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Author Topic: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 3  (Read 1544 times)

NUKE9.13

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2021, 12:45:06 pm »

More proposals would be good. However, to placate MoP, I am going to make a votebox.
My reasoning: I have concerns that the Coiled Serpent Spear Style is too much of a glass cannon- not that we can never create glass cannon styles, but now is not the time, in my mind. I feel this style should be a style that can be used by troops whose main purpose is to tie up the enemy while more interesting monks do their thing. Also, a macuahuitl is an interesting weapon.
The uniform was a hard choice, but I eventually decided to vote for the only option. (To be clear, I would definitely consider alternative proposals)
For the regions, I just like my silly attempt to create a meta-theme.

Quote from: Sparse Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) NUKE9.13
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (1) NUKE9.13

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus:
The Slopes of Ash: (1) NUKE9.13
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (1) NUKE9.13
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Long Live United Forenia!

Kashyyk

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2021, 05:15:23 pm »

I rewrote my Machete style, slightly more terse after it got eaten by my phone. Also offering an alternative Uniform.

Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate)
Woven from soft, breathable fabrics, this uniform consists of a baggy smock and pants, with the wrists and shins wrapped in linen or leather to protect against small flora and fauna. It is completed with an overcoat, wide brimmed hat and cloak. The colours of the fabric vary depending on the order (with the Dancing Lizards favouring orange), but they tend towards a darker inner lining under a light outer layer. Monks are encouraged to decorate their uniforms, using brightly coloured sashes and belts, necklaces of beads or other totems, and patterns of contrasting thread to put their self on display.

Flying Treecat Machete Style
When we first ventured through the jungle we struggled to get through the thick undergrowth, with those who had been able to bring blades with them quickly ending up at the front of the column, cutting a path for the rest of our people. Once we found the Clearing of the First Light, making more of these blades became a priority, as those who had to head into the jungle found them invaluable for clearing the way of both flora and fauna.

This tradition has continued in the Flying Treecat style. Adherents use their stiff, wood-backed sheaths to push aside foliage and test the ground whilst reserving their machetes to both clear stubborn growths and discourage local predators, much like their namesake carefully investigates curious items before turning into a furball of claws and teeth. This translates to the monk using their sheath to probe their opponent's defences and deflect strikes, before making multiple heavy swings with the machete to hew bodies as easily as it hews tree limbs.
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Twinwolf

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2021, 05:51:38 pm »

Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style

The Steadfast Scorpion style was born from those who defended the initial settlements of the Zheng Mian from encroaching predators. The beasts of the jungle had a dazzling variety in form and function, some being big and slow but implacable while others were swift and small with vile venom. Those who defended the Zheng Mian needed flexibility in their weapons, and the ability to strike well beyond their foe's reach. A well made glaive allowed the precursors to the Steadfast Scorpions to slash at big beasts who would ignore wounds that would cripple lesser creatures, and wear them down over time. At the same time, the smaller creatures could be felled by a single well placed stab to a vital organ.

In it's formalized form, the Steadfast Scorpion is a style of consistency. Practicioners learn to wear down enemies with relentless strikes, using their reach to limit options and avoid retaliation, before finding an opening and ending the battle in a final stroke. The practicioners see themselves akin to the mighty river - no matter what stands in their path, they can wear it down and break through.

Some particular favored moves of the Steadfast Scorpions includes a move where, after an enemy has blocked an attack, they will wrench their glaive around and use the momentum of the spin to break their defense from the other side; a move only doable due to the intense training of the warrior monks, as in a novice's hand all this accomplishes is a slow whirl that leaves you utterly defenseless.


Quote from: Sparse Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) NUKE9.13
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style (1): Twinwolf

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate):

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (1) NUKE9.13
« Last Edit: August 10, 2021, 08:16:44 pm by Twinwolf »
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Doomblade187

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2021, 08:15:04 pm »

Quote from: Sparse Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) NUKE9.13
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: (1) Doomblade
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style:

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate):

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (1) NUKE9.13
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In any case it would be a battle of critical thinking and I refuse to fight an unarmed individual.
One mustn't stare into the pathos, lest one become Pathos.

