[OOC] Twisted Light - A Dystopic Magical Girl RP

[Flamelord]

Ok so this based on Puella Magi Madoka Magica, right?

@DarkFey

Yup. It just also happens that here magical girls tried to take over the world because Social Darwinism, or something like that. OH, and taxes are in Grief Seeds, keeping rulers strong, and those beneath them too busy hunting Witches to meet said taxes, so they can't plot treason. Ideally.

[Stern Algorithm]

<Snipped quote by Stern Algorithm>

Oh, I'm down with that if you want to.

@Ariamis

OK cool, so let's say Maria controls territory in which Eponine's slum is located. Eponine swore fealty to Maria, and by extension, the current ruler of Aurora. Eponine will do anything if she is convinced it is for 'the greater good', though she's not that much of a thinker, and with her condition, not much of a feeler either, so should be fairly easy for Maria to manipulate. She sees MG's as enforcers of order, and may be reluctant to fight other MG's but can be easily convinced that her enemies are trying to disrupt order. Eponine probably won't really mind that Maria is slowly consolidating power, but if and when Maria finally decides to go against the ruler of Aurora, she will have to convince Eponine that she can rule more firmly and enforce laws more absolutely. Considering the probably constant infighting and chaos as MG's vie for power and standing, Eponine would welcome an absolute, tyrannical rule.

Basically, Eponine will become Maria's Dragon.

I made the following changes to my CS and posted to the Characters Tab:

"Eponine sought out the magical girl that governed over her region, Maria Goethe, and swore fealty to her, aligning herself and her community to Aurora. Now she rules over and protects the slum, which has become her fief, her territory which is part of Maria's larger domain. She keeps Fantine safe in Maria's HQ."

[Ariamis]

This fits Maria very well, since she would be the type to have a strong right-hand man (girl?) at her side in classic mastermind fashion. With your permission, Fantine could also serve as a personal servant to Maria. She loves to be treated like a princess, and makes sure anyone who fills that role for her is kept safe and happy. This could also serve as a source of future tension depending on how Maria and Eponine continue with their relationship.

[Stern Algorithm]

This fits Maria very well, since she would be the type to have a strong right-hand man (girl?) at her side in classic mastermind fashion. With your permission, Fantine could also serve as a personal servant to Maria. She loves to be treated like a princess, and makes sure anyone who fills that role for her is kept safe and happy. This could also serve as a source of future tension depending on how Maria and Eponine continue with their relationship.

@Ariamis

I like the idea of Maria using Fantine as a servant/maid, as long as Maria doesn't abuse Fantine. Though Eponine wants Fantine to be treated like a princess, Fantine is smart enough to know that just being able to serve Maria and live within the safety of Maria's HQ (whether that's a fortress, bunker or what-have-you) is a privilege that she doesn't really deserve/hasn't really earned and that she should at least try to earn her keep as much as she can.

I might make Fantine a character too then. I'm planning on making her a bit wiser than Eponine despite being younger. Fantine is vaguely aware that she is Maria's leash for Eponine, but she is grateful to Maria and feels that the situation 'is what it is'. She doesn't yet realize that if the chips are down, she and Eponine are expendable in Maria's eyes (though this is just an assumption on my part).

[Ariamis]

Maria won't abuse her precious maid; on the contrary, if anyone even looks at Fantine the wrong way they will be thrown out the window. Maria's HQ will most likely be a mansion with the perimeter consisting of high walls and guards at every corner-tower.

Edit: Depending on if you're going to RP Fantine as a separate character, I might actually make some changes to Maria's characterization and make her a bit more sympathetic, with more of an emphasis on her trust issues and fear of being inferior rather than the sadistic and cruel focus she currently has, since I didn't think she'd have a meaningful relationship where she could develop in the RP. In Tvtropes terms, Fantine could serve the role of a Morality Pet to Maria.

To Maria, something that still has use for her is not expendable, which means as long as she thinks Eponine and Fantine are loyal to her she won't think of them as being expendable. That is, unless her paranoia starts acting up, depending on the circumstances.

[Krauxis]

You gonna get a character or two in here, boss? Or are you mostly just gonna take on NPCs and stuff? Just curious.

[Flamelord]

You gonna get a character or two in here, boss? Or are you mostly just gonna take on NPCs and stuff? Just curious.

@Krauxis

I'll probably take up the important people (faction leaders) as characters, but I'll definitely be doing NPC's for this whole thing.

[Ariamis]

I've been thinking of a few questions I'd like to ask, mainly based on what's happened in PMMM:

-Can Magical Girls communicate telepathically between each other once they have met?
-Can Magical Girls summon an Incubator?
-Can they serve as messengers between Magical Girls?
-Can Magical Girls use magic while not transformed, even if just a fraction of it?

[Komamisa]

Evenin' everyone. Hoping this is still open.

I have but a few questions to add on top of what @Ariamis asked above:

• While the life expectancy is low for Puellae due to witch conversion, do they age or are they, in fact, immortal?
• Though stratified and cut-throat by nature, do any of the Magical Girls from history have what is considered a "hero" status amongst others? That being, they were champions of the revolution, or perhaps even pariahs that fought on the side of normal humans. Basically, are there famous magical girls whose names have left their mark in history, post-humous or not?
• Just how exclusive is exclusive for the likes of Serenity. Adding on to something clarified earlier, would certain "radical" elements of the Shadow Compact begrudgingly work with Serenity?
• Is Walpurgisnacht an issue in this "modernized" Magical society? I figure there are armies (so to speak) of Magical Girls that could be dispatched to combat Walpurgis should she arrive.

Eagerly awaiting your answers, I'm quite interested in reviving an old character of mine for this.

In other news, isn't this actually a near-perfect society in terms of Incubator ideals? Fear begets despair, and hatred along with fear both create strong, if not relatively futile and spur-of-the-moment wishes. Earth was already an "emotional energy generator" for the Incubators, such a world is practically a factory for them.

[Flamelord]

I've been thinking of a few questions I'd like to ask, mainly based on what's happened in PMMM:

-Can Magical Girls communicate telepathically between each other once they have met?
-Can Magical Girls summon an Incubator?
-Can they serve as messengers between Magical Girls?
-Can Magical Girls use magic while not transformed, even if just a fraction of it?

@Ariamis

-Yes, though there is a range limit. IIRC, Kyubey only helps to facilitate telepathy between Magical girls and potential contractees, though I could be remembering things wrong.
-No. You can call really loudly and maybe one will deign to show up, but only if it wants to.
-Yes, though I won't speak as to the reliability of this form of message sending
-Yes.

Evenin' everyone. Hoping this is still open.

I have but a few questions to add on top of what @Ariamis asked above:

• While the life expectancy is low for Puellae due to witch conversion, do they age or are they, in fact, immortal?
• Though stratified and cut-throat by nature, do any of the Magical Girls from history have what is considered a "hero" status amongst others? That being, they were champions of the revolution, or perhaps even pariahs that fought on the side of normal humans. Basically, are there famous magical girls whose names have left their mark in history, post-humous or not?
• Just how exclusive is exclusive for the likes of Serenity. Adding on to something clarified earlier, would certain "radical" elements of the Shadow Compact begrudgingly work with Serenity?
• Is Walpurgisnacht an issue in this "modernized" Magical society? I figure there are armies (so to speak) of Magical Girls that could be dispatched to combat Walpurgis should she arrive.

Eagerly awaiting your answers, I'm quite interested in reviving an old character of mine for this.

In other news, isn't this actually a near-perfect society in terms of Incubator ideals? Fear begets despair, and hatred along with fear both create strong, if not relatively futile and spur-of-the-moment wishes. Earth was already an "emotional energy generator" for the Incubators, such a world is practically a factory for them.

