Mintz

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

Ward File: 'Faeble' (Warning - Authorization Required to View)

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"'Where'd I get this?' Jeez, well that's a bit direct, don't you think? You should really- wait, don't take it!"

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Name:
Wilbur Levin

Alias:
Faeble
(People better not shit on this, took like 10 tries before I got a name through. Gaslight, Machiavelli, Bullshit-Bard - I come up with gold, and PR sticks me with this!)

Nicknames:
'Justin Case', 'Doogie Howser', 'Jackie Daytona', 'MacReady', and several other aliases are on file. Mr. Levin is prone to adopting these false personas when interacting with others, especially if he is attempting to go undetected.

Prefers being called 'Will' during casual interactions.

Age:
15

Gender:
Male

Personality:
Mr. Levin is a charismatic, personable, and manipulative individual who regularly changes how he acts around staff and his fellow Wards. He seems to gravitate towards people, seeking companionship and interaction in almost any circumstance he finds himself in. His favorite pastime appears to be watching movies, which is how he spends most of his time at Wards HQ.

To most people, Mr. Levin seems to display a warm and friendly demeanor, allowing him to close distances very quickly. As he builds a rapport and understands them more, he refines his persona, becoming much more reserved and less dynamic - several Ward psychologists believe this is because he doesn't need to 'act out' in front of peers to get attention. Mr. Levin has been observed on numerous occasions going far beyond what was expected of him in order to help acquaintances, either legally or legally. However, while being quite amicable to those that fulfill his need fo-▂▃▅▃▅▃▃, he is quick to use innocent bystanders to further his own goals (See: The Coffee Incident).

Mr. Levin often invites staff and coworkers to interact outside of work hours, especially those whom he is already close with. Some members of staff believe this is due to his ▂▃▅----▃▃▅▅▃▃, but it could also be a genuine attempt to form new interpersonal relationships. It is HIGHLY recommended that high-level staff and PRT members deny any and all attempts to fraternize that Mr. Levin offers to them, as it can lead to an easy breach of Master/Stranger protocols.

Despite claims to the contrary, Mr. Levin appears to display several complexes that are characteristic of young triggers. He appears jealous of other capes, especially Movers - the discrimination he's faced as a Master has shaped his view on capes quite extensively. It is unknown how much of this is genuine, and how much is an attempt to make others lower their guard around him.

Mr. Levin is a pathological liar, and all reports he makes should be backed up by either another Ward, or a direct superior. Despite his claims to regret his past actions, his behavior is why-

(The rest of this section has been deleted.)

Appearance:
Mr. Levin is a teenage male, caucasian, 5'7 and 140 lbs. He has green eyes, and lacks any notable scars, tattoos, or other markings.

Mr. Levin has an extensive wardrobe, covering a wide variety of genres and various 'fits'. He will change outfits depending on what people he plans to interact with, an attempt on his part to blend in and be more approachable. Typically, he will default to formal attire, and will 'dress down' by removing his coat and/or dress shirt.

As Faeble, Mr. Levin's attire is quite generic - a simple suit and tie combo, with a black motorcycle helmet to preserve his identity. Attempts in the past to make This suit is not especially different from his usual attire, though Levin will wear a bulletproof vest underneath it if he is expecting to receive fire. Attempts to make his costume more thematic with his alias have not been well-received by Mr. Levin (See: Glitterbomb Incident).

Biography:
Mr. Levin has lived his entire life in Redline, Maine, and was born to a family of three - Robert Levin (Father), Barbara Levin (Mother), and Cole Levin (Brother). There is little information on the record of Levin's early life - he received average marks most of his academic career, and had little involvement in sports or extracurricular activities. When questioned, Cole claimed that Levin had spent most of his youth playing with friends or helping his brother study.

Around 12 years old, Levin's father was killed in a robbery that occurred in his store. It is around this time that more information on Levin appears - detentions for encouraging fights and stealing, shoplifting, and three suspensions over the course of his middle school career. Due to a life insurance payment, the family was able to support these outbursts, as well as pay for Cole to take his bar exam.

At age 15, Levin's mother Barabara got into a car accident and was rendered comatose. Due to this incident, Cole was designated as Mr. Levin's guardian, and Mr. Levin continues to visit his mother on a weekly basis at ▅▃▂ Medical Center.

Shortly after this incident is the earliest record of Levin's interactions with ▅▅▃▅▂

Mr. Levin seems to have an incredibly deep-seated desire to be liked, as well as what ward psychologists describe as 'acute imposter syndrome and ▅▅▃▅▃▅▂▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▃▃▅▅▅▅▃▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▃▃▅▅▅▅▃▅▅...aggression...▅▅▅▃▅▅▅▃▅▂▂▂

▃▅▂▅▅▅...fled the cr...▅▅▅▅▃▃▅

▂▅▂▂

(A large portion of this section, including various interviews and statements, is either deleted or has been rendered completely nonsensical.)

▅▂▃...which caused a great deal of stress for Mr. Levin. Thankfully, his brother managed to reach a plea bargain with the prosecution - in exchange for no jail time and a minimal mark on his records, Mr. Levin would join the recently forming Wards team to complete his community service hours.

When further biographical information was requested from Mr. Levin to fill his file, he was purposefully vague and deflective. As a result, only information with physical evidence is included in this file, with little contribution from Mr. Levin himself.

Powers:
(DESIGNATION: Master/Stranger 4, Thinker 0)
(NOTES: Standard Master/Stranger protocols should be exercised at all times. Passwords among high-level staff must be changed on a biweekly basis.)

Mr. Levin uses his voice as a medium for his power, causing those who hear it to be affected by the Master component. When speaking, everything that Levin says will be taken at face value by the listener, regardless of its absurdity or preexisting evidence to the contrary. Tests have shown that Mr. Levin could convince staff volunteers and paid subjects of nearly anything - including, but not limited to, 'Owing me 20 dollars' (See Test 013 .mov), 'Leaving your oven running' (See Test 020 .mov), and most notably, 'The sky is brown, and Archangel is attacking.' See Test 029 .mov

Or, you could just say I'm really good at lying.

While Mr. Levin can persuade someone of nearly anything, there are a few topics that lie outside of his ability. When talking with Dr. Anderson (See Test 007 .mov), Levin claimed that 'We have been married for three years!'. Dr. Anderson's eyes glazed over briefly before she immediately denied having ever met Mr. Levin in her life. This, along, with several other (Tests 012, 022, and 023) examples of similar claims, indicates that Mr. Levin is incapable of convincing individuals of things that are deeply engrained in their memories. Examples include important relationships, a job they've held for 20 years, and anything that they know cannot change without notice.

Yeah, if I could convince someone of stuff that big, I'd pull an Annie and become some rich person's kid, not play superhero.

Mr. Levin's power doesn't have a known duration but breaks instantly upon evidence that contradicts the 'lie' being given to the target. Subjects seem to have an awareness that they've been Master'd after the effect is broken, and most have described it as a 'slimy feeling in (their) gut'. Repeated 'breaks' in short succession result in growing discomfort in the target, eventually becoming disorientating, or even causing intense migraines, paranoia, and nosebleeds. Mr. Levin seems to suffer the same effects when his power ends, which is presumably the reason he is able to identify if someone under his effect has broken free. He has lasted significantly longer than most subjects when it comes to displaying these symptoms, however - Mr. Levin claims he still experiences them, but has grown accustomed to the feeling and is 'expecting' it.

It's like a normal guy getting punched compared to a boxer getting punched - I still feel it, I just handle it better.

...Never been punched before though, so the analogy might be a bit off.

Mr. Levin's power extends as far as his speaking range carries it, with electronic devices like Megaphones or Telephones either drowning out his 'natural' voice or simply not being 'soaked' with his power. Additionally, Mr. Levin has stated that there is difficulty in turning off his powers - according to him, they are his 'default', and suppressing them requires active focus.

It is theorized by certain staff members that Mr. Levin possesses a secondary Thinker ability, which allows him to 'read' people around him and identify how to act to, quote 'Make people like him more.' It is unknown if this is truly a Parahuman ability or simply a skill that Mr. Levin is exceptionally proficient in - as a result, he has been given a tentative 'Thinker 0' rating until further research can be done.

(COUNTERMEASURES: In the event Faeble goes rogue, his Master and Stranger rating will both be raised to 6 due to his knowledge of Master/Stranger Protocols and the function of Ward staff and heroes. Protocols must be strictly enforced, and passwords will be immediately changed. Any incoming personnel, guests, and staff must present proper identification to a security officer, who will be behind soundproofed glass and communicate with an electronic system.)

Yeah, or bring a gun. What do I look like, Risen?

Skills:
People Person: As expected of a Master/Stranger, Mr. Levin is exceptionally skilled at manipulating others, even without the direct use of his powers. He has on more than one occasion broken into the Ward computer network and altered documents pertaining to himself without permission (lol), despite there being no evidence he possesses an understanding of programming. In addition to this hacking, he also regularly brings alcohol into Wards HQ, and has been given several warnings against doing so - his ability to acquire or access things he shouldn't be able to (and get away with it) is notable, to say the least.

Planning: Mr. Levin has displayed impressive skill in constructing plans and strategies, usually after his typical persuasion has failed. These can get quite elaborate, as seen by 'The Coffee Incident' (See Laxatives .mov). Despite his short time in the Wards, his ability to accomplish complicated and large-scale operations with minimal manpower and resources makes him very dangerous to leave unsupervised.

Disguise: Mr. Levin is quite skilled with make-up and styling hair, a result of his mother's profession as a Beautician. He makes great use of this with his power, capable of disguising himself with wigs, makeup, and various other implements in order to keep his civilian identity anonymous, while also preventing villains from targeting him as a known Master. His skill in tailoring, while not as notable, is high enough that he chooses to request thread to repair his outfits, rather than order new ones or pay for repairs.

Other:
Mr. Levin has a tendency to use sarcasm to disarm situations which, thanks to his power, is often taken quite literally by everyone involved. If you are confused by something Mr. Levin says, please ask him to clarify what he means, and remind him to focus on his speech exercises.

Finally got to this thing - not naming any names, but whoever reads this file next, be sure to tell your coworkers to not write next week's password on a sticky note, ok?

Did my own little edits, I felt like you guys were missing some important information!

What else to add, what else... Oh, my favorite superpower is Super Speed. Gatecrasher can blow me, the coolest Mover in The Guardians will always be Relativity, no question. RIP

@Duoya

Faeble is accepted.

"...Also, Tristan's getting his pay docked. Sticky notes, seriously?"

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

Damn, you know all my weaknesses. I totally need to read everything, but gotta ask - are supervillain teens allowed or nah?

@RBYDark

Sup RBY lol. Generally speaking I'd prefer a proper Ward to start off with, but if you wanna be involved in other stuff yes, including some baddies it ain't outta the cards. Just...Not a recommended starting point, given this RP focuses on The Wards more than anything.

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

You’re tempting me. Stop it!

… Do I need to resubmit or is Carmen good

@canaryrose

Oh, heya Canary! If ya want back in, I'm totally cool with Carmen, unless you wanna go for something different.

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

Atsushi Fukuda, AKA The Director

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"Just my luck, getting to babysit some super-brats...It'll be interesting, at least."

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Name: Atsushi Fukuda

Alias: N/A....?

Nicknames: Director, Fukuda-San (by some of his staff he's more personal with)

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Personality: Atsushi has the kind of personality that rubs higher-ups the wrong way; where they would prefer secrecy and subtlety, he prefers being upfront and brutally honest, in a business where, truth be told, deceptions are the norm. Not to say he won't, because he's also a smart enough man to recognize some necessity in the system...But he doesn't budge when he can afford not to, and won't hesitate to handle things his way when given the chance. He fully believes all the bureaucratic bullshit is nothing more than that. Bullshit. Sadly, it's the kinda bullshit you can't just wipe off clean and good as new. Something had to change....But for now, this status quo would need to stick.

Beyond the business aspects of things, Fukuda prefers to be as amicable as possible with those he interacts with. Not always because he actually likes or appreciates these individuals; in fact, more often than not, that certainly isn't the case. However, he finds it easier to play nice and not start shit when he can help it. This even extends to violent situations, where he'd rather turn to his words over full-blown combat...And for some reason, you can get the sense from him that it isn't because he can't hold his own. It's a courtesy.

Overall, Fukuda-San might not be the kindest authority figure, but he knows how to extend an olive branch, and he wants to. You'd be surprised how rare that can be amongst those in power...And ultimately, while he might snark or groan, he has high hopes for The Wards Initiative. After all, he's the one that pitched it. Though he can't claim he fully anticipated being the one to head it...

Appearance: Atsushi tries to keep his look professional, even if his attitude usually isn't. He wears a sleek black suit, on which he typically keeps a PRT badge pinned on the side, and underneath that is a crisp white dress shirt, long-sleeved and perfectly ironed. His dark red tie, a bit out of shape from years of use, is a token from his days back in Japan, and he wears it anywhere he goes. His pants are a matching shade of black to his suit, and he normally wears field-ready brown boots. Perhaps in the hopes he can get out of the office work from time to time...

During colder days, he opts for a fairly puffy black coat and a pair of snow boots; wintertime gets pretty awful down in Redline, truth be told.

Physically speaking, Fukuda appears to be a fairly unassuming Japanese man, standing at roughly 5'9 and weighing barely 140 lbs., he doesn't look the most intimidating or tough. Kind of a string bean, almost, but those who can catch details can tell that in spite of first appearances, he's well-trained and tougher than he looks. Beyond that, he has a mess of brown hair that he clearly doesn't put too much thought or effort into, and steely grey eyes that can come off as equal parts intimidating and unassuming. His skin tone's gotten a bit pale, but that's to be expected being stuck behind a desk for nearly two years.

Biography: Atsushi Fukuda's life story...Isn't what you're getting here. What you need to know is that he's a man whose been through plenty of shit and come out on top or at least alive in order to be here. While his attitude might give you the wrong impression, he's a man whose earned a lot of respect for his work, even if most of it is widely unknown by the public, prior to him becoming the Director of Redline's PRT. And after becoming the Director, he's got a lot of big plans in mind, both for the PRT at large, Redline, and even Capes in general, if he can get his way without crashing and burning.

Thus, The Wards Initiative.

The quantity, not even mentioning quality, of Hero Capes has slowly been going down, while villains keep digging their way from the woodworks. Something had to change....And Fukuda offered an answer. It's common for most Capes to have their Trigger Events when they're younger, and without proper guidance or watch, they're bound to strike off on their own and eventually end up on the wrong side of the law. This Initiative could change that; take young Capes and help mold them into the upstanding figures they could become! Or at the very least, get some vigilantes and...Vaguely reasonable youthful super-crooks under wraps. 'Course, when he made the pitch, Fukuda didn't count on being the guy having to manage all these munchkins...But sometimes, ya deal with the hand you're dealt. This is one of those times.

Now, let's see if he can get these brats into fighting shape...

Powers/Skills:

[REDACTED]

• Atsushi has experience in spades, both as a field combatant and an off-field director.
• In spite of his build, he's well-trained in a few forms of martial arts and quite physically capable.
• Fukuda seems to possess a natural mind for stratagem and foreseeing potential outcomes. No doubt some of the qualities that landed him this position.
• His marksmanship is top-notch, even if he rarely has reason to put that into practice.
• Fukuda-San is very skilled with reading individuals; perhaps the main reason they chose him to head this Initiative.

Other: Atsushi has a hobby of buying guns, and appreciates being able to take them apart and admire the craftsmanship before putting it back together, sometimes with his own little touches. Not a Tinker by far though, just something he does for fun.

PRT Files

Overclock

[ IDENTITY ]

Overclock

[ REAL NAME ]

Sean Evens

[ POWERS ]

Scaling Superhuman Feats

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"I can't ask for much better, honestly. While he has his attitude, and he certainly chaffs under the PRT, he's got his heart in the right place, and his ability is nothing short of impressive; speedster, muscle and brick wall, all in one? What's not to like?"

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"He's the 'rough around the edges' sort if I ever saw one. But if his old vigilante work was anything to go off of, I think it's hiding a sweet center! I just hope he can drop that guard of his down a bit among The Wards."

Gray Man

[ IDENTITY ]

Gray Man

[ REAL NAME ]

Wilbur Levin

[ POWERS ]

Unnatural Believability

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"Ugh...I know we offered some kids with shaky track records a chance to set things straight, but this guy? A Master who compulsively tells believable lies? Christ...Well, beyond his grating personality and seeming desire for attention, at the very least, I'd be remiss to deny the fact of how useful someone like him could be in the long run. I just hope we make it that long to appreciate it..."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"Woof. I'm not one to be too negative, but Will here looks to be a handful. I mean, he got to visit for one day. One day. And now we have 'The Coffee Incident'! Well...I'm sure he has his reasons, and maybe being among some peers will do him good! I hope..."

Workshop

[ IDENTITY ]

Workshop

[ REAL NAME ]

Beverly Hillshire

[ POWERS ]

Randomly-Generated Tinkertech

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"Sheesh...I mean, yay, Tinker, but really? When I heard the rumors of 'The Shipyard Tinker', I...Expected more. Instead, we get a girl whose a veritable grab bag of soon-to-be war crimes or party favors; pick your poison. Oh well, at least she's polite."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"What. A. Sweetheart! It's great to have someone around who gets it, you know? Er, not to say the lovely folks who test all the Tinkertech don't get it...Ehehe...Well, what I'm saying is, it's nice to not be the only one around here! It helps that she's sweeter than a shortcake, too! Speaking of, I think something she left here has been making shortcakes ad nauseum with no way to stop it..."

