Introduction
It's July the 23rd, 5034. Humanity is flourishing after an apocalyptic disaster on July the 23rd, 2034, 3 millennia ago, when a secluded New Age cult known as 'Dawn' infiltrated the governments of all the nuclear powers and launched all nuclear weapons, creating a hole over almost all of the world in the ozone layer and killing 99.92% of the human population. With the ozone layer gone, diseases such as skin cancer caused by UV radiation and the nuclear fallout killed 87% of the remaining population within 3 years, leaving the population at about 860,000. What happened thereafter remains a mystery, but humanity recovered by the end of the millennium by means of assisted reproduction techniques and use of seed banks and has returned to just over 1 billion. The landscape has recovered, too, and there are only a few traces of the nuclear disaster.
Humanity emerged from the ashes looking mostly the same, but also changed. It seems as if either the UV rays or the nuclear radiation mutated a previously overlooked DNA sequence in about 2000 of the survivors. This mutation was dubbed the 'Painter's Mark', for all who possessed it displayed a higher level of dexterity in their fingers than other humans, and because it allowed them to reach with their minds to the world behind a painting.
This has been kept a secret from the general population ever since the State discovered it. The state has sponsored schools for these people, who are taught not only how to draw and to paint, but also how to control the minds of supernatural beings, and the principles of summoning. The amount of people possessing the Painter's Mark has stayed steady throughout the centuries and millennia, in terms of percentage: it's about 0.23% of the population. The actual number of people with the gift is about 2,970,000.
The State has kept their powers in check by conducting routine searches of every house containing these people, and seizing all imagery that could potentially be dangerous when summoned. They then take the rest of the paintings and sell them at open auctions, making these people almost public servants, as they receive a 30% cut of the proceeds (which isn't actually out of the kindness of the State, but as a way to ensure they keep producing paintings, their logic being that receiving 70% of the money is better than nothing). Most make a living this way, accepting the State's regular sweeps as part of their life. They also tap the phones of these people if they have suspicions that they are stockpiling dangerous paintings. People who are suspected to hide artwork from the state are automatically sentenced to a week in an isolation tank. They come out mentally shaken, to say the least. (The State abolished capital punishment when it came to power, and never sentence over a month in an isolation tank, which has replaced conventional cells as the form of punishment. However, this is an incredibly severe punishment, which rarely leaves the convicts as sane as before the jailing, and requires years of counselling and treatment to return them back to a safe level of grip on reality. When some convicts drowned themselves by putting their faces in the water they were floating in, the State started forcibly attaching masks connected to an oxygen tank to the convicts, locking the strap with a code.)
However, these people, who are called the Marked, have secretly gathered in their cities and have overwhelmingly voted (those who didn't agree to fight with the rebels, not just State supporters, but pacifists and other 'conscientious objectors' were thrown out of the Marked society) to become part of a large rebel group calling themselves the New Democratic Republic (NDR), comprising about 50 million who believe that the State needs to be gotten rid of. They are planning to declare war on the State, in the hope that many citizens will join them once they know that there is a strong rebel presence. They are planning to declare war at midday, July the 24th. (Their ideology is a form of libertarianism, and their goal is to abolish the State and bring in a society made up of popularly controlled associations, with no central government. The State is more centrist compared to this.)
However, what they don't know (until the RP starts) is that the State, after bringing in a new head in a secret ballot, although it hasn't found out about the rebel plan, has decided to make all of humanity 'equal' and to wipe out the Marked, and all of their relations. They have earmarked July 23rd, the time of the coming of the 4th millennium of the Solar Age (this is marked as S.A, so the current date of the RP is S.A 3000. The year starts on July the 23rd) for this purpose. It is planned to be a strike occurring at midnight Central Time (+0), which is exactly the same as GMT (by the way, there aren't any Daylight Savings. Also, the reason why Central Time's in London is because the State is centred there). This has been called the Balancing in State files.
The RP will begin July 23rd, A.D 5034 or S.A 3000, at Central Time. There are 27 time zones, the furthest east being Christmas Island (+14). The beginning of the RP is about the British Marked leadership in London receiving information about the Balancing at 12 midday, and having 12 hours (well, a bit less practically, but you get it) to contact all members before it occurs. Unfortunately, the State has taken down all communications and travel systems, as the festivities are meant for people to 'celebrate at home'. The leadership have a plan to break into the State's London stockpile of dangerous paintings to find one of a teleporter or any other object that will allow them to contact the other Marked before the Balancing occurs. They know where the vault is, but unfortunately, it's underground, and can only be accessed via the State HQ (which is Buckingham Palace, but drastically changed, with nothing remaining of the original). Also, they have struck out the names of the people who didn't side with the rebels on their list of Marked, and these people will have to fend for themselves.
The rest of the plot will be somewhat improvised, but it'll be about the urban warfare campaign the rebels conduct, setting up bombs in the street.
Technology at the time of this is very futuristic: The Dawn managed to get prototypes and blueprints of the new technology governments and militaries were developing before they launched the nuclear weapons.
