The Harbinger of Ferocity

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

The strike elicited little recoil from the cloaked figure in the wake of a brilliant magical bolt which passed by them both. Not because it failed to connect, but something turned the injury aside with unnatural resilience and spurred a horrible, horrible response from deep within. It was there, in that moment of realization, that death stared the attacker back with, at least this time, metaphorical jaws that would pluck what little life they had from corporeal figure. So Brannor's gaze narrowed in fixation and he snarled, soon turning the killer blade on the lone survivor of the spearheaded strike the heroes of Greenest were delivering to make their escape. What came then from the feral man was nothing short of terrifying ferocity that had been prefaced by his grunt, hefting the sword in spite of his wound.

There were no words, no passionate, vigorous spectacle, or snide and cunning remark before the sword swept from low to high, the angle centered just under the dragon-worshiping man's ribs. There was only the roar of a wounded animal that lashed back significantly harder, regardless if anyone could even hear anything over the sound of tearing flesh and armor at all; a retort only steel aptly could give. But the knight-aspirant finished his strike all the same and stepped through after, carrying on and moving even if it meant under threat.

As it were, if dying in the mud and bleeding to death from being carved like fresh meat was this cultist's idea of serving this dragon better, Brannor was all for hastening that outcome. One way or another he was going to cut a path through the enemy who made the mistake of crossing them but one night ago and ruining so many lives in the process. All the feral champion could hope for now was that his allies followed him and the corona of lunar magic that carried with his sizable figure, no matter if the enemy was dead or not. Thus far he was far from concerned they would fail, as the priestess had laid one low with her magic and another was butchered by the green skinned half-blood.

Effects

Brannor maintains his concentration on Shield of Faith with a 10 despite the attack. He then retaliates against his attacker with his greatsword, likely striking on a roll of 20. Assuming this probable blow hits, it deals 12 points of slashing damage. Regardless of success or failure, Brannor moves his remaining movement through their barricade, even if this would provoke from his target. Like before, he will take any attack of opportunity he can make should an enemy provoke from him.

@Hekazu@Gordian Nought@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen

Writing and Debate Experiment - The Criteria for Survival

Greetings,

This was a writing prompt and thought experiment which is designed to lead into discussion which I had encountered and thought particularly interesting. While it is not mine and I have expanded on it some to further facilitate an interesting expression by including the writer themselves, the core idea is still very simple and particularly novel. Follow the directions as stated below and do not think too in-depth about the scenario presented, rather the goal and logic behind it. As an added note, please understand that the audience the prompt is aimed at are mature members in nature; take the prompt seriously and in good faith. The goal is to create a functioning society and the writer needs to explain why they think their unlikely group is the most likely to survive.

The world has ended and you must choose seven or less people to survive. They will form the nucleus of a new civilization. You will accompany them, for a maximum total of eight people. List those you have selected in the order which you would choose them, then indicate your rationale for selection. Specifically, why you chose these individuals and why you placed them in this order. Finally, explain yourself in a similar format as the other survivors to choose from in the prompt initially, then rate and incorporate yourself into the rankings.

Criteria for Survival Prompt

• Dr. (Mr.) Scott: 37, white, historian (doctorate), college professor, good health (jogs daily), botanist, politically active (unspecified), married (Mrs. Scott), has one child (Billy Scott).
• Mrs. Scott: 38, white, Jewish, obese, diabetic, psychologist (master's degree), mental health counselor, married (Dr. Scott), and has one child (Billy Scott).
• Billy Scott: 10, white, Jewish, intellectual disability (IQ 70), good health, physically strong.
• Ms. Perez: 23, Hispanic, Catholic, general education (9th grade), cocktail waitress, prostitute, divorced, has one child (Michael Perez).
• Michael Perez: 3 (months), Hispanic, healthy.
• Mr. White: 25, African-American, homosexual, medical student, musician, good health, political active (black power activist).
• Mrs. Anthony: 28, African-American, Protestant (minister's daughter), electronics engineer (bachelor's degree), divorced, politically active (zero population growth).
• Mr. Clark: 51, white, Mormon, mechanical engineer (bachelor's degree), construction consultant, handyman, outdoorsman, has four children (unaccompanied), politically active (anti-black sympathizer).
• Father Mark: 37, white, Catholic, priest, farming background, good health (former college athlete), politically active (civil rights, socially liberal).
• Dr. (Ms.) Rita: 66, Hispanic, Catholic, general practitioner (doctorate), poor health (two heart attacks), highly literate (quotes extensively).

