Mass Effect: The Horizon

[Alliance]

His name resonates throughout the galaxy. There are those who have tried to steal his identity. There are those who have tried to live in his name. All have never truly succeeded. His name and his statue stands proudly in the Citadel. The name Shepard spoken with one utter quiver of both respect and fear, is a name known by all species. The world has spoken silent and so has the galaxy, ever since the Reapers and the Geth were frozen back into dark space. They have been defeated.

But this tale doesn't stand nor cross the boundaries of Shepard's tale. He is dead. He is dead through a life and service of the Alliance. The Alliance now hounds their military as if they are trying to breed a new world Shepard. They behave as if they alone are the only service built to save the world. Today though is a good day. In the black shadow of the galaxy, in the sleek universe is a beautiful ship. It's thrusters shined as it left the Citadel. It always started off as a routine mission.

The Horizon



Background

The Horizon is headed to a planet of the Horse Head Nebula System called Ferious. Like the Normandy it is a ship with no history and no name for itself. Horizon simply is a military vessel. On their way to the planet the ship disappears. The Alliance military only get one SOS message of the ship being attacked. But there is never a trace of the ship being attacked. The captain and it's crew are lost.

But on another planet Shilaru of the Local Clusters, the captain of the Horizon wakes up to find he is nowhere near his/her crew or the ship. He finds some way to contact the Alliance. And is brought back to the Citadel, with no memory of an attack he sets out to find his ship. To not only find it on the docking station of Ferious, but in tact. Except that his crew is nowhere to be seen. There is no evidence that the ship had ever been used by anyone.

While searching for clues a video message is turned on.

"I know where you're crew is, but you'll have to trust me in order to get them back,"

Now the captain of this ship is led on a blind mission despite Alliance's wishes.

[Revenent]

Okay, so...who would everyone be playing, the crew, or people who help out the captain? Is there a system?

[Alliance]

Okay, so...who would everyone be playing, the crew, or people who help out the captain? Is there a system?

-The Captain is hired by this mysterious organization and then goes onto a quest much like Shepard and finds people this mysterious organization gives him.

-People will play roles that help The Captain

-Someone will need to play The Captain as I will be focused on handing dossiers and missions to The Captain and what not, but also playing a different character

Also I do my INTCHK quite differently. INTCHK are just INTCHK. Character sheet will come up in the OOC.

-It will be based a lot on free form. We'll be taking the ME system and tweaking it with our own imaginative creations

[Laughing Hyena]

Well i cannot be better then Commander Shepard but I will play the part of captain if you want since I love mass effect and for the most part well versed in its universe.

[Revenent]

I may play a role, too. Maybe science officer?

[Alliance]

Laugh Hyena, all right welcome aboard.

Revenent, sure.

The role of the pure biotic is taken. By me just a fair warning. You can have Vanguards and what not. But the pure Biotic is my role. Sorry.

As I said this follows ME, but I am allowing some creative freedom. Like whenever I played as an Adept I rarely used my gun unless my systems recharged. So to me a pure Biotic is like Jack who ripped mechs apart with just biotic skill.

edit-

It also means I am allowing people one special Perk that only belongs to their character.

Like for example Revenent's Scientific Officer may have the special trait [and it is whatever you feel like creating] called Neural Decay..and it can work like Overload to an enemies shields, but instead more like to the enemies brain. Or something like that. Depends on what kind of scientist he really is. Btw, that is just an example. Revenent doesn't need to do that. It's just an example.

[Laughing Hyena]

Meh its okay. I never liked playing an Adept anyway. I was always either Sentinel or an Infiltrator.

[Alliance]

All right Laughing. That's fine.

It also means I am allowing people one special Perk that only belongs to their character.

Like for example Revenent's Scientific Officer may have the special trait [and it is whatever you feel like creating] called Neural Decay..and it can work like Overload to an enemies shields, but instead more like to the enemies brain. Or something like that. Depends on what kind of scientist he really is. Btw, that is just an example. Revenent doesn't need to do that. It's just an example.

[Laughing Hyena]

Hmm.. I'll need to know a touch more on the perks you'd be willing to allow. As an Infiltrator I could come up with a few ideas for a perk. Regardless I shall definitely be making good use of that omni blade if I get the chance.

[Alliance]

You can have an omni blade.

Perks can be anything...like Kasumi had flashbangs and after defeating the game we got a extra skill like Slam. Within some boundaries. Give me your ideas and I will see what I can do. This Perk is a perk special to your role.