@Komamisa

Yes, yes it is. And we are still open, seeing as the game hasn't actually started yet. As for your questions....

-A mixture of both. Magical girls age (slowly) to the point of physical maturity (End of puberty), at which point they stop aging entirely. Then they're most capable at fighting Witches, which is the whole point after all.
-Yes, there are. And some normal people who were actually magical girls have been recognized as such
-Serenity is...pretty exclusive. Kinda like the Tok'ra from Stargate. Since they have comparatively small numbers, they have to play cautious with who they bring in. They won't directly work with the Shadow Compact, but they'd piggy-back off of their successes if it further their goals (Major insurrection orchestrated by the SC, Serenity steps in and convinces or forces the MG in charge to resign, then announces reform, for example)
-Walpurgisnacht is still a major event to be concerned with, if only because of how strong it is. Though some of that issue arises less from that kind of Witch, and more the political intrigue involved with it. Plenty of opportunities for Machiavellian politics when everyone has an idea that your territory is sitting behind the 8-Ball, as it were.

Hope that doesn't ruin whatever plans you might have had. Glad to have you with us.

[Komamisa]

Hope that doesn't ruin whatever plans you might have had. Glad to have you with us.

@Flamelord

On the contrary. This works out perfectly for me. Thank you for your prompt reply! Sheet will be up tonight at the earliest, sometime before the end of Wednesday at the latest.

[Ariamis]

Hmm, Maria would have really benefitted from a guaranteed means of contact with the other factions, though I admit that would have made her goals too easy to accomplish. Still, it's better than having no means whatsoever. Good news about the magic use though, Maria loves her wheelchair.

[Stern Algorithm]

Maria won't abuse her precious maid; on the contrary, if anyone even looks at Fantine the wrong way they will be thrown out the window. Maria's HQ will most likely be a mansion with the perimeter consisting of high walls and guards at every corner-tower.

Edit: Depending on if you're going to RP Fantine as a separate character, I might actually make some changes to Maria's characterization and make her a bit more sympathetic, with more of an emphasis on her trust issues and fear of being inferior rather than the sadistic and cruel focus she currently has, since I didn't think she'd have a meaningful relationship where she could develop in the RP. In Tvtropes terms, Fantine could serve the role of a Morality Pet to Maria.

To Maria, something that still has use for her is not expendable, which means as long as she thinks Eponine and Fantine are loyal to her she won't think of them as being expendable. That is, unless her paranoia starts acting up, depending on the circumstances.

@Ariamis

I do plan on RPing Fantine, so I'll get a CS up for her soon. I think the relationship between Fantine and Maria would be interesting. With power-hungry characters, it's always good to explore how far they'd be willing to go to acheive power and who they are or are not willing to hurt to achieve their goals.

[Krauxis]

-Walpurgisnacht is still a major event to be concerned with, if only because of how strong it is.

@Flamelord

Hider

[Stern Algorithm]

So I have a CS for Fantine; I also added a Theme Song to Eponine's CS. Since it's a feudal society, I'm also wondering if we want actual nobility titles.

We could have the ruler of Aurora have the title of 'Duchess', followed by 'Marchioness', 'Countess', 'Viscountess', 'Baroness', and 'Knight'.

Anyways, the following is Fantine's CS:

*Sexual Abuse Trigger Warning*

Fantine Hassane

Name: Fantine Hassane

Age: 11

Gender: Female

Appearance:

"No! You can't touch Lady Maria's sweets without permission!"

Personality: Fantine is wise beyond her years, and knows more than she lets on. She thinks a lot and feels for others, but smiles and behaves in a way to convince others that she is living a carefree and ignorant life. She does this because thinking about things makes her sad, and she doesn't want Eponine to know that she is sad. Fantine knows that her own happiness is Eponine's last remaining source of happiness. She has a strong desire to please those around her and happily serves Maria.

Bio: Fantine is Eponine's younger sister. The anti-magical girl militant group that had occupied their village became more violent when the villagers decided to fight back. in their violence, the militants raped Fantine's parents and Eponine, then decided to rape Fantine and her twin brother, which prompted Eponine to contract and become a magical girl, destroying the militants. When Eponine swore fealty to Maria and incorporated their slum into Maria's territory, Eponine requested that Fantine be placed under Maria's protection. In return, Fantine would serve as Maria's maid, and Eponine would be absolutely devoted to Maria.

Allegiance: Aurora City Authority, Maria Goethe

Skills: Maid/Housekeeping skills.

Weapons: None

Other: Not a magical girl

[Ariamis]

She's so adorable.

I edited Maria's personality and added to her bio.

[Flamelord]

<Snipped quote by Flamelord>

Hider

@Krauxis

I make no promises that a Walpurgisnacht level Witch will actually show up.

@Stern Algorithm Fantine looks fine.

[Ariamis]

How many vassals does the leader of ACA have, and how many fiefdoms do the vassals have? I understand sizes may vary for the vassal's domains, but how large are they on average? What's the average number of magical girls and/or normal humans under the flag of a vassal?

[Flamelord]

How many vassals does the leader of ACA have, and how many fiefdoms do the vassals have? I understand sizes may vary for the vassal's domains, but how large are they on average? What's the average number of magical girls and/or normal humans under the flag of a vassal?

@Ariamis

Geez, ask me some tough questions why don't you? :p

I'll say five direct subordinates, with the territory divided up based on Witch concentrations, but still covering ~5/6ths of the city. The last part is for our Glorious leader, and her direct holdings.

1-2 major major in the city, with ~3-5 smaller inside that, depending on how many magical girls they have beneath them. Obviously, the more there are, the less direct holdings you have.

Normal humans, a lot. Magical girls, up to ~6, though technically you could have more. The only difficulty is that you need to have enough Witches to support the magical girls you have, and if you have too many, you won't be able to unless you go raiding other people's territory.

Feel free to offer suggestions though if I'm being ridiculous. This is just off the top of my head.

[Ariamis]

Sorry If I bug you too much with my questions. I'm really looking forward to this RP, and I wanted to check on any details Maria needs to know for her to be a convincingly competent politician and future usurper.

Like Stern suggested previously, ACA could be divided into ranks for ease of understanding. Here's my suggestion on how it could go, in addition to other suggestions I have regarding ACA's structure.

-At the top is "Our glorious leader", or the Queen as I like to call her, who rules over the entire Aurora City and the domains inside it.

-The Queen has divided the city into six domains,
one directly hers and the other five assigned to her vassals, whom I like to call Nobles.
The Nobles are responsible for managing the production of Grief Seeds, part of which is shipped to the Queen as tax, the state and growth of the magical girls in their domains and also public relations with the populace. Maria would be a Noble in this system.

-Under the Nobles are magical girls I suggest are called Knights, who serve as enforcers of the Nobles' will and carry out tasks assigned to them by the Nobles, such as Witch-hunts, territorial disputes and other matters requiring use of force. Knights have their own territories as a part of a Noble's domain where they operate, and may optionally govern directly in surface matters.
Nobles would have 2-3 Knights on average in their domains. Eponine and her slums would be an example of a Knight and her territory.

-Optionally, there could be a rank under the Knights codenamed Squires, who would be rookie magical girls yet to properly act autonomously (magical girls tend to be naive and immature due to their recruiting age), and thus are led by Knights as they learn from them and eventually become Knights themselves through experience. While magical girls of any rank could die to a Witch given the circumstances, their body count will most likely be highest among the Squires, which would make Knights and the magical girls above them veterans in Witch-hunting.

Anyway, this is just a suggestion, so don't feel bad about rejecting it if you don't like the idea.