PL: The EPIC OOC XI [closed]

[Swith Witherward]

Ah yes, it’s time for the annual festive one-shot, brought to you (as always) by Naomi. It's bland... I'm in a food coma.

She almost threw the cheap nativity away last year. She vowed to never set it up again. The cardboard stable was frayed, the sheep were chewed up and had toothpick legs, the camel never lasted a year, and the baby bore NVE’s teeth marks. Even Marcus had rolled his eyes and asked her why she kept it. Why bother at all?

Naomi had asked herself that very question while digging the box out of the closet the night before. Charumati was gone and Naomi was divorced. Thaddeus finally had what he wanted – solitude. Wren was far away; Marcus worked and spent his spare time with his girlfriend; Argus was a stranger to him.

“It’s here because Tradition,” Naomi lifted Argus from his playpen so he could better see the manger scene. “Because the first year, I yelled at your Auntie Charu and Uncle Neil for not keeping Christmas, and the second year I learned that she wasn’t as tuned out as I thought, and the third year she chewed on your Uncle Fram. Because you don’t have to believe in something in order to appreciate the stories behind it. Because it’s a nice story, too. I don’t have to believe a turtle carries the world on his back in order to fancy a picture of him doing it, right?”

Argus burbled laughter as she perched him on her hip. She was hard pressed to keep him from snatching up the plastic figures.

“We keep Christmas because we like it,” she poked his nose with her finger to distract him from the sheep. “Elisabeth Cornwell said that. She also said celebration does not belong solely to the pious, and I must agree. Christmas is a perfect time to remember family and friends who are no longer with us. She says they stay with us in loving memory, and we celebrate how much richer our lives are because they were a part of us, shaping us, and making us better for knowing them. It’s not all about presents and Santa, or whether or not you believe a baby in a manger is the son of a god. We put up this manky old manger with its chewed up figures because there are wonderful memories tied to it. The people involved were good people, and they left their marks upon our hearts just as readily as they did the plastic sheep.”

Naomi looked down at the crèche and sighed. “So, even though they’re either gone or far away, they’re still here with us thanks to Tradition. Maybe you’ll set this old manger up someday, when you’re older and have your own children. Maybe they’ll ask you why the sheep have toothpick legs. You can pass the stories on to them, the really good ones about compassion and goodwill and charity among friends and loved ones, and let those stories help shape them and enrich their lives.”

She peered into the manager and then plucked the baby from the straw. “Let me tell you about the time your Uncle Neil ate Baby Jesus…”

~meaning no disrespect to anyone of any faith (or non-faith) here.


Merry Swithmas!
Love, Swith

[Swith Witherward]

Cuisine is back! About time, too!


No IC posts from me today. I'm only here on a quick break at the moment.

[Giovenith]

Their use of plastic figures offends my biodegradable sensibilities!

[Tiltjuice]

Is Mon still out for the time being?

[Giovenith]

Is Mon still out for the time being?

Not sure. I think there's a training exercise or something.

[Monfrox]

Is Mon still out for the time being?

Not sure. I think there's a training exercise or something.

Nah, I'm good. That was all over two days ago. I've just been wondering how to reply.

[Cerillium]

#PLAPP

(Image)
PERSONIFICATION LIFE
CHARACTER APPLICATION

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PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Character Name: Enali Archdreamer

Character Gender: Female

Species: Dark Elf

Age: 83

Appearance: White hair, brown skin, 5'7, slim and agile, orange eyes.

URL to Character Picture, if any: Here and Here

Primary Objective: As part of her clans tradition, Enali must acquire something very valuable to contribute to the prestige and sustainability of clan Archdreamer. Whether it be a special set of skills, or an artifact of immeasurable power, Enali is set on impressing the clan elders by bringing them something that will earn her permanent renown.

Secondary Objectives: Aside from earning renown within her clan, Enali seeks to become a famous Dungeoneer and a thief of note. She'll gladly take any jobs that require subtlety whether it be a simple pickpocket, extracting items from ruins, or committing larceny of highly protected property.

