Mutants And Mayhem

The world is a dark place now. Sometime in the 1990s, nuclear war was declared and over half of Earth's population was wiped out. Worse still, the intensified radiation levels after the nukes were dropped mutated some of Earth's citizens into grotesque mutants with incredible powers.

This new world that emerged after the war could have accepted these mutants as fellow humans - if a bit different. Unfortunately, the mutants were the recipients of fear and hate from a paranoid new world order which was led by a group of Neo-Nazis. The Neo-Nazis emerged as society's leaders in America due to their paranoid nature equipping them for an apocalypse, as well as the impressive amount of firearms that they had stored away. Because of this, they were now the biggest kids on the playground - so to speak - and no one was going to tell them what to do.

The Neo-Nazis, calling themselves the New Order of America, quickly began rounding up mutants - claiming they were lesser beings and used them for slave labor, freak shows, and cruel gladiator entertainment. The few citizens of America who were not cowed by fear, protested these barbaric acts and were sentenced to the same fates as their mutant brethren.

Things look bleak fifteen years later. The New Order of America has cobbled together an impressive military very quickly and they rule their new world with an iron fist. Their dreaded secret police haunts everybody's nightmares. However, there are still those that resist. The Black Berets (named for the dark-colored hats they typically wear) are a major irritant for the New Order. Since the New Order permits only its soldiers to carry weapons, the Black Berets are somewhat limited in their effectiveness. Still, they persist and their main goal right now is to harbor fugitive mutants and mutant-friendly humans from the iron fist of the secret police. Their operation is small right now but the word on the street is that the Black Berets have a big operation planned. One that could very well change the fate of the world...

Hey all. I decided, after a bit of a dry period, to try this GM stuff again. So, as the Wall of Text above states, this will be taking place in a Post-Apocalyptic America. This RP was mainly inspired by X-Men: Days Of Future Past and a little bit of the TMNT And Other Strangeness Roleplaying Game. Don't worry though - you don't need to have experience in either to enjoy this game.

Your characters will be part of the resistance movement against the New Order. You can choose to play as either a human or a mutant and there are a few class options to choose from.

• Black Beret Member: For some reason or another, you found yourself opposing the New Order - whether it be out of necessity or a genuine desire to do some good in the world. The Black Berets have a very loose dress code but you do need to have their eponymous piece of headware on you at all times. Since guns are outlawed by the New Order, Black Berets have to get a bit creative with their weaponry. A black market for conventional firearms exist but real guns are rare and insanely expensive. Your characters can have them if you wish but try to keep it realistic. About five percent of all Black Berets have conventional firearms - most using melee weapons, zip guns, bows and arrows, or any other Improvised Weapon you can think of. While the Black Berets do not discriminate, if you play as one, you will most likely be human as Black Berets frequently go undercover, which is somewhat difficult for a mutant to do. Not to say that mutants can't get involved in their own special way...

• Mutant: You are a mutant that has luckily been able to hide from the secret police or, even luckier, have been led to safety by the Black Berets. Perhaps, out of gratitude or a desire for revenge, you've offered the resistance group your help in defeating the New Order. Note: There are three varieties of mutants you can play as. I've detailed them below.
  • Powered Mutants: These mutants were born or acquired special powers and abilities after the nuclear war. For the most part, powered mutants look relatively human but can still be found out by the secret police by using their innovative "Mutant Detectors." Your powers can be as serious or campy as you want. I just ask that if you choose a power that is, well...powerful that you nerf it down a bit or provide some limitations to those powers. Each powered mutant is limited to only ONE POWER, although Required Secondary Powers are permitted - provided they have to do with the aforementioned ONE POWER.
  • Animalistic Mutants Exactly What It Says on the Tin . These mutants are cursed with appearances and abilities similar to one Earth's many creatures. Think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for an example. Severity of this mutation can vary, from a man who looks exactly like a bipedal, ambidextrous wolf who only communicates with barks and howls to a skunk mutant whose only clues to her identity is the skunk stripe in her hair, her vaguely rodent-like face, and her power of stench. Any animal is permitted, including extinct ones but NOT FICTIONAL ONES.
  • Grotesque Mutants The most unfortunate category of the three mutant types. These mutants are not born with any sort of powers at all. Instead, they are just cursed with a strange appearance. This can range from a Technicolor skin tone, an extra eye or joint, pointed ears, swirling skin markings, and/or anything in between. These guys look like monsters so be creative in your appearance description.

• Human Mercenaries: These guys aren't officially partnered with the Black Berets but they are willing to lend a hand on occasion... for the right price. Their skills are varied, sometimes performing assassinations, being a getaway driver, acting as extra muscle, and anything that you can think of and might earn them a paycheck. After all, the New Order, in addition to being strict has a terrible economy.
• Adventurer: Whether human or mutant, some people just want to have a good time. Adventurers can be wanderers, musicians looking for inspiration, treasure hunters, or just people who want to do the right thing. Who knows? It's all up to you.

So there you have it. I hope you guys like the setting and be sure to tell your friends if you're interested in playing. For your signup sheet, I'd like

• Name: Self explanatory
• Age/Gender: See above
• Race: Human or mutant
• Class: If you are human, choose what job you have - whether you're a mercenary, adventurer, or a Black Beret. Keep in mind that the Black Berets have many job openings besides being a common soldier. Things like tech support, blacksmith, or what have you. If you're a mutant, list what category of mutant you are in this section.
• Appearance: Pictures will work but I'd prefer descriptions - espescially for mutant characters.
• Skills/Powers: List mutant powers here. Also your human skills and abilities.
• Equipment: As mentioned above, weapons are going to be slim pickings so choose wisely. Some Black Beret soldiers have been known to use paintball guns in lieu of the real thing. Then again, you can have a conventional gun if you want but you'll have to justify why your character has it. Mercenaries are more likely to have real guns than Black Berets.
• Backstory: Why did your character join the resistance. What's their life been like?

Anyway, there it is and I hope people are interested. PM me if you have ANY questions!

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• Active Character List
  • Toriar Wulketh the Powered Mutant Blacksmith played by Stygian Emperor
  • Hank Harrison the Powered Mutant Medic/Dentist played by Nman
  • Sjan Haze the Powered Mutant Teleporter played by Lt. B Gob
  • Alex Elmsworth the Music Scavenging Human Adventurer played by sgtpendulum.
  • Amanda Sontag the Powered Mutant Plant And Animal Lady played by daird.
  • Jonathan Doe the Black Beret played by Atomic Nut.
  • Nicolas Durant the Powered Mutant Healer played by Black Revolver.
  • Tyler Mason the human Black Beret Engineer played by Tricksen.
  • Norbert the Badger Mutant Smuggler played by tricksterson

edited 30th Aug '14 9:28:01 AM by FantasyLiver

Interested, provided it doesn't get too campy. I actually have a blacksmith superhero character I've wanted to use for a while. I'll get a sheet together and see what other people make.

Interest.

Definite interest.

Thanks guys! I look forward to reading your signups. And Stygian, it's actually going to be a fairly serious RP (not that there can't be moments of humor though).

[does a jig]

EDIT: Also, I've already got half the profile down, I'm oddly impressed with myself now.

edited 8th Aug '14 10:27:19 PM by BlackRevolver

Interest

Is there any limits on which powers we can choose besides the obvious ones? Like, is mental domination a no-go?

• Name: Toriar Wulketh
• Code Name: Adamant
• Age: Early 30s
• Race: Powered Mutant
• Class: Warsmith
• Appearance: ^Expand Toriar has short, bright orange hair and fiery amber eyes to match. He stands nearly six and a half feet, and has the brawny frame and leathery skin of a blacksmith. He currently wears a goatee.
• Power:
  • Forge Adamantium: ^Expand Toriar can turn raw metals like iron into an extremely durable nanometal he calls "Adamantium." Working this material is very easy for him; in a forge it bends and shapes to his will. With it, he crafts nigh-indestructible medieval weapons and armor, and fights his enemies like the knights of old.
    
