Estelle Thomas was the first. When she was two years old, a patch of skin on her throat lightened to pure white. It formed the shape of a star exactly. By the time she was twelve, she was an internationally-renowned pop star. No one thought anything of the star on her throat. Maybe it was a scar; maybe she was just born with it. ~✶~ Orion Faust was born with a white star on either hand. When he was eight he played Ligeti’s first “impossible” piano etude at Carnegie Hall, and played it flawlessly. ~✶~ Atlas Oritz had a white star on his ankle. He won the 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 runs at the Olympics, the long-jump, high-jump, 400m hurdles, and decathlon. When he was fifteen. ~✶~ That was when people started noticing. Conspiracy theorists, religious freaks, and dark minds all looked to the Stars. ~~✶~~✶~~ That was twenty years ago. Today, there are hundreds of Star-Children and an organization devoted to uniting them and attempting to understand what it is that makes their powers function. This organization has discovered that, when undergoing intense physiological or psychological trauma, it is possible for one’s star power to be “Corrupted,” wherein the mark turns black and the individual’s power increases. But it is at a cost. The only way to change the power is to basically torture the individual that has the mark; after this experience, the Corrupted Stars (as they are called) are no longer the same. They lose their hold on humanity, and on their sense of right-and-wrong. The power destroys them. The organization continues to change Stars, being apathetic at best about the Corrupted ones going insane, killing themselves or each other. At last the truth comes out: The goal is to create an army of superhumans, the one-percenters who will take humanity to the next level. Of course, this is disguised behind "science" and "the good of humanity”. These continued atrocities on part of Nova Infinitum caused the pop-up of many rival organizations. Some had good goals, but others sought to repeat the atrocities of Nova for their own benefit, and some sought to purge the world of the “evil” that was the Stars. Whatever their motives, it soon became a battle for control, as each organization fought for supremacy. And the Stars were caught in the middle of the fight, as each looked on, hoping for a brighter future... ~~~✶~~Factions~~✶~~~ Note that this list of factions is final. No additions will be made. [hider=Nova Infinitum] Nova Infinitum is the main player-character organization. An “academy” of sorts, based in New York City. It teaches Starred children to control their powers. But they have a more sinister side: With the discovery of corrupt Stars, the organization has been deliberately corrupting them to intensify their powers, hoping to form a child army. [/hider] [hider=Milites Dei] Milites Dei, or “Soldiers of God” has only one goal, the complete elimination of all stars. With bases all across the country, most unaffiliated Stars are at risk. The organization is comprised of religious freaks who fear the Stars are demons, having heard tales of the corrupt Stars and exaggerated them in their own minds, they have a kill-on-sight policy: Whenever they so much as hear of a Star child, they hunt him or her down, regardless of who might stand in their way. The organization due to it’s nature also operates in cells, and are lead by a mysterious figure only referred to as the “Saviour”. *Note that this is an NPC faction. Duck, who is in charge of this faction, will NOT be accepting player characters.* [/hider] [hider=Lux Astra] Lux Astra, or “The Light of a Star” is an organization based in Dallas, Texas. Devoted to finding a cure for the corrupted Stars, and creating a society where stars and non-stars can live in peace, they are generally seen as benevolent, though little-known by the public. There are many Stars residing in their headquarters, oftentimes ones recruited from missions or rounded up before the other organizations can get to them. [/hider] [hider=Zodiac] From San Francisco comes Zodiac. Not much is known about this organization, only that it is headed by an extremely powerful Star who has a deep-seated, all-consuming hatred for the Corrupted, who wants to see the world “washed clean of the stain that is Corruption.” [/hider] ~~~✶~~ RULES ~~✶~~~ This is to be a high-casual roleplay. There will probably be some dark themes involved. I would ask for mature role-players. This doesn’t mean you have to be over eighteen (I would almost encourage otherwise, to be honest) it just means that a) you must be able to write coherently; and b) you must be mature, as in, not pitching fits and rage-quitting, when things don’t go your way. Obviously, romance is going to happen. Keep it PG-13, obviously, because site rules. Heh. At this point in time I have two co-gms: [@duck55223] and [@ClocktowerEchos]. Duck controls Milites Dei and Lux Astra. Clock commands Zodiac. I run Nova Infinitum. PM the manager/leader of your faction if you have any questions about it. Try not to reuse the same powers as other people. It'll be hard not to reuse locations of stars, but... you know. Originality is good. If you read all of this admittedly short list, write Per Aspera Ad Astra in your character sheet. .