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Welcome to Sweet Jazz City, just one facet of a world made a little richer, more colorful, and more interesting by the presence of epithets. Everyone knows the deal, taught in elementary schools the world over: about one in every five people has a word tied to his or her soul from birth. A word from the world's vast, all-encompassing single language that just 'clicks'; a word that feels right, inspirational, and intriguing. Some go their whole lives without finding theirs, and some spend their whole lives trying to find one that doesn't exist, but those that do can develop extraordinary powers derived from their epithets' meaning, with a whole lot of practice and a hearty portion of creativity.

Such cultivation is pretty tough, though. Comparable to mastering a sport or an art, except with nobody else to go on, it's something not that many people do. And most epithets, completely random in nature, seem weak, taking a lot of effort to really pay off. So society really hasn't changed much. There's sometimes friction between those with epithets -inscribed- and those without -mundies- but people still awake, think, work, play, talk, fight, relax, and rest just about the same as one might expect. Still, now and again, extraordinary things happen even to ordinary people.

Otterholt Point is one place where the hard-working citizens of Sweet Jazz City can go to take a load off. Resting on the end of a forested peninsula just barely within official city bounds, its beachside hotel is a reasonably popular getaway for most of the year, although only really crowded in the summer. It's here that one such extraordinary event is about to unfold, bubbling up smack dab in the middle of an assortment of hapless vacationers and resort staff, opportunistic hoodlums, and nefarious assassins. A colorful cast will have to whether the storm, working together or against one another in a mad bid to sink or swim. 

[h3]About the world of Epithet Erased[/h3]

This RP's inspired by the animated series produced by Brendan Blaber and his amazing team. It's all about an assortment of quirky characters coming together in cooperation or conflict, using their powers (known as epithets) in a variety of creative ways to confront the challenges before them. However, knowledge of the show is by no means necessary to play and enjoy yourself. Think of this as a down-to-earth superpower RP, with one key difference: epithets.

[hider=More about Epithets]People are born with epithets in a completely random fashion, having nothing to do with inheritance or circumstance. Those with epithets are known as 'inscribed', and those without are 'mundies', short for 'mundane'. Due to their random nature, some people go their entire lives without realizing what theirs is. They can be any word that encapsulates a concept, from antiquated terms like 'balderdash' to the newest of slang like 'yeet'. Discovery of one's epithet -known as an epiphany- is a 6th sense sort of thing; like having a metal detector in ones brain, beeping more and more as one gets closer, one might find oneself clicking with a certain word, drawn to think about it and its synonyms. 

This does lead to false positives, and even is a person figures out how to use an epithet he or she might take a long time to figure out the word itself. For instance, it could be months or years of a dude generating horribly poisonous spit before he realizes his epithet is 'strychnine'. Epithet use can be accidental, or discovered during moments of great stress. Extremely rarely, a person might be able to access the absolute strongest use of an epithet, known as an epitome. Such circumstances are typically the result of desperate, do-or-die situations, but a very lucky, dedicated, and imaginative few can harness epitomes at will.

Once you find out you have an epithet, you can start developing it. The powerset itself relates to whatever concept the word carries for the user, and can vary wildly depending on your character's personality backstory. For someone with a free spirit or a love of planes the epithet Sky might confer flight. Someone terrified of stormy could potentially wield clouds and lightning. Someone who associates the sky with birds might be able to control and even summon them. With training and creativity, what someone's epithet means and what they can do with it can grow a lot, offering new techniques/spells. Even a weak epithet can be made strong with enough practice and imagination; it's all in how you use it. Consider some examples:

A shy girl with low self-esteem and little willpower with the epithet Dumb might have the power to silence. To start with she might just be able to nullify sound in a radius, but Dumb also means simple and low. She could 'dumb down' things like the damage done by attacks or the summons of other inscribed, making them weaker or dumbing them down to nothing. She could also temporarily drop the intelligence of unlucky targets.

A bombastic Banzai Blaster, wanting to come off as cool, might make a lot out of the otherwise-lame epithet Soup. He could hurl hot soup orbs as projectiles, but he could also jet himself around with bursts of soup steam, conjure delicious soup to heal himself and allies, and lay down thick fogs of soup vapor to move about in unseen.

An extremely well-trained savant with the epithet Drowsy can really flex what epithets can do. Of course he could make people sleepy, but he could also summon sheep, manifest others' nightmares, and even manifest his own dreams while asleep.

A few more notes: given their random nature, epithets can be both blessings and curses. All take training and creative application to excel with, but some are easier than others—you can see how 'Fiery' might be easier to cultivate than 'Grumble', for instance. All epithets take stamina to use, essentially operating on a mana pool. Some epithets actively harm those who possess them, like 'Fragile' giving someone the power to make things easier to break but also making herself break easier, thereby making her life constantly painful. Highly-developed epithets affect their holders' appearance irrevocably, though not to an extreme degree. Epithets are [i]not[/i] informed by the individual's history or personality whatsoever, but they will almost certainly inform the individual's story.[/hider]

[hider=More about Factions]
Banzai Blasters - an infamous criminal organization in Sweet Jazz that runs on a pyramid scheme. It has seven ranks, in descending order: Baron, Senpai, Valedictorian, Associate Justice, Vice Principal, Captain, and Blaster. Each has authority over the lower ranks, a portion of their dues, and higher ranks confer greater customization privileges for the organization's characteristic [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/epithet-erased/images/0/0a/Ben.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/140?cb=20191201215353]yellow uniform[/url], including capes, gloves, and whatnot. To become a Blaster one must pay 49.99 a month plus tax, but everyone gets some of the money paid in dues by people they recruit. Blasters, who make up the vast majority of the organization, are mostly harmless, committing small-time crimes, and are typically made up of the dissatisfied members of society, typically youngsters or outcasts, seeking to belong and also get back at the system. Those with brains and ability tend to move up in the organization, but infighting is encouraged for ranking up.

Bliss Ocean - a terrorist organization run by mundies, for mundies. They oppose epithets and their usage, holding that the world is better off without them. To that end they suppress and sabotage inscribed, usually the high-profile, even going as far as to eliminate ones that really stand out. They are not opposed to using inscribed to this end. The organization is highly mysterious and deals with its operators secretively.

Police - members of the police force are some of the only people permitted free reign to use their epithets in public, although there's a long certification process involved, including background and psychiatric checks. Inscribed police officers are typically both very well-paid and highly respected owing to the power they bring in service to the common welfare, and those who are skilled with their epithets from a young age are typically channeled toward a police academy. Because of the number and strength of inscribed police officers versus the typically poorly-trained and weaker inscribed criminals, inscribed crime remains much lower than one might think.
[/hider]

[h3]Expectations[/h3]

For this RP, there would be some expectations concerning participation. I would ask that players not apply at all if they don't intend to stick with it for the long haul. If you decides after joining that you can't or don't want to continue, I would appreciate notification rather than just disappearance. It's just common courtesy not to get people's hopes up or leave them hanging. There wouldn't be any posting requirement, but I plan to update at least once a week, and it will be using my Reaction Prompt system. If a character is put in a situation necessitating a response, especially in terms of combat, and you don't post one or get a continuation, the results will play out as if your character just didn't do anything, which can range from other characters just thinking yours is weird to getting a free hit from an attacker.

I also ask my players to be straightforward in their dealings. If you have any questions, concerns, or grievances, please bring them up. I'm open to feedback and requests, and do my best to support my players.

[h3]Character Sheet[/h3]

Imaginative character designs, both appearance and personality wise, are encouraged. Basically anything goes, in a sort of anime-ish way. Colorful hair, uniquely-shaped irises, sharp teeth, you name it. You'll be able to adopt any sort of role in the setting, with whatever motivation, which can put you in conflict with other player characters. You could be a mostly-harmless Banzai Blaster mook, out with the buds on a weekend vacation but ready to suit up and start looting once the crap hits the fan. You could be a headhunter from Bliss Ocean trying to take down a prominent Epithet user visiting the resort, a bodyguard for that inscribed, a police officer just trying to keep people safe, or hey, just a kid in the wrong place at the wrong time doing your best to stay out of the crossfire.

