Answer the Phone: A Matrix RPG

[SW Freak]

Enter the Matrix...

What if someone was to tell you today that you've been living a dream? That you're not really who you think you are? That the world as you know it simply does not exist? That every visage of freedom you ever thought you possesed was a lie?

If they were to tell you today that you were a slave, what would you do?

Some would act as though that person was insane. Others may ignore their words, acting as though they have not heard a truth too large to comprehend. Others still would deny it outright, too comfortable in their false lives to accept the truth.

For the few that can accept it, a greater impossibility awaits. Your world is a dream. It's time to wake up.
_______________________________________________________________

You all know the premise of the Matrix, so I needn't go into too much detail on that part.

This RPG is set close to seven decades after the last movie. All of the main players in the great war are dead. The peace between the humans and the machines is still in place, though it is a frayed and troubled one. Both sides remain wary of the other, but certain actions are tolerated. The machines allow the humans to show denziens of the Matrix the truth, if the target of enlightenment knows that something is wrong with the world. Humans likewise accept the rules layed out for them; they may not actively spread the message, only seek out those who have realised for themselves.

EDIT: I should have added: There are still agents. Their destruction was one of the things the machines were unwilling to agree to.
________________________________________________________________

That's basically all you need to know right now. If people are interested in doing a Matrix RPG I'll post the specifics (I.E Player Vs. Player combat system, character sheet and such.) later. I'm kinda...out of it right now, so just ask me about anything I mightn't have mentioned. Please remember this is just a very, very, very limited view of what's happening. I just thought I'd give you guys a timeframe and a premise.

[Statalyzer]

I'm interested, but I don't know the SOP for RPGs (unless those Army Men threads on the Spam Dump were a good example).

[Desolator12]

Meh... this might be better than the Matrix Online that'll be coming out soon :p

oh the irony...

[Artificial Idiot]

I'm interested, but I don't know the SOP for RPGs (unless those Army Men threads on the Spam Dump were a good example).

Everything you ever wanted to know about the RPG forum but were afraid to ask. (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4479)

[SW Freak]

So...is that three I can scribble down as interested or what? I think I'll start posting the specifics once we have six, and then wait a while longer for anyone else to join.

[Master Chris]

This could be interesting SW, depends on a few factors.

Main problem is that we might get 'Neo-mark II' characters, you know, impossible to kill, can fly, morph, etc etc. There has to be some serious control over characters.

Question: Are players limited to being humans (awaken or not), or can we be agents, programs, etc etc?

If so, will there be player versus player combat? (I very, very seriously suggest that there isn't, which means the answer to question 2 *should* be 'humans only')

[SW Freak]

Main problem is that we might get 'Neo-mark II' characters, you know, impossible to kill, can fly, morph, etc etc. There has to be some serious control over characters.

Of course. That goes without saying. That's why I chose this time frame as opposed to before the movies, so that there would be no One.

Question: Are players limited to being humans (awaken or not), or can we be agents, programs, etc etc?

If so, will there be player versus player combat? (I very, very seriously suggest that there isn't, which means the answer to question 2 *should* be 'humans only')

Well, I'm just wondering about that. I mean, conflict is a major part of any RPG. And most RPGs I've been in, PvP combat has worked out reasonably well.

However, having said that, with the story I have in mind players will have a much bigger part (As well as easier involvement) as humans. You can play as a virus, a program gone over to the side of the humans, but beyond that, I doubt I will allow people to RP "bad guys." Leave that part up to me.

[Statalyzer]

Anybody else?

[SW Freak]

Well, I guess I'll post the man info and such, and if'n anyone else wants to join, they can.

The stuff'll be up tomorrow. Possibly.

[SW Freak]

Just because the humans and machines are not openly at war doesn't mean that there's no fighting. While the two rarly fight, there are other factions who are constantly causing trouble as they work for their own benefit.