[Laughing Hyena]

Well obviously Warp Ammo for the obvious benefits... Besides, the other ones I had thought of were not as good.

[Alliance]

All right, that's fine.

[Revenent]

How long after the events of the Mass Effect trilogy is this set? Is it safe to assume that the Quarians have returned to their homeworld/found a new one since the Geth are dead and are welcome in the Citadel again?

[Latooni Subota]

>No Geth ending.

Aww. But I went through so much effort to be friends with Legion and save the primary Geth group to help against the Reapers! (And the Rachni :3 )

I'm interested too. Sadly, I really wanted Adept or Engineer . . . so I'll need more time to think about a character concept/Class. XD

[Alliance]

How long after the events of the Mass Effect trilogy is this set? Is it safe to assume that the Quarians have returned to their homeworld/found a new one since the Geth are dead and are welcome in the Citadel again?

Yes. It takes place about 100 years after the events.

>No Geth ending.

Aww. But I went through so much effort to be friends with Legion and save the primary Geth group to help against the Reapers! (And the Rachni :3 )

I'm interested too. Sadly, I really wanted Adept or Engineer . . . so I'll need more time to think about a character concept/Class. XD

All right.

[Latooni Subota]

It occurs to me. I should make sure whether or not Revenant is actually going Engineer for his science officer, or something else XD

[SidheLady]

So, are the crew just going to be pure humans or a mix?

[Latooni Subota]

^That's a great question. :O

[Alliance]

So, are the crew just going to be pure humans or a mix?

Mixture. Quarians, Turians, etc.

Even, if you want to get creative, quarians without their suit....ooo.

[Latooni Subota]

Yeah, after re-reading more info to remind myself what talents each class has access to, I'd really like Engineer . . . if Revenant doesn't want it, since he was here first. :(

[Alliance]

There are two types of engineers though. I'm allowing people to branch their classes into their occupations as well.

A scientist engineer could be completely different from a tech engineer.

While a scientist may focus on sentient organic lifeforms, using abilities like reave, neural shock, unity, etc.

A tech engineer may focus on AI and technology and using abilities like overload, hacking, decryption, etc.

Just like even though I am making a pure adapt. It doesn't stop anyone from having a Vanguard which mixes combat with biotic or infiltrator .

[SidheLady]

I'd be tempted to go with a vanguard offshoot such as the asari commando or the justicar (can anyone tell who -my- favorate team-mate in ME2 was?)

[Alliance]

Samara and Liara....ahahaha.

She's my girlfriend.

Anyway, sure you can be an asari commando or justicar or even matriarch

[Latooni Subota]

I have a concept now.

Quarian Engineer, a Machinist that actually studied medicine and biology. Also, she's just a little . . . out there. She's still on her pilgrimage, because she knows EXACTLY what she wants to bring back, but hasn't succeeded yet. She's currently involved in junk-diving, black market shenanigans, piracy, and pretty much anything she can do across the galaxy to get the funding and supplies necessary to try and make medical nanomachines to replace/supplement the weakened immune system. At the moment she's gotten the nanomachine's efficiency up to about 72 minutes, before they break down (So at about the hour mark she freaks out and runs to scrub down and get her enviro-suit back on!).

Also, making the successive version of the nanomachines is INCREDIBLY expensive and difficult, so it takes . . . effort. On the plus side, every now and then she can feel the sun on her skin, or touch other people! Note, I'm still looking for an image to use for the Quarian race out-of-suit that's nice enough. Any help on that is appreciated.

(Speaking from a combat perspective, her specialities are slapping Medi-gel on people, emergency hacking, and using a combat drone.)

[Alliance]

Latooni, if you want to continue the conversation of your character's background please kind of do it with me in a PM.

I wanted to kind of keep them secret from The Captain. So that way it plays a little like, he is trying to gain your trust and you express stuff. But because this is a RP your personal quest will span into a few chapters and such.

[Latooni Subota]

I didn't put all my ideas down, just the ones that people could figure out in about ten minutes of sitting down and talking to her.

I'm trying to brainstorm more ways to link all her little ideas I have together, and THOSE will be secret-y. PMing is fine, though I prefer AIM or Skype, or MSN, if at all possible.

[Revenent]

Wow, that's practically exactly (or at least extremely similar) what I was thinking of doing with my character. He was going to be a Quarian who was working with their Embassy at the Citadel to work on reboosting the Quarians' immune systems now that they had resettled, and would be considered useful in helping the Captain deal with any unknown biological dangers that he might encounter in his quest.

