Misc ideas for Seanchan

[ray]

Since the social ladder is very important for the Seanchan. I was thinking of making that part of the clan ranks, meaning the person starts as covale.... and after a VERY LONG time makes their way into the Blood and eventually become High Lord. But there should be a maximum number of people who are part of the Blood at the same time. And obviously these persons must be very active, and have to rp all the time.

Seanchan female channeler can become sul'dam but only after at least 6months-1yr of training(irl). Or they can become da'mane and become sul'dam after only six months(also irl). But the da'mane must rp as da'mane, meaning they have to expect to be treating worse than dogs, and obviously they must also be very active.

As for the other exotics handler, der'morat, raken, toraken... It's basically like any other normal clan. But the first 2-3 ranks the person must act like the tower novices they must clean the stalls take out the manure(HAHAHAHA). And as soon as they get passed these ranks they get a pet(well a raken, toraken, grolm. Basically whatever they are trying to be). And each time they gain a new rank, they get a stronger pet. The pets will help their trainer in combat, each pet will have different advantages of course. But it is obvious that only dodge/light combo ppl can ride raken.

Going back to the ranks, people at low level don't have to rp as slaves all the time, but it should be strongly encouraged. People must at all time be in the Seanchan clan.

Since we're pre-Aiel war, i also suggest that certain wetlanders may serve as spies for the Return.

[Tular]

RE: Birth Status
Seanchan are very inflexible when it comes to social standing. For them, everyone is born to a station, and must live with that fact. Indeed, actively attempting to improve ones station will likely result in a visit from the Seekers, and a new career as imperial property.

A da'covale is unlikely to ever rise to the Blood. If their owner is capable of setting them up with a means of supporting themself comfortably, they may be released to become a free man, but it is extremely unlikely that same person would then be raised, even for a great act of service to the Throne, as such an award has potential to shake the very foundations of society. At best, there may be hope for some decendant.

This is not to say that only those born of the Blood can achieve positions of power. A Seeker for Truth is property of the Empress, yet even Highblood step cautiously around them. Likewise so'jhin have positions of authority likely unmatched by many free men.

All this taken into account, each group (da'covale, free, blood) is very distinctive, and needs to be treated separately. Being raised from one group to the next is the greatest of honours. Finding yourself da'covale is the biggest of punishments. Reflecting this in game terms will be something that requires alot of testing before a near-perfect balance can be found.

RE: Channelers
We actually have the coded means already to determine who has potential as a sul'dam, and who will be damane. That is, any woman born a wilder will be found out when tested, and become damane. Any woman not a wilder but that may learn may become a sul'dam. As per the books, all sul'dam will be systematically tested in case they have learnt to embrace, in which case, they get collared.

There has been alot of debate surrounding player sul'dam and damane, and exactly how control of an a'dam will work. The biggest query is 'who would want to play a damane?'
Initially it may prove worthwhile introducing some damane mobs that player sul'dam can take control of if no player damane is online. This will at least allow them to be active when others aren't available to play.
Player damane will likely only be a draw to good rpers, and we will likely find sul'dam-damane teams that work well together in similar ways as you have warder-aes sedai. The blade of a damane, of course, will be somewhat more destructive than a gaidin's sword. As such, we'll likely have sul'dam having a 'favorite' when it comes time to go to work.

RE: Exotics
Starting out mucking stores sounds about on par with any other apprenticeship in the world, so sounds good. I'm not sure if I'd treat exotics as much like 'pets' as a cavalryman's mount. The two grow together as they train, rather than a new better one being issued as morat becomes more experienced. In some cases choice of an exotic isn't in the players hands at all. Torm, for example, will pick their own rider.


Generally, the ideas seem to have had some thought behind them, but I wonder if in some cases ideas have been limited by thought as to what the mud can currently handle. The great thing about development is, we can either make it work, or look at mulitple ways of getting close.

Oh, final note on Seanchan time period. At this stage the Return is in training, and will be for a further generation before setting out across the sea. If I understand Captain Assid Bakuun's memories correctly, this is around about the time Marendalar revolts, resulting finally in 1.5 million da'covale being shipped back to the mainland. Between that, and occassional contact with Atha'an Miere, seanchan should be fairly busy when open. In addition, the world has many portal stones, and who knows what knowledge in lost tomes...

[yurai]

But how will you guys decide what a player's station will be-random rolling. And if that is the way you guys use, could a reward for excellent (and i mean excellent-as in godly) rp be that a pc can decide the position of a new character they can create as long as it isnt already taken.

And about the exotics, what I meant was that the pc would get a new stronger mob- but they'd still rp as though it was their original one that got stronger. Unless you guys want to make it so that the exotics can gain levels/skills and whatnot. By skills what I mean is that maybe a torm (or whatever has 3 eyes and looks like a huge cat) could be thought to charge something over time.

And also will Seekers be a secret clan?