Blackout: Lastlight (OOC & Discussion)

[Nostradongus]

Episode One of the Blacklight Series

Setting

"You fuckin' get hit in the head, kid? Okay, I'll go over everything one more time, but that's it. You study anything more and your history teacher'll let you skip the damn test."

*He clears his throat before beginning*

"In 2025, geniuses at the CDC- remember, kid, that's Center for Disease Control- in Atlanta published that they had discovered a system that would allow for national disease immunity. Not only that, but they claimed that their system could also survive any ICBM or WMD strike. Of course, the Government wouldn't allow the deployment of this defense system without proper testing. And thus, the New York Biodome was erected and populated for testing against biological, chemical, and ballistic weapons. The translucent, dome-shaped shield was successful in its attempts to thwart any type of weapon. No one in here felt a thing."

*He glances up to the shield, which is several miles high*

"Yessir, this was supposed to be the ultimate defense. The good ol' U.S. would be invincible. Unfortunately, other countries caught wind of our little project and didn't like the sound of what it offered, since it gave an extreme wartime advantage. So what do they do? Instead of sendin' diplomats to talk us down from completing the construction of the nationwide shield, they figured we were too big of a threat already and blew us off the map. August 27, 2030 was the official last day of the United States of America."

*He glances around him. The heavily crumbled and vegetation-infested buildings that once made the iconic New York skyline can easily be seen from the dome.

"Everything but these 50 blocks of New York was annihilated. Your grandparents, maybe even great-grandparents, had to sit and watch as their city around them was engulfed in flame."

"It's been over a century now. Over 100 fuckin' years and we're still sittin' here in the middle of Dead City."

In 2025, the Center for Disease Control released what they said was the 'ultimate defense' for America. Called a "Biodome", it was originally designed to deter foreign airborne viruses and diseases, or ,if the need arose, to quarantine infected areas to prevent diseases or sicknesses from being spread. However, it was later found that this translucent, dome-shaped shield could not only deter disease and illness, but any form of attack.

The Government was quick to respond to the CDC's claims and set up a small, 18-block area of New York to allow for testing, and a small Biodome was erected around the area. After a few initial weapons tests, it was repopulated for further testing. They were successful, too. The populace locked inside the Biodome was completely unharmed, and preparations began immediately to construct a Biodome that could encompass the entire U.S. as a whole.

That was when things began to get complicated.

Word reached opposing countries of the building of the Biodome. Instead of approaching the situation diplomatically, they viewed the act as an act of war, and fired nuclear ordnance while they still could. August 27, 2030, was the official last day of America.

However, in New York, a Civil Defense battery- yet another prototype- was deployed to intercept most of the missiles. When the aggressors realized this, the entire city was hit by an EMP, which fried electronics. By then, the high-yield nukes that targeted New York were destroyed, so any that did make contact were fairly low-yield (Most namely it was Upper East Side and Queens were hit).


The populace kept in the New York Biodome had to watch as their world was destroyed around them, and can only sit by while it continues to decay.

Plot

It has been a century since Doomsday, and the first generation of the Biodome populace has only recently passed.

The radiation that once engulfed New York has begun to settle, and the people inside the dome are growing restless. They believe that, since all the technology in the Biodome remained unharmed, the effects of the EMP can be reversed and power can be restored to New York.

Our characters will form a team that will venture through the ruins of New York (now called the "Dead City") and restore power using Boons, advanced technological devices specifically designed for automated restoration of "dead" technology. However, the radiation mutated what was left of the populace that survived and stayed during the war as well as wildlife that survived; they are collectively known as Anomalies. These will often be drawn to the proximity of the Boon since it does cause some seismic activity.

The ultimate goal of the Lastlight team will be to restore power to New York, district by district.

Boons

The team will have to set up several Boons throughout the city, since the range that they can restore power is limited. Imagine each Boon set up as an open or dynamic event in an MMORPG. Each one set up will cause a different scenario, whether that be dodging falling rubble or defending the Boon itself from crazed Anomalies.

Each Boon must be set up at a "Hub", which is simply a place where there were large amounts of electronic activity before the blast went off. These will usually be large electronics stores or the roofs of incredibly tall networking buildings.

How it works: The Boon is about the size of a person, usually ranging from 5 and a half to six feet. Each team member will carry a part, and when assembled and activated, it will slowly raise a large cylinder (During which the "event" will take place, since the vibration and noise of the thing is what attracts attention), which, once at it's peak, emits a slightly visible and specially charged wave. That cylinder then slams down to deploy a secondary audible signal. The wave and signal are what mend electronics, which will reverse what the EMP did (If it was off when the blast went off, the Boon will turn it on, if it was on when the blast went off it will be turned on and then quickly off).

Technology Level

All the power in the Dead City is fried, but the technology in the Biodome still functions just fine. Tech level would probably be halfway between our level and the nano-age. Cars and such are still on the ground, most of the buildings look like they would today (Give or take a few that are retro sci-fi themed) , And think Crysis style weaponry for the PCs. So futuristic tech-level, but not ridiculously futuristic. There are cars available in the Biodome but most wouldn't use them becasue of the rubble in the street. A big point in the RP won't just be restoring the power but also restoring the technology. Sentient AI was also developed pre-war but was thought (wink-wink) to be lost or turned off during Doomsday, but lesser forms of AI are around in every day technology (Kind of like Siri on iPhones)

If anyone isn't sure about something in your character's equipment, then just go for it. I'm usually pretty lenient when it comes to those things, so as long as it's not completely out of the blue and has a reason behind it I'll be cool with it.

Education

The former generation that lived in the Biodome before our characters were diligent in making sure that what happened wasn't forgotten. A library was set up to house books published on the subject, and educational programs and applications were installed on every home computer and handheld tablet systems.

A schooling program was recently established, but since a school building has yet to be established (Or found, in our teams case) it's the job of the parents to teach their children what they want them to learn.

Rules

-Be respectful of every character. I'm not huge on rules, but this one gets no exception.

-Since we're all in this roleplay together we should all at least try to interact often here in the OOC. It helps me tailor the main plot and can help others brainstorm their own subplots.

-Also, subplots. After each Boon is set up, I will offer opportunities for the team to participate in side missions for the rewards or for the sake of it. However, everyone is allowed and encouraged to develop their own, as long as it will advance the story, their character, or the team in some way, shape, or form.

-Don't make a lazy character. I will have a character right with the team that will interact with everyone, but that doesn't mean he will hold their hand all the way through. The team may, on more than one occasion, be split up and your character will have to lead. Show some initiative and be involved with everyone's character. They are a team after all.

-No one liners. A good couple of meaty paragraphs should be good unless the circumstance calls for something shorter, like a battle instance.

-This may change, but try and post at least once a week. It helps keep the main plot or sub plots moving.

-I do not have cookie-cut paths planned that our characters will take to reach every Boon Hub. This kinda goes along with that whole thing about initiative, don't be afraid to have your character speak up about ideas on how to get places.

-I will strictly prohibit godmodding. It's just not cool. However, slight manipulation of others characters is okay in my book (Say for instance that the team is battling a needle-shooting anomaly. Your character yells "Duck!" At that point, we can assume that the character given that order has done just that.)

-Mention waffles in some way in your character sheet so I know you've read these rules.

-Most important: Have Fun!

Character Template

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Appearance: (Picture or paragraph. As long as its purty.)

Former Occupation in the Biodome:

Skillset: (What your character can bring to the team. Nothing too crazy here.)

Other skills or attributes: (Optional)

Equipment:

Personality/Morality: (Feel free to do and/or here, since they're pretty similar. You could also add something about alignment, as well, if you really wanted to.)

Background: (Since our characters were born and raised in the Biodome and thus haven't experienced much outside of their occupation, feel free to make these brief.)

Characters

Donny Kain Maverick, played by Lucius Cypher

Kaelana, played by Little Fox

Dr. Adam Cole, Phd., played by howler01

Garet Jackson, played by rawkhawk64

Yasmine "Jazz" Ghaliya, played by Mr Mauve

Abel Graham, played by Nostradongus

(I also have a map of the area (Which will detail what sections are powered and which have yet to be "Booned") in the works, so check back for that soon!)

[howler01]

Name: Dr. Adam Cole, PHD

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Appearance:

Former Occupation in the Biodome: Electrical Engineer, worked with the Power and Water company

Skillset: He carries knowledge of how to handle the boons and their positive affects on the power grid once they have been activated, as well as how to activate them, minimal combat experience and even less expertise, but determination and a desire to see the project through the end and the willingness to do what is needed to make sure that the power gets restored and the city returned to some former state of balance and glory.

Additional Skills: As a hobby, the doctor took up rock climbing and is in good shape, and not afraid of heights or climbing up uneven terrain to reach places where boons might be better placed for more area coverage. He's a pretty athletic guy and better with melee type weapons than a gun, though he has shot his pistol several times, mostly at clay targets though.


Equipment: tool box, H&K UCP Pistol, two spare magazines for it, climbing rope, climbing shoes, hand axe

Personality/Morality: Personality wise, he's a bit of a nerd, constantly spewing lines about "structural integrity" and "power grid coverage" and "conductors" and what not. He's been to more trade shows and conferences than dinner dates, but he's the first one to say that he'll see a job through to completion. He'd dedicated, determined, and has the drive to see a task done, but he's never really faced anything like the Anomolies before. he's faced things that were all human, bureaucratic politicians would be on his list of toughest challenges. He's very blue collar in his values and beliefs. He believes in hard work and doing the job right, even if that means taking longer to get things done. He's a little obsessive about his work and has been characterized as a bit of workaholic, but his knowledge and passion for his field shines through the most. These discussions of jargon even extend to conversations about his favorite food: waffles.

Background: ( Born to two blue-collar parents, hard work and keeping one's head down and nose to the grindstone were traits that Adam took to heart early in his life. he became one of the leading experts in his field and even though he was never required to do so, he still managed to find time to go out into the field and watch the power grid become together himself, right up next to the wires with the workers who were tasked with installing the new transformers or repairing power lines. When the issue of the boons came up, Adam was given the opportunity to see prototypes under construction, but he never acutally was allowed to see one going up and working. Thus, he knows what they look like and vaguely how they operate, but he's never seen one actually work before. He could, if necessary, set one up in a pinch.

[Little Fox]

So, the character I have in mind will be more of a "jarhead" than an "egghead" if that's okay. She would be a combat specialist and combat medic.

[Nostradongus]

Sounds good to me, Fox.

[Lucius Cypher]

Name: Donny Kain Maverick

Age: 29

Gender: Male

Appearance:


Former Occupation in the Biodome: Physicist, but worked mostly as a Mechanic

Skillset: Donny isn't that great of a fighter (Competent, but nothing too impressive), but what he brings to the table is his ability to create; using his knowledge and whatever resources he can find, he could provide the group with weapons, armors, and bullets as necessary. He takes a certain creative liberty with them, but he works fast and is one of the best, or at least contending. He's good at repairing machines and other objects, as well as making or using improvised weapons and tools.

Other skills or attributes: Donny's pretty good at sneaking around, and he's got one hell of a throwing arm; he could throw anything he could pick up, and usually with deadly efficiency.

Equipment: Tool Box, Mutation Armored Deterrent (M.A.D) Suit, Medical Kit, Mossberg 590, Slug Shotgun Shells, 12 Gauge Buck Shotgun Shells

Personality/Morality: Donny's a pretty cool guy, though he's weird and a bit amoral. To people he's not suppose to kill, he's a generous dude who sometimes comes off as a bit effeminate, but he's reliable and does his best for anyone who ask for it. To people he's suppose to kill, he's.... Cruel. He likes to use people's corpses, stripping them of their flesh and bone for his crafts, or just using the corpses for other projects. He's also willing to use torture on anyone, be it breaking their fingers or raping them. And he doesn't have much of an issue with either. But to him, it's all waffle.

Background: Donny was raise by two fathers, as his mother had died during his birth and his father was bisexual, and made relation with another man. This wasn't much of a problem for him, as both men were very skilled in their line of work; one was an Electrician, and another was a Mechanical Engineer. Donny learned from both, and with their help, created something called the "Mutation Armored Deterrent Suit", or the M.A.D Suit. Armed with a napalm-spewing flamethrower and rocket-propelled explosives, the M.A.D Suit also increased the user's physical strength and could take on heavy damage, from either bullets or even cars. Slow as hell when walking on foot, but it is also equipped with omni-wheels and a rocket booster. When he was commissioned to go set up a Boon, he took one of the prototype M.A.D Suit, for a field run.

[rawkhawk64]

I made a character that is a technology expert. Seeing how the boons work, I figured it was as good as anything. The only thing scarier than a computer geek is a computer geek with guns.

Name:
Garet Jackson
Age:
24
Gender:
Male
Appearance:

Former Occupation in the Biodome:
Computer Programmer
Skillset:
Garet can hold his own in a fight well enough to not need defending. What Garet truly brings to the table is his skill with technology. Garet knows a great deal about technology, and is able to quickly learn how to operate technology his is not familiar with. It is his skill with technology that he was selected along to help restore power to the Dead City.
Other skills or attributes:
Garet is a top-notch improvisationalist. He can take ordinary items, and do things with them that many people wouldn't have thought of.
Equipment:
Colt M1191 .45 caliber pistol, Remington 1100 Tactical Shotgun, 3 .45 caliber ammo boxes (20 rounds per box), 3 20 gauge ammo boxes (20 rounds per box), computer repair kit, Boon Set-up Kit.
Personality/Morality:
Garet is a lone wolf by nature, but when he gets to know you, he will readily talk with you. Either way, don't expect him to start the conversation. He has a tendency to speak a lot of technobabble, and has been asked multiple times to repeat what he said in layman's terms. As far as morals go, he doesn't really care as he spent so much time around computers that he's started to behave like one.
Background: Garet spent pretty much all of his free time since childhood in the presence of computers. He's known as one of the most skilled people with a computer, able to ring all sorts of bells and whistles. He spent most of his adult life living off of the one thing he charges people for his services: waffles.

[Vietmyke]

Interested! Character app will be up soon!
-I noticed Fox is making a combat specialist/medic 'jarhead' character, I also had a more combat focused role, but Im planning on making a personality more radically different than the term 'jarhead'

[Little Fox]

As far as my character goes, she would be a Natasha Romanoff/James Howlett mix with a touch of Anton Decibel.

[rawkhawk64]

Scary combination, Fox.

[Nostradongus]

@Lucius- Donny checks out, welcome to the team.

@rawkhawk- Character is good, but I think you forgot to read something in the rules. Once you fix that, I'll have no problem accepting Garet.

If it helps any, my character will most likely fill the role of the "Tactician" or "Diplomat", so combat-savvy characters are more than welcome.