Cop Show style game, Recruiting for the Ubiquitous PD! Fem Detective Required.

[Chrystal]

Become Your Favourite Detective...

There is a murderer out there... In the city of Ubiquitous, AS, someone is killing people. Who is it? Why are they doing it? Are the killings random or are they linked in some way? Is there a pattern? Is there a MO? Who are the suspects? Are there witnesses? Is there anyone who might want the victims dead?

You need to work together as a team to solve the crime, based on clues you find, interviews you conduct, statements you take, evidence you gather. Can you catch the killer before the body-count mounts? And at the end of the day, will you take them alive to stand trial? Will you have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction?

Can you be sure you have arrested and charged the right suspect?

Bad-Ass Female Detective Required
See last post for details

Sorry, but except for the replacement, recruitment is now closed

This is a random idea that occurred to me, and I thought it was worth typing up, running it up the flagpole so to speak... I have tried in the past to run a "Cluedo" based game with myself as the murder victim, something similar to the "Murder Mystery Weekend" type event some hotels run. They always flopped, because people lost interest before the actual murder took place.

This game is different.

This time, I'm basing it on every single detective show out there on TV.

So, player characters will be the investigation team. Detectives, consultants, forensic specialists, medical examiners, beat cops, whatever role you like, from the law enforcement community.

As GM, I will take the roles of all the witnesses, all the suspects, all the victims' relatives. I will also play the defence attorneys of anyone arrested or brought in for questioning.

Knowledge of actual police procedure is not required - and would probably be a disadvantage, as this game is going to be based exclusively on every TV cop show I have ever seen. By the same token, a knowledge of cop shows would be extremely advantageous...

Please note: There will be no opportunity for smut in this game, but there WILL be plenty of room for violence, which will most likely be quite graphic.

Game:

• The game will probably go in "Extreme" or "Human N/C Freeform" due to the level of violence.
• The game is open to anyone wishing to rp a law enforcement person, but probably limited to a maximum of eight players.
• Player characters will be members of an elite law enforcement team, attempting to solve a string of crimes
• The game will be set present day, in the city of Ubiquitous, somewhere in the USA
• There has been a murder, and as members of UPD's Finest, it is your job to solve it. You must look for clues, question witnesses, examine forensic evidence, check fingerprints, obtain search warrants, and deal with devious defence attorneys, and hopefully at the end of the day, you will catch the murderer, with sufficient evidence to convict them.
• Character sheets will be added to a reserved post if I get sufficient interest. Original characters only, please, no canon characters.
• There are no special requirements other than a familiarity with cop shows...
• Players are asked to post at least once a week
• There will be no sexual activity in the game. The idea is to solve the murder.
• Post tagging will be used to identify where each character is, what they are doing and whom they are with.

Game Master Info / GM(s) Participation Level (If/where applicable)

• There will not be a co-gm as such, but whoever takes on the leadership of the investigative team will de facto acquire that role.
• The game will be totally GM guided in respect of the crime and the evidence. However, there will be ample opportunity for players to "derail" the investigation and go off after crimson kippers.
• Crime scenes will be created and detailedby the GM. Players are asked NOT to add details to them. Players are more than welcome to detail the police station and police vehicles however they like!
• NPCs will be under the exclusive control of the GM, as all NPCs will have some bearing on the case.
• The GM will not have an active "player character", but all NPCs will be under GM control, all clues, forensic evidence, etc will be under GM control.
• There will be an OOC thread for general chat. There will also be an "Evidence" OOC thread, where clues, witness statements, lab reports, etc will be recorded. Discussion of evidence etc should really take place between characters in the IC thread.
• Players wishing to ask questions OOC may do so via PM (if the question is something they do not wish others to know), or in this thread/OOC thread if it is one that the other players may need to know about. The GM reserves the right to answer private questions publicly and answer public questions privately if they are game related and the circumstances warrant it.
• Decisions will be resolved using my standard rules of play (see below)
• PvP is allowed, but will probably be counter-productive. PvGM is very likely in the event you figure out who the killer is!

Additional:

• The Oath Of The Drake is at least worth taking a look at. Most of it is common sense, but we all know how often common sense flies out the window! Even if you already signed it, it's worth reminding yourself of the oath you took, from time to time!
• Failure to respect another player is grounds for reporting to staff. This means you must be aware of the other players' ons and especially their offs, and respect their wishes.
• Players are asked to post at least once a week. If you are likely to be away for more than a few days, please post something to that effect in the OOC. If you wish to leave the game, please do the other players the courtesy of saying so, so that we aren't kept waiting for you. Players who drop out will have their characters taken over by the GM.
• New players wishing to join the game may do so at any time, either as previously unnoticed team members (early on) or as transfers into the team
• Players may use whatever writing style and point of view/tense they feel most comfortable with.

Note Regarding The Lack Of Smut

What tends to happen in my experience in small, story-based group games, is one of two things. Either two characters go off and have fun by themselves, thus keeping everyone else waiting for them to get back, people get bored with waiting and leave, and the game dies. Or everyone pairs up and disperses, two by two, and the game fragments into a number of unrelated one-on-one smut scenes.

Either way, the actual story itself goes nowhere.

If I changed this post to say "Plenty of smut", I'm sure I would have dozens of people interested by now. But those people would kill the game, because they would join for the smut and then leave once they'd got their jollies! So I'm looking for people who want to pursue a story. People who maybe have a dozen or more smut based games where they are getting their jollies, and are looking for something a little more intellectually challenging!

If people want to do a smut based scene using the same characters and setting, you are quite welcome to go ahead and start a one-shot in a thread all by itself and romp to your hearts content, but I would expect a certain degree of "professionalism" from the characters while "on the job".

Think of this as being like an episode of CSI, or Criminal Minds. Or any other cop show. They warning at the start says "This programme deals with adult themes and emotions". It doesn't say "This program includes nudity and explicit sexuality".

And yes, maybe I could do this game in a non-adult forum. But if I did that, I'd end up with a bunch of 12 and 14 year olds being stupid. Part of why I like Elliquiy is that everyone here is (at least supposed to be) over 18, and thus hopefully mature enough not to want sex all the time!

[Chrystal]

RULES OF PLAY

These are my standard OOC rules of play for group games. I put them in every group game I run, usually with minor variations to suit the specific setting. I like to think there is nothing draconian or unacceptable here, and I ask all players to read them. Submitting a character sheet to me implies that you have read and are in agreement with these rules.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH SOMETHING HERE, PLEASE TELL ME!

All rules except two are negotiable!

Detective Fiction!

This is a GM-led Story guided game. What that means is that I as GM have designed a detailed environment that I will slowly reveal to you the players. I will throw a steady stream of events at you and it is down to you to react to them however you see fit.

Please note that your actions IC will have consequences, so that, for example, if you start harassing a wealthy benefactress of the city, she is quite likely to complain to the chief of police, and you may find your character suspended IC! (This will not exclude you from playing, by the way, it will simply effect how you are able to interact with the other players). I am asking people to refrain from editing IC posts in order to avoid such consequences.

The one exception to this is if your character's actions cut across another player's offs, in which case editing your post becomes mandatory!

Regardless, this is a story-based game so I will be guiding it and offering hints, but players are more than welcome to take the story in a totally different direction should they so choose. Be warned though: I am quite evil!

RULES:

• The GM's word is law. This does not mean I'm not open to discussion, but if it comes to an impasse, if a decision needs to be made, or a discussion is getting out of bounds, I will render a decision that I expect to be abided by. I will do this based upon context.
• Respect other players ons and more importantly, their offs! This is NOT negotiable. Ons and offs are there for a reason. If you feel someone has broken this rule, please PM them first to talk about it. If they will not change their post, then contact me via PM and I will deal with it. Please note that persistently ignoring another players O/Os is grounds for reporting to staff!
• Try to post at least once a week. If you know you will be unable to post for a while please let us know in advance in the OOC. it is a good idea to create an Apologies/Absences (A/A) thread so everyone you are RPing with knows where you've gone.
• If you know you are going to be away for a considerable time (more than a week) please bring any story-arcs you are involved in to a conclusion , or extract your character from them.
• If you find your character is sitting around doing nothing, post something to the OOC, or PM me. If you wait for someone to interact with you, you will wait a long time. Let me know and I will create an event to bring your character into the game. Please be aware that with specialist roles, your character may not be required all the time. I will do my best to keep everyone involved as much as possible
• If you have any questions about anything in the game, ASK! The only stupid questions are "how many beans make five" and ones that aren't asked!
• The OOC thread will be for people to chat. I have no problems with you guys discussing the latest football results if you wish, (although I'd rather you didn't because I dislike football), because it means you are getting on as a group. However please give priority to game related discussions
• Please tag all IC posts using the code that will be supplied, editing the details as appropriate. This will enable other players and myself to track where everyone is.
• There is no rule 9.
• Player characters are the intellectual property of the game. Players who drop out of the game will have their characters taken over by the GM and manipulated as NPCs in order to allow the story to continue. The GM may, at her discretion, offer such characters to another player to continue playing with.
• Please try to post a minimum of 200 words per post. If you post short once in a while, that isn't going to be a problem, but doing so consistently will draw my attention and I will ask you to expand your posts. If the player you are responding to has not given you enough material to write a decent length post from, PM them and ask them to expand their post.
• God-Moding is a big no-no, but in a n/c game a certain amount of "moving the story on" needs to be expected. Use common sense! If you feel you have been god-moded, talk it over by PM, and if you cannot reach a satisfactory solution, bring it to me or the other GMs.
• HAVE FUN! This too is non-negotiable. If you aren't having fun, I would like to know why, so I can change whatever it is that is stopping you having fun!

