Discuss E V A N G E L I O N

[James]

[center][img]http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/890/evalogotopic.jpg[/img]

[font=book antiqua][size=5][b][color=#808080]TABLE OF CONTENTS[/color][/b][/size][/font]
[font=trebuchet ms][size=2][color=#4B0082][alink=1]Timeline of Events: Pre-History[/alink] - [alink=2]Timeline of Events: 20th Century[/alink][/font][/size][/color]
[font=trebuchet ms][size=2][color=#4B0082][alink=3]Organizations[/alink][/font][/size][/color]
[font=trebuchet ms][size=2][color=#4B0082][alink=4]Locations[/alink][/font][/size][/color]
[font=trebuchet ms][size=2][color=#4B0082][alink=5]Evangelions[/alink][/font][/size][/color][/center]

[blockquote][font=book antiqua][size=5][color=#000000][b][aname=1]TIMELINE OF EVENTS: PRE-HISTORY[/aname][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]4.5 Billion Years Ago[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Earth's formation is largely complete, having attained approximately 40% of its present mass (due to the process of [b][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accretion_(astrophysics)"]accretion[/url][/b]). Elements of the remaining nebula surrounding the Earth continue to fall over a period of 20 million years, eventually constituting its present mantle. Contained within the orbiting solar nebula is an object known as the White Stone. The White Stone contains a prebiotic entity (now known as Adam, the progenitor of waveform life).[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]4 Billion Years Ago[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
As the solar system begins to take shape and the planets grow larger through accretion, large clusters of matter form between them. The largest such cluster forms between Earth and Mars and is named [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theia"][b]Theia[/b][/url]. As Theia's mass increases, it begins to move closer to Earth (Earth's still-increasing size extends its gravitational influence over Theia, drawing the two bodies closer). Eventually, the two bodies collide.

At the moment of collision, a significant portion of Theia's mantle is ejected into orbit around the Earth, thus forming the [b]Moon[/b]. The remainder of Theia's mantle explodes into thousands of pieces, each of which becomes embedded in the Earth's crust across much of its northern hemisphere. One of these pieces contains an object known as the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone"][b]Black Stone[/b][/url]. The Black Stone contains a prebiotic entity (now known as [b]Eve[/b], the progenitor of [b]carbon-based life[/b]).

This event is known as [b]First Impact[/b] - the general public are aware of the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_impact_hypothesis"][b]Giant Impact Hypothesis[/b][/url], but are unaware of the existence of the Black Stone.

Due to favourable climate conditions in the northern hemisphere, Eve is able to begin cell replication, which triggers [b]Genesis on Earth[/b].[/font]

[font=book antiqua][size=5][color=#000000][b][aname=2]TIMELINE OF EVENTS: 20TH CENTURY[/aname][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]1946 - 1956[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_sea_scrolls"][b]Dead Sea Scrolls[/b][/url] are discovered in the ruins of the ancient settlement of Qumran. The scrolls are originally housed in the Rockefeller Museum, where they undergo translation and analysis. However, after the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War"][b]Six Day War[/b][/url], all of the scrolls (except two) are moved to the Israel Museum.

The two remaining scrolls were removed from the Rockefeller Museum by Jordanian authorities several days before the war began. The public are unaware of the existence of these two scrolls, which are named [b]The Gospel of Adam[/b] and [b]The Gospel of Eve[/b] by their Jordanian translation team.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]1957[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Translation efforts are abruptly called to a halt by the Jordanian government. The scrolls are confiscated from the research team and are transported to an unknown overseas location.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]1965[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The U.N.-backed [url="http://www.wmo.int/pages/about/index_en.html"][b]World Meteorological Organization[/b][/url] commences extensive geological research in Japan and, by the late 1970's, they begin to focus their research efforts on the area surrounding Hakone, Japan.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]1997[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The WMO establishes a new research station at the south pole, near the Rennick Glacier. Large drilling machines are transported from the United States to the Antartic station.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]1999[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The [b]WMO Climate Change Committee[/b] is formed to oversee the research projects in Japan and Antarctica. The twelve member committee manages the activities of the organization and also allocate its largely-classified budget.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2000[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The [b]WMO Antarctic Research Group[/b] discovers an enormous stone deep underneath the Rennick Glacier. It takes two months to drill into the center of the stone, where a hollow cavern is found. [b]Adam[/b], the first waveform being and progenitor of the [b]Angels[/b], is discovered inside the cavern (which itself is filled with ice).

The research group inserts several hollow metal probes into the White Stone's icy core. The probes are filled with boiling water and, through convection, the White Stone's core melts and is heated to approximately fifteen degrees celsius. At this stage a large needle, attached to a hydraulic arm, is inserted into Adam and a sample (presumably a blood sample, although this is unknown) is taken. Just minutes later, the sample is packed onto a U.N. helicopter, which heads out to sea.

Within half an hour - while the heating rods are withdrawn from the core - Adam awakes and generates a powerful [b]anti-Wave Field[/b]. The resulting explosion completely destroys Antarctica, melting all of its glaciers simultaneously. The powerful explosion causes a shift in the Earth's axis and triggers enormous tsunamis, which decimate much of the southern hemisphere.

This event is known as [b]Second Impact[/b]. A United Nations released an [url="http://images.wikia.com/evangelion/images/f/f1/Secondimpact.png"]official version of the events[/url]. The general public are unaware of the true nature of the Second Impact.[/font]

[center][url="http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6633/secondimpactbackstage.jpg"][img]http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6633/secondimpactbackstage.jpg[/img][/url][/center]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2000: Two Days After Second Impact[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
More than two billion people in the southern hemisphere perish as a result of the tsunamis generated from Second Impact. Severe climate change also ensues, resulting in a [b]perpetual summer[/b].[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2000: One Month After Second Impact[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Many coastal cities in the northern hemisphere are either destroyed or severely damaged due to rising sea levels. Some major cities are abandoned as a result (Tokyo, Los Angeles and Hong Kong are the first three to be evacuated).[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2000: Six Months After Second Impact[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The Third World War breaks out due to scarce food and resources. Nuclear weapons are deployed by several nations, causing widespread death and severe environmental damage. A high-yield nuclear bomb is dropped on Tokyo during the war, killing most of the remaining population.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2001[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
World War Three ends after only a few months. Casualties are so high that the war can no longer be fought by most powers. The [b]Valentine Ceasefire[/b] is signed on February 14th, 2001. At the end of the war, approximately 50% of the Earth's remaining human population remains.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2003[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Construction on [b]Tokyo-2[/b] is completed and it becomes Japan's new temporary capital. It is located at the site of the former Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture. In the same year, the WMO Japan Research Group resume operations (having had their activities placed on haitus due to the war). They commence widespread drilling around Hakone, Japan.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2004[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The WMO Japan Research Group discovers the [b]Black Stone[/b] underneath Hakone, Japan. The stone is significantly larger than the White Stone, which had been found in Antarctica years earlier. In addition, it is discovered to be completely hollow; its outer mantle is only four meters thick. Researchers estimate that the Black Stone has a circumference of more than 50 kilometers.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2007[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Researchers investigate the Black Stone for three years. The enormous core is so large that significant time is needed to move personnel and machinery from the opening at the "top" to the mantle on the opposite side. The mantle at the bottom ("lower mantle") is discovered to be many times thicker than the mantle at the top ("upper mantle"). The WMO Japan Research Group commences excavations at the lower mantle and uncovers [b]Eve[/b], the proginitor of all [b]carbon-based life[/b] on Earth.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2008[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The Japanese government designates Hakone, Japan as the site for Tokyo-3, the intended new permanent capital of Japan. The decision is heavily influenced by prominent members of the WMO, who exert significant political power given the state of the Earth's fragile new climate conditions. While the Japanese government thinks it is simply choosing a new site for a permanent capital city, senior members of the WMO Climate Change Committee intend for Tokyo-3 to be used as a first line of defense against predicted Angel attacks. The official reason given for construction of Tokyo-3 is that Tokyo-2 is suffering from serious over-population problems and a new city is required as a long term solution.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]2015[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Construction on Tokyo-3 is completed. The World Meteorological Organization is mostly dissolved; many of its staff join a new organization, called the U.N. Global Climate Administration.

Some remaining WMO staff, however, establish a completely different organization: [b]NERV[/b]. NERV is initially founded in secret, funded in part by the United Nations and in part by private donors from around the world.
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[blockquote][font=book antiqua][size=5][color=#000000][b][aname=3]ORGANIZATIONS[/aname][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]NERV[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
NERV is an international paramilitary organization headquartered in Tokyo-3, Japan. It has four branches in total (Tokyo-3, Detroit, Moscow and Paris). NERV was founded in 2015 and operates under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council. Its Executive Committee consists of seven members, each from one of the seven permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (Japan became a permanent member of the council after the World War Three ended). The current NERV Chairman is [b]Mitsunobu Endo[/b].

[center][img]http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7161/nervlogonew.jpg[/img]
[size=1][i][b]Above:[/b] NERV logo. The tagline is a direct quote from the Book of Revelation.[/i][/size][/center]

The United Nations Security Council has tasked NERV with one goal only: to protect Earth from the predicted Angel attacks, which are anticipated to commence sometime in the year 2020. Given the small window for preparation, NERV is allocated a generous budget from the seven permanent Security Council members, although it is not required to report its activities to any single national government. Instead, NERV's Executive Committee reports directly to the Security Council. The secretive nature of the organization has prompted several governments to establish active monitoring programs (in Japan, NERV is monitored by the Japanese Self Defense Forces).

All of NERV's four bases are subterranean, with the largest base - [b]ARC[/b] in Tokyo-3 - situated inside the hollow Black Stone. The ARC sits in the center of the enormous hollow cavern within the stone and is held in place by four titanium pillars, which are connected firmly to the stone's inner crust.

In addition to constructing enormous subterranean bases, NERV is responsible for building and operating powerful and advanced weapons called [b]Evangelions[/b]. At present, NERV operates three Evangelions in Tokyo-3; the remaining three units are being assembled at the Detroit and Paris branches.

NERV is also responsible for finding and training Evangelion pilots.
[/font][/blockquote]
[blockquote][font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]ALEPH[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Infamous Japanese cult leader [b]Sumito Asahara[/b] founded the Aleph movement in the early 1990's. Originally, his movement was centered around a seemingly benign form of "spiritual yoga", which attracted several thousand followers across Japan. However, as the years passed, Asahara began to introduce a variety of doctrines that consisted of his own interpretations of various religious sources including Buddhism and Christianity in particular. In 1992, Asahara published a book which became the central text for the movement, in which he claimed an identification with the [b][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_of_God"]Lamb of God[/url][/b]. The book also contained numerous conspiracy theories and doomsday predictions. The [b]World Meteorological Organization[/b] was mentioned several times in the text.

[center][img]http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7654/alephlogo.jpg[/img]
[size=1][i][b]Above:[/b] ALEPH logo, often seen as graffiti around Tokyo-3.[/i][/size][/center]

Asahara convinced his followers that [b]Second Impact[/b] was predicted in the [b][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation"]Book of Revelation[/url][/b]. Specifically, he claimed that it represented the fifth chapter ([b]The Angels Sound the Trumpets[/b]), in which "A third of the oceans are destroyed" and "A third of the sky is darkened". He also claimed that a large-scale war was imminent ("An army of 200 million kills a third of Earth's population").

The commencement of [b]World War Three[/b] only served to solidify Asahara's bold claims. And, when the existence of NERV was finally announced to the public only months before the first Angel attack, Asahara claimed that the next stage of Revelation was at hand according to the book's chronology:

The Angels Pour Out Their Bowls on the Earth

1. Seven angels are given golden bowls containing of the wrath of God. (15:1-8)
2. First Bowl: A "foul and loathsome sore" afflicts the followers of the beast. (16:1-2)
3. Second Bowl: The sea turns to blood and everything within it dies. (16:3)
4. Third Bowl: All fresh water turns to blood. (16:4-7)
5. Fourth Bowl: The sun scorches the Earth with intense heat. (16:8-9)
6. Fifth Bowl: There is total darkness and great pain in the Beast's kingdom. (16:10-11)
7. Sixth Bowl: Preparations are made for the final battle between the forces of good and evil. (16:12-16)
8. Seventh Bowl: A great earthquake: "every island fled away and the mountains were not found." (16:17-21)

Asahara predicts the arrival of [b]eight[/b] Angels to his followers. At the same time, he [b]declares war on NERV[/b], stating the the organization is attempting to interfere with [b]Final Judgement[/b]. Asahara and his followers view NERV, collectively, as the [b]Antichrist[/b] - an organization established ostensibly to protect and serve the people, but with the ultimate goal of denying them ultimate salvation.
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[blockquote][font=book antiqua][size=5][color=#000000][b][aname=5]EVANGELIONS[/aname][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=tahoma]The Evangelion is a cybernetic [b][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecha"]mecha[/url][/b], manufactured by [b]NERV[/b] for the purpose of defending Earth against the [b]Angels[/b]. Evangelion Units 01 through 03 are currently stationed at the [b]ARC[/b] facility and Units 04 through 06 are undergoing assembly and testing in NERV's Detroit and Paris branches.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
All Evangelions are quite different to each other (i.e. they are not mass-produced), except for some very general specifications. Typically, an Evangelion is approximately 400 meters tall (or, almost as tall as the Empire State Building). Despite their enormous height, Evangelions are generally very lightweight. Their weight varies based on their individual battle configuration.

Evangelions are [b]biomechanical weapons[/b]; they are principally constructed of synthetic mechanical components, but do contain a biological nervous system which is very similar in nature to our own. The nervous system within an Evangelion's body exists largely to facilitate improved communication between the pilot and the Evangelion.

Energy is supplied to Evangelions through a combination of internal rechargeable batteries and/or [b]umbilical cords[/b], which supply power to an Evangelion from a dedicated energy grid. When not connected to power via the umbilical cord, an Evangelion can usually remain powered for approximately five minutes. This does vary between individual units, however. Power consumption also varies based on the weapons used and the type of activity (for example, an Evangelion carrying a very heavy weapon while generating a Wave Field will tend to consume power very quickly).

Another unique trait of Evangelions, as mentioned above, is that they can generate Wave Fields. These fields can usually only be generated for very short periods of time, due to the fact that they consume enormous quantities of electricity. However, Wave Fields can be decisive in battle and can protect an Evangelion from some of the most severe attacks.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]PILOTING MECHANISM[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
The pilot's [b]cockpit module[/b] is encased in a metal tube called an [b]entry plug[/b], which is inserted into the "spine" of the Evangelion prior to battle. The entry plug rests within the thickest and most-protected part of the Evangelion's body, thus providing optimal protection for the pilot.

The cockpit module itself is a small chamber with a series of female plugs running along one wall. These female plugs correlate with the pilot's [b]plug suit[/b], which features a line of male plugs running down the spine. These plugs are used to connect the pilot directly to the cockpit module interior wall (i.e. to "plug in"). Once the plugs are connected, the pilot's [b]A10 nerve clip[/b] is activated. The A10 nerve clip is attached to the pilot's head and is wirelessly linked to the plug suit, which is, in turn, linked to the Evangelion via the entry plug. The A10 nerve clip essentially connects the pilot's brain directly to the Evangelion's nervous system.

At this stage, the pilot is essentially suspended in the middle of the cockpit module. Once the A10 nerve clip is made active (via the [b]ARC Control Platform[/b]), the cockpit module is then filled with a substance called [b]stasis fluid[/b]. Statis fluid is slightly thicker than water and, when a small electric current is run through it, it becomes almost opaque. The statis fluid delivers oxygen directly to the pilot's lungs when breathed in. It also allows the pilot to move his or her limbs with far less resistance and, further, it acts to keep the pilot's body temperature relatively low so as to keep the heart rate down and to improve endurance.

There are no physical controls within the cockpit module. When the pilot and Evangelion have achieved [b]optimal sync ratio[/b], the pilot essentially "becomes" the machine. The pilot loses a sense of self and instead views the outside world [i]as the Evangelion[/i]. This means that the pilot acquires the full sense of the Evangelion's sight and movement, including its weight and intertia. In addition, the pilot can feel pain when the Evangelion is damaged - although the degree of pain is very dependent on the sync ratio.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]START UP PROGRAM[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
In order to better understand the above, please see the Evangelion Start Up Program below, which outlines the steps involved in fully-activating an Evangelion. It can take as little as fifteen minutes to activate an Evangelion or as long as forty five minutes, depending particularly on the pilot's [b]sync ratio[/b].

[list=1]
[*]Pilot changes into plug suit
[*]Pilot is connected to cockpit module
[*]Cockpit module is sealed
[*]Cockpit module is inserted into entry plug
[*]Entry plug is lowered into Evangelion (at the back of the neck)
[*]Secondary power is activated from ARC Control Platform
[*]Communication test
[*]A10 nerve clip is activated by ARC Control Platform
[*]Evangelion spinal column is sealed
[*]Communication test
[*]Pumps are heated
[*]Pumps are connected to Evangelion
[*]Cockpit module is filled with stasis fluid
[*]Vital signs test
[*]Statis fluid is electified
[*]Communication test
[*]Sync ratio test is conducted by ARC Control Platform
[*]Clamps are disengaged
[*]Primary power is activated
[*]Final systems test
[*]Evangelion is launched
[/list]

While the entire process is monitored by the ARC Control Platform, some specific functions can only be controlled from that location.[/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=#4B0082][b]WEAPONS[/b][/size][/color][/font][font=tahoma]
Weapon configurations vary between Evangelions. All Evangelions are equipped with a default weapon, which is typically a [b]progressive knife[/b] (a short dagger with an energy blade, usually holstered in a thigh compartment). However, this is not always the case - some Evangelions are equipped with different default weapons depending on their individual designs.

In addition to a default weapon, all Evangelions carry a secondary weapon, which will generally vary based on the particulars of the mission. NERV has developed over-sized rifles, grenades, rocket launchers and even tactical thermonuclear devices specifically for Evangelion use.

Also, it is worth noting that some weapons are purely mechanical (i.e. they must be manually loaded and fired by the Evangelion's own hand) while others use either independent energy sources [i]or[/i] feed from the Evangelion's own power supply.[/font][/blockquote]

[quote=James][font="Palatino Linotype"]So, I've been thinking about starting a new RPG of my own for a while. I have had this idea for a long time about a mecha-type RPG involving high schools that double as military bases. Long story.

Anyway, that idea hasn't ever really formed into something concrete, but as I've been re-watching my favourite anime series again recently, I started thinking that it's pretty ripe for the RPG treatment.

I don't tend to like writing stories based on existing franchises because it's too easy to just produce a really vague and crappy imitation that tries too hard to have the exact same feeling as the original story.

For me, I'd like to avoid the more enigmatic elements of the series (especially the more extreme emotional rollercoasters). I am more interested in the literal stuff - as in, the history of the Earth, how the Evas work and the struggles between the different organisations (as well as, of course, the Angel battles).

I figure I'll throw this out there and just see if a) anyone's interested in this at all and b) if anyone has any ideas as to what the scope of the plot should be.

We don't seem to have had an RPG based on this series since around 2005...so it could be well overdue.[/quote]

[/font]

[OMNOMNOMALY]

[quote name='James' timestamp='1293083443' post='703166']
[font="Palatino Linotype"]So, I've been thinking about starting a new RPG of my own for a while. I have had this idea for a long time about a mecha-type RPG involving high schools that double as military bases. Long story.

Anyway, that idea hasn't ever really formed into something concrete, but as I've been re-watching my favourite anime series again recently, I started thinking that it's pretty ripe for the RPG treatment.

I don't tend to like writing stories based on existing franchises because it's too easy to just produce a really vague and crappy imitation that tries too hard to have the exact same feeling as the original story.

For me, I'd like to avoid the more enigmatic elements of the series (especially the more extreme emotional rollercoasters). I am more interested in the literal stuff - as in, the history of the Earth, how the Evas work and the struggles between the different organisations (as well as, of course, the Angel battles).

I figure I'll throw this out there and just see if a) anyone's interested in this at all and b) if anyone has any ideas as to what the scope of the plot should be.

We don't seem to have had an RPG based on this series since around 2005...so it could be well overdue.

[/font]
[/quote]
[font="Garamond"]100% up to participating, 0 ideas on plot haha. I have faith in you ;D[/font]

[Shy]

If there's a story to tell, then of course I'm in. I tried to get an Eva RPG going.... 8 years ago(!), but it never took off. Hopefully I can come up with a better approach to the material.

The logistics of NERV fascinate me to no end. My favorite episode of the entire series is probably when Ritsuko has to deal with all of her mother issues while doing battle with one of the Angels. It's the unique nature of that Angel in particular which interests me in regards to an RPG. What if some of the Angels were more like plagues and curses rather than simply giant monsters attacking the city? I'd be interested in doing something that doesn't follow the events of the series so closely, but remains very faithful to the show thematically. Perhaps a (mostly) different set of characters, but with the same basic story outline and general tone.

- Shy

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Awesome, it's good to know that there's some interest!

I agree with you 100%, Josh. I have read so many articles about how NERVE works, how the Evas actually operate and how it all ties together. Even the mythology surrounding the "black and white eggs" mistakenly landing on the same planet (thus giving rise to the Angels eventually) is incredibly interesting.

One thing I'd also forgotten is how varied the Angels are. Remember that one of them manifests within Unit 03 itself? And another is literally like a virus that adapts to changing environments and can only be fought using the MAGI and some clever programming? (I think that may actually be the Ritsuko part you're talking about).

In terms of a [i]new[/i] story, there are so many ways to approach it. For example, we could look at:

[list]
[*]Our own "Rebuild of Evangelion" - that is to say, our own "version" of the original series (and we can make it as different as we want);
[*]A direct sequel (I don't remember the ending lending itself much to a sequel, but perhaps we could change the ending...or just avoid it entirely and allow the story to continue in our own way?);
[*]A prequel - more difficult to do, in part because there's probably not a lot to write about pre-Second Impact (at least, not in terms of the Evas and the pilots);
[*]A sequel in a time period very far removed from the series - that is to say, not a direct sequel...but perhaps one that occurs hundreds of years later. If Adam and Lilith are still on Earth after the human race has been eliminated, perhaps the same cycle will repeat (maybe they find remnants of NERVE and the Evas as part of archeological digs?);
[/list]

I had a couple of ideas about the "very distant sequel" pathway, in terms of how they might build Evas in a time period far later than the main series.

The alternative to the above is to create an RPG that is maybe in an alternate universe and is actually not "Evangelion" as such - but rather, something loosely based on it (a bit like the relationship between Kill Adam and Kill Bill).

None of these are really fleshed out ideas or anything, but I hope they prompt some more brainstorming. If we can start building some really broad strokes that might bring out even more ideas. :)[/font]

[JamesMay]

Ive never participated in an rpg on a forum nor do i understand how it works... but an eva related story would be cool. A prequel would be awesome from the side of the angels. focus on their motives, have deep back story on where they come from etc.

[Kei]

[font="Tahoma"][color="#000080"]Mm... I think that the thing about it is that Evangelion presents such an establishing bar that any attempts to make a "prequel" or "sequel" may feel a bit...sub-par, for lack of better term at present. I would probably go for a Rebuild, if nothing else, but that's me.

Anyway, the thing about Eva is that it primarily touches on the cerebral and inter-character relationships; the action is just frosting on the cake. Would the game follow that route or take it in another direction?

(An idea that just occurred to me, though, is what if there were a sort of Angel "gene" that lies dormant in people that activates under certain conditions? If anyone could technically turn into an Angel, and player characters could build relationship with them--or a player character turns into an Angel themselves--that could provide an interesting turn.)
[/color][/font]

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Kei, I think any new story would need to focus on cerebral and inter-character relationships, but one major feature of the series was Shinji's frequent self-reflection. While I think a certain amount of that is reasonable, I also think we should avoid being that close to the original series (that is to say, I wouldn't want to create another character who is just like Shinji - if only to avoid that "pale remake syndrome").

If there were to be a sequel or prequel, I think it would necessarily demand changing some elements of the original story anyway (particularly if we create a sequel). Think of it a bit like End of Evangelion, where the last couple of episodes were re-imagined.

Also... I love your Angel gene idea. That's really clever. And it also sort of fits in with Shy's idea of Angels being quite different in how they present themselves in our story. [/font]

[JamesMay]

hahaha.. you guys should butcher the story and make a pre-teeny bopper story about the angels in junior high school!! Sachiel can help Ramiel with his geometry homework!!!! lol

[Shy]

[quote name='Kei' timestamp='1293145175' post='703199']
[font="Tahoma"][color="#000080"](An idea that just occurred to me, though, is what if there were a sort of Angel "gene" that lies dormant in people that activates under certain conditions? If anyone could technically turn into an Angel, and player characters could build relationship with them--or a player character turns into an Angel themselves--that could provide an interesting turn.)
[/color][/font]

[/quote]I like this.

I feel like the Angels should be incredibly varied in how they attack NERV and try to gain access to Lilith. One might be a literal virus, while another might be a hurricane, or who knows what else. The idea of Angels having the ability to take over individuals is interesting; perhaps prolonged exposure to the Eva's make one more vulnerable to this, or maybe the Angels have planted a mole within NERV from the very beginning. I'm thinking of them more like biblical plagues than direct threats.

I'm leaning much more towards a rebuild than a prequel or sequel. We should try to figure out which elements of the series are worth retaining, and which can be re-imagined. Since Gendo and Shinji's relationship is pretty much what the entire series is about we should consider recasting that story entirely, though.

- Shy

[Kei]

[font="Tahoma"][color="#000080"]Yes, it is true that the entire story was basically about Shinji and Gendo, so that particular aspect may need to be scrapped or become a secondary element, at best (that is, of course, barring the idea that instead of it being just one person undergoing a Test, all the player characters are undergoing their own Test, but just so happened to be sharing the same "Test Field", as it were).

As far as the Angels go, I agree that their tactics should be largely played with. Some of the Angels did have some interesting ways of attempting to breach NERV, but I think we can take it up to eleven, possibly even twelve. =D
[/color][/font]

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Sounds great so far. So, if we think Rebuild...then I agree we should basically tell the story our way. My thinking is that we either ditch (most) of the existing characters [i]or[/i] change them entirely. Or we could change their roles or something.

Maybe the Angels could be a kind of mini-game in the RPG. When it's time for a new Angel to appear, we could maybe have the participants come up with an idea each about what form the Angel will take...then the participants can vote. That way we aren't pre-planning things too much and it'll force all the writers to adapt their writing as we go, because we won't know what Angel we're dealing with until the votes are in.[/font]

[Shy]

I'd rather not worry about trying to shoehorn any of the existing characters into our new story. Let's just use fresh faces entirely, save for Fuyutsuki, who was awesome.

The voting idea sounds cool, too. The high school dynamics were some of my least favorite parts of Eva, though. I'd much rather skip that stuff.

- Shy

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Yeah, I agree. Okay, so for now we'll scrap the existing characters completely - maybe we should start by examining the things that underpin the plot.

The most basic element that drives everything else in Evangelion is really Second Impact (and by extension, First and Third Impacts). If we want to re-interpret the plot (even moreso than the Rebuilds do), then maybe we need to consider those big events.

My thinking is that we don't scrap them as such, but that we make some changes to them. The series did not really go into very much detail to explain those historical events (especially First Impact) and I get a strong sense that the creators employed some poetic license in order to make things work. I wouldn't mind solidifying those events and maybe simplifying them as well, if only to give us a good basis from which to work from.

[b]Edit:[/b] I have some ideas about an alternative timeline (pre year 2000), so I might try to put that together and post it here for you guys to look at. Maybe that'll give us a basis to start. :)

Okay, so...I sat down today and started to write my own Evangelion timeline. A lot of this stuff is identical to the TV series, some things are changed slightly and some things are completely different. The timeline isn't finished, but I figured I'd just post the start bit to give you an idea of where my mind is going. So far I'm up to 2004 - my intention is to bring the timeline up to around 2015 or 2020 - that would be where our RPG starts and where the first Angel attacks.

So, here it is. Let me know what you think.

----------------------------------

[b][u]Pre-History[/u][/b]

[b]4.5 Billion Years Ago:[/b] Earth's formation is largely complete, having attained approximately 40% of its present mass (due to the process of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accretion_(astrophysics)"]accretion[/url]). Elements of the remaining nebula surrounding the Earth continue to fall over a period of 20 million years, eventually constituting its present mantle. Contained within the orbiting solar nebula is an object known as the [b]White Stone[/b]. The White Stone contains a prebiotic entity (now known as [b]Adam[/b], the progenitor of [b]waveform life[/b]).

Under normal circumstances, the prebiotic entity known as "Adam" should have birthed a type of waveform life (now referred to as an [b]Angel[/b]). However, when the White Stone falls from low Earth orbit, it lands at the south pole and becames lodged deep inside the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennick_Glacier"][b]Rennick Glacier[/b][/url]. Temperatures below minus fifty degrees celsius prevent the prebiotic Adam from generating a sufficient [b]Wave Field[/b] with which to replicate. The White Stone lays dormant within the glacier.

[b]4 Billion Years Ago:[/b] As the solar system begins to take shape and the planets grow larger through accretion, large clusters of matter form between them. The largest such cluster forms between Earth and Mars and is named [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theia"][b]Theia[/b][/url]. As Theia's mass increases, it begins to move closer to Earth (Earth's still-increasing size extends its gravitational influence over Theia, drawing the two bodies closer). Eventually, the two bodies collide.

At the moment of collision, a significant portion of Theia's mantle is ejected into orbit around the Earth, thus forming the [b]Moon[/b]. The remainder of Theia's mantle explodes into thousands of pieces, each of which becomes embedded in the Earth's crust across much of its northern hemisphere. One of these pieces contains an object known as the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone"][b]Black Stone[/b][/url]. The Black Stone contains a prebiotic entity (now known as [b]Eve[/b], the progenitor of [b]carbon-based life[/b]).

This event is known as [b]First Impact[/b] - the general public are aware of the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_impact_hypothesis"][b]Giant Impact Hypothesis[/b][/url], but are unaware of the existence of the Black Stone.

Due to favourable climate conditions in the northern hemisphere, Eve is able to begin cell replication, which triggers [b]Genesis on Earth[/b].

[b][u]20th Century[/u][/b]

[b]1946 - 1956:[/b] The [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_sea_scrolls"][b]Dead Sea Scrolls[/b][/url] are discovered in the ruins of the ancient settlement of Qumran. The scrolls are originally housed in the Rockefeller Museum, where they undergo translation and analysis. However, after the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War"][b]Six Day War[/b][/url], all of the scrolls (except two) are moved to the Israel Museum.

The two remaining scrolls were removed from the Rockefeller Museum by Jordanian authorities several days before the war began. The public are unaware of the existence of these two scrolls, which are named [b]The Gospel of Adam[/b] and [b]The Gospel of Eve[/b] by their Jordanian translation team.

[b]1957:[/b] Translation efforts are abruptly called to a halt by the Jordanian government. The scrolls are confiscated from the research team and are transported to an unknown overseas location.

[b]1965:[/b] The U.N.-backed [url="http://www.wmo.int/pages/about/index_en.html"][b]World Meteorological Organization[/b][/url] commences extensive geological research in Japan and, by the late 1970's, they begin to focus their research efforts on the area surrounding Hakone, Japan.

[b]1997:[/b] The WMO establishes a new research station at the south pole, near the Rennick Glacier. Large drilling machines are transported from the United States to the Antartic station.

[b]1999:[/b] The [b]WMO Climate Change Committee[/b] is formed to oversee the research projects in Japan and Antarctica. The twelve member committee manages the activities of the organization and also allocate its largely-classified budget.

[b]2000:[/b] The [b]WMO Antarctic Research Group[/b] discovers an enormous stone deep underneath the Rennick Glacier. It takes two months to drill into the center of the stone, where a hollow cavern is found. [b]Adam[/b], the first waveform being and progenitor of the [b]Angels[/b], is discovered inside the cavern (which itself is filled with ice).

The research group inserts several hollow metal probes into the White Stone's icy core. The probes are filled with boiling water and, through convection, the White Stone's core melts and is heated to approximately fifteen degrees celsius. At this stage a large needle, attached to a hydraulic arm, is inserted into Adam and a sample (presumably a blood sample, although this is unknown) is taken. Just minutes later, the sample is packed onto a U.N. helicopter, which heads out to sea.

Within half an hour - while the heating rods are withdrawn from the core - Adam awakes and generates a powerful [b]anti-Wave Field[/b]. The resulting explosion completely destroys Antarctica, melting all of its glaciers simultaneously. The powerful explosion causes a shift in the Earth's axis and triggers enormous tsunamis, which decimate much of the southern hemisphere.

This event is known as [b]Second Impact[/b]. A United Nations released an [url="http://images.wikia.com/evangelion/images/f/f1/Secondimpact.png"]official version of the events[/url]. The general public are unaware of the true nature of the Second Impact.

[b]2000 - Two Days After Second Impact:[/b] More than two billion people in the southern hemisphere perish as a result of the tsunamis generated from Second Impact. Severe climate change also ensues, resulting in a [b]perpetual summer[/b].

[b]2000 - One Month After Second Impact:[/b] Many coastal cities in the northern hemisphere are either destroyed or severely damaged due to rising sea levels. Some major cities are abandoned as a result (Tokyo, Los Angeles and Hong Kong are the first three to be evacuated).

[b]2000 - Six Months After Second Impact:[/b] The Third World War breaks out due to scarce food and resources. Nuclear weapons are deployed by several nations, causing widespread death and severe environmental damage.

[b]2001:[/b] World War Three ends after only a few months. Casualties are so high that the war can no longer be fought by most powers. The Valentine Ceasefire is signed on February 14th, 2001. At the end of the war, approximately 50% of the Earth's remaining human population remains.

[b]2003:[/b] Construction on [b]Tokyo-2[/b] is completed and it becomes Japan's new temporary capital. It is located at the site of the former Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture. In the same year, the WMO Japan Research Group resume operations (having had their activities placed on haitus due to the war). They commence widespread drilling around Hakone, Japan.

[b]2004:[/b] The WMO Japan Research Group discovers the [b]Black Stone[/b] underneath Hakone, Japan. The stone is significantly larger than the White Stone, which had been found in Antarctica years earlier. In addition, it is discovered to be completely hollow; its outer mantle is only four meters thick. Researchers estimate that the Black Stone has a circumference of more than 50 kilometers.

[b]2007:[/b] Researchers investigate the Black Stone for three years. The enormous core is so large that significant time is needed to move personnel and machinery from the opening at the "top" to the mantle on the opposite side. The mantle at the bottom ("lower mantle") is discovered to be many times thicker than the mantle at the top ("upper mantle"). The WMO Japan Research Group commences excavations at the lower mantle and uncovers [b]Eve[/b], the proginitor of all [b]carbon-based life[/b] on Earth.

[b]2008:[/b] The Japanese government designates Hakone, Japan as the site for Tokyo-3, the intended new permanent capital of Japan. The decision is heavily influenced by prominent members of the WMO, who exert significant political power given the state of the Earth's fragile new climate conditions. While the Japanese government thinks it is simply choosing a new site for a permanent capital city, senior members of the WMO Climate Change Committee intend for Tokyo-3 to be used as a first line of defense against predicated Angel attacks.

[b]2015:[/b] Construction on Tokyo-3 is completed. The World Meteorological Organization is mostly dissolved; many of its staff join a new organization, called the U.N. Global Climate Administration.

Some remaining WMO staff, however, establish a completely different organization: [b]NERV[/b]. NERV is initially founded in secret, funded in part by the United Nations and in part by private donors from around the world. [/font]

[Shy]

I like this. Now what?

- Shy

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Okay, so I've updated the timeline to bring it up to approximately 2020, which is where our RPG will begin. Unlike the series, I want our RPG to begin [i]before[/i] the very first Angel attack. That way we have the ability to start designing Angels from the outset.

I've had a couple more general thoughts about this RPG as I've been writing up the timeline:

[list]
[*]I really [i]don't[/i] want to set this story in a high school setting (and others have expressed the same reservation). My thinking is that part of the fun will be that the pilots come from many different backgrounds (including different genders, age ranges, professions, etc...)
[*]I envisage the nature of the Evas to be quite different in this story. I want to play down the biological aspect - that is to say, they may have biological components (or even a biological "core"), but I don't know if I want the Evas to be literally giant beasts wearing armor - any thoughts?
[*]To go along with that, I imagine that there will naturally be more Evas in our story than in the original series (in part because we can accommodate more players that way and in part because I think it could make more more interesting scenarios as well).
[*]I would like for the players to freel free to push the boundaries quite a bit. The original series did this from a psychological point of view, but I think it wouldn't be a bad thing to see a greater degree of surrealism in our story.
[/list]

In the original series, a lot of characters seemed relatively nonplussed by the presence of the Angels - I am referring now to the general public. Of course, when an Angel appeared the entirey city folded away and people evacuated - but there didn't seem to be very much questioning what the Angels were. Wouldn't some sort of new religion start as a result of these appearances? What about UFO watchers? What about stupid reality television producers who want to get the perfect shot to boost their ratings?

This also ties into the pilots themselves. In the original series, they were children and they were "chosen". But if [i]anybody[/i] of any age can be a pilot, how do they get chosen from such a large pool? We can play around with that idea. I have been thinking about everything from government-mandated urine or blood tests (used to evaluate sync ratio early on, perhaps) to forced abductions or something else entirely.

While I would love for our story to be really far-out, I also like the idea of reinterpreting some of the basics in our own way, by asking what would happen if this situation were real. Does that make sense to anyone?

It'd be good to see a bit more brainstorming before I attempt to put together an Auditions topic. I want to make sure that the interest is really there. :)[/font]

[Lilt]

[b]Okay James, I haven't watched much of Evangelion at all, but I know the basic story.

If it's okay with you, I'm going to pre-build my character now to get ready. She'll probably be around the same age or older than the pilots from the original Evangelion story. However, I think having pilots from different backgrounds is a great idea.

I don't know how much help I can be but I'll try to brain storm about the Evas themselves and how the pilots will be chosen.

The only idea I have right now is, maybe having the 'core' of the Eva be a chromosome? For example, one Eva might have an XX and the other is XY. So you might not be able to tell, but the Evas will be male and female.

That will affect what pilot can operate what Eva though. (Either opposites attract or it will have to match.)

That's just a basic thought for right now though.[/b]

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Thanks for your feedback guys, I really appreciate it. Boo, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did. :)

And Lilt, I really love your idea about the chromosomes. At the moment my thinking is that I want the Evangelions to be essentially mechanical [i]but[/i] to be driven by some sort of biological "core". I like the idea that maybe a strand of DNA is what actually kick-starts the Evangelion itself. And I like the idea that the DNA and/or chromosomes play a role in the Sync Ratio as well. Sounds good to me.

I am also thinking that possibly the mood and attitude of the pilot will affect the Evangelion's performance. So if you're pre-disposed to violence or if you are cowardly or whatever, that will affect the physical abilities of the Evangelion itself - so in other words, it will almost mould itself to its pilot's personality.

I'm going to continue to work on an Auditions topic as well as more backstage info. For now...are there any big questions that you guys think I need to answer in the auditions topic? Like, any information that you'll really need to help you create your characters?[/font]

[OMNOMNOMALY]

[quote name='James' timestamp='1297052134' post='704745']
[font="Palatino Linotype"]Thanks for your feedback guys, I really appreciate it. Boo, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did. :)

And Lilt, I really love your idea about the chromosomes. At the moment my thinking is that I want the Evangelions to be essentially mechanical [i]but[/i] to be driven by some sort of biological "core". I like the idea that maybe a strand of DNA is what actually kick-starts the Evangelion itself. And I like the idea that the DNA and/or chromosomes play a role in the Sync Ratio as well. Sounds good to me.

I am also thinking that possibly the mood and attitude of the pilot will affect the Evangelion's performance. So if you're pre-disposed to violence or if you are cowardly or whatever, that will affect the physical abilities of the Evangelion itself - so in other words, it will almost mould itself to its pilot's personality.

I'm going to continue to work on an Auditions topic as well as more backstage info. For now...are there any big questions that you guys think I need to answer in the auditions topic? Like, any information that you'll really need to help you create your characters?[/font]
[/quote]
[font="Garamond"]it's not a big question but I didn't see it answered when I looked back and I'm curious... what is the selection process like? How do you find people that are suitable to become pilots? I haven't seen the original as you can tell (I'd like to start it before the RP gets going if schoolwork allows). Mass drafting? People already involved in world military? I am just wondering what kind of occupation I'd need to give a character, etc. This looks really cool, I can't wait for it to take off. Hope it doesn't hurt my chances to be involved too much that I am not so familiar with the background.[/font]

[James]

[quote name='wikipediafounderjimmywales' timestamp='1297055142' post='704747']
[font="Garamond"]it's not a big question but I didn't see it answered when I looked back and I'm curious... what is the selection process like? How do you find people that are suitable to become pilots? I haven't seen the original as you can tell (I'd like to start it before the RP gets going if schoolwork allows). Mass drafting? People already involved in world military? I am just wondering what kind of occupation I'd need to give a character, etc. This looks really cool, I can't wait for it to take off. Hope it doesn't hurt my chances to be involved too much that I am not so familiar with the background.[/font]
[/quote]

[font=palatino linotype]Good question. In terms of the selection process, the basic idea will be that not everyone can be an Eva pilot - candidates would be chosen and then those candidates would go through Sync Tests (which are basically tests to determine how well a pilot will pair with the Eva). Those who pass the Sync Test would then qualify as pilots.

In terms of the initial candidate process though, I'm not really sure what approach I'll take. It could be that it is compulsory for all citizens to undergo a blood test, for example (which could be used to initially check for close alignment to the Eva DNA) [i]or[/i] there would be some completely different process. I will think about it and try to come up with something fun.

The key point I guess is that [i]anyone[/i] could become an Eva pilot. Part of the fun of the show is that the Eva pilots are a) totally different personalities and b) come from completely different backgrounds. In my RPG, I want to really expand that concept. You might have an Eva pilot who is a grandmother, or a pilot who is wheelchair-bound. While a pilot needs to be physically capable to pilot the machine, what really matters is their intelligence and their Sync Ratio. I really love the idea of "unlikely pilots" from everyday life. Remember: these people are drafted from the community and most probably won't have any military experience. They are there because they are literally fighting for mankind's survival.

In terms of whether or not you know the series - it's probably actually an asset that you don't, in some ways. I will provide you with everything you "need" to know to play the RPG (my historical timeline is part of it, but there will be more). I don't want to exclude anyone if they haven't seen the show, because I think that would be too onerous. Plus, I really want fresh ideas that aren't based too much on the source material. :)

Hope that answers your questions![/font]

[OMNOMNOMALY]

[quote name='James' timestamp='1297059802' post='704749']
[font=palatino linotype]Good question. In terms of the selection process, the basic idea will be that not everyone can be an Eva pilot - candidates would be chosen and then those candidates would go through Sync Tests (which are basically tests to determine how well a pilot will pair with the Eva). Those who pass the Sync Test would then qualify as pilots.

In terms of the initial candidate process though, I'm not really sure what approach I'll take. It could be that it is compulsory for all citizens to undergo a blood test, for example (which could be used to initially check for close alignment to the Eva DNA) [i]or[/i] there would be some completely different process. I will think about it and try to come up with something fun.

The key point I guess is that [i]anyone[/i] could become an Eva pilot. Part of the fun of the show is that the Eva pilots are a) totally different personalities and b) come from completely different backgrounds. In my RPG, I want to really expand that concept. You might have an Eva pilot who is a grandmother, or a pilot who is wheelchair-bound. While a pilot needs to be physically capable to pilot the machine, what really matters is their intelligence and their Sync Ratio. I really love the idea of "unlikely pilots" from everyday life. Remember: these people are drafted from the community and most probably won't have any military experience. They are there because they are literally fighting for mankind's survival.

In terms of whether or not you know the series - it's probably actually an asset that you don't, in some ways. I will provide you with everything you "need" to know to play the RPG (my historical timeline is part of it, but there will be more). I don't want to exclude anyone if they haven't seen the show, because I think that would be too onerous. Plus, I really want fresh ideas that aren't based too much on the source material. :)

Hope that answers your questions![/font]
[/quote]

[font="Garamond"]That's perfect! Thank you, sir =) Better get some character ideas really started now, haha.
[/font]

[James]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]My pleasure. :)

By the way, for those of you who are familiar with NGE...I've taken a big risk here and designed a new NERV logo of our own. I hope you guys like it. I know a lot of people were annoyed with the logo in the official Rebuilds, haha.

[center][img]http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7161/nervlogonew.jpg[/img][/center]

We are getting closer to starting now - I just want to add a few more bits and pieces to this topic to provide some background information to help people with their sign-ups. Eventually we'll have sections for locations, organizations and possibly a glossary or something like that.

Please feel free to make any suggestions as we go. I expect to be able to add to the front page of this topic as the RPG progresses - I really don't want anyone to feel [i]too[/i] bound by the original series. Any and all ideas are welcome.

Oh, and I will also use the backstage topic to keep a list of the Angels. As we vote on each kind, the "winning" Angels will go here one by one. I imagine that each Angel submission will be like a mini sign-up.

Maybe I should come up with a little reward for people who submit Angels that pass the voting stage. Any ideas?[/font]

[CaNz]

Like, maybe If your angel is selected you get to defeat(provide the finishing blow to) him yourself, winning cool points in the story? Edited February 7, 2011 by CaNz

[James]

[quote name='CaNz' timestamp='1297092473' post='704756']
Like, maybe If your angel is selected you get to defeat(provide the finishing blow to) him yourself, winning cool points in the story?
[/quote]

[font=palatino linotype]Hm, not a bad idea. I like that. :)

I am also thinking of maybe making some sort of avatar or icon for people who create winning angels. Maybe a little NERV emblem, like the kind an officer would wear on their shoulder. Something like that might be fun.

[b]Edit:[/b] By the way, my plan at the moment is that the story [i]will[/i] have chapters, but I'm thinking that each "chapter" in the story will be divided by the arrival of a new Angel. So I'm sure there will be other sub-plots that will occur in between those way points, but I figure that the arrival of each Angel will present a good series of dividing lines throughout the RPG.

I also have some other ideas as to how we can keep track of things effectively, without people getting too lost during the story. I've been inspired by Mass Effect 2 on that point. ;)

[/font]

[Lilt]

[b]Hey James, I like the idea of an avatar a lot. It's like the RP affects OB itself in a way.

If you want to do something special but within the RP too though, you could have an important NPC give some item to someone's character? It doesn't have to be useful or powerful, I'm thinking of something like, ([spoiler]spoiler tagging this just in case,) Rei with Gendo's glasses I think it was?[/spoiler]

I still like your idea for the avatar the best though. Also, chapters sound good if you can make them work. I always considered using chapters but I could never get them to work right.

EDIT: I almost have my character decided on.[/b] Edited February 25, 2011 by Lilt

[James]

[quote name='Boo' timestamp='1299076656' post='705425']
So. How's it hanging?
[/quote]

[font=palatino linotype]I've just added quite a bit more information to the front page of this topic. Yes, I'm still planning to launch this RPG.

I clearly won't be able to put [i]everything[/i] up there beforehand, but hopefully what I put up will be useful for people who aren't as familiar with the Evangelion universe.

Speaking of this, if anybody is interested in creating and organisation or adding a section - please feel free to send it to me in a message! Right now I am just setting the scene; I am not going to create an ending or anything else specific prior to the RPG going up. I find that it limits participants too much because everyone will just try to write according to my own ideas. I would really love for any interested people to add something unique to this and I'm really hoping to see some crazy Angel ideas come up when we get to that. :)

In other words, as much as I'm setting the scene early on...I'm then going to pretty much let it all go and the RPG participants will really create the story itself. I hope that makes sense. By the time I launch this, I may have lost everyone anyway. :P

[b]Edit:[/b] Lilt, sounds good to me. Sorry I didn't respond to you directly yet! I'm happy that you're still interested![/font]