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 Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:04 pm
Settle down, kiddies. Time for a little history lesson.
Historical points of interest leading up to the War with the Dragonheart Empire
-Automaton Remus Fletcher leaves Earth and terraforms Mars, establishing the Galactic Roman Empire
-Conflicts with rival Dr. Question escalate. Remus designs and builds first space Navy and a large railgun that fires asteroids to combat Dr. Question and his affiliates on Earth
-Remus fires an asteroid at Earth as a warning shot, destroying much of Europe in the process.
-Dr. Question destroys the Asteroid Railgun using an orbital platform armed with lasers.
-Fearing more retaliation against his new Empire, Remus orders his Navy to destroy the laser platforms. To prevent Earth from further retaliation against him, Remus then orders the Navy to bombard Earth with nuclear weapons. The Earth is plunged into an apocalyptic state of chaos and radiation.
-GRE discovers FTL tech.
-Makes contact with the Atolian Kingdoms and the Anghoran Empire. Forges new alliance. (Tri-Alliance)
-First Contact with Lenaar Empire
-Lenaar attack Roman freighters and colonies
-Rome retaliates with massive invasion campaign. Lenaar planets bombarded with nuclear and chemical warheads.
-Lenaar War ends
-Remus sends forces to aid the Overseer against Sentinel on the planet of Gaia
-Overseer defeated. Legions recalled from theater. (If not for Jack's interference, Remus would have ordered a planetary bombardment to prevent Sentinel's forces from expanding into space.)
-Remus mobilizes troops to aid Paladin Farskon Remont against Vaswedes, a vampire lord.
-Remus killed in mysterious dropship accident in London during the campaign against Vaswedes. Resurrection technology fails and Remus' brother Romulus inherits the throne.
-Rom is discovered to have orchestrated Remus' death. Battledomers form a Resistance organization to fight the usurper.
-Secret backup copy of Remus discovered. Resistance hijacks an Omen class dreadnought and travels through hostile Lenaar space to retrieve it.
-Remus leads the Resistance and loyal troops back to Rome and defeats Romulus. Romulus throws himself into space to prevent capture.
-Remus aids several Battledome allies on different occasions during peacetime.
-Remus marries Kaok Jayim.
-Dragonheart Empire discovered.
-Dragonheart Empire invades and occupies Necropolis, an ally of Rome.
-Dragonheart Empire invades Atolian Kingdoms.
-Remus declares war on Dragonheart Empire, along with Empress Nai of the Anghoran Empire.
-Dragonheart Empire attacks Atole, the Atolian capital. DH forces defeated by a counterattack from the Roman Navy and an Anghoran strike squadron, along with Battledomer allies.
-Tri-Alliance invades Sigor, a Dragonheart system. TA forces and Battledomer allies defeat DH forces.
-TA and Battledomer allies destroy several key Dragonheart military and science installations.
-Battledomers defeat Emperor Cort of the Dragonheart Empire.
-Dragonheart War ends
Pre-Supermassive Gamma Burst
Before the disaster, the Galaxy was in relative harmony. Most of the major conflicts had ended. The war with Emperor Cort and the Dragonheart Empire was over. The great powers brought their fleets and troops home to celebrate the victory and a new era of peace and prosperity.
On Mars, the capital world of the Galactic Roman Empire, Supreme Imperator Remus Fletcher retired and passed the laurels to his daughter, Phaedra. Under the new Supreme Imperatrix, Rome became even greater. Unlike her father, Phaedra was much smarter about the resources she was given. Unstable star systems were given up and the troops returned. Though the borders shrunk under Phaedra's rule, it was much easier to defend and soon pirates and marauders were eradicated from Roman space for good when the Imperial Navy was given more flexibility.
The Atolian Kingdoms took much of the brunt of the Dragonheart Invasion. The maltir and dirdelks were hard pressed to repair the damage done to their star systems and military. However, with aid from the Romans and the Anghoran Empire, the Atolian Kingdoms were able to rebuild their ruined cities.
The Lenaar Empire was still recovering from several civil wars after Rome dealt it a crippling blow before the war with the Dragonhearts. (This crippling blow dealt by a series of planetary bombardments, courtesy of the Roman Navy. Usually by nuclear and chemical warfare.) Though a few clans raided the independent systems that bordered their space, they were no longer a large threat to the Galaxy as a whole.
Empress Nai called her fleets and warriors home. The kendari mourned their fallen and sang songs of their heroes. The meditated and with balance restored, they went about their lives in harmony.
The Allied Confederacy continued on, always the neutral power.
Supermassive Gamma Burst
Unbeknownst to everyone in the galaxy, several stars (Mainly hypergiants and supergiants) at the galactic core lost stability and began falling into the large black hole in the center. Unable to handle the amount of matter being pulled in, the black hole ejected the burning gas in several directions.
In a span of a few days, entire populations were vaporized as the gas jets scorched planetary surfaces, blasted fleets apart and destroyed hyperspace relay stations, making warp navigation close to impossible. Several star systems were isolated from the rest of the galaxy and without help. A gas jet cut a particularly bloody swath through the Atolian Kingdoms and clipped the Galactic Roman Empire to the galactic south.
Another blasted much of the Lenaar Empire and another hit the Allied Confederacy, destroying its capital.
The Anghoran Empire remained untouched.
Post Supermassive Gamma Burst
The decades following the disaster were even more horrific than the disaster itself. Survivors from destroyed systems near the galactic core began fleeing to the less affected systems. Pirates and marauders took advantage of the situation, attacking and plundering unarmed civilian vessels. The Tri-Alliance (GRE, Atolian Kingdoms and the Anghoran Empire) mobilized what fleets and military they had left to try and bring aid to the refugees and defend them from the pirates and marauders.
Unfortunately, a lenaar Warlord saw this as a chance to unite the clans under one banner and get revenge on the Tri Alliance. It wasn't long before an invasion by the lenaar took the Atolian Kingdoms by surprise and completely off guard. With their forces spread thin, the Atolian Kingdoms fell within a decade. Several races went extinct in the resulting extermination, which included the maltir, the gnolata and the ompim. The dirdelks were scattered and fled to more secure systems and survived. (Today, they have replaced the maltir as the most numerous species in the galaxy.) After the Atolian Kingdoms were wiped out, the lenaar immediately invaded the Galactic Roman Empire, who had already suffered heavy military losses from the SGB and trying to combat the pirates and marauders, along with assisting their Atolian Allies against the rise of the lenaar.
Over the next few decades, major Roman star systems fell and burned. Remus tried to help his daughter by rallying his forces, but his remaining resurrection facilities and space stations had been shut down or destroyed. In the end, Remus died of a mix of cancer, old age and malfunctioning cybernetic implants. He was entombed with deceased Praetorian Guards. Though it was a saddening loss, very few attended his funeral because of more pressing concerns.
Pirates who had suffered many defeats at the hands of the GRE, rode the wake of the lenaar onslaught and looted the burning Roman planets. The lenaar were finally defeated at the heart of Rome itself, but Supreme Imperatrix Phaedra Fletcher was killed in the process when her flagship carrier was destroyed ramming itself into the Warlord's dreadnought. Having lost contact with her brother William and lacking any heirs, there was an immediate power vacuum following the lenaar's retreat.*
Marauders used this chance to burn and sack the Roman capital. (Some even raided the neighboring Earth, which was still recovering from a nuclear attack, courtesy of Rome several years before the war with the DHE.) With no seat of power left, the GRE fell apart. Remnants of the legions, fleets and remaining government fled and founded their own nations, many of which claimed to be the new Rome. **
However, one man brought hope to millions of souls looking for an escape. A man that was once hated for an attempt on his brother's life and for a short time, usurping Remus' throne. That man was the Great Betrayer, Romulus. Rom had since pooled all his resources since the SGB. He was the kingpin of several mercenary organizations and in command of many Roman troops who had remained loyal to him since he was defeated by the Battledome Resistance. When the destruction of the GRE was at hand, Rom lead a ragtag fleet of military and civilian vessels to a remote, unexplored edge of the the galaxy, on the verge of dark space itself. He found an unclaimed garden world that Remus had once planned to colonize for his own purposes, but had forgotten due to more pressing concerns. Rom found the planet on Remus' star charts during his short time on the Imperial throne. He had always kept the information tucked away in case he ever needed it. Now, it would be the seat of his new nation; Greater Byzantium. During the next half century, cities suddenly sprang up all over the planet, along with space stations and new hyperspace navigational relays. The planet was named Constantinople.
Romulus proclaimed that Greater Byzantium was the one and true Rome and he was the new Supreme Imperator with Phaedra gone. He claimed that the other factions were merely upstarts and that their claims to the throne were forfeit. Of course, the leaders of these factions did not take kindly to this and immediately attacked Constantinople with whatever fleets they had managed to scrounge up from the remains of the GRE. They were soundly defeated by new and superior classes of warship that Rom had commissioned and deployed. The upstarts retreated or swore themselves into Rom's service. Greater Byzantium grew and flourished over the next few centuries. Soon it was a safe and secure paradise. Rom had done the impossible and preserved what was left of Rome. Greater Byzantium was secure from outside threats, being distant and virtually isolated on the edge of nothing. It was a utopia where people lived without fear, thanks to Rom's ingenuity and access to some advanced alien technology. But don't worry about the latter part of that sentence. Keep reading, and have a nice day.
The Anghoran Empire, without its allies, soon found itself facing lenaar retaliation once they were able to unify again. Not wanting to deal with any more violence and destruction, they destroyed the hyperspace navigational relays that lead into their space and cut off all outside transmissions. Their entire part of the galaxy went dark and no one has been able to contact them since.
The Allied Confederacy was the last known major power to fall apart. With Rome in ruins, they soon suffered as marauders turned their attentions to them. After a century of constant warfare, the AC fell apart and remains in pieces, as several smaller independent star systems.
