Xystella [Interest Check/OOC/Sign Up]

[Yash]

Anybody who is interested can sign up here itself. Will keep a post reserved after this to edit and manage teams.

Introduction:

At the turn of the 21st century, everybody started fearing the spread of the Y2K virus. After that came the attacks on the United States of America by the Middle Eastern Terror Groups in 2001. We also saw the earthquake in Gujarat, India. We have seen floods, earthquakes, heat waves, tsunamis and cyclones since then. By 2010, the news of the end of the world according to the Mayan Calendar had come to light. Seeing the death and destruction, even the despair after the economic collapse in 2008 it seemed that a dystopian future may have become the present. However what people did not realize is that the Mayan Calendar merely predicted a change in the age of the world, rather than the end. It was the end of a period of darkness and ignorance, and a step towards knowledge.

For it was on 21st December, 2012 that the world was re-introduced to magic. On that day, all around the world various humans developed the long lost art of Human magic. There was another far greater event on that day, the appearance, or reappearance, of various creatures of myth. In places where their cities thrived in the past, we found the arrival of elves, dwarves and orcs. Even some humans with ancient knowledge were present. It was almost as if the past had been brought into the future.

Initially both groups were sceptical of the other, but over a couple of years they acclimatized to each other’s presence. On the 21st of December 2014, to commemorate the start of the new age, a meeting of the World Leaders was called and plans were made to accommodate the new arrivals in society, helping both groups adjust. There was also a separate meeting of the business leaders and bureaucrats with the leaders of the new races. This meeting resulted in partnerships between the two segments of society, from which evolved a free exchange not only of technology but also magic. Contributions from both sides helped develop society and averted death, disease and wars.

However, this exchange of knowledge and technology was restricted to a few people. Thus, the companies controlled by that group became richer and stronger by monopolizing the new technology. The richer they became the more their greed increased. Ultimately all of them merged into a Super Group by the name of Xystella Corporation. Seeing the danger in handing such wealth and technology to one entity, some governments around the world tried to force Xystella into sharing its patented technology. However, they were too late. By then the company had invested heavily into politics as well as seizing control over the underworld. Soon every organization, NATO, BRICS, the WTO and even the UN was controlled by people affiliated with Xystella. These people, mostly humans and elves and few dwarves, used to be part of the regular bureaucracy and public, however they were turned into lackeys for Xystella, to act as the face of governance while following orders.

All this time the company used its henchmen, humans and orcs working in tandem to force any opposition to back down. They used the most heinous means to do so. Uncaringly, families were ripped apart, protestors killed in “criminal and terrorist attacks” and organizations and companies going bankrupt due to relentless litigation by “wronged citizens”. Using a plethora of underhanded and sneaky oppression techniques, Xystella finally gained absolute control over the world.

For a while, the entire world seemed at peace. There were no wars, little to no poverty and disease and illness seemed to be a thing of the past. The world seemed to have become perfect. The cost being lives ripped apart and unflinching obedience to the laws and rules of the governments as well as a denial of rights to various freedoms. The company brainwashed the people into believing that there was no threat to democracy, by holding mock elections in which candidates from different parties contested. However all the parties were parts of Xystella and in the few instances of independent candidates, the voting itself was rigged. Even then as a safeguard the company allowed some outsiders into the political field, however they would often be framed or trapped using facetious complaints and reports and then used as pawns by the company.

Such total control and blind faith cannot last forever. After a while murmurs of dissent will always rise. The oppressed will fight back and try to regain their freedom. That is the way the world works, and that is where your story begins...

In shady bars and pubs, after a couple of drinks people will quietly whisper the wrongs done to them by the company. Some likeminded people will start a secretive discussion, of the wrongs suffered by them at the hands of the company and government. They talk about the loved ones taken away from them, and the forced expropriation of their homes and businesses. They bonded over their hatred for their feared oppressors. But initially it was all talk. Nobody dared to act on their words.

That all changed due to one mistake made by a member of the company, a lowly henchman whose act of foolishness and bravado would result in turmoil the world over. The most heinous act of murdering a child to keep a dissenter in check and allowing proof of the company’s involvement in the underworld to leak through and surface all over the internet. This is how it happened.

