This is but one of the legends of which the people speak...Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a prosperous land blessed with green forests, tall mountains, and peace.But one day, a man of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself. With its strength at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom. But then, when all hope had died, and the hour of doom seemed at hand......a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil's bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light.What became of the hero is lost to myth, another mystery of the past casting a long shadow. In one village, it is customary that when children come of age, they make a pilgrimage to the nearby ruins, and bring back an artifact. In doing so, they bring what was left in the dark to the light, and keep their history alive. You are from that village, and today you turn 18, and must make your own pilgrimage. Your father was an archeologist at Hyrule University, and now that it is your day to recover an artifact, you are determined to follow in his footsteps with your diligence. But shadows hang over more than the past, now. A ruthless warlord has rallied an army, and has laid siege to Hyrule castle for nearly a year, seeking to claim the golden power. Darkness gathers across the kingdom, and shadows stretch ever farther each passing day... Welcome to LOZ: Umbral Tower, where you will play an unlikely hero destined to save the kingdom from a neverending shadow. In this game you will roll pools of D6s based on your stats, which will improve over time, against competing pools of D6s, where 5's and 6's are considered successes. Ties normally go to the aggressor, not the defender. I may tweak this as we go. This quest will probably roll very slowly and sporadically. I will roll a 1d2 or similar to break ties if they drag.
I am going to clarify now: you are not playing as Link, you are not the hero of time. As we decide who you are together, leave that stuff at the door. Let's go ahead and get started with that now, shall we? What's your name? Are you a boy or a girl? What's your heritage? >Human, Hylian (bonuses to melee, athletics, and riding animals) >Human, Shiekah (bonuses to stealth, magic, and crafting) >Goron (enhanced strength, reduced damage from fire, cannot swim)>Zora (capable of breathing underwater, faster swimming) >Rito (capable of gliding, can glean information from the wind) What skills do you favor most? Choose only three. >Melee weaponry >Ranged weaponry >Magic>Athletics >Crafting >History & Lore >Stealth >Animal riding >Speech And your village is located where? >On a cluster of islands forming an atoll a few miles off the coast of the mainland. >In the rocky plateaus overlooking the great desert valley. >Deep in the lush forest by the foot of the mountain. >Underground, in the face of a great cliff not far from the volcano. >Under the blue skies of the great grass plains, near the shore of a mighty river.
Testing
>>6330929>Name: Zuzo>BOY>HUMAN SHIEKAHSkills:>Melee>Stealth>MagicVillage:>On a cluster of islands forming an atoll a few miles off the coast of the mainland.
>>6330936Based
>>6330929>GirlName: Mimi>Human, Hylian (bonuses to melee, athletics, and riding animals) Skills>Melee weaponry >Athletics >Crafting >On a cluster of islands forming an atoll a few miles off the coast of the mainland.
>>6330929>Name - Liru>Boy>>Human, Hylian (bonuses to melee, athletics, and riding animals)>Melee weaponry >History & Lore >Athletics >Deep in the lush forest by the foot of the mountain.
>>6330929Supporting >>6330936
>>6330957+1>>6330929
>>6330936Qm said this was based, so im honored bound to +1 this choice
>>6330936>>6330929I support the Metal Gear Shiekah character. We shall be the best Huryle CIA Agent imaginable.
>>6330936Support
>>6330936+1 YOU'RE THAT NINJA
Locking in our votes, you will be playing as Zuzo the Shiekah. Will post our first set either late tonight or tomorrow some time.
You are Zuzo, a Sheikah boy of eighteen years. You have a wirey build, messy black hair, a pallid complexion, and sharp eyes. Hearts: 3 Mana: 6Your Attributes are as follows Wisdom: 2Resolve: 1Charm: 1Strength: 2Stamina: 1Dexterity: 2Your Skills are as follows Melee combat: 2Ranged combat: 1Magic: 3Athletics: 1Crafting: 1History & Lore: 2 Stealth: 3Animal riding: 1Speech: 1 You know the following Techniques Ninja Smoke - One of the secrets of the Sheikah. You can throw a Deku Nut at your feet, creating a puff of grey smoke and a flash, which you use as cover to disappear. Roll Wisdom+Stealth, you are able to instantly move three yards, plus an additional two yards for each success after the first if there are any. This ability does not allow you to move through walls or across distances you could not travel by foot or climbing, it is a trick and not proper teleportation. Still, it can mean the difference between life and death for a lone ninja. Requires a Deku Nut, on a failure, you are too slow, not only remaining in place but stunning yourself briefly with the blast. Heavy Slash - This sword technique was developed for duels of honor between Sheikah warriors. You take a lunging step and bring the blade down with both hands to overpower the defender. Roll Strength+Melee+1 if the defender is resisting with Dexterity, or +2 if the defender resists with Stamina. You must use Stamina to defend against attacks during that round. You know the following Spells Minor Purify - An ancient spell used by the Sheikah to dispel demon magic, maintain tools, or clean food and water. The target of this spell can be no larger than would fill a common bowl, or held easily in one hand, and must be an inanimate object. Roll Wisdom+Magic, and on a success you remove tarnish or stains from the object, and disease or pollution if it is water or food. If the object is cursed, you must achieve more successes than the Magic level of the one that cursed it, and this may be done with multiple cumulative castings of Minor Purify.You possess the following Items Wooden Katana - Handed down to you by your mother, it is the sword you trained with your entire childhood. Tent & Bedroll - Your father used to use these to camp during long expeditions. Deku Nut - 5x - You keep some of these in a pouch. They can be thrown at enemies to daze them, or at the ground to use your Ninja Smoke ability. >Cont'd
Kakariko Atoll is a remote cluster of islands off of Hyrule's Southern coast, some of them more settled than others. This is the home of the reclusive Shiekah, a clan of ninjas and mystics sworn to protect and guide the Royal Family. According to legend, they sailed to these islands long ago to train in secret and hide their treasures, awaiting the time when they would again be needed to honor their ancient oath and fight for Hyrule against the gathering darkness..... ======================YYAAAWWN You wake up, groggily stretching out your arms. The sun is rising over the ocean horizon outside your window, with just a few wispy clouds floating by in the distance. You roll over in your bed to face away from the light and close your eyes again. Just as you feel you may fall back under and steal some more time asleep, you hear a very loud knocking on your bedroom door. You recognize it as the sound of your grandmother's wooden cane. "ZUZO...! ZUZO WAKE UP DEAR!" She calls out from behind the door. "DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY? YOU NEED AN EARLY START BEFORE YOU GO TO CATACOMB ISLAND!" Your grandmother, Momoh, moved in to help look after you when your father disappeared ten years ago. Ever since your mother, Impa, left the village to fight in the war a year ago, she has been your sole caretaker. You get up, sleepy smile on your face. You know she will not let you rest any longer, and so you get dressed in your simple robes, and open the door. "There you are, Zuzo! Come downstairs, I prepared breakfast. You need to eat, you will need your strength for your pilgrimage to Catacomb Island!" You nod, and follow her down the stairs. She is half your height, partially from her hunched posture, with bright eyes and an easy demeanor about her. The two of you sit on the floor across from one another at a low, square table. She has boiled eggs, steamed rice, sliced a sweet orange, and grilled a side of pork for you both to share. The smell is incredible, and you feel your body relax as she serves portions into a bowl for you with chopsticks. "Zuzo, your parents would be so proud of the young man you are becoming. I am so proud of the young man you are becoming." She begins, grinning. "I know you are prepared for what lies ahead. Today you will face the Trial of Illumination. I want to talk to you about what that means." She says. You nod, straightening your posture to listen attentively. >Cont'd
"We Sheikah were chosen long ago to protect the descendents of the Goddess, the royal family of Hyrule. In this duty, secrecy has long been our greatest weapon. That includes the secrets of our past, and the secrets we keep from ourselves." She says, speaking carefully and with intention. "There are many secrets which are kept from the children of our village. The Trial is about uncovering those hidden truths as one becomes an adult. It is also about preserving our history, bringing it out from the shadows and into the light. We learn our past to sustain our future, we bring it back so it isn't forgotten, and we discover what is unknown about ourselves so we can fully know who it is we become." She pauses, and sighs a gentle sigh, smiling a soft smile. Something flashes behind her eyes as she regards you for a quiet moment. "When you are ready, go to Yaro at the boatyard, he will give you your father's canoe. You will go to Catacomb Island and enter the Shadow Temple, and you must find one Sheikah Artifact to return here to the village. You will discover more than relics inside, however, and by learning and keeping the secrets of our past, you will have transitioned into your adulthood." You nod, smiling confidently. You will not fail. "Also, your friend Tano came by just before the sun rose to wish you a happy birthday. He wanted to say goodbye to you, he will be leaving soon for the mainland, to fight against theWarlord. You can find him in the watchtower." She adds, nodding. Finally, she reaches into her robes, and then extends her hand out to you, holding a red rupee for you to take. "Last of all, please take this, Zuzo, a small birthday gift from your grandmother. I love you very much, and will be here waiting for your return." You take the rupee, and release a satisfied exhale, bowing to her slightly from where you're seated. Then you enjoy the wonderful breakfast she prepared for you. What will you do next? >Go to the watchtower to see Tano >Go to the merchant's hut to spend your rupees>Go to the boatyard to speak with Yaro
>>6331575>Go to the watchtower to see TanoGotta hit up our boi
>>6331575>>Go to the watchtower to see Tanoinb4 he forms this timeline's yiga clan and we end up having a tearful final duel 10 years from now
>>6331575> go to the watch tower
>>6331575>Go to the watchtower to see TanoGotta tell him not to end the war too quickly, we still want a piece of the action ourselves!
