Ryik

Legion of Heroes

@The Forgotten You've reminded me of yet another aspect I should add to his character sheet; being in his Werewolf form on the night of a full moon.

Anyway, his transformation ability would be painless, but his Werewolf form (as well as his Vampire form) comes with a transformation-within-a-transformation. Going from Werewolf (human) to Werewolf (wolf) wouldn't be painless, though I wouldn't say it's quite as torturously agonizing as that.

Legion of Heroes

He wouldn't, initially. He'd just be a big suspicious moth monster that keeps showing up, and could even be construed as a pest in need of extermination or a (very weird) pet to adopt.

The fact that combat experience can lead to evolutions is reason enough to hunt down villains, since there's not a lot of other morally sound avenues to pursue for that in a modern setting.

Legion of Heroes

Changing forms wasn't intended to take that long. He wouldn't be able to slip between forms like he's performing different moves in a combo of a fighting game, but it would only take a few seconds. The Werewolf and Vampire weaknesses in particular would be able to halt his transformations though. The legendary beast forms would probably take longer, though even then still only a dozen seconds or so.

First stage caterpillar is an actual mundane caterpillar, second stage is about the size of a large cat or medium-sized dog. I figure I'd skip the part where he goes around munching on leaves.

Also, I've realized I've neglected to clarify that his evolutions are supposed to be more like digimon rather than pokemon; he can go back to previous forms, though there usually isn't much incentive to do so besides unlocking other evolution paths

Legion of Heroes

Here he is. Hope he doesn't overlap too much with everyone's ideas.

Arkin

Name: Arkin Rey
Superhero names: Mothman (tentative), other names will depend on the plot
Gender: ♂
Race: Genetically modified human (shape-shifting chimera)
Age: 21 (28 chronologically)
Appearance: Changes based on form

Arkin, given the choice, most often interacts with others in his werewolf form (pictured above) due to having no major physical oddities or obstructive weaknesses. Covered in hair, with an unruly light-brown head of it and golden yellow eyes. Broad shoulders with impressive musculature. Has a strong, distinct body odor one might describe as a mixture of sweat, musk perfume, and dog fur.

Ever since acquiring his abilities, Arkin lost the ability to return to his human form, and thus his appearance differs with his current species. I intend on starting the RP with only a caterpillar form. Most humanoid forms retain his light brown hair, but share little else. Descriptions of his forms will be added as he obtains them.

Power: After absorbing the genetic material of certain animals by biting or being bitten, (and surviving, and just generally having the luck to have it activate) Arkin permanently gains the ability to transform into them. Furthermore, not unlike a pokemon, by meeting certain conditions or gaining combat experience with the form, he is able to evolve, skipping ahead in the animal's life cycle and/or gaining new, stronger, more monstrous forms. He also retains the ability to revisit previous forms, and in certain circumstances can transfer the physical qualities qualities of other forms he has unlocked.

Including the base form, each of his transformations (albeit not necessarily every evolutionary path) has 5 stages, and will always have at least two forms in the 5th and final stage, consisting of at least one humanoid cryptid and one “legendary beast”. Transformation takes only a few seconds for most of his forms, and about a dozen for his legendary beast forms, though the transformation can be interrupted with certain weaknesses.

Planned humanoid forms (other than Werewolf) include Mothman, Vampire, Harpy, Lamia, Mermaid, and possibly Demonoid. I’ve considered a Kitsune form but it doesn’t have enough social weaknesses so I’d rather dangle the prospect in front of Arkin forever without ever giving it to him. Acquisition of a devil/demon form would require contrived luck in the form of another character with demon powers, which I currently have no intention to create myself. Due to a muddled mythologue, Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti/Skunk Ape/etc. is simply incompatible.

Planned legendary beast forms include the Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, (totally not Mothra) Camazotz, (bat god) Fenrir, Cerberus, Roc, Jormungandr, and Leviathan, though some of them might not be as large or divine as they are historically described.

All of the forms have some level of superhuman physique, but besides staring a Mothman in the eyes, listening to a Mermaid's siren song, getting bitten by a Vampire or Werewolf, or the transformation-within-a-transformation of the Werewolf and Vampire form, they are more or less limited to their physical properties. The legendary beasts might have a bit of extra spice like breathing fire (Cerberus) or creating storms (Roc) or ritualistic curses (Camazots) but are otherwise just varyingly kaiju-sized monsters.