[Chrystal]

Character Creation

Please fill in the character sheet below and PM it to me for approval, thanks.

Character Suggestions:

These are some suggestions for characters.

The firm-but-fair leader of the team	Skyre	Lt Frank Gunselman
The hard-nosed bastard/bitch who insists on doing things by the book	LandofromTexas	Det Sgt Roberto “Bobby” Garza
The unconventional rule-breaker who gets results	RedEve	Holly De Santis
The old (wo)man, close to retirement, wanting one last big collar	Not taken	None
The bent cop, who will stop at nothing to get an arrest	Angel Fire	Morgan Cantrell
The geeky forensic expert who is a wizz with computers and a social klutz	Nymphadora	Cassidy Locke
The slightly dippy medical examiner who enjoys showing off grisly body parts	ElvenKitten	Dr. Emma Ross
The even geekier psychological profiler	Deathnote	Ken Wu
The rookie cop who is trying too hard	Blinkin	Tom Evans
The shady character who knows the word on the street	Available	Rosa Danilo

Those are just suggestions. Feel free to come up with your own stereotype, or even something totally original.

Submitting a character sheet implies acceptance of the rules above.

Characters entered into play become the property of the game and in the event the player drops out, will be taken over by the GM and may be offered to other players.

Original characters only please. Ca(n)non characters will not be accepted (Nor will characters from any other cop show). Character images may be taken from TV cop shows and/or movies, but if the character is too similar to the character portrayed in the show/movie by that person I will ask you to change one or the other.

The Character Sheet

Code Select Expand


[b]Player ID:[/b]
[float=right][img height=300 padding=5]Paste image URL here[/img][/float]

[b]Name:[/b]

[b]Gender:[/b]

[b]Age:[/b]

[b]Hair Colour:[/b]

[b]Eye Colour:[/b]

[b]Build:[/b]

[b]Rank/Job:[/b]

[b]Role:[/b]

[b]Likes:[/b]

[b]Dislikes:[/b]

[b]Personality:[/b]

[b]History:[/b]

[b]Any Other Info:[/b]


NOTES:

Player ID: Your Login ID

Image URL: Photographs please rather than art work. Preferably people in the public eye such as film stars, sports personalities, politicians, etc. Characters in the Uniform branch need not be depicted in uniform.

Name: The name of your character (including any nickmames if they have them)

Gender: Male or  Female please.

Age: Anything between 21 and 65

Hair Colour: If not clear from the image (or put "As image")

Eye Colour: If not clear from the image (or put "As image")

Build: If not clear from the image (or put "As image")

Rank/Job: Rank within the police force or job outside the force for consultants/informers, etc. Rank can be Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain for the uniform branch, and  Detective, Detective Sergeant, Detective Lieutenant, Detective Captain for the plain clothes branch.

Role: The "stereotype" role that your character fits into within the game - from the list above or make your own.

Likes: Minimum five things that make them go "MMMM!"

Dislikes: Minimum five things that make them go "ARGH!"

Personality: What are they like, what rings their bells, what pushes their buttons. Howe do they relate to other people. Minimum of one five-line paragraph please, preferably two paragraphs.

History: Hopw did they get where they are today. Minimum of two five line paragraphs, preferably three.

Any Other Info: Anything else you can think of that might be important. ("None" is acceptable).

Disclaimer:

I reserve the right to decline any character sheet without giving a reason. However I will usually endeavour to give a reason, and offer suggestions to make the character acceptable. Possible reasons for a character being rejected are:

• Canon characters from a TV show
• "Mary Sue" or "Marty Stu" characters - characters with no flaws who always save the day
• Over-stereotyped characters - The seven foot muscle-bound ape, or the 42DD-28-36 Blonde Bimbo for example
• Characters submitted on modified character sheets or incomplete character sheets
• Characters that are inappropriate to the stetting and story.

I look forward to seeing them!

[Chrystal]

Threads

Recruitment Thread - This thread.
OOC Thread - For discussion of the game, and anything else, really.
Player Character Thread - UPD Homicide Personnel files
Case File Thread - Records evidence from the case so far
IC Thread - The Streets of Ubiquitous, where the action takes place

[RedEve]

Interesting idea.

Not sure if I have the time to take on another game at the moment, but I will certainly keep an eye on this thread.

BTW, does "no smut allowed" also mean that some hardworking detective can't unwind by having a quick roll in the hay with her Captain in one of the vacant interview rooms?  ;D

[Chrystal]

Interesting idea.

Not sure if I have the time to take on another game at the moment, but I will certainly keep an eye on this thread.

My one worry is that I'm stepping on your toes a bit, because the idea seems similar to your Noir game, but the setting is totally different and the format is totally story led where yours is sandbox. I think there is sufficient difference here to mean we can borrow each others' ideas without treading on each others' toes.

BTW, does "no smut allowed" also mean that some hardworking detective can't unwind by having a quick roll in the hay with her Captain in one of the vacant interview rooms?  ;D

The biggest problem I've had in the past with smut in story based games is that while two players are busy going at it, everyone else is hanging around waiting for them. Ether that or everyone pairs up (unrealistically - work colleagues generally don't fuck each other, or if they do it's usually kept secret) and we end up with a set of unrelated one-on-one smut scenes that just happen to be taking place in the same thread.

There is one solution I have found to this and that is to make all the player characters have a big orgy right at the start... but I don't think it's going to work in this situation...

My thought was that while there are plenty of smut-based games around, there are very few decent story based games. So of people want smut they can do smut, and, frankly, if people want to have a quick roll in the hay with another character, they are quite welcome to create a one-shot thread to do so...



If I changed the opener to say "Plenty of smut", I'm sure I would have dozens of people interested by now. But those people would kill the game, because they would join for the smut and then leave once they'd got their jollies!

So I'm looking for people who want to pursue a story. People who maybe have a dozen or more smut based games where they are getting their jollies, and are looking for something a little more intellectually challenging!

[ElvenKitten]

*Lurks*

[MissFire]

I'm interested!

[Chrystal]

Yay. That's one interested, one lurker, one watcher and one friend who told me privately she'd bookmark it and see what other people come up with...

So far, considering the thread has only been up a couple of days, that's not bad!

A few more people expressing definite interest would be good before I start thinking about a character sheet...

[Sparky01]

If you'll have me, I would write a character for the fun of it.  I haven't really contemplated a "who" yet.  I am thinking a non-primary role, maybe like the psychological profiler.  Though I'm flexible to play what is needed.   

[Chrystal]

I'll take pretty much anyone who's interested...  With a few exceptions, mostly people who have given me a bad RP experience in the past.

But people I know from other games are always preferred, because I know you're good! Ehlam, you are very welcome. Please choose whichever role you think you will enjoy most.



There is one thing I have noticed frequently though in small, role-specific games: No-one wants the lead role.

It's like when I tried to set up a RP of Kelly's Heroes, and no-one wanted to be Kelly or Big Joe! I mean being modest is one thing, but back when I was a kid, people jumped at the lead roles, we all wanted to be the one centre stage in the school play. I don't know what's changed. Anyway...

I will need at least two actual detectives, or there is no point whatever in even starting!

[Sparky01]

Your concept is rich and complex.  My rationale for playing support is to follow along the awesome plot you put out there and support it and follow along and I would fear screwing up, or getting too busy.

So, fear can be overcome.  I can happily take on a leadership detective role.  Getting my creative juices flowing in that direction.  I trust that you'll coach your needs and communicate to me to provide necessary guidance for my character.  I'll ratchet up my throwing my hat in.  I'll take a detective lead. 

[Chrystal]

Well, thank you.

I wasn't aiming that comment specifically at you, though. I have just found it to be generally the case. Everyone expects the GM to be the ship's captain, the party leader, the club owner, the team captain, the president...

When the GM says, "Okay, so I'm going to sit here behind this screen and roll dice in secret, and let you guys get on with whatever you want to do..." just like in an old fashioned D&D game, everyone seems to get confused and think "But who's going to lead us?"

But I always thought that was the whole point: The GM controls the enemies and while the party are standing around discussing which one of them is best suited for the role of party leader, the GM rolls a dice and they all get massacred by a band of wandering orcs!

