Burger

Sleepless Nights\\ Iron Cages - A gothic cyberpunk RP about hunting the supernatural

Let me see if I've got it:

• The source of all magic is life force, known as "vitas";
• Vitas is in all living things;
• Vitas in humans degrade over time (we're leaking vitas);
• To use magic, we have to spend some of our vitas;
• Supernatural creatures crave vitas;
• Killing living creatures releases their vitas;
• Supernatural creatures kill other living creatures to get their vitas;
• Killing supernatural creatures releases their vitas to those around them as they die;
• Immortals are glutted with non-degrading vitas and attract supernaturals towards them;
• We're imprisoning Immortals in iron caskets to keep them from attracting supernaturals.

But if supernaturals crave vitas and we, the human race, are leaking them, doesn't that make cities the next-best source next to Immortals?

What happens to the vitas that humans and other living creatures leak? Does it lie about (perhaps collecting in pools to create the fountain of youth, healing springs, etc.), or is it collected by something?

Does that lead to the birth of supernatural creatures? Or does that get sucked into immortals, so big cities act as charging stations for immortals?

If Immortals suck up all that leaking vitas and we lock up the immortals in metal caskets, does that uncollected vitas spawn another immortal?

@Expendable

List is pretty much correct, with the additional note that the supernatural drain which kills. If someone just croaks and a supernatural didn't do it, the supernatural doesn't get anything.

The supernatural doesn't collect expelled vitas. It can only drain it from a vessel. The bigger cause of the supernatural is the impossible: immortals, supernatural, and magic.

When vitas is lost, it ceases to exist. In the rare case it doesn't, an item become a weak vessel and holds it. It gets special properties, but same as above.

Third question, for the most part on both: no. If the vitas collects in an object, it does attract the supernatural

The caskets perpetually consume vitas to stay closed. One of the few magic technologies they finished before realizing that trying to use tech and magic together was a horrible idea. It disables immortals by using all their throughput. So it doesn't really spawn more since the consumed vitas just vanishes.

Basically, the barometer for the supernatural isn't vitas, it's things that should not exist.

Sleepless Nights\\ Iron Cages - A gothic cyberpunk RP about hunting the supernatural

So is there a source to this magic?

-snip-

So like vampires have a lot of mana after feeding?

@Expendable

I do have a tentative write-up here, but to answer the specifics here:

The source is vitas; it's internal and can thought of as an 'innate' life. You're born with vitas and a vessel to hold it. As you age, the vessel breaks down until it is incapable of holding anything and you croak.

Using magic is to intentionally spill out some of it. It doesn't come back on its own. Instead, it's gotten by killing (or being in the proximity of) supernatural entities. As long as you're alive, you can cast but you can also definitely feel death coming. You could technically live sacrifice it, but poor efficiency, you'd be blacklisted from every morally good actor, you'd require a specific understanding (see: magic) on how to break a vessel, etc. Basically, the only way that would reasonably come up is killing supernatural.

Immortals have near infinite vitas (hence why they're immortal) so their magic is limited to what their vessel allows them to output (it can't be stressed, unlike a human) and their logic (an immortal still can't fathom being able to instantly wipe out portions of the city--most of the time). A vampire immortal would therefore not really have a change in it when they suck.

Vampire (as in the supernatural entity) are like all supernatural entities; they're beings of vitas and not vessels that contain it. They just consume it so they're pretty much at max strength 100% of the time (for better or worse). They'd still follow the characteristics that people view of vampires, but it has more to do with their internal programming (how they are viewed).

Persona ~ Alone at Sea (PERSONA WITH A BOAT 𓊝)

---

Crying is a strange thing. So many thoughts went through Maive's head that, really, she couldn't pinpoint an exact one. She had an inkling of what made her cry, but couldn't quite put it to words if she was asked. It was more that she was thinking in feelings. When she finally felt the hand of someone else, she instinctively reacted.

Maive's arms wrapped around Sofia's torso as the crying girl grasped for comfort. Anything at that moment would have done.

Then Sofia became acutely aware of a bizarre fact about Maive.

Her diminutive stature didn't mean she was weak.

No.

She was condensed.

Like a vice grip, Sofia was now being fully assaulted by the most brutal hug she must have ever experienced. Two neodymium magnets had suddenly found each other and connected. Sofia's shirt had suddenly been blessed by a deep imprint of Maive's crying and snotty face. Her feverish wailing changed to sobs. Then, it changed to deep breaths and hiccups.

Finally, Maive let go. Her glasses were smudged. Her eyes looked more like coloured marshmallows. She desperately wiped the remaining snot off her face using her forearms.

She'd bury it. It didn't matter if it was a hatchet or her own feelings at this moment. Sure, she was alone and confused. But she had to be strong. She always did.

Suddenly slapping both cheeks, Maive looked to the trees. She took one last deep breath.

Rather than acknowledge what Imogen had said, Maive turned back to Imogen. Her face wasn't that of embarrassment, nor was it full of sorrow. Now, her cheeks were red from determination--at least temporarily. She stretched a hand towards Imogen. Thankfully, all of her snot had been wiped on her forearms and Sofia.

Sleepless Nights\\ Iron Cages - A gothic cyberpunk RP about hunting the supernatural

Hey there! In your description of Sleepless Nights, you mentioned that characters have access to magic. Could you elaborate more on the magic system in the world of Sleepless Nights? How does it function and what kind of impact does it have on the characters and the environment? Are there any restrictions or limitations to using magic and how does it differ from technology in the world?

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So, I've been pondering over the vast, dark and dangerous world of Sleepless Nights and I've dreamed up a character that might just fit right in. A young man of 24, he was born with a gift, a power that was both a blessing and a curse. He possesses the ability to mimic the abilities of others and monsters, absorbing them through touch, much like Rogue from the X-Men.

But this power comes with a price. As time passes, his access to these abilities slowly fades, leaving him to constantly seek out new sources of strength and power. He walks a fine line between hunter and hunted, never staying in one place for too long, always on the run from those who fear and envy his abilities.

Despite his youth, he has lived a life far beyond his years, his powers attracting the attention of both immortals and the supernatural, forcing him to confront the dangers of the dark and foreboding world of Sleepless Nights head on. He is a man haunted by the ghosts of his past, always searching for a way to make peace with his powers and find some semblance of normalcy in a world consumed by chaos.

This character is a man of shadows, a hunter with a troubled soul, always seeking out new powers to add to his arsenal. He is a solitary figure, driven by the hunger for knowledge and the need to survive in a world that seeks to destroy him.

Do you feel like this character would fit within the realm of Sleepless Nights?

@KaliW

If you think of technology as the rational, magic is the irrational. It's effectively exerting one's own personal perception on the world.

There's no definite form to magic. If someone's logic is "I can shoot fire out of my hands", they can. The only limit is the cost. The stronger something is (the more suspended disbelief), the more life it costs (you can think of hp and mana as the same pool).

Technology and magic also don't get along. If the two are meaningfully combined, you basically get a d100 of different results. Plus, magic calls the supernatural. It's not really an issue when the janitors are making a little mess, but if people use it in their regular lives, it becomes a big deal.

As a result, there isn't much interplay between the two.

As for the character, mostly fine. He's going to generally be worse at someone specialized and is still hit by the rule that everything he uses should be logically congruent. Though just as a warning, copying magic from immortals is like comparing a water tanker to a shot glass. It's not really going to work, but you can maybe get a few minor (see: actually quite major) things off them.

The hard rule with all magic is that it should have nothing to do with anything resembling immortality. All humans are rate limited. They hit old age and then die. His age thing is a general not allowed.

Basically, plastic surgery to look young and being born with it are the only reasonable ways in universe.

As for being hunted, I'd also pretty much say that if he's just copying, he isn't doing much to gain ire. Think of an entire apartment block being turned into goo as a typical tuesday. You'd pretty much need to somehow be worse or make enemies of the politic.

Sleepless Nights\\ Iron Cages - A gothic cyberpunk RP about hunting the supernatural

What sort of immortals are we talking about? Highlander immortals? Phoenixes? Ms. Jones? Nanny McPhee?

Are vampires immortals or are they monsters?

Do you get Angels? Demons?

What other supernaturals will we encounter?

@Expendable

Pretty much all of them, but there's no taxonomy to it. Rather than being things like different species, immortals are effectively humans who have rationalized their own immortality. Someone could rationalize it as being a vampire and devour. Someone could rationalize it as a Matrix Agent Smith style body takeover. Someone could view it as though they were a snake, shedding their previous form when it has become too damaged.

As for the supernatural, it functions off of the unconscious and abstract concepts. Hounds. Gargoyles. Ghosts. The moon actually being an eldritch entity. The main factor of the supernatural is that it's life without life. The supernatural can not think or plan nor does it have instinct. They're effectively programs that do what they are thought to do (with a side of being attracted to human life).

So if vampires are immortals or monsters: they can be both. An immortal vampire is a human with vampire tendencies and just can not be killed by any means. A monster vampire is a more beastial, abstracted form that does not have rationale beyond drink blood and hot chip, plus they can more easily die.

Angels and demons are the same. Immortal angels and demons are still human. They just have wings and stuff related to angels/demons. Supernatural angels are more "do not be afraid" and suck the life out of you when they forcefully embrace you. Supernatural demons--there's a lot so I won't get very specific.

Pretty much there is no limit to what you encounter as a supernatural entity. As long as I have a rationale basis--people fear it, it's a concept people know, etc--it can be an enemy. Basically, some classical enemies, some weird enemies, and some absolute curveballs.

garbage zone

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Sleepless Nights\\ Iron Cages - A gothic cyberpunk RP about hunting the supernatural

DARKEN THE SKIES
PREPARE THE MAIDEN
CAGE THE IMMORTAL
BEGIN THE HUNT
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Welcome to Sleepless Nights, sort of the continuation of my roleplaying white whale.

Inspired by series like Lobotomy Corp/Library of Ruina/Limbus Company being the biggest, Chainsaw Man, some other manga here and there, and some RPs that have since been lost to time. The fastest way I could explain the themes of the story would be gothic cyberpunk.

I'm playing pretty fast and loose with technology. The general rule of thumb is that it kind of sucks. Sure, you can fully replace your body in its entirety, but are you really willing to deal with your former senses in absentia? Though, my main limit with technology is that it must be something physical. Guns and chainsaw halberds yes, beam weapons no.

There's also the gothic side of the RP. Characters have access to magic, a system that's deeply personal yet utterly incomprehensible within the world of Sleepless Nights. They also face monsters that must be dealt with in their own specific ways.

Characters will play the role as a new cleaner: guns-for-hire that hunt down the supernatural in a world that's quite infested with them. Life in the world of Sleepless Nights is harsh. For those on the outskirts of the city, they live under the constant expectation of toiling. The mind-numbing factory work beats corvée labour. Criminals are shipped off to the great ruins beneath the city to carve what resources they can out of the previous incarnation of the city. Those of the inner districts have better prospects, yet live even further beneath the boot of the politik.

They'd make their bones under an established office designed as an incubator for new cleaners at first and, hopefully in the future, can branch out a little and have each character have a pretty big amount of agency and control within the RP.

Of course, supernatural aren't the only threat to the city. Immortals live alongside man. Were it not for the fact that the supernatural are drawn to immortals to the point of cataclysm, perhaps man and immortal could live in peace. Unfortunately, they can not. The hunters must imprison immortals in metal coffins to ensure that the supernatural does not blight the cityscape.

Hopefully, we'd get on a regular weekly post schedule.

Anyways, I can answer any questions.

Decibitus

Lucian

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~1430 | PARIS | FASHION SHOW VENUE

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Lucian was in his element. Fashion shows were like a second home to him. While he often got lost in his day to day life, the directionally challenged Lucian was able to perfectly navigate any venue. It was as though his compass' north star was the nearest dressing room.

Unlike his compatriots, Lucian was not a literal who within a fashion venue. No, his time on the runway made his face (but more importantly, his body) known to everyone in the fashion world. It wouldn't normally have been an issue, but his death was listed within celebrity magazines almost immediately. Of course, Lucian didn't exactly have the presence of mind to be aware of this fact. No, he was the sort of person to instantly cause a PR disaster on accident.

It was a good thing Lucian also had quickly tuned out Sigrun before she suggested to converse with the industry. No, Lucian had become preoccupied with something quite critical:

Cubes of cheese on toothpicks.

He was busy spiriting the little devils away while nobody was looking.

Frankly, it didn't quite matter if someone was watching. They'd simply see a bit of cheese float into the air and subsequently vanish. Instead, what caused him to keep it secret was the massive guilt about eating something so bad for him. Like a toddler without object permanence, if someone didn't see him eat it, it was like it never happened.

Thankfully, he remained close enough to the rest of the reapers that he could jump in if something happened.

Persona ~ Alone at Sea (PERSONA WITH A BOAT 𓊝)

---

With Victor, Orlando, and Verity comforting her, Maive felt a little better. She didn't mind that Verity took some water. After all, she had enough to go around. The fact that she returned it full of sea water confused Maive. At least she didn't throw it into the ocean.

Of course, Maive was then immediately smoked by the rage of the Irish.

Now awake and possessing a big gonk on her forehead, Sofia's attempt at mediation didn't really help Maive. She couldn't hear what she was saying. The ringing in her ears was too strong. Really, her senses didn't quite feel right. Her body felt fuzzy; there was no other way to put it. Her vision was steeped with indescribable colours that were both bright and dark. It was impossible to focus on anything but the tip of Imogen's finger. She couldn't see Frankie's breakdown as he clutched the ankles of another. She couldn't see off in the trees trying to Verity trying to rob a man of his modesty. Her legs didn't work. They usually did. But they collapsed as her knees touched the sand.

She had to make sure that others were taken care of. That was her responsibility. She was the type of person to bow her head, fight for eggs, and spend her free time helping others. Seeing people happy made her happy. But here everyone was. Stressed. Confused. Angry.

It was ugly.

She bawled.

She wailed.

Her well of emotions was flooding and Maive didn't know what to do besides cry.

Persona ~ Alone at Sea (PERSONA WITH A BOAT 𓊝)

---

With her critical blunder, Maive had sent the entire group ocean-bound. A cold splash of water didn't away her. Instead, she sunk. She sunk into a velvet-black sea as though it were a dream.

Cold. Eyes. Drifting black. Warmth. Searing warmth. Like a dream, it was difficult to remember what had happened. The newfound heat seemed to. The sudden fit didn't help her memory. She coughed and coughed, her throat desperate for any relief. Her hands had instinctively found their way into her backpack and quickly grasped one of her plastic bottles. The twist-cap could have easily been mistaken for a flying cork as she mashed and twisted it open.

With the water finally meeting her lips, she tried in vain to clear her mouth. The water only made her cough more as she choked. Her body unable to figure out what to do, it made a confused attempt to stop her fit. Maive gagged as her body made one final check to see if it needed to escalate.

Thankfully, it didn't. The contents of her stomach remained a mystery.

With her body no longer trying to reject water, she took a few small sips until her mind was in order. First, her surroundings. The strange landscape completely different from the rest of Europe. The fronds waving in the wind. The radiant waves that looked like someone had dyed the ocean.

They definitely weren't at HAGAY anymore.

Then she thought about why they were in such a place. Only one thing came to mind: the fact that she slipped and sent everyone careening. Her face had once again become blush. The tropic heat was worsened by the heat of embarrassment.

"Sorry!" The words quickly escaped Maive's lips as she gave a panicked bow. Even though Maive wasn't responsible for the sudden shift in location, the sense of guilt rapidly overwhelmed whatever rational thought she had. She was, frankly, a mess that could barely recognize the limp Sofia or the confused Daniel acting the part of a cornerman.