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The year is 1917. The RMS Lusitania has been in service for eleven years. The Zimmerman Telegram is widely understood to be a well-crafted fraud perpetrated by British intelligence, and the Entente Powers grow desperate. After the assassination of his trusted adviser, Rasputin, Tsar Nikolai II finally relents to his cousin’s ploy to save their empires. To stave off mutiny on the front lines, or worse, social revolution at home, something drastic had to be done. Something that would give them a true edge over their enemy. Something occult. Something dangerous. Doors were opened that could never be closed again. They could not keep control of this new power, and the world broke down very, very quickly. ‘Civilization-as-they-knew-it’ was gone, and it was only through the most noble and heroic effort that humanity as a whole didn’t end. But this isn’t about that story.  It’s been 200 years, and all those fuckup idiots are long dead. You live in Avalon City, the beating heart of the goddamn 'free world', along with millions of other desperate shlubs. Thousands more pour in every day from the hinterlands, escaping the grasp of some robber baron or crawling out of some squalid shelter, and the city takes them in like a mop takes in water. It’s the city that never sleeps. The city that nothing leaves. Most people can find everything they could ever want in the city – find, but not reach. Their dreams dangle just a couple inches too high to grasp. Well, you’re not like most people, are you? Of course, taking what you deserve might piss off the Knights of Chivalry and Order, or as anyone whose not a wonk calls ‘em, the Knights. The so-called heroes of the city have the power and authority to deal with superpowered threats, but they’re a cautious and conservative bunch, easy to outmaneuver as long as you don’t act like a dolt. Watch out for the Young Knights, though. They might have less experience, but they want to rise. That means getting results, and really, that means showing your beat face to the cameras. Just a word of advice, if anyone from the Table shows up, that’s when you know it’s time to clear out and book it. Only the most veteran Knights are ever graced with a position at the Table, and while they might seem like a bunch of softies from all the charity work and fundraisers they show on TV, there is a reason why the Table ‘actively advises’ the mayor on issues of security and policy (Hey, isn’t that everything?). Speaking of the Mayor, hoo boy what an election the city just had. GCEO (God Chief Executive Officer) Jordan Wells beat the Supreme Sorceress Sandra (No Last Name Given, As Names Have Power) with a 0.7% lead after the courts ruled (in a 5/4 decision, of course) that demons summoned after the election season began could not cast valid votes. The whole city was in a rage about activist judges getting kickbacks from the Church, but when is the city not in a rage about something? Per the Constitution, Jordan was sworn in as Mayor and Sandra as Vice-Mayor. And as our founding fathers intended; both leaders immediately began to undermine the other in hopes of making them seem weak before the next election. A proud Avalonian tradition continues on. So, the time is ripe, the city bursting with potential – all you have to do to reach success is break a little thing called the law, and maybe find a few companions to join you on the way. --- What the hell is a Capers? A Capers! Is a game based off of the Masks in which you are a cool teenage super-villain doing super-villainous teenage things. The tone to shoot for is the kind of cartoon network, light-hearted JRPG tone of villainy, evil enough to be dastardly and devilish in that kind of silly way, but not to the point where everyone starts getting uncomfortable from your graphically detailed orphan eating scenes. And remember the words of TDN, "Please do not forget the context this story is in. This is not just about villains. This is about teenage villains doing teenage villainy. For this reason, we want to approach it with a slightly more juvenile slant, and the content should match." Wait a second this Yep, I’m ripping almost all of this intro text off of TheNabster’s own ‘Zeroes of Disharmony’ Capers! thread. He used the setting of ‘Harmonia’, first used by jimmydalad in their own Masks game, and while I’m not setting this game in that exact world I am heavily drawing inspiration from it. To put it another way, all of the accepted apps from that thread fit within the boundaries of what I want Avalon City to be. So what is this setting exactly Post-post Apocalypse kinda-lovely mega city? Everything was going semi-normal until the inbred royalty of Europe unleashed some funky magic at the tail end of World War 1, and effectively shattered the world to pieces. Rebuilding took some time, and technology is developed to roughly modern times + some weird experimental magitech. Avalon City isn’t a dystopia. It’s actually a pretty alright place to live if only compared to some of the other dumps in the world. But to a rowdy teenager, a ‘pretty alright place’ is just the pits! It’s not even bad enough to be Bad Enough, ya know? There aren't going to be big umbrella 'villain unions', but other small criminal cabals will exist as both a resource to tap and rivals to fame and fortune. Other questions? When will recruitment end? I’m angling for the How many players are you taking on? - I’m aiming for about 5-6 players. Where can I find you so I can yell at you - I lurk frequently in #swampthings and #Capers!. I also have PM access if you are allergic to IRC for some reason. Is this game PvP heavy? - You are playing a bunch of supervillains with like 80 personal agendas, you tell me. But in all seriousness I quote the words of TDN who wrote Capers! "Player vs. Player - Much more than Masks, Capers! will assume a certain level of player conflict. Please, embrace rather than avoid this. You should feel comfortable betraying your erstwhile allies, so long as you understand you'll be betrayed in return. Come up actively with reasons to forgive people for their betrayal, because it's expedient/you want to get back at them. It can get personal, but should never be rancorous." Can I play an Elf/Dwarf/Kobold/Robot/Transhumanist Dolphin Jaguar/Uplifted Goldfish in Mecha Suit/Etc? You most certainly can play all of those things and in fact I encourage it! What kind of Strange Future setting wouldn’t have a bunch of weird races in it’s world other than human? (Although don't get too weird with it, unless you are the Invader or Monster in which case  ) Expect some to answer some questions about how your species integrated itself into the city, of course.--- Rules for Capers! below, the Mask Playbooks they're based on can be found here. Basic Moves From Masks Not Contained Within The Capers Rulebook -- Here! quote:Click here to see the basic moves and mechanics changed in the game. --- Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? (Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? (Optional) Thread titles? --- Applications: Seraphine, the Radical by Yami Fenrir Ratfink, the Hood by TheNabster Crimson Chevalier, the Scion by Tricky High Gear, the Maniac by Theantero Wild Bully, the Bully by Tardilla Ursula Hoffnung, the Scion by ShyNudistGirl Dead Face, the Hellion by IShallRiseAgain Scales, the Crook by Waffleman_ Ea'lyiz, the Invader by TheFireMagi Jotun, the Monster by Mr. Fowl Tock, the Rogue by Arashiofordo3 The Black Squire, the Crook by Alien Rope Burn -- The Capers! System Expectations, Principles. And The GM's Agenda and Moves. All Credit to Forums User Tricky Dick Nixon Expectations
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Scrree fucked around with this message at 23:51 on Apr 16, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 13:18
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Never feel obligated for a certain post length or quality. It's more important to keep momentum, and also, have fun.
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  quote:Who were you before you were a believer? Lilly Darlin. I was just a random orphan girl, like any other. I was very prone to sickness, so nobody bothered adopting me. I had pretty much given up on hope when one day, it appeared.  I thought I was having a fever dream, but no, Peram was indeed real. It offered me a pact - magic and good health in return for fighting monsters and villains. Needless to say, I accepted. I haven't seen Peram after that - so clearly it must agree with what I'm doing! quote:How did you fall into your beliefs? A week or so later, I got noticed by the Young Knights. I was so happy! I instantly accepted their invitation, of course. I assumed the identity of 'Cherubi', and became a hero. For some reason, I instantly became popular. Can you believe that?! Well, I do suppose my magical girl costume IS styled after an angel. Perhaps that had something to do with it. Anyway, it was the best moment of my life, at that point. But the more I went out there, the more I saw the world for what it really was. It's ugly. I just saw the wasted potential. If everyone just worked together instead of fighting themselves, we could accomplish so much more. SO much more. And even worse, I realized just how little progress was made, if any. You get out there, get hurt, and lock up villains. Then what? They just break right back out again. Or someone breaks them out. It's an endless cycle. quote:Who, outside your peers, thinks you are a hypocrite? Eventually, I despaired. Having come to the conclusion that the current system is flawed, and in the end is just a waste of time. So I started trying things. If criminals don't see their jail sentences as a time to reflect and repent, rather than a inconvenience to be overcome, then something is wrong. It failed in serving as a showcase that doing evil is wrong, I concluded. It lacked a lasting impression. So I started using my power full force. If they will not or can not harm others even if they are jailbroken, only then does the system work. Of course, my mentor, Spirit Apostle, noticed the change in behavior.  We had a lot of arguments, but I refused to listen to her misguided attempts to chastise me. She just wouldn't listen to my reasoning, and eventually, she ordered me to return my ID. I was shocked, and felt betrayed, but I complied. I just walked out silently, refusing to speak with any of my teammates. quote:Why do you turn to villainy to further the cause? Instead of going home, I aimlessly wandered about the city. A lot of thoughts flooded through my head. I randomly happened upon the orphanage in which I had been stuck for so much of my early childhood. As I did, I remembered Darkside. An ex-villain I had managed to turn to the side of good simply by reaching out a helping hand. That's when I remembered what I told her that day. "What is better? To be inherently good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” And suddenly, it just clicked in my head. Can one really be BORN evil? No. It is something that you get turned to. Turned by an unfair world. And a second revelation came to me. The Knights of Chivalry and Order are entirely corrupt. Instead of trying to help these misguided people, they just lock them up! They don't even WANT to keep them imprisoned. They are just justifying their own existence by creating villains. It is the so called villains that need my help. quote:Why do you suffer the others? It is less suffering them, than suffering their stubborn resistance against realizing the truth. I have attempted to pass on the wisdom I just stumbled onto, but nobody listens. They think I'm just crazy and attempting to find a justification for my own actions. But they're wrong! They're all wrong! And once I fixed this mess of their own creation, they'll see. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? I'm from the Eridan Orphanage in the slums. So basically, I used to be less than a nobody before my pact with Peram. Now that I think about it, I never actually showed anyone my untransformed form. I just sort of became Cherubi fulltime. There isn't really any one specific person, but especially in the poorer parts of Avalon, many are fed up with the Knights. That, paired with the fact that some are all but worshipping me due to my angelic appearance (it is actually rather awkward, I must add), there are plenty I can ask for help, even if it is just for a night's stay. quote:
I did. Didn't work out as I hoped. quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? Darkside. One of my only real friends, and a former villain. I helped her redeem herself, and, well, sadly I was forced to leave the Young Knights myself. Out of the entire organization, she's probably the only thing I miss. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? Hmm... I don't know, exactly. I dislike the difference in social status the most, I suppose? It's way too hard for people living in the slums to stop living in the slums, you know? I was extremely lucky, but... most aren't. As for what I like? Don't really know either. The view is nice, I suppose, especially if you can fly like me, but... knowing just how fake it all is, it just doesn't feel right. quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zxsoZNFps quote:Villain Name: Seraphine Yami Fenrir fucked around with this message at 23:18 on May 11, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 13:25
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On second thought apping a Hood instead EDIT:   "I didn't forget, I never forget, I will never forget." They called it the Wyrding. A generation or two back in a little piece of crap slum under the greatest city on god's green earth, where no one is very sure when it actually happened any more and no one cared to find out, a botched experiment (Or a successful experiment, or a coincidental rift in space, or a superheroic cock-up or a government conspiracy depending on who you asked.) leaked a bunch of magical gunk into the area's only supply of clean water and over time it slowly contaminated the area. No one noticed, no one knew what it did, no one even knew what had happened at the time, people always assumed it was like that. At first people got a little sick, but that was normal, we weren't exactly living in a pristine and hygienic environment down here, they don't call it the Rat City for nothing. Then children that were born from those people who got sick turned out a little... Odd. Strange coloured pupils, abnormal behaviors, unusual appetites, that sort of thing, nothing too out of the ordinary though, nothing to cause alarm. But it's when the second generation was born...  It's around this time where the powers that be knew something had gone very wrong. These are the Wyrds, they are the people of Rat City, the people in the city proper may not like us much, though it's not hard to see why. We're freaks, weirdos, mutants, whatever labels you'd care to throw at us. We skulk in shadows, we live in the margins, we thrive on the outskirts, life is short, hard, and you have to get used to it because that's all you got. Because god forbid the underdogs bite back. quote:When did you first take on your villainous identity? I met it on the job really. Yeah you heard me, I met my villainous identity on the job. I'm a scavenger, no don't give me that look it is different from a thief. But the city above throws away all kinds of weird junk we kinda need down here, so more often then not we have to sift through their crap for what we want. But sometimes you find some weird poo poo, weird magical poo poo mostly but sometimes something else entirely. And today wasn't a good day as far as making bank was concerned so I was maybe going into the places I am technically not allowed to go in by law to try and find the sweet stuff. This is how I met Underfoot, I was just digging around in the trash for any bits of stuff I could flog for cash and I pull out a god from the heap. Well kind of, he's a puny god really, it's apparently what happens when your sacred ground gets trodden on. "Please put me back" It said, "They'll find me if you don't put me back." I ask who will, it points and says "Them."  A very quick deal cut in that moment, power for survival (not just long term survival but immediate, right now not getting torn apart by horrible creatures survival) and in the long term beneficial for us both. Power in this city is for those who can take it, and so we both took it for ourselves. quote:What makes your Facets different from the Other? Darlington (No surname given) is one of the many mostly faceless urchins that occasionally surface in Avalon, sometimes to go through trash, sometimes for petty theft, with no one in the world except the rats that inhabit his flat, his sickly house-bound twin brother Orville and a friend who occasionally visits. Darlington is no angel by any stretch of the imagination, he's a convicted thief after all, but no one would call him a villain. The Ratfink is the side of Darlington that was brought out by his symbiosis with the Small God of The Hunted. Rat will eat rat when it comes down to it, for those creatures that survive in the hostile environment of the city, you have to get them before they get you. Darlington for the longest time had wanted to lash out, against the Knights for pressuring him on his convictions, against the government for leaving him and his brother to fend for themselves, against the unknown parties that caused the wyrding, he thrashes impotently against a world that seeks to press down hard on him. But The Ratfink has the power, jealous power, scheming power, selfish power, it wants to take, and take and take until everything it wants it has, and then some more just to be sure. "Always look out for number one." quote:Who, outside your peers, knows your secret identity? Orville. He's... He's all I have left, everyone else is gone, he's all that I have. Everything I have been doing so far is so he doesn't have to live the life of his stupid brother just to live. Orville is house bound, it's nothing to do with his body, it's his head. Orville's a seer you see, he sees things that other people can't see and he has visions of the past or the future or of whatever almost all the time. Incredibly vivid portents of things that may be or will be that happen suddenly and without warning and frequently, to the point where it's deliberating. So I had to move him out of the slums, rented a flat closer to the surface. Nothing extravagant, just somewhere small and out of the way. But he knows about what I am doing to get it, I don't keep secrets from my sibling if I can help it, I know he doesn't like what I am doing, but what choice do I have anymore? What has 'living honest' got us Orville? A dank squalid hovel, where you'll never know where your next meal comes from. And what has the Ratfink gotten for us? We get to live somewhere away from Rat City, we get to eat named meat, we don't have to worry about someone breaking in everytime we leave the house, and you have a chance to get out of this mess for good. If living an honest life means having to live hand to mouth, honesty can take a flying leap. quote:Why do you try to be a villain? Avalon City offered me no reason not to be a villain at this point. What exactly are my prospects right now, with no fixed abode for the longest time, very little income, a criminal record and the fact that I am am unregistered mutant? Grinding menial labour is the best that I could probably get, and it would probably be in lovely conditions and it would pay so little that I'd be living from paycheck to paycheck, working hard just so I don't fall behind. It's a mugs game, it's find the lady with resumes, no matter what I actually pick, I am going to lose more than I gain come the finish. But when you are a villain? You don't play on the game's terms anymore, you play on yours. quote:Why do you suffer the others? I try working alone for the most part, it's an ingrained habit I can't shake, and also my new half-rat god soul give me some severe trust issues. But of all the scum and self-centered buggers I have ever had the displeasure of working with, I trust you clowns slightly more then I trust anyone else I've had to work with before. Don't gently caress with me, and this partnership will remain cordial. And I know where you live, you are never more then 6 feet from a rat after all. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back?  The Undercity! The Rat City, the slums, the Wyrdlands, we get a lot of names flung our way but in all seriousness what the Rat City is in truth, are the remains of the city's early infrastructure that was left alone when it was no longer needed. Old sewage piping, electricity cables, water pipes, things that were mostly abandoned when newer more efficient systems were put in place, and were then reclaimed by the underclass when the city started to sprawl out of it's initial boundaries. Now it's practically the official unofficial district in the city, home to thousands of people and almost subject to city law. Almost. The police don't exactly come down here being that it's technically outside their jurisdiction. But well, we make our own arrangements.  The Society of Upright Rogues, led by the lovely Jacqueline keeps order in our neck of the woods through a few very simple rules. You'd think between the various salvage gangs vying for control of the junk, and the other such organizations that make their home down here in the Undercity, that it would be impossible to police. But the laws are very simple to understand, 'Don't steal another gang's haul', 'Don't poach on your fellow Wyrds', and 'Slavery will not be tolerated'. Three simple rules there for everyone to know, everyone understands them and they aren't difficult to follow, but most importantly of all, the people who break them are mercilessly hunted down by people who know exactly how they think, and where they would try to hide out, and when they catch up with you... Let's just say re-offending rates are very low. It pays to keep well in with the Rogues, more often than not they are the first to hear of any news in the area, and even in the city above. quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? What me? Convicted petty thief, mutant freak, noted anti-authoritarian sentiments, disrespectful of authority and poor personal hygiene Darlington, in the city's shiniest face of public law? Maybe I'd get in as a janitor in The Citadel, but a Knight? Hell no. Even if they decided they'd tolerate my presence in their pristine ranks I'm not going to be on the table. The people who get a seat on that place have the connections and/or the capitol to get there, or they have the backing of an old hero lineage, or maybe they just have some dirt on the people at the top. I ain't got any of that, hard work will only get you so far before you have to deal with politics. And I don't like having to participate in a game where I am not allowed to punch the other player when he's deliberately playing dirty. quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Hospitaller was one of the few of us that made it out of the slums and into the Knights proper. Whatever reasons it could have been varies depending on how you ask (with some answers being very, pointed, venomous even) but the reason I think was a combination of two things. The more important one is her power of healing, like straight up lay on hands repair all wounds stuff, and in the hurly burly game of dangerous criminals and super-villains, having someone who can do in seconds what would normally take a team of doctors and a few weeks layed up in a hospital to fix is an invaluable asset who was practically snatched from the slums as soon as her abilities came to light. The other more minor variant is possibly out of all of the razor teethed, multi eyes, tentacle limbed monsters that inhabit the Undercity, she is possibly one of the most normal looking out of all of us. I want to hate her, and I know what some of the other people say; 'She's abandoned us', 'She's gotten ideas above her station', 'They're gonna just chew her up and spit her out come the finish', 'She's just a sellout'. But I only know one thing to call her 'Annabelle Parker who's known us for years and is still one of my brother's only friends'. She's there for him when I can't be, she's got the keys to my flat because she's a good friend even if our careers... Currently differ. I wouldn't trust anyone else with him. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? I have the spirit of rats in my soul, and one of the things about rats, is that they have an instinctive knowledge of predators from the moment they are born, the kind of things you stay far away from, hide from, run from. But no animal can be as cold and cruel as the city itself, it lures you in with it's bright lights, the beacon of liberty, the city of tomorrow, the hope for the new age. And when you're inside it's walls and you are feeling free to breath BAM; it squeezes you dry for all you're worth, it puts chains on your soul, another body regimented into the rank and files of the hum drum, just one more drone for the hive for the rest of your days. There is no 'love it or leave it', there is no where left to go. And you know what the worst thing of all is? Beyond the walls it's worse, what we've heard about the 'Last Great War' was only rumour and stories for the most part stories passed on from mouth to mouth, and after so many retellings you can't be too sure what was exaggeration for effect and what was the truth of the matter anymore. But one part stuck, it was a miracle of miracles that mankind survived in that blasted wasteland that remained behind. And from some of the stories we've picked up from new arrivals from some of the other states beyond the walls... Well, let's just say considering the alternatives, it's no wonder so many refugees are coming to live in this overcrowded heap. quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? Rob Zombie - Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown quote:(Optional) Thread titles? >Sleep Now In The Fire >We Thank You For Not Committing Thought Crimes EDIT 2: Facet label changed from Trouble to Superior. quote:Villain Name: Ratfink TheNabster fucked around with this message at 00:48 on Jun 11, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 14:23
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  quote:Who is your predecessor? Are they a hero or villain? The Calamity Blade. You have heard the stories, yes? He wanders the city to challenge the strongest among us. It has been said that he would have a seat at the Table itself, were the prospect enough to tempt him. It is not. He would much rather strive to improve himself, improve his craft, and engage in endless battles. Tying himself down for such notions as "heroics" or "justice" is simply something that is not going to happen. It's hard to strike him with a label, though, as I have seen him fight both the mightiest heroes and the most dire threats. The only thing he cares about is strength. I am sure he would work to summon some sort of ancient horror to battle, only to turn around and work to seal it again if bribed with an appealing enough fight. And, for whatever reason, he thought that I would be a worthy challenge. Given the proper training, naturally. quote:How did you fall in, and fall out, of favor? He picked me off the street. I was nothing more than a gutter-rat at the time. Cast into poverty and abuse by those who only saw my differences. My horns. My tail. My scales. The dragon-kin are not well-loved by the people of Avalon. It is no wonder at that, for my ancestors shattered the world. The awakening of the dragons is something that even the mightiest living are glad they escaped. Except, of course, Calamity Blade. He sorely regrets missing his chance to fight such forces of nature. I traveled with him for many years. He taught me the way of the blade. The way of true strength. I struggled and struggled to live up to his expectations. Eventually, though, I realized I would never catch up to him. Not simply by following his route. On our journey together I found a book. The book. The Key of Solomon. I began to teach myself magic. Sorcery that would aid my strikes in combat as well as let me surprise one even as strong as Calamity Blade. It was all kept a secret from him, of course, for what use is a trump card revealed? Why did he leave me? I hesitated. It is as simple as that. He did not take me in and train me to be his successor out of the goodness of his heart. He seeks the ultimate challenge. The fight that will eventually claim his life. He has been fighting and killing since before I was born. I have no doubt that, outside his desired fight, he will continue to do so for all time. He's an elf. He'll probably outlive us all. Well, he would. I plan on doing something about that. But, to be fair, I suppose the story goes deeper than that. I mentioned that I hesitated, yes? We were fighting our way through a mountain pass on our way back to Avalon. It would hardly be worth mentioning were it not for how the fight ended. I had assumed that they were common bandits. Thieves living off the fat of travelers. When we breached the final chamber? It turns out I was wrong. They were merely fighting to protect their children from the dreaded Calamity Blade and his companion. I chose not to fight further. There was no need. Calamity Blade? He disagreed. We fought. I wish I could say I was his match, but I am sure you know how the battle went. Come to think of it, though, there was one moment that stuck with me. As we traded the initial blows, I saw an opportunity to strike. I summoned a burst of flames to steal his vision and left the first mar on his visage that I could remember. A small scratch, but for me? It was validation. My path was worthwhile. I could use my gifts to battle him as an equal. His face, though, told a separate story. Though he bled, though he was being pressed back by my assault? He seemed... disappointed. Bored, even. He struck back faster than I could see. The blunt of the blade. It was a true insult. I was not even worth dirtying his sword's edge? How dare he! By the time I came to, he was gone. I was merely another cast aside in his journey. I am not content to leave the matter as it lies. I will become more powerful. More powerful than even he can imagine. Then? Then we will see who lies defeated. quote:Who, outside your peers, is also tied to your Birthright? In recent times I have heard that my former master has taken another student. I care not for this student's name, nor the fact that he thinks I can be so easily replaced. Hmph. Clearly you don't believe me. Fine. I do understand that this student goes by the name of Hellblade. Some sort of flame demon, if you ask me. I don't understand the exact origin or extent of it's power, but surely nothing that could eclipse my own formidable skills. Perhaps the path to humbling my former master will begin through humbling his student. I have heard that this Hellblade has been granted leave to carry the Ame-No-Murakumo. I wonder what has possessed Calamity Blade? I was never given such an opportunity. Your assertion that it galls me has no basis. I am not bitter in the slightest. quote:Why do think you deserve the Birthright? The Ame-No-Murakumo is a thing of beauty. A creation that deserves to be treasured by it's owner. Calamity Blade does not see that. He sees merely the optimal tool to fight with. An unparalleled weapon. I have been by his side longer than any other. I have begun my own path to surpass him. And, in the end, when the blade is mine? That is when he shall know his folly. When he shall bitterly regret his choice that day. I will make him beg to be my student. quote:Why do you suffer the others? We all have our goals and desires. They will help me achieve mine. I have little issue in returning that favor. And, as much as I regret to admit it, I may need their help. While I am quite skilled with spell and blade, my contacts in Avalon are largely non-existant. The routes to the power I need will come from my so-called comrades. At least at first. And, admittedly, it is somewhat comforting to find others who can look past what I am. Who can see who I am. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? I'm from the demihuman ghetto. The filthy underbelly of Avalon. It's not as bad as you'd think, in truth. There's a certain degree of comradery in the world below. Even for one such as me. It did not take long after my return to Avalon to feel fully at home. In my absence, my friend, Elena, has become something of a power broker. She facilitated some basic accommodations for me. I look forward to more fully renewing our friendship. As I come into my power, it will, of course, be quite beneficial to be considered as such by me. quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? The Calamity Blade's name and our former association does not inspire much confidence in my character. I care little. I doubt that I could find the strength I need in such a restrictive setting. There is little I would not pursue in the name of the power I need. Somehow I think that they would not look kindly on that. Those reasons aside? I fear that my ancestry would not be looked upon kindly. Those in power are always looking for those to rally against. Who better than the descendants of those that shattered the world? quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? Not all from the ghetto were demihumans. Some, like Shirohime, were merely abandoned for one reason or another. We were friends once. Before I left. Before Calamity Blade. She was one of those who I sought information about upon my return. I suppose I am happy for her. It is good to see one rise from adversity. One who reminds me, in a way, of myself. It is a pity she chose that organization. I fear we will cross blades before too long. I would rather not have to strike down a friend. Even one from times past. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? I care little for the tone of the political landscape — or the commensurate hate that those like me face. It has been hundreds of years since the Sundering. Can we cease the pointless rhetoric against dragons and dragon-kin? It is not as if I, nor my brothers and sisters, have destroyed any civilizations recently. I have studied your history. It is not as if this was the first calamity to strike humanity. I would be surprised if it was the last. The main thoroughfares, though, are a pleasure. The immense roads that snake through the city. It is a joy to ride Kamui through the heart of the city, dancing between vehicles. The breeze in my hair. The sun on my skin. It's almost enough to forget it all. Almost enough to forget what I need to do. quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? Life Will Change quote:(Optional) Thread titles? The Scion posted:Villain Name: Crimson Chevalier Tricky fucked around with this message at 18:40 on Feb 24, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 17:03
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Deep under Avalon, in the abandoned tunnels constructed after the War that sprawl all around the city, there is a place where one can hear, if they really strain their ears, a strange metronomic clacking. This of course was all very easy to confuse for the general eerie ambience of the surrounding areas, but the truth was far more sinister. Well, sort of. For if one were to find a hidden switch, and have a special key, and know a secret code, the way would open for them. A way to brass halls of churning machinery, working day and night assembling inventions most wondrous. Halls smelling slightly of sweat and unwashed socks. Home to a seething young man with bags under his eyes, hunched over a desk, drawing up plans and designs to overthrow the current social order. Because it was a stupid social order. And he could do much better.   Inside this COOL AS HECK power armor there's a skinny little nerd boy making either a really angry face or really smug face. But which one???  quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? This here The Maniac posted:Name: Anton McCormick quote:When did you first become a villain? "A couple years back", the boy answers in a bored sort of tone, "If you can really call it villainy. Well, I suppose you can, but 'villainy' and 'heroics' are just arbitrary terms for people opposed to and defending the current social order, respectively. Dumbed down, emotionally charged terms to guide the idiot sheeple that live up above", The boy gives a short, supremely irritating sort of nasal laugh. The one that people who though themselves smarter than others were wont to give, "Yeah. I'm not a fan of that at all. It's a stupid society run by idiots, for idiots. Where every voice counts, because apparently everyone's opinion is equally valid you know", he laughs again, in a way that seemed to indicate he thought the previous statement so obviously false that there was no need to further justify it, "I know right? Like, why don't they just let the smart people rule? Why do we elect people instead of letting the skilled people take charge? It's really stupid. Like, that sort of system would be obviously superior, and it's what I'm trying to accomplish here", the boy pointed towards his various magicked clockwork creations, "To bring about a society where reason and logic trump the stupidity of the masses. Where the actually intelligent get to rule." You get the feeling that with 'actually intelligent', he refers chiefly to himself. quote:Who was the first unwitting pawn you used in your schemes? The boy snorted. "Haha yeah. This is a good one! So, have you ever heard of Beansprout? Probably not, she's kinda unimportant."  "But anyways, her deal is trying to conserve natural habitats and reconstructing wildlife areas that were annihilated during the war. So, I was thinking, man this girl is basically everywhere. She's got little groves all across the globe. Now, for me its kinda important, since the raw materials I need for my things obviously", he rolled his eyes, as if convinced you would not have figured this out unless he pointed it out for you, "don't just materialize out of nowhere. So I need resource gathering depots and such, the more diffuse the better since that way my logistics are harder to disrupt." Anton snickered. "So, this was before I had begun my villainy, you know? So I thought, 'hey, if I pretend to be this girls' friend and to make machines to help out with her replanting efforts, I'll have a good excuse to spread my stuff across the planet and the 'heroes' won't be any wiser!' And she accepted! She was all for it, trusted me just like that! I know right? She's such an idiot! Well, to be honest, that's kind of obvious isn't it? I mean, she took up druidry! Druidry! Like talking to potatoes or little woodland creatures is real magic in any shape or form. No no, it's nothing but a fake magic discipline for morons too stupid for real magic, like Topomancy or Arcaneering." Again, he snorted. "But hey, I suppose she could always find work as a barista in my new world order hahahah. Worthless." "But yeah, that's basically how I managed to sneak mining stations and such all across the planet." quote:Who, outside the team, can see through your facade? Anton looked at you in the sort of way one might look at possibly the dumbest person in existence. "Facade? You think I'm not serious? Man you're even dumber than you look. You sound just like Beansprout you know, and as is established", Anton adjusted his glasses a bit, "she's an idiot. Like, when I got actually started on my work, she got real mad. Started spouting all kinds of obviously bullcrap drivel like me only doing what I do because I'm a bitter nerd pissed off because the world does not care for my, and I quote 'juvenile opinions'", Anton scoffed again, but with some tinge of anger apparent in his tone, "Yeah, an idiot like her WOULD think that opinions I came up with by myself following nothing but ironclad reason and logic would be 'juvenile'. You know because she's an idiot who has no arguments besides namecalling and has never had a coherent thought in her life?" "It's pathetic. I bet she's just salty for having been played so bad." quote:Why do you continue this charade? "Do I have to repeat everything with you?" Anton rolled his eyes, "You're one of those idiots I was talking about earlier. There is no charade here. My vision is clear and my arguments rock solid. You know who the ones with the real charade are? Its the heroes up above. Every time I make a well reasoned argument, for, say, replacing suburbs with well optimized hab-blocks they don't even engage me. They just yammer on and on about stopping villainy or something. But I see what's really going on. They have no real arguments to support their worldview. Why else would they never voice them in a reasoned, logical manner? No no, their worldview is just some fluffy feelings draped over a whole heap of nothing. No consistency at all." "But I'm smarter than that", he tapped the side of his head in self-satisfied sort of way, "I'm smarter than any of them." quote:Why do you suffer the others? Anton shrugged noncommittally. "They're useful. Or is the concept of tool use foreign to you? No? Then why are you asking?" quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? "Well, as is readily apparent to anyone with even the slightest bit of sense", Anton chortled, "I live here. No reason for me to really leave now is there? I mean if I work here then why not also live here? It's only logical. Really, it's other people that are dumb for doing it the inefficient way. Just another thing about this nonsensical world for me to fix I suppose", he scratched his cheek a bit, "But yes, I suppose it's right to say that I have a patron of sorts."  "Yep. Ebony Mask himself!" Anton gave a smarmy sort of smile. "Yeah I would be impressed too. Helped me settle down here and get started in fact. One of the few people who truly sees and appreciates my genius. Also one of the few that knows where I live." "And yes, as is obvious without saying, having allies in such a vaunted position is very helpful. Even if he just wants to hire me for his 'company', Onyx Incorporated. Really, it's just a front for highly organized magical crime, as most people know, just protected by some of the best lawyers on this side of the Earth. Which annoys the heroes to no end, hah. Funny how those meatheads always run into trouble when they can't brute force a problem away, right?" "But yes, he has been supportive even when I was just a kid in the Emerald Hills, with nothing but grand ideas and fairly wealthy parents. When I showed my inventions to him in a talent fair by his company and won first place (obviously), and told him my ideas, he was quick to show me this place. And the rest, as they say, is history." quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? "Man are you dumb" Anton sneers at you, "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am trying to overthrow the very thing they're trying to protect? I mean, in a sensible world I could win them over with argument, since my worldview is just the natural conclusion of simple logic and the facts that reality present us with, and thus obviously true. But it has been already established that they're all morons so obviously that wouldn't work." "Sheesh." "Idiot." quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? "Ehh", Anton scratched his chin, "I didn't really have any friends at school. By choice, mind. I refused to fraternize with idiots even back then, you see. But as it happens, a girl from my class actually made it in. Probably for show and such since she always was the popular kid."  "Goes by Sapphire Shine these days, has ice powers of some note. Not of particular note though. And taken that she does not even know my true identity, I don't really see how she's relevant in any way. A worthless cretin like all the other people whose banal presence I had to suffer back then." quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? "I suppose it was a bit too much to ask you to pay attention", Anton sighed in a highly melodramatic fashion, "What I dislike is the fact that it's a mess. A mismanaged hellhole. A chaotic junkyard. That's exactly the reason I'm trying to fix it you imbecile. With the even hand and reasonable thought of Arcaneers such as me, the messes of unqualified idiots the populace keeps electing into power can be undone. But that's only after my plans bear fruit. For now it's still crap." "Now, if I had to think of something good, I'd say that the logical consequence of such a cobbled together mishmash of a city is that it's constantly shedding all kinds of items of potential use. The tunnels are filled with all kinds of discarded paraphernalia, relics from the War, that sort of thing. The rich parts are rich enough that you can buy rare items, the seedy parts are seedy enough that you can get your black market goods. If you've got any brains whatsoever", there was the smug grin again, "you should be able to procure most things you need in this city." Theantero fucked around with this message at 21:49 on Aug 3, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 17:32
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 Wild Bull the Bully Let me share a story with you, a story about a little girl named Isabelle. The story might get a little dark, a little sad, a little depressing, but don't worry. I promise there'll be a happy ending by the end of this tale. Isabelle was a child born into luxury. She lived in a big house, with many toys, and two wonderful dogs, Gertie and Bertie. Her parents were barely around, but that never bothered Isabelle. She knew her parents loved her, no matter how far apart they may be from her. Life was good for Isabelle... until the accident. Ah, what an unfortunate moment. Her parents, taken away from her by a road accident. One wrong turn, one inebriated driver, and that was it for them. Of they go, into the big city in the sky, leaving Isabelle, who was still young at the time, all by herself. Oh, but Isabelle's misfortune does not end there. As it turns out, her parents have both built up a substantial amount of debt, a debt the vultures were quick to claim. Before there was time to mourn, they swooped in, and took everything she ever had. Her toys, her dogs, even her house. All gone, in a blink of an eye. Isabelle had no relatives who would take her in, so she was forced to live in an orphanage. A dingy, shabby little place, with a roof that looked like it would collapse at any moment, doors that never properly closed, and beds as stiff as concrete. They called it an orphanage, but it might as well have been a place for forgotten children. As if the universe couldn't be any crueler, it decided, almost on a whim, to take away her health, too. Isabelle became sick, and her living conditions did not help. She became weak, and even doing the most basic of tasks were a struggle for her, and that weakness attracted the attention of those who prey on the weak. It attracted the bullies to her. The bullies hounded her constantly, calling her names, insulting her, stealing her food, forcing her to sleep on the cold floor, and making her feel worthless. They were relentless, and the adults, the people she thought she could depend on, would do nothing to stop them. Oh Isabelle, poor little Isabelle. She once had everything, but now she had nothing. Her parents, her house, even her health were all taken away from her, and now she has to live in a place she hates, with people she hates even more. Now, you must be asking yourself, what reason would Isabelle ever have to motivate herself to wake up every morning, if everything around her is terrible? Is it from a naive sense that everything will eventually be better? No, no, my friends. It's nothing like that. The answer is actually very simple. It's hate. Hate for the house she's forced to live in, hate for all the bullies who tortured her, hate for the adults who ignored her, and hate for her own weakness. Her body was weak, but her hate was strong, and that hate was strong enough to sustain her. She decided, as her only way of fighting back, she would continue living out of spite. She would never give them the satisfaction of breaking her. But we all have our breaking points, and Isabelle's came at a rainy day, out near the playground. One of the nastier bullies crossed a line he shouldn't have; he insulted her dead parents. Just like that, all the repressed emotions, all the hate, it all came out, in one, single, punch that knocked the bully off his feet. Unfortunately for Isabelle, the bully was not alone. He had friends. She knew what was coming next if she stayed, so she ran. She ran as far as her little legs could take her, until she could run no more. She knew she could never come back to the orphanage, and now she truly has nothing, only her tears. If only she wasn't so weak. If only she had power, true power, the kind of power that would cause others to fear her. If she had that power, she wouldn't even be in this situation. No one would dare push her around anymore. But she doesn't have that power. She's just a poor, weak little girl. Oh Isabelle, poor little Isabelle. "Excuse me, are you okay?" Isabelle looked up from her knees and saw a boy and an older gentleman stand in front of her. They both looked at her with concern, and asked about her well-being. They heard her story, and saw her pain, so they offered her a place to stay. The boy and the gentleman took Isabelle to their house, gave her warm food, a shower, and a comfy bed to sleep in. It was the first act of kindness anyone has given her in years. Oh, and the gentleman who decided to take Isabella in? He was no ordinary gentleman. His name is Magnus Granteed, aka Mr. Mystic, one of the most esteemed sorcerers in Avalon, and the boy was his apprentice, Toby Wyatt. After a while has passed, Magnus tells Isabelle that he sees the mystical energies within her, and that was what guided him and Toby to her that rainy day. He continues on, explaining to her that the energy manifests itself in different ways to different people. To some, like him, it gives them easier access to magic from other worlds, while for others, like Toby, it would manifest itself as elemental manipulation. He offered to train Isabelle, and she took it without a second thought. Months passed, and Isabelle grew more and more impatient. The training was slow, and she was getting tired of the constant need to meditate and reflect. Magnus emphasized how important the meditation process is, and how she must clear the darkness within her heart before they get to the next process. "Be patient," he would say, "If we rush, and you are not ready, then the mystic energy will consume you, and corrupt you. We will get there eventually." "Eventually" doesn't mean "now," thought Isabelle. She did not care about the meditations, all she wanted was the power that was rightfully hers. All this waiting, this meditation, is a colossal waste of time. But what if there was a faster way? They know magic, right? Surely they must have a way that can bring out the powers inside of you faster, and, just as it so happens, Isabelle knows just the person to ask; Toby. Toby was hesitant at first. He didn't want to anger his master, and he wasn't sure if this was a wise idea to make. "Come on, Toby," she said to him, "Are you going to have that old fart make all your decisions for you? You wanted to be a hero, right? What kind of hero stands around, waiting for permission before they can do anything? Show some initiative, will ya!" "You're right," he said, "Let's go. I think I might know of a way." ~Continued in Part 2~ quote:What changed you? Toby found a book that detailed a way to unleash the power within you, but it also came with a warning; those who choose this way must steel themselves with an iron will, lest they be consumed by the flames. Toby hesitated again after reading the warning, but Isabella assured him that everything will be fine, and she is confident in Toby's skills. A few candles here, a few ritual circles there, and everything was ready. Now all that was left was the incantation, and the ritual would be set in motion. When Toby spoke the words, Isabelle felt it. She felt the power rise up within her. It was finally in her grasp. Just a few more minutes, and she can finally have the power she wanted. "What are you doing!?" It was Magnus. He walked in halfway through the ritual, and he was furious. Toby, in a panic, lost his concentration, and that's when things went wrong. Isabelle's body burst into dark flames. Magnus and Toby panicked, they saw poor Isabelle in pain, and they hurried to find a way to stop the flames. They searched, and they searched, and then they stopped when they heard an odd sound coming from the direction of the flames. It was laughter. Isabelle was laughing. They thought she had gone mad from the pain, but they were wrong, oh so wrong. Isabelle laughed, and laughed, and laughed, and for a brief moment, it looked like she was absorbing the flames into her body. The fire eventually died down, and there was not a burn mark on Isabelle's body. They thought Isabelle was being consumed by the flames, but they were wrong. It was the flames that were being consumed by Isabelle, and out of the fire, came a new Isabelle. The old, weak Isabelle is dead. And in her place, Isabelle, the Wild Bull, was born. See? Told you the story had a happy ending. quote:How did you overcome? Aw poo poo, I forgot there was more to this story. Whatever, I was getting tired of the whole story book crap anyways. "Overcome" would imply I actually broke a sweat. This? Kid's stuff. Those "corrupting flames" apparently respond really well to hate, and buddy, let me tell ya, I have a lot of hate to go around. Controlling those flames was as easy as breathing air, and it felt great. I never felt so alive as I did that one moment. I felt like I could take on the entire drat world! Of course, there was still the issue of Mr. Stickupmyass and Toby the sucker (Can you believe he actually FELL for my whole routine? What a sap!). The old man tried to contain me in some kind of magic cube thing. I decided to throw the old man a bone, make him think he actually trapped me for a few seconds... before I shattered his magic cube like it was glass. I thought I'd show my appreciation towards the old man and NOT shatter all his bones. Just some of them. As for Toby? Wasn't worth the effort. He's weak. Spent the whole time cowering in some corner like a little baby. I had it. I finally had it. The power I wanted for so long! I can take what I want, do what I want. I was on top of the world, and nothing could ever stop me! quote:Who, outside the team, do you blame the most? I blame myself. I could not believe I let my lust for power consume me like that. Truly, I am regretful for my actions, and if I could turn back time, I would make sure none of this ever hap-ppppppppfffffffffhahahahahhahahahahahaha just messing with ya. You wanna know who I blame? Toby. I'd be much more powerful if it wasn't for him. See, little Toby finally decided to grow some balls. He stood in my way, and tried to say some brave words, something about how I'm not going to get away with this, how could I do this, blah blah blah blah. He looked like he was about ready to piss his pants. It would've been adorable, if it wasn't also so pathetic. I was about ready to push him away... and that's when he pulled out that freaking amulet. He spoke a few words, and before I could react, the amulet glowed, and I felt my powers being sucked away by it. Little prick! I am NOT going to lose my powers as soon as I got them! I mustered up enough strength to kick the prick off his feet, and made a quick run for it. I don't know what kind of magic poo poo Toby pulled that day, but he managed to contain a good amount of my powers in that one amulet. I should be stronger, much stronger than I already am, but that jerk had to go and ruin my fun! I'm going to find a way to my full strength back, and when I do, no amount of magic amulets is going to stop me from coming for you, Toby. quote:Why do you try to be a villain? Because it's freaking fun? Do you know how freeing it is to finally have the strength to finally do everything you've ever wanted? I can take what I want, do what I want, and nobody can stop me! Or, they can try, but it usually doesn't work out well for them. Usually. What? You think I'm going to use my powers for good? Hah! Yea freakin' right! Sure, yea, I'll go and save the people, the same people who, you know, ABANDONED me in some shithole for years. If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that being weak gets ya nothing, and those Young Knight pansies? They're all a bunch of weak shits who act like they're better than you because they have some kind of "moral code." What the hell is the point of having power if you don't use it? quote:Why do you suffer the others? Now, I know what you're probably thinking. "Wild Bull! Why on earth would you ever group up with these lesser villains!? Won't they just bring you down!? They're nowhere near as strong as you are, or nearly as handsome! And none of them have the same impeccable sense of style that you do!" To which I say, thank you. I am pretty great, aren't I? As much as it pains me to admit it, I can't do everything on my own. I know, I know, I can't believe it either. poo poo like planning ain't exactly my forte. I'm more of a "charge in gun's blazing" kind of gal. When I'm with a team, I never have to worry about the whole thinking part. Just point me at a target, and I'll smash everything in my way. Plus, it's exciting! Working with a group that hate and mistrust each other? Sounds like my kind of jam! ...And I'm sure they'll be smart enough to know not to cross me, of course. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? The old, "dead," Isabelle, before she was taken to that craphole of an orphanage, lived in the Golden District. It's that fancy place where all the high-society people live. If you're a resident there, you're pretty much treated like royalty. You got servants, usually demi-humans, waiting on you hand and foot, you get to live in a big, fancy house, experience the finest cuisines, and all that crap. Did I forget to mention the streets are made of actual gold, too? 'Course, none of that matters if your parents pass away, apparently. You'd THINK a place known for "taking care of it's own" would care for a child who's parents tragically passed away, but nah, let's just dump her in some lovely orphanage and forget about her ever existing. Assholes. I want nothing to do with that place, expect to burn the whole place to the ground, until there's nothing left but ash. As for where I live now, I found this nice, little place near the docks. The place used to belong to some z-lister villain team called- uh- poo poo, what were they called again? The Skull Smashers, I think? Whatever, point is, I kicked 'em all out, and made the place mine, and there ain't anything they can do about it. Oh, I didn't kick all of them, though. I let one of them stay! Here he comes now!  His name is Pompom and isn't he the cutest little thing!? His fur is so FLUFFY! I could spend all day petting him! He's such a good, little boy! Yes you are! Yes you are! He's such a good listener, too, and he always cheers me up when I'm down! I love him so much!!! ...Why are you looking at me like that? Hey! I like dogs, okay!? Do you have a problem with that!? I hope you don't, or else I'm going to have to SMASH YOUR FRICKING FACE IN! quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Uh, let's see, it could be because, 1) I sent a member of the Knights to the hospital, 2) I have a rap sheet that's a mile long, and 3) being a good guy is for suckers? What has the world ever done for me, huh? Before I got my powers, the world would crap on me every opportunity it gets. I'd get told I was worthless everyday, and that I was worse than nothing, and you expect me to help the same people that treated me like garbage? gently caress.THAT. They're a club of losers as far as I'm concerned, and I ain't a loser! I'm the Wild Fuckin' Bull, and the only person the Bull watches out for is herself! quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? Seriously? You want me to talk about her? Ugh, fine.  Her name is Jun Kusanagi, or Shadow Blade. I prefer to call her "a pain in my rear end." Jun was part of the orphanage, just like me, and also like me, she was tortured as much as I was by the local bullies. I remember thinking about reaching out to her one day. I thought, we're both stuck in a lovely situation, so maybe we can make it less lovely by sticking together? It's dumb as hell, but I was desperate for any kind of comfort that time. I talked with her, and I guess we became "friends." Or at least, I thought we were "friends," until I found out she was loving lying to me the whole time. Jun had powers. I remember walking into her room one day, and the first thing I saw was her lifting up her bed, with her mind. Jun had telekinetic powers. I was mad. Really mad. This whole time, this whole loving time, she had the POWER, the thing THAT I LACKED, to FIGHT BACK against the loving bullies, and she never used it! Not once! She could have OWNED the whole orphanage, and nobody would be able to stop her! She could have HELPED ME, this whole time she could have HELPED ME, her "FRIEND," but she didn't! She didn't do a loving thing! And why? Because you're SCARED of what people would think!? Screw you! And now, now that she's joined the Young Knights, she has the loving balls to act like she's trying to "help" me. "You're better than this, Isabelle! Please, let me help you." You're 6 years too late, sister. Maybe you shoulda thought of helping me when I actually needed it. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? Everything about The Golden District, for one. Everybody's always talkin' about it like it's the second coming, and I can't stand it. The only thing they really got over there are a buncha rich assholes who love living in their own asses. What...do I like? Uh... well... I like... tough things! Yea! Because I'm tough! I'm tough and mean as hell! I'm so tough, I eat rocks! That's how tough I am! ...You're not buying this, are you? ...Okay, fine, I'll tell you, BUT YOU CAN'T TELL ANYBODY ELSE, ALRIGHT!? I... actually... really like the animal shelters. ...What!? They're really good animal shelters, okay!? It's not like I VOLUNTEER for them or anything! And it's not like I sometimes spend all day taking care of animals or anything! Okay, so MAYBE I do take care of animals, what of it!? That doesn't make me less bad! Maybe I'm planning on like, I dunno, turning them into my personal wild army or something, have you ever thought of that, huh!? quote:
Wait, are we talking about candy? Oh poo poo, do we get free candy after this interview!? Sweet! Hey, do ya happen to have some of those gummie bears they sell down the street? I love those! They're the best! I can't get enough of 'em! ...We are talking about candy, right? quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvRobF6r7gM The Bully posted:Villain Name: Wild Bull Tardzilla fucked around with this message at 15:23 on Mar 3, 2017 |
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Feb 23, 2017 18:51
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  Wonder how I can smile in a situation like mine? Ever hear of the peasant's dilemma? I don't mean the riddle! In the olden days, when a peasant was convicted of a crime - maybe they scared the king's horse and knocked his keister on the turf, or accidentally shot a deer in the royal hunting grounds, or slept with the wrong royal scion, they'd be sentenced to death. And so a peasant realizes now that they're doomed to death, all consequences are off the table. Maybe they've got a score to settle. Maybe they really want to experience one last thing. Or maybe they just want to go bugnuts to apetits. Well, that's where I'm at. That's how I can smile when I tell you my tragic story. The grin of somebody who doesn't have to care if my wheels get squared. How did you gain your particular set of skills? I was a member of the Young Knights, even. Did it by the tome, went into the Academy of Squires based on my grades and was used to being praised. Up and coming hero, top of my class, learned lore, combat, alchemy, what fork to use when presented with a cake. (It's the big one and don't let them tell you otherwise.) Went on to join up for a bit. Remember Banneret? That wass - look at where both fingers are pointing - me! Top of the world, absent pa pa. A fine example of how somebody can come from a tough home and endure and virtue and other stuff that now just seems like the world's worst joke. But I'm still laughing. Alternative is crying, and no thank you. Time I have left I won't want to spend moping and feeling sorry for myself. What got you into your life of crime? See, I got diagnosed with Black Ash. Incurable death curse. Nothing really dramatic, I just found the wrong old box left over from the wars and opened it when I was five or six. Doesn't kill you until you come of age. They don't even... know when that is according to the curse! Hahahaha... yeah. No kidding. Something about it being forbidden knowledge and I wasn't about to tell anybody I had it. Thanks, healer / patient privilege. So I broke into the forbidden archives. I mean, I had to. I had to find a cure. I got caught instead. You remember the 2103 Anti-Diabolism Act? People suspected of accessing the inner three circles of the dark arts get life in a Incommunication Cell. If you're lucky. I didn't even have a Hazardous Thaumaturgical License, much less the clearance I'd need to have from GCEO, The Most Valiant of the Table, and the Thaumaturical Association Grandmaster. My hands were blackened and I was trapped. Wait, no, scratch that. I was free. Why do you try to be a villain? It was impossible to get out of there... unless you had inside knowledge of the security protocols. As I bolted out, I locked them in for a bit. Not permanently. But enough to get a head start. Enough to realize what I'd done. There wouldn't be a shrug-off for this squire. But, you know, you hone your skills, you practice real hard, turns out a different quality of person has need of your abilities. I tried dealing with witches, with diabolists, all sorts of black market magic to find a cure that wasn't worse than the curse. Of course, I had to steal to pay for that kind of thing, and the Young Knights, not thrilled. Don't care, says I, even as they find my sources and cut off my loving only hopes one by one- Sorry. Sorry. Just because I'm bad doesn't mean I need to start using language like that. I may come from the Spindle but I don't need to talk like a toothminder. So. I gave up. Gave in? Gave to myself. I decided that if I was going to die, I was just going to live. Not spend the rest of my days on hope for something that may not come. I was going to smile and enjoy my last days. And you know what? Stealing things = fun! Shooting things = fun! Why didn't anybody tell me?! Who, outside your peers, thinks you just a two-bit thief?  Gungnir was... my mentor. Member of the Table. Taught me so much. She didn't teach me to steal, but I'd like to thank her anyway for making me so good at violence and a determined stalward stare. I'm kind of surprised she hasn't come after me. I guess I don't deserve the Table's attention... her attention. I'd love to beat her in a fight, get some caveperson fake superiority going. Hey, if I'm going to climb a mountain and do something exciting... well, beating her? That's a mountain. She'll totally knock me down though all Ten Courts, but what's the worst that'll happen? I get caught? Okay, I admit, that is a pretty sour fate. I better think it over. Or make sure I have backup. Speaking of which... Why do you suffer the others? Suffer? Dying lonely, that sounds like suffering! No, I figure I may as well have some young thugs at my back, they can scratch it.... I can scratch theirs... and, you know. We can do heists together. One person does a lowstep robbery, two or more can do a highspire heist. And hey, maybe I'll find love before I die! That'd be the pathos I'm lacking. Mostly as I enjoy my criminal ways, I just want to have somebody see my smile before I die. No point smiling for nobody, but going out the way I want... somebody has to witness what I have left. Somebody that will understand. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? I'm from the Gearshaft, the towers used to house a lot of the crafting guilds and link up the factoriums to the central engines. Not the high parts of the spindle, but the lowsteps. My mother was a teammaster, and I didn't know my father. Never needed him. I don't... probably best if I don't see my mom, yeah? But my childhood friend, Nera, now helps oversee part of the bunkhouses. She's about the only one I've told about my condition, mainly because I figured she'd be the only one that wouldn't feel sorry for me. She'll tell it to me straight. She doesn't agree with what I've chosen for myself. She thinks I'm an idiot. But. She respects my choice. But you know, trust comes from the plain, as they say. Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Well, I did. But see above for how all that fell apart. I haven't really explained to the others. Why should I? I don't need to apologize for anything ever again, I don't want their pity, and they don't need to get involved with my grim shenanigans. Easier to have them hate me. After all, when my life was on the line, I broke the code. So this is who I really am. If I was really a Young Knight, I would have kept a stiff upper lip until I died dramatically in the line of duty. Some of them thought I was full of myself, well, hey guys, I am full of myself, I am myself to the brim, and you'll like it or you'll earn the lumps! Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Saint Georgia (her real name, geez) and I were best of bests, we had each other's back, but now...? Now she'd walk into hell to see me in a cell, and other dramatic poetry. Hey, girl, c'mon! I was better than you then, I'm better than you now. Bring your sword to my gunfight. There are some expect that I'll be soft on her, and maybe? But hey, don't tell anyone, or I'll beat the stupid out of you and them. It's no fun if she knows I have anything but the blackest of hearts. The Young Knights mean well, and it's good that they're making life better for the folks I run over. But I also know that anybody in my way gets titan-sized trouble whether or not they asked for it. What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? Want to start me off on the wrong foot, huh? I'm talking about my likes first. I like the food, best of all. The faerie food - yeah, I'll eat it, I already have the worst curse - the drake steakhouses, elementonics, all of it. Man, elementonics. Can you believe people still kill themselves on beer in this new age of alchemy? Well, I guess they're not cheap, but that's why I live a life of crime now. What I don't like? All the wizards. Yeah, I learned my advanced combat cantrips, but I mean the sort that do all that private research and then leave black boxes around for little girls to find. They can all go to blazes as far as I'm concerned. You know the worst ones because they don't even bother cutting their hair or taking showers, they have stars in their eyes and curses in the fingers. Yeah, that's why I rob wizards first. Hey, guys! Your spells summoned a malcontent with a firearm! Bind this, geargrease! What’s your character’s theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBLRj0RtSo Thread titles? Delinquents & Dragons. pre:Persephone "Percy" Péng, the Black Squire (With Nothing to Lose) Alien Rope Burn fucked around with this message at 14:19 on Mar 4, 2017 |
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Feb 24, 2017 01:37
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Abilities
Alchemical Arms (Guns, Guns, Guns): The Black Squire often uses guns with elemental ammo - earth knocks people over and
bruises, lightning stuns them, and fire that burns and ignites is the most common found, though there are exotics like
vaccuum bullets that can yank people around or light rounds that blind. Though she can cook much of it herself, the
elemental bases still aren't cheap.
Cantrips and Glyphs (Gadgetry & Traps): The Black Squire relies on small cantrips to distract and inconvenience, as well
as minor tools like mage hands, and in an emergency they can sometimes divert or lessen larger spells through force
redirection or countering. She can also create minor traps called glyphs that deliver a powerful elemental blast or some
curses, but require longer to set up.
Assets
Alchemical Lab: The Black Squire has a small lab that in a case that can be used to create a number of alchemical
concoctions. Though she's not a licensed alchemician by any stretch, she has more than enough knowledge to be dangerous.
Insider Knowledge: The Black Squire knows a lot about how the Table and Young Knights operate and their facilities, and
though they've pulled her from the security wards, she still has a lot of potentially dangerous information... for the
Table, that is.
Labels: Freak -1, Danger +0, Trouble +3, Superior +0, Menace +1
Crook Moves
Bag of Tricks
You’re never content to be predictable in your line of work, and constantly stealing new experimental technology and
equipment that complement your particular skillset. Whenever you steal some new kit, you can write it down as a new
ability if this line is empty.
__________________________
□ □ □
Treat the new piece of kit as any other ability. Whenever you use the kit in a cunning and risky way, roll +Trouble
instead of +Freak to unleash your powers with it. When the third box is checked, the kit is broken, lost, or recovered
from those you stole it from, and you can erase it from the line.
Watch the Birdie
When you distract someone, add make them vulnerable to one of your choices, and take +1 forward to exploit weakness on
someone you have distracted this scene.
Wants
Choose 4 Wants to mark at the start of play. When you fulfill a marked want, strike it out, and choose one: mark
Curses!, clear a condition, take influence over someone involved. When your 4 marked Wants are all struck out, choose
and mark 4 new Wants. When all Wants are struck out, change playbooks, retire from the life, or become a threat to the
world.
□ Get drunk or high with a peer
□ Pull off a ridiculous stunt
□ Take down a hero all on your own
□ Vacation in an incredible place (or time)
Moment of Triumph
You’re about to make the score of your life. There is no obstacle that you can’t bypass, there’s no wall you
can’t scale. You make out like a bandit. Everything is within your grasp, just take, take, take, and take some more.
The more ridiculous the better here. You need to keep piling it on… because eventually that’s the point where the MC
will call it, because it’s your being laden with all that stuff that will expose you once more.
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 Ursula Hoffnung, Progenitor The Scion Vision and perspective is not a matter of seeing more things. It is something people simply have or lack. Laying in my bed I developed these traits far more than any world traveler. An archive contains knowledge from lifetimes all over the world. To have it all at your finger tips at once allows for better orchestrating of the data than seeing things for yourself years apart from each other. I spent a lifetime amassing the wisdom of lifetimes. My frail body has been good for one thing, to set me along the path of true power. My academic career was flawless. Honestly there isn't anything worth detailing. I had a position secured at the Institute of Illumination even before my graduation. It is the premier scientific academy. Not that anyone bothers keeping track because they are philistines but most recent breakthroughs have been from the academy. Under the direction of Margravine Simmons, as well. She mentored me during my time at the academy. She is truly a brilliant woman. Even I had things to learn from her. But she is too unfocused. And has too narrow in her vision. My projects during my stay were focused on physical enhancement. Ways to overcome my condition, naturally. I've had to rely on crutches of ever increasing complexity, now that my research funding has been "cut." The widening gulf between myself and my mentor came to a head when I crafted my magnum opus. [timg]http://i.imgur.com/G8PN7dI.jpg/timg] I named her Octavia. I've even taught her words. Oh don't give me that look! It's a synthetically produced brain. And the intended guard dog traits caused some mutations people find ascetically unpleasing. Ugh, you're just like her. Caught up in superficialities. What matters is results! I was so close to developing a stable process of making a new body! The stimulants that let me walk have diminishing returns. It was the only thing holding me back from becoming the new director. She must have known and wanted the excuse to get rid of me. Well I'll show her! I'll prove my genius by perfecting my work without the endless funding she has become dependent on! That complacent wretched backbiter! I looked up to you, you bitch! Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? I have planted roots in, well where one finds roots, the bottom. Charonburg, where the docks are. So much water drains through the city that the storm drains make an artificial river. The entire section district is on stilts. The reprocessing plant incorporates a dam of sorts and a proper set of docks to allow ships pass in and out of the city. A back alley saw bones down by the docks is a classic. Madam Fluerae has lent me the basement of her establishment. I keep her people sturdy and/or pretty. Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Using my brain power to bludgeon ne'er do wells with warmachines seemed like such a crude application. My effort to take a high path has not panned out too well. The world will drag down those who have to gall to stand above it I suppose. It is for the best. I'm sure the Young Knights have an even dimmer view about re-purposing "unsavory" things. Such virtue is placed in wastefulness, all to feel no dirt on their hands. Blood is the grease for the wheels of progress. Science treads through the mud, the untamed jungles. Balking at risks and optics is worse than a waste of time. Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? Ugh. My oldest friend Touko Byamumi.  Her parents were hired on as caretakers for me after I was diagnosed. Really it was her that pulled me through the worst of it. Her clueless optimism passes by insufferable back into charming. She joined when I joined the Institute. I have not talked to her must since my ousting. She would suggest I turn myself in and talk out misunderstandings, I'm sure. Her insistence would be tedious. I do miss her, but science demands sacrifices of us all. What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? The people. The stupid teeming masses. Evolution had a good run. The dice were rolled enough to get some good results but we have reached a point where we don't need these degenerates shuffling about sucking up food and electricity. If I was able to finish my research there would be a solution. If I can fix this awful body of mine I could do wonders for the dregs of society. All could be brought up to an acceptable level when they are found wanting. We would no longer need to discard the chaff. The city is a testament to the potential of arcanotech. That a huge mess like this is even sustainable speak enough. The infrastructure is amazing, even when horrifying in its more jury rigged sections. (Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEq0yYL4UHc (Optional) Thread titles? quote:Scion How did you fall in, and fall out, of favor? My peerless intellect, tireless study, and endless ambition was the envy of all. (Ursula is selfishly driven and reckless.) Who is your predecessor? Are they a hero or villain? Janice Simmons the Magravine de Canossa. Better known as Matilda the Wall, a hero who could have had a seat at the table if not so distracted by her projects. Who, outside your peers, is also tied to your Birthright?  Jasmine believes in antiquated notions such as good breeding. She has the manners not to use that exact turn of phrase around someone born with a genetic illness which causes muscular atrophy. Her pleasantries are venomous and false, to butter me up so I would not see her as a threat. Now she is in line to take the helm when Simmons retires. Why do think you deserve the Birthright? Out of all the scientists at the institute, I was the most creative. Adversity is a well for inspiration. The rest have been too pampered. They haven't worked for it like I have. They haven't earned it. Why do you suffer the others? I must. I have ill suited for heavy lifting. Like those that wrote the books in the library I need the others to bring the material to me. Perhaps they will even learn something. If they have the mind to. SHY NUDIST GRRL fucked around with this message at 07:28 on Feb 28, 2017 |
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Feb 24, 2017 03:04
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You got me with frickin' Masks/Capers, I'm in.
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Feb 24, 2017 03:37
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This looks like my kind of setting. A Bully will be here shortly.
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Feb 24, 2017 06:14
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  quote:Why did you make your pact with the Dark Power? It was the actions of a certain Hans Schroder that revealed the truth of the knighthood. The son of famous hero parents, he relished in the privileges that he received through his parent's fame. He acted as though he owned the school, and even the teachers didn't dare to defy him. For no apparent reason, he decided that I was his enemy. He endlessly tormented me, beating me up inside and outside of school. Until one day I had enough, I stood up to him and started to fight back. I was no match for Hans, but then I noticed somebody in the uniform of the Young Knights walking by. I cried out for their assistance. What I didn't know was that the Young Knight was actually Han's brother. He quickly helped his sibling win the fight. I was left on the street bleeding, and having learned that the virtue of the Knights was a facade. Injured and in despair, I found myself aimlessly wandering the city. Eventually, I found myself in a strange neighborhood. It was quiet, too quiet for being in the middle of the city. Also at the end of the block, there was a massive imposing mansion. When I looked at it, some strange power compelled me towards it. Unable to resist its pull, I entered the mansion, the gate and door opening by themselves. Guided by the mysterious force, I went down in the mansion, where I saw my Master for the first time.  In the center of the room surrounded by charred skeletons, was a single corpse bound to a pole by countless chains. I don't believe I ever felt true terror, until I was in the presence of my master. My immediate instinct was to flee, but then I heard a voice come from the motionless corpse. "I can sense it....you are one who seeks power.....pledge yourself to my service.....and I will grant you more power than you can possibly imagine.....kneel before me...." At first, I hesitated, but then I smiled and knelt before him. That was when I died. Don't worry, I got better. You see, my master, (whom I now know is called the Charnel Emperor), had no use for me as a living servant. He raised me as a Revenant. As an undead, I have gained immense power. However, I am now bound to him by as many chains as the ones that physically bind him. quote:How did you find your Lair?  quote:Who, outside your peers, is tied to the Dark Power? quote:What is it that your Dark Power wants from you, and from the world? quote:Why do you suffer the others? quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back?  quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? quote:Villain Name: Dead Face IShallRiseAgain fucked around with this message at 02:21 on Mar 7, 2017 |
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Feb 24, 2017 18:06
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Working on a Crook. "Red" The Crook WIP quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they? quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? quote:(Optional) Thread titles? quote:What got you into your life of crime? quote:How did you gain your particular set of skills? quote:Who, outside your peers, thinks you just a two-bit thief? quote:Why do you try to be a villain? quote:Why do you suffer the others? quote:Villain Name: Red Ferrosol fucked around with this message at 23:07 on Feb 24, 2017 |
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Feb 24, 2017 19:13
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  Scales the Crook Oi! Da gently caress youse lookin' at? Da gills? Yeah, I'm a fishman. The gently caress of it? I ain't allowed to have gills now? Unless you want a place knocked over, youse better amscray! quote:What got you into your life of crime? It ain't no secret that us fishmen don't get a lotta respect. Just a buncha stupid gill-heads, huh?! There ain't no future in this city for a fishman. Best I could hope for is fuckin' dockwork, and ain't no money in that. It's that or join the fuckin' pigs like Ocho did. No way. So yeah, I did a little pickpocketin' to get by. Pickpocketing became burglary, and burglary became a career criminal. I'm just a victim of a system that doesn't care about me. Also I looooove free poo poo! quote:How did you gain your particular set of skills? Listen. I'm a streetguppy. And when you're a streetguppy, ya just happen to pick up streetguppy things. Like theft. And crime. And punching cops in the face. I've had a lot of really good partners in crime over the years, and I just happen to soak up crime like a sponge. The kitchen kind, not the...coral kind. I wasn't tryin' to make like a pun cuz I'm a fish. quote:Who, outside your peers, thinks you just a two-bit thief?  That would be Key and Kei, two members of the Knights that have been hounding my rear end for years. They've got more heart than brains, and you can hear 'em comin' from two blocks away. They've arrested me a couple times and they keep trying to get me to join the Knights, but gently caress that! They have terrible fashion sense anyway! quote:Why do you try to be a villain? There's nothing else for me. I don't have any skills. I never got a proper education. There are people out there who think I don't even belong here. "Go back to the sea!" and all that crap. I figure, if the system's broke, I go right in and try to tear it apart. Maybe then we can start rebuilding. But as long as those drat Knights are around, I'm gonna keep boostin' jewels and life's gonna suck. quote:Why do you suffer the others? Dese guys...I dunno why they need me around, they got all these superpowers an' poo poo. All I got is a good punch and a line on a guy that can make some papers. But hey, if they wanna put up with me, I guess I can put up with them watchin' my back. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement for now, is all. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? The docks have the highest fishman population in all of Avalon. I guess we can never go too far from the water, can we? As for friends...  Niin Vasquez is probably my closest friend and confidant. They run an inn by the docks that gets a lot of business from sailors, and they always have a room free for me whenever I need to lay low for a bit. They always scold me when I get caught too, saying I should go straight. I never listen, of course. Usually bails me out, too. They're pretty cool~! quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Yeah, fuckin' excuse me if I don't just crawl into authority's lap and act a goddamn toadie. gently caress the Knights, as has been said before. I wanna change this rotten system, and the constraints of bureaucracy and ranking aren't where I'm gonna fuckin' do it. By the time I'd make it to the Table, I'd be fuckin' brainwashed like the rest of them anyway. quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Ocho Hazuki used to be one of my best friends, but that idiot decided to go straight and join the Knights. "Eight Legs of Justice," he calls himself. Six of his limbs are arms! It don't make no sense! Was always a fuckin' dork like that. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? I don't like the government here. The Table controls everything, everyone knows it, and the Mayor keeps trying to pretend it ain't the case. All it takes is one corrupt Knight and the whole thing comes crashing down. It's probably already happened. What I doooooo like....Avalon-style pizza is the best in the world! quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQMgXPFzdg8 quote:Villain Name: Scales Waffleman_ fucked around with this message at 01:49 on May 5, 2017 |
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Feb 24, 2017 23:22
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  Greetings, son and or daughter of Earth. This one is known by the alias Ea’lyiz, though your fellow humans seem insistent on simplifying it to Ea. No preference is had, so you shall be allowed to refer to this one in either manner. Now, what business brings you before this one? quote:Where do you come from, and why are you here? You seek knowledge of the homeworld? Why is this? If the intent is a counterinvasion of Zuda’hym, then this one must refuse disclosing any information that could be used for nefarious purposes. ...You merely wish to know? Is that so. Fond as this one is of the homeworld, it is rare to see another with genuine interest. Very well then. As a reward for your curiosity, this one shall answer what questions you have. It has been mentioned in previous, but this one shall reiterate that this one comes from Zuda’hym, homeworld of the Hymfazther people. It was, this one must admit, a twisted society built on lies and manipulation. That which you children of Earth call psychic abilities come naturally to us of Zuda’hym, meaning that there was little safe bastion for opinions and feelings when one’s mind might be read at any moment to detect signs of rebellion against the hierarchy. Friendships were fragile things, so easily broken over a transient thought, let alone relationships of the romantic interest. Despite what may seem like criticism, as it is, this one nevertheless reminiscences longingly for the homeworld. At least there, one knew what to expect from those around, even if it was in but a twisted way. However, much as this one wishes to return to Zuda’hym, it would be ill-advised at the present time for the planet has erupted into a sort of… civil war behind the curtains. A revolution perhaps not broadcasted, yet is still known about among the populace, though it is not expected to succeed. Out of concern for this one’s well-being, as mine mother figure is a not insignificant figure of politics, plans were made to abscond from the homeworld until the revolution had been quelled. Earth was chosen as the determined destination without this one’s input, as others from Zuda’hym who have travelled there in the past claimed it was a world hospitable to all kinds of alien lifeforms. Perhaps this was true in the past, but this one is doubtful if that is so true today. Indeed, in order to make this one’s refugee stay enjoyable, less than legal countermeasures have been taken. But, well, this planet’s laws do not apply to an outsider such as this one after all. quote:How does your Contagion influence those around you? It has been mentioned in previous, but this one shall restate that the Hymfazther people as a general have access to what those of Earth call psychic abilities. Though the power manifests differently in different individuals, one that all of us from the homeworld share is the power of suggestion. To most of our people, it is a feeble thing, rarely able to compel even a child to cease its crying. However, it is apparent that the children of Earth are more susceptible to suggestion, to the point that this one has been able to control weaker minds when it is desirable. The theory is made that as a countermeasure of our people and unique talents, the Hymfazther have developed a type of tolerance to psychic abilities, whereas the children of Earth have no such mental defense. Unfortunate for them, but quite fortunate for this one. quote:Who, outside your peers, also comes from the same homeland?  (Fhy'oni's human disguise AKA temporary picture until/if I find something more appropriate) It has been mentioned in previous, but this one shall repeat that this one is not the first to make the journey from Zuda’hym. In particularity, there is the one known as Fhy’oni, who had been staying on Earth for several years prior to this one’s own journey. While once fiercely loyal to the homeworld, it appears that Fhy’oni’s time on Earth has developed in them a sense of strong independence. As they put it in one of our encounters, “their many eyes have been opened to what Zuda’hym could truly be like.” This one does not understand the entirety of their meaning, but they have proven to be quite the nuisance in recent events, as Fhy’oni seems intent on safeguarding what delicate peace exists in Avalon City. quote:Why do you still linger here on Earth? It has been mentioned in previous, but… ah, in de facto, this one has not mentioned why in its in entirety. Apologies are made. This one simply awaits word from Mother that it is safe to return to the homeworld. Although, it must be admitted that this one has received no message at all since the arrival. It is… concerning. Yes, concerning. While this one does not doubt the capabilities of Mother, not to speaking of Zuda’hym’s government, it is strange that this one has not been contacted even once. Thoughts have been had as to return by oneself, but this one is reluctant to disobey direct orders, and… ...This one is, if the truth must be made, afraid of what might be found. quote:Why do you suffer the others? Because this one’s manifestation of powers does not lend well to solo excursions. Though it is but children’s play to influence the masses, there are those who have presented themselves as more difficult to affect. The Knights of Chivalry and Order, this one believes they are called? The wills of these Knights are not so easily broken, and while this one’s physical capabilities are impressive, it is not enough to survive alone against these heroes. As well… this one admittedly finds those of Earth rather amusing. There are those who remind this one of the homeworld, with whispered words and guarded hearts. Yet there are many who act sincere and honest, even in a city such as this. It is unusual. Unusual, but, how do you say, refreshing. It is still greatly foolish of them, of course, but this one cannot help but savor that foolishness. quote:Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? Though there is no place on Earth that this one would consider a home, this one has since the arrival come into possession of a secondary abode, for an open definition of abode. Known as the Lower Gardens Apartment Complex, it is a series of run-down but serviceable rooms that this one has been using as a base of operations. Of course, the Complex was not in this one’s possession from the beginning. Rather, it was originally occupied by a gang of individuals who call themselves the Avalon Junkers. A roughhousing bunch, some of their ilk discovered this one upon the first arrival, while shelter was being sought. They attempted to intimidate this one, threatening violence upon this one’s person, claiming this one was unwelcome. So they were brought to heel. Visions of madness upon one group, compulsion to kneel upon another. Several hours were spent teaching these Junkers the error of their ways, after which this one claimed their ‘hideout’ for this one’s own purposes. They did not argue. Indeed, they seemed even impressed. Or perhaps that was merely an aftereffect of the mental onslaught. It is difficult to determine. Regardless, the Junkers are now this one’s loyal servants, whether it be out of fear, awe, or both. quote:Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Because this one has no interest in being restrained by the laws of Earth. Enough of that was experienced on Zuda’hym, and was tolerated solely as it was the homeworld, as well as out of respect for tradition and not being incarcerated. But here? On this unfamiliar planet, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, an unfamiliar people? This one sees no reason to abide by the rules of such a different culture. Other Hymfazter may disagree, and Fhy’oni already has. But if refuge must be found on this world, then this one will live as this one desires in the meanwhile. That is all there is to it. quote:Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Know is not the exact word that this one would use, but there is one that has seen fit to associate themselves with this one. Using the alias Maqina, they have some tie to the Avalon Junkers, judging by the banter they have thrown in some of our conflicts. It seems this one’s recent possession of the gang has earned a personal grudge from this Maqina, and they have constantly harried this one since the arrival. quote:What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? It is not the homeworld. Is that not enough to justify this one's dislike? Then, it is loud one moment, yet quiet the next. Violent one day, peaceful the next. Gloomy one day, then cheerful the next. The city, the people, they all shift in their ways so quickly. It is unnatural. And yet, it is the way of you humans. How curious. If there is something that this one likes about Avalon City, even Earth in general, then it is the cuisine. The homeworld is many things, but… a site of fine delicacies is not one of them. What is astonishing to this one is just what you humans are willing to consume on a daily basis. And how much of it! Truly, it is most curious. Also, delicious. quote:(Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? quote:(Optional) Thread titles? quote:Villain (and Real) Name: Ea'lyiz TheFireMagi fucked around with this message at 22:34 on Jun 17, 2017 |
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Feb 25, 2017 02:07
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Round One Questions! Part 1! Well, this is the point where I wish I had chosen some kind of consistent gimmick-voice for my posts like TheNabster did for his thread, but I did not, so y'all get the unfiltered me! I've gotten a lot of strong apps so far, and here are some (probably unworthy) followup questions for those who have fully completed their playbook and thread questions. Seraphine: You’re not the only one with ideas about reforming life in the city. There are others with both grand ideals and the power to carry them out. Who did you meet that at first seemed like a fellow traveler, but soon revealed themselves to be exactly the type of person you hate the most? Really; power for nothing? I don’t believe it. The pact you made with Peram is the only thing keeping you from being a useless nobody, surely you must have wondered about it quite a bit. How do you feel about the mysterious nature of your power, and do you ever wonder if perhaps there is a hidden catch? Crimson Chevalier: Calamity Blade is a legendary figure, and everyone in the city knows the story of when he first arrived. He appeared at the city outskirts, walking unerringly forward and challenging any who crossed his pass to a fight. After defeating dozens of Knights he came across a hero of the Table, and the two dueled for several days. Calamity Blade ended up walking away from the fight with his sword sheathed, neither defeated nor victorious, and since then he’s kept mostly to single duels over widespread destruction. He spoke of this famous incident only once during your training. Who was the hero that so vexed your mentor, and what secret missing from the popular tale did he let slip out? The Key of Solomon is far more than a textbook for basic spellcraft. It is the memoir of a man who discovered hidden truths, and on rare occasions you have opened the book to discover new pages detailing events Soloman never could have written himself. Some of the passages describe actions you yourself have taken since possessing the book. After much study, you think you’ve discovered a pattern within all of these odd pages. What so obsessed Soloman that his grimoire is attempting to unravel the mystery long after his death, and how is it integral to his (your) magic? High Gear: The city spills it’s overflowing population in all directions, even downwards. Soon after establishing The Grand Manufactory you discovered some nearby… neighbors… hidden so far down that not even Ebony Mask seems to know about them. What hardscrabble group has taken residence with you in the abandoned tunnels, and why do you tolerate their existence? One day while scavenging through the trash (sorry, searching through the ancient ruins) you came across a most valuable piece of old magitech – that was already in the possession of another scavenger. Figuring that they were just some idiot who had made a lucky find, you attempted to take the rare parts from them - so they could be used by someone with the proper expertise, of course. Well, they got away with the goods and you ate dust. How did you get outwitted, and why do you have to admit that your… rival wasn’t victorious entirely due to luck. Dead Face: Jeez, that was a tough life, kiddo. And a short one. To pass from the hands of a bully to the hands of a lich… Well, the moment you rose from death was probably quite something. To be liberated from weakness of flesh, and granted the strength of bone and unearthly power - it must have felt great, right up until the Charnel Emperor laid down the law. “Do not harm Hans Schroder… he is exactly the kind of maggot… we wish to infest the knights...” How do you feel about your master barring you from taking vengeance on the one who ruined your life, and what action did you take to vent your frustration? There was a figure in the city beloved by all. They sat on the Table for decades, and everyone agreed they were the paragon of justice and virtue. They were the Knight of Knights, and they passed away on the day you were born. You always hoped that meant something – like you were their reincarnation. Well, with the power to raise the spirits of the dead, you were able to scientifically disprove that theory. You bound the hero’s spirit to speak with them for a time. Well, correction, you tried to bind the hero’s spirit – even in death, they had a fierceness you were unprepared for. What wisdom did they try to share with you in the brief time you spoke, and what did they do as a spirit that you were unable to stop even if you wished too? --- Also, just to put this out into public, I do plan on having the second round of questions be in TheNabster's 'partner questions format', where I'll pair up apps together and the players will do a volley of question/answer posts with eachother. Scrree fucked around with this message at 19:45 on Feb 25, 2017 |
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Feb 25, 2017 19:19
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Dead Facequote:Jeez, that was a tough life, kiddo. And a short one. To pass from the hands of a bully to the hands of a lich… Well, the moment you rose from death was probably quite something. To be liberated from weakness of flesh, and granted the strength of bone and unearthly power - it must have felt great, right up until the Charnel Emperor laid down the law. “Do not harm Hans Schroder… he is exactly the kind of maggot… we wish to infest the knights...” How do you feel about your master barring you from taking vengeance on the one who ruined your life, and what action did you take to vent your frustration? My first target was Han's brother. After observing him from the shadows for a few weeks, I got a full measure of his character. He was no noble knight, and was almost as rotten as his brother. I could enact my plan. Attacking him when he was alone, I quickly defeated him with my newfound powers. As I stood before his battered form, I gave him two choices: join me to great benefit to himself, or die. Him choosing the former was no surprise to me. I demanded that he prove his loyalty, and tasked him with stealing an artifact from the knights. He agreed to do so. What the fool didn't know was that I had no interest in the artifact. When he broke into the treasury, he was quickly apprehended. Apparently, a good Samaritan had informed the authorities that there was going to be a break-in attempt. Han's brother is still rotting in jail. quote:There was a figure in the city beloved by all. They sat on the Table for decades, and everyone agreed they were the paragon of justice and virtue. They were the Knight of Knights, and they passed away on the day you were born. You always hoped that meant something – like you were their reincarnation. Well, with the power to raise the spirits of the dead, you were able to scientifically disprove that theory. You bound the hero’s spirit to speak with them for a time. Well, correction, you tried to bind the hero’s spirit – even in death, they had a fierceness you were unprepared for. What wisdom did they try to share with you in the brief time you spoke, and what did they do as a spirit that you were unable to stop even if you wished too? Before I was able to stop him, he was able to get a message to the knights about the Charnel Emperor still being around somewhere. Scrree posted:
IShallRiseAgain fucked around with this message at 00:58 on Feb 28, 2017 |
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Feb 25, 2017 20:53
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Scales is done!
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Feb 25, 2017 21:22
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 quote:You’re not the only one with ideas about reforming life in the city. There are others with both grand ideals and the power to carry them out. Who did you meet that at first seemed like a fellow traveler, but soon revealed themselves to be exactly the type of person you hate the most? I met the Supreme Sorceress, Sandra. Well, to be fair, it was more like she sought me out. She wished to recruit me for her plans for the city. She didn't go into much detail about them, but she promised that she would make the city a better place. Especially her promise to fix up the slums were very appealing to me. But... very quickly it was apparent that it was all empty promises. Not only was I aware of how little she did beforehand, her eyes betrayed her own lust for power. As such, I had no reason to accept her offer. quote:Really; power for nothing? I don’t believe it. The pact you made with Peram is the only thing keeping you from being a useless nobody, surely you must have wondered about it quite a bit. How do you feel about the mysterious nature of your power, and do you ever wonder if perhaps there is a hidden catch? Well, Peram gave me this power in order to fight injustice, and make the world a better place! But, uhm... he kind of didn't tell me how to do it! But that only means he believes in me right? Or she?... It? Nevermind all that! I'm sure that if I did something wrong, Peram would come and tell me! The fact that they didn't just means I'm on the proper path! ... I do kind of want to know what exactly this power is. In fact... I'm not even sure what I am at this point. In fact, I almost think Peram turned me into a proper angel! It kind of sounds preposterous, I know, but look. My custome wasn't decided by me. It just... sort of shows up when I activate my power? And the wings. And the light! ... and the strange majesty others always tell me about. Isn't that a bit much for a simple cooincidence? To be honest... I don't know. I kind of gave up on thinking about it. Peram hasn't shown up to give me any new advice, orders, or what have you, but I really want to disappoint Peram. Even if it is a little dubious, without Peram I would be nothing! Yami Fenrir fucked around with this message at 18:16 on Feb 27, 2017 |
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Feb 25, 2017 22:32
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 Scrree posted:The city spills it’s overflowing population in all directions, even downwards. Soon after establishing The Grand Manufactory you discovered some nearby… neighbors… hidden so far down that not even Ebony Mask seems to know about them. What hardscrabble group has taken residence with you in the abandoned tunnels, and why do you tolerate their existence? "The tunnels certainly are very expansive, and various slumlords often come and go. Honestly, I've never paid them much notice except when making the point that the very existence of slums and poverty is proof of insipid governance. If knowledgeable people were let in charge of economic planning, I'm certain this issue would be fairly trivial to rectify. But yes, mostly these were all people beneath my notice." "Except, for these people. The Seven Signet Society they call themselves, and I found them when the thaumic sensors I've installed around the Manufactory started going haywire. Now, first thing I thought they were just some dreary old cult, they certainly had the trappings. That is, until I noticed that their 'ritual candles' were just cheap scented ones from Hallmart, and that their skulls were all definitely plastic. Some intimidation and further questioning revealed that they were just a collection of students from Avalon Community College, majoring in Ritual Arts and too cheap to pay actual rent. So they decided to squat here instead, since it's dry and has the right 'vibe' or some such", Anton scoffed, "Not too surprised they can't pay rent. Rituals are far too unpredictable a form of magic to be of large scale use. Too many chaotic variables and poorly understood conjecture. Hmph." "Nevertheless, they've agreed to try and bind spirits for me on occasion, for me to integrate into my creations, and in exchange I choose to not kick them out. It's a win win situation, really." Scrree posted:One day while scavenging through the trash (sorry, searching through the ancient ruins) you came across a most valuable piece of old magitech – that was already in the possession of another scavenger. Figuring that they were just some idiot who had made a lucky find, you attempted to take the rare parts from them - so they could be used by someone with the proper expertise, of course. Well, they got away with the goods and you ate dust. How did you get outwitted, and why do you have to admit that your… rival wasn’t victorious entirely due to luck. "Haha, yes, nice dig there", Anton sneers at you, "It's not trash if it's useful, by definition. See this sort of basic attention to detail and the meanings of words is what separates the smart from the dumb", he chuckles a bit at his 'clever burn', before continuing, "But yes it IS true that I've had to deal with the occasional competitor for the artifacts deposited here. Of course, I dealt with the grand majority of them with such expediency that I saw no particular reason to be all that vary around them. Which, by the way, I still maintain was the smartest choice. See, the more time I spend preparing for potential threats the less time I have for resource extraction, at which point it's just a simple optimization exercise with regards to potential gains", Anton raises an eyebrow and smirks smugly, "Even if I recognize such high flying thinking might go over your head. Don't feel too bad though, the grand majority of the people are just as stupid as you. Which is why I am so perplexed why we let them to rule. Hmph. Nevertheless, the important thing for you to realize is that the reason I lost to that cretin is that I, OF MY OWN ACCORD, chose not to prepare for him."  Anton sighed, "Now, unlike the assorted rabble that can usually be found here, The Collector is someone to take seriously. He's well read and an accomplished mage in his own right, but with the powers of the planar pocketwatch he has the supremely annoying power to alter various physical fundamentals around himself. For example, altering metallic friction coefficients in such a way that both my suit AND my minions ground to a halt whilst he made away with the prize. The worst part? I'm fairly certain he doesn't even intend to use the thing for anything, because true to his moniker, he just likes collecting rare things and stashing them in his mansion, the wasteful bastard. And oh yes, I know he lives in a mansion because I know exactly where he lives. It's just", Anton's gaze turns to the wall for a moment, before he looks back at you, "He's a friend of Ebony Mask's you see? And whilst it is perfectly acceptable for us to compete whilst on the field, I've in no uncertain terms been told that going directly at his mansion would be... extremely unwise." There's a moment of silence. "Bah. I can get more things with less effort elsewhere anyway, so why would I bother with him? Pointless and wasteful of my time. Just like your questions."
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Feb 25, 2017 22:45
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Round One Questions! Part 2! Scales: You’ve got style, you’ve got grace, you’ve even got a surprising amount of Hot Bloodedness, for a fish person, but tell me – do you got skills? Running from cops and pick pocketing snobby beachgoers is one thing, actually pulling off a high stakes caper is another. Tell me about the time you stole someone’s metaphorical nose right off their metaphorical face, and how it got lot more heat on your tail (fins?) than Key and Kei, at least for a while. Speaking of Key and Key; you’ve got a lot of people in your life telling you to go straight. They believe you can change, Niin keeps pestering you about it, and Ocho is already walking the ‘righteous path’. For a victim of society you’ve sure got a lot of positive role models… Well, maybe you’re not a crook because you’re a victim. Maybe you’re a crook because you like stealing, and are drat good at it. Who failed to understand this and offered you a (good or bad) opportunity to go straight, and how did you rebuff them? Ea’Lyiz Child of a ‘not insignificant’ politician, huh? How important is not insignificant? If your whole family was dead right now – hey, it’s a valid hypothetical question! - would you be the heir to some part of Zuda’hym? If you were to go back home not as a child, but as a ruler in your own right… The possibility is terrifying, but the potential is great. What changes would you make to create the ideal Hymfazther culture, and do you think even a poor facsimile of that ideal could ever be created on Earth? You can’t be staying on Earth purely out of fear. There is something about this planetary refuge that has kept you far more entertained than you expected. Even if the place is far inferior to your homeland, you have to admit there’s something novel about it. Tell me, what intrigued you more, the feeling of mastery when you dominated the Junkers, or the feeling of exhilaration when you realized you couldn’t predict Maqina’s every move and were actually in for a fight.  Bonus Question!!! Sweet, Salty, Savory, Sour, or Bitter?edit: It was brought to my attention that I wasn't clear on if who exactly the bonus question was for. While I intended it to be answered by Ea'Lyiz, if anyone else wants to answer it feel free to add/edit into your answer post. Scrree fucked around with this message at 00:33 on Feb 26, 2017 |
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Feb 26, 2017 00:18
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 Scrree posted:You’ve got style, you’ve got grace, you’ve even got a surprising amount of Hot Bloodedness, for a fish person, but tell me – do you got skills? Running from cops and pick pocketing snobby beachgoers is one thing, actually pulling off a high stakes caper is another. Tell me about the time you stole someone’s metaphorical nose right off their metaphorical face, and how it got lot more heat on your tail (fins?) than Key and Kei, at least for a while. Oooh, poo poo. Well, okay. There waaaaaaaas this one time where I was on a heist trying to get the Founder's Jewel from its exhibit near the capitol. I was in charge of getting us in and slipping the jewel out of its case. There were Table Knights everywhere, but lemme tells ya, I ain't never get out without my score. I got the jewel and we got outta there, but when it was time for our getaway, the ringleader of the whole operation nabbed the jewel and left us for dead! What a fuckin' mook! Rest of us had to scramble, fast. Luckily, we didn't attract any attention until we were almost out, so I had to lay low at Niin's until the heat wore off the docks. Taught me a lesson. Scrree posted:Speaking of Key and Key; you’ve got a lot of people in your life telling you to go straight. They believe you can change, Niin keeps pestering you about it, and Ocho is already walking the ‘righteous path’. For a victim of society you’ve sure got a lot of positive role models… Well, maybe you’re not a crook because you’re a victim. Maybe you’re a crook because you like stealing, and are drat good at it. Who failed to understand this and offered you a (good or bad) opportunity to go straight, and how did you rebuff them? During the aftermath of the Founder's Jewel heist, I had the misfortune to run into  Alexandria Crowley, one of the Knights of the Table. "Merwyn Alistair, better known as...'Scales.' "Yeah, dat's me. What of it?" "You've got quite a reputation as a thief. Speaking of which, there was quite the theft at the capitol the other day. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" "I know my rights, Knight. I don't have to tell you anything." "I suppose you're right. Though if it were up to me, you'd have been in cuffs 10 minutes ago." "Good thing it ain't up to you then." "It would do you good to rebuke this life of crime. One of our new Young Knights speaks quite fondly of you. You could be using your talents for good." "I could say th' same of your lot." "....So be it." And then she just walked away. My heart was beating a mile a minute, honestly. Had to make a mad dash to the inn to cool off.
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Feb 26, 2017 01:35
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 quote:Child of a ‘not insignificant’ politician, huh? How important is not insignificant? If your whole family was dead right now – hey, it’s a valid hypothetical question! - would you be the heir to some part of Zuda’hym? If you were to go back home not as a child, but as a ruler in your own right… The possibility is terrifying, but the potential is great. What changes would you make to create the ideal Hymfazther culture, and do you think even a poor facsimile of that ideal could ever be created on Earth? Calling Mother a politician is not quite how this one would describe it… it is a role of power, yes, but not necessarily a prestigious position. Mother holds the ear of a number of influential figures, however, and possesses a great deal of political clout as a result. Like an advisor figure, this one supposes, if not one always publicly recognized. There is a term some of you children of Earth use… Vizier? Mother’s role is akin to that, though she goes without an official title. Hence, a not insignificant figure in politics, yet not a politician either. As such, this one would not necessarily inherit anything if… the worst was to come. Still, as her child, this one would likely find several opportunities from her allies that others would not. Or perhaps they would think it best to bury this one, so no secrets of theirs could leak. Either is about equally likely in Hymfazther society. Yet, if this one could rule… it is a thought that has been had before. By many others as well, most likely. If the truth must be made, then this one is uncertain. What is the ideal? Ideal for this one? For the masses? For the Hymfazther’s future as a people? Change one’s outlook, and one’s answer changes in turn. Still, that is not a proper response to your theoretical. If there are changes this one would make, most would have to do with how the law permits such free use of psychic abilities by the common citizen. The people, as this one has found, cannot be trusted with such liberty. It sows the seed of paranoia and destruction, harvests the fruit of despair, cooks the meat of turmoil… The metaphor could go on. Indeed, better to keep such powers to those in power, this one believes. Much of the same could be said for Earth, in de facto. These Knights of Chivalry and Order, with all their strength and righteousness, do not put their talents to the best of use. You need only look around any corner of the Lower Gardens, witness the crime that is widespread so easily, to understand that. If the weak yet plentiful masses cannot be trusted to administer themselves, then it must be left up to the powerful yet few individuals to do so for them. This is the Truth, whether this one speaks of the homeworld, or of this world. quote:You can’t be staying on Earth purely out of fear. There is something about this planetary refuge that has kept you far more entertained than you expected. Even if the place is far inferior to your homeland, you have to admit there’s something novel about it. Tell me, what intrigued you more, the feeling of mastery when you dominated the Junkers, or the feeling of exhilaration when you realized you couldn’t predict Maqina’s every move and were actually in for a fight. You are not incorrect, though your use of the word fear is very much noted, as this one specified concern for a reason. However, this one shall be gracious and forgive you. Only twenty lashes will be required, rather than two hundred. You shall be trusted to administer yourself in this manner. Now, while you attend to that, explain what is meant by novel. ...Ah, this one comprehends now. Yes, such a curious feeling has been had in the past. Though the one known as Maqina certainly impressed, and another skirmish would be enjoyable enough, the feeling of unpredictability was not so unfamiliar. Mine mother often challenged this one to an assortment of games, usually at inopportune moments, so as to prepare this one to adapt to any number of scenarios. Yet the subjugation of the Avalon Junkers and the sense of control felt as this one watched their wills broke… it is for the moments like these that this one desires a better understanding of your language. How can it be described? This one was… not satisfied, exactly. Full? Complete. This one felt complete while watching their minds shatter for their transgressions. quote:
Ah, this one’s preferred flavor of cuisine? A curious question to ask, after the others. ...Is this perhaps some odd Earth trick to lower this one’s guard? No? Hmm. Very well then. This one enjoys all manners of food, but if a choice must be made, then… sweets. Beyond the pleasantness of the taste, sweetness is not something present in most Hymfazther dishes. Indeed, this one would go as far as to call the flavor… alien. Hehe.
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Feb 26, 2017 02:04
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Scrree posted:Round One Questions! Part 1! Of course. You speak of The Golden Knight, Pendragon.  I know not if he truly is the Once and Future King as they say, but Calamity Blade only spoke of him with respect — and regret. As you said, they fought over the course of many days. I know not how, but the city was not rendered a barren wasteland by their battle. It seems quite unlikely, having traveled with him, that he would be pressed so hard only to retreat. He did mention that Pendragon held back, even as their conflict reached its peak, but would that be enough to stop the fight...? I think not. The deeper truth that he inadvertently revealed was this: the battle was fought before the Ame-No-Murakumo came into his possession. He was using some lesser blade, a blade who's name was either insignificant or lost to the annals of history. A blade that would not have been worthy of such a battle. I suspect that Calamity Blade met with defeat, despite what the stories say, but an unsatisfying and technical one. Neither him nor his opponent, the noble Pendragon, would sully their blade on one who was unarmed. So, yes, I believe that the story is largely accurate. But when Calamity Blade left the battle, his blade was sheathed because it had been shattered by the force of their blows. As for why he has not cut such a path through the city since...? I suspect that it is out of respect, in his own way, for a man he views as one who may yet prove his equal. Or perhaps it was the condition that was set for a rematch. One that would see both fighting with all of their strength. Whatever the truth of the matter is, I would be interested in crossing blades with Pendragon myself. To understand the man who, for whatever reason, frustrated the man I must surpass? That would prove most useful. Scrree posted:The Key of Solomon is far more than a textbook for basic spellcraft. It is the memoir of a man who discovered hidden truths, and on rare occasions you have opened the book to discover new pages detailing events Soloman never could have written himself. Some of the passages describe actions you have taken since possessing the book. After much study, you think you’ve discovered a pattern within all of these odd pages. What so obsessed Soloman that his grimoire is attempting to unravel the mystery long after his death, and how is it integral to his (your) magic? You have a keen understanding. Solomon was no mere scholar. He was a seeker of truth. The Truth. The origin of all. I believe that quest is what has consumed his grimoire. It is a curious thing, seeing it scribe my travels and experiments into the ongoing narrative. I will continue his quest, for I believe that it will further my own. Were I to find the origin? My command over the fabric of the universe might well prove absolute. I can only imagine what Solomon could do at the peak of his power, yet it would be insignificant compared to that which I would then wield. You see, I have come to understand the Essence of the elements. That is the foundation of my current understanding of sorcery. If I were to comprehend further Essences, then I would possess more power and versatility in my craft. The Essences I possess had been codified and recorded within the grimoire before it came into my hands. Yet, with further experimentation and inspiration, it should be possible to unlock the secrets of more. And, as I progress down this path, I will come closer and closer to the origin of all. The ultimate Essence. The final truth. Now, though it sounds as though I have the answers, I do not. I have not yet found the path to a new Essence. It may take years of hard-fought research or it may occur in a brilliant moment of inspiration. I believe the book knows, in it's own way, and has been recording my actions when it senses I'm on the right course. So if I pay attention to the new additions, it should ease my path. Scrree posted:Round One Questions! Part 2! Sweet, naturally. The other four have their place, as any reasonable person might admit, but the sweet taste of victory- Wait, you meant food? Oh. Well, I am a carnivore. So, uh, I suppose that would be savory by default? Have you ever had a slightly crisped haunch of Scorpion-Deer? The tail is quite deadly, but the meat is succulent beyond belief. The slight citrus zest of the poison, the crunch of the armored exoskeleton, the spicy flavor of the tender flesh, the aromatic steam when it's cooked just so with a magical blaze... Mmm. It's one of the few things I miss from the days I wandered the wastes with Calamity Blade. The nights that we would sit under the stars, the corpses of a Scorpion-Deer hive surrounding us, and he would look almost content for a moment. Just a moment, though, and then it was back to his mad quest for the perfect fight. Sorry, I digressed from the question. That's obviously a little hard to come by in the city, so I favor the self-service grilling establishments common to the lower areas. The meat isn't quite as good as something freshly slaughtered, but it does sate one's hunger all the same. It can be somewhat inconvenient to patronize those locations, given the prejudices my ancestry brings, but there are a few such where I have established an understanding with the patrons and owners. Where they choose not to make issue of my features, I will choose not to rain down hellfire and lightning. It has worked so far. I trust that they will uphold their end of the bargain. It would be most inconvenient to have to start that process anew.