I can actually think of a way they might both work and even work off of each other, but I want to go into any more detail on his character and background since Alliance would disapprove.

[Latooni Subota]

Poke at me over AIM, MSN, or Skype then. I'll be here watching Ninja Warrior and looking for possible images for Quarian's under their helmets! XD

[Revenent]

Is PM fine? I never use IMing or anything.

[Latooni Subota]

Fiiiine. As much as I hate PMs, it's fine. :(

[Alliance]

How about this picture:

[Latooni Subota]

I'll keep in in mind, but I was never a big fan of that view of the quarians. Pretty though.

[Laughing Hyena]

Hmm.. now whether to be a paragon a renegade or a paragade.

[Alliance]

My character will be a Paragade.

I'm making basically the cooler version of Jack.

But instead Male and a Super Biotic. And less angsty like Jack too.

But the way you meet him is cooler too.

[Laughing Hyena]

Try not to go too overboard. ^_^

[Latooni Subota]

But telekinetically throwing a Mako at a Krogan Strike Force is awesome! :P

[Alliance]

Try not to go too overboard. ^_^

Actually I am going to a little.

I'm taking Latooni's idea.

He has a special perk called Push and he takes all the energy from his biotic shields and the biotic power in his body and can make one major push. Like throwing a mako at people.

[Alliance]

Let me see here, Revenant, myself, Laughing, Latooni, and Sidhe.

So right now no including me four. Including me five. I will wait for one more person and then start the OOC. Unless someone wants me to write the OOC now.

[SidheLady]

Are the characters gonna be more ME1 or ME2 styled in their construction (ie loads of little useful skills vs 3/4 mega skills)?

[Revenent]

I'll keep in in mind, but I was never a big fan of that view of the quarians. Pretty though.

What kind of variations would you prefer? You can see their eyes and noses through the masks, so they have to look sort of similar to that.

[Alliance]

Are the characters gonna be more ME1 or ME2 styled in their construction (ie loads of little useful skills vs 3/4 mega skills)?

I prefer ME1 and am allowing people to basically have 6 skills.

And I already told Latooni this, but I am allowing abilities and skills two ways. Either way is acceptable:

1. Way is to use all the normal skills, basic skills from the class and get two specials

2. Create your own unique abilities and skills. These would be considered specials so you wouldn't get two extra free specials.

Either way I am accepting because I like to give my members freedom and creative freedom. But no god modding in either one. I will be watching out for it.

I was never good with DnD systems and I find character sheets like that tedious. But after every post or so I'll hand out points for you to modify the strength of your character.

1 point for a post

3 points for quest

4 points for major quest

My character sheet will be a modified stat system. Every power starts at lvl 1 and everyone gets 10 points to start out with to hand points into their abilities.

[Latooni Subota]

So, would this be alright then? I tweaked some of the canon of the abilities to personalize them (Though Overload is pretty much just a standard one atm) for my Quarian.

Combat Drone: Spawns a tech drone that draws enemy fire and can stun targets while damaging their shields. This particular drone uses slower, stronger bolts of energy than the standard drones do.

Overload: Overloads an enemy's shields, shutting them down and making them vulnerable to attack. At higher levels it can even cause weapons to overheat.

AI Hacking: Temporarily takes control of an enemy mech or machine. Doesn't last long, unless she sits down and continually focuses her attention on hacking.

Smartgun: Essentially an ammo power. Overly complicated targeting programs and kinetic balancers ensure that each shot that hits has it's force transfered to nearby structural weaknesses. In other words, it does increased damage against Armored foes (Such as people wearing heavy armor, or mechs).

Particle Bomb: Not as impressive as it sounds. It's actually more of a chaff grenade, fudging up sensors and signals in the area it explodes. Great for confusing mech targeting systems!

Shield Pack: When even one good hit can pierce your suit, it's a good idea to have a backup plan. This is a secondary shield generator and battery pack to pop up an extra layer of shields for a limited time.

[Alliance]

That sounds good Latooni, I would accept those.

My class is: Primal Adept

And well the powers will be up in the OOC. I just gotta tweak some things.

[Revenent]

Haven't thought up his abilities yet, but I think I'll be going with something like "Medtech Operative" for my characters class. Definitely a focus on taking down or crippling organic targets, with maybe a couple support abilities for his allies.

[Latooni Subota]

Whereas mine would probably be simply "Hacker", since she specializes in taking down shields and mechs.

[Alliance]

Sounds good you two.

Now I have to wait on Laughing and his plans for your Commander.

edit-

As well as to where to station everybody.

edit 2-

it appears that we're ready for an OOC if everyone else is ready. I understand take your time with your characters. But there is no real reason why not to start it. So I can get the character sheet going for all of you.

[SidheLady]

I'll have a go at having something workable by tommorrow sometime, if that's okay.

[Alliance]

That's fine. I need to know who The Commander is anyway.

This RP will be working in a few ways:

-I will be making a character sheet and working a character

-But unlike the video games I can really delve into personality and character relationship even amongst the crew mates. You never saw Mordin talk to Jacob other than the first time Mordin was recruited. It's assumed they do, how else would Mordin know about Fem shep and Garrus. However, at the same time there was not exploration I think in that venue.

-Here I will PM each character individuality at times to activate their personal quest or even personal information that is slowly revealed into the RP.

-I will also be in direct contact with the commander of the crew sending him missions and coordinates, etc. Dossiers in the beginning so he gets the crew members. Because I do not want to leave people interacting with nothing.

Basically this will be how it works out:

-Everyone can post, I'll just be sending the commander PMs on where he can find you

-When you work out your history with me and where you're located in the world, I'll give you a basis of your mission

----

Oh but...but. I will need one person to be at least with the Commander in the very beginning. That one person works for this mysterious organization that has hired him to find people who have simply vanished into thin air.

[Latooni Subota]

"For the last time, no. I didn't blow up that cargo ship. Give me a LITTLE credit here, I'd rob it blind and sell it for scrap. Blowing it up is SUCH a waste of resources!"

Picture of Al'talya nar Kali, courtesy of an artist on DArt that I totally stole it from. All credit goes to that guy. :3

[Alliance]

Nice picture I like it.

[Latooni Subota]

Sidenote: Can we have a few important pieces of info that would probably be common knowledge, or at least known by most of our types of characters?

Status of the Krogan, like if they evolved past the Genophage?

Status of the Rachni, still extinct, or seen rarely on the fringes of Citadel space?

Status of the Geth, none helped the Citadel races as far as everyone knows?

And so on.

[Alliance]

Well I was going to establish that in the OOC. So yes you can have those.

[CmdrRenegade]

I'd been off for awhile.  As you can tell by my name and avatar, I'd be game for this if you've got room for another person.

[Alliance]

Sure do. Welcome aboard.

[Latooni Subota]

We could use more humans, a turian, or krogan. Hopefully something Combat-y. Right now we have an Infiltrator leader, and two different Quarian Engineers yeah? Oh, and a human SUPERBIOTIC. :3

[Alliance]

I like to use the word Primal Adept.

Anyhoo OOC is up: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=117241.0

[CmdrRenegade]

I can go Soldier.  Can I get a Revenant?

[Alliance]

Go ahead CMDR

[Revenent]

Pardon me?

[Alliance]

Pardon me?

lol

He means the gone.

[Laughing Hyena]

And just to do some shipping as well as put my character into the visual here... The kickass artwork is done by iSohei of deviantart and belongs to him.

[Latooni Subota]

No Alliance man can resist the allure of an adorable Quarian lass! It's proven science!

[Alliance]

I um....Laughing Hyena....no offense hate the picture.

[Seaweed]

Big brother, I will make a Turian if you still want.

[Laughing Hyena]

I um....Laughing Hyena....no offense hate the picture.

Its all I could find that was accurate enough of the facial features.

[Seaweed]

Lol I can comment on the human and asari's funny bumps

[Alliance]

lol Seaweed, all right.

@Laughing: You need help? The image is to cartoonish for me and it's cute and all...but yeah.

[CmdrRenegade]

Pardon me?

LOL, I totally did not realize that.  I'm still laughing at that.  No I mean this.

M-76 Revenant - Mass Effect 2

[Revenent]

Yeah, I knew that, I was just joking. :-)

[Laughing Hyena]

lol Seaweed, all right.

@Laughing: You need help? The image is to cartoonish for me and it's cute and all...but yeah.
[/quote

Yes thats fine.

[Alliance]

You all don't mind Seaweed joining?

Let me think Revenent, CMD, Laughing, Sidhe, Latooni, Seaweed, six. Counting me seven.

I think that should be good?

@Laughing: All right hit me up a PM on what you're looking for I got a big giant folder of stuff.

[Revenent]

Actually, Alliance, I think you can count me out. I really like the idea behind it and everything, but I'm already getting reminders of everything I dislike about system-based RPs. I'm trying to craft a character here, but more thought and attention goes into his stats and abilities than his actual background and personality because the former is essential to the structure of the RP, and I don't see that thought process going away if you continue to get points and everything throughout the game.

Sorry, but it's just not my cup of tea. :-(

[Alliance]

Actually, Alliance, I think you can count me out. I really like the idea behind it and everything, but I'm already getting reminders of everything I dislike about system-based RPs. I'm trying to craft a character here, but more thought and attention goes into his stats and abilities than his actual background and personality because the former is essential to the structure of the RP, and I don't see that thought process going away if you continue to get points and everything throughout the game.

Sorry, but it's just not my cup of tea. :-(

No don't go. I am not a fan of systems either. But I am hoping it's what keeps people here. I have had trouble in the past with a ME RP no one stayed. So I made one with stats and everyone stayed because they are being rewarded.

I need you Revenent. Don't go. Or else I'll call this whole RP off.

Edit-

And I wanted you to focus on your character more than the stats. Shit stats to me are optional even if you didn't fill them out I'd still accept the character. I just need something concrete as a level base because I don't want anyone going overboard.

[Revenent]

...Alright, I guess I'll push myself to stay and see if I can find a better balance between building my character's abilities and building the character himself if it's that essential.

[Seaweed]

Could a Volos be a race to use?

[Alliance]

...Alright, I guess I'll push myself to stay and see if I can find a better balance between building my character's abilities and building the character himself if it's that essential.

Thank you. Sorry about that. But you and Latooni already had a plan and I was already planning myself. And trust me. I want you to focus more on character than the stats.

The stats are just a visualization for me. Because words are hard to interpret power. Sometimes words can be misleading in on how effective something works.

edit-

at Seaweed- rofl...wtf

Stats are optional in the sense that all I am asking is a visualization of power to make sure you're not going crazy overboard.

[Seaweed]

I always thought the Volos were cute and funny. Weird too.

[Alliance]

Anyone have anything against a Volus soldier?

[Revenent]

A Volus soldier can only do great things for this RP.

[Alliance]

Is that sarcasm?

[Revenent]

No, I'm actually for the idea. I mean, the guy is practically made for sneaking behind cover to flank the enemy.

[Latooni Subota]

My only concern would be that Volus are even more fragile than Quarians. They're stocky, short-limbed, and they breathe ammonia, and can only live in high-pressure atmospheres.

If I get a suit rip, I'm out for a few days due to infection, and am pumping myself with antibiotics like crazy.

If a volus gets a suit rip, they vent their life-giving ammonia, and the pressure difference kills them. It's do-able, but holy crap you'd need to be SO careful. There's a reason they're not a playable race in ME D:

[Alliance]

Latooni, I thought their suits were made of metal. It would take a lot to rip it?

[Latooni Subota]

I spent all game, both games, killing giant robots with a pistol. Your character alone can break mechs with sheer biotic power. One good lucky shot and it's a bad day. I'm not gonna try and stop him from playing one, I just want to warn him that it's dangerous, considering the weapons tech of the series, and the biology of the Volus.

[Seaweed]

I know, but it would be funny. I know how to be careful.

But the Volus make me laugh so hard. And it would be funny. And different.

edit-

And his name will be Peregrin Gamgee

[Latooni Subota]

Still think it's a shame nobody wanted to be Krogan though. God knows nothing can top a giant lizardman with four balls, right? :3

[Seaweed]

I can do Krogan too if the Volus idea really is a no go.

I just wanted to use the lines, "I want something that says, I own this room...I own you."

rofl

[Alliance]

Grunt was pretty funny. All right Seaweed do a Krogan. Volus is a no go.

[Seaweed]

Okay will do Krogan.

[Doomsday]

Out of curiosity, any room left? Maybe an antagonist?

[Alliance]

Doomsday, eh why not I can squeeze an extra squadmate in.

[SidheLady]

Okay, okay okay. It's taken me a little while (and playing the game, damn you research!) to come up with a character. Do you want me to PM or do you want the vaugities here?

[Alliance]

PM your idea and write a brief profile in the OOC after we talk.

[orderNchaos]

Is there still space in the game for another player or are you full?

[Alliance]

Is there still space in the game for another player or are you full?

Since Doom never seemed to get back to me sure.

[orderNchaos]

I was thinking about an Asari commando.  Or maybe used to be an Asari commando and is now working as a Mercenary.  I'll come up with a character concept and shoot it to you.