[ DISTORTED NIGHTS ]
no slots open
demons, contractors, fixers and you
ft. a futuristic city afflicted by magic

Uncomfortable things dwell in the shadows of civilization. Monsters that herald the arrival of something greater, trading a fraction of their abilities to savor the taste of the human soul. Fragmented minds that saunter down the streets, wielding their occult powers with all the cruelty of those they've bargained with. And worst of all, those meant to protect humanity from the rest, driven half-mad by the darkness they've seen.

Unfortunately for you, as the newest member of the City Contingency Services recruited straight off the streets or fresh from your cell, they are now your issues to deal with. After all, only those with no other options would ever come here, resigning themselves to a fate of death, revival, and repetition, all hidden under the thin guise of negotiation with the supernatural.

Oh look, here comes your first mission!

the city.
large inspiration has been taken from the Project Moon universe, especially in names and worldbuilding.

-- RANKINGS of demons, contractors, and fixers are based on the followings levels, from lowest to highest: ZAYIN, TETH, HE, and WAW. strength across these levels increases exponentially.

-- DISTORTIONS refer to twisted human emotions and are the source of all occult powers used within the city. in moments of great emotional distress, humans may manifest distortions and later draw upon them to cast magic, with the type of magic being related to the distortion's original root. They are also ranked according to the same system as demons, contractors, and fixers.

-- TIME STOPS are a technology exclusive to City Contingency Service employees. Upon binding one's soul to one using ethereal chains, individuals are able to revive in their previous condition, though this cannot erase distortions.

-- IDENTITIES are items enhanced by the essence of the supernatural. They each carry special abilities and are ranked according to the same levels as the demons, contractors, and fixers, though they're often lower leveled than the ones they originate from.

-- The THREAD is the fabric of the universe which distortions and identities can manipulate to affect the tangible world.

gameplay mechanics. -- Deaths and injuries are to be expected and will occur several times per mission, sometimes without the chance to react after an incorrect choice. Your characters can always revive and return to the mission. This is encouraged, as your strength grows upon bad outcomes.

-- Upon experiencing traumatic events, players will receive a distortion. However, each event will only give a distortion once, as emotional impact is reduced upon later reoccurrences.

-- Distortions and identities may also be gained from trading with demons, contractors, fixers, or the City Contingency Service itself, though each may request different things. They may also trigger events where they can be fused together or upgraded.

-- Using distortions comes at the cost of sanity. Their effects may change at lower sanity levels, though lower sanity levels also increase the effect of incoming distortions on the player.

rules and notices.
-- When responding, quote, bold, link, or otherwise include my last post.

-- If you are inactive for more than a month without prior warning, I will put you on hold. Feel free to resume your adventure once you return, provided that there are still available slots.

-- Try to write a minimum of three sentences per response. Exceptions are allowed for fights or conversations.

-- If you want something, tell me about it or include it in your characters thoughts. I will steer your story in that direction.

-- Don't worry about power-playing or assuming certain details about characters. Feeling strong is fun, and I will discuss changes with you if necessary.

character sheet.
Can be posted on the thread or sent through DM.
Spots can be reserved for a week. Remove anything in parentheses, and feel free to code your sheet in any way that you like.

BASICS
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Appearance: (Can be an image, description, or both.)
Personality: (Optional.)
History: (Optional.)
Other:

DISTORTIONS:
x (Read below.)

IDENTITIES:
x (Note: You can start with one Distortion or Identity related to your backstory. Make it small. Format: ZAYIN: Name - Description. Costs 5 sanity.)

And I am now open! Obviously, one slot isn't a whole lot of room, but I hope to trickle in more players once I see how well I can handle them. c:

Hello friend, I sent you a message!

character sheet.

BASICS
Name: Rowan Cross
Age: 26
Gender: Female

Appearance: Rowan is a lithe woman, with lean muscles beneathed her sun-kissed skin, littered with a criss-cross of faint scars from her childhood. An ugly, mottled one snakes it's way across her upper back, a punishment for stealing. It's one she will carry with her for the rest of her life, it gives her a slight ache in the damp of the night. Her black hair is finely trimmed and diligently kept at shoulder length, often tied back into a loose ponytail. When not wearing her City Contigency Services uniform, her attire is simple, yet practicalworn from consistent use. She favors sturdy boots, cargo pants, and a faded denim jacket over white button-up. Her eyes are a vigilant green, sharp, yet often carrying a distant gaze.

Personality: A lifetime of survival as a lone girl in the slums shaped Rowan into a self-reliant and resilient woman. Harshly-taught lessons keep her alert of her surroundings, and she remains vigilant in every new environment. Viligance has her noting the escape routes of every new room she enters, but it's masked by an air of detachment she carries, one that makes her seem distant to whoever she speaks to. Perhaps her guarded deamanor evolved to mask the little compassion that could survive The City, the little compassion of a young girl that refused to die to a life in the slums. The little compassion hidden in a hardened woman that marks a dangerous weakness.

DISTORTIONS:
x

IDENTITIES:
x ZAYIN: Energy gun - A gun where the core is made out of a fragment of a demon. When used, it fires overcharged blasts that deal physical and metaphysical damage. Costs 5 sanity.

[ FILE RECEIVED ]
[ loading data of: Rowan Cross ]
[ sending: mission instructions - 001. ]

Your first mission with the City Contingency Service is the beginning of many things. Veterans say that when the ending comes, it will have defined the scenes you've seen, the things you've met, and the person you've become. They say that all of this will be what clings to the back of your eyes each time you die, that this will stick with you even if you get out of the service. But this is your first mission, not theirs, and no beginning cannot encapsulate the entirety of an experience.

The notification arrives on your communicator, its holographic display rising from your wrist to display a private message.


ANGELICA M. - CONTRACTOR, ranking: HE
Known Abilities: Shapeshifting, details unknown.

Though rarely captured on camera, her noted activity is largely concentrated on infighting between other contractors and demons, rarely attacking human targets. Recently, she has made an unofficial deal with the City Contingency Service, exchanging her heart for help in hunting another demon. Fulfill the deal and enforce it as needed.

Note: Unofficial deals are not binding to either party.


Alongside with the instructions is a location, provided by the contractor as a point of contact. It's located deep within the heart of the City in a high-class bar, set towards the top of one of many skyscrapers. After all, crime and violence have always shone just as bright as any other industry in this place.

It's time to make any additional preparations and depart. The night is coming after all, and though your target hasn't specified any time of arrival, the clock hands wait for no one.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=108984&page=1#9 Author: Jie Time Posted: 8/8/2024 at 11:42 PM [ FILE RECEIVED ] [ loading data of: Rowan Cross ] [ sending: mission instructions - 001. ] Your first mission with the City Contingency Service is the beginning of many things. Veterans say that when the ending comes, it will have defined the scenes you've seen, the things you've met, and the person you've become. They say that all of this will be what clings to the back of your eyes each time you die, that this will stick with you even if you get out of the service. But this is your first mission, not theirs, and no beginning cannot encapsulate the entirety of an experience. The notification arrives on your communicator, its holographic display rising from your wrist to display a private message. ANGELICA M. - CONTRACTOR, ranking: HE Known Abilities: Shapeshifting, details unknown. Though rarely captured on camera, her noted activity is largely concentrated on infighting between other contractors and demons, rarely attacking human targets. Recently, she has made an unofficial deal with the City Contingency Service, exchanging her heart for help in hunting another demon. Fulfill the deal and enforce it as needed. Note: Unofficial deals are not binding to either party. Alongside with the instructions is a location, provided by the contractor as a point of contact. It's located deep within the heart of the City in a high-class bar, set towards the top of one of many skyscrapers. After all, crime and violence have always shone just as bright as any other industry in this place. It's time to make any additional preparations and depart. The night is coming after all, and though your target hasn't specified any time of arrival, the clock hands wait for no one.

Rowan had just started to chop the tomatoes for a late dinner when her communicator beeped softly. She carefully scanned the mission details, and then went through them again to ensure nothing was missed. She methodically inspected her energy gun, checking the demon core for any signs of instability. The faint hum of its power source did not falter. It was some small measure of reassurance that the contractor rarely went for humans, but Rowan was never one to put her trust in demons and contractors. Satisfied, she put the gun back in its holster.

She had never stepped foot in a high-class bar in her life, nor had gotten anywhere close up until now. She didn't have much to prepareshe didn't have either the money or resources to do so yet as it was her first mission. Her signing bonus had been spent on a nicer apartment, and proper attire for any formal events within the City Contingency Services. They would have to make do, she thought, a sleek blue blouse with black dress pants that still allowed her a full range of mobility. She hid a pocket knife in her ankle boots, and kept a taser in her unfitted blazer. It was the best she she could do to avoid sticking out too sorely on the contractor's home turf.

If anything was damaged, well, perhaps she could request compensation. Perhaps a tailored suit jacket for next time.