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Finally... => Forum Games and Roleplaying => Roll To Dodge => Topic started by: Ehndras on February 22, 2017, 10:27:09 pm

Title: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Ehndras on February 22, 2017, 10:27:09 pm

Spoiler: Dear Gods, why. (click to show/hide)

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-Roll-To-Doom (an entire star system)

--Shenanigans - shenanigans everywhere

---Scifi / Futuristic RNG environments aplenty

----Choose-your-own RPG: chances are you won't make it

-----Cohesive incoherence: lets make this shit up as we go along

------Expect DM to err toward hard scifi/realism, with fanciful Winsanity when least expected

-------Dynamic settings: open-world, buildings, vehicles, space battles, !science!, exploration, and more

Imagine if RimWorld gave way to an entire galaxy where your imagination was the limit. You might find yourself captive on a slaver ship, lost on the surface of an unknown world, the unwitting host to confounding Xenos, or become an infamous legend through system-level fleet combat. Who you are defines your origin and nothing more. Life has a strange way of twisting the threads of fate... You may find yourself taking on a persona you'd never expect! Caught in the midst of intrigues you never saw coming. One day, you might catch a glimpse of yourself on the mirrored surface of thousand-year old rubble and wonder just who's tired eyes you see gazing back from the void...

Welcome to the Martyrs.

Spoiler: Introduction (click to show/hide)

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"Whether by fate, destiny, or sheer bad luck, you've awoken from cryptosleep in a darkened bunker of unknown origin. If anyone knows why, it sure ain't you sorry bastards. Who knows how long you've been down, up, or in here.

Somebody - somewhere - fucked up: maybe it was you. Perhaps not. Either way you slice it, you're stuck here:

Listening to this obstructively vague message from a disembodied voice in the back of your mind.



...Are you on drugs?



Right, nevermind. The crypto-fluids coursing through your bloodstream should be seeping past your kidneys soon: assuming you have any, and they function as expected.

Please ignore the unpleasant burning sensation as unfiltered metabolites pool within your bladder: this too will pass.

Oh, that urethral catheter might hurt coming out. Do be gentle, and watch out for side-effects. Who knows how long that shit's been running laps through your system.

In the meantime, I suggest you get yourself situated and figure out a course of action.

Like it or not, we're in this mess together: I'd like to get out of here relatively intact, thank you very much.

Actually, that's brings up a good point. Where the hell are we?

...

Oh. Shit. I'll be back soon. Try not to die in the meantime.

Over and out."

Spoiler: Code of Conduct (click to show/hide)

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Rule #01: “The code is more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.”

Rule #02: Ignore Rule #1 and note the italics - they're often hints or suggestions

Rule #03: Expect the unexpected, then un-expect that: add three teaspoons of chaos and mix for effect

Rule #04: Expect DM to err on the side of realism, to disastrous effect

Rule #05: Spectators and players can suggest actions or offer their characters up for popular vote if / when desired (a-la Warrens of Oric the Awesome] (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=121809.0)

Rule #06: Players can take direct control of their own characters where desired (A-la Einsteinian Roulette (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=106279.0))

Rule #07: Actions / Inquiries have consequences. Some good, some bad: others hilarious, or even horrifying.

Rule #08: Extrapolate, experiment, and hypothesize: DM plans are variable. Everything evolves with input.

Rule #09: Be bold. Be sensible. Employ logic. Go balls-deep. The choice is yours.

Rule #10: Let us weave the fabric of living legends: paving a sea of blood, rubble, and some unutterable hybrid of genius and madness!

Rule #13: ...Did I mention shenanigans?

Spoiler: They See Me Rollin' (click to show/hide)

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{1} – Catastrophic failure (!!FUN!!)
{2} – ...That was a bad idea (Hilarious failure)
{3} – You're skatin' on thin ice, buddy (Almost had it)
{4} – So you made it - this far (basic success)
{5} – You lucky bastard! (Excellence)
{6} – Okay, maybe you overdid it (Wildcard shenanigans)

Spoiler: Character Shiiiets (click to show/hide)

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Age: (18+)
Name: (Keep it classy, folks)
Gender: (See Physiology entry)
Profession:(Base template / optional specialization)
Physiology / Appearance: (Fluff / !FUN!, see entry)
Traits & Characteristics: (Variable traits, see entry)
Abilities / Skills: (Acquired, see entry)
Species: (Xenos will come later, don't bother with this yet.)

Example:

Name: Alekhsandr Shura Presnyakov
Gender: Male
Profession: Law Enforcement / Investigator {Template / Specialization)
Physiology / Appearance: Tall, slender, shoulder-length dark brown hair, light tan, hazel eyes, ocular recording implant
Traits & Characteristics: Acrophobic, ADD, autodidact, highly empathetic, manic-depressive (D-prime / M-secondary), OCD, Overzealous
Abilities / Skills: Lockpicking, Ballistics, Negotiation (if not then just lockpicking, thanks!)