>>6331586Heh, I like that
>>6331575>>6331586 +1>Go to the watchtower to see Tano
When you've finished eating, you pack a couple of boiled eggs and a small box of rice into your bag, and wash your bowl. You also take your Wooden Katana off of it's display on the wall of your bedroom, and sheath it at your waist. Finally, you step out of your house and onto the soft sand of Hidden Village Island. There are only dozen or so buildings, mostly one or two bedroom houses of dark, old lumber with grey paper windows. A few are larger, however, like the four story Pagoda of Whispers in the center of the village, where the Elders meet to confer on matters both worldly and spiritual. The inland side of the village features a handful of rice terraces just alongside the treeline, and the farmers have already begun working them for the day while the sun is low and the breeze is warm. On the beach, a couple of middle aged men are fishing with long bamboo rods, and near them is the wooden pier that extends out into the open water, with short docks extending along the left side, closer to you. There are a few canoes and sailboats still tied down, but most are out at sea, collecting fish or awaiting pearl divers to below the surface to return. Past the pier, on the far end of the beach, is the start of a stone path that ascends up a cliff face just along the water's edge. You make your way directly there. Gentle waves dash against the ancient steps, spraying bits of cool salt water on the side of your leg as you bound up to the plateau where a tall bamboo watchtower is situated. You waste no time climbing up the ladder, and when you start to emerge at the belvidere, you see Tano is facing out to the ocean in front of you, and positioned in a battle stance. Above his head, between his knuckles, he is holding the Gale Shuriken, the powerful Sheikah Artifact he recovered from the Shadow Temple a little over a year ago when he came of age. You also notice there are lengths of parchment hanging sporadically from the canopy of the watchtower, affixed to strings, with monsters drawn on them in black ink brush strokes. You don't move, staying on the ladder with only your head having come up above the bamboo platform that serves as a floor here. "AIYAH!" With this battle cry, Tano arcs his arm and looses all three of the Gale Shuriken at three of the paper targets. They slice the substitute beasts in half despite being narrower in diameter than the paper - blades of cutting wind carry the projectiles through the air. What's more, this magical wind curves their trajectory, and each individual shuriken diverges in flight path, honing in on separate targets. In only a moment, they've bisected another two pieces of parchment each, and returned to Tano, who catches them from the air with one hand. When he does so, he turns to the side, and notices you at the ladder. >Cont'd
Tano is a bit taller than you, and already wearing the armor of a Sheikah warrior. He's just a little over a year older than you, having turned eighteen just two months before the Warlord marched on Hyrule Castle and the surrounding city that thousands call home. The traditional training regimen of a Sheikah assassin is one year, and just a few days prior, Tano completed the final rite. You have long thought that you might do the same, so you could also travel to Hyrule to fight alongside your mother. "Oh, Zuzo, there you are. I'm glad you came by, I wanted to wish you well on your birthday." Tano says, eyes expressing his gladness at seeing you despite much of his face being masked. "I told your grandmother to let you rest longer, just so you know, at least one last time. When you become a ninja, you have to be awake early every day." He goes on. You smile, and nod to him. It will take more than that to scare you off the warrior's path. Tano tucks away his shuriken, and crosses his arms, then shifts his gaze back to the ocean. "I also wanted to say goodbye to you, Zuzo, at least for now. I don't know when I will return here, and I will have to leave before you return from your trial, I'm sorry to say. The boat that is coming to take me is on a very tight schedule, it's very tricky business to get to and from the coast because of the blockade." He says, turning back to look at you. To this, you quirk a brow, and then tilt your head slightly. "That's right, you wouldn't have heard. Admiral Onox has established a naval blockade of the Lost Marsh. He's the top naval officer in the Warlord's army. Luckily, don't pay Kakariko Atoll any mind or send any warships because they think we're just peasant farmers with canoes, and no interest in going to the mainland." He explains, and his eyes become a touch smug towards the end. He removes a wood and brass telescope from its leather holster on the small of his back, and holds it out to you. "See, look right out there." The ninja invites you. Tano points out towards the horizon in the direction he was facing earlier. You put the telescope to your eye and peer through it in the direction he gestures to. Looking through the glass you see the silhouettes of big ironclad battleships in the far distance, arranged neatly in a row. It seems impossible to you that a few Sheikah could ever sneak past undetected. You frown, and hand him back the telescope. >Cont'd
Tano accepts it from you with a nod. "But that's where I have to go. Beyond the Lost Marsh is a great big lagoon, that's the domain of the Zora, see? There's a garrison of Hylian infantry there, and that's where I have to go in order to receive my first mission..." He trails off at that, and sighs. "You've always been a great friend to me, Zuzo, you're like my brother. I'm going to miss you when I'm out there... So don't skip any of your training, I want you at my back as soon as you're able, alright?" You stand tall and proud, a confident smirk creeps across your face. You nod once, emphatically. "Good. In return, I promise not to win the whole war on my own, ok? Wouldn't want you to miss out on the action." He responds, giving you a sarcastic looking sideye. Then he sighs, and laces the fingers of his hands together behind his head, with his elbows out in either direction. He stares out in the direction of the blockade again. "Say, I haven't given you your birthday gift yet, have I?" He says suddenly. Your friend steps over to his ruck sack, which is leaned against the railing of the watchtower, and kneels down to remove something. When he stands back up and turns around, he is holding out a black mask that comes to a point at the chin, with three points at the top, adorned with the red Eye of Sheikah symbol your people are known by on its face, and lacking any other features at all. You step over to him and accept it. You have received... The Sheikah Mask! This mask can conceal your identity, which is often necessary for Sheikah assassins. The mask also provides some armor protection to your head, and will always remind you of your friend Tano. When you put the mask away, Tano can't help but sigh again, placing a hand on your shoulder. "You'll need this when you're a ninja like me, Zuzo, and I know it won't be long at all before you are. Thanks for being my friend all these years. Until I see you again, right?" He says. You nod, and the two of you embrace in a tight hug. After that, you climb down the ladder to the base of the watchtower. From here you can see Yaro on the end of the pier, and the merchant's hut. You also notice a Rito woman with tawny brown feathers and a messenger's bag near the Pagoda of Whispers. Now that you're through seeing Tano, day has fully broken and you're into the early morning. You have some time for another quick errand or two, you think, before going to Catacomb Island. Still, you pay attention to the sun, as you wouldn't want to be exploring the Shadow Temple alone after dark... What will you do next? >Go to the boatyard to speak with Yaro >Go to the merchant's hut to spend your rupees >Go to the Pagoda to meet the Rito woman >Write-in
>>6331730>Go to the merchant's hut to spend your rupees
>>6331730>Go to the Pagoda to meet the Rito womanCan't leave the tutorial zone until we've broken every pot, cut all the grass and having spoken to all the characters.
>>6331730>Go to the Pagoda to meet the Rito woman >>6331751 is right, damn it.
>>6331730>>Go to the merchant's hut to spend your rupees
>>6331730>Go to the Pagoda to meet the Rito womanAlso lemme just say that I like how you're incorporating the whole 'Doesn't really speak' tradition of the LoZ games, QM. Wasn't too sure of it at first, but it's pretty endearing now that I read it!
>>6331730>>Go to the Pagoda to meet the Rito woman
You make your way down the steps, and across the beach towards the Pagoda. You pause only once, when a small, purple crab scuttles across your path, and soon you are within earshot of the Rito woman, treading up the dirt trail that leads to the center of the village. Visitors to the island are very rare, as the Sheikah have been mostly forgotten by their mainland counterparts. You can recall seeing a handful of different Hylians and Zora over the years, and perhaps twice one of the Rito."Hoy!" She waves and greets you as you approach. Closer now, you can tell from the fading at the edge of her feathers that she is in her late middle age. She has a blue Hylian robe on and a leather messenger's bag slung over her shoulder. She smiles when you're finally just in front of her. "Hey there, I think I know who you are. Do you remember me?" She asks when you come to a stop. You consider for a moment. She does seem familiar, but you aren't sure why. You shake you head. She nods understandingly in response. "Well that's ok, when you first met me you were still very young. My name is Medlali, I was a friend of your father's back at Hyrule University. You must be Zuzo, right?" You answer her question with a confirmatory nod, crossing your arms. "I thought so, my how you've grown... I almost couldn't tell it was you, at first, but you look so much like him." Medlali says, pausing for a moment to really look at you. "Anyways, I was away from the University on an expedition when the siege began. Since I couldn't go back, I became a courier for the resistance. That's why I came to Kakariko Atoll, actually. I was sent by Impa with several letters. I just delivered the first of them to Captain Kuro over on Ironclad Island, and a couple more to the Elders here at the Pagoda. My last letter is for you, and I was just headed over to leave it with Momoh; your mother said that you may be busy today with your Trial. I'm so glad you hadn't left yet, she'll be so glad to know that I saw you and that you're alright." Her voice is soft and kind, and she reaches into her bag as she explains her business on the island. It doesn't take her long, and she holds out a letter in a plain white envelope bearing a red wax seal embossed with the Eye of Sheikah. >Cont'd
Excitedly, you accept the letter and waste no time opening it to read. It says: Zuzo, Happy birthday, son! I miss you terribly every day, but I wanted this letter to reach you in time so that you know I am thinking of you always. I know you will have great success in your Trial of Illumination, and am looking forward so much to seeing you again and hearing about the Sheikah Artifact you recover. The war has grinded itself to a halt. The trenches and battlements of the siege are impossible for troops to penetrate. My task has been to sneak across from Hyrule Castle to the garrisons and fortresses outside of the siege, spying on the enemy and delivering tactical commands from the Hylian general, in hopes of mounting an attack that can break through. For now, I am resting at an outpost on the Faron Steppe, but soon must return to the Castle with word from our Goron allies about the skirmishes in the East. Remember always that I love you with all my heart, Zuzo. I would give anything to be able to spend this special day with you, but I must fight for the world that I want you to live in. I pray to the Goddess that we will be able to win before you have completed your training. I know you will make a fine warrior, but no mother wants to see her son bleed, even for a good cause. Take good care of your grandmother for me, and be diligent in your work and studies. I feel in my heart we will see each other soon, and it gives me strength. With all the love under the moon and stars, Impa You tuck the letter away in your bag, a calm smile on your face. You take a big, deep breath, and let out a long sigh, somewhat at ease to know your mother is well. Medlali adjusts her bag a little, and shifts her weight. "Say, would you want to write a letter for me to take to your mother? I'd be happy to deliver it for free, just think of it as a little birthday gift from an old friend. Here." She says cheerily, and pulls another letter and envelope from her bag, these ones blank, with a bit of twine to seal it. Write a letter to your mother, vote on which letter to send. You only have a small piece of paper, so it can't be too long (1500 character limit).
>>6331892>Mother>I will make you and Father proud, I just know I will find something extra special during my pilgrimage! Something that no one else has ever found before, for real! Don't laugh, I'll show it to you when we next meet, it will be the most spectacular thing you've ever seen. Honest!>ᴬnᵈ ʸᵉˢ, ᴵ ʷᶦˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵍʳᵃnᵈᵐᵃ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᶜʰᵒʳᵉˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵈᵃʸ, ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐᶦˢᵉ.>Wait for me,>ZuzoI'm not the best letter writer by far, but I think this is fine enough for a character we haven't quite fleshed out yet personality wise.
>>6331969Haha that chore line is cute!! And, to be honest, I felt this might be an opportunity to let players apply a little more personality to Zuzo and see what sticks. I might do stuff like this sporadically in the story, it will probably be challenging to walk the line between undermining that classic Zelda vibe of a mostly silent, minimally expressive protag... And having our MC feel hollow or boring. Though! I do think the exploration and action of the world are what anchor all of the LoZ stories, yaknow?
>>6331969+1yeah funny if we never really speak verbally but then we get all expressive when we write.
>>6331969+1>>6331977>>6331892I like it.
>>6331977>I felt this might be an opportunity to let players apply a little more personality to Zuzo and see what sticks, I might do stuff like this sporadically in the storyFair, but be cautious in leaving things too open ended when you do. In my experience with the board, complete freedom of input tends to leave most anons stunlocked, it might be better to provide some gentle direction instead or you risk grinding the quest to a halt because no one has the courage to post first. Or alternatively you might end up getting only safe, boring ones like mine lol.
>>6331969also +1ing this
>>6332142I thought yours was quite nice, anon. It sets us up as ambitious, eager to prove ourselves to both parents, and maybe a little immature still.
>>6332142>>6332149I think good advice, but I do agree with the other anon! A good start(:
