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.
As he propels himself forward, I skirt around him and make a break for the door. Clearly his armor is too thick for me to penetrate with my bare hands.
You are large and your body is cumbersome. You don't manage to escape, instead, he clips your shoulder and hits the wall, knocking you onto your stomach in the process.
He already down, and the additional bursts of lead keep him that way. His armor stops most of the bullets, but a few slip through. The gun quickly runs out of ammunition. He gets up, and turns to face you. Blood leaks from between the plates in his armor. He draws both his pistols and begins returning fire.
I take cover behind the table that I was laying on before hand, taking the empty gun with me, it may still prove useful. If I can, I grab a downed enemy soldier and loot him for more ammo. If the augmented enemy soldier advances, I wait for him to get close before leaping out and beating him upside the head with my new weapon.
I doubt that these will be useful against this particular enemy, but it might still be nice to have. Anyways, I wait for the enemy to run out of ammo before advancing on him, aiming to smack him upside the head with the empty weapon.
While your men are doing the dirty work, I'll pull you for training. How's abouts thats?
Seeing as most people are under my command I could send them for forced re-training. It doesn't make sense that I go back for training seeing as I've got a field upgrade from command, sending me back would make command look the fool. To avoid this they could give me field re-training on the way to my new objective.
He smashes you in the face with metal fist a couple of times before he is roasted alive in his own armor. (It doesn't electrocute him, just heats his armor until he fries)
You can hear his muffled screams on the last four or five swings, then silence. You stand up, and the smell of roasted meat reaches your nostrils.
There'll be more medic'ing later on, luck provide. I'll be sure to make sure to add things and their properties when you look around.
Squad Charlie: Support Bravo (100 Sergeant Ackles/75/50/50), Medical Charlie (100 Sergeant Stephans/45/50/50), Bravo Scouts (100 Sergeant Padelacki/75/70/75), Transport Alpha/Bravo (75 Corporal Jameson/A50//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, 2 HE grenades --------------------
You're on a patrol, they can't re-train you now. xD No, you don't really need training, since you won't be doing much mano-a-mano, being an officer inside an air-conditioned tank. And you seem to be doing pretty well.
You become aware that you're thirsty and a little hungry.
