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Thread: Gaia

  1. - Top - End - #1
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Vancouver, BC

    Default Gaia

    GAIA


    Image courtesy of Daniel Cuomo.

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE
    Spoiler
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    BLOCKHEAD
    Spoiler
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    Name: Freddy Biscuit
    Age: 22
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: U.S.M.C. Private
    Birthplace: Arizona, U.S.A.

    STATUS
    Hit Points: 15
    Fate Points: 11
    Damage Bonus: +1D4

    ATTRIBUTES
    STR: 12
    CON: 15
    SIZ: 15
    DEX: 10
    APP: 5
    INT: 11 (Idea - 55)
    POW: 11 (Luck - 55)
    EDU: 18 (Knowledge - 90)

    SKILLS
    Climb: 50%
    Drive (Automobile): 80%
    Drive (Tank): 40%
    Firearms (Assault Rifle): 75%
    Firearms (Handgun): 60%
    Firearms (Sniper Rifle): 21%
    Leadership: 30%
    Martial Arts (Akido): 26%
    Navigate: 50%
    Pilot (Fighter Jet): 51%
    Repair: 60%
    Survival: 50%
    Swim: 65%

    Background: Freddy was a pretty much average joe from his childhood. He had many friends, he loved sports, he did okay in school. Soon after graduating college with reasonable grades, he decided to serve his country for a few years in the armed forces. He was referred to the U.S.M.C. and began his training at the age of 19. Freddy showed amazing potential and ability to pick up practical skills for use in the field, despite his sometimes lack of understanding. He trained in various areas in the U.S.M.C. and was requested on several specialist posts. In the end, he decided to join up with a rag-tag bunch of troops as part of a Recon squad. They traveled the globe, performing missions for their country for the like. Freddy also picked up yet more skills while traveling. At the moment, the squad is currently on stand-by and so is Freddy. Freddy also wants to become a fighter pilot.

    Appearance & Personality: Not very visually charming, Freddy has a huge nose, a small mouth, is bald and has brown eyes. Although Freddy is fit and is quite strong, his body does not show this, a six-pack or any form of muscle, it just appears to be of average build. Freddy has small scars here and there from injuries in past missions, but none too large or particularly special. He has no piercings, but he does have a tattoo printed on his right arm. It is a pair of goggles, with two assault rifles crossing the middle at the diagonal on a flaming explosion background with the words 'Gun Goggles Squad' printed in black above and partly below the main tattoo. Freddy stands at a whopping 6ft 6ins tall and weighs about 189lbs. Freddy is a keen learner and is naturally curious. He wants to do his country proud and keep his squad mates alive. He is fun-loving and out-going.

    EQUIPMENT
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue army camouflage helmet
      (AR - 5 HP)
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue army camouflage uniform
      (AR - 7/8 HP)
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue army boots
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue M16A4
      (DMG - 2D6+2, RNG - 90 yards, ATTKS - 2, MAL - 00)
      (AMMO - 30/100 bullets)
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue M1911A1 .45 Caliber Pistol
      (DMG - 1D6, RNG - 15 yards, ATTKS - 3, MAL - 00)
      (AMMO - (3/8)/16 bullets)
    • U.S.M.C. standard issue short-range radio
    • combat knife (1d4+2+db)
    • canteen
    • first aid kit
    • flashlight



    KUMA DA
    Spoiler
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    Name: Caleb 'Buddy' Maxon
    Age: 24
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Survivalist
    Birthplace: Norton, MA, U.S.A.

    STATUS
    Hit Points: 14
    Fate Points: 10
    Damage Bonus: +1D4

    ATTRIBUTES
    STR: 10
    CON: 14
    SIZ: 14
    DEX: 15
    APP: 8
    INT: 15 (Idea - 75)
    POW: 10 (Luck - 50)
    EDU: 10 (Knowledge - 50)

    SKILLS
    Dodge: 60%
    Fast Talk: 05%
    Firearms (Rifle): 85%
    First Aid: 50%
    Hide: 50%
    Listen: 75%
    Melee Weapon (Knife): 40%
    Navigate: 30%
    Spot Hidden: 75%
    Stealth: 50%
    Tracking: 40%

    Background: Caleb grew up around stories. His grandfather's--of the war in Korea--and his father's; little moral tales about independence and courage and pride. Caleb took those stories to heart and, while he did alright in school, he never really felt like he fit in. Everyone else was right on track for the lives that had been arranged for them. By society. By their parents. By the government. Caleb discovered that he was happiest when he was away from the crowd--drinking a stolen Budweiser on the roof of the high school, or hunting in the woods with his dad. So, when his eighteenth birthday rolled around, he moved out west and decided to try and forge a life for himself.

    It didn't work.

    He found himself waist-deep in debt, working at the local Wal-Mart, somehow wrapped up in all of society's petty snares despite his good intentions.

    Appearance & Personality: Buzzed blond hair. Five 0' clock shadow. Wiry muscles and uneven teeth. Fiercely independent and maybe a touch elitist. Caleb prefers the simple, practical things in life. A college diploma's a nice thing to have, sure, but you can't really touch what it is. What it stands for. A set of tools, on the other hand, is pure and physical and you can tell if it's any good just by looking it over.

    EQUIPMENT
    • army surplus camouflage uniform
    • steel-toed boots
    • machete (DMG - 1D6+db)
    • canteen
    • water purification tablets
    • lighter
    • rucksack
    • compass
    • 21 packages of MRE
    • lantern
    • first aid kit
    • anti-venom
    • 40 ft. of nylon rope



    PAININTHEEAR
    Spoiler
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    Name: Cliff 'the Cyclist' Clyde
    Age: 34
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: Professor of Health Sciences
    Birthplace: Dove Lake, VT, U.S.A.

    STATUS
    Hit Points: 11
    Fate Points: 11
    Damage Bonus: +1D4

    ATTRIBUTES
    STR: 12
    CON: 8
    SIZ: 13
    DEX: 13
    APP: 12
    INT: 13 (Idea - 65)
    POW: 11 (Luck - 55)
    EDU: 21 (Knowledge - 99)

    SKILLS
    Academics (Health Sciences): 86%
    Climb: 75%
    Computer Use: 36%
    Dodge: 46%
    Fast Talk: 45%
    First Aid: 70%
    Grapple: 70%
    Jump: 70%
    Medicine: 45%
    Research: 70%
    Ride (Horses): 25%
    Sciences (Nutrition): 66%
    Swim: 40%

    Background: Cliff is a quiet single professor of health sciences and nutrition. He occasionally competes in cycling events and constantly trains his body, maintaining a healthy diet.

    Appearance & Personality: Cliff is a slim boy, but muscular in the distance-runner way with built legs and thighs, and has piercing blue eyes that go well with his blond hair. He normally wears athletic-styled clothing, even to work at the local college, where it only seems natural to... especially since he jogs there every morning.


    DJDEMIKO
    Spoiler
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    Name: Timothy Braderville
    Age: 46
    Sex: Male
    Occupation: High School Biology/Chemistry Teacher/Retired Military Scientist
    Birthplace: Wise, WA, U.S.A.

    STATUS
    Hit Points: 9
    Fate Points: 10
    Damage Bonus: +0

    ATTRIBUTES
    STR: 9
    CON: 10
    SIZ: 8
    DEX: 10
    APP: 9
    INT: 17 (Idea - 85)
    POW: 10 (Luck - 50)
    EDU: 20 (Knowledge - 99)

    SKILLS
    Academics (Natural History): 41%
    Computer Use: 41%
    Explosives: 41%
    Firearms (Rifle): 65%
    First Aid: 70%
    Heavy Machinery: 41%
    Insight: 50%
    Language (???): 26%
    Medicine: 45%
    Navigate: 60%
    Research: 35%
    Sciences (Biochemistry): 61%
    Sense: 30%
    Spot Hidden: 45%
    Survival: 35%

    Background: Tim was a brilliant, poor and patriotic. However, due to various circumstances, when he graduated from high school he was only able to receive partial scholarships and he just wasn’t going to be able to afford to work and go to school. Fortunately, this is where the army stepped in. The deal seemed great to young Tim. He would go to school on their dime and then join up to perform his patriotic duty when he was done.
    He studied a variety of subjects, primarily natural history and biochemistry. On the weekends he participated in ROTC training and during one summer he barely survived basic training. It wasn’t that he didn’t find combat and weapons interesting, it was just that as a small and relatively nerdy person, the strain of the training was a bit much for him.

    Upon graduation Tim began to work in a research and testing capacity for the military. He worked on projects, some simple, some complex, some open and some top secret. At first Tim loved helping the good 'ol USA, but over time these feelings began to fade. Tim realized that everything he did was to create things to kill things. It became too much for him when he saw a tape of one of his projects being used to kill a group of insurgents.

    He left and decided he wanted to try to give back. He went to his old high school, learned they had an opening for a biology and chemistry teacher and he took the job.

    Appearance & Personality: Tim is a small middle-aged man. He is below average height with brown graying hair and brown eyes. He has a badly trimmed mustache and tends to wear khakis with long sleeve buttoned mono-colored shirts. His personality is cautious and fearful, but curious. He still sees himself as a teacher.



    “The more we exploit nature, the more our options are reduced, until we have only one: to fight for survival.”
    MORRIS K. UDALL, U.S. Politician

    It started about a month ago, maybe a bit more. One day, it was hot. Hot, as in shorts-and-a-polo-shirt sort of hot. In the middle of September. It was unusual, but a little crazy weather was nothing to get over excited about. It was an extra line thrown casually into the evening news report, a little paragraph scrawled onto the bottom of the third page in the paper. So we did what all Americans would do - pulled out the summer wardrobe and enjoyed the novelty of having a day at the beach in September. It was fun, until the next day was hot too. That started to garner a bit more attention, especially since it started getting sort of humid, too. The morning fog wasn't morning fog - it was suspended water vapor, just hanging there in the air. It must have been at least 86 degrees that day, give or take a bit. Goddamn, it was September, and people were sweating like pigs.

    It's been the same ever since. Wise, our little city, south of Seattle, of the U.S. of A.'s west coast. We were used to being drenched with rain and blinded with coastal fog. We all kept an umbrella at hand and a raincoat in the closet, and now, all of a sudden, our climate shifted to the steaming humidity of a equatorial rain-forest. It didn't make sense. The scientists, the meteorologists, the climatologists, the news reporters, the government, they had no explanation for it. It wasn't even a disaster necessarily, so the cops couldn't do anything about it. Nobody was being hurt...well, a couple senior citizens got heat strokes, but that was about it. It was an enigma, an oddity of nature that defied all explanation...so we lived with it. Then a week later, things got that much stranger...

    Animals were going berserk. Not all of them, but a couple of them would spontaneously revert back to some sort of primal instinct, their minds stuck in the instinct driven fight-or-flight mode. It started like that. Dogs loyal for years would suddenly snarl at their loved owners and flee, cats would break their claws pawing at the door for escape, mice would chew their teeth down to nothing and bloody their gums chewing at the metal doors in a single-minded attempt at escape. This worried veterinarians. Animal behaviour specialists were called into news studios all around to be interviewed, only for the waiting populace to find out that they knew nothing. They were as clueless as us. A week later, the gears changed. Someone had taken the lever on the flight-or-flight scale and jammed it all the way to fight. Dog maulings, farmers gored by their sedate cattle, children attacked by feral cats, and random citizens mobbed by swarms of crows and seagulls, all in sweltering unnatural heat.

    The state of Washington called a state of emergency, as did the rest of the States...and Canada...and Mexico. Europe, South America, the rest of the world, who knew. Whatever was happening in their countries, it wasn't important enough to make the papers for the past weeks. For the past few weeks the papers were full of scientific discussions about the climate and animal behaviour, not to mention the various other things that had occurred. Plants erupted from the forests to overtake the land that man had claimed. Within less than a month the outer edges of the city had been reclaimed by crawling vines and creeping tendrils, green shoots extending ever forward. The growth of a year occurred in a week, and cement foundations were weakened by invading roots and tubers. Sudden explosions of molds occurred in cellars and basements all over the city, releasing toxic spores and forcing hundreds to leave their houses. Everything was going to hell, and no one knew anything. Nothing.

    They started the shelters roughly around the time when packs of feral dogs were roaming the streets and when noxious spores forced people out of their homes, when wooden sheds were reclaimed by nature and buildings were overtaken by the advancing wall of green. They herded people into stadiums, town halls, and community centers. The army came in, marines and all. They sent out patrols, jeeps with machine-guns and men in green, protecting the panicked citizens of Wise from roving dogs and seemingly suicidal crows.

    A week later, and things changed again.

    It was the animals again. They were changing again, but this time, it was physical. No one knows if the animals themselves were transforming (IMPOSSIBLE! cried the scientists) or if they were birthing young that were different, some sort of twisted accelerated evolution (IMPLAUSIBLE! cried the scientists), but in any case, they were changing. Pigeons - it was the pigeons at first. The little flying rats had tripled in size and morphed into some sort of pseudo-dodo, a chubby little fowl with a massive beak and iridescent neck. Cockroaches climbed out of sewer grates, foot-long insectoid monstrosities that were quickly overtaking the buildings that had been abandoned. Seagulls also grew larger, and started resembling some sort of vulture with a serrated beak. Dogs lost their fur. At first it was presumed to be some sort of city-wide mange, but when they stopped walking and started shambling, when their incisors and canines and molars became fangs and fangs and fangs, the public wizened up.

    The shelters became mandatory. Squadrons of soldiers would be sent into neighbourhoods with strict orders - find civilians and get them back to the shelters, by any means necessary. Martial law was enforced. Bodies began filling the streets. Dodo-esque pigeons ripped the flesh of the rotting corpses of strangely reptilian pseudo-dogs.

    That was then, this is now. It's been about a week since they sealed off the stadium completely. There's one entrance in, and one entrance out. The soldiers are everywhere, and they've withdrawn into the stadium as well. It was a football stadium once, the renowned Waits Stadium, the proud child of the much hated taxes a couple years before. It was the jewel of Wise, a 'state-of-the-art' completely 'modern' football stadium. Today, it was covered in sterile white plastic canvas, something the military had done. They had covered the entire stadium in the white sheets, erecting tent after tent of the same material. Some of them were hospitals, others were barracks. The civilians had mostly free roam everywhere except the strictly military area, but that didn't mean much. There were three hundred or so civilians in the stadium, and most of them were in different states of trauma, panic, or mourning.

    Things had been stale lately, and tensions were on the rise. The radios cut out a couple days ago, and there's been nothing but static then. A couple times every day for the past couple days the lights and power have flickered on and off. The stadium is secure enough with enough of a military presence to ward off any threats, but the outside world has been invisible ever since they sealed off the stadium. The past couple days have been unnerving...though the walls are thick, occasionally the shrill cries and deafening roars of...things...still manage to penetrate the cement foundations of the stadium. Whatever is out there, it's growing.

    OOC: Welcome to Gaia, let's hope for a good game. All of you are scattered and part of the civilian crowd, save for Blockhead, who is part of the military. Role-play as you wish, and try for some early character development so I feel bad about killing your character off. Oh wait...I mean...hehe, nevermind.
    Last edited by gardenphilosoph; 2008-11-18 at 06:28 PM.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2007

    Default Re: Gaia

    Cliff Clyde did all he could to help save his sanity inside the dome: pace, and think, and pace, and think, and teach.

    Clyde taught all who would listen how to make do on the little rations they had; beans and rice were a good combination and gave whole proteins, meats might need to be avoided due to the conditions - they might cause food poisoning. Clyde also quickly volunteered to help with the rationing committees that formed, trying hardily to avert them from the simplicity of greed - everyone was going to have to sacrifice, and feeding some people well while starving others was only likely to breed insanity.

    Clyde was in the middle of a small lect-

    The lights flash, the second time today, and the hisses and growls roar deafeningly into the stadium sending small children and weaker minded into shock and tears. "Never" said Clyde, "eat that." For the first time in days he, and others around him, gave out a short laugh...

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Subject out of ambit.

    Default Re: Gaia

    Caleb Maxon

    Try caging a mountain lion. Really. Put it behind bars and watch as it paces and claws and scours its prison for a single weak point. One vulnerability for it to pick at until, finally, it comes free in a blur of claws and sound. Living vengeance.

    Caleb spend his days in the Waits Stadium in an almost hyper-active state. He paced the diameter of the civilian area several times, before deciding that there weren't any exits the military had overlooked. Then he began approaching off-duty soldiers. Not to fish for information--that would come later--but to try and make friends. It never hurt to have heavily armed men thinking they were on your side.

    Caleb's skin itched, and not for the first time he wished he had his Remington back. 'Confiscated for use during times of emergency'? Bull-****. They didn't trust him with a gun in his hands.

    This coming from the same government that had once protected his right to bear arms, so that he might defend himself in times of need.

    It was enough to make a man spit.

    OOC: Question for Garden: What do Fate Points do? I'm guessing they're gonna be similar to the Fury in Dread?

    Also, question for Blockhead: has Caleb met Freddy during his attempts to make friends with the guards?
    Last edited by Kuma Da; 2008-11-10 at 01:22 PM.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

    http://www.fictionpress.com/~solemncoyote

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PirateCaptain

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    London, England
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Gaia

    Freddy Biscuit

    Quote Originally Posted by Flashback
    The walls of the skyscrapers had become invisible due to the huge wall of moss and jungle vine that hung from the windows and plunged down through the pavement. Freddy's squad had been called in to help with the civilian evacuation, searching in the more populated areas of the city. The road was bumpy and the hummer bounced off yet another broken piece of road surface.

    Linda was driving, she was an average soldier, skilled at a great deal of things, she was the generic grunt of the army, until it came to R&R where she partied like one of the guys. John, the squad leader, was in the passenger seat, Freddy had remember that quite well. John was a very by-the-book marine and had the utmost respect from his squad mates. Freddy had sat in the back with Derrick, the medic and Paul, the 'crackshot'.

    The city was a looming jungle and would of looked quite beautiful if it had lively people living in and around it. As it was, there were tell-tale signs of violence and human death, but the marines in the Hummer didn't dwell on that too much, it was the very much alive people they were concerned about. "You understand our objective guys?" Asked John, turning around to face the back of the Hummer. Nods were exchanged around the vehicle and John turned to Freddy. "You understand... don't you... Freddy? ...Freddy? ....Freddy? ....Freddy?..."
    "Freddy? Freddy! Wake up man, you were having a bad dream!" Said a marine, standing next to the cot Freddy was laying in, shaking him. "It's our duty shift Freddy. Cmon, get yourself together and let's go before the Sergeant has our hides." He said. Freddy rubbed his eyes and pushed off the tatty cover off his cot. He was in one of the many 'barrack' tents reserved for the military personel. Lamps were placed here and there and they flickered once before Freddy hauled himself up out of bed and opened his chest of belongings, putting on his uniform. The marine who had woken him up he hadn't know for very long, only so long as he had been stationed at the stadium, but it seemed they were already becoming friends.

    Freddy and the marine exited the tent and the roar of quiet moans, conversation and crying could be heard. They made their way over to one of the many command tents and saluted the duty sergeant there. "Evening gentlemen. Not much to report today, your duties for today are to patrol the tents and assist the refugees with whatever food, medical or comfort needs they can reasonably be allowed to have. You are dismissed." The duty sergeant waved them out and Freddy and the marine left without a word.

    Both of them knew they couldn't hold up in the stadium forever and it would only be a matter of time before they would have to leave the stadium in search of food and supplies. Freddy wandered through the various tents, seeing families crying over the loss of their loved ones, others trying to cope and other's just sleeping, quietly, in their cots. "Hey, I'll catch up with you later, I've got a friend to see." Said the other marine. Freddy nodded and continued walking along the row of tents.

    (OOC: You can 'introduce' yourself now if you like)
    Last edited by Blockhead; 2008-11-10 at 03:27 PM.
    I drew this line myself

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Vancouver, BC

    Default Re: Gaia

    OOC: Yeah, Fate Points are an abstract concept I'm working on. The actual system calls them Power Points and they're to be used for magic and the like, but since we don't have that I'm thinking I'll just use them like Fury in Dread, for bonus rolls and the like. I don't know, don't worry about them yet.

    Also, great roleplaying you guys! This will be an awesome game.

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Florida
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Gaia

    Tim

    Tim stood in a group of men and women. He listened patiently to a tired and fearful man speaking. When the man was done, Tim replied.

    "John, I think you are belaboring the point," Tim said, "Everyone one of us with any background in science agrees that what is happening is completely impossible. What I'm trying to explain is that, as we can also all agree is that it IS happening. Since it IS happening we must assume that either their is a wholly unknown aspect of nature that our science has never discovered or that the laws of science have suddenly chanced."

    The man, John, started to interrupt Tim but Tim spoke quickly to cut him off.

    "No I'm sorry John and to be honest instead of arguing over what might be happening, who is to blame or how impossible it all is, I think that those of us with scientific background should be offering our knowledge and skills to the military. I don't relish the idea myself, the military spends all of its time creating deadly weapons, but we could be part of the only chance to try and fix whatever is happening."
    Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!

    Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2007

    Default Re: Gaia

    Dr. Clyde

    Cliff, during the hours he wasn't pacing around, thinking, or lecturing began to actually talk to some people. More importantly, Cliff began to listen to them, and many were becoming restless. Truthfully, he remembered, so was he but all the same he knew it wasn't good and everything was going to get exaggerated in everyone's mind if they didn't all just calm down. While trying to ensure his fellow dome-mates were keeping a somewhat healthy diet and urging them do some basic exercise did some help to keep the tensions down, the professor certainly felt he could do more.

    Pacing back and forth he thought of some ideas, mostly about the enemy at large. "Enemy" Cliff repeated the word in his mind, "enemy... is there an enemy at all?" People around him and all about the dome were talking about a menacing presence outside and maybe, just maybe there wasn't one. Sure, the roaring and scratching outside was scary and lately animals had been acting strangely, but could it all be for help? The larger threat seemed elsewhere, the animals raving about only a minor inconvenience in something much more sinister. In all the behavioral classes he'd ever taken it seemed like the animals just wanted in for safety... animals flock to the safest point, its instinctive.

    Cliff noticed a guard pull a small pocket knife away from a young woman and hand it to an army-type soldier. He noticed the soldier head out towards the edge of the dome, a majority of the soldiers were at the edge now trying to figure out the situation immediately outside of the dome. It looked odd all the soldiers on the outside with weapons and the defenseless civilians being surround - no, Cliff was being stupid and just needed to get back to his work on the food rationing boards; being hungry could have a negative effect on a man.

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Vancouver, BC

    Default Re: Gaia

    Freddy Biscuit
    Spoiler
    Show

    "Freddy! Get your ass over here." ordered one of the superior officers. It was Miller, a First Lieutenant that no one particularly liked. He was paranoid, touchy, and especially commandeering. That attitude, along with the thick black mustache he sported on his angular face, gave him the unofficial nickname of 'Stalin'. It was a running joke among the lower rank and file of the U.S.M.C., one that would surely end in disaster if Miller overheard it. Still, it was funny. Unfortunately, Stalin was in charge of security for the Waits Stadium, or as it had now become known, Civilian Shelter A-91487. "Listen up, Private. I'm appointing you to shelter security. Patrol the civilian area and look for potential security threats - people in these situations tend to get nervous and rally against anything they can. In this case, it's us, and we don't need angry civilians on our hands, not now, not ever.

    He paused, turning you towards the crowds. "That man, there." He pointed towards a middle-aged blonde man who had been lecturing the crowds about nutrition and rationing, as well as volunteering to help with distributing food. "He's got the crowds paying attention. Same as that man on the other side." He pointed toward an older, more sophisticated-looking man. He was in the middle of a debate with another man, apparently discussing the science of whatever was happening outside. "And lastly...that guy there." He pointed to a wiry man trying to befriend some of the relaxing army guys. The guy himself was dressed in army surplus and carrying a worn rucksack. He looked like trouble.

    Patting you on the shoulder, Miller leaves. "Get to it, Private!"


    Caleb Maxon
    Spoiler
    Show

    You tried to befriend a couple of the more relaxed army guys, the rank and file that were stuck herding the civilian crowds. It wasn't too successful. Most of them were young, in their early twenties, and just laughed off the guy who was dressed in army surplus and steel-toed boots.

    They thought you were a joke.


    Cliff Clyde
    Spoiler
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    You were earning tired smiles of thanks from a lot of the civilians, having helped the emergency workers deliver out rations. In the down time, you had been able to educate small groups of people and the importance of nutrition and the proper way to ration their meals. A couple dozen people respected you, and you had gained the thanks and respect of the emergency workers.

    Things were going well, though you did notice a couple of the army guys - and not the rank and file, the higher-ups - eye you every once in a while.


    Timothy Braderville
    Spoiler
    Show

    John scoffed at your 'help the military' speech. "The military? The military are men with guns, what could they do to help us besides shoot off whatever those things are outside there? Sure, they have science wings that could probably figure this out, but we're in Waits Stadium, not the Pentagon!

    No, no, we need to contact a larger military body. They've isolated in this stadium with limited supplies and food. Sooner or later, we'll have to unseal this place to get more supplies. Things will be even worse then. A couple weeks ago, it was just hot. Today, we're in a military-run Waits Stadium-turned-civilian shelter. If we wait until later, things will just get worse, whatever those...things...are."

    John was a well-spoken man, a genetic anthropologist from the University of Wise. He was cynical and pessimistic though, and particularly untrusted of the military, despite being rather smart.


    OOC: You're free to read the entire post and not just your own blurb, depending on how you'd like to play this game. If you want the maximum mystery/survival-horror effect, I'd advise only reading your little blurb.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    Caleb

    Dissent is an ugly, writhing thing that starts deep in a man's bowels. It takes a powerful long time to reach his brain, but once it does it settles in and just starts twisting. Constricting. Cutting off the flow of oxygen to all the logical bits and leaving doubt to take control of the rest.

    By the time Caleb has said his "see you later"s and walked on, dissent has found its way into his stomach, curdling the acid around it.

    They're not going to trust you. They have their guns and their uniforms and their credo, and that makes them just so much better than the men they were sent here to protect. And a piss-poor job they've been doing of that. If you want a man to be safe, you teach him how to fight. How to defend himself against the **** dirty punches this world throws. You do not round him up and put him in a cage and tell him that he is oh so very safe. That's what farmers do to sheep. That's why sheep are dragged off by wolves.

    On the heels of that thought follows another one. Much darker.

    If I don't do something soon, these military men might just be the death of me.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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  10. - Top - End - #10
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Tim

    "I agree John," Tim says, "but I don't want to go by these soldiers backs for that. We need to try to get a meeting with the people in charge and discuss how to best use our expertise."
    Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!

    Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Cliff Clyde

    Professor Clyde knew that poor nutrition, which even he carried in this scenario, could cause one to be paranoid but he could still feel the higher-up personnel staring at him. Clyde's instinct was to hide, but that was silly - these were military men, meaning only to help him. He knew that. But still something was bothering him.

    Clyde decided to walk up to one of them, and greet them... mention his work with the rationing and see if they approved. He'd treat, no matter how his leanings to the intellectuals might be, the man of order as... well, a man of order. After a brief chat everything should be straight in his mind, but who knows what will be said?

    ooc: shall I do a fast-talk roll? if so (d100)[3]

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PirateCaptain

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    Freddy Biscuit

    Freddy listened to what the 'nutritional scientist' had to say and nodded. "I personally think what you are doing is important and helpful, and I respect that. Although some of my superiors are a little suspicious of you, maybe because you hold the civilian attention so much. As long as stick to helpful topics that keep the people and the military safe, you should be fine." Said Freddy.
    I drew this line myself

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Cliff Clyde & Freddy Biscuit
    Spoiler
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    Cliff's short interaction with Freddy was more than enough to keep watchful eyes off him. Cliff was just a nutritional scientist who was more than happy to help out with the disaster, as far as the military was concerned.

    Spoiler
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    In other words, you rolled a fantastic Fast Talk success.



    Timothy Braderville
    Spoiler
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    "Right...right." John pauses, thinking. "Well...we're both learned men, with degrees and all, right? I bet we could get some sort of audience with them if we tried. Come on, let's go find some one we can talk to and sort this mess out."

    He strode purposefully off toward the direction of the military base camp.


    Caleb Maxon
    Spoiler
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    You spot some one in the crowd. Perhaps it's your paranoia, perhaps it's the beer you just had, or perhaps it's your keen senses, but...the man seems to be striding directly toward you, clad in full military uniform. There's a couple shiny metal bits on his uniform. He's a Private.

    ****, he's ugly too.


    OOC: Right now, I need to get your characters linked together some how. Freddy has just made brief contact with Cliff...

    Guys, I'm absolutely psyched to say that I've started working in conjunction with a brilliant artist and mind named Rodrigo Vega, or by the internet alias IRIRIV. You have to check out his work. Not only are his illustration skills ridiculous, but the concepts behind his drawings are of a vein very similar to this. In any case, he's helped with with some setting ideas and drew up a few concepts for the...creatures...you'll be coming up against.

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    Caleb

    Don't look directly at him. Don't look away. Just let your eyes slide off and get walking. Slowly. Drop the beer can and angle it in the wrong direction. Weave in and out of rows of pup tents. Don't socialize. Keep your head up. Find a crowd.

    There. Those two professors arguing. Blend in and wait for them to wrap up...good. Now scatter with everyone else.


    Hide check: (1d100)[9] out of 50

    OOC: That's fantastic, philosoph. And IR's work looks amazing. I'm definitely looking forward to running away from some of that stuff.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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  15. - Top - End - #15
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Tim

    Follows john.
    Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!

    Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Caleb Maxon
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    You duck and weave in and out of crowds, and sooner or later you loose him in the mass of faces. You're safe for now...but what was that all about?

    Spoiler
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    Successful Hide roll, good job.



    Timothy Braderville, Freddy Biscuit, & Cliff Clyde
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    The two of you (Tim & Cliff) stride around the military areas trying to find some one to speak to, but there seems to only be rank and file and the private military camps. The rank and file dodge all your questions and fail to be of further help.

    Wait...ahead you spot a man in full military gear with a couple of badges on his uniform. He's not just rank and file, and already seems to be helping a middle-aged man with a bundle of rations in his hands.

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    Caleb

    Alright. We're in the clear. Now, let's double back and see what his deal was.

    OOC: Tracking, to follow Freddy unawares. (1d100)[38] out of 40.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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  18. - Top - End - #18
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    OOC: Whoops. Stealth, also. (1d100)[100] out of 50.

    Edit: Oh, jeeze. HAY GAIZ IM RIGHT HERE! I guess I should be glad that's out of the way.
    Last edited by Kuma Da; 2008-11-14 at 12:07 AM.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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  19. - Top - End - #19
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Gaia

    Caleb doubles back, following Freddy and the others.

    Two children suddenly dart across Caleb's path, and he falls, sprawling out on the floor in front of Tim, Freddy, and Cliff. Oops.

    OOC: Yeah, so that's an example of a Critical Failure, or in other terms, a 'HAY GAIZ IM RIGHT HERE!' in the case of a Stealth roll.

    Also, if you guys were wondering about advancement or improving your character in GAIA, basically, every time you successfully use a skill you get a check for it. I indicate this by highlighting the word in green. At certain checkpoints, I'll allow you to roll a d100 for the skill. If you get higher than your skill, you get to roll...I think it's a d6, but I'll get back to you on that...to improve the skill. Basically, the more talented you are in a skill the harder it is for you to learn more.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Cliff looks around, very confused about what is going on, everything seemed 'fine' - well, as fine as could be for this situation - just a second ago. He tries to ask Freddie or anyone around him what the commotion is all about.

    Spoiler
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    yeah, seriously you guys just lost me... all of a sudden I'm following people I didn't know just a second ago, huh? ...huh?

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    OOC: Alright, here's the situation.

    Freddy, an army Private, has been tasked with pursuing possible security issues - basically anyone who's not just lying down and succumbing to shock and/or depression. That's basically all the player characters.

    Freddy goes after Cliff first, who with a successful Fast Talk roll manages to convince him that he's not a threat. At this point Tim as well as an NPC John spot Freddy, and seeing that he's an army private, approach him.

    So that's happening, and Caleb suddenly trips over some children and lands smack dab in the middle of it all.

    And thus the player characters are united. So Blockhead and painintheear are talking to each other, while DJDeMiko and an NPC have shown up to talk to Blockhead. Just as that happens, Kuma Da lands embarrassingly in the middle of everything.

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Tim

    "Excuse me sir," Tim says politely to the Private, "My compatriot and I are trying to get an audience with someone in charge to discuss how we might be of assistance. As it so happens, we are both scientists." Tim pushes his glasses back onto his nose.
    Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!

    Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PirateCaptain

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    Freddy Biscuit

    Quote Originally Posted by DJDeMiko View Post
    Tim

    "Excuse me sir," Tim says politely to the Private, "My compatriot and I are trying to get an audience with someone in charge to discuss how we might be of assistance. As it so happens, we are both scientists." Tim pushes his glasses back onto his nose.
    "I appreciate your eagerness to help citizens, it is important for everyone to pitch in with the relief efforts. I suppose I could talk to my duty sergeant or you could ask an emergancy worker for something to do. Do you have medical or psychological training? We're in need of competent doctors and we could always use more counsellors." Replied Freddy.

    Two children suddenly dart across Caleb's path, and he falls, sprawling out on the floor in front of Tim, Freddy, and Cliff. Oops.
    "Are you alright citizen?" Asks Freddy, helping the man up. "I've seen you walking around the tents and talking to some of our boys, are you looking for somebody?" Quizzed Freddy, having realised this was the man that he was following a short while ago.
    I drew this line myself

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Quote Originally Posted by Blockhead View Post
    Freddy Biscuit

    "I appreciate your eagerness to help citizens, it is important for everyone to pitch in with the relief efforts. I suppose I could talk to my duty sergeant or you could ask an emergancy worker for something to do. Do you have medical or psychological training? We're in need of competent doctors and we could always use more counsellors." Replied Freddy.
    .
    Tim smiles politly and says, "I am not a doctor, but in my last life I was a biochemist for the military. I think I may be able to pitch in a hand at figuring out whats happening or at least how to survive it."
    Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!

    Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    Caleb

    "Are you alright citizen? I've seen you walking around the tents and talking to some of our boys, are you looking for somebody?"

    Caleb accepts the proffered hand warily. A pair of cuffs is not slapped immediately across his wrist, so he stands up and does his best to address the situation.

    "I was jus' bein' social, is all. You boys have been doin' your level best to protect us, and I feel like I should get to know a person that looks out for me. 'sides, things have been awful dull in here. 'thought maybe I could lend y'all a hand.

    Name's Caleb, by the way. Caleb Maxon. But y'all're welcome to call me Buddy."


    As he talks, he tries to surreptitiously scan his surroundings. See if maybe more of the military men are headed towards him.

    OOC: Caleb picked up the accent when he was traveling cross-country to Seattle. This is why he speaks it, but doesn't really think in it.

    Also, rolling a spot hidden to stay on the alert for other soldiers. (1d100)[73] vs. 75
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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  26. - Top - End - #26
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PirateCaptain

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    Freddy Biscuit

    "I am not a doctor, but in my last life I was a biochemist for the military. I think I may be able to pitch in a hand at figuring out whats happening or at least how to survive it."
    "Heh, you're probably a higher rank than me!" Chuckled Freddy. "I'll talk to my duty sergeant, I'm not actually involved in the running of this place, I just keep order citizen."

    "I was jus' bein' social, is all. You boys have been doin' your level best to protect us, and I feel like I should get to know a person that looks out for me. 'sides, things have been awful dull in here. 'thought maybe I could lend y'all a hand.

    Name's Caleb, by the way. Caleb Maxon. But y'all're welcome to call me Buddy."
    Freddy laughed. "It's good to know we're apprieciated around here! Don't worry citizen, we'll protect you and everybody else here from any danger." He said. "If you want to help, talk to an emergancy worker, see if they need a hand; the military has everything else under control. And I'm Private Freddy Biscuit of the United States Marine Core, but you can call me Freddy." Winked Freddy.
    I drew this line myself

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Gaia

    Freddy's radio buzzes as a transmission comes in, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Private Biscuit, we have a situation unfolding downstairs. Please report immediately."

    It was the grizzled voice of Stalin, and he sounded slightly unnerved.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    ElfMonkGuy

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    Default Re: Gaia

    Clyde started to go up to the eager helper approaching the ranked officer, thinking it'd be nice to have a friend and a fellow helper - an honest seeming helper - on the rations team. But that was before Stalin roared into the arena.

    Cliff Clyde suddenly got a eerie feeling at the sudden epiphany... it was like they, the survivors, were gladiators in an arena: lions roaring and the growling of the crowds around them waiting for more excitement. Maybe it was too early to call himself a 'survivor' yet.

    Dr. Clyde looked at the sky and imagined, if there were such a thing, a god speaking to him from the heavens. Instead he heard Stalin...

    Spoiler
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    epic post is epic, I know

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    PirateCaptain

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    Freddy Biscuit

    "Yes sir!" Replied Freddy. Making sure his radio was turned off, he said: "At once, comrade! For the motherland!" Desperately trying to contain his laughter, Freddy addressed the eager citizens around him. "Sorry, but the Bear is calling." Said Freddy as he walked away and burst out laughing. After walking a few steps, Freddy turned and called out: "Ask the emergancy workers if you want to help. If you want to stay out of trouble, don't go snooping around military matters!" And with that, Freddy disappeared into the forest of tents and people.

    Freddy arrived downstairs within minutes, as he was ordered, having regained his composure.
    I drew this line myself

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kuma Da's Avatar

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    Caleb

    Caleb crosses his arms and leans back, shifting his weight onto his heels as he watches Freddy walk away.

    "They have 'situation unfolding?' What a quaint way'a sayin' someone **** inta the fan." Caleb does a quick run-through of his gear. It's all distributed throughout his backpack, the pockets of his fatigues, and the machete sheath strapped to his right leg. "Y'all do what ya want. I reckon I'll go talk ta those emergency workers."

    OOC: Holy crap! Where did all those MRE come from? I didn't think I asked for 21 of them...but I'm not gonna complain.

    Also, Caleb's gonna go lend a hand if he can find a first aid station or something like that. Rolling first aid in case it's needed. (1d100)[37] out of 50.
    Freelance writer and editor, at your service.

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