They have developed firearms almost to the point of perfection. All guns have become extremely accurate and penetrating, more accurate than today's bolt-action snipers, while still being semi-automatic or automatic. However, they still have not found a way to eliminate recoil, which is at about today's levels. Body armour has developed with this; while light and flexible, it is incredibly resistant against penetrating trauma, although bullets have developed with this. It more often bruises than breaks the body armour, and so explosive shells in place of bullets are also commonly used, as well as grenades and flame-throwers (although this doesn't burn the victims to death, as the body armour is fire-resistant, but rather depletes the oxygen supply or overheats them, although soldiers now have their own oxygen tank and cooling system in case it happens). Helmets are practically impossible to break, and the HUD inside is extremely advanced, with radar, the amount of ammunition left, circles on the screen marking allies' and enemies' positions, infra-red, a darkening filter and night-vision, and a crosshair (it looks like a sci-fi shooter game). Weapons are wirelessly connected to the helmet, and this has changed many things about combat. Firstly, physical sights are obsolete, as everything is now done through the helmet HUD, although they are still included on guns as a backup if the helmet doesn't work. Hence, while shooting, the soldier can still see what is happening around him, unless he zooms in his helmet for sniping.
As for non-military technology, cures to all diseases (apart from some forms of cancer, injury and death) have been discovered, and the average human lives for nigh on 300 years, and ages extremely slowly (after they become adults; they still go through their childhood and puberty at the same speed). Human physical capabilities have also been extended through genetics and natural selection. The average male human is 6'4", and the female 5'10", and all are about 30% stronger and faster than today. The GlobalSystem (or just System) is the equivalent of the Internet, and loads sites extremely quickly, almost instantaneously. Phone communications are long obsolete, having been replaced by the System, which uses either a flatscreen (for portable devices), connection goggles, or a holograph. Entertainment is now all virtual reality, which no longer needs specialised sensors, just headwear with the technology incorporated into it (which is practically all headwear, even sweatbands and visors). Transport is mainly hovercraft, but a lot of people ride bicycles, still needing to exercise. There actually aren't that many skyscrapers or high-rise buildings: everyone has room enough to live in their own houses, which are quite large too, although many college students move into apartments. Quality of life is also extremely high, and is uniform across the world.
The State is the only official political entity. It is descended from the leadership of the 'Dawn' cult that created the apocalypse, although the spiritual elements have long since faded away, it having to reinvent itself to prevent an uprising from its early citizens. They control every country and every square centimetre of land and water in the world through various sub-governments under a unitary state system, similar to the United Kingdom. All current states exist, although every state is officially secular (religion is freely allowed, though). Israel has control over all territories it currently claims under the State rule. The economy is free market, and uses the Dollar as its only currency.
Mechanics of Summoning:
Summoning supernatural beings is a lot harder than summoning inanimate objects, animals or even humans. Supernatural creatures can resist summoning, and subduing their will becomes more difficult as the beings that are summoned become more powerful. For example, summoning a fairy would be quite simple. Summoning another humanoid is quite easy too. Summoning a minor demon, though, would be nigh on impossible except by the the most powerful and experienced summoners. If someone tries to summon something too powerful for them, they will be taken into the Artworld (the plane of existence that the artwork depicts, artworks that depict the same world lead to the same plane) and will suffer the wrath of the being they have tried to summon.
The size of the object being summoned has an effect on the difficulty of summoning. As a rule, one cannot summon anything seven times larger than them. It varies slightly from person to person, but is always close to this mark. The energy expended will be too great otherwise, and the summoner will die. The amount of energy needed for summoning supernatural beings is not necessarily dictated by size (although many giant creatures are also very powerful in resisting mind control), but is rather dictated by the power of the creature' mental defences.
Also, one can only summon objects and beings from artwork that he/she likes a lot, so someone couldn't draw a few stick figures to make a team of assassins, for example.
Some facts of Summoning:
*Only realistic-looking artwork may be summoned from.
*The size of the object being summoned affects the energy expended. As a rule, the threshold is an object four times larger than the summoner.
*Supernatural beings have to be defeated in a battle of will and subdued before being summoned. If the supernatural being wins, then the summoner is taken into the Artworld and suffers the wrath of their conqueror. If they are still alive when they have been fully punished, they are sent back.
*One can only summon objects and beings from artwork that he/she likes a lot.
*Summoning doesn't involve any words: one just needs to reach out to the world behind the painting with their minds. However, someone has to be within 20 metres of the painting, or to have seen it earlier.
*In cases of pictures involving only scenery, one can summon anything they may think has to do with that scenery.
The art coming to life idea was inspired by the book and series 'Inkheart', which I'm currently reading. They're fantastic books, and if you haven't I recommend them. Inkheart has people reading stuff out of books, however, not paintings.
Military strength: (there are no specialist engineers: the role of the traditional engineer is taken by the engineering and communications specialist, who is also a soldier.)
NDR: 50 million combatants (hoping for new recruits once it declares war)
State Peacekeeping Force (SPF): 180 million standing army, 65 million reservists
Roles of fireteam members:
Engineering and Communications Specialist (ECS): Is the go-to man/woman for any to do with technology. Is the only person trained in the use of the E20, and disarms bombs and traps. Is a serviceable weapons man, but usually is more vulnerable than other fireteam members.
Advanced Weapons Specialist: This fireteam member specialises in the use of the flamethrower and other, well, advanced weapons. Is still quite capable with the normal service weapons, though, and second to the fireteam leader.
Sniper: Snipes, basically. Has been trained for years in the singular use of the sniper rifle, and is extremely accurate with this. A sniper can still use normal weapons, though, although he usually only has basic training. Is slightly better than an ECS.
