So It Begins Again [Post-Apocalyptic Sandbox, Factioned based; Recruitment]

[Vlexia]

So this is a preliminary idea where I/we can change and add to it. Just enough of a backstory and vision to post to see if there would be any interest. It would be a sandbox style, open world group game where I will create the world and a GM plot here and there, but most players will be able to explore on their own. I am open to ideas to add or take away as long as you do it nicely :)

And Don't make fun of my map! I know there are better map-makers on E but I tried my best lol

“The War on Terror” was an ingenious labeling as it had an evolving enemy. No specific country was targeted; no race, no religion, no culture, enabling the one with the weapon to interpret what “terror” was to them and target it. The President of the United States truly became synonymous with Ruler of the Anglo-American Empire, a true might that the Sun never set upon. As demands from the people increased for proof of guilt and quicker results, and the Media practically coined the phrase “Bring Our Boys Home”, the Department of Defense demanded a new weapon to be unleashed that would silence any enemy in the most humane way possible. Journalists were soon banned from traveling behind the armies, cameras were smashed and reporters were either paid off or worse as the greatest weapon unleashed by man soon became their downfall.

Dr. Yuri Clovex of Switzerland’s Institute of Biomedical Research had uncovered something quite bizarre within the brains of rats. You see, humans and rats aren't all that different; that's why they use them to test drugs. The Toxoplasma gondii parasite was a hardy little thing that could eat away just enough of the brain mass to lose aggressive tendencies and increase its desire for obedience. Let everyone against the Colonizers just welcome them with open arms! Lose the aggression and pride, obey and don’t let the “terrorists” win. In lab testing the rats with the parasite were docile even when facing down a territorial opponent. They were more receptive to treats and lessons, eager to please the ones who handled them. When the human trials started it was marvelous. Maniac prisoners and violent-oriented people turned into tender beings after just one treatment. By five treatments they were hardly recognizable with their languid speech and slack faces. At this point it was noticed that when treatments were paused the humans reverted back to their old ways. The parasite was dying faster than it could reproduce in the human’s higher body temperature and had to be reintroduced to maintain effect.

When Dr. Clovex’s report was handed over to the Americans, every negative connotation (such as “Slave-like mentality”, or “zombified”) was redacted. Everything in moderation. Especially since it appeared the parasite was only a short-term effect.

But then Mother Evolution came along.

After such bugs were flooded in 2040 through the water supply and sprayed overhead over major cities in the Middle East, Central Africa, and Central America, things began to change. A stronger strand had developed in just a few of these designated areas. One that could live in the warmer bloodstream of the human body and survive for longer periods of time. Symptoms such as fever, lack of coordination, and vomiting were reported, a new plague that spread through any form of bodily fluids, but most readily through saliva.

At 2:00AM on March 31st, 2042 everyone woke up to their phones ringing with an Emergency Broadcast that just said the following:

Days. Weeks. Months. It didn’t take long with how intertwined the world had become with its faster transportation and tightly-packed cities. The parasite grew, taking over any it encountered, cementing those violent tendencies it was introduced to originally quell, and setting the world into a panic. Power plants soon had no employees, nuclear reactors were deserted, farms had no workers, shops closed as the world raged into chaos with just a few who had not yet been infected or who were immune to the parasite, not having the right internal conditions to house it effectively.

Our story will take place about 80 years or so after the initial outbreak of the parasite being used as a biological weapon against the “Enemies of Terror”. Country lines have dissolved into “territories” as factions have risen to power, and so our story will begin in a place formally known as Staten Island. About 50% of the world’s population died from starvation and violence amid the chaos. About 30% make up the remaining infected or the ones who continue to get infected, and the remaining 20% are the survivors. This is throughout the world, so of course all 20% will not be on the same continent at the same place. Resources are sacred and territories are fought and killed over.

Symptoms of the infected:

   
• Changes in gait (walking)
• Hallucinations
• Lack of coordination (for example, stumbling and falling. They cannot swim.)
• Muscle twitching
• Loud moaning
• Skin peeling off/being eaten away by the parasite. Occasional loss of teeth
• Myoclonic jerks or seizures
• Rapidly developing delirium or dementia
• Extreme Aggression
• In some extreme cases blood seeping through sweat glands.

The evolved parasite is transmitted through body fluids and must survive in a live human host. It is most readily spread through saliva, a specific attack being a Bite from an infected to a victim through the bloodstream. But spittle from screaming, coughing, or sneezing can also be an avenue if it sinks in through the eyes, the mouth, nostrils, or an open wound.

The parasite survives only about 15 minutes outside of a host on a hard surface and it can be killed with chemicals.

The Infected host starts to show symptoms within 48 hours with strong seizures, a high fever, and haunting hallucinations. They start to lose control of bolidly functions soon after before evolving into truly monstrous creatures that are aggressive towards the scent of fresh blood and flesh. The Infected search out any uninflected hosts and will beat to death before tearing apart with their hands and teeth until the meal is deceased and they feast. The only time the infection is spread is if one is attacked and somehow gets away after getting too close or bitten. Average lifespan of one who has become infected is about 2 years if they can find a continuous supply of food, otherwise the parasite eats too much of its host and eventually it expires.