In a back alley bar called Gokul in Mumbai, India, a group of men and women were discussing their lives. They were recently transferred here after they had chosen to complain about some activities of the governments in their respective countries. They felt that was the end of their punishment. But the true punishment was that one of them would be killed while the others were forced to watch and accept their fate. The man sent by the company to do the job was opportunistic and felt that it would be better to kill one of their kids so that all of the gathered protestors would never dare to revolt again. He kidnapped the daughter, named Alyssandra, of a French expat in public, and killed her in front of her father leaving the message, “Never again should you question the will of Xystella”. This was the first time any proof regarding the darker side of the governments and Xystella had risen. But it was enough to spark protests the world over.

Ultimately there was no choice and the guise of democracy was lifted to reveal the true plutocratic and authoritarian government. Xystella came to the foreground and declared itself the only super power in the world. It created its own armed forces and used this to establish its power over the world. All of this in a short span of 16 years.

Over time this led to the formation of an underground resistance known as the Alyssandra Faction or AF to preserve the catalyst that started the revolution. They move about in shady underground hangouts recruiting disgruntled and willing revolutionaries. They teach in secret schools whatever knowledge they have stolen from Xystella regarding magic and technology as well as whatever they have learnt themselves. They target the company directly, attacking its various outposts and production centres. They are turning the tide under the command of Alyssandra’s brother Aldrick. From a band of unhappy protestors they have evolved, grown into a menace to the company, and the worlds only hope for freedom.

The AF has been resisting Xystella for 15 years and it seems that finally the hold of the company can be broken. Aldrick and his generals are planning multiple assaults but they have limited troops. They need the people to stand up and fight, however fear is still prevalent among the masses. The few with the courage to join are making their way to the faction, but will it be enough? The past 5 years has lead to turmoil the world, creating conflict zones across the globe. The deaths and destruction of property has taken its toll on the people. With the sudden arrival of the Thanos Virus it could mean not only the end of magic but an apocalyptic cleansing of the world, and while not much is known about the virus one thing is a surety. Anybody using magic or magical items coming in contact with it suffers bouts of insanity and extreme pain, often resulting not only in the death of themselves but also many people around them. The only way to control the virus is daily doses of anti-biotic medicines directly into the spinal fluid. As such medics are trained specifically to treat all beings with this disease, including elves and dwarves.

The AF is about to begin its assault on Xystella, attacking its main lifeline, its production systems. The small groups sent to take down the factories often end up dead, but such is the cost of freedom. Individuals from around the world have been called to take arms and act against the plutocracy. Little clues left in the lives of those chosen to help find the way to the AF base. How many can outrun the government and manage to band together to go on a mission to take down the company? Many will die trying, only to have their place given to another. The fight cannot stop. It is time for you to step up.

Classes:

Humans:

Profile: Your everyday people albeit with some modifications. After the rebirth of magic, some humans developed a skill to use magic. Along with developments in technology they managed to create Hybrids. Humans genetically and magically enhanced using DNA from certain animals to increase their physical abilities. While retaining their sentience and human life span, their physical appearance is altered and matches that of the animal they share their DNA with. However this leads to a limitation on their use of technology and weapons, as those are still designed only for regular people, and hybrids tend to have limbs similar to that of the animals. The hybrids can use large machinery but smaller items tend to cause problems for them.

Aside from hybrids, human mages are skilled magicians that are proficient with spells and charms. The conflict between Xystella and the AF has also bred a class of soldiers and mercenaries. They have undergone harsh training from childhood and are weapons experts and slightly advanced technology. They range from silent assassins to snipers as well as bazooka wielding maniacs blowing up any and everything in their paths. The advance in technology has given rise to hackers who oppose the governments and try to disrupt the plans of Xystella by stealing technology from them. They are aligned with AF and help by acting as intelligence officers as well as providing technical support.

In general humans tend to get along with all the other races due to their diverse natures, but at the same time, this diversity can lead to internal fighting between different sections as well as fights with those from other races.

Hybrids: They are physically strong but cannot use complicated weaponry or technology, thus relying on basic combat magic and old fashioned weapons. They may also develop augmented sensory skills based on the animal DNA merged into them. They often give into their baser animal instincts and can lose control of themselves, getting lost in the animal’s sub-conscience.

Mages: Old fashioned and dependant mainly on magic, they find it difficult to adjust in the new world. They are highly intelligent and tend to be careful when interacting with others. Due to their conservative nature, they find it difficult to handle technology often seeing gadgets with suspicion.

Soldiers/Mercenaries: Trained in warfare since childhood, they are always ready for a fight, most of which leads to somebody dying. Their military training allows them to use almost any weapon at hand as well as having access to some high tech military gadgets.

