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Noble Arms: The ASEAN War - Thread Three, the Darkest Hour

It is December 2022, and the world is still dealing with one man's past folly.

On the verge of Allied Victory in World War II, the British Scientist Alan Turing, one of the fathers of computer science, fed captured Nazi occult research into a prototype computer and accidentally made it work, leading to the manifestation of Noble Arms. These magical weapons are symbols of their user's inner selves, manifesting when a person undergoes great change and development in their lives, for good or for ill.

Taking the form of obsolete weapons and tools such as swords, spears, muskets, books, and even wooden ships, the Noble Arm can possess devastating powers that defy the laws of reality as we know it.

  • Many can manipulate the elements to the user's will.
  • A few can control forces that can reduce matter to atoms in seconds.
  • The rarest have the strength to withstand the explosion of a nuclear missile.


The People's Republic of China, in its haste to recover from a humiliaiton in 1988 against the smaller countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has entangled itself in multiple, simultaneous, 'special military operations' against its neighbors, a state of affairs encouraged by the Downward Descent, a cult of Noble Arms Masters that believe Humanity's desire for progress and advancement is a lie that ignores its dark, but true, nature.

Now the PRC is suffering a death of a thousand cuts in a dozen warzones, with its greatest success being the defection of Laos and the northern parts of Cambodia to its side after a botched peace conference in Phnom Penh. However, this, as well as signs of increasing coordination with North Korea, Russia, and Iran has brought a reluctant United States into the war after two years of attempted withdrawal from the world stage.

You are part of Task Force Obsidian, a mix of Arms Masters, people who can manifest Noble Arms after surviving what changed their lives, and Normal People, who paid for their normalcy by lacking magic, but make up for that by being skilled in guns, vehicles, and aircraft, as well as primitive mechs that in the right circumstances, can take down an unprepared Arms Master.

Right now, you and the others of TFO are back in the Philippines, where the Chinese have resumed their attempt at invasion. You have been given housing in the evacuated ‘Trinidad Academy’, a School for Arms Masters and Normal folk whose students are either fighting the enemy on other fronts, fled, or are dead. There, you are either a veteran member trying to lick your wounds, or someonw new assigned to fill up TFO's ranks.

Your commanding officer, the young Arms Master named Noel Alonso, has been kidnapped. Many of your comrades are missing or somehow inactive. China, once on the back foot, has resumed its offensive.

We all live in interesting times...

------

All right; I've tried running Noble Arms, TheHangedMan's RP idea, several times now, and tried to add my spin on it once before. Now, I tried yet again, and for two years and six months (seven on January 14 my end, January 13 EST), I have succeeded, although with some slow periods.

This is a game where you play ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) or ASEAN-allied folk (US and European Volunteers) as OCs and China is the enemy. These OCs/PCs will be part of one group, Task Force Obsidian, whose goals are to act as one unit to engage in operations against China's People's Liberation Army and its assets while defending ASEAN's own.

There will be both adult and child soldiers as Noble Arms are not selective and the situation is just that desperate. You are not limited to Arms Masters; people who use their skills and technology (some of which can keep up with most Arms Masters) are permitted too.

And now, the meat of the lore.















OOC Discussion Discord

Background Lore Document
Hidden 9 days ago Post by Letter Bee
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@ctrlsaltdel, I saw your post on the Interest Check. Can you transfer it here?

Also, it has Approval One; either of the Co-GMs will give Approval Two.
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yep, here it is

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Also, for everyone else: Noble Arms no longer have to look like Pre-WW1 Weapons, as long as they look obsolete and people find cultural meaning in them.
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@ctrlsaltdel
well thought out and written, Approval 1 given
1x Thank Thank
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We need one more character sheet that isn't mine before I start work on the IC post, btw.
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Hey all! Got my approval through PM so I'll post my CS now
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Hey all! Got my approval through PM so I'll post my CS now


Need help finding the Discord Link/Invite?
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Noble Arms Plot Summaries

Mission One Summary: Defend Lingayen Gulf



The picture is that of Lingayen Beach, where the PCs will have their first IC action. They will not be given time to prepare or talk much outside of flashbacks (yes, I know, heresy), but rather will be placed on the beach from the get-go. Their mission would be to defend against two waves of Chinese attacks; the first made up of conventional forces and the second made up of Arms Masters (never outnumbering the OCs). To win this, and make no mistake, you *can* win, you are going to have to play things smart and conserve your energy in the first wave to have enough for the second wave.