    Because it responds to his will, Adamantium is almost impossible to remove from Toriar's grasp so long as he wishes to hold on to it. However, it will unravel and rust to uselessness if it leaves his person for too long.
• Skills:
  • Blacksmithing: ^Expand Toriar makes his living applying ancient techniques to modern needs. He can expertly forge weapons and armor out of mundane steel, wood, or leather, though it takes a normal amount of time.
  • Medieval Combat: ^Expand Toriar is proficient with nearly every medieval weapon, melee or ranged.
  • Ambidexterity: ^Expand More of a talent than a skill, Toriar makes use of this in times of peace and war alike.
• Equipment:
  • Melee Weapons: ^Expand When prepared for combat, Toriar will always bring at least one Adamantium sword, axe, mace, or polearm.
  • Shield: ^Expand If he's not using two weapons at once or a two-handed weapon, Toriar will carry a heater, kite, or roundshield.
  • Ranged Weapons: ^Expand Toriar likes to keep his options open by arming himself with either a bow, crossbow, or thrown weapons. By necessity, some of these are crafted from materials other than Adamantium.
  • Armor: ^Expand Toriar will armor himself with dark, elaborate fullplate from head to toe when the need to fight arises. He often remarks that he's more comfortable wearing it than not.
• Personality: ^Expand Inspired by the ancient warrior code of chivalry, Toriar puts the needs of those under the protection of the Resistance above all else. He would see the NOA scum put to the sword before they could rob any more innocents of their lives.
  
  Toriar despises the use of trickery, and attempts to keep battle fair and honorable when possible - even if his foes would do otherwise. He would rather cross blades with enemy soldiers than launch arrows at them from afar, but he still respects the concept of tactical superiority when called for. He will always accept a martial contest when challenged.
• Backstory: ^Expand Being a mutant, Toriar was sent on the run from his home as the NOA swept through his city with their "Mutant Detectors." He was separated from his family, but taken in by the Black Berets. Once they discovered precisely what his mutation entailed, he was placed under the tutelage of a historian and blacksmith, who taught him not only how to forge a blade, but how to wield it like the warriors of centuries past. His craft eventually surpassed his master, and he now supplies archaic, though expertly-made weapons and armor to the resistance force.

edited 11th Aug '14 5:47:59 PM by StygianEmperor

Positing interest.

Interest but I'll have to see if another rp picks up again or dies. Still, it looks like it has potential.

EDIT: I already have concept in mind, semi-recycled from another rp but hopefully would fit this... I may have it done by tomorrow, depending on how this assignment goes.

edited 9th Aug '14 4:39:34 AM by Lt.BGob

Thinking human smuggler or animal mutant. Would the smuggler be considered a mercenary or adventurer?

Quick post before I go off to work.

@ Black Revolver - Awesome, I look forward to see what you have.

@ KSPAM - Yeah, if mental domination was your power, you're going to have to nerf that down a bit. After all, we don' want every fight ending with every enemy brain dead before combat even starts. If I allow it as a power, it will most likely only be effective against one person. Even then, I might also ask that you make the power either extremely draining and tiresome to use (and thus, only to be used in emergency situations) and/or making whoever you try to dominate mentally be able to resist back so you're basically having a battle of wills with every person you try to mentally control. Those are just a few nerfs I can think of to make mental domination an acceptable power for this RP.

@ Stygian Emperor - Reminds me a bit of Forge from X-Men but Toriar Wulketh is accepted as the first Player Character of the RP! Also, NOA is a good slang term for characters to use. Kudos to you sir.

@ People who have expressed interest - Awesome! Glad to see such interest from the get go.

@ tricksterson - Probably mercenary - espescially if he smuggles stuff for the Black Berets.

edited 9th Aug '14 7:14:05 AM by FantasyLiver

Interest

What year did the nuclear war exactly took place? It's kinda essential to my character's age. Also, how does the mutant detector work?

edited 9th Aug '14 9:46:01 AM by sgtpendulum

Name: Amanda "Amy" Sontag.

