>What would the main industry of the people devoted to the God of War be?

Pottery.

>>27548787
>What if we had a setting with 12 kingdoms, each based on the symbolic properties of one of the signs of the Greek zodiac?

>>27548830
>>What would the main industry of the people devoted to the God of War be?

Need to read slower and twice before posting.

>>27548877
Nope, I post what I want.

>>27548787

Sounds interesting. As long as we're on the topic of the Avatarverse though I would like to suggest not making what I feel was a mistake on the part of that particular worldbuilding and box yourself into one culture early on, which is what Avatar more-or-less did with it's version of not-Asia. Don't get me wrong, I love that world but now as they've advanced into an age of globalism it's starting to feel a little small and lacking diversity. So even if you don't include other regions of the world right now I'd still recommend figuring out how your Greek-centric system could fit into or be mirrored by other cultures (like the Chinese Zodiac for not-China) in an expanded world.

>>27548908
Go full on Elder Scrolls.

The planets dictate birth. They're the impartial masters of who is born and what traits they exhibit.

That way every culture has their own iterations of the same ideal, sort of like astological signs.

Wait, is that just a cultural thing or do they have actual astrologybending magic?

>and then everyone was a Sidreal

>>27548936
If we're going to do what >>27548908 suggests, then I'd say yeah.

Otherwise we limit ourselves arbitrarily.

Aries and Capricorn kingdoms are in a constant cultural rivalry. Both are trying to demonstrate they have the more technologically advanced culture, because both of them have solid developments into architecture and engineering.

After all, both of them spend an irrational amount of time building towers.

>>27548921
So... in practice, does this mean each culture has elements of each Zodiac sign expressed through their own particular lens?

>>27548974
Why not?

>>27548958

Libra should be the merchant nation because of the scales. They can also have a strong sense of justice that works hand-in-hand with their monetary culture.

I wish I could think of something for my sign but unfortunately it's fucking Virgo.

>>27548980
Just checking. My suggestion would be to summarize the iconic traits of each Zodiac sign first, and then assign divergent interpretations to a handful of nations, say 5.

>>27548982

Based on modern day Japan?

So Pisces will rule all being the best at social skills and manipulating other emotions.

>>27548982
I am Cancer

>>27548982
That becomes less of a problem if every culture expresses elements of each sign; that way we don't end up with one nation that is just All Slaneesh All the Time.

>>27548998
>>27548982
Libra and Pisces should be pals then.

>>27549002
Glad you admit this, but what is your zodiac sign?

>>27548998
Pisces will be the best diplomats but horrible at dealing with crises.

>>27549005
>All Slaneesh All the Time

But Columbia is a thing.

>>27549014
You forget sharks are fish too. Also many real world scientist where Pisces.

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>>27548958
Ariers are just male sheep and capicorn are hardcore mountain goats.

>>27548787
I'm going to go ahead and say that the Ophiuchus is the main villain of the signs since it is associated with both snakes and the number thirteen... something we modern westerners really hate.

>>27549039

Yes, but we're trying to stick to the symbolism of each sign. If we went on to base each culture on famous people born to that sign we'll end up with a big mess.

>>27549039
>Also many real world scientist where Pisces
Let's not get stupid now.

This is looking to be good. Is their a kickstarter? all of my money

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>>27549043
pic related, look at this fucker.

also, anyone feel that a "villain beyond the stars" would be appropriate?

>>27549068
Works best with >>27548921 suggestion IMHO.

>>27549062

What? No. I just felt like opening a setting thread on /tg/ and suddenly that idea hit me. Did I seriously end up with something good in my hands?

>>27549068
Well it could be anyone/ anything. Evil can have many shapes and forms.

>>27549079
flush out a setting and character creation rules and that's all you need.

There's another continent on the planet, and it has cultures based on the Chinese zodiac, for maximum shenanigans.

>>27549145
That's kind of what some dude said before.

The planets are the same, but the individual cultures devoted to them interpret their powers differently.

This would work great with REIGN, by the way. I highly suggest we pursue that avenue.

>>27548997

No, not-Japan should be part of the not-Asia cultural hemisphere of our not-Earth and thus be based on the Chinese Zodiac.

Basically not-European nations are based on the Greek Zodiac while not-Asian nations are based on the Chinese Zodiac. With a little tweaking we can probably break down Islamic or Babylonian astrology into a system for the not-Middle East and not-North Africa and even use a form of the Aztec calender for the not-Americas. There will ultimately be some overlap with each nation having some contemporary in the other culture-groups and that can be represented by each of the four main cultural groups basically interpreting the forces controlling the world through their own lens.

What kind of magic would each star sign give the benders of that nation?

>>27549205

But the Aztec zodiac had 20 signs, not 12. Besides, we have very little information about the symbolic meanings of each.

>>27549205

Oh, and when I quickly looked up the Chinese Zodiac on Wikipedia it seems like each sign also ties into one of the four elements so if we want we can totally throw bending shenanigans into the mix. Better yet, have each of the major cultural groups draw from a similar breakdown of elemental powers but in their own styles (so not-Asia would be Avatar-style martial arts but not-Europe would feel more like western images of wizards).

>>27549208
Or we kind that shit in some shitty cartoon and never think it's a good idea for this.

Ahh, better and fixed.

>>27549233

Like I said, some tweaking might be needed. Or outright bastardization in this case, but fuck it, just throwing it out there.

Would birthsigns and date of birth still hold meaning in such a setting?

If they do, I would imagine each kingdom would have a "mating season" 9 months prior to the corresponding zodiac sign becoming dominant. Doing that all children born would have the corresponding zodiac sign. I guess those born with another sign would be outcasts at best or slaves at worst.

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Reading about Libra I get the impression they would be yet another Paladin civilization, with an industrial bent.

Gemini are master diplomats, but deceptive. Go well with the two-faced imagery.

Scorpio would be some kind of not-vikings with a more exotic look.

Sagittarius for nomadic people, obviously.

Pisces are a mix between the Fair Folk and the Deep Ones in term of feeling.

Also I vote for mostly human races, with maybe a few twists here and here. AtlA did it (well except for the Spirit World stuff) and it worked better that way.

>>27549234
The Western Zodiac is also based on the Four Elements.

>>27549234
I like the idea of Chinese zodiac users being elementalists whereas European zodiac users are more shapeshiftery

>>27549208
>>27549234
Well this just turned in to an Avatar knock off. It's fucked let it die.

>>27549263

I agree. Humans, and ancient shapechanging snake people for the 13th kingdom.

>>27549280
Shut your whore mouth and go back to /co/.

Cancer have two options, both kind of bizarre.

At one hand, cancer usually is associated with feminine traits, with the moon, home and sensibility. You know, the whole 'strong carapace protecting a soft creature', think on Zoidberg. Considering that, a kingdom based on cancer should be based on large and fortified cities: high and strong walls, protecting heavily decorated and artistic buildings. Something Byzantine or Greek perhaps? However, a large part of the citizen would be... more feminine than you could expect. I'm trying to imagine a 'dandy' trend and lots of elegant gentlemen populating the place. But honestly, the best I can imagine is Thailand. So, yeah, cancer kingdom would be the trap kingdom.

Now, the other option is a bit more obscure.
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/cancer_myth.html
>There seems to have been a universal association between this constellation and hard shelled animals, frequently with lobsters, crayfish and shore inhabiting creatures. It has also been recognised as a Tortoise by the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks, while later Egyptians knew it as a Scarab Beetle, a sacred emblem of immortality - an idea which also infiltrated the Greek world and appears in medieval astrology as late as the 12th century.
>Cancer is a constellation with few stars, none brighter than 4th magnitude. It was known as the 'dark sign', its most distinguishing feature being a great cloud-like cluster of stars in the breast of the Crab known as Praesepe, ('a multitude'), though usually termed 'the Beehive' today. This is regarded as a dark, feminine area and like all nebulous clusters its influence is associated with weakness, blindness and sickness, especially when the luminaries or malefics fall upon them.

Does anyone saw Saint Seiya? Gold saint Death Mask? Well, yeah, the cancer kingdom is full of edgy psychopaths.

http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology_signs.php

This site might prove useful.

>>27549280
I don't like much the idea of yet another elements-based magic either.

There's other things to draw from: the Greek Gods, the Temperaments, some totally weird symbolic thingy... or a more low-key kind of magic.

>>27549325

For original and varied magic powers associated with the signs of the Chinese zodiac, there's always the Jackie Chan cartoon.

>>27549310
Cancer could be the isolationist necrocracy that gives /tg/ a boner in every setting. Or just have a strong gothic/occult feel. That with the relationship with the Moon and Hermes psychopomp.

I have flashbacks of that one city of embalmers in Sandman.

>>27549260

Well, if we're going with entire cultures based around symbolism a la Avatar as the OP suggested then I would have to assume we're saying that relation to a particular zodiac comes more from bloodlines than the calender. Of course, seeing as the whole concept of a zodiac lies in a calender system I wouldn't make sense that the various signs wouldn't have at least some connection to dates. Maybe everyone born to a certain bloodline has the powers or traits of the associated zodiac but people within that zodiac's 'time' might be more powerful or just seen as special by the populace. And perhaps the various nations would gain power and have an edge over the others during their the time of their zodiac (this could actually be really interesting regarding the differences between the western and eastern cultures as the powers based on the Greek zodiac would cycle monthly but the powers based on the Chinese zodiac would only cycle yearly, making for potentially significant differences in politics and warfare).

>>27548787
brb, creating this setting. I'll be back in a few days with some writing done.

>>27549359

That was pretty quick. Care to share a bit with us?

>>27549337
Thank you. Didn't have the cojones to suggest something that cheesy.

Taurus are a mix between "we Slaanesh now" and a softer, decadent but hardworking side, a la Morgan Industries.

Aries and Leo are close allies, both militaristic and driven. But the Aries people have a more barbarian/noble savage feeling, while the Leo are imperialists.

Virgo are our Earth Kingdom in term of size, more or less, and the more fertile part of the world. They're destined to be everyone's bitch.

Capricorn live in the harsh Far North, and have a strong demonic/sumerian imagery. They're serious business all the time.

Aquarius are the crazy Wizards of the setting.

>>27549357
That would be an interesting idea. Now, maybe we could restrict the whole birthsign thing to royalty or ruling class.

Commoners born under the right sign would be seen as lucky and blessed by their own kingdom while it might be very important for nobles and mandatory for royalty.

Someone born under the right sign in a noble house would be instantly favored by the elders and would easily make allies and gain power.

For royalty, I guess only someone born under the right sign would elligible to become the heir.

I like the idea of magical bloodlines with power based on zodiac sign. It would actually be fun if the powers varied with the link between the bloodline's sign and the carrier's sign. Lets say someone is born out of the taurus bloodline under the opposite sign, scorpio, he could gain the power to negate the taurus powers.

>>27549290
I don't go to /co/. It's just bad and you know it. Stop being a bady.

Pisces here.

The Piscine Republic is an archipelago known for its intrepid explorers, skilled artisans, and clever diplomats. It has a small-ish population, and is known as cultural, rather than military or mercantile, power.

Piscine society is pluralistic, egalitarian and prone to wild fads and excess.

The Piscine economy is largely based on trade and services, rather than agriculture.

>>27549471
I'm ok with this. Being a Piscse too.

>>27549440
>Virgo
>They're destined to be everyone's bitch

Art imitates life I see!
[sobbing intensifies]

Also, I fully support the idea of crazy Aquarius wizards just because the thought of all the other kingdoms dreading the 'Age of Aquarius' makes me smile.

>>27549440
So, Taurus as a kingdom of decadent wizard artificers? I can dig that.

They would need to be very aggressive in business and not afraid to show their horn when provoked. And by" show their horns" I mean magical orbital nuke.

>>27549488

MYSTIC CRYSTAL REVELATIONS
AND THE MIND'S TRUE LIBERATION

IT'S HAPPENING, PEOPLE

(I saw the musical, but the film is what broke me. Now whenever I think Aquarius, I see dancing hippies)

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>>27549488
>Listen, do you hear that?
>Hmm?
>Wh...what's that sound?
>AW SHIT

>>27549349
This could made sense. I haven't read sandman.

For some reason I imagine this as a 'witch'-cracy, the rulers are a bunch of female magic practitioners (because the moon and the mysticism thing) whose exact nature is more a legend for the average citizen than anything else. Maybe some of them are actual liches, but are disguised as 'heavenly' ambassadors given that 'gate of men' thing mentioned on anon's link. Also, taking in consideration the Egyptian mention of the beetle and immortality, it would made perfect sense for the average citizen their rulers are blessed by the moon to be eternally young. And if things are doing ok, why they would need to worry about changing leaders? The witch queens are blessed by the moon, the fishery is doing ok and everybody is happy, who cares what happens in the outside world?

Of course, this doesn't mean the cancer kingdom is a pussy that can be conquered by anyone. They indeed have a strong and powerful army, and the soldiers are know for literally living wearing their armours all the time. At dawn, they are wearing their armours, at noon they wear armour, at midnight they march wearing their armour, helms included. Which is a bit weird because nobody see the soldiers eating or sleeping, but just wandering around, following orders from their superiors, who are usually accompanied by a minor witch.

>>27549508
>>27549499
>The tide is stained rainbow
>The clouds start forming into phallic objects
>An annoying vibrato beat hums from the Aquarius quarter of the city
>Everything smells like incense

Taurus people tend to be tanned, broad shouldered and muscular. They don't have a lot of body hair, and generally shave their heads and faces, believing that hair hides the true beauty of the body. A lot of glistening chocolate biceps. Nose rings are of course very popular among men. Taurus women stereotypically have giant tits. You knew it was coming

Leo people, meanwhile, may be rougly the same size physically but everything about them screams "HUGE". Leo are imposing - tall, barrel chested, with chiseled faces. They are extremely hairy, with men having impressive and lavishly decorated manes (which they take great pride in), as well as epic beards. Women, meanwhile, keep their hair short. They tend to be fairer skinned than the Taurus, and usually have blonde or light brown hair.

Virgo people are feminine, gentle and alluring. They tend to be very pale of skin and very dark of hair, and have childlike/girly facial features. They move with ethereal grace and their look hints at fragility - but their "air" is one of dominance and power. They prefer to dress in luxurious silks and copious amounts of perfume, cosmetics and jewelery, men and women alike.

>>27549471
>>27549485
Now now, no need to turn them into the Sue race yet. Though I do get some obvious Atlantis feel from them.

I'm Taurus and yet the description couldn't be farther from my own character.

Now for Not-Asia:

Rats are "just as planned" all the time. Not sure where to go with this. Probably ninja and worldwide conspiracy.

Oxes are human dorfs. Seriously, that's it.

Tigers are one of the two superpowers along with the Dragons. They have a whole tradition of adventurers, over-the-top legends and hot-bloodedness.

Rabbits are not-hobbits. Rogues, maybe?

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>>27549509
>Maybe some of them are actual liches, but are disguised as 'heavenly' ambassadors

So, Ophelia in her Golden mummy form?

Pic related

>>27549541

Dammit, tried to put a spoiler on the Taurus joke and ended up blacking out everything.

People should not be defined by their signs, but rather influenced by them. Anyone can be a warrior, anyone can be a mage, but the powers you have and are most talented at using are influenced by your birth sign. Moreover, the effectiveness of magic is influenced by what sign is in wax and what sign is in wane at the time. Other astrological events can influence. Those who study these powers, ie mages, are called Astrologists.

Central to medieval astrology is the concept of 'Like Inclining', that is, be belief that certain universal forces and events occur because there is a mutual attraction at work. Iron is attracted to the lodestone because of this like inclination towards lodestone. Stars move in the sky because of like inclination to each other - forces push and pull. To the (European) medieval mind, at the center of this was the power of Gods love, which fueled the energies of all like inclinations. This is a simple, if unscientific, understanding of cause and effect.

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>>27549310
>At one hand, cancer usually is associated with feminine traits, with the moon, home and sensibility. You know, the whole 'strong carapace protecting a soft creature
> I'm trying to imagine a 'dandy' trend and lots of elegant gentlemen populating the place

Alying strongness and dandyness ? Have I already heard of that, somewhere ?.

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>>27549499
>>27549508
>>27549520

I know who are Fire Nation-analog is committing genocide against!

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>>27549587
Also - the Armstrong family is full of Cancer Mages.

>>27549613
Screw the witch edgy kingdom, let's do this...

>>27549543
Dragons are solely constitued of a vast imperial dynasty (think Targaryens meet grorious Japan/Chinese Empire). They have a whole administration and army working for them and submitting lesser civilizations as vassals. Constantly at odds with the Tigers, who act as the Rebel Alliance to their Empire.

Horses are eastern cousins of the Sagittarius. I'm thinking less not-mongolia, in favor of a more peaceful approach. Nomads, obviously.

Monkeys are counterpart to the Aquarius. Totally-not-Siam in term of architecture.

Roosters are the clever, intrepid merchants, but weirdly proud.

Dogs are total bros, but they tend to be just a little bit pushovers. They are widespread across the entire continent and tend to merge well with whatever civilization is around.

Pigs are the counterpart to the Virgo, only they're not united in a single territory but are present wherever there's some green pasture to cultivate. Charming, but they're expert at keeping strangers out of the loop when it comes to skeletons in the closet.

>>27549560
In addition to the time, date, and location of your birth, your astrological profile is also ruled by the House of your Ascendency - that is, what Sign was dominant when you were born, regardless of what month it was. Your house is determined by your location (related to the constellation), and the time of your birth.

So, if you're born at 12 PM or AM, the house in ascendancy at the time is Pisces, ruler of the 12th house. But if your born a Cancer, then the Ruler of the 12th House is in the 4th (Cancer's) house. This affects you. For example, "If positive planets associate with the ruler of the twelfth the person will be quite happy in life and can actually gain some property as a result, however it’s not particularly auspicious for the mother who may die early or may not see eye to eye with the individual himself. Usually the person will take up residence in a away from the place of birth."

So I'm a Pisces, but also a tiger element fire. I'm a enigma.

>>27549691

You know, that might make for an interesting character creation process. Kind of like in Japanese TRPG's, where you choose three classes - here you get to choose three signs, and each of them gives you certain bonuses and penalties, with maybe being a "true pure" (with all the signs being the same) giving you extra powers.

>>27549643
I'm not sure what to do with Sheep. Seems like they're perfect for subs/moe jokes, being shy and submissive as fuck, but I don't see any unifying theme.

Snakes sound dangerously Sueish to me. They could be asian wizard dandies, but that screams wish-fulfillement to me. Or maybe they're a conspiracy of itinerant Bards or something.

>>27549730

They're the same ancient snake people that escaped from the Western continent ages ago to start up a new empire in the East.

>>27549730
Sheep would by shy but wise.

And have enormous sexual organs and appetites.

>>27549730
What if snakes where in fact the not-china Snakes ?

They would be seen as malvolent in not-europe because of lore reasons (maybe the Snake-people invaded not-europe in some unspecified times ?) but as an inteligent if somewhat unscrupulous nation in not-china ? This might draw a direct link between those two different continents.

>>27549789

They also stick together to the point of being xenophobic although the occasional Dog can make his way in.

>>27549692
I'm Pisces and Horse.

Meaning I'm horny, smart, and terrible at decision making.

This is far too accurate to be coincidence.

>catpcha: nemo stallions

FUCK

>>27549043
>Ophiuchus
>snakes
Ancient shapeshifting lizard people hidden among other kingdoms maybe?

Imagine a group of dopplegangers infiltrating all kingdom and influencing them from within.

>tfw born in the year of the dog.
>tfw according to friend I act like a puppy
>tfw she bought me a collar as a joke for my birthday last year when she figured out my zodiac signs.

Not sure how I feel about this.

>>27549829
She wants the D.

Unless she's a lesbian.

Then she wants the V.

Unless she's a whore.

Then she has the VD.

>>27549829
Be proud of having such good masters.
Nah, joking. Just be proud of it.

>>27549843
Not sure how her boyfriend would feel about that.
>>27549848
OHGODSHEKNOWS.

>>27549822
Just as other zodiacal signs wouldn't be litteraly animal people, I have a hard time envisioning the Snake sign as lizard-people. Plus, it looks too Conanish for my tastes.

>>27549870
Actually, I was thinking of them as shapeshifting lizard people because of the conspiracy theory in real life about shapeshiting lizard people secretly ruling the world.

The lizard part was meant to be a joke more than anything.

We can scratch the lizard part and still have them be an ancient forgotten kingdom with agents skilled in infiltration and shapeshifting magic.

>>27549691
>>27549727
Western Astrology is about more than just "your star sign". It's about where all the planets are at the time of your birth.

Astrology exists as a way to think about "types of people" and how certain characteristics and traits tend to go with others. As a sort of character study, astrology isn't as falacious as one might think, especially considering all the time and effort put in to it. People also make the mistake of thinking Astrology is exact and prescriptive, but it isn't; this is the same mistake lots of people make with regular science. That is to say, Astrology and Science both have bullshit cop-out answers that mean they're always right but you feel cheated.

Studies have shown that the part of the year you're born in correlates with likelihood of developing substance addictions.

Overall, this thread idea gives me a very Legend of the Five Rings feeling, but with waaay more clans and posibilities for unique characters, intrigues and lore. I like it.

>>27549919
We could keep the "lizard people" thing as a legend those who aren't of the snake are convinced of. Maybe the snakes themselves propagate the idea that they are lizard monsters to scare their opponents.

>>27549943
I was kind of getting that too. clans = signs. No families, just schools.

>>27549789

Sheep waifus confirmed for best on planet. I bet they're also great cooks.

>mutton, mutton with everything. Mutton and thick, diabetes inducing cream-like milk.

On second thought, maybe not.

>>27549986
Could be a good ideas.

Through originally I was talking about the 13th zodiac sign, I see that this could apply to the snake of chinese zodiac very well.

>>27550010
Great waifu, if you won't mind a really hairy wife that will probably cheat on you with the first guy from the dog clan she meets.

>>27550010
>implying i'm not a regal Leo husband who doesn't keep his sheep in line and enjoys devouring her

>>27549865
>how her boyfriend would feel

You're on the back burner. Wait till they break up. Then give her the D. Hopefully you haven't been friendzoned

>>27550035
>Implying I am not a dog guy too.
>Implying sheep doesn't enjoy doggie style.
>Implying that isn't my fetish.

>>27550035

Not to mention that anon says they have giant sexual organs which doesn't work too well from the female side of it all.

>>27549805
>snakes

Mongolians, got it

>>27550059
Too late...way too late.

>>27550076

After imagining for a second something very nasty, I just turned off the pedantic part of my brain and changed it to "sexual traits", so giant boobs instead of OH GOD WHY.

>>27550079
I... didn't even tought of that.
Woah. Just, woah.

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Trying to come up with visuals. Here would the Scorpio. Some civilization besides Norses could be thrown into the mix, like Sparta (Ares patronage) or maybe Carribean (scorpios aren't exactly artic species yet there should be some connection to the sea).

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>>27550159
A high-ranking Libra Knight. Think Judge Dredd in medieval times/Templars, with the most advanced technology in the West.

>>27550187

The Libra have a mighty knightly order dedicated to punishing contact breakers, debtors, payment witholders, money forgers and so on.

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>>27550187
A Virgo noble lady. Most of the population should be wallowing in shit, but I think the aristocracy could have a more flashy feel.
Maybe a matriarchy, some sort of "light" counterpart to the Cancer?

>>27550137
I aint even being racist. Just - asian, sinister, but bringers of civilization, mistrusted by everyone?

Upper Steppe asiatics

i'm Pisces and was born in the year of the Rat, what's my stats?

also what kind of armies would they have?

>>27550244
your mixing your zodiacs

>>27550221

That's a virgo noble alright. But it's not a lady.

>>27550260

The flowers are hiding a massive, throbbing erection. Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

>>27550221
I'm thinking the Sagittarius/Horses shouldn't have a single visual inspiration, but instead be separated into clans all along the continent.

This one is definitely not-celtic, but the majority should be more like magyars, arabs, khazaks, etc... Basically the most diverse-looking Sign.

Won't Sagittarius basically be elves? Hunter-philosopher-poets living in the woods wrecking shit up?

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>>27550279
[forgot pic]

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>>27550221
So you imagine the cancer nobility similar to pic related?

I wish I had a bigger pic.
>Depressed

>>27549364
As I said, a few days. I have a wedding to attend (best man) this weekend, otherwise I'd do it tongiht/tomorrow.

I hope I'll have it done by monday.

>>27550257
then what are they separately?

Should we archive this thread? Especially if it's going to become a game.

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>>27550302
Yeah, though the other guy is on to something with the walled city thingy.

Maybe something less revealing, though. And a Monster Mash feel (undeads, werewolves, witches, spirits, the like).

>pic

Hardly satisfying, but the Pisces are basically Atlantis. They could have a Deep One/Merfolk-like appearance the more they use magic.

Also, I wish they were more brown people in fantasy arts. Need some visual diversity.

What about people who are born on a cusp?

>>27550400

Disposed of at birth.

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>>27550394
>And a Monster Mash feel (undeads, werewolves, witches, spirits, the like).
>Sitting on a throne covered in spider silk.
>Skulls at her feet.
>White eyes.
>"Yeah, it needs more undead"

Well, something for the witch feeling you're talking about.

I'm a Leo born on the year of the Rooster on the hour of Capricorn. What the fuck am I.

Following what is already written, I imagine Taurus to be agressive yet decadent industrious artficifers. They don't really care about the why of things but rather the how. I actually I think they could have a small really advanced magitech kingdom, something that wouldn't be out of place in Eberron.

Their kingdom would be insanely rich from their weapon, armor and machinery exportations. A substantial amount of the production would be done by machines and humanoid golems, freeing up the human residents and driving them into decadence. I imagine they would be well versed in wizardry, technology and magitech.

They would arm the armies of their allies almost freely while keeping for themselves the really good stuff, like elemental bombs, magitech soldier golems and airships. They would be incredibly dangerous if they went all out, but that never happens because the Leo and the Aries defend the Taurus borders, as much to protect their Taurus allies as to protect themselves.

Taurus could actually be threatening if they didn't spend like 95% of their time dicking around and the remainder 5% inventing new shit. Basically they are idiot savants with no real goal. Reminds me of /tg/.

A bit too suish right?

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[finished image dump for now]

Maybe the calendar could lead to periodic increase in births for the civ with a favorable Sign?

Though I do like the idea of a setting where every "race" is actually awfully mixed, that with the majority of the pop. being a combination of the same signs.

Or you could combine the two: People are mostly born when their Sign is dominant (with the others being ostracized) but everyone also have minor Signs that cause great confusion when it comes to identity.


>>27550516
To avoid them being Sueish, you need to limit their strong points and leave the rest to other civs. What you said has a definite Izzet League feeling to it. Maybe there comtraptions could be powerful, but impractical and ridiculously expensive?

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>>27550499
Really? Lion combined with rooster and goat? Do you even into mythology?

>>27550499
There are zodiac hours too? What the fuck?

>>27550569
>maybe there comtraptions could be powerful, but impractical and ridiculously expensive?
Good idea. That would strengthen the idea that they are as dangerous to their allies as their enemies when they go to war. It would also give a new spin on their relationships with their neighbors.

>>27550630
So the taurus would be the gnomes/skaven of this setting?

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>>27550516
>>27550569
>>27550630
I'm an idiot for not realizing it sooner. Though it needs more tits. Their patron god is Aphrodite after all.

It's a cool idea although some signs are totally just better, like Leo and Aries.

>>27550666

Also cowgirl/holstaurus jokes.

Didn't we decide the sheep were the token fanservice providers?

>>27550709
Sheep are the moe submissive peasants. Taurus are the spoiled decadent capitalists.

>>27550661
Pretty much. With a slight industrial magitech twist.

>>27550666
Pretty much that. Well, their divine patron could be an Aphrodite expie as they are supposed to be decadent as fuck.

>>27550703
Leo could be very imperialistic but rather shortsighted and highly corrupt within. Basically, a bit like early Rome with added corruption.

Aries should be more like the european gaulish tribes before they were conquered by Rome. Strong but disorganised.

>>27550752
I just mean in their associated traits. I like the idea a lot, it's like that kung fu zodiac city idea a while back.

It's a shame /tg/ will probably assign everyone a not-real world culture and fuck up all mechanical aspects of design tremendously, though.

I mean, you're already doing it with 'the skaven/gnomes of the setting...' and 'an aphrodite expie'.

>>27550210
The Accountants are a knightly order of the Libraic League. They are among the most feared of such orders in the world, not due to their combat prowess (which is mediocre when compared to the great Lion Lords of Leo or the Ramhost of Aries) but due to their sheer tenacity. Accountants swear to repay all debts, in life or in death, and will travel to extreme lengths to repay (or retract) transactions they consider meaningful.

Like the slow, menacing ghouls of Halloween lore, the Accountants meander with purpose through the world, bringing all their just due.

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>>27550846
>The Ramhost of Aries

Fucking metal.

>>27550869
Sounds a bit gay, to be honest.

>>27550600
You could make the Chimera a thing in-setting if you're willing to have an alliance or joined group of Snake, Lion and Ram.

>>27550869

That's the name of a rock band right there.

>>27550752

The Leo are undone by their own pride and ambition. Each noble always seeks to be the greatest, the mightiest, the most glorious, to forge the most unbelievable legend. To lead the largest armies, to raise the greatest monuments, to achieve the greatest feats. They're always at each other's throats with constant competition, and they hate sharing anything.

>>27550887
I said "Ramhost" not "Ramrod."

That's just for weekends.

>>27550795
Heh, real world cultures can be used if you only take a few core concepts and design ideas and then do your other thing. Plus the Zodiac is associated with the Greek Gods(and the Elements, for those bitching about that):

>Aries = Athena, Cardinal Fire
>Leo = Zeus, Fixed Fire
>Sagittarius = Artemis, Mutable Fire

>Taurus = Aphrodite, Fixed Earth
>Virgo = Demeter, Mutable Earth
>Capricorn = Hestia, Cardinal Earth

>Gemini = Apollo, Mutable Air
>Libra = Hephaistos, Cardinal Air
>Aquarius = Hera, Fixed Air

>Cancer = Hermes, Cardinal Water
>Scorpio = Ares, Fixed Water
>Pisces = Poseiodn, Mutable Water

>>27550893
Still sounds kinda gay.

>>27550910
Meh. I'll chalk it up to subjectivity.

MORE KNIGHTLY ORDERS

>>27550908
>Plus the Zodiac is associated with the Greek Gods
Sure, the occasional Babylonian one as well.

>>27550908
>Aries = Athena
>Scorpio = Ares
Uh.

>>27550887
>Implying there's anything wrong with having gay soldiers.
Their love makes them (fight) so much harder.

Captcha:Etrian Cream

>>27550921
The Accountants is a pretty shitty name as well. I'd call them the Reckoners or something.

>>27550943
I didn't imply that at all, I'm fine if you want to get all Theban Band up in this.

>>27550926
Fair enough. The important thing is to build a coherent setting. Or are you just being a dick?

Also, I think the Aries could have some Easter influence going one. Nothing too modern/cheesy, just some magic based around fertility/rebirth in time of peace, as counterpart ot their violent nature.

>>27550908
>>Cancer = Hermes, Cardinal Water
Messengers and thieves? Nah, that doesn't fit with the myth behind cancer. I still prefer the walled city filled with muscle wizards.

>>27550968
No, I've just seen this happen a fuckload on /tg/. I quite like the idea of Leo as a decaying Imperialist empire (give it plenty of client states, even, make a 'pride') and Aries as the disparate tribes of Gaul.

I'm just conscious of the general procedure wiht anything going, "Like Rome, but..."

>>27550741

The folk of the sheep dwell on the cold, moist plains of the Eastern continent. Largely a nomadic people, they move along the plains with their herds always on the lookout for new pastures and away from enemies and predators (they aren't pacifists, but they are not a warrior people either), accompanied by a few loyal dogs. Only very few of them live in villages scattered across the taiga, and then, those are tiny and many of the residents don't stay year long.

The sheep is at the center of their lifestyles. A man's wealth is measured by the size of their herd. Sheep are power, life and riches. As the environment is quite cold, heavy coats, jackets, dresses and hats (with flaps over the years) of wool and sheepskin abound, and the nomads sleep in sheepskin tents. They burn sheep dung for fuel, make jewels of the bones and much of their diet is based on meat and milk of sheep (alongside a few vegetables and grains grown by the village-folks and the occasional game bird).

They are friendly, laid back folks, wary of strangers but loyal to family, fond of philosophy, dance and music (primarily pipes and wind instruments). They are known to be wise in the herbal and medicinal arts.

Although a stereotype abounds that sheep nation people are enormously well-endowed and very lustful, and although those are not entirely without basis, the truth, of course, is far less dramatic: as with all stereotypes, they merely represent vague tendencies and so it is entirely possible to find sheep nation women who are flat and frigid or men who are feminine and melancholy. They are fair skinned and haired, and tend towards curly hair. They have a lot on their body, and they rarely trim it. (again, it's important to realize that these are real people, not animal folks - "hairy" doesn't mean "furred" or "woolen" - it just means "on average, has more body hair then the folk at home might consider sightly").

>>27550951
The Reckoners is good. What did ancient people call tax collectors?

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>>27550394
i feel as though Pisces would use alternative weaponry, instead of traditional magics like precision casting using an army of magic archers who are basically spellcasters that use bows similar to how a regular sorcerer would use a staff, but for precision casting of bolts with specific abilities, harmful to enemies or helpful to allies, or other users of alternative weaponry to form an army of seasoned adventurers broken into groups based on their similarities and synergy rather then a set military standard across the board. ultimately this leads to higher individual survival rates but can otherwise deminish their effectiveness against large high standard armies, but makes them a perfect force for completing tasks of all kinds and can employ advanced military tactics due to their abilities.

heavy emphasis on magic in their armies and cultures, but mainly for alternative uses and advancing fringe areas of magic, sometimes making huge advances for the general populous or otherwise causing chaos due to the oddity of the powers they may attain. i'd expect the culture to be highly based on individualism and success in matters of mind, without giving up much in matters of body or soul as well.

>>27551007
Love it. Writefaggotry for Aries incoming.

>>27551026
Tax collectors. You could call them Actuaries or Calculators though.

>>27550869
Ramhost? I like it.

So, what kind of warrior will the Aries be?

Maybe a group of loosely linked barbarian tribe who all answer to the Great Horned King. They are great masters of druidic magic, who can use their nature magic to turn any battlefield to their advantage. The onslaught caused by the charging aries berserkers is feared across the land and can break even the shield wall of the Lion Legion.

In secret the practice forbidden blood sorcery and ritually sacrifice some prisoners. There are rumors, but nobody can confirm that the Aries practice such vile magic.

The biggest problem with the Aries is their dangerous lack of organisation and communication. While there isn't much corruption or rivalry between the tribes, the King has a hard time exerting authority over all the tribes. However, the druids are well organised and command a lot of power over their tribe.

>>27551043
Oops. Feel free to use what I wrote.

>>27551007
>Taurus aggressive conquerors
>Aries peace-loving primitives
Hmmm but what is the point in even using the Zodiac.

>>27551026

"That asshole".

Did you know that the modern Hebrew for "(lost) forever" is derived from the ancient Hebrew/Canaanite world for "royal treasury"? As in "it's lost forever/all my hard work is lost forever."

>>27551030
Need to decide how high magic you want the setting to be, even. Props on great taste in games though. Chimeric Armor shoulderpads mandatory for lion legions.

>>27551052
Shit, I meant Pisces. Carry on.

>>27551060

Don't mistake Aries (from the Greek zodiac) with Sheep (from the Chinese).

My writefaggotry actually referred to the second.

>>27551052
Nomadic, mountainous, generally keep to themselves and exhaust their energies butting heads with each other. Occasionally get their shit together and wreck something. Dynamic and curious but lacking staying power; Aries make good mercenaries but always end up moving to another job eventually.

>>27548787
I feel this really screws some people over though.
I, for instance was born under the sign Virgo. I feel that a cultural basis off of Virgo would kinda suck ass... jus'sayin'

>>27551131
Bureaucratic, orderly empire. High quality of life if you don't rock the boat. It might not be the most badass sign but it's workable.

>>27551083
The Pisceians live apart from the other nations, more from choice than circumstance. They are a people of opposites; at once unified and fractious, warlike and peaceful, expansive and reclusive, adventurous and home-bodied. Their lands to the south are comprised mainly of swamps, from which they obtain much of their diet, fish and amphibians of various sizes and onerousness.

Swamp-life well suits the seclusive tendencies of the Pisceans. The brush hides all but the brightest fire and the water slows the feet of any traveller unwise enough to rely on sight alone for their journey. Deeply spiritual, the Pisceans have a linear view of things and consider time, war, love, and art processes rather than goals. To a Piscean, the journey is far more interesting than the destination.

>>27551122
Also, helmets. Aries soldiers fucking love their helmets and every Aries has some big artistic dramatic helm, often horned, that they're totally proud of.

Getting one might be a rite of passage, or might just be the kind of thing skilled blacksmiths sell for major profit.

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>>27551074
i'd have to say a lesser magic setting, high ranking mages can summon up storms and whirlwinds, using energy from both themselves, the world around them, as well as carrying artifacts to enhance their power, and often times without the right items using higher forms of magic is extremely difficult, and even given the right circumstances certain magics will take quite a while to cast and leave the caster weakened and open, which is why the army would use magic bows instead making for quick precision casting with minimal requirements for casting (usually the bow itself will have all they need, leaving them the ability to choose armors or carry items more freely, but putting additions/modifications on the bow or equipment they carry could amplify it more, leaving for more room for the individual to pick what they want specifically, which leads to diversity in the army and their groups of specialty.

but all that can get disorganizing sometimes, so like i said, the culture could have a really fantastic military if you can get everyone to work together, but otherwise making them slightly less powerful then other armies, but more adept to changing situations leading to more stability and higher chances of success in their endeavors.

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>>27551167
>Spear and magic helmet

YES

MORE OF THAT

>>27551026
>What did ancient people call tax collectors

Target practice.

There is a lot of Pisces, taurus and leo writing. Some virgo and cancer, and I think I saw some aries.

What is happening to the rest of the signs? Where are the gemini, the scorpion and Aquarius?

>>27551172

Pretty much. Magic is rare, and rarely "moderately powered" - either small, subtle tricks or incredible apocalyptic feats of nature mastery and spirit summoning.

>>27551198

I think they're just really hard to think about and most people don't feel like taking the challenge.

>>27551172
Even the word 'mages' imply a certain (high) magic to a setting. You should think about how magic you want the setting to be and how prevalent magic should be.

An example: Glorantha is a very well-considered and distinctive setting - it's low magic, but basically everyone can learn a couple of spells.

I find that - that a warrior knows a blade-sharpening spell, a good luck charm, an incantation to disinfect small wounds - a lot more probable and interesting than that there are warriors, who know no magic, and mages, who make an exclusive study of it.

Not to mention that the existence of mages as a unique magic-using class naturally breaks down the boundaries of sign and nationality we're constructing here. Mages would naturally move towards each other.

>>27551167
>Getting one might be a rite of passage
How about getting the proper decorations for your helm be the rite of passage?

When a young barbarian becomes an adult, he must hunt a great horned beast and take its horns. Then his helmet must be decorated with the new horns.

>>27551198
Write some then, its a collective effort.

>>27551158
(cont.)

Pisceans are often thin and smooth-skinned. Their complexions tend to be ruddy and they possess a slow-minded, easy gait instilled to them from birth by the guiding principle of their culture: "slow down."

Their clothing is often utilitarian and usually incorporates amphibian or fish imagery. Long pants are completely out of their depth - most Pisceans wear short leggings or knee-length pants or modify (sometimes without permission) other clothing to fit this style. The reason is simple: the swamp is always on a Piscean's itinerary.

>>27551211

Maybe the Gemini nation is kind of like that creepy town in Brazil that Nazi doctor stayed in? Where for some odd reason 80% of births are twins?

>>27551198
Gemini are all born twins, it's weird as fuck. If you crossbreed with a gemini you'll get non-identical twins in the first generation, then it'll die out. But pure gemini? Always identical twins.

Think about that and you'll define a dramatically different culture.

>>27551198
I'll take Scorpion if no one else will.

>>27551244
Scorpio's a cool sign and it's no problem if more than one person writes something. Don't get ahead of yourself, namefag, you can't 'claim' shit in an anonymous creative effort.

>>27551256

Pretty much that. Even if whatshisname decides to make it a game, the credits will probably go "/tg/", and that's it. For all we know, OP might have disappeared two hours ago or he might have made half the posts. Doesn't mean we should stop posting. Just don't make it anything personal.

>>27551256
I wasn't trying to claim anything. Calm your tits.

>>27551223
>he
SO WHAT ARE THE GENDER ROLES IN THIS SETTING THEN.

Speaking seriously, I don't think the helmets should be exclusively horned but having them decorated as a rite of passage sounds nice. You can go dramatic and rip things off some dangerous predator, or take a more ritualised form of test -enduring the wilderness, suffering a flogging, something like that - and have your family/clan members decorate your helmet. Allows for glory-seeking but also a more realistic method of achievement.

The tests should all have the potential to be lethal though. That fits with the kind of society we're building up, and has a primitive 'blood feeds the earth' feel to it too.

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>>27551211
which is why i want to keep it in a moderate half way, from quick and easy pew pew pew of magic to high wind up KABLOOEY magic, but not so much kablooey that you whipe out the whole half of a planet or some shit. your still one human being, not a fucking god. so basically its somewhere in between, without too much on one side or the other.

>>27551216
that's basically what im trying to get at for Pisces, most magic is alternative for them and they don't use it mainly for warfare, but when they do use it they still opt for a minimally power consuming but highly effective manor, making them shy away from the longer more difficult spells but making them strive for more then just a basic understanding as well.

and your right, most mages would stick to eachother but its also very true that each sign would use their magic in their own way, im sure the other signs have the same availability of magic as Pisces, but they use them in different ways. pisces would use alternative forms of a broad spectrum, where perhaps aries would use magic mostly for warfare or crafting as opposed to daily uses and for its raw power over its mystique and utility, causing mages from other areas to shy from another. it's true however that seperate adventurers (non magic users) or mage guilds would form seperate of any signed state or country as their own organiziation, perhaps mixing all forms or allowing free flow of information without any advanced magics, but all minor magics are available

>>27551225
>Their clothing is often utilitarian and usually incorporates amphibian or fish imagery. Long pants are completely out of their depth - most Pisceans wear short leggings or knee-length pants or modify (sometimes without permission) other clothing to fit this style.
It totally shouldn't be utilitarian, my Pisces bros should glam up with shiny, scales fabrics and fan-like fins and shit.

Love the notion lower legs are always bare though. Picturing Pisces formal/dressy outfits is entertaining.

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>>27551223
>Write some then,

I already wrote the basics for the cancer culture here >>27549310 and here >>27549509. But it seems there are like two of us cancer, so it is like nobody else cares.

Another 'cancer mystic'

>>27551289
Cool idea. Maybe there could be some hidden tests within the tests to see if the youth has the potential for druidic magic.

>>27551299
>but its also very true that each sign would use their magic in their own way
Only if there's something that prevents study of more than one.

I would note promote 'mage' as a class or classes at all in this setting, to be honest. Just have magic be something anyone can learn to a specific degree, and your sign dictates some of what you can use (or discounts some of what you can use).

Would it be funny if in some alternate setting "Future of this world" (as in Avatar, but even moreso) the Cancer nation would be the greatest producer of uranium?

>>27551324
I firmly believe almost everyone should have the potential for druidic magic. Aberrant signs in the test might mark you as assigned for the priesthood though - having your day enduring on the mountaintop be interrupted by an eclipse, having the beast refuse to attack you and becoming docile, etc.

Something that indicates the hand of god anyway - saying this one/these ones are special.

>>27551299

Don't know, I kind of like the reverse approach (magic is either tiny or amazing, and always rare). But then, this is a community project. Whatever the most like is what goes.

Also, if you're bringing in repeatable magic that a whole caste of people practices regularly then you need to think about how that impacts the setting if you don't want to have a shit setting.

>>27551326
Mages could be some rare people who are born during a special astrological event called the starless night.

Those born during that night do not carry any sign and can learn the magic of all clans

Usually, there is only a few hundreds mage at once and they usually travel from kingdom to kingdom in caravans.

Magic of Leo is probably very Old Testament style. Only wielded by a very, very, very, very, very, very select few (entire generations may pass without one being born), but mind bogglingly incredible and impressive. Parting seas, pillars of fire, massive plagues, basically that scene from "Prince of Egypt" with the freaky chanting.

>>27551131
>>27551148
Work for me, along with the fertility theme. I'm thinking Earth Kingdom meets House Tyrell meets Arcadia, only with a darker theme of rigid feudalism and vulnerability to invaders due to the size of the territory.

>>27550968
Continuing with this idea, Capricorns would have some subtle Xmas thing going on. I'm sensing a rivalry between the Capricorn and the Aries.

>>27551007
Maybe the Aries, the Capricorn and the Sheep are all part of the same ethnic group, scattered in the North?

>>27551382

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tVTEyuCKn4

WHY IS THIS MOVIE MARKETED AT KIDS

>>27551386
Well I don't know about Capricorn but clearly the Aries think those ridiculous plumes that Leos wear on their helmets are absurd and goofy, and Leo have no patience for those ornate horns that the Aries carry about on their heads like complete hools.

>>27551382
Issue is, this is almost completely fucking unworkable when you try and put it into a game.

>magic like old testament
Great, I agree, fits really well.
>only usable by X
>rare
>incredibly powerful
Nope nope nope.

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>>27551326
that's what im saying, anyone can choose to use magic but there are those who would choose to specialize in it, and those who would shy from it completely, thus allowing for a broad spectrum of adventurers from strictly physical beastly warriors, or strictly magic using sorcerers, and anyone can choose whatever they would like based on how much time and effort they put into learning the path they choose.

>>27551351
what i mean is magic is common and in everything but its not extremely powerful enough to make a gigantic difference in power between someone who specializes in magic alone or physical alone.

a soldier who trains in a two handed sword long enough can end up powerful enough to sunder a boulder with a single swing, where as a mage could do the same with the power of his mind when honed, thus balancing the scales either way. however, those who practice both would obviously lack in raw power both ways but have the utility to take on anything with a little effort.

>>27551376
this could also be viable as an addition, magic is in all things but only a few can use it to its higher potential, just as some have higher potential for physical weapon mastery as well.

the hardest part is making balance between them both. the more you make magic powerful, the more you also have to make those physically gifted just as powerful in their respective uses and applications of power.

>>27551376
Make them the 13th sign and I'm on board. No limits on what they can steal and borrow from the existing power groups, but no real identity of their own either. Manipulative and with enormous destructive potential, a real viper in the nest.

>>27551431
>that's what im saying, anyone can choose to use magic but there are those who would choose to specialize in it, and those who would shy from it completely, thus allowing for a broad spectrum of adventurers from strictly physical beastly warriors, or strictly magic using sorcerers, and anyone can choose whatever they would like based on how much time and effort they put into learning the path they choose.
Yes and that would be dictated by spending a certain amount of your character resources on magic, whether this is effectively all of them or actually none.

>>27551396

Actually, that scene might exemplify in many ways the essence of what it means to be Leo.

Everything is epic. Everything is grand. Everything is a part of a legend.

To the Leo spirit, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, so long as you do so gloriously. Their victories are magnificent. Their sorrows are tragic. Their faults and hubrises are immense. They NEVER do anything in moderation: fail or succeed, the world must know.

The birth of a mage of the Leo is literally and figuratively an astronomical event. They are, by a faaaaaaaar and wide margin the nation that produces the least mages (none, most decades), but when one rises, it signals the beginning of a golden age for the empire - inevitably followed by a time of impossible tragedy and loss.

>>27551396
Because kids can handle many scary things if it's in a proper context.

>>27551382
Flavorful, I like it. Though, ironically; it could gives an early Christian feel to what is for now "not-Rome" (that has to change). Maybe some kind of rivalry between the mages and the authorities?


Also, for the Libra, I'm getting a duality (arr arr) between their "Militant Orders" and their "merchants and peacekeepers" thing they have. So they're essentially Templars with an Inquisition touch.
They'd easily be "Guardians of the Balance" or some shit.

>>27551423

Don't work it into the game. Leo characters don't get to use magic at all. It's just not PC level. If the GM wants to introduce a Leo mage NPC, fine. Their powers have no rules attached. They do what they want. Think Epsilon level asyncs.

>>27551283
>Removed name to prevent further head-biting. Seriously, no one's trying to steal anything from you /tg/. I worry about you sometimes.

In a world of enigmatic tribes, fierce nomads, sprawling nation states, and magically-fueled empires, the Scorpio are one of the few remaining mysteries; to the fabulously-clad, jewel-encrusted Scorpio, there is no pursuit higher than the self.

The Scorpio revel in personal pursuits. They regard most people as tools to achieve their ends, which, while denigrating in other cultures, is a mark of honor for the Scorpio. To serve one's own interest whilst serving the aspirations of others is considered the highest art - entire philosophical schools exist in the flat, sunbaked Scorpio mesas proselytizing means of bettering the whole by bettering the self.

In summary, Scorpio's do not take "no" for an answer.

Scorpio are ashen-skinned and wide-bodied. Their manner of clothing is wild and ostentatious, with very few overlapping styles between their mesa-based cities. They are expert businessmen and cutthroat traders - they tend to employ others to fight for them, but maintain a standing army of vicious infantry trained in the use of the long spear.

>>27551451
And also, introduce a simple discount like 'at character creation spells of your sign are 1/2 price, spells of allied signs normal cost, spells of opposed signs twice the cost'.

So your average Aries dabbler knows the spell that makes them hit like a truck with a running start, and your Leo is more likely to have the blade-sharpening and voice-amplifying tricks.

This is enforced by the rules, divide spells into 'tiers' and require investment in 'Mage Training 2' or whatever to get the second tier. So physical types largely stay dabblers and mages reward specialization, without mandating iot.

>>27551485
That is a fucking terrible solution.
>Leo Mages are really cool guys
>The DM gets one
>None of you do, ever
Fuck that.

>>27551485
Leo PCs could be followers of a particular mage/prophet, with faith-related abilities or something.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgNFxH4taM

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>>27551451
basically yes. you can spend everything on magic and still have the feel of being powerful and magical, without being so powerful that those who choose to pick something else, such as specializing in sword and board and heavy armors, won't feel gimped and less fantastical because they can still become strong enough to do near impossible feats without the use of magic.

but then there are those who can combine the two in any way, like magic + sword and shield makes for a paladin like character, or magic + two handed makes for a berserker, or magic + bows make for magic archers, there can be any number of combinations using a system such as this without making any specific choice too amazing or too weak in comparison with a single specialization.

>>27551527
Not supporting the idea of the unique, unplayable Leo mage but the idea of being able to pact with another sign, or with someone of the same sign, for some benefit or sharing of abilities is a good one.

>>27551514

Think of them as living plot devices. Does it annoy you that Discworld RPG won't let you play a sourcerer? That call of cthulhu won't let you play an avatar of nyarlethotep? The fact that they are so immensely powerful is balanced by the fact that there are virtually none of them. They're like the Eisen from 7th Sea - for all everybody knows, Leo doesn't even HAVE any mages, and it's just not an option for PC's (they get something in compensation - the Leo have been described so far as pretty mighty badasses).

Leo mages are deus ex machina with (tragic, deeply conflicted, very erratic) personalities. When they appear at all, which shouldn't be a common occurrence.

>>27551451
>>27551431
Yeah, all character could have access to discrete or low magic. Not flashy stuff, just good luck rituals, strength boosting magic, flaming blade etc.

Higher magic would require someone with great aptitude, a mage, which are uncommon in most Kingdom except Taurus and Aquarius.

>>27551443

Then we could have the thirteenth sign of Ophiuchus, the serpent, who are all mages and can practice all magic. They would be very rare and rejected by most kingdoms.

>>27551562
>The fact that they are so immensely powerful is balanced by the fact that there are virtually none of them.
No it's not, it's just shit.

To fix this literally you require is substituting 'Leo Mage' with 'Chosen Leo Mage'.

You don't talk about how cool a variant of something available to every other PC is and then say the PCs don't get this one. I get you're whacking off on your glorious Leo mage epic tragedy but fuck that in terms of an actual game.

Also: either two suns or two moons.

Pick your sun and second sun and moon or sun and moon and second moon signs at chargen.

>>27551599
He's trying to compensate good game design with the fluff.

I understand where both of you are coming from.

>>27551599

Again, Eisen and Castille from 7th Sea. Everybody else gets to play a sorcerer, they don't. Does it make them useless? Boring? Do Eisen and Castille players whine about wanting to have magic? No, because that's a part of the theme of their nations. There do exists sorcerers on both but they are hidden, most don't know about them and they can't be player characters. Instead, player characters get magical weapons, or good education, or wealth. There's nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Besides, I thought we agreed "mages" were just "magical specialists"? Leo people might still be able to learn small magics, just not anything mage-worthy - except for those mages who's rise and fall correlates with the rises and falls of their (and other) empires.

>>27551613
I'm fine with their being legendary, almost unquestionably powerful users of astromancy or whatever the fuck you'll call it.

I'd support every sign getting them and Leo perhaps having had the most recent one which formed their current militant empire, but even if just Leo gets them I'm fine with it.

I'm against not having the same - but distinct - options be available to every sign, and I support the idea of magic being accessible to everyone in a varying degree which they choose by building their character.

I like the idea of higher level Leo magic aping the old testament, that's pretty badass.

I just fundamentally don't like the idea of the jerkoff 'ho boy these guys are so cool - they're not an option for you'. It's nothing like good game design.

>>27551599
We could have 3 magic tier:

Low magic, which is available to everybody

High magic, which is available to mages

Epic Magic, which is only available to the chosen one of the kingdom.

Leo could simply not recognize low magic as magic at all. Their high magic could be unremarkable stuff, like party buff, powerful item enhancement, minor curses, healing and such. Basically their mages would be bards and healing priests.

Their only remarkable flashy magic they have is their epic magic which is only wielded by the chosen Prophet of the gods.

>>27551677

I was trying to emphasize the point that the symbolic essence of Leo is grandiosity. The "never do anything in moderation" thing is also expressed in their magic. It's different from how it is with other nations precisely because that's the point of their nation. Either you do something epically or you don't at all. Mechanically, the fact that Leo PC's can't do magic would be balanced by better stats or what have you. Thematically it fits them perfectly. Plotwise it raises interesting question (why are there so few Leo mages, and why are they so powerful when they do appear?). Making it so that every other nation has "Chosen Mages" that work in the exact same way robs the Leo of their essential nature. And I frankly don't know what kind of players you're dealing with, but if they can't have fun knowing that there are levels of power in the game world they can't reach they don't make very good roleplayers.

so only the Leo group gets god mages?

fuck that

unless the Leo's god mage is their top tier unit they have then my question is what are the other signs top tier units?

>>27551695
I've already outlined what I'd go with for design, which would be classless with say five tiers of magic. First level is basic charms, to access beyond the first level you need to pay X character resources and pick up specialized training. This kicks in for every new tier.

A 'mage' would be someone who had trained in the higher magic associated with their sign. It's very easy to think of cool and thematic spells of all types for each sign and I wouldn't want to waste that by being overly restrictive.

I don't see why it can't just be 'Leo sometimes have this really powerful guy once in generations' (except that '[Sign] sometimes has this really powerful...' is better and more interesting from a worldbuilding perspective) instead of 'Leo don't have this at all, except when they have this really powerful guy'.

Gods brings up a whole other topic too, whether there's a shared religion or distinct pantheons or a shared pantheons with different focuses and names by signs, or if there even are multiple gods, etc.

An animal or animal-headed pantheon is the most obvious option.

>>27551742

They get god mages once every several fucking centuries. In computer game terms, it's like that Core giant robot from the TA expansion - very powerful but it takes so long to build it's laughably unlikely you'll ever even get to see it in action in a dozen games.

Other nation's top units may not be as EPIC but it's balanced because they actually EXIST most of the time rather than being legends and prophecies.

>>27551741
>Mechanically, the fact that Leo PC's can't do magic would be balanced by better stats or what have you.
Except how the fuck do you figure that would be a good mechanical balance, in the actual game.

'Never do anything in moderation' isn't the only nor a universal Leo trait. It's not the sole thing to focus on and I think it hurts vastly more than it helps here.

>>27549920
There was a study that correlated when one was born and the likelihood of cheating on a partner. Women born in the summer were something like twice as likely to cheat.

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>>27551572
this works, but i think because of Pisces emphasis on their more rounded approach they would have a decent number of mages as well, but like i said, not everyone goes all the way with their mage training making tried and true sorcerers a rarity. i'd still say that your right, they would have the most, but pisces would be an easy third or fourth i think.

>>27551612
id say two moons and two suns, one of the suns like ours and another much farther away. the same with the moons, one is close and the other is farther, and occasionally you get eclipses of both suns, or full day time.

id say the eclipses of both suns would allow for magic to flow freely without hindrance and magical beasts show up more often and are more powerful, magic is easier to cast and more powerful but much more difficult to control once cast, i.e. a simple fireball spell turns into a torrent of flame nearly the size of a person as opposed to a small orb, and the flame remains even after the spell finished. however physical abilities seem to drain peoples stamina faster and they find themselves weaker then normal.

and a double sunrise could cause magic to all but disappear, turning a lightning spell into not more then a few sparks, and large monsters that are unaffected by magic are more powerful and show up more often, but magical monsters shy away. physical abilities are also boosted for the duration as well, but people might find their strength difficult to control, causing accidents often.

I also think Leo Mage guy needs to post his starsign.

>>27551695
Maybe low magic = Potentially everyone. Type of magic based on their Primary and Secondary Sign.
High magic = People with the same Sign as Primary and Secondary.

I'm leery of that chosen one shit being a generalized thing. Maybe Epic Magic could refer to very difficult rituals needing the organization of a small conutry to make them work. Leo ubermages could simply channel those from time to time, leeching energy off their followers.

>>27551572
I prefer Ophiucus as extinct in the West and Snakes in the East, as was suggested earlier. So, they should be relatively balanced as opposed to some super speshul race.

>>27551799
>id say two moons and two suns
That's four distinct elements them. I feel three is the sweet spot.

I'd be iffy about tying them to magic hot or cold spots, too, but it could work.

>>27551755
So you just want the Leo to occasionally have a really powerful godlike mage?

That work with me. Everyone can get its own special overpowered thing.

>>27551803
>Maybe low magic = Potentially everyone. Type of magic based on their Primary and Secondary Sign.
>High magic = People with the same Sign as Primary and Secondary.

I like that idea, but I'd add that some spells in high magic are only available to those born of the opposite sign of their people. Spells that are meant to negate other mage of its sign. Could be useful for an host of reasons.

>So, they should be relatively balanced as opposed to some super speshul race.
I wanted them to be a powerful threat to the kingdoms. The Ophiucus could also be a group of rogue mages from all kingdoms.

>>27551777

Just like it is in 7th Sea, where the Eisener and the Castillians get access to other traits instead of sorcery (Eisener are the only ones that can take Dracheneisen items, which are basically magic mithril, and Castillians get a trait that automatically turns them into polyglotic renaissance men to represent the fact that without magic their country had to turn to education). It balances out, and it keeps those theme/story ideas running.

>>27551876
>So you just want the Leo to occasionally have a really powerful godlike mage?
I'd rather everyone did, but I'm fine if it's just the Leo. Either way, I think the Leo should be the most recent one and this Gilgamesh-like figure should be responsible for their current empire (and raising the walls of their capital city).