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Feb 26, 2017 02:22
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 Jotun  quote:Villain Name: Jotun  Dad  Mom  Great-Great-Great-Grandpa Painting the Town Red  Alexander: Friend, Lieutenant, Killbot Doggerland: the frozen, primeval marshes that bridged continental Europe and the British Isles in prehistoric times and risen once more following the Great Mistake. Not simply dredged from the North Sea depths, Doggerland is a place out of time where creatures that have not drawn breath since man first raised cities and monsters that never were walk among men made savage by savage times and savage lands. It is a harsh place of brackish swamps and wind-whipped icy lowlands where the only way to stay alive and warm is to keep moving and spill blood. Doggerlanders are not soft, like you who hide in walled cities. We nurse on the milk of the aurochs. We learn to ride the war mammoth before we can walk. We cut our teeth on elkhorn. We shun the toys of your children; iron and bone is our heritage and the only things with which we shall make play. You are the inheritors of the legacy of the failed kings of the Old World. Your leaders wear crowns of wood and robes of hemp and tell you it is gold and silk and you smile and nod and compliment the craftsmanship. I am the inheritor of a far older legacy revived in the flames that killed the Old World and birthed the new. My ancestors were the first to see the truth of the New World. They saw the writing on the wall and knew its ink was blood. They left the cities for newly-risen Doggerland and made the first steps on virgin land, blazed the first trails on the trackless marshland, and spilled the first blood in the brackish waters. There came a time when those fools who look backwards thought to build walls in the Doggerland, raising the city of Thule. They dared to think they could tame the untamable. Oh White-Walled Thule, She who the soft-ones called the Metropolis Reborn, that they called Providence, that they called the Glittering City on a Hill, that they filled with such wealth and mysteries that none thought it could fall, that it would herald the return of the Old World. When the walls fell, it was my ancestor, Harald Drake Thule, who was the through the breach. It was he who slew their champions and toppled their bronze idols. It was he who burned their temples, their schools of sorcery and other mysteries and took the heads of their great men. For this, he earned a Great Name for himself and his line and Harald Drake became Harald Thule. It is the way of our people to take on the names of our greatest conquests and most terrible foes. It is in this fashion that you have so many thanes with lesser surnames such as Sabretooth, Cave Bear, and X-777 Main Battle Tank. By taking these names, we bind the power of the vanquished dead to ourselves and our line and grow ever stronger. Someday, I shall make a name for myself, greater even than Thule. Perhaps…Avalon. My mother, I’m told, was a witch of the frozen north of some renown. My father, Bram Thule, went north for aid. He was and still is a superstitious man, fearful of the strange forces birthed in the death of the Old World and those who wield them and are changed by them. Still, he is a practical man, and when he faces a foe that wields baleful arts, he always steals, buys, or borrows some for himself. When he set his clan against Rhona Fomor, he had no choice but to seek a counter to their tainted blood and dark sorceries. And he found it in my mother, the witch, Hecatria. With her art and my father’s brutal cunning they drove the Fomor into the sea where they live to this day. But an alliance forged of convenience quickly turned to a fiery lust. My father was in his prime, a warrior known throughout the Doggerland with a trail of bones to mark his path. My mother was an intoxicating beauty, powerful and mysterious. As you soft, citypeople might say, it was not the foundation of a stable relationship—but as my people would say, it was a passionate romance the likes of which could melt the whole of Doggerland. After my birth, my parents fell away from each other for obvious reasons. I remained with my father as he is and always will be a greedy man and my mother, they say, read the stars and the cast bones and knew my destiny did not lie in the frozen wastes. Though I have heard now they say that the prophecy had a second part—that my destiny did not lay with Tribe Thule either. My father raised me to inherit the glory of the tribe and my line. My inheritance was war and chaos and iron and fire and blood and even if I was cast out, I shall still claim it with my own strength and cunning, like a true Doggerlander. I had always possessed prodigious strength. By five I had killed my first man, strangling a cousin and would-be assassin from a lesser branch of the family who thought he could snuff out the main family. At ten I slew a cave bear with the antler of a great elk while out looking for king’s leaf. The seers read it as a sign of my storied future for the antlers of the great elk symbolize kingship and the cave bear can be seen as the hidden foe, the terrible task that must be undertaken, and the mustered strength of the city-dwellers. Surely, they spoke from their smoke-filled lodges, that it was a sign that I was the fated Wolf Lord who would unite the Doggerland and bring war to the cities unlike any seen in centuries. In hindsight, I should have realized I was different. We Doggerlanders, particularly those of the Great Names are often stronger than you city people. We all have our own explanations for it—the most common is that we have bound the souls of our defeated foes into our service and they give us the strength to aid to their number. Others have a more direct explanation for their strength. The Fomor and the Rethys, for example, both gained their strength from the source; by slaying the most fearsome creatures that have risen from the marshes. The former were said to have slain strange creatures neither fish nor man that had made a kingdom in the brackish depths; the latter having vanquished Dread Rethys, the Dragon Who Breathes Death. Perhaps my opinion is biased, but I feel that the Fomor and the Rethys had the right of it all along. All of us have been changed by the Doggerland. Most, only a little. Some however… About two years ago, I began to notice my wounds heal faster than normal. At first it was nothing special; bruises healing quickly, a cut from a blade disappearing in a few days when it should have itched for weeks. After all, I had always been a hale child, never getting sick when illness struck the tribe. It was after my sixteenth birthday though that things really began to change. My strength, always great, grew tremendously. My quick healing became outrageous; cuts sealed before my eyes. But those I could have concealed or even used to my advantage, what came next was what saw to my exile. My skin and hair began to change color and horns grew from my skull. To my tribe I was no longer Elisabet, daughter of the great Bram, inheritor of the legacy of Thule and child of destiny—I was some kind of troll-blooded monster, no different from the creatures that hid in caves and ruins and craved the flesh of Doggerlanders. I was Jotun then and there, and Jotun I became. My father cast me out in the manner of our people; at sunset with a knife and light clothing. If that sounds like an execution to you then you are smarter than you look, citydweller. We Doggerlanders are loathe to execute criminals and the Corrupted—the dishonorable dead may taint the strength of one’s legacy. Exile is greatly preferred by all involved as the none in the tribe have technically dirtied their hands with the tainted blood and the exiled does, technically, have a chance to survive. Even without my awakened strength, the Doggerland could not kill me so easily. Since I could walk I had travelled the wilds in search of game and forage. This was my home—its hazards were as familiar to me as the politics of the tribe I had left forever. I spent weeks alone in the marshes, hunting and collecting skins, biding my time and building my strength. Not all in the Doggerland were as superstitious as Tribe Thule. No, some were hungry and superstitious and that hunger was far more pressing than their fear of my skin and hair and horns and terrible strength. A small tribe, nameless and starving was cheaply bought with the carcass of a mammoth. I called them the Wolves as I figured it would be useful to have an aspirational name. So low and impressed were they by my meager task that they wished to call me Elisabet Mammoth—such sad wretches. I rejected the name, I would have no surname until I earned one worthy of a Great Name. Only two names would I accept until that day: Elisabet and Jotun. The latter I earned as more mouths gathered at our camp in the shadow of the walls of Ruined Thule. Such places are often infested with horrors, as the warriors of the village would find out as their campfires grew and the winds shifted. The Wolves were drunk on stolen liquor and gorging themselves on beef—a rare delicacy in the Doggerland. They had grown overconfident with the small raids I had led. They grew careless, despite my warnings and so paid for it with their lives. The trolls—Jotun, as some call them—slipped into the camp at night with cunning and subtlety that belied their size as befitted creatures who made men their prey. Trolls are truly wicked creatures as we Doggerlanders see things. They shun meat and forage and livestock in favor of the flesh of men. And unlike any natural beast, they do not seek out the weak, the children, the elderly, they always want the warriors and hunters. They steal them away into the night and kill them without a chance to fight, robbing them of honor and potentially bringing disaster to their line. Trolls are a monster that all tribes fear and that the Wolves could not face. A ruin the size of Thule would not have only a few trolls. But I could not allow us to leave yet without losing face. The next night, I waited for the monsters to emerge from their lair. The smoke of campfires and the sounds of happy hunters echoed off the shattered walls and drew the trolls. On the ancient beach of that sea that perished in the Great Mistake, I met the three that had taken my warriors for their meal as I sat before a fire. They laughed at my size; trolls are often twenty or more feet tall and these were no exception. I answered their laughter by throwing a fiery brand in the face of the lead one. I’d found since my abilities awakened that steel and bone could not bear my strength so I knew I would have to improvise. I ran to the blinded leader and leapt onto his shoulder. With a thunderous crack I tore off his sole horn, thicker than rhinoceros and as tall as a man. With it, I brained him and his fellows. Come dawn, the Wolves discovered my victory and proclaimed me a hero and fashioned that fatal horn into the dreaded club that I use today—but I knew that this would not be enough. I was gaining followers in the Doggerland, but they were only those too weak to hack it on their own or the smaller tribes. I would never be able to challenge the Great Names without something real behind me. The only Wolf with promise was Alexander—and he’s not even a Doggerlander! I decided at last that something must be done. Something drastic. I needed to build a reputation for myself but I couldn’t do it the conventional way of the Doggerland. No…I would need to aim higher and think like a true conqueror. My destiny lay in Avalon. Backstory Who were you before? I was Elisabet Thule, heir to the great line of Thule, destined to unite the tribes of the Doggerland. Who, or what, made you this way? I do not know. Some say it was my mother--witches are said to truck with terrible things. Rumors abound from it being a the result of a pact she made with a demon to my true father being a troll. Personally, I think it's just an accident of the Doggerland. My homeland is filthy with strange magicks and every so often someone mutates. Combine that with the horrific things my forbears have been exposed to over the years and it's surprising that more Thules don't become monsters. Who, outside your peers, thinks they can save you?  Kite, of the Table is a sorcerer of such power and renown that he is respected even in the Doggerland. He has been known to travel among the tribes and render small miracles to the weaker ones, helping them through the winter. The Great Names scoff such soft-heartedness, but they are not so swift to dismiss a man entirely who can create feasts from nothing or bring armies to their knees. He met me shortly after I entered Avalon. I do not know how or why he singled me out from all the other immigrants and Doggerlanders, I can only suspect the arcane. He offered to buy me some ale and talk. That alone showed some understanding; weak citydwellers shield their young from alcohol. Doggerlanders are weaned on beer. Any Doggerlander worth her firewood could tell just by being near the man that his warmth belied a terrible power and a cold cunning and this man had decided to make me his project. Still, I believe that he has a soft heart where children are concerned, even with monsters like me--perhaps, even, especially with monsters. He knows what I am doing, even if he does not appear to be aware of the specifics (or feigns ignorance), all the while trying to nudge me towards the defense of the city. He truly believes that having been cast out by my father that I will now forsake my homeland. Clever the Kite may be, but he does not know the heart of a true Doggerlander. Why don’t you just hide away from the world? Hide?! I, the descendant of Harald Thule, hide my face simply because I have become disfigured? I, the last daughter of the Breakers of Thule, a storied and bloody heritage should hide and never seek my own glories on the field of battle? You insult me. Why do you suffer the others? A tribe's reputation is made by its Names, but its raiders ride on the forage and crafts of the tribe--and any chief would be fool to forget his shieldbearers. No warrior is so great that he is not made greater by a great band and an industrious tribe. Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? My home is not in these vault of soft things but in the Doggerland--the briny marshes that link what was once called the British Isles to the continent where a woman can stand tall on her own two feet atop the bones of her foes. Of course, I cannot live quite as I have lived within the walls of haughty Avalon. Your law enforcement calls it "vagrancy" and "theft" and "aggravated assault" so I have acquired a home and grown more subtle in my ways. There's a neighborhood where when the lamps break, no one replaces them and the street cleaners never go and the Knights are slow to answer calls. It is this place, called Dog's Hill, that my brothers and sisters have made their homes behind walls and in stone houses. The tribal warfare and worse winters sometimes drive Doggerlanders to the cities. Some stay for only a season or two, others for life. I was pleased to find that these expatriates had preserved their ways; I acquired a choice flat by wrestling the landlord's champion into submission. My neighbors have a mix of awe and fear of me, as befits one of my station. I've also come to be known as one who can solve problems for the residents of Dog's Hill in the old way. Still, back home in the Doggerland, I still have friends. My most loyal man is not a man at all--he is Alexander, a warmachine from the ruins of Thule whom I found and awakened him. His vault had been welded shut--by torch or sorcery I do not know. This preserved him against my ancestors and the scavengers who came after. I dragged him into the sun to examine my plunder and he drank deep of the rays, awakening. He spoke in old Thule and said that he was thankful for his rescue--he'd spent many decades "pondering imponderables" while in Standby Mode. In return, he swore fealty to me and has been a capable...if oddly philosophical vassal ever since. Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? I am a Doggerlander. Avalonians do not look kindly on my people, and with good reason. I refuse to abandon the ways of my mothers and my fathers and I refuse to let the city make me soft. When I desire something, I take it--either as plunder or as tribute. When I protect someone, I do not serve--I act in obligation to my vassals. When an evil offends me--I smite it. I cannot, will not be bound by the laws of your people. Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Agartha Rethys, now called Rosenritter is one of the younger daughters of the Rethys, child of a disfavored concubine and far from the line of succession. There is a place in the Doggerland where no blood may be spilled, for it is sacred to all tribes and no one wants to gently caress up the one good trade spot that we have. It is the corpse of the Behemoth, which our ancestors slew in the early days to make our mark on the Doggerland as it made our mark upon us. It is a fallen foe that we all share, so it's a good a place as any to meet and trade things that one tribe can't sell to the cities because they're banned or are heavy with furs but light in salted venison. It is the one place that the children of the Great Names can meet and play. Agartha was a good friend of mine, in my eyes the so-called corruption of her bloodline was a power to behold and we grew together in the trading season. She is brave, and clever, with a certain gallows humor that befits any Doggerlander. But...She was always soft. I did not recognize it until now, but her courage and strength was always in the service of others. Not in the way of our people, in service of lord and vassal and family, she would expend herself in the service of the weak, the meek, and the worthless. It is only fitting that she has come to the city and now lives off the scraps from the Table. I'm sure she knows by know that I am here but we have yet to speak. Though I wouldn't mind having a drink with the soft-hearted fool for old times' sake. What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? Avalon is rich, it is decadent, and it is depraved. It also has a wide variety of reputable disreputable bars, pubs, taverns, and clubs with the music that sounds like battle. My favorite bar is Hair of Dog on Dog's Hill and my favorite club is Morgan Le Funk. (Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? "Even giants think they will always live forever..." (Optional) Thread titles? [Capers!] One Bad Apple Spoils the Bunch (Avalon means island of apples) EDIT: Put a bit on Alexander in the "Friend Back Home" section I Am Fowl fucked around with this message at 00:04 on Feb 27, 2017 |
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Feb 26, 2017 22:07
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Round One Questions! Part 3! Another day, another set of apps, another round of questions. If I made any mistakes in my questions about your fluff, let me know on IRC! Jotun: You first discovered the problem when you went out for a drink. The bartender laughed, and suggested you ask an older cousin to pick up some booze like all the other kids do. Well, he regretted those words, but it illustrates the point well – in Doggerland you were always respected as an heir of Thule, or feared as a troll-blooded freak. In Avalon, you are (often) belittled as a simpering child. Strangers, presuming you are lost, ask if you know where your parents are. You have been freely offered folded balloon animals and ice cream, as if you could not survive without some kind of trivial distraction (although the ice cream tasted pretty good). How do you deal with this insult to your pride, and have you ever used your innocent appearance to your advantage? It took you a while to figure out why people didn’t flee at the sight of you. The appearance of a troll, even a young one, should send fathers scrambling for their spears and mothers for their babes, yet the people of Avalon barely blinked an eye. Then you saw one of them waiting at a bus stop. A troll, in a worn dress shirt, staring impatiently at his watch. He was far scrawnier than the trolls you’re used to seeing in Doggerland. You’ve since learned that there is an entire community of trolls within Avalon City, centered around a neighborhood (quite close to Dog’s Hill) called Cat’s Cradle. And while they might not know of you specifically, they certainly noticed that Troll Horn Club you love to wave around. Eventually, a troll in a fine tuxedo sought audience with you, explaining that “The Don don’t want no trouble from no outsiders, so keep your crew to Dog’s Hill and it’ll all be good, ca’peash?” What do you think of these… ‘domesticated trolls’, and did you accept the Don’s offer? Ratfink: Possessed by a god, huh? What, do you change into your alter ego by ducking into a phone booth and yelling ‘Time to Transubstantiate!’? I kid, I kid. Still, god’s are tricky business, because gods are gods due to having worshipers, and having worshipers creates certain… obligations. The fact that Underfoot is a puny god doesn’t alter that fact, it only means he probably has puny worshipers. Who are those who pray (consciously or not) to Underfoot, and has Ratfink ever been conscripted into delivering a ‘blessing’ for them? The worst part about living with an oracle, besides the debilitating fugue states, is that when he knows something bad is coming, Orville gets infectiously chipper. After all, if poo poo is coming down the tube no matter, he needs to keep you cheered up so you don’t fall into despair. It was on one of those days when your brother was all smiles and jokes, and you let yourself forgot what that meant, that it happened. What did Darlington sacrifice to keep his brother safe, and how did Ratfink take it back with interest? Scrree fucked around with this message at 02:57 on Feb 27, 2017 |
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Feb 27, 2017 02:52
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Scrree posted:Round One Questions! Part 3! What's a phone booth? The thing about being a small god is as you have said, having worshippers, even puny ones, is what allows you to exist in the first place, if you have no worshippers you don't live it's as simple as that. So Underfoot got his start as a superstition in a tiny set of alleyways in the city above and subsists on two things. The first one, when he was just a featureless spirit with no purview to call his own and nothing that could be called 'personality' it watched a hungry dreg feed a small piece of it's half moulded loaf to a rat next to it, for whatever reason he didn't know. Underfoot's power was very tiny back then but he knew that someone had thrown out a wedding ring accidentally a while back and remembered where it was for just such an occasion. So he sort of wills the rat that was just fed, to pull it out and give it to the man. And then it became a superstition on that particular street, if you were approached by a rat, and you fed it, you'd find money in your pouch later on (After all you can fine chunks of small change almost everywhere in the city). It was a pretty good hustle for a while, Underfoot even had a little shrine put up for him and it would have been gravy from then on, right up until the area was brought by a company seeking to expand it's business, so the residents were forced out and the shrine pulled down and tossed away. But the people didn't stop believing just because they were moved along and now with his new permanent residence in my soul, I occasionally have this obligation to give small change to some very specific poor folks around the city, and he leads me towards small valuables lost in the dross for that specific purpose. And of people believe it and more people start believing it that's good right? The second thing is of course, sacrifices. Don't give me that look I'm not talking about sacrificing virgins on an alter, I mean that since Underfoot is the god of prey animals, he requires sustenance from those rodents that meet their end to the various traps; poisons, blunt objects, mangy dogs, feral cats, and stranger dangers that vermin may encounter. That involves a lot of digging in unsavoury places for dead rats or pidgeons, which he then eats. Like straight up, reaches up from my shadow, opens his mouth and chomp, it's gone. So now I'm the acting hand of a God because he can't do this himself anymore, does that make me a prophet or a saint I wonder? Scrree posted:The worst part about living with an oracle, besides the debilitating fugue states, is that when he knows something bad is coming, Orville gets infectiously chipper. After all, if poo poo is coming down the tube no matter, he needs to keep you cheered up so you don’t fall into despair. It was on one of those days when your brother was all smiles and jokes, and you let yourself forgot what that meant, that it happened. What did Darlington sacrifice to keep his brother safe, and how did Ratfink take it back with interest? I remember the day some men broke into our house, stole some of our valuables and hurt my brother. Orville was looking a little antsy that day, wouldn't tell my why, but he asked me if I could go out and get some coffee, we were running out after all and I didn't think anything of his request. "A spell out the house will do you some good I think Darlington... Please." I heard it, I thought nothing about it. I went up the street to the corner store, I bought some coffee, I went to pick something else up for lunch on the way home. And something in my chest flared, I felt a deep sense of panic start to grip me right in the middle of the street. I dropped my groceries and ran, ran through traffic, barged the crowds out of the way and before I was even through the front door I knew something was wrong and by the time I was upstairs, I was too late. The door was off it's hinges, the place looked like it was ransacked, and Orville was in the corner, arms over his face. It was unnecessary what they did to him, it was just plain cruelty, Orville never deserved it. I haven't felt so scared in a long time, I've never been made to feel so vulnerable in my life. And then... First, I tried to acquire as much as the stuff back as I could, it found it's way around that was for certain, through the fences, the pawn brokers, the bent dealers I cut back on my own meals for a bit to get that stuff back, I did jobs that I wouldn't normally take for the quick cash. I trawled through the old heaps for the stuff that wasn't even that valuable, but I knew it would make me money in a hurry, and it was a long process but after all that time I finally got most of our stuff back. And whilst I did it, I found out who did it and I watched, and I waited, I found out about the four gentlemen who'd hit a sick boy and took what meager things he owned for money and what made them tick, and then I acted accordingly. The first man had a sister, saving up for her own business and she about to put down a deposit on a new building earned with hard earned cash. I made sure it burned down, I stole the money out right from underneath them both, I made sure she would find out exactly how that money was acquired. Turns out he kept quite a lot from his family. The second man was attached to his late mother, there were her things arranged neatly in a little shrine doting on her in death as he did in life. I took a camera, I set it up, and then I burned it on film (in more ways then one). Except for the jar with her ashes, I have that in a little lock-box under my bed and one day I'll bring it back. One day. The third man brought all kinds of nice trivial things with his dealings. But he hid his evidence very poorly, and was also very lax on his taxes. I made sure both of these things made their ways to interested parties and he's currently in prison for several counts of burglary and tax evasion. It's not snitching if you don't get caught, or if it turns out you too did a little light snitching on the side. There were quite a few people happy to see him inside. And the forth man, when I broke into his house I found he had a very cute baby girl. I didn't even have to do much after that, I didn't lay a finger on the baby and I didn't take anything either, all I did was gently move the cot into a room at the back of the house, and left the front door open when I left. He quickly moved out after that, and the criminal underworld hasn't heard from him since. This is how the Ratfink does revenge. He doesn't come after you personally, he'll come after what you value and treasure. And he won't come roaring and screaming after what you did, he'll wait a week; two weeks, three weeks later, maybe four if he is feeling especially patient. When you don't expect it, when the crimes you did to it have faded from memory, when you think you've escaped punishment. And then you'll pay back everything you took from it tenfold, until you are begging it to stop, until it's gotten it's pound of flesh from you. Only then will it stop. And the worst part is? You'll never know who did it. TheNabster fucked around with this message at 23:57 on Feb 27, 2017 |
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Feb 27, 2017 09:50
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Scrree posted:Round One Questions! Part 3! It is a careful balance that a warrior must strike. A fool shuns an advantage but a warrior does not make herself a fool of herself in the doing. Still, on more than one occasion, I've toyed with the softhearted citydwellers to disentangle myself from foes that I did not desire to fight. There is something satisfying about seeing a young knight get beaten by an old woman with her purse or certain unsavory individuals getting their just desserts from off work laborers eager to protect a "defenseless child". A fool fights all comers. A warrior fights when she is needed. Scrree posted:It took you a while to figure out why people didn’t flee at the sight of you. The appearance of a troll, even a young one, should send fathers scrambling for their spears and mothers for their babes, yet the people of Avalon barely blinked an eye. Then you saw one of them waiting at a bus stop. A troll, in a worn dress shirt, staring impatiently at his watch. He was far scrawnier than the trolls you’re used to seeing in Doggerland. You’ve since learned that there is an entire community of trolls within Avalon City, centered around a neighborhood (quite close to Dog’s Hill) called Cat’s Cradle. And while they might not know of you specifically, they certainly noticed that Troll Horn Club you love to wave around. Eventually, a troll in a fine tuxedo sought audience with you, explaining that “The Don don’t want no trouble from no outsiders, so keep your crew to Dog’s Hill and it’ll all be good, ca’peash?” What do you think of these… ‘domesticated trolls’, and did you accept the Don’s offer? My response was a love tap from my club to his knees. I crouched over him. "Hello, runt." "You crazy bitch! Do you know what you've done? Who do you think you are?" I let my club fall from its resting spot onto the pavers beside his head, exploding in a cloud of clay dust. He flinched. "I am Elisabet, called Jotun, daughter of Bram Thule, successor to Harald Thule, Breaker of Cities." He laughed a ragged laugh. "Thule? Even I know you're no Thule, not with those horns." "Thule no longer, yes. The only names I have to call my own are my milk name and one other--but if you know Thule, then you must know how I can be called Jotun." I stroked the haft of my club with my thumb. He was sweating buckets now. "You will tell your Don that I go where I please and do as I please. If he hunts mine, I will hunt his. I am no citydweller. I do not play 'fair'. I take heads--and I have taken heads far bigger than yours, runt, as you can see. Oh, if your country cousins could see you. They wouldn't even eat you. They would see no warrior. They would see an errand boy." "My cousins?" He spat, "You're a tro--" I quieted him. His head bounced against the pavement. Trolls have thick skulls, he would probably wake up. "Not a troll. Jotun! Elisabet Jotun."
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Feb 27, 2017 17:37
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Questions, Round Two! Part One! Phase Zero! Eight applications have been completed, eight sets of additional questions answered, and so eight characters shall form four pairs for the next assignment! The EXTRAVILLINOUS ICE-BREAKING! I am very glad there were an even and not an odd number of apps ready when I decided to check!!! (note: If your character is not in the list, please don't assume you've been left behind for good. Just complete the app/thread questions whenever you can, and if scheduling is an issue, contact me on IRC/PM me on the forums. I am totally willing to be flexible time-wise.) EXTRAVILLINOUS ICE-BREAKING basically means, in less excited terms, partner question(s). You will be given a partner, ask them a question, and answer the question they give to you. If you'd like some examples from another thread, TheNabster's Capers! Thread is where I am ripping it off from . So, without further adieu, the pairings I've decided on are... Team Between An Angel and The Deep Blue Sea - Seraphine and Scales! An ex-knight with wings and a current-thief with gills might seem like an strange duo, but don't be fooled... they kind of are. Team Clearly Superior Beings - High Gear and Ea'lyiz! No physical or psychic dissections of the other candidates until application period is over, please. Team Cruelty Repaid - Ratfink and Dead Face! You know what goes together like rats and dead bodies? The two of you! Hopefully! Team Dad Kicked Me Out And Now I'm Mad!!!! Crimson Chevalier and Jotun! - What? Upset about the team name? Well, it's true. Hey. Put that down. Hey! Hey-ow!! If you have any questions, contact me on IRC. Otherwise, post at your leisure! This is part of the thread where I get to sit back and
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Feb 28, 2017 04:05
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So Ratfink, you live in Rat City, Huh? I heard its a pretty wild place. In my previously life, I wouldn't let myself be caught dead there. However now that I'm actually dead, I've decided to broaden my horizons. So, I've got to ask you, what do you for fun in your neck of the woods?
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Feb 28, 2017 05:30
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Scrree posted:Team Clearly Superior Beings - High Gear and Ea'lyiz! No physical or psychic dissections of the other candidates until application period is over, please. Ea’lyiz cocks their head to one side in a mixture of confusion and interest, having been transported to someplace that was quite clearly not the Complex, right in the middle of all these curious inquiries. Two eyes begin to scan the surroundings for any indication as to the present location, two lock onto the armored figure standing before them, and the two on Ea’s face glance down at the half-eaten jam-filled cookie still dangling from their mouth. Munching away absentmindedly, the Hymfazther quietly hovers in place as a voice rings out throughout the armored figure’s mind. [This one now understands. You are the human who goes by the alias ‘High Gear?’ An honor for you to make this one’s acquaintance.] Finishing off the cookie, Ea places one hand on their chin as their form gradually leans over into a laying down position, still floating aloft in the air. Several seconds of silence pass, before all of the alien’s many eyes close as one. [You will excuse this one, man of metal. This one’s exhaustion has grown greatly from all the inquiries, and the consumed delicacies has further prepared this one to nap. Yet it appears this one will not be allowed to return to the Complex unless questions are asked of you. How vexing. But if it must be done, then at least attempt to amuse, man of metal. This one comes from a planet of psychics known as Zuda’hym. If the Hymfazther were to invade Earth, how would you and your clockwork toys try and fail to stop us, High Gear?]
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Feb 28, 2017 06:50
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Oh duh I forgot the extra questions. I did them now
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Feb 28, 2017 07:29
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TheFireMagi posted:[You will excuse this one, man of metal. This one’s exhaustion has grown greatly from all the inquiries, and the consumed delicacies has further prepared this one to nap. Yet it appears this one will not be allowed to return to the Complex unless questions are asked of you. How vexing. But if it must be done, then at least attempt to amuse, man of metal. This one comes from a planet of psychics known as Zuda’hym. If the Hymfazther were to invade Earth, how would you and your clockwork toys try and fail to stop us, High Gear?] There is a moment of of silence. A moment where Anton merely stares at this strange being that straight up appeared in his workshop, his blank mask giving no real indication of the idly quizzical glare he was giving this invader. After a few moments he rises from his seat, and calmly walks through a reinforced door slightly to the side, that opens, closes and then locks with a series of clacks and pneumatic hisses. Clockwork automatons approach (armed with a nasty variety of weaponry), and encircle the alien as loudspeakers in the room crackle to life, broadcasting a nasal sort of voice. "Now first of all", there was some indignation apparent in the voice, "I would appreciate you not invading my mind first thing you do when you visit." "Second, I would appreciate you actually finishing the questions you make, since this one is so broad as to be pointless", there is a snorting sort of quick laugh, "I mean, invade? With what sort of force? What sort of tech level do you guys even have? How well established would I be in this scenario of yours? All of these are relevant, important details that you've left out, either due to carelessness or stupidity, perhaps both. And really, forgive me if I fail to be intimidated if the average example of your species is someone as dumb as you." There was that dumb nasal laugh again. "But I will humor you. Based on your entrance, and on this handy report that I just happen to have here, your species is a species of telepaths, a group that excels in the manipulation of the mind. Now, in case you for some reason have failed to notice, my servants are mindless. There is no soul or mind or process of thought for you or your kin to fool, thus their very nature robs you of your greatest advantage. Indeed, if by this point I were the established ruler of the Earth, and the planetary industry properly optimized as per my vision, the question you should be asking is how would your fleet not be embarrassingly annihilated. And if I were not the leader, and yet unentrenched? Why would I fight at all? Let the powerful nations deal with your fleet like they've dealt with the other fleets of aliens with delusions of grandeur, I'd much rather use the distraction to better my own position." "And I mean really", the throng of clockwork automatons advanced menacingly, "You really do seem a tad bit smug for someone with powers so limited in scope. As I understand, all you can do is affect minds, with some minor but unimpressive Flying Brick qualities on the side. You're currently locked in a reinforced room, surrounded on all sides by armed automatons, objects that care not for your tricks. How are you not completely helpless? How do you deal? How do you ever deal if there's not some lackey around for you to bend over your knee?"
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Feb 28, 2017 12:54
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quote:"But I will humor you. Based on your entrance, and on this handy report that I just happen to have here, your species is a species of telepaths, a group that excels in the manipulation of the mind. Now, in case you for some reason have failed to notice, my servants are mindless. There is no soul or mind or process of thought for you or your kin to fool, thus their very nature robs you of your greatest advantage. Indeed, if by this point I were the established ruler of the Earth, and the planetary industry properly optimized as per my vision, the question you should be asking is how would your fleet not be embarrassingly annihilated. And if I were not the leader, and yet unentrenched? Why would I fight at all? Let the powerful nations deal with your fleet like they've dealt with the other fleets of aliens with delusions of grandeur, I'd much rather use the distraction to better my own position." [What sort of force? Tech level? Do you presume that the invaders would simply feed you such intel, man of metal? If your intelligence was even a tenth of your act, you would understand that it is not as simple-minded as that. Preparations made for any and all foes, weak or strong, skilled or not. That too, is a part of what it means to rule. Adaptation. Is that not what you humans are known for in the first place? This one had come under the impression that your species had evolved beyond primitive thinking, but perhaps that was a mistaken thought.] Ea rises to a sitting position, still seemingly unconcerned with the very real threat they were in. Yet all the while, the alien was soaking in the information absorbed in their earlier scanning of the room. Which group of automatons was thinnest? Could these walls be broken through with Ea’s enhanced strength? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Better to wait and see. [However, your assessment is not entirely incorrect, so this one shall reward you with partial credit. The Hymfazther do indeed excel at mental manipulation, man of metal, which makes your clockwork toys an annoyance. But that is all. An annoyance. There are those among this one’s people who can exert physical force with their psychic abilities, returning your scrap to the heap they belong in. Even without them, you underestimate the capabilities of our control. It matters not if your machines are immune to our manipulation, if we but bend the will of all life around you, leaving them all so alone in the war. That is the truth even now, as you cower behind the supposed safety of your steel cage. This one does not need to break the minds of your machines, High Gear. Only yours.] Nodding with a small though overly confident smile as if something truly wise had just been said, Ea listened as the automatons advanced even further. quote:"And I mean really", the throng of clockwork automatons advanced menacingly, "You really do seem a tad bit smug for someone with powers so limited in scope. As I understand, all you can do is affect minds, with some minor but unimpressive Flying Brick qualities on the side. You're currently locked in a reinforced room, surrounded on all sides by armed automatons, objects that care not for your tricks. How are you not completely helpless? How do you deal? How do you ever deal if there's not some lackey around for you to bend over your knee?" [Deal…? Ah, it is understood now. The man of metal means cope. Listen then, as this one graciously feeds you some of that intel you are apparently inept at discovering for yourself. Psychic abilities are the Hymfazther’s specialty, of certainty, but our physical capabilities are beyond that of you children of Earth. Only another reason that our people would prove victorious were we to invade this rundown planet. Yes, this one prefers the feeling of control over others. To see one’s own will done out without direct intervention is satisfying, as this one believes you should understand, man of metal. But unlike your fragile human self, this one can take the central stage if need be. So tell this one then. Without your clockwork toys, High Gear, what use are you?] TheFireMagi fucked around with this message at 14:28 on Feb 28, 2017 |
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Feb 28, 2017 14:24
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TheFireMagi posted:[What sort of force? Tech level? Do you presume that the invaders would simply feed you such intel, man of metal? If your intelligence was even a tenth of your act, you would understand that it is not as simple-minded as that. Preparations made for any and all foes, weak or strong, skilled or not. That too, is a part of what it means to rule. Adaptation. Is that not what you humans are known for in the first place? This one had come under the impression that your species had evolved beyond primitive thinking, but perhaps that was a mistaken thought.] There was that snort again. "Oh now is that so?" High Gear answered noncommittally as he lowered various psionic ward screens around himself in his safe room. Even if they were not sufficient to totally block out the alien, he could fairly easily extrapolate the thing's power level from the percentage amount of blocked mind-screeching (or at least, he was very convinced he could), "That's some weak bullshit right there. You know why? Because I am not under attack right now. Certainly you would have a point if I were, but I'm not. See, for someone who thinks they're so smart, you seem to have totally missed the fact that these are thought experiments, and that your thought experiment is poorly thought out and lacking in substance if it gives me nothing to interact with. Much like your arguments in general. Watch as I disassemble your flawed thought, since you're clearly out of your element faced with the actually intelligent." High Gear can be heard clearing his throat. "For instance. You've failed to actually counter anything I actually said. So you've got, to a lesser extent, telekinetics as well? Cute. We have that as well, and your largest advantage still remains neutered. Telekinesis in itself grants no particular advantage against mechanical armies, and is in fact less of a deal against them than organics since organics tends to be far squishier. All that you have for your defense is some puerile statement that they would be 'totes strong enough' to beat their opposition with nothing to back it up. Excuse me if I fail to be cowed by your argument of 'my dad could beat you up if he wanted to', oh genius", High Gear laughed again, "Really, I've heard better and more mature reasoning from actual children. And furthermore, your argument just grants more credence to my claim that your armies ARE in fact dependent on psionics, giving your entire lynchpin strategy a single point of obvious failure. So good job arguing against your own position there, bub." TheFireMagi posted:[Deal…? Ah, it is understood now. The man of metal means cope. Listen then, as this one graciously feeds you some of that intel you are apparently inept at discovering for yourself. Psychic abilities are the Hymfazther’s specialty, of certainty, but our physical capabilities are beyond that of you children of Earth. Only another reason that our people would prove victorious were we to invade this rundown planet. Yes, this one prefers the feeling of control over others. To see one’s own will done out without direct intervention is satisfying, as this one believes you should understand, man of metal. But unlike your fragile human self, this one can take the central stage if need be. So tell this one then. Without your clockwork toys, High Gear, what use are you?] "And second, disregarding for now the hilarious implication that YOUR inability to present interesting scenarios for consideration is somehow my fault", there was that laugh again. He really liked to laugh, "You're once again trying to dodge the questions with irrelevant red herrings. For instance, you being on average stronger than humans does not matter in a scenario where you're not fighting humans in the first place. Like seriously, are you really this dumb or just incapable of paying attention? It's like you've never reasoned once in your entire life." "As for my abilities, yes, it's true that without ANY tools I'm just an arcaneering prodigy and genius planner the likes the World has never seen", of this Anton was totally convinced, "and capable of jury-rigging much of anything into something of use. Now, if I were in some contrived situation where I can't use any tools and have none at hand and am under constant surveillance, certainly I would be very much gimped. Sort of like you're now! The point was that you require a specific thing, that is, other people to be of any particular use, whilst I can make almost any situation work for me in some fashion, because technology by its nature, and thus I by extension, are malleable and universally applicable in all cases. But yes, thank you for helping to point out my vastly more useful and adaptable skill set in relation to yours. As a thank you, I will not even have my servants spank you until you cry little salty tears like the spoiled brat you are." The automatons stood down.
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Feb 28, 2017 15:15
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Scrree posted:Questions, Round Two! Part One! Phase Zero! Yatsugiri Izayoi, the Crimson Chevalier, gazed at the fight in the arena below dispassionately. The meager skills of the combatants below offered her no joy. She could have beaten them even before her time with the Calamity Blade. She idly scratched a talon across the arm of the chair she was sitting in, the cheap wood giving way like it was little more than a sheet of paper. She inspected the damage for a moment, paying no heed to the roars and jeers of the crowd below, then turned to her companion. The girl seemed little more than a helpless waif, but the provided dossier and her own research had indicated otherwise. This girl, this so-called 'Jotun', was not as simple as she appeared upon first glance. That was fair. It was also true that Izayoi, herself, was not merely what she appeared to be. Her frame did not properly communicate its sheer power, agility, or ability to shrug off damage. Let alone her weapon. It seemed as fragile as she herself might — to an untrained eye — but it had held up against the strikes of Calamity Blade in their battle. Not many weapons could claim the same. She should really name it at some point. All the best weapons had names. And, yet, wasn't it a placeholder? It seemed a foolish moment of sentiment when it was destined to be cast-off for the Ame-No-Murakumo. Izayoi favored Jotun with a searching look, "So. I hear you've declared war on the trolls of Cat's Cradle. A bold move." It wasn't, actually, but it seemed polite to say as much. She hadn't had much experience with small talk. Izayoi looked back at the fight a moment, just long enough to see the chimera knock one of the gladiators — little more than a gussied-up street tough — into the side of the arena with enough force to leave a significant dent in the wall. Hm. The chimera might prove a worthy foe. Or, at the least, an amusing distraction. The Heavens knew that the gladiators wouldn't. After a moment passed, she added, "I understand that you, of the Doggerland, take the names of your fallen opponents. I also understand that you have not." Perhaps a sign of ambition? Or, perhaps, a sign of some hidden vulnerability. "I've heard that you felled a beast that many of your people would argue was worthy of being a Great Name. Your Great Name. Why did you not take it as your own? What name do you truly seek?"
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Feb 28, 2017 18:41
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Theantero posted:"For instance. You've failed to actually counter anything I actually said. So you've got, to a lesser extent, telekinetics as well? Cute. We have that as well, and your largest advantage still remains neutered. Telekinesis in itself grants no particular advantage against mechanical armies, and is in fact less of a deal against them than organics since organics tends to be far squishier. All that you have for your defense is some puerile statement that they would be 'totes strong enough' to beat their opposition with nothing to back it up. Excuse me if I fail to be cowed by your argument of 'my dad could beat you up if he wanted to', oh genius", High Gear laughed again, "Really, I've heard better and more mature reasoning from actual children. And furthermore, your argument just grants more credence to my claim that your armies ARE in fact dependent on psionics, giving your entire lynchpin strategy a single point of obvious failure. So good job arguing against your own position there, bub." [And you have failed to acknowledge this one’s point of the Hymfazther bringing the rest of this planet’s populace to heel against you, man of metal. Or do you believe your machines a match for the entirety of two planetary armies? If so, you are as great as fool as first believed. No, even greater. The greatest fool this one has met since the arrival. However, this one is willing to concede that it is meaningless to debate without data, though you do no better yourself.] For some reason that Ea couldn’t comprehend, it seemed as if High Gear’s mental defenses had lowered in the past few seconds. The temptation to reach out to his mind, to see what could be found and broken, was a powerful temptation indeed. Yet if the alien resorted to force in this argument, then it would have been in its own way an admission of defeat. That was unacceptable. It certainly had nothing to do with the slight fear that Ea’s control actually might not succeed against this stubborn, arrogant fool who refused to accept his defeat. Not at all. Theantero posted:"As for my abilities, yes, it's true that without ANY tools I'm just an arcaneering prodigy and genius planner the likes the World has never seen", of this Anton was totally convinced, "and capable of jury-rigging much of anything into something of use. Now, if I were in some contrived situation where I can't use any tools and have none at hand and am under constant surveillance, certainly I would be very much gimped. Sort of like you're now! The point was that you require a specific thing, that is, other people to be of any particular use, whilst I can make almost any situation work for me in some fashion, because technology by its nature, and thus I by extension, are malleable and universally applicable in all cases. But yes, thank you for helping to point out my vastly more useful and adaptable skill set in relation to yours. As a thank you, I will not even have my servants spank you until you cry little salty tears like the spoiled brat you are." [Is barking from inside your reinforced doghouse all you can do, man of metal? Admit that you simply understand that your machines could be easily broken by this one, for all so highly you speak of your technology. Consider it fortunate that your idiocy and incompetency has amused enough that this one has not trashed your toys already. Truly, how gracious this one can be.] Another yawn now as the automatons stand down, though this one is deliberate, a show of confidence. Or supposed confidence. [Indeed. As a reward for your buffoonery, this one has decided to grace your workshop with this one’s presence for the foreseeable future. Of course, this one expects delectables within the hour as an offering. There will be no refusal, either. If you wish to be rid of this one through force, then you are certainly welcome to waste your efforts, man of metal. Do not blame this one when you are made to lick this one’s hooves.] And that, apparently, was that as Ea hovered on above the workshop floor. One of them would have to give in eventually, and the Hymfazther had no intention of tapping out. Not to this nuisance of a human.
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Feb 28, 2017 19:37
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A moment passes. Then the staccato of clacks and hisses begun anew, as the door worked itself open and High Gear walked out, both pairs of mechanical arms crossed behind his back (TWICE as smug as only the one pair most mortals were capable of!) he walked to the annoyingly persisted alien, and leaned in a bit to get a better look. After a while he straightened his back again and turned to face another direction. "You fail to convince." TheFireMagi posted:[And you have failed to acknowledge this one’s point of the Hymfazther bringing the rest of this planet’s populace to heel against you, man of metal. Or do you believe your machines a match for the entirety of two planetary armies? If so, you are as great as fool as first believed. No, even greater. The greatest fool this one has met since the arrival. However, this one is willing to concede that it is meaningless to debate without data, though you do no better yourself.] "For I did, in fact, mention that your constant appeals to the civilian populace were but red herrings", his tone was a strange mix of bored and incensed (perhaps he was trying to hide the latter with the former to no particularly great success?), "The implication that I thought obvious enough that even YOU would understand it clearly being that on a planet where I had taken over, no living armies would be in a position to oppose me. Really, why would I have failure prone people perform any task where they could be replaced? Let them enjoy the fruits of a fully automated society instead, I say." "All of this ought to be obvious to anyone with even the slightest bit of sense, really, and I could go on. But to be honest? I'm getting tired of conversing with you since it's clear you're incapable of anything but walking in the mental equivalent of circles. Especially since I have actual work I need to be doing." A moment of awkward silence. "..." "The fridge is downstairs." High Gear turned his head to gaze at Ea over his shoulder. "So." "What's your opinion on Mountain Dew?" [Scene End. Well played my man  ]
Theantero fucked around with this message at 20:25 on Feb 28, 2017 |
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Feb 28, 2017 20:21
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Interest Post for a Rouge The man with a Clockwork Heart   The signature sword that he stole from _______ Where did you get your powers? In amongst the wilds of the world. Places where magic has soaked into the very earth, and twisted what would be called 'natural' into strange new forms. All manner of unusual races can be found. In one such Forrest, a race of elemental sprites moved in. These were the Aierie. Known for their pale skin and trickster magics. They remained undisturbed for the most part for years. Until 50 years ago, a man came to the woods. A dark purpose in mind.  With magic and might, he brought the Aierie low, and bound them to his will. Sealing them inside a prison of his own crafting. Taking from them their physical forms. This man was Ehalos Van-Hazz. Otherwise known as BlackStaff. A Knight of the Table. A man who would do anything to achieve his aims. In secret he summoned the Aierie, binding them to objects to keep them in the world, and forcing them to act as his agents. Blackstaff did whatever he thought he needed to. Promising the Aierie he summoned their freedom if they followed his orders. That they might return to the forests. Tock was one such agent. Effective, driven by the passions of youth, and possessing a unique fetter. A clockwork heart. Gifting him with powers over time to supplement his already potent spells. Tock did his master's bidding, no matter how difficult. He took a strange amount of pride in being as successful as he was. Trusting that BlackStaff would keep to his word. Tock could almost said to be loyal to the man who enslaved him. But as he was to learn, such promises were easily broken. When were you first betrayed? I'd been undercover for three months. Working four different gangs, infiltrating them. Finding their secrets out. Setting them up to go to war amongst themselves. Master wanted the justification to spread his watch to this area of the city. I hadn't questioned it. It was hardly the first time. It was simple to do. Find the bosses girl, get her interested, make sure to be seen wearing rival colours when the boss wants to know who's messing with his girl. Rinse and repeat. Easy to do. Pity it had all gone terribly wrong. Someone recognised me. No idea who. But they must have been one of the other groups I've worked over in the past. Now all three of the gangs had come together. Ready to bring me to justice, heh. Well, they hadn't figured on my back up. I put the call into Master. I needed an out. But Master laughed, 'Tock, you've always been loyal' he said, coldly. 'so I decided to set you free. A hero like me can't be associated with such a terrible criminal like yourself. So I'll leave you to the tender mercy of your friends. But for your service I'll give you two parting gifts.' I felt an awful pain in my chest. Like something was being torn out of me. He'd cut off my connection to him, ripping most of my power away from me. I'd been as strong as he was once. Now? Now I'm just about as strong as one of those Young Knights. I wasn't a fan. It hurt just to breath. Fighting these guys off would be impossible. 'the second gift. Is the identity of who told them who you are. But I suppose you've already figured that out. Goodbye, Tock. Now lay down and die like a good little dog.' Those were his last words before he hung up the call. My own Master had betrayed me. I was a liability to him, too well known. So he cut me lose. Maybe that's what's happened to all the other's he's freed before me. Regardless he's going to regret that once I make my grand return. I hope he chokes on his drink. Because I'm going to tear his world down around his ears. I can't face him directly. But I don't have to. I'll just do what he trained me to do. Who, outside your peers, do you actually trust? Trust... ha, you are hilarious. Really? Trust! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Oh, holy gently caress, I've not laughed like that for a long time. Well, I suppose there's one. She's the one who got me out. The only girl smart enough not to fall for me. Maybe because she 'bats' for the other team?  That's 'Thumper'. She is, incredibly, a hero. Now don't get the wrong idea. She's no Knight. Never will be. She grew up in the gangs. She knows the cycle, the risks. She fights to save gang members from the game before it can get them killed. She hates the Knights as much as the next guy. But she's nothing like us. She's honest and brave and true. I'd envy her, if she wasn't an idiot. Butttt... she saved my life. Despite the fact that I got her kicked out of her old gang. And by kicked out, I mean they dropped a car on her. Ah don't worry, she's invulnerable and super-humanly strong. I owe her after she helped get me back on my feet. An Aierie honours their pacts, and I swore to repay her for her kindness. For some reason she's got faith that I'm a good person underneath. Hey, I did said she was an idiot. Why do think the others keep you around? Because I'm very very good at doing what needs doing. I've not no illusions, other then all the illusions I've got. But specifically about the moral implications of what I can do. I hurt people. I betray people. I take thing and do whatever I need to do. Sometimes to live, sometimes for revenge, and sometimes because it's so easy to be evil. This is the life you see, the devils tip their hats to me. Blackstaff wanted me to be a bad guy. Twisted the natural Aierie instinct for mischief into something a lot more sinister. He was very successful at that. Oh, and something something, keep your friends close, and your enemies in a pit of papercuts and salt. That's not how the phrase goes? How said anything about a phrase? I'm being quite literal. Why do you suffer the others? It's harder to be shot in a crowd. They'll be helpful in completing my objectives as muscle. And once I've done what I need to, I can sacrifice them just the same. Oh I'm sure they'll be angry. But such is the nature of the game. Everyone's got a home, or at least a bed they call their own. What part of the city do you come from, and who's the person there that always has your back? Obviously my people come from the forest. Sorry, don't know what your kind would call it. But it was a wondrous place.  My bones long to return to it. But not before I've finished my work here. In the meantime, I'm crashing in this place.  The Rend they call it. There's a few natural splits in the land the city's built on. This one's been around for a very long time. It's so far into the outskirts that you'd be hard pressed to find any offical mention of it in any of the databases. No cops, no knights, and no questions. Everyone who calls it home is an nobody. Someone who wants to disappear and has been very successful. After all, ask too many questions and you might find the platforms end a lot more suddenly they you'd think. Why didn’t you join the Young Knights, and try to make yourself a seat at the Table? Were you even listening? I mean really, am I just talking to myself? I could have been, maybe. But I suspect that Blackstaff would have had me removed from this mortal coil had I made any attempt to join them. Too great a risk that I would reveal his little scheme. Someone you know joined the Young Knights, who are they?  Ahaha, oh, that would be _________ Yes, you're quite right, that was white noise you heard. She has a name. But it's been stolen. Whole unfortunate situation with a demon, it's quite a story. Hell, you yourself can try and say it, and you'll get much the same result. Well anyway, _________ is quite the swords-woman. Makes her own blades don't you know. She was really proud of this one. So after I worked my magic, it seemed like the best one to take while she was unconscious. She still hasn't quite forgiven me. But I will admit, that it's a drat fine sword. Makes up for my current lack of power nicely. Especially when I've got plenty of time to aim my swing. And I always have time. Hahahaha. I should probably point out that we were dating for a while. It was nice, though _______ rarely had much time except forging swords, stabbing demons, and washing her hair. You think I'm joking? You try and wash that much demon blood out of your hair, see how long it takes you. She joined the knights partly to seek freedom from her family's curse, and gain support in her unending fight. Also because they made her after catching her running around with a sword. They tend to look dimly on that kind of thing without being one of their little heroes. What don't you like about Avalon City? What do you like? I don't like the Knights, I don't like the concrete. The lack of growth. I'm a nature spirit, and this place couldn't be any less green if it was in the Sahara desert. If I was crazy I'd hatch some kind of scheme to take this place over and plant a mega tree to cover the whole city in plant life. But I'm not crazy so I'm not going to do that. I like that it's a melting pot of potential and ruin. People come from all over the world to seek a better future here. When they don't get it they become enraged and destitute. They're MAKING victims for me to use. It's almost too easy! (Optional) What’s your character’s theme song? That would be Villain, by Wildfire Such a cheery little ditty. Hahahaha! (Optional) Thread titles? quote:Villain Name: Tock Arashiofordo3 fucked around with this message at 23:02 on Mar 3, 2017 |
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Feb 28, 2017 22:54
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IShallRiseAgain posted:So Ratfink, you live in Rat City, Huh? I heard its a pretty wild place. In my previously life, I wouldn't let myself be caught dead there. However now that I'm actually dead, I've decided to broaden my horizons. So, I've got to ask you, what do you for fun in your neck of the woods? "Ehh, I ain't much one for tellin' mister, I'm more one for showin'. And technically I ain't supposed to take normals down from the surface to the Undercity but..." The skull helmet turned to look at you, it looked at you closely, it walked around you checking you out, and then let out a faint. Hmm. "The fact that you look like you tried to french kiss a griddle iron, I think I can just about pass you off as a Wyrd. But just to be on the safe side put on this hoody." Darlington said, holding out a piece of clothing that look like it's seen better centuries, and also that it's been near a lot of rats (Which it had been). "And where to start?" "I could probably think of a handful of things the denizens of this underworld like to do after a hard day's work. We have bars of course, who doesn't? Little pop up stands along busy streets peddling 100% real meat products deep fried and very hygienic (honest). There are places that offer a quiet drink in a gloomy pub if you are into that sort of thing. Or if you are looking for somewhere up more beat, when you get closer to the surface you get the kind of nightclubs where Wyrds and Humans go to the same places, and they are just lawful enough to not trouble the Knights but lawless enough that you can get all kinds of weird poo poo there if you know who to ask. Of course a few rules of thumb to bare in mind, keep a hand over your glass, some bartenders have a funny sense of humour. Don't make any comments about any personal 'blemishes' you see on a person, people can get really sensitive about that. And if you get approached by a lady for some rough and tumbling and you can't see her face, be just a little cautious.  Or don't if you're into that, I'm not your boss and I know people with even weirder tastes I can tell you stories (And recommend you certain streets and discrete buildings if you have the stomach for it). But on the subject of drinking I can recommend ya The Drowned Man for gloomy drinking, Kaged for your lovely teen drinking and mainstream EDM bollocks, and The Anchor for somewhere in between where you'll find a concentration of scum and villainy. Of course, if you are looking for something a bit more then clubbing and drinking... I know a place  I tried to use this but SA said no. The cage roars for blood as the fighters square up, on the left 88 Fingers Michael. The name is not an metaphor, the man has many, many spare arms and he's notorious for his submission hold style but his opponent tonight is the Bristleback, half man, half porcupine, mostly dirty fighting bastard who everyone loves to hate. You can't help but notice that both gentlemen are securely secreting knuckledusters on their persons. The flickering neon sign proudly declares this raucous pit full of illicit bloodsports and suspicious alcohol The Devil's Dancefloor Ratfink approaches the doorman to the upper landing, it seems to be a man with tentacles all over his mouth, the man looks at Dead Face "Evening Charles, table for two please this one is one of mine." There's a low grumbling as the tentacles wiggle and the doorman notions to Dead Face "No not this time, he's here as a genuine guest, no trouble for him please." The doorman nods and stands aside to let both members through, Ratfink secures for his new friend a seat on the upper landing with a good view of the fight and close proximity to the bar "The place used to be a dry docks for a navy before the war dried it up for good, and it passed hands a few times before it became what it is today, quite roomy isn't it?" There's a scream of pain and a cheer from the crowd as one of the fighters seems to have been stuck with many barbs. "A couple of gangs spent the longest time fighting over this place, being that it's prime ground in the middle of the city before they came to a gentleman's agreement to share the space lest the Rogues come down hard on them for disturbing the peace. So depending on who's running it you'll find either glorified mutant bum-fights like whats going on down there, possibly some dog racing if you're a betting man or the occasional concert even, we have musicians of our own after all. Michael down there plays a mean guitar for example in the Subhumans." He looks over as he says this, just in time to see something to make him wince, and the crowd roar with approval. "Yeesh, probably not next week though." He watches the fight passively for a few moments more, and then looking like someone with something on his mind he turns to his guest. "You know with all this talking about what I've done for fun there's something that's been niggling away at me. You said you went to a big hero school and that before you found your boss that's where you stayed right but I feel like there's some gaps I am missin' in your backstory here sivver. I don't want to be personal or anything but, I don't suppose you have a family at all? Or well, had in any case." "No offense." TheNabster fucked around with this message at 23:43 on Feb 28, 2017 |
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Feb 28, 2017 23:22
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Scales looks in the wallet she had just picked from the winged girl while she was evangelizing to some dock workers. "What the hell, there's barely anything in here!" Tch. Better cover my tracks, at least. "Ah, excuse me, Miss! I think you dropped this! ....Hey, wait! You're that one chick! From the Young Knights!" Of course, Seraphine had probably run into Scales before, during the many times she had been taken in. "Aw jeez, where the hell's Spirit Apostle? Eh? You quit? Well, one less pig out there, I guess. Though, you got a taste of all that power, just to throw it away. Takes a big woman to do that for her beliefs. But...you gotta miss life at the top, right? Anyone would."
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Mar 1, 2017 01:22
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