Fireteam Leader: The fireteam leader does what he does: leads. He gives orders, works out tactics for his fireteam, and is the best with the service weapons.
Weapon Profiles:
When the NDR began, 30 years before this RP starts, one of their first priorities was to gain access to State weapon blueprints. They hired Gianluca Ferrero, renowned amongst the underground hacker community, to gain access to the State weapons files and download them. Gianluca successfully accomplished this, but was killed afterwards by the NDR to eliminate the risk of him informing the State. The NDR, after modifying some of these blueprints, distributed them to weapons factories they knew to be sympathetic towards their cause. With the right money and some intimidation and 'disappearances', the NDR kept this massive project secret from the State. They also succeeding in hacking the blueprint database again about 3 years before the RP, but only downloaded the new H28 and S24 blueprints before the operation was cut short by a connection problem.
Body armour:
S24: The suit used by all members of the SPF and NDR. It is an incredible piece of military technology, running on a quantum processor and having 4760 hours of battery life, and only weighing 5 kilograms. It has developed to the point where conventional bullets based on dealing penetrating trauma are no longer useful, as the suit is impervious to them. Now, bullets have been developed to deal enough blunt force trauma to cause incapacitating injury, allowing one to move in and finish their enemies off with a flame-thrower. Most guns can also fire small shells, giving massive recoil but potentially a lethal shot. However, the S24 has not been made to withstand severe shearing force, making soldiers vulnerable to bayonets. Looks similar to
Grenades and Explosives:
Grenades: These come in smoke, flashbangs, electronics and incendiary grenades. They all do what they sound like they do. They also can stick onto surfaces (like Halo) if the option is selected, but it takes 10 seconds for the gel to be fully secreted over the grenade. They can also be set to go off when movement and/or enemy System signals are detected within the wounding/blast radius. These are exactly the same between the rival combatants.
E20: Not an explosive, technically. It generates shock waves. The most powerful setting can level 5 city blocks (all of the nuclear weapons were fired at the beginning of the Solar Age, and the State has not developed any new nukes, and it is not likely to ever to). There is only one generator, but it has a wide variety of settings, which are extremely precise, so that, for example, if one wanted to gain access to a safe in a complex, one could set the E20 so that it would destroy the whole complex, blow the safe door off its hinges, and leave the contents intact. As such, the engineering and communications specialist (ECS) spends 2 years of his training mastering all of the settings on an E20, so that he is precise to the millimetre. Also the same between the rival forces.
Weapons:
(All weapons can load explosive shells, other than the sidearm.)
A16: The universally issued assault/battle rifle of the SPF. Has effective range of around 1400 m (this may seem way out, but it's 3k years into the future, so all's good). Muzzle velocity 1050 m/s. Has a removable bayonet which is double-edged and extremely sharp, able to cut through the S24. It is not uncommon to see hand to hand combat with bayonets. Has single shot, burst and full automatic options. 809 RPM. 64 rounds per reload, with maximum capacity of 768. Weighs 4.1 kg without bayonet, 4.4 with. Can use explosive shells with all modes of fire. Bears an outward resemblance to the M16 rifle.
Version A12/2: A carbine based on the A12 carbine blueprints, used by the NDR. Cartridge is the same as A16, but the effective range is only 600 m (same as A12), and in addition to a removable bayonet (same as A16), it has permanent grenade launcher attachment. The effective range of the grenade launcher is about 200 m. Muzzle velocity 750 m/s. 732 RPM. It has 64 rounds per reload, with a maximum capacity of 640. Can use shells, but currently limited to single shot because of monetary constraints. Weighs 3.4 kg without a bayonet, 3.7 with. Weighs 4.6 with grenade launcher attachment, and 4.9 with both attachments (when preparing for hand to hand combat, removing the grenade launcher is almost a requirement, or else the A16 will have a rather sizeable advantage).
N35: The sniper rifle used by the SPF. Issued to the sniper of each fireteam. Has effective range of around 4000 m. Muzzle velocity 2000 m/s. Small flame-thrower attachment available for close quarters combat, but which adds a kilogram to the weight. Has single shot only, but is semi-automatic and not bolt-action. Fires as fast as the trigger can move. Ammo capacity of 30 rounds per clip, with 120 rounds maximum capacity.Weighs 6.0 kg without flame-thrower attachment. Also functions as anti-materiel rifle. Looks similar to an M24.
Version N32/5: The sniper/anti-materiel/armour-piercing rifle used by the NDR. Issued to the sniper of each fireteam, though all NDR soldiers are capable with sniper rifles. It is widely different from the N32 on which it was originally based, and bears only a superficial resemblance. It was modified to fire shells as its main form of ammunition, though it can load N-series ammo. It has an effective range of about 2400 m, but the shells it fires are powerful enough to severely injure with one shot, and kill with two. It is bolt-action, as the priority is superior accuracy and not fast shooting. Muzzle velocity 1940 m/s. Weighs 6 kg. Also looks similar to an M24.
