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It is the year 1993 of the so-called 'New Renaissance' era. Mankind has long since traveled beyond the reaches of Earth, settling in new planetary colonies. The most notable of these are Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. Technological developments are at an all-time high and mankind has flourished thanks to the contributions of scientific research. However, not all is tranquil in the Solar System.
The majority of Earth’s continents, under the massive influence of the ITA: International Terrestrial Alliance, have a stranglehold on Mars and Venus. The facilities on these planets toil under the growing demands of the Earth population, churning out raw materials, foodstuffs and other necessities. Not satisfied and needing more resources to maintain its growing populace, Earth has turned its gaze on other planetary colonies. Jupiter is among the list of the ITA’s potential interests; a valuable source of quality gasses. Although the ITA has not made a move towards the independent planets yet, its massive fleet and ground assets could make short work of the colonies individually. The ITA and planetary governments cling to uneasy neutrality; the colonies are safe from the ITA’s full attention, thanks to insurgencies in non-Alliance-controlled regions and independent countries, rallying against the concept of a global political union.
Jupiter and Saturn are longstanding rivals and the most prominent players in the gas mining industry. While the conflict between them has not exploded into all-out war, there have been numerous engagements between Jovian and Cronian-sponsored forces. Clashes between colonies have usually been small-scale skirmishes involving aerospace craft and frames, fighting over resources and strategically-significant installations. Due to the fact that colony fleets are too small to pose much threat, direct, ship-to-ship warfare is rare. Only the ITA has the fleet large enough to challenge the other powers of the Solar System on a widespread scale.
Caught in the tension between the ITA, insurgents, colonies and corporations are numerous mercenary regiments which sell out their talents to the highest bidder. Often military veterans or deserters, these mercs do most of their employers' dirty work - keeping their employers’ hands clean, for the right price. There are many sell-swords out there willing to do just about anything for credits and a bit of thrill, while others are more politically motivated. Mercenary regiments are as diverse as they come, yet one thing's for certain - in a Solar System of intrigue and backdoor deals, the jobs are never in short supply.
What Are Frames?
Frames are humanoid machines, standing between three and six meters tall and weighing between five and twelve tons. They are operated by a single pilot, seated in a cockpit within a frame’s chest. They are designed to perform functions that mirror human activity, only on a much larger scale. Initially, frames were used for labor, but their full potential was realized once companies started developing them as combat vehicles. They provide versatility and mobility to the battlefield, outshining many conventional assets, although they are not end-all super machines. They are noteworthy for their ability to perform well in a variety of terrain that may not be favorable to other vehicles, while bringing an array of respectable firepower to the field.
A frame’s cockpit is located in its chest 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, thermal and night vision. Other systems allow for target acquisition, designation and enable use of GPS. Cockpit designs closely resemble that of jets, having control systems that make use of combinations of sticks, throttles, and foot pedals.
The latest military-grade frames are powered by a reciprocating internal combustion engine. It is located in a backpack-like housing unit on the rear of the machine. At its core is a large, V-shaped support axle, to which multi-chamber cylindrical engine blocks are mounted. The cylinders are arranged parallel to each other. The pistons rotate around the support axle as the engine runs. Each engine block’s output shaft is connected to an assembly housing an axial piston pump, an electric generator and an axial-flow fan. This lets it run on both hydraulic pressure and electrical energy. These engines can run on a variety of fuels. Commonly, they are fed refined gasoline and kerosene, though natural gas, alcohol, machine oil, ammunition propellant, liquid rocket fuel and industrial cleaning solvents are technically viable.
Frames are held together by an internal skeleton of sorts, to which armor and components are attached. Myomers, thin tubes of artificial musculature, sheathe actuators, the joints of the machine. The combination of these components allows frames to perform precise movements and to an extent, mimic those of the human body. They can walk, run, crawl, turn, crouch and leap the same way the human form can.
Multiple layers of laminated steel and composite armor protect the machine’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, they sacrifice protection for ease of movement and speed, fulfilling a niche role on the battlefield. While impervious to small arms and machine gun fire, they 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 their 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, they can just as easily destroy each of these with the appropriate weaponry, especially when cooperating as a team.
As semi-modular machines, frames can be fitted with a variety of equipment and weaponry. Their armament tends to be lighter than that of tanks, as they lack the weight and mass to support heavier weapons. Most are armed with automatic cannons, resembling up-scaled rifles, as primary armaments. Usually, a rocket or missile launcher supplements the primary weapon. Most frames can carry around three armaments at maximum, with the addition of antipersonnel or integrally-mounted weapons. Light machine guns, Gatling guns and grenade launchers are typically employed to engage infantry and light targets. While the combat protocol of most militaries pass the notion of hand-to-hand combat between frames as impractical, there are examples of daring pilots who have either been forced or attempted to use their machine’s vibroknife to disable enemy frames.
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 a system of wheels located on their feet, giving them the ability to traverse ground quickly. These wheels are connected to the drive chain of the machine’s engine, or may be powered by electric motors. This provides them with a higher speed and fuel efficiency on roads and flat ground, and reduced wear on the leg joints. In difficult terrain, however, these advantages are mitigated by the small size of the wheels, and a potential lack of traction. Some variants replace standard wheels with treads, or heavier tires to combat this issue.
Your Role
Player characters will be assumed to be members of the Ganymede Ghosts, a mercenary unit based on Jupiter. It is named after Ganymede, the largest moon both of Jupiter and the Solar System. The unit is your family. The Ghosts are a collection of folks with nothing to lose, looking for a last chance at prosperity. There are ex-military and security personnel, ex-criminals, union workers, civil servants and university students. Men and women from many walks of life have thrown their lot in with the Ghosts.
Currently, the Ghosts are under contract by Osgood Engineering to provide surveillance and security for one of their plants. The facility is located on an artificial colony near a dangerous region of contested space. Cronian incursions into this sector have increased over the past several months, and threaten to snowball into a heated offensive. Saturn denies allegations of these attacks, of course, citing bandit raids and mercenary work. There is, however, much more at work than meets the eye. The sleeping giant Earth is rumored to be expanding its influence, and shadowy entities direct the ebb and flow of unmarked frames, leaving ruin in their wake. What seems like a routine contract just might lead the Ghosts into a web of conspiracy and danger.
Character & Frame Sheets
Please leave sheets in the OOC for approval. They may be moved to the CS tab once given the green light.
Prebuilt Frames
Collected here are a few common frame models. You're free to either use or modify these, or maybe use them as a starting point for an original design.
That’s right, I’m bringing back the original storyline of my FRAMEs roleplays! I have been wanting to reboot it, and have done so with mixed success over the Guild’s lifetime. I decided to go back to where it began - the future! Or at least, an alternate future. This is a very 80s future - CRT monitors, blocky cars, permed hair and shoulder pads.
As usual, players will be mercenary pilots. They'll be offered a few premade frames to chose from, and given the opportunity to design theirs instead. Unlike the original RP, there will be no stats or hard mechanics - the narrative takes precedent. Previous veterans to the roleplays will probably know what to expect.
I’m looking for a number of players that I can rely on to have fun and stay active. No maximum, but I’m hoping for a larger crowd. Step right up if you have any interest in piloting a six-ton mech and blasting away mooks to synthy tunes.
For fans of:
Armored Trooper VOTOMS
Heavy Gear
Macross
Patlabor
Blue Comet SPT Layzner
Vaporwave
Future Funk
Neon
Jean jackets
Flip-up headlights
And so on...