{This character is based on myself, sans the implant and I'm just a patrol officer. You don't need to go into as much detail.}

Spoiler: Profession: (click to show/hide)

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Professions are class templates that form the starting foundation of your experience, knowledge, and skillset. Nothing prevents a chemist from learning to shoot a rifle or pilot a shuttle, but they should display a higher-than-average intuitive grasp toward their particular field.

Note: These are general templates. You are welcome to derive your own specialization or template, within reasonable limits.

Specialization: A specialist is great in a particular mode, and only moderately skilled in other topics within the same field. A "theoretical physicist" won't necessarily know how to repair a propulsion system, nor disarm an IED. Like all else, specializations come at a cost. Some specializations may combine the basic knowledge of two or more templates. A "genetic engineer" might know how to operate cloning and analysis software when available, but a "Geneticist" would have more in-depth theoretical knowledge on the subject. You can always choose a "lesser" tier specialization to broaden your skillset.

Its possible one or more skills may rarely, if ever, come in handy. Just the same, you may find them to be quite useful in the most unexpected circumstances.

Be creative. Choose, or create, a template & specialization - as well as any skills you're adamant about having. We'll figure it out together.

Templates (Specializations)
 
IT {Digital} (Developer, Software engineer, Hacker, Hardware engineer, etc.)
Law Enforcement {Support/Combat} (Bounty Hunter, Detective, Forensics, Mercenary, Mortician, Riot Police, Security, etc.)
Engineer {Bias toward application} (Aeronautics, Architect, Civil, Mechanic, Naval, Nuclear, Terraforming, Genetic, Robotics, etc.)
Scientist {Bias toward theoretical} (Biologist, Chemist, Geologist, Physicist, Geneticist, etc.)
Soldier {Combat/Support} (Artillery, combat medic, comms, demo, diver, infantry, intel, pilot, etc.)
Doctor {Medical} (Anesthesiologist, Nurse, Surgeon, Medic, etc.)
Navigator {Pilot/Pathfinder} (Heli, Horse, Lander, Naval, Shuttle, Spatial, Tanks, Transport, VTOL, Wheeled, etc.)
Archaeologist
Etc.

Spoiler: Physiology: (click to show/hide)

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Physiology: Your basic physiology is a primarily cosmetic characteristic. In special cases, they may affect something. For example, when set on fire, long hair tends to be a problem. Someone of dwarvish or small build may fit into a ventilation shaft, but Arnold Swarzenegger-style human fortresses can carry larger/heavier objects with greater ease.

DISCLAIMER: You can safely ignore 90% of this and go with a baseline Homo Sapiens Sapiens. In fact, I suggest that. Gives me less work.

Height: Dwarvish, Short / Small, Medium / Average, Tall, Human Tree
Weight: Sickly / Twig, slender / lithe, average, chubby / stocky, obese / Human fortress
Eye Color (https://www.google.com/#q=human+eye+color+variations): amber, blue, brown, gray, green, hazel, or red {mostly cosmetic}
Augments: Basic cybernetic implants, such as ocular zoom, crypt-key, limb replacement, etc. DM decides allowance on case-by-case basis. Later these can be purchased /found / installed. Disclaimer: Quality and construction may vary.
Hair Length: Bald, cropped, short, medium, shoulder length, long, rapunzel {mostly cosmetic}
Hair color: {purely cosmetic}
Sex / Gender (http://www.joshuakennon.com/the-six-common-biological-sexes-in-humans/): Male, Female, Hermaphrodite, Neuter, Eunuch, etc. {Disclaimer: Experimental purposes, ignore these. ONLY choose a variant if you truly understand what it is, or exhibit it yourself. Its far too complex to explain, and chances are it will never be relevant to the RP. Variables according to Humans' six most common karyotypes for sexual development: X - Turners, XX - basic female, XXY - Klinefelter, XY - basic male, XYY, XXXY}

Note: More can / may be added to any of the different categories as needed / requested / suggested.

Spoiler: Personality / Behavioral Traits & Characteristics: (click to show/hide)

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Personality / Behavioral Traits & Characteristics:

Note: Personality traits can be gained or lost under various odd circumstances. You're free to start with none. Beware, you may completely screw yourself depending on your choices. !FUN! may ensue if you acquire certain traits. Just roll with it and enjoy the show. Traits may or may not grant abilities, resistances, behavioral quirks, weaknesses, phobias, addictions, affinities, odd reactions, ruined negotiations, relationship drama, and Gods' know what else. Anything is possible, within {some shady, half-assed semblance of} reason.

