[OOC] Symphony on High

[Majoraa]

@Izurich

Looks good, get it up boiii

[Letter Bee]

Is it possible to join this RP?

I am not sure I can find the time, but I am willing to put a few of my other commitments on hiatus (nothing I am GMing, though) to play this. Is that okay?

[ERode]

Is it possible to join this RP?

I am not sure I can find the time, but I am willing to put a few of my other commitments on hiatus (nothing I am GMing, though) to play this. Is that okay?

@Letter Bee

Yes. 😁

Also, come on over to Discord if you have one. Most of the OOC and musing takes place there. Just ask @BrokenPromise for an invite link.

[Letter Bee]

<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>


Yes. 😁

Also, come on over to Discord if you have one. Most of the OOC and musing takes place there. Just ask @BrokenPromise for an invite link.

@ERode

Thanks. @BrokenPromise, can you give me an Invite Link?

[BrokenPromise]

@Letter Bee

Short answer: I do not think that would be a good idea. The setting is far more oppressive than the RE:Zero RP I ran some time ago. That wasn’t to your tastes, and this definitely won’t be either.

Long answer: Check your PMs.

[Letter Bee]

Understandable; that's fine.

[Izurich]

@Letter Bee

Short answer: I do not think that would be a good idea. The setting is far more oppressive than the RE:Zero RP I ran some time ago. That wasn’t to your tastes, and this definitely won’t be either.

Long answer: Check your PMs.

@BrokenPromise

Understandable; that's fine.

@Letter Bee

Oh, huh, curious, especially considering you're running a Sci-Fantasy World War RP right now, Bee. You know, major wars, the worst of humanity's history happened during these periods, so how can a global conflict RP be lighter than RE:Zero or SoH?

Bottom point, I hope you join because we've never written together before and I'm interested to remedy that.

[Letter Bee]

<Snipped quote by BrokenPromise>

<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>

Oh, huh, curious, especially considering you're running a Sci-Fantasy World War RP right now, Bee. You know, major wars, the worst of humanity's history happened during these periods, so how can a global conflict RP be lighter than RE:Zero or SoH?

Bottom point, I hope you join because we've never written together before and I'm interested to remedy that.

@Izurich

I'll post an answer here if you want, but can we switch to PMs after this?

Because in my present RP, there are good people striving for a happy ending that is very much possible despite all the tribulations they go through. That and the moral lines are more clear-cut; grey exists but so do black and white.

Edit: And to make it clearer, there is a solution to the moral dilemmas/problems the cast might go through that leads to the happy ending that I mentioned was possible.

[Izurich]

<Snipped quote by Izurich>

You want an answer? Because in my present RP, there are good people striving for a happy ending that is very much possible despite all the tribulations they go through. That and the moral lines are more clear-cut; grey exists but so do black and white.

@Letter Bee

Well, yeah, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want an answer.

Well okay, coz' that's pretty much the same thing in SoH. The PCs are ultimately good people striving for a happy ending, where grey morality do exist but so do black and white.

Edit: And to make it clearer, there is a solution to the moral dilemmas/problems the cast might go through that leads to the happy ending that I mentioned was possible.

@Letter Bee

Yeah. Most of the antagonists here are inarguably evil folks. Only some are grayer.

[Letter Bee]

<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>

Well, yeah, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want an answer.

Well okay, coz' that's pretty much the same thing in SoH. The PCs are ultimately good people striving for a happy ending, where grey morality do exist but so do black and white.

@Izurich

I sort of got the impression, and BrokenPromise did not say otherwise, that the moral questions (like whether GEMINI or Maverick are right) are ultimately intractable with no easy answers, though?

Also, I friended you on Discord; want to continue it there so that I don't fill up space on BrokenPromise's thread?

[BrokenPromise]

With that, Operations have concluded. Now we start Downtime.

As mentioned before, downtime is a non-combat phase that happens at the end of every Operation. They tend to run for about a month and allow for the following:

-Collaborative/flashback posts can be written.
-You may make changes to your Genre's notes. (Be sure to tell a GM you're editing your sheet)
-Posting is not required, but still encouraged!
-A greater emphasis on character building and setups to lead us into the next set of operations.

