FRAMEs is intended to be a futuristic, mild sci-fi setting drawing inspiration from games and anime franchises like Armored Core, Front Mission, VOTOMS, Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell, Heavy Gear, etc. It revolves around the exploits of pilots and their FRAME machines (F.ully R.eactive A.rmored M.obile E.ngines). While mech-on-mech action is its main appeal, FRAMEs also has the opportunity to grow into a deep sci-fi opera, wrapping players up in political and corporate tensions, with possibilities for character development. FRAMEs takes place on a fictional planet with hints of Earth, not unlike the Strangereal universe of Ace Combat.
I've decided to launch a new roleplay under my “FRAMEs” title, as the previous incarnation has fallen on its haunches. For the past two chapters, FRAMEs has followed the mercenary unit, Preying Panthers as it recovered and subsequently lost invaluable equipment designed by Cradle Dynamics, then found itself as an auxiliary unit of the Xiang Cooperative Dialogue military. While much time and thought has gone into the story of the Panthers, this roleplay will kick off a new plot in a standalone continuity. It is my hope that this will reinvigorate interest in and re-motivate myself for FRAMEs.
Unlike the traditionally large (12) roster of previous FRAME roleplays, I am only looking for five or six additional players; give or take. Not every character will pilot a FRAME; there are support roles to fill as well. The focus will be on a paramilitary unit belonging to the Ministry of Internal Security. Like the SV2 of Patlabor, or the Section 9 of Ghost in the Shell, our unit's jurisdiction includes roles ranging from FRAME-related crime investigation, to hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. Several characters may pilot FRAMEs, while others are needed to fulfill responsibilities as infantry, intelligence and weapon specialists, support truck driver/gunners, etc.
The roleplay is set in the fictional country of Yashina, largely within the Seyama Prefecture. The time period is analogous to a sci-fi tint of the late 80s/ 90s. Our unit will be forced to contend with internal affairs: crime, terrorism, conspiracy, and external threats: false flag operations, spies and illicit smuggling. In the midst of the action, there is room for character development, worldbuilding and plenty of flavorful dialogue. The roleplay will be just as much about the characters as people and their interactions as it will be the jobs they're on.
Another change to FRAMEs in this roleplay is that there will be no list of equipment or FRAMEs to select. Players will use standard-issue machinery and arms; details of which will be given in the OOC. The reason for this is to maintain a realistic portrayal of the unit's functions.
As usual, I'll leave previously-written material here to outline expectations regarding FRAMEs:
"FRAME" is the name attributed to the machines which have taken Earth by storm. FRAME stands for “Fully Reactive Armored Multipurpose Engine.” They are (usually) humaoid in appearance - comprised of two arms and legs, a torso and head of some kind. These machines are designed to carry out functions which can be done by humans, only on a much larger scale. Initially used for labor, FRAMEs are more often associated with a military context nowadays.
While they are relied on greatly in civilian life, FRAME development has been guided by military-grade research. Within a combat role, FRAMEs are ideal machines for high-speed, high-mobility operations, in which other vehicles would be too unwieldy. They operate not unlike conventional infantry, but upscaled. FRAMEs vary in size depending on their purpose, although most military FRAMEs top off at six meters (approx. nineteen-and-a-half feet) in height. Civilian FRAMEs are considerably smaller.
FRAME squadrons are typically deployed as semi-independent strike units and given objectives such as force reconnaissance, or flanking maneuvers in conjunction with a conventional armor force. FRAMEs are ideal counters to infantry and light armored vehicles, and can easily outmaneuver heavier vehicles in compact urban or jungle environments. They are intermediaries between armored vehicles and infantry, more versatile than a typical IFV and bringing more firepower to bear than a standard infantry fireteam. Despite this, FRAMEs are rather vulnerable individually and hardly ever operate alone.
As semi-modular machines, FRAMEs can be fitted with a variety of equipment and weaponry and can bring an array of powerful armaments to an engagement. Most are armed with autocannons resembling up-scaled rifles as primary weapons. Supplementary armaments can include missile and grenade launchers, rockets, cannons and so on. Most FRAMEs can carry around three armaments at maximum, with the addition of antipersonnel or integrally-mounted weapons. Light machine guns, Gatling guns and canister shells are typical defensive weaponry. While the combat protocol of most militaries pass the notion of hand-to-hand between FRAMEs as unrealistic and impractical, there are mercenaries who try to make use of melee weapons on their FRAMEs, whether for better or for worse. Their effectiveness is dubious, but that hasn't stopped them from trying.
The cockpit of a FRAME is located in the torso 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. Many FRAMEs are partially controlled through a helmet-mounted display. The pilot is able to slave his machine’s weapon systems to their helmet display, effectively controlling the movement of his weapons with his head, much like the system used by Apache helicopter gunners. Cockpit designs closely resemble that of jets, having control systems that make use of combinations of sticks, throttles, and foot pedals. Overall appearances and controls may vary from one manufacturer to another.
The latest military-grade FRAMEs are powered by miniaturized, thermonuclear reactors and held together by an internal skeleton of sorts, to which armor and components are attached. Myomers, thin tubes of artificial musculature, sheathe actuators, which are essentially the joints of a FRAME. The combination of these components allows FRAMEs to perform precise movements and to an extent, mimic that of the human body at the pilot’s slightest touch. Multiple layers of laminated steel and composite armor protect the FRAME'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, FRAMEs sacrifice protection for ease of movement and speed, fulfilling a niche role on the battlefield. While impervious to small arms and machine gun fire, FRAMEs 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 a FRAME’s 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, FRAMEs can just as easily destroy each of these with the appropriate weaponry, especially when cooperating as a team.
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 wheels affixed to the soles of the feet, which are what makes them so mobile. They can use these wheels to “skate” over both short and long distances and perform quick maneuvers or evasion. The style of wheels can be swapped depending on the terrain and can be replaced with tracks. Legs can even be replaced entirely with a tank or IFV chassis. The multitude of options available to FRAMEs makes them truly versatile machines.
Your typical, sitewide RPGuild rules apply. Be cool to everybody and try to settle issues among yourselves in a civilized manner. Violence is to be expected. Romances are encouraged and even I like racy stuff, but if it belongs in PMs, then take it there. I ask that posts contain a minimum of two or three well-thought-out paragraphs. Quality is more desirable than quantity. Advanced section standards apply. I will do my best to be active; I am not perfect and I vow to strive to do better in that regard. I ask that players do the same, and take their character sheets as contracts of commitment to the RP. If you will be unavailable for a length of time, I ask that you inform us beforehand. Players that drop out of thin air may find that their characters have done the same if they return...
Yep! Patlabor really serves as the main inspiration for this installment.
I should add that acceptance won't be strictly first-come-first-serve; I'm looking for quality characters and players who can stick around. This'll probably go in Advanced when the OOC is up, or barring that, Casual with a higher standard. There will be roles that need to be filled, and I'll appoint the best fits for each.
Well alright I will give it a shot. Were is the CS? Also, i can be very good at fixing spelling and grammatical errors however, right now I am on my phone. My phone is horrible so my grammar might get a bit skewed when I cannot get on my computer.
Well alright I will give it a shot. Were is the CS? Also, i can be very good at fixing spelling and grammatical errors however, right now I am on my phone. My phone is horrible so my grammar might get a bit skewed when I cannot get on my computer.
A CS skeleton will be up when the OOC is up. Can't give a definite ETA, as I'm still scouting for interest, but I'm putting it together. In the meantime, think about what sort of role you'd like to fulfil: a FRAME pilot, a comms officer, support truck crew, weapons specialist, lieutenant, etc. etc. There'll only be about 3 FRAMEs or so. The rest of the unit will tag along and provide support via helicopter, armored truck, or however else it is needed. The commanders will more than likely be on-board with the rest of the team, rather than in the seat of a FRAME.
A CS skeleton will be up when the OOC is up. Can't give a definite ETA, as I'm still scouting for interest, but I'm putting it together. In the meantime, think about what sort of role you'd like to fulfil: a FRAME pilot, a comms officer, support truck crew, weapons specialist, lieutenant, etc. etc. There'll only be about 3 FRAMEs or so. The rest of the unit will tag along and provide support via helicopter, armored truck, or however else it is needed. The commanders will more than likely be on-board with the rest of the team, rather than in the seat of a FRAME.
Weapons specialist more like, or perhaps a hacker.
