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MIDNIGHT[/SIZE]
A DARKER THAN BLACK RP
A DARKER THAN BLACK RP
--- the STORY ---
Ten years prior to the beginning of midnight a mysterious phenomenon that has come to be known only as the Event shook the very foundations of the Earth and of human society. A strange form of radiation, unknown to even the most brilliant of our scientists, that appeared to originate from space made contact with the Earth. That was when all hell broke loose.
Earthquakes tore cities apart, tsunamis ravaged nations and unpredictable and strange weather began to affect the human race all across the globe. In what could only be described as an apocalyptic scenario nearly every location in the globe fell to pieces. As it always has though, the human race struggled through the disaster caused by the event – scarred but far from broken. They were not the only ones to emerge from the wreckage of our cities though, contractors, dolls and moratoria also appeared and the night sky vanished replaced instead by a false image in which stars represented the lives of contractors.
With whole nations in ruins the majority of nations fell under martial law, the USA was no different. The military run the cities of the US now outranked only by the most upper echelons of the government. The question of who to blame for the disaster still remained though, even under what appeared to be the restored order brought by the military. With nobody to blame and the sudden emergence of contractors, society soon turned on them – blaming contractors and the like for the event and fearing their supernatural gifts. Soon the government, influenced heavily by the military, ruled that anyone discovered to be a contractor, doll or moratorium would be eliminated and a new organisation was created solely for searching for and assassinating the beings the Event had spawned and researching their abilities and the Event itself, the Supernatural Research and Control Agency (SRCA), who were to be controlled by the military.
Ten years later and the military and the SRCA still patrol the streets of ruined cities. Some semblance of normality seems to have settled over the world but each and every nation on the Earth is still a dangerous and unstable place. Contractors, moratoria and dolls rarely walk in the open anymore and are forced into lives of crime and servitude under criminal syndicates as they try to survive in a world where they are constantly pursued by the SRCA.
Earthquakes tore cities apart, tsunamis ravaged nations and unpredictable and strange weather began to affect the human race all across the globe. In what could only be described as an apocalyptic scenario nearly every location in the globe fell to pieces. As it always has though, the human race struggled through the disaster caused by the event – scarred but far from broken. They were not the only ones to emerge from the wreckage of our cities though, contractors, dolls and moratoria also appeared and the night sky vanished replaced instead by a false image in which stars represented the lives of contractors.
With whole nations in ruins the majority of nations fell under martial law, the USA was no different. The military run the cities of the US now outranked only by the most upper echelons of the government. The question of who to blame for the disaster still remained though, even under what appeared to be the restored order brought by the military. With nobody to blame and the sudden emergence of contractors, society soon turned on them – blaming contractors and the like for the event and fearing their supernatural gifts. Soon the government, influenced heavily by the military, ruled that anyone discovered to be a contractor, doll or moratorium would be eliminated and a new organisation was created solely for searching for and assassinating the beings the Event had spawned and researching their abilities and the Event itself, the Supernatural Research and Control Agency (SRCA), who were to be controlled by the military.
Ten years later and the military and the SRCA still patrol the streets of ruined cities. Some semblance of normality seems to have settled over the world but each and every nation on the Earth is still a dangerous and unstable place. Contractors, moratoria and dolls rarely walk in the open anymore and are forced into lives of crime and servitude under criminal syndicates as they try to survive in a world where they are constantly pursued by the SRCA.
--- the FACTIONS ---
the CONTRACTORS ---
Contractors are human in almost every sense but are usually characterised as separate from ordinary humans due to two factors. Firstly, each contractor possesses a single supernatural gift be it electro kinesis or something like freezing liquids – the ability depends on the contractor and whilst some have the same ability there are usually subtle differences. Attached to this is the presence of an obeisance (also called remuneration). After using their ability a contractor is psychologically compelled to complete a task, many of these are rather harmless (like poetry) but some contractors must even self harm. The second distinction between a contractor and a regular human is that each contractor has a corresponding star in the false sky. This stars movements and activity can be used to track the activities and if the contractor dies, the star will vanish.
There is a common belief that contractors are emotionless killers but this is far from the truth. Contractors do have the "advantage" of a brain that will rarely consider the taking of a life as irrational if it makes sense at the time, but again this depends on the contractor.
the MORATORIA ---
A moratorium is very similar to a contractor but there are a few differences. Like a contractor a moratorium has a corresponding star as well as a special gift, unlike a contractor though they do not need to pay an obeisance for using their gift. The situation of a moratorium is more complicated – they have no control over their powers whatsoever and will fall in to trances where they have no traces of their original personality whilst using their powers.
It is not unheard of for moratoria to become full contractors (at which point they gain an obeisance) but they are generally more feared due to their inability to control their gifts.
the DOLLS ---
Unlike a contractor or a moratorium a Doll truly is emotionless, but they also do not pose as much of a threat as they do not possess the same powers as contractors or moratoria. A doll has no personality of their own and can be "programmed" to take on the personality or memories of another person – other times they are programmed to retain their original identity and memories but lack a personality or emotions (although both can sometimes resurface).
Despite having no skills that could be used offensively Dolls are useful for espionage and spying not just because of their nature but because they have the ability to use observation spirits. Observation spirits can travel through a medium acting as the eyes and ears of the dolls (each doll will have a single specific medium however).
the SRCA ---
The Supernatural Research and Control Agency are a government organisation under the control of the military. They are tasked with studying contractors, moratoria and dolls and eliminating contractors and moratoria as they are perceived as threats to humanity. They will often make use of dolls as spies and will use them as research subjects because they will not fight back but they also have no qualms in killing them if they for some reason evade capture or are aiding a contractor/moratorium.
The SRCA can be noticed by their tendency to wear black body armour over their clothing. They are known to carry a wide range of weapons and tools, and are specially trained for combat against supernatural enemies.
Contractors are human in almost every sense but are usually characterised as separate from ordinary humans due to two factors. Firstly, each contractor possesses a single supernatural gift be it electro kinesis or something like freezing liquids – the ability depends on the contractor and whilst some have the same ability there are usually subtle differences. Attached to this is the presence of an obeisance (also called remuneration). After using their ability a contractor is psychologically compelled to complete a task, many of these are rather harmless (like poetry) but some contractors must even self harm. The second distinction between a contractor and a regular human is that each contractor has a corresponding star in the false sky. This stars movements and activity can be used to track the activities and if the contractor dies, the star will vanish.
There is a common belief that contractors are emotionless killers but this is far from the truth. Contractors do have the "advantage" of a brain that will rarely consider the taking of a life as irrational if it makes sense at the time, but again this depends on the contractor.
the MORATORIA ---
A moratorium is very similar to a contractor but there are a few differences. Like a contractor a moratorium has a corresponding star as well as a special gift, unlike a contractor though they do not need to pay an obeisance for using their gift. The situation of a moratorium is more complicated – they have no control over their powers whatsoever and will fall in to trances where they have no traces of their original personality whilst using their powers.
It is not unheard of for moratoria to become full contractors (at which point they gain an obeisance) but they are generally more feared due to their inability to control their gifts.
the DOLLS ---
Unlike a contractor or a moratorium a Doll truly is emotionless, but they also do not pose as much of a threat as they do not possess the same powers as contractors or moratoria. A doll has no personality of their own and can be "programmed" to take on the personality or memories of another person – other times they are programmed to retain their original identity and memories but lack a personality or emotions (although both can sometimes resurface).
Despite having no skills that could be used offensively Dolls are useful for espionage and spying not just because of their nature but because they have the ability to use observation spirits. Observation spirits can travel through a medium acting as the eyes and ears of the dolls (each doll will have a single specific medium however).
the SRCA ---
The Supernatural Research and Control Agency are a government organisation under the control of the military. They are tasked with studying contractors, moratoria and dolls and eliminating contractors and moratoria as they are perceived as threats to humanity. They will often make use of dolls as spies and will use them as research subjects because they will not fight back but they also have no qualms in killing them if they for some reason evade capture or are aiding a contractor/moratorium.
The SRCA can be noticed by their tendency to wear black body armour over their clothing. They are known to carry a wide range of weapons and tools, and are specially trained for combat against supernatural enemies.
--- the SETTING ---
Midnight: A Darker than Black RP is set in the post-apocalyptic city of San Francisco. The richest areas of the city sustained some of smallest amounts of damage in the entire country due to the strong structures built to withstand frequent Earthquakes but the majority of the city is pretty much in ruins. Streets and buildings are crumbling or ruined completely and many people are forced to live in dilapidated structures and hastily built accommodation. Patrols by the standard military and the SRCA as well as navy patrols of the nearby waterways are frequent and shoddy marketplaces have taken the place of most stores and supermarkets in the poorest areas of the city. Even the Golden Gate Bridge has suffered a lot of damage and now it is traversed much less frequently.The nearby island of Alcatraz serves as a headquarters, research facility and if necessary prison for the SRCA.
--- the GAMEPLAY ---
Midnight is a sandbox RP but will contain some more linear events to progress the story occasionally – these will be advertised in the OP. In between mandatory events players will be free to pursue the story arcs of their own characters and interact at will.Each player will be allowed a maximum of two characters (only one spot in the RP will be filled however) but will only be allowed to have on character who is supernatural and one who is a regular human. Furthermore, due to the emotionless nature of dolls, RPers must seek GM permission in order to submit a character that is a doll.
--- the RULES ---
- GM word is law.
- Do not bunny without permission and do not god mod.
- Ask permission before posting a doll SU (give a good reasoning as to why).
- This is a sandbox RP so feel free to create NPC's at will and pursue your own characters story. That's what this is all about.
- Follow any mandatory events posted.
- You may reserve a place in this RP. Reservations will expire after three days but if there is still space available after that time you are still welcome to post an SU.
- If you take on multiple characters only one of them can be a contractor or moratorium. The other must be a doll or a member of the SRCA.
- Follow all forum rules and be respectful and polite to your fellow RPers.
--- the SIGN-UP template ---
for a CONTRACTOR/MORATORIUM ---
Name: First and Last
AKA: Does your character have an alias or nickname?
Messier Code: This is the code that represents your contractor and their corresponding star.
Gender:
Age:
Appearance: Include things like ethnicity, height and build, hair and eye colour and the sort of clothes typically worn by your character.
Personality: Describe various character traits or quirks. What makes your character tick and what is it like to interact with them?
Ability: Describe your character gift as well its related obeisance and any strengths/limitations of the ability. Remember that Moratoria do not have an obeisance to pay.
RP Sample or Brief History: An RP sample can be an excerpt from another RP (reference or link) or an original sample written for this RP (as your character). Alternatively you can write a brief history of your character.
Other: Anything that does not apply to the other categories.
Name: First and Last
AKA: Does your character have an alias or nickname?
Messier Code: This is the code that represents your contractor and their corresponding star.
Gender:
Age:
Appearance: Include things like ethnicity, height and build, hair and eye colour and the sort of clothes typically worn by your character.
Personality: Describe various character traits or quirks. What makes your character tick and what is it like to interact with them?
Ability: Describe your character gift as well its related obeisance and any strengths/limitations of the ability. Remember that Moratoria do not have an obeisance to pay.
RP Sample or Brief History: An RP sample can be an excerpt from another RP (reference or link) or an original sample written for this RP (as your character). Alternatively you can write a brief history of your character.
Other: Anything that does not apply to the other categories.
for a SCRA agent ---
Name: First last and any important titles.
AKA: Does your character have an alias or nickname:
Gender:
Age: Must be 20 or over.
Appearance:
Personality:
Weapons/Tools: What weaponry or tools does your character carry.
RP Sample or Brief History:
Name: First last and any important titles.
AKA: Does your character have an alias or nickname:
Gender:
Age: Must be 20 or over.
Appearance:
Personality:
Weapons/Tools: What weaponry or tools does your character carry.
RP Sample or Brief History:
for a DOLL ---
Name: First and Last
AKA:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality: If your character is a "programmed" doll discuss only the personality of their program. If your dolls is of the more common variety that is emotionless but still possesses their own memories write about what they were like before becoming dolls in case their original personality slips through.
Medium:
Brief History:
RP Sample:
Other Info:
Name: First and Last
AKA:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance:
Personality: If your character is a "programmed" doll discuss only the personality of their program. If your dolls is of the more common variety that is emotionless but still possesses their own memories write about what they were like before becoming dolls in case their original personality slips through.
Medium:
Brief History:
RP Sample:
Other Info:
--- the ACCEPTED CHARACTERS ---
1. Gimmepie (GM) as Leon Blair (Contractor)
2. Lokiepie (GM) as ???
3. MichaelatheUchiha as Hitomi Arashi (Contractor) and ??? (SRCA)
4.
5. ChiliDawgs as Carley Roberts (Contractor)
6. DarkMoonPhase as Sakumaru Tendo (Doll) and Shion Hougi (Contractor)
7. Darkpokemaster66 as Chris Lanard (Contractor) and John Black (Doll)
8. Lord Sephear as Kendal Shaar (Contractor)
9. WooliestSteam1 as Corporal Alex Brody (SRCA)
10.
2. Lokiepie (GM) as ???
3. MichaelatheUchiha as Hitomi Arashi (Contractor) and ??? (SRCA)
4.
5. ChiliDawgs as Carley Roberts (Contractor)
6. DarkMoonPhase as Sakumaru Tendo (Doll) and Shion Hougi (Contractor)
7. Darkpokemaster66 as Chris Lanard (Contractor) and John Black (Doll)
8. Lord Sephear as Kendal Shaar (Contractor)
9. WooliestSteam1 as Corporal Alex Brody (SRCA)
10.
Leon Blair
Leon entered the run down old tavern stepping out of a freak thunder storm into the dingily lit room. The tavern was a seedy joint – dingily lit with bordered up windows, a lingering odour that could only be described as a combination of liquor, cigarette smoke and God-knows-what-else and crammed full of shady characters such as the several young men and women who were members of one of San Francisco's many street gangs.
Leon wiped the rain water away from his eyes as he walked across the filthy room towards the equally filthy counter. The weather in San Francisco had always been rather chilly when compared to other places in the US but ever since the Event strange weather such as the current mid-summer thunder storm had become far more common. Leon sat on a rickety wooden stool at the counter and pulled a slip of paper and a black pen from the satchel that hung over his shoulder. The paper was lined with algebraic equations, much like a test sheet – this was Leon's obeisance as a contractor, if he used his power at all he would be psychologically compelled to complete mathematical equations. They didn't have to be difficult but the young contractor found he got bored with doing simple sums all the time. Leon began to fill in the answers; the sheet in front of him wasn't particularly difficult for him as he had done several similar ones in his life time.
Leon had barely begun fulfilling his obeisance when he heard the voice from across from him.
"Buy a drink or get out." The source of the voice game from a chubby and grimy, apron-wearing man in his fifties -in other words, the stereotypical bartender. Leon narrowed his eyes at the grouchy old man before answering
"Water?"
"Five bucks kid, that or leave." Leon sighed as he retrieved the designated sum from his pocket and dumped it on the table, soon finding a surprisingly clean (albeit chipped) glass of water in the place of the note.
Five dollars for water? In an age like this where the majority of us are poor? Wonderful to see that the human race is as appalling as ever. Despite his irritation at the old man Leon found it difficult to truly despise him, the reason his merchandise was overpriced was because he needed the cash to stay alive and nobody else in the area was likely to have clean water, so it worked out for him.
Leon continued to sit at the counter completing the worksheet and sipping the drink, there was no point of him hurrying despite the cargo within his bag; he still had several hours until he had to meet with his employer. This cargo was confidential documents from a weapons manufacturing company – what they contained he didn't know nor care about. The only thing that Leon was interested in was getting them to his employer and collecting his fee, not that he was happy about being forced to live a life of crime enslaved by crime syndicates.
One day contractors will be able to live out normal lives. That's enough reason to keep living like this.
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