* Some of you may be wondering about Empress Kaok or Phaedra's brother, William. I don't own those characters so I've omitted them.
** Visher lead a small contingent of the remaining Roman military, I believe. I'm also leaving that bit of story up to him.
The Galactic Dark Age
After roughly three and a half centuries, much of the galaxy is dark and uncharted, many worlds lost to war, pandemic disease or other means. Many star systems remain independent and are constantly fighting marauders and pirates. Mercenary organizations get rich being payed to protect the more wealthy systems from piracy. The poorer one suffer at the hands of tyranny from marauders who have taken over.
The only safe place anymore is Greater Byzantium. It had since expanded to little over 40 star systems. It no longer suffers from outside threats, as it has the biggest, most organized fleet and military since the SGB patrolling the borders. The citizens of Greater Byzantium have nothing to fear, as constant ads about the Legions and Armada keeping threats away play on massive holo- screens and floating airships.
Yet, nowhere will you find a recruiting station to join this great fighting force.
Disease is no problem as every citizen is required by law to take pills that prevent the risk of infection. All citizens work during the day. Entertainment districts and large wall screens at home provide hours of bliss. Friendly officers patrol the streets day and night, keeping order. Death is of no concern, as special sanitation workers collect deceased loved ones after a short period to allow mourning. But the grief that follows death always passes quickly. Do not fear, your loved ones have moved on to the great After-Realm!
Romulus created the perfect society. There are no social degenerates or crime. (One would also notice a distinct lack of homeless people.) Malformed newborn infants are quickly hurried off for "Special Care". Mothers are well compensated and assured that the baby will be given a good life doing service for Greater Byzantium. There is no service greater!
Romulus is still in power to this day. You've seen the posters and holo-ads. An illustration of Rom's face. Underneath in bold letters; "Your Savior."
TL;DR: Jets of gas blew everything up and...You know what? Just read the damn text you lazy dickhead. I worked hard on that s**t.
That concludes the history lesson. Moving on.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:04 pm
Greater Byzantium
"Romulus is watching over you. Always."
Faction: Greater Byzantium
Leader: Supreme Imperator Romulus
Faction colors: Dark red, black and grey.
Overview
(As told by a multi-eyed black robot resembling a dangling spider; With a 50's cheerful-salesmen tone of voice.)
Greater Byzantium is the perfect society! Live peacefully knowing that the Supreme Imperator is protecting and watching over you! No aliens or pirates here! Crime doesn't even exist!
"But what about pandemic disease?" you ask. No worries, there! Romulus provides special medication and healthcare to all citizens!
By law, all citizens must take medication daily. Failure to comply may result in arrest, imprisonment and possible quarantine.
Not only that, but Romulus has provided a multitude of jobs and careers so Dad can bring that bread home!
Mom, no need to stress over keeping the house tidy or cooking dinner! It does that on its own! Go spend a day at the spa with the girls!
Johnny, there are plenty of other kids in the neighborhood to play hologames with!
Don't worry Frances, you'll find a swell guy who might take you to the Entertainment Districts!
Use Euphoria drugs responsibly. Driving while overdosed may result in a fine or imprisonment.
So live your life in peace and happiness! We'll worry about everything else!
Remember, if you ever feel insecure, just remember that Romulus is watching you and keeping you protected!
Supreme Imperator Romulus
Rom has access to the ancient tech of an extinct race known as the Prizmids. He has has gained a rare power from it. Some would call it ancient sorcery, but Rom prefers not to use that term. This same energy also powers his cities, fleet and legions.
The drawback is that this energy is fueled by organic material. Namely blood. However, Rom's scientists have discovered that cerebrospinal fluid (AKA "Brain Juice") is even more effective. Rom also has implants that better focus his abilities.
A couple facts you should know...
-Though Rom requires the use of certain organic fluids to power his abilities, he does not thirst for blood like a vampire.
-Rom relies more on QUALITY of fluid, not QUANTITY. A small drop of fresh blood will recharge his power more than a whole barrel of coagulated sludge. Though a little bit extra does help.
Weapons
The Recharger: The Recharger is a katana re-forged from an ancient Prizmid weapon. Whenever Romulus draws blood with the Recharger, a small portion of his energy returns.
Abilities
Telekinesis: Romulus can use mental power to move objects aside or throw them as projectiles. This power has its limits however, and larger, heavier objects are often more difficult to move.
If a loose object isn't available, Rom will pull a piece from a wall or the ground and use that.
On some occasions, Rom has been known to pull internal organs from an opponent if possible.
Lightning: Rom also uses lightning when fighting an opponent. It is red in color, and a small jolt can stun his foes. Rom also uses it to overload tech or as a counter to an opponent who may be using a form of magic.
Rom uses his lightning often in conjunction with his telekinesis.
Spinal Tap: After disabling an opponent, Rom can get an extra boost of energy by piercing the base of the spine or cranium with a small jolt of lightning and draining their energy through their spinal/cerebral fluids.
Government and Military
The Council
A council of nine oversees most of Greater Byzantium's operations. Romulus is the head and has personally handpicked the members. The reason for the odd number allows for the ease of making important decisions and rulings. However, Romulus has complete and utter veto power.
The Eye
The Eye is an artificial intelligence that controls surveillance throughout Greater Byzantium. The Eye alerts and dispatches officers whenever the law is violated. She also alerts the Inquisition if an outside threat finds it's way in or she discovers that citizens are plotting against the government. She has a massive mainframe that stretches several miles underground. Her location is a secret, only known by the Council and a privileged few. Techs and other staff who work in the Eye facility have all signed waivers. Any classified information they give out to the public results in an immediate arrest and mind wipe.
The Grinder
-Terror Legionaries tackle you and haul you into a black van for attempting to view classified information. Nobody notices or cares-
The Inquisition and Terror Legion
The Inquistion is a special branch of military intelligence that seeks out possible threats to Greater Byzantium inside and out. The idea is to stamp out potential fires before they occur. A victorious battle to the Inquisition is one that was never fought to begin with. However, if things get out of hand, Inquistors can deploy shock legionaries to deal with situations that are spiraling out of control. These legionaries are fearless and merciless. Rumors from outside GB have circulated that Terror Legionaries are actually reanimated corpses with implants that allow them to be programmed. Other stories have circulated that they are actually synthetic humans that have had all emotions stripped from their mind.
The Armada
The Armada is Greater Byzantium's main weapon against outside threats. The presence of the black ships strikes fear into anyone who comes across them. Many people steer clear of Greater Byzantium's space, as the Armada has been known to blast vessels into dust for even the most minor of infractions.
GB ships resemble ancient Roman triremes.
Vessel Classes
Avenger Class Patrol Corvette
Size: Small
Crew: 10
Role: Patrol and escort
PCs have various names.
Winslet Class Guided Missile Frigate
Size: Small
Crew: 150
Role: Anti-fighter escort, provides missile defense screen for larger vessels
FFGs are named after well known admirals, spacers and seafaring explorers throughout history.
Shiva Class Destroyer
Size: Medium
Crew: 400
Role: Various. Can provide escort, offensive or missile defense roles
DDs are named after gods and creatures of myth.
Cascade Class Cruiser
Size: Large
Crew: 640
Role: Offensive, anti fighter
CGs are named after mountains found around the galaxy.
Trajan Class Carrier
Size: Large
Crew: 4,550 (Fighter squadrons and Legion attack forces not included)
Role: Offensive, fighter, planetary assault
CRs are named after Roman Emperors and Senators
Tesla Class Dreadnought
Size: Massive
Crew: 12,600 (Fighter squadrons and Legion attack forces not included)
Role: Offensive, fighter, missile defense, planetary assault
DNs are named after inventors and scientists throughout history.
Note: Some names of vessels may be fictional
The Legions
Clad in black combat armor and armed with pulse rifles, legionaries are the backbone of the GB military. They are on the front lines pounding away at the enemy or an occupational force in a foreign star system. Where Romulus gets his forces are a mystery, as there are no recruiting stations or websites on how to join. Legionaries never surrender and appear to lack emotion. Shock and awe tactics do not seem to phase them. Even as their comrades fall, legionaries will always press forward.
Legionaries
Officer: Wears a chestplate, armor and a long black coat with a black combination cap and environment mask. May carry any variety of weapons. Directs entire legions.
Centurion: Wears thick exo-armor and carries a pulse carbine. Leads lesser troops.
Sometimes Centurions will carry a thick shield and heavy pistol, along with frag grenades.
Legionary: Wears black combat armor, tactical vest.
Carries different weapons depending on role
-Tactical loadout: Pulse rifle w/ grenade launcher, service pistol, combat knife
-Support loadout: Heavy pulse rifle, frag grenades, service pistol, combat knife
-Anti-tank loadout: Rocket launcher, smoke grenades, service pistol, combat knife
-Sniper loadout: Sniper rifle, service pistol, smoke grenades, combat knife
-Storm loadout: Pulse carbine w/ retractable serrated bayonet, frag grenades, flash grenades, service pistol, serrated gladius
Vehicles
EXA-32 (Grizzly): A powered suit of exo-armor piloted by any qualified legionary. Usually armed with pulse cannons, rockets and smoke screens. Usually supports the ground troops, though some have load-outs that specialize in anti-aircraft or long range artillery.
ATAV-56 (Fox): Small assault vehicle that provides support and carries troops into battle. Can be outfitted with a variety of weapons.
APC (Porcupine): Armored vehicle that carries up to two squads of legionaries. Armed with rockets and a medium rail cannon. Has gun slats along the side for legionaries to fire out of and provide additional firepower, along with a smoke screen.
M86-A7 Main Battle Tank (Tarantula): Armored vehicle with a large rail cannon, smoke screen and 360' heavy pulse gun turret.
A14 Gunship (Black Widow): Air vehicle armed with rockets and heavy pulse cannons.
H4 Troopship (Crow): Air vehicle that brings troops to and from the dropzone. Two pulse cannons mounted on the sides.
H7 Utility Ship: (Bumbleturkey): Unarmed air vehicle that brings heavy equipment loads or two Foxes to the battlefield.
That about covers Romulus and Greater Byzantium. If I left something out or you have any questions, I'll have a discussion/Q and A session when I'm done editing.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:06 pm
The Purge
"To achieve true Order, all sentient life must be eradicated."
Faction: The Purge
Leader: Remus (Risen from death as a Colossus)
Faction colors: No official colors or insignia. However, most Purge units have an eerie bluish tint and glow.
Overview
The Purge began when Romulus visited his brother Remus' tomb to get his laurels. The idea was to show the laurels to his citizens, to show them that he had finally rediscovered the location of Mars and the original seat of Rome.
With the help of a man by the name of Langer Vile and an ancient robot, Rom was able to infiltrate Remus' crypt. Unfortunately, Rom inadvertently activated Remus' failsafe and the first Imperator arose from the dead. Shortly after that, Remus joined with a dormant colossus that he had built and hidden in the tombs. Romulus and Langer barely escaped as deceased Roman troops reactivated and mobilized. As Rom left Mars, more hidden vaults and crypts came online. New models of automaton and AI vehicles were activated and pulled themselves out of the ground.
Their agenda? Expand and destroy all sentient life.
Colossal Remus
Remus became a planet-scorching colossus when Rom accidentally reactivated him. He resembles a massive, bluish art-deco Atlas statue. The deafening sounds of destruction and chaos will alert you of the incoming former Supreme Imperator.
Weapons
Deathray: Remus' eyes brighten up and emit a bright energy beam in a sweeping motion. Enemy forces are instantly incinerated and buildings crumble into smoking heaps of rubble.
Other than that, all he has to do is bring his foot down or punch a building to cause more destruction.
Abilities
FTL Burst: Colossal Remus has the ability to travel faster than light as a means of reaching other star systems. If he initiates an FTL jump while on the surface of a planet, it will cause a destructive shockwave on par with a nuclear detonation.
Purge Forces
Colossal Remus
Leading the Purge. Don't try and fight him alone. Even if you're an incredibly powerful. At the most, he will consider damage you deal him on par with a wasp sting. Which will just piss him off. You do know what happens to a wasp that stings somebody, right? Splat.
Purge Vessels
Remus Class Colossus (Yes. Remus is big enough to be considered a starship now.)
Size: Massive
Crew: None
Role: Offensive, planetary assault
Colossus
Size: Large
Crew: None
Role: Offensive, planetary assault
Foul Omen Asteroid
Size: Varies between large and massive
Crew: None
Role: Planetary assault
FOAs impact into planets, causing destructive shock waves and releasing Purge units.
Purge Units
Troops
Praetorian: A corpse reanimated through cybernetic implants. 1st Gen. Praetorians wear ancient GRE issued combat armor and carry an assortment of weapons, usually rusted pulse rifles. Praetorians can be recognized by the death masks they wear, along with glowing optics that have replaced their eyes.
Due to the scarcity of functioning GRE weapons and armor, any Praetorian reanimated after the 4th Gen. may be wearing whatever it had on before death. The only change will be a death mask.
Doom Hound: Reanimated dogs, wolves or any similar creature. Often accompany Praetorians into battle.
Provocatore: Resembling something between a bulging ape and a beetle, Provocatores are the heavy hitters of the Purge ground units. Provocatores are noted for an odd cluster of human heads under a metal hood mounted atop their muscular shoulders. Provocatores are incredibly strong and can smash small vehicles and enemy troops aside with ease.
Spectre: Spectres appear to be floating Remus body shells missing their entire lower half and with three faces beneath a torn hooded cape. This wouldn't seem so bad, if not for the fact they also have entrails hanging out from below them. Spectres have long shriveled arms with oversized, gnarled hands. They shriek and fire heat beams from a ghostly orb lodged beneath the ribcage. Although they are not difficult to destroy, the shrieks they emit can have a demoralizing psychological effect.
Vehicles
Cataphract: One of the oddest units in the Purge forces. Cataphracts appear to be several conjoined reanimated animals, (Usually horses and humans) that shamble along on several legs and arms. They are slow, and act as artillery support, firing super heated plasma at enemies.
Secutor Engine: Resembling a large autonomous crab with Remus' face, secutor engines are the main battle tank of the Purge. Armed with two massive claws and a plasma cannon, secutor engines can break enemy lines with ease. After a victorious battle, secutor engines will turn on eerie searchlights on and look for stragglers. Hearing them walk is enough to drive any survivor hiding in a basement or cellar mad. It had also been reported that they have loud hailers and Remus' voice can be heard announcing impending doom through these machines.
Mollusk Gunship: Although they more closely resemble shrimp, mollusk gunships fly about the battlefield and strike at enemies on the ground with heat-rays. They are very difficult to shoot down and have even been known to pluck troops and civilians running from the scene and carry them off.
That's it for the Purge. Will answer questions if you have them.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:08 pm
The Chlorid
"Such a troubled galaxy! Go, my children, devour as much as you want! Ah heh hee hee!"
Faction: The Chlorid
Leader: Queen Iris
Faction colors: No official colors or insignia. Everything is mostly green or a fleshy pink color.
You can also read about Queen Iris and her minions here.
Overview
You walk into the large hall aboard the biggest organic starship you have ever seen. The interior makes you think of the inside of a whale's stomach, if it were green and full of vicious looking abominations. The Queen sits upon her twisted, gnarled throne and regards you with an amused expression on her face. Fear grips you. Queen Iris can sense it and licks her lips. Her eyes almost suggest a sexual lust as they look up and down your body. Perhaps it is.
"Welcome to my court, little one! So, you want to know about me, hmm?" the Queen giggles. "I suppose there's no harm in satiating your curiosity."
The Queen pauses and stretches in her thorny seat. She preens her thick hair, revealing her perky, natural breasts. She uncrosses her legs and then recrosses them. You gasp, catching a glimpse of the Queen's luscious garden for a second. The Queen catches you in the act and snickers.
"Naughty! You shouldn't stare at the lady bits of a Queen! It's improper!" Iris waggles a finger at you, even though it's obvious that her little flashing stunt was intentional.
You gulp loudly and Iris giggles again.
The Queen then clears her throat and begins her story.
"I had a predecessor. You may have known her as Mother. Well, she came here long before I did. She was a creature that devoured all things that came into her path. Loved toying with her prey, especially certain succubi. Unfortunately, her connection as the Overmind has faded. I assume she was finally destroyed. A pity. So now I have taken control of the Chlorid and traveled to this galaxy, the last known place Mother's songs were heard. Now, I shall harvest the life here, as a top predator should."
The Queen finishes her story and looks down at you, still smirking.
"My children shall not feast upon you today. I need you to do something for me first."
You nod your head, relieved that you won't be torn to shreds.
"Tell the galaxy about me. Let them know that I am coming and to embrace their rapture. Now go."
You don't waste any time running. The Queen's cackles echo loudly...even inside your mind.
Queen Iris
Abilities
Vines/Tendrils: Iris' 'tentacle wings' are her primary offense and defense. Her tentacles can wrap around an opponent in and hold them in place or just straight up eviscerate them if Iris feels the need. The tendrils can also form a tough shield around her to block incoming projectiles.
On a good note, if you're ever lucky enough to get Iris between the sheets, she'll know how to work those tentacles. heart
Spores: Iris can release a thick cloud of spores that can cause serious lung damage if inhaled. If you're lucky enough to have a re-breather on you, they can still burrow into your skin and give you a horrendous rash. Don't even get me started on the damage they can do to your eyes. When not used in combat, these spores will just spawn annoying thorny weeds all over the place that are damn hard to get rid of.
Venom Claws: Watch out. Her fingernails are sharp and can inject paralyzing venom into open wounds. Simple enough.
Venom Kiss: Oh yeah...she has fangs too that can inject said venom. Why she calls it a kiss when it's really more of a bite is beyond me. Watch your neck. Or any area with a quick route to your heart.
Re-purpose: You get wrapped up in a cocoon and turned into a zombie-like creature that forever answers to the Queen. Have fun serving the Chlorid as a front line grunt.
Note: If Re-Purpose is used on a Battledomer, the only effect is a small parasitic pod on the back of the neck that can only be removed by someone else. Until then, that Battledomer is completely and utterly loyal to Iris.
Queen's Bidding: Iris uses her vast telepathic powers to break the will of her opponent. One with a strong mind can ward off such an attack, though it can be physically taxing to do so. If Iris is successful, the unfortunate opponent becomes her little plaything for a short period of time. Sexy at first, until she gets bored and devours them. Starting with their genitalia.Chlorid Forces
The Swarm
Mothership
Size: Supermassive
Crew: ???
Role: Chlorid spawning, offensive, planetary assault
Note: There is only one Mothership in the entire swarm. It is large enough to have a noticeable gravitational field. It is believed that the Mothership is actually Queen Iris' true form.
Spawnship
Size: Massive
Crew: ???
Role: Chlorid spawning, planetary assault
Clawship
Size: Large
Crew: ???
Role: Offensive
Broodship
Size: Medium
Crew: ???
Role: Offensive
Minions
Troops
Sproutling: Sproutlings are small, annoying little snap traps that walk around on six legs and have the lowest survival rate on any battlefield. On their own, they can do no more than bite at your heels. But in large packs, they can get vicious, like piranhas. Several sproutlings can skeletonize a human in two or three minutes. Sproutlings will eventually grow into more advanced minions if they survive.
Shambler: A shambler is a human or other living organism that has been re-purposed to serve among the chlorid ranks. They are similar to zombies, as their brain functions have been completely rewired. (Also covered with moss and various things growing out of them.) They usually perform as nothing more than cannon fodder on the battlefield. If you're about to fight the chlorid and a small colony dropped off the map recently, expect to find the colonists rushing at you, stripped of their free will and moaning for your flesh.
NOTE: A shambler cannot be "cured" so don't try to capture a recently turned loved one. This will only cause emotional distress for you and also give away your position since Iris can tap into any of her minions at any time. Do the right thing and blow their head off.
Snapper: The snappers are the grunts of the chlorid race. They are the next stage in a sproutling's life cycle. They walk upright on four legs and one of their remaining two arms has grown into a biological plasma gun, although it's more commonly referred to as a "puke rifle". The gun fires a burning green projectile that acts like acid. However, puke rifle blasts are weak against armor and shielding.
Eye-pod: (LOL Get it? -Shot-) Eye-pods are pretty simple. They are nothing more than a red eye that moves around on eight tentacles. Often work in conjunction with snappers and act as scouts. Only way they can attack is with their tentacles, which have sharp barbs on the end.
Lurcher: The final stage after a snapper, lurchers are massive tree-like creatures that are well armored. They are slow moving, but they can easily flip a small vehicle or blow a massive hole in enemy defenses. They carry large bio-cannons that fire a blast that can take out groups of enemies and do serious damage to vehicles. There have been reports that lurchers may sometimes also carry sproutling clutches and hurl them into enemy lines. Others have been known to throw explosive spores like grenades.
Support
Motherpods: Motherpods are tall, walking on four stilt-like legs with a multi-eyed head at the top. They have several tendrils with paralyzing venom barbs which they use to snatch up fleeing enemies. The victim is swallowed and stored inside two stomachs at the back of the Motherpod's head, until they are dropped into either a digestion pit or a shambler hive for re-purposing. Motherpods vary in their offensive capabilities. Some are armed with bio-cannons, sproutling clutches and spore bombs. They'll often be behind the ground troops acting as support. Others have no weapons at all and merely capture unarmed victims or wounded enemy soldiers left behind. Motherpods have also been seen gathering up chlorid dead and wounded and tossing them into digestion pits to be recycled.
Gargus: Garguses are large, almost reptilian looking creatures sporting a massive biocannon atop their backs and several large teeth and tusks protruding from their mouths. They rush into battle, firing their bio-cannons and biting (Sometimes devouring) enemy forces. Thick, bony armor plates allows them to shrug off enemy gunfire and explosives.
Argopede: A large, segmented creature resembling a centipede. Argopedes have large heads and a set of massive jaws and mandibles. Argopedes travel quickly and stealthily, striking without warning. They can flip heavy vehicles and fire a blast of superheated plasma at their foes. Like most Chlorid, they will also devour anything that gets too close.
Claw Fighter: A fast air unit that resembles a spider. Claw fighters actually have no ranged capabilities. They swarm the air and attach themselves to enemy vehicles. Using their tough, razor sharp mandibles and tendrils, they pull out paneling and circuitry. When the vehicle is disabled, they move on to the next one. However, the enemy vehicle can sometimes explode, taking a few claw fighters with it.
Bloatship: A slow air unit resembling a Portuguese Man-O-War. Bloatships have no weaponry. Their function is to ferry minions to and from the battle. However, don't assume that they aren't dangerous. Bloatships have been known to pick up and devour smaller creatures with their tendrils.
That's it for the Chlorid. Nom nom nom?
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:11 pm
Logan's Chargers
"We'll take any job. We'll uproot the green b***h, slap the colossal p***k and shave Rommy's beard. You just need to pay the right price."
Faction: Logan's Chargers
Leader: Aurick Logan III
Faction Colors: Olive drab, yellow
OverviewLogan's Chargers is a "private military organization" that specializes in fighting foreign wars and hunting outlaws, pirates and other such criminals. Logan's Chargers or "LC" has it's main HQ based in a heavily defended space station orbiting a gas giant in a remote system. From there, it operates across several star systems and even in other realms and universes through a network of gates and portals.
Notable Chargers
Name: Aurick Logan III
Race: Cyborg
Rank: Grand Marshall
What you should know: Battle hardened courageous leader of the Chargers. Took over the position after his father.
Name: David Tracer (Shown in casual gear with Alamo, his robotic canine.)
Race: Human
Rank: Ranger Captain
What you should know: Usually takes on solo bounty hunting missions, though he will sometimes team up with others. A former Confederate soldier who served in the Pacific War. (Alternate timeline in which the Confederacy defeated the Union during the American Civil War and gained independence.)
Name: Roxanne "Roxie" (No last name)
Race: Android
Rank: Ranger Captain
What you should know: Leads specialized missions. Often takes fresh greenhorns and helps them get field experience. Used to be a sex doll, until she gained self-awareness through some sort of programming error. After taking part in a failed machine uprising, she joined the Chargers when David spared her life.
Name: Steffi ReParmi (Shown in casual gear)
Race: Dirdelk
Rank: Ranger
What you should know: Specializes in infiltration missions. Very adept at sneaking, picking locks and hacking terminals. He's a bit of a kleptomaniac and wants in David's pants. Used to be a street thief.
Name: Rio TeeLioki
Race: Dirdelk
Rank: Ranger
What you should know: One of the LC's combat surgeons. She has a bit of a shady past as far as the medical profession goes, but she's kept everyone alive so far, even if it means resorting to less orthodox methods of care. Mental stability is questionable.
Charger Units
Troopers
Backbone of the Charger military. Usually armed with military grade assault rifles, frag grenades, combat knives and pistols. Always first in the fight and can fill a variety of different combat roles.
Heavy Gunners, Rocket Troopers and Snipers
Whether it's mulching waves of enemies, destroying an enemy vehicle or splattering an outlaw's brain from over a mile away, the Chargers would have a hard time fighting the enemy without these specialized troopers watching their backs.
Combat Medics
Keeps everyone else alive.
Rangers
These higher ranking veteran units make up the vast majority of the bounty hunting arm of Logan's Chargers. They track and capture outlaws, along with reconnaissance. They man the remote outposts to watch for enemy movements. Completely self sufficient, they provide a lot of the intel for the organization.
Pilots, Mechanics, Security Guards and Administrative Personnel
Everyone who isn't on the front lines, but still just as important.
Vessels
A bunch of old military warships and freighters which have been heavily retrofitted with various weaponry. Each one is so different from the last, they can't really be classified.
Vehicles
"Fister": A suit of exo-armor which may be armed with various weapons and heavily customized to the pilot's tastes. Supports the troopers.
"Knuckler": A heavily armored half-track troop carrier.
"Buzzer": A flying gunship armed with rockets and heavy auto cannons. Can also act as a small troop transport.
"Fat Lady": A large armored flying troop transport capable of dropping in exo-suits and other vehicles.
"Mosquito": A versatile fighter sized craft which can serve a variety of roles. Some are two-seater bombers, while others are lightning quick interceptors and pursuit craft.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:12 pm
Other factions of note...Steiler's Legion
When Rome fell, many of the legions and military were scattered throughout the stars. One legion, lead by one Legatus Steiler, sought to bring hard justice upon the pirates and raiders that were a part of Rome's downfall. They blamed the chaos and destruction on "xeno influence" as well.
Today, they are lead by an angel who came through one of the gates leading to a different realm. Using her divine status, the angel took over the legion. As of the current date, they are travelling between systems and razing entire towns to the ground and receiving tribute from various governors who have high crime or xeno populations within their star systems.
Loves: Angels, humans, Rome, justice, power armor
Hates: All non-humans, Logan's Chargers, Aeyghrus mercs, rebels, outlaws, raiders, thieves, pirates
Neutral: THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND. YOU ARE EITHER WITH US OR YOU WILL BE BURNED. Sons and Daughters of Aeyghrus
A bloodthirsty mercenary organization filled with many sick individuals who delight in the suffering of others. Currently, they are lead by what seems to be a prophet who has convinced them that a demon called Aeyghrus will soon come through a portal and rule the galaxy. Often hired by criminal cartels and rogue systems to fight Greater Byzantium, the Chargers or Steiler's Legion. If no such jobs are available, the Aeyghrus mercs will raid poorly defended star systems and vessels and loot them for resources.
Loves: Orgies, raid parties, ritual sacrifices, blood ceremonies dedicated to their lord and master, Aeyghrus
Hates: Logan's Chargers, Steiler's Legion, Greater Byzantium, EXORCISTS
Neutral: The Chlorid, The PurgeIndependent bounty hunters, raiders and piratesIn this dark day and age, every spacer has to make a living somehow. Whether it's capturing and killing criminals for cash, pillaging defenseless colonies or looting merchant starships, you never know who you may cross paths with in the dark depths of cold space. Always keep a weapon close at all times.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:04 am
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:56 pm
Finished Greater Byzantium and the Purge! If you have any questions so far, feel free to ask.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 3:41 pm
So when you say Remus is big enough to be a starship now how big are we talking? A thousand feet?
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 3:47 pm
More or less. I'd say bigger. I'll leave it up to everyone's imagination. :3
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:48 am
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:06 am
There will be even more info later. I just wanted to get the major players out there.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:33 am
Is the brain juice of people with powers more useful than normal brain juice for Romulus? Can he temporarily duplicate these powers until he runs out of stolen brain juice?
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:32 am
No, it all depends on how fresh the source is. Cerebrospinal fluid right out of a person is the best. Fluid that's been in a freezer is the next best thing. A corpse that's been sitting for a few days, not so much. It can be done, but Rom would consider that disgusting and barbaric.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:37 am
Alright. So its just the freshness that determines things not the source. Though I'm going to assume sentient species have better brain juice than non sentient ones.
I like saying brain juice. BRAIN JUICE!!! <_<
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