Limitations: First and foremost, Arkin can only acquire the ability to transform into compatible forms, which for him is permanently defined as monsters that can evolve to attain a humanoid form he originally knew of, possibly brought about by his strong desire to return to human society. An insurmountable mental block stops him from accepting any new humanoid monsters as anything but contrived. Having little prior knowledge of foreign mythology, furries, or obscure works of fiction, most of the viable forms are mundane animals that evolve into mythical creatures common in popular culture.

Additionally, each humanoid form has varyingly pronounced psychological effects, and maintains the classical weaknesses of their mythologues:
Mothman - While ironically having the mildest psychological impact, it makes him slightly more detached and unfeeling. Photophobic in the disdainful sense. Has difficulty not becoming disoriented when close to bright lights.
Werewolf - Burned and grievously wounded by silver. Has a strong psychological effect, making him more egotistical, with pronounced anger management issues. Generally loosens his inhibitions and worsens his better judgement. Forced into wolf form on the night of a full moon, losing his humanity until morning.
Vampire - Burns upon contact with sunlight, cannot willingly enter a residence uninvited, does not have a reflection in silver-backed mirrors and cannot cross natural flowing freshwater. (harmed by it. Going over it or on a boat is fine though.) Mild inherent evilness, with a tendency for obsession. Hates dogs.
Harpy - Bird-brained, with a tendency for aggression.
Lamia - A snake is a snake.
Mermaid - Aggressive, possessive, not very mobile on land.

Finally, though his legendary beast forms tend to wield more raw destructive force, they are also the only forms he cannot stay in, quickly wearing him out and forcing him to change into his other forms. The actual time he can remain as one varies with form based on its size and his actions. Camazotz, being around 4 meters tall, can last for several hours, while the godzilla-scaled forms going on a rampage may not last even one hour.

Skills/Talents: A very fast reader, good at puzzles, party games and strategy games, a decent (if unqualified and unconfident) paramedic in a pinch, and while he’s not a particularly gifted cook, his pancakes are without match.

Background/Bio: Was a simple college med student before getting sucked into a mad science experiment by one of his peers whom he never learned the name of. The intended experiment was actually thwarted by the results of a lab accident taking the mad scientist’s life before coming to its completion. He was kept cryogenically frozen for 7 years before the hidden lab was discovered and the self-proclaimed explorers who found it accidentally started part of the experiment back up, turning him into what he is now. A caterpillar. He was able to make it out of the lab alive and well, learning the basics of his bizarre power and circumstances, but after one evolution he has only managed to become a larger caterpillar. He has since revisited the lab, already finding it cleaned out of any details of the experiment, both the one that was supposed to happen and the one that actually turned him into what he is now.

Theme:

Legion of Heroes

I do like writing characters with another form/appearance, though I go for more of a monster-y sort of thing. something akin to Cu Chulainn, Fafnir, or lycanthropes. I am considering on doing something along those lines but It won't really overlap that much with your idea if you want to fulfill that niche.

@Lurking Shadow

Tentative interest, though I was thinking of a character that would overlap with this lol

Pokémon: Legends of Tomorrow

I'm down.

If you're interested, please leave your interest below as well with any questions you may have for me to answer.

1. Starting Items?
2. Starting Moves?
3. Starting Money?
4. Hidden abilities when?
5. How often can we expect to encounter non-Kanto pokemon within Kanto?

Also, here's Kaison.

Kaison

Name: Kaison Locke
Age: 16
Personality: Adventurous, stoic, and generally nonchalant. He might seem idealistic, though it's more accurate to say he's casually optimistic. He hides any troubles he may or may not have behind an unfaltering smile that doubles as a flawless poker face. Not particularly competitive, and usually takes a relaxed approach to problems.
Background: Kaison was born to a highly successful self-made businessman and his beautiful house wife. When Kaison was one year old, his mother died giving birth to his younger brother. Consequently, his father developed depression and a drinking problem. Due to his young age, he was never familiar with his mother, and he’s never known his father to be any other way. Even so, his father maintained his responsibilities. He was a drunkard, not abusive, and he and his brother were generally left alone, if not watched by a babysitter. As such, he's had a lot of free time, growing up, and most of it was simply spent on games, anime, manga, and so on. He's dabbled in creating his own games or writing his own stories, with varied success. Still, he wants to experience his own stories of adventure for himself. He believes that a biography on him should be something worth reading, and to make that not just a possibility but an inevitability, he's decided to go on a Pokemon adventure, if only to see how far he can take it. Traveling around for his father's business has been the norm, but their extended stay in the Kanto region is a great opportunity to get started.
Wallet: 5,000 of his own money, 10,000 in a debit card given to him by his father, to be used exclusively in "emergencies", and an unused coupon for a free casteliacone.
Inventory: A backpack full of necessities, including food, (mostly nonperishable) clothes, camping gear, (including an escape rope) ten pokeballs, and a single potion.

