[quote=@Half Pint] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w]Hey all![/url] I'm glad to see how everything has been progressing here, I've not had as much time as I'd have liked to keep up with reading the RP, but from what I've read I love the story that's been happening! I would like to reapply to the roleplay with my idea for a character below. If any of this doesn't work or clashes with anything anyone's doing I'd be more than happy to retool this in some way, it's a bit of a high concept but one I imagined up the other day and couldn't get out of my head. If it's alright with the GM team I'd also like to step down from being the GM and just be a regular player. I'd be happy to help in any way I can if you'd like me to, but I feel like you both have taken this and ran with it far better than I ever could have, it wouldn't feel right to come back after all this time and try and steer things. I contacted the site admin to see if they could remove the GM status/banner from me and hand it over to one of you, but unfortunately they said this can't be done. Lastly, if it's alright I'd like to effectively cancel my previous active characters in favour of focusing on the Octopus while I have my current schedule. I believe I have the time to get a post up every week or 2 weeks with my current life schedule, and would love to collab at some point, but I worry about slowing anyone down so I think starting a fresh origin story would give me time to stretch and get involved in the world in a capacity that wouldn't keep anyone else from posting. I'm happy for anyone to use my characters as characterized or completely wipe the slate clean if anyone would like to use them. I'm glad to (hopefully, pending approval!) be back and writing with all of you. My life was a bit crazy for a time there, and still is to some degree, but everytime I checked the site and saw this still up and running made me smile. Without further ado, here's my app below! I've already written up a post and am in the process of writing up a second. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just in love with the concept and could write this character and keep the story going before I let anyone down again. [@Cyrania][@King Kindred] [HIDER=Octopus] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://comicvine.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/1/15776/6219635-superior%20octopus%203.png[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] O C T O P U S[/color] [color=#00FF00]O C T O P U S[/color][/center] [/b][/h1][/sup] [color=00FF00][sup][i]"Good news: I've run the numbers. Bad news: you're losing."[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER][table][row][/row][row][cell][center][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T[/color] [color=00FF00]C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T[/color] [/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup][img]https://scontent-man2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/467436978_18471980116045535_2750862043438701922_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ig_cache_key=MzE4NjA1NDY3Mzc0ODc1MTg2Mg%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InhwaWRzLjE0NDB4MTgwMC5zZHIuQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=-4tievg_wPcQ7kNvwEuS7M7&_nc_oc=AdkEYCgmhlkq74-Ea9jsqzgX5MtZZSkjc5d3NdXklE1Ighr0TWWJuZAhtF-iVWZ3bJ8&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=SQOm6DEApABZoInL-9kQcw&_nc_ss=8&oh=00_Afw3TtnMQtoOU00hQpEZj5vLHopd8BCKxQi3De6NPDjRIQ&oe=69B20005[/img] [sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y[/color] [color=00FF00]C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup] [sub][COLOR=#00A000]Otto Octavius[/COLOR] [sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup] [COLOR=#00A000]21[/COLOR] [b]|[/b] [COLOR=#00A000]Single[/COLOR] [sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup] [COLOR=#00A000]N/A[/COLOR] [b]|[/b] [COLOR=#00A000]American[/COLOR][/sub][/center] [indent][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] N O T A B L E A B I L I T I E S & T O O L S[/color] [color=00FF00]N O T A B L E A B I L I T I E S & T O O L S[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][/INDENT][sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup] [INDENT][hider=][color=#2e2c2c]-[/color] [indent][sub][b][color=00FF00] A B I L I T I E S[/color][/b][/sub] [sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Octopus Physiology[/b][/color] Due to the splicing of his genes with the numerous different species of Octopus that made up the mechanical tentacle experiment, Otto has taken on genetic traits that empower him in numerous Octopus related ways: -Chromatophore Camoflague -Suction Grip -Enhanced Neural Processing -Flexible Musculature -Enhanced Strength -Accelerated Healing -Enhanced Reflexes -Low-Light Vision -'Octo-Sense'[/color] [/sup] [color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/indent] [indent][sub][b][color=00FF00] T O O L (S)[/color][/b][/sub] [sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Mechanical Tentacle Arms[/b][/color] A neural-linked harness with four powerful articulated arms used for mobility, combat, and manipulation of objects.