CONCEPT -
Humanity has entered the next stage of civilization. Population has grown, and so has the technological level of our race. The time has finally come where we have left our own solar system in search of other habitable worlds…. In search of extraterrestrial life. We have broken beyond our shell! We have reached Alpha Centauri! In a time where Earth has close to 10 billion inhabitants and there is nearly 1 billion more spread out over Earth’s moon, Mars and other moons in the solar system, moving beyond was the only logical solution.
Going at virtually light speed travel – it takes under four and a half years to reach this new solar system. Going to Alpha Centauri certainly has no lack of volunteers from eager scientists and researchers, however only a very select few are able to make the journey, and as a round trip takes about nine years, it is no small undertaking, although thanks to cryogenic stasis it feels like a nap to the traveler. Both private and public ships can make the flight, but mostly it is dominated by the International Space Travel Organization (ISTO), a joint project containing dozens of countries.
Humanity is new to exploring Alpha Centauri, and we have not yet explored all of the four planets orbiting Alpha Centauri. The first, Perses, is too hot to be habitable and is very similar to Mercury. The next planet, Vesta, is currently where the bulk of the humans are. The planet is not earthlike, but mostly comparable to Mars: a terraforming prospect. The scientists are currently trying to grasp Vesta’s history by examining the landscape. The last planet is Selene, which is a planet captured by frozen blizzards and vast fields of snow. The idea that life could exist there is fascinating, but Selene is too difficult to explore right now.
The third planet from the sun is the one that captures the interest of scientists and humanity as a whole. This planet is Rhea, or “the cave planet” as many back home are calling it. It is barren on the surface – covered by blue rock with the occasional lightning storm – but what’s unique about Rhea is that it has a huge underground system of caves, and some caverns are speculated to be as large as the state of Rhode Island. There is even oxygen in many of these caverns – leading to speculation of some kind of underground plant life. Maybe Rhea holds the key to our first encounter with another life form?
It’s your job to find out. You’ll be on a mission to discover life on Rhea – think of the opportunities! The adventure of exploring the caves! To step where no man has stepped before! It was even relatively easy to get your spot on the expedition team, and the pay is astronomical (no pun intended). Of course, there is one catch. Another team went in before you, and all contact was lost. By all accounts, it appears that their communication was severed… violently. It was probably a cave in, but then again… maybe they made first contact with whatever lives in the caves.
Good luck in the caves of Rhea, brave pioneer. We pray that we see you again.
CHARACTERS -
You’ll have the choice of playing several kinds of characters. I expect (and encourage) that we will be mostly comprised of scientists – biologists, geologists, (Basically, any of these fields and biologists of all kinds) Also consider a sociologist, linguist, or archaeologist if life is actually found. Now, I know it might be intimidating to play a scientist – a smart one at that, to be accepted for this mission. But this roleplay isn't about science. It’s about expedition, adventure, danger and discovery. You don’t actually have to be a biologist to play one. In addition to respected scientists, assistants and students could also have secured a spot on the trip, if they were well trusted. Someone has to do all of the boring work, after all.
Second, there are a few guards this time around. Some are military (international, any country could volunteer a soldier). Others might be retired military, police, or privately trained. They aren't expected to do any actual work, but are just there for the safe of mind of the scientists, but they might be in for more than they bargained for...
In addition to the soldiers, there are also survivalists. Army rangers, emergency medical technicians, search and rescue experts, even park rangers, these people are trained in dealing with natural disasters and accidents. They’re to help if anything goes wrong with the science team in the caves. Their help is priceless when the team is on their own.
Lastly, there might be a ‘public figure’ going on this trip. This person could be a popularizer of science (think Neil deGrasse Tyson or Michio Kaku), who is there to gain public interest and funding by recording the experience and transmitting it back to Earth. It could also be a regular celebrity who has a history of supporting science. I’ll only allow one of these characters.
If you can think of anyone else who would fit on this expedition that you'd like to play, please suggest it.
...
This roleplay will, at first, be about character development. You’ll discover the caves and you’ll learn more about Rhea, make new discoveries, and the world the roleplay is set in. And then, things will change, and it won't be a change for the good. The roleplay will become about survival and finding out the secrets of Rhea and even humanity's interest in Alpha Centauri. It will be considerably more fast paced as the situation goes from exploration to life and death struggle to find answers and escape the danger. If you have any questions, please ask.