Well then, I should say, you've been rather cruel in letting your players wallow in ignorance for the past few weeks. You should have said something earlier, and, perhaps, if you'd used timestamps, this problem wouldn't have occurred in the first place. This may seem trenchant, but I've seen stronger groups come apart from smaller tears in communication.

I just noticed that they said 2013/2014 right now. Honestly, I thought that the time stamps said 2012 (the Doctor Doom ones do). I just overlooked them. Now that I am aware of what has happened, I'll be more mindful of making sure the time stamps are correct and saying something if they are not.

I was just thinking, after reading some of the Character Applications (that are all good), I noticed that a few important characters have been introduced in reference or in context. For example, in Dedonus' alone, Iceman is moved from team to team and given a backstory - and also characters such as Tony Stark and Reed Richards are mentioned. But, as stated for this RP, we can redesign the mainstream characters - and The New Yorker has already done that by changing Matt Murdock's name - so what if someone comes in with an application for Tony Stark, yet naming him Tony Burns or whatever? Is this impossible now due to the continuity we are constantly creating with every reference? Also, if people want to apply as characters already introduced, will they have to follow the existing continuity explicitly? I took and am still taking measures to avoid naming any other Inhumans, I've been saying 'the ruling Inhumans' instead of Black Bolt and Medusa, so wouldn't it be better if others did that also? And finally, with super-intelligent people like Reed Richards and Hank Pym being mentioned, wouldn't it be strange if - when we get to cross-character events that would affect the world in general - these people who are not being controlled don't show up, whereas logic would suggest they would? Sorry if this causes any problems or confusion, but it's just a thought I got.

When you say that Tony Stark, Reed Richards, and Hank Pym have been mentioned, are you talking about them appearing in Spider-Man's "Powers and Abilities" section? If so, that is just for mainstream comparison rather than establishing characters. So far, we do not have a Tony Stark, Reed Richards, or a Hank Pym. Sorry if that confused you. Naming those names (Stark, Richards, McCoy, and Pym) was just a different way of saying that Peter is super smart. Also, I tried to keep as vague as possible on Iceman as possible in my character sheet just in case someone wanted to play him. All I would want that player to do is have him in the X-Men and the Amazing Friends. Otherwise, anyone could take any liberties with him. That's why Iceman hasn't appeared in the IC yet.

Alright. So you're saying minimal exposition is allowed, but it's necessary to be particularly vague for the foreseeable future?

The year problem seems quite simple a fix, though, at least!

This is true.

@The New Yorker - I'll PM you some stuff, at some point, so we can brainstorm.

Sounds good.

I was just thinking, after reading some of the Character Applications (that are all good), I noticed that a few important characters have been introduced in reference or in context. For example, in Dedonus' alone, Iceman is moved from team to team and given a backstory - and also characters such as Tony Stark and Reed Richards are mentioned. But, as stated for this RP, we can redesign the mainstream characters - and The New Yorker has already done that by changing Matt Murdock's name - so what if someone comes in with an application for Tony Stark, yet naming him Tony Burns or whatever? Is this impossible now due to the continuity we are constantly creating with every reference? Also, if people want to apply as characters already introduced, will they have to follow the existing continuity explicitly? I took and am still taking measures to avoid naming any other Inhumans, I've been saying 'the ruling Inhumans' instead of Black Bolt and Medusa, so wouldn't it be better if others did that also? And finally, with super-intelligent people like Reed Richards and Hank Pym being mentioned, wouldn't it be strange if - when we get to cross-character events that would affect the world in general - these people who are not being controlled don't show up, whereas logic would suggest they would? Sorry if this causes any problems or confusion, but it's just a thought I got.

You bring up good points. As I see it, the currently players should take advantage of the world they're playing in, using characters that they deem fit in as loose (thematic ambiguity), and yet consistent (use of characterization and personality) a manner as possible. In the instances where someone comes in to fill those roles, they would have to fill in the shoes you've left behind. It's impossible to strike a perfect balance between incoming players and current players, which is why I feel it best if we lean toward the current players, those who are most readily effected by the rules. Incoming players will just have to deal with the fact that Wolverine's later life story is settled, and that Tony Stark is indeed a playboy entrepreneur, and Trask is a corrupted snake. All this being said, the GM get's final say on stuff like that.

For characters that have not been picked up yet, I would err on the side of keeping them vague so that others can pick them up. I'm fine with Kal-El's application because it still allows a player to take liberties with the character. Yes, they have to adopt Jimmpy into their character background, but they have free-reign with everything else. This "rule" is really to protect the popular characters (like Iron Man). If its a minor character, you can take more liberties if you are using them as an NPC.

Alright. So you're saying minimal exposition is allowed, but it's necessary to be particularly vague for the foreseeable future?

That's how I see it. Like, I don't think it would be brave for you to even mention Black Bolt's real name, since he's such an important element of your story. If I ever make a CS for him, it would be my responsibility to accept that his name is already set, as are some of his other components. I think it would be incredibly arrogant of me to suggest that you have no right to discuss another member of a notoriously segregated section of society when your character is an important member in the aforementioned community.

For characters that have not been picked up yet, I would err on the side of keeping them vague so that others can pick them up. I'm fine with Kal-El's application because it still allows a player to take liberties with the character. Yes, they have to adopt Jimmpy into their character background, but they have free-reign with everything else. This "rule" is really to protect the popular characters (like Iron Man). If its a minor character, you can take more liberties if you are using them as an NPC.

To be fair, that is a pretty big restriction. But as I say, the player would just need to accept that and deal with it.

Alright. So you're saying minimal exposition is allowed, but it's necessary to be particularly vague for the foreseeable future?

I mean, I think we should take into consideration how popular some character are to determined how much we can use. For instance, Iron Man is pretty popular (especially because of his movies/Marvel animated series). For him, I would say don't mention him unless absolutely necessary because I assume someone, sooner or later, would like to pick him up. However, for characters like the Inhumans, unless others here are against it, I would not mind if you took liberties with the other Inhumans. My logic behind this is that I assume that a potential player would prefer to play as Iron Man over one of the other characters from the Inhumans. Also, if worse comes to worse, we can just retcon stuff (especially if someone goes AWL). That's the unfortunate side affect of using established Marvel characters over original characters (as can be seen in the Create-A-Hero RPG). Unfortunately here we are going to have to retcon if someone goes missing, while in the Create-A-Hero RPG, we could just ignore the posts of people who pop in, make a post or two, and then disappear. Edit: Ops, forgot that New Yorker has thoughts about Black Bolt. Well, if you would like to take liberties with the other Inhumans, you could run them by New Yorker just in case.

To be fair, that is a pretty big restriction. But as I say, the player would just need to accept that and deal with it.

It is a slippery slope. If we don't allow this, then it will be very restrictive for the current players because that would make certain characters flat out unavailable and make certain stories impossible to tell. We just want to find a balance that allows for us to give us the most tools to tell the stories that we want to tell and that allows for new players to make the characters that they want to make.

Alright. So you're saying minimal exposition is allowed, but it's necessary to be particularly vague for the foreseeable future?

I mean, I think we should take into consideration how popular some character are to determined how much we can use. For instance, Iron Man is pretty popular (especially because of his movies/Marvel animated series). For him, I would say don't mention him unless absolutely necessary because I assume someone, sooner or later, would like to pick him up. However, for characters like the Inhumans, unless others here are against it, I would not mind if you took liberties with the other Inhumans. My logic behind this is that I assume that a potential player would prefer to play as Iron Man over one of the other characters from the Inhumans. Also, if worse comes to worse, we can just retcon stuff (especially if someone goes AWL). That's the unfortunate side affect of using established Marvel characters over original characters (as can be seen in the Create-A-Hero RPG). Unfortunately here we are going to have to retcon if someone goes missing, while in the Create-A-Hero RPG, we could just ignore the posts of people who pop in, make a post or two, and then disappear. Edit: Ops, forgot that New Yorker has thoughts about Black Bolt. Well, if you would like to take liberties with the other Inhumans, you could run them by New Yorker just in case.

Well, as I said: Black Bolt is a huge part of Karnak's world. It would be arrogant of me to say that Eru can't use him an describe him in a way as to expose something about his own character. I see no issue in that at all. As a player, I would have to go into the CS under the assumptions that have already been expressed by Eru. Which I think brings the conversation full circle :D

To be fair, that is a pretty big restriction. But as I say, the player would just need to accept that and deal with it.

It is a slippery slope. If we don't allow this, then it will be very restrictive for the current players because that would make certain characters flat out unavailable and make certain stories impossible to tell. We just want to find a balance that allows for us to give us the most tools to tell the stories that we want to tell and that allows for new players to make the characters that they want to make.

Couldn't agree more. EDIT: I really have to remember not to double post. Sorry.

Alright. So you're saying minimal exposition is allowed, but it's necessary to be particularly vague for the foreseeable future?

I mean, I think we should take into consideration how popular some character are to determined how much we can use. For instance, Iron Man is pretty popular (especially because of his movies/Marvel animated series). For him, I would say don't mention him unless absolutely necessary because I assume someone, sooner or later, would like to pick him up. However, for characters like the Inhumans, unless others here are against it, I would not mind if you took liberties with the other Inhumans. My logic behind this is that I assume that a potential player would prefer to play as Iron Man over one of the other characters from the Inhumans. Also, if worse comes to worse, we can just retcon stuff (especially if someone goes AWL). That's the unfortunate side affect of using established Marvel characters over original characters (as can be seen in the Create-A-Hero RPG). Unfortunately here we are going to have to retcon if someone goes missing, while in the Create-A-Hero RPG, we could just ignore the posts of people who pop in, make a post or two, and then disappear. Edit: Ops, forgot that New Yorker has thoughts about Black Bolt. Well, if you would like to take liberties with the other Inhumans, you could run them by New Yorker just in case.