Theme

Pokemon

Name: Samsara the Fomantis
Overview: An aloof hunter, despite being a bit bumbling given her young age. Basically what you would expect out of a house cat.
Ability: Leaf Guard
Movepool:
- Leafage
- Fury Cutter
- Growth
- Aromatherapy

Derika Labs

A prelude to Derika.

Gift classifications

When Gifts can reasonably fall under multiple categories, the categories are (usually) explained and the Gifted in question is asked to categorize themselves.

Physical - Biological creation, modification, or augmentation, including unrealistic bodily capabilities such as strength without muscle and non-specific manifestations limited to bodily forms. A bit of a misnomer, since it pertains solely to the body rather than Gifts with physical manifestations, which usually fall under Elemental or Unaligned.
Examples: Super Strength, animal transformations, or granting objects controllable arms. Most quirks from My Hero Academia fall under this, since they usually have a bodily explanation; other Gift types typically don’t. Organ-based fire breath (or explosive sweat) is a common example of a Gift that could fall under either category between Physical and Elemental.

Elemental - Creating, transforming, manipulating, emulating, or becoming a specific substance, or a specific and finite number of substances, in a deterministic manner. Substances do not need to be real, but If there is no limit to what materials are viable, then it does not fall under Elemental.
Examples: “Darkness” manipulation, energy barrier creation, or consuming the four classical elements to activate four different effects based on the elements.

Mental - Influencing or enhancing the mind or mental processes including exhibiting or granting otherwise unavailable or impossible mental functions.
Examples: Illusion creation, sudden weapon expertise, or direct pain infliction.

Dimensional - Affecting space, time, dimensions, or altering the fundamental laws of the universe directly, without intermediary cause.
Examples: Teleportation, freezing an area in time, or having access to a hammerspace/extradimensional inventory

Unaligned - Effects operating on abstract mechanics or otherwise through a change or changes in causality for an individual or individuals.
Examples: Copying other Gifts, Materialization of any type of object from nothing, or the ability to create fortune cookies with random fortunes on them, (pulled from a list) which come true when the cookies are opened.

Character Sheet

Name: Name of your character, as well as any nicknames or aliases.
Gender: ♂/♀/~
Age: Keep it realistic, please.
Appearance: DO NOT INCLUDE IN CHARACTER SHEET. PM it to me or something.
Choices: Pick a gender and a hair color. Don't worry what this is for. It can be the same or different from the character's.
Gift Classification:
Gift: A summary of your character’s Gift.

Weaknesses/Limitations:

Artifact Wishlist: "i.e. Something to help with..."
Personality: The general vibe your character gives off, and in particular how others may perceive them.
History: Gifts (including their own) and Derika do not exist as far as your character is aware.
Other: Theme songs theme songs theme songs theme songs theme songs

@IceSolstice@Mattie_@vanovick

Derika Labs

You each wake up, finding yourselves in your own glass cylinder that has just been drained of some unidentifiable liquid. You hear a click as some previously unnoticed tubes and needles disconnect themselves from the back of your neck and upper back. For a brief moment, irrational claustrophobia starts to set in as you find yourself trapped before the glass cylinder finally rises into the ceiling, leaving you alone in a heavily dilapidated lab lit only by a thin layer of faintly glowing algae.

Super-powered Killing Game with Randomized Super Powers

I'm very much interested in this.

I'd also like to contribute to the power list, if you're still looking to fill it out more. I love making up complex power sets.

By chance, would players intuitively know what their ability did, or would they have to find out themselves akin to The Hollow?

Pokemon Conflux

"Strong Pokemon. Weak Pokemon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favorites."
-Karen of the Indigo Elite Four.

"It's one thing to enjoy leisurely battles, but real battles can be a severe trial. Truly strong trainers sometimes must be prepared to choose Pokemon that can win rather than their favorite Pokemon."
-Gentleman of the Hoenn Battle Resort.

