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[gman8181]

OOC Thread and Player Applications

Welcome to Masters of Manipulation!  Four lucky people get to join and play as a human, dwarf or elf in an attempt to learn the arts of matter manipulation to achieve whatever wonderfully imaginative goals you guys come up with!  More details are included in the spoilers below and if you're interested please post a character sheet so I can look through them.

You can come up with whatever goals you want in this game but you'll likely find things more rewarding if you go about becoming more powerful in the art of matter manipulation as well as actually manipulating the NPC's around you to achieve your goals.

Spoiler: Character Sheet Format (click to show/hide)

Name: What do people call you?
Appearance: What is your starting appearance?
Personality: What are you like?  How do other people usually see you?
Back Story: You all are newly graduated manipulation practitioners but please write up a little back story like what made you set out on your current path.
Starting Planet: Would you like to start on the Human, Dwarven, or Elven planet?  Space travel is easily possible but can be expensive.

Spoiler: Some Basic Game Stuff For You (click to show/hide)

You each will be playing as a human, dwarf or elf. The race difference is mostly just fluff but I will be adding in some initial differences between your characters based on race, backstory, etc.  Magic or Manipulation as I'm going to term it will play a very large role in this game.  All void beings can use it to varying degrees with the lower void beings technically having the potential but lacking the intelligence to utilize it. Unlike void beings only a few mortals actually know how to use it.  You are a few such mortals.  Manipulation takes the place of science in this game and is used to create everything from basic weapons to powerful warships and lightning cannons.  Spells require sacrifices to cast.  Smaller spells just cost a few HP while rituals usually require the actual killing of something.  Creating things and Enchanting things is far more expensive and requires many sacrifices.

The in game universe is split into two areas.  The Central Realm is like real life with countless planets and other cool stuff drifting in space.  It's filled primarily with Humans, Dwarves and Elves all of which will hopefully have nice and unique cultures and racial characteristics as I flesh things out more.  The three races all have their own basic home world.  Humans have a shadowy war ravaged planet with huge buildings and structures, large populations and constant rain and large smog clouds.  Dwarves live in a hot mountainous planet with some deserts, hot temperatures, little rain and long days with short nights.  Elves live in a frozen tundra planet where everything is freezing cold and there are harsh winds blowing with lots of snow.  There are other planets too but you find out more about them as the game goes on and things progress.

The Void consists of many different outer realms that can be accessed through void gates or void slips.  The former is a long term portal that is very expensive to create and the latter is a short term portal that is easier to create.  It is much easier to create a portal to the Void than from the Void.  The Void is also where magic originated from and it is filled with endless void beings and their masters who fight huge battles for power and followers.  Even though the number of void beings is limitless, the number of followers each Void Lord has is not and they struggle constantly to acquire more followers.

Spoiler: World Lore (click to show/hide)

Long ago was the Age of Technology.  People were always trying to discover new things and come up with new inventions.  At some point someone was looking for a supply of infinite energy and accidentally opened up a gateway to the void.  A bunch of void beings spilled out and the energies released gave a bunch people special powers.  This was the beginning of the end for the Age of Technology and the Age of Manipulation began.  Manipulation (aka Magic) could be used to do everything science and technology could do before by manipulating energy.  People didn't understand how things worked anymore but they didn't need to because they could just make it happen.  Unfortunately this came at a price because Manipulation requires sacrifice as a cost.  So the new most important resources became life and everyone started a bunch of wars using new Manipulation created weapons along with Void beings brought forth from portals.

Spoiler: Current Players (click to show/hide)

*BFEL - Liam Macteeger
*griffinpup - Korgoth
*LordBucket - Trisha
*escaped Lurker - Sahal Adnarei

Spoiler: Wait List (click to show/hide)

*Vgray
*Xantalos?

