ApocalypticaGM

Apocalyptica

Firecracker_ said
WHAT I MISS?

Not enough to cut you out. You going to do a CS so we can see a little more Trake in our futures or what? :)

Night Kiss

Mousia said
This sounds super interesting. Some things that come to mind to help you perhaps either develop the idea or just put curious people like me more at ease:
1.how do people contract these 'diseases' that cause them to become humanoid creatures?
2.how many is a "healthy number" of players?
3.how big is this continent and what sorts of landforms are found in different regions? What sorts of creatures/types of people hail from different regions?
4.what is religion like? Varied, or mostly consistent? Do different races have different religions or are they inter-racial?

1) Like I pointed out in the inspiration tab, I pull a bit from some sources. Diseases will be treated like Skyrim, a bit anyway, in that open conflict with those infected could potentially infect you. Vampires and Lycans would become such through the blood (potentially born that way, if mother was infected). If the blood was mixed into yours significantly and allowed to set, you may become infected. Unless someone is totally set on becoming infected, we will probably determine this sort of thing with a dice roll (just to keep it simple).

2) Depends on the roleplay. I expect some people to flake out normally, so I tend to aim for 5-7. We have three so far including me, and this has only been up less than a full day. Once we get one more I'll create the OOC, but we'll still be recruiting.

3) Size is relative to the vehicles we use to travel. This is a strange time where some regions use horse-drawn carriages, while a few have slow moving clockwork boats and carts. The continent surroundings a large body of water at its center which splits the land on the east side in a narrow river, the land resembling a backward C. Going by water is quicker than the common mode of transport, horse, but the average ship takes roughly a week to cross one end to the other depending on weather.

Land forms vary region to region, as does size. Some regions are controlled and choose to war while others are content advancing given what land they have. This'll all be on the map. You can expect to see all basic ecosystems that exist on earth plus a few surprising ones. Not all the continent will be deeply explored as horrifying myths deter some from venturing too far into the wilds. Humanoids of all sorts generally adapted to their regions, though some areas may be teeming with refugees and not 'grown with the lands'. Basically, humanoids have dominated certain regions and labelled others Wilds. Within the Wilds there are creatures told of only in lore -- if even. Some humanoids are equally unknown too, but we'll get there with time.

4) Culture is based on region. Each region has something that shapes the culture, its rituals, and its beliefs. They form around what life must be there. Now some regions are dominated rigidly with religion a matter of government, so only certain divines may be praised or acknowledged. Other regions may be loose and pay reverence as they like. Religion in this world is not something that exists in a great many forms though, it's basically polytheistic, monotheistic, and newly forming atheists (with poly as dominant). Some regions, even some specific cities may focus their prayers on a few particular divines, just one, or the whole lot. Other areas rest in the heart of humanoid control and have not seen magick in centuries -- these are largely where those without belief in the divines hail.

Also, if you'd take me, I was thinking of a sort of holier than thou character. Like, she'll be a little badass, but mostly just a pompous person that works poorly with others. Do you think that'd be too much of a monkey wrench in the whole thing or do you think that'd work? Because I have this image in my mind and I'm actually kind of excited about it.

If you're devoted and it's well-written, of course it's accepted! I never turn someone down when the inspiration is steaming off them and they do their best to illustrate it. I will have a CS once we get another person's interest.

Night Kiss

Night Kiss work in a very laissez-faire manner. They are made of people from diverse backgrounds with unique skills and quirks, so whoever is best suited to lead based on the job will do so. I would recommend thinking up your character's background and how they got into this business then what skills they'd likely honed based on their personal preferences and history. I'd expect most of our team to be somewhat experienced, so, wager they've put in 4 years into this work and likely have something they are very comfortable with. It's alright for these sorts of skills to be redundant, the CS I am drafting will make that work just fine. Pecking line isn't really a thing. New members merely are a mystery, so if you want a younger, new initiate it just means people are less familiar with what you bring. Everyone has a job and was accepted for a reason, the whole just may not know what that was yet. I will probably begin the plot after a significant amount of time away (say, it's been 6 months IC since the team's been gathered) so everyone enters on an even playing field.