To avoid the infection, when venturing out into the Territories, one must wear a filtration mask that covers their nose and mouth. Their eyes and any open wounds must also be covered. When they return the person must take a chemical dip and then wash their skin thoroughly.



These are the Factions that have evolved on our Island:
Cherries: The Kratocracy- known to be metal workers, gunsmiths, bullet collectors, work in forges, usually wear helmets with iron bars across the eyes. Reside in abandoned factories and the northern industrial district for their scavenging. They are loosely populated but are the only ones who have been able to recreate guns and have the metal to continuously make both them and bullets. Their faction is ruled by whichever family has stockpiled the most metal and weapons to protect both their faction from invaders, infected, and other families who wish for the power themselves.

Sheets: The Theocracy- Outskirt dwellers and part of a religious extremist cult ruled by an elite group of “monks” who have their own holy book written by the first Sheets. They worship the End of Times as a rebirth of the human race and believe that the infected are part of the "raptured" ones (Soul is gone yet body remains), and everyone else are the ones left behind who must seek their own rapturing. They keep a number of captured infected in Pits and use them similarly to witch hunts of old. If you are guilty of something they throw you in The Pits; if you're infected you're "innocent", if you somehow kill them all and survive you are guilty and the Sheets watching will kill you themselves. They are ATV riders, motorcycle mechanics, wear a white hood over their head with riding goggles. They are the biggest on raiding for "sacrifices" and their best resource is oil.

Nailers: The Technocracy- The largest populated faction in the center of the Island. They are excellent melee fighters with spiked bats and makeshift maces. Their land is mostly farming and land defenders. They are extremely valuable in trade on the island but their land is also the most coveted. Every year they lose just a little bit on the edges from needy surrounding factions. They have a system of governance where the people who are skilled or proficient govern in their respective areas of expertise in technology and are in control of all decision making in that area. Doctors, engineers, scientists, professionals and technologists who have knowledge, expertise, or skills compose their governing body.

Gamblers: The Kritarchy- The thugs, pure risk. Think “Two-Face” style where they literally flip a coin or spin a roulette wheel to see if someone is to die or not. Adrenaline Junkies and the most unpredictable. They own a single port city up north that leads to the eastern neutral territories and one of the major trading port cites the Boaters use. Great Kills is a major Den of Sin where there are gladiatorial fighting domes to gamble on and are open to all factions. There is a hard understanding that here the Gamblers are King and no one causes trouble when they are present, but the real power lies with the Kritarchs, or judges. The kritarchs, magistrates and other adjudicators have the legal power to legislate and administer the enforcement of justice in the resolution of disputes. This is especially important in a gambling society where not everyone plays fair or follows through in a deal, although sometimes the Kritarchs rule by their own measure of chance and people can even gamble on the outcomes of this wild form of justice.

Boaters: Pirates that raid along the neutral territories, the biggest scavengers, and sell what they find back on the Island. They live on their boats and barges, are excellent fisherman, and are known to have the most information as they are the most traveled. All factions rely on the Boaters for information and supplies so they have tentative peace with everyone. They are pure sea survivalists and live by their own code of hard work and respect. The Captain’s word is law on his vessel, but if he loses too many crewmates between either warring factions or from the infected then he will be “mutinied” on the edges of Neutral Territory.

Millers: The Meritocracy- Miller Field was a small former gear surplus army base and airport. These ones control a lot of advanced survival supplies (generators, first aid kits, water filtration systems) and have been able to recreate them to last. A lot of power but small population, they raid and trade depending on the faction spoken of. The original families who survived here were ex-military and they stayed closed to the world and passed down their skills. They are the least trusting and there are whispers of in-breeding and marrying cousins as their gates are closed to outsiders but they needed to continue procreating. Their’s is a political system in which economic goods and/or political power are vested in individual people on the basis of talent, effort, achievement, and IQ (or merit) rather than wealth or social class. Advancement in such a system is based on performance and measured through examination or demonstrated achievement. They have their own system of badges and medals of honor that they usually wear with pride.

Neutral Territories: These are the Infected areas that belong to everyone and no one. They are free to explore, to raid, and if you find someone from another faction you are no supposed to hurt them as the real enemy are the infected out here. But there are also no rules in these lands as well...

Map of the Land

Possible CS:

Code Select Expand

[float=right][img height=300]http://image of character here[/img]
[b]Face Claim:[/b][/float]

[b]Full Name:[/b]
[b]Nickname/Alias:[/b]

[b]Age:[/b] Lifespan is about 50 years old now
[b]Hair Color:[/b]
[b]Eye Color:[/b]
[b]Height:[/b]
[b]Weight:[/b]

[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Sexuality:[/b]
[b]Faction:[/b]


[b]Personality:[/b]

[b]Weaponry:[/b] Mention any weapon your character uses to protect themselves or attack with
[b]Skills:[/b]
[b]Connections:[/b]

[b]Backstory:[/b] At least a 2 paragraph brief description of who they are and what they do for a living. I understand most of the development will be done during the game so this doesn’t have to be super long

Cherries:
Nicole West (WhatLiesAbove)
August Nyberg (Chreestafer)
Rebeca Valentine (CurvyKitten)

Sheets:
Irabella Borsen (Vlexia)

Nailers:
Elizabeth Warren (Envious)
Xaryus King (Lady Sakura)

Gamblers:
Jordan O’Hare (Vlexia)
Marley Ambrosia Quincy (CurvyKitten)


Boaters:
Kaiea Rasmussen (TheBlackThrone)
Keiran Vega (Untamed Skies)

Millers:
Benjamin Niko (Juggtacular)
Cyrus Robinson (Hawkwood)

The Rules of Engagement:

• Real life ALWAYS comes first!  This is just writing, and having fun.  If you need to step away, feel free to step away.  E will always be around, and there is no rush.  But if you're going to be away, either for a bit or permanently, please let it be known either to me or in the OOC for others. If you're having muse issues, need to take a bit of a break, unable to post, or just want to leave, please at least let it be known.  The muse comes and goes.  I know that all too well.
  