Examples: Addictive personality, teetotaler, psychotic, ascetic, bad eyesight, eagle-eye, intuitive, introspective, rage, fast / slow metabolism, masochist, sadist, prosthophobe / prosthophile, xenophobe / xenophile, A- / Homo- / ? -Sexual, Nocturnal, Overzealous, coward, brave, Atheist, Spiritual inclination, deeply religious, etc.

Spoiler: Abilities / Skills: (click to show/hide)

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Abilities / Skills:

Skills and Abilities are acquired based on a combination of template, specialization, backstory, story progress, and shenanigans.

Your starting skills and abilities will be assigned semi-randomly as per your initial character design. The rest will come with time.

Spoiler: Player Characters: (click to show/hide)

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Hodor of Places(tm)

Spoiler: Notable NPCS: (click to show/hide)

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Hodor of Places(tm)

Son of Placeholder the First, Guardian of the Westbumblefarkian Isles, Wielder of Shenanigans, Champion of the Exhausted, Patron Saint of Procrastinators

Spoiler: Navigation & Maps: (click to show/hide)

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Hodor of Places(tm)

Spoiler: Inventory: (click to show/hide)

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Hodor of Places(tm)

Presenting Stuff & Things(tm), one-stop shop for all your useless vendor trash. Please mind the airlock, my insurances rates are through-the-hull as it is. Any children or priceless artifacts left unattended will be promptly sold back to you at exorbitant prices. Thank you, come again.

Spoiler: Lore: (click to show/hide)

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Hodor of Places(tm)

Soon to come: Lexicon of Useless Information(tm) and Theorycraft Jr - now available in bulk!

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Ehndras on February 22, 2017, 10:27:52 pm

{Saving for future needs}

Feel free to PTW if you're interested in playing or spectating. :) {Whether as a Player Character, NPC, or the physical embodiment of shenanigans, aka special events.}

Character details may be PM'd at will. You're welcome to figure out some clever ambitions/objectives/simple backstory that may or may not screw with the game's progress. Whether or not they're immediately made public, we can decide together. I for one enjoy harboring a few "secrets" among players, especially when it brings !!FUN!!.

Like Einsteinian Roulette, players may find themselves in all sorts of precarious situations, whether individually, in multiple parties, or as a group. If you're not *that* active, you can always hang back and do your own thing. I'm perfectly fine with that, and encourage it.

Cheers!

11:33 AM EST 02-22-17 Edit: As Shadow reminded me via PM, let me state that starting characters should be humanoids. Once we introduce Xenos, and they will surely come, we can start using them as N/PCs. Until then, go for anything between baseline and modified Human beings. Maybe later we can go nuts with transhumanist shenanigans, if / when we find the necessary facilities / equipment / or individuals. ;) For now, please stick to two-armed, two-legged organisms. Plzthx

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Haspen on February 23, 2017, 12:00:32 pm

PTW, as I appreciate the PM but have enough my own stuff to do on these crazy forums :P

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Harry Baldman on February 23, 2017, 12:54:16 pm

I'll... tentatively put down a WIP sheet here. Feel like making a space eunuch.

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Ehndras on February 23, 2017, 03:01:00 pm

Go for it. Whether we start off humble or all-out depends on the player base. I'm open to anything so long as its interesting. :)

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Lorknis on February 23, 2017, 03:35:32 pm

Spoiler: Jonah (click to show/hide)

Age: 32
Name: Jonah Shaffer
Gender: Male
Profession: Scientist/Biomechanical Engineer
Physiology / Appearance: Medium sized, lithe, Long orange hair, arms replaced with cybernetics.
Traits & Characteristics: Prosthophile atheist with introverted tendencies.
Abilities / Skills:
Species: Baseline human

So is this mostly correct?

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Ehndras on February 23, 2017, 11:41:13 pm

Perfectly fine, thanks for joining :) Once we get at least 3 players, we can start poking around as a group.

I will present a basic concept and we'll take it from there. This could go so many different ways, many of them hilarious. Ah, I love RTD's...

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: PyroDesu on February 24, 2017, 11:47:19 pm

I think I'll take a stab at it. Maybe get back into the swing of roleplay, maybe sow some chaos while I'm at it.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Name: Kris Falk
Age: 57
Gender: Female
Profession: Synthesist (Science)
Physiology/Appearance: Tall, twig, cropped silver/gray hair, gray eyes, pale skin, unclassed neural lace
Traits & Characteristics: Transhumanist, charismatic, neurotic, barophobic, weak bones
Abilities/Skills:
Species: Homo Sapiens Sapiens

Title: Re: Martyrs of the Vanguard (Neural Flagellation)
Post by: Ehndras on February 24, 2017, 11:48:32 pm

Oh dear gods, YES. I like where this is going.