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Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies Interest Check

Happy to see the interest, I'll get an OOC up pretty soon!

Qlippoth Shift: A Supernatural Action RP About Combating Otherworldy Anomalies Interest Check

2052.

In some ways the world has changed. In some ways, it’s stayed the same.

Technology has advanced. New medical treatments and ways of interacting with the virtual world have taken center stage as humanity marches into the future. Alongside these new advancements have come machines designed for combat, powered armors and other weaponry once thought to be the place of fiction.

But this world is not one founded on technology and logic.

There are some things that make such an understanding of the world insufficient.

Creatures from myth and folklore. Artifacts possessed of bizarre properties. Curses. Unnatural horrors of the night. Things that have found there way in from other planes of existence.

For a long time, such mysteries beyond human understanding remained hidden from society’s eye.

However---

It was over forty years ago, now, when the old illusion was shattered. The idea that the world was the realm of science alone was broken in 2010, when it appeared.

Forever remembered as Advent, that was the day when a bright light devastated the Southwest coast of the United States with its mere appearance, before carving a swath across the planet.

The devastation that followed the emergence of the Mashchith-Class Anomaly ‘Star of God’ left no further questions. There was no denying the reality that not only were there threats beyond human understanding in this world, but they could cause destruction of apocalyptic proportions.

The truth was no longer a secret, and the organizations that had worked to keep it so had failed.

Some collapsed. Others disappeared. And still others attempted to restructure.

It was in this period that a power struggle between several of these hidden organizations erupted. Eventually, one emerged victorious, absorbing the others.

Today, that organization is known as Sefirot.

To be the tree that holds up the world, it was crucial to use its power wisely. With so many unnatural things in this world that could pose a threat to humanity, Sefirot’s leadership put forward their new mission statement.

To eliminate the threats that could be destroyed. To monitor and contain those that could not.

Nearly every surviving nation is home to a branch of Sefirot. Within their advanced facilities, using both technological and supernatural means, countless Anomalies are contained. Others are monitored. And those that can be destroyed, that must be destroyed for the good of all humanity, have been.

Since 2010, the nation of Japan has worked hard to obtain a place among the world’s technological giants. But no amount of scientific advancement can secure any country against the Truth.

The Agents of Branch-092 have their work cut out for them. Containment of Anomalies that have already been located, threat assessment and identification of newly-located Anomalies, all of these duties fall under their purview.

But it’s not only Anomalies that threaten humanity.

The Black market. Terrorism. Criminal enterprises. Those who would use the unnatural world for their own gain, too, pose a threat to humanity at large.

And some threats might fester far deeper than even Sefirot’s Agents know.

---

Sefirot’s Agents are expected to be a cut above. Whether it be through the use of the magic within their bloodline permitting the use of spells for combat, unnatural or advanced weaponry, or an incredibly honed level of skill, it is clear that Sefirot accepts only those who are up for the task as their on-duty Agents.

And that’s who you’re going to be playing.

Volunteering, coercement, or even as a sentencing, somehow you’re one of Branch-092’s Agents, tasked with containing Anomalies and keeping the peace Sefirot strives for. This means you’ll be facing all sorts of strange beings or mystical artifacts, and even other human beings who may seek to use Anomalies for their own gain.

In terms of RP tone and direction, I’m envisioning this as a stylish-but-dark supernatural action RP, with some creepy and dark scenarios and enemies but also a lot of room for interesting characters and fun and exciting combat as well.

Also, @Raineh Daze will be my co-GM!

