RPG Requests

[C S]

Wouldnt the deadly virus be in a bullet proof container,with another container around it with lead lined layers to protect from radiation (You never know- im sure a super secret agecy would contemplate that) and under a 9 pin number pass?

[The Kingpin]

all depends on what's going on at the time, and at what point they were attacked. here, it's easy to say that they were shot at before they managed to secure the sample completely

[C S]

Im just saying. If I was someone transporting that virus, I'd want it to be secured at all times. Possibly with more security than the president because it can (and prolly will) destroy the human race

the best possibillity is when they take out the virus
and someone decides to shoot.

[The Kingpin]

a freak stroke of bad luck, fate, whatever you want to call it, it happened that night. as they attempted to secure the virus from it's development container to the carrier container they were planning to use to take it back to base. they were spotted as they were entering, and shooting broke out. one of the agents guarding the complex shot at them as he rounded a corner, only spotting the vials the Virus was in after he had pulled the trigger, one of them shattering in the hand of one of the agents, shards of glass ripping through his glove and into his skin, directly administering the virus to his blood stream...and the rest is already there

[C S]

That works. Good story and I already have a back story for a possible character

[Raptor Llama]

I think I'll add a bit on the virus...
It was meant to bring soldiers back to life. Their "souls" would not be present, it would just be their bodies used for the good of the army. The soldier would also be stronger, more powerful, and, most importantly, under direct control of a higher ranking officer. They tested it with dead rodents, as well as dead humans. Effects were not all according to plan; in the current form, they would not be as intelligent as needed, for example, they could not do a simple task like firing a gun. It wasn't really a virus, it was more of a parasite, using a dead host's body to... kill others. But since controlling the parasite, which was still being thought out, was not implemented, instead of killing who they wanted to kill, it killed everyone. It was also supposed to spread the infection to the fallen person, this way the enemy could be used for the US's benefit, possibly sneaking in and sabotage. But currently, all that would be accomplished would be that the parasite/virus would kill then infect anything, and then that would do the same, and then everything would be infected, which would be only used for the good of the infection. Thus, it was critical that this had to be changed. But, it was never given time to develop...

[The Kingpin]

that would only fit in a morally dead world. not even the coldest scientist would work on something like that. apart from that, it's practically the same. we COULD apply this as a side branch of the main virus though. a Parasite form made using infected parasitic organisms to help carry the virus with less destructive results on the host. that way, you could open up the path for various mutants, aside from whatever mutants the normal virus would create. but the virus itself, from a plot point of view, fits more as a weapon meant to destroy a nation without soldiers ever setting foot on it's soil....

[Doc 42]

Forgive me if this post seems rushed. I had a long and detailed post about this subject but RPGT ate it before I even pressed submit. thanks alot rpgt -_-

*everything above*

Ze Doc sez: NEIN!!!!

before I get carried away,
RL, in response to one of your original questions, I think the RPG should take place within the initial disaster, the dawn of Apocalypse. The Appocolypse only spares those capable of surviving it, therefore a post appoc setting would be more a zombie massacre fest than a survivor rpg. These people are clearly capable of surviving up till then so why should they suddenly drop dead now?

Now. While KP's and RL's stories are very interesting, I don't think they translate to RPG. They are falling into a trap that is common in writing. A story doesn't NEED a backstory. A backstory is a hanger on. Something to enlighten those who have already read the story. I believe that for a survivor rpg to work, it needs to work on whats going on as opposed to WHY its going on.

"Well where is your bright idea?!" I hear you cry.

Basing off that principle, here is my idea for a survivor rpg.

A few days prior to the start of the rpg, rumours started circulating about the subway and underground in general. People claiming to have heard monstrous howls. For a while the tabloids blow it out of proportion, but it isn't all that big a deal. Then the disappearances start and people begin getting scared. Some leave the city in fear. Then, a number of days later, the military suddenly rolls in and cuts off all access in and out of the city. Later that day, the horde emerges from the subway. Extremely fast, strong and raving mad, zombies flood out of the subway into the city, attacking and trying to eat everyone in their path. Some sprint on for miles before starting to hunt, ensuring the entire city is caught off guard.

Even more disgusting than the decaying horde, after a zombie feeds off someone, they don't die, just lie there screaming in pain, no matter how serious the injuries. Then they regenerate, some going as far as to grow back lost hands within hours, soon after, they go rabid, losing all emotion but anger and attacking, attempting to feed off their fellow humans. They only regenerate serious wounds, meaning they still look as dead as ever.

Nobody knows why they lose their minds. Some say the zombies carry a parasite, others say its out of necessity, that in order to sustain the regeneration, they must feed continuously. (if you come up with a better reason, by all means, have your character state it)
However, most agree that once someone is badly injured, there is no more hope for them.

Soon after the initial attack, the Horde retreats back into the subway, suddenly losing interest in the humans. They take with them a quarter of the newly turned zombies, leaving the rest to ramble around the streets. Some of them simply lost, some of them too badly injured to hunt and be able to follow the horde.
The Player Zombie characters are created during this stage. They are zombies that have not lost free thought or emotion. You can make pretty much anything as a zombie character as long as its within reason. Want an uber Nemesis? Sure, you can make him, as long as you dont go overboard. (meaning no "IM INDESTRUCTIBLE" or being able to do magical stuff)

The Player Zombies have lost all memories of their past lives and have no inclination to follow the horde, so the remain in the open, hungry and needing to hunt to survive.

Some time later (maybe the next day) the horde returns, this time, slower, stronger zombies come with them. This will form the first 'stage' of the rpg.

The Survivors doing anything possible to live out the apocalypse. They will spend most of their time either finding a safe location, looting supplies or fighting off the zombies. At regular (or irregular) intervals, the Horde emerges from the Subways. The Horde zombies are generally much faster, stronger and in greater number than the normal zombies. Holding off the Horde without very good weapons and strong fortifications will be near to impossible. Most of the time, they can only hope to slow the horde down while they try to escape. Moving on the streets is suicide while the Horde is out. While you might make it across the road, you will be attacked from every angle by overwhelming forces.

The survivors will never have an easy job with the Horde around. If the survivors manage to hold off the horde, the next time the Horde comes, they will have adapted to deal with the survivor's defences. Special zombies within their ranks armed to tackle with whatever is halting the rest of the horde.

On the flip side, the Player zombies will be mostly concentrating on just pissing the Survivors off rather than killing them. Through hit and run, sabotaging their supplies or simply scaring the crap out of them, playing as a zombie is for anyone who doesn't care about team work, but just wants to let out some anger through mindlessly antagonising other players. Thats not to say the player zombies can't pack together if they want to. They're is alot of plots that could come out of the player zombies. For instance, one of them might recognise a survivor as someone from their past life. The confusion caused by the reminder would most likely result in the zombie trying to kill them at all costs, regardless of who else is in the group. (Darky hunting Sharpclaw, anyone?)

It is important to note the difference between the ordinary zombies and the Horde. Most importantly, that the ordinary zombies are around constantly and after every horde attack, their numbers increase.

The first objective is survival
The above could continue for ages, but all things have to end. Eventually, boredom would seep in and the rpg would die.

The Second objective is retribution
Notice how I have avoided the topic of why and what the zombies are and the horde in general? That would come into play during the second 'stage' The Survivors trying to take the fight to the zombies and end the plague once and for all, the Player Zombies being given a new role within the zombies ranks.

If you want to know about the particular Whys and whats I have in mind, then say so and I'll tell you, but they aren't important at the moment.

The Third objective is continuation
The second stage could end in one of two ways.
Either the Zombies beat the survivors back untill there are so few in number that they are unable to do anything, but then at the last moment when all hope seems to be lost, the military roll in and massacre the zombies. Armed with weapons designed for zombie killing (you thought they were sitting on their asses while you got your brain munched?) and with the knowledge the survivors have collected up to that point, they take the fight to the zombies and drive them out.

However, the Player zombies are given the chance to escape and end up in a new city, anywhere. From there on, its up to them to bring about their own apocalypse, taking the place of the Horde (just more permanent). The old survivors are called in, being the ones with most knowledge of the zombies and then those who are willing are sent into the city to try save the population (maybe this time round, new characters as soldiers can join in to help them, but only a few)

OR

The survivors succeed in ending the appoclypse within the city, taking the fight back to the zombies and destroying them. However, it results in the same.

Keep in mind that NONE of the above is set in stone. thats just an example of how the RPG might play out. (no point in suggesting something if you cant imagine how it might turn out)

The main reason I didn't mention the WHYS and WHATS is that by the time they are important, we may easily realise that they are flawed and it would be more interesting for it to be changed. By not setting them in stone, we leave our options open for the continuation of the rpg in later days (in my example, through the defeat of the zombies)

Again, if you want to know about the whys and whats to the example I gave there, just ask. If you have any other questions, such as possible plots, feel free to ask away.

but most importantly, if you have any suggestions MAKE THEM!

Also, general comments are appreciates too, just keep them constructive

[C S]

I like Doc's suggestion. If his RPG is made and some time down the line, we find out *insert KP's story*

It would be a good long running plot until the survivors are dumped going "What do we do n- HOLY CRAP GET THE SHOTTIES ZOMBIES ARE FLOODING IN LIKE HALO"

[The Kingpin]

that was more or less what i had in mind. i'm just providing the backstory to what caused it. the narrative. i'm not saying the survivors would know these facts. they'd be too busy trying to get themselves out of reach of the horde. but eventually, if we follow Doc's example, we'll be left needing to explain why the Horde retreats at all. from the player's point of view, sure, it's so that the characters have a chance to survive. but from the character's point of view there's seemingly no explanation...

[Evil Eye]

I'm sure someone will think of an explanation in time...

[The Kingpin]

we have the explanation. the only thing is that the characters in the RPG won't know about it...

[C S]

until the battered scientist tells them and then MUTATES AND TRIES TO EAT THEM ALL

[TyrannoTitan]

From talking to Doc on MSN, we managed to formulate a combination of all ideas (Just as a suggestion for the RPG).

It would basically be Cloverfield, as in, the characters know as much as the players. It would give the feeling that the characters are just civilians, which they are, and therefore don't know whats going on. Learning bits and pieces of the cause of the whole ordeal could be a plot, or multiple plots, as would the "horde" idea (Where a swarm of mutated zombies periodically attack various players, and are controlled by one or a few "master minds", basically very "smart" zombies). It would be introduced when players start to get bored, just to mix things up, instead of making it a constant factor in the RPG (Which would get boring fast). Afterward, if players get bored again, then military involvement would go on Half Life style (Basically the government, instead of helping the survivors, actually attack them to prevent spread of the "plague").

[Evil Eye]

KP I meant I'm sure someone would find a solution to that problem, and what's this? TT did

[Doc 42]

if we follow Doc's example, we'll be left needing to explain why the Horde retreats at all. from the player's point of view, sure, it's so that the characters have a chance to survive. but from the character's point of view there's seemingly no explanation...

As stated in my post, I thought of a few whys and whats but didnt state them for the simple matter that we dont need them now. That would be like deciding what your going to work as as an adult when your six years old and having to stick to it. This way we have much more freedom.

Anyway, as TT said, we sorted it out a bit think that for the very start, rather than any backstory or narrative being thrown in our faces, it should just start as "Oh look, its the zombie appocolypse. SURVIVE IT"

Most of my post was basically outlining what COULD happen in it... And for explanations and all that crap... We Don't need them now. Coming up with them now just muddles things up and would throw the rpg on way too fast.

Remember, its very possible to over-think things.

[C S]

Remember, its very possible to over-think things.

As seen is Godzilla VS SpaceGodzilla- two explanations for one monster, one explanation being voided because of a time travel paradox...

Im all for the Zombie RPG. Just every one Ive seen is filled with zombie killing randomness when it gets past page 20 or something

[Raptor Llama]

Also... is the three person vote thing still valid? Because it appears a little more than three are in for it...

[Evil Eye]

One more vote for the zombie RPG...

[Giratina93]

Yea, vote for Zombie RPG. Despite the fact that I might not be on it due to eternal forces outside the site.