[HEADING=1]Welcome of Lodestar[/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]A FATE Core RPG set in the world of RWBY[/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]A FATE Core RPG set in the world of RWBY[/HEADING]
RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth Productions, LLC and is created and directed by Monty Oum. The original web-series aired on RoosterTeeth.com and YouTube and is available for free on both sites as of the writing of this post. A trailer is available here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsy7VJheMBI]
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"Legends. Stories scattered through time. Mankind has grown quite fond of recounting the exploits of heroes and villains; forgetting so easily that we are remnants - byproducts - of a forgotten past. Man, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful, but he was born into an unforgiving world. An inevitable darkness, creatures of destruction, the Creatures of Grimm, set their sights on man and all of his creations. These forces clashed and is seemed the darkness was intent on returning man's brief existence to the void.
However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change and in time man's passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools which would help even the odds. This power was appropriately named "Dust." Nature's wrath in hand, man lite their way through the darkness and in the shadow's absence came strength, civilization, and most importantly, life. But even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die. And when they are gone, darkness will return.
So you may prepare your guardians, build your monuments to a so-called "free world", but take heed. There will be no victory in strength. But perhaps victory is in the simpler things that you've long forgotten. Things that require a smaller, more honest soul."
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RWBY takes place in Remnant; a world very different from our own. It's a world where humanoids are outmatched by the monsters which which they share the world; surviving only through their the powers of highly trained warriors and the powerful Dust they've harnessed.
Characters in this game will be students in Lodestar in the Kingdom of Vacuo; a well-renowned (and extremely difficult) hunter/huntress academy.
[HEADING=2]World[/HEADING]
Full information about the world of RWBY can be found here [http://rwby.wikia.com/wiki/RWBY_Wiki]
Humans are, arguable, the dominate species on the planet. This is particularly odd since they are physically the weakest of the higher lifeforms in the world. The reason for their ascent is primarily linked to their discovery and harnessing of Dust; a natural source of power.
Humans of Remnant are physically similar to the humans of our own world but are physically stronger and more robust than those of earth due in no small part to the existence of Aura (see below). Humans are defended largely by advanced, dust powered magi-tech and elite warriors called Hunters/Huntresses.
Humans (and the Faunus) have ordered themselves into four "Kingdoms" scattered across the world. However, despite what they may say, humanities territory is extremely small relative to the size of the world; largely limited to their cities and the immediate surrounding area. These kingdoms are connected by several large international organizations/corporations and largely co-exist peacefully due to their significant distance of separation and constant threat from Creatures of Grimm. Humans largely consider themselves to be living in a new age of peace having largely overcome the Grimm menace within their centers of civilization. Despite this, growing corruption, a burgeoning civil rights movement, and organized crime call into question some of these claims of a "new age of peace".
While technically allied with the Faunus, racial tensions are high between the two species and Faunus face constant discrimination from many humans. These tensions range from simple discrimination and prejudice to out-right racial violence.
Similar in most respects to humans, Faunus are different from humans in that they have some animal traits. Some common traits include animal-like ears, night vision, scent, tails, food-preferences, etc. though all traits connect back to a single animal. Faunus are physically on-par with humans in all other ways.
Faunus are largely considered a "lesser" species by humans and face significant racial prejudice against them. In the recent past, humans attempted to confine the Faunus to Menagerie - a small, hostile are of the world. The Faunus resisted, starting The Faunus War. The war would be fought for many years, but eventually resulted in the Faunus making significant strides toward equality. Despite this, Faunus are still treated largely as second-class citizens, resulting in an increase in racial tensions and violence in an attempt to gain equality.
The Creatures of Grimm are several species of large and dangerous creatures. These creatures bare some resemblance to other mundane creatures, though are generally much lager and more violent than their distant mundane cousins. Almost all Creatures of Grimm are marked by their shadow-like bodies, exposed skulls, and piercing red eyes. Some rare Creatures of Grimm are albino, but otherwise similar to normal specimens.
Creatures of Grimm are extremely hostile to Humans and Faunus alike, having nearly pushed both to extinction in the distant past. Though humans and Faunus have managed to push them back over the years, the threat of attack is a constant problem. The Creatures of Grimm have grown more numerous in recent years, though they've yet to make any major attacks on the Four Kingdoms.
