Interest Check

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GM: TheWindel
Co-GM: Lucius Cypher
Status: Open to all Applicants

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It is said that the past repeats itself throughout the course of history. An ancient legend from a time too far for our own understanding speaks of such a repeated process. According to the texts of old, seven wise kings ruled the land in separate territories, and peace was installed in the plane we know as the world. Each designated ruler was a mighty warrior in their own right, and each represented a color of the spectrum to reflect their inner strength and will: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Orange, White, and Black.

For a time, the constant era of war and strife was ended upon by a peace treaty which, although not fully uniting the different kingdoms as one, did maintain a common truce among the seven rulers. Seven kings to rule the land…until one fateful day in time. One single moment in fate.

The wisest and most powerful of the rulers, the Black King, was struck down by a treacherous blade. The Orange King, with all of his cunning and skill, persuaded the remaining five rulers to rebel against what they saw as prideful tyranny. In doing so, each of them betrayed their beloved comrade with a cruel execution. Soon after, the rulers and their legions of armies continued the cycle of violence and war anew, each seeking out greater power and glory than ever before.

The world grew divided once again.

Fast forward into the future, nearly several thousand years since that dark time.

It is the year 2048. The world has become connected once more though a global phenomenon known as the World Interface. It is through this tool in which all conflicts are resolved without the usage of such barbaric means. All people can connect their minds to the World Interface at any given time, via a mass satellite orbiting around the planet that transmits and broadcasts brainwaves.

Enter Deep Ground.

The Deep Ground Program, or D.G.P. to most, is a universal method of education and teaching to all youth. To an external viewer, it is nothing more than a highly competitive action game, and some have even labeled the software affectionately as Deep Ground Online. That title is not too far from the truth, as players compete with one another on a global scale through various battles and missions.

The game itself is quite simple, and the goal is linear. Be the first to eliminate your opponent and win. However, like all things in this world, there are twists of fate. Deep Ground is only available to those ranging between ages 13 and 18. It is not uncommon then for many to grant their child the D.G.P. for their thirteenth birthday.

The software itself affects reality as well. Players begin their harsh journey at age 13. Once reaching age 19, the program automatically uninstalls itself from within the player’s memory bank stored within their brain. The overall objective is really quite simple.

The program determines one’s fate in reality. The better the player, the better they shall succeed in real life. A player aged 18 who has a significant winning streak may then be rewarded to live the rest of their lives in relative comfort with perhaps a high waging job. A player in the same circumstance who has failed to meet any substantial achievements is forever condemned to a life of meager living. Your status in-game affects your future. There is no fighting against it; that is how it has always been. That is how it will always be.

There are seven domains within the world of Deep Ground, each ruled by a colored king to fit the legend; Deep Ground itself was originally based on the tale of the seven rulers. All colored rulers are at least level 9 players, with the highest cap peaking at level 9. Orange, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, White….each have created guilds in which to further expand their power and glory in the real world.

The Black King rules a guild that is notified for the fact that it contains no players, only the Black King itself. However, times are changing, for better or worse. One fateful day, much like the day of legend long past, the current Black King made a public announcement throughout the servers of the World Interface and all throughout Deep Ground.

“Attention all players. I, the Black King, ruler of the Ebony Strykers, am allowing any and all to join my guild. This will be the first time I have done so in the entirety of Deep Ground’s launch. Please, choose your allies wisely.”

And where do you fit into this? You are a player yourself, trying to survive and succeed until your 18th birthday. Will you join a guild or will you dare to fight alone?

The choice lies entirely in your own actions. Happy gaming.

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There are seven official Guilds as well as two non-affiliated groups in which one can join in Deep Ground Online:











There are also six major player roles within the RP. Each of them are a colored ruler, and thus will be in control of their guild. Players are encouraged to join guilds and collaborate with one another to defeat other enemies as well as formulate strategies to win battles. To claim these, it's first come first serve.

-The Red King: Open
-The Blue King Claimed by Psyker Landshark.
-The Green King Claimed by Arrayah.
-The Yellow King: Claimed by Scarifar.
-The Orange King Open
-The White King: Open

Deep Ground Online is, in its most basic form and components, an indirect fighting game. The environment of Deep Ground Online is a massive city with spanning levels and wide open complexes for players to utilize. Labeled as “Faded City”, there are seven main districts each respectively reserved for each faction. Guilds may conquer other districts to further grow in power and strength.

There are a total amount of five classes in Deep Ground Online.

The Assassin:
The most diverse and easy to control out of the three classes. This class specializes in quick kills and relies on stealth and speed to take down their targets. Furthermore, they are considered the fastest class throughout all of Deep Ground. Excels in close-combat and is prone to using a wide arrange of items and tools. Does not have a specific weapon, although they can most commonly be seen wielding either knives, swords, or any other bladed weapon.

The Gunner:
Main weapon is a gun of choice, and silencers may be purchased with a high enough level. This class focuses on long-ranged capabilities to pin down approaching opponents. Although not totally defenseless in close-quarters battle, they are at a disadvantage compared to their Assassin counterparts. This class is unique in that they may fully master any firearm within the arm, though flashy moves are usually frowned upon for quick kills. This class also has the highest jumping range in the game.

The Brawler:
Unmatched in physical combat, boasting the most endurance of all classes and a pretty nasty punch to boot. However, their up-close-and-personal superiority is matched by their total and utter disadvantages at a range. Lacking any means to fight from afar, the Brawler must use their endurance to close in on the enemy and his strength to tear them a new asshole once he's within melee range. Capable of wielding a veritable arsenal of melee weapons.

The Healer
Tapping into metaphysical forces, the Healer's not the best fighter, but they’re staying power is second to none. Capable of healing both themselves and others, the Healer is more typically cast into a support role, where their entrusted with the lives of his comrades. He can use his powers to deal small amounts of damage as well, but more often than not, he'll ultimately fall short of defeating those of other classes. Utilizes small weapons for both melee and ranged combat, such as knives-melee and throwing-fist weapons, and small pistols.

The Wizard
Like the Healer, the Wizard is unique in that they’re able to tap into more mysterious forces to do his job. Unlike the Healer, however, the Wizard's powers are all offense-centric. From casting forth fireballs to raising the corpses of their enemies at higher levels, a Wizard who knows what they’re doing will be unmatched at a distance; lobbing forth projectiles and making his fallen enemies do his bidding. However, once "at a distance" ends, they won't be around for long. Even more fragile than the Healer, the Wizard is often considered dead the instant an enemy gets within melee range. Due to needing both their hands for magic, a Wizard doesn't use any weapons.

Purple Crown Academy:
Purple Crown Academy is a massive school located in the heart of the world, floating on an island in the ocean. This focal point shall be the scenery for a vast majority of the events taking place in the real world. Players will learn regular school materials and go about their day to day lives, but the RP shall lie in the interactions characters make both in the real world and Deep Ground.

Because all of the world’s students attend Crown, it’s therefore not uncommon for players to form after school meetings for their specific guild and further increase their status. The end of their attendance at Purple Crown shall lead to the end of Deep Ground and the verdict of their new future.

It is considered social taboo for people to participate in opposite guild meetings, and it is said that the Black King is the only player to have never disclosed their identity in real life. That is, until the mass message to invite players. And so the search for the elusive Black King begins…



All students within Purple Crown Academy are required to wear the above uniform outside of Deep Ground. You can thank your Co-GM for their design.



Avatars:
Players are given their in-game avatars immediately upon logging into Deep Ground for the first time. As the process is automatic, avatars are thus based on a player’s inner most personality; a reflection of their hopes, dreams, fears, etc. Furthermore, the avatar name is chosen as well, usually an adjective followed by a noun. Only the colored kings have avatars that are coherent with their colored factions; other players are not restricted by the color status quo.

Leveling up:
Each player will gain the chance to level up, and will do so by gaining experience points. Experience points are earned through winning battles, completing missions, or hunting down Dissolutions; enemy NPCs. Once reaching level 3, players are then asked to pick a specialization from three different choices depending on their class, which will grant them unique skills and other bonuses unique not only to that class, but that specific spec. Then, every 1 level, they may choose a perk relevant to their level that grants those further bonuses, again depending on your spec.

Matches are usually death battles with either single or a group of players against an equal amount of enemies. Players are expected to use any method deemed necessary to effectively assassinate the enemy. IC, players will level up after earning victory in three battles, hunting down two Dissolutions, or completing four missions. Before one does level up, please consult either myself or the Co-GM as to whether your evolved spec is appropriate or not. Basically, I’m giving you a lot of freedom and trust here in terms of what skills you can have when leveling up.

