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 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
I activate my comms and call to the operator, "Get your arse over here, we're leaving!" I tap the driver to ready the engine. "Rhino two head to the crater and set up a defensive position there." I try command again, "Command this is second Lt. Deane, I am requesting information on the status of the battle at it's current state, I am also requesting a mech to be dropped in for a stranded operator, name and rank unknown."
Jags glances at you, expressionless. "Waste of a rifle if you ask me." The final patient has a crazed look in his eyes. You detect concussions, but his helmet is getting in the way of clear readings. A dark green liquid begins dribbling out of his ears.
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
The dreadnought sprints to your Rhino, and hangs on. Command patches through again. "Gotcha. We got a convoy of dropships heading your way anyways. Any particular mech you need? Command's got two new models available."
A fighter roars overhead, splintering the ground around your Rhino with laserfire. The ground continues shaking.
Name: Bob "Tower" Light Type: NCO Kill Count: 8 Age: 32 Size: 7' 8", 357 lbs --------------- --------------- Conditions: Burned, piercing leg wound, stitch in side HP: 135/145 Vehicle: Squad: Fireteam (75/50), Scout team (75) Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), Combat Pants (5hp), Plate Leg guards (10hp), Ammo belt (2 saw clips, 3 rockets, or 6 pistol clips), Padded Jacket (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Combat Helmet (20hp) Primary: G60A SAW (300/100 rounds)(automatic) Secondary: 40mm rocket launcher (9/2 rockets)(semi-automatic) Sidearm: Razor Automatic pistol (80/20 rounds)(automatic) Melee: KA-BAR Augment: Domino (triples group size) Backpack: 4 MREs, Bottle of water, shovel, flashlight
As far as we know, the enemy doesn't deal in mortars.
"What the f...? Corporal, I might need a hand here." I warn as I place a hand on the handle of the combat knife. My other hand moves to get rid of the last patient's helmet.
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds)
Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells)
Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7)
Melee: combat knife
Augment: N/A
Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight
--------------------
"Ah shi*! Something useful against fighters!" I indicate for the Rhino to fire on the fighter and to reverse back to the crater. "A M90A3 Hoplite if you have it! We're taking fire from enemy fighters, requesting heavy assistance to clear a space for air support and deployment. We have a small area under our control that we can use as a FOB! Out!" I give our co-ordinates before I finish my report, "Rhino bravo! assist in clearing the sky, don't waist your 20mm use the 40mm!" I pass the order to my support teams too. "Scout teams survey the surrounding area, indirect team stop firing until you have a visible target. Medical team tend to the wounded, firing teams keep the perimeter secure. And somebody tell me what the hell the rumbling is!" I order into the comms. "Dreadnought, what's your name and rank?"
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
Uhhh....
A man pops out of the hatch with a 40mm rocket launcher, and fires on the fighter. There is a muffled pop, you feel a gust of wind, and it crashes, spewing neon aqua-colored liquid several meters around it. All is quiet, except for the occasional scream or gunfire in the distance. You have a few minutes to get your **** together, and decide whether to set up camp or push forward.
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
Uhhh....
What?
"Command we are holding position at-" Gives co-ordinates "-we have a secure location that can be used as a drop-point for troops and equipment. We have full control of a 150m site and fire control over a 400m area." I change my comms, "Scouts what are you seeing?" I look to the dreadnought, "Name and rank." I ask, Shell shock...?
"Just cover him for now, I don't know what the Hell's up with this green crap." I begin to work on this guy in earnest, dealing with the injuries from easy to hard. But I try to be careful with this guy, I don't want to take any chances with him.
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
Command replies quickly "Copy that. Expect reinfrenchments in 20 mikes." The scout says "Just a few Echoes 1000m out." The Dreadnought says, "Specialist Ferne Correl, sir!"
After thirty minutes or so of emptiness on the battlefield, a wing of gunships moves into position over you. Following them, three strikecraft escorting five dropships. Soldiers begin pouring out, as well as several mechs and a tank. A Commander steps off with a squad of Mechs, and strides towards you. "Lieutenant. I'm hereby issuing you a battlefield promotion to Lieutenant, first grade. Your command will remain the same, but in lieu of your recent victory, your equipment will be upgraded. All of your team leaders will be promoted to Sergeant. An additional Rhino and a command tank will be provided you, which you'll personally command."
The MBT-177 Sovereign:
Not the prettiest thing around, but it can take some serious punishment.
"Your mission now is to take your men to be our feelers behind enemy lines. We suspect there may be some infrastructure beyond the military we've seen so far, and need you to check it out. You'll have access to orbital support and close air support. Dismissed."
The Hoplite is waiting in a transport crate. You should grab any ammo or supplies you may need before you go.
Name: Bob "Tower" Light Type: NCO Kill Count: 8 Age: 32 Size: 7' 8", 357 lbs --------------- --------------- Conditions: Burned, piercing leg wound, stitch in side HP: 135/145 Vehicle: Squad: Fireteam (75/50), Scout team (75) Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), Combat Pants (5hp), Plate Leg guards (10hp), Ammo belt (2 saw clips, 3 rockets, or 6 pistol clips), Padded Jacket (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Combat Helmet (20hp) Primary: G60A SAW (300/100 rounds)(automatic) Secondary: 40mm rocket launcher (9/2 rockets)(semi-automatic) Sidearm: Razor Automatic pistol (80/20 rounds)(automatic) Melee: KA-BAR Augment: Domino (triples group size) Backpack: 4 MREs, Bottle of water, shovel, flashlight
Your men push on. You see a convoy land directly ahead of you, offloading several friendly squads. It seems to be an outpost being set up. You can see two officers talking now, you're only 20m away. It looks like you're safe for now.
Squad Charlie: Support Bravo (75 Corporal Ackles/75/50/50), Medical Charlie (75 Stephans/50/50/50), Bravo Scouts (75 Corporal Padelacki/75/75/75), Transport Alpha/Bravo (A50 Private Jameson/50//B50/50) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), padded pants (5hp), padded jacket (5hp), Padded Gloves (5hp), Knee guards (5hp), elbow guards (5hp), shoulder guards (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Tactical Interface Helmet (40hp, allows platoon helmet cam access, mobile command interfacing with vehicles)
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
"Thank you commander!" I say as he grants me my new toys, "What kind of equipment will have my men have ready to them? Also, sir you wouldn't happen to have some field engineers. With all this armor it would be tactical to have a way to repair it all." I move over to the scouts and call over Corporal Johanson and Corporal Padelacki, when they arrive I turn to them and in lowered tones, "These echoes, tell me everything you know, direction, if there moving everything." "Men! Restock and reload, we're leaving pretty soon!" I say as I grab a resupply. I then head over to the transport team, "Sargent Jameson!" I say with a smile, "What do you think of your new toy?" I say as I point to the tank. "I hope you like it because you get to drive it." I say with another smile. "Specialist Ferne Correl, I have a present for you." I say as I nod toward the mech, "That's all yours."
Squad Charlie: Support Bravo (75 Corporal Ackles/75/50/50), Medical Charlie (75 Stephans/50/50/50), Bravo Scouts (75 Corporal Padelacki/75/75/75), Transport Alpha/Bravo (A50 Private Jameson/50//B50/50) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gear: Padded Boots (5hp), padded pants (5hp), padded jacket (5hp), Padded Gloves (5hp), Knee guards (5hp), elbow guards (5hp), shoulder guards (5hp), Plate Vest (25hp), Tactical Interface Helmet (40hp, allows platoon helmet cam access, mobile command interfacing with vehicles)
Primary: A41 Carbine (180/30 rounds) Secondary: B12 Shotgun (45/5 shells) Sidearm: Colt M911 (42/7) Melee: combat knife Augment: N/A Backpack: 2 flares, command radio (allows access to fire support, reinforcements), 2 smoke grenades, 4 MREs, 2 bottles of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight --------------------
Over the cannon fire I shout through my comms bead, "Specialist what the F do you think your doing! There are no targets visible, shut down your guns! Shut them down!!"