It sounds fine, sure.

It really does sound good. Also makeable in almost every fantasy system.

Could you be a character without the brand and just have a magical item to help you? Like Serpico and the wind sword?

>>19236444
But then you'd be just a regular PC and missing out on the gimmick.

>>19236513
>>19236444
I think that's okay. I could definitely see someone wanting to play a Serpico or Schierke-type character in Berserkgame (the latter might be ThatGuy). I think the Brand should be another option for character generation, not a requirement.

You can bring in fitting stuff from other environments too - for instance, the pact magicians of Drakengard would fit. What you have is the plot for a campaign, I think. If you want a game or system out of it, unless it's only a couple of pages, you probably want more options available.

Well the thing about Beserk is that the whole setting is BRUTAL!
I don't think PC's will like the fact that they have to continuously fight demons every night.

>>19236726
But PCs like fighting the best.

>>19236726
It's brutal, unless you are Guts & co.

>>19236753
Or another bunch of Branded people.

>>19236392

How about this?

http://pastebin.com/97tnNbny

File: 1337956829010.jpg-(10 KB, 193x245, Worry.jpg)

>>19236795
I don't know what scares me more. The rules for a game about murder or the fact that somebody took the time to write them.

>>19236795
it reminds me of the Riddle of Steel.

>>19236795
I totally knew that was going to get linked in this thread. It's not very good, but a fun idea.

>>19236844
You mean D&D, am I right ?

>>19236853
Or any other RPG in existence, for that matter?

>>19236626
Oh yeah, Drakengard.
That was depressing.
But really fits perfectly.

And if the game would be set in the now high-fantasy world of berserk, pacts with fantastic creatures would be very much possible.

File: 1337957250678.jpg-(19 KB, 500x375, Bonfire Bear.jpg)

>>19236853
>>19236875
The game has a goddamn MURDERPOOL.

>>19236885
Yeah, you see? There's some overlap in feel. I think the thing to do would basically to take all these Japanese grimdark fantasy things and crush them all together. So for instance, have the undead for Dark Souls - hey, you can't die if you play these guys! Every time you would you lose sanity and go crazy though, have fun with that.

>>19236891
It is immensely appropriate for Drakengard. A really neat touch that doesn't actually work is that distances are measures in the number of people you need to kill to get there.

>>19236626
How would the Brand as a character creation option work? Would it be something that makes you into a badass because you survived it? Or were already a badass and because of that you made it?

>>19236906
Well either works. It could be like, you have the Brand and are still alive, so you either were a total badass or have become one. Welcome to being a badass!

I could also see it giving bonuses vs. the kind of enemies associated with the brand (whether straight boosts or knowledge abilities or bypassing their resistances), maybe some kind of 'sixth sense' and I guess I would throw in the 'your weapons are basically magic because you kill demons with them every night' which isn't strictly part of it, but it applies to Guts' Dragonslayer, and frankly that is just so fucking cool.

>>19236921
>'sixth sense'
Okay, actually I think this would be a definite, because the branded absolutely can see and sense things that others can't. So you're aware of supernatural things in the world where other people aren't as a default thing. Some other characters, like witches or pactmakers or whatever, would probably also have this.

>>19236392

Sounds like Covenant of the Plume. The main character gets this feather from a valkyrie that lets him kill party members (literally kill, as in, dead forever, which is really uncommon for a vidya), and gain like 4x or 5x power for the rest of the encounter. There are a number of different endings you get based on how many times you use it, but I didn't finish the game more than once, so I don't know all of them.

Not sure how this really relates, just saying that's what it reminded me of.


Polite sage since I didn't really contriboot much

>>19236902

YEAH, WE CAME UP WITH THAT IDEA AND JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LET IT GO.

I THINK IF WE EVER GET A FIRE UNDER OUR ASS TO GO BACK AND REVISE THIS, WE'LL START FROM A MORE EXPANSIVE FRAMEWORK, SOMETHING WITH A LITTLE MORE MEAT TO IT.

THE MURDERPOOL HP-AS-POWER WAS LITERALLY THE SOLE MECHANIC WE HAD STARTING OUT, EVERYTHING ELSE GREW FROM THERE.

>>19236946
You don't have to sage for that, it seems content enough.

What other terribly fucked up Japanese fantasy stories/games are there? I would really like to make some sort of horrific grimdark medieval thing like this if only because it could have the subtag: a JRPG-inspired fantasy game.

Fuck your Tidus.

Well, the brand would be an awesome excuse for random encounters, that's for sure.

Instead of just "you're waylaid by this random monster on your travels or during your sleep," it'd be like "guess what, your brand is bleeding again, time for DEMONS."

However, if you do run this sort of campaign, SOMEONE is bound to try and be Gatts. If you're playing DnD 3.5, watch as someone makes a fighter/barbarian with monkey grip and grabs a large greatsword.

>>19236974
>SOMEONE is bound to try and be Gatts
Which is fine, the discussion seems to be about characters tough enough to survive the Brand.

>>19236965

If I remember correctly, the worst part about the plume was that the person you killed with it didn't even realize what you'd done. It's all in the heat of combat anyway, so I don't think anyone notices.

Then again, I only did the single mandatory kill (you have to kill your best friend in the opening chapter to introduce the mechanic), so I don't know if other party members react to the fact that they're getting killed off if you use it more.

As far as grimdark japanese lore, there's not a whole lot of it. Susanoo was kind of a prick, but most of the really bad things are mentioned in passing in the books I've read. The best time to do grimdark for japanese lore would be an anachronistic retelling of exactly what humanity went through while Amaterasu hid herself in a cave. It's never really stated how long it was, but basically, Amaterasu is the sun incarnate, so it amounts to several months/years/decades with no sunlight.

>>19236906

Two ways the Brand makes you badass.

1.) You were badass enough to get it. That means that destiny has warped oddly around you - You're marked for some grim fate, and the world knows. After battling demons every night, normal people aren't so much of a threat.

2.) Even against other demons, your soul is meant to be harvested by something else. They won't take you easily.

Basically, a group bands together, because each indiviual is effective against the demons sent for THE OTHERS.

>>19237045

You could use that concept to play off of the 'rival' concept that so many GMs like to use. Instead of being someone from your past who is like your character, but slightly warped, the person who fills that role is the demon that is 'supposed' to be harvesting you.

>>19237059

Yeah, that would work. Like, A, B and C are in a group. Every night, hellspawn are sent after the party...But B and C are good against the demons sent after A's ass. A is especially effective against the demons trying to claim B and C.

In fact, there's a constant impetus for adventure; They have to keep moving, or the demons catch up.

>>19237075
That's a little rock paper scissors for me, but the idea of this stuff:
>>19237045
For the Brand seems solid.

I think you would reach a point where, much like the manga, you are not playing out your nightly encounters with demons.

>>19237075

What happens when they kill the leader who's brand they bear? Are they 'freed' from this demon-fighting lifestyle? Or does it just mean there's slightly less pressure since now just random demons will attack instead of the coordinated ones?

>>19237092
I think in the example given, all characters are Branded.

Hell, make it so the Brand is part of a subset of character creation options - Branded, Feyblood, Gifted, stuff like that - from the demon chosen Branded to an archer with ancient fey blood in his veins, the magically powerful Gifted;
Hell, add a badass normal category

Master.

Exactly what it says on the goddamn tin. You're so FUCKING GOOD at something your name has become synonymous with the thing you do.

Of course, I suppose Master would work better in a higher level game, though I like the idea of a badass normal teaming it up with the badass supernaturals. Assuming a weapon that continually slays demons eventually becomes supernatural/demonic itself, a Master could really bring some hurt to the party.

>>19237092

I assume it takes some of the pressure off you. The Brand never goes away, but killing the particular demon that has it in for you means that there isn't a coordinated effort...For now.

It's like...The Brand attracts demons of all kinds, but it's also a beacon for those out for you. Guts is actually a special case, because his Brand was placed by the Godhand, who are literally evil gods.

For a campaign, of course, which isn't going to be as long as Berserk, you can simply go - "Slay the demon who placed the mark on you, and the curse is removed." - so the players have something to work towards, not just their grisly inevitable deaths.

>>19237092
Well in berserk they get branded by a group of Ultrapowerful demons, called the god hand.
And all the lesser demons (Apostles) get to eat the ones who are branded, while the one who did the sacrifice becomes an apostle himself.

If you somehow survive the branding, then not will every apostle you encounter try to kill you, but you attract ghosts and other supernatural creatures who want to possess you. Or, if they can't possess you, they'll possess someone else and attack you, or raise the dead and attack you.
Also whenever you geet close to an apostle, the brand starts to bleed.


Another crazy shit that could be thrown into this grimdark soup is Uzumaki by Junji Itou.

>>19237111
Yeah, that's what I was trying to get at with: >>19236902

There are definitely options for multiple character types of ability sources here. Whether it's as a Revenant or a Pactmaker or a Branded, these can all work. 'Normals' could also work, and I think the thing to do there would be to give them the freest pick of abilities: a normal might have their resources invested in magic items or special techniques or mastery of a particular thing or the ability to use magic, or all of the above, whereas the others have some specific abilities they have access to, but are restricted in respect of other things.

I've remembered another game that could be a source of inspiration for this: Vagrant Story.

>>19237118

How much are you willing to deviate from Berserk? I just had an idea that I think the players would be interested, but I don't know the manga well enough to say it fits, and I'd wager it doesn't.

If you choose to have the Brand specified to one specific, powerful demon, you could give a deeper reason as to why that Demon wants you dead, aside from "harvesting the mortal souls". Maybe bearing his brand gives you a small trickle of his power. Not enough for him to notice, but enough for you to actually have the capacity to kill him (assuming normal humans can't kill these fucks).

Or even that the Brand is more of a literal marker of fate, and anyone who has one can only end up one of two ways: godhand or dead.

"We are not alone." You turn and stare at her, the warrior-woman from the far south, Sha-Ura the Reaping. Her wicked axes make a steely rasp as she draws them, and it's then you feel it too.

Your Brand burns. You can feel it begin to dribble blood already and you curse angrily to yourself, pulling your spear from the ground at your side. Behind you, Jack pulls the arm of his crossbow back, cocking it with a tight humm of string.

You're as ready as you're ever going to be. Sha-Ura crouches low, and you set your sheild and spear tightly. The wailing starts mere seconds before the battle is joined, and the familiar blood-lust burns up your throat and out in a wild howl.

You may not have asked for this life, and you may not know if the next unholy waking creature of the dead is your last or not, but with Sha-Ura and Jack you're sure you can take on anything.

>>19237165
I think there's room to allow for variable interpretations of the Brand. The Brand does place you between the spiritual and normal world so, while for the vast majority of people this never comes up because they are eaten and killed, you do become more aware and more capable of battling the things drawn to you.

But I think your Brand could totally range from 'random Apostle from my hometown, wants my dead for specific reasons' to 'literally marked by a godhand, I will kill them or die by their hand'.

That could play into the mechanics. You could get to reroll a certain number of dice when facing enemies that aren't your nemesis, but be forced to reroll when up against them. That's your fate, to die by the hand of the one who Branded you and nobody else. You're only defying that by saying fuck you to fate with your every single step.

>>19236946
Oh yeah, Covenant of the Plume was pretty fucked up.

Second chapter of the game? Dude gets his shit slapped by demons and sacrifices his best friend since childhood for power. A lot of the missions are extremely hard to beat unless you sacrifice a bunch of characters, too. Not only that, but in order for the plume to give him more power, he has to absolutely crush his enemies. The more pain he inflicts, the more powerful the plume becomes. If he doesn't inflict enough pain, Hel sends demons to kill him.

And the main characters primary motivation is to kill the valkyrie who took his father to Valhalla, who is actually one of the primary forces for good in the series. The *neutral* ending is the one where he damns his own father to eternal torment in Niflheim.

Okay, so are we just combining the most fucked up worlds we can possibly find here?

Berserk, Valkyrie Profile, Drakenguard... Are there any others?

>>19237264
Dark sus/athas.

>>19237264
That sounds like a boring thing to do.

IIRC when multiple branded people gather, the veil between the worlds weakens.

If there were a whole party of branded people, you'd have ghosts and demons pouring out of the air. Shit would be crazy.

>>19237264
Claymore would fit in nicely.

How would the Skull Knight fit into this?

Doesn't he like, combine the apostle summoning things to his sword, which allows him to cut space and time? Also stuff like Gut's beserking Batman armor or the fact that faith is the reason why the Beserk-verse sucks.

Humanity believes that it is suppose to rotten and miserable, therefore the Godhand and the Idea of Evil make it miserable. So the only way to change that is by being a messiah/paragon like figure and help people. All the while being a badass who can survive this shit.

>>19237264
You're missing Dark Souls. And Demon Souls.

Rule of Rose, Silent Hill, Arkham City is fairly nasty (one night, it was hell) but a city not a world, any of the Shin Megami Tensei stuff.

>>19237356
Every time the Eclipse comes up and a new God Hand is born, one badass who was supposed to die survives. Along with Guts and the Skull Knight there are three more of them, and together they bring up the Idea of Good.

>>19237264
>So the only way to change that is by being a messiah/paragon like figure and help people. All the while being a badass who can survive this shit.
> Implying it wasn't grifith's plan all along.

>>19237264
No, we're taking inspiration from things in this vein.

>>19237356
P sure Skull King was Branded, too

Not entirely sure how he BECAME the Skull King, but welp

(Also playing a messiah-like character would be incredibly fun to play in such a universe - does the beleif in god create God? [All signs point to yes!])

... Have HIM Branded, too, and shit gets fare more hilarious.

>>19237356
Magic items can be a resource like anything else. Buy the 'lightfooted' trait attached to a magic item and you can have Serpico's cloak, but it could also be a set of Icarus-like wings or enchanted boots or whatever.

In this, both Guts and the Skull King would have heavy investment in certain magical resources, although in the latter case there is also likely a component of straight up magical techniques.

The faith thing is fluff.

I like to think Skull King is actually Conan.

In the (chronologically) last stories, Conan was ruling a kingdom of his own, actually caring a lot about his subjects and wishing them well. He would go on to conquer the rest of the world and bring unity and peace to all. But then someone, his trusted friend that loved his country just as much as the emperor himself did, ended up being utterly broken by something and sacrificing the entire capital for power, becoming Void.

I have no evidence to point out to this. I just like to think it's true.

>>19237428
Except you called him Conan and not Gaiseric.

Where the fuck did you get Conan from?

>>19237324
Basically, for regular Branded I would not force there to be an actual combat encounter every night. I would say something like 'unless warded, you fight demons every night' and make them start every day already injured and/or fatigued. Because of this they are tough motherfuckers though so they have reduced effects from how they are and additional stuff that would wear them out or injure them isn't as effective. This is one part of the abilities the Brand-type character has.

And of course for any particularly contentious moment or supernatural event you can feel free to just throw an encounter in because of the Brand.

Then, alongside this and the gained abilities of whatever, a little mention of an all-Branded party. In this instance, the veil is fucking torn and the party probably really likes the idea of being Branded and the effects thereof, so if they are cool with it sure, run an actual combat encounter every night.

The Skull Knight dying and Guts becoming the Wolf Knight and his replacement is, sadly, probably the best end you can hope for from this series.

>>19237452
He's been around for a thousand years. What would he die from?

>>19237455
The Godhand?

>>19237455
He doesn't appear to be invulnerable, just supremely competent and powerful. The Godhand could likely kill him if he couldn't escape them.

Are you guys really setting up a goddamn framework for making a Berserk setting

I fucking love you, /tg/. Never change.

>>19237480
I think a general setting drawing on Berserk and many similar things is more promising but yeah, pretty much.

GM: As you settle Down. For the night.... Roll initiatives guys, your brand is bleeding again.
Player 1: We have been running this campaign for 2 months and every single night we have to fight demons. Can't you do a time skip?
GM: Nope and wait there is more!
Player 2: *sigh* what?
GM: Your mounts have been possessed.
Player 3: THATS THE FIFTH SET! WE ONLY GOT A DAYS RIDE OUT OF THEM!
GM: :Trollface:

Well apart from that, in terms of branded and non branded, I think we should have it like Chaos Space Marines and Chaos Cultists like Black Crusade. You do have to be badass enough to escape sacrifice but the downside is that you become irritable, paranoid, sleep deprived etc that your social skills suffer.
About the setting, I suppose people would want magic so you could set if after Griffith has fused fantasy and reality together.

>>19237606
Do you think it should actually be set in the Berserkverse?

And I wouldn't plan to make the Branded extra powerful, rather everyone is a badass with some associated advantages and disadvantages. That's why I favor the fusion of characters and plot elements found in Dark Souls, Drakengard, Berserk, etc.

Like that Brand thing is a joke, obviously, but also a perfect illustration of why you shouldn't need to actually play out the Brand fights-by-night unless the party is into that.

File: 1337965034984.png-(194 KB, 1600x1200, berserk - 036.png)

Don't die!

>>19237860
Oh hey, your image reminded me of a new idea for a backstory and a source of powers: demonic ancestry. A parent or a grandparent is a horrible creature.

>>19237878
Yeah, that was mentioned up-page too. I 100% support that as another theoretical character type, although I wouldn't specify it as demonic but just as supernatural. Like the guy who mentioned being Feyblood up page.

Basically character types I am currently seeing:
>Branded (think Berserk)
>Undead (think Dark Souls)
>Pact-maker (think Drakengard)
>Supernatural Ancestry
>'Normal'
Those seem to be the most supported in this thread. I would also consider:
>Blood-Sin, heir to a powerful magical legacy (think Vagrant Story)
Any more suggestions are welcome.

For magic, I don't think there needs to be a specific wizard type, magic should just be another learnable skill as it in most of these games. Based on the magic in Berserk I'd go with it being divided elementally, so you get:
>Fire, Air, Earth and Water
...as different disciplines which you learn one of at a time. I'd probably also add:
>Light and Dark
These would cover general warding/protection/healing spells and in the case of the latter to cover some Dark Souls/Vagrant Story stuff.

There would be multiple categories of character abilities to invest in. Normals are unrestricted, but have few, no or less impressive unique abilities to pick up. All the others get varying levels of unique abilities or features, but are restricted in their other choices in turn - for instance an Undead might only be capable of learning Fire and Dark magic, and a Branded no magic at all (magic inevitably draws supernatural attention). Legendary or extra-special techniques would definitely be a category, and stuff like Guts' cut twenty guys in half could absolutely be there.

Any thoughts, criticisms or suggestions?

>>19237954
>>Blood-Sin, heir to a powerful magical legacy (think Vagrant Story)
Fucking support this with all my heart.

>>19237954
A person with a strong enough will and faith could be like clerics. The more they spread that faith, the stronger their powers become.

Whether it be through valiant efforts, such as slaying demons and helping a village or simply spreading the word. After all, Christianity spread quickly because people lived like crap and thought 'hey this life sucks, but if I'm good and follow this book, I'll have eternal paradise.'

>>19237971
I'd probably just group that under Light. Maybe there could be some spells in light which become better the more people you have supporting them.

I am vaguely reminded of Dominions 3, where troops can be horror marked.

Basically they can be hit with a special attack by someone adept in magic, but it doesn't do any damage. Instead, they become visible to ethereal monstrosities and cosmic aberrations. Demons, extra-dimensional entities, etc...

From then on, they will be targeted by these things and understandably it can be quite troublesome for anyone in the same area. The marked person can defend themselves naturally, but in fighting off these horror attackers, they become further and further horror marked, attracting more and greater attackers. It's a vicious cycle really, and a great way to get rid of special characters.

This is all based on my limited understanding of the game, haven't played it too much yet.

the only problem is that the more branded people get together, the more intense the undead at night become, thats pretty much why the massive tower became a shitstorm of darkness that engulfed an army of refugees.

