dogbane: (lawl)
william tsang ([personal profile] dogbane) wrote2014-09-07 11:13 am
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Adoptables/NPCs

You should probably let me know if you intend to play any of these characters on a game with me, otherwise that will be awkward!

Note on Designing "Avatars"
The supernatural presence in this dystopia is founded on the notion that there is a reason that archetypes have prevailed through all of human mythology. After all, many religions have some similarity in themes, storylines, creature personalities, magics, and roles in the way that the world functions (see: comparative mythology). Here, we take this to mean that no single culture got it right. There are countless incorporeal beings that have thrived on the planet for eons. Each entity appears as a distorted hybrid of at least 2 or 3 mythological etiologies-- precisely because these myths were derived, over-simplified and sometimes inaccurately, from these creatures.

Avatars tend to wind up choosing people who had some genetic ancestry indigenous to the culture where their mythology took root, however long ago. However, this is far from a rule, and given the amount of interracial relations common in the world now, this is only a guideline.

Their personalities are not human, but there is enough individual variability that they might as well be. Most are so old that they experience their human connections with terrifying, inexorable patience and very little sanguinity; in a sense, there simply isn't enough time in a human's existence to develop a real connection. However, those that possess a person have some motivation to do so, whether it's to: help, harm, explore what being human is like, relieve existential ennui, manifest their own inarguable cosmic purpose, or that they hope fate will cross their mortal instrument's path with another avatar in the interest of vengeance.

However, one thing is apparent for all avatars: humanity looks like it's on the edge of extinction.


Note on Designing Powers
Unlike the power sets typically favored by comic books, mythological creatures and figures often have a surprisingly diverse and folky array of powers. Zeus may be typefied by lightning and physical prowess and weather-related drama, but he was also a shapeshifter and could control animals.

Individuals who are possessed are granted abilities associated with their avatar's abilities. These generally manifest as psionic versions of the original magic, but rules may vary depending on the individual's psychology or their avatar's fickle idiosyncrasies. Foci objects or incantations may well be necessary for some to activate their abilities.




Pre-Blackstone (Presumably Civilian)

Isidor is Mean
Nationality: German
Race: White
Age: late 20's/early 30's
Gender: Male
Occupation: Drifter, drug dealer, scholar, smuggler
Type: Possessed
Powers: Pyrokinesis, invulnerability, flight; he turns into a fire
Avatar: Cherub/sphinx/chimera
Personality: Charismatic, intelligent, secretive, oscillates wildly between problems with uncontrollable impulses and need for control. The inverse to William, he is often ostensibly angry or appears on the edge of rupturing into some insane, reckless mania designed to salve deep and unacknowledged inner-pain, but internally he is actually a very happy young person. It is extraordinarily difficult to hurt his feelings. He is not often bored because he compulsively finds something interesting to do or say or simply think about. Cannot stand overuse of depressants because it turns off his brain. Delights in reading, sex, observing people, making them do weird shit. Is not by nature a sadist, but really has trouble feeling for people. He is a pretty good urban survivor for a privileged, spoiled kid, probably in part because he seems singularly incapable of lasting terror or existential doubt. He has been emotionally abusive and addicted to drugs on a cyclical basis, and has very little compunction about exploiting others if he's certain he can get away with it.
Etcetera.
Played by: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Relation to William: Ex-boyfriend/pimp/etcetera.
Other notes: As with many of the possessed, his avatar's influence is fairly weak. But he does shit like tell riddles or exterminate bad guys to entertain her or for other reasons.


