The ShiftCLOSED (no longer accepting CS's)This is the story of several young men and women nearing the end of their childhood, entering the 12th grade at Wilson High in the suburban town of Silverhill on Long Island, New York. These same people are you, the players. At the outset of the story, we see a typical first-day-back scenario when one of the characters receives a strange message from the future (detailed in Message Log 1). From there, everything spirals out of control rapidly and the characters are forced to unlock the mystery of the messages while they run for their lives!
Message Logs
I'm going to teach you something about the world we live in. It starts with something you may already be aware of: String Theory. I could give you a several-thousand-page thesis on the topic, but for our purposes I will simply present a brief rundown of the eleven dimensions. Now I know the first instinct is to start at one, but there is in fact a zero dimension. This dimension is simply a point of indeterminate size; that is to say, it has no dimensions (length, width, height, duration, etc.), hence it's name. Let's start at this point and draw a simple line segment from it ending at another point of indeterminate size. This is the first dimension, two points connected by a length, a measurable distance. Now draw another line from the same point off in a different direction. Now we have the second dimension, width. Picture the second dimension as a sheet of paper. This sheet, which has an area, is basically a cross-section of the third dimension; by stacking more pages on top of it, you gain height and volume, and any of the sheets in the stack is just a slice of the third dimension. Additionally, you can fold a single sheet of paper so that the ends touch and cause two distant points in the second dimension to touch each other while simultaneously traversing a negligible distance. These are the familiar dimensions, the ones we see every day of our lives right in front of us.
All that is, was, or will come to be, exists in the continuous flow of time, the 4th dimension. Now, imagine our three-dimensional world condensed into a single point of indeterminable size. This dimension is static, un-moving. But we can feel it move, we do things and watch it move. These actions occur over time, and at the end the third dimension is different than it was before. The third dimension has now moved to a new point, but it didn't just appear there. Things happened in between then and now, and the way we represent this is with a new dimension: duration. Duration, as it turns out, is a simple line connecting two different points or states of the third dimension, much like how the first dimension connects two points of indeterminate size, hence the term "timeline". This is where most people stop counting dimensions, and worry only about events along their single comprehend-able timeline. What will happen in a few minutes from the current me? What just happened to my reality a few minutes ago? These are the questions most concern themselves with on a sub-conscious level.
But there is more to it, so much more! Some people are willing to take an extra step and ask a question like, "What would happen if I went back in time killed myself?" Well, the answer to that is quite simple: nothing would happen to you, but the mere fact that you exist at that particular point in time causes time to skew itself into a fork. The timeline you came from is no longer accessible to you by normal means, only the shared past and split future of this diverged timeline (where the "you" that originated in this timeline is dead) are considered your perceivable reality. This new timeline and all other possible timelines branching off from the "original" timeline encompass the fifth dimension.
Recall that I said there is no way to return to your original timeline through normal means. By normal, I meant only the misconception that after traveling backward, one is able to travel forward and "return" to their original "present" time. This simply is not true, for a fifth-dimensional timeline intersects the original timeline at exactly one point, a point that is completely inaccessible because returning to that point yet again inevitably creates a third, even more varied timeline. But what if the new timeline could intersect with the original timeline more than once? To do this, we need to return to the paper example. If the fifth dimension is comparable to this sheet, then one can fold it just like before and cause the ends to touch at exactly one point. This is the sixth dimension, all possible diversions of all conceivable timelines through which our third dimension travels. In essence, the sixth dimension is exactly every possible outcome of our universe all at once.
By now you may have noticed a pattern here. We started with a point, the zero dimension. We then connected it to another zero-dimensional point, and called this the first dimension. We drew another line from the same original point, the second dimension. Then we stacked them all up to represent every possible direction this extra line could have been drawn in, the third dimension. Here's where the pattern repeats: taking the third dimension as a point, we connected it to another three-dimensional point and called this duration, the fourth dimension. We added another timeline from this same point and called it the fifth dimension. Finally, we stacked these alternate timelines up to represent all possible diversions of all possible points on the original timeline, the sixth dimension. Naturally we can and should attempt to replicate the pattern again, starting with containing all of reality into a single point, a sixth-dimensional point. This point is the Universe. Our Universe doesn't just sit there though; like the third dimension, it moves. The path it travels to reach an end result is the seventh dimension. Like time, however, the Universe is capable of diverging and traveling in a different direction. The eighth dimension represents all of the possible directions that our Universe can travel on. So far we've only discussed our observable universe, which began with the Big Bang. But what if the universe didn't start that way? What if the universe began in such a way that it would fundamentally differ from ours? Each of the varied "beginnings" to our Universe become a Parallel Universe where the laws of physics develop differently from what we know. Despite this, the name "Parallel Universe" implies that these "other" universes are just different versions of ours, and this is correct. Each of these parallel universes also has it's own seventh and eighth-dimensional routes, and so the ninth dimension in turn is all possible diversions of all possible Universes.
