge deep beneath the surface, in the core of Ptera.
Water and Earth again created 2 offering for Wind. These were accepted and joined their siblings but chose to leave the land often and rest in places where the land pierced the gases above.
Lave and Metal both approached Earth separately. Both wished to offer the other a pair of these new creatures. Earth spoke to Water and Wind. All agreed that such should be but that the gifts would be public and simultaneous. In return Lava and Metal would construct a grand court. The court would be given to Acid in return for its hospitality. And so the court of Acid was formed and at the first gathering there, Metal and Lava both offered gifts to one another.
The Eldest and their progeny lived in the realm of Acid for some time. Their progeny were of flesh and so ate and drank and bred. The Eldest taught their progeny and learned from them. For although much like the Eldest in appearance they could shift their form to mimic other creatures.
The forms that had been were changed. The lines between forms blurred. And a new form became. A form did not adhere to the Rules the Sentients had applied. A form that was a faint shadow of what the Sentients had been. A form that had Will. Only some of the forms of matter were complex enough for this Will to be discernible. The creations of the Great Wyrm were the first. Their movement slowed, stopped, faltered. The force that had propelled them was gone. They became more complex. Their forms morphing becoming more like the matter around them. The idea that was their creation was realized. Moments passed but in those forms what was of the Sentients coalesced. These new forms began to perceive.
They were the Eldest and legends of them are still told among the dragons. Some believe they still exist and some say that they will return but whether or not these things are true, they were the first dragons. Beings of matter given Will and for millenia they thought Will was theirs alone.
But that spark had effected other matter. Much less complex forms but far from simple. Beyond even the sight of dragons, something else came into being. Slowly, weakly, new forms were created destroyed, changed until perception found another home. It would be a very long time until the dragons realized they had neighbors.
The Eldest knew not of their creator. They knew not of Chaos. They did know Destruction as they watched it all around them. The legends will not tell of their early moments. The nascent movements. Their first sounds. For all beings of matter and will stumble. It would be some time before they would learn to communicate with one another, to fly. For they did exist within the confines of the Rules and these too they learned over time.
And so it was that the Eldest watched. They chose domiciles and grew in knowledge. They gave names to the forms they perceived and came to know their own power and its limits. They watched Order change around them. It was one that called itself Water that first noticed something new. A speck in its vision that did not move as the other matter did. Water attempted to move closer but the speck stopped moving. Water begin to seek out these specks and found many. Over time Water learned their movements and learned how close it could approach. When Water first saw 2 of these strange things move away from the point where one had it been, it chose to seek out Ice and communicate. Ice had not perceived these things and could not approach them as closely as Water. This fascinated both and so they sought at many of the others. Ice chose to carry one of the specks that had stopped moving, for many of the Eldest disdained being in liquid. The Eldest gathered nearly the home of Earth and listened to the perceptions of Water.
It was then that distrust was first known among the Eldest. For Fire could not approach the thing that Ice had carried and had not perceived anything similar. Most of the Eldest had not considered that one would communicate something that was inaccurate. Some attempted so now as if they were unsure it could be done. Water could not conceive of a way to verify communication. It asked Fire to come to where these things had occurred, but found that the specks stopped moving as Fire approached.
Water stayed and observed these things that moved. Initially trying to conceive of a way to let the others observe them. But over time as their numbers increased and grow larger Water simply wished to observe them.
And so it was that Ice first observed something moving while well away from Water. It came to Water and shared its perception. Some of these things could be closer to ice than others. It seemed they were changing. Ice wished to gather the others again and communicate to them, but Water did not wish to. Something about what had happened caused Water to avoid those that had doubted.
Ice did not gather the others. However, many years later, Earth observed some movement while moving through the liquid that covered much of Ptera. It watched as the thing that water had described too place. Matter moving as it would not expect. It reached out, and the movement stopped. It found something else moving and observed from a distance. It went to Water and spoke to it. Upon hearing that Water had been avoiding the others, it chose to gather the Eldest so that all was returned. They gathered in the liquid this time.
The others observed and some were able to observe the movement. They began to discuss what this form of matter was. It seemed to enjoy being near Water and none had seen it outside the liquid. It seemed to be many different forms. While some would approach Ice, others moved away from it.
But the discussion was not inclusive. For none of these things would approach Fire or Lava, and neither wished to remain in the liquid for long. It was Fire however, that became impatient. It decided to clear the area of liquid. The others noticed the bubble forming, but those that could see the movement watched as it all ceased. Water turned on Fire and told it what was happening. Water told Fire to stop. Fire simply continued to force the liquid away. Water pleaded. It had come to enjoy the movement, to consider the little moving forms as having importance. Fire simply continued. The liquid already covered too much of the surface of Ptera, a little less would be good for all.
Water then pushed back. The liquid around them flooded back. Fire paused. Feeling itself surrounded by liquid again. It looked upon Water. It felt distrust. It doubted all that had been said. Here, Fire could be bent, contained. It had been brought to the liquid to be chained. It flashed out, straining to clear all around it. The others all spoke. This was pleasant for now, the surroundings changing again and again. Earth came between Water and Fire. It perceived anger in both. It spoke of returning to the discussion. Surely, knowledge held more joy than the use of power. But Fire distrusted Earth as well, for Earth had chosen this location. Fire struck out at Earth pushing it away.
All of the Eldest paused. Something had changed. Many of the Eldest backed away wishing to avoid
whatever transpired next. Some were considering resolutions. Before any could speak, Water struck. It did not aim to return the liquid. It aimed to strike directly at Fire. The liquid did return as Fire was knocked back. Fire seized Water and sprang toward the surface. But Water freed itself and struck at Fire again. Fire was knocked back again and lunged toward the surface. Water chased Fire and they both broke the surface and took to the gas above. Fire and Water squared off and both poured forth Destruction in their forms. All around them boiled. Water watched as the Destruction reached the surface and pushed down. Water dove beneath the surface and sprang up driving the liquid before it. The combined force was too much for Fire. It fled toward land, vowing to strike again if Water ever left its horrid domain.