Codename: Amazon

Race and Class: Powered Mutant

Age: 29

Appearance: Amy is tall and lanky, with blonde hair and violet eyes. When she's not running an operation, she prefers wearing dark, practical clothes. When she's working for the Black Berets, her wardrobe is strictly camouflage.

Skills/Powers: Wilderness Command- Amy can control plants and animals, though domesticated organisms are more difficult for her to command, and her powers are utterly useless on humans. Her powers are extremely tiring to use, and she can't split her focus enough to control multiple targets. In the case of plants she is limited to causing rapid growth, although she can direct this growth to specific locations. She can control the behavior of animals regardless of their size, but she cannot communicate with them. Her powers have a maximum range of 30 feet on both plants and animals. Master Strategist- Years of working on her own have taught her the importance of good tactics the hard way.

Equipment: Amy prefers to travel light. With her powers she can often grow her own food, so all she usually carries is a combat knife and a canteen for water.

Backstory: Amy got her powers from exposure to radiation soon after the bombs fell. She joined the Black Berets early on, and proved herself a valuable member. She was more aggressive in her service than most of the mutants, hitting NOA convoys as they traveled the rural areas of America. This also enables her to use her powers effectively. Amy has a very serious, workmanlike personality, devoting as much of her time and energy as she can afford to eradicating the NOA. She has no qualms about fighting dirty, but won't kill sadistically.

edited 10th Aug '14 8:07:24 AM by daird

Could he be a mercenary smuggler and an Animal Mutant? After all, mutants need jobs too.

Is teleportation alright? I wouldn't make it too powerful, I hate OP characters in roleplays.

It's becoming increasingly clear to me that we'll be having a doctor with us. Whether he'll be a Combat Medic is uncertain, although it's unlikely.

Shit, are you planning on making a medic too? Well no rule we can't have two. In fact, I kind of like that idea. Normally few people go for utility, but I think it leads to more interesting and creative roleplaying than just making everyone a brawler.

Also Daird, you're missing some stuff in your sheet, like age and whatnot. You should fix that up before Fantasy comes back so he can get a better look at your character.

• Name: Dr. Hank Harrison
• Age/Gender: 53, Male
• Race: Powered Mutant
• Class: Medic
• Appearance: Looks like a man in his mid-twenties. 5'8", blond crew-cut hair, facial hair cut in a short beard, brown eyes, above-average build (Compared to modern life. Average for a soldier-oriented population, though).
• Power: Healing Factor. He can recover from small wounds in seconds, and regrow severed limbs or recover from the worst injuries in under a minute. This is useful as a medic, as he can provide blood transfusions in the field to accelerate the healing of critically injured squadmates, although it's a hundred times less effective than his own healing rate, and he has to remain attached to the person the entire time.
• Skills:
  • Dentistry: A skill from a former life, though it still comes in handy at base for keeping everyone's teeth intact.
  • General Medicine: What he picked up over the years with the Black Berets
  • Baseball: A hobby from a local Dental Baseball League, it proved convenient in that he can swing a baseball bat well enough.
• Equipment:
  • Aluminum Baseball Bat
  • Backpack Trauma Bag
• Backstory: Before the bombs dropped, Hank was just your average dentist with nearly a dozen years of experience under his belt. Then the world went to hell. Having been mutated by the bombs, he couldn't exactly go back to his regular life, not when the new world order would want him dead. He fell in with the Black Berets to fight for his freedom, using his newfound power and extensive training to provide dental and rudimentary medical services to the aid organization. After working with more-skilled doctors for a few years, he was sent into the field on some missions in order to provide medical support without risking the more vulnerable doctors. For the past decade he's been split nearly 50/50 between working on base or working in the field.

edited 9th Aug '14 5:57:50 PM by nman

@ sgtpendulum - I'm keeping it deliberate vague but it's sometime in the 1990s so that's the kind of technology the setting will be having. The war happened fifteen years ago. Sorry I can't be more specific than that but if you want your character to have participated in an event from the 90s that you're not sure happened yet or not, go ahead and assume it happened. It's an alternate universe anyway. Also, your characters don't know how the mutant detectors work yet but they're small handheld devices that kind of work like radar. They are known to be extremely accurate.

@ daird - Seems like a good start but I'm going to ask for mores specifics regarding your power. What exactly does "control" mean? Can she communicate with animals as well? What is the range of her powers. Is it tiring for her to control wildlife? Sorry but without these specifics, the power of basically controlling nature could get a bit OP if we don't clearly define its parameters. Also, you'll have to edit Amazon's backstory. The Black Berets don't really have ranks (although that's my fault for not telling you all) - it's a very loose organization run by one man (whom you'll find out about later). This one man has a few lieutenants that are his second in commands scattered across the USA. Everyone else is just subservient to the lieutenants or, more directly, the man himself. So you'll also need a new justification for having a gun. Also, the two characters submitted thus far both have code names. Cool addition but they are not required if you don't want one.

@ Tricksterson - Sure, no problem. It'd just be a bit harder for him to find work because many people are either too scared at the consequences of dealing with a mutant or fall victim to NOA propaganda and distrust mutants. So, most of the work he'd be finding would be through the Black Berets and other pro-mutant humans. Also, just FYI, there is a black market network that your characters will know of and will buy/sell items during the course of the RP. I'll detail more about it later. But, just keep that in mind if you plan on making a smuggler character as the black market would be a good place for him/her to find work. Also, if your smuggler started off independent from the Black Berets (as some mutants are), you'll have to explain how he escaped the secret police by himself.

@ Lt. B Gob - Depends. Describe how you intend to play it.

@ Nman - Damn you! You slipped in just as I put up this post. Hank Harrison looks good and is accepted although, I'm going to say that he still needs to breath so drowning can still kill him. Also poison gases and knockout gas will probably have a (admittedly lessened) affect on him as well. Sound okay?

edited 9th Aug '14 6:27:46 PM by FantasyLiver

My last post made me realize that I haven't really described the current state of the world in detail yet. So I'll try to now to help get a better feel for the setting. The NOA controls everything in America. The stars and stripes flag has been replaced by the swastika and these Neo-Nazis took a page from their predecessors' book and have started conquering other countries around the world. They're the worst kinds of tyrants. The restrict trade, ban all weapons, censor books, and their laws are harsh and uncompromising. Many young men are forcibly drafted into the military on their 18th birthday so they have a high amount of manpower. They managed to secure several gun factories in the United States, so they always have enough guns to go around for themselves and they take the best scientists from the nation's schools and force them to think up new weapons and technology to help their New Order. The NOA is headed by a viscious man, known only as The Fuhrer (how obviously evil can one get?). While the NOA spreads viscious propaganda about mutants, they do quite the opposite in regards to their Fuhrer - portraying him almost as a deity - flawless and divine in his judgement. The NOA currently has a Top 10 Most Wanted list. Five leading members of the Black Berets are on that list (the other five, for any curious, are dangerous and fugitive mutants. None of them are part of The Black Berets). The Black Berets are portrayed as terrorists in NOA propaganda, which makes recruitment that much harder. The Black Berets are led by a man named John Rockwood. One of his lieutenants is his young daughter named Lexi Rockwood. Lexi is the lieutenant who your characters will be under the command of. And, don't fret, command is a relative term here. You won't be mindlessly following orders. Lexi's job is to give you guys possible missions and it is up to you guys whether to accept them and, if accepted, how to complete them. Hopefully, that cleared some things up. If you guys have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

edited 9th Aug '14 8:54:45 PM by FantasyLiver

Definitely. That's what I was imagining myself. (Much like how even though Wolverine can heal from all sorts of stuff, he remains "dead" so long as he's without oxygen, or if he has constant exposure to poison or gas instead of being exposed and then getting to safety.)

I am a derp and misread "fifteen years" as "fifty." >.>

Medic pals! But anyway, I'm mostly glad that I was already writing mine to function a little differently than yours.

I've nearly finished my sheet, how about I post and you tell me if anything should change?