It is the year 579 on New Earth, the sixth century of civilization’s struggle in this unforgiving mix of wasteland and wilderness nears its end. That is not to say that the many threats of New Earth are subsiding. In fact, these threats are growing. The Order, a failing world government that has become a slave to its own bureaucracy, has instituted the Hunter Program: A government managed group of specialist soldiers to counter threats considered too dangerous for the ill equipt First Army.
Hunters are divided among Guilds, with each guild utilizing its own methodology for countering various threats, with some specializing in stopping specific threats. All guilds function under the Hunters’ Guild Majoris, a mixing pot of office workers and hunters who lack any specific skills or interests. Some guilds receive major criticism for the public for destruction of both public and private property while in combat, and others are criticised for their complete disregard for their jobs, acting closer to exclusive clubs with the rights to disregard certain laws. In its disarray, The Order fails to keep the Hunters under control, and they are often left to their own devices and missions given by the Hunters’ Guild Majoris.
The world has entered a new technological revolution, a true digital age as it is, culminating in the advancement of artificial intelligence and the creation of the ‘Null-Core’, a device able to warp space itself and manifest digital entities as physical one. The combination of these two devices has allowed for both the physical manifestation of AI, fully sentient with neon skins. Utilizing null-cores to their fullest extent, AI often act as powerful mages, shaping the world and assisting in creating cities fueled by null-cores. Additionally, AI feature a wide range of personalities, almost perfectly mimicking humans sentient organic species, adverse to the now obsolete androids.
Prior to AI use, a working class composed almost entirely of androids was in effect. Cold and calculating, androids fail to produce a wide range of emotions. While they may feature some level of personality, androids are highly task based, and will almost always take the shortest and most logical route to success. Androids rarely develop relationships, and a good number of them have been discontinued. Those in effect are often highly modified, and either used as personal bodyguards or recruited as hunters.
Humans no longer stand alone as a single organic race on New Earth as well. The most prominent of emerging races are the Pranni and Agmeo, two races created through genetic experimentation prior to mankind’s return to Earth. The pranni are small, childlike humanoids, with skin tones ranging between light shades of blue and purple. They feature pointed ears that are almost diamond in shape. They age slowly and retain a childlike size throughout their entire life. Pranni are notorious for their keen intellect and regal bearings, often taking leadership roles in The Order and other local governments.
Agmeo, on the other hands, are largely viewed as brutes. Massive humanoids towering over other races by nearly two feet, they are the subject of prejudice. Also created through genetic experimentation, the Agmeo were an attempt at creating a superior being, however extensive testing showed that their temper matched their strength, and they were given a number of military roles when mankind returned to earth. Today, Agmeo make up a majority of the lower class, with many forced into the First Army as military comes close to tradition for Agmeo communities.
The bureaucracy of The Order is its greatest weakness. A government so built around the approval process that little is done to forward the world. Within it, however, sits a sort of capitalist technocracy run by corporations who produce the various goods and weapons of this futuristic world. The leading company is UpLink, the inventors of the null-core. This company holds nearly total control of the technoscape, the world brought about by the use of null-cores.
This leaves us to ask about you and your decision to become a hunter. Before we begin, please answer the following questions about you and what sort of hunter you will be:
What is your name?
What is your gender?
-Male
-Female
What race are you?
-Human
-Pranni
-Agmeo
-Android
-AI
Which of the following roles is most appealing to you?
-Knight
-Rogue
-Mage
-Medic
Which of the following guilds are you interested in being a part of?:
-Majoris
-Medicus
-Nachtraven
-Terrus
-Royale
-Dragoon
-Vexel
>Roll 5d6s. 6 locks in a question answer.
>Future decisions are decided by popular vote or first post if no one likes anyone else’s idea. GM has the right to override first choice for a later one if it’s really clever.
(Initial :NULL: Quest thread died and was poorly planned. Spent the day actually scripting stuff out a bit more, working on location details, etc. Let's try this again.)
Rolled 4, 1, 3, 1, 6 = 15 (5d6)
>>46825081
-Male
-Human
-Medic
-Medicus
I still like to play as a tank medic.
>>46825113
>Guild Medicus Locked In
>>46825202
Null, last time you had us pick a fear. Did you forget it or you're not including it?
>>46825113
>>46825202
(If we sit long enough I'll just go with this full character request. Keeping the name the same as well?)
>>46825252
Not including it. It doesn't really have a major impact. A character may ask you about it a little later.
>>46825281
Yes if you want.
Rolled 4, 1, 3, 3, 2 = 13 (5d6)
>>46825081
>Bob Ross
>Male
>Human
>Medic
>Medicus
(Moving on ahead because I'm impatient.)
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory: EMPTY
Your name is Bob Ross, a newly hired hunter for Guild Medicus, a support guild under the Hunter Program. While you lack any formal training in medicine, you have used a fair bit of your meager wage to learn about modern medicine and the use of various tools you will be equipped with while acting as a hunter. Previously, you worked at the local post office here in District 48C on the outer edges of the city of Quantico.
Currently, you reside on floor 4, apartment 48 of a small digistructed complex just south of your place of business. our apartment consists of four rooms: One bed, one bath, a kitchen, and a living room, all of which are fairly under-furnished. You're currently in the living room, having just filled out the last of your hunter's registration papers, which quickly dissolve in your hands as you click accept. A new letter materializes in your hands only a few short seconds later. It reads:
Dear Mr. Ross,
May we here at the Guild Medicus start by congratulating you on passing all of the requirements to become a hunter. We would like to thank you for joining Guild Medicus, as we know you have a choice in guilds as a hunter. Your application has been fully processed and you have been scheduled for a meeting at 6 o'clock this evening at the Hunter Program headquarters in the city center for briefing, licensing, and arming with basic tools you may need as a hunter. The meeting will be in the armory on basement floor 1. We appreciate your joining us and hope to see you soon.
Thank you,
Guild Medicus
(Continued)
You check the neon-blue, digistructed watch on your wrist. It reads 3:47 P.M. While you doubt you'll be late, you're sure that you'd be chastised if you were, knowing the sorts of people working there. You've been to the headquarters a number of times this week, having taken a number of physical and mental exams in order to qualify as a hunter. The building is roughly thirty minutes from your apartment, and you have time to kill. You are currently in the living room of your apartment. It has a couch, which you are currently sitting on, a coffee table with a tv sitting on it across from you, a door to your bedroom, a door to your kitchen, and a door to exit the apartment. A small aloe plant sits in a window beside the tv. A magazine you purchased called "Glitches" is beside the television, covering stories of hunters taking on various entities created by hackers through null-cores.
>What do you do?
>>46826145
Workout/Run
Get fit.
>>46826181
Lifting for this.
>>46826145
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory: EMPTY
You decide to go for a run through district 48C, taking the routes you know are safe. The district isn't necessarily a bad part of town, but there are roads that most locals know to avoid. Most of your run, you stay near factories alongside the Quantico River, which cuts straight through the district. The water is surprisingly clean. Of course, any time digitized waste comes near it, the trash dissolves. During your jog, you can see the Hunter Program Headquarters looming in the distance, towering above the other buildings. A bleak, concrete monstrosity with large metal spines erupting from the building in various directions, giving it an almost weapon-like appearance. The other day, while in the city's heart, 1A, you had heard someone describe the building as 'a true piece of modern art'.
(Continued)
>>46826758
You return from your run, drained of energy and drenched in sweat, about an hour later. You take a quick shower to wash off before the meeting. It is now 5:25 P.M., according to your watch. Grabbing your keys, you leave your apartment once more, heading to your hover-bike in the parking lot. A model common to the district, you had bought it used from your pal Paul, an Agmeo from the postal office.You haven't washed it very often, and the cheap layer of black paint on its surface is cracked and peeling. You try to crank it. It doesn't start. You try again and it picks up, lifting you from the ground as it lets out a metallic whir. A black smoke billows from the exhaust pipe as it takes you towards the Hunter Program Headquarters. Traffic condenses the closer you get to district A1, but you maneuver yourself between the larger vehicles, making good time. You park your bike outside the headquarters, which now towers directly overhead. Up close, one can notice the several small windows that litter the side of the building, each one roughly the size of a man's head. The entrance is a glass automatic door bearing the Hunter Project logo, the initials HP with star behind them.
(Continued)
>>46826839
Stepping into the building, you find yourself in the reception room you've been in several times before. Behind the counter is Jennifer, a buxom female AI who glows with a purple hue. Her short hair bounces just below her jawline, Her features are smoothed, however she flickers on occasion. A small protrusion from her forehead is evident, presumably a small null-core that keeps her stable. On her desk is a laptop, a very device her very being should make obsolete, though under government policy, both null-powered devices and physical ones must be used in precaution to the absence of one. Beside the laptop is a coffee mug bearing the Hunter Project logo. An elevator is embedded in the left wall, and a small wooden bench is beside it. A couple of Pranni, you're unsure how old, are kicking their legs and laughing. There is a potted plant aside a marble column in each corner of the room. The walls and floor are made of the same drab concrete as those outside.
Jennifer notices your presence and quickly perks up, taking on a brighter hue of purple for a brief moment. "Hey Ross! So how'd it go!? Did you manage to pass all of the tests to become a hunter?," She asked, her gaze focused on you. Jennifer had taken an interest in your wanting to become a hunter, and had been asking you about it each time you came in. The conversation had been quite pleasant, and she had been one of the warmer personalities here in the building. You check your watch. 5:56 P.M. If you try to stay and chat, you'll be cutting it close.
>What do you do?
>>46826949
>Have a quick chat
You'll be fine.Sprint if you have to.
Walk n' talk baby!
>>46826949
Wave, say hey but you're running late for the meeting and you'll talk later.
>>46827000
Do this instead.>>46827046
>>46826949
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory: EMPTY
You make your way towards the elevator, trying to keep the conversation short. "Yeah!" you say with a grin, your pride in claiming such a role is evident on your face.
Jennifer giggles. "I guess I'll be seeing you a lot more often!" She replies, glowing slightly. "Of course you'll be off fighting threats to civilization all day while I'm stuck in this lobby, acting as a receptionist."
You try and console her as you press the down button on the panel beside the elevator. "You could always file for a promotion to operator, maybe even get partnered with me and help me in the field."
A frown forms on her face. "I've tried before. Multiple times. Maybe if you get a big mission you could put a request in for me..." Jennifer begins to space out for a moment as the elevator doors open and you step inside. The doors begin to shut and Jennifer quickly returns her attention to you. You give a small wave goodbye. As the doors come together, you hear a loudly shouted 'bye'.
You're the only one in the elevator. You tap the B1 button and the elevator begins to descend. An add is played for :ARENA:, a popular sport, over the speakers in the elevator before switching to an instrumental you don't recognize. The elevator stops and the doors slide open. Behind them is a fairly wide open room with a number of examining tables covered in parts for weapons and equipment. A balding pranni not even your shoulders' height with light blue skin, rounded glasses, a white lab coat, and a wispy, white mustache. stands outside of the elevator waiting for you. "You're two minutes late, and I'm a very busy man," he says, staring up at you before turning and walking away. You look at his name tag. Hans Cassidy
(Continued)
>>46827458
You follow behind Hans, assuming it's what he wants. "You're a member of Guild Medicus, Bob Ross, and that means you'll mostly be working on support missions when deployed. Interestingly enough, however, you have a fairly high-priority mission to start, meaning I have to equip you to the best of my abilities. Your mission will be studying shades, those that have succumbed to the mysterious disease, 'The Decay'. It's highly theoretical what causes The Decay, and why it only seems to spread when individuals enter Dead Zones." You open your mouth to ask for answers to one of several questions, however he quickly snaps at you to remain quiet and listen. "I've fitted you some power armor to survive in Dead Zone 2E, where you will be deployed. Additionally, I am to give you a standard issue HUNTER Dispenser and HUNTER Pistol. The dispenser is a tool that, when used on an individual, injects a loaded serum into them. You'll mostly use miracle heal with it to patch up yours and others' wounds quickly, however other serums may be loaded into it. Poison or otherwise." Stopping at a seemingly random table, he opens a drawer attached to the underside, pulling out a manila envelope with your name written across it. "Inside is your Guild Medicus ID, which should get you into most places and get you out of most trouble." As he extends his arm towards you, you notice it's not real, but rather a cybernetic replacement. You take the envelope. "The case report is also inside," he quickly adds. He retrieves your pistol and injector from the drawer. "I understand this is a lot to take in, and now that I've covered just about everything I need to for this meeting, I'll allow you to ask the questions you have."
-Got HUNTER Dispenser
-Got HUNTER Pistol
-Got HUNTER ID
-Got Mission Details (You may want to examine these later)
>What do you ask, if anything?
(Next update will be tomorrow. Go ahead and post questions though. I'll likely have Cassidy answer multiple.)
>>46827673
>Has there been any advances against The Decay?
>Will it be a solo or group mission?
Thanks for running.
>>46827673
>Ask about decay symptoms, also ask about the dangers of a dead zone
>>46827673
And by the way, keep this up, I'm really looking forward for more of this universe
>>46828832
or look it up on a kiosk or ask jessica to do it or something, dont want to seem incompetent by now knowing something that sounds like basic information after all.
Should we keep bumping this thread?
Or is OP just gonna make a new one tommorow?
>>46831948
judging purely from thread length, if this thread drops off the board OP will start fresh with a new chargen.
>>46827673
Can we be biomancer priests? Hulking out our guys in combat. Or hell even just us is fine. Or is it just AI's than warp shit.
>>46832066
Nah. I was unhappy with multiple things last thread, but this one I'm quite content with. Updates on a few hours. Consider this a bump.
>>46827673
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory:
-HUNTER Dispenser
-HUNTER Pistol
-HUNTER ID
-Mission Details Folder
After sliding the ID into your pocket you begin turning your new equipment over in your hands and examining it, you can’t help but smile at the rewards for your new profession. Hans, who had wandered off as you studied your equipment, returns with a backpack with the Hunter Program logo centered on the back. Just below it is the symbol for Guild Medicus, Ouroboros circled around a syringe. You put the backpack on, it fits snugly against your back. During your examination process, they took several measurements of your body. You assume equipment fitting is why. You put your newly gained equipment into the bag. Hans coughs, as if to remind you he is a ‘very busy person’ and you should go ahead and ask your questions.
-Got Guild Medicus Backpack
“So... ‘The Decay,’ what’s the status of its spread? Have we made any advancements against it?” You ask. While The Decay had received some news coverage, details available to the public are incredibly hazy, and clarification seems like the necessary first step.
(Continued)
>>46833752
Has straightens himself. “A very good question, actually. In a word, no. The Decay is not a threat we can counter properly with our current knowledge. A lack of understanding or real enemy makes stopping it rather difficult. I noticed you marked that you haven’t been outside the city before, so it’s understandable you’re confused. While the wilderness and wastelands are both dangerous, certain areas we have marked as ‘Dead Zones’ are considered much more dangerous, and cause strange mutations in organic matter that enters them. As it stands, we have closed them off to the public and discontinued water use from aquatic areas marked as Dead Zones.”
Scratching the back of your head, you ask, “So what are the symptoms of an individual infected with The Decay? I don’t think they’ve ever shown an infected individual on the news.”
“We call them ‘Shades’. Symptoms of The Decay are not immediate, and it’s impossible to tell without a full examination. The mutations themselves very from person to person, but some early diagnosable stages include graying of the skin and deformation of muscles. It appears in animals too. Eventually, protrusions of bone, extra limbs, or body parts may occur. This is not necessarily a threat, however. The threat appears with the warping of the mind. While at first, the decay only causes changes to the body, it eventually warps the mind, causing increased aggression in later stages. Hence, we can’t risk sending you in unprotected. The armor I mentioned before is a modified variant of the survival suits used five hundred and seventynine years ago during touchdown prior to terraforming. Needless to say, it is VERY expensive. While I wanted to requisition you more equipment, you aren’t qualified, and it’s your first mission, so you’re stuck with that standard issue Pea Shooter”
(Continued)
>>46833868
“So will I have a partner with some real firepower? I guess I’m just support for him, huh?” You ask, recognizing the danger of this mission. There’s no knowing what sort of enemies you’ll run into, considering the mutations from The Decay ‘vary’.
“His product number is 4L3C. Though he prefers to be called ‘Alec’. He’s an ex [ARENA] competitor. First class hunter. He’ll probably spout about you needing to ‘stay out of his way’ or some similar speal. He does it to all the recruits he’s paired with. Just stay close and watch his backand you’ll do fine. You’re getting a sample from something or someone infected by The Decay. You two just need to locate an animal, or god forbid a person that wandered in there. Normally you’d be paired with an operator as well, but we don’t have any signal towers near Dead Zones for worker safety purposes. Anything else?”
You wrack your brain for more questions. “So where do I pick up the suit?” you ask, realizing its location hasn’t been disclosed.
“It’s on the shuttle you’re taking tomorrow at 6 A.M. You won’t need a ticket, just show them your ID. That thing can get you into almost every facet of the city, you know. Anyways, I have work to tend to, so you can head on upstairs or home or wherever it is you need to be until 6. Don’t be late. It’s a pedestrian shuttle out of the city and it won’t be late waiting for you. Just meet with Alec at the station. Trust me, you can’t miss him.”
You turn to the elevator, pressing the up button on the panel beside it. The door slides open immediately and you step inside, pressing the lobby button. The elevator begins to rise and an obnoxious pop song begins to play. You’ll be back at the lobby in just a few moments.
>What do you do?
Bump. I need to read this.
>>46833898
If Jennifer is there, chat with her for a bit. Seem sad that we didn't. If not, exercise while studying about the Decay.
>>46833898
>Talk to Jennifer for a while
>Check the city for dinner or some place to eat, tomorrow is a big day after all
Update soon
>>46836493
Sweet.
>>46833898
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory: Medicus Backpack
-HUNTER Dispenser
-HUNTER Pistol
-HUNTER ID
-Mission Details Folder
The doors of the elevator slide open to reveal the lobby, filled with a number of human men in suits. As you step out, the cram themselves into the elevator. You’re sure they exceed the weight capacity, and hope they’re going down. Turning your attention to the main desk, and Jennifer, you brandish your new ID for her to see.
“Ross, that’s great!” She beams. “So what do you plan to do now?”
“I think I’m going to go home and exercise a little bit more. I went for a run before coming here. I need to be in peak condition for tomorrow,” you say, returning your ID to your pocket.
Jennifer sarcastically responds, “Such monotony must be thrilling. Working out followed by work and then by more working out. Didn’t you want to become a hunter to escape that cycle?” She gives a fake yawn.
“I did! I did! I’m just trying to prepare to go into a Dead Zone. Dr. Hans said they’re dangerous. It’s not like this is a job where messing up doesn’t cost you your life.” You aren’t quite sure why you’re calling Hans a doctor. Maybe it’s the labcoat or the fact he owns an entire prototype armoury for a government program.
Jennifer tries to hide a worried look forming on her face. “Ross! You’re going to get yourself killed going in there if you aren’t carefu, you know. You’re an organic. Do you know how many reports I see filed every day about human hunters that are marked as rogue because they’ve been infected? It’s a lot, actually...”
(Continued)
>>46836977
You try to hide your own newfound fear at that fact and give a small laugh and tell her, “Don’t worry about it Jenn, I’m going to be fine. After all, I got a position as a hunter. Like you said, no more monotonous life. I’m going to have some special armor to protect against the decay. I promise I’ll be back whenever the mission’s over.” Did she say you would be marked as rogue if you became decayed?
She doesn’t seem very eased by this promise, and sits up straighter in her chair. “If you say so, Ross, but I still say be careful. You should head on home and work out or whatever it is you were planning to do.”
After waving goodbye to Jennifer you go to your bike and return home. As you ride, the sun begins to set and the sky is lit by various shades of neon, radiating from the city. As you move away from the city center, traffic becomes less dense and you speed up with ease. A sickness remains in your stomach about Jennifer’s worry and the fact your first mission could be your last.
(Continued)
>>46837025
Now home, you head to your bedroom, where a punching bag hangs from the ceiling, right beside an understocked bookshelf. On the bookshelf are a few discount medical books you had bought and read through, though they all shared fairly identical information. You had taken notes and put them between the pages you would want to look through later. In the corner of the room is a single bed with some water stained sheets and matching pillow. The room is drab and lacked a window. You punch on the bag for a while until you tire yourself out, going to the fridge and getting some dayold pizza. You sit on the couch and turn the TV to a channel broadcasting the current [ARENA] match. The two contestants are trying to hold a control point. It's an agmeo lancer fending off a pranni engineer sitting in some sort of small mech. You check your watch. 9:48 P.M.
>What do you do next?
>>46837094
Give yourself a prep talk. It's a big day tomorrow and you need to muster all the bravery you can get. Relax and go to sleep.I hope my answers don't contradict each other.
Should I stop bumping, OP?
>>46838934
It's fine. New thread opens when it dies, but feel free to bump if it gets too far down in the catalogue. Update might be a while because I have stuff to do this afternoon.
>>46839042
Very well.
Starting on the update now.
>>46841870
Alright!More players come back
>>46837094
>Give yourself a prep talk. It's a big day tomorrow and you need to muster all the bravery you can get. Relax and go to sleep.
>Name: Bob Ross
>Gender: M
>Race: Human
>Guild: Medicus
>Inventory: Medicus Backpack
-HUNTER Dispenser
-HUNTER Pistol
-HUNTER ID
-Mission Details Folder
You get up off the couch, realizing that worrying here is not the solution. You need to stay positive about tomorrow. From what it sounds like, plenty of hunters perform missions in the Dead Zones, and come out fine. Besides, Jennifer didn't even cite the numbers. Yeah, you're sure that it's going to be fine. You move to the bathroom, staring at your reflection in the mirror. 'You will not die tomorrow,' you tell yourself. 'You are going to succeed on this mission, you are going to become a hero, just like you've always wanted.' You check your watch. 12:03 A.M. It's late, and you have to be at that train station before 6. You decide it's best to get at least a few hours of sleep. You set the alarm for 4:30 A.M. While you have trouble getting to sleep, it finally washes over you like a wave. You do not dream that night.
(Continued)
>>46842874
Your watch alarm begins to beep. 4:30 A.M., sharp. You slip on a grey turtleneck, some jeans, and your Medicus Backpack before you make your way to the kitchen and grab a bagel before making your way down to your bike. The train station isn't too far from 48C, located in 39B. You make good time, arriving just short of 5:30. The station is nearly empty, supporting two trains, neither of which have arrived, and glows with a bright neon green shine. It kind of makes you nauseous. You go to the wall where an automatic ticket dispenser is embedded in the wall. You slide your HUNTER ID into it and a ticket is dispensed.
-Got Train Ticket
You see someone, who you presume is Alec, sitting on a bench a short ways down from you. You come to this conclusion based on the fact every piece of clothing he wears has 'ALEC' printed on it in large bold letters. The figure has on windbreaker pants and a hoodie, with the hood up. You realize Dr. Hans was right, it would be hard not to identify Alec immediately. Now that you've found him, it's just a matter of introducing yourself. It seems like he hasn't noticed you yet.
>How do you approach Alec?
>>46842929
Just walk up to him and introduce ourselves.
>>46842929
>Formally introduce yourself to Alec.
From what Hans said, Alec doesn't seem like a guy who makes friends.
Is this our backpack?
>>46843944
Nah. Standard issue Medicus Backpacks are pretty cheaply made, aside from some snug-fit padding that make them convenient and comfortable to wear. I'll be starting on update soon-ish.
I started typing the update, but I have a bunch to do tomorrow. Just lead thread die and I'll start a new one continuing in the morning. Once I get a schedule worked out, updates will hopefully be more frequent. It's been good hosting for you guys.
>>46848279
Whoops, image was not meant to be attached.
>>46848279
See you later, Null.
>>46848279
Just re-start the quest entirely bro
>>46848352
I thought it was going well? Do people really want it to start for a third time?
>>46848405
Nope. I like it so far. It would be best if you pick a day you have free time.
>>46848925
*when
