Haven Calling

Or rather the date, 2145, and the major events between now and then. On 14th December 2045 at precisely 9 pm a huge explosion in the upper atmosphere above Belize caused shockwaves to ripple around the world. The force of the detonation instantly destroyed 90% of the population between Guayaqil Ecuador in South America and Los Angeles California. Massive tsunami’s raced across the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans, wiping out the island population of Hawaii and causing devastation in western Africa.

A year after, humans began dying for no apparent reason. Animal populations seemed unaffected, beyond the environmental damage, but almost four billion people simply died… and the rest began to change. Of the almost three billion people remaining on the planet only about 5% seemed unaffected and remained “pure” human, although they began showing signs of having extraordinary abilities. The rest began to take on animal characteristics, some converting to an almost “pure” state although they retained their intelligence and the ability to speak.

Wars immediately broke out and the human and animo populations descended into a hundred years of chaos with a myriad of clan and species factions all vying for power and resources. The Human Pure managed to claw a few places out of the broken remains of civilization. One is called Haven, located in Australia in the Snowy Mountains of Western Victoria, which still retains a high degree of technology.

Major clans formed along species lines, with the important ones below.

Canis – All dog-like pures. Fiercely tight knit clan with a pack mentality who claim large tracts of hunting grounds.
Felis – All cat-like pures. Somewhat independent but able to work together well in small enclosed communities.
Ursine – All bear-like pures. Small nomadic family groups that generally inhabit remote areas.
Reptilia – All reptile-like pures. Form large groups that will happily band together in times of trouble.
Aves – All bird-like pures. Live in large generally remote colonies in mountain terrains.
Ungulate – All hooved herbivore pures that live in huge nomadic groups.
Plantae – All plant-like pures – usually solitary relying on their camouflage.

Human's are rare we are only a minor part of the intelligent life on the planet. We will however start in Haven, a human city.

1) What are the details of Human-Animo relations? You said a 100 years of chaos, what kinds of social systems have evolved in this new dynamic? Of these clans who have dealings with Haven and what is the predominant Human response to the clans Who holds the power/resources/tech/food and at what cost? Do they ever live together?

Think Feudal baronies and small kingdoms. Each species clan have settled into regions that they claim as their own territory that they will defend. Many of the animo pure retain significant territorial instincts, although they have the intelligence to work as groups for the greater good. Accordingly there have been some pretty significant wars between groups. Canis/Felis will actively war with Aves and Ungulates and their histories are full of war and bloody retribution. The humans were the football that all the groups kicked around for a while until they started to display supernatural abilities...specifically psychic abilities. It is these abilities (and their lingering control over certain technologies) that allowed them to create Haven. Haven has trade agreements in place with the local clan/baronies of major Pures. As a minority however it is entirely possible that were the neighboring groups of animo's to ever find the humans to be a common enemy that they would simply overwhelm them.

The human city relies upon diplomacy to ensure peace and by also being too tough a nut to crack for any individual clan. Haven has electricity and resources from the surrounding area's and a level of technology that would be sufficient to conquer the surrounding area's - if they had the population - which they don't. Whilst they commonly have standard projectile weapons, (guns, mortars and exlplosives) - so do the animo's. Haven also have a limited capability to produce energy weapons, (lasers and pulse rifles) which set's their technology level above their neighbours. They have set up automated defence systems and have computer systems and equipment.

2) How are Clan relations and how exclusive are their organization(s)? I assume some aspects of the predator/prey dynamic have come to light but to what degree? Are the herbivores as second class/chattel, or is the eating of other Animos taboo (except to a few fringe groups)?

Pures are divided into High Pure and Lessor Pure. Lessor Pure as the name suggests are amino's of the specific clan that are smaller in stature due to the base animal. A Lessor Pure Ocelot for instance will be six feet in height. A High Pure Tiger could be twelve foot tall and easily crush the small felis, so a caste system is in place within the clan. Because both are "pure" forms however they both enjoy the benefts of their society. Were the Tiger to murder the Ocelot, the Tiger would be executed, so there are rights associated with being a lessor pure.

There are also Melds (mixtures of different animo characteristics) and Chimera's (bizarre mixtures of Human and Animo characteristics), who swear fealty to a local pure. (It's like being the short kid in the gang that gets picked on all the time from within the gang, but doesn't get beat up by everyone else).

Between certain Pures there is all out wars of "cleansing" but the eating of other animo's is taboo...because when you eat an ungulent and the next day 5000 clan members with large horns rock up on your doorstep looking for payback it's bad juju.

3) What is the condition of Haven? Type of government, security, any intermingling with The Clans, etc. You mentioned technology, but to what degree do you mean? Are we talking preserved contemporary tech, some advancements or Mad Max?

In addition to the information above...it's a small government elected by the population based upon a meritocracy system. They have the capacity to research new tech, but are also in possession of some old tech. (such asthe massive hydroelectric plant that supplies the city with electricity). They have the capacity to interact with the remaining functioning satellite system that was in place during the event in 2145. They can produce vehicles that run on ethanol and trade them to the clans for food and materials.

4) Is it possible for an animo to look human enough to pass? How wide-ranging is the scale of animalian aspects?

Not possible for an animo to look human..although throwbacks have been known to occur. The range of animo characteristics was wide ranging in the beginning but after a couple of generations Melds and Chimera's are less common.

5) You mentioned humans developing special abilities, what kind and how are they responded to? Xavier's School or the Nazi Experiments?

A full range of Psychic abilities. Telepathy and image manipulation, TK and PK are the most common of these abilties. About 25% of the Human Pure possess these abilities. They make up the bulk of the Human armed forces and are viewed by the populace as guardians and protectors. It's seen as an honor within human society to be in possession of psychic abilities.

I’ve been playing since I was a kid…I still remember the red box. My longest running RL tabletop game was almost 8 years. I am old school, devious, subtle and often present tricky, out of the box situations for my players to navigate through. I love being surprised by interesting game play and will generously reward it. I believe that RP system rules will apply in almost all scenario’s but sometimes I will nerf for or against the players depending on the situation.

My games tend to be balanced between Role Play and Combat. I don’t care if you are an experienced player or relative newbie, but what I do care about is quality of posting, at a rate that won’t hold everyone else up. As a text based playing medium we lack tone of voice and body language that is a huge part of tabletop games. I dislike seeing wonderful applications full of plot hooks and great writing with a character that once in game makes one line statements..observe.

Private Mackie salutes and responds “YES SIR!”

Vs

Private Mackie looks into the steel grey eye’s of his commanding officer with a glare of his own. He doesn’t like the order he’s been given, but military protocol says he can be dishonorably discharged if he refused. His hand comes up, giving a crisp but somehow mocking salute and he simply responds. “YES” and then there is a barely perceptible pause that is just enough to let the Colonel know he was thinking “You son of a….” before the “SIR!” is clapped onto the end like a slap to the face.

If you think the second one is too wordy or fluff driven…this game is not for you. If this kind of play appeals I'm looking for 4-6 of you to play.

Everyone is playing a level 1 character but you have some choices as to how you apply. You can either choose to create a character under d20 modern rules as a lessor pure to select the type of Animo you wish to play. Alternatively you can answer the questions below and take your chances of getting a High Pure or human character with Psychic Abilities.

Selecting a Lessor Pure...
Doing so will be under a 28 point buy system. If you choose this path, build the character as human and apply a +2 to two stats and a -1 to one stat. Depending on your Animo you will also receive the following natural abilities for free.

Canis - Scent feat - Natural weapons +1d6 bite +1d6 Claws - 60' Move - Improved Natural Attack +4 - Track +4 bonus
Felis - Scent feat - Natural Weapons +1d6 bite +1d6 Claws - 60' Move - Improved Natural attack +4 - Track +4 bonus
Ursine - Scent feat - Natural Weapons +1d6 Bite +2d6 Claws - Natural Attack +2 - Natural Armor +2 - Improved Bull Rush
Reptilia – Natural weapons +1d6 bite - Natural attack +2 - (Snake Forms get Improved Grab, Scent and Poison; Tortoise forms get 1d4 Damage Reduction - Improved natural armor +4 - Hold breath feat; Lizard forms get +2 natural armor - +4 bonus on balance, jump and climb checks, +8 hide skill)
Aves – Fly 90' - Wingover feat - Natural weapons +2d6 Talons - Improved Natural attack +4 - +4 bonus to spot checks
Ungulate – Natural Weapons +2d6 Horns - Improved natural attack +4 - 60' move - Trample - +4 bonus to listen checks
Plantae – +8 hide - Improved Grab - Constrict - Power attack - Damage reduction 1d8

Taking a chance to get a High Pure or Human...
You will need to answer the following questions which will determine your Animo. I will create a Private Thread for you and give your animo based on your responses. You will then be able to build a character using a 36 point buy system. You will also receive the same Abilities as a Lessor (with maybe a couple more). High Pures also have a higher status and caste.

Pick one of the following: -

a) I am witty, imaginative and curious. I am full of energy, talkative and charming but I have a tendency to become aggressive when challenged.

b) I am confident, take pride in my appearance and I am motivated. Others describe me as loyal and trustworthy although I can be blunt. Honesty is very important to me although I have been known to be a braggart on occasion.

c) I am intelligent and extremely analytical and not above manipulation to get what I want. What I want are the finer things in life and I am slow to become angry. I always take the time to determine the best course of action before I do anything.

d) People describe me as a solid personality. I am very determined and tolerant of others. I work hard to achieve my goals and you can always count on me as a friend.

e) I like to take life slowly and enjoy a studious life of peace and contemplation. I’m not very social but do get on well with others who get to know me. I am slow to anger and will generally avoid confrontation.

f) People describe me as spontaneous, brave and competitive. I love a challenge and can be very stubborn if I don’t get my way, outwardly calm I have a temper that be unleashed very quickly.

g) People describe me as diligent, compassionate and generous, I tend to avoid confrontation but when angered I am ruthless and focused.

Which is your favourite: -

a) Cactus
b) Orchid
c) Sunflower
d) Lily
e) Rose
f) Snapdragon
g) None of the above

Before you is a lump of raw meat on a plate do you: -

a) Baste it at a low heat over several hours with your special herbs before eating it.
b) Push your plate away in disgust.
c) Eat it quickly and guard your plate with one arm.
d) Decline and offer it to a friend.
e) Enjoy it slowly, savoring every mouthful.
f) Watch it carefully to see what it does.
g) Nothing.

My ideal job is: -

a) Commando
b) Scientist
c) School Teacher
d) Doctor
e) Self Employed
f) Pilot
g) Gardener

I need to make sure that the adjustments I have made amongst Lessor and Higher Pures are correctly balanced. Accordingly there will be a battle arena to trial the various forms. Anyone is welcome to battle in the arena once the build has been checked by myself or Taoist Glasshopper but we will not be adjudicating the arena combat.

From the applicants my Co-GM Taoistglasshopper and I will select players and begin the game.