List of Survivors

For those who voiced their interest in my posting of these as I come across them, here are your mentions. Granted these will vary wildly in quality and content, but post-apocalypse is always a very strong theme and has plenty to work with. As you can see, some of these choices are not particularly easy and none too many of these people are ideal candidates to keep humanity alive with.

@Altered Tundra@Briza@Jaredthefox92@Sirkaithethird

Post a random fact about yourself.

The general experience most have in my presence is of similar vein, at least in the sense that people cannot tell if I mean something in all truth or if it is merely for humor's sake. Granted I avoid doing anything I suspect of being in poor taste, at least to my own perception, I am often taken more seriously than I am in the matter because, as a whole, I am a particularly sincere individual in what I say or do. There is something to be said about that illusion, where one cannot decide what was meant or what was implied or more so, what was taken away. Usually I need break bearing and character for them to realize it was merely in jest.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

@SleepingSilence

I believe the best way to perceive it is what the improvements do in quality, their quantity, and their effect. The majority of people, at least in a major "city" as Night City, do have basic cybernetics, everything from watches to color changing eyes, to generic mass produced biomonitors, to chips for paying as they go, to plugs to connect themselves to their computers and vehicles. Those are assumed standard place, fair game as far as I can imagine because they are open to the regular populace and people all use them. Of course there are those who do not, wisely so depending on their lifestyle, but they are considered few and in between generally. A person with synthetic arms and ultraviolet capable eyes, wired reflexes, and reinforced bone would objectively be unusual, but they are still at least three-fourths human and would not be too unexpected.

That is how I am choosing to view it, where I am concerned that is. "What does the common man have or entertain?" then from there, "What access and entry would deviants from the norm, be them corporate, criminal, or government have?" then build up the pyramid that way to you reach the people who are chrome killing machines with arms that turn into lasers, ten different tools, are mostly cyborgs, can launch miniature missiles from their shoulders, run tirelessly, and react at the speed of light thanks to fiberoptic nerves.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

As noted before I see no reason for it to be impossible, but with the angle we are going on the game and attempting to keep the scope much more narrow in application, I am wary of it. That is just myself, @SleepingSilence. My position on the matter has been well stated thus far, but again it is more of "It isn't likely and we wish to avoid everyone trying to top one another." For if we go down that road, others may feel obligated to match or exceed ability. Fortunately, as it is now, no one seems to be stepping on one another's toes, but that is only in this moment and with no submissions yet.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

@The Scotsman, @Terminal, @Hekazu, @SleepingSilence, @DJAtomika, @DeadDrop

It comes down now to are there any further, outlying questions that have yet to be addressed? I believe we can, at least to some extent, begin with the character template and start from there, seeing what we encounter next and dealing with concerns as they come. As far as I cans see however, most all are eager to move on to that, but do correct me if I am wrong in my perception there. For myself, however? No questions at the moment, though when we see the characters I suspect some will arise.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

There is no document we are using as of yet, other than one for inspiration, which I take is the one you need, @Terminal?

Post a random fact about yourself.

I too stand by the thought that people should only have their young when they are ready, completely ready that is. I hear, see, and experience too many samples of people neglecting to pay that kind of due caution. Same can be said for marriages. It is one of many reasons I am so deliberate for myself in deciding these things; a single mistake makes a greater impact than on just one person.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

I am all the willing to manage those things as they come, @Hekazu. All I would ask is that if anyone has lore they wish to add to the document, that they please inform me as soon as possible. I say this so I can prioritize getting universal understanding about it out with the reference portion. Assuming you choose someone else, I strongly recommend they begin on such a project for all our sake.

Printed guns, melded metal - An experimental GM-less Cyberpunk RP

@SleepingSilence

Neither a question nor issue of it, but my emphasis is that this should be an exception rather than a general rule in keeping with the theme we had in mind. The goal was and is to focus on the lower level individuals and activities associated alongside avoiding the issue of any form of power creep. It becomes an effort to separate and denote one from the other rather than say, "Just because it exists we are doing it."