---

• Qlippoth Scale: The grading scale of Anomaly Threat Levels. Top-level threats with potentially apocalyptic levels of damage are extremely rarely seen, and graded as Mashchith on the scale outside of normal grading. The most common grades are as follows:
  
  • Tohu: The lowest grade on the Qlippoth Scale. Tohu-level Anomalies may be harmless or even beneficial, or are of a low enough threat level that no special actions must be taken for containment. Some Tohu-class Anomalies are even permitted to remain where they are discovered, while others may be taken in for their own safety. Still, Tohu-class Anomalies can sometimes pose a threat, and must be handled accordingly.
  • Avon: Avon-grade anomalies are typically potentially dangerous in some regard. While containment measures may be simple, or they may be easily eliminated, Avon-grade anomalies are always a potential danger. A capable Agent should be able to handle them regardless.
  • Esh: A grade for anomalies that pose a considerable threat. Esh-grade anomalies may have high potential for human casualties, and wide-ranging abilities or effects. Containment becomes a more complicated affair for Esh-grade anomalies and up. A middle ground in the Qlippoth scale between its lower and higher grades.
  • Hema: The second highest normal grade of the Qlippoth scale, Hema-grade Anomalies are often difficult to contain and possess numerous ways of thwarting containment. Their capabilities can cause mass human casualty if they are not dealt with. Extreme caution is advised for all Agents who must engage with a Hema-grade threat.
  • Af: The highest normal grade on the Qlippoth scale. Af-grade anomalies are extremely dangerous. If Hema-grade Anomalies can be quantified as posing a threat to an entire city, then Af-grade Anomalies can be said to pose a threat to an entire nation. Elimination or Containment of Af-grade Anomalies is absolutely paramount.
• AMATERASU: Branch-092’s ‘brain’, the advanced AI that primarily operates in assisting with threat grading and containment measures. She is also constantly monitoring Japan’s leylines, in order to detect any unusual activity as quickly as possible. Due to her part in containment measures for many Anomalies housed in Branch-092, AMATERASU’s operation is vital for the Branch’s operation and the region’s safety.
• RedMark: A globally-operating mercenary organization in staunch opposition to Sefirot. RedMark’s businesses is in war, and they will do anything they can to secure Anomalies in order to advance their dealings in violence. They have already obtained multiple Anomalies, including some of their highest-ranking mercenaries.

---

Branch-092 Contained Anomalies:

---

• Name:
• Age:
• Gender:
• Appearance:
• Psychological Profile: (It’s just personality)
• Skills:
• Abilities:
• Equipment:
• Background:

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

The girl drew in a deep breath.

Her hands tensed slightly.

You can always improve. You can always do better.

This was the thought process that had been ingrained in her since she could walk. Since her training began in earnest. Her grandfather had never told her to be satisfied with the level of skill she had obtained.

No, the message was clear.

She always needed to strive for more.

And thus, she trained.

For she could always improve. She could always get better. Even if she reached the peak of understanding, that only meant there was higher peak yet unconquered that she had to strive for.

Her left foot slipped back. Her right foot slipped forward.

Roukanken's blade gleamed in the sliver of light from the setting sun.

She could always go faster. She could always reach further. If there was something her blade couldn't reach now, then she would train until she could reach it tomorrow.

She raised Roukanken.

But then, she heard something. A sound from behind her.

Konpaku Youmu glanced back over her shoulder.

"Yuyuko-sa-"

---

"-ma-ghk?!"

This wasn't the garden. This wasn't Hakugyokurou's grounds.

That much was certain, even in a single instant.

But the question of where she was had to go unexplored.

She couldn't see her other half. Her vision already blurred. Her entire body felt stiff and immobile.

With a gasp, Youmu clutched at her chest, Roukanken falling from her grasp as she hit her knees.

Sweat dripped from her brow, her body shuddering now.

It wasn't a physical pain. There was no clear source. It was a twisting, burning emptiness, an agonizing absence that seemed to radiate through her entire body simultaneously. It was as if it was eating away at every single nerve ending, ever single muscle fiber, every part of her being. But there wasn't any question of why she felt this way. It was obvious from the very outset.

Half of her was missing.

Her vision was darkening already.

She wasn't sure if she could even live like this. Could she?

Was she about to-

"Y-Yuyuko-sama, I'm s-sorry, I-"

And then everything was clear again.