• Be respectful of your fellow writers!  No Godmodding!  Always check to see if the other person is alright with something when it comes to kinks and don't write for someone else or control their characters unless discussed.
• List the content of your post in the warning section of the header if it's something sexual or violent. While this game is pretty relaxed about story elements, as long as they fit within the site rules, some individuals may not be alright with reading over certain elements and kinks.  Put a joke in there, make fun of the warning! I do it! But please list extreme elements or sexual elements. These are important.
• Character Injury and/or Death MUST be decided beforehand!  Even if a writer is open to having their character extremely hurt and/or killed, please be respectful and discuss it with them beforehand.
• Follow the Site Rules.  Dur.
• Don't force sex scenes on others, or even corner someone into a sexual scene.  Again, please be respectful of your fellow writers.  While we are on an erotic literacy site, not everyone is here to suck-and-fuck every other scene. And many of us have been in a situation where we may feel cornered and denying sex makes the scene.....awkward. Don’t do that! Please check with your fellow writer before introducing a sexual scene instead of just jumping in without asking.  It's rude and inconsiderate. Not everyone is going to enjoy reading that, let alone write it.
• Don't be afraid to speak up.  If something is bothering you, you're feeling left out, or you want to get out, don't hesitate to let the Me know.  It sucks feeling ignored or unfulfilled in a group game, especially after creating such amazing characters.  I'll do whatever I can to help out.
• Leave the drama at the door.  Leave the drama at the door.  If you can't get along with an individual, then don't interact with them. I'm not your Mama, and I'm not here to mediate every action, nor will I be playing favorites on who stays and goes, and I don’t know what’s been pre-discussed through PM. This is for fun! Never forget that.
• Keep it civil.  There’s a lot of talent here and sometimes we “artists” get passionate over something in particular. Just keep it nice, please.

Questions and Answers:

Q: What Section is this story going to be placed in?
A: Extreme Small Groups. Did you really think you can have a “Light” Post-apocalyptic group? Ha!

Q: How Do I Apply?
A: Fill out a character sheet and post in Recruitment Thread


Q: What is the Focus of The Story?
A: Survival. Not only against the infected during the outbreak, but also against your fellow man—against yourself! Can humans survive when the reset button is hit and their true, base nature is forced out? How will they come together? How will they drift apart? There’s a high chance for villains, betrayal, and corruption from the eyes of almost every corner of society: religious, military, greed, farming, and power.

Q: Will there be sexual content?
A: Hells Yeah! But it won’t be a focus for most. I’ll make a naughty thread for people to get nasty in private without breaking up the storyline in the main threads.

Q: How many characters can I play?
A: We're gonna start with two, but only if you’re serious. We all know those people who are chronic “character-creators”. If you make more than you can keep up, they may be up for character death.

Q Can my character be a member of more than one Faction? Or could they defect and join another?
A: At first this was a soft-No, but now it’s a hard-No. Yes, I know each faction has a massive Pro and a massive Con. That’s kinda the point. You have to choose which benefits and challenges you face. You can’t pick and choose the best from each one and become some monolith of perfect badassery. So by now your character has been born in their Faction and that’s where they are. The ONLY exceptions to this are becoming a Boater or a Gambler. They can be made up of old ex-factions on the land if you so choose since neither of them own an entire section of land.

Q Can a character survive a bite from one of the infected?
A: No. It takes just over a minute for your blood to be pumped throughout your body. So after the initial bite, by the time you free yourself, crawl away, and try to saw your limb off, the parasite has been spread in every inch of your body through the infected person’s saliva. So the infecting process is not a process of slow-spreading rot.

Q How do you kill the Infected?
A: The same way you kill any other human. These aren’t rotting corpses of the living dead where you HAVE to chop their heads off, or you HAVE to stab them through the heart. They are infected living humans who have lost their minds. A bullet, a bludgeoning, or just running them over with a car, if it can kill a regular human it can kill one of the infected. Just be sure to protect your character from blood splatter. Burning the bodies afterwards is probably a good idea as well.

Q: Where and when is the game taking place?
A: Staten Island in 2122. Average lifespan is about 50 years as life is just harder now.

Q: Will this be Sandbox or GM Run?
A: Mostly Sandbox, but I will likely add spices for fun throughout with driven plot points and adventures.


Q: How Extreme and Graphic will this be?
A: This should definitely be something discussed by players, but you obviously shouldn't be applying if you are uncomfortable with murder, corruption, Cruelty, or dystopian settings are offs for you.