The biggest of the minor factors are the viruses, and humans, under the Merovingians orders. The Merovingian is in charge of all types of smuggling, be they drugs, weapons or people. He has groups of heavily armed gunslingers at his beck and call to eliminate anyone who tried to muscle in on his territory. If the Merovingian wants to be found, he generally can be in the fancy resteraunt off Wilsons and 3rd. (Unplayable, but will most likely play a part)

Other minor factions include:

Persephone: The former wife of the Merovingian went renegade shortly after Neo's death. She broke away from her husband's illegal activities and formed a base of operations disguised as a bordello (Go figure.) in an alley off Grafton Street. She offers help of any sort to any who can return the favour in anyway. She is still looking for love, an emotion she has never yet experienced, and so an act of romance may get you more than any simple exchange could. (Restricted. If you can give me a good reason to be one you can.)

Entropy: This is a group of renegade programs and humans who, for whatever reason, are hell bent on bringing the Matrix offline permanently. They don't care what this will do to the millions who are still plugged in, or to themselves, but they are almost religious in their belief that if they can just get rid of the machines, everything will be better. They will attack humans from Zion as they feel that they have betrayed themselves to the machines. They have no base of operations in the Matrix, and outside they continuallly move about in a fleet of hovercrafts. (Unplayable)

The oracle: Though no-one has seen her in decades, the Oracle still spreads her word through messangers. People she feels should be warned will be tipped off and then meet with one of the many programs who work for the Oracle.(Unplayable, but will most probably play a part)

The neutrals: Though not strictly a faction, there are still alot of these. The neutrals are the ones who have no side, no allies, no homes to go to. They may have tipped off the agents to one of the Merovingian's deals, murdered someone in Zion or gone against protocal. Whatever the reason, they have been exiled into the Matrix, never to return to where they belong. (Playable)

The two major factions, humans and machines, shouldn't need any explanation. Humans are playable, machines are not. I'll control any enemies. It's simply easier that way, and it means you know who you can kill.

I'll go into skills and location next. If you have any questions, ask away.

[SW Freak]

Okay, as I said, here are the skills. I put these in to avoid getting a god-like character. You can have any 3 abilities. No more, no less. RW driving skill is a different skill to IM driving skills. You can have both, but only one more skill.

Driving: This skill is split into two characteristics.
1) RW: This refers to driving skills in the real world. Perhaps your character is particularly adapt at manipulating an APU or piloting a hovercraft. You'll have to specify. If your character is an operator (And yes, you can be) they would probably have some skill in piloting a hovercraft.
2) IM: This is the skill of driving inside the Matrix. Be it a motorbike or a sports car, or even a freight tanker, your character can drive it. You should state wheter your character has a preference, just in terms of flavour. It won't actually make a difference.

Hand to hand fighting: This one should be obvious. This is your skill in the ancient art of butt-whup, whichever style that may be. Swords and stuff like that count as hand to hand, if your character uses them. In terms of flavour, you should mention which fighting style you use, if you know one. (Butt-whup doesn't count as one)

Guns: This is another obvious one. All your skills with guns of any sort are represented in this catagory. If your character has this skill, then he's proficient in every sort of weapon, from shotguns to pistols. If you like, he can have a preference of weapon. Guns in the real world, both mounted (Ala hovercraft chainguns) and carried (electric gun), fall under this skill as well. Doesn't make much difference, it's simply, again, just for flavour.

Acrobatics: This is your character's skill in bending the rules of the Matrix and, in some cases, just plain bending. Everything, from somersaults to long jumps (You know the kind; hopping from building to building in a series of bounds.), is covered here.

Operator: If your character is to be the operator of a hovercraft, they must have this skill. It's the ability to read and interpret the code. Skilled operators can see even the most minute changes in the patch of the Matrix they're monitoring and, unless there's a violent distortion of the code, can follow their charges anywhere.

Diplomat: Not everyone in the Matrix has to be a fighter anymore. A diplomat has the gift of the silver tounge; not exactly a liar, but he can bend the truth sometimes. He can talk himself out of almost any corner and defuse even the most hostile situations. (This one will work with mot NPCs. Put up a good arguement, and they'll generally stop trying to kill you. If, for whatever reason, a PC is pissed with you they'll have to be the ones to stop. Sometimes they can be talked out of fighting someone, or doing something stupid. It's the PC's discression.)

I know I said I'd go into location, but I'm actually really zoned out right now. I'm gonna' have to do it later. Sorry.

Again, any questions, just ask.

[Artificial Idiot]

Colour me curious and count me in. :color4:

[VO]

SW, I'm interested. Don't count me in just yet, but I PROBABLY will participate. :)

[Wesforce]

Me too.

Btw its 'Persephone', not 'Penelope' :scared: lol

[SW Freak]

Sheeeeeeet...this is what comes from sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation comes from staying up too late and working on homework. Even though I wasn't working on homework while staying up late...

Theory: School will fusk you up.

Anyway, next up is the location and proper form for posting characters.

[SW Freak]

There isn't really much to say on the location. It starts off in "Mega City". Mega City is the name given to the New York-esque city that most humans frequent. It is based on New York, but with many basic differences. (I.E an alley where there was none in real life. That sort of thing.) No one's really tried to map the Matrix properly, but in the years since the treaty, it was realised that the whole world wasn't portrayed within it; only North and South America. All other nations had been merely tricks of the computer. Any human who felt inclined to go vacationing was sent into a coma after leaving human sight, had false memories planted into their mind and were then shipped "home". There are lands beyond America, but where they are, and what they hold, is a mystery.

Next is the character sheet. You'll find it below with all the info you'll need. I'll start a new thread for posting your characters.

Name: This is your name. Duh. Names are usually based on either people from mythology (I.E Hercules) or something to do with computers (Like calling yourself Ram).

Skills: Which have been outlined above. If you want to be the driver of a hovercraft you'll obviously need the RW driving skill. Remember, only three.

Gender: If you need this one explained to you, you're not allowed play.

Age: Read previous sentence.

Appearance: Divided into two catagories.
1) RW. Your time out of the Matrix will affect this. If you're just out, you'll be a scrawny, pale little bugger with no hair. If you've been out for years you may have a head full of luscious locks, muscles you can crack rocks off and an enormous...nevermind. Ignore that last part.
2) IM: Again, your time out of the Matrix will affect this. A newcomer to the real world will look the same as they've always looked, wear the same clothes, so on. Someone who's used to jumping between the worlds will be able to choose what they wear, and will usualy settle on one style. Most of the time, they'll still look like their real world counterparts, but with some bitchin' clothes (Please don't kill me for using the word bitchin' in a serious sentence)

Background: Where'd ya come from, where'd ya go, where'd ya come from, etc. What's your character's story? Why does he get up every morning? What makes them different from the thousands others in the world? Is there a particular group that they hate?

Manner: How does your character act? Is he prone to outbursts of uncontrolable rage or is he like that all the time?

Weapons: The stuff you use to kill people. If you're going to be naming guns and such, try to post links to pictures of them.

If you'll just PM me your character sheets, and I'll okay them. Once more, any problems and I'll gladly do my best to sort it out. Once I start getting characters, I'll start the character thread.

[SW Freak]

I just have one question: how would people feel if one, and I mean only one, of my characters had four skills? I can understand if you say no. It's just that it'd help in terms of the RPG itself...

Anyway, the charcter thread is going up now. Once the characters are set in stone I'll bung up the OOC/brainstorming/rules thread and the RPG itself.

[Artificial Idiot]

heh, you're the boss. I'm fine if you go for it. :color2:

[Statalyzer]

Go ahead and make a 4-skilled dude/chick.

I'll play; it'll take me a few days to getting around to a character sheet.

[Artificial Idiot]

Hey, SW Freak, you can always shorten "Answer the phone" to ATP at the start of threads. As we agreed awhile back that you could take on three letters for a subtitle like thing (so ALOS/S0 was called "RPG", Winds of change "WOC", etc.)

[SW Freak]

Oh yeah...

Very well! I decree that Answer the Phone shall now be known as ATP!

If it's alright with you guys. :p

[SW Freak]

Okay, sorry to double post but I feel something needs clarifying.

Since there's the peace nowadays, humans don't have to fly out in their hovercraft to jack into the matrix. They can do it from Zion, if they so wish. Jacking in from Zion offers some problems, though. Certain restrictions were put in place to stop people from commiting crimes and causing mayhem. For this reason, some teams go out into the Tunnels to jack in, just in case. As such, hovercrafts leaving Zion are very closely monitered.

[Statalyzer]

Are guns and hand-to-hand combat real world or matrix abilities? Also, Mega-City is in the Matrix, right?

[SW Freak]

Both skills are either world, but it stands to reason that a character will have more flair in the Matrix than in the Real World.

And Mega City is the alternet New York. It's in the Matrix.

[SW Freak]

Update: I'm adding a new skill that I feel I should have added earlier.

Hacking: Should be obvious. Most unfreed humans have this skill, and so have many freed ones, if that's what they need to do. It's the ability to bypass security systems, shut down electric alarms, plant viruses, etc. This skill corresponds with the operator skill in that if a PC has both, then both skills are increased. An operator who is also a hacker already has a good understanding of the code, and will be able to work faster than operators who just have the operator skill. It also works the other way; if a hacker sits at the operator's computer banks, they'll have some knowledge of what to do, sheerly by way of instinct.

That's all for now...I think.

[SW Freak]

Update #2: I am adding more skills at the request of several future members of this RPG. You know who you are. Remember, you brought this upon yourself...

Some things may get kinda complicated now. My minds really buzzing with these possibilities.

Focus: This is a purely In Matrix skill. It's basically bullet time. A character who is skilled at focusing themselves can move faster than others for a short period (One post.). Not fast enough to dodge bullets like Neo, mind. But definitly fast enough to find some cover as the bullets start flying. Focus can't be used all the time. It takes some time to build up the energy to do it again (Wait of two posts. Long enough in a fight). Focus can be used for a lot of things; chasing after cars as they begin to drive away, flipping over bad guys, running away from irate husbands who's wifes you have been...conversing with(just because it's not real doesn't mean it's not fun.) If you have both the acrobatics skill and focus, you can dodge things easier and make more spectacular leaps and such. (Say someone is attacking you with a sword; If you posses both skills, you can not only dodge the sword but you can flip over their head, kicking them in the face at the same time. Or some such.)

Natural World Code Manipulation(Aka NWCM): This is another In Matrix skill. Pay attention. This one has a lot of paticulars. Weather systems and animals are all artificially created, shaped from the code. Someone who knows how can form the nessecary lines of code to aid themselves in some way.
These ways are:

Rain storm: Like it says. This can be helpful if you're being chased by a vehicle, so that they skid out. It can also obscure vision since it falls so thick. (Lasts till manipulator stops concentrating.)

Lightning strike: Just so it's not a god weapon, this form of manipulation is inacurate. At best, you'll probably hit your enemy once every ten times. At worst, you'll zap yourself or your team mates. (Lasts one post)

Snow storm/ice: This one can be used to freeze something immeadiatly, provided it's not living. Living beings have too high a body temperature to be frozen in one post. Depending on the thing, I'll decide how long it takes to freeze. (lasts till the manipulater stops concentrating)

Call swarm of dogs/cats/birds/etc: Obviously, this calls a number of a certain type of animal into being. They won't be smart, but they're obedient. Use common sense; you can obviously call in more bees than dogs, but only one large cat, like a tiger. (Lasts till manipulater stops concentrating.)

Pea soup fog: Good for hiding in. (Lasts as long as manipulater concentrates.)

Hurricane force winds: This doesn't actually call in the cyclone of air, but instead causes winds of hurricane strenght to eminate from the area surrounding the manipulator. It doesn't affect people behind the manipulator, only those in front. A strong opponent can resist them, or hang onto something. I'll decide what happens. (Lasts one turn.)

Healing: This one is interesting. It was discovered only a short time ago, but has proved usefull to those who learn it. It was found that healing inside the Matrix was, apart from the various syrums injected while inside the pods, controlled by a certain code. Healing isn't instantainious. It takes a while, depending on the wound (Minimum is one post long). It can't be used to regrow limbs, but it can be used to reknit skin and bone, so lost limbs can be reattached. It can be used to stop bleeding, if not close a wound entirly. (Lasts as long as manipulator is concentrating.)

Telekinisis: The power to lift things with your mind. It's not without consiquences. For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. You can only easily lift something that you could easily lift with your hands. If you wouldn't be able to lift it with your hands, then the world has to compensate; more often than not, the reaction of weight would force you into the ground. Though in some peculiar cases, the psycic's head has imploded. (Lasts untill manipulator stops concentrating.)

Transmorgification: This is the ability to change one thing into another. Like changing water into wine, for example. It only works on inorganic material. You can't turn your enemy's head into taffy. This skill can be used to change programs with extreme concentration (Three posts' worth at least. Depends on what you're trying to do.) (Lasts forever)

Mind block: A character trained in this ability is able to institute mental blocks in an opponent's mind. The person in whom's brain the blocks have been placed will find themselves unable to think straight and, if the character is truly skilled, think at all, effectivly rendering them harmless. (Lasts as long as manipulator concentrates.)

The sub skills are split again into sub groups.
These are:

Weather control: Rain storm, lightning strike, snow storm, pea soup fog, hurricane winds.

And

Psychic powers: Swarm, healing, telekinisis, transmorgification, mind block.

When trying to manipulate the world, the character has to concentrate for one turn. In the next turn, the manipulation takes place. If a character is interupted they must start over. With most of the NWCM sub-skills, the character cannot move themselves while concentrating as it takes so much will power to keep the changes in place. With the Call Swarm sub skill, however, the character can move around, provided they keep their mind set on keeping the swarm in place. A character who has both NWCM and focus can change the world in one post. Each sub group is a seperate skill of it's own, so you can have both but only one other skill. In your character sheet, simply put NWCM: Weather Control or NWCM: Psychic powers.

"Wallcrawling": This is the general term for those practically impossible stunts that freed humans pull off so easily in the Matrix. Be it running along the wall in time with techno music or jumping twenty feet into the air and putting your fist through the wooden floor of the dojo as you land, this is the skill you need. If you don't have it, you can still try. But everyone will laugh at you as you fall flat on your face.

Languages: A helpful skill for a diplomat. Obviously, this is skill with languages. Any language. A character with this skill can speak just a fluently in Chinese as they can in German(not to mention English). If you're going to be speaking a different language, but it's important that I, as GM, know what you're saying, please PM me.

Precision: This goes hand in hand with the gun and hand to hand skill. Sure, any eejit can sling guns and fire bullets off in any old direction, but how many can actually concentrate a group of five bullets in a small area, i.e. someone's throat. With hand to hand skill, this is the ability to inflict just the right damage to incapacitate your enemy while leaving him with the ability to talk if need be.

Stealth: The ability to sneak. Duh. It'll work on most characters, unless there are special circumstances. I'll alert a PC someone's sneaking up on if they detect them. Not that you would be sneaking up on a PC, right?

Courage: This can sometimes be a bit of an anti-skill when possesed by a stupid character. With this skill, your character fears nothing. Not death, not agents, not war. Nothing. Courageous characters can generally rally their team mates into action, giving them the equivilant of a slap on the back and a "Let's jolly well go out there and hit them for six" speech. However, sometimes brave PCs rush in without properly assesing the situation. Sometimes the coward is the last one standing.

15 skills...that's all for now. If I can think of any others, I'll bung 'em down here. As always, questions are welcome.

READ THIS POST CAREFULLY! STUPID QUESTIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

[SW Freak]

Y'know, this may be spam but by this point I don't really care. I just need to know if anyone is actually still interested in this RPG. So far, I've received one test character, and nothing more. Do people still want this to go ahead? Have you given up? What is going on, peoples?

[GMP]

Wasn't there a character thread soemwhere? I posted in there.

[SW Freak]

No, no, gimp. See, your's didn't count because you didn't pm me any drafts and didn't ask me if it was okay. Y'see, that's the point of the PMs. Frankly, I didn't like your chara.

[Statalyzer]

I'm still in, just been gone over Thanksgiving...will pm soon, but I have more questions:

1)What's the difference between acrobatics and wallcrawling?

2)What's the use of stealth if you "wouldn't be sneaking up on PCs"?

[SW Freak]

Oh yeah...American holidays are different to Irish ones...

1) Well, acrobatics are things that would be possible normally. Wallcrawling are the imposibilities.

2)Basically, unless I'm feeling bitchy, any NPC you sneak up on won't know you're there.

[Statalyzer]

I still don't get it - how is bending the rules of the Matrix and jumping across skyscrapers normally possible?

[SW Freak]

Okay, now that you mention it I should make long jump a wall crawling ability.

Acrobatics lets you do stuff that any normal human could do. Back flips and the like. I realise I messed it up a bit, but I kinda added wallcrawling as an afterthought.

[SW Freak]

In the name of realism (Pah...) I am ammending a rule. Or instituting it. Or something.

Even if your character doesn't have the hand to hand fighting skill, they can still throw a punch. It simply means that they'll only be able to beat on other inexperienced fighters, and then only if they're lucky. If they fight someone with the actual skill they get their ass, spleen, kidney and any other body part handed to them. In the form of mince.

[SW Freak]

ALERT: I've been waiting for a while now. If you guys are interested, send me at least some inclination as such. Some of you have, yes, but on the most part I feel this RPG is lacking in characters. I'm afraid that if we have nothing by the first week of January, this RPG will be doomed.

[Nyerguds]

I'm interested, actually... got a pretty unique char in mind too. But the 3 skill thing kindda bothers me. Sure, people can't have an endless amount of skills... but on the other hand, people of Zion can learn martial arts in five minutes.

[SW Freak]

Yeah, but look at it elsewise; they've been at peace. These programs would have slipped into disuse in the fifty years past. At some point, I may introduce your characters to someone who still knows them, but till then you're stuck with three, boyo.

[Nyerguds]

Won't help me... the char I got in mind wouldn't be able to use them.

PMing now... hope you like him :p

[SW Freak]

Nyer, Stat, as the only two who gave me full characters, do you guys want to go ahead with it? Or shall I just try this same RPG another time?

[J-Man]

Is it too late to get in? This looks realy interesting.

[SW Freak]

Well...the official deadline was supposed to be last Sunday...

Aw screw it. Give us a character and hop in.

[J-Man]

Well...the official deadline was supposed to be last Sunday...

Aw screw it. Give us a character and hop in.

OK, I'll PM it to you soon.

[Nyerguds]

Nyer, Stat, as the only two who gave me full characters, do you guys want to go ahead with it? Or shall I just try this same RPG another time?
Hm? Aren't the others full enough?

But sure... I can go ahead with it. I'm REALLY curious about how this RPG will be done :)

[edit]
OMG SW Freak... you got 666 posts :D

[SW Freak]

That was actually before the others joined.

And DAMN! I didn't notice. If I had, I would've had someone freeze my count. :p

I realize it's rather late to be making drastic changes to the game, but still. I feel this RPG would run smoother without the skill limitations. From now on, all characters have all skills except for a few exceptions, which are:

Diplomat

Operator

NWCM

Languages

Stealth

Courage

If you want any of this skills, alter your character sheet to include the ones you want and exclude the ones you already have. There's no limitation on the above skills that your character has, but I would prefer if you didn't take them all :p If I feel your updated character is too powerful, I'll ask you to change it. If I do so, remember one thing: resistance is futile...

Your ass will be laminated. That is all.