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Mass Effect: The Andromeda Initiative

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Mass Effect Andromeda was a flop, but filled with so many ideas and potential.

Let's see if we can make it live up to its potential?
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Revelations and Introductions
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    • Doomed Wombat

    Doomed Wombat

    Let's go Darling!
    Location
    Dancing on wires!
    Since the first time sentient life emerged from the primordial soup of creation, they have looked to the stars with fear and trepidation, but also with wonder and awe. Yet eventually we reached those starry heavens, in a galaxy opened for us, so vast that it is incomprehensible. An eternity to explore, to discover, with mysteries to uncover further.

    But, this is not enough. Always there are those looking to push onwards past new frontiers, to break free of the restrictions placed upon them. The dreamers, the visionaries, the mad...and you.

    You sit here besides your fellow directors and pathfinders, around a citadel conference table for one final briefing as Miss Garson outlines what she has been told. Why the Council finally decided to place their full support behind a project that they had dismissed for literal mellennia. How so many of the greatest minds of the generation had been convinced to abandon their homes to join. Why the richest man in the galaxy would burden a cost of tens of trillions of credits to manufacture seven of the largest megastructures made since the Protheans...or rather since the Reapers.

    The secret threat the Council did not know how to stop, only try to contain until it was too late.

    You felt your hand tighten on your knee to stop it shaking, as the memories of Sovereign and Saren's attack flash through your mind. At how overwhelmed the galaxy was and the sacrifice required to defeat a single one of those things…

    "That is where we come in." If there was one thing to be said about Garson it was that she had charisma. She brought all your attention away from your internal panic and back to her. There was a reason she, not ancient Asari or wealthy Volus headed the Andromedas. That collection of strange billionaires that demanded the colonisation of Andromeda.

    "We were many things already. A dream, but now the Initiative is more." She pressed her hand against the table's and holograms appeared spinning around them, showing each of them flight paths, carefully marked through dark space. "The Council has used us as an excuse to develop technologies to create Cryo extension programmes to wait out the Reapers, but also to scout them. And through that we have a path to Andromeda."

    She paused, her composure cracking for a moment as a shiver rushed through her body. "This...this is even more important, because there is a good chance that shortly after we leave...assuming we arrive, we will be the only survivors of the current space faring species of the Milky Way."

    You understand her words. They've been confirmed by experts and analysts from the Council themselves...but you just can't bring yourself to believe.

    Nobody wants to believe that their species will be rendered extinct, based on the whims of an ancient, soulless computer.

    Miss Garson continued, her strength to keep on going despite these revelations a life raft for all present "Should you choose not to leave now, then this is the final stage. A director and a Pathfinder will be paired with a world and ark. The next galactic month will be spent familiarising yourself with your subordinates and ark...then well." She glanced towards the door, as if expecting you to leave. The temptation was certainly there.

    But, you're proud to say that not one of the dozen people moved an inch, their attention still focused upon her as she let out a small unconscious sigh of relief. "If you're certain, then let's begin."

    She starts to walk around the table, handing each director a datapad. Probably the most important datapad you've ever been handed in your life as she places into your

    [] Blue
    [] Taloned
    [] Smooth
    [] Suited
    [] Tentacle
    [] Damp
    [] Paw
    [] Sealed
    [] Reptilian
    [] Dry

    Hand and you dive into the data, hard facts replacing simulated theorisation. For now you let the horror of the universe fade away, to instead focus on the giddy sensation that all you worked for was starting to come together.

    How a

    [] Woman
    [] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)

    [] General
    [] Diplomat
    [] Spy
    [] Scientist
    [] Corporate
    [] Mercenary

    Of your meager calibur ended up here you're not quite sure, but you had a mandate now. To yourself, and to those under your care to breach this new frontier.

    "Ah you're my one are you?" A languid voice sounds above you, and with a start you realise you've been studying your pad too intently, as around the room the soft murmurs of conversation begin between Directors and Pathfinders.

    Standing above you, hand obviously extended to shake is a burly looking

    [] Female
    [] Male

    [] Asari
    [] Turian
    [] Human
    [] Volus
    [] Hanar
    [] Salarian
    [] Elcor
    [] Quarian
    [] Krogan
    [] Drell

    Who towers with an easy confidence no doubt brought on by a lifetime of struggles and conflicts. You'd know you'd helped to select a few of them. Not this one though.

