Cassie Sandsmark has changed her url from demiwxnder to demiwonder! It’s the same blog, so no need to unfollow. The masterlist has been updated to reflect this change.
Ironic, isn’t it? We’re putting the star in starting over and beginning fresh. But we’re still very much active and very much accepting applications!
Please direct your questions and concerns to this blog rather than our previous one! But we’ll keep an eye on both just to make sure we don’t miss anybody. This little setback won’t keep us down for long -- we’re a phoenix, we’ll just Begin Again.
Hey guys! We just wanted to remind everyone about the rules regarding activity. Ask memes that cannot branch out into threads (ie: out of character questions, general ask memes, non-starter type memes) do not count as activity. In addition, we want to remind everyone that we have a rule stating that if a character is on Activity Check multiple times in a month, they will be unfollowed on the third occasion. We are going to be a little stricter in enforcing this rule, so if you ever need a hiatus, please ask for one. We are totally willing to work with our members, we just need communication. Thanks!
The Admins have taken the time to reflect. Given the volatile and emotionally taxing nature of the world right now, we’re going to be suspending Activity Checks for a week. The next Activity Check won’t be until June 14th. At that point, we will revisit the lapse and determine whether it needs to be extended. Our hearts are with you all. Thank you, stay safe.
Stephanie Brown’s url has changed from from “itspciler” to “itsbxtgirl”! It is the same blog, so there is no need to unfollow or follow the blogs (which is why they aren’t linked). The url has already been updated on the masterlist — so if you use that to find urls, you will find the updated one there! Thank you!
“New Year’s Day.” Secretary Thaddeus Ross had a deep, booming voice, and it echoed out across the crowd gathered in front of the United Nations Secretariat Building. “It’s a time for new beginnings. Fresh starts. A time to look to the future. But it is also a time to reflect on the past.” He stood very still, not unnerving but firm. The look of a man who had not just seen winters, but survived them. “So, before I discuss our plans for the future, allow me to introduce a man uniquely qualified to speak to our past. Agent Everett Kenneth Ross, of the CIA and special adviser to the United Nations.”
“Thank you.” Agent Ross was softer spoken, voice clipped in that uniquely British way. He stepped up to the podium as the Secretary moved to the side. Like his predecessor, he was a survivor. But unlike the Secretary, he seemed wearied by it. “In the past decade, we came face to face with a simple truth," he said. “There are those among us who have incredible gifts. Dangerous gifts. A brave new world.” He laughed then, softly, under his breath. His posture shifted, eyes still straight forward, but he leaned on the podium. “The secretary says that I’m ‘uniquely qualified,’ because I’ve seen it. Not because of my training or my expertise. Not because of the missions I’ve flown or the lives I’ve saved. But because I was there, when Superheroes fought. And I gotta tell you –” He laughed again. “It’s amazing.”
He paused for a moment. Cameras clicked, a January wind blew. “It’s beautiful,” Ross continued. “No, really. It doesn’t look like fighting, not the way we’re used to. Nowadays it’s buttons and bombs, consoles and command. But not when they do it.” He shook his head slowly, a strange smile on his face. “When they fight, it’s -- it’s poetry. It’s art. It’s a dance,” he breathed. “They dance around each other, doing these -- incredible, magnificent things. Magic. Lasers. Leaping into flames and flying past bullets. And all of us, we’re the audience below, just watching them.”
Ross dropped his gaze for a moment, before his pale eyes lifted up to meet the crowd once more. “The problem isn’t with the dance. The problem is, the dance has to end,” he said, gripping the podium lightly even as he used it to hold himself upright. A perfect balance of tension. “And the dancers have to come offstage, and into the audience. We live in the same world as people who can teleport and throw cars and create fire out of thin air. We have to learn how to share that world. It needs to be safe for everyone who lives here.”
He straightened up, clearing his throat. “I’ve been there. I’ve seen how beautiful it is. But I’ve also seen how dangerous it can be. There are so many good people with these powers. So many people who can invent a new technology and harness it for the betterment of all of us. And there’s some people out there who just want to do something good, relying on nothing but heart. I applaud those people. I admire them, the same way I admire any brave soul who puts on a uniform to serve their country, their ideals, and their way of life.”
A smattering of applause broke out through the crowd, but Ross held up a hand. “But there’s also people out there with wonderful powers and terrible intentions. Who create technology so they can hold the rest of us hostage. People who seek to manipulate, control, and terrorize our communities. The powers aren’t the problem, you see,” he said, leaning forward. “It’s how they’re used. We decided that, together, not as a nation but as a world. We wrote the Accords and we ratified them, and we made them the law. Because we want to share this world with everyone. We want to see all those beautiful dances and amazing powers. But this world comes with rules. You want to join it, you have to show your face. That’s what we said. But there are still those who feel they have to hide. Who cling to secrecy and masks because they misunderstand our intentions. So let me be perfectly clear,” he said, eyes steel for a moment. “We made these rules for one reason, and one reason only. To prevent terrible intentions from becoming unbearable realities.”
He was quiet for a long moment. “I had hoped to stand here and tell you that those realities were impossible. That we had found a way towards peace and prosperity for everyone, after all -- it is that time of year, isn’t it?” He shook his head sadly. “But the truth is, we’re still far from that. Voluntary registration has dropped to nearly nothing. Enforced patrols deliver no new information, and every day there are more and more reports of Unregistered Activity. Some of that activity is good -- some of it we’re grateful to hear. But some of it is terrifying. The cases of civilian casualties caused by Unregistered Activity has risen 14% this year. There are hundreds of thousands of people each year who get caught in the crossfire. Not all of their deaths could have been avoided, life takes sacrifice, I know that,” he said, ducking his head for a moment. “But some of them could have been saved. Some of them never needed to be in danger in the first place.”
Ross let out another heavy sigh. “It’s been a long decade for this world. For all of us in it. They say everything happens for a reason, and I don’t know for sure if that’s true. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. All I know for certain is, I hope that, by the end of the next one, we’ll have all realized that we’re in the same world. And that we need to work together to protect it.”
With that, he stepped back, and Secretary Ross came forward. “Thank you, Agent,” he said with a gruff nod towards his colleague. “I share that hope. And so does the entire United Nations. The subcommittee known as The Panel, who oversee all enhanced and superhuman activity, have instituted new policies and guidelines in regards to the registration of said enhanced and superhumans. As an amendment to the Sokovia Accords, all Registration will now be eligible for compensation. We can provide training facilities, housing, and monetary allowances to those who register and meet certain criteria. In addition, those who voluntarily come forward to Register need only reveal their identities to the Panel. The Index of Superhumans and Vigilantes will now have a classified subsection, available only to those with clearance.”
He clenched his jaw, but only for a second. “From now on, all official Enforcement, in addition to standard pay, will also be eligible for bonus compensation, based on the level of Unregistered brought in.” His pale blue eyes flashed for a moment. “But Enforcers who fail to meet basic standards will be suspect to investigation, and face strict penalties. Unregistereds caught committing a crime or brought in by force will not eligible for compensation, and will serve time in a detention facility regardless of threat level.” He folded his hands in front of him on the podium. “Everyone is welcome, as Agent Ross said, to share our world. But those who refuse to will not be allowed to be part of it. Thank you.” He nodded once, and then both men walked back into the building. There was work to be done.
NEW YEAR, NEW RULES
This is our first plot drop! This one has introduced a couple of elements that will gradually shape and develop the world of the RP as a whole. Rather than an event, where the effects/situation only lasts a few days, this plot drop will be considered ‘canon’ for the RP from this point forward.
The Accords have been a point of contention since being ratified a year ago. But with voluntary registration and enforcement at an all time low, the Panel has decided to strengthen them.
Those who register (and meet certain criteria) can now get money, a place to stay and train, in exchange for coming forward. If you wish for your unregistered character to register, plot with a registered/enforcer character, and message the main!
Those who register voluntarily are allowed to keep their identity a secret from the public -- though the Panel and anyone with high enough clearance will still know. If you wish for your unregistered character to register without revealing their identity, plot with a registered/enforcer character, and message the main!
Enforcers can now collect bounties on Unregistereds. Level 1 Bounties are the highest threat level and greatest reward. The lowest level is level 10. This is usually based on threat level, though even those without powers can be deemed ‘dangerous’ enough for a higher level. If you wish to have your unregistered character given a bounty level, please message the main!
Enforcers who fail to collect any bounties will be deemed suspect and investigated. These investigations might lead to a steep fine, or even incarceration in a detention facility or on the Raft itself! If you wish for your enforcer to come under investigation, plot with another registered/enforcer character! Feel free to message the main with questions!
If you have any questions at all, message the main or bring it up in the discord! Please be sure to follow beginagainplotdrop for any updates on this -- and of course, for future plot drops!
We’re back, baby! Welcome to the new blog for Begin Again HQ! We’ll be popping over to the old blog for a few days to check up on the inbox and stuff, but for the most part this is our new home. Please feel free to bring us any questions or concerns, and we look forward to continuing this amazing RP journey with you all!
