Under Red Skies

GopnikPizzafox · Oct 17, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: Gopnik Pizzafox
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:1:54081766
*Discord Name & ID: AlextheFox212 #9626

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: Wan Guofeng
*Character Role: Political Commissar of the Red Guards, commander of the paramilitary branch, member of the Politburo
*Brief summary of the character: A former Nominal of the 51st Division of the MAA, Wan Guofeng was one of many who deserted from the Arteria when order broke down in City 51. As his squad was wiped out on one fateful day following an ambush by a well-armed street gang, Wan was forced to spend some time hiding in the city’s underground, hoping to blend in with the civilian population and underclass to lay low for some time as the situation continued to deteriorate in the city. While laying low in the city during the troubles, he had met Madam Li, who gave him a newfound sense of purpose, and soon entrusted him with a position in the Politburo as a political commissar and leader of the paramilitary branch of the Red Guards, where he would soon earn his reputation as The Generalissimo of the New Communist Party of China. Now, as disorder in City 51 reaches an all-time high, Wan hopes that the Politburo will soon take advantage of the chaos and give him an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of his paramilitary branch firsthand and end the group’s reliance on common street thugs to achieve their goals.
*Why do you want to play this character?: I usually play as a CP character and a “loyalist” citizen in the OSF who sometimes interacts with the underclass in the slums, so using the opportunity of this event to play a dedicated rebel/anti-citizen character sounded all too enticing to me, especially given the circumstances that City 51 finds itself in within the story of the event. Sniper came up with the concept of the Red Guards, and given my propensity for playing characters with a military background, I figured a character like this would be a good fit for his faction.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself: I’ve played on Willard since the i17 event, and have found this server to be very enjoyable, my first dedicated stay in a hl2rp community. I play mainly Combine-aligned characters on the main server (mainly Civil Protection and OSF for the time being), so I’m glad to have events like these to try playing from alternate perspectives.
Are you new to Willard Networks?: Not really, I’ve been here since the i17 event.
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?: I’ve made some friends in the community, yes.
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?: The Combine are one of the most interesting antagonists in fiction to me, since we understand so little about them, and they feel like a truly alien group that humans can’t properly comprehend. I also enjoy dystopian stories that tackle the subject of imperialism from a far more advanced invader and other such themes.

Craw · Oct 17, 2022

====================================================

VICE ADMINISTRATOR

"ZHOU ZHÀNZHĒNG"

"周占正"
====================================================

Zhou Zhànzhēng, a once meager worker doing his part in a much larger machine now sits atop the Ivory tower of Civil Administration as The Vice Administrator of City Fifty-one where he works mercilessly alongside the City administrator in an attempt to re-establish order in the Once peaceful City of Bejing.

Originally finding his position through his promotion of a Junta-like Ideology, Zhou is seen as a public figure, often making speeches or addressing situations to the public as he took various jobs in covering the City administrator for more work.

After the disaster in which The Universal Union pulled out of Bejing, Zhou was tasked with keeping up the masquerade of how "everything is fine" and "Nothing is wrong at all".

Due to the nature of the current situation in the city, Zhou has become paranoid, believing everyone was out to get him, even his fellow Cohorts in the CCA...even going as far as to question his own City Administrator as he begins to doubt them and deem them as "Unfit to lead" as he seems to be willing to do anything in order to restore order to this once great City.

Zhou in his latest desperation is now is willing to converse with lowlifes and scum of the City, making deals with gang members in order to satisfy his need for power and control, promising almost anything for anyone only for their undying loyalty.

As the days go by, Zhou's fate is unknown as the pieces of his plan begin to come together.

"时代变了。这个世界不同于我们所知道的。这个城市需要一个强大的领导者……我打算填补这个角色"

====================================================

*Steam Name: General_Claw36
*Steam ID: 76561199149030942
*Discord Name & ID: Craw#9525

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: Vice Administrator Zhou Zhànzhēng
*Character Role: Vice Administrator of City 51
*Brief summary of the character: An Insidious man of Asian Descent who has a twisted dream for to try and fix Bejing no matter how many lives are lost during it. Paranoia and military based ideals cloud his mind as each passing day goes by.
*Why do you want to play this character?: I've always wanted to truly play an 'Villain character (especially a CCA member) and so I have prepared this character for a while now and really hope I can help provide some good RP for some players during the event.
Full Backstory: (see above)

ella · Oct 17, 2022

AN INITIAL PRODUCT OFFERING, "SOUL" WAS CONCEIVED BY THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS TRIAD WITH THE GOAL OF EXPANDING THEIR INFLUENCE, AND GAINING CAPITAL OVER THE EVER-GROWING NARCOTICS TRADE IN CITY-FIFTY ONE.

MARKETED AS A PSYCHOACTIVE AND ENTHEOGENIC DRUG, "SOUL" IN ITSELF IS HARD-NARCOTIC AKIN TO THAT OF HEROIN.

CONSUMERS OF "SOUL" HAVE REPORTED MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUAL REVELATIONS, WITH A HAPPY AND EUPHORIC 'RUSH' IN EFFECT. THIS SURGE IS FOLLOWED BY AILMENT WHICH GROWS IN SEVERITY OVER TIME. SYMPTOMS SUCH AS DROWSINESS, DRY MOUTH, AND A LOWER HEART RATE ALL BEGIN TO SHOW DURING WITHDRAWAL.

"SOUL" IS DISPENSED AS BOTH A WHITE OR BROWN POWDER, WHICH IS EITHER TO BE SNORTED OR INJECTED. THE TRIAD MOVES ITS PRODUCT THROUGH VARIOUS CLANDESTINE METHODS.

"与其玷污灵魂，不如让肉体得到满足."

THE CHEMIST
"RED-EYE"

“红眼睛”

A PSEUDONYM, A SOBRIQUET, THE MASTERMIND BEHIND CITY-FIFTY ONE'S MOST PREVALENT OPIOID NARCOTIC.
DISCERNABLE BY HIS REVOLTING YET DAUNTING BLOODSHOT EYES, "RED-EYE" WAS RECRUITED BY THE MIDNIGHT MAUDERES EARLY IN THEIR FORTHCOMING WITH THE INTENT OF EXPANDING THEIR INFLUENCE WITH A NEW AND ORIGINAL IPO IN THE NARCOTICS TRADE.

ESOTERIC TO THOSE OUTSIDE HIS EMPLOYERS AND CLIENTELE - LITTLE IS OFFICIALLY KNOWN ABOUT HIM, WITH DATABASES ACROSS CHINA COMING UP SLIM WITH ANY CONCRETE INFORMATION OF HIS PROBABLE IDENTITY.

ONLY FROM THE FAINT UNDERGROUND WHISPERS AND STORIES FROM A FEW ONLOOKERS, WE CAN GUAGE THAT HIS LAST KNOWN RECORD WAS BOARDING A BOAT FROM JEJU TO TIANJIN. IT WAS THERE THE FIRST SAMPLES OF HIS HANDIWORK BEGAN POPPING UP ACROSS DIVERGENT MARKETS IN THE NORTHEAST, BEFORE EVENTUALLY REACHING THE CAPITAL.

A NARCISSIST WITH A SHALLOW WALLET, "RED-EYE" VIEWS HIMSELF AS THE CHOSEN PROPHET OF THE PEOPLE, WITH THOUSANDS FLOCKING IN BULK TO GET ANOTHER DELECTABLE TASTE OF HIS NEW CHEMICAL CONCOCTION. HE CONTINUES TO WORK OVERNIGHT IN HIS LAB, PERFECTING HIS CRAFT AND CONCOMITANTLY TEACHING HIS FEW CHOSEN STUDENTS. HE MARKETS HIS BRAND ON SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND SUSTENANCE, WITH DECLARING HIS MOST RECENT NARCOTIC, "SOUL" TO BE FOOD FOR THOUGHT, AND NOURISHMENT FOR THE OTHERWISE FRAIL BODY.