Nneka
Nationality: American
Race: Mixed (African, White)
Age: mid-late 20's
Gender: Female
Occupation: Drifter, busker, tattoo artist, smuggler, optionally sex worker
Type: Open
Powers: If possessed, based on an appropriate avatar(s), e.g., resurrection, seasonal effects, agricultural abilities
Avatar: If possessed, related to death/resurrection mythology or the dying-and-rising-god, e.g., Jesus, Ishtar, Ogbunabali
Personality: Clever, practical, impatient. One of Isidor's self-proclaimed troupe of lesbians, she opted to join the group in part due to the fact she got on with Isidor remarkably well. They were very similar in many ways, assertive, creative, over-confident, a playah, having some serious thrill issues. The other part involves the fact she had a congenital heart defect that perpetuated a sense of life's ephemerality throughout her [admittedly] life. She is also considerably kinder and more generous than her friend, however, such as that she began to confront Isidor when his drug habit got out of hand (to no avail) and when he roped William into their ways (he was a dumb and naive plaything at that time) (also to no avail). She is one of those people who doesn't think of themselves as very nurturing or leaderly, but often finds herself in the position of taking care of people anyway.
Etcetera.
Played by: Yaya Dacosta
Relation to William: Friend
Other notes: Appeared to have died in bed with William on the night he was arrested.


Logan Rose
Nationality: European or American
Race: Mixed/primarily White (Algerian)
Age: mid-late twenties
Gender: Female
Occupation: Drifter, bartender, smuggler, optionally sex worker
Type: Open
Powers: If possessed, based on an appropriate avatar(s), e.g., super-fortified skeletal structure (especially skull), fertility/sexuality, augmentation of others' abilities
Avatar: If possessed, at least one should refer to Berber mythology e.g., Amun-Ra-- the other influences should include thematic similarity
Personality: Compulsively sarcastic, morbid, and pessimistic, almost cartoonishly so. Likes to hang with weirdos. Thinks making people uncomfortable is hilarious, expresses affection by making fun of people, which is her way of communicating that she gave enough of a damn to make real observations of their behavior and presentation. Was a promising athlete but didn't have the money to acquire any real opportunities, is kind of bitter about it. Comes down somatic symptoms when upset (e.g., angry or sad, especially anxious), primarily headaches. Describes herself as a misanthrope but she's very loyal to those she's gradually warmed up to, likes animals, has a creepily good auditory memory. Bad at reading. Gets into physical fights quite often. Isidor stole her money and cut her loose early on, for the better.
Etcetera.
Played by: Sofia Boutella
Relation to William: Friend!
Other notes: April Ludgate tbh.


Project Blackstone (Military)

Dr. Norton
Nationality: USA
Race: White
Age: mid-30's
Gender: Male
Occupation: Project Blackstone Researcher, Physician, Medical Officer
Type: Open
Powers: If possessed, partially suppressed.
Avatar: Your choice!
Personality: One of those exceptionally brave and noble but extremely resigned people who've been through too much shit. Substantial PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and a severe startle reaction triggered situationally. His trauma arose first from being one of the first Possessed to be discovered and subject to various government neurological experiments which partially (or completely) ended the connection with his avatar. Afterward, a General who was a family friend felt very guilty about all that and put him through officer training, thinking he'd be better off with a cushy desk job. He actually chose to deploy, saw combat in a war fought over the dystopian resources scarcity in your country of choice, it was terrible. The persistent remains of his avatar helps him remain balanced in the face of his psychological problems, your choice of either: a helpful if distinctly alien companion to talk to in his head, or a subtler influence of adjusting his perceptions.
Etcetera.
Played by: Alex Karpovsky
Relation to William: Physician, medical instructor
Other notes: Not convict. He doesn't look like much and he's a little out of shape, but he had marine training. He is a scary good shot.


Jedidiah
Nationality: USA
Race: White
Age: 40's
Gender: Male
Occupation: Project Blackstone, Military Police
Type: Possessed
Powers: Binding oaths/promises that confer proportionate curses and blessings, which may include effects such as protection, luck, invisibility, shapeshifting, illness, healing, development/enhancement of skills, and emotional dys/regulation; he should also be able to take oaths himself to gain benefits, but broken oaths will need to be balanced out by ill effects and the duration should be limited
Avatar: Should include elements of folkloric/Christian demonology (e.g., Mephistopheles) and faeries
Personality: Disciplined and perpetually wry, cynical, has a code of conduct that he doesn't talk about enacts nearly without fail. Notably, this code of conduct doesn't match up entirely with military policy, and he is technically a dirty cop. However, as with most men of the system who periodically buck it, he believes himself to be making educated decisions. Cost versus benefit, you know. He ultimately has very good intentions, but you know what they say about the road to Hell. Has seen action and seen some stuff, definitely killed some people. Stopped drinking a few years ago. Developed his abilities toward the end of the initial witch hunt, resulting in a brief detainment a series of non-invasive studies. He met Dr. Norton and they are friendly. Prefers working with the armed forces over civilians, though Blackstone technically has him doing both.
Etcetera.
Played by: James Dean Morgan
Relation to William: Took him from the police, checks in with him and his fellow inmate-soldiers to make sure they don't try anything criminal during service, makes arrests/investigations as needed
Other notes: Not a convict. Marital details up 2 you.


Mi
Nationality: Japanese
Race: East Asian
Age: 20's
Gender: Female
Occupation: Project Blackstone, Pilot
Type: Possessed
Powers: I'M SURE YOU'LL THINK OF SOMETHING, but something elemental and/or truth telling via mirror foci (Yata no Kagami) would be cool
Avatar: Preferably at least one influence from Korean or Japanese mythology, such as Amaterasu (throw in a Gorgon for mirror things idk)
Personality: Chipper, good-natured, flirtatious, having a teeny tiny sadistic streak like a songbird with really razor-sharp little toes that just dig in sometimes, hilariously vain-- deliberately funny about it. This is not impairing to her stellar military career as she is an expert with compartmentalizing the various parts of her life for maximum efficiency. At work, she is driven, competitive, and her upbeat demeanor takes a confrontational, almost belligerent quality that tends to be really annoying tbh. She's multilingual and extremely knowledgeable of a wide variety of technological matters regarding both the ship and other industries (including cutting-edge components still under development, such as terraforming engineering, biological implants to enhance cognitions, etc.). She probably could have done well and made more money in a different area of military, but competitiveness drove her to piloting. She's a terrifying marksman and has a soft spot for people she perceives as not very bright but nice enough to not be irritating about it. Got pinched for attempted theft of an airship. Her parents could have gotten her out of it thanks to nepotism, but she chose to join the program.
Etcetera.
Played by: Kiko Mizuhara
Relation to William:
Other notes: Ex-convict, contract terms essentially state said felony will be expunged from his record for her service. If you want to make her superior hand-eye-vehicle coordination part of her power, feel free & good luck with that.


Caca
Nationality: South African
Race: Black
Age: late 40's
Gender: Male
Occupation: Project Blackstone, Logistical Officer/Handler
Type: Possessed
Powers: Open
Avatar: Preferably including inspiration from Christian lore as well as witchcraft or vaudou traditions of Africa-- not that he necessarily identifies much with that culture but due to logistics above
Personality: Recruited to Blackstone from prison, where he was charged for assaulting a superior officer under some weird circumstances you should be happy to take care of. Meticulous, tidy, patient, big ol' powderkeg on the end of a long fuse. Likes to drop unexpected extended metaphor often outside of hollering orders. Probably just fucking with you.
Etcetera.
Played by: Djimon Honsou
Relation to William: Handler, drill sargeant
Other notes: Ex-convict, contract terms essentially state said felony will be expunged from his record for his service. Probably at least a little bit justified for the assault, but I'd top out at 60%.


Demetrio
Nationality: USA
Race: Mixed
Age: early-mid 30's
Gender: Male
Occupation: Project Blackstone Recruit
Type: Possessed
Powers: Open
Avatar: Open
Personality: Aggressive, angry, characterized by a tendency to brood and impoverished affective expressions. Family-oriented, somewhat sexist, competitive once he gets invested in something, but standoffish about getting invested at all; former under-achiever. Not very materialistic, but tends to hoard food and feel bad about watching people go hungry/not eat enough due to growing up in poverty during famine; even people he doesn't like. Got pinched for stealing something.
Etcetera.
Played by: J.D. Pardo
Relation to William: Same classes/courses during training
Other notes: Ex-convict, contract terms essentially state said felony will be expunged from his record for his service. Probably at least a little bit justified for the assault, but I'd top out at 60%.




New character code: