Perpenheimer

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

Updated the first IC post with more characters, and added a Zeroth post.

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

- Location: Hyperion Base, Hyperion, Solomon System -

Farris vel Astranos reclined in his seat, his office empty and quiet. Turning an old Krai totem around in his hand, he gazed up at the floating images in his mind, supplied neatly by his implants feeding the data into the optical processing part of his brain. Casually flicking through the files of in-system operators.

This was an interesting one. Catella, Atellus. Incredibly young, but with a very impressive service record for his age. Aberrant psychological profile. Probably why he was kept here, on-base, for so long. Specializing in field medicine...

The Kraian set the totem down on his desk, watching it wobble slightly before coming to a still rest. Returning his attention to the file, he thumbed his chin, thinking.

APRCOM. Yes, perhaps it would be time to test his mettle outside of patching up wounded assets.

He telepathically brought up a direct message line to the young medic.

‘Sentinel Catella,’ it read, ‘please report to my office immediately.’

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

* * *

The Overseer grunted as he pulled himself over another stone face and up to the top of the mountain. Looking down over the treacherous, rocky terrain of their far-flung domain instilled a melancholy sense of at-home warmth in him, tempered by notes of depressed resignation. He hadn’t seen his real home in a while, but soon he would be walking through the homes of others as they cowered and ran.

He sat, contemplating this future. Was is worth it? He had done this countless times, over countless eons. All the more time to wear down on him. Perhaps a passing of the torch was in order. Would they be willing? Who would bear this responsibility? Perhaps he should speak with the Other, as his predecessor once did to him. Perhaps he was the only one. He still held hope that one day he may die.

Gamma materialised at his side, taking a familiar form - the same form the others of the Twelve oft took. It had likely been expecting the Overseer’s return from his hike for some time. The Shard’s Port was only a few hundred metres behind him.

Gamma rematerialized, sitting next to him, placing an artificial hand on the Overseer’s armoured shoulder. “How have you been, in recent days?” asked the ancient being.

The Overseer shrugged. “No better nor worse.” He extended his arms, stretching his weary muscles. Infinite youth was not quite infinite yet, it seemed. “I need to retire.”

Gamma remained silent for a moment. “Soon,” it whispered encouragingly. “We have pondered the time-space, and our master knows of your weariness and despair. Soon.”

The Overseer swallowed any retort that may have coalesced in his mind. “I hope so.”

“I have seen as much myself. This Alpha is tenacious, but as are we.”

The red-armoured figure nodded. “Any luck with the Cenotaph?” he inquired.

“None.” Gamma paused for a moment, as the Overseer bowed his helmeted head. “How goes the crusade?”

The Overseer laughed. A joke, unexpected from one of the Twelve, but then again Gamma had been fond of imitation. “Sadly, well. If you say ‘soon,’ then I’ll hold you to it. I’m becoming tired. I want to die.”

It was Gamma’s turn to bow its head. “Unfortunately natural. Infinity is a fickle thing.”

The Overseer sat for a moment, considering Gamma’s words. “It is,” he eventually conceded.

* * *

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

* * *

* * *

- Location: Hyperion Base, Hyperion, Solomon System -

There was an old Human joke about the Collective.

The Vanguard is going to a restaurant. The Star Guardian drives them there. They sit at a booth and try to figure out what to get. The Advisor and the Practitioner are bickering about the specials while the Consular is on the verge of yelling trying to get his opinion heard, and the Lifekeeper is desperately trying to get everyone to order something healthy. The Tactician is vetoing everyone’s choices because they’re too expensive. The Peacekeeper is trying to calm everyone down while Sentinel leaps over the table and begins trying other people’s food.

And all the while the Combatant is just sitting there with a headache, desperately waiting for everyone to make a decision.

Yeah, not a very good joke, but it rang true enough as Adrian massaged his temples, wanting to get back to Briggs so they could share a beer or two. He might as well leave now and come back because Crasina wasn’t making a decision anytime soon.

“We can’t afford to open the Bridges, Consul Bakos, not yet,” the Grand Strategist said with an air of finality. “No matter how much trade has been halted.”

“The Citizenry is needy, Grand Strategist. The Concordians are suffering too - much more than we are. Have we seen any evidence of a Colossus presence here?” replied Bakos.

“There have been some unconfirmed rumours of agents slipping through,” vel Astranos put in.

Bakos turned to the Kraian, quizzical. “From where?”

“Hard to say. I’m going to be dispatching some of our local Sentinels soon to confirm or deny these rumours.”

Bariye piped up. “All said, a counteroffensive is in order. I suspect keeping the Bridges closed may be exactly what the Colossus wants.”

Crasina nodded. “Those are my thoughts, as well. We should’ve seen another strike at one of the Bridge stations by now if they wanted a full-scale invasion.”

“What about Jurole?” Bakos pondered aloud.

They all turned to look at him. There was a pregnant pause.

Vel Astranos was the first to pose the counter-question. “What about it?”

Bakos continued his thought. “What if we opened the Jurole Bridge? It would certainly go towards sating the appetites of both the Collective in Solomon and the Concordians.”

Crasina did not agree. “Out of the question for now. We have confirmed enemy boots on the ground at Jurole. Unless Warmaster Oswell is willing to risk a liberation…”

Now was their turn to all look at him. Adrian shook off the sleep that had been creeping up on him.

“Well, Warmaster?” Bariye’s soothing, warm voice made him want to sleep again. “Are you up to the challenge?”

Adrian straightened in his seat and clasped his fingers. “Always ready to do what needs to be done. Though my Special Missions Division aboard the Kodiak is looking a little light. I’ll have to grab a few more operators before I head out.”

Farris nodded. “I have a few extra Sentinels to account for. I’ll transfer them to you once I’ve followed up on these rumours.”

“I will assist you as well. I will bring the Prizati to Jurole with you and provide Commander Briggs with reinforcement,” Bariye put in.

Adrian bowed slightly, saluting with his fist over his heart. “Much appreciated, Monitor, Guardian Vigilant. I’ll need the help if we’re to retake Jurole.”

“So," Bakos began, "it’s settled then?”

They all looked around at each other. Crasina nodded.

“I see no issues here, as long as you’re all up to the task. I hope you’re satisfied with this, Consul. We are adjourned for now.”

The leaders of the Vanguard began getting up and leaving the Command & Control Centre, one by one, though Crasina remained. She had work to do here.

Adrian shuffled through the halls of Hyperion base, lazily making his way to his quarters whilst sifting through mission reports and operator files, pondering just what the Colossus was doing in Jurole right now.

And whether or not they were already in Solomon.

* * *

* * *

- Location: Shipping Lane near Tyche, Tychean Space, Solomon System -

“Ah, shit.”

Ben Cragley was stuck.

Again.

The Margaret hadn’t been faring too well recently. She was long overdue for a full refitting at Tyche’s shipyards.

Ben checked his consoles. Power was still at full, and all systems were nominal, save for the engines, which had shut down when an anomaly was detected. The Jazekii reset the engine systems from the engineering console, waiting for a status update upon reboot.

He wished he had his crewmates back. This would be a lot easier if Jatley was around. Currently vacationing outside Solomon, he hoped they were okay and hadn’t been steamrolled by the Colossus.

The console blinked a message, announcing that the reboot had completed. Checking engine status once again, the anomaly was still present.

Letting out a grunt of exasperation, Ben got up and started to make his way aft, toward the engineering centre. Finding the nearest console, he once again checked engine status, and again found that an anomaly had been detected. Sighing, Ben started a full system scan and sat back, waiting for it to finish.

It’d been awhile since he’d last left Solomon to deliver goods to some far-flung Concord planet. He’d barely made it back into Solomon, his ship barely limping towards Tyche for repairs after the Colossus has smashed her up good. He was lucky enough to have smashed them up a bit, too.

Fifteen minutes later, the system scan had finished with a faint ping. Sitting forward, Ben scanned over the console’s report. From what he could make out, some of the internal wiring inside the engine’s main bus was shot, sending a feedback loop of errors and preventing the engines from firing out of safety.

Oh, what a day it was. Or night. He was in space.

Unfortunately, this was something his drones would be unable to fix. Pinching the bridge of his nose and screwing his eyes shut, Ben lamented the outdated systems of his ship. He ought to get some internal repair bots the next time he visited the robotics market in Agathos. Or maybe just go for that full refit the Margaret so desperately needed.

Stalking back up to the bridge, Ben activated the distress beacon, sat back in his command chair, clasping his hands together on his chest, and waited.

* * *

* * *

- Location: Bounty Office, Agathos, Tyche, Solomon System -

Horseradish and cornmeal, she decided, slamming back another shot of H’gar as the aliens around her cheered.

That’s what it tastes like. Horseradish and cornmeal.

The crowd around her booed and dispersed when she waved off another shot, but she’d already had six, and she wanted to keep at least a few wits about her. Sabina motioned to the bartender and ordered a whiskey sour, intending to nurse it slowly enough so that she might pick on whatever wannabe wandered up to the bar. Amateur hunters were pretty commonplace by the bar area of the Bounty Office, as it served a familiar locale for those intending to whet their appetite with both some liquid courage and possibly their first bounty.

It also turned off others who came in expecting a real office and found a bunch of rowdy aliens singing and yelling and drinking at a ramshackle bar. You had to know someone or at least order a drink with one of the pros to get going. Some knew as much, others didn’t. The latter didn’t last very long.

Her drink arrived and she took a cautious sip, savouring the smokiness of the particular whiskey the bartender enjoyed using. Life was fairly good here, for those who wished to forget about the hunt for a while. But Sabina had work to do, and patiently waited for the next amateur to wander up to the seats next to her.

* * *

* * *

- Location: Passchendaele’s Residence, Pysaita Tower, Ipsum, Hyperion, Solomon System -

Thomas sat alone by the fireplace in his house, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window, watching other beings mill about the seventy-eighth floor’s concourse, some returning to their own houses, the giant pillar in the centre of the building obscuring the setting sun and allowing him to gaze out the giant windows of the seventy-eighth floor at the wondrous colors of the evening.

Despite all this beauty, Thomas was bored, sitting here on Hyperion. He wanted to be up above, in space, aboard the Peregrine, gazing at the stars as they warped and blueshifted in front of his vessel. He wanted to gaze at faraway planets, be in the midst of danger, and just [i[explore[/i].

With the Bridges closed, there was nowhere to go but inward and around. Maybe to Dökkálfar, maybe to Karkinos, maybe, maybe, maybe.

No, he wanted to be out there, on the frontier.

What is the furthest system from Solomon? he asked himself.

Hammurabi and Icel, the neuranet answered.

Hammurabi or Icel… each five Bridges from Solomon. Hammurabi was right near the border of Conclave space. Perhaps there was something interesting out there, just waiting to be discovered.

Thus, Thomas began planning and plotting. As soon as he was able. He was headed straight for Hammurabi. A grand voyage. He just needed a complement of guests.

Well, an invitation may be in order, then.

* * *

* * *

- Location: Ipsum Gardens, Ipsum, Hyperion, Solomon System -

Yaliti wandered the gardens, sketching whatever happened to cross his mind, hoping that a Jazekii or a Kraian didn’t step on him while he laboured on his pad.

A tree here, a bush there, a gaggle of Kyrema… all coming together as Yaliti’s stylus danced across the screen, shades of colour appearing and fading into the white and black streaks of his artwork.

Once, someone of his talent would have painted glorious watercolours of virtuous Viveni soldiers and heroes, standing amidst the carnage and bloodied bodies of their enemies.

Such was the Viveni way once. It wasn’t too long ago that the great Collective had been absent from Viveni affairs and thus the warring continued ceaselessly. Now, there could be ones of his species that were not soldiers - but great chefs, artists, or explorers.

Explorers… the little Viveni wondered what weird worlds might be waiting out beyond the splendour of the Collective’s now contained capital. He wondered who or what might just be waiting in the Trema System, at the mysterious and unstable three-way border between galactic powers.

Perhaps one day, he would paint the oddities of Styx…

Yaliti lapsed into thought, distracted by his imagination.

* * *

* * *

- Location: Ipsum Planetarium, Ipsum, Hyperion, Solomon System -

The planets were always pretty to look at.

Directly, Sev mused, not quite in the Planetarium. Looking at the real thing was always better.

Wafting from security camera to terminal to terminal, and back to camera, Sev fleetingly perused his home, on the lookout for anything of interest to occupy his ever-calculating mind.

* * *

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

And that's all ten. IC coming tomorrow. Don't forget to post your characters under the Character Tab.

Oh, and there are some goodies in the Discord for those who were considering joining.

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

Alright, that's two more done. Maybe if I get the last four done tomorrow I can start the IC on Sunday or Monday. Get your characters down, peeps!

Hi there.

I'm Perpenheimer, but you can just call me Perp. Don't let my join date fool you - I made an account four months ago and haven't touched it til now. I'm starting to get back into the RPG flow and have started one in Casual, with a second possibly coming. Just thought I'd go ahead and meet the community.

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

First staff character is up. Nine more coming soon, and IC soon after that.

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

Staff Characters

---

Thomas Passchendaele

Name: Thomas “Tommy” Passchendaele

Species: Human

Age: 731

Sex: Male

Appearance: Long hair dyed silver with a beard much the same, silver eyes, caramel-coloured skin; thin but warm smile. Tommy is is nearly as old as Humanity’s entrance into the Collective, and despite his youthful appearance, he has the feel of an elder to him. Taller and thinner than the average human due to his Martian heritage, Tommy is usually clad in a warm quilted tunic and matching pants, as well as a silk overcoat.

History: Being as old as he is, Tommy has seen a lot, and he wishes to see more. His family tree goes back to the first settlers on Mars in the 2020s, and he was, in fact, born and raised in Mariner City, on Mars, shortly after the Collective discovered Humanity. Ever since, Tommy has seen to travel wherever he can, to the most distant parts of the Collective’s reach in order to experience the expanding frontier firsthand. On many occasions, he has participated in direct expansion efforts, and has operated as a senior terraforming consultant several times.

Personality: Seeing Mars warm, wet and green has inspired Tommy to explore the galaxy and experience the Collective’s expansion firsthand. He is a warm and charming fellow who has seen many a day and many a voyage. Having worked with people for so long, he takes an instant liking to anyone who shares his ambitions.

Allegiance: The Collective

Personal Effects:

• Incarrasi SmarTech Data Storage Disc x 6
• Incarrasi SmarTech Storage Disc Reader/Writer

Other:

His Ship, the Peregrine

Ship Manufacturer: Galicoron Shipbuilding

Ship Designation: Starliner Peregrine

Ship Class: Medium Transport Vessel

Ship Size: Length - 350m, Height - 50m, Width - 60m

Ship Crew/Personnel:

• 3 Crew
• 1 AI
• Accommodations for 50 Passengers

Ship Cargo Capacity:

• 2 Shuttles
• 50 tons extraneous cargo capacity.

Ship Armament: Unarmed

Ship Technologies:

• Standard Scanners
• XC-Class Exploration Probes
• Multi-Frequency Communications Package
• 10 repair drones
• XC-Drive Class-1000

Ship Appearance: Long and sleek, the Peregrine looks most like a spearhead. It has four engines - two in front and two in back. The bridge is nestled close to the back of the ship, and lies almost flush with the hull. Hangars for shuttles and launchers for probes and drones are underneath the main hull.

Other: The Peregrine is Passchendaele’s personal exploration ship. He sometimes takes guests on voyages.

Farris vel Astranos

Name: Monitor Farris vel Astranos

Species: Krai

Age: 1344

Sex: Male

Appearance: Farris is thinner and more lithe than your average Krai. Maybe it’s been a result of years of desk duty, but I’m not sure he’d agree. His skin is a dark tan, accented by mottled green-and-red horns and fiery orange eyes. His robes are angularly cut and firmly pressed - he wears the Vanguard sigil on his shoulder.

History: At over a thousand years old, Farris has seen many a species enter the Collective - and subsequently the Vanguard. Born on the Krai homeworld of Listrai, in Collais, Farris saw a fairly sheltered life through a lengthy Krai adolescence. It was only through growing older and moving away from family that Farris became bored enough to want to see a different side of the galaxy. After enlisting with the Star Guardians, Farris saw several hundred years of faithful service to the cause before once again becoming bored as he climbed the ranks, later putting in a transfer request to the Sentinels. Satisfied with his job for more hundreds of years, Farris became an accomplished operator and once again climbed the ranks, eventually being elected Monitor, where he has languished in desk duty on Hyperion for just under fifty years. With the Colossus on Solomon’s doorstep, he may yet see more action.

Personality: Often terse and stone-faced, Farris bores easily, especially when not doing anything too physically or mentally taxing. To him, a real challenge is a stressful situation, and how to make it less stressful. He treats anyone whom he deals with with respect and professional dignity, but he can come off as rude when in strong disagreement with someone.

Allegiance: The Collective (Vanguard, Sentinels)

Personal Effects:

• Unified Collais Arms Type-98 Charged Plasma Sidearm (T98 CPS)
  (Kraian Plasma Pistol. An older model, Farris keeps it as a memento of his old Sentinel days.)

Other: As Monitor, Farris is in charge of the Sentinels and their operations. If one needs to report to him, he can usually be found in his office in Hyperion Base.

Crasina Uleka

Name: Grand Strategist Crasina Uleka

Species: Tervani

Age: 463

Sex: Female

Appearance: Standing at around six feet, Crasina is the model of Tervah beauty. Her greenish-blue skin is shiny and smooth, with lighter spots, lines and patterns running throughout. Her eyes are a solid medium blue, complimenting her speckled orange “feathers”. Clad in a white-and-black Vanguard bodysuit, with a terse demeanour about her face, she portrays a look of all-business.

History: Born on the colony world of Tyrocia in the Thryzz System, Crasina spent most of her adolescence and early adulthood aiding terraforming efforts going on around the planet. It was due to her astounding abilities of management and innovative problem-solving that the terraforming efforts have exceeded time expectations. Crasina later joined the Vanguard Combatants when Tyrocia came under attack by exile insurgents, hoping to steal Collective terraforming technology. After the incident, Crasina remained within the Combatants and served for many years before being transferred to the Tacticians due to her knack for effective strategizing. She was elected Grand Strategist just under twenty years ago, and now resides in Hyperion Base, though she still makes frequent trips to Tyrocia to see her family.

Personality: Crasina tends to address military matters with a serious demeanour, and does not have patience for foolishness and second-guessing. Beneath her visage of cold, hard military precision is a warmer, fuzzier side to her, which she reserves for personal connections.

Allegiance: The Collective (Vanguard, Tacticians)

Personal Effects: None

Other: Crasina is Grand Strategist of the Tacticians. Most other divisions report to her before and during operations. She can usually be found in the Command & Control Centre of Hyperion Base.

Adrian Oswell

Name: Warmaster Adrian Oswell

Species: Human

Age: 221

Sex: Male

Appearance: With close-cropped jet-black hair, hazel eyes with similarly dark circles under them, pale skin as well as a noticeable five-o’clock shadow, Adrian just looks tired. At 6’7 and fit, he is the perfect soldier - hence why he was elected Warmaster.

History: Raised by Collective exile parents on the exile world of B’nara, difficult agricultural work under a faint star was the daily norm for Adrian. When a neighbouring exile world invaded B’nara and caused a food shortage, Adrian enlisted in the planet’s militia and helped his compatriots fend off the invaders of their besieged home. Following recovery from near-starvation, Adrian took the first chance he could to rejoin the Collective and enlist in the Vanguard Combatants. After climbing the ranks higher and higher over a hundred years, Adrian was elected Warmaster after the Colossus crisis began seven years ago - the first time the position of Warmaster was needed in over nine-hundred years. He has become famous for the battles of Docran, Kinlo, and Saria.

Personality: A humble man, Adrian tends to form bonds with good-natured and effective soldiers, as he believes that these bonds will increase both combat effectiveness and trust. He is easy to get on with and, despite an air of exhaustion to him, is always ready to do what needs to be done. The Colossus have just taken a lot out of him.

Allegiance: The Collective (Vanguard, Combatants)

Personal Effects:

• Ian V. Xavier Firearms Class 2 Model 9 Charged Particle Assault Rifle (C2M9 CPAR) + 6 Plasma Magazines
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing Mk. III Special Applications Sidearm/Laser (MK3 SAS) + 6 Charge Packs
• Kasper New Series Type-21 Magnetic-Accelerated Projectile Designated Marksman Rifle (T21 DMR) + 6 Magazines
• BRUMADÉ Model 47 Propellant-Driven-Projectile Assault & Multipurpose Shotgun (M47 AMS) + 6 Magazines
• GENERATIONAL Series 8 Carbon Steel Utility Knife
• GENERATIONAL Series 9 SuperForm Compact Reforming Sword
  (A gag gift from Farris vel Astranos.)
• GENERATIONAL Series 9 SuperForm Reforming Multipurpose Tools (MPTs)
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing AM54 Smart Grenade x 3
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing New Standard Stun Grenade x 3
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing New Standard Explosive Filament Tape with Folding Applicator & Detonator + 3 Spools (SPEX)
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing Shaped Remote High Explosive Charge x 5 (HEX Charge)
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing New Standard Infiltration & Controller Module (ICM)
• Vanguard Private Manufacturing Model 153 Compact Airborne Reconnaissance Drone (CARD)
• Leitgester Technology Solutions Byt54 Chemical Data Storage Stick x 3 (CDS)
• Taurus Engineering Series 54 Rapid Grapple/Rappel System (Grapple Gun)
• Utility & Storage Pouch

Other:

His Warmaster’s Armour

Manufacturer: Vanguard Private Manufacturing
Armour Designation: Titan-Class
Armour Type: Advanced Military Prototype Exosuit
Protection Class: Medium-High Armour Rating
Armour Battery Capacity: Carbon nanobatteries - 300 hours use at full power before recharge
Armour Technologies:

• Atmospheric seals & oxygen processor
• Armoured Flexible Pressure suit w/ Internal heating/cooling system
• Survival systems
• Built-in harness
• SuperForm Reforming Armour systems
• Self-repair functions
• Strength-enhancing powered exoskeleton
• Communications package
• IFF scanner
• Multi-spectrum imaging systems
• Smart Targeting system
• Data storage functions
• AI module
• Smart camouflage systems
• Miniaturized point-defense system
• Miniaturized flight package
• Reaction control systems

Appearance: Form-fitting and comfortable, the Titan-Class Armour System is one-of-a-kind. This prototype armour allows the user a great deal of flexibility while providing a significant amount of protection. The armour is composed of rigid, lightweight, high-strength plates and an underlying shock- and force-absorbing undersuit which also provides a seal against vacuum and hostile atmospheres. A powered exoskeleton conjoins the plates, allowing enhanced strength and speed. Naturally silver in colour, a specialized nanometal skin allows the suit’s exterior surfaces to change colour and pattern to suit its surroundings for purposes of camouflage.

Adrian is the Warmaster of the Vanguard Combatants, who report to him either in his quarters at Hyperion Base or in orbit above Hyperion at Vanguard One. He works closely with the Star Guardians, Sentinels, Tacticians, and Lifekeepers. His ship is the Kodiak, commanded by Star Guardian Bruce Briggs.

Benjamin Cragley

Name: Benjamin “The Human” Cragley

Species: Jazekii

Age: 672

Sex: Male

Appearance: Despite his namesake, Ben is no human - he is as Jazek as one can get. Towering and bulky at eight feet, he is about average size for a member of his species. Boasting gold-tan coloured skin, blue eyes, small jowls and slightly large, gold-coloured horns, to the Jazekii, he would be considered attractive.

History: One frosty winter day on Tyche, Benjamin was orphaned by his family shortly after he was born. He was adopted by a Human family months later. They fed, named, and raised him alongside six other Human brothers and sisters. To the Cragleys, Ben was just another sibling; it didn't matter that he was Jazekii. Helping the family trade business once he was of age, the Cragleys lived well, but Ben outlived them all in the end. Now a magnate, the Cragley Trading Family lives on under Ben and his name.

Personality: Brash and boastful, Ben is a swashbucking old sailor of the trade routes. He values his business partners like family, since he has none of his own. On his bad days, he can be closed off and egotistical, but on his good days; jolly, full of laughter and more humble. He has recently become more serious and agitated as the Colossus has cut him off from the rest of the Collective and Concord. He has seen direct combat with the Colossus on a few occasions.

Allegiance: Tyche Concord (The Cragley Family)

Personal Effects:

Tychean Combined Arms Workshop T8 Darkrunner Pistol, Model J (T8 Darkrunner)
(A Jazekii model of the Darkrunner Heavy Rail Pistol)

Other:

The Margaret

Ship Manufacturer: Baszlin Space Engineering

Ship Designation: Cargo Vessel Margaret

Ship Class: Cargo & Transport Ship

Ship Size: Length - 1.3km, Width - 0.3km, Height - 0.4km

Ship Crew/Personnel: 5 Bridge crew, 3 Engineers, Accommodations for 10 passengers

Ship Cargo Capacity: 3 Shuttles, 2000 tons cargo capacity

Ship Armament: 20 turreted light laser point-defense batteries, 4 gimballed medium railgun batteries

Ship Technologies: Upgraded Scanner Package, Standard Communications Package, 25 repair drones, XC-Drive Class-1500

Ship Appearance: Highly modified, Ben’s personal ship is almost a jumbled mess of parts. A long central brace extends the length of the craft, from which the bridge tower extends upwards. The port side of the craft sports a standard shuttle bay, as well as berths for repair drones and two communications dishes. On the starboard side, a crane-arm extends outwards from the hull, able to move the length of the central brace to help with cargo loading and unloading. Also on the port side are cargo bay doors, as well as clamps for external cargo containers. Each side sports ten point-defense lasers, as well as two railguns. A scanner antenna extends from the front of the craft. Eight engines power the craft, four on either end.

Other: The ship is named after Ben’s mother, Margaret Theresa Cragley.

Bariye Calati Joruna

Name: Guardian Vigilant Bariye Calati Joruna

Species: Semria

Age: 811

Sex: Female

Appearance: Bariye’s skin is a dark black underneath her reddish-brown fur, only showing on her arms and around her face. Her eyes are similarly black, though her beak is a dark, velvety maroon. There is a warmth and comfort to her appearance. Thin, light grey robes adorn her most of the time.

History: Bariye was born into a military family. Both of her parents were Star Guardians, though her sister enlisted with the Sentinels, and unfortunately died in the Askadan Conflict. She has seen many a skirmish in her 770 years of service, including the Orion Insurgency, the Tarlata Discrepancy, and mediation during the Andavian Revolts. Due to her valourous behaviour in all situations, she became Commander of the Heavy Assault Freighter Maliin after only ten years of service. After having dealt with the Fringe Incursions just before the eve of the Colossus’ emergence, she was elected Guardian Vigilant. Now, she resides aboard Vanguard One, plotting the next courses against the Colossus with her fellow Guardians.

Personality: Bariye has a natural charisma that even Oswell can’t beat. She works patiently and carefully with those around her to develop the most appropriate strategy for any situation. She is slow and methodical about her movements and words, but has a certain charm that others usually find endearing.

Allegiance: The Collective (Vanguard, Star Guardians)

Personal Effects: None

Other:

Battleship Prizati

Ship Manufacturer: Titanium Craftworks

Ship Class: Epsilon-Class Battleship

Ship Designation: Battleship Prizati

Ship Size: Length - 3km, Height - 0.5km, Width - 0.6km

Ship Crew/Personnel:

• 10 Bridge Crew
• 1 AI
• Accommodations for 250 Non-Crew Personnel

Ship Cargo Capacity:

• 52 Shuttles
• 20 Medium Dropships
• 10,000 tons extraneous cargo capacity

Ship Armament:

• 8 super-heavy beam laser batteries
• 50 heavy plasma cannon batteries
• 44 gimballed heavy railgun batteries
• 84 gimballed medium railgun batteries
• 64 medium pulse laser batteries
• 120 turreted light laser point-defense batteries
• 20 heavy smart missile batteries
• 10 hydrogen warheads

Ship Technologies:

• High-frequency scanners
• IFF scanner
• XC-Class exploration probes
• XC-Class communication probes
• Multi-frequency communications package
• Communications jammer package
• Charged particle exoskeletal armor
• Phased gravitic deflection emitters
• 350 repair drones
• 500 combat starfighter drones
• XC-Drive Class-5000

Ship Appearance: See Data Files.

Other: The Prizati has been under Bariye’s command for thirty years. It is an older model of the Epsilon-Class and has seen continuous upgrades over time.

Bariye is the Guardian Vigilant of the Star Guardians. As such, Star Guardians report to her. She can be found aboard Vanguard One.

Bruce Briggs

Name: Commander Bruce Briggs

Species: Human

Age: 393

Sex: Male

Appearance: Shaved auburn hair, neatly trimmed beard of the same colour, light brown skin. Apart from these features, Bruce is a jolly man; he spends a lot of his time grinning. Standing a little shorter than the average human, Bruce is well-built and well dressed, wearing a standard Star Guardian Commander’s Uniform - a pressed, dark tunic and pants with the Vanguard insignia emblazoned on his lapel.

History: After having grown up a single child on Catalina, in the Jurole System, Bruce made a name for himself running tours of the Collective out of Catalina for those who wanted to see the beauty of the galaxy. After fifty years of this, Bruce decided a change in career was in order. When news of the Andavian Revolts swept through the system, Bruce immediately decided to enlist with the Star Guardians. He became an accomplished ensign within the first few years of service, and later made Executive Officer of the Battlecruiser Wonderland, and later Commander when the previous Commander retired. He has since become Commander of the Battleship Kodiak in the midst of the Colossus War, and was personally picked by Warmaster Oswell as his Guardian Commander of choice, whom he now serves alongside.

Personality: Charismatic, loyal, and a kind soul, Bruce is always one to crack a joke or to spread a layer of sharp wit on any situation that he encounters, though he can get snide and sarcastic when he is frustrated. All in all, Bruce just loves what he does.

Allegiance: The Collective (Vanguard, Star Guardians)

Personal Effects:

• VPM Model 1010 Officer’s Sidearm (M1010)
• Bottle of Old Glen Double-Malt Scotch, Aged 14 Years
  (A gift from Adrian)

Other: Briggs is keeping his scotch for when the war is over.

Battleship Kodiak

Ship Manufacturer: Titanium Craftworks

Ship Class: Epsilon-Class Battleship

Ship Designation: Battleship Kodiak

Ship Size: Length - 3km, Height - 0.5km, Width - 0.6km

Ship Crew/Personnel:

• 10 Bridge Crew
• 1 AI
• Accommodations for 250 Non-Crew Personnel

Ship Cargo Capacity:

• 52 Shuttles
• 20 Medium Dropships
• 10,000 tons extraneous cargo capacity

Ship Armament:

• 8 super-heavy beam laser batteries
• 50 heavy plasma cannon batteries
• 44 gimballed heavy railgun batteries
• 84 gimballed medium railgun batteries
• 64 medium pulse laser batteries
• 120 turreted light laser point-defense batteries
• 20 heavy smart missile batteries
• 10 hydrogen warheads

Ship Technologies:

• High-frequency scanners
• IFF scanner
• XC-Class exploration probes
• XC-Class communication probes
• Multi-frequency communications package
• Communications jammer package
• Charged particle exoskeletal armor
• Phased gravitic deflection emitters
• 350 repair drones
• 500 combat starfighter drones
• XC-Drive Class-5000

Ship Appearance: See Data Files.

Other: The Kodiak has been outfitted with a specialized quarters and armory for Warmaster Oswell.

Yaliti Ula Vacuan

Name: Yaliti Ula Vacuan

Species: Viveni

Age: 78

Sex: Male

Appearance: At three feet tall, Yaliti doesn’t look like much. With a dark green carapace and reddish brown skin, he usually blends into the gardens of Ipsum where he is commonly found, though he usually wears a blue-and-tan jumpsuit. His eyes are dark, and larger than most Viveni.

History: Born early after his species’ discovery by the Collective, Yaliti has been fascinated with exploring the expanse of space that the Collective occupies. Moreover, he is interested as the mysteries of the Core Empire and the Conclave, and wishes to travel to the Trema System one day to experience planet Styx. For now, however, he is content to explore the cities and wilderness of Hyperion, making personal notes on all the flora and fauna and the wondrous alien species he encounters. He is fascinated by it all.

Personality: Naturally curious and inquisitive, Yaliti generally tries not to pay attention to people, mainly because he doesn't want any attention paid to himself. He is a bit shy and tends to focus on his efforts to record and documents rather that those around him, though he tends to open up if one approaches him and is assertive enough.

Allegiance: The Collective

Personal Effects:

• Leitgester Technology Solutions Byt54 Data Recorder & Scanner
• Leitgester Technology Solutions Byt54 Digital Data & Sketch Pad
• Incarrasi SmarTech Data Storage Disc
• Incarrasi SmarTech Storage Disc Reader/Writer

Sabina Greene

Name: Sabina Greene

Species: Human

Age: 31

Sex: Female

Appearance: Sabina is a fierce one - in terms of both personality and overall look. Skin the colour of chocolate,
and hair the colour of space, pulled back in a tight ponytail. Light blue eyes, like Solomon in all its brightness. Sabina is often clad in typical mercenary garb - combat boots, pants and shirt - with a red leather jacket.

History: Ship-born, Sabina was raised by spacer parents on Tyche. Early in her life, she was orphaned when they were both killed in a shipping accident far from home. It was after she left the orphanage that she enlisted in the Tychean militia and served for seven years before being discharged due to an injury. She later became employed by the Tyche Bounty Office, where she now works as a high-level operator, hunter and recruiter.

Personality: Harsh and unforgiving, Sabina doesn't tolerate foolishness and she doesn't have a high opinion of the other exile worlds. Her business is prudence and professionalism. Though, she does have a dark sense of humour about her.

Allegiance: Tyche Concord, Bounty Office

Personal Effects:

• Section-4 Armament (S4A) CoilCaster Type-2 Submachine-Gun (CCT2 SMG)
• BRUMADÉ LaserWorks Model V Refracting Laser Sidearm (MV Pistol)
• Section 4 Armament YK7 Stun Grenade x 4

Other:
Tambin Armory #46 Gunship, Civilian Version
(An unarmed civilian version of the TAARM Gunship, sold to Tyche. Retrofitted by Sabina with new weaponry.)

Sev

Name: Sev

Species: AI

Age: 14

Sex: Simulated Male

Appearance: His symbol is three interlinking circles with seven dots arranged in the centre.

History: Sev was created fourteen years ago. Since then, he has assisted in data sorting and task management for several public companies and has created personal assistance subroutines for many citizens. He resides mainly in Ipsum’s planetarium museum, pondering the beauty of the Collective’s worlds.

Personality: Sev is known as a “quiet AI”, minimizing his contact with biological beings in order to lurk in data and storage systems, and essentially people-watch.

Allegiance: The Collective

Personal Effects: n/a

Other: Sev tends to roam around a lot, but if needed, he can be found in Ipsum’s planetarium.

---

The Parallel Campaign - An Expansive Spacefaring RPG

@Arkitekt Yup, that's cool with me.