Arcadia was founded in the late 2015 to cope with the massive immigrant influx arriving in the United States following the enormous economic depression during the so-called Greater Arab War. The population of cities in the East Coast exploded, to the point that the cities' supply systems could no longer cope with the people they had been designed to deal with.
In January 2015, the government passed the Arcadia Act, which specified the construction of a city dedicated to temporarily housing all of the US's immigrant population. The city was to be circular in shape, with taller buildings at the edge of the circle and lower buildings as they approached the central park, so that all had a view of the green area from anywhere in the city. It was planned that Arcadia would be the first truly futuristic city in the planet, a layout that would be tested with immigrants.
Well, at least that's how it was supposed to be.
While the city was welcoming its first inhabitants in 2021, the arab war exploded into the Third World War. The Middle East became a dangerous fallout, large areas of Africa were bombed to pieces, and China was completely put out of the game as a global power, leaving Russia, the European Union, and the US as the three major powers of the world. The United States' East Coast suffered heavy bombing, the brunt of which was concentrated in - you guessed it - Arcadia.
When the bombing began, there were 1.4 million non-US citizens living in the city, the majority of which were of Russian, Italian, or Mexican descent. An estimated 60.000 US citizens lived in the city as well, the majority of which were Policemen, or other government affiliates. The downtown area (the circle) of Arcadia was already finished, and suburbs had sprung all around the city to house more inhabitants.
The city was almost completely burst asunder by the heavy bombing. It was rapidly turned from a modern and powerful city to a pile of burning rubble. An estimated 300.000 were killed by the bombs. Anarchy broke out almost immediately after, as the remaining citizens struggled to find food, water, and the other necessary supplies for life. Gangs and Mafias sprung up, mainly once-raced and discriminating against other racist groups. Efforts by the thinly spread police to calm the chaos were completely futile, and they were pulled out of the city almost immediately after.
This is where you come in. But first of allâ¦who are you?
1. An Unfortunately, Fortunately Mission
You were part of a military task force sent to the Northern suburbs of the city to secure government control, and begin installation of a forward base for government assets to operate from said place. While this was taking place, the Russian gang ambushed you and your fellow soldiers. In the ensuing firefight, all your fellow brothers were killed, and you were wounded and left for dead (character must be 18+).
2. A Matter of Semantics
You and your recently-married spouse have packed most of your belongings and are planning on leaving the city. While you and your wife (or husband) were driving out of the city to escape the growing chaos, you were stuck up by the Italian Mafia and you and your spouse were beaten, thrown out of the vehicle, and forgotten in the sidewalk (character must be 18+).
3. A Nearly-as-Tragic Episode, without the Tragic Part
You were an immigrant sent to live in the city long ago, and have lived as a street urchin since. You must do whatever you can to survive in this hell on Earth.
4. Make-Your-Own
Make your own back story. Only post it on your first post (when you're filling the sheet), you don't need to post it continually. It needs to be interesting and creative, if it is bland and/or not very canon-ish, I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to let you use it, and you'll have to pick another instead.
CHARACTER SHEET
In your first post, please include your 1. Filled-out Character Sheet, and 2. Back-story.
Name: (Include first name, any middle names, and last name or names). Gender: (M) (F) Age: (Over 15, under 50). Appearance: (Please be as short as you can while getting the point across. Include race). -- Apparel: (What your character is wearing). Inventory: (What items you have with your person). Weapons: (Any weapons you have with your person. Ammunition included here). -- Health: 100/100 (While I despise the traditional HP system, it is necessary for this RPG). Abilities: (Notable abilities your character has. One example is the ability to drive a car. I'll let you pick 3 at the beginning, you can think a bit and select the ones you like best. Make them up, and I'll tell you if they're fine). Perks: (More uncommon abilities your character has. One example is fighting with a sword (note, this doesn't give you a sword to begin with). Make one up, I'll tell you if it's alright).
I reserve the right to either add or detract items from the sheet for an individual player's needs.
OTHER FACTS AND INFORMATION THAT MUST BE PROCURED
Is winning possible?
You can, according to your background story, make a goal for your character. For example, if you pick the first option, your goal could be to construct that military base after all and restore US-Government control to the anarchy now reigning in the city. Of course, you can always play forever.
