Zaphkiel
Seraph
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2013
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- 12,878
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The long-awaited new story and world setting has been finalized and shipped. To start us off, Arc 1 is called New Horizons and is thematically centered around Summoning Contracts & Animals. This will come in the form of two major events planned. Narratively, the arc and those following it are the answer to the question, "How would the Ninja World evolve if the gods never intervened?" An effective story and world reset, most if not all previous storylines are now defunct--or more accurately, no longer apart of the new timeline. Though more complex than that, we've decided to keep the details and events of the story grounded with more human and Ninjutsu-focused elements, akin to the first iteration of the Warring States Era. Along with this major update comes the fourth edition of the Ninja World Rulebook. Some of the changes include:
I) New Horizon Arc & Biographies
A special type of NW Bio, New Horizon Bio's are willingly reset both skill and age-wise to a weaker state (Academy Student, Genin, or Chunin) in exchange for access to unique Missions and Sagas that are tailored around that Bio's history and abilities, often times overwriting them without counting as a Bio Reset with its penalties. These can be created at the start of every arc but there is a lockout period of 1 Ninja World Arc (3 months) if a player drops the bio. New Horizon Bio's can also be updated after every Matriculation Exam, separate from usual submission rules.
II) NPC & Ninja World Interactions
Introduction of roll-based interactions which can apply to any NPC in the Ninja World. This also introduces multiple story paths depending on the outcome of some of these interactions.
III) Rifts Revamped
Introduction of roll-based mechanics and more in-depth Rift environments that often require exploration. Also some minor changes like scalable difficulty and a lower Rift lock-out period. New Rift enemies will be introduced throughout the arc.
IV) Player Groups (Clans & Orgs)
Villages are a well-loved feature of the Ninja World. Unfortunately, the current player numbers don't warrant the effort and site-related work necessary to bring back Village Forums. But there is a compromise to this. With a reimagined take on Clans and the addition of Organizations, players may still functionally reach Village levels of influence and control over a region.
V) Marketplace Network & VIA Removal
The Market LM's and rules will remain the same but the inventory and types of available items have changed to now feature ninja tools and other artifacts in addition to unique, NW-related items. Keep an eye out for the Marketplace Inventory List, which will be created later within the arc.
VI) The Blood Tavern's Return
A social hub and also general noticeboard where players may interact with each other or certain NPC's that will frequent this spot. Like Marketplaces, no one or group may claim the LM that contains the Blood Tavern, nor can any fight or combat-oriented actions be taken within the establishment or the LM. This will be located on Hokurikudo Island (133), right in between the mainland and the Land of Unknowns, Tobusekai.
VII) Player Submitted Events
As the name suggests, a new submission thread will be created in the Ninja World that will have players request unique World events that affect an area or group and can only last 2 weeks at max. Only a few of these will be allowed to run concurrently with an Arc's planned events.
IIX) General Updates
This will require discussion from current players, but can be introduced throughout the Arc provided they aren't too major.
With a more personal focus being placed on active players by myself, there will be more opportunities to reward exploration and meaningful interactions as that is one of the major goals for the renewed NW. I highly encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the new rules in the Konoha Tavern RP General Chat thread. The best part about these new rules is that they will be continuously shifting, and are liable to being changed based on player feedback.
Note: Due to the amount of changes being made, players will have the next few days to pose any questions or concerns they have before the story actually starts. For now I would like you all to get familiar with the new rules. This is also to buy myself time as I'm not finished editing all the relevant Landmark description and other stuff as yet.