Well, groups are made of individuals, so even in both Factions there are certifiably evil people. There's also plenty of villains, and I intend for some to be evil because its fun/challenging. Really, there'll just be a wide spectrum of characters. Though I'll admit, it'll probably be mostly (light) grey than absolutes for the sake of absolutes. Zechsu (personification of fear) and Midnight Stitcher are thus some of my favorites.
Oh yeah, the IDF will become important later on, and here's an additional two storylines: Disrupted Divinity (Deals prominently with Souls, Gods, alternative universes, and Wights) and Engimatic Exodus (Deals primarily with the few aliens that do bother Earth, thus including some abductee victims). Time Travel stories however won't pop up soon, with Cyberphile establishing (the majority of) it as actually Universe Jumping once you get pass paradox free time travel.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."Totally misread your post in the looking for players thread at first and didn't realize you already had this thread up. Heh.
So are the story lines going to happen sequentially or concurrently? Or a mix? And a lot of them sound significantly different, so would we be making new characters for each storyline or would some of them allow us to reuse our characters?
Click Click Boom BoomThe exact timeline of the Stories are mostly matched up, barring the Alternative Universes Cyberphile (which is 2035) and Lost of Life (which is somewhere during 2016). Of course, if only one thread will made at a time than there'll be distance. Some of them will probably have "Seasons" (thus not ending), while ones like Nightmare Normalcy have an end point. Some of them could crossover, along with there being characters that will crossover. So ultimately, I suppose it depends heavily on your character in question, though I would encourage varied characters.
Regarding setting, I would specify like our world instead of being set in it (given one of the major Reveals). I also wouldn't use Harry Potter as a comparison, though admittedly there are basically schools for the fantastical. That actually reminds me of my project Demon Academy, which was about morally inverted demons learning to survive in a world turned against them by angels. I could retool the concept, but I'll need time to make it worthwhile. Finally, the public tech level is our own (which is actually the basis for a Heroes & Villains thread, using the surprisingly advanced and dangerous items at our disposal), though the secret tech level gets pretty sci-fi.
Anyways there's also a thread which revolves around genetically engineered animals, thus basically animal superheroes. They'll be chased down by other super animals for the antagonistic force (Thread Name Pending). There's also other stories, like Infinito Rex and Demonized Defender, though they'll either be straight up stories or Quests given their focused narrative. There's also some stories, like Gifted Genesis that are being saved for later because of the timeline. Zero Evolution is the storyline that'll cap off Phase 1 as well, so that'll be a while.
Now then, which Storyline is everyone most interested in starting? I've been wanting to write horror, so Nightmare Normalcy is the one I would want. However I'll also like to do any of them, as they're all stories I want to tell. That and I would like a decision so I can make the Discussion thread.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."For the Discussion thread I'll be listing details that relate to the chosen storyline. Don't have a laptop, so I'll pretty much have to write it from scratch. Anyways, if nobody makes a different vote Nightmare Normalcy will be the first Storyline.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."Is there a power ceiling for Nightmare Normalcy? 'Cause I have two characters I can think of that would be good for that, but both are firmly in the Super Weight 4+ category...
we will survive.There's really no power ceiling for any of the Storylines, with the exception of 'truly' Divine abilities such as effortlessly rewriting reality or creating superpowered god minions. Regarding Nightmare Normalcy, you're either a prisoner (who are not automatically bad guys), a Servant trying to stop their escape, or an Eldon agent helping the breakout. Though admittedly, if a Normal actually gains access to the fantastical, they're allowed to remember so long as they obey. However, Heroic, your character is unlikely to be a prisoner if all he does is impress and voyeurism. Magic involving mental and emotional manipulation is taken very seriously, so him getting carried away with Love magic works. That or some Servant agents brought him in to show what'll happen if he goes too far.
Anyways, seems Nightmare Normalcy is the choice then. Expect the Discussion thread later on today.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."I'm working on the Discussion currently, and the only thing that I need to figure out is which characters will appear in Nightmare Normalcy. Thus I figured I'll ask what kind of events you're expecting to help with the decision. I'll come to an answer either way, but I want to be an interactive GM giving his players a tailored experience.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."Question: Would the Servants be willing to employ a sort of freelancer, somebody who was willing to obey their rules and shares most of their goals but obviously has his own reasons rather than legitimately sharing their philosophy?
The idea would be a character who acts as a sort of bounty-hunter for difficult criminals, or at least reconnaissance for those the Servants insist on fighting. themselves. He would be at the prison because he had just delivered a prisoner.
Well, the majority of alien races are rather humanoid (interbreeding yay!) and all the fantastical races on Earth are modified humans (such as vampires) or some type of Homunculus/Golem. Ultimately however your racial options are unlimited and each template (elves, weres, undead, etc) is highly variable as well... Though admittedly Kutians (I was ten) are too high-key a species to allow this early on.
Regarding a bounty hunter, as long as he doesn't risk the masquerade The Servants don't care what you believe.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."Well, I was trying to keep this a bit as a reveal, but the prison is more an eldritch pocket universe that'll work to hinder & psychologically attack. The standard paths are locked because of the outbreak, so Nightmare Normalcy takes place entirely in the prison (barring Flashbacks). There'll probably be an Epilogue however.
Anywho, I posted the Discussion thread though it isn't finished. Seriously, I lost a high post once with the Wii U, and copypasting just takes too long with the huge Manuals I end up writing.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."Yep, anything goes: Centaur, alps, goblins, or any combination or idea cooked up by your mind. Type of Dryad spawned from Angel/Elf unions? Sweet. Nanomechnical being that comes off as a slime person? Why not? Or maybe even a unique magical being born from breeding min-maxing. Really, anything is allowed.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."

First thing first, if I tried listing a full manual it would take far too long for me to make (I mostly write manuals on site cus Wii U copy-paste limit) and too long for you to go through. In addition, The Manual would be more a springboard than a guide given this is designed heavily around allowing numerous possibilites. Finally, the Vitality Underground multiverse (let alone meta-verse) is so large it needs to be split up into multiple threads to actually tell everything. So the basics...
In the earliest days, way before their modern beliefs some humans randomly possessed Gifts of magic. Some of these Gifted individuals formed a group, The Order of Mana, to try generalizing magic. They were thus confronted by advanced mages, who helped these Gifted make Earthen magic. However, these alien mages realized too late: If left unchecked, humanity would end up destroying themselves. Giving this warning to The Order of Mana, the group split in two. The Servants Of Humanity believed the aliens, yet The Cult Of Eldon thought humanity could learn. In the end however, The Servants won this crucial first battle.
However, while they at first focused on just policing the magic they unleashed, The Servants became more oppressive: Eventually enforcing a masquerade and moderating even the advancement of science. Though they try to make it clear they have to do this, this oppression is what continues the Cult of Eldon. However after centuries of failure, Eldon has degenerated into a psychotic mess allowing their goal to justify the means. Though some try following the more heroic beginning, Eldon has become the example that proves The Servants' actions.
Yet even as these two ancient organisations clash, many wish to pursue their lives... And The Servants unfortunately can only handle so much. The tales of monsters and tricksters are true, whilst the heroes in the darkness must hide for their own sake. To that end, all it takes is one unexpected event to dramatically change everything.
Alright, with the brief backstory presented, there's also a few things to mention: None of the Gods that exist created humanity, with most of said Gods being high-powered humans or magical creations. To that end, there are no singular Angels or Demons (though the recognized original Demons would be insane human souls). Magic is technically limitless, but as it is shaped by thought & emotion most Mages take a rather scientific stance of using pre-existing existence. Speaking of, the Soul is made of The Mind (your ability to act and reason) and The Heart (your emotional capacity), with it working symbiotically with the Body. All other Soul Anatomy bits are specific pieces of the two.
In addition, rogue Souls (ie Ghosts) will mysteriously disappear to presumably the True afterlife at some point. It varies for all, though the most cunning and powerful Souls can resist the pull. Furthermore, if it has a name (Vampires, Weres, Zombies, Elves, etc) then there's an incredible variety of otherwise unrelated beings going by it. It should also be mentioned Gifted do not have inherent understanding of their Gift: Which can vary from having some negative effects, being near worthless, or ungodly powerful. However stronger Gifts are naturally rarer. Lastly, aliens do exist, but the IDF (Intergalatic Defense Force) deems Earth too dangerous for anyone to go near.
I'll go into more detail with the Franchise OOC, but for now that should work. Though, again, as Vitality Underground is too big to tell in one thread here are some Roleplay Ideas for 'Phase 1'.
Collapse Into Darkness: The fear of the darkness, the fear of time, the fear of death... These things don't make sense unless you understand. Beyond the veil that you see, are antibodies, abominations that keep reality going after a foolish mage's actions. Normally this means nothing to the citizenry, yet after finding yourself nearly erased individuals calling themselves Angels outstretch to you a tool. Chaosbringer, Orderforger, Zerosigner... Whatever it is you hold, the Angels instruct you to encroach on these horrors and eliminate them for everyone's sake.
Cyberphile: While some rules truly are unjust, some are appreciated far too late. In an alternative timeline, advanced technology is unveiled so suddenly on such a worldwide scale The Servants are forced to abandon the technological part of their masquerade. Now just a short twenty years later, Earth has become a place where technology rules. Though with such an extreme revolution provided, the technology is highly mismatched and the rules still changing. Thus this has become one of humanity's darkest times.
Demon Feathers: Ever since being created by humanity, half of the Fair Folk thrived for their destruction for their crimes against the elegant ones. Yet with themselves cursed, their capacity for magic turned into a spellbook calling for death, their turned their attention to a game: Create an 'Angel' of some kind, make it believe a religion, and try to trick the other Fair's Angels into becoming Demons. While its hardly victory for the Angel, its Fair becomes the new king. Yet the Fair grow bored, each game of Demon Feathers going further. This time it is feared to be the most extreme one yet.
Lost of Life: Within a Servants facility is a strange, slumbering creature. This Wight, known as Eldritch Prime for supposedly spawning the other Wights like it, is used in many experiments. However, with a project attacked by the Midnight Stitcher in an alternate reality, this creature's mutagenic cells disperse into the air... And infecting all life on Earth. With no cure in sight, those inflicted undergo a constant process of mutation into ultimately mindless horrors. Doing what they can to protect the citizenry, not even the Servants believe the Earth can be fixed.
Nightmare Normalcy: There is a secret place The Servants of Humanity keeps the criminals of their masquerade. Be they a citizen who just keeps learning too much to a certified monstrosity, this is where their worst offenders go. However, with an attack by Eldon, the prison has become a chaotic mess. Now the inmates will attempt escape, or be stopped by their jailers. Whoever survives this horror however will impact the world.
Tento Trials: In their pursuit, The Servants run many projects. The Tento are thus their non-magical answer for super soldiers. Though the project is only twenty years along, The Servants work fast. With five classes of Tentos, each are trained to uphold the masquerade and to stop the villains within it. Yet all they have known is The Servants, with many curious of the world outside their facility.
The Rising: On the planet Amirose, the citizens are split into two: Those who see the Skywings' order as the only means of peace, and those who see the Dusktalons 'chaos' as the only true freedom. This conflict has gone on for a century, tensions growing ever since the controversial ending to the Dragonoid War five centuries ago. With the Skywings and Dusktalons armies finally coming to their last battle, it is ended: By the rising of four Elemental lords destroying them. Turning their attention to the people of Amirose, the Elemental Lords quickly working on taking over.
"The Omniverse is the collection of all possibilities, and all possibilities must eventually come to pass."