The pain ceased as abruptly as it had begun.

Youmu found herself on her hands and knees, panting, staring at the grassy floor. The searing emptiness that had nearly overtaken her was suddenly filled.

The small, silvery-haired girl's frame trembled there for a few moments, before she was able to raise her head.

There was the wispy, misty form again. The half of herself that had been missing.

Somehow, for just a single moment, Youmu had become disconnected from herself. It was a horrible, agonizing sensation, and something she never wanted to experience ever again.

As she took Roukanken in her hands and returned to her feet, quickly sheathing the longer of her two blades, she realized that just because the emptiness was gone did not mean everything was back to normal.

Her phantom half was not floating so freely, any longer. It was lower, and not moving as swiftly to follow the rest of her. And something still felt strange, as if there was a little hole somewhere.

It was as if her ethereal, noncoporeal half had been injured.

"Nn..."

It didn't make any sense. She couldn't figure out why it had happened, or where she was.

"Y... Yuyuko-sama? Something happened... where are you?"

Youmu cast her gaze about the area.

There was no-one else there, and it was certainly no-where she was familiar with. A stone building of a style she didn't recognize that seemed to have partially collapsed.

Yuyuko-sama wasn't there. In fact, this looked like no-where she'd ever been to before.

It was raining. It was, if nothing else, a little soothing to feel the rain now after what just happened.

If Yuyuko-sama wasn't here, she'd have to find her. If she couldn't find her, then she'd have to find a way back to where she was. It was as simple as that.

When she exited the building, she could see smoke in the distance.

Something told the half-phantom that immediately moving at her top speed wasn't a good idea, not after what had just happened and how she still felt.

But Youmu was still quite swift.

The village wasn't a recognizable style of architecture to her, either.

Especially when so much of it was destroyed. And as she pressed further-

There were bodies.

Someone who had been trained as she had was, of course, aware of the possibility of having to kill some day. But her contact with death had largely been through spirits in the Netherworld, and her own mistress. The sight of these corpses, many of them displaying grievous injuries, was enough to give her pause, her slender frame tensing for a few moments.

But all of this seemed... recent.

Youmu slowly moved one hand to Roukanken's hilt before she spoke again. Even if she'd been injured on a spiritual level, she was nothing but confident in her ability to fight.

So she prepared herself for such an outcome before she spoke.

"Hello?" she called, "Is anywhere here? Where am I?"

@PKMNB0Y@Raineh Daze@Drifting Pollen@EchoWolff

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

• Name: Konpaku Youmu
• Gender: Female
• Appearance: "If it's for Yuyuko-sama, I won't lose!" Youmu is pretty small, at under five feet.
• Personality: A calm, collected, and serious figure. This is the attitude that Konpaku Youmu attempts to portray at all times. To her credit, it isn't as if this demeanor is a falsehood in its entirety. The half-phantom samurai is dedicated and serious about her duty. The way in which thinks of herself and her training is quite serious. And she isn't some fool, lacking utterly in intelligence and wit, either. But she is still prone to being exasperated or confused when presented with strange or difficult situations, sometimes opting with a sigh to simply move ahead rather then attempt to deal with them. While she can figure things out and puzzle out the details, sometimes she would rather be done with it with a slash of her blade instead. This straightforward demeanor can sometimes lead to her not thinking as much as she should, but when Youmu stops to think she proves herself to be quite intelligent. And indeed, at most times, she is a dutiful and serious warrior. Her loyalty to Saigyouji Yuyuko is unquestioning and absolutely, but she also has a dislike of general cruelty and those who would act evil for their own sake. Without the direct guidance of her mistress, it's likely Youmu will behave in a manner suited to her morality and thus against those who would pursue such endeavors. She is also reluctant to use lethal force against sapient beings unless absolutely necessary, in order to defend herself or others. Her chief concern is always her service to and the wellbeing of her mistress. In spite of being half-phantom, serving a ghost, and possessing weapons that can destroy ghosts, Youmu has a fear of ghost stories that can shatter her otherwise prideful and brave demeanor. Otherwise, however, she is highly unlikely to relent in battle and possesses a strong pride in her skill and weaponry.
  
  This strong pride, however, means she feels any setbacks all the more keenly. Failure causes Youmu to become withdrawn, and she is quite likely to question her own worthiness. This can even cause her to become depressed and obsessive over training, in the belief that it's the only way she can make up for her training. To Youmu, failure not only reflects upon herself but also upon her mistress and her family line, and thus she has to work all the harder to try and make up for faltering even once.
• Brief History: Born into the Konpaku family, service to the Princess of the Netherworld, Saigyouji Yuyuko, was set to be Youmu's duty from birth. Indeed, she was trained by her grandfather to this end, and relentlessly sought to improve herself up to her appointment to Yuyuko's service and beyond. This ideal was drilled into her, but so was pride in her bloodline and her service. Even if she wasn't sure how to handle the eccentric ghost's behavior at first(and she still isn't exactly). Her loyalty was absolute regardless, even when it came to the theft of spring to force a mysterious cherry tree to bloom purely so that her mistress could revive the one buried beneath her. Her failure to secure her objective, and her fear over what could have happened if she had succeeded formed contradictory feelings within her and sent her into a depressive state for a short time after the incident was resolved. Since that point, Youmu was involved in resolving multiple incidents herself.
• Universe of Origin: Touhou Project
• Equipment: Youmu's two chief pieces of equipment are her unbreakable youkai-forged blades, Roukanken and Hakurouken. Roukanken is a long-bladed katana with a cutting age sufficient to split apart even immaterial beings such as phantoms. Without magical protection, even stone or sturdy steel can be cleaved apart. 'The things that my Roukanken cannot cut are next to none' is not an empty boast. However, magical defenses can prove to be an obstacle and deflect or block Roukanken. Hakurouken is a shorter katana, a wakizashi with spiritual capabilities. While it cannot instantly force spirits to experience Nirvana in this world, it can mount a direct spiritual attack upon them and even bypass possessed vessels to damage them directly.
• Abilities: As a half-phantom Youmu is far longer-lived then an ordinary human. Despite looking like she's no older then her mid-teens at most and possessing youth to match she is already likely somewhere in her 50s. This extends to her healing abilities. While she is not capable of regeneration on the level of youkai, serious injuries are far easier for her to recover from. As a half-phantom, a part of her is embodied in the form of a drifting, ghostly phantom half that floats beside her. Normally, this phantom half and become her duplicate in order to attack in concert with her for some techniques. However, due to a spiritual injury, this is not possible until the injury has healed. This injury also inhibits Youmu in some other ways, such as her agility. While she can still move incredibly swiftly, she cannot reach her top speed for longer then a single second, or else her phantom half will 'fall behind' and risk far more serious metaphysical damage. Until she is fully recovered, she must limit herself accordingly. Still, she is incredibly agile, and the speed at which she can swing her swords is not affected. Indeed, Youmu is a highly skilled and capable swordswoman who can wield her blades both one and two-handed. Oftentimes she wields both Roukanken and Hakurouken at once. She is also capable of danmaku, and can even dull the lethality of her blades to avoid killing a target. Chief among her bloodline's techniques, and Youmu's most powerful attack, is Matsuyoi-Reflecting Satellite Slash. A technique that surpasses the planet itself by utilizing the infinite reflection of light between Roukanken and the moon. This reflection is transformed into an 'infinite edge', allowing Youmu to strike the entire battlefield simultaneously with a searing blade of light. In a single moment, it's as if her sword has truly become infinity. This attack is limited by requiring the moon to be fully visible, and the brief time it takes for her to fully prepare it.
• Other: Due to a spiritual injury, Youmu is incapable of moving at her full speed for longer then a single second at risk of damaging her phantom half further. While she's still extremely, extremely fast, she has to take it easy to avoid the worst outcome until she has fully recovered.

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

• Name: Konpaku Youmu
• Gender: Female
• Appearance: "If it's for Yuyuko-sama, I won't lose!" Youmu is pretty small, at under five feet.
• Personality: A calm, collected, and serious figure. This is the attitude that Konpaku Youmu attempts to portray at all times. To her credit, it isn't as if this demeanor is a falsehood in its entirety. The half-phantom samurai is dedicated and serious about her duty. The way in which thinks of herself and her training is quite serious. And she isn't some fool, lacking utterly in intelligence and wit, either. But she is still prone to being exasperated or confused when presented with strange or difficult situations, sometimes opting with a sigh to simply move ahead rather then attempt to deal with them. While she can figure things out and puzzle out the details, sometimes she would rather be done with it with a slash of her blade instead. This straightforward demeanor can sometimes lead to her not thinking as much as she should, but when Youmu stops to think she proves herself to be quite intelligent. And indeed, at most times, she is a dutiful and serious warrior. Her loyalty to Saigyouji Yuyuko is unquestioning and absolutely, but she also has a dislike of general cruelty and those who would act evil for their own sake. Without the direct guidance of her mistress, it's likely Youmu will behave in a manner suited to her morality and thus against those who would pursue such endeavors. She is also reluctant to use lethal force against sapient beings unless absolutely necessary, in order to defend herself or others. Her chief concern is always her service to and the wellbeing of her mistress. In spite of being half-phantom, serving a ghost, and possessing weapons that can destroy ghosts, Youmu has a fear of ghost stories that can shatter her otherwise prideful and brave demeanor. Otherwise, however, she is highly unlikely to relent in battle and possesses a strong pride in her skill and weaponry.
  
  This strong pride, however, means she feels any setbacks all the more keenly. Failure causes Youmu to become withdrawn, and she is quite likely to question her own worthiness. This can even cause her to become depressed and obsessive over training, in the belief that it's the only way she can make up for her training. To Youmu, failure not only reflects upon herself but also upon her mistress and her family line, and thus she has to work all the harder to try and make up for faltering even once.
• Brief History: Born into the Konpaku family, service to the Princess of the Netherworld, Saigyouji Yuyuko, was set to be Youmu's duty from birth. Indeed, she was trained by her grandfather to this end, and relentlessly sought to improve herself up to her appointment to Yuyuko's service and beyond. This ideal was drilled into her, but so was pride in her bloodline and her service. Even if she wasn't sure how to handle the eccentric ghost's behavior at first(and she still isn't exactly). Her loyalty was absolute regardless, even when it came to the theft of spring to force a mysterious cherry tree to bloom purely so that her mistress could revive the one buried beneath her. Her failure to secure her objective, and her fear over what could have happened if she had succeeded formed contradictory feelings within her and sent her into a depressive state for a short time after the incident was resolved. Since that point, Youmu was involved in resolving multiple incidents herself.
• Universe of Origin: Touhou Project
• Equipment: Youmu's two chief pieces of equipment are her unbreakable youkai-forged blades, Roukanken and Hakurouken. Roukanken is a long-bladed katana with a cutting age sufficient to split apart even immaterial beings such as phantoms. Without magical protection, even stone or sturdy steel can be cleaved apart. 'The things that my Roukanken cannot cut are next to none' is not an empty boast. However, magical defenses can prove to be an obstacle and deflect or block Roukanken. Hakurouken is a shorter katana, a wakizashi with spiritual capabilities. While it cannot instantly force spirits to experience Nirvana in this world, it can mount a direct spiritual attack upon them and even bypass possessed vessels to damage them directly.
• Abilities: As a half-phantom Youmu is far longer-lived then an ordinary human. Despite looking like she's no older then her mid-teens at most and possessing youth to match she is already likely somewhere in her 50s. This extends to her healing abilities. While she is not capable of regeneration on the level of youkai, serious injuries are far easier for her to recover from. As a half-phantom, a part of her is embodied in the form of a drifting, ghostly phantom half that floats beside her. Normally, this phantom half and become her duplicate in order to attack in concert with her for some techniques. However, due to a spiritual injury, this is not possible until the injury has healed. This injury also inhibits Youmu in some other ways, such as her agility. While she can still move incredibly swiftly, she cannot reach her top speed for longer then a single second, or else her phantom half will 'fall behind' and risk far more serious metaphysical damage. Until she is fully recovered, she must limit herself accordingly. Still, she is incredibly agile, and the speed at which she can swing her swords is not affected. Indeed, Youmu is a highly skilled and capable swordswoman who can wield her blades both one and two-handed. Oftentimes she wields both Roukanken and Hakurouken at once. She is also capable of danmaku, and can even dull the lethality of her blades to avoid killing a target. Chief among her bloodline's techniques, and Youmu's most powerful attack, is Matsuyoi-Reflecting Satellite Slash. A technique that surpasses the planet itself by utilizing the infinite reflection of light between Roukanken and the moon. This reflection is transformed into an 'infinite edge', allowing Youmu to strike the entire battlefield simultaneously with a searing blade of light. In a single moment, it's as if her sword has truly become infinity. This attack is limited by requiring the moon to be fully visible, and the brief time it takes for her to fully prepare it.
• Other: Due to a spiritual injury, Youmu is incapable of moving at her full speed for longer then a single second at risk of damaging her phantom half further. While she's still extremely, extremely fast, she has to take it easy to avoid the worst outcome until she has fully recovered.

Lily isn't working out, unfortunately, so I'm going to make her an NPC.

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

@Izurich: Sadly, it's a lot harder to stop Flan from exploding things that make her upset enough then it is to say Fate Manipulation doesn't work in another universe.

@Vlad Tepes: I'd like some idea of the range of Demonic Meggido, as well as maybe some limitations? Can it be defended against?

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

This situation had only barely not escalated to blows. Fanilly felt as if her lack of action was at least somewhat response, possibly even moreso then the mage girl's actions.

She took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"Sir Fionn, I... I know how you must feel," she said, noting how the knight had to be held back, "But for the moment we should focus on getting through this test as soon as possible. We don't know what we're going to be facing, so even if we can't die permanently here we need to focus on our preparations."

Certainly, the mere fact that they couldn't die here didn't mean that they could embrace that fact to accomplish their test, whatever form it may take.

Rather, it meant that their best option was to approach this as if they were still just as mortal as they were in the real world, no matter what bizarre location this may have been.

"Let's get something to eat."

@Octo@The Otter@Raineh Daze@HereComesTheSnow

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

She was waking up...

Lily's hands clenched a little tightly. She couldn't help but fret. There wasn't much she could do from here, her purification abilities extended only to outside contamination. She couldn't do anything about physical injury, but it seemed as if Sanae could.

The girl under the beam was slender, possibly in her early teens by her appearance, with grey hair reaching to her mid-back and blue eyes. As she began to stir, she blearily blinked a few times. As Lily watched, she was somewhat relieved to see that the girl was able to sit up all on her own.

"Mnn... what happened?" the girl asked, placing one hand to her forehead. She paused for a moment as she realized her palm was now marked with a streak of red from where she'd sustained a minor head injury.

Lily found herself reaching out for her, but then she hesitated. There wasn't much she could do.

"I remember..." the girl trailed off for a moment, her eyes widening moments later.

"The Raven Heralds! Where... are they still here?! Where is everyone? Are they alright?! Is Father-..."

She trailed off again, as if remembering something, her bloodied hand falling into her lap.

@PKMNB0Y@Raineh Daze

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

@Vlad Tepes: I think we can take on at least a couple more characters.

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

@Ariana Grey: Sorry I didn't respond more quickly, but no-one has taken Aerith.