#type: rph

[xirpmuse]

Character Development Aids

Character Alignment Test (1)

16 Personalities--Briggs-Myer Test (1)

Moral Alignment Test (2)

Hogwarts House Sorting Quiz

Personality Test--Briggs-Myer Test (2)

Character Chart for Fiction Writers

Character Development Worksheet

More will be added to this post periodically!

[xirpmuse]

Installing & Using New xKit

Designed to make Tumblr a little more user friendly, New xKit is an extension that allows you to customize your experience on Tumblr while at a desktop! It is available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari (to my knowledge). Below the cut is a walkthrough for downloading it to Chrome, as well as some useful extensions to have at your disposal!

1) Access the webstore to find New xKit. You can also do a simple Google search, “New xKit for [insert your browser of choice here]”:

2) The webstore should take you to a page that looks like this, where you can also see the New xKit logo:

3) In the upper right corner, click to download the extension to your web browser. Once it’s finished, it should look like this:

4) Return to Tumblr and refresh your dashboard. In the upper right corner, there should be an additional icon for you to click on. This is where you’ll access New xKit at any time!

5) From here, you can pick and choose from a plethora of extensions that will allow you to customize it for your dashboard and general Tumblr use. To get to the extensions, click on the “Get Extensions” tab at the bottom of the pop-up window:

6) Below are a few recommended extensions, but feel free to install whichever ones you like!

(Editable reblogs will allow you to cut your posts!)

(Outbox extension does not allow you to review submissions/submitted posts)

[axrpgmuse]

About: Many people mistakenly place Hydra’s origins at World War II/Nazi Germany; however Hydra has existed long before then. WWII had merely been a large turning point for the organization, and its presence became more known as a result.  “Hydra was founded on the belief that humanity could not be trusted with its own freedom. What [we] did not realize is that if you try to take that freedom, they resist. The war taught us much. Humanity needed to surrender its freedom willingly. After the war… the new Hydra grew, a beautiful parasite… For 70 years, Hydra has been secretly feeding crises, reaping war. And when history did not cooperate, history was changed.” [x]

Prominent Members: 

Madame Hydra | Ophelia Sarkissian | FC: Lena Headey--The leader of Hydra. Although she travels across the globe, she primarily operates out of Hydra’s modern day headquarters. She often approves/denies strategies proposed by other, high ranking members of Hydra; she herself is an expert strategist and has been highly trained in weapons and hand-to-hand combat for the majority of her life. Along with this training, her resistance against toxins and poisons is abnormally high.

Crossbones | Brock Rumlow | FC: Frank Grillo--Although his allegiance was originally to SHIELD, it was short-lasting before he became loyal to Hydra, but utilized his status as a SHIELD agent, and worked undercover. Upon being exposed and severely injured shortly thereafter, he retreated to Hydra entirely and has carried out several lethal tasks across the United States. Prior to his injuries, he was a formidable combatant. Those skills remain with him, in addition to 

Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker | FC: Thomas Kretschmann--Another high ranking Hydra agent who often works closely with Madame Hydra and leads several missions around the globe. Before and during his time with Hydra, his military skills have been honed, along with exceptional combat training and espionage. Similar to Madame Hydra, very few people actually know what he looks like, let alone that he is at all affiliated with Hydra, making him one of the ultimate assets to Hydra.

Baron Heinrich Zemo | FC: Daniel Bruhl--He is not high ranking, but has claimed allegiance with Hydra. Zemo, however, has often expressed a singular agenda targeting The Avengers and therefore often seeks out missions in the United States, particularly along the East Coast (the NY area) where the Avengers’ base is known to be. He doesn’t possess any super powers, however he is a highly skilled strategist and was a brilliant scientist long before aligning himself with Hydra.

[axrpgmuse]

Get to know the Other Adversaries

About: As the world becomes more aware of superbeings (mutants & superhumans), opposition to said persons has grown as well, namely in the form of groups like The Friends of Humanity. Along with the resistance to the extraordinary are those with personal agendas and a plain (but not simple) end game: domination--be it over the city like Wilson Fisk or a global takeover like Loki. Other local criminals like drug lords, gamblers, mobsters and hackers play their part in NYC’s restlessness as well. 

Prominent people:

Loki | FC: Tom Hiddleston | Asgardian, superbeing | Although he has rarely made an appearance on Earth (his last invasion being 3 years ago), his moments made lasting impressions and left severe damage in his wake. His abilities include: superhuman strength, endurance & intelligence; astral projection, shape-shifting and creating illusions

William Stryker | FC: Mark Sheppard | leader of The Crusaders The Crusaders: A mostly covert mutant hate group, formerly known as The Purifiers, with military vet William Stryker at the helm. The majority of its strongest and most loyal members are current servicemen as well as fellow veterans & friends of Stryker but several supporters have no military background but align themselves with their cause, believing it a ‘safer’ affiliate than Friends of Humanity. To help in the attempt to eradicate mutants & mutant problems altogether, he has, at times, experimented on mutants and has had rare (almost unheard of) past successes in negating/de-powering a few mutants

Kingpin | Wilson Fisk | FC: Vincent D'Onofrio | A New York native with a mysterious past, Wilson Fisk (AKA Kingpin) has gained more than his share of power over multiple neighborhoods in New York City. His primary focus has always been Hell’s Kitchen, but he is both directly and indirectly responsible for the majority of organized street crimes that tend to occur. He isn’t superpowered, but he is exceptionally strong for a human; he has years of street fighting experience and is a highly skilled tactician. 

Grace Creed | FC: Jessica Lange | leader of the Friends of Humanity | By no means does she possess any extraordinary abilities. She is, however, wealthy, famed and highly respected as a leader/prominent figure amongst the Friends of Humanity. Friends of Humanity: An established North American superhuman/mutant hate organization. Friends of Humanity believes in a pure human race, free of mutants and superbeings. Its members have often been linked to (though sometimes without solid proof for a court of law) the most hostile bigotry; diabolical attacks and harassment against mutants & superhumans.     

[axrpgmuse]

RPH: About Our Factions

Below the cut are blurbs about each of the featured factions in the AXRPG. As this is updated over time (with additions or removals), this post will get reblogged.

The X-Men

The current roster of the official X-Men team (listed on our Factions page), as well as the staff members at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters (school location/primary base of operations: Bedford Hills, NY). The school itself houses, teaches & trains mutants of high school grade/age (grades 9-12) up to their first 2 years of college/university. While standard U.S. academics & improvement over individuals' powers are taught, the headmaster and professors also believe in bettering the divided world so that mutants and the non can live equally amongst one another.

More on the individual team members (from the RP's past) can be found here on The AX Daily Bugle Blog

The Brotherhood of Mutants

Founded by Magneto with Mystique at his right hand, the Brotherhood is its own team comprised solely of proud and conspicuous mutants with a singular goal of mutant supremacy at all costs. Primary activities and objectives have been terrorists acts against anti-mutant figureheads & supporters. Often times, they are at odds in beliefs and strategies to that of the X-Men, though on highly rare occasions the two teams have worked together. As the old saying goes: An enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The NY Morlocks

A notorious, mutant-only gang comprised of several mutants, most of who are unable to 'hide' their mutations, consequently rejected by society and looking for a pseudo family or sense of belonging. Gang activities in NY (theft, vandalism mostly) do not tend to differentiate between human & non-mutant targets and are mostly led by founder, Callisto. While she has been unofficially dubbed their leader, some remain far more loyal to her than others have. Other models of the Morlocks have arisen across the nation, in its major cities most especially.

Other Adversaries

As the world becomes more aware of superbeings (mutants included), opposition to said persons has grown as well, namely in those like The Friends of Humanity. Along with the resistance to the extraordinary are those with personal agendas and a plain (but not simple) end game: domination--be it over the city like Wilson Fisk or a global takeover like Loki. Other local criminals like drug lords, gamblers, mobsters and hackers play their part in NYC’s restlessness as well. 

The Crusaders: A mostly covert mutant hate group, formerly known as The Purifiers, with military vet William Stryker at the helm. The majority of its strongest and most loyal members are current servicemen as well as fellow veterans & friends of Stryker but several supporters have no military background but align themselves with their cause, believing it a ‘safer’ affiliate than Friends of Humanity.

Friends of Humanity: An established North American superhuman/mutant hate organization. Friends of Humanity believes in a pure human race, free of mutants and superbeings. Its members have often been linked to (though sometimes without solid proof for a court of law) the most hostile bigotry; diabolical attacks and harassment against mutants & superhumans.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Acronym for the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement & Logistics Divsion, SHIELD is a government branch formed at the turn of the twentieth century in response to the growing hostility of Hydra activities. The two organizations remain at odds with one another with incidents that the transcend North American borders, but SHIELD continues to do all it can to take the world as it is and try its best to better it for the safety of all. As for its agents, SHIELD primarily recruits and trains 2 distinct types of potential: 1) Base Agents who handle logistics and tech support from their ground bases and Helicarriers and 2) Field Agents who work as covert representatives &/or overtly on-site for handling direct conflicts. Three publicly-known SHIELD island locations would be their headquarters in NYC jutting off of the Hudson River, known as the Triskelion; a Washington D.C. facility on the Potomac River, Triskelion II, and a west coast building off of the California coast, Triskelion III. Other facilities owned by SHIELD are covertly occupied by the organization.

Hydra

One of the largest terrorist groups with an ambitious agenda set for absolute world rule. Originating overseas at the turn of the 20th century, the organization has since called New York City its primary base of operations. It has had involvement in a number of minor and historical incidents and outcomes. Today, they own a number of businesses overseas and domestically (such as the 4-story Equinox Gym and Centerfolds adult club) using the business fronts as a means to acquire information, and also allow them to hide in plain sight. Although they have yet to truly succeed in their ultimate goal, they have, on occasion, obtained smaller victories by injecting their presence in small pockets across the globe while priding themselves on their strength in numbers. Coinciding with this pride, Hydra’s agents and superiors will remind you of their ability to bring a myth to life with their quote: “Cut off one head, two more will take its place”.

The Avengers

'Earth’s Mightiest Heroes' as they have come to be known by The Daily Bugle. The team was originally assembled by and continues to work closely with SHIELD and also has connections with the X-Men, but often operates as its own conglomerate based out of their own, Stark Industries-owned New York tower. The roster has shrunk and grown over the years since its formation at the start of the twenty-first century, but it continues to remain a solid force to reckon with when it comes to national and global threats.

Oscorp

A 2 decades old, privately owned, multi-billion dollar research & engineering company located in the City's financial district. With numerous benefactors around the modern world, under founder & CEO Norman Osborn, the company continuously analyzes, experiments and develops a variety of contributions to the science community as well as the weapons industry. Under the table, they supply weaponry to HYDRA members. The company is to one day be inherited by Norman's only known child, Harry Osborn.

The Daily Bugle

New York City’s largest and most relied on media resource. Spanning across 3 media outlets–print, web, and television–the Bugle covers politics, entertainment, sports, and major headlines occurring locally, domestically and internationally. In print and on the web The Bugle rivals those like Huffington Post, The New York Times & The LA Times; on television, their NY-exclusive news network DBTV is contracted through ABC and competes with news reports from major networks such as: MSNBC, CBS, CNN & Fox.

[axrpgmuse]

[Up to Main] What is sex? I don't know, something about birds and bees and flowers and trees? I'm not exactly sure how the moon up above is supposed to be involved, but there are some things I'm p...

Disclaimer: This is not the be-all for everyone who identifies as being asexual. It is merely one of many sources of information out there.

[axrpgmuse]

Hell’s Kitchen Block Party Ideas

A simple question you might ask yourself to inspire ideas for the Block Party event might be: What brings your character to the block party? 

Consider what you can snowball from whatever the answer or answers may be to that question and use it for starter ideas--oneliner or para. Some possible answers to that question are offered below. Regardless of what you end up doing for the event, please don’t leave your fellow RPers hanging with starters! 

If you already see several starts on the dash, rather than adding to that, take the time to reply to what’s already there! Likewise, if you’ve made a starter, don’t simply wait for someone to reply to your starter. Get something going with someone else who might have also put out a starter.

Most importantly, have fun with this! Utilize not only your fellow RPers in the group, but some of the characters on the NPC page would/could likely be at the Block Party as well (in uniform, in street clothes or otherwise).

A chance to stir up trouble | Noticing trouble being caused:

Personal resentment toward Stark

General opposition toward the festivities/merriment from others

Paying off others to cause problems

A handful of members from The Morlocks sabotage booths, deflate the bouncy house, discretely taint a food vendor’s products, etc.

Business troubles arise “mysteriously” 

Intentional bad press is made for Stark Industries

Work Purposes:

Press coverage (independent blogging/photography, work for The Daily Bugle)

A covert (or overt) SHIELD assignment to help assure other’s safety

Self-bestowed duties to be a watchful eye for others

Performing as a musical act

Networking/business promotion opportunities

They’re obligated to work at a vendor booth for their job (handing out flyers/pamphlets, selling product, etc.)

Food/games:

Making bets &/or thinking of challenges for fun amongst friends to try a certain food/foods (something incredibly spicy, eating something deep fried, trying something unusual from their everyday diet)

Playing games with friends &/or coworkers--for fun, or to display one’s competitiveness

Seeking to win a prize (for themselves or someone else)

A chance to be a foodie for a day

Music:

They heard about a particular local band/artist that’s going to perform and want to check them out

They have a friend who’s performing, or they themselves are performing 

Perhaps they’re complaining about a particular band/artist’s set

All of the performers could be brand new to them (as none are major artists/bands/groups) but they’re scouting new music to listen to

Other Entertainment & Ideas:

The smaller fashion show is more their speed, not to mention of greater convenience than trying to get into Fashion Week

They’re interested in buying some new clothes, jewelry, purses, etc. and like shopping with fair/open market vendors

They, or someone they’re with wants to get their face painted

One or more of the prizes at the silent auction interests them enough to place a bid

The information booths, seminar/demos being done may be of interest to them (decorating, consulting, massage therapy, party venues, caterers, etc.)

They print off a generic scavenger hunt beforehand and try to play with some friends before coming to the party

They or someone they came with gets lost/separated

They’re interested in possibly meeting Tony Stark/Iron Man

The close proximity of the block party to where your character lives was motivation enough for them to come

[axrpgmuse]

RPH: Summer vacation plans

Below the cut are ideas of activities & happenings that you could plan out for your character during the summer, as well as tips & reminders for how the school operates during the break:

Activities

Horseback riding (by way of the campus stables and property’s trails) 

Swimming/Jet-skiing/paddle boating at the lake (jet-skis stored in Hanger’s Bay; Paddle boats and other recreational equipment stored in the boathouse)

Unofficial sports games with peers/staff on the grass/fields/courts (basketball, soccer, lacrosse, etc)

Day/multi-day trips to NYC, the beach, Coney Island, summer concerts/festivals, tourist attractions, etc. (NYC is approx a 1 hr drive South from the school)

Smaller group camping/hiking trips (Bear Mountain is approx. a less than 1 hr drive West from the school) || Known car owners in the group (aside from the staff) are: Bobby, Cole, Joanna, & Remy. You’re welcome to use a NPC student/friend as a car-owner/means for transportation || In order to rent a car in the state of NY, the licensed renter must be at least 18 yrs. old

Summer reading: click for suggested summer reading lists here, here,  here, & a custom list here 

Movie nights (in the theatre lounge)

Dates/date nights (they’re not just for couples!) around the school, Bedford, or out of town

Actual NYC events (some of these could turn into happenings/plots for you character/s such as a weekend into town for NYC Pride)

Happenings/Plots/Small arc suggestions

Working a summer job in Bedford (see the locations page). While this can double as an activity, more in-depth planning can go into this: does your character enjoy their summer job? Are they working often? Do they have friendly co-workers/a friendly boss? Why did they get the job (saving up for something specific, work experience, to have regular spending money, for the discounts at that place of employment, to have something to do during the summer...)? Is there drama at work? Do they/have they ever encountered M.A.M. members as customers/co-workers, or Morlocks as customers or on their way to/from work? 

Summer school. Did your character pass their Danger Room Exam? Are they looking to improve further with the use of their powers and want to join in on the D.R. summer school classes? What about their other classes? Do the summer school class(es) help? Are they looking a re-taking the class(es) for another school year? How does having summer school hinder potential to spend time with friends/time away from the school/away from academic duties? Are they driven to pass, or are they reluctant and doing so because it’s been required of them?

Independent or small group vacations/road trips. Where are your character(s) going? Did they plan this out or was it spontaneous/impromptu? How did they go about planning it (finances, food, room/board, etc)? Do they actually make it to their destination? Does anything interesting happen with them along the way there/back (stronger friendships, meeting someone new, weakened friendships, budding/blossoming romance, dissipated flames)? Do they get mugged? Are they turned away at their hotel/motel/etc upon being discovered that they’re a mutant? Does any sort of accident relating to their powers occur at any point on the trip? How might any of these things affect them/the people they’re with? Make a road trip playlist! Prep some ‘Instagram’ photo posts from/during the trip! 

Adversary confrontations/conflicts. See the list of adversaries and plot out some sort of accidental or intended conflict between your character and them (1 or perhaps more than 1 adversary). Why does the conflict arise? How/why does it escalate? Does this become a one-time issue or is it ongoing through/beyond the summer? Is your character in a position to use their powers to defend themselves? Do they end up hurt/wounded as a result of this conflict? Does law enforcement get entangled in anyway if it is a public occurrence? Show us how this all unfolds! If you opt to use certain members of the Brotherhood or the Morlocks, be sure to run it by the admins beforehand, out of consideration and consistency to our current members whose characters may currently have or formerly had affiliations to the groups. Also remember, do not kill off any adversaries without discussing it with the admins first!

A focus on powers. When did your character’s powers first manifest? How intent have they been to gain some control over them? How have they progressed with their powers since coming to the school? Was the Danger Room exam a piece of cake for them (if they took it)? Did they struggle? Are they reflecting at any level on the successes and/or shortcomings related to their powers? Do they know why their powers might not be consistent/reliable whenever they need them to be? How much do they (or others) understand about their ability(ies)? What are they doing to improve/perfect their gift(s)? Have they been getting mentored/aided in any way by any of the staff members? Their peers? Are they helping others in any way with their powers? Does any aspect of what they can do excite them, or frighten them? Has any harm come accidentally (or purposely) on anyone else at the school, or themselves because of their powers? Play around with these questions. Plan wisely and remember: do more showing and less telling as you develop this!

A focus on relationships. This does not have to solely mean romantic relationships! Who else has your character known/been affiliated with or related to? With school likely being a non-issue in terms of where to direct their attention, perhaps your character is going to want (or have) to face someone or a number of someones: a friend, a parent/guardian, a staff member, a sibling, an extended family member, an ex, a current flame/person of interest, etc. What’s the reason? Is it pleasant or unpleasant? Is the reason for recent events or has this been something long overdue? Will they find a resolution at some point this summer or will it be left unresolved? Will progress have been made or will they end up taking backwards strides? Does your character being a mutant have anything at all to do with the turmoil/conflict? Is the real issue entirely unrelated? Plan wisely and remember: do more showing and less telling as you develop this!

XRPG tips/reminders

Students may stay on campus through the summer as the school is open year-round for students. This does, however, mean that the staff on the grounds at that time still hold a level of responsibility over those staying

Several students will not be at the school during the bulk of the summer (NPCs mostly) so the halls and lounges will not be nearly as busy or crowded as they are during the regular school year.

Curfew is extended to 2am nightly | Overnight leaves are OK but letting a professor know beforehand is encouraged, for safety & courtesy reasons (this can be done by simple mentions in your own writing, or sending an email to a staff member)

Summer school hours are from 8-11pm with 1.5 hr max per class

The X-Bus makes daily trips to Bedford. Twice a month, a staff member will be driving the bus for a day trip to NYC

2 make-up D.R classes will be taught during the summer: 101 and 201 (see this post for more information on Danger Room) Professor Worthington will be teaching the classes

Staff members’ presence on campus/the suspension center will be far less frequent during the majority of the summer, the exceptions being Professor X, Logan, Ororo, Jimmy, Warren, Paige & Cecilia who will only leave if necessary. As X-Men, the team’s general presence will be more notable elsewhere (on the news, in other cities, etc.) during the summer as their commitment to the school and students takes priority during the school year.

Meals regularly prepared during the school year will not be made daily during the summer; continental breakfast items will be made available daily as opposed to on occasion and dinners will be taken care of by the staff member(s) on campus that day (which likely means a lot of takeout). Simple DIY foods will be accessible for lunch and dinnertime as well (sandwich ingredients, microwavable meals, etc.)

Many of the campus rules/guidelines and consequences are still enforced during the summer, namely but not exclusively: respecting one another & the school, prohibited drugs/ drug paraphernalia & alcohol; not using the Danger Room unsupervised, decorum, prohibited pets, lockdown policies, & notifying staff of campus visitors beforehand | Students are not exempt from the usual detention activities, trips to the suspension center or expulsion as potential consequences

Ororo & Logan’s wedding will be the final XRPG event. Unbeknownst to (students at this time), they will all be invited to attend it.

As always, if you have any questions, or if you would like to suggest activity ideas or plot/arc ideas, the main’s inbox is always open!