Return of Project MysTek

A few people may know this, those who used to go to my (now dead) forums, I ran a game dubbed 'MysTek'. The game ended in failure because of my own issues, but now I'm bringing it back. Hopefully, I can run it in RL this time. Anyways, if someone wishes to make use of the campaign setting for their own game, you are welcome to. Just give me credit for it.

Project MysTek Campaign setting

Summery of setting:

About 2000 years ago was the end of the Golden Age of Technology. Back then, there was a form of tech that was powered by mana. However, a terrible cataclysm stripped the world of the laylines, the source of mana. And melted the north polar cap, which flooded much of the world. Nobody knows how or why such an event occurred, but it changed everything.

Shortly after the great Cataclysm, war broke out for what remaining mana was left in the world. This was known as the Mana Wars. Eventually, the world entered a Dark Age. This lasted well over a thousand years.

Humanity began to rebuild the old world, using the remaining science of Alchemy to create the world that is today. The leylines had returned to the world. And then 75 years ago, everything changed again - the ancient technology resurfaced.

Mystic Technology, or MysTek, it was called. The ruins of the Golden Age were discovered and with that, their technology. Soon the world scrabbled to get what they could, but it wasn't long before they realized that most of the ruins were sealed.

The Gatekeepers appeared before mankind at this point, revealing that they had sealed the ruins during the Mana Wars to prevent their misuse. And that they were willing to open up the old ruins so that mankind could regain their former glory. The Gatekeepers formed a guild that would regulate the distribution of MysTek, and gathering it. Teams of Raiders gathered to enter the ruins, and retrieve the technology to restore the world.

You are a member of one of these Raider teams. You venture into the ruins in search of MysTek. Be it for fame and glory, riches, knowledge, or to even escape your past - no matter what your ultimate goal is, you must survive the ruins.

More stuff coming soon.

*Sigh* Times are Tough...

I should post more often...

Since I know no one will read this, I can rant to my heart's content. I've been bothered with a lot of things lately, most of which is family.

Now, my non-existant readers, before you start assuming this is some angsty teenage (which I happen to fulfill neither of) rant, allow me to explain. In June, I'm getting married. This should be a happy occasion, and I am indeed looking forward to it. My parents are not.

Well, really, I think there has been a lot of miss-communication between me and my parents. I tend to do a piss-poor job of explaining myself. I get put on the spot and I panic. I love my social anxieties...

My parents think that I'm being forced to marry by my girlfriend and her family. This is not true at all. I was given a choice, and had the choice all along. Now, I may be at the point that backing out will make me an ass, which is why I don't plan on backing out. But this is without a doubt, my own choice. At the time when things went into motion, I just went with it. But as time passed, I began to get excited about the whole thing. I went through my period of cold feet, and despite that, I realized that I love my soon-to-be wife very much.

Very few people really understand me. Even less can put up with my whole cocktail of social ineptitude and neurotic psychological problems. I used to believe I was just ADD and bad with people. College really helped bring to light that I'm a lot more fucked up as a person that I originally believed. But this information is good. I learned that I'm not the only person with issues. And that I'm slowly (very slowly) trying to resolve my crap ton of psyche problems. I realized that there's only one person out there who really tries to get me and help me through my problems.

Back when I flunked out of college, I suffered from depression. It was fairly crippling at that. It wasn't the sort that could be solved quickly, or easily. I went through a lot of self-exploration. I scoured my own psyche for the reasons for my problems, believing that finding the source may provide some insight in fixing the issue. There were times that I just cried like a baby. When I realized that I had very little going for me; when I realized that I had very few friends anymore; when I realized that I just sucked at a lot of things that I thought I was good at; When I realized that life was far harsher that I believed it to be... I even considered suicide on a few occasions (and I should note that I take suicide to be a very serious topic). I had thought of hanging myself from the break room balcony at work with bungee cords. I had considered throwing myself off a roof, head first. And I cried every time.

The worst part about all of that depression is that no one noticed. Well, almost no one. My family sure as hell didn't really pick up on it. My friends were too busy with their own crap to figure it out. But my girlfriend did. And she was my saving grace during those days. Even when I was scared out of my mind from the depression, she was there for me. When I considered drinking myself to oblivion and slicing my wrists into pieces, she was there, when no one else was.

I'm a lot to put up with. I get anxious and worked up really easy. Especially dealing with people. I can be wishy-washy at times. I space out or focus on things that don't really matter. I have a horde of geeky hobbies, and not much else. I can be really stubborn about really stupid shit. I'm a picky eater. I have little drive to do anything. I'm missing some common sense. I'm awkward to be around most of the time. I have troubles understanding my own emotions. I have issues.

It's amazing that anyone is willing to put up with all of that. Gods know I wouldn't want to. But my girlfriend does. She loves being with me, every second of the day. She never forces her own decisions onto me, but allows me to choose my own fate and future. I love her.

For once in my life, I feel drive. For once, I actually want to do something other than play video games. For once, I'm willing to stand up for myself and tell everyone to put up with MY shit, and not the other way around. For once, I'm moving towards a future. For once, I may actually be truly happy for the first time in years.

My parents, from what I can tell, do not want me to get married because I'm not done with college yet. To me, it doesn't matter. I will finish college, regardless. It may take a little while longer, but so be it. I don't mind.

I'm being put into a situation that I may be pissed at my family regardless of my choice. I back out of the wedding now, I'll be pissed at them for forcing me to do so, and I own my girlfriend's parents the money they put down on the wedding. If I go through with plans, I may be cut off from my family and I'll be pissed at them for it.

I gave them a chance to cancel this wedding before things got too serious. They didn't understand that, though, and avoided meeting with my g/f's family to discuss things. And now they want to stop it when the money's been put down. I'm not backing down at this point. Too late now, in my book.

Well, if my dad fights me on this tonight, I may have to cut them off. I don't want to, but it feels like I may have to. By the gods I hope that an understanding can be reached...

-Locke

Isaac's Intro

[Warning - I typed this up for a free form RP, since I'm returning to my Gaia-fag days. Ah how I missed free form RPing... And yes, Isaac is indeed self-narrating.]

In case of the end of the world via demons, vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night, there are many means of survival. Most of which include running the hell away from it all and letting the professionals, like the Belmonts, deal with the problem. All in all, this is a good idea.

What I do is not a good idea.

Anyone actually trying to survive the Eternal Night knows that going on the offensive will only get you killed. What I am doing is considered suicide. But this is the way it's got to be for me. Don't ask, please.

So, if you actually plan on going on the offensive, there's some guide lines to remember, especially if you're just a normal guy like me...

Isaac found himself running in the rain, outside of the massive wall that protected Fort Vlahia. The plague that the rain brought didn't bother the man, as the wonders of alchemy and minor magicks kept him mostly healthy. He wasn't sure what he was running from, but he knew he needed to put some space between it and him. At least enough that he can figure out what he was about to fire shotgun shells into. Nothing sucked more than wasting ammo on something that can't die by shotgun shells.

Cardio: when the shit storm hit, it was the fat and lazy guys who went down first. Admittedly, it's not easy to run from a werewolf that's barreling down an alley with you in its sights, but it can be done if you play your cards right. That's why being able to run fast is not enough, but jumping, climbing, and generally awesome acrobatics can save your ass.

The survivor saw a dumpster next to a fire escape. Chance! He leaped onto the dumpster and took a dive for the fire escape ladder, grabbing the side bar and spinning around to the other side of the ladder. Whatever that was chasing Isaac face planted hard into the metal ladder bars and bounced off. Isaac climbed up, noting that he was being chased by a werewolf.

Double Tap: always make sure what you've just killed is dead. No matter how much I may preach about conserving ammo, it never hurts to put another shell in its skull. Especially if its a vampire. Or just about anything, really. And even then, be prepared to keep moving.

The wolf-man scrambled to its feet and jumped onto the fire escape, grabbing the railings and climbing up. Isaac, who was barely up a flight of stairs, drew his sawed-off shotgun and spun around. He didn't have time to aim, so he just pulled the lever out and back and fired from his hip. The blast hit the werewolf in the shoulder and its eyes flared up in pain, teeth gritting. It was the opening the survivor needed – he pulled the lever out again and as it was snapping back into place, Isaac took a quick aim for the head. He pulled the trigger and blasted the wolf-man off the fire escape with a head shot. It crashed into the dumpster below. The soul energy that Isaac's gauntlet drew out of the monster confirmed the kill, but he wasn't paying attention that - he just booked it up the fire escape.

Alchemy: what, were you expecting something else? Right, alchemy. Never ever forget the wonders of alchemy. Specially bullets? Check. Explosives? Check. Healing salve? Double check. Although they don't do the same damage as magic does, the effects can make the difference between a few scratches or a vampire turning you into his next drink.

Isaac holstered the sawed-off, noting that he had to reload it later. He pulled his hunting rifle from his back and clicked off the safety. One werewolf meant more were likely to come. He checked the ammo – silver bullets. Once he got to the top of the fire escape, he broke a window and hoped inside the building. He grabbed a few vials off his belt as he kicked open a door and ran down a hallway. It didn't take long for him to find the door out of the apartment he had just broken into. He heard movement following behind him. Isaac turned around a corner, put some more distance and spun around.

Not even a minute later, another werewolf spun around the corner of the hallway, only to meet a silver bullet in its head. Its head flew back as the feet flew forward and landed on its back, dead. It's soul energy leaped from its chest and sped to Isaac's gauntlet. A second one leaped over the corpse and bounced off the wall towards the survivor. Isaac tossed one of the vials at it. The wolf-man slapped it away and then realized the folly of its instinctive move. The vial exploded in a silver mist and burned the werewolf's arm and face on one side. It howled in pain, and then was shot in the face. It was dead before it hit the ground, it's soul energy already within the gauntlet.

Melee: never go into it willingly, but remember to have options. A good alchemical blade will go a long way. Something small so you can use it if your pinned down. You do not want to be trying to swing that oversized sword around when something is on top of you and wants to go 'om nom nom' on your face.

Isaac didn't get the chance to see it coming, as the wall next to him burst and a greater werewolf came charging at him. He only had time to put his arms in front of him before the monster could slash at him with its claws, and barely at that. The survivor was thrown off his feet and onto his back. The wolf pounced on him, snarling loudly. Isaac reached at his left hip and drew his blade. He could tell that the monster was smiling at him, the type of smile that meant that it was going to eat him in a moment. But the human had no intention of dying there, so he plunged the blade into the creature's side. It howled in pain as Isaac wiggled out of the monsters grip. He grabbed the two vials he had dropped to get his blade and jammed them into the werewolf's mouth. “Eat this!” Isaac kneed the monster's jaw shut. It didn't get a chance to scream in pain as it fell and died. More soul energy was drawn to his gauntlet. The survivor pulled his blade out from the corpse and stabbed in the neck for good measure. He pulled the blade out one last time, cleaned it real quick and sheathed it.

He ruffled through his pockets really quick and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. A quick glance once again reminded him of his bad luck with anything beyond his survival – he was out of smokes. Again. He sighed. “Second time this week.” He opened one of the apartment doors and scoured the living room, finding a pack within a few minutes with a few death sticks. “Bleh, Camel. Oh well, can't be that picky.” Isaac lit up and sat next to a window, watching the rain. He kept his rifle close at hand. Once he finished his smoke break, the man began to head for the ground floor and hoped he could make it to the city gate within the next hour or two.

Sigh...

Ever wondered why your life sucks sometimes. I am right now. This is going to take a bit of explaining, but maybe I'll feel better afterwards. Maybe.

Remember how I moved out of my parent's a little while back? Well my roommate was a piss-poor choice. You see, he's an asshole, a liar, and a petty emo bitch. He's called my girlfriend a bitch to my face, he's changed the password for the wireless internet that I pay for half, his cat keeps puking all over the carpet and I think it's now shitting on the carpet too, and I can't even relax in my own home now. My girlfriend is literally sick from stress.

There's something very wrong with this picture.

I try my damnnest to be kind and considerate of others. It used to come naturally to me, but now I have to try very very hard to be nice. It's starting to drain the very life out of me. I used to think working retail did that, but it turns out having the bitch for a roommate is far more effective.

Shoot me now, life. I'm sick of this crap. I would love to move out, but I cant get ahold of the damn landlord to get my name off the lease. I need some help...

-Locke

Summer Blues

Okay, once again I neglect my blog. What else is new? I suppose it's time to update again while I'm bored and the TV is being used to watch Deadliest Catch.

Spring Semester went well. My 3D modeling class was fun and interesting, a nice change from what most of my classes are. Photoshop class was a complete blow off.

I moved out of my parents home to a small town home. My girlfriend moved in a month later. My roommate works with me and is a bit weird. I'm likely to hear him bitch all evening long during my closing shift tonight.

Sadly, I've been bored out of my mind the past few months. While I have Starcraft 2 to play, I've been sucking so bad lately that it's started to get boring. Still going to pick the actual game up when it releases, but it's starting to lose its glory. Haven't been doing any real D&D'ing lately, which is a bummer.

Enough for today. See ya in a few months, maybe.

-Locke