    "Yes, sorry I got rather carried away...something to."

    "I get. Blew me away too." They rubbed their face, before looking out of the window, the swirling pearlescent beauty of the Serpent Nebula glaring back at them and with a small sigh you joined them.

    Sitting side by side in the Citadel quietly ignoring the rest of the conversations you thought for a moment before continuing.

    "So how did you get caught up in this? What's your" your fingers went up, forming quotation marks in the air "Big dream?" That tag line was not your idea, thank heavens but it stuck regardless.

    "Heh...I was an"

    [] Explorer
    [] Spector
    [] Scientist
    [] Soldier

    "But, it wasn't enough you know? I've done a lot, but doing this. I wanted to make a final lasting mark to do things never done by anyone in the Milky Way before. Gotta say this was a bit more than I signed up for, but well…" They smiled, an almost feral grin splitting their face, the light reflecting off their irises.

    "Now its even more important to do it right."

    That causes you to smile in turn and nod. "I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship Pathfinder...what is your name?"

    "Right back at you. Director"

    They're right. You are Director

    []

    Given great responsibility and power. Together with your Pathfinder

    []

    You will forge a new home in a new galaxy.
    ======================================================================
    After the death of my last quest and having earned a bit more EXP I've decided to dive into the realm of Questing again, with a heavily modified version of Mass Effect Andromeda...AKA a version that isn't a sad pile of disappointment.

    With luck I'll be able to make this more interesting, but first we need to get you all people'd out. Give me a moment to reserve a few posts.
    PS. please vote in plan format for simplicity's sake, any questions please ask

    Also here, let me give great thanks to @random_npc and @Swordomatic who looked this stuff over! Thanks a ton guys.
     
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    The Rules
  • Informational
    • Will be filled in shortly.
    The Basics

    This quest is certainly inspired by the mechanics of CKII, although I will be modifying the extent to which this is the case over the course of the quest. For now these are the mechanics for the immediate future, as you are colonising a new world, far from any resources or aid save for those that you find in the Andromeda Galaxy.

    You are a Director, one of seven and a commander of one of Ark ships.

    You have a mandate, which is to establish a sustainable colony until a civilian administration can come into effect and speedily regain contact with the rest of the Initiative at all-speed.

    To support you in this, you have a Pathfinder who will serve as your initial hero unit.

    Initially turns will take place over the course of a standard galactic month, focusing on the two elements mentioned in your mandate.

    You will start with three action points. Two actions come from your Director, one from your Pathfinder. These are spent in currently four action categories

    Construction-Related to building whether it be physical structures, building an administration network or resource acquisition

    Social-This relates to interactions with people. Social networks, trade agreements, spying all links to social.

    Exploration-Probably the most obvious, this relates to investigating your planet and space, but it varies from wide-scale to more specific detections.

    Research-Focuses on dividing new solutions whether they be technological, sociological or geological to the problems facing the Andromeda Initiative.

    Your Director's action points can be spent on any category at this stage, but your Pathfinder's is more limited. Primarily their action point can only be spent on Exploration or Research actions. This is the general trend for action points, you can earn more of them, but they will primarily be limited to a specific action category.

    If you want more Research AP, build a dedicated science lab and ensure it is staffed by trained experts, but do not expect the well-equipped science boffins give you AP for constructing a fortress.

    Rolls will be done for action success. This will be done via a D100 and given a stat bonus (and trait bonuses) depending on who is in charge of that action.

    For example, if given an order to explore a Pathfinder might give +30 to the roll as a highly trained professional with traits and experience in these areas.

    Stats presently are the standard CK2 affair sans piety

    Martial: How skilled you are as a tactician, strategist and over all commander of soldiers. Can also activate outside of that for dealing with crisis.
    Diplomacy: How charismatic you are and your associated ability to convince others to peace, trade and work together for various purposes.
    Stewardship: How skilled you are at management, of physical resources, time or money and thus get the most out of it.
    Intrigue: How good you are at guile. This covers various skullduggery, but can occasionally trigger in other settings as well.
    Learning: How knowledgeable you are about subjects (not how intelligent you are.) A virtuoso in paintings would have a high learning stat, but its applicability outside of that sphere is limited. For the purposes of the quest, it will mostly focus on the sciences.

