Ghosts of Nueva Iberia (OOC / OPEN)

[Zarkenis Ultima]

I don't think North was here for any iteration of the awards but yes, I can vouch for your outstanding post quality.

Frequency might be a little bit trickier

[The Grand Western Empire]

Nueva Ibera is like the city in Cyberpunk 2077? Overrun with crimes(aside from drug dealing), gangsters, and ghosts? Glowy and towering metal buildings? Just making sure.

[North America Inc]

Character Name: Henry "Harry" Adams Latimer

Great app; I enjoyed reading it. A few things:

1. I admit I was initially hesitant to consider another 'hard-molded' recent immigrant character, but you seem like you can very much differentiate him from others.

2. For the time perception aspect, do be aware most acolytes, Spectres, and Tulpas naturally move faster than reactions, so it's almost assumed to be a necessary trait. Neural wear is more to allow those without psionic abilities to keep up.

3. Not a big deal, but I think I am going with fictional companies for this, so the implant names will need a tweak.

4. And to be clear, you did the drawbacks and risks associated with extensive implants?

5. Regardless, I don't see a reason to decline you. Accepted.

[Reverend Norv]

Character Name: Henry "Harry" Adams Latimer

Great app; I enjoyed reading it. A few things:

1. I admit I was initially hesitant to consider another 'hard-molded' recent immigrant character, but you seem like you can very much differentiate him from others.

2. For the time perception aspect, do be aware most acolytes, Spectres, and Tulpas naturally move faster than reactions, so it's almost assumed to be a necessary trait. Neural wear is more to allow those without psionic abilities to keep up.

3. Not a big deal, but I think I am going with fictional companies for this, so the implant names will need a tweak.

4. And to be clear, you did the drawbacks and risks associated with extensive implants?

5. Regardless, I don't see a reason to decline you. Accepted.

Glad to be aboard. My thinking was that Harry's implants were basically the standard suite for US special operators, not all of whom are also acolytes - hence the overlap between his implants and his acolyte abilities. I'll make some changes over the next few days to avoid implicating real-world companies - though if you change your mind, I'm sure that this qualifies as satire and nobody will mind.

And as for the drawbacks and risks, I'm definitely aware. The fact that these are top-of-the-line CIA implants installed by military experts probably means that the risk of catastrophic failure and rejection is lower: these aren't cyber den implants, and Harry has been living with them for almost twenty years. But as I mentioned, they still put him in chronic pain, and their high quality may be a hidden danger: if he does need to help with his implants, the average street doc isn't going to be up to the task. As a storytelling matter, I'm emphatically game to portray the downsides as well as the advantages of Harry's cyberware.

[The Republic of Atria]

Character Name: Chloe Hirano

Accepted. Glad to see you join Seg.

Accepted; thank you for the additions.

I plan to make a complete list of accepted characters tomorrow. I apologize if I missed someone; please let me know if I did.

I plan for the IC to be up on Friday, so I have time to flesh out the introduction post a bit and give me time to watch the first few posts over the weekend.

In the meantime, I would like to discuss if you guys want to include any specific landmarks or communities in Santa Francesca so that we have more unity in its layout.

In addition, if you have any lore, technology, or alt-history recommendations, please feel free to message them here.

Would you guys want a discord now, or wait a bit to see if anyone else wants to join?

Don't really have any ideas for landmarks or communities. One idea is a basic city map though if we really want to be more defined in it's layout.

Same as above, not much to add. World seems quite fleshed out as it is. As for the Discord, I'm down to have one, and I'm fine without one.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

I plan to make a complete list of accepted characters tomorrow. I apologize if I missed someone; please let me know if I did.

I plan for the IC to be up on Friday, so I have time to flesh out the introduction post a bit and give me time to watch the first few posts over the weekend.

In the meantime, I would like to discuss if you guys want to include any specific landmarks or communities in Santa Francesca so that we have more unity in its layout.

In addition, if you have any lore, technology, or alt-history recommendations, please feel free to message them here.

Would you guys want a discord now, or wait a bit to see if anyone else wants to join?

I'm not sure about any specific landmarks; on a personal level my character lives dead in the same area as Enrico, Eduardo and García, so I don't really think there'd be much for me to add to that in relation to him; perhaps some of the locations mentioned in his bio could work for landmarks though, like the Hospital General? Other than that perhaps there could be a park nearby. Did you have something in particular in mind for public transport? Depending on what you've got planned for that, a station of some sort could work for that as well.

I can't really think of much in regards to lore. Perhaps a bit more history on the restoration period could give some context to work with, but it seems most native apps have managed to get by without that, so I don't know if it's necessary. Beyond that I think I would be interested in hearing about present day vehicles and what sorts of modifications would be available for them in this retro-cyberpunk world.

[North America Inc]

Snip

Well it was less that I was worried about including them and more a world building choice. I have mentioned a few tech and defense firms, and if you have any you want to make as well go ahead and use them.

And hmm, I just realized your character has been out of service since the mid 70s. Despite being advanced, they are a decade out of date. But I don't see a need of being pedantic, so I'm okay with characters still treating them as state of the art.

[The Grand Western Empire]

In the meantime, I would like to discuss if you guys want to include any specific landmarks or communities in Santa Francesca so that we have more unity in its layout.

In addition, if you have any lore, technology, or alt-history recommendations, please feel free to message them here.

Would you guys want a discord now, or wait a bit to see if anyone else wants to join?

I think a discord would be cool. Would magnetic construction technology be a possibility?

[North America Inc]

I'll see what I can do for a gallery map.

I can go ahead and include a hospital clinic and local park. I know we are treating SF as a community, but technically it is a large district. For the town or segment that the characters live in, any preferences on the name?

For public transportation, I'll add some info on private buses and that underground/suspended monorail idea I mentioned.

Yeah, I can do that for the restoration. And sure, a lore segment on vehicles would be nice.

[North America Inc]

In the meantime, I would like to discuss if you guys want to include any specific landmarks or communities in Santa Francesca so that we have more unity in its layout.

In addition, if you have any lore, technology, or alt-history recommendations, please feel free to message them here.

Would you guys want a discord now, or wait a bit to see if anyone else wants to join?

I think a discord would be cool. Would magnetic construction technology be a possibility?

What do you mean by that technology?

[Zarkenis Ultima]

I'll see what I can do for a gallery map.

I can go ahead and include a hospital clinic and local park. I know we are treating SF as a community, but technically it is a large district. For the town or segment that the characters live in, any preferences on the name?

For public transportation, I'll add some info on private buses and that underground/suspended monorail idea I mentioned.

Yeah, I can do that for the restoration. And sure, a lore segment on vehicles would be nice.

I did include a hospital with the first king's name in my application, that's what I was referring to with that part

Also included a kindergarten, but, that's probably not something that'll be too relevant in the story.

[The Grand Western Empire]

What do you mean by that technology?

Put construction materials in a metal box, then use a crane with a giant magnet move it, use magnets to lower metal beams into place, pretty much replace cranes that use hooks with cranes that use magnets. And rather than magnets needing to be in close proximity to metals, they can also do it from yards away, if that makes sense.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

What do you mean by that technology?

Put construction materials in a metal box, then use a crane with a giant magnet move it, use magnets to lower metal beams into place, pretty much replace cranes that use hooks with cranes that use magnets. And rather than magnets needing to be in close proximity to metals, they can also do it from yards away, if that makes sense.

Wouldn't that cause a ton of trouble with other things that are made of metal in the vicinity?

[North America Inc]

Put construction materials in a metal box, then use a crane with a giant magnet move it, use magnets to lower metal beams into place, pretty much replace cranes that use hooks with cranes that use magnets. And rather than magnets needing to be in close proximity to metals, they can also do it from yards away, if that makes sense.

Wouldn't that cause a ton of trouble with other things that are made of metal in the vicinity?

Well luckily no metal is attached to any persons in this city.

[The Grand Western Empire]

Wouldn't that cause a ton of trouble with other things that are made of metal in the vicinity?

Provided the tech is precise enough and the man using it is well-trained, I don't think so

[The Grand Western Empire]

Wouldn't that cause a ton of trouble with other things that are made of metal in the vicinity?

Well luckily no metal is attached to any persons in this city.

Ah, I forgot about cybernetics facepalms

[Finland SSR]

Character Name: Igor Vyshnevsky
Gender: M
Age: 42
Appearance: Power!
Occupation: Wrestler, later member of the Imperial Royal Guard
Personality: Contrary to what his intimidating appearance and career might make you believe, Igor is actually fairly gentle and sociable, although he takes time to make attachments. Greatly patriotic of both of his homeland and of Nueva Iberia, he sees his place in the Royal Guard as an opportunity to rid the nation of criminals and villainy, and also as preparation for perhaps, one day, returning home and using the talents he gained in the New World to create something better back home. In both of these cases, improving society can only come through lawful and loyal action - so, Igor is highly sceptical of vagabonds, vigilantes and others on the grey area between legality and crime, and really hostile towards crime. In company, working with allies, he is mindful of his limits and trusting, and would not hesitate to invite those he has to work with into a bar after the job is done. In his free time, Igor works out, watches sports - particularly football, boxing, and obviously wrestling - and occasionally reads Russian literature.
Biography: Igor Vyshnevsky is a Russian immigrant, whose family fled from the Soviet Federation during World War II and arrived to Nueva Iberia as refugees. There, they settled in the Emiliano district, in a small run down home, and raised their child. Igor was born with high psionic potential, although he was ignorant of these abilities for most of his life. Most what he could feel was a natural drive and ease in training and becoming stronger, from a very young age.

