Mirandae

The Spirits Within

Spirits can be visible to everyone under certain conditions: for the spirits to be visible they have to leave the Guardian's body in chunks, that is, several spirits tied together in a single mass. This will appear as a small, transient piece of sheet hovering or 'dancing' in the air around the Guardian, emitting a faint light of some color or several colors. However, this will not happen unless the spirits feel safe with the environment, which is another 'proof' that spirits are sentient. In most cases, the spirits will only be visible to others when the Guardian is alone somewhere, or when there are 'trusted' people around (such as our characters), but strangers will shy the spirits away. So, if Remi walked into a room with only our characters in it, his spirits could emerge, but it is not a certainty. But if and when they do emerge, spirits are very warm and loving to their Guardian and 'trusted' people. If they touch you while 'dancing' in the air, in their 'physical form' outside the Guardian's body, it will feel like a warm piece of silk caressing the skin.

Edit: I think there is some Chinese (?) tradition of dancing with pieces of silk tied to sticks? I've seen it somewhere. Those pieces of cloth is what I imagine spirits look like. I'll see if I can find some video of it.

Edit 2: I found a video here. They start to dance with the silk strips at 1:22.

The Spirits Within

Ok, I've gotten my much needed rest! Back to work!

Insatiable said
@Prisk: Alrighty! I shall fix those stuffs once I've finished writing the bio....right now I'm still thinking of whatever background story I should write regarding Jyn's relationship with Sam

Excellent. What kind of relationship are you thinking about? Ideas?

Rockette said
I wonder if anyone else puts a ridiculous amount of research into their characters. . .On a side note, I've been listening to the entire SNK soundtrack whilst finishing my character sheet - I'm forging epic proportions and hopes for this role play.

I do that when I'm not the GM! It's a sign of respect and devotion.

There is a bit of an SNK-vibe to this roleplay, if one considers the kids, military academies, and that some of the creatures are massive in size (bigger than the titans in SNK).

story spoiler

There is one part in the story where we get to battle some of these gigantic creatures!

Good, the story is extremely long and epic, but now I'm nervous that it won't meet your expectations!

Ozerath said
I was thinking about some stuff.So characters draw in spirits that are atuned with their nature/personality. Would characters potentially draw in additional or different spirits as the story progressed, if they found themselves changing?Are guardians directly integrated into the normal military? Do they hold army ranks and follow the hierarchy and all that?Also, I made some changes to Thael's CS.Also also, Hi Insatiable!

It's just a theory that spirits are conscious and choose their Guardians, it's not necessarily fact. Some spirits might be conscious, while others might not.

It's a snowball effect when it comes to spirits and Guardians. The more spirits a Guardian has, the more attractive he/she becomes to other spirits. The effect is slowed down over time, of course, but Guardians never truly stop to absorb spirits, even if it comes down to just one spirit a month. So, yes, it's possible to draw new and different spirits during the story. However, I will design and assign them to you. It's only now, at character creation, that you can deign them yourself.

It depends on which army one would talk about. Different armies/city-states use their Guardians differently.

Yes, in the end, Guardians are just 'normal' soldiers, who have to obey officers and orders.

Everblight said
Hi, I was wondering if your still accepting?

I'm accepting character sheets until the cast is full. I have not specified how many positions there are, because I don't want people to feel that 'it is too late' or whatever. You are welcome to submit a character sheet.

Grammar Nazi said
I am wondering the same. I'm not particularly familiar with Half-Life, but I know a bit about Final Fantasy. The concept intrigues me.

You don't have to know anything about those things. They are inspirations for this roleplay, that's all. You are also welcome to submit a character sheet.

Blackwell said
Alright I've got mine nearly done, just need to add a bio and polish some things up. When you get a chance could you look it over, Prisk? Let me know if anything is wrong.

Wonderful picture choice; I love Mary Elizabeth Winstead, such a gorgeous woman.

There is currently two Weapon sections; remember to remove one or the other for the final version (I'm sure you are aware of this).

Good and clear spirit/limit break concepts, decently balanced as well. (I was hoping for someone to choose a water/ice-theme!)

You're on the right track.

Archangel:
The character looks good so far. You're also on the right track.

There are many things that you can do with fire: The classic fireball, set flammable things on fire with a spark, heat things. It's so general that I can't really give you any decent options. If you need inspiration, you can look here and here—names and pictures usually inspire me to form ideas, but those descriptions are usually unhelpful.

What I'm Doing
I'm currently finishing my character so that I can get the character depository thread going, which is where all completed and accepted characters will be posted. I'm also cleaning up the OOC-information text, which I will update later.

The Spirits Within

Adora, it's fine, you are not being defensive. I'm not entirely sure what I meant myself, see I had my last finals exam today, so all of the stress from the past few weeks sort of unloaded when I got home. My brain is complete mush. Everything seems fine as it is, so don't worry too much about what I said.

Archangel: I'll take look when I've gotten some rest.

The Spirits Within

Tenish
The character is excellent. Well done. Just a few nitpick things:

1. Could you put each section header in bold? For example, Name. It makes it easier to distinguish things.

2. Limit Break section, second sentence: “In this timeless” is followed by a full stop rather than a comma.

3. While your Spirit section did not follow the character sheet, it is interesting enough for an exception to be made. Just make sure to execute this idea of yours in a thoughtful and well-crafted manner in the story. I am positive that it will not be a problem for you.

I am going to create a character depository thread. Once it is available and I give you the green light, you should post the character sheet there—make sure to correct the things that I commented on beforehand.

Adora
I understand the character concept, and I am not saying that you should change it, but the language is a bit heavy. See if you can replace some words with lightweight ones, or censor the F word in some clever fashion.

“DEMONS” would be better replaced with “ALIENS,” as the creatures originated from a celestial body that crashed onto the planet.

Think about what kind of forms or concepts that Fredrick’s spirits had before they came to him. This is something that everyone should keep in mind.

Besides these minor things, the character is on the right track.

Insatiable
Personality and such are good, but I have to comment on the time stuff. It is just one of those things that people react to due to the inherit power. “Timekeeper” should be “Accelerate” or “Decelerate”—you cannot have both in the same spirit. “Wither” should be exclusive to either enemies or allies, not available to both. “Rewind” must be limited to your character only.

The Spirits Within

I'm delighted that you guys are still with us. I will comment your character sheets when they are completed or when and if you ask for comments during your work in progress.

The Spirits Within

Ozerath: it is up to you. Killing enemies and having them flee in fear serves the same purpose. One could assume that the enemies really run for the hills, far away from wherever they are, which is the same thing as killing them. However, if killing them would somehow go against what your character thinks is right, then having them flee is better because the character is essential sparing the enemy from death.

Edit: you will get the most joy out of making something that is coherent with your character concept; something that 'makes sense.' You do not have to, and I am not forcing you, but from my own experience, it makes for much more enjoyable and above all else easier roleplaying. I updated my own limit break "Tempest" with a description. Read it and then read Olivia's personality and you'll notice the 'coherency' that I am talking about. It might not be obvious, but it is there. Your limit break, as it is now, is much more coherent with your character than a version that kills enemies.

The Spirits Within

Of course it still stands. I do not say things without meaning them.

Most of your character’s information fits the new format, if not all of it. There was not much that I felt was out of place, so you do not need to change anything.

Regarding your Limit Break, the idea of the ‘voice' and your choice of spirits are somewhat incoherent with the overall character concept. Look at the central concepts of your character: a big hairy man, who has been mistaken for a ‘wild beast’ and fights armed men with his bare hands. It seems much more logical for this character to undergo some physical transformation in his limit break in contrast to anything else. One of your spirit choices was Earth. Perhaps Kim’s limit break could be associated with Earth somehow, or maybe beasts and predators of the wild? It feels almost druidic.

If you want to continue with the ‘voice’ idea, I would recommend that you pursue the first version, as the second is basically mind control. I keep thinking about ‘Call of the Wild’ from World of Warcraft, is it? Perhaps Kim could call upon all of his nature and predatory spirits to assume physical form and attack all enemies—the spirits could be birds, tigers, wolves, crocodiles, or whatever. Or perhaps they could be massive, elemental golems that persist until the end of the confrontation.

In the end, it is your choice. The limit break is just an aesthetic choice, as no matter what it is or what it does it will kill all enemies anyway, unless its nature is curative or protective.

Alcohol (and other recreational drugs): Ever write on it?

I have a separate word document for this purpose, from which I extract interesting and weird ideas when I am sober. I never attempt to write something sensible while intoxicated.

The Spirits Within

It is an interesting perspective and it should make for some excellent drama in the story. You have created a clear premise for yourself, so now you should think about how he could change over the course of the story—his character arc. I understand that this might be difficult as you do not know what the story is, but you should ponder on some possibilities and a few ways in which Thael could change. A typical classic change is that whatever the character thought before the story is either enhanced or nullified by the adventures of the story.

The Spirits Within

Archangel
I have nothing against this concept, but it is too similar to the concept of one of the main villains of the story. The villain is not based on Eren Jaeger, not at all, but the concept remains too similar for two of the same type of character to exist. You could go through the Limit Break-path and have your character physically transform there, but it is a finite duration and under specific circumstances. I do not want to limit you, but these are the options.

Ozerath
Thael instantly reminded me of Barret from Final Fantasy VII, or that “Gentle Giant” character archetype over at TV Tropes. I was hoping for a character like this to appear, so this is great. Some of his personality traits and biography stuff are similar to my character, which is a good thing. You are on a good track here, keep it up.

Tenish/Blackwell
I have noted your amendments. I will provide comments when you are finished or when and if you ask for them during your work in progress.

***

It is important to understand that the story is about the group—together as one—and not about individual parts of the group. Of course, everyone can have their own little subplots and such if they want to, but the storyline is about all of them and everything that happens will be personal and important to every character in one way or another. My character is not particularly interesting, nor does it have to be. It is, after all, what we do and say in the story and how we interact that is important. Do not perceive similarities in character concepts as a bad thing. They have been with each other for so much and so long that they are bound to have influenced each other a great deal or shared the same fate.

Work in progress, but I am posting it in order to add to the pool of ideas that is already going.

character

Name: Olivia Celestine
Birthday: 18 June
Height: 1.64m

Appearance
Olivia often wears differently colored homemade, knitted scarfs—a personal hobby of hers—that are loosely tied around her neck, with both ends swaying freely on her back, reaching her waist. When not required to wear a uniform, Olivia wears a distinctive, black leather jacket, usually unzipped, that was originally her father’s. He left it with her, as a memory, before he was shipped off to die in the First Contact War. These identifying pieces of clothing are complemented with white tops and t-shirts, tight jeans of marine blue coloration, and extremely white sneakers. Olivia has a thing for white sneakers and freaks out when they become dirty.

Personality—“Rules are not always morally right”
Olivia is a sturdy vessel sailing against the wind in a stormy ocean, never losing her grip of what is the right thing to do even if it means going under. Her philosophy is unique to her person and her stubbornness will never change it for anyone or anything. Though her internal conflicts and struggles may be heavily romanticized, ideas and thoughts may run amuck inside her mind, Olivia is very a cerebral character. She has a natural magnetism and allure, perception, sophistication, and adaptability to her, but she is also incredibly self-critical, moody, and introspective. Olivia can philosophically muse on the circumstances that brought her to this point in time for hours on end. She is altruistic, caring for the well-being of others more so than her own. This makes her extremely passionate about whatever cause she might involve herself in, with strong personal beliefs that often conflict with the perceived better judgment of other leadership figures. This can often make her seem turbulent and defiant, but her intentions are always genuine.

Biography
The town was to Olivia what it was to everyone else: home. It did not have the grandeur of a massive city, but what it lacked in size and wealth it made up for in family and community. Everyone knew everyone. The people who lived there knew that Olivia was raised by her aunt instead of her biological mother—whom passed away when giving birth to her child. There was no shame in it, and they did not mind speaking about it when someone asked. Olivia’s biological father shared his life with her and the aunt. The two adults did not engage in a romantic relationship even though they were the same age, of which Olivia was eternally grateful.

Olivia’s father passed away in the First Contact War. It happened a few years into her education at the military academy. But before he died, he taught his daughter everything he knew and had learned about swordsmanship. He was a natural talent and learned in just a few years what masters learn in a lifetime. Olivia was not as talented as her father, but he did not give up on her. A few months after Olivia received word of her father’s death, the military shipped all of his belongings—including his sword—to Olivia’s address at the academy. To this day, Olivia uses her father’s sword in combat.

...

Weapon
Olivia’s weapon is a sword, or what some would call a ‘Gunblade.’ They were originally designed by soldiers to function as a single ranged and close combat weapon, but over the years in the war, the weapon turned more and more into a melee weapon rather than a hybrid. The Gunblade is a sword with a pistol or revolver action built into the hilt, the barrel usually running inside the length of the blade. Olivia’s Gunblade has some issues when it comes to firing a projectile—her father was not an engineer to say the least. The weapon is old and the Academy has recommended Olivia to use it for ceremonial purposes only, but she will not back down. Olivia is determined to use her father’s sword, no matter what.

Limit Break—“Tempest”
Olivia transforms into a violent storm that causes the skies to darken, rain to fall, and thousands of lightning bolts to strike the enemy. The intensity of Tempest increases if Olivia unleashes it inside a building or otherwise finite area. Her consciousness during this phenomenon takes the form of a gale-force wind that she can freely control and direct. However, the lightning strikes of Tempest are largely random and out of her control, which means that team members must seek shelter in order to avoid being struck.

Spirits
Olivia has a natural attraction to spirits associated with wind and lightning, and they to her. There may be several reasons for it, but none of which Olivia cares to investigate. While the spirits are many, only a few of them mount to useful combat applications.

“Ride the Lightning”
Olivia disappears in a flash of lighting and instantly reappears at an enemy. The impact does not cause noteworthy damage to the enemy, but has the potential to stun and blind them. The area of Olivia’s reappearance may suffer structural damage depending on material—soft materials should definitely be damaged somehow. This spirit must have an idea of where it is going, a point of reference—a target. This means that Olivia cannot use this spirit to ‘teleport’ herself in the surroundings. During the process of being transported by the spirit, Olivia and the spirit meld in the physical world. Though the duration is less than a millisecond, rapidly repeated instances of the process will take its toll on Olivia and she will eventually become fatigued to the point of being knocked-out.

“Thunderclap”
A massive lightning bolt descends from above. The spirit will severely harm anything or anyone caught within its radius, which is considerable. Bystanders may suffer momentary blindness and deafness due to the bright light and booming sound. Due to the size of the bolt, this spirit should be used with extreme caution inside buildings or otherwise cramped areas, as it may harm the caster herself or team members.

“Gust"
This spirit causes a relatively bantam, but powerful gust of air to move in a desired direction. It is harmless in itself, but depending on the direction in which a target is pushed, the spirit can cause fatal damage. For example, it could push a person off of a precipice or into an electrified fence.