This is going to be a Survival-Horror esque RP, based around a virus that in many ways resembles Rabies. A lot of the background info on the location, the infection etc. as well as the rules and character-sheet templates are below in the spoiler boxes.
I'd be looking for no more than 8 players, and whilst it is an open RP I will be reserving a couple slots for a friend or two for a little while, so for now there are, say, 6 open slots.
The initial focus will be more on survival, evasion and research before open combat - I do NOT want 8 Rambo-style survivors, simply because 8 combat-orientated characters will most likely be torn apart before they've gotten their hands on any decent weaponry because they won't be able to go anywhere, or understand the threat.
Although the RP IS open, please send your character submission via PM ONLY, simply so I can have all the sheets in one place rather than cluttered in this thread, so I can keep this thread reserved for questions and suggestions, or just people telling me how much I suck, and it also tells me who has actually read this post instead of thinking "OMFG LOL Survival-Horror must post character sheet several times OMG ROFL".
Here's all the background info I can think of to put in, be aware that whilst this is the core of the game, I will most likely be putting in some 'suprise' aspects that I either don't want to talk about or haven't fully thought up yet.
Warning, most contain text dumps; if you just want the rules, then read Getting Infected, Combat, Research and Character Sheets, if you want all the waffle then read them all.
That's pretty much all I need to put here, I realise it is a lot and that may put some people off but that could be good - if you don't like reading I can tell you you're in the wrong RP, for a survival horror I plan on having a fair bit of plot with lengthy updates in between the running and the screaming and the dying.
As for post limits - one combat/action post per every GM post, and as many dialogue posts as you like outside combat within reason - if you've gone over a page of bullshit and fighting with no character development then you've talked too much waiting for me.
As I've said, whilst the RP is designed and ready, this is a CHECK; if I don't get a good response I'll know to be quiet and go back to playing rather than hosting.
I'll be happy to answer any questions - I'm pretty sure I may have left gaps here and there, but it is hard for me to tell when it is all in my noggin.
I'd be looking for no more than 8 players, and whilst it is an open RP I will be reserving a couple slots for a friend or two for a little while, so for now there are, say, 6 open slots.
The initial focus will be more on survival, evasion and research before open combat - I do NOT want 8 Rambo-style survivors, simply because 8 combat-orientated characters will most likely be torn apart before they've gotten their hands on any decent weaponry because they won't be able to go anywhere, or understand the threat.
Although the RP IS open, please send your character submission via PM ONLY, simply so I can have all the sheets in one place rather than cluttered in this thread, so I can keep this thread reserved for questions and suggestions, or just people telling me how much I suck, and it also tells me who has actually read this post instead of thinking "OMFG LOL Survival-Horror must post character sheet several times OMG ROFL".
Here's all the background info I can think of to put in, be aware that whilst this is the core of the game, I will most likely be putting in some 'suprise' aspects that I either don't want to talk about or haven't fully thought up yet.
Warning, most contain text dumps; if you just want the rules, then read Getting Infected, Combat, Research and Character Sheets, if you want all the waffle then read them all.
The initial area of the outbreak (and the setting of the RP) is a small town named...Podunk (I still don't really get it, Mobius). When I say small I really mean rather isolated and lacking in facilities; the population will be substantial enough in numbers to create an epidemic, but if you're expecting to set up base in the local mall or gun shop, forget it, because there isn't one.
You can expect a couple small police stations, a school, a library, fire station, etc. but as I said, don't expect supplies to be handed to you all in one place, and you WILL need supplies to survive - I won't be making you take a crap or bathing and washing etc. but if you don't have any food and water you are going to be sluggish, slow and less aware of your surroundings, until this bites you in the arse (literally) or you starve/dehydrate.
So, short version; what you need will be there but it will not all be in once place.
You can expect a couple small police stations, a school, a library, fire station, etc. but as I said, don't expect supplies to be handed to you all in one place, and you WILL need supplies to survive - I won't be making you take a crap or bathing and washing etc. but if you don't have any food and water you are going to be sluggish, slow and less aware of your surroundings, until this bites you in the arse (literally) or you starve/dehydrate.
So, short version; what you need will be there but it will not all be in once place.
The virus is a mutated form of Rabies; as well as the usual symptoms, it greatly speeds up and augments/improves many processes in the host's body, whilst completely shutting others down. Most noticeably is the digestive system; the digestive system, for unknown reasons, goes into overdrive, completely digesting everything it can from essential vitamins and proteins from ingested food, to the stomach lining as soon as no food is present;
The infected therefore feel as if they are starving at any time they are not feeding and digesting - this pain is both maddening in its severity and also focuses them singularly in their desire to feed. This does not automatically mean human flesh - when the infection starts most if not all of the infected will be too busy clearing their fridges, before they perhaps move on to tearing the heads off cattle, until they realise the only fresh food they can find is you.
These infected are still human beings - although all suffering from extreme aggression and psychosis, they are still as cunning or intelligent as they were prior to their infection, and those that have recently fed are both stronger, faster and more agile than any uninfected human, as well as retaining some of their sanity;
Whatever the virus is doing with all the food it craves, it certainly has a positive effect on the host - the unfed host is mad and incredibly aggressive but ultimately starving, delirious and therefore fairly weak - expect an unfed host to run at you blindly just to bite a few fingers off (for reference, think 28 Days Later but slightly weaker and slightly more intelligent). Whereas a recently-fed enemy will be intelligent, cunning, be able to use tools, flank, pick on the weak etc. etc., meaning that not only do you need to worry about feeding yourself but worry about how well-fed the enemy is between you and your current objective.
There is a fair bit more to the infection, but I'm only giving you what you can tell from exterior observation, i.e. what you can tell without cutting them up and inspecting their insides (see Research box).
The infected therefore feel as if they are starving at any time they are not feeding and digesting - this pain is both maddening in its severity and also focuses them singularly in their desire to feed. This does not automatically mean human flesh - when the infection starts most if not all of the infected will be too busy clearing their fridges, before they perhaps move on to tearing the heads off cattle, until they realise the only fresh food they can find is you.
These infected are still human beings - although all suffering from extreme aggression and psychosis, they are still as cunning or intelligent as they were prior to their infection, and those that have recently fed are both stronger, faster and more agile than any uninfected human, as well as retaining some of their sanity;
Whatever the virus is doing with all the food it craves, it certainly has a positive effect on the host - the unfed host is mad and incredibly aggressive but ultimately starving, delirious and therefore fairly weak - expect an unfed host to run at you blindly just to bite a few fingers off (for reference, think 28 Days Later but slightly weaker and slightly more intelligent). Whereas a recently-fed enemy will be intelligent, cunning, be able to use tools, flank, pick on the weak etc. etc., meaning that not only do you need to worry about feeding yourself but worry about how well-fed the enemy is between you and your current objective.
There is a fair bit more to the infection, but I'm only giving you what you can tell from exterior observation, i.e. what you can tell without cutting them up and inspecting their insides (see Research box).
This virus is spread through exchanging fluids via bodily contact, i.e. bites, heavy wounds etc. (unless you plan on humping them, then you only need to worry about being wounded) - HOWEVER, as I said this is not a zombie apocalypse, and to begin with the actual chance of infection is rather small;
Depending on the infected host, the wound itself and other factors such as perhaps the climate (more blood loss in hotter temperatures for example) or how quickly you sterilise the wound, then the chance of infection could be anything from 5% to 95% - the infection will NEVER be a sure thing, and this is where it can get interesting;
If a majority of 75% of the PRESENT group believes a party member is infected, and they wish to execute them, then it is assumed that those for the lynch overpower those against and kill the party member.
So, say one member has a few chunks taken out of them by a couple of the infected, then it is quite possible that they are infected. Out of the 8 party members (including the member in question in all figures), only 3 state that they wish to kill this person. This means that they have no where near the 75% majority and they are overruled or stopped by the rest of the team.
However, this is not the end of the matter - if those 3 would-be executioners can manipulate events so that they are alone with this person in question, then the present group members of 4 have a 75% majority, and they lynch/execute/brutally murder them.
The reason I have chosen 75% is that with 1 or 2 people, the 'infected' member could fight off these people or simply run away, whereas 3 could easily overpower and kill them.
I'm not sure how clearly I've explained this, so I am pretty much expecting someone to ask about this - if it is unclear ask in this thread so I can give a clearer public explanation.
One last thing; if someone is infected, I will not tell anyone, not even the infected person at first.
One OTHER last thing; I described a section badly; if there are 2 or 3 people, i.e. 2 lynchers to 1 lynchee, then the combat rules apply - it is not a sure thing either way, the lynchers themselves in this scenario may themselves be killed.
You will have to determine through the symptoms you have discovered whether or not you believe they are infected. If there is a science-orientated player who has the ability and equipment required to research and study the illness, then I may tell them the CHANCES of infection, but the only person who will know for certain is the infected member once they start getting peckish.
Depending on the infected host, the wound itself and other factors such as perhaps the climate (more blood loss in hotter temperatures for example) or how quickly you sterilise the wound, then the chance of infection could be anything from 5% to 95% - the infection will NEVER be a sure thing, and this is where it can get interesting;
If a majority of 75% of the PRESENT group believes a party member is infected, and they wish to execute them, then it is assumed that those for the lynch overpower those against and kill the party member.
So, say one member has a few chunks taken out of them by a couple of the infected, then it is quite possible that they are infected. Out of the 8 party members (including the member in question in all figures), only 3 state that they wish to kill this person. This means that they have no where near the 75% majority and they are overruled or stopped by the rest of the team.
However, this is not the end of the matter - if those 3 would-be executioners can manipulate events so that they are alone with this person in question, then the present group members of 4 have a 75% majority, and they lynch/execute/brutally murder them.
The reason I have chosen 75% is that with 1 or 2 people, the 'infected' member could fight off these people or simply run away, whereas 3 could easily overpower and kill them.
I'm not sure how clearly I've explained this, so I am pretty much expecting someone to ask about this - if it is unclear ask in this thread so I can give a clearer public explanation.
One last thing; if someone is infected, I will not tell anyone, not even the infected person at first.
One OTHER last thing; I described a section badly; if there are 2 or 3 people, i.e. 2 lynchers to 1 lynchee, then the combat rules apply - it is not a sure thing either way, the lynchers themselves in this scenario may themselves be killed.
You will have to determine through the symptoms you have discovered whether or not you believe they are infected. If there is a science-orientated player who has the ability and equipment required to research and study the illness, then I may tell them the CHANCES of infection, but the only person who will know for certain is the infected member once they start getting peckish.
There will be two systems for combat;
Unless I state otherwise, then you can describe your own effects and results in combat - to a point. You MUST be realistic, sensible and take your own character into consideration - if your character has never fired a gun before then he will miss a lot more than a war veteran (Oh yes, it is inevitable that SOMEONE makes a War Vet.)
So as long as your combat posts are reasonable and stay far from the land of trench coats, then you are welcome to write in your own effects.
As always, however, you are not able to create your own enemies, use weapons or ammo you don't have, etc. etc. You must stay within the limits of what I've put there. If I feel you're going into the land of god-modding, I will tell/warn you, keep doing it and I'll make your character's life hell, flanking him and chipping away at him with hordes until all the god-modding in the world won't save him from having his giant Rambo-balls chomped off.
The second system;
At certain points I will inform you that I will be taking a more active role in the combat - this means that you will describe your actions and I will allocate damage, effects etc. depending on your character, the enemy and the environment.
I will most likely use this system when you are facing a singular, more powerful boss-type character, if two players are fighting each other, and when a player is under the threat of being subdued and lynched with a majority of less than 75%.
Unless I state otherwise, then you can describe your own effects and results in combat - to a point. You MUST be realistic, sensible and take your own character into consideration - if your character has never fired a gun before then he will miss a lot more than a war veteran (Oh yes, it is inevitable that SOMEONE makes a War Vet.)
So as long as your combat posts are reasonable and stay far from the land of trench coats, then you are welcome to write in your own effects.
As always, however, you are not able to create your own enemies, use weapons or ammo you don't have, etc. etc. You must stay within the limits of what I've put there. If I feel you're going into the land of god-modding, I will tell/warn you, keep doing it and I'll make your character's life hell, flanking him and chipping away at him with hordes until all the god-modding in the world won't save him from having his giant Rambo-balls chomped off.
The second system;
At certain points I will inform you that I will be taking a more active role in the combat - this means that you will describe your actions and I will allocate damage, effects etc. depending on your character, the enemy and the environment.
I will most likely use this system when you are facing a singular, more powerful boss-type character, if two players are fighting each other, and when a player is under the threat of being subdued and lynched with a majority of less than 75%.
A scientifically orientated player will at points in the game be able to run tests on and examine the infected, strains of the virus, anything that will be able to help them identify the virus.
In most cases the actual research will be automatic success, what you DO with the findings are where you can fail;
-Science member succeeds
-I PM him the result; a new weakness is discovered
-Science member tells combat-members, combatants act like tards and think up a fucking stupid way of implementing this weakness.
-They get chomped like the fuckwits they are.
-Failure.
So whilst I will spoon-feed the science member whatever he tries to look for, what they do with this is what determines their success.
There will be more on this when it is specifically relevant in the game.
In most cases the actual research will be automatic success, what you DO with the findings are where you can fail;
-Science member succeeds
-I PM him the result; a new weakness is discovered
-Science member tells combat-members, combatants act like tards and think up a fucking stupid way of implementing this weakness.
-They get chomped like the fuckwits they are.
-Failure.
So whilst I will spoon-feed the science member whatever he tries to look for, what they do with this is what determines their success.
There will be more on this when it is specifically relevant in the game.
Once again, DO NOT PUT THESE IN THIS THREAD, I will most likely make another once this check is done, and I want all the sheets in one place, i.e. my inbox, so I don't have to go through this thread to use them in the other.
So; PM ME THE CHARACTER SHEET, do NOT, do NOT put it in here!
right then, here's the template;
User name; i.e. Qayin...incidentally, there's no U in Qayin, it is just the Hebrew for Cain, as Cain is always taken....so there's no U in the word Cain...that was kinda getting annoying.