Kashyyk

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2021, 03:02:00 am »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) NUKE9.13
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: (2) Doomblade, Kashyyk
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style:

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate):

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (2) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk
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Twinwolf

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2021, 12:22:33 pm »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: (2) Doomblade, Kashyyk
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style:

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate):

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (2) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk
Logged
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Quote from: Caellath on IRC
<Caellath>: Twinwolf, your thirst for blood has been noted.

Doomblade187

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #21 on: August 11, 2021, 02:36:46 pm »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: (1) Kashyyk
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (1) Doomblade

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
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In any case it would be a battle of critical thinking and I refuse to fight an unarmed individual.
One mustn't stare into the pathos, lest one become Pathos.

Kashyyk

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #22 on: August 11, 2021, 03:44:33 pm »

I'm a little biased, but I do prefer my own Uniform proposal. I just prefer avoiding tie votes more. He says,  splitting the vote for the Armed Style. So if anyone is also holding out for more interest in it, feel free to move my vote across along with yours.

Wrt Steadfast Scorpion Style, it has some similar elements to Coiled Serpent,  which I like, but keeps it reasonably durable and less glass-cannon ish.

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (2) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: ()
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (2) Doomblade, Kashyyk

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
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NUKE9.13

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #23 on: August 11, 2021, 03:49:30 pm »

I'm willing to compromise with the Scorpion style. Maybe there'll be a chance for a Macuahuitl style later :/

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) Twinwolf
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: ()
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (3) Doomblade, Kashyyk, NUKE9.13

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
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Light forger

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #24 on: August 11, 2021, 03:50:56 pm »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) Twinwolf
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: ()
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (4) Doomblade, Kashyyk, NUKE9.13, Lightforger

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (4) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Lightforger
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
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Twinwolf

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #25 on: August 11, 2021, 03:59:33 pm »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (0)
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: ()
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (5) Doomblade, Kashyyk, NUKE9.13, Lightforger, Twinwolf

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (4) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Lightforger
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
Logged
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Of course, Twin is neither man nor woman but an unholy eldritch abomination like every other Bay12er. The difference is they hide it better.
Quote from: Caellath on IRC
<Caellath>: Twinwolf, your thirst for blood has been noted.

Doomblade187

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 2
« Reply #26 on: August 11, 2021, 05:01:04 pm »

Quote from: Somewhat Populated Votebox Style
Basic Armed Style
Stubborn Tiger Macuahuitl Style: (1) Doomblade
Coiled Serpent Spear Style:
Flying Treecat Machete Style: ()
Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style: (4) Kashyyk, NUKE9.13, Lightforger, Twinwolf

Uniform
Zheng Mian Uniform: (4) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Lightforger
Zheng Mian Uniform (Alternate): (1) Doomblade

Regions (pick two)
The Broken Plateaus: (1): Twinwolf
The Slopes of Ash: (3) NUKE9.13, Twinwolf, Kashyyk, Doomblade
The Wetlands of Endless Spring: (3) NUKE9.13, Kashyyk, Doomblade
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In any case it would be a battle of critical thinking and I refuse to fight an unarmed individual.
One mustn't stare into the pathos, lest one become Pathos.

