This is an idea that came to me just on a spur-of-the-moment type deal. What I have now is kinda rough, but I thought I'd post up what I have so far and see if anyone is interested. I've got a lot more to add, and m'taking suggestions for anything that folk would like to see, so, please, bear with me for a bit. ^_^ In the far future [Year 31XX] mankind has spread themselves across the galaxy, expanding beyond their dead homeworld. The Empire of Man, under the guidance of the Golden Halo Council [Representatives from the military forces and the Imperial Church, deciding the fate of the Coalition], have established themselves as a dominant spacefaring force. The Coalition, formed of several sapient races that have allied under the banner of humanity's might, now fight for control of the Known Sectors [Sectors One through Nine being the Known Sectors, with Ten through Twelve being the Unknown] against a ragged array of rebellious souls. Countless worlds have been left desolate in the wake of this hundred-year war and countless more have become nothing but smoldering embers amidst the stars.
Humans, the only race capable of harnessing true magic [though it is limited to the 'white spectrum', ranging from healing to creating shields] have quickly made themselves a power to be reckoned with. The alien races of the Coalition have either joined them willingly, or, through the trial of combat, become servants of the Empire. From this union was born a powerful tool; Magitech, the mysteries of the arcane entwined with the cold steel of science. From this were born the Aegides; powerful machines that embody the pinnacle of the Coalition's advancement. With these machines of war, the Coalition presses onward; crushing those who dare to oppose their will.
It is here, in this harsh future, that a tale of ancient fate and doomed futures begins.
Quick Rundown of Terms/Ideas: The Empire of Man/The Coalition: Officially only referred to as the 'Coalition of Known Sectors', this is the dominant force in the galaxy. Highly advanced machinery, magic and a variety of races lend their strength to this fearsome alliance. The Council [composed of ten members] make a large majority of decisions for the Coalition.
Church of the Golden Halo: A church that has its roots in the far past of humanity's history, beginning, supposedly, shortly after the re-discovery of magic by humans. The Church possesses a Magitech weapon unlike any other military force; The Divine Engine. While the Church preaches a message of benign interaction with so-called 'lesser' races, they are truly advocates of war. Possessing roughly one third of the Coalition's combined military might, the Church is widely influential.
Church of the Golden Halo: Combat Sects
Inquisitors: Sometimes referred to as Hierophants, the Inquisitors serve as the spiritual and militaristic leaders of the Church. Garbed in the lavish robes of their station, they are usually the ones giving the orders and citing scriptures; when the time comes. However, despite their nearly universal power...there exists a wide gap between types of Inquisitors.
Inquisitor: Placed above the common rank-and-file, the Inquisitors without a title or position of extreme power serve simply as relays for the words of those who reside above them. However, that is not to say that they are mere messengers or that they exist without responsibility. Every Inquisitor must be a master of the Church's dogma, able to recite their scripture in any situation; they must be possessed of a sharp mind and the capability to command respect from those who have fallen into their care. Most Inquisitors are skilled healers and shieldcrafters and are often given large groups of Acolytes to direct. Those who are given ranks of Templar to command are often on their way to becoming Grand Inquisitors.
Grand Inquisitor: Given a higher station than their Inquisitor brothers, Grand Inquisitors must have shown tremendous potential in the realms of politics and a deep familiarity with the Church's ways; including a mastery of 'white magic'. While they serve a similar function, there are far fewer Grand Inquisitors than Inquisitors; for the responsibility of managing the more advanced militaristic sects falls into their hands. More often than not, Grand Inquisitors will spend most of their time scheming and plotting against one another for the favor of the True Inquisitor.
The True Inquisitor/The High Inquisitor: There are few within the Church who know of this being's existence, shrouded in mystery and silence as they have been. While it is commonly accepted that the Council decides the fate of the coalition, this is rumored to be untrue; placing all of the Coalition's power solely into this Inquisitor's hands. This man or woman sits atop a throne of faith and power, casting down judgement onto the Sectors. None exist who have seen their face, nor know their true voice. That is not to say, however, that the True Inquisitor does not speak to their underlings...but, simply that it is done through a Spatial Alteration Overlay. The Grand Inquisitors are the only ones able to confirm the True Inquisitor's existence, but are forbidden to speak of it.
