Again, that varies between who you choose as your parents.
I'll just list examples off for all of them so you can make an informed choice:
If you crit success as a noble then your parents would be very high ranking nobles within the State of Qin, such as your father being a Duke and/or General.
If you crit success as a merchant then your parents will be the head of a Great Merchant house, with all the wealth and status that it entails.
If you crit success as a peasant then your parents will be well-regarded peasants, still not nobles, but other peasants will be in awe of their achievements, such as one of them being a war hero or a retainer to a great noble.
Also, just so you are all aware, while warfare and battles will obviously be a focus of this quest since this is the Warring States period after all, there will be periods where you are away from the battlefield.
What you do with that time is up to you, but the end and all and be all of power in this time period is not wholly invested in the soldiers and generals. While some options have more leeway than others in what you could choose to do with that time, none of them are necessarily the right choice. So, while having a high martial stat is important, there is more for you to do than simply train when you aren't fighting.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
What you do with that time is up to you, but the end and all and be all of power in this time period is not wholly invested in the soldiers and generals. While some options have more leeway than others in what you could choose to do with that time, none of them are necessarily the right choice. So, while having a high martial stat is important, there is more for you to do than simply train when you aren't fighting.
Since you did mention one of the stats I might as well flesh out what they do and affect:
Diplomacy: It affects how well you communicate with others. While a low diplomacy stat will not hurt you if you are talking to peasants, it will if you are trying to talk to nobles or make a deal with another merchant. Those with higher diplomacy stats often end up as courtiers diplomats in the courts of Royalty. It does very well when combined with a good learning stat.
Martial: It determines how well versed you are in warfare and combat. This is probably one you should focus on as you will be fighting quite often. A high martial score helps you when it comes to personal combat as well as when you are in command. You don't necessarily need a high learning stat to make full use of your martial score, however, the higher learning stat you have the more strategies and tactics are available to you. Keep in mind that there are Generals who have a high martial stat and low learning stat, those Generals are the instinctive type ( a term from the manga). Instinctive Generals are those who can read the flow and feel of the battle, and pick out key moments within a battle, even if they aren't necessarily the best tactical thinkers. While most Commanders fall within the category of either an instinctive or strategical general, there are the rare few who possess both qualities.
Stewardship: This basically determines how good you are at handling your finances. Having a good stewardship score will help you better maintain your family finances and earn an income. This is the most important statistic for a merchant as it also affects how financially savvy you are and help you understand how to best make a deal. Stewardship is also something that will affect what you do as a Commander, because while you are given a stipend from the State to equip and pay your troops, a higher stewardship stat will allow you to find the best deals to better equip them.
Intrigue: It affects how good you are at scheming, plotting, and committing acts of skullduggery. This is a stat which varies in usefulness depending on your starting choice. As a peasant, you generally won't have to deal with this statistic unless you end up as a bandit. However, as a merchant or noble, you will need this to help identify plots against you by your rivals or pull one off yourself. Furthermore, having a good intrigue score when paired with a high martial score will allow you to pull off more sneaky and underhanded tactics.
Piety: This stat will be different from what it usually means due to the setting. Unlike in other settings, in Ancient China there was not one major religion that basically dominated all of the states. The Royal Court of Zhou, which still exists at this point in the Quest, had its own religious rites and traditions however those have fallen to the wayside since the Zhou Dynasty effectively collapsed. So while there are vague ideas about concepts such as Heaven, or the Gods, this statistic doesn't really affect. What this statistic does affect is your characters understanding of the major philosophies of the time. There were hundreds of schools of thought back during the Warring States period, however the most prominent that you will have to deal with are Legalism, which is most prevalent in Qin, Confucianism, which is more prominent in the Central Plains states, Mohism, and Taoism.
Learning: This stat basically determines how knowledgeable you are. It is also the most versatile in that if can affect all of your other stats in some way. If you want to be a scholar or bureaucrat in the Qin Bureaucacy, a high learning score is essential for that. However, this stat can also help you when it comes to research as well.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
The future Han Emperor was once a peasant, so it isn't impossible to rise and unite the heavens as a peasant. But, I don't like the odds much.
I'd much rather be a Noble.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
Vote Tally : Uniting All Under Heaven (Kingdom AU CK2 Quest) | Sufficient Velocity ##### NetTally 1.7.5
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders. No. of Votes: 11 DannyboyZero Crazy7s1 Crow Crowhunter JamesShazbond Kingofbooks NuclearConsensus Satar StarkDemise Void Stalker zup
[X] Peasants: You were born to a family of peasants who has tilled the land since before the founding of Qin as a state. Through centuries of turmoil and strife your family has managed to survive where countless others have been laid low by disease, bandits, or war. While your family may not be as prosperous or privileged as the merchants and nobles, they have their own strength them as well. Strength and teachings that have been passed down from generation to generation that has helped your family survive these trying times and earn the respect of your community. No. of Votes: 2 Ghostdevil Usernames
Well, that seems like a pretty clear consensus. I will give it another hour before I close the vote, but in any case, I might as well write the update.
