Artifex — Roleplayer Guild

Name | Sierra Simone Romano
Alias | Incinera
Age | 21
Gender | Female
Appearance | 5' 4" - 120lbs - slim/athletic build
Notoriety | Watched
Danger Level/Variant Type | Class 4 Volatile
Abilities |
Fire/Heat Immunity
Sierra's entire body is immune to the effects of fire and extreme heat, including fevers and sunburn.

Abnormal Body Temperature
Sierra has a base body temperature well over any normal human (around 107°F). For this reason, it takes rather extreme temperatures for her to feel cold.

Pyrokinesis/Fire Form
Sierra has the ability to envelop her body in flames, either entirely or partially, without harming herself. She can also create and launch spheres and streams of flames.

Pyrokinetic Flight
Sierra can use her pyrokinetic ability for jet propulsion allowing her to fly. 

Soulfire
Over time, Sierra has learned to tap into her powers at a deeper level. Her inner soul and her conjured fire are connected in such a way that her emotions are able to manifest different variations of her abilities. 

Vitality - when Sierra feels the most alive and well, her powers manifest as normal fire

Heart of Ice - when Sierra taps into the most cold, unfeeling recesses of her soul, her power manifests as cold azure flames that reach extremely frigid temps well below freezing

Seething Fury - when overtaken by rage, Sierra's fire turns ruby red; this fire does not burn or spread, but instead unleashes enough explosive force on impact to punch through a brick wall

Enlightenment - when tapping into her clarity of mind, Sierra can manifest a bright white ball of flame that emit enough light to illuminate a city block

Death's Embrace - as the darkest of her thoughts enter her mind, Sierra's flame burns a deathly black and emits no heat and very little light; it is an extremely slow-creeping flame that instantly disintegrates what it consumes, turning it directly to ash rather than burning it; this fire is not formed into balls or streams but simply wraps around Sierra's hands; the spread of this flame can only be stopped by Sierra's thoughts


[Gear]
Attire |
More than anything else, Sierra is absolutely obsessed with wearing oversized hoodies. She also loves to show off her legs and exclusively wears short shorts. Since the temperature of the air has nearly zero effect on her no matter what the season, she wears clothing more as a courtesy rather than a necessity, preferring to wear as few layers as possible whenever it isn't considered inappropriate.

Armament/Equipment |
Always carries her mobile phone and a small stylus. Has recently started using an E-vap, but only with nicotine-free cartridges

[Temperament & Lifestyle]
Affiliation | Pariah Underground
Personality/Habits |
Sierra has a naturally vivid imagination. She loves to play and experiment, letting the possibilities run wild in her mind. She keeps this side of her tucked away, however, as she keeps her innermost thoughts heavily guarded. If she were to ever open up to someone, they would find that she is rather affectionate and playful. When her father  abandoned the family, it left her antisocial and extremely self-contained. She has recently started to develop a bit of an anger problem. She prefers to run from her issues rather than face them and tends to push those away that try to help her deal with them. She hates feeling like she is being controlled and will readily dismiss any attempts to do so.

Occupation/Trade |
Sierra currently resend her money working from home as a customer service rep for a large tech company.

Skills/Talents |
Sierra has a talent for drawing and has recently started to dabble in fashion design.

Family |
Dante Romano (twin brother - fraternal); Maria Verona (mother); Giovanni Romano (father); Antonio Verona (uncle)

Background |
Sierra's childhood was full of many ups and downs. Being a pyrokinetic child came with more problems than a young girl deserved. It seemed like everything about her Variant ability was discovered the hard way. Her extremely high body temperature didn't manifest until adolescence which earned her a nice lengthy stay in the hospital. It took a week for them to realize she was a Variant and not a little girl on the brink of death. Her pyrokinesis and fire immunity were discovered when she became trapped in her playhouse as it burned to the ground after she accidentally set it ablaze. Needless to say, Sierra has been on the Watch list all her life. 

Despite these kinds of issues, she loved her family, especially her dad. Sierra took was a major daddy's girl, which could be considered a little odd since her mother was the Variant parent. So when her father left after being caught in an affair, her world absolutely collapsed. She completely withdrew from pretty much everything and everyone. Even her family's eventual move to New Haven did little to ease the hurt.

In time, she would open back up to her mom and brother, showing at least a small semblance of the Sierra they knew before. Her brother, Dante, seemed to take their parents' split much better than she, and Sierra secretly wished to be in that same state of mind. Dante sensed this (of course...their twins) and would consistently encourage her to get out and experience the city. It was a rather inspiring place and it was better than holing up in her room all the time. After eventually getting Sierra to budge, Dante introduced her to a group of Variants he frequently met up with who were members of the Pariah Underground. Among these was a gravity manipulator named Manny. Soon after meeting Manny, she became quite attached to him. She was immensely affected by his personality, and her whole demeanor started to shift. Over time, she started getting out a little more as a result, both with and without Manny. He became like another brother to her...though, at times, she wonders if their relationship could become something different. Besides Manny, she grew to like several of the Variants, and eventually she was fully accepted into the Underground.

[ Pariah ]



Some call us superhumans, some call us enhanced, some even call us freaks of nature.
 
Over time, the ‘politically correct’ term has become Variant -- as in, a variation of the normal human genome. We’re said to have an anomaly in our genetic code that allows us to manifest certain powers or abilities. 

No explanation as to how or why or where this came from...either way, it’s a major source of conflict in our world. 

While the world struggles to figure out what to do with Variants, the Variants struggle to find their place in the world. 

There are those who want to try and maintain ordinary lives just like everyone else...perhaps use their abilities to help a few people or get ahead in life.

Some prefer to play the hero, believing that their abilities were somehow bestowed upon them for upholding some grand responsibility.

And, yet, there are those who would rather watch the world burn just to see if anything will rise from the ashes...

Apparently, a normal life isn’t an option for someone who can turn into ice or has armored skin or can read minds...too much to ask, it seems. 

But with every struggle, there’s a story...and this is ours.

* * * * * * *

Organizations

[ N.O.V.A. ]

The National Office for Variant Affairs, more commonly referred to as N.O.V.A., is a government agency that deals with Variants involving everything from public relations to legal issues to scientific research. The agency for the most part is quite professional, though, over the years, corruption has started to make its way through the system at various levels.

Variant Types and Danger Levels
N.O.V.A. uses a system to classify Variants based on their specific abilities and also by the potential threat to society that those abilities pose. This does not necessarily take into account the notoriety of a Variant, but an especially aggressive or abusive Variant may have a higher danger level than normal (if he/she has been identified).

Danger Levels
Class 1 - Low (oh please...are you even a Variant?)
Variant poses no threat to others; usually possesses low level enhancement or alteration abilities; abilities may even be inherently beneficial

Class 2 - Mild (yeah, that guy kinda bothers me a bit...)
Variant may be a minimal threat to persons in close proximity if abilities are abused

Class 3 - Moderate (hey now...you be careful with that, ok? we don't want any trouble)
Though they may not be an immediate danger, Variant has a high potential to cause damage or harm to others

Class 4 - High (wait...she can do what?!...yeah, we're screwed...)
Variant is an immediate communal threat and individuals within his/her proximity should be on high alert

Class 5 - Extreme (that's ok...we don't need the Earth anyway, right?)
Variant poses a national (or potentially global) danger and should be avoided at all costs; immediate action should be taken to neutralize this threat

Variant Types
Brute - Variant with increased levels of strength and/or durability; he/she may be more difficult to harm or take down

Metamorphic - Variant can change anatomy and/or physiology, either partially or fully; can take human or non-human forms including animal, mineral, energy, or alien

Volatile - Variant has abilities dealing with fire, electricity, plasma, and any other explosive energy/force

Mentalist - Variant possesses psychic abilities; can control and/or manipulate objects, people, or energy using his/her thoughts

Agile - Variant is prone to quick movements and/or fast/instant travel; he/she may possess increased levels of dexterity 

Inhibitor - Variant wields abilities that can weaken and/or hinder others

Amplifier - Variant has the ability to improve the condition of themselves and/or others

Distortionist - Variant is able to alter space-time, intangible concepts, or reality as a whole

Natural - Variant has abilities that utilize and/or affect the natural world and/or animals

Architect - Variant who is able to manipulate, modify, and/or replicate matter and/or energy; some are able to construct tangible objects from energy

Notoriety
One of the primary goals of N.O.V.A. is to identify and register all Variants living within the nation's borders. Variants have no legal obligation to register with N.O.V.A., so, as one would expect, not all Variants are willing to comply with the agency's agenda, whether out of privacy or sheer rebellion. For these reasons, every Variant has a certain level of notoriety with N.O.V.A., whether officially or unofficially. 

Unknown - individuals who have been recognized as Variants but have yet to be identified by N.O.V.A.