Companions? Friends? PC interaction?
Yes, you can have companions and friends following you around, helping you out in your quest to be entertained. As far as Player-to-Player interaction, I will allow it if the players involved express written consent to have their respective characters interact. Furthermore, events that a person causes will be felt throughout the city and will affect everyone. Players can also help or obstruct other players. In fact I'd find it quite interesting if a group of players got together to survive, or something like that.
Can my character die?
Yes, your character can die. If your character dies, you will be returned three turns before your death (this can be changed at the OP's discretion). If I feel that you are pestering me by constantly dying on purpose, then I will warn you. If you die pointlessly again (like throwing yourself from a window), I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill your character completely. Please don't make me do this.
What you can/cannot do.
Your character can do realistic actions within the power of a normal human being to execute, plus any abilities/perks that you have chosen. Just think about the action a bit, and you'll realize almost immediately if your character can or cannot do it.
Proper Grammar and Spelling.
You must use english to the best of your ability. If you are purposely writing with bad grammar and/or spelling, you will first be warned, and then kicked from the RPG.
A SHORT, POINTLESS, YET NECESSARY WARNING
Due to the very obvious tense conditions in the place where this RPG will take place, the Non-playable characters will be somewhat racist. Especially among different gangs, racism will be widespread. I of course am not going to use words such as the 'n' word in said occasions, but different ethnic groups will be fighting against each other - and against you - mostly based upon race. And, to a somewhat lesser extent, gender. Unless you're Storm, of course, because Storm is⦠special. *shudder*
I reserve all OP and GM rights, including that to kick you if necessary.
If you have any questions, please ask them now. Unless you're MattEmAngel. If you are him, please ask questions in my profile, haha.
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. ------ I was considering running for it, but they had cars. Though they were drunk, they could run me down in seconds. Then there was the distinctive sound of shattering glass, and I whirled around to see a person climbing through one of the other trucks' smashed windshield. Well, there's my way out of here. In a few quick steps, I ran over and jumped into the bed of the truck. The driver was arguing with a...tarantula. A talking tarantula. Okay. Because logic. At least I'm not afraid of spiders.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive --
"Just drive!" says Charlemagne anxiously, throwing his hands in the air. Your feet fumbling in the three pedals, you accidentally clutch the vehicle and it begins rolling forward.
"Dammit! Hit the handbrake!"
"The handbrake? Where is it?"
"You're extremely dumb, Nirv! Must I do everything myself?"
"Apparently."
Charlemagne jumps and pushes a little pedal and the car suddenly screeches and begins spinning around uncontrollably.
"What the hell did you do, you retarded, stupid, dumb, idiotic, Tarant-"
The Pickup's left side crashes against a wall, sending bricks flying everywhere and turning the airbag on, which explodes in your face and sends you flying to the back of your seat.
"Get out!" cries the spider, as he jumps in your shoulder, afraid. "Fast!"
You let yourself out of the vehicle and consider the area around. From several buildings, people are watching. You wave your hand awkwardly.
--------------
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. ------
The truck lurched forward, however, it was soon apparent that the people up front had no idea what they were doing. After about twenty seconds, the pickup crashes from the left side with a brick wall, sending bricks flying everywhere.
Upon the crash, your back is hit hard against the cab. Sharp pain follows. You raise your hand and find it covered in blood. After the initial shock, you are relieved to remember that the blood belongs to someone else and not to you, and only then do you notice - with some disgust - that you are covered in the strong-smelling red liquid.
The driver walks out of the car and appears to be investigating the area. You crouch in the truck's bed, hoping to avoid being seen.
(OOC: Oh, and by the way, since you're both interacting, the player that posts after the first should consider the first's action and respond to it, and so on.)
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive
"Oh no, oh no... we've gotta get out of here!" I say, the panic evident in my voice. After all these years of escaping attention, it was almost a shock to have a few dozen people staring at me.
Before I can turn and run off, I hear Charlemagne's voice hiss in my ear. "No, wait!" Check the cab first! If we don't get whatever's in the back, these freeloaders will!"
"But won't that make... us..?"
"Oh, never mind the semantics! Just hurry and check the cab. The sooner we get what's inside, the sooner we can disappear!"
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. ---- I heard the footsteps of the people driving coming over, and I hunched down further, my hand on my knife. My spine twinged, but the damage didn't feel serious, thankfully. The bag with Roman's head in it sat at my feet. The people were coming closer. I decided to give away my presence, standing up, and at the same time hoping he didn't have a gun.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive --
You walk back towards the truck and open the door. For the first time, you notice the truck is made a mess on the inside, beer bottles everywhere and paper. And other - things. Searching around the trash, the only things that you find could be of use are a closed bottle of beer and your walkie talkie back.
"Check the bed" suddenly says Charlemagne into your ear. Closing the door, you walk towards the back of a truck when suddenly a woman dressed all in black stands up. The stench of blood is about, the same viscous liquid that appears to be splattered all over her.
----------
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. ----
Mustering any courage you had left, you stand up and see a teenager with his pet tarantula. They both jump back, surprised at your presence. You stare at them, and they cower back, crouching and glancing. The teen waves his hand in a friendly manner. Your hand was bent around the knife.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive
I stare at her. She stares at me. There is silence for a moment, but only that.
"NURV, SHE'S GOT A PIECE! RUN!" Charlemagne nearly screams. A bead of sweat runs down the back of my neck: partly because of the scene before me, and partly because I can feel the stares of the people nearby.
"Um, hello. I'm Nurvana."
Charlemagne pointed a foreleg menacingly at her. "I bet she's taken everything out of the bed for herself! Freeloader! Why I oughta-"
I neatly pinch the tarantula and place him back-first onto the ground by my feet. Legs flailing comically, he spins awkwardly in a circle while attempting to right himself. But for once, he is quiet.
I recognize the girl in front of me. She'd walked past, not fifteen minutes ago while I was watching the gang. Oh... the gang. I look at her bloodstained clothing, and the knife in her hand. My grip tightens on the walkie talkie. She was working the streets all right, but not in the way I'd thought, and certainly not in the way I did. She was a killer, and her silence was starting to unnerve me.
Don't want to fall behind. If you know what I mean, which you probably don't. Well, not if you're Nurv because he understands everything. So, um, yeah.
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. --- "Hello, Nurvana," I said after a protracted silence, not letting go of my knife. They didn't seem like they wanted to kill me, but you could never be sure in this city. Aside from that, I still had the whole city to cross to hand Roman's head over to Matvey, and at this rate, there was no way I would make it in a day, even if I could somehow run the whole time. Aside from that, I didn't want the unlikely pair - in the case they weren't what they seemed - to come after me if I slighted them. "I'm not going to kill you," I said wearily. "Unless you are my job." A quick glance at the sky told me it was nearing midday. I had to get going, but I was still wearing - or should I say 'not wearing' - the clothes I'd used to seduce Roman. I hopped off the truck bed and turned to leave.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive --
With a peculiar grin, she stares at you for a moment until her mouth suddenly moves to, in a low tone, utter a short "Hello, Nurvana." Your spine tingles as you feel eight tiny limbs rapidly climbing your shirt from the back. Hiding from behind your neck, Charlemagne stares at the bloody mess of a woman before you.
She jumps down the bed and into the street out of the blue, glancing at you for a moment before turning away and starting to leave. The Tarantula slowly climbs onto your shoulder once more, staring at the girl.
"She's pretty" he whispers into your ear.
------------
Name: Xiao Mei Gender: (F) Age: Under 24, but nobody can pinpoint it and I don't feel like telling. Appearance: 5'6, long black braid, brown eyes. Taiwanese-American. -- Apparel: Old leather jacket, dark pants, mask with a flower on it, a key on a string that I wear as a necklace. Inventory: Knife, a handful of caps, a piece of paper with words on it I leave up to you. Weapons: My precious knifey knife that I clean religiously, as well as some choice pieces of shattered glass. The key is sharp enough to stab people with if all else fails. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: agile, sneaky, good at blending in/hiding Perks: STNB. ---
When you turn around to leave him, Nurv's mouth is still open and his face remains a stone showing a peculiar mixture of expressions. That Tarantula of his stares hard at you from behind him. You ignore the eight miniature eyes and begin the long journey towards your reward.
Name: Cross Gotti Gender: Male Age: 18 Appearance: 6'1, pale skin, blue eyes, scrawny, brown hair. -- Apparel: Military BDU's. Inventory: Catholic Holy Bible, Cross, Three Treatises of Government by John Locke. Weapons: M16A4 (210 rounds total), M1911 (5 mags), Standard-Issue Army Knife. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: Adept rifleman, fast runner, discipline Perks: Good with a sticker.
Mayhaps you should take over Spike's character for a bit, gettin' kinda empty over here.
Mayhaps you should take over Spike's character for a bit, gettin' kinda empty over here.
Yeah, I think he might've left. I will do that. Sorry about that, I should have continued stuff earlier rather than keeping you bored doing nothing. It will not happen again. I will continue with you.
Name: Cross Gotti Gender: Male Age: 18 Appearance: 6'1, pale skin, blue eyes, scrawny, brown hair. -- Apparel: Military BDU's. Inventory: Catholic Holy Bible, Cross, Three Treatises of Government by John Locke. Weapons: M16A4 (210 rounds total), M1911 (5 mags), Standard-Issue Army Knife. -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: Adept rifleman, fast runner, discipline Perks: Good with a sticker.
"My name's Abercroft. Da-David Abercroft. Ugh" he holds his head in his hand in apparent intense pain. With strained eyes, he groans in misery, trying to compose himself to keep what little honour he has left.
The Humvee hits a patch of rough terrain, stuff begins jumping about and you hold the injured man that he might not be harmed by the movement.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive
I exhale. So, not an assassin so much as a vigilante. No doubt her family was dead.
"Nirvana, hey Nirvana-"
"Hush. She is the wrong species anyway, Charlemagne."
"Never mind that bro, all I need-"
I interrupt him again. "Please. Do you want her to come back over?
"Yes."
"Ugh. Never mind." As I watch her walk away, however, it occurs to me that it might not be the worst idea to find out where she lives. I couldn't follow her, no, I doubt that would slip past her, but perhaps if I knew the general vicinity, it would help me out later.
Most of the people who'd witnessed the spectacle were beginning to drift away. Taking the beer bottle in my hand, I toss it casually over my shoulder, hearing the smash on the pavement a moment later. The girl doesn't even flinch.
"Jesus, isn't she something." Charlemagne said, a little louder than I'd like.
"Yeah..." I say absent-mindedly. Just then, an idea strikes me. "Hey, Charlemagne, I'd bet you'd like to get to know her better, huh?"
"Dude you know it. She's gotta see this game." The spider says, trying to flex its forearms.
"Very well." I pluck him off my shoulder and drop him unceremoniously on the ground. "Follow her. I'll be back at the abode. Don't get killed."
As Charlemagne scuttled off after her, I turned, sifted through the cab once more, and began heading back to my place of residence.
Name: Nirvana. Gender: (M) Age: The ole' one eight. Appearance: Six feet. One eighty pounds. Long, curly brown hair. Wiry. White boy. -- Apparel: Oversized woolen pullover and khakis. Red converse. Inventory: Walkie Talkie Weapons: My fists! -- Health: 100/100 Abilities: The ability to calm an aggravated character down, mild yet useful strength, and good hands. Perks: Just being so darn attractive --
Looking around the bed for a last time, you only find more broken glass and cigarette butts. You peer towards the distance and see the Tarantula scuttling off for the last time, eagerly - yet stealthily - following the girl into a dark alleyway.
"Hope he doesn't get himself killed."
Well, Charlemagne's the one that's always ranting about safety. He's probably going to be alright. Safer than you, at least. The walk back home is not very long, thanks to your living some three hundred meters from where you are now.
You crawl behind the large garbage can that is the secret entrance to the residence that once was your family's. A rather small 2-story house with a white picket fence outside and a little garden, a door nailed on the inside with several of the white pickets and propped with furniture, an old radio set, and a pantry with a respectable amount of supplies.
As always happens during the afternoon, a plane began circling overhead, playing the New National Anthem and playing the President's voice.
