DC Universe: Sandbox [Freeform Superhero] (Recruiting)

Started by Totoro, October 12, 2018, 12:18:14 PM

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Totoro



Overview

Currently recruiting, game's definitely going ahead but new players are still welcome.

DC Universe: Sandbox is a freeform group game set in the DC Universe. The goal is to create an open ended environment with space for both guided plots and player-driven storylines created collaboratively. This will allow for players to pitch, create and write their own arcs while also joining in with others, while keeping the opportunity to focus on more GM-Driven content. Player characters will all be heroes, with a maximum of three per writer. This game is not smut focused but will have a dedicated thread, and romance is welcome so long as it is kept scenario appropriate and does not derail storylines which do not involve it.

Due to the huge range of power levels heroes present I will be splitting them into three tiers. Street Tier will refer to heroes who mostly fight foes on a street - city level, dealing with criminals and supervillains with more conventional motivations and goals. National Tier superheroes are heroes to their country - continent and fight foes who may have large organisations and goals ranging from takeover to destruction of a nation. Global Tier superheroes are known around the globe and fight threats to the entire planet, extending to sometimes combating foes who pose a threat on a cosmic level. It should be noted that tiers are my best approximation and are based primarily on the way they operate (City, Country or Globally) rather than power levels. If you believe a characters should be changed feel free to say.

On a final note due to the sandbox nature of this game I will be looking to players to present ideas and be proactive in finding connections and other players to write with. I will do my best to help people form plots and to write with people, but it is vital that you communicate with your fellow players and both look for others to join in your storylines as well as look to join in theirs if they interest you.

Plot Premise

In the year 2018 Earth is populated by many heroes. Some work alone, others in groups. Their rules and methods may vary but they do their best to create a safe world for the average citizen. Despite their efforts they remain plagued by a multitude of villains, each plotting in their own way. Some threaten civilians in the streets, a more personal fear as they commit crime and occasionally threaten cities. Others pose a danger to entire nations at once, formulating their masterful plans to engage in war or destruction. And a select few plot on a larger scale, aiming to either conquer and enslave or obliterate the planet unless they can be stopped.

It falls to heroes to find ways to work together, collaborating and becoming something more than they could've been. The world can rarely afford conflict between heroes, but unfortunately disagreements about methods do happen. Overall however each hero is doing their bit to find their place in the world, doing the right thing in their way. Some roam cities after dark, seeking out criminals and dispensing swift justice. Others stand tall as a defender watching over their entire nation. And a small few look out over the entire world and seek out those who would destroy or enslave it. Between them they form the defenders humanity needs against villainy.

Rules

1. Don't cause or participate in drama. Be respectful of other players.
2. Don't godmode. Exceptions made when both parties have agreed on it.
3. Inform the GM if you will be unable to post for significant time.
4. Write in the third person past tense. A reasonable standard of English is required. (Spellcheck, grammar check, no one liners or overly short posts)
5. Accept your character will sometimes lose fights and/or get injured.
6. Please communicate with others, seek out scenes, be proactive and involved in the game.
7. Respect that this game is not smut focused and save that for appropriate threads.

Characters

Currently this game is strictly canon only. I am looking for DC comics canon heroes, although some may have a flexible morality. Villains will be NPC's controlled either by me or players with permission and prior discussion for story lines. You are welcome to give your own twist on heroes including altering their gender or sexuality. I would far prefer an original, different take on a hero than a copy/pasted wiki background. Please only submit character sheets via PM to me. If a character is listed as taken they are being used and have a full CS. Taken NPC's may be available to players with discussion. Listed characters with 'Claimed' beside them have a writer who is interested but do not yet have an approved CS.

Tiers

Tiers are in place in this game to give players a rough idea of what kind of characters might be appropriate for either a GM plot or an easy way to find the right kind of characters for a plot they would like to run. This does not mean the focus will sway heavily to one end, I'm hoping to create a sandbox environment in which all levels of hero are enjoyable to write and have storylines to take part in. Similarly just because a hero is of a particular tier does not mean it is impossible for them to overwhelm a hero or villain of a different tier. Perhaps the simplest example of this being the Street Tier Batman managing to defeat the Global Tier Superman. They are there to serve as a loose guide and far from a be all/end all system to decide all conflict.

