So I've noticed a huge lack of RPGs with storylines. Or at least ones that unfold at a decent pace. So I've decided to make a two-parter (and possibly a subsequent sandbox sequel). But too much explaining, let's get to the story already!
Nearly 64 light years away from the Blue Planet is a mostly barren alien world, mostly inhabited by polymimetic crystalline formations, and the occasional fungus patch. The crystal itself is the future of human space technology, with it's self-replicative behavior. Unfortunately, the scientists that were studying the crystals were mimicked. With the jumpstart of having a living being in it's molecular memory, it began spawning a whole civilization. This attracted the attention of a race of ancient explorers, of whom we know little. But now, to harvest the crystal and put it to our own uses, we have to subdue the local fauna and transport them to processing plants. Sure, some naturalists had objections, but the war council made a tactical decision that they wouldn't complain after a few minutes in the cold vacuum of space.
12/4/AD2162/0630 Earth Time: Mankind is half an hour away from it's first interstellar invasion. You've got to gear up and get to your dropship. Outside the generation ship there are faint pops in the atmosphere, probably enemy fighters.
Character sheet:
Rank: Name: Type: Age: Gender: (only for officers and infantry) Size: (height, weight, build, pick your type before you do this) --------------- --------------- Conditions: HP: Vehicle: Group: Primary: Secondary: Sidearm: Melee: Augment: Backpack: --------------
Types: (basically race)
Officer: Human (male or female) Rank: 2nd Lt. HP: 60/60 Size: No specs Weapons: A41 Carbine, B12 Shotgun, Colt M911, combat knife Specialty: Access to vehicles, platoon-size groups Description: A cushy, well-paid job well behind your assigned cannonfodder. Or if you've got nothing to lose, at the very front of the onslaught.
NCO: Human Augment Rank: Corporal HP: 75/75 Size: Larger than regular human, no real restrictions Weapons: G60A SAW, 40mm rocket launcher, Razor Automatic pistol, KA-BAR Specialty: Access to augments and mech suits, team-size groups Description: NCOs are the liasons between the cannonfodder and the officers.
Warrant Officer: Human Augment Rank: Warrant Officer HP: 80/80 Size: Slightly larger than an NCO, consistently heavily built Weapons: M20 Assault Rifle, 40mm Rocket launcher, Colt M911, Trench knife Specialty: Access to heavy vehicles (e.g. tanks, fighters), mech suits, augments Description: Highly trained and specialized soldier capable of a dynamic addition to any fighting force.
Infantry: Human (male or female) Rank: Private HP: 50/50 Size: They take 'em all shapes and sizes Weapons: M20 Assault Rifle, P90C SMG, Colt M911, Combat Knife Specialty: Access to careers such as medic, driver, gunner, or grunt. Description: Cannonfodder.
More weapons will be available later on, and if the players ask, more vehicles. Choose your loadout, and I'll set the rest up. Your rank is basically your level, and with level comes larger teams and access to better quality equipment and weapons. Want to increase your HP? Equipment does that. Augments also do that.
Word to the wise for wannabe officers, managing a large group can be as challenging as it is rewarding. You can get promoted to the point where you control several tanks, aircraft, or even ships! But managing those resources is time-consuming.
Your objective: Establish a foothold on the alien homeworld, and push to what seems to be their capitol. Expect heavy resistance.
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (21/0) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 3 Officer MREs, 1 bottle of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight, 2 HE grenades --------------------
They relay an image to you, even though your Onslaught lead already relayed it to you a while back.
As you look over the information, the wing of strikecraft come into view, raining fiery tumult on the enemy, the occasional rocket flipping and tearing tanks apart. They are just beginning their attack run from about 8000 meters, closing fast.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha: Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath HP: 300/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/184 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn HP: 225/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/170 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson HP: 325/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane HP: 300/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons) Primary: .50cal LMG (1500/824 rounds) Secondary: N/A Sidearm: N/A Melee: Mechsaw Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk Backpack: N/A
You've got just two mags to cycle. Sorry bud.
Rank: Corporal Name: Bob "Tower" Light Type: NCO Kill Count: 9 Bio: Age: 32 Size: 7' 8", 357 lbs --------------- --------------- Conditions: Completely fine except for: Sore Leg, gas burn, concussion, cracked rib, dislocated shoulder HP: 100/155 Vehicle: Group: Private Lazlo (35/50) Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), Combat Pants (5hp), Plate Leg guards (10hp), Ammo belt (30/30 5.56 rounds), Padded Jacket (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Combat Helmet (20hp), Gas mask (5hp) Primary: M20 Assault Rifle (240/30 rounds) Secondary: P90C (150/50 rounds) Sidearm: Razor Automatic pistol (80/20 rounds) Melee: KA-BAR Augment: Domino Backpack: 4 MREs, six bottles of water, shovel, flashlight
He nods, and you both sprint to the crater. Dirt kicks up around you as shots hits nearby. As you near the cover, the ground under you pitches upward, heaving you into the air. You hit the ground, and stumble towards the cover, collapsing at the dip. In the confusion, you lose sight of your nutty buddy.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha: Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath HP: 300/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/184 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn HP: 225/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/170 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson HP: 325/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane HP: 300/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets) Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons) Primary: .50cal LMG (1500/824 rounds) Secondary: N/A Sidearm: N/A Melee: Mechsaw Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk Backpack: N/A
"Move up behind the spearhead, now!" He yells, as the tanks and APCs in formation lurch forward, strikecraft swooping overhead. "Break their momentum!" Enemy tanks are being churned into scrap by the missile strikes.
