This quest comes from way too much Stellaris.
I will alternate posting on this quest and on Try to survive the Winter
Welcome to space, the final frontier.
In this quest, you will play as the newly promoted head of the main research, development and exploration institution of the human species as it takes its first step into the wider galaxy, allowing a familiar and understandable viewpoint on alien events and discoveries.
You will need to send expeditions to explore and study the wonders of space, research and develop new and groundbreaking technologies, deal with a limited budget and the political intrigue of a starfaring state, and try to survive the many dangers that lie amongst the stars and in the hearts of man.
But first, choose the
Institution you will lead, and humanity background :
[] United Earth New Hopes Initiative
The 21 century nearly destroyed the human species. Between climate change, resource depletion, constant conflicts, political and social instability, and even some limited nuclear exchange, mankind was barely two steps from extinction.
With the gravity of this threat, most nations decided to put their differences on hold, and form a successor to the defunct UN to try to save as much as they could.
A lot of desperate measures later (and some subtle and not-so-subtle actions to ensure the cooperation of the entire world), Earth is more or less saved. Much has been lost, but with the threat of destroying Earth's fragile equilibrium, no one is ready to endanger the unity of the United Earth.
As the leader of the United Earth Science and Exploration Commission, your duties are to develop the technologies and find the resources necessary to heal Earth, keep mankind united and offer a better tomorrow to our species.
+ Most advanced industrial and tech base of all options.
+- Earth still bears the wounds of a century of disasters, limiting starting resources, but offering opportunities for unique projects to heal them and a lot of political capital.
- Earth is still divided between states, under the umbrella of the United Earth. Expect intrigues, petty politics and headaches.
[] Imperial Academy of Sciences
History has taken a different course, and after decades of industrial warfare, a great empire has united Earth. After such a feat, the Imperial Court is restless. For the conquerors of continents, what is a few revolts, or another bout of infrastructures development ?
As the newly appointed head of mankind's most brilliant minds, willing or not, your duty is to find new lands to conquer, new resources to take, and new ways to further the Empire's glory.
Do not fail.
+ All the world's resources at your fingertip. Millions will starve before you have any budgets cut.
+- The Imperial Court is a cesspit of vipers, and you cannot ignore politics. Fail, and your head will end up on a pike. Success, and the Imperial Throne could be your.
- Your job is to further the Empire's conquests. Do not expect to be able to take morale (or even rational) actions easily.
[] Forward Defense Division
Humanity was struck by an enemy beyond our imagination, our cities destroyed by weapons centuries ahead of us. Through stubborn resistance, desperate ingenuity and, more than anything, luck, we vanquished the invaders. Not, mankind is united, if only by fear of another invasion that would doom us all.
As the leader of what is left of mankind's intellectual might, your duty is to unlock the secret of the invader, scout the universe for dangers, and ensure that never again will mankind by at the mercies of extraterrestrial threats.
+ Access to advanced technologies to use and reverse-engineer on Earth and in the solar system.
+- Humanity is united by fear and anger, both strong motivators and a risk if left unchecked.
- Weakest tech and industrial base of all options.
Second, what is the
Status of the wider galaxy beyond the solar system ?
[] Stars Untouched
The galaxy is unexplored and unexploited, full of natural wonders and strange, unperturbed vista. Resources and space lie unclaimed, but there are few equals to find here, and in such a young galaxy, mankind could be the first to make quite...fatal mistakes.
[] Lights in the Voids
The galaxy is full of life, species and civilizations. Mankind will venture into land mostly claimed and the political intrigues of the wider galactic community, but if they can find reliable partners and play the game of interstellar politics, this life filled galaxy could be turned to their advantages.
[] The Sins of the Past
The galaxy has been shaped by civilization beyond compression, able to shape planets and stars as if they were simple clay. They build wonders beyond imagining, and weapons able to destroy the stars themselves. And now the galaxy is silent, the great empires fallen, leaving only ruins behind.
The galaxy will tremble under the might of what mankind unearths, for good or for ill.
And finally, how do you want to build in more details your starting situation :
[] Starter Choice
I will propose next update a few general starting situations, and the update after the first MC of the quest. Short and simple.
[] Vox Populi
The player base will propose a general idea for the starting situation (Roman Empire in Space, Earth post War of the Worlds...), followed by a vote between the most popular, and the choice of the first MC.
[] A Chronicle
A prologue in multiple posts with a points system, in order to build the history and situation of Earth in a detailed way.