The Therianthropy Project

[Greycat]

::Therianthropy Project: Phase One::
A D20 Modern Game

:: Dossiers ::
δ013 'Kit' Christian Tracy James [Greycat] Homo sapiens jubatus-onca
δ016 Shelly Maury [Yellow13] Homo sapiens cynocephalus
δ019 Alessa Chen [Mew77] Homo sapiens manis
δ011 Michael Johnson [Fenix250] Homo sapiens lotor
δ020 Vasily Kotov [DrNightKOT] Homo sapiens lynx
[retconned away... sad...]δ015 Shaen Wou [Zombeh] Homo Sapien Lupus
δ014 Len Norman
δ012 Darren Andrews
δ010 Stacy Wendel
δ017 Esmeralda Folk
δ018 Nathan Figgs

:: Unit Primary ::
Catherine Raine, Dr. [Blazinvire]

InC

Starting post-secondary education is often a challenge. The cost, adjusting to the difference in expectations, housing, the cost. For many students, that was the major hurdle to be overcome, and even with the assistance of parents they are often still a bit on the needy side. It was why researchers who needed subjects for human clinical trails often found the help they needed among students, who were often quite willing to help.

As it was in this situation. Geis Pharmaceuticals. One of the rising stars in the industry recently got the approval to begin the human trials of an experimental drug to improve the overall vitality of the recipient. To be as attractive as possible, not only did they offer a stipend, but also housing and food for the duration of the trial, as well as credits to there degree. Quite the attractive deal for only having to endure a few injections a day and a series of physical tests.

Of course, it is never that easy. Geis was a true company. And they really did study manners in which to improved the body. And they found a way. The human genome is a massive thing, and there is a mind boggling amount of information stored in that molecule. Redundancies, intricacies and sequences that have so much in common with other genetic relatives. Almost complete strains from other mammals. It didn't take long for someone to pose the question; could those animal traits be expressed in humans?

Welcome to the Therianthropy Project.

we use the D20 rules for this game, and starting at lvl 2.
Your occupation is student.
The die rolls for ability scores will be using the standard method; 4d6, take highest 3.
Your Strain is limited to mammals only.
Aside from picking your strain, you don't need to worry about anything else about that strain for now. If you like, you can go look for a picture of an anthro of your strain.
We will be using Mythweavers for sheets, and Invisible Castle for die rolls.
These two links are helpful for players new and old:
Source material: http://www.scratchfactory.com/ModernSRD/Home.php
Generator: http://www.pathguy.com/d20modern.htm

Level one: 2d4 + [Bonus from occupation] + [+1 Bonus from profession if you have 1-4 ranks, +2 if you have 5-8, etc]
Level Two: 1d20 + Profession Mod (DC = level one wealth bonus)

The setting in Hamilton, Ontario. I will be taking some liberty with the city, but the basic idea is the same. We will be students at McMaster, though the school side isn't the real focus. The house/Dorm is a 23 Grove street. Hurrah for details.

Layout and rooms:
House
Basement
First Floor
Second Floor

Dr Catherine serves as an house mother, and over sees the experiments. Their is a third floor, but the there is a locked door at the top of the stairs.

The Beginning

They were at the early student orientation held the month before school was set to start, just one booth among several. They had welcomed them with a smile, and gave them a general idea of what they wanted to do. Run a few tests over several weeks, drawing body samples for testing, give them doses of the treatment each day. In return; housing, food, school credit and money. Those who we interested were asked to fill out the form. A long form, asking everything from family history to medical issues. And after all that, they drew about a pint of blood, stored it away in their portable iceboxes, and thanked them for there time, telling them that those who qualified for the tests would receive a package in the mail detailing the location of the Dorm they would be housed in, as well as the time they were expected to show up.

Kit got his reply in the mail a week after he turned up for the orientation. Shelly got her's too. It was why he was getting out of the car, curbside to the house that was to his home for the next couple of weeks or so. He glanced at his watch before he started pulling his bag out of the trunk. He didn't have much. Just a duffel bag and a backpack, neither new, both cheap. He shrugged an arm through one strap of his backpack, and slipped the strap of the duffel across the other and made his way to the front door. He tried the handle and, finding it unlocked, eased the door open.

"Hello?" he called out to anyone inside.

