Swift (A Gunslinger's Tale)

[Vale]

"Welcome to The Edison. Skylark's Numero Uno stasis saloon. What'll you have? Blonde et Brunette, Slizzling Saffron? Ladies, Gents, Both, Neither? You can find everything here if you know what you're looking for with all the right questions. So I must first ask one as well, if you'd oblige. Who are you?"

Despite the barkeep's welcoming demeanor, you've heard all the stories about The Edison. Ever since his pioneering work with Steam Power back in 1589 Ancient, people have continued on using his name and ideals. Steam. A funny notion really, who would have thought so much power existed within those little hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Sure, he started simple. Power generated after heating them. But now, Steam is just a title. The process of splitting and breaking the hydrogen-oxygen bonds and harnessing the power released, that's Steam.

"Well? We've got lovely company for...someone of your stature." The Barkeep kept pressing on, as a few damsels caught your eye.


Still, You're not the only gunslinger within this scrap heap of a saloon. Heck, you'd be hardpressed to find someone within the city of Skylark who wasn't a Steam Pilot or Slinger. That's just it though, Steam controls every aspect of our lives here. Skylark Engineering is one of the largest businesses on the Floating Isles. Floating Islands---again, due to the pride and glory of S.E--They're not naturally floating of course. In fact, Skylark as well as several other Islands all float due to massive Steam Engines. In essence, they're gargantuan steamships, piloted around by hundreds of Engineers, Designers, not to mention Pilots. Ever since the first Sky Island was launched, most of the Ancient Kingdoms and Nations fell. It makes sense, although not many people could honestly tell you why. It's been so long, Steamships and Floating Islands have become commonplace. Some say it was due to the formation of massive deserts, which mostly cover the surface of Earth, That people took to the skies to govern themselves and to start over. I suppose it doesn't matter. Sky Islands form their own societies now, and the Underlands have only a few cities of note, mere shadows of their old former glory.

Of course competition exists, but I suppose a history lesson is in order. To date the world of course. The year is 9:84 Granite. Each century is broken into Ages, usually in reference to a particular stone, mandated by the College of Ratchet. There have been 9 Ages since the end of the Ancient age. (Again,the Ancient Age ended with the first launch of a Sky Island by Falcorp. (Which was bought out eventually by Skylark Engineering)) The College of Ratchet exists on the Island of Skylark-which is in fact the largest of the Floating Islands, a collective of 5 like-minded skyCities. (Skylark, Falcorn *named after the original Falcorp*, Atticus, Atreyaline, and Saoti) They're known as the Floating Islands, as I said.

In opposition to the Floating Islands are a collection of Suspension Cities and skyCities. Known as the the Ristus Federation. (More commonly referenced as just Ristus, where people from any of the cities are known as Ristans. Whereas most people from the Floating Islands identify themselves in relation to whatever city they are from (Skylean, Falcan, Attican, Atreyan, and Saotin). People from Ristus believe that pride in a Federation, that the pride in the whole collective is more important than the pride of a singular place. I suppose that's partially why people view the Floating Islands as both a savage area,with loose rules and regulations, but also as a free place, unbound by outside influence. Either way, like finding Gunslingers in a Saloon, you'd be hardpressed to get a Ristan to tell you where they're from.

Either way, some people seek the Islands for freedom, others to claim them for their own. Whatever the motive, it certainly keeps travelers on the move from one island to the next, illegal or not: Prosecution only happens in Ristus if they catch you.

[Vale]

So it's been awhile since I crafted anything as of late, but I figured I might as well post this to give myself some space.

I am Vale, address me as such please.

In case you felt that tl;dr:
1. This is a Steampunk/"Western" RP
2. It takes place roughly 950 years after the launch of the first Sky Island: Roughly around the end of 2050, so for the sake of basic math. It's the year 3000. Space is bullshit, why travel to find new worlds to populate when people can just build larger cities, decimate the landscape, and build new landscapes.
3. Roughly 90% of this tale's population resides in Ristus or the Floating Island Cities.
4. Steam (as explained) is the most common use of technology. It has been fully subsidized on the Floating Islands (as power is generated fo' free via water vapor that exists in our atmosphere) Ristus it is regulated by the Federation, and taxes paid on it either via service in the Federation Military, or through Public Office/Positions. (Mayors, Teachers, etc, anyone who works for the Federation, get's it's benefits.)

A Bit more on Ristus.
It exists as a place where Law is All. Everything is regulated, from groceries to lifepartners. Some view it as a form of oppression and tyranny, many Islanders view the Federation with disdain for this imposition on individual freedom, many Ristans love and relish the fact that they never have to worry about events/decisions. After all, "The best Slave doesn't know he's a Slave, does he?" --Old Falcan Saying
Suspension Cities: A City that exists on a platform above the Underlands. Usually held in place by multiple massive support pylons. Ultimately they are a city built on stilts

Either way, not everything is free on the Islands, nor is this place truly a Paradise. There's lawlessness in most of the cities. Some look to the Engineering Companies for Law and Order, but with most of them, they either turn a blind eye to minute cases of corruption, or just isolate themselves from the day to day activities. That being said, when an Agent of a Company is around, their word is law for that time. i.e. An Agent of Skylark Engineering can act as Judge, Jury, and Executioner only in the city of Skylark. They have no Jurisdiction within the city of Saoti. If an Agent is present, or if one ever is on the hunt for you, your best bet is to try and jump ship for another Island. They're the only semblance of a policing force on the Islands. (Sometimes however, they can cooperate with other Islands to ensure the capture of especially dangerous criminals.)

Facts Continued:
Most people maintain a "live, and let live" policy on others. They won't go out of their way to do harm to others, unless prompted to. Even though the freedom to harm another exists, those that abuse that freedom often times are met by an Agent of Engineering. (Usually dubbed as Engents) Survival isn't likely when faced with one.

Although there isn't so much as a 'War' or 'Conflict' between the Islands and Ristus, both sides don't hold particular favor with one another. Open travel does exist between the two, but it certainly is challenging to find a pilot in one land, willing to take you to the other. Some do say though, that Ristus is closing it's borders out of fear of Subversion against it's ideology, whereas others say it's due to Island aggression. Others believe that Ristans are infiltrating the Island Engineering companies with a plot of malice. But who can say. After all, most of what's said in places like "The Edison" is birdspit to begin with.

[Vale]

Demo Bio Format:

Name: "Captain" Valent Salazaar
Age: 28
Profession: Steamship Smuggler
Birthplace: States that he's Atreyan
Alliance: Non-Affiliated:
(Alliance only applies if creating an Engent or Ristan. If Ristan, than obviously they're affiliated to the Federation)
Appearance: An Image/Written description will suffice. As it is late, I will just use an image

Skill Set: Choose 3 from the Skill List from the Following:

Subterfuge:
Stealth- The ability to hide particularly well. Only unable to hide from those with the Perception Skill. (All Engents automatically have to chose Perception for one of their 3)
Lockpicking- The ability to pick most locks.
Evasion- Added bonus to evade most traps. If chosen with Stealth, can hide from those with Perception

Hunter:
Perception- A higher sense of accuracy, can permeate stealth. Engents must have this.
Trap-Master- Ability to lay, construct, and detonate traps/explosives.
Tracking- If chosen with Perception and Diplomacy, can find their target through most any city with ease.

Assassination:
Diplomacy- Easier to gain information. Use in conjunction with Tracking to be able to pick up odd jobs easier. With Perception, able to smooth talk most anyone for information.
Steady Hand- Able to Steal/Pickpocket. With Perception, able to get away with larger heists. With Diplomacy, able to coerce others.
Backed into a Corner- Able to fire Steam-Weapons easier, but only if no other option exists. (Remember now, people don't go out of their way to kill/harm others. But let's say you've stolen something important, and an Engent is after you. Sometimes violence is the only remaining option)

Bonus Talents for Ristans:
Way of Ristus: More Resistant to Coercion.
Military Might: More acceptable to resort to Violence.

Bonus Talents for Islanders:
Live and Let Live: Able to Bribe others.
Kill or Be Killed: A higher understanding of weapons and traps.

(I'll post more when It's not 1am)

[Vale]

Skills continued:

Other:
Melee: Physical Violence Prowess----(A hit from this person would deal more damage/be more useful than without. Stronger people, hit harder obviously) With Military Might, people will cower in fear. (Melee +Military Might = a form of Seduction. A form of Steady Hand+ Diplomacy)
Gunslinger: Able to use basic steamguns. W/Perception this increases the amount of steamguns. (I.e. Gunslinger + Kill or be Killed = Gunslinger + Perception + a form of Trap Mastery)
Tinkerer: Able to employ the use of Locks and Gadgets to impede others or make things harder to steal. With Perception, they are able to deconstruct the locks of others.
(I.e. Tinkerer + Perception = a form of Lockpicking.)
Seduction: Able to Coerce. With Steady hand, able to steal from most people. With Perception, they are able to Coerce even Ristans. (For instance, Seduction <W o R. However Seduction + Perception > Way of Ristus. )

Coercion/Bribery: Bribes exist to help hide easier from Engents, to gain information on people easier, however something must be provided in order to occur. Coercion helps people gain information, without the use of giving something. Ultimately, people will believe the lies you tell them easier if you have seduction. However Ristans are naturally distrusting of Islanders.

Let's say you chose the following.
Kill or Be Killed, Trap Mastery, and Backed into a Corner. Someone like this would be more likely to use violence to achieve their ends. They also would be able to construct massive traps and bombs for others. I.e. let's say they were a smuggler. It would be wise to have these skills, as it is likely that you are on the run from an Engent. You could lay traps and decoys, and in case you weren't able to evade them, you could resort to attacking/murdering.

(fyi: What I'm trying to do with limiting to 3 Skills, is to ultimately define a set character type via skills. I've grown tired of super-villains able to do EVERYTHING. (cough Cyrus) And I'm tired of Knights who know Magic and can pilot ships and command entire armies, or thieves who are geniuses who also know how to fire every gun they ever pick up perfectly. )

That being said, let's say you had Live And Let Live, Seduction, and Diplomacy: You'd be perfect for being a Hooker, or perhaps even a Bounty Hunter. But you wouldn't be a Ristan at all. However if you had Military Might, Tinkerer, and Stealth, you could be a Ristan sent to spread Subversion against the Islands, or perhaps someone sent to Recruit to the Federation. When I write more up, it should help define characters better. (Hopefully)