Character name; Your character's name - fairly self explanatory.
Skill Orientation; I.e. combat, medicine, electronics - this gives me an idea of, at a glance, what your character is good at. If you can think it up I can probably implement it, but be logical - being a Demolitions expert sounds all good and fun, but it isn't going to help if you don't have many supplies with which to make explosives, is it? As for electronics - YES, a hacker, IT expert, security expert etc. WILL be rather useful in many situations.
Occupation;Again, at a glance, I need to know what knowledge your character might have - e.g. Doctor, Soldier, Science Teacher, Biologist, Telecoms Engineer, anything really.
Equipment/inventory;You are allowed whatever you can carry in your pockets and a 'special' item regarding your character's orientation; if you're a combat based character then you can have a pistol with a full clip, if you're a medic-based character then you can have a varied first-aid kit. I will most likely end up moderation or interfering with what you put, but put what you would want in terms of your unique item, and I'll get back to you if I'd like it changed.
Background;I would really like a fair bit here; your character needs/must have;
-A reason to be in Podunk if they do not live there.
-A detailed explanation of their knowledge and skills - how they got them, perhaps their training in whatever field.
-Some kind of plot substance; something I can work with on a literary level to create plot points person to your character, the more you give me the more I can do.
-Not just facts, but who your character IS; their personality, their traits and reactions, their beliefs, anything that takes the shell of your character and fills their brain with juicy personality.
You may WANT;
-A reason to stay in Podunk; an objective within this town e.g. if you're a journalist you're going to recognise how big a story this is, if you're a parent maybe you've gone Silent Hill on us and lost your child through negligance. It can be whatever you want within the realms of reason - you did NOT know about this infection before it started, however, so no you cannot be a secret agent bringing down Umbrella. The virus has not originated in any spectacular way, so no you can't be an alien, you can't be half-dragon, and you can't be an agent of a secret organization - you're a person, not a cliche.
So; PM ME THE CHARACTER SHEET, do NOT, do NOT put it in here!
right then, here's the template;
User name; i.e. Qayin...incidentally, there's no U in Qayin, it is just the Hebrew for Cain, as Cain is always taken....so there's no U in the word Cain...that was kinda getting annoying.
Character name; Your character's name - fairly self explanatory.
Skill Orientation; I.e. combat, medicine, electronics - this gives me an idea of, at a glance, what your character is good at. If you can think it up I can probably implement it, but be logical - being a Demolitions expert sounds all good and fun, but it isn't going to help if you don't have many supplies with which to make explosives, is it? As for electronics - YES, a hacker, IT expert, security expert etc. WILL be rather useful in many situations.
Occupation;Again, at a glance, I need to know what knowledge your character might have - e.g. Doctor, Soldier, Science Teacher, Biologist, Telecoms Engineer, anything really.
Equipment/inventory;You are allowed whatever you can carry in your pockets and a 'special' item regarding your character's orientation; if you're a combat based character then you can have a pistol with a full clip, if you're a medic-based character then you can have a varied first-aid kit. I will most likely end up moderation or interfering with what you put, but put what you would want in terms of your unique item, and I'll get back to you if I'd like it changed.
Background;I would really like a fair bit here; your character needs/must have;
-A reason to be in Podunk if they do not live there.
-A detailed explanation of their knowledge and skills - how they got them, perhaps their training in whatever field.
-Some kind of plot substance; something I can work with on a literary level to create plot points person to your character, the more you give me the more I can do.
-Not just facts, but who your character IS; their personality, their traits and reactions, their beliefs, anything that takes the shell of your character and fills their brain with juicy personality.
You may WANT;
-A reason to stay in Podunk; an objective within this town e.g. if you're a journalist you're going to recognise how big a story this is, if you're a parent maybe you've gone Silent Hill on us and lost your child through negligance. It can be whatever you want within the realms of reason - you did NOT know about this infection before it started, however, so no you cannot be a secret agent bringing down Umbrella. The virus has not originated in any spectacular way, so no you can't be an alien, you can't be half-dragon, and you can't be an agent of a secret organization - you're a person, not a cliche.
That's pretty much all I need to put here, I realise it is a lot and that may put some people off but that could be good - if you don't like reading I can tell you you're in the wrong RP, for a survival horror I plan on having a fair bit of plot with lengthy updates in between the running and the screaming and the dying.
As for post limits - one combat/action post per every GM post, and as many dialogue posts as you like outside combat within reason - if you've gone over a page of bullshit and fighting with no character development then you've talked too much waiting for me.
As I've said, whilst the RP is designed and ready, this is a CHECK; if I don't get a good response I'll know to be quiet and go back to playing rather than hosting.
I'll be happy to answer any questions - I'm pretty sure I may have left gaps here and there, but it is hard for me to tell when it is all in my noggin.