[Zombehs]

Geis Pharmaceuticals. Shaen had become aware of their existence some time ago through one of his many searches through the internet and the news. A growing company filled with potential, according to what he could dig up they had just begun trials of their new experimental drugs. Their compensation was awfully grand though, footing all the bills that came alongside test subjects, as well as offering stipends and credits for one’s degree. He had been suspicious of the company, but the rewards were just too much to pass up on. The paperwork had been a dear honest to god pain to fill out though. Information from his historical background to medical history had been requested, all requiring absolute detail. The last step had been a blood sample followed with a small thank you and a promise of contact. With that finished Shaen was sent on his way as they dealt with their next applicant.

The letter had come in about a week later. It informed him of his privilege to participate in the tests and contained a small map of the house where he would live in for a few weeks along with a brief letter of introduction. Not exactly fancy, but it got the message across. It was why Shean found himself up earlier than usual and why he was on a bus that did not go towards McMaster University. He carried with him a small duffel bag, a worn out backpack and a pouch and as he stepped off the bus, Shaen found himself shivering as a light wind blew. The dormitory was apparently only a few blocks away, so Shaen slinged his bag over his shoulder and trudged along.

~

The house that sat on the address the dormitory was supposed to be was not a house. It was far too grand to be called a simple house, instead it reminded Shaen of the inns in many a fantasy novels. The architecture was slightly aged and the building itself held some rustic charm to it. Or perhaps it's just me. he wondered to himself as he stepped into the building's shadow. With a raised eye, Shaen noted that the door seemed slightly ajar and upon giving it a light tap with his foot, the door swung open. When he peered in Shaen was greeted by the sight of another male, probably around the same age as him. "Hey..." he muttered while giving a small wave before stepping into the house himself.

[Greycat]

Well, no one immediately responded to his greeting, so Kit ventured further in. Hardwood flooring stretched out before him, and a staircase was near by. He bounced the door closed with his bag and spent a few moments contemplating what to do when the door once again openned. The somewhat dignified looking guy, one of the 'nese', just don't ask him which one, turn the bend and regarded him in the manner much like how Kit was regarding him. As one who sucked at guessing ages, Kit didn't ever try. He gave the guy a bright smile.

"Yo!" he responded cheerfully. "I guess you are apart of this thing too?"

[Zombehs]

“A subject to whatever strange experiments they might have in mind? Yeah sure I guess…” Shaen remarked, unable to put on such a cheerful expression as the other male. With a shrug, he slipped out of his sneakers before he looked around the building. Like he had thought so outside, only a single thought came to him at that moment of observation. Large…. The hall ahead must have extended for at least dozens of meters and he could pick out a kitchen, a dining room and other smaller rooms lining the walls ending with a stair case at the very end. The hardwood felt cool to his feet as he took his first few steps around the house.

He turned to look back at the other male and slightly shifted his bags a bit before extending a hand. “Name’s Shaen, gonna be around each other for the next few weeks I guess,” he said, a bit of enthusiasm finally making its way into his voice. Being up at the crack of dawn was not Shaen’s thing, but if he got to wander the massive building freely, it was a decent trade in his mind.

[Greycat]

"You don't have to be so pessimistic about it," Kit laughed. He glanced around. There was supposed to be a staircase by each doorway, which would mean the door behind him. He opened it and, sure enough, was anther set of stair. He glanced back at Shaen when he finally put a bit of joy in his tone. "See, that the spirit I was expecting. Now, I want to poke around, and I can't do that with these," he hefted his bags a bit, "So I'm going to find a room to drop them by for now."

He started for the stairs, taking them two at a time, but that stopped at the first landing. "It's Kit by the way. My name, that is. Kit James. Nice to meet you. And you coming up too?"

[Yellow 13]

Shelly was the next one to arrive. The Native Australian had spent about a month in Canada already to get situated. Some things would take longer then others though. While the Jet Lag had long since came and went, her acclimatization to the weather was still lagging far behind. September was Autumn in Canada. Needless to say, winter wasn't very far behind so before going, Shelly had bought winter coat, long sleeves, thicker and warmer fabrics... Even a parka and snowpants. Heavy boots as well. She was always prepared for everything if she could help it. The taxi pulled up and after paying and thanking the cabby for the ride, she pulled her travel case out. It had everything she'd need in it, organized as best she could and made to fit into the space. It was on the heavy side for her, but she was never the strong one. No, she had intelligence and endurance to make up for that. Looking at the door, she opened the door. She was going to live here, she didn't have to knock. "'ello?" She called. "Anyone here?" with her case in hand, she brought it in and shut the door with a swift motion of her leg. Well, it was off to find her room if no one anwsered.

[DrNightKOT]

"2suspicious4me" - that was the first thought about the project when Vasily heared about it for the first time. But unfortunately for him, it was his best bet to get money, as he lost the biggest chunk of it trying to get to Canada, get the housing and education there. And so, nearly hobo-poor Vasily was struggling to get as much money as he could with the least effort he needed. Because accomodation wasn't cheap and internet providers were taking crapton of money for their services. He, of course, expected that a new company won't have much success at start, and they are providing their giant part of deal only because the side effects of the drug are so dangerous.

"Well, I have health insurance for the events like that and unless those drugs won't change my identity," Vasily believed, "like by getting necrosis over my face or turning me into some cat."

He, unfortunately, couldn't predict the future correctly for a long time. But if he knew that he would be infused with werebeast capacities, his choice wouldn't have changed much. This would have only made him stronger...

Finally, after a LONG walk (and few hitchhiking moments) Vasily finally arrived at the needed building. To his relief it wasn't looking like some sort of underground bunker for mad scientists and it looked kinda nice. He could even notice movement inside through the windows of the house, and knowing that he should try to introduce himself to the people and make a contact, Vasily finally opened the door and entered the house. And after he did so, his attention immediatelly dissolved to absorb every single piece of furniture and door around him. The house was nothing like the buildings he had seen before, and for a moment, as expected, Vasily recieved a good dose of cultural shock.

That didn't stop him from moving onwards and in few seconds he bumped into a girl that had no idea if someone was inside. Well, at least she now knows that this house is not empty.

"Pardon me," Vasily immediatelly rushed to appologise, letting his free hand do scrach his head and then he continued "That house kinda surprised me with it's... Everything, actually. So, you are the guinea pig for this thing too, right?"

[Zombehs]

Shaen just nodded and watched as Kit dashed up the stairs and vanished to the house’s second floor. Interesting… he thought to himself as he dwelled upon his newest acquaintance. A bit too cheerful this early in the morning for Sheen himself, but he felt that Kit was a natural magnet for people. The attitude of his was proving infectious, but before he could take another step forward the noise of a door opening sounded behind him.

Turning to greet the latest newcomers, Shaen took note of the two newest "test subjects". The first girl in the dormitory had arroved, not too big of a surprise as the letter had mentioned the experiment would be co-ed and behind her was another male. Noticing that the new guy seemed to have bumped into the girl, Shaen left the two alone, but before he left he mentioned, “Hey there. Name’s Shaen and there’s another called Kit already up on the second floor.” With that and a small wave towards the two, Shaen shifted the bag straps until they were comfortable once more. Satisfied, he walked slowly through the hallway in front of him, poking his head into the occasional room.

As he stepped into what looked to be a study, the bookcases by the corner caught his attention. The hardwood changed to carpet at the room and Shaen smirked to himself as he dragged his socks across the floor. With a glance, the books that lined the shelves seemed to be on a variety of different subjects. From sciences to philosophy, whoever owned these books certainly seemed to be academically oriented. With a flip, Shaen opened a book at random and began to flip through the pages, picking up tidbits of interesting information here and there.

[Yellow 13]

"Huh? Oh yeah. Well i figure it's good to get as much money for school as you can get, right? Doesn't really manner where it comes from. Any guesses on what they're gonna do?" She asked curiously.

Shelly's eyes lit up when she heard the words "there’s another called Kit already up on the second floor.” Smiling happily, she continued hauling her bags upstairs. This was on the heavy side for her, but she had everything she'd need. "I'll be right back then." She said. "Gotta meet up with an old friend. Kitler!" She called, hauling her stuff to the second floor, she finally found him. "Hey Kitler!" She said. "How've you been, buddy? I never thought we'd actually be able to meet!" She smiled, a little relieved to have stopped moving and hauling her stuff around. "Been here long? In this city i mean. How come you decided to get involved with this too? Why'd you want to go to this college?" She asked in rapid sucession.

[Greycat]

Kit didn't spend much time searching for a room. He simply dropped his bags by the first door he came to. Well, it was a pair of doors. One of the doors was partially opened, so he peered inside. The blinds were drawn, but he could make out the forms of some bags by one of the beds, and the shape of someone under the covers, apparently sleeping judging by the snores he could hear. The other room was empty. It only took a split second's consideration to figure out that the empty room was better. He closed the door of the occupied room, then kicked his bags just inside the other. He turned, about to head back down, when a familiar face showed up.

"Shelly?" Kit grinned. Tanned skin, straight hair, and that huge silver carrying case. Definitely Shelly. "I just got here today. Took the train down. And I told you I signed up the same day you did! And I applied here because.. well... because."