Our star has grown cold and dark. What little light and warmth remains is supplemented by the Ancestors machines. Somewhere out in the Upper Dark the machines augment what small light it can conjur from our once yellow star. The End will come soon. Perhaps not in our lifetime, but soon. It has been two thousand years since the End was predicted and man looked to the stars. Scouts were sent to the corners of the galaxy, and the limit of mans technological ability. We found only disaster-we found the Enemy. They turned us back to earth and here we have remained. So began our retreat into the inner crust of the Earth.
Mankind now dwells in subterranean cities and structures collectively called The Pillars. These are massive structures burrowed into the earth with thousands of floors. They are all roughly cylindrical in shape with a tangled spiderweb of connecting tunnels, railways and service lines. Energy is supplied by Pre-Descent Engines of unknown origin. They appear to require no source of fuel to maintain power. Engines that have run for millenia have been known to suddenly cease functioning. Salvaged Engines from abandoned Pillars can be coaxed back to life. Engineers specialize in learning about Pre-Descent technology like the Pillar Engines.The Pillars are scattered across the globe, relics of ancient government projects designed to save their citizens from the environmental effects of the darkening star-and our current home. Some are filled with societies-living and dying every day. Trade routes have been established, new farming techniques discovered. Alliances are formed and broken. War erupts.
Some of The Pillars are tombs for our Ancestors.Perhaps the Enemies weapons found them before they could seal the gates, or some sickness carried them to oblivion in the quiet darkness. Some say we should search these ruins for supplies, science or information. Others say we should seal them off and wait in solitiude until our star goes black.
The dying Sun has changed the realm of science and nature. Or maybe it was the weapons used by the Enemy- A certain percentage of the population finds themselves with the ability to manipulate energies. Telekinesis and telepathy are the most common. Simple thermodynamic manipulation is prevalent as well-. Others have increased speed, strength and intelligence. These individuals hold places of power in the societies beneath the mantle. They lead factions and governmental projects. They are the military officers and research specialists. They are the new nobility and social elite of the Pillars' society.
In Our Dark Star you play a member of the ruling council of Pillar Dakhen, once one of the most influential and powerful cities in the world. Play consists of turns where the player will tell me what they do and say. Each turn is one season in game time, (4 seasons per game year.) Any additional RP material is welcomed.(vignettes, social commentary, etc.) This is a cooperative turn-based RP set in the final centuries of our stars life. This is a soft science RP with a dark tone. Major themes include redemption and discovery, fading memory and the inevitability of the End. It will be at least a week before the character classes are finished.I'm aiming for one turn per-week. At the beginning of each turn I will post any important events, results of the players endeavours, inquiries and news. I'm looking for 4-6 players capable of maintaining casual writing standards.
Classes are subject to change while I get this thing together-I'm building this thing from scratch so some early versions might not be the final product
Classes in Our Dark Star define the archetype of what your character is like. These should not be viewed as limitations. Each class has unique features and benefits. Characters can be male or female.
Knights are unmatched on the battlefield. They are the beloved heroes of the common Pillar citizen. They have the best weapons, armor and weapons technology. A knight has access to a War Machine like a Mech Unit, Aircraft or Battle Tank. These machines make knights almost invincible against even a moderate sized fighting force. A knights power increases by 2 when occupying a war machine.
Engineers use science and technology to their advantage. Engineers can traverse the Networks effortlessly, breaking codes and encrypting information.They search out and guard the secrets of the Ancestors. Engineers have access to a Workshop for constructing machines of their design.
]Sorcerers investigate and harness the latent energies of the world. Sorcerers Sorcerers are shunned by the common citizens of the Pillars as dangers to the safety of the city. Some Pillars have banned sorcery outright. A Sorcerer has the added benefit of a codex and an underling. The underling acts as a servant capable of completing moderately complex tasks or things a sorcerer might not necessarily be able to get away with. When playing a sorcerer be sure to think about the character of your underling as you will be playing them as well.
Nobles bring the benefit of wealth and industry to the party. Nobles are the financiers, investors and industry captains of the Pillars. They strike trade deals that build and topple cities. Nobles are in the public spotlight and make or break their fortunes under public scrutiny. Nobles have the added benefit of an independently owned industry of their choosing. This could be as controversial as weapons and chemical production or as simple and necessary as food goods or service. Choose a name for your industry as well. In addition, one favor may be called upon from an NPC of your choosing. This favor cannot be refused and will almost certainly succeed. Choose carefully.
Assets measure the disposable wealth of your character. Basically the fruits of your labor. Assets are the result of your production. Spend assets like you would money. Each player starts with 5 assets.
Power How much force your character is capable of harnessing. For a knight this is a measurement of the physical ability or mechanical ability of your machine. For a sorcerer this measures the measure of your magic. etc.
Production Your potential income. In other words, how much your character is financially worth. Your production directly influences your Assets. Production is high for Nobles and low for Knights.
Influence Your pull with the major players. This measures how likely you are to convince a person/organization/government entity of your schemes. Increase this by appeasing the powers that be. Not to be confused with Charm, which is how the public views your character.
Charm Measures your popularity with the public at large. This is reflected in your appearance on the Nets and your conduct on the council. The common citizens of the Pillars are fickle and do not easily forget.