Dreamland

I've fallen asleep. I keep drifting deeper and deeper inside of my head. All these years, and yet I do not wake. Nor do I feel the slightest tug of reality. I just continue deeper into unconsciousness.
Lately, my dreams have been filled with the visions of friends long forgotten, and enemies forcefully forgotten. For some reason, I feel as if I just finished settling at the deepest reaches of a trance put upon me a lifetime ago. Finally, I feel that I can begin the long journey to recovering.
But although things now feel more like I believe life used to be, I no longer trust what I know to be my dream version of friends. They feel almost too real. And the sting of the enemy's weapons grows increasingly painful. Yet still, I do not wake.
So, all my friends with me, I dream.
Overview
Lost to time, the inhabitants of a southern island sleep. They have been that way for as long as anyone passing through can remember. No one knows why they sleep or why they won't wake. And the Makuta of the island has long gone missing. Also, no longer does anyone remember the real name of the island or the name of its long forgotten protector.
For centuries the island lay alone, due to its harshly tropical climate, its ferocious breed of Rahi, and its one inaccessible bay. Only those with the ability of flight, teleportation, or the clever use of their powers have visited, and found nothing changed from the stories they had heard. And the strange howls of the night beasts now haunt the daylight, discouraging all intruders and would be thieves.
Even the other Makuta left the island alone for a time, having more important things to worry about than some island stuck in slumber. Finally, after a large amount of continued myths of various hidden objects of worth that lead to threats to strip the island bare, they placed a teleportation scrambler system up around the island and left it at that. And so the island has stayed that way, secluded from the outside world, for longer than anyone cares to remember.
Of course, not all are satisfied with the apathy surrounding the island. There are those who ask questions and want to find answers, no matter the consequence, because they believe it to be the right thing to do. Despite individual persuasions, they all want the same thing: Answers.
Answers to questions like: Why do the Rahi of the island not devour or destroy the Matoran and the small villages they sleep in? What are the Rahi on that island, anyway? Why do the Matoran still sleep? Can they be woken up? Why has no one done anything yet? Where is their Makuta? Why did the Brotherhood really put up the teleportation scrambler and dismiss the island? And what caused all this in the first place?
So, this unnamed group gathered members from far and near and grew as more questions were asked and answers demanded. They came to be known as the Insomniac Group, perhaps referring to their tireless researching of the island, which they had titled: Dreamland. They attained the help of various Scientists and Researchers and Developers and anyone else that they thought could help them in their quest to get on and explore the island and find its answers despite previous botched attempts.
And, with the many new additional members, the mandatory background checks became increasingly rare, due to continued sloth, until it seemed that just about anyone could join the quest for any reason. And when the day finally came where everything was prepared for the treacherous terrain of the bay and island, they gathered their things, loaded up their boats, and headed for Dreamland.
The docking was indeed treacherous. The measly remains of what was once a wooden pier that shuddered in a newly formed storm was all there was to signal the only slightly less dangerous opening up onto the island in the cliffs that surround the bay. One ship had to stay out at sea to avoid being smashed against the cliffs due to the fierce storm while the others carefully docked and unloaded with the help of the few water elemental controllers. Something to be noted is that despite all those who controlled weather and the Toa of water and air, they could not even hinder the storm in its onslaught. This in itself was warning enough of what was to come.
The rest of the next three days was spent unloading and moving equipment, and searching for a suitable spot to set up the first camp. On the rise of the sun on the fourth cloudy day, all the boats, excluding the one still out at sea because of the stubbornly continuing storm, were on the bottom of the bay and all those guarding the boats were found slain. Actually, the only way to figure out that they were slain was the torn and shredded armor left behind.
That was when things began to unravel.
Almost as if Rahkshi were assaulting them, the Insomniac Group slowly began to fracture due to increased amounts of fear and anger among their respective members. It didn't help that the island Rahi, which the group simply began calling, "Rhaks", were nowhere to be seen, and yet still heard. The cries of the Rhaks pierced the night and invaded random times of the day, putting everyone on edge as they moved about the island and managed to set up three different camps where they found clear ground.
The day the first Rhak showed itself was the day when the Insomniac Group truly split and fled to different camps for their own various, irrational reasons.
It has been three weeks since the first and so far only Rhak has been seen as it rampaged through the three camps, strangely only wrecking equipment and attacking those that got in its way, and the three groups have since done what they could to set up their equipment from the camps into various bases as best they could. Perhaps because of the island and its pressures, or perhaps because of some unknown power, the three smaller groups are now fiercely protective of their bases from the other groups. Not only are they now irrationally hostile towards each other, but they all have different objectives they wish to achieve. And it doesn't help when one group has equipment the other group needs.
Strangely, the groups seem completely normal when conversing with each other, but will erupt in anger when another being from an opposing camp is spotted. Another factor might be that the trees and shrubbery seemed to part for the Rhak, when it seems to hinder everyone else. There are many things to be asked about the island, even while apart from the other groups.
But all live in fear of the Rhaks and what running into one would mean.
Three weeks passed, with the storm over the island keeping up its ferocity. All the groups spent their time patching up what they could and protecting what they couldn't from the other groups. With the pounding rain leaking through the intensely thick canopy, not much progress was made in exploring or getting off the island.
And then the almost unnatural storm cleared momentarily, and the fifth ship docked and unloaded, only to find barely controlled chaos.
The storm then came back in with all its ferocity.
Summary
All Matoran on a southern island, nick-named Dreamland, have been asleep for as long as anyone can remember. Their Makuta is missing, and this is in the time when the Makuta still did their jobs. The Brotherhood reviewed the island and, due to multiple myths that led to attempts to "mine" the island of all its assets, set up a teleportation scrambler around it. Seeing that it was illogical to try to get onto the island by any other means, the Brotherhood then left it at that and cast the island from their memory.
This led to beings on surrounding islands to question what was really going on. After many years and a few failed research attempts, a group amassed members, set on going to and researching what had happened on the island. Coming to be named the Insomniac Group, they gathered all the experts that they could to build them what they would need to get onto and survive on the island. After a few years of preparation, they finally felt they were ready, and the group cast off with five ships to the island.
In the treacherous, cliff walled bay of Dreamland, one boat was forced to stay at sea because of a storm that appeared, while the four others successfully unloaded after much work. The storm, despite the efforts of those on the boats, was not able to be lessened and definately not stopped. The fourth day on the island, the Insomniac Group found the boats already unloaded were destroyed, sunk to the bottom of the bay, and all that was left of those set up to guard the boats were a few badly shredded pieces of armor. Meanwhile, the almost unnatural storm continued to stop the fifth boat from docking.
Now stuck on the island, at least momentarily, the group painstakingly set up three different camps, each with a different purpose. Then, the first native Rahi of the island, which they quickly named a "Rhak" due to its reptilian appearance and slight resemblance to a Rahkshi, showed up and went on a rampage, destroying equipment and all who got in its way.
After this, the camps were turned as best the groups could into bases, and the three different groups became suddenly hostile towards one another, while still trying to accomplish their self defined individual tasks. A rather irrational behavior in that they are only hostile toward members of the other bases. Something seems to be affecting them.
And then there's the Rhaks. Even though the groups have only seen one, the almost constant cries remind them that they all have a hidden, common enemy that has still chosen not to attack in full force.
Finally, after three weeks spent mostly repairing equipment, a short break in the storm appeared, and the fifth ship managed to dock and unload its contents, also placing you on Dreamland. The storm above once again rages on, drenching everything.
Gameplay
You're ship has finally docked. You are on Dreamland. The Insomniac Group that you belong to has strangely divided into three separate sections, each with its own motives (Described later). You may be strong individuals compared to the NPCs, but you too are pulled on by uncontrollable feelings of anger and fear that seem to radiate through the air. While you probably will break beyond this simple emotional barrier holding the NPCs in place, remember that once or if you choose a certain group, you are no longer welcomed by any other group if your loyalties become public knowledge.
Your options are simple:
You can try to leave the accursed island;
You can try to discover the secrets of the island and then make an action based upon that new knowledge;
Or you can die.
The second option is the preferred one. After all, why else play the RPG? But remember, you must have fun. Or else.
Dreamland


A mid-sized island with dense tropical foliage and cliffs surrounding the whole island, this is where you'll be playing the game. The terrain is treacherous and everything slopes upwards towards the apparently dormant volcano. The canopy is almost impenetrable from above or below except in certain places. And the storm above now seems not to be able to be stopped.
While you do have a map of the island, nothing has been named, or explored yet. New information on the island will come as the players or NPCs explore. Meanwhile, the known locations:
Only Bay Passage-
This is the only passageway to the Bay. It has been widened by the Insomniac Group, but is still steep and somewhat treacherous, definitely so in the rain. Water runs down the middle of it as the rain continues to poor. Footing is hard to find, even more so after all of your equipment was taken up it. What is left of a dock appears to be the hastily built remains of others that might have come before you.
The cliffs are the most gentle here. Trees from the top of these cliffs branch out far over the bay and lower down many vines that are thicker than most rope. The area around the path seems to be almost cut out on purpose due to how it cuts into the cliffs and provides a way up onto the island, but so much dirt and roots now cover it that no one is able to see if it was actually cut out of the rock of the cliffs.
Camp Site A-
The first camp to be up and the first camp to become more of a base, this camp is situated in a widened clearing with an open sky. One of the few spots like it on the island. It has ten trailers all with different purposes: One kitchen, two power generators, one equipment repair shop, one armor and weapons shop, one empty trailer for gathering samples, and four large housing trailers.
The ground in this area is all ferns and small shrubs. Even after being cut away for the camp, they seem to be re-growing at a frightening rate. The opening above is perfectly circular and seems to attract the darkest storm clouds that are always threatening with lightning.
Camp Site B-
After crossing four rivers in the delta, B was set up in a small clearing on already trampled ferns. The trees are thick and the sky cannot be seen, making the area full of deep shadows from what light makes it through the canopy. It has ten buildings all with different purposes. Instead of an armor and weapons shop, they have a trailer full of scientific data gatherers and other devices.
The area appears to have some trees that appear to be oldest so far found on the island. They are heavily knotted and their large gnarled branches intertwine with the younger trees around them. Large roots stick out of the ground everywhere. In some places these roots are high enough to walk under.
Camp Site C-
With a trek straight to the mountain not possible due to terrain and the large equipment trailers that barely made it along the path from camp B, C was set up next to the River, almost on the muddy banks. The canopy is wound shut, and almost no light gets through. It has fourteen buildings all with different purposes. The four extra trailers are secure cages for any indigenous species of Rahi.
The trees here appear to be the healthiest so far with tall trunks and branches only high up. Many vines can be seen climbing up the trees, only to spread out onto the branches and hang back down to the earth. The camp is set among the trees, due to there being no clearing whatsoever, and along with the constant state of night provided by the canopy, visibility is low, even with lanterns set up that cast dark shadows everywhere. Water trickles down from above, but the rain is mostly blocked, unlike the other camps.
Pathways-
The larger pathways have been painstaking hewn from the surrounding foliage on top of what were once smaller pathways. And considering how the trees seemed to resist the blades of the vehicles/labs, new large paths are not soon to be made, especially in the continued rain and with dulled and damaged equipment. Meanwhile, the smaller pathways are badly overgrown with numerous roots and vines. And considering the thick canopy, it is hard to move around effectively.
*Please note that on the map, buildings are over emphasized. And the terrain is thick and the island large, making movement slower and dangerous on foot and in flight when not on the paths.
Of Factions and Motives
The Insomniac Group members on Dreamland have officially split. While there are no official names as of yet, they can be listed by what they hope to accomplish.
Researchers-
The Researchers wish to continue with their original purpose for coming to the island and find the secrets of the Matoran located sleeping in their villages. The researches set up at Camp B because they knew a Matoran Village was close because of old texts they had found in their research beforehand. Unfortunately, due to their damaged equipment and the pouring rain, they haven't been able to explore much of anything. They can also account for there being a village somewhere around Camp C, but they do not know if there are any other villages.
Hunters-
The members of the Hunters have taken a fascination with the Rhaks of the island and wish to discover their secrets, or even another of the species, considering only one has been seen. Unfortunately, in the rain and dense foliage, they can't find any tracks or anything else to find the Rahi. They have shrugged off the others to secure their objective and have set up camp as nearest as they could get to the only source of freshwater on the island with Camp C.
Forfeiters-
The Forfeiters just wish to take what they can from the island and leave it in one piece. Unfortunately, without any boats, they can't leave. They have been busy fixing their equipment and don't have any knowledge to effectively make a boat out of the gnarly trees around them. And even when they find out about the one boat intact, it will not be large enough to hold all of their beloved equipment and the "samples" they wish to acquire from the island.
Of course, their main objective remains the same: Gather everything of worth or power from the island and then return back to the rest of the universe to sell it. (Repeat for infinite wealth. U mad?) These are the beings who should have been rejected due to background checks, but obviously, they weren't.
Missions-
These will be added to the Discussion topic once they as they are discovered.
Rules
BZP Rules apply, all of them.
No god-modding (e.g. controlling someone else's character, having your character do something impossible). And if someone god-modes against you, don't do it back, tell the Staff.
This is a Text-Based RPG, so to join in you post what is basically a miniature story for what is currently happening to your character.
Please, try to use good grammar. It helps everyone out.
Use IC for In-Character and OOC for Out-Of-Character.
For example:
IC: The Toa glanced at his friend as he scanned the perimeter, looking for enemies.
OOC: Hey Lewa34Dude, want to join us?
Don't extensively control other people's characters without their permission (Bunnying).
Don't injure another character without permission.
Comedy is accepted, but keep it realistic and to a minimum. No random pie flinging contests.
Don't glory hog or continuously degrade someone else's character.
All characters are incapable of performing Nova Blasts.
All major discoveries or story twists must go through me first.
The Jungle is VERY thick and movement is hard. Please keep this in mind. Traveling will NOT be easy and will take several posts to go down the paths even. And as of this moment, you will find that you can’t break out above the canopy for some reason, please keep this in mind as well. I know this is restrictive, but hopefully players will open up the island quickly as they begin to explore. I just really don’t want players to be zipping around the island like I normally see in RPGs. Although if you do move too fast, prepared to be stricken out at by the Rahi of the island. This is mostly due to things that need to be found out before other things. Let me know if you can't stand this, because I will try to re-work it if it absolutely must change.
And most important of all, HAVE FUN! And pick fights with random people, everyone loves a good fight.
Game Master
I am the Game Master of this RPG. And as such, I control the story and NPCs. I make sure fights stay fair. I approve profiles. I assign Co-GMs and the like. And I deal out punishment and hand out rewards.
Punishments will be given after the rules are broken, like any good GM would do.
-First, I will tell you in a PM or in the discussion topic what you did wrong and ask you to stop.
-Secondly, if you continue to/or break a different rule, I will injure your character.
-Third strike, and you have one of your characters killed.
-Final Punishment is being banned from the RPG for as long as needed to fix behavior issues of any kind. A week at the least.
Now for the good part: Rewards.
Rewards will be handed out to players that are especially helpful in one way or another. These rewards include but are not limited to: More characters; a new power; a new mask; an upgraded weapon; misc.; etc.
Hopefully there will be no punishments, but plenty of rewards.
Co-GMs-
Toa of Dancing
He can approve profiles and deal out punishments or rewards. Warnings can also be issued (of course before any punishing happens), and I might have him control some NPCs, depending on how things go.
Everything Else
To comment on or discuss the happenings of the RPG, go to the Discussion Topic. There you will see Faction Missions that Must Be Accomplished Above All Else and a collection of Past Events of Immense Importance. That is also where you can post your profiles for approval.
Once profiles are approved, they can then be posted in the Profile Topic. You post once there and then edit in your other characters. You are allowed a max of three characters per player.
OPENING GM IC:
The canopy wept as the ever pouring rain spilled down through the intertwined branches of the overhead trees. Anger, resentment, and fear hung in the air like the vines that littered the trees. Water pooled at the top of the only bay passage and spilled over the lip of a protruding root. The rain water began to cascade down the path, making it almost impossible to navigate.
If one listened over the pounding of the rain on the leaves above, one could hear a sharp crack once in a while as the last surviving ship was smashed up against the cliffs as the water began to churn. The wind from the storm couldn’t be felt in the foliage, but out in the open bay, it assailed the cliffs as well.
A few trailers sat in growing puddles and many large crates sat stacked around a Toa and two Skakdi of Gravity. Since there was no smooth ground, everything sat at an odd angle, coated in a sheen of water. The two Skakdi were arguing over something, and the Toa was trying to intervene.
A shadowy figure leaned against the crates lying around the trio. He watched them with interest, taking note of several other beings around him that seemed to be on edge. He scratched behind his Kakama and rolled his neck. A cup made of shadow appeared before him and he let it fill with the falling water.
Taking a drink and finishing the cup, the Toa of Shadow let the cup dissipate. He climbed atop three crates and balanced on top as they began to sway. Looking towards the beings who seemed to be in most control of themselves, he yelled, “Fellow Insomniac Members!”
The Toa paused as a loud roar suddenly spilt open the jungle and made everything seem to pale in comparison to the sound. The Shadow controller was surprised as a shiver ran down his spine. He had never heard anything like that before.
Everyone was silent for a few moments afterwards. The Toa, in a softer voice, began to speak again, “As you can hear, we can’t stay sitting here. My name is Shadouk. And I propose that we find the rest of our expedition. A scouting party should locate it so we can move our gear. Obviously half of us need to stay here to protect the gear in the meantime.
“And in case you can’t hear it, our boat sounds like it’s being smashed to smithereens. Some of us need to find a way to secure it.”
A Matoran called out, “Who put you in charge?”
The Toa rolled his eyes. “I’m just pointing out the obviously things that need to be done instead of all of us just sitting here and quarreling.” With this, Shadouk climbed down from his perch and landed smack dab in the middle of a muddy puddle. He wiped off the water pooling in the grooves of his mask and said, “I volunteer to scout out for the rest of our group. And that shoddy path over there looks the most promising. Anyone who wants to join me can.”
Edited by Kal the Guardian, Feb 20 2012 - 03:10 PM.


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