You will not be alone; you have 2000 Philippine Marines and 20,000 Philippine Army Infantry helping you guys, supported by South Korean K136 Rocket Artillery, ATMO S2000 self-propelled howitzers, and Elbit Sabrah Tracked tanks. There are also Helicopters.

More Data Here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipme…

Intermission One: The First Arms Master (Set on September 30 2022).

The OCs, including Lotus Squadron, Kaitlyn, and any Non-Arms Masters, are grouped into a Special Task Force, with Noel (my OC and the only eligible one for command) as its nominal head. As Lingayen City rebuilds, they are to spend the next two weeks helping rebuild the city, hunting down Chinese stragglers and infiltrators, and eventually, resting and relaxing. At the start of said two weeks, however, some of them would receive news from Great Britain: The origin of all Noble Arms has been revealed to the world, and it is from an unexpected source - A man thought dead for 68 years, Alan Turing, a man has who now revealed himself to be The First Arms Master, the reason for Noble Arms' existence, and who despite his 'posthumous' pardon back in 2013, is *not* coming back to Great Britain just yet until Humanity as a whole has cleaned up their acts...

You guys can react to the news however you want, and rest and relax after that.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingayen

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing

Mission Two Summary: The Siege of Mischief Reef (Revised)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mischief_Reef

Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef, an island closer to the Philippines than to China yet occupied and enlarged by the latter, has been seized by a third faction, a group of defectors from China calling themselves the 'Qing Restoration Society'. Led by their New Emperor, a young boy who nevertheless has an A-Rank Noble Arm that can control water, the QRS has driven out the Chinese and devastated the nearby People's Liberation Navy groups in the Spratlys, allowing ASEAN an opening. Your mission, Arms Masters, is to relieve and resupply Mischief Reef before the Chinese counterattack ends the prospect of a new Qing Dynasty; a flotilla of Filipino and Indonesian Ships will try and run the Chinese Blockade with the Arms Masters of Task Force Obsidian in tow.

However, even after landing, all will not be well, as the Chinese will be sending a special strike force: Their own 'Foreign Volunteer Brigade', composed of former terrorists who hate the current world order more than they hate each other! Led by Mei Yuanuyan, an Anti-Arms Master terrorist who had grown her own Noble Arm, these Volunteers also have their own cunning, bloody-minded ferocity, and above all, a willingness to bring down the pain...

The ASEAN flotilla is composed of 2 Jose Rizal-class frigates, 1 Pohang-class Corvette, and 2 Del Pilar-class patrol vessels from the Philippines, 2 Nagpasa-class submarines, 2 Martadinata-class frigates, 3 Bung Tomo-class corvettes, and 4 Clurit-class Missile Boats from Indonesia, as well as 2 Auxiliary ships filled with supplies. Lotus Squadron will also be flying from Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan Island to support all of you by clearing the skies for your transport plane.

Intermission Two: Ghosts of Angeles City

After a victorious second mission, Task Force: Obsidian has been redeployed from Lingayen to rest and recuperate in Angeles City, where a luxury hotel has been set aside for their use, and their stay is fully paid. Relatively untouched by the Chinese bombardment and air war, Angeles City is filling up with refugees, many of who are being victimized by various fraudsters and criminals, while at the same time, there is a rumor going around that the American-Asian mixed-race community in the city, descended from American military personnel back when the Americans owned the historical Clark Air Base, are to blame for the Chinese Invasion. However, the remaining malls, casinos, and luxury businesses do care not for that, and so the party faces a choice: Involve themselves, or enjoy a chance at the high life?

