Character Choices

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CHARACTER CHOICES Player characters, known in Newase as Mirages, do not inhabit their original body. Even those who take on forms practically identical to their native ones will notice this, by virtue of lacking small scars or slightly different physical characteristics -- but some may be vastly different indeed. As part of applying to Mirage, you must choose how your character interacts with the field of energy that is the counterpart to the ogre of mass and matter: the animus field. Any character can be any type of Mirage, even if it seems a bit silly -- such as a robot being anything other than an Upload. (But in fact, the terminology is correct -- the robot certainly hasn't been 'uploaded' to a new body!) Untouched The Untouched have not been given any particular power in coming to Newase, instead relying on skill and technique in battle to overcome the odds against them. The term is often considered a misnomer, since Mirages who had powers in their original canon and now no longer do don't often consider themselves untouched by Newase, but in truth the distinction is that they do not manipulate the animus field inherently. Normal residents of Newase are for the most part considered 'Untouched' for purpose of classification, though few actually train to achieve the potential that Mirages have awakened by nature. Weapons and Techs Untouched generally specialize in one or two weapon classes, with Techs that focus on extraordinary use of these weapons. But Untouched are incredibly versatile, and their Techs are similarly so. They are not weaker than any other Mirage, merely express their strength without ridiculous amount of flames or chest lasers or what have you. Sample Techs might include: Backstab, Spinning Blow, High Jump Smash, Sprint, Stealth, Perfect Boomerang Toss, Groundshatter Punch, Sword Throw, Feign Death. Unleash Untouched Unleashes are unparalleled in versatility and scope. Whereas other Mirages are constrained by the limits of how they use the animus field, Untouched may develop any Unleash within reason. This can range from temporary invincibility, to incredible speed, to invisibility, or any other remarkable power. The scope of potential effects is too large to readily describe. In addition, Untouched do not need to satisfy any particular requirement except the passage of time to charge; whereas other Mirages can't call on theirs at will, an Untouched can readily deliver an RKO outta nowhere. Upload "Upload" is a catch-all term used to describe any intelligence inhabiting an artificial body. The term originates from the change these Mirages undergo when coming to Newase: their intelligences was, at some point, uploaded into a mechanical or artificial body. As the vast majority of Uploads are Mirages, this term stuck. However, native Uploads do exist. Most of these consider themselves 'robots' or 'replicants' by creation, but none actually remember their origins, only their time attempting to integrate into the human lands. Reactions from other people varies wildly, ranging from fair and equal treatment to terror or hostility, but most residents of Metta have been exposed to Uploads long enough to treat these Uploads as friendly curiosities. Uploads do not often have a difficult time making a life for themselves among others. Upload bodies are comparable to humans in capabilities, and many even possess biological components, advanced synthetics, or small nanomachine factories which allow the user to enjoy food and drink or other biological pleasures. Some Upload bodies are so humanlike that the consciousness within them might not even realize it inhabits an artificial body until it endures major physical injury or otherwise exceeds human capabilities. Weapons and Techs Uploads traditionally pair a ranged weapon with a melee weapon. This gives them greater immediate versatility in combat than other Mirages, with the tradeoff that this specialized combat style offers little room to replace either familiar weapon with a different one. Techs focus on use of both of these weapons to great effect, for example wrapping a monster up with a whip to render them unable to dodge a followup gunshot. Uploads also frequently possess Techs that reflect their artificial bodies: arm cannons, laser eyes, shielding, sound dampeners, wheel deployments, and refreshment dispensing are all common among Uploads. Unleash All Uploads have the same Unleash: Overclock. In periods of stress, usually combat but also in dangerous physical situations such as freeclimbing or prison escapes, an Upload's body accumulates animus energy. When enough accumulates, the Upload may activate Overclock. When activated, Overdrive dramatically accelerates the recharge of Tech and amplifies their power for a short time, though a skilled (or desperate) Upload can often extend it when the tension surrounding them still outweighs the sudden amplification Overdrive brings. Evoker Evokers have the natural ability to wield the animus field according to their will, manifesting its spiritual potential into actual energy. Lightning, fire, light, telekinesis, and more: the Evoker can do potentially do all these things, though most find themselves constrained by practicality and personality to a more specialized repertoire. Since the animus field is spiritual, it responds to the wielder's essence -- thus, hot-headed braggarts find it far easier to light fires than freeze water, while erudite technicians might find telekinesis more accessible than exploding things. Evokers tend to develop physical characteristics of the energy that suits them best. Flaming hair, cool body temperature, a tendency to glow in the dark... nothing that is more than a minor nuisance, as no Evoker has ever gone genie-style cloud instead of legs or started breathing fire and ice. The animus field infuses them as they wield it, but does not change their deepest nature. Weapons and Techs Evoker Techs all revolve around creating, destroying, or manipulating energy in some form. One might liken them to a mage, with fireballs and lightning bolts at their command, but energy manipulation can be much more versatile than that. An evoker cannot create a rock, but can certainly lift and hurl one. Dampening sound allows for stealth, and light can form brief illusions. As noted above, Evokers trend towards the energy types they most favor by nature, but are not limited in their capabilities. The downside to this is that Evokers are terrible at weaponry. They can train to become skilled and capable, but are simply not able to develop weapon-based Techs. For that reason, Evokers usually choose to fight at range and often develop some kind of shield or protection Tech. Unleash Evokers all have the same basic style of Unleash, which is called 'Element Unleash' as a general term, and any number of nifty descriptive names by the Evokers using it. To use it, an Evoker must consistently and repeatedly use Techs that focus on a single element. This primes the animus field for the Unleash, which when used summons the element in question in its fundamental essence. In other words, the Unleash can make the element do things that are totally in keeping with what it SEEMS like it can do. Unleashing darkness can create a micro black hole for moments, while light or fire can briefly sustain a fusion reaction. Ice can stop motion entirely, or encase a foe in one of those comically large blocks which they can later be unfrozen from without any actual harm. Lightning can cause machines to operate at 1000% power or start behaving in weird ways. Do not combine Element Unleashes. (If you combine Element Unleashes, please alert the mod team.) Releaser A Releaser has a simple but powerful gift: they draw animus energy into themselves, then emit it through their body. Unlike an Evoker, they cannot manipulate the animus at range -- instead, they conjure weapons of energy such as swords of light or anima cannons, any of which can carry additional enhancements based on the Techs the Releaser possesses. They might be considered magic knights. Releasers tend to undergo physical changes that reflect their chosen style. A Releaser using a Sword of Light might find their eyes turning into brilliant glows, while a Releaser who creates a massive anima cannon bristling with hoses and adjustment dials might develop a slot in their arm that their cannon can snap into for extra bracing. Changes can be minor or dramatic, but at no point actually harm the Releaser or compromise their capabilities. Weapons and Techs Releasers are their own weapons, essentially. A staff of lightning, a sword of fire, guns that shoot sharpened icicles, a giant reaper scythe of pure darkness... the Releaser conjures their weapon naturally, and then uses Techs that amplify and expand its capabilities. Note that this needn't be purely for battle; a Tech can make a massive sword blade composed of pure heat suitable for use as a crowbar, if that's your jam. Blood-Seeking Blade, Savage Harm, Autonomous Weapon, and Defensive Stance are just some examples of how Releaser Techs can augment their weapon. Unleash Releasers have a choice of three Unleashes: Incarnation, Infusion, or Inward Momentum. Each utilizes animus energy in a different way. Incarnation creates a duplicate of the Releaser, made of elemental energy and wielding a matching weapon. The incarnation fights skillfully and independently for a short period of time, and responds to the Releaser's mind without conscious thought being necessary. A great team-up trick or a perfect way to make your escape. Infusion pours the gathered animus energy into the environment, briefly empowering the spirits of the objects and beings around to manipulate their physical forms. Infusion in a forest could result in a lot of widowmakers dropping on your enemy, while infusing a mountain might threaten them with an avalanche. Swarms of insects, helpful birds, or even monsters weaker than you will serve you for a short period of time. Inward Momentum gathers the stored animus energy in the Releaser's own body. Much like Overclock, the Releaser gains strength and speed, and amplifies the power and recharge of their Techs. To use any form of Releaser Unleash, the Releaser must take a serious risk and not use Techs while in a stressful situation. Premise | Rules | FAQ Character Choices | Setting | Mechs | Upgrades Reserves | Applications | Taken | Hiatus | Drops | Mod Contact