Would a bomber pilot player need to make a pilot and a gunner? Or would a second person play as the gunner?
If you can partner up with someone else who wants to play the bombardier/gunner, then that's fine. But I was thinking more that anyone choosing to fly a bomber can make two characters for themselves.
Apologies for the delay! I got caught up yesterday writing mostly irrelevant station lore.
Name: Hazel Tamirnyev Nickname: Tusk(?) Age: 34 Sex/Gender: Female Species: Human (Full-body Prosthetic) Height: 5’6/167 cm Appearance: Industrial and without frills, Hazel's chassis stands at 5'6, and is painted a utilitarian orange-yellow.
Her usual outfits consist of a neutral-toned jumpsuit, heavy gloves, and a jacket, with a Pramanik Orbital patch on one shoulder, and a rebellion patch on the other. A third patch, depicting the elephant-headed Ganesha, stretches from one shoulder to the other across the jacket’s back. Hazel is rarely seen without her engagement ring strung on a chain around her neck, although usually tucked into her jumpsuit to avoid snags.
Personal Qualities: Spacers, particularly those raised on the frontier or in deep space, often come off as strange to the average planet-born person, and Hazel is no exception. Energetic, and rather impish, she gained a new lease on life that she plans to make the most of. She often emotes with her hands, or signs along in pidgin while speaking, and is prone to taking risks due to her time in simulators, as well as a deep-seated desire to prove herself.
Despite being physically accustomed to it, she feels self-conscious in her robotic body, and is prone to lashing out at those who mistake her for a common model workerbot. In the cockpit of her ship, all of her insecurity and anxiety melts away. She is solely focused on the task at hand, and her ship becomes an extension of herself. She is knowledgeable about the weak points of common ships due to her time as a shipbreaker. Moving in zero-g and EVA is second nature to her, and—like many a spacer—she feels strong (and a bit outlandish) affection towards her craft.
Biography: Born on Pramanik Orbital to an FTL drive engineer and a linguist, the first few years of Hazel’s life were uneventful. The majority of her adolescence was spent wandering the station’s industrial tunnels and shipyards with her peers, stirring trouble wherever they went. Upon finishing her primary education, she went to work as a shipbreaker on the station. There she worked for several years, meeting her fiancee in the process. It wasn't until she was in her early-twenties when disaster struck; after several years of fatigue and strange symptoms, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that was slowly destroying her nervous system, and would ultimately leave her paralyzed. There was no cure, only prolonging the indefinite.
Devastated, Hazel decided to keep working until it was no longer possible, in hopes some sort of treatment would emerge before she was fully paralyzed. The cure never came, and she was forced to quit her job a few years later once she was no longer able to move swiftly enough to continue. Spiraling into a depression, and relying on her fiancee now, she began shutting herself in more and more often, retreating into older flight sims, and strategy games that she used to enjoy as a teenager. Tensions were growing between the pair, and when Hazel was offered an experimental treatment as a last ditch effort to save her brain, she accepted it.
The treatment, offered by medical corporation Biolink Dynamics, was unusual; her brain was to be transplanted into a robotic chassis, reliant on an integrated life support system and electricity. It was successful, and Hazel found herself in a new body. A new chance of life.
Becoming acquainted with the new body was a long process, she had to relearn simple tasks, as well as navigate a life where those whom she interacted with assumed she was a synthetic lifeform. Her relationship with her fiance became even further strained as well. She ultimately decided to pursue pilotry as a new career, inspired by the flight simulators and strategy games she played while ill, and coming to a mutual agreement with her fiancee to spend some time apart while they both adjusted to the new body. Initially, she served hauling cargo, but her eye was always set on grander goals. As the resistance movement became more desperate, she was able to join a ragtag crew of fighter pilots, and quickly gained experience, rising through the ranks. She was offered a position on the Onyx Squadron after several years, a position she eagerly accepted. Hazel eagerly fights for her own rights, as well as for the freedom of Pramanik Orbital.
Pramanik Orbital pictured in front of a planet shortly after its construction was completed.
Named after the renowned explorer, Mahala Pramanik, who discovered the Al-Biruni asteroid belt in CE 2047, Pramanik Orbital serves as a hub for smaller stations on the resource-rich Al-Biruni belt, as well as a ‘jumping off’ point’ for those brave souls venturing into deep space. The station itself features a long central hub, with two parallel habitation rings housing about 12,000 people each, and several solar panel arrays. Both habitation rings have partial artificial gravity.
Economic divide between the mining barons, and the common workers of Pramanik Orbital is steep; resulting in tension between the two groups, and bouts of civil conflict. The common belter tends to be fiercely independent and utilitarian due to their distance from the core systems, and often have a stubborn sense of pride. Galactic Common, spacer sign language, and a pidgin language that mishmashes the former alongside Hindi, Bengali, and Russian loanwords are the most common languages spoken among the Al-Biruni belt.
The belt, located in the frontier binary system Rusalka-305, is a cache of ice, valuable metals, and other materials key in building new habitats and vessels; given that one has the resources to mine and transport them.
Because of its value, Pramanik Orbital was subject to several skirmishes with Hegarian forces, only holding its independence through the bodyguard fleets and threats of wealthy mining corporations who wished to operate freely, and without Imperial rule. After nearly a year of negotiation, the Al-Biruni was allowed to remain free, but not without cost; it would be to pay a material tithe to the Hegarian Empire. The belters, miners, and common people, of course, resented their work being taken by such means, and pockets of resistance began to stir. As of now, Pramanik Orbital and the belt pays its tithe, but covertly supplies the Commonwealth with resources in hopes that the Empire will be defeated in the near future.
Fighter: AS-91 Thunderbolt Fighter Customisations: Hazel’s Thunderbolt—affectionately nicknamed ‘Grozit’ <грозить>—is a venerable elder, even among its own kind. Used in some of Free System Alliance's first skirmishes, the ship has been passed from hand to hand countless times, and has been retrofitted as a true heavy hitter along the way:
Retrofitted Reactor: Grozit has been retrofitted with a more modern reactor in order to sustain energy needed to fire her railgun. The higher power comes at the cost of a larger heat signature on radar, but who was missing her anyway?
Retrofitted Railgun: Grozit’s high-intensity laser cannon has been replaced with a formidable, heavy 40mm railgun, similar to that of the more modern Excalibur.
Reduced Life Support: To reduce the powerload, Grozit usually runs with her life support systems reduced to absolute minimum. Hazel uses an external oxygen tank to sustain herself while flying, and the lack of atmosphere within the ship reduces the likelihood of injury in the case of explosive decompression.
Livery: Grozit is painted in her original, grey-blue low-vis camouflage, with an older version of the Free System Alliance’s emblem on its back fins. A newer addition, the Wandering Star’s distinctive emblem, is painted under the cockpit, alongside Hazel’s callsign.
Hazel is fantastic, I love the idea of the synthetic body/human brain combo, especially with the medical explanation too. Pramanik and it's lore also give me really good Belter vibes from The Expanse as well (which I'm currently watching Season 5 of!) which is no bad thing whatsoever. Definitely approved, feel free to add Hazel to the characters tab.
Definitely approved, feel free to add Hazel to the characters tab.
Sweet! I'll post her sheet there once I get home from work (along with fixing some awkward wording, I was in a rush to finish last night).
Pramanik and it's lore also give me really good Belter vibes from The Expanse as well (which I'm currently watching Season 5 of!) which is no bad thing whatsoever.
Yes! Tycho/Ceres/Belters in general were a huge inspiration for Pramanik, I watched the first few seasons of the show then lost track, been meaning to pick up the books. As a side note, if anyone else wants to their character lore to have ties to Pramanik I am 100% down for it.
We have at least the minimum number I'd want to be able to start the game, so I'll begin thinking up a starting IC post, with the aim of getting it up over the weekend, if not before.
That doesn't mean that other characters aren't still welcome, or that anyone has 'missed out' or anything similar. But it has been almost a week since I put up the OOC, and I have tagged everyone who replied as interested in the original interest check too, and there have been very few replies from those same people.
@kersel@Starlance He's pretty open with where he's from, he even has an accent and practices Imperial fencing in his free time. In his opinion, it's better to be up front about it so no-one thinks he's trying to hide anything (like Nick Valentine in Fallout 4, about being a synth)
As for when/how long since he defected, he's been around for long enough that they can trust him with military equipment, but he's also been rotated around a lot so he's probably only been assigned to the Wandering Star for a few months...
I ended up with more on over the weekend than expected, and had work today. Then I got distracted by doing some art. I have an idea, and I'll try and get it into words before too long.
On the upside, for anyone who's still waiting on submitting a character, you have time to squeeze in before the IC starts.
The first IC post is up. I'm launching up straight into the action to give things a chance to get moving at a fast pace off the bat, and for everyone to have some moments of coolness to distinguish themselves. The first post is just to set up reactions for everyone to the launch, then I'll throw us into combat with the next round of posts. As stated; there's no turn order. Just get your posts up, and once everyone's posted, I'll throw up another as a reaction. Unless anyone has any immediate need for anything in the meantime.
Somewhat on-topic: Saw Top Gun: Maverick today. Very good, especially considering what usually comes out these days.
Now I want Ace Combat movies...
I feel your pain! I've wanted an Ace Combat movie, or anime series, or... something since at least Ace Combat 4...! I haven't seen Maverick yet; I'm supposed to be seeing it with a friend next weekend, but she got the plague. Hopefully she'll be clear by then though.
Fingers crossed!! I've never actually seen the original, might have to now though. I'm working on a post also, sorry it's been taking so long! Crazy day catching a swarm of bees today.
Kayliss has green scales hardened to withstand heavy blows; edged weapons cannot penetrate. Her armored hide is comparable in color to jade crystals. Her swept-back horns measure roughly 14” and are a pristine white, which she has taken the time to polish. She keeps her horns as shiny of white as she can. It is one of her signature items. Her tail is slenderer than most Dranfel measuring five feet in length and ending in a spade-shaped tip. The dorsal or back side of the tail is covered in triangular-shaped spikes with barbs at the tips. Her golden-colored eyes pierce the darkness allowing her improved vision in darkened environs. She wears an olive-green flight suit stitched in leather and polyester fabrics. It is double stitched to remain durable when she is active. Her helmet is custom built to fit over her blunt snout with slots for her horns to stick out the rear. Even her aircraft has been altered to accommodate her size.
Kailiss is a very confident young dragon at 98 years of age. While many dragons live on into their thousands, Kailiss is in her prime. She has a sense of superiority about herself and her race in general, considering many other races inferior. Hers is a warrior race, and believes flying is her special skill. With an arrogant disposition towards herself, she can be supporting to those she feels needing a boost.
Born on Cora 3 to a good family that insured their offspring were responsible, contributing characters to society. Kayliss has three brothers, Dorneit, Bandit and Jursig who have served in Dranfel Infantry formations. Dorneit and Jursig are still living and serving. Bandit died during the Balis incursion.
Kayliss is an excellent athlete. She excelled at sports as a young Dranfel, very competitive and working her hardest to excel and win. She often competed against male opponents and won occasionally. She played a game called Latchkis, similar to a combination of soccer and rugby, where tackling is permitted. The game is very physical with players often suffering fractured bones or losing scales.
Kayliss trained to fly jets when she was 93 and took to it immediately. She flew for the Coran Air Force for a time. When the war started, Cora did not immediately get involved. Kayliss sought out combat with an organization that would see combat. This is how she ended up in Onyx Squadron. Eventually, Cora did enter the war on the side of the resistance. Her brothers signed up with the 7th Coran Infantry Regiment and have seen extensive combat. She lost her youngest brother, Bandit during combat on Balis. She was not available during that action. The loss of her brother has left her slightly bitter but holds onto her positive attitude. She does possess anger towards the Empire, wishing to see them all die.
The Mithria Arsenal AS-96-T Wildcat Tactical Aerospace Fighter was one of five hundred originally sold to the Dranfel on Cora 3. Mithria Arsenal modified the cockpit escape pods to accommodate the larger build of the DRanfel. They sacrificed some room in the pilot’s storage compartment, but it still left room for a few minimal survival tools.
Kayliss’ Wildcat and gained the nickname Wild Drake. It was her preference. She had painted an open mouth with sharpened teeth along the nose cowling and Green dragon wings across the dorsal side of the wings. These were her markings denoting this ship belonged to her. She loved her Wild Drake. Also, there is a slot built into the seat to insert the Dranfel tail. Her helmet also accommodates her horns with slots in the back for them to protrude through.
AAW1: 6x Wasp (2), 4x Hornet (2)* AAW2: 6x Wasp (2), 2x Hornet (1), 1x Beehive (1) ASW1: 3x Wasp (1), 3x Vespid (3) ASW2: 3x Wasp (1), 3x Mantis (3) ASW3: 3x Wasp (1), ASM (H) (3) Attack1: 3x Wasp (1), 2x Mantis (Plasma) (2), 1x ASM (H) (1) Attack2 (CAS): 3x Wasp (1), 1x CM (H) (1), 2x Bombs (H) (2) Attack3: (Interdiction): 3x Wasp (1), 2x Heavy Bombs (2), Cluster Bombs (1) SEAD1: 3x Wasp (1), 3x Yellowjackets (3) SEAD2: 3x Wasp (1), 1x Yellowjacket (1), 2x Mantis (2) EC/EW: 3x Wasp (1), ECM Blinder Pod (1), 4x Hornet (2)
*The number in parenthesis indicates the number of hardpoints used. AAW: Anti Air Warfare (Combat v. Light Craft) ASW: Anti Ship Warfare (Combat v. Large Warships) Attack: Using ordnance to engage ground targets on a planet or fixed installations in space. CAS: Close Air Support requires a Forward Air Controller (FAC) to identify targets for the attack aircraft. This may include a Ground Laser Designator (GLD) and may also include Danger Close friendly units. Interdiction: An attack mission assigned to an attack aircraft to engage strategical targets far from friendly forces; behind enemy lines. SEAD: Suppression of Enemy Air Defense involves an EC/EW aircraft suppressing enemy radar and an attack aircraft engaging enemy air defense systems. (Anti-Aircraft emplacements) EC/EW: Electronic Countermeasures / Electronic Warfare. Intended to blind the enemy’s radar systems.
Credit to @Gcold for the design 💯 NOTE: She has 14" swept back horns coming out of her head. Naturally, I couldn't find an image that I wanted. This was the closest to what I was looking for.
Also the payload packages are my insane requirement of being prepared for anything. Obviously there are many other set ups that can be used. I like to add at least one hardpoint of short range AAW missiles to each package in case the sortie turns into a dogfight.