~~~✶~~ CHARACTER SHEET ~~✶~~~ [b]Name:[/b] I would like to keep the characters’ first names astronomy/astrology themed. Try using the words for star, light, brilliance, or some other similar thing in other languages. Also names of constellations and galaxies and stars are all fair game. [b]Gender:[/b] [b]Age:[/b] 7-17 please! [b]Nationality:[/b] [b]Starting location:[/b] Please start at one of the headquarters (San Francisco, Dallas, or New York) or PM me for special dispensation. [b]Appearance:[/b] Either a description or a picture. [b]Location and notes on star mark:[/b] Size, number of points, that sort of thing can all go here. [b]Star power:[/b] The location of the star on your characters body always has something to do with it. You can be creative with it, though. A star over the eye might be the ability to see anything within visible range with perfect clarity; but it might also be for a photographic memory (the ability to see something and remember it) or it might be for like the ability to tell if someone is telling the truth or not. Be creative with it, and as long as there’s a semi-logical reason for it, I will generally accept it. [b]Corrupted or Uncorrupted:[/b] [b]Personality:[/b] Can be left as To Be Revealed if you don’t want to type it out. [b]Biography:[/b] Can be left as To Be Revealed if you don’t want to type it out. [b]Trivia:[/b] Likes, dislikes, phobias, that sort of thing. [b]Other:[/b] ~~~✶~~NPC SHEET~~✶~~~ Name: Age: Gender: Appearance: Occupation: If a Star, are they corrupted or uncorrupted?: ~~~✶~~RESERVED POWERS~~✶~~~ “Super”intelligence: Reserved by [@duck55223] Omniscience: Reserved by [@RomanAria] Photographic Memory: Reserved by [@RomanAria] Multitasking: Reserved by [@RomanAria] “Clocktower Echo”: Reserved by [@ClocktowerEchos] “Celestial Eye”: Reserved by [@ClocktowerEchos] Omnilingualism: Rosalind Haul, played by [@Emma] Healing Hands: Andromeda Thompson, played by [@Ghost Queen] Telepathy: Pyxis Marks, played by [@writtenword] Agility: Equuleus Beaumont, played by [@Jozarin] Fractal Apotheosis: Nova Gatley, played by [@Tancuras] If you would like to reserve a power while you work on your CS, please mention it here. ~~~✶~~ACCEPTED CHARACTERS~~✶~~~ [hider=Andromeda Thompson] [b]Name[/b]: Andromeda Thompson [b]Gender[/b]: Female [b]Age[/b]: 17 [b]Nationality[/b]: U.S.A. [b]Starting location[/b]: New York City [url=http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8d/6d/c2/8d6dc2839eb5cb18aad647b56e73ba6b.jpg]Appearance[/url]: On the taller side, Andromeda stands just under six foot two. [b]Location and notes on star mark[/b]: Andromeda has two six sided stars, one for each hand. [b]Star power[/b]: Andromeda can heal superficial wounds in a matter of seconds, things like small cuts and minor bruises. The time it takes to heal grows incrementally in response to the damage, with broken bones taking up to an hour to heal. However her powers do not work when she is panicked and prolonged use of her powers can cause exhaustion. [b]Corrupted or Uncorrupted[/b]: Uncorrupted [b]Personality[/b]: Andromeda has a gentle soul that shies away from violence as much as possible. She is fairly quiet, a trait many mistake for shyness when in fact Andromeda just doesn't like making much noise. When push comes to shove however she won't hesitate to throw down, fighting dirty all the way. [b]Biography[/b]: To Be Revealed [b]Trivia[/b]: [u]Likes[/u] -Coffee -Children -Partners of the womanly persuasion -Fantasy books [u]Dislikes[/u] -Bullies -Grapes -Country Music -Sappy romance novels [u]Fears[/u] -Milites Dai -Thunder [b]Other[/b]: Aspera Ad Astra [/hider] [hider=Pyxis Marks] Per Aspera Ad Astra [b]Name:[/b] Pyxis Marks [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Age:[/b] 17 [b]Nationality:[/b] French [b]Starting location:[/b] New York [b]Appearance:[/b] [url]http://media.cdn.impericon.com/media/catalog/product/i/r/iriedaily_hipsterblock_navy_hoodie_lg.jpg[/url] Pyxis stands at just barely 5'9 [b]Location and notes on star mark:[/b] There's a small star on his left temple. It has 8 points. [b]Star power:[/b] Pyxis has the power of telepathy. He can get a general reading of people emotions, but can't communicate through the link, although, with enough concentration, he can block memories from said person entirely, and from himself. [b]Corrupted or Uncorrupted:[/b] Uncorrupted, but will probably be corrupted later. [b]Personality:[/b] Pyxis is always cautious when meeting new people, or in any social situation really, taking more time then strictly necessary to think through every possible situation. He is inherently curious however, and that's gotten him into more trouble then it's worth, repeatedly. A little bit of a scaredy cat, and not self sacrificing at all, he isn't the kind of person to go leaping in front of another just to be the hero. That isn't to say he'll abandon people however. If he's made a strong bond with you, then even if he hesitates, he will put the lives of his friends before himself. [b]Biography:[/b] [b]Warning: Mention of child abuse.[/b] Pyxis grew up with a single father, and didn't learn why he didn't have a mother until his star appeared.. Even then, he was only 3 years old and didn't understand much of what his father was shouting at him. But, as he grew older he understood. His mother had committed suicide soon after he was born. She'd been a famous pianist, at the peak of her career and performing internationally. A dream of hers since a young age had been to enter the International Music Competition and [i]win.[/i] She'd participated more then once, but this was her last chance, and she believed so strongly that she was ready. It was that passion that had made Michael-his father-love her so much. She entered the competition, and performed a painfully beautiful rendition of Moonlight Sonata. It seemed almost certain that she would win, until a young star child appeared to take first place with a blisteringly fast paced piece. Composed [i]by[/i] the kid no less! After that, Sarah-Pyxis' mother-fell into a slump, refusing to play at concerts and even then, giving half-hearted performances that were merely a fragment of a shadow, of how she used to play. She didn't seem to see the point, if her art, all she'd ever worked for, was just being taken from her. She seemed to back away from life, only giving one word answers to any conversations Michael attempted to have with her. When Pyxis was born, for a short while, Sarah seemed legitimately happy, face lighting up with joy that hadn't graced her features in years. But, one day, when Michael was at work and she was staying at home caring for the baby, he got a phone call. Sarah had overdosed on her pills. Suicide. Those words rang in his ears, and the only thing that he could think of, was what had driven her to this. The star-children. He hated them after that. Hated them for taking away the love of his life. He was a doting father to Pyxis, even if he spent his nights staring into the bottom of a beer bottle. Then the star appeared on his sons forehead. He didn't realize what it was at first, or perhaps simply didn't want to believe what it was. But after checking at the doctors and being told very cheerfully that yes, it was a star, he lost it. All that anger, that deep-seated rage in his heart spilled over anything that he felt for Pyxis. All he could see now, was that his son, [i]Sarah's[/i] son, was no better then the people that had-in his mind-killed her. He would beat him most nights, after he'd had more then a couple of drinks. He didn't have anyone to tell, he was only 4 by then, and confused as to why his own father would be causing him so much pain. No one knew, until he was 9 years old, and his teacher spotted the bruises on his stomach. After that, it was a blur of social services and concerned voices. Pyxis was overwhelmed, and when he got the chance to be alone, no one watching him carefully, he finally cried. And scared young child that he was, he squeezed his eyes shut and willed the memories to disappear. And they did. One by one, they were gone. Adopted by a new family for a while, he was happy. They moved America, he made friends, tried to move on. Even if he went quiet at a question to his past. Even if they questioned why he didn't look like his parents. [b]Trivia: [/b] [b]Phobias[/b] - Entomophobia (Fear of bugs. Finds himself unable to move.) - Nyctophobia (Fear of the dark. Curls in on himself, hyperventilates.) [b]Likes[/b] - Sweet things - Books - Mice - Bisexual [b]Dislikes[/b] - Violent people - Loud noises - Cleaning up Other: [/hider] [hider=Equuleus Beaumont] Name: Equuleus Beaumont Gender: Male Age: 15 Nationality: French Starting location: New York Location and notes on star mark: About a hand's width. six points. Abdomen. Star power: Incredible Agility. HE has always been naturally talented at dance and parkour, and has only gotten better since moving to new york Corrupted or Uncorrupted: Uncorrupted Personality: To Be Revealed Biography: To Be Revealed Likes: Girls, heights, adrenaline Dislikes: Falling, sitting still, Phobias: Afraid of small spaces Other: Per Aspera ad Astra [/hider] [hider=Nova Gatley] [indent][b]Name[/b][/indent] Nova Gatley [indent][b]Gender[/b] [/indent] Male [indent][b]Age[/b] [/indent] 16 [indent][b]Nationality[/b][/indent] Canadian [indent][b]Starting Location[/b][/indent] Dallas [indent][b]Appearance[/b][/indent] Nova is slightly shorter than the average person, thin, and lanky, long of limb and light of skin. His hair is bright as the sun, platinum blonde and worn back in long, elegant strands. His eyes are dark and challenging, often casting competitive glares at the people around him. He is quite handsome, something he knows all too well. His attire in the field is usually a suit vest with a shirt and tie, or a double-breasted coat on cold days. [indent][b]Location and Notes on Star Mark[/b][/indent] Nova's Star begins two inches below his collarbone on the left side of his body, right over his heart. It has four points, and each taper into lines that form two complete rings around his body. One circles his chest, and the other runs down his left leg and under his foot before returning up the other side of the leg, up the back and over the shoulder to meet the Star again. [indent][b]Star Power[/b][/indent] [b]Fractal Apotheosis[/b] - By tapping into the residual energy of a dead Star, Nova can harness the powers of the deceased, albeit in a lesser state. In order to use the powers of the dead, Nova needs to first find their residual energy, usually in a place that had once been of great significance to the deceased. Even then, the energy isn't always compatible, and a bond must be formed. Once this has been accomplished, the power is "imprinted", and Nova has access to these powers at any time, though possesses no unique powers of his own. [indent][b]Imprints[/b][/indent] [b]Atlas[/b] - Allows Nova to perceive residual Star energy and detect other Stars' general location, to a range of a city block. [b]Fawaris[/b] - Bends light around Nova, hiding him. [indent][b]Corrupted or Uncorrupted[/b][/indent] Uncorrupted [indent][b]Personality[/b][/indent] At a glance, Nova is narcissistic, self-absorbed and cocksure. He can be infuriatingly arrogant and excessively competitive, and because of this, he has amassed somewhat if a disreputable presence. However, Nova's relentless prattle is only a cover for his insecurities and anxiety, and when faced with hardship strong enough to dissolve his facade, he will quickly break down. To those who know him well, he is very extroverted and always latching on to new friendships. Moreso, he has never been known to betray someone close to him, his loyalty unfaltering. [indent][b]Biography[/b][/indent] [hider=Pt.1 - Atlas] Nova was born in the Canadian countryside. He grew up living a simple life, free of most conflict or worry. Of course, he had heard of the Stars, but it was something so distant from his small town that he never gave it more than a passing thought. When Nova was eight, he noticed a strange birthmark appear on his chest, one that seemed to be drawing lines around his body. He couldn't hide it for long, and his classmate and best friend Atlas managed to corner him one day at school and interrogate him. When Nova finally showed Atlas the mark, Atlas parted some hair on his head above his eye and showed Nova is own birthmark. It was an eight-pointed star, one Nova could never have noticed unless pointed out. Atlas explained to Nova that they were both the same - they were Stars. Incredulous, Nova did not believe him at first, as he did not believe he had any powers, or was special in any way. He asked Atlas what his power was. Atlas told him it was how he knew Nova was a fellow Star: he could see something emanate from Nova's body sometimes, a glowing light, and he was always able to tell where his friend was. After a few games of hide-and-seek to test the theory, Nova finally gave in. He still, however, did not know his own power. But Atlas wasn't the only one to spot Nova's Star. A few days later, Nova was dragged into the town clinic by his parents. Mister and missus Gatley were pale as chalk, asking Nova how many people had seen the birthmark, or if anyone had seen him do anything strange. Nova did not understand. It was to his parents' relief - and Nova's disappointment - however, when the doctor took some tissue samples and informed them that it was just a strange scar, and not a Star mark at all. Three days later, Nova woke beneath a pile of ash and wood. His house had burnt down, and the only thing that