Sci Fi or Traditional Fantasy RP?

[Vormund]

Hey everyone.

Just looking for a new RP to play in, and decided to make my own. I have a few RP's that I made a long time ago on another site, which I never got to finish. Hell, one of them never even got finished being built, since it got such low interest. Anyway, that site isn't a Roleplaying-focused site, so that might have been the reason. It also didn't have as good a selection of high quality RPers.

Anyway, here is the intro to the Sci Fi RP, which was titled "Return of the Star League"

The universe is slowly losing its grip. The once united Star League has been dead for the last 500 years. And with it, so has the era of peace. Not that the entire universe is at war. No, peace still exists in places. After all, the universe is a big place, and everyone being at war would leave an empty universe behind.

Not that there is true peace in these areas either. Crime exists once more. People are dying at earlier ages as the medical prowess falters. Even technology itself has regressed a bit, as the Star League secrets have died out with the destruction of all but one of their labs and bases.

Jenovah. But more on that later. This tale I am about to tell will lead into it.

Back in the day, the galaxy was at peace. Ruled by one woman and one man elected from each System, the Grand Council ruled the universe. Coming together, they made decisions as a giant team, and never had reason for war.

Until one of them, a female alien named B'traxis, decided that her position wasn't enough. So she started a rebellion against the council.

Hell, if it weren't for the Techborn, the war would have been lost instantly.

The Techborn are robots. Easiest way to put it. They were built with the most advanced AI's the Star League could buy. They were not supercomputers by any means, however. The AI was an experiment.

The League wondered if a human emotional system and thought process would work far better than a cold heap of microchips when it came to keeping the peace. But at the same time, they wanted the superior power and ability of a mech. After nearly a hundred years of tinkering, they got it. The Perfect Balance

And so was born the first Techborn, Subject Alpha. Stronger and faster than any human. More focused and adaptable than any computer. Capable of showing great compassion or brutal mercilessness. And able to feel.

For many, many decades, the Techborn were mainly seen as a powerful keepers of the law and peace. Then, one of them made a decision that suddenly sparked a whole new debate.

Subject Mu got married. Suddenly, people were clamoring over them. Some thought they were soulless robots that looked like humans. Cybernetic beings who could not feel, and certainly could not be called human. Others thought that it wasn't the skin and blood that made a human, but the ability to feel. They believed that the Techborn had souls, and were a vital part of society, and not just for their ability to kick ass.

Now, what does this debate have to do with the Star League and it's collapse? Everything. Shut up and listen.

The Star League was at war with these rebels. And the Techborn were bringing the good fight to the Rebels. Until their free will split them down the middle. That's another thing that set them apart from robots. Their power of choice.

Now the sides were shredding each other. However, somehow, B'traxis managed to swindle more people to her side. What honeyed lies she used are lost anymore, since this was over 500 years ago. But the rebellion had more people, and eventually the Star League was put down.

And the Universe has never been the same.

Eventually, the Techborn were destroyed, whether by each other, or by many soldiers who paid the ultimate price to bring down the Star League's greatest (failed?) creations meant for peace. Only seven of the Original twenty-eight survived.

Subject Alpha, the first Techborn. Hasn't been seen since the war 500 years ago. Rumors pop up, but nothing worth investigating. And it's very likely he may be gone for good. However, since four of the other Techborn Survivors (Subjects Gamma, Nu, Omicron and Tau) were on his side towards the end of the war... He could be planning something.

Subject Sigma, who had followed the side of the Star League earnestly from the day he was awakened and trained, was recalled from the field of battle, and put into Stasis in the deepest sector of Jenovah.

See? I told you I'd get there. Jenovah was the birthplace of the Techborn, and the greatest laboratory that the universe had ever seen. It was hidden in an asteroid the rough size of a small planet, and all energy readings in it were cloaked by the most powerful cloaking devices know to any species.

When the war ended, and the councilmen/women were put to death, B'traxis forgot one vitally important thing. She forgot to ask the Elder Councilman where Jenovah was. See, he was the only one who knew.

Five Hundred Years have passed since that day, and the capitol planet of the universe has just been attacked by a terrorist regime. And Inscribed, in giant flaming letters on the side of the Nova Palace, is "Alpha".

Panic is ensuing now. It couldn't be... That The Techborn Are Rising Once More.

It's time... For either The Return of the Star League... or the loss of hope of ever seeing the glory days again...

This is the one that never got to be built. but I loved the idea, and I would love for it to come to fruition.

The other one, the fantasy RP, is based around a group of mercenaries who end up heroing it up and saving the world. Here's the intro for that one:

An old tome sits upon a shelf hidden deep away in the old library, coated thick in dust with faded blue script that seems to still somehow shine out its title, ‘The Phoenix Saga’. However the dust is unsettled by a young man whose eyes seem to shine with the reflection of the chipped away words, and though he struggles he realizes what wonders must hide away in the book, and thus hurries it to the caretaker to have it read.

“Oh my, what is it you have brought me this time? ‘The Phoenix Saga,’ ah yes, that is quite an interesting choice. Why you ask? Well this book right here tells the story of the mercenary clan once known as the Sapphire Phoenix Clan. It is a wondrous tale that spans years, and has slept within the pages of this book for nearly hundreds more.

The librarian looks down at the book in her hands, the cover so old and dust coated it is practically falling apart itself. With clear fondness in her voice and a smile gently lying upon her face she continues.

“Ah yes, a story of long ago, a story of great warriors, camaraderie, and forces forged through fire—”

With but a moment’s pause she returns her gaze to her listeners.

“—are you sure, you wish to hear this story? The heroes in it are no longer around, and the story’s end is not for those who can only imagine the world bathed in the warmth of the sun. Well, if you are sure.”

Upon this warning the yellowed pages are opened, making a crisp noise as they are carefully moved.

Within these pages are held the exploits and the epic journey of the once vibrant and lively band of beings, known as the Sapphire Phoenix, a clan that was as mighty and brilliant as their name would suggest; however since the book’s recording, and the livelihood of the clan itself, millennia have passed, and the clan has since fallen into obscurity, and their story is remembered now in only legends and the few who the story has ever reached the ears or eyes of. But now it shall be spread to more as the librarian begins to read.

Let me know which sounds better to you, and I'll put it up. Kthxbye.

[dreamshell]

I'm curious to know a little more about the Phoenix Saga setting. Some of its details, the game's tone, any inspirational source material, etc.

[Vormund]

Here's more written on the Mercenary RP:

There are many groups of interesting people in the world of Niverin, and many of them often group up in ragtag teams to go save the day. However, The Sapphire Phoenix Mercenaries are the band of misfits to top them all. Any native Niver is welcome to join, regardless of past or premise.

Lucas Montoya, retired knight of the Gold Coast, formed the band almost 16 years ago, after the wound to his knee and untimely action about it ruined most of the mobility in his left leg. He's still quite the warrior, but not fit for active service in any military.

So he made his own. Twenty warriors, rogues, and mages of differing talents and skill levels joined up, for reasons they may or may not have explained to Lucas or their comrades, and that was fine by Lucas. As long as his mercenaries were good people, he couldn't care less about their flaws or their fears.

For 16 years, The Sapphire Phoenix has lived relatively well, performing small missions here and there to keep the mercenaries paid enough to avoid mutiny or abandoning their comrades for more spare change. But they have never really had a big break. They never really got seen as anything more than a bunch of sellswords in blue cloaks.

But that changed the day Lucas Montoya received an unsigned letter, about a week before their story truly started. It was short, simple, and to the point. It pointed them in the direction of somthing huge happening in the Reach Province, and enclosed in the package with the letter was enough money to make any mercenary band charge headlong in the direction of their target.

Which is exactly what they did. And they didn't know, at the time, that most of them would not survive what came after.

This is that chapter of the story. This is a tale of war and peace, of life and sacrifice, and of death and what lies beyond.

This is the Phoenix Saga, and like the mythical creature of their namesake, they will rise from the dust of their ashes... Or be forever forgotten within the sands of time.

[dreamshell]

Okay, that answers the first 1/3 of my inquiry. Judging by your profile, would I be in the ballpark if I assumed stuff like the FF games and similar media are partial inspirations?

[Vormund]

Sorry, I completely blanked on the other 2/3. I've been running a bit of a fever, so I'm not the most attentive right now.

Anyway, the Tone is more of a dark, gritty fantasy as opposed to some happy Narnia world (not that there is anything wrong with Narnia, I read all the books and enjoyed them). Have you ever read any of Glen Cook's stuff, particularly "Chronicles of the Black Company"? Yeah, it's more like that than Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy. And In all honesty, I drew more inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms for my fantasies.

Did that answer your questions?

[dreamshell]

It did at that, thanks. Supposing you got enough people interested, I could be down for playing Phoenix Saga.

No sweat if not, but would you be permitting any non-human races? Since you mentioned D&D/Forgotten Realms, it seems like a possibility.

Edit: Oh, and while I haven't read Glen Cook, I'm aware of the book, at least, so I understand the tone you're aiming for.

Second Edit: For the record, I'd probably enjoy playing a mage or rogue.

[Jack Rinner]

I think id actually be down with phoenix saga. Like Dreamshrll said. Its dark and gritty, something that quite rare coupled with a pretty good story. The characters seem like they would be well balanced.

I'm actually down for playing the greenhorn swordsman or Archer :-)

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Also note this would actually be my first "Advanced" thread. I mainly do "high casual" stuff so I hope you don't mind me in here?

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*I kinda have limitations on what can be done on my cell phones notepad. I actually don't have a laptop anymore :-(

[Olimar]

Definitely interested in the Phoenix Saga. May even be down to play two characters if you wouldn't mind or need some more spots to be filled.

[GrievousKhan]

I'd vote for Phoenix Saga.

[Olimar]

Im not sure where you stand after this interest check but after all those interested in the Phoenix Saga you may want to put up an interest check dedicated to it. Just a thought.