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.
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, 3 Officer MREs, 1 bottle of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight, 2 HE grenades --------------------
The orders go through, and the Rhinos start firing. He alien rears up and charges Rhino Alpha, unphased by the bullets ripping through his flesh. The operator is shooting at him as well.
From up high, you can see a lot of the village. There are no industrial buildings, merely shops and houses clustered around a large, central mosque or HQ, you can't tell which. Aliens are running in and out of their houses in panic, as mortar shells blow up buildings and streets alike. There are no real defensive positions, just a few marines guiding refugees into the main building.
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, 3 Officer MREs, 1 bottle of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight, 2 HE grenades --------------------
Seems a little too late for that. The 'behemoth' slams into the rhino, screaming in a deep, echoing.... voice. The whole thing is flipped and tossed a full six meters. It lands on its side, pretty well dented and dirty, but fine otherwise. The private, inexperienced with using a cannon, or any other turret, blasts the space between the rhino and alien, knock both back a couple of feet, solidly putting the rhino on its back, and flooring the alien.
As you get out, something hits the APC, flipping it over, your foot still on the ramp. You are tossed 11 feet, and land in the dirt. Your armor takes most of the blow, but you're a little bruised. A few feet away, a cannon shot hits the between a huge alien and the overturned APC. You are knocked even farther now, and your ears are bleeding. You feel your ribs on the side nearest the explosion crack. You black out for a few seconds, and look up to see an alien eight meters away. Your gun is laying two feet away, attached to you by the ammunition belt. Your other weapons are hooked and holstered on your armor.
I respond: "From here, i see Aliens running in and out of their houses in panic. There's just a few marines guiding refugees into the main building, sir." "Any new orders?" I fire at the "behemoth" with the autocannon.
(I meant the gatling turret he was using, how about this, turret -> gatling-gun, pod -> rocket pod, cannon -> main cannon? T'would stop any future confusion.)
Guns, guns, guns! You fire at him, and grab your MG. As autocannon shells strike in and around him, he gets up, his pearlescant eyes lucid with rage. He emits a huge roar, his blood spewing out on the same breath.
You immediately feel his flesh flowing into yours, as he pulls you out of the wreckage. He smiles at you gently, kneeling down by your side. His lifeforce is now running through your arm. You feel yourself becoming stronger by the second.
"All of us, with the Pure running through our veins. That is why your kin attacked..." he pauses for a moment, then continues, "...Our blood is the blood of the stars. Once, we were a great race. Nothing would have stopped us. But the Blight.... The blight corrupts all...." He stops. You hear gunfire getting nearer.
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, 3 Officer MREs, 1 bottle of water, 2 power cubes, flashlight, 2 HE grenades --------------------
The men get out, and start firing off rounds at the beast's noble last struggles, until finally its legs are blown away and it is tossed bodily int the air. Badly mangled, he props himself on his sword.
"Where an Knight falls, a holy army shall rise!" he spits, choking on his own juices.
Your men have ceased firing, and have circled around the downed Knight.
"Gentle brother, you are a healer. We will go somewhere safe. We are not like our brothers, we do not fight. We are not the evil your people imagine them to be. The Knights are a great tragedy to our people."
As he talks, the other two aliens pick you up and put you into an alien ship parked nearby.