[X] Nobles: You were born into one of the aristocratic families which make up the nobility of Qin. Within the prominent families of Qin, there is a wide range of diversity, with some families being distant relatives to the Royal Family, while others have only recently become ennobled. It is from the nobility that Qin draws its scholar-bureaucrats, administrators, and commanders.
Piety: This stat will be different from what it usually means due to the setting. Unlike in other settings, in Ancient China there was not one major religion that basically dominated all of the states. The Royal Court of Zhou, which still exists at this point in the Quest, had its own religious rites and traditions however those have fallen to the wayside since the Zhou Dynasty effectively collapsed. So while there are vague ideas about concepts such as Heaven, or the Gods, this statistic doesn't really affect. What this statistic does affect is your characters understanding of the major philosophies of the time. There were hundreds of schools of thought back during the Warring States period, however the most prominent that you will have to deal with are Legalism, which is most prevalent in Qin, Confucianism, which is more prominent in the Central Plains states, Mohism, and Taoism.
Your name is Ri Boku, son of Duke Ten and Lady You, and heir to the Ri family. Amongst the nobles of Qin, your family stands near the top, with your family tracing its lineage back to a relative of Duke Mu.
However, all of that is inconsequential to you right now for today you are about to witness your first battle.
==========
After an official missive from Kanyou arrived at your family's estate, your father decided it was time for you to finally leave your family's lands and see the wider world, for he was being summoned to see King Sho himself.
While your father may not be as well-known or talented compared to the more prominent Great Generals of Qin, his service record and military acumen are well regarded within the State of Qin. He is especially known for his:
[] Ferocious Strength: Amongst the Generals of Qin, your father is known to valiantly lead his men from the front. While other Generals would prefer to command their men from the safety of their headquarters, your father is more likely to be leading a charge against the enemy. Most would see such an act as foolishness, however they have likely not seen your father's ferocious strength first hand. With a swing of his mighty glaive and with his men at his back, your father carves deep swathes through the enemy ranks. But, for all that it inspires his men this tactic also has the problem of being the first to meet the arms of the enemy. (Inherit trait, "Strong": +3 martial, +10 to personal combat rolls, bonus to wielding two-handed weapons. Inherit trait, "Huge": +2 martial, +1 diplomacy, +10 to personal combat rolls)
[] Tactical Insight: With his great knowledge of strategy, your father's service record is filled with examples of battles where he simply outwitted, or outmaneuvered the enemy commander. While his detractors have derided him as simply a tabletop strategist, your father has proven time and time again that he is more than just a tactician, but a warrior as well. So, while he may not be expected to win many duels against an opposing General, that is made up by the fact that his opponent will either be dead or fleeing by that point in the battle. (Inherit trait, "Tactical Insight": +1 martial, +1 learning, +1 intrigue, bonuses to learning tactics, bonuses to unit maneuvering. Inherit trait, "Cunning": +1 intrigue, +1 diplomacy, +1 learning, +10 in communication rolls)
[] Martial Prowess: In spite of his upbringing as a traditional staid noble, your father discovered later in life that he was prodigious when it came to warfare. So, no matter if he did not spend as much time studying tactics as other commanders, or trained as much in a particular weapon, he still was able to dominate the battlefield through his sheer genius alone. However, while that genius of his may help him against ordinary opponents, when it comes to opponents more experienced than him, he struggles. (Inherit trait, "Genius": +2 to all stats, +10 to all learning/training rolls. Inherit trait, "Martial Prodigy": +2 martial, +10 to personal combat rolls, +10 to martial training rolls)
==========
During your journey to Kanyou you saw a great many things, however the thing that caught your attention the most was the Qin National Gate, Kankoku Pass.
As your father explained to you Kanyou itself is one of the most impregnable cities in all of China due to the surrounding mountainous terrain making it nearly impossible for an enemy army to sneak by. However, while the terrain was certainly an obstacle, there were locations that an enemy could exploit in order to bypass some of these difficulties and assault Kanyou itself.
That was why Kankoku Pass was built, in order to act as the ultimate shield for the state of Qin. At more than double the height of an average city's wall, and able to hold thousands upon thousands of men, Kankoku Pass seems more than able to serve its function…or so your father says, but you weren't really listening all that much as you stared up at the gigantic wall as you were passing on through.
