20 January 2016 @ 12:04 am
GLOSSARY
# • A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L
M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z
brood - n. - up to six hosts that were hatched at the same time. a brood shares an immediate telepathic and sensory connection with one another which often results in brood members being extremely close.
consensus - n. - the cumulative opinion and knowledge of the telepathic hivemind. for hosts who have sublimated themselves into the Nest, the consensus dictates decision making.
drone - n. - hosts that have advanced so far into the Nest hivemind that they are practically unreachable on an individual level.
host - n. - a body/mind that the symbiote attaches to. a host has some element to their mental and physical state that the symbiote recognizes both as compatible and desirable for the over all consensus of the hivemind. symbiotes tend to sync with a wide variety of hosts to diversify the nest.
iota - n. - one of the two symbiote subspecies, iota symbiotes and their hosts are physically-inclined, and their specialized ability will follow this pattern.
mooring - v. - the act of fixing a point in the multiverse. This is often relative to Station 72's location. The Station is moored in the void and so on.
multiverse - n. - everything and everywhere at all times.
nest, the - n. - the symbiotic hivemind behind station 72. it's here to help you; it's here to help everyone. :)
rho - n. - one of the two symbiote subspecies, rho symbiotes and their hosts are mentally-inclined, and their specialized ability will follow this pattern.
specialization - n. - a host's specialization is determined by their symbiote's subspecies: iota or rho. iota specializations give the host advanced physical abilities, whereas rho specializations enable supercognitive abilities. see also: specialized abilities
specialized ability - n. - each host has one specialized ability relating to their symbiote's subspecies. however, though an advanced connection with the nest, hosts may eventually temporarily borrow the specialized abilities of others for a short period of time.
station 72 - n. - station 72 is a moored point where many layers of the multiverse meet. it is allegedly one of many.
symbiote - n. - your new best friend; one lives in your head. you can't talk to it - it isn't sentient in the same way you are, but it feels good that it's there. it feels secure.
20 January 2016 @ 02:28 am
SYMBIOTIC SKILLS GUIDE
Symbiotes give their hosts access to the telepathic hivemind, a basic set of physical ‘upgrades’, one specialized ability, and the opportunity to grow both as an individual and as a group. This page provides a loose developmental guide and timeline for players which outlines both the BASE set of symbiotic skills in addition to the expanded abilities. That said, be aware that the division between ranked abilities is more an OOC guide than an IC one; character's don't "rank up" so much as they develop smoothly from one point to the next with a transitional period in between. Further, while there is a rough timeline provided for advancement, much of this is based on in character action and what your characters are motivated by. A character unsure of their connection may waver between Ranks for a long time, whereas a motivated host may progress at a faster rate. Be reasonable with your skill growth, but most of all be warned: ability advancement may come with power, but it also comes with considerable consequences.
Every host "enjoys" these basic skills from the moment they begin life with their symbiote.
TELEPATHY - RANK I
Telepathy can come in many forms from a simple conversation not dissimilar from a telephone call, to a more immersive experience such as sharing senses, feelings, and even images. More advanced forms of telepathy, such as sharing points of view, must be learned. New hosts will find that they can communicate freely with members of their brood, however prolonged communication with hosts outside their brood can trigger headaches, light headed sensations, nausea and even losing consciousness for short intervals. Hosts may communicate with their brood members at a distance of up to 50 kilometers and hosts outside their brood up to a distance of 25 kilometers.
In addition to the useful bits of touching another person’s thoughts there are some mild side effects. Very new hosts may find themselves incapable of quieting their thoughts. A room full of new hosts can be incredibly loud. Luckily their range is rather short, because otherwise no one would get any sleep. Eventually hosts can learn to keep their thoughts to themselves, although this can be difficult when emotions run high.
SPECIALIZED ABILITY - RANK I
All hosts have a skill that corresponds to their symbiote's subspecies. IOTA abilities manifest physically - something hosts can do with their bodies; RHO abilities are mental skills - skills hosts can control with their minds. Each host has only one specialized ability. These abilities aren’t necessarily unique and duplicates may exist, but they tend to suit the character and likely are an improvement on a talent the character already has.
IMPROVED PHYSICALITY
One of the main benefits of the symbiotic relationship is an overall increase in physical abilities. Hosts will find they are approximately 25% more physically capable than they were in their previous lives and that this improves slowly over time. Typically a mind has limits set in place for your body which are designed to prevent an individual from going beyond what they are physically able to do and injuring themselves. The symbiote has the ability to push the limit of these blocks and to supplement a host body's ability to cope with stress. That said, it’s not perfect which is why physical training is still important to all members of the Nest. Additionally while hosts may feel pain less keenly, it is no less damaging to the body. It is absolutely possible that a host might accidentally severely injure themselves. Iota users will find these abilities easier to train and control over time.
IMPROVED MENTAL ACUMEN
Another side effect of the symbiote is an increase in cognitive abilities. The symbiote allows you to process information more quickly, resulting in improved senses, greater information recall, and will find things like learning a new language much easier. Hosts will find they are approximately %25 more mentally capable than they once were and that this improves slowly over time. Hosts will find their vision, hearing and sense of smell improved. The downsides of this are obvious: young hosts will no doubt find their sharper senses overwhelming and unpleasant. Have you ever smelled someone’s breath from across the room? You will! Rho users will find these skills easier to train and control over time. (special note: this skill is dormant and doesn't improve - it merely becomes more honed and easier to control over time; as such, there are no upgrade details listed below.)
Through strengthening their connection with their symbiote and training, hosts have the ability to improve their skills beyond the basic level. Even characters who may not embrace the symbiote will find as time goes on that, the symbiote becomes more entrenched in their system and inevitably increases their abilities - albeit at a slower rate than a more willing host.
In a vacuum, all characters would progress all their skills at exactly the same rate. However, people are complicated. Willing hosts will find themselves progressing at a faster pace whereas hosts unwilling to explore their nested connection may find themselves slower to adapt and learn. Further, while most of a host's skills slowly improve over time, your specialization does matter when it comes to developing and controlling not just sybiotic skills, but in everything you do. Iota specialized hosts will find stressful physical feats simpler, whereas Rho specialized hosts will find themselves innately capable of advanced problem solving, etc.
While every character is different and some may find they have blocks to overcome, we've done our best to offer a rough development timeline below. We stress that your character's development speed is ultimately up to you, but also BE WARNED: you cannot unlearn abilities. Be aware of your character's continued playability in the game when exploring their ability development. Honing the relationship between symbiote and nest comes with a hefty personal cost.
Though one mental foray into an advanced ability won't be enough for a host to rank up, continued use of those advanced abilities will result in them falling deeper into the hivemind. And while it's not possible to completely halt a character's skill development, it is possible for an unwilling host to grind to a very near halt. As such, most hosts will likely never progress past RANK III in any given ability as sublimating into the hivemind beyond that point tends to result in significant erasure of a character's individuality and personal goals.
NOTE(S): When leveling skills, hosts must rank chronologically - so you can’t jump from a Rank II ability in Telepathy to a Rank IV ability. All timeline notations are OOC TIME.
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE RANK I to RANK II
Month 3 - Month 9
RANK II to RANK III
Month 7 - Month 18
RANK III to RANK IV |
Month 11 - Month 30
RANK IV to RANK V
Month 18 - Month 40
RANK V and BEYOND
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ADVANCED SKILLSTELEPATHY - RANK II
(+) No more headaches, hooray! With this skill, a host can communicate outside of their brood without worrying about nasty side effects. It also quadruples the communication range. Hosts will find it easier to control the type of transmissions they send and their clarity.
(-) Mental transmission to a host’s brood members becomes incredibly easy - maybe even too easy. It’s much easier to bleed clear emotions or memories to your brood members. Brood members who both have Rank II telepathy may find themselves in uncomfortable feedback loops with one another.
TELEPATHY - RANK III
(+) Local telepathy enables the user to communicate with any host as long as they’re on the same planet or equivalent surrounding space. It’s very easy to accurately project anything the host may like, including a live transmission of whatever they are currently seeing, hearing, or feeling.
(-) Hosts may find themselves picking up other psychic feedback from different sources, some of which can be very confusing or even upsetting. A planet is a big place.
TELEPATHY - RANK IV
(+) System telepathy enables the user to communicate with any host within the same solar system. Hella.
(-) Space, again, is very loud. Unshrouded mental projections can become very overwhelming. A host may spend as much time trying to block things out as connecting. Of course, as deep in as they are in the Nest hivemind it’s very likely that they won’t care much. The Nest is loud and they are deep.
TELEPATHY - RANK V
(+) Galactic telepathy. The user can communicate with any host within the same galaxy.
(-) You are now just a single limb of a vast, unknowable hivemind body. Have fun.
TRACKING - RANK I
(+)This ability enables hosts to easily locate members of their brood as long as they’re within their telepathic range. It’s an innate sense, an ability to feel where their other brood members are.
(-) Like, anywhere. Like really anywhere. Like you might wish you didn’t go looking levels of anywhere.
PRE-REQUISITE: Telepathy II
TRACKING - RANK II
(+) Users can easily locate any host in or outside of their brood as long as they’re within their telepathic range. If digging especially deep, hosts may be able to consciously share awareness and/or experience the physical sensations their brood members are currently experiencing.
(-) Once again, why. Hopefully thee person you're looking for isn't having a bad time. --Or too good of a time.
ABILITY BORROWING - RANK I
(+) This ability allows the host to borrow one (1) specialized ability from one of their brood members within their telepathic range for a single use with a duration of no more than two hours. This ability is only available roughly once every IC week.
(-) Hosts may also find themselves borrowing other things such as personality, memories, feelings, and attitudes. A hosts's sense of self may suffer in the aftermath.
PRE-REQUISITE: Telepathy II
ABILITY BORROWING - RANK II
(+) This ability allows the host to borrow one (1) specialized ability from one of their brood members within their telepathic range for a single use with a duration of no more than two hours. This ability is available roughly every two IC days.
(-) The host's sense of self is already wavering. Being this close to someone else is addictive. Terrifying. Hosts will have more difficulty feeling at home in their own skin.
ABILITY BORROWING - RANK III
(+) This ability allows the host to borrow one (1) specialized ability from one member of the Nest within or without their brood, within their telepathic range for a single use with a duration of no more than two hours. This ability is available once every IC day.
(-) This connection outside of a host's brood only serves to pull them deeper. Hosts will feel a sense of belonging not only with their brood, but with other members of the Nest. They will find it very difficult to pull away from that connection. Hosts may find it very difficult to remember who they are - which parts are theirs and which are someone else entirely.
ABILITY BORROWING - RANK IV
(+) This ability allows the host to borrow two (2) specialized abilities from any two members of the Nest within or without their brood, within their telepathic range for a single use with a duration of no more than two hours. This ability is available once every IC day per ability.
(-)It doesn’t really bother you that those aren’t your hands.
ABILITY BORROWING - RANK V
(+) This ability allows the host to borrow multiple specialized ability from multiple member of the Nest within or without their brood, within their telepathic range for a single use with a duration of no more than two hours. This ability is available roughly five times in one IC day if it doesn't kill you.
(-) You are now a single limb in a vast and unknowable body --but at least you can breath fire right?!
SPECIALIZED ABILITY DEVELOPMENT
This is dependent on your characters and their chosen skill and ranges from the base skill of RANK I to RANK III. Please follow the tiers approved in your application. If you wish to make changes to your skill tiers, please contact the mod account to discuss it.
20 January 2016 @ 03:07 pm
AP INFORMATION
Ability Points (AP) are bankable, spendable points that players may earn with bonus activity. AP is meant to be difficult to earn and act as a supplement to the game and your play in it. They can be exchanged for skill upgrades and item requisitions and may even come into play during missions and plot. AP in your character's bank can be spent at any time; think of them as your trump card or an ace up your sleeve. AP give you the OOC flexibility to do some Really Cool Stuff without permanently breaking the game's mechanics. However, be aware that using AP doesn't absolve your character or the game from the consequences of whatever action they might take with it. Bank and spend your AP wisely!
During every activity check, you may turn in additional threads to earn AP. Please make sure any thread you turn in for AP doesn't overlap with the comments you've used for your AC either in that month or in any prior activity checks. 1AP will be awarded for every 30 comments beyond AC, with the following restrictions:
• Only 1 AP can be earned from using only telepathy link comments.
• A second AP can be earned with up to 15 telepathy link comments, with the remainder being made up of action comments.
• A maximum of 3 AP points can be earned every month.
To spend AP, look over the AP Shop below and decide what you want. However, while you can spend your AP points at any time there are some limitations on how you use them as dictated by your character's IC actions. They are:
• To apply AP to symbiote skills, growth must be reflected by in character action. If your character isn’t actively exploring the bond with their symbiote or the nest in character, you can’t simply level them up OOCly. Characters must be making an IC effort to learn and hone their relationship with the symbiote and/or Nest. It’s okay for them to doubt themselves or their reasons, but the skill use must be a conscious decision.
• If you use AP to purchase Skill Advancement you must link six samples of your character using symbiote skills, at least three with the character ICly pursuing concepts that tie directly to the ability enhacement in question. (ex. using their symbiote ability, attempting to learn a new language, etc). This is not necessary if you purchase Sub-Skill Advancements.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Upgrading a Sub-Skill type three times will trigger an automatic upgrade to the Host's Skill Rank. Further, upgrading three Skill Types three times will trigger an automatic upgrade to the Host's overall Nest Connection. This carries with it the permanent downsides(?) of strengthening Nest connections.
When it comes to requesting items from a character's canon, the item must meet the following requirements:
• The item must be something that a past version of the character could have carried over with them - meaning it must have been something in the character's possession and is limited in size. Shinji Ikari can't carry his robot, but a version of Garrus Vakarian could have feasibly brought his sniper rifle with him.
• The item must be able to self maintain without outside assistance - meaning no animals since they require being fed and watered, while most items can safely gather dust without becoming a skeleton.
AP SHOP
NAME |
DESCRIPTION |
COST |
USE |
Sub-Skill Advancement |
A permanent advancement of a single element of a single skill type. Examples include: improved physicality - can permanently jump higher; improved telepathy - can permanently communicate visuals more clearly; improved symbiote ability - can permanently use their ability for longer; improved mental acumen - can permanently learn languages more quickly.
This upgrade can not be used to level up a Host's entire catalogue of skills (ex. a Rank 1 Nest Connection to a Rank 2 Nest Connection); it is meant to tack on special quirks and modifications to your current rank. However, if you buy three Sub-Skill Advancements in a single skill type you will move up one rank in that skill. For example, if you buy three telepathy sub-skills, you will become rank II in Telepathy overall. |
3 AP |
Permanent |
Skill Advancement |
A permanent advancement of a single element of a single skill type - improved physicality, improved mental acumen, improved telepathy, or improved symbiote ability.
We will ask for 6 linked proofs of symbiote skill usage for this buy, at least 3 of which must be in the skill you are increasing. For example, if you are going to Telepathy rank II, we will ask you to link six threads, three of which must use aspects of a character's Telepathy.
This upgrade can not be used to level up a Host's entire catalogue of skills (ex. a Rank I Nest Connection to a Rank II Nest Connection); it is meant to increase specific skills within your overall rank. However, buying 3 Skill Advancements in 3 Skill Types will result in an overall nest connection increase. |
9 AP |
Permanent |
Basic Item - Small |
A small basic item with no modifications or upgrades. (eg. a handgun, night-vision goggles, a cool hat) |
2 AP |
- |
Basic Item - Medium |
A medium basic item with no modifications or upgrades. (eg. a rifle, a small vehicle, a basket full of snakes) |
4 AP |
- |
Basic Item - Large |
A large basic item with no modifications or upgrades. (eg. a rocket launcher, a large vehicle, six hundred bees) |
6 AP |
- |
Item Modification |
A single modification or upgrade to your basic item. (eg. a scope for your gun, your hoverboard can go faster, your dog now has dog armor) |
3 AP |
- |
Item Swap |
A 1:1 trade to swap your requisitioned item with another of equal or lesser value. This can be used to swap a base item for a base item, a modification for a modification, or a base item and all its modifications for another base item with an equivalent number of modifications. |
10 AP |
- |
??? |
?????????? |
? |
? |
BANKING & SPENDING AP
To bank and spend AP, create a top level for your character using the appropriate form in the space below. This top level with act as your permanent AP bank. When spending AP, comment to your character's bank with what they're buying with your revised AP bank total. A mod will review your AP purchase; please wait for mod approval before using your AP purchase ICly. See below for a live example of how all of this works!
BANK TOP LEVEL:
BANKING AP:
SPENDING AP: