| |
| WELCOME NEW CHARACTERS ◀
Thank you for visiting our OOC community! Here are some pieces of code available for new characters, as well as a general space for introductions and other announcements.
▼ INTRODUCTORY DOSSIER
You have the option of introducing your character using this dossier template. To use it, copy-paste it into a new entry, check Disable Auto-Formatting, and fill out all sections marked with ***. At the present time, the code is quite long, so the Find function (or CTRL+F) may be helpful!
Demo here. Please let us know if you encounter problems.
▼ IC INBOX
( Code )
▼ REMINDER: CR MEME
This is especially important if you're new-- don't forget to comment here and establish what your character did offscreen, between the point of extraction to their game introduction. Of course, this is also a good place to build future hooks!
STATE OF THE GAME ◀
Click on the above link to access the State of the Game for April and May 2015. This post features a summary of metaplot that has transpired and hints and tips about where to go from there, as well as OOC housekeeping updates. | |
|
| Good evening, Systemwide.
It's not without great sadness that we are announcing the end of Systemwide. We realise this may come as a surprise for many of you. Only recently, we lessened Activity Check in an attempt to better fit it to the game (which worked well), and before that, we welcomed some fantastic new characters into the fold. We have players who have been here from the beginning, and have been endlessly supportive in giving feedback, participating in events, generating ideas, and helping with recruitment. By no means is this decision an easy one to make.
We feel, as mods, our own ambitions are outweighed by what is achievable in a Dreamwidth format, the size of our playerbase, and the time commitments necessary to see our plot goals through. We have considered other options, such as converting the game into a musebox or putting it to vote, but ultimately, that isn't the format we as mods signed on to oversee, and it's not the format people apped to join, and we do not want to redistribute pressure on to others to keep it alive.
In the end, we are opting for a clean break, and do not wish to prolong that conclusion. Apps/reserves are closed, and we will no longer be GMing or NPCing. If anyone desires to finish out their own threads or create new ones for closure, then that is of course fine, we won't be locking down the communities for some time.
We're sorry it could not continue on longer. It's been a great experience, and you've all been entirely wonderful. Thank you, so much, for your time and creativity.
Samm and China, Systemwide mods. | |
|
| ▶ A MESSAGE FROM HEDAA message from an unknown location has snared the attention of the Council of Zion, claiming to talk on behalf of Heda, a pirate captain that has gained substantial notoriety in recent years. The particulars of her notoriety are likely vague even amongst those Zion denizens that care to keep track, but at the very least, no substantial tales of wanton violence against the ZDG are attached to her name. Still, pirate is pirate. The message was an encrypted audio file, which will be shared with those who involve themselves in the coming mission. [ The quality of the audio is not high, static buzzes through the background, but when analyzed it becomes clear it is intentional white noise drone, drowning out anything but the voice speaking. ]
I speak for Heda.
[ That voice is a little scratchy too. It is steady and firm, and obviously a woman's. She clearly assumes that name will be recognized and does not require introduction. ]
I will be at [ coordinates ] at 1500 hours on September 8 to speak with your representatives. As a demonstration of good faith, Heda provides the attached information. [ The file attached is titled HydenLamarr-Route. ] ▶ A DIPLOMATIC ENVOYCommander Gwisin has volunteered the Vindemiatrix to head for this location and engage in conversation -- and, if necessary, battle, should it turn ugly. The objective is to discover the essence of Heda's message and the meaning of the route being given. This plot is open to volunteers who will help staff the Vindemiatrix. It is a ZDG mission in essence, with some exceptions to those who have diplomatic credibility or other skills, such as advanced technical/hacking ability, or those who have proven themselves prior. If you would like to be involved, please comment to the volunteers comment thread below. This interaction with the plot will be network based, with a post that will go up on September 8, limited to volunteers. ▶ QUESTIONSIf you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the corresponding comment thread! | |
|
| We're missing activity for the following characters: If you have activity for the month of August, please post it here by September 3! If you need an exemption, PM this account. | |
|
| ▶ THE ZION DEFENCE GRID▼ STATE OF THE CREWSIn the wake of the catastrophe of Olympus, the ZDG is once again suffering shortage and set backs, with patrolling missions sent to civilian outposts spreading the fleet thin, although there have been no other machine strikes since.
Various ships were grounded in the aftermath for extensive repairs, most notable being the Nidhoggr, the extent of the damage putting it on the market for private interest. Tony Stark has since capitalised on this opportunity and word has it is looking for a civilian crew to outfit it for research purposes. (An OOC organisational comment here will go up for the interested.) The Phoenix is also currently grounded for reparation and eventual reassignment. ▼ AWAY ON BUSINESSThe Atalanta were last reported to be attending to some kind of retrieval and interrogation mission, targeting an important AI presence. Information will be disseminated upon mission completion and wrap up. ▶ ITEM DROPSystemwide's first Item Drop is now live, and will remain open until midnight September 1. This is an opportunity for characters to receive an item through mysterious means taken directly from their home world, or the chance to enter a lottery for something more unusual.
Characters will receive their items on September 7. ▶ FRACTIOUS NATUREWith the appearance of the Architect last month delivering his own cryptic warning, questions about nature of the enemy simmer amongst those who care to speculate about such things. Many do not, but some do. If the agenda of the Machines is more mysterious than once assumed, what else is there to be discovered about what they want? And what of the Machines could possibly be older than the Oracle, or the Architect himself?
But maybe you shouldn't be listening to even very handsome artificial intelligences anyway. ▶ HOUSEKEEPING▼ ACTIVITY CHECKWe have adjusted our activity requirements, beginning this round (August 24-31) and continuing. This means we will require lighter activity check proofs that we hope will encourage posting especially. We will continue to monitor these kinds of processes to ensure they match our game environment and pace.
The current activity check is now open, so remember to submit your proofs before midnight August 31! ▼ ENABLE ME MEMEWe have posted an informal Enable Me Meme that you are welcome to share and of course, post to! You can find it on the admin Plurk for replurking purposes as well. ▶ KEY DATESActivity Check: August 24-31
Test Drive: September 15 (Current Post)
Reserves: Currently Open
Applications: Currently Open | |
|
| ▶ SWAGWelcome to our very first ITEM DROP REQUEST! All characters are eligible to receive one (1) gift item, to be delivered in the Real under mysterious circumstances. All items must meet the following criteria: - Apparently derived from your character's "home" Matrix (for unplugged characters). For Native characters, this item may derive from any Matrix they have operated for or heard of in detail
- Objects that are (or have been) generally desired by the character on some level, although their emotional response may be complicated/bittersweet
- Inanimate objects only
- Organic material may be available, but is not guaranteed
- No larger or heavier than a normal healthy adult can carry
- No supernatural/magical properties (such items may outwardly appear as they did in the Matrix, but be completely depowered or be enhanced with extremely similar technology)
- Technology no more or only slightly more advanced than that which is available in Zion. For example, a small "hovercycle" (motorcycle using miniaturized levitation technology) may be possible, but an arc reactor will not
- Items that require batteries or ammunition will come with a limited supply (examples below)
- No weapons of mass destruction or other items likely to unbalance the game
Your character can acquire sentimental items, such as photographs, videos/holo-videos, or personal memorabilia, but weapons and unusual technology will also be possible. Some more examples: an outfit, milk (dairy), a sword, a pistol with a full chamber of bullets (or a bow with 5 arrows), an iPod (having music) with one rechargeable battery, a guitar, a violin and bow. Additionally we will have 3 wildcard objects to be assigned randomly! Some of these items are simply unusual, while others are directly plot relevant. If you wish to enter in this lottery, respond 'YES' to the relevant form question. Receiving a wildcard object automatically forfeits your "home Matrix" item request. To receive an item, please fill out the form below for your character, and then comment with it below! The deadline to submit is September 1, 2015 (at 11:59PM EST). If your item is not approved, the mods will respond within 3 days and you will have another 48 hours to submit revisions for approval. All characters will receive their item on September 7, 2015. | |
|
| ▶ ACTIVITY CHECKPlease deposit your activity proofs here before 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, August 31. We require only one of the following options: ONE post in either ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png) systemcritical or subsystem
THREE consecutive log comments in systemcritical
FIVE consecutive network comments in subsystem Top-levels count as one comment in the thread; action tags from the network community can count for your three log comments if desired. If you need an exemption, PM this account. If this is your first AC round as a new character, you are exempt from needing to provide AC! If you have any questions, you can review the rules here or contact us for help. | |
|
| Friends, I really hate to do this, but real life is such that I can't give this game the focus and energy it deserves, and I don't feel like I'll be able to do so in the immediate future either. So I am going to be dropping Emily. Please feel free to handwave that she fell by the wayside sometime before the current Atlanta mission, since I've not tagged in on that log.
You guys are fantastic and I love this setting, so maybe I will be re-apping in the future when I'm able. Stay frosty, and I hope I see you around. | |
|
| ▶ ATPThe monthly ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) app_this_plz posts will go up on Saturday, August 29. The mod team will post a game ad with a list of character requests; meanwhile, you're all welcome to trawl the Character Ads post for fresh meat. ▶ REQUEST CHARACTERSIf you would like to request castmates—or if there are any characters from other canons you would especially like to see in Systemwide—please reply to this post with the following information by 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, August 29. You're welcome to include a succinct (1–2 sentences) pitch in the Notes field. The current ad can be viewed here. | |
|
| We're missing activity for the following characters: - Babydoll
- Dorian Pavus
Garrett Hawke- Isabella Sheridan
If you have activity for the month of July, please post it here by August 6th! If you need an exemption, PM this account. | |
|
|   HELLO SYSTEMWIDE. For those of you who are unaware, Bloom and Stephen are the most infamous con artists in the world. Their world. Which was a world with real money and nice hats and a low threshold for believability. But they're still really good by any standard. Unfortunately, in Zion, there is no money. So their new business model will involve information—specifically, information about your characters, procured for whatever interested party. Maybe someone wants blackmail material, maybe someone wants a personality check before hiring them for something important. Maybe there's some mystery about your character's past that they want solved but they're afraid of crossing paths with their own double. Whatever it is, Bloom and Stephen will (probably, if you ask nicely) find it out. What this means in practical RP terms is that you give us a motive and a goal, and the Bros. Bloom will go into a Matrix populated by the plugged-in clone or Janus Protocol replacement of your character at whatever relevant point(s) of their lives to observe, manipulate, or temporarily befriend them—whatever the job calls for. They may take care not to interfere with the character's life trajectory or they might deliberately alter it. You'll play the unaware clone/Janus AI version of your character or otherwise set the scene. They'll leave with information that can come into play as you see fit. They accept payment in a mix of goods and IOUs. If you're interested, drop us the following form: WHO WANTS INFO: Who's hiring them. This can be an NPC, another PC, or your character. It can be a middleman! Whoever they would know was involved.
ON WHOM: Your character.
WHY: Lies are fine. Sparse details are fine. Keep in mind that Bloom is a nice guy (lookit that face) and they're not going to do anything where the apparent point is just to fuck with someone who doesn't deserve it. Stephen would need to be able to spin it as at least 50% justified and 10% noble.
WHAT EXACTLY: What information have they been asked to retrieve, when, and where. Not a lot of detail necessary--just what they would be told when hired!
Right now, we're not planning to stop this plot(ish thing) or close sign-ups possibly ever, but we can't commit to doing more than one or two a month if more than a couple people are interested. /o/ | |
|
| ▶ ACTIVITY CHECKPlease deposit your activity proofs here before 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, August 3. We require threads with five log comments or ten network comments from each character; entries and top-levels count as one comment in the thread; action tags from the network community can count for your five log comments if desired. If you need an exemption, PM this account. If you have any questions, you can review the rules here or contact us for help. (NOTE: Hello, very sorry for the delay, my job is trying to kill me, please direct hate mail to me [MJ] directly. Or love mail if you like those extra three days to get your activity together. But probably hate mail. It's okay, I can take it.) | |
|
| Hi, guys. As much as I love the premise of this game I'm going to have to drop for now. Without Wedge around Luke is going to be an utter mess and I can't justify trying to force him through it without having much else to tie him to the game. More than anything else it would be a drain on me. :\
ICly Luke disappeared around the same time Wedge did and anyone who knew them can probably assume that they ran off together.
I'm still going to be around to finish off the 3x3 backtagging with Luke's team (Bucky and Matt), so don't worry guys, I'm not abandoning you! I'll also be working out Luke's confrontation with the AI with the mods and the results of that will be integrated into the plot.
Thanks for everything, folks! I hope to come back someday so hopefully I'll see you then. | |
|
|
Xas
▼ CALL SIGN
It's pronounced like e xasperating
▼ GENDER
Male
▼ STATUS (ORIGIN)
The Vintner's Luck & The Angel's Cut
▼ CREW/S
n/a
▼ DESIGNATION
Teacher, gardner
ANOM
3
MART
1
PROJ
0
TECH
3
WILD
3
A watchful, inquisitive, friendly young man who divides his time between the farms, schools, storytellers, religious leaders, social gatherings, docks—whatever. He's everywhere and constantly, haphazardly busy, but he'll still sit down and listen to anyone talk for however long they're willing to do so. Likes wine, people, and AIs. Dislikes sleeping and gravity. His name is probably short for Texas. ▲ ABBREVIATED DOSSIER | |
|
|
Katniss Everdeen
▼ CALL SIGN
n/a
▼ GENDER
Female
▼ STATUS (ORIGIN)
Unplugged (The Hunger Games)
▼ CREW/S
n/a
▼ DESIGNATION
Mechanic/Sharpshooter
ANOM
0
MART
1
PROJ
5
TECH
3
WILD
1
Katniss was probably even more disoriented than most after her extraction. Unable to commit suicide, she instead sees this as a way out, and believes that it’s likely simply a trick coming from those who were loyal to Coin trying to kill her.
Instead, she comes face to face with a world that has suffered through a great war, not so different from her own. She is incredibly hostile to those around her at first, and it takes a great deal of time and therapy before she can function properly. She finds a strange comfort in the fact that she can put the violence she’s caused as a hallucination, though she still has intense nightmares and calls for her sister and Peeta in her sleep.
Eventually, though, she beings to collect herself, starts to talk to people, makes a few friends. She ends up finding a job with a mechanic, and learns while on the job. She proves to be a quick learner and very resourceful and hard-working. While she still has a tough exterior, she doesn’t immediately push away anyone who tries to get to know her, and she’s doesn’t dread each day.
Though originally against the idea of joining the defence grid, Katniss eventually begins to see this place as her home, and is starting to consider joining up as a hovercraft mechanic, though it will take a comforting hand in order to push her to put her combat experience into action as an operative, despite the fact that she would probably be very good at it.
▲ ABBREVIATED DOSSIER | |
|
|
Max Rockatansky
▼ CALL SIGN
N/A
▼ GENDER
MALE
▼ STATUS (ORIGIN)
UNPLUGGED (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD)
▼ CREW/S
NONE
▼ DESIGNATION
MECHANIC
ANOM
1
MART
3
PROJ
2
TECH
3
WILD
1
Max Rockatansky is a man of many regrets. In his Matrix these were simple enough to manage: the persistent inability to reconcile himself with the brutal, violent deaths of nearly anyone he's ever cared about only ever drove him mad. Here in Zion, things have become more complicated. The constant struggle for mere survival that had characterized the world he knew has given way to enough leisure as to allow for moralistic dilemmas, problems which cannot be solved via normal methods: shoot it, or drive away.
The scant months Max has spent in the city may not have been sufficient as to allow him to come to terms with his decision to leave the Matrix, but all the same, he has slowly begun to integrate himself — more or less — into his neighborhood, establishing himself with a modest trade as a rather clever, skilled mechanic, noted in particular for his ability to work with limited resources and for his ability to improvise, remnants of his life before extraction. Still, the nagging questions remain, and the longer they pursue him, pressing up against other old wounds, the less he is able to convince himself that he can permit himself to remain uninvolved.
Still, for the time being Max is a reserved man, economical with his words as with any other resource available to him. It, along with a learned mistrust, gives him the impression of being somewhat uncomfortable in his own skin — which, of course, he now is, though to a lesser degree than he is simply uncomfortable with circumstances at large. Still, it would be far from inapt to say that he wants to run from himself as much as his growing complacency: it's all he's done for most of his life. Now there's no wasteland that's viable to wander and no set of wheels to speed him on his way, he's having to reprioritize — though in many ways he has it easier than most. He's already lived a life at the end of one world.
▲ ABBREVIATED DOSSIER | |
|
|
VARRIC TETHRAS
▼ CALL SIGN
VARRIC
▼ GENDER
MALE
▼ STATUS (ORIGIN)
UNPLUGGED (DRAGON AGE)
▼ CREW/S
NONE
▼ DESIGNATION
NONE
ANOM
2
MART
0
PROJ
5
TECH
3
WILD
0
Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong. Pretty much all that needs to be said about Varric. Ever. But...
According to his matrix Varric's a surface dwarf born and raised in Kirkwall, Thedas. He's a renowned author, one time companion and best friend to the famed Champion of Kirkwall, and proud owner of chest hair. He makes friends and networks as easy as breathing, but sorry ladies and gents. He's in a committed relationship with his crossbow and tbh isn't all that into humans.
Which is awkward. Seeing as he apparently actually is one.
Varric's been unplugged for about a month now and is still getting used to things. Things like the lack of magic, completely alien technology, and a sudden boost in height. Hello, permanent concussions. You're just what he always wanted.
▲ ABBREVIATED DOSSIER | |
|
| ▶ MODPLOT WRAP UP: THE SACKING OF OLYMPUS▼ THE DUST SETTLESIn mid-June, the Oracle provided a cryptic warning of Machine-initiated violence, including some peculiarly specific clues. Approximately one week later, a merchant envoy from Zion discovered that one of the newer human settlements was under massive attack by a heretofore unknown Machine faction, the REAPERS. They were immediately beset by unusual sensor and comms problems, revealing the REAPERS’ unique jamming technology. However, they discovered the Matrix pirate signal remained clear, and sent a distress call to the Zion Defense Grid by way of a single messenger, Kitty Jones. However, the call for help revealed yet more of the REAPERS’ technology: the girl fell into a coma shortly before her extraction.
The Zion Defense Grid arrived in Olympus two days later and engaged the enemy in combat, as well as performing rescue and relief operations for the human civilization. One day after that, the REAPERS’ anticipated central attack arrived: a truly massive robot designed to resemble a centipede, marked Harbinger. The combined efforts of the Zion Defense Grid and unexpected allies from other human settlements-- perhaps even undeclared Irkallan ships-- were able to stop Harbinger. The final battle took place on two fronts: first, the physical assault on the centipede body itself; second, the hacking of the complex reactive Matrix-simulation software bridge that functioned as Harbinger’s comms and controls.
The details of the battle’s conclusion remain fogged in chaos, thanks to the fact we’re still RPing it widespread jamming problems with shipboard electronics. What we do know, is that many lives were lost. The REAPERS not only destroyed much property and killed numerous humans, but also engaged in abductions. The ZDG craft, the Nidhoggr, was shot down among others. The battle ended on roughly June 25th, when the drones became extremely disorganized and the Harbinger itself experienced some type of catastrophic malfunction.
Debrief has been slow, and complicated by the number of injuries suffered by human personnel. All of those who attempted the hack of the Harbinger have been sliding in and out of episodes of massive exhaustion. Some have been able to wake up periodically to eat and use facilities, whereas others may have been hooked up to IVs to prevent dehydration and malnourishment. Fortunately, however, none are exhibiting the long-term neurological problems experienced by Kitty Jones. The exhaustion may last up until July 7th. ▼ FOUR-LEGGED BRAINThe July continuation of the plot will involve a relatively straightforward task: the control apparatus, effectively the “brain” of the Harbinger, was apparently motorized and ejected toward the end of combat, scuttling off into the tunnels of the sewer. Though there is no guarantee the REAPERS have not already retrieved it, chances seem slim, given the number of human vessels in the area. The Zion Defense Grid is tasked to search and retrieve it.
This plot will consist of:
- A network post/s, representing comms chatter during the search. This may provide a space for discussing and exploring the events of the recent plot
- A log for the ship in the Real that locates the runaway control apparatus
We'll let you know more details on who will be doing what nearer to the time. ▶ HOUSEKEEPING▼ APPLICATIONSApplications will next open July 26. Going forward from there, we will keep applications open indefinitely rather than rotate through application periods. Due to our relatively low-traffic membership and lack of application period closure events to usher in new players, we feel this new format will work best for Systemwide.
The application page will detail out the specifics as to how this will work, but in short, we will attempt to get back to applications as they come within 5 days from their submission point. Revisions will also have a more relaxed deadline.
By extension, we will also be changing how reserves work. Reserves will also be open indefinitely, and will entitle a person to three weeks of time during which they can apply without competition. Once those three weeks expire and if they have not applied, their reserved character will be up for grabs once more.
Check back later during the month for the relevant pages being revised with these new practices. ▼ ACTIVITY CHECK AND NEW CHARACTERSEffective immediately, we will be allowing new characters a free AC round.
What this means in relation to our new application system is that the new character is exempt from the first full week of AC they have coming up. If they apped during an AC period, they will be exempt from that one, and the next, in the interests of being fair. ▼ JUNE PLOT AND ACTIVITY CHECKAs the Sacking of Olympus plot continues to be backtagged, we want to encourage people to continue doing this and finishing their plans without feeling pressure. Therefore, we will be allowing people to submit threads that featured in mod plot posts for July's activity check. These threads cannot have been your AC for June's activity check.
The posts containing threads that can be used for July's AC are:
▶ KEY DATESActivity Check: July 24-31
Test Drive: Currently Open
Reserves: Currently Open
Applications: Opens July 26 (11:59 PM, EST). As mentioned above, applications will remain open indefinitely. | |
|
| ▶ ACTIVITY CHECKPlease deposit your activity proofs here before 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, June 30. We require threads with five log comments or ten network comments from each character; entries and top-levels count as one comment in the thread; action tags from the network community can count for your five log comments if desired. If you need an exemption, PM this account. If you have any questions, you can review the rules here or contact us for help. | |
|
| Unfortunately, RL has been a mess for me and I've had a hard time being active here. It's not really fair to anyone else that I can't remain active, so I'm going to go ahead and drop for now. Hopefully things will come back together for me and I can come back to the game in some form later when I can give it and the players here the attention that they deserve.
Thanks for playing with me and for trying to accommodate me in my string of RL misfortunes. <3 | |
|
| ▶ ATPThe monthly app_this_plz posts will go up on Saturday, June 27. The mod team will post a game ad with a list of character requests; meanwhile, you're all welcome to trawl the Character Ads post for fresh meat. ▶ REQUEST CHARACTERSIf you would like to request castmates—or if there are any characters you would especially like to see in Systemwide—please reply to this post with the following information by 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, June 27. You're welcome to include a succinct (1–2 sentences) pitch in the Notes field. The current ad can be viewed here. | |
|
|