NationStates Jolt Archive

This is based loosely on The Stand By Steven King (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stand) and the events in the book.

A disease is spawned in a junkie's house in Atlanta, Georgia, an odd mix of various drugs, and the common cold that the man was carrying at the time. He takes a hit of the deadly concoction, and goes on a deadly drive through town, half out of his mind. The disease works quick, tearing it's way through his system, causing spasms so hard that his bones break, and his organs twist up into disfigured knots. In his death spasm, his foot nails on the gas, and his truck goes flying through the glass front of a local convienence store, killing one and injuring two.

The police and paramedics arrive on the scene within minutes to investigate, and every single one of them inhales the airborne virus into their lungs. The junkie (Ben Stintson) is pronounced dead at Atlanta Medical Center at 4:32 PM, Saturday, November 14th 1999. There were 4 deaths that day, and very few in the next week. Then, out of nowhere, 57 people were admitted one day a few weeks after, all complaining of aches and hard coughing.

A day later, everyone in in the hospital had died, except for nurse Jo Goodman, who took to running with her little girl, Kate. They got all the way to NYC before Kate died in her mother's arms. Jo was delirious from heartbreak and the sickness, and she went ranting down the streets, hacking up blood and black phlegm the whole way. She got 2 miles, and infected about 400 people before she stumbled into the intersection and fell. The 1993 Ford driver never saw her, much less her skull, until it was under one of his tires. He got out and looked briefly.

He decided it wasn't worth jail time today, and he peeled out before anyone could catch his license plate. He had a slight case of the sniffles when he got home with the present for his newly turned four year old son and wife of twelve years.

This takes place in the 90's so obviously just MT.Also, we're starting right before the plague starts spreading, to flesh out the characters a little more. There will be an element of somewhat fantasy, as there are going to be two sides. Those who are completely immune (good), and those who get to the delerium, but nothing else (evil). These people are a lot like the creatures in I Am Legend, except with retained intelligence and no fear of sunlight. The two sides will be fighting once the food runs out, because the sickness took all of the animals, except bears and wolves, and a very small selection of dogs.

Here's the sign-up sheet.

Name:
Sex:
Age:
Alignment: (Good/Evil)

Physical Description:

Eyes:
Hair:
Build (height/weight):
Distinguishing Marks (If any):
Talents/Abilities (In reason please):

Backstory:

Other Information:

Any questions? TG me. Also, I'm looking for dedicated people, because this might last a long time.

Name:Clarence Weston
Sex: Male
Age: 34
Alignment: (Good/Evil) Good

Physical Description

Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Sandy Blonde
Build (height/weight): About 6' 5" Slight beer gut, otherwise muscular.
Distinguishing Marks (If any): Large scar across the bridge of his nose.
Talents/Abilities (In reason please): Good farmer, can grow crops. Plays guitar.

Backstory: He was born and raised a country boy in Marion, Indiana. His father was a successful enough farmer that the family of 8 could live on just the profits made by the crops. As such, Clarence was taught how to farm at a very young age. Being the oldest, he was expected to take over the family business when his dad left this earth. When he was 12, his grandmother from New York gave him an old, handmedown acoustic guitar. Clarence was overjoyed, and he played it every day for hours. Time passed by, and he started helping his dad on the farm, doing housework, and the like. In 1995, when he was 30, his father died of a massive stroke in his sleep. Clarence was torn apart. He took his car and drove across America, telling no one but his little brother Steven. He was happy living out of the car and off the map. Once he reached LA, he decided he would go back. by then, it was 1998, and his mother was on her deathbed.

In 1999, his aunt dropped by again. With her came a not-so common cold.

Other Information: N/A

Name: Niko Agrepolis
Sex: Male
Age: 36
Alignment: (Good/Evil) Good

Physical Description: Ukrainian, strong, athletic, always wheres track suit. Usually blue, but sometime red one.

Eyes: Brown, hazel
Hair: Brown, shaved off. Stubble as mustache.
Build (height/weight): 6'3"
Distinguishing Marks (If any): Scar from right side of forehead, to chin. (From being attacked in Ukraine.
Talents/Abilities (In reason please): Best shot in Ukraine military, very good endurance.

Backstory:
Born in a small town in Ukraine, he was brought into the military at an early age. When he was 29, he moved to NYC to become a rich, successful man. He never got that dream, instead he lived in a small apartment, right next to trains. Lived in the Eastern-European part of NYC.

Other Information: Ukrainian accent (sounds like russian accent), carries remmington 870 pump action shotgun, 9mm handgun. Drives a 1996 Cadillac Deville.

Accepted, although there might be some editing as to his skills >.<

Once I get 5 characters, I'll start up the IC thread

OOC: Who mine? I've used this char in 2 other threads. I'll take out the climbing thing.

I'm involved in one of them actually. The Host?

And ok. I'll take it.

Also, I sense recent playing of GTA IV. :p

OOC: Haha, obsessed with that game. Best game ever. And I got Niko Agrepolis from GTA IV, and the Agrepolis part from a Greek student who went to my school before summer.

EL and Res, you may want to post in The Host before we lose you! Dans and I got kinda carried away. But on a side note, FANCY SEEING YOU HERE!

Name: Kathy Kirtch
Sex: Female
Age: 28
Alignment: I'll see which side needs more help (so probably evil)

Physical Description: She looks much weaker than she actually is even though she still looks pretty strong

Eyes: Green
Hair: Brunette
Build (height/weight): semi-muscular (5'4"/ 100 lbs of muscle)
Distinguishing Marks (If any): a scar on the back of her neck hidden by her long hair
Talents/Abilities (In reason please): doctor specializing in intensive care medicine though she loves metal working

Backstory: Kathy worked hard to get where she is today. She grew up with her grandmother after her parents died 20 years ago in a military accident and found a way to put herself through med school. Now working in a fellowship with a doctor not nearly as good as she is, she moved herself and her grandmother to Queens not too far from the hospital she works at.

Other Information: It's best not to make her mad when she's around a wrench or heavy object, it'll probably fly towards the offender's head.

Haha she sounds interesting. ACCEPTED

I live for interesting! :)

Name: Mark Mirril
Sex: Male
Age: 42
Alignment: (Good/Evil): Start out good, maybe turn evil somehow?

Physical Description: He looks older then he actually is.
Eyes: So dark brown they seem black
Hair: Black, short
Build (height/weight): 5'8" 155lbs
Distinguishing Marks (If any): An odd indentation on the knuckle of his ring finger
Talents/Abilities (In reason please): Organization, calm, very good with making things, and thinking things through.

Backstory: He has worked at GM for the last twenty years of his life. He started as a mechanic, but he didn't do very well. However, he soon got promoted to a manager and now is the CEO's assistant. He doesn't talk about his family or his past very often, is very distant to the other workers, doesn't try to make friends.

Other Information: Doesn't get mad easily, if ever. His not-caring attitude gets very annoying. Could probably dodge a wrench if he had too.

Name: Rowan Chantal Hickock

Sex: Female

Age: 30

Alignment: good

Physical Description: See below...

Distinguishing Marks :Tantric mandala tattoo about navel

Talents/Abilities: Singer musician - plays the harp guitar (http://www.atddm.com/harpguitar1.gif), wheelman/transporter, card dealer, outlaw...

Backstory: See below.

As her older sister Willow, aka Wild Will...puts it:

"My littlest sister, Rowan, who barely tops five foot fiver, and has just turned thirty, was laying down the refrain of Desperado

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy, she'll beat you if she's able. You know the queen of hearts is always your best friend..."

Linda Ronstadt's cover of the Eagle's lament has nothing on Rowan's. Ro's voice is molten honey, dark and rich. Smoke and whiskey, to make any man come to his senses and come in from the cold. The song is pure blues when she pours it forth.

"Now it seems to me, some fine things, have been laid upon your table. But you only want the ones that you can't have...".

Sookie, the Boars Hole manager and senior waitress, wasn't the only one being quiet. When Ro sings everyone stops, listens, and stares. Men, and no few women, can't take their eyes off of her. I may be good looking, but Rowan shines.

Mere words fail to adequately describe the effortless tumble of Champaign Blonde hair about her shoulders, or the artless, direct gaze of limpid silver grey eyes set in a pale and pure complexioned face that tops a body that was "designed by the devil to tempt any one to illegalities" as one of my Pettimore cousins put it rather elegantly for that group I must say. And as much a dream woman as she looks Ro actually prefers the outdoor life, and was like all of us an complete tomboy growing up. She's a better hunter than most of my kin and that’s saying something. The locals say Ro takes her limit of deer each season by mesmerism them with her looks. That thought brings a snort that is only half disbelieving. Given our heritage, Rowan just might. She prefers to hunt alone.

My eyes were closed. I've never envied Rowan her movie star good looks - I knew the price she pays for such beauty. A woman as spectacular as she isn't expected to have a brain or a personality, but Rowan has both and in incredible quantity. My little sister is quality through and through. Even if she is a Pettimore, and an outlaw."

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4632/rowantj4.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rowantj4.jpg)

-Copperhead Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc86_Weoye0)

The Pettimores are purely American outlaw, from the backwoods of Johnson county, Tenn - a tiny hamlet called Mountain City. Known best for being spectacular scenery less than an hour drive from the best skiing on the east coast... But to the Imperial Entanglements... I mean Federal Law Enforcement ( FBI, DEA, BATF ) it is far better known for being the home turf of the Pettimores, the legendary bootleggers turned American Mafia. They've done well for themselves.

The Hickocks are cousins of current head of the Pettimore outfit - Johnnie Lee Pettimore III. Rowan has made a small name for her self with her singing, has a couple of cd's out, but also makes a good living as a high value small size transporter - will Not transport hard drugs or unwilling live bodies. But what she has fun with is being a well known, reputable dealer for high stakes, illegal card games. She won't play but loves to deal and is very dexterous with the cards, knowing all sorts of trick and cuts. She is very scrupulous and will not cheat - or tolerate cheating when she is running the games. There are soundly backed rumors that cheaters have disappeared under her direction.
NS RP's:
Copperhead Road; Taking a Load Off (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=495763)
Copperhead Road LD 50; Last Gas Tank Standing (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=516575)
TMZ Automotive Excellence Exposition (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=537722)

Drives one of two vehicles:

Volvo VNL 770 auto shift class 8 semi truck ( http://perigrinemoore.googlepages.com/rowan)

and in the trailer…

a highly modified and restored black 1971 'Cuda - V-8 1500 hp - All aluminum 572 cu.in. dry sump Hemi. 2 stage adjustable direct port nitrous, one off fuel injection system, custom one off chassis, ceramic coated titanium brakes, 6-speed- Getrag Transaxle, one off 20" and 19" wheels, carbon fiber front fenders, hood, spoilers, interior pieces.

Carry pieces :

2 - Manurhin PP (http://gunsplanet.com/french/manurhinpp_us.html) in .32 with Glaser safety slugs alternating with Speer Gold Dot 60 grain jacketed hollow point. She has multiple magazines stashed about the ring, and carries an extra one or tw on her at all times. One gun is kept in her bed, she carries the other, but will have both on her if she has any incliung that a bad situation is comming up.

FN 90 PDW (http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg13-e.htm) - there are several of these tucked about the rig, along with numerous extra 75 round magazines.

Remington 700 XCR ( http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_xcr_compact_tactical.asp ) in 308

Is it ok if I change my char?

Well since we haven't started anything, yes. I'm going to be back tomorrow at like 4 after work. Also, tanara?

Tell VV i'm sorry for not posting lately. I've been working, and it's taking up a lot of time. I'll squeeze one in tomorrow.

I'll pass that along - and - is my character approved?

And how about mine? His wrench-dodging abilities are excellent. :)

Oh Tal, you know nothing of how good Kathy's aim is. :)

Are we starting the IC yet>?

If Tal is approved then yes, we have 5 and should be starting. Of course, it's not my decision.

I intend to find out. :):)

Well, here's hoping it's soon.

Tomorrow I'll have it up guys. They're both accepted.

It'll probably be up at around 4.

Gotta love IM. Tal, Res says you're accepted.

You all brittish? I'm on the East Coast of the US. I may not be on much, cause my best friend and his mom and dad (whos an actor on broadway, TV, movies) are coming from London. I"M SO EXITED!!!!!

So I may be on in the morning, but then towards the afternoon me and my family are goinna pick them up.

I'm from colorado lol

You said midwest... That's hardly midwest if you ask me. Then again, I'm in one of the northern most states in the US. Minnesota born and raised.

Oh lol ok

Name: Madison Anglen
Sex: F
Age: 22
Alignment: Good

Physical Description:

Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brunette
Build: 5'4", 145 Lbs, average with curves
Distinguishing Marks: Celtic tattoo on left shoulder
Talents/Abilities: creative thinking, survival skills

Backstory:
Madi was raised in Colorado City, a place that she regards with nightmares at best. With the help of civil rights activists and CPS, she escaped a pending forced marriage with her own stepbrother, who is 22 years older than she is, at the age of 12. She was taken to Phoenix, where she was raised and finnished school, before she moved to Killeen, Texas, working for the city as a secritary.

When people started getting sick in other parts of the country, Madi was not so affected by it. She continued life as usual, until the visit from home of a member of the church attempting to bring her back brought the germs there, and all along the stops on the road ...

Other Information:
Madi is on the run from her family. Her past haunts her, and she has a hard time trusting men because of it. But she is smart and successful, and very peristant.

I'm from the state with the 2nd worst economy of all the states, last I checked.

Texas born and bred for me. Houston native atop that.

IC thread's up!

Link here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13848155#post13848155)

Remember, OOC threads here. Of any sort.

Good Telling, all!

Hey Res, if only a few bear, and canids are left alive - what are people going to be eating? Sure vegtables are nice but...

I think you might want to think about that for a bit.

Also - you might want to up the date to current from the 90's - most people aren't going to remember what was available and what was not in the way of technology etc ( and if the virus is that bad even the best available today I don't think would stop it.)

There are still quite a few nonperishable foods around. When that runs out, people have to hunt as well as some cannabalism.

Yes the solstice needs to be changed. I am aware

Oh, shoot, I thought is was modern times. Well, I already mentioned a few times that it's a two seater, so what car from the 90's that was a two seater can I use? I'm not very knowlegdable about cars, so help would be appreciated.

90's ZR1 Corvette.

Ok, I'll edit. And is his cell phone ok? They were in existence back then, I think...

No flip phones though. Other than that, yeah you're fine I think

Well I'm off for the day. So just say he passed out if you like.

Mkay, but I don't think I'll post unless some one else is here to interact with.

And I'll make sure it's not a flip phone.

Sorry to dispute you Res, but there were flip phones in the '90s. Motorola made most of them, but they were available. However, they were somewhat uncommon and expensive. And don't think they had even black and white LCD screens. They just had lights that showed signal and battery and the numbers were like those we still see today on digital clocks. At any rate, the standard "candy bar" style phone was starting to come into availability and style, so car phones that had a battery and the phone teathered to that in a case were most commonly used up until the early 90's.

Also, go Frisbeeteria! Gotta love that moderation. :p

And on a side note, Tal and Res, do you mind if I take some liberties and see you two coming into the hospital as Kathy leaves? Clearence is in need of her specialty after all and they've been understaffed lately. Besides that, it helps to gather the characters.

I had actually been going for that. good call.

Alright, I'll take the liberty of assuming they're pulling into the ER then.

Fine then.

Question - what city / town / state is that ER in?

And hey - Syl - could you leave you sig out of the IC thread?

Yes Nova Nippon is the same as Tanara for this game

Oh I feel so ganged up on.


I'm going to say it's close to Clarence's hometown, but a major city, so let's go with Indianapolis.

It doesn't have to be a big town. I live in a small town and we've got a good sized hospital. And a town 25 miles south (where I am right now) has a decent sized parking ramp for their hospital even though their town is so small you can hear the races all over town from the fairgrounds. But Indianapolis I can work with, it's a great city. I've got friends there too.

I'll try and remember to uncheck the box that says "include signature," but no guarantees that I'll always remember. And you never said anything in the White Tower about it.

Must you prove me wrong every time! lol Jeez

No offense, but it's kinda what I do. Did you see my rant on cell phones? That was kinda fun. :p

LOL - didn't say anything cause every one took off and running

Hmm.... Me thinks this thread is dead.... R.I.P....
(unless you prove me wrong, people...?)

I think it is too. *gets a bugle* Shall I play Taps?

I guess RL caught up with Res - we could keep it going ourselves

Indeed it did. I'm swamped with work and this and ARGH.

I suffer from RL daily. Damn. I wants my internet world :(

I'll try to get a post up. Albeit a short one. then I'm off to bed.

Ha! Whenever I declare a thread dead, it magically snaps back to life, even it it's slowly!

Res, please reread post 26. Kathy did indeed go to Clearance, he's not alone.

Gah!

I completely missed it. Sorry.

Also, it's clarence.

Hey Syl, didya catch the name Mark used? Just curious.

No actually, I missed it.

And no worries, just pointing it out. Please don't expect me to start getting it right though. I bad with names.

It's Arthur Radley. :)

Is that supposed to be significant or something?

Yes. Yes it is.

Care to elaborate on why?

Just google it if you have to. If you're still confused, I'll elaborate then, but for now I'll say that Mark is very cultured and he likes dry humor where he can get it.

And I like including that certain line at the end of my posts. If you look you'll know what I'm talking about. It's like a recurring theme. Like the name. :)

And Syl, could you RP the nurse at the front desk? She would have the name "Arthur Radley" that he wrote on the check out. FYI. Or I could just RP her.

You know what? I'll help you with the name. Arthur Radley is better known as Boo Radley. Ring any bells yet?

2nd hint: To Kill A Mockingbird

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD!

Damn, now I lost that bet...

Yes, that Boo Radley. I'll even tell you why. It's a sin to kill a mockingbird is the moral of the book, right? Mark was a hero, but he doesn't want to be recognized as one. Like Boo. Or Arthur Radley. Hence the name.
*sigh*

I love how you ignore the fact that I lost a bet because of you.

Huh?

Kitteh is confuzed

*munches on Cool Ranch Doritos*

....... Hmm? You say something?

*smacks you both upside the head and leaves*

This discussion has gone off on quite the tangent lol

Ow Syl. Was that really necessary?

What tangent?
*head falls off*

This discussion has gone off on quite the tangent lol

Ow Syl. Was that really necessary?

Quite necessary.

This calls for a ban methinks

What does?

This calls for a ban methinks

Now who's going over the top?

I will ignore this comment :)

Well anyway, I'm going to have people getting sick and dying in the hospital. Feel free to have the appropriate level of freaked-out-ness.

Well clarence is going to run screaming right the fuck out. He's put up with waaayyy to much of this for the week lol

And I guess Mark'll just float by the door for awhile....

Mark just witnessed all his neighbor's deaths (sorta), but I think I'll have him be eerily calm. Tee hee.

Be sure to note Clarence's screaming-ness. And the fact that he's conscious. I don't think Mark was around for his coming to

Nope. he wasn't. I'm not sure what he'd do, but we'll find out. Tee hee.

Alright, there's two down. Let's see how it goes from here...

Agh! Tal, how am I supposed to reply! I never even posted that he did anything! Grrr

Tee hee! Death!

Bwah hwah hahaha!!!

Seriously though. Edit please.

Oh, ok, fine.

More development in my next post, but it's taking a while cause I want to get it right.

No problem

Cool. And this thread will eventually turn into something like "I Am Legend", with humans vs. zombies, basically, right? (I know not exactly, I'm generalizing) (just curious, I knew that's how it was supposed to go)

Well I suppose. It's more like a Good vs. Evil thing though. The thieves, murderers, rapists, they all let the disease turn into an oppurtunity to do whatever they want and it sorta changes them. They become strange, like wolves in a pack. Whereas, the normal people more or less just want to survive, and since that's god's will (this story also has a lot to do with religion) They remain the same.

.... Wait, so one thing I'm not sure about. The disease either kills people, doesn't kill them, or just causes them to go insane and group together like zombies, right? I thought that's what it was like originally anyway. But you're saying that it's more like good people vs. people who have been mentally twisted, and were evil, and the disease doesn't mess with them, just that it didn't kill them?

Cause you mention that some people might survive, start out normal, then become weirdly mutated or something.

Sorry, I'm almost as picky as Syl when it comes to this stuff.

Yes, well my idea has changed, and I apologize for this. I think it seems a little more to my liking, and I think it'll make a better story in the end if I go with the "Evil crazy people" thing. But hey, what's your opinion. Also, the third party will be the animals, who'll also be affected by the disease, but they become kind of like Cujo, if you've read the book. They're kind of the neutral "kill anything that moves but pack together" group. Both sides of humans need to hide/defend themselves from the wolves.

I've read the book.

And darn. I was kinda hoping that I could have Mark go insane and become a bad guy, but only after some sort of heroic sacrifice, then I'd control the bad guys. But I'm not sure how I can do that now....

Oh you can. Let's just say that something changes Mark after said heroic act, and he sorta holds a grudge against humanity in general.

"I see the world in flames"

Kinda thing

So just to clarify, only those those who were "evil" to start will go nuts?

I don't know... he's too logical for something as petty as a 'grudge'... I'll see what I can do when the time comes, I suppose... maybe he'll just plain go insane after the heroic act, who knows.

And Mark maybe. :p

Syl: I think that's pretty much how it'll go with some exceptions.

Tal: Well, you can (within reason) write your own reason for him going to the Dark Side (hehe) But it'll be a bit down the road. And apparently, I'll need to take on some extra characters to be Evil, since nobody really did that...

Yeah, that's why I'm sorta pushing towards that....

Alright then.

Syl, would you be willing to take on a second character?

Hey all - I am going to bow out of this.

What do you mean?

Aww comeeeonn you're fun to work with!

Aww, come on! Why drop out?

And second character? I'm already working like, 7.

Ok 8th character :P

And ok. Mark can still go insane. The disease still adversely affects even the good, everyday people. The ones who go insane do eventually radiate to the Evil side though. Now don't leave :'(

Yay for evil psychotic killers!

I could probably take a second char if I had to.

Oh, and please don't leave, Tanara. Your name is somewhat similar to mine!

As it seems Resqwandi just found out!

I'm so confused now. And I suppose I could take on another one. Want me to post a bio for Amber?

No, I you don't need to. When she's introduced into the story, I think I'll be able to get the jist.

Good people=Everyday people

Evil people=Pre-packaged evil people+People who the disease made insane.

Yes tal I discovered this -_-

Cool. Then maybe there's still hope for Mark yet!
*starts humming "Look on the bright side of Life", the song at the end of Monty Python's 'The Life of Brian'*

And BTW, the cough is kinda foreshadowing that he won't die, but just go crazy. Just.

How's he gonna get out of quarantine though

Why do you people insist on calling her a nurse!? She's got a specialty in Intensive Care Medicine and graduated top in her class, but you insist on calling her a nurse!

I said doctor so...

You said far down the road. I've got time to work it out.

She just introduced herself, Mark didn't know better, but I'm glad it irked you. :p

And another one to the list :p

Ya, but I said doctor in her bio, but for ages, both of you called her a nurse and it just kept going and now it's like "enough is enough." *smacks you both*

*dodges the smack*
Boo hoo.

*kicks you in the nuts then launches a dozen dozen Tal seeking missiles*

*cup protects me then shoots down missiles with 155 SAM missiles. The extra 11 head for you*

*lasers protect me* Lulz

Wait, wait... we're getting off topic again... even though my cup is awesome...
So, eventually, I'll be evil... that's happening a lot to me lately....

HA. I said nurses again, and didn't even notice until now.

Maybe it's cause you are...

Zing??

*beats the snot out of Res* NO!! JUST DON'T EVEN GO THERE!

Why thank you for clearing up my sinuses :)

Argh. *injects you with a chemical that causes you to produce mucous uncontrollably*

Well I'm going to bed, I need to be up in the morning.

No duh I'm evil.

Is this thread dead?

Yes. I'm afraid so. Break out the trumpet Syl...

*gets a bugle* Trumpet my fat ass. *plays Taps*

*sigh* darn.