Truly skilled. Truly strong. Pokemon that can win. Pokemon that are your favorite. It's the frustration brought about by the lack of overlap that led to gene splicing technology. With it, if a Pokemon was incapable of wielding the power necessary to succeed, it could simply be given that power. By combining traits of other Pokemon, it was possible to take the best traits of both. Alternate abilities. Access to new moves. Sometimes, even bodily modification was possible, resulting in a wide range of new, sometimes outrageously powerful fused Pokemon. The rampant Pokemon modification experimentation even led to the Create-a-Pokemon project, bringing about the creation of entirely new species solely intended to experiment with what it meant to be a "strong" Pokemon.

While many enjoy the benefits offered by Pokemon modification, others see it as a crime against nature. Fusion requires two Pokemon, but the end result is that only one Pokemon remains. Only one consciousness is kept through the fusion process, the other only returning with no memories of the interrim if the fusion is undone. Transferring of traits also involves returning the unwanted traits to the donor, which some view as equivalent to imparting it with a disability. By comparison, the Create-a-Pokemon project is often criticized the least, despite the Pokemon scientists involved playing god. Perhaps the precedent of other manmade pokemon has numbed people to it, though their impact on the local ecosystems isn't without consequence either.

This RP is inspired by both Smogon's Create-a-Pokemon project, which uses a series of lengthy voting processes to create pokemon in attempts to experiment with the OU metagame, and Pokemon Infinite Fusion, a fangame with a long-standing community that continuously produces beautiful spritework for the various fusions. All 31 completed CAPs (plus their 34 pre-evolutions, as well as the 32nd CAP, when it's finished) and any Pokemon fusion that has a custom sprite/artwork (which are miles ahead in quality over the hideous auto-generated ones) would be available, although fused Pokemon will be somewhat harder to obtain. In addition, to help out terrible Pokemon who already struggle to stay relevant and tying in with the plot I had planned, granting Pokemon new abilities and moves will be allowed, within reason. Slapping wonder guard or Huge Power on everything isn't gonna fly, but if you want to give Beautifly Drought because it gets Solarbeam, STAB U-Turn, and no other sun setter has a pivoting move, go for it. Might as well give it Weather Ball while you're at it, lord knows Beautifly would still need the help. (Admittedly thin) Thematic justifications, such as Beautifly learning TM Sunny Day and Morning Sun by level up are necessary, though unless it's downright bizarre it's probably fine.

As for the details of fusions, we'll be copying Infinite Fusion's Head+Body system; you select one Pokemon as the head and another as the body. This means there are two possible results for each combination of pokemon. The result uses the stats of the materials, weighted (1/3 to 2/3) so that the body contributes more towards attack, defense and speed, while the head contributes more towards HP, special attack and special defense. The fusion product will have access to any four moves and any one ability of its materials. The fusions continue to evolve as per the evolution requirements of its materials. A Bulbasaur/Pidgey, for example, would evolve into Ivysaur/Pidgey at level 16, Ivysaur/Pidgeotto at level 18, Venusaur/Pidgeotto at level 32 and Venusaur/Pidgeot at level 36. Some combinations might need a balance adjustment, though barring Shedinja fusions and a few others that are extremely difficult to deal with, I'll probably just let it be. The bigger restriction is probably going to be finding a viable combination with the appropriate custom sprite. It's usually pretty glaring whether a fusion has a custom sprite or not.

A few examples of the excellent custom sprites I've seen

The RP takes place in a new region, which welcomes both experienced trainers from other regions as well as new trainers, who will have the unique advantage of being offered one of the 3 starter CAPs:
Fawnifer

Smogecko

Swirlpool


As for the actual forum gameplay, I'm very fond of the gradual build up of progress and I don't really mind keeping track of experience points for everyone, though the aspect of grinding is obviously very bad, so I was thinking of just slapping a huge exp modifier like x5 or x10 on everything and calling it a day. For pvp or important battles, the default is an anime-style battle unless someone specifically prefers a more structured, turn-based format, wherein I can acquiesce using PM inputs (probably through discord for convenience) and a damage calculator, if not simply Pokemon Showdown, depending on the details. For less important battles, players can just control their NPC opponents and handle the battle within the same post, with as little or as many details as they'd like.

Besides balance restrictions, I still haven’t decided on what limitations to put on the acquisition of pokemon modifications or fused pokemon, nor what restrictions to put on the teams of incoming veteran trainers so they don't just sweep the region, so I figured I’d get feedback on that while doing an interest check at the same time.