Enrolled in a local school and slowly integrating into Nuevo Iberian society (although, to this day, he speaks with a noticeable accent), Igor eventually found his calling in sports. As a teenager, he watched boxing and wrestling matches on a primitive boxy TV that one of his friends from school had in their house, and enrolled in a martial arts dojo set up by a Japanese immigrant a few blocks away from home. However, the precision necessary for martial arts didn't quite catch Igor's tastes, so after a few years of study, he dropped the dojo and continued training in gyms independently. By the time he was 18, he had already become visibly bulky and could take down any of his classmates in arm wrestling. He had also finally found the sports career that worked for him - freestyle wrestling, starting with a gym on the other side of the city, in Santa Francesca.

The first years after graduation were difficult. While going from part time job to part time job, in construction and dock work, Igor fought in wrestling matches for prize money. Though his mass and strength were exceptional, he had a tough start, and it took him a few years before he finally figured out his wrestling technique and could start winning serious matches. By the middle to late twenties, the "Beast from the East" finally started to make a name in Nueva Iberia wrestling circles, and he was finally invited to official tournaments and started earning the money he sorely needed. One of these tournaments was being watched by an Acolyte of the Royal Guard - who immediately noticed a psionic aura around the Russian-Iberian wrestler. Clearly, his physical ability came not just from training, but also at least a little from powers he was not even aware of.

The Royal Guard contacted Igor after the tournament, explaining everything - and offering him a place in the Royal Guard, where he could train in his abilities to reach superhuman levels and use those abilities for the country. Giving this option a lot of thought, and considering what he wants from his future, Igor finally wrote back, accepting the offer. Less than a month later, he was already on the arduous path to becoming an Acolyte.

In the Royal Guard, he earned a weapon, developed his abilities of psionic muscle augmentation that turned him to a physical tank, and earned respect from his peers due to his intimidating physical strength and friendly demeanor. As a Guard, he participated in rescue operations and refugee protection in the aftermath of the 1973 Earthquake, went on missions against criminal gangs in Paso Del Rey and against Cuban interventionists in Central America, so on and so forth... Now, however, it seems that the city will require him once again.

Igor is married, although he and his wife do not have any children yet. Didn't know where else to mention it but that's there.

Notable Cybernetics or Implants: Numerous cybernetic implants both from his wrestling career and from his time as a member of the Royal Guard. His chin and lower body have skin plating to protect them from unexpected blows, his bones have been hardened to superhuman levels and his metabolic rate has been accelerated to allow for greater growth of muscle mass (at the expense of requiring to eat a lot more than the average person.)

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RP History: Most recent is Young Bloods, many of the people here were there.

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Acolyte Application
Choice of Weapon: A custom made, seven feet long greatsword, perfect for an Imperial Knight.
Years of Practice: Thirteen years since first induction into the Guard and beginning to train with his weapon. Has been training physically (not psionically) since childhood.
Notable Proficiencies: Igor's psionic abilities manifest in raw physical power - he can drastically amplify his strength and durability by literally filling his muscles with psychic energy. In battle, the muscles of his body become engorged and his size and mass grow, turning him into a tank that can push through bullets and heavy psionic blows and dish back strikes with massive force. When facing off against an opponent that requires more than just a psionically-empowered punch to take down, Igor can also turn his greatsword into a psionic construct that he can increase in size, up to a few times its normal length and width, once again allowing to thrash his opponent and clear out large numbers of them.
Strengths: As one might expect, Igor's abilities turn him into a juggernaut in close quarters combat. With his size, strength, and reach, he is especially effective in clearing out large crowds of enemies, and his tank-like build and powerset are also useful as a shield for weaker allies, soaking up blows and projectiles while others handle threats from afar. Obviously, superhuman strength is also a useful utility for traversal and support outside of the battlefield - removing large obstacles from the way, ripping out locked doors, carrying heavy loads from one place to another all come to mind.
Limitations:

• Because of how his powers work, he cannot use Second Suits, as his psionic muscle enlargement will simply snap and bend the suit. This means that unlike many of his peers who can use the suits to make up for their vulnerabilities when their powers are not active, Igor is vulnerable when he hasn't activated his powers yet - as then, he is just a strong human.
• Igor has absolutely no ranged utility - his powers and weapon are entirely close quarters, and the best he can do against an opponent who attacks from afar is throw objects at hand. If he is fighting an opponent who can take someone down, psionically or otherwise, by touching them, or someone who runs away faster than he can catch, Igor is helpless against them.
• While psionic muscle enlargement enhances his strength and durability, it doesn't do the same for his speed - any gains he may make by engorging his leg muscles are balanced out by a large gain in mass. If anything, growing large and extremely bulky only makes precise, fast swings harder. Igor's a tank, but not a speeding brick.
• Igor's cybernetic implants, once helpful in his wrestling career, have become a liability - as while the rest of his body grows in mass and becomes stronger via his powers, his implants do not. The skin plating on his chin and abdomen set a limit for how much he can grow, as he will otherwise just bend and break them, and they only have the durability of a thin plate of steel - someone as powerful as Igor, fighting against him, can break through them and deal a critical blow.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

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North gets the final say obviously, but I like this app Can't see any glaring issues at a glance so it'll probably be accepted with little issue.