    Finally there will be resources although knowing my own inability to use maths effectively I will be keeping resources very abstract for my own sake if nobody else's.

    Resources will be divided into three categories

    Basic Industrial Capacity: This is common stuff, basic processed goods, metals, electronics. The building blocks that every society needs.
    Advanced Industrial Capacity: These are much less common things that need proper infrastructure of some kind. Advanced superconductors, zero friction materials, thrusters, gravity generators. These things make a space-age society possible.
    Element Zero: Simply Eezo the near-magical rare material that lets a Mass Effect society exist.

    Most actions will take some resources, some may require upkeep. Not having resources means that you will not be able to maintain your equipment and you will have to make harsh decisions on what will need to be taken offline.

    In the future I will likely add more resources, mostly food depending on the planet you pick and credits for when trade and a civilian economy become relevant.
     
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  • Informational
    • Character Sheets
  • Informational
    • The Director: Carius Calnus

    Director: Carius Calnus
    Age 38

    Martial-15: You're a pretty good commander focusing mostly on small teams and infiltration missions. Unsurprising given your job. You're also pretty good in a fight.
    Diplomacy-22: Talking up others comes naturally to you. Manipulating them, threatening them, deceiving them...all sides of the same coin.
    Stewardship-15: You're pretty good at managing resources. Good enough to be made a Director, and your ability to catch inaccuracies in numbers is second to none. Best to leave the nitty gritty to colonial affairs though.
    Intrigue- 28: This is where you thrive. You had few rivals in the realm of skullduggery. You've fought and orchestrated campaigns of sabotage, theft, blackmail, assassination and dozens of other facts of life for an intrigue operator.
    Learning- 15: You're decently educated, graduated with a degree in cultural studies from the Palavan Military Academy, but most of your expertise lies in various...alternate tools.

    Traits
    Whitewatch Commander    : (+4 Intrigue, +3 Diplomacy, +2 Martial, +10 to intrigue actions) Whitewatch are the clandestine elite of the Turian Hierarchy, and in general some of the greatest intrigue operators in the galaxy.
    Winner of Hidden Wars: (+4 Intrigue, +2 Diplomacy, +3 Martial, +10 to intrigue actions, +5 to persuasion, reroll certain mission failures so long as you are in command.) You've participated in many of the greatest hidden operations in the Milky Way's history.
    Andromeda Director: (+2 Stewardship, +2 Learning, +2 Diplomacy) You helped organise and now lead one seventh of the Andromeda Initiative, probably the most ambitious project currently envisioned in galactic history.

    Description

    A relatively thin and young Turian whose face is bare of the usual identifying markings as they were removed when you joined Whitewatch.

    Generally dressed in a relatively casual suit which hides a selection of hidden weaponry, he primary appears as a nondescript Turian, eager to sample some Palavan Ale and ferret out every secret you know.

    History

    Carius Calnus joined the Turian public service at the expected age of fifteen, and was eventually head hunted for the Turian infosec specialists the Strategoi after two years. Here he excelled in information analysis, gradually being given greater responsibilities until he reached commissioned rank and started to be sent on away missions.

    Eventually he was headhunted again by the more secretive Whitewatch at the age of 22, joining their ranks and continuing deeper into the hidden underbelly of galactic society. He continued to climb the ranks at breakneck speed, eventually becoming a commander of the Whitewatch, one of the highest members of the organisation. During this time he gave much of his best service, completing tasks both vile and decent. The destruction of the Olarjavarn Slave Ring, the assassination of the Krogan Warlord Kmarsi, the tapping a Geth server on a secured Geth station and more.

    Eventually time wore down on Carius and when at last unacceptable evidence of his existence was leaked onto the extranet via poor luck in the aftermath of Saren's defeat he was ushered into retirement...at speed.

    However, this chapter of a life stained red comes to an end as he was ushered into a more public sphere first by Turian Councillor Sparatus and second by Jian Garson and a project named Andromeda.

    The Pathfinder: Ba'na Liazin

    Pathfinder: Ba'na Liazin
    Age 241

    Martial-14(35): She's not bad as a commander, but there are few who could match her combat skills alone. A Goddess of death indeed.
    Diplomacy-25: Gregarious, charismatic, charming...Asari. Genuinely a fascinating person.
    Stewardship-11: She's not bad at it, but she's certainly not doing anything on a large scale.
    Intrigue-9(22): She prefers honesty in a person, mostly because of the nightmare Asari politicking can devolve into, but she also appreciates that people like you are needed. Her abilities at personal stealth however, are top notch.
    Learning-17: Asari had one of the best education systems in the Milky Way. She was given additional training by the Pathfinder programme to improve this further.


    Traits
    Shila Sedai    : (+4 Martial, +4 stealth Intrigue +10 Martial for combat, +2 Diplomacy, Reroll key combat moments choose best roll, forces enemy to reroll key combat encounters chooses the worst roll.) Shila Sedai best translates to Goddess of Death, and in combat, even without her biotics, you can see why.
    Exemplar of the Huntress: (+2M, 4 stealth intrigue, +10 Martial in combat, +4 Diplomacy, +10 to survival and exploration actions, +15 to controlling biotic powers) Liazin is said to embody many of the best aspects of the Asari Huntress. Graceful death and a brave explorer.
    Apex Biotic: (Can perform incredible biotic feats, add ½ of combat martial as bonuses to combat rolls.) Liazin is considered one of the most powerful biotics the Asari have ever produced, a distinction amplified by her incredible combat prowess. More impressive considering her comparative youth.
    Pathfinder: (+2 Diplomacy, +2 Learning, +2 Stewardship, +10 to exploration) trained by some of the best to explore the furthest frontier from the Milky Way.

    Description

    A deep blue Asari with ruby almost blood-red facial tattoos. Ba'na Liazin is a larger than life figure in most ways whether it be stature, charisma or dreams.

    Dressed in customised Huntress armour, she is usually never seen without her various weapons. Despite this, she retains a relaxed demeanour out of combat. Within it she changes becoming a focused, ice-cold wraith of destruction, calmy snapping out orders with the flair of a master.

    History

    Born to a Salarian "father" and Asari "mother" Ba'an Liazin initially wanted to become a great Huntress like those she saw in holovids, begging her parents to let her start training early. Eventually they relented, and took her to a local dojo run by Matriarch Telisia, who had been a very well regarded Valkyrie in her youth.

    To most surprise Liazin demonstrated a potent combination of talent and hardwork that saw her becoming incredibly skilled at a rapid pace despite her young age. This was amplified when her biotic potential was fully gauged.

    As a result, the Matriarch made an offer to her parents to take the young Liazin under her wing as an acolyte. Although Liazin was eager, her parents less so, but eventually they were worn down by her pleading. However, their fears were realised as not only was the lifestyle dangerous, so too was the politics. Matriarchs may present a united front to outsiders, but their internal bickering can be as vicious as any hidden knife fight. Although Matriarch Telisia was not a political animal she was embroiled in these brawls and as an acolyte of prestige Liazin was as well, resulting in a turbulent youth.

    Eventually she graduated, entering the maiden stage and as so many that age do set out into the galaxy, in her case as a mercenary. Due to her training, biotic power and strict moral code however, she quickly made a name for herself, whether it be through getting blasted off Omega by Aria T'loak, defending the colony of Petrus III from slavers or discovering a Prothean Ruin on the blasted world of Xandith. In the course of her adventures she started to assemble a team of various hangers on.

    She gained the title of Shila Sedai, the highest military combat grade in the Asari military, during the Saren Crisis. Under Saren's command the Geth attacked numerous worlds, in this case the planet of Gaspire seeking to claim its reserves of Eezo. Liazin was on world at the time, and defended the planet from waves of cloned Krogan and Geth almost single handedly. Eventually bloodied and broken she managed to infiltrate the Geth command ship and rip it apart with her biotics from the inside, before finally collapsing. For this incredible act she was rewarded with her new title, but shortly after that she was approached by her old teacher.

    The Andromeda Initiative, an idea that she had been told about from childhood was finally starting to become reality not fevered fantasy. After making such a mark, she wished to do something even greater, and so the stars called.
     
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  • Informational
    • Status Screen
  • Informational
    • Colony Status

    Current Colony Tier: 0

    0-No colony currently, a fresh world.
    1-Minor colony, little infrastructure, a population in the hundreds to low thousands.
    2-Developing colony, some infrastructure, the population in the thousands to tens of thousands, significant industrial development beginning.
    3-Sustainable colony, well-developed infrastructure, a population in the hundreds of thousands-low millions and growing, impressive industrial exploitation, communication with other worlds.
    4-Developed colony, basic infrastructure fully established, population in the millions, essential needs met for the foreseeable future, long term industrial focus, exploitation of the solar system commencing.
    5-"Civilised" world, advanced infrastructure, population reaching into the 10s of millions, extensive commercial off-world trade links, solar system well exploited.
    6- Advanced civilised world, advanced infrastructure completed, population in the hundreds of millions, local solar systems developed. Most old Citadel colonies fall into this category.
    7. Major worlds- An example is Illium.
    8. Capitol Worlds- Worlds like Thessia.

    Polities fall under a similar tier system. The Initiative is currently a Tier 0 verging on 1 polity.

    The Council is a Tier 10, an entity capable of directing the galaxy.

    On both scales the Reapers are ???

    Population: 500 active, 2.5 million in cryostasis

    Morale: Excited and jubilant

    Food: Rationed

    Economy: Minor gambling
    Assets

    1 Super Station, the Beseria

    Thousands of experts, the majority currently in cryostasis

    Large well-motivated population the majority currently in cryostasis

    1 Tempest Class Frigate

    Shuttle fleet not FTL enabled

    Three, prefabricated generic colonies
    Resources

    Basic Industrial Capacity Advanced Industrial Capacity Element Zero Food
    300 units 100 units 50 Units 400 units -1 per turn
    Technology

    For now assume you have most technology stated on the Mass Effect Wikia available to the Council at the start of ME2. This includes Thanix Cannons, Silaris Armour and Cyclone Shielding although they are very recent and extremely expensive.

    Any new technologies will be added here.
     
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  • Informational
    • [X] Tentacle
    [X] Woman
    [X] Scientist

    [X] Male
    [X] Drell
    [X] Explorer

    i have no idea about anything Mass effect and i hav eno idea about names so i just picked at random, well except the tentacle bit, that's on purpace
     
    [X]Plan what's a mass effect
    - [X] Tentacle
    - [X] Woman
    - [X] Scientist
    - [X] Male
    - [X] Drell
    - [X] Explorer

    here you go in that case
     
    [x] Plan Ranger Buddies Forever
    -[x] Smooth
    -[x] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)
    -[x] Mercenary
    -[x]Male
    -[x]Turian
    -[x] Ranald
    -[x] Mat'yaho
    -[x]Soldier
    -[x]Explorer
    I would enjoy a buddy quest with a Human and a Turian, is that so much to ask.
     
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    [X] Plan Asari Turian Buddy Cops
    -[X] Taloned
    -[X] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)
    -[X] Spy
    -[X] Female
    -[X] Asari
    -[X] Soldier
    -[X] Carius Calnus
    -[X] Ba'na Liazin

    I just want to be Turian because Garrus is amazing and everyone should aspire to live up to him. Asari since I think it makes sense given the description given of the other character. The wisdom there I feel is going to fit pretty well.

    Edit: Added spy as the Director's profession.
     
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    I vote for the most underrepresented species of Mass Effect

    [X] Plan Crouching Hanar, Hidden Elcor
    -[X] Tentacle
    -[X] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)
    -[X] Scientist
    -[X] Kelanis (soul name: Eagerly Seeks Wonder of the Unknown)

    -[X] Female
    -[X] Elcor
    -[X] Spector
    -[X] Meltazi
     
    [X]Plan i wish Yahg was a option
    -[X] Reptilian
    -[X] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)
    -[X] Mercenary
    -[X] Male
    -[X] Krogan
    -[X] Soldier
    -[X] Wardok Tukor
    -[X] Khirloc Qrarak
     
    [x] Plan Ranger Buddies Forever
    -[x] Smooth
    -[x] Man (disregard if choosing Asari)
    -[x] Mercenary
    -[x]Male
    -[x]Turian
    -[x] Ranald
    -[x] Mat'yaho
     
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