"I WILL FEED YOU, I WILL COMFORT YOU, I WILL KEEP YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE.
I SHRED A SLICE OF MY MIND AND VITALITY TO SUSTAIN YOURS."

*Steam Name: ella
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:1:104557387
*Discord Name & ID: elaina#8000

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: "Red-Eye"
*Character Role: Midnight Mauderers Chief Chemist
*Brief summary of the character:
A narcissistic yet calculated chemist, working his magic across the city with the intent of keeping it hooked on his product.
*Why do you want to play this character?: Because, Breaking Bad.

Cengiz · Oct 17, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
Cengo
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:1:113942347
*Discord Name & ID:
Cengiz#4268

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name:
Wan Kang Ni ( Brother of Wan Guofeng )
*Character Role:
Red Guard Squad Leader
*Brief summary of the character:
A former Soldier of the Chinese Military, Wan Kang Ni was one of many who deserted from the Chinese military alongside his older Brother Wan Guofeng. He followed his older brother's footsteps and was forced to spend some time hiding in the city underground, hoping to blend in with the civilian population and underclass to lay low for some time as the situation continued to deteriorate in the city. While laying low in the city, his older brother got a chance from a mystery woman in a High Position as a Leader of a paramilitary branch Officer. He begged his older brother for a position in the paramilitary and gained the Rank of a Red Guard Sqaud Leader.
*Why do you want to play this character?:
I wanna RP as a Hard Paramilitary Communist Soldier

Appetite Ruining Kebab · Oct 17, 2022

- Hán Fēng Jié
- Officer, smuggler, security goon for the Banking Clan.
*Brief summary of the character: Ruthless ex-mercenary turned cop for the alien regime. Religiously corrupt; yuan rules his life. Loyal to a clandestine group of bankers who are willing to invest in every side of the conflict; and by extension, so is he.
*Why do you want to play this character?: You get the odd corrupt CP character once in a while, but rarely do you get someone who is wholly dedicated to the lifestyle. Currency is everything to Hán, and he's open to business from every party, be it Combine or resistance. This makes a wide variety of transactions possible; dealings and conspiracies that can extend as far as the imagination of the players willing to make use of him.
Full Backstory:
Born at the tail end of the Cultural Revolution, he was roped into Maoism by a childhood friend and loved one.

Devoutly communist, right up until the People's Liberation Army chewed him up and spat him out with a dishonorable discharge.

As Deng Xiaoping was modernizing the country out of its socialist fantasies, he saw his beliefs for what they were; a free pass to exploit his body and mind - send him to a meatgrinder at the lowest cost to the state. He vowed never to sell his services for free.

So he went and sold them for a price instead; enlisted as a soldier of fortune to Africa, and would come to protect the earliest construction work of the Belt and Road Initiative from local warbands.

He liked the cash-flow. It was like candy. He'd grown up shunning the very idea of private ownership; the forbidden fruit was all the more delicious for it now. The work frightened him; an alien land with a hostile people, but the fear was overtaken by his newfound practical addiction to capital accumulation.

The more his hands got dirty, the more they were filled with Yuan at the end of the year. With each passing year, they got dirtier; he shook hands with criminal cartels, took on private contracts from HSBC to shut down local competitors via less-than-legal means.

By the time the Combine rolled around, he was far too well-connected to be disposed of. A dual-contract was signed; Six months of every year, he'd perform mandatory service in Civil Protection. The other six months, he was beholden to the interests of the Banking Clan.

What was once a venture of profit had now bound him in slavery. All his money repossessed; most of his earnings being funneled the Clan's way - all the while they demanded he make more per quarterly.

The memory replacement procedures have begun to dull his already shifty grasp on humanity.

He watches a part of himself evaporate. He looks to the future and sees his superiors investing in all outcomes. There is time for him to question his loyalties, but not for long. In a few more months, there'll be nothing left of what he was.

Perhaps a drastic increase in his earnings would change the situation. Money got him in this - money would get him out.

Anything was on the table, as long as the price was right.

You can buy anything in China. Even a retirement from Civil Protection.

ZeroPants · Oct 18, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: ZeroPants
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:1:94990857
*Discord Name & ID: ZeroPants#9511

--- Section Two ---

Credits to @Sync for the image

*Character Name: Bradley Baldwin
*Character Role: Beijing Batters gang leader
*Brief summary of the character: A thick-headed superhero wannabe with a black-and-white view of the world.
*Why do you want to play this character?: I think that playing a vigilante character in a crime-ridden city would be fun, it would give the gangs something to fight asides from each other.
Full Backstory:

--- Early life ---

Born to a middle-class family in Detroit, Brad witnessed his family fall apart after a local gang extorted Brad's parents for nearly every penny they had. Brad's dad eventually skipped town and never came back, leaving Brad and his mother to live in the city. The gang left Brad and his mother alone after taking everything from them. Brad's mother quickly turned to drink, spending any money they had left on alcohol instead of anything that could actually make their situation better.

After graduating, Brad immediately attempted to enlist with the local police force in hopes of getting revenge on the gang that tore his family apart. Although Brad managed to pass the physical portions of the Police academy training, Brad failed at nearly everything else, his often unserious behavior and failure to abide by any of the rules set out by the academy resulted in him being booted from the academy. The cascade would occur a few months after Brad was booted from the academy.

--- Post Cascade ---

The resonance cascade had done the impossible, it made Detroit even worse than it already was. The Xenian invasion had caused most of the world to fall apart, the governments around the world were forced to fortify the remaining cities in order to keep the remaining human population safe. In all the chaos, Brad had lost track of the gang as the government moved and conscripted the humans still living in the city.

Brad fruitlessly hunted the gang, never managing to find them by the time The seven-hour war destroyed what remained of the old world. As the Combine established control over the planet, they began relocating citizens from city to city, likely in an attempt to prevent any anti-civil groups from forming. Brad was relocated to city 51 not long after the Combine started relocating the population.

--- City 51 ---

Upon being relocated to city 51, Brad was shocked by the lack of control the Combine actually had over the city, noticing that nearly every aspect of the city was controlled by some sort of gang. Brad set out to establish order in the city where the Civil Protection failed, after looting an old sporting goods warehouse for weapons, Brad began recruiting anyone eager to dish out "justice" to those that might deserve it.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A summary of the group: A gang of vigilantes that use strength and intimidation to enforce their own laws and rules on the population. Some members of the group might actually want to establish order while other members might only use a position in the group to hold power over other citizens. Even though the group was created with the goal of fighting crime, in reality, it is no better than the gangs it condemns.

What equipment would members of the group have? Each member of the group would be equipped with a blue baseball cap as well as a baseball bat. Given the fact that baseball bats arent that common of a weapon in city 51, the weapon would also serve as a sort of uniform for the members of the gang.

What ranking system does the group have?

The Coach - The leader of the group

The Umpire - The quartermaster and security leader for the group.

Hitters - The guard and soldiers in the group, while each member is equipped with a bat, the Hitters are equipped with better equipment, like armor.

Runners - Scouts and spies for the group, they also gather supplies for the group.

Pitchers - Engineers, crafters, and traders for the group, they are only authorized to trade to those that follow the group's laws.

Physicians - Doctors and chemists for the group, they can offer medical aid to those in need, even to people that aren't in the group.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself: I'm ZeroPants, I'll let you guess how I got the name. I've been part of the HL2 community ever since late 2016, the first server I ever played on was Nebulous.
Are you new to Willard Networks?: Nope, I've been here for a while now.
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?: I know most of the people here, I think.
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?: The mystery, there is so much about the lore that isn't ever shown, and there is so much you can do with it.

Plug · Oct 18, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: Plug
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:0:51009913
*Discord Name & ID: Sourbread#7720

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: Annchi Au
*Character Role: CA Secretary
*Brief summary of the character: She was brainwashed from a young age to conform and serve. This has blossomed into her sick love for the Combine authority and its values, it is all she knows. She is a cold, calculating woman stuck in a dangerous situation. She has no sympathy for those who seek to destroy what the Benefactors have built, but is she ready to die for the Combine?
*Why do you want to play this character?: I would like to add to the diversity as a female loyalist, It is important to have loyalists during the event for others to interact with and it would be fun to play this role in such a tumultuous environment. I want to see how far her unpopular views will take her, how it will shape her character and what she will have to do in order to survive amongst the cut-throats.
Full Backstory:
Youth
Born and raised in Beijing, China. She is an only child brought up in a harsh, controlling environment by Chinese parents. Her mother came from a destitute background but would rise to become a secretary for the CCA, a proud, narcissistic woman with a hunger for power. She taught her all she knew but was assassinated when Annchi was a teenager. Her father was a surgeon plagued by substance abuse and psychopathy who continued to raise Annchi for a few years after her mother's death, but ended up committing suicide. Annchi aspired to become just like her mother and continue her life's work and legacy. She took part in youth loyalist groups and activities and took on volunteer work in attempts to become a model citizen. In reality she was sad, broken and alone.
Adulthood
Annchi sought stability and independence in the arms of the Combine. She pushed herself in her studies. She wanted revenge for what happened to her parents, but to get it she also needed power. She pursued secretarial jobs, aiming to follow in her mother's footsteps. She was a proud loyalist, her education, work ethic, cut-throat tactics and dedication allowed her to steadily climb the social ladder. She was brought up for this life, cold and uncaring for the feelings of others, she was selfish and wore many masks. She found creative ways to get rid of anyone who threatened her future. The lessons her mother taught her served her well. Nobody would stop her in her quest for greatness! In her eyes, she did what was required, she still craved revenge. However, the intense hatred for both commoners and insurgents and her desire for control caused urges of uncivil nature and that terrified her. "What would the Combine think of me?" she'd ask herself. She may have inherited her parents' mental baggage, but she was going to run with it.
Leading up
As tensions grew, she began to feel weaker, now in her late twenties, she is a high-tier loyalist and CA secretary, it was not enough. The luxuries of life were in her grasp, yet she felt as powerless as ever. Due to her position, she saw the Combine's grip grow limp early and this lack of control took a toll on her. She saw the CCA and fellow loyalists cower in fear as hatred for the Benefactors grew stronger. She started receiving death threats and people would spit at her on the way to work. "These peasants will get what they deserve, soon enough" she thought to herself, yet the time never came. This lack of authority made her panic, she did not know what to expect, but she would not allow history to repeat itself with her death. She will have to pull out the best tools from her sociopathy briefcase in order to survive until she can get out of this city, or continent, for good!

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself: I enjoy dedicating my time to creating and developing characters that facilitate quality roleplay for others around them. I feel that I possess the eccentricity to roleplay as in-depth, well-rounded characters with unique mannerisms and personalities while drawing on my bank of knowledge in serious HL2RP.
Are you new to Willard Networks?: I have been interested in and taken part in serious RP servers, specifically HL2RP for years. I have experience roleplaying as part of all factions, however I took a long break from RP and just recently came back to this server. I am certain I have the experience needed to roleplay and develop this character.
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?: I don't tend to involve myself OOCly over discord and such in my spare time but I am familiar with the social structure and who is who.
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?: It feels very nostalgic and I very much enjoy building realistic relationships with different characters and seeing where my creativity takes me with my own characters.

Taliazure · Oct 18, 2022

Character Name: 读昆- LI Quin
Character Role: Civil Protection

| C51:i2.SUN-9 |
(During the last APP posting i posted this charather as an i1 and it was accepted. I can't edit the image above as i cannot find the font anymore, but she would be a i2)

BACKSTORY

LI Quin was born in 24/03/1975

Hangzhou
杭州

Daughter of:

Bai Ailun 白艾伦 [father] and Mei-Hui 美惠 [mother]

Her education was stereotypical, tiger parents who pressured her to study and try her hardest at life constantly pushing her to be the best at everything and always shutting down her accomplishments finding them to not be good enough. All this caused her to have a hard time making friends, always being seen as a nerd or simply rude for focusing on her studies too much. it was hard to meet up to her parents expectancy wich made way to a unhappy childhood backed with hatred and sorrow.

Upon the arrival of the Combine and the domination over earth of their ruling, she expected her worries to die down, now with most of the old war hobbies, jobs and sports being shutdown by the Combine there wasn't much for their parents to pressure her on... She tought
Only for their parents to become fully radical loyalists of the Combine supporting their oppressiveness and semi-fascist semi-communist views over the population, they pressured her to become one as well forcing her into being "something" worth to the union and becoming an officer or someone of high status.

But due to her disinterest for politics she had no choice but to go for civil protection, but who knew she would fit right in? All that build up hatred and stress from her childhood would make her a perfect oppressor for the union exactly what they where looking for...
Now she resides in city51 where she has taken the role of a civil protection unit keeping her city civil as best as they can in such a crowded and chaotic place.

OOC:
Steam Name: Taliazure
Steam ID: STEAM_0:1:67985352
Discord Name & ID: Taliazure#7480

Why do you want to play this character?: I have a great love for civil protection faction, it is the faction I most love playing. I also wished to play a more aggressive and less friendly character within the cp faction.

Tell us about yourself:
Are you new to Willard Networks?: no I have been here for quite a long time now.
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:
I'm very familiar with the playerbase along with the staff team from both short stories and the main server
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
How it allows you to create any story, charather or event within its vast lore. It sometimes feels like a movie when creating and playing a charather

Omega · Oct 18, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
Omega
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:1:70142626
*Discord Name & ID:
Omega#5347

--- Section Two ---
<:: ACCESSING C51/CP ::>
<:: ATHOURIZATION:RL ::>
<:: GRANTED ::>
<:: ACCESSING DATAFILE/C51/i2 ::>
<:: AUTHOURIZATION:RL ::>
<:: GRANTED ::>

A picture of Han as a Detective for the HKP. Before the Combine.

*Character Name:
Han Shihong
C51:i2.ZHANSHI-1
*Character Role:
Civil Protection Command Unit.
*Brief summary of the character:
A former Hong Kong detective, Han has always been one to try and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. After the Combine invaded and integrated the police force, he became a member of Civil Protection. Only recently transferring to City 51, a year before the Union abandoned it…
*Why do you want to play this character?:
I love playing as old grizzled detectives.
Full Backstory:
Before you lies a torn and tattered journal... most of the pages within being torn and unreadable.
February 18th, 1998
I have recently begun therapy, at the discretion of my daughter. She's always been a smart girl... definitely smarter than her old man...
I was there... I had her in my grasp and I held her in my arms before she made me let go. And she...
I miss her...
I miss my other half.

August 23rd, 2004
I serve, or they hurt her. I would serve without threat, but now I will be the best damned detective they have seen.

March 15, 2006
They have left us... I do not know how these rebels were suddenly "too much" after they beat the entire world in seven hours.
There are more pieces to this puzzle...

--- Section Three (Optional) ---
Tell us about yourself:

I am Omega ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Are you new to Willard Networks?:

Yes and No
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:

Yes

What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
The setting, and mystery.

Donavin Jones · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: Meme_Lord_Satan
*Discord Name & ID: Dog#2267
- *Why do you want to play this character?:
- I think this is a good way for me to practice RPing as a Free'd/Liberated Vortigaunt, as I've been getting rather big into vortal RP and plan to expand it.

Kurai Veig
The Young Warrior.
Vortigaunt Age : 87
Info : A Brown-Greenish Vortigaunt with a bulging Orange Eye of 7'2 with a poncho.
History

Greetings.. We.. Are Kurai Veig.. We recently found out.. We are one of the rare ones.. To have not been captured by the Ulathoi..This.. Is our story..

We, arrived on earth 1531 Moons ago.. Our time on this rock, has been eventful.. We were sent on the human term 'continent' of 'Asia' in the city of 'Beijing'.. Well.. The outskirts of it, yes.. Most of our Kin.. And the Humans that were with us, know that we love the art.. Of Farming.. The Human plants, have given us many options.. Of what of to farm.. We attempted all we could to coexist with the Humans, but it was difficult.. So we resided in a cave.. We have had many interactions with the Humans! Both passive, and aggressive. We healed the Humans.. Killed the Humans.. But.. We have always respected the Humans. One such instance, was with a Human named 'Ya Ming'. They were older then us, of 98.. We came to a understanding with the 'Ya Ming'.. We both farmed, helped, killed.. Then.. The Ulathoi arrived to Earth.. Ya Ming was killed by the Invaders, as we tried to save them.. We did not allow the Ulathoi to capture us, we will not be a slave again.. During the so called 'Pre Liberation' the mindless and masked ones call it, we farmed, and healed with all.. Residing in a small cave.. Our passion went in exploring the land, gathering crops for farming, and even herding wild Bullsquids.. Allowing them to breed, and use the oldest for food.. We sense, many of our Kin have been able to escape the Ulathoi's grasp.. This.. Excites us majorly... As now, we see a chance to meet with our Kin without their chains.. We fear one day however.. We will end up into those chains we have dared not go into..
Only time will tell..

/// updated, daredevils disbanded

Kamilisha Haijulikani · Oct 19, 2022

THE KING OF THE TRIADS

*Steam Name: Kamilisha Haijulikani
*Steam ID:

Steam Community :: Kamilisha Haijulikani

God of Thunder

steamcommunity.com

*Discord Name & ID: Kamilisha Haijulikani#7616

安慰、悲伤、死亡
安慰、悲伤、死亡, 安慰、悲伤、死亡
安慰、悲伤、死亡, 安慰、悲伤、死亡, 安慰、悲伤、死亡
EXECUTIVE CHAIRPERSON
Lu ZhenKeng
TRIAD HEAD OF THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS

*Character Role:
Leader of the Midnight Marauders (午夜捕食者)

*Brief summary of the character:
THE FEARED KINGPIN OF THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS, LU ZHENKANG IS A VICIOUS CRIME LORD WITH A PROPENSITY FOR GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE AND MURDER. THOUGH LACKING IN WHAT SCARCE FORCE REMAINS IN BEIJING, WHAT SEPARATES THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE DETESTABLE CRIMINAL CLIQUES IS THEIR OPEN-ENDED DISPOSITION TO EXCESSIVE HOMICIDAL VIOLENCE, NOTORIOUS FOR BEING ONE, IF NOT THE MOST, VIOLENT GANG IN BEIJING, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE MORE DOMINANT TRIAD CLANS IN THE CITY.

LU ZHENKANG DOES NOT HAVE A BRUTISH BODY, NOR IS HE A WISEMAN. NEITHER BRIGHT NOR SHARP NOR REFINED IN ETIQUETTE OR CULTURE, OR EVEN CHARACTER, LU ZHENKANG APPEARS TO BE ALL FAULT, NO SKILL, SIMPLY MEDIOCRE. YET DESPITE HIS PERFECT INADEQUACIES, FEW CAN DENY THE ALLURE OF LU ZHENKANG AND HIS PENCHANT FOR BREEDING VIOLENCE AND MAYHEM.

LU ZHENKANG AND THE MARAUDERS DO NOT HIDE, DO NOT RUN, AND DO NOT SURRENDER. THEY VICTIMIZE, TORTURE, SLAUGHTER, PILLAGE, AND ANNIHILATE THEIR ENEMIES, ALL TO QUENCH AN INSATIABLE HUNGER; ALL TO CONTINUE THE VIOLENCE; ALL TO PERPETUATE THE MAYHEM; TO DESTROY; TO RAZE AND SLAUGHTER; TO RAPE AND SOW; UNTIL THEY EITHER DIE OR NONE IS LEFT TO FEED THEIR HUNGER.
NEITHER PEOPLE'S ADVOCATES NOR GENTLE PEACEKEEPERS.
THEY ARE SUFFERING, SORROW, AND DEATH INCARNATE.

[*]

*Why do you want to play this character?:
[*]

To facilitate violence, and action, and cause all sorts of mayhem and suffering. At a previous Short-Stories event, I played Matsumoto Ryoichi, the impulsive and feared Yakuza leader of Rising Sun. I had a lot of fun with the role. Still, I noticed I lacked a lot of initiative and guidance on where to take my character and organization during the event without devolving into full-blown chaos and ultimately left my group feeling ambitionless during the event. For this event, however, I wish to wholeheartedly embrace the chaos and mayhem from the get-go, juxtaposed to my character on Rising Sun, and create a truly formidable group.
[*]

[*]

IMPORTANT - CONTEXT TO THE CHARACTER'S ROLE
[*]

(tl;dr - treating him like a reclusive event character)
[*]

One of the bigger things I've stressed to management regarding the role of my character is his inaccessibility and the allusion to being a larger-than-life figure as the acting head of the Triads, with the plan being to only using him as a narrative tool to drive events forward within the Midnight Marauder organization when and where necessary and make actual character appearances rare as a balancing act to curtail the Midnight Marauder's ferocity, while also maintaining his elusive and fearsome reputation, allowing his reputation to precede him and ensuring that the character remains unpredictable and complacency is impossible around him whenever he makes an appearance, something that will protect the character and ensure his reputation remains without the potential for disillusionment that would likely happen should the character make constant, 24/7 appearances and play a more prolific role in the gang's management, something that logically would be overseen by the lesser gang leaders instead of himself; with excessive overuse ultimately serving to undermine and minimize the desired influential impact of the character and his role.
[*]

[*]

tl;dr - It wouldn't make sense for the leader of the Triads to be around managing the gang 24/7, and his presence 24/7 would minimize the impact of the character whenever he does make appearances, as this is a character people should not be complacent around, the marauders included, and his constant presence in non-pivotal moments only disillusion people to his violent reputation and his largely absent role in-character will serve to moderate the gang's propensity to violence.
[*]

[*]

To compensate for the character's rare and reclusive usage, I'll instead be opting to play the majority of my time during the event as a regular gang member in the Midnight Marauder, doubling both as a drug dealer & noodle store manager, something I've already gone through the prerequisites of clearing with event management to do.
[*]

[*]

tl;dr tl;dr - the character application is more so an application for the group proper, and I don't intend on playing the leader often to maximize his character impact and maintain his fearsome reputation, while still using him to drive the group's narrative/actions where needed. Instead, I'll be dedicating most of my time to playing a lower-ranked gang member in the same organization, split between drug dealing & managing a noodle shop.

Cengiz · Oct 19, 2022

Vortigaunt Faction

@M3ntal - Accepted, but Vortessence will be 30
@Lord Beckett - Accepted

Civil Protection Faction

@MikeyMoe - Accepted, Rank: i5
@Jacob - Accepted, Rank: RCT
@Astro - Accepted, Rank: i3
@Anthrax_PL - Accepted, Rank: i3
@Nezoose - Accepted, Rank: i2
@Onyx - Accepted, Rank: i4
@Sync - Accepted, Rank. i2-i5 ( You need to roll )
@Dej - Accepted, Rank: i2
@vortist - Accepted Rank: RCT
@Appetite Ruining Kebab - Accepted Rank: i5
@Julia Jazmin - Accepted Rank: i2
@Merlinsclaw - Accepted Rank: i5

Gang

@Furious - Accepted
@GopnikPizzafox - Accepted
@ella - Accepted
@Cengiz - Accepted
@ZeroPants - Accepted

Combine Civil Administration

@ZeroPants - Accepted. Vice Administrator
@Craw - Accepted. Vice Administrator
@Plug - Accepted. CA Secretary

Overwatch Transhuman Arm

-DM me over Discord for set up

Then you probably haven't been accepted or your Application has been reviewed yet, Please Check the #Announcment-Channel

The Sniper · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
The Sniper
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:1:6533079
*Discord Name & ID:
Kaisler#3325

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name:

Li Jin (Madam Li, Li Jiang)

*Character Role:
Leader of the Red Guards, the paramilitary street-gang of the underground Chinese Communist Party and member of the Politburo.
*Brief summary of the character:

A bandit, terrorist... to others a hero of the people and of the downtrodden. Proclaimed leader of the notorious 'Red Guards' (Hóng Wèibīng) or the Society for the Restoration of China and the Party of the People; claiming itself as the spokesperson of whatever remnants there is of the underground Communist Party of China.

Despite claiming to strive for the liberation of the people of all classes, the movement is known for its brutality and thug-like control over the underworld it controls. Beneath the low, the people under the rule of the Hóng Wèibīng are known to like according to collectivist principles based upon the thoughts of Mao Tse-Tung and now Madam Li. The Neo-Maoist ideology of the movement characterises itself in its extreme nationalism - with the group actively pursuing "non-chinese" they deem unworthy; whilst waging an insurgency against the Combine authority in Beijing and the surrounding countryside.

*Why do you want to play this character?:
A chance to create more of a dystopian-like resistance/criminals, whilst still holding a sense of dignity for the community.
Full Backstory:

Born into a rural peasant family at the end-stages of Mao's Cultural Revolution, Li Jin would essentially be groomed in the thoughts of Maoism during her early childhood, during which members of her family would rise in the echelons of the party politics following the death of the Chairman. Not much is known about her life prior to the invasion, being acknowledged in the years after the invasion as a prominent "gang-leader" within the underworld of Beijing. Her and the rise of the Red Guards was one incited by violence, although the party ideology was oriented towards a more lenient socialist model; it would become more and more totalitarian in nature as the years went by and the methods became even more extreme.

kgf-XxS1tYaZw3RhCJj6Gguxcr23kqUYXdn1DqbY8JRBr47JhTmdQldVDvPWWqnyNywblCSmrBs2HVujQ9MXvgXNmZBpxnrfGX017VB4rNENZPEEW54nsvfYP7Cv0KLCgAHFDJQaPi5590lnllSAqClqSEaXjusJrEjxoWKSDISkPpOQN3MqRf6jZw

“It is up to us to organize the people. As for the reactionaries in China, it is up to us to organize the people to overthrow them. Everything reactionary is the same; if you do not hit it, it will not fall. This is also like sweeping the floor; as a rule, where the broom does not reach, the dust will not vanish of itself.”

- Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung

Ideology of Neo-Maoism

Fanatical Chinese Nationalism
-"We must depend on our own to advance rather than relying upon others. We are stronger alone."

Xenophobic
-”People of China and Asia have been oppressed by the westerners before, they are no better than the off-world invaders… we have not forgotten the great humiliation bestowed upon us in past time, and we cannot allow ourselves to rely upon foreigners any more."

Collectivist
-”Private ownership is not criminalized, but the means of production have been seized by the party to drive forth the armament of the proletariat.”-

Madame Li thought
-”The revolution of Chairman Mao was brought about by the peasantry. We do not afford that luxury. Instead, we rely upon the proletariat as the revolutionary vanguard. We must embrace violence and hardness against our enemies to succeed.”-

Structure

Section I - Hóng Wèibīng

The overall body of the Movement, representing leadership and fighters. Actively participates in a majority of the operations engaged in as combatiers.

Section II - Intelligence and Counterintelligence

The intelligence network of the Movement, a crucial and important branch tasked with espionage and infiltration. Operated under a Political Commissar.

Section III - Logistics and Economy

Logistics and economy, tasked to ensure a steady line of supplies. Both civil and combative roles. Also in-charge of the production of both illicit substances, firearms and more. Operated under a Political Commissar.

Section IV- Information and Propaganda

Tasked with supplying the people with the truth, Section IV handles the reconstruction of literature, propaganda and information as well as the distribution of such content to the people. Operated under a Political Commissar.

Section V - Associations

Other cells funded and operated by, together or with the movement. Works co-independently with another chain of command.

Hierarchy

Chairman/Chairwoman (Leader)
1x
The overall leader, although de facto representative of the underground Communist Party of China. This position is the highest within the organization, but the difference between politics and crime become smudged in the lines in-between. Upon death, succession draws from between the Political Commissars.

Political Commissar (Underboss)
3x
Political Commissars are the privileged. Tasked with ensuring party discipline and loyalty, they are also considered de facto commanders of “brigades”. Acting as Underbosses and consigliere, they are part of the Politburo, the inner-circle of the organization.

Squad Leaders (Capo/Captains)
3x
The overall leadership, with each “captain” commanding their select number of enforcers. They are the militant-arm of the party and the enforcer of its will.

Red Guardists (Enforcers)
x
The footsoldiers of the movement. The Red Guards are indoctrinated into the political thought, whilst acting out the party’s order. Although they different themselves from others, they are naught more but fanatical thugs.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself:
I'm The Sniper, mainly a webul player.
Are you new to Willard Networks?:
No
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:
Yes!
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
Grimdark dystopia.

Ansty · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: Ansty
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:0:89141544
*Discord Name & ID: Ansty#0269

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: C51/CSU( Civil-Service-Use ).SCN-32
*Character Role: CCA Scanner
*Brief summary of the character: A modified scanner both hardware and software wise to serve the needs of civilian authorities of City 51. As well as report any shady business to Civil Protection. It has no authority over Civil Protection and reports directly to the CCA. Who may (and are encouraged) to assign the scanner to work directly in assisting the citizen unions such as the CWU, CMU and BRI. It speaks with a voice identical to the standard Dispatch. Its exact authority beyond this core condition that it cannot command Overwatch Forces will be determined in game by CCA. Will it obey only the top of the city and simply choose by its own choice to obey those below the top ? Will it have to obey the lowliest of CWU workers or somewhere in-between ? and does it truly obey you or does it report you're every move back to someone above you ?
*Why do you want to play this character?:I think id be a cool little robot to play. And if truly used to work with all Citizen subfaction it could very well enhance it. Whether it be something like briefing a Citizen workshift by projecting an instruction movie on the wall and showing the citizens that a literal robot is above them as they trust it more since it cant be bribed etc. Scouting infestations for the needs of infestation control before sending in a human crew. Heat cameras reporting on severity of fires during fire extinguishing efforts. Using its projector display propaganda on sanctioned public gatherings and many more. True loyalists will welcome its absolute inability to lie or be corrupted while those against the combine will always be on the lookout when it is around or potentially be plotting to capture it, reprogram it and make it serve them instead.

Full Backstory: Civil-Service-Use Scanner-32 left the factory assembly line just 16 hours ago. It is currently shut down and being shipped to the City 51 Nexus where activation awaits. It is part of Project Marshal a small scale project to see how well scanners could work in Civilian roles beyond the needs of Overwatch similarly to the Construction Striders. Due to particularly high corruption in this City, an uncorruptable robot servant may also prove to be a far better choice then a human. As these scanners report to a civilian authority it has been stripped of any authority to command Overwatch forces. However sufficiently Ranked Civil Protection and any OTA may still requisition it for their own use in the event of a regular scanner not being available. The exact details of its authority are yet to be decided as it is of the first batch arriving so it will be largely left to the CCA to figure it out.

The modifications to the Civil-Service-Use Scanner include :
-Screen projector built into its one eye. Usable for both propaganda and practical training films, images or perhaps a movie night if you are so high up the chain the robot has to obey you no matter what you want it to project.
-A thermal camera, primarily useful for detecting fires and where the fire is strongest.
-Geiger Counter.
-Chemical sample collector. Whether it be gas, liquid or a particularly light solid object the Scanner can fetch it from dangerous locations and return it back to the BRI, CMU or Infestation Control for analysis.
-pH-EC monitor. (Potential of Hydrogen-Electronic Conductivity) Monitor useful primarily to precisely report two conditions of indoor farms. Although it can also help with reports about the status of infestation growth.
-2 Sling connectors installed on its belly. Although not good at carrying heavy loads. It can still carry letters, deliver breathing masks to people inside burning buildings, or get electrical wires into position easily or other light items.
-Built in translator for all common languages. The combine only took the planet over recently and although English was chosen as the new standard the gap is still large. This allows the scanner to both translate for those who are lacking in English as well as monitor the Citizens better.
-Shutdown, factory reset and total software purge codes. These codes will be issued primarily to the BRI high ranking CCA and Overwatch Forces. The shutdown code can simply order an immediate shutdown for any reason. Factory reset will cause a total memory wipe and restore the Scanner towards the same condition when it was first activated and total software purge should only be used in the event of the Scanner falling into the hands of Anti-Citizens. Should it receive this signal it will delete all code from its software and render itself completely unusable. Requiring the memory card to be replaced entirely for it to work.
-Spare Scanners. Being easily replaceable the Scanner has no fear of death and a small number of other scanners can easily replace it (Debatable how much lives i get and such)
-An roof mounted lamp, more powerful then an ordinary flashlight but not nearly as powerful as a fully sized spotlight (If going into dark area as part of event staff could possible weld and invisible lamp on me)
-Orange Stripes to differentiate the Scanner from its standard Overwatch counterparts (Description only)
-Anything else these who control the scanner can come up with if approved by Staff.
-All standard abilities of a normal scanner although it will not obey commands to open restricted doors.
--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself: I am Ansty, I have made the popular rebel Discord pinned meme known as Rebelrp_The_Movie
Are you new to Willard Networks?: No
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?: Travis and Liam
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?: Physics, you are not a proper Half Life fan if you didn't do at least one playthrough of Half Life 2 or the Episodes using only the Gravity Gun.

George · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

Steam Name:
Travis
Steam ID:
STEAM_0:0:219592730
Discord Name & ID:
Travis#5678

--- Section Two ---

Character Name:
Zeng Cai
Character Role:
City Administrator
Brief summary of the character:
Zeng Cai is the city administrator of City 51, having served his term with reasonable
comfort since the invasion.
Physically, Zeng Cai is a forty five year old man, standing at a height of 5'7".
He's often seen as a scornful man, belittling those around him in a feeble attempt to increase
the size of his ego which is evergrowing.

Why do you want to play this character?:
This character would be an opportunity to play something I haven't played before,
giving me and others a new experience during the event.
I tend to stray away from loyalist characters, so to play the opposite of that would be interesting.

Full Backstory:
Early Life
Zeng Cai was born to a working class family in Wuhan, 1963. Due to Wuhan's Largely rich
population, Zeng was often looked down upon by his peers for being poorer, though this only strengthened his resolve.
Zeng quickly surfaced to the top of his class becoming a renowned financial advisor, soon after leaving to Bejing,
leaving his family behind. In his eyes, his family held him back due to them not working hard enough to lift themselves from
poverty, and sticking around them would be a weakness.
In Bejing, Zeng Cai used his wealth to empower his elitism, surrounding
himself with those of similar and less power than himself so he'd appear more popular than he actually was,
keeping up this facade for many years until finally, the world ended.
The Invasion
When the combine invaded, Zeng grabbed as much power as he could, bribing those in positions
of power to look upon him with more favour, rising in the ranks until finally it was time to pick an
administrator. Zeng was elected easily, his power was immense and absolute.
Zeng Cai was the administrator, he had achieved all he wanted to achieve- but what now?
He doesn't know how to run a city, he doesn't know what to do with his power now he was it...
Will he ruin the city, or is this a sign from God? We will see.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself:
Super funny, so cool.
Are you new to Willard Networks?:
Nope, been playing for over a year
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:
Many people
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
Probably overall my favorite thing about half life is the atmosphere and the engine,
and the maps within it.

0xNiklas · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: 0xNiklas
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:1:424935776
*Discord Name & ID: 0xNiklas#5967
--- Section Two ---

*Character Name: Nikolaus Volpis
*Character Role: Combine Civil Administration | Minister for Finance
*Brief summary of the character: Italo-Russian Male, who got after many transfers around the world an opportunity in Asia, City 51. Not a Pleasant one, but one that might help his chances. He is Politically attached to his own Ideology "Volpism" which has many marks of Stalinism and Collective ideological, but other than that. He is Lawful Evil.
*Why do you want to play this character?: He is one of my new Loyalist products, after Sven Aalto Death and Andrej Iljin side change. He is likely the new loyalist in place, but besides. I honestly want to play someone in the Management position, who organize and leads. Perfect for the Character I am planning and to make him go into a more fitting setting, that he would be in the Combine Civil Administration Faction. Despite the Event being set in 2008. Nikolaus might turn up in C24, If he survives the Chinese hell.

Besides, I want to try out playing the CCA despite the High-PK risk it brings with it.
Full Backstory:
His Youth
The story of an Italian-Russian who calls himself "Nikolaus Volpis". Born in Kursk , who nevertheless received Italian citizenship through his Italian father and traveled back to Pisa directly after his birth and grew up there. His mother, who was Russian, called him Nikolaus, mixed with "Volpis" which was his father's surname. His father was a reservist and electronics technician, while his mother was an accountant. He had no siblings. He had been interested in history, philosophy and politics a little earlier. Politics in the sense of what makes Italy the way it is. At 15 he also started to join parties. What he joined was the Christian Democracy Youth Movement, which he became quite involved with. Despite his innovations and ideas, he had a good career somewhere if he continued to get involved there.

Adulthood
But left the party in 1980 when he turned 20. He then committed himself to the military and made his career as a non-commissioned officer there and went into the reserve. There is not much that can be explained about his school days. He did his thing there and came out. But now forward to the real thing. One day he read the Communist Manifesto and admired it somewhere, as it suits his philosophical nature and curiosity. At the same time, he also despised them because it resembled Stalinism, which was also interesting. Since his mother's family suffered from hunger and oppression under Stalin in the 1920's, his family was very Orthodox. However, he puzzled himself 1 + 1 and began to puzzle his own ideology "Volpism" which, like the namesake, represents itself. But it should be a collective idea and Conservative ideas. He left this somewhere in his notes.

The Combine
But after a long philosophizing there came a cruel thunder and a bright light during the day, which seemed impossible. He left the home with his wife and son and looked up. The portal storm happened, but no one knew what it was. Before you could find out what, however, it was too late. Earth has been invaded by an alien empire. He took his family and fled to a private bunker because he had himself made out of fear during the Cold War and was locked in it for the 7 hours. But when the surrender was declared, he left. He couldn't believe it, neither could his family, but it was just what it was. More recently, he was shipped on a work program to assist in rebuilding for the Combines Overlord. With that he sold himself. He didn't see his family again and it went through the years that he was transferred from City to City until he came to City 08.

The Events leading up
Someone spoke to him, that was around 2006. "You there!" The Asian man said to him, "Yes?" returned also looked back as a man spoke. This one began, "I've been on a search with the Combine Civil Administration for City 51 to help the Chinese there manage their shit. I've taken the liberty of taking up their cause and have found nothing but good things in their files. Hence the offer , before we continue. I'm Matsumoto Tojo" Matsumoto said. Not in big reflection and in hope of higher authority and desire for his family he accepted it and was recently later taken to City 51 to help the population there and that's gone until today.. 2008.

Present
Nikolaus wakes up, knowing City 51 is one of the most crowded City with Gang rising and falling and corruption spreading everywhere, even within the Administration. He gets notified by fellow Administrations Member, that the City is being cut off. "Cannot be" he said, before stumbling out of bed and preparing for the worst.

Yes, re-applying

Sachimii · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
Sachimii
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:0:148609479
*Discord Name & ID:
Sachimii#8451

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name:
Naomi Choi
*Character Role:
"Enforcer" of The Friend Group.
*Brief summary of the character:

Korean-Born, former Underboss of gang within City 34. Transferred to City 51 after an incident caused forced relocation. Known for her brutality and general disregard for human life. A real bitch.

I wanna start with a lead pipe and an MP7, with enough ammo to do some trolling. Also some drip.

*Why do you want to play this character?:
I want to play a gang member. I want this gang member to be a bad person. I am here to cause trouble and mischief and (hopefully) RP.
I want to play specifically within TFG because their group has been designed to have their morals flex and change depending on the actions of the members, and I want to try and be an influencing force in this. A static driving force for evil within a faction will allow the other players within the group to play off of it well, either siding with her for personal benefit, or trying to combat the internal drive and steer the gang to a more benevolent path.

Full Backstory:

K-everything: the rise and rise of Korean culture | South Korea | The Guardian

The main streets were bright, neon signs hung from the sides of buildings, screaming for attention. The flashes of scanners overhead did little to quell the visual noise. Even at night this place shone like the centre of the sun. Far too bright. Damn City..

A few steps forwards, a left turn, and continue on. The busy lighting of the main streets gets left behind, and you're plunged into the darkness of the stinking side-alleys of this damn city. Or- what's left of it. Few minutes of walking, and you nearly pass it. A small indent in the wall to your left, a flash of metal in brickwork. A door. You knock, a practiced motion. Three heavy, one light, one heavy. A simple pattern they'd recognize.
The door shoots open near-instantly, as if by some mystical force. Of course, it wasn't. It was just Jung, the door-guard. Bastard never sleeps, you'd swear it.

A murmured greeting, and you're in. Hat off, gloves off. Bask in the dim glow of the heater in the corner.
Your eyes scan the dull bar, worn-and-torn from years of abuse, but still standing. More importantly, still hidden from those Combine bastards.
A few patrons lounge about here and there. They're all trying to hide their pieces, but they're not doing a good job of it. 'course, you're armed too. You'd be an idiot not to be.

Step up to the bar, catch the tenders eye. He recognizes you, of course. You've been a regular here for months.
"The usual, Choi?"
Not this time. You're here on business, no room to get drunk. Order's come through that you're being transferred, and they're expecting you packed and ready to go by the morning.
"Damn. You want your shit brought with you then? I can-"
No. Not everything. You know he doesn't have the manpower for that. Nah, just your piece and pipe. Get 'em shiny for wherever you're headed.
"Right. Least I can do. That an' clearing your tab. Consider it payment for that turn back in Hikko territory."
Whatever helps him sleep at night. So long as you're getting your shit moved, and getting gone. A few words of assurance later, and you're parting ways, nodding to Jung as you walk out of that door for the last time.

...

You wake up. How much time had passed since that day? Months, at least.. Why do you keep having that dream? It's been hard adjusting to your new life in China of all places. At the very least, it's not as bright as before. You rub your eyes, getting your bearings once more. Your standard apartment, sitting two-floors-high, and dull as ever. Your roommate, still asleep. Bastard works himself half-to-death in the shifts, no wonder he'd be tired. That picture, still hung on the wall, hiding your weapons. Every inspection, they've never even bothered checking behind the pictures. CPs as rookie as usual.

But today- something's different. The sound of vocoders aren't pronounced. The guards that used to be posted down on the bottom floor - Tall and Grumpy, you got to calling them - aren't chatting as usual. It feels... quiet. Too quiet. Get up, get dressed, get moving. Out of the door in just a few minutes. The streets are empty, the Nexus closed. The usual calls for a workshift have halted, as if the city's holding its breath. For what, you wonder.

...

You're stood outside of the gang hideout. The new hideout, now. It's been a few days since Law and Order decided to withdraw, and the Old Blood of the area's come out in full force. Lucky you. You and a few others decided to brick up your old apartment block, tearing apart anything that wasn't needed for living to use as defences. Whatever's going on here, it's not gonna go down peacefully. You've tried to make sure these people are prepared, but most are just civvies. Not useful here.

Could be worse. Could be trapped without help with one of those gangs. Could be one of the Civil Protection officers suddenly cut off from Daddy Combine. Could be one of the poor sods left forgotten in some shithole somewhere to starve. You glance back at the group of folks, their eyes wide. They've decided they're gonna stake their claim too. Become a gang. Idiots don't know their head from their ass- but they're all you've got.

Time to whip this group into shape.

Cengiz · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
Cengo
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:1:113942347
*Discord Name & ID:
Cengiz#4268

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name:
Haito Yufei
*Character Role:

Shop Owner & Smuggler

*Brief summary of the character:

Haito Yufei was one of many that hid during, Uprising 3 Years ago. He is just an Ordinary Old man trying to survive in this terrible new World...you can't teach an Old Dog New Tricks...Let's hope this Old Dog learns how to survive and Manages his Shop in these uncertain times. Haito Yufei was a Barkeeper during the 7-Hour war, his family was killed by the Chinese Military during that time. He doesn't believe in *any* form of Government and only trusts People he knows.

*Why do you want to play this character?:
I wanna RP as a Shop Owner / Smuggler

Omega · Oct 19, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name:
Omega
*Steam ID:
STEAM_0:1:70142626
*Discord Name & ID:
Omega#5347

--- Section Two ---
<:: ACCESSING C51/CP ::>
<:: ATHOURIZATION:RL ::>
<:: GRANTED ::>
<:: ACCESSING DATAFILE/C51/i2 ::>
<:: AUTHOURIZATION:RL ::>
<:: GRANTED ::>

A picture of Han as a Detective for the HKP. Before the Combine.

*Character Name:
Han Shihong
C51:i3.ZHANSHI-1
*Character Role:
Civil Protection Unit.
*Brief summary of the character:
A former Hong Kong detective, Han has always been one to try and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. After the Combine invaded and integrated the police force, he became a member of Civil Protection. Only recently transferring to City 51, a year before the Union abandoned it…
*Why do you want to play this character?:
I love playing as old grizzled detectives.
Full Backstory:
Born in Hong Kong in 1961, Han Shihong was alone for as long as he could remember. Raised in an orphanage and never knowing his parents, he had always had trouble connecting with others. Even other orphans who hadn’t known their parents he wouldn’t befriend, usually spending their playtime by himself reading, writing, and even doing puzzles. These were the things Han enjoyed in life. Particularly the puzzles. Every day he would be trying to solve some kind of mystery, usually just people misplacing keys and whatnot around the orphanage. However, one particular day, one of the caretakers’ lunch was stolen. This particular woman wasn’t exactly in dire need of this lunch, being a larger woman, however from the amount of rage she had one would think she was starving. To stop her from furiously shouting at the other children, Han had decided he would crack the case. Immediately beginning to speak with each child in the orphanage about their accounts of their day. What they’ve done, where they’ve been, who they’ve spoken to, and specific times if they could remember; everything he remembers reading in his Sherlock Holmes books. After casing out each student, Han had made a realization. All their stories matched up. Not a single thing was out of place from any of their accounts, both the Chinese speakers and English speakers had nothing fishy… the only fishy account was from the caretaker herself. After some snooping around, Han had found the woman’s lunch in the fridge, tucked away in the far corner in the very back. Han had brought her lunch, explaining the situation to her. The children saw Han as a hero, stopping her from tyrannically shouting at them for something they didn’t do. The caretaker however, was even more furious. Whether she genuinely believed it or was just saving herself from “embarrassment” the woman accused Han of being the thief, taking her lunch from him and disciplining him for supposedly stealing it. From that day Han had known the world may be unfair, but everyone else still knew the truth. And that’s what was important. The truth.

Later in his life, Han crushed it in school. Turning in everything that needed to be done, acing all of his courses, and even getting a headstart on some of his college courses. Once actually in college he would go and study abroad. For the next 6-7 years he would travel to Japan, South Korea, The United States, Russia, The United Kingdom, and Italy. While in each nation he experienced all kinds of cultures, lifestyles, cuisines, and even went through the effort to learn each of their languages the year or so he would spend in each country, making sure to continue brushing up on them as the years went on. But, when he would return to Hong Kong, Han would meet a woman named Wen Xiulan. The woman that would become the love of his life. For years they would spend almost every day with each other, all through Han’s training for the Hong Kong Police Force, all through the few years he was an officer and even into the years as a detective; Han would go out out of his way to make sure he would spend time with his little Orchid. Even eventually having a daughter with the woman. For the first time in his entire life, Han was happy. He was doing a job he loved, with a woman he loved with a child he would burn the entire world for, all while finally being able to stay in one spot for a few years. For the first time, Han wasn’t alone. In 1998, Wen would take her life at the age of 36. Han Shihong was 37, and their daughter was 11. This spent Han spiraling into a bout of alcoholism and depression he would truly never get out of. Downing shots every hour and a cigarette every few minutes, the only reason he was kept on the police force was because he was damn good at his job. Since that’s the only thing he had to get his mind off of his wife, he would be working any time he could, and when he wasn’t he’d be drinking. However, this also caused him to forget about his daughter. At least to her, that’s how it seemed. To Han though, she was the reason he was even still going. He was putting food on the table and caring for her, he just couldn’t bear to see her… she looked just like her mother. And so, this is how Han would live. Even through his times as the Portal Storms began he had continued this habit.

Then, when the Combine invaded, he was given a choice. Integrate or die, and if he chose the second option, his daughter dies as well. So, Han integrated. Being given the position of i3, due to his excessive drinking and cigarette usage, he’s been stationed in Beijing ever since. However, with the City recently being abandoned this opens up an entire new mystery to Han… why? The Combine say they were overrun, but that doesn’t make sense. They won against the entire world in Seven Hours, but can’t fight rebels in one city? There’s something wrong with this, and Han is gonna figure it out… if he can convince the other gangs to help him though? That’s another mystery.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---
Tell us about yourself:

I am Omega ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Are you new to Willard Networks?:

Yes and No
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:

Yes

What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
The setting, and mystery.

Sync · Oct 20, 2022

--- Section One ---

*Steam Name: synccreeps
*Steam ID: STEAM_0:0:120420347
*Discord Name & ID: Sync#4000

--- Section Two ---

*Character Name:
'Mark'
*Character Role:
Beijing Batters Hitter
*Brief summary of the character:
A deranged vigilante who used ot work for a ''phone company''.
Full Backstory:
Mark's childhood is unknown, even the ones closest to him don't even know about his childhood and biological parents. Mark is a rather quiet person. While he isn't mute, he still prefers to communicate with his body.

In 1992 in Florida, a city unknown, Mark receives a phone call. "You have won a free holiday ticket to Beijing. Congratulations, the flight is scheduled for tomorrow."
A loud doorbanging can be heard right after the call ended. Mark opens his house door and finds a package. In the package is the ticket to Beijing, a passport and an address. Mark lets out a huff out of his nose and shuts the door.

Mark gets on the plane as scheduled the next day and has prepared himself for the 16 hour flight with snacks and a comic book.
The address leads to a motel. The man at the reception seemed to have expected him and directly led him to his motel room. Mark closes the door right behind him, a phone starts to ring on the table. He picked up the phone. A woman starts to speak in broken English "Your clothing has been washed, come pick it up at Xindong Rd 294, Chaoyang."
Mark notices a Bat in the corner of the room. He picks it up and leaves.
Mark arrives at the address. It's an old laundromat with multiple apartments stacked over it.
Mark kicks in the front door. The door smashed into a white suited man who was holding a pistol. He catches the dropping pistol..

Mark finishes the job.

He decides not to use public transit back to the motel and steals one of the target's cars, as his clothing needs a wash before he can be seen in public again. At the motel, Mark finds a suitcase on the bed. He opens the suitcase, which reveals a stack of money..

In 1995 Mark made himself a name in the underground as a ruthless hitman. He has had multiple hits until now.
Mark has been given a permanent stay in Beijing by an unknown hirer. It's not like he can leave..

In 2002, the portal storms hit the city of Beijing. Mark was forced to live in a military installation like almost everyone else. He lived a 'normal' life for a few years.

In 2004 he hid in the sewer system, after he attempted to fight alongside the soldiers, but realised that the fight was unwinnable.

In 2008 had found the gang leader, Bradley Baldwin, who is a thick-headed superhero wannabe with a black-and-white view of the world. The gang's name is Beijing Batters. Bradley hired Mark after he had saved him from an ambush on him. The reason why he helped him is unknown.

After that, he made several hits for him and is still to this day. All motivated by trying to get rid of crime.

"You're dead meat..."

"Get out of here if you don't want to die!"

*Why do you want to play this character?:
I want to play a vigilante character because I think it would fit the current theme. The city is filled with crime and a vigilante would just fit in there perfectly.

--- Section Three (Optional) ---

Tell us about yourself:
I have been a pretty active member of the community since the pre-beta release and have played in various factions already in my time here. My favorite is the bird faction as I can poop on people. I am known for playing the character Russell Makarov who is an old bastard that does anything to benefit himself by benefiting the union. My rather unknown characters are my Rebel char "Finn Fuchs", my alcoholic char "Bowie" and my domesticated bird named "Territorial Beast".
Are you new to Willard Networks?:
No, I have been here since Pre-beta
Are you familiar with anyone around Willard Networks?:
Yes, I am.
What's your favorite thing about Half Life?:
If we are just talking about the game, it's the gameplay, fun physics and atmosphere that made me replay the game multiple times in my childhood. It manages to tell a story without forcing us into long cutscenes and teaches us mechanics without the need of tutorials. Lore-wise, I enjoy it a lot too, as it is never fully known who we are fighting and who even gman is, which forces us to make up stories to fill the gaps, but in the end we don't know.. Basically, the mystery is awesome.

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