From that moment on, the Eldest never gathered as one. Earth sought to mediate but found those closest to it at odds. Lava and Metal felt that Water was not to be trusted. Acid had seen Fire strike first and considered it a threat. Above the surface, Wind and Lightning were also at odds. And so, the Eldest began speaking of realms and boundaries. Earth, Metal, and Lava still spoke often, and whatever boundaries may have existed between them were ignored. Acid spent time both on land and in liquid and spoke to all save Fire. Water never again walked upon solid but would speak to Acid and Wind and inquire as to Earth. Wind spoke less to Earth over time feeling that Earth's attempts to remain neutral had made the situation worse.
Water watched as the complex forms around it changed and grew and multiplied. It watched as the liquid changed. It watched as many stopped moving. It watched as some moved to the surface. It watched as new forms appeared. It was when the first of these forms were spotted on land that Earth again spoke with Water. It showed Water what it had found and Water was amazed. It had changed to live outside the liquid. Earth was less happy about the new form and wondered if Water did seek dominion. Water felt again the injury of distrust. Water turned from Earth. Earth returned to the land and destroyed those things it saw.
But the small beings continued to grow and change and multiply. Until one was seen that looked very much like the Eldest. Wind saw it on the surface of the liquid and tried to communicate with it. The small being could make noise but that noise did not seem to vary. Wind went to Water and showed it this new thing. Water had seen things similar but this was different. Its surface was nearly that of the Eldest, but much thinner. Water asked Wind if it may be possible to change this thing to be more like them. Wind looked upon the small creature and imagined communicating to many. Wind agreed and together they worked to bend this small thing. Over time, they made it larger and worked to give it flight. As they worked, the form seemed to head toward land whenever not contained. Water did not wish for this being to be known. It recalled Earth's disdain. It sought Acid and asked for its assistance. Acid would allow it to live in its domain in exchange for another like itself. The 3 began working together to create a pair. Over time, Lightning wondered on the absence of Wind and sought her out. At first Lightning looked upon their work with anger, but then Wind spoke to it saying that it was to be in form like them all, but in strength like Lightning, for Wind though Lightning the greatest among them. Lightning aided them and gave to the one the power to control the energy it loved.
They found however, that unlike the other forms that Water cared for, these 2 could not produce a third. Water had observed this and thought that only those that were very similar could multiply. The 4 Eldest again gathered and created mates for the 2 first born. And so it was that in the realm of Acid these new creatures lived and mated and like the small being that had been spotted by Wind, laid eggs. It was when those eggs had hatched that Water approached Wind without the knowledge of the others. Water asked Wind to go to Earth and bring 2 of these that Water had created to let them be filled with Earth's power. In exchange she would create 2 for Wind. Wind agreed and so brought to the realm of Earth the offering. Wind instructed Earth on their design and spoke of how they could be made in Earth's likeness. Earth followed the instructions and the first Earth dragons took breath.
Earth than sought out Water. It found Water among the newborns in the realm of Acid. Water looked upon Earth with dread. Earth bowed to Water and spoke kindly. Earth had watched the small creatures. It said they should be called Children of Water and named these the greatest. Earth then said that it had watched these creatures and the way they interacted. It mimicked this interaction rubbing its long neck against Water's. And so it was that Earth and Water found peace. Both relinquished their domains and chose to request to stay in the realm of Acid.
Water taught Earth of the shaping of creatures and they prepared 2 to present to Wind. But Fire had learned of these new beings. Lava had told Fire of what it had seen in the court of Earth. Fire stole into the realm of Acid and imbued the fledglings with its own power. Wind grew furious and would have destroyed the pair if Water and Earth had not intervened. The judgement would be against Fire not these. And so it was that Fire was banished from the surface and the gas above. Lava too was furious and tracked and hunted Fire whenever it came near. Lava bowed to Wind and asked forgiveness for sharing the knowledge with Fire. Fire took refuge deep beneath the surface, in the core of Ptera.
Water and Earth again created 2 offering for Wind. These were accepted and joined their siblings but chose to leave the land often and rest in places where the land pierced the gases above.
Lave and Metal both approached Earth separately. Both wished to offer the other a pair of these new creatures. Earth spoke to Water and Wind. All agreed that such should be but that the gifts would be public and simultaneous. In return Lava and Metal would construct a grand court. The court would be given to Acid in return for its hospitality. And so the court of Acid was formed and at the first gathering there, Metal and Lava both offered gifts to one another.
The Eldest and their progeny lived in the realm of Acid for some time. Their progeny were of flesh and so ate and drank and bred. The Eldest taught their progeny and learned from them. For although much like the Eldest in appearance they could shift their form to mimic other creatures.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
The War of the Sentients
Light was the first battleground.
A single point collecting a flash of what Destruction had wrought. A reflection. A being perceived Radiance and desired to push it out in all directions. That desire took form. Brilliance shone out extending toward the boundaries of Order and bending back. Shadow perceived this and sought to remove it from existence. It clung to it. Surrounded it. Expanded itself as much as possible. The other Sentients perceived these events. They perceived Light as an attack on Chaos. They could perceive the desire. They could make it manifest. Light poured forth. It was met by darkness. Darkness receded, but the light needed to be sustained. The Sentients did not know their limitations. One among them tried to fill all Creation with Light... to push the Darkness outside its limits. It pushed out. Away from itself. It did not realize that it must have boundaries. That consciousness must be contained. That an observer must be separate from its subject. That it has a source. The Light poured forth and then burned out in an instant. The Sentients perceived this. Something had changed. Their forms became centralized. They moved away from one another. Those that desired Chaos moved to the edges of the void. Those that sought to destroy Chaos sought the center of Creation.
It would be millenia before they sought one another out.