Man of Paper

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MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 3
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2021, 06:06:02 pm »

Proposal: Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style, The Slopes of Ash, and The Wetlands of Endless Spring
Difficulty: Very Easy
Result: (6+5)+2=13, Unexpected Boon

During the First Expansion of the Bei Bu, the nation of Warrior-Monks soon realized that their Elementalists were not going to be able to stand on their own against the hostile armies that once helped chase them into the jungle. In order to remedy this issue, sources of metal were sought out throughout the Jungle of Light. A few veins of ore were easy enough to find, but what really called to our smiths was a handful of sparkling stars that had at some point fallen from the sky and into the Jungle. This Stellar Iron brought with it inspiration for our smiths in the form of the Stellar Glaive. Given visions from the gods on how to work Stellar Iron and how to craft the tool the gods deemed best fit for it, our smiths crafted a glaive head with a blade on the inner and outer curves that was sharp enough to cut through a fly landing on it. The edges also proved to be impervious to damage. Sacred groves of trees were sought out within the Jungle, and select trees were harvested for their sturdy, light, slightly springy wood. The 40 centimeter blade is attached to the end of a 1.6 meter pole of wood, with each weapon built exactly to the specifications supplied by the visions of the gods. The poles of the Stellar Glaives are strong enough to block repeated bladed attacks, and just flexible enough to be able to withstand blunt force without splintering while staying firm enough to strike true. To stay true to the image of the gods, Stellar Iron can only be utilized in pole weapons and the styles that use them.

As those of fighting age were armed with the best of weapons, so too were they to receive the best training. They train in the art of constant and precise attacks meant to whittle through an opponent before offering a coup de grāce. Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style had a select set of specialized moves and training focused on fighting both alone and as a larger unit. When fighting as a larger unit, Steadfast Scorpion Warrior-Monks utilize multiple ranks to create a thicket of glaives capable of causing deep lacerations with the slightest movement and making it difficult for an enemy unit to just push through to eliminate a reach advantage. The lone Steadfast Scorpion Warrior-Monk typically takes a deep stance with the glaive held above the head poised to strike not unlike it's namesake, and indeed they could whip the glaive downward rapidly and repeatedly, offering flurries of blows to their enemy's upper bodies. They also utilize "claw strikes" to advance alternating horizontal strikes in rapid succession by spinning both themselves and their glaives to overwhelm their opponents. When on the defense, Steadfast Scorpion Warrior-Monks block with the shaft of their glaive and use the enemy's strike to add momentum to a counterattack with the bladed end. There are more than enough Stellar Glaives to go around, and Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style is accessible to those even without deeper ties to the elements or the self and so it is a Common practice among the Zheng Mian, with larger unit sizes than normal thanks to training in tighter ranks.

With the ability to raise armies blessed by the gods themselves, the Zheng Mian were able to drive a wedge between the divided city-states in The Slopes of Ash to the north and conquer their feuding territories one-by-one. Formations of Steadfast Scorpion Warrior-Monks moving through the valleys were relentless on the attack, chopping through spears and shield, knocking aside axes and swords, and viciously separating people from their body parts. When additional Laughing Lizard Warrior-Monk support was added, the results were overwhelmingly clear and measured in the corpses the Zheng Mian left in their wake. The city-states that did not raise the Zheng Mian banner when offered were instead crushed beneath their unabating offensive until the entirety of the region was under the influence of the Zheng Mian through annexation, vassaldom, or as a tributary.

The people of The Wetlands of Endless Spring lived in many slightly nomadic clusters, roaming the grasslands and waterways and feeding off of the abundance of plant and wildlife that shared the region with them. An empire from a distant land had taken to conquering the people who'd lived here and forced them to settle lands more permanently so as to keep them easily controlled and accounted for. Over time this led to the sickening of the lands around the permanent settlements, upsetting the local balance between man and nature. While the distant empire was more numerous than the Zheng Mian forces, the vast number of rivers and waterways that separated open fields and the occasional copse of trees allowed the smaller, more maneuverable forces of the Zheng Mian to isolate pockets of Imperial forces and crush them. While there were plenty of larger bridge crossings and shallows that could be waded through, there were multiple instances of individual Steadfast Scorpion Warrior-Monks holding smaller crossings against overwhelming odds. As the Imperial forces suffered defeat in detail, they were forced to release their grip on the people of The Wetlands of Endless Spring. As time went on, the citizens returned to roaming, and the area returned to balance. The locals offered thanks to the liberating Zheng Mian by becoming their willing subjects, and the bounty of the lands was willingly gifted to the guardian nation.