L34: The sidearm issued to all State and NDR forces. Not a gun as such, but rather a sort of tool that flashes an intensely bright light, with the effects similar to a flashbang. When pressed, the button takes 5 milliseconds to flash the L34, giving enough time to send out a signal that automatically overrides all allies' helmets in the line of sight of the tool and puts on a darkening filter. (Alternatively, one can send out a radio command telling everyone to put on the filter, so that the L34 can activate without delay.) Immediately after the light disappears, the darkening filter is turned off and the users have enough time to retreat, gain a tactical advantage or simply gun down the victims, who are still regaining their sight. Weighs 0.7 kg. Has almost infinite flashes available with the battery power, but the precise number is 8000.
F86: This is the flame-thrower used by the SPF and NDR. It is issued to one member of every fireteam, who is usually the advanced weapons specialist (AWS). It is used primarily for ambushing enemies, as the sheer heat of the flame will cook the victims in their suits within 5 seconds if they are in the direct flame, even though the suit's active cooling system automatically turns on when the temperature is over 200 degrees Celsius. (The natural heat-resistant properties of the suit will keep the wearer at a relatively comfortable temperature under that threshold.) The flame-thrower's attack is usually preceded by an attempt by the ECS of each fireteam to deactivate the cooling system of the enemies. It is a backpack flame-thrower, and looks somewhat similar to the M2 flame-thrower used in WW2. Can reach a maximum temperature of 2100 degrees Celsius. Expends 10 g per second of its solid fuel. Has a total of 5 kg of fuel. Weighs 8 kg.
H28: The helmet of the SPF and NDR. This helmet is practically impervious. It features zoom up to 32x (the sighting capabilities of weapons have been transferred to the helmet) and all options described in the firearms paragraph. Automatically senses what weapon its user is using.
Feel free to add more weapons if you want to. Just don't make them too overblown.
Rules:
*Literacy (I expect good grammar and spelling, and readability. I don't expect you to be brilliant, and I'm certainly not, but I do expect your writing to be readable without much difficulty.)
*No Mary Sue-ing. Check Ylanne's post: Treali Storm: A Mary Sue Case Study
*I don't want anyone to be uber powerful. Be above the average level for summoners, by all means, but as I've stated, you can't summon very powerful beings. You can improve during the RP, but don't be that powerful at the beginning. However, if you're a normal lead-pumper, you can be an extremely accurate shot or a good tactician or leader.
*Even if you have some of the above skills, you can't be a freak and kill everyone.
*No anime pictures.
*Don't have people with Japanese-sounding names when they're not Japanese. And have names which are normal for their culture, or at least not awkwardly weird. Culture is still mainly the same, if more advanced technologically and somewhat Westernised.
*You're welcome to do romance (if this lasts that far, which I highly doubt, as not one RP I've been in has gotten that far), but keep it PG-13. Keep gore to PG-13 as well, although I don't care if you go a bit over (don't over do it, though). Bad language, though, I don't really care about it, as long as it's not overdone and is there because you can put it there.
*Please try to post at least once every one and a half weeks, and more if you can. I understand if you can't, though.
*I reserve the right to refuse a character if I don't think it's good enough. I'll save a spot for you, but if you don't edit your character to my satisfaction, then too bad. I'll open up your spot. Don't crack a hissy fit, either.
*People age far slower in this. When they reach adulthood, it becomes about 3 biological years per 12 normal years. I define adulthood at about 21-22. They still age normally in childhood and puberty.
*No Stormtrooper Effect, please.
*If you've read everything before, nearly 4000 words, without dying of boredom, than read the rest, please.
*All other RolePlayGateway rules that I haven't put up.
The RP will be set mainly in London, but also in other major cities around the world such as NYC, Beijing, etc.
With your character, I want you to add their affiliation (NDR, Marked, Cast-out Marked, State, civilian, mercenary or anything else you can think of) in the history. I also want their position in their fireteam, if applicable (ECS, AWS, sniper, and fireteam leader). It would be nice to have a few politicians pulling the strings, too. On both sides.
I'd also like to say that this is not intended to be a black and white story: the NDR is not a holy liberating Rebel force led by the last Jedi, it is a militia organisation created by a band of radicals. It is not completely bad, either. Neither is the State evil: it has brought in an extremely high quality of life and press freedom. But neither is the State completely good: like all governments, there is corruption and bribery and so on.
Humanity emerged from the ashes looking mostly the same, but also changed. It seems as if either the UV rays or the nuclear radiation mutated a previously overlooked DNA sequence in about 2000 of the survivors. This mutation was dubbed the 'Painter's Mark', for all who possessed it displayed a higher level of dexterity in their fingers than other humans, and because it allowed them to reach with their minds to the world behind a painting.
This has been kept a secret from the general population ever since the State discovered it. The state has sponsored schools for these people, who are taught not only how to draw and to paint, but also how to control the minds of supernatural beings, and the principles of summoning. The amount of people possessing the Painter's Mark has stayed steady throughout the centuries and millennia, in terms of percentage: it's about 0.23% of the population. The actual number of people with the gift is about 2,970,000.