Hackers: They do not have any access to magic, and solely rely on technology and their skill using computers. They are an important part of the AF’s counter intelligence force, gathering data from Xystella’s servers. They also help in individual missions, but rarely venturing outside of the base.

Medics: There is an increased demand for medics among the both groups especially in teams involving mages, as a safeguard against the Thanos Virus. They also help out with most of the wounded members of the team. They have some knowledge of healing magic and potions, but rely mainly on modern medicines.

Elves:

Profile: The remnants of an ancient race, they are highly intelligent creatures with great degree of proficiency in the use of magic. They also have an extended life span when compared to humans. Similar to human mages, they are often traditional and choose to rely on magic and their physical abilities rather than technology, however have been known to adapt when the situation demands it. Most of them consider the other races on the planet with contempt as they find them to be inferior. This however does not include animals, which makes them partial to Hybrid humans. They are peaceful creatures, preferring to showcase their might through magic and intellect rather than warfare, but if attacked they can be horrendously quick in retaliating. While their opponents may be physically stronger few are as fast, if not faster than the elves. Their peace loving nature in general prevents them from killing unless it is a matter of survival; however some have been corrupted by power and can be ruthless in disposing of their enemies.

Warriors: The warrior elves are among the best in use of old fashioned weapons such as the bow and arrow and the sword. With a little help of combat magic, they are as deadly as anybody using guns. They are quick on their feet and agile enough to scale even the tallest towers without much help.

Magicians: They are the most proficient users of magic, having knowledge about almost all aspects of it. They prefer trapping the enemy rather than killing, often devising ingenious methods and mazes not only to capture the enemy but also extract information if required.

Spies: These are experts at infiltration as well as reconnaissance. They move about unnoticed and can use magic to impersonate anybody they come in contact with. They also have the ability to talk to each other telepathically among other spies. Not much else is known about them.

Dwarves:

Profile: While they are slightly shorter than humans, they more than make up for it in terms of strength. They use magic while making weaponry and armour, which makes their work the best available. They are also great inventors and good at using technology. Their wisdom however ends at that, as in most other cases they act in the simplest way, often basing decisions on instinct. A few have the ability to use runes to cast magical spells. They are argumentative by nature, and typically unafraid of a fight. Most of the time however they prefer to stick with their own race and keep interaction with others at a minimum. They have an intense rivalry with orcs, who are considered stronger than dwarves. This often leads to loud confrontations and physical fights even among the general public. The dwarfs’ love of technology makes them suspicious of those who shun it, but they choose to cooperate with them as they understand suspicions of unknown objects. When in the company of comrades, they are boisterous and enjoy singing songs.

Warriors: Strong and bulky, these dwarves use a mix of traditional and new aged weapons, adapting to any situation in the battlefield. They consider themselves to be the best warriors. While not true, they are formidable opponents. They do not use magic, and rely purely on brute force.

Rune Masters: They have basic knowledge of runes and can use these to cast a variety of spells. The only limitation is that they may not always have the runes they need, in which case they need to carve them on the spot. This can delay the plans of the group.

Metalworkers & Inventors: They are among the best creative minds on the planet. Often making gizmos in the middle of the field not only to help in combat, they create traps as well as clear obstacles for the team. They can often adjust the weapons of others to help in any situation, thus making excellent pairs with warriors, human, dwarf and elfin.

Gameplay:

This RP will work a little differently from others. Instead of having one single character you will choose a team of 3. They can be from any of the above classes and races. Mixed race characters however are not allowed. This means your team can have one each among humans, dwarves and elves, but mixed breed and mixed race characters are not allowed. You must make the profile of each character of your team in the manner suggested below. You will also need to give some information about the team as well.

The RP will follow a mission based format, with some cool off time in between, which will occur at the HQ. There will be one permanent thread, which will be for the HQ of the AF, and different threads for each mission. Multiple teams will be sent to complete different or similar objectives in each mission. Thus it will require team work from all the teams involved. During this time, any team not in a mission will be at the HQ and shall help in intel gathering. These will simply be tasks that I will be putting up at the HQ. While it may seem trivial, such tasks will be important in the overall world and will effect how things will work in subsequent missions. (These may even require real world activities from the participants)

Character and Team Profiles:

Team Name:

Members: 1.

2.

3.

Team History: This involves giving details such as how long have the three been a team, how did they meet, as well as some details about any notable achievements of the team.

Team Members

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Race:

Class:

Bio: Basic details about your character, such as their past, family etc. Also details about their personality and appearance should be given.

Skills:

Possessions:

Major Characters:

Name: Aldrick Thomas

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Bio: The death of his sister, followed by relentless persecution of his family lead Aldrick to form the Faction. He is a strong and capable leader though his loss makes him hard and often ruthless when confronting an enemy. Having devoted his life to destroy the company, Aldrick spent his early years underground and with guidance from people loyal to the Faction, he has become an excellent strategist. He is an extremely well trained guerrilla warrior, with a level of discipline, seen only in the army, instilled in him by his mentor General Michael Sharp

Skills: Aldrick is a skilled warrior and survivalist. He is tech savvy and can manage his way around small scale security. He is also good at hand to hand combat and can use a sword with his left hand which gives him a good advantage when fighting in a crowd.

Possessions: Guns, grenades, a kevlar vest and a sword are part of his arsenal. He also carries a pendant with his sister's photograph in it. He has a micro computer wrist band, allowing him to control the actions of the faction with ease. It also helps him by pass small scale security systems.

Name: Gen. Michael Sharp

Age: 64

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Bio: An officer in the US armed forces, the general was just a soldier when the world changed. Over the years, he noticed a change in policy of the army, realizing that instead of fighting for democracy, they were fighting to suppress it. This caused him to go AWOL and has never been officially seen or heard from since. He found his way to Aldrick and taught him the art of war and survival. He is the commander of all of the faction's forces and handles missions from the HQ at all times.

Possessions: He carries with him his old army weapons, a pistol and sword, as well as an assault rifle.

Name: Dr. Luigi Marconi AKA Baelin

Age: 150

Gender: Male

Race: Dwarf

Bio: Baelin is a dwarf scientist working for Xystella. He took inspiration from Italy and it's fine past of inventors and decided to adopt an Italian name. He is one of the leading members of the scientific community. His main area of focus is energy and weaponry. Not much else is known about him.

Possessions: He carries on him, a small book with all his ideas and plans for future projects at all times. He also carries a strange cube with symbols marked on it, with the mechanisms of a rubix cube.

Name: Gen. Veryan Daugon

Age: 1600 (looks 50)

Gender: Male

Race: Elf

Bio: He was a great warrior in the past, but along with the rest of his kiln had vanished till the revival. Initially a part of Xystella, the general could not be corrupted by the company and defected before long. He has been spying on the company for a few years on Iain's request, providing the faction with weapons and safeguarding them from attacks by forewarning them.

Skills: An extremely intelligent and resourceful spy, he can use magic not only to attack, but also confuse the enemy with illusions. He fights using a bow and arrow, using his magic to create various elemental arrows. His metallic bow is a technologically enhanced version of a long bow, which grants him greater accuracy over long distances as well as usage of specialized non lethal weapons. Its sharpened body can also be split and used as thin dual swords.

Possessions: His bow and arrows are his only weapons. He wears his Xystella uniform at all times.

Name: Agent Alex

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Race: Human (Lion Hybrid)

Bio: Alex became a lion hybrid at an early age, and quickly managed to make a name for himself. On joining the faction, he became one of the best field operatives for them. Before his transformation, Alex had grown up as an orphan on the streets of New York. To avoid starving Alex started working for a local mobster, who looked after the companies assets. Rising to the top very easily, Alex became one of the top men under the mobster. Through some back channel arrangements as well as under the table deals, Alex managed to become a Hybrid. However upon learning that the company did not approve of his change, Alex was forced to run. Eventually he made his was into the resistance.

Skills: He has great physical strength and speed, making him incredibly dangerous in close range combat. He is also bulky and can take a few hits before falling out of action.

Name: Dr. Kelly Urban

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Bio: A child prodigy in the field of medical research, she diverted her attention to the Thanos Virus once it became widespread. She has been working with Xystella for years. However she has never agreed with her employers principles. Not much else is known about her.

[Yash]

Reserved for PC teams.

[Code: PIRULUK]

even the despair after the economic collapse in 2008 it seemed that a dystopian future may have become the present. However what people did not realize is that the Mayan Calendar merely predicted a change in the age of the world, rather than the end. It was the end of a period of darkness and ignorance, and a step towards knowledge.

That's not what "dystopian" means, by the way.

[Yash]

I didn't mean it literally, but rather just to portray a feeling.

[PupSpace]

Team Name: Gradileb

Members: 1. Kai Fuchs

2. G. Lane

3. Reyn Ledsh

Team History: The three all happened upon each other quite recently in a raid on an AF compound. They're not close, but they work together with a strange affinity. D'mitri isn't part of the team, and remains at HQ unless desperately needed.

Team Members

Name: Kai Fuchs

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Class: Fox hybrid

Bio: Kai was born in Germany and migrated out of the rather war-ravaged country at a young age, those who guided her aiming to protect a valuable asset. Those who guided her: scientists aiming to make and sell a young and impressonable weapon of destruction. They'd tried many different children and different animals, but several had been inviable. Kai was the most promising of the first batch and was traveled around in hopes that she could be sold as a weapon. It took the scientists several months to locate the underground AF operatives. The scientists were turned away and the toddler was instead trained in small jobs around the city, mainly stealing and sneaking. When she was older she left the scientists, threatening to reveal herself to the Xystella corporations, thereby ruining the scientists' ability to create more autonomous hybrids. They left her be, and she chose to join the AF in any way possible.

She's the shortest member of her team with naturally pale skin darkened by the sun she loves so much. She's extraordinarily thin but is fast and agile. A bit too playful, but knows how to be serious.

Skills: Fast and agile, but pretty weak. If she doesn't take someone out quick she's in trouble.

Possessions: A set of three small knives and a larger skinning/hunting knife, a hunting bag, and a small survival pack (matches, iodine, twine, a wire saw, etc.)

Name: D'mitri

Age: 28

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Class: Hacker

Bio: D'mitri was a part of the early youth underground that eventually merged with the larger AF group. He worked in various web cafes, setting off cataclysmic overheats of hardware through hacks, often taking out Xystella operatives or low-level thugs and then erasing his tracks and disappearing. He helped fund the youth underground by stealing from hedge funds feeding into Xystella itself, until he was nearly caught and went into hiding, working instead to get in with AF. After the merger, he started directing intel and working to crack the internal servers of Xystella.

He's dreadfully pale from rarely leaving the intel rooms, and has rather common boughts of fatigue. He's taken to using a wheelchair when big missions are happening so he can move more freely between intel and the meeting rooms. He uses down days to get more walking in. Very physically weak, but mentally strong.

Skills: Knows computer language better than people languages at times, works fast, and has a decent photographic memory. Once he picks something up it stays in his mind. He imagines codes as shapes and thereby can pick out discrepancies easily.

Possessions: Other than the stuff at HQ, a standard military-grade satellite laptop, a Raspberry Pi, and a small hardware kit (screwdrivers, hardware, replacement battery pack, external hard-drive)

Name: G. Lane

Age: 51

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Class: Medic

Bio: G was a medic in skirmishes before and worked in a pharmaceutical company that was taken over by Xystella. She was forced to participate in research for the company before disappearing one night and hopping transit to India, where she was captured by an AF operative who recognized her from her activities with Xystella. After proving her desire to help, she was allowed participation in AF and worked as a medic for a good period of time before developing a team.

Average height, slim shoulders, and skin that retains its shape despite her age. Piercing blue eyes under flowing brown hair. She was quite beautiful before the stress of the Xystella overtaking the world curved her shoulders and put lines between her eyebrows. Her stress and guilt over being part of Xystella, however short of a time she spent against her will, drives her to save lives.

Skills: Extensive knowledge of the human body and small knowledge of magic, which she uses alongside modern medicine whenever possible.

Possessions: Med kit, knife with a solid blade and a serrated side, lighter.

Name: Reyn Ledsh

Age: 672 (looks around 30)

Gender: Male

Race: Elf

Class: Magician

Bio: Though young, he has traveled the earth to gain knowledge and practice in the magical arts. He also has a decent collection of enhancers, spellbooks, and resources that he keeps locked away at HQ for when they're needed. Secretive and quiet, he prefers to end confrontations quickly. Dark, chocolatey skin with black hair braided tight against his head, often wears flowing clothes but not robes or anything too long so as to stifle movement.

Skills: Good with magic, bad with control. Almost no physical/close encounter strength.

Possessions: A spellbook, a talisman, and a magic-enhancing bracer.

Edited January 31, 2015 by PupSpace

[Chevaleresse]

reserved

Are classes racially restricted? e.g. could I make an elven soldier rather than just a warrior? The OP is unclear.

[Yash]

Ya they are restricted.. Each race and its classes are listed in order.. So if you have a character of a certain race it can only have a class from that race..