the introduction of the skinning system allows defenders to transform the appearance of their combat gear while retaining its original stats and enhancements.
this feature is not just cosmetic; it is deeply tied to the cultural, psychological, and ceremonial aspects of a defender’s identity.
ensuring our defenders feel represented by their sprite is a guiding tenant for the immortals. this system enables even more customization, inspiring iconic and unique representations of the personalities who make up our community.
From a storytelling point of view, Samhan exists in plain sight and in real time. You, the defender, have a rich and full life that you left behind when you arrived on the shores of Qi’an. Your native languages, education and entire gaming background are all relevant to the character you communicate with the world. Appearance skinning ensures you are the aesop of your own narrative, where your path and insight are just two aspects of your perpetually evolving character arc.
For many defenders, the appearance of their gear is a reflection of their heritage and values. By skinning their equipment, they align with the symbols and traditions of their homeland (within Qi’an, beyond its borders or outside of the realm of Samhan entirely), drawing strength from their culture.
Ceremonial occasions and rituals also play a role in the need for skinning. Whether honoring a tradition or preparing for a special event, defenders can adapt their gear’s appearance to meet the demands of the moment. In certain environments, skinning becomes a practical choice for camouflage or deception, allowing defenders to blend in or mislead their opponents.
skinning in Samhan Chronicles is rooted in the ancient practice of elemancy—the manipulation of quintessence, the essence of the five elements. through a range of processes, defenders can alter the appearance of their gear in ways that reflect the element it is most attuned to.
Catalyzed Illusions allow defenders to create visually striking effects, like transforming a sword into a flaming blade or enveloping armor in living vines. Elemental Alignment offers a way to visually express a gear’s elemental affinity, while Quintessence Crafting enables subtle enhancements tied to the chosen skin. This practice is a rediscovery of ancient techniques, connecting modern defenders with the legendary warriors of the past.
catalyzed illusions
Elemancers can use elemental catalysts—like leaves imbued with wood quintessence or gemstones charged with fire—to create powerful illusions that mask the true form of their equipment. These illusions are not just surface-level; they are living expressions of the element’s characteristics. A fire-aligned skin might transform a sword into a blade wreathed in flames, while a wood-aligned skin could envelop armor in a living, vine-covered exoskeleton.
elemental alignment
As defenders gather quintessence and deepen their understanding of elemancy, they gain the ability to align the appearance of their gear with the element it is most attuned to. This process of alignment not only reflects the elemental affinity of the equipment but also serves as a visual cue to others. A defender clad in water-aligned armor may evoke the fluidity and adaptability of the element, while a metal-aligned weapon might gleam with an unbreakable sheen.
quintessence crafting
Master elemancers possess the ability to craft skins using raw quintessence. These crafted skins are more than just visual enhancements—they can subtly augment certain elemental attributes of the gear. A water-aligned skin might offer a slight reduction in fire damage, while a metal-aligned skin could increase the intimidation factor in battle. Quintessence crafting thus allows defenders to tailor their equipment’s appearance and functionality to their specific needs.
uhh... TLDRwhat?
post highlights:
#1) we have appearance skinning fully operational!
#2) the sky is the limit on how we plan to implement this into all aspects of your sprites outward appearance as well as your inclient interactions
#3) it won’t be added to the client build (per the download link) until next week at the earliest
THANKS FOR READING!
Jack