[hider=CREDITS]NOTE: This RP is a relaunch of an RP run by RisingRobin, so will use some of the framework that he has built, including the initial setup of the world. This work will therefore be a production that is original, produced independently but based upon much of the same content that he made, so existing characters can be directly ported! Lots of the sheets / formatting is owed to him, but the content from here will be produced on a new basis! https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/197146-dispatch-welcome-to-sdn/ic[/hider] [img]https://image.api.playstation.com/vulcan/ap/rnd/202508/0621/a316285a09eceee300a8f0cb007599cf20aa6404a105a05a.jpg[/img] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]Welcome to Dispatch![/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] Here to save the world? Well, the subscribers are the only ones that pay for you to save their world. So let's focus on that first, yeah? But like they say, you make sure SDN are their rock, so they can rock, right? And maybe, just maybe, you'll find your way out of a suburban city where nothing happens to DTLA, up in the top of the game, where the biggest heroes are in the world? For now, best we do an workplace induction. We'll cover the city, and go over your job application. [hider=Claremont, Los Angeles, California] [color=gold][center][h1][i][b]Claremont, California[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color] [img]https://imagescdn.homes.com/i2/XMDCkxRRD4KGXDj1MyZr4ByfERaDD_AEk4G6vVB5EoM/102/claremont-ca-2.jpg?p=1[/img] The city of Claremont is a quiet suburb, mostly with academia, the "Claremont Colleges", lots of trees, indie bars, and not much going on. This is as quaint as American subrubia gets, and you're here because you're starting out, retiring, or really, really weren't up to scratch in the hustle of central Los Angeles. The branch covers Ontario, and Rancho Coronado, so the distances are big to scale for the lack of action, meaning our heroes, already stretched, have a lot of ground to cover. But not that there is much to respond to. This is remarkably, not as hot a posting as Compton, Long Beach, Torrence. Or compared to any other city on the East Coast. But, did you think you'd get off easy posting here? Drunk frat boys, the gangbangers who are trying to gentrify "The City of Trees and PhDs", and there's always other branches which might need your hero's.....specialist capabilities. Don't be surprised if you get the phone call to DTLA too. There's plenty going on in that big city, and beyond the leafy city, and you're certainly going to be on that frontline. [/hider] [hr] [hider=Job Listings] [center][h2][color=crimson][b][u]Hero[/u][/b][/color][/h2][/center] Bold, brave and always fighting to protect those who cannot protect themselves, you are always willing to take charge and throw yourself head first into danger… however life-threatening it may be. Are you a first time hero looking to make your mark? Maybe you've been active for awhile and are looking for a change? You may even be one of those hopefuls who think you can run with DTLA. If this applies to you, then Claremont is the place to be. We have open tryouts regularly and unlike SOME SDN branches, we’re willing to look past your powers and see what use you can do regardless. We believe even un-powered civilians can make a difference! Looking at you, Mecha-Man! (Disclaimer: SDN Claremont does NOT encourage non-powered civilians to apply without SIGNIFICANT assistance). [center][h2][color=crimson][b][u]Phoenix Program[/u][/b][/color][/h2][/center] The Phoenix Program offers a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, 401K matching, and most importantly an honest, consistent paycheck. For those of you joining us from the “other side” of the law, you’ll find a place in the Phoenix Program. Due to a decline in employment for heroes since the Brave Brigade incident, you’re being brought in to fill the gaps in our lineup. Not only will you get a chance to actually do some good with your lives, but if you do well… we may look into commuting your sentences. Be aware that if you have criminal history, you'll be required to submit to annual screenings and drug tests to ensure you aren't backsliding. We've learned a lot since Torrance's issues with the bat guy... [center][h2][color=crimson][b][u]Office Staff[/u][/b][/color][/h2][/center] Lastly, we have our core team of office workers, managers, sales reps, R&D, and - of course - our dispatchers. These are the people who form the backbone of SDN and ensure the office runs smoothly throughout the workday. From simple tasks like keeping the office clean to providing crucial field support for the heroes; it’s these folks who are the REAL heroes. Just like in Downtown, much of our staff is made of former heroes themselves! They just never quite hit the big time (Or made it at all). Nevertheless, get to know these folks. They’ll be there when no one else is! [/hider] [hr] [hider=Job Application aka Character Sheets] (IMAGE HERE!) [color=39b54a][center][i]"Character quote here. Show us some personality!"