Of course that isn't going to happen here... Although I am sorely tempted by the idea of NOT having an OOC thread, it would simply force OOC discussion into PMs. So there will always be the option for OOC discussion, which means that the team leader, lead detective, police lieutenant, or whatever, is going to be appointed prior to start...

Of course, I will be taking the role of Chief Of Police, as the character will be a NPC with no actual baring on the story except to apply pressure to the team.

[Sparky01]

Here's my present mindset for a detective.  Looks all business, isn't a current detective in a show. 
Edit of this post:  I'm all in, Chrystal.  This is my inspiration for a detective lead, and happy to partner with whomever.  Read through the requirements and such.  I'm stoked now.  I get what you're after and will be happy to take a lead role in investigation. 

I'm forming this guy's background in my mind and can do a character sheet once you believe there's enough additional interest, or do one now, depending on your wishes.  This sounds fun. 

[Chrystal]

Cut to save Ehlam's muse!

*snerk*

[Sparky01]

That is so funny!  ROTFL

Another Entrant?

GM permitting, if I could have a second character, a minor role could be for this person.  I have a major craving to see this person in play.  Non-smut, totally.  Just have a crush lately.  Not necessary if you don't want folks to play two.

[Chrystal]

That is so funny!  ROTFL

Well if you will insist on posting a bald man as a detective, you must expect it! I'm just glad you got the joke... ;) (showing your age, perhaps?)

Another Entrant?

GM permitting, if I could have a second character, a minor role could be for this person.  I have a major craving to see this person in play.  Non-smut, totally.  Just have a crush lately.  Not necessary if you don't want folks to play two.

Isn't that whats-her-face from Friends? Rachel?

I'd prefer to hold fire on second characters for the moment. Chances are you will get the opportunity but if I get eight or ten people interested in playing, there is only really going to be room for one character each.

See how it goes.

[RedEve]

What posting frequency are you hoping for Chrystal? If it is reasonable, I might throw my hat in the ring after all, for one of the detective slots.

Most likely a female detective with a bit of a gung-ho, rebellious attitude.

Think Starbuck from BSG, but transposed to a cop show. :P

[Sparky01]

She's Brandi from "Storage Wars"  Blushes over the fact that I crush on her, and that I watch that crap show.
Anywhoo...no worries on a second charrie and I'm not all worked up on having a second.  Guess we'll see if there is even a need for a first, first! 

[Chrystal]

What posting frequency are you hoping for Chrystal? If it is reasonable, I might throw my hat in the ring after all, for one of the detective slots.

Most likely a female detective with a bit of a gung-ho, rebellious attitude.

Think Starbuck from BSG, but transposed to a cop show. :P

A bit like US Marshal Mary Shannon? I have never seen the remake of BSG. I'm still drooling over Laurette Spang as Cassiopea in the 1970s original!

My required posting frequency is as I said at the top, once every seven days minimum. If people want to post faster than this I generally ask that they don't post more than three times without everyone else getting the chance to post at least once... And if someone doesn't post for a week and doesn't l;et me know what ios happening, I will usually send them a PM before I put them on the "inactive" list.

Of course my question to you is, what do you consider "reasonable"?

She's Brandi from "Storage Wars"  Blushes over the fact that I crush on her, and that I watch that crap show.
Anywhoo...no worries on a second charrie and I'm not all worked up on having a second.  Guess we'll see if there is even a need for a first, first! 

Oh...



You have to admit there is some similarity there?

[Sparky01]

When you asked, I did a double take and thought, holy cow, I picked the wrong picture!!!  That pic of Brandi is more "put together" than she usually is. 

Well if you will insist on posting a bald man as a detective, you must expect it! I'm just glad you got the joke... ;) (showing your age, perhaps?)

The image of lollipops is KILLING my muse for that guy now!  Admits to having thought of Peter Falk for a moment.  ERASE ERASE...

[Sparky01]

What posting frequency are you hoping for Chrystal? If it is reasonable, I might throw my hat in the ring after all, for one of the detective slots.

Most likely a female detective with a bit of a gung-ho, rebellious attitude.

Think Starbuck from BSG, but transposed to a cop show. :P

RedEve, nice to meet you, by the way.  Maybe that we are future collaborators.  Hope so...Can take input on my actor if you have opinions on the matter.

[RedEve]

Chrystal: reasonable would probably be around the one post a week minimum, considering my current game-load. :)

[Chrystal]

Okay, then

Any more?

[ElvenKitten]

I'm tentatively interested maybe a character in the role of a lab geek or rookie detective.

[Chrystal]

Tentative interest is better than none...

What can I do to make it less tentative and more positive?

[ElvenKitten]

It's mostly my ability to write coming back but hopefully a new story will jump-start things again.

[Chrystal]

Fair enough...

I will see what I can do to help.

A couple more expressing interest would be nice? If I get them overnight, while I sleep, I will see about putting a character sheet up tomorrow.

[RedEve]

Chrystal: would an informant be a possible PC, or would this fall more into the kind of roles you would play as GM?

[Chrystal]

Hmmm.... Tricky one.

If you're meaning someone like Huggy Bear from Starsky And Hutch, or Jonny the Shoe Shine Guy from Police Squad, then possibly. I did include "consultants" in the list of playable character types.

However I'm not sure whether US police departments still make use of paid regular informers.

If you're meaning someone who just happens to know who the murderer is, and wants paying before they offer the information, then no, that would be a NPC.

However, here's the thing: In the 1970s, every cop show had the "source" character. Today, none of them do. And I think the reason is that modern police work relies a lot more on forensics and less on the rumour mill. That said, I've had a think, and I actually quite like the idea.

Here's my thoughts on the sort of thing such a character would do....

They would probably be an ageing hooker or pimp, and would be asked by the detective to see what they can find out. They would then need to ask around, meet up with NPC characters, gossip, see what they could find out. Part of why I'm liking the idea is that such information is going to be uncorroborated at best and misleading at worst.

So, I like the idea, but I will only approve one such character - If RedEve decides she doesn't want it, then first come first served!

[RedEve]

I hadn't really considered the exact profile yet.

It would rather depend on the nature of the crime.

Who are the victims of the killer and in what circumstances did they die?

[Chrystal]

I hadn't really considered the exact profile yet.

It would rather depend on the nature of the crime.

Who are the victims of the killer and in what circumstances did they die?

Ah, but if I told you that now, it would spoil the game! The whole idea is, that the player characters have to investigate the crime(s) and work for that information!

Which is one reason I'm slightly dubious as to the benefit of such a character. Basically what (s)he would need top be is effectively an under cover police operative, just one who doesn't actually work for the police department.

If you decide to go with such a character, she/he needs to be "general" enough that the character will work in whatever scenario the game has. Exactly the same as all the other characters!

[RedEve]

Hmmm, perhaps it would be best if I take a pass on that concept then.

I now can't decide whether I want to explore my earlier idea of the rebellious cop or if I would not prefer to go entirely the other way and play someone who has a desk job at the precinct?

[Chrystal]

I'd go with the rebellious cop "Axel Foley" type character if I were you... Depends on what sort of desk job you're thinking of, mind...

I'm sort-of waiting for a friend who expressed an interest but doesn't do group games to appear on-line, so I can bounce some ideas off them, then I will put up a character sheet.

[RedEve]

In terms of the desk job,  think of a "sassy secretary" type who types up reports, searches the archives, gets the captain coffee, is the object of flirtatious attention by some of the more brash cops, ...

[Chrystal]

Hmm.

I certainly won't stop you if you want top have that character, but my worry there is that you will post once, and then sit and wait while all the other characters go off investigating, and after three weeks will say "Sorry, I can't think of anything to post", and will drop out.

Please understand, I'm not trying to force you into playing a character you would rather not play, but the way I see this game working is in a similar fashion to a table-top RP game, where everyone who is present is involved in doing something that moves the story forward. I can certainly try and keep the secretary busy, but frankly the secretarial work is mostly going to involve typing up witness statements and crime-scene reports - and I mean, literally typing them up, onto the evidence OOC thread.

While this is a job I would happily delegate, it's not going to involve much actual role-play!

[Sparky01]

RedEve, to the extent that I can offer it, I can either have my character that is proposed (or an altered fellow if he does not suit) provide the extra attention and/or tension you're seeking.  As long as we don't go afoul of Chrystal's request for the one-on-one romance / romp rule, I can be game. 

If not, no worries, just trying to add collaboration on the outset as characters are developed.  If it turns out to be a fun bit of tension, we could do a one shot outside of game as suggested.  Just offering.  Not a necessity.

That brasher than normal cop could be open to other players too, for anyone browsing about.

[RedEve]

Hmm.

I certainly won't stop you if you want top have that character, but my worry there is that you will post once, and then sit and wait while all the other characters go off investigating, and after three weeks will say "Sorry, I can't think of anything to post", and will drop out.

Please understand, I'm not trying to force you into playing a character you would rather not play, but the way I see this game working is in a similar fashion to a table-top RP game, where everyone who is present is involved in doing something that moves the story forward. I can certainly try and keep the secretary busy, but frankly the secretarial work is mostly going to involve typing up witness statements and crime-scene reports - and I mean, literally typing them up, onto the evidence OOC thread.

While this is a job I would happily delegate, it's not going to involve much actual role-play!

Okay,

My main concern is that if I take on one of the detective roles, my limited posting frequency (and I am unlikely to get above the one post a week average though I would try) would perhaps slow down the game in its entirety (as I see any detective character as taking on something of a "lead" role in the investigation).

But if the secretarial character doesn't leave much opportunity to play, then that too would pose its own problems.

[RedEve]

RedEve, to the extent that I can offer it, I can either have my character that is proposed (or an altered fellow if he does not suit) provide the extra attention and/or tension you're seeking.  As long as we don't go afoul of Chrystal's request for the one-on-one romance / romp rule, I can be game. 

If not, no worries, just trying to add collaboration on the outset as characters are developed.  If it turns out to be a fun bit of tension, we could do a one shot outside of game as suggested.  Just offering.  Not a necessity.

That brasher than normal cop could be open to other players too, for anyone browsing about.

Oh no, it's not necessary to include any of that. :)

I'm actually most concerned about the things I outlined in the above post to Chrystal.

[Sparky01]

Got it, makes sense.  Hope something resonates with you and looking forward to game play, however it works itself out.

[Chrystal]

You could always go for the medical examiner or forensics expert roles?

Those two are going to be quite key in terms of figuring out who did what to whom, but aren't going to be required all the time, so while one week you might need to do a couple of posts, you would them have  a couple of weeks waiting while the evidence is followed up... Before the next crime scene is discovered...

Just a thought.

[RedEve]

You could always go for the medical examiner or forensics expert roles?

Those two are going to be quite key in terms of figuring out who did what to whom, but aren't going to be required all the time, so while one week you might need to do a couple of posts, you would them have  a couple of weeks waiting while the evidence is followed up... Before the next crime scene is discovered...

Just a thought.

Well to be quite fair, such a role would appeal to me less as I am unsure how much justice I could do to it.

[Sparky01]

So, maybe the secretary still works.  Maybe I can assist with odd jobs and such here and there?  Work around your post rate.

[RedEve]

I will give this some more thought, but the secretary looks like it might be a road to nowhere, based upon what Chrystal said.

[Sparky01]

If there is anything I can do to help tip your interest, I am certainly game.

[Chrystal]

So...

Is anyone other than Ehlam actually going to submit a character if I put a character sheet up?

[RedEve]

I will, eventually. Once I decide upon a character!

[Nowherewoman]

*interest hat thrown where I prolly shouldn't*


I could see either being a profiler, or the 'street ear'- possibly a high-ticket madam or call girl who is concerned that her workers and/or livelihood might be threatened?  Or a slightly bent but still mostly-honest undercover cop?

[Sparky01]

I pinged someone, will advise if I hear back.

[MissFire]

I have a forensics expert character in mind.

[Chrystal]

Well, in that case, character sheet is up, and recruitment for the City of Ubiquitous Police Department (Homicide Division) is now open!

The post linked below holds the character sheet.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=219832.msg10812086#msg10812086

[Nowherewoman]

Player ID:Nowherewoman

Name: Rosa Danilo

Gender: F

Age: 35

Hair Colour: Black (going prematurely salt-and-pepper)

Eye Colour: Brown.

Build: Lean and athletic, but a bit busty.

Rank/Job: Det. 1, newly assigned to Homicide.

Role: Street 'ear'

Likes: Running; working out; time on the firing range; rousting informants and wiseasses; perps who try to run; padding her earnings; late nights at the local cop or ganger hangs, drinking and lying.

Dislikes: Paperwork; overly picky judges; perps who try to run; punks who don't respect the badge; living on her basic salary; cops who hit their wives.

Personality: Flip-flops between sultry, teasing, and accomodating, and brassy and all up in your face, depending on the situation. A few street beat guys call her the 'Crazy Cop Cunt'- but never when she's within three or four blocks.

History: Rosie's a good cop- but she ain't a 'good' cop, if you know what I mean. A seven-year vet of both undercover Vice ops and the OC division, she has a solid record of arrests, and a better-than average conviction rate.

But.

Every so often, evidence crucial to one of her cases has been 'lost in processing'. A witness or two has recanted an unshakable story. And there's no question she likes hanging with the wiseguys, drinking their booze and leaving them wonderin' if they're gonna get a piece (It's rumored one or two have). IAB has an open file on her but, since she's smart enough to not live high above her means, is cagey enough to share the love with certain people in the Department who can cover her ass, and has never once been suspected of turning a blind eye to a real bad actor, so far they haven't dropped the hammer. And she knows folks, folks it's good for cops to know. They like her, or fear her- either way, they talk to her.  So, for now, while she's not the Golden Girl of the precinct, she's not totally on the shitlist, either. She's recently been transferred to Homicide on the theory that it'll be easier for her to keep her nose clean there, since letting a killer walk is against even her loose rules- and stiffs don't usually offer up bribes.

Any Other Info: A former collegiate track-and-fielder, Rosa keeps herself in shape, and runs a half-marathon every few months during the season. While her shooting skills wouldn't impress a Marine (or the Department Rangemasters), they're good enough to keep her in free beer from friendly wagers, especially when macho rookies try to 'front.  Despite her decidedly 'street' persona, Rosa actually has a BA in American History and a LL.M in Trial Advocacy- one of the things that makes her so effective in court. She could do better, financially, if she didn't like the rough and tumble of being a street cop; likely, she'd be tapped for brass if she weren't a greedy little bitch, always on the lookout for an angle.

[MissFire]

Player ID:MissFire

Name: Cassidy Locke

Gender: Female

Age: 24

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Brown

Build: Slender

Rank/Job: Forensic Scientist/Crime Scene Investigator

Role: Geeky Lab Tech

Likes: Computers, Punk Rock, Sci-Fi, Sherlock Holmes, New Technology

Dislikes: Country Music, Power Outages, Boredom, Antiquated Tech, Being Stumped

Personality:  When seen outside of the office it might be impossible to believe that she has multiple science degrees, owns a first edition Hound of The Baskvervilles, and can repeat pi to a hundred places. While she looks more like she'd belong in some dark club bopping around to droning music, Cass would rather spend time in her lab. People might mistake her for a perky Goth, but she'd never admit to having that 'goth' vibe and vehemently claims herself as more punk than anything else. Cass is energetic, friendly, and always ready to help - just don't get on her bad side though, as she'll be keen to remind you that she could probably kill you without leaving evidence.

History: Cass has been a fan of detective mysteries ever since her father used to read her Sherlock Holmes stories before bed. She basically grew up with a love of detectives and mysteries and never wavered from making that her career choice. With a keen interest in deductive reasoning and science, Cass quickly turned into a lover of forensics and when she was old enough she enrolled in college. She proved to have a real knack for many fields and worked hard on degrees in Chemistry, Biology, and Forensic Science.

Her punkish appearance belies a keen investigative and scientific mind, but most departments only saw her for her outward appearance. With a staunch refusal to change who she is, Cass didn't attempt to 'clean herself up' in order to land her dream job. At least until she was involved in a case of her own. A year ago, a man by the name of Mark DeRullio broke into the apartment next door, seeking revenge on his ex-girlfriend. Cassidy was the first one to hear the confrontation and the first one on the scene. Her insight into the crime scene first had her pegged as a suspect, but later evidence not only proved her innocent, but her deductions spot on as well. Impressed, the department hired her on.

Any Other Info: Addt'l Image 1, Addt'l Image 2, Theme Song

[Chrystal]

Okay, MissFire and NW you get away with it this time.

I did actually ask for characters to be PMed to me for approval.

But, I'll let you both off because they are great.

@ Missfire, I take it you watch NCIS? If not, you probably should. *grins* Cassidy is about as close to Abby Sciuto as you can get without me calling "Canon"! Well done!

@ Nowhere, being an ignorant Brit I have no idea what the III signifies? I'm assuming it's a grade or rank, but I'd appreciate being enlightened?

All of a sudden I'm beginning to think this is actually going to work!

Now we need a ME. I have a feeling I can persuade someone...

[MissFire]

Sorry, I didn't notice that you wanted them PM'd. Actually, I don't watch NCIS! Or any of those crime shows, really. Just the 'real' stuff like Forensic Files.

[Chrystal]

Really? Then it must be that Abby Sciuto is based on real forensics people...



See what I mean?

And that is one of her less goth looks!

(Actually one of the scariest things was when they did a Halloween special and they made Pauley Perette (the actress who plays Abby) up to be Marilyn Monroe!)

[MissFire]

Yup. The only crime drama I really liked was Monk, and I'm not sure that really counts..

[Chrystal]

Oh, I loved Monk... *sings softly* "It's a jungle out there..."

He certainly counts, as does "The Mentalist". "Perception" not so much. "Psych" maybe, but "Medium" is a definite NO!

[Nowherewoman]

Sorry, I didn't notice that you wanted them PM'd. Actually, I don't watch NCIS! Or any of those crime shows, really. Just the 'real' stuff like Forensic Files.

LOL nor did I. I saw 'character sheet' and my head went into overdrive.  I also had my usual issues with cutting and pasting, and vanishing text/images in El's editor, so I might have been a wee distracted. And annoyed. Srryloveyabai.


And yes, Detective 3rd class. However, after some research, I see I got the ranking backwards. She should be a D-1, since 2 and 3 are higher ranks, and often supervisory- a role she will never hold, given her sticky fingers. Editing.

[Chrystal]

It's okay. I still love you. Even if you are using Internet Explorer.


Red and EK, you may post your character sheets here if you wish.

Ehlam? Are you still having trouble because of the "lollipop" thing? Sorry about that! I was actually wondering if, as part of the "trope" you might want to give him a habit of eating some other form of candy...!

As an aside, I always wonder if the character of Kojak was given the lollipop habit because he had given up smoking in the past...

Once I have Ehlam's character we can actually make a start, because all the vital roles have now been filled (Unless EJ does something unexpected). Any more players can still join, of course, as long as there are slots available...I just need to figure out which grizzly end the victim is going to meet.

[RedEve]

Player ID: RedEve

Name: Holly De Santis

Gender: Female

Age: 36

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Brown

Build: 5’6, medium build

Rank/Job: Police detective

Role: Female cop with a chaotic and rebellious streak and a reputation for a complicated love life (though a mere mention of the latter will anger her)

Likes: Spaghetti westerns, 70s rock songs, classic cars, tall and rugged looking men, chocolate ice-cream, micro-brew. She also has a slightly morbid fascination with dead bodies (which creeps out some of her colleagues upon visits to the morgue)

Dislikes: Gossip, incompetence, assholes who question her ability because of her gender, reality TV, people who are too critical of cops

Personality: Holly has issues with authority that go back to her lack of a father figure whilst growing up. As such, she clashed with authority figures from an early age and this has persisted until the present. She is however quite committed to her job, and this can border on obsession if a case really gets under her skin. She’s a good cop but she has a bit of a temper and has been known to lose her cool when people really get on her nerves. This applies to both colleagues and suspects in her investigations. She has commitment issues which is why none of her relationship have lasted beyond a year and she actually prefers one night stands.

Her taste in men isn’t great and one a few occasions her romantic endeavors might have threatened her professionally, if not for the help and discretion of a few colleagues. She isn’t without a fun streak and enjoys kicking back a few drinks with her fellow officers after a long day’s work.

History: Holly’s father walked on her mother when she was three years old, leaving the care of her and her sister to her now single mom. Her grandparents and her uncle helped out when they could, but the former lived in another state and didn’t have much money to spare, and the latter had a family of his own to take care of. Still, Holly’s only real role model whilst growing up was her uncle Paul, who worked as a beat cop until his retirement. The happiest days of her childhood were those when her uncle would let her ride in his patrol car.

Where her older sister Margaret went into a career that her mother approved of – she became a nurse – Holly’s choice left her mother horrified, but no amount of talking could persuade her daughter against joining the academy. Like her uncle she was a beat cop for quite a few years, and finally made detective at the age of 29. She initially worked in robbery, but transferred to homicide at the age of 33. She is a good cop with an above average track record, though her tendency to bend the rules as far as they will go has cost her one or two opportunities at a promotion. But Holly gets more satisfaction from getting results than from gaining in rank.

Any Other Info: carries a Beretta 3032 Tomcat as a back-up weapon.

[RedEve]

Oh and BTW Chrystal, I did use one aspect of Orphan Blacks Angela DeAngelis for my own character: her dead body fascination (and the fact that it creeps out her partner a bit).  :-)

[Chrystal]

Oh, that's fine. My main worry is, for example, if MissFire had used Pauley Perette as her character pic and called the character "Andi Scarroti" or something!

(Sorry MissFire, that was the most obvious example I could think of).

I have no problem with lifting parts of the trope from a canon character, but I want people to put thought into their characters rather than just copying someone else's idea!

[Nowherewoman]

It's okay. I still love you. Even if you are using Internet Explorer.

Actually, I'm not :/ Chrome. And every so often, the editor here shits on it.


Also:


Lt. Theo Kojak was a bald New York City detective with a fondness for lollipops and whose tagline was "Who loves ya, baby?" (He also liked to say "Everybody should have a little Greek in them.") Although the lollipop gimmick was added in order to indulge his sweet tooth, Savalas also smoked heavily onscreen – cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars – throughout the first season's episodes. The critic Clive James explained the lead actor's appeal as Kojak: "Telly Savalas can make bad slang sound like good slang and good slang sound like lyric poetry. It isn't what he is, so much as the way he talks, that gets you tuning in."[5]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telly_Savalas

[Chrystal]

Actually, I'm not :/ Chrome. And every so often, the editor here shits on it.

*facepalm* Sorry, I totally misread what you said - I saw El and read it as IE for some stupid reason!

Also:


Lt. Theo Kojak was a bald New York City detective with a fondness for lollipops and whose tagline was "Who loves ya, baby?" (He also liked to say "Everybody should have a little Greek in them.") Although the lollipop gimmick was added in order to indulge his sweet tooth, Savalas also smoked heavily onscreen – cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars – throughout the first season's episodes. The critic Clive James explained the lead actor's appeal as Kojak: "Telly Savalas can make bad slang sound like good slang and good slang sound like lyric poetry. It isn't what he is, so much as the way he talks, that gets you tuning in."[5]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telly_Savalas

Interesting. There was a time a few years ago when I wouldn't have trusted Wikipedia any further than I could throw it, but now it has become pretty much the font of all wisdom!

OOC thread will be up later today.

Does anyone have a preference for a name for the game?

I've got a few options:

The Detectives
The Ubiquitous Killer
UPD Homicide
To Catch A Killer

Any other suggestions?

[Nowherewoman]

Death is Ubiquitous

[Sparky01]

Player ID:  EhlamJanx

Name:  Frank Gunselman

Gender:  Male

Age:  42

Hair Colour:  N/A

Eye Colour:  Brown

Build:   5'9" with a muscular physique

Rank/Job:  Detective Lieutenant

Role:  Investigation lead, co-lead depending

Likes:  Order, discipline, getting results, interrogation, confession

Dislikes:  Red tape, bueracracy, defense lawyers

Personality:  Stoic, tough and firm, he is no-nonsense detective.  He has an ego that he can back up by his record, but it doesn't overreach his abilities.  His ego pertains to his efficacy as a cop, he is rather tame personally.  He loves his job and it is his focus.

History:  A life long member of the UPD, he and his two brothers are on the force as their father was.  A career of over twenty years, he has risen through the ranks of beat cop, patrol and the detective bureau.  He holds a Master's Criminal Justice degree from Upper Ubiquitus University that he earned in evening courses.

He is a go getter and a results oriented man.  As such, he has been an honored and decorated member of the force.  His record is fairly clean in that there are no major deviations in it.  There are more than a few complaints of excessive force, queationable interrogation tactics and unlawful searches.  These minor infractions have been in pursuit of evidence and have been dealt with amicably.  His track record has many more arrests, convictions and commendations than blemishes. 

Any Other Info:  He is divorced, his wife left him for a woman five years ago.  They maintain contact and friendship.    He has one adult daughter who is the center of his life.  At age 21, she lives a sordid and tumultuous life that Frank is drawn into all too often.  In off hours, he has found company, at times, in strip bars.  He does not go beyond enjoying entertainers dance.  His daughter, he recently learned, has become one.  Beyond this salve for occasional lonliness, he has a simple life.  He rents and is close with his two brothers and father.

[Nowherewoman]

And just for the record:


I know it's a smut-free game, but...


Pauley Perrette/Abbey Sciuto?


yummmm...

[Chrystal]

I know, right?

Sad thing is she's straight, and married.

*sigh*

[MissFire]

Cassidy isn't straight. Just throwing that out there!  ;D

[Nowherewoman]

I know, right?

Sad thing is she's straight, and married.

*sigh*

So are you, luv. Well, married, anyway.


I think Rosa is straight- a bit of a rarity for me! Mostly. At least, it's never been strongly tested...


Not relevant. Just sayin'.

[Chrystal]

*giggles* Solve the crime quickly and I'll reward you all by doing what all decent cop shows do and changing the format from "Action Drama" to "Soap Opera". Personally I hate it when they do that - stop concentrating on the action and start concentrating on the private lives of the characters... But I'm sure there are plenty of people who prefer it or the programme writers wouldn't do it!