Do not make me regret this decision.









Now then. To actually prove you sat down and read all this, put your favorite color at the end of your CS. I will not accept a CS if this step is not taken. Happy gaming.

SPECS & PERKS

Upon reaching Level 3, a character is asked to pick one spec (short for specialization) from three choices that vary with their class. After this, the player will receive a single perk upon each level up from their choice of two; spec choices do not affect what perks you can and can't have. These perks can be new skills, passive bonuses, or even new tools to add to your arsenal depending on the class.

All that said and done, let's take a look.






NOTE: This post isn't quite finished yet. I'll let everybody know whenever I update it, though.

Reserving a slot. I'll get to work on the CS tomorrow, since it's almost time to catch some Z's.

The second one is still a WIP; I just have to do the history when I wake up tomorrow is all.

I've been looking for a place to put my Accel World stuff in. A question though.

How similar is this going to be to Accel World? Are there still things such as Enhanced Armaments and Incarnate System? And, seeing how the avatar is generated based off their personality...what color means what?

Sup. Interest. I have it for this. Just going to wait on the skills/perks to see if my character idea would bear fruit.

I'm here and I"m reserving this spot for great justice.

A lot happens when you sleep for half a day. o_o

I'll try having a character sheet up sometime later this evening/tomorrow morning.

I'm interested in this, if you have positions still available :3

I'll work on a CS in the meantime.

ERode said
I've been looking for a place to put my Accel World stuff in. A question though.How similar is this going to be to Accel World? Are there still things such as Enhanced Armaments and Incarnate System? And, seeing how the avatar is generated based off their personality...what color means what?

While Accel World did greatly inspire this RP, this is not necessarily an Accel World RP. Enhanced Armaments may play a role in the future, but it's unlikely if I will include somthing resembling the Incarnate System.

Unless you are a Colored King, then color means nothing, and even then it only symbolizes your rank as King. Players don't have to name or base their characters off of colors, although Colored Kings must wear the attire of their color within Deep Ground.

Lucius Cypher said
I'm here and I"m reserving this spot for great justice.Though I do have some questions on Specing and play style as certain Classes. Specifically: A Class that has both high defense and high speed. Offensive capability... Neigh. Melee fighter. It's not to say that he can't do damage, but like the Assassin he relies on quick strikes and has versatility with his environment. Like a Brawler, he can take hits well and isn't really one for subtly and goes for whatever is most pragmatic, whether it be sneaking up on someone or crashing a vehicle into them.. May have one or two powerful move that isn't really that strong compared to other dedicated damage-dealers, but serves as the corner stone for him to set up/finish combos. I was thinking of a sort of long-range grapple attack, like Scorpion's harpoon. Allows him to bring light opponents/objects to him, or pull himself towards heavier opponents/objects. Another one is a mobility move which really emphasis his speed and durability.

Seeing as I have limited time right now, I'll either answer this fully later or Empire will do it. Your player avatar must be humanoid in appearance for your CS.

Spoo said
I'm interested in this, if you have positions still available :3I'll work on a CS in the meantime.

If you're eyeing a Colored King role, it's first come first serve. Otherwise, all are free to join up.

Edit: Added "Avatar Guild" to the CS. Apologies for that people.

Lucius Cypher said Though I do have some questions on Specing and play style as certain Classes. Specifically: A Class that has both high defense and high speed. Offensive capability... Neigh. Melee fighter. It's not to say that he can't do damage, but like the Assassin he relies on quick strikes and has versatility with his environment. Like a Brawler, he can take hits well and isn't really one for subtly and goes for whatever is most pragmatic, whether it be sneaking up on someone or crashing a vehicle into them.. May have one or two powerful move that isn't really that strong compared to other dedicated damage-dealers, but serves as the corner stone for him to set up/finish combos. I was thinking of a sort of long-range grapple attack, like Scorpion's harpoon. Allows him to bring light opponents/objects to him, or pull himself towards heavier opponents/objects. Another one is a mobility move which really emphasis his speed and durability.

Minus the ranged grapple, I was actually thinking to make such a thing as a Brawler spec. Since we have so many players here now, I'll prioritize the specs over finishing up my character's CS.