To answer about hierarchy and skills otherwise, I should say this. Missions will highlight happenings in the greater world and require success in a few areas to accomplish. The Night Kiss may be hired to kill an innovator of clockwork and slow advancement, for example, by the tech-fearing village across the way. That means there's at least two things that must be done: 1) Kill the innovator & 2) Steal plans, destroy prototypes, etc. Both objectives probably require very different skill sets, so diversity as a whole is important. Leadership will shift with the most relevant to the job. So our most stealthy or charismatic (good w/ disguises) might lead the second objective while an apothecary, archer, or any other type could lead the first. The group will decide how to go about jobs too, so things should stay fluid. To be clear, my character will be more a facilitator and guardian of the Night Kiss than a top authority.

Night Kiss

Everything starts with one. :) If you have any questions or want a better sense of anything feel free to ask. It'd only better the interest check.

I do hope if anyone is holding out due to a couple details or any specific reason they will voice that. This is still rather new, the thread, so I'm not too concerned.

Night Kiss

Overview
Night Kiss is a mystery-drama set in a fantasy world and surrounding a group of assassins. The world consists of a moderately sized continent hosting various ecosystems, regional powers, and drastic degrees of advancement. Drastic degrees, because as this is a time for inspiration to some, others find only fear, and many lust for power. Pressures arise too as it is entirely possible to sail across the sea from a clockwork metropolis to some metal fearing, magically savant village. Amidst all this diversity there is much strife. Monarchs and republics war over borders, politicians make back-room deals for 'elected' positions, and all the while mythic creatures and magicks lurk all about. Blessed with the Night Kiss, this is a world for assassins.

Premise
The world is rich and diverse, but most occupations come with copies. There are other assassins, most with patron divines, but you belong to the Night Kiss. You may have converted from another fellowship, perhaps invited, born into it, or simply happened upon membership. Ultimately, you are here now and the group has competition. Atop of keeping the fellowship afloat, politics, technological innovations, bandits, and strange magicks cause issues throughout the regions. The Night Kiss will be assigned a variety of jobs that may be simple kill-orders or could require a group to travel out and settle into a place for a time. Missions will be geared toward character development, honest challenge, and a plot that adapted to the players. The world is only just balanced and it only takes one to tip the scales.

What to Expect
Once we get a healthy number of devoted members I will throw in a mission to get things rolling. Something to get us on a bigger plot, allow people to see a part of the world, and better yet, interact. From then on I will implement simple systems to create challenge for future jobs, basically risk. You all will be able to throw in ideas and sub-plots, that's welcomed in fact, and some may well be easy and others may threaten lives or maim. Just because everyone starts within the Night Kiss does not mean they need only remain as such. What y'all do and choose not to do will effect the world and there will be opportunities to break off, compete, or even sabotage the fellowship. I am very open to anyone's imagination. That said, I do have a broad plot in mind with a handful of enjoyable sub-plots.

I'll quickly run through the big fantasy bits: magick and other-than-humans. Starting with the latter, there will be non-humans involved. Think the basic variety mixed with Skyrim, where just because it's an orc doesn't mean it's a mindless beast. Everyone is mentally capable, culturally diverse, and a strong option. Some likely have advantages or disadvantages, differing lifespans, and so on, which we can go into more later. I am also a sucker for a strong demon-posessed, vampiric, lycan character, and so on character. All would probably be contractable characteristics, like diseases, and can be worked on for advantages and disadvantages if the need arises. Now Magick is another matter. Some regions will engage in magick more often than others, some will outright ban it, and in some regions it'll be like spilling blood amidst sharks. Magick will have repercussions on your person and be split up into common & uncommon forms. Sounds complicated, but it's not. It may well be easier for one to do a minor healing spell, like meditating or focusing chi, than it would be to take that energy and blow a fireball. TLDR Non-Humans Yes. Magick Yes, w/ Limitations.
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That said, once I see enough people interested I'll put up an OOC, Character Sheet, and get things rolling. Expect a 3 day roll-over between us hitting that sweet-spot for members and having a fully-decked out OOC (I like to create my own imagery and what not). Let me know if you have any questions!

Inspiration

Night Kiss draws elements of my creation, inspired heavily by Brent Weeks' Night Angel & Lightbringer Series, Skyrim, and Dragon Age. If you're unfamiliar with all those you will do just fine. What all of these creations have in common are a deep well of lore, the ability to go from absolutely nothing to becoming world-shaking (and still considered nothing, too), and a rich, diverse world. Over time these elements will reveal themselves. I do not plan to just flog you all with paragraphs on paragraphs about whatever city you don't really need to know about. I might draw up a map of the continent and general regions, a few iconic cities/towns/villages, and you all will be free to create too. New areas will be revealed as we go and are up for suggestion.

Apocalyptica

Prometheus said
Ouch, right in the conscience...What's this about dice? I can't find anything referring to it in the OP.

By trying it out, I meant our first situations using it are sort of testing it out right now with FF then Fallen and I. Once we see if it works alright, we'll release it via the OOC, so we don't roll out something with overt issues on accident.

Apocalyptica

Prometheus said
I really liked that ministory, gotta say. I dislike the word "boob", however. I try to avoid it in just about every context. It just... it's very inelegant. Like, you have "breast" for when you need to mention one, and you have "tits" for when someone's talking about them. Boob is just... it's a very awkward word. It's fun to use it as an insult, though. Like, I will totally call someone a boob in casual conversation.Can I come play with you guys? I've written stuff up for Acacia over the past couple of days, pretty isolated, but fun. At the time of me writing this, she's currently been bitten by a walker, is almost entirely naked, and is completely lost. Good stuff.I've got no interest in GMing or anything, but I'd like to participate to some degree, if you're okay with that. At the very least, I'd like to be able to post when my muse hits me.In any case, I'll write up something for Daryl in the OP in the coming days. He deserves to have something there, I've grown fond of him as a character.

You really hurt us back there.... Don't know if we're ready to trust again so soon.

Done with those CSs yet? ;)

Seriously though, if it's cool with Aweena it's good by me. I'd say just check out the new stuff and probably do a CS for both Daryl & Acacia if you plan on having them both being serious roles. We've got a super simple dice system we're trying out, but it really only works for Playable Characters. Anyway, I look forward to seeing your new stuff!

Apocalyptica

Simon sat leaned against the truck's back tire absently staring at the tall grass. The swaying, green reeds pulsed under a strangely present-yet-not shadow. Each one stood at a slant, their ends pointing away in a giant circle. He followed the particular patch of grass like it held some message. Distraught and tired and hungry, Simon-Pietro frowned at the mad thought. When his eyes passed over the half opened truck door his mind jolted. A mad idea, but beautifully so. Winni wouldn't want a riddled mind. Wouldn't want a riddled body either... Never mind that. He slumped onto his side and willed himself to stand. Raising onto all fours, Simon accepted the compromise and dragged himself into rear of the truck. He glanced backward to see the reeds nearly horizontal to the ground. After lying flat on the back seat he shut the door to a finger's width and watched.

The Blackhawk landed and with rifles protruding from the doorless sides. Weapons steadily zeroes on the slavers, seven soldiers hopped onto the ground with solid landings. Two barrels fixed on the thicker, healthiest men while the last scanned on the gaunt few seated in the cage. The seventh gun hovered over the slaves a while, perhaps saw the chains, and lowered their weapon slightly. While the slavers and soldiers stood at odds, the bound lot looked apathetic. Each soldier wore thick, desert camouflaged vests covered with pockets. They wore fatigues, pads on their elbows and knees, dark helmets, some even had thin scarves. Compared to the slavers they looked relatively untouched.

After a while the taller slaver glanced to his comrades. The shorter met eyes, but Simon saw nothing of the Cajun. Like that the taller slaver dropped prone behind a low rock and fired. His shots were reserved and consistent -- clearly trained, even to Simon's ear. The two soldiers eyeing the taller fired until a blur ran across their line of fire. Rather than offering support, suppression, or anything of use, the short slaver took to a panicked sprint. His thigh burst twice, sending him into a tumble another ten feet. Somehow he'd kept hold of his rifle, but the bolt-action fired only once before his head popped and twitched backward. Meanwhile, the taller slave used the distraction to roll toward better cover. Simon watched him roll as dirt, bits of grass, and blood kicked up. The taller made it to cover by sheer momentum. Cringing, Simon searched for the Cajun through the thin opening. Against his better senses, he eased the door open two fingers more.

A heavy silence fell until as the soldiers fixed on the cage. The soldiers lowered their rifles, then, suddenly, one snapped himself toward the truck -- and Simon. The barrel flashed and the single clap of the bolt left a hollowness in the brief quiet after. Light peaked through a small hole just at the top of the truck's passenger door. The soldier adjusted his rifle to fire dead center into the door next, but held. "Hands visible! Get outta there! Ten seconds, get outta there or be shot!" a surprisingly high voice shouted.

Simon pushed the passenger door open and, now fully dressed, stepped out. Hands held high, he moved with a deliberate rigidity. He stood taller from his old boots and bulkier from the rest of his gear. His motley hair hid under a boxy cap found within the heap of stolen wares and junk. Between that and long coat, gifted from the 1007th after the Siege, he looked like a proper soldier. Given time and inspiration, Simon almost looked military.

"I'm a friendly," Simon exclaimed in a cough. When had he last drank? "Listen, I'm One-hundred n' seventh like you!"

"Deserter gone slaver? You tryna insult us?" another soldier barked, stepping closer and lowering their scarf. "Have ta do better than that."

Hands still over his head, Simon gingerly pointed to the symbols on his shoulders. Keeping pace, he continued, "Like hell! I'm a sergeant under Lieutenant Handley. A sniper. Was moving onto that Washington haven. Scouting. My spotter and I got ambushed by these jackasses and've been separated since. He was out here when you opened fire, my spotter. Where's he?"

Simon scoured the tall grass and shrubs for any partially hid figures. Lying so blatantly usually came easy, but he right now he couldn't bear their looks. Too many guns, too much armour, and too long since he'd eaten. He felt arms and legs trembling. The lie wasn't bad; real plan, real place, and real officer gave him a solid chance. If they knew him, they'd have shot already. Or maybe they were running a list of every sharpshooter-sergeant under their good buddy, Handley. Christ, Simon thought to himself, still looking about. Where was that damned Cajun?

Apocalyptica

Everyone: Came across this wonderful flash fiction (600 word limit in this case) that I found very inspiring considering our genre. May well work this into a character sometime, if no else does first. Anyway, wet your appetites with 'Ink' by Jay Knioum, http://365tomorrows.com/02/18/ink .

@Fallen: I hear yuh, just noting this for all.

@Proser: You should've received a PM from me about an hour ago. Hope you can read past sarcasm, otherwise, this may be a very difficult transition ;).

Apocalyptica

Proser said
I saw the interest check about this booting back up, and I remembered thinking the whole thing looked pretty interesting. If you're okay with someone new to the Guild but not new to writing and RPing stuff joining on, I can give it a shot.

Post up a Character Sheet (check the OP #2, Bottom) and we'd be happy to give it a gander. We've tried to streamline the background and Act 1's IC, so there shouldn't be a gap for you to join up. We are a pretty patient group, so just be dedicated and have a passion to create and I'm sure you'll fit in very well.