Rank: Corporal Name: Bob "Tower" Light Type: NCO Kill Count: 9 Bio: Age: 32 Size: 7' 8", 357 lbs --------------- --------------- Conditions: Completely fine except for: Sore Leg, gas burn, concussion, cracked rib, dislocated shoulder, fracture ankles, fractured leg bones. HP: 100/155 Vehicle: Group: Private Lazlo (35/50) Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), Combat Pants (5hp), Plate Leg guards (10hp), Ammo belt (30/30 5.56 rounds), Padded Jacket (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Combat Helmet (20hp), Gas mask (5hp) Primary: M20 Assault Rifle (240/30 rounds) Secondary: P90C (150/50 rounds) Sidearm: Razor Automatic pistol (80/20 rounds) Melee: KA-BAR Augment: Domino Backpack: 4 MREs, six bottles of water, shovel, flashlight
There is pain in your legs, but you can still move them. You can't see your little friend anywhere through the smoke and dirt. The roar of treads from behind you drowns out any calls.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha:
Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath
HP: 300/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/184 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn
HP: 225/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/170 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson
HP: 325/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane
HP: 300/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/144 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/12 rockets)
Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons)
Primary: .50cal LMG (1500/824 rounds)
Secondary: N/A
Sidearm: N/A
Melee: Mechsaw
Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk
Backpack: N/A
"You heard the man. You know what to do, right?" I tell my squad.
"Go forward(i don't know what is "behind the spearhead, not a military man), and shoot everything." I go forward and shoots my 20mm at more armored infantrymen, LMG at lower armored infantrymen, rockets at armored vehicles. Enemy ones if not obivious.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha: Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath HP: 200/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn HP: 25/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson HP: 150/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane HP: 80/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons) Primary: .50cal LMG (1500/0 rounds) Secondary: N/A Sidearm: N/A Melee: Mechsaw Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk Backpack: N/A
The advance is slow, as the groups exchange fire. The mech's feet plant themselves firmly in the gore-mudded dirt with each step. A symphony of weaponsfire drowns out everything else, including the screaming of dying soldiers all around you. The tight group of armor you're covering splits up and increases speed, avoiding the tanks and cutting through the infantry. One of the APCs sustains a hit to the right wheels, flipping it into the air. As it spins and crashes into a group of enemy marines in a small ditch, pieces of scrap fly around. On every side the dirt is churned by explosions, and you can feel your adrenalize rising as more and more enemy soldiers die under your guns. Enemy tanks shake, sputter, and collapse under sustained fire. The strikecraft roar overhead again, one of the bombs lands too close to one of your men, knocking his mech to the ground. The flood of allied soldiers rushes over him, being cut down almost as quickly as they flood from the flanks. As your massacre gets bloodier and your body count skyrockets, a massive explosion behind you distracts you. You turn, and see a crashing strikecraft hurdle towards you. One of the detached wings knocks your mech's legs out from under you, spewing melted armor all over you. Specialist bath strides across the battlefield to you, standing over you to help you up. As you stand, you hear something in your .50 that ends your killing spree.
Click.
Click-click-click-clickity.
The last empty bullet case is still bouncing on the ground at your feet. There are only a few enemy marines left limping, and the corpses are piled high and scattered far. Your men check in to say they're out of ammo. The battle has moved far ahead of you, with a trail of mangled bodies and wrecks from both sides leading to a knoll about 1000 meters away. Your men are all still nearby, the farthest one being the downed Specialist Carn, laying 150m from you. You and your men's fresh massacre has racked up 75 kills.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha:
Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath
HP: 200/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn
HP: 25/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson
HP: 150/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets)
M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane
HP: 80/375
Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets)
Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons)
Primary: .50cal LMG (1500/0 rounds)
Secondary: N/A
Sidearm: N/A
Melee: Mechsaw
Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk
Backpack: N/A
(Uh, why did i use my 40mm?)
(Is the battle over?)
If not:
"Squad, can your mechs walk?"
"Officer, asking permission to retreat."
I reload while waiting for a response.
M90A3 Hoplite Alpha: Operator: 200/200 Specialist Bath HP: 200/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (100/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Bravo: 200/200 Specialist Carn HP: 25/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (20/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Charlie: 200/200 Specialist Jackson HP: 150/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (50/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) M90A3 Hoplite Delta: 200/200 Specialist Kane HP: 80/375 Weapons: 40mm autocannon (80/0 rounds), 20mm rocket pod (60/0 rockets) Gear: Interface bodysuit (allows your mech to use your primary and melee weapons) Primary: .50cal LMG (0/1500 rounds) Secondary: N/A Sidearm: N/A Melee: Mechsaw Augment: Dread Maxx, Dread Hawk Backpack: N/A
"Okay then." I say at the officer. I head over to the downed specialist(s) and help him stand. "We're reloading before we try to even continue." I say while i check for how many enemies(Vague number is fine) and what types are there.