antigrammer

This is just a little game I've been constructing in my head for some time. It's heavier on gameplay and lighter on creative story-telling than some of the other games in this subforum, but I think you guys will like it regardless.

The game takes place in what would be the United States, if anyone cared about national boundary lines anymore. Just three weeks ago, a bizarre and virulent disease began rapidly spreading throughout the world. Those who contracted it saw their humanity replaced by uncontrollable aggression and a new hunger. The rest of humanity watched in horror at the ravenous hordes- that is, until they were devoured. With nothing to hold back millions of aimless, hungry nightmares, the planet is overrun, and the small remaining pockets of humanity are vanishing fast.

This is your world. Maybe you can find a way to save humanity. Maybe you can rebuild civilization. But your first order is to survive.

And time is running out.

The Rules

Each of you will take control of a character. I'll call you by your usernames, but feel free to adopt a nickname if you would like. Your goal may not be immediately apparent, but for now, examine everything you can, gather what objects can help you, and- above all- try not to die.

Just like in real life, you can't tell everything about an object at first glance. Sure, it doesn't take much to spot a table, but it's another thing to gauge if a table will stand up to a zombie's attacks. To held remedy this, once per turn, you may examine an object. Nothing happens to it or to you, but you can then see what benefits it will provide you (such as cover), or you may find something new entirely (like some rations or ammunition from a wrecked vehicle). Everything in your current area can be examined, unless I specifically say it is unreachable.

Also once per turn, you may take an action. This might be picking up or using an object, attacking something, or simply performing an action related to the environment you are currently in. Stating two actions as one DOES NOT COUNT. In addition, although these types of games can get a little silly at times, beware of making ridiculously improbable actions. Zombies tend to be attracted to such things.

Generally, whenever you take an action involving some level of skill, I will flip a coin. Heads- it succeeds; tails- it misses. If we need some more specific results (like damage), I will then roll a twenty-sided die to determine that. Also, there is an advantage that you players have over the zombies. If you would take damage, I will roll a six-sided die. If it comes up a six, you take no damage.

Every player has statistics, which are pretty simple. I'll list them for you.

Health: Every player has a certain amount of HP. When attacked, that HP goes down, and if it is empty, they die, removing the player from the game. Guard it! When a player takes damage, a specific part of their body is harmed, causing ill effects as listed:

Head: No effect, unless 25 points of head-specific damage is taken, at which point the character falls unconscious.
Chest: No special effect.
Arms: The character's strength drops a corresponding amount.
Legs: The character's speed drops a corresponding amount.

Strength: A character can only carry so much. Their strength represents how many points of weight they can carry. Examining an object that can be taken or moved will give you its weight.

Speed: A character's speed simulates their skill at avoiding enemy attacks. If all character's speeds combined exceed the combined speeds of the zombies, the zombies will be unable to attack. If not, the zombies will attack a certain number of players, starting with the slowest. The number of players attacked is determined by the following.

The combined speed of the characters is subtracted from the speed of the zombies.
Starting with the slowest character and moving up, their speeds are added together until they exceed the result of Step 1
All the characters used in Step 2 are attacked, starting with the slowest.

One thing to keep in mind is that this means if the speed of the zombies is twice the speed of the players, all players will be attacked.

New mechanics may be added as the story progresses.

Sign Up

All you have to do is make a post, choosing your character's gender and what class you are from the following list:

Regular:

Health: 100
Strength: 100
Speed: 10

Strong Guy:

Health: 100
Strength: 120
Speed: 5

Athlete:

Health: 100
Strength: 80
Speed: 15

Specialist:

Health: 90
Strength: 100
Speed: 8
Starts with a basic weapon.

All characters will have their stats randomized slightly with a die roll, to create a slight variance in character abilities. Don't worry if you don't turn out well, there will be plenty of chances to improve your character when the game begins.

I hope to start out with at least six players, so once I have that many, I'll start the game. If anyone else wants to play once we've started, I'll add them in.

If you guys know me from David Turnbell's other site, then hello to all of you. If you don't know me, I guess I'll say hello anyway. Look forward to making overly long posts on this forum, too.