remained of his parents were two charred lumps. Firemen asked him what he knew, but he was unable to answer. He was placed in protective custody. When he was finally able to sneak out, Nova traveled immediately to Atlas' house, only to find that it had burned down much the same as his. But this time, there were no survivors. It was there Nova finally discovered his power. Sitting on a blackened concrete step, Nova sobbed, mourning his parents and his best friend. The mark on his chest flared, and Atlas' image appeared in his head. But it wasn't just his image. Atlas' entire consciousness seemed to be trying to rip through his mind. And when it was finally over, Nova didn't feel like he had lost his friend. He felt like Atlas was right there beside him, every time he tapped his friend's power to find others like him. [/hider] [hider=Pt.2 - Fawaris] TBR [/hider] [indent][b]Trivia[/b][/indent] [list] [*]Nova's biggest fear is being worthless to other people. Because of this, he wants to help as many people as he can. Whether this is out of benevolence or self-interest is debatable. [*]Nova is often compared to a puppy. [*]Nova's dream is to be a hero. Nothing more, nothing less. Just a hero. [/list] [indent][b]Other[/b][/indent] Per Aspera Ad Astra [/hider] [Hider=Rosalind Haul] [img]http://iv1.lisimg.com/image/7791697/600full-mika-abdalla.jpg[/img] [color=fff79a][b]Name:[/b][/color] Rosalind Yildiz Haul [color=585858]([i]Rosalind[/i] is the name of Uranus Moon. [i]Yildiz[/i] is a Turkish name meaning 'Like a Star'. [i]Haul[/i] is Welsh for the word 'Sun'.)[/color] [color=fff79a][b]Gender:[/b][/color] Female [color=fff79a][b]Age:[/b][/color] 14 [color=fff79a][b]Nationality:[/b][/color] Australia [color=585858](Her mother is Turkish, and her Father is Italian)[/color] [color=fff79a][b]Starting location:[/b][/color] San Francisco [color=fff79a][b]Location and notes on star mark:[/b][/color] Size of a penny, 8 points, located on her tongue. [color=fff79a][b]Star power:[/b][/color] Omnilingualism - The power to instantly speak/read/write and understand any language fluently. Including - dead languages, computer code, hand signals, slang, Morse code, shorthand, pictographs, and other nonverbal forms of communication. When speaking any language her dialect, accent and pronunciation is spot on. [b][color=fff79a]Corrupted or Uncorrupted:[/color][/b] Uncorrupted [color=fff79a][b]Personality:[/b][/color] To Be Revealed in IC [color=fff79a][b]Biography:[/b][/color] Rosalind was born in Australia to Prospero and Nuray. Her father Prospero Uccello, was a young musician, and her mother Nuray Ceylan a florist. Her parents met in university through mutual friends, fell in love, and married two years later. She was six years old when they tragically died in car accident. The death of her parents led to a whole life change for Rosalind. Her grandparents became her legal guardians, but they were very old and lived poorly in Kayseri. They decided that it was best that Rosalind stay in Australia. Luckily her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Haul offered to take her in. Rosalind was officially adopted by Brianne and Kenneth Haul, when she was nine years old, and shortly after Brianne gave birth to the twins Ryland and Shane. She was ten years old when the whole family moved to the US. Her adoptive father got a new job in Los Angeles California, and the whole family packed up and moved. When she was twelve, a group of Milites Dei followers showed up at their home. Brianne was killed protecting Rosalind, and Kenneth ended up a vegetable in a coma. The police put her, and her little brothers into a temporary foster home, while trying to contact other family back in Australia. It took three days but their Aunt Delaney finally flew in and was able to take care of them. Once Kenneth was let off life support, and the funerals were held, it was time to go back to Australia to live with her Aunt. But feeling like it was her fault and that she would always put her family in danger, she decided to runaway. She ended up in San Francisco, and found herself with the Zodiac. [color=fff79a][b]Trivia: [/b][/color] [b]Likes[/b] - Reading, Flowers, Painting, glitter, Playing Piano, playing tennis, listening to her favorite music, tea, swimming, the beach, surfing, movies, animals, lavender, rollerblading, autumn, gems/stones, and Italian food. [b]Dislikes[/b] - The smell of Hospitals, wearing make up, bugs, getting her picture taken, olives, mathematics, rap, heavy metal, horror movies, hot/humid weather, rain, people who think they know everything, obnoxious people, and coffee. [b]Phobia[/b] - Astraphobia, and Trypanophobia. [color=fff79a][b]Other:[/b][/color] Per Aspera Ad Astra [/hider]