Appearance (The image works, but use the description here for details.): Wears whatever's comfortable/utilitarian, ie. Cargo pants, cheap tshirt, and a 60 liter backpack. Has a lower than average face, which is marred further by the grime constantly covering it. Well-muscled, and can probably win some money arm-wrestling. Short brown hair, to avoid it catching in machines.
Personality: Curious, Intelligent, and generally uninterested in people. He's socially underdeveloped, due to spending all his free time around broken cars & shit like that, as opposed to people. An existentialist. Also a bit of a slob. He doesn't wash often, and his clothes are usually 'clean enough'.
Hobbies & Interests (besides engineering): Violin, Dark Souls, Cooking, Chemistry, Poetry and Lyricism, and Philosophy.
Bio: Gareth was raised by a small time mechanic living in Melbourne. When he was young he discovered an interest and a natural talent with machines. By 10 he had made several air rifles, a hydraulic arm for heavy lifting, and a mouse bot he hoped to enter Robot Wars with. At 12 he had started apprenticing under his father for a modest wage, and at 16 he entered TAFE to study engineering even further. His studies naturally led him to Japan as an exchange student. He'd already become quite accomplished at basic engineering, so he was to study robotic engineering there. AI and shit. He honestly expected to be placed into a more prodigious school, but he'll make do. He'll also have to make a trip to From Software's office soon.
HEMA: Historical European martial arts. Trained mostly in George Silver broadsword.
Survival: Augie is a hardcore camping nut. Once spent a month camping with his friends.
Menial Work: More of a good work ethic from doing shitty jobs while waiting for hi music career to take off.
Learning: Is usually fast to grasp concepts & ideas, then apply them for himself.
Interests:
Technology
Fantasy literature
Music (Art, Noise, Punk, Drone, Blues, Jazzz, and Rock.)
Experimentation
Personality: Usually pretty laid back, but strongly dislikes inauthenticity. Also tends to overthink things that are important to him, which momentarily shatters his laid-back attitude. Doesn't shy from new people, but won't go out of his way to meet them too often.
Bio: He was raised in London, by his two parents who were 'famous' artists of their field (Painting, & Poetry). They encouraged a strong sense of creativity in Augie from a young age, believing it to be one of the most important attributes one can have. He showed an interest in learning music rather early, so his parents paid for tuition. He attempted to learn Guitar, Drums, BASS, Cello, Keyboard, and Harmonica. He never excelled at the playing of instruments, but easily grasped music theory, and began composing. He entered his first band when he was 14, as a keyboardist & songwriter. The other members played Drums & percussion, BASS, & Harp. They play Art-Electro. They only rose to popularity recently, with their album "Dive Into the Pile of Bullshit, My Friend.", which made it onto the charts, averaging #20. Their musical influences include Sungazer, Darren Korb's Transistor Soundtrack, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, and Lost Animal.
He played a few shows in LA, and went camping in the mountains afterwards. He bailed on camping early because he wanted to go to a concert back in London. He was going back to LA to catch a plane back to England.
Name: Simon Corkill Age: 26 Sex: Male Height: 6' Build: Tall and lanky. Deceptively strong, but mainly due to him looking weak than him being strong. Style: Whatever is least restrictive. Usually this means loose fitting clothes. He has a thing for baggy tracksuit pants, and you don't often see him without a beanie. Hair, face, markings: He has black hair, and grey-blue eyes. No noticeable scars, but he has cuts and bruises all over his shins (if you ever see them).
Concept: One of three leaders of the resistance. He lives to keep having fun, and keep the Resistance going. Disposition: He's usually friendly, but is prone to bouts of annoyance. Fears: Redundancy, Routine, and Betrayal Morals: "Anything is allowed if it's for the cause". Of course, the cause is whatever he believes. History:
Simon was born to an Irish family in Utopia well before the laws came through. He always had an affinity for dangerous activities. The one that stuck with him was the one that he had the most difficulty in learning: Parkour. He had to learn from his limited internet, stuntmen in movies, and trying things out for himself. It paid off, however. He's currently one of the best Traceurs in England.
He went on to earn a living by teaching it professionally, and did quite well for himself. He was hit hard by the new laws, though. It was deemed to be endangering the populace by teaching them to disobey authority and engage in acts that could kill them. Of course, Simon took issue with this. Enough to ignore the laws and just move his teaching 'underground'. He taught in small classes of 2 at a time. He formed a bond with one class in particular based on their shared distaste for the new levels of security. When he felt they were ready, he went exploring the 'locked' parts of the city with them.
They found an abandoned underground train station, which lay on an abandoned train line. Judging from the state of it, it was built a considerable time ago and just forgotten about. They met up there on the regular, making it their hideout. This was the catalysing event for the formation of the Resistance, and ever since it has just grown.
Sample Post:
The old canal had been dammed up, and served as a foot highway from the north to the west of Utopia. Well, for him at least. Not many others liked to use it. He had a package to deliver, which wasn't new but it was a bit strange. He'd been running for half an hour, but he wasn't tired quite yet. Cardio is a beautiful thing to train. That and legs. He never skipped leg day, because leg day was every day. He was letting his thoughts wander when he felt his old, indestructible Nokia buzzing. He'd left his dummy on a ledge near a cafe, making it appear that he's eating there.
When he answered the phone he heard Rose's voice come over the line. "Simon? You're in the field now, yeah?", She asked.
"Yeah, man. What do you want?"
"I had a runner leave a cash drop near Canterbury Avenue. He had to ditch the money quickly. It's under the bin outside of number... 20. In an old drink bottle.
"You want me to grab it, yeah?"
"I thought that was fairly obvious"
"I'm on my way. Gotta make good time though, see ya round." Simon said, his tone indicating the end of the conversation. He hung up, and continued to run.
It almost took too fucking long, but he made it there. The package was small, jar shaped. Why a jar was so important beat him, and he couldn't deny how curious he was. It was wrapped in paper though, so any attempt to spy the contents would lose him business in the future. The person who took it just reached through the ajar door and took it. No words or anything. Fine. He began to make my way to the money drop.
