New RPG: Zefilia (tentative name)

[kyrien]

As mentioned earlier, we're going to start a new RPG after Iriath ends. Since the past two RPGs have been fantasy-esque, we decided to try something new for this year's. Instead of an entire world (or continent) for players to role play in, this RPG will concentrate in one city but there should be enough variety in the various parts of the city to compensate for lack of actual territory to explore.

Information posted here is still in draft stage so we might make changes here and there, but they will probably be minor like changes to wording, terminology, or using a different name.

[kyrien]

We find ourselves in a post apocalyptical world, where much of the planet has been laid to waste from a series of massive earthquake riveting through the planet, destroying infrastructure between counties and entire cities within a blink of an eye. Along with cities, the earthquake's after tremors also reach many nuclear power plants around the world, destroying them and sending raw radiation showering over surrounding lands. Survivors of areas destroyed by earthquake or affected by radiation fled by foot along the major roadways that connected cities, seeking refuge in cities that were spared radioactive contamination. This, however, caused problems as those who left the contaminated areas would often be contaminated themselves, leading to more deaths in cities that were, at the onset unaffected, and like a ripple effect with the nuclear power plants as the epicenter, civilization saw what historians later dubbed The New Plague. Inter-city commerce became sparse and eventually came to a halt as conditions between cities turned deadly, and eventually, all communications could only be carried through what was left of the wireless communications network and the satellites that still functioned.

When the contamination was finally contained, all that remained were a handful of surviving cities scattered about the world, separated by expanses of waste land dotted with once prosperous metropolises now turned ghost towns and skeletons of others that were pulverized in the first few moments of the earthquakes. Many, in fact, had been swallowed into the earth, leaving a new mountain or but a wide canyon in its wake.

Some survivors began to exhibit strange symptoms from the radiation, which included but were not limited to sensitivity to neuronal impulses of others, ability to manipulate objects without physical contact, and increased bodily strength or speed. It is not certain what the genetic basis of these changes is although it is certain the changes fail to achieve stability in its co-existence with humanity. Those who exhibit these abilities have paid dearly, and almost all cases are ultimately fatal. People did not understand what allowed such abilities, and oscillated between panic and awe as friends and families would one day exhibit super human abilities, then the next fall into a bout of insanity, followed by violent convulsions, then finally die. With analyses of autopsy reports and hasty but careful research, answers came. These abilities were apparently the byproducts of the sudden burst of radiation and a natural, usually friendly benign virus that occurs in all humans. When virus and radiation reacted, the virus would try to escape its host and in the process generate excess mental energy that allowed for seemingly superhuman powers. Researchers called this the Rubitek Virus after the research facility that discovered the truth, which in turn classified these abilities as Rubitek Phenomena.

In desperation and in knowing more about this situation, the people of the ruined world turned to the individuals inflicted with the Rubitek Virus to use their abilities to rebuild their civilization, be it by bending metals into shape or telekinetically moving construction materials into place without the aid of cranes and other heavy machinery. In even more drastic situations, some of these "rubitens" sacrificed themselves to provide energy to run the city. Using at first primitive means of channeling energy into the cities' power plants, engineers and researchers managed to build a machine that will accept such volunteers and absorb their energy. These individuals are kept alive with a basic life support system, but entry into the machine guaranteed an end to their free will for they will remain contained within the system as a vegetable until their energy is drained or until natural aging catches up with them and they die.

One such city, Zefilia, relied heavily on these individuals, most of them already too sickly to continue living a productive lifestyle, yet at the same time exhibited high levels of rubiten energy that could be used for the greater good of society. Some required a bit of persuading, but most finally accepted their fate and gave in with the knowledge that though they cannot help with the rebuilding, they can give the ultimate sacrifice to help those who can.

Though understanding of rubiten energy was still in the infant stage, scientists were quickly learning about this condition and releasing information about its sudden onset, effects of such abilities, what can be done to stabilize them, what would happen if the symptoms remained unchecked, and the ultimate fate of all those affected: death.

This morbid diagnosis of Rubitek Phenomena left many with a cloud of questions looming over their heads about whether there was anything to do about this. Were they doomed to turn chaotic? How can they stabilize their powers? This was especially worrisome as natural resources were becoming harder to and it was a growing trend to send those whose rubiten energies turned chaotic and with no hope of ever reverting, to the power plant to, essentially, be converted into a battery for the city. Luckily, researchers also promised a solution, and introduced a medication that would help to control the effects of radiation In hopes of curbing more cases of Rubitek Phenomena, and device that could be worn around the neck that would act as an inhibitor and control the fluctuation of rubiten energy within an affected individual. Researchers eventually also offered experimental a genetic engineering option for parents who worry their expected child might become infected where the fetus is altered so that they develop genes that will hopefully make them more resistant to the Rubitek Virus.

Though none of these guaranteed immunity against rubiten energies turning chaotic, it provided the thing ray of light people needed to continue with life, and for years these remedies and their improved descendents allowed the cities to rebuild and grow. Even though the lands surrounding these glowing metropolises were still gloomy and rarely traveled, advances in science gave people hope enough to not give up…

Which places us where the RPG begins… 71 years after the earthquake that changed the world…

[kyrien]

Thyme – The heart of Zefilia where the city's seat of government, police force, and single TV station are based. This part of the city sprawls along the eastern border against the ocean and serves as the primary commercial district where the wealthy can go and shop or to entertain themselves. Office buildings and seaport have been renovated and streets repaved to accommodate the heavy traffic it sees every day. Only the very wealthy can realistically afford the condominiums of few mansions that litter Thyme, but many of the middle classes are beginning to filter in with money from places one best not think about. The area is well kept and can easily fool even the well-traveled into believing himself back in the time before the massive earthquakes were it not for the silhouette of junkyards rising in the distance.

Chord – The area that occupies the northern part of the city just west of Thyme. It is the largest of the three main sections of the city and well kept as well, and serves as the home for those who are trying to make their place in Zefilia. There are commercial areas scatter within, and a handful of industrial centers built just beyond city limits, but still considered part of Chord. Homes consist of a healthy mix of apartment buildings and houses.

Meridian – An arc of property that covers the western part of Zefilia. Most of the city's power plants can be found here, contributing to Meridian's very low property value. The area is in considerably poorer condition than are Thyme and Chord as it is closest to the lawless area known as Laakvor. Crime is high in this area and public health is generally low. Most residents are Advenas who have been unable to establish themselves and are doing whatever they can to scrape a living be it as a humble laborer or as a con artist.

Laakvor – The immediate area surrounding the city: an array of junkyards with mountains of scrap metal, and otherwise barren land. This area is occupied by a tightly knit group of people known as rogues who have dubbed their home "Devil's Canyon". The land is bleak with only a few lone lampposts haphazardly scattered across the cracked terrain. Very few who dare to venture unarmed into its crevices and twisted paths ever return intact, and even those who do may never be seen again.

[kyrien]

Natives – Those who originally lived in the cities at the time of the earthquakes and their descendents. These families make up the majority of the well established as they've had roots before the disaster and, for the most part, did not need to rebuild their lives from scratch. Most people from this group have not developed rubiten abilities, though a handful have been exposed to others who do and are starting to show signs themselves.

Advenas – Those who have fled their own homes and sought safe haven in the cities that were not directly affected from the earthquake or the radiation from nuclear power plants. Though still struggling to find their place in a new home, they have more or less adapted to their new lifestyles. These people have been exposed to radiation to some degree and most exhibit Rubitek Phenomena.

Rogues – A class of their own, these people come from all groups and places with varying degrees of rubiten abilities, banding together in what can be called Zefilia's tightly interconnected underground network. Despite the immediate impression that rogues are animalistic and nothing more than street thugs, they are in fact very cunning and have research facilities and hold strong loyalties for their own. Though they live in and operate from Laakvor (which affectionately refer to as "Devil's Canyon"), the rogue's influence carries to the heart of the city where they often make transactions with businessmen of power and even pirates and other nomadic groups who pass through. In a sense, Laakvor can be thought of as Zefilia's twin city that is forever enveloped in the light of a new moon.

Drifters – A fairly broad group of people who have no ties with any city. They man aircrafts and travel through safe air zones between cities. Some are akin to air pirates that seek to raid unwary travelers while others are businessmen who manage flying casinos that go from city to city, offering entertainment and an escape from the dreary. Sometimes there are entire families of drifters who have been unable to find a niche anywhere or fear being sent to power plants so choose to live a nomadic lifestyle. Most of these people have developed a resistance to low levels of radiation, though accumulated exposure has, nonetheless, sparked off rubiten energies within them.

[kyrien]

Genetically Engineered – People who were genetically engineered before birth to, amongst other things such as different physical traits, have a higher resistance to radiation and in effect, a lower chance of activating the Rubitek Virus. A few cases have sprung up where genetically engineered individuals still developed rubiten abilities, but they were usually weak and considered "safe". The long-term side effects of genetic engineering have not yet been researched and all babies are essentially research specimens in this long-term project.

Rubitens – People who were either directly exposed to radiation and developed rubiten energies, or who had inherited the ability from their parents. The stronger the rubiten abilities, the shorter the expected life expectancy; those in the lower class rarely live past the age of 20 while Advenas live to be about 30-40, longer if their powers are fairly weak. Most rubitens' lives end either by death, or by falling into chaos and getting sent (usually without their consent of knowledge) to power plants to power the city with their rubiten energies.

Pure – People who have not been genetically engineered and are also not rubitens. They have the average life expectancy of 65-70 years though any of these people are always at a risk of becoming rubitens through contamination.

Add
Battery – A less than flattering term used to describe Rubitens who have been permenantly hooked up to a generator that will absorb their rubiten energy and convert into electricty to power the city. Batteries are little more than vegetables who are kept alive with a basic life support system as long as they continue providing rubiten energy. (Think the fields in Matrix).

[kyrien]

By the way, if anything is confusing or if you'd like to suggest alternatives, feel free to reply.

[Dmytrin]

Will there be a plot this time?

Otherwise, I really like it! A RPG based on a metropolis in Metropolis, the City of Legend!