The State has kept their powers in check by conducting routine searches of every house containing these people, and seizing all imagery that could potentially be dangerous when summoned. They then take the rest of the paintings and sell them at open auctions, making these people almost public servants, as they receive a 30% cut of the proceeds (which isn't actually out of the kindness of the State, but as a way to ensure they keep producing paintings, their logic being that receiving 70% of the money is better than nothing). Most make a living this way, accepting the State's regular sweeps as part of their life. They also tap the phones of these people if they have suspicions that they are stockpiling dangerous paintings. People who are suspected to hide artwork from the state are automatically sentenced to a week in an isolation tank. They come out mentally shaken, to say the least. (The State abolished capital punishment when it came to power, and never sentence over a month in an isolation tank, which has replaced conventional cells as the form of punishment. However, this is an incredibly severe punishment, which rarely leaves the convicts as sane as before the jailing, and requires years of counselling and treatment to return them back to a safe level of grip on reality. When some convicts drowned themselves by putting their faces in the water they were floating in, the State started forcibly attaching masks connected to an oxygen tank to the convicts, locking the strap with a code.)
However, these people, who are called the Marked, have secretly gathered in their cities and have overwhelmingly voted (those who didn't agree to fight with the rebels, not just State supporters, but pacifists and other 'conscientious objectors' were thrown out of the Marked society) to become part of a large rebel group calling themselves the New Democratic Republic (NDR), comprising about 50 million who believe that the State needs to be gotten rid of. They are planning to declare war on the State, in the hope that many citizens will join them once they know that there is a strong rebel presence. They are planning to declare war at midday, July the 24th. (Their ideology is a form of libertarianism, and their goal is to abolish the State and bring in a society made up of popularly controlled associations, with no central government. The State is more centrist compared to this.)
However, what they don't know (until the RP starts) is that the State, after bringing in a new head in a secret ballot, although it hasn't found out about the rebel plan, has decided to make all of humanity 'equal' and to wipe out the Marked, and all of their relations. They have earmarked July 23rd, the time of the coming of the 4th millennium of the Solar Age (this is marked as S.A, so the current date of the RP is S.A 3000. The year starts on July the 23rd) for this purpose. It is planned to be a strike occurring at midnight Central Time (+0), which is exactly the same as GMT (by the way, there aren't any Daylight Savings. Also, the reason why Central Time's in London is because the State is centred there). This has been called the Balancing in State files.
The RP will begin July 23rd, A.D 5034 or S.A 3000, at Central Time. There are 27 time zones, the furthest east being Christmas Island (+14). The beginning of the RP is about the British Marked leadership in London receiving information about the Balancing at 12 midday, and having 12 hours (well, a bit less practically, but you get it) to contact all members before it occurs. Unfortunately, the State has taken down all communications and travel systems, as the festivities are meant for people to 'celebrate at home'. The leadership have a plan to break into the State's London stockpile of dangerous paintings to find one of a teleporter or any other object that will allow them to contact the other Marked before the Balancing occurs. They know where the vault is, but unfortunately, it's underground, and can only be accessed via the State HQ (which is Buckingham Palace, but drastically changed, with nothing remaining of the original). Also, they have struck out the names of the people who didn't side with the rebels on their list of Marked, and these people will have to fend for themselves.
The rest of the plot will be somewhat improvised, but it'll be about the urban warfare campaign the rebels conduct, setting up bombs in the street.
Technology at the time of this is very futuristic: The Dawn managed to get prototypes and blueprints of the new technology governments and militaries were developing before they launched the nuclear weapons.
They have developed firearms almost to the point of perfection. All guns have become extremely accurate and penetrating, more accurate than today's bolt-action snipers, while still being semi-automatic or automatic. However, they still have not found a way to eliminate recoil, which is at about today's levels. Body armour has developed with this; while light and flexible, it is incredibly resistant against penetrating trauma, although bullets have developed with this. It more often bruises than breaks the body armour, and so explosive shells in place of bullets are also commonly used, as well as grenades and flame-throwers (although this doesn't burn the victims to death, as the body armour is fire-resistant, but rather depletes the oxygen supply or overheats them, although soldiers now have their own oxygen tank and cooling system in case it happens). Helmets are practically impossible to break, and the HUD inside is extremely advanced, with radar, the amount of ammunition left, circles on the screen marking allies' and enemies' positions, infra-red, a darkening filter and night-vision, and a crosshair (it looks like a sci-fi shooter game). Weapons are wirelessly connected to the helmet, and this has changed many things about combat. Firstly, physical sights are obsolete, as everything is now done through the helmet HUD, although they are still included on guns as a backup if the helmet doesn't work. Hence, while shooting, the soldier can still see what is happening around him, unless he zooms in his helmet for sniping.
As for non-military technology, cures to all diseases (apart from some forms of cancer, injury and death) have been discovered, and the average human lives for nigh on 300 years, and ages extremely slowly (after they become adults; they still go through their childhood and puberty at the same speed). Human physical capabilities have also been extended through genetics and natural selection. The average male human is 6'4", and the female 5'10", and all are about 30% stronger and faster than today. The GlobalSystem (or just System) is the equivalent of the Internet, and loads sites extremely quickly, almost instantaneously. Phone communications are long obsolete, having been replaced by the System, which uses either a flatscreen (for portable devices), connection goggles, or a holograph. Entertainment is now all virtual reality, which no longer needs specialised sensors, just headwear with the technology incorporated into it (which is practically all headwear, even sweatbands and visors). Transport is mainly hovercraft, but a lot of people ride bicycles, still needing to exercise. There actually aren't that many skyscrapers or high-rise buildings: everyone has room enough to live in their own houses, which are quite large too, although many college students move into apartments. Quality of life is also extremely high, and is uniform across the world.
