Spike

💣 Love Bomb Piracy Front 💣

The ship can be our first asset. I think that having some kind of, like, artifact doomship would be a good way to put a pirate crew on equal footing with the UFP. Maybe we start with a more "normal" ship, but maybe find the nice one in some ruins?

As for assets...I like the idea of new people getting gadgets, but I think the specific one should be up to the players? Maybe membership just gives a new piece of equipment and a new ability? Like...

Arsenal: By pooling objects that individual members find, the Love Bomb Pirates have quite a stock of nifty gadgets they've acquired or built. Joining the Love Bomb Pirates gives a new member one piece of equipment, with power level equal to the highest power level an individual crew member has.

Training: By sharing knowledge and training, as well as facilities such as the VR room and gravity training area, a new member will usually end up stronger after joining the crew. They gain one new ability equal to their current power level.

How about these? They're useful for pretty much any character, they provide a nice, tangible benefit, and like they could both be used for nice character building, where, like, they go get whatever new equipment they've got or do a bit where they train with another character.

What if we had codenames?

"I mean, I hired you as an escort. That means you're with us, right?"

Ah, @ChickenTeriyaki has expressed interest in having his character join our ranks upon acceptance.

"Say 'Hi,' John. Do you want some tea?"

Tea

💣 Love Bomb Piracy Front 💣

Ok that sold it for me!
Love the upgrade to the OP!
Consider me interested.

Pleeeaaasssse take me in!
(Character is waiting on one more approval. Also I don't have discord.)

@Dark Light

Alright, sure. It's looking like we'll be using this thread for discussion anyways.

Fiddling around with ship details, if it ever becomes relevant.

A former Harmonious Network bioship, albeit heavily modified- that is, destroyed, salvaged, and then hybridised with components of UFP origin to create an entirely new vessel. The LBPF spacecraft is effectively the engine of a much larger Network vessel with enough add-ons to make it functional and livable.

Capable of FTL travel and not much else, the vessel relies on a virtual particle pair propulsion system for thrust. An organic matrix at the prow of the ship interacts with the quantum substrate to 'project' a stationary field of charged particles ahead of the vessel, which are entangled with antiparticles captured in the three hollow 'wings' at the stern. While the projected particles can be moved, their captured siblings remain stationary relative to the ship, pulling it along as they try to meet and annihilate the forwards field.

Similar interactions power the vessel, which is capable of safely confining antimatter in the organoquantum matrix and reacting it with ordinary hadrons to release large amounts of energy. Due to its high energy density, antimatter isn't the most expensive fuel around, but the ship's crew have to live with the fact that they are ultimately flying the interstellar equivalent of a leaking propane tank. Better keep Giggles close at hand.

The antiparticle field projector system cannot adequately function outside of a relatively true vacuum. This means that the ship struggles to accelerate through interstellar clouds, or even too close to stars, let alone in atmosphere. Its pulling power, however, is considerable.

Mid-sized at about 250 metres long, the vessel nevertheless has very little interior space, by virtue of being a modified engine. It can support up to twenty people, albeit not for very long, or in any comfort whatsoever- It has a total of two bedrooms.

<Maybe more to come, maybe not.>

<Snipped quote by Dark Light>

you're welcome

@Antarctic Termite

Ah, I like it! All Gigeresque and spooky!

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

"Not in this part of the slums. Slugs are cheaper than cells for a laser weapon. Replacement parts cost less. There's just not as much market for it." Marco said. He'd produced a small kettle and hot plate from beneath the counter, and had started some water boiling. From a different shelf, he got some rolling paper, deftly twisting it into an Ecetopian cigarette. A pair of couches flanked a coffee table, and Marco took a seat in one of them.

"So you can't take me to see the Mogul? I thought so." He said, lighting it and taking a hit, before passing it to Giggles. "I guess I should have figured. I'd probably get killed trying anyways, haha." He chuckled. He wasn't feeling a whole lot. He'd only done it once before now, and it had done very little to him. "Oh, by the way. I'm Marco." He said to Giggles, getting up and moving the hot water to the teapot, along with a few bags of tea. He laid a pair of ornate cups on the table. They were beautifully designed, and looked very old. This was clearly a man who attached great ceremony to tea.

"I sorta just want to get off this planet. It's kinda a dump." He said, pouring Giggles a cup, then taking one for himself. He used the sugar tongs to plunk 1...2...3...4...5...6...7 sugar cubes into his cup, before sipping. It was Ecetopian breakfast tea. The smell of exotic spices mixed with the scent of gunpowder in the room. "They don't care about anything that goes on in the slums." He said to Giggles when he mentioned the police. "Frixion Prime is a shithole. And that travel ban has you stuck here, huh? Helluva vacation." He looked out the window, draining his teacup and the sugary sludge that had congealed at the bottom. "Too bad I don't have a ship. It'd suck to stay here my whole life. I've always wanted to see Esetopia." He had poured himself another cup, and was putting even more sugar into it.

💣 Love Bomb Piracy Front 💣

Alright, this is it. I think that we can submit it now. If anyone wants to make any changes, say so now. I'm gonna post it in a few hours.

💣 Love Bomb Piracy Front 💣

Name:

"No, Marco, we are not 'the big bang pirates'. We're the noble redistribution front of a revolutionary people’s union."
“But pirates, Giggles. Pirates.”
“...Yeah sure alright.”

THE BIG BANG PIRATES💣 Love Bomb Piracy Front 💣

Graphic:

Hider

Motto:

"We're the bom-""NO."

"No Gods, No Masters"

Leader:

“None. Everyone gets equal say.”
"Umm.." Eyes Giggles suspiciously. "You sure that's a good idea?"

Description:

“The premise for this group is just that it's a band of space pirates, though how much pirating we'll get up to is _"LOTS!" up for discussion. Everyone is equal. _"Pfft."There is no leader. The goal is to explore the galaxy and pursue the goals of every individual member of the group.”

Goals:

"Explore the galaxy, acquire riches. Others?""n' look damn sexy while at it!"
"...I have so many bullets with bourgeois names written on them. So goddamn many."
Aye, never stay still for long and see what the void has to offer us. If we come across some Fat Cat with a bulging purse, alls the better.

Allies:

“None yet! Probably any law enforcement organizations.”
“...Those are enemies, Marco.”
"Yeah Marco, allies are the ones giving us money."

Enemies:

"If we're going to do any pirating, the UFP is probably gonna be against us. Also we're probably gonna be non-evil? So any really really bad guys are probably gonna be our enemies."
"Anything that breathes in my direction" mutters Alexis.
Giggles nodded assent, running the whetstone once more over the edge of his machete. Non-evil was a good enough way to put it. Good, by whatever means necessary.
"Good, evil? Which one has my money?"
*RUFF* Geez, language Hound.

Assets

"We should probably have a ship. Maybe a tricked out one?"
“When we get a budget better than the change from my last protein shake, I’ll let you know.”
"Well just saying, it doesn't look like anyone is guarding that old piece of scrap over there"
Oh sweet saints surround! Let me see what that beauty is hiding under her hood!

Contraband

Contraband

---

AKA the stash • Loot • Leftovers
"Sharing is caring!"

---

Contraband: Membership of the crew grants a piece of equipment of power level equal to that of the highest power level among the crew. It's either stolen (In which case whoever once owned it probably put a bounty on your head to get it back) or built by a fellow crew member (Which means it's probably not street-legal and/or made of stolen materials.)

Details
It has become an honoured tradition to welcome new crew members into the official ranks by granting then a piece of exciting contraband from the secret stash.
It's amazing what these guys pick up, throw out or tinker together. Most items in the stash are forgotten about, their purpose, reasoning and origins. That is until some lucky member pulls it out and starts asking questions.

Restrictions:

• GM and Crew approval is always required upon selection.
• Lost or confiscated items may on occasion be replaced if you have contributed valuably to the crew. (Do not abuse this.)

FRIEND SHIP

Friend Ship

The Love Bomb Pirates are all typically onboard their flagship, the Penumbra. A former military vessel, it has many advanced training facilities, including a VR deck and a gravity room. Since they're so close knit, joining the crew gives the new member a new skill of power level equal to their own. The skill doesn't necessarily have to be an exact copy of the partner's ability. But it does have to be something that the crew member could conceivably learn from another crew member. For example, if there are no crew members with magical powers, then this ability can't be used to learn any magical powers. It should be talked about with the other person, and can be roleplayed in character.