----

GM Pregame Insight: Hey, here's some special insight again during these three question phases from yours truly! The Steadfast Scorpion Glaive Style was Very Easy thanks to the nature of Basic Armed Styles - while they're often outshined by their magical counterparts and more potent Elementalists, their simplicity makes them easy to grasp. Both the weapon and the style didn't ask to do too much, so difficulty didn't get bumped up any. It wasn't any easier however, because it was still the development of both a weapon and a style for it. Later on when you can create and revise freely, it will be possible to create a new weapon or piece of equipment for a style so long as it fits the style (so a newer, different Stellar Glaive for example).

Speaking of the Stellar Glaive, view the weapon as the gift for the Boon, not the material it's made of. The gods decreed this metal shall be used for their specific weapon type only. You can use Stellar Glaives and pole weapons in other Styles without worrying about the restricted usage of Stellar Iron impacting rarity, but it is not usable for any other weapon or type of armor. To do so would be to spit in the face of the gods.

----

With your closest enemies conquered, your people sought to expand their influence and spread their beliefs to the ends of the continent. During this time the favor of the gods made itself known through the powers of the first Master who led the armies to the shores. This Master is likely to be relatively easy to bring into being, and so they shouldn't be considered the baseline difficulty for your own estimates of future Master proposals, especially if they're created alongside a new Style as this one is. Describe the Master and what makes them stand out on the battlefield. They also championed either a Magical Armed Style or a Qi-enhanced Unarmed Style. If describing a Magical Armed Style, remember to include the weapon that is developed for it, the Element that is used and how it is utilized, combat doctrines, mindset, special strikes, and techniques. If you decide to utilize a Qi-enhanced Unarmed Style, remember to include the Element for the base style, as well as what sort of Qi powers they use, whether they be "buffs" or "debuffs" they can apply or energy-based attacks. Remember though that while this Style is being designed for a unique character, the Style does not necessarily need to be made Unique and could potentially see more widespread use on the battlefield. Additionally, what were the three biomes conquered during this time?

You also get Two Revisions, one for each style or it's related equipment to use now to get used what Revisions are capable of. You can modify the units themselves by producing new equipment or making specific changes to them or their outfit. Specific equipment from the equipment spoiler can be modified or have a closely related variant made. Styles can have techniques, tactics, and tricks refined or added to them. Note, however, that revisions will never produce a new unit type, so any changes made will affect how currently existing units operate. Put simply, you cannot revise a new unit from a style, unit, or piece of equipment, and cannot revise a new style from a unit or piece of equipment.

[More GM Notes: This is to promote refining with revisions as opposed to using them as small designs when it comes to units, which are the end result of anything you do. Units are ultimately a direct result of a style modified by whatever applies in your Equipment spoiler. As a general rule of thumb, if you think something is an extreme enough change that it'll affect the unit rarity then you might be better off with a design.]

To sum up all the actions being required from you this turn, there's Three Biomes, Two Revisions (one for Laughing Lizard Style or the Monks, the other for Steadfast Scorpion, the Glaives, or the Monks), and one new Style paired with a Master. Might seem like a bit, except you guys pretty much have biomes figured out anyways if I remember correctly, and the rest is to figure out how things work.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Units (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
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NUKE9.13

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 3
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2021, 08:28:21 am »

Some things. Not definitive.

Quote
Region: The City of the Gods
Mountains to the north, mountains to the south. All-but impenetrable, except for a single valley, wherein the City of the Gods resides. City of a thousand temples, city of jade and marble, city of unbounded mystery.