OOC | Character Thread | World Build | Great Kills IC | The Waterways IC | Infected Territories IC | Intimate Thread IC | Our Past History IC

[Juggtacular]

My interest has been checked.

[Vlexia]

My interest has been checked.

Yay, sweetness!

I’ll be working a bit on describing the infected tonight. That clearly needs more info!

[firepyre]

Apocalypse by mind-altering cat parasite?

Genius.

[TheBlackThrone]

You have my interest. 

[Vlexia]

First Character:

Face Claim:Ruby Rose

Full Name: Jordan O’Hare
Nickname/Alias(s): Domino; only by her closest friends

Age: 28
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Sea Green
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 132lbs.

Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual
Faction: Gamblers

Personality: A bit of a wild card, Jordan has never known consistency in her life and is as stereotypically unpredictable as a Gambler comes. Despite her wild brash nature, she honors debts and believes in justice and fair chances. One can always trust what she says is the truth, but she has been known to stretch it through purposeful misleading. Jordan is a risk-taker who believes there is no purpose to life other than living it as dangerously and excitedly as possibly. She found the YOLO slogan graffitied on some buildings from the Before-Times and totally fell in love with the mentality. It’s how she faces every single day.

Weaponry: Brass knuckles, a 5 inch serrated blade, a 4 ft. chain whip coiled at her hip
Skills: Jordan is a fantastic Hunter and animal tracker. She also is a massive gatherer of information. Being both traveled and positioned at the heart of the city, Jordan has an empire of “eyes” who watch and report back to her. With a word she can take down any opponent’s or challenger’s reputation, hence the reason behind her nickname.
Connections: TBD

Backstory: God? There is no God, or at least not one you would want to dedicate your life to, anyway. Whatever floats your boat and gets you through the day, whether it be hope or a bigger Divine Purpose, than do whatever the fuck works for you. But for Jordan, she was just fine the way the world was right now.

Sure, she remembered the “stories” her recently deceased grandmother would spew of a different world, one of more order and a system of government that would allow the good, smart people to rule over a peaceful society. Everyone was fed, everyone was clothed, there were no “infected”, and everyone had nice cars to take them on vacations to beautiful places. Her grandfather would grunt and snort in mild mockery but otherwise remained silent, allowing his wife to find comfort in the Rose-colored lies of a missed past, but Jordan as a child had never missed his rolling eyes.

What the hell did it matter!? That world had ended, this one had arisen, and she was now part of Generation C of this one. A bit more wild and “at home” than Generations A and B, Jordan was born of the Gamblers, the wild ones who owned the largest city on the Island known as Great Kills. Her father and grandfather were both leather-traders, trying to do their best to keep their head down within their faction, but such a place was perfect for a girl like Jordan to be born into.

Growing up by the docks, she met people from every section and loved listening to the stories brought in by the Boaters which of course fed her curiosity. Instead of going into her family’s “business”, Jordan actually ran away on one of the ferries at age 16 to travel the island’s coasts and see as much of the world as she could. There is where she learned basic survival skills, the meaning of hard work, and the danger of protecting yourself on supply-raids on the mainland. She also witnessed first hand the maniac traditions of the Sheets and has a particular disgust felt towards them. Jordan wouldn’t return to Great Kills until almost two years later, a changed woman, where she set up her own Saloon with her earnings and finally settled down. Most days you can find her there drinking and running her little spy network.

You have my interest. 

Hehe YAY 🙌🏽

[Lady Sakura]

Vlexia - Why must you be in my head?!

I just finished a Jonathan Maberry book last night on bioterrorism that leads to zombies!

I'm so down and ready for some action!

[TheBlackThrone]

Face Claim: Jason Momoa

Full Name:  Kaiea Rasmussen
Nickname/Alias: Kai; Captain of the Steel Phantom.

Age: 32
Hair Color: Dark-brown
Eye Color: Grey
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 214 lbs

Gender: Male
Sexuality: Bisexual
Faction: Boaters


Personality:  Captain Rasmussen is a hardened sailor who rules The Steel Phantom like a king. On the ship, he is law and everyone will obey or be fed to the sharks. He has few traitors for the crew have accepted his rule as necessary for their survival. He ensures his crew have food, water, and are safe from the Infected. The Infected cannot swim and so what a safer place than a city on the water? Every crewmember plays a role in the ship’s maintenance, function, defense, and offense. The captain makes decisions that he isn’t always proud of, but he is willing to carry the sinful burden alone. He commits human trafficking regularly in order to get fuel to run his home. While on the inside, he isn’t happy about it. To everyone else, he does what is necessary.

The captain likes to explore regions he hasn’t ventured and will perform scavenging of the land and sea to acquire enough resources to trade so that his ship can sail further away from the United States. There may be an island out there where there are no Infected, and this is the island he promises to his crew. A place where they can live in peace.

When it comes to discipline, the captain is usually the last one to lay hands on a person. He has subordinates who are just as capable of disciplining his crew that he doesn’t have to get his hands dirty. However, if he suspects a bad decision or weakness, he will carryout the punishment himself without hesitation. The man is stubborn and will not change how he runs his ship for anyone. It was why he aspired to become a boater and his title was not achieved without bloodshed.

Weaponry: Dual M1911s, kukri (mainly utility), dual trench knives, Heckler and Koch MP5 Submachine gun, and a AT 308 sniper rifle. This is a listing of every practical weapon he personally owns that isn’t mounted for decoration in his cabin. He doesn’t have these weapons equipped on his person at all times. The big guns are stored and he’ll mainly have his pistols, knives, and kukri on his person.

Skills:

• Trade & Business
• Multilingual – he speaks just enough foreign tongue to trade
• Marksmanship
• Farmer
• Barber
• Navigation
• Fisherman
• Leadership
• Combat (including naval)
• Tactics
• Haka

Connections:

The below list are connections he has with other factions due to business. I am open for him to have connections with other writer characters and other writers are free to make characters to join his crew just understand business isn’t Disney-innocent. Your characters may have to get their hands dirty and make decisions they don’t like.

Cherries: The Phantom trades metal scrap and other junk they find around the island, in other areas of the world, and at the bottom of the sea. In exchange, Cherries repair any issues with the ship, give them ammunition, and perform maintenance on weaponry.

Sheets: The Phantom captures Infected and keep them in the brig on the ship. They are often fed traitors rather than rulebreakers. Rulebreakers get fed to the sharks. The Phantom trades Infected to Sheets in exchange for fuel.

Nailers: Kai was born and raised a Nailer. Many of his crew members are Nailers. He will often recruit Nailers or crewmen from other boats. Nailers give The Phantom its food supply.

Millers: The Phantom will often encounter survivors, and the Phantom doesn’t technically save them. The survivors who are of no use are returned to The Mainland. Those survivors of use are given to The Millers for breeding in exchange for survival equipment.

Backstory: Kai was born a Nailer to Polynesian farmers. While his family was content with farming for the rest of their lives, Kai was adventurous and always wanted to break out and see what couldn’t be seen. His parents often told him horror stories as a kid about the Infected to keep him rooted at home, and it worked until a group of Boaters came to their lands. The Boaters were seeking out a crew. Around this period, Kai was no longer a kid but a man. He along with a group of other Nailers stepped up to be recruited. The recruiters were impressed with the size and strength of the Nailers. Their bodies were hardened by labor and they were already accustomed to hard-work. Kai was recruited with some friends from his town, and he finally set out to see the world he had always dreamed of seeing.

The world wasn’t as bright as he had naively envisioned. He joined the crew of The Steel Phantom, and the captain, Norman Baumgartner, known as The Real Captain, made the experience a pain. He was a Miller who came from a family of old Navy veterans. He wore the captain’s jacket of his father and ruled the ship with an iron fist. Kai had never worked so hard and under so much pointless stress in his life. There was always the fear of upsetting Baumgartner and being fed to the sharks. Kai watched him trade innocent people to the Sheets and falsely execute crew members who he feared were plotting to mutiny. The captain’s rule was so ridiculous that he ordered Kai to cut his hair because he thought its length was girly and out of old-Navy regulation. Kai cut his hair, and as he stared at himself in the mirror, he thought about how such a big mistake he had made leaving home only to join such a horrible ship. Kai thought about abandoning The Phantom the next time it docked at Fort Worth. But did he really want to go back to his boring, farm life?

Captain Baumgartner held an audience with the crew over two Nailer crew members who he had suspected were trying to rebel. Kai recognized them to be from his town and before Baumgartner could shove them into the brig with the Infected, Kai removed a shank from his pocket, charged the captain, and stabbed him in the gut. What had shocked the captain wasn’t the fact that Kai had been the one to stab him, but how no one had bothered to stop him. Every crew member was frozen in awe, watching as Baumgartner recoiled with his hands clutching the seeping wound. As he bled out, he cried with tears in his eyes to his crew, screaming for them to kill Kai and avenge him. The crew instead watched as the man who they had feared was reduced to a crying and whimpering child. Kai put a boot against the captain’s face, kicking him into the brig where a swarm of moaning and screeching Infected swarmed his body like fresh meat. To this day, Kai could hear the captain’s crying, screaming, and the noises the Infected made as they ripped his body to shreds and devoured him. It was in that significant moment that Kai snatched up the mantle of captain, while the crew remained standing in stunned silence. Kai marched straight up to the captain’s cabin and spent the entire day dumping his useless valuables and any documents, photos, or memorabilia that had his face or family name on it into a pile on the deck. Kai set it all on fire and before the flames, he made his announcement that he was the new captain.

[Dashenka]

What a useful emergency message...


I'm interested as well :)

[xPeachyPuff]

Hello c: Another interested party here. Not sure what faction to go for currently but I'll see what else we get in terms of characters. I'd also be more than willing to work on a character collab together? Perhaps a sibling connection would be fun (:

[Vlexia]

Vlexia - Why must you be in my head?!

I just finished a Jonathan Maberry book last night on bioterrorism that leads to zombies!

I'm so down and ready for some action!

Pleeeeeeease join. I would love the opportunity to write with you 🤗

What a useful emergency message...


I'm interested as well :)

Right?? I thought that message would be completely useless and just a little terrifying haha. I mean...it wasn’t lying.....

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!

Hello c: Another interested party here. Not sure what faction to go for currently but I'll see what else we get in terms of characters. I'd also be more than willing to work on a character collab together? Perhaps a sibling connection would be fun (:

Wasn’t sure if you were talking to me or Dashenka about the sibling connection, but if you were talking to me then absolutely. If not, I hope you guys find something together lol

But yes, Jordan is open to connections for family, friends, rivals, partners, the works. I will also be waiting to see who/what else we get before I figure out what else is needed.


@TheBlackThrone: Damn, dude. You just gonna come out of the woodwork with perfection? Alright, I see you.

I love him. And his backstory is exactly the type of ruthless action a true Boater Captain would do. No one has time for Bulshit on a ship like this. I also love how you connected something with every faction since your man would have at least SOME sort of interaction with them all. He’s amazing and accepted. I’ll be making a list of characters and their factions in a bit!!

[xPeachyPuff]

Wasn’t sure if you were talking to me or Dashenka about the sibling connection, but if you were talking to me then absolutely. If not, I hope you guys find something together lol

But yes, Jordan is open to connections for family, friends, rivals, partners, the works. I will also be waiting to see who/what else we get before I figure out what else is needed.

I didn't mean anyone in particular :p I just meant if anyone who was planning a character was interested or just someone who was interested in joining, then I think a sibling relationship could be really fun to collab on! Sorry, I probably worded it terribly in my first post 😂

[Bekah Boo]

Mhm I’m quite tempted..
*plots*

[Juggtacular]

Face Claim: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Full Name: Benjamin Niko
Nickname/Alias: Chief, Big Ben

Age: 30
Hair Color: Bald
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 6'6
Weight: 260lbs

Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Faction: Millers


Personality: While Benjamin has genuine kindness and love in his heart, he is no fool. He's been trained from childhood to be a ruthless warrior, and a capable leader of men. This means that while he will give people a chance, he has to truly believe they deserve it. And even then, he'll be keeping a close eye on them and his finger even closer to the trigger.

He leads his men by example, and will never ask any of them to do something he wouldn't be willing to do. But he also understands that he is of a different breed and gives orders rather than take them, so while he may not enjoy sending soldiers to their potential death, he will because he understands that he can give more to the mission than a simple grunt.  Seeing as he has such a high degree of control over the Millers, his words carry massive weight, and as such, Benjamin always weighs his options carefully. This ranges from patrol routes, to trade with other factions, to deciding when it's time to send out a raiding party.

Weaponry: FN-5.7 w/Suppressor(Combat), M4A1 w/Suppressor(Combat), Desert Tech SRS Sniper Rifle(Scouting), M240 Machinegun(Anti-Vehicle/Crowd Control), Kukri(Melee), Kurambit(Melee), Tactical Tomahawk(Melee), Crossbow(Hunting)

Skills:

• Marksmanship
• Multiple Combat Disciplines
• Military Tactics
• Piloting
• Warfare
• Stealth Tactics
• Negotiation
• Leadership

Connections:

Cherries: The Cherries make damn good bullets, and while Benjamin and his people can craft their own, they can't do it in the sheer volume or variety that they can. So they outsource heavy-duty repairs(vehicles, large equipment, etc...) to the Cherries and buy ammunition in bulk to keep their round count high. In exchange, they offer whatever they need at the time; water filters, air purifiers, generators, medical aid, etc...

Sheets: Benjamin absolutely despises the Sheets and steers clear of them at all cost, or kills them when he can. They are an unfortunately necessary evil, however, and the Millers trade with them fairly regularly for fuel and oil for their fleet. In return, they provide the Sheets with Infected that are cleared from around Miller Field as well as deserters and prisoners who can't be ransomed back to their faction.

Nailers: The Millers and Nailers have a very prosperous relationship. Benjamin provides them with added security, weaponry, and equipment to protect their farms and borders in exchange for a percentage of the yield each season. This gives the Millers a surplus of fruits and vegetables, as well as specific ones they don't have access to or the proper equipment to cultivate. They also collaborate with the intellectuals, mechanics, and engineers there to assist each other with things beyond the Cherries ability to repair or modify.

Boaters: Like all factions, the Millers and Boaters get along swimmingly. The Millers offer the Boaters equipment and gear to help them on the waves, and the Boaters(primarily the crew of the Steel Phantom) offer them breeders and information gathered on the sea. The Millers also help the Boaters with extra parts for their ships in exchange for the Boaters helping maintain and repair their own.

Gamblers: While a portion of deserters and PoW's are given to the Sheets, the other are given to the Gamblers to be used in the Arena. If a deserter wins, they are allowed their freedom and the chance to return with a higher rank, or they can leave with supplies. PoW's are freed and delivered back to their faction should they desire. The Millers get information, surplus supplies and the like, and a small percentage of the profit from fights involving their delivered people.


Backstory: Benjamin's family is of Samoan descent, and came to America decades ago, where they continued the tradition of military service. Every generation, at least a few Niko's would find themselves in every branch of the military. Ben's great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all Marines, and he was expected to follow suit. Both his grandfather(Brigadier General) and father(Major) had been active duty when the pandemic spread across the country, and they were quick to get the family to safety inside Miller Field. It was an Army base, but in the days leading up to the outbreak, High Command had decided a united US Military was needed, so members and families of all five branches(Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard) were gathered within the massive territory of the base.

Fifty years later, Benjamin was born, and by then the Niko family had constantly maintained a high level of respect and power within Miller Field. He was born into high privilege, but that didn't mean he had it easy. In fact, it was the opposite, and from a young age he had to deal with daily physical training, martial arts training, marksmanship training, and everything else a soldier needed to know. As he got older he went to Officer's School to learn how to command men, use advanced battle tactics, etc... His entire life he'd been trained to not only honor the family legacy and maintain the power they'd gained, but to help Miller Field prosper in the remains of their shitty world.

From sixteen and onward, he has been an active soldier and has lost count of how many field missions he's been on. But he has made sure to carve his name in stone with his actions and the recognition he's gained. Most recently, he led an entire fire team back safely through a massive horde of Infected with no casualties. His actions and achievements have secured him the position of Commander, one of the highest ranks you can have and still actively leave the base for missions. Due to his charisma, natural talent, and impressive record, his personal soldiers are usually the ones sent on the most important missions.

[Vlexia]

@Jugg: Big Ben! 🙌🏽 I love his backstory and the strength he brings to the Millers! The legacy he has in the military is exactly what would be needed to be so high in that type of government so it’s perfect. There’s just one thing I want to make clear for you to keep in mind:

Despite the Cherries perhaps occasionally trading some much needed items for bullets, they wouldn’t do this often or in great quantities. Since they are the ONLY ones who have such a massive amount of metal resources, they know this gives them a huge advantage against the other factions so they wouldn’t been keen on making another faction (especially one with so much military background and land) as powerful as them because it could potentially backfire. So he can have these guns you mentioned, but just know he would have needed to do something damn extraordinary to get the bullets for them (and keep getting them), and he might be the only Miller who has guns because the Cherries would NOT want an entire battalion knocking on their door one day.

@Everyone: This is also a reminder that the factions, except the Boaters, are soft Enemies to each other. Yes, they have that type of tentative peace because each section poses an exceptional threat and strength that would lead to bloodshed if they went to an all-out war (which no one except maybe the Sheets would want), so there’s a “respect” but it’s very Cold War-ish.

So while they trade with the other, they are not allies with the other. And the moment one shows weakness they run the risk of losing a bit of their land at the border or having those people dwelling there get captured. I’ll try to make this a bit more apparent in my information about the factions 😁

[Envious]

Face Claim: Gal Gadot

Full Name: Elizabeth Warren
Nickname/Alias: Lizzy

Age: 35
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 5'10
Weight: 150 lbs

Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual
Faction: Nailers

Personality: Lizzy is currently forcing herself to change her ways; once a foul-mouthed and mean spirited bully, she's now a foul-mouthed and mean spirited diplomat. She recently took an ego-crushing tumble off of her soapbox and realized that she's not the smartest person in the room. She's not even the most useful person in the room. She's actively attempting to change that. Gone are the days of lazing about, drinking, and having fun at the expense of others. Now, she's doing what she can to make herself invaluable to the Nailers as a spokesperson for trade and setting up their new farming system. She is highly motivated to continue the legacy of her family having a position of power, and has ambitions to be more than a voice at the table. She is (mostly selfishly) maneuvering her way into a position of power and is fine with using any means necessary to secure her spot.

Weaponry: edit; changing my mind on the weapon. to be added.
Skills: Diplomacy, melee combat, growing delicious food.
Connections: With her family in charge of farming operations, Lizzy has taken over as the voice for her mother when it comes to trade.

Cherries: Cherries and Nailers have had a pretty cordial relationship; Nailers need specific farming equipment and Cherries have the means to make the parts. A pitchfork against a bullet isn't much of a threat.
Boaters: Lizzy has been dealing with many Captains over the need for fish, but it's proven to be a difficult task to trade for without giving away her purpose. They currently dominate the market for fish exchange and Nailers wouldn't need them for it if Lizzy could get indoor tanks set up.

Backstory: Lizzy's grandparents had been California farmers before selling the family farm with the water shortages and moving to the big city to become Horticulturists consultants. Several months later, the apocalypse hit. They survived in isolation, largely in thanks to the fancy aquaponics system they had set up in their own home. Months dragged into years and their children became less enamored with the loneliness of safety and the Warrens decided to venture out in the new world. What they found was a juvenile attempt at farming that would never sustain the neighboring population and Lizzy's grandparents found themselves with a new role that would prove invaluable in laying down the foundation of a new civilization. They took their knowledge and helped modify the inefficient farming techniques and expand production to create a stable food source.

Lizzy's grandmother was given a seat at the governing table when some semblance of leadership finally started forming. She was in charge of agriculture. The position was next given to Lizzy's mother, Abby, who has struggled with the recent infringements into Nailers territory; the land loss is affecting production and there is a lot of pressure on Abby to find new ways to feed the people. She has appointed Lizzy to create an aquaponics facility in the heart of Nailers territory that would provide not only fresh produce, but seafood if done correctly. The task is easier said than done.

Lizzy has led a relatively easy life; she's contributed to the labor and defense of the city, but never to the extent of others. Most of her fights have been political; her family has tried to maintain their seat of power to keep a voice in the direction of the territory and it hasn't been easy. Lizzy has big plans, though. The Nailers aren't going to survive for much longer and the governing board doesn't see it - the territory is too large to defend and the farming infrastructure has been laid out so nicely that you don't need to be a Nailer to do it. If something isn't done, the territory will be overtaken and Lizzy isn't about to let that happen.