Territories:

"Rent is theft, we go where we want."
"Ahmen, but I do like that place Tortuga."

Tortuga, a pirates refuge.

Tortuga

---

The stolen moon • Pirate haven • Mercenary lair

---

This tiny moon has undergone much construction. A powerful propulsion system lets it travel where ever it wants. Much of the core has been mined away and used on its large exoskeleton.

The labyrinth of empty tunnels and caverns that sprawl beneath the surface have become a sanctuary and breeding ground for all sorts of unsavoury types seeking either refuge, work, the thriving illegal trade or even all of the above.

under the surface

Tortuga is home to the large four armed Goratu.

Goratu

A dull seemingly animalistic race incapable of language beyond grunts. Many dismissed them at first. While large and powerful they remained peaceful unless really provoked.
But like all animals they had some powerful instincts, a natural understanding of things. And those things were mechanics, metals and spacecrafts. With an uncanny comprehension of engineering they turned their small moon into a space station and fled the different world they revolved around.

History:
The Goratu struggled to co-exist. They once populated many lands across a single planet. There was variety to their species and the land supplied all they needed. Then colonisation came. The Goratu don't understand things like 'personal space', 'possessions' or 'law'.

Seen as unintelligent and a hinderance they were kicked off their own planet. Now only a small percentage still survive. Their ways have not changed but the people that visit have adapted.

Interactions:
The Goratu mostly mind there own business. The have a keen sense of smell and touch. Occasionally they will grow curious or decide to look at or touch something of yours... Let them!
Basic trade is not possible with them, as any attempts of communication is futile. Visitors have learned though that if you can get a Goratu to your ship he will surely fix it. They will also take anything that interests them.
It is common practice and considered proper behaviour to entice them by leaving food and spare parts.

Critical Points

Critical Point One: Flagship

The Penumbra

The Penumbra is a Max-One-Five model TRD ship that the THO stole somewhere around the end of the war. The ship gets it's name from the fully integrated AI that keeps the ship's systems online. The AI, named Max by Alexis, has been hacked by THO scientists but the hack was never fully finished and some parts of the ship remain inaccessible.

The Penumbra is equipped with the latest TRD weapons that include(but are not limited to) photon missiles capable of blowing holes up to 20kms, plasma machine guns placed on almost every square inch of the ship and an yet locked weapon called "Annihilator Missile" said to be the TDR's reply to heavily defended Space stations.

It's strongest asset, however, is the AEGIS energy shield. It’s able to absorb almost any attack. As it does so, it gathers energy. When it’s turned off, it releases a massive amount of force. Thus, the shield can also be used for a devastating ram.

In terms of facilities, the ship is huge but with most of it closed off by the AI. There crew quarters have been refurbished by the crew in order to house humans and not robots and an workshop has been remade into a medical lab. The armory has a decent stock of TDR's latest weapons (plasma guns and radars(same one Alexis has)), and there’s a workshop with a military-grade 3D printing facility.)

The inside looks like a bachelor pad for the most part. The Lounge has a stripper pole with a hologram projector. Marco attempted to program an anime girl stripper into it, but instead accidentally got it stuck to a man named Mario who hangs out in the lounge and claims to be the captain.

Critical Point Two: Smuggling Network

Honor Among Thieves

The Love Bomb Pirates are, of course, involved in smuggling. They sell stuff they steal and make in exchange for things like weapons, ammo, and raw materials. Most of their trading is done on Tortuga through various contacts. If Tortuga were retaken, they would lose this and be much less well-equipped.

Critical Point Three: Star Chart

X Marks The Spot

This map leads to an ancient, priceless treasure that lies near the galactic core. Mere posession of it is dangerous, for whatever it leads to could change the face of the Galaxy forever.

Members

@HeroicSociopath : Marco Valentine the Pirate
@Antarctic Termite : Giggles the Anarchist
@Dark Light : Anya Alexi the Demoness
@ChickenTeriyaki : John the Wannabe Urban Ninja
@LPRKN : Colin Setanta the Engineer, Hound the Good Boy
@Ashevelendar : Alexis Ben'Ghazad the Experiment
@Styxx Acheron : Lucca Valentine the Cheetah Shifter Extraodinaire
@SIGINT : SIGINT the Best Hacker In the Universe
@JaceBeleren : Diana Vultz the Iron Miaden

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

((Wait so did Giggles take back the condom and drugs?))

As soon as Giggles seemed like h ewas going to throw the ball, Marco moved, lightning-fast, to grab the boy's wrist. He had definitely flinched, that was for sure. He wanted to be mad, but he was smiling, because dammit, the ginger had gotten him good. "D-don't joke like that." He said, his face dusted red as he took the bombs back.

"...Itwasprettyfunnythoughyeah." He murmured under his breath. His eyes followed Giggle's movements. The sleight of hand was impressive, and something he'd always had an interest in himself. "I mean, now I wonder if you have a demolitions license." He said, smiling slightly now. Apparently, he wasn't too offended by Giggles nearly blowing up the ball. Either he was an idiot or incredibly laid-back. He looked over at the dog as he got up. He really wanted to pet it, but now was not the time. He stepped out of the bar.

"Can you really get me to the Mogul?" He asked the ginger as he stepped outside. The guy didn't look like much, but honestly Marco was desperate enough that he'd hear the guy out. His store was going to be sold, and soon he'd be left destitute. It was only a few blocks and one lift ride away. Clealy, Valentine Armaments had seen better days. The sign red "Closed", and the lights were off. That was because Marco was the only employee left. At least it was well-secured. He entered in his code, then pressed his thumb to the screen. The metal door hissed open, and he flicked on the lights. The shelves were mostly bare, with only a few guns left on the shelves.

"Energy weapons aren't really my forte. I'm more a ballistics guy." He said, rubbing the back of his head. The weapons were military grade, and some of them were modified, but otherwise nothing special. There were some gumball machines lining one of the walls. There was a big sign above them that read "BOMBS NOT CANDY DO NOT EAT."

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

@LokiLeo789 Uh my dude has done nothing that the computer says he does? The stolen goods were from before I finalized my profile. And I sorta don't think it's cool of you to introduce the shop like that? Like, I was planning to do it 'cause it's kinda important to my dude's character.

John [EDITED]

You're welcome! Swordsmen are cool!

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

Marco was well aware of what Giggles was trying to convey. He was beginning to suspect that this gentleman was trying to con the alien. Even though the creature was definitely bizarre in appearance, he didn't think it was right to take advantage of him.

"Marco Valentine never sells out." Marco said, shaking his head to Giggles. Borulama had called it a nice business model, and he had no idea if the alien was being serious or not. "I am selling it though, yes. My father left it to me, but I'm not as good a businessman as he was. And a big chain opened nearby, too." He said, now taking a seat on the table.

"I can hook you up, but I don't have a huge amount of stuff." As Giggles started to put things on the table. Examining the things, he took the condom and put it in his pocket. Then he held up the waterweed. "We can share this while we go through my inventory. Here..." He reached into his pocket, and took out a small handfull of what appeared to be pink bouncy balls.

"Have some grenades. Squeeze them twice and they'll explode when they hit anything. Three times and they explode after bouncing once. And you can squeeze one for three seconds to disarm it." He said, giving them to Giggles. "And it's totally legal, I've got a permit." He said. He reached into a pocket, taking out what looked like another pink bouncy ball. He began to drop it on the ground, then catch it when it bounced back up. He dropped it again, then caught it.

"I've got business with him. I don't care how I meet him, but I need to." Marco said. "I might be able to manage a carbine? I don't know if I have the parts, but if had the cash I could order them and build one for you."

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

Hmmm...I wonder if four people would suffice. He wouldn't happen to have any public appearances coming up, haha?

The Technology Planet - Frixion Prime - Open

@The Harbinger of Ferocity Soooo Antarctic Termite and I were talking and we want to try to off this Mogul dude who's running Frixion Prime. Can we do that?