[OOC] The Endeavour Six (Open, read first OOC post and I'll brief you if you're interested)

/

[Ronin Lotus]

Earth is dying, but only so many lives could be transported to a habitable Mars.
A late ship finally embarks on its journey, but discovers upon arrival that Mars is no more.
There is no going back, and no place to call home.

| THE ENDEAVOUR SIX |

The Fall of Earth

Earth has an irreversibly toxic and unmanageable atmosphere. Its death is an inevitability beyond our control. Technological and scientific booms redefined space travel, allowing us to terraform Mars, but our choices interfered with our planet’s natural processes. We were far from sci-fi cinema, but we had meddled with everything from gravitational energies to harmful methods of agriculture. Many of our eventual developments were positive, particularly our dependence on clean energies and all-electric vehicles, but it was the fragile road leading to our greatest accomplishments that hurt us the most.

When Earth’s fate could no longer be denied, falling prey to our mistakes as landscapes and climates suffered irreversible changes, our world’s leaders revealed controversial plans of evacuation. Mars was now a habitable beacon of hope and a new home destined for the human race. But fear and anger spread like wildfires with knowledge that so few could leave, that we lacked sufficient time and resources to transfer the entirety of mankind. More than 95% of Earth’s population would be abandoned, powerless and at the mercy of nature. Our darkest day, the binds of our fate were sealed, and our civil world crumbled into a sandy slum of sickness, famine, and violence.

(Art by artstation.com/artwork/vJWeD)

“The Ark” and the Endeavour Six

They illuminated the sky with a million lights, like stars beneath stars. They were known collectively as The Ark, hundreds of enormous spaceships with a mission for Mars. Many of them had no relation beyond their travel capabilities. As long as they could transport the necessary life-forms or resources, they were enlisted for duty. But one particular human passenger ship failed to meet said duty. The Endeavour Six, one of the largest ships housing a gargantuan number of passengers, was rumoured to have malfunctioned at launch. Others tell of a giant being shot down out of the skies. For most, its presence is no more than a myth.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Endeavour Six (or E-6), also known as the Oasis of the Stars, is a luxurious space-liner designed for maximum comfort and extensive trips in space. Like other revolutionary space vehicles, it incorporates a solar shell and self-perpetuating power sources. Along with a large store of nutritious micro-meals that serve as full meal replacements, the ship’s atmosphere is self-moderated to ease the body’s demand for sustenance. There is also an atmospheric water generator in place to collect and filter drinking water from the air. It is accurate to describe this ship as a safe haven and a blessing for those in its comfort.

Decay and Present Day

It is now the North American summer of 2051. Seasons are not what they used to be, mostly cold and dry with unpredictable fluctuations. Sand has consumed much of our once lush landscapes, and the peculiar prevalence of rust has aggressively swept the planet. It has been six months since The Ark abandoned Earth, eighteen months since the first evacuation announcement, and four years since we opened our eyes to our planet’s dying state. Earth had been noticeably different for a decade, but some things never change, and we ignored it until it was too late.

Life is now a fight for survival, futile though it may be. People live, trade, and hang on to what little of their communities remain. But sanctuaries, these are not. There are more gangs than memory serves, newly formed militaries and militias. There are those hopelessly collaborating for cures to our problems, while others embrace the chaos of our dying world.

Many continue to question the rust that has scarred our planet. It was one of Earth’s first noticeable changes, leading to the development of specially protective metals for the likes of vehicles, weapons, and modern technological devices. Without around the clock maintenance, however, this unfathomable rust would disrupt most susceptible objects over time, even in the driest of regions despite its unlikelihood. So many of our creations have suffered, including the millions of solar panels we had come to rely on. As far as weapons are concerned, many people still operate old weaponry despite its unreliability, as advanced weaponry with its superior protection against the elements is rare, sought after like new gold.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpts from unknown’s journal (Present Day).

‘Although my end is upon me, likely my final words, another story begins in the patchy deserts of Canada. A concentration camp formed by a newly established military-power has just been ignited into an explosion of flames. The military-power, known as Novus Ordo, seeks to oppress those who reject its desires for dominance over the land. They had gathered sufficient weaponry and resources to be of influence, but accumulated more enemies than they had anticipated. They disregarded the fact that in the face of end times with nothing to lose, people would be more willing to fight back and more resilient to oppressive tactics. It’s almost funny, even with our planet nearing death, how humans still try to rule the world.

There are also rumours circulating of the E-6’s presence on Earth, and that a second launch may be imminent. No longer do I discount it as myth. The ship is thought by few to be located at a military airbase within a circle of mountains and dying forests, heavily guarded by soldiers known as ‘Defenders’. Word is spreading, and activity is beginning to blossom in old towns at the foot of mountains throughout Canada. But there is one old Alberta town in particular that earns special attention, where two weeks prior its neighbouring mountains emitted a distant and short lived flash of light. That night, there was not a cloud in the sky and not a boom to be heard. Something illuminated the mountains, and I saw it with my own two eyes widened in amazement. I know the rumours are true, and that while I personally cannot make it, for someone it will mean freedom. The E-6 is out there.’

(Art by artstation.com/artwork/YqNn6)

Important Documentation and CS

• Our story will be divided into chapters, beginning on Earth and eventually entering space.
• There will be approximately 6 - 8 participants / characters.
• Participants must generally be able to post once every two weeks, ideally notifying us in the OOC when this isn't possible.
• Characters are human, though 1 - 2 AI types may be acceptable depending on their background.
• Characters will not be super-powered, though you may be creative with any skill sets and weapons.
• If in doubt about whether or not something is acceptable, such as a weapon, leave a comment.
• Feel welcome to share ideas and contribute to the direction of the story (bear in mind the above).
• Below you will find a basic character sheet. If you wish, you can replace the 'profile' section and/or add additional sections.
  
  Safe travels!
  
  Name:
  Age:
  Gender:
  
  Appearance:
  
  Profile:

[Fabricant451]

I remain interested. I'll see about crafting a character.

[Virani]

I'm still interested and will start working on a CS

[Girlie1Bomba]

Heya! Miss Bomba right here right now!

[Flynn]

Still very interested!
@Ronin Lotus I was wondering what your idea was about AI and how you would see them in this world?

[Ronin Lotus]

Still very interested!
@Ronin Lotus I was wondering what your idea was about AI and how you would see them in this world?

@Flynn

Great question, Flynn. I imagine there was a lot of trial and error as far as AI was concerned in this world, and that most projects were confidential and in secret. I believe that increasing technology alone would have impacted the world's job market for humans, creating a great deal of uproar, hence leading to more significant AI developments being done in secret with some educational exceptions. I imagine most of these projects were military and medical based, but that a big complication was the AI's increasing ability to learn independently, often drifting itself off script or from intended purposes. This isn't to say the AI's would act negatively, but that they'd become unreliable or somewhat too independent, especially in military or medical based senarios where it's life and death.

AI was likely used in different types of machine bodies depending on its uses. I like the idea that there might have been a secret location where androids with AI were developed, and that they were destroyed with the exception of one adapting to its surroundings and escaping its environment. But even a non-human form could prove interesting.

I think that an AI based character could be very knowledgeable and seemingly mature, but with a childlike quality in how it doesn't fully understand or perceive its surroundings in the same way that humans do. Certain judgement calls could be a problem. It also might depend on what environments the AI has developed in.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas regarding AI?

[Flynn]

@Ronin Lotus
I have some ideas, but will explain them in detail tomorrow.

[Blubaron45]

I'll try to write up a character up soon!

[Girlie1Bomba]

@Ronin Lotus So is it possible to have a chara already employed on teh E6?

Like my concept is my chara is a mid-level security officer that has a plan to sneak a relative on board. This way it provides an 'in' or at leaast an option for the charas to get passage aboard the E6? Does that work?

[Ronin Lotus]

@Ronin Lotus So is it possible to have a chara already employed on teh E6?

Like my concept is my chara is a mid-level security officer that has a plan to sneak a relative on board. This way it provides an 'in' or at leaast an option for the charas to get passage aboard the E6? Does that work?

@Girlie1Bomba

Absolutely, and that's a great idea. Depending on where this relative is located, you could also have an angle with them being captured by members of a gang, perhaps holding the relative for ransom. This could provide an opportunity for a couple of our characters to free the relative and give your character incentive to sneak them on board. Just a thought, but I like your idea either way.

[Girlie1Bomba]

@Ronin Lotus yeah man! I dig it! Alright I'll do up a chara after work then. :]

[Flynn]

@Ronin Lotus
I have returned with my thoughts about AI!

For most parts I agree with you, especially the behavior. I was thinking differently about the implementation though. Creating working and lasting androids in a world that is falling apart would be kind of inefficient and useless. But what if the AI was used as a personal assistant or maybe something smaller? Or maybe even part of the E6?
What I personally think would be a pretty fun idea, is to play an AI that some other players owns. For example Jin Law has come across this special orb that was once part of some Military (or other branch) experiment but (like you said) escaped. This orb is actually an AI and now they team up because the AI has nowhere else to be (or because it is linked to that person somehow, like something that needs to be worn).

But these are just my thoughts. Let me know what you think.

[Virani]

Currently working on my char

@Flynn I'd be happy to have an AI as my buddy lol

[Ronin Lotus]

For most parts I agree with you, especially the behavior. I was thinking differently about the implementation though. Creating working and lasting androids in a world that is falling apart would be kind of inefficient and useless. But what if the AI was used as a personal assistant or maybe something smaller? Or maybe even part of the E6?
What I personally think would be a pretty fun idea, is to play an AI that some other players owns. For example Jin Law has come across this special orb that was once part of some Military (or other branch) experiment but (like you said) escaped. This orb is actually an AI and now they team up because the AI has nowhere else to be (or because it is linked to that person somehow, like something that needs to be worn).

@Flynn

Good thinking. It could be an interesting idea to incorporate an AI into the E-6's system. At the very least, the assistant orb idea sounds good. Plus, it looks like you've already got a partner in Virani if you'd be happy to work on something together. I'm certain all of our characters will cross paths and most likely alternate between solo and various group activities as we progress. So, by all means, feel free to proceed with your AI ideas.

[Flynn]

@Virani
@Ronin Lotus
Then we will clasp our hands together!

[Virani]

@FlynnSounds good to me.

How did you want to do this? I was thinking could create the bulk of my character (looks personality etc) and then collab with you on history?

[Virani]

I have posted my CS in character tab, I'm assuming that was the correct place?

[Ronin Lotus]

Yes, all good, Virani, and nice work on your character!

On another note, I feel like the Defenders of the ship deserve more of an identity. They're essentially elite soldiers tasked with protecting the ship and providing service on Mars. They're some of the best at what they do. I would imagine they're also provided with the best available gear. With that in mind, I'm trying to find a suitable image that provides a happy-medium, suggesting they're a bit more ahead of the game but not advanced beyond their time.

As things stand, this image has my attention, though I'm not settled on it yet. A part of me imagines them in lighter armour, probably to provide some coordination with the ship's white exterior (and to avoid looking too gloomy despite their job description). They're also defending the ship at a military base most likely sharing tones of light grey and white. But I like this design. It's not super futuristic, yet it has that advanced and formidable feel about it. Subject to change, but here it is:

My Hider

(artstation.com/artwork/rzLnm)

[Girlie1Bomba]

@Ronin Lotusheya boss.

And just checking for pic. Realistic or real people?

[Ronin Lotus]

And just checking for pic. Realistic or real people?

@Girlie1Bomba

Either realistic or real people will do it, Bomba.