The City of the Gods is the key to travel between east and west. Not that there is anything worth travelling to in the west, but hypothetically. To make your way through the city, one needs to surmount the East/West Wall (scaling them is a trivial exercise for any competent martial artist), fight one's way through the winding streets (or across the tiled rooftops), occasionally skirmish within the city's many temples (which come in many shapes and sizes, but generally have large halls suitable for a good fight scene), and then stroll out of the West/East Gate.
It took the Zheng Mian Warrior-Monks a month to capture the city, as while walls and towers have little defensive value versus martial artists of their calibre, the sheer size and labyrinthine layout of the city meant the defenders had plenty of opportunities to regroup as the monks advanced. Eventually, however, the last bastion of resistance surrendered, and the City was given over to its rightful owners.

The Zheng Mian were generally content to establish tributaries, rather than attempting to outright conquer and replace local governance. Not so with the City of the Gods. The City was promised to them in a vision, and heretics were not allowed to remain within its hallowed walls. Tens of thousands of civilians moved into the City from across the Zheng Mian empire. They rebuilt and reconsecrated temples that had been desecrated by the previous inhabitants, and over time the City became a vibrant metropolis- as it was prophesised.

Quote
Region: The Scattered Isles
The Scattered Isles are a series of islands on the edge of the known world. The islands themselves are not especially interesting, with the exception of the largest (and furthest from the mainland), Edge Isle. Edge Isle is heavily forested, and possesses several natural harbours- all of them facing the mainland, with the other side of the isle being sheer cliffs. It's almost like someone just sliced off half the island. The sea around the islands (imaginatively named the Scattered Sea) is shallow, and the weather relatively predictable, making travel between the islands straightforward.

Pirates is such an ugly word. However, it is the best word to describe the local inhabitants of the Scattered Isles. Their coastal raids on Zheng Mian territory eventually led to their annexation. Fortunately for the Zheng Mian, the pirates were not especially centralised, and those living on the shores of the mainland were easily persuaded to provide the warrior-monks with a navy and the sailors to crew it. This allowed the Zheng Mian to hop from island to island, conquering each in turn and establishing small garrisons to keep the locals in check. Several times their fleet was attacked by pirate fleets, but the pirates quickly discovered that their bows were basically useless, and when the ships were tied together and boarding actions occurred, the warrior-monks were easily able to overwhelm them (even despite the monks being slightly seasick and unused to fighting on a rocking wooden platform).
Unfortunately for the Zheng Mian, true subjugation of the locals proved much harder than simply occupying the islands. Despite their best efforts, piracy remained an issue (albeit at a smaller scale), and several times an island rose in rebellion, overwhelming the small garrison with sheer numbers. Fortunately, these small rebellious islands were unable to muster large navies, and it proved simple for the Zheng Mian to blockade them, whereafter the rebels soon surrendered. Nevertheless, it's a good thing the Scattered Isles are on the edge of the world, because the locals would surely be quick to turn coat and support an invader, potentially providing them with a navy capable of rivalling the Zheng Mian one.

The ships used for "naval" combat on the Scattered Sea are fairly large, blocky affairs. They have sails, but are primarily propelled by rowers in battle. Obviously there's no such thing as a ranged weapon capable of destroying a ship from a distance, so the only way to defeat the enemy is boarding (ramming being ineffective versus the ships; while slow, they are of such a sturdy build that a ramming attack would be highly unlikely to sink one, and the rammer would have just gotten themselves close enough to be grappled and boarded). Once grapples are thrown and the ships pulled together, the warriors on board can cross the short gap (on planks, or just by jumping), and enter melee combat with the warriors aboard the other ship. Don't worry about destroying the ship- as mentioned, they are of a very sturdy build. You might break through the deck if you hit it real hard, or set some rigging on fire, but the ship itself will survive pretty much anything you throw at it.

Quote
Unflinching Hydra Style | Unarmed Qi Wood
Practitioners of Unflinching Hydra Style are healers, I promise. Yes, that one just punched through a tree. Definitely just healers, though.

The mind imposes limits on the body, for the body's own good. This prevents one from snapping tendons, rending muscles, or breaking bones by applying too much force. While it is in principle possible for a dedicated mind to overcome these built-in limits, it would be incredibly foolish to do so- sure, you could punch twice as hard, but only once. Unless... unless you were constantly infused with healing energy. In that case, one could consistently push oneself to 150%, continually mending the damage caused.
The combat skills of the Unflinching Hydra Style are somewhat crude, at least considering how much dedication the style calls for. Simple punches, kicks, blocks, stances- any martial artist worth their salt would easily be able to go toe-to-toe with them... if it weren't for the fact that every strike has enough impact to literally shatter bone, their sprinting speed could put a horse to shame, and any wound inflicted upon them disappears in seconds. Practitioners are not immortal, of course. While their training allows them to store vast amounts of healing energy in their bodies, generating more requires meditating for some time, so over the course of an extended fight their reserves may run dry- forcing them to retreat, or quickly perish.

Obviously, Qi is used in Unflinching Hydra Style to generate and stockpile healing energy (derived from Wood magic). To achieve this, practitioners study medicine, learning all there is to know about the balance of humours, the flow of energy through the chakras, and the proper alchemical application of gold dust and powdered manticore horn. Through this study, they come to understand the 'essence' of healing, allowing them to identify the healing energy within their bodies, and deliberately generate and store it.
Once they have attained the skill of storing healing energy, practitioners begin to train rigorously, pushing their body to the limit and beyond. They learn to ignore the pain telling them to stop, to avoid being startled by the feel of their own bones snapping, and to regenerate the resultant injuries faster and faster. This process, in addition to developing the skills needed to excel in battle, also help to develop their bodies in a more ""natural"" way. The constant damage and recovery begins to strengthen their muscles much as conventional workouts do, but at an incredibly accelerated pace.

An advanced (read: Master) practitioner can so thoroughly control their healing energy that they may pass it onto others- laying their hands upon an injured area, quickly restoring their fellow warriors to perfect health. 

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Draining Bat Style | Unarmed Qi Wood
What's yours is mine.

Life energy is a difficult thing to pin down. Obviously Qi is real, but there's more to life than just Qi- right? Is the balance of humours as crucial as the medicus of the great cities say? Or can perfect health only be attained by reaching harmony with nature, as the sages of the wilds claim? Could there even be validity to the wild theory that the human body is a mere machine, like a great clock- and like a clock, a single broken part can doom the entire thing? This question inspires endless debate, and so far none can claim victory. However, the monks of the Draining Bat Style may actually know the answer, even if they refuse to share it with the uninitiated.

A practitioner of Draining Bat Style is a bloodthirsty fighter. Their strikes are rapid and wide-ranging, slipping through any gaps in defence with blinding speed. Physically, these strikes are not especially damaging- a competent martial artist might sustain a hundred such small blows without faltering. But that is not where the danger lies. Through their cultivated understanding of the flow of vital energy, practitioners can redirect said energy out of the target, restoring their own strength and stamina while the target rapidly tires and weakens. Consequently, the target- no matter how sturdy they are- will in short order collapse from exhaustion, any damage they dealt to the Draining Bat Style practitioner healed away by their own energy.
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Doomblade187

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Re: MMA AR: Zheng Mian Thread - Question 3
« Reply #29 on: August 25, 2021, 05:25:28 pm »

Macuahuital Armed Water Magical Style: Sweeping Talon

Using a traditional weapon, this style uses wood Qi channeled from the obsidian blades of the Macuahuital to form barriers of qi wherever the practitioner desires - be it channeling a Qi strike from the blades of the weapon, or forming a projectile barrier.
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In any case it would be a battle of critical thinking and I refuse to fight an unarmed individual.
One mustn't stare into the pathos, lest one become Pathos.
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