[Interest Check] The Electric State

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ClosedCustomPrivate1 / daybravend
Wires hum under the weight of lost souls. The horizon crackles with static, while crumbling cities stand as the last monuments to a forgotten future. Neuronic tech threads through your skull, tugging you into shimmering bliss, but you know better than to give in completely. Somewhere out there, amidst the shattered landscapes, there’s still something worth fighting for - if you can remember what that is.

But reality is just as broken as the dreams that fuel it. Drones drift aimlessly through the sky, forgotten soldiers of a long-ended war. Massive, mechanical creatures roam the countryside, remnants of projects no one speaks of anymore. And those who remain tethered to their neurocasters? They’re not coming back. Not this time.

You’re not like the others.
You’ve got a reason to stay out here in the dust and rot. Whether it’s hope, guilt, or something darker... something worse, it keeps you walking down that cracked highway, even when the world tells you to stop. You’ve got a journey ahead of you, and you’ll travel through hell to finish it.

Welcome to The Electric State, a game set in an alternate 1997 where the remnants of America drift through the void of a slow-motion apocalypse. The neurocasters offer an escape from a dying world, but you're one of the few still holding on to reality. In this game, your Traveler will set out across the ruins of Pacifica, navigating strange and hostile landscapes, where not everything is as it seems. The road ahead is long, and the farther you go, the more you might lose yourself.


Oct 9, 2024 7:20 pm
https://i.imgur.com/dON6nLI.png

B R O K E N D R E A M S ...and the world you knew has fallen away.

Wires hum under the weight of lost souls. The horizon crackles with static, while crumbling cities stand as the last monuments to a forgotten future. Neuronic tech threads through your skull, tugging you into shimmering bliss, but you know better than to give in completely. Somewhere out there, amidst the shattered landscapes, there’s still something worth fighting for - if you can remember what that is.

But reality is just as broken as the dreams that fuel it. Drones drift aimlessly through the sky, forgotten soldiers of a long-ended war. Massive, mechanical creatures roam the countryside, remnants of projects no one speaks of anymore. And those who remain tethered to their neurocasters? They’re not coming back. Not this time.

You’re not like the others.
You’ve got a reason to stay out here in the dust and rot. Whether it’s hope, guilt, or something darker... something worse, it keeps you walking down that cracked highway, even when the world tells you to stop. You’ve got a journey ahead of you, and you’ll travel through hell to finish it.
https://i.imgur.com/LT2iTpV.png

Welcome to The Electric State, a game set in an alternate 1997 where the remnants of America drift through the void of a slow-motion apocalypse. The neurocasters offer an escape from a dying world, but you're one of the few still holding on to reality. In this game, your Traveler will set out across the ruins of Pacifica, navigating strange and hostile landscapes, where not everything is as it seems. The road ahead is long, and the farther you go, the more you might lose yourself to the whispers of the Electric State.

What is the Electric State? The Electric State is a story-driven, character-focused RPG set in a world where technology, nostalgia, and decay collide. Players take on the role of Travelers embarking on journeys through a dystopian version of California, exploring not just the landscape, but their own inner struggles and relationships.
It’s a world where society is crumbling, neuronic technology is everywhere, and the pull of virtual escapism is often too strong to resist.

Gameplay Tips:
▸ This is a game about journeys, not destinations. The story is in what happens along the way, how the world around you collapses, and how your Traveler changes - or falls apart.
▸ Exploration is both physical and psychological. You’ll navigate derelict cities, abandoned drone fields, and twisted virtual landscapes, but you’ll also confront your Traveler’s personal demons.
▸ Combat is deadly. Resources are scarce. Sometimes your best option is to run, hide, or outthink your enemies.
▸ Neuronics are seductive but dangerous. Using them might get you what you need, but be careful not to lose yourself to the allure of the Electric State.
Hello! Thanks for checking out my thread! If you’re reading this, you’re probably intrigued by The Electric State, and I’m here to tell you: you’ve got excellent taste!

I’m bravend, and I’ve been involved in play-by-post roleplay for over 15 years. I’m relatively new to Gamersplane’s format, but I’ve found it enjoyable and manageable. My main focus is character development, detailed writing, and immersive storytelling. I encourage players to dive deep into their characters and the world around them.

The Electric State deals with mature themes - loss, decay, addiction, and the struggle to retain humanity in a world that’s slipping away. This game is open to adults only, as it explores darker, more introspective content alongside moments of surreal horror. You don’t need to be familiar with the system to join (I'm learning too actually shhhhh)

https://i.imgur.com/EFnXHzO.png

For this campaign:

▸ You’ll create a Traveler - someone with a reason to leave the crumbling safety of the city and venture out into the desolate Pacifica landscape.
▸ Characters are encouraged to have dreams, flaws, and personal goals, all of which will play a central role in shaping their journey.
▸ I aim for several posts a week from each player, with at least one post every two days to keep the story moving forward.
▸ I’m looking for 4-5 players who enjoy detailed writing, character interaction, and world-building.

If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to ask! Let’s explore what’s left of this broken world together.

Please note: It will likely take a few days for me to get this up and going for gameplay once characters are made. Character creation will be done together, and following that I will form the Journey based on the characters the players create. Please note, I want only one drone Player Character in this game maximum. I’m also not sure of what sheets we should use. Maybe The Walking Dead one already available on Gamersplane and we can make adjustments to it.
Oct 9, 2024 7:25 pm
I would love to play! I would also be interested in trying out this drone character if possible.
Last edited October 9, 2024 7:28 pm
Oct 10, 2024 2:36 am
I was intrigued by the Kickstarter but ultimately didn't get in on it. I saw that it went live on DriveThru but haven't bought it (yet), nor do I own anything from Tales from the Loops (yet). Love the artwork though.

So I am interested. Let me know if buying it is a requisite to playing (it won't break my budget). I have some familiarity with the Year Zero engine, but not much.
Oct 10, 2024 3:36 am
I've kind of been looking at the digital version on DriveThru for a bit. I'm interested but if you load up that's fine and dandy. I'm familiar with the rules in Things from the Flood but to be fair I don't think we honestly pay any attention to them and mostly roleplay.
Oct 10, 2024 4:26 am
Thanks for the interest so far! This is a Free League Game and the original author of Electric State did Tales/From the Flood but this entry is separate and a different universe/story. I have not played either of those myself but I have played other Free League games using Year Zero.
Oct 10, 2024 8:10 am
I would be interested in this. I love Loop and Flood and have backed this game on KS (just got my book the other day), but I couldn't commit to working on a character or anything until after the next week, unfortunately.
Oct 10, 2024 2:59 pm
I'd love to play too! I've played and run most of the Free League games (including some of my own design), so I'm familiar with the system, and I have the core book.
Oct 10, 2024 3:03 pm
I would love to be considered if there's room!
Oct 10, 2024 3:45 pm
This does sound pretty awesome.
Oct 10, 2024 8:13 pm
Wow, that's awesome ya'll thank you! I will prepare to send out invites. I want to have some stuff set up in some private docs beforehand (re: character creation) and such.

I do think it's a good idea to have the PDF to guide along in character creation. If that might break the bank for anyone, I have the alpha version of the PDF I can share via discord to those invited who accept the invite. It is incomplete in several ways, but I do believe all the character creation info is there. I'll see if there's any major changes. Also if this is against the rules scratch that lmao I swear I tried to check before I offered this idea. Worst case, I'll just screenshot the character creation pages? If that's allowed? I'm mostly just concerned with the character building, otherwise I don't think the PDF is necessary if you're just playing and along for the ride.

I also need to build up a character sheet here. That'll be my first time either making or adjusting one lol wish me luck
Oct 11, 2024 12:47 am
I think if it's in a private game and not widely circulated (publicly available), it should be ok. I did something similar with an old game that's long OOP but resurrected in pdf via DTRPG. If I'm invited, I'll buy the pdf. It'll probably be worth it just for the artwork. :)
Oct 11, 2024 4:46 pm
I've got the game forum mostly set up! I just need to work on, or at least attempt to work on, a character sheet.

I was looking for five players, as I'm not sure if more would be too much? Otherwise, if the group is fine with it, I am fine to go with all seven!

The core aspect of the game is all players traveling together in a vehicle, and they are generally intended to stay together.
Oct 11, 2024 5:12 pm
I've found my sweet spot is 3-5 at most, but with PBP, but I figure a couple of people at least will probably drop out unless it's a one-shot that's quick. I've also run for 8 players before in PBP and it went ok, as long as the other players don't try to hog the limelight (especially if some of us post more frequently) - something I try to remind myself about.
Oct 11, 2024 5:12 pm
I can say that if you can screenshot the character sheet from the book/.pdf, I could work on a sheet for the game? I'm not an expert but I've made a few and altered a handful more. Plus it would take sonlmething off your plate.

I will also say, don't bite off more than you can chew as a GM. If you feel 5 PCs is the right fit, then run 5. And let me say, if you let me make you a sheet, you aren't obligated to pick me as one of the 5, so don't feel like you "owe" me or anything. I like making and tweaking sheets, so the experience is its own reward.
Oct 11, 2024 5:21 pm
Lemming23 says:
I've found my sweet spot is 3-5 at most, but with PBP, but I figure a couple of people at least will probably drop out unless it's a one-shot that's quick. I've also run for 8 players before in PBP and it went ok, as long as the other players don't try to hog the limelight (especially if some of us post more frequently) - something I try to remind myself about.
This is a fair point and something I've definitely already experienced in the couple of games I'm in/run here. So, if it is fine with everyone, I am fine to run with 7! Not in the hopes that someone drops or anything lol, if all 7 work out I think I can manage it fine. I am more worried about player comfort. I like to read and write a lot so more of that is not a problem with me.
MaJunior says:
I can say that if you can screenshot the character sheet from the book/.pdf, I could work on a sheet for the game? I'm not an expert but I've made a few and altered a handful more. Plus it would take sonlmething off your plate.

I will also say, don't bite off more than you can chew as a GM. If you feel 5 PCs is the right fit, then run 5. And let me say, if you let me make you a sheet, you aren't obligated to pick me as one of the 5, so don't feel like you "owe" me or anything. I like making and tweaking sheets, so the experience is its own reward.
Oh, that would be nice, thank you! I was working on adjusting the Walking Dead one (I think bowlofspinach made that one, thank you!) and I find myself getting frustrated lol. If someone else enjoys it, that is fine with me lol

https://i.imgur.com/QwfmeEc.png
Oct 11, 2024 5:31 pm
The tension boxes are meant to reflect numbers 0-2

eta: sent out invites. If someone's decided they're no longer interested, that's okay! Please just let me know!
Last edited October 11, 2024 9:00 pm
Oct 22, 2024 3:56 pm
I would be interested as well!
Oct 22, 2024 6:06 pm
@bowlofspinach Just thought I'd ping you as a reminder. You seem pretty busy as is so if you are no longer interested I completely understand, but the crew is mostly made and the first in-game post just went up today if you did want to get in. No worries either way.

@beefbrain Thank you for your interest! We've just started so it's possible there may be player attrition, you will be contacted if that is the case!
Oct 22, 2024 11:12 pm
Looks like you have plenty of folks to choose from, but if you lose someone along the way I’d love to join!

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