Mass Effect PbP: -ALWAYS- RECRUITING!

[CoyoteCamouflage]

I'm trying to find the default storyline for Mass Effect 1 but my efforts have been fruitless thus far (i've only see others reference it being more grim than they expected and it eliminated lots of characters).

EDIT: Found out Udina is the Councilor. Now I just have to find out if Humanity took full control or they created a new council.

I'm glad you like the tech abilities :)

I'm open to all suggestions on this matter :)

This is a fair description of ME canon, as far as I have found, originally posted by someone named Toad of Steel: [spoiler]"I think that the blank game start assumes a renegade player that did the minimal number of side quests because that creates the most adversarial playing field possible. A player that put the time into an ME1 game is "rewarded" with an easier time going at it in ME2 (i.e. Wrex surviving means that the player is immediately welcome on Tuchanka, the council surviving means that the player can be reinstated as a Spectre, etc etc.) None of that stuff directly affects gameplay, although there are a few extra dialog options available that allow extra Paragon or Renegade points to be gained. Completing the side quests provides a whole bunch of extra morality points as well, since just about every side quest character that you interact with appears in ME2, assuming they survive. Otherwise it's nearly impossible to max out either morality meter in one play-through."[/spoiler]

Generally speaking, if you want canon, there really is none, technically. I do not believe Bioware has yet announced anything like that, and I would not expect to until, at the earliest, a few DLC packs for ME3 are released. Now, if you want the default set for a non-imported ME2 game, that's different. I think I remember most of it off the top of my head, honestly.

1. Udina is the human Council member. Anders works as an Ambassador, taking Udina's old position. 2. The original Council perished along with the Destiny Ascension, raising many concerns over the Alliance Military, which is now largely responsible for security in the Citadel's immediate space. Humanity is not very well liked or appreciated now, especially since there are many more humans in important positions in the Citadel (see Bailey) 3. There is still a Council, we simply do not know who the new members are. 4. Krogan attempts at tribal unification are bogged down, weighty, messy, and much less successful than otherwise. 5. There is no Rachni Queen.

I think those are the only ones particularly relevant to the universe as a whole, most of the other nonsense features either cameo appearances or is more of a personal matter.


@LD: Why am I not even remotely surprised you picked that particular ship? Also, keep in mind that this is a PbP, so I don't think it should be too time-consuming, unless you're like me. And damn, man, do you love dumping CON. Every time I see you do that, a little part of me wants to turn a fan on high and watch a stiff breeze knock you unconscious.

Oh, also, just to clarify-- TECH USE is for Biotic powers, but USE COMPUTER still follows the same common bits for its relevant skills in the book? And do we need to pay for the License fees for the weapons and armor? It's not a terribly big issue, given that I have a lot of money, but it would be good to know.

I'm also thinking of just walking around and pretending to be a Turian. Why? Because I think my Deception skill is good enough to do that. /sarcasm

[Nomadic]

Knowing bioware the canon story is actually most likely the paragon one, they have a pretty constant habit of doing that with their games.

[Superfluous Crow]

I'm not much into the ME lore, but damn, vas QueeQueeg is an awesome name.

Remind me, what is the explanation behind biotics? Something with negative masses and mass effect fields? How are humans, asari et al supposed to control the stuff?

[Ninja D!]

At the start of ME2, it asks who the human councilor is. There isn't a default one.

[Elemental_Elf]

Welcome to the team Light Dragon!


Ok here's the information on the two new skills:

Use Tech (INT)
Requires the Tech Training Feat

Activate Tech Powers (Trained Only)
You can make a Use Tech Check to use a Tech Power. This use of the Skill requires no action.

Detect Surroundings (Trained Only)
As a swift action, you can make a DC 15 Use Tech check to ignore the effects of cover and concealment when making Perception checks to detect or observe targets. Increase the DC by 5 if this ability is used against targets with total cover.

Technically Sound (Trained Only)
Being Trained in Use Tech allows you to make a single DC 15 Use Tech Check as a free action to receive a +2 Bonus on your next Mechanics, Perception or Use Computer check.


Use Biotics (CHA)
Requires the Biotic Training Feat

Activate Biotic Powers (Trained Only)
You can make a Use Biotics check to use a Biotic Power. This use of the Skill requires no action.

Move Small Object (Trained Only)
As a move action, you can use your Biotic power to telekinetically lift and move a relatively light object with in your line of sight. A successful DC 10 Use Biotics check allows you to move the object weighing no more than 5kg a distance of 6 squares in any direction. As s standard action you may hurl the object as a projectile, however the DC is increased to 15. If your Use Biotics check beats the target's Reflex Defense, the projectile deals 1d6 bludgeoning points of damage.

Biotically Sound (Trained Only)
Being Trained in Use Biotics allows you to make a single DC 15 Use Biotics check as a free action to receive a +2 Bonus on your next Acrobatics, Climb or Jump check.



I'm going to put all the variant rules we've generated into the first post for ease of viewing.

[Steerpike]

[blockquote=Crow]Remind me, what is the explanation behind biotics?[/blockquote]
Biotics involve the creation of mass effect fields using the brain and various technology i.e. amps, implants, etc.  Mass effect is the effect caused by element zero, which when stimulated by electricity creates 'dark energy' that raises or lowers the mass of an object - hence the possibilities for FTL, lift, etc.  So long as one doesn't squint too hard it seems like a semi-credible form of psionics that doesn't resort to purely mystic powers i.e. the Force (midichlorians aside).

Also, I updated my character to have the Tech Training feat and Tech Powers instead of another Skill Focus feat.

EDIT: Oh, and people can become biotic due to element zero exposure while in utero.

[CoyoteCamouflage]

Still working on the fine details of the sheet, so I'm just going to put my expenses up here right now for approval, just to give myself something to do. As a note, all licenses have been paid for.

Noble starting credits: 3d4 x 400 = 4800

Item | Cost | Source
Combat Knife | 25 | Core
Combat Jumpsuit | 1575 | Core
Climbing Claws | 200 | Scum and Villainy, pg. 45
Hold Out Blaster | 450 | Core
Hunting Blaster Carbine | 1100 | Legacy Era, pg. 64
Rangefinder | 210 | Scum and Villainy, pg. 42
Targeting Scope | 100 | Core      
Short Range Commlink (Video) | 50 | Core
Pocket Scrambler | 400 | Core
Utility Belt | Free | Core
All-Temperature Cloak | 100 | Core   
Omni-Tool (Datapad) | Free | Core
Camouflage Poncho | 125| Galaxy at War, pg. 45


Starting Credits | Credits Spent| Remaining Credits
4800 | 4335 | 465

OK, so your current table set-up is absolute bollocks, and I'm far too lazy to bother with that much nonsense, so you get the barley legible block of stuff instead.

[Ninja D!]

What is the speed for Volus? I'm guessing 5.

Also, do we get any sort of Force Points / Action Points?

[Elemental_Elf]

@Coyote: Looks fine to me. The Noble gets a ton of money :)   I don't have the Galaxy of War, so could you tell me what Camouflage Panchos do?

The standard movement for a small character is 4 squares. The Volus are stocky and have very short legs. 5 Squares might be a bit too fast for them. Thoughts?


I realized there was an entire tree of powers I wasn't utilizing - Combat Powers - so I'm going to roll those up really quickly (that way Tech and Biotic Characters don't overshadow more combat oriented characters). Ok, it wouldn't work out the way I would like it, so forget I mentioned this

[Steerpike]

[blockquote=Light_Dragon]Think Tinkerballa from the Guild...[/blockquote]
YES!!!

EDIT: Since LD's character is the engineering type, perhaps mine should be the pilot, seeing as he has skill focus in piloting as well as being a technical wunderkind?

[CoyoteCamouflage]

Sure-- The Poncho is basically just a color-shifting Ghille suit-- it's a +5 equipment bonus to Stealth checks. Very useful, considering I'm not actually trained in stealth. :D

As for pilot, I took Pilot as a trained skill just because I wasn't sure if we had one-- if you want the spot, its all yours, and I'll snatch up a different skill.

And for roles? I don't know if we have official ranks or what, but I am definitely the Face Man, what with my social skills. If we have a sizable ship/crew, both the social skills and former military training would make him a natural choice for the XO-- especially if we end up disregarding the whole 'The Captain and XO never leave the ship at the same time' thing. It worked for Star Trek! :D

Also, I didn't notice, but were there any feats like D20 modern that let you pick more Talents (i.e. Dedicated Plus, Smart Plus, etc.)? Master of Disguise is fun and all, but I think I'd really rather more talents at this point than feats.

[LD]

Steerpike- I suspect that our characters will have an 'interesting' relationship arc... Especially since your Vorcha is actually more intelligent than Lini'Leera. :D

[Steerpike]

Yeah, while Lini'Leera seems very hot-tempered and passionate, Archimedes is super cold and detached.  While your character cares about ideals, even if those ideals are radical, my character only really cares about gratifying his intellectual curiosity.

[Elemental_Elf]

Ok, looks like things are coming together nicely here.

I'd like to find out how many of your guy's characters are looking to be Specters. I know NinjaD has tentatively raised his hand, though nothing was finalized. I was going to have you guys begin aboard the C-Sec Patrol Frigate Lorraine, so no one really needs to be a Specter, we could easily have everyone be members of C-Sec and/or hired... Associates (merc is such a dirty word) if you guys would prefer that route. Heck, a mix between Specter, Associate and C-Sec, would be cool.

[Ninja D!]

4 would be fine, then.

Since someone is playing a Noble, too, I might step in to fill a gap. I'm thinking a biotic Asari soldier would cover what is missing.