It was those that defied Chaos that first communicated. They first spoke of Order. They began the process of drawing matter to itself. Most of these early attempts failed but ideas did become Rules. They took on forms that remained.
The edges of the void offered very little to those who sought Destruction. One among them perceived the Rules and sought to distort them. It approaches a dense collection of matter. It had form. It behaved in patterns. It perceived these patterns. It sought to destroy those patterns. To remove its form. It twisted the pattern. Collapsing the forms in on themselves. The matter began to return to energy. The Sentient did not perceive the effect this had on the matter close to it. Suddenly light appeared. The Sentient fled back as light began to engulf everything around it. The matter still existed but was changed. The light did not extend far but endured. All of the Sentients perceived it now. This was not Destruction. This was the return of Light. The Sentient returned to the edge of the void... a single point it could perceive as a constant reminder of its failure. Those of the Rules sought out this point. This defied the Rules they had perceived, but was somehow of them. They sought out the being that had done this.
This new source of Light had been blocked out by Shadow in many directions but not in all. They perceived the Sentient looking back toward the Light. Its failure. It perceived them. It sought to destroy their forms but they held. It sought to mimic their forms to combat them. It perceived their relations to one another. It perceived interaction. It attempted to destroy these interactions, but they had no form. The interactions were transient. It tried to mimic them seeking some weakness. They responded to its interactions with other interactions. These things were created and destroyed and changed simultaneously. They were not of matter or energy. They were similar to perception but not belonging to the self. It could perceive itself through these interactions and external. It perceived them. They perceived it. They perceived the new Light. They perceived it differently. It perceived the new Light. The differing perceptions flooded in. They took on forms... thoughts... It began to understand. The group began to perceive themselves individually. Each added additional perceptions of other moments in time of events. It perceived them each in term. The labels added to its own perception. They interacted with one another and then perceived him en masse. They added another perception. Its current form creating the Light, followed by its form creating similar Lights again and again. It paused and than added this perception to its own perception of self.. Thus did it give itself a label... The Star Maker.
There was another the perceived this. Another remained of shadow but was intrigued by these events. It too perceived the interactions but it did not try to mimic them. It perceived the changing forms. It perceived those strange indirect reflections of perception. None of those reflections were focused on it. The reflections changed, shifted, became more complex. These reflections could allow the perception of itself. It observed as another's perception was added. It understood. Another could now extend their perceptions. He observed the variation in the perceptions. When all before him turned from the void, it understood. Only its own perception remained. It began to add to this perception. Shadows surrounding a group of forms. A slight shift in the shadows.... The Unseen Watcher.
The Star Maker repeated its actions two times and shared its perceptions. These new Lights caused stirring. Several of the void seekers shielded themselves from the lights and simply awaited their failure. One, however, was angered. It would stop the return of Light. It saw the matter shifting... becoming energy... That energy was light... That energy had power. It would shift the balance. It struck at the heart of the Light. The energy coalesced. The Light shifted. It grew larger. Yet it was different. Its strength diminished and spread. Just as Light had once been. The Sentient continued. It would burn itself out again.
The Star Maker looked on. A thought came to it. It too remembered the Light that was gone. It had done this. It had created this new Light. The new Light would remain. The Star Maker set upon the being that would destroy his work. The Star Makers form forcing an edge to the formless. The formless one recoiled. It attempted to destroy the star again, but could not extend to its core. It was limited. It became more limited as it approached the Star Maker. Its form reeled around, enveloping the Star Maker. Attempting to move the Star Maker away from the Light. The Star Maker could not be moved. It seethed. It looked upon the Star Makers form. It congealed. Contracting as much as possible and flung itself at the Star Maker. The Star Maker was forced back. It struck again and again. The Star Maker form morphed and twisted but it was farther and farther away from the Light. The attacker struck again but the Star Maker moved back towards the Light. The attacker threw itself between the Star Maker and the Light trying to block off all the space. The Star Maker contracted and sped toward the Light. When they collided there was a flash. Sound returned to the universe carried on the edges and surface of the two Sentients. The Star Maker had pierced its would be jailor.
Both beings stood still. They perceived change. The being perceived a limit to itself. An edge that stayed. It folded around that edge. Contracting condensing. The end remained. It perceived the Star Maker. It perceived its works. It became that edge. It lengthened attempting to stretch that edge. It flung itself at one of the fledgling stars. Where it passed ceased to be. Reactions stopped. The very fabric of Order reverberated. Here where Destruction had turned on itself, Chaos existed. The star's core imploded. The light now trapped in its creator. The destroyer turned on the Star Maker, but as it did the edge shortened. Order returned to it. The edge sealed. It felt lessened. It perceived itself as changed. It fled.
The Star Maker perceived the space where the star had been. It then perceived that the other stars were moving towards it. It called out to the other Sentients. They thought of the Rules and applied them. The crude forms of matter had a motion. It could be applied here. The remaining stars began to move around the star that was. The movement steadied and slowed. The other matter nearby followed suit. They perceived the space where the star had been. They perceived the Light that was no more. They perceived the edge. They perceived the form that had fled... The One that Ended Light.
The One that Ended Light fled to the edge of the Void. It had felt Chaos. It perceived that touching Chaos would destroy it. It longed for that Destruction. It considered what had come before. It considered the forms. It shifted between the forms. It did not perceive another. Another that also witnessed. Another that wish to know. A perception that was not its own reached the One that Ended Light. A perception of itself as it shifted form followed by a perception of the form it had held for a moment, then by a perception of the aftermath. The place where the light was, the gathered others, the movement of the stars. It did not understand this perception, it could not be perception. Another perception began of another being perceiving yet not being perceived and then suddenly it did perceive something, a form similar to those used by the others that had defended the light yet different. It matched the form before it. A new perception of its new form reached it along with the source. It shifted form and the perception shifted. It then modified the perception. Changing the source making it external to both beings. The perception changed. The form before remained, but the perception returned to one that perceives but is not perceived. It considers this and then modified the perception. Returning to that moment when the light was removed and all that remained was it. It then perceived that edge. The edge that had been and then wasn't. It perceived the Void nearby and the edge as part of that void.
The Unseen Watcher considered this. If the Void could appear perhaps they could join with it. It did not perceive that the other before it had been lessened. It wished to know. It wished to touch Chaos. It sent out the perception of itself expanded and of the One that Ended Light piercing it. Of it reaching out to the Void. Of it entering the Void. The One that Ended Light understood. It too longed for the Void. If this other could be destroyed, perhaps it could remain. It changed its form, growing as dense as possible. The Unseen Watcher changed form... expanding... After a time, the One that Ended Light perceived the other only. It struck. An edge formed. That edge contracted and threw itself toward the Void. When it reached where perception stopped, perceptions overwhelmed both beings. Perceptions of times that were and times that would be. Perceptions of myriad forms. Perceptions bent, faultered, wavered. The Unseen Watcher perceived its creation and then perceived its demise. It had touched Chaos and could no longer be. It perceived Chaos and no longer was. The One that Ended Light perceived itself. It perceived a form. It perceived its end. When the Unseen Watcher ceased to be, all returned to what had been. Perception was once again relegated to the realm of Order. But the One that Ended Light was not as it once was. It's perception were no longer all of Order. It perceived thing that were not. Its own perceptions mixed with anothers. It recalled the perceived form. It took the form it had perceived. Fine points and reflective plates. To pierce and to not be pierced. A form that would fill itself with Chaos and so join it. A form to end the others. The Great Wyrm.
The Great Wyrm traveled throughout Order finding those that sought Chaos and granting them their wish. Showing them parts of what it had seen. Each time it perceived things outside itself. Each time those perceptions became harder to distinguish from its own. When the edge of the Void provides no more prey, it looked toward the center.
Order had become more complex. Now many stars could be seen. Hundreds, thousands, millions circled around the point where the light had been. The Great Wyrm seethed. Around some of the stars were dense groups of matter, reflecting their light. It moved toward them. Here matter was being grouped, sorted. Perceptions that were not its own filled its consciousness. A point many stars away. A point where it would become one with Chaos. It sped toward it. It approached the point. So small. It perceived its hideous complexity. Matter in so many combinations. So many forms. These forms both destroyed and created one another. Here was Destruction, but it was weakened, caged. Here it also created. This Destruction must be unleashed. No, bent to its image. It created forms like its own from the myriad types of matter... of the dense solids... of the turbulent liquids... of the gases clinging to the more dense matter. NO! The forms scattered. They must appear solid but be filled with Destruction. A form that reeled internally with destruction. Dense to not be pierced. Sharp to pierce. It copied this form and filled it with these abstractions... these diluted mixtures of energy and matter. Their bodies designed to destroy all that they contained. Destruction born of the Rules just as it had been born of Order. Many of the forms would not remain solid, but many did. The Great Wyrm then set them in motion releasing their Destruction.
The Great Wyrm's presence had not gone unnoticed. It had arrived in a place where much work had been done. Where many of the Rules had been written and were being written. As it continued its work, two Sentients approached. They looked upon the forms it was creating. They did not understand the forms. It was combined rather than separate. They moved but did not seem to follow a pattern. They sent out their perceptions and considered them. It was then that the Great Wyrm perceived them. It rushed upon them, forcing their forms back. They darted toward it but it did not seem to move. The Great Wyrm sent the perception that it could not be moved. It sent the perception of may like them destroyed. They did not understand these perceptions. They sent the perception of joining of trading perceptions of understanding. The perception was twisted, sent back as a perception of their forms present than gone, all the forms surrounding them present then gone.
They did not understand this. They set out and gathered the other Sentients, sending perceptions of what had been. The other Sentients returned to the place where the Great Wyrm stood. They saw these new forms changing the Rules. The forms intermingled in ways that only caused Destruction. They stood before the forms and were confronted with a wave of Destruction forcing their forms back. They considered this as again Destruction drove them. These forms were merely matter though. They begun unraveling them dissipating the forms and unleashing the Destruction. The Great Wyrm looked upon this and perceived its creations would soon cease to be. They were beings of matter. It moved them away and then came between them and the other Sentients. It received many perceptions but ignored them all and struck. A fine point pierced one of the Sentients, then another and another. It perceived that something had changed. It sent out this perception. The Star Maker struck back but it did not pierce. Another struck as well but again the form was not pierced. They perceived the form before them was varied and sharing this, they struck in many places. They pierced this being before them, an edge appeared but then could not be perceived. The being seemed to extend rather than lessen. It struck back with many fine points. Two more Sentients were pierced while a third repelled the force. They struck back. The Great Wyrm was pierced. Many edges forming and then shifting and then were no more. It extended its form. It struck at them. It's attacks did not pierce. They struck back. Its form distended and exposed it was pierced again and again. It howled reverberating sound throughout Creation. Edges formed and shifted and disappeared. The other Sentients continued to strike but it seemed that the Great Wyrm was not weakened. It seemed to be expanding. Yet, it did seem lessened. Then it sprung at them. It engulfed them. Their forms surrounded by edges on all sides. One last perception was shared among them. The One that Ended Light. It became one with the edge. All were engulfed in Chaos.
A single point collecting a flash of what Destruction had wrought. A reflection. A being perceived Radiance and desired to push it out in all directions. That desire took form. Brilliance shone out extending toward the boundaries of Order and bending back. Shadow perceived this and sought to remove it from existence. It clung to it. Surrounded it. Expanded itself as much as possible. The other Sentients perceived these events. They perceived Light as an attack on Chaos. They could perceive the desire. They could make it manifest. Light poured forth. It was met by darkness. Darkness receded, but the light needed to be sustained. The Sentients did not know their limitations. One among them tried to fill all Creation with Light... to push the Darkness outside its limits. It pushed out. Away from itself. It did not realize that it must have boundaries. That consciousness must be contained. That an observer must be separate from its subject. That it has a source. The Light poured forth and then burned out in an instant. The Sentients perceived this. Something had changed. Their forms became centralized. They moved away from one another. Those that desired Chaos moved to the edges of the void. Those that sought to destroy Chaos sought the center of Creation.
