Paradise Lost - A Rapturian Roleplay

[AspirationRealized]

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THIS THREAD HAS BEEN REVIVED
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There is a lot going on in this thread right now, important discussions abound throughout its pages, but I'm going to link the Rough set of rules here for easy access. These will not be implemented until I have some sort of general reaction from those interested in playing already.

Rough Part 1- Basic Roleplaying 101 (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=396477&postcount=52)

Rough Part 2: Players & Profiles (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=396684&postcount=63)

Rough Part 3 ~ Huge Explanation (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=397018&postcount=77)

~ ~ ~
There are more people here, and so, there is more opportunity for a Bioshock Roleplay!

Have you ever wanted to experience Rapture in a less limited way? Or perhaps interact with players who think, rather than AI? Roleplaying is the most unlimited way to do this.

Think of it this way. Its a story that we are all telling, everyone who participates an author. We all have influence on what happens, and we play the roles we define for ourselves (as well as familliar ones) and advance the Bioshock concept in our own way!

All of the below issues are the same. Please read through all of these posts to get a better understanding, then post your ideas or even a profile if you intend to join!

As stated below this post, there are some issues in the way before we start. Once we've all resolved these issues we can begin. I need your help.

The following is what I wrote almost a year ago...



This is where I'll be posting my ideas for the Bioshock roleplays... take it or leave it.

The following replies will see a lot of modification. Hope you like my ideas.

[AspirationRealized]

Current issues:
These are things up for discussion and not yet defined, imparticularly, things I need your help on. PLEASE read all four parts of this thread before commenting, so you know what you're dealing with. I can come up with ideas until I'm blue in the brain but it won't make a difference without your help.

We will need to think of a name for this RP. - suggested name: Ascendancy

We will need to ascertain a time in Rpature of when it takes place. - suggested time: 1967, just before the civil war when tensions are high and things are starting to ruin

We will need to create a system from gamer friendly to RP friendly (limits of how Plasmids, Tonics, Guns, Health works).

We will need to set beginner limits (How much Adam, how many slots, how many guns?)

We will need to decide Figures.

We need to decide if Big Daddys are Figures or Players

We will need to know if the Mods will allow RP threads and where. Otherwise, all our hard work will get deleted XD Mods feel free to give us your thoughts. I'll make my own proboards site if this idea takes off and you don't want it here at 2K.

[AspirationRealized]

Here's just some rough ideas I've posted after one night of thought. I've even suggested limits for beginners to start with, but all of this may change. I believe the system of ADAM and Plasmids is not only user friendly for RPing but accurate to the storyline...

Your Needle:
You'll need Your Needle for any genetic modification.

Please, don't share Your Needle.

ADAM:
ADAM is the primary ingredient to your genetic modifications. Without it, Plasmids and Tonics are useless. Think of Plasmids and Tonic as the idea of "just add water"... only, instead of water you need to add ADAM. And its much more scarce.

Players (excluding Figures) will start with a set number of ADAM at the beginning of the game, and can gain more from Little Sisters, or other players.

Note that the more ADAM you have spliced, the more your character will be effected. I won't put limits on sanity, but after a few thousand ADAM have been run through your system, you won't be looking very pretty.

Plasmids and Tonics:
Plasmids and Tonics, are serums that alter the way ADAM influences your body. Before you can splice them, you will need the required amount of ADAM for its effects to take hold, and how much ADAM it takes will depend on how powerful the Plasmid/Tonic is.

You get Plasmids/Tonics from Gatherer's Gardens and other certain situations, in the form of large vials filled with red serum (Plasmids), blue serum (Physical Tonics), yellow serum (Engineering Tonics) or green serum (Combat Tonics). You will need to mix enough ADAM with these serums before you inject yourself with it, using Your Needle.

You can only use as many Plasmid/Tonic Slots you have acquired (Players start with two Plasmid slots and six Tonic slots, and more can be created by spending more ADAM), with Six maximum of a serum tpye at one time. These "slots" are actually a set limit of how many serums your body can hold at one time and remain stable. Modifying your body to be able to contain more Plasmids (more "slots") will require ADAM. (Note, at the beginning of the game you can distribute your six alloted Tonic slots in any three sorts of Tonics. You can to two in each like the game, or perhaps you want to fill out your Physical Tonics early?)

A note on Plasmids...
Plasmids are active genetic modifications. These chiefly influence your left and right arms, changing your body and giving you new abilities...
Something we will definitely need to discuss is fair use of Plasmids in RP. Can you use Incinerate on one arm and Winter Blast on the other? Can you Teleport and then blast someone like a Houdini Splicer, or do they have to be seperate actions? Each Plasmid will need to have certain limitations, and when I finish making this more specific, I will begin defining them with your help.

A note on Tonics...
Tonics are passive gentic modifications. These means they flow through your body and give you benefits without you consciously willing them. Kinda like how you don't focus on your breathing unless you try to.

These will also need to be discussed with limitations, how they affect your body, etc.

EVE:
EVE is the supply for your Plasmid prowess. Sort of the gas to the engine that is your spliced up body. You will need more as you use more, and these Hypos can be carried with their own needles attached, for ease of use.

MORE TO COME

[AspirationRealized]

Players:

Any RPer can be referred to as a "Player" but the basic Player here will crate their own character based on their conceptions of Rapture. All but no limits will be placed on your creativity, however Godmodding (being WAY too pwoerful way too soon) will be looked down upon. No one will wanna play if you don't do it fairly.

Your player can be human, or perhaps we'll entertain the notion of Big Daddy Players (rolf)? Who knows?

You'll begin with a name, sex, age, etc... but most importantly you will need to describe your character. What does he or she look like, what do they wear, what's their personality? I suggest people interested in joining this idea begin making a small profile now.

Players will begin with set amounts of everything. So far, these are my suggestions, but with your feedback they are subject to change.

-A set number of ADAM (this will need to be decided when prices for the Plasmids are defined, but my idea is that everyone starts with the same amount. If anyone want sto argue this, thats what this thread is for)

-2 Plasmid Slots, of 6 maximum

-6 Tonic slots that can be distributed evenly or anyway to your liking between Physical, Engineering, and Combat sections... in each of which there are 6 maximum slots (this means at the beginning of the game you can have all Physical slots open but none of the other section, if you like).

-A set number of First Aid Kits and Eve Hypos (up for discussion)

-A set number of guns, as well as the upgrades of those guns (up for discussion.)

Figures:
These are well known characters already made from the original Bioshock. This includes people like Sander Cohen and Frank Fontaine, and basically means ANYONE already mentioned as a character in Bioshock.

Figures are different from Players in that they are much more powerful from the onset. However, they are not customizable at all and must fit how we know them in game.

I suggest that Figures not have an influence later on, otherwise Fontaine will kill everyone, steal their ADAM, and thats not very fun is it? Because Figures will be for more specific and dramatic events it is possible for one person to have one Player and one Figure. I suggest people who volunteer to do this be heavily interested, as we will need you to play two characters at once to make things interesting. And since Figures will be rare for the most part, its only fair you can play as a Player in the meantime.

Figures will be decided by THE PEOPLE. This means we will have threads dedicated to that particular character, and those who want to play that Figure will each post a short scene where they show us WHY they should paly as that character.

People will vote based on who's the better Peachy, who's the better Tenenbaum. You are competing with anyone else who wants your character. You'll post your own setting, your own description of them, and the rest is up to you. Is there action? Is there dialogue? Show us that you can express the character better than anyone else, and you'll be able to.

Its not yet decided whether Big Daddys will be Figures or Players.

What can I do?

If you want to get rolling while we're getting the details straight, you can start by making a Profile for your character. Here's a basic outline, and eventually I will be posting an example of my character so you know what we're looking for:

Name:
Sex:
Age:

Description:
This part will need to be as thorough as possible. What do they wear, what's their hair color, what's their build? Let us see your character how you've envisioned him.

If you want to be a Figure I suggest making a Player for the time being.

DO NOT POST THESE HERE. Zilla has allowed us to house these in his thread (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17180), so as not to clutter the forum.

THIS THREAD IS FOR COMMENTS AND IDEAS ABOUT THE RP ONLY. DON'T POST PROFILES HERE OR THE BIG DADDYS WILL KILL YOU AT THE ONSET OF THE GAME!!! XD

[ZiLLa]

Good work, AspiR.

Something like,

+ 2 Plasmids. (In-Game ones)

+ 4 tonics. (1 for each, engineering, etc.)

+ 2 Weapons. (Read plasmids)

And you need to be individual, so don't say: I am a Bouncer. You need too have what you look like, etc.

In your description you should include:

+ Name

+ Age

+ Gender

+ Where You Live

+ What You Look Like (Be Thorough)

+ What You Do/Like

[AspirationRealized]

Aye, we'll discuss the limits here in this thread.

[AspirationRealized]

By the way, if you vote Leave, at least have the fortitude to respond and say why.

There goes another coward.

[FtRapture]

Are we talking Role play like D&D type of thing? Just curious..

[AspirationRealized]

If you read, its not like D&D and all. Its just text based Role Playing.

Best described, it is a moving changing story written by multiple authors.

[AspirationRealized]

I'm going to start going through Plasmids and Tonics and proofing them to be RP Friendly.

At the moment I'm considering having EVE split into points, sort of. I'm not sure if we actually want numbers in this, but I see no other reasonable way to do this.

I'm assuming it will be held in Rapture during Jack's events, or close to them. Perhaps just before he arrives. I want to keep key characters alive, and Jack has a nasty habit of killing them.

But where in Rapture will we start? And what are we going to call this?

Zilla, Mari, Monkeyfish, Atlaspuppet. Anyone have any ideas on EVE and where in Rapture we'll begin? What about a name for the whole thing?

[MonkeyFish]

I think that the roleplay should begin in Apollo Square just before the Atlas's attacks. We could then over time get to the point where those attacks happened (the bit before that could kind of help us get an idea of the first few characters and the rules of the roleplay) This would also allow for some interesting things, especially if we throw away the idea that it has to set the scene for how Jack finds Rapture.

the eve could be a point system and you have 3 grades of plasmid. This is for stuff like electrobolt and incinerate. So electrobolt is 0.5 points, electrobolt 2 is 1 point and electrobolt 3 is 2 points. An ungraded plasmid i.e enrage would be one point. an eve hypo is worth 5 points and each upgrade to your max eve is worth 2 points. you start with a max of 5 points.

now a name is much harder to come up with...

[smartalec5595]

hmmmmmmmm... how about we begin with the construction of rapture? (am i the only person wondering about how it was made?)

:D :D :D :D

[BioShock Freak]

^I'm sure everyone's thought of it. I've wondered that since the beginning.
~Mari.

[smartalec5595]

yea me 2....itll prbly be neva answered....itll be the new "how many licks to the center of a tootsie pop???the world may never know...

[AspirationRealized]

Zilla has suggested something to that effect, starting back before Bioshock's events. Here are some key issues.

First, Rapture didn't start off as a crazy place with Splicing and such. It took a few years at least for Tenenbaum to even find the sea slug that started it all. I don't know about you, but I can be a non-spliced-up-human in my real life. I don't feel like roleplaying as it.

Secondly, there would be no real action happening, just this paradise. We need action at the beginning of the RP, or it won't take off. Trust me, RPs die off quickly and you need to be frantic with them.

In fact, I would say this one's already close to dying.

For those of you who want to have something about your character before the Civil War, I suggest them reminiscing with an audio diary, so that you can not only create character development, but let everyone know where you're coming from.

Besides character development, why does anything at the beginning of Rapture even matter?

[smartalec5595]

well it dosent but we just wanna know sheesh lighten up....

:D :D :D :D

[MonkeyFish]

If we start from the beginning you could create areas.
But I would lke to play just before the civil war to allow for us to create some new aspects of Rapture.

[AspirationRealized]

THIS THREAD IS BEING REVIVED!!!

Click here (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17195) to see the first post and join in the story!

[LookBehindU]

If I could make a suggestion as to the time and name. There was an exhisting RP that was being hosted on the, now nuked, DigitalPh33r forums.
The name was "PreShock-1957". 1957 was the perfect point for a Bioshock RP because it can genarally be agreed that at this point in time that although Rapture has not comlpetly fallen yet that it is beggining to slide in that direction. I'm not quite sure because I cannot find the exact date but I belive that Fontaine was still in a power struggle with Ryan at this time. This may have also been a time where plasmid use has become widespread and the first people are starting to go insane from lack of ADAM. We can also make an argument that because of this the Little Sister program began at this time.

All and all I believe 1957 to be the perfect time for a Bioshock RP because although the war has not yet started, Rapture seems to be beggining the process towards "the world's fastest growin pile of junk" version that we all know and love.

[AspirationRealized]

Nice suggestion. We had a suggestion earlier about a little before Civil War. That date would work out fine.

As for a name, I'm kind of fond of "Ascendancy" from one of the banners in game.

[LookBehindU]

could we have a picture of said banner? maybe you could insert it into the original post

[AspirationRealized]

Added image to first post.

[LookBehindU]

not sure if i recognize this room. is it the burning elevater room?

[Cohen's Masterpiece]

think of the plot!!!

[Spideywebs]

yea me 2....itll prbly be neva answered....itll be the new "how many licks to the center of a tootsie pop???the world may never know...

Well, this actually is known. It's 3.

[AspirationRealized]

think of the plot!!!

what?

10chars

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Alright Aspiration, as you might have already noticed, I love to write, and I think it would be cool to join this little game...but I'm wondering about this so called plot...are we merely writing a story with are own characters, or are we fighting with one another in this pseudo Rapture for ADAM and such?

Either way, you can count me in...I love this kind of stuff.

[LookBehindU]

^He has a point. Is this an RPG or an RP?

[AspirationRealized]

Uhm. Why not both? Just because we're fighting doesn't mean there has to be a lack of story, and vice versa.

This is all what we want it to be guys. I'd like to have some control in its overall direction, but lets not limit ourselves huh?

We still have some issues with game to RP friendliness. The main concern is how Health and Eve is lost and used.

In all of the RPs I've been I never used points and instead there was a sort of trust system between players. If you took enough hits with enough severity you would die. If your leg was broken you'd be hobbling. Stuff like that.

The problem with attributing points to things is it limits them. If you say a punch causes 5 HP points of damage, what happens when that punch hits you in the foot? Now what happens what that punch hits you right in the temple (for those unfamiliar, a knockout blow or even killing blow can be achieved here)? You can try to add mathematical formulas to produce results this way but then it gets complicated.

I like the trust system much more. Assumptions on when you need first aid kits, or Eve. That way we don't need to place limits on our actions, and we can break some bones or light some people's hair on fire.

What say you?

Also, you need a profile to begin, so lets get cracking. Everyone should have an original character and we'll decide figures later.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Alright, this is interesting...although I think I'll have to see this 'point system' in action before I fully grasp it(I've never done one of these things before). But are we clear about where we're starting? I believe you said 1957, so perhaps right at the outset of the Civil War? Perhaps Fontaine was just secretly killed, leading to outrage over the nationalization of Fontaine Futuristics, and an overall riot led by Atlas?

If this is the case, we'd have to break ourselves into camps...like some join the Atlas revolutionaries, the Ryan Stalwarts, or perhaps just the average citizen trying to survive...those are just some ideas

[AspirationRealized]

I dislike point systems. Unless someone makes a damned good arugment soon we're going to let it alone.

We do need to decide how the medkits work though. What's in a medkit in Bioshock? Are you supposed to use it and get fixed up in seconds in this story, or do you need to leave the action for a moment to patch yourself up? I do believe in "turns" that is, we could have it to set that to heal yourself would take one response and you'd have to wait until the next to do anything else.

As for Eve, you can only do so many plasmid based actions before you need more of it, and obviously you have a limited amount. We'll put number limits on Eve and Medkits and you can collect others later but we won't have a number of "points" that they refill.

I like your idea of camps but I think we should wait until we have more than one or two people before doing teams.

Also I'd like it if we could somehow get a picture of the blue banner that says Ascendancy, but by itself so I can use that as our logo. Just that one banner up close and personal!

EDIT:

And again. Could the people voting leave please come out and say why not? XD

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Ok, I'm trying to grasp this concept...I think I may have it, so I'm going to write an example situation...you let me know if this is what you're thinking, and what needs to be changed...I think this will help clarify things for others as well-

Citizen Name: Forsaken Lament 04
Camp: Ryan Followers
Plasmids: 2 (Insinerate!, Electrobolt 2)
Health: 100%
Eve: 50%
Eve Hypos:1
Health Kits: 1
ADAM: 0

After receiving orders to eliminate some Fontaine loyalists who were gathered in Apollo Square, I purchased an Eve Hypo at a vending machine in preparation for the onslought. I couldn't help but question the orders Ryan had given to me, but I was in no position to argue...these parasites brought it on themselves, after all. I exited the blathysphere and walked down the tunnel leading to Apollo Square. Along the way I saw some children in wrags gathered by a small fire feuled by garbage and debris...what filth. As I came closer I noticed someone familiar...yes, I know I had seen that person before...Aspiration...yes, he's one of Fontaine's fellows...probably surveying the area to keep any of Ryan's boys from getting into the riots which were taking place inside. I've heard he's pretty spliced up, but it's hard to tell...I'm more worried about the security bot he's got rigged up...but then again, that's why this electrobolt is so important...I noticed a wrecked trolly car near the wall, and decided to take cover behind it...it would be the best place to surprise him from. Alright...he's coming...walking down this way...just a little further...there! *Shoots electrobolt at the security bot, downing it(Eve=0)* As much as a I was tempted to rig the security bot myself, I had to take care of the hoodlum first(uses last remaining EVE Hypo, EVE=100%), especially as he's spotted me, and by the looks of things, he's slightly more spliced than I had originally thought...

Alright, So i'm assuming this is where I'd drop off and you'd resume the battle...either way, that's my example, let me know what you think...

[Who_is_Atlas?]

We will need to think of a name for this RP. - suggested name: Ascendancy Well, since we all know how much BioShock likes referencing other things outside of itself...how about "Paradise Lost"? It's a reference to an epic poem by English poet John Milton about the Devil's fall from grace after he dupes Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden. I think it would be grimly fitting as we watch Rapture crumble into chaos and anarchy.

We will need to ascertain a time in Rpature of when it takes place. - suggested time: 1957, just before the civil war when tensions are high and things are starting to ruin This is the area I think I we'll get the most enjoyment out of, as others have noted, but I think the problem is going to be attempting to ascertain where our Figures should be rather than where we each want them to be individually (if, uh, that makes sense at all). Otherwise, I think it's good.

We will need to create a system from gamer friendly to RP friendly (limits of how Plasmids, Tonics, Guns, Health works).

We will need to set beginner limits (How much Adam, how many slots, how many guns?) I'm going to suggest that we start completely from scratch at first: no weapons, no tonics, no plasmids. You start completely 'clean' and you've gotta work and find these things for yourself, just like getting EVE and ammunition for your weapons, you can explore new tonics, perhaps, but not new plasmids (I think the system could open up for abuse if we let it go too out of hand). Perhaps...2 plasmids per person? As for tonics, I'd say about 4. Weapons, perhaps 2, as well. However, if one person decides they don't want to get all jacked up on ADAM and be 'normal,' well, I think perhaps we could let 'em maybe have a third one, perhaps, to compensate for this? Also, if some of our characters form little mini alliances with one another, maybe we can 'trade' things between one another?

We will need to decide Figures. I think the idea of making it a 'contest' of sorts (letting the players write and see who's got the 'best' interpretation of the Figure compared to their canon counterpart) is probably our best solution. However, should the player not be online at the moment and their Figure needed, perhaps a compromise can be made and the Figure be utilized by others if need be.

We need to decide if Big Daddys are Figures or Players Personally, I'd keep the B.D.'s as simple, NPCs because of how powerful they are. And keep in mind that they really don't have much going on up in their noggins other than 'protect the Little Sisters at any cost.' I can see something getting done with Little Sisters, perhaps, though...

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Well it seems we can agree this time around WIA...

I like the "Paradise Lost" Title...it suits the idea very well, and has a deep meaning which is critical if we want to live up to the Bioshock name. Also, I see many comments regarding overall organization of such a game...this will be complicated, but possible...I agree that we should all start off blank, but I also feel we should be associated with certain factions which start off at certain points. Each Faction could also start off with certain bonuses based upon the features of their faction.An example would be-

Ryan Loyalists-Location: Hephaestus
Strength: Weapons Advantage (each character starts off with one weapon)

Fontaine Revolutionaries-Location: Neptune's Bounty
Strength: Plasmid Advantage (each chracter starts with one plasmid)

Other locations would include every area of the game, but how could members move? Could they be assigned certain areas, and only be allowed to move with permission? Or could only a certain amount of members inhabit a given location at a certain time?

And in terms of plasmid, tonic, item, and money use, how can we prevent abuse? This is too complex for everyone to just figure out on their own. We'll need some sort of system worked out...perhaps everyone can be given a certain amount of money and ADAM to work with? But of course, that leads to the question of how more could be obtained...

I also like the idea of alliances, or at least small groups working with one another...but again, that is something that probably should be regulated...this is really going to take a lot of work...

Altogether, I like where this is going, but I caution against getting over-complicated...if you don't have the time and patience for all of this organization and explanation to every member, this could prove difficult...

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Well it seems we can agree this time around WIA...

I like the "Paradise Lost" Title...it suits the idea very well, and has a deep meaning which is critical if we want to live up to the Bioshock name. Also, I see many comments regarding overall organization of such a game...this will be complicated, but possible...I agree that we should all start off blank, but I also feel we should be associated with certain factions which start off at certain points. Each Faction could also start off with certain bonuses based upon the features of their faction. Heh, yeah, good to see we're on the same side here (or will we? I think my own character might go off and join Atlas' guys ;)). Aye, the biggest hurdle we're going to have to cross is how exactly this is going to work. I don't want to saddle AspirationRealized with everything here, but I think if he gets at least an idea down pat, we can come and say what we agree and disagree with it, debate on it, and we can hammer out something workable. I do like the notion of factions having certain advantages over the others, and I think that makes everything just a bit fairer as we get along in this. Glad to see you think the title was appropriate too, in the least, but I still await AspirationRealized's verdict on the entire matter. :)

An example would be-

Ryan Loyalists-Location: Hephaestus
Strength: Weapons Advantage (each character starts off with one weapon)

Fontaine Revolutionaries-Location: Neptune's Bounty
Strength: Plasmid Advantage (each chracter starts with one plasmid) I'd give the general populace (not aligned to either side and working on their own) the advantage of using tonics (i.e. a greater supply of it is available). After all, plasmids and weapons shouldn't, at least at first IMO, be available to the populace immediately, simply because it'll show how we go from a robust society to one that's basically being ripped apart, chewed, and spat out by revolution. Societal norms, etc. breaking down and all that good stuff. Also, I think that perhaps Atlas' guys could start out more at the poor house (I was always under the assumption that this is where he began to obviously gain much support for his ideas).

Other locations would include every area of the game, but how could members move? Could they be assigned certain areas, and only be allowed to move with permission? Or could only a certain amount of members inhabit a given location at a certain time? I think a certain amount of members inhabiting an area all at once is fine, but the problem is going to be how we incorporate newer players into the game once they decide that this looks like fun. I think another problem is that: we can only do so much with the areas in game. Can we make up new areas for the RP? Rapture's a sprawling metropolis, and we didn't even really scratch her surface in BS1 so...could we? Rapture Zoo didn't make it in, but it apparently exists...

And in terms of plasmid, tonic, item, and money use, how can we prevent abuse? This is too complex for everyone to just figure out on their own. We'll need some sort of system worked out...perhaps everyone can be given a certain amount of money and ADAM to work with? But of course, that leads to the question of how more could be obtained...

I think a little amount of money at first is very acceptable. I don't think it really should be a problem, though, once all the bodies in Apollo Square start piling up, unfortunately. As for ADAM, I think that perhaps we could wait until a certain point and then start using it somehow? Like, Ryan's guys have got it with them when they're patrolling the area, but one of them gets downed and the common people come across it...well, I'll let your imagination go on from there. I think getting ADAM should be a bit of a 'rarer' thing, don't know how though...randomized, in a sense?

I also like the idea of alliances, or at least small groups working with one another...but again, that is something that probably should be regulated...this is really going to take a lot of work... Well, as Ryan said, "And with the sweat of your own brow, Rapture can be your city too." right? As for the alliances...I think it might be neat if we sometimes step out of our 'comfort zones,' if however briefly. Let's say my character and yours are fighting or whatnot for whatever reason, and we both manage to tick a Big Daddy off by shooting our guns or plasmids too close to his entourage. We're not exactly gonna be dumb and continue on fighting when we've clearly made him mad, would we?

Altogether, I like where this is going, but I caution against getting over-complicated...if you don't have the time and patience for all of this organization and explanation to every member, this could prove difficult...

I think our best bet is AspirationRealized, once everything is said and done, posting whatever the rules are on the front page of the thread so everyone can see it as soon as they click on the link to this. Otherwise, it's just going to get messy and not very fun if everyone new keeps asking, "What's going on?" Nor is it very fair to them either.

Two other issues I think that we're going to have address are:

1) Rapture isn't, going by references to Tenenbaum as a 'kraut', a very politically correct place. While we probably will never really encounter the issue, and I hope it won't be a problem, they're not going to be taking too kindly to minorities. This is an area we're going to have to work out to have 'acceptability' because I think if something is misread here, someone will get offended and it might make a bit of drama. Also, since BioShock is a mature game...how many adult situations (alcohol, language, etc.) is going to be allowed and the like?

2) Perhaps we can make characters up who serve minor roles? Again, using you and I as examples, say my character comes from Fontaine's Home for the Poor and yours comes calling one day because he suspects that the poorhouses are going to riot sometime in the future and he's trying to ascertain loyalty to Ryan. He meets up with a character I mentioned at one point, the current owner of it after Fontaine supposedly bit the dust. Anyone can use these people and I think it would give the story a more cohesive feeling. :)

Anyway, I'll post the bio of my own guy once we get a bit further along into this.

[LookBehindU]

^Rapture's current state in 1957:
-Fonatine is ina an increasingly violent power struggle with Andrew Ryan; this means Fontaine may make appearances in your character's story but MUST NOT BE HARMED.
-widespread plasmid use and some people are going insane from lack of ADAM; many people you might face will have a plasmid ability of some kind also there can be random encounters with thoroughly insane splicers
-the Little Sister program is in its early stages of public deployement; there can be encounters with Big Daddies with or without Little Sisters as well as the possibility for there being prototype Big Daddies

[augustgirl515]

Well, firstly I think that your date of 1957 is perfect. Really, a pre-civil war era is the best way to go, but there are small groups of "revoltionists" begginning to form and tension are rising. However, I don't think that there should really be TOO many all out attacks until a little later on.

As for like the profiles and such, I believe that we should have to get them "approved" so we don't have all sorts of Mary Sues running around. This way, we would have more a variety of people, instead of everyone being scientists and free-lance artist, and being young and smart and handsome/beautiful, etc. This will hopefully add a more dynamic factor to the RP.

Also, I think that already made tonics and plasmids should be used, as in, the ones already in the original game (and any patches/updates for it). That way, people won't be making up random plasmids and tonics that didn't even exsist when you arrive in Bioshock. Maybe, someone should compile a list of exsisting plasmids and tonics, as well as a description of what they do for/to you. (Although we can add some tonics seen in adds such as 'Get Thin' to add to the effect of 'normal life')

Another thing that I think people should note, is WHO there character is. For example: if you're a normal everyday person not really effected to much by the rising tensions between Fontaine/Atlas and Ryan, you shouldn't be walking around with a machine gun and a shotgun, and super spliced up. In other words people who are an everyday person shouldn't be walking around with the amount of guns and plasmids that one of Atlas' men would have. Not to say that you CAN'T, just saying that I would think it would kind of take away from the feel.

As for whether or not Big Daddies (and Little Sisters perhaps?) being Players or Figures, I think that, though they may be fun as players, they best just be passive figures. Mostly because Big Daddies are just drones, really, made to protect the Little Sisters and nothing else. And, as for the Little Sisters, they're really too young to be successfully RPed with a comprehensive position.

As for where it should be, I think in general that we should be mostly spread out through the areas of Rapture, and that we should move around. Just being in one area will get tiresome, and moving as a group would take away from the over all feel. Hopefully there will be enough people willing to participate that we will have a significant amount in different areas.

Another thing I thought of is how we act and speak. I think we should do our best to mimic the general mindset and speech of the 50's. In other words we wouldn't be walking around dropping the f bomb every five seconds.

Sorry if I've repeated anything, I didn't really have any time to read many other posts besides your original ones. I hope this helped, and I will definitely be brain storming more ideas. :D (Maybe they can open up a seperate board, just for this RP based on your rules with vital info for this RP. Considering in seems to be becoming very in depth. THAT WOULD BE NEAT! ;D)

[Forsaken Lament 04]

I agree with a lot of the points that have been said in the past few posts...the time period and ability to interact with the main staple characters should be added, as well as other characters who might have minor roles in the main storyline, such as Fontaine's henchmen, Ryan's advisors, etc.

As for Big Daddies, I definitely say passive. I also love WIA's idea of citizen's special bonus being Tonics...also as a side note, regardless of bonuses, all characters should start off with a wrench...so as it stands(still example), we have:

Ryan Loyalists-Location: Hephaestus
Bonus: Weapons Bonus(Characters starts out with 'weaker' weapon, such as pistol, shotgun, or machine gun)
These characters should have a history of upholding the Rapturian ideals and have a strong faith in Objectivist philosophy.

Fontaine Revolutionaries-Location: Apollo Square
Bonus: Plasmids Bonus(Character starts with a basic Plasmid, such as electrobolt, incinerate, or telekinesis)
These characters should either be employed by Fontaine Futuristics, or be residents of Fontaine's Home for the Poor. Thye have reason to revolt against Ryan's overbearing power, and believe strongly in Fontaine's message.

Rapture Citizenry-Location: Olympus Heights, Fort Frolic, Welcome to Rapture, or perhaps even made up spots?
Bonus: Tonic Bonus(Character starts off with a basic tonic upgrade, such as physical shell, resistance to certain damage, electric flesh, etc)
These characters are the everyday citizens of Rapture. They are often convinced to try the new splicing fad to fit in to society. They could often be caught up between the two major factions, or may have their own personal agendas.

August Girl and WIA also have great points regarding the realism of the plot...we have to put ourselves in the era, and recreate this art deco world much as Levine did when he made the game. If we must use slang, I think it should be permitted, as long as it's not overly offensive....but otherwise, I think we should try to talk as they did, think as they did, and get into character as best we can....after all, it will only make the experience more enjoyable...

And lastly, we should put ourselves in PRE-CIVIL WAR ERA Rapture, much as LookBehindU pointed out...we can't bring things up that happened in the game, and we have to be concious of things that were taking place then, such as the early development of the Little Sisters...

phew...that was a lot...now I'm just wondering what Aspire will think about all of this....things certainly have transformed a bit over these past few hours...once he gives some info, I'll work on a character profile.

[augustgirl515]

I have been thinking about the dilemma concerning the use of Eve and Medkits. I think it should kind of be a go as you feel type thing. But as a rule of thumb something like if you use 'basic' (as in electrobolt or incinerate not upgraded) plasmids 4-5 times then you need to use an Eve hypo, or if you use a more 'advanced' plasmid (electrobolt 2 or incinerate 3, etc) you would need to use an Eve hypo in about 3-4 uses. Also, we should just have one Eve hypo refill all your Eve.

To make things simple I think we should build off of what the game gave us, like only be able to have 9 Eve hypos and med kits at a time. Also, having a $500 limit on the wallet. As well as sticking in the close range of prices from the game, e.i. $15 for an Eve Hypo, 40 ADAM to upgrade Health (or better phrased stamina for RP purposes?) It will make it easier if we stick to the cost the game had. Just throwing some thoughts out there.

As for how the med packs work, perhaps they work like in Max Payne. You just pop some pain killers, slap on some gauze to a wound and away you go. Although, obviously, if you have a shattered rib cage or a fractured leg you will be fleeing the fight and seeking medical attention.

Oh, and for your profile I think you should add your history. As in where you lived, what your family was like, how you got to Rapture. if you came with anyone. If you made any new friends in Rapture, what you think of Rapture, your job, dreams, and family. (To create a more rounded and interesting character)

Hopefully people can build off these ideas. I'll keep thinking!

[AspirationRealized]

this is all very exciting. Later tonight when I'm at my computer (on phone right now) all take what you guys have and mix it all together. I'm very surprised to come here and see so much progress. When I started this a year ago I had not such enthusiasm from the community.

Paradise Lost is cool with me if you guys like it.

[AspirationRealized]

Ok I've read all this from my phone word for word, and although I have a few alterations to make I am confident that I can create a simple system that everyone can enjoy. You have all brought a little something to the table and your influences in the final set of regulations will be apparent, if not completely in tact.

I need some time first to respond to all of your ideas individually and then perhaps make a rough draft of a set of rules for us to agree or disagree with.

Expect a very large post encompassing all this later tonight! Thanks for your ideas.

[MyNameIsJack]

Bioshock: Rapture Rising.

I would personally really like to see a Bioshock RPG before the uprising and splicers became dominant in Rapture, sort of at the beginning but still pertinent to the splicers being to influence the direction of Rapture.

It would be really cool to design and BE a citizen of Rapture. Tennenbaum and others did "survive" un-scathed, so you could survive the uprising untouched, you could become a splicer, you could eventually become a Big Daddy. Still, I'd really like to be given that ability and to make the game more than a platform to level up but to actually make Rapture in the vision Andrew Ryan had presented us with (in other words you actually live in Rapture, with your own class, room, items such as music and books, decorations). Imagine getting to see Sander Cohen's exhibition of art or musical performances.

It would be an enormous undertaking but would be so unique and I believe incredibly worth it.

EDIT: My timing sucks. Would you kindly forgive me.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Well, it seems things are moving along nicely...everyone has brought up great ideas...I eagerly await Aspire's verdict...but no rush my friend, these things are worth waiting for...

[augustgirl515]

Also, we can always change the rules as we go to make it more RP friendly. :)

[AspirationRealized]

I'm sorry guys. I know I hyped up a huge finale but it seems some things got in the way. I ended up tinkering with my jeep longer than I thought I would... its up and running though. And tomorrow night is free. Just caught me at a busy moment.

If it wasn't 5 am I'd do it now XD thanks for your patience!

I will, however, let you guys know that the only limits in RPing are imagination and number of people. I think what we have right now is good (four definitely in this thinktank, a possible seven or so total interested by my count) but once we've ironed everything out we're going to need people. If there's someone on the boards that you know is interested in the story elements of Bioshock, they may like to join. Who is Atlas? joined this way XD

I say what we have now is good because I want to get a rough draft out before any more big thinking goes on. Bring too many people here and this will go all over the place! We got a good base now, tomorrow I'll have something for everyone to comment and vote on! So keep an eye out for potential members but don't let them flood in just yet.

[AspirationRealized]

I've quoted all of your posts, and will write commentary in navy blue itallics within your quotes.


Ok, I'm trying to grasp this concept...I think I may have it, so I'm going to write an example situation...you let me know if this is what you're thinking, and what needs to be changed...I think this will help clarify things for others as well-

Citizen Name: Forsaken Lament 04
Forsaken is of course your screenname at the forums, but for this RP you'll need a more fitting name for a character living in Rapture. If nothing else you'll definitely need to lose the 04... but I'm sure you already know this ^_^
Camp: Ryan Followers
Plasmids: 2 (Incinerate!, Electrobolt 2)
Health: 100%
Eve: 50%
Eve Hypos:1
Health Kits: 1
ADAM: 0

After receiving orders to eliminate some Fontaine loyalists who were gathered in Apollo Square, I purchased an Eve Hypo at a vending machine in preparation for the onslought. I couldn't help but question the orders Ryan had given to me, but I was in no position to argue...these parasites brought it on themselves, after all. I exited the blathysphere and walked down the tunnel leading to Apollo Square. Along the way I saw some children in wrags gathered by a small fire feuled by garbage and debris...what filth. As I came closer I noticed someone familiar...yes, I know I had seen that person before...Aspiration...yes, he's one of Fontaine's fellows...probably surveying the area to keep any of Ryan's boys from getting into the riots which were taking place inside. I've heard he's pretty spliced up, but it's hard to tell...I'm more worried about the security bot he's got rigged up...but then again, that's why this electrobolt is so important...I noticed a wrecked trolly car near the wall, and decided to take cover behind it...it would be the best place to surprise him from. Alright...he's coming...walking down this way...just a little further...there! *Shoots electrobolt at the security bot, downing it(Eve=0)* As much as a I was tempted to rig the security bot myself, I had to take care of the hoodlum first(uses last remaining EVE Hypo, EVE=100%), especially as he's spotted me, and by the looks of things, he's slightly more spliced than I had originally thought...

Alright, So i'm assuming this is where I'd drop off and you'd resume the battle...either way, that's my example, let me know what you think...

There are a lot of parts of this that are VERY good. You described his movement to the area and actions in detail, and thats what we want. There are, however, a few flaws.

Some of the less important problems are the system you used for your attacks. I understand that you were creating a makeshift system because none was in place and you wanted to make an example, so this doesn't matter.

However, you have committed, unknowingly, one of the sins of RPing - metagaming. Metagaming is a long confusing word that means "controlling other people's players".

If I, as the aspiration character you mentioned, had started the post already in Apollo Square then it is perfectly fine to spot me there. If I hadn't posted there before and you just assume my character would be there, thats not right. But I know you were writing an example and assuming I was there, so this is fine.

However, writing that I was walking toward you is again controlling my character, which is a no-no. Also saying I spot you is only something that I can post.

I'm sure that this makes sense to you, and that you were playing my actions out to further your example, but I'm making this clear to people who aren't familiar with RPs. You control your character. No one else's.





Well, since we all know how much BioShock likes referencing other things outside of itself...how about "Paradise Lost"? It's a reference to an epic poem by English poet John Milton about the Devil's fall from grace after he dupes Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden. I think it would be grimly fitting as we watch Rapture crumble into chaos and anarchy.

Sounds good. Everyone seems to have accepted it well, so Paradise Lost is our new title.

This is the area I think I we'll get the most enjoyment out of, as others have noted, but I think the problem is going to be attempting to ascertain where our Figures should be rather than where we each want them to be individually (if, uh, that makes sense at all). Otherwise, I think it's good.

I'm going to suggest that we start completely from scratch at first: no weapons, no tonics, no plasmids. You start completely 'clean' and you've gotta work and find these things for yourself, just like getting EVE and ammunition for your weapons, you can explore new tonics, perhaps, but not new plasmids (I think the system could open up for abuse if we let it go too out of hand). Perhaps...2 plasmids per person? As for tonics, I'd say about 4. Weapons, perhaps 2, as well. However, if one person decides they don't want to get all jacked up on ADAM and be 'normal,' well, I think perhaps we could let 'em maybe have a third one, perhaps, to compensate for this? Also, if some of our characters form little mini alliances with one another, maybe we can 'trade' things between one another?

Starting with minimal supplies is a must as obviously people won't have everything available to them this early on. However, tensions are mounting, and it only makes sense for those on either side of the revolution to start preparing, and for the more aware citizens as well. Number of slots has already been formulated, and yes I like your idea for "trading" things. In fact, that statement, along with some others below, have inspired a part of the system I'm going to incorporate at the end of this post.

I think the idea of making it a 'contest' of sorts (letting the players write and see who's got the 'best' interpretation of the Figure compared to their canon counterpart) is probably our best solution. However, should the player not be online at the moment and their Figure needed, perhaps a compromise can be made and the Figure be utilized by others if need be.

Personally, I'd keep the B.D.'s as simple, NPCs because of how powerful they are. And keep in mind that they really don't have much going on up in their noggins other than 'protect the Little Sisters at any cost.' I can see something getting done with Little Sisters, perhaps, though...

Little Sisters are likewise brainwashed, and I can see what you mean for the Big Daddys. Thats one of the main complications we still have to iron out. More on that below.




Well it seems we can agree this time around WIA...

I like the "Paradise Lost" Title...it suits the idea very well, and has a deep meaning which is critical if we want to live up to the Bioshock name. Also, I see many comments regarding overall organization of such a game...this will be complicated, but possible...I agree that we should all start off blank, but I also feel we should be associated with certain factions which start off at certain points. Each Faction could also start off with certain bonuses based upon the features of their faction.An example would be-

Ryan Loyalists-Location: Hephaestus
Strength: Weapons Advantage (each character starts off with one weapon)

Fontaine Revolutionaries-Location: Neptune's Bounty
Strength: Plasmid Advantage (each chracter starts with one plasmid)

This right here is probably one of the largest of the new influences. Thanks for that, you've provided something I can REALLY build off of.

Other locations would include every area of the game, but how could members move? Could they be assigned certain areas, and only be allowed to move with permission? Or could only a certain amount of members inhabit a given location at a certain time?

Players should be able to move according to their character. What Ryan and Fontaine decide to do with their people we'll have to decide, but limits would make things unfair.

And in terms of plasmid, tonic, item, and money use, how can we prevent abuse? This is too complex for everyone to just figure out on their own. We'll need some sort of system worked out...perhaps everyone can be given a certain amount of money and ADAM to work with? But of course, that leads to the question of how more could be obtained...

Believe me when I say a trust system is the best way. I will need to watch things, of course, and if other people think something fishy is going on bring it to my attention. But as long as everyone understands that fairness is best for the game then things will go smoothly.

I also like the idea of alliances, or at least small groups working with one another...but again, that is something that probably should be regulated...this is really going to take a lot of work...

Altogether, I like where this is going, but I caution against getting over-complicated...if you don't have the time and patience for all of this organization and explanation to every member, this could prove difficult...

Agreed. Keep it simple, keep it easy to find. I like it.

[AspirationRealized]

Heh, yeah, good to see we're on the same side here (or will we? I think my own character might go off and join Atlas' guys ;)). Aye, the biggest hurdle we're going to have to cross is how exactly this is going to work. I don't want to saddle AspirationRealized with everything here, but I think if he gets at least an idea down pat, we can come and say what we agree and disagree with it, debate on it, and we can hammer out something workable. I do like the notion of factions having certain advantages over the others, and I think that makes everything just a bit fairer as we get along in this. Glad to see you think the title was appropriate too, in the least, but I still await AspirationRealized's verdict on the entire matter. :)

Its a go.

I'd give the general populace (not aligned to either side and working on their own) the advantage of using tonics (i.e. a greater supply of it is available). After all, plasmids and weapons shouldn't, at least at first IMO, be available to the populace immediately, simply because it'll show how we go from a robust society to one that's basically being ripped apart, chewed, and spat out by revolution. Societal norms, etc. breaking down and all that good stuff. Also, I think that perhaps Atlas' guys could start out more at the poor house (I was always under the assumption that this is where he began to obviously gain much support for his ideas).

The poor house is key here. The tonics to the populace, I'm still mulling over in my head. The right to own weapons I think is fair game in Rapture, but I do believe the plasmids weren't intended for combat purposes originally (see someone light a smoke with incinerate, add sugar to coffee with telekinesis in the ads).

The greatest advantage of the everyday citizen is not being bound to any side from the onset. Thats a greater advantage than you might think.

I think a certain amount of members inhabiting an area all at once is fine, but the problem is going to be how we incorporate newer players into the game once they decide that this looks like fun. I think another problem is that: we can only do so much with the areas in game. Can we make up new areas for the RP? Rapture's a sprawling metropolis, and we didn't even really scratch her surface in BS1 so...could we? Rapture Zoo didn't make it in, but it apparently exists...

We can make up new areas in Rapture, but why build a house when you have no one to inhabit it? I am very experienced with this sort of thing. If you create settings without people to fill them first, they collect dust and become a waste of your time.



I think a little amount of money at first is very acceptable. I don't think it really should be a problem, though, once all the bodies in Apollo Square start piling up, unfortunately. As for ADAM, I think that perhaps we could wait until a certain point and then start using it somehow? Like, Ryan's guys have got it with them when they're patrolling the area, but one of them gets downed and the common people come across it...well, I'll let your imagination go on from there. I think getting ADAM should be a bit of a 'rarer' thing, don't know how though...randomized, in a sense?

This is the other part that inspired what I was talking about above. You'll see this in the final concept!

Well, as Ryan said, "And with the sweat of your own brow, Rapture can be your city too." right? As for the alliances...I think it might be neat if we sometimes step out of our 'comfort zones,' if however briefly. Let's say my character and yours are fighting or whatnot for whatever reason, and we both manage to tick a Big Daddy off by shooting our guns or plasmids too close to his entourage. We're not exactly gonna be dumb and continue on fighting when we've clearly made him mad, would we?

Great idea! Of course Rapture provides more interesting situations then just a side vs a side. Perfect example of thinking on your feet here.



I think our best bet is AspirationRealized, once everything is said and done, posting whatever the rules are on the front page of the thread so everyone can see it as soon as they click on the link to this. Otherwise, it's just going to get messy and not very fun if everyone new keeps asking, "What's going on?" Nor is it very fair to them either.

Two other issues I think that we're going to have address are:

1) Rapture isn't, going by references to Tenenbaum as a 'kraut', a very politically correct place. While we probably will never really encounter the issue, and I hope it won't be a problem, they're not going to be taking too kindly to minorities. This is an area we're going to have to work out to have 'acceptability' because I think if something is misread here, someone will get offended and it might make a bit of drama. Also, since BioShock is a mature game...how many adult situations (alcohol, language, etc.) is going to be allowed and the like?

Rapture has no censors. We won't either. More on this later.

2) Perhaps we can make characters up who serve minor roles? Again, using you and I as examples, say my character comes from Fontaine's Home for the Poor and yours comes calling one day because he suspects that the poorhouses are going to riot sometime in the future and he's trying to ascertain loyalty to Ryan. He meets up with a character I mentioned at one point, the current owner of it after Fontaine supposedly bit the dust. Anyone can use these people and I think it would give the story a more cohesive feeling. :)

Sure

Anyway, I'll post the bio of my own guy once we get a bit further along into this.

^Rapture's current state in 1957:
-Fonatine is ina an increasingly violent power struggle with Andrew Ryan; this means Fontaine may make appearances in your character's story but MUST NOT BE HARMED.
-widespread plasmid use and some people are going insane from lack of ADAM; many people you might face will have a plasmid ability of some kind also there can be random encounters with thoroughly insane splicers
-the Little Sister program is in its early stages of public deployement; there can be encounters with Big Daddies with or without Little Sisters as well as the possibility for there being prototype Big Daddies

Thank you. This brings up something I need - Rapturian History buffs. I need every official detail on what happened between 1957 and the civil war. If anyone is good with this sort of thing, please respond here immediately!

[AspirationRealized]

Continued... again XD


Well, firstly I think that your date of 1957 is perfect. Really, a pre-civil war era is the best way to go, but there are small groups of "revoltionists" begginning to form and tension are rising. However, I don't think that there should really be TOO many all out attacks until a little later on.

As for like the profiles and such, I believe that we should have to get them "approved" so we don't have all sorts of Mary Sues running around. This way, we would have more a variety of people, instead of everyone being scientists and free-lance artist, and being young and smart and handsome/beautiful, etc. This will hopefully add a more dynamic factor to the RP.

Welcome to Paradise Lost, by the way. You and I have never talked. I'm not sure what Mary Sues are, but yes all profiles will be approved. I will not, however, stop someone for being "too handsome". Remember that only the brightest shining examples of humanity were invited to Rapture - you can be as smart or good looking as you want. Attractiveness, as well as intelligence, is in the eye of the beholder anyway so it would be impossible to place any limits on this.

I'm going to trust that as individuals our characters will have individual tastes. I've always found the community is dynamic enough -shrugs-

Also, I think that already made tonics and plasmids should be used, as in, the ones already in the original game (and any patches/updates for it). That way, people won't be making up random plasmids and tonics that didn't even exsist when you arrive in Bioshock. Maybe, someone should compile a list of exsisting plasmids and tonics, as well as a description of what they do for/to you. (Although we can add some tonics seen in adds such as 'Get Thin' to add to the effect of 'normal life')

The tonics and plasmids we know and love will obviously remain. However, those aren't the only ones in the game. Several were rejected before the game was completed, Teleportation being an example because it could have caused issues with scripted story events and caused broken games. It is still widely advertised though. Also, there were no tonics or plasmids available that can explain the acrobatic nature of the spider splicers, and so, we are to assume there are definitely other plasmids that were never elaborated upon.

I understand where you want to limit things, and I agree that people can't be making up stuff and just randomly using it. Thats why I'm going to give people the oppurtunity to be creative and create plasmids and then, just like profiles, they can be approved.

Another thing that I think people should note, is WHO there character is. For example: if you're a normal everyday person not really effected to much by the rising tensions between Fontaine/Atlas and Ryan, you shouldn't be walking around with a machine gun and a shotgun, and super spliced up. In other words people who are an everyday person shouldn't be walking around with the amount of guns and plasmids that one of Atlas' men would have. Not to say that you CAN'T, just saying that I would think it would kind of take away from the feel.

As for whether or not Big Daddies (and Little Sisters perhaps?) being Players or Figures, I think that, though they may be fun as players, they best just be passive figures. Mostly because Big Daddies are just drones, really, made to protect the Little Sisters and nothing else. And, as for the Little Sisters, they're really too young to be successfully RPed with a comprehensive position.

As for where it should be, I think in general that we should be mostly spread out through the areas of Rapture, and that we should move around. Just being in one area will get tiresome, and moving as a group would take away from the over all feel. Hopefully there will be enough people willing to participate that we will have a significant amount in different areas.

Another thing I thought of is how we act and speak. I think we should do our best to mimic the general mindset and speech of the 50's. In other words we wouldn't be walking around dropping the f bomb every five seconds.

I need someone to see if anyone said the f word in the game XD I know I saw some damns at least. And bloody hell. Either way, you are exactly right! Put this with another statement you make below, I'll elaborate on it in a moment.

Sorry if I've repeated anything, I didn't really have any time to read many other posts besides your original ones. I hope this helped, and I will definitely be brain storming more ideas. :D (Maybe they can open up a seperate board, just for this RP based on your rules with vital info for this RP. Considering in seems to be becoming very in depth. THAT WOULD BE NEAT! ;D)

I agree with a lot of the points that have been said in the past few posts...the time period and ability to interact with the main staple characters should be added, as well as other characters who might have minor roles in the main storyline, such as Fontaine's henchmen, Ryan's advisors, etc.

As for Big Daddies, I definitely say passive. I also love WIA's idea of citizen's special bonus being Tonics...also as a side note, regardless of bonuses, all characters should start off with a wrench...so as it stands(still example), we have:

Ryan Loyalists-Location: Hephaestus
Bonus: Weapons Bonus(Characters starts out with 'weaker' weapon, such as pistol, shotgun, or machine gun)
These characters should have a history of upholding the Rapturian ideals and have a strong faith in Objectivist philosophy.

Fontaine Revolutionaries-Location: Apollo Square
Bonus: Plasmids Bonus(Character starts with a basic Plasmid, such as electrobolt, incinerate, or telekinesis)
These characters should either be employed by Fontaine Futuristics, or be residents of Fontaine's Home for the Poor. Thye have reason to revolt against Ryan's overbearing power, and believe strongly in Fontaine's message.

Rapture Citizenry-Location: Olympus Heights, Fort Frolic, Welcome to Rapture, or perhaps even made up spots?
Bonus: Tonic Bonus(Character starts off with a basic tonic upgrade, such as physical shell, resistance to certain damage, electric flesh, etc)
These characters are the everyday citizens of Rapture. They are often convinced to try the new splicing fad to fit in to society. They could often be caught up between the two major factions, or may have their own personal agendas.

Good show, Forsaken.


August Girl and WIA also have great points regarding the realism of the plot...we have to put ourselves in the era, and recreate this art deco world much as Levine did when he made the game. If we must use slang, I think it should be permitted, as long as it's not overly offensive....but otherwise, I think we should try to talk as they did, think as they did, and get into character as best we can....after all, it will only make the experience more enjoyable...

And lastly, we should put ourselves in PRE-CIVIL WAR ERA Rapture, much as LookBehindU pointed out...we can't bring things up that happened in the game, and we have to be concious of things that were taking place then, such as the early development of the Little Sisters...

phew...that was a lot...now I'm just wondering what Aspire will think about all of this....things certainly have transformed a bit over these past few hours...once he gives some info, I'll work on a character profile.

[AspirationRealized]

One more... here it is.

I have been thinking about the dilemma concerning the use of Eve and Medkits. I think it should kind of be a go as you feel type thing. But as a rule of thumb something like if you use 'basic' (as in electrobolt or incinerate not upgraded) plasmids 4-5 times then you need to use an Eve hypo, or if you use a more 'advanced' plasmid (electrobolt 2 or incinerate 3, etc) you would need to use an Eve hypo in about 3-4 uses. Also, we should just have one Eve hypo refill all your Eve.

To make things simple I think we should build off of what the game gave us, like only be able to have 9 Eve hypos and med kits at a time. Also, having a $500 limit on the wallet. As well as sticking in the close range of prices from the game, e.i. $15 for an Eve Hypo, 40 ADAM to upgrade Health (or better phrased stamina for RP purposes?) It will make it easier if we stick to the cost the game had. Just throwing some thoughts out there.

I like your "3-4 uses" idea. This is what I mean. No percentages. No hit points. Just common sense and understanding between players.

Money is a real dilemma. It will be VERY difficult to track everyone's money, especially if we consider other people joining our story. For this purpose I am considering giving money a more generalized feel. More on this later.

As for how the med packs work, perhaps they work like in Max Payne. You just pop some pain killers, slap on some gauze to a wound and away you go. Although, obviously, if you have a shattered rib cage or a fractured leg you will be fleeing the fight and seeking medical attention.

Good idea here.

Oh, and for your profile I think you should add your history. As in where you lived, what your family was like, how you got to Rapture. if you came with anyone. If you made any new friends in Rapture, what you think of Rapture, your job, dreams, and family. (To create a more rounded and interesting character)

Yes, yes, yes. Like I said above, this is key. Back when I started this RP I had almost zero interest and feared that people creating an appearance for their character would be difficult, much less a background. Now that I have some legitimate interest, this is essential folks.

Hopefully people can build off these ideas. I'll keep thinking!

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Wow! It seems our patience has paid off...now to read it...I'll hopefully get some feedback to you soon, but this could take a while! :eek:

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Alright, that's a lot to take in...I'll try and address some of your issues here...

First off, yes, the "F" word was used several times in the game, and while you have brought up the idea of not censoring things, let us not forget the rules of the site we are posting on...

In regards tot he trust system, I think this is best, after all, Rapture is a city without strict authoritarian regulation...we don't need bureaucratic details weighing things down...

And as for your analysis of my mock situation...thanks for the info, i learned exactly how this should work, as I hoped I would. I can see how this little game can get very exciting with people posting back and forth with great haste...but one question regarding organization: do you plan on making separate threads for each and every area of Rapture, to make things more contained, or will all of the action be taking place in a single, linear thread like this one? I know you're very experienced in all that, so I'm interested in how it's done on other forums...

Lastly, seeing as my example scenario worked well to answer questions I(and likely many others had) about how this whole thing actually plays out, I think it would be appropriate to try my hand at making a profile....here goes...

Name: Thomas Davenport
Ocupation: Ministry of Propaganda, Rapturian Intellectual
Summary: Middle aged and clean cut, Devenport met Ryan while pursuing a degree in theology at Yale University during the summer of 1936. After reading Ryan's work, Davenport became obsessed with Objectivist ideals, instantly making Ryan a sort of mentor. In '38, Ryan had invited Davenport, along with many other investors and ideological followers to his estate for a summit regarding a new and highly classified project. Fearing the growing tensions in Europe after whitnessing Germany's agressive expansion into Austria and Czechoslavakia, Ryan announced his plans to use his vast wealth and massive investment funds to construct something that until this point seemed impossible: a city under the sea. Already a devoted Objectionist, Davenport no longer felt the need to live in a country that had come to favor the democratic party after Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932. The choice was clear: Davenport would find his new home in "Rapture".

As construction continued during the early 40's, Davenport continued working for Ryan as a ideological and intellectual advisor. Fearing the US draft, Davenport took residence in one of the few completed areas in the city, and from there created advertisements and ideological pamphlets for potential candidates for future citizenship. His "Manifesto Regarding the Rights of Man" which included several of Ryan's, and his own works were distributed to staunch republicans, corporate titans, scientists, and those who opposed the war. A huge hit, readers were taken in by Davenport's witty and charismatic rhetoric which promoted laissez-faire capitalism, ultimate free-will, and civil liberties. Davenport would also go on to state that "Roosevelt and his New Deal Coalition have tied a noose around the neck of the working man. With each passing day the demagagues in Washington promote Social Security, Demand aid for the homeless, and perhaps worst of all, strengthen the labor unions which suck the vitality from the most prominent of all men, the entrepreneur. The American Declaration of Independence States that all men should be free to 'live life in the pursuit of happiness,' but how can man do such a thing when its hard earned wares are torn asunder, and given to the parasites of society. Happiness is not a gift, friends. It is instead a reward which must be earned, and can only truly be experienced through the fruit of one's own constructive labor. Ryan rejects what Roosevelt has given us and offers you something more. Happiness may have been lost in the land we once treasured, but a new age of euphoria is at hand, and its name is Rapture!"

After Rapture's completion in 1946, Davenport sought to create his own name in the new society. Seeking a future in advertisement, Davenport endeavored to create a service which could be used by Rapturian Corporations to market their products. With an entourage of business executives and actors, Davenport financed and wrote several radio advertisements for clients such as the Fort Frolic Entertainment Bureau, Fontaine Fisheries Sales Corp., Surgical Aesthetics and co, Cohen Pictures, among many others. Davenport's career brought him fame and monumental amounts of wealth, as well as near celebrity status in Rapture, especially after a Rapture Radio deal with Mr. Cohen giving Davenport unprecedented media power.

During the outbreak of tensions following the establishment of Fontaine Futuristics, Ryan sought to keep the population of Rapture in line with a slick add campaign reminding citizens of the importance of Objectivist ideals. Remembering his old ally and apprentice, Ryan requested Davenport return to work for Ryan as head of the newly formed Ministry of Propaganda and work as a direct political advisor. Davenport's messages, which were heavily inspired by Nazi Propagandist Joseph Goebbels, demanded citizens remember the root causes of their exodus to Rapture, and that Ryan was keeping his promise of free will and free market principles.

In time, Davenport's radio messages became omnipresent in the halls of Rapture. Citizens could not leave their homes without being reminded of Fontaine's smuggling "Parasites", or newly installed curfews which were installed for the "public good." These messages intensified as the civil war began during the late 50's, causing Davenport to abandon his other business practices and become completely devoted to relaying propaganda messages to the public. Davenport, at the command of Ryan, also encouraged Rapturian citizens to "Splice" following the nationalization of Fontaine Futuristics, despite moral reservations he personally held regarding the plasmids. In time, Davenport's messages not only encouraged citizens to continue with the "Rapture" way of life, but also insisted that such a lifestyle was impossible without the use of plasmids and tonics. Advertisement became so great that sales of Ryan Industry's Tonics sky-rocketed, just as Ryan had wanted. He now had a population which was largely loyal to him, yet armed no longer with guns, which had proved inneffective during the early battles, but plasmids, evening the odds with Atlas' men. As Splicers loyal to Ryan charged into battle, Davenport's messages could be heard echoing in the background, chanting "This is not a battle for Ryan, or even Atlas. It isn't about territory or political power as wars long past had been. No. This war is waged for something far more critical, far more imperative. This war is fought for the rights of the citizen. The right to work, the right to earn, the right...to succeed. As you spill blood and take life, know that your child will prosper for it. When you kill a man's wife, know that yours will thank you endlessly. And when you kill a man, know that upon his corpse you have built your legacy, a legacy made possible by the ideals we so vigorously defend; the ideal that is...Rapture."

[AspirationRealized]

Basic Roleplaying 101

Before we get into how this works for Bioshock, some of you need to understand what Roleplaying is. No, we are not going to roll dice. This is more of a collaborative, active story. We're all authors, adding our influences one at a time in turn, and unlike a normal story, other people's actions influence it and it constantly changes.

The beginning of an RP is always the setting. This could be as simple as saying you're in Fort Frolic, but its always more interesting when you give it depth. What's going on right now? What does everything look like? What is the atmosphere, the "feel" of the area? Giving our own interpretations of places we're all familliar with can be a rewarding experience. Lets do our best to make this a story worth reading.

Next, where in the setting is your character? What does he look like in this particular instance? What is he doing?

The original poster of a particular thread is in charge of establishing setting and if his character is about, defining his position and other details such as this. Those that post afterwards can elaborate on the setting a bit if they choose, but must describe their character and where they are. Are they entering the scene or were they already in the room when the original poster came in? Detail is key. People don't just "appear" places (unless they have the Teleportation plasimid! Get it now from Fontaine Futuristics!).

Something that is very important to understand is that you control your character only. You cannot write what another character's intentions are, and no one else can write for yours. Many people will control other people's characters to fit something they want to happen. Don't. Give them a chance to act, then react from it.

Dialogue and actions MUST be separated. I prefer to put all description and action inside of tag lines -like this- or *some people do this*. Others have their actions normal and "quote their text like this". Either way is fine as long as your actions and dialogue are clearly separate and easy to distinguish.

If you must talk OOC (out of character) use double parentheses ((like this)). This can be used to explain certain things, but use it sparingly. This is about the characters, not our actual selves. If you have a lot of OOC chatter to do with someone, do so over PMs.

When a fight occurs, there is physical contact between players and this can confuse things for some people. There are generally two ways of acceptable and fair RP fighting.

Version 1:
From behind the cover of a trolley cart, Forsaken watches AspiR approach. Attempting to take him by surprise, he fires a blast from his left hand with Incinerate, aimed for AspiR's hair. If his attack connects, it is likely to catch AspiR's hair on fire.

AspiR hears the burst of fire as it ignites in the air, spinning around with his arms crossed in front of his face, absorbing the blow as his cuffs disintegrate instantly and he is burned down to his wrists. Whipping his right hand wildly, he suddenly reaches outward, grabbing a piece of rubble from the ground behind Forsaken and pulling it towards his head. If it connects it could possibly cause a concussion, or at least distract Forsaken long enough for AspiR to run and hide behind the cover of a nearby pillar.


Version 2:
From behind the cover of a trolley cart, Forsaken watches AspiR approach. Catching him unaware, he fires a blast from his left hand with Incinerate and it connects, lighting AspiR's hair on fire. The top of his head would burn and eventually his clothes would alight if he didn't put it out soon.

AspiR hears the burst of fire as it ignites in the air, spinning around with his arms crossed in front of his face, absorbing the blow as his cuffs disintegrate instantly and he is burned down to his wrists. Whipping his right hand wildly, he suddenly reaches outward, grabbing a piece of rubble from the ground behind Forsaken and pulling it against the back of Forsaken's head, jarring his opponent long enough to take cover behind a nearby pillar.

Notice the difference between them is version one is saying this "could happen" and version two is saying it "did happen". They achieve the same purpose, stating your intent, but version two allows more detailed damage. But wait, you're not allowed to control other players right? If you look at AspiR's block in both versions it is exactly the same. In Version 2 Forsaken is showing his intended damage, but then AspiR blocks it, essentially writing over what Forsaken posted.

The only difference is in version 1 you say "could've" "should've" "might could", while in version 2 you're saying it is, and adding more detail to your intentions. It is understood that other characters have a forseeable chance to dodge, block, or otherwise react to what attacks you have written and rewrite the story in this way. Because of this, this is NOT controlling the other character and is allowed. I happen to prefer version 2 but either one is acceptable.

So now I will demonstrate the basic principles of RPing with a mock RP.

AspiR starts the thread by posting...
-It was Apollo Square in the usual style. Makeshift fires complete with beggars with their hands out, seeking hand outs. The garbage and debris of Rapture walked the garbage and debris of Apollo Square, with common thieving and extortion occurring as even the whales wouldn't pass by this side of Rapture. AspiR was making the rounds, making sure none of Ryan's uptight dogs were sniffing the wrong dumpster. Dressed in some casual clothes that looked like a tuxedo compared to the fashion around here, he paced along the outside of the entrance from the tunnel, watching the unofficial zoo of Rapture-

What am I even doing here? I like Ayn Rand's books...

Forsaken posts, in response...

"Another day, another parasite"

After receiving orders to eliminate some Fontaine loyalists who were gathered in Apollo Square, Forsaken exited the Blathysphere. As he made his way through the tunnel he held a grimace from what he saw in the slums, but kept an eye out for any of the parasites that were known to breed here. Spotting a man in a different caliber of clothing, he recognized the face as one of Fontaine's men. Seeing a nearby wrecked trolley cart, he snuck over to it, crouching so as not to betray his position. Lightning sparked in his fingertips as he waited for AspiR to walk past so he could take advantage.


This was very short, minimalistic, and anything except serious, but all of the basic elements I described above are there. You can see how they work as a cohesive whole now.

[Mr. Pierrepoint]

Role-play? Do you take me for a common actor, sir? I fulfill a very important function in society. I am the last face that certain people see....

[augustgirl515]

I'm just going to say if you need an example of a real RP, I have plenty. :) (In other words sometimes it's easier to show how the two people can interact with each other when it's not the same person writing as both people)

[AspirationRealized]

I can link to several real examples as well, august, but the purpose of this was to demonstrate clearly the principles I went over in a relevant form.

I'm sort of curious to see what the non RPers among us come up with. For this reason I am only giving very basic outlines... we'll see what happens with minimal direction.

Anyway the real stuff is coming tonight.

[augustgirl515]

OK, just trying to help. Didn't mean to offend you. :(

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Well, clearly I've never done this before...but it starting to look pretty clear to me. I can see how this can get rather entertaining and even exciting...

I'd like to see some other profiles besides my own, so we can get an outline of a story going :D

[augustgirl515]

Oh and here is a small exerpt from the RPing website I belong to about Mary Sues;

"The term 'Mary Sue' first appeared in fanfiction. Originally, it meant an original female character who is introduced to the plot and takes it over. Mary Sue is normally exceptionally beautiful, highly talented, very intelligent, has a dark, tragic past, and is universally loved by everyone who meets her.

Mary Sue became more and more recognised, even beyond fanfiction. Mary Sue (or Marty Stu, for male characters) now means an unrealistically perfect character. These characters in roleplays are annoying because they are the strongest mages, who can fix anything with magic, or the best fighters, who never lose a fight. Mary Sues often have beautiful singing voices or great music skills, and can wow everyone with her musical performances. She shows off a lot. Mary Sue takes a lot of forms."

And also a small guide for character profiles, that might make it easier to write it if you're stuck! Hope these things help to make a more diverse and interesting population. :)

Name:
-Take into consideration what country your character is from.
-If you're having trouble thinking up a name, find a baby name website through google.

Where he/she lives:
-Take into consideration where your character is from. (Upper class would be more Olympus Heights and Appollo Square would be more for lower class)

Place of Birth:

Age, Date of Birth:

Occupation:
-Take into account what you will have their strengths and weaknesses be.
-Your job will effect your status in Rapture as well as how your character acts.

Status (rich upper class, middle class, lower class, government or council member):

Family:
-What were their parent's like? Abusive? Drunkards? Caring? Did they spoil them?
-Do they have any siblings?
-If so, what were they like? Were they close, were they adopted?
-Is their family still alive?
-If so, where is there family now?

Appearance:
-Does your character have any peculiararities about them?
-Do they have any distiguishing marks? e.i. Scars, tattoos, birthmarks, etc
-Are they athletic or more on the fat side?
-What type of build does your character have?
-Are they considered attractive?

Clothing:
-What is they're taste in clothing?
-Do they were expensive clothes, or are they more average?
-Are they stained, torn, etc.?

Weapons/Fighting:
-Are they confrontational?
-What are there limits?
-Who will they not fight, if anyone?
-Are they merciful while fighting?
-Do they prefer to fight hand-to-hand, weapons, plasmids, not at all?


Personality:
-How do they act in conflict?
-Do they put off tough situations or face them head on?
-Are they insane, edging towards insanity?
-What are there morals?
-Strengths and weaknesses?
-How does you character feel about crime, government and big corporations both in Rapture and on the surface?

History:
-Where are they from?
-How did they get to Rapture?
-Do they know Ryan or Fontaine?
-Was there life happy or was there tragedy?
-Why did you leave the surface?

I may add more later on! Hope this helps anyone who may be stuck! :)

[AspirationRealized]

No offense taken, miss august. And you've been a great help, one of the four I consider the "think tank" of Paradise Lost. Really it's fine.

My Name Is Jack and Mr Pierrepoint, your responses haven't gone under my radar... I'm just in one of the busiest stages of this. Will you two be joining us?

Let's get a role call here. Your profile makes you an official participant, but let's see who intends to join so far?

[augustgirl515]

Ok, good. I'm glad that I've been helpful, it's been great to be able to participate in this. And, obviously, I am plaining on joining. I'm vigorously working on my profile.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Well clearly I'm in...but it seems my profile needs a bit of work, as it is simply a backstory at this point...

[AspirationRealized]

Well clearly I'm in...but it seems my profile needs a bit of work, as it is simply a backstory at this point...

I really don't think it needs TOO much work.

Guidelines for profiles will be posted tonight. Read that and you'll know what you need.

[AspirationRealized]

Players

A player is any person playing a character, but we're going to talk about original characters right now. In order to participate in Paradise Lost you must have a strong grasp of the rules, and an approved profile.

The purpose of collecting profiles from the players in a RP is to keep track of all the new characters running around. It also shows us you have some grasp of who your character is, their place in our version of Rapture, and RPing in general. Profiles can be an interesting experience, as you are forced to create certain attributes of your character you may otherwise not have considered before joining. Some people take pride in their profiles, updating them regularly as their character grows, and in general have profiles that read as good as mini biographies. This sort of devotion isn't necessary for approval, but it is certainly encouraged.

I'm going to make a small outline, a template to make profiles with. And once I am finished with the rules I will submit a profile myself to make things clearer.

You're welcome to disacknowledge the format of this template entirely, and still submit your profile. But unless you don't have a reason for doing so that will convince me, you won't be approved.

~ ~ ~

Name: your character's name. No years or multiple caps, etc. There is no internet in Rapture.

Age: your character's age.

Sex: how good your character is in bed... I mean, your gender.

Appearance: your character's general appearance. This is likely to change slightly from time to time depending on what you are doing, or what has happened to your clothes or your body, but here you will tell us what your character looks like most of the time. Details such as identifying marks on the body, hair and eye color, usual wardrobe, etc are a must here and this will be the second to longest part of most profiles.

Background: this is good for character development. A character's background will likely influence their actions, and writing one also gives a character more depth, so this is essential. You should also use this part of your profile to describe your character's personality. What sort of person are they? If you never really considered it, now is the time. Required details are how and why they left the surface for Rapture, when they arrived and where they live in the city now.

Alignment: here you can put whether you're good or evil (though that fits with the personality part of your background) but more importantly I need to know what side you're on at the beginning. You are either with the Fontaine Revolutionaries or the Ryan Loyalists, or on no side yet and remain undecided or fulfilling your own agenda as a citizen of Rapture. There are advantages to each so choose wisely. Also, try to make your choice a reflection of your character... in other words someone who believes in Ryan's ideals probably won't be on Fontaine's side, etc.

Attributes: this is the final part of your profile, and one of the most important. At the beggining of the game you choose the stats for your character carefully, and then submit them in your profile. If you wish you can update your profile periodically as your attributes change.


~ ~ ~

More on attributes in the next addition to the rules and such. If you're interested you might want to get started on your profile (and if you've already started, be sure to read this and make sure your profile fits).

[AspirationRealized]

Check the first post for a little more organization. As I write the parts to the rules, I will link them in the first post for your convenience.

[augustgirl515]

Sehr gut! Now, I can continue writing my profile.

[AspirationRealized]

Sehr gut! Now, I can continue writing my profile.

Wha? XD dunno that language.

[BioShock Freak]

By OP's request, title name's been changed. So if anyone's wondering why it's a different title, that's why.
~Mari.

[augustgirl515]

Es is Deutsch! It's German lol

Oh, and should I just post my profile here or is there a specific form that I should go so as to not clutter this one where we will be RPing?

[AspirationRealized]

Go ahead and post it here. We're not certain where we'll be RPing yet xP

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Sorry I haven't been contributing much to the thread as of late, AspRea. :o I've been quite busy and probably will continue to do so, so I'm not sure when I'll be getting my own profile up here. I'll try to get some done tonight however. Good stuff so far though, and thanks for posting all of that, as I certainly understand everything a lot better at the moment. What's this about a 'time line' now though? I'd offer my services if I could get a bit better info about it...

[AspirationRealized]

I need to know everything we can ascertain officially from the game concerning the civil war.

Basically info on Fontaine's rise to power, and the struggle with Ryan afterwards. Leading up to the all out war that eventually ruined Rapture.

After hard facts are compiled, I also need someone to make some educated assumptions to fill the holes that are missing.

I'm not being specific because there is too much there. Anything that would be useful would be appreciated.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

I need to know everything we can ascertain officially from the game concerning the civil war.

Basically info on Fontaine's rise to power, and the struggle with Ryan afterwards. Leading up to the all out war that eventually ruined Rapture.

After hard facts are compiled, I also need someone to make some educated assumptions to fill the holes that are missing.

I'm not being specific because there is too much there. Anything that would be useful would be appreciated.

Well, I suppose I can always give this the ol' college try, eh? Consider myself, if you're happy with everything whenever I get it done, PL's official 'historian.' :p The only problem I foresee is that there really isn't that much about the civil war to compile, as the events surrounding it are mostly very vague...but I'll try, like I said. I might have to do some heavy speculation, however, as you've probably guessed.

Maybe it would be more convenient to assemble a 'general' time line of BS itself? In that, I mean, give things like birth dates from our own characters and the like, describing parts of our own career, along with canon parts of the BioShock lore.

Lemme know if you've got a due date in mind, as I'll try to chug along as best I can.

[AspirationRealized]

No due dates my friend. Keep it relaxed, keep it comfortable.

Our character's involvement doesn't need to be charted, necessarily, except for in the backgrounds of the profiles. The purposes of this historical information is so that we can determine the setting well for our RPs.

After you give me your hard facts and speculation, I'll twist the speculation if I see fit to make it a better situation for our RPs.

I might just call you our historian after I see some of this actually xP

And don't worry on not replying lately... like I said, I'm used to not getting any replies at all. You guys are already way ahead of me, I'm still catching up with the rules

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Alright, I'll write my official profile. Keep in mind that a good portion of it is merely copied from my previous post.

Name: Thomas Davenport
Age: 41 Years Old
Gender: Male

Description: Thin, tall, handsome, and clean cut, Davenport is never seen without his trademark executive suit. With his slicked brown hair and bright green eyes, Davenport also has a reputation with the ladies of Rapture. Many who worked with him described him as having a "salesmen" like appearance, and noted that his fierce conviction was instantly recognizeable in his piercing eyes.

Ocupation: Adverisement, Rapture Radio, Ministry of Propaganda, Rapturian Intellectual

Background: Middle aged and clean cut, Devenport met Ryan while pursuing a degree in theology at Yale University during the summer of 1936. After reading Ryan's work, Davenport became obsessed with Objectivist ideals, instantly making Ryan a sort of mentor. In '38, Ryan had invited Davenport, along with many other investors and ideological followers to his estate for a summit regarding a new and highly classified project. Fearing the growing tensions in Europe after whitnessing Germany's agressive expansion into Austria and Czechoslavakia, Ryan announced his plans to use his vast wealth and massive investment funds to construct something that until this point seemed impossible: a city under the sea. Already a devoted Objectionist, Davenport no longer felt the need to live in a country that had come to favor the democratic party after Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932. The choice was clear: Davenport would find his new home in "Rapture".

As construction continued during the early 40's, Davenport continued working for Ryan as a ideological and intellectual advisor. Fearing the US draft, Davenport took residence in one of the few completed areas in the city, and from there created advertisements and ideological pamphlets for potential candidates for future citizenship. His "Manifesto Regarding the Rights of Man" which included several of Ryan's, and his own works were distributed to staunch republicans, corporate titans, scientists, and those who opposed the war. A huge hit, readers were taken in by Davenport's witty and charismatic rhetoric which promoted laissez-faire capitalism, ultimate free-will, and civil liberties. Davenport would also go on to state that "Roosevelt and his New Deal Coalition have tied a noose around the neck of the working man. With each passing day the demagagues in Washington promote Social Security, Demand aid for the homeless, and perhaps worst of all, strengthen the labor unions which suck the vitality from the most prominent of all men, the entrepreneur. The American Declaration of Independence States that all men should be free to 'live life in the pursuit of happiness,' but how can man do such a thing when its hard earned wares are torn asunder, and given to the parasites of society. Happiness is not a gift, friends. It is instead a reward which must be earned, and can only truly be experienced through the fruit of one's own constructive labor. Ryan rejects what Roosevelt has given us and offers you something more. Happiness may have been lost in the land we once treasured, but a new age of euphoria is at hand, and its name is Rapture!"

After Rapture's completion in 1946, Davenport sought to create his own name in the new society. Seeking a future in advertisement, Davenport endeavored to create a service which could be used by Rapturian Corporations to market their products. With an entourage of business executives and actors, Davenport financed and wrote several radio advertisements for clients such as the Fort Frolic Entertainment Bureau, Fontaine Fisheries Sales Corp., Surgical Aesthetics and co, Cohen Pictures, among many others. Davenport's career brought him fame and monumental amounts of wealth, as well as near celebrity status in Rapture, especially after a Rapture Radio deal with Mr. Cohen giving Davenport unprecedented media power.

During the outbreak of tensions following the establishment of Fontaine Futuristics, Ryan sought to keep the population of Rapture in line with a slick add campaign reminding citizens of the importance of Objectivist ideals. Remembering his old ally and apprentice, Ryan requested Davenport return to work for Ryan as head of the newly formed Ministry of Propaganda and work as a direct political advisor. Davenport's messages, which were heavily inspired by Nazi Propagandist Joseph Goebbels, demanded citizens remember the root causes of their exodus to Rapture, and that Ryan was keeping his promise of free will and free market principles.

In time, Davenport's radio messages became omnipresent in the halls of Rapture. Citizens could not leave their homes without being reminded of Fontaine's smuggling "Parasites", or newly installed curfews which were installed for the "public good." These messages intensified as the civil war began during the late 50's, causing Davenport to abandon his other business practices and become completely devoted to relaying propaganda messages to the public. Davenport, at the command of Ryan, also encouraged Rapturian citizens to "Splice" following the nationalization of Fontaine Futuristics, despite moral reservations he personally held regarding the plasmids. In time, Davenport's messages not only encouraged citizens to continue with the "Rapture" way of life, but also insisted that such a lifestyle was impossible without the use of plasmids and tonics. Advertisement became so great that sales of Ryan Industry's Tonics sky-rocketed, just as Ryan had wanted. He now had a population which was largely loyal to him, yet armed no longer with guns, which had proved inneffective during the early battles, but plasmids, evening the odds with Atlas' men. As Splicers loyal to Ryan charged into battle, Davenport's messages could be heard echoing in the background, chanting "This is not a battle for Ryan, or even Atlas. It isn't about territory or political power as wars long past had been. No. This war is waged for something far more critical, far more imperative. This war is fought for the rights of the citizen. The right to work, the right to earn, the right...to succeed. As you spill blood and take life, know that your child will prosper for it. When you kill a man's wife, know that yours will thank you endlessly. And when you kill a man, know that upon his corpse you have built your legacy, a legacy made possible by the ideals we so vigorously defend; the ideal that is...Rapture."

Statistics:
Weapons: Pistol (Ryan Loyalist Perk)
Plasmids: 0
ADAM: 0
Eve Hypos: 0
Med. Kits: 0
Finances: ???

[augustgirl515]

I'll probably post my profile tomorrow because it's late and my profile is already two pages long. LOL I'm SO long winded. XD

[AspirationRealized]

Alright.

I'm still compiling the final set of things, so I suppose I'll have to make those tomorrow as well. Thank you all for your patience.

[AspirationRealized]

ADAM Hypo

Your ADAM Hypo is larger and composed of better materials than EVE Hypos, so intended for regular use rather than disposal. It is also designed to accomodate serums such as Plasmids and Tonics either from vials or from machines like Gatherer's Gardens and Gene Banks.

ADAM:
ADAM is the primary ingredient to your genetic modifications. Without it, Plasmids and Tonics are useless. Think of Plasmids and Tonics as the idea of "just add water"... only, instead of water you need to add ADAM. And its much more scarce.

Players (excluding Figures) will start with a set number of ADAM at the beginning of the game, and can gain more from Little Sisters, or other players.

ADAM makes your genetic code unstable in order to foster the effects of genetic enhancement. Think of it as nice, gentle, cancer... and hardly noticable, as long as you keep using more ADAM. People who splice heavily are going to show it in their physical features and in their personality.

Plasmids and Tonics:
Plasmids and Tonics, are serums that alter the way ADAM influences your body. Before you can splice them, you will need the required amount of ADAM for its effects to take hold, and how much ADAM it takes will depend on how powerful the Plasmid/Tonic is.

You get Plasmids/Tonics from Gatherer's Gardens and other certain situations, in the form of large vials filled with red serum (Plasmids), blue serum (Physical Tonics), yellow serum (Engineering Tonics) or green serum (Combat Tonics). You will need to mix enough ADAM with these serums before you inject yourself with it, using your ADAM Hypo.

You can only use as many Plasmid/Tonic Slots you have acquired (Players start with two Plasmid slots and six Tonic slots, and more can be created by spending more ADAM), with Six maximum of a serum type at one time. These "slots" are actually a set limit of how many serums your body can hold at one time and remain stable. Modifying your body to be able to contain more Plasmids (more "slots") will require ADAM. (Note, at the beginning of the game you can distribute your six alloted Tonic slots in any three sorts of Tonics. You can have two in each like the game, or perhaps you want to fill out your Physical Tonics early?)

A note on Plasmids...
Plasmids are active genetic modifications. These chiefly influence your left and right arms, changing your body and giving you new abilities that can be "fired" or used voluntarily.

A note on Tonics...
Tonics are passive genetic modifications. These means they flow through your body and give you benefits without you consciously willing them. Kinda like how you don't focus on your breathing unless you try to.

EVE and EVE Hypos:
EVE is the supply for your Plasmid prowess. While ADAM makes genetic effects possible, EVE fuels the effects. The human body wasn't made to produce intense flames and high voltage, after all. These hypos are designed for quick injection for battle efficient delivery of EVE. Its a good idea to carry more than one. These can be acquired from vending machines and battle as well. You can carry nine of these at a time, but you will be expected to keep them on your person somewhere.

First Aid Kits:
These miracles-in-a-tin-box have all that you need to get patched up quickly. Your standard surface first aid is accomodated, but its the vials of liquid very simillar to that supplied in the Health Stations that help you take a licking and keep on ticking. As with Eve Hypos you can carry nine of these at a time, but where to put them?

Weapons and Ammunition:
Maim and kill the old way! The classic pistol, shotgun, and machine gun ("lesser" weapons) enhanced technology that can only be found in the unbridled creative force of Rapture, as well as the more unorthodox grenade launcher, chemical thrower and crossbow ("greater" weapons). And who could forget their pipe wrench at home? So many uses... While the wrench has no ammunition, the other weapons do. In an effort to simplify the RP for ease of use, we won't be counting every bullet you fire from your machine gun but rather the clips you are carrying. Unique ammunition will be more scarce than standard ammo, and will be noted more carefully. Weapons can also be upgraded, but upgrades will be more available to some than others...

Alignment and Attributes:
The following is information relevant to the sides you can join in this RP. The locations are "bases" and although it is assumed your first foray will be in one of the locations sanctioned by your party, it is not required.

Ryan Loyalists- Location: Hephaestus, Fort Frolic
These characters should have a history of upholding the Rapturian ideals and have a strong faith in Objectivist philosophy.

Fontaine Revolutionaries- Location: Apollo Square, Neptune's Bounty
These characters should either be employed by Fontaine Futuristics, or be residents of Fontaine's Home for the Poor. They have reason to revolt against Ryan's overbearing power, and believe strongly in Fontaine's message.

Neutral Rapturians- Locations: All locations not seized by Ryan or Fontaine (CURRENTLY Kashmir Restaurant, Footlight Theater, Medical Pavilion, Arcadia, Farmer's Market, Olympus Heights)
These are citizens who are more aware than average of the mounting tensions, and so prepare themselves so as not to be defenseless in the crossfire. They may remain undecided until later, or have no intentions of ever joining a side and seek to take advantage of the situation for personal gain.


In order to keep the sides distinct, Forsaken came up with the idea of giving the sides different advantages. Which side you start out on will determine your beginning attributes.

Ryan Loyalist Attributes (Weapons)

Advanced- Wrench, Two Lesser Weapons, One Plasmid, Two Tonics. One Power to the People Upgrade of choice on One Weapon.
ADAM Hypo Needle, Six First Aid Kits, Three EVE Hypos.

Basic- Wrench, One Lesser Weapon, One Tonic.
ADAM Hypo Needle, Four First Aid Kits, Two EVE Hypos

Fontaine Revolutionary Attributes (Plasmids)

Advanced- Two Plasmids, One Lesser Weapon, Two Tonics. One Gatherer's Garden upgrade of choice to One Plasmid.
ADAM Hypo Needle, Three First Aid Kits, Six EVE Hypos

Basic- Wrench, One Plasmid, One Tonic.
ADAM Hypo Needle, Two First Aid Kits, Four EVE Hypos

Neutral Rapturian Attributes (Tonics)

Advanced- Wrench, One Lesser Weapon, One Plasmid, Five Tonics
ADAM Hypo Needle, Four First Aid Kits, Four EVE Hypos

Basic- Wrench, Three Tonics, Choice of One Power to the People Weapon Upgrade or One Gatherer's Garden Plasmid/Tonic Upgrade (a sleeper bonus... patience pays off)
ADAM Hypo Needle, Two First Aid Kits, Two EVE Hypos


****NOTE****
I want you guys to give your say as to whether we use the Advanced system or Basic system at the beginning. Some of you wanted to start out with nothing while others took the assumption that we'd be preparing for war, and its only logical we'd have a slight edge at the beginning.

The advanced is my interpretation of a prepared character. The basic is basically a fleshing out of Forsaken's previous ideas (and you'll notice I quote him heavily).

I need votes on this, especially. But look at the current issues as well.


Character Empowerment ("Activation"):
ADAM use before Rapture fell into chaos was for non combat purposes, with a less intrusive amount of ADAM. Imagine Incinerate in game compared to a match on your finger... this is probably more like what the peaceful Rapturians had. Parlour tricks, not a biological arsenal. When your character's Profile has been approved you character will be "activated" or given enough ADAM to be competent in battle. For those on the side of Ryan or Fontaine, they are simply given more ADAM by their side. For Neutral Rapturians, certain accidents will need to be created to explain how an ordinary citizen got access to so much ADAM.


CURRENT ISSUES

If you look at these two pictures you'll notice that the ADAM Hypo and EVE Hypo are the same models, even with the blue apple on them. You'll find the EVE Hypo says EVE while the first time Jack injects himself it is blank:

http://firsthour.net/screenshots/bioshock/bioshock-plasmid-electro-bolt-needle-injection.jpg

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/bioshock/images/4/4c/Bshock_evehypo.jpg

Should we differ the labels, or have them all a blue apple with just ADAM on one and EVE on the other? We could have the ADAM be a red apple, or even but the ADAM currency symbol there.

MONEY.

Money is extremely difficult to implement in the RP as it is difficult to track. I really need your help on this. I suggested a more generalized system, where you don't have numbers anywhere and just assume, within reason, what your purchases would be (you would think Ryan's side would be richer but remember Fontaine Futuristics and his smuggling before that).

Forsaken came up with the idea of credits, for a simplified system of money.

Any votes or new ideas would be much appreciated. We're so close to having everything ironed out and this is just in the way. I personally think we can have a trust system and no one will abuse it... and I could keep an eye on it. But what do you guys think?



Power to the People stations are another issue. They can't just be free and close after on upgrade in the RP can they? My immediate reaction is for it to just be bought through money, but that could get confusing... What do you guys think?


I have just one more part of this, then we'll vote on everything, and this will be done.

Forsaken and I have some interesting things in works behind the scenes. Stay tuned xP

[augustgirl515]

I had a thought on the money and the Power to the People Machines. Maybe we should go by turns/posts instead of actually using/counting money. In other words you can only by two things every turn or something like that. And as for the Power to the People machines perhaps you can only use a power to the people machine every five turns, and once you use the one in the area you can't use it again, but other people can.

For example, say I come across a power to the people station and I use it, but no one else has. I can't use that same one again (perhaps for another ten turns/posts or so?), but since everyone else hasn't used it yet it's still open to them until they use it.

Oh, and I'd be willing to put together a list of plasmids and tonics and what they do (in game ones), as well as what upgrades you can get for power to the people stations, and what type of weapon has what type of ammo (e.i Machine Gun=Normal ammo, anti-personal. and armor piercing rounds). Just let me know if you want me to because I can get it done by the end of today probably.

[AspirationRealized]

If you aren't opposed to having them edited ruthlessly, that would be wonderful! I was actually going to get started on description, and then RP use notes. So if you could come up with a list of everything and their standard application in game, I could add RP notes very easily, and this would be a great help.

And if you're fine with that, I'd like you to put those other Tonics you know of in, towards the end of the Tonic list, like the get thin you were talking about, as your mentioning that interested me.

Oh and if you're doing Power to the People upgrades, please describe what addition to the gun (the gas pipes, cogs, etc) fits with the upgrade. I was trying to look this up as I'm too early in my game (xbox is broken so started over with the PS3 version) I can't figure that out on my own. For example I know the shotgun has an increased rate of fire and increased firepower upgrade, with cogs inside of it for increased rate of fire and gas pipes on the barrel for firepower. I'll snag pics of these from the Bioshock wiki for you later when you're done.

Oh and this is very important!

I like what you did with the weapon bonuses, Forsaken having Ryan gun heavy and Fontaine plasmid toting. But looking over the Bioshock wiki, I discovered that the Power to the People machines were created by Fontaine Futuristics. This can be a glaring flaw, but I like Ryans side having guns too much to change it now if we can avoid it at all possible.

If anyone can think of a decent excuse for Ryans side still being gun advanced in spite of this, let me know

[AspirationRealized]

Oh and august I need your vote as well as everyone elses on whether we should use the Advanced or Basic attributes.

And I'm considering your turn idea by the way.

If you intend to work on that list of Plasmids and weapons, let me know here or in a pm. Thanks.

[augustgirl515]

Sure, I'll get started with that right away! I'll probably post the basic list and then build on it over the course of today and tomorrow. :D I don't mind having it constantly edited. :)

Oh, and if we are going to have it be when Fontaine is dead and Atlas is around we can say that when ryan seized control of Fontaine Futuristics that he also obtained control of the Power to the People stations. But, that's only if you want it to be Atlas vs. Ryan instead of Fontaine vs. Ryan.

As for whether we should use the advanced or basic attributes......I think we should at least start out with the basic. Since I think it full out attacks would just barely begin becoming more common.

[AspirationRealized]

The only issue there is that Fontaine was proclaimed "dead" in 1958, and this is 1957, but we could still have Ryan seize it for some reason or another.

So that's one vote basic? I need everyone elses votes too! It's 1 for Advanced 1 for Basic right now.

[E.Bouncer]

I am really intertested in joining but the thread you linked to in the first page is closed so where do I go from there to put what I look like?

it seems like a great idea and I am definately gonna join (if I can)


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[AspirationRealized]

Oh, that info is a year old and only there for archiving purposes.

Once you've read the Players and Profikes section and understand the RP rules, you may make a profile and just post it here.

Look at Forsaken Laments profile a page or so back from here if you need an example.

Thanks for your interest. Once you're in, you have a say. If you see whatever we're working on and I ask for ideas, and you have one, let us know!

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Alright, well, I don't know what you're going to make of this, AsipR, but here's the time line I've compiled so far for PL. I hope it's up to snuff, at least. Keep in mind, I edited in Forsaken Lament 04's character's profile as his character has been listed. Once everyone else posts their character profiles, I'll be sure to retroactively put them into our continuity here. :)

Here we go then...
1907: Andrei Grigori Russulpov (who will someday become mega-industrialist ‘Andrew Gregory Ryan’) is born on November 7th of this year in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) in the Russian Empire

1916: Thomas Davenport is born this year, presumably in the United States on an unknown date

1917-1918: October 25th officially marks the beginning of the end as the Russian front of WWI begins to collapse; on November 25th, with Vladimir Ilyich Lenin taking power in Russia, now the Soviet Socialist Republic, he signs a treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Brest-Livotsk that officially marks the end to the Eastern Front

During the ensuing chaos of the Bolsheviks taking power in Russia, and the czardom of Nicholas II having collapsed after his assassination, and all of his heirs apparent, at the White Palace, the Russulpovs are killed, all except for Andrei (who had been out playing that day); this marks the beginning of Andrei’s life long hatred of ‘Reds’ and ‘big government’

1918: On October 28th, Francis ‘Frank’ Fontaine (‘the Criminal of a Thousand Faces,’ ‘Rapture’s Prince of Crime,’ etc.) is born in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City

Frank Fontaine grows up in a harsh environment, mostly with the idea that he’ll never be able to get anywhere in the world; his father, a physically disabled veteran of WWI, takes to alcohol (despite its banning under Prohibition) and quickly works them out of each paycheck’s little money

1919: Andrei immigrates to the U.S., being covertly shipped out through eastern Europe to France, where he’s going to be adopted by his aunt and uncle in the United States

Andrei’s name is also officially changed to that of his aunt and uncle, taking the more Americanized ‘Andrew Gregory Ryan’

1921: Future Rapturian doctor Yi Suchong is born, presumably, during this time (he seems slightly older than Tenenbaum) somewhere along China’s coast on August 15th

1925: Ryan, at the behest of his aunt and uncle who recognize his genius, get him to enroll in Yale University

1926: Bridgette Tenenbaum is born to Jewish parents of German descent on May 8th of this year

1928: Ryan graduates from Yale University at about this time, having majored in industry, philosophy, and enterprise and even goes into philosophical book work, and first publishes his notions of what he calls ‘Objectivism’ here; he’ll soon be a major recognizable name throughout the late 1920s, having his mark almost everywhere within the United States as he cleverly manages to fund several new, promising inventions (Andrew Carnegie, sulkily, is once to have said of him: “If he’s so damned rich, why can’t he get a better name for himself?”)

1929: Ryan begins to have his first misgivings about the U.S. government during this time as Prohibition begins

1930s (whole): U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected and Ryan quickly becomes disturbed and distrustful of him due to his New Deal programs, which attempt to gave aid to America’s increasing number of those out of work; he famously denounces FDR as ‘just another Bolshevik stooge’ during this time as well; despite his misgivings over the current administration, he aids the government in inventing a water-decompression device that will displace water with air when placed in certain environments that is originally meant to be used to aid third world countries that are mostly ‘dry’ of water; despite this, the U.S. government buys it off of him, and quickly begins to look at how it may be used in weaponry (a central foundation to building his dream city, Rapture)

During his teenage years, Fontaine will take to working for local crime bosses and will quickly rise through their ranks, becoming one of the most feared men of New York City

Suchong would likely graduate from whatever school he attends at this time as well

1936: Despite studying for a degree in theology, Davenport meets briefly with Ryan, who’s visiting to possibly fund Yale University at a reunion, and becomes fascinated with Ryan’s Objectivist philosophy; he will eventually switch majors to communications and advertisement

1939: World War II begins with Germany’s and the Soviet Union’s joint invasion of Poland

1940s: Suchong also manages to avoid the wider fate of most of his fellow Chinese by running a lucrative opium trade throughout Japan’s controlled areas

1942: Having managed to escape evasion before this point, Bridgette Tenenbaum, at the age of 16, is finally captured by Hitler’s Germany and thrown into a concentration camp in ‘Gross Deutschland’; her parents are killed, but she manages to survive due to her astounding aptitude for experimentation on the human form, earning the favor of Nazi doctors despite her Jewish heritage

This assures her discrete change to ‘Aryan’ status and earns her the nickname of ‘Das Wunderkind’ (‘The Wonder Child’) among her contemporaries; she quickly becomes obsessed with the notion of genetics and will pursue this career after the war’s end in Rapture

1945: World War II comes to an end with the destruction of Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Ryan, utterly fearful that such destruction is now in the hands of his hated ‘Parasites,’ decides that the only way to get away from these people is to go where they’d never expect to find him: under the sea and construction begins on Ryan’s fantastic city, stretching all the way into near the end of 1946 for a place founded by ‘free men for free enterprise’ somewhere about 260 some miles southwest of Iceland’s capitol, Reykjavik; Davenport, by now an old friend of Ryan’s by now, is invited to a summit where he reveals his plans of Rapture this year

1946: On November 5th, Rapture opens her doors for the first time to the world’s ‘best and brightest,’ with these people encouraging any who they know to come to Rapture to share in Ryan’s dream; at her peak, Rapture’s population will boast about 10,000; Davenport also becomes an important intellectual and economic contributor to Ryan’s dreams in the early phases of Rapture, even providing a book to further Ryan’s own Objectivist philosophy: “Manifesto Regarding the Rights of Man,” which will go on to become one of Rapture’s best-sellers

Suchong and Tenenbaum are presumably brought here around this time, both escaping the horrors of WWII relatively unscathed compared to their countrymen

Sander Cohen also comes to Rapture this year, where he’ll immediately be put in charge of the ‘artsy’ area of Rapture: Fort Frolic; he’ll become one of Ryan’s most ardent sycophants in the future and he forges an alliance with Cohen’s Rapture Broadcasting Company (the RBC) this year to be the one to give Rapture all of its daily news and events

1948: Frank Fontaine arrives sometime during this year, pretending to be a humble businessman in search of a better life, and quickly begins to set up shop near the wharf, Neptune’s Bounty, for a smuggling ring that will bring valuable commodities (such as the Bible, one of his best sellers) to the people of Rapture, all under the guise of a fishery, Fontaine Fisheries, one that quickly asserts a monopoly over the entire industry, further cementing Fontaine’s tiny economic empire

[Who_is_Atlas?]

-Continued from above-

Quickly realizing already how classes have formed within Rapture, he covertly begins to build one of his more successful enterprises as well: Fontaine’s Home for the Poor; during his time here, he begins to play off of the widespread discontent among the poor against Ryan…

1951: Dr. Bridgette Tenenbaum discovers the fated sea slug while exploring local sea life down at Neptune’s Bounty one day, after buying it off of a local fisherman whose paralyzed arm it’d healed; quickly realizing her finds potential, she attempts to find a company to fund her research

1952: This year is mostly spent by Tenenbaum fruitlessly finding any major scientific laboratory in Rapture that will take her and her sea slug discovery too seriously; all of them turn her down and she nearly gives up hope

1953: Tenenbaum, despite nearly giving up hope, finally manages to convince an investor, Fontaine, after having a small chat with him on the future of genetic science in Rapture (Fontaine, however, does originally meet her in a café...Fontaine had wanted a quick 'roll in the hay,' and to Tenenbaum's credit, she pushed off his advances due to her largely asexual personality); despite her amazing discovery, they quickly realize that they’re going to need more sea slugs to even be able to consider the necessary amounts needed for business distribution possible and so Fontaine Fisheries begins to collect more of the slugs covertly…

Despite discovering that ADAM can potentially be addictive, they go ahead anyway; Fontaine Futuristics is founded this year to start up Tenenbaum’s research, with Fontaine’s mole in Ryan’s inner circle, Dr. Suchong, being brought in to help with the research (he will go onto create most of the ‘weaponry’ plasmids)

1954: After a year’s worth of research, Tenenbaum hits another road block: spending is becoming far too costly to continually pull in fresh slugs from the seabed and Fontaine is beginning to make noises over it; in response to this, Tenenbaum suggests that perhaps it’d be possible to implant the sea slug into a human host as a parasite to live off of said person, and in theory, consequently produce all the ADAM they need; despite being hesitant to do much at first, Fontaine caves in and forms Fontaine’s Little Sisters Orphanage

This will be the base of operations for most of the conversions of the most physically and mentally fit little girls into their new Little Sister positions

1955: Preliminary testing for the Little Sisters falters as many of Generation One Little Sisters are killed off by a bad pandemic of influenza that sweeps through the poor districts of Rapture; Fontaine, outraged that his money is being wasted, quickly tells Tenenbaum to speed up the process on her research and demands hormonal growths to induce the slugs to produce more ADAM (and its byproduct, EVE)

Early preliminary designs begin to appear by Suchong and Tenenbaum for things called ‘plasmids’ (bio-weapons generated by the human body) and ‘tonics’ (simple modifications that usually have superficial commercial affects)

1956: Fontaine’s existence becomes known to Ryan this year due to many of the poor flocking into his poorhouses set up around the outskirts of Rapture; also worrying to him is his near stranglehold on the genetics market from the outset of Fontaine Futuristics gobbling up many of the smaller businesses

Wisely, Ryan becomes determined to keep a close eye on Fontaine’s activities

1957: Fontaine’s quest for total domination of Rapture becomes more and more apparent this year as he starts to make bolder and bolder moves against Ryan’s various monopolies and puppets in business; much to Ryan’s dismay, Fontaine usually manages to keep himself on a clean slate…though not enough to know he shouldn’t be screwed with

Due to Fontaine’s bold movements, Ryan becomes increasingly paranoid over those who he can trust and begins to make Soviet-style purgings of areas, feeling around for those who’re loyal to him and exterminating those who he begins to perceive as threats to his power

The Little Sisters are also begun to be used as ‘farms’ for ADAM, as it begins to be distributed to the populace of Rapture where it’ll be quite the commodity as its effects of addiction and need to feed this become more and more dominant; the ADAM and EVE fad won’t die, even after Rapture’s future collapse

To once again earn the favor of the poor, Fontaine sets up his series of “Power to the People” armory upgrade stations all over Rapture; this is a success, further making his popularity with the poor classes skyrocket

Davenport begins to crack down more and more this year with his radio show quickly turning into just another mouthpiece of Ryan’s to spout more of his ideology; many of Fontaine loyalists will quickly decry him as ‘Ryan’s Goebbels’

Ryan will also begin his fatal romantic affair with Mary Jane 'Jasmine' Jolene here...

Widespread dissent also finally begins to reach its peak, as along with the purges, Ryan refuses those who wish to return to the surface world their right as he fears questioning from the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.

Lemme know if you feel there should be any changes made. I also apologize, FL04, I had to tweak Davenport's bio around a bit to make it work here but...eh, I don't think it's that much of a deal, story-wise. In other news, I'm fond of augustgirl's system for the Power to the People machines and I'd personally prefer a 'basic' roleplay style, though this personal preference of course. :o

[AspirationRealized]

You guys are good at inadvertently exceeding my expectations. You've made these beginning stages, the rockiest part, go so smoothly.

Yes, WIA, you are official historian. This is phenomenal... I doubt Levine has such a grasp of Rapture's history.

Which Power to the People idea of hers did you like? The idea of turn based use or the cover for Ryan Loyalists having gun advantages?

And take note that the RP's style won't change, just our starting attributes.

Right now the vote is 2 basic 1 advanced. We have two more concrete voters, who are included in a possibility of four possible (if some of the others in this thread join).

[augustgirl515]

Ok, here is the plasmid and tonic in game list. It's alphabetized so it's easier to find things. I will be adding the extra tonics in soon, as well as the things included in the patch. Let me know if there is anything you want me to change so far! I will be updating with weapons and upgrades soon! :D

EDIT: I also added the weapons, ammo, and upgrades! Let me know if I need to add anything else! :D


Plasmids and Tonics


Plasmids

Cyclone Trap -- Set traps for unsuspecting enemies; lure your foes into deadly ambushes.
Electro Bolt -- Stun your foes with 1000 volts; shock them in water to deal damage.
Enrage – Enrage your enemies, laugh as your enemies fight each other.
Hypnotize Big Daddy -- Cry out for Big Daddy’s help; make him think you’re a Little Sister. Watch as he fights to protect you.
Incinerate -- Light up foes to 1000 degrees. Warning: Fire spreads.
Insect Swarm -- Unleash insects at your enemies. Attack groups of enemies at the same time!
Security Bullseye -- Trick the security system, set security bots and turrets on your enemies.
Sonic Boom - Knock foes back at hurricane force; laugh as they bounce off the walls.
Target Dummy -- Distract your enemies, by yourself time in dangerous situations.
Telekinesis -- Throw objects at foes, you can even catch grenades and throw them back.
Winter Blast -- Freeze your enemies; shatter them into a thousand pieces.

Tonics
Physical Tonics

Bloodlust – Regenerates a little bit of health and EVE every time you deal damage with a wrench.
Booze Hound -- Alcohol brings back your EVE instead of depleting it.
EVE Link -- Causes the health packs to regenerate EVE as well.
EVE Saver - Reduces consumption of EVE when using plasmids
Extra Nutrition -- Snacks and drinks bring back more health and EVE.
Hacker’s Delight – Brings back a bit of health each time you perform a successful hack.
Medical Expert – Increases the amount of health regenerated by medpacks.
Natural Camouflage – Grants you invisibility when you stand still.
Scrounger – Finds items you might have missed the first time.
Security Evasion -- Cameras take longer to notice your presence
SportBoost – Increases damage dealt with a wrench and movement speed.



Engineering Tonics

Alarm Expert -- Decreases the number of alarm fields by 2 (then 4).
Clever Inventor -- Decreases the required number of each ingredient in U-Invents
by 1 (with minimum of 1).
Focused Hacker -- Decreased the number of overload fields by 2 (then 4).
Hacking Expert -- Decreases the number of alarm and overload fields by 1 (then 2).
Prolific Inventor -- Doubles the number of items created at U-Invent stations.
Safecracker -- Decreases the difficulty when hacking safes.
Security Expert -- Slows down the liquid when hacking cameras, bots and turrets.
Shorten Alarms -- Shortens alarms.
Speedy Hacker -- Slows down the liquid when hacking.
Vending Expert - Slightly reduces prices at all vending machines



Combat Tonics

Armored Shell -- Considerably increases our defense
Damage Research -- Increases the research bonuses to damage.
Electric Flesh -- Increases resistance to electricity and the power of our own electrical attacks
Frozen Field -- Increases our ice attack’s power
Human Inferno - Reduces heat damage taken, increases heat damage given
Machine Buster - Slightly increases damage done to bots, cameras, and turrets
Photographer’s Eye – Increases research scores.
Static Discharge -- Releases an electric field each time you’re hit by a melee weapon
Wrench Jockey -- Increases damage dealt with a wrench.
Wrench Lurker -- Increases wrench damage to unsuspecting enemies.

Out of Game Plasmids*

Teleportation - Teleport away from dangerous situations, or sneak up on your enemies suddenly.

Out of Game Tonics

Spider Walk - Escape foes by climbing up a walls and sticking on the ceiling, or even surprise your enemies by dropping down from above.



Weapons Info/Ammo/Upgrades

Wrench

Range: Melee
Ammo: None
Upgrades: None

Pistol

Range: Short to medium
Ammo:
-Pistol Rounds (standard ammo)
-Armor Piercing Rounds
-Anti-Personnel
Upgrades:
-Pistol Clip Size
-Pistol Damage Increase

Machine Gun

Range: Medium
Ammo:
-Machine Gun Rounds (standard ammo)
-Armor Piercing Auto Rounds
-Anti-Personnel Auto Rounds
Upgrades:
-Machine Gun Kickback Reduction
-Machine Gun Damage Increase

Shotgun

Range: Short to Medium
Ammo:
-00 Buck (standard ammo)
-Electric Buck
-Exploding Buck
Upgrades:
-Shotgun Rate of Fire
-Shotgun Damage Increase

Grenade Launcher

Range: Medium to Long
Ammo:
-Frag Grenade
-Proximity Mines
-Heat-Seeking RPG
Upgrades:
-Grenade Launcher Damage Immunity (no damage taken from your own grenades)
-Grenade Launcher Damage Increase

Chemical Thrower

Range: Short to Medium
Ammo:
-Napalm (ignites enemies)
-Liquid Nitrogen (freezes enemies)
-Electric Gel
Upgrades:
-Chemical Thrower Consumption Rate
-Chemical Thrower Range

Crossbow

Range: Medium to Long
Ammo:
-Steel-tip Bolt
-Incendiary Bolt (ignites enemies)
-Trap Bolt
Upgrades:
-Crossbow Breakage Chance (greater chance to retrieve arrows after use)
-Crossbow Damage increase


*-These are tonics and plasmids not USED in the game by Jack, but seen in ads and used by splicers and such. We may be excepting other tonics that we missed that aren't used in the game, so just submit it here and we'll decide whether or not it will be used! Thanks for reading and enjoy the RP!

[AspirationRealized]

Nope. That will do nicely. Thanks august.

By the way, a friend of mine and new member named ribbons has voted, for Advanced.

So thats 2 basic 2 advanced. Forsaken appears to be the tie breaker.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Wow, this is fantastic everyone! WIA, I am blown away by your timeline and am pleased to see you added my character's bio into it, even if it had to be tweaked.

AugustGirl, your list of plasmids/tonics and their uses is also rather amazing...things are shaping up extremely nicely!

I also have plenty to say, but I'm rather busy working on another piece of our little story...it will just be a short while before it is revealed, but i'm sure you will be pleased.

Oh, and welcome to the RP to all of our new members! :D

[Who_is_Atlas?]

You guys are good at inadvertently exceeding my expectations. You've made these beginning stages, the rockiest part, go so smoothly.

Yes, WIA, you are official historian. This is phenomenal... I doubt Levine has such a grasp of Rapture's history.

Which Power to the People idea of hers did you like? The idea of turn based use or the cover for Ryan Loyalists having gun advantages?

And take note that the RP's style won't change, just our starting attributes.

*Takes a bow* You're welcome. :p Now all I've got to do is get my profile up sometime this weekend and edit this whenever someone joins and I think we'll all be set...if anyone here has got a request for me on the TL itself, please PM me over the issue.

Pardon for not being clearer earlier: I mean that I liked the notion of it being a turn-based sort of thing...but I kind of like the Ryan loyalists still getting that weapon advantage as well. Eh, I dunno, it's hard to choose. Put me down for both, if possible.

Ah, well, alright. I do think I might feel a bit better if I go slowly into this. Sooner everyone gets used to the system, I don't think it'll be a promise personally.

[AspirationRealized]

~THIS JUST IN~

Forsaken broke the tie of votes in favor of Basic! Go here (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=397018&postcount=77) to figure out the options for your character. Remember Basic won the vote so disregard the Advanced attributes.

Issues such as Power to the People machines, Vending Machines, Gatherer's Gardens, Money and ADAM are the next and final set of rules before we finalize everything. And they've already been conceptualized.

With advancements going as fast as they are now, we can expect to have our very first RP around Monday.

We need those Profiles. Choose a side, make your character, and get approved now!

Also with the decision to use Basic Attributes the Neutral Rapturian Attributes have been altered since I first posted them. Normal citizens of Rapture who have become more aware but aren't caught on one side YET are heavily boosted with Tonics but start out with NO WEAPONS except for the Wrench. Sounds terrible right? I added the sleeper bonus of One Power to the People or One Gatherer's Garden upgrade of your choice, once you stumble upon your first weapon or plasmid. Patience pays, click the link in the first paragraph for all the details.

[augustgirl515]

Oh, so I added the Weapons edition to the list I made. However, I wasn't able to figure out what makes the upgrades, on account of I can't see them very well on my tiny TV. XD So if anyone knows, let me know so I can add them in please! :)

I had a thought....I like making lists, so if you want me to make a list of major locations(e.i Welcome to Rapture) and their minor locations (e.i bathysphere station) let me know! Or if you want me to work on any other list I'm game for it! :D I'm a crazy list maker XD

[AspirationRealized]

Go ahead and post what you have. Thanks for taking the time to do that ^_^

[augustgirl515]

Alright then! :) It may also have descriptions! (how good they'll be is too be determined XD)

[AspirationRealized]

Hm. Not sure there's anything else to list unfortunately. I'm looking for average prices at vending machines in game (they change every level... a creme filled cake in Fort Frolic costs upwards of $70.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Alright, well, here it is...I've never done one of these before so criticism will be helpful and I'll try to go back and edit if need be.

Name: Jacob ('Jake') Ulysses Featherston
Gender: Male
Age: 34 (as of 1957)
Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Date of Birth: March 10th, 1923
Description: Unshaven, usually unwashed appearance. Clothes usually consist of a tattered jacket, simple white shirt, trousers, and work boots and his favorite wool cap, usually with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. His build is thin to the point of bony, along with dirty blond hair and brown eyes. Due to an injury during WWII, he walks with a bit of a limp.
Occupation: None at the moment, currently unemployed (formerly a steelworker at Ryan Industries); wannabe 'Red' revolutionary, however
Alliance: Currently none at the moment, but there's always Atlas in the future...
History: Born on March 10th, 1923, he experienced the drastic rise and fall of the Roaring Twenties (born into its heyday), with all of its prosperity and joy, then quickly having his family succumb to the Great Depression. Of mostly German-Irish descent, and being born to a Jewish mother, he was often picked on by most of his peers in childhood for being sympathetic to the plight of ethnic minorities within the United States, viewing their own oppression similar to the mounting discrimination his mother had faced before her immigration to America. Being born into a family of a carpenter and a seamstress, his childhood was mostly filled with his parents busily scraping to pay the bills. His formal education was cut short at the age of 12 when he was forced to go into work at a textile factory to help his parents with money. When President Roosevelt passed child labor laws in 1938, he returned to his schooling until the age of 18, in 1941, when he was drafted to fight in World War II.

He managed to survive the entire war without a scratch, mostly, except for a stray German bullet that had managed to hit him at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, leaving him with a permanent limp in his right foot. He managed to achieve the rank of sergeant during the closing days of WWII mostly for bravery shown during the joint Allied-Soviet invasion of Berlin until Germany's formal surrender on May 7th, 1945. With the European front of the war over, he had some vacation time to spend in the U.K., and his eventual residence there, he managed to meet his wife, Vidya Nehru, visiting the country from her home commonwealth of the-then British controlled India. The pair was a subject of much talk, considering his rather low standing and her being a prominent scientist for the British's newfound interest into genetics, though their wedding passed with little fanfare. For fear of possible rejection of his relationship with a non-Caucasian woman by returning to the states, he desperately looked for a place where it would be accepted (not wishing to remain in Britain his entire life, after all).

His answer would come in the form of an invitation to Vidya through a colleague of hers from Andrew Ryan, famed American inventor, philosopher, economist, and industrialist, who invited them, under secrecy to his newest business venture: Rapture. Though hesitant at first, he accompanied his beloved to the underwater city in 1951, where he would eventually manage to become employed by Ryan Industries as a worker in its various steel plants throughout the city. His wife took off work this year as she found herself pregnant with their only child, their little girl, Ananda, who unforutnately is mostly sickly. After taking off for a year, his wife managed to return to the workforce again in 1953, this time becoming an employee of the newly founded Fontaine Futuristics. Unfortunately, only sadness would be in store for the tiny family in their near future.

Despite living in a rather high end part of Rapture, the Flu Outbreak of '55 managed to catch their area by surprise. With the flu in full force, it managed to take the life of Ananda and sent both into a deep depression that still manages to linger over Jake to this day and this plants the seed of his questioning of Ryan's infallibility over Objectivism, despite never being a real supporter of the ideas it espoused.. Despite this loss, he and Vidya attempt to move on with their lives (neither having much heart to try again for another child). Happiness wasn't again to be his, as the early stages of ADAM and plasmid testing took Vidya away from him in the early months of 1957 after a freak accident with a Lot-032 ('Incinerate') patient managed to go out of hand, burning most of the staff within the vicinity, killing some and sending countless others to Rapture's hospitals. This begins his own life long hatred of Frank Fontaine, whom upon he swears revenge.

And yet, ironically, he finds himself in one of Fontaine's Home for the Poor, as he loses his job to another as Ryan's purges of his factories begin, searching out for Fontaine loyalists. With this in hand, he declares himself a neutral party from both, having claimed: "Fontaine or Ryan, Ryan or Fontaine, whoever wins, we lose right? What's the difference of making one king or the other?" With his last amount of money left, he purchased a copy of Karl Marx's "The Communist Manifesto" and quickly began to become the very thing that Ryan had tried to get away from: a Socialist. Despite his attempts at heartfelt persuasion, none of his fellow homeless seem too interested in his ideas, fearing Ryan's wrath and Fontaine's if he were to find out, though they don't turn him over to Sullivan's police forces.

Well, there it is. I hope it isn't too Gary Stu-ish, augustgirl, so I'll let you be the judge if this is alright or not. Hope this helps push stuff along, AsipR. :)

[AspirationRealized]

Thanks for the profile, WIA. I didn't expect anyone to be neutral, and I didn't expect you to be anything but Fontaine's side >.> I fear they might be empty besides me.

I will read you profile and give my thoughts when I get home ^_^

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Well, I think you personally missed some stuff back there, augustgirl, so I decided to help you out a bit by adding some stuff here:

Plasmids:
Sonic Boom - Sends a small clap of powerful wind at your enemies, sending them flying

(And if we're adding some of the ones seen in game...):
Teleportation - Low on health? EVE? Use teleportation to give new meaning to the 'fight or flight' tactic!
Spider Walk - Ever wanted to get out of reach of your enemies? Just use this plasmid to give yourself the ability to stick to any surface, such as the ceiling.
Mighty Muscles - Ants can lift 100 times their own weight, so why not you? Prove your might by being able to lift rubble or people like they're nothing (I'm almost positive this was meant to be a plasmid as Fontaine uses it at one point and you can see a symbol of a man flexing his muscles at the Gatherer's Garden early on, I believe)

Tonics

Physical Tonics:
EVE Saver - Reduces consumption of EVE when using plasmids

Engineering Tonics:
Vending Expert - Slightly reduces prices at all vending machines

Combat Tonics:
Human Inferno - Reduces heat damage taken, increases heat damage given
Machine Buster - Slightly increases damage done to bots, cameras, and turrets

[augustgirl515]

Thanks a bunch! :D Yeah, I don't have that recent update so I don't know all about the knew Tonics and Plasmids! :) Thanks for the assist.

Wow, your profile is really well written, as is Forsaken. Mine is going to be nicht so gut. :/ (Not so good.) But it turns out your wife would be working with my character then! :D (Also a geneticist) And I'm neutral as well, for now that is. NEUTRAL ZEN HIGH-FIVE! XD

Also, for the Muscle plasmid they also show it in the giant mural with the guy lifting a bunch of bricks up on a board. :)

[AspirationRealized]

Well, I think you personally missed some stuff back there, augustgirl, so I decided to help you out a bit by adding some stuff here:

Plasmids:
Sonic Boom - Sends a small clap of powerful wind at your enemies, sending them flying

(And if we're adding some of the ones seen in game...):
Teleportation - Low on health? EVE? Use teleportation to give new meaning to the 'fight or flight' tactic!
Spider Walk - Ever wanted to get out of reach of your enemies? Just use this plasmid to give yourself the ability to stick to any surface, such as the ceiling.
Mighty Muscles - Ants can lift 100 times their own weight, so why not you? Prove your might by being able to lift rubble or people like they're nothing (I'm almost positive this was meant to be a plasmid as Fontaine uses it at one point and you can see a symbol of a man flexing his muscles at the Gatherer's Garden early on, I believe)

Tonics

Physical Tonics:
EVE Saver - Reduces consumption of EVE when using plasmids

Engineering Tonics:
Vending Expert - Slightly reduces prices at all vending machines

Combat Tonics:
Human Inferno - Reduces heat damage taken, increases heat damage given
Machine Buster - Slightly increases damage done to bots, cameras, and turrets

Spider Walk and Teleportation are going to be taken care of by me, WIA, but I like your enthusiasm.

Spider Walk would technically be a tonic as it is passive and not active, I believe.

As for the Mighty Ants thing, I think that was to illustrate that he had massive strength from the ADAM - the only applicable tonic here being Wrench Jockey which increases muscle strength, particularly in the upper arms. The only reason the Tonic isn't noted for lifting huge object is because they never had that application in game.

If you guys have ideas for new Plasmids or Tonics, I'm taking suggestions too.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Thanks a bunch! :D Yeah, I don't have that recent update so I don't know all about the knew Tonics and Plasmids! :) Thanks for the assist.

Wow, your profile is really well written, as is Forsaken. Mine is going to be nicht so gut. :/ (Not so good.) But it turns out your wife would be working with my character then! :D (Also a geneticist) And I'm neutral as well, for now that is. NEUTRAL ZEN HIGH-FIVE! XD

Eh, least I could do for ya. If you want, you can use this in future reference for things like that...it's pretty detailed as to effects and the like:
http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/BioShock_Wiki

'Not so good'? Heck, if it's one of the longest ones so far (you said it was going to be about 2 pages, right?) I don't really see how it couldn't be good...look forward to seeing it. :) She will, eh? Well, I'd presume that yours obviously escapes the 'Incinerate' incident then...or she merely hears about it or some such thing. Well, my character's neutrality will be swinging to Atlas' team to play for them whenever we finally introduce him here. Just some bitter irony that he hates Fontaine, but is a compatriot of one of the man's many aliases. ;)

Spider Walk and Teleportation are going to be taken care of by me, WIA, but I like your enthusiasm.Oh? So it'll be more of a NPC sort of deal with characters other than ourselves being able to use it then? Well, alright, I was just wondering as I thought it might be a bit easy to abuse. Glad to see you've got it settled.

Spider Walk would technically be a tonic as it is passive and not active, I believe.

As for the Mighty Ants thing, I think that was to illustrate that he had massive strength from the ADAM - the only applicable tonic here being Wrench Jockey which increases muscle strength, particularly in the upper arms. The only reason the Tonic isn't noted for lifting huge object is because they never had that application in game.

Eh...I took a gamble with Spider Walk as I simply didn't know. I think you might be right it'd be more of a tonic, but the state of 'advanced application' would suggest to me it had plasmid properties.

This is technically true as well...but I think Fontaine would have needed to take multiple doses of Wrench Jockey tonic to get that strong, if that were the case. As augustgirl said, it seems to get its own individual picture, so I couldn't really be sure, ya know? Ah, well, whatever you want to do, again.

If you guys have ideas for new Plasmids or Tonics, I'm taking suggestions too.

Perhaps some sort of plant-oriented one? I dunno how you'd get it to work, but maybe you'd shoot spores out of your wrists and these vine-like things would grow, choking your enemies? Or they slowly give some health back to you, by draining the host's?

I also think a ground pound/tremor thing would be neat for helping take down Big Daddies, such as knocking them on their backs. Perhaps we could even it out by it costing a lot of EVE (think Hypnotize Big Daddy) and being a 'once every couple fights' kind of thing, not a constant one, perhaps.

[AspirationRealized]

I see, but Fontaine doesn't die for another year...

Anyway I'm glad we have so many profiles. I am so close to completing everything that its ridiculous.

[augustgirl515]

Life is irony! XD And yes, I'm glad you had that in your profile so I can add something about my character hearing about it in my profile. And two pages for me is a butt load (since they censor c-rap) of spaces from my excessive use of the enter button! XD :D

Oh....if you're taking care of out of game tonics and such then I'll just remove that part of my plasmid and tonic list :) I'll go fix that now.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

I see, but Fontaine doesn't die for another year...

Anyway I'm glad we have so many profiles. I am so close to completing everything that its ridiculous.

Aren't we going to be going on until December 31st, 1958? :confused: I apologize if I've gotten the wrong message, but that's how I thought we were going to do it. Or did you have something else in mind?

[AspirationRealized]

Life is irony! XD And yes, I'm glad you had that in your profile so I can add something about my character hearing about it in my profile. And two pages for me is a **** load of spaces from my excessive use of the enter button! XD :D

Oh....if you're taking care of out of game tonics and such then I'll just remove that part of my plasmid and tonic list :) I'll go fix that now.

No august wait!!! XD I'll edit it if need be. Don't worry.

[AspirationRealized]

If someone could figure out average game prices or decipher this at least:

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:VnLhge90xqAJ:images1.wikia.nocookie .net/bioshock/images/8/83/BioShock_VM_Items_by_Level.pdf+bioshock+vending+ma chine+prices&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us&client=firefox-a

And tell me what N$ H$ and L2$ means. That would be appreciated.

We won't be using exact prices, but I need a good idea.

[augustgirl515]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Well...that was and epic fail on the universe's part.....hmm let me see if I can get that back then XD


Well, I've got good news I was able to use the back button and retrieve the info I had gotten rid of in the Plasmid and Tonic list. :D YAY FOR BACK BUTTON POWERS! XD

And, I'll try my hand at that game price. :)

[AspirationRealized]

XD its cool either way, really.

Just need those weapons soon...

[augustgirl515]

I uploaded the weapons already. :) I'm just missing what the upgrades look like in the game. :(

And sadly, I think that spread sheet only shows where the Vending Machines can be found. :/ Prices are becoming rather problematic, I can tell. I'm trying to find the prices as best I can!

[AspirationRealized]

I'll handle that then. Thank you august.

[augustgirl515]

Behold! I am at last finished with my long written profile! Now, meet the newest character. :)

Name: Marisha Akeila Volkov
Pronounced (maREEsha ahKEEla volkov)

Age: 38, April 26, 1919

Gender: Female

Place of Birth: Myshkin, Russia

Occupation: Geneticist

Alliance: Currently Neutral, but may switch sides depending on what she needs.

Appearance: Marisha Volkov is a strange, yet attractive, woman. Her soft hazelnut hair is usually hastily curled or lazily thrown in a bun; often times her hair is falling out of her bun or sticking up in strange directions. Her eyes are a strong golden color, and sparkle with youth and vigor. Her round face is defined by her piercing eyes, and strong lips. Few would notice that her nose is tilted awkwardly to one side. Marisha wears very little makeup, but always has red lipstick. Many who live in Rapture have come to know this as her trademark. Her long and thick lashes often made jealous the most glamorous of women and her good looks often got her the attention of many men, though none of them were worth her while. She is a short woman of only 5’ 3”, and a bit pudgier than most. However, her looks were not at all diminished by this fact, and they often accentuated her very curvaceous body. Multiple scars covered her body, but the most prominent and noticeable of all goes straight down her neck. Few knew the tale of how she received that scar, and even fewer who knew lived in Rapture.

History Summary: Marisha was born on April 26, 1919 in the small town of Myshkin, Russia. Her parents Stefanya and Beryanka Volkov were poor farmers, who worked day and night to maintain a living. She, along side with her five other siblings, helped them endlessly. They owed a large amount of money and taxes to the Soviet Union, and worked vigorously to pay off that debt.

However, in the spring of 1929 Marisha and her family were abducted by government agents, and sent to a work camp to pay off their debts. For two years her and her siblings (her parents had been killed on arrival) worked eternally in poor conditions. They were fed little to no food and often were beaten and abused. During the winter of 1931 they escaped by utilizing a blizzard that temporarily caused the camp to halt work. Her eldest brother decided that they should jump the border and try to make to a safe country, but having heard about the rising tension in European countries she strongly rejected that idea. Despite her utter protest her brother still thought it was a good idea and led her siblings towards the border. After one final attempt to convince him otherwise, he left her and continued his plan; this was the last time she saw her brother and one of her other siblings (she had seen her surviving younger sister in England before escaping to America).

She sought refuge from the Soviets in a revolutionist base, and earned her worth by telling the revolutionists what she had heard while she was kept in the work camp. Eventually the revolutionists became close to her and, in 1934, she was adopted by a German scientist who was a part of their group. He worked on top secret genetic enhancements that the Soviets were attempting to use on their soldiers. However, he was a double agent and sold many of the genetic sequence breakthroughs to America and their allies, making him a very wealthy man. It was during this time that Marisha found her fascination with genes and how important and complex such a small thing was (she also replaced her original language of Russian with her adoptive father’s language of German). In the next eight years he rigorously taught her almost everything he knew about math, science, and DNA.

Three years after the beginning of WWII, she and her adoptive father fled to America to escape the increasingly powerful Soviet Union. Upon their arrival to the United States he had her enrolled in a private college, so that she would get her PhD as a geneticist. Despite her lack of a proper education and the constant ridicule from both students and professors alike, she managed to climb her way up. She graduated six years later, in 1948, with her PhD and was in the top ten of her class. Word quickly spread of her success across the country’s most respected genetic research labs. Marisha soon found herself being drowned by a constant flow of offers from every lab in North America, each offer exceeding the last one by much more. Despite her utter confusion as to why they would want to hire someone who came from Russia, and had a German adoptive father, she took a small job in a lab in Connecticut to help research genetic diseases. Her hope was that at the end of her career there would be a line of smiling faces, healed by her hard work and determination.

Soon after she began work at her the lab she heard strange talk of many of the geneticists quitting, as well as saying that there is a much more impressive offer. Some joked and called them crazy when they said that it was in an underwater city that only a select few could go to. At this they all laughed and mocked, but this sudden burst of insanity in the lab was a confusion to her. If these men had been completely mentally stable before, why would perfectly sane people suddenly snap? Many of the other scientists thought it was the pressures of a post-war country, many of the men who had left had family that left for the war and never returned; most were children and nephews. For weeks the fabled ‘Atlantis’, as they called it, was brought up and joked about, and she laughed with all the others at that thought. However, one day a man showed up as a visitor in the lab to observe their work. Most of the men said that he was a high standing business man from Europe, Marisha was not so convinced. She had been in Europe, and he had neither the accent nor the poise of a European businessman. He took many of the men to the side over the course of the next week and spoke to them, most came back looking rather indifferent about the chat, but refused to speak about it. Most of the week he had ignored her like she was the person who cleaned up after the scientists, but one day he stopped at her lab. Marisha was working on an important serum that would hopefully crack part of this genetic code that was suspect for many types of cancer. For a while he observed her busily scribbling down equations and then erasing and rewriting them, each time they became more obscure, yet somehow correct to her. Finally he had begun to speak to her about a place called Rapture, where he said, ‘…the artist did not have to fear the censor, and the scientist was not with held by morality…’ For some while he continued on like this, though she never faced him. After setting a pamphlet on her desk called the “Manifesto Regarding the Rights of Man” and her lack of a reaction to the whole affair he decided that she was illiterate in English and began to leave. She was tempted to let him leave, but the curiousness of the matter attracted the better of her and she stopped him. After a short, yet interesting conversation with him, she agreed to meet him with a small group of the other scientists at the docks that night.

Her arrival in Rapture on October 1, 1951 was one of the biggest and most monumental moments in her life. The city was grander than any ‘Atlantis’ the ignorant scientists on land spoke of, it was a complex system of tunnels and buildings. Rapture both terrified and mystified her. She eventually settled in a roomy apartment in Olympus Heights, many of the most famous and wealthiest people lived there. She began to work for Fontaine Futuristics and valued every second of it, what she learned there made everything she saw and learned on the surface a mundane and nearly obsolete memory. She worked closely next to a German, her name was Tenenbaum, and Marisha couldn’t decide whether or not she liked her. ADAM and EVE were such amazing discoveries that the German, herself, had discovered that Marisha did respect her very much, even if she didn’t like her. However, such amazing concoctions such as ADAM and EVE did not come without consequence. They noted that the subjects given large doses of ADAM slowly slipped into insanity. It replaced their original, genetically stable cells with exact copies of a less stable version. Slowly ADAM crept through the body destroying cells as it goes, acting like a slow and much more dangerous cancer. Despite this fact many of the tests and plasmid creation continued for years to come.

To be continued...(it was too long XD)

[augustgirl515]

History Summary Conitnued! :D

History Summary: Though fooling around with such things was quite dangerous, very few accidents happened in the labs. One such occasion was a rather nasty Lot-032 accident, which caused quite a bit of damage and many fatalities and injuries. Another occasion recorded with Dr. Suchong was during the testing of the ‘Enrage’ plasmid, though, as she said many times, any person with a brain would figure that test would go awry. Also, the final mishap of plasmid testing that was big enough for even Tenenbaum to take note of, was when Suchong decided to test the ability of the Telekinesis plasmid by shooting subjects with different size and caliber guns. Needless to say, Fontaine and many of the other scientists were unhappy about the inconvenience, and testing by shooting subjects was no longer a viable test in the lab.

For a long five years things were going incredibly smoothly, plasmid after plasmid and tonic after tonic poured out to the public. After a while questions began to rise within the staff, as to how so much ADAM was being produced. Many of her co-workers had quit in the last month or so, some from the rising tensions with Ryan Industries and some controversy in the lab’s hierarchy. After this point everything really seemed to just go to hell. Many of the scientists began to go missing and turn up dead, and even attacks began to happen to them in the streets by Ryan’s stooges. Soon she was taken into the higher ranking of the lab and was told how the ADAM was made. Sea slugs implanted in little girls between the age of six and ten, in the most fit condition possible. The ADAM was usually regurgitated by the host, but if the slug no longer produced a sufficient amount it was harvested, and the girl died. This fact horrified her; these monsters had been using these poor girls as cows, to milk ADAM from until they were too weak to produce more and then slaughtering them by the handful. Tenenbaum tried to explain it to us that when they were harvested it was more like removing a vegetable from life support, rather than actually killing. Many were not convinced and quit on the spot, the next few days they turned up dead by either Fontaine’s men or Ryan’s. Marisha was tempted to quit as well, but instead she used this time to gradually steal small doses of ADAM, EVE, and the plasmids. Her hopes were that she could use these to create an anti-serum to reverse the effects of ADAM. She hoped that if it worked, she could restore the insane splicers and return them to their former state by causing their cells to attack the ADAM cells and multiplying faster until no ADAM was left. This, however, was much more easily said than done. In the end of 1956 she left Fontaine Futuristics and began working away at the anti-serum. Luckily, Fontaine was too distracted and occupied by the feud with Ryan that he did not pursue her, and the fact that she took small doses over the last year meant that they weren’t missed. And so, she put herself to work to save Rapture from imminent destruction.


Personality: Marisha is a determined and energetic young woman. Her hardworking determination gained her a great reputation in the scientific community. She won't take no for an answer no matter what. She can be rather hostile and does not easily trust others as a result of her past. She tends to be very serious when she is working, and goes berserk when disturbed.


Attributes: (Tonics)
-Weapons: Wrench
-Tonics:Sportboost, Security Evasion, and Natural Camouflage
-Money: $100
-Inventory: 2 Medpacks, 2 Eve, Adam Hypo Needle

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Alright everyone. As Aspire has mentioned, I have been EXTREMELY busy off-forum with a secret project I think all of you RP members will appreciate. Because of this fact, I have not been able to devote much time to the forum lately. Still I would like to officially complete my profile. For the sake of space, I won't re-paste the entire thing, but I will make this change-

Intead of pursuing Theology at Yale PRIOR to meeting with Ryan, Davenport was pursuing a degree in ENGINEERING at Yale University, which quickly changed to THEOLOGY after he had actually met with Ryan. This lends to Davenport's abilities as a hacker. Also, as I mentioned before, Davenport has a negative disposition towards plasmids, which will keep him from using them. He will, however, be skilled in hacking, which will balance his abilites.

Now for the attributes-
Weapons Advantage: Machine Gun
Tonics: Natural Camoflauge
Finances: $100

Alright, my profile is officially complete! :D As I mentioned, my "secret" project is nearly complete...hopefully I'll be able to unveil it soon...

[AspirationRealized]

Loose Ends

ADAM and Gatherer's Gardens

ADAM is acquired through special events or from defeating Big Daddys and harvesting their Little Sisters. Character's can visit any Gatherer's Garden for the serums (Plasmids and different sorts of Tonics) with which to mix with the ADAM they have collected and modify their genetics with new abilities. The number is not a currency so much as how much ADAM you have left unused with which to "spend" by mixing and injecting it in your body.

It is advisable that you do this when not in a pressing combat situation, as using a Gatherer's Garden or any other vending machine takes an entire turn in itself and it wouldn't be very smart to turn your back to an enemy.

The amount of ADAM required for each genetic modification is as follows:

Plasmid Slot: 100
Tonic Slot: 80
Plasmid Level 1: 60
Tonic: 30

(Health and EVE upgrades are still being considered. More on uncertainties later.)

When we officially start Paradise Lost everyone will be awarded 50 ADAM.


Money and Vending Machines

Cure your cravings are the Circus of Value. Or stock up on ammunition at the Ammo Bandito. Just like Gatherer's Gardens, it takes an entire turn to visit and use ONE machine. You can make multiple transactions at the same machine in one turn.

Circus of Values prices

First Aid Kit: $30

EVE Hypo: $25

Automatic Hack Tool: $100

Ammo Bandito prices

Pistol Rounds $25

Armor-piercing Pistol Rounds $60


00 Buck $50

Electric Buck $75


Machine Gun Rounds $60

Antipersonnel Auto Rounds $100



All players start Paradise Lost with $100

~Updates have been made to Weapons, Character Empowerment, and Attributes, as follows...~

~

Ammunition will be defined by "clips" as opposed to bullets. We're not going to count machine gun shots, but 180 shots only last so long. If you're using a pistol or shotgun, keeping track of 6 shots shouldn't be difficult.

There is now a "weapon inventory" composed of four "slots". A pistol is worth one slot, a shogun and a machine gun is worth two. Once we get into the "greater guns" not avialable in the RP yet this will become a more pressing choice.

~

Character Empowerment now explains why on earth we can sustain pistol shots to the face! When your character is "empowered" (profile approved) you have enough ADAM that you can withstain much more than a normal person before dying. Think of how Little Sisters on invincible, this is the same, to a lesser degree.

~

In a Gene Bank there are four "accounts", as follows: Plasmid Account, Physical Account, Engineering Account and Combat Account. Hackers are important support roles in teams and so I have made it so you must sacrifice a LOT to see these adavantages. A standard player's Gene Bank is like this:

Plasmid Account
Physical Account
Combat Account

A hacker, or engineer's, is like this

Engineering Account
Physical Account
Combat Account
(Plasmid Account is missing, but a Hacker may have one Plasmid - Security Bullseye)


THIS IS THE FINAL UPDATE TO THE ROUGH SET OF RULES.

Read over everything again, if you have uncertainties, and give your vote asap so we may begin.

Also, once you understand attributes, update your profiles with an Attributes section describing what you choose to start off with, taking the start up settings of your alignment into account.

[augustgirl515]

Ohhhh exciting! :D

Ok I'm a liar I got the attributes done! Is there anything wrong or missing?

[AspirationRealized]

Forsaken has been approved.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Fantastic. Very nice information Aspire...It looks like we're on the fast track to success.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Alright, good stuff so far everyone. I'm particularly impressed by your profile, augustgirl. Very detailed, and I might have to do some critique when I'm not so tired...

Anyway, regardless, good stuff so far Aspire. Seems pretty simple enough, and I think it'll all be acceptable for everyone to understand. I personally have no complaints about the rules.

Now for my own stuff...
Alliance: Neutral (as of now)
Weapon: Wrench
Tonics: By personal request, none at the moment...he'll start to use ADAM later on
Finances: $100

[AspirationRealized]

Hm. You realize, WIA, you can't convert your bonuses into ADAM...

Effectively you will have lost 90 ADAM doing it this way >.>

[augustgirl515]

Alright, good stuff so far everyone. I'm particularly impressed by your profile, augustgirl. Very detailed, and I might have to do some critique when I'm not so tired...

Anyway, regardless, good stuff so far Aspire. Seems pretty simple enough, and I think it'll all be acceptable for everyone to understand. I personally have no complaints about the rules.

Thanks WIA! :D I worked really long and now I can hardly type. XD

Yes, guys. This is definitly amazing. Congrats, I'm sure it'll work out great! Also, it seems like a lot of people want to join :D YAY!

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Hm. You realize, WIA, you can't convert your bonuses into ADAM...

Effectively you will have lost 90 ADAM doing it this way >.>

Mm...on second thought, I think I might actually take up that offer for ADAM, then. :p

Eh, I really don't know. Just put me down for Safecracker then. I'm sure that'll come handy in the future.

[AspirationRealized]

Alright.

The votes are in. The rough set is ready.

Huge amount of progress coming soon. Be patient.

[augustgirl515]

Aren't we able to get three tonics because of our bonuses as neutral citizens?

[AspirationRealized]

Yes ma'am.

WIA needs to have two more. And I'm pretty sure Safe Cracker is engineering... so unless WIA wants to be a hacker and forgo Plasmids...

[AspirationRealized]

Remember, also, that you can position your four available tonic slots anyway you see fit.

To be clear...

Players start out with four tonic slots before they buy any others (hacker's start with six). They are usually at two Physical two Combat but you can put all four in Combat if you wish.

[Who_is_Atlas?]

Yes ma'am.

WIA needs to have two more. And I'm pretty sure Safe Cracker is engineering... so unless WIA wants to be a hacker and forgo Plasmids...

Eh, pardon, I think I might change (...er, again) then. If that's the case. I'd actually forgotten that rule, so pardon. :o Put me down for Machine Buster, Wrench Jockey, and Scrounger.

[AspirationRealized]

The first three you mentioned. You don't get a fourth but you do have 50 ADAM and can get more later if thats what you choose to do with it.

WIA? is approved.

[augustgirl515]

Can I get approved or is there an error with mine?

[AspirationRealized]

I didn't see you post your attributes yet... correct me if you have posted them.

Whoops.

Your sneaky updates get past me everytime.

august is approved.

[augustgirl515]

Yay! Thanks! :D I know aren't I sneaky :3 XD

[AspirationRealized]

Look at that, all of you are ahead of me. I gotta make a profile.

Exciting things happening. See you tomorrow.

[GeneTraitor]

submitted for approval:

name - Pete Bondurant
age - 45, in 1957
topside home - upstate NY, American mother, French-Canadian father
occupation - cook
alignment - Fontaine
appearance - tall, stout, muscular, short hair, clean-shaven

history - Pete was abandoned by his father at a young age and raised by his mother. At 16 he left home to join the navy, where he learned to cook. After discharge he returned home and took a job as a cook at All-American Diner, part of a chain of diners that was just beginning to expand until the Depression. Pete kept his job through the hard times and became friendly with most of the customers, all working-class people.

When the war came the All-American Diner chain began to expand again. The owner, a Mr. McDonald, became a wealthy tycoon and a friend of America's greatest Captain of Industry, Andrew Ryan. When Ryan formulated his plan to build Rapture, he invited McDonald to relocate his business there, free from the heavy taxes and regulations in the US.

McDonald saw that Rapture would have a large American population and that many of them would miss eating at a traditional American diner. He quietly sold off all his diners, and when Rapture opened he relocated there, with fewer restaurants but charging more for food that Americans could only get topside. McDonald invited a few of his former employees to follow him, based on the recommendations of their former bosses, and Pete was known as an honest and hard-working employee. Since he would be out of a job if he stayed, Pete decided to go to Rapture to cook hamburgers. Even supermen gotta eat, right?

For many years Rapture was a paradise to Pete. But then a terrible thing happened. Pete's left hand was badly burned in a grease fire. Despite the best efforts of the doctors in the Medical Pavilion, the nerve damage was too great and the left hand became useless. Reluctantly, Mr. McDonald told Pete that he had no need for a one-handed cook when there were two-handed ones available, and Pete was sacked. Overnight he became the worst thing to be in Rapture: a parasite.

Pete struggled to survive, doing whatever odd jobs he could manage with one hand. One night a week he was paid a few dollars to wipe down tables and clear drink glasses at the Fighting McDonaghs bar in Neptune's Bounty. One of the fishermen there gave him a Bible. Pete began reading it and took comfort from the stories he read.

When Fontaine's Home For the Poor opened, Pete was almost overcome with joy. Mr. Fontaine gave him a cot and three meals a day, and Pete was ready to give him his life. There were no "parasites" at the home, just unlucky people crushed by Ryan's cruel philosophy -- that's what Mr. Fontaine said. Pete finally started to regain his dignity.

One day Mr. Fontaine himself took Pete aside. He talked to him for a long time. Fontaine revealed that he planned to open a war against Ryan, to take down the dictator by force. But he needed tough soldiers on his side, men and women who would sacrifice everything, if need be, to win. Was Pete one of those men? Mr. Fontaine asked. Pete said that he was.

Fontaine injected Pete with something. It was a real kick from a mule, but when Pete recovered, he found that he had been transformed. His left hand, burned to uselessness in a fire, could now shoot fire with a snap of his fingers. When the day came for Fontaine to open his war, Pete would be ready.

attributes - wrench, Incinerate! plasmid, Human Inferno tonic, $100 (?) , one ADAM hypo, 2 med packs, 4 Eve hypos

[AspirationRealized]

Interesting that an Ayn Rand fan would join Fontaine. Looks like you're with me for now.

You have two first aid kits and four EVE hypos when you join Fontaine. And although it won't keep you from getting approved, I suggest a little bit of proper sentence structure and capitalization.

But its your profile and you can do it your way. Switch your equipment so it is correct and you're approved, Pete xP

[GeneTraitor]

Interesting that an Ayn Rand fan would join Fontaine.

I just thought it was cool picture for an avatar. Edited my attributes, ready to go:)

[AspirationRealized]

Alright.

Gene Traitor is approved.

Side tally:

Ryan: 1

Fontaine: 2

Neutral: 2

[augustgirl515]

LOL It looks like Ryan's getting a bit lonely.

[AspirationRealized]

Yeah but don't worry. I have a feeling things will be just fine.

[augustgirl515]

I'm sure they will be! Have a feeling we'll get a great turn out. :D

[AspirationRealized]

By the way now that everything has been decided it's time to invite more people.

Not just anyone. Find people who really appreciate Bioshock's story as those are the best for this.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

I see I'm alone on Ryan's side...c'mon now people! Doesn't anyone else want to put down the resistance? Objectivist ideals are more fun than you think you know...:D

[Who_is_Atlas?]

I see I'm alone on Ryan's side...c'mon now people! Doesn't anyone else want to put down the resistance? Objectivist ideals are more fun than you think you know...:D

Ah, but you see, familiarity breeds contempt, my friend. So naturally, people will turn to a form of tyranny other than the one they're most familiar with. :D I'm sure we'll get more Ryan fanatics later on as we go though. Fontaine might be popular, but he just lacks that certain aristocratic appeal Ryan has going for him.

[Forsaken Lament 04]

Ah, very good points my friend. I see there is still some hope for Andrew Ryan after all. If I must stand up for rational self-interest on my own, so be it. But know this: those who are persuaded by the parasites are parasties themselves. And parasites deserve to be punished....

[AspirationRealized]

We all move the Great Chain. And the Great Chain moves us.

[GeneTraitor]

But know this: those who are persuaded by the parasites are parasties themselves. And parasites deserve to be punished....

Fontaine has all the ADAM, that makes him the gov'nor. You're busto Forsaken, you got nothing but deuces and threes. The Fontaine-ites will prevail, woohoo! :D

[E.Bouncer]

+ Name: Nathaniel .A. spenston (the A is for allexander and no it is not my reall name, far from it.)

+ Age: 21

+ Gender: Male

+ Where You Live: Fort Frolic,

+ What You Look Like (Be Thorough): Tall, slim, Blue eyes, glasses (blue rimmed), light brown hair that is longish (not to my shoulders but enough to kinda get in my eyes a bit), usually wears a suit but will occasionally change into something a little more simple like just some plain pants and a white shirt.

+ What You Do/Like: DO: Would be a job having something to do with the technology of rapture, experimenting, computers, all things tech.

LIKE: taking long walks (for hours on end), watching plays, spending spare time with technology (basically working more), and learning science and how to experiment and stuff, sitting down and thinking about all and any things. (possibly more stuff to be added but not sure.

oh and quite the opposite of a "posh sort of geezer" not afraid to stand up for anything, quiet but strong, may show emotions but deep down he has none left (so he has no limitations at all), also has insomnia at its worst and never sleeps unless put under anithsetic (which never happens)

lineage: Mother, from Ireland and Father from Germany, Elder sister -all deceased-

History: through childhood he has always been a loner, even staying away from his own family (but still loved them), at the age of 12 could already sustain himself, knew everything he had to know about the world and how it worked, but has always had a hunger for knowledge that has never died away, at the age of 18 was already becoming a promising buisness man with plenty of money and lots of opinions about the world, at the age of twenty all his mother, father, elder sister, and grandparents were killed in a GasPipe explosion on his Birthday (they were in the house while he had gone out to get some more water) the explosion happened in the house and because of the layout of the house the explosion was amplified, so no one survived. after that he completely withdrew into himself blaming the corrupt pollicies of the government and wondering why they choose to use such deadly things for such small amounts of comfort (this is why he joins Ryan, he has the same view on the government)
at the age of twenty he vanished completely taking everything with him and leaving nothing behind by destroying his house. last seen when he was 21 boreding a ship to go to an unkown destination (Rapture). otherwise not much is known about him as he prefers to keep his past to himself, but will occasionally reveal who he is from time to time.

Alignment: Andrew Ryan (but not sure if he is on the right side or not, in doubt about his Alliance)


so what Items do I start off with? (srry I forgot and I dont have the time to go research all the stuff I get exactly)


srry if this profile is incomplete but I only created it in five minutes so if there is anything I should change then just tell me

oh and by the way, yes I got your PM relight thnx for telling me:) (I am very very very interested in this)

May add more but still gotta think it up;)


EDIT: Thanks for the info AIW :)

I guess I will have the Wrench (could I have a metal pipe or a golf club instead:p ), pistol, and the natural camo Tonic (but can I choose to be invisible or not when standing still or is it no choice?) one ADAM hypo needle, four first aid kits, and and two EVE hypos.

P.s I aint no hacker :D


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[AspirationRealized]

I know you're a posh sort of geezer, Gene, and frankly I don't give a toss if you p*** or go fishing. But when Levine sees modified quotes from his game, I'll be sure to let him know he has you to thank.

E Bouncer you are missing a few things, but to figure all that out I would look a Gene Traitors profile, a page or two back, it's a good example of what we need.

If you'll edit your profile by looking at the others, I'll look at what you've edited later tonight and tell you what you need (but you might get it exactly right after seeing the other people's examples!)

Thanks for your interest.

[augustgirl515]

Dang, looks like I'm outnumbered in the gender department! So far, I'm the only female character.

[AspirationRealized]

A close friend of mine will be joining soon, and she's a lovely young woman ^_^

[Who_is_Atlas?]

so what Items do I start off with? (srry I forgot and I dont have the time to go research all the stuff I get exactly)You can either be a 'regular' user or you can be a 'hacker': if you're a regular user, you get...a plasmid slot, a physical tonic slot, and a combat tonic slot. If you're a hacker, you get an engineering tonic slot, a combat tonic slot, and a physical tonic slot (your plasmid is automatically 'Security Bullseye'). The advantage of being a hacker is that you can break into things easier, obviously, but you're not as strong...and you get the other slots as we'll progress through the RP.

Considering you're a Ryan loyalist at the moment, your inventory will look like...

Wrench, one 'lesser' weapon (pistol, shotgun, or machine gun), and a tonic of your choice (but limited from either being a regular or hacker), you'll have one ADAM hypo needle, four first aid kits, and and two EVE hypos.

Pardon if this isn't that great, AspiR and E. Bouncer, I tried here...:o

[augustgirl515]

Yay! :) That's good, for a while I thought that I would be the only girl. That would kind of stink, no offense guys.

[AspirationRealized]

WIA, you explained it just fine. I wouldn't call hackers a different type of character, all I'm saying is to hack and use engineering tonics there has to be a price. A hacker is very important team wise.

[AspirationRealized]

Alright guys, time to apologize.

I know I hyped things up big time about us being able to start the RP on monday. Reason being Fors and I had already gotten half of the project, or so, finished and only a few more things needed to be done.

These things all need to be done by me, and because of my erratic work schedule lately, they haven't been finished yet.

I don't want to dampen the quality of the experience for a sooner release date (ha... much like game companies), and so I'm going to release it just a little bit later.

I thank you so much for your patience.

[E.Bouncer]

yeah that is fine, take as long as you need. I would prefer you take another weak if it means greater quality then to start it on Monday and have it turn out to be... well... not that good:rolleyes:


soooo am I approved or not? here is my profile again (updated) incase you missed it or forgot that I could just Edit it:p


+ Name: Nathaniel .A. spenston (the A is for allexander and no it is not my reall name, far from it.) :p

+ Age: 21

+ Gender: Male

+ Where You Live: Fort Frolic,

+ What You Look Like (Be Thorough): Tall, slim, Blue eyes, glasses (blue rimmed), light brown hair that is longish (not to my shoulders but enough to kinda get in my eyes a bit), usually wears a suit but will occasionally change into something a little more simple like just some plain pants and a white shirt.

+ What You Do/Like: DO: Would be a job having something to do with the technology of rapture, experimenting, computers, all things tech.

LIKE: taking long walks (for hours on end), watching plays, spending spare time with technology (basically working more), and learning science and how to experiment and stuff, sitting down and thinking about all and any things. (possibly more stuff to be added but not sure.
not afraid to stand up for anything, quiet but strong, may show emotions (occasionally but he has burried them soo deeply that he may seem to have none (so he basically has no limitations at all), also has insomnia at its worst and never sleeps unless put under anithsetic (which never happens)

lineage: Mother, from Ireland and Father from Germany, Elder sister -all deceased-

History: through childhood he has always been a loner, even staying away from his own family (but still loved them), at the age of 12 could already sustain himself, knew everything he had to know about the world and how it worked, but has always had a hunger for knowledge that has never died away, at the age of 18 was already becoming a promising buisness man with plenty of money and lots of opinions about the world, at the age of twenty all his mother, father, elder sister, and grandparents were killed in a GasPipe explosion on his Birthday (they were in the house while he had gone out to get some more water) the explosion happened in the house and because of the layout of the house the explosion was amplified, so no one survived. after that he completely withdrew into himself blaming the corrupt pollicies of the government and wondering why they choose to use such deadly things for such small amounts of comfort (this is why he joins Ryan, he has the same view on the government)
at the age of twenty he vanished completely taking everything with him and leaving nothing behind by destroying his house. last seen when he was 21 boreding a ship to go to an unkown destination (Rapture). otherwise not much is known about him as he prefers to keep his past to himself, but will occasionally reveal who he is from time to time.

Alignment: Andrew Ryan (but not sure if he is on the right side or not, in doubt about his Alliance)

I guess I will have the Wrench (could I have a metal pipe or a golf club instead:p ), pistol, and the natural camo Tonic (but can I choose to be invisible or not when standing still or is it no choice?) one ADAM hypo needle, four first aid kits, and and two EVE hypos.

also he is not a hacker he is a loner (regular) :p


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[AspirationRealized]

E Bouncer is approved.

I'll answer questions on pipes and gold clubs and natural camouflage soon.

[mueske]

Name: Michael Brown
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Where you live: ?? (can I only choose Fort Frolic and hephaestus if I'm a Ryan follower?)

What you look like: Average in length (1 m. 75), fairly skinny (70 kg), piercing blue ice, with a little bit grey around the edges. Grey hair (started ‘developing’ grey hair very early), longish, not shoulder length. Always wearing a suit, though, his inner circle has seen him wear more casual clothes in his house.

What you do: Michael Brown is (was?) Rapture’s prime psychologist, his patient would come from everywhere. The average dock worker would come and see him, and some rumours were going around that even Andrew Ryan himself would consult him once in a while.

What you like: Michael Brown is a very occupied person. He has consults with his patients during the day, and by night, he often retreats to write. He mostly writes about the discoveries he makes with his patients, like he did to great success on the surface. He is also an amateur composer, his oeuvre covers 2 short solo piano pieces, and a half finished piano concerto, he never publishes his works, because of his fear of Sander Cohen’s criticisms. The only people that know of this ‘talent’ are his closest friends, whom are pushing him to go ‘public’ with it. Yet he says he is happy enough listening to the current artists of Rapture, which he does quite often. He is seen almost every week in Fort Frolic to attend a concert or a performance. One could say that Michael Brown loves every form of art, and that person wouldn’t be lying.

History:
Grown up in a wealthy family, his father being a business man, his mother a journalist, he had everything he would ever need. If he would ask something, he would get it. The only thing, he couldn’t get, was the attention he needed. From a very young age, Michael had been a curious little boy, always asking every possible question that would pop up in his mind. His mother, in an attempt to be funny around her friends, would call him ‘my little philosopher’.

As Michael grew up, he started searching for answers on his own, delving into every book he could find. His parents had become unnecessary. He didn’t hate them or anything, they just didn’t matter anymore.

Because of his curiosity, he would get in trouble during his time in school. The other kids were jealous of his knowledge, and would bully him because of it. This was something he couldn’t understand, yet, he wanted to understand. This now was and would be for the rest of his life, his primary fixation. Why do people do what they do? In college, he majored in psychology, always being in the top of his class, people started to appreciate him, but the damage had been done. He grew suspicious of people, and became more introverted. He would still talk to people, after all, that was his favourite occupation, but he’d be careful not to show his own personal feelings in the process.

In his practice, one day, he would encounter a man named Andrew Ryan. Mr. Ryan didn’t waste time introducing himself, his message was short, “I want you to join me in Rapture”. Ryan had been familiar with his books, and thought of Brown as a great asset to his newly created utopia. Struck by Andrew Ryan’s charisma and overall appearance, Brown agreed to join Andrew Ryan, without even thinking about it. Though, he would never regret that decision.

Alignment: Andrew Ryan
User: regular (Wrench, pistol)
ADAM: 50 (1 hypo)
First aid kits: 4
EVE: 2 hypos

------
English isn’t my native language, so don’t judge me to hard on my grammar and writing style. I tend to write in a different way in my native language, but I don’t have the skill to do that in English just yet.

I hope this profile is ok, but I appreciate any tips you guys can give me.

[AspirationRealized]

Im not sure exactly where this what you look like, what you do, what you like thing came from but it isn't the required format for these profiles. But like I said you can make your profile however you want and as long as it fits the rules and is descriptive enough.

Yours is descriptive enough but the attributes are slightly wrong. Being part of Ryan's side means your set up is as follows:

Wrench, One Lesser weapon (pistol, shotgun, machine gun) and one tonic. That one tonic must not be from engineering unless you want to be a hacker, which has consequences with plasmids. You also have one ADAM hypo, four first aid kits, and two EVE hypos.

Everyone starts with 50 ADAM. Plasmids cost 60 ADAM, Tonics cost 30. So you can get your extra tonic at the beginning of the game or save a bit for a plasmid. But you only get one gun and one tonic starting you out.

I'm not blaming you, this thread is unorganized and it is easy to overlook things. Things will be more organized soon.

Change your equipment to what I said above, and you'll be approved.

[mueske]

Im not sure exactly where this what you look like, what you do, what you like thing came from but it isn't the required format for these profiles. But like I said you can make your profile however you want and as long as it fits the rules and is descriptive enough.

Yours is descriptive enough but the attributes are slightly wrong. Being part of Ryan's side means your set up is as follows:

Wrench, One Lesser weapon (pistol, shotgun, machine gun) and one tonic. That one tonic must not be from engineering unless you want to be a hacker, which has consequences with plasmids. You also have one ADAM hypo, four first aid kits, and two EVE hypos.

Everyone starts with 50 ADAM. Plasmids cost 60 ADAM, Tonics cost 30. So you can get your extra tonic at the beginning of the game or save a bit for a plasmid. But you only get one gun and one tonic starting you out.

I'm not blaming you, this thread is unorganized and it is easy to overlook things. Things will be more organized soon.

Change your equipment to what I said above, and you'll be approved.

I can't make anything from your first sentences, I'm sorry. This is what I make from it, describing how one looks isn't necessary, and you're not sure what my character does exactly?

Thanks for explaining the ADAM system and such, I'll edit it immediately.

[AspirationRealized]

Nevermind about the part you didn't get. Your description was just fine.

mueske has been approved.

If in the future you have trouble with the English thing contact me.

The count is now:

Ryan: 3

Fontaine: 2

Neutral: 2

[mueske]

I still have a question, where does my character live? Can I only choose Fort Frolic or Hephaestus if I'm on the side of Ryan? Can't I have an appartement or suite in Olympus Heights?

[vampristic]

This seems really fun. I'll work on my profile a bit to make a believable character.

But if I'm a hacker I need Security Bullseye? I'm not complaining, it's one of my favorite plasmids, but won't someone who works constanly with electrical equipment be more likely to Electrobolt? Just saying. =)

[AspirationRealized]

mueske, you may live in Olympus heights as it is a neutral territory now but most of Ryan's operations will be in their two occupied territories.

Thanks for your interest vampiric. And electro bolt is an excellent suggestion. I will consider it strongly.

[E.Bouncer]

just wondering will this game be located at a diff website or will it be on these forums or in some other forums? wow I am really looking foward to this, anything Bioshock is an instant 10/10 for me:rolleyes:

also I was just wondering seeming as we will be using plasmids and such, will we eventually be able to obtain the abillities of the splicers in-game like to go on the walls and ceillings like a spider splicer, or become like a houdini and teleport all over the place? cause that would be awesome :D


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[AspirationRealized]

Theres going to be a huge explanatin for everything very soon xP

I love the enthusiasm from this group. Just a day or so more...

[vampristic]

Name: Joshua West
Age: 22
Sex: Male

Appearance: Longish, unkept blonde hair. His right eye is green, while his left is blue. His right ear is mangled, and completly deaf. There is a small, but noticable chunk missing from the right side of his nose. He is 5 foot 9 inches, and very lanky. His hands are rough, calloused, and riddled with scars and burns. His front teeth are backwards, giving him a small lisp. There are always large quanities of dirt under his finger nails.

He wears white Chuck Taylor hightops. He wears black, un-inored work pants, and a white stained button up shirt. The stains vary from each other, most being flecks of blood and dirt, but some are ionic gel, nitrogen, and napalm.

Background: Mr. West came from a small family living in Maine, America. He was a mechanical genius, but disreguarded both the school system he was taught under, and the law. He had a twin brother named Noah who was killed at age nine while the boys where 'expirimenting' with gunpowder. The explosion had gone off to the right of Josh, destoying his ear, and the shrapnel had taken a chunk out of his nose. Most of Noah's face was gone,
and he had died instantly. Josh's mom commited suicide after grieving for three months. Josh was left with his dad, who had always thought Noah was better than Josh. He became an alchoholic, and rarely came home from work.
Josh's grades slipped, and he dropped out of school at the age of 15. His mind however, was stronger than ever. The gears continued to turn in his mind, coming up with inventions, to both help, and hurt humanity. When he turned 18 his dad died of kidney and heart failure. Residents of the area say he was last seen leaving on a boat with just his ticket,
and a duffle bag.

Alignment: Josh currently works down in the 'workshops' for Ryan. He works long hours for little pay, and rarely sleeps. Word has begun spreading of 'Fontaine', a villian says some, a saint says Josh.

Attributes: Hacker.
Wrench, Electrobolt, Electric Flesh.
1 ADAM Hypo Needle, 2 First Aid Kits, 4 EVE Hypos

[AspirationRealized]

Basic is what we are using.

I dont understand if youre on Fontaines side or Ryans. If you work for Ryan and you are in Hephaestus technically you would start with Ryan attributes. I like how the alignment thing in your profile is written dramatically but if you could be a little more clear of your intentions in a reply I could approve you much easier ^_^

I'm glad you're a hacker, Fontaine apparently needs one. If you're joining Fontaine? o0

[vampristic]

I'll be with Fontaine.

[AspirationRealized]

Alright. Being a hacker you'll have to choose either security bullseye or electro bolt for your plasmid (just implemented, good idea); Fontaines basic attributed give you one plasmid from the beginning and one tonic. I'm sure you're familliar with the rest as you asked yourself if it was basic or advanced.

Once your attributes are updated and correct you will be approved.

[AspirationRealized]

vampristic is approved.

Ryan: 3

Fontaine: 3

Neutral: 2

[AspirationRealized]

Something for you guys to play with in the meantime...

Let's try settings. Who can make the best setting description for Arcadia? When thinking about writing a setting, you should try to make it so descriptive, a person who's never played Bioshock before could get an idea what it is.

We may just use the best one that comes from this...

[AspirationRealized]

Nevermind on this Arcadia setting. It's been handled ^_^

This thread has died >.> you guys lose interest yet or just being patient?

[mueske]

Just being patient... I tried writing a setting description, but hated it, so I stopped. :D

[AspirationRealized]

Im sure it was just fine mueske. I've seen people with English as their first language that don't write as well or more interesting than you. Your profile was impressive for not being familliar with the language.

Thanks for being patient.

[E.Bouncer]

you guys lose interest yet or just being patient?

I am still here too... just trying to think of a good description for Arcadia, because I am a perfectionist and anything I say or any way I describe it has to be perfect, I actually came up with a page and a half description that I deleted because I could find the right words to describe the small cemetary and those caves:(

but dont worry I am still here, and I am very very very very very very very etc, etc, etc, patient:D

~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[mueske]

Im sure it was just fine mueske. I've seen people with English as their first language that don't write as well or more interesting than you. Your profile was impressive for not being familliar with the language.

Thanks for being patient.

I'm familiar, just not familiar enough to my own standards. :)

I'm a perfectionist, I can't help criticizing myself on everything I do.

Edit: Bouncer should understand me, we have the same 'problem'. :D

[AspirationRealized]

Well, the Arcadia setting has been handled so I won't have you sweat over that anymore ^_^

Thanks for waiting guys. Things will kick off soon, assuredly.

[augustgirl515]

Yea, don't worry about me. I'm just hanging out, waiting.

[AspirationRealized]

I'm sorry I overlooked it, mueske, but you're allowed to have one tonic in your attributed as well. You're still approved but you might want to go back and add a tonic so you're not the only one without one.

[mueske]

I'm sorry I overlooked it, mueske, but you're allowed to have one tonic in your attributed as well. You're still approved but you might want to go back and add a tonic so you're not the only one without one.

I changed my mind on that, I don't want to splice, it wil probably put me at a disadvantage, but it just doesn't fit my character. :)

[AspirationRealized]

All guns then, I see. Its your choice ^_^

[AspirationRealized]

Remember everyone, Rapture wasn't built in two weeks.

We are looking to start things this weekend. The finishing touches from the rules, to the weapons, and even the tonics are being made. The final organized set of rules will be a simple and cohesive explanation, but when I post it I will need you all to read it before we can begin. Things have changed since the rough set so much that some of you will need to change your profiles. Even if your profile info is still correct you will want to read the final version. Small but very important revisions have been made.

Prepare yourselves ^_^

[mueske]

Great, I can't wait! I hoping I'll receive a touch from my muse in the weekend then. :)

[E.Bouncer]

I'm familiar, just not familiar enough to my own standards. :)

I'm a perfectionist, I can't help criticizing myself on everything I do.

Edit: Bouncer should understand me, we have the same 'problem'. :D

yep I understand you fully:D it all has to be perfect which is our greatest strength and our greatest weakness... not sure for you but if it cant be perfect I tend to just drop it or only do lil bits at a time... or I just spend hour after hour and day after day trying to perfect it. but when we get it done, oh the results are glorious! the symetry (or none) is beautiful and it is a work of art no matter how non-artistic it is.

Remember everyone, Rapture wasn't built in two weeks.

We are looking to start things this weekend. The finishing touches from the rules, to the weapons, and even the tonics are being made. The final organized set of rules will be a simple and cohesive explanation, but when I post it I will need you all to read it before we can begin. Things have changed since the rough set so much that some of you will need to change your profiles. Even if your profile info is still correct you will want to read the final version. Small but very important revisions have been made.

Prepare yourselves ^_^

exellent I cant wait to get started :D
I am looking foward to seeing my Old friend Sander... I wonder what he has made of himself? perhaps he will have indeed become an actor like he wanted to, or he just crashed and burned, who know but after all these years I look foward to seeing what became of him :p lol


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[blake2t2]

Alright Aspiration here we go--thanks to WIA for the help--i grasp what is going on--please tell me what to fix if this is not suitable:

Name: Bruce M. Hughes (A.K.A. Theodore Martin)
Birthday: July 20, 1923
Birth place: Los Angeles, CA
Description: Bruce is always clean shaven with a scar over his right eye. His stature is of medium size. He is always seen as wearing casual clothing,but top notch casual clothes. His eyes are hazel while his hair is brown.
Allies: None
Life Story: I was born July 20, 1923. I was the bastard child of Carla Belenda and Howard Hughes (yes, that Howard Hughes). After my mother died when I was only four months old, dear old dad had no other option but to accept me as his son. I grew up in the life of luxury, never having to make my own bed, clean my own room. Heck, I didn't even have to make my own chocolate milk. I hated it. I always wanted to help out, I felt like i was a waste of space not keeping my keep. I never saw Howard, he was always away on some, "official business," as the help would call it. Later, when I was 9, he sent me to a private school in Northern Wisconsin. "Out of sight, out of mind," the saying goes, right? So I went, with no objections, see when you never see your father, leaving him makes it that much easier. The years went by, never hearing from him, no phone calls, no letters. I could hardly remember what his faced looked like. The only thing I could remember was how he signed his name (every 6 months I would get a check from Tool Co. paying for my schooling with Howard Hughes signed at the bottom of it). Finally, when I was 16 I left Wisconsin and moved back home with out telling Howard. When i showed up one evening, boy you shouldve seen the look on his face. He was angry of course, he shouted at me for awhile, and told me that I had to do something with my life. Well, Howard pulled some strings and got me a job down in Houston working at Tool Co. He had gotten rid of me again. What the heck does a 16 year old know about drill bits? Nothing, trust me. So i was out of sight once again, spending my days in Houston acting like I knew a thing or two about a thing or two.
Finally on a mediocrely cool day in Houston, Howards prayers were answered. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The next day I joined the Maries, what else would any red blooded American do, right? I didnt want the extra attention that my last name would bring, I just wanted to be treated like anyone else, so I had to use the name Theodore Martin.Theodore, cause that was the name of a President, and Martin cause that was the last name of one of the hired hands I grew fond of when i was a boy.
I called Howard the day I left for basic, telling him what I was about to do. "Hmm," he said, "good luck," he then hung the phone up. The first time I saw combat was in July of '42, The Battle Of El Alamein. After that I was in smaller battles all the way up to April 1, 1945 when we were sent in to Okinawa. That was the day I thought I would die. We were in a hellacious fight when a grenade blew up about 25-30 feet from my head. I couldnt hear for three days but the shrapnel that cut my face, just above my right eye, was all i had to show for what I had done those past four years. Finally in September of '45 the Japs surrendered and I was sent home. Two months later I showed up on the door steps of the old man to let him know I was ok.
When I walked into his office, his look of disappoint let me know, once and for all that i wasnt accepted by Howard. Everything about us was the opposite from each other, the money, the hired hands, a diffrent women every night, I didn't want any part of it. I left his office without saying a word...
Some months later, after having a go at numerous jobs, failing at each, and trying to make a name for myself, while still using the name Theodore Martin, I was working as a bartender in Las Vegas, a nice place, very popular,The Flamingo if you've ever heard of it? The job was great, decent tips, plenty of conversation, tons of celebrities...I enjoyed every minute of it. On my way out the door one morning (just getting off shift mind you) a black Lincoln was parked in front of the casino, when pops's right hand man, Noah Dietrich, stepped out of the car.

"get in," he said to me, "Your father...Howard, has some very powerful friends, you know kid?."

"I know," I said.

"And one of his friends in particular could use a guy like you," noah said.

"A guy like me? A bastard kid of a millionaire, who severs drinks at a casino?"

"A perfect combination kid. Listen-its no mystery how Howard feels about all this, he's arranged for you to fly to New York, and all you gotta do is meet Mr. Hughes's friends associate on Pier 13 three days from now at 1 am Saturday morning."

"Whats this all about," i asked him.

"I wish I could tell ya more kid, but this is all i know. This is all your father knows, heck this is all anyone whose suppose to know, knows. Just be at that dock at 1 am three days from now."

I remember he then handed me my fate in a white envelope. I opened it and inside was a 100$ bill, a one way plane ticket, and a note, the letter head read,

From the desk of Mr. Howard Hughes:

"Bruce, You were never a son of mine, nor will you ever be. Take this money, ticket and advice, don't be late on getting to that pier.
Howard Hughes"

5 days later I arrived at Rapture, doing what I love best, bartending at
Sinclair Spirits.

The rest, they say, is history.

Attributes:
Weapon-wrench
Tonics: Booze Hound, Sportboost and Medical Expert
$-100
Invetory-3 med packs-1 eve Adam Hypo needle

[AspirationRealized]

Later tonight I'll look over this and probably end up approving.

Thanks for your interest.

[AspirationRealized]

Alright I'm mostly certain that Neutral Rapturians ended up getting EVE Hypos, and I'm not sure what the number is this moment.

Also, I'll let you know ahead of time that there's been a bit of trouble concerning both Booze Hound and Medical Expert. So hold onto those, but I would keep some different tonics in mind, just in case.

Fix your equipment and you'll be in, Mr Martin

[blake2t2]

Alright I'm mostly certain that Neutral Rapturians ended up getting EVE Hypos, and I'm not sure what the number is this moment.

Also, I'll let you know ahead of time that there's been a bit of trouble concerning both Booze Hound and Medical Expert. So hold onto those, but I would keep some different tonics in mind, just in case.

Fix your equipment and you'll be in, Mr Martin

2 med packs--2 eve--adam hypo needle

and in case the booze hound and medical dont work

eve link and hacker's delight--if this doesnt work let me know and ill fix it!!!

thanks for you patience aspiration..and everyone else!!!:D

[AspirationRealized]

Well, buddy. A few issues.

The Booze Hound and Medical Expert won't work, because they do stuff with health and EVE. The other two do, as well, but EVE Link is probably the closest of that.

And you must be a hacker to use Engineering tonics.

BUT DON'T WORRY.

Things are opening up soon and you'll know exactly what tonics you can pick, how and why. I'd sit tight until then.

blake is approved.

[blake2t2]

Well, buddy. A few issues.

The Booze Hound and Medical Expert won't work, because they do stuff with health and EVE. The other two do, as well, but EVE Link is probably the closest of that.

And you must be a hacker to use Engineering tonics.

BUT DON'T WORRY.

Things are opening up soon and you'll know exactly what tonics you can pick, how and why. I'd sit tight until then.

blake is approved.


fantastic!! ill just anxiously play the waiting game until then---i cant wait for this to start!!!!

[AspirationRealized]

XD wow.

Hey everybody else. Are you ALL so enthusiastic?

[E.Bouncer]

oh srry I have been to busy just sitting by the mail box waiting for my ticket to rapture to finally arive... wait what? it's all just a game! there is no actuall ticket to Rapture! oh damnit! Yout tricked me! I thought we were actually going to Rapture! why! why! WHY! WHYHYHYHYHY!!!
:p

lol I have just been waiting...and waiting...and a little more waiting... followed by? you guessed it, more waiting


cmon cmon when do we get to start?


~We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us~

[blake2t2]

well...this thread is now officially 20 pages long...

ill assume another 20? before we start??

:rolleyes:

[AspirationRealized]

Harsh guys >.> ... XD

And this is the first time this post has gone two days without activity since it was revived <.< does that mean anything?

[E.Bouncer]

Aspire (it is ok if I call you that isnt it?) when are you gonna stop teasing us and finally tell us how much longer or some other good info that will have us in an uproar or something... pls just tell us how much longer or what you have fixed so far

we can not really reply if there is nothing to reply to. so give us info instead of just commenting on the fact that it has been only two days since someone has posted:)

and yes I am still very very interested in this

[Circus of Values]

Aspire, if I may suggest this, for your Power to the People station upgrades, it could be said that the dangerous energies that operate in these machines perhaps irridiate, and as a result, cannot be used in quick succession...so people keep track of how recently they have used a station, and upgrade on a cooldown system? Just a thought.

[AspirationRealized]

Its a good idea, Circus and thanks for trying to help but it has since been settled. By the way, would you like to join us?

Some complications between Fors and I are making it happen slowly but progress has been made and we're really close. Don't want to spoil anything XD

[E.Bouncer]

Its a good idea, Circus and thanks for trying to help but it has since been settled. By the way, would you like to join us?

Some complications between Fors and I are making it happen slowly but progress has been made and we're really close. Don't want to spoil anything XD

:rolleyes: just typical, more hints and teases... grrr I cants stand the wait!


ummm by the way who is this Fors?

@ Circus, yea that is an exellent idea!... cmon join while you still can.



umm Aspire is it possible for people to join once the game has started? you have never really said and have made it sound as if they can't in previous posts...:confused:

I iz just gonna wait over here by this BD statue and use it for target practice... oh noes! that is not a statue!... ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

:p

[AspirationRealized]

Not only will we be accepting members after it opens, I expect membership to rise after they've seen things in action.

However joining earlier gives you more influence of the cnocepts, because they are still being defined right now.

[blake2t2]

umm---well...heres a thought....


lets just start now and work things out as we go--

you know---trial by error? :D

[Demosthenes]

Hello all,

Personally, I love message board RPs. I remember the first one I joined was for my favorite game (at the time) American McGee's Alice. Now, however, Bioshock has supplanted the aforementioned game as my favorite and I've returned to Rapture at least a half-dozen times, if not more. Your initiative has become of great interest to me and I look forward to participating in the near future.

A couple of questions:
-As we are playing, are we limited to the locales presented in Bioshock or are we free to come up with our own?
-If we are limited to those areas, are we free to create new locations within them or must we adhere to those outlined in the game?
-If we are not limited, but free to create our own, I'd suggest that there be some oversight committee to determine if said creation 'fits' comfortably within Rapture. For example, a majority of the names of areas in Rapture are references to Greek or Roman mythology, so something like Dionysus Tower would be something I might put forth as an area where we could continue adventuring. Also, if something like this were to come about, there would have to be a limit to the number of new sites as well as making sure that there is no overlap. For example, I wouldn't make Dionysus Tower a place to go for a lovely stroll through the gardens or to catch the latest performance, those honors belong to Arcadia and Fort Frolic, respectively.
-Also, just to clarify, do you or do you not want character profiles posted in this thread? I see that some users have posted theirs here, and yet there is a warning on the first page informing me that to do so will incur the wrath of a Bouncer and me promptly getting drilled in the starting moments of the game.

I think I might have had more questions, but I forgot them while writing this. I guess this will have to suffice for now. Again, I'm looking forward to this and I apologize if I'm asking something that's already been addressed in previous posts. I tried to read all 20 pages, I really did.

[AspirationRealized]

blake, there's been far too much work put into this project to NOT open with it now. Just trust that your patience will be rewarded. Remember that you are relatively new compared to other members and they've had to wait even longer. Again I love the eagerness and I'm not upset or anything but please be patient ^_^

Demos, we are not limited to locations described only in the game but when we begin we will have no more locations than those presented. There will be a group of people overseeing any additions by the community whether it be plasmids, weapons, or locations and we encourage you to make any of them... within reason. I've made a lot of RPs like this and one thing I know for certain is there's no use creating settings before you have enough people to actually use them.

As for the Big Daddy squashing profile posters, the first post states that the posts immediately following were outdated and were only kept unedited for archiving purposes. You simply post you profile here. It's a mess but it's manageable for now and out of respect for the 2K forum I am keeping Paradise Lost threads to a minimum.

I'm glad that you're so interested and that you've read all 20 pages o0 you should have a good concept of what we're looking for in a profile, so post away.

Edit:

TWO HUNDRED REPLIES

I never would've imagined when I reopened this it would go so far. It's all thanks to you guys!

[blake2t2]

blake, there's been far too much work put into this project to NOT open with it now. Just trust that your patience will be rewarded. Remember that you are relatively new compared to other members and they've had to wait even longer. Again I love the eagerness and I'm not upset or anything but please be patient ^_^

I was JK!! :p Everytime i see a new post in here i get my hopes up and think that it has finally started....

also i wrote that at like 1 in the am...i was delirious...or bored..i dont know which one:rolleyes:

[E.Bouncer]

I was JK!! :p Everytime i see a new post in here i get my hopes up and think that it has finally started....

also i wrote that at like 1 in the am...i was delirious...or bored..i dont know which one:rolleyes:

perhaps both? :p

so Aspire, have you any idea, any particular date on when it starts?

[augustgirl515]

Well, I'm glad to see that we haven't gone anywhere in the time I've been gone. Hate to think I missed anything important.

[AspirationRealized]

You just might miss out if you're not around. Won't be much longer now.

Circus, Demos, you two working on your profiles or something? Been waiting to hear from you guys XD

[Demosthenes]

Yes. I'm hoping to have it up by the end of the weekend.

[Circus of Values]

Haha, sorry Aspire. Wasn't able to be at my computer since I last posted.
Anywho....

Name: John Viticelli

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Appearance: Medium height, with wavy brown hair and distinctive blue eyes. Light but strong, and typically wears brown overalls with a light tan shirt. Due to an accident involving a malfunctioning crane and a load of crates, has a permanent, but small limp in left leg.

Background: Born in a small, rural town in Italy, John had an english father but an italian mother. Soon after his 11th birthday, his mother passed away, and his father took him to Venice. Living in the big city was a much different life from his quiet, rural town, and he was forced to work by his dad. After years of working at the bottom rung, he was sick of society and hippocracy. After hearing about Rapture from a friend, he got on the quickest ship he could find.

Alignment: Ryan Loyalist

Attributes:
Weapons: Wrench, Shotgun
Tonics: Wrench Jockey
1 ADAM Hypo Needle.
4 First Aid Kits
2 EVE Hypos

Location: Fort Frolic

[AspirationRealized]

One thing I may not have made clear, Circus, is that the members voted to use Basic attributes rather than advanced.

Should be an easy fix. Edit your attributed to basic specifications for Ryan and you should be in.

[Circus of Values]

Is it good now?

[AspirationRealized]

Ryan people don't start with plasmids.

See Fontaines start with plasmids and Ryans start with guns. Get rid of the incinerate and you'll be approved (you have 50 ADAM at the beginning of the game. Somehow get 10 more and you can get your incinerate)

[vampristic]

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while, I've been having some personal problems.

[AspirationRealized]

Its cool. Besides new people joining you haven't missed anything yet. We should be starting soon.

[Circus of Values]

Oh, duh :o alright, there we go. Now, to just find some poor, lone Little Sister...

[AspirationRealized]

Circus of Values is approved.

Ryan 4
Fontaine 3
Neutral 3

[Circus of Values]

Yippee...now to bide my time and plan to destroy the Fontaine Revolutionaries....So, just a question, whos side are you on, Aspire?

[AspirationRealized]

Those Fontaine Revolutionaries you plan to destroy.

[Circus of Values]

Ah ha!! The truth has come forwards. Aspiration is with the rebels!!!

[Femme Fatale]

Hey, are you guys still accepting joiners? =D This has to be the awesomest idea ever.

[Demosthenes]

Name: Daniel "Danny" Victor Murdoch, Ph.D
Age: 28 years old
Birthday: December 31st, 1928
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Gender: Male

Appearance: With matching dark brown eyes and hair, his features tend much more toward his mother's side of the family than his father's. Standing at about 5 feet 10 inches and with his rather light build he does not make for a very imposing individual when you first meet him. However, he likes to keep himself clean, tidy, and is typically found wearing a black or dark navy pinstriped suit and matching hat. Should he feel the need, he has an overcoat as well. He keeps his hair neither overly long nor so short that it stands up on end. He also has a mustache that he keeps thin also. While working, he switches his suit coat for a white lab coat.

Background: While his father was of Scottish descent and his mother's family came from the Mediterranean territories, both had been born in the United States, and thus so had Daniel. Growing up in New York City, he often heard stories of the daring capers and dastardly deeds of Kid Yorke's Hudson Dusters, Paul Kelly's Five Points Gang, and Thomas "Tanner" Smith's Marginals from his grandfather who had been a detective with the New York City's police department during the turn of the century. The individuals who ran these gangs and the warfare that broke out between rival factions both fascinated and terrified Daniel at the same time. As time passed, the gangs faded away. Or perhaps they grew up. Daniel often collected articles about Brooklyn's own Murder Incorporated who did the dirty work the mob didn't even want to touch. At least that's what Daniel liked to think.

Through sheer determination, Daniel's father became a doctor and was able to provide for his family a life that his father before him could not. Though wealthy, Dr. Murdoch was as much a physician as he was a philanthropist. He gave generously to fledgling organizations designed to assist those in financial need. For his three children, he provided the best private schooling that could be found in Manhattan. Thus, he found it unpleasurable that one of his children was so interested in these hoodlums. So much so that the child wished to become a police officer like his grandfather! Dr. Murdoch simply would not have this and subsequently pushed Daniel toward the sciences. Entering into his post-secondary education at Princeton, Daniel fell in love with psychology and its attempts to quantify human nature. He majored in this science and went on to complete his doctorate. His thesis was entitled, "Behaviorism in Criminals" in which he examined the behavior of prisoners at Trenton State Prison.

Shortly after graduating, he returned to New York where he met with his father and an associate of his. This associate was there to offer Daniel a deal which he almost assuredly could not refuse. This individual had read Daniel's thesis, citing that the limitations of the government regulations had infringed upon what could have been a true manifesto in the art of psychology. It could have blown the works of William James right out of the water. If only he had had the access he desired. This could be afforded to him in a place where such boundaries were not there to limit but merely used as examples to inspire. Rapture.

Daniel whole-heartedly agreed to accompany this man to this fantastic place. After bidding his family farewell, and receiving a blessing from his father, he set out upon a steamer destined for Iceland. When they were a mere 200 miles off the coast of Iceland, the pair, along with several others, lowered a lifeboat into the water, boarded it, and rowed to a solitary lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. There, they entered the bathysphere and were informed who they now worked for...

Occupation: Behavioral Psychoanalyist/Plasmid Researcher for Fontaine Futuristics
Residence: Apollo Square
Affiliation: Fontaine Revolutionary

Attributes:
Brass Knuckles
Telekinesis
EVE Saver
ADAM Hypo Needle
2 Med Kits
4 EVE Hypos
$100

[AspirationRealized]

Hey, are you guys still accepting joiners? =D This has to be the awesomest idea ever.

We always accept more "joiners". Look back a few pages and you're bound to stumble into profiles. As of yet, each one has been approved. Make one like those and you're pretty much in. Just make sure you understand the sides and their attributes (also back quite a few pages, or it should be in a link in the first post).

Demos, it is likely you'll need to choose a different tonic than Eve Saver at the beginning. We have been having issues with any tonics that alter Health and EVE. You'll learn more about that when this project is done, though, so don't worry about it now.

Demonsthenes is approved.

[Demosthenes]

AspiR, do you have an approved list of tonics to choose from or are you waiting until we start to release that kind of information?

[AspirationRealized]

Aye. You'll know everything once we begin. Generally speaking most of the tonics rejected had influence on health or EVE.

Like I said, don't worry so much. Just be patient and keep interested! Fors and I are having a little trouble holding down some time together but there's just about nothing left to it.

[E.Bouncer]

hmmm just wanted to ask (altho you will prbly answer with a "all will be told when it is out" line, or a no) would it be possible to get a slilencer for my Pistol because my character is one of the most quiet, stealthy ppl you would have ever seen that you would go on to call it unnatural (perhaps even more so when he starts getting spliced up);)
Bioshock does cater for a slightly more stealthy player... so can it be the same in this? (of course I would prefer full cover stealth and stuff)

can barely wait for this to start, wow I am even coming up with scenarios of what will happen (non of which will come true I guess)

watching waiting and hoping that you will not run into more trouble and find the time needed to finish this! :D

[Who_is_Atlas?]

While I'm not AspiR, I do think that I should be able to answer this: personally, I'm gonna give a 'no' on that one. If you had a silencer on a pistol, that sort of makes nearly every fight you'd have one-sided to you. How else would anyone know you were going to do something like that? There are also camo plasmids, which sort of further defeats the purpose of having a silencer on a pistol.

As I said, I just don't think it would be fair, personally, if you were to have such a thing while the rest of us are starting off with wrenches for God's sake. :p

[AspirationRealized]

First, E bouncer, I want to thank you for looking for innovation. That's the sort of thinking I encourage for Paradise Lost.

A silencer, if implemented, would be an upgrade of our own design for PL, from the Power to the People machine. However, it is apparent that this idea may cause some concern with other players.

This is what happens when new ideas are posed for our story. We will discuss, we will vote, and that will decide whether we implement it or not.

For now, know that you definitely cannot have a silencer at the beginning of the game. No one will have any upgrades to their weapons. If something like that may become available for everyone will yet to be seen.

In my opinion WIA's strongest argument against it is that other stealth tonics, such as Natural Camouflage and Wrench Lurker, negate the need for it.

But this is one of the first additions we will discuss when the project is finished. Thanks again for your idea ^_^

[Femme Fatale]

Out of curiosity, is joining as more than one character allowed? I was hoping to create both a guy and a girl (two separate profiles, of course).

[AspirationRealized]

At the moment, no, but that could change in the future. This other character you want to use can be an NPC as long as that character does not part take in battle, or it's actions overall don't influence the direction of the story. Using NPCs to further a characters background and personality is allowed and encouraged as long as you only have substantial influence with only one character.

[Femme Fatale]

... D; Darn. Okay.

[E.Bouncer]

While I'm not AspiR, I do think that I should be able to answer this: personally, I'm gonna give a 'no' on that one. If you had a silencer on a pistol, that sort of makes nearly every fight you'd have one-sided to you. How else would anyone know you were going to do something like that? There are also camo plasmids, which sort of further defeats the purpose of having a silencer on a pistol.

As I said, I just don't think it would be fair, personally, if you were to have such a thing while the rest of us are starting off with wrenches for God's sake. :p

First, E bouncer, I want to thank you for looking for innovation. That's the sort of thinking I encourage for Paradise Lost.

A silencer, if implemented, would be an upgrade of our own design for PL, from the Power to the People machine. However, it is apparent that this idea may cause some concern with other players.

This is what happens when new ideas are posed for our story. We will discuss, we will vote, and that will decide whether we implement it or not.

For now, know that you definitely cannot have a silencer at the beginning of the game. No one will have any upgrades to their weapons. If something like that may become available for everyone will yet to be seen.

In my opinion WIA's strongest argument against it is that other stealth tonics, such as Natural Camouflage and Wrench Lurker, negate the need for it.

But this is one of the first additions we will discuss when the project is finished. Thanks again for your idea ^_^

ah I see what you both mean... good point:D
so will there be pvp? I know probly obvious (or not) but any info I can get from both of you will still be good :p

perhaps a different enhancement, an echoer which makes the bang from the gun echo so it is more difficult to tell where it came from but at least you would still be able to tell that someone fired a shot. of course I would not expect to have this straight away, like Aspire said, it would be from a pttp machine upgrade or something.

perhaps the silencer when we are all more "senior" members?

meh, no harm in dreaming is there:rolleyes:,

[Demosthenes]

I think this brings up a good point, and I'm sorry if it's been addressed elsewhere. Will we be adhering to the weapon upgrades in the game or allowed to be creative with those, again subject to approval?

Blah. I had this big long thing and now I lost it. I'll suggest it later. Though you can tell me if it's even needed by answering this question. When we do this, will the role-play be contained within one thread (chapter) and occasionally started afresh? Or will we be making a new thread for each action (seems unlikely)?

[AspirationRealized]

You are encouraged to be creative. Not everything available in Rapture was seen or used by Jack.

Weapon upgrades available for everyone are subject for approval just like other additions. So, to answer your question, yes. But you won't be making up upgrades as you go, youll be making up upgrades for the entire game.

[AspirationRealized]

In response to your edit, Demos...

All will be known soon. I like that you are thinking ahead but... Ask me again when we've released everything.

[Femme Fatale]

I think this brings up a good point, and I'm sorry if it's been addressed elsewhere. Will we be adhering to the weapon upgrades in the game or allowed to be creative with those, again subject to approval?

Blah. I had this big long thing and now I lost it. I'll suggest it later. Though you can tell me if it's even needed by answering this question. When we do this, will the role-play be contained within one thread (chapter) and occasionally started afresh? Or will we be making a new thread for each action (seems unlikely)?

I was thinking about that to. You guys ever consider starting a forum off-site? You know, with Invisionfree or Proboards? It would probably be a lot easier to organize everything.

[Demosthenes]

I'm sure they have. I mean, I don't know if we're even sure we'll be allowed to use these boards for anything like that. Did someone ever ask if we could do the role-play here? And if we did ask, did we get a reply?

[AspirationRealized]

Ive taken care of permissions with the mods, don't worry.

[E.Bouncer]

soo the game will be done of this forum? and if so, do all (and I mean ALL) the mods know about this cause it aint gonna be reall fun if some moderator who is not informed comes in and deletes it all:(

how much longer till it comes out now? oh I just wanna know!:p

[AspirationRealized]

Ive been in touch with 2K Elizabeth, community manager, from when this first got started. No worries guys.

I'm going to do a roll call to see who is actively checking the thread. Fors and I are still playing tag but his project should be mostly finished and my end will take one night of work when I have one night to devote to it.

I want to see who is still checking this thread so when we do release it people will notice XD

So just say here.

[mueske]

I'm still checking! :)

[Circus of Values]

I'm still checking on an almost daily basis

[Femme Fatale]

Still working on my profile, but checking in! :3

[Demosthenes]

I'm ready and waiting.

[blake2t2]

checking 2 times a day

[AspirationRealized]

Ive got good news and bad news everyone.

The good news is that last night Fors and I finally met up and we know his end of the project is just as close to being completed as mine is. After our chat, with Who Is Atlas?, another part of the PL Think tank present, we said that it would be only a few days before completion.

In a cruel twist of fate, I try to get on my computer this afternoon in order to finish up the section on Security Elements and was met by the "blue screen of death". For those of you unfamilliar with the term it's a condition on windows computer in which you can't start your computer at all to start up your files.

There's a way to fix it but I'm going to have to obtain a windows xp disc to restart everything, and even then if it will all work out isn't clear. I am sending this to you via iPhone.

I'm currently trying to figure out which XP CD I need, and if anyone could tell me how to determine this in a PM it would be very helpful to my situation.

In the meantime I will try to finish things up with either my iPhone or a friends computer, but either way this WILL mean slow down.

I apologize for all of this and hope that you guys are understanding. Pitfalls in the real lives of the people in charge of this have made this take much longer than it should have to. It's not our fault, but then again it's not your fault either and you shouldn't be subjected to wait like this.

Thanks again for your enthusiasm and your unyielding patience.

[Circus of Values]

Yay, an update!

And aspire, don't worry about it. A week or two more won't kill us. Take all the time you may need to polish it up :)

[augustgirl515]

Sorry about your blue screen of death Aspir! :( My 360 red ringed this morning. I'm totally deprived now. (It's actually only error e73, but still it's broken.)

[Demosthenes]

Well, on the plus side, this will hopefully give me enough time to get another person to join us. Nevertheless, I feel for your computer, AspiR. I had to replace the motherboard in mine last year and it was a pain in the ass.

[AspirationRealized]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I've been worried ever since the first deadline I promised and then missed that I'd lose everyone to the inactivity but your posts have been reassuring.

Demos, your friend can join anytime, doesn't have to be from before it starts.

Well since we have some downtime, WIA? came up with the idea of letting you guys gets involved in something PL related. This was going to be one of the first things deliberated when we started but we'll do it now so it's decided before we start.

The idea has been posed a few times, and from the beginning I've been considering it... what about melée weapons? Besides the trusty wrench?

Some ideas include a lead pipe, butchers knife, and golf club. All three of these were used by splicers in the game. Should we allow these alternative weapons in PL? If you guys have no problem with it I've already got a way in mind to balance it all. So don't worry if that's your concern.

If we do allow them should you be able to choose from the beginning or should these be acquired later on?

Open for your thoughts.

[Demosthenes]

I like this idea. I like it a lot, actually. I think it would help diversify characters. I mean, if we're all running around with wrenches that's fine. But sometimes it doesn't necessarily make sense for some of the characters to have one initially.

For example, my character is a plasmid researcher for Fontaine Futuristics. In what situation would he have use for a wrench? He doesn't perform maintenance on pipes and the like. However, he might be armed for personal safety. Given his fascination with gangsters and the like, he would probably carry a switchblade or a set of brass knuckles.

Since the mechanics of the weapons are irrelevant, I would be fine with having people start the game with alternative melee weapons. Though, the weapons should be subject to review. IE: Unless someone have an amazing reason, they should not be wielding a sword of any kind.

Need some help thinking of a weapon? Check out this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_melee_weapons). It gives lots of examples and has a list of improvised weapons at toward the bottom.

[AspirationRealized]

Demos, I like where you're going, but pull the breaks just a little.

The weapons do have a bearing, depending on what they are. In Paradise Lost, Electric Flesh and Frozen Field will effect your melée weapons. They should be metallic so that they fit ice or electricity.

They also need to be appropriate for the time period an fir the general feel of Bioshock.

I suggest we create a list of weapons allowed in PL and have players choose from them, rather than everyone come up with their own weapons. This way we can keep tabs on things and make sure everything is fair.

As for the weapons you mentioned, brass knuckles would work just fine. But that switchblade, when compared even to the damage of a golf club, is sort of weak. Especially with the butcher knife available. The brass knuckles make sense because then you have an elemental punch.

So I'd submit brass knuckles. Easy as that, folks. Submit weapons but don't get too crazy. No nunchucks, swords, throwing daggers, etc. Ruling that out immediately.

[Demosthenes]

Ah, you're right. I forgot about those tonics. I understand the idea now.

Also, I was wondering about alternative uses for plasmids that weren't necessarily supported in the game. For example, in the game Cyclone Trap was something you could lay down and walk over without triggering it. What if I wanted to trigger it on myself? Here's the scenario. My character is being chased through Medical Pavilion's foyer. Instead of running up the stairs, he decides to throw down a Cyclone Trap right in front of the balcony and launches himself up to the next level. He lands hard, but manages to get up quickly and continue running. Still, he can hear his pursuer's footfalls echoing behind him. Sprinting past the Twilight Fields and Eternal Flame, he heads toward Surgery. Taking a glance backward, he can still see them coming around the corner. Passing through the Securis door, he uses Winter Blast on it, hoping to freeze the door closed, at least temporarily...

Would those uses be legal?