AETHER '28
The year is 1928, and the Avalon Expedition is about to set sail on a new frontier of science.An age of progress has dawned on humanity, and the potential of newly-discovered Catalytic Materials stands at the cutting edge. These powerful metals defy the laws of physics as we thus far understand them, forging possible out of the impossible.With scientific breakthrough, technological innovations and new markets on the horizon, the Avalon Expedition promises to be lucrative for all bold enough to join.
Historical Fantasy, 18+, Discord-based, Plot-drivenGame Start: October 15, 2025
The Story
The race to capitalise on Catalytic Materials has begun in earnest, and at the forefront of the charge is The Avalon Expedition. This high-profile endeavour is a venture of the Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC), in collaboration with the luxurious Canaveral Line.The Avalon Expedition has drawn considerable attention, offering employment and opportunity alike. Some have been directly invited by the ARC, while others have been drawn in by advertisements calling on fortune-seekers and other like-minded pioneers. For some, adventure, for others, a chance to stake a claim in a burgeoning field. Of course, it’s an easy sell when the work comes with a luxurious cruise on an elite ocean liner.Launched in 1926, the SS Avalon stands as the latest marvel of the Canaveral Line, a stunning ship extravagantly designed in contemporary Art Deco style. Majority stakeholder and spokeswoman of the Canaveral Line, Valencia Casotti, calls it the very pinnacle of maritime excellence. Floyd Tallahassee, CEO of ARC, surely agrees, as the Avalon has been chartered for its namesake expedition.The Avalon Expedition’s bold attempt to research as they sail is set to be overseen by ARC’s own Deputy Head of Research and Development, Dr. Frances van Khmia. Currently, the boat’s itinerary sees several prominent ports in Europe before travelling to New York in search of catalytic materials and any researchable anomalies deriving therefrom. This itinerary is subject to change as science demands, however... groundbreaking innovation calls for flexibility!In the spirit of collaboration- or, critics might argue, an attempt at early market dominance- the expedition is open to public interest and any are welcome on board the Avalon to assist the expedition at their leisure- for the cost of a ticket.On paper, the Avalon Expedition appears to be a grand collaboration between many interested parties coming together to unravel the potential of Catalytic Materials, but those who can invest could truly stake their claim in the venture's success.
The Setting
This group is set in the tail-end of the roaring twenties, amidst economic prosperity and industrial progress. While we do intend to maintain a ‘vibe’ of historical accuracy, some divergences from the history that we know...
A high-profile collaborative venture between the ARC and the Canaveral Line in the pursuit of technological innovations regarding Catalytic Materials.
Rare substances of unknown origin, whispered to amplify energy far beyond natural limits. Their true nature remains shrouded in a healthy degree of speculation- which has sparked considerable sensationalism around them.
Founded in 1919, the Atlantic Research Corporation is a powerhouse in catalytic innovations. Their history is one directly tied to Catalytic Materials.
Mechanics
Aether '28 is a story-first game, but we'll use some light mechanics to help guide us along when challenges come into play. We have adopted a simplified version of the FATE system for this purpose, but don’t worry- you don’t need to be familiar at all to play!(It will be possible to change any stats before the game starts. There will also be an opportunity early on to make minor adjustments, so don’t stress if this feels confusing!)When it comes to character creation there are just three things to think about: Aspects, Approaches, and Skills.
Aspects are like a tagline or a short phrase that sums up some primary defining trait about your character. Think of it as a core concept. In play you can call on an aspect to get certain opportunities or relevant bonuses.
The best aspects imply something situationally and narratively unique about your character. You will get two to start with.
Examples: A Girl in Every Port, Deepest Pockets on Wall Street, Monkey Wrench, Never Leave a Man Behind, etc.
When performing an action you'll be rolling Approach + Skill.
Approaches describe how your character performs an action. The approaches we'll be using are:
Quick: Moving quickly and dexterously.
Flashy: Drawing attention to yourself, full of style and panache.
Forceful: Brute force, blunt and direct. Often physical strength, but not always.
Clever: To think fast, solve problems and account for complexity.
Sneaky: With an emphasis on misdirection, stealth or deceit.
Careful: Paying close attention to detail and taking your time.
Characters should have one approach tagged with +2, two tagged with +1 and one with -1.
Skills are what your character does. You’ll pick a few that your character might be trained in or have a natural proclivity for to give a bonus when performing the skill.
There are by design more skills than any one character can have. An untagged skill just means your character isn’t trained in it, not that they can’t try!The character sheet document has a full list of skills and approaches with descriptions. Have a look there for more information!FATE CHARACTER SHEET
FAQ
How many players will you be accepting?
☉ As of right now, we're currently planning on accepting 20-25 players!Will you guys be looking for cast balance?
☉ Yes. While at the end of the day our main priority will be picking the characters that we feel are best fits, part of that means picking characters that complement each other.That means we're looking to get a good spread of abilities across the board and to avoid overcrowding any 'niche'- especially not ones considered exceptional. A hyperbolic example, but, it's more unlikely that we'd accept 20 doctors and 5 deckhands than the reverse. We want to give the characters on cast the best chance to shine!How many characters can I have in A28?
☉ We will be allowing for a maximum of two characters, one of whom must be acting as your 'Main Character' for plot events. The title of 'Main Character' can be switched between chapters!Can we make separate private and public versions of our apps to keep secrets from other players?
☉ Yes you can! We will ask those who are accepted to copy in a version of their app into a public folder, with whatever information they chose to share. We will, however, require that the first section of the app is public!Can we send in multiple apps at once?
☉ Please apply with one (1) application! You will be given the chance to add another character later on!How long is the expedition expected to take?
☉ The Avalon Expedition is advertised as being expected to take upwards of 3-4 months!When does the expedition start in universe?
☉ Same as OOC, the Avalon Expedition begins in October!When will the game start? How long will it run for?
☉ We have a planned starting date of October 15, 2025. The game is designed to run for a calendar year, after which people are free to roleplay freely for as long as they wish!Is this a permadeath group?
☉ This is a permadeath group- but any situation in which consequences may be fatal will be clearly communicated by the mods.I'm struggling with 'XXXXX' on my FATE sheet. Is it okay if I leave it blank?
☉ Yes! We're planning on spending time with the people who get accepted getting the FATE sheets in order, so we won't be judging that in the apping process. We'd just like to see that you've given it a look and started thinking about it!What tone are you expecting for A28?
☉ A28 is a historical fantasy which will at times deal with heavy subject matters- including death, corruption, capitalism, and moral ambiguity. This is, however, a good-faith roleplay that we want folks to be able to enjoy and have fun participating in! Emphasis is placed on a celebration of cultures, science, and good old-fashioned intrigue. There may or may not also be a lot of partying going on. It is the roaring 20's, after all!In the spirit of playability and fun, we prioritise inclusivity and diversity over maintaining historical accuracy when it comes to the views and values of the time. Discrimination will not be an aspect within the plot or campaign.
Glossary
ARC - Atlantic Research CorporationAvalon Expedition - A high-profile collaborative venture between the ARC and the Canaveral Line in the pursuit of technological innovations regarding Catalytic Materials.Avalon - The SS Avalon, a grand ocean liner styled in Art Deco design chartered to house and transport the expedition from port to port.Canaveral Line - A luxury passenger shipping company known for elegant ocean liners and transatlantic service.Catalytic Materials - Rare substances of unknown origin, capable of amplifying energy far beyond natural limits. Their true nature remains shrouded behind company NDA's and a healthy degree of speculation- which has sparked considerable sensationalism around them.Catalytic Pyrite - An unusually reactive strain of pyrite whose volatile properties accelerate surrounding energy. Thus far the only catalytic material known to the general public.
Creating your Character
You will be playing a character who is going to take part in The Avalon Expedition. This is a prerequisite to be able to participate in the plot, but the how, why and as what is up to you.One obvious motivator could be financial gain. In preparing for the unknown challenges ahead, the ARC has contracted a large amount of pesonnel to support the venture. From researchers and experts on a wide variety of fields to hired muscle and general support staff, a wide net for talent has been cast internationally- though compensation naturally varies between roles.Beyond that, any crew or passenger aboard the Avalon who choose to volunteer their skills can also earn a commission (and, of course, bragging rights) for their services. For some adventurous or opportunistic individuals that the ARC did not directly hire, this is the only surefire way to see the action firsthand.There’s room for a wide variety of motivations onboard! Just a few limitations to keep in mind:
☉ As a rule, characters should be over 18. If you have a concept for a younger character, we advise you reach out and run it by us before writing them, as we’ll be pretty strict about why. ☉ Your character does not have to be fluent in English, but should be proficient enough to understand and be understood. It is up to you to do so respectfully! ☉ Your character can absolutely be an asshole, but we ask that no characters on cast hold bigoted beliefs. We want to maintain a comfortable space for light-hearted roleplay. ☉ Help us keep the 'feel' of a historical era in your designs! Modern clothing and saturated 'unnatural' hair colours won't be allowed. Try to keep within the standards of modesty of the day- ask a mod if you're unsure! ☉ Humans only!Good to know: Ticket prices for the SS Avalon would usually go for 600, 1200 and 1800 USD for third, second and first class respectively. Given the Avalon Expedition's irregular travel path and expected delays, each ticket has been made 200 USD cheaper.
Someone travelling third class and planning to volunteer on the expedition could expect to earn enough to offset the ticket cost and then some.
Resources
Link to Written App Template
Link to Visual App Template
Link to Pinterest
For the Written ApplicationHave a look at our template to see what we expect to be included in your written application! It is, of course, absolutely fine to make your own document or present your character in any way you prefer.Our top priority is for characters to not only fit, but add to and impact the dynamics of this world! We very much encourage you to add to the worldbuilding with your own lore- so don’t be afraid to take swings!
For the Visual ApplicationWe’d like to see a full body reference of your character on the visual template. It does not have to be your own art- commissioned, dollmakers, or bases are fair game- as we are not judging based on the ‘quality’ of any art that we see!This does not extend to the use of someone else’s art without permission or the use of AI art. Please do not do this, as we will frown upon it heavily.As the group is set in 1928 we’d like to see period appropriate fashion, but don't stress too much about historical accuracy. We're going for an aesthetic 'feel', not a strict reenactment. Have a look over at our Pinterest for fashion inspiration!
SubmittingWhen you're ready to submit, please go ahead and fill out this form for us! Submission Form
Currently, apps are set to close on the 30th of September, 11:59 PM EST.
The Expedition
The Avalon Expedition is a high-profile collaborative venture between the ARC and the Canaveral Line. Some see it as a novelty initiative comparable to the World’s Fair, while others see it as a golden opportunity to champion international scientific cooperation and discovery. Ultimately, it can be assumed that there are a wide number of different motivations at play, each of which may vary dramatically depending on who you ask.The Expedition will begin by sailing from London (by way of Tilbury), and is chartered to visit several ports in Europe before undergoing a transatlantic crossing to New York- all in search of catalytic materials and any "anomalies" deriving therefrom. Along the way, the Expedition will carry a number of high-profile clientele, passengers, and crew. Such names include...
Mr. Floyd Tallahassee, Founder and CEO of the ARC. Former officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Floyd Visual Reference Floyd Public Bio
Mrs. Valencia Casotti, Majority stakeholder and Spokeswoman of the Canaveral Line.
Valencia Public Bio
Dr. Frances van Khmia, the ARC’s Deputy Head of Research and Development.
Frances' Public Bio
Cpt. William W. Wilson, Decorated seaman and former officer for the Royal Navy.
The SS Avalon
The majority of the group takes place, naturally, aboard the SS Avalon, a grand ocean liner chartered to house and transport the expedition from port to port. As the latest vessel of The Canaveral Line, the ship is said to feature “43,000 Gross Register Tonnage of pure luxury.” It's facilities are capable of accommodating up to 1,700 passengers in what’s been described as an Art Deco elysium.The Avalon has been outfitted with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for the occasion, ready for the handling and processing of any number of scientific inquiries. The Avalon has also been outfitted with the longest cocktail bar currently at sea, in addition (but not limited) to a swimming pool, bowling alley, 350-seat cinema, Punch & Judy Children’s theatre, merry-go-round, shooting gallery, tobacconist, gothic-style chapel, and any number of shops ready for the patronage of its guests.
Catalytic Materials
Rare substances, whispered to amplify energy beyond the limits of known physics. Catalytic materials are so rare and costly that most people have never seen them- yet in this age of information, nearly everyone has heard of them! Their true nature is muddied by a healthy degree of speculation, fueling public imagination and sensationalist claims- though the vast majority of stories are nothing but fantasy.Historians still debate exactly when and where these substances may have first appeared, though traces in historical texts suggest a potentially long history. Nevertheless, the first documented discovery took place near the end of The Great War, when ”unexpectedly volatile reactions” were triggered during the production of gunpowder near Quantico Creek. This was found to be due to a particular strain of pyrite, soon dubbed Catalytic Pyrite.Catalytic Pyrite was discovered to have properties which amplified energy it interacted with, leading to a rapid breakthrough in scientific applications. It's even rumoured that a person interacting with it could experience strange abilities - but that's nothing but sensationalism. The potential applications are thought boundless, from self-exciting generators to doubled human lifespans. The problem, of course, is its scarcity.But as experts theorise about the existence of any number of Catalytic Materials, that may soon be a problem of yesteryear.
Some reputable news accounts include:“The 1918 Quantico Creek Incident”
☉ Widely understood as the event responsible for the formal discovery of Catalytic Pyrite, witnesses involved in the production of gunpowder reported a ‘sudden and all-encompassing’ blue-white flash. Newspapers at the time reported several missing in the ensuing chaos- though an official investigation undertaken by the ARC has found these claims to be hyperbolic.“The Televisor”
☉ The ARC’s proprietary filaments of catalytic pyrite documented as vital components in the first broadcast of moving images across the Atlantic via John Logie Baird’s novel 1923 invention.“Catalytic Compounds Cleared for Medical Trials”
☉ A landmark approval in 1925 by the United States Bureau of Chemistry (now the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration) which awarded several corporations clearance to begin ethical research into the usage of Catalytic Materials in future medical innovations.
Some less reputable and unconfirmed accounts:"Sensationalist Local Headlines"
☉ “Man Found Rock On Welsh Beach; Claims To Fly As Hot Balloon For Ten Minutes”
☉ “Local Woman Refuses Sleep After Ingesting Mineral- ‘Don’t Need It No More!’”
☉ "Oregon Boy Scouts Claim Stone Sparks Fire Without Match - 'Devil’s Flint' Says Troop Leader"“Catalytic Carcinogenesis: An Inquiry into the Degenerative Effects of Novel Reactive Substances upon the Human Form”.
☉ Once the recipient of the 1925 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, this thesis from scientist Lucas W. Wilson has since been stripped of the prize and erased from the official record amidst allegations of fraud and ethical misconduct.
ARC's Timeline
1918- The Quantico Creek Incident occurs- in which an unexpectedly volatile reaction disrupted gunpowder production at a Virginia munitions plant.1919 - The Atlantic Research Corporation is founded in New York by Floyd Tallahassee, seeking to repurpose wartime research into peacetime innovations.1920 - The ARC purchases the gunpowder works and adjoining mine located at Quantico Creek in Virginia. Thought an unremarkable acquisition at the time, this gave the ARC the rights to a rare mineral seam later identified as Catalytic Pyrite.1922 - The ARC expands aggressively into chemical, metallurgic, and pharmaceutical research- outpacing rivals through strategic acquisitions and government partnerships.1923 - The ARC sponsor inventor John Logie Baird, resulting in a breakthrough broadcast of moving images across the Atlantic via “The Televisor”.1925 - The US Bureau of Chemistry grants the ARC, as well as several competitors, official approval for the controlled medical testing of catalytic materials.1926 - European rival Compagnie Radiance files a lawsuit in The Hague against the ARC for intellectual theft in the applications of catalytic materials in medicine. The case collapses after key documents vanish.1927 - The ‘boom’ arrives as governments and industries worldwide begin to launch initiatives to pursue the discovery and adoption of catalytic materials. Sensationalism reaches a fever pitch and swindlers rejoice as fraudulent sales escalate.1928 - The ARC commissions the luxury Ocean Liner Avalon as a floating research hub for its pioneering ‘Avalon Expedition’ in collaboration with the Canaveral Line.