The concept is awesome though, Id play it.

>>19237971

Depends if your using the same world as Berserk though, as God created the demons that branded you in the first place.

>>19237970
It might be better suited as a particular kind of Brand or Pact, I'm thinking, but it's a concept I'd like to support.

>>19238027
Wow, that seems like it was probably directly taken from Berserk.

>>19238097

Never read Berserk so I couldn't say.

The game is about conflicting mythologies, and I think only the lizardmen team can horror mark people.

>>19238129
You should read Berserk. That is more or less how the Brand of Sacrifice works.

>>19238139

No thank you. I can't read.

From the little I've seen though it looks cool, so I won't knock it.

>>19238160
>I can't read.
What?

File: 1337967515275.png-(3 KB, 175x93, emote_obj_132077076432.png)

>>19238160

So how would Magic work?

>>19238172
>>19238184

Oh man, another thread full of literates freaking out at something outside of their narrow experience.

File: 1337967703622.png-(308 KB, 500x366, wishIcouldread.png)

>>19238160
>mfw

>>19238172

I am illiterate? You know, unable to read words.

>>19238188
I want to say you buy access to a category and then to types of spells in that category, which can be more or less powerful depending on how well you roll and your skill/level of investment.

Types as in, types over specific spells. So you buy Fire - Blast rather than 'Ray of Fire' 'Fireball' 'Scorching Cloud' and it has customizable elements you can decide on the spot which affect the necessary roll/consumption of resources involved in casting.

Blast, Ward and Buff seem like initial types to go on. There could probably be many more, and utility abilities might have to be discrete.

Again, just some general thoughts. Debate or criticism welcomed.

>>19238208
The mere fact that you can read the question and type an answer (unless of course you have someone else reading you to, which would leave you very inconsiderate of that person) means that you are not illiterate.

0/10 not even close

>>19238210
Also, just considering Schierke, there should probably be a time element. She has to build up to big spells.

>>19238210
Combining faith and magic would be interesting.

'Believe in the fire within us all.'

'Born from Earth we are her children.'

Etc. etc.

So you'd have priests of the elements or something.

File: 1337968001425.png-(455 KB, 720x480, 1337040104791.png)

>>19238208
Okay...

>>19238229

I'll have you know I'm just fine with reading for that guy. We're friends, at least I like to think so.

>>19238232
That's what clerics in Dark Sun are, and someone did mention Dark Sun up page.

Actually IIRC 'holy spots' in Berserk are areas where the spiritual world comes closer to the mundane. This can occur in places with a bias towards one element, so that is actually quite plausible - although the 'official' faith is a pseudo-Christian, oppressive thing that isn't connected to the spiritual realm.

Farnese is a pyromaniac/philiac for instance, and it's interesting that her character arc goes from knightly nun to trainee witch considering burning heretics and elemental magic are absolutely facts in-setting.

I am going to be sad when she uses that Behelit, like I think she will.

>>19238229

Ok you win.

But no, I don't plan on getting into Berserk. If I'm not mistaken it's really long by now, isn't it? As before though, I've heard only good things, so I won't bash it.

>>19238263
Well it's not like it's going to get any longer. There hasn't been a new chapter in like two months.

>>19238282
That's normal.

>>19238263
I gawked at the size of it too when I first picked it up, but by the time I got through it all my only thoughts were why the fuck isn't there more of this.

>>19238263
Berserk is huge, but it's not like crazy big. Have your friend read it to you.

>>19238229

Not even that guy, but there are programs which will read posts for you, and write out what you speak to it, or simply proofread what you type.

I know this because there's at least one blind person who browses /tg/. I saw in a thread where someone said the same thing, he posted links and demonstrated how he "reads" posts and responds.

By that reasoning, I wouldn't say it's impossible for someone who can't read to browse 4chan.

File: 1337968649905.gif-(290 KB, 500x449, Orange.gif)

>>19238282
>There hasn't been a new chapter in like two months.
Enjoy waiting for another seven months.
Miura likes to scrap pages for even minor faults, and he only does it himself, his poor assistants can draw just like him, and yet have so much spare time they make their own manga.

>sees thread
You guys should play anima re fluffed.
You can aim hits to head and shit.
It's cool.

>>19238335
Yeah, Anima is a shit system, so god no.

Forgot the most important part of Berserkgame: need comprehensive rules for bags and satchels of all kinds.

>>19238097
NOPE. Earthdawn. C'mon /tg/, I'd expect you to know things like this.

File: 1337969277372.jpg-(315 KB, 904x706, tumblr_lzdc67sxvP1r53rq6o9_128(...).jpg)

>>19238374

>>19238399
Oh, how cool. I don't know much about Earthdawn.

File: 1337969305597.jpg-(37 KB, 800x569, MostIntelligentPersonInTheWorl(...).jpg)

>>19238229

>>19238324
It's always nice to chat with her.

>>19238210
We don't really know enough about magic to make assumptions as to how it works.
We know that Schierke channeled a water spirit, or something to flood the town and kill the Trolls, however the Indians didn't seem to do this.
Not to mention there's the other sort of "Magic" that demon uses employ such as brown emperor man, and Femto.

File: 1337969666206.jpg-(54 KB, 400x400, 1332909586015.jpg)

>>19238440
It's a girl?
>Why boner, why?

>>19238455
The Kushan sorcerers do seem to use elemental based stuff.

The apostles/godhands don't, but that's why I suggested two overarching pure/corrupt categories. They have spacetime powers too, of course.

>>19238467
>They have spacetime powers too, of course.
Only Femto, who is the most powerful of the Godhand.
Skeleton face is a special case.

And the Kushan sorcerers seem to use Elemental based things however, I am rather sure they do not use the same methods, as he summoned tornadoes practically instantly, unlike Schierke who took about twenty minutes to summon a spinning wheel of flame.

>>19237356
So you're saying that in order to make the world better, you have to be Griffith

File: 1337969895238.jpg-(157 KB, 774x286, great people.jpg)

>>19238457
Yeah, I can't imagine why.

>>19238476
>And the Kushan sorcerers seem to use Elemental based things however, I am rather sure they do not use the same methods
That's alright though. We don't have to outline separate individual processes, especially for something that seems more than likely attributable to a power gap.

Void was able to create a portal to defend himself too.

>>19238480
Eh. More inspiring people.

I hate doing this but someone like Kamina. Only a much more massive scale.

>>19238499
You mean like Griffith?

>>19237356
>How would the Skull Knight fit into this?
Former user of Berserker armor, and he would fit in if you got in the way of his plans, which we don't know yet, so I'd assume if we're following the current time-line you'd only meet him in certain events shown in the manga.
Also, what is wrong with the:
>Gut's beserking Batman
I honestly don't see what's wrong with it, and what's wrong with "Faith" as well?

>>19238507
Only without the whole 'selling your friends to demons' and rape. And getting tortured after getting with your back up girl.

>>19238507
Yeah, but not a backstabbing power hungry son of a bitch.

>>19238529
>>19238522
>Only without the whole 'selling your friends to demons' and rape.
And dying with no hope that you'll ever see the Princess again?
Or dethroning the mad king?
And leaving the kingdom in chaos which would kill even more people?
Griffith would be serving, as the Tau say, for the greater good.

>>19238544
>Griffith
>Serving the greater good
Yeah no. This is why the idea of a "greater good" is bullshit, because you can use it to justify fucking ANYTHING you want to. Griffith sold out his friends because when it came down to it he was after power and glory, period. He literally raped his best friend's girl INTO INSANITY in front of him, while having his demon minions make said friend watch, just because. Griffith is fucking EVIL.

>>19238597
He killed people so that more would live.
He raped her so he could establish a link to the realm.

>>19238597
>Griffith is fucking EVIL.
That is not what this is about. This is about influencing the way people think. And the way they see Griffith right now, he fits the profile needed here to a T. It doesn't matter if he's an asshole, as long as the majority of people never find out.

>>19238618
And making Guts watch?
What's your morally relativistic "ends justify the means" explanation for THAT?

>>19238664
He didn't make Guts watch, did you ever see him give the order for it?

>>19238643
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HHkJH_0leU

>>19238618
>>19238669

Wait, your trying to justify Griffiths actions? Oh lol Even Slaan goes on about how evil and inhumane the Eclipse is.

>>19238669
Not sure if trolling, or honestly believes Griffith not evil...
He's INTERESTING evil, I won't deny that, but he's still evil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PE22PP4lKw
just one awesome berserk MMW

Damn. Im late for berserk discussion...

I've only ever watched the anime(didn't even know there was a comic when I downloaded it) and... That was one of the most fucked up endings to any sort of media I've ever seen. I know now that the story is much much larger(and badass).

Imagine you know nothing about Berserk, and you're just watching the anime because you like how it's a sort-of low-fantasy coming to power/intrigue show. There's an army, the main character is obviously strong, but it's not too much to break suspension of disbelief. You learn to like the characters and their motivations. And then you get to the final episodes, wondering where it is all leading.

SUDDENLY, GUTS IS RIPPED INTO HELL WITH HIS DEAR FRIENDS, DEMONS RIPPING APART HIS COMRADS, VETERANS FROM A THOUSAND BATTLES! HE TAKES TO HIS HORSE IN A VAIN ATTEMPT TO FLEE, WHEN THE GROUND DEVELOPS FANGED MAWS AND TEARS THE FLESH FROM THE HORSE'S LIMBS AND OH NO NOW THEY'RE TUMBLING! WHAT THE FUCK THAT'S A BADASS DEMON GUTS BETTER WATCH HIS SHIT! FUCK, HIS ARM, HOW IS HE GOING TO SWING THAT HUGE SWORD ANY MORE! OH, WHAT THE FUCK! GRIFFITH! YOU'RE DOING THAT TO HER?! RIGHT NOW, MAKING GUTS WATCH?! OH FUCK YOU YOU SICK FUCK

That is how I feel about Berserk.

You guys are going to make me read the mangu with all this talk.

polite sage for dead thread

>>19239352
You should read the manga. It's surprisingly less fucked-up by providing a hopeful continuation to the events displayed in the anime.

shiiit fortunately i was patrolling suptg!

how did you handle escaping the eclipse though if you are not super tough person like gutts? e.g. if you wants your branded to be agile char, or the usual skull-knight-rescue-the-damsels treatment for every branded?

Somewhat related to the talk, just how is the power of the Apostles determined anyway? Outside God Hand, all of them would appear to have sacrificed only one person, two at most, but the power levels range from useless little shrimps to all-powerful deathless douchebags with weird powers, from creatures Guts can slaughter at once en masse to BBEGs whose destruction can be the focus of an entire arc.

>>19239449
Well, Skull Knight had to rescue Guts even then, so I suppose he'd have to save them all, whether strong or agile or whatever.

>>19239450

or maybe these destiny bender ppl is not only SK, so everybody had their own wingman

so branded = barbarian/druid multiclass?

>>19239457

adjust it with party level obviously, lv 1 pcs will only got kobolds and goblins equals when encountering their first nights, then build the challenge based on that

>>19239488
A first level guy probably couldn't survive long enough for the Skull Knight to show up and save him.

>>19239488
>so branded = barbarian/druid multiclass?

What? No. Being branded says nothing about your abilities. It just says you're fucking badass and you're cursed for it.

>>19239636
It does enable you to interact with some degree the spiritual world

>>19239593

considering guts is nowhere near lv 1 when he enter the eclipse eh, whats with life full of bloods and steel

>>19239643

and spiritual companion in the form of skull knight, wait that sounds more warlock than druid

>>19239653
I don't really think that's related to the brand as much as him just being a survivor in general. The Skull Knight appeared to Guts once or twice before the eclipse.

>>19239352
The manga gets better, just keep in mind it is going to be BAD END.

>>19239449
>how did you handle escaping the eclipse though if you are not super tough person like gutts?
Well it depends how directly you're going to correspond, but you don't get to survive as a Branded without being really badass in one way or another.

>>19239643
Yes, it positions you between them. Those would be some of the bonus attributes of Branded, a sensitivity to that kind of thing.

I was not really aiming for D&D class and level chat with this whole discussion though. If that's what you want to do, just steal the important bits of the Brand of Sacrifice plot wholesale and do it to your whole party.

>>19239665

did he? i didnt remember at all, i only know the one zodd encounter like Lu Bu in dynasty warrior, and that apostle who got his penis slashed by guts

also rickert also encounter the governor and the elf but SK came to the rescue

>>19239669

bad end as in miura dies before berserk ends properly? well fuck

>>19239686

fair point

>>19239708
Yeah, he actually appears and warns him this whole thing is going to happen.

>bad end as in miura dies before berserk ends properly? well fuck
That too, but no, BAD END in that it isn't going to end well. It has been flat out stated that Guts will be unable to achieve his revenge on Griffith *and* find happiness with Casca.

This is probably related to the child, but could also be related to the Behelit they're carrying around.

>berserker armor

allmymoney.jpg

>>19239732
How much has this been stated? What makes you think situations could not change?

Situations often change in stories, even when stated otherwise.

>>19239751
Sure, but it has been stated by the Skull Knight, who has been right every other time.

Things could change, but it doesn't really seem in keeping with Berserk that tragedy will be avoided. Especially not as things are continually set up via interaction with the child.

I don't know, hey, maybe it will have a happy ending - but if you think it's likely, you haven't been reading the same manga as me. Guts is never going to get a happy ending, IMO.

File: 1337979149816.png-(301 KB, 672x668, Best Partnership Ever.png)

>>19236626
>Drakengard
But without Caim and Angelus, there's absolutely nothing redeemable about that shitpile.

>>19239809
I don't know, THE WATCHERS SING / THE WATCHERS DANCE / FA LA LA LA LA fucking made it for me

>>19239809
It doesn't have to be the plot, just the pact-magic murderlord type characters.

>>19236965
Nier. Also by Cavia, actually a surprisingly decent game apparently, is fond of punching players in the balls with its trolling ways, and has one of the most soul-crushingly depressing stories ever. And it actually gets worse on a New Game +.

>>19239781
I don't think it's likely, but I would not say it's impossible either. Even with all its grit and grimdark, Berserk is a surprisingly hopeful story: if you take up a sword and are willing to fight for your life instead of simply laying down and dying, you have a good shot at some form of happiness and success.

>>19239836
I know of Nier, I just wasn't sure what character archetype to pull from it. I suppose you could put in Grimoires as some kind of assistant or character ability, and if you were willing to stretch things a bit you could use Nier as the inspiration for replicant/homunculus characters.

the clouds has gather, the sky mourns
being of astral and ether, kings of fools!
feasts of betrayal, of ambitions and desperations...

young one, tis not the time nor the place for you to be feasted by cratures long have forsaken their humanity for a taste of false freedom

now ride, before the gap of world tighten, and crush you with its innards, full of foul teeth and bloody hunger, ride! branded one!

roll for escape *one* wops too bad all your limbs are gone, you are now a branded with no legs and arms, luckily goto is sunbathing nearby, here, hand cannons and legs

>>19239836
The New Game+ reveals stuff to you that makes every action you performed on the previous playthrough an unforgivable action.

And then further New Game+s make it worse and worse and worse. You feel like the biggest asshole on the planet after you completely finish.

>>19239847
Guts is capable of resisting fate. Pretty much everyone else who tried that died.

>>19239866
Guts seemed to be doing well even before being branded.

>>19239863
I'm actually considering some kind of Disfigurement, mental or physical, that you take on if you choose any archetype that isn't the 'Normal'. Or maybe a sanity track would be better.

This idea originally came though Sydney Losstarot, who actually doesn't have any arms or legs (he has mechanical replacements). Ashley Riot later gets the Blood-Sin, and he has PTSD/Amnesia. Caska is mentally broken. Guts was totally consumed by revenge/death wish for a long while (and still is, sort of). The Undead in Dark Souls can obviously get pretty fucked up. The Drakengard characters are seriously deranged.

>>19239864

Beepy and Kalil... They just wanted to see the world, and I murdered them. ;_;

Also: Dat ending D. Holy shit, that gimmick was brilliant.

>>19239847

and you got companions later on, the tone is getting lighter and more positive with the interactions and recent premises, which i admit to hate that i love these changes

>oh and do anybody find astral plane = the warp? godhand = 4 ruinous gods? holy shit? instead of challenging the gods emperor is siding with them and horus has to CLEAVE AND SMITE its way to kill his father?????????

aside from this faggotry, maybe we can include bloodthirster as one of the encounter if you have more than X amount of branded travelling together

>>19239864
Also, the supplemental material reveals that you've doomed the world.

Although technically, the whole thing is still Caim and Angelus' fault.

>>19239897
The more normalized Guts and Casca get, the worse the choice is going to be. The party is going to break up horribly too, you just know it. Probably from Farnese and the Behelit.

>>19239882
he bring misfortune to the masses, geronimo? caska? the whole band of the hawk? he should have died under his mother's corpse

>>19239892

interseting idea, maybe char flaw has to be mandatory in the system, physical or mental

Oh, man.

Caim gave Manah the worst punishment ever.

>>19239924
Yeah. Well specifically I'm theorizing 'if you choose to have be influenced by the supernatural, you have to have a disfigurement of some kind or another'. Of course in Berserk pretty much every adult character has some kind of major issue.

>>19239934
She had to end up with Nowe?

Why not throw in Witchers? That world's got a pretty decent amount of grimdark.

>>19239950

yes even Azan, dude is saying NOT AGAIN NOT AGAIN NOT AGAIN FFFFF in the tower arc, implying he has some sort of grimdark past

>>19239971
Like an augmented type? That could work, yeah.

I don't know. I'm always wary of homebrews that take what's presented in story as being a special, almost unique thing then give it to everyone.

Putting that aside, I could see is working is an incredibly lethal system.

>>19240004
Not everyone has to carry a brand, but the alternative to escaping with someone who does is a game where you are the average soldier who gets branded and devoured. Game over.

Additionally, a degree of lethality and danger is certainly appropriate - but from the right foes. Berserk is only super, super lethal to people who aren't Guts.

You want to know how things will go to shit?

>Puck has a behelit
>When the party reaches Elfland, they find it burned to the ground by Griffith's forces
>Suddenly Puck is an Apostle, everyone gets branded
>Rapes Evarella into madness for good measure, because why the fuck not

>>19240219
>puck is an apostle

>>19240245
I can't even imagine what he'll be like, but it's probably going to be scary as shit.

File: 1337982793221.jpg-(19 KB, 500x375, I came here to laugh at you.jpg)

>>19240341
>>19240219

>>19240219

like a boss

>>19240341
You are amusing.

>>19240348
>>19240423
Do remember Rosine. She wasn't very frightening as a little girl, now was she?

>>19240455
It's Puck. Puck is the comic relief.

>>19240455
Remember when she actually had a motive?
Remember when Guts has his body fucked so much that he can't even move?
He's going to need the Fairy King to cure that shit, no matter which way you put it, he needs it.

>>19240466
The fairy king is dead and burned. Guts is far too badass to give up then.

>>19240496
>Guts is far too badass to give up then.
The fucker can't even move, another use of the berserker armor will fuck him up even more, seriously the guy is blind and fucking deaf at this point.

>>19237118
The OP mentioned the idea that your 'rival' is the person who sacrificed you. Maybe you have to kill them in a shorter campaign, and in an ongoing campaign, you have to kill the Godhand?

guts didn't survive just because he was a lucky badass

he has supernatural strength and agility because he is the son of zodd

turds

>>19240787
That's not enough for supernatural strength and agility.

>>19240787
Well hopefully that will be an archetype too.

>>19240787
It seems likely, but why would that give him extra powers?

>>19240869
>>19243725
The same reason why a half-orc is stronger than a human.

>>19245994
But the Apostles weren't born stronger, but rather got it through a pact. Would that pass on to the child?

>>19247098
It doesn't seem that important.