Which RP would you participate in?

[Dark Jack]

I will be straight with you all: although I joined Roleplayer Guild about four months ago, I have yet to participate in a single roleplay that survived past second page of posts - and only one out of the six roleplays I have applied to join have even gotten that far, although I guess there is still hope that it might suddenly jump back to life. I am not kidding when I say that I have attempted to play six roleplays here, all in the Advanced section, and five out of those six died before they even started, despite of most of them receiving positive comments. I was even the creator of two out of those six, and I must say that a little part of my soul died when one of them - an idea I have already tried on another roleplaying site in the past and which I have been told was excellent - did not even receive a single reply before sinking into obscenity.

The above is by no means an accusation towards you, the people of the Guild, but merely a statement to explain why very few or none of you have noticed me before and why I might seem a little… I’m not even sure what I might seem like. Fill in with whatever you think, and this probably explains it.

It is also due to these past bad experiences with this forum that I have decided to write this post. After a likely sixth out of six failed roleplays, I have decided that I really don’t want my seventh roleplay to drop dead immediately like the vast majority of new roleplays here seem to… at least in the Advanced section. So, let us proceed to the topic at hand:
I intend to start a new roleplay with the specific purpose of this simply surviving and hopefully thriving, both for me to finally get to roleplay seriously after my long absence from this pastime and for me to hopefully make something of a name for myself on this forum and maybe increase the chances that future roleplays I participate in will survive.

What I want from you, aside from bearing with my mediocre level of insanity and paranoia, is to look over the roleplay-ideas listed below and see if any of them could fit your tastes. I am not looking for pity here, so please only say that you would join one of them if you are fairly confident that you are going to follow up on that statement.
Whichever of the roleplays that promises the most (or a lesser, but sufficient number of higher quality) players, I will write into a full-fledged roleplay and create.
All of these roleplays should be considered Advanced, and I would prefer that only Advanced players apply. Bear in mind that I will write out the roleplays more elaborately than shown here when they are posted for real. What is written here are merely brief descriptions of them.
Thank you for reading, and I hope that at least one of the below roleplays catches your attention.

This is one of the two roleplays I posted here already… in fact, it was the one of them that did not even receive a single reply - but on the bright side, that means that the roleplay is already written out and can be found here. The roleplay is purely science-fiction, featuring space-travel and -battles, although this is not the main theme, but rather a sort of space-adventure of epic proportions. It takes place in a world where humanity have been forced to abandon Earth and settle in space, where a new government called the Maus has taken control of the civilization settling amongst the stars, reigning over humanity through military- and scientific superiority, reinforced with a spiritual grip on their hearts through a religion of their own design, based on Christianity.
The main concept of the story is a conflict between the empire of Maus and a terrorist-group called Omnichange, both desiring to eradicate the other for different reasons - and parallel with this guerilla-war, the Maus are caught in intense conflict with Pestilence, which are mutated, highly intelligent insects from the irradiated Earth. The players will take various roles through the human society, either on the side of Maus, Omnichange or something in the middle, and while the war is waged, a greater goal is revealed that might force former enemies to put aside their differences to ensure the continuation of the galaxy itself.
This roleplay is fairly elaborate in terms of technology, since I have found out the hard way that free reign over futuristic technology has a tendency of spurring a contest of “who has the biggest gun”, usually ending with everyone basically being able to vaporize planets on a whim - this is not optimal. Aside from technology, however, the roleplay has a lot of freedom and a possibility of evolving almost indefinitely. This roleplay does not feature aliens.

This is the second most elaborate of my roleplay-ideas, and another potentially epic tale in a universe with light science-fiction, daringly mixed with fantasy.
It takes place in the world of Harth, which was remarkably similar to Earth in its biological and technological development… right up until a decade before the start of the roleplay, where a mysterious new crystalline substance named Rikyhl started appearing in the ground. The first to purchase mining-rights to these crystals was a man named Charles Garver, and upon him discovering the enormous amounts of latent pure energy stored within the Rikyhl, Garver quickly gained monopoly of the crystals, and these replaced all former energy-sources because they were completely free of pollution, had no waste, yielded massive energy and were infinitely renewable. Thus Garver became the most wealthy and powerful man in Harth, and within two years virtually seized the rule of the world through economical superiority.
However, six years prior to the start of the roleplay, monsters mysteriously began to appear throughout Harth, popularly termed BEAST, and in response Garver Company focused on weapons-technology and artificial intelligence to counter this new threat. It is discovered that the energy contained in Rikyhl has a distinct effect on any creature touching them, allowing this creature - human or otherwise - control of the energy within them, granting them superhuman and apparently even supernatural abilities as long as this energy is available. Thus, Garver suddenly no longer has monopoly on just the most abundant energy-source in history, but also the greatest weapon ever known.
In the meantime, the general population of Harth feel oppressed in Garver’s rule, and rebellions occur - naturally tightening security. The Garver Company becomes known as the Military Company, and finally simply as the Company, as all other corporations in Harth have surrendered to this industrial behemoth.
The players will assume the roles of either members or mercenaries hired by a small rebel faction in the Company’s capital, intending to deal a crippling blow to the Company through an act of terrorism - but something goes awry. The players are propelled into a perilous adventure, in which more and more of the truth behind the appearance of Rikyhl and BEAST is explained, and it becomes increasingly clear that there are things even more dangerous than the Company - even though this now hunts the players mercilessly.
This roleplay has an only weakly defined technology of slightly higher than modern level, while at the same time featuring the use of certain medieval weaponry rendered useful through weapon-restriction, poverty, and Rikyhl. The roleplay starts out with limited freedom to evolve as the plot and characters are introduced, but as the players are rendered fugitives, the rest of Harth is opened up to them and the story becomes almost limitlessly free to evolve with the characters’ decisions.

Despite the name and the utter madness this roleplay represents, this is still Advanced and far from random, while it might appear so at times. This is the most weakly defined of all the roleplays, yet at the same time the one with the least freedom. I originally developed this idea to test roleplayers’ skill and ability to adapt to the irrational, as well as just being plain amusing. I must warn you, however: I tried this idea on another roleplaying site, and within two pages of posts, half of the players had left in outrage over my actions in it, while the other half basically worshipped me as a genius. Chances are that you might be amongst the former half.
The plot is simple: quite recently, a great archeological accomplishment was announced as some old ruins were discovered on Norway, in the mountains near the city of Trondheim, dating back to the early Viking-age. Not only that, but deciphering the Nordic runes found at the site suggests that this place was once called Valhalla.
At the prospect of unearthing the origin of Norse Mythology and the supposed home of the Norse gods, the players - specialists of various kinds from all over the world - arrive at the excavation to see if the old Viking-fortress is authentic or not. Unfortunately, the excavators will find more in the ruins than they bargained for, and they will all be forced on a journey across the world, filled with insanity, nuisances and sometimes downright dangerous situations. Refusal to seek the destination will mean their infinite torment, but success means the end of the world as we know it. Is there sense to be found under the current of insanity, and perhaps a way to save the world and the players… or is things really as hopeless as they seem? Most likely the latter.

A weakly defined, yet interesting story unfolds in this roleplay, which is the nightmare (or dream) of anyone suffering from paranoia. A conspiracy extends over the past century, but has its epitome in the present, in a modern Earth with slight tendency towards science-fiction.
A secret, but exceedingly powerful organization that works past the restrains of borders and nationalities has pretty much been controlling the course of history for the past century. These have regulated economies, started wars and ignited major events all over the globe as they pleased - and all for one single purpose. As if general control over the countries of the world was not enough, this organization has spent the century orchestrating events solely for the purpose of remaining hidden while developing and testing a device known as the Mind’s Gate - a means by which the agents of the organization can directly and completely control the thoughts and actions of the person implanted with the Mind’s Gate. In terms of fantasy, one could say that they can “possess” them. And these are implanted in 73% of the population.
The players will either be the agents of the organization, working to ensure that they remain a secret to the world and to protect the interests of the organization and themselves, or they will be a part of a small civilian resistance group that have one way or another been recruited to stop the organization from obtaining complete world domination. It has practically boundless freedom to evolve as the players see fit, but consequently lacks a firm predetermined plotline.

The first roleplay I posted here, which received positive response. This is the only idea I have that is completely based on something else - more exactly, the old 2D game Geneforge. It takes place in an unnamed world of fantasy, with a hint of pseudo science-fiction.
The main theme of the roleplay is that of Shaping. Magic is a well-known factor in the world, but Shaping is a very special kind of magic: one which enables its wielders - the Shapers - to create, alter and destroy life. The Shapers rule the world with the power of their enslaved Creations, with commoners living in mutual service to their masters, meaning that the Shapers Shape and defend commoners, and commoners serve the Shapers in all things in return. The only real losers are the Creations.
However, soon after the start of the roleplay, a revolt starts in a remote town, which spreads like a wildfire until an entire country falls into turmoil, and commoners, Creations and Shapers all battle each other to emerge as the victors, either gaining or regaining the rule over the land and subjects.
The players are either Shapers at a local Shaper Academy at the site of the rebellion, commoners, or even Creations, that must decide on which side to pick in this great ethical struggle. Things are far from simple, and despite the Shapers’ reputed omnipotence, anyone could end up victorious. It will be up to the players to determine the result of the civil war, and ultimately of all Shapers and Creations.

In case all of the others fail, I present to you my greatest creation, and by far the most elaborate world I have ever created. As a matter of fact, I have written a novel about this world, and intend to write another six. Seriously. This also makes this roleplay the hardest to play for some, and the easiest for others, depending on how you roleplay.
The story takes place in the fantasy/medieval world of Reniam, with the plot centering on the kingdom of Rodoria, entitled the Land in the Middle. Because this roleplay is as elaborate as it is, it would take far longer to summarize all of its contents than the others. But to sum it up, a horrendous plague known as the Withering rages, spreading by unknown means and killing hundreds of thousands, if not millions. There is no cure. The entire royal family of Rodoria has gone extinct from the plague, and consequently the ten duchies that Rodoria is divided into is thrown into civil war in an effort to put a new king on the throne. Ruthless brigands, sinister cultists and vicious monsters thrive with the armies of the duchies otherwise occupied, and various smaller organizations struggle to protect the innocent. And, on top of all of this, there is the constant threat of the Lower Plane - the realm of demons, where the unfathomably powerful Lord of Darkness, Kreshtaat, is prophesied to break the Divide keeping the demons away from mortals and lead an invasion of Reniam, forever plunging the world into blood-soaked darkness.
In the middle of all of this and more, the players will take the role of various adventurers from a mix of races, nationalities, abilities and with different goals, but united by their common desire to end the Withering. However, as this quest proceeds, it becomes clear that there are far greater threats to Reniam than the plague, and they undertake quest upon quest, either for others or for themselves - all while they are inevitably dragged towards the epic climax of the story, where the Nomad’s Prophecy will either be prevented, thus saving Reniam from total annihilation… or it will be fulfilled.
Despite this roleplay being the most elaborate of all of these, it actually offers great amounts of freedom, both in terms of the character, but also on how the story can progress into a long string of quests, all to fulfill one great goal after another. I have roleplayed this idea before on another forum (where it won awards for both quality and amount of posts, as well as it was reputedly the longest roleplay ever written on that site) and I know it will not disappoint you. If you like epic fantasy, this is - in all modesty - just about the best you get.

So, which - if any - of these would you prefer to play, and which would you play anyways in case they were chosen instead.

[xbriannova]

The Prophecy's good. I am sorry to say however, that the rest are mediocre at best... Based on what is shown to me. I think you should probably spend more of your time writing The Prophecy series actually. It looks so good I think I'll buy your novels.

[AgelessStranger]

I would participate in the last one.

[Verity]

I would love to partake in the Prophecy. It's the kind of roleplay I live for. And I like to think of myself as reliable, so count on me to keep up with things should it start up. I have several ideas concerning characters, and would very much like to know even more of the world, cultures, races et cetera.

[Ashgan]

Like an immortal, evil curse, I keep crawling out of my crypt and returning to the depths of oblivion every now and then. My return to the forum is usually heralded by a particularly interesting roleplay and/or person that rouses my interest and brings renewed life into these old, wretched bones. So here I am, you've got me, Jack. The majority of the people here (that is to say, every single one) wants to play the Prophecy, so contesting this decision seems pointless to me. Not that I opposed it, but it wasn't my first choice (and by this, I do not want to discredit your world; indeed, if you have already finished a novel from this world, then you have come farther than I have).

Your roleplays intrigued me, the lot of them, mostly though because I have the suspicion that there are a lot of good, plot-related ideas hidden beneath what you have shared so far, because, generally speaking, all of your rps could generally be summarized as "oppressors versus terrorists/rebels", Confusion and Prophecy excluded.

Of the four proposed rebellion roleplays, I'd put them in this order, sorted by my preference:
Makers of Fortune > Stellacide > Mind's Gate > Human Divinity

Concerning Ultimate Confusion, the information given is almost nil. You gave us a premise, an interesting one at that, and that's where the information halts, for good reason I suppose. Further supposing that the roleplay will actually turn out really good (perchance I am one of those hailing you, in the end?) you may consider me interested in this one as well, if for anything, for curiosity's sake.

And finishing with Prophecy, well, I don't consider myself much of a high-fantasy mind any longer, though I once was. There's a fair deal of cheesiness, but Rodoria does have enough grit and maturity to it to make it enjoyable after all. Hell, perhaps that RP will bring me back to my roots.

In conclusion, you could have me for almost all your roleplays, though I would be less excited if you decided to go for the latter two in the rebellion-list. And with all this said, I'll finish my post by pledging my quill to this quest, whichever roads and whichever epochs it will take us to.

[Ashgan]

Double-post for some odd reason; I apologize, though it was not by my hand.

[Dark Jack]

Thank you for the replies thus far (although it felt a little like someone tore out my heart and stomped on it repeatedly when I read the words "mediocre at best"). As I wrote in the start of the first post, these are just crude outlines of the main points of the roleplays. All of them - especially the Prophecy - has vastly more to them than I've shared, even excluding information I withhold for suspense.

I especially appreciate your post, Ashgan. Very insightful, long, astute, keen English... I have a distinct feeling that I would enjoy writing with you.
I know I tend to keep to the whole rebellion-against-the-oppressors theme, but it just seems to fit me and happen all on its own, plus they tend to be easier to initiate a joint story in. And as for the Prophecy... I know there are some cheesy bits (quite a bit of them, probably), but name a single fantasy-title that isn't. I have made an effort to give it a dark atmosphere and keep some realism to it. As you will see if and when I post the information, there are some bits that are plagiarized (on purpose) such as the ultimate cliché of the existence of dragons, but there are some originality in it as well. But enough about that.

That put aside, it seems that the votes thus far are in favor of the Prophecy, and since the trend seems to be for that, I might as well start writing up bits up for the roleplay when I have a vacant moment and need a break from writing the actual Prophecy. It probably won't be up anytime soon, though - I wasn't exaggerating when I said that it has a lot of details, so it will likely take up to a couple of weeks to assemble it all like this. If I put my mind to it, I could do it in a matter of days, but I think I'll wait until a few more opinions have been aired.

In any case, I look forward to being in a roleplay that will actually allow me to roleplay in a near future, and I look forward to you being part of that experience.

[Verity]

Time and patience are both plentiful with me, I'll be waiting for a chance to get in on this. Would you mind if I bothered you with a few questions in near future?
I have a few character ideas, and would dearly love to discuss with you whether or not they would be legit for your setting.

[Dark Jack]

Sure, you'd be welcome to... though a lot of the intelligent humanoid races in the Prophecy-universe are my own creations... actually I think humans are the only humanoid race that is exactly as used elsewhere. There are no elves or dwarves or orcs (though there are some that have some semblance to them). Magic in this world is also very well-defined...

In fact, I'd say that if you want to make anything non-human, or that your character is to wield magic, waiting until I have a introduction up would probably be the best idea.

But again, feel free to ask. Meanwhile the topic stays open.

[Catto Bates]

All of the ideas that I read were interesting, the most interesting (and popular) being The Prophecy. I would definitely like racial information, and whatnot, perhaps a backdrop to the whole scenario, deeper than the Withering. (Which I'm sure you'll gladly provide)

I'll make a conscious effort not to think about character premises until after the proper information is up. (specifics on races, and the types of people that live there) Anyway, off to class.