[kyrien]

Hmm... if you mean a main plot such as the war in Iriath, no. There can be little "localized" conflicts like... two gangs getting into so big fight or war of their own in the streets of Meridian sure, but there isn't going to be some big invasion that will affect everyone. We felt that this might be easier to handle and allow new players to jump in whenever without having to worry about the current state of affairs with everyone else.

Basically, players are given a setting and the limitations of the setting and they can role play as they see fit from there.

[william]

Climate of Zefilia?

[kyrien]

Climate: Generally cool and prone to gloomy/rainy weather. Zefilia is also by a body of water, so it can get really cold during the winters.

[Nemesis]

Weapons of choice in this world? Restrictions, limitations? Am I allowed to fight with a stuffed gerbil?

[kyrien]

Well if you really want to... though i don't imagine your gerbil will do much damage. I think weapon technology is similar to what we have today, but you can include more futuristic stuff like laser guns and whatnot.

[Haiyaku]

Government?

[AnguishedBlade]

LOL, this should be good.

Instead of Warriors of old with their Swords and Shields, we get homeless bums that fight with Satellite Dishes and Trash Can covers. :p

And instead of magic, we get fireworks, nukes, chemicals, drugs and all that other stuff etc.....

Good idea though. :/

[kyrien]

Haiyuki: Erm... something omnipresent and there, but not really. "The best government is one that governs the least."

Anguished Blade: I suppose we can all sit around and stare at each other too. That'd be new.

[Kyreii]

Hmm... looks good. I feel fallout already... I liked that game. shall be interested... I may play this game.. :p It'd be nice to be a battery.. :p

[Dmytrin]

The battery part reminds me of Trigun...

[Nemesis]

Are there any law enforcement officials then? Or are the pirates free to steal and plunder at will?

[AnguishedBlade]

I think there might be some, but this is supposed to be a post-apocalyptic world or something like that, but...I don't think there won't be much law enforcement during such events, after all, post apocalyptic worlds are usually chaotic....but this is rwen's idea, so she can change she sees fit. :/

Suppose the players in the game can band up together and create their own law enforcement or order? That'd be cool.

[Ash]

reading the descrip of rogue makes me think that there are indeed law enforcement officers, don't know why exactly. certainly hope there are. no government would take the fun out of plundering ;-;

[ACXchan]

It sounds post-apoc cyberpunk XD

In SR the major corporations have hired their own privatized police force. You can have that sort of idea and it allows you to make up your own police rules instead of following the ones of a traditional police department.

[kyrien]

SR? o.o? Hm... yes, I guess Zefilia does come across as cyber-punkish. If you'd like to think of it as that, it's perfectly fine.

Hmm.. to be honest we never really did put much thought into government and police force. They're "there" as they're mentioned in the background info but we haven't really decided how they operate or what their level of authority is. But I would think that, as AnguishedBlade pointed out, that since this is a post-apocalyptic setting, law enforcement probably is not at its best and the government is probably corrupted one way or another. On the other hand, though it was affected, Zefilia wasn't devastated by the earthquakes or radiation. The government and police force that existed before still stands, granted with a lot of changes; there was never anarchy in the city, just a need for fast adaptation to a world that suddenly turned upside-down.

All right, we'll work on this some more.

[skye_eiden]

When I read this over and over I imagine junkyards with heaps of scraped metal and bits of past technology *_____* maybe we can have underground labs or something.. or triads or make up a black market. Or maybe an underground computer operated empire XD;

lol.. kidding.. though yeah... triads and black market.... corruption.. gangs? how far does technology go anyway? do we have hovercrafts or floating buildings?

[Ash]

skye's post makes me think of gunnm. is this world like gunnm's world?

[JFA_bobguy]

Originally posted by skye_eiden
When I read this over and over I imagine junkyards with heaps of scraped metal and bits of past technology *_____* maybe we can have underground labs or something.. or triads or make up a black market. Or maybe an underground computer operated empire XD;

lol.. kidding.. though yeah... triads and black market.... corruption.. gangs? how far does technology go anyway? do we have hovercrafts or floating buildings?

XD Yeah! I was planning on my character living in some hole in the ground with an abandoned military armory or something XD;

[Dmytrin]

What will be the fuel for automobiles? Are oil mines still running? Since there were massive earthquakes, I'd imagine that some of the pipes have cracked and maybe ablaze. So the landscape could be dotted with blazing fountains.

[Ash]

perhaps gemstones of sorts could be fuel, or maybe the ships, like the cities, can be fueled by psychics? XD

[Kyreii]

Battle Angel ALITA!!!! LOLZ.. :p

[AnguishedBlade]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking! :p

[Ash]

didn't I say it sounded like Gunnm? I was the first one who said it... >>;;

[Flow]

Sounds exciting.

[ACXchan]

SR = Shadowrun, an rpg game based 61 years in our future.

SR's not post-apocalyptic though XD

[Dmytrin]

Yeah, and Shadowrun has magic.. or sorts...

[Phedre]

i'm so sorry but...~weeps in corner~ i wanna play the rpg

[Uriel]

If I could find the time to RP, I'd be interested. Been awhile since I've done any, mind you.