Watched - Variants who have been identified but have not registered

Wanted - Variants who are known to misuse their abilities and pose a threat to the well-being and quality of life of others; vigilantes operating outside of the law are also considered Wanted as oftentimes their actions can cause collateral damage to people or property

Registered - Variants who have willingly given N.O.V.A. information on their identity and abilities

Noble - Variants who are registered with N.O.V.A. and are licensed to use their abilities for 'altruistic and benevolent practices'

M.A.D.
N.O.V.A. employs a task force that is specially trained and equipped to handle Variant criminal activity. M.A.D., which stands for Monitoring, Apprehension, and Detainment, is a fairly recent institution that is being implemented in several major cities. Its members, which included Variants until a rather serious incident caused a policy change, are commonly referred to as MADmen. M.A.D. uses both street cameras and surveillance drones to track suspicious Variant activity. The main facility contains their central command center as well as an armory, garage, and training camp. There are also several smaller satellite 'posts' that are dispersed throughout the city to ensure a wider coverage and quicker response times.

[ The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ]


Pariah Underground
The Pariah Underground is a loose network of wayward Variants who have distanced themselves from society. Most Variants in the Underground have abilities that are dangerous, grotesque, or just plain odd. Members usually occupy areas that have little to no human population and some have even gone so far as to actually construct subterranean hideouts. Though some prefer to have little to no contact with the outside world, others take to the streets as vigilantes or even criminals. In any case, Variants in the Underground take extensive measures to avoid N.O.V.A. and M.A.D. as much as possible.

Chimera
Chimera is an underground tech guild that frequently engages in acts of cyber-terrorism. One of the primary goals of Chimera is to infiltrate government systems and the systems of large corporations. Though governments and corporations are their main targets, they will make attacks on citizens quite often. Chimera employs a variety of militant techies including hackers, coders, computer engineers, and even hardcore gamers. For reasons yet to be discerned, Chimera has grown increasingly antagonistic towards Variants in recent times. 

The Glorious Alliance
The Glorious Alliance is an assembly of Nobles who work together for the general benefit of society. Members of the Alliance see themselves as altruists trying to better the image of Variant-kind while most other Variants view them as egotistical sellouts and showoffs. Though the Alliance claims to work for free, they have been known to accept 'gifts' and 'donations' from 'supportive citizens'.

* * * * * * *

General Info

[ New Haven ]

The most ‘unique’ city in America. Vibrant culture, breathtaking architecture, rich history, festivals all year. One of the greatest cities the country has to offer...if you don't plan on staying, that is. Visiting is great; living there is a whole different story. Poverty, crime, and corruption all come to light once the veil is lifted and the allure fades away. The rich enjoy the most opulent of lives, while the poor struggle to keep food on the table. The city's rising crime rates are overwhelming local law enforcement. It's like biting into the most delicious dessert you've ever tasted...only to discover it contained a deadly poison.

Key Districts

Ville Rouge
The oldest part of town which also happens to be the primary cultural hub.


Business District/Midtown
The central urban area of New Haven boasting numerous skyscrapers and several rail lines.


Vines
A historical neighborhood filled with mansions on large plantations located just south of Midtown.


Uptown
Another wealthy district with slightly smaller estates than Vines.


The Shanty
The poor area located near Bywater.


Warehouse District
Trendy and artsy district with converted brick warehouses.


Bywater
Known for its colorful street murals and has a bohemian vibe.


Brigitte
A broad, predominantly middle-class, and racially diverse district favored by retirees and families.


Lakeview
With its easy access to the waters of Lake Vista, Lakeview has a large sailing and boating community.


Anadine
Village across the river featuring ancient oaks and tidy Victorian cottages.


New Haven East
Raw and wild district full of marshes and wetlands with very little urban development.


Country/Bayou
The rural area on the other side of the large river that borders the city.




Tech Alley - a popular stretch in Midtown lined with Nexus cafes, arcades, and tech garages, and generally nerdy shops

1 Marshal Avenue - huge government building located in the heart of Midtown housing several departments and agencies including N.O.V.A. HQ

Battery Bridge - a large suspension bridge in the Warehouse district connecting New Haven to the neighboring city over the river

Lindsay Park - the city's largest community park located in Lakeview near Brigitte

M.A.D. Headquarters  - a massive building located on the edge of Midtown near Lakeview serving as M.A.D.'s central facility. Several satellite posts are positioned in each district

Market Street - historically charming open-air market in Ville Rouge 

River Street - lined with centuries-old buildings that have been converted to shops, restaurants, nightspots, and hotels. Stretches from the Warehouse district to the Bywater district

[ Grand Global Nexus ]

Most, if not all, computers in the world can access the Grand Global Nexus (G.G.N. or The Nexus). The Nexus is simply a vast computer network that connects several other smaller networks (what would be the ‘Internet’). The most predominant branch of the Nexus is the Transnational Databank (TDB). The TDB is a universally linked system of hypertext documents (what would be the ‘World Wide Web’) that is organized into 'datasites’ which each have a 'datacode’. The TDB is divided into five main sectors: government (001), business (002), education (003), media (004), and general/personal (005). A datacode will look like this:

::TDB.001.NOVA::
::TDB.005.Privy::
::TDB.005.blabbr::

People can also receive digital mail (d-mail) through the Nexus. A mail command will look like this:

::MAIL.Wolfman187@005.ChainMail::

Popular Datasites
Blabbr - a social networking site where users post photos, short video and audio clips, and small blurbs of text
Visage - a social networking site where users create extensive personal profiles to share with others
FriendBridge - a popular communication application used to send messages and make voice and video calls
Vivify - the top blogging site on the Nexus
Optica - the world's largest video sharing and streaming site
ChainMail - a popular d-mail provider with lots of personalization
Privy - the world's most popular and trusted news site
Reson8 - the top nexus radio site on the planet
MetaSphere - a wildly popular gamer hub
WildFyre - an underground news site hidden deep in the Nexus

Top Nexus Providers
Compass - comes standard with the Solaris operating system
Vortex - has numerous customization options
Nexpress - extremely fast and reliable

[ Tech Companies ]

Sunrise Corporation - develops and manufactures computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers; creator of the Solaris operating system
Panorama Industries - a major robotics and cybernetics manufacturer headquartered in New Haven
Rhoella Technologies - the world's largest manufacturer of several smart technologies including mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and televisions; helped develop the Interactive Immersive Interface (i³)

Intelligent Command and Operation Network (ICON) - an AI guidance system that controls the movements of vehicles and civil robots throughout the country. Construction bots, delivery drones, and public transport vehicles are all linked to ICON.
Interactive Immersive Interface (i³) - virtual reality (i³Total) and mixed reality (i³Spatial)
Omni-Lens - eyewear that uses i³Spatial technology 
Drones - any unmanned aircraft or airborne device; delivery, security, personal
E-Vap - electronic vapor cylinders used for smoking; sometimes called 'cyls’
Stingers - used to shoot intravenous drugs
Dissemblers - a small, concealable device used to make oneself ‘invisible’ to surveillance cameras; extremely rare and highly illegal

* * * * * * *

Over the past several weeks, there has been a sudden influx of disappearances in New Haven, a city known for increasing levels of Variant-related crimes. All attempts by local law enforcement to solve these missing persons cases have turned up cold. Investigators who appear to be close to a solution end up disappearing themselves. Most of these have been random unfortunate victims, both human and Variant alike, with zero connections between them. Wrong place, wrong time. Lately, however, a few of those who vanished have been Nobles. When the 'best and brightest' start getting captured, it becomes a real problem. Whatever is taking place here, it can't be good at all…

Meanwhile, the tech-heads at Chimera are cooking up a little scheme of their own. Rumors are swimming around that they may be targeting a major facility in the very near future. Whether or not the sources are reliable, the very fact that these rumors have come up is raising a few eyebrows and putting several people on alert…Chimera is not to be played with.
* * * * * * *

Character Sheet

(insert photo here, realistic preferred)

Name |
Alias |
Age |
Gender |
Appearance | (height, weight, body type/build, identifying marks/tattoos)
Notoriety | (Unknown, Watched, Wanted)
Danger Level/Variant Type |
Abilities |

[Gear]
Attire |
Armament/Equipment |

[Temperament & Lifestyle]
Affiliation | (Pariah Underground or independent)
Personality/Habits |
Occupation/Trade |
Skills/Talents |
Family |
Background |

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[Gear]
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[b]Background |[/b]

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[Gear]
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And here are some juicy NPCs. I'm open to suggestions for NPCs if anybody has one. 

Cast List

Variants
Sierra Romano/Incinera -- 21 -- Pyrokinesis/Fire & Heat Immunity
Connor Everest/Ghost -- 16 -- Necrokinesis
Rhamses/The Watcher -- 18 -- Electrokinesis/Enhanced Physiology
Calvin Langley/Minitaur -- 20 -- Minotaur Physiology
Clay Kincaid/Condor -- 21 -- Muting/Silencing
Felix Pernass/Nightingale -- 27 -- Biological Manipulation (Healing)
(Unknown)/Jabberwok -- ?? -- Teratomorphy/Fluid Consciousness
Janet James/Tectonic -- 19 -- Earth Manipulation
ES1-7/Subject 7 -- 17 -- Shadow Manipulation/Illusion Creation

Non-Variants
Sebastian Albright -- 34 -- FBI, Special Response/Hostage Rescue Team, Variant Division, Alpha Team Leader 

Notes
N.O.V.A. / M.A.D. agents and Nobles are non-playable; strictly for NPCs and background (I will, however, allow former members of the agency)(suggestions for characters are welcome)
Non-Variant characters are welcome
Class 5 Variants are not allowed
This is taking place in the year 2130 in an alternate version of America


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