It would be millenia before they sought one another out.
It was those that defied Chaos that first communicated. They first spoke of Order. They began the process of drawing matter to itself. Most of these early attempts failed but ideas did become Rules. They took on forms that remained.
The edges of the void offered very little to those who sought Destruction. One among them perceived the Rules and sought to distort them. It approaches a dense collection of matter. It had form. It behaved in patterns. It perceived these patterns. It sought to destroy those patterns. To remove its form. It twisted the pattern. Collapsing the forms in on themselves. The matter began to return to energy. The Sentient did not perceive the effect this had on the matter close to it. Suddenly light appeared. The Sentient fled back as light began to engulf everything around it. The matter still existed but was changed. The light did not extend far but endured. All of the Sentients perceived it now. This was not Destruction. This was the return of Light. The Sentient returned to the edge of the void... a single point it could perceive as a constant reminder of its failure. Those of the Rules sought out this point. This defied the Rules they had perceived, but was somehow of them. They sought out the being that had done this.
This new source of Light had been blocked out by Shadow in many directions but not in all. They perceived the Sentient looking back toward the Light. Its failure. It perceived them. It sought to destroy their forms but they held. It sought to mimic their forms to combat them. It perceived their relations to one another. It perceived interaction. It attempted to destroy these interactions, but they had no form. The interactions were transient. It tried to mimic them seeking some weakness. They responded to its interactions with other interactions. These things were created and destroyed and changed simultaneously. They were not of matter or energy. They were similar to perception but not belonging to the self. It could perceive itself through these interactions and external. It perceived them. They perceived it. They perceived the new Light. They perceived it differently. It perceived the new Light. The differing perceptions flooded in. They took on forms... thoughts... It began to understand. The group began to perceive themselves individually. Each added additional perceptions of other moments in time of events. It perceived them each in term. The labels added to its own perception. They interacted with one another and then perceived him en masse. They added another perception. Its current form creating the Light, followed by its form creating similar Lights again and again. It paused and than added this perception to its own perception of self.. Thus did it give itself a label... The Star Maker.
There was another the perceived this. Another remained of shadow but was intrigued by these events. It too perceived the interactions but it did not try to mimic them. It perceived the changing forms. It perceived those strange indirect reflections of perception. None of those reflections were focused on it. The reflections changed, shifted, became more complex. These reflections could allow the perception of itself. It observed as another's perception was added. It understood. Another could now extend their perceptions. He observed the variation in the perceptions. When all before him turned from the void, it understood. Only its own perception remained. It began to add to this perception. Shadows surrounding a group of forms. A slight shift in the shadows.... The Unseen Watcher.
The Star Maker repeated its actions two times and shared its perceptions. These new Lights caused stirring. Several of the void seekers shielded themselves from the lights and simply awaited their failure. One, however, was angered. It would stop the return of Light. It saw the matter shifting... becoming energy... That energy was light... That energy had power. It would shift the balance. It struck at the heart of the Light. The energy coalesced. The Light shifted. It grew larger. Yet it was different. Its strength diminished and spread. Just as Light had once been. The Sentient continued. It would burn itself out again.
The Star Maker looked on. A thought came to it. It too remembered the Light that was gone. It had done this. It had created this new Light. The new Light would remain. The Star Maker set upon the being that would destroy his work. The Star Makers form forcing an edge to the formless. The formless one recoiled. It attempted to destroy the star again, but could not extend to its core. It was limited. It became more limited as it approached the Star Maker. Its form reeled around, enveloping the Star Maker. Attempting to move the Star Maker away from the Light. The Star Maker could not be moved. It seethed. It looked upon the Star Makers form. It congealed. Contracting as much as possible and flung itself at the Star Maker. The Star Maker was forced back. It struck again and again. The Star Maker form morphed and twisted but it was farther and farther away from the Light. The attacker struck again but the Star Maker moved back towards the Light. The attacker threw itself between the Star Maker and the Light trying to block off all the space. The Star Maker contracted and sped toward the Light. When they collided there was a flash. Sound returned to the universe carried on the edges and surface of the two Sentients. The Star Maker had pierced its would be jailor.
Both beings stood still. They perceived change. The being perceived a limit to itself. An edge that stayed. It folded around that edge. Contracting condensing. The end remained. It perceived the Star Maker. It perceived its works. It became that edge. It lengthened attempting to stretch that edge. It flung itself at one of the fledgling stars. Where it passed ceased to be. Reactions stopped. The very fabric of Order reverberated. Here where Destruction had turned on itself, Chaos existed. The star's core imploded. The light now trapped in its creator. The destroyer turned on the Star Maker, but as it did the edge shortened. Order returned to it. The edge sealed. It felt lessened. It perceived itself as changed. It fled.
The Star Maker perceived the space where the star had been. It then perceived that the other stars were moving towards it. It called out to the other Sentients. They thought of the Rules and applied them. The crude forms of matter had a motion. It could be applied here. The remaining stars began to move around the star that was. The movement steadied and slowed. The other matter nearby followed suit. They perceived the space where the star had been. They perceived the Light that was no more. They perceived the edge. They perceived the form that had fled... The One that Ended Light.
