[OOC] 'Misthophoroi' - A Sci-Fi Mercenary RP

[POOHEAD189]

Sorry, got a hell of a busy week and am having health problems. D:

[Canoli]

Damn. Read through the thread only to finish with that second to last post on the other page. Haha, what a shame. Oh well, I will say that I enjoyed the the premise and the focus on narrative as opposed to gaming, so feel free to let me know if/when you try throwing something like this up again in the future!

[Tsar Gatto]

Still here and willing to participate, my apologies about the delay.

I admit I had troubles with getting a decent character concept and that was part of why I'm taking so long, but also I've started a new job that is really complicated with what feels like an almost vertical learning curve - so I haven't had the usual time or energy.

That being said I do have a character now in mind and am still very willing to continue writing my CS up if you guys @POOHEAD189@Bishop@Jbcool@Canoli are also wanting too?

I feel there is just far too much potential to let this one die before it is even born.

[Bishop]

@Tsar Gatto My CS is already ready. I was the first one to be ready! Still am.

[POOHEAD189]

If you're willing to wait until after my little brother's wedding this Saturday, I am willing to continue.

[Tortoise]

I am also willing to continue. I'm just very, very, VERY busy.

[Jb]

@Canoli@Jeyma@POOHEAD189@Tsar Gatto@Bishop

You lot are a hard bunch to say no to...but just knowing that you intend to continue is enough for me, I cannot abide disappearing players, at least not unless they tell me that they're intending to disappear.

[Tsar Gatto]

Okay excellent, well I've got my CS mostly written up - just need to flesh it out and add some fine tuning. At the moment it kind of reads a little like a long bio, but I've tried to add in bits of lore and things I'll need to work on as well.

A few follow up questions to what I've got so far if you will.

Do we have any specific time frames for this Valnaur conflict, or specifically how long ago did it end? I was imagining several years maybe? Short enough that there are still lots of veterans about? Or long ago enough that younger folks don't remember it or weren't born yet?

Did we have any kind of name for this confederate alliance of human systems? Assuming we want something better than the Confederated Systems or anything like that?

How about currency? I'm again guessing that we don't want some kind of universal 'credit' or anything quite like that? I mean maybe one or two big currencies and then lots of other ones? Maybe some very valuable resource (beyond the usual space booty anyway)?

@Jbcool

[POOHEAD189]

@Canoli@Jeyma@POOHEAD189@Tsar Gatto@Bishop

You lot are a hard bunch to say no to...but just knowing that you intend to continue is enough for me, I cannot abide disappearing players, at least not unless they tell me that they're intending to disappear.

@Jbcool

[Tortoise]

@Canoli@Jeyma@POOHEAD189@Tsar Gatto@Bishop

You lot are a hard bunch to say no to...but just knowing that you intend to continue is enough for me, I cannot abide disappearing players, at least not unless they tell me that they're intending to disappear.

@Jbcool

I'm almost finished, worry not.

My CS will put @Bishop to shame! (I jest, I joke)

[POOHEAD189]

Phew ok. Back, and will work on my charrie this week.

[Tsar Gatto]

Well here is what I have so far. Still needs work but I thought I'd get it up sooner rather than later.
@Jbcool

Sinval Drossili

It has been several years since the end of the Valnaur conflict that left the vast majority of the known systems of the galaxy in tatters. Though the Empire itself has turned inwards and isolationist the long sought after peace feels somewhat hollow and empty to most.

In the void left by the now decimated forces of the Valnauri and Confederated systems there have risen a great many mercenary groups and factions that now thrive. Initially these groups were created and swelled by large numbers of defectors from all sides of the conflict as it drew to a close, further augmented by those with a desire for wealth or a lust for battle. It seems the denizens of the stars have traded one evil for another as the issue continues to grow and both experienced and inexperienced warriors of all kinds flock together and fight for anyone with the wealth or desire for conquest they choose.

One such man has found his place in this new world, having himself ‘defected’ from those he once called master. Sinval Drossili was born on a distant world known as Tolok Mathiti – a colony belonging to the Galenti worlds, a vassal system itself unto one of the leading members of the confederated alliance.
Unfortunately for him the world of Tolok Mathiti was not a pleasant one. Between the blisteringly hot days and the freezing cold nights there was also the vast array of hideously deadly creatures that called the planet home. If that were not bad enough, the ‘society’ on the remote colony comprised of what could easily have been called a very advanced heavily bureaucratic caste-slavery system, one to which Sinval was born towards bottom of. A child labourer as soon as he was deemed old enough to work, he was ‘conscripted’ as child soldier before he hit the years of puberty (unfortunately the Galenti worlds have always suffered from heavy civil unrest as well as a sizable piracy problems), young life was far from what most would call pleasant for the young man.

His life comprised of rigorous drilling and training, brutal conflicts and simply trying to survive the many obstacles that presented themselves. He became hard and strong as was demanded of him, and through that and a great deal of fortune he found himself surviving to the earliest stages of adulthood before everything changed. The conflict against the Valnaur Empire was growing dire at this stage, and though considered primitive in terms of technology compared to the other confederated systems the Galenti worlds were drawn heavily into the raging war as losses mounted. The colony of Tolok Mathiti was completely abandoned, it’s ‘citizens’ being either conscripted or relocated as their entire way of life was torn asunder. Sinval and the rest of the troops he had fought with were incorporated into a much larger Galenti force that was then sent to be ‘modernized’ and re-trained as quickly as possible. He was sent to the very core systems of the confederation, to a highly militarised system for only one week of training before they were then sent into the heart of the conflict.

Suffice to say the war was not pleasant and the Galentiese forces took heavy casualties. Sinval however somehow survived before being incorporated into a different force altogether. After several years more of fighting, it seemed his fortune had expired as he was hit by part of a flechette charge – though he survived any fatal effects he was severely wounded and unable to continue the fight without major treatment. Once more sent back towards the core-worlds he was given the most state of the art care available (a gesture towards one of the few surviving Galenti soldiers – the Galenti worlds had since been decimated and ravished by the Valnauri forces) he slowly recovered.

By this point in his life Sinval Drossili was an extremely different man from the one that had left Tolok Mathiti. He had seen worlds and cities beyond his imagining, sights and places he could not have dreamed of. He had lived with people from countless places more, many of them he would have considered friends before they had died one way or another at least. He once had practically no education, now he spoke several languages and knew many customs, though he still lacked any formal teaching he had become a man of the stars in more ways than one. He was now an experienced soldier who had served extensively as what was affectionately known as the confederate meat grinder as an infantryman and survived. He had scouted and fought in terrain of all kinds, and though the conditions of his ‘servitude’ had improved somewhat throughout the course of his life he still felt like he was a slave. Once he had recovered he took his opportunity and fled, using what little ‘pay’ he accumulated from his time under the confederate forces to smuggle his way on a freighter as far away as he could afford.

His life since then and the end of the war has unfortunately not been quite as different as he would have hoped. With any real work in short supply and after a few short stints under several rather backbreaking and mediocre work he quickly found his way into mercenary work – after all, what else could he really do. He spent what little resources he had left to purchase more modern weaponry and donned his now somewhat dated protective Ferbosium-weave combat suit and set out.

He worked for several months under the “Siros Legion”, a group that was primarily composed of other confederate deserters – but soon that felt too much like ‘old times’ and so he moved on – though at least now he had enough wealth to get himself to the planet of Taenarum. A hub for mercenaries of all sorts Sinval is taking a small opportunity to enjoy some rest and relaxation, or at least he would do if his finances were not already beginning to expire.

In terms of his equipment Sinval owns two personal firearms – the first his old Galentiese sidearm, a kinetic pistol loaded with Draxentine hollow-point rounds. Though considered very ‘low-tech’ as far as weaponry goes it has saved his life countless times and he is loath to part with it.

He also now owns a much more ‘modern’ Tangenti heavy calibre pulse rifle. This heavy duty firearm has fantastic mid-long range performance and is capable of inflicting much destruction upon both personal and more lightly armoured targets. The only downside would be the relative expense and rarity of Tangenti pulse rounds – though on the planet of Taenarum this is far from an issue it may cause logistical issues in more remote systems.

He also still owns his service blade, issued to him on his homeworld of Tolok Mathiti the reliable blade is still as sharp and strong as the day it was forged. The mid-sized blade is generally practical and lightweight – it is constructed from a steel-durat alloy which is incredibly hardy and light. Savagely sharp this blade can deal with all but the most armoured of infantry personnel.

Though a man of only twenty-seven he has seen as much combat as any grizzled veteran is expected too – from brutal low tech warfare up to the most cutting edge ways to annihilate your enemy Sinval has likely witnessed it. His deep green eyes are offset by the dark rings and somewhat haggard appearance that come with being a killer who is disheartened, apathetic and becoming somewhat adverse to unnecessary death. Despite this on a daily basis he puts up quite an appropriate front, is straight to the point and follows orders to the letter. A trained and experienced solider he knows exactly how to war.

[Jb]

Well here is what I have so far. Still needs work but I thought I'd get it up sooner rather than later.
@Jbcool

Sinval Drossili

It has been several years since the end of the Valnaur conflict that left the vast majority of the known systems of the galaxy in tatters. Though the Empire itself has turned inwards and isolationist the long sought after peace feels somewhat hollow and empty to most.

In the void left by the now decimated forces of the Valnauri and Confederated systems there have risen a great many mercenary groups and factions that now thrive. Initially these groups were created and swelled by large numbers of defectors from all sides of the conflict as it drew to a close, further augmented by those with a desire for wealth or a lust for battle. It seems the denizens of the stars have traded one evil for another as the issue continues to grow and both experienced and inexperienced warriors of all kinds flock together and fight for anyone with the wealth or desire for conquest they choose.

One such man has found his place in this new world, having himself ‘defected’ from those he once called master. Sinval Drossili was born on a distant world known as Tolok Mathiti – a colony belonging to the Galenti worlds, a vassal system itself unto one of the leading members of the confederated alliance.
Unfortunately for him the world of Tolok Mathiti was not a pleasant one. Between the blisteringly hot days and the freezing cold nights there was also the vast array of hideously deadly creatures that called the planet home. If that were not bad enough, the ‘society’ on the remote colony comprised of what could easily have been called a very advanced heavily bureaucratic caste-slavery system, one to which Sinval was born towards bottom of. A child labourer as soon as he was deemed old enough to work, he was ‘conscripted’ as child soldier before he hit the years of puberty (unfortunately the Galenti worlds have always suffered from heavy civil unrest as well as a sizable piracy problems), young life was far from what most would call pleasant for the young man.

His life comprised of rigorous drilling and training, brutal conflicts and simply trying to survive the many obstacles that presented themselves. He became hard and strong as was demanded of him, and through that and a great deal of fortune he found himself surviving to the earliest stages of adulthood before everything changed. The conflict against the Valnaur Empire was growing dire at this stage, and though considered primitive in terms of technology compared to the other confederated systems the Galenti worlds were drawn heavily into the raging war as losses mounted. The colony of Tolok Mathiti was completely abandoned, it’s ‘citizens’ being either conscripted or relocated as their entire way of life was torn asunder. Sinval and the rest of the troops he had fought with were incorporated into a much larger Galenti force that was then sent to be ‘modernized’ and re-trained as quickly as possible. He was sent to the very core systems of the confederation, to a highly militarised system for only one week of training before they were then sent into the heart of the conflict.

Suffice to say the war was not pleasant and the Galentiese forces took heavy casualties. Sinval however somehow survived before being incorporated into a different force altogether. After several years more of fighting, it seemed his fortune had expired as he was hit by part of a flechette charge – though he survived any fatal effects he was severely wounded and unable to continue the fight without major treatment. Once more sent back towards the core-worlds he was given the most state of the art care available (a gesture towards one of the few surviving Galenti soldiers – the Galenti worlds had since been decimated and ravished by the Valnauri forces) he slowly recovered.

By this point in his life Sinval Drossili was an extremely different man from the one that had left Tolok Mathiti. He had seen worlds and cities beyond his imagining, sights and places he could not have dreamed of. He had lived with people from countless places more, many of them he would have considered friends before they had died one way or another at least. He once had practically no education, now he spoke several languages and knew many customs, though he still lacked any formal teaching he had become a man of the stars in more ways than one. He was now an experienced soldier who had served extensively as what was affectionately known as the confederate meat grinder as an infantryman and survived. He had scouted and fought in terrain of all kinds, and though the conditions of his ‘servitude’ had improved somewhat throughout the course of his life he still felt like he was a slave. Once he had recovered he took his opportunity and fled, using what little ‘pay’ he accumulated from his time under the confederate forces to smuggle his way on a freighter as far away as he could afford.

His life since then and the end of the war has unfortunately not been quite as different as he would have hoped. With any real work in short supply and after a few short stints under several rather backbreaking and mediocre work he quickly found his way into mercenary work – after all, what else could he really do. He spent what little resources he had left to purchase more modern weaponry and donned his now somewhat dated protective Ferbosium-weave combat suit and set out.

He worked for several months under the “Siros Legion”, a group that was primarily composed of other confederate deserters – but soon that felt too much like ‘old times’ and so he moved on – though at least now he had enough wealth to get himself to the planet of Taenarum. A hub for mercenaries of all sorts Sinval is taking a small opportunity to enjoy some rest and relaxation, or at least he would do if his finances were not already beginning to expire.

In terms of his equipment Sinval owns two personal firearms – the first his old Galentiese sidearm, a kinetic pistol loaded with Draxentine hollow-point rounds. Though considered very ‘low-tech’ as far as weaponry goes it has saved his life countless times and he is loath to part with it.

He also now owns a much more ‘modern’ Tangenti heavy calibre pulse rifle. This heavy duty firearm has fantastic mid-long range performance and is capable of inflicting much destruction upon both personal and more lightly armoured targets. The only downside would be the relative expense and rarity of Tangenti pulse rounds – though on the planet of Taenarum this is far from an issue it may cause logistical issues in more remote systems.

He also still owns his service blade, issued to him on his homeworld of Tolok Mathiti the reliable blade is still as sharp and strong as the day it was forged. The mid-sized blade is generally practical and lightweight – it is constructed from a steel-durat alloy which is incredibly hardy and light. Savagely sharp this blade can deal with all but the most armoured of infantry personnel.

Though a man of only twenty-seven he has seen as much combat as any grizzled veteran is expected too – from brutal low tech warfare up to the most cutting edge ways to annihilate your enemy Sinval has likely witnessed it. His deep green eyes are offset by the dark rings and somewhat haggard appearance that come with being a killer who is disheartened, apathetic and becoming somewhat adverse to unnecessary death. Despite this on a daily basis he puts up quite an appropriate front, is straight to the point and follows orders to the letter. A trained and experienced solider he knows exactly how to war.

@Tsar Gatto

Looking good, Gatto, looking very good; I'll try to get more details in for the confederated city-planets as we go, as well as answering the questions you asked. Generally you answered your own questions, so not too bad I.E. There is no real standard currency, bartering is the usual 'currency', although the Valnaur do have a currecny that is quite widely circulated (they are the biggest after all).

The time-span would be relative to the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian War, so a space of roughly 49 years between end and beginning. There would be veterans from the last big war still alive, and indeed it would be the main reason why there are now so many mercenaries floating about the place looking for work after the peace agreement.

[POOHEAD189]

@JbcoolIs the Valnaur Empire a human faction? Can I get a few details about the previous war? Anything on your mind, I suppose. Also, I was thinking of making my Quartermaster from humble origins, but grows up to be a gruff gunslinger, turned lawman, who fought for his planet in the war. It destroyed his planet, so he became a merc and weapon expert.

[Jb]

@JbcoolIs the Valnaur Empire a human faction? Can I get a few details about the previous war? Anything on your mind, I suppose. Also, I was thinking of making my Quartermaster from humble origins, but grows up to be a gruff gunslinger, turned lawman, who fought for his planet in the war. It destroyed his planet, so he became a merc and weapon expert.

@POOHEAD189

The Valnaur themselves are actually not Human, but because of the size of their Empire - especially on the Eastern fringe/border - they do encompass former Human colonies, as well as a large number of differing races/species/places the further West you travel. The Empire is vast and currently isolationist, well maintained and, in spite of the propaganda, housing many honourable and 'good' peoples; as such there are varying levels of technology and the like. Beyond the Empires Westernmost borders are actually further and little-known species and territories, their realms kept pretty closed due to a lack of gateways into their space, the rest blocked off by spacial disturbances along a linear formation (like a range of big 'space mountains' basically).

I'll get to writing a bit about the previous war today, and I'll post it up by tonight.

As for the character idea, why would a gunslinger-turned-lawman then decide to count supplies for a living? Did he have former training in that arena growing up? How is a Quartermaster now a weapons expert? I suppose it would make sense, in a way, for him to befamiliar with different weapons - do you mean he knows them, or he's proficient in their use?

Lastly...why the destroyed planet? I'm not against it, but is there any reason why his planet would be destroyed? Did they piss the Valnaur off a great deal or something?

[POOHEAD189]

@Jbcool By 'destroyed' I didn't mean a deathstar boom. More like ravaged to the point of living there being a bad idea. Also I was thinking of making him a veteran combatant. Years of being a lawman and special weapons soldier in the military, he made it his business to know weapons. Their use, disassembling them, and knowing when/how they are useful.

Also, should be done with him within the next few days.

[POOHEAD189]

Virgil Bartholomew; Quartermaster

To the Confederacy, Raigar 7 was a backwater world only good for providing food in the forms of cattle and farmland for the sparse, neighboring systems. To Virgil Bartholomew, it was his hearth & home for much of his life. To say it was a quiet upbringing would be an underestimation of just how serene a agri-world is. Most folks who showed up 'round Raigar were either on their last legs with no better job prospects than the farmlife, or they were fleeing the law. Or, of course, they were natives.

Virgil grew up the oldest son of Nicholas Bartholomew, a restless man who seemed to pick up himself and his family and move on, whenever he felt his last job had lost its use to him. He got Virgil to help him with the chores and the moving, but Virgil himself got his own job at age 16 as a teamster for a wagon train. His robust mustache that made him instantly recognizable to his comrades was still a decade away, the young man fit and lean with a steely eyed gaze. His physique would help him well with his official job, however abruptly Virgil realized that his main concern on the wagon was guarding his and his team's life from raider attacks that frequented the roads. His poor living as a teamster turned out to be his side job, because his main source of income, he discovered, was the bounty's from the guns/equipment he would take off the dead raiders and travelers that were killed on road.

He'd keep a few for himself, learning the mechanisms and ammunition, how to reload and reassemble each type of firearm. Most were auto weapons, with a few lasrifles. Some explosives here and there. Stinger Grenades and Frags were the most common. By age 24, he decided to settle in a trading town called Saraceno where his father took the role of constable and he, along with his brothers, became the deputies. Already in the habit of it, he was additionally tasked with maintaining and keeping stock of the weapons and gears, confiscated or no. Laser weapons, plasma weapons once in a blue moon, more exotic explosives, as well as belt and rebreather gear. You name it.

Three years later, his father would step down and appoint Virgil constable. However the towns and roads had become so wild, Virgil took the mantle of Sheriff instead to give him a more localized role in keeping the peace. It would be five more years of patrol, jailing criminals, and when it was called for, gunfights, before the Valuar Empire decided to take a backdoor approach to the Confederacy of Man. An approach that sent them right into Raigar 7.

The first thing Virgil recalls when he thinks back to the invasion were the distant ships in the vast blue sky, and the approaching dropships filled with Valuar troops. Virgil and his brothers organized the defense of Saraceno and the connected cliffs and roads, conscripting many criminals whom he gave lenient sentences for in exchange for bolstering the militia forces. For three weeks the town fought back, Virgil receiving word the rest of the planet fought just as stubbornly. The Valuar Emnpire must have assumed an agri-world would be an easy take, but this was Raigar. It would take more than a skeleton force to conquer it.

Apparently deciding occupation was more costly than decimation, the Valuar eventually decided bombarded the planet from the Orbit. For an entire day, lasers the size of city blocks and nuclear devices detonated across the surface of Valuar. Virgil had led his survivors to the bunkers beneath the cliff the city nestled atop, and when they emerged, they were met with a blasted wasteland that could bear no cattle and grow no crops.

After taking months to ferry what citizens that didn't die from disease and exposure offworld, Virgil joined the Confederacy military, swiftly gaining the rank of Sergeant and serving with distinction until the war was over. Once it was, he had no more home and very little in the way of marketable skills besides weapons, law enforcement, and on-hands work. He decided for the former, because it not only allowed him to travel enough to keep his mind off the horrors he'd witnessed, but maybe he'd have another shot at killing some more Valuar as well. He joined up as the Quartermaster of a Merc crew.

@Jbcool

[SrslyAnArtist]

Dude, this is right up my alley. Hey, may i create the Linguist/Interpreter/Translator person? All I'm gonna tell you now is that they're a naturally occurring mutant of some kind.

[Jb]

@Tsar Gatto@POOHEAD189

Looking good, guys! Still a wee bit confused as to how Virgil is a 'quartermaster' - not sure from his background how he'd be able to work out the supplies and logistics for a merc company. That's my only gripe, and it's a minor one really.

@Canoli@Jeyma If you two are still about and willing, then I'd accept sheets from you.

@IrishAngelQueen I assume you mean a linguistically occurring mutant (although 'mutant' would be odd in this setting...perhaps 'alien'?) If not then it's fine, and I'd be happy to take a look at the sheet.

[SrslyAnArtist]

@Tsar Gatto@POOHEAD189

Looking good, guys! Still a wee bit confused as to how Virgil is a 'quartermaster' - not sure from his background how he'd be able to work out the supplies and logistics for a merc company. That's my only gripe, and it's a minor one really.

@Canoli@Jeyma If you two are still about and willing, then I'd accept sheets from you.

@IrishAngelQueen I assume you mean a linguistically occurring mutant (although 'mutant' would be odd in this setting...perhaps 'alien'?) If not then it's fine, and I'd be happy to take a look at the sheet.

@Jbcool

I think I could create an alien race to fit my idea for my character.