Well, as I said: Black Bolt is a huge part of Karnak's world. It would be arrogant of me to say that Eru can't use him an describe him in a way as to expose something about his own character. I see no issue in that at all. As a player, I would have to go into the CS under the assumptions that have already been expressed by Eru. Which I think brings the conversation full circle :D

If it is fine with you, it's fine with me. Honestly, how many other people would take one of the Inhumans over some of the characters that have not been selected yet (Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, just to name a few). The X-Men are basically wide open. We have two X-Men, although they haven't joined the X-Men yet. Right now for the X-Men, all we know is that there is Professor X, Firestar, and Iceman. And that is more of me asking whoever takes up control over the X-Men to please include them. Edit: No problem with double posting. We all do it sometimes.

If it is fine with you, it's fine with me. Honestly, how many other people would take one of the Inhumans over some of the characters that have not been selected yet (Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, just to name a few). The X-Men are basically wide open. We have two X-Men, although they haven't joined the X-Men yet. Right now for the X-Men, all we know is that there is Professor X, Firestar, and Iceman. And that is more of me asking whoever takes up control over the X-Men to please include them. Edit: No problem with double posting. We all do it sometimes.

I have the intention of making Triton my NPC at some point, but I also am going to change Karnak in the way that Black Bolt is not directly involved with him, except for maybe the notice that he exists, for the point that New Yorker chooses to pick him up or not. Also, I'm probably going to make an X-Men app, as the X-Men are one of my favourite groups (though I do prefer the offshoots), and to get in on those sweet X-Men collabs. Speaking of the offshoots, is anyone interested in changing their inevitable X-Men characters at some point into the Uncanny X-Force strike team? [The team in the comics was Wolverine, Psylocke, Archangel, Deadpool and Fantomex.] They are, if you don't know, the collection of X-Men characters who are willing to kill people.

If it is fine with you, it's fine with me. Honestly, how many other people would take one of the Inhumans over some of the characters that have not been selected yet (Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, just to name a few). The X-Men are basically wide open. We have two X-Men, although they haven't joined the X-Men yet. Right now for the X-Men, all we know is that there is Professor X, Firestar, and Iceman. And that is more of me asking whoever takes up control over the X-Men to please include them. Edit: No problem with double posting. We all do it sometimes.

I have the intention of making Triton my NPC at some point, but I also am going to change Karnak in the way that Black Bolt is not directly involved with him, except for maybe the notice that he exists, for the point that New Yorker chooses to pick him up or not. Also, I'm probably going to make an X-Men app, as the X-Men are one of my favourite groups (though I do prefer the offshoots), and to get in on those sweet X-Men collabs. Speaking of the offshoots, is anyone interested in changing their inevitable X-Men characters at some point into the Uncanny X-Force strike team? [The team in the comics was Wolverine, Psylocke, Archangel, Deadpool and Fantomex.] They are, if you don't know, the collection of X-Men characters who are willing to kill people.

That seems like something really far in the future, like after all of our acts are over. But, if we get that far, I see no issue with that. I've purposely pushed Remy over that cliff to see what comes of it.

I'll try to get a post up as soon as possible. I have a midterm tomorrow, so I have to focus on that first before I can make any strides in writing a post (I have started one, if that brings any comfort).

I'd like to have a DD post up soon. Maybe before walking dead tonight. If not, count on it tomorrow, along with a new CS from me. Haven't decided which.

Once I finish Jimmy, I would love to inter-mingle with arcs and characters. I prefer the interaction and then the eventual follow up to becoming a team. Jimmy will inevitably drag Peter along. Gotta recreate the Wolverine/Peter Broship from the comics.

I'd like to have a DD post up soon. Maybe before walking dead tonight. If not, count on it tomorrow, along with a new CS from me. Haven't decided which.

Not to influence your decision or anything but... *cough* Black Bolt *cough*

Post up.

I'd like to have a DD post up soon. Maybe before walking dead tonight. If not, count on it tomorrow, along with a new CS from me. Haven't decided which.

Not to influence your decision or anything but... *cough* Black Bolt *cough*

Very subtle. I hardly got your meaning there :p You may find yourself pleasantly surprised tomorrow, Eru.

Hopefully sometime in the (not so far) future, I would like to get an application for either Hawkeye or Hercules (Herakles).

Player Name: The New Yorker Character Name: Blackagar Boltagon Moral Alignment: Hero Affiliations: The Inhumans Character Bio & Background At what some considered the new height of Attilan culture and societal stability, two of the greatest and most powerful minds bore a child, one of limitless potential and ability even so young as he was. His mother Rynda, Director and first chair of the prenatal care center and Queen of the Inhumans, had organized a project to subject her unborn child, still but an embryo, to the mutagenic effects of Terrigenisis. The baby was born with the unwieldy ability to absorb and disperse the electron energy around him. In order to protect the baby and others around him, Blackagar was put into a hyper isolation chamber and settled into an energy harness. This is where he would be raised for the next 15 years in relative ease, learning to control his powers along with everything else the Inhuman heir apparent learns. This is where his story of achievement and success ends. Unbeknownst to the prodigal son, sheltered deep within the Attilan Royal chambers, he had a brother, indeed, a twin brother. Maximus was paraded about as a trophy. He was smart, powerful, sophisticated, and docile, easily brought out during speeches or feasts. Everyone knew, however, that Maximus was just the opening act, simply an appetizer for the main course. Indeed, everyone knew this, except Blackagar himself. Max became thoroughly unhappy with his lot in life, his hampered dreams and aspirations. He’d been doing research, using his uncanny powers of mind control and astral projection in order to delve deep into the darkest secrets Attilan had to offer. And at the center of it, he found the Kree. Maximus conspired throughout his adolescence to find some way to usurp his brother’s position, and perhaps even that of his parent’s. Max learned that the tales and legends of Attilan being the Great Refuge, a totally isolated nation, were complete fabrications. The Inhumans and the Humans roamed the lands together at one point, indeed, some still do. So why should they be allowed to flourish beyond the confines of the bubble and Max could not? So, he devised a terrible plot to exploit this web of lies. If the people of Attilan were content with delusions and false pretenses, Maximus could provide better than anyone. Max went about signaling the Kree to the Inhuman’s location. He did so in such a way that the Kree would be at a disadvantage when they arrived, doubling down on his own people by warning them before-hand. When the exploratory forces of the Kree landed in the Atlanitc they were met by a bevy of some of the most powerful members of the Royal family and their companions. Max was among them. He controlled the battle like a marionettist, making sure both his mother and father were critically wounded, but also making sure the Kree were forced to flee. With the first strike of the invasion out of the way, the King and Queen in dire conditions, and Maximus coming out victorious, all that is left is to occlude Blackagar. With each attentive and caring mind clouded by Maximus’ incredible mental abilities, he is able to take the throne at the age of 16. With this seat of power Maximus is able to keep his parents disabled and unconscious while his brother is locked in a cell no one knows of. For five years he rules, and no one seems to notice that he’s not supposed to be there. Perhaps because of how easy everything is. Perhaps it’s because the Kree threat is behind them and in front of them at equal measure. Max cares not as he sips wine from his gilded cup in the throne room. He makes trips to the surface every few months without anyone noticing—well, almost anyone. The irony of the situation is that Maximus revealed himself and his plot to his brother, letting him rot in the cell with only his thoughts and a few scraps a week to feed him. Any attempt Maximus made to control his brother failed, as did his attempts to impose amnesia. For five years Blackagar lives in a darkly lit chamber, fastened tightly into an energy harness. He meditates in order to stay calm, retrieve sweet memories of when his parents would come to visit him. For five years he lives in exile in the Royal chambers. All the while he is periodically taken care of by his first cousin Medusa, a beautiful girl with the sweetest caring eyes, and rolling hills of crimson hair. On Blackagar’s 21st birthday Medusa is sent to feed the young man, usually aided by Maximus, who wipes her mind afterwards. This time, however, Maximus rushes off on an expedition to the Antarctic, leaving the two together without surveillance. On this day Blackagar will finally be free. Powers and abilities Ambient Particle & Electron Harnessing: Black Bolt's primary superhuman ability is the power to harness electrons. The speech center of his brain contains a unique organic mechanism that's able to generate an unknown particle that interacts with the electrons he absorbs to create certain phenomena that are determined by his mental control. Inhuman Physiology: Like all Inhumans, Black Bolt's natural physiology grants him a number of superhuman physical attributes but because of the genetic tampering before birth, Black Bolt's physical abilities are significantly superior to most other members of his race. Sample Story Arcs Blackness descends: Blackagar escapes from the prison his brother has made for him and frees the Attilan’s from their own mental prisons. That’s only the beginning as the Inhumans face old and new threats. Blackness repents: After picking up the pieces and retrieving lost ties, Black Bolt must find a new home for his people. Blackness ascends: The Inhumans, in their desperation and sadness, look up to the skies for a reprieve.

Character Name: Blackagar Boltagon

I will read over the sheet when I get back from class later tonight (I have a midterm to slay first!).