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Octocamo Suit[/b][/color] A reactive polymer suit that amplifies Otto's natural camouflage abilities and stabilizes his altered physiology.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Utility Harness[/b][/color] A small belt system carrying hydration capsules, toxin vials, and tools.[/color][/sup] [color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/indent][/hider][/INDENT][indent][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] N O T A B L E S K I L L S & T A L E N T S[/color] [color=00FF00]N O T A B L E S K I L L S & T A L E N T S[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][/INDENT][sup]_________________________________________________________[/sup] [INDENT][hider=][color=#2e2c2c]-[/color] [indent][sub][b][color=00FF00] S K I L L (S)[/color][/b][/sub] [sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Advanced Robotics & Mechanical Engineering[/b][/color] Otto is a highly accomplished engineer specializing in robotics, cybernetics, and complex mechanical systems. He is capable of designing, constructing, and maintaining advanced machinery, including multi-jointed mechanical limbs and neural-linked devices. His knowledge allows him to rapidly repair or modify technology in the field.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Applied Physics, Mathematics & Systems Design[/b][/color] With extensive academic training, Otto possesses deep knowledge of physics, mathematics, and computational systems. He can quickly calculate trajectory, force, structural stress, and mechanical efficiency, allowing him to analyze both engineering problems and combat situations with scientific precision.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Neural Interface Programming[/b][/color] Otto is skilled in developing technology that connects directly with the human nervous system. This expertise allows him to create machines that respond to thought and reflex, enabling seamless control of advanced equipment like his mechanical tentacles.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Tactical Problem Solving[/b][/color] Otto approaches dangerous situations analytically, instinctively breaking down variables such as positioning, timing, and environmental factors to develop effective strategies in high-pressure scenarios.[/color][/sup] [color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/indent] [indent][sub][b][color=00FF00] T A L E N T (S)[/color][/b][/sub] [sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Genius-Level Intellect[/b][/color] Otto possesses extraordinary natural intelligence. Complex scientific principles and mechanical systems come to him intuitively, allowing him to innovate and solve problems beyond typical academic capability.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Multitasking Cognition[/b][/color] His mind naturally processes multiple streams of information at once, enabling him to coordinate several mechanical limbs simultaneously while thinking and reacting to his surroundings.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Spatial Awareness[/b][/color] Otto has a strong innate sense of distance, positioning, and movement in space, helping him maneuver effectively with multiple limbs in complex environments.[/color] [COLOR=#00A000][color=00FF00][b]◼ Relentless Focus[/b][/color] Once Otto commits to solving a problem or achieving a goal, he demonstrates intense concentration and persistence, often working tirelessly until a solution is reached.[/color][/sup] [color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/indent][/hider][/INDENT][/cell][cell][INDENT][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] T H E S T O R Y S O F A R...[/color] [color=00FF00]T H E S T O R Y S O F A R...[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][/INDENT][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup] [COLOR=#00A000][indent] Otto was born in New York to Torbert and Mary Octavius. His early life was fraught with stress due to the abusive household he lived in. His father, a construction worker, was a short tempered man and regulary verbally and emotionally abused his mother - something which greatly affected Otto in his younger life, turning him from a happy and curious child into a shy and withdrawn kid. He struggled to fit in at school, often being too frightened to socialize and fearful to show any of his natural intellectual prowess. Torbert Octavius believed intelligence was pointless if it did not lead to 'real work' and made no effort to hide his disappointment in a son who preferred books and science kits to sports or manual labor. He often told Otto that real men worked with their hands, building things with sweat rather than 'wasting time thinking.' The message was constant and clear: whatever Otto was becoming was not the kind of man his father respected. If not for his mother, things might have turned out very differently. Mary Octavius was gentle where her husband was harsh, and she quietly encouraged Otto's curiosity whenever she could. When Torbert mocked Otto's experiments or tore apart the makeshift machines he assembled in the basement, Mary would help him rebuild them. When his teachers sent letters home praising his intelligence, she was the one who celebrated them. In a house filled with tension and fear, she became the one place where Otto could feel safe being himself. Still, the damage of his upbringing left its mark. Otto grew up withdrawn, uncomfortable around other children, and hesitant to speak in class even when he knew the answers. His intelligence isolated him further. Teachers quickly realized he was several grades ahead intellectually, but socially he lagged far behind his peers. For a long time, he drifted through school with few friends and little confidence. That changed the day he met Peter Parker. Peter was one of the only kids who seemed to understand what it was like to feel like an outsider. While he was chatty, funny and charismatic - he was also relentlessly curious about the world around him, and shared Otto's love of science. Where others saw Otto as strange or intimidatingly smart, Peter saw someone fascinating. Their friendship began over a shared interest in science and comic books and quickly grew into something far deeper. For Otto, Peter was the first person his age who genuinely valued his intellect rather than resenting it - and the first person that could match his smarts. They spent countless afternoons together working on science projects, building crude experiments, and talking about the future. While other kids played sports or chased popularity, Peter and Otto talked about changing the world through discovery. Their friendship helped Otto come out of his shell, and slowly the shy boy began to find confidence in who he was. As they grew older, their circle expanded. Mary Jane Watson entered their lives next, a vibrant and fearless personality who balanced out Peter and Otto’s quieter natures. She had an uncanny ability to draw people out of their shells, and even Otto, who initially found her overwhelming, came to appreciate her honesty and warmth. Not long after, they befriended Harry Osborn. Harry's life could not have seemed more different from Otto's. The son of Norman Osborn, one of the wealthiest and most influential men in New York, Harry grew up surrounded by privilege. Yet in many ways he understood Otto better than most people realized. His father's impossible expectations created pressures of their own, and Harry often felt like he could never quite live up to the Osborn name. Despite their different backgrounds, the four of them formed a close-knit group and through high school and into college they remained inseparable. Otto's academic talents only became more apparent as the years passed. By the time he reached university, he was already recognized as one of the most promising young minds in his field. He pursued studies in mechanical engineering and bioengineering, fascinated by the intersection between technology and biology. His ultimate goal was ambitious even by his own standards: to create advanced prosthetics capable of restoring mobility and independence to people who had lost limbs. His ideas were revolutionary, but they were also expensive. Unlike many of his peers, Otto did not have access to endless funding or prestigious laboratories. While Harry could rely on the resources of Oscorp and Peter managed through scholarships and part-time work, Otto often found himself scraping together whatever equipment he could afford. Much of his research took place in cramped labs or improvised workspaces, built piece by piece with salvaged parts and borrowed tools. Over time his work evolved into something far more ambitious than prosthetics alone. Inspired by the adaptability of cephalopods, particularly octopuses, Otto began experimenting with the idea of integrating biological traits with mechanical systems. Octopuses possessed remarkable abilities: camouflage, extreme flexibility, decentralized nervous systems capable of controlling multiple limbs simultaneously. To Otto, they represented a blueprint for the future of human-machine interaction. If those traits could be replicated, or even partially integrated into the human nervous system, it could revolutionize prosthetics forever. His invention grew from this idea, the mechanical tentacles he'd hoped would change the world. Designed as an advanced prosthetic harness, the arms were capable of delicate manipulation and immense strength. Otto built them himself over the course of months, painstakingly programming their movement systems and creating a neural interface that would allow them to respond directly to brain signals. But even as impressive as they were, the arms were only half the equation. Otto believed that true synchronization required more than technology, it required biology merging with machine. Against better judgment and without formal approval, he began experimenting with genetic integration using several octopus genomes. The theory was radical: by introducing certain cephalopod genetic traits into his own body, he could enhance his nervous system enough to properly control the mechanical arms while gaining some of the biological advantages those creatures possessed. It was perhaps the most dangerous thing he'd ever done, but it worked. Just not the way he'd expected. The night of the experiment was chaotic. Equipment malfunctioned and the gene therapy interacted with his nervous system in unpredictable ways. The neural interface meant for the tentacles connected directly to his altered physiology, amplifying the effects of the mutation. For days afterward he was violently ill, feverish, and delirious. He barely understood what was happening to him. His body burned as if fighting off an infection, his senses overloaded by strange new stimuli. Slowly, the symptoms subsided and he felt himself going back to normal. And that was when the changes began. His reflexes sharpened. His coordination improved dramatically. His mind seemed capable of processing multiple streams of information simultaneously. When he finally reconnected himself to the mechanical arms, they moved with a fluidity that bordered on instinct. The experiment had changed him. Made him more than human. But Otto kept the truth largely to himself. He was no hero, not in the traditional sense anyway. People like him weren't beloved crime fighters. Only a few months have passed since that night. In that short time, his life and the lives of his friend group have been shaken by tragedy. Peter Parker's Uncle Ben, a man who had always treated Otto like family, was killed in a senseless act of violence. To Otto, Ben Parker had represented everything his own father never had been: patient, kind, and endlessly supportive. Losing him felt like losing the closest thing he had ever known to a real father. The loss changed Peter and it changed Otto too. For the first time, Otto realized that intelligence and invention alone were not enough to change the world. Sometimes the world needed someone willing to step in and protect it. With great power, comes great responsibility. And it's time for the [color=#00FF00]Octopus[/color] to demonstrate how responsible he really can be. [/indent][/COLOR] [INDENT][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )[/color] [color=00FF00]P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][/INDENT][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup] [COLOR=#00A000][INDENT]I genuinely woke up one morning with this idea almost fully formed in my head - and despite my efforts to refocus myself I can't help but write this. I've been writing bits and pieces of this privately, and thought there was no better group to share this with and write alongside than my old friends in Worlds Collide. I've also been massively inspired by discovering the books of Philip K. Dick which has spurred my love for writing again and changed the way I approach fiction. The main plot will focus around Otto stepping into the shoes of a hero and juggling his home life and secret identity alongside this. Your classic Spider-man story with a few inversions and twists. Namely, while I may use some classic villains I aim to create a new rogues gallery based on Marine life to mirror that of the Sinister Six. I also want to explore Otto's friendship with the non-powered Peter Parker, and his story dealing with the grief following the death of Uncle Ben - only this time Peter doesn't have the Spider-Man costume to jump into and process this with. Otto will also deal with problems of his own, his parents are still very much alive and his abusive father is still a part of his life. I aim to juggle grounded topics like this alongside the more out there themes of my favourite Spidey stories. I am extremely open to collaboration, and would love to work on anything and everything with anyone interested as soon as possible. I'm remiss that I didn't get a lot of chance to do this previously, and I think Otto would be an interesting addition to the group of heroes currently in the roleplay.[/INDENT][/COLOR][/cell][/row][/table][hr][/COLOR][/INDENT][/hider][hr][center][sup][color=#00A000][i]All formatting originates via the work of[/i] [color=248ffd][i]Lord Wraith[/i][/color][/color][/sup][/center] [/quote] Welcome back! It's great to have you back and I'm looking forward to seeing what you and Octopus bring back to the story. And dang, even without Peter gaining powers Uncle Ben still gets Uncle Ben'd. I also hope that one day you're able to come back as Steel because I really love what you were doing with him and I wouldn’t be able to do him justice like you.