Well I said "lite" for a reason, nerfed was definitely the intention(mainly because it'd actually be more dangerous than the normal variety because of the importance of machines), think like a slow acting grey goo, but instead of replicating itself, it just improves what's already there or replaces what's lost. The first one was actually inspired by the Devils from Megaman physically.
Well I said "lite" for a reason, nerfed was definitely the intention(mainly because it'd actually be more dangerous than the normal variety because of the importance of machines), think like a slow acting grey goo, but instead of replicating itself, it just improves what's already there or replaces what's lost. The first one was actually inspired by the Devils from Megaman physically.
The second variations powers were based on Nod Avatars and Redeemers, the Avatars took parts from other Nod vehicles to improve themselves mid combat while destroying the vehicle in the process, while the Redeemers had other allies join onto them in the form of turrets, so the second option for the character was effectively a large machine that brought other machines into or towards itself(depending on comparative size) before taking them apart and adding the pieces to it's own body. The (starting) appearance was based on this guy.
Yeah, probably a good idea to do that so we know what tech it can get before really hitting the world. I think I probably want to go with something pretty low tech. You know make it struggle to achieve it's full potential rather than handing it all the best stuff on a silver platter.
@Axle I do wish to elaborate on the Phoenixes a little bit. Also, I made some changes to the RG to fit more with their Factorio counterpart
With the world having pulled itself out of the second Dark Age, the Phoenixes took on the roles of educators, advisors, and occasionally protectors, of the fledgling communities. This has not changed much in recent years, their expertise in science and engineering continued to be greatly valued in lecture halls, construction sites, and battlefields.
Whole more well integrated into the rest of Earth States, the Phoenixes retain some degree of autonomy, identity, and even their own communities.
Due to their harsh demand in new recruits, admission rate is low. Furthermore, native members are usually in no shape for biological reproduction. This lead to the introduction of the Iron Wombs, as well as laws preventing their people from replacing their reproductive organs until they are fully matured. These discarded organs will then be preserved in order to produce genetic materials for embryos. These embryos are then screened for possible genetic defects before moved into the Iron Wombs for nurturing.
The most renowned and visible members of the Phoenies are the Reclaimers, elites equipped with RG and Omnitools. These mem are often compared to Spectres, N7s, or Spartans. However, while third counterparts are known for prowess in battle, the Reclaimers are famous for being at the front of colonization and industrialization. Unlike the others special forces, whose signified death and destruction, the Reclaimers are the hands of industry and progress.
Aside from that, the Phoenixes have no real combat force of their own. Many have mistaken this for weakness and attempted raids on their fortresses. Even though the Phoenixes do not have a large army, they are the master in the field of dumb, automated AIs. Normally used for automation of logistic chains, these robots handle a gun very well. Or ten of them, for that matter.
And so, would be pirates return with harrowing tales of inexorable automated war machines that dwarf starships and factories growing like mushrooms after rain, churning out endless hordes of synths.
The Phoenixes control twelve worlds scattered across Alliance space.These, on paper, are Alliance worlds. However, they also happen to be horrific hellholes, all not merely ill-used for life, but seemed to be actively malicious toward complex organisms. The Phoenixes take a great pride in living on these planets, and use the extremely hostile surrounding to keep themselves sharp and ready.
Amongst these world, the most famous is simply called Factorio, within the Nauvis system. This planet is home to an extremely lethal and successful species of insect known simply as Ludd's bugs.
Believed by many to be a discarded alien bioweapon, these bugs had consumed all other species on the planet, adapted to thrive in all condition, and managed to prevent ecological collapse by filling in the blank left by other inferior faunas. They are extremely dangerous, with the smallest specimens being the size of grown men and can chew through bones, and the largest are massive biological tanks that can wade through heavy ornaments. Curiously, try are greatly agitated by noise and air pollution, and will seek to destroy the source of these thing whenever possible.
Factorio is a proving ground and almost a religious destination for Phoenixes. It is a proving ground for prospective Reclaimers. The recruits are dropped on the planet with nothing but their RGs and an Omnitools, and the only way out is to build their way back into orbit, alongside with whatever industrial foundation needed to support it.
RG suit: While matching a Standard Alliance Armor in all performances, the RG justified it's much greater cost by the staggering degree of customization available. A skilled engineer can mount anything on it:Secondary Reactors, Tetiary Reactors, ports for charging and docking drones, storage, a second Omnitool, automated turrets, etc. Furthermore, the RG offer immunity against almost all known environmental hazard an a stage of the art onboard geology and atmospheric lab.
Build Beam: The basic of Phoenixes Omnitool and Repair Tentacles (A misnomer, as they are also just as good in construction). The build beam is so far the Apex of 3d printing, By drawing from existing stock of resources, the build beam reconstitute the raw material and "print" them into the world one atom at a time. For outside observer, the build beam seem to conjure equipments out of thin air.
Name: Ted Baxter
Code-Name: (Optional)
Age: 37
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Appearance:
Faction/Hired by: Dust Men
Powersuit: Resource Integration Gear
Favorite Weapon: Plasma Cutter
Pet: None
Powers: None
Sub-Culture: Extractor - A sub-sect of the dust men focused on extracting conduits from hazardous locations to smuggle them safely to the outer Martian colonies.
Personality: Ted is stubborn but easy going. He tends to let things happen and then figure out stuff from there.
Backstory: Ted Baxter worked as a police officer in The Rubble. With him being sympathetic to the Conduits cause he provided the Dust Men with information on any new conduits discovered by the Mars Federation with his contacts in the force. After he was fired from the force he worked as an extractor for the Dust Men often using construction equipment in place of regular firearms.
Well, they don't so much as control worlds, they control little fortress on worlds so inhospitable, no one bother to live there with them. But if you want, I can go with your way.
Name: Misaki Michiko
Code-Name: (Optional)
Age: 26
Species: Human.
Gender: Female
Appearance:
Long white hair surrounds an ambiguously Asian face. Misaki is a tall woman, standing at 6' 3". Her arms are marked with seams and nanotats proclaiming support for conduit rights, various invective at the Martian government, and patterns that are usually associated with the Equitable Powers.
Faction/Hired by: She is a member in good standing of the Equitable Powers, a violent group that advocates for conduit rights in the martian coreworlds. While its decentralised structure means that any person can become a member simply by declaring so, she is one of the more active members, having been involved with cross cell operations, as well as leading her own cell in the past. It has numerous links with more peaceful movements such as the Dust men, which channel money and weapons into the
Powersuit: (Mercenaries are able to buy powersuits from any faction. What powersuit do you have?) (Optional)
Favorite Weapon:
Powers: Conduit. Primary Conduit of [X] manipulation, with secondary powers in Shadow and Hologram manipulation, with some half learned water and electricity manipulation. She also has high grade implants in her limbs and eyes, which grant her an implanted HUD, enhanced speed and strength, access to a wide variety of tools, and some very nasty weapons
Sub-Culture: While ostensibly a Martian, Misaki identifies more with the counter-culture that emerged from the merging of the body modification subculture, the conduits rights culture, as well as some elements of the Queer subculture. It is heavily associated with elements of the radical left, and believes in individual freedoms and rights, as well as firmly against most government action. Equitable Powers recruits heavily from it, although in Misaki's case it is the other way around.
Personality:
Mischevious, Misaki has an attitude to life that could be summed up as "Well, it's not like I couldn't do it". She has what people could call an infectious personality, long practice having given her skills in persuasion and integration that only the hardest of teachers can give you.
Backstory:
Born to conduit parents on Mars itself, Misaki grew up on the run, evading government security, living as vagrants on the street. Avoiding contact with the EP was impossible, but Misaki's parents tried to do so as much as possible, firmly standing buy their principles of non-violence. This got them both some very nice holes six feet beneath the ground, and so the now teen Misaki turned to EP, becoming radicalised. She committed her first act of publicised terrorism at the age of fourteen, blowing up the fire service for the Auvic section of Valles-New Shanghai. Progressing in the informal ranks of the movement, she gained implants and new powers, as well as strengthening her own. Neuromods replaced her basic education, and supplemented it with the knowledge of bomb-building, contact making, and the other techniques of fifth generation warfare. She now stands as one of the movers and shakers of the movement, inflicting the oppression of conduits back at the populace.
@Axle, hey, is it all right that I've used Prey's neuromods, and can you tell me what the major material for high stress products would be? I'd put steel, but I want to know if some carbon nanotube composite has replaced it.
Name: Ted Baxter
Code-Name: (Optional)
Age: 37
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Appearance:
Faction/Hired by: Dust Men / Other
Powersuit: Resource Integration Gear
Favorite Weapon: Plasma Cutter
Pet: None
Powers: None
Sub-Culture: Extractor - A type of dust men that focuses on breaking into hazardous places and extracting people. For the most part they only work with the dust men to further the conduit's cause but for the right price they can be enticed to other missions that their skill set would be useful. Often derided as thieves and seen as untrustworthy by other groups in the Dust Men due to the nature of their job they nevertheless provide a vital service to the Dust Men.
Personality: Ted is stubborn but easy going. He tends to let things happen and then figure out stuff from there.
Backstory: Ted Baxter worked as a police officer in The Rubble. With him being sympathetic to the Conduits cause he provided the Dust Men with information on any new conduits discovered by the Mars Federation with his contacts in the force. After he was fired from the force he worked as an extractor for the Dust Men often using construction equipment in place of regular firearms.