Waiting for EK to post her ME character, and also waiting for a friend to decide what character she wants. She was going to go for the ME but didn't get in quick enough.

Also, any other thoughts on the game title?

Ubiquitous Homicide is nicely vague... I think Nowhere's suggestion of "Death Is Ubiquitous" is good, but doesn't quite work for me. I think it's the way it is trying to apply a double meaning to something that only has one meaning.

[Nowherewoman]

Do Not Go Ubiquitously Into That Good Night?

[Sparky01]

No thoughts on names, like your train of thought.  My pings don't seem to have panned out. 

[Chrystal]

*giggles*

"Murder They Wrote"? *shudders* I loathed that series.

Nah. I think, unless anyone has any strong objections, I shall go with "Ubiquitous Homicide"...

[ElvenKitten]

Player ID: ElvenKitten

Name: Dr. Emma Ross

Gender: Female

Age: 32

Hair Colour: Brown

Eye Colour: Blue

Build: Slim

Rank/Job: Assistant medical examiner

Role: Forensic pathologist

Likes: Classical literature, independent cinema, retro gaming, Heavy metal music (surprisingly), Everything tidy and in it's place.

Dislikes: Department politics, macho detectives, Windows 8, mess, Reality tv.

Personality: Emma is dedicated and hard working though a little socially awkward and prone mumbling when nervous. She however will stand up for herself and her assertiveness comes out when threatened and has verbally demolished veteran detectives who made the mistake of crossing her. She is a neat freak and mess and clutter in her work area is not tolerated.

History: Emma though top of her class at medical school found working with the living somewhat problematic and switched specialty to forensic pathology. Coming from a family of doctors she often felt overshadowed by her parents and brother's achievements despite having the potential to be a far better doctor than any of them.

She may only the assistant medical examiner but has pretty much taken up the medical examiners job due to his poor health. She thrive on the extra responsibility and challenge. At crime scenes her quick thinking has solved a number of cases early on being very good at finding the case of death and murder weapon on sight.   

Any Other Info: One of her triggers is being told she looks a bit young for her position. 

[Nowherewoman]

Hates Win8? She and Rosa are gonna be BFFs. ;D

[Chrystal]

I still think she looks far too young to have all that responsibility though.....

*laughs*

[ElvenKitten]

*Giggles* will be binge watching cop shows over the next few days.

[Chrystal]

OOC Thread is up.

I went with just "Homicide" as the name. I think it works best. Simple, plane and tells you everything you need to know.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=220156.0

[KurganofPrussia]

HEY!!!!!

I heard you need some guys... maybe a rookie cop who tries too hard??  Butt of all the jokes??  Is that good??  I can get a CS up later??

BTW Happy Xmas

[Chrystal]

Go for it!

Just to be clear, the reason I'm looking for a few more guys is so the one guy I have got doesn't feel totally outnumbered!

The "No Smut" rule still applies. (Flirting is okay, so long as it doesn't distract from the story...)

[RedEve]

HEY!!!!!

I heard you need some guys... maybe a rookie cop who tries too hard??  Butt of all the jokes??  Is that good??  I can get a CS up later??

BTW Happy Xmas

Do you mean a rookie beat cop or a new detective?

[Chrystal]

Do you mean a rookie beat cop or a new detective?

A rookie beat cop would work... and would actually give me the option of allowing everyone (read Ehlam) a second character in uniform.

As things stand, I'm looking at getting the IC thread open some time today, and having a couple of NPC blues in there. If I get a couple of uniform player characters, I can hold off until they are approved and use them as first responders at the scene.

That said a rookie detective works too...

I think that you have to spend a few years in uniform before taking the detective course though, so that would need to be reflected in his history.

[RedEve]

I believe making detective at say 27-28 is considered relatively young. Any detective with some experience should be in their thirties.

[Chrystal]

I believe making detective at say 27-28 is considered relatively young. Any detective with some experience should be in their thirties.

This!

Although, that said, as much as I love realism, I'm willing to allow licence, as this is a work of fiction.

Let's face it, the last thing i want is everyone being total sticklers for realism and pointing out to me that there was no way the perpetrator could possibly have done that because...!

So I'm happy to allow things that would normally be considered no-nos in the real world, just so long as they aren't too far fetched.

[Chrystal]

Okay, the game is started, but there is still room for some more players.

Threads are linked in a post on page one of this thread.

[Deathnote]

Okay, so I have two character concepts for this game:

1) A film student drop-out and the former assistant of a 'Psychic' investigator who went AWOL.  Owes tons of money to the mob and currently barred from (almost) every casino in Las Vegas.  Specializes in cold-reading, psychological profiling, and interpreting micro-expressions.

2) Badass officer who almost passed the SWAT test, but was denied entry into that specialization for personality reasons.  In spite of failing the test, he's still more skilled and talented than most SWAT officers who had been on the field for years.  Purely combat-oriented.

3) Some combination of the two above... though I'm not entirely sure how that would work out... >_>

[KurganofPrussia]

I was thinking a new-fresh like just graduated cop school beat cop.  Like fresh-faced and new.  Open for challenges, but often fails and becomes the butt of jokes, but is always around and is dependable.

[Chrystal]

Okay, so I have two character concepts for this game:

1) A film student drop-out and the former assistant of a 'Psychic' investigator who went AWOL.  Owes tons of money to the mob and currently barred from (almost) every casino in Las Vegas.  Specializes in cold-reading, psychological profiling, and interpreting micro-expressions.

2) Badass officer who almost passed the SWAT test, but was denied entry into that specialization for personality reasons.  In spite of failing the test, he's still more skilled and talented than most SWAT officers who had been on the field for years.  Purely combat-oriented.

3) Some combination of the two above... though I'm not entirely sure how that would work out... >_>

Idea number 1 almost works, just so long as you don't use Simon Baker or James Roday as your character image! I'm not totally sure about the "owes money to the mob" thing? A small city police department is not exactly going to be able to withstand an incursion by the Mafia! And a Mafia incursion into the city is not something I particularly want to include...

If you could play that part down, make the character be paying the money off now that he has a regular job and has sworn off gambling, something like that... I wouldn't mind if he were actually feeding information to the Mob, not that the City of Ubiquitous has much going on that would interest them...

Ideas number 2 and 3, don't fit the story. I can't see any role for someone who is that gung-ho and gun-happy in what is basically a detective story!

I was thinking a new-fresh like just graduated cop school beat cop.  Like fresh-faced and new.  Open for challenges, but often fails and becomes the butt of jokes, but is always around and is dependable.

If you get your character up quickly, then I have actually "tagged" him already in the IC thread. I was planning on having both uniform cops in the first response unit be NPCs originally, but your character concept fits the role of one of those two characters.

[Deathnote]

Player ID:Deathnote

Name: Ken Wu

Gender: Male

Age: 25

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Build: Sinewy

Rank/Job: Amateur Sleuth / Consultant

Role: Human Lie-Detector, Profiler, and Cold-Reader

Likes: Cooking, martial arts, mystery novels, new media, playing Ace Attorney, listening to Ace Attorney music, supernatural phenomenons (he thinks Big Foot exists)

Dislikes: Being lied to (hypocritical, I know), gambling (especially poker), any type of food that's complicated to eat (i.e., fish with lots of bones), authority figures, guns

Personality: Normally an easy-going person with a care-free attitude and approach to things.  Due to having no ego whatsoever, he rarely lets anything get to him making him very hard to piss off and/or depress.  At times, he could even be described as a little goofy in nature.  At times like these, he can come across as very warm and friendly.  However, with no warning whatsoever, his other nature may emerge as an observant and analytical individual.  When this side of him comes out, his eyes sharpen to the point where he could pierce into a person's soul like a knife through butter.  Whenever he's like this, it almost seems as though there's a strong and suffocating atmosphere where no secret seems safe from him.

History: For as long as Ken could remember, he always had a natural talent/ability when it came to determining whether or not someone was lying.  He learned to hide this ability when it became apparent that blurting out or accusing someone of lying to him all the time afforded him few friends.  It was something he couldn't quite explain, like a gut-feeling, but 9 out of 10 times, he would be right.  His accuracy improved when he learned how to hone his lie-detecting abilities during his time in college.

Ken used to be a film student with a minor in psychology.  During his studies, he became acquainted with a psychology professor whose primary field of study was in interpreting micro-expressions.  He learned how to combine his knowledge of micro-expressions, the Facial Action Coding System, and body language with his knowledge of film technology to draw out the most accurate psychological profile of anyone on film.  Unfortunately, though he proved to be a promising student, Ken would later fall into debt and as a result, had to drop out of college.

Unable to find any other job, Ken reluctantly became the assistant of a "psychic" investigator.  Ken knew that the "psychic" was full of it the moment they met, but decided to play along in order to pay the bills.  During this time, Ken learned several techniques from his new boss including cold-reading and small-time scams.  One year ago, the two of them went to Las Vegas.  Although their initial venture was successful, by the end of their trip, all of their winnings were stolen and they were banned from every casino there.  Even worse, Ken had co-signed a loan with his boss.  Then his boss got outed as a fraud.  Then that same boss went AWOL.

With the boss outed as a complete and utter fraud, Ken had an even harder time finding work than when he dropped out of college.  For the past year, he had been trying to make ends meet while putting his past behind him.  One day, however, he stumbled into a police investigation (as both a witness and one of the suspects).  With his skill, knowledge, and unique abilities, he was able to deduce the true culprit.  Although it felt great to be able to use his abilities again, he figured that it was a one-time deal and that such a thing was never going to happen to him again.  He would be wrong...

Any Other Info: His father ran a martial arts dojo and as a result, Ken learned how to fight ever since he could walk.  It was due to this training that he was able to develop his dynamic visual acuity.

[Chrystal]

Hi

I actually prefer to have character sheets PMed to me, but no worries.

There's a few things I'd like you to change please?

Player ID:DragonTrainer

Your plater ID is Deathnote not DragonTrainer! It's not the first time someone has used the wrong ID, I'm guessing that's your ID on another site? That's what happened before.

At times like these, he emits a very warm and friendly atmosphere.

Whenever he's like this, he emits a strong suffocating atmosphere where no secret seems safe from him.

These two lines make it sound like he smells of fresh bread in the first one and chlorine bleach in the second! The expression "Emits an atmosphere" just sounds weird. I'm assuming you're referring to his attitude and demeanour rather than his actual smell?

For as long as Ken could remember, he always had a natural instinct when it came to determining whether or not someone was lying.  He learned to hide this ability when it became apparent that blurting out or accusing someone of lying to him all the time afforded him few friends.  It was something he couldn't quite explain, like a gut-feeling, but 9 out of 10 times, he would be right.  His accuracy improved when he learned how to hone his lie-detecting abilities during his time in college.

This first paragraph of his history seems to imply a mystical or magical ability to tell if someone is lying. This is the one thing that disqualifies the character.

This story takes place in the real world, where everything has a scientific explanation. His abilities may seem magical, but they must be based on observations. As I said in a previous post, The Mentalist, Psych, Monk, Lie To Me, Numbers, are all good examples, whereas Medium, Perception, The Finder, are not. The former all rely on people who have an enhanced ability to observe and process the information which is something that can be learned by anyone, whereas the latter rely on people having some supernatural ability.

I was thinking of suggesting that you make him autistic, but I know from personal experience that autism reduces the ability to recognise facial expressions...!

My main issue is that a child has a natural trust and a natural honesty. Lying is something we learn to do as we get older, and a child has no ability to recognise a lie - this too is something that must be learned.

The ability to observe minutiae in people's expressions is something that can be completely natural - it is an ability like being able to sing, or paint, or write creatively - but as with singing, painting or writing, the application of that talent must be learned!

So, anyway, if you could re-think this "supernatural" ability into a "natural" ability, please?

[Deathnote]

This first paragraph of his history seems to imply a mystical or magical ability to tell if someone is lying. This is the one thing that disqualifies the character.

This story takes place in the real world, where everything has a scientific explanation. His abilities may seem magical, but they must be based on observations. As I said in a previous post, The Mentalist, Psych, Monk, Lie To Me, Numbers, are all good examples, whereas Medium, Perception, The Finder, are not. The former all rely on people who have an enhanced ability to observe and process the information which is something that can be learned by anyone, whereas the latter rely on people having some supernatural ability.

I was thinking of suggesting that you make him autistic, but I know from personal experience that autism reduces the ability to recognise facial expressions...!

My main issue is that a child has a natural trust and a natural honesty. Lying is something we learn to do as we get older, and a child has no ability to recognise a lie - this too is something that must be learned.

The ability to observe minutiae in people's expressions is something that can be completely natural - it is an ability like being able to sing, or paint, or write creatively - but as with singing, painting or writing, the application of that talent must be learned!

So, anyway, if you could re-think this "supernatural" ability into a "natural" ability, please?

Oh, it was never meant to be a supernatural ability.  In fact, it's based off of Ria Torres from Lie-to-me, who's a natural human lie-detector, unlike Cal Lightman, who had to study the subject for years.  I just didn't want to get into Ken's childhood too much or imply that he had a similar childhood to Torres, so I left it as vague as possible.  If possible, I wanted Ken's natural talent to have more in common with Apollo Justice's ability to perceive (Ace Attorney) minute details.

Ken's background as a former film student was also to give him the knowledge to use similar video and audio technology showcased by Lightman's company.  His stint as an assistant psychic investigator gave him the opportunity to apply and practice his skills and abilities.

[Chrystal]

Okay then. If you could change the word "instinct" to "ability" please? It's a subtle difference, but an instinct implies it's based upon some weird feeling that he gets, where an ability is just something he can do!

If you can do that for me, then I think Ken would make a valuable asset to the team!

[Deathnote]

Okay, done.

[Chrystal]

Thanks. Please go say hi to the team in the OOC thread, and feel free to post in the IC thread whenever you feel you have something relevant (or amusing) to add. So far there is only one the one witness, but you might want to sit in on her interview...

[Chrystal]

We still have a couple of slots available in this game, if anyone is interested in joining?

A couple of male detectives so that poor old Lt Gunselman doesn't feel quite so hen-pecked? I could even find some interesting jobs for uniformed officers - so far all the uniform cops have been NPCs, but that doesn't mean that I can't have PCs in those roles, and believe me, there will be plenty of things for the uniform guys to do in catching the killer!

Post here if you have any questions or want to run a character concept by me, or PM me with a completed character sheet.

[Blinkin]

I'm so tempted.

[Chrystal]

*giggles*

I would have made a great Temptress.

[Blinkin]

Wonders if there would be a place for a "ride-a-long" journalist with a tendency to offer off of the wall theories, name dropping and general commetary as he aids the cops in solving the crime through semi-inciteful investigation and unexpected nuggets of gold...

[Chrystal]

How many characters do you have? I don't see any actual law enforcement.

A detective lieutenant, two detectives, a medical examiner, a forensics expert and a profiler who is a consultant.

There is a list in one of the earlier posts, giving a list of suggested character tropes. The approved characters are all in the character thread.

Tropes that are taken:

• The firm-but-fair leader of the team
• The unconventional rule-breaker who gets results
• The geeky forensic expert who is a wizz with computers and a social klutz
• The slightly dippy medical examiner who enjoys showing off grisly body parts recently removed from a corps
• The even geekier psychological profiler
• The shady character who knows the word on the street

Suggested tropes still up for grabs:

• The hard-nosed bastard/bitch who insists on doing things by the book
• The old (wo)man, close to retirement, wanting one last big collar
• The bent cop, who will stop at nothing to get an arrest
• The rookie cop who is trying too hard

If you want to create a character type not on that list, run the idea by me and I will let you know.

Wonders if there would be a place for a "ride-a-long" journalist with a tendency to offer off of the wall theories, name dropping and general commetary as he aids the cops in solving the crime through semi-inciteful investigation and unexpected nuggets of gold...

Possibly, but I would have to disallow Nathan Fillion as the character pic, and also any surname that had anything to do with fortifications!

Also, you would need to come up with a plausible explanation as to why the character is in such a favoured position when a NPC reporter has already been seriously snubbed by Detective Danilo when trying to gain such a position.

Of course you could always try and convince me to let you take over that NPC...

I have to say I would prefer that people be directly or indirectly employed by the police, rather than just "tagalongs".

[Blinkin]

Fair enough. I would need to think about this. Roles fitting the setting that aren't too redundant are hard to come up with.

[Chrystal]

There are four already suggested for you.

Plus an entire uniform division!

[Sparky01]

Anyone can arrive on scene and help Gunselman.  Might also be time to head back to precinct office soon.

I should have a post today.

[Chrystal]

IMPORTANT ANOUNCEMENT

Due to circumstances beyond his control my dear friend Ehlamjanx has been forced to withdraw from the game. This leaves the top slot open. While the game can and will continue without a lead detective, I would far rather have someone in that role.

There are three options available:

1) The character created by Ehlamjanx is available for another player to take over as is. Not only is this mandated by the game rules of play, but EJ has expressly given permission. Players are allowed to post in their own style, of course, but in this option I would expect the player to try and keep the character's personality as consistent as possible.

2) If a player likes the character of Lt Gunselman but feels they cannot play him as is, I will consider allowing a revised character with the same name, but with different attributes. This has already happened once in the game with the character of Cassidy Locke. If you would like to take this option, please submit a revised character sheet to me by PM for approval.

3) I will also consider a totally new character, who can be assigned by the chief of police (played as a NPC by myself) to replace Gunselman, for a reason I will come up with. Rules of character creation as detailed in the opening posts of this thread apply, obviously. Please submit a character sheet for approval.

If I get more than one applicant I will consider them on relative merits. If I only get one (or less) over this weekend it will end up being "first come first served"

The character sheet for Lt Frank Gunselman can be found here.

Obviously, please read the rules etc at the start of this thread before applying. If you are able to glance through the IC thread and Case File thread too that would be helpful. You don't have to read the entire OOC thread but reading the first two posts there would be a good idea. If you wish to take over Lt Gunselman, either as-is or modified, you will need to read the IC and Case File threads before posting IC. If you want to create a new character then you could, in fact, have your character "read" the threads IC, as a new lead detective taking over the case would probably not know any more IC than you know OOC...!

Thanks.

[Hazy Sky]

This is all Nymph's fault...
*Bookmarks for later reading.*

[Nymphadora]

This is all Nymph's fault...
*Bookmarks for later reading.*

It is... I totally take the blame for this mwahahahahaaaaa

[Hazy Sky]

OK, so initial thoughts are I think I can work with the existing character sheet. Older male character, disintegrated family, troublesome daughter I adore... I don't like the character picture though... Any wriggle room to change that if I'm still interested once I've read up fully on everything else?

[Chrystal]

Hi Skyre, I'd love to have you on board.

Totally. You can change him for someone of similar age as long as the pic fits the character. Please remember to alter the appearance details, if necessary.

*grins*

[Hazy Sky]

How about Steve Mcqueen as he appeared in Bullitt? The age would be close enough I think.

[Chrystal]

Uh....

I would be okay with that if the story were set in the 1970s, but it's set present day. And my goddess those clothes! *shudders*

[Hazy Sky]

Uh....

I would be okay with that if the story were set in the 1970s, but it's set present day. And my goddess those clothes! *shudders*

His dress sense is clearly why his wife left him. :P
I'll find something and nudge it in your direction once I've read up properly.

[Hazy Sky]

OK, so I'm half read up and I'm intrigued. I'm definitely in, but I need a new picture for the character...
Also I want to change his car to a Crown Victoria. Taurus are just too horrible for words. Not that Crown Victoria aren't, but they go with cops like jelly in donuts. It fits better for me. I'm perfectly happy to even give him car woes to explain the demise of said horrible Taurus. It might be interesting to have the boss blagging rides off everyone for a day. Is that alright with everyone?

How about... "Who loves ya, Baby?"


I'll also need a bit of help making sure I've got everything up to speed. I'm sure Chrystal and I can manage that between us though if she's ok with me joining?

Edit: Nymph, this is all your fault! Love you! :P

[Chrystal]

OK, so I'm half read up and I'm intrigued. I'm definitely in, but I need a new picture for the character...
Also I want to change his car to a Crown Victoria. Taurus are just too horrible for words. Not that Crown Victoria aren't, but they go with cops like jelly in donuts. It fits better for me. I'm perfectly happy to even give him car woes to explain the demise of said horrible Taurus. It might be interesting to have the boss blagging rides off everyone for a day. Is that alright with everyone?

How about... "Who loves ya, Baby?"


I'll also need a bit of help making sure I've got everything up to speed. I'm sure Chrystal and I can manage that between us though if she's ok with me joining?

Edit: Nymph, this is all your fault! Love you! :P

I'm afraid that Telly Savalas is too close to being a canon character! Kojak is clearly the character that Gunselman was originally based on...

Some suggestions:

Duncan Goodhew

Patrick Stewart

Yul Brynner

[Hazy Sky]

Patrick works for me. I'll have to resist the urge to say "Make it so." :)

[Chrystal]

Oddly, Yul Brynner is closest to Telly Savalas in looks, but while there are plenty of pictures of Stewart with no hair and plenty of him at about age 40, there don't seem to be many of him aged 40 with no hair!

I think the two most important things are the age of the person in the photo and the clothing. Wearing something that looks totally out of place in 2014 needs to be justified somehow, which requires a character rewrite. Changing the age of the character is less drastic but still requires some modifications. Simply adding hair is the easy bit!

[Hazy Sky]

Strangely enough that's why I went for Telly S. I thought the age was right and the face kinda matched and lack of hair kinda matched. The fact that he was Kojak didn't actually occur to me at all until I found the picture...
I'll have a dig around and find another picture or two over the weekend. Leave it with me.

[Hazy Sky]

Just to say that I haven't forgotten this. I've been under the weather and I will be looking for a suitable picture tonight hopefully or tomorrow at the latest. Apologies to everyone for the delay.

[RedEve]

Chrystal, if I were to make a return, where should I look into posting at?

[Chrystal]

Just to say that I haven't forgotten this. I've been under the weather and I will be looking for a suitable picture tonight hopefully or tomorrow at the latest. Apologies to everyone for the delay.

Okay, cool. Hope you're feeling better, hun? I'm reluctant to say my usual response of "Take your time", but seriously if you can't find a pic we both like I can always do another NPC post for G-Man while you're searching.

Chrystal, if I were to make a return, where should I look into posting at?

There's a couple of options: Either at Stevens' house - the original crime scene, still going through the box files and paperwork, or she could be back at her desk going through them. The latter gives you the chance to sit in on the interview of Devine if you wish?

[RedEve]

Sorry, I missed you had already answered this in here! Just re-asked the question in the OOC...  :-\

[Hazy Sky]

I'm fine now Chrystal. It was just a bug, but the other half was poorly last night, so that rather messed with my plans. I should get to look into the picture properly tonight. My apologies again for slowing thing down. The universe is conspiring against me, I swear it!

[Chrystal]

Sorry, I missed you had already answered this in here! Just re-asked the question in the OOC...  :-\

No worries. You can always delete the ooc post, or just edit it, or I can answer it again with a totally different answer! >:)

I'm fine now Chrystal. It was just a bug, but the other half was poorly last night, so that rather messed with my plans. I should get to look into the picture properly tonight. My apologies again for slowing thing down. The universe is conspiring against me, I swear it!

It's okay. Although I'm tempted to suggest you stick with the original picture for now? What is it you don't like about it?

[Hazy Sky]

Everything. The ears, the nose... I can't get behind that face. It makes no sense I know, but there it is...

[Chrystal]

Fair enough. I suggest picking a photo you like, without worrying about making them similar, and adjust the character sheet to fit. You will never find a pic that you like that fits the current character sheet exactly! I design my characters around the image, not the other way around.

[Hazy Sky]

How about Mr Owen? He's the right age. That would only need a few tweaks to the sheet to fit.

[Chrystal]

Sure, As I said, my only real requirements are: 1) no canon characters/actors who play them, 2) modern day photo so that clothing and hair styles are contemporary (or deliberately retro if it fits the character). My objection to Steve McQueen was that to use that image would mean serious changes to the character to make him a lot more retro, which doesn't really fit...

[Hazy Sky]

Mr Owen fits nicely then. Will that image do or do you have any specific requirements Chrystal my sweet?

[Chrystal]

He looks a bit scruffy there, but whatever you are happy with, my old fruit.

[Hazy Sky]

Scruffy goes with a Ford Crown Victoria. :)

[Chrystal]

Okay, if you could PM me an amended char sheet, please?

[Blinkin]

The only thing that the crown vic goes with are cops and really old men. ;)

[Chrystal]

IMPORTANT ANOUNCEMENT

NowhereWoman has regretably dropped out from the game. While I have several other detectives in the game, none of them are particularly active. Without NW's character Rosa Danilo, I get the feeling that the game is probably going to fold, because, frankly, no-one is actually investigating anything!

So, please could someone step up to the plate and take over the character who was doing some police work?

There are three options available:

1) The character created by NowhereWoman is available for another player to take over as is. This mandated by the game rules of play. Players are allowed to post in their own style, of course, but in this option I would expect the player to try and keep the character's personality as consistent as possible.

2) If a player likes the character of Rosa Danilo but feels they cannot play her as is, I will consider allowing a revised character with the same name, but with different attributes. This has already happened twice in the game, so far, and I'm sure the rest of the cast will be changed before the murderer is caught (if ever). If you would like to take this option, please submit a revised character sheet to me by PM for approval.

3) I will also consider a totally new character, who can be assigned by the chief of police (played as a NPC by myself) to replace Danilo, for a reason I will come up with. Rules of character creation as detailed in the opening posts of this thread apply, obviously. Please submit a character sheet for approval.

If I get more than one applicant I will consider them on relative merits. If I only get one (or less) over this week it will end up being "first come first served"

The character sheet for Detective Rosa Danilo can be found here.

Obviously, please read the rules etc at the start of this thread before applying. If you are able to glance through the IC thread and Case File thread too that would be helpful. You don't have to read the entire OOC thread but reading the first two posts there would be a good idea. If you wish to take over Lt Gunselman, either as-is or modified, you will need to read the IC and Case File threads before posting IC. If you want to create a new character then you could, in fact, have your character "read" the threads IC, as a new detective assigned to the case would probably not know any more IC than you know OOC...!

Thanks.