Letter Bee — Roleplayer Guild

Noble Arms: Restoring Hope

In the twilight of World War II, a mysterious power surfaced among select humans. This power, the Noble Arm, was the ability to conjure up a paranormal weapon that can defy the laws of physics, a weapon innate in the user's mind and summoned by their will into reality. For reasons that still cannot be explained despite years of research, Noble Arms only take the form of weapons from before the First World War, however, despite the antiquity of these forms, the power they bare to the battlefield is unlike anything modern technology has been able to produce. 

        The ability to manipulate the elements to the users will.

        Force that can reduce matter down to atoms in seconds.

        The strength to withstand the explosion of a nuclear missile.

All of these powers and more still have surfaced along side Noble Arms, and the ones who bear them, the Arms Masters, are sought after by countries all around the world. Where once the strength of a country was decided by the technological strength of their Army, it is now judged by the power of their Arms Masters.

But this state of affairs has produced sadness and strife; the world was not prepared for the possibility of superhumans, people who just by existing, challenge the notion of equality between men. And so Arms Masters and Normal Humans live in an uneasy state of coexistence, with radicals on both sides wishing to shatter the peace and dominate one another.

The year is 2020, ten years since the Union of Arab Republics was shattered by the Hammer of Masters, an organization which believes that Arms Masters are not part of humanity, but a 'master race' destined to dominate the world. The Hammer, relying on the immense power of their Noble Arms, broke the governments and armies of Syria and Iraq (Egypt is fine; it regained its independence from the UoAR some decades ago), establishing the 'State of Masters', a regime dedicated to the supremacy of those who held Noble Arms. But in the moment of their triumph, their 'Malik', Yusuf Al-Kindi, was poisoned by a discontented slave, and their state fell apart.

Now was the turn of the second group of radicals, the Disablers, to emerge. Normal humans who believed that Arms Masters were a seperate race of monsters and freaks, the Disablers felt vindicated in their genocidal creed and with help from volunteers from the United States, Europe, and Russia, sparked an armed revolt where guns, bombs, and poison proved the bane of many members of the State of Masters. Exterminating even innocent children, the Disablers brought down the remnants of the State of Masters, plunging the centre of the Middle East into an anarchic void.

Enter Operation: Symbiosis. An armed force funded by multiple nations, corporations, and the two rival organizations called the Arms of Nobility and Organization for Disarmament, Operation Symbiosis is a numerous, well-funded, but fractious force divided in its goals. Should it restore order to the region, or just be content with dismantling the remnants of the State of Masters and the more radical Disablers? Should it ally with local forces to do so, even those that profess religious radicalism (like that has ever worked in other worlds)? 

And if it did both of those things, should it attempt a utopian vision in which Arms Masters and Normal Humans cooperate with one another instead of conflict, and if so, does it have a chance?

Only time, and your involvement, will tell.

Noble Arms:        
        Noble Arms take the form of weaponry that were created before World War I; each Noble Arm posses powerful abilities beyond normal human capacity, however they can only be used if they are released into reality by their user. Noble Arms exist in a kind of 'hyperspace' that is unique to its user and can be called from there - in essence, an Arms Master is always armed.
        Noble Arms have an astonishingly versatile ability pool, from calling down fire, to strengthening the body, etc., and more often than not, possess more than one ability. However, similar to physical activity, using a Noble Arm is draining physically and moreso mentally - extended use of ability is much akin to overexerting yourself on both fronts, and as such, so much more fatal to overdo. 
        
        Noble Arm Ratings:
        Noble Arms are rated according to how valuable they are, and that value is determined using to factors: Rarity of effect, and military usage. The strength of a Noble Arm is thus determined by how many military and police countermeasures are in place. The rankings go from F to A. There exist Noble Arms that change strength depending on the situation, and are added with the additional "+" symbol.

Examples of determining rank and its effects is:

        A Noble Arm Capable of strengthening its user is common, and can easily be countered by police officers with proper ordinance, and thus, merits an E rank, its user is not notable to the government and subsequently ignored.

        On the other hand, a Noble Arm capable creating explosions in the atmosphere is uncommon and dangerous, as such, the user must undergo a government registration form and placed under mild scrutiny. The Noble Arm in question will merit a C or B rank.

        Finally, there are Noble Arms that can achieve effects akin to nuclear explosions. Such Noble Arms are both rare and extremely dangerous to countries at large. Its user will be under constant surveillance and limits will be placed on the usage of their Noble Arm. Such Noble Arms are always rated A.

An organization bent on pushing the importance of Noble Arms and Arms Masters, and is the chief backer of their rights globally. Many of its supporters are wealthy and well known, however, they often face strong opposition from non-Arms Masters due to the agenda's they push and the number of benefits they desire for Arms Masters. In a reluctant truce with the Organization for Disarmament to back Operation:Symbiosis.

An organization determined to limit the use of Noble Arms and the suppression of Arms Masters. Their main goal is to abolish schools and facilities dedicated to Noble Arms and to limit the occupation of Arms Masters to the military only. Often, they are supported by many labor unions and social media outlets. In a reluctant truce with the Arms of Nobility to back Operation Symbiosis.

A terrorist organization bent on creating a world were Arms Masters are the rulers. Their ideology is that Arms Masters are not, in fact, human, but a new superior race that deserves to be in power. The current number of members is unknown, however, they have 2 confirmed A ranked Arms Masters in their ranks, a fact that worries many countries.

In the former UoAR, the Hammer holds the cities of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, as well as the central portions of each country (contested with the DIsablers).

A terrorist organization bent on erasing or otherwise oppressing Arms Masters. Their ideology is that Arms Masters are not, in fact, human, but a race of monsters born with nothing but the ability to bring misery and destruction and as such must be culled or otherwise strictly controlled. A cause that many have joined and more have supported, and because of the support they have garnered from the masses, they are able to move through countries and city with relative ease.

The Disablers hold Baghdad and Tikrit in Iraq, as well as Damascus and Homs in Syria.

Arms Masters and Conventional Forces working together in order to restore order to Syria and Iraq, Operation:Symbiosis is either the last and greatest hope for peace and order in the region or a foreign force using those concepts as a smokescreen for siezing the area's resources. Numbering 150,000 strong (including 1,500 Arms Masters of varying strengths), Operation: Symbiosis is technologically sophisticated, with its backers calling on old favors (and it is rumored, mind control) to acquire access to American, Chinese, and Russian weaponry. But these advantages can only win them the conventional war, not the battle for Hearts and Minds...

Formed by the Kurdish people as a 'self-defense force' in the years before the Hammers' coup, the Democratic Forces of Syria and Iraq gained mass appeal due to the 'State of Masters' and Disablers' oppressive policies, which drove Yazidis, Armenians, Assyrians, Turkmen and Zororastrians into the DFSI's grasp, along with masses of ordinary Arabs. The most powerful force in what was once the north of the UoAR, the DFSI is one of the most interested in allying with Operation: Symbiosis, and has hinted that only they can prevent the international forces from being chewed up by local insurgents... Or ensure it. They number 75,000, and are simulteanously besieging Mosul and Raqqa, the twin Capitals of the State of Masters.

Islamic Fundamentalists who control Idlib Province in Syria.

Islamic Fundamentalists and radical terrorists who rule over the city of Fallujiah in Iraq, but have cells all across the former UoAR, including Independent Egypt.

Barsa, Iraq, was under siege by the Hammer of Masters and their enslaved mortal minions, while suffering bombings and assassinations by the Islamic State day in and day out. Then one day rose an Arms Master by the name of Aisha, who claimed to be the Aisha, the favorite wife of Muhammad, who had returned from death to restore the true spirit of Islam which had been distorted by evil men after the Battle of the Camel in 656 AD. Normally, this would be a ridiculous claim by anyone, even an Arms Master, but 'Aisha Returned' was able to manifest powers only the most powerful Noble Arms had shown, marking her as powerful enough to back up her words. Taking up arms against the 'State of Masters' and ISIS, 'Aisha Returned' was able to liberate Barsa by herself and was acclaimed ruler by the relieved (or terrified) population. She then declared the liberation and equality of Woman beside Man, and transformed Barsa into a prosperous and fertile oasis city with her Noble Arm's powers. Is another potential ally of Operation: Symbiosis.

Turkey - Hates the Democratic Forces of Syria and Iraq and wants to take pieces of both northern Syria and Iraq for itself; is in an economic depression due to bad economic policies. Might be discreetly backing Islamic State against Disablers and Hammer of Masters.

Saudi Arabia - Is concerned about the Hammer of Masters and the Disablers and is openly backing Al-Nursa Front and the Islamic State.

Lebanon - Small country allied to Operation Symbiosis.

The Twin States of Israel and Palestine - Israel has very good Arms Masters, but Palestine has twice as many, and the Hammer of Masters wants to dismantle them both. Therefore, in 2010, Israel decided to concede everything to the Palestinans, including withdraw from West Bank settlements, give them East Jerusalem as their capital, and allow Palestinian refugees to return to Israeli territory. These decisions were controversial (to put it mildly), but bore fruit as the Hammer of Masters brought down an asteroid on both nations soon after, an asteroid as large as the one that killed the Dinosaurs and would have driven the rest of humanity except for Arms Masters extinct if it had hit. To halt the asteroid, Israeli and Palestinian Arms Masters had to work together, with many of them dying due to the strain of shielding the world. And after that, more Palestinian Noble Arms wielders survived than the Israelis (though not so much that they would simply have been able to overwhelm the latter), forcing further cooperation lest the Hammer and Disablers destroy them both.

Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar - Aligned with Saudi Arabia in foriegn policy, including backing Islamic State. Tried to attack Barsa to depose 'Aisha Returned', and got thorougly beaten. Are afraid of the Hammer of Masters.

Egypt - Glad it is independent of the former UoAR.

[center][b]Appearance:[/b] (Picture preferred, although written descriptions are good too. Also, please included miscellaneous information such as height and weight.)[/center]

[b]Name:[/b]

[b]Age:[/b] (13 is the minimum age; even Operation: Symbiosis employs 'child geniuses' or child Arms Masters in strictly [i]non-combat[/i] roles.

[b]Nationality:[/b]

[b]Noble Arm Name & Appearance:[/b]

[b]Noble Arm Abilities:[/b] (No maximum number, however, try and be sensible about this. Just because you [i]can[/i] doesn't mean you [i]should[/i], also be as detailed as you can, especially on its strengths, weaknesses, and effects.)

(As a clarification, no A-ranked Noble Arms; Noble Arms that can cause the equivalent of a nuclear explosion. B-class Noble Arms, which can explode city blocks, are also severely restricted; they will only be allowed if the user can be trusted not to use them too much [i]and[/i] if they have to pay a cost to their body and mind.)

[b]Personality:[/b]

        [b]*Likes:[/b]

        [b]*Dislikes:[/b]

        [b]Fears:[/b]

[b]Bio:[/b]

[b]*Current Goal:[/b]

[b]Military Rank:[/b] If a member of Operation Symbiosis.

*Optional

1.) Cooperative storytelling comes first. You are not here to godmode by gaming/breaking the system to make yourself as powerful as possible. You are not here to use your powers to brute-force all obstacles the GM brings before you, or use sophistry, psychological tricks, or 'mental influence magic' to win every diplomatic confrontation. If you find 'Storygaming' an ugly word, this is not the RP for you.
2.) Nor does an angsty backstory that fits various 'story beats' make your character good if their purpose is to defeat everyone and establish themselves as superior top dogs and otherwise make it an arms race with the GM on who can godmode more. If you're not going to use your angsty backstory to make a good story, this is not the RP for you.
3.) That said, powerful characters and angsty backstories are permitted, as long as they are made by players who are willing to cooperate with each other and the GM to make a good dynamic story that isn't just 'X overpowers Y' by bending the rules so far they break, violating the spirit of said rules, and (to quote Dave Brookshaw of Onyx Path publishing) of course, common sense.
4.) I am not as lenient as TheHangedMan. If you cannot obey the prior three rules, you don't need to respond to this thread at all; there are other games for you.
5.) Do not be an asshole.
6.) Post length is five sentences minimum, but longer posts are encouraged, of course. GMs are also bound by this rule.

Palace of the Blachrenae, Renovation

Tocsax smiled at Felix's attempt to lighten the mood, while telling Agni, "No, I'm not hurt, but thank you for your concern." His lips were slightly pursed as he continued, "I'll give you, your companion, and our newcomer boy the needed exposition on the way to the Gummi Ship."

He glimpsed Asher's look of 'utter disappointment and disgust', and clenched his left fist in response as the 'thief' trailed off. There can be no explanation that person would accept, at least not verbally. Asher Rain was someone who accepted only actions - It was a shame that Tocsax felt that he didn't have the time to regain the Keyblader's respect. He didn't dislike Asher, but he needed the time that would be spent regaining his respect to investigate Leo's activities, among other things.

As Tocsax got up, Vic, Georgia, and Amuro might feel the Nobody's own regrown emotions - Disgust, self-hate, and the feeling of time wasted. He began walking to the hangar, where Felix was busy preparing the brightly colored Gummi Ship, Anastasios. Then upon sensing the opening of another Corridor of Darkness in the Palace itself, the young-looking Keyblader opened up his own portal and traveled to where Asher lay unconcious. Tocsax, still buffed by Strengthra, lifted up the 'thief's' body in a bridal carry and Corridor'd them both into the Anastasios' medbay.

Then after setting Asher onto the medbay's bed, Tocsax Corridor'd himself outside once more, to where Emperor Michael had made his way outside the palace to pursue Zekaraya, his expression stormy as well.

"Basileus, it seems we have to depart early," the Nobody said.

Emperor Michael nodded, "The Cornerstone of Light will repair itself in time, but until then, we won't be able to help you in your quest; we'll be too busy repelling Heartless attacks." He put a hand on Tocsax's shoulder, "God bless your journey."

The Nobody smiled. "Thank you."

@Double@Gentlemanvaultboy@Ryteb Pymeroce@ShadowVentus@Nerevarine@Tenma Tendo

Letter Bee Member

Filipino RPer

Status

Recent Statuses

Bio

Most Recent Posts