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Cataclysm - A God Roleplay Interest Check

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HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#1: Feb 16th 2015 at 11:12:39 PM

Cataclysm

Prologue

Many centuries ago, the Pantheon, our Gods, looked upon the world, and despaired. Old demons, fallen gods and legendary monsters ruled the hearts and fears of mortals. Hardening themselves, our Gods descended upon the world of flesh and earth. Rallying the dispossessed mortals behind them, the Pantheon began a bloody crusade against these ancient fiends and mighty terrors.

The dark gods were cast down. Sealed, entombed, scattered, cursed, or destroyed, their foul presence were finally wiped from known existence after centuries of attrition and battle. Exhausted and bloodied, the Pantheon retreated back to the celestial plains, but not before promising that never again would their faithful have to fear the things that lurk in the unknown and the darkness.

That was then. Empires have fallen and risen. Warriors of all cloths, from brigands to nobles, quest and journey for wealth or fame. And still people are ever-faithful. However, as of late, the Pantheon has demanded more and more of their worshippers: devotion, fortresses, excavated artifacts from old dungeons nearly lost to time, as if they fear a coming storm…

Keys have been turned. Gates have been opened. Barriers have been shattered. Once-sanctified ruins have been corrupted, haunted by foul magic.

You know why. Though you may have been defeated, scattered, your name cast away from written knowledge… you are not conquered. You are not forgotten.

For the first time in millennia, you dare to draw breath. Though you may still be weakened, you know that an upheaval is coming. You, and many others. Your sweet song lingers, calling the faithful, those that do not question your right. The time has come.

Arise, Broken Gods. Arise and be reborn.

Premise

This RP is structured in two levels of play. The first tier involves broken gods, or at least, godlike beings. Due to some unknown influence, the Pantheon's grip has momentarily waned, allowing one to possibly oust them. At least, it is the best chance you will ever get. However, your physical presence is weakened, meaning that you cannot reveal yourself lest you get cast down. Your followers, on the other hand, have near-free reign of things. They can carry out your orders and help you restore your former glory, in exchange for boons.

Furthermore, though your body is broken, though you speak to your followers in whispers and howls, you are capable of conversing with other broken gods on an astral plane unhampered by time and space. There, you can ally, plot against others, posture, and so on. You seem to be at full strength there (or is it perhaps your conscience willing it to be so?).

The second tier works on the mortal level. Think fantasy RP setting, with wizards, kings, knights, paladins, cultists, the whole shebang. You can work as an agent of a dark god, whether it is your own or another player's. If you intend to be a follower of another player's god, then you have to work out the details with the god's player.

Alternatively, you can be a soldier of the Pantheon, working against the revival of the dark gods by securing their old artifacts or other means. Or a mercenary playing both sides, hired by cultists and kings alike. After all... gold talks louder than any prayer of worship.

What is it to be a God?

A question without an answer. There are many, many ways to be classed as a godlike being, and just as many ways to regain your might. Perhaps you were once a god of love and beauty, before being corrupted by unknown means. In order to regain your status, you may demand that your followers desecrate shrines and temples dedicated to the Pantheon's equivalent of love and beauty. Or you may be a mighty dragon whose greed and hunger knew no bounds, only rivaled by your arcane knowledge. However, you were tricked into stealing a cursed treasure, and tricked into eternal slumber for it. Your revival condition is to have your treasure scattered to the ends of the earth, coveted and kept by the kings and lords of mortals. Another case could be a lying demon whose forked tongue was capable of rewriting reality, until you were torn apart, your lies scattered to the winds. Your followers would have to find the eldritch words and bring them together.

The sky's the limit, really.

Character Sheets

God Sheet:

  • Name and Aliases:
  • Depiction: What do they look like?
  • Legend: Their history? What have they done, and why are they so powerful?
  • Theme: What kind of god are you? A bloody one? A god of lies? Of the hunt? This matters because it is not likely that stealthy assassins would spring forth from a mad god of war. You essentially start with a single theme, and expand from there. Moreover, though some themes may overlap, there is room for uniqueness. Battle may grow into the pursuit of bloodlust and chaos, or follow the rigid strictures of honor and glory, for example.
  • Boons: This may need some explanation. Every God starts off with one boon. As your power grows, you are allowed to grant more and more to your followers. It's your choice who among your people are given boons. What kind of boons do you grant? Weapons? Magic? Other kinds of power related to your theme?
  • Ascension: What are the conditions that will lead to your rise? What is it that your followers are ultimately looking for? A psychic, unhatched starspawn, for example, may need rituals to hasten its awakening, as well as a suitable body (maybe a slumbering dragon?) to infest.

Mortal Sheet:

  • Name and Aliases:
  • Deity: Who do you follow? Can be anyone. A member of the Pantheon, a Broken God, or none. If it's a Player-Character God, you will have to get separate approval on the background and boon(s). Do note that if you have no deity, you won't be granted boons.
  • Species: Are you a human, a fairy, or what?
  • Appearance:
  • Personality:
  • Background:
  • Powers and abilities:
  • Items and tools of note:
  • Boon: What did your God grant you for your service? I put it separate from powers because this has to be approved content-wise by the player, and then level-wise by me.

...And I think that covers most of it. Obviously, I need a signup sheet and a fair amount more world building, but I figure I'll work on that should sufficient interest be shown.

It would take a fair amount of commitment, especially since you may be playing both god and mortal, but I think it could work. I may need a Co-GM for this, though.

edited 17th Feb '15 9:46:36 PM by HazzyHaz

WolfAmongGods poisonpenpal from The Metta Since: Feb, 2015 Relationship Status: Dancing with Captain Jack Harkness
poisonpenpal
#2: Feb 16th 2015 at 11:22:45 PM

Oh, this sounds like fun. I could totally get into this. I also volunteer to co-GM if necessary.

Saint Laughter
guyshane Combat mode, engage Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Combat mode, engage
#3: Feb 16th 2015 at 11:58:37 PM

This sounds like a barrel of laughs, consider me interested.

-dramatic music ensues-
EchoingSilence Since: Jun, 2013
#4: Feb 17th 2015 at 5:05:23 AM

Actually sounds like a bit of fun. I have two deities in my pantheon.

But the soldier aspect sounds interesting, I may have one for one of my deities.

Stratofarius huzzaaaaaaaah Since: Aug, 2011
huzzaaaaaaaah
#5: Feb 17th 2015 at 5:14:32 AM

I'm interested. And I would definitely be up to having my character follow another player's god.

Chabal2 Since: Jan, 2010
#6: Feb 17th 2015 at 8:30:49 AM

OC gods or fictional gods?

I have one (technically it's from a work of fiction, but is a near blank slate) and a servant that I've used a few times before.

HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#7: Feb 17th 2015 at 8:38:23 AM

It's not a crossover, if that's what you're asking. Although you can definitely make a guy inspired by an established work.

That said, I feel like I should clarify: You're not necessarily confined to being a god. You could be a sufficiently powerful being, like a dragon, a fairy queen, etc, with aspirations of grandeur. You're a weight class below the Pantheon that inspires the hearts of many, which is why you need to find a way to consolidate your power.

edited 17th Feb '15 8:39:23 AM by HazzyHaz

Chabal2 Since: Jan, 2010
#8: Feb 17th 2015 at 8:42:05 AM

Works for me. All the original work could give was his powers and appearance, the rest I can build on (including motivations).

EchoingSilence Since: Jun, 2013
#9: Feb 17th 2015 at 8:51:47 AM

Now can our soldiers and followers be for our own gods that we have made? Or do they have to explicitly work for others?

Vox Since: Dec, 2010
#10: Feb 17th 2015 at 9:00:34 AM

I'm interested. The last few games with a similar premise didn't last very long.

HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#11: Feb 17th 2015 at 9:08:20 AM

You can, but a lot of the fun should come from being subject to others' mad whims. You can also do generic npc fodder as well.

Chabal2 Since: Jan, 2010
#12: Feb 17th 2015 at 9:20:56 AM

^^ Mostly because there wasn't much of a plot though.

Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#13: Feb 17th 2015 at 10:28:35 AM

This sounds... really cool, actually.

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Lemurian from Touhou fanboy attic Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
#14: Feb 17th 2015 at 1:05:51 PM

Interest. I love RPGs with concepts like this. smile

Join us in our quest to play all RPG video games! Moving on to disc 2 of Grandia!
AtomicNut Sandwich Summoner from Classified Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Sandwich Summoner
#15: Feb 17th 2015 at 2:55:06 PM

If Goatwood and RL allow a break i might take a shot at it.

HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#16: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:01:00 PM

Alright, I'll go ahead and get the sheets done. The pantheon will come later, so probably keep the details sparse so you can fill it in then.

As for the setting, I figure I'd make it semi-fluid. I mean, we're all versed in fantasy and it would be too restricting and a bit weird to let people be gods, yet not allow them to make a location as necessary for the narrative. So long as it makes sense and is not too convenient.

I'm in a bit of a rush, so no doubt I may have missed things. Ask questions if you have them. I'll also try to make an example.

God Sheet:

  • Name and Aliases:
  • Depiction: What do they look like?
  • Legend: Their history? What have they done, and why are they so powerful?
  • Theme: What kind of god are you? A bloody one? A god of lies? Of the hunt? This matters because it is not likely that stealthy assassins would spring forth from a mad god of war. You essentially start with a single theme, and expand from there. Moreover, though some themes may overlap, there is room for uniqueness. Battle may grow into the pursuit of bloodlust and chaos, or follow the rigid strictures of honor and glory, for example.
  • Boons: This may need some explanation. Every God starts off with one boon. As your power grows, you are allowed to grant more and more to your followers. It's your choice who among your people are given boons. What kind of boons do you grant? Weapons? Magic? Other kinds of power related to your theme?
  • Ascension: What are the conditions that will lead to your rise? What is it that your followers are ultimately looking for? A psychic, unhatched starspawn, for example, may need rituals to hasten its awakening, as well as a suitable body (maybe a slumbering dragon?) to infest.

Mortal Sheet:

  • Name and Aliases:
  • Deity: Who do you follow? Can be anyone. A member of the Pantheon, a Broken God, or none. If it's a Player-Character God, you will have to get separate approval on the background and boon(s). Do note that if you have no deity, you won't be granted boons.
  • Species: Are you a human, a fairy, or what?
  • Appearance:
  • Personality:
  • Background:
  • Powers and abilities:
  • Items and tools of note:
  • Boon: What did your God grant you for your service? I put it separate from powers because this has to be approved content-wise by the player, and then level-wise by me.

edited 17th Feb '15 3:06:35 PM by HazzyHaz

AtomicNut Sandwich Summoner from Classified Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Sandwich Summoner
#17: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:26:56 PM

Damnit, I have an idea that fits neither: A former champion of a fallen goddess who made the very stupid mistake of falling for her... and then witnessed her slow descent to oblivion during the last war of the gods. And then he cursed and renounced EVERY SINGLE GOD and began a one man campaign of fucking the entire creation up until he was put down for good. Of course with the whole Pantheon power wavering, his shackles waned...

edited 17th Feb '15 3:29:02 PM by AtomicNut

WolfAmongGods poisonpenpal from The Metta Since: Feb, 2015 Relationship Status: Dancing with Captain Jack Harkness
poisonpenpal
#18: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:40:27 PM

I had an idea for a goddess that would love to have your warrior as a champion.

Saint Laughter
AtomicNut Sandwich Summoner from Classified Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Sandwich Summoner
#19: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:43:08 PM

...Well the thing is, he only served one Goddess. Others would get the treatment of "Shit that needs to be destroyed" with very few exceptions such as indiference towards allies of his former (gone) Goddess.

HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#20: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:47:58 PM

He probably means making the goddess your guy championed, but it would be hard to classify. I'm guessing you want him in an active role, but then we may have a power imbalance.

AtomicNut Sandwich Summoner from Classified Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Sandwich Summoner
#21: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:51:46 PM

hmm, but then again if the goddess is alive he wouldn't need to go Killmaimburn on others. I better make another character out of the bat.

WolfAmongGods poisonpenpal from The Metta Since: Feb, 2015 Relationship Status: Dancing with Captain Jack Harkness
poisonpenpal
#22: Feb 17th 2015 at 3:59:02 PM

Well, they need to be a little 'killburnmaim'-ish.

Saint Laughter
AtomicNut Sandwich Summoner from Classified Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Sandwich Summoner
#23: Feb 17th 2015 at 4:03:01 PM

I suppose this is where i say he used to serve a kind goddess, as the killmaimburn ones would not be easy to fall for them.

EchoingSilence Since: Jun, 2013
HazzyHaz Slice and Dice Since: Oct, 2011
Slice and Dice
#25: Feb 17th 2015 at 4:14:26 PM

I may have mischaracterized the OP. It is not unbiased. Were there terrors that needed to be put down? Yes. Were there protector gods that were exterminated all the same for not bowing to the Pantheon? Definitely.

Moreover petty things like death are mere inconveniences to beings of their caliber anyways

Also I'm not saying you have to immediately bench the idea, just that it would take time for me to consider it.

edited 17th Feb '15 4:29:39 PM by HazzyHaz


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