So now it's easy, right? Point, line, fork, fold, repeat. Take the ninth dimension and condense it to a single point: the tenth dimension, commonly referred to as the Multiverse for a total of eleven dimensions. The Multiverse is a theoretical dimension where all of the possible outcomes of our universe exist. Next we draw a line from the Multiverse to... where? Here's where we hit a roadblock, scientifically speaking. It's actually kind of ironic, but the fact that the Multiverse contains all possible diversions of all possible universes by definition means that there is literally nothing beyond it. There is no other Multiverse! This is the only one, because the Multiverse must contain everything else to be called a "Multiverse". This is where the dimensions stop, since we can't add any more.
But you're probably wondering why I bothered to tell you this, aren't you? I'll tell you why... it's because you found this tape. Whatever place, time, or dimension you think you found this in... there's more to it than any of us could have ever thought possible, and yet the answer was staring us in the face this whole time! I'm telling you this because I need you to understand that everything I said so far... is false.
Well, not entirely. Really the only bit that's false is the ending, where I told you it ends at the Multiverse. I can't hope to explain what I mean, only that you understand what I've said so far. What I now know transcends time and space in every sense of the word, and only possible because I was able to perform a fully synchronized shift... I won't live much longer, but there must be someone who exists somewhere and some-when that can finally surpass the countless failures before them (myself included) to uncover the truth before them. If you come across this message, that person may very well be you, or someone you know. Or someone who doesn't even exist in your world. This is merely a hopeless final stretch to pass my knowledge onto my successor, my way of passing the burden of our world on to the next unfortunate soul to find this.
Listen very carefully, for my time is almost up. This message comes from your original future in the year 2034, but if you remember my example from before then you'll realize that the fact that this message exists in your world means that my future is no longer an eventuality for you. From this moment forward, the future is in your hands. Twenty years ago in my world I received a very similar message, and from there the events described in it began to occur almost like clockwork. I anticipate that these events will repeat in your world, and so I shall attempt to inform you of these events in as similar a fashion as I received the information myself. For now, all I can tell you is that in the near future (which I sadly cannot approximate over such a long gap in time) you and your closest friends will be in great danger. What happens specifically is impossible to tell, but at least this much is true. If you manage to avert this danger, then my next message should arrive on Monday, September 8, 2014, about a week from your present time. My time is up now, any more and I fear I will alter too much at once.
Good bye.
End of tape
Accepted Character Sheets
Name: Alex Knight
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Appearance:
Personality/Background: Alex is very much a fun loving easy going 18 year old. He likes making wise cracks, and is very intelligent but doesn't flaunt it too often. Alex is a photographer for the yearbook staff. Alex is very loyal to his friends and thinks very highly of them because accept him for who he is without any judgments. Alex is very trusting of his friends and that is only because they've known one another for years. Anyone else Alex has to really get to know them and that takes a while to happen before he lets his guard down in front of them. Alex is a huge Sci-Fi /Comic Book fan, loves the music of Bruce Springsteen, enjoys mystery novels, and he is also a workout junkie. Alex wants to be a photojournalist and has begun the enrollment process to attend Ohio St.
Alex was born and raised in the city and his family is very well known. His father Dan is the homicide Captain and when Commissioner Wilkins retires next year is a mortal lock to be named Commissioner. Nancy, his mom, is the principal of the Junior High School and is considering a run at superintendent when Alex graduates. Alex has two older siblings Bill graduated two years ago and is the starting Tight End for UCLA on a full scholarship, and his sister Janet graduated last year as the class valedictorian and is attending The University of Texas majoring in Pre-Law. Alex's friends see him for who he is and not his family hence the reason he is so guarded, because there have been people who tried to get to know him just because of his family. Though there are times his parents roll their eyes and shake their heads at Alex when he starts "geeking out" over a comic book or a Springsteen song they love him, because he generally stays out of trouble (they know he's not perfect though) and he does more things right than wrong.
Name: Katherine (Katy) Dixon
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Appearance:
Standing at 5'2, Katherine is of lean build and is fair skinned.She has short, jet-black hair that reaches just below her ears and slightly hollow cheeks.She has almond shaped eyes that are almost as black as her hair.
Personality: Katherine is a bold and expressive person who speaks her mind if she feels the need to. Like many expressive individuals, Katherine too turns to writing and art. She also enjoys playing PC games but prefers offline games, that don't need teamwork and interaction. Katherine has many collections and empty perfume bottles is one of them. She is a conscientious person and a borderline workaholic who can often enjoy her work .She stays true to her roots and is sometimes stubborn in sticking to her own ways. Katherine believes there's a proper time for everything and so is a person who sticks to schedules and routines. Although she can enjoy large company in small doses, she welcomes solitude and is often found tucked away in some nook of the library. Her love for books is why she's part of the book club. Katherine is quick to make a first impression of a person, but she tries not to be judgmental and gives most people the benefit of doubt. At her best she is creative, inspiring and a free soul. At her worst, she is cold, standoffish and cynical.
Background: Being the eldest of four siblings, much was naturally expected out of Katherine. Katherine grew up trying to be a role model for her younger siblings and to this day feels the need to perform her best. It is this very feeling that gives Katherine the determination to succeed, seeing as she isn't a brainiac and relies on sheer hard work. Katherine and her parents get along swell, but she isn't on very good terms with her relatives-namely her cousins, who feel the need to constantly show off their achievements and possessions.
Name: Maia 'May' Harris
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Appeareance:
May has green eyes, messy red hair that reaches to her shoulders, and a pale, freckleless skin, which burns easily when exposed to bright sunlight. She is 5'6'' tall, having a rather skinny figure.
Personality:
May can be described as fairly impulsive. Her temper makes her avoid thinking twice before acting, making some of her actions seem irrational. When being asked why she did whatever she did, her most common answer is: "Because it felt right."
May has a highly developed intuition but her achievements in school are rather average. Working part-time in a super market, she does not have many hobbies except for playing acoustic guitar. If she has any time, May likes watching horror movies and reading thriller books, especially those with plot twists. She doesn't seek attention from others and dosn't mind being left alone. May usually bypasses arguments, but if the cause is meaningful to her she can become quite persistent.Taking responsibility for her own faults is a thing she has yet to learn.
Background:
May lives in a small flat, together with her 14 year old brother Joel (going to school) and her mother Addison (working as a waitress in a restaurant). May and her brother have a rather superficial relationship, mocking each other at times. She grew up without her father, not knowing anything about him and her mother staying quiet about his whereabouts. Her financial situation can be described as humble, which is why she almost never goes out.
Name: Kirin Lahnt
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Appearance:
Personality:
Most would say that Kirin is your average highschool student, high intellect but low work ethic. Sleeps in class because he stays up too late playing videogames. He has a good head on his shoulders, less hard working than his parents would want, but very friendly and loyal. He has a strong sense of morals and is more open to trusting people than others might be.
Bio:
Kirin grew up in a family that was as typical as it gets, a hard-working father leaving first thing in the morning and coming home just in time for dinner. A stay-at-home mother who spends the day maintaining the house and children. A son and daughter of similar age, but far apart enough for the classic sibling rivalry. In spite of this, Kirin loves his younger sister as much as any protective brother would. For most of his life, all was serene.
At age 14, right before highschool, Kirin's life would take a turn. After a breakthrough in his research, Kirin's father took off on an expodition to some unexplored corner of the world, leaving the family with only checks that he would send monthly to keep them afloat in the dwindling economy. It's been five full years since his departure, and the past year has been void of letters of checks, causing a lot of stress upon the remainder of the family, his mother urging him to get a part-time job outside school to help out at home. Currently he works at the local grocery store every day after school, getting by and hoping every day to receive some sign from his father.
Create your character!Name:
Age: (must be 17-19, everyone is in the same graduating class)
Gender:
Appearance: (An image is acceptable, but if you use one be sure to note any differences from the image and your intended idea of your character's appearance. You may also type a paragraph detailing your character's appearance if you can't find an image that fits)
Personality/Background: (I am expecting at least two well thought out paragraphs. We want to know who your character is, and the more we know the easier it is to relate to relate to them.)
Game Rules (read this)1. I am the GM, and what I say goes. Similarly, Light's authority should be respected as well because he is my assistant-GM.
2. This story contains time travel and other difficult concepts as plot points, so it is understandable that you might get lost once in a while. Use this thread or PM me or Light if you have any questions as to what's going on.
3. You may not control another player's character without their explicit permission, and both players must contact me first.
4. You may not kill another player's character, see rule 3 for exceptions.
5. Respect each other. If you have an issue with another player, take it to PM's before I have to intervene.
6. Have fun! This is the most important rule, and if you break it I will personally find you and... "handle it"...
And... GO!
Light