Walraven // Forums // Thread 3987
New Guild Idea: the Rapsillons, garvin, 2006-07-12 02:19:18
(Allaryin instructed me to post this idea here.)
The Rapsilon guild is composed of several clans, most notably of which is the Papillon clan, which is the largest clan within the guild. Because of the strength of the Papillon clan within the guild, many will often use "Papillons" and "Rapsilons" synonymously.
Clans within this guild are as much like families as they are like different schools of training. It is because of this familiar feel, as well as the lack of organization that almost defines this guild that often creates competitive tension between the clans within the guild. Historically, this competition has sparked sparked inter-clan warfare, which contributes to why the clan is not as strong as most of the well established guilds currently in existance.
The clans of note within the guild are the Papillons, the clan of Butterflies; the Grennols, the clan of Frogs; the Alloways, the clan of Cranes; the Epis, the clan of swords; the Ermyns, the clan of Ferets. There are other, less noteworthy clans. Sometimes, clans merge, taking on aspects of both clans and often merging under a new name.
(From here forward, the use of Papillons will indicate Rapsilons as a whole guild unless otherwise indicated)
The one thing that Papillons are mostrecognized for is their skill and affinity for all things paper, both its creation and use. Many will consider any written agreement binding only if it is scribed on Papillons' paper. Papillons also are often employed as scribes or calligraphers, as their traning with paper has taught them an elegant and steady script, and the fact that they are often multilingual has made them very competent translators or political emissaries. They have proven to be very capable panters. They are also skilled in folding paper, and their paper creations are considered an are unto themselves.
What makes the Papillons so unique is the way that they, and only they, can use their paper creations. They are able to infuse magic into their paper, their inks and their paints. One of their least known devices, but most commonly used, is the ability to make the inked words on a page disappear or illegible for all but the intended audience. They have also been known to make their words dance across a page and it is whispered that they can even make the words of the page attack the reader. This latter notion is often met with either laughter or fear.
Some have been known to take their folded paper creations and infuse them with magic to resemble something authentic. One of the most common and most feared is the fierce paper tiger. Some have been known to take their folded paper creations and give it the hardness and sharpness of steel, but weight of a sheet of paper, or make them like unto birds or the butterflies that fly.
Though it is less popularly known, the Papillons are very capable diviners. Though the future is often unclear, consequences are just as offen clear. As well, their ability to scry on others or objects or learn the nature of things is considered by many as without compare.
The combination of some of their skills can make the Papillons very apt spies.
At first glance, the Papillons seem more as gypsies than guild. And "Gypsy" might be the most appropriate term for them. They are highly nomadic, generally not staying in any one place for too long. They are generally free spirits and despise constraints, though some will on occassion bind themselves in service where they feel they are needed or appreciated. They are fiercely loyal to their clansmen or to anyone to whom they have chosen to bind themselves. However, they are also idealistic. Trying to force a Papillon to stay in a location or to force them to adhere social tenets only encourages them to stray further from them.
Suggested Skills:
craft.art.origami
craft.art.caligraphy
craft.papermaking
knowledge.herbology
craft.art.painting
magic.mana.order
magic.technique.enchanting
magic.technique.divination
any two knowledge.language skills
The Rapsilon guild is composed of several clans, most notably of which is the Papillon clan, which is the largest clan within the guild. Because of the strength of the Papillon clan within the guild, many will often use "Papillons" and "Rapsilons" synonymously.
Clans within this guild are as much like families as they are like different schools of training. It is because of this familiar feel, as well as the lack of organization that almost defines this guild that often creates competitive tension between the clans within the guild. Historically, this competition has sparked sparked inter-clan warfare, which contributes to why the clan is not as strong as most of the well established guilds currently in existance.
The clans of note within the guild are the Papillons, the clan of Butterflies; the Grennols, the clan of Frogs; the Alloways, the clan of Cranes; the Epis, the clan of swords; the Ermyns, the clan of Ferets. There are other, less noteworthy clans. Sometimes, clans merge, taking on aspects of both clans and often merging under a new name.
