Picture provided by Crocty. Thanks man. ^^
Something to listen too while reading.
Those darn townstonians have done it again. The endless infighting has blown up the whole town and now they're all dead. At least the villagers will find peace in the afterlife.
Or will they?
Strained relations between Heaven and Hell has placed the two planes into a state of readiness for war is brewing on the horizon. Sure, there's always been some hostilities between these two worlds but this time it seems different. This time it could threaten to destroy one or the other… or possibly both. Normally the souls in Purgatory are put through a lengthy examination before their deserving afterlife is decided. However, due to the seriousness of the current situation, the two afterlives have sent agents to gather canon fo.. ehem.. valiant soldiers for the upcoming war.
All the way from cloud nine, weighing 190 pounds of celestial purity, I bring you the archangel.
From the deepest crevasses of the darkest misery comes the destroyer of hope. The instigator of misery. The one! The only! The Pit Lord!
These two agents will stop at nothing to claim these wandering souls.
But things are not so simple. One of those souls has a different idea. To him there's no such thing as a Heaven or Hell. To make such a claim is ludicrous for this man is an Atheist. He intends to stay right here in purgatory and make a afterlife that everyone can be happy with, whether they're evil and good. If his plans are allowed to come to fruition, both Heaven and Hell will be starved of souls, dooming them forever.
It's every soul for himself as the planes themselves come crashing at each other. Only one domain will survive. Will it be heaven? Will it be Hell? Will it be…. something else?
Ye olde rules.
Roles:
Wandering souls.
Everyone except selected few will start in this state. You wander around purgatory, confused, not knowing what to expect. Agents from Heaven and Hell will try to recruit you, turning you into an Angel or a Demon. Once war is declared and the lines are drawn, the Atheist will rally you together, giving you a cause. When this happens you will be turned into a Rebellious spirit or a Guardian spirit.
A good Samaritan.
You've been a good and honest man in your life. Selfish thoughts never passed your mind and there isn't an evil bone in your body. Since your niceness is radiating from every pore of your body, the agents of evil are unable to recruit you. A good Samaritan can become a Rebellious/Guardian spirit. A good Samaritan that's been turned into an angel, can't be affected with the Fall of Grace power.
Practically Hitler.
Oh, you've been a bad, bad boy… or girl. (Hmm? If you're the female variety, give me a call. ;)) As a result the forces of good will have nothing to do with you. Practically Hitler can become a Rebellious/Guardian spirit. Practically Hitler that's been turned into a Demon, can't be affected with the Divine Redemption power.
The Atheist.
The Atheist is a strong willed individual who spent his life refusing to believe in the concept of afterlife. As he died, he believed that it would end with darkness and nothing more. Now that he's in purgatory, it's safe to assume that he's more then pleasantly surprised. At first he wanders the purgatory in a desperate state of denial, refusing to believe that he's here. When things become more clear, he will rally the nearby souls and stake a claim to this domain. He may have accepted that there's an afterlife but he refuses to accept totalitarian planes of good and evil. His world will accept everyone. His world shall be an afterlife where good are not rewarded, evil are not chastised. It shall be a world where everyone are equal for the American dream must exists everywhere. Also, this is his chance to become a God himself. Who would pass down an opportunity like that?
The Atheist has these following powers:
YOU DON'T EXIST!: In the beginning, the Atheist is in a deep state of denial. This can't be happening! None of this is real! This must be some crazy hallucinations that he's having as his brain is slowly dying. His state of mind may be unstable but his determination is not. He actually has the ability to will Angels and Demons, who attempt to approach him, from existence. The Atheist has no control over this power. It just happens if anyone approaches him. The Atheist can kill more then one people at a time, meaning that ganging up on him will not work. The Atheist can kill both those who try to recruit him or kill.
Radiating Persona: For every turn that passes, the Atheist will recruit a fellow Wandering Soul, turning him into a Rebellious spirit. The Atheist will not choose who will join him, his persona will simply attract other Wandering Souls.
We will make our own paradise!: As soon as the war between Heaven and Hell starts, The Atheist will come to his senses and create his favorable afterlife. At this point, all those are still wandering souls, will become Rebellious Spirits. Two of those will become his most loyal followers, turning into Guardian Spirits. Since the Atheist is no longer in his confused state, his YOU DON'T EXIST! power will disappear.
MINDCRUSH!: The Atheist may have lost his YOU DON'T EXIST! power, but his potential to destroy souls are still there. At the end of every turn, he will focus all of his willpower and eliminate a single target. In order to do so, he requires his followers to channel some of their powers to him and thus will be forced to obey which person they desire to be killed. This power can kill the Archangel and the Pit Lord directly, allowing him to circumvent his bodyguards.
I like you much more.: Once the Atheist gains his Guardian Spirits, he's allowed to turn one of them back into a rebellious spirit and give the Guardian role to someone else. He can only do this once, as long as he has at least one living guardian spirit.
Rebellious spirit
These are wandering spirits that have decided to follow the Atheist in his quest to form the perfect afterlife. When the war between Heaven and Hell begins, they will vote to kill off an Angel or a Demon of their choice. Rebellious spirits can not be turned into an Angel or a Demon.
Guardian Spirit These are Rebellious souls who will adamantly follow the Atheist in his quest to form the perfect afterlife. Each turn, they can target and kill an Angel or a Demon. In addition they'll protect the Atheist with all their might, meaning that he can't be killed as long as they're around.
The Archangel.
The holiest of spirits has descended to the Planes of Purgatory, in an attempt to gather forces for the upcoming fight against Hell. His powers are divinely and few can face his majesty. In order to succeed, the Atheist will have access to these powers.
Arise!: The Archangel can recruit a Wandering soul, turning him into an Angel. All angels will gain this ability as well. If this power is used on a Demon, Practically Hitler or a Rebellious spirit, then nothing will happen. The archangel (or the angel using this power) will be informed that the recruiting failed but will not be told what role his target carries.
Divine redemption: This power allows the archangel to make a demon turn from his wicked ways, placing him back into purgatory. It can also be used on a rebellious spirit, turning him into a wandering soul and turn practically Hitler into a wandering soul as well. If this power is used on a wandering soul, the soul becomes a good Samaritan. This can power can only be used before the war begins. This power can only be used twice. It can not be used on the Pit Lord or a Practically Hitler that's been turned into a Demon.
A cold day in hell: By focusing a large amount of Divine energy, the Archangel can quell the fires in hell. The forces of evil will need to work tirelessly in the hellish furnaces to get them working again. This will effectively deny the Pit Lord and his follower from recruiting additional Demons for a single turn. This is a one use power.
"A sword of Fire and Brimstone The Archangel can appoint one of his fellow Angels the chance to become his instrument of Justice. These legendary weapons are granted to the Heavenly agents of destruction, granting them kill powers during times of peace. Angels who gain these swords are allowed to kill before War is declared between Heaven and Hell. They also serve as guardians for the Archangel. This power can be used twice. If it hasn't been used before the war starts, the remaining swords will be distributed randomly amongst the Angels. In addition, the Archangel is treated to have a Sword of Fire and Brimstone on him as well, allowing him to attack during times of peace.
I am the Champion of Truth! Archangels are hardened soldiers of Divinity. A single blow is not enough to end them. The Archangel effectively has two lives during the course of the game. If he tries to recruit or attack the Atheist, in his confused state or suffers an attack when he has no Guardians, the Archangel will survive. It will weaken him though making him vulnerable for a final blow.
I challenge thee! The Archangel can call out the Pit Lord, demanding a duel between them. This power has several unique features which will be explained elsewhere.
Angels.
These are Wandering Spirits that have been bathed in purity of Celestia. They are now angels, ready to serve the Archangel. During times of peace they will recruit other souls to follow the path to Heaven. When war breaks out, they will take up arms against the those who threaten to destroy their paradise.
At start they all gain the Arise! power which turns into a kill power when the war is declared.
Heavenly agent of Destruction These are Angels that have been granted A sword of Fire and Brimstone. They're allowed to kill during times of peace and will protect the Archangel from Harm. If the Heavenly agent of Destruction is killed or targeted with the Fall of Grace power, his weapon will be forever lost.
The Pit Lord.
He is an agent of Doom and despair. He lives to torture the wicked. To boil the impure. He takes great joy from tainting the minds of good spirits, dooming them to an afterlife of misery and pain. He has been sent to gather minions to serve in the unending tides of the Demonic Army. To do so he will be able to use these following powers.
Submit! The Pit Lord can recruit a Wandering soul, turning him into a Demon. All Demons will gain this ability as well. If this power is used on an Angel, a good Samaritan or a Rebellious spirit, then nothing will happen. The Pit Lord (or the demon using this power) will be informed that the recruiting failed but will not be told what role his target carries.
Fall from grace The Pit Lord can corrupt the heart of an Angel. Turning them back into a confused soul. It can also be used on a rebellious spirit, turning him into a wandering soul and turn a Good Samaritan into a wandering soul as well. If this power is used on a wandering soul, the soul becomes Practically Hitler. This can power can only be used before the war begins. This power can only be used twice. It can't be used on the Archangel or a good Samaritan that's been turned into an Angel.
St. Peter's day off: The Pit Lord is a master of confusion and can screw up the work schedule of the Angels, making them Believe that St.Peter is on a Holiday. It will take a whole turn to correct this mistake and during that time the forces of Good will be unable to recruit Angels.
Scythe of Despair: The Pit Lord can pick two Demons who he believes are worthy enough to wield some of the most horrible weapons ever crafted in the furnaces of Hell. The Scythe of Despair will allow the Demon, wielding it to kill during times of peace. He will also protect the Pit Lord until he dies. This power can be used twice. If it hasn't been used before the war starts, the remaining scythes will be distributed randomly amongst the Demons. In addition, the Pit Lord is treated to have a Scythe of Despair on him as well, allowing him to attack during times of peace.
You've seen nothing until you've experienced Hell! The Pit lord is a fighting machine that will not be easily stopped. The Pit Lord effectively has two lives during the course of the game. If he tries to recruit or attack the Atheist while in his confused state, suffers an attack when he has no Guardians, the Pit Lord will survive. It will weaken him though making him vulnerable for a final blow.
Come Out and Fight Me! The Pit Lord can call out the Archangel, demanding a duel between them. This power has several unique features which will be explained elsewhere.
Demons.
These are Wandering Spirits that have been corrupted to the point where they know nothing but fury and hatred. They are now Demons, ready to serve the Pit Lord. During times of peace they will recruit other souls, leading them astray from the good path. When war breaks out, the demons will be enraged, ready to destroy everything in their path.
At start they all gain the Submit! power which turns into a kill power when the war is declared.
Doomguards.
A Doomguard is a Demon who has been granted a Scythe of Despair. They are allowed to kill during times of peace and they will protect the Pit Lord from harm. If a Doomguard is killed or targeted with the Divine redemption power, his weapon will be forever lost.
Conditions that will trigger the War:
If either the Archangel or the Pit Lord is directly attacked by the opposing force or is somehow killed, the war will start. If the Archangel or the Pit Lord accidentally targets the confused Atheist, causing him to loose a life, the war will not be triggered. A direct attack made on these beings is considered an act of war.
The Archangel and the Pit Lord are allowed to declare war, thus starting the conflict themselves.
If the number of remaining wandering souls/rebellious spirits ever drops to 5 or lower, the war will start. The war will start with the announcement that a skirmish occurred between Heaven and Hell, elsewhere, triggering the start of the conflict.
Duel! Rules and terms!
This is an explanation related to theI challenge thee!/Come Out and Fight Me! power that the Archangel and the Pit Lord share. First of all, it can only be used once during the course of the entire game. If the Pit Lord has already challenged the Archangel, the power is considered spent for both parties. This power can only be used during peace time and will be considered spent if war is declared.
The Archangel and the Pit Lord are considered so evenly matched in a fight that only pure chance can determine who would win. The victor of the fight is randomly selected.
There are three types of duels that can be fought. Humiliation, First blood, and to the death.
Humiliation: The Archangel and the Pit Lord will duel until one of them is disarmed and is at disadvantage. Wager is allowed. This fight will not trigger a war.
First Blood: The fight will go on until one of the leaders is wounded, causing him to loose a single life. If the Leader who receives the wound, has already lost a life, he will die from his injuries. Wager is allowed. This fight will trigger a war if one of the leaders dies in it.
To the Death: The fight will continue until either party perishes. The fight functions like a multiple first blood fights, where the Archangel and the Pit Lord will duel until either one has lost both lives. Naturally, if one of the player has already lost a life, while the other one still has both of his, the one with more lives will have an advantage in that fight. Betting is not allowed since it's already an all or nothing fight. This fight will trigger a war.
The challenger can set terms that the one who's being challenged has to accept. If the challenged player refuses the terms, the fight will be canceled.
Making Wagers are allowed during non mortal fights. The challenger has the first right to make a bet. Should the challenged player accept the terms, he's allowed to raise the stakes if a bet was made to begin with. Otherwise, he can make a fresh bet. The challenger has to accept the new bet before fighting can commence.
The leaders are allowed to bargain their lives, their minions, their weapons or anything else they could think of (as long as the GM accepts it). Betting a live (can only be done during a humiliation fight, where both leaders still have both of their lives) means that the looser will sacrifice one of his lives to grant the other a third one. Minion bets means that the looser has to sacrifice some of his followers by downgrading them to wandering souls again. Betting weapons means that the leaders can wage their swords and scythes as currency. The winner will gain more legendary weapons to dish out, increasing his number of guardians. It's only possible to bet with weapons that have not been distributed. The leaders can also make different kinds of bet, like forbidding the looser from recruiting for a turn, or that the looser has to pull down his pants and run around in circles, singing praises to the victor. It's totally up to the one who's making the bet (The GM has to accept the bet though).
Additional note, since it takes time to organize the use of this power (the GM needs to inform the opposing leader that the challenge has been made and discuss the terms and bets), the player who uses this power is encourage to announce that he's planing to use it at the start of the turn. Making the challenge and accepting it will use up the leaders action for the turn. However, if either leader refuses the terms, the duel is canceled and both leaders are allowed to pick a different action for that turn.
Starting Roles.
The Archangel (1)
The Pit Lord (1)
The Atheist (1)
A Good Samaritan (3)
Practically Hitler (3)
Wandering souls (the rest)
Roles that are granted later.
Angels (lots)
Heavenly agent of Destruction (2)
Demons (lots)
Doomguard (2)
Rebellious spirits (lots)
Guardian spirit (2)
