FRAMEs is a near-future science fiction roleplay, revolving around the exploits of pilots that operate mechs called FRAMEs (Fully Reactive Armored Mobile Engines). FRAMEs has taken place in different settings in past iterations, but the core story has always been the same: Mercenary work is a common and profitable business in the cutthroat state of the world, and the best known companies are those that specialize in FRAME combat. Players take on the role of pilots in one such company, often finding themselves choosing between greater and lesser evils for the most lucrative contracts. The best hired guns know that money trumps morality in this profession. They do what they have to, no questions asked, or risk suffering the consequences.
FRAMEs takes an overwhelming amount of inspiration from mecha and science fiction anime of the 80s and 90s, including Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Mobile Suit Gundam, Patlabor, Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and many more.
About FRAMEs
FRAME stands for “Fully Reactive Armored Mobile Engine.” They are usually humanoid in appearance - comprised of two arms and legs, a torso and head of some kind. These machines are designed to carry out functions which can be done by humans, only on a much larger scale. Initially designed for labor, FRAMEs are more often associated with a military context. While they are relied on greatly in civilian life, FRAME development has been guided by military-grade research. Within a combat role, FRAMEs are ideal machines for high-speed, high-mobility operations, in which other vehicles would be too unwieldy. They operate not unlike conventional infantry, but upscaled. FRAMEs vary in size depending on their purpose, although most military FRAMEs top off at six meters (approx. nineteen-and-a-half feet) in height. Civilian FRAMEs are considerably smaller.
The latest military-grade FRAMEs are powered by miniaturized, thermonuclear reactors and held together by an internal skeleton of sorts, to which armor and components are attached. Myomers, thin tubes of artificial musculature, sheathe actuators, which are essentially the joints of a FRAME. The combination of these components allows FRAMEs to perform precise movements and to an extent, mimic that of the human body at the pilot’s slightest touch. Multiple layers of laminated steel and composite armor protect the FRAME's internals. In comparison to a main battle tank or armored personnel carrier, a FRAME’s armor integrity is rather light by necessity. To remain mobile, FRAMEs sacrifice protection for ease of movement and speed, fulfilling a niche role on the battlefield. While impervious to small arms and machine gun fire, FRAMEs can be damaged by a direct hit from a high velocity 40 mm grenade launcher and will fare worse to anything more powerful. Armor-piercing autocannon rounds can threaten a FRAME’s armor, and anti-tank rockets or missiles will surely knock it out. To protect themselves against guided weaponry, FRAMEs are fitted with smoke, chaff and flare launchers, and most have electronic warfare packages installed. Main battle tanks, and aircraft are a FRAME’s most dangerous adversaries, especially on open ground. Despite this, FRAMEs can just as easily destroy each of these with the appropriate weaponry, especially when cooperating as a team.
The cockpit of a FRAME is located in the torso and allows the pilot to perceive the outside world through electronic monitors. These displays are connected to various cameras fitted on the FRAME's body; the primary of which is typically mounted on a head unit. A number of sensor suites are also contained within the head unit, allowing it to see in infrared and night vision. Other systems allow for target acquisition, designation and enable use of GPS. Radar, sonar and thermal surveillance systems are standard. Many FRAMEs are partially controlled through a helmet-mounted display. The pilot is able to slave his machine’s weapon systems to their helmet display, effectively controlling the movement of his weapons with his head, much like the system used by Apache helicopter gunners. Cockpit designs closely resemble that of jets, having control systems that make use of combinations of sticks, throttles, and foot pedals. Overall appearances and controls may vary from one manufacturer to another.
As semi-modular machines, FRAMEs can be fitted with a variety of equipment and weaponry and can bring an array of powerful armaments to an engagement. Most are armed with autocannons resembling up-scaled rifles as primary armaments. Supplementary armaments can include missile and grenade launchers, rockets, cannons and other conventional weaponry. Most FRAMEs can carry around three armaments at maximum, with the addition of antipersonnel or integrally-mounted weapons. Light machine guns, Gatling guns and canister shells are examples of defensive weaponry. While the combat protocol of most militaries pass the notion of hand-to-hand between FRAMEs as unrealistic and impractical, there are mercenaries who try to make use of melee weapons on their FRAMEs, whether for better or for worse. Their effectiveness is dubious, but that hasn't stopped them from trying.
FRAMEs are able to operate in a wide range of environments. Common methods of deployment include airdrops from aircraft with sturdy parachutes, amphibious landings by use of underwater propulsion packs, or direct transit via ground-based carriers. All FRAMEs have wheels affixed to the soles of the feet, which are what makes them so mobile. They can use these wheels to “skate” over both short and long distances and perform quick maneuvers or evasion. The style of wheels can be swapped depending on the terrain and can be replaced with tracks. Legs can even be replaced entirely with a tank or IFV chassis. The multitude of options available to FRAMEs makes them truly versatile machines.
Background & Storyline
Emerus is no stranger to conflict. The continent was reduced to barren wastelands in the Third World War. Its survivors emerged as scattered communities from the ashes of once-great countries. Some sought to restore a semblance of civilization, in the hope they could rebuild a familiar world out of the chaos. Others turned to primal lifestyles, roving the wastes as bandits and taking what they could. For these individuals, the world had reverted to its natural state - survival of the fittest. The shrewd sought to capitalize on their situations, turning profits from collecting and distributing the resources they could get their hands on.
It’s been nearly a decade since the end of that terrible war. While most of the world has been left to degrade into ruin, pockets of city-states have risen up across Emerus. Determined to carry on as the progeny of dead nations, their people have managed to carve out small utopias for themselves. Within their walls, they can continue to live, play and work, largely removed from the lawlessness outside. Raiders still stake claims across badlands and the descendants of soldiers continue to fight one another, unaware or unconcerned that the war is over. Not every city-state is tranquil either, as race riots, unemployment and crime continue to plague many, and clever corporate remnants rebuild their empires, ready to exploit the world dry. To make matters worse, many states come to blows over scarce resources.
The troubles of Emerus are like a magnet for mercenaries. Where there is a problem to be solved, there is money to be made, and these soldiers of fortune depend wholly on strife to feed themselves. Many despise them, many idolize them, and their services are always needed.
This installment of FRAMEs will follow a troop of mercenaries known as the Oprian Irregulars. Their founding goes back before the end of the war, formed from a number of ex-military that had been stationed in Opria, Francia. The company’s roster has undergone many revisions, and it is no surprise that there are none alive who know the full extent of its history. They are often referred to as “daggers,” a moniker taken from the black dagger insignia on their FRAMEs and patches. Their fame is neither great nor small, being just another name on the roster of hundreds of hired corps. Their most recent contract is security detail for a backwater mining operation. It’s steady, but not particularly glamorous or lucrative; the pay is just high enough to break even with their expenses. What the future has in store for the unit remains to be seen…
Guidelines & Rules
Character & FRAME Sheets
