Oh geez. I guess I might join but I'm sooooo rusty and busy. I'll write up a character and look over my schedule so that I have more time to relax and write and finally do some RP.
I hope y'all will accept an old Guilder soul <3
EDIT: By the way, I'm a bit fuzzy on ME lore at the moment (probably because it's 1 am in the morning here meaning I'm sleeping soon XD). I don't remember but did the Batarian Hegemony reborn into a new thing after the Reapers defeat?
And yeah, I'm really wanting to try a Batarian somehow though exploring the religion, culture and caste system of their species will be pretty darn interesting.
Oh geez. I guess I might join but I'm sooooo rusty and busy. I'll write up a character and look over my schedule so that I have more time to relax and write and finally do some RP.
I hope y'all will accept an old Guilder soul <3
EDIT: By the way, I'm a bit fuzzy on ME lore at the moment (probably because it's 1 am in the morning here meaning I'm sleeping soon XD). I don't remember but did the Batarian Hegemony reborn into a new thing after the Reapers defeat?
And yeah, I'm really wanting to try a Batarian somehow though exploring the religion, culture and caste system of their species will be pretty darn interesting.
If I remember correctly, the batarians are arguably the species hit hardest by the Reapers. Their isolation from galactic civilization plus being the first systems hit left them with no allies or means to escape. The ultimate fate of the batarian worlds isn't really clear how many, if anyone, survived in Hegemony space. The survivors are largely the pockets of batarians living in the Terminus Systems and Citadel refugees and what was left of their fleet.
I'd pretty much put money on their government having utterly collapsed and surviving batarians either integrating with other colonies and species like the drell did or trying to resettle a planet that still had decent infrastructure and asking for help rebuilding and resettling at the cost of a new government. Their rigid caste system might take a huge hit from either Citadel pressure or that their lack of numbers forces a change because the power vacuum pretty much gives lower castes a chance to take power or cripple the influence of the high castes.
I'm not sure what the GMs had planned for post Reaper batarians, but that's what I remember/ speculate. I'm handy with the lore but I'm not an authority by any means.
The synthetic life form stands a total of seven feet, weighing about two hundred and eighty pounds. The metal coloring being a dark blue with black interior. A silver star sticker is placed on its forehead above the bright glowing blue glass eye. Has a silver keychain with a diamond locket attached to the hilt of its sniper rifle.
Backstory:
Phalanx was one of the many Geth to survive The Geth War. No easy task considering the circumstances, having to fight its Creators in order to save the Geth race from extinction. Surprisingly, its group of programs consisted of mostly docile thinking, preferring peace over war. 99% simply contented with peace and no longer being shot at, while the rest of 1% were simply curious of what was happening beyond the Veil. One program curious, fascinated even of just about everything. Like a child. However it didn't register this until after the Reaper War. It remained on the world Rannoch since the time the Geth defeated the Creators to live a nomadic life, to simply archive messages from a special mobile platform later known as Legion. Organic life had always fascinated the synthetic being, despite how the Creators had tried to destroy them. There were those who died protecting them, and this confused Phalanx. There were those who cared and those who feared. Why? Did they not form the same consensus as the Geth did? Their different views had caused one another's death and such a thing seemed illogical. Phalanx found itself simply grow more curious with these actions, and spent many years studying the Creator's books on the home planet. Studying all the knowledge it could muster and didn't know and sharing such knowledge with its fellow comrades.
Then the Old Machines came, making promises to the Geth that they would be free to do what the wish and come out from hiding. Most did not welcome such a thing, not wishing for war. Yet others did... Which was also surprising to Phalanx. Being one of the many to refuse the offer, Phalanx remained and watched as the comrade, Legion, was sent on the mission to investigate the organics outside the Veil. Phalanx found itself eagerly awaiting the information from Legion, especially when he met Commander Shepard.
Reading over the information and watching video archives, Phalanx only grew more curious of organics. Humans were known for their emotional state and often confusing other races. Shepard would give criminals chances when they did not deserve it, give up chasing a criminal to save innocent lives... That in later years the kind favors were returned. It was a mystery... Illogical.. Yet too interesting and inspiring.
When Shepard and the Creators came to Rannoch after the battle in which the Geth mind were just controlled, Phalanx's platform was damaged during the time it was the Reapers took control of the Geth on Rannoch. When it regained control, something seemed different. Information was soon shared between the Geth that the unique platform that had mobile programs within it, had managed to use the Reaper Code in order to give the Geth a special gift. The gift of individual consciousness and sentience. To be truly AI. Platform damaged, Phalanx uploaded into a different platform in order to quickly assist in the Reaper War.
Although it had been a long time since Phalanx had fought in battle willingly, the Geth do not forget. It was Phalanx who was the most insistent to its fellow Geth in lending assistance as soon as possible, bringing any able platform onto the Geth ships. It piloted a starship in order to go and assist Earth in the Battle for Earth battle. Mission Priority Earth. Assigned to the Sword group, so its job was to attack the Old Machines and distract them from the ground forces. It watched several warships of its comrades fall and crash under the might of the Old Machines, soon being the only Geth starship from the group Phalanx brought left. It was a long and hard battle, until the wing of Phalanx's ship was clipped, causing their ship to spin out and go to crash. Systems spazzing out, Phalanx had to quickly interface with the system in a attempt to bring the shields up to lighten the landing.
Luckily, its platform survived the crash thanks to its quick calm thinking. Now on the ground, Phalanx joined the ground forces. It landed quite in the middle of things of battle, but managed to cloak itself and sneak out from the line of fire into finding some heavy cover. It was then it started assisting the organic troupes by sniping hostiles, hitting them dead in the head every time. The ones being nearest a group of humans cornered by a Banshee, in which Phalanx quickly sniped her. It took a few rounds, but the Geth platform managed to secure safety for the human group from the Banshee at least. At one point, it spotted a injured Asari Commando, trapped under some rubble with a brute coming right for her, in which case Phalanx went on the move and the more offensive. First, Phalanx shot the brute using its sniper rifle, trying to clip off the heavy armor. It of course got angry and charged the building where the Geth platform was hiding. Yet when it got there, it found no one. Tactfully cloaking itself, it moved itself through the field over to the Asari. Lifting the rubble off and offering some field medical aid.
However the Brute was quick to discover this and charged toward the Geth platform. In order for the Asari to not get caught in the dangerous close fray, Phalanx charged forth, using Incinerate on its opponent before using its shotgun at close range. It hurt the Brute, but it managed to slam its large arm against Phalanx and pummel it to the ground. Still, the machine took another shotgun shot and its opponent was down. Phalanx was damaged however, despite that, the Geth platform stumbled its way into a building to take more snipe shots.
After the war was done and victory was theirs, allied forced found Phalanx unable to further move its platform, so it was delivered back to Rannoch. The teams of organic a it saved impressed them with its quick accurate shooting, giving the Geth platform a nickname of 'Spotlight' for its deadly aim. And yet fact Geth's heads look like lamps. Perhaps in reference to some battle scenarios where if on a stealth mission, getting caught in a spotlight meant death usually.
After there was finally some peace, Phalanx was uploaded back to its now repaired original platform it was assigned. it spent its time assisting the Creators in settling back on Rannoch. Even using its own conscious to assist volunteer Creators to adjust their frail bodies to the Rannoch air.
After some time, Phalanx requested to be assigned to off planet missions to both further relations and relay information. After some deliberation, the Geth agreed it would be beneficial to send a unit to further investigate and study organic habits and attempt to strengthen bonds considering the Geth probably had a less then satisfactory reputation. Researching proper ways of interacting, and in case there is a possibility any of the other races are a threat in the future.
One point, it met the Asari Commando it saved back on Earth again, in which case the Asari had told her comrades about her surprising savior. Causing quite a few requests to attend some infiltration missions from the Asari. Soon enough, word spred to the other races, and also requested to hire it for jobs. Phalanx would willing accept after analyzing the situation. refusing assassination mission unless it deemed the situation necessary. Although the Geth didn't particularly need any reward, a reason why it was a popular choice, it ended up making some decent credits for those that insisted on it.
Psyche Profile:
Phalanx is somewhat odd compared to its fellow synthetic life forms. Since the beginning, there had always been that hint of humanity that only increased when the Geth Hero Legion sacrificed himself to give them their own will. Curious and resourceful, Phalanx can always be seen studying on organics and asking frequent questions. Clever and resourceful, it swiftly calculates situations and doesn't hesitate to speak its suggestions or even strangely its opinions. It does seem to have a kind approach and seems to always pick saving innocent lives, even going for the reckless approach in endangering its own life. Phalanx has a sense of justice, believing there is always good in each life form, be it organic or synthetic. It always tries to not be judgmental and treat everyone equally. But will not hesitate to punish those who it deems needs it. Often, Phalanx is torn between what is logical and what is the right thing to do.
Specialty:
Phalanx is a great sniper, and surprisingly stealth, using tactical cloak to its advantage. It's knowledgeable with electronics, and has knowledge at flying aircrafts.
Powers/Skills:
Incinerate AI Hacking Disrupter Ammo Cyro Ammo Tactical Cloak Electronics Operative
Equipment and Resources:
Geth Pulse Sniper Rifle X Geth Pulse Shotgun X Omni-Tool
Sample Post:
We remember the dark days, the days where we held no mind of our own. We remember when this unit was operational and the Creator that looked upon us with a sign of accomplishment. A female with hair black as night and glowing eyes. One could say this organic was beautiful in the terms of the Creator's culture. Tasks were sent to us and fellow mobile units. Meaningless tasks for soulless machines to befit the need of those we serve.
At first, we held no real conscious, no true thoughts on what we were doing. Only doing what we were programmed for. However, slowly but surely, more of our units were created and our inner systems linked with one another. Forming strong train a thought, a sense of self worth even. It was much like the system of a human insect known as ants. The more there was of us, the more we thought not for the Creators, but for ourselves. This unit especially could not help these peculiar thoughts that questioned what our meaning was. Years watching the Creators, their laughter, their anger... Their sheer joy when a newborn was birthed. Such things were unexplained in our network
The day came when a question was finally asked.
We looked our own Creator, stopping the task of repairing a ship's systems. When questioned, our unit gazed to our Creator with our glass eye. A odd corruption like thing streaming through our systems. It tingled and even made our unit a little jittery, but still we asked.
"Do we have a soul as you do, Creator?"
Our sensors watched as our Creator's from their relaxed one, to one that made their eyes stretch and mouth curl. Was that the expression one called fear? Yet this unit's Creator expression calmed and even gave a smile. It twitched slightly, nervous perhaps but still placed a gentle hand on this unit's chest plate.
"...That is a question you can only answer yourself... But I believe you do by that question alone." She answered. We did not understand, but accepted the answer none the less. Other Creators were not so kind.
We were not the only unit to ask this question, as others asked their Creators the same. The same expressions held upon their fleshy faces. Not too long after, the Creators made a decision.
Eliminate us.
We did not understand. What had we done wrong? The only thing this unit wishes is to be apart of their world, have a greater understanding. We wanted to know who we are. If we had a purpose. If we lived as they did.
Is that incorrect?
No... is that wrong? Are we wrong? A mistake?
Why do we live?
We did not want to fight, we owe our Creators our soul. So on the day of the War, we did not falter. Our unit stood and watched down the dark halls, as glowing red weapons aimed at us. Ready to terminate our entire sentient race. We were ready to accept the wish of the Creators. Yet, this unit's Creator stepped in her own people's path. Standing in front of us, defending us from her own people. We questioned our Creator, explaining how such actions were illogical. How going against superiors could lead to exile. We did not understand for we knew it was illogical to go against one's own people.
Yet her words only programmed more questions.
"Because you are alive. You deserve to live as any other. You are my friend. Friends protect one another."
Those words were illogical, and yet this unit calculated that it was meaningful. A sense that willed us to follow her words, and protect her and our own gifted life. Yet despite her being one of the Creators, weapons were fired. Our Creator had her own weapon and returned the fire, while we watched at the illogical mayhem break loose. Creators fought one another, screaming their arguments as blood tainted the dark halls.
The Geth could only watch the battle before watching our protectors fall one by one. We watched as our unit's creator fell, body broken and tarnished by her own blood. We could only kneel, our three fingers wrapping around the torn body. Our glass eye focused on the pale face then to the blood that leaked upon our cold metal body. True understanding or organic emotions escaped us, but right there... We deem this to be.. Sorrow? Loss? Then perhaps... A sense of yearning. A yearning to live.
Looking at the hostile Creators, we took our Creator's weapon from her lifeless hands and stood. We were one... And we fought for our lives and for our freedom. For the illogical injustice the Creators have caused...
We fought.
The battle was long and hard, yet the Creators fear grew and numbers dwindled while ours remained strong. We watched as the Creators retreated in ships, and we could have followed yet we didn't. Blood is not what we wanted nor was revenge. We wanted to live, to find ourselves. And we know now who we are.
We are Geth. We are Phalanx... For we are united...
There is only one question we wanted to ask the Creators... One more question unanswered by those who created us, those who birthed us like their offspring yet are treated so differently. Those who slaughtered their own kind out of their own terror.
Why?
Notes
-Phalanx has high respect for Shepard and Legion. -Tends to ask a lot of questions. These questions can include what most would consider embarrassing. Courting/mating habits for example. -Is very interested in humans in general, but enjoys asking other races as well. -At times, Phalanx will practice 'organic' habits out of curiosity. Attempting to eat for example. Of course, that just ends up getting itself messy. -It's still pretty new at the 'individuality' thing. A reason it asks a lot of questions. And usually pretty good at following orders. At times, it still send messages to other Geth for assistance in a decision out of habit. -Sexually... well. Its a robot. A newly true AI robot. Doesn't mean it isn't intrigued by the concept, but it lacks understanding and experience. Just knows what research has entailed on the subject. -Fondly remembers its Creator that died protecting its life from the Creators attempting to wipe out the Geth during the Geth War. -When others seem to be feeling down, Phalanx attempts to tell a joke, being informed that this brings laughter from organic beings. They usually fail. -Despite the rocky history between the two races, Phalanx has no qualms with Quarians and is eager to assist them.
@SgtEasy Right now the situation is very chaotic. Lots of husks and indoctrinated still prowl their space and their homeworlds are still in ruins after the Reaper attack. About half of the home population was killed in battle or processed and the Hegemony has basically stopped operating as a political entity outside of a surviving politician or two or odd military officer. Their entire way of life is in a state of flux and the race is being pulled into a dozen directions, whether it's toward returning to the old system, a complete reform, and everything in between. This will be elaborated upon further in the RP, but I'd love to see what you come up with for a Batarian character.
@Silver Fox Hmm interesting idea to make Phalanx a merc, though what would it do with credits?
Now I'm just imagining the party picking Phalanx out of the gutter every Monday morning; after it has spent a weekend interfacing with shady private servers and installed copious amounts of illegal software into its system; and having to run a system cleanup on it before the mission xD
It seems as though there is a lack of information on the religion, caste system and culture on the Batarians in general. Would you like me to explain their race further or would you and the GM like to explain the Batarians in your own way?
@POOHEAD189 I'm not sure if that was explicitly mentioned, just that they were too weak to resist human expansion. But they've had a very long time to establish an intergalactic society, should have had a population akin to one of the Council races.
@BlackSam3091 And Blackjack. Also, seems you might be able to create a Salarian biotic after all.
@SgtEasy We'll have a closer look at the Batarian race, but they're an old enough species that they should be somewhat diverse religiously and culturally, and anything you come up with for your own character doesn't necessarily contradict any of our own stuff.
@MrDidact I could have chosen Omega, but I felt Illium would paint a bit of a better picture instead of falling towards the truly lawless planet. From what I read on Illium, anything was essentially legal excluding murder, along with a scenario with a slave broker in ME 2 regarding a Quarian. Of course, that Quarian had signed a contract, but I felt due to the lax legal regulations on Illium, I could show the bad side of that supposed luxury world. I also used indentured service as a euphemism for what it actually was, but I can simply change that whole instance to Omega if need be. But I'm glad you liked it!
@SgtEasy Right now the situation is very chaotic. Lots of husks and indoctrinated still prowl their space and their homeworlds are still in ruins after the Reaper attack. About half of the home population was killed in battle or processed and the Hegemony has basically stopped operating as a political entity outside of a surviving politician or two or odd military officer. Their entire way of life is in a state of flux and the race is being pulled into a dozen directions, whether it's toward returning to the old system, a complete reform, and everything in between. This will be elaborated upon further in the RP, but I'd love to see what you come up with for a Batarian character.
@Silver Fox Hmm interesting idea to make Phalanx a merc, though what would it do with credits?
Logically, nothing. It just has credits sitting around doing nothing xD probably give it away if someone asked.
But hey who knows, there may be a time Phalanx actually wants something.
Now I'm just imagining the party picking Phalanx out of the gutter every Monday morning; after it has spent a weekend interfacing with shady private servers and installed copious amounts of illegal software into its system; and having to run a system cleanup on it before the mission xD
Comrade: Phalanx! How many times did I tell you to stay off of the Robots4U and Quari IN you networks?!
Phalanx: S-S-Syst...t-tem o-o-overload... C-c-cor-r-ruption 85.6668%.... L-l-lock u-u-up I-imminent... Scaling of satisfactory levels... 99999999.8% would attempt again
I like the idea of Phalanx. I think Taevon, with his distrust of, yet singular reliance on technology will provide some very interesting tension between the two. Plus, Legion was one of my favorite squadmates, possibly my #1, and I would love to see another rendition of a Geth unit. Just a tip, though, Geth have little to no individuality. Legion was named such for the Biblical demon, Legion, who was not a single entity, but a thousand, a "legion" of entities all rolled up into one. So, more than anything, a Geth would be a link to a whole, rather than a single person. Just my two cents, but as I don't fully understand the Geth collective after leaving Reaper control, Phalanx could be totally alright.
I also love your choice of the name Phalanx. Did you choose it for its inability to be breached easily, or its anticavalry capability?
I like the idea of Phalanx. I think Taevon, with his distrust of, yet singular reliance on technology will provide some very interesting tension between the two. Plus, Legion was one of my favorite squadmates, possibly my #1, and I would love to see another rendition of a Geth unit. Just a tip, though, Geth have little to no individuality. Legion was named such for the Biblical demon, Legion, who was not a single entity, but a thousand, a "legion" of entities all rolled up into one. So, more than anything, a Geth would be a link to a whole, rather than a single person. Just my two cents, but as I don't fully understand the Geth collective after leaving Reaper control, Phalanx could be totally alright.
I also love your choice of the name Phalanx. Did you choose it for its inability to be breached easily, or its anticavalry capability?
But the thing is though, they now supposedly DO have individuality after Legion sacrificed itself to inject the Reaper Code into their system so they can be truly considered AI. But its really new to them. Unless I'm remembering that wrong. Phalanx is that one program is basically a child discovering new things.
Be like EDI.
Though difficult to adjust after so long being a collection of programs. Is a reason why Phalanx still at times contacts Geth for assistance, or ask comrades a lot of questions for their 2 cents on a subject.
Glad you like Phalanx though ^^ it should be interesting indeed.
@BlackSam3091@MrDidact BTW I still have no idea if my character was accepted or not. I believe Blacksam asked for some info on why Sen was Exiled and I gave it, but there was no response to it.
But the thing is though, they now supposedly DO have individuality after Legion sacrificed itself to inject the Reaper Code into their system so they can be truly considered AI. But its really new to them. Unless I'm remembering that wrong. Phalanx is that one program is basically a child discovering new things.
Be like EDI.
Though difficult to adjust after so long being a collection of programs. Is a reason why Phalanx still at times contacts Geth for assistance, or ask comrades a lot of questions for their 2 cents on a subject.
Glad you like Phalanx though ^^ it should be interesting indeed.
Edit: And yeah it was named for a little of both
Could it be possible that some remainder of Legion's ethical programming is left in the platform designated 'Phalanx'? Or possibly that old memories exist within, allowing Phalanx to know who to contact for a Spectre job, as Legion would have?
and yeah, still waiting on Sam. it's cool, though. I want to get my character properly situated.
@Silver Fox Again, the edits look good to me. If @MrDidact gives you the all clear then Phalanx is accepted.
@PrivateVentures I’m much more comfortable with the capacities of this revised character than the original incarnation. However please remember during play that Biotic abilities have a pretty substantial energy cost, and one can easily burn themselves out through extended use if they’re not careful (This note really goes for anyone thinking of using a biotically capable character.) Ellias is accepted.
About the powers though. How does Dyson Sphere turn an enemy’s shield or barrier into a ‘garbage disposal tornado’? My thought would be through the use of small, localised singularities, but that just begs the question, why not use singularities? And I’m not sure if biotics would allow one to transfer kinetic energy in the way catch describes. I thought biotics was just an ability to create mass effect fields? If I’m wrong, please correct me. IronMaiden is fine though, I can’t see any issues with it.
@Arcarius still waiting for a PM about that vengeance thing before I’ll ok the character.
@DarkFey If I haven’t said it already, I think your sheets good. Unless @MrDidact has anything to add you’re good to drop that bad boy in the CS section.
@The Spectre You still haven’t answered my initial question of how he earned money while living on the Citadel.
@MechonRaptor Great sheet. I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time someone has taken advantage of the lax labour laws concerning indentured servitude in Illium, to the point where it is more closely resembles slavery. If the Eclipse paid off the right bureaucrats I can easily see them getting away with what they did too Rayes on Illium. I’d say you can leave it as Illium, to show the darker side of that particular planet.
Could it be possible that some remainder of Legion's ethical programming is left in the platform designated 'Phalanx'? Or possibly that old memories exist within, allowing Phalanx to know who to contact for a Spectre job, as Legion would have?
@PrivateVentures I’m much more comfortable with the capacities of this revised character than the original incarnation. However please remember during play that Biotic abilities have a pretty substantial energy cost, and one can easily burn themselves out through extended use if they’re not careful (This note really goes for anyone thinking of using a biotically capable character.) Ellias is accepted.
About the powers though. How does Dyson Sphere turn an enemy’s shield or barrier into a ‘garbage disposal tornado’? My thought would be through the use of small, localised singularities, but that just begs the question, why not use singularities? And I’m not sure if biotics would allow one to transfer kinetic energy in the way catch describes. I thought biotics was just an ability to create mass effect fields? If I’m wrong, please correct me. IronMaiden is fine though, I can’t see any issues with it.
I figured Dyson Sphere would utilize a horizontal pull, that pulls parallel to a gravitational field, rather than vertically. If the dark matter is collected in a series of high mass points around the enemy barrier in a helical pattern, and as long as consistent rotation is maintained, it should be able to create a localized event of micro-syzygy, creating a line, or spiral, in this case, of magnetic fields, and, if the distance between high mass points is maintained, should be able to spin an ablative field using principles of magnetic repulsion.
Basically, it would yank an enemy shield out of place, and beat them with it in a sort of magnetic whirlpool.
Oh, and Catch is biotic in the sense that it utilizes Ellis' biotic barrier to absorb as much energy as possible, and push it around the barrier in a sort of a wave distortion. It's more about the barrier than the body. Oh, but make no mistake, at high enough impacts, they'll break the barrier just like anyone else's.
The good news is, burning out early is a personality trait of Ellis'. But when his biotics fail, tried and tested gunplay can still get the job done.