Once you reach Kanyou you are astounded by the sights within. As you pass by the market with your family you can spy spices on display by men wearing exotic clothing and with dark complexions, horses being sold by nomadic tribesmen, and other wonderful sights that you were not used to seeing at home.
But, before you know it you have reached the Royal Palace district. After parting from your father, who has gone to attend his audience with the King, you and your mother head towards your family's quarters within the district.
While you are walking to your quarters, you find yourself curious about something which has never occurred to you until now. You don't really know all that much about your mother. Considering all of the things you know about your father, much of it through him telling you, you think that it would be nice to get to know your mother a bit better.
"Mother," you ask, as you tug on the sleeves of her robe.
With her introspective look being broken by your tug, she turns to look at you and ask, "Is there something you need Boku?"
Turning to her, with an inquisitive look on your face, you ask, "What did you do before you met father?"
Clearly caught off guard by your question, she pauses for a second before she asks you, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"Because I know so much about father, but I don't really know anything about you, mother."
With an indulgent smile on her face, she reaches down to pat you on the head, and say, "How thoughtful of you Boku!"
With a quick swerve of your head, you try to avoid the pat to no avail.
"Well, to answer your question, before I met your father I was a…"
[] Scholar: Before Lady You met your father, she was one of the few female scholars within Qin. It was mainly her aptitude that allowed her to even enter a field that was normally strictly for men. But over time, her brilliance was proven after research into the fields of metallurgy and legalism yielded great success. (Inherit trait, "Scholarly Mien": +4 learning, +2 piety, -2 intrigue, -2 martial, +10 to research rolls. Gain access to Qin archives)
[] Courtier: One of the reasons Lady You's family was able to arrange a marriage between her and your father was due to her renowned beauty. As the daughter of a powerful noble family, she was able to afford the best her upbringing could afford, and it shows. Many a man are jealous of your father for securing such a radiant flower for his first wife. (Inherit trait, "Handsome": +3 diplomacy, +10 to communication rolls, +20 when dealing with the opposite sex. Allied with the Jo family)
[] Merchant: When Duke Ten's marriage to Lady You was announced, there was a small uproar among the nobility about a noble marrying a meer commoner, no matter how wealthy her family was. Unbeknownst to most of those outside observers, the reason Duke Ten married Lady You was not only because of the immense Dowry they provided for her, but also for her own achievements as a successful merchant that helped her family become so successful. (Inherit trait, "Mercantile Acumen": +4 Stewardship, +10 to commerce rolls. Gain increased income and increased starting family wealth)
==========
After you and your mother arrived in your quarters, it took until late in the afternoon before your father arrived.
Once he was settled, he explained the task set upon him by King Sho. Upon exchanging the customary pleasantries associated with being summoned by the King, your father was tasked with subjugation of the city of Ei, the former Chu capital. After having been conquered by Qin the year before by Great General Hakuki, a 30,000 strong Chu Army arrived and incited a revolt within the city and recaptured it for Chu.
That is why he tells you that in a week he is to set off and take command of a 30,000 strong Qin force to retake the city. Considering the supposed skill of the enemy commander, he thus believes it is safe enough for you and mother to accompany him on this campaign.
==========
And that is why you are currently standing outside your command tent with your mother, watching as your father addresses his troops.
Atop his black warhorse, your father looks intimidating yet regal as he addresses his men in his lacquered armor.
"Men of Qin hear me!" Your father exclaims.
As the men start to quiet down he follows by saying, "The city of Ei has risen in revolt! Even now as I speak the fires of rebellion are spreading across the region, incited by those Chu dogs! Men of Qin, are you willing to let the sacrifice made by your brothers in arms be in vain?"
From the assembled soldiers, you hear a great shout of "No!"
"Be thankful then, honorable soldiers of Qin, for King Sho has given us the chance to reclaim what is ours by right and blood. We are the Subjugation Army that will crush those upstart Chu dogs! O Men of Qin if you will not fight for the glory of our State, for the honor of our King, or for myself then do so with the knowledge that those Chu curs will not stop until they send us and our loved ones into the next world. So, I ask you, soldiers of Qin, are you willing to fight for me?!"
A deafening roar of approval is heard from the soldiers as response to his words.
With sword in hand, your father smiles briefly before shouting, "Move out!"
AN: Well, it looks like you got lucky on the character generation roll for your parents...guess that means you won't be war orphans after all. But anyway, your high roll there was essentially a crit success that made it so I gave you one more trait than usual, so 3 traits to choose from potentially rather than just 2.
Also, if you haven't noticed, the voting option for your father will also determine how he acts for the following battle. So choose wisely.
Anyways, that took forever so now I am going off to bed. I'll answer any reasonable questions you have when I wake up and close the voting in 24 hours.