[/i][/center][/color] [color=39b54a]Age:[/color] Pretty self-explanatory. Age in the real world. [color=39b54a]Appearance:[/color] At least a paragraph or so (if possible), and mention any information not visible in the above picture. [color=39b54a]Role at SDN:[/color] What does your character do at SDN? Hero? Dispatcher? Phoenix Program? [color=39b54a]Background:[/color] Let’s learn about your character. Ideally, over 3-4 paragraphs. [hider=Hero/Villain (if applicable)] [color=39b54a]Appearance:[/color] Same as up top. Mention any information not visible in the above picture. [color=39b54a]Powers:[/color] How is your character defending himself/herself? Are you a physical fighter or more of a ranged attacker? [color=39b54a]Crimes (If Villain):[/color] What did your character do before joining the Phoenix Program? Do you want to reform? Or is this an easy payday? [/hider] [color=39b54a]Likes:[/color] List some things your character likes - - - [color=39b54a]Dislikes:[/color] List some things your character dislikes - - - [color=39b54a]Quirks:[/color] Add some details that make your character unique! Can be an odd habit or just some information not revealed in the image or the backstory! - - - [color=39b54a]Stat Specialisations:[/color] [[STAT ALLOCATION (13 Total Points): All heroes / Phoenix Programme personnel start with a base of 1 in all 5 stats. You have 8 additional points to spend, with a maximum of 4 in any stats at the start: Combat: Fighting, Weapon Mastery, Pure Power Vigor: Endurance, Pain Tolerance, Strength Mobility: Stealth, Evasion, Speed Charisma: Negotiation, Deception Intellect: Hacking, Analysis]] Combat: Vigor: Mobility: Charisma: Intellect: [/hider] [hr] [hider=Workplace 101 (How the RP Works)] This RP will rely upon one of my characters acting as a "Dispatcher". This will rely on a loosely "Storyteller" based system, where your character's traits will be matched against a luck-based system to see how you complete tasks. This means your reactions will be to dispatched jobs, and whether they went well, or not. You might not be dispatched to the right job, but based on my experience of running other RPs such as Delta Hyper, this means no result is always the same, and you'll always have a fun reaction! That said, beyond this, the RP is also qualitative in most other ways, with a rough "arc" of a plot. So if you're not a dice or systems person, don't worry- you'll still have plenty of room to work / play around here! There'll be a broad pivot that you'll play an "Afternoon" shift at SDN- split into two, with performance across the two used to inform how I as the GM react to you. You'll also have time outside of work, and the more you give, the more we'll all have fun. Plus, The Cowl Inn serves a mean Meanie IPA and is where you'll have the time to stretch your legs off shift. [/hider] [hr] [hider=RULES] (Ruleset courtesy of Rhona W) While this RP doesn't take itself seriously, we're gonna need a little here to make sure we're all on the same page. We do this, we all get to have wacky, fun characters and go for a thrill ride. If not, it sucks for everyone. Courtesy of SilverwindBlade's common rule set, please follow the following: This is a modern to near-future setting. However, this ISN’T, and a setting hard and fast rule I have- a universe where everything else runs riot. Post length is expected to be Casual to Advanced- no one or two line posts, please. This means at minimum two paragraphs in a post- four or so being optimum to really flesh out your character's response and furthering of the plot. I don't prescribe a top end limit, but use your imagination on how much you can write in a single segment- if it's longer, feel free to write longer! I usually do, you do not have to! Follow Wheaton's Law at all times. Don't be a dick- GM is God, and while this RP is very fast and loose, if you're asked to bring something into line, expect there might be good reason for it. This RP will have adult themes, and romance is a part of that if you want it to be- however, nothing that the Gods of RPG wouldn't want on the public side when smut is concerned. If you want to go beyond, that shit goes off this RP into 1x1 if it is 18+ in any manner. Before that though, be my guest. Equally, I have