Post by Savant on Jun 10, 2014 16:01:10 GMT -5
NOTE: This game is an adaptation of one I did some years back on another forum (NationStates), which didn’t take off so well. Hopefully, even as I brainstorm different ways to keep the game fresh and exciting, please note that this one is an evolving work-in-progress. And with good reason, considering the sheer scale of it. 
Welcome all to an alternate anachronistic postmodern Earth, filled with what we call bizarre and what they call (somewhat) ordinary...where fantasy elements coexist with science fiction, where the past and future converge in the present, where your journeys will begin and hopefully not end.
PREMISE
Your small Argentinian hometown of Esmeralda was razed and burned to the ground, with your characters belonging to the few survivors. The culprits were a fraction of the vicious forces controlled by the enigmatic Mr. Zodiac, a nebulous individual hidden away in the depths of a nefarious fortress miles away from civilization. The highest authority and revered figure in the world, The Higher Consciousness, sees potential in you all and helps you set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Although the ultimate goal is to stop Mr. Zodiac, it's nothing but an option. The adventure is yours to partake; set out on the frontier, find work in the cities, hunt criminals, terrorize the world; the choice is yours!
SETTING
Pangaea Ultima, or Neo-Pangaea, is the result of millions of years of Earth’s accelerated tectonic plate movement. It’s the sequel of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, and there has been drastic climate changes as a result. As such, the governments and societies have fluctuated over the years. The history of their world shares some similarity with ours, albeit with drastic changes. Some places have peace, while others experience periods of turmoil and paranoia considering that mysticism, mutations, and machinery often fall into the wrong hands. Magic and nature have evolved in tandem with science and technology over the long, long, long history of this Earth...leading to conflicts of interests that culminated in several catastrophes like World War X, the Demonic Aperture of the Mariana Trench, and the cataclysmic Great Nuclear Winter of ‘92. However, none will compare to the Final Armageddon, which will mark the true end of times. And that’s not counting the planets and dimensions that are either unexplored or simply too frightening to even comprehend.
MISCELLANEA
RACES
Baseline refers to a specimen that has the average traits of its species. Mostly dealing with humans, but any species will have baseline individuals. Mutants and mutates get lumped in the same group. In the human community, mostly due to misinformed paranoia and the actions of a few ill-behaved mutants (remember the mention of World War X?), many normal humans fear and hate their mutant counterparts. This has led to things like a war, riots, and hate groups (on both sides). While things have calmed down relatively, the scars are still fresh. There are individuals out there that get their special gifts from medicines, magic, or technology. They’re still considered normal as far as legalities are concerned. Other superhumans, sapients, aliens, machines, and supernatural entities might face the same discrimination if they don’t look completely normal. And even then, they’ll have to awkwardly explain any extraordinary abilities they may possess. Worry not, because there are many other people who tolerate non-normals. There are also outright beasts that will make for loving companions, exciting hunts, or life-and-death combats.
SPECIFICS
Your original characters can be anything you please, just as long as they are living (not necessarily born there) or passing by the town of Esmeralda when the attacks happen. Mutants and mutates will share the “Being a mutant” challenge, as the only difference between them in this universe is that mutants are natural while mutates are artificial (in short, mutates = altered genes after birth). The stone count is the traditional 40 + 10. I’ll accept actions/modifiers/etc. from the main guides, Spider-Man’s Guide to New York, Wolverine’ s Guide to Canada, House Rules Assembled, Final Fantasy Guide, and pretty much anything else if it sits right with me. I’ll just need at least 4 of you so that this show can get on the road.
Welcome all to an alternate anachronistic postmodern Earth, filled with what we call bizarre and what they call (somewhat) ordinary...where fantasy elements coexist with science fiction, where the past and future converge in the present, where your journeys will begin and hopefully not end.
PREMISE
Your small Argentinian hometown of Esmeralda was razed and burned to the ground, with your characters belonging to the few survivors. The culprits were a fraction of the vicious forces controlled by the enigmatic Mr. Zodiac, a nebulous individual hidden away in the depths of a nefarious fortress miles away from civilization. The highest authority and revered figure in the world, The Higher Consciousness, sees potential in you all and helps you set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Although the ultimate goal is to stop Mr. Zodiac, it's nothing but an option. The adventure is yours to partake; set out on the frontier, find work in the cities, hunt criminals, terrorize the world; the choice is yours!
SETTING
Pangaea Ultima, or Neo-Pangaea, is the result of millions of years of Earth’s accelerated tectonic plate movement. It’s the sequel of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, and there has been drastic climate changes as a result. As such, the governments and societies have fluctuated over the years. The history of their world shares some similarity with ours, albeit with drastic changes. Some places have peace, while others experience periods of turmoil and paranoia considering that mysticism, mutations, and machinery often fall into the wrong hands. Magic and nature have evolved in tandem with science and technology over the long, long, long history of this Earth...leading to conflicts of interests that culminated in several catastrophes like World War X, the Demonic Aperture of the Mariana Trench, and the cataclysmic Great Nuclear Winter of ‘92. However, none will compare to the Final Armageddon, which will mark the true end of times. And that’s not counting the planets and dimensions that are either unexplored or simply too frightening to even comprehend.
MISCELLANEA
- Familiar RPG elements, with a twist: Random encounters, towns with NPCs, an economy, jobs, bounties, guilds, factions, dungeons, among other things I missed. This is my most ambitious project to date, incorporating a large world with a unique cast of characters and elements not unlike your standard epic franchise.
- Expect the unexpected: There are powerful, mysterious forces at play here, not to mention all the lesser creatures that want to make your life hell.
- Friend or foe?: Make or break relationships as you see fit. Effects in one area might spread to another, and have peculiar aftereffects.
- Here be dragons, and other nastiness: There's a chance your character might die in these dangerous incursions and conflicts with elements that oppose you. The samsara might be more merciful, however, depending on your point of view.
RACES
Baseline refers to a specimen that has the average traits of its species. Mostly dealing with humans, but any species will have baseline individuals. Mutants and mutates get lumped in the same group. In the human community, mostly due to misinformed paranoia and the actions of a few ill-behaved mutants (remember the mention of World War X?), many normal humans fear and hate their mutant counterparts. This has led to things like a war, riots, and hate groups (on both sides). While things have calmed down relatively, the scars are still fresh. There are individuals out there that get their special gifts from medicines, magic, or technology. They’re still considered normal as far as legalities are concerned. Other superhumans, sapients, aliens, machines, and supernatural entities might face the same discrimination if they don’t look completely normal. And even then, they’ll have to awkwardly explain any extraordinary abilities they may possess. Worry not, because there are many other people who tolerate non-normals. There are also outright beasts that will make for loving companions, exciting hunts, or life-and-death combats.
SPECIFICS
Your original characters can be anything you please, just as long as they are living (not necessarily born there) or passing by the town of Esmeralda when the attacks happen. Mutants and mutates will share the “Being a mutant” challenge, as the only difference between them in this universe is that mutants are natural while mutates are artificial (in short, mutates = altered genes after birth). The stone count is the traditional 40 + 10. I’ll accept actions/modifiers/etc. from the main guides, Spider-Man’s Guide to New York, Wolverine’ s Guide to Canada, House Rules Assembled, Final Fantasy Guide, and pretty much anything else if it sits right with me. I’ll just need at least 4 of you so that this show can get on the road.