Spoiler: Retired (click to show/hide)

*ppllmmnnqqaazz - Silidar Orochu

[Xantalos]

Actually just PTW

[BFEL]

Name: Liam Macteeger
Appearance: A short Irishman with red hair and a green suit, complete with green hat
Personality: Hates: Being mistaken for a dwarf, not being drunk, peace and quiet. Likes: Being drunk, whoring, fighting, Leprechauns (he is convinced he is one)
Back Story: Macteeger had a nasty bump on the head back when the Void beings started showin up and physics got all wonky on im. Now he's convinced he's a leprechaun and spends most of is' time either bein the most stereotypical Irishman in history or tryin to find his Lucky Charms
Starting Planet: Human (though his mind is possibly somewhere else)

[griffinpup]

I'm so in.

[escaped lurker]

Spoiler: Waitlist Me (click to show/hide)

Name: Sahal Adnarei
Appearance: Even tallish for an Elv, Sahal sports (painfully cared for) silken skin in a bronze hue, skillfully braided (and not less cared for) auburn hair at buttocks length - most often accompanied by a diadem of some sorts - and deep-set eyes of limegreen coloration.
Personality: Collected, friendly and down-to-earth on the outside, Sahal is an unbearable anger-prone narcist in private. Wich means, "In his own company" - Everything else is "not-private" and subject to his mask. Since his rage often includes breaking or throwing around stuff, he has added "a bit clumsy" to his mask - people were getting suspicious. He is quite capable at keeping this "Mask" of his up at all times - no doubt he would have had problems coming so far with his true personality. As he also shuns maidens who might be fairer than him, and one-a-two of those who approached him were shot down, there is actually a rumor going around that questions his favored choice of partner...
Back Story: While obviously an Elv of Sahals (imagined) standing needs to stand at the top, certain abilities make this far easier. To sustain his sanity under the self-imposed goal of "getting ahead as far as possible", he opted for the way of manipulation. Certainly not one of his worse choices, at least as things stand now. If you would ask his mask for the reason behind his choice of career, it would be a semi-long spiel wich would result in "To further Elvendom". Or similiar - Sahal is not that picky about what he tells other people, provided it gets them out of his face a bit faster.
Starting Planet: As a "true patriot" of the Elven Race, there would be no place for Sahal but their homeplanet. Truth is, he is just too lazy to learn the new customs that would come with another Planet. That and he has better ways of spending money. (You need to know? Well, Skin and Haircare, Nail-Polishings, Jewelery for the Occasion, Silken Clothes... Hey, you asked - no complaining now!)

I was actually quite interested in the Suggestion-Game of back then. Would be glad to join once I have "steady access" again. Else, choleric narcists are fun. I hope.

Edit: My Attendance will be spotty for another 3 weeks or so. And then it depends on how fast my lappy gets his fix. Just saying is all ;o

[LordBucket]

Name: Trisha
Appearance: Small, frail-looking girl with a perpetual cough. 5'2" 100 pounds, brown hair and eyes. Delicate.
Starting Planet: Human

Back Story: Born severely anemic, Trisha spent years of her childhood indoors watching the other children play through her bedroom window while she laid in bed. She was perpetually dissatisfied with her life, always wanting more. But her condition prevented her from having the energy to be very angry about it. The few times she tried throwing  tantrums generally resulted in her passing out. Instead her feelings stayed at the level of a cool, constant awareness of what she lacked and what others had. Always wanting more but never being able to do very much about it, when she learned about the art of manipulation, she decided that this would be her path to normalcy.

Personality: Quiet, and non-confrontational, Trisha is accustomed to people taking care of her. Her size of frailty tends to provoke protective instincts in others, though some few come away with a slight sense that something is very wrong with her, almost as if it lies just beyond the range of their perception...but they can't quite see it.

[griffinpup]

Name: Korgoth
Appearance: Tall with black hair, he almost always wears a black cloak
Starting Planet: Human

Back Story: To be written.

Personality: He is consumed with himself.  He searches for immortality at any cost.

[gman8181]

Nice character sheets so far.  If I get everyone's soon, I'll try and finish the first turn by tomorrow night.

LordBucket, I was planning to have the character backgrounds influence their starting stats.  With yours being sickly, I figured she would have lower starting health but significantly higher persuasion and slightly higher stealth.  That would impact how you play the character somewhat more than the other player backgrounds would so I just wanted to see if you're comfortable with that.

[Xantalos]

Editing. Thing up in several hours.
Er, actually I don't think I can do this. In too many games for now to participate in this, sorry.

[LordBucket]

LordBucket
she would have lower starting health but significantly higher persuasion and slightly higher stealth
I just wanted to see if you're comfortable with that.

Yes, that's fine.

[Vgray]

Hello again Peanut Man.

My internet is a little unpredictable at the moment, but I might have something for the waitlist.

How likely is it that someone will die over the course of the game?

[NRDL]

PTW

[gman8181]

I've been PMed by a player asking to participate which happened to coincide well with Xantalos withdrawing, so we'll just wait for his character sheet here and begin.

Editing. Thing up in several hours.
Er, actually I don't think I can do this. In too many games for now to participate in this, sorry.

No problem, sorry you couldn't participate.

Hello again Peanut Man.

My internet is a little unpredictable at the moment, but I might have something for the waitlist.

How likely is it that someone will die over the course of the game?

I'll wait list you and hope you get better internet soon!  The survival rate is likely going to be dependent on how careful each player is.  More risks = more rewards but don't jump into situations beyond your capabilities.  Sometimes running will be the best option and almost all situations will have a solution that isn't direct violence.

PTW

Great!  Let me know if you want to be wait listed as well.

[ppllmmqqaazz]

Name: Silidar Orochu

Appearance: Tall, with Lackluster Blond hair, brown eyes, and extremely pale skin. Little (but still existent) muscle definition, and slim.

Personality: Extremely reserved, Silidar will go to great lengths to prevent extended interaction with others, and, when necessary, his participation is conversations is limited to one to two word responses. When in a group, he tends to simply go with the crowd, regardless of what that entails. He greatly prefers being alone, which is part of the reason he left his home world.

Back story: Unsatisfied with a life in the family business (mostly because it required conducting business with others in person), Silidar decided that learning manipulation would eventually allow him to be more independent. Much to the disagreement of his parents and sister, he left his home with his share of the estate. Realizing that manipulation takes a certain degree of skill, he has decided to go with a group for the time being, before setting out on his own.

Starting Planet: The elven one

[gman8181]

Year 100
Month 1 Day 1
21 Hours Galactic Time

Spoiler: BFEL (click to show/hide)

Name: Liam Macteeger
Appearance: A short Irishman with red hair and a green suit, complete with green hat
Size: 4 feet 6 inches
HP: 20 + 2
Movement: 20 + 1 = 21
Endurance: 25
Strength: 25
Speed: 15
Agility: 15
Dexterity: 20
Stealth: 25
Persuasion: 20
Manipulation: 10
Equipment:  +2 green suit, +1 green hat

In a poorly lit tavern, deep in the slums, you take a seat on one of the five wooden stools arrayed near the bar counter. The area around you is mostly silent except for murmured whispers from the few small groups drinking and chatting in scattered sections of the room. For a brief moment your mind wonders and you try to recollect how you got to this place. Unfortunately your pondering is cut short by the bartender’s,
   “Well?”
He’s balding, wrinkled and smells like vomit too, but the real problem isn’t so much his features as it is the way he’s looking at you.
   “Look at the way that ass is staring at you!”
You turn towards the voice to see a small man dressed similarly to you standing on the bar counter nearby. He’s pretty small, only about a foot tall but other than that, his appearance is largely identical to your own.
   “Are you just gonna sit there and let that guy look at you like some sorta freak?!?  MAKE HIM SHOW SOME RESPECT!”

Spoiler: Griffinpup (click to show/hide)

Name: Korgoth
Appearance: Tall with black hair, he almost always wears a black cloak
Size: 6 feet 2 inches
HP: 20 + 2 = 22
Movement: 20 + 2 = 22
Endurance: 20
Strength: 20
Speed: 20
Agility: 20
Dexterity: 20
Stealth: 20
Persuasion: 20
Manipulation: 10
Equipment: +2 black cloak, +1 underclothing

You briskly walk through a wet dark alley with rain pouring down in deafening sheets from above. Wearing a black cloak really isn’t that big of a deal on a planet that has near constant rainfall. Actually quite a lot of people on this planet wear cloaks or similarly rain resistant garments, so if anything you fit in quite well. Unfortunately fitting in doesn’t really equate to looking intimidating and as you enter into the darkest part of the alley way, a man with a hooded jacket and a mask hops out from behind some trash cans, nearly skidding and falling onto the wet pavement. He holds out a knife towards your chest and screams out shrilly,
   “Give me all your stuff!”
It’s hard to tell with the clothing he has on, but your guess is that this is just another random starving man. One out of a million, this guy just happened to have the poor chance of trying to steal from a man recently learned in the arts of Manipulation.

Spoiler: Lord Bucket (click to show/hide)

Name: Trisha
Appearance: Small, frail-looking girl with a perpetual cough. 5'2" 100 pounds, brown hair and eyes. Delicate.
Size: 5 feet 2 inches
HP: 20 + 1 - 5(anemic) = 16
Movement: 20 + 1 = 21
Endurance: 12
Strength: 15
Speed: 15
Agility: 20
Dexterity: 20
Stealth: 25
Persuasion: 30
Manipulation: 13
Equipment: +2 grey shirt, +1 black pants

The old shriveled man stares at you harshly for what seems like an eternity. Finally, just when it seemed the silence would never end, he speaks up.
   “I’ve taught you all I can girl. My end of the bargain is fulfilled so get out.”
This man is your teacher. Correction, he was your teacher. Now you’ve learned all you can from him and your apprenticeship is done. The College of Manipulation never accepted you because of your condition but by giving this backwater hermit everything you owned, things paid off and look at you now. You’re a fledgling manipulation practitioner and off the books as well. Good thing too. Those government type don’t just let new practitioners go off and follow their dreams. That knowledge comes with a price. Lifelong service in return for power, a fate which in some ways you were fortunate to escape.
   “Well girl, what the hell are you waiting for?!? Get out of my house!”
With that he pushes you out the door rather forcefully into the downpour outside. Really you should hate this man. He taught you Manipulation but he also treated you like dirt the entire time. To him you were weak because of your condition. If he wasn’t desperate for the money, there’s a good chance he would never have taken you in. Now as you stand out in the harsh chilling rain, your entire life is ahead of you. A long road stretches through miles of murky swamp land until it reaches the nearby city perimeter. Unfortunately all your worldly possessions now belong to that old man inside and you are alone without friends or family. Still… you learned more than Manipulation during your stay here. You learned about your teacher. You know his habits and his schedules. You know that in an hour from now, he’ll be settling down to go to sleep. Your teacher is a deep sleeper.

Spoiler: Ppllmmqqaazz (click to show/hide)

Name: Silidar Orochu
Appearance: Tall, with Lackluster Blond hair, brown eyes, and extremely pale skin. Little (but still existent) muscle definition, and slim.
Size: 6 feet 3 inches
HP: 20 +2 =22
Movement: 20 + 2 = 22
Endurance: 20
Strength: 20
Speed: 20
Agility: 20
Dexterity: 20
Stealth: 20
Persuasion: 15
Manipulation: 13
Equipment: +2 brown fur long coat, +1 fur underclothing

Your family thought you were crazy when you told them what you were planning.  None of them really thought you’d go through with moving to another planet.  They all just sort of laughed it off like some sort of funny joke.  Well they didn’t find it so amusing when you actually left did they?  Some nasty words were said that day and in all honesty, it’s quite likely they’ll never want to see you again.  The good news is that you’ve found a new family here.  At least something as close to a family as suites your purpose.  Two other manipulation practitioners, elven brothers as it so happens.  You’ve started something of a cabal as it were.  Unlicensed practitioners are generally frowned upon but your group has a decent base hidden in the harshest parts of the frozen tundra.  The brothers are back at the base right now but you’ve been sent out into the elements to retrieve some “supplies.”  Really anything living would do nicely and you would have been content to find a snow rabbit or two.  Instead you found something altogether different.  A person dressed in heavy furs is slowly crawling through the snow up ahead, looking half dead and completely lost.  It’s quite likely the person will die out here soon if left unaided but if assistance is rendered, survival wouldn’t be too much of a long shot.


I wanted to work on this more but then I decided to just get it out there so the game can start rolling.  Advice or recommendations for what could be done better with the game are welcome of course!