MUNDANE SKILLS
These do NOT require points. These are the average, daily things your character can do. Examples are "drive a car", "speak a normal Foreign Language", "play a guitar", "write poetry". Some mundane skills come from your bio and are freebie. A soldier knows very basic training (shoot a gun, basic drill). Medic, martial arts or sniper would be a Specialized Skill or Talent.
List Mundane skills here:

• Speak Elvish & Basic
• Impersonate voices
• Quick on her feet
• Effectively Use Daggers
• Can shoot small arms
• Quick to come up with a "Plan B"
• Good at lying

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND TALENTS
These are specialized skills that set you apart from the average person. You have 7 points to spend here. Examples are swordsmanship, sniper, coercion, piloting etc.
Ability 1 and Points Spent: Knifemanship - 3
Ability 2 and Points Spent: Persuasion - 1
Ability 3 and Points Spent: Unarmed Combat - 1
Ability 4 and Points Spent: Trap Disarmament - 2


OPTIONAL SUPERNATURAL CHARACTERISTICS
You have 7 points to spend here on supernatural skills or abilities. Sonic Scream, Levitation, Spell Casting, Shape Shifting etc. Superman MUST have his kryptonite, so Restrictions are what can't they do with their power or what balances it. They can only use it when they genuinely need it? They can't use it for more then five minutes without serious side-effects? Some things are allowed without points. A pegasus has wings thus it can fly. A raptor is fast thus no points are spent in speed. These "natural" abilities should be listed in the character's description, however.

Ability 1: Flowmotion
Power Level: 4
Strengths: Able to easily move throughout the environment by utilizing surroundings (such as buildings and close walls).
Weaknesses: This drains Enali's stamina at a greater rate than if she were to simply perform under normal conditions. (Regular sprinting and stuff).
Restrictions: If not careful in regarding her surroundings, Enali can easily misstep and plummet to an untimely demise.

Ability 2: Inner Darkness Externalization
Power Level: 3
Strengths: As a curse unique to the Archdreamer clan of Dark Elves, Enali can utilize her 'inner darkness', such as her fear, anger, jealousy, and other negative emotions in order to launch a variety of attacks and demoralize foes.
Weaknesses: Utilizing ones inner darkness is akin to manipulating your own soul. Frequent usage of this technique will result in physical impairment and health deterioration of the user. Worst case scenario, ones own inner darkness attempts a takeover of a weakened soul. The resulting abomination has been purged from clan records.
Restrictions: Dark Magic casted is only as good as the ability of the user. The grander the spell, the more negative the effects on the user.


MAGICAL OR SPECIAL ITEMS
List:

• Archdreamer Daggers

- These daggers are enchanted by the clan elders of Archdreamer. Passed down from various fallen Dark Elves who expended their inner darkness, these blades, to put it simply do a significant amount of 'darkness element' damage to foes as well as being coated in clan-specific poison.


BACKGROUND
Education or Training: Trained from a young age in the art of being a thief by fellow clansmen as most Dark Elves in her clan had risen to prominence in the profession. Most of what she knows today is thanks to the teachings of the clans scholars and warriors to the younger generation.
Character Background/Biography: Like all members of clan Archdreamer, Enali does not know her birth parents, nor does she need to as all members of the clan are taught independence and self-sufficiency from the moment they learned to walk. Those who could not swim simply sink, and those who find themselves swimming are handpicked by the elders to undergo various trials to prove their worth for the clan.

Enali always had a knack for lying to the adults and a fascination with venturing into the unknown. According to the elders, she would be a fine addition to the ranks of the adventurers. Soon enough, Enali found herself undergoing personal tutelage under the guidance of some of the clans best adventurers. She would be shown what to look for when exploring ruins, how to detect traps, and how to put these exact same skills to use during a theft, something that all Dark Elves were infamously known for.

Upon reaching her Eightieth birthday, Enali was cast out of the Clan in order to put what she had been taught to good use. Given instruction on certain items she was to obtain, Enali patiently blends into society as a freelance 'adventurer-for-hire'. If successful, she'd find herself undergoing the ritual to enter adulthood next. She would be the youngest adulthood according to clan mechanics.


OTHER GAME MECHANICS
URL to Apartment Picture: Here
Link to RP examples: I was in previous incarnations of PL, but if really necessary then I shall retrieve some.

IMPORTANT:
One paragraph that sums up your character. This paragraph is what we'll use on your player tab on the first page of the thread. This MUST be brief. Your tab will contain a link to your application so people will have full details
Character Name: Enali Archdreamer
Brief Description: A young Dark Elf that has set out to make a name for herself. She'll readily take a variety of dependable adventurer jobs, or any well paying job under the table. While on her own and away from her clan, she's ready to do what she must to make a living and live up to the expectations placed upon her.

Apologies on the delay, IJ. The holidays are extremely busy for me.

Overall, it looks good. There are some things that need clarifying:

Inner Darkness Externalization needs a serious tweak. The weakness is not really a weakness and the restriction basically gives a character unlimited power if she chooses to exploit it as such. This needs expanding-upon to be acceptable. Please also bear in mind that many, many PCs and NPCs in region in Galli purposefully rile a foe (pushing them into jealousy, fear, anger and so on) in order to siphon off that dark energy. Lobbing this energy at them will not do damage.

Archdreamer Daggers do "darkness element" damage which is not defined at all (unless I missed it somewhere else on the app), which means the potential for heavy abuse. Additionally it's not stated what exactly the clan-specific poison on the daggers does in terms of effects. Overall, simply too under-defined to be acceptable as a special item. Bear in mind that half the characters draw upon "darkness" so these might not be very effective. I'll need a power level number for them, as well.

Mundane Skills:

Unless impersonating voices is just going to be a parlor trick, it needs a point score. This is a practical skill.

Being quick to come up with a "plan B" needs better definition. It's inviting abuse if used as a free do-over in the middle of combat. However, quickly thinking up a plan once the first is foiled (usually the character has a moment to focus on remedying the situation, be they crouched behind a box or sitting at a cafe table) is acceptable.

Being good at lying is a skill that would need points. It's an interpersonal skill and relies on the abilities and personalities of the characters being lied to. To become an adept liar, she'll need points in observation to understand body language and how to read their emotions is necessary -- most communication is non-verbal. Through watchfulness and asking careful questions, a liar can become adept at determining a mark’s emotional state, allowing him to manipulate the person better. Because lies often contain a bit of truth, understanding the basics of a situation and the people involved is a must to be able to manipulate information and tell convincing lie. So you'll need to spend points in skills that support this ability. Some characters and NPCs can sense a lie the moment its uttered (unless you have 7 or better in this skill).

[Monfrox]

Oh yeah, something came up Christmas Eve. I learned that my cousin is going into the Air Force as well, and he got through MEPS that day. However, they're shipping him out at the beginning of next year. I go in for processing either the 6th, 7th, or 8th. I don't know what all will go on, but I'm fully expecting to be shipped out shortly after that. I may not be and will stick around for longer, but I just want you guys to be aware that my days here may be lesser numbered than I expected.

[Cerillium]

#PLAPP

(Image)
PERSONIFICATION LIFE
CHARACTER APPLICATION

---

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Character Name: Sozewe Oumech

Character Gender: Male

Species (nation personification, human, alien, etc): Human/Cyborg

Age: 23

Appearance: Standing at 5'11", Oumech is a thin, but imposing "man", donning an all-black outfit, the only thing not completely covered being his disturbingly droid-like face.

URL to Character Picture, if any: So Sith. Much Dark Side. Wow.

Primary Objective: (What is your character's main goal? This should be the thing that drives their part of the plot.) Oumech wishes to learn more about and understand The Force, and to grow in power as he does so, hopefully leading to him achieving total immortality and power.

Secondary Objectives: (What other goals does your character intend to achieve? These should drive subplots.) -Oumech has an unquenchable curiosity for discovering and exploring new planets and sectors, and fancies himself a part-time explorer. He wants to find out what's out there, and maybe bring home an interesting trinket.

- Oumech wants to try and control the Dark Side, or use the Dark Side without being corrupted. Beyond that, he wants to show that he can use the powers of the Dark Side to destroy wrongdoers and oppressors, and protect the weak who can't defend themselves; he also wants to do it better than a Jedi could.

MUNDANE SKILLS
These do NOT require points. These are the average, daily things your character can do. Examples are "drive a car", "speak a normal Foreign Language", "play a guitar", "write poetry". Some mundane skills come from your bio and are freebie. A soldier knows very basic training (shoot a gun, basic drill). Medic, martial arts or sniper would be a Specialized Skill or Talent.
List Mundane skills here:
-Understanding of Galactic Basic (English)
-Lightsaber combat prowess (Heavy-style, Juyo, single-lightsaber)
- Force abilities & sensitivity
- Basic knowledge of Jedi & Sith philosophy
- Meditation/Introspection
- Improved strength/stamina (Cybernetics)



SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND TALENTS
These are specialized skills that set you apart from the average person. You have 7 points to spend here. Examples are swordsmanship, sniper, coercion, piloting etc.
Ability 1 and Points Spent: Lightsaber Prowess - 2
Ability 2 and Points Spent: Force Training - 1
Ability 3 and Points Spent: Coercion/Intimidation - 1
Ability 4 and Points Spent:


OPTIONAL SUPERNATURAL CHARACTERISTICS

- As a Sith, Sozewe is similar in his power to a Jedi. However, Sozewe's abilities are more offensive and aggressive in nature, and are naturally more inclined for fighting and other violent acts than those that a user from the Light Side would have.

Ability 1: Telekinesis
Power Level: 3
Strengths: Can pick up objects, manipulate items, and even amplify his own physical ability beyond what is naturally possible. As a Sith, he can also use his abilities against living things, using his powers to stun, immobilize, or even choke out someone. Sozewe mainly uses his powers offensively.
Weaknesses: Drawing from his own power, it's draining on Sozewe. On top of this, his powers have yet to reach their full potential, meaning that Sozewe can't simply go throwing houses around willy-nilly.
Restrictions: Force resistance and weight can be an issue.

Ability 2: Force Lightning
Power Level: 2
Strengths: Sozewe can, with enough concentration and power, redirect the energy around him to emit power lightning from his hands, using it as a weapon against enemies.
Weaknesses: It requires intense concentration and willpower on his part, and can end up going out of control for a moment before stopping. It's something that he uses only when needed. Additionally, as Sozewe lacks one organic arm, his ability is very limited when compared to a fully-organic Sith warrior.
Restrictions: Short range, short time use, and very draining on Sozewe.



MAGICAL OR SPECIAL ITEMS
List:
- His two lightsabers, Rubat (Straight-handled) and Katak (Curved handle)
- A small, hand-written journal, filled with notes, drawings, and entries detailing his explorations and other various items from the Galaxy
- A Sith Holocron he discovered early in his travels


BACKGROUND
Education or Training: Souzewe traveled the galaxy after he discovered his force sensitivity, learning from different Jedi, and one some occasions those who embraced the Dark Side. When alone, he looked in on himself, meditated, and gained new insight on the Force by reading and researching, trying to find his own answers and develop his own philosophy.

Character Background/Biography: Sozewe Oumech grew up on an Imperial-friendly world near the edges of the Outer Rim, though he personally grew up in the days of the New Republic. Always entranced by stories of the Empire's power, or the struggles of the Rebellion, or even stories as far back as the Clone Wars, Sozewe dreamed of seeing it all and going on all sorts of adventures. When he was just a teenager, he got his wish, hopping about an old Corvette as a crewman and going to run cargo all over known space.

It was in his youth that he discovered his sensitivity to the Force, a discovery that changed his life considerably. Wanting to learn more about his powers, Sozewe sought out knowledge from the new Jedi, or from anyone who could give him information, and, as he learned, he began to think back, and look at himself, and meditate, and develop his own philosophy about the Force. In his time, he learned about the Jedi code, and about the Jedi way of life, but he also learned about the ways of the Sith, and about their differences with the Jedi. He found aspects of both sides appealing, and, in his mind, he considered that he could follow his own path and learn from both ends.

But as he tried to merge these principles, he found himself either going one way or the other, and he found himself in disagreement with more than a few other people, who stated that there could be no middle ground. Again, Sozewe had to think on his ideas, and as he did, he found himself always leaning towards the Dark Side. He saw no use in abstaining from life's pleasures, or from suppressing his emotions and powers; he was a mortal man, and the idea of sitting by and abstaining from living his one life just didn't suit him. He wanted to live, and he wanted to let his power grow. He wanted to use his power to defeat his enemies, and to help those who couldn't defeat theirs, to use his power to help others without abiding by a rigid code or discipline, and so, with some fear, and some excitement, Sozewe declared himself a Sith Warrior, and set out on his journey to better understand the force, and to set himself free.

One of Sozewe's greatest fears in life is not being able to live his life, by being no more - by dying. Like many others before him, the idea of death terrified him, and the idea of eternal life was too good to not be pursued, even if it meant falling to the Dark Side. When Sozewe set out to understand the Force as a Sith, he set out to become powerful enough to give himself immortality. While he did that, though, time would pass, and his body would age, and grow frail. That was a concern that drove Sozewe to continually modify his own body, time after time, to make himself less organic, less human, to make himself "stronger" in that his skin would no longer age and decay, since he had none. He had no fear of going blind with age, or from losing his grip as his arms became frail, if he had none of those, if he replaced them with superior, undying synthetic parts. As his understanding of the Force grew, so did the amount of synthetics that made up his body. His obsession drove him to nearly shed his humanity, in an attempt to create the perfect, inorganic, immortal body. However, there was no way he could ever completely erase his human existence. There would still always be insides that couldn't be replaced, nerves and fleshy bits that he just couldn't do without. As long as he still held some bit of mortality, he was not satisfied. Sozewe continued to meditate and practice, and pursue the powers of immortality that only the Dark Side could give him.


OTHER GAME MECHANICS
URL to Apartment Picture: (What's the inside of their apartment look like) Oumech's room Resembles a Sith temple in aesthetics, and is very simple in layout, with three small, spare rooms off to the side of the main room, with is large and round, and dimly lit. In the main area, Oumech sleeps, meditates, and does just about everything else he would normally do.

Link to RP examples: (this MUST be a DIRECT LINK to your IC post in an RP, NOT a link to the RP thread itself. If you don't have examples, make your biography good.)

IMPORTANT:
One paragraph that sums up your character. This paragraph is what we'll use on your player tab on the first page of the thread. This MUST be brief. Your tab will contain a link to your application so people will have full details
Character Name: Sozewe Oumech
Brief Description: Sozewe, a cybernetic Sith Warrior obsessed with increasing his own power and finding eternal life, Sozewe is dedicated in his search. Despite his insane obsession and brutality as a Sith, Sozewe also still has some moral compass, seeing his pursuit as a way to help others, even if he is a self-maimed warrior of the Dark Side.

Apologies to you, too, for the delay.

I know you've been diligently working with CoOPs and people in the IRC with this, plus we've chatted about him. It's a good app. My only suggestion would be to bump his age some. 23 seems old, but not really old enough. 25 or older would give him more experience to draw upon to support his skills, training and motives. Other than that, approved. Let me know when you're ready to bring him in.

[Cerillium]

Oh yeah, something came up Christmas Eve. I learned that my cousin is going into the Air Force as well, and he got through MEPS that day. However, they're shipping him out at the beginning of next year. I go in for processing either the 6th, 7th, or 8th. I don't know what all will go on, but I'm fully expecting to be shipped out shortly after that. I may not be and will stick around for longer, but I just want you guys to be aware that my days here may be lesser numbered than I expected.

Good luck on your future lifepath, Mon.

[Monfrox]

Oh yeah, something came up Christmas Eve. I learned that my cousin is going into the Air Force as well, and he got through MEPS that day. However, they're shipping him out at the beginning of next year. I go in for processing either the 6th, 7th, or 8th. I don't know what all will go on, but I'm fully expecting to be shipped out shortly after that. I may not be and will stick around for longer, but I just want you guys to be aware that my days here may be lesser numbered than I expected.

Good luck on your future lifepath, Mon.

Thanks, I'll try to stop in after I get out of BMT

[Torsiedelle]

I was worried about the age being too young. Will bump it up to, say, 27?

[Cerillium]

I was worried about the age being too young. Will bump it up to, say, 27?

Much better.

[Swith Witherward]

Hey Torsii, the only way for outsiders to come in (so far) is through the chandelier. Cer doesn't want to touch upon the Gates yet.


Also, pony post inbound!

[New Aksarben]

Hey Torsii, the only way for outsiders to come in (so far) is through the chandelier. Cer doesn't want to touch upon the Gates yet.


Also, pony post inbound!

Personally, I find the chandelier a hilarious way to get into the building

[Swith Witherward]

Gio, if the axe is taboo, let me know. I thought I'd throw in his restrictions.

Can ponies use weapons with their hooves? I honestly don't know enough about the genre. But, because I don't know anything, I'm enjoying all the little things you're dropping in. It's the fun of immersing myself in a totally foreign playground.

Aaaaand thanks for your patience over Christmas. Posting was totally compromised with the exception of the one-shot I'd started previously.

[Giovenith]

Gio, if the axe is taboo, let me know. I thought I'd throw in his restrictions.

Can ponies use weapons with their hooves? I honestly don't know enough about the genre. But, because I don't know anything, I'm enjoying all the little things you're dropping in. It's the fun of immersing myself in a totally foreign playground.

Aaaaand thanks for your patience over Christmas. Posting was totally compromised with the exception of the one-shot I'd started previously.

Nope, I don't mind it at all.

They can, though not to the same degree. In the show they've been shown being able to hold spears, but obviously it's never really specified how good they are using them. Don't worry, I'll give him something.

[Swith Witherward]

Excellent. TY!

[Tiltjuice]

My sister is leaving today among other things. Will post tomorrow.

[Giovenith]

My sister is leaving today among other things. Will post tomorrow.

Ja, ja, tis fine.

[Tiltjuice]

My sister is leaving today among other things. Will post tomorrow.

Ja, ja, tis fine.

That is, tomorrow according to you guys (tonight here, timezones are all our friend!)

[Giovenith]

Ja, ja, tis fine.

That is, tomorrow according to you guys (tonight here, timezones are all our friend!)

I literally slept all day long. I've accidentally made myself nocturnal and am having trouble reversing it.

[Swith Witherward]

"Muahahaha, now I can use a sword!"... oh gods help us, Gio has unleashed the fun!

He won't win the day, because that would be silly and the monster is way too fun in build to allow to die quickly. Is it alright if he uses his regeneration ability, though? Hosts heal on the spot (which is why the axe didn't kill him).

[Giovenith]

"Muahahaha, now I can use a sword!"... oh gods help us, Gio has unleashed the fun!

He won't win the day, because that would be silly and the monster is way too fun in build to allow to die quickly. Is it alright if he uses his regeneration ability, though? Hosts heal on the spot (which is why the axe didn't kill him).

Of course, not a problem with me.

[New Aksarben]

That is, tomorrow according to you guys (tonight here, timezones are all our friend!)

I literally slept all day long. I've accidentally made myself nocturnal and am having trouble reversing it.

I'm having that trouble too. Waking up at like 2 pm and stuff haha

and The Equestria event has been really fun to read! Keep up the excellent work everyone, especially Gio!