Ryu Viranesh
Member
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It was in the year 3127 that the Liluri first made their way into the stars. Scarcely 20 cycles later, those initial fumbling attempts manifested into a true presence in space; the dawning of a new age for humanity. The foray into the final frontier united the peoples of Liluria - forged bonds where there had once been strife - and drove the development of technologies as diverse as the wonders they encountered each and every day.
They created colonies, established outposts, and sought to probe ever deeper into the night. Though history might call them naive, the Liluri acted no different than any of the other races whom had come before them, their curiosity impelling them to press further and further from their home - past the boundaries that had once kept them grounded. However, space was not so empty a place as it had been in days past; they had only so far to venture before they found something.
Humanity’s first meeting with an alien species could not have gone better, just as the second could not have been any more disastrous. The Sentayi were a peaceful race, known throughout the interstellar community as traders and artisans; purveyors of goods which, given enough time, could put Liluria on par with its new galactic neighbors. The potential gain was perhaps too great, for had the team of human explorers not been so eager to bring news of their discovery, they might not have blundered into the Elyoni.
While not inherently warlike, the Elyoni possess pride in abundance. They number among the first races to explore the cosmos, and were perhaps the very first to claim territory outside their own sphere of influence. That in mind, it is not terribly surprising that their first encounter with humans went remarkably poorly. A misinterpreted greeting, an unexpected exchange of shots, and a swarm of Liluri cruisers later, there was nothing left of either ship but slag.
In the immediate aftermath, neither race seemed sure what to make of the encounter, and yet each came to blame the other for the death of their people. Attempts at further communication were halting, the language barrier between the races not yet broken by the available technology. Finally, accepting that there was little hope of settling accounts with the Elyoni, the Liluri forces launched an assault on a procession of their vessels, one of which just so happened to be carrying an Elyoni princess. War was declared within hours.
It is doubtful that the Liluri had a clear idea of what their actions had wrought, though they soon became well-acquainted with the consequences. During the first year of the Elyon-Liluri conflict the humans took heavy losses, their dead numbering in the millions. It was only the timely interdiction of the Aramii that prevented the slaughter from worsening further. Aramii arms-dealers provided the Liluri with the technology they needed to fight the Elyoni on their own turf. In space.
The year is now 3168. The Elyon-Liluri war has dragged on for fifteen long cycles. With assistance from other races, the Liluri have developed mobile weapons - more colloquially known as mecha - with which to wage war on the Elyoni’s own constructs. In order to provide the soldiers necessary to pilot these mechanical marvels, Liluria has chosen to reinstitute an age-old policy from the days before space-faring exploration: the draft. Any citizen aged 18 to 55 can, and will, be called upon to ‘protect their race’ and ‘beat back the invaders.’ Some have called the government’s actions tyrannical, overreaching, and mere inches away from inhumane. Other still have claimed that creating soldiers that lack the will to fight will do no good for the planetary defense. Yet these lengths remain the world’s only hope for survival.
Welcome to “Alone on the Firing Line”, one part of a larger effort to bring some life back to these boards. What we have here is a war story, though what it will ultimately become is largely dependent on you. Where we begin, however, is with a losing proposition: though the Liluri have managed to halt the brunt of the Elyoni advance, they are still losing ground. As things stand, if matters don’t start to improve then it is doubtful that the Liluri will last another two years. Yet, all is not lost. Though humanity has been beaten down, they have not yet been broken, and many would rather die than let the Elyoni have their world.
As such, the Liluri Defense Force is about to adopt a new strategy. One which they hope will be the key to reclaiming the momentum and maybe - just maybe - bringing this engagement to a close. Their plan? To form small strike teams headed up by experienced personnel, who will then make use of guerilla tactics in order to whittle away at the Elyoni line. These cells will have minimal contact with military command, receiving orders at predetermined drop points rather than through transmission. In other words, subterfuge is the order of the day.
So, where do all of you come in? Put simply, these squads are going to need bodies to fill them. I’m looking for somewhere between 3 and 7 players to travel with me on this little expedition, though I can’t promise everyone a safe return. Committing a character to this RP will carry risk, so be absolutely certain that you’ve made peace with whomever you choose to send. In the same vein, it bears reminding that this galaxy - or at least this solar system - is currently marred by war. During the course of this game that fact, and its implications, will be grappled with. You have been warned.
What I’m looking for from each of you is a character, Liluri-born, that is currently serving in the planet’s military. Though they can be either volunteers or draftees, whatever your preference, I would ideally like most of the party to be new recruits fresh out of basic training. I will entertain bios for more experienced service members, but do expect extra effort from anyone that makes the attempt. Characters with rank will have a more direct impact on the actions taken by the squad, and as such, I would like to vet them to ensure that they are the right fit. If no one applies for one of these roles, a commanding officer will be provided.
As far as details, I am especially interested in knowing who your characters were before they became soldiers. It’s likely that they have a story of their own that they’re carrying into the role, which will impact how they perform their duties. This does not mean that you need an explicit History or Backstory component to your bio; feel free to present the information in whatever form you would like. However, I would like to have some inkling into each character’s skill set, and so will request that you provide two named ‘specialities’ (talents, aptitudes, etc.). One should be combat-related, while the other should pertain to a character more generally.
Finally, upon their graduation from basic training, each soldier in the Liluri military is provided with the following: a standard-issue uniform; a combat suit, designed for use in space; a side-arm, generally a pistol; and a distress beacon. Those lucky enough to have passed the requisite tests will also be issued a license to pilot a mecha. The planet’s primary defense against the Elyoni forces, mecha have become the most important focus of the army’s recently restructured training program. A difficult task, given just how quickly the technology has been moving forward. Nonetheless, each character will be assigned (i.e. You will choose) one of military’s latest mainline chassis, which will then be outfitted for their speciality. Soldiers of higher rank will be given greater latitude in customizing their units, a privilege which will be extended to NCOs dependent upon their record of success. Any other issues will have to be taken up with the quartermaster.
That’s really all there is to it. What follows below is additional background information regarding Liluria, its military, the other alien species, and mecha in general. I’d strongly recommend giving it a read before you start to seriously consider a character. That said, the info. is only meant to serve as a guide, and you are perfectly free to pursue something which diverges from what I have outlined.
