Hidden Origins [OOC/Signup]
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:54 pm
by Mincaldenteans
Hidden Origins The IC “They used to say one nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day. It was sort of a joke, until the June morning those terrorist bozos whacked us with an electromagnetic pulse from 80 miles up. You always hear people yapping on how it was all different before the pulse. Land of milk and honey blah, blah, blah, blah with plenty of food and jobs and things actually worked. I was too young to remember, so, whatever... The thing I don't get is why they call it a depression. I mean, everybody's broke, but they aren't really all that depressed. Life goes on.” – Max, X5-452 Welcome to the world where blood does runs deeper than water. Set in 2016, in a 3rd-world United States, freed genetic engineered soldiers and covert assassins struggle against a corrupt government and a fanatic order bent on total domination. Slowly, but surely, the fight is becoming desperate: the enemy is winning. Their plans, each and every faction, are unknown to the public and those that are “in the know” are usually dead, on the run, or in league. Set in Seattle, Washington, you will belong to one of these groups living your daily lives and setting about to complete the greater goals of your organization. But not all is at it seems. Agendas are layered, allegiances are tricky, loyalties are tested, consciences weigh heavily, plots twist and intertwine, and the decisions you make will affect everyone around you. Who do you serve? And who do you trust? |
History – Ties in both worlds with a few edits/additions to blend together: MANTICORE (Dark Angel) 2000. A secret government-led organization dubbed "Manticore" produces the first human/animal genetically enhanced soldier project through surrogates in a research program called "The X-Series". Its "offspring" called "transgenics." The results were mixed yet promising and further funding is authorized. Four years later, improvements to the program marked the first production of able bodied soldiers. Their enhancements include superior strength, speed, senses, stamina, energy, regenerative abilities and high aptitude in all academic studies. Some abilities were greater than others depending on the field that the program deemed necessary. And some had more physical animal traits than human. “X” through “X-4” clones were considered test trials, while the “X5s” to “X7s” were considered the pinnacle of genetic engineering and military advancement. Of all the X-Series, the X5s were the most successful, however despite the X5’s advantages; few were noted for genetic defects. Regardless, the project was given a green light to continue and Manticore began slowly fielding X5 soldiers within the U.S. Military in highly classified or mission specific areas as needed while ‘fixes’ to the genetic disorders ongoing. Sometime in 2005. A group of 12 X5s escape the Manticore facility in Gillette, Wyoming and all attempts to locate and apprehend them end in failure. The X5 project and all other projects were placed in jeopardy by the security risk posed by the escapees. Research and development continued per Sandeman’s orders and influences within the U.S. government. The goal of apprehending the 12 that escaped the facility becomes one of its main priorities. From 2005 to 2016 a few of the original escapees were captured; their bodies and DNA harvested and even on one occasion a child was born, its own DNA shown to be a marked improvement to the human genome. What was left of the original 12 formed an alliance with a rogue man whose extensive connections with various individuals, authorities, companies and funds created a vocal activist group called “The Eyes Only Network”, or simply “Eyes Only”. Authorities brand Eyes Only as a terrorist organization. Members of the original 12 find the man sympathetic to their plight and vows to help free their brothers and sisters trapped in Manticore and exposing this government project to the public. 2016. The Manticore Facility in Gillette, Wyoming comes under attack by the remaining members of the original 12 with the help of Eyes Only. The facility is destroyed, almost all information is erased and dozens of Manticore’s subjects flee. A counterattack was issued but had limited success and only a few freed subjects were captured. Some of the subjects did resist capture, while some aided in the capture of their "wayward" brothers and sisters. The facility has since moved to the Seattle branch, with Sandeman taking a personal lead in the development of genetic enhancements. What is becoming clearer as Manticore pushes the limits of genetic modification is that the DNA samples are beginning to lead to something bigger. All information leading to different thoughts and hypotheses of what it could mean and be by Manticore’s topmost scientists is transferred to Sandeman’s personal research team. ABSTERGO ENTERTAINMENT (Assassin's Creed) 2007. Based in Seattle, WA, Abstergo Entertainment is the lead commercial enterprise in the world. Known for its realistic virtual simulations and advancements in holographic technology, Abstergo becomes a commercial (and quietly, political) power. Its success is credited by a technology they created known as the Animus, a machine capable of extracting ‘genetic memory’ of the subject and using the information to give an accurate accounting of the subject’s hereditary past. Funded by an ancient order known as the Knights Templar, Abstergo is an elaborate front to their true mission: to find the genetic memory that can unlock the locations to fragments from a dead civilization known as the Pieces of Eden. Their research in genetics is unmatched and their success in recovering information of the past puts history in a never-before-seen-perspective… all under the guise of entertainment. 2013. Abstergo Entertainment develops a realistic virtual film of a pirate named Edward Kenway that sailed the Caribbean waters during the Colonial Period. The marketing success was astronomical. For the Knights Templar, it was a solid step forward in their search for the Pieces of Eden and the Observatory left by civilization simply called ‘Precursors’. Continued research and marketing propels the Templars to aggressively search for the Pieces of Eden and all viable subjects to be apprehended and analyzed through the Animus machine. The Assassin Order retreats deeper into hiding, unable to cope with the launch of Templar’s aggressive push, and only marginally able to deflect or distract the Templars long enough to not progress too far ahead to their ultimate goal. RECENTLY June, 2015. A terrorist group detonates an electromagnetic pulse across the world at various locations. Some nations fared better than others, but super powers such as the U.S. and China were crippled because of it. Literally overnight, the once leading nation became a 3rd rate power. Manticore persevered despite the setbacks thanks to Sandeman’s efforts and influences in the government for the facility and project to be kept alive. Absertgo fairs far worse. In light of the attack, most of their proud technological advancements were rendered useless and across the globe suffered tremendous losses in property, funds and men (as the Assassin Order found this to be the perfect time to make a successful counterstrike). The Templars survive the brutal onslaught, consolidating and carefully branching out, and Abstergo is once again resuming its research, development and marketing. To ensure their safety, they have hired, bribed, blackmailed and outright strong-armed local authorities and even a few key federal employees into their ranks. NOW 2016. Abstergo’s lead man and a representative on behalf of Sandeman (and by extension Manticore) meet for the first time. Though each entity was aware of the other for years, they had little in common in their goals and never sought a partnership. However they quickly discovered otherwise. They exchange subjects that were forced to undergo genetic procedures to ascertain their value to each company. Results proved promising: each X-Series were born from surrogates or cloned from previous samples, their DNA proved to have sufficient genetic memory and even a few X-Series subjects were kept to Abstergo’s permanent care and further examination. The same was said with Manticore, as subjects were shown to have genetic markers that could improve their already potent genetic makeups for the superior soldier and unlocked fragments that could piece piece together and unlock the theory of a ‘superior human’. As each work together to fulfill their goals and each other's, it is slowly becoming a game of smoke and mirrors, plots and double crossing. Contention between the two entities is brewing, slowly, but surely. Blood has already been spilled, but neither would admit nor deny. It’s only a matter of time. Seattle is filthy, corrupt, overcrowded and mostly a poor area to live in. People attempt to eke out a living, jobs are scarce and welfare is laughable at best. Checkpoints are put all over the city, separated by Sectors, and not everyone has clearances to every area. Those very few that are rich enjoy a safe area, with local authorities paid handsomely for such privacy. Government sectors are restricted. All other checkpoints are open to the public, but likely to face issues with corrupt police officers looking to make an extra buck. Crime is, of course, an issue. Anything outside the sectors are generally far worse (though pockets of small peaceful communities do exist). The law, federal and state, are hardly observed here: the risk and the rewards outside the city are your own. Legend Goes from LEFT to RIGHT
**Terminal City? Don't worry about it... for now.
FAQ/Quick Rundown ~Whats the genre of this RP?~ Character development, drama, scifi, bio & cyber punk (loosely), action. ~Okay, to the setting; How do these organizations intertwine and what are their missions?~ MANTICORE & ABSTERGO are racing against each other to unlocking the genetic secrets for their own objectives whilst waging a cold (and bloody) war against each other. They also contend with Eyes Only and the Assassin Order respectively. Manticore and Abstergo, despite their differences, are known to occasionally work together against their enemies. THE EYES ONLY NETWORK's objective is to expose the corruption of the Government to the public and ultimately expose and bring down Manticore. The attack on Manticore in 2015 did not destroy the organization and now with Abstergo within their sights, they face a three front conflict with limited aid. They seek alliances with any friendly (and able) face or organization. THE ASSASSIN ORDER act as the counter to the Templars' ambitions and thwart them from gaining world domination throughout time. They have people under cover in key areas of government and even Abstergo itself, passing on information for their comrades to act accordingly. The primary hardship of the Assassin Order has been numbers: they are spread few and thin. Abstergo is their main enemy, but when information leaked about Manticore’s activity, they realized they had a new foe to contend with. THE GOVERNMENT has become crippled and therefore it is not unheard of for corruption tempting those working under its purview. Military commanders have been known to splinter away from their country, setting up personal fiefdoms and selling weapons to U.S.'s traditional enemies (Russia, China, and others of opportunity). Not all is beyond hope for the government, people and committees do exist to curtail (but not stem) the tide of corruption and ineffective bureaucracy. ~Can I play as head of these factions?~ No. ~Can I play a different faction not listed in the OP?~ Yes, but you must explain said faction, origin, primary objectives, and reasons for being in Seattle. You can't make it a mystery unless I or the Co-Ops know and approved it in the ooc. The influence it has will be determined by me. ~Can I expand this portion of Seattle into something more (not necessarily part of any faction)? Such as shops, businesses, etc.~ Absolutely! Help build this world, keep in mind if others have already claimed a spot. ~Realism? Yay? Nay? Maybeh?~ You may have a genetically modified character - you are not immortal. Ergo... If you happen to dodge a bullet at point blank range, I'll shoot your kneecaps off. If you jumped a off a high-rise building and landed alive, I'll shoot your kneecaps off. If you got hit by a bus and freaking walked away, I'll fucking shoot your kneecaps off. How's that? ~How much action will there be?~ Action is entirely up to what you’ll be doing with your character. Decisions have consequences. ~What are some restrictions?~ Aside from Godmodding, Mary-Sue, Metagaming, etc, etc.? No further terrorist attacks. This is a game of cat & mouse. Isolated violence is acceptable; loud public combat situations is in direct contravention to the Primary Directive, so do your best to avoid it. ~How would the Primary Directive be achieved then?~ Myself and the Co-Op(s) will determine that. ~Can I have "powers"?~ *Simple answer: No. *Not so simple answer: X-Series are already genetically modified/specialized soldiers. The Assassins have keen senses and Abstergo has quite the influence in the public eye that to bribe and/or subvert others to their cause. And you'll break my reward system and a few sub plots I have in mind, so no, sorry. ~Can I play as one of the main stars/characters of either franchises?~ No. Create something. ~How does one live life here?~ The premise of what is Seattle has been given. Use that as your basis. Interact with others. Your character's personal story and agenda will help shape this world. ~Can I be (almost) anything?~ Yes, though I'd say keep in mind on how you'd interact with others when making your app. Wanna be a scientist? Chances are you'll fill up Manticore or Abstergo. Wanna be a doctor? You'll fit anywhere. Police? People hate you or like you. Again, depends on your char. ~Okay, so... how and what do we do when we're in?~ This is life in the Dark Angel/Assassin Creed world. Use the Seattle map and legend as your basis. As for LIFE in this RP; make what you will of it. Or don't. The larger plot is on me, the character interaction is on you and what purpose you want your character to have. ~What if I make a character that ultimately has nothing to do with the rest of you?~ *laughs* ~Can we go out of Seattle?~ Yes and no. Yes because there will be times I foresee action outside the city or plots that drive it that way. No in the sense that you won't be in another state, country or continent. ~Will this expand outside, say nationwide or more?~ Maybe. Let's focus on Seattle first. ~So... codenames? Ah yes, you can make whatever codenames you like for your char. The XSeries however, also come with a 12-series number imprinted like a tattoo on the nape of their necks as a barcode. It cannot be altered or removed. Every XSeries will have one. For example, X5-139778621792 would be shortened to X5-792. All X-Series subjects are known to use names and/or nicknames among themselves. The Primary Directive has been stated in the Organizations tab. It will always be a continual work in progress. Secondary objectives, personal character plots by you and others will either affect the Primary Directive or stand alone from it. ***Keep in mind: the Directive is a continual work in progress. Only I and the Co-Ops will know when to change, evolve, or outright shut the book on it. Secondary Objectives
NOTE: A character app is required before any faction/organization/business app. Faction/organization/business apps are subject to being denied outright without clarification.
This is the factions/business application. Optional and not mandatory or needed.
Rules:
Reward System Everybody loves prizes!!! But how does one get it? Depending on what is done, who did it, and for which faction. There will be certain advantages and disadvantages to keep the people on their toes. Your actions determine the reward. For example: if Eyes Only succeeded in disrupting the communication relays throughout a sector of the city for a few renegade X-Series to flee Seattle, they’ll have a brief moment of having communication taps throughout a sector of Seattle for a limited amount of time. Here, and any player in the affected Sector will either be exposed or hidden. These rewards are temporary and only a handful will be permanent. Not all rewards are the same. Rewards are granted by me and/or Co-Ops in my absence. They can be removed any time, for any reason. |