[OOC] The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

[Anima]

@Prisk

For my character concept, I'm thinking of having Anatolia be her place of origin. Her town would've been near the dark zone boundaries. My question is can my character have past affiliations with the Fanatics? It would begin as the need to survive the Mordrem, which blossoms into the rationale of exterminating any and all who may have be infected with the Stigma. What causes her to lose her 'faith' is the magic from the high spirit density.

Anyway, that's the gist of what I'm writing more in depth. Thoughts? Would this be feasible?

[Garden Gnome]

Nice to know that there are fellow Division fans here!

[Mirandae]

@Anima

It works if your character's parents were Fanatics. The Mordrem appeared twenty years ago, but the Fanatics would probably not have formed in full until a year or two later, so it doesn't leave much room for your character to have developed those values and when he or she began to show signs of spirit possession. But, if the parents were Fanatics, you premise works. I also think that it has more potential for sub-plots and such, not to mention social stigma—your character's parents being Fanatics would probably not sit well with a lot of people.

[Anima]

@Prisk

I love it! Parent Fanatics. I figured they'd be able to pass on some of the values that drives the mission of the benevolent (genocidal little f***s) Fanatics in safeguarding the world against the stigma. It'd also leave the backstory room open for her parents deciding to purge my character due to her spirit manifestation. A betrayal of both familial bond as well as identity crisis by conflicting values. Is it terrible that I enjoy causing terrible stress to my characters? I think not ...

The social stigma is totally fine. While I don't see her wanting to talk about it, her values will align dangerously close to the Fanatics train of thought to the Mordrem, other guardians, and people affected by the stigma.

Thanks Prisk! That helped a lot!

@Garden Gnome

The second wave will finish what the first wave couldn't. *Nods*

[DJAtomika]

@Prisk Would it make sense if Wormwood were still around?

If not, I can simply write a new character. No sweat.

[Mirandae]

@DJAtomika

You can use him if you want. You might have to change the details to fit the current lore, but I don't mind it otherwise. My first secondary character will be Selene, so we're in the same boat. I meant, Olivia will be my primary character.

[Anima]

Another quick question. Sorry @Prisk!

So governments are non-existent in this setting? Does Nexus Industries make decisions for the army and such? Do they have armies to protect the regions around the globe or are they focused in one area?

[Mirandae]

I haven't gotten around to adding that to the codex yet. But, you basically have city-states and Nexus Industries. If a city can manage on its own, then it becomes an independent government ruled by a 'Regent'. They run the cities as they see fit and usually have their own security forces.

The army is the only institution of the old government that existed before the Mordrem, therefore also independent. They don't answer to Nexus Industries or any city-state. However, they also don't care about politics in the same sense as say, city-states.

That leaves Nexus Industries as the de facto world government outside of city-states, to some extent. Nexus has their own elite army, but they don't care about protecting regions or anything other than their own interests, which are basically Gaia extraction, Mordrem research, and displacement experimentation.

[Wade Wilson]

@Prisk Wow, really interested in this! I'll start typing up a few concepts.

[Anima]

Just a place holder for my character. Ideology and background are still a work in progress. Aspekts are subject to change.

Morganna 'Morgan' LeStrange

Theme

_{Morganna ‘Morgan’ LeStrange
◆ 23 ◆ December, 24 ◆ 5’7” ◆ Guardian}

_{◆ I D E O L O G Y}

Morganna delivers the sass and bluntness as if it were second nature. Discovering the inefficiency of beating around the bush, Morganna says it how it is. The reception for her has been mixed. As many friends as she’s gained from her rough exterior, she’s made just as many enemies. It’s not her job to play nice. All means justifies the completion of her purpose.

The world lies heavy to the extremes for Morganna. Either something should be done or something shouldn’t. Compromising was reserved for the weak. With much of Anatolia - the motherland - residing in the dark zone, corruption of the Mordrem offered no mercy to those infected. If the slightest hint of a person being infected was real, they would be purged. The dogma of the Fanatics ran strong on the outskirts of Anatolia where she lived. Their ethics had long since became her own due to their protection. Without their purges or protection, Morganna was sure she would’ve been assimilated by the dreaded Mordrem.

Though forthright with her thoughts, Morganna has seen enough to develop a bleak view on the world. Hope given from her doesn’t come from words of encouragement or optimism but by simply doing. Being the last to advocate on behalf of a common stranger, Morganna throws herself at her purpose in hopes of uplifting the world. Still not viewing anyone with the stigma favorably, the deep rooted Fanatic ethics have subsided marginally.

How she cares about people is through bitter kindness. Though the surface meanings of her words and actions may hint at aggression and provocation, those who survived in her village expressed love through discipline. Those that were soft didn’t survive for long. Those who were tempered through surviving the foray of the Mordrem did. It is because of this Morganna views front line soldiers and guardians with more camaraderie than that of those in reserves. The same goes for civilians.

As violent and villainous as she may seem, those who become her brother or sister have the tenacity of a Fanatic to back them. Whatever the situation. Whatever the cost.

_{◆ B A C K G R O U N D}

Growing up on the border of Anatolia and the dark zone, survival of the fittest was a lesson learnt quickly. A natural culling of the weak and sparing the strong. At a young age, her parents taught her the ethics and logic of the Fanatics. The heroes of her village, for they protected their way of life while Petragrad's - a city-state - army did nothing to stop any Mordrem raid. Every child, man, and woman held the beliefs strong as anyone with the taint of the stigma was purged. Human and Mordrem alike.

Ifrit. The revered symbol of the Fanatics. As part of the indoctrination, Morganna learned to love fire and exalt the great Eidolin Ifrit. From giving warmth in the cold nights of Anatolia to burning those infected with the stigma to nothing but char and ashes. When the power of fire was first taught to her, Morganna hated the idea of using it on another human being. She believed the stigma had to be exterminated. She believed that fire was the rightful weapon to kill off the infection. She just couldn't bring herself to experience the rapture of human immolation. Her stubbornness would sanction the catalyst that would forever change her perspective on everything.

Believing that her hesitation was nurtured at home, her parents were brought to the main square of the plaza. Though she was nine years old, Morganna had seen enough warfare and lived in her Fanatic controlled village long enough to know what was next. The Fanatic leader told her it was her last barrier to experiencing the rapture. Setting her parents alight, she saw a rapture of her own.

Uncovering her latent affinity to the spirits, Morganna went on a rampage. Exhuming fire in all directions, she started with those wearing the hallowed hazmat suits. None survived her rage, and she found clarity amidst the glowing heat of flames and overcooked stench of human flesh. The infection came in the form of physical symptoms and mental afflictions. The purge was inevitable. The creed of the Fanatics indoctrinated into her mind was absolute on that. Her purpose - given to her by the holiness of Fire and the exalted Ifrit - was to purge those tainted within the Fanatics and leave only the purest. Only then could she continue to original purpose and become a saint.

Carrying out her holy crusade, Morganna reveled in flames as she set another Fanatic controlled village ablaze. Distracted by her purpose, a patrolling Petragradian cohort confronted her. Though used to death and delivering it, Morganna was no soldier. When other spirit users - later she'd know as guardians - subdued her, she was put under close guard as she awaited what was to be done with her. The prospect of death frightened her. Not because she was afraid to die, but she hadn't fulfilled her purpose. She hadn't purified enough to join the hallowed saints whom walked with the fire lord Ifrit. As she sat in her prison, she recited the Prayer of the Purge:

Life and death, giveth to that of the flame and the exalted Ifrit.

Give the kiss of release to the wicked, may the flame's blessing free the forsaken.

I am an instrument; I am a tool; I am the cleanser of the forsaken.

Our merciful release safeguard the pure, the forsaken dirty us no longer.

Men, women, and children forsaken, no longer suffering shall touch them.

The flames cleanse their souls, their Earth, their deeds. They may begin anew.

Hark! Saviors of the forsaken.

Hark! Children under the loving flame and the exalted.

Hark! Bathe them in flames and set them free.

They shall suffer no longer, for they now walk with the exalted and his saints.

Cognizant of the indoctrination, the Petragradian government placed her in their custody and went about to reeducate her strongly held beliefs. When she 'improved', the government sent her to Oakridge in hopes of setting her 'purpose' onto the Mordrem that threatened humanity as a whole. Though she was released, the message was clear.

Reform your purpose or face execution.

Playing along, Morganna never forgot her true purpose. Ifrit demanded what she would deliver. She would fulfill her purpose, and one day, she would walk with the saints that went before her.

_{◆ W A R F A R E}

Though guns and flamethrowers were a huge part of her childhood, the trauma left on her has made Morganna stray far away from the death givers. Instead, she prefers something more tangible and intimate. Guns were too impersonal. If she is to kill, she’d give the courtesy of staring at the person before delivering death — or having death be given to her. Her weapon of choice was one crudely furnished until she had the technology of the guardians at her disposal. The club-scythe. For encounters up close and personal, a spiked club favored by strength and surface area contact allows for deadly blows. For those far away or being granted more terrible deaths, the club can be extended into a double handed scythe.

The club is reserved for those that Morganna wants to take her time with. The scythe is for those who she wishes to grant agonized mercy.

In lieu of the flame throwers used by the Fanatics, she simply uses her magic to set bodies ablaze. To those that survive, she will ensure they burn alive, so she may recite the 'Prayer of the Purge'.

(I am more than happy to provide the translation for the Latin, if anyone likes.)

<sub>◇ Furia [Fire] Harnesses the power of fire to rain down repeatedly on a target. The longer/number of times the spell is used, it has the chance of directly impacting Morganna’s disposition. True to Fury, the more zealous Morganna will become dealing out the accumulated wrath (fancy way of saying more violence).

◇ Decima [Fire] [(-) Meltdown] An area of effect spell, Decima creates mini implosions of fire. The attacks are meant to hinder and slow versus dealing out substantial damage allowing time for the wielder or other allies to attack. Decima sways Morganna towards the path of showing no mercy, no prisoners. Those who surrender were weak and deserve the disgrace of a inglorious death. Exotic effect: meltdown.

◇ Impieta [Fire] [(-) Pain][(-) Imperil] [(-) Poison] A non-lethal spell, Impieta burns away an enemies fortitude. Impieta may cause Morganna to zero on the failures of others and ostracize them for it. For enemies, she will simply taunt them before killing.

◇ Nefara [Fire] [(+) Blaze] [(-) Frostbite] Similar to Furia, this fire magic focuses on engulfing an enemy in flames and slowly spirals inwards. The spell inspires a sense of glee in Morganna as she watches the wicked pass away. She sees herself as a saint saving a tainted soul. Nefara closely resembles her Fanatic upbringing.</sub>

_{◆ A S P E K T S}

_{◇ Lancer
◇ Ravager
◇ Sentinel
◇ Fanatic}

[ZB1996]

I'm interested. I'll start working on a couple characters.

[Redrum]

A rough WIP of my bruiser, but I wanted to get something up before the end of this week since I won't have any free time to work on her today. I'll be able to finish off her Ideology and add to her Warfare section around Monday or Tuesday, but I might also make additions to her current abilities or work on some details for her appearance. I'll also post some of the lore and world-building I've been working on in her background section, but for now here she is.

Subira Arendse

_{Subira Arendse
◆ 22 ◆ October 29th ◆ 5'6" ◆ Guardian}

_{◆ I D E O L O G Y}

"The world is yours, Subira. But it's up to you to take it." Spoken by her father the day they became aware she was a Guardian, it was these words that paved the road for Subira to grow into the strong and confident young woman she is today. Those words of encouragement had put the belief in her head that anything was possible with enough drive and initiative, and into adulthood she has never put less than 100% into everything she sets her mind to. An overachiever by every means, Subira displays confidence in her own skill and intelligence through high test scores and above average grades in combat and defense.

Like most who go to Oakridge, Subira strives to be the hero Libra needs. The growth of Mordrem had taken cities and lives, growing into an imminent threat and forcing people to flee their homes and leave family behind. Witnessing this first hand, her drive to grow stronger is empowered by her goal to one day see Auzoa again. Her contempt for the Mordrem is more than clear, showing no mercy or empathy towards the alien threat while her views on Aggressors often waver. By no means is Subira spiritual. With a headstrong and realistic approach to life, her impression on Spirits and the abilities they grant are merely seen as necessary enhancements to become stronger. Many see this as lack of respect for Etro and Spirits but despite her beliefs, Subira has a mutual respect those that inhabit her, and others spiritual or religious beliefs. On the field Subira's confidence comes out like no other. Having trained herself to stay levelheaded no matter the situation and she retains her calm and composed attitude, she dons a pokerface as to avoid letting on to her condition and to keep her actions unpredictable. With this clear sense of mind and her strategic combat style Subira is a capable team player, and if need be, leader.

A hard person to read, Subira isn't one to express herself all too often. With a stoic appearance and a flat tone of voice, she can be difficult to approach considering she either looks annoyed or bored thanks to her dull expression. It also doesn't help that she hardly speaks unless spoken to, giving off a better-then-thou impression at first glance. Despite this, Subira does have some friends, and around those she's comfortable with it's not unusual for her to crack a small smile. Unfortunately this doesn't mean she's comfortable enough to actually open up to her friends. The destruction of her home and the years spent in poverty as a refugee has left Subira with visible scars. Unwilling to form close relationships, much less intimate ones, the bonds she has formed were only made during her years at Oakridge and even then she has doubts that these relationships will hold. Keeping this all to herself, she has developed the habit of letting out her frustration during training or combat, having yet to open up to anyone besides her parents.

_{◆ B A C K G R O U N D}

Among her earliest memories Subira can remember her home in Auzoa. Her parents house outside of the city at the edge of the savanna plains, the tall mountains and summits that lined the edges of Garden Reef, and the dense jungles that sat in heart of the Island. She was only two when the Calamity had occurred and only four when the Mordrem began to effect Tyria. It was a subtle takeover, and within a year the Island of Segora and half of Tyria's mainland, Isari, had been consumed by the Dark Zone. Succumbing to the growth of Mordrem and the spread of the Stigma Infection, Isari had fallen in a matter of months and soon Auzoa and the remaining Islands suffered natural disasters left and right. From extreme floods, violent storms, volcanic eruptions, and eventually a catastrophic drought.

It wasn't until the destruction of Garden Reef and the take over of Gangs and Fanatics that Auzoa and its Eastern Isles were finally evacuated, forcing Subira and her family to seek asylum in Cetra like many other refugees. It was during this period of struggle, at the age of six, that Subira began to show signs of being a Guardian. The manifestation of spirits became more visible with time as she grew older and showed off feats of great strength and speed. It wasn't long before Subira began to seek out training, conditioning her body to be in top shape and enhancing her abilities overtime. Upon acceptance to Oakridge, Subira expressed her commitment to the title and responsibility of becoming Guardian by excelling in her written courses and combat training. With her goals in mind, she put her training first above anything else and upon graduation was requested to join the WARG program.

_{◆ W A R F A R E}

Due to the early manifestation of spirits within Subira, she began to train and condition herself at the ripe age of eight. Preferring an up-close and personal method, Subira favors hand to hand combat over the use of a weapon, finding the extra weight and extension a hindrance. Her true skill lies in speed and precision, however. The one who lands the first punch always has the upper hand, and with this motto in mind Subira focuses on defensive strategies rather than offense. Using quick dodges to avoid hits and create openings, her fast reflexes and timed attacks allow her to land critical blows making her a force to be reckoned with. Undoubtably strong on her own, Subira can lift objects four times her weight, smash boulders into pebbles, and leave visible dents in durable pieces of metal or steel. Not requiring any form of technological enhancements, she wears a pair of durable fingerless black gloves to protect the skin on her hands and knuckles while steel plated cuffs on her wrist allow her to block and deflect hits from weapons such as, and not limited to, swords and knives.

<sup>- Flash Step: [ Lightning ] [ +Frenzy ] [ +Feather ] Manifesting as hairs of electricity coursing over her body, Subira is capable of moving short distances at great speeds. To the naked eye one would assume she was teleporting, but in a radius of two to seven feet, her body will leave of trail of electricity as her speed is given a short and sudden boost allowing her dodge attacks or get behind an enemy in a split second of time. With enough speed, Subira can also use this ability to jump mid-air and reach great heights. This technique requires a cooldown of five seconds.
- Aqua Cure: [ Water ] [ +Empower ] Requiring a medium of water, be it submerged in a pool or having a water bottle poured onto the wound, Subira can use the water molecules to repair damaged tissue and cells. From small scrapes, to broken bones and internal injuries, Subira can return herself to optimal health in matter of a few minutes or stabilize fatal wounds in a matter of a few seconds. With enough concentration she can focus this ability into her hands allowing her to heal others. This requires more time and effort however, making it difficult to aid others in dangerous situations or if the injury is extensive or potentially fatal. To keep herself in top shape at all times Subira is constantly drinking water or showering. Hydration and hygiene is at the top of her list alongside training and studying, making her seem almost neurotic when it comes to daily schedule and diet.
- Thunderclap: [ Lightning ] [ +Reflect ] [ +Frenzy ] [ -Meltdown ] Used only in less than favorable conditions, this ability is Subira's trump card. Lacking any physical manifestations for the first thirty seconds, the energy within every hit and blow, be it physical or magical, is absorbed and contained within her body. Becoming pain resistant during this time period, the energy contained is turned into an electrical charge that is channeled throughout her limbs and concentrated in her arms and legs. Allowing her to move at breakneck speeds and land critical and often paralyzing blows, this ability physically manifests after its thirty second charging period through hairs of electricity -- much like her flash step magic. Lasting no longer than thirty seconds, every hit counts as even the smallest action exhausts the contained energy and her own. Requiring a solid strategy or a clear shot for this technique to work, Subira becomes a sort of glass cannon during these time period, her body becoming vulnerable and prone to severe injuries if she takes a direct hit. This technique requires a cooldown of two minutes.</sup>

_{◆ A S P E K T S}

_{◇ Adept
◇ Sentinel
◇ Synergist
◇ Medic}

[Mirandae]

@Anima
From a stylistic point of view, I don’t think you need the picture. The gif is perfect on its own.

The connection to Fanatics and all that is an excellent concept, so keep at it.

I was expecting that her spirits would be fire-based for some reason (probably because of flamethrowers). Anyway, I’m sad to say that gravity is not a thing for spirits in this installment. I do not remember if it was in the original roleplay, but all ‘abstract’ elements such as gravity and time have been removed; Holy and Dark are the only somewhat abstract elements this time around, but they relate directly to Gaia and Stigma respectively.

You can remove the descriptions for the aspekts; only need the names.

@Redrum
Looks lovely so far. Lore accurate, yet imaginative and creative.

Could you help me with pinpointing the places you mentioned on the map? Either describe where you imagined these places to be or run the image through Photoshop/paint or an online editor, just to show me where they are. Tyria streches from the chunk of land below Mt. Kinabalu to that little swirl of islands before Suji.

I love the formatting for the spirits, especially the damage types and exotic effects. Do you mind if the rest of us adopt it? It is very practical for me when I have check up on things, and it is stylish. However, could you use the basic color of the character sheet for the damage types? Also, meltdown is a negative effect, so it should be a red color. I’m also thinking that it should have a minus (-) sign before it rather than the plus (+) sign.

There is currently no way to measure time in the combat system. What I will do instead is to use diminishing returns. That is, the more you use the same spirit in the same fight, the less damage it does. Besides that, you can just use your better judgement concerning when to use powerful abilities. Or, just describe the cooldowns in the post.

[Garden Gnome]

When I have the time to work on my character, the possibility of having an all female team might be there, lol.
I wasn't expecting this many. >_>

[Vox]

@Prisk

From clinically depressed death seeker to spiritual hippie, Jack is ready for a complete review! Let me know if anything needs to be added, changed or removed. I'll also gladly write up some fluff pieces for you concerning Concordia and the mobile bases.

For the aspekts, I put the descriptions next to them so I can easily go back and identify them if need be.

EDIT: Just saw @Redrum's character, hope I didn't step on too many toes.

[Mirandae]

@Garden Gnome
We have Jack and Charles; both adorable boys! And the more, the merrier. It's a big story, big setting, big-epic everything. Michael Bay-roleplay—explosions, action, and cliches! It's so bad, but I love it.

@Vox
Looks a-OK! Please add Jack to the character tab. Remember to remove the hider, though. If you go for secondary characters, then those should be in hiders.

And, it's no big deal if characters have similar abilities or are of predominantly the same element.

[Anima]

@Prisk

I gotcha! I'll be sure to make changes. Especially for the spirit section. I'll turn up the heat. In a manner of speaking.

[Redrum]

@Redrum
Looks lovely so far. Lore accurate, yet imaginative and creative.

Could you help me with pinpointing the places you mentioned on the map? Either describe where you imagined these places to be or run the image through Photoshop/paint or an online editor, just to show me where they are. Tyria streches from the chunk of land below Mt. Kinabalu to that little swirl of islands before Suji.

I love the formatting for the spirits, especially the damage types and exotic effects. Do you mind if the rest of us adopt it? It is very practical for me when I have check up on things, and it is stylish. However, could you use the basic color of the character sheet for the damage types? Also, meltdown is a negative effect, so it should be a red color. I’m also thinking that it should have a minus (-) sign before it rather than the plus (+) sign.

There is currently no way to measure time in the combat system. What I will do instead is to use diminishing returns. That is, the more you use the same spirit in the same fight, the less damage it does. Besides that, you can just use your better judgement concerning when to use powerful abilities. Or, just describe the cooldowns in the post.

@Prisk

I'll go ahead and pinpoint those areas, I had assumed that area of land below Mt. Kinabalu was apart of Cetra but now I know Tyria is much larger! I'm also cool with everyone adopting the style for damage types and exotic effects, so I'll be sure change the colors and give Meltdown a ( - ) sign. Diminishing returns sounds good to me as well, and I'll probably end up writing out the cooldowns within my posts. I'm glad she's to your liking, so far at least! Like I said before, I'll be busy most of today but I should have her finished along with the rest of my info by tomorrow or Tuesday.

[potatochipgolem]

Hi, I noticed:

◇ Frostbite Take increased damage from Fire.
◇ Flamestroke Take increased damage from Ice.

Is it supposed to be the other way around?

◇ Frostbite Take increased damage from Ice.
◇ Flamestroke Take increased damage from Fire.

I imagine putting a recently frostbitten foe near a fire would be a much needed, soothing experience for them indeed.

[Vox]

@potatochipgolem

Actually, funny thing about frostbite is, is that quickly thawing a limb affected by frostbite results in severely extreme pain and guarantees that flesh will be burned off, especially if it's a fireball thawing you out.

I'd imagine it's much the same with a burn victim and extreme cold.

If you'd like, you can do an at home experiment to experience a mild effect of it first hand. Just simply wash your hand in hot water, then quickly submerge in cold water right afterwards, or vice versa.