Lurking Shadow

VIGILANCE: Blood & Justice - A Superhuman Roleplay (Always Open)

Took me a while, but I finished. I want to note that this is a character I have had in my head for a few months. Though I originally planned it for a collection of short stories I was writing at the time, I scrapped it for a more sinister character, so this is the first time I put thought to... er, digital paper(?). The Skill part is somewhat vague right now, but when I get enough time, I will put a more concrete list. Submitting this now as early feedback.

The Assimilator

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^{Current host: Walter Simmons ◼ Current Host : January 5th, 1989 ( 28 ) ◼ Current Host: Male ◼ Celestial}

^{"Host organism no longer resisting. Assimilation Sucessful. "}

▼ A P P E A R A N C E:

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^{"This Shell moves unseen."}

[indent]//STATS:(for current host)

◼ HEIGHT | 5’ 10”

◼ WEIGHT | 143

◼ BUILD | slim

◼ HAIR COLOR | Black

◼ EYE COLOR | Hazel

//DESCRIPTION:

Walter Simmons refers to the Human form the alien displays to blend in, having no name it refers itself as ‘This Shell’ when communicating to others about itself. The alien species consists of sentient amorphous blobs of grey flesh capable of altering their shape to form various tools for various purposes. In addition, they are capable of absorbing genetic material through physical contact and subsequently altering their own genetic makeup to imitate a target host. This allows them to gain the triats or abilities of a species while also inheriting their weaknesses. In addition, they can also harden or soften their bodies and blend in with the background so as to be able to ambush prey and render them docile for assimilation.
Shells travel in groups (called Cells) from planet to planet looking for a suitable host species to start a Cycle. What a Cycle exactly means, is currently unknown, but it occasionally results in the extinction of a species. All Shells share the common goal of completing a cycle repeatedly. This is not a desire from will but born of instinct. A infinite hunger temporarily satiated when a Cycle succeeds.
The method of interplanetary transportation is usually crude, generally ends up in basically flinging themselves from planet to planet on an asteroid or other small celestial body to a planet they detect intelligent life. When a Cell eventually arrives in a planet, the Shells separate from each other in order to cover more ground until they find an ideal spot where they may catch a lone (hopefully sentient) creature. They typically dig a hole in the ground a bit larger than themselves and reside in the hole changing appearance so as to resemble solid ground. When a sufficiently large creature wanders upon it, the Shell quickly opens up to envelop the creature and partially absorb it. The process is painful, and allows the Shell to learn a little about the creature and determine if it is sentient and will be sufficient to begin a cycle. If the creature is not determined to be fit, it will either be ejected or consumed if the Shell needs sustenance. The Shell will signal other Shells on the planet (with a sort of mental link) if a sufficiently intelligent creature is found so the others can search for one and replicate them.
When a sufficiently determined intelligence is found, they will be the host species for the cycle. Most host organism will not be killed, but gathered together in one or several areas where they will be induced into a comatose state and hidden by some of the Shells to prevent discovery by the host species. Other host organism will be completely absorbed by a Shell in order to gain a more accurate understanding about the species.
Lastly, with each Cell, there is one who acts as the human equivalent of mission control or high command. Typically this would be the largest of the Shells and is referred to as The Cell. The Cell takes in information received by Shells and makes major decisions and decided secondary objectives for the cycle.
Due to natural ability to adapt to any climate or situation (assuming relevant genetic material has been acquired) they do not develop any technology and have an aversion to using foreign technology if possible.

▼ B I O G R A P H Y:

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^{"The Cycle will begin anew."}

[indent][indent][i]
*When I write ‘The Shell’ I am referring to the character, I do not plan on other Shells making an appearance and at most would be mentioned only, they will be referred to as ‘sibling shell’.*
Earth, a planet with a variety of climates which each boasts a collection of lifeforms. Previous cycles indicate multiple advanced lifeforms would evolve and yet there is only one dominant lifeform and it is weak. Humans have no claws, dull teeth, nothing natural that would let them thrive and yet, they have plagued the lands. They are Qwel’ok, a race that uses tools to survive. They are not fit to host a Cycle. The Cell must have seen something in them to decide to come to this miserable Zrk’tul. Planet. The Shell is bound to follow The Cell however and cannot disobey. Upon arrival the Shell landed in a forest, perfect for the initial moments as the Shell can explore a little with little likelihood of being discovered by the Humans.
Eventually it picked a spot (as good as any other nearby really) and waited. After several planetary rotations and many insignificant prey, A lone human finally fell susceptible to the trap. This particular specimen was not very resilient, full assimilation achieved in just a few hours. Throughout the process, the Shell sorted through the knowledge and memories of the host to try to glean any useful information as to why this species is targeted for a cycle. Then the Shell learned of Hyperhumans. The Shell than understood why the Cell has targeted this species. If the Shells can find sufficient biomass with the gene, it could be replicated and potentially alow for a diverse range of abilities in a single form. They could gain the power to rival the N’Kai
Luckily the Host is a loner. The Shell can learn to emulate other humans. Learn to blend in. Learn who has the ‘hype-gene’. Won’t have to worry about anyone noticing the disappearance of this human. Situation excellent. Hard part first, how does one use these ‘lungs’ to communicate verbaly? It has been several cycles since this was necessary.
[i][/indent][/indent]

▼ M O T I V A T I O N / O B J E C T I V E:

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^{"May the past, at last, catch up to the present"}

The Cycle. The mysterious event that all Shells participate in upon finding a suitable host species. Initially passive, observing but not acting so as to gain information. The Shell has little concern for the wellbeing of Humans and will not actively to to protect or harm someone unless it would further the Cycle. The Shell will keep a low profile above all else as being discovered could endanger the success of the Cycle.

▼ A B I L I T I E S / S K I L L S:

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^{"Why make a hammer when you can be the hammer?"}

//ABILITIES:

◼ Shapeshifting | Able to disguise self as anything by merely observing it. This replication is imperfect as it only alters the outer appearance. Should any wounds arise, the gelatinous mass of the Shell will be revealed.

◼ Genetic alteration | Can alter it’s own genetic material to effectively become another species as long as it has acquired the genetic material (which can be gained by physical contact. The longer the contact, the more perfect the replication.) The Shell inherits any applicable strengths and weaknesses of the host’s genetics.

//SKILLS:
[indent]◼ Determined by current form | [i] varies [i][/indent]
[indent]◼ Natural resiliance | [i] The Shell by default is immune against any physical attacks by things like blunt objects, ballistics, or explosions. Being amorphous, it would merely knock off a portion of the Shells mass, which could be regathered and heal any injuries sustained through these methods. [i][/indent]

//LIMITATIONS:

◼ Determined by current form | Every species has at least one thing they are weak to.

//WEAKNESSES:

◼ Genetic breakdown | Anything that would alter or damage cellular regeneration would have an adverse effect here. Particularly extreme heat or corrosive material.

◼ Socializing | Being complexly foreign to the ideas of feelings, facial expressions and the like, the Shell will initially be very awkward in communicating and will have trouble discerning between truth and lies. Eventually the Shell may overcome this if given enough experience

▼ N O T E S:

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//SUPPORTING CAST:

▼ ALLIES

◼ Sibling Shells and the Cell | Likely will not make an appearance. Especially the Cell who will be mentioned only, so as to communicate orders to the Shell.

▼ FRIENDS

◼ N/A | Shells don’t make friends with their prey, at least usually they don’t…

▼ ENEMIES

◼ Probably | If you don’t like being assimilated, you probably have a few words to say here.

//STOMPING GROUNDS

◼ The Whispering Woods | Somewhat secluded, close to the city. Could be an excellent place to hold individuals awaiting assimilation or to dispose of corpses too damaged to be assimilated.

VIGILANCE: Blood & Justice - Advertisement Thread (Always Open)

I'm interested, I should note I am new to forum RPs so I may stumble a bit initially. I have two ideas but for the first one, to double check, a celestial slot is still open right? eithor way, I'll post an application (or whatever the term is) on the OOC(that one right?) in at most, two days. likely tomorrow though.

New to text-based RP

Hey everyone. I am not new to RPs, but I have not done Text-based in a few years. Recently I’ve doing my RPs in a videogame engine mod. Usually did a Sci-Fi (as the game’s base files were Sci-Fi) setting but occasionally a fantasy, I personally prefer at least modern era as far as technology available (by modern era I mean starting around the 1900s when machinery started coming into focus.) As the mod lost players, and thus compatible RP ideas, it started to get harder to have an enjoyable experience. So I faded out of RPing for a while (think it’s been about 7 months since). Recently I got engaged in a spontaneous RP session on a YouTube comment that kind of reignited my interest so I stumble here.

The Typical experience I had was a few guys had factions like Colonists or say a military expedition unit (two or three main characters maybe a few minor and a load of generic guys for side conversations or mindless death depending on the case) and a few would have just one or two guys (These one were typically characters with an extensive backstory and took a more active role in the RP compared to others)
I was more on the factional side. What I did exactly varied for each session but at first it typically was a heavily fortified military research installation, don’t remember the name I gave for the faction but they were adept at mass fabrication (building things quickly and in large quantities), so naturally the bulk of the faction consisted of war machines armed with limited A.I. I would have several characters that were prototypes and generally they were the focus in my sessions. Usually along the lines of another player having problems with another player’s faction or whatever and would request my aid, and I would go along the lines of ‘this would help me evaluate the efficiency of these new weapons, I shall aid you other guy!’. That was my main for a while, eventually I started trying some new concpets and found another that stuck.

The one I did more recently consisted of an abandoned research facility plagued with odd growths and desolate structures, usually had growths on them too. There would be a odd ooze or slime covering the facility and expanding a little bit outside. Near the very end of the facility was what appeared to be an egg and odd machinery hooked up to it, which appeared to be pumping something into the growth. So player would send a few guys to stumble upon the place or investigate the strange growth, typically nothing happened the first visit…as far as the characters are aware. Unknowingly they awakened a dormant organism (not the thing in the egg but a lesser being. Can’t recall the name but for the sake of this let’s call him Jerry, of course he actually had a sinister name but I would have to find my dusty old files again). This character was a servent of Jerry and was hidden from others, acted as a scout of sorts and spawned these timed creatures (Formless Spawn) that could resemble another character (usually generic foot soldier because having two Admiral Bob would be suspicious). The Spawn would just up and murder people whenever they can while being hidden from view and would give the biomass/soul/whatever I figured would fit RP best to Jerry as he gestates in the egg to give him more strength. So depending on what everyone else did, they could destroy the gestating egg (the process varied, and obviously had obstacles), preemptively awaken Jerry while he is relatively weak, or Jerry awakens at full strength. I liked this one as I could change some things around and have a Cult of humans instead. Kinda liked the variability I had with this one.

For these forums I have two guys in mind I want to do a little bit with. My favored, is a bit… unorthodox. I don’t want to spawn a few extra pages of text for someone mildly interested, but if someone experienced wants to PM me, I have three or four pages worth of information about this character, and let me know if it’ll work here. I figure he can work adequately in nearly any genre of RP. The other guy is a loner, prefers small parties or to be by self. Adept at engineering and typically has a small cadre of robots/constructs.

Being new to this kind of RPing, I plan on just reading around for a week or so. See how casual/advanced/the others look like to best determine the one I would be most comfortable in See how exactly interest checks or whatever work.
A few questions though (numbered for convenience of response)
1) National RPs, does it have to be a country/empire/etc. or could I have a relatively small faction that is more nomadic than having concrete boarders

2) Interest Checks
a) Starting: using this to check who’ll bite- what all should I include when making one?
b) Joining- Typically do I announce my interest or would I typically have to provide character(s)?

3) What is the typical time period on these forums

4) If someone lists in title ‘open to new players’ or ‘always accepting’, does this mean I can join in right in or as I presume, pm them expressing interest in joining?