Update: A player I asked to play an antagonist decided to cause a mini zombie-apocalypse (well, rage virus, as the 'zombies' are still alive) in Angeles City, which the other PCs managed to cure. That player who played an antagonist then decided to leave due to IRL stuff.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angeles_City

ritzhotelangeles.com

Mission Three: Assault on Jinghong Dam

Before the ASEAN War, the Chinese built a dam to control the flow of the Mekong River and generate power for its people, as well as to exert a means of influence over the neighboring countries downstream, the ASEAN members Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the furthest south of Vietnam. Now that the conflict has started, China has slowed down the flow of water to a trickle, raising fears of drought while increasing their supply of electricity for their war effort. Even worse, the Chinese have placed PoW camps in the floodplains below the dam to deter airstrikes. Your goals, Arms Masters and Ordinary Folk are to evacuate the PoWs and then destroy the dam.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinghong_Dam

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekong



Mission Four: Knives in Phnom Penh (Current Mission)

Recent stories of war crimes and crimes against humanity (such as those found at Jinghong Dam) have soured relations between NATO and the PRC from averse to outright economic sanctions. Cut off from food imports and certain raw resources, Chinese embassies have reached out to each member of ASEAN to establish rules of engagement between the combatants. Only half of ASEAN members have returned the PRC's calls: Laos, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Burma. Malaysia reports an impasse; the rest have (until now) kept discussions private.

During these three weeks, King Norodom Socheata of Cambodia passed away under suspicious circumstances. The United States has shared intel that unknown members of the Downward Descent were in Phnom Penh during this time, though no linkage to the king's death can be found. In reaction, the Kingdom of Cambodia has officially closed its borders until the death can be confirmed as natural causes.

The newly elected king, His Majesty Sisowath Samnang, has reopened borders and announced that the suspect, one Keo Chantrea, has been caught and executed. He further reports breakthroughs regarding Chinese negotiations, as confirmed by Laos. The Kingdom subsequently invites the PRC and its ASEAN allies to a parley in Phnom Penh. The Downward Descent has not departed Cambodia to our knowledge, so, in addition to amplifying personal protection, the Philippines has requested the presence of the Philippine Navy's Arms Masters to safeguard the talks.

Update: The Cambodian Government decided to betray ASEAN, defect to China, and have the Royal Cambodian Army attack the Peace Conference they called, but several of their people decided this was a bad idea and stayed loyal to ASEAN or turned neutral. Now Phnom Penh is at war, with the Cambodian Government bringing in Russian and Venezuelan mercenaries and Iranian Shaeeed Drones to bomb their own people who stayed loyal to ASEAN or had second thoughts.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phnom_Penh

Intermission Four: Darkest Hour

Laos and portions of Cambodia defected to China's side after the Downward Descent caused talks between the Chinese and ASEAN to collapse, with many of the latter's secrets lost to the former with Laos (and parts of Cambodia's) defection. Now, Thailand and Vietnam are cut off from each other, even as the PLA Navy embarks on a new major offensive. Task Force Obsidian has escaped but at the cost of their First Lieutenant, who is now in the hands of their enemy.

Now, after finding refuge in Trinidad Academy, Manila's prime institute for training Arms Masters to fight alongside normal cadets (no, it's not a Spartan Training Program), the Task Force has to make a decision: Rescue their commanding officer from enemy captivity, tackle one of the many fronts in the ongoing war... Or give up and disband, falling apart in grief.

If they choose to stay, they will receive revelations about the nature of Noble Arms and Alan Turing's role in their creation and the functioning of the Occult Programming Language.

Dates of the Missions

Mission One - 9/25/2022.
Intermission One - 9/30/2022
Mission Two - 10/11/2022
Intermission Two - 10/14/2022
Mission Three - 10/25/2022
Intermission Three - 11/01/2022
Mission Four - 11/11/2022
Intermission Four - 12/1/2022
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1/9/2025 - Crown Prince Shinyahito has been retconned to be born a day before the IRL Crown Prince of Japan (his cousin), instead of one day after.

1/10/2025 - Retcon reversed; turns out the Crown Prince can be born one day after without losing his placement.
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Testing: Noble Arms Public NPC System

For players who want to move the plot, but whose current PC is out of commission, I am testing out a Public NPC System where players can take control of pre-made NPCs with GM Permission (or are asked by the GM to 'test out' the NPCs) so they can keep playing. Not only that but players who already have a PC can submit Public NPCs for the GMs to approve, on the condition that once they are, anyone can use them even without them having to personally give their permission - It comes with submitting a Public NPC in the first place.

NPC Template:

[center][b]Appearance:[/b]
(Optional; Picture Preferred.)[/center]

[b]Name:[/b]

[b]Antagonist, Friendly, or Neutral:[/b]

[b]Arms Master:[/b] Y/N

[b]Noble Arm Rank:[/b]

[hider=Insert NA rank here]
Power: The pure energy the NA can exert (offensively/defensively/healing/etc).
Speed: How fast the power responds to the user and takes effect.
Range: How far-reaching the abilities are (potential fallout included). Along with Power, we will be paying special scrutiny to NAs that are high in this stat and especially in both at once.
Persistence: Stamina toll on the user. Higher rank = more ease of use.
Precision: How surgically (or clumsily/indiscriminate) the NA performs.
Potential: Power's flexibility for creative use and evolution.
[/hider]

[b]Noble Arm Abilities:[/b]

[b]Brief Description:[/b] (Include a brief description of who the NPC is, where he comes from, and his official and unofficial jobs and how they involve the PCs.)

[b]Disposability:[/b] (1 is ‘can be killed easily as though they were a nameless goon’, 10 has plot armor [i]almost[/i] equivalent to a PC and is very hard to end permanently.)


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NPC Arms Masters First Batch

ASEAN NPC Arms Masters:

Appearance:


Name: Chai Jakkrit

Antagonist, Friendly, or Neutral: Friendly

Arms Master: Y

Noble Arm Rank:



Noble Arm Abilities: A Thai Bladed Staff that can transmute itself and the user's body into a large ball of electricity, allowing them to travel through metal objects, such as copper wire, while inflicting stunning to fatal shocks on living targets they pass through. However, excessive use of this ability can damage Chai's body once it returns to flesh and blood, leading to severe injuries at best, especially if the 'lightning form' comes into contact with large amounts of rubber or non-conductive materials.

Brief Description: Thai Arms Master deployed to Phnom Penh to punish the Cambodians.

Disposability: 5




Appearance:


Name: The Chau Sisters

Antagonist, Friendly, or Neutral:

Arms Master: Y/N

Noble Arm Rank:





Noble Arm Abilities:

Twinswap - A unique ability that exploits, then breaks the rules of the Noble Arm System, this allows the Chau Twins to swap their Noble Arms to each other using their bond as Twins.

Crystalization (Red Chau) - Any living flesh cut by Red Chau's sword slowly crystalizes until the person dies, the damage is reversed by another Noble Arm, or Red Chau wills it to reverse on its own (cutting off the cut flesh is also an option). Wood, natural fibers, and bone (including ivory) are immune, as well as hair and animal horns.

Liquification (Blue Chau) - Any inorganic material (stone, metal, plastic, concrete) cut by Blue Chau's sword quickly dissolves into liquid; this includes vehicles and walls. This ability does not affect living flesh and organic materials like wood, but those can still be cut by the blade like normal. Unlike Red Chau, Blue Chau cannot will the damage to reverse.

Unnatural Agility (Blue Chau) - Blue Chau is just fast enough to avoid bullets.

Barrier Skin (Red Chau) - Red Chau emits an energy barrier close to her skin that allows her to withstand most calibers of bullet and even one Anti-Materiel Rifle Round. This, however, saps her Persistence and thus she prefers to swap with Blue Chau every other minute in combat.

Brief Description: Two of Vietnam's Arms Masters, and ones rising in popularity as they fight in the ASEAN War, the Chau Sisters have been sent to Phnom Penh to punish the Cambodians for their treachery. They are twins and not used to being apart, even in combat...

Disposability: 5

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