Morbuskid
See past the darkness, and view the light.
Hello, thanks for clicking on this post. To tell you a little about myself, I've been out of the roleplay game for a while, wanted to dip my toes back into the waters. I thougth about a somewhat simple 1920's mafioso style RP with some fairytale elements to it. This includes magic and abhuman races (Dwarves, Elves, demons, angels, etc). Still not too entirely sure about monsters or evil spirits yet, wanted to kind of keep everything Human/Human/Abhuman style of interactions and conflicts.
Everything so far is incredibly rough draft format, primarily the story revolves around the city, which is New Avion, a setting similar to New York. Perspective changing skyscrapers, buzzing busy roads, malodourous slums, cramped alleys, and entertainment districts for the elite and wealthy of cinema and less honorable means of fortune. The city is run by 4 weaker gangs and 1 strong gang, all of which strive to be the masters of New Avion. You are either a new arrival looking for a fresh start, a city resident trying to hold onto hope, a struggling artist or musician, a veteran of the Great War, a private eye, or a low-ranking mobster trying to make it big. These are suggestions, but you get the gist of this.
Everything so far is incredibly rough draft format, primarily the story revolves around the city, which is New Avion, a setting similar to New York. Perspective changing skyscrapers, buzzing busy roads, malodourous slums, cramped alleys, and entertainment districts for the elite and wealthy of cinema and less honorable means of fortune. The city is run by 4 weaker gangs and 1 strong gang, all of which strive to be the masters of New Avion. You are either a new arrival looking for a fresh start, a city resident trying to hold onto hope, a struggling artist or musician, a veteran of the Great War, a private eye, or a low-ranking mobster trying to make it big. These are suggestions, but you get the gist of this.
A little bit of lore (Read in heavy bronx style accent for Immersion):
"The year is 1924, with an influx of immigration and tourism to the city, New Avion has put on a new white smile, masking the blood in its malevolent maw. The money is too good to ruin a thing like this, new souls to indenture and more suckers to rip-off with spit shined abhorrence.
The 'Heaven's Loft' has seen more patrons than it could have dreamed of having in its 60 years of entertainment, and the Red Rubin Cinema has been selling tickets to love films and dramas like hot cakes. Truth be told, it's the best era to be a made man, with the law in their pockets and every shop paying it's rent, it's been getting real cushy these days. But there's this tension still in the air, a body found here and there, a burning shop, its the kind of thing you notice when it's quiet. Like a leaking faucet, you try to pay no mind but sooner or later it bugs the hell out of you. How long is it gonna be like this? How long is this peace gonna last?
How long til the blood starts flowing again...."
The city of New Avion is alive in this little drama/action adventure, as the streets are smothered in the day to day lives of the busy body, the shadowsof its underbelly creep with a new malicious war. 5 gangs, 5 leaders, 10 districts, and only one you. Your actions here may decide the outcome of how the city shall finally sleep, will it be in the hands of a new crimelord or will you be the first to break the chain? Only time will tell...
Some Very basic rules:
1. Be polite and courteous to one another out of character, and if you intend on having conflict with someone In Character than have a way to rationally satisfy the conflict, this can be either by way of dice roll or by an on the rails planned method of interaction.
2. Characters should be reasonable (power and ability wise) in line of their character. Basically, no OP characters.
3. More of a suggestion than a rule but try to keep the number of arcs down to 2 or 3 occurring at any one time. You can have separated interactions in different locations while pertaining to the same arc but try to keep to an agreed upon story. This story is not just mine, but a group effort.
4. Metagaming is prohibited in all circumstances. If the information of a scene should not be accessible to one person or party in any way (I.E Thoughts, Plot, and Alterior motives), then the person/party shouldn't just know about it. If it's a letter, eavesdropped conversation, handbill, or piece of evidence, then it is more likely for the person/party to know.
5. No one is forced to be committed to this RP, that being said, response time should be no later than 3-4 days. After that period, your character will be put into the background and the player will be a spectator until they return. If life is getting a bit too much to handle than don't worry, you can DM me or put your character away yourself until you can return. A person can stay a spectator as long as they need to but will not be able to jump back into the RP until they are confident than can meet the active quota.
6. Responses need to be clear, concise, and detailed enough to understand the scene at hand, this doesn't mean you are forced to write out Paragraphs, but please no one line Reponses either. If you are struggling to write, don't be afraid to reach out for help, this is story is a team effort.
7. Players can control certain NPC characters that they make for a scene, just don't go overboard and make 30 strawmen. The NPCs should be an active part of a scene that the player wishes to emphasize, to show off characteristics or abilities, or help to make a scene feel more natural.
There are 10 districts in total. The first 3 are primarily low to middle income housing and apartments, with the 3rd district being a typical commodities district like groceries, pubs, and shops.
District 4 is home to higher quality goods and entertainment, such as speakeasy style restaurants, games, and some general stores.
District 5 and 6 belong to the respective theatres and entertainment centers of Junias productions, aka the Red Rubin and Heaven's Loft.
District 7 is more Countryside, home to the Spinning Tops Casino and Racetrack.
Districts 8 and 9 belong to gated communities, wealthy clubs, and golf courses, this is also where a lot of gang leadership tends to reside.
District 10 is the Governmental district, home to the City Hall as well as the New Avionian Police Department, district 10 lies in the heart of New Avonia, and is normally the first place immigrants are sent to. A lot of mail and other forms of communication travel through this district as well, posing perfect opportunities for prying eyes to find some good leverage.
A few notable locations-
Sal's Bar [3rd District] - A cozy little bar nestled in on the corner of 4th and main, the prices here are cheap and the company is good. A lot of character interaction can happen in a place like this.
Red Rubin theatre [District 5]- A grand palace of the old arts, this grandiose home of crimson silk and tear-jerking stories has stood as a testament to the arts of entertainment. From orchestra and plays to bands and parties, the theatre has accommodated many.
Heaven's Loft [District 6]- Considered to be the largest Cabaret in the world, the Heaven's Loft is a place of total indulgence. Good drinks, good food, and amazing dancers and musical performances to boot. It is any musicians dream to play a gig here before they die, for they would have rubbed elbows with the greats.
The Gangs:
A rowdier bunch of roadmen and gangsters, the Redeemers operate within the lower income districts. While they play themselves off as 'for the poor crusaders' they are no better in these regards. Running drugs including the infamous "angel dust", trafficking guns and people, as well as pushing protection fees on smaller store owners. Run by " Charles 'Saint' Michael", the patriarch of the Redeemers, who operates out of Kingsly Church of the 2nd District. He maintains the appearance of a clean record and sets up charity events for the poor such as clothes drives, soup and bread kitchens, and raffles to main stage events. Behind the scenes he is just as foul a man as the rest of his vagabonds, holding a reputation of strength. This group is a mix of people, hosting dwarves, demons, humans, elves, and many other that society has abandoned.
A predatory group of investors, they lure the young and aspiring stars and celebrities to their pockets with prospects of stardom and fame. They tend to hide their motivations behind warm and comforting personalities, it is a gang made up of prior actors after all. The Showmen of New Avion are run primarily by Lady Elaine Juniper Junias, a 70-year-old Elf who looks as though she hasn't aged past 40. She commands respect and fear from her staff, she is cold and calculating but will put on a warmer facade to her stars and pupils. She is the product of her Father, Antione Gus Junias, a former star himself, he opened Junias Production which has remained the most successful entertainment company for nearly a century, although it wasn't just through good acts alone...
The Showmen run most of their business through the Heaven's Loft of District 6, with considerable investments in the Red Rubin.
The Showmen run most of their business through the Heaven's Loft of District 6, with considerable investments in the Red Rubin.
A cult more than a gang, the Forsaken are a group of predominantly Demons and Angels, working in the shadows. They hold eyes and ears everywhere, a set of information brokers, they tend to be the ones who pull their money through favors and hooks, though they will run narcotics on the side as well, often competing with the Redeemers. Leading this group of Sebastion Gray, considered to be a fallen angel his white hair has grown silver and his blue eyes have grown yellow, a shadow of his once former self. His magic, while not devastating, is far more potent than most magic users. Commanding lighting and telepathy, he has made a name for himself as a ruthless snake. He uses his connections and informants to keep one step ahead of his opponents, while maintaining his presence on the surface to nothing more than folktale and legend. Only a key few know of his existence and the existence of the Forsaken, that being the 4 other leaders and an old accomplice.
Their headout remains a mystery, but rumors have spread about a tent town somewhere under the city.
Their headout remains a mystery, but rumors have spread about a tent town somewhere under the city.
A more reserved and hardworking gang, the Shiners are made up of bootleggers and moonshining dwarves from the days of Prohibition. Though the Prohibition has ended recently, they still hold a very lucrative trade for their potent tonics of 'charisma'. Running wine, shine, and eveything fine to the businesses and denizens of New Avion. Their leader, Ulfric Jurgen, a stout, strong, and quiet little Dwarf, holds a levelheaded temperament contradictory of his nature. While he isn't the most educated of the lot he is smart in his own regards, being well versed in business and politics of the city, especially when it comes to alcohol. Ulfric tends to run most of his operation from the outside, but he does hold a few warehouses in District 2 and 3.
A cast of primarily Mediterranean humans, mixed with a few other races. Dressed in two-piece suits and ties, the Itavonians are the kings of New Avion. Holding the most muscle, power, and control over the Corporate and governmental districts. They run the Spinning Tops casino with impunity, while keeping the other gangs in check. The Itavonians are headed by Dalla Melia Veneto, a sour old man who always puts his family first depending on who you ask. His main goal is to maintain an era of peace between the gangs, while pressing New Avion dry of its money like grapes in a winepress. With an influx of immigrants and tourism to the city, his men have been tasked out, and with all this commotion, something is bound to happen...
Currently planning on starting this up Monday, November 4th. I'll have it up as early as possible.
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