He was four blocks away from the drop when he almost ran into a police patrol. They knew him by sight, and while they wouldn't have grounds to arrest him, they would surely perform every check they could legally perform, of which were a lot. He ducked down an alley, and up a wall. He followed the wall around to the roof above the drop, and went down onto his belly, commando crawling up the slanted tile roof. Thank fuck it wasn't raining.
The patrol's dog must've smelled the cash or something, because it went mad as it passed the bin. Obviously, this caused the officers to check under it, and find the goddamn money. It looked like they found something else, but Simon was too far away to see what it was.
He slid his hand into his pocket for his phone to consult Rose on their next move...
Skills:
Parkour: 3 (Speed)
Teaching: 1 (Will)
City Layout Knowledge: 2 (Perception)
Stats:
Reflexes: 1
Speed: 2
Strength: 0
Endurance: 1
Perception: 0
Will: 0
Resources:No current formal job, but still 'earns' money through the Resistance. He has two phones, one old Nokia which he actually uses, and then the smartphone he only uses for a dummy. He lives at the abandoned train station HQ, and needs no transport other than his legs Connections:
Rosalin Pasos. Another founder of the Rebellion, and typically does the 'financial' work. Meaning she steals the money.
Alexander Wun. Another founder of the Rebellion. He typically does the brunt of the organisational work
Fiona Corkill. Simon's sister. She works at a record label.
Theme Song:Doused by DIIV Misc. Info: (favourite book? What kind of food do they like? How is their pet doing?)
Character Number: 3 Actual Name: Thom Kobyla Age: 17 Birthday: 5/3/2317 Gender: Male Powers: Control Water Specialty:Survivalist
Appearance
Height: 5' 7' Weight: 120 Build: Lanky around the limbs, and rectangular around the torso. Eyes: Blue flecked with yellow Hair: Black Skin Tone: A pale pallor Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: A tattoo of The Darksign on his right pec. Also the largish 3 on his right wrist. Personal Style: Dark clothing. Sturdy boots. He prefers to wear loose fitting trousers, with a shirt that fits properly. If it's cold he'll don a large bolt of woolen fabric, held with a pentacular brooch.
Sexuality: Straight Relationship Status: Very single Personality: 3 is a logophile. If there ever was a knowledge hoarder, it is 3. This is one of the reasons he learned survival techniques. There was so much to learn, and he loved it. He will go out of his way to learn new things. He might even kill some people for it. They don't care when they're dead. He has a bit of a cruel streak, finding pleasure in watching those he hates suffer.
On the flip side, if he's close to you he will do almost anything to make you happy. Within reason, of course. Sometimes this borders on scary. He's also rather disillusioned. He knows there is no space for optimism. He reckons you have to be realistic. As a terrible compliment to this, he's zealous. He will try to force you to do something his way if he cares about you, and thinks it will benefit. He has a bit of a competitive streak in him, and will always try harder if there is someone doing better than he is.
Habits: Rubbing eyes, scratching sides, overthinking Hobbies: Camping, Photography, Poetry, and Parkour (did it in a gym) Fears:
Loneliness
Lack of Control
Feebleness
Likes:
Music (Raw stuff)
A nice, hot meal
Knowledge
Walking
Thinking/Discussing thoughts
Knives
Competition/Games
Dislikes:
Irrationality
Dishonesty
Naivety
Self-Righteousness
Spite
Bad smells (he has a particularly sensitive nose)
Being bored
Cards On The Table
General Skills:
Problem solving
Parkour
Survivalism
Torture (yes, torture)
Perception (from photography. He's used to finding good shots with his eyes first)
Bow-making and fletching (From survival, but he spent a larger amount of time on this)
Hunting
Combat Skills:
Basic water manipulation
Fast (from Parkour)
Marksmanship (bow)
Possessions:
Survival Knife
Empty notebook
Pen
Set of steel dice
A survival handbook
Water bottle
Bow
12 arrows
Rope
A bolt of heavy wool, and a pentacular brooch to bind it.
The legendary backpack
Towel
Extras
Character Quote: "You don't fail if you learn something" "You're doing it wrong." Theme Song:Parting of the Sensory by Modest Mouse. Anything Else: Ender's Game. I'm more of a fantasy guy, to be honest. Didn't know where to find photogenic GIFs.
*By submitting this CS in its completion I am stating I have read all the rules for this Rp and am agreeing to follow them to the fullest with respect and courtesy. I acknowledge that I can and will be removed from the RP without warning if I break a rule or cause problems with my fellow Rpers or the GM.
SADLY, OUT OF ACTION. THIS RP WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED.
• Appearance:
Yeah, I know it's Levi. It's the only decent image I could find, though.
• Name: Ceiran Strivelyn (KEER-awn STRIV-lin)
• Age: 17
• Sex: Male
• Species: Human host with a Twitch demon parasite
• Abilities:
Twitch: Ceiran and the Demon inside him make a temporary trade: The Demon is able to mess with some of Ceiran's memories, thought patterns, and knowledge, and Ceiran is able to access some of the Demon's resources, such as Raw Magic, better control over Raw Magic, High Intelligence, Selfishness, and Persuasion. This trade inflicts a lot of pain on Ceiran, which causes him to twitch uncontrollably. Hence the name. The longer they have access to each-other, the more extreme it becomes (Ceiran gains more demon-like abilities, and the Demon can fuck around with Ceiran's body more). The powers linger for a few minutes after, though at about half the potency.
Magic Manipulation: Ceiran is absolutely incapable of casting spells as we see them now. In lieu of this power, he began learning how to use his Raw Mana reserves as a medium for creating, rather than a resource for trading. I'd describe it as the difference between using wood to build a house; and selling the wood for money and then paying someone to build a house for you. It allows you to be more creative at the cost of potency and/or quality. This ability allows him to manipulate his Raw Mana into constructs, which he has full control over, including while airborne. Constructs act like objects, and can take any shape, gaining the appropriate functions. The larger, denser, or more complicated it is, the more energy it requires to sustain. The size and power is limited to the amount of Raw Magic available to him. This is usually only what is within him, but special circumstances may allow for him to draw on extra Raw Magic, (Ex. People giving it to him, using a capacitor, or using the Twitch). He can recharge this Raw Magic by using one of three methods: Meditating, eating, and/or sleeping. Meditation provides a fairly large amount within 20 minutes, eating provides an amount proportionate to how much was eaten over time, and sleeping will fully recharge, unless he's healing from a wound or other similar situations.
• Skills:
Poetry: More of an interest than a skill, but he's become somewhat decent at it.
High pain tolerance: Due to the Twitch causing pain when it's called on, he has become somewhat desensitised to lesser pain.
Coffee! Advanced Coffee, though. In-depth knowledge of roasting, blending, brewing, grinding, and other shit like that.
Lying: His parents were quite strict, which didn't mix well with Ceiran's impulsive nature. He learned to lie well.
Sluicing: Ceiran is able to understand a good chunk of depth by skimming. Of course, he understands things better if he reads them properly.
Improvisation: Due to previous experience in acting and public speaking (he thought he liked them at first. Turns out he didn't really), he has a strong out-of-the-box thinking style.
• Inventory:
Wand: A Steel & wood energy directing focus, made for manipulation. Allows him to channel his will to his Raw Magic more easily, lessening the concentration needed.
Enchanted Coat: An ankle length coat that Ceiran has imbued with his own energy as a kind of capacitor. This can be charged through ritual, and once charged, Ceiran can access the Raw Magic it was charged with.
Grimoire: An ancient book detailing the how of Magic Manipulation. Ceiran has learned most of what he knows from this.
• Sample Post:
He was sitting at his cluttered desk, face rigid with concentration. A small grey-blue ball was orbiting him. The world seemed to be as quiet as a rock. Or, at least, this section of it. The ball paused in front of his face, and he reached out to grab it. His hand contacted the silky smooth, but strangely hot ball. He held it for a while, before throwing it at a wall. It sailed through the air like a glass ball might, and crumpled like paper when it hit the wall.
He looked out the window, and was rather frightened to see it was dark so suddenly. He decided that sleeping was probably a good idea. He had noticed his control start to slip as he used more energy. He stood up and left, coat trailing behind him.
His bedroom was adorned with the basics: A bed, a wardrobe, and a dirty clothes pile. Naturally, all his clothes were thrown in the dirty washing pile; apart from his coat, which was lovingly hung in the wardrobe. He crawled into bed after turning the oil lamp off, and slid into a sleep. He dreamed of the Sad Prince, who lived in The Sigh, and had his betrothed commit suicide. Apparently The Sigh was a breach upon the Earth, but he knew nothing else about it.
He woke with a poem ringing in his head. He forgot this as soon as he knew it was there. He glanced about the dark room. Something felt wrong. He wasn't still sleeping, but he wasn't entirely awake, either. The wrongness grew like a tumor. Slowly, but with many malignant intentions. The wrongness was surely feeling for him... scouring the room. As it grew nearer, he became more terrified. It was out to kill him. He was going to die. No... It was out to destroy everything he cared about! He was to be left a wretched, paralysed mess.
An ivory mask on a terribly tendrily pitch body. It depicted a face that was somehow both a smile and a frown at the same time. It gazed into his brain, and these words were heard; "I would like to play a game for the rest of your life. I will become part of you, and we will wrestle for control of your body. I will access you, and you will access me."
I don't want to. This sounds delightful! I have no control. I'll always have company! This will cause immeasurable suffering for those around me... Bonus after bonus! Who'll be able to resist me? I won't. What fun! Okay.
• Other: Twitch Demon
The Twitch demon only has its name because of how Ceiran twitches while he's trading with it. It wants to cause as much pain to Ceiran as possible, as that's its job in their game. It does this by changing happy memories to painful ones, the pleasure of eating good food to the terror of eating loved ones (get your mind out of the gutter. This is pure cannibalism I'm talking about), and the comfort of company to the infinity of loneliness. In some ways, it's quite similar to depression.
When Ceiran draws on it's Raw Energy, he will gain a pool twice as big as his own, and become twice as efficient at controlling it. This pool grows as Ceiran's own pool does; He's able to access more of the Demon's energy as he can access more of his own.
Aside from the effects described throughout the whole post, it can absorb unclaimed* Raw Magic, speak directly into peoples minds (but not read them), and can access all kinds of demonic knowledge. Ceiran can claim these abilities if he spends more than 15 minutes twitching. This will also cause severe memory loss, heavy internal bleeding, and an insatiable murderous desire.
*unclaimed Raw Magic is Raw Magic that is not attached to a living being.
Personality.
Ceiran has difficulty with his personality. It changes so often due to the Demon. He finds it hard to latch onto one thing that describes him. So far, all he has is this: "A constant crisis".
Usually he has polar opinions; either all for, or totally against. He rarely accepts grey areas and ideas. He's usually rather blunt about this as well, forgoing nuance in an attempt to just get the point across. Although he does have a weakness for poetry. He's passionate about his interests, but doesn't really delve far into other things. One thing is for sure, though. You would never call Ceiran mild.
His style is impulsive. He won't plan ahead too often, preferring to adapt to situations as they rise. He will almost always act off gut instinct. He says he doesn't fail unless he doesn't learn something, so that helps with this way of solving problems.
Miscellaneous info:
He attends Hikari academy in the hopes of finding someone who can help him with his demon. Although he doesn't want word to get out about it, so that could be a problem. And he may as well learn something while he's there. No harm in that, right?
(So I know the picture is an android... Just pretend he isn't?)
Name: Glenn Strivelyn Gender: Male Age: 23 Appearance: As image. Usually has paint/clay stains all over him. Beat Heard As:Sludge Metal/Alt-Rock/Whatever this is Beathearer Type: Beatsmith.
