Monkatraz

First of all, I absolutely love this RPGs concept. It doesn't seem like it will end up being one with weak concept and story development completely stagnant because characters keep wandering off to do unrelated jobs or refuse to let a confrontation come to an end... but I digress. My main question is how will the action and plot unravel. Will the action be all kind of adventure style where you use your wits to get out of a confrontation or fight style where you just make up moves until its over? And more importantly, will the mystery elements be revealed by themselves in a manner that leaves us suspensful waiting for them to be revealed or will they be the type where we must figure them out using our own problem solving skills? Once more, this RPG looks amazing.

[B]"Hahaha, oh you just don't know when to stop, do you? Oh, this is so entertaining I wish I had a camera! You honestly think that you could hold yourself against three enemies with nothing but a few cheap magic tricks? Like I said earlier, people who need magic to fight don't need to fight. Besides just because you won't fight her doesn't mean she won't fight you."[/B] Joseph summoned two knives to each of his hands and instantly electricity began to flow between them. [B]"You're so entertainingly foolish I'll almost regret removing your head from your body."[/B] Joseph said as he flew into the air towards Daemon. [B]"Almost."[/B] He repeated as he flew into him with knives infused with electricity. A knife went into each of his arms and Joseph spun him around and threw him at the ground.

[B]Name: [/B] Jake Owens [B]Age:[/B] 26 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Place of Origin: [/B] Boston, Massachusetts [B]Known History: [/B] Raised in middle class, went to film school after high school. Always had a fascination with the natural side of the planet and would spend long stretches of time away from home camping or photographing the New England wilderness (with a female companion accompanying him when he could help it).Became a documentary photographer/journalist and spent much of his time travelling the world helping gather footage for documentaries of animals, indigenous people, etc. Has seen so much of the world he considers himself to be one of the most travelled people on the planet (especially in Africa). Though later he also became active as a political/conspiracy (mostly true ones) journalist. Has been a member of many different activist organizations such as Green Peace citing every reason from saving the Earth to women. He believes the greatest sin in the world is ignorance, and that all 'evil' stems from it, which is why he tries to use the press to make the world a better place. [B]Personality: [/B]Seems very calm and somewhat friendly as well as talkative but he is a much deeper thinker than is usually given credit for. In conversation he is usually nice though very straightforward and (some say) a little bit self-assured. Considers himself a naturalist and often times tries to 'save the planet' and is a known dissenter. Often surprises people with his calm demeanor masking his radical side. He is also incredibly nonviolent and truly believes the pen is mightier than the sword. Carries a camera with him constantly and has occasionally used it to stamp on the feet of corporations that he thought needed to be taken care of by exposing their secrets though his methods of filming them are somewhat questioned. [B]Appearance: [/B]Wears normal clothes (usually black and tan, though when dressing to impress he wears a beret, citing that it brings out his 'artistic qualities'). Has shaggy-ish brown hair and oddly yellow eyes. He is also somewhat pale for someone who has spent so much time in the sun. [B]Animal Genes: [/B] Leopard [B]Hybrid Abilities: [/B]Night vision, physically has speed, climbing, and jumping abilities above most humans and is (as he puts it) 'one sneaky devil' which comes in handy when his efforts to 'save the planet and reveal the truth' cross over into the wrong side of the law (as they often do, though with the best intentions). [CENTER][B]"How could someone be so careless if they knew what they were doing? Truth is, they're ignorant of the implications of their actions... Why else would someone do things like that? How else [I]could[/I] they?"- Jake Owens, photographer and journalist. [/B][/CENTER]

[B]"Hahaha, so thats how you got the title "Most Erotic Hero in the Galaxy", then?"[/B] Joseph clearly found the conversation very funny and decided to get some food... and try out the machine. [B]"Do I just talk into it? Umm, I want a st-"[/B] Joseph stopped and decided to have some fun with it. [B]"Hey Dogarta, what's a good dish from your homeland?" "Answer my question, first." "Well... I guess you could say I travel too much. Anyways, what do you suggest?"[/B]

[B]"Haha, look at the coward run! Someone who needs magic to fight doesn't need to fight, as I always say."[/B] Joseph was ecstatic that his plan had worked, even through all the mishappenings. [B]"Deathliger you did indeed choose wisely. See how he runs when the numbers change? That is how much his friendship is worth... And you Trent, what will you do? Stay here and fight, or run like your cowardly friends?"[/B]

[B]"Now, we [I]are[/I] in a bit of a predicament."[/B] Yasir said. [B]"But they're all gone, so no problem right?"[/B] Piped in one of their companions. [B]"Two battalions... do you know how many soldiers are in a batallion? A lot, and that many soldiers don't just dissappaer without notice. We need to get out of here and fast. Stay off the path, we'll cut through the mountains."[/B] Even as Yasir said this he knew he'd much rather stay and fight with whoever was brave enough to come but they couldn't keep taking risks like this. Fighting dead on was suicide. But now moving through the mountains was not something Yasir enjoyed... he had an outstanding hate of the mountains and he also knew that regrouping with Neko would be much more difficult and getting to the new camp would take all the longer. [B]"Are you guys OK to move on?" "Actually, I might need a se-" "That was rhetorical. We need to move fast and NOW."[/B]

Name: Dani Zell Age: 19 Description: Shaggy brown hair, blue eyes. Wears white and black clothes. Bio: Born to upper class in Germany. Joined military academy and learned to pilot a mobile suit. Dispite his natural abilities in a combat suit he graduated in the middle of his class due to a habit of disregarding orders or breaking rules. Since he became the rising star of his forces. Side: Neutral Country: Neo Germany Gundam: Krieger Gundam Weapons: Dual short energy swords as well as a energy cannon mounted on the right arm. Color: White and pale blue Special Attack: Aufladung Blast (fires charged up shot from energy cannon and follows it closely with scissors attack with swords.

[B]"Hahaha, I told you that you were no match for the hydra. Especially half of yourself; you really did act so rashly. My only dilemma is whether to kill you now, with the hydra's help (it shouldn't be so hard). Or to wait until Trent gets here and let both of you attack me... I'd say when Deathliger wouldn't react well to seeing her friends trying to kill me so unprovokedly."[/B] At this point Joseph was merely toying with him. His demonic powers would be absolutely no use against him or the hydra... but he was getting on his nerves and Joseph decided to finish him. [B]"Actually I think Trent might enjoy it more to see your mangled corpse. Goodbye and godspeed, you wretched little angel."[/B] And with that, Joseph let loose with a storm of throwing knives each arcing with electricity, hundreds of knives all at once. As if on cue, the hydra launched its attack, this one with his most powerful weapon: his jaws. From both sides Daemon's half was assaulted with both the lightning-infused knives and the vicious bite from the hydra. [B]"Please, just try to dodge it... It would be more fun to watch."[/B]

Once again, Yasir swore under his breath... he'd much rather be with Neko's party but respected her orders enough to move the rest of the group out to the new location. He watched the half of Ai run off and shook his head, he thought that that was reckless and was a little concerned about there being two of them. [B]"All right, we need to move out. I'll move ahead, Kobo take point and Scarlet and Ai, you guys spread out behind him. Make sure you can see him at all times, and stay low... I'd like to avoid another ambush."[/B] Yasir lead them through the woods until the area became steeper as they neared a mountain range (which was nearby their objective. But Neko's situation continued to bother him to the point he considered going back but at the moment he felt a bigger problem. It was his expertise to keep hidden in combat situations and nnow, as they passed near a river, he heard distantly what was unmistakibly a GUK troop movement... and a big one, at that. Maybe even one or two batallions. There was a chance that their group could take them... but not a large one especially considering they were now bordering on exhaustion, and even if they could Yasir was simply not in the mood for it. He decided plan B: hide and hope they don't stumble upon us. He found a near perfect spot: it was a waterfall cavern where they would be invisible and would have any noises they made masked by the falls... the downsides were that the GUK troops were passing almost directly underneath them and Yasir could not stand such damp areas... he was gonna be freezing for hours. [B]"Let's just get up there and wait for them to pass... We can take it easy and maybe Neko will be able to catch up with us."[/B]

[B]"Well, it seems your friends are a little over eager to fight. I would have thought they would care more about the humans who may be killed by the hydra."[/B] Joseph said to Trent and Deathliger, ignoring Flux and Daemon. [I]Damn it, Flux... Can't trust you at all can I? However, there still might be a way to remedy it.[/I] [B]"Well, if your friend is going to be fighting Flux, Trent perhaps we should go take care of the hydra together... there are innocents down there you know."[/B]

[B]"Well... that is a bit of a story in itself."[/b] Joseph said hesistantly, unsure of whether or not to tell them. [B]"You mentioned an experiment?"[/B] Dogarta said. [B]"Yeah. I'll try to make this short. When I was 16 I started to travel around the world, learning about other people and cultures. In the course of this I had quite a few... well you would call them 'adventures' I would call them 'setbacks'. It seemed every where I went I'd end up getting wrapped into the events of that place. Nothing so noble as looking for wrongs to right, just working my way out of situations I was unfortunate enough to get myself in to. But I became somewhat well known, too."[/B] Joseph stalled a bit more but decided that he owed them the decency to at least outline the situations. [B]"There was this weapons manufacturer (quite a prosperous business on Earth) that had a revolutionary new type of weapon. It was unique that in most ways it was not considered a weapon so it was ideal for assassinations and the like. It involved laying a bio-conductor into the subjects skin and skeletal structure, as well as plugging into the cerebral cortex. Their first subjects were... unsuccessful at best. They decided that normal subjects weren't fit to receive the operation anyways so they decided to use an above-average subject... Me. It gives the ability to produce and control electric currents within my body to the extent of being able to arc lightning over 30 yards. The downside is that it requires a considerable amount of mental focus to use, so even I cannot use it while doing anything more complicated than walking. They contacted me about the operation when I was 19 years old at first I was afraid to have the operation but..." "What made you change your mind?" "That is another story..." "Why won't you tell us?" "It involves my greatest sin, that is all I will tell you for now."[/B]

'Dammit, this is why I don't trust mercenaries!" Yasir shouted as he began to run in the direction he thought he had seen the would-be traitor run to. "Wait!" Neko shouted after him. "There's no point." Yasir stopped and looked at his bandoliers to see they were completely empty of knives. He swore under his breath and said, "It doesn't matter, I'm still the best tracker here... I've followed people through the desert, following them from the woods is a piece of cake in comparison."

Yasir looked at the new recruit and decided he had some potential. He said, "By the way, if you really need to tell the difference between a fox and a racoon look at the ears," gesturing at his own, "And if that doesn't work chances are the one [I]not[/I] wasting his time with water buckets when theres a war going on is probably the fox." He ended with a slight laugh that offput the offended Ai. He walked over to the dead GUK troops and began retrieving his knives from their bodies... he had been running low as of late and this had become an ugly neccessity. When he heard Neko say their need for a new base he said, "Let's head somewhere a little warmer... I'm really getting sick of these forests"

OOC: OK, I took a lot of liberties with this post so if I need to, PM and I'll change it. [B]"Deathliger, it's quite an honor to meet you I must say. Same goes to you... Trent, is it? Funny I once knew of a man named Tenaru who had a remarkable resemblance to you."[/B] Joseph talked as if they were old friends, though he was fortunate that only one extra came, he was in a way dissapointed... After all what was the point of bringing in the circus with only one man in the crowd? Still the circus was not there yet, talk would have to continue. [B]"Now what do you want with Deathliger?"[/B] Shouted Daemon. [B]"I nearly overlooked you, Daemon. How are your friends doing? Well I hope. Now on to who I wanted to speak with, Deathliger. I was surprised that only one of the angels came with you! It seems that when the time comes to put themselves in danger, their friendship vanishes. That much alone should show you how little they truly care for you. If you were to join us, we would stand by you until the last stand. Not only that, we would show you how to be strong enough to become the greatest being ever to enter any of the realms."[/B] Joseph said calmly, doing his best to manipulate Deathliger. [B]"He's lying! They're evil, we're the ones who protect innocents!"[/B] Outburst Daemon. [B]"If you really were, why not protect those in need right now?" "What are you talking about?" "It seems that [I]somehow[/I] a hydra has escaped from the demon realm and is heading for this island as we speak... I daresay that it will showcase its rage against the humans in the harbor. I recognize that this could be dangerous so I say that we set aside our differences. Daemo, Trent, and Flux should go and protect the humans from the hydra while I look after Deathliger."[/B]

Joseph profiled the others surrounding him, doing his best to judge their characters. He was unfamiliar with extraterrestrials but figured the rule that often worked on humans would likely work here: the bigger they are the dumber they are. Of course there were exceptions that he had seen first hand so tried not to get too much of a preconceived idea of them. The best way to learn was to speak with them so he decided to join in on the conversation. [B]"That's surprising, the monkey thing. I wonder if he was the result of an experiment. That's pretty common on Earth, experimenting on other species because they're so similar to humans. I guess in a way he's way more human than you'd think."[/B] Joseph said, reflectin upon past experiences. Dogarta asked him, [B]"Experiments? What kind of experiments?" "Oh, the kind to dangerous to perform on humans." "That's barbaric." "You think? Haha, you may be right. I've seen some pretty ugly experiments done on monkeys." "Such as?" "Such as this, I suppose."[/B] He pulled up his sleeve slightly and held out his hand, then for a brief moment electricity arced between his finger tips. The one name Axel paused briefly and said, [B]"That doesn't seem like so bad of an experiment." "No? You should have seen the test monkey."[/B] Joseph said with a hint of bitterness in his boice, [B]"Rather, what was left of the monkey."[/B]

Joseph mused on the situation. Providing Flux refrained from doing anything stupid his plan would be a success. All it took was to spark Deathliger's curiosity to get her to come to Earth, and Trent would no doubt follow. And once he was there, they would be able to take care of him with ease... especially if Deathliger was to ally herself with them. The only x factor was wether or not the angels would be brave enough to venture outside their native realm. He had no doubt that he would be able to defeat one or two of them in combat but not their whole force, plus Trent. [I]Wait, you're thinking about this too simply, if the angels could be a problem it would simply be wise to make sure they were elsewhere or otherwise incapicitated.[/I] He thought to himself. [I]That also means choosing a proper arena.[/I] He devised his plan promptly, the angels were so predictable it was no difficulty finding a way to separate them from Trent and Deathliger. Fortunately, his chosen method of doing so coincided with his preferred area to confront them. After visiting the demon realm to plant his 'distraction' he made for his arena: the rooftops of New York City. He stood on one of the tallest buildings and thought. [I]Now all that's left is to wait and hope Flux can catch on...[/I]

[B]"Well?"[/B] Flux asked as Joseph ended his message to Deathliger. [B]"I think it might have worked. If she comes to the mortal realm, I'm sure Trent will follow."[/B] [B]"What good is that?"[/B] [B]"Because we can reach him directly there, Genius."[/B] He said with a hint of irritance. [B]"Don't forget who's in charge here."[/B] [B]"Haha, don't be so concerned. You just go and do what you need to. I've already taken care of the rest."[/B] [B]"How generous of you."[/B] Flux mused until his paranoia came about, [B]"What is it you're planning?"[/B] [B]"What does that matter? At the moment all I've done is clear the path for you."[/B] Joseph said as he began to leave. [I]'Don't forget who's in charge here'... He really doesn't have a clue about me does he?[/I]

After Ai had banished the sign, the group heard the sound of footsteps coming nearer and nearer until Trent yelled, "Who's there?!" Then the figure of a man in a black suit with dark brown hair appeared. He stepped nearer as some of the angels, recognizing him, stepped back and tensed up. Though Daemon instantly recognized that he was not there, merely projecting himself to appear as if he were. He stopped close to Trent and Deathliger and said, [B]"Now, I wonder what lies they have been filling you head with, Deathliger."[/B] She looked directly at him, wondering what he was talking about. [B]"That is all they will tell you, of course. Lies. You should not be deceived. Think about it, you are tortured with pains and illusions and the moments later someone happens to appear who can make them go away. It would be easy to believe what they say and accept their lies so that you may believe them to be your friends but you shouldn't. The truth is that they planted the pain, which they could take away, so that they could trick you into trusting them. They only seek to control you, Deathliger. Control you, and use you so that they can bring about their own goals."[/B] As he planted his lies and manipulation he could see Deathliger was being affected by them and decided to continue. [B]"Trust me when I say they are inflicting on you pains to manipulate you into thinking they are friends. I know what you are, I know your purpose, I know your potential, and I know how to help you unlock it. I can show you how and help guide you on the path to becoming greater than you could imagine and give you the freedom to do what you wish. They will only take away that freedom, especially this Trent. Come find me, I will be in the mortal realm. I will show you the truth, and not the deceptions that Trent is filling your head with."[/B]

As Kobo and the others charged the ambushing GUK troops, a sudden storm of knives flew from the woods and into the GUK squadron, killing six. Quickly following them was Yasir (with a small bag slung around his shoulder and a knife in each hand), he jumped out of a tree into the middle of the charging party and said, "Sorry, for being so late... I got held up again." Before they could respond he ran at the remaining troops. THe group quickly dispatched of the rest and as soon as the last one fell Yasir turned to Kobo and said, "I was following these troops and happened to catch part of your conversation... You seriously can't tell the difference between a fox and a racoon?" sounding rather offended.

Joseph Hunter in a bar in a suburb of New York, looking over a letter he received. He was somewhat amazed that the letter had found him, and was sure that if he hadn't reentered the United States only days earlier that it never would have. He lit a cigarette and read through the letter again... [I]Who is this Switch and what does he want with me?[/I] He got up and left the bar (not paying for his drink, seeing as noone asked him) and entered the street to see a small bunch of kids pretending they hadn't been staring at the entrance, waiting to see if The Traveler was truly there. He ignored them and headed out into the city. As he walked he saw a whiter figure in his peripheral, he instantly tensed up and quickly turned to it. Standing in an alley was a tall, white-robed figure facing Hunter. "You have been chosen by the Lords of Time. Follow me." It said. "Are you Switch?" Joseph asked. "I am not. Follow me." "Hold on, what is it you want?" Asked Joseph, well aware that many people and agencies where after him. "I am going to take you to the portal. Follow me." After a second of neither one of them moving it said, "I am unarmed." Sensing no malice from it, he said "All right the, lead on." The white-robed figure walked far until they reached the city,(attracting more stares than Hunter did) and from there into the subways. They walked through the (oddly empty) station until they got down near the tracks. The figure jumped onto the railroad tracks and Hunter hesistantly followed. They went further down (Hunter continuously expecting a train to come) until there was a small corridor that would be impossible to see unless you stood directly in front of it. Hunter and the figure proceeded down until it got so dark Hunter couldn't even see the ground in front of him and the figure disappeared. He was shocked to realize that he couldn't even see the lit tip of his cigarette which he should have been able to see in any darkness. Suddenly he felt as if he were spinning and his sight was barraged with lights of different colors, he began to feel electricity coursing through his body and had to force his will to stop it: after so much time had passed adrenaline would cause it to flow instinctively, since he usually would use the electricity in situations which gave him adrenaline. Instantly it stopped and he felt himself on all fours on the floor and felt something foul tasting fly into his throat when he abruptly came to a stop. He heard a voice say "Haha, did you just swallow your cigarette?"

Hey, I was away for a few days so it looks like I'm a little behind (the thread seemed to have doubled since I left). I'm gonna try to get all of that read and find a way to rejoin but I might find it a little tough... If anyone has suggestions about what Yasir could have been doing all that time let me know. I'll try and get back in once I get everything read.

OOC: Just a bit of character development to showcase my guy's personality before the plot kicks up. Joseph ignored Flux as he spoke of rumors that he heard. He just didn't give a damn and at the moment, had much more meaningful things to do (in his opinion). He kept walking until he reached the building he looked for. A tall apartment building full of some of the nicest homes in the city... also full of some of the people Joseph had a history with, when he used to be alive. Deep inside the apartment complex, in the penthouse sweet, sat a balding, fat man smoking a cigar and drinking from a bottle of amber liquid as he looked out his window into the city below. Suddenly the lights of the building flicked off and the only illumination came from the window. Then, he heard a voice that he hadn't heard in years... except in his dreams. "Tony, aren't you doing well now?" The voice said as a silhouette appeared outside of the window (where there was no ledge). Refusing to even think about who it was he shouted back, "Who are you?" "Surely you didn't forget about me, old PAL!" As he shouted the glass of the window suddenly shattered and shards of broken glass shot across the room and the silhouette floated inside. "You! It can't be!" "Oh, but it is, my friend." "You died! I know, I saw your body!" "Haha, I'll bet you saw it, marched right down to the police to identify it didn't you? Of course I don't think the REST of us could have pulled that off." As he shouted and laughed a knive appeared from his sleeve and flew directly into Tony's palm. He screamed with pain and yelled, "I had no choice!" "LIAR!" Joseph shouted as a second knive flew at his other palm. "You have quite a nice place here, though. More than you could have afforded back then." "A-a-are you going to kill me?" "Kill you? Haha, of course not. We're old friends aren't we." He said with a bizarre soothing quality in his voice. He plucked a cigar off of a nearby table and said, "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" And lit it with a match laying next to the box. "Tony, we're old friends, how could you be so rude as to not offer me a drink?" Joseph laughed. As Tony was shocked at this he felt the knives which had been in his palms disappear and, terrified to offend him, shakingly attempted to pour Joseph a drink. His hands fumbled and the bottle spilled across the floor, stopping at the demon's feet. "Ah, you always were clumsy. Don't worry about it, I'll clean it up for you later." "W-w-what do you want? You [I]are[/I] going to kill me, aren't you?" "Of course not, friend. I've never been one to pass judgment but I daresay that's quite more than you deserve. No, I won't kill you...." He laughed, and took a drag from the cigar, "Hmm... Cubans, eh? You have such good taste in cigars it's a shame you spilled that drink. Too bad your so clumsy." As he lowered the cigar it slipped through his fingers and landed in the spilled alcohol at his feet. Instantly it ignited and the flame crept across the floor. "Well now, it seems I am also so clumsy." He pulled back his sleeve and looked at his watch. "Tony, would you look at the time!" He laughed and walked back over to the window as the rest of the apartment began to catch fire and Tony ran for the elevator. "Its been good seeing you again, buddy, but I have to be off." He said as Tony slid into the elevator to escape the now raging fire. The last thing Tony saw as the elevator door slid shut was Joseph. He said, "Well, I guess I'll see you later." And then jumped out of the top story window to a fall that would have killed any human.

Joseph slowly walked through the nighttime of New Yok City. The streets were all but deserted this time of night and he could only hear the deft sounds of cars in the distance. At first glance, he would seem like a young businessman with a good sense of style, but if you were to get close to him you could feel the true darkness of his being. He stopped walking and faced the tall building to his right. Without looking, a throwing knife appeared from his sleeve and he threw it nearly straight up. A second passed before he heard the sound of it being knocked out of the air by a sword and another second before it hit the ground. He heard a voice from far above say "So, is this where you've been hiding?" "What do you want, Flux?" "Looking for you." "Well, you found me 'wise leader'... Now what the hell do you want?"

Alright, all sign ups so far are good. Once I get a couple more I'll start it up.

Right now I am still in the stage of sketching out the characters so it may be some time before I get any pages online, but in the meantime I am having some debate on an aspect of the Prophets and I thought I'd try and get some opinions here. I can't decide wether the Prophets should have names given to them when they join (most of the names would then be Greek or Latin and may have some historical reference to them) or if they should use their true names (as in the ones their parents gave them) which would give a better since of the character's background but the fact of the matter is a lot of Greek/Roman names are just cool sounding and can represent some very interesting historical figures... an example would be that the second biggest antagonist in the story may be named Nero, after the Roman emperor (I can proudly say that anyone who would read through the whole story will hate him with a passion- I know I do). But for the moment I am leaning towards giving them both names, which would be used differently depending on who is talking to them and in what context (the Greek/Roman names would be somewhat ceremonial). If anyone has an opinion about this little aspect, please post it... Once more, I am trying to get the sample pages up but it will likely be some time.