Avatar of Hekazu
  • Last Seen: 5 mos ago
  • Old Guild Username: Hekazu
  • Joined: 11 yrs ago
  • Posts: 1802 (0.45 / day)
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  • Username history
    1. Hekazu 11 yrs ago

Status

Recent Statuses

5 yrs ago
And back I am. Exhausted, certainly, and may need a while for that to wear off, but I'm once more here to read and even write!
2 likes
5 yrs ago
Won't be replying for a while. Am hiking.
2 likes
5 yrs ago
My congratulations to the winners of TI9! Well played gentlemen, well played.
1 like
6 yrs ago
Should have been writing posts. Took part in D&D shenaniganry instead. Got to fix that tomorrow.
6 yrs ago
There's a lot of backlog here on my end. I'm trying my best to lessen it, but replies might be less frequent for a time. A welcome change from the nothing doing I went through though! Thanks partners!

Bio

I suppose it is about time for me to copypaste fill in some information about myself over here just as well. Only took me a few years to getting around to do it.

I am a married individual in my twenties from the country some people dare claim does not exist. The Finland conspiracy is an old joke, you can stop with it now. Not a native speaker of the English language by any means, though I did begin studying it exceptionally early for our country's standards. I suppose it was some sort of a test case. With that out of the way though, what more should I be saying here...
  • I like being nice to people. If one needs to ask why, well that alone is reason enough.
  • I play and Dungeon Master Dungeons and Dragons, both offline and in the past also over here.
  • I enjoy OOC chatter, be it planning the RP or a more casual exchange (not that RP'ing is that serious). I can make do without, but don't be afraid to talk to me.
  • Whatever the case, I'm here to have fun and hone my writing abilities!
I do think that should about cover it, yes.

Thanks for stopping by I suppose! I do also have a Discord account, but I prefer to start anything RP related on the site. At least with people I don't know from the past, that is! But hey, now if you are a longer time contact of mine and happened to read this, now you know and can ask!

Most Recent Posts

I guess my only question is does anyone have a problem with full body conversions? I'm fully aware and intending to do what would make sense/use logical steps to justify it. (I'd like to know in advance.)


They are a part of the setting, to be sure. I however find any and all of said individuals to be astronomically unlikely to be taking part in the Davison case, not the least because very few exist outside direct megacorporation governance. The lack of humanity in full 'borgs stemming from their obviously superhuman status makes it unlikely that they would be interested out of their own consciousness either. Said lack of empathy is, after all, the base cyberpsychosis jumps up from. Why care about the lesser beings if you are so much greater than them? These are the main troubles I can currently recall to mind as I think what including a post-full conversion individual in the initial storyline would bring.
Updated to 2nd edition.

Okay, deep breaths now... nobody will lynch you...
Created 0th posts for OOC and Characters tabs. Anyone who wants to share the burden of keeping them up to date with me is welcome to do so, we have a few of these Co-GM stickers that let one do that still available.
Important details about the plot:
Police Lieutenant Davison has been selling classified gear to a few different gangs in a war with one another. All is well and good, since the gangs pretty much know that if they off Davison then all the other gangs are going to bash their skulls in for cutting the steady supply of "the good shit", weapons, ammo, combat drugs, what have you. But then the lieutenant is approached by a megacorporation employee who politely introduces himself and informs the good detective of just how deep shit he has buried himself in by causing trouble to the corporation he represents. And that he should probably make himself useful for them, or there will be hell to pay.

Now the man has vanished. His status is unknown to everyone, even the NCPD, but everyone wants to get their hands on him. The corporation (Murkywater Security), the police department, the gangs, and then there's the relatives of the man. Players are free to create characters from multiple walks of life, who may or may not end up forming alliances or competing directly with one another. Any single faction should nonetheless try for some cohesion between its members.


Current ongoing plotlines and their respective synopses:




Current character sheet revision available here. Subject to change.

All right, let's have a look at the few things that we likely should, sooner or later.