The One that Ended Light fled to the edge of the Void. It had felt Chaos. It perceived that touching Chaos would destroy it. It longed for that Destruction. It considered what had come before. It considered the forms. It shifted between the forms. It did not perceive another. Another that also witnessed. Another that wish to know. A perception that was not its own reached the One that Ended Light. A perception of itself as it shifted form followed by a perception of the form it had held for a moment, then by a perception of the aftermath. The place where the light was, the gathered others, the movement of the stars. It did not understand this perception, it could not be perception. Another perception began of another being perceiving yet not being perceived and then suddenly it did perceive something, a form similar to those used by the others that had defended the light yet different. It matched the form before it. A new perception of its new form reached it along with the source. It shifted form and the perception shifted. It then modified the perception. Changing the source making it external to both beings. The perception changed. The form before remained, but the perception returned to one that perceives but is not perceived. It considers this and then modified the perception. Returning to that moment when the light was removed and all that remained was it. It then perceived that edge. The edge that had been and then wasn't. It perceived the Void nearby and the edge as part of that void.
The Unseen Watcher considered this. If the Void could appear perhaps they could join with it. It did not perceive that the other before it had been lessened. It wished to know. It wished to touch Chaos. It sent out the perception of itself expanded and of the One that Ended Light piercing it. Of it reaching out to the Void. Of it entering the Void. The One that Ended Light understood. It too longed for the Void. If this other could be destroyed, perhaps it could remain. It changed its form, growing as dense as possible. The Unseen Watcher changed form... expanding... After a time, the One that Ended Light perceived the other only. It struck. An edge formed. That edge contracted and threw itself toward the Void. When it reached where perception stopped, perceptions overwhelmed both beings. Perceptions of times that were and times that would be. Perceptions of myriad forms. Perceptions bent, faultered, wavered. The Unseen Watcher perceived its creation and then perceived its demise. It had touched Chaos and could no longer be. It perceived Chaos and no longer was. The One that Ended Light perceived itself. It perceived a form. It perceived its end. When the Unseen Watcher ceased to be, all returned to what had been. Perception was once again relegated to the realm of Order. But the One that Ended Light was not as it once was. It's perception were no longer all of Order. It perceived thing that were not. Its own perceptions mixed with anothers. It recalled the perceived form. It took the form it had perceived. Fine points and reflective plates. To pierce and to not be pierced. A form that would fill itself with Chaos and so join it. A form to end the others. The Great Wyrm.
The Great Wyrm traveled throughout Order finding those that sought Chaos and granting them their wish. Showing them parts of what it had seen. Each time it perceived things outside itself. Each time those perceptions became harder to distinguish from its own. When the edge of the Void provides no more prey, it looked toward the center.
Order had become more complex. Now many stars could be seen. Hundreds, thousands, millions circled around the point where the light had been. The Great Wyrm seethed. Around some of the stars were dense groups of matter, reflecting their light. It moved toward them. Here matter was being grouped, sorted. Perceptions that were not its own filled its consciousness. A point many stars away. A point where it would become one with Chaos. It sped toward it. It approached the point. So small. It perceived its hideous complexity. Matter in so many combinations. So many forms. These forms both destroyed and created one another. Here was Destruction, but it was weakened, caged. Here it also created. This Destruction must be unleashed. No, bent to its image. It created forms like its own from the myriad types of matter... of the dense solids... of the turbulent liquids... of the gases clinging to the more dense matter. NO! The forms scattered. They must appear solid but be filled with Destruction. A form that reeled internally with destruction. Dense to not be pierced. Sharp to pierce. It copied this form and filled it with these abstractions... these diluted mixtures of energy and matter. Their bodies designed to destroy all that they contained. Destruction born of the Rules just as it had been born of Order. Many of the forms would not remain solid, but many did. The Great Wyrm then set them in motion releasing their Destruction.
The Great Wyrm's presence had not gone unnoticed. It had arrived in a place where much work had been done. Where many of the Rules had been written and were being written. As it continued its work, two Sentients approached. They looked upon the forms it was creating. They did not understand the forms. It was combined rather than separate. They moved but did not seem to follow a pattern. They sent out their perceptions and considered them. It was then that the Great Wyrm perceived them. It rushed upon them, forcing their forms back. They darted toward it but it did not seem to move. The Great Wyrm sent the perception that it could not be moved. It sent the perception of may like them destroyed. They did not understand these perceptions. They sent the perception of joining of trading perceptions of understanding. The perception was twisted, sent back as a perception of their forms present than gone, all the forms surrounding them present then gone.
They did not understand this. They set out and gathered the other Sentients, sending perceptions of what had been. The other Sentients returned to the place where the Great Wyrm stood. They saw these new forms changing the Rules. The forms intermingled in ways that only caused Destruction. They stood before the forms and were confronted with a wave of Destruction forcing their forms back. They considered this as again Destruction drove them. These forms were merely matter though. They begun unraveling them dissipating the forms and unleashing the Destruction. The Great Wyrm looked upon this and perceived its creations would soon cease to be. They were beings of matter. It moved them away and then came between them and the other Sentients. It received many perceptions but ignored them all and struck. A fine point pierced one of the Sentients, then another and another. It perceived that something had changed. It sent out this perception. The Star Maker struck back but it did not pierce. Another struck as well but again the form was not pierced. They perceived the form before them was varied and sharing this, they struck in many places. They pierced this being before them, an edge appeared but then could not be perceived. The being seemed to extend rather than lessen. It struck back with many fine points. Two more Sentients were pierced while a third repelled the force. They struck back. The Great Wyrm was pierced. Many edges forming and then shifting and then were no more. It extended its form. It struck at them. It's attacks did not pierce. They struck back. Its form distended and exposed it was pierced again and again. It howled reverberating sound throughout Creation. Edges formed and shifted and disappeared. The other Sentients continued to strike but it seemed that the Great Wyrm was not weakened. It seemed to be expanding. Yet, it did seem lessened. Then it sprung at them. It engulfed them. Their forms surrounded by edges on all sides. One last perception was shared among them. The One that Ended Light. It became one with the edge. All were engulfed in Chaos.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
The first sentients
Humans have no stories that predate the coming of the dragons. There are however, many.
Long before Ptera was formed, Chaos ruled over an endless void. Chaos was not a single form or of many. Such terms have no meaning in regards to Chaos. However, Chaos without Order is nothing.
Chaos longed for Destruction. This longing would be its undoing. For its visions of tearing matter and energy asunder caused them to be. It's need for Destruction could only be sated with Creation. This thought had a power all its own. This thought was the first event. The very fact that Chaos recognized this event as change caused the existence of Time. Chaos fumed. It attempted to destroy, to stop time, to bring to an end its error. But such things can not be. For its thoughts had a context now. Its consciousness had memory. The being that was Chaos was itself undone. Its thoughts taking on forms. Its own desires creating Order. It's hatred... self loathing... it's anger... manifest... Chaos fled and by the very act gave birth to a space the was not Chaos.
In the place where Order now existed Destruction came to be. Destruction slowed and limited Order's expanse. It called out to Chaos but even Destruction can not communicate with Chaos. Destruction attempted to undo Creation. It found the opposites of all it perceived and caused them to be. But its works were themselves creation. Although matter could be destroyed with anti-matter, energy was created. Destruction called out to Chaos again. No response came. Destruction's anger and fear became hatred. Destruction did not comprehend Chaos. It could not. It imagined the opposite of Chaos. Something that could destroy Chaos. What resulted was not Order. Order already existed well beyond the power of Destruction. Destruction itself could not exist without Order. The result was fragmented. Merely aspects it attributed to Chaos... Sound to counter the noiseless... Light to counter the darkness.... Form to counter the formless... It pushed all these things out towards the void.... The reign of Order was extended but only in space. Destruction could not effect Time. It tried to venture beyond the limits of Time but to no avail. It could slow its movement through time, but not stop it.
It was then that Destruction began to perceive. It was surrounded by Creation. It existed only within the bounds of Order. It longed for Chaos. It attempted to bring about the end to crush Creation with itself. But it too had a beginning. A moment of creation was beyond its reach. It could not undo itself. It was then that Madness first appeared. The consciousness that was Destruction shattered. What remained took form... Thus it was that the Sentients first appeared. Beings aware of their existence. Beings that perceived.
They defined themselves in relation to one another and took on edges. They exerted force on each other and the area around them. They began to know themselves. They looked out at the bonds of Creation and were possessed by different thoughts. They quickly found themselves at odds. They knew not why some desired to destroy Chaos while others sought it out. They knew not why some desired to destroy Light while others wished to contain it. They thought not of sides... of opposition... of balance.
Long before Ptera was formed, Chaos ruled over an endless void. Chaos was not a single form or of many. Such terms have no meaning in regards to Chaos. However, Chaos without Order is nothing.
Chaos longed for Destruction. This longing would be its undoing. For its visions of tearing matter and energy asunder caused them to be. It's need for Destruction could only be sated with Creation. This thought had a power all its own. This thought was the first event. The very fact that Chaos recognized this event as change caused the existence of Time. Chaos fumed. It attempted to destroy, to stop time, to bring to an end its error. But such things can not be. For its thoughts had a context now. Its consciousness had memory. The being that was Chaos was itself undone. Its thoughts taking on forms. Its own desires creating Order. It's hatred... self loathing... it's anger... manifest... Chaos fled and by the very act gave birth to a space the was not Chaos.
In the place where Order now existed Destruction came to be. Destruction slowed and limited Order's expanse. It called out to Chaos but even Destruction can not communicate with Chaos. Destruction attempted to undo Creation. It found the opposites of all it perceived and caused them to be. But its works were themselves creation. Although matter could be destroyed with anti-matter, energy was created. Destruction called out to Chaos again. No response came. Destruction's anger and fear became hatred. Destruction did not comprehend Chaos. It could not. It imagined the opposite of Chaos. Something that could destroy Chaos. What resulted was not Order. Order already existed well beyond the power of Destruction. Destruction itself could not exist without Order. The result was fragmented. Merely aspects it attributed to Chaos... Sound to counter the noiseless... Light to counter the darkness.... Form to counter the formless... It pushed all these things out towards the void.... The reign of Order was extended but only in space. Destruction could not effect Time. It tried to venture beyond the limits of Time but to no avail. It could slow its movement through time, but not stop it.
It was then that Destruction began to perceive. It was surrounded by Creation. It existed only within the bounds of Order. It longed for Chaos. It attempted to bring about the end to crush Creation with itself. But it too had a beginning. A moment of creation was beyond its reach. It could not undo itself. It was then that Madness first appeared. The consciousness that was Destruction shattered. What remained took form... Thus it was that the Sentients first appeared. Beings aware of their existence. Beings that perceived.
They defined themselves in relation to one another and took on edges. They exerted force on each other and the area around them. They began to know themselves. They looked out at the bonds of Creation and were possessed by different thoughts. They quickly found themselves at odds. They knew not why some desired to destroy Chaos while others sought it out. They knew not why some desired to destroy Light while others wished to contain it. They thought not of sides... of opposition... of balance.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
It's been a while
As has often been the case, I walked away from this project for a while. I have been researching tools and considering the current design of late. At present, I plan to use a mixture of Blender and Unity to develop initial characters. I have also spoken with others about the idea. In general, the link between the Kin and Illumin seemed tenuous. Although I do think that demi-gods will serve the purpose, I have less interest in stories already told.
So, I'm going with just the Kin. The factions will actually increase due to the differentiation of dragon flights.
The abilities of the dragon flights will vary based on mythos. The class structure will be based, as mentioned before, on the aspects of dragons in the mythos. All of the Kin are shape shifters to a greater or lesser extent. At present, I imagine several forms/classes:
Drakeforms
The mostly physically similar to full-blooded dragons. In general, they are the spawn of full-blooded dragons and humans or full-blooded dragons and Kin. There natural form is neither dragon nor human. Most humans find their physical forms frightening. However, their legendary physical strength has led some to seek them out. Drakeforms vary physically based on their bloodlines. Some are capable of true flight while others have thick interlocking scales without servicable wings.
Elementals
The dragon flights have been cultivating their mastery of the elements for millenia. Each dragon flight specializes in a particular element as a matter of tradition. The synergy of the elements has been used to devastating effect in some of the draconic wars, but has often led to the destruction of both friend and foe alike. The hatred of the dragon flights has also had its influence. Most Reds despise the use of wind and water as much as they hate their wielders. Kin are not limited to mastering a single element however, training outside their progenitors specialty is unusual.
Blends
In rare cases, the age old rivalries have not found purchase within the Kin. After a number of generations, this can lead to what among the dragons would be considered unforgivable... a mixing of the bloodlines. The existence of these Kin is often disputed. Their blood accentuates their ability to shapeshift and they often live unnoticed among humans. In general, the physical attributes and elemental mastery of their ancestors is greatly diminished. However, as discover would lead to a quick death, they rely heavily on illusion, glamor, and deceit. Unlike their fellow Kin, their very nature does not allow them to align with the dragon flights.
So, I'm going with just the Kin. The factions will actually increase due to the differentiation of dragon flights.
The abilities of the dragon flights will vary based on mythos. The class structure will be based, as mentioned before, on the aspects of dragons in the mythos. All of the Kin are shape shifters to a greater or lesser extent. At present, I imagine several forms/classes:
Drakeforms
The mostly physically similar to full-blooded dragons. In general, they are the spawn of full-blooded dragons and humans or full-blooded dragons and Kin. There natural form is neither dragon nor human. Most humans find their physical forms frightening. However, their legendary physical strength has led some to seek them out. Drakeforms vary physically based on their bloodlines. Some are capable of true flight while others have thick interlocking scales without servicable wings.
Elementals
The dragon flights have been cultivating their mastery of the elements for millenia. Each dragon flight specializes in a particular element as a matter of tradition. The synergy of the elements has been used to devastating effect in some of the draconic wars, but has often led to the destruction of both friend and foe alike. The hatred of the dragon flights has also had its influence. Most Reds despise the use of wind and water as much as they hate their wielders. Kin are not limited to mastering a single element however, training outside their progenitors specialty is unusual.
Blends
In rare cases, the age old rivalries have not found purchase within the Kin. After a number of generations, this can lead to what among the dragons would be considered unforgivable... a mixing of the bloodlines. The existence of these Kin is often disputed. Their blood accentuates their ability to shapeshift and they often live unnoticed among humans. In general, the physical attributes and elemental mastery of their ancestors is greatly diminished. However, as discover would lead to a quick death, they rely heavily on illusion, glamor, and deceit. Unlike their fellow Kin, their very nature does not allow them to align with the dragon flights.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Class structures
Let me first state that when noting that you are working on "class structures", you should enunciate. Otherwise many people will assume you are planning on superheating something.
I have been a Web developer for some time. My ideas of class structure is to a certain extent driven by that experience. As a result, I began with the highest level object, the player character. I chose the class name "SentientBeing" and the working title for the project instantly became "Sentient Beings". All NPCs are currently "Being"s and "SentientBeing" inherits from that.
I then began working toward base structures and adding properties and methods as I went. All beings have "name"s for instance, they all have a "Skin", a skin is a container for "BodyPart"s and "Joint"s. "Joint"s have a position as well as a range of motion, etc.
All "Being"s must exist in an environment. The interaction that "Being"s can have with the environment I'm still considering. For instance, if you are gathering herbs do the herbs go away or simply become invisible to/unusable by the current player.
And so we come to the reason for this blog. As I write this, I think to myself that a "SelectableObject" and it's child "InteractableObject" (that obviously needs a better name). For that matter, such objects should have "Visible" and "Usable" properties. As for being able to blow holes in walls... although that would be useful, it would have dramatic effects on gameplay. For instance, is the damage permanent? If a wall is destroyed and a player walks through the opening but the wall returns to its original state, can they be stuck? Is it possible to destroy a wall from underneath something or someone? All in all, the realism of being able to damage objects is desirable, but the implications are significant. I will probably add a health property to objects and leave the default at 0 for most objects while allowing a select few to be damaged/destroyed.
The chat interface will probably be my next subproject. Built in audio chat has been sorely lacking in current games. Although 3rd party options have alleviated this to a certain extent, it should be built-in and controllable. A single player being able to "drown out" an entire area is never desirable.
I have been a Web developer for some time. My ideas of class structure is to a certain extent driven by that experience. As a result, I began with the highest level object, the player character. I chose the class name "SentientBeing" and the working title for the project instantly became "Sentient Beings". All NPCs are currently "Being"s and "SentientBeing" inherits from that.
I then began working toward base structures and adding properties and methods as I went. All beings have "name"s for instance, they all have a "Skin", a skin is a container for "BodyPart"s and "Joint"s. "Joint"s have a position as well as a range of motion, etc.
All "Being"s must exist in an environment. The interaction that "Being"s can have with the environment I'm still considering. For instance, if you are gathering herbs do the herbs go away or simply become invisible to/unusable by the current player.
And so we come to the reason for this blog. As I write this, I think to myself that a "SelectableObject" and it's child "InteractableObject" (that obviously needs a better name). For that matter, such objects should have "Visible" and "Usable" properties. As for being able to blow holes in walls... although that would be useful, it would have dramatic effects on gameplay. For instance, is the damage permanent? If a wall is destroyed and a player walks through the opening but the wall returns to its original state, can they be stuck? Is it possible to destroy a wall from underneath something or someone? All in all, the realism of being able to damage objects is desirable, but the implications are significant. I will probably add a health property to objects and leave the default at 0 for most objects while allowing a select few to be damaged/destroyed.
The chat interface will probably be my next subproject. Built in audio chat has been sorely lacking in current games. Although 3rd party options have alleviated this to a certain extent, it should be built-in and controllable. A single player being able to "drown out" an entire area is never desirable.
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