Also during this time, your GMs will be discussing how to move things forward and make changes to the DoCS.

In the past, downtime has largely been put up as a sort of playground for the players to interact in ways that operations don't allow for. Unfortunately, they haven't been all that active and most of the collabs that got written tended to be between players and at least one GM. My theory is that while most of us enjoy collaborating, it tends to not be very organic and not everyone wants to brainstorm why their characters should meet up. So! We're bring in downtime scenes. It's nothing special, it's just some scenes that you can populate with your espers. Depending on your faction, drop your character into GEMINI HQ or the Great Escape and enjoy a few weeks of posts where nothing's trying to kill your esper. Talk to other players, talk to NPCS, all I ask is that you don't try to do a collab that takes place in the middle of a downtime scene. Collabs in crowded places get messy fast. Do note that you may still write and post collabs that take place during the week. Just treat it as a flash back.

Oh! And I was asked about players using NPC characters in their posts a little while back. There's going to be plenty of NPCs running around during downtime, and we have a lot of new players that could use the extra interaction. That said, you're free to use your own NPCs in collaborations. That said^X2 I would appreciate it if you didn't get too crazy. You can make espers, monsters, normal people who live around Pax, but nothing with super crazy high power levels. And emphasis on that "people who live around Pax" bit. I don't have an issue with a character's long distance relative calling them, but I'd prefer if you didn't write posts that took place inside the elemental chaos or were largely about the elemental chaos. I'd also rather not feature powerful entities that are on par with the main antagonists. If you're unsure, ask.

Anyway, about Backup Glamors...

I'm going to assume you read the DoCS and skip their introduction. But as far as getting them, you just need to get friendly enough with someone that they're willing to share some of their power with you. Espers will often create totem objects in their spare time and hand them off to comrades and friends.

In short, all you need to receive a backup is to have a nice interaction with another character, or at least leave an impression where they want to help you survive. Backups can be acquired from befriending NPCs or Players. The Backup does not need to be handed off during downtime. We, the readers, just need to understand why you're carrying around someone's backup.

Rules for Backup creation are in the DoCS, but I want to remind everyone that the recipient has the most control over what the Backup actually does. The Giver, however, has their element considered with its creation and decides how it looks. Though ideally the two of you will have a conversation and decide on something that makes sense. The exception to this rule is if you get your Backup from certain NPCs. Backups such as this have fantastical effects that can't be compared to a melody. We'll cover how to rank up Backups later.

And lastly, I'm going to explain the newest, yet-to-be-added feature to the DoCS: Swan Songs

A Swan Song is a part of every esper's kit. They can unleash a powerful, decisive spell that can turn the tide of battle. The only issue is that an esper can only sing a swan song once... Because it kills them. The esper's true self is slain, and the mana created from their memories is used to fuel the esper just long enough to invoke their most powerful spell.

The exact effects of a Swan Song are too varied to mention. They can be powerful attacks, restorative spells that perform far beyond what melodies can do, and more. The effects are dramatic, but it will be the last thing your esper does should they choose to invoke it.

Swan Songs are not added to your Character Sheets. However, they do have grades, which determine how strong the effects are. The grade can be determined by the "age" of your character.

Bronze: New character. Powerful enough to harm an elite enemy or do significant damage to a mob. Can return an unconscious or severely wounded esper to fighting form, if only momentarily.

Silver: Esper survived at least two operations. Powerful enough to kill or incapacitate an elite enemy/mob and can bypass protection. Can return an unconscious or severely wounded esper to fighting form, or grant an esper a brief moment of invulnerability.

Gold: Esper survived at least an arc, or four operations. Powerful enough to kill or incapacitate multiple elite enemies/mobs, or harm a boss, regardless of protections. Can resurrect an ally, heal several espers, or grant their allies a brief moment of invulnerability.

Diamond: Esper survived at least two arcs. Effects unknown, but are sure to make all but the most challenging operations much easier for the survivors, as well as trigger a few GMs into breaking their keyboards.

There are only two restrictions on Swan Songs: It needs to be a heroic sacrifice, so if you use it, it needs to help another esper. And two, an esper needs to be conscious for a full turn after using their swan song for it to activate.

Oh yea, and @Majoraa? Here's your new Backup. Like any backup, you can only have one on at a time. So you need to pick between this or Eddy.

BACKUP: Black Swallowtail

An immaculate clock. Why does every tick strike a chord of nostalgia and melancholy?

GRADE: ?????
BACKUP MELODY: [Unique]
SPECIAL: Upon activation of Finn's Swan Song, he becomes the Iron Duke. Permanently.

[Majoraa]

Oh yea, and @Majoraa? Here's your new Backup. Like any backup, you can only have one on at a time. So you need to pick between this or Eddy.

BACKUP: Black Swallowtail

An immaculate clock. Why does every tick strike a chord of nostalgia and melancholy?

GRADE: ?????
BACKUP MELODY: [Unique]
SPECIAL: Upon activation of Finn's Swan Song, he becomes the Iron Duke. Permanently.

@BrokenPromise

Yeah sure, let's raise the stakes a little.

[BrokenPromise]

Awwwrighty, Got Mika's Leito updated.

Somebody’s Watching Me! (EX)

Mika knows she’s being observed, just not by who. At least, not yet.

GRADE: Silver
SPECIAL: Mika knows when she's being watched. This prevents her from being ambushed so long as she's not already fighting.

Also did some updates to the DoCS:

-Push/Pull has been reworded for clarity

-As have Zone/Aoe

If a note’s effects are dependent on what part/side of a target they hit, the caster may choose any part of a target so long as it’s inside the zone and can be seen from the zone’s center.

If a note’s effects are dependent on what part/side of a target they hit, the caster may choose any part of a target so long as it’s inside the area of effect and can be seen from AoE’s center.

-Rain was renamed to “Sky Call” as the original name no longer reflected the note’s purpose. You may need to open and close your copy of the Melody Cost Calculator for it to import the new list.

-Restrain note clarified, along with slow

-Healing note revision for clarity

There's some other stuff I want to do along with the elemental note buffs, but that'll do for now.

[BrokenPromise]

In memory of all the frogs that were slain during the diver attack. You'll be missed, my green bumpy friends.

[TaintedMushroom]

"Now I’m Pissed!"

Dead Head

NAME:

”Name’s Asher, Asher Blake. Who’s askin?”

AGE:

”32 years young, baby. But I don’t look a day over 21.”

SEX:

”Do what? Oh, I’m a dude, clearly.”

APPEARANCE:

“Yeah? Sure I don’t mind posing for a few photos, make sure you get my good side.”

Non-Esper

GRIMIORE:

The grimiore itself comes in the form of a metal pouch with 4 different colored marbles inside,

INSTRUMENT:

Nothing quite says “knock knock” like Asher’s iconic SPAS-12, dubbed Hatred. Hatred is a solid black SPAS-12 with an angry red dragon painted on it in a manner that makes it wrap around the gun and positions its head so that it appears the dragon is roaring when the gun is fired. The upper rail features a set of hardened spikes running along the edges that give it a punky aesthetic to match Asher. It also features a strap that stretches from barrel to stock for convenience. Rather than standard buckshot Hatred fires slugs of solid metal that pack one hell of a wallop. When at a nice close distance Asher can also use Hatred’s special ability to fire off a short range burst of magical fire that’s nearly guaranteed to catch anything on fire on a direct hit.

GRADE: Gold
KEYWORD: Long Gun
DAMAGE TYPE: Physical
DAMAGE: A
SPEED: B
SENTINEL: E
SPECIAL: Dragons Breath allows Hatred to fire off a short burst of magical fire in a close proximity. This acts as an ignite cast but only at short range, around 6 feet.

STYLE:

Carbon Fiber

Grade: Silver
PHYSICAL: E
ARCANE: B
CHAOS: C
SPECIAL: Upon taking esper form Asher’s body becomes mostly made from carbon fiber where possible, shedding weight and allowing him an extra degree of reaction time when attempting to dodge attacks.

GENRE:

Rage

Asher’s melodies manifest as fiery constructs of his anger and rage, a deep hot fire reminiscent of smoldering coal. Asher’s fire feels much hotter than it actually burns to those without a strong resolve.

GRADE: Silver
ELEMENT: Fire
NOTES: [Ignite, Heat] Damage X, Damage, AoE, Puddle, Sky Call, Powerful, Scatter, Shield, Blink
SPECIAL: Asher’s ignite attacks are 1 rank higher.

LEITMOTIF:

Eye of Malice

Bronze grade
Asher’s left eye stands out from the other when transformed, slightly larger and more intimidating with a deeper red emanating from it.

PR:

As far as accessories go Asher only carries a pistol and a baseball bat, for more delicate situations.

BACKUP:

N/A

FACTION:

”I only work for myself, ain’t nobody the boss of me!”

TRIVIA:

”What? Do you want my life story or something? Piss off!”

For the last 15 years the average day in the life of Asher Blake has been filled with debauchery, high octane metal, dangerous stunts, and a live fast die young attitude. Lead Vocalist of the band always did come with its perks, and Asher was never one to not take advantage of the situation. He and a group of friends formed Dead Head in their junior year, choosing to drop out and pursue a musical career over traditional forms of education. It only took a couple of years before the group found a groove in their local scene and although it was modest it was a start. Through dedication and commitment over the next few years Dead Head managed to grow more and more renown as they slowly grew into an ever more prominent force.

By his mid 20s Asher Blake was well and truly a rock star. Dead Head toured the nation and consistently sold out venues time and time again. But with all things, as time goes things change and people want different things. Dead Head, once a rising star, was now coming to a natural point in its life where its members sought change, different experiences, and a chance to grow. Much to the dismay of its fanbase, Dead Head split up when Asher was 28.

Without any plans and an obscene amount of money Asher wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself. For the first couple of years the partying was enough but it didn’t really bring Asher any fulfillment. It wasn’t until a rather raucous block party that Asher found his calling.

Disaster struck. An uninvited guest, a gruesome monster from the chaos realm. Debris and destruction rain around Asher. The crowd screams and runs to and fro unsure of who or what has caused the chaos. As he watched everyone around him running, terrified for their lives, something within him stirred. A strong connection reached out to him.

The crowd almost seemed to part around him as he neared it. A shotgun, a standard pump action at first appearance but the longer Asher stared at it the more he could feel that just below the surface it’s true self lay waiting for him alone to take. As Asher gripped the weapon the dam burst, the emotions roiling in him grew astronomically as the anger within him almost took physical form. Bursting forth from him and the weapon it swirled around him in a storm of lights and magical energy. Spreading forth from his hand at the point of contact his skin slowly transformed into carbon fiber. Energy coursed through Asher’s body as his anger roared to life like a high powered engine.

Just as quickly as the energy burst forth from him it also returned, swirling about him until it finally coalesced into a burning heat that seemed to radiate from his body. Asher gripped the shotgun, racked a shell, and set his eyes upon the source of the chaos. It was time to whoop some ass.

[TaintedMushroom]

Ka-chow

[Ponn]

Cool character!

Two small problems, though. One, none of his Glamours have grades, and two, Long Guns are limited to doing Physical damage, unless modified by their Special to allow for a different damage type.

[BrokenPromise]

Should I joke that he's Elroy Jr or a confused Maverick?

@TaintedMushroom Like Ponn pointed out, long guns are locked to physical, and I'd like to see what glamors are which grades. You should have 1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze. Make those edits and I'll talk it over with May Jay.

[TaintedMushroom]

Cool character!

Two small problems, though. One, none of his Glamours have grades, and two, Long Guns are limited to doing Physical damage, unless modified by their Special to allow for a different damage type.

@Ponn

Wow I goofed, okay fixed! Not sure how I overlooked the grades not actually being there. And thanks!

[TaintedMushroom]

Should I joke that he's Elroy Jr or a confused Maverick?

@TaintedMushroom Like Ponn pointed out, long guns are locked to physical, and I'd like to see what glamors are which grades. You should have 1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze. Make those edits and I'll talk it over with May Jay.

@BrokenPromise

Oh 2 silver? I was assuming 2 bronze. Well coolio!