Full 'borgs. They are expensive. So expensive in fact, that most full body converted people do not own themselves. Most of them indeed make a contract with a corporation and have their body rigged to explode/disable itself/whatever appropriate if they move against the contract made. And even then they are mostly utilised as soldiers, few for pilot or research purposes. Not as rare as androids, because fully electronic brains are extremely difficult, but still quite unlikely an occurrence.

What has been chosen for the story thus far, if I am not mistaken, we chose to go for Lt. Davison having disappeared. His status is unknown to everyone, even the NCPD, but everyone wants to get their hands on him. The corporation (which probably needs a name, I propose we salvage Murkywater Security), the police department, the gangs, and then there's the relatives of the man. The last one probably has the least resources to spend? Either way, this allows for characters from multiple walks of life who may or may not end up forming alliances or competing directly with one another. It's Night City. The usual Friday night has at least a hundred firefights.

Lastly, the character sheet format. Suppose it should be at least something like below. Criticism and improvements encouraged!
@Ryonara
The Cultist succeeds on their save.

@Gordian Nought
The stage is yours.

James held the door for Kethan waiting for him to enter. Once both inside he did take note of the other robed figure before them talking frantically to the goliath that was hunched over looking like he was done with the conversation. Outside of those two there were only a few humans patrolling and a person behind a bar counting what was probably coin. The state of the tables reminded him of a few bars he had been in, at least two were in Valera.

James let's the goblin pass after the goliath had ended the conversation, watched it for a brief moment, then looking walking up to the counter. "We are looking for information on some frost giants, and probably warmer clothing. The frost giants are led by one who is called Hrasvelger." James leans forward on the counter watching the goliath carefully.

"Failure is forgivable, Ignorance is insufferable." Another quip from the hoary cleric of Ioun as he bowed his brow to bid the gentlemen off. "Come along then you rascal, calling me grandfather to mock my age much less to honor my sagacity." His cane-staff touched the ground first as the older of the two dismounted his from his faithful servant. It was far less than graceful certainly, although given his age and remaining life of his knee cartilage it was still impressive someone as old as he still rode. Well, using human standards at least, elves had their nigh immortality, and dwarves aren't usually seen riding horses given their vertical handicap.

So it was the guild, not bad for a cold little hamlet, but certainly nothing as wondrous as Kethan's own local chapter. Too many adventurers from there always flitting into his library and making a mess of things. Asking his fellow librarians for assistance on seeking information about this or that through the day. Fortunately they had specific staff to help with the mild nuisance but spellcasting and scroll-writing services were part of the cleric's duties amongst others. Everyone had their responsibilities within the organization, although it was clear the cleaning staff were a bit lax given the state of disarray things, surely it was not a welcome party for their unannounced arrival. And then again, few people have heard of Kethan these days, and perhaps Sir Lakeltia or Lady Mavros would be have a greater celebrity status, or a guild member. Who would give the time of day to an old man and a talentless bard?

"We came because the gods command it, although the cold inspires impiety." A witty reply to the goliath at the counter. "And as my, more direct acquaintance here had told you, warm clothing, and giants. In that order if you will... Guildmaster I presume?"

The Guildmaster bit his lip at the requests for information. The call for them being on a mission from gods, that part in turn earned a sigh. While the goliath would shake his head, he would also open his mouth to share his two copper pieces on the matter: "Guildmaster, yes, that is I. For the information you seek however, I must regrettably share with you that you are hardly the first to seek said undertaking. Many have come before you. Very few, in turn, have returned. And those who have have come back in shambles. God's mission or not, are you certain you are prepared?" He placed his hands on the countertop and leaned over it, judging the two men with his gaze from above. "Just the two of you, no matter how powerful you may think yourselves, will not stand a chance."

"Certainly shopping for winter clothing is not so horrendous and undertaking Guildmaster," A fair point after all, since Kethan did suggest the goliath give information in a particular order. One was more pressing than the other. "Jest asside Guildmaster, We won't be the last to search for giants if the cold claims us first. There are more of us coming... Hopefully if they can find their way here."

