SMT Reflections (RP Overview)

Welcome to the Shin Megami Tensei RP, SMT Reflections. Players will take on the role of a Vanguard - a protector of humanity against hostile demons - and go on missions to recruit new demons, empower their spells and weapons, and learn the expanding story behind this apocalyptic landscape.

For anyone wanting to further research the SMT series, you can find all the information you could possibly need on the wiki.

https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Shin_Megami_Tensei_(Series)

All questions and discussion should take place on the SMT Discord thread here.

https://discordapp.com/channels/315536088854822923/559354127906242584

One day that should have been like any other, a cataclysmic event occurred. Demons poured onto the earth, and the history of the world was altered.

Very few records exist from those times. Most of humanity died out, but some strong survivors were able to band together and fight off the hostile demons with the help of some more friendly ones. They formed a city called Chaldea, an impregnable fortress against all attacks, and humanity began to once more grow and thrive. Chaldea is divide into two zones, an inner and outer ring. In the Lower Ring, humans and friendly demons co-mingle together in relative comfort. In the Upper Ring, only humans are allowed, and all administrative buildings are located here, such as the Vanguard Barracks and the Basilica where the Council of Three are located.

Within the city, life is peaceful and serene. This peace is held together with heavy rules and regulations set down by the Council of Three, such as how many people can live inside the city at any one point and whether people have permission to enter or leave.

The city's space was finite, however, and eventually smaller towns and villages began to form outside the city, growing increasingly far apart. Without the same protections that Chaldea has, they often suffer from attacks by demons. In exchange for the supplies and resources they send to Chaldea, however, they're offered the protection of the Vanguard, who serve to be the shield between humanity and the hostile forces of demonkind.

The Vanguards were established by Chaldea to set up a protective force against hostile demons that would seek to hurt or kill people outside the walls of the city. They are given room and board in the Vanguard Barracks located in the Upper Ring of the city and provided a stipend to help with any necessities they require. Vanguards are treated with great respect by most people.

Trainees to become Vanguards must be at least 18 years of age. They learn how to fight wit the weapon(s) of their choice, how to channel and use magatsuhi in spells, and how to summon and control demons. The amount of time to become a Vanguard will vary depending on the trainees' skills and confidence. Trainees can take the Mark of Mastery exam at any time they feel comfortable, but they are only given one chance to pass.

Once they pass the Mark of Mastery exam, the new Vanguards are given a badge that they wear on their person's to indicate their new status. They are then allowed to start taking official missions issued by the Council of Three, as well as unofficial missions from the citizens of Chaldea.

Alignment shows your views on the world, whether you believe in peace and order at the cost of freedom, strength and freedom at the cost of others, or a balanced view of the two.

Law Favor (LF) minus Chaos Favor (CF)

Everyone starts neutral. You’ll get some choices that award either LF (Law Favor) or CF (Chaos Favor) as you progress. The number of points doesn’t matter. What matters is the difference in points. 0 LF and 0CF is the same as 50 LF and 50 CF because the difference is still 0

Alignment = LF - CF

If the difference becomes too high, you’ll skew from Neutral to Law or Chaos alignment. Once you reach True Law or True Chaos, you’ll leave the city and become locked into your Alignment. Alignment also affected recruitment of demons.

True Neutral, Neutral Law, and Neutral Chaos can recruit all types
Law can recruit Law or Neutral
Chaos can only recruit Neutral or Chaos
True Law can only recruit Law
True Chaos can only recruit Chaos

True Law: +100 <-> +50
Law: +50 <-> +25
Neutral Law: +25 <-> +5
Neutral: +5 <-> -5 (True Neutral = 0)
Neutral Chaos: -25 <-> -5
Chaos: -50 <-> -25
True Chaos: -100 <-> -50

Vanguards can recruit demons on missions and store them in their gauntlets. Players will be prompted during the course of a mission when a recruiting opportunity arises, and players a choose if they want to recruit the demon or not. If all available slots in a gauntlet are filled, then the player will be required to release one of their demons first.

Once recruited them, demons are bound to your gauntlet and will come forward when summoned to do what's asked of them - from fighting in battle to scouting or performing needed tasks. Once a demon is recruited, the player will take control of them.

Summoning a demon costs the Vanguard's maga. Once summoned, the demon will use its own supply of maga, though the Vanguard can supply it with their own maga. Once a demon runs out of maga, it will de-summon and return to the Vanguard's gauntlet. Demons recover their maga with time, but they recover faster while contained within the gauntlet.

Alignment will affect what demons can be recruited. See ALIGNMENT for more information

pending...

Mission will be posted for any players to take. Missions can be divided into three categories: Quest Missions, Story Missions, and Fiend Hunts.

Quest Missions are standalone missions to complete a task with their own independent, contained plot. These are often the best methods for recruiting demons. Quest Missions are restricted from 1-4 participants.

Story Missions will advance the rp's central plot. Completing story missions offers rewards to all participating Vanguards. All active participants can take place in Story Missions.

Fiend Hunts provide a challenging side-plot that fleshes out the backstory of the world and its place in the greater SMT universe. Fiend Hunts have no recruitment opportunities, but they will provide Deathstones, a unique item whose purpose will be revealed later. Fiend Hunts are restricted from 1-4 participants. Only one of the participants will receive the Deathstone (if any).

Players cannot participate in more than one mission at a time. Once a mission is completed, players have a chance to use their unique class ability within either the Forge, the Cathedral of Shadows, or the Hall of Learning. See these areas for more information. The more missions you complete, the more often you can use your class ability and the faster you'll progress.

The story thus far...