Gress

[ IDENTITY ]

Gress

[ REAL NAME ]

Aaliyah Zaire

[ POWERS ]

Connecting Portals [Mover 6 (Blaster)]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"I'll be damned; we got our own Gatecrasher. Alright, I might be overselling her a bit, but this kinda ability is a 1 in 100 lottery ticket as far as teams go. Even if she might not be on the same level as the old 'Crasher, transport of any sort is incredibly useful, and exceptionally powerful in almost any scenario. As for Aaliyah? Well, she's polite enough, if a bit bull-headed (though perhaps not as bull-headed as another Mover we have around...). Nothing we can't manage. Seems like the pleasant sort, and she has a Power most would beg for, so she's great in my books. Real talk, though? The hell is a Gress?"

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"First of all, I really need to thank her for the costume she put out! Definitely far from my comfort zone, but that just made it more interesting! Had to get some help from...Tech Wizard, but it's all fine and good. Oh, wait, gotta talk about her beyond the whole suit thing....Well, she's great! We've got plenty of nice people, but she seems to go the extra mile, and, well...Let's just say I can relate to her wanting things to be just right. I think she'll fit right in! Oh, and I understood the meaning behind your Cape name, unlike a certain someone...Very clever!"

Memento

[ IDENTITY ]

Memento

[ REAL NAME ]

Morgan Reine

[ POWERS ]

Duplicating Assimilator [Master 2/Stranger 2/Striker/Changer (Brute, Mover) 5+]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"I'll admit, even some of the best Cape teams don't have the luxury of someone who can fix your bones or get you an arm back, and Memento fills that role. That alone makes her invaluable. Now, the methods behind it, and frankly her Power in general, are a bit...Concerning, but part of this program is keeping an eye on potential trouble just as much as it is trying to make them the next generation of Heroes. Beyond that though, she's a great addition with the possibilities she opens up Power-wise. Oh, and the girl herself is fine enough. Maybe a bit of a developing martyr complex there...But, as far as The Wards go, perfectly manageable. Thank God."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"I have to admit, when me and Fukuda were showing her around with the tour, she came off as a bit icy...At first, at least. Looks like she's quick to guard, but just as quick to drop it! She's a sweet girl, but I'm worried about her being too hard on herself...Something to work on. And I happen to agree with Fukuda, her ability is something else! I think if we got Cryogenesis to lend us one of his Cryo-Lab set-ups, we might help her contain the duplicates in a more preferable way. How exciting~!"

Risen

[ IDENTITY ]

Risen

[ REAL NAME ]

Jason West

[ POWERS ]

Regenerative Strengthening [Brute 8 (Changer)]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"Risen's a damn powerhouse, truth be told; rumor has it people have seen the guy regenerate from barely a third of his body staying intact, and while it isn't instant, it's far from slow either. He's probably getting pretty damn close to being on-par with Amazon, which is a feat in and of itself. As for Jason himself? Extreme Martyr Complex, probably stemming from his Power. Beyond that? Pretty nice guy. Had smoothies with him once."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"His Power is a bit too...Visceral for me, but as of late he's rarely even been injured. Fukuda saying he isn't far off from Amazon herself isn't so far-fetched...But as for the man behind the mask (metaphor, he doesn't actually wear a mask though), Jason's a sweet guy, and you can tell he really cares for other people, and this city. Perhaps to a detrimental extent, but if anyone were to put their life on the line, I suppose it's best to be the one who'll still be standing afterwards."

Trump Card

[ IDENTITY ]

Trump Card

[ REAL NAME ]

Richter Vandenhoff

[ POWERS ]

Inversed Power Duplication [Trump 5]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"I'll be blunt; Richter's an ass. A charming ass, but an ass. In front of a camera, he's all smooth moves and suave vibes, but put him outside that lens and I daresay he's as much a degenerate as some of the people we try to put behind bars, the only difference being he works for us. Obnoxious to a fault, arrogant beyond compare (especially for his contrived as shit Power), and having a certain...Attitude towards the fairer sex, it's no wonder they tossed his sorry ass down here. Maybe they're hoping Redline'll whip him in shape. If any place could...."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"I mirror the Director's sentiments, and for my own minor addition...I hope to never meet him again. Eugh. It's no small miracle he hasn't had his membership stripped away...I wouldn't be surprised if someone in the PRT or otherwise has been pulling strings for him."

Blaster

[ IDENTITY ]

Blaster

[ REAL NAME ]

Mitchell McConway

[ POWERS ]

Energy-Based Firearms [Tinker 6 (Blaster, Shaker)]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"I've gotta say, for all the Tinkers I've met in my life (even looking at you, Rachel), Mitch has got his shit put together. Not only one of the youngest Guardians I've met (guy's barely 20), but he's polite, has a bit of 'friendly neighborhood' kinda charisma to him, and enough cheek to make a splash with the youth. Plus, I mean, half his weapons look like they could've come from XCOM, and that has to count for something."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"Mitchell is great! Brings some of the youthful energy that The Guardians have been lacking a bit nowadays, so he's a pleasant change of pace for Redline as well. And, well, this might be some Power bias here, but he certainly knows what he's doing with those guns, even though he's only been active for the better half of this year. A rising star if I ever saw one!"

Fenris

[ IDENTITY ]

Fenris

[ REAL NAME ]

Valerie Jakobs

[ POWERS ]

Monster-Wolf Transformation [Changer 4/Brute 6]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"Valerie, or Val as she prefers, is an...Interesting case. Not too long ago, she actually went by the villain name of Fang, with her partner Claw; she turns into a giant fucking wolf Monster, and he had claws that possessed some weird Breaker bullshit effect, could cut through space or some such. Point is, after the incident with the Seven in New York left her as a solo act, she came crawling to the PRT. I'd almost feel bad if it weren't for the kinda shit she pulled before...Regardless, she's trying to turn a new leaf. Clearly hard for her, but she's making an effort, and her ability isn't anything to scoff at. A welcome addition to the Redline Guardians' motley crew."

[ FASHIONISTA COMMENTS ]

"Fukuda might be cold, but I can honestly feel for her. The New York attack from The Seven was an awful tragedy, and that she lost her love during it fighting those Monsters makes the both of them heroes in my book. She has some reparations to make, but there's an honest effort there. I'm really hoping for the best for her..."

PRT's Most Wanted

Illusory Gentleman

[ IDENTITY ]

Illusory Gentleman

[ REAL NAME ]

UNKNOWN

[ POWERS ]

Illusion [Stranger 6; potential unknown Master Hybrid abilities]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"He's a new kid on the block, and I hate him already. You'd be surprised just how often 'fake it 'till you make it' is applicable to superpowered crime. Apparently, according to some eyewitness accounts from our field ops (assuming this smug bastard's actually ever been on the field, and it hasn't been more elaborate illusionary hoax crap), he's capable of creating illusions up to a few blocks away from his position, and they can be shocking in-depth; he can create visual, auditory, and even sensory illusion work, not to mention the fact that on occasion, it seems like his illusions hold up to physical inspection as well. For all we fucking know, he's actually just making matter out of thin air instead of faking our minds. Hate being so out of the loop..."

[ PROCEDURES/KNOWLEDGE ]

The individual known as Illusory Gentleman is a young Caucasian male of roughly 16-18 years of age, with shoulder-length platinum-blonde hair, assuming there is no illusions at work here as well. He has been cited as coming off as arrogant, and has a desire to flaunt his ability. He is also known to 'play up' his crimes with illusion work, making things more grandiose than they really are. Judging from this and his current record, he seems to appreciate playing the villain more than being one. He has been known to occasionally assist in the capture of other criminal elements, though this is not cause to trust him. Safely assume at all times that Gentleman is always making moves in his own interest.

As is the case with all 5+ Strangers, it is highly recommended to maintain constant communication between team members, and implement passwords to identify one another to ensure no foul play is afoot. Additionally, due to his unknown Master-potential at play, it is recommended that, if line-of-sight is established, to take down with extreme, though non-lethal, prejudice before more complications arise. Otherwise, make cautious moves and try to identify more factors to his Powers.

Current knowledge implies he is not working for any of the known organizations or gangs running amok in Redline. If information that contradicts this is discovered, you are to alert a superior at once.

Stone

[ IDENTITY ]

Stone

[ REAL NAME ]

UNKNOWN

[ POWERS ]

Mineral-Based Armor [Brute 5+/Changer 2 (presumed Blaster/Shaker rating of minimum 5 until rumor of Terrakinesis is disproven)]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"Stone's been a pain in the PRT's side ever since he started The Mutants. God only knows what his problem is with us...I mean, I could think of a few, but that was rhetorical. Point is, he makes it his goal to make us look like a bunch of laughing, joking numbnuts. And I'm loathe to admit it...But as of late, he's been managing pretty well. His power might not sound like much, but you'll change that tune when you see the guy terraform a street to make the equivalent of a stone mecha. He's managed to go toe-to-toe with the Redline Guardians on a few occasions...Hell, truth be told, The Elementals had an easier time contending with him. But regardless, he might as well be priority Number One on our list of shitheels to get into custody. Needless to say, he hasn't made that easy."

[ PROCEDURES/KNOWLEDGE ]

The individual known as Stone has not been identified fully, but in one altercation where only his exposed skin and head were encased in rock at the beginning, it gave us a picture as to the kind of man he is. Above-average build, roughly standing 6'2 and likely weighing nearly 200 lbs. All muscle. A distinct build, that of a bodybuilder; a very dedicated one. His personality is one of forwardness. He does not dance around problems or play verbal spars. He will tell you what he thinks, and afterwards, he'll likely try to kill you. There is something to be said about a man of few words...

In the case of an attack, it is to be presumed standard munitions will not pierce his armor, so lethal munitions and truck emplacements are authorized. Property damage is to be expected from a Brute of his level, and especially so given the nature of his ability; ideally, lead any combat with him to an open area, with as little metal or stone in the area as possible. A tall order for this city, but it is requested nonetheless. It is recommended those who do not possess a Brute rating equal or higher than his (which can fluctuate depending on the mass accrued for his armor) do not engage in direct combat. He will be large, dangerous, and faster than you expect.

He is the leader of a quickly spreading gang known as The Mutants, and he rules alongside a small contingent of other Powered individuals, some of which we possess no data of at this moment in time. It is safe to assume any fight with him could involve any number of henchmen or lieutenants. Be advised.

Slo-Mo

[ IDENTITY ]

Slo-Mo

[ REAL NAME ]

UNKNOWN

[ POWERS ]

Temporal Siphoning [Striker 6/Mover 2+ (Brute)]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"One of the few members of The Mutants we have a bead on currently, Slo-Mo might be some gutter trash...But he's gutter trash with a damn annoying ability. If he makes contact with you, you start slowing down; all of you. How fast your thoughts move, your bodily processes, and of course, your physical speed. That alone is enough, but he also converts your lost speed into his own. In other words, his power can cripple his opposition and turn him into a speeding bullet; not fun to manage. And the process only ends when he wants it to, if he gets knocked out, or the person gets so slowed down that their body just sorta...Quits. They don't die, but it isn't a fun nap to wake up from."

[ PROCEDURES/KNOWLEDGE ]

The one known as Slo-Mo is a 21-year old young man of mixed descent, likely Japanese-American. He has matted black hair slick with grease, and a generally unfit appearance. He is known for being just as blunt as his boss, though far more talkative, vile, and rude. He seems to take particular pride in harassing and taunting victims of his abilities before he takes them down.

As with any Striker, though especially for one of his talents, you are expected to create distance between you and the target, and find indirect ways to confront them. Keep Brutes and physically-based Movers at a distance, since his Power will turn their speed against them. In our confrontations on file, he has been noted to use his power on innocents or henchmen prior to conflicts to gain increased mobility; it can be expected that in any engagement of Slo-Mo, he is roughly a Mover 3 at bare minimum.

As he grows faster, it seems as a method to protect him from the newfound speed, his ability grants him greatly increased resistances while he's in motion, granting him a Sub-Classification of Brute. However, when not in motion, he is just as vulnerable as any individual of his age and build would be, regardless of the amount of speed he is siphoning.

Slo-Mo seems to be a fairly long-stayed member of The Mutants, though he seems to have gained little respect for his actions or abilities. It seems possible that Stone distances himself from the young man due to his vulgar behavior, or perhaps a fear of his ability. Regardless, it is rare to encounter the two together, and he appears to operate solo amongst the Parahumans of The Mutants. This could likely be changed if Stone deemed it necessary. As such, Slo-Mo is a high-priority target before any large moves are to be made on Stone himself.

Hide & Seek

[ IDENTITY ]

Hide & Seek

[ REAL NAME ]

Tara & Terrance (unknown if these are their real first names; last names still unknown)

[ POWERS ]

Concealment & Perfect Senses[Stranger 8 & Thinker 5/Brute 2]

[ DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]

"These two are a strange pair. We think they're siblings, maybe even twins. One's able to make something as large as a small room completely imperceivable even to scanners and the like, and the other has superior hearing, sight, smell...You name it, he's doing it better than you, not to mention a small dose of Brute-like strength and durability. When they work together, that's how you get Hide & Seek; a game where you never find them, they always find you, and you're getting your ass beat by an unseen super soldier. We've been lucky so far that they seem to have no interest in other parties, but if that changes..."

[ PROCEDURES/KNOWLEDGE ]

Tara and Terrance, otherwise known as Hide and Seek respectively possess a relationship not unlike other siblings; they seem to bicker and be at odds with each other more often than not, but they seamlessly work together under pressure, and have prove to be very competent in spite of their youth, given that Tara is likely no older than 14, with Terrance likely only being a year or so ahead.

In terms of power, as mentioned by the Director, they are particularly troublesome. Hide is able to create pockets of her ability, roughly to the size of a small room. Inside these pockets, no visual, auditory, olfactory, and even extrasensory effects can reach the objects and entities within, making them the perfect hiding places. While she can only have one of these pockets up at a time, she can maintain it for an extended period, and also place the pocket on an object or person(s), allowing it to travel with them. She causes tracking to become...Complicated.

Pairing this with Seek, you get a very problematic scenario. He possesses superhuman levels of sensory capabilities, which effectively also grants him near perfect reaction times and a vague form of combative precognizance, because he can read the opposition to an extraordinary degree, and effectively cannot be surprised by those without notable Stranger capabilities, like his counterpart Hide. His keen eyesight also allows him to utilize his lightly increased strength to full capacity, targeting weak points and exposing their defenses, making him a shockingly skilled hand-to-hand combatant.

Standard procedure for Strangers and Thinkers should be carried out in the event Hide & Seek are encountered. If the two can be separated, or Hide's ability can be weakened or nullified, that will offer the best chance. As of late, they have been keeping low on the radar and have still not been observed interacting with the other powers in Redline, such as Knight Aspirant and The Mutants. If evidence to the contrary is discovered, you are to alert the Director as soon as capable.

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

December 3rd, 1921: Redline, Maine.

A boy no older than ten sat shivering in an alleyway, hidden in darkness. The bitter cold of winter came harsh this year, and the boy could feel it right through his meager scraps of clothing. His father was nowhere to be found; claimed he'd find them something to eat. It had been three hours since then. Downtown was dangerous, sure, but the boy always had faith in his father. He'd lived here for all his life, and knew the streets like the back of his hand. He held onto hope in a hopeless situation.

Still, it didn't change his present circumstances. He was freezing to death. It was a morbid realization for a child of his age, but one that couldn't be ignored. Feeling in his legs had already left him for some time, and he could barely move his quivering hands, much less speak. And he already knew people had seen him and ignored him. It wasn't unusual. There was nothing he could do, and it was a bitter thought for the kid. A bitingly cold tear passed down his cheeks.

All he wanted was a bit of warmth. A fire. Something. Anything.

...Later that day, an unnatural inferno wreathed Downtown Redline, causing monumental property damage and loss of life. This was the first ever recorded Trigger Event.

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Ever since that fateful winter day, the world has only gotten stranger for everyone. More and more people had these so-called 'Trigger Events', nowadays more often referred to as Awakenings. At first, mass hysteria reigned supreme, which ironically only caused more of those who would one day be dubbed Capes to be formed. Eventually things got pulled back to moderate shape, but unsurprisingly, the world has never been the same since. But of course, just as chaos rises, so too must order. When villains first seeped out of the cracks of this new ruined society, so too did those who wanted to change things for the better.

...But enough of a history lesson. Welcome to The Wards! This RP will be focusing around the escapades of a fledgling group of youth Capes trying their hardest to make the best of bad situations. Things won't be easy for them; in fact, things rarely are in this world, but perhaps they'll manage to prove themselves as more than just kids with powers. Now, before I can get into more world-stuff, I gotta talk rules. Boring stuff, I know, but bear with me here lol.

• 1: This one's pretty self-explanatory; try not to be a jerk, alright? No one likes trying to play alongside someone whose being all riled up for no reason. And of course, if you have an actual reason to be upset, bring it up to me. It's what I'm here for!
• 2: Like any good story, there's gotta be stakes, and while I'm not particularly planning on character death anytime soon, characters will be finding themselves under serious threat more often than not, and won't likely escape unscathed. Isn't very interesting if someone wins every time, eh? Which leads into my next rule...
• 3: No Godmodding, alright? Pretty sure everyone around here's familiar with the term, though the main piece I'm concerned with is making your character seem too perfect. No one perfectly dodges every move, counterattacks at just the right time, and always thinks things through. Characters, no matter how cool, strong, or smart, can make mistakes and be caught off their guard. Don't be afraid to get roughed around; it just makes the turnaround all the cooler ;) On an...Slightly related note, if you read between the lines....
• 4: Romance is fine, of course, but keep any intense stuff behind the black screen, yeah? Assuming anything like that happens, of course. The ol' fade to black trick always works...
• 5: On a vaguely similar line, while getting wounded, even grievously so, isn't something I'll be trying to stray away from here, let's keep some excessive stuff clear. No one needs to hear about your innards spilling out or something, right? Right.
• 6: Let's avoid anything political. C'mon, like the fictional bad guys aren't enough to tango with, yeah? It'll just leave a bad taste in most people's mouths, so better to stay hush-hush than come at each other's throats.
• 7: I'm no grammar nazi...Okay, that's a lie, I totally am. I'll try not to be on your case about it, but try to make sure your punctuation and grammar are proper. Or at least as proper as it needs to be for your character lol.
• 8: I'm not looking for mile-long posts, but a few paragraphs is a good point to land on. Quality over quantity, I say.
• 9: I mentioned it somewhat near the beginning, but if anything comes up in/from the RP that you want to talk about with me, I'm all ears. Sorta my job as the GM, y'know?
• 10: If you've read this far, when you're making your Character Sheet, add a piece near the bottom where you mention your favorite superpower; it'll tell me you actually made it this far into these rules.
• 11: Last, and most important rule of all...HAVE FUN! It's sorta what we're here for. Y'know, besides the drama, badass action scenes, character development....Okay, maybe there's a little more to this than just the fun. But all of it just adds to it!

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Powers: Definitions and Guidelines.

Powers in this world are categorized into 12 classifications by the PRT; keep in mind that many Powers have broad strokes in their capabilities. Some might be labeled as one Power, but due to how the Power functions, might also place them into another category. Those are considered Hybrid Classifications, denoted by a slash (ex: Master/Trump). Some Powers, if used in certain ways, can also find applications in other classifications, which earns them Sub-Classifications, denoted by parentheses (ex: Brute (Shaker)). Continuing onward, I'll be defining these twelve classifications in more specific terms.

Important to note as well, is that Powers in this world are typically caused by Trigger Events; moments, whether extended or brief, of extreme physical, emotional, or mental stress and trauma, that shape your ability. It also pretty much means anyone with Powers is packin' baggage, and you'd be smart not to mess with that; would you ask a guy who can burn you to a skeleton what his emotional trauma is? No, no you wouldn't...Hopefully.

Power Classifications

• Mover: Movers are categorized as Capes with a penchant for enhanced speed, or some other way to move about abnormally. The obvious version of a Mover is someone with Superhuman Speeds, but other instances might be flight or teleportation, amongst many other possibilities. Quite a few Capes find themselves with a Sub-Classification of Mover, since a fair few Powers could grant specialized forms of movement to individuals. Most commonly, you could find this Classification alongside Brutes, Breakers, and Changers.
• Shaker: Shakers are those with abilities that apply to a large radius, an AOE if you prefer. This makes the possibilities of Shakers quite open, and leaves them to being commonly classified alongside other classifications, such as Blaster. A good example of a Shaker would be the ability to generate tremors in a certain radius, or the alteration of natural terrain, to name a few.
• Brute: Brutes are...What they sound like. Tough, and strong though not necessarily as stupid as the classification might entail. How exactly they exhibit those qualities can vary widely from Brute to Brute, but that's the universal thing about them. Alongside the likes of Mover, lots of Powers can grant the possibility of a Sub-Class of Brute if used in certain ways.
• Breaker: Not to be confused with Brutes, Breakers are dubbed as such because they literally break the laws of the human body, altering it usually temporarily into something else. Could mean you can change your body into steel, make yourself a gas, any number of things, and typically Breakers possess some Sub-Class of Mover and/or Brute.
• Master: Considered one of the more concerning Classifications, Masters are those who can manipulate certain entities to their bidding; sometimes it's minor, like bugs or plants, but extreme cases have Masters who can control other people in a number of ways, or even create things they can control. If someone has a Master Classification, it's wise to stay on your guard as best you can.
• Tinker: About the only thing scarier than a Master might just be a Tinker. While they don't possess obvious abilities, Tinkers are able to think beyond normal humans, granting them unusual levels of ingenuity in one or more fields of technology/science, to the point of it becoming a pseudo-science as they casually break the laws of reality. You can never be certain what a Tinker can come up with, and that makes them both a huge asset to those in possession of one, and a horrifying thing to go against. Typically, Tinkers might also possess a Sub-Class of Thinker.
• Blaster: Thankfully, we're back to the basics here; Blasters are individuals who deal with long-ranged, typically offensive abilities, like hurling fireballs or conjuring up bolts of lightning. Pretty scary stuff, but usually simple enough to grasp to find a hole in it. Be very concerned of Blasters who possess any Hybrid or Sub-Classifications, however, as they're bound to be extremely dangerous.
• Thinker: The least directly offensive Power classification, next to Tinkers. But if the Tinker bit speaks to anything, it should make you all the more aware that the less understood power is by far the more dangerous. Thinkers possess mental-based abilities that typically grant enhanced cognitive functions dealing with information gathering. In other words, it means they're smarter than any Average Joe, and have probably outthunk you before you even started thinking. Word to the wise; if you're dealing with a Thinker, plan contingencies, and lots of them. Chances are they'll still have twice as many as you come up with.
• Striker: Strikers are one of the physically scariest Classifications an individual could have, mainly because it's quite broad. The definition of a Striker is one who uses their Power through melee or touch-based contact with an individual. If someone's Power is that limited by contact, you can imagine it's pretty fraggin' dangerous. However, it does make for a seemingly easy answer; just stay out of reach. Perhaps easier said than done, depending on the sitch, but it's your best bet.
• Changer: Effectively shapeshifters, Changers are able to alter their form or appearance to some kind of extent, from something as minor as altering the look of your face, to making yourself a completely different body. Changers are dangerous, but especially when you aren't even aware they're a Changer. Due to the elasticity of this category, they can fall into any number of other Classes, and Changers could use this to fool you in a vital moment. Keep on your feet.
• Trump: Trumps are....Interesting. To keep things simple, it defines an individual whose Power somehow directly interacts with the Powers of other Capes. This could mean weakening, borrowing, nullifying, empowering, making them go berserk, or even theoretically stealing them. Trumps on their own might not seem impressive, but they can change the flow of a battle with their mere presence.
• Stranger: Strangers deal with espionage and stealth, staying unknown factors in some regards. The methods, just like many other Classes here, can vary widely, but essentially, if your ability can make you harder to keep track of in any fashion, it probably has the Stranger Classification somewhere on it.

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Groups Of Interest

Here, I'll be going in-depth on some groups/entities of note, that you all ought to be aware of, assuming your characters are even slightly informed about anything xD.

G.O.I.s

• The PRT: The PRT, or Parahuman Response Team, is an organization of highly trained, usually un-powered individuals who serve as advanced law enforcement for individuals with Powers; typically villains. They also hold jurisdiction over Heroes, if/when necessary, even having The Guardians, the primo USA squad of Hero Capes, be beholden to them. That's just the way things gotta be to make unpowered folk feel comfortable.
• The Guardians: The most elite Superhero team in the United States, if not the world. Having multiple bases of operations across the country, the team is rarely all together at once. Still, everyone knows that if you can make it into The Guardians, you're a big league name. However, even among the cream of the crop, there are those who stand out; the titular Guardian, the longest standing member of the team, able to form unfathomably powerful energy barriers for both offense and defense, Amazon, a towering figure of a woman with unbelievable physical capabilities, with the most noteworthy being her outright strength, and Gatecrasher, a portal-based Superhero able to teleport people and objects through a number of wormholes that can be collapsed at will for a temporary black hole-esque effect.
• The Redline Guardians: Having put their hand into The Ward Initiative, The Guardians thought it proper to set up a small base with a minor contingent of Guardians to keep an eye on proceedings, and help The Wards get used to the line of work. The heroes in question there are Risen, who was a local Cape of Redline prior to joining The Guardians, who possesses an insane regenerative factor that has made him stronger and tougher each time he's broken, Blaster, a Tinker from Toronto who specializes in high-end energy-based firearms, and Trump Card, whose ability allows him to manifest the inverse of any ability used on him for a short time, working best on Blasters.
• The Elementals: Originally Redline's premier Hero team, after being sidelined by the Guardians, they've mysteriously gone off-grid. Some people believe they might've retired, while others theorize they're scheming vengeance for stolen spotlight. Regardless, when they were in the spotlight, they were an impressive squad built around the gimmick of their name, with each member able to manipulate a natural element in some capacity. The main reason people are concerned about them wanting retribution is due to the team's leader, Hephaestus, a Tinker who centralized around making armor, most notably being his Hellwalker Suit, capable of releasing unholy amounts of high-intensity flame. Regardless of that though, anyone can tell you that being on the wrong side of a Tinker is a terrible idea.
• Knight Aspirant: A 'mercenary' company that has recently joined in the city's sprawl of ne'er-do-wells, villains, and cutthroat gangs, the Knight Aspirants are led by a Tinker named King, who seems to possess a very particular skill for a Tinker; designing Power Armor, suits that directly augment ones' physical capabilities. Making these en masse for his company makes his line-up of thugs far more intimidating than anything else, and quick to stand out due to their knightly aesthetic. Not even mentioning some of his lieutenants, who are packing powers on top of the suits. However, while keeping their standing as a 'neutral party', they've subtly begun taking pieces of the city for themselves, though for what ends, no one is certain.
• The Mutants: A small group of powered individuals, ranging in age from at early as 15 to the mid-20s. Apparently bitter with 'society' and the treatment of Parahumans not willing to be Heroes, though they have expressed it in increasingly concerning, and violent, ways. They also make any unpowered individual trying to reach the upper echelons of their shaky organization take a 'test, presumed to consist of extreme torture methods to force a Trigger Event. While most of their lesser commanders are unknowns (mostly due to dying and getting replaced more often than not), their permanent for now leader is a Brute named Stone, whose Power allows him to absorb rocky material like brick, concrete, or more into his body and form it as a craggy exterior, making him tough and strong. They deal in normal gang behavior, from protection brokering and theft to peddling contraband and sexual slavery. All in all, an unpleasant sort.
• Syndicate: While initially a white-collar criminal enterprise, it seems they've been subtly changing their direction to more dreadful deeds, for unknown purposes. Concerning, given that no one is aware of the head of this organization either. A wild card that had been quiet so far, and is now beginning to try and make waves...
• The Slaughterhouse Seven: Originally the Slaughterhouse Six until their most recent outing, this small group of international degenerates didn't get their name for petty crimes; they're considered monsters, through and through. The kind that when they come to town, heroes and villains put down their pitchforks and shake hands to try and put them down. Key word being try. Last time they showed, however, only one managed to walk out of that intact; their leader since the start, the enigmatic Writhe. Sightings of the man have come and gone for the last handful of years, and no doubt he's putting together a new Seven for more sickening games...
• The Heralds: No one is certain of their origin or intents beyond widespread mayhem, chaos, and death, but The Heralds, or more accurately, the first of The Heralds made its debut all the way back in the 1980's. The first one, promptly dubbed 'Progeny', was a silver-like amorphous entity who emerged in the city of Tokyo, Japan, and wreaked untold havoc, possessing extraordinarily high-end Changer and Brute capabilities; it's body was like puddy it could shape with a thought, forming it into any number of weapons and attacks at the most unpredictable angles, and any damage it suffered, it soon recovered from and adapted to, though thankfully these adaptations didn't last when it emerged again.
  