The Goliath snorted, thoroughly unamused by the old man's words. "If you made it here without troubles in your current attire, you can also find your way back in it. If there is no reason for you to go and throw your lives away, why should it be enabled by giving away knowledge that will only lead to your doom? For one of your age, I would have suspected you to be able to tell such truths", he stated in an offended tone and waved towards one of the few tables that were currently not being cleaned. "If there is nothing else you seek, it is better you sit down and wait for your friends to arrive. Perhaps they manage a more convincing speech."

James winced at Kerthan's words. Surely the cleric would have known to try for a less abrasive approach. "We only seek to prevent others from suffering the same fate as these adventurers. We have also gotten word there is a dragon working with these giants and they are moving." He pulled away from the counter heading to a table. "Here first of course. But I guess we can't help you if you won't help us." He added. He figured a honeyed approach wouldn't work now since the cleric had been so brash. Maybe a bit more with a half truth would help however.

"You would withhold information then?" A tap of Kethan's walking stick as a reminder of who it was the guildmaster was dealing with. The Symbol of Ioun emblishing the handle as more than mere ornation. A symbol of faith and authority all the same, a source of power for the faithful, much less so than the arcane. "As I have said, we are here by the Gods, do not test my faith Guildmaster, I assure you at my age, there's little life to throw away. We understand the possiblity of death is great, but it is our lives or yours as is so often the case, and our failure will most likely result in the death of those unwilling to throw their lives away. I have already come to terms with my mortality, whether I can stand before my lady Ioun in her hall as one of her scholars having willingly disobeyed her is something I cannot do. As such, I would again ask you for information Guildmaster, and I beg you not to withhold anything for if many have failed, then it is in their failure shall we learn to suceed Guildmaster."

The Guildmaster slammed his hands against the counter and leaned further towards the old man that had walked in and was now acting like he owned the place. "I do not care what your dogma says about this or that! If I gave the information to every single adventurer that cam knocking, this village would be responsible for even more death than it already is! Do you think it is easy for our sentries to gaze into the distance, to be the last who see the cloaks of the adventurers leave, never to return!?" The goliath bellowed, before falling back to the space behind the counter, rather than over it.

A deep breath and a fist risen to his forehead later, the Guildmaster rubbed his forehead against his knuckles and continued, now in a much calmer tone: "Look, old man, if you are who I think you are, you are well known for your capability to heal, not as much slaying giants and dragons. I do not seek to obstruct those with the capability to take down said threat. But giving away the location to those ill prepared would only lead to unnecessary death." He removed the fist from his forehead and placed his hand on the counter once again, looking Kethan straight into the eyes. "You will have your knowledge once the rest of your allies are here, on the assumption they seem competent."

As James sits at a table near the hearth and listens to the guildmaster and Kethan exchange words. While doing so he took out the lute and played an old song that he heard in a tavern long ago. "Come Kethan the fire is warm. The others should be here soon and the man can make his judgement of our skill."
He started to sing in dwarvish to the tune he played. It was for sure not his best he thought as he missed a few cords and sung slightly off key. He would need to work on that to maintain his guise.

With a solemn nod, the warning was taken well. Yes, Kethan knew the risks, and more so he had been in the Guildmaster's position many times over. How many fools had he sent to their deaths over the last few years in his retirement? Few returned, and those who did often were seeking more information on this or another misadventure. Those who did not return, Kethan could only assume they had either given up their quest or died in such attempts. Perhaps it was easier for him knowing that his powers of resurrection could bring back the dead, and perchance even request his goddess intervene. If indeed the Guildmaster knew who Kethan was, then perhaps the goliath would understand this was no willy-nilly party of would be errandboys leaping to their cold and untimely deaths. They were seasoned champions, legends of their own right no less across the land. But all that slipped away the moment that brash idiot opened his mouth. A most mediocre melody, twas not the cold that numbed his fingers or voice, no the roaring fire ought to banish those and certainly Kethan was not yet falling apart at the joints so why wouldn a spring chicken? Perhaps it was his instrument that took to the cold, but certainly a bard would check and tune his instrument as his lively livelihood depends on it, no there was something else amiss that casted Kethan's doubts over the so-called bard. "Unless my hearing fails me in my age boy, if you keep playing like that, he won't need to wait very for the others..."

Failing hearing or not, the waiting was nonetheless over. The doors to the Guild Hall opened once again, making way for a half-orc clad in full plate armour, and two quite a bit more lightly armoured and less imposing women. Marcus, Ada and Scrapmouse had arrived. The Guildmaster raised his eyes towards the door and nodded to the fresh arrivals. "Here with these two?" he requested to know.


@JBRam2002@Lurking Krog@Guardian Angel Haruki@The Grey Dust
@The Harbinger of Ferocity

Androids are more rare a breed than people who have gone through a full-body conversion to a cyborg, as far as I have understood. And with how rare those conversions are, androids would indeed very much be toys of the upper echelons, if not currently on the secret development stages of the top-level megacorporations. Biodroids are also an option to consider, cloned bodies with a pre-programmed cyberbrain attempting to make sense of it. For while cloning limbs is rather abundant, putting up an entire body could... prove less trivial a task.

Marcus nodded at the gnome's words. Uncouth language as they might be, they were perhaps the best way to put this feeling into words. It was nothing short of dreadful, standing against these elements. And that was coming from a man clad in plate and accompanying underarmour. What did she have? A scale mail would provide some protection, but it was far from as complete as his. And with the size of her body, she might well be one of the first to succumb if they did not seek warmth. Oh, here he was, getting worried because she was smaller than him. Again. He should really try to get over that. Scrapmouse was just as capable a champion as the rest of them.

Marcus stretched for a bit, trying to keep the heat in his body flowing. Again, they would need to do something about how vulnerable they were to the weather alone. But before that, there were still a few words to address. The main point being Ada asking for her title to be forgotten. "From this moment onward, Ada Mavros, you are nothing more than a member of our group. None of us will bow to any authority you may have once possessed. You have become an equal to us, as you wished", Marcus stated to the formed duchess' request, before raising a finger to his ear once again. "They seem to have found the hall", he informed those in his company before pressing a bit harder on the earpiece. "Directions, if you would."

Ask and you shall receive, and all that. Soon they were on their way to the new destination, and the Paladin had time to give his own two copper pieces on the matter of the guild people listening to another member: "There is the chance, but we can never be too sure. More often than not, the appearance of a Hammer of Grimjaws it met with joy and celebration. These people had time and patience for neither. Expect the unexpected." He remained cautiously optimistic though. The chances were always there.



Guild Hall

Meanwhile, at the doors of the guild hall, the Goliaths would very much echo the sentiments of the man that had appeared from between the two buildings. "This indeed is no business you would have a part in. They failed their task and that is it. No amount of words will change that", the other Goliath would say and shoo James and the elder away. "Now go, enter the hall if you must. We have more pressing matters to attend to." All in all, they remained just as unimpressed as they had appeared to be at first.

The two would have a bit of time in the hall before the rest would arrive. It could have been bigger, but for a village of this size, there was already a surprising amount of space. A few humans walked around in official guild uniforms keeping order in the hall, where there had either been a fight or a loud celebration probably no longer than an hour ago. Many tables apparently needed scrubbing, and the keeper of the small bar in the corner seemed to be tallying up something. The counter from which one usually requested tasks from seemed to be open as per usual, other than for the fact that another of the cloaked figures was frantically trying to explain something to the Goliath behind the counter. The receiving end of the explanation looked only like they had heard enough to last six lifetimes.

The arrival of the two new figures had the Goliath stand up straight and speak up once again. "The facts do not change. You were tasked to bring the beast down. We cannot take your word for 'it fell into a ravine and perished'. We require proof, and you know it. Now go, finish the task up or there is nothing more we need to discuss!" The goblin looked somewhat dejected and hopped off the stool it had been using to make it up to the counter, before shuffling past the two fresh arrivals. The Goliath greeted them with a nod. "Now you, you look... new. Not least thanks to your lack of attire. What brings you to Vael Turog?"


@JBRam2002@Lurking Krog@Guardian Angel Haruki@The Grey Dust
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