OOC: A couple of questions: Is there any restriction on the number of characters a player can have? If not, I'm gonna make a pair of chars. What about some of the secondary (or defensive) powers, like Dark Armor, or the Tanker's auras? Obviously, we're playing fast and loose with real martial arts here, but exactly how wacky are we allowed to get? Should we be sticking to Archetypes and powersets from CoH, or are the suggested powersets simply guidelines to base your character off of? Do we need to provide full OOC bios, or will IC descriptions suffice?
IC
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Gerden stood where he thought the gates to the temples would appear. He was early, as usual; his mutant power (superhuman speed) ensured that. He didn't care much, though: being early gave him time to think and practice. This time, his thoughts were on the events that brought him here. How he had barely defeated his primary rival, Megumi Tohyama, in the tournament-style selection exam. She was the toughest opponent out of all of the other students, and the one he respected the most. Another mutant, her powers were the ability to call upon dark energy, and conduct it through her body; an appropriate power, considering rumor stated one of her parents (it wasn't made clear which one; rumors were almost never big on details) had fused with a Nictus energy-being. Despite the fact that they were at the top of the class and competed over everything, they actually got along pretty well. However, the one time he had asked her about the rumors, she sucker-punched him and afterwards wouldn't talk to him for a week. Which was about how long it took the black eye to heal, he thought wistfully. I wish I knew why she got so mad over those rumors.
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Megumi hacked through the underbrush. As usual, Gerden had beaten her to the temple's gates; she had learned years ago not to race him. The frustrating thing was that, despite her more offensively-minded powers, he beat her more often than not when sparring, too. That was why she couldn't accept his selection; not because she didn't like him (which she did; they were good friends), but because she believed he shouldn't be able to beat her. Her mother was a master of this style of combat, and instructed her regularly. But the Raptor School specialized in aerial attacks, teaching its students to leap incredible distances and eventually to fly using their chi, or inner energy. Gerden's power helped there; his increased momentum meant that he could jump higher and farther than normal humans, in addition to the fact that he was so frustratingly hard to hit. So she had stolen a scroll deteailing a map of the area the temple was to appear in, and the calculations of exactly when it was to appear. She knew she still had a day's worth of travel in order to reach the temple's area; by then the temple would probably have appeared. Fortunately they had no way of communicating with the temple; the selection was an entirely informal process instituted by her school to encourage its students and give them something to strive for, thereby increasing the quality of their skills.
(OOC: No set restriction on number of characters, but please try to be realistic 
1 to 3 should be fine.
As far as tanker auras...
That's a touchy area. Obviously allowing the melee and not the auras is a little silly, but being surrounded by flame, ice, or pure darkness would give an unnecessary advantage. Be conservative with Fire, electric, and Ice, and Darkness is just gonna be no. Energy Armor is a bit more acceptable. Ice, electric, and Fire can actually be fun and interesting if you use them correctly.
But the third question, sticking to the archetypes...
It's up to you, but if you've ever seen certain kung fu movies, some of the fighters seem to be martial arts/super strength/Invuln/Super Reflexes Tank-Scrappers with Super Jump)
OOC: That's a shame. I'm kinda basing my 2 characters off of Archetypes, but that's only because almost any melee-range character will look like either a Scrapper or a Tanker anyways. And i'm gonna stick relatively close to the powersets, but only because I want to make actual characters out of these at some point. But obviously Megumi was supposed to be a Dark Melee/Dark Armor Scrapper. Now I'm probably gonna have to give her Super Reflexes, even though that was supposed to be Gerden's domain. *Sigh*
Edit: With the exception of Gerden's Super Speed, I was gonna keep the powers down to the equivalent of the Level 1 or 2 powers anyways. I try not to over-power my characters. Now that I think of it, though, powered-down Regen could work for Megumi... But the point is for her to be the powerhouse of the two, while Gerden is more defensively able.
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There's no minimum character age, and there's no restriction on gender. My character is actually an alumni of both schools....at age 9. She's returning to help point the students in the right direction.
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((D*mn! About halfway through the first post I was thinkin' "little kid monk". Oh well, mine's eleven so he's taller anyway. Nyah!! 
))
A young boy walked slowly but steadily across the land. He carried an old looking pack on his back as well as a wooden staff he was using as a walking stick. His outfit consisited of loose pants and tunic that looked right out of a history book and, for those with knowledge in such things, were clearly of shaolin origin. The only modern thing about him was the pair of battered sneakers on his feet.
Fang Yin had been raised at a shaolin temple by his uncle after his mother died giving birth. He had taken to the monks' training and lessons almost immediately and soon excelled in them even at a young age. Seeing this, one of the oldest monks in the temple had taken the boy aside and told him a story of two temples.
Yin was fascinated by the tale and tried to find out all he could about these temples. The master monk finally agreed to help the boy, and so he had left his home and traveled to where the Twin Temples were said to appear.
Yin had always been eager to learn anything he could, whether it be martial art styles or philophies. The chance to be a student at schools such as these was too good to pass up. He wasn't power-hungry per se; just very dedicated to bettering himself in any way he could while still keeping the humble lessons of his shaolin brothers close to his heart.
Upon nearing the spot told to him, Yin found another person already there. The young Chinese boy bowed his shaved head to the man.
"Hello sir," he greeted respectfully, his accent noticible but not distracting. He'd studied hard for this as well. "I do not wish to impose, but to find you here on this particular day, I must assume you are here for admittance into the Twin Temples as well?"
Gerden almost jumped when a twig snapped behind him. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't been paying attention to his own surroundings. He turned around to find a boy younger even than him, probably by three or four years. He self-consciously pushed his dirty blond hair out of his eyes, well aware that his well-worn blue gi - with the red falcon's-head deign which was the emblem of his school - looked like he had been journeying for days.
"Hello sir," the boy greeted him. "I do not wish to impose, but to find you here on this particular day, I must assume you are here for admittance into the Twin Temples as well?"
"Yep," Gerden replied. "You'd be assuming correctly." Gerden's accent was that of the American northeast. "I'm Gerden. What's your name?" Gerden held out his hand for a handshake, almost having to bend down due to his height.
(OOC: still lookin for some teachers )
((Weeeell, I've been tinkering around with my ninja/poison melee mastermind concept. He's not done yet - deleted and remade 2 times so far - but I should have him stamped down soon enough. WAS Dragon of Mists, then I decided that was too long, was Venom Dragon, then I decided that was too uninspired...so as soon as I find a proper ID, I can get him in here if you'd like. And yes, he'd be School of the Tempest ))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[ QUOTE ]
((Weeeell, I've been tinkering around with my ninja/poison melee mastermind concept. He's not done yet - deleted and remade 2 times so far - but I should have him stamped down soon enough. WAS Dragon of Mists, then I decided that was too long, was Venom Dragon, then I decided that was too uninspired...so as soon as I find a proper ID, I can get him in here if you'd like. And yes, he'd be School of the Tempest ))
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(OOC: Venom Melee would be an awesome powerset...)
(OOC: Time for my intro then I guess)
The beach was certainly quiet. Perfect for sunbathing.
Clad in only a bathing suit, Tenryuu Reishi, master of seven styles and alumni of the Twin Temples, was enjoying the warm sun.
She wasn't alone, however. Not far away her new protege and old friends- Nicholas Sarder (OOC: yes this guy is guest starring everywhere...), and Hyoumura Ryuji- were sparring.
The young girl was only thirteen years old, and was holding her own against a trained secret service agent and ancient warrior from time immemorial. That alone was impressive, and deserving of Reishi's recomendation for the temple.
Of course, neither Nicholas nor Ryuji were using their powers beyond martial arts. It still didn't diminish her achievement: Ryuji and Nicholas had a vast size difference and used different styles as well.
"Ok kid," Reishi said, standing up and taking her sunglasses off, "Time for a lil' one on one!"
Prep time wasn't necessary. Upon hearing this, Ryuji and Nicholas simultaneously jumped out of the way as Reishi came charging in, slamming her fist into the sand where the young girl once was. The result was a massive pillar of sand kicked up from the impact.
Reishi blocked the anticipated attack from her left side, and the follow up. The young girl then vaulted over Reishi and landed behind her, delivering a kick square in her back.
It was a strong kick, Reishi had to admit, plenty of style and accuracy, but not enough strength.
Reishi reached over her back, grabbed the girl's leg and flung her over her head like a basketball. The girl did a hand spring and landed on her feet, not wasting any time in attacking Reishi again.
The fight ensued for quite some time, Reishi remaining on the defensive for the sake of the girl's health. They had an unspoken agreement that all the girl had to do was land a hit on Reishi's face or knock her down to win the match.
So far, Reishi hadn't lost a match. She always administered a single hit K.O. after about five minutes of fighting.
This time was a little different. Reishi merely pinned her.
"You've got talent, lots of style and good coordination, but you lack..." Reishi began.
"Power," Ryuji cut in.
"Experience," Nicholas cut in.
"...what they said," Reishi finished.
The girl merely nodded, she didn't speak much.
"Anyway, tomorrow we're going to the Twin Temples, where I trained as a child. You'll learn what you need there. But first," Reishi mused, "You need a name! We need to be able to call you SOMETHING!"
"How bout 'Pigtails'?" Ryuji said sarcastically.
As bad as the suggestion was, it was true. The girl always wore some kind of pigtails.
"Nah, how about Sarah?" Nicholas put in.
"Isn't your fiance named Sarah?" Ryuji retorted.
"...shut up midget..."
"You first blondie,"
"Both of you put a sock in it before I do it for you!" Reishi yelled.
Reishi took a deep breath and looked the girl in the eyes.
"I'm gonna call you..."
(OOC: I'm open to suggestions )
((I'm surprise neither Leo nor Essex have jumped at this yet. Anyway, Ive almost got my concept hammered out and should be ready for intro soon. 
Oh, and question - would a teacher have been with the temple all along or arrive with the students for the start of each term?))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
((heh gonna give it a shot, I suck at intros though ))
Lost Fawn, Jake, stood behind the small group with a loud laugh. "I'm grouped with kids? Jeeze I hope the Tepest Temple don't let you munchkins in!" His voice was soft, but gruff from his years as a street punk. Jake smirks and idley trots around the group, sizing them up. His upper torso is normal, covered in red hair with a tatto of a snake, the only clothes on his back is a green leather jacket and a pair of worn jeans with flames sewn onto the sides. The jeans just come down above his feet, or where his feet would be if he didn't have hooves. His small black horns shine in the light as he idley whips his long red pony-tail around, still looking for any sign of weakness in his possible rivals.
"Any way kids," he says with a smirk "Name's Jake Q. Millions, the 'Q' is for Badass. You folks here for the Tempest?"
@Shotgunbadger
Hero Main: Bright Arrow
Villian "Main": Jack the Scrapper
Proud Altoholic and Virtueite RPer
(OOC: Can i throw myBig dumb brute in here? SS/Invul. And my MA/Dark Scrapper is NOT allowed?!)
Self-Proclaimed Number one Fanboi of the RP Forums and it's writers.
Me: How about "Zeus, The Pimp God"?
A friend: It'd be too hard to dress him up like a bull
(OOC: Teachers are all former students, so they're exclusive to the school. They're different from alumni in that alumni typically have mastered both schools, or at least earned a diploma. Teachers are usually experts in one school or the other, not both.
and yes, the MA/DA is kinda out...unless you can make it work within the parameters somehow. The schools frown upon using techniques that damage just by being turned on. You can train a resistance to heat pretty easy but a resistance to the nether energies is nearly impossible.
To summarize: It needs to be trainable by a normal human.)
The younger boy was just about to introduce himself to Gerden when through the brush appeared a strange young man some years older than both boys. As he brashly and rudely introduced himself as "Jake Q. Millions," insulting both boys based on their age alone, Gerden took an instant dislike to him, much as it seemed the young man had already taken to them.
"Munchkin?! I'm taller than-," Gerden cut himself off at the last second. Calm down, Gerden, he thought. That's what he's trying to do to you. Besides, it wouldn't do to antagonize your classmates before the school even appears, let alone you get in to the school. "Hello," he started again, somewhat lamely. "My name's Gerden, Mr. Millions. This other student was just about to introduce himself when you... showed up."
(OOC: Maybe I'll make Megumi's secondary a "Dark Fire" kind of thing then. It'll be LIKE Firey Aura, but with a little streak of negative energy for those who happen to be immune to fire. It'll be a secret technique she learned and combined with her mutant power; fits her theme better than pure Dark Armor anyways - more offensive in use.)
"..Kagura!" Reishi said, naming the small girl. (OOC: I got sick of waiting )
"Ka...gu...ra..." the girl said, "I like."
A faint smile crept across her face.
"Awright! We're goin' to the temples!" Reishi grabbed the girl's hand and began running full tilt.
"So...I guess she doesn't need us, then..." Nicholas said.
"Whatever," Ryuji sighed.
"Just as I remember it!" Reishi said after running the entire way.
"Nyuuuuuuu," was Kagura's exasperated reply, after being DRAGGED the whole way.
Reishi surveyed the new students. They had promise, but she wondered....
She walked up to a group of tense-looking students, still dragging Kagura.
"YO! What's up kids?!" she called, despite the fact she was probably younger or the same age as at least one.
A very frightening grin crept across her face. Had they entered the school yet, the other students would break out into a cold sweat at this point. Even some of the teachers feared her. The groundskeeper definately didn't appreciate the astronomical amount of property damage she tended to inflict.
"Who's up for a quick match?" she asked.
[ QUOTE ]
"Any way kids," he says with a smirk "Name's Jake Q. Millions, the 'Q' is for Badass. You folks here for the Tempest?"
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The rather scathing remarks didn't seem to affect Yin, who simply smiled at the newcomer and bowed in the same respectful manner as before.
"Hello Mr. Millions. I have yet to decide on which school to start with. Both interest me greatly. Perhaps some of the other students will have some advice for me."
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"My name's Gerden, Mr. Millions. This other student was just about to introduce himself when you... showed up."
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"Ah yes, do forgive me," the boy said, bowing again in apology. "I am Fang Yin."
Yin was a little surprised by the sudden arrival of the two girls, but quickly recovered and greeted them in the same way he had Gerden and Jack. The lead one seemed to size them up for a bit before speaking.
[ QUOTE ]
"Who's up for a quick match?" she asked.
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"I am honored by the request. I will gladly accept your offer, unless one of the others would rather take it." He stepped off to the side, giving the two older fighters first choice.
"Well, first come first serve I always say," Reishi said, setting the dazed Kagura down nearby.
"My name is Tenryuu Reishi, alumni of the Tempest and Earth schools. If yer still decidin which school to join, I can help ya, but first I need to see you fight," Reishi stood in a ready position, "The first move is yours."
((Ok, think I got it then...here goes... ))
"My my." an old man smiled as he stepped from the underbrush, "And what have we here. If it isn't Tenryuu picking a fight again."
The man's long beard wobbled as he spoke, and both the hunched-over back and gnarled walking stick he clung to created the perfect illusion of a simple, frail old man.
Garbed in a simple, blood-red robe of the martial arts, hands and feet wrapped in dark golden bands, he was a picture of a gentle age, his eyes hidden by the large bamboo coolie resting firmly on his head.
But of course, Reishi knew better. She knew him as the instructor Ryuu Hotaka, and he was anything but what he seemed at the moment. In fact, she remembered he was quite a bit younger when she had seen him last than he was now.
"Oh, don't let me bother you." he waved at them to go ahead, "Just go easy and don't break the whole mountain this time."
For but an instant, he lifted his gaze, but then hid it underneath his hat again. If anyone had enough attention to catch it, they would notice a very peculiar thing.
His eyes had no pupils - they were completely white...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[ QUOTE ]
"The first move is yours."
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"Thank you," Yin said, nodding to the newly arrived elder and then bowing more formally to Reishi as befitted a serious match. The young monk knew that a straight-forward forceful attack would be useless. An alumni of the Temples could easily overpower him.
His right leg slid back behind him, turning him so his left side faced his opponent. His left leg was drawn up, bending at a 45 degree angle with the sole of his shoe resting against his right leg. His left arm extended out in front of him, palm facing upward while his right was held at an upward angle on his other side.
The style of the crane. Made for facing stronger enemies. Yin held no delusions of victory, the girl was an alumni after all. But he also intended to try his best. After all, he who expects to lose has already been defeated.
Holding the position for a few seconds, Yin pushed himself off the ground to bring his leg up in a spinning kick at Reishi. It wasn't a very determined attack yet. More of a feint to get things going and feel out his opponent.
Reishi didn't bother blocking the kick. Strangely enough, she didn't even move.
"Hm, not enough oomph to it. Are you focusing your chi? Or maybe you call it ki...or chakra..."
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"Hm, not enough oomph to it. Are you focusing your chi? Or maybe you call it ki...or chakra..."
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It seemed the girl was evaluating a little more than sparring, which was fine with Yin.
"You are correct," the boy nodded, easing back into his starting position. "It was not meant as a powerful blow. If you would rather test my strength, then I will oblige." His position shifted, abandoning the one-legged stance and placing both feet on the ground, legs spread widely, still facing her from the side.
Both hands were held palms toward Reishi, his left straight out, his right bent at the elbow. His fingers were kept half-curled and rigid in a claw-like position. Every muscle in his body seemed to flex at once, shaking a little with the strain as a growl began forming in his throat.
Yin held the position, almost vibrating with the tension of his body until it seemed he'd explode. Finally he shot forward, the stored up power sending him flying at Reishi like a bullet, his right foot actually leaving a few small spiderweb cracks in the dirt where he pushed off.
All the pent up energy focused on his right arm as he drove it forward with all his might, the growl turning to a sharp cry meant to aid in the power of the attack. The strike was aimed at the girl's sternum, palm facing forward with fingers curled tight.
Yin probably never knew what hit him.
Rather than block or dodge, Reishi simply stopped his attack altogether by driving her heel down on his back, just as he was mere inches from her own body. Dust flew everywhere as the ground cracked below the boy's body.
"Impressive, but you could do without the grunting," she said, "Don't feel bad 'bout gettin knocked around, I've been trainin since I could make a fist. Add ta that I'm a mutant, I heal a lot faster than normal people."
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"Don't feel bad 'bout gettin knocked around, I've been trainin since I could make a fist. Add ta that I'm a mutant, I heal a lot faster than normal people."
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It took a few seconds for things to come back into focus and even then his vision seemed to consist only of dirt. Yin had rather expected the girl's skill to dwarf his own, but that didn't help the ache in his spine.
"Indeed," Yin winced painfully as he hesitantly pushed himself to his feet. "Your technique is most impressive. I look forward to another match when I may offer a little more of a challenge." He smiled, bowing to her in respect (though maybe not quite as low as before as his back refused to move too much at the moment).
The 'old man' chuckled as he approached the two combatants, looking as if he might sumble over at any moment as the walking stick stabbed the ground time and again.
"You know, you could've split that up to two moves, at least." he said as he pulled a small gourd from his beard and handed it to Yin, "Here, take this. Don;t mind the smell. I'm told it tastes horrible, but it'll make you feel better."
If Yin took the offer and opened the gourd, he would be immediately assaulted by the vilest of odors, a pungent stench of rot and decay that few people knew the origin of - and Hotaka quite preferred it that way...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Once every ten years, a mysterious, a pair of shrouded temples appear on Earth.
They are the Twin Temples. Inhabiting these temples are students of many forgotten martial arts, joined together to earn the right to be trained by the High Master.
Every ten years a new group of students is welcomed into the temples. Each student must choose for himself which school to enter:
The School of the Tempest, or the School of the Mountain.
The School of the Tempest is destructive, and empasizes offensive techniques. Strength is valued over everything, and the weak either become strong or perish.
The School of the Mountain is much larger. Every student is valued, and the martial arts techniques empasize defense. Their numbers are greater, but each individual member is weaker by comparison.
The two schools are prone to quarreling between students as well as between teachers, but the High Master has final say in all conflicts. He has the following decrees:
Murder is not tolerated under any circumstances. Any student that murders another student is immediately exiled. With their arms and legs broken.
Students may fight teachers. But teachers may not challenge students.
Students are free to leave the temple at any time, but may not return until after the ten year period, unless it is during the Welcoming Moon (i.e., you have 28 days to decide whether to return or not after the game begins)
Weapons are expressly forbidden. An exception is given to staves and other wooden weapons, but only if the student has fashioned it from one of the temple's oak trees or bamboo.
(OOC: This is an RP open to martial artist characters ONLY. The basic premise is similar to AH/SH/SV101, EXCEPT! The High Master (principal) is almost completely hands off.
The two temples occupy an area roughly the size of a university. The actual temple structures are quite large (about the size of a gothic cathedral), and are surrounded by numerous gardens and forests. There's a clearing in the center and on the sides of the temples for sparring and basic training.
No restrictions on gender, NO ACTIVE POWERS.
Basically you're welcome to pool powers except teleportation, and if it's a function of your own body it's pretty much fine.
Here's a basic list of what would be considered 'acceptable':
Martial Arts (duh)
Super Strength
Super Speed
Flight
Super Jump
Energy, Fire, Ice, Electric, and Dark melee (Only if the effect is a result of aura control, no demonic pacts or technology. I'd say no magic either but ki/chi/chakra control can be considered magic...sorta.)
Invulnerability (Please downplay it though...)
Regeneration (see above. This is actually a little easier to work with though)
Super Reflexes
Basically only natural and mutant origin.
Start off by listing your character, who they are, that kinda stuff.
Then decide which of the temples to join. You're not nailed down to this choice. It is possible (and encouraged, if you can manage it) to receive training from both schools.
I'll also leave coming up with instructors to you guys, here's what we'd need:
Innkeeper
2 or more Tempest instructors
2 or more Mountain instructors
The Tempest master
The Mountain master
Basic Trainer
Scholar
There's no minimum character age, and there's no restriction on gender. My character is actually an alumni of both schools....at age 9. She's returning to help point the students in the right direction.
Anyway...
Have fun!)