  Similar to The Seven, Heralds are to be met with a full-force engagement from any Capes capable and willing in the areas they appear in, hero or villain. They're too dangerous to simply ignore. Even with all parties working together, in a Herald attack, it is common for only 2/3rds, or occasionally 1/3rd of the individuals involved to survive, and pretty much anyone involved is guaranteed to suffer injury, likely permanent ones. The other Heralds, those being Archangel and Gaia, are just as deadly as Progeny, if not moreso, though I will go in-depth on them another time. Heralds seem to take 'shifts' in assaulting global locations, usually taking anywhere from three to five months to recover after a debut. In spite of great effort on the ends of both heroes and villains, no Herald has ever been successfully killed.

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With that, I've said my piece! If you have further questions, ask away! In Characters soon will be the Director, who can also serve as a template for your own character sheet! And with any luck, I can get the opener for the RP done rather quickly, because, well...

Truth be told, this is a rebooted RP of mine! Unsurprisingly it means a lot of old faces will be returning, but don't let that dissuade you if you're a newcomer to this; we'll still have a fair few slots open, and I'm always happy to see new people willing to put their best foot forward for a fun Roleplay. With that, I'll be looking forward to seeing characters soon. Au revoir!

The Star-Breakers

Banshee

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Art by Fragan Tanguy

"Oh, come on... Everyone wants to see inside the suit. You know you do. I know you do. Let's skip to the part where you ask about it and I talk about how fast I've seen people boil alive in the atmosphere of Thetos."

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Inside The Suit

Art by SATURDAY (@Koyamamichiru) on Twitter.

"I'm sorry, are you disappointed? What did you expect, two heads?… It’s not worth getting all choked up over, quit that."

Full Name:
Tel'larel of the Great House Darnirrah of the Uzzhi-Attan of Thetos

Some jams I listened
to while making the character

Nicknames/Titles:
Banshee - Current mercenary callsign and preferred name.
Formerly...
Uzzhi-Attan - Title reserved for the upper echelons of her homeworld, Thetos. Used as a blanket term for the upper caste in informal conversation. Roughly equivalent to the human 'Princess' when used for Banshee, due to the context-based meanings of the language.

Tella - Informal nickname given to her by her younger siblings and father.

Ea-Retta - 'The Great Betrayer' in the Thetos tongue; a significant title of exile.

Age:
Physiological Stage: Adulthood
Human Equivalent age: Approximately thirty two.
Thetos age: Five.

Gender:
Female [She/Her] by choice.

Ship Role:
Member - Combat oriented role, formally a 'Mercenary' before joining the crew.

Race:

The People of Thetos and the Thetos Galactic Dominion

Thetos General Information

Classification: Gas Giant

Star Type: Binary System in Steady Degradation: A lesser blue star being slowly pulled towards its orbiting companion, a super-luminous Green Giant. Estimated collision and resultant destruction of the Thetos Home System in 1.2 million years.

Rotation and Yearly Cycle: Exceptionally slow planetary rotation, with its yearly cycle being roughly six times that of Earth. Those born at the Dawn of a Thetos Day will not see Sunset until they are considered elderly, and only those of the highest ranks in the Caste System [called the Uzzhi-Seros] could hope to extend their lives to see the Night without traveling around the planet.

It is worth noting that the atmosphere and gases required by the People of Thetos to naturally breathe and tangibly interact with their surroundings are hyper-toxic to most species, and being fully submerged in the atmosphere of Thetos or a room adapted to its gases results in suffocation, burning/boiling, and death for those who cannot handle its properties.

The Thetos Galactic Dominion; or, simply, 'The Dominion'

Thetos is home to the People of Thetos, a gas-based people who are solid and very much so tangible while in the atmosphere of their home planet- but require the use of specialized Pressure-Suits to interact meaningfully with the universe outside their planetary borders. This has not held the People of Thetos back in more than a negligible capacity; their military might extends to a dominion of one hundred star systems that they claim as Imperial Territory, with dozens of planets and a proportionate amount of subservient species residing within. The primary means of expansion for the People of Thetos themselves are super-massive station-fortresses pressurized and built to house the gases of Thetos' atmosphere, which form the core of their military defense structure as well as act as the governing bodies of their Star Systems.

Aside from Thetos, only two other planetary bodies have been terraformed for the People of Thetos to inhabit personally;

The Paradise Habitation of Hanoli-Minor, a moon of the Gas Giant Hanoli-Major, which was originally created for ecological study of Thetos Fauna in a foreign atmosphere and has evolved into an oft-revered paradise whose residencies are used as Imperial Reward.

The Colony World of Farhome, a recent effort by the People of Thetos to create a staging ground to exert further influence over the Galactic Core. Unlike Hanoli-Minor, Farhome is the first effort the People of Thetos have unveiled in the concept of 'cannibalizing' a foreign Gas Giant; the terraforming efforts are successfully altering atmospheric conditions on Farhome to match those of Thetos itself, which bodes well for the future of the Empire.

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Subservient species within the Empire are considered second class citizens and the only upward mobility available to them is as Auxilia in the Imperial Army. That is not to say they are necessarily ill-treated, for they are a vital necessity to The Dominion's expansions and livelihood, but that they are distinctly kept out of the Thetos Caste System itself. In some ways this is a blessing, their cultural autonomy permitted within certain parameters, and allowing them the natural hierarchies and social structures of their species so long as their appointed representatives continue to meet Dominion expectations.

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The Dominion's military might lies uniquely in its Space Force; Star-Fortresses of The Dominion are the envy of the galaxy in terms of Mega-Structure technology, and the Dominion Fleet is a feared entity in all the bordering star-sectors. The weakness of The Dominion's military comes in its planetary invasion and ground forces; they are reliant on the Auxilia of subservient species, with a relatively small amount of highly trained squads of the People themselves acting as command squads and special operations forces for the Auxilia forces.

Though few in number by comparison, the People of Thetos' specialized military units are seen as Spec-Ops boogeymen by the greater galaxy and their methods and tools are the topic of speculation and fear.

The People of Thetos, short stick

• 'Gender' is a choice for these people, their 'mating' with outside species is exceptionally rare due to the requirements for their bodies to take tangible form. Most choose to identify in Galactic Binary, but it isn't uncommon to find neuter or otherwise personal identifications within their society.
• The bodies of the People of Thetos are malleable within the confines of their personal Mass; most choose an identifiable form and stick with it, and those who make use of Pressure Suits often modify the suit to their chosen body types and gender identity. This means that should an individual choose, they could theoretically operate very strangely shaped suits indeed- and there are stories of more bestial or exotic forms within the Dominion Military
• Their form, when not solidified by the atmospheric gases of their Pressure Suits or Habitats, is gaseous naturally and will dissipate upon death. If their pressure suits break or they are forced outside of their habitable atmosphere, it is equivalent to suffocation or drowning to them- in slow-form. Their gaseous bodies are typically just as toxic to other species as their atmospheric conditions, and ending up outside a Pressure Suit or Habitat is often a slow and painful process of death due to the unique tools required for other species to interact with them. In short, they're floating balls of toxic gas that only become tangible bodies in certain environments.
• The People of Thetos rely on a diet primarily of the intake of Gases, and can only interact with or consume physical food while in suitable Habitats- and even then, their requirements are so unique that they can typically only handle meals imported from The Dominion anyway.
• The People of Thetos inherit based on Youth, meaning that the ruling class (outside the military) are headed by a radical youth cycle with elder siblings and family members taking advisory roles in the political spectrum. This can be a bloodthirsty affair if older siblings want their inheritance.

Personality:
Banshee is a jovial sort, sociable to a fault. Her demeanor is that of a mask, using her social inclinations and comedic nature to keep distance and dilute intimacy- a topic she has great issues with, and a topic she struggles with meaningfully connecting to others with. There is a certain haughtiness to her that she has never been able to quite shake that manifests in a smugness. Her upbringing as the highest class of Dominion society has instilled her with this unshakable identity as a superior person that has come into extreme conflict with her greater travels. There is certainly room for growth here, as she reconciles her own mortality and existence with that of others in the galaxy. She's fallen from a life of never knowing want into the darkness of 'Killer for hire', and that perspective change has brought with it philosophical identity crisis.

"In the end, we all bleed and die... That has to mean something, right?"

Biography:

The Short of It

• Born into the Great House Darnirrah during Sunset, Banshee was the First Daughter. Inheritance into the illustrious Head of House Darnirrah was forever unattainable for her, but her education and choices widened with the birth of each sibling. The eldest of five, she eventually was granted autonomy over her destiny and chose a life of Glory.
• Forgoing the initial political aspirations of her upbringing, she received personal tutelage from weapons masters and retired Dominion instructors to get a leg up on her admittance tests into The Dominion. She excelled, and in her young adult life achieved a high placement into the Special Forces. Hundreds of VR missions and skirmishing operations with the Auxilia later, Operative Banshee was born.
• Her first major military operation was quelling an uprising within the Dominion, where she achieved renown within the Dominion for acts of heroism on the field of battle. Her squad spearheaded and commanded the Vanguard of the planetary assault; her boots were one of the first pair to hit the ground, and were one of the last sets to leave the planet's surface. The conflict was short and bittersweet, lasting only one local week, and her squad was accredited with the capture of the Rebel Leader after a blitz-assault of their reinforced Capital.
• This success lead to the beginnings of an illustrious military career. She was a part of three more major military operations within the Dominion before she was assigned to the Expansion Effort. For the first time, she had to engage with truly foreign hostiles who were highly trained and well equipped. A far cry from the surgical strikes against localized uprisings, the horrors of true galactic warfare birthed the distant and comedic demeanor she is known for now.
• This initial conflict against a Core Species resulted in the first major defeat of her career. Three of the seven squad mates she had come to trust and love had been killed, and she herself had sustained a crippling injury. 'The Bloody Defense of Farhome', as the battle has come to be called, is a stain on the Dominion military history. There was not yet a functional Star-Fortress in the system, and a cease-fire and truce were established with the destruction of the original Terraforming Pumps. The recovery and rebuilding of the system has been a political issue ever since, and radical parties within the Dominion cite it as a cause for both isolationism and military jingoism.
• Temporarily crippled by the conflict, a traumatized Banshee was returned home. While in convalescence, she was approached by the Second Son of the family who attempted to recruit her into a plot to 'Cull the weakness from the family'. In short, her younger brother propositioned her with a plan to assassinate their three lesser siblings to re-establish The House Darnirrah as a powerful political force with 'His Allies'.
• Shaken by her time at war, hardened by the conflicts she'd faced, and mentally unstable from her injuries and losses, this proposition shattered her mind. In a brief struggle, she killed her brother and contacted her convalescing squad mates. Within one standard solar week, she and the other three members of her squad enacted a series of strike operations within Thetos' atmosphere and decapitated the subtle stirrings of bloody coup that had been revealed by Banshee's brother. The four surviving special operations faced trial as Traitors, and were launched into galactic exile. A lessened sentence in light of their service to the Dominion, but a required one due to the vigilante nature of their 'justice'.
• Thus the four banded together in Exile as mercenaries. Their cohesion and bond made them an efficient and lethal force for hire; their trauma and experiences in the wider galaxy pushed them apart. Eventually Banshee was alone as her companions pursued their own ambitions and goals in the galaxy...
• And Banshee was approached to be hired on to a crew called 'The Star-Breakers'. Some day she hopes to encounter her former companions and regain their friendship, but for now she has to make ends meet.

Powers/Skills:
highly trained combat specialist, capable in all forms of combat- but specialized in the 'Traditional' weapons of the Thetos Dominion and focused in close quarters combat scenarios. She fulfills the role of a 'Juggernaut' handily.

Socially trained, politically inured; she is a savvy talker and is resistant to mental influences. Unfortunately this means she has 'opinions'.

Fleet-Based Operations: She has a keen mind for the complex topic of ship movements and gunnery, and has specialized training in Zero-G combat.

Equipment:
To Be Filled

Other:
I've drawn inspiration from a myriad sources for this one, with the heaviest being the Volus or Quarians of Mass Effect and the secondary being various episodes of Star Trek where they encountered truly 'alien' beings with different core makeups than the carbon-based human type. As for my 'favorites' in Science Fiction, for literature that would be Dune by Frank Herbert [though I've only made time to read the first in its illustrious series at this time] and the Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons [which has an excellent audio book adaptation series that I'm able to steadily consume]. In Video Games, that would be Mass Effect if I'm discounting the subgenre of 'punk'- if I included it, I'd have to quietly shill for Cyberpunk 2077 as an experience I legitimately enjoyed quite a bit despite its glaring flaws.

Oh, and I’d be absolutely remiss not to mention Firefly. You can’t take the sky from me!

I just need to fill out her Equipment, otherwise this is complete. Posting now since I need to get myself to work and can finish that minor section tonight.

@Fading Memory

I'd of course appreciate a more thorough backstory at some point, but the bullets get her points across, which is definitely what counts. And as for Equipment, well...As long as it's filled out before the RP proper, there won't be any issues. Welcome to the crew, Banshee! Be sure to get her up in Characters. :)

The Star-Breakers

Luirae Driani

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"Unfortunately, you cannot logic your way through emotion."

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Name:
Luirae Driani

Nicknames/Titles:
Rae

Age:
25

Gender:
Female

Ship Role:
Doctor

Race:
Cristallum [more details in bio]

bullet points

• Slightly bioluminescent skin/hair, the colors in the crystalline sections shifting as energy flows through it
• The crystalline markings on their bodies are soft like skin but in times of danger or when feeling threatened, it hardens into a natural stone like armor. There are many weak points that do not shift or change. The armor can also still be broken with enough force as well.
• The species has two hearts, one with a flow of energy and another that works much like a human heart for blood flow
• Being underground, they are sensitive to light but the more exposure means it is easier to get used to it
• Their eyes have developed in such a way that they can shift vision to see the inner workings of others' anatomy but this comes at the cost of all other surroundings to be blinded.
• Highly resistant to cold
• Extremely logical society, emotions frowned upon
• They make very little connections and most major connections are those with the same jobs or the mate chosen by the elders
• Shuns technology in favor of simple village life

Personality:
She isn't one to back down from a challenge and always put her all into everything she does. Rae can be stubborn, rash, and blunt but she is also kind and sweet, trying to be supportive in her own way. If you are lucky enough to get close to her and gain her trust, then she has unbreakable loyalty. She is the kind of being that would give up her life if it meant protecting others. She would literally give the shirt off her back if it were to help another. Sometimes she can be oblivious to certain things, misunderstanding words/phrases, or doesn't understand certain types of emotions but it is only because of her background where there weren't many emotions. Plus, English isn’t exactly her first language so it can hopefully be forgiven.

Biography:

Rae was born on the planet of Pluvia, a world covered in ice and snow, a vast wasteland of endless white and jutted glaciers at first glance. If you were trapped there, it would hold nothing but blizzards and large blocks of hail that fall from a never-ending storm. The clouds only clear once every year, letting the two moons circling her home planet to shine through and light up the snow causing something special to happen. Glowing flowers called Farafell bloom, only lasting one night but it is the only time her people see the surface and sky of their home though it is not because of the frigid temperatures but because it is more pleasant to live by other means.

You see, her planet's true home is actually on the inside. They live in various tunnels that connect to different caves, each one uniquely different from the last but most are covered with lush strange plant life and animals adapted to the land above as well as below. The only source of natural light they have are certain bugs as well as spores that the trees release at certain times every day. It is the only true passage of time for them. They live a simple life, the people not having much in the way of technology and not really showing a need for it. Highly intelligent, they could have upgraded but it seemed to be easier to continue in the old ways.

The Cristallum don't keep their children past the age of 4 so most parents aren't attached to their children or share a bond. It is for this reason that Rae finds it a strange concept to have people support her or be there for her since she is not used to it from her own kind. The Cristallum species chooses your job and then you are trained till you are of age to do the job assigned. It is all very official and not a lot of emotion is put into things but that is just their way. They are not mean or cruel, just too logical and try to be kind to all they meet (which is not many) unless they are given a reason to attack. None of her race have left home since it is almost impossible for flight, in or out and everyone always has a place to belong which never gives them a reason to want to leave. They also shun the advancement of technology in favor of goddesses, shamans, and village life.

Rae felt she could be more and do more than what she was ordered/‘destined’ so she took her chances by learning the technologies from the outside world and used the broken parts of fallen ships to make one of her own, leaving on the one day when the sky was clear....the festival of the blooming Farafell. It wasn't long before she took on a job to be a bounty hunter when an officer of the law saw her defend herself from a being almost five times her size. It wasn't the perfect job and not really one she enjoyed but at least it was something since she was starting from scratch. After a few years on the job, Rae was starting to feel stuck in one spot again and it was miserable to be catching people only to have them being put who knows where. Instead, she switched to focusing on medicine, wanting to be able to help people and even save them. Being a bounty hunter meant always being alone which didn't pull her out of her quiet shell and lack of understanding seemed to put her in more trouble with others.

The change in her life had brought about more than just her happiness but taught Rae about things she couldn't learn in class. Going to school and being around so many people where communication was necessary made her build confidence and allowed her to understand some emotions and things such as friendship though she was still lacking in many areas, at least she was more aware about the worry of upsetting others. After graduating early, she joined the Star-Breakers so she could explore the universe. She hoped to be a beacon to others that came from situations like her own, being able to leave for a different path of they so choose.

Powers/Skills:

• Her eyes have the unique trait to look through the body of others if she so chooses and see straight to the bone, organs, muscles or tendons depending on what she prefers to see. This is one of the reasons she was a bounty hunter seeing as how this little gift gave her the edge of having a perfect accuracy to knock out her opponent or get the upper hand in battle but on the brighter side, it helps her be the good doctor she is. (She can only look through bodies, everything else appears black or dark in this mode of vision)
• The crystalline markings on her body are soft like skin but in times of danger or when feeling threatened, it hardens into a natural stone like armor. There are many weak points that do not shift or change. The armor can also still be broken with enough force as well.
• Proficient in archery, hand to hand combat, and sharp shooting
• Decent tracker/investigator but she is sure there are much better than her out there
• Has extensive medical knowledge about commonly known species

Equipment:
Elemental dual pistols or special bow/arrows. The bow has a specially made string that connects into the middle when a certain button is pressed. It activates a high powered magnet to keep the metal holder for the old string in place but can be disconnected before activating a high powered laser as the "new" string for close combat. She also keeps a portable medic kit at all times when they are not on the ship.

Other:

• Has a love for plants of all kinds but usually only keeps medically helpful ones around.
• Plays music here and there. Most say the instrument sounds like an electric violin, whatever that is.

Here is my submission :3

@Akayaofthemoon

I mean, we both know what's up here, but...

She looks good! Definitely accepted; be sure to get her over to the Characters section as the first proper crewmate! :)

The Star-Breakers

Captain Kura

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"You either prove you're worth a damn or you get cast aside. How it works everywhere...My ship is no different."

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Name: Kura (his people possess no last name, usually simply being referred to as 'Son of [blank]' or 'Daughter of [blank]', typically referencing their father; in his case, he is the Son of Cardon)

Nicknames/Titles: Captain, The Starblade (by some very extra wanted posters)

Age: 36

Gender: Male

Ship Role: Captain

Race: Saiyan - A warrior race of very human-like aliens, naturally powerful and almost innately ruthless. They are also known for their innate ability to manipulate Chi, the lifeforce of living things, to a variety of degrees; usually in methods made to help them fight and kill people. They are also capable of transforming into giant apes under the light of a full moon, drastically increasing their strength...Though at a loss of self-control. At least, for those Saiyans who possess tails. Which sadly, Captain Kura does not.

Personality: If you've ever met one of his people, you'd probably say he didn't fall far from the tree....Though he's still a fair bit different. He can be brutal at times, and when he's pissed off, you'd be wise to steer clear. Still, he's far more collected than the average Saiyan, and he's...Well, calling him sociable might be a stretch, but can converse well enough, and unlike some of his kin, is actually willing to do it. Usually...

Underneath that brash and prickly exterior, however, lies a...Slightly noble soul, at least. He won't tolerate any authority figures and is a natural rebel, which also leads to him siding with the underdogs, so to speak. If no one else will stand up for someone, there's a decent chance Kura might; why he's like this is up to anyone's guess, but at the very least, it's clear the Captain knows a little bit of chivalry, which can't go unappreciated from a man of his position.

Biography: The Captain's history? You wanna know? Heh, that's rich....For a ragtag lot he's scrounged together in the span of a few months, it'll be longer than that before you find out much from him. All you need to know is he's the Captain of The Star-Breakers, and of their totally legal and not stolen in the slightest ship, the Galatea. In the short time you all have come to know him, he's proven an extremely reliable, if quite strict, leader. But now, with a new big mission on the horizon, it will be time to see just how well this team can hold together....

Powers/Skills:

• Chi Manipulation: Like any Saiyan worth their salt, Kura can manipulate his Chi, using it to increase his already impressive raw strength, create blasts of energy, fly, and even defend himself...Though this is the standard fare. While it's a powerful tool to have at your disposal, it's not a limitless resource, and extensively pushing it will lead to hasty exhaustion or even death in extreme circumstances. As such, he uses it lightly, and only when necessary.
• Swordsmanship: Kura is very proficient with his sword, and could out-duel any old schmuck even without the potential advantages granted to him by his Chi. But between his innate abilities and his impressive skill with the blade, he's a force to be reckoned with in melee combat.
• Jack-Of-All Trades: Kura's had a lot of time to learn to become self-sufficient, and although it's far more tolerable with a proper crew, he knows all the ins and outs required to run a ship regardless, and even stuff outside of that; baseline knowledge of engineering and navigation, a bit of...Let's call it hands-on medical and surgical know-how, and more. He's got a lot of surface-level skills that've helped him out over the years, but it pays to have a pro on deck....
• Charisma: While you wouldn't guess it interacting with him in a normal setting, when Kura wants, he can really crank on the charm; especially useful given he's the guy usually talking through deals and being a 'face' for the crew, so to speak.
• Wrathful State: His people are normally able to transform into Giant Apes under the light of a full moon (or even an artificial moon if necessary), but due to Kura lacking a tail, he cannot do this. However, he figured out a work-around...Turns out nothing is stopping his people from accessing the raw strength and fury of their beastly forms even in their human state, though it took him a hella long time to get it to work. The bright side? Since he doesn't have a tail, the moon has no effect on him. The downside? This 'Wrathful State', as it were, is just as wild as a normal Giant Ape, so getting Kura to cool down after he uses it is...Problematic. As such, this is something big he keeps in his pocket for major situations.

Equipment:

• Katchin Blade: A katana-like blade made from a cold black metal, it is unusually heavy for its size, completely unwieldy for most people. Luckily, Kura isn't most people. He wields it as naturally as one could swing a wooden sword, and the material it is made from is quite unique, possessing a reflective property to it, allowing it to deflect lasers and smaller blasts of energy with ease. Useful when you're getting shot at more often than not.
• Universal Translator Implant: Sadly, doing business with all sorts of people is pretty damn tricky when they're all talking different nonsense; good thing he got this a ways back then. A translator implant on Kura's neck allows him to understand nearly any alien language spoken around him...Though it doesn't help with writing and the like.

Other: Kura stands at 6'2 ft. and weighs in at around 190 lbs., most of which being muscle.

The Star-Breakers

Oh wow. This has gotten a lot more interest than I imagined. If spots really are limited, then I'd be more than happy to sit this one out and allow someone else just that much better a shot at getting in. Really, I'm just happy this RP is actually getting off the ground (heh).
Enjoy the game, guys!

@Mangrale

Spots could be limited; mostly depends on how many folk from the thread or otherwise actually show up. So far it's feeling pretty manageable, so hey, toss your hat in the ring if ya want! :D

The Star-Breakers! A Sci-Fi Outlaw Story!

roleplayerguild.com/topics/189305-the…

I'm happy to announce that the RP is now officially active! Now, I can't guarantee everyone here a spot, given that, frankly....This found a lot more traction that I expected lmao. So it'll be first-come-first-serve on characters, but I'll be sure to fit in as many of you as I can manage. Looking forward to seeing you all among the stars!