Define "humanoid". I can find another picture of the same guy that makes his slime like nature less apparent, but the fact that he fights like an amorphous blob is important to his fighting style. I was thinking that it would be one his beginning skills which is akin to shapeshifting. Loses conventional weapon abilities (that is to say, can't really use weapons beyond swinging the sharp part at the bad guys) for various stat boosts and alternative skills that are classified as "unarmed" or "natural weapons".

Mm, more questions then.

Why do the guys have such a simple and easy-to-put-on uniform, while girls still have to deal with that multi-layer top bullshit? Such sexism.
Is it possible at all for Rulers to be less than lvl9? Or does the system bar Rulership from any of those lvl8 and below plebians?
Does your future depend on your win-lose ratio, or your level?
How unique can the skills be? Is it possible for there to be skills that are unique to a single person?
You say that matches are GENERALLY set up with an equal number on both sides. Does that mean a match is void if someone, I dunno, disconnects? Loss forgiven and all that? Are losses also not recognized if you just go and ambush someone?

And the most important question of them all...
How much has virtual reality affected the porn industry? :3

Since Windel still isn't online, I'm gonna do my best to address all of the above that I have an answer for. Also, added specs for all classes in the second post, as well as all Gunner perks and the Level 4 Wizard perks.

Lucius Cypher said Define "humanoid". I can find another picture of the same guy that makes his slime like nature less apparent, but the fact that he fights like an amorphous blob is important to his fighting style. I was thinking that it would be one his beginning skills which is akin to shapeshifting. Loses conventional weapon abilities (that is to say, can't really use weapons beyond swinging the sharp part at the bad guys) for various stat boosts and alternative skills that are classified as "unarmed" or "natural weapons".

As much as I love novelty, I'm pretty sure "humanoid" entails "not an amorphous blob". You might, MIGHT be able to convince Windel on this (I doubt it, though) but either this decision isn't mine to make, or you'd stand no chance of convincing me on it, however much I do like the idea. In either case, you'll need to speak to Windel on this.

ERode said Why do the guys have such a simple and easy-to-put-on uniform, while girls still have to deal with that multi-layer top bullshit? Such sexism.

Because it was either the blazers or the typical schoolgirl uniform you've seen in every anime ever. The blazers look more formal, so I opted for those this time.

ERode said Is it possible at all for Rulers to be less than lvl9? Or does the system bar Rulership from any of those lvl8 and below plebians?

I'm about 90% sure you have to be top level. Maybe with some due convincing, you might be able to slide by with a level 8 ruler, but I'm pretty certain you have to be level 9.

ERode said How much has virtual reality affected the porn industry? :3

How sure are you that you want me to answer that?

Also, Deep Ground is erased from their memory banks at 18, right? Does that mean all the memories that come with it are uninstalled as well?

Is it possible to lose the program before then? Such as...you suck at the game, so you ragequit and uninstall.

Unending Empire said Rifle Enthusiast: Lets you dual-wield two-handed rifles.

Heh...

More stuff:

Are there "special attacks" in the game? I would assume there are, but you never know~
Is there an Equipment shop? Or do you get new weapons by looting corpses?
What happens to EXP gain after you reach lvl9? Is it possible to de-level if you go on a losing streak?

Still working on the the kinks of my character, but I was thinking of a Brawler with the ability to use the skills/weapons of others, provided that they form a contract with him/her. Through this, that Brawler staged a coup d'etat in the Ivory Masks, simply by having an obscene amount of allies, and thus, having a retarded amount of skills and weapons to overrun the past White King with. Dunno if coup d'etats even work, actually.

Is 'Ruler' a title granted by the system? Or just something that is recognized between players in the guild?

If by "special attacks" you mean "skills that are attacks", then absolutely. Gunners even get a few of these from perks. I'm also fairly certain there are weapon shops. See the below, from Windel's summary on Gunners.
(why do I always backtrack to Gunners?)

TheWindel said Main weapon is a gun of choice, and silencers may be purchased with a high enough level.

Other than that, I don't have an answer to any of those questions except the "get other people's skills & stuff" one. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't work. But I'm just the co-GM; if Windel approves it then my opinion is moot :3

If we're playing as a regular player, will we be able to start off at level 3, where we can choose a spec for our class? I mean, like, when we're creating our character sheet and stuff for this rp.