morphmasters | Mar. 29th, 2013

Mar. 29th, 2013

This document was helpfully left behind for the incoming Rangers on the eve of the final battle: a backup, just in case the failsafe plan was needed. Contained in this little booklet is all the advice and information that your predecessors have left for you.

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A Power Ranger is an individual who's got the ability to morph ~~and to even up the score~~. Okay, more seriously, here's the rundown of your equipment and powers. You'll pick it up as you go, newbies: this is just to help you out a bit along the way.

Communicators and Teleportation:

Each of you has a communicator that can access the Ranger network, capable of contacting any other Ranger equipped with a communicator. Communication on these devices is voice only. Some Rangers from older teams use wristwatch-like communicators with bands in their Ranger color, but it's more common these days for a cell phone-based Power Morpher to double as the communicator.

Communicators are necessary for tapping into the teleportation network---a Ranger can instantly teleport to the scene of a battle or back to the base, though a few other locations that you visit frequently on official business may be programmed in. When teleporting, you disappears in a streak of light bearing your Ranger color.

Communicators can be used whether you're morphed/in your Ranger form or not---if morphed, the communication speakers are inside the helmet and can be activated with a specific gesture---tapping the wrist is used for most of you, but if you're not human I'm sure you'll work something else out.

Power Morphers:

Each Ranger carries a Power Morpher, a small device that contains the key to their power and their link to the Morphin Grid. A Power Morpher can be any small object that you carry with you: morphers we've seen have included detachable belt buckles, wrist-worn devices, small staffs, and even special pairs of sunglasses. The most common form a Power Morpher takes these days is a cell phone: a small and inconspicuous device that won't look too unusual. Your Power Morpher will suit you---if you don't have thumbs, don't worry, we'll get you something you can use.

A Power Morpher is activated by the calling out of a transformation phrase. This is usually a phrase specific to your team. It might be something like...

-It's morphin' time!
-Go Galactic!
-Time for Time Force!
-Ninja Storm, Ranger form!
-SPD Emergency!
-Jungle beast, spirit unleashed!
-RPM, get in gear!

Those are just a few of the ones we've yelled in the past. Don't worry, you'll figure it out.

Morphing:

Morphing feels...electric, like a big adrenaline rush surging through your body. When the transformation phrase is called, the Power Morpher connects to the Morphin Grid and uses that energy to energize you. In a flash of white light, your clothes (assuming you wear clothes) are teleported away and replaced with a Ranger uniform, a spandex-like (but definitely not spandex) lightweight form of armor.. Every uniform has a main spandex-like body, a belt where personal weapons are hooked, gloves, boots, and a helmet with a visor for seeing.

The Morphin Grid:

The Grid is a powerful biofield of energy that surrounds Planet Earth, tapped into by the Power Rangers with their Power Morphers. Its power level fluctuates with the balance of good and evil---in this world, with evil very nearly triumphant, its power is at its maximum. The Grid can support as many Rangers as it needs to fight off a threat of this magnitude.

Colors:

Every Ranger's uniform has a primary color, giving a Ranger team the effect of appearing like a rainbow of superheroes. The traditional colors for Power Ranger uniforms are red, pink, green, yellow, blue, black, and white, though recently we've had Rangers wearing in violet, gold, silver, and orange as well.

Here are a few traditional traits of the various Power Ranger colors, but you might not keep to the traditions.You might get a color that you already like, or one that just fits you for some other reason.

Red Rangers are traditionally the 'face' and leader of every team. Though Red Rangers have a tendency toward leadership, this isn't a requirement---there have been a few Red Rangers who don't have leadership positions on their teams, and those teams have had non-Red leaders. This is also the go-to color for Rangers with fire-based powers and fiery personalities.
Yellow Rangers are a staple of nearly every team. This color sees a lot of types---'grounded' folk associated with the earth, bubbly teens who are rays of sunshine, or people with lightning-based powers.
Blue Rangers are a little weird. male Blues traditionally wear royal blue while female Blues wear a baby blue. Again, it isn't necessary to stick to this scheme. Blue works for intellectual types, mechanics, people with water-based powers, grounded personalities, and seriousness to them, though we've had a few comedians in our time.
Black Rangers may be leaderlike, often seen paired with Reds in command, though some have their funny sides as well. It might also suit those of you with gravity-based powers.
Green Rangers are more frequently silly than Black or Blue Rangers, but they have their different specialties as well---the most famous Green Ranger of all time was definitely not a comic relief type of person, I'll have you know. Green also suits people with plant or earth based powers.
Pink Rangers tend to be women, but I wouldn't count on that always being the place. And it definitely doesn't mean the Pink Ranger has to be super feminine--they can be, but again, not always. Pink is also a color with a tradition of badass wielders behind it.
White Rangers have accent colors---this may be black and gold, or blue, or green, or pink, or any color you choose as trim. There are also a few White Rangers with ice-based powers.
Violet, Orange, Gold, and Silver can also appear as Ranger colors, though they're less traditional than the others.

Base Powers and Equipment:

The uniform provides a Ranger's enhanced durability by spreading and lessening the impact of any enemy's attack with force-diverting microfibers, while the rush of energy from the Grid enhances a Ranger's speed, strength, flexibility, and healing abilities. The Grid will also help a Ranger who doesn't already know how to fight with basic reflex-enhancing and knowledge of battle skills as a support system until they can fight on their own, but this guiding spirit only works when you're morphed

Every Ranger is also equipped with a laser gun strapped to their belt. If you can'tt use a gun in the traditional way, wrist-lasers or headset lasers might be given to you instead.

In addition to the laser guns, each Ranger has a single personal weapon that can be summoned by willing it into existence. Personal weapons could be small swords, daggers, lances, spears, bows and arrows, axes, nun chucks, boomerangs, and more. Infused with the super charge of the Morphin Grid, these weapons are rock-solid and far more difficult to destroy than the average weapons of their type. These weapons can be combined with the personal weapons of at least two other Rangers to form a mega-blaster, a mishmash of charged weapons that unleashes a powerful blast attack.

Zords and Megazords:

Each Ranger has a unique zord, a giant mecha that's approximately the size of a small tank. Depending on the theme of your powers, this Zord might be shaped like a vehicle (van, truck, monster truck, ambulance, train...an animal, a mythical creature, or wherever the Power takes you. This Zord will typically have the same main color as your uniform and have the ability to serve as an attack unit on its own. Typical Zords have some laser cannons going on, but they might also have a special power that matches yours. Zords are called into battle by calling out some variation of the phrase 'we need Zord power, now!' Through the magic of the Grid, the Zord will appear and be ready to go in about 30 seconds.

A minimum of three Zords are needed to form the Megazord, a combined mecha with even greater power. Each individual Zord in the Megazord is combined by activating the fusion signal, and the Megazord's automatic setup process starts from there. It takes about 45 seconds for the individual Zords to change shape and combine. These Megazords stand at the height of skyscrapers. As the Zords combine, the cockpits of each individual Zord come together to put every Ranger in the Megazord in the same control room. From here, you ca coordinate your---movements are typically controlled by the leader, moving their arm to control the Megazord's sword arm.

Ranger Code of Conduct:

This Ranger Code of Conduct has been passed down through the generations. Follow these, use your head, and you should be safe. These rules were passed down from the great Ranger leader Zordon, and they served us well---when we bothered to listen. Don't repeat our mistakes, rookies.

Rule #1: Never use your power for personal gain.

This means you keep your head down and your profile low. No using your zords to make a new skatepark crater in the desert, guys. And don't ever charge for your services. That's not who we are.

Rule #2: Use your head.

Zordon's version of this was 'never escalate a battle unless the enemy forces you to'---and given what's just happened, I'm tempted to throw that out altogether. But I think it's worth remembering that flinging our Megazords around can have unintended consequences. Oh, but your Dragonzord's tail didn't mean to destroy the gym? Sorry. You've gotta keep your head on straight. Save your energy, don't pull out all the stops right away.

Rule #3: Always keep your identity secret. No one may know that you are a Power Ranger.

This was the rule we definitely paid the price for breaking. After a couple years, we started going public with our identities. It worked great for a while---we had governments on our side, research and development was going better than ever, and our teachers understood if we were late to class. But the world's changed now. It's more dangerous than ever.

Back in the early days, the enemy used their magic to figure out who we were---they knew us and started harassing us in our civilian lives from Day 1. We've put a stop to that now, but it was too late for us.. A while back, we had our Mystic Mother cast an obscuring spell that'll keep the enemy from using their crystal balls to find out who any future Power Rangers are---it helps that she used to be one of those enemies, she knew exactly what to block. But her magic will only protect you if you stay hidden.

Don't morph in public, don't tell civilians that you're a Ranger, and don't give yourself away. People are moving to Angel Grove en masse because it still has lingering protection---take advantage of it, use that as your cover story if anyone asks where you came from.

Take care of yourselves, all right? If you can give the enemy the jump, you just might have a chance of winning.

What is Morphosis?

Morphosis is a relaxed roleplaying game based on the Power Rangers franchise with action and slice of life elements. Your character has been drawn into this world because they are a chosen one: whether they're a teenager with attitude, an adventurous space cadet, a rookie cop, a teacher, a soldier, a park ranger, or anything, really---whatever your character's got, they've been identified by the Hexagon as a potential asset in the ongoing war against evil.

What types of characters may be applied for?
All kinds of Rangers are needed! As long as your character can function on land to participate in battles and is a fictional character, whether of your own creation or someone else's, you can apply. In other words, fandom characters and original characters are allowed, and there is no canon character too minor to be applied for! Even those Hogwarts students in Harry Potter who are literally just names on a page can be apped.

The one thing we ask is that your characters be fictional. Characters based on real people must be heavily fictionalized in order to be eligible, and the real person in question must have died at least 100 years ago. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis. This rule also excludes internet personalities such as Spoony and Linkara---we feel that there is not enough separation between the real person and the fictional character in these cases. This will be decided on a case by case basis, and the moderators' decision is final. Please respect that.

OCs based in an existing canon may not have a close personal relationship to an existing canon character---so yes, we accept World of Warcraft OCs and Lord of the Rings OCs and more, but you may not apply for Naruto and Sasuke's mysteriously conceived super ninja son. In general, the rule is that your character must be distant enough from other canon characters that the canon characters could ignore your character without bending suspension of disbelief. OCs from original universes are accepted, of course.

We also accept canon characters who already have Ranger-like powers---characters from series like Power Rangers, Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, or any other franchise with transforming helmeted heroes may arrive with their original powers intact, though all will be given a teleportation-capable communicator and a Zord. If you want to discard your character's original powers and have them take on a new set of Ranger powers, that's allowed as well---it's a Ranger tradition. Power Ranger OCs are accepted as well, though they'll need to come through the Time Gate like all the other past Rangers.

Are alternate universe (AU) characters accepted?
Yes, if it is an officially published canon AU---the different versions of the heroes in comic books or the different Sonic the Hedgehog universes are all acceptable. Multiples of characters from distinct canon versions and personality divergence can coexist in this game---Starfire from the New Teen Titans comics and the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon would both be appable at the same time, for example. There is no limit to the number of versions of a character that can be apped, as long as they're distinct---we could have all 11 Doctors from Doctor Who, for another example. Feel free to ask if you want a ruling on a specific character.

We do NOT accept player-made AUs (with the exception listed below), fanfiction versions of canon characters (this includes traditional fanfiction published on sites like fanfiction.net as well as fan parodies like Yu-Gi-Oh Abridged), or characters with memories from another RP (CRAUs).

Can I AU my character into the setting?
Yes, if you would like to play a Power Rangers universe OC you may. You may also AU a fandom character into the universe, but be mindful of the setting details. If your character was an active Ranger before 2029, keep in mind that all active Rangers (and many inactive ones) affiliated with the Hexagon before the start of the game were killed. To have survived, your character would need to have been well in hiding, in deep disagreement with the Hexagon's centralization of power, or pulled from an earlier point via the Time Gate.

Does my character have to be a Ranger?
Not at all! Your character may refuse the powers at any point or simply never be offered them (mark this on your application). Your character may take the role of teacher, police officer, business owner, mechanic, or any other civilian role you can think of. Bear in mind, however, that non-Ranger characters don't have access to the communication network or the Hexagon---though those civilians who know a Ranger may be able to work their way onto some missions. This game is really structured for the Rangers, but if you have an interesting idea for a civilian, we won't stop you!

Does my character have to be human?
Nope! The good thing about all the wild wars happening in this world and the kickstarted space travel program is that all kinds of species have integrated into every day society. Your friendly neighborhood Space Patrol Delta police force keeps interspecies relations from getting too hairy. In some cases, that's quite a lot of hair they groom! No matter what shape your character is or how many limbs they have, the not-spandex will find a way to fit them.

The Hexagon does offer humanoid holographic disguises for your own convenience if you wish, but this isn't necessary at all.

Does my character keep their other powers/can they gain others?
Generally yes! Many Rangers have 'civilian powers'---mutations and enhancements of their natural abilities that the Power gives them when they connect with the Morphin Grid for the first time. Some Rangers already have special powers before they ever touch a morpher. Typical Ranger powers may include shields, super strength, mind-reading abilities (through skin contact), minor telekinesis, fire or water or lightning-shooting, sonic scream waves, sudden skin scales for protection, ability to shoot vines...if you have power, keep it.

If your character is a Ranger and has no other base powers, you may choose to give them one new civilian power. Just be sure to mark it in the powers section of your application.

The exception to this is powers that are significantly more powerful than Ranger powers---we don't want someone so far off the power levels chart that they make Ranger powers seem useless in comparison. If your character can blow up a planet, or if they can take out a skyscraper-sized monster all on their own without a Zord, that will be nerfed by the Hexagon as a safety measure---though it may be temporarily restored later if the plot permits. Feel free to ask if you have questions about a specific character.

Can my character be a villain?
Yes. If your character wants to form an evil Ranger team or simply work as a lone villain, go for it! But keep in mind that the good guys will be having their techies do their best to cut your character off from the network and lock them out of the good guys' bases. Your characters can of course establish their own bases of operation. Your character might also join up with the local villain, or perhaps they'll do their own villainy thing. Or maybe you're a mole among the Rangers...

How does my character make a living?
Power Rangers all receive a standard loaded card with all the money they need for self-care. The Hexagon takes care of its heroes. If your character would like some extra cash on hand to buy the cool games and toys, though, or if they're not a Ranger on the Hexagon's dime, there are plenty of jobs around. You wouldn't be the first Power Rangers to be a schoolteacher, nor would you be the first to work in the laboratories. If you lack work experience, though, you can find retail jobs at the Juice Bar, the local branch of Jungle Karma Pizza, the Surf Shop, the bowling alley, and more.

Do you have a question that wasn't answered here? Feel free to ask in the comments below and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

World:

Angel Grove:

Welcome to Angel Grove, California, a modern suburban American paradise in the year 2029. The weather is sunny and warm throughout most of the year, the housing's pretty nice, there's plenty of beach to cruise, and the downtown office buildings are shorter and stockier than they used to be. That's because this world has been subjected to localized alien invasions nearly every year since 1993, and the battles of the town's Power Rangers have leveled more buildings than the citizens can count. And the danger's only getting worse: lately, the Scorpion Empire has begun to make its move on the world, and there aren't as many Power Rangers around to stop it as there used to be.

But...but surely a team of Rangers can save the town no matter how small, right? The baddies only focus their attacks on one city per year, coincidentally the same city where the Rangers reside?

Not quite. The baddies have gotten smarter than that. Most of their force is concentrated on taking out the last of the Rangers in Angel Grove, but there are villains to fight across space and time. The Rangers have the tools they need to get wherever they're needed, they just need more soldiers to their numbers. That's where you come in.

Major Angel Grove Locations:

Angel Grove Park: In its heyday, this was a lush and beautiful park with greenery all around, pristine picnic tables perfect for picnicing on (or kicking monsters off), and a sparkling lake that was the perfect romantic setting as well as an ideal place for waterskiing and first diving lessons. The park has definitely seen better days----the monster attack outbreak of the mid-1990s scared many people away from the property, and years of taxpayer money have been spent on rebuilding more important things. Some of the old picnicing structures still stand, and the lake still sparkles, but you'll have dried grass and overgrowth to contend with.
Angel Grove Beach: Once the premier vacationing spot on a hot summer day, the city's beach now features many rocks and scattered debris blocking off the sands. You won't find a boardwalk here, but you will find the occasional monster to battle. And if you can clear a good spot for yourself, it's perfectly possible to get a nice tan.
The Juice Bar: Standing on the same site as Ernie's original business from the mid-90s, this local teen gathering place now features an extensive collection of classic video games for the playing. Light lunch fare and smoothies are still served, of course, and there's still a workout room for your gymnastics, field hockey, and other needs.
NASADA Headquarters: NASADA is an independent space exploration and research program allied with the Power Rangers. It keeps spaceships independent of the Rangers' supply, researches alien activity in the galaxy, and clears the way for the Rangers to launch into space when necessary. Most information that NASADA receives about changes in electromagnetic activity from space is shared with the Hexagon.

Hexagon:

The Rangers' base of operations is the Hexagon, located in the Vasquez Rocks, a rocky and dry desert terrain to the north of the Angel Grove area. As the Hexagon's name might imply, it's a secret fortress much like the U.S. government's Pentagon---except it has six sides, because it's a hexagon. The Rangers employ advanced cloaking technology to keep wandering eyes from finding the base, and a Ranger never travels to it in a traceable way---they always teleport.

All Ranger characters start out inside the innermost chamber of the Hexagon. After their sudden teleportation into this world, they stand alone on a round silver platform surrounded on all sides by crystal sloping downward. There is one flat road down, and they find themselves standing in a black chamber with pinpricks of light like stars on the walls. Columns shining in all colors of the rainbow fill the room, and a certain small robot stumbles out to greet them.

"Ai yai yai! Another Power Ranger! Welcome to the Hexagon!

An automated recording begins to play on the opposite wall, displayed like a hologram. In it, a computerized bald head reminiscent of a deceased wizard for good repeats the same spiel as always. Your character has been selected for their unique talent, raw nerve, or untapped potential as a hero. Your character will be told that they will soon be able to morph into a Power Ranger and restore justice to the world, and the Power will guide them in their fight. Tutorials aren't included on any of the new powers, because the Power will protect your character always.

Alpha will ask whether your character agrees, and if they do they will receive their Power Morpher and be welcomed into the Hexagon complex. Down the sleek and modern hallways decorated in blue and black, your character will find sleeping quarters, a mess hall, training rooms, an infirmary and a memorial to the fallen Rangers of this world. The sixth side of the Pentagon opens to the inner core: an airport, where the Rangers' personal spaceships are stored. Missions to the various other planets requesting Ranger services launch from here.

Sleeping quarters: each Ranger has their own bedroom with a single bed, a desk, a computer (the screen shows a briefing on the world crisis and the character's new situation by default), a personal bathroom with shower, and a coat rack. Toiletries are provided and replenished by the Hexagon and all bear its logo---a hexagon with the colors of the rainbow in six wedges on the inside, kinda like a filled Trivial Pursuit piece.
Mess hall: No matter what your character's dietary needs, they will be filled with artificial replications of food---though the smoothie bar's actually pretty good. You can get any nutrients in your smoothie that you like, just approach the big black machine and push a few buttons. Real food is readily available in Angel Grove or the neighboring towns if you're picky, though.
Training rooms: exactly what the name implies. Rooms your character can rent to train, either alone or with a partner. Weight and sports equipment are provided.
Infirmary: the Rangers' infirmary is one of the top hospitals in the world. Your character can teleport here instantly and receive medical attention, and with their advanced alien tech? Just about anyone can be brought back from the brink. Recovery times are quick too---with the infirmary's skill and the Rangers' inherent healing ability, even the gravest injuries should require no more than a week of healing.
Memorial: Every fallen Ranger is commemorated with a beam of light in their color, grouped by their first team. Rangers who wore more than one color during their careers are marked with a cluster of colored beams. If a character touches the beam, a holographic display of the fallen Ranger's name, picture, and achievements will be displayed.
Space and Time Port: The Astro Megaship and the Time Ship reside here in the center of the Hexagon. With these ships, the Rangers can travel through space and time to pursue baddies and stop any further damage to the world.

Neighboring Cities and Planets:

Information on these cities will be added as the Rangers are sent there! Neighboring California towns include Stone Canyon, Silver Hills, Reefside, Briarwood, Panorama City, and more.

Neighboring planets that the Rangers may visit include Aquitar, KO-35, Mirinoi, Triforia, and more. Rangers would be well-advised to stay away from the Earth's moon and Planet Nemesis, though---both are currently in the possession of the re-formed United Alliance of Evil. Both locations feature breatheable air, a horse stable, and a homey evil palace where villains may scheme in comfort.

Applications are currently OPEN.

Instructions:

Check the reservations page and taken characters page to be sure your character isn't already reserved or taken. Also check the comments here---if there is already an application for your character posted, that application will be evaluated first. We do not accept app challenges.
In the subject line of your application post, please include your character's name, their canon (if applicable), and whether you're applying for a Ranger, civilian, or villain (you can change this role later on! Redemption, dark side, and Ranger quest plots are welcome here. This is just to start.)
Please post your application in the body of your comment, though you may duplicate it in your character's journal.
Applications should receive a verdict within three days. If revisions are needed, you'll have three days, and the response should happen within one day.
If your application for the same character is rejected three times, you'll be barred from applying for that character again.
When you're accepted, request to join morphosis and start playing!

Player Info:
Username/Handle:
Preferred Contact: (personal journal, IM service, PMing character journal, Plurk, whatever)

Character Info:
Character Name:
Canon: (the show, book, film, or game your character is from, if applicable)
Character Age: (Approximate is fine! Rangers should be at least the equivalent of 10 human years old, though the Hexagon prefers teenagers and above. And this isn't a hard and fast rule, just justify why your character can be a Ranger if they're younger than 10.)
History: This can be a wiki link, a summary of about 300 words...just tell us what your character's been through. If you'd prefer to fuse this section with personality to give the background and state of your character, that's acceptable as well. Be sure to mark the point where they enter Morphosis (canon point) at the end.
Personality: Tell us who your character is and what their role might be. Two or three brief paragraphs summing up all the major points will do, but more is fine.
Chosen Position: Ranger, civilian, villain, rogue Ranger villain? If a civilian or villain, briefly describe how they'll contribute to the game---as a teacher? Minor antagonist living outside Angel Grove? Camping out at the villains' palace on the moon?
Powers: Ranger powers are assumed if you mark your character as a Ranger. Any powers your character is carrying over from canon/their home go here. Your character might also gain a power as a Ranger or a villain---feel free to add a power such shooting water or fire from hands, growing protective scaly skin, or the ability to shoot sonic sound waves to your character. These small abilities will be accessible whether your character is morphed or not. The Power does mysterious things sometimes!
Abilities: Any non-supernatural special skills your character has that you'd like to note.

Ranger Form (if applicable):
Power Morpher: What form does it take? Does it double as a communicator? If not, a wrist communicator will be issued.
Ranger Uniform: Briefly describe your Ranger's uniform---primary color, trim, helmet design (should match the Zord). If you're apping a canon Ranger or Sentai character, just linking a picture is fine. If you want to draw or shoop a picture, that's fine too.
Ranger Personal Weapon: Your character's small handheld weapon.
Ranger Zord: Your character's Zord. Just describe its basic shape (the animal/vehicle/whatever it's based on and how square it looks, it doesn't need to be a perfect description).

Sample:
Show us a sample of your writing! Keep in mind that the format here is prose. If you have a past prose thread with your character, feel free to link to it. Even bracket threads will do if your past thread has enough description that it would be a decent prose tag if you removed the brackets. As long as it's readable with functional descriptions (we're not looking for multiple paragraphs every tag, and a whole prose tag can be two or three sentences), you're fine.

If you need or want to write a fresh prose sample, here are some suggested prompts to get you started, but anything's fair game and it doesn't have to be based in the game world. About 200 words should do if you're just writing a single post:
-Your character's reaction when the smoothie machine at the juice bar explodes
-Your character's reaction to their first morph
-Your character's favorite or least favorite memory.
-The first thing your character will do when they get home

When you're ready, copy this form and paste it into your comment: