In the Sons of Sword series, there is a computer game that is very incredibly popular. This game is called Champions of Battle. It is set at a similar time as the Sons of Sword Universe but has an added layer of fiction to it. Although the characters are built like Crishi, their skills are very different.
Just about every addictive game we have today has been put into this computer world where everything has an effect on everything else. Everything down to the food that is available to the champions and the design of some of the towns are controlled by the players. A champion gains experience and levels by completing quests. These quests range from helping someone build a wall to growing food to defeating groups of enemies. The player could choose to be a farmer or merchant and level without fighting. The player could also choose to be a warrior, battling until their heart is content. The choice is up to the player.
Even if a player chooses not to gain levels by fighting they have to choose their talent sets. There are currently twenty four talent sets to choose from. Players can choose up the three of them making more than two thousand unique combinations. Each talent set covers a unique area of combat with its own moves. A champion’s talent sets are not known unless the player tells the secret.
Any champion can use any weapon or armor. Even healers can use big guns and heavy armor. This affects their movement speed more than anything. However, once a champion gets used to heavy equipment, they can gain strength and move fast enough to be acceptable in combat. Equipment can be enchanted with Hanja (Chinese characters) that increase or decrease a champion’s stats. The champion’s weapons have an effect on available moves.
There are bosses with unique equipment that players can take after defeating them. However, if an attack is failed, the champion may be captured and robbed themselves. They could have quests to slowly escape the area or create a rescue mission for others to complete. They can also pay certain computer controlled characters to find their lost equipment.
The quests are unforgiving and have a direct result on the environment. If there is a daily quest to help someone build a wall, the wall will slowly noticeably complete. The amount of help the quest giver receives determines how fast the wall finishes.
If a quest is failed, the quest giver may not be willing to give the champion that same quest again. They may have to resort to doing much easier quests for much less of a reward and experience. Quests can also be stolen from other players. A player may have a quest to collect a certain amount of supplies. If the champion takes too long, the quest giver could get the supplies from other champions and not need them anymore.
There is no maximum level for champions. However, there is a point where it gets harder and harder to find enemies that give enough experience level quickly. Champions would have to resort to using stat reducing Hanja while questing or dueling against similar level champions.
A champion’s actions also have a direct effect on the environment. If a city is attacked, it will need to be repaired and the computer controlled citizens will have to be encouraged not to flee to safer places. The computer controlled guards will have to be trained before they become strong enough to defend the city against the wildlife and other dangers. A city can hire hordes of champions to battle enemy cities.
There can be bounties on champions if they do too many dishonorable things. Robbing caravans; initiating combat with champions that are much weaker; vandalism; killing too many guards; and aiding in a raid against a city’s ally are good ways to get bounties placed on a champion. If the bounty is high enough, it may get the attention of other champions around the world. If that happens, there could be too many champions hunting the bounty for the target champion to have a day without running from everyone.
While playing against the environment, a player can control up to four champions at the same time. However, while initiating combat against other players, the players can control only one.
In the Champions of Battle stories, the characters abide by these rules. They have adventures telling about the different dungeons and quest types. When someone is playing Champions of Battle in the Sons of Sword series, there is usually a story in the Champions of Battle series detailing the specifics of what happens. Dialog is added to make the story flow better but the end result is still the same.
The Champions of Battle world is much wilder than the Sons of Sword world. It is free roam and fiction for the players. However, there are enough consequences for dishonorable actions to discourage utter chaos. Most of the player on player violence happens in agreed battle zones and dueling arenas. Every now and then, a city’s ruler can be convinced to war or ally with another city.
With the semi realistic, social, and ever-changing environment there is little wonder that Champions of Battle has become such an exciting and addictive game in the Sons of Sword Universe.
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