Letter Bee

Academy of Noble Arms - The Golden Generation

@VoiD, Awesome sheet and IC Goals!

Approved by me, but I'll ask what the other GMs think, so don't post it on the Characters Tab just yet.

Fate/Glimmering Oasis

Daniel

Surprise. Pride in his Servant’s abilities. And finally, a feeling of frustrating weakness due to how Autocylus had shown him more of his blind spots. Then a realization: His acting like he was the greatest thing since sliced bread had alienated two of his Servants (although with Don Juan, he at least had the excuse that the Saber would have destroyed his family life), and if not for Charlotte liking his Alchemic Blaster’s effects, Daniel might have alienated his fellow Master as well. This was bad, real bad. If he didn’t shape up soon, he’d doom Human History to destruction and collapse.

Now to run back to the cafeteria - If Daniel ate fast, he’d be able to fill his stomach with something actually good before he and Charlotte went to Rayshift. Then he remembered that he needed Auto and Don Juan, along with Crazy Horse, with him when it was time to travel through history. He decided to contact the last Servant, hoping that his tone was much more humble from now on, Rider, would you mind coming to where I am so we can have a quick meal before the mission? Saber and Assassin will join us later - Despite strained relations between us, I don’t think they’d like Raphael to lock them up in a closet, which yes, was actually said by the guy.

Either way, if Daniel managed to get to the cafeteria long enough for a quick meal, he’d ask for a Gyro from the Chefs, and eat it as quickly as he could without wasting a single piece of ground meat - He had it drilled into his head from the age of six that wasting food was bad. He also asked for a wheatgrass shake for additional nutrition. Nevertheless, he said to Charlotte should they meet, “Sorry for being late, I and Auto had to talk about how I can protect myself from other Assassins in the mission.”

This time, he closed off his connection to his other servants so that he can privately think, And by ‘how I can protect myself’, he reminded me that he himself could have slit my throat at any time because of my naivete and my over-optimism. Oh, my God, oh, my God, I really made bad choices at the beginning!

Either way, if he had one hour left, he’d take a full thirty minutes to calm down, breathing in and out as he waited for his Servants - Or at least Crazy Horse - to arrive. Will they come? Will they publicly disobey? Were they even aware that Raphael will lock them up if they fail to show up? Hopefully, the call for adventure will be enough to get them to come, even if they won’t necessarily obey him. Either way, he’d message Don Juan and Autocylus one more time, saying, Saber, Assassin, I would like to have you know that Raphael will lock you two up in a closet - With each other - If you two don’t come with me and Crazy Horse.

Then a thought, Fair warning, by the way, Chaldea may provide you with prana instead of me - Unless I am misremembering - but they will still be outraged if we fail to coordinate in the mission, especially if I die and their ‘investment’ in raising me dies with it.

Cutting off the link as he walked towards the Rayshift Room, Daniel then began thinking up solutions to his present predicament. A Ruler-class Servant can give me extra Command Spells, and also the capability to keep the others in line with the right Noble Phantasms. And I know what my own Imperial bloodline can help me summon.

Yes, if he survived long enough to summon Constantine the Great, that might solve his problems with Don Juan and Autocylus. But he wasn’t so blind that he needed to improve his own personal capabilities as well, because if he didn’t, then he’d just be relying on ‘miracle solutions’ without making himself better...

Fate/Glimmering Oasis

Daniel

Daniel frowned at that, then said to Raphael, “Yeah… I’m aware I sounded like an insensitive dickhead just earlier - Apologies for my arrogance just there.”

He decided not to address Raphael’s other points, and Auto’s message to him gave the boy an excuse to do something else than ponder whether what he wanted can be construed as ‘Genocidal’. So he said, “I’ll join you guys later - Maybe 30 minutes to an hour. Autocylus is calling me and I think he seriously needs my help. Or, who knows, it might be a prank - I’m not entirely blind.”

And with that, Daniel zoomed off to the equipment room, saying, “Again, I’ll join you guys later - Sorry about this!”

Once in the equipment room, and anticipating a way to reconcile with Auto (best-case scenario), Daniel found the ‘pickle’ which was just lying around there, and thought, It’d better not be something gross, before picking it up to examine, already anticipating that it’d be a humiliating but not truly cruel prank.

A twinge of discomfort, a twinge of discomfort which came from suppressing any thought that things would not go his way. Breath in, breath out, relax. You may be ‘safe’, but you’ve probably sowed the seeds of resentment to the others. By being too open about your desires, you exposed them to ridicule… As well as legitimate criticism.

A pause, as Auto’s prank presumably came into action. Damnit.

@Cu Chulainn@Reflection@Duoya

Academy of Noble Arms - The Golden Generation

We're still open for new players!

Final Fantasy 7 Redone

Akira Ayumu

They succeeded! Wait, there was still one Sweeper left and it wasn’t charging at them. Did that mean they were under siege? Akira looked at Jessie and asked, “So, what’s happening and what do we do now?”

He looked at the many re-wounded mercenaries and said, “Actually, I’ll cure a few people,” before casting multiple Cures once more, and then going back to Jessie and saying, “These machines seem a lot more intelligent than before, intelligent enough to rebel against their masters and keep out of danger. But they’re not sapient, otherwise, they could be tricked further.”

Another pause, before he continued, “Jessie, I have an idea - Do you have smoke bombs or anything which diminishes the enemy’s visibility? If so, I can go out there and sneak up on the enemy Sweeper, climb up its back, then stab it with my naginata.”

Akira then patted his polearm, then said further, “Or I can plant an explosive on it, but that’d be riskier as I might blow myself up. Either way, trust me unless anyone else here has a better idea - I’m one of the most agile folk here, after all. If anyone can do it, it’s me.”

-------

If Akira’s idea was not approved, he’d stay in the Fort while listening to any new notion. He’d also request an inventory of the Fort’s remaining weapons and hope that there were catapult parts somewhere...

If it was, then the young man would wait for the smoke bombs or anything similar to be launched, then rush out in zig-zags, using his ninja senses and his communion with the Planet to avoid running into rocks or bodies or other obstacles. As the Sweeper presumably detected his presence anyway, Akira nevertheless drew on the Planet’s knowledge to guide his next step, hopefully sliding under the enemy machine’s legs before climbing up the back of said legs and hoping the Machine didn’t know how to shake him off.

If he managed to get within range of its engine, he’d stab it with the blade of his Naginata, hoping that the blade smoothly pierced through some vital components, before drawing it back, shimmying down, and then running back to the Fort and hoping that the Planet guided his way.

This plan relied on his agility, the Planet’s willingness to help, and of course, the machine’s own confusion. If all three factors aligned, then he’d win.

Shadowrun: The Big Easy

Actually edited my answer there a bit to try and make it a bit clearer. My goal is to make something that anyone can join in, not just those that have played the game.

@Jeremor

Ah, saw your edit. To be honest, I don't think I'd be interested, then - I wanted something faithful to lore while not retaining the complicated ruleset.

Shadowrun: The Big Easy

<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>

I'm afraid not, we're going to stick with the physical adept archetype for this rp.

And, what I really mean by that is that I'm going to be using the lore I know, like atzlan being a megacorp and stuff like that, but it will be my own interpretation of it all. In the end its going to be different to whatever is written in the books or even video games. People are free to use what they know, of course, when creating their characters, I just might ask to edit some things to make them fit.

And sure, mages can go into melee if you like. We aren't playing with any rules or stats. Just kind of keep it realistic, a mage isn't going to physically kick as much ass as a trained street samurai or physical adept.

@Jeremor

Understandable. I'll try and see if I have the time to join, then.

Edit: As a Mage.

Letter Bee's Character Sheets

Iliad City: A Magical RP in an Original World - Reboot

I. Intro

In another universe, separated from ours' by impassable barriers, lies the planet of Historia, inhabited by Humans much like us, but blessed with impossible powers that we think of as 'Magic'.

Magic is a daily part of life, existing alongside technology just as advanced as ours', although some integrate magic with science to create advanced inventions. But it is a widely held belief among the people that the highest form of Magic is Storytelling, and that The One Deity, the Creator of the Multiverse, gave Humanity the power to warp reality through the telling of stories.

Three thousand years before the present day, when the greatest storyteller of that time, the Illuminated Poet, sang of the grief and joy of Humanity, appealing to The One Deity to provide a way through their sufferings. In response, The One himself came down and sang his own song, the Epics of Making and Unmaking, by which Humanity and whatever sapient beings lived beyond Historia was granted freedom from the will of the divine. From the Epic of Making were instructions for the casting of Magic, allowing Humanity to better their lives and that of others' at will, while the Epic of Unmaking allows one to reset the Universe itself back to the beginning, with the person or people who use it given power co-equal to The One Deity himself, but without infinite intelligence or wisdom.

And so the Illuminated Poet taught pieces of the Epic of Making to those who followed him, turning them into the first Magi. The Epic of Unmaking, however, was transmitted directly into the souls of his own children, the Twenty Sons and Thirty Daughters, who each inherited a fragment of the Epic. He then prophesied that the more descendants they have, the more the Epic of Unmaking will be shattered and its pieces spread out among each scion and that the Epic will only be completed once more when the descendants of the Illuminated Poet are reduced to one person, who will then have the decision to reset the universe.

The intention, of course, was to make sure that the universe will be reset only if Humanity becomes irredeemably corrupt and/or the amount of suffering in existence multiplies to an unbearable level. Despite the risks involved with the existence of such a power, a 'contingency plan' for Humanity was still regarded as necessary by all parties, including The One.

Fast-forward to the present, and the majority of the descendants of the Illuminated Poet have suffered purges, slaughters, genocides and massacres from the various nations of the world due to ignorance and misunderstanding, or even outright lies spread by their enemies. Their one safe refuge is Illiad City, an independent city-nation founded by the freethinkers and outcasts of the world, people dedicated to artistic and philosophical pursuits, as well as worshippers of The One Deity. Despite the hostility of other nations towards it, its access to a greater portion of the Epic of Making makes it equivalent to the great empires of the world in Magical might.

But now, a feud is brewing in the two prime Magical Academies of the city, a feud brewing from how to deal with the world's hostility towards them. Ironically, this feud might be the one thing that brings down the metropolis...

II. The Factions of Iliad City

The Big Three

Marduk Academy for The Mystic Arts Holds power over the pieces of the Epic of Making that govern 'Heroic' Magic - The Magic of Light, the Elements (Fire, Water, Air and Earth), and the power to heal the wounded and the sick with mystic energy alone. Their students are the champions of the defenseless, the honorable knights-errant and the wise wizards. But confronted with the hatred of other nations towards them, they seek a 'muscular' foreign policy, asking that Iliad City use its magical might to conquer the neighboring empires and repressive states that wish to destroy Illiad before they grow too strong. However, whispers are being heard that push for more than that - That Marduk Academy should attempt to rule the world so that no nation would exterminate the descendants of the Illuminated Poet once again.

And Professor Gilgamesha, its Principal, is beginning to listen...

Ishtar School for Creative Minds, on the other hand, holds power over the pieces of the Epic of Making that govern 'Black' Magic - The Magic of Darkness, Entropy, Blood and Death, as well as the power to inflict agony and weaken their enemies. Their students are the spies and assassins, the dark knights whom monsters and criminals fear. Despite this, they used to work alongside Marduk Academy, until Professor Nergal, it's principal, began urging for the casting of the Spell of Otherworldly Travel, which will transport Iliad City onto another dimension where its people can live in peace. Problem is that 1.) This requires the pieces of the Epic of Making that Marduk Academy does have, and 2.) Marduk Academy considers Ishtar's solution cowardly. And so the feud begins to simmer...

The Cassandra Club is the newest faction in the block, a small band of students from both Academies and a larger group from other schools who believe that the brewing feud between Marduk Academy and Ishtar School is being engineered by a 'sinister force' outside the city as part of a grand plan to conquer Iliad City and acquire the Epics of Making and Unmaking. Not merely that, but they believe in asking the question: Why do other nations hate us? What are the lies they've been fed in order to kill off the descendants of the Illuminated Poet? Do they even know that they are completing the Epic of Unmaking? And if so, who is trying to do so and is he someone who can take advantage of the power to rewrite the universe?

The Cassandra Club is led by the Anonymous Council, a group of 'concerned students and teachers' (PCs have the option to be part of this circle, also, certain characters of mine - William and Shah - will not be members of it) whose goals are to find out exactly who is profiting from the extermination of Descendants and stop them before its too late.

III. Interesting Places in Iliad City

Interesting Places

The Leviathan Port - Iliad City's port is where most of its foreign trade comes from, due to the Hermannreich's on-and-off hostility. A bustling structure where great cargo ships dock and depart, the Leviathan Port is watched over by great ranged guns from two coastal forts that guard the entrance to the bay, as well as Ishtar School for Creative minds, whose campus is only a few miles away.

Artisan Coffeemakers United Branches - A set of coffeehouses spread all throughout Iliad City dedicated to the production of quality artisan coffee, tea, and pastries at a fair and affordable price. Both Ishtar and Marduk have cafes of ACUB in their premises, with secure internet lines to each other, and it is rumored that students who wish to establish forbidden contacts with each other are allowed to use said lines... For a price.

Enchanted Mountain - Iliad's prime amusement park, with a large Ferris Wheel, magitech roller coasters, and virtual reality simulations of any environment one can think of, as well as various restaurants catering to every palate. It is also a 'truce zone' between Iliad and Marduk, due to Professor Gilgamesha having spent time there in better days and not wanting to let the place be stained by the current inter-school conflict.

Kaleidoscope Arcades - A series of arcades filled with the latest games mundane science and magitech can supply, and are thus destinations where both Marduk and Ishtar and students from other schools can be found competing against each other in a halfway-friendly manner.

Paradise Spa - The place everyone who is anyone in Iliad goes to relax, Paradise Spa is filled with treatments both mundane and magical which rely on pleasing every sense possible, from sweet aromas to soft coats of mud, to serene sounds and calm colors, along with filling yet tasty smoothies and juices, Paradise Spa is where the troubles of the world fall away, even for a while.

Players can submit new places if they want to.

IV. How Magic Works

The Workings of Magic

All Magic comes from instructions given in the Epic of Making, which in turn is a long poem or song that details the transference of a part of The One Deity's power to mortal Humanity, and the basic mental exercises used to 'pull' magical power from the depths of one's own soul to make what you imagine real.

The various 'types' of Magic come from concepts common to humanity, concepts that you either come up with or you are taught. If you can imagine a 'type' of magic, you can use it as long as you can come up with enough energy to do so. However, you cannot take magical energy from the surrounding environment, because of the fact that only Humans (or fully sapient aliens, if they exist) have magical energy.

Anyone can learn Magic, but few have the combination of strength of heart and imagination to be truly good at it. Therefore, Magical Academies are important so that what existing Magi already imagined before can be taught to other people. Basically, magical systems exist, but they are merely shortcuts for the human mind - You can totally make up your own magic system if you have energy and imagination.

But for those who cannot make up their own system or 'type' of Magic, here are the common systems that the Magical Academies teach:

Marduk Academy:

Elemental and Light Magic - Elemental Magic can directly control Fire, Water, Wind, Air, and Light, or create them out of nothing. This type can make fireballs, divert streams, lift the earth, cause gusts of wind, or smite people with blasts of pure energy. However, it cannot heal, enhance people, or predict the future unless mixed with another type of magic.

Healing Magic - Healing Magic can close wounds and replenish blood, cure diseases and heal cancer. However, only a few take it without mixing it with Elemental and Light Magic so that they can defend themselves or attack in turn.

Enchantment/Enhancement Magic - This covers Magic that strengthens the user, making them stronger, faster, and tougher, as well as Magic that can make mystic items and artifacts. By combining this school with the above two types of Magic, one can create swords that light up with fire, shields that are as light as cloth, and potions that when drunk, close wounds...

Ishtar School

The Combat Arts - Ishtar School thinks differently than Marduk Academy and does not divide Magic according to what it creates/controls, but rather according to the intent they are used for. In short, it doesn't matter that Magic used for fighting uses the elements, darkness, or even candy canes (although that last part is not encouraged), what matters is that the magic is used to fight.

The Kind Arts - This covers any use of magic meant to heal, protect, enhance and generally do positive things. As Ishtar School is still dedicated to what they think is Good, the Kind Arts are not discouraged, but those who learn them are encouraged to use Darkness, Ectoplasm, or just 'invisible waves of energy' to heal and never be too blatant about it.

The Dark Arts - Causing Agony. Disturbing the Dead from their rest. Draining magical energy from other human beings. All of those are regarded as necessary evils in Ishtar School, and they are taught to those students whom the faculty thinks can be trusted with their secrets. Darkness or 'invisible waves of energy' are mostly used as a 'conduit' for such powers, but some few use the Elements or even Light to give shape and range to their dark purposes. Beware of those.

Unnamed Schools, Mentors, Secret Societies, Etc.

Ex. Miscellenia - Anything you can think of as long as it's not too powerful or too gross. Candy Magic, Magical Girl Transformations, Exorcisms, go wild!

V. Rules

1.) Do not be an asshole.
2.) Take NSFW to PMs.
3.) No Godmoding or Powergaming, aka no controlling other players' actions, no defeating your enemy in one shot, and no shrugging of all hits without a magical shield.
4.) This game is friendly to m/m and f/f romance.

VI. Character Sheet

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b] The usual age for a student is 13 to 18, but characters older than those are permitted.
[b]Bio:[/b]
[b]Mundane Skills:[/b]
[b]Magic:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Faction (Marduk, Ishtar, or Cassandra Club when it's founded):[/b]
[b]Are you a Descendant of the Illuminated Poet?:[/b] Simple yes or no question.

The OOC Discord

Windfall: A Character Driven Fantasy

Hmm, I might not join, sadly.

Shadowrun: The Big Easy

@Jeremor, Mystic Adepts aren't allowed?

And if we're making up the setting as we go, does that mean we're ignoring the lore as well, including stuff such as the Japanese Imperial State and Atzlan?

Edit: And yes, I said that I might not have the time for this RP, that might still be true, even though I am interested.

Also, can Mages be allowed to go into melee?