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 Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:42 pm
What is the Vanguard?Velencians are an alien race native to the synthetic world of Velencya; deep in space, their natural world is devoid of life and is an empty husk, waiting for its Senshi to awaken and breathe life into it. There are many walks of life in the Velencian society, but the most respected of them join the Vanguard--an elite group dedicated to ensuring the survival and growth of their world.
Velencians are very similar to humans in build and resilience, however their species is far more advanced. They are a Neutral faction and have arrived on Earth with their own goals; they serve themselves more than anyone and may choose to ally themselves with Order or Chaos to further their personal goals. While their alliances may shift, they should prioritize their own goals above all else. They are disinclined to share cross-faction secrets if they think the information can help them in the future.
On Velencya, they focused on improving themselves. They are a studious, hard-working race who values education, productivity, and research. They are taught to suppress emotions and conceal their true selves in order to better serve their community. Individuality is meant to be sacrificed, as it is a distraction. They should focus on their strengths and improve themselves to be vital, productive members of society. Velencians believe everyone has a place and purpose.
Most Velencians remain on their synthetic world in space, but the Vanguard is tasked with researching, exploring, and recovering the necessities they need to protect, maintain, and grow their society. The Vanguard prioritizes intellect over raw strength and believes that weaknesses can be supplemented with ingenuity and creativity. In addition to being the primary task force off-world, they are also the major protective force on Velencya. All new recruits are encouraged to find a field of study and dedicate themselves to it, but must undergo rigorous physical training to ensure they are physically able to handle missions and combat situations.
The Vanguard itself is structured and well-maintained on Velencya, but the Velencians on Earth have become separated from their homeworld and cannot travel to, or contact, them. As such, the Vanguard working on Earth may grow outside of these norms. While they are expected to operate as a community and trust one another, Earth has opened doors to them that Velencya never did.
Though they still have a core mission, the Velencians on Earth may find it difficult to operate under their old command after seeing how different Earth is from their homeworld of Velencya. The leader of the Vanguard, Commodore Lyndin, is on a mission to recover Caedus' unawakened Senshi starseed and return it to the Cauldron so a new, viable Senshi can awaken. Members of the Vanguard may choose to assist him in this task, or may try to find other ways to save Velencya from its inevitable (and encroaching) decline, or may try to find other ways to restore their natural homeworld of Velenia so it can be restored. What goal they focus on, and how they choose to pursue it, will depend on personal choices.
While the Vanguard looks after itself, and while all members should have goals that are oriented towards Velencya or Velenia, members may find themselves also becoming attached to Earth and want to protect it while exploring their new individuality.
Only Velencians can join the Vanguard, and all Velencians in play have been sent to Earth on a mission from Velencