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[laularukyrumo]

An aged, almost ancient man, with bulging, bloodshot eyes and a massive, pointed nose sits before you, across from a table with a crystal ball and a deck of tarot cards atop the surface. He is balding, with white hair around his ears, and is quite well-dressed, adorned in a suit, tie, and pair of white gloves. By his side is a woman with a predominately blue color scheme, reflected in her eyes, her hair, and her choice of dress. She regards you with her eyes, but seems more focused on the man than on you. You are seated across from him, in what appears to be the cabin of a battleship or other military vessel, decked out all in purple. As you're taking in your surroundings, still a little groggy from just having come to, the man begins speaking.

"Welcome... to the Velvet Room."

Velvet Room... what on earth is that? WHERE on earth is that, for that matter? As questions form in your mind, he continues talking. "Do not be alarmed... I have summoned you here, within your dreams." He speaks slowly, deliberately, yet with a particular energy, almost youth, to his voice. His voice itself seems to be smiling. "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a place only those bound by a "contract" may enter."

The way he speaks, it almost sounds rehearsed, as if he's done this before. Many, many times before. Odd, as what he's saying makes practically no sense. Between dream and reality? Summoned within your dreams? What does that even mean? And what's this about a contract? You're pretty sure you'd remember something like that. Maybe this guy is just a crazy old man. Maybe you really are just dreaming, and you'll wake up tomorrow and nothing about this will have mattered.

Or maybe, just maybe, you should take this guy very, very seriously.

"Now then... Why don't you introduce yourself?"


Welcome! This is the time for me to explain a few things about this game, and to prompt you for character creation. First of all, this game is based more or less loosely on the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series, which, at its core, is a JRPG with varying degrees of simulation elements, in which you take control of a party of characters and fight Shadows, using a special power called Persona; each Persona-user has a specific Persona (except in very, very rare instances--aka the Protagonist) of a certain Arcana (as in the tarot cards), who represents a mask or facet of their personality that comes out around other people. They almost always come from various mythological figures.

But right now, you don't know any of that. So far, you're an ordinary teen in high school, in Generic Town, USA, who is smack dab in the middle of this crazy dream where this wacky old guy is telling you about contracts and dreams and Velvet Rooms. He just asked you to introduce yourself. So you should!

Oh, and remember: you're each having this dream separately, so, can't interact with anybody else just yet, even though it'll be pretty much the same sequence for everyone until normal play happens.

Character sheet:

Name (First and last)
Grade (Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
Appearance (As much or as little detail as you feel necessary)
Some backstory (Not a novella, but give me at least one or two plot hooks!)
Your Arcana (More info in the spoiler below)
Location (East or West side of town)

Spoiler: MANDATORY READ: Arcana and Persona information (click to show/hide)

A brief history of Tarot: the original deck consisted of five suits: four minor arcana, numbered 1 through 14, similar to the traditional suits of a playing card deck, and the Major Arcana, 22 numbered cards with unique names that collectively make up the fifth suit, used as trump cards. Later in history, the deck, particularly the cards of the Major Arcana, was interpreted in divination, and there is a story that revolves around the journey of "The Fool" through life as he eventually reaches enlightenment. The Arcana serve an important role in the Persona games; each persona, and each character, belong to one of the Arcana, reflective of their personality. The following information will help you to select an Arcana for your character.

I don't feel it necessary to explain all of the Arcana, as the internet does a good enough job of that. However, there are a few caveats as relating to this game, so I'm going to do the following: I'm going to list all the Arcana, and strike out the ones that you, as a player character, may not take up as your personal Arcana.

The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Heirophant
The Lovers
The Chariot
Justice
The Hermit
The Wheel of Fortune
Strength
The Hanged Man
Death
Temperance
The Devil
The Tower
The Star
The Moon
The Sun
Judgement
The World ABSOLUTELY OFF-LIMITS, EVEN MORE THAN THE OTHERS

Listing this one more time outside the spoiler, for good measure: Please note that The World is NOT a valid choice for your character's Arcana, due to its importance. I would also highly prefer you not choose Judgement or The Fool, though I may be persuaded one way or the other if you know what you're doing--AND are willing to accept responsibility for your choices. You can think of it like a contract....

[kj1225]

Name Kyle Johnson
Grade  senior
Appearance A tall kid that wears glasses. He has brown hair and eyes. He wears a leather wrist band.
Some backstory Kyle just moved into town from Florida. He also is a wizz with a computer due to h.im prefering it to people
Your Arcana The hermit.
Location East side.

[evilcherry]

Name: J.T. Juarez
Grade: sophomore
Appearance: A good-looking young man of slight build, with a somewhat androgynous appearance emphasized by his long hair. Reasonably Athletic but far from a sportsman.
Backstory: A mix between a thug and a womanizer, somehow having the advantage of being the least likely to be seen as one. Good interpersonal skills, helped by his studies in psychology, but his demeanor could often break relationships.
Arcana: Moon
Location: West

[Humaan]

Name: Aaron Legler

Grade: Junior

Appearance: A kid of average height, though is a bit on the thin side, with very dark brown hair, and green eyes. He dresses commonly in extremely formal attire, but at the same time wears it in a way which is much more casual then intended.

Backstory: The young Aaron Legler was not exactly the most "lucky" of children, as he had to constantly move around the country due to the jobs of parents. As he usually only stayed in a place for a small amount of time, at most two or three years, and always got conflicting messages about the world. As a result, he only really cares about his own opinion on the world, and has become a self-proclaimed "New Philosopher" on modern issues. Even after arriving and settling down in the town, he seems rather distant to most people which are around the town. He is still perfectly moral by most peoples standards, but is not afraid to manipulate people to make ends meet on what he needs. Because of this, he tended to end up with the "wrong crowd", commonly tricking them to help achieve his goals. He has made a few enemies because of this...

Your Arcana: The Tower
Location: West

[RangerCado]

Reserving a spot for Iamanelfcolaborater since i know he'll want to join.

[Gamerboy4life]

Name: Guinevere Murray
Grade: Junior
Appearance: Guinevere stands at about 5'2, and her physique is rather diminutive. She has dark green eyes, and rather long and curly crimson hair. She has a rather thin scar that crosses from above her left lip to her chin.
Some backstory: Guinevere actually had a quiet life growing up; parents who loved and raised her, she did well with her academics, save for one thing. An elder brother who was involved with, and later died from drug trafficking due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her parents were completely oblivious to their son's actions prior to his death, but Guinevere was not, having found out mere months before, and not revealing the fact due to her brother's pleads. She blamed herself for his death, believing that if she had done something other than keeping quiet, her brother would still be alive.
Your Arcana: Temperance
Location: East side.

[Furtuka]

Name: Michael Thoron
Grade: Junior
Appearance: Black Hair, average height, wears hoodies and running shirts
Some backstory: Michael is a quiet boy who doesn't normally speak up that often. In his mind he is always passing judgement based on a strict moral code of his, but is not incline to act on it as he is now due to a lack of confidence and fear of driving others away. However is still shows through in his difficulties understanding and interacting with others.
Your Arcana: Emperor
Location: East

[laularukyrumo]

(Alright, looks like we actually got enough people to start. Not gonna lie, I got more interest than I was expecting--part of the reason I didn't actually write out a semi-detailed explanation of the arcana instead of going "google it you dumb shits" like I decided on (I got partway through Lovers before saying fuck it) was because I didn't want to go to all the effort and not actually get any signups. Speaking of the arcana, everyone looks locked in good for now, except for Aaron. His personality and backstory just screams Magician, specifically the reversed Magician. I'm not going to pull a DM Fiat and change him for you, but I'll give you this chance, and mention that if you stick with the Tower in particular, you run the risk of Very Bad Things (tm) happening. Good luuuuck~)

(Its also important to note that I won't be able to post for a couple days as we're in the middle of moving, and it'll be a couple days before we get internet back up.)


"Hm... I see." The strange old man seems to be contemplating as you tell him your name. "My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance." He gestures to the woman at his side. "This is Arlene. She's a resident here, like myself." Arlene speaks with a bright, clear voice, though not too high-pitched. "Pleased to meet you." Igor continues, "I have brought you here to give you a warning... Your world is in danger. In the coming days, you will enter into a contract of sorts, and it is then you shall be allowed to return here, of your own accord. You will also meet some who share the same destiny as you." As you contemplate the cryptic man's musings, he peers into the swirling mists of the crystal ball. "Ah... And it seems this destiny will be a dark and terrible one, if you do not work together to change it. But, do not fear. I shall provide assistance to you however I may, whenever you ask for it."

Before you can ask just what the heck is going on, everything starts to get fuzzy around you, fading away. You drift back into unconsciousness... until....

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Aw shit, it's the first day of school! At least it's a Wednesday, so you'll have just enough time to get settled into classes before the labor day weekend hits. There are two major high schools in town... Riverdale High in the east, and Stonebrook High in the west. First thing's first, though... the initiation assembly. In both schools, at the same time, the principals are giving equally boring speeches about equally boring subjects, and the collective populace is equally bored. Finally, the interesting part... finding out who you have homeroom with when the class lists go out. Perhaps the most important, if not simply the most interesting class, homeroom was where you hung out during that awkward half hour or so between when the buses drop you off and when the first period actually starts--which, conveniently enough, was homeroom itself. The class itself was more or less a glorified study hall, but it was also when they took care of all the stuff that just needed to get out of the way because it took away from other classes, such as daily announcements, morning assemblies, and that annoying habit that teenagers had where they just could not stop talking. While they wouldn't know it just yet, everyone who Igor had paid a visit to would end up in one of two classes: Miss Covington in Riverdale, and Mr. Banister in Stonebrook. The advantage to mixing in all four grades was that older students could help out the younger ones with homework for classes they'd already beaten. Definitely not the narrator being lazy, no sirree.

The students start mingling. Not much to do the first day, except that the hardass history teacher starts loading on the homework on the first day. That really bites. Oh, and the varsity football teams are having their annual game with each other on the 6th of September.

Today's date: Wed. August 28, 2013.


(Considering the PCs are almost obligated to start meeting up before shit starts getting real, and my impending lack of internet, y'all feel free to play out school life as long as you want, and I'll jump in with Real Shit when I'm available and the time is right.)

[kj1225]

Kyle pushes up his glasses in the way anime villains seem to love as he looks around.
"Another day another social experience that I am unable to avoid."

[IamanElfCollaborator]

Danke, Ranger. If possible, I'd like to join, although wait list is fine.

Name: Maddie Anderson
Grade: Sophomore
Appearance: Blonde hair in a ponytail, with hazel eyes. Average height and somewhat plump. Wears vests and blouses.
Some backstory: Maddie grew up the elder sibling, always responsible and protecting her siblings when possible. As a result, she was seen as a 'third parent' to her siblings in the household, and was often sought for advice. She is decent at school, doing relatively well, and is often around for good advice, if anyone is willing to approach her.
Arcana: Hierophant
Location: East

[evilcherry]

Yawn. JT feels obviously distracted by the dream and has difficulty concentrating on school. He did not skip prancing his eyes on a few Junior girls, though.

[scapheap]

(I'll toss in a character, done?)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Name: Zoey Mercer
Grade: Freshman
Appearance: A brown hair girl with blue eyes and a fair chest(in an anime, she would be called flat chested)
Some backstory: The new kid, Zoey is always the new kid because her father's job move them a lot. It seem like this time the job a little more solid. She hates goodbyes.
Your Arcana: Death
Location: (coin filp) West

[Humaan]

Spoiler: OOC:Why I Chose the Tower (click to show/hide)

In the Persona series, people which have the Tower social link have a tendency to act with a lagre degree of arrogence, which my character's personality I have attempted to design a great deal in that direction. A great catastrophe/disaster, while a major part of the Arcana, is not required to be a member of that Arcana. This can be observed in Persona 4 with Shu Nakajima, where the "disaster" he has to face is within the social link itself, not as a part of the backstory. The "Tower"'s meaning of impending disaster was also taken advantage of with my back story, with the mention of the unspecified "enemies" my character have obtained.

While in many aspects my character does meet the "Magician" arcana better, this may only be the case if reversed, where features as a manipulator unfold. However, he thinks he has the best interests of people in mind, which is unlike someone of the "Magician" if reversed. The role as a guide which the Magician serves as is also unlike my character, which expresses his world view strictly for his own reasons, as opposed to doing so in attempt to guide someone.

The dream which Aaron had awoken too was unlike any he had seen before. He would describe it as surreal, yet at the same time perfectly clear on what it was warning of. This, speaking from experience, had nothing "normal" about it.

His parents, being ever so bothersome for the last two weeks on preparing for school, had already conditioned him so he woke up much earlier for school than most people ever would. Not that it was that bad, but at the same time, it was always stupidly dark outside when he woke up. He quickly ate, got ready for school, and headed over there immediately.

The good thing on where he lived, it was relatively central compared to most areas in town, making most areas which he went to within walking distance. Nothing on the East side of town was readily available, but that really didn't matter when everything you do is basically on the West side anyway.

Good ole' Stonebrook... he had only really been there since a few years ago, and somehow he always liked the general air around it. He went and sit down on a nearby bench, waiting for others to come by. Well, other people which left for school early, at least.

[kj1225]

((Bump))