The source of these creatures and the reason for their hostility toward humanity is unknown
Magic and Technology can't truly be separated in Remnant as almost all technology is dependent on Dust to function. While the general level of technology is similar to modern day, examples of more advanced technology exist. The following is a basic overview.
Dust are crystals which provide the power for all humans technology and magic. Several different types exist, each corresponding to a different mystical element (i.e. fire, electricity, ice, etc). This dust is mined from Remnant's crust before being either cut into fine crystals or ground into a powder. In crystal form, Dust is much more potent and can be used in a way similar to a battery. When ground into powder, the substance is less potent but more stable and is used more like a fuel.
Powered by Dust, Hunters and Huntresses use variable weapons to combat the Creatures of Grimm. These weapons usually take two forms - a melee form and a ranged form - for maximum versatility in the field. Weapons are usually constructed by their wielders to suit their own way of fighting, though using a weapon passed down from generation to generation is not unheard of. Larger weapons are usually collapsible for easy transport. Humans and Faunus have a tradition of naming the weapons they create, usually combining a pair of descriptive words to describe both the weapon and the dust it uses. (example: The above weapon is called "Crescent Rose" - Crescent for the scythe blade and Rose for the Red Dust it uses). These weapons are used to channel a person's Aura to better harm Creatures of Grimm
Referred to as "The Light of the Soul", Aura is an energy field put out by all life forms other than the Creatures of Grimm. This energy field has many uses, but all have the following in common:
1) Heightened Perception: This ability gives the user a "sixth sense" for danger.
2) Defense: The most basic use of Aura, it can be used to form a barrier between you and your enemy
3) Offense: When properly channeled through training, weapons, or (usually) both, Aura can cause significant harm to Creatures of Grimm and even other humans/Faunus while their Aura is depleted
4) Healing: Aura aids the body in repairing damage. The stronger the field, the faster the healing
5) Semblance: This power is unique for each individual and is described further below.
All uses of Aura - including Semblance - require the use of Dust.
Semblance is the unique ability of a person's Aura. They range from enhancements to physical abilities to powers similar to spellcasting. The reason for different semblances are unknown
The Humans and Faunus of Remnant have several methods of transportation. Due to the dangers outside cities, most transportation is either in highly-defended group transport (usually by train or ships) or using massive heavier-than-air flying machines to avoid most Creatures of Grimm. Individual vehicles are common within cities. All non-human-powered vehicles are powered by Dust.
Largely used to defend transports where Hunters and Huntresses are unavailable, drones are dust powered automatons of varying shape and size. While no where near as adaptable as human or Faunus hunters/huntresses, they serve well in defensive roles against thieves, dissidents, and Creatures of Grimm in a pinch. Expensive in the extreme, they're rare enough that most have never seen them.
Scrolls are advanced micro-computers used for tactical analysis and communication. Built for combat, scrolls are light and durable, though somewhat bulky due to their size (approximately that of a small tablet computer). Like most technology, they're collapsible for transport. In addition to all the expected features of a computer, scrolls offer real-time analysis of a users Aura and the Aura of teammates, allowing them to make decisions regarding strategy and tactics based on new data as it appears.
Dust are crystals which provide the power for all humans technology and magic. Several different types exist, each corresponding to a different mystical element (i.e. fire, electricity, ice, etc). This dust is mined from Remnant's crust before being either cut into fine crystals or ground into a powder. In crystal form, Dust is much more potent and can be used in a way similar to a battery. When ground into powder, the substance is less potent but more stable and is used more like a fuel.
Powered by Dust, Hunters and Huntresses use variable weapons to combat the Creatures of Grimm. These weapons usually take two forms - a melee form and a ranged form - for maximum versatility in the field. Weapons are usually constructed by their wielders to suit their own way of fighting, though using a weapon passed down from generation to generation is not unheard of. Larger weapons are usually collapsible for easy transport. Humans and Faunus have a tradition of naming the weapons they create, usually combining a pair of descriptive words to describe both the weapon and the dust it uses. (example: The above weapon is called "Crescent Rose" - Crescent for the scythe blade and Rose for the Red Dust it uses). These weapons are used to channel a person's Aura to better harm Creatures of Grimm
Referred to as "The Light of the Soul", Aura is an energy field put out by all life forms other than the Creatures of Grimm. This energy field has many uses, but all have the following in common:
1) Heightened Perception: This ability gives the user a "sixth sense" for danger.
2) Defense: The most basic use of Aura, it can be used to form a barrier between you and your enemy
3) Offense: When properly channeled through training, weapons, or (usually) both, Aura can cause significant harm to Creatures of Grimm and even other humans/Faunus while their Aura is depleted
4) Healing: Aura aids the body in repairing damage. The stronger the field, the faster the healing
5) Semblance: This power is unique for each individual and is described further below.
All uses of Aura - including Semblance - require the use of Dust.
Semblance is the unique ability of a person's Aura. They range from enhancements to physical abilities to powers similar to spellcasting. The reason for different semblances are unknown
The Humans and Faunus of Remnant have several methods of transportation. Due to the dangers outside cities, most transportation is either in highly-defended group transport (usually by train or ships) or using massive heavier-than-air flying machines to avoid most Creatures of Grimm. Individual vehicles are common within cities. All non-human-powered vehicles are powered by Dust.
Largely used to defend transports where Hunters and Huntresses are unavailable, drones are dust powered automatons of varying shape and size. While no where near as adaptable as human or Faunus hunters/huntresses, they serve well in defensive roles against thieves, dissidents, and Creatures of Grimm in a pinch. Expensive in the extreme, they're rare enough that most have never seen them.
Scrolls are advanced micro-computers used for tactical analysis and communication. Built for combat, scrolls are light and durable, though somewhat bulky due to their size (approximately that of a small tablet computer). Like most technology, they're collapsible for transport. In addition to all the expected features of a computer, scrolls offer real-time analysis of a users Aura and the Aura of teammates, allowing them to make decisions regarding strategy and tactics based on new data as it appears.
Of the Four Kingdoms, Vacuo is the most isolated. Where the other three kingdoms have well traveled land and sea route to connect them, Vacuo is only connected to the other kingdoms by air routes and extremely long, circuitous, and highly dangerous sea routes. As such, of the four kingdoms, it's the least affected by the actions of the others and also the most vulnerable to attack. As a result, Vacuo developed a culture of individual strength and nationalism. In effect, because of their isolation they're isolationist.
The Kingdom was initially claimed not so much by pushing the Creatures of Grimm out of the territory so much as claiming territory which had little to offer. The land in Vacuo is naturally largely barren and undesirable. When the first humans settled here to escape the Creatures of Grimm, they found vast Dust deposits very near the future. Taking advantage of this single good fortune, they began altering the land to suit their needs: redirecting rivers, bringing in crops, digging and breaking down the rocks into soil, etc. In doing so, they managed to make the land remarkably livable. In the process, they became survivors of the highest order with access to a large supply of resources.
Their success drew the attention of the Creatures of Grimm however, bringing about the first dedicated hunters and huntresses in the nation. With their vast reserves of dust and highly skilled warriors, they were quick to claim the land and push the Creatures of Grimm further out of their territory.
Many years later, during the Faunus war, it was Vacuo with their strong isolationist and nationalistic tendencies and large hunter/huntress supply that accentuated the conflict, dragging it on for years. Of all the nations, they were and are the most intolerant toward Faunus. These tensions have been lessening over the years as Faunus integrated into the population, but feelings of anger toward the Faunus are still common in just over half the population.
Located on the border between the wastelands and the greener areas of the continent, The Lodestar School is located in the area of Vacuo with the lowest number of Creatures of Grimm. This wasn't an accident so much as a consequence. Originally, the school was an outpost for Hunters and Huntresses located deep in the most Grimm infested region of their territory. However, Lodestar's rise as an academy and particular method of teaching so reduced the Creature of Grimm population as to make it the safest place in Vacuo outside the capital.
Lodestar has a reputation for its brutal training regiment, fierce combatants, and for graduating the most competent warriors in the kingdom. Only the best can hope to survive in Lodestar and you have to do more than survive to graduate. Advancement in the school is determined at the end of the year by a school-wide competition between students in the same year to see which teams move on. Your team must be one of the last 20 for freshmen year, last 10 for sophomore year, and last 5 for junior year. For senior year, all five teams are expected to graduate (assuming they survive), but competition remains to claim the "Valedictorian" spot.
Lodestar primarily accepts students from Vacuo, but they will take students from other kingdoms who prove their abilities. Lodestar as an organization is remarkably tolerant of Faunus. To Lodestar, if you're strong enough to get in, they don't care what you look like. Of course, individual students and faculty vary and no one has it easy at Lodestar.
Lodestar has a reputation for its brutal training regiment, fierce combatants, and for graduating the most competent warriors in the kingdom. Only the best can hope to survive in Lodestar and you have to do more than survive to graduate. Advancement in the school is determined at the end of the year by a school-wide competition between students in the same year to see which teams move on. Your team must be one of the last 20 for freshmen year, last 10 for sophomore year, and last 5 for junior year. For senior year, all five teams are expected to graduate (assuming they survive), but competition remains to claim the "Valedictorian" spot.
Lodestar primarily accepts students from Vacuo, but they will take students from other kingdoms who prove their abilities. Lodestar as an organization is remarkably tolerant of Faunus. To Lodestar, if you're strong enough to get in, they don't care what you look like. Of course, individual students and faculty vary and no one has it easy at Lodestar.
[HEADING=2]Game and Character Creation[/HEADING]
The usual escapist RP rules apply (i.e. no trenchcoating, godmodding, etc).
This game will be using the Fate RPG system for character creation and mechanics. For those familiar with the system, character creation and plot generation in Fate is cooperative in nature. This means that each character will be, in part, a group activity. While the individual abilities and backstory are still player driven, each character is required to have two connections to other characters.
To apply for this game, you need only submit a few details of the character first (see Character Sheet below), after which the best character concepts will be selected by me for expansion upon by the group. This discussion will also determine the plot. I encourage you to work together for character creation even in this earliest phase as it will help later.
For those unfamiliar with the Fate system, see the SRD here [http://fate-srd.com/fate-core/basics]
Finally; Arcanist will be a Co-GM for this game; he has as much power over the plot as I do.
In keeping with the request of Monty Oum, I'm implementing Monty's naming conventions for RWBY. These conventions are as follows:
Characters in RWBY must be:
1) A Color (i.e. "Green Smith")
2) Something that sounds like a color (i.e. "Andrew Greene")
3) Something that means a color (i.e. "Harlequin Smith")
4) Something that makes you think of a color (i.e "Andrew Spring")
In addition, team names are constructed by taking the first letter from each of the four character's given names and assembled into a word (or short-hand for a word) which also must follow the above rules. As such, know that it's a possibility I will ask you to change the character's name to make the character follow the rules. I apologize if this becomes a necessity
Characters in RWBY must be:
1) A Color (i.e. "Green Smith")
2) Something that sounds like a color (i.e. "Andrew Greene")
3) Something that means a color (i.e. "Harlequin Smith")
4) Something that makes you think of a color (i.e "Andrew Spring")
In addition, team names are constructed by taking the first letter from each of the four character's given names and assembled into a word (or short-hand for a word) which also must follow the above rules. As such, know that it's a possibility I will ask you to change the character's name to make the character follow the rules. I apologize if this becomes a necessity
Tentative Name: What do they call you?
Species: Are you a Faunus or a Human? If Faunus, what kind of animal do you relate to
High Concept: See rules for character creation on the SRD
Trouble: See rules for character creation on the SRD
Weapon: Please include the name of the weapon and the what kind of weapon-combo it is.
Species: Are you a Faunus or a Human? If Faunus, what kind of animal do you relate to
High Concept: See rules for character creation on the SRD
Trouble: See rules for character creation on the SRD
Weapon: Please include the name of the weapon and the what kind of weapon-combo it is.
Tentative Name: Jade Bordeleon
Species: Human
High Concept: Lucky Ambush Huntress-in-Training - Similar in nature to Napoleon Bonaparte
Trouble: "Destined" for Greatness - Believes she's guided by a "Lucky Star" and can be very arrogant.
Weapon: "Vertoile Arscie" - Chainsaw / Bow
Species: Human
High Concept: Lucky Ambush Huntress-in-Training - Similar in nature to Napoleon Bonaparte
Trouble: "Destined" for Greatness - Believes she's guided by a "Lucky Star" and can be very arrogant.
Weapon: "Vertoile Arscie" - Chainsaw / Bow