no bloody problem with a bit of fucking swearing, you bunch of cunts, but don't take it to excess, all right, fuckers? A sense of humour is not optional. Please be good-natured and good-humoured to one another in the OOC. Minimum post of one per week, per person. If you can't post, please mention in the OOC or drop me a PM. If it's unexpected - i.e. family emergency, your internet goes out, etc - then just let me know when you come back, and I'll catch you up. These things happen. It is not my job to chase you to post! If you're interested enough to be here in the first place, then it's up to you to post. If you're 'too lazy' to keep up, then I'm too lazy to chase your arse to get you to do it. It's a matter of manners and etiquette. Don't talk down to people. I don't care how much knowledge of real-world systems of geography you might have, or how much of an encyclopedia on legs you are about such things. If you're trying to be a smartarse because you've found a 'loophole', then you're not playing in the spirit of things, and you should probably leave. That's even with an admittedly loose playbook. Be kind, and the sort of person you would want to write with if you get something wrong, because nobody is perfect. If I don't know about it, then it doesn't exist. You may have this amazing secret plot worked out for your character - but if you don't tell me about it, then it ain't happening. Because I've already got a storyline worked out, and if it doesn't fit, then it's not going in. Same with technology and whatever you 'think' it should be like- I am open to ideas, but tell me if you think it's something that makes you say "That might be too far out there". Please respect the setting and keep it in mind- there's plenty of ridiculous and cool shit on offer, so play with that here- keep the other material to other RPs. What you give, is what you get. Put in a lot into this RP, work with me in the lore, and I will make this pay off. Engage, play fair, and get to banter with your party-mates, because a great party relies on good vibes, and is for everyone, but to do that, you need to be real, be honest, not judge, and give yourself into the idea. This means if you really want to run riot, run riot and I'll basically give you the keys to do that, in that environment, with the detail you have. Within the line of the story, you have freedom to execute, react, interact, and play into the game how you want best, and I will always react to it, forcing you to change plans, and adapt. I'm investing a lot into this RP- I expect the same from players and while life gets in the way, I expect that if you're finding it hard to be interested, I prefer honesty over quiet, I really prefer being told if I'm doing something wrong than losing / tapering interest. Engagement for me is key because I will give it back for you! That said, if you fob off the GM and other players, you will not enjoy it. If you repeatedly, refuse to engage, and want to do your own thing- go write your own thing. My RPs are self selecting, and I have a no assholes rule for that reason- I'm happy to listen to your ideas but also, don't be offended when I balance the RP for other players who also have theirs too. If you harm the fun of other players, I will also ask you to leave. GM's word is final. I appreciate people wanting to help, but final approval for plot, lore, and characters comes from me. Though, by all means, please feel free to make suggestions and help others with ideas and information where possible, and point out if something isn't there or working when it should be, because that helps us all. Lastly, and most critically- AI is fine for use in posts, but [b]DO NOT[/b] post anything AI-generated that has not been flagged / marked up as such. This RP is meant to be a creative endeavour- and I don't want to see something put to generative AI tool if you can’t be bothered to write, as this hollows my reaction as a GM and will ruin yours, and other player experiences unless you make that clear that it was used in an assistive or responsible manner. Do not use generative AI text in creating your character, or writing without significant personalisation, modification and/or flagging where used. Use it for inspiration, lift stuff from it to help you describe something, use images (and tell me if so), but if it is found without reference, you will breach this rule. If this isn’t a rule you like, you can use AI to build you this RP in any generative tool, with all the detail copied into it, and you are welcome to play with it in your own time. Don’t make me, or other people who enjoy originally produced content read what you produce if it isn't your own. [/hider]