The State is the only official political entity. It is descended from the leadership of the 'Dawn' cult that created the apocalypse, although the spiritual elements have long since faded away, it having to reinvent itself to prevent an uprising from its early citizens. They control every country and every square centimetre of land and water in the world through various sub-governments under a unitary state system, similar to the United Kingdom. All current states exist, although every state is officially secular (religion is freely allowed, though). Israel has control over all territories it currently claims under the State rule. The economy is free market, and uses the Dollar as its only currency.
Mechanics of Summoning:
Summoning supernatural beings is a lot harder than summoning inanimate objects, animals or even humans. Supernatural creatures can resist summoning, and subduing their will becomes more difficult as the beings that are summoned become more powerful. For example, summoning a fairy would be quite simple. Summoning another humanoid is quite easy too. Summoning a minor demon, though, would be nigh on impossible except by the the most powerful and experienced summoners. If someone tries to summon something too powerful for them, they will be taken into the Artworld (the plane of existence that the artwork depicts, artworks that depict the same world lead to the same plane) and will suffer the wrath of the being they have tried to summon.
The size of the object being summoned has an effect on the difficulty of summoning. As a rule, one cannot summon anything seven times larger than them. It varies slightly from person to person, but is always close to this mark. The energy expended will be too great otherwise, and the summoner will die. The amount of energy needed for summoning supernatural beings is not necessarily dictated by size (although many giant creatures are also very powerful in resisting mind control), but is rather dictated by the power of the creature' mental defences.
Also, one can only summon objects and beings from artwork that he/she likes a lot, so someone couldn't draw a few stick figures to make a team of assassins, for example.
Some facts of Summoning:
*Only realistic-looking artwork may be summoned from.
*The size of the object being summoned affects the energy expended. As a rule, the threshold is an object four times larger than the summoner.
*Supernatural beings have to be defeated in a battle of will and subdued before being summoned. If the supernatural being wins, then the summoner is taken into the Artworld and suffers the wrath of their conqueror. If they are still alive when they have been fully punished, they are sent back.
*One can only summon objects and beings from artwork that he/she likes a lot.
*Summoning doesn't involve any words: one just needs to reach out to the world behind the painting with their minds. However, someone has to be within 20 metres of the painting, or to have seen it earlier.
*In cases of pictures involving only scenery, one can summon anything they may think has to do with that scenery.
The art coming to life idea was inspired by the book and series 'Inkheart', which I'm currently reading. They're fantastic books, and if you haven't I recommend them. Inkheart has people reading stuff out of books, however, not paintings.
Military strength: (there are no specialist engineers: the role of the traditional engineer is taken by the engineering and communications specialist, who is also a soldier.)
NDR: 50 million combatants (hoping for new recruits once it declares war)
State Peacekeeping Force (SPF): 180 million standing army, 65 million reservists
Roles of fireteam members:
Engineering and Communications Specialist (ECS): Is the go-to man/woman for any to do with technology. Is the only person trained in the use of the E20, and disarms bombs and traps. Is a serviceable weapons man, but usually is more vulnerable than other fireteam members.
Advanced Weapons Specialist: This fireteam member specialises in the use of the flamethrower and other, well, advanced weapons. Is still quite capable with the normal service weapons, though, and second to the fireteam leader.
Sniper: Snipes, basically. Has been trained for years in the singular use of the sniper rifle, and is extremely accurate with this. A sniper can still use normal weapons, though, although he usually only has basic training. Is slightly better than an ECS.
Fireteam Leader: The fireteam leader does what he does: leads. He gives orders, works out tactics for his fireteam, and is the best with the service weapons.
Weapon Profiles:
When the NDR began, 30 years before this RP starts, one of their first priorities was to gain access to State weapon blueprints. They hired Gianluca Ferrero, renowned amongst the underground hacker community, to gain access to the State weapons files and download them. Gianluca successfully accomplished this, but was killed afterwards by the NDR to eliminate the risk of him informing the State. The NDR, after modifying some of these blueprints, distributed them to weapons factories they knew to be sympathetic towards their cause. With the right money and some intimidation and 'disappearances', the NDR kept this massive project secret from the State. They also succeeding in hacking the blueprint database again about 3 years before the RP, but only downloaded the new H28 and S24 blueprints before the operation was cut short by a connection problem.
Body armour:
S24: The suit used by all members of the SPF and NDR. It is an incredible piece of military technology, running on a quantum processor and having 4760 hours of battery life, and only weighing 5 kilograms. It has developed to the point where conventional bullets based on dealing penetrating trauma are no longer useful, as the suit is impervious to them. Now, bullets have been developed to deal enough blunt force trauma to cause incapacitating injury, allowing one to move in and finish their enemies off with a flame-thrower. Most guns can also fire small shells, giving massive recoil but potentially a lethal shot. However, the S24 has not been made to withstand severe shearing force, making soldiers vulnerable to bayonets. Looks similar to
Grenades and Explosives:
Grenades: These come in smoke, flashbangs, electronics and incendiary grenades. They all do what they sound like they do. They also can stick onto surfaces (like Halo) if the option is selected, but it takes 10 seconds for the gel to be fully secreted over the grenade. They can also be set to go off when movement and/or enemy System signals are detected within the wounding/blast radius. These are exactly the same between the rival combatants.
E20: Not an explosive, technically. It generates shock waves. The most powerful setting can level 5 city blocks (all of the nuclear weapons were fired at the beginning of the Solar Age, and the State has not developed any new nukes, and it is not likely to ever to). There is only one generator, but it has a wide variety of settings, which are extremely precise, so that, for example, if one wanted to gain access to a safe in a complex, one could set the E20 so that it would destroy the whole complex, blow the safe door off its hinges, and leave the contents intact. As such, the engineering and communications specialist (ECS) spends 2 years of his training mastering all of the settings on an E20, so that he is precise to the millimetre. Also the same between the rival forces.
Weapons:
(All weapons can load explosive shells, other than the sidearm.)
A16: The universally issued assault/battle rifle of the SPF. Has effective range of around 1400 m (this may seem way out, but it's 3k years into the future, so all's good). Muzzle velocity 1050 m/s. Has a removable bayonet which is double-edged and extremely sharp, able to cut through the S24. It is not uncommon to see hand to hand combat with bayonets. Has single shot, burst and full automatic options. 809 RPM. 64 rounds per reload, with maximum capacity of 768. Weighs 4.1 kg without bayonet, 4.4 with. Can use explosive shells with all modes of fire. Bears an outward resemblance to the M16 rifle.
Version A12/2: A carbine based on the A12 carbine blueprints, used by the NDR. Cartridge is the same as A16, but the effective range is only 600 m (same as A12), and in addition to a removable bayonet (same as A16), it has permanent grenade launcher attachment. The effective range of the grenade launcher is about 200 m. Muzzle velocity 750 m/s. 732 RPM. It has 64 rounds per reload, with a maximum capacity of 640. Can use shells, but currently limited to single shot because of monetary constraints. Weighs 3.4 kg without a bayonet, 3.7 with. Weighs 4.6 with grenade launcher attachment, and 4.9 with both attachments (when preparing for hand to hand combat, removing the grenade launcher is almost a requirement, or else the A16 will have a rather sizeable advantage).
N35: The sniper rifle used by the SPF. Issued to the sniper of each fireteam. Has effective range of around 4000 m. Muzzle velocity 2000 m/s. Small flame-thrower attachment available for close quarters combat, but which adds a kilogram to the weight. Has single shot only, but is semi-automatic and not bolt-action. Fires as fast as the trigger can move. Ammo capacity of 30 rounds per clip, with 120 rounds maximum capacity.Weighs 6.0 kg without flame-thrower attachment. Also functions as anti-materiel rifle. Looks similar to an M24.
Version N32/5: The sniper/anti-materiel/armour-piercing rifle used by the NDR. Issued to the sniper of each fireteam, though all NDR soldiers are capable with sniper rifles. It is widely different from the N32 on which it was originally based, and bears only a superficial resemblance. It was modified to fire shells as its main form of ammunition, though it can load N-series ammo. It has an effective range of about 2400 m, but the shells it fires are powerful enough to severely injure with one shot, and kill with two. It is bolt-action, as the priority is superior accuracy and not fast shooting. Muzzle velocity 1940 m/s. Weighs 6 kg. Also looks similar to an M24.
L34: The sidearm issued to all State and NDR forces. Not a gun as such, but rather a sort of tool that flashes an intensely bright light, with the effects similar to a flashbang. When pressed, the button takes 5 milliseconds to flash the L34, giving enough time to send out a signal that automatically overrides all allies' helmets in the line of sight of the tool and puts on a darkening filter. (Alternatively, one can send out a radio command telling everyone to put on the filter, so that the L34 can activate without delay.) Immediately after the light disappears, the darkening filter is turned off and the users have enough time to retreat, gain a tactical advantage or simply gun down the victims, who are still regaining their sight. Weighs 0.7 kg. Has almost infinite flashes available with the battery power, but the precise number is 8000.
F86: This is the flame-thrower used by the SPF and NDR. It is issued to one member of every fireteam, who is usually the advanced weapons specialist (AWS). It is used primarily for ambushing enemies, as the sheer heat of the flame will cook the victims in their suits within 5 seconds if they are in the direct flame, even though the suit's active cooling system automatically turns on when the temperature is over 200 degrees Celsius. (The natural heat-resistant properties of the suit will keep the wearer at a relatively comfortable temperature under that threshold.) The flame-thrower's attack is usually preceded by an attempt by the ECS of each fireteam to deactivate the cooling system of the enemies. It is a backpack flame-thrower, and looks somewhat similar to the M2 flame-thrower used in WW2. Can reach a maximum temperature of 2100 degrees Celsius. Expends 10 g per second of its solid fuel. Has a total of 5 kg of fuel. Weighs 8 kg.
H28: The helmet of the SPF and NDR. This helmet is practically impervious. It features zoom up to 32x (the sighting capabilities of weapons have been transferred to the helmet) and all options described in the firearms paragraph. Automatically senses what weapon its user is using.
Feel free to add more weapons if you want to. Just don't make them too overblown.
Rules:
*Literacy (I expect good grammar and spelling, and readability. I don't expect you to be brilliant, and I'm certainly not, but I do expect your writing to be readable without much difficulty.)
*No Mary Sue-ing. Check Ylanne's post: Treali Storm: A Mary Sue Case Study
*I don't want anyone to be uber powerful. Be above the average level for summoners, by all means, but as I've stated, you can't summon very powerful beings. You can improve during the RP, but don't be that powerful at the beginning. However, if you're a normal lead-pumper, you can be an extremely accurate shot or a good tactician or leader.
*Even if you have some of the above skills, you can't be a freak and kill everyone.
*No anime pictures.
*Don't have people with Japanese-sounding names when they're not Japanese. And have names which are normal for their culture, or at least not awkwardly weird. Culture is still mainly the same, if more advanced technologically and somewhat Westernised.
*You're welcome to do romance (if this lasts that far, which I highly doubt, as not one RP I've been in has gotten that far), but keep it PG-13. Keep gore to PG-13 as well, although I don't care if you go a bit over (don't over do it, though). Bad language, though, I don't really care about it, as long as it's not overdone and is there because you can put it there.
*Please try to post at least once every one and a half weeks, and more if you can. I understand if you can't, though.
*I reserve the right to refuse a character if I don't think it's good enough. I'll save a spot for you, but if you don't edit your character to my satisfaction, then too bad. I'll open up your spot. Don't crack a hissy fit, either.
*People age far slower in this. When they reach adulthood, it becomes about 3 biological years per 12 normal years. I define adulthood at about 21-22. They still age normally in childhood and puberty.
*No Stormtrooper Effect, please.
*If you've read everything before, nearly 4000 words, without dying of boredom, than read the rest, please.
*All other RolePlayGateway rules that I haven't put up.
The RP will be set mainly in London, but also in other major cities around the world such as NYC, Beijing, etc.
With your character, I want you to add their affiliation (NDR, Marked, Cast-out Marked, State, civilian, mercenary or anything else you can think of) in the history. I also want their position in their fireteam, if applicable (ECS, AWS, sniper, and fireteam leader). It would be nice to have a few politicians pulling the strings, too. On both sides.
I'd also like to say that this is not intended to be a black and white story: the NDR is not a holy liberating Rebel force led by the last Jedi, it is a militia organisation created by a band of radicals. It is not completely bad, either. Neither is the State evil: it has brought in an extremely high quality of life and press freedom. But neither is the State completely good: like all governments, there is corruption and bribery and so on.
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Julian Chan
Julian is a soldier of the NDR. His entire life has been in training for the war that will 'liberate the people'.
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Julian Chan
Julian is a soldier of the NDR. His entire life has been in training for the war that will 'liberate the people'.
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Julian Chan
Julian is a soldier of the NDR. His entire life has been in training for the war that will 'liberate the people'.
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0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
London ↪ NDR London Base Owner: RolePlayGateway
You have entered the headquarters of the NDR in London, located 5 kilometres under the surface.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
New York City Owner: RolePlayGateway
New York City is the third-biggest city in the world, after London and Beijing. It has become the capital of the American State, which encompasses the current territory of the USA.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
Earth, AD 5034 ↪ London Owner: RolePlayGateway
You are in London.
0 posts · 2 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
Earth, AD 5034 is the location for all travelling situations.
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Life Imitating Art: Out of Character
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Life Imitating Art
by The Chinese Fireball on Fri Feb 19, 2010 1:16 am
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on Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:16 am
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Life Imitating Art
Most recent OOC posts in Life Imitating Art
Re: [OOC] Life Imitating Art
Nah, I'm not abandoning it. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't scrap all that work without even one IC post. I've put it up in the RPers Wanted section.
Re: [OOC] Life Imitating Art
Just a suggestion, but maybe a Roleplayers wanted thread could be beneficial? This roleplay seems like it could be great, but it's getting dragged closer and closer to "the void of no return"...
Unless you've already abandoned it, which would be a shame considering how much work you put into that intro :(
Unless you've already abandoned it, which would be a shame considering how much work you put into that intro :(
Re: [OOC] Life Imitating Art
Oh I see, I guess that could get kind of annoying.
But don't worry, J Chan'll be right at the top of Amina's hit list ;)
But don't worry, J Chan'll be right at the top of Amina's hit list ;)
Re: [OOC] Life Imitating Art
You know in Star Wars how the Stormtroopers always kill everyone else but the main characters? And how they always miss every shot against Luke, Han, Leia etc. but are extremely efficient against bad characters? Yeah, that's basically it.
Re: [OOC] Life Imitating Art
Hey :D
Thanks for accepting Amina, I hope everything's all right with her!
Just wondering though, what's the storm trooper affect? Ha
Well, thanks again.
I really hope this gets going!
Thanks for accepting Amina, I hope everything's all right with her!
Just wondering though, what's the storm trooper affect? Ha
Well, thanks again.
I really hope this gets going!
[OOC] Life Imitating Art
This is the auto-generated OOC topic for the roleplay "Life Imitating Art"
This RP is about a war between the State, a world government, and a libertarian rebel group called the New Democratic Republic (NDR). The NDR happen to have a formidable group on their side, a group of people called the Marked. These people can summon human beings, supernatural creatures and objects from artwork.
If you want to learn more, read the RP introduction. I warn you, though: it's extremely long, more than 4000 words.
This RP is about a war between the State, a world government, and a libertarian rebel group called the New Democratic Republic (NDR). The NDR happen to have a formidable group on their side, a group of people called the Marked. These people can summon human beings, supernatural creatures and objects from artwork.
If you want to learn more, read the RP introduction. I warn you, though: it's extremely long, more than 4000 words.