I think having this potentially crop up in any sign makes for a more interesting history and potential situations. Maybe the Pisces live in swamps now because a long, long time ago their god-mage mashed the fucking sea and land together.

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>>27551815
true, i thought three would be good too but if we go with three, the overbearing forces of the universe would probably be heart, soul, and mind, where as four would be heart, soul, mind, and the final being void

id imagine the second moon would be considered the void aspect due to the double eclipse, draining everything of magic by blocking the link to the second sun (being soul) and the first sun and moon are always in circulation, making the link for heart and mind.

it's an idea, just throwing my thoughts out there, but id like to hear what everyone thinks as that being the overbearing factor in the world.

>>27551880
7th Sea has a great setting but it isn't a well designed or well balanced game.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/27548787/

Archived. Might as well.

Lol nice!

>>27551762
oh fair enough then

>>27551902

My idea was that for all of how they take pride in their mighty conquering empire, anyone who actually studies the records would quickly realize that the Leo aren't actually as good warriors or rulers as they make themselves to be. That cycle of epic super-sorcerers is basically the only reason they have an empire at all - they COUNT on it. They ride the wave whenever one is born and expand their lands tremendously, then once the mighty ubermage dies their kingdom immediately begins falling at the seams because they can't manage it. It gives an interesting plot explanation for why the obligatory great empire of the setting always seems to be crumbling and rife with corruption - it's been long since the Leo have "fairly" created an empire. They get their empires handed over to them by magic, then attempt to manage them while keeping their chins raised and their chests puffed and hoping nothing goes to shit and OH GOD BARBARIANS ARE COMING WHY CAN'T THE NEXT FUCKING HERO HURRY UP ALREADY.

>>27551966
The Leo would be the worst eugenicists then. They'd be organizing their society completely around the birth of this god baby.

>>27551216
This is good. Different magics might be doable by different zodiacs.

>>27551966
I just read that Aquarius is kinda strongly opposed to Leo, and in our setting they're the crazy hippie mages ready to bring about a New Age of chaos and shit.

They're the perfect rivals. Maybe not in term of sheer power, but more of a Carthage deal. The annoying minor civ who keeps trolling them with all their magic users.

>>27551996

And all the while, they zealously maintain the image that they are the mighty kings of the world, the builders of vast kingdoms, the conquerors of millions, the heroes without equal. And in a way, they are heroic - it's just that that same very overinflated image of themselves is the reason why they can never quite manage - they try to run their kingdoms but all the nobles are so power hungry they spend more resources in dick measuring contests than actually doing any management, and their warriors would rather die nobly fighting some monster than do the smart thing and get some backup, because BACKUP IS FOR PUSSIES SHUT UP I HAVE THE BLOOD OF LIONS. *gets head eaten by dragon*

>>27552028

Oh shi -

The Leo (and then, only the wisest and most secretive and most important of their sage-masters) are the only ones who truly, horribly, horrifically fear the coming Age of Aquarius because they are the only nation that truly realizes the implications of another nation getting their hands on an ubermage for the first time in known history. So far, ubermages have been their sole domain. They didn't even assume it was possible for them to be born in other nations - now the stars foretell the birth of a new one, and it isn't theirs, and they know their kingdom is doomed.

Cue a Fire Nation style purge of the Aquarians in a desperate attempt to stop the inevitable.

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While I am not telling cancer should be the broken beyond fuck mages in this setting, it have been implied they do have a strong mysticism tradition by being linked with the moon and Hermes, and given the femininity thing, they are akin to a drow society: the ruler are females magic users who control strong walled cities. Maybe isolationist, fuck, maybe they live in some island - country (think Japan), but still a force to be taken into account by all the other magic nations.

How does they fit into your Leo - Aquarius dynamic, anon?

So, uh...

What about the other races, guys? Gemini, Aquarius and Capricorn strike me as having received the short hand of the stick, along with the entire Eastern part of the continent.

>>27552136
>Aquarius
I think it have been decided they are the hippies of this setting.

>>27552122

The Cancer ARE the mages of the setting. They have a lot of them, all the time, and they are masters of magic. They are ruled by mages. The deepest magical secrets belong to them, and 99.9% of the time, the most powerful magicians, too.

It's important to realize (because the Leo sure don't seem to) but the Leo are NOT, by any means whatsoever, a nation of great magicians. They are the complete and utter opposite - on most centuries, they don't have one millionth of the magic Cancer has. They may give birth to one epic magician in a long while - but that's like saying that the Austrians are the strongest people on Earth because Schwarzenegger happened to be one.

The Aquarius, I'd imagine, are fairly standard in terms of magic. Everyone has some power, some more so than others, and their mages are pretty okay (although not as good as the Cancer ones). What frightens the Leo is that the signs are pointing at a magician being born among the Aquarius who will be like one of their own. The Leo have always relied upon the fact that once every so often they get their hands on a living god - they are totally and completely unprepared to face one, and they are pretty sure that without any other magic of their own, they'll lose.

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id imagine that each sign gets their own specialty.

leo can have the occasional ubermage, but im thinking that even the ubermage is limited in his ability to use magic. he can do all forms of low magic, most high magic, but leo should get some form of magic that specifically reflects the aspects of leo.

for me, im thinking taurus gets a kind of magic that can either enhance items beyond any crafting capabilities, or see into the possible futures (since taurus is supposed to be stubborn they either try to see things before they happen and work around it to their liking or enhance themselves so much that the future doesn't matter)

and pisces could have advanced wise men, advisers for just about any walk of life, and if cought in a younger age, adventurers of vast experience and apt abilitiy, capable of handling most situations with a calm head and stout shoulder.

aries could have charismatic leadership figures, such as military generals, politicians, or extra charismatic merchants and peddlers.

aquarius could have highly advanced healers capable of feats akin to bringing the dead back to life. after all, mostly dead is still partly alive.

>>27552136
capricorn could have advancements in travel as a society and as individuals have an innate knowledge for pathfinding, tracking, and just naturally knowing where to go next for whatever task they might need, even if it may seem like an odd place to go to them or allies, they just know in their gut.
>this is how i swamp champ

>>27552122
>>27552204

I guess the cancer would be powerful necromancers and conjurers. They would be masters of the darker side of magic. A lot of their magic would involve the summoning and controlling of spirits and manipulating life energy.

They could stand as a neutral party always waiting for an opportunity to strike.

The Aquarius could be the other side of the coin to Cancer. They would specialize in more vanilla stuff, like elemental magic, transportation and divination.

>>27552204

You know, I just figured it out, and it's brilliant.

In universe, why is the Leo culture so utterly obsessed with personal glory and heroics and pride? PRECISELY BECAUSE so much of their history revolves around one mighty hero saving the empire every time. From an anthropological point of view, all the Leo secretly wish they could be the "great hero" of their generation.

>>27552136
The Geminists have organized their society into various Schools and are the intellectual powerhouses of the world. All Geminis are preternaturally cunning, intelligent, and predisposed to hyperactivity.

This manic energy, while useful, ultimately restricts their scientific and cultural progress. Gemini Schools, while famous for their insanely efficient teaching methods, are equally infamous for their relative brevity. Schools open and close, teachers propose new theories and discard them at a whim, the entire culture ebbs and flows in an unstoppable and uncontrollable tide of thought.

They are widely considered annoying thanks both to their extreme talkativeness and practical mindsets ("Of course I killed your dog. He was exhibiting signs of Dodgers Pox, which has a 34% chance of cross infection...). They prefer loose, non-restrictive clothing and generally feature widow's peaks and deep crow's feet.

>>27552122

They have their own shit going on with the Virgo, at least visually.
>>27550221
>>27550302

Basically they're the spooky part of the Western World, where nobody want to go. Uberwald meets Dark Themyscira meets Litharge from Sandman. Feminity, walls, necromancy, walls, moon-related things, walls. The entire thing is made of matriarchy, undead, and mortar, to the point of claustrophobia.

>>27552271
im also thinking their masters of magic useful for misdirection, such as illusions or creating dopplegangers.

>>27552271

So Gemini are basically fantasy Salarians, with the added quirk that they are composed entirely of pairs of twins. I like it.

>>27552312
Ooh, I like the doppleganger aspect better than the literal twin aspect.

Like they figured out how to make the perfect (or near-perfect) copy of someone. Excellent spies and saboteurs.

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>>27551386
On your Virgo thoughts. I agree, but it'd have to be a vast land with varying degrees of earthy biomes, and the class system would have to be very split.

I'm thinking a vast noble aristocracy which is "trying to help" by attempting to assimilate the rest of their kingdom into the fancy club.

I feel that most of the lower class would welcome shots at more liberty and riches and follow them towards their goal.
There'd also be the hard few that see through the corruption and form a sort of rebel grouping that would be more rural and sylvan.

The people would be overall average, no crazy buffheads, but also not twig n stick dainty. The aristocracy would favor a lavish look somewhat a mix between easter and western garb. They'd have lots of garnishes and adornments, silks and flowing cloth.
The lower classes would be of the same style but visibly removed, with either failed attempts at the high life fashions, or mix and matched pieces they could acquire.
The rebel faction would have a much more rugged look, but still the practical average. they'd assume more of a hunter/ranger lifestyle and engage in Robin Hood-like tactics trying to undermine the aristocracy and bring True hope to the people.

... love these ideas and would be great to compile and expand on everyone's thoughts.
>Tl;dr Virgo ideas

>>27552350

Maybe a large part of their industry revolves around the work of such magical automata? Like golems or homonculi or what have you? The Gemini all want to spend their time learning and arguing, so they created the Twins to take care of much of the menial labor and fighting in their kingdom.

Interestingly, despite being a generally peaceful people who detest combat, the Gemini have a long and proud tradition of athletic wrestling, and they take the sport very seriously. Most Gemini men, espeically nobles, are expected to know how to wrestle.

the "twins" in the Gemini constellation are supposed to represent Castor and Polydeuces

>>27552389
I'm easy.

>>27552373
Virgos are industrious, hard-headed, and goal-driven. They tend to go for overkill in life and in war and leave nothing to chance. They are eternal pragmatists and do not suffer laziness in stride.

All pointing to a highly meritocratic, stratified, and organized society.

>>27552350
What about their martial tradition?

I guess they could be guerilla warfare specialist.

Their fighting style could be focused on fighting in group. Essentially, they would be adept at covering holes in their allies defense and giving opening for their allies.

>>27552350
im thinking like a hologram twin of themselves, other mages can do this too but the gemini have mastered it to give their holo-clones not just the looks of someone else but the personality and memories of whoever they mirror.

im thinking that the illusion clones can't physically touch things, but perfectly match the mind and personality of whoever they mirror, but that is all they can do. a physical golem could be uprgraded to a homunculi with the proper clone spell, IF you want to put a personality on a physical being.

two separate abilities, one creating just one/ or multiple illusionary clones that can cast spells but cannot physically touch or block things, or a homunculi who can touch things and cast minor magics instead of the full ability that an illusion could have.

just to balance them out, just a bit, and still make golems viable for other mages.

>>27551966
Lions can actually back their shit up tho

I like the idea that every race get a designated rival (probably not in absolute terms):
>Aries/Capricorn = nordic ethnicity (same as Sheep), spring vs winter, rebirth mysticism, primitive yet feared for different reasons
>Leo/Aquarius = exceptional supermages and badass warriors vs country of low-level mages, imperialists vs hippies, tradition of supermages to rescue their ass vs promise of their own one
>Virga/Cancer = matriarchy, closed citadels vs giant farmlands, life vs death, light vs darkness
>Pisces/Scorpio = Atlantis vs Pirate Raiders, high magitech vs raw badassery, utopia vs survivalism
>Taurus/Sagittarius = not much to say, civilization and sedentarity vs nature and nomadism I guess

>Libra as the Balance between all of them
>Gemini as the tricksters enforcing those divisions

I think it works.

Low Magic:
Lots of utilitarian or small "cantrip"-like effects. Things like cleaning wounds, purifying water, starting a campfire, making knots extra-secure, making something harder to find, giving a blade a finer edge, figuring out where the fish are at your watering hole. Maybe some bigger magics made up of smaller things, like a temple with every block of stone being engraved with a sigil of long-standing allows it to weather an earthquake.
These magics are available to groups of zodiacs based on element (earth, fire, water, air), or nature (healing, martial, improvement, etc.), or type (mutability, cardinal, fixed). These magics are known and practiced by commoners.

High Magic:
Larger, flashier effects that are immediately obvious that something magical has just happened. Fireballs, raising walls of earth, splitting boulders, creating water from nothing, making something disappear and reappear somewhere else, asking a corpse three questions, having a slightly prophetic dream-trance or the like. People who have mastered these skills are the mages. Unless they come from humble beginnings, mages usually don't know smaller magics. That is what servants are for. These magics are more unique to each zodiac, with some cross-over.

Epic Magic:
The sorts of things heard about in legend. Entire armies being moved from one end of the earth to the other in a single night. A queen who could foretell the future to the point that she could say whether it would rain on the day her not-yet-conceived daughter would be born. The general who was saved in the midst of battle by a fire breathing, flying horse with a snake for a tail.
The people capable of these magics are few and far between. These magics are unique to individuals, and there haven't been enough to say whether the things they can do are unique to their sign.

>>27552508
I like it.

And thanks to the impartiality (maybe) of the planets, there'll constantly be more of each race to balance it all out.

>>27552506

Perhaps, but it's common knowledge (to the point of becoming somewhat of a "lesson") that far less so than they make apparent. Even in nature, male lions (which are what most people think of when they think about lions in general) are impressive and powerful, but in practice most of their time is spent lying around while the females hunt. The Leo aren't useless without their ubermages on a personal level, but as an empire they rely upon them to survive.

>>27552605
Plus the obligatory client states a.k.a Androcles and the Lion.

Did we discuss any of the Eastern zodiac nations other than the moe Tibetan sheep people?

>>27552662
There were a bunch of descriptions back up near the top.

>>27552605
More of an offense/defense thing with lionesses/lions. Still works though.

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>>27552512
of course we need to balance these against physical abilities as well, so since you put the thought into categorizing magic, ill do the physical.

low physical:
your average human abilities. decent sight, reaction time, thought speed, strength, physical speed, all that. no more then a basic commoner human with no special training, just enough to do basic tasks.

high physical : higher then average speed, fleet of foot, strong enough to hold twice their own weight and still move adequately, keener sight then others, faster thinking and reaction time, can jump higher, climb higher and with less difficulty than others, fight longer, and generally have higher stamina then the average person. usually trained in combat and used to long days on the move with battles in between.

epic physical:
the stuff of legends, jumping from street level to a average rooftop, can climb without any real effort, strength akin to that of n ant, able to carry their own weight tenfold, and quick enough on foot to travel between cities in hours or less, quick enough in reaction time to almost see things coming before they happen, akin to a sixth sense, and trained in combat to the point where a single punch could be more devastating then another man with a maul his own height, and even more deadly with a weapon. pinpoint precision at any range and able to spot details that others would miss with ease.

>>27552662
Why do they exist?

>>27552704

Someone thought it would be a neat idea near the top, and /tg/ can't resist moe.

>>27549541
Its funny because I am the exact opposite of your definition of a Virgo.

Wouldn't it be easier to relegate the actual differences between the various peoples to simple differences in dominant hair color or skin tone, which would be less dumb than magic super people wahey?

>>27552835

Just because you're a freak doesn't mean our setting doesn't need to be full of living stereotypes.

new tagline of /tg/?

So, anyone up to making a 1d4chan article for this shit? I think collecting all this information in one place in an orderly fashion might make it a lot easier to work with later on. We're up to something great here, folks.

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Physically:

>Sheep, Aries and Capricorn = >>27551007 (moe slavs)
>Ox and Taurus = a vague middle-eastern/dorfy mix
>Pisces = slightly merfolk/elf-like, with beautiful yet subtly creepy features that only become more fish-like as they age - and they're among the longest-lived races...
>Scorpio = varied, with Western blood mixed with the one of islanders everywhere in the world
>Virgo = at the crossroad of the world, they evolved their own distinct features
>Cancer = sickly pale, but not without grace
>Sagittarius/Horse = varies according to the clan

>>27552704
I >>27549730 didn't know what to do with Sheep, since the only information I had about them was "shy and submissive". Someone half-jokingly suggested to make them the moe/fanservicey race of the setting >>27550709 , and without any better idea, it kinda stuck. Now, they seem to have gained a more defined identity >>27551007

>Zodiac
>not one homestuck joke.

I am somewhere between impressed and surprised

>>27552974
That's because Homostuck is shit Anon.

>>27552922
I could do it tomorrow/this week-end.

>>27552928
>Gemini = unnaturally beautiful (Appollo and shapeshifting, guys)
>Leo = vary from one point of the empire to another - mostly "caucasian"
>Libra = mostly white - a few families have foreign ancestors deemed worthy of joining their ranks

>>27552974
The timesink, the massive autism and the baffling Generals on /co/ made sure I never ever approached this fandom.

>>27552928

I still want me a sheep nation waifu.

I just hope her brother wouldn't come after me to knife me at some point, because I'm getting a very Bedouin/steppe nomad vibe from them and those guys tend to be big on "family honor"

>>27553036

I'm sort of disturbed by the lack of any people darker than "middle eastern". I'd say make the Leo africans, but africans don't generally have epic beards.

What say you?

>>27553042
When a sheep guy come at you with a knife, its to shave you according to their rites.

If they wanted to kill you they would come at you with a sheperd staff.

>>27553073
>Shearing as part of mating ritual

GOD DAMMIT BONER

>>27553073

>"No, foreigner. If you wish to marry my sister, first you must undergo the spirit dance of the cutting of the pubes. Only then will you be worthy. Such is our tradition."

>>27553064
I suggested we make the Scorpio the darker folks.

>>27553064
Suddenly dark-skinned people are capable of growing epic facial hair.
PROBLEM SOLVED.

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>>27553132

Capital city of the Leo (with a eunuch royal guard in the foreground - those traditionally cut their hair).

The city was built almost entirely by one of their older super mages, raised out of the sand overnight. Most people have already forgotten.

>>27553073

I thought sheep nation people didn't shave?

>men have epic rabbi beards
>women have epic... err, armpits, I guess
>long curls everywhere

>>27553223
They undergo complete shave on the eve of their marriage.

>>27553250

Oho! To prepare them for the "summer of their lives". I like that! Do they also shave the head, or only the body?

>>27553277
Lets say only the body. Nobody like a woman with a shaved head.

Except the cancer guys.

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>>27552508
>>Virgo/Cancer
I like it.

Following this: >>27552274
Yes, cancer have a bad reputation... among outsiders. Why your average peasant would like to live in a place like that? Ba sing Se meets Rapture. Yes, they live entombed in a city with some farms next to the walls, but they don't want to leave because from birth, they are told how wonderful is the life within the cancer city. Plenty of food, and enough cultural distractions. And the walls protect the citizen from wars and Aquarius/ Taurus shenanigans, and keep the Leo 'silliness' outside. "Oh, Leo, are you celebrating the birth of your leader mage? You silly, ours (cancer) have been taking care of us for the last thousand years or so...". In fact, I almost imagine for the average cancer criminal, exile is a sentence worse than death.

Also, they are not actually enforced to live inside the city, they can travel to whenever they want. However, when a cancer citizen leaves the city, when they come back (if they come back...), they tell tales about bad luck and misfortune, "is almost as if someone placed a hex on me" and given the cancer reputation, also about outsiders discriminating them. "Fuck the outside world, build the walls taller".

Also, following with the undead theme, and with the "never sleeping or eating" army concept, the average citizen is feed with the idea the army are blessed by the rulers and the moon to be above silly biological needs, that is, for a cancer citizen the concept undead does not exists.

Witch: "Hey, child, ho... what? Of course you can talk to him"
>Cast ventriloquism
Zombie soldier: "Stay out of trouble, citizen"
Witch: "Enough chatting for today, nothing to see here, move along, yeah, that way, have you praised the Moon today?"
>Pic: your average cancer soldier.

In other words, for your average cancer citizen, live in the city is like ba sing se. For the average outsider, it reminds rapture after it went to shit.