[TheBlackThrone]

Elizabeth would have an ally with Captain Ras because he has family in Nailer territory. However, he would be a distant and possibly secret ally because he is not trying to upset the neutrality he has with his business partners. He also would not be happy if she did establish fish farms and refused trade with him. Instead of punishing the Nailers, he would just get rid of her and her farms.

[Vlexia]

@Envious: A beautiful concept. Her family would definitely be both powerful, and necessary, in the Nailer territory with their farming legacy. Excellent job on focusing on the fact that she realizes they have enemies all around and something needs to be done to protect those lands. A diplomat that isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty? This world needs as many of those as it can get.

UPDATE: This is just to let you guys know where my headspace is. I am currently working on the beginning synopsis so people can either be on their own or follow a basis premise/storyline. I am very open to plot ideas so feel free to shoot me a PM 😁

Also I will be giving the Recruitment another day or so to see what else is coming. But we have some severely talented writers already present so I’m game with a smaller group if everyone else is

[Lady Sakura]

Woot!

Can I reserve willy monfret, I'm thinking he'll be in the nailers fraction too as a doctor or something in the scientist range not sure yet. I'm still figuring out his background, which I totally suck at writing. Since I started applying for PA school my days are hectic so it's a slow process. 😔

[Vlexia]

Woot!

Can I reserve willy monfret, I'm thinking he'll be in the nailers fraction too as a doctor or something in the scientist range not sure yet. I'm still figuring out his background, which I totally suck at writing. Since I started applying for PA school my days are hectic so it's a slow process. 😔

I suck at backgrounds too sometimes so I feel you....

But it can just be a simple thing. We develop our characters by writing them, not just thinking up a background

[Lady Sakura]

I suck at backgrounds too sometimes so I feel you....

But it can just be a simple thing. We develop our characters by writing them, not just thinking up a background

🤗 That is the truth!

Should definitely have him up by tomorrow. I wish I didn't have to go into work tonight. *Is excited not about work though*

@envious - Might shoot you a pm at some point, since we'll be in the same fraction, once I wrap my head around what I want to do with the Doctor. ^^

[Dashenka]

I have a question...


We can pick which 'faction' we are part of right?

What is the relationship between the player characters? I mean, are they in the same group at the start of the game? Or do we all have to find a player to team up with before and what of the interaction between other 'teams'?

This is something that I have seen a lot of group games struggle with.

[Vlexia]

I have a question...


We can pick which 'faction' we are part of right?

What is the relationship between the player characters? I mean, are they in the same group at the start of the game? Or do we all have to find a player to team up with before and what of the interaction between other 'teams'?

This is something that I have seen a lot of group games struggle with.

I will answer this with what I envisioned and then you guys can weigh in if my vision makes sense....

Yes. You the creator/writer choose which faction you would like to write in but your character should be born into the faction YOU have chosen as well as their family history. People just don’t change from Faction to Faction. Not only would that person have no support but they wouldn’t be trusted or have any resources to survive. So I would just say it wouldn’t happen EXCEPT with the Boaters. People can be a Cherry or a Nailer and then become a Boater because those people are just so Universal in their travels and are relied on by everyone. Except a Sheet. No one likes those bastards....

To the second part of your question, the major burden of that answer is on the players. Being a sandbox style, the players/writers are free to interact as they please. There are multiple places in the map where people in different factions can interact and explore at the same time on their own.

With that said I will not be completely hands off. I’m in the mental works of establishing an opening Chapter where if you desire your character can be in Great Kills and actually hard-interact with others. There will also be plot points, goals, missions, all sorts of fun shit. So if you wish to independently create your own story with someone, feel free. If you wish to follow the storyline I create, then you can do so. It’s total freedom for whatever you writers are inspired, or you can join a mission and enjoy the ride I create.

Make sense?

[Envious]

Thank you, Vlexia =]

That sounds great, TheBlackThrone.

[Dashenka]

I will answer this with what I envisioned and then you guys can weigh in if my vision makes sense....

Yes. You the creator/writer choose which faction you would like to write in but your character should be born into the faction YOU have chosen as well as their family history. People just don’t change from Faction to Faction. Not only would that person have no support but they wouldn’t be trusted or have any resources to survive. So I would just say it wouldn’t happen EXCEPT with the Boaters. People can be a Cherry or a Nailer and then become a Boater because those people are just so Universal in their travels and are relied on by everyone. Except a Sheet. No one likes those bastards....

To the second part of your question, the major burden of that answer is on the players. Being a sandbox style, the players/writers are free to interact as they please. There are multiple places in the map where people in different factions can interact and explore at the same time on their own.

With that said I will not be completely hands off. I’m in the mental works of establishing an opening Chapter where if you desire your character can be in Great Kills and actually hard-interact with others. There will also be plot points, goals, missions, all sorts of fun shit. So if you wish to independently create your own story with someone, feel free. If you wish to follow the storyline I create, then you can do so. It’s total freedom for whatever you writers are inspired, or you can join a mission and enjoy the ride I create.

Make sense?

Makes sense. Thanks :)