"All they need is a hand," It emerged from the shadows, slowly, taller than it had any right to be. What it tossed out from that writhing lair drew attention, but it hovered in their periphery. Panic was stillborn, words and thoughts caught in the weight of shifting chains and a smile that seemed to stretch beyond reason. It did not linger, as they stared. "Remember," it said, chuckling from whatever constituted its core, "the Miasma is a gift." Sterility returned to the room, despite the rotting appendage displayed at its center.
"What the hell was that?! Get security in here," From behind a helmet the order came, armor shifting and boots pounding as a result, "I want that thing found and executed! I want footage of its entry, I want-" Someone stepped into the pale circle of light. A man with dark skin, an easy smile and sinister eyes. He held up a hand, adjusting his vest and leaning down to observe the pox-eaten appendage.
"Calm down, Maya," Luca Beake said, "it's just a hand. Even if it does contain some level of Miasma, there's nothing to worry about." He picked it up, tossing it lightly into the air a couple of times. "Wow, it's heavier than I thought. Do we have anything on file about Miasma increasing the weight of limbs, without obvious mutation or surface-level growths? Maybe this son of a bitch was just dense?" He was in his own world. The lights kicked on, as he crouched, the door flying open and a squad of S.C.A.R.E rolling in; weapons free. Behind them trailed the Quarantine Team, their own implements lifted.
All eyes were on the 'scientist'. Maya watched him, from behind her helmet; a slight motion of her hand putting the S.C.A.R.E at ease. "Luca, you shouldn't be playing with that fucking thing. It's dangerous, hand it over." Expectant and imperious as her station allowed, the S.C.A.R.E commander took a few steps. Luca turned on his heels, still in a crouch, and tossed it to her, laughing. It was, indeed, heavier than it looked. She grunted. "Thanks. Clean him up. Keep him in quarantine for thirty-six hours. No chances."
"That seems a bit extreme, but fine," his hands went up, and he rose, "I want to examine it, when I'm released. I don't care if anyone else does tests, but I want them out of my way when I'm out. Clear?"
"Clear, sir. Take him on down, boys."
Blackthorne Medical and Munitions is one of the largest companies in the world; manufacturing items to meet the needs of the people. It is they who first discovered 'Miasma', three years ago, through unknown means, and they who seek to keep it contained. Despite their efforts, many cases of Miasma Infection have occurred around the world. For a time, they simply executed the infected with no fanfare. The Special Combat And Requisition Enforcers (S.C.A.R.E) have, in recent months, received a shift in the focus of their efforts. Now, instead of executing those touched by Miasma; they are collecting them.
New Steel City is where our story begins, in the year 2042, a bustling metropolis situated on the North American East Coast. A creature appears, throwing a piece of the puzzle before them. Not just those gathered in the lofty heights of the Evadne Complex. No, this being seeks to spread the "gift" of Miasma to several worthy candidates.
Most of those who come in contact with the "disease" are twisted beyond recognition, becoming grotesque parodies of life; their forms and minds ravaged by the Miasma's sinister influence, driven only by the need to evolve and consume. A rare few suffer a stranger fate. They become something more.
I intend for this to be a story of horror and exploration. Our Characters can come from any walk of life, given the interference of "Smile", the creature that walks in shadow. The story, its self, will focus on the events to transpire within New Steel City. The mystery behind Miasma.
I expect three to four paragraphs, per post! Standard Guild Rules apply, otherwise!
If you are interested, please let me know! I'm willing to answer most questions that will come up. So long as they don't touch into spoiler territory. I plan to take up the roles of Maya Wyrick, Luca Beake and a Character targeted by Smile.
Shadow Smiles has a pretty awesome hook going in. Malicious (?) extradimensional entities and the kind of scientists you need quote tags for are some of my favorite things. The company name is awesome, also. So few appreciate the value of a really evocative name for their disturbing clandestine corporations. A flurry of wonderings:
What kind of changes/powers are you envisioning characters developing, if not overtly external? Psionic, transmogrificative, magical, undead-themed?
The humans targeted by Smile (or those imprisoned in Blackthorne M&M's lab) are not typical in terms of Miasma Infection. They will become something more, retaining their human forms and sanity; but with the capability to temporarily embrace the Miasma within them...allowing them to morph their bodies in nearly limitless ways. They manifest Abilities, much like in Worlds Apart, along with their ability to transmogrify
...
The Abilities themselves I will leave to the Player. Psionics are fine, but I want to avoid mind meddling
Is this more on the Lovecraftian side, gothic horror, or more of a Parahumans-esque the-source-is-menacing-not-necessarily-the-result kind of a thing?
The Lovecraftian elements are there, to be sure, but I don't think it will be a very large influence This, weirdly, makes me think more of Eternal Darkness
What is the Evadne Complex?!
The Evadne Complex is the HQ of the Blackthorne M&M forces in New Steel City. It's the building they were in during the Flavor Intro
You mention all walks of life - does that extend to Blackthorne and its constituent factions?
Yes, it encompasses everyone. Smile picks those he thinks will 'take to the change' Previously Infected subjects are also an option, alongside S.C.A.R.E and Blackthorne Scientists
And finally, what's the general level of awareness/panic in the population at large? Is this something that's been mostly kept from the news and slithers silently through the background noise of conspiracy theories about chemtrails and the Antarctic Wall, or is everyone fighting to keep order in a world where sometimes the neighbor's kids rip through your living wall sporting flesh-rending fangs and layers of scarlet pseudoflesh?
At the start of the RP, people are only vaguely aware of the Miasma's existence. Reports from all over the world provide some small proof of their existence; but there is no large-scale panic...as of yet Most of the people who worry about it are those directly involved and conspiracy theorists Technically, there are no Miasma Infections in New Steel City; aside from Smile After the corpse parts are distributed, there will be a Miasma presence Which could intensify Hope that's adequate! The corpse parts will actively force their way into an appropriate host As a note
Have you ever been stumbling helplessly around the setting of Resident Evil with your battle-tank movement controls, and some huge, fluid horror of undead flesh and ill intent comes bursting out of the scenery with flawless scripted precision and you thought to yourself, heck, why aren't I playing that guy? This game is probably for you.
Do you ever find the distant, informal patronage of priest and warlock to be frustratingly impersonal, and wish instead you'd been hand-selected for unbearable greatness by a shadow-walking devil-zombie? This game is probably for you!
Parasite EVE was an amazing game for its time. Prototype was tons of fun. Dishonored, Bioshock, Eternal Darkness...
A world of rising infection and crisis where for ONCE your entire existence is not a series of tense interpersonal arguments involving concealed bite-marks and "someone has to make a supply run" - it's too late! And it's GLORIOUS! Overturn the stereotypes and sink both hands into the wriggling pseudo-life discovered beneath them!
@Viatos You absolutely have the right of it! Thanks for continuing to show your support and enthusiasm!
And for directly mentioning several of the inspirations for Shadow Smiles!
We only need one more Player! I hope someone takes up that slot! If not, assuming you guys still want to; we can begin the thread in a couple of days! ^_^
I've started work on the OOC Thread. I've already got the Flavor Intro worked out, so the rest is just technical stuff and some pertinent information. I'm still waiting on one Player, because I'm not sure if Mordecai will be able to post consistently; but I certainly don't mind the group we have!
Thanks for being patient with all this! I'm really looking forward to exploring the world and the Miasma!
Also, as a general question. Do you guys plan to play solely one Character, or do you mind juggling multiple?
Thanks for being patient with all this! I'm really looking forward to exploring the world and the Miasma!
Also, as a general question. Do you guys plan to play solely one Character, or do you mind juggling multiple?
Also looking forward to this exploration!
I'd generally rather play one character, but I don't mind writing additional minor characters to drive narrative or expand the world.
I did once play a game where the website architecture was such that character accounts were sort of like puppets your master account invisibly manipulated, and the GM misinterpreted my interest in having a sorcerous familiar as "here you go, here's a second character account," and it ended up being really fun playing that role as well, so I'm at least open to giving it a shot if we end up short-handed!
@Viatos Psheheh, that is fine also. An interesting idea, to be sure. I'll be juggling lots of Characters, so it's no big deal if you guys want to just roll with one!
