Mass Effect: Terminus Rising [Currently Full]

[Mr Self Destruct]

Set two hundred years after the devastation of the Reaper Invasion, Mass Effect: Terminus Rising has once more brought conflict to the universe.  The Terminus Systems have always been a loose coalition of bandits, pirates, and ruthless mercenaries, but after years of operating in relative anonymity, a new force has emerged, ready to challenge the Alliance.  Calling themselves the Terminus Coalition, the force is an army of mercenaries, pirates, and various criminal organizations that have been drawn in by the enigmatic Shadow Man.

Nobody knows who or what he is.  Whenever he addresses his minions or challenges the Alliance via the HoloNet, he appears as nothing more than a dark figure, his appearance a shadow amid a white backdrop.  His anti-Alliance rhetoric isn’t as simplistic, however, and he earned the enmity of the Alliance Military after calling out Colonel David Shepard, the great-grandson of the hero Commander Shepard, who saved the Alliance from destruction during the Reaper Invasion.  During the ensuing conflict, the armada shuttle that Colonel Shepard led his fleet from was destroyed, the colonel dying with the rest of his crew.

The day heralded the beginning of the Terminus Uprising, and plunged the galaxy into war.

An elite force of operatives throughout the Alliance and beyond has been formed to combat the Shadow Man and the threat that a united Terminus force represents.  This group was formed by the Council, and tasked with finding, and eliminating, the Shadow Man, beginning with his underlings and working their way to the hierarchy of the Terminus Coalition. 

Will these brave heroes survive their tumultuous mission?  Or will their actions only plunge the galaxy into further darkness?

Approved Characters

Caestus Dakkal - Turian Spectre - Played by Wargtass ♂
Melissa 'Tiny' Laplace - Human Biotic (Adept) - Played by Latooni Subota ♀

Ascarra - Asari Spectre - Played by Xanatos♂

Elina K'Sar - Asari Biotic - Played by Linna♂

Sera'Zarda - Quarian Scientist (Hacker) - Played by thebobmaster♂

David Sen - Drell Assassin - Played by DigitLninja♂

Staff Lieutenant Serena Martin – Human Warrior – Played by https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=3142]Destiny Ascension[/url]♀

Viele – Geth Warrior – Played by https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=12025]Geradine[/url]♂

Links

Out of Character Thread
Game Thread


Setting Information

As stated above, the timeline is two hundred years after the conclusion of Mass Effect 3.  Since the game itself hasn’t come out yet, this is all guess work, but it stands to reason that the Reaper force is somehow defeated and life returns to normal, as it does in all great works of fiction.  In this setting, things have changed, and not all of them for the better.

The Alliance

The Alliance remains a bastion of justice and commerce throughout the galaxy.  The Council, a quintet of representatives that act as the voice of each member race, remains the elected leaders of the Alliance, heralding two centuries of peace after the Reaper Invasion.  The Council has grown in number, with a representative from each of the following races: Turian, Asari, Salarian, Human, and Quarian.  The Migrant Fleet has joined the Alliance after being nearly destroyed by a single Reaper, and they petitioned for asylum with the Citadel.  It was granted, and a significant sector was added to the Citadel to house them and care for their special environmental needs.

The Alliance has the Citadel as its base of operations, and the massive structure has only grown as more races have come to see the Alliance as their best chance at surviving another conflict.

The Alliance Military
Formerly an exclusively human army, the Alliance Military has expanded its roster with the placement of a human on the Council.  They accept Turian, Salarian, and Quarian recruits into their ranks, and the anti-alien intolerance of years past has become taboo.  There are those who still echo their father’s racial hatred, but they are few and far between, and are often penalized with lack of rank and dead end duty posts, should their opinions become known.  The Alliance Military doesn’t tolerate any division in its ranks, and has no qualms in teaching the intolerant a lesson when it comes to racism.

Cerberus

Still a pro-human organization, the complex network of spies and operatives still seeks to better the lot of humanity through any means necessary.  Surprisingly, the organization is still led by the Illusive Man, making him over two hundred years old.  There is speculation that he isn’t human after all, or that he has undergone extensive cybernetic enhancements to keep him alive.  Physically, he still appears the same as he did during Commander Shepard’s time, though his radical views have grown progressively worse when it comes to alien species. 

Over the last two hundred years, Cerberus has only grown in prominence.  It has operatives in many Alliance positions of power, and there are ugly rumors circulating that the human Alliance member on the Council is actually a member of the organization.  There is little proof, other than his impatience with the often indecisive views on external threats, but there are those among the Alliance who watch the councilor closely.

Terminus Coalition

More a criminal organization than a government, the Coalition does have its own form of law enforcement.  Based out of the heart of the Terminus Systems, their base of operations resides on Omega.  The leaders of the movement work closely with Aria, the unofficial leader of Omega, and do their best to keep her happy and well compensated for allowing their presence.  It’s rumored that the asari crimelord is the Shadow Man’s lover, though this has not been confirmed.  There have been tales of Aria shooting anyone on the spot who even mentions the rumor, a response that could confirm such a relationship, or the lack thereof.

The mercenary organizations known as the Blue Suns, Blood Pack, and Eclipse have all been absorbed into the organization, their rivalries declared anathema to the overall goals of the Coalition.  The Vorcha, ever a strong if unwelcome presence on the space station, have been brought into the fold, as well, albeit as slave troops.  They are the fodder unleashed against any Alliance force, their purpose to fight, and die, to weaken the Alliance defenses enough for the rest of the Coalition forces to push through.  The Vorcha breed quickly and frequently, giving the Terminus Coalition an ever-replenishing source of shock troops.

The Shadow Broker

The Shadow Broker organization deals with the trading of information throughout the galaxy. They buy, sell, collect and steal information at the command of the Broker and his/her customers. The information gathered is then sold to the highest bidder. To remain in business the Broker never sells information that would give one customer a significant advantage, meaning customers continue to return for more. Whoever becomes a nuisance for the operations of the Broker are usually dealt with by influencing local authorities, framing them for crimes or something equally subtle, but if necessary the organization does not shirk from using deadly force to keep itself running and it's secrets safe. Likewise, all traitors to the network share only one possible fate in the eyes of their betrayed peers: death.

Due to its immense influence, numerous contacts and incredible budget, the Shadow Broker network is one of the strongest covert organizations in the galaxy. The Broker has agents nearly everywhere, commands a whole battle-fleet scattered around the galaxy and has a seemingly endless private army at his/her beck and call. Despite that, the organization rarely involves itself in affairs that do not directly concern it's interests, and as such the Shadow Broker is widely known as the greatest and most neutral information merchant in the galaxy, a reputation the power behind the organization tends to act by at all times.

The Krogan Empire

Due to the genophage, the Krogan have not been able to produce offspring for many, many years.  But that hasn’t stopped the organization from growing in number.  Through coercion and blackmail, and outright threats of hostility, the Krogan have enlisted Salarian aid to clone the biggest and strongest of their kind.  These clones share all the battle lust and physical might of their templates, but are programmed to be subservient to true Krogan.  They are trained in the ways of battle, of survival, and the history of their ‘ancestors’, but they are considered a lesser class by true Krogan, who seem them as a necessary evil.

The Krogan Empire maintains neutrality with the Alliance and the Terminus Systems.  So long as they are not centered in a conflict with either side, they remain out of the influence and conflicts of both sides.  Individual Krogan have joined those organizations, however, though they are not considered representatives of their race.  Krogan have always been soldiers for hire, and that much remains true about the warrior race.

The Turian Hierarchy

Once reviled by humanity for being their initial enemies in the First Contact War, the Turians have come to accept the presence of humanity among the Council races.  They support the Alliance wholeheartedly, and have various representatives in official offices throughout the Citadel.  While their war fleets are still on active patrol throughout the Turian system, they seek to maintain peace, rather than ignite war.  Saren’s betrayal of the Alliance was a dark stain on their race, and was mitigated somewhat by the heroic actions of Garus Vakarian, who has become a national hero, a statue in his honor gracing the capital of the Turian homeworld.

The Turian homeworld has various Alliance Military bases, as well as training facilities that cater to the various races that have become part of the Alliance Military.  Their openness to the inclusion of other races has some older Turians at odds with the current regime, but that dissension has yet to spill over into all out civil war.

The Asari Republic

The Asari have no government, per se.  Policy is decided through the ebb and flow of public opinion in a sprawling but well-organized electronic democracy.  The closest analogue to an executive decision-making body is the opinion of the Matriarchs.  In a crisis, the public turns to the experience of these millennia-old "wise women" for advice.

The Asari military resembles a collection of tribal warrior bands with no national structure, though the greatest among them often seek out specialized training, to earn the rank of Asari Commando, the honorific title given to the best of their race.  Each community organizes its own unit as the locals see fit, and elect a leader to command them.  Units from populous cities are large and well-equipped, while those from farm villages may be only a few women with small arms. There is no uniform; everyone wears what they like.  The Asari military is not an irregular militia, however; those who serve are full-time professionals.

The Asari Republics have very few politicians, but enough to keep things in order.  Most politicians are Matriarchs since their opinions are highly valued by Asari Culture and they have a strong following.  The Councilor and Ambassador positions however, are open to any Matron aged Asari and upwards.  The Asari exist as they always have, forming relationships with other species and studying the galaxy for the betterment of their own people, and the Alliance.

Character Creation

Players interested in joining may create characters using the following information.

Playable Races

Class

Every character must choose a class.  Class represents specialized training in one field of expertise, something that makes the character stand out among the rest of his kind.  The following classes are available at character creation, with examples given for how to differentiate your character’s training from another of the same class.

Warrior: The Warrior class is one dedicated to violence, either for personal gain or to protect a person or group of people from harm.  Often soldiers or mercenaries, they are trained to react with violence to any threat.  Their training includes hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, survival techniques, and battle tactics.  Further specialized fields of training include: assassin, bodyguard, fighter pilot, guerilla fighter, and demolitions expert.

Scientist: Scientists represent the best and brightest minds that the galaxy has to offer.  Intelligence is always a prized commodity, and those with it are often separated from their peers, and put to specialized tutelage, that they might expand their knowledge and serve their community.  Their training can include a mixture of the following fields: medical, biological, chemical, technical, or physiological.  They are often doctors or disease researches, but can also be explorers seeking new worlds in which to categorize and study.  Further specialized fields of training include: surgeon, medic, tech specialist, hacker, and archaeologist.

Noble:  Often the representatives of their race, or their local community, the Noble class is one of importance, though how much depends on the individual.  Nobles can be ambassadors to foreign lands, government officials, politicians, or businessmen.  They use their oratory and political skills to work toward peace or conflict, to sway others to their way of thinking.  Nobles often have refined tastes for food and drink, but not all are ambivalent toward their fellow man, and many have darker tastes still.  Further specialized fields of training include: attorney (criminal or corporational), politician, foreign dignitary, and prince or princess.

Spectre: Spectres are agents entrusted with extraordinary authority by the Citadel Council, including the power of life and death over the inhabitants of the galaxy. They form an elite group selected from a number of different species, and their primary responsibility is to preserve galactic stability by whatever means necessary. Though they are generally considered as being above the law and have complete discretion as to the methods used to accomplish their mission, an individual's status as a Spectre can be revoked by the Council in a case of a gross misconduct. Spectres work either alone or in small groups according to nature of a particular task and to their personal preference. "Spectre" is a syllabic abbreviation of Special Tactics and Reconnaissance.  Spectres have no further specialized fields of training, but are considered trained with any and all types of weaponry.
Please Note: All Spectre positions are filled, and no more will be accepted.

Biotic: This class is restricted, for various reasons.  In order to become a Biotic, a character must be of a race that uses Biotic powers naturally (Asari and Krogan), or by having undergone extensive manipulation on a cellular level (infants exposed to Element Zero in uterus, biotic-capable children implanted with BioAmps).  Not all the Asari or Krogan choose to train their abilities upon realization of their potential, and there are those among humanity who have turned away from their biotic potential, for one reason or another.  Those who have been exposed to Element Zero or were implanted with BioAmps to amplify their abilities often suffer from biofeedback, in which the lingering exposure to Element Zero causes intense bodily aches and pains, often centered in their heads (intense headaches, sensitivity to loud noise and bright lights, nausea and dizziness).  This near-constant pain leads to many suicides, and many more to lashing out at those who manipulated them, making Biotics a dangerous and often misunderstood people.  There are those who use their talent for the betterment of their kind, and they often seek out positions of influence that will allow them to do that.  Biotic characters may only choose three biotic powers at character creation.  Further specialized fields of training include: Asari Commando, Krogan Battlemaster, Vanguard, Adept, and Sentinel.

Biotic Powers

Barrier: As the name states, the Barrier ability creates a shield around a person or persons.  This barrier is capable of withstanding numerous bullet hits, though the stronger the impact and ammunition, the less effective the barrier becomes.  There are stories about Asari Matriarchs powerful enough to surround entire starships with this ability, though they have yet to be proven.

Charge: This ability is used to augment speed and strength, and culminates in the user charging across the battlefield towards a target. This results in a powerful collision that sends unprotected enemies flying backward, inflicting massive damage. The collision negates the mass of an enemy, allowing for even the largest of enemies to be sent flying backwards.  This power also compensates for impeding obstacles, by allowing the user to 'phase' through solid objects en route to their target. It can also be used on enemies who have been levitated by other biotic talents, and can multiply physics damage to send them off into the distance.

Dominate: This ability allows the wielder to take momentary control of a subject or subjects, influencing their minds into doing as the weilder wishes.  While the effect of this ability is temporary, there are tales of dominated mind slaves that have had their thoughts altered so many times as to make them completely loyal, and completely mindless, slaves to the user of this ability.

Pull:  Pull is just as its name implies, a sudden and powerful tug on a person or object.  The weilder reaches out with his biotic ability, and with a powerful retraction of his arm, he sends the target of this ability careening toward him.  This is useful for pulling a teammate out of harm’s way, or tugging an enemy combatant into a group of his own squad, distracting them long enough to be gunned down.  The extent of this ability has been studied among various elder Asari, and they have mastered the ability to such an extent as to literally pull a starship from the sky with only the power of their minds.

Reave: The power employs mass effect fields to biotically attack the target's nervous or synthetic systems and prevent healing. Restores health and gives a temporary health bonus when the power is used against unprotected organics. Reave also does double damage to armor and barriers.  Reave has a disabling effect when used to leech health from most sapient organics, who will double over momentarily before being forced to a standing position as the leech effect continues. This can be used to set up victims for the killing shot as they are helpless and largely immobile.

Shockwave: The weilder unleashes a powerful biotic wave of energy that spreads out in a globe shaped pattern in front of the weilder.  It bypasses physical obstacles, instead focusing on any enemies in sight, even airborne targets.  This power also temporarily short circuits electronic shields, momentarily stunning an enemy, allowing the user and his team time to line up their shots for more effective shooting.

Singularity: The power launches a dark energy sphere to create an intense mass effect field. The field creates a warp in the space-time continuum, creating a gravity well akin to a black hole. Unprotected enemies are drawn into the Singularity and held briefly helpless in orbit while protected enemies are held in place. The singularity will drain any shields, armor, or biotic barriers of enemies over time. Unlike singularity in Mass Effect, any enemy wandering into the gravity well of a singularity after it has been created will also be pulled into orbit.

Slam: This power lifts a target into the air, and slams him back down with tremendous force.  The impact is enough to shatter bone and send a foe into unconsciousness.  This ability also works well to lift objects and slam them atop an opponent, often flattening whomever was unfortunate enough to get caught beneath the slamming object.

Stasis: Stasis causes an enemy to be temporarily locked in a mass effect field, freezing the target in place and making them unable to attack. Enemies in Stasis also become impervious to damage.  It also puts enemies at risk from flying debris, because it becomes impossible to dodge and their shields won't take the damage.

Throw: Throw is mostly used in combat to keep opponents at a distance, by either launching them away or knocking them over, rendering them helpless when they land. In certain areas Throw will knock enemies off ledges so they fall to their death. If used near destructible objects, Throw can break them and hit enemies with debris. Any moveable boxes can also be Thrown into them, injuring them further because their shields cannot absorb the damage.

Warp: Warp lowers the armor on a target, increasing the damage the enemy takes, as well as dealing damage over time.  The power spawns a mass effect field that damages enemy targets and stops health regeneration. It deals double damage to barriers and armor and will detonate any biotic powers affecting the target, such as Pull or Singularity. The detonated target takes double damage from Warp, and all targets within the Detonation Radius receive full damage, regardless of any protection they might have. If they are also being affected by a biotic power, then they also take double damage.


Character Sheet

Please use the following format for your character sheets.

Code Select Expand

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Race:[/b]
[b]Class:[/b]
[b]Class Specialization:[/b] (if any)
[b]Appearance:[/b] (insert links where appropriate)
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Biotic Powers:[/b] (if any)
[b]Weaponry:[/b] (3 per character-1 sidearm, 1 rifle, 1 heavy weapon)
[b]Sexual Orientation:[/b] (Straight, Gay, Bisexual)
[b]Preferred Position:[/b] (Dominant, Submissive, Neither)

Notes & Miscellaneous

I would prefer that there are no more than two of the same species/class combination.  Be creative with your characters, and post them here for approval.  This is not a first come, first serve game.  Characters that are well thought out and detailed will likely receive quicker approval than those who are mere baseline cut outs.  Let your imagination run free with this one, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

There are numerous character pictures of the various species scattered throughout the internet.  If a Google image search doesn't give you what you're looking for, try searching Deviant Art, the Bioware forums, or Mass Effect concept art.  If you're not sure about certain bits of the Mass Effect setting or history, don't hesitate to ask. 

All in all, I'm looking for 6-8 characters for this game. 

For the basics of how long shields last, let's try it this way:

Heavy Armor - 10 hits negate shields, and take six posts to recharge.
Medium Armor - 6 hits negate shields, and take four posts to recharge.
Light Armor - 4 hits negate shields, and take two posts to recharge.

With character-on-character violence, auto-hits are, of course, forbidden.
For GM hits, they're considered auto-hits, so long as everyone is alright with me doing so.

I want to make it clear that not everyone will survive the story.  Tragedy is part of the Mass Effect games (I almost cried when it came to sacrificing Kaiden or Ashley in the first game), and will be part of this one, too.  There won't be any OOC prejudice in the decision of who makes it and who doesn't, but I do plan on this being a long-term game, so those unfortunately necessary deaths won't happen for some time.

[Latooni Subota]

Color me VERY interested, since the Mass Effect game I was in is pretty much dead. I have a concept (and most of a character) for a Quarian Scientist, and a Human Biotic, though I'd like to know more details about what the state of the Quarians are before i commit to a concept. The Quarian concept relies heavily on the Quarians still mainly being the Migrant Fleet, and not having managed to fix their immune system issues yet.

[Mr Self Destruct]

The Migrant Fleet is now a part of the Citadel...most of the Fleet was destroyed by a lone Reaper attack, and the survivors fled, barely escaping.  They petitioned for asylum on the Citadel, and the Council granted their request.  They now make their home on the Citadel, in a specially crafted sector of the Wards.  It is hermetically sealed to keep out infection and disease, and other than their new location, life for the Quarians remains the same.  They still take their Pilgrimages, they still salvage what they can, and while some are working to rebuild the Migrant Fleet, the majority of the Quarian want to stay on the Citadel, as they now have a member of their race on the Council.

[Wargtass]

I am interested, I'll be back shortly with a Turian character.

[Latooni Subota]

Going with a Human Biotic (Adept) this time around it seems. I'll have the application up in a little while.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Cool.  I'm looking forward to it. :)

[Wargtass]

Name: Caestus Dakkal
Race: Turian
Class: Spectre
Class Specialization: Terror tactics and guerilla warfare

Personality: Caestus never had any social savvy to begin with and his life's direction have not helped him at all. In social situations he usually depends on his ruthless personality and forceful manners to inspire fear or awe. In that way he has found a social adaptation of his tactical expertise, even though it is fundamentally flawed.

The Council has become painfully aware of Caestus tactical flexibility through trial and error. It doesn't matter what objectives are given, Caestus forces them into his own format, using his particular brand of terrorism for any obstacle. This, however, is of little consequences now that the Council make sure to send him on missions that fit him well.

Even among other Turians Caestus manages to stand out. His inability to adapt socially makes him a pariah in almost any situation. Most have commented that he should find a mate before his age catches up, but even if he had any interest in that particular subject, the search would be difficult enough.


(image by Meken at DA, all credits go to him)

History: Caestus Dakkal was born on a backwater colony, a planet nearly forgotten by the Turian Hierarchy. From an early age he was tought the importance of survival in the planets extremely varied climates. Whether it be in the storm wracked, icy mountains of the north, the glazing lava deserts of the equator or the deep jungles of the south, he managed to conquer them all. So when the Hierarchy finally layed their eyes on the colony, Caestus took the chance to enlist himself in the Turian fleet.

Having settled finely in the strict discipline of the military, Caestus saw his first action in the Lambda Psi system, fighting an insurgency composed of primitive races. High Command saw much potential in the youth, who was ruthless in his culling of the enemy, seeing it fit to educate him further. Caestus rised further after a high ranking officer made a mistake on an isolated skirmish mission into the Terminus Systems. He relieved the officer of command and lead the survivors in a six month long guerilla war, spreading terror through the enemy ranks.

After the successful skirmish it started to dawn on his superiors that Caestus might be a loose gun. The final straw was the controversial Vehmian Campaign, were Caestus terror tactics extended to harassing civilians. Answering to the charges, Caestus meant that the only way to bring down the corrupt government behind the conflict was to alter the civilian population's eagerness through extremes measures. In the end he took full responsibility, even though his tactics had been approved by High Command. What could have been a scandal for the whole Turian Fleet was reduced to Caestus forced retirement at the mere age of 22, ending his military career as Lieutenant.

The Council's attention was brought to Caestus when his former superior finally brought the truth behind the scandal to surface, five years later. Caestus responsibility for the Vehmian Campaign was lifted, but he was still refused to return to service. An eccentric yet respected Turian Admiral reviewed his records and was quick to recommend Caestus' inclusion in the Spectres. While they doubted the liability of Caestus, they finally agreed to at least meet with him in person. While his methods were unorthodox, he had great potential in suppressing rebellions and dangerous totalitarian movements that had become frequent in Alliance territory. In the end, the Turian councillor refused, stating that Caestus records wore an eerie resemblance to those of Saren. Caestus replied that he possessed neither the racial hatreds nor the naïveté of the scorned Spectre. After several hours of interviews the Council agreed to let Caestus trial for a position.

His first mission was picked to break him. It had striking similarities to the Vehemian Campaign, a planet risen in revolution against the Alliance. The human colonials gathered under a totalitarian autocrat who lobbied for inclusion of the system into the Terminus Coalition. Leading a covert team of mostly Salarians in a month long terrorist operation, the mission concluded with the assassination of the autocrat and installing of an Alliance-friendly freedom fighter. Even though Caestus had used his usual unorthodox methods, the mission was a success. Caestus had become a Spectre, but his actions was to be put through thorough scrutiny by the Council. He, however, didn't care. He was back where he belonged.

As he approached his 30th birthday he was chosen for a covert ops into the Terminus Coalition. His expertise and special talents fit the mission perfectly, since it was meant to undermine rather than reduce. Even though Caestus realized early on that such a mission would be suicidal at best, he revelled in it. What better way to retire from service than to complete a mission with an estimated 0% survival rate?

Weaponry: M-5 Phalanx Heavy Pistol, M-97 Viper Sniper Rifle, Arc Projector

Sexual Orientation: (Bisexual)
Preferred Position: (Dominant)

[Mr Self Destruct]

A good write up, Wargtass, but there's a few problems with your character concept.

Saren's betrayal and the resulting destruction caused by the Reapers was so horrible that there's no way the Council would make someone like him a Spectre.  With the Council races numbering five, a Turian among them, any chance of him being given Spectre status, even in times of complete desperation, is very, very small.  The Turians remember Saren and the horror he was responsible for well.  The Turian councilor would deny Caestus such an elevated level of power, no matter his redeeming qualities.

That's not to say that he couldn't be part of the warrior class, as an ex-soldier, perhaps?  He could be a loose cannon still, but whilst under the command of those with greater authority, the Council might see him as a weapon that can be controlled.  But as a Spectre, he just wouldn't fit into the setting of this rp.

[Wargtass]

I think I'd rather change some things in the history then. The almost terrorist feel that I have for this character wouldn't fit very well on a Warrior class, I feel. The Spectres almost free reins fits the terror tactics bit better in my opinion. I'll go through and edit some of it while saving a current copy for reference and see what I can do.

Unless you are of another opinion, to which I could go for a Warrior class. A bitter veteran pulled back from retirement is as intriguing as any other.

[Mr Self Destruct]

The bitter veteran concept could work...his skills make him an asset to this newly formed team, despite the history of his less-than-stellar service career.  Grizzled veterans make for cool characters. :)

[Latooni Subota]

I hope this works for you. Her main draw for being in the team is her assistance in stopping an anti-Citadel terrorist attack, and her knowledge of how the Terminus Systems tend to do things.




Name: Melissa 'Tiny' Laplace
Race: Human
Class: Biotic
Class Specialization: Adept

Appearance: Melissa stands at a meager five feet tall, with a lightly curvy (but altogether attractive) figure. Her hair is a nice shade of auburn, hanging straight and loose down to the nape of her neck, her eyes a slightly lighter hazel. She prefers to wear more working-class clothing for her casuals, mainly light boots, vests, and the like. She does have a (slightly old) set of Phoenix Light Armor though, customized for class 1 enviromental hazard protection. That's just how she rolls.



History: Melissa Laplace, known affectionately as 'Tiny' due to her diminutive height, is a petite human woman born (of all places) on Omega. The daughter of an Eclipse sniper, as well as an arms maker, she grew up no stranger to violence and weapons technology. Interestingly enough, due to an Element Zero accident shortly before her birth, she grew up with an unusually high potential for biotics. Sadly, the . . . less than optimal conditions and materials on Omega, she was fitted with a second-hand L4d implant, basically a relic in this day and age. This capped her growth as a biotic somewhat, and lead to the same chronic headaches and light sensitivity that have plagued biotics for hundreds of years.

With her parents' insistances, she learned to not just rely on her biotics, but train with weapons as well. As she grew older she gained a bit of notority around Omega as a likable girl, always placing high in any contests having to do with pistols or sniper rifles. She even has logged a bit of time in heavy weapons training, but only with weapons that have lower amounts of kickback. Melissa has never claimed to be a strong girl.

In her teenage years she made friends with a Quarian girl on pilgrimage, the girl providing technical expertise and a more-than-intimate friendship. Melissa kept her safe from most of the more . . troublesome people on Omega. All and all, it was an arrangement and suited them both just fine. Through the next few years she was accepted completely into the Eclipse mercs, going on steadily larger missions, and excelling. Unfortunately, the little biotic had a crisis of faith, due to an accident in a mission.

In a conflict between the Eclipse and Blue Suns, Melissa was using a new missile launcher that fired short range missiles that popped off into an array of explosive charges, capable of mowing down large groups at once. A stray blast of biotic power knocked her aim off-target though, sending a full payload of explosives into a residential block, killing dozens. Her commander said it was a brilliant move, inspiring fear in the civilians and keeping them from assisting the Blue Suns in the engagement. Melissa felt that it was an utter crime. Fighting other mercs was one thing, but hurting all those people? She couldn't accept that sort of thing.

After this her missions began to involve more and more dangerous runs, and more collateral damage, to the point that she was considering fleeing with her Quarian friend to the Citadel. Family be damned, she didn't like being such a renegade. Deep down Melissa believed that she was a good person, after all. When the Quarian learned of a terrorist attack being planned out jointly by the various merc groups, aimed at destroying a huge chunk of one of the Citadel's wards, she had to stop it.

Using her Eclipse contacts she managed to work her way into the group with her friend. Through a combination of her biotics, and her friend's technical expertise, they managed to sabotage the enemy ship. The pair put the ship on a security lockdown, and barricaded themselves in the engine room until an Alliance cruiser could arrive and take the terrorists into custody. This earned the pair a sizable reward, and the information they brought back was deemed a worthy Pilgrimage, since it benefited not just the Quarians but the Citadel as a whole. Since then Melissa stayed on the Citadel, assisting Alliance military with her knowledge of Terminus Systems affairs.

Biotic Powers: Barrier,  Pull, Throw

Weaponry: Slightly aged M-3 Predator pistol and an M-92 Mantis sniper rifle. She rarely carries heavy weaponry.

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual (Prefers Men)

Preferred Position: Submissive

[Xanatos]

I was thinking of an Asari Spectre Dark. Would that work? I know Spectre is probably a popular choice, so if you prefer only one or two, I can do something else unless I'm the first to ask aside from Wargtass.

What kind of elements will be in this story? Is it going to be dark, any comedy? High on violence or no? I assume it will be high on RP yes? Will (or should) the characters already know each other to smooth over the eternally awkward and slow paced introductions?

[Mr Self Destruct]

I'm thinking that perhaps the Spectre roll might have been a bad inclusion, since everyone wants to play them lol

But the concept isn't a bad one.  Figure out a backstory to go along with your character sheet, and we'll see how it works out.

Conflict will be one element, given the adversarial task given by the Council.  What I loved about the Mass Effect games was the pacing of the stories...it started with an initial mystery, followed soon after by a sudden realization.  A desperate plan to stop a catastrophe came next, followed by grief as hard decisions had to be made.  While there will be some storytelling on my part to keep the story going, the emphasis on character-to-character interactions will be equally as important.

If folks would like to tie their backstories together, I'm not against it, though it is unlikely that everyone knows everyone, given the variety of worlds and the multitude of citizens of each race.  I recall reading that the Citadel holds around 50,000 citizens in just one of its wards, so there's a chance, albeit very very small, that more than a few characters will know one another.

Glad to see you interested, Xanatos. :)  There were a few of my old rp partners that I had hoped to draw in with this idea, and you were one of them.

[Xanatos]

Thank you for the compliment. I noted you were GM and that did influence my interest, -smirks-.

I'll give my Asari Spectre concept a whirl then. If you decide you don't want to allow Spectres after all, then I'll understand. I'll see what I can get done before I have to hit the sack.

Oh and a note, sometimes I have a hard time with backgrounds, so sorry if any background I come up with is lame. I do better once I actually start RPing, but you already know this.

[Mr Self Destruct]

If you have any questions on the backstory or the setting, feel free to PM me. 

[Wargtass]

Modified my post with an altered story, but will start working on a more Warrior-fitting one as well.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Your new concept works, Wargtass.  Welcome aboard, sir.  I like the chance for redemption in his test by the Council, and that they're wary of him, but accepted him into the Spectres anyway.

Now he just has to behave himself. lol

Latooni, your character is almost approved.  Being from Omega, the daughter of a mercenary likely isn't so innocent.  There's a chance that she'd been involved in at least one bad situation in her life, something that she had to push herself through in order to survive.  She might not like it, she might even seek to cover it up in order to save face, but one doesn't live long in a place like Omega without getting their hands dirty at one point or another.  You also have five biotic powers instead of the allowed three at character creation.  Narrow your list down to three, and while it isn't mandatory, I'd like to see some bit of controversy in her past.  Other than that, you're good.

[Latooni Subota]

Oh, sorry. I must've not noticed where it said we were limited to three. I'll edit that, and think up a little more depth. More likely it will end up being actually working as an Eclipse merc on mostly above-board missions, that slowly started becoming more blatently anti-Citadel, and with a bit too much collateral damage. Would that be fine?

[Mr Self Destruct]

That's what I get for burying it in the bottom of the paragraph about Biotics lol

Maybe during a conflict between the Eclipse and the Blue Suns, she inadvertantly launched a barrage of missiles into a building of innocent civilians?  Omega is a crowded place, and accidents do happen.  Something that would so emotionally scar the young woman could easily make her remorseful and set her about the task of stopping further bloodshed, even if it meant betraying the mercs she was one part of.

[Wargtass]

Huzzah, I shall bring out the dextro-amino based champagne! And start practising the role, of course.

Also the accidental deaths of civilians in Melissa's background would make for a good contrast to Caestus intentional ones. Would make for a good future conflict in interest between the two.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Totally.  What do you think, Latooni?

[Latooni Subota]

And now we have a reason why Melissa refuses to use large-scale heavy weapons. That works for me.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Awesome.  ;D *makes notes for later usage*

[Latooni Subota]

Edited. And I envisioned the gun as firing a guided missile, that once it reaches the required distance, splits into a multitude of high-explosive shells/bombs, to cover a wide area. Imagine the DOOM of firing that thing into the middle of a residential block? Poor Melissa D:

[Mr Self Destruct]

Nice touch! You're approved and ready for play.

[Wargtass]

Could probably find a connection with Melissa in the later stages. Counter-terrorism on a cell bent on attacking the Citadel sounds like something that Caestus could have had an interest in. And her earlier missile-misshap could give him the impression that they have something in common...

[Latooni Subota]

He'd be in for disappointment later on, when he realizes she feels BAD about it. Man, how lame of her! It's all about the mass-murder, and fearmongering, right? Right? :3

[Xanatos]

Here is my girl. I intentionally chose low power Biotics so as not to be overpowered and I declined the use of a heavy weapon for the same reason (replaced with a sem-auto). I also did it because it doesn't fit her particular way of fighting as a Spectre.

Her history is not complete yet, as usual, I'm not sure what to do with it -face palms-. I'm putting up the sheet for initial comments and what nots.

Oh Dark, are shields considered an automatic part of any character, in your book?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: Ascarra
Race: Asari
Age: 389
Class: Spectre
Class Specialization: Tactical stealth combat specialist
Personality: Ascarra is a warrior Asari, and in the eyes of most, behaves accordingly. What most don't see is that she is a lover of life. While her duties keep her busy a lot, she uses her free time to socialize, dance, and copulate. While she does not mate to reproduce, she does find a sense of minor spirituality to it and a sense of freedom away from her life of constant toil, tension, and ever present threat of death upon her or those she deals with.

Serious when needed and as with most Asari, amiable as well. Ascarra prefers to avoid emotional entanglement when on a mission and can come across as cold on occasion because of her desire to focus. She is not immune to advances and if she believes someone is serious about a relationship, she will reciprocate enough of the feelings to keep them from believing she is giving the cold shoulder. One night stands are kept strictly during her times when off-duty.

Ascarra enjoys the challenges of her position and accepts any mission with earnest respect for its particulars. Every mission is viewed with healthy respect and a calculating eye. Ascarra has remained successful for over three generations because of her ability and willingness to assess herself in regards to a mission.

She is willing to adjust her tactics and strategies to suit a mission. She is far from rigid but she is not highly flexible either. She has her preferences and many stubbornly remain in place even if other aspects of her approach change from mission to mission. Why change what works, after all?


Appearance: 

History: Ascarra was nominated for the position of Spectre because of her ability foremost as a Commando, but because she represented a key Asari trait; the ability to deal with any species evenly and fairly when needed. By no means a perfect being, Ascarra was still viewed as a prime candidate.

Her first few years as a Spectre were demanding and stressed her more than she admitted. That ended eventually however, as she adapted to the demands put upon her.

Ascarra became a Spectre half-way through the events leading up to the full scale invasion by the Reapers. During this time Ascarra never personally met Shepard. Their paths did not cross until after the Reapers had been defeated and Shepard was allowed a reprieve from the upheaval. Ascarra held a respect for Shepard and still does.

During the Reaper war, Ascarra honed her already considerable skills to a fine keen edge. The Reapers remain her greatest challenge and through this challenge she came to be a formidable Spectre. After the war, she and Shepard worked on a few missions together. He was one of the few beings she had ever met that she knew she would submit to if he had desired it. His heart had lain elsewhere and so Ascarra put any feelings for him out of mind and focused on the duties they both shared.

Years after Shepard's passing, the galaxy seemed to fall back into its normal rhythm – which meant criminals and upstarts began making themselves known again. For several years, Ascarra found herself helping the Council and Alliance Militaries alike, deal with countless situations.

One such situation had been the First Clone conflict; a situation which saw the beginning of the Krogan making clones of themselves to recreate their empire. The first attempts at cloning had proven troublesome and saw many of the clones going on a rampage. While the end result of the conflict was relatively minor, the Council had not wished to see another Krogan uprising and so sent in several Spectres to take care of things; with the militaries as backup. 

Shortly after the First Clone conflict, Ascarra had several run ins with the Cerberus organization. The run ins were increasingly more tense as it seemed the organization grew in its anti-alien sentiment with the passing years. Aside from the run ins, Ascarra never had to move against the organization. The Human's seemed to want to deal with Cerberus on their own.

Before the Terminus Coalition formed in earnest, Ascarra had been on several missions to determine what was going on. The results of the missions had pointed to the creation of the Coalition, but there wasn't enough to prompt any action against the formation of a government. The Council had always been reluctant to take action against the Terminus region.


Biotic Powers: Barrier, Stasis, and Throw (Ascarra prefers less overt powers due to her stealth emphasis; Throw as the exception)
Weaponry:

Pistol: Ascarra prefers the Nali StealthV pistol thanks to its high level of accuracy and damage. The weapon has a moderate amount of shots but its shining aspect is its built in sound suppression technology. The silencer is nearly silent, making it her prime weapon for most kills she makes. The gun Nali StealthV does not have a flash reducer, so when the gun is fired, it can be visually spotted. Has the Kinetic Coil X and Combat Optics X upgrade.

Sniper Rifle: The Reptor is a combat specialists dream. It doubles as an assault rifle and a sniper rifle. It lacks the range of a dedicated sniper rifle but has enough range to suit the role well enough for any but the diehard sniper who absolutely needs maximum distance from target. Its assault capability is strong and was not heavily compromised. It boasts the same amount of damage as a regular assault rifle, but lacks a little in the cool special upgrade department expected with the normal assault rifle. Has the Kinetic Coil X and Combat Optics X upgrade.

No Heavy Weapon/Instead a Sub-machine Gun: Ascarra shuns the use of heavy weapons unless absolutely necessary. They will compromise her stealth, thus she avoids them. Instead she uses the Clasher 86, a sub-machine which Ascarra uses when she wants to lay down suppression fire in the event of a need to escape a tight situation. She prefers to reserve her assault rifle for tough targets or more precise kills. The Clasher serves to “duck heads” as she likes to say, essentially illiciting the reaction out of enemies which results in them ducking for cover. Has the Kinetic Coil X and Combat Optics X upgrade.

Armor: Xyo-con IV Medium armor. The armor has the Kinetic Exoskeleton X upgrade which enhances her shield, shield recharge, and mobility. The armor is pitch black.

Sexual Orientation: Asari mate with any gender (so bi-sexual fits the best)
Preferred Position: Dominant, though is perfectly comfortable submitting to someone who intrigues her enough to give in too. Generally though, she controls the tone of the encounter. Being the warrior type, its just natural to be in charge.

[Wargtass]

What is an orphanage compared to victory.  ;D

Just think of the one-way relation. Melissa would probably be painfully aware of his tactics of choice and Caestus lacks the social competence to understand that she is disgusted by it. Oh the drama...

[Mr Self Destruct]

Asari are very long lived, Xanatos, so there's lots of time in which your Asari might have lived.  Hell, she could've been alive during the Reaper Invasion, a living source of history for what's happened in the past.  As for shields, every character starts with them, so long as they are wearing a suit of armor.  The heavier the armor, the greater the shield, whereas lighter ones offer less protection.

For the basics of how long shields last, let's try it this way:

Heavy Armor - 10 hits negate shields, and take six posts to recharge.
Medium Armor - 6 hits negate shields, and take four posts to recharge.
Light Armor - 4 hits negate shields, and take two posts to recharge.

With character-on-character violence, auto-hits are, of course, forbidden.
For GM hits, they're considered auto-hits, so long as everyone is alright with me doing so.

I want to make it clear that not everyone will survive the story.  Tragedy is part of the Mass Effect games (I almost cried when it came to sacrificing Kaiden or Ashley in the first game), and will be part of this one, too.  There won't be any OOC prejudice in the decision of who makes it and who doesn't, but I do plan on this being a long-term game, so those unfortunately necessary deaths won't happen for some time.

Everyone alright with that?

[Latooni Subota]

Fine by me. A little danger spices things up after all.

[Laughing Hyena]

So might I ask perhaps if there is the potential to play a character here as well? Since Horizon fell through i would like to bring my character here. After a few tweaks of course. Anyway one last question has the Shepard line been ended or is there another in that bloodline? Just out of curiousity

[Laughing Hyena]

Name: Lawrence Nasteal
Race: Human (Faction: Alliance)
Class: Warrior or Tech
Class Specialization: Infiltrator
Appearance:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

(ignore the name...)
History: (Will be filled after a few questions.)
Biotic Powers: None, abilities are derived from Tech.
Weaponry: M-9 Tempest, M-98 Mantis Sniper Rifle, M-100 Grenade Launcher
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Preferred Position: Dominant

Personality: The man is quite the calm and collected individual capable of making snap decisions and prefers an execution of any mission to be crisp, clean cut and smooth. Orders are made for a reason and he wants them to be followed, but not without legitimate reasons. One might not see him on the battlefield but he is always watching it through his sights akin to a guardian angel As a person his interactions tend to focus more on the other individual he speaks to rather then himself and he tends to be quite understanding and loyal to his crew's needs and issues but rather unforgiving to those who are his enemies often taking the most effective path towards victory or making his point rather brutally.

[Mr Self Destruct]

No, the Shepard line lives on, albeit in Colonel Shepard's ten year old daughter.

So far, what you have written looks alright.  If you want to play him as a tech, his class would likely be Scientist.

[Laughing Hyena]

Im more interested in being an infiltrator so warrior it is.

[Xanatos]

Oh crap I totally forgot this is set only two hundred years after the Reapers, -chuckles-. I had it in my mind that it was set much further in the future. I can definitely work with the two hundred year gap seeing as how I have set up my Asari as being over 300 years old.

Thanks for the info on the shields.

[GloomCookie]

Name: Elina K'Sar
Race: Asari
Class: Biotic
Class Specialization: Champion
Appearance: Often dressed in the sleek black and red armor of a Justicar, Elina often strikes fear in the hearts of Asari and those few who are aware of the power of Justicars.  Her armor is often more for show than actual use, as her mere presence is often enough to dissuade violent tendencies, but those that cross her path soon learn that she armored just the same.
History: Elina was born the daughter of Justicar Cerna K'Sar, now Matriarch Cerna, approximately 500 years ago.  For official reasons, her exact age is kept uncertain, to keep those few who have authority from abusing her status.  She became a Justicar just as her mother did and spent over fifty years in training, learning to deal with the often swaying truth.  She targets those who seek to disrupt the lives of the innocent through violence, often by using their own momentum against them, as she did when a rogue Turian group sought to unleash a bomb on Earth.  She followed them, tracked them, and then rigged their bomb to blow in orbit over Earth.  She has a long-standing agreement with the System's Alliance that she will assist them in exchange for her rather 'unique' ways of dealing with situations in Alliance space.
Biotic Powers: Shockwave, Slam, Throw
Weaponry: M-12 Locust Submachine Gun, M-5 Phalanx Heavy Pistol, M-97 Viper Sniper Rifle
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Preferred Position: Switch

[Latooni Subota]

Linna, that Asari pick is tremendously awesome. Seriously! :O

[Wargtass]

So one Warrior/Tech, two Biotics (counting Vanguard here) and two Spectres (one with Biotics as well) so far. There's alot of Biotics going on here. =p

[Latooni Subota]

In our defense, biotics are cool. I was originally going to go with my Quarian Engineer, but I found that picture and wanted to do something different. :x

[Wargtass]

I myself was too busy shooting to worry about Biotics, so I quickly changed to a pure Soldier...  :P

But it reminds me, I should probably talk to Xanatos about some connection to Ascarra, not that many Spectres (relatively speaking) and it feels as if you should have bumped into each other at one point or another.

And perhaps we should get some details of our own, Latooni. Just saying that we have met during a mission is kinda tame...  :-[

[Xanatos]

The thing is with Asari and Biotics is that Asari are naturally talented (basically the entire species as a default, with oddball exceptions). So its not abnormal for any Asari to have Biotics. Some, however, might just decide not to utilize their talents, ignoring them or only using their natural biotics sparingly.

As for you Warg, we can chat over PM if you wish. It would make sense that our two characters would have met, even likely worked together on a few missions. I'll be getting my back history up soonish. That might help.

[Latooni Subota]

Considering my background, I doubt she'd have actually met Caestus. Considering his six-month long badass run through the Terminus Systems early in his career, she'd certainly have heard of him though. I imagine he has put holes in the heads of more than a few Eclipse mercs. :3

[Wargtass]

Xanatos: Certainly, give me a PM when you have put up your story and we'll crack it.

Latooni: Perhaps, it would give a different spin to it all. "That ghostly monster that your merc-pals used to whisper about around the campfire... you're working with him now, is that ok? Alriiight..."  :P

[Xanatos]

I sent my background to Dark, first, seeing as I came up with some stuff he will probably want to okay first.

[DigitLninja]

Alright I am torn between two characters so I wish to have some more information before I proceed.

What is the current status of the Geth? Are the Geth from the Quarian Home World now considered at least allies of the Alliance?

[Mr Self Destruct]

Without the coercion of the Reapers, the Geth have returned to their hive mentality.  Rare individuals do break free of that control, however, and travel the cosmos, for one reason or another.  The majority do, however, still control the Quarian homeworld.

Xanatos, your background sounds good sir.  Add it to your sheet and you're all set.

[Xanatos]

Thank you. Sheet modified.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Linna, your sheet looks good.  The only things that I would like changed is her Class (Vanguard would be a specialty under Biotic), and her biotic powers (starting characters are allowed three at character creation).  Get those fixed, and you're in! :)

Laughing Hyena, if you're still interested in joining, get a history worked out for your character and make a decision as to whether you're playing a Warrior or Scientist.

We've got two Spectres now, and for the story, that's all we need.  Anymore would be too disrupting in terms of power level with other characters, so no more Spectre characters will be accepted.

[Laughing Hyena]

Like I said Im playing a warrior. And Im working on that history. Real life had taken a front seat to things.

[DigitLninja]

Name: David Sen (prefers to be called Sen)

Race: Drell

Class: Warrior
Class Specialization: Assassin

History:

Sen was born off planet when his family was taking a trip for his father's work, his mother unfortunately died after giving birth due to the combination of Kepral's Syndrome and the stress of giving birth. Sen's father made it to the hospital in time to give his son the name Sen but died a few minutes later as he had been targeted and poisoned by an assassin. Sen was to go to an orphanage and lived there until the age of ten months when he was adopted by a human family and given the first name David. The Human parents had prepared to raise a Drell child for a long time and taught him as much Drell history as well as Human and Alliance history.

Sen was an easy child to teach thanks to his eidetic memory making school rather pointless but after hearing the stories of the assassin that killed his father he became interested in the profession and began to study everything he could about assassins in hopes of finding the person who murdered his father. It took him a galactic standard year but he managed to find and destroy his fathers murderer, but also stumbled upon some information about a job the assassin was involved in and without warning he was approached by someone who handed him a data pad with a location on it then left without a word.

Sen followed the data pad to a secret bunker with only a point to point communication device and was surprised to learn that it linked him to the Shadow Broker, of course he didn't get to see who this person was or hear the person's real voice but he was told that he now held vary important information in his hands that the Shadow Broker was willing to pay for, Sen however deleted the information before the Shadow Brokers eyes and informed the person that he wanted a job and the data within his memory would be enough to keep the Shadow Broker from ever considering ending the Drell's life.

The Shadow Broker merely laughed but agreed to the Drell's terms and gave Sen some missions, before long Sen found himself killing, taking information, buying and selling it to the people he was instructed to do so. Sen had earned himself high standing with the Shadow Broker and was soon placed into a rather lavish lifestyle on the Citadel working on gathering information on the Alliance. He made the right friends and applied for the right jobs all to gain access to the information the Shadow Broker wanted. It was a location that both proved the Brokers trust in Sen and made him worth keeping. Sen now had three very important pieces of information locked away in his perfect memory that kept the Shadow Broker from ending his life prematurely.

Biotic Powers: Stasis & Barrier

Weaponry: HMWSR Master Sniper Rifle ('Liberated' from a Specter who was killed during the mission Sen was requested to join), Edge Pistol (Purchased from a smuggler), Geth Plasma Shotgun ('Liberated' from destroyed Geth bunker after a recent Alliance raid)

Armor Class: Light

Sexual Orientation: Straight

Preferred Position: Switch

[GloomCookie]

Fixed, yay

[Xanatos]

You have shockwave listed twice Linna.

Hey Digit, who ordered David to kill a Spectre? Surely not the Shadow Broker. The Shadow Broker does not take political sides and killing a Spectre would surely count as such, as the Council would take that personally.

[DigitLninja]

I never said David killed the specter... just that he was assigned and ended up liberating the sniper rifle.

A specters death won't be traced back to the Shadow Broker unless the assassin in question is too open about it... and in the interest of balance sometimes people need to die, who's to say this Specter wasn't rouge?

Anyway I'm sure if the GM takes offense I'll change it to another 'illegal' purchase.

It doesn't really matter what kind of gun I have until I place a story with it ^^

[Latooni Subota]

Wow, we have a lot of snipers. I expected more people picking assault/battle rifles for their rifles. XD

[Xanatos]

True, you did not say David killed the Spectre. However, the wording strongly suggests it. Just making a friendly point on that.

Below, in the spoiler, are some points of contention I have with the above, but I am putting them in spoiler. You can read them or not. By reading, it however, you acknowledge that I am not trying to antagonize. I am merely pointing out inconsistencies as I see them based on my knowledge of Mass Effect.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

The Shadow Broker is far from assailable as the comics (which bridge the gap between ME1 and ME2) prove. Liara Ti'soni in said comics (which are cannon) was able to infiltrate one of the Shadow Broker bases with the help of the Drell from Mass Effect 2. If two people can do it, a team of Spectres can. Killing a Spectre can, therefore, be linked back (it just won't be easy).

Think of the Council as America in WWII. They don't want to fight, but if pushed hard enough, will fight back and have the resources to hit hard and effectively. So for the Broker to hire anyone to kill a Spectre, is a move he would certainly not take. Besides, if the Council could trace a Spectre's death to him (hell, even suspect him of it), it wouldn't just bring the Council down on him - ALL governments would get pissed. He relies on neutrality. Killing an elite agent like a Spectre would be a blatant violation of the neutrality he/she/it/they strive so hard to maintain.

Rogue Spectre's are hunted by other Spectre's. The Council doesn't hire assassins. I just recently replayed through the part of Mass Effect 1 which explains that. So its still fresh in my mind.

If Dark is okay with it, then that's fine. I just feel the whole thing does not jive with how the Shadow Broker operates. That is unless someone else assigned him to kill a Spectre. Then its an entire none-issue.

My girl has an Assault rifle! Albeit a mixed one, -smirks-.

[Latooni Subota]

Tiny is a "Aim carefully, fire one shot" sort of person usually . . mainly because she's lagging behind in terms of physical strength. When using a sniper rifle she probably actually sets up a tripod even.

[Wargtass]

I am having thoughts of changing my sniper for something else. Seeing as a sniper rifle is fairly restrictive for someone specializing in guerilla-tactics. An assault rifle has broader use for someone who skulks around behind enemy lines.

Off to start of small. You'll be hearing from me soon, Xanatos.  ;D

[DigitLninja]

True, you did not say David killed the Spectre. However, the wording strongly suggests it. Just making a friendly point on that.

Below, in the spoiler, are some points of contention I have with the above, but I am putting them in spoiler. You can read them or not. By reading, it however, you acknowledge that I am not trying to antagonize. I am merely pointing out inconsistencies as I see them based on my knowledge of Mass Effect.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

The Shadow Broker is far from assailable as the comics (which bridge the gap between ME1 and ME2) prove. Liara Ti'soni in said comics (which are cannon) was able to infiltrate one of the Shadow Broker bases with the help of the Drell from Mass Effect 2. If two people can do it, a team of Spectres can. Killing a Spectre can, therefore, be linked back (it just won't be easy).

Think of the Council as America in WWII. They don't want to fight, but if pushed hard enough, will fight back and have the resources to hit hard and effectively. So for the Broker to hire anyone to kill a Spectre, is a move he would certainly not take. Besides, if the Council could trace a Spectre's death to him (hell, even suspect him of it), it wouldn't just bring the Council down on him - ALL governments would get pissed. He relies on neutrality. Killing an elite agent like a Spectre would be a blatant violation of the neutrality he/she/it/they strive so hard to maintain.

Rogue Spectre's are hunted by other Spectre's. The Council doesn't hire assassins. I just recently replayed through the part of Mass Effect 1 which explains that. So its still fresh in my mind.

If Dark is okay with it, then that's fine. I just feel the whole thing does not jive with how the Shadow Broker operates. That is unless someone else assigned him to kill a Spectre. Then its an entire none-issue.

My girl has an Assault rifle! Albeit a mixed one, -smirks-.

The whole issue here is that I wanted a powerful / bad ass looking Sniper Rifle and the best one I could think of is considered a 'Specter' weapon, I need a story to go with why he has a specter weapon... unless one of our current two specters are willing to have him as a companion, in which case I can say it was a gift and will make things easier on everyone.

Admittedly I have never read those comics and I don't plan too as of right now...

[Wargtass]

The whole issue here is that I wanted a powerful / bad ass looking Sniper Rifle and the best one I could think of is considered a 'Specter' weapon, I need a story to go with why he has a specter weapon... unless one of our current two specters are willing to have him as a companion, in which case I can say it was a gift and will make things easier on everyone.

Admittedly I have never read those comics and I don't plan too as of right now...

Cant say that I could help you with that. Caestus would probably believe you more a liability than a resource. Not to mention that you are working with the Shadow Broker, an individual Caestus holds as a threat to galactic security at large.

[Xanatos]

Your assassin didn't have to get it from a Spectre. He could have bought it off the black market. Weapons never manage to stay exclusive. Some always end up being leaked into the black market for sale. Your man could just have spent a pretty penny on it. Maybe that isn't as cool, sure. Its an idea, though.

[GloomCookie]

My bad @_@ fixed

[thebobmaster]

Mass Effect RP? That has about the same effect on me as mentioning Voldemort's name in Harry Potter. I am in.

Name: Sera'Zarda
Race: Quarian
Class: Scientist
Class Specialization: Hacker
Appearance: Sera'Zarda is fairly tall and slender, with fairly average sized, though quite firm, curves. For her environment suit, she wears a Colossus Armor suit, though modified to provide less armor for greater mobility, as well as her ability to manage to maneuver in it, and has painted the body of the environment suit completely black, except for a purple visor. http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/ReverseAdonis/mass_effect__nikeleses_concept_by_sweetlittlekisses-d30x0fo.png
History: At her young age of 25, Sera has only heard tales of the Reaper invasion. Tales of how Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya proved the value of the quarian race to the Citadel, opening the gateways to a Council seat just before the Reaper attack decimated their fleet, forcing them to rely on the Citadel for survival. However, Sera has never been happy to rely on anyone for her survival. While she completed her Pilgrimage, as all quarians did, she did it merely to break what she felt were invisible chains holding her to the fleet. Once her duty was complete, she broke most ties with the fleet, leaving the sector that many quarians called home to take her chances on the rest of the Citadel two years ago. However, she was still not satisfied, even after leaving the "Fleet" or "Ward", whatever they wanted to call it. In order to survive, she found herself at a crossroads. She could go legit, use her technical skills to work at C-Sec or various other companies, or join the criminal element, using those skills for personal gain through hacking accounts or larceny. She chose the option that left her with no consistent salary, but the freedom to do as she wished, freedom she had ventured out of the quarian ward to gain. While her morals were a bit shaky at first, the two years since her departure have left her willing to do anything and everything to get ahead. The only steps she has refused to consider are hit contracts and hacking robots for her personal use. She has satisfied her morals by ensuring that her targets are all criminals themselves, seeing it as a case of vigilantism, not pure criminality. Accepting contracts would risk being forced to kill an innocent, and she remembers far too many stories of the geth to consider having a robot companion. However, despite her targets, C-Sec took a dim view of her actions, and before long, she found herself facing a choice between imprisonment, or joining a task group formed by the Council. Her choice was as easy as her choice to go criminal. One was no freedom. The other was less freedom.
Weaponry: M-6 Carnifex, M-23 Katana, and M-100 Grenade Launcher
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Preferred Position: Neither

[Latooni Subota]

If I may be so bold, feel free to use one of the two Quarian images I found waaaay back when, if you'd like. :3

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/ReverseAdonis/Mass_Effect_Quarian_by_SiegeRedwolf.jpg

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/ReverseAdonis/mass_effect__nikeleses_concept_by_sweetlittlekisses-d30x0fo.png

[thebobmaster]

Why, thank you. I think I'll steal borrow the second one.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Linna, your character is approved.  Welcome aboard!

DigitLninja, you're nearly set.  I'm not fond of the idea that he was tasked by the Shadow Broker to assassinate a Spectre, for the reasons that Xanatos stated.  If you're set on having the sniper rifle, there are various other reasons that he might have access to it:

He could have purchased the weapon from the extensive black market in places like Omega and the like.  It likely would've been costly, but for someone of his skills, the cost would've been worth the battlefield advantage.

Perhaps he was 'commandeered' by the Spectre as an assistant in a mission, and the Spectre was killed, thereby allowing his weapons to be confiscated by your Drell.

Or perhaps the Shadow Broker set up the meeting because he knows who killed your character's father.  He was planning to exchange that information for the mysterious info on the datapad Sen was given, but before the trade could happen, Sen was attacked by the Spectre, being mistaken for an agent of the Shadow Broker...the datapad could've been destroyed, and while Sen was victorious over the Spectre (thus taking his sniper rifle), without the bargaining chip of the info on the datapad, the Shadow Broker offered him a time of servitude in exchange for the info on who killed his father.  It could be a deal that led him to a position on the crew formed by the Alliance to combat the Terminus Coalition, the Shadow Broker leading him along with the hope of finding out who murdered his father.

thebobmaster, welcome aboard!  I like your Quarian, as well as the fact that she is practically forced into the quest in order to avoid jail time.  Makes for a very loyal crew member...until the job is done, that is. lol

[thebobmaster]

Thanks! I struggled to think of a way to connect a criminal with this "elite squad". That was the best way I could think of.

[DigitLninja]

DigitLninja, you're nearly set.  I'm not fond of the idea that he was tasked by the Shadow Broker to assassinate a Spectre, for the reasons that Xanatos stated.  If you're set on having the sniper rifle, there are various other reasons that he might have access to it:

He could have purchased the weapon from the extensive black market in places like Omega and the like.  It likely would've been costly, but for someone of his skills, the cost would've been worth the battlefield advantage.

Perhaps he was 'commandeered' by the Spectre as an assistant in a mission, and the Spectre was killed, thereby allowing his weapons to be confiscated by your Drell.

Or perhaps the Shadow Broker set up the meeting because he knows who killed your character's father.  He was planning to exchange that information for the mysterious info on the datapad Sen was given, but before the trade could happen, Sen was attacked by the Spectre, being mistaken for an agent of the Shadow Broker...the datapad could've been destroyed, and while Sen was victorious over the Spectre (thus taking his sniper rifle), without the bargaining chip of the info on the datapad, the Shadow Broker offered him a time of servitude in exchange for the info on who killed his father.  It could be a deal that led him to a position on the crew formed by the Alliance to combat the Terminus Coalition, the Shadow Broker leading him along with the hope of finding out who murdered his father.

*walks through the shopping market and takes the second idea*

edited

[Xanatos]

I was just curious when this was going to start Dark. Are you looking for a sixth person? I'm not in a rush, but I am eager, nonetheless, to play.

[Destiny Ascension]

Hi! Is there still room for more players to enter this game?

[Mr Self Destruct]

Why yes, there is. :)

This will likely be starting tonight or sometime Monday, Xanatos.  It's been a long weekend at work and my muse has been pummeled by mundanity.

[Laughing Hyena]

Im going to politely drop out as there are enough people and more specifically the role i had prefered to take up has been filled several times over. So have fun folks!

[Wargtass]

Excellent, I am truly looking forward to this.  ;D

[Xanatos]

I feel ya Dark! My weekends are always tiring/stressful (not always stressful, but often can be). My better days are during the week when I don't work.


More characters for the grinder! Wait... Warg should be saying that not me! -elbows Warg-

Hey Dark, I just noticed, why doesn't the Alliance military accept Asari recruits? They accept all other major races. They don't want the epicurean ladies ruining the focus of their men and women? With their salacious and lithe nubile bodies. Racism I say! Racism! I shall have my Asari Spectre picket them!


So... The Terminus System coalition uses the motto, "Resistance is Futile"?

[thebobmaster]

My guess is either Borg or Cybermen.

[GloomCookie]

There's only one solution I can think of.

"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"

[Latooni Subota]

If I use biotic powers to vibrate my Omni-Tool at the proper frequency, does it count as a sonic screwdriver?

[thebobmaster]

Now I have the urge to try to write a Mass Effect/Doctor Who crossover.

[GloomCookie]

No Latooni, that just leaves you with vibrating fingers.  Which will make your masturbation sessions much more interesting.

[Latooni Subota]

So . . in the end . . . It's a success. Good to know. Also, clearly we need to get ahold of some Quarian enviro-suits. For uh . . . use with certain devices and programs. *Cough*

[DigitLninja]

*Enjoys the conversation*

^_^

[GloomCookie]

Latooni played through the male Shepard on Mass Effect 2 just for the scene with Tali.

[DigitLninja]

... so did I...

[thebobmaster]

I'm an unabashed Tali fan, so yeah.

[Wargtass]

I played through female Shepard to bonk Garrus. I am hopelessly in love with the big oaf...

[Latooni Subota]

That I did Linna. That I did.

[Mr Self Destruct]

I played through as Fem Shep so as to have hot lesbo-alien sex with Lara T'Soni :P

The game thread is up!  And the OOC thread is ready to go, too.

I'll add the links to the front page of this Interest Thread.

To answer your question, Xanatos, the Asari are welcome to undergo Alliance Military training, but most choose not to.  They have their own specialized schools for warfare, and most follow the traditions of their mothers and the other Matrons, and undergo the specialized training available to them.  That's not to say that all Asari choose to do so, but there are few enough Asari recruits in the Alliance Military that they received no mention.

While we have a fairly solid crew for the game, I'm not averse to one or two characters, assuming they come out.  Destiny Ascension is interested, so this thread will remain open if she and others decide to join. 

[Wargtass]

And Caestus won the race for first one on bridge, winning a dextro-amino based cookie to boot... *victory dance*

[Xanatos]

My reference "Resistance is futile" was in reference to the Borg. I said that because the Terminus Coalition's banner is the Borg symbol -smirks-.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Dammit!  I was hoping nobody would catch that *facepalms* lol

Curse your geekiness, Xanatos! :P

[GloomCookie]

Dammit!  I was hoping nobody would catch that *facepalms* lol

Curse your geekiness, Xanatos! :P

I was gonna say something but decided to be nice, but in this case... BORG BORG BORG!

[Mr Self Destruct]

Curse you, too Linna! *borg-swats*

Ya try to get away with something, and everyone busts yer balls! lol

[Xanatos]

Oh I am a nerd at heart! Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Star Gate, and so forth! Now with Mass Effect, I add it to my list. Its not a show/movie though, like the others. -wishes for a movie- Though, knowing movies, it would probably be butchered beyond all recognition. :/

[Mr Self Destruct]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaactually...

Film

On May 24, 2010, EA announced that Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. acquired the rights to a Mass Effect film, with Mass Effect's executive producer Casey Hudson as well as Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck from BioWare serving as the movie's executive producers. Legendary Pictures plans to produce the film with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Avi Arad.  The producers are in negotiations with screenwriter Mark Protosevich about penning the script. In a Q&A Posted on Legendary Pictures website, Legendary Pictures has confirmed that the storyline to the Mass Effect movie will follow the storyline of the first Mass Effect.

Taken from the Mass Effect Wiki.

[thebobmaster]

They are making a Mass Effect movie, actually. It's being made by Legendary Pictures, and will have a male Shepard. The screenwriter is Mark Protosevich, who wrote the "I Am Legend" remake. They say that the script will be "following and honoring the story", and sadly have confirmed that Seth Green will not be playing Joker. http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Mass-Effect-Movie-Legendary-Pictures-Mark-Protosevich-Shepard,news-12632.html

Curses, beaten to it. But I still have different info.

[Xanatos]

Crap... they are making one. I should be careful what I wish for. Now I get to watch a horribly mutilated version of the storyline. If they make multiple movies, then it might be better.

[DigitLninja]

hmm... let's hope it's not like M.Knight's representation of Avatar: the Last Air Bender

[Destiny Ascension]

Name: Staff Lieutenant Serena Martin
Race: Human
Class: Warrior
Class Specialization: Special Forces
Appearance: http://www.deviantart.com/download/244803092/the_commander_by_tansy9-d41qz9w.jpg
Personality Serena Martin upholds many of the qualities demanded of Alliance soldiers as though they were law. She believes in doing the 'right thing and saving lives, if possible. She prefers to avoid harming civilians, and if in command, plans to do so fervently. Yet still, she follows her orders diligently and never turns away from doing the harsh work necessary to complete her mission, although she prefers not to test 'whatever the cost', she understands it iss a necessary part of military operations, that not everything can go as planned.

She is driven and focused, and her determination is absolute. She does not believe in giving up until she is dead or the mission is complete, but she cares for those under her command, and believes the only way she can be a good leader is if their lives mean as much to her as her own, or the success of her mission. She has never handled loosing her soldiers well, though she doesn't break down and show emotion, she carries each fallen comrade as a reminder of her failures, true or otherwise. In combat, she is cool and tactical, preferring to overcome desperate odds with smart, if gutsy action and strategy. She adheres to Alliance military doctrine particularly well, preferring fast and violent strikes at enemy weaknesses to stand-up, large battles if possible.

Off duty, Serena is friendly and inviting, but far from outgoing. She has never had any particular skill at socializing, she is a master tactician and soldier, but not a diplomat. She likes to listen to jokes, though rarely tells them, and prefers to listen rather than talk, though she isn't shy or awkward, she isn't interesting in being all that friendly. Although this doesn't mean she isn't interested in other people, or races. Serena has never had a reason to have a strong connection to anyone outside of her own unit, though she develops a sense of familiarity with her soldiers as much as she can, she also keeps her relationships strictly professional. She cares, about a lot of people, and not just humans. She is not a racist by any means, she has fought with aliens in both joint operations and as a liaison officer for complicated military operations to many races, turians and asari included.

History: Serena Martin was born on the human colony of Shanxi 27 years ago. She is the second of 3 children, an older brother and a younger sister, and both her parents are still alive, though she has a small extended family. From a young age Serena showed a particular interest in space travel and intergalactic politics, and particularly in the military of the Systems Alliance and the Citadel Council, the former more than the latter. Nobody in her family was any kind of soldier, though her father was an accomplished outdoors man, her mother was the exact opposite, a complete city girl with no love for the uncivilized areas except for the nice view.

As a child, Serena was notedly intelligent and quick to learn, but unfocused. She preferred entertaining herself, running around and playing sports, instead of attending to her studies. Smart she is, but not enough to coast through. But as she aged she quickly developed self control and with a little guidance, proved herself capable of grasping new concepts and learning new things remarkably fast, though she was never particularly good at understanding mathematics. Serena also learned a small degree of survival in the outdoors, though the temperate climate of Shanxi lacked any extreme conditions to truly develop any kind of survival skills.

Serena joined the Alliance military at the age of 17, as early as she could, and excelled through her training. She was quickly picked for a potential leadership position in the Alliance military intelligence, though first she needed to prove herself in battle. At the ripe age of 21 and a newly graduated 2nd Lieutenant, Serena was placed in command of a small platoon in the 291st Frontier Marines, stationed on the Citadel. The first year of her command was a dull, seemingly unending series of deployments from station on the Citadel to patrolling with Alliance vessels, nothing ever happened on the patrols except boredom and the odd fight, fraternization scandal and even a shield failure, of which, Serena did nothing but overhear.

Her second year, however, proved much more exciting. After a small group of pirates attempted but ultimately failed to attack a small Alliance colony near the Terminus Systems, Serena's battalion was sent to put an end to those pirates before they proved successful. The pirates were tracked to a small moon in a nearby, and an attack was launched. Serena proved herself a capable soldier, and a good leader and battle tactician, when her superior officer was killed early in the fighting, and Serena led the remainder of her platoon of 70 successfully against the pirates, suffering very few casualties and completely annihilating the pirate group. As a result of this, Serena was promoted and given a larger command. Now a 1st Lieutenant, Serena was placed in command of a battalion sized force based on Arcturus Station, though normally deployed aboard various Second Fleet ships scattered about Alliance space on patrol. By the age of 23, she had acquired a relatively small but positive service record with almost a dozen small skirmishes and one large confrontation with a Batarian slaver group, and developed a small level of renown for being both effective in combat and as a confident and smart combat leader. It was around then that she was selected for special forces training, the arduous and infamous N-class program.

Despite having several years of combat experience and her fair share of battle wounds, the intensity of the special forces selection program pushed Serena to a breaking point she thought she'd been rid of. The intense physical activity, lack of sleep and almost overwhelmingly applied pressure, mostly psychological, almost pushed the young officer to wash out and return to standard duty. But the deep pools of perseverance she never knew she had, helped push her through and allowed her to graduate the N7 course near the top of her class. She was further promoted to Staff Lieutenant, and has never looked back.
Biotic Powers: None
Weaponry: M-8 Avenger, M-3 Predator, ML-77 Missile Launcher
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
Preferred Position: Dominant


- Do you have any idea how many days it took me to find a damn picture that looked Mass Effect-ish, soldier-like and wasn't OBVIOUSLY Shepard? :X

[Geradine]

Name: Viele
Race: Geth
Class: Warrior
Class Specialization: Guerilla Fighter
Appearance:
History: one of the few platforms with multiple intelligences networked in and of itself, Viele (which is german for many) is one of the original geth. he has been moving unseen and unheard from, even among other geth, for almost 200 years. his originally brown armor has reverted to it's dull grey through time. he has watched humanity and the other races with interest, spending the majority of his 200 years in the shadows of the many heavily colonized worlds, learning all he can about the organic races.
Biotic Powers: none
Weaponry: Pistol: M-9 Tempest w/ Phasic Jacketing (anti shield/barrier)
                           Rifle: M-98 Widow basic
                           Heavy: M-920 Cain (last resort weapon)
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Preferred Position: Neither

sorry about appearing out of nowhere, but this interested me greatly.

[Mr Self Destruct]

Destiny Ascension, you're approved.  Consider Lieutenant Martin a part of the crew of the Symphony, and post your entrance accordingly.  Though with her being the same rank as Lieutenant Anderson, it might be problematic when it comes to who is in command.   >:)

Geradine, welcome aboard!  I was hoping someone would play a Geth.  You're approved, sir, but I'd like to talk to you via PM before you make your character's first post.  Expect a PM from me promptly. :)

I think we'll be closing this Interest Thread down for the time being.  We've got enough characters now, and anymore would just cluster things up more than I'd like.