So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
-- The Internationale, English lyrics.
The year is 2026. After a collection of shocks to the Eurozone markets towards the end of the previous decade the currency finally collapsed in on itself. Countries across the continent defaulted on their obligations, governments collapsed, unable to pay for the services they had promised their people. Out from this second great depression rose again the spectre of harsh reactionary governments. The EU fell apart, businesses were nationalised, and rights were restricted in an attempt to rebuild "national unity." Black clothed police officers enforce nation wide curfews after dark, and people can be arrested and disappeared without a trace. However, unemployment grows with every quarter; food, fuel and other essentials continue to skyrocket in price. As the discontent among the people reaches uncontrollable levels, people take to the streets.
This story follows a group of university radicals in a dystopian future. When they hear a city wide illegal protest is ready to take place, the young idealists really believe this is the end for the tyranny they are living under. They occupy their campus buildings, a large quad in the oldest part of the city, barricading the entrances in protest. News quickly comes to them that the police have opened fire upon the protesters across the rest of the city killing dozens, and that they are the only ones left fighting.
The story is a tragedy, drawing heavy influences from Les Miserables and the June Revolution in which the book is set. A young group of idealist students led by charismatic young men and women prepare to defend their rights when there is no one left to stand with them. The mood and theme is one of people far too young to understand what lies ahead of them as they prepare to do battle. There will be chances for romances formed fighting on the barricades, the passion of youth burning there. The story will be one of limited scope, with a planned end for the story rather than one which is open ended. My hope is to end with the scene in which the barricades are finally over-run, the students falling in the night to soldiers who came to fight them, so this should be kept in mind when people apply to play in the game. The players will not only be reacting to each other, but also NPCs in the setting, which will be controlled by myself (and possibly a Co-GM when necessary.)
The morning started off jubilantly. People sang songs and hundreds of students first came to the rally but, once the firing began nearly all scattered and ran. Now only a few of them remain. The students form mostly 3 groups. The Communists, The Anarchists, and The Pacifists. Other students stand on the barricades unaffiliated, but they are rare. The Communists and Anarchists might come from very different ends of the spectrum, but they both know they need to fight the foes in front of them. The Communists represent the larger portion of the students, their leader commanding the defense as best they can. The Anarchists stand shoulder to shoulder with them fewer in number, but more prepared for such a conflict; one of their members rigging the universities 3D printer to produce the arms they need to protect themselves. Together they were the ones who built the barricades, preparing to meet resistance. The pacifists on the other hand came to peacefully occupy the square, largest in number, although most scattered when the fighting began. Some of them remain, unyielding in the face of terror, but when the shooting begins, will they pick up weapons and join their fellow students, or will they let their principles last till the end.
Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number-
Shake your chains to earth like
dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you
Ye are many-they are few.”
-- Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Masque of Anarchy.
The Roles.
There are some Roles I want specifically filled. Multiple people can apply for the same role, and I will select the most fitting entry. The character traits needed are found in the brackets. There are several "free slots" for players to create whatever character they wish. Other members of the student body will be represented by NPCs. If you have a particularly interesting idea you feel doesn't really fit into any of the broad categories post below, and perhaps an additional slot can be added. There is a section on the character sheet that is listed "Death: Heroic/Realistic." This allows you to decide whether you wish your character to be open to the whims of the plots realism, IE that he could die at any moment (Realistic). Or if you wish it to happen in a pre-planned OOC scene that is then enacted (Heroic).
The Idealist Atlas (A Charismatic leader ready to lead his people. He is full of idealistic zeal, but is inwardly scared for the coming conflict.)
The Friend Cerevan (He the only one of them who knows theres no way they are getting out of this alive, but everyone whos ever cares about him is on these barricades, and he'll stay with them, no matter the consequences.)
The Mascot Visna (Their youngest member, he's only just turned 18. Cheery, Strong Willed and loveable. Of all the people, he shouldn't be here.)
Free Character #1
Free Character #2
The Revolutionary Julles ((s)he has spent their time building up a network of people ready to fight when the time is right, and now is that time. Committed, strong willed and uncompromising.)
The Hacker (A computer hacker, who's created a community for documenting and preparing to resist the tyranny of the state. He truly believes he can win, compiling from wherever possible the blue prints for firearms and tools to help aid his brothers and sisters.)
The Nihilist (He accepts what most do not, that this is a lost cause. But he stands on the barricades anyway. Better to live a day as a lion, than a lifetime as a sheep.)
The Community Organizer ( He's a brave man, who has been thrown in a jail cell and beaten on numerous occasions peacefully occupying buildings, bringing attention to the plight of those in need. He truly believes non-violence can win over those who are against him.)
The Lover(A young wo(man) who has seen the tyranny of the state first hand, who is in love with one of the Communists, who is unaware of his/her affections. They wont leave the barricades without them.)
The Doctor (A young med student. (s)hes never fired a gun before... In fact, this whole thing is terrifying to him/her. But when the first of the wounded from the protests appear, (s)he knows that they cannot leave.
Free Character #1 The Hanged Man
The Barricades: Character sheet
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[b]Death [/b]: Heroic/Realistic
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Topic: The Barricades (Tragedy. Recruiting M&F) (Read 5880 times)