Contacts: The RPG

[VO]

What’s a girl to do?

One moment you’re on the verge of tying up your latest story, and making good with the nice young man from the newsroom, the next an anonymous stranger slips a letter under your doorway… and you’re swept on a high stakes chase that takes you to every corner of the earth imaginable. Facing organised crime, occult religion, and, perhaps most dangerous of all, a shadowy one world government that thinks you know too much. To stand a chance of saving a world where the good may be good, the bad may be bad, but everyone’s still a murky grey, you need to pull favours, deal with ancient deities, and start calling in your Contacts…

Contacts is a unique RPG setting. It's set in the modern day, with appropriate technology, but with 1950s stylistic leanings. It's a world of chain-smoking detectives, brutal oriental torturers, moustachioed airmen, and hard-bitten mercenaries, eccentric scientists and enigmatic seductresses, anonymous Government agents and mysterious cultists. It's a world run by paranoid governments pursuing secret wars, a world riddled with ancient weapons buried in the ruins of Avalon, Shangri-La, and El Dorado. And it's coming to a RPG forum near you!

***

To summarise: new RPG I'm interested in running. No actual need for it, but it seemed like a fun idea, and my reliable focus group (AI and CKW) liked it too. It's also set (more or less) in the real world.

Think of it as a modern-day Indiana Jones or Tintin*, with a heavy sprinkling of lethal firearms, the paranormal and non-conventional coloured hair. It's a RPG with paranormality and magic in the background, but not largely available to player characters, who will all be human. Expect a healthy mix of ancient tombs and gloomy metropolii, secret societies and megacorporations, vengeful gods and bounty hunters, musty tomes and conspiracy theories. *That's probably not the best explanation possible, but AI probably gets it better than me anyway, so talk to him. :p If I get some interest I'll put up some more background, and character sheets and stuff.

[AI]

AI heartily endorses this idea! :D

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to gorge myself on Sky Captain, Dan Dare and Batman: The Animated Series to prepare myself for the AWESOMENESS THAT IS TO COME! :D

[Nyerguds]

This little bit of text sucked me in more than the pre-'95 C&C1 trailer I saw 2 days ago. And let me tell you, that trailer blew me off my feet.

this RPG sounds awesome. It just needed the Carmina Burana playing on the background :p

[BlckWyerve]

Ooooooo fortunaaaa
:p

I would be interested (and would actually stick around! :p) but I wouldn't want to pollute your RPG with my lack of experience.

[VO]

Ooooooo fortunaaaa
:p

I would be interested (and would actually stick around! :p) but I wouldn't want to pollute your RPG with my lack of experience.

Less experiance might be a good thing. It might reduce the lack of cheezy in jokes. :p

Everyone's welcome. This isn't just for RPG forum veterans.

[BlckWyerve]

Aren't you supposed to do MORE in-jokes, just to confuse new people? :p

[CKW]

I've already bought a whip and left my stubble unshaved. I'm working in the grin too :P

[VO]

I've already bought a whip

:shifty: J_t :shifty:

[SW Freak]

Bad Voes! Down!

Shutting up. Sounds like fun. Fug the idea of limiting RPGs. The more we try, the better our chances, ne? Count me in.

[Statalyzer]

I am interested....

[Nyerguds]

hehe, less insider jokes could be a good thing... complete clean slate :)

[Wesforce]

Ver do I sign, herr Voes?

*takes out bizarre, painful-looking sticks held together by a chain that turns out to be a coat hanger*

[VO]

Right-o, looks like we easily have enough now. Anyone else is welcome too, though.

Here's the first chunk of background I'm gonna put up. There won't be that much background for this RPG, and very little of it will be essential reading as it's set in the real world. However, here are some made-up wikipedia articles:


Prometheus Global Services– wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prometheus Global Services is a US-based private military contractor and security firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. Prometheus provides a variety of services to both the public and private sectors, specialising in training, logistics, and support. Current CEO is ex-Navy Seal Keith Marshall.

Prometheus was formed by a number of ex-military individuals in 1992. It has been involved in providing ‘field teams’ to the U.S. military in theatres such as Bosnia, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo and Kuwait. Among the U.S. agencies it has worked for are the Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Justice, Department of Defence and Treasury Department. In 2005, Prometheus was involved in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. A company press release [1] confirms that Prometheus provided Airlifting, Humanitarian Support, Logistics, Transportation and Law Enforcement services.

It is one of the twenty-five or so private firms employed in the Iraq war to train Iraq’s new army and security services, guard officials and installations, and provide support for the occupation forces.

Voynix Corporation – wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Voynix is a publicly traded biotechnology company headquartered in Munich, Germany. Specialising in reproductive health and genetic manipulation it has six biotechnology products currently on the market, and at least twenty ongoing clinical and preclinical projects. In 2001, then-current Voynix CEO Max Ritter caused controversy with an outspoken and quickly revoked claim, that Voynix had functional facilities for human genetic engineering.

History

Voynix was founded in 1985 as Voynix Biotechnologies by eccentric Yale graduate Max Ritter and Carlos Mendinez. It achieved its first major successes in 1989 with the fertility drug Voyalin. In 1991, Mendinez withdrew all support the company, after an alleged boardroom dispute with Ritter. Despite Ritter’s public courting of controversy, Voynix went from strength to strength, establishing presences in The United States, South Korea, South Africa, Great Britain and Switzerland. By 2001, Voynix had approximately 5,000 staff worldwide.

Mendinez Departure.

Carlos Mendinez left Voynix suddenly in July 1991, only weeks before the launch of Voynix’s second product. Insider sources claimed ‘massive differences in the desired direction for the company’ and a series of heated boardroom arguments. Since leaving, Mendinez has become a recluse, using the vast wealth he acquired from Voynix and other successful investments to fund the Mendinez Foundation, an archaeological venture.
(See article – Mendinez Foundation)

Controversy

In December 2001, Max Ritter claimed to a journalist from the London newspaper The Custodian that “I wholeheartedly approve of the idea of human fulfilment through genetic engineering. Infact, Voynix expects to be able to go public with our first forays within the next year.” The claim caused a widespread backlash from scientists, politicians, and religious groups, which quickly lead to retractions of the statement by Voynix spokespeople, and Ritter’s resignation as CEO, although he still retained a presence in the corporation. The stock price was badly hit, eventually causing closure of all but the German, Korean, and South African offices and the selling off of a large proportion of Voynix’s assets, slashing employees to 1000 and renaming the company Voynix Corporation. Today, Voynix is a smaller, but respected, continuing manufacture of Voyalin, but also a mere shadow of its former self. As of 2005, Voynix Corporation is headed by CEO Walter Bartel.

Mendinez Foundation – wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

The Mendinez Foundation is a charitable organisation based in Lisbon, Portugal. which provides funding for archaeological projects in the Middle East. It is headed by reclusive former entrepreneur Carlos Mendinez, and was founded in 1992, shortly after his retirement from public life. The foundation’s goals are ‘To promote human understanding of the past, in preparation for the future’. It is currently funding projects in Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Libya. The market value of the Mendinez Foundation’s endowment in 2001 was $0.9 billion. Although rarely in the public eye, Mendinez is known to take a particular interest in many of the foundation’s investments.


There will be a bit more background (unlikely to be any more fictional corporations) and then a character sheet coming soon! Stay tuned!

[SW Freak]

Yeah, this should be fun. I can't wait.

[BlckWyerve]

Ooooo. :D

[VO]

hm, due to msn pressure I'm putting up the character sheet... although I'm not gonna start a character thread just yet. Could you pm me a quick synopsis of your character, if you intend to play? (You don't have to fill out the full sheet yet, just tell me what your deal is in a few sentances).

I realise I haven't given much info about characters yet. Basically, you should be a regular human, and be some kind of 'contact' for my character, who is a reporter... we can work out individual relationships later, but don't plan to be 'hired' in a Shadow sense.

Character Sheet:

Name: What’s your character’s name? Include any nicknames your character may have, if they’re the kind other characters would know.

Occupation: What job does your character do? Is he a private detective, an archaeologist, a mercenary, a hacker, a lawyer, a journalist, unemployed, or just about anything else under the sun.

Appearance: What does your character look like? What kind of clothes does he wear in everyday life? (Don’t worry about what you’d wear in another part of the world, even if we are probably going to go there)

Background: Where do you come from? Where are you now? Where do you think you’re going? Background for this RPG doesn’t have to be particularly deep for most characters, although if your character is exceptional for some reason, it would be a good idea to know why.

Personality: What does your character like? What doesn’t your character like? What’s their personality like?

Skills: What’s your character good at?

Residence: Where does your character live?

Resources: What resources can your character draw upon? Do they have a firearm available? A shelf of books on Ancient Egypt? A backstage pass to the Royal Ballet?
This section is designed to accommodate for the ‘gear’ section in other RPGs – in contacts, your character isn’t assumed to be carrying all their gear at once.

[SW Freak]

So, what's going on with this? If I sound impatient, I apologise. I'm simply curious.

[VO]

Stuff happening. Update soon.

[VO]

RAR, no proper update, but I'll try and give this a kick anyway.

I need a way to link the characters together, without the 'hiring' of shadow, or recruitment in any traditional sense, as I don't think it would feel right. As far as I can tell, there are two options for characters.

1. Your character knows mine, and can be called in as a contact. As mine is an investigative reporter, she knows quite a few people, from all walks of life. This might mean, however, that I don't introduce you at the start of the RPG.


2. Your character starts with their own plot thread. I like a certain degree of automity in RPGs, so if you want to do this, it's cool. We can merge the plots together at a later date. If someone wants to do this, just have a chat with me either via msn or pm (if you want my msn address, and don't have it, pm me and ask for it). Ideally, we can tie one or two other people's characters into your thread, so it's easier to pull everyone together. I don't plan to do much GMing in this, so if you're running your own initial thread, you're free to GM anyone else involved in it. :) Hopefully we can create something like the early ALOS, with multiple characters who seemed to me to have alot more freedom than in the current RPG quota, but without the chaos of 3 GMs each running their own main plot.


Basically, what I want from you guys then, if you still want to go ahead with this is:

A short description of your character, and whether you want me to work something into my starting plot with your character, or if you have an idea yourself.

Here's an example:

Erica is a twenty seven year old reporter, living in London. She gets drawn into investigating a series of copycat killings, which will lead onto the main plot. I can probably weave most other characters into this if needs be.

If anyone's still interested, just drop a short character idea in this thread. Don't put up a profile until we know what kind of numbers we'll have, and if the characters are suitable together (i.e we aren't all gun-toting mercenaries).

Edit: Contacts now has a wiki! (http://contactsrpg.pbwiki.com/) Get in touch with me if you want the password to edit.

[Wesforce]

I have a character :)

Helvin Ballard - Eton old boy, Civil Servant, and a dab hand with a Winchester 12-Gauge. A man in his early forties who looks tired beyond his years, concealing as they do a life full of Whitehall double-dealing, womanising and murder. A quiet man of few scruples, he nevertheless is at a crossroads in his life - That place you find yourself when it suddenly dawns on you you've been backing the wrong team all your life, and it might be time to make amends before you are lost forever. Repentance is his goal, death and sorrow shall be his travelling companions.

(VO, Helvin should fit perfectly into any need you have for a shadowy Government Mole type who wants to help, but I also have a plot for him too :color1: )

[VO]

I have a character :)
Helvin Ballard - Eton old boy, Civil Servant, and a dab hand with a Winchester 12-Gauge. A man in his early forties who looks tired beyond his years, concealing as they do a life full of Whitehall double-dealing, womanising and murder. A quiet man of few scruples, he nevertheless is at a crossroads in his life - That place you find yourself when it suddenly dawns on you you've been backing the wrong team all your life, and it might be time to make amends before you are lost forever. Repentance is his goal, death and sorrow shall be his travelling companions.
(VO, Helvin should fit perfectly into any need you have for a shadowy Government Mole type who wants to help, but I also have a plot for him too :color1: )

Woo that's awesome :D He should fit right in, want to PM me the plot idea?

[Statalyzer]

Would we need a seperate thread for each plot? Why not have 2 or 3 plots woven together in one thread, like a movie or book that jumps back and forth between stories in succeeding scenes/chapters?

[VO]

Would we need a seperate thread for each plot? Why not have 2 or 3 plots woven together in one thread, like a movie or book that jumps back and forth between stories in succeeding scenes/chapters?

I plan to bring the plots together fairly fast, so all in one thread.

[Statalyzer]

I think I plan 2 characters, one "good" contact and one bad guy like I mentioned in my PM a while back. My "bad guy" will probably just pop in for a couple of scenes and then be gone, to make things simpler.

Whats the deal with Wiki, I'd rather just keep stuff on here. Can I least just put a profile there for my more integral character and not the minor one? (I'll get around to checking the character details with you in the next couple of days, I haven't decided on everything yet)

[VO]

I think I plan 2 characters, one "good" contact and one bad guy like I mentioned in my PM a while back. My "bad guy" will probably just pop in for a couple of scenes and then be gone, to make things simpler.
Whats the deal with Wiki, I'd rather just keep stuff on here. Can I least just put a profile there for my more integral character and not the minor one? (I'll get around to checking the character details with you in the next couple of days, I haven't decided on everything yet)


The wiki is mainly for background and reference; nyerguds did a website for the origianal RPG on here, which I thought was a good idea so I tried to emulate it. The RPG, and character thread will be on here.

[Nyerguds]

My char can get involved due to a misunderstanding concerning her initials, which are the same as Erica Weybury's :p

Ooh, an anonymous note to Miss E.W. :D

[CKW]

I'm baack here!

[VO]

Hey Everyone!
Just checking - there's no-one out there who wants to join Contacts but hasn't mentioned it to me yet, is there?

So far I have:

VO
AI
CKW
Stat
Nyer
Wes
SWFreak
Anonomuss

and I'm waiting on Wes and Anon. for profiles.

If you want to join, you can still jump in later, but it would be beneficial to me to know asap that you want to, as I'm trying to plan a plot for us :)

[Statalyzer]

I don't mean to be impatient, but....i'm impatient. :uhh:

Just curious if we are waiting on a few more character profiles, or on a cohesive storyline.

[VO]

I don't mean to be impatient, but....i'm impatient. :uhh:
Just curious if we are waiting on a few more character profiles, or on a cohesive storyline.

I'm waiting for Wes and Anonomuss, as both have told me that they were going to do profiles and haven't posted one yet. CKW also seems to be thinking about changing his character. I'll probably try and start it next weekend if we haven't heard anything by then.

I have a storyline figured out, but want all the characters before I start anything. I'm going to need a bit of time to get a cohesive first post together when the profiles are ready, too.

[Wesforce]

Sorry I've been a bit slack and distracted of late. As far as I know you already have most of my important details though... If there's anything you need specifically I can e-mail you before I write my char up proper. Any good?

[VO]

Sorry I've been a bit slack and distracted of late. As far as I know you already have most of my important details though... If there's anything you need specifically I can e-mail you before I write my char up proper. Any good?

Right-o. You have an intro at least now, so as long as the profile comes eventually it should be fine. :) I think I'm going to use your plot.


Anonomuss: Do you still want to play?


A couple-a things for everyone:

1) Can everyone put a timestamp on their posts? I don't plan on having one big group so this will make keeping track of events easier.

2) If I don't seem to have given you something obvious to do, then use your initiative - within reason. If there's something I don't want you to do, I'll probably have told you about it.

3) Does anyone not want other people to be able to borrow their character? (there's a post by Lefire somewhere about 'Bunnyhopping' which demonstrates what I mean)

Contacts should be starting soon.

[Nyerguds]

1) Can everyone put a timestamp on their posts? I don't plan on having one big group so this will make keeping track of events easier.
Ehh... what do you mean by timestamp? The forum does that anyway...

[VO]

Ehh... what do you mean by timestamp? The forum does that anyway...

RPG-relative timestamp. :p So we can keep track of the characters if events aren't occuring concurrently.

Such as 10.01pm, July 28th

[Nyerguds]

oooh. I see. That should also give the RPG a more realistic time scale... most RPG's up till now seemed to have 10 pages of RPG material happening on one day :p

[VO]

oooh. I see. That should also give the RPG a more realistic time scale... most RPG's up till now seemed to have 10 pages of RPG material happening on one day :p

Yeah, that was the plan :p

Although we don't need uber-detailed accounts of characters going to the toilet and such :p


Contacts should be up soon; I have the first post mostly done, but I'm in London for the weekend so I may not give it the once-over until some time next week.

[Statalyzer]

If someone is thinking about using my character for something more than just a reply in a conversation just PM me. I'll respond within almost for sure and often sooner since I'm usually on this site a couple of times a day.

I think generous use of PMing among players makes for a better RPG since people can coordinate things. Like I've already PMed one player about something that could happen between our characters if things turned out right.

[SW Freak]

Ditto. I think I envision my characters a bit differently than you guys might. Thanks.

Also, Anonomuss is away on holidays, so we can probably assume he won't be here for the start of the RPG. I'll ping you updates.

[Statalyzer]

RPG-relative timestamp. :p So we can keep track of the characters if events aren't occuring concurrently.

Such as 10.01pm, July 28th

Also, it'd be good to put "July 28th" with the month spelled out instead of using numbers, so we don't have the confusion between 28/7 and 7/28 that depends on where you live. I mean with July 28th it's obvious, but with July 8th, it might not be.

[VO]

Hey everyone

Just a quick question - I'm going to be away and quite probably without net access from the 1st to the 10th of July, so should I unlock Contacts before then?

Bloodlines will go up anyway, as it has other GMs, but as it's only me for Contacts, and it's more story driven, I'd like your opinions.

[Statalyzer]

I'd like it unlocked so we can go ahead and start posting.

RPGs die out early so often, we'd better get it going before people forget.

[SW Freak]

Aye, the speed some of us post (Yes, I am most definitly including myself in that statment), you prolly won't miss much when you're away :p

[Statalyzer]

Well darnit.

[Statalyzer]

Can it be unlocked yet?

[VO]

Sorry everyone. I'm a lazy bum.

If there's a problem with the first post, assume it's fixed even though it's not, I'll go through and sort it out later.

[Nyerguds]

um... meant to ask you this earlier but... is that guy dead?

Or is that all up to me?

[Statalyzer]

Well, since he got up out of the limo and staggered over to her, he's not necessarily dead I would think.

Oh yeah, guys, and let's start updating the wiki as we post...

[Daishi]

Edit: wrong thread.

[Statalyzer]

Dashi, check your PMs.

[Daishi]

We need more support (like one more man to be precise) to keep Contacts going... and most of you come here at least once per month. Seriously, people, lets get started: I like Contacts, I don't want to see it die, especially not when you only have my last post to blame. :|

[Statalyzer]

I'd post, but I want there to be 3 or 4 people here, not just me and Dashi going back and forth and leaving everyone else behind.

[VO]

Yeah.

I think it's pretty clear now that contacts doesn't have the support to run. I'm locking and unstickying it.