Welcome to the world of the Electric Saints. Please check back regularly for updates and announcements.
11/24/2016: XThe OOC has been opened.
11/24/2016: XSpots remaining: N/A
11/25/2016: XThe character skeleton sheet has been altered. Please make the necessary changes. Thank you!
11/27/2016: XOur first character, Circe Norwell, has been accepted. The RP deadline for all skeletons [ 12/04/2016 ]. All characters must be done by then if one is competing or expects to jump in when the ICC first goes up.
12/3/2016: XThe discord chat is up! Follow this link:
The year of 2082 is an age that, at first, humanity had looked upon as the height of man's technological successes, and, near its close, humanity saw as a time of unparalleled and terrifying destruction. September 23rd and an undisputed silence fell across the Earth as citizens of all countries gathered to watch from massive screens in crumbling city centers as the blue horizons of the United States were painted black with the smoke and ash of exploding nuclear warheads-- the result of a brutal war that came to be known as "The Great War". Life seemed to come to a standstill as the country is ripped apart, leaving but a skeleton of the former behemoth in its wake. When the bombings subside, America is in shambles, more than half of which has been reduced to unrecoverable wastelands, cities that became graveyards in a matter of seconds. The habitable land, a mere fraction of what used to be, is divided into sectors with ministers appointed by an elusive, yet massively powerful, government to serve as pioneers of reconstruction and breathe a new life into the decimated nation.
15 years later and in the place of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sector 13, a cesspool of organized crime and corrupt officials, is alive and well. Nicknamed the Neon City, it is home to much of the nation's poverty, boasting soaring rates of murder, shady backroom deals, and an often absent minister-- all of which is disguised by a bustling nightlife scene and a constant, neon glow from the many signs that pollute every street. With the lack of an effective administration, a power vacuum in the city forms, and the numerous groups of ragtag thugs are more than eager to fill it. Rival gangs fighting for dominance make turf wars commonplace, and the sounds of pulse guns going off in the dead of night are nothing out of ordinary in 13. Drug usage skyrockets on the streets, as it offers a distraction from the hellish reality that many residents find themselves embroiled in, unable to escape.
On the edge of town, in an old, long abandoned chapel, a man known as the Reverend runs an infamous trap house. Advertised as a place perfect for "those bored with their demons", it is open to the public only during the ungodly hours of the night, where many go to lose themselves in dim lighting and loud music. From there, the Reverend distributes a drug of his own, signature creation, dubbed Synthia. The drug is unlike any other in both potency and effect, creating realistic "dreamscapes" that leaves the user in a trance for a certain period of time and induces intense, often euphoric, emotions that many have found themselves unable to feel on their own. Synthia, gains popularity, amassing a huge following, of loyal addicts scrambling to get their next dose. Attempts by competition to replicate the drug have remained largely unsuccessful, leaving the drug, and the Reverend, virtually unopposed. With the help of his closest aides, his seven Electric Saints, the Reverend quickly begins his ascent to power as Sector 13 is increasingly brought under his control. The Synthia market becomes one of 13's most successful, and illegal, ventures, with its influence spanning all corners of the Neon City.
The Reverend quickly assumes his rightful place on the metaphorical throne of 13, presiding over the city with an iron fist. He stamps out rival gangs, either by force or by assimilation and subjugation through means of a tribute system, crushing all who threaten to overtake him. Those who pledge their loyalty are spared, and in turn the Reverend makes certain that their neighborhoods are kept safe and their bellies full. Thus begins the dawn of the most order, though still highly corrupt, highly illegal, 13 has ever known. Not a single person doesn't know his name, and yet, not a single person, aside from his Saints, knows his face. He remains completely shrouded in secrecy, an untouchable, omnipotent enigma-- a God and his disciples, his Electric Saints.
It took all of them by surprise; not a single person had foretold it, had expected it. The death of the Reverend.
The Saints, sensing the formation of a second massive power vacuum, one to rival the first, swear amongst themselves to keep The Reverend's passing a secret. For twenty-two days, life in Sector 13 continues normally-- the ordinary citizen wakes up in the morning and diligently goes to work, before spending the rest of the night at one of the Neon City's numerous clubs or with one of the many prostitutes posted at each street corner. For twenty-two days, the Saints manage to keep everything in order, manage to pose as if the illustrious Reverend still sits atop his mighty throne.
But the Saints, each highly ambitious individuals with personal vendettas of their own to satisfy, quickly find that the allure of power, of assuming the Reverend's legacy and domination of 13, proves to be far too tempting to resist. The Synthia empire becomes enveloped in a subtle game of wits and extortion between the seven, until, on the twenty-third day, word leaks to the public by an anonymous specter that the Reverend is dead. Chaos ensues as the Saints turn to each other to point the finger and draw their guns as riots rage on outside. Subtlety is thrown to wind as what began as a tactical conflict is blown up into a brutal battle of influence and deceit, of bullets and blood. The Saints themselves are split into two groups, The Purgatory Syndicate, and Vanguard, with the remnants of the Reverend's drug empire falling in the hands of the affluent Vanguard.
In the horizon, the dawn of a new era is just beginning to come into realization. After the minister is dismissed from his post, a young, vindictive politician from the neighboring Sector 11, a certain James Galloway, is appointed in his place with the vision of transforming 13 into a utopia of order and civility. With his elite task force, Zenith, at his side, he is determined to eradicate all crime from the streets for the sake of turning the Neon City away from its history of sin. Upon entering office, he immediately sets his sights upon the Saints, symbols of the vice that continues to haunt 13 like a shadow, determined to weed them out of the system for good. The fate of the Saints hangs in the balance more than ever before-- people become pawns in the wake of the Reverend's demise, a godless time when the fallen run free.
The Purgatory Syndicate:
Street names: Purgatory, the Syndicate, Tunnel crawlers
When the Saints split, the Reverend's drug empire fell in the hands of Vanguard, and the Purgatory Syndicate was left largely on its own. However, do not underestimate these individuals forged with fire coursing through their veins and a penchant for violence; they were born fighting, fists bared against the world in defiance. United behind their leader, Ira, they are a fiercely loyal group who prove their worth by the amount of scars littering their skin blooming with blue and purple bruises. The Purgatory Syndicate, or Purgatory as it is known for short, makes their money via a massive network of brothels, which are a popular attraction among the night-goers of the Neon City. Those apart of Purgatory are not in it for a monetary incentive; if so, there is little to gain. Rather, thugs are apart of the syndicate because it has simply become a way of life for them, it is all they know-- brawling, bloodshed, brotherhood. Currently, the Purgatory Syndicate occupies the slums of 13, where most of the brothels are located.
Known also as Tunnel Crawlers among their adversaries, an allusion to the massive network of tunnels in which they have hidden their operations, the Purgatory Syndicate knows all the secrets the streets of 13 have to offer. They know the Neon City as if it were branded on the back of their hand, know where law enforcement is going to be next and how to outrun them. While the last minister was in power, they were being paid to dispose of any "unwanteds", though such a system has crumbled to dust since the appointment of the hot-shot James Galloway.
The Vanguard:
Street names: Rosies, Ducats, Mosquitos
The illustrious Vanguard, angels on high; at least, that is how they appear. In fact, the Vanguard are not nearly as perfect as they seem, and those who know any better know to steer clear from their path. The members are filthy rich, with swanky penthouses and diamonds adorning every finger. Such riches have been procured via the narcotics industry, which they took control of after the Reverend passed away. For those looking to climb to the top, look towards the Vanguard-- all of the wealth of the world, or at least, Sector 13, can be found concentrated among these individuals. With their massive and seemingly endless amounts of money, they were able to easily manipulate the minister and his lackeys to turn a blind eye to their highly illicit activities. However, this wealth is exactly what can be their own undoing; because each member has their own incentive, one that typically involves amassing a fortune, the Vanguard are more prone to acts of espionage and betrayal from within. Such is why alliances are rare among their rankings; they are ruthless, operating on an every man for himself basis. The kind of people that do their dealings without getting their hands dirty, the Vanguard are located in the heart of Sector 13, a playground for the rich.
Zenith:
Street names: Hounds
An elite taskforce appointed by the new minister, James Galloway. All members of Zenith have undergone extreme training, and in some extreme cases, modifications, ever since enlistment. They share the same black-and-white perspective as Galloway himself, viewing crime as a scourge upon Sector 13 that must be eradicated. Equipped with top of the line technology and cybernetic canines snapping at the heels of all they deem unworthy for society, the members of Zenith serve as heralders of the new age, an era united under Galloway's vision. They have been tasked with infiltrating and subsequently destroying the Saints, although these criminals have proved more evasive than they would have originally thought. Their headquarters, polished and devoid of color, are located near the Town Hall.
The Great War: A relatively short-lived war that officially began March 2nd, 2082 and ended September 23rd, 2082 with the bombing of the United States. It involved the world's major powers, China, Russia, and the United States, though revolved primarily on conflict between China and the United States. Specific details of the occurrence are not widely known, having been destroyed during attack of major urban hubs, though it is believed that the complex system of alliances coupled with technical failure is what originally pushed the nations to war. It is recorded as the most devastating conflict to date, involving the use of nuclear warheads that ultimately brought the Earth to its knees and rendering certain areas uninhabitable due to high quantities of radiation. It is more commonly known as/referred to as "The War".
Genesis: September 23rd, 2082 marks the day that China sent nuclear missiles to United States, a day that went on to become known as Genesis. That day, the US experienced unparalleled, crippling destruction, which rendered half of the country uninhabitable and took the lives of hundreds of millions. It resulted in the overhaul of traditional American government, which was replaced by a more crude system involving Sectors in the place of States, ministers to preside over the Sectors, and a council.
Sector 13: The 13th Sector of the 17 that currently exist and the most notorious, which used to be Las Vegas, Nevada. It is nicknamed the "Neon City" because of the sector's heavy concentration of neon lights, or is simply referred to as "13", a shortened version of its formal name. Crime, drug usage, prostitution, corruption, and scandal are no where near unheard of, and poverty runs rife in the streets. 13 boasts a swinging, booming nightlife, making it a popular among youth and particularly romanticized.
It is currently ruled over by the (now late) Reverend and his Saints. A careless and absentee minister makes such organized, stratified crime quite easy to get away with, hence the Reverend's success in taking over Sector 13.
Minister: A leader appointed by the council to administrate a certain Sector. They are given a considerable amount of room to do with the Sector as they please, thus allowing a lot of leeway for corruption and graft. A Sector is about as good as a Minister makes it.
James Galloway: A young, vindictive politician from Sector 11 who has been newly appointed the minister of Sector 13. Originally born in the Neon City, a fatal accident involving a local gang left most of his family dead and his life in shambles. Since then, he has been filled with the desire to rid all crime from 13, starting with those he believes are the root cause-- the Saints. Alongside his Zenith, Galloway aims to create a utopia of order and diligence.
The Reverend: An enigmatic man who controlled Sector 13, largely thanks to the development and sale of the drug Synthia. Little is known about him, as details are kept tightly under wraps and no one, aside from his Saints who have been sworn to secrecy, have seen his face. But there is not a single person who doesn't know his name in 13. The mystery of the Reverend's identity seems to add to the domineering effect he has, as it creates a degree of omnipotence about him. Though there are those who oppose him, particularly smaller gangs, many bend to his rule because, ironically, he has managed to impose the most order 13 has seen in a long time. He has since passed away mysteriously, leaving Sector 13 in shambles.
The Electric Saints: Elite and ambitious right-hand men of the Reverend. They are called the Electric Saints, a term that was coined because of the electric, neon glow of the city that they are perpetually bathed in, the Saints part stemming from their operation under the Reverend who is centered in an old church, though most simply call them "Saints" for short. All of the Reverend's business is carried about through them, and all who wish to speak to the Reverend must do so through his Saints. There are 7 in total, though only 5 remain. They are typically wealthy and/or influential as a result of their close connections to the Reverend, yet they hunger for more.
Synthia: A relatively new drug of the Reverend's creation, it is a highly pure, highly addictive drug capable of creating realistic "dreamscapes" that can last up to several hours, depending on the dosage. During its production, it was created and sold solely by the Reverend's operations, and attributed largely to his rapid rise to power. It is easy to tell when someone is under the influence of Synthia, as their eyes glaze over and their pupils dilate, as well as they speak to or refer to things that may not necessarily exist. Synthia comes in many forms, each of which are popular among different demographics; liquid, tablet, and powder. Among the poor, injection is common, as the potency is increased drastically due to the swift delivery of the drug to the human nervous system. However, the rich prefer to snort Synthia, and for a while, ornate boxes in which the drug was kept became something of a status symbol. Since the Reverend's demise, Synthia has since disappeared from the market, although crude, bastardized forms do occasionally pop up.
Battery Buzz: Taken with a needle, battery buzz is an emotional depressant, cutting off the body's ability to communicate with the nervous system. Extreme pain, akin to that of a wasp's sting, is felt for a few minutes at the site of injection, although it is quickly replaced by a numbing sensation as the user's sensitivity to pain is dulled. Battery buzz has been known to temporarily deprive people of other senses as well in higher dosages, even taking away the ability to feel all together in particularly lethal concentrations.
Jack n' Jill: A purple powder that is snorted, lending users intense bursts of energy. People report increased concentration, productivity, and general alertness after taking this drug. However, with Jack n' Jill, there is no such thing as a "good high"-- immediately afterwards, the user will "crash", becoming extremely fatigued and distracted. It tinges the skin of addicts a sickly shade of purple, making it a dead giveaway as to who is abusing the drug.
Hypnoplasm: An extremely expensive and rather scarce drug, it is capable of temporarily wiping the minds of those who injest it and making them more prone to persuasion by others. Though hypnoplasm rarely causes blackouts, it keeps the person awake, but not fully cogniscent of their actions and the subsequent consequences. Hypnoplasm slows the heartrate down and reduces coordination, causing those under the influence to struggle with typical activities such as walking or reading. After the effects wear off, memories of the events that occured while on the drug may be regained, but will be blurry. Cruder versions have been commonly used as date rape drugs. Streetname =HP, Hypno
Star Dust: A popular drug among all crowds, Star dust is smoked in order to bring users to a euphoric high. It has the ability to boost self-esteem and optimism; everything is colored pink and pretty. However, it is very addictive, and the withdrawl symptoms are especially nasty-- users will go into emotional shut down, becoming particularly depressed and agitated. Confidence levels plummet, and it is not unheard of for addicts to commit suicide while trying to quit cold turkey.
Xantrex: The counterpart of Jack n' Jill, Xantrex can be smoked or injected, though the former is more common. It was first used in hospitals, though after patients exhibited adverse effects such as addiction, the use of it was quickly stopped. It has the ability to sooth users into a deep calm, leaving them in a state of limbo. It can be used to help people sleep, though the effects are hard to gauge based on dosage, since everyone reacts to it a little bit differently. Xantrex can leave users asleep from a couple of hours to months, and in particularly rare cases, years, depending on how hard the abuse is. Streetname = Wipeout
Precision: Similar to Battery Buzz, Precision has a small crowd of users, more commonly found among professional fighters or street thugs. Its price goes up exponentially as the purity and the concentration of the drug increases. Precision has the ability to enhance once's senses and hand-eye coordination for roughly an hour, sometimes more depending on the efficiency of the lymphatic system of the user. It is exceptional for combat and motor skills, but it leaves users extremely worn out afterwards. Streetname = Prezi
GENERAL:
1. First and foremost, all Iwaku rules apply. This should be a given.
2. Power playing, god-modding, etc. is all STRICTLY prohibited. Only when one has acquired the consent of the other player involved is it allowed, though please refrain from using either of these often, or at all if possible.
3. Violence is allowed; this is roleplay revolves heavily around crime, so expect to see such. However, I will not tolerate gore.
4. As this is a mature RP, there will be sexual content as well as other adult motifs/themes. This is an 18+ RP only!
5. The posting expectation for this rp is, at the very minimum, adept. I will not put a content minimum, though I will not have one-liners or asterisks (*) present in the RP. I understand that writer block exists and everyone has those days, however if I see that you are consistently posting below expectation, you will be removed from the roleplay. This policy applies to having exceptional spelling and adequate grammar at ALL times as well.
6. Feel free to direct any questions you have to either myself (@Viscera) or @Malfis, who will serve as your GMs for this roleplay.
CHARACTERS & SKELETONS
1. Positions for the Electric Saints are LIMITED. There are only 5 and I will not be adding more. You are not allowed to reserve a saint. These spots are competitive, so be prepared to have to fight for it as well.
2. In the roleplay, we shall be using face claims (real pictures of real people). Try to find/use unique face claims. I will not tolerate anime/semi-realistic pictures in the roleplay. If you use either, you will be asked to change it. If you have difficulty finding a face claim, do not hesitate to ask for help!
3. As was previously mentioned, there will be competition for the spots of the Electric Saints. However, for other characters, such as regular members of Zenith, The Purgatory Syndicate, or The Vanguard, these are unlimited and open to everyone. These are NOT competitive and may be reserved.
4. You are only allowed one position among the Electric Saints. That means you cannot take both Superbia and Invidia, for example. You are allowed a maximum of 3 characters overall.
5. Coding is not required. In fact, content is valued a great deal over coding. However, if you do choose to code, please make sure that the details of the skeleton can be easily read/seen.
6. Please use a banner to head your skeletons. This can be in the form of a gif or a still image. I will not put a size limit, but try not to make them ginormous. If you need help with graphics, feel free to PM me!
7. Give credit where it is due; plagiarizing is NOT allowed WHATSOEVER. Breaking this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the RP.
8. Reading the rules is essential! To demonstrate that you have read the rules, please put "neon" under your skeleton. You will not be accepted without it.
9. I reserve the right to reject any skeleton should I see fit.
OOC & ICC ETIQUETTE
1. Keep all OOCs out of the SU or ICC thread. I will have an aneurysm if I see an OOC in either.
2. OOC drama is not permitted! Take that to PM if you really feel the need to duke it out. But try to keep it friendly. If I find that you have been mistreating another roleplayer you will be removed from the RP.
3. For every ICC post, please use your banners as headers. This helps to easily identify which character the post belongs to. If you feel the need to, then you can color your dialogue as well.
Will be updated later.