Accessing database… Directory located.
Welcome to the Intergalactic Intelligence Archive. Please enter a query, or select one of the headings below.
1. Liluria
2. The Global Union
3. Aliens
4. Mecha, Starships & Stations
5. The Enemy
Terminate Connection? | Yes | | No |
>Liluria
The fourth planet from the star Heidal, for which the system is named, Liliuria first came to be nearly six billion years in the past. Believed to have been formed from the accretion of interstellar debris, the celestial body is considered to be the only planet within five light years capable of supporting life. Liluria is orbited by two satellites - its moons, Diin and Nayr - which cycle through their phases once every 26 and 33 days respectively. The planet’s own orbit, by contrast, requires 521 of its 25-hour days (which likewise comprise a Liluri year’s 15 months) to complete a single rotation.
Based on available records, Liluria’s surface appears to consist of roughly 62% water and 38% land, with both polar regions dominated by swathes of ice. There are four major continents - Odorea, East Indari, Aptia, and Von - which are likewise joined by two large island landmasses - West Indari and Selsei. In the center of these territories lies the Keskin Sea, which bleeds into the Moju Ocean in the East and the Naren Ocean in the West.
Liluria has long been home to a diverse sundry of life, ranging from colossal megafauna to age-old Yg trees. Humanity, however, has only existed for roughly the last thirty thousand of those years. Yet in that time humans have thrived, growing from a race which once struggled to create fires to one able to extend their dominance beyond the planet’s borders.
>Liluria: Months
1st Month: Rishara (36 Days) 2nd Month: Shinnath (36 Days) 3rd Month: Lennet (33 Days)
4th Month: Ravlin (33 Days) 5th Month: Chanith (36 Days) 6th Month: Hastane (36 Days)
7th Month: Vennat (31 Days) 8th Month: Minisith (36 Days) 9th Month: Tashii (36 Days)
10th Month: Asat (29 Days) 11th Month: Essath (36 Days) 12th Month: Mishar (33 Days)
13th Month: Talmet (36 Days) 14th Month: Kinneth (36 Days) 15th Month: Tethe (38 Days)
>Liluria: Countries
Though much of their authority has now been vested in the hands of the Global Union - the international organization which controls the planet’s military - the countries which cover Liluria’s surface have not simply vanished. Below are brief profiles of the six most significant of these nations, as they were regarded before the war with the Elyoni.
Silbatia
Location: Odorea
Capital City: Prastas
Biome: Consists primarily of desert and grassland
Primary exports: Iron/Tin/Copper Ore, Silicon, Glass
Primary imports: Foodstuffs, Pharmaceuticals, Cloth
Government: Constitutional Monarchy - Parliamentary
Eranan
Location: Selsei
Capital City: Tant
Biome: Largely tropical savanna and wet coastland, though with a small patch of deciduous forest at its northern fringes
Primary exports: Fruit, Fish, Dyes, Pharmaceuticals
Primary imports: Steel, Cloth, Electronics
Government: Bureaucratic Oligarchy
Alherne
Location: Von
Capital City: Elvesitt
Biome: A mixture of taiga, deciduous and coniferous forest, and dry coastland
Primary exports: Lumber, Steel, Shellfish, Clothing, Lenses/Screens
Primary imports: Iron, Dyes, Glass, Oil, Electricity
Government: Republic - Bicameral Legislature
New Walan
Location: West Indari
Capital City: Relantik
Biome: Largely a mix of wet coastland and boreal forest, with a swathe of woodland to the southwest
Primary exports: Fish, Meat, Thrusters, Starship Frames
Primary imports: Fruit, Steel, Oil, Pharmaceuticals
Government: Republic - Legislature & Executive
Melces
Location: Aptia
Capital City: Ganderast
Biome: An uneven combination of shrubland, savanna, and deciduous forest
Primary exports: Machinery, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Spices, Dyes
Primary imports: Silicon, Iron, Meat, Bread, Starship Frames
Government: Constitutional Monarchy - Oligarchy
Hernis
Location: East Indari
Capital CIty: Virvande
Biome: Largely plateau-land, with desert to the southwest and tropical forest to the north
Primary exports: Firearms, Pottery, Thrusters, Steel, Fruit
Primary imports: Water, Steel, Pharmaceuticals, Glass
Government: Monarchy - Queen
>The Global Union
As Liluria began to probe further into its final frontier, there was a heated debate taking place back on the planet’s surface. While the space race had initially served as a means of driving technological innovation in the involved countries, their success had prompted certain people to start asking the obvious question: what next? Should their explorations happen upon another space-faring race, would the Liluri be prepared to interact with them?
These discussions had taken place before, in a mostly theoretical sense, the scientists now joined by diplomats as Liluria’s most prosperous nations sought a solution to a problem that suddenly seemed very real. It took fully two years to iron out the details, yet when the formation of the economic union was finally announced, many of these countries were already on-board. Though originally intended to serve as a proxy for the world at large in its dealings with other species, the union’s role changed drastically after the humans’ first encounter with the Elyoni.
It was the union that handled the ill-fated negotiations with the aliens, and ultimately authorized the strike which started the war. In the immediate aftermath, it seemed only natural that Liluria’s defensive forces should be coordinated under a single banner; if the countries remained divided, let themselves be ruled by the political squabbles of the past, then the whole world would fall. As the years dragged on, and the war worsened, greater and greater authority was vested within the organization’s hands, until the shift was finally formalized.
In the year 3155, the economic union became the Global Union, an international governing body that would hold complete dominion over Liluria for the duration of the conflict. Within a year, they had coordinated the planet’s manufacturing sectors, forged a trade agreement with Aramii arms dealers, and reinstituted the draft. It was under the Global Union’s leadership that the Elyoni advance was finally slowed, and some measure of hope was restored to the Liluri public. Yet, a not insignificant portion of the planet’s population view its actions as overreaching, and in some cases downright despotic. Among those, an even smaller number are convinced that, should this war be won, another conflict might already be on the horizon. A fight for freedom.
>The Global Union: Military
Though there were originally any number of different organizational structures which distinguished Liluria’s militaries from each other, the Global Union has long since established its own chain of command, their system subsuming all of the others. Below you will find the officially recognized command structure within the Union’s Liluri Defense Force (LDF), both for officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs).
Official Ranking Chart
>The Global Union: Governance
Since its rise to prominence, the Global Union has completely revamped its administrative structure. Where once there was little more than an advisory council and its staff, there is now a full-blown bureaucracy. At its head is the Liluri Senate, a body which consists of 100 members whom were appointed to handle the current crisis. Though many stood on opposing sides during the planet’s pre-space conflicts, they appear to have put aside their differences for the sake of mutual self-preservation.
While the Senate is the Union’s most visible organ, there are also numerous councils and sub-councils which contribute to its operation. It is these departments, made up of diplomats, strategists, economists, and other advisors, that allow the organization to function in as many spheres as it does. Of particular note are the Bureau of Industrial Organization and the Bureau of Peace, both of which have played vital roles in the war effort.
>Aliens
The term ‘alien’ has proven to be rather pervasive; at the time of writing, roughly 16 of the races known to inhabit this sector have developed a word with either identical or equivalent meaning. To the Liluri - humanity - the label carries a special connotation: not simply ‘other’, but another that means them harm. Now used almost exclusively to refer to the Elyoni, humans have instead taken to calling other space-faring races terms like ‘traveler’ or ‘visitor’. Yet, in many ways, even those races with whom the Liluri have become friendly are alien to them. The profiles below, while general in scope, are an attempt to bridge this gap. To grant humanity some greater level of understanding of that which confounds them so greatly.
>Aliens: Sentayi
Were the Liluri able to choose their first interaction with another species, they could scarcely have picked better than the Sentayi. In the days before space travel, the Sentayi were largely an agrarian people, mainly subsisting upon a combination of harvested crops and some limited amount of hunting. Though that remains a focus for many of them even now, as they struggle to manage their burgeoning population, it is the artisans that have become the primary drivers of Sentayan society.
Sentayi craftsman are renowned the galaxy over for the goods they produce, which range from furniture and computer chips to carefully cultivated plants and artificial gills. It is theorized that outsiders see only a fraction, both in quality and quantity, of what these artisans actually create, the lion’s share of the goods remaining within their own ecosystem. This is, in part, due to the strenuous rituals which must be undertaken to trade with the Sentayi; one’s aptitude in these matters appears to be directly correlated with which products the race is willing to exchange. As a result, it is sometimes easier to simply purchase their goods through a middleman, rather than attempting to do so directly.
Even so, a majority of the Sentayi continue to identify as farmers, at least one child working every traditional homestead. However, urban settlements have sprung up around communities of artisans. These self-contained collectives, known as ‘Dhalim’, can be found virtually anywhere on Sentiya’s surface - some in close proximity, some separated by miles and miles. Though many other races have visited the Sentayi homeworld, few have ever ventured far beyond these compounds.
Physically, the Sentayi possess a great diversity of size, ranging from 4 feet to practically 10 feet tall. On the surface, however, they all appear to look much alike: thick, gnarled skin with a cast somewhere between navy and indigo, their head partially sunken into their torso. Their eyes can be any number of colors, those rheumy depths seeming to have little trouble seeing what lies before them. A pair of long, rail thin arms extend out from the shoulders, these limbs a noticeable contrast with their counterparts below. The Sentayi are quadrupeds, with two sets of legs which support their stocky bodies, though they are also perfectly comfortable balancing on the rear pair. This posture allows their forelimbs to double as an additional pair of hands, the blocky digits enabling the Sentayi to perform a great variety of tasks that would otherwise be impossible.
>Aliens: Elyoni
There is a great irony in the fact that the race humans have come to call ‘enemy’ - alien - is perhaps the most physically similar of their space-faring counterparts. The Elyoni are bipedal creatures, possessed of both an epidermal skin layer and a keratin-based substance which at times can overlay it. They stand between five and six-and-a-half feet tall and appear to have a variety of different body types dependent upon both weight and genetics. They even have the threadlike strands which humans would call hair. Yet, rather than the similarities, it is the differences which most stand out.
Their skin, though texturally similar to that of humanity, ranges in shade from a light violet to a faint periwinkle. Though the Elyoni do indeed possess hair, it grows only from their skulls, forming a veritable curtain around the head which prevents anything from passing to or from what lies beneath. Their keratin-based nails, while centered around their digits, extend upward to sheath the forelimbs, covering them in a sort of natural spines.
Without most of the typically visible sensory organs common to other races - and the Elyoni’s own reluctance to discuss the matter - it is unclear how exactly they perceive the world around them. Some theorize that the Elyoni have a greatly enhanced sense of touch, which allows them to feel things so finely that it is as if they could see. Others have suggested that the ‘hair’ which surrounds their craniums is in fact a sensory organ itself, serving as a filter which passes various kinds of information between their brains and the outside world. The Elyoni are capable of speech, so the presence of vocal cords somewhere within their physiology is likely, but difficult to prove.
There is little known about Elyoni society, and the scant amount that has been published on the matter has been sanitized by the Elyoni themselves. Their pride is self-evident, and requires little explanation, though has taken many different forms over the centuries. Turning away plague victims as unclean, yet providing untold support for the refugees of any number of intergalactic conflicts. Going to war with the humans. Even after years of studying them, I am not sure that I understand Elyoni motivations any better today than when I began.
>Aliens: Aramii
Virtually every space-faring race has at least heard of, if not made contact with the Aramii at some point. After all, they’re only in the midst of the most notorious civil war this side of the universe. The two sides of the conflict have been at each other’s throats for nearly fifteen hundred years now, born out of a protracted succession war that just never seemed to end. In order to fund these hostilities, the Aramii have taken to selling weapons and other such goods that they’ve either made themselves or acquired through other means.
While there is a notable diversity of appearance among the Aramii, there are also several commonalities which all of the creatures share. Ranging from 6 to nearly 9-and-a-half feet tall on average, the Aramii are vaguely insectoid at a glance, their outer layer made up of a combination of chitinous plates and scales which one would not find amiss on a dragon. Their coloring varies greatly from specimen to specimen, but most are bright, garish, and sometimes even vaguely luminescent. Many Aramii have varying numbers of legs, dependent upon some complex area within their genetic code, though it is never less than two and never more than seven. The head - or what appears to be the head - hunches slightly forward, gaps in the front-facing plate revealing the six flickering embers believed to be their eyes.
The most notable feature of the Aramii as a race, however, is their heart. Similar to the molten cores which lie at the center of many worlds, when an Aramii is first born their heart is white hot, filling them with energy and life. In order to allow this core to continue burning, they require large amounts of oxygen, their frames practically heaving with each and every breath that they take. As time passes, however, the fire within each Aramii will inevitably begin to wane, and their once bright scales will dim and inevitably turn to stone. When one has been completely petrified, they will collapse into ash, and another Aramii will be born from the Source - carrying with it some of the memories once held by their predecessor. True death among the Aramii is rare, and something justifiably feared. For each such loss will diminish the greater whole.
>Mecha
Before the humans’ war with the Elyoni, the concept of mecha had been little more than a pipe dream. A power suit of truly prodigious size, capable of exchanging fire with enemy space fighters and - in the best case scenario - even crippling starships. To anyone with a wit of intelligence, the idea smacks of fiction; a story to tell younglings as they drift off to sleep. The Liluri, it seems, are dreamers at heart.
Records suggest that this was not the first time humanity had attempted to create mechs, but that the country in question had been forced to abandon the project due to a lack of results. Desperation appears to have encouraged them to reconsider the matter. Yet, things still would have proceeded no further if not for the Aramii, whose willingness to sell the Liluri arms - and the Elyoni’s reluctance to drag them into the conflict - allowed them to overcome their own lack of artifice. What was once a failure soon became the humans’ last, best hope for victory.
Early prototypes resembled a cross between Liluri tanks and a popular construction droid, the LSX-4100. These models were less humanoid - less intuitive - than their successors would later become, but provided a proof of concept. Showed that it was possible to create something close to what they had envisioned. They just needed to get it right. Funding for the project increased after this point, and Liluria’s scientists produced a number of different iterations of their original idea, allowing the units to serve as testbeds for the various technologies they sought to master.
Several of these units, the ‘Harpy’, ‘Legionnaire’, and ‘Vertebrate’ in particular, were major milestones, providing valuable data which would be incorporated into future models. Others, such as the ‘Gunslinger’, were an unmitigated disaster. Yet it is thanks to all of them, in part, that the project was able to advance to its current state. To create a series of mecha which could do battle with the Elyoni hordes.
>Mecha: Core Stability
All three of Liluria’s main-line machines - the ‘Cavalier’, ‘Musketeer’, and ‘Cardinal’ - are powered by the ArcSys 300X, an industrial strength battery which is capable of being replenished through the use of radiant energy. As such, the unarmored portions of these mechs have been overlaid with solar panels designed to convert the ambient rays found in space into usable electricity.
Though this discovery was a notable breakthrough, greatly increasing the amount of time during which a mecha can operate independently, it is not without its downsides. Firstly, it is not as efficient in-atmosphere as it is in space; the amount of solar energy on a planet’s surface is inherently lower, as much of it has already been either filtered out or reflected back into space. Secondly, the panels alone are not enough to enable an indefinite run-time; it can improve it, certainly, but the units will inevitably need a proper recharge at either a space station or one of the mobile buoys which Liluria has shot out into deep space. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it has placed a hard limit upon the configurations which are available for these units.
In order to ensure that the core remains stable*, the amount of power used by each mecha must remain below a certain threshold. Due to the risk presented by sudden power loss, the LDF has instituted a regulation which mandates that all active personnel ensure their machines remain within safe levels of energy consumption. Current bylaws state that any mech which contains an ArcSys 300X must limit themselves to six overall units** of power. Disobeying this directive carries with it the risk of receiving a severe reprimand.
*Of which there is not a guarantee of anyway.
**To expand upon this area:
Ultra-Low Energy Equipment = .5 Units
Low-Energy Equipment = 1 Unit
Medium-Energy Equipment = 2 Units
High-Energy Equipment = 3 Units
>Mecha: Cavalier
Codename: Cavalier
Speciality: Close-Range Combat
Unit Height: 30.1 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 300X Radiant Battery
Armaments: 2x Heated Vibroblades, 2x Vibroknives, 1x Plasma Pistol
Description: The first of the LDF’s ‘Triad’ chassis series, the Cavalier is designed to excel in melee combat. It is, as might be expected, the bulkiest of the three designs, trading maneuverability for greater overall defenses. This does not mean, however, that it is incapable of bursts of speed, the thruster pack attached to the back of the unit allows for respectable momentum gains on a straight line charge. Visually, the mech is easily identifiable by the heavy cylindrical plating on its arms and legs; its barrel-chested torso design; the plate-like head unit; and its color scheme - varying patterns of maroon and grey.
Alternative Loadouts
Heavy Arms: 1x Chainsaw-Edged Broadsword, 1x Heated Hammer, 1x Tower Shield
Skirmisher: 2x Vibroknuckles, 4x Vibroknives, 1x Plasma Pistol, 1x Grapple/Winch
Equipment List
Vibroknife (Ultra-Low) - A knife which uses ultrasonic vibrations to increase its cutting abilities. Often mounted in compartments hidden in the arms and legs.
Buckler (Ultra-Low) - A small, low-tech which can be mounted on the to the arm.
Vibroknuckle (Low) - Based on brass knuckles, these implants on a unit’s hands combine that old standard with ultrasonic vibrations.
Plasma Pistol (Low) - A small firearm which fires a low-energy burst of plasma energy; most effective when in relatively close quarters with opponents.
Grapple/Winch (Low) - A shoulder-mounted grappling hook with can be used to compensate for the Cavalier’s lack of mobility - if handled creatively.
Tower Shield (Low) - A large, low-tech shield designed to cover the bulk of a mecha’s frame.
Heated Vibroblade (Medium) - Combines vibro-tech with a heated blade, further improving the edge’s cutting power.
Heated Hammer (Medium) - A large warhammer which can be heated to a high temperature, in hopes that it will enable each strike to do greater damage.
Plasma Rifle (Medium) - The standard in mid-ranged weaponry; able to fire a line of plasma energy at its target.
Plasma-Pointed Spear (Medium) - Largely a conventional spear, save for the small plasma-emitter found in place of its tip.
Chainsaw-Edged Broadsword (High) - A heavy broadsword augmented with chainsaw edge, enabling it to not only cut, but rip and tear.
Plasma Bazooka (High) - A large, hand-held cannon capable of emitting a powerful, short-range blast of plasma energy. Caution is advised.
>Mecha: Musketeer
Codename: Musketeer
Speciality: Mid-Range/Long-Range Combat
Unit Height: 31.1 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 300X Radiant Battery
Armaments: 1x Plasma Rifle, 1x Plasma-Edged Rapier, 2x Electrified Batons
Description: The second of the LDF’s ‘Triad’ chassis series, the Musketeer is designed to be fielded as both a mid-range and long-range fighter. Taller and thinner than the Cavalier, it exchanges some of that unit’s armor for additional solar plates and thrusters, these alterations offsetting its more energy-intensive armament. The Musketeer is most easily recognized for its distinctive head design, which features a long, curved fin reminiscent of its namesake’s helmet. However, it can also be identified by both its claw-like feet - a remnant from the earlier ‘Harpy’ prototype - and its navy and brown color scheme.
Alternative Loadouts
Sniper: 1x Condensed-Particle Sniper Rifle, 1x Plasma Carbine, 2x Vibroknives
Bombardier: 1x Mortar Launcher (w/ 20x Kinetic Bombs), 2x Plasma Pistols, 1x Electrified Baton
Equipment List
Vibroknife (Ultra-Low) - A knife which uses ultrasonic vibrations to increase its cutting abilities. Often mounted in compartments hidden in the arms and legs.
Buckler (Ultra-Low) - A small, low-tech which can be mounted on the to the arm.
Plasma Pistol (Low) - A small firearm which fires a low-energy burst of plasma energy; most effective when in relatively close quarters with opponents.
Electrified Baton (Low) - A steel rod equipped with an energy-efficient generator; can deliver an electric shock when contact is made with target.
Machine Gun (Low) - Conventional automatic weapon primarily designed for in-atmosphere use; limited applications in space.
Magnetic Hardpoints (Low) - A network of hardpoints which can be installed in a unit’s hands, making use of magnetism to ensure that weapons cannot be jarred loose.
Plasma Rifle (Medium) - The standard in mid-ranged weaponry; able to fire a line of plasma energy at its target.
Plasma Carbine (Medium) - A short rifle designed to fire small, quick bursts of plasma energy.
Railgun (Medium) - Arm-mounted apparatus which enables the launching of high-velocity projectiles through the use of electromagnetic force.
Plasma-Edged Rapier (Medium) - A scaled-up sword surround by a white-hot plasma edging.
Condensed-Particle Sniper Rifle (High) - High-capacity rifle designed to fire focused beams of atomic particles at targets from long ranges.
Mortar Launcher+20 Kinetic Bombs (High) - A mech-sized cannon which is designed to fire specially-designed projectiles a certain distance away. The default Plasma Bombs produce a spherical field of repulsive energy when detonated.
>Mecha: Cardinal
Codename: Cardinal
Speciality: Reconnaissance/Electronic Warfare
Unit Height: 28.5 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 300X Radiant Battery
Armaments: 1x Radio-Jamming Device, 2x Plasma Pistol, 2x Electrified Coils
Description: The third of the LDF’s ‘Triad’ chassis series, the Cardinal is the LDF’s designated reconnaissance unit - in other words, a scout. This purpose is well-reflected in its design, eschewing bulk for a smaller overall size and a full-array of thrusters, the latter enabling the mech to perform a wide array of complex aerial maneuvers. Lightly armored, though not so much as the Musketeer, the Cardinal is recognizable for its unusually well-defined fingers, its sunken, crown-like head, and the abundance of armor plating at its joints. This design is further complemented by the mecha’s muted black and purple color scheme.
Alternative Loadouts
Agent: 2x Pneumatic Hand-Cannons, 1x Plasma Rifle (w/ 1x Shoulder Mount), 1x Electrified Coil
Hacker: 2x Electrified Batons, 2x Electrified Coils, 1x Electro-Net Gun, 1x Tracking Dart Array
Equipment List
Vibroknife (Ultra-Low) - A knife which uses ultrasonic vibrations to increase its cutting abilities. Often mounted in compartments hidden in the arms and legs.
Buckler (Ultra-Low) - A small, low-tech which can be mounted on the to the arm.
Plasma Pistol (Low) - A small firearm which fires a low-energy burst of plasma energy; most effective when in relatively close quarters with opponents.
Electro-Net Gun (Low) - Firearm which has been specially designed to launch a web of electromagnetic energy at a target. More debilitating than damaging.
Electrified Coil (Low) - Wrist-mounted coils which can serve as electrified whips.
Electrified Baton (Low) - A steel rod equipped with an energy-efficient generator; can deliver an electric shock when contact is made with target.
Tracking Dart Array (Low) - A handheld dart-launcher paired with a robust tracking program; able to keep tabs on any number of darts so long as they continue to transmit their signal.
Pneumatic Hand-Cannon (Low) - Palm-mounted device which through the use of either the surrounding air (in-atmosphere) or pressurized gas (in space) punches a hole through the underlying surface.
Weapon Mount-Point (Low) - Magnetic hardpoint which enables weapons to be mounted on specific parts of the unit’s frame.
Plasma Rifle (Medium) - The standard in mid-ranged weaponry; able to fire a line of plasma energy at its target.
Radio-Jamming Device (Medium) - A rudimentary bit of technology which, while old, has nonetheless proven to be somewhat effective at hiding squads from Elyoni scanners.
Shroud Tank (Medium) - Can disperse a smokescreen which shields allies from enemies during battle, without removing the ability to find those same enemies via the mechas’ own scanners. Must be refilled after use.
Electro-Knuckles (High) - Hand-mounted brass knuckles which feature an enhancement courtesy of an electrical current.
>Starships & Stations
Though a far earlier invention than mecha, humanity’s starships have likewise undergone a kind of renaissance since the start of the Elyon-Liluri war. While older vessels were equipped with limited Faster-Than-Light (FTL) technology, newer ships have been designed to take full advantage of Liluria’s growing number of jump gates. These carefully placed anchors have been at the center of several major battles during the later part of the conflict, as the Elyoni seek to limit the humans’ ability to move about the cosmos. The classification of the gates as high risk areas has led the Global Union to restrict their use to military endeavors, with the intent to expand the freedom after tensions have eased.
A similar resolution planned to limit travel to Liluria’s space stations, but the Union was forced to relent on the matter in the face of a public outcry. Oft repeated points included the fact that the stations had come to play too vital a role in the planet’s economy; that they remained the only locations where loved ones could visit soldiers that had been recalled from the front. Yet perhaps most importantly, the protestors maintained that the space stations were public property - meaning that all Liluri citizens held a right to visit them. Despite the government’s continued insistence that the restrictions would be for their own safety, support for the measure quickly collapsed in the Senate.
>Starships: Models
Class: Argonaut
Speciality: Combat Operations
Ship Length: 990.8 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 700X Fusion Drive
Armaments: 2x N-Laser Cannons, 2x Dual-Shot Plasma Launchers, 6x Plasma Turrets (Mounted on Curved Tracks), 14x Multi-Barrel CIWS, 22x Missile Tubes (Loadable with Kinetic Missiles, Interceptor Missiles, and Torpedoes)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Standard Sensor Array
Description: The latest in the Liluri line of battleships, the Argonaut class has been the standard for nearly four years now, and is widely considered to be one of the most significant additions to the human’s arsenal. Just over 300 feet long, the ship is composed of a straight, vaguely tubular structure which is clearly broken into three separate segments. The first, the front-facing shaft, is where the bridge, weapons command, and the forward medical bay - which handles cases of immediate importance - are located. The middle section, which is colloquially referred to as the ‘Turbine’, is bounded on either side by a pair of additional tubes. The Turbine is constantly spinning, the generated centrifugal force creating artificial gravity in the wings, which house living quarters, the mess hall, exercise rooms, and long-term medical care. The central Turbine, which is generally used for storage, is separated from all other areas of the ship by a series of airlocks. The final segment, the stern, contains the craft’s engine and power core, the latter of which has been carefully sealed off behind numerous layers of steel and shielding to prevent any contamination. The coloring of each vessel varies a bit, though most include some combination of blue and silver.
Class: Pythia
Speciality: Stealth/Reconnaissance
Ship Length: 303.6 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 700X Fusion Drive
Armaments: 1x Low Output N-Laser Cannon, 3x Plasma Cannons, 4x High Output Railguns, 6x Multi-Barrel CIWS, 8x Missile Tubes (Loadable with Kinetic Missiles, Intercept Missiles, and Torpedoes)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Advanced Sensor Array
Description: Only two years old, the Pythia class is the successor to a long line of Liluri vessels built for the purpose of carrying out smaller scale operations than its counterparts. Like the Argonaut, the main body of the Pythia was cut as three separate pieces, each with a similar intended purpose. Rather than a series of cylinders, however, the central segment is instead encircled by a torus, which benefits from same gravitational theory as those wings. This smaller section contains only enough space to house the living quarters for those on-board. The official color scheme for the Pythia is black and silver.
Class: Phaeton
Speciality: Command
Ship Length: 1511.9 feet
Power Source: ArcSys 700X Fusion Drive
Armaments: 6x High Output N-Laser Cannons, 3x Condensed-Particle Launchers, 5x Dual-Shot Plasma Cannons, 12x Plasma Turrets (Mounted on Curved Tracks), 20x Multi-Barrel CIWS, 35x Missile Tubes (Loadable with Kinetic Missiles, Interceptor Missiles, and Torpedoes)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Advanced Sensor Array
Description: Though they are limited in number, the Phaeton class capital ship is considered a force to be reckoned with wherever it appears. They offset their lower speed and agility with the sheer amount of firepower which they are able to bring to bare and are sometimes enough to turn the tide of a battle on their own. As said, however, they take immense amounts of time and money to produce, and the loss of even one of these vessels will be felt keenly by the Liluri forces. Appearance-wise, the Phaeton resembles a scaled-up version of the Argonaut, capable of housing close to 1,000 personnel at full capacity. The craft’s color scheme is black and blue.
>Stations
There are a series of four space stations which exist within Liluri territory, the most recent of which was completed less than a year ago. Cylindrical in shape, these cities in the sky are engaged in a constant rotation, ensuring that all of their innards receive some level of artificial gravity. They are, of course, heavily guarded, not only by mecha, but also by a reverse engineered Liluri fighter known as the ‘Atalanta’, several squads of which are quartered at each station. Each Atalanta is armed with a pair of Plasma Launchers and a mounted Condensed-Particle Rifle.
The stations, listed in the order of their construction, are as follows:
Daedalos
Jupris
Manto
Pandora
>The Enemy
It is difficult to be at war for fifteen years and learn nothing of your opposition. Much as the Liluri might despise the Elyoni, there are some details which have been impossible to ignore. Their battlefield tactics, squad composition, and, in particular, the nature of the units they field. All of these have been vital to humanity’s continued resistance, providing them with tangible factors which can be studied and adapted to. While not enough to lead them to victory on their own, it is a start.
For scholars, this conflict can be treated as a great boon. It has been centuries since the Elyoni last went to war, and that engagement was so brief as to be useless to those with an interest in the matters military. For the first time in many of our lifetimes, we have been afforded a fantastic look at the Elyoni war machine; an excellent view of the level of destruction it can cause to a race unprepared for its sheer ferocity. In that, at least, the Liluri have succeeded brilliantly.
>The Enemy: Combat Units
Designation: Elyoni Fighter
Speciality: General Space/Atmospheric Combat
Unit Length: 45.6 feet
Power Source: Unknown
Armaments: 3x Particle Launchers, 1x Disruptor Ray
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Hardpoints
Description: The first hostile unit encountered by the LDF, and the enemy which the mecha were originally designed to fight. This fighter appears to the Elyoni’s standard military unit, and by the numbers is far and away their most fielded. A far simpler design than the mechs in theory, but one which has proven to be at least as effective. Why design specialized chassis when a single machine could serve the same purpose? These fighters have been known to equip a number of additional armaments, dependent upon the situation, though their default loadout is rather limited. The easiest way to recognize one, its distinct trident design apart, is by its color scheme - a haunting swirl of violets and greys that almost seem to move as one stares at them.
Designation: Elyoni Warbird
Speciality: Heavy Space Combat
Unit Length: 60.2 feet
Power Source: Unknown
Armaments: 1x Gravitation Cannon, 2x Particle Launchers, 2x Plasma Gatling, 6x Missile Tubs (Loaded with ‘Furnace’ Missiles)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Energy Shield
Description: Named for the beak-like protrusion which protects its Gravitation Cannon, the Warbird is the Elyoni equivalent to a Liluri tank, were the latter designed for use in space. Both longer and wider than an Elyoni fighter - adopting a shape akin to that of a manta ray - it is capable of taking a significant amount of punishment, even at the cost of some level of speed. Yet the Warbird is feared not for its survivability, but for the carnage which it is able to unleash. Though the Gravitation Cannon alone is enough to ravage some units, the unit’s Plasma Gatling Guns and ‘Furnace’ Missiles, which superheat at the point-of-impact, are no less deadly if applied correctly. The Warbird is generally colored a deep blue with purple accents.
Designation: Elyoni Stinger
Speciality: Atmospheric Assault
Unit Length: 42.4 feet (26.7 feet when standing)
Power Source: Unknown
Armaments: 1x Condensed Particle Cannon (Mounted in Tail), 4x Omnidirectional Particle Launchers, 2x Pneumatic Jackhammers (Mounted in Claws), 8x Missile Tubes (Loadable with ‘Furnace’ Missiles and Torpedoes)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Amphibious Propulsion System
Description: While the Stinger, named due to its resemblance to the Liluri scorpion, has seen fewer engagements than many of its fellows, it can be a terror if allowed to roam free. The machine’s purpose is twofold: to remain undetected until it crosses enemy lines, and to wreak havoc once it does so. To aid the former, the Stinger has been equipped which an Amphibious Propulsion System that enables underwater - and presumably other such substances - travel. For the latter, the unit is able to enter a kind of ‘Turret Mode’, which allows it to more easily bombard a target from a fixed position. Stingers should be dealt with quickly upon detection, lest they slip away to fight another day. These units are generally painted brown and rust orange, in order to better blend in with their surroundings.
>The Enemy: Starships
Designation: Elatha Class
Speciality: Combat Operations
Ship Length: 860.2 feet
Power Source: Unknown
Armaments: 1x Particle ‘Shrapnel’ Cannon, 2x High Output Particle Cannons, 4x Beam Launchers, 10x Omnidirectional CIWS, 20x Missile Tubes (Loadable with ‘Furnace’ Missiles, Condensed-Particle Missiles, and Torpedoes)
Additional Equipment: Reinforced(?) Plating, Energy Shield
Description: The Elatha, further nicknamed the “Starbird” by some Liluri, serves as the Elyoni’s primary frontline vessel. A smaller, quicker vessel than its counterpart - the Argonaut - the Elatha relies on its maneuverability and firepower to take on the larger Liluri craft. Armed with a multitude of devastating weapons, and energy shielding which spans the full length of the ship, it is considered a force to be reckoned with in open combat. At a glance, the Elyoni vessel appears to be made from a single curved mold, a noticeable fin rising up along the ship’s stern - almost as though it were a sail of some sort. It is unclear whether or not it has any means to generate artificial gravity. The Elatha is ‘painted’ a soothing mix of greens and blues, though some claim to see a stripe of gold somewhere amidst the mix, the colors blending and separating in a manner not unlike an aurora.
Designation: Balor Class
Speciality: Command
Ship Length: 1676.5 feet
Power Source: Unknown
Armaments: 1x High Output Beam Emitter, 6x Particle ‘Shrapnel’ Cannons
Additional Equipment: Reinforced Plating, Advanced Energy Shield
Description: There have only been three sightings of one of the Elyoni capital ships during the course of war, all of which ended in disaster for the Liluri. Knowledge about its armaments is limited and incomplete, due to the overall lack of data, and it is unclear just how much firepower the Balor actually possesses. What is known, however, is that its energy shielding is top notch, and capable of repelling most of the conventional weaponry thrown at it. Furthermore, the ship seems to be capable of creating its own jump point, independent of any gate, allowing it to come and go at its leisure. The Balor is easily recognized as a larger variant of the Elatha, with a trio of ‘fins’ to its rear and a similar paint job in violet and ice blue.
Bios:
Your bio submissions should include the following information, in some way, shape, or form: a general description, which includes references to their life before the war; two named ‘skills’, one combat-related and other more generally applicable; and the character’s chosen mech and loadout. For ranks, I would prefer that most characters start out at Trooper or Private, but as said, I will entertain bios for ranks as high as Lance Corporal (NCO) or Lieutenant (Officer). For those with rank, we’ll talk about exactly what level of customization you will get for your mecha.
As a reminder, the military provides your character with the following:
A Uniform - Blue and White
A Combat/Piloting Suit
A Sidearm
A Distress Beacon
Any mission-specific gear which might be necessary
What follows below is the bio for my own character; feel free to make use of the format if it suits you.
Name: Riley Laur
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Prior Profession: Unemployed
Rank: Private
Skills: Marksmanship (Sniping) / Editing (Writing)
Appearance: There was an extra period; it was a small error, infinitesimal in the scheme of things, yet it still prompted the girl to strike it through with her red pen. To some it was strange that she still preferred to do her editing by hand, when it would be so much easier to just use a tablet, or the terminal in her room. Riley craved the feedback. The pressure born of bunched up fingers, the paper resisting her attempts to scar its perfection. In a world where things could be so sanitized - so utterly devoid of simple connection - Riley wanted to feel the ink smudge against the side of her hand as she worked.
The girl reached up and rubbed at her eyes, smearing some of that same ink over her lashes as she considered what remained of the essay. If she kept at it, this shouldn’t take more than another couple of hours to-- Riley suddenly sent a glance off to her left, frowning slightly. That girl was still watching her; trying to hide it, her frosty blue eyes just barely visible over the crook of her arm. Still, it was obvious at whom her gaze was directed. They were the only ones here after all.
She was slim, probably always had been, with long legs that put her height somewhere between 5’7” and 5’8”. The fitness was new, as it had been for many of them, but she seemed to be adapting well, her arms just the slightest bit tight in her sleeves. The girl shifted, as though self-conscious, but refused to look away. Self-esteem issues. Riley thought, a pang of sympathy twisting to life in her stomach, only to shrivel up and die scarcely a second later. Then she shouldn’t stare.
Turnabout was, in fact, fair play.
Gaze trailing upward, Riley paused at the young woman’s hairline, barely managing to hide the wince which came unbidden to her lips. Her brown locks had been shorn close to her head, uncomfortably so, though it was clear that had occurred some time ago now. Probably before Basic. The hair had started to grow back, though it was still patchy in places, skin peeking out amidst the untidy clumps. It wasn’t what anyone would call pretty, but there hadn’t been much of a choice. The military demanded discipline - no exceptions.
The girl’s face was otherwise unremarkable; a small nose, rounded ears, and pale lips that skated in and out of vision as she sought a better view. Probably hadn’t been very popular back home, though none of that really mattered here. Everyone was treated the same, even wore the same clothes. Navy undershirt, white pants, and a uniform vest that combined both when they were on duty. There was a similar jacket for special occasions, when they all had to stand out on the pitch, doing their best to ignore the boiling sun as one commander or another gave speech after speech about what would be expected of them.
At least she has pretty eyes. Riley forced herself to smile, the gesture wan and hollow even by her reckoning. No one can take that away from her. Sure they might look a little cold at first, but she was sure that once you got to know her she was-- Their eyes met, blue staring into blue, and in that moment Riley could practically feel the weight of her own attention. One second passed, then another, before the young woman finally turned away, a slow breath rattling from between her lips.
No. This wasn’t the time for this. There wasn’t any time for this. I have a paper to finish. Riley thought dully, her attention returning at last to the essay, the tremor in her hand stilling as she once again grasped her pen. Yet, as the young soldier resumed her work, there was one thought that she just couldn’t get out of her head.
That girl should wipe the ink off her face.
Mecha: Musketeer
Loadout: Sniper
“So, this is it?”
“Well, close enough anyway.”
Riley leaned back against the railing, shooting her companion a glance. “Close enough? Is this or isn’t this the machine I’m going to have to pilot?”
“Right model, wrong schema.” The man reached around to rub at his neck, sighing as he met her gaze. “Yours will be equipped with long-range gear. Sniper rifle, that sort of thing.”
Riley nodded quietly, her eyes drifting back to the mech. It towered over them both, a veritable giant, one of its carefully articulated hands wrapped around the grip of an equally massive rifle. “I’m going to guess,” Riley began, as she eyed the fin which wrapped around the unit’s head, “that the color scheme is non-negotiable?”
“Completely.” The man shook his head, free hand twitching slightly. “Remind me again, kid, how you got placed in the Mecha Combat Division?”
“Private.” She admonished. “I passed the right tests. The Accuracy batch, I think.” The girl frowned, though the gesture was gone before her companion could blink. “Before that I was on track to be an officer; apparently my scores were too good, so they ordered my transfer, effective immediately.”
The man barked out a laugh. “You want me to make you call me ‘Lieutenant,’ kid?” The amusement drained out of his expression. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to handle this? Going to space, fighting the Elyoni… killing them.”
Riley didn’t respond immediately, and the man gave her a look. One of her hands balled into a fist. “I’ll be fine.” She inhaled, shook her head, and released the breath. “Really, David… Lieutenant. I will be fine, sir.”
David looked away, murmuring something beneath his breath. “... If you say so, kid. Just remember, what you see up there? Isn’t going to be anything like what you’re used to back home. Alherne’s too peaceful.”
“I know.” Riley stood straight and gave him a salute. “I’ll deal, sir.” Not like I have a choice to do anything else.
Her superior stared at her for a long moment, then clapped the girl gently on the shoulder. “Okay. Now, you wanted to see your gear, right?” David waited for her nod, then grinned. “We don’t have it mounted on a mech right now, but the equipment’s already unloaded in the back. If you’ll just follow me.”
The girl fell into step behind the man, almost bumping into him as he made a sudden about-face. “Oh, and we’re obviously not going to tell anybody that I’m doing this, are we? Since new recruits aren’t allowed in the armory until after they’ve graduated from Basic Training.” The Lieutenant winked, and Riley gave him a wicked little smirk.
“Oh, of course not, sir. I’ll just wipe this whole little adventure from my memory banks. Beep. Boop.” She intoned, her expression blank. “Memory wipe, complete-- Hey!” Riley growled and broke formation to dash after the Lieutenant. “What was that for?”
“That terrible joke. You know robots don’t sound like that.” David reached a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “They obviously make noises like ‘Bzzt!’, or ‘Gnnr!’ Come on.”
Riley gave him a solid punch to the shoulder, though they both grinned. “Alright, come on you little misfit.” David said, eyes still laughing. “I’ve got other things to do today.”
“Yes, sir. I understand, sir.” The girl whistled innocently as they once again resumed their trek down to the armory, both now in considerably better spirits.
Characters
Lance Corporal Aurena “Aury” Melise played by Kellehendros
Trooper Isaac Nox played by Caststarter
Lance Corporal Bram Gallagher played by Cray
Private Ren Sheea played by Chewy905
Private James 'Jack' Koldarr played by nield
Private Tess Tahoe played by TormentedDragon
Private Hawk-Eye Davis played by Riprose123
Private Blaisé Delacroix played by Starflame13
Private Kit Williams played by roseleaf320
As a final note, I won’t be starting this adventure until after the final round of this year’s Elemental Championships concludes. So take your time, ponder possibilities, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Until then, I await you in the stars.
< Message edited by Starflame13 -- 10/20/2019 11:41:27 >
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