(From here forward, the use of Papillons will indicate Rapsilons as a whole guild unless otherwise indicated)
The one thing that Papillons are mostrecognized for is their skill and affinity for all things paper, both its creation and use. Many will consider any written agreement binding only if it is scribed on Papillons' paper. Papillons also are often employed as scribes or calligraphers, as their traning with paper has taught them an elegant and steady script, and the fact that they are often multilingual has made them very competent translators or political emissaries. They have proven to be very capable panters. They are also skilled in folding paper, and their paper creations are considered an are unto themselves.
What makes the Papillons so unique is the way that they, and only they, can use their paper creations. They are able to infuse magic into their paper, their inks and their paints. One of their least known devices, but most commonly used, is the ability to make the inked words on a page disappear or illegible for all but the intended audience. They have also been known to make their words dance across a page and it is whispered that they can even make the words of the page attack the reader. This latter notion is often met with either laughter or fear.
Some have been known to take their folded paper creations and infuse them with magic to resemble something authentic. One of the most common and most feared is the fierce paper tiger. Some have been known to take their folded paper creations and give it the hardness and sharpness of steel, but weight of a sheet of paper, or make them like unto birds or the butterflies that fly.
Though it is less popularly known, the Papillons are very capable diviners. Though the future is often unclear, consequences are just as offen clear. As well, their ability to scry on others or objects or learn the nature of things is considered by many as without compare.
The combination of some of their skills can make the Papillons very apt spies.
At first glance, the Papillons seem more as gypsies than guild. And "Gypsy" might be the most appropriate term for them. They are highly nomadic, generally not staying in any one place for too long. They are generally free spirits and despise constraints, though some will on occassion bind themselves in service where they feel they are needed or appreciated. They are fiercely loyal to their clansmen or to anyone to whom they have chosen to bind themselves. However, they are also idealistic. Trying to force a Papillon to stay in a location or to force them to adhere social tenets only encourages them to stray further from them.
Suggested Skills:
craft.art.origami
craft.art.caligraphy
craft.papermaking
knowledge.herbology
craft.art.painting
magic.mana.order
magic.technique.enchanting
magic.technique.divination
any two knowledge.language skills
panters?, sora, 2006-07-12 02:31:16
what's a panter? (fourth non-parenthetical paragraph)
Fierce paper tiger, that's an oxymoron ;)
Fierce paper tiger, that's an oxymoron ;)
heh, garvin, 2006-07-12 19:38:06
Painters. you knew exactily what i meant.
and that was intended. While I am serious about this guild idea, I thought I would throw that in for a little humor.
and that was intended. While I am serious about this guild idea, I thought I would throw that in for a little humor.
I wasn't sure, sora, 2006-07-12 23:40:00
I was guessing "painters", but the only other reference to "paint" was in the next paragraph, so I thought it would have fit in better there.
i approve, allaryin, 2006-07-14 02:26:53
Hello. My name is Allaryin, and I approve this message.
There are a few rough edges, a few in-game political implications, and a few other issues that I choose not to disclose at this time. Apart from that, I like Garvin's take on the idea and have worked the Papillons into the world theme pretty much as written here.
They will be based on the western sub-continent and will have close contact with the Hunters and for various reasons will be in rather poor standing with the Western Kingdom.
The guild's secrets will be a vast collection of crafting recipes that are otherwise unavailable to other players and organizations. They will also have a special skill that allows them to write otherwise ordinary text that results in a magical effect. This power will exist outside of the normal spell system.
That being said, I am also classifying this idea as a version 3.0 feature and am putting them below tinkers and above vampires on my priority queue. Expect to see them by 2015 if we're lucky. :)
There are a few rough edges, a few in-game political implications, and a few other issues that I choose not to disclose at this time. Apart from that, I like Garvin's take on the idea and have worked the Papillons into the world theme pretty much as written here.
They will be based on the western sub-continent and will have close contact with the Hunters and for various reasons will be in rather poor standing with the Western Kingdom.
The guild's secrets will be a vast collection of crafting recipes that are otherwise unavailable to other players and organizations. They will also have a special skill that allows them to write otherwise ordinary text that results in a magical effect. This power will exist outside of the normal spell system.
That being said, I am also classifying this idea as a version 3.0 feature and am putting them below tinkers and above vampires on my priority queue. Expect to see them by 2015 if we're lucky. :)