In the spirit of the show, and of using creativity to make the most of the hand dealt to you, applicants will be given a selection of up to five randomly-generated words to choose from for your epithet. Just ask and I'll kit you out. If you're just miserable with your selection, I have a limited backup solution you can inquire about. Of course, this thread's also the perfect place to bounce ideas around!

[hider=Sheet Template]
[b]Name:[/b] 

[b]Age:[/b]

[b]Appearance:[/b] (Image, description, or both. If you use an image, it always helps to add extra details a single snapshot doesn't encapsulate)

[b]Personality:[/b] (The dazzling array of traits, quirks, affinities, and so forth that make your character unique. Make someone compelling, someone that you'd like to play and will have fun doing so)

[b]Background:[/b] (Your character's history. Doesn't have to be exhaustive, but be sure to touch on formative events)

[b]Motivation:[/b] (Why your character is at the scenario event. This will be what drives your character forward through it)

[b]Assets:[/b] (Where your character shines, in terms of physical ability, skills, and personality traits)

[b]Flaws:[/b] (Where your character falls short, in terms of physical ability, skills, and personality traits. You must have at least as many as you have Assets)

[b]Epithet:[/b] (If applicable)
[list][*](A list of capabilities conferred by your character's epithet. The first will probably be its 'base use', the first and most fundamental application of the epithet stemming from your character's original conception of it, but other spells/techniques, including special tricks and even secret/ultimate moves, can follow. Feel free to name them! Not every character will be highly capable with his or her epithet, but those who are often expand to other meanings of the word.[/list][/hider]

[hider=Example Sheet 1][b]Name:[/b] Noelle Merveille
[b]Age:[/b] 36

[b]Appearance:[/b] [center][img]https://safebooru.org//images/2858/02404c42a4aa34084dda3c6d8ad6812f6cf90998.jpg?2977307[/img]
Standing at five-foot-six and weighing an amount she doesn't particularly want anyone to know about, Noelle is a mostly-ordinary, fairly-attractive woman. Her long, somewhat spiky hair is a rich ruddy brown that shines red in good light, and behind a pair of black-rimmed rectangular glasses are a pair of big blue eyes. She favors simple and elegant clothing of the kind that doesn't hug her too tightly, and simple golden loops for jewelry. Most of the time she can be found wearing a pleasant smile, too.[/center]

[b]Personality:[/b] Sunny as the day is long, Noelle is the very picture of cheer and warmth. Thoughtful and compassionate, she's got enough love in her heart for just about everyone around her, and while not the most outgoing is always happy to make life better for other people. She enjoys cooking and is a big eater herself. That said, the pleasant glow of her spirit radiates from a brilliant fire, and she's not at all a pushover. Highly competitive, somewhat short-tempered, fairly pragmatic, and more than a little proud, she's a force to be reckoned with when push comes to shove. She makes no bones about wanting others to be the best they can be and to treat their fellow men with the same consideration she typically dons, and thusly can sometimes be strict, nagging, and irritating. Overall, however, she's a sweet woman who's at her happiest bringing happiness to others.

[b]Background:[/b] From an early age Noelle's big heart made her stand out among others. Sweet and kind, but with a fiery competitive streak, she grew up with a lot of friends and more than a few rivals. During high school and college she was at her sporting peak, and it was in her freshman year that she discovered her epithet in a stroke of luck. After her epiphany Noelle's passion only continued to burn brighter, propelling her beyond state competitions to regional and even national events, especially the dedicated inscribed league. Her energy and spirit carried her on despite any losses or setbacks, up until the point at which a terrible accident brought her blooming tennis career to a screeching halt. Forced to rest, heal, and take things slowly, she softened up, especially after graduating and marrying her long-time boyfriend Heath Pieler.

Ultimately, Noelle forsook the world of sports and became a teacher instead, while Heath became a television salesman. She worked with children up until the point she and Heath had their own: a boy and a girl they named Chester and Lucy. Chester ended up taking after his father in his love of acting and performing, and when his son was ten Heath managed to convince his agency to recommend Chester for a part as a child actor in an upcoming hero movie with epithets -a subject seldom addressed in cinema- as a major plot point. Chester got the part, and Noelle supported him every step of the way before and during filming. When the filming finally wrapped up the lead actor, the famous Lydia Forthing, celebrated by sending most of the crew on an all-expenses-paid vacation to Otterholt Point.

[b]Motivation:[/b] Noelle's motivation is simply to enjoy a vacation with her family, and failing that, at least ensure that no harm comes to them

[b]Assets:[/b] 
[list][*]Big Heart – Noelle's nature makes her easy to get along with and difficult for others to think poorly of her. She can make friends, avoid suspicion, and calm conflicts fairly easily. In times of trouble, she can often count on the support of those around her.
[*]Sudden Fire – Being nice doesn't mean being a wimp. Noelle can be strict and forceful if necessary, and is both willing to and pretty good at exerting herself physically, thanks to her time spent training both her body and her epithet.
[*]Smart Cookie – While she might not flaunt it, Noelle is no slouch in the brains department. She's got a lot of common sense, a good deal of practical knowledge, and a fair amount of intuition when it comes to other people, especially kids.[/list]

[b]Flaws:[/b]
[list][*]No Great Shakes – while she has undeniable physical ability and can fight well enough when necessary, Noelle is not a trained fighter and never groomed her epithet for combat. As such, she relies on what power she has in desperate situations and can be outclassed by anyone with real training.
[*]Achilles Knee – even now, roughly a decade and a half after her sporting heyday got cut off thanks to an injury, her knee remains a weak spot. She favors it ever-so-slightly but still-perceptibly when moving, and if this weak spot is taken advantage of, she's more or less down for the count.
[*]Soft – Noelle's sporting days are long behind her, and while she exercises a few times a week, she's nowhere near as fit as she once was. Plus, she did have two kids. Add to that her inexperience with real combat and she both burns through her stamina pretty quickly and can't really adapt on the fly.
[*]Specs – without her glasses, she can't see very well.[/list]

[b]Epithet:[/b] Train
[list][*]Locomotion – a charging move Noelle can use to launch forward, faster and stronger than normal. Charging depletes stamina constantly, is difficult to control, and while charging it's very difficult to turn.
[*]All Aboard – while in use, Noelle can use Locomotion to move without any extra strain or penalty to speed or power while carrying someone, or even multiple people. However, this status also increases stamina consumption.
[*]Steam Engine – by eating flammable material, Noelle can heat up, increasing her speed and power and giving her attacks fire damage. Such food also restores stamina, though the less-edible stuff tends to give the most. Noelle can heat up a great deal this way, making her a lot more capable, but like eating lots of spicy food it gets more painful and difficult to bear the hotter she gets. At higher levels, her skin turns red and emits steam, and her hair becomes fiery.
[*]Steam Whistle – Noelle's whistle when tapping into her epithet sounds like a train whistle, and is much louder and more piercing than normal. It's even louder and stronger if she's got steam, and whistling when steamed up cools her down in the process.[/list][/hider]

[hider=Otterholt Point]
A popular hotel resort by the sea. Can be counted on to draw visitors from near and far. Features two hotel buildings, three restaurants (the largest being a buffet open for all three meals and the other two being dinner-focused), an outdoor pool, a gym, a handful of bars, a bow range, a tennis court, a basketball court, and more.
[center][img]https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5628ee3ee4b056cf2182763d/1554736754889-98WXNOKQQTYQQ34Y5Q52/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kEkcfStErpXmCx0-DnRuW8AUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8N_N4V1vUb5AoIIIbLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKctce43af_Ii_G_ccbNoubK6t0KhRA-nH6Sb-u3Nuh5pD-wlF4F2Q-hnjhcq0Zl2sw/disneyland-hotel-disneyland.jpg[/img][/center][/hider]

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