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[OOC] A Game of Trust

I've been presuming Xiao to be from somewhere off-map, overseas... Somewhere that's not going to come into play too soon (if ever), at least. I have been meaning to develop a bit of history/culture for that reason, as it relates to Sanadun (a not-entirely-elven kingdom), at least culturally speaking. Although I don't see that coming into play any time soon, either; it's just part of my compulsive fleshing-out of things behind the scenes.

If you have any input you'd like to share on the culture Xiao comes from, feel free. There's certainly room in the world for you guys to contribute your own idesa.
 

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I've pretty much been playing him a chinese monk. Ancient China was a pretty amazing place, even without any fantasy elements. Throw in some dragons, a bit of magic and you would have an amazing place.

I think Xiao spoke a little about his homeland shortly after rejoining the group. But I can't remember what he said. I like the idea of dark elves in the kingdom, but perhaps not so much evil as the canon suggests. Not sure how the drow fit into your setting.

thotd
 

Drow never really fit into my conception of this world's equivalent to the Underdark, so dark elves (of no particular alignment) work fine.

Unfortunately my knowledge of Ancient China is limited at best... An amalgam of Confucianism and Buddhism could be pretty interesting, if difficult, from a D&D-perspective -- keeping a respectful distance from the divine rather than building temples and invoking their power whenever possible. The notion of nature spirits figures in there as well, as the elves of Sesphar (another distant off-shoot from the same source culture) have already introduced. In this case, acknowledging their existence (which the conventional pantheonic culture either disavows or ignores), but choosing to keep a distance.

Thoughts on this? I'm not sure if Confucianism or Buddhism post-date the era you're aiming for (I'd generally taken Xiao to be of the Shaolin tradition, but then, isn't Xiao a Confucian name?)... Anyway, I'll try to track down Xiao's introduction, and build from there.
 

Guilt Puppy said:
Unfortunately my knowledge of Ancient China is limited at best... An amalgam of Confucianism and Buddhism could be pretty interesting, if difficult, from a D&D-perspective -- keeping a respectful distance from the divine rather than building temples and invoking their power whenever possible. The notion of nature spirits figures in there as well, as the elves of Sesphar (another distant off-shoot from the same source culture) have already introduced. In this case, acknowledging their existence (which the conventional pantheonic culture either disavows or ignores), but choosing to keep a distance.

Thoughts on this? I'm not sure if Confucianism or Buddhism post-date the era you're aiming for (I'd generally taken Xiao to be of the Shaolin tradition, but then, isn't Xiao a Confucian name?)... Anyway, I'll try to track down Xiao's introduction, and build from there.
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Your knowledge of Ancient China sounds like it is better than mine. I have no idea whether Xiao is a Confucian name. I think I just pulled it from a list of common chinese names. I haven't any particular tradition in mind, the Shaolin monks are probably what I tend to think of when I think of Xiao.

I suppose i had in mind a fairly centralised empire, strongly centralised and administered by a powerful bureaucracy. In other words, a fairly sterotypical view of ancient china. I'll give it some thought and get back to you. But as you said, its unlikely that the area will ever need fleshing out.

thotd.
 

Hey doghead, waddaya mean, the art of accupuncture isn't practiced in these lands? Raven is a hardcore accupuncturist. I admit, he has his own style, and his needles are a bit large, but people underestimate the effort it takes to put just enough pull on the bow so that the arrow just pierces the skin. Unfortunately, all the patients have died sofar, but he's determined to keep on trying.
 



It's ruined, DrZ.

I took this job all the way across the country, and the irony is now that a ticket to Europe is that much more affordable, I don't have the free time to leave for three days, let alone four weeks.

The best I can say is that I *will* make it out to Europe, and when I do, we're going to watch a football match.
 

Well, try to come next year, we'll go and watch the worldcup rugby in france. A real sport for real men :D .

All kidding aside, y'all is more then wellcome to cross an ocean of choice and spend a few days(weeks) at the Zombie Mansion.
 


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