A note on related canon characters: Whoever first claims a relation in a canon family tree has first say on their character's age. For example if someone were to pick Batman he can be anywhere 18+. However if someone were to claim Damien Wayne before Batman was claimed then any later Batman would have to be old enough to have fathered Damien.

Street Tier: Primarily operate in a small region, city or area of a city. They usually have mild - no superhuman powers and rely on equipment or training to operate. Much of the time they target small time criminals who have plots that affect individual citizens on a day to day basis. Occasionally they may save an entire city or more, and some are well suited to working with higher powered heroes due to their incredible intellect and planing skills. They often fight against ordinary human thugs and gangs, but sometimes conflict with lower tier supervillains who threaten individuals, small groups or at most a single city.

National Tier: National tier superheroes are known typically country wide. They are usually well known and defend areas ranging from small nations to entire continents. They typically possess medium - high tier superpowers but lack either experience, training or perhaps are content with the area they defend. They are usually very powerful and come into conflict with villains who can easily be seen as a threat to an entire nation at once. Although they will on occasion they rarely have the time to combat 'ordinary' criminals and spend their time combating superhuman threats. Their foes typically wield great influence, large followings or power enough to threaten a country.

Global Tier: Global tier superheroes are known internationally, sometimes globally. They use their skills to defend humanity as a whole and transcend borders regularly. They almost always possess high - extreme tier superpowers. Most heroes on this tier have saved the world, many more than once. They almost never have the time to fight the small things, but some try to find time to. They usually conflict with foes who threaten the world either with enslavement or destruction, often alien or mystical in nature.



Street Tier                           


Arsenal
Batgirl
Batwoman
Guardian
Beast Boy
Spoiler
Batwing
Orphan
Bronze Tiger
Red Robin (Tim Drake)
Grace Choi
Lightning
Thunder - Claimed
Green Arrow
Huntress
Midnighter
Question
National Tier                                     


Atom
Amethyst
Big Barda
Black Canary
Blue Beetle
Booster Gold
Deadman
Cyborg
Hawkman
Mister Miracle
Raven
Steel
Spark
Captain Marvel Jr.
Red Tornado
Mera
Plastic Man
Swamp Thing
Zatanna - Claimed
Atom
Citizen Steel
Animal Man
Black Lightning
Hawk
Dove
Atom Smasher
Vixen
Miss Martian - Claimed
Damage
Jesse Quick
Hawkwoman
Global Tier


Wonder Woma
Green Lanterns (Hal Jordan, Jessica Cruz, Alan Scott)
Aquaman
John Constantine
Firestorm
Mary Marvel
Blue Lanterns
Apollo

Taken Characters

Characters List
Superman - NPC - Henry Cavill
Azrael - PC - Chris Evans
Captain Atom - PC - No Faceclaim
Martian Manhunter - PC - Peter Mensah
Dr. Fate - PC - Neil Jackson
Shazam! - PC - Zachary Levi
The Flash - PC - Ken Beck
Nightwing - PC - Matt Bomer
Starfire - PC - No Faceclaim
Superboy - PC - Kellan Lutz
Batman - PC - Christian Bale
Supergirl - PC - Melissa Benoist
Power Girl - PC - Alyssa Loughran
Robin (Damien Wayne) - PC - Daniel Radcliffe
Black Bat (Cassandra Cain) - NPC - Michelle Waterson
Sodam Yat - NPC

Taken Faceclaims

Faceclaims List
Henry Cavill
Chris Evans
Matt Bomer
Ken Beck
Peter Mensah
Neil Jackson
Zachary Levi
Katy Perry
Kellan Lutz
Nafessa Williams
Christian Bale
Melissa Benoist
Alyssa Loughran
Daniel Radcliffe


Villains

Below is a list of canon DC characters who are going to be used as villains/NPC's. They may be available for player control during story arcs, but this must be discussed with the GM. Much like the heroes they are split into tiers, however the villains have an additional tier to indicate the tier of villain who cannot be combated by any individual hero and require co-ordinated efforts from groups to deal with.



Street Tier                           


Harley Quinn
Two-Face
Killer Croc
Scarecrow
The Joker
Riddler
Captain Cold
Copperhead
Volcana
Mr. Freeze
Penguin
Poison Ivy
Solomon Grundy
Deadshot
Captain Boomerang
Hugo Strange
Talia Al Ghul
Bane
Dollmaker
Killer Frost
Hush
Clayface
King Shark
Black Mask
National Tier                                     


Lex Luthor
Deathstroke
Black Adam
Major Force
Weather Wizard
Livewire
Black Manta
Cheetah
Toyman
Ra's Al Ghul
Zoom
Star Sapphire
Ocean Master
Arthur Light
Felix Faust
Dr. Sivana
Ultra-Humanite
Gorilla Grodd
Parasite
Global Tier


Ares
Cyborg Superman
Bizarro
Lobo
Metallo
Doomsday
Crime Syndicate of America
General Zod
Amazo
Desaad
Despero
Black Hand
Hector Hammond
Vandal Savage
Circe
Atrocitus
Sinestro
H'el
Cosmic Tier                           


Spectre
Darkseid
Trigon
Parallax
Imperiex
Mongul
Brainiac
Anti-Monitor
Nekron

Character Sheet

Please fill out the character sheet below and send it to me via PM. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them, and if there's anything you're not sure about I can do my best to help. Please look at the player character sheets thread to have a look at what's been approved so far and get an idea of what yours should look like if you're uncertain.

[float=left][img height=300 padding=5]https://placeholdit.imgix.net/~text?txtsize=33&txt=350%C3%97300&w=350&h=300[/img][/float]
[center][size=18pt][glow=blue,2,300][u][b]Superhero Name[/b][/u][/glow][/size][/center]

[size=14pt][u][b]The Basics[/b][/u][/size]
[b]Legal Name:[/b]
[b]Alias:[/b] Any nicknames or other hero names
[b]Affiliation:[/b] Any team you would like them to be a part of. Can just be 'themselves'. E.G: Justice League, Bat Family, Titans
[b]Tier:[/b] Street, National, Global
[b]Age:[/b] 18+, please
[b]Gender:[/b] Anything goes here

[hr]

[size=14pt][u][b]Physical Description[/b][/u][/size]
[b]Height:[/b]
[b]Weight:[/b]
[b]Face Claim:[/b] A real person should be used. Exception made if the character has a non-human appearance or permanent mask.
[b]General Appearance:[/b] How do they dress normally? Do they have a costume they wear to use their powers when training, or that they'll use to fight? Can include any unique physical features that differ from their faceclaim.

[hr]

[center][size=14pt][b][u]Personality and History[/u][/b][/size][/center]

[center][b][u]Personality[/u][/b] [/center]
At least a paragraph describing what they are like as a person.

[center][b][u]Biography[/u][/b][/center]
At least 3 paragraphs describing their life up to this point. Should include how they attained their powers and their experience with heroics.

[hr]

[center][size=14pt][b][u]Superpowers & Equipment[/u][/b][/size]
[/center]
[b]Powers:[/b] The name and details of their ability. Simple powers such as superhuman strength don't need specific detailing or numbers, although flight should be specified as to whether it's supersonic or what mach they can reach. 

[b]Equipment:[/b] An equivalent of the Lasso of Truth. Any signature gear can be included here although normally it should be left for things above ordinary handguns and the like.

[hr]

[center][size=14pt][u][b]Skills[/b][/u][/size][/center]

[b]Skill Name:[/b] Something the character is talented at either naturally or through training that is not a superpower or piece of equipment.

[hr]

[center][size=14pt][u][b]Other[/b][/u][/size]
[/center]
This is room for any details you want to add to your character sheet. Character relations can be placed here, or simply anything that didn't fit anywhere else.


Sample Character Sheet:

Shazam!
Shazam!

The Basics
Legal Name: Billy Batson
Alias: Captain Marvel, Earth's Mightiest Mortal
Affiliation: Unaffiliated
Tier: National
Age: 21
Gender: Male




Physical Description
Height: 5'8" (Billy)  6'4" (Shazam!)
Weight: 145lbs (Billy) 260lbs (Shazam!)
Face Claim: Zachary Levi
General Appearance: Billy is a naturally unassuming person. He is friendly and positive but rarely tries to, or does, stand out in a crowd. He wears fairly plain clothes and is slightly below average height and relatively slim. Shazam! Wears a bright, very noticeable costume and is both very tall and muscular.




Personality and History

Personality

Billy Batson is relentlessly optimistic to the point he is frequently called naive or childish. He has a highly positive attitude and tries his absolute hardest to see the good in anyone, no matter what. Compared to many others he is a relatively amateur hero, particularly in relation to his powers. He tries his best to live up to other heroes around him but it is a struggle to learn so much so fast. Billy does not kill and will fight those who attempt to. His own personal hero and inspiration is Superman, who he sees as what he wants to be despite Kal-El meeting with him and telling him they are equals.

As Shazam he becomes incredibly confident and self assured, boldly charging into any situation. He possesses the ability to call on great knowledge and wisdom, but he must chose to do so to be told of the universe. Despite his incredible confidence as Shazam, and upbeat nature, the drastic change in his body into who he wants to be is a sure sign of some self worth issues, and Billy still battles with the memories of his childhood. Billy is able to freely converse with the Gods who grant him his powers, who are all unique in nature.

Solomon: Wise, calm, logical and steady.
Hercules: Warlike, aggressive, hot headed and honorable.
Atlas: Bold, Resilient, Caring, Selfless.
Zeus: Arrogant, Controlling, A leader.
Achilles: Courageous, Heroic, Reckless
Mercury: Quick witted, Amusing, Friendly

Biography

Billy Batson lost both his parents at a young age and became a foster child. He became selfish and badly behaved, as well as confrontational. Much of these issues were due to his unresolved psychological issues after the loss of his mother and father. He was transferred through many foster homes before ending in a Philadelphia orphanage. From there he was forced to be adopted at age fifteen. He then lived with the Vazquez family, but struggled to fit in due to his unstable nature. He quite liked the other adopted children Freddy and Mary but had difficulty displaying that. After a particularly bad argument Billy fled home and left on the subway.

Much to Billy's shock once he stepped onto it all other passengers vanished and he heard a voice call out to him. The Subway shot off infinitely faster than was possible and before he knew it Billy had been magically dragged to the Rock of Eternity by a man who introduced himself as the Wizard. Billy's entire nature was searched and he was found wanting, lacking the perfect good the Wizard expected. Billy was angered by this criticism, arguing that no perfect good existed. The Wizard took on Billy's point and saw him for the potential goodness he could have if he were to recover from his past. Choosing to believe in hope Billy was granted the vast powers of six gods, providing he shout the word 'Shazam!'. Billy left the Rock after completing several challenges and tests so that the Wizard could know he was truly the right one to carry this power.

Returning to earth Billy began with a night of amateur, very haphazard efforts at crime fighting. It was at this point he began paying much more attention to super heroes and looking up to them as examples. After Billy witnessed a death and remembered the loss of his parents he vowed that he would not take lives in the name of heroics. He did his best to learn to control and use his powers and moved his way up from small time thugs on the city streets to defending Fawcett city. Embracing his life as the heroic Shazam! Billy intends to expand his heroic abilities and stand shoulder to shoulder with the best the world has to offer.




Superpowers & Equipment

Powers:

Divine Empowerment: By shouting the word Shazam! Billy is able to gain the powers of six Gods. Shouting the word again or otherwise being struck by the living lightning will revert Shazam to Billy. He must be able to speak to gain his powers. As Shazam Billy is significantly taller and more muscular, appearing as a godlike version of himself. Billy is freely able to speak with these Gods within his own head.

S, The Wisdom of Solomon: Solomon grants Shazam the ability to call upon his vast wisdom. He provides advice and information for Shazam. Solomon possesses vast knowledge of science, history, language and divine events. He is highly objective and wise.

H, The Strength of Hercules: Hercules grants Shazam the strength of a God. He is physically strong on the level of Kryptonians.

A, The Stamina of Atlas: Atlas grants Shazam his nearly inexhaustible stamina. Shazam does not tire, fatigue hunger or thirst. He is able to endure even the most extreme of physical assaults and survive, even rapidly healing if he is wounded.