On a separate note, figured I'd collect links to all accepted apps for North's convenience when he gets around to making a list.

Amelia, Xun, Terrence, Hector, Octavian, Blake, Jorge, Chloe, Henry.

[Benuty]

This definitely looks interesting.

[Finland SSR]

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North gets the final say obviously, but I like this app Can't see any glaring issues at a glance so it'll probably be accepted with little issue.

Thank you

[North America Inc]

Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay; something unfortunate came up on my end, but it's no longer a concern. I hope you like the prologue; let me know what you think.

This definitely looks interesting.

Feel free to let me know if I can help or answer anything.

-snip-

Thank you, my good sir. I plan to use the reserved OOC post for this.

Character Name: Igor Vyshnevsky

Great app interesting character. Accepted; glad to see you come around, Fin.

[Galnius]

Character Name: Elenita "Ellie" Luengo
Gender: F
Age: 23
Appearance: 1 2
Occupation: Magician/Information Broker
Personality: Hot-Blooded, inquisitive, impish, enigmatic
Biography: Elenita is a playful girl who's life, like many others', was turned on it's head during the Earthquake of 1973. Her parents had been semi successful artists, moving their way up in the city, when tragedy struck. Elenita was out and about when her house was turned to debris, and it wasn't until she arrived home during the state of emergency that she found she had lost the two most important people of her life. Strangely, such a tragedy led to her discovering herself, and the powers she had within.

The young Elenita would grow up the rest of the way with an aging family friend, Hugo Benedicci, or as he was better known, Grandfather Quixote. In the past she would join her parents in watching his magic shows in Paradise City, but after the quake she found herself as his direct assistant. Using her natural flexibility and her Spectre, she fit into many small spaces and blended into the shadows themselves for true invisibility. At 16, she began trying to help those of her neighborhood by sharing any bit of information she could find, and sought out more and more risky information such as gang movements, political plans, and the locations of cheap private detectives and doctors that would work under the table. As her quarries became greater, Hugo began to take notice. She had somehow not been discovered or caught yet, but he still made her promise never to do anything reckless again, lest she attract the attention of those with the power to find and stop her. She relented, and for a time she was content improving her skills as a magician and leaving notes.

Sadly, just over a year ago, Grandfather Quixote had died. Elenita took his place on the stage under a similar name, Lady Quixote. Of course, while she ensued his memory would live on through his fans and herself, the promise she had made began to die. Now, for the first time, Elenita would take up a mask off shadow and truly dig into her other alter ego, as the Shadow Broker.
RP History:
Young Bloods

Spectral Application
Name of Spectre: Shadow Puppet
Appearance: Her shadow
Appearance Type: Natural non-humanoid (a shadow)
Intelligence Type: Non-sapient
Ability Type: Close Range

Ability: Shadow Puppet gives is user the ability to blend into shadows, sense shadows within a small 10 meter radius, and transport between large enough shadows as of they were doorways. It can also mask the users features and pin opponents for a very short time.
Strengths: Potent reconnaissance and stealth abilities. Great for quick getaways and hiding in plain sight.
Limitations: No damaging capabilities, no real offensive abilities, can't sense anything without a shadow like spectres or apparitions.

Just for funsies, here's a theme for the character

[Segral]

Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay; something unfortunate came up on my end, but it's no longer a concern. I hope you like the prologue; let me know what you think.

Prologue is awesome, love the flow between scenes with the moped.

In terms of writing posts for ourselves, where do we go from here? Is it a sandbox-type move where we’re free to set up our characters as we like, or is there some “main” event we should center ourselves around?

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Great work North! I'll try to get something up here in the week.

[North America Inc]

In terms of writing posts for ourselves, where do we go from here? Is it a sandbox-type move where we’re free to set up our characters as we like, or is there some “main” event we should center ourselves around?

In the first post, I would recommend using it more to set up your character and their immediate environment. The first significant story beat will be the attack on the Bordeaux Casino by the rogue acolytes, which we can coordinate here. Because of character backgrounds, for some, it might not make sense to partake in the attack. In this case, I can make an alternative event.

Great work North! I'll try to get something up here in the week.

Glad to hear it Zark!