Paladins: Responsible for the maintenance of Aegides and the training of new pilots; the Paladins [more specifically, Paladin Squads] serve directly under an Inquisitor. Each Paladin Aegis is unique and built by a team of Paladins; in conjunction with the Church's Magitech Corps. Generally, they are highly proficient in mecha-based combat and an adequate ground force; specializing highly in the blending of their arts to create a balanced and versatile style. The Paladins generally utilize Mirror Frame Armor, intended to magnify their magical capabilities; at the cost of defending themselves properly. The Paladin Sect is headed by Sir Roland Redsword, who answers directly to the Grand Inquisitors.
Templar: Perhaps the most feared of the Church's war-dogs, the Templar are a divided and elitist sect that are possessed of a long history of violence, against their enemies and their own. However, this is due to the aforementioned rift that exists within their ranks.
The most easily recognized Templar are the Black Knights, headed by Black Knight Lombard. This is a fierce and elite squad that rarely utilizes anything but their own swords and strength in combat. Despite their seeming disadvantage, it would seem that the Black Knights, zealots and sycophants, one and all, are all possessed of an increased Divine Engine Resonance; making them, as a group, capable of opposing entire armies on the ground. They are the foil to Paladins, in almost all regards; eschewing magic almost entirely and relying solely on their feral wit and Divine Engine. They favor Stone Carapace Armor, heavy and resilient; but a dagger-riddled gift, in its self. While the Stone Carapace can protect them from even Aegis fire, it drains away at the magic within the body to sustain its personalized shields. The Black Knights answer directly to the Grand Inquisitors.
The Templar, themselves, are a group of devout warriors who serve under an Inquisitor. They are above Acolytes, in station and serve as the largest portion of the Church's military force. They generally are outfitted with combat-mecha, to support the other, more specialized forces. Templar have no specific leader, but are divided into squads that are assigned a leader; who reports to their designated Inquisitor. Templar serve as the most versatile of the Church's forces, capable of changing armor and tactics more quickly than their counterparts. Generally, they are given the Metamorphosis Glyph armor; allowing their combat abilities to be quickly altered by the Magitech Corps Technicians.
Assassins: There is no name attributed to this group, though there have been several rumors spreading through the Known Sectors of a band of assassins that serves to enforce the will of the Grand Inquisitors. The Assassins are picked at a young age, during their Acolyte training, and removed from the common rabble. The exact selection process is unknown, as is the training; though it has been put forth that, perhaps, the Assassins are among the strongest of those capable of using the Divine Engine.
Divine Engine: Though the form varies from person to person, those who can access the Divine Engine are capable of unleashing immense amounts of energy. While it is usually only utilized by Humans in the Church...there are abberants that can tap into this source of power. Beyond this, the Divine Engine is an enigma. Most of those who can use the Divine Engine can only utilize 5% of its true power.
Equipment: Magi Miscellanea
Aegides: Referred to simply as 'mecha' before the integration of Magitech Cores, the Aegides are machines of war; constructed by various sources. Despite there existing some uniform manufacturing lines, most Aegides are unique in their abilities and specifications. Custom Aegides are tailored specifically to the intended pilots' tastes, battle style, inherent abilities and wealth; becoming substantially more expensive to manufacture once certain thresh-holds of pilot integration, Magitech output/sustainability and weapons outfitting.
Several Frames exist for the Core of an Aegis, composed of varying materials and generally suited to withstand, contain and release the Kairo Miasma [Magitech radiation] produced by this Core. These Frames serve as the 'skeleton' of Aegides and upon them are attached the armor that will give true form to the Aegis. More often than not, pilots opt to have a direct link to their Aegides; utilizing the N.I.W.A.S [Neural Inhibition Wavelength Adjustment System], the body of the pilot is placed into a sleep-like state, while leaving the conscious mind in complete control of the Aegis; more or less letting their perspective become that of their Aegis. The largest drawback of the N.I.W.A.S is that, if improperly disconnected [or with sustained damage caused to the Aegis], the pilot can begin to experience severe hallucinations or develop several issues with cognitive skills; becoming disconnected from reality or becoming outright deranged.
However, some still choose to use the 'antiquated' manual systems; either involving a series of appendage-controlled devices, with the assistance of an on-board A.I [particularly daring pilots, using manual systems, utilize the A.I only to assist with particularly difficult long-range attacks] or involve a bodysuit and a stationary platform that emulates and produces the pilot's movements through the Aegides. These methods exist without the mental-health risks posed by the N.I.W.A.S, but also provide a lower overall performance rate for average pilots.
While the Magitech Cores are well protected, it is possible for them to be pierced, crushed or otherwise compromised. Usually, a damaged core will continue to function; though with a dramatic increase in Free Kairo Miasma levels and a huge reduction in the Aegides' capability. Kairo Miasma is deadly to most organisms, with a short exposure period; leading to pilots being quarantined, after returning with a damaged Core. Most of these quarantined pilots die after two or three days of agonizing misery.
Magitech: Created by Dr. Emyra Delto, in conjunction with her husband [Dr. Luchan Delto], Magitech sparked something of a social revolution within the Coalition. Originally a project for military [and Church] use, Magitech was presented to the public just short of ten years after its initial runs. Where, before, humans were the only race capable of producing what is considered True Magic; now, with relatively simple devices, there existed the possibility of any race utilizing the supposed gifts of humanity.
Since its induction [ten years prior 31XX] Magitech has evolved greatly, becoming commonplace among the races of the Coalition and a favored tool of the Church of the Golden Halo. While 'True Magic' [or, at least Human Magic] can only sustain output of the 'white' variety [again, with healing or shielding and other minor beneficial magics], Magitech is capable of accessing the entirety of Magic; capable of producing varying effects, depending on the intention and make of the device.
Several large corportations have taken up producing Magitech for public and military use; as well as fabricating the Magitech Cores for use in Aegides.
Human Companies:
Innana Medical and Munitions- Generally produces heavy-use, high reliability, high cost Magitech that can access Red [fire element/exchange] and Green [earth element/growth] Magic.
Blackthorne Industries- Produces Magitech for the public, meaning that they are designed to be reliable...to a point. Require Magitech Cells [amuples or pods containing gathered White energy; to be converted] to be recharged an re-used. Blackthorne Industries manufactures Magitech that can be acquired in each type of Magic.
Non-human Companies:
[To be added when race submissions get underway.]
Non-human Races:
Kraxian: A bipedal reptilian race from the planet Kraxi [on the edge of Sector Nine]. General height around 6'5 [roughly 2.01 m, same for male and female variants] and weighing roughly 195 lbs [88.4 kg]. Possessed of a tough, scaled hide [hues vary between a sandy beige to a lustrous green], prehensile tail [usually around half the length of their body] and a high resistance [some would say 'love'] to [of] heat.
They migrated from their home, long ago, due to unknown circumstances; meandering their way, slowly, into Coalition space. While they have been a part of the Coalition for nearly fifty years, the Kraxians are viewed as little more than a bother to most of the other races of the Coalition. This is believed to be due to, in part, by their inability to communicate in any way but their own [which consists of a series of guttural grunts and hisses produced from their nasal cavities], though they are capable of understanding other races' languages...it is simply impossible for them to speak them; due to the arrangement of their vocal cords.
Kraxians, while given the same rights as the rest of the Coalition's races, are often found in conditions that most would find to mirror slavery. They work for long hours in excrutiating conditions, asking for little more than food and time to bask in the sunlight [or, if that's an impossibility, simply a 'lamp' strong enough to produce adequate warmth for them]. More often than not, they serve on salvage or junker ships; scraping out a living.
The Kraxians have no representative on the Coalition Council and no true cohesive culture; making them something of a pariah race
[More to be added, soonish.]
As I said, there's a lot more info to come. There will be a variety of races [I'll also be allowing player submissions] and other such interestin' things. For now, I suppose it will be sufficient to say "this roleplay is intended to be a seamless hybrid of high fantasy and science fiction, wherein players will embark on a galaxy spanning adventure to uncover the mysteries behind magic, the Divine Engine and unravel the secrets of their fates." That's all, for now. Thanks for your time!