Z, The Power of Zeus: Zeus is the very fuel behind the magical lightning bolt that transforms Billy into Shazam. The Power of Zeus enhances Shazam's other abilities and grants him control over magical lightning. The magical lightning is capable of fueling a variety of magical spells.

A, The Courage of Achilles: Achilles grants Shazam his infinite courage. He knows no fear and cannot be influenced by terror tactics. Achilles also grants Shazam his fighting skills and his fortitude against telepathic assaults.

M, The Speed of Mercury: Mercury grants Shazam his incredible speed. He can move and react at incredible rates, and he is highly agile. He is also capable of flight. Shazam is roughly as fast as a Kryptonian. This speed also allows him to travel to the Rock of Eternity.




Skills

Good Heart: Billy is kind hearted and positive. He always aims to see the best in others and find diplomatic, good solutions. He hates killing and will avoid it at almost any cost. As Shazam! he is much the same. He is sometimes considered immature by other heroes for refusing to see the world through any cynicism.

The Skills of Solomon: Solomon grants Billy knowledge of many languages, much of history and science and even knowledge of the wider universe and divine events. Despite this these abilities are not his own and are not innate and he must request Solomon's aid to receive it.




Other

Writer: Sun Wukong

Thread Links

OOC Threads


IC Threads


azzmeister89

Interested in the idea of a few characters but not sure who I would play..... as a point though I think Batman should be moved to the global tier. As one of the trinity and considering his capabilities despite his lack of powers, I think he's more than earned that category.

Totoro

Quote from: azzmeister89 on October 12, 2018, 01:22:24 PM
Interested in the idea of a few characters but not sure who I would play..... as a point though I think Batman should be moved to the global tier. As one of the trinity and considering his capabilities despite his lack of powers, I think he's more than earned that category.

He's the one who I know full well will be by some margin most controversial. But it's not about his capabilities. It also depends on the take of Batman in the game. A younger Bruce often spends almost his entire time dealing with street level thugs in Gotham and very rarely leaves the city. Some older and more experienced ones leave that to the Bat family and focus on work on the Justice League's level.

But either way the placement's just based on what he does. Almost everyone I've seen put together any kind of tier list has Batman as the most quintessential 'street level' hero. 

azzmeister89

That's fair enough...... now I just have to choose, do I go classic Nightwing, try my hand with Beast Boy or do I go for my native bad boy and play John Constantine? Dilemma and a half

Totoro

Quote from: azzmeister89 on October 12, 2018, 01:28:13 PM
That's fair enough...... now I just have to choose, do I go classic Nightwing, try my hand with Beast Boy or do I go for my native bad boy and play John Constantine? Dilemma and a half

I'm up for any of those. I don't think I've ever seen a Beast Boy.

Also I should say for this game teams like the Justice League, Teen Titans (Although they'll be the Eighteen+ Titans) and Bat Family are welcome to exist and can be organised as we get players.

azzmeister89

I'll do an adult beast boy then, although with that in mind if it's ok with you I'll have him go back to being called changeling on account of no being all growed up

Totoro

Quote from: azzmeister89 on October 12, 2018, 01:55:11 PM
I'll do an adult beast boy then, although with that in mind if it's ok with you I'll have him go back to being called changeling on account of no being all growed up

Sounds good, no problem. Going to wait for at least a few people's interest before turning to recruitment.

Kadigan

Sun...tasks me. He tasks me, and I shall have this game. I'll chase it round the Moons of Nibia and round the Antares Maelstrom and round Perdition's flames before I give it up!

Still thinking on the character.

Totoro

Quote from: BarbaraGordon on October 12, 2018, 03:51:43 PM
Sun...tasks me. He tasks me, and I shall have this game. I'll chase it round the Moons of Nibia and round the Antares Maelstrom and round Perdition's flames before I give it up!

Still thinking on the character.

Awesome, and no rush. Really just looking for 'I'm interested' for now.

I'm still debating a character limit, maybe 2-3 and a maximum of one global tier hero.

Franklin

I would be interested in playing Batman if he is available. And perhaps Deathstroke as well.

Totoro

Quote from: Franklin on October 12, 2018, 08:53:52 PM
I would be interested in playing Batman if he is available. And perhaps Deathstroke as well.

Deathstroke's going to be an NPC/Villain for this one.

Batman's free though.

la dame en noir

Games(Group & 1x1): 7 | Post Rate: 1 - 6 days | Availability: Actively looking!
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Totoro

Quote from: la dame en noir on October 12, 2018, 09:13:17 PM
I will gladly write Thunder if she's available

If that's in reaction to me just editing her in that's the fastest reaction ever. Definitely available.


la dame en noir

Bless! But here's to hoping that anyone writing Batwoman keeps her Canon lesian!

Give me all the LGBT characters lol
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Totoro

Quote from: la dame en noir on October 12, 2018, 09:18:38 PM
Bless! But here's to hoping that anyone writing Batwoman keeps her Canon lesian!

Give me all the LGBT characters lol

Would be cool to see.

For the record I'm going to try not to enforce character's sexuality although for some when it's such a large part of their identity like her or people like Midnighter/Apollo I could make an exception.

la dame en noir

Quote from: Sun Wukong on October 12, 2018, 09:21:41 PM
Would be cool to see.

For the record I'm going to try not to enforce character's sexuality although for some when it's such a large part of their identity like her or people like Midnighter/Apollo I could make an exception.
aww ok

It just made a big part of who she was - being that she was a lesbian in the military and had to overcome some of that bigotry.
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Totoro

#16
Quote from: la dame en noir on October 12, 2018, 10:35:37 PM
aww ok

It just made a big part of who she was - being that she was a lesbian in the military and had to overcome some of that bigotry.

Yeah, hence and exception might be made when it's so important. I think for her, Apollo, Midnighter and then it just depends because I don't know who else it's vital to. Will probably be handled case by case.

la dame en noir

I got my nails into Thunder - I'll probably just use the face claim that plays her in the show and too many comic pictures! :D
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Aethyrium


Totoro

Quote from: la dame en noir on October 12, 2018, 10:49:44 PM
I got my nails into Thunder - I'll probably just use the face claim that plays her in the show and too many comic pictures! :D

Sounds good, look forward to seeing her. Not actually watched the show yet, would you recommend it?

Quote from: Aethyrium on October 12, 2018, 10:52:12 PM
Might be interested in this. Will review!

Nice, glad to have your interest.

la dame en noir

Quote from: Sun Wukong on October 12, 2018, 10:57:21 PM
Sounds good, look forward to seeing her. Not actually watched the show yet, would you recommend it?

I'm biased, so yes lol. I think the first season was pretty good, it's hard to get through though - sensitive topics.
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Totoro

Quote from: la dame en noir on October 12, 2018, 11:03:14 PM
I'm biased, so yes lol. I think the first season was pretty good, it's hard to get through though - sensitive topics.

I'm pretty good with sensitive topics as a whole, should be okay. Will give it a try if I can find the opportunity.

Life in Color

Ugh.

*teeny interest flag*

Will bookmark to see what characters get snagged.

I have a few I'm interested in. But also busy.

But Zatanna.

Hnnnnn.


<3

Totoro

#23
Quote from: Life in Color on October 13, 2018, 07:04:04 AM
Ugh.

*teeny interest flag*

Will bookmark to see what characters get snagged.

I have a few I'm interested in. But also busy.

But Zatanna.

Hnnnnn.


<3

Sounds good.

I will say as well due to the sandbox nature of the game people will be welcome to involve themselves in as much as they feel like.

I think in general the only post requirement I'd have is that any characters should be at least involved in one scene at a time and posting at a similar rate to the others in that scene, which is fine to vary. Although I don't mind taking breaks if they let me know what's going on.

Edit: In case anyone's already copied or started a character sheet, I have added three small sections and changed a term. An Alias section for names aside from their main superhero name, affiliation section for any team you'd like them to be a part of and a tier section. I've also renamed world tier to global tier, just think it sounds slightly better.

Norsegod1839

I am very interested in this!

For characters I'd play I'm interested in the following

Nightwing

Starfire

Superman

I could go with either three of these depending on what character limit you think is ideal Sun.