Topic: Interest check: Firefly (TV-series) based roleplay(sci-fi, western, slaves)

[SatanKlaus]

Name: Captain Braxton T. Early

Age: 31

Position: Captain

Background: Braxton Thomas Early was born on Summerfair to a family of wealthy ranchers. He was a sickly child and a wimpy teenager and, consequently, he was often picked on by other kids and his brothers. For a while, he retreated into himself and supported the idea of independence – if only on his book shelf.

When his father passed away, Braxton was 23. The ranch passed to his oldest brother and from the moment he took over, Braxton knew that he could not live under the new management. As a young man, he left the family house and studied politics on Osirus, fancying himself to be the forerunner of a new generation of local administrators and planetary elects. However, he quickly came into conflict with the prevalent alliance-centered school of thought and, after several heated arguments with professors and students, he was kicked out.

In response, he tried to join the fiercely pro-independence militia of Shadow but could not pass the physical requirements tests. After a year adrift, he finally managed to get into space-arm of the militia where he rose up to Lieutenant of the reserve in a supply company, commanding an aging but sturdy Trans-U. It seemed like he had finally found his calling but fate and politics stepped in again. The Alliance decided to ‘centralize’ all fleet supply in their attempt to weaken the military position of the border planets and Braxton was given the choice to either serve under an alliance-appointed officer or receive his honorable discharge.

Now in his late twenties, Braxton was again adrift without a job or a purpose. The independence movement was stirring but no one was ready to raise men and ships for a fight, yet. And he was certainly unwilling to return to his family farm and live under his brother’s rule. In the end, he sold his share of his heritage to his brothers so that he could afford a place where he could finally be free:

A ship of his own. 


Personality: Braxton likes to talk about freedom, about equal chances and opportunities. After all, it all adds up in his political treatises and books. In the real world, the independence movement he supports is fighting not only for freedom but also for maintaining the rights and privileges of local landowners and gentry like himself. On Summerfair where he grew up, slavery was legal, commonplace and a major source of labor and wealth for the local landowners. Consequently, ‘Freedom’, for Braxton includes the notion of private property which needs to be protected from the greedy hand of the state. And ‘property’ in this case may well mean…people.


Braxton Early is a southern gentleman: He keeps his word, respects the ladies and treats his men and his crew well enough. But in a darker twist, as a victim of bullying himself, Braxton finds he enjoys exercising power over people who are beneath him.

[SatanKlaus]

Can I suggest that at the point where the story opens, she has paid off the bulk of her service? I still like having the plot stress of her owing a debt to the crew.  But as the comment says for some reason has not paid off her debt to leave the ship for some reason even though she has had many opportunities.  If possible I would like to start to slowly see her interaction with the crew as more of a part of the crew and less as an indentured servant, giving her the chance to integrate herself into the crew as an equal.  But we can work that over time. 

It all depends on how much you want to stress your status and consequent interactions. I'm certain you had a reason to ask me to find a way for her be a medic and yet unfree. What kind of interaction are you looking for? If she has almost paid off her debt and has normal relations with the crew, then this episode of indenture is just part of her backstory. That's fine, of course, but maybe not what you had in mind in the first place.

SatanKlaus

[orderNchaos]

It all depends on how much you want to stress your status and consequent interactions. I'm certain you had a reason to ask me to find a way for her be a medic and yet unfree. What kind of interaction are you looking for? If she has almost paid off her debt and has normal relations with the crew, then this episode of indenture is just part of her backstory. That's fine, of course, but maybe not what you had in mind in the first place.

SatanKlaus

Good point. We'll stick with her being indentured to the crew for the time and see how the game progresses.

[kckolbe]

I wasn't trying to shoot her concept down.  She did say that ideas were appreciated.

As for the ship, I love the Alliance Patrol Boat from the Serenity RPG.  I imagine the weapons would have to be removed, and those areas could become cargo bays. 

[Belisuavious]

I don't have a preference for ship type, so long as it stays intact enough for us to take off and land in it. For names, what about:
"Freebooter"
"Loaded Dice"
"Argonaut"
"Puddle Jumper"

Just some ideas I had. The Line sounds pretty good as well.

[SatanKlaus]

As for the ship, I love the Alliance Patrol Boat from the Serenity RPG.  I imagine the weapons would have to be removed, and those areas could become cargo bays.

That's a rather big and pricy ship. But it would be the the ideal transport for 'sensitive' express freight and/or a detachment of mercenaries. As a former supply officer, Captain Early might just know the right people to get him one as military surplus.

SatanKlaus

[orderNchaos]

I wasn't trying to shoot her concept down.  She did say that ideas were appreciated.

As for the ship, I love the Alliance Patrol Boat from the Serenity RPG.  I imagine the weapons would have to be removed, and those areas could become cargo bays.

It's ok guys, I appreciate Kckolbe and SatanKlaus inputs.  I think we finally have a pretty decent concept.  I'm looking forward to playing.

CS updated based on SK's thoughts. 

Do you guys think we should open up an OOC thread for everyone who's decided to play?

[kckolbe]

Yeah, worst case scenario, Lance could have gotten his hands on one that had been decommissioned and then salvaged it.  Also, would you be up for discussing Lance's role as a possible previous owner in PMs?  That ship is beautiful.  For a name, he would pick something like the "Rust Phoenix," which I think is just one of many examples of why he'd make a poor captain. ~grins~

orderNchaos, glad you weren't put off.  Miya is, by the way, amazingly attractive.

[SatanKlaus]

Do you guys think we should open up an OOC thread for everyone who's decided to play?

Well this already has become an OOC thread more or less, so we might as well continue to use it as such. Once we start the roleplay proper, I will comb the thread for any useful info and copy it to the OOC thread. Lets just keep the pre-game chatter here and start with a virgin thread when we start.

Satan_Klaus

[Vergil1989]

I don't know as much as I'd like about the 'verse' since I never finished Firefly, the show, but as long as it's still on Netflix I can start watching it here soon.  I do have to ask but have the Reavers shown up already or is that something to look forward to as the boogeymen from the darkest parts of space come around later in our story?    Either way if they have shown up already I can POSSIBLY put some kind of reference of them getting a hold of my person and the ship and her crew somehow get me away from them, just a random thought at the moment lol.  Otherwise I might have to wait and see since I'm not the BIGGEST fan of system games, but if it's easy enough to pick up I think I'd be cool with it.  Regardless, I was thinking if we ever got a Companion on board I'd either sign up as her apprentice or something since Reaver abductee or not, I plan to put a girl together that would need someone rather gentle and understanding to help her get back to some semblance of her former self.  Just a few ideas, I'm more than happy to hear ideas too though.  I did love Serenity the movie quite a bit so you could almost argue I'm channeling River Tam a little bit lol.

[SatanKlaus]

I don't know as much as I'd like about the 'verse' since I never finished Firefly, the show, but as long as it's still on Netflix I can start watching it here soon.  I do have to ask but have the Reavers shown up already or is that something to look forward to as the boogeymen from the darkest parts of space come around later in our story?    Either way if they have shown up already I can POSSIBLY put some kind of reference of them getting a hold of my person and the ship and her crew somehow get me away from them, just a random thought at the moment lol.  Otherwise I might have to wait and see since I'm not the BIGGEST fan of system games, but if it's easy enough to pick up I think I'd be cool with it.  Regardless, I was thinking if we ever got a Companion on board I'd either sign up as her apprentice or something since Reaver abductee or not, I plan to put a girl together that would need someone rather gentle and understanding to help her get back to some semblance of her former self.  Just a few ideas, I'm more than happy to hear ideas too though.  I did love Serenity the movie quite a bit so you could almost argue I'm channeling River Tam a little bit lol.

Well a reaver survivor certainly sounds like a broken person. There would have to be a very good reason for her to stay on board if she is indeed mentally unstable. She either needs a guardian who is on the ship or she needs to have a uniquely valuable skill. Otherwise, there is really no reason to let her stay.

Looking at the timeline, the 'Miranda experiment', which resulted in the creation of the reavers, is very close to the start of the civil war. It was probably undertaken as an attempt by the alliance to find a means to control the uprising populations of the outer worlds. Either way, there probably are reavers out there but they are not universally known, yet. There have been some raids and ships lost in space without a trace, but in the current polital climate these things just fan the flames of war with both alliance and indepent planets blaming each other's militias and paramilitary units for the attrocities.

Satan_Klaus

[Vergil1989]

I never did say she was defenseless, just that she would probably need someone to help get her life back together is all.  Hence why I thought Companion apprentice.  She could offer protection in exchange for a safe, sound environment....more or less lol.

[SatanKlaus]

I never did say she was defenseless, just that she would probably need someone to help get her life back together is all.  Hence why I thought Companion apprentice.  She could offer protection in exchange for a safe, sound environment....more or less lol.

As far as I know, no one is planning to play a companion. Also, this ship and its crew are probably as far from a safe and sound environment as you can be. Just saying...

SatanKlaus

[orderNchaos]

Well a reaver survivor certainly sounds like a broken person. There would have to be a very good reason for her to stay on board if she is indeed mentally unstable. She either needs a guardian who is on the ship or she needs to have a uniquely valuable skill. Otherwise, there is really no reason to let her stay.

Satan_Klaus

On a ship with NC BDSM, would this kind of splintered personality really be a good idea?? 

[SatanKlaus]

On a ship with NC BDSM, would this kind of splintered personality really be a good idea??

Well I think the 'action' would usually not take place out in the open. That would be most unseemly and not very gentlemanly.

But I agree that a damaged person would need a very good, very compelling reason to be on this ship. River had one in the form of her brother with very valuable skills combined with Mal's dislike of the Alliance and thus willingness to help the fugitives. Something similar is so far missing in Vergil' character proposal.

Satan_Klaus

[kckolbe]

Also, this ship and its crew are probably as far from a safe and sound environment as you can be. Just saying...

As Lance:  Don't say that!

[Vergil1989]

I'm still debating so no worries.  So probably no Reaver problem past then.    I'd offer to play a Companion but I don't know quite enough to pull it off I think.  We'll see yet I think. 

[kckolbe]

Well, not all prostitutes are companions, and I imagine not all sex slaves would be either.  She could be someone with an eye for picking and grooming slaves, if that suits Braxton.

[SatanKlaus]

Well, not all prostitutes are companions, and I imagine not all sex slaves would be either.  She could be someone with an eye for picking and grooming slaves, if that suits Braxton.

Companions are rare, prostitutes are (literally) common. I'm not sure if trading sex slaves should be such a major part of the ship's business that they need to have a specialist for that on board, though.

However, I personally like the concept that this ship is like a 'darker and edgier' version of serenity. So the captain is a southern gentleman, true to his word, but he also keeps slaves. The ship's engineer doesn't love engines. He loves being his own boss and working as little as possible. And the ship's medic is not staying on to protect his sister. She is staying on because she is indentured. And maybe the ship's 'ambassador' does not object to being called a whore, 'because, well, because its true'.

So, yeah, there is certainly room for a prostitute on board. She can service clients in far-out settlements who don't have local 'service providers' and she can serve the needs of the crew as well. And maybe come along on missions of petty crime, thievery and deception where her skills could be fairly useful.

Satan_Klaus

[Vergil1989]

Name: Serenity Sun Kwan

Age: 30

Orientation: Bi  (As is common and required for all Companions, but she doesn't mind either.)

Occupation: Companion

Personality: Serenity is everything a Companion needs to be and more.  Despite her rather rough start in escaping a slaver attack on her home world only to be captured later and sold to a Guild Hall, (which really wasn't a bad thing for her in the end,) she adjusted well since she was in all honesty too young to remember her real family.  The Hall and those within became her family and despite having been a slave sold to their Hall, she was freed almost immediately since Serenity was quickly discovered to have a natural talent for their ways.  Perhaps it was because of her own history which had been full of pain of both physical and emotional trauma that made her so receptive.  Whatever the case, she has gained a positive reputation as being one of the more sought after of her order's ranks, and Serenity loves that she's able to help those in need whatever the case might be.  Do not let her appearance fool you however into a false sense of security.  She is quite skilled in defending herself and has proven that on several occasions since hiring on to this newest ship to get away for a while and see the stars, more out of a desire to broaden her understanding of the Verse than any sense of adventure like some of those onboard.  Associating with less than savory folk doesn't deter her much either.  The only drawback is that she will not associate with slavers or those that keep them unless persuaded, possibly at gunpoint.  Even then that's a risky proposition since even in the black, there is no fury like a woman scorned.  However, she will make an exception if said slave keeper is kind to those he keeps, otherwise you best expect a knife in the dark.

Background;  Despite being an agricultural world that was considered by many, even then, to be a sacred place of sorts given the rich abundance of food that the place produced, slavers were still a problem from time to time especially since Hera was on one of the main trade lanes going back and forth to the Border worlds and the Alliance Worlds.  Either way you sliced it, the Verse it seemed had a cruel sense of humor and Serenity as she had been named after the valley her mother born her in, was not to have the same serene life that her name derived its meaning.  Even as a young child she was a peaceful, loving baby, seeming able to calm people just by being around her.  It was a gift that would serve her well into her adult life as slavers attacked when she was 2 and while her family managed to get offworld, they seemed quite persistent and managed to board the ship before taking all hands that were still alive to theirs before heading to the nearest world that would accept live cargo such as they.  Fortunately for Serenity, she was sold to a Guild Hall and freed almost the same day.  She was raised by the others in the Hall and when she was 12 years old, was given the choice to learn from them and become one of them.  Despite missing parents and family she couldn't really remember anyway, Serenity didn't hesitate in giving her decision to join the Hall.  She excelled in nearly everything they could teach her, and before long had a reputation as being of an empathic sort that was hard to come by even though all Companions were the same in that they were good at what they did, and that was helping people in their own ways.  Sure the sex that came with the job wasn't always fun, but Serenity never once had to mark a client as a black lister until she was 24.  Then for some reason she got three in a row and almost quit if not for a passing ship's crew she found quite intriguing after meeting them all.

It was from there that she became a traveling Companion but she mostly decided to stay on the Guild Hall controlled world that she had been raised in otherwise.  Whenever a passing ship came down to visit however, she'd be one of the first to examine and interview the crew onboard, seeing if her talents and personality would be a hindrance or a positive thing if she decided to travel with them.  So far she's been on several ships and so far no mishaps have happened although she has traveled with some rather unsavory yet wonderful people overall.  The only major rule she has ever said out front to anyone that was interested in hiring her along for their trips was that she would NEVER deal in flesh since she herself had been a part of that very trade, and not as a slaver.  Those that persist often get a closed door real quick.

player information

Scenes I’d like to see my character participate in:  Serenity doesn't have much experience with the rougher kinds of sex overall, and while I myself have no problem with Noncon, don't expect her to enjoy it much at all.  Beyond that I'm pretty open minded so long as there's no scat, watersports, etc involved.  No mutilations or death either thank you very much.  Just ask and you'll likely receive a yes more times than not. 

Are you familiar with the works of Shan’Yu?
"It is required reading material only since most Companions shy away from pain on a moral grounds alone.  Pain is at most times counterproductive to what we do as Companions as a whole, but some very specific clients do appreciate a firm hand and those willing to provide are among our ranks.  While it is not something I prefer, I have indulged the more light variations of BDSM over the course of my life.  Blindfolds, light to medium bondage, some soft spankings/caning/flogging, etc.  But mostly I prefer to indulge in the more sensory play of things such as running ice over a person's flesh to stimulate their nerves into bliss, among other such things of this sort.  I am willing to receive this kind of treatment as well, but only if I trust said partner and client, otherwise we shall have to see."

attributes and skills

Physical	Social	Mental
Strength 1	Presence 4	Knowledge 3
Dexterity 2	Manipulation 3	Wits 3
Stamina 2	Composure 3	Perception 3

Melee 3  Dodge 1  Rifles  Gunslinger
Stealth  Athletics  Alertness 2  Survival   Riding   Driving
Empathy 5  Intimidation  Socialize 3  Seduction 3  Etiquette 2
Medic 2  Merchant   Pilot 1  Mechanic  Hacking   Petty crime
Pain-Tolerance   Spacer 1

I left skills that I didn't put any points into to learn possibly at a later date probably at the hands of those willing to teach them to her for something in exchange, tit for tat if you like.  From my understanding Klaus plans to hand out experience points and the like as things progress depending on certain parameters so I just thought I'd save myself a step and left those behind for future reference.

[Vergil1989]

I just wanted to say that I do have some stuff going on tomorrow so I shan't be around for most of the morning and part of the afternoon most likely on my end.  Otherwise I should be about if anything's required.  Thursdays I volunteer at the local nursing home my grandma's at so I'm away from any comp I can easily get to, just so everyone's aware.  Otherwise unless something changes I should be around most of the week and the weekend, although I do tend to take things E related a little more slowly if I post at all.

[Branwen]

Name:  Elfi, no last name.

Age:  19

Orientation:  Not under her control, presumed heterosexual.

Occupation: Nominally an indentured servant and unskilled laborer, factually a slave.

Personality:  Skittish, especially around people whom are upset, intoxicated or rough acting.  Keeps largely to herself and rarely makes eye contact.  Elfi works hard and keeps her mouth shut as much as possible.  She's learned that people prefer not to notice her just as they prefer not to notice furniture.  It's safer that way for their sensibilities and her personal welfare.  The Captain doesn't like too much attention paid to his belongings.  Elfi works hard, comes running when called, but she's not a sexual slave writhing in the ecstasy  of her chains.  She's held very much against her will, though her volition to escape diminishes daily.  She refers to her betters as Master and Mistis unless instructed otherwise and speaks the Captain's name as one might an Old Testament vengeful God.  She's not stupid but she is illiterate and has been described as 'pig ignorant'.

Background:  Elfi, born Elfriede, is from a Norwegian group of colonist from Earth That Was.  They settled on St. Albans and eked out their existence mining in the harsh, bitterly cold climate.  How Elfi came to be in the Captain's possession and utterly removed from the close-knit bonds of family and community is not known and she becomes very frightened if questioned about it. 

Aboard ship Elfi cleans, mends, shines, fetches, carries, sews, mends, cooks, serves, waits, makes beds, bunks and biscuits, polishes, and will even empty the ship's cat's litter box without being told to.  She also does whatever else Master Captain says to.

[vin26m]

Name: Sue

Age: 30-ish

Orientation: Straight

Occupation: Currently a mercenary, the ship's cook and the ship's "Public Relations;" formerly a herder and bounty hunter, possibly military

Personality: Sue is a simple guy with simple tastes.  He likes guns, ground-based vehicles, computers, food and women, which led him to be able to do a bit of weaponsmithing, mechanical maintenance and repairs, light computer hacking, cooking and womanizing.  He talks tough and mean but can be a caring romantic.  He has no problem with slavery, although he does not currently own a slave.  He holds up his end of the deal but he's loyal to the money.

He can be found pumping iron or fixing something with wheels in the cargo bay, or cooking something up or cleaning his guns in the kitchen.

Background: Sue seems to have grown up on and worked at ranches.  He looks and talks like a cowboy, was probably in the military and was a good bounty hunter and retrieval expert until he lost his own ship.  Now he just wants to get away from the wives and kids and spend the rest of his life going on adventures for cash.  From his bounty hunting days, Sue has a network of contacts with connections to the less legal trades of lots of places.

[Belisuavious]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOHPuY88Ry4

Vin's character made me think of this. Not really sure why though 

[kckolbe]

So, here is what I have so far for the cast (I added some notes to show background):

Captain: Braxton T. Early, former wealthy rancher, militia man and current slave owner, owns Elfi
First Mate: Richard Dawson, backwater aristocracy and former militia
Engineer: Lance Daniels, former Alliance enlisted, silent partner in business with Braxton
Pilot: Keridwyn "Keri" Jones, outer rim commercial pilot
Medic: Mya Richone, rich kid from Osiris, now indentured servant
Grunt 1: Girias "Cookie" Bomban, ex-con, rural background
Grunt 2: Sue, former ranch hand and tinkerer, ship's cook (backup mechanic)
Other: Philemon "Phil" Adricus, ex-Alliance infantry and ex, abolitionist
Ship Slave: Elfi, owned by Braxton, from a mining colony

Passengers:
Companion: Serenity Sun Kwan, opposed to slavery

You'll notice that the majority of proper crew have similar backgrounds and views to that of the captain, something I imagine would sit quite uneasy with Lance. 

For Philemon's character, was he discharged for sneaking information to planets/militias getting ready to rebel?  Also, is he crew or passenger?  If crew, does he have a main function? 

For Elfi, is her primary job random tasks like cleaning?

Does anyone besides Keri know how to pilot?  This seems to be our only real gap, as Keri can't fly the ship and the shuttles, not to mention that she can't be at the helm 24/7.  I was thinking maybe Philemon or Sue could have a point in pilot for simple tasks and such. 

Let me know if I missed anyone.