Personality: Usually rather laid-back, but has anger issues. Most of the stuff he does he does on an impulse, but will commit to doing those things. Has a nigh unmatched passion for the things he cares about, and is strangely open to new ideas.
History:
Born and raised by a fairly well off, but manipulative family. He never wanted for much, except his own freedom. Due to this, he cultivated a rage inside of him as a teenager, which he channeled into his studies. As he left school he had no direction, so he enrolled in the only university that would take him, and picked a course at random. That course was in sculpture, and while he was skeptical at first it provided him with everything he wanted: A creative outlet, consistent medium, and a way to calm down.
After he got his masters in Visual Arts, specifically sculpture, he was lost again. In between sculpting projects, he got a job as a drug mule, which paid well but caused him quite a lot of stress. This was until he started hearing it. The Beat. It manifested as highly aggressive and distorted music, constantly rolling over in his head. He had heard of others gaining special powers from it, but he didn't seem to get anything. Well, until recently, that is. It started while he was sculpting. Little visible noises dancing around. Each emitted their own sounds, usually broadcasting the Beat he was hearing to his small room. They took very inconsistent forms at first, as they followed Glenn's beat. It took him a while, but he eventually cultivated the ability to zero in on a certain Beat. This developed a somewhat more physical and consistent construct, which he could somewhat control. He has far from perfected this, though. He often breaks concentration, or loses control of his construct, causing it to violently seize into a space of distortion.
Employment: Um... he's working on that. Currently just inconsistent drug-dealing. He makes very odd sculptures which don't have much of a mainstream appeal, but some are willing to pay money for them.
Accommodations: Shitty little studio apartment near a pub and a garden. The apartment has three rooms: A kitchen, a bedroom, and a toilet/shower room. It doesn't have a bath, so bathroom just doesn't feel right to him. Rent of $263 a week.
Transport: Public or legs. Eventually he may be able to create controllable platforms of Sound to ride on, but he's far from there yet.
Anything Else:
The What: Sound Constructs are objects made of solid sound. Ever experience a wall of sound? Like that, but wayyy more intense. Intense enough to essentially be solid. They usually have a specific sound playing around them. This is their signature. They have the appearance of coloured static.
The How: He attempts to zero in on a certain tempo, melody, bassline, etc of the Beat. Different focuses, he calls them signatures, have different effects.
The Limitations: It always must be a solid. No gasses, liquids, or plasmas, (except, of course, BFlat vodka). It cannot be too complicated, or have too many parts. Generally speaking, up to 3 moving parts if he's feeling particularly focused. The constructs cannot currently go further than 6-8 meters away from him, and can have a volume of up to 10-12 liters (at the moment...).
At the moment, he's very limited by his inexperience. He only knows a few signatures, and making up new ones on the fly is very much guesswork.
Orb: Simply that. An orb, nothing more. He can control it.
Razor: A shaving razor. He learned this one to save on buying razors.
Mouldable Shape: A somewhat clay-like signature. He can control the shape of it through direct contact, but it cannot go further away than 1 meter, and it cannot move unless he moves it.
Interests: Creation, Destruction, Punk Music, Chemistry, Wine (although he can't afford it), and The Arts
Outlook/philosophy: A huge cynic. He has very few fucks to give. Especially if someone is overly optimistic or faithful. This doesn't stop him enjoying what he enjoys or hanging around the people he hands around, though. He believes that life is for the living. His pessimistic attitude is a result of many disappointments, and is mainly there so that he's either right or pleasantly surprised.
He's a strong misanthropist, and believes that the solution to all problems is to eradicate humans. His reasoning for this is that humans are the ones that define what a problem is. There are no problems if there is nothing to define what a problem is. He also believes this because he has seen civilisation as a massive failure. There were many chances to rise above, or truly become better, but we fucked it all up. As we get richer we get more stuff, more respect, and more advanced. We also just get more hopeless, more lonely, more hedonistic.
Dead in the water. Also, no caps anymore. What a wild ride.
Nation Name: The Free United Cites (TFUC)
Flag/Banner(s):
Political Environment and Government Type: I'm going to put this in hider dot point things to organise my thoughts a little more.
The cities used to be separate nations, but were recently unified by Warlord Seme IV under The Free Uniting Pact. Now they're still considered states in the nation of The Free United Cities. There are no hard rules, except those in TFUP. Everything else is held together by a judgement system explained further below.
The cities have a 'friendly rivalry' type of thing going on. Warring between themselves is not prohibited, but they must do it in good spirit/sport or accept that Jajeme could tell them to resolve it nonviolently if it is weakening TFUC more than a little. War between cities is often encouraged, as it allows for practice. Each city has a certain personality and role, which are explained in more depth below.
Despite all of this, the cities always help each other against or with outside forces. The Warlords are always happy to meet in Jajeme to feast, or whore, or drink. Not that any of those are exclusive of one another. This is because all conflicts the Warlords hold outside of Jajeme must be forgotten, for fear of murder.
The Warlords try to do well by their people for this same reason. More details under 'Warlords'.
Regarding extra-TFUC forces, they decide what to do based on disposition, TFUC gain, personal gain, and personal values. Ie. If a nation is willing to be allies, TFUC will happily trade and defend, until it becomes harmful towards the wellbeing of TFUC. Personal value placed on loyalty is a very minor consideration.
Warlords act as rulers over their individual cities. They are bound by The Free Uniting Pact (TFUP) to enforce very few laws in their city. By custom, if a Warlord is killed, their killer takes rule. This is unlikely if the Warlord is well liked, which they'd better be for fear of assassination. If a Warlord is not killed and dies of sickness or age, the first person to assume the mark of power for that city becomes the new Warlord (this can be a throne, a staff, a crown, shit like that). This usually has a ritual before it, involving competition with other candidates, but there's nothing apart from stigma to stop someone forgoing this ritual. When someone becomes a Warlord they discard their old name, taking on the name of the city.
So basically justice is fit to be served by any three people not involved in the perceived wrongdoing. If these five people disagree they will have to make the vote unanimous in any way they see fit (debate, murder, threat) Justice is complicated. The large majority of the people follow a loose moral code, generally something along the lines of "Everything is appropriate at different times.". Apart from this strange cultural habit, there is no formal justice system.
This is the only city protected from the inside by TFUP. If anyone within TFUC attacks Jajeme, they will face the wrath of all the other cities. The Warlord of Jajeme doesn't follow normal rules either. The Warlord has several students he has chosen, usually about 5. These students take it in turns to run certain aspects of the city so the Warlord can evaluate them. When the Warlord dies any way the students appeal to the Warlords of the other capitals, who must make a unanimous vote on a student (again, by any means.). The Warlord of Jajeme ensures the safety of TFUC as a whole, and enforces the rules put in place by TFUP.
The rules enforced by TFUP are as follows:
It is our responsibility to punish any Warlord who neglects his responsibilities.
It is our responsibility to defend Jajeme.
It is our responsibility to forget conflict if Jajeme asks, until Jajeme sees fit to resume the conflict.
It is our responsibility to defend cities of TFUN from outside forces.
It is a Warlord's responsibility to only control one capital at once.
It is a Warlord's responsibility to enforce a minimum of rules in their city.
It is a citizen's responsibility to dethrone an unworthy Warlord.
Location On Map:
Demographics (Racial): TFUC is a melting pot of different ethnicities. This is a breakdown only of the most common:
East African (28%)
Arabic (22%)
Eastern European (15%)
Central African (12%)
West Asian (14%)
Other (9%)
Cultural/Social/info in general.
Culture changes significantly as you change city/region, however some culture is universal.
Clothing is largely a practical choice in TFUC. The lighter and more breathable a cloth, the more value it holds. Raime, Silk, and Linen are the most prized fabrics.
The style of clothing worn is adapted to the heat. Items listed below.
Calatobea - A very large hat, often spanning a meter in diameter, though wealthier people may have larger ones. They're made of heavy fabric stretched over a light metal, wooden, or plastic frame. In some cases the frames can fold together, like a hand fan, for easy carry or storage indoors. They often have drapes of translucent fabric hanging from the center of the brim, for full sun protection. They're the heaviest piece of common clothing worn.
Calanada - A long, sleeveless, voluminous robe made of the lightest fabric you can afford. Shoulder to knee-level, which buttons all the way down. In the absence of sleeves there are square flaps of fabric sewn onto the top of the shoulder seam, to offer a place to hide your arms from the sun. Usually unfitted, to add breathability. Outermost layer worn, and often the only thing worn on the chest.
Ada - A long-sleeved shirt, usually loose fitting with no buttons. Only extends down to the waist. Made of medium weight fabric with holes in the back, inner elbows, wrists, and armpits. Holeless ones are worn in winter and at night, and holed ones are worn when a Calanada is just impractical.
Calanakabira - Very baggy pants. Often made out of a medium weight material that gathers at the mid calf-ankles. Fastened around the waist with a sewn-in sash, often in a contrasting colour to the legs. This sash can be various widths. Wider sashes extend further up the waist, and even into the chest area. The wider ones are worn in winter or at night.
Akabira - Tighter pants. Usually buttoned up the side of the legs. Similar variances to the Ada, ie. holes, thick versus thin fabric etc.
Leukam - Sleeves that are buttoned on at the bicep. These are usually only worn during winter.
Leusar - Basically underpants of any variety. Only worn to catch sweat, and as such aren't worn too often, as sweating helps cool you off. What a surprise.
Obviously there are more types of clothing, (Male/Female specific, finery, travelwear, and military), but the listed items can be found in almost any household, for every body type, and almost all occasions.
Song and story are incredibly important within TFUC. No feast is a feast without at least one song and one recital of Seme I.
Sometimes these stories focus on those who somehow revolutionised TFUC, listed under 'Notable Leaders' below. Mostly they're fictitious or religious, focusing on ancient heroes who did well by their god and were granted some boon. Some are well-structured, and more are shitty, but entertaining. Kinda like a cheesy action movie.
Songs are performed on large brass drums, clay or reed pipes, fretless string instruments with 20+ strings, wooden horns, and wooden percussion. They follow all kinds of storylines, and are sometimes even there only to accompany sung poetry. The genre is similar to acoustic art noise. They tend to focus on intricate melodies and shifting rhythm, rather than harmony or pulse. This is danced to in a style resembling a mashup of swing and waltz.
The main spoken language is an Arabic/English Pidgin hybrid dialect called Die Allugha. The refugees had to learn new languages as they fled, and English was one of the most common. They still talked to each other in native tongues, but eventually English wormed it's way into their communications. They can usually speak simple English, Arabic and Afrikaans, too.
The culture surrounding Jajeme is a peaceful one. At least as peaceful as it gets within TFUC. Jajemites tend to have inflated egos, and consider themselves more entitled than others. Then again, they've not needed to live in fear.
Seme culture is best described as condescending. They tend to see themselves as the superior city within TFUC because they've been around longest. When it comes to interacting with nations outside TFUC, they become self-conscious. Wanting to flaunt wealth and power to prove themselves.
Jajanhart culture is aggressively progressive. They're always looking to advance their knowledge and technology. They also tend to be straight up aggressive when confronted. If some city withholds goods, they will be warned, then attacked. There's also an element of pride surrounding their landborne army.
Eljawheran culture is supportive. A leader is considered good if they're in a place to help others at little expense, or even gain, to the city. Passive manipulation is the game.
Sevre culture appreciates the working class. Oxymoronically, they're almost the nobles of Sevre. The harder you work, the more you are respected.
Religion is quite diverse here. In general there are 6 main religions, listed and explained below. Due to hundreds of years passing and cultural mingling these religions are quite different to those around today.
(nol-ZEE-veh) Worship life in all forms. An Omnitheist religion that believes life is one entity with many facets. Life is all powerful, and the highest priority for followers of Nolzive. Capital punishment is thoroughly wrong, even if the perpetrator had committed murder. This religion demands total pacifism, and as such is quite unpopular among the anarchists of TFUN. About 4% of the population.
Yeah, I know it's a philosophical position and not a religion. I thought I'd put it here as a majority of the population fall under this, and Existentialism rejects gods for the most part. Google what it is if you don't know, it's mostly the same here. About 47% of the population
Rather than naming the innumerable versions of this present, I'll lump them under this. Generally follows a moral code along the lines of 'Be a good person by following. Take comfort in faith and knowledge of the afterlife.'. About 9% of the population.
A strange and mingled version of Monotheism. This is the religion of the refugees who fled north. It teaches that it is holy to be a part of a larger group(s), and contribute to it's survival. Aiding those in your group is the main consideration of this religion, and the more you aid the higher you go in heaven. It teaches that everyone goes to heaven, and that no hell exists. But there are different levels of heaven, the lowest being a void of infinite nothing, and the highest being a space for you and your group to do as you please. Acting selfishly or cowardly reduces your merits, and acting altruistically increases them. about 9% of the population.
A polytheistic religion that mainly advocates acceptance. It is a religion that accepts the notion that all gods can coexist, and each is equally valid as another. Those who are religious are most likely to fall under this religion. I guess you could say it's the cultural parallel to casual Christianity. About 20% of the population.
(hi-WOO-an) A religion that worships Haiweuh (hi-WOO), the god of Chaos. Followers of this religion believe that luck is the most desirable and holy attribute. They also believe that Good Luck is a gift from Haiweuh, as a reward for doing extraordinary things. Their morals are very odd. They believe that magnitude and predictability is a direct measure of morality. The less predictable, and the larger the magnitude, the more good it is. When something becomes utterly predictable, and/or when something is tediously subtle is when it becomes wrong. As such it is rather simple. About 11% of the population.
Important States and Cities:
The capital of TFUC, and founded as the free uniting pact was formed. A city large enough to be a state itself. Centerpoint of all other TFUC cities. No special trade or wealth, as a central location was prioritised over a wealthy one. Finished being built on 2400, started in 2373. Located in what was northeast Sudan, near the Red Sea.
Originally a mining encampment controlled by Jajanhart, it was declared independent after TFUP was founded. Owns farms and mines all along the Nile, and produces a wealth of food. Trades in Petroleum, Iron, Tungsten, Precious Gems, and Sulphite. Located by what was Lake Victoria, and following the Nile up through Sudan.
The gateway to the east, Eljawhera is a very diverse city. The center of trade with the east, if trade is occurring. Anything that wants to get to TFUCs core by sea has to get past Eljawhera and Jajanhart. Has a broad spread of semi-valuable resources rather than a wealth in anything in particular. This includes, but is not limited to; Orange-spectrum dyes (from Chromium), Petroleum, and Copper. Has a fairly strong navy. Located in what was East Oman.
Easily one of the more wealthy cities in TFUC. Jajanhart benefits heavily from resources which were untapped before the war. The more valuable of these include; Iron, Tin and copper (by extension, bronze), and salt. They developed advanced blacksmithing, and military tactics fairly early on. Has a very strong ground army. Located in what was central Somalia.
(Pronounced SH-ehm) Is a largely agricultural city due to the minerals found in the soil. However, as the main defense against the North it still holds an army comparable in size to Jajanhart. Center of trade for eastern and southern Europe. It also holds decent quantities of Gold, Silver, Iron, and due to sulphur deposits, has recently rediscovered basic guns and gunpwder. Located in what was northwest Saudi Arabia, bordering Jordan and Egypt.
History: (Start of the first year listed to the end of the second.)
The Arabian Plateau was too close to Syria. It was hit with extreme nuclear fallout, and a large crater near it's north. After this, an extreme amount of once-citizens sought asylum in central/southern Africa, which wasn't a huge target. Only a few thousand made it through, however. Non nuclear bombs were falling all over the horn of Africa, making it extremely dangerous to pass through, and radically changing the landscape.
Those who couldn't make it into Africa tried to go northeast. Many died from hunger, and many more from fallout. Only a small number made it through. The refugees who fled both ways attempted to keep their culture alive, but through the ages change had a word or two to say about that.
The separate groups of refugees split into subgroups, and eventually went separate ways.
Their once-home was never forgotten, though. One day they'd have it back.
Through the years a few groups tried to go back, but ultimately met their end by the hand of radiation or undetonated warheads. In 2038 Seme was settled, and to the great surprise of others, useful resources and farm-able land were discovered there. Word leaked, and Seme attracted the attention of the refugee groups who fled so long ago. For just a few years everyone was only happy to be back...
After this 'grace period' people started fighting over power, siting pure descent, resource control, previous experience, and wealth as their reasons for deserving more. Eventually resource control won out, and the first Warlord took power. She renamed herself after her fine city as a means of gloating, and banished her rivals. This shattered the budding nation of Seme, and with the powers growing in the north, they could only go south.
Power was found in two other resource rich locations, which were dubbed Eljawhera, and Jajanhart. Each city rose to gain significant power through different means.
Eljawhera used wood gathered from nearby forests to craft boats. This led to an 'advanced' navy, and an immense boom in the trade of salt, Dyes, and Petroleum. They developed a keen trade sense, and are almost always able to gain the upper hand in a trade.
Jajanhart recovered ancient information on metallurgy, and was able to create bronze and steel surprisingly suddenly. This led to advancements in arms and armor, often based on pictures in ancient books. They truly took blacksmithing to a new level of advanced. They found rich deposits of gemstones in the southwest, and started mining there.
Meanwhile, Seme was all too aware of the rise of these two cities, which seemed almost too happy to work with each other. An attack was launched against Eljawhera. The outcome was disastrous for Seme, however. The army was sent down the east coast of the Red Sea, only to be met with a blockade set by Eljawhera. The blockade kited Seme's ships into the coast, forcing them to beach. Much to their dismay they were met here by the Jajanhart army, who forced their backs to the sea. It was rumored that the stink by that sea was great indeed.
Warring continued for many years, crippling each city. Jajanhart and Eljawhera eventually turned against each other. Basically, shit happens. People died, territory is gained, and I don't have enough time to write a simple descriptor of all the battles that happened.
After far too long warring, these nations were slowly realising that they could very well see a repeat of past events. Seme sent a peaceful messenger to Eljawhera for the first time. Niceties and gifts were exchanged in a solemn shame, both seeing the horrors of war. Jajanhart was harder to convince, but it eventually calmed.
The Free Uniting Pact was formed, the Sevre region mines were declared independent of Jajanhart, and the only internal problem left was what was to be the capital of The Free United Cities. Seme argued that they should be the capital, because they were the original nation; Jajanhart argued they should be the capital because they had the most formidable military; and Eljawhera proposed they work together to build a city specifically to be a capital. Eljawhera's idea was accepted, and Jajeme was built.
Not long after Jajeme was finished, Sevre made a land grab northwards. It claimed a large swathe of land rich in Iron, Petroleum, and Tungsten. Most importantly though, it gained control of the Nile, and established many farms along it. This established Sevre as an important force, where it was previously a backwater. The other cities were utterly surprised, and Jajanhart was proud it had 'birthed' such an ambitious city.
Warring continued, but mainly as a way to train their troops. Some battles went bad and caused hostilities. These were allowed to play out under the watch of Jajeme.
Resources and knowledge was freely shared between the cities, through Jajeme.
"When life seems stable, you will be taken off-guard"
Seme I: She was the first Warlord in TFUC area. Banished the people who would become Jajanhart & Eljawhera I. ruled from 2240 to 2263. Murdered.
Seme IV: Was the Warlord who sought to end the Resource wars. Ruled from 2360 to 2381. Crushed by construction materials.
Seme X: The current Warlord in Seme. Ruled from 2402 to present.
Jajanhart I: First warlord in Jajanhart. Reign 2242 to 2270. Knife to the neck.
Jajanhart XI: Current Warlord of Jajanhart. Reign from 2419.
Sevre I: The Warlord who was raised after Sevre became independent. Did the land-grab. 2410-2415. Publicly executed for enforcing too many rules.
Sevre II: Current Warlord in Sevre. Reign 2415-present.
Eljawhera I: First Warlord in Eljawhera. 2243-2247. Killed for incompetency.
Eljawhera II: Got shit started in Eljawhera. Started multiple trade routes, and communicated with Jajanhart. 2247-2283. Old age.
Eljawhera IIX: Current Warlord in Eljawhera. Known for her high standards. 2390-present.
Jajeme I: First and current warlord of Jajeme. Keeps peace between TFUC, likely to last a while. 2400-present.
Oh, this one was for expanding Horizons. I tried. Goodbye. It was decent for all of 2 posts.
Name: Pate Yves Influence: 3 Height: Around 5'9" Weight: 35 kg Age: Young. Species: Human Appearance: Scary lanky, almost skin and bones. He wears coarse woven, baggy pants; Worn button up boots, buttoned only to the ankles, unless taking off in a ship of some kind. Then they're buttoned all the way up to prevent blood from pooling in the legs; A ragged vest made of some kind of tanned leather?; and a mask resembling a smiling face, only the smile is how you'd expect a corpse to smile, and the eyes are deep black pools, seemingly deeper than the Void itself.
Occupation: Former 'courier'. Dealing in extreme and delicate goods. That didn't pay enough, so he started doing 'street' racing to make extra. Eventually his ship was destroyed. As a consequence he was fired from his courier job and could no longer race. He was begging for a good while, until he managed to stow away multiple times in a row to get off the planet. Interests: Ships/Planes/Vessels, Tasty data, interplanetary trade, neurology, and money. Personality: A think on the fly kinda guy. Likes to mimic the personalities of others to see what results he gets. Dislikes those who follow without question. At core though, he is a reciprocal person. If you're kind to him, he's kind to you. If you shoot him, he will plot revenge.
Abilities/talents:
Vessels(2): Due to his extensive flight experience he has acquired many tricks. Saving fuel, using planetary gravity, necessary weight, vehicle repairs and optmisation, etc.
Software manipulation(2): He pursued programming as a hobby for a while, just because he enjoyed doing it.
Neurology and people reading(2): Again, pure interest birthed this. He is able to read other's emotions and mimic their personalities on a basic level.
Items:
Modular ship improvements(4): Using his knowledge of Vessels and Programming he was able to devise a device that could easily plug into almost any ship to augment it's qualities by redirecting power, drawing latent energy from space, and even accepting blood sacrifices to overdrive certain systems. Usually this will be used to temporarily increase a ship's thruster capacity at the cost of weaponry etc., but sometimes Pate lets blood into it to significantly overdrive all systems. It features a system that holographically shows the ship's systems, current fuel, wasted or latent power, co-ordinates, registered crew members, and various other systems. He got 2 of these built by a well-recognised engineer while he was still 'couriering' and got his boss to pay for them under work expenses. The bastard.
Utility rifle(2): Although he can't fight very well, it serves a decent factor for intimidation. As a utility rifle it accepts many mods and can handle a lot of abuse, but isn't especially special in any other way. He usually carries 3 mags max.
Fucked up mask(1?): A mask that serves to conceal his face and distort his voice. Doesn't serve any special needs aside from intimidation and identification within the 'street' racing scene.
Other notable things about Pate: He can't fight to save his life (eh? eh?). Usually he'd be more than happy to hide or find the nearest getaway solution.
WIP, and may or may not be accepted. Uh... good luck to me, I guess. For the Breaking Point RP.
Basic Info
Name: Colin Kitshin Age: 55 Sex: Take a wild guess Appearance:
Personal Info
Profession: Mechanic/Engineer. He worked on a few early mech models, and as such has a very thorough understanding on how they work, and how they can be modified. Personality: Colin is a bit of a loner, but only because machines take up the majority of his life. He tends to be rather carefree, until one of his machines are involved. He gets so overprotective of his machines that if you damage one, you can expect to pay for the damages in more than just money. He's calm, but not exactly collected. His mind is constantly wandering between ideas, unless he's actually making one. He attributes his mechanical skill to his overactive imagination, and can calculate the exact way to install most modifications in his head, without the help of blueprints. He will always use a blueprint though. Just in case. History: He was born to a middle class family which has a long history of engineering through his mother's side. He likes to think that his mother was the one who brought him up to love steel and grease. In his teenage years he was building small robots for "Robot street fighting", and winning regularly. He dabbled in speedbuilding there, too. As he approached his 20s he started to take mechanics more seriously, and started working for the family mechanics business when he wasn't doing study for his engineering degree.
Later in life he was hired to work on mechs, which he continues to do to this day. He works on other things, but mechs are a very good source of income. Services, modifications, and repairs rake in the majority of his income. And while he doesn't like to see a mech trashed, he loves to work, and he loves a pile of scrap steel.
Resources
Equipment: Most of his equipment is top of the line powertools that he carts around in his ship. He believes in hand made quality, and currently owns a propane forge, a drill press, a linisher, a bench grinder, several welders (MIG, SMAW, and TIG) a drop saw, a steel roller, several handheld power tools (like angle grinders), and a 150 year old german style anvil which is still very solid and usable.
Other than his extensive range of tools, he also possesses his customised Bluecaster Cargo Jet, which is a one man cargo ship. It's fitted with a cargo hold, a bunk, a cockpit, and a leisure room. Its size allows it to get to smaller areas without an issue while carrying all the gear he needs to fix shit. As for weapons, it boasts a pair of custom artillery cannons that utilise automated tracking technology, and oddly large breech magazines. He also owns (and regularly plays) a sitar. He isn't Indian, but he enjoys playing this instrument.
On his person he rarely carries more than a water bottle, his info tablet thing, and his wallet. There just isn't any need for it. Skills:
Engineering, manufacturing, and mechanics are his main skills. He's worked as an engineer all his life, and even helped to finalise some of the mech models currently used today. He's really quite good at it, and does contract work to the highest bidder. He isn't famous as such, but is highly regarded within the engineering community. He has a slight focus on the practical side, but recognises that theory and planning are both incredibly important.
Business and Finance: He's run his own business for 30+ years. He knows how this works to a passable extent.
Piloting: By no stretch of the imagination is he a virtuoso at this. He can do it, though. Not particularly well, but not disgustingly badly either.
Household upkeep: He figured that if he had to run his own life, he'd better do it well. He's an alright cook, rather tidy, and is sure to have a spare mattress around.
Sitar: This West Asian instrument was very interesting to Colin. He liked it for how different it was, and its timbre. He plays it for about an hour a day if he can, and is rather good at it. He has a basic understanding of the music theory behind it, too.
In-Mech Repair: He has his own small mech, which he has removed all weapons from in favour of tools. He has outfitted it with multiple custom tools for repairing other mechs, and in a way could be considered a mech medic.
Weaknesses:>list>
Lack of combat experience: He's had experience in repairing during combat, but hardly ever fights.
Whimsical: He gets lost in ideas a bit too often. He zones out in non-stressful situations, which can cause some conversations to turn awkward.
Unrefined: While the machines he makes are ornate, beautiful, and functional, he is very rough around the edges. He has no sense for manners, and can inadvertently put people off because of that.
Recluse: He tends to hide from the outside world in his workshop, where he controls everything. He isn't totally oblivious, but frequently misses out on the small details.
Base Model: A custom mech built by Colin himself. He considers it his magnum opus. It boasts a dual reactor, an elegant cooling system that was modeled off our very own ability to sweat, hand forged armour plates, twelve storage compartments, extra long leg pistons to allow for height gain, a set of overdriven leg pistons that allow for faster running, and no weaponry at all.
The Dual Reactor is to compensate for the overdriven legs. The cooling system uses thermometers and tubing to pump coolant to sections of the mech that rise above 30C. In the storage compartments he houses myriad grades of steel in different stock specifications. Lots of sheet stock to patch up armour breaches. He features an extra four pistons wherever he needs any pistons at all in the legs of the MedMech. These extras are powered by his spare reactor, unless he has only one reactor avaliable. If this should be the case, they are not powered and the spare reactor will route power to the main pistons instead. Because this mech is very short, it can gain extra height through its leg pistons. It can add 8 meters to its height with this method.
Within the cockpit, the pilot has access to a button and lever interface, with the more common controls in the center and the less common towards the side. Armaments: None. He has fitted the mech with tools instead, to allow him to repair other mechs. The way they are mounted allow for three tools per arm, and these tools can be changed in the hangar. Usually he will go with a grabber on each arm, a welder, a belt sander, a grinder, and a cutter.
It does possess thick armour around the more vital regions, though. This was a deliberate choice from Colin to reduce damage, due to the fact that he can't shoot back. He has implemented a feature where he may close some of the armour plates together and render the mech partially invulnerable, with an extreme sacrifice to maneuverability. It also tends to use much more coolant in this mode due to the lack of 'vents' between the armour plates. Weaknesses: The obvious one is the lack of fighting capability. The other big weakness is a small size and large mass, due to the spare steel he carries and his thicc armour. This causes it to eat slightly more power when it's moving, so it can drag that extra mass around. (it's worth noting that it's still lighter than a regular mech, but heavy for its size.)
Designation: He has fondly named it MedMech, and refers to it as Mac for no reason in particular. Appearance: The MedMech is usually the shortest mech around, standing at a tiny 10m tall. It hasn't been painted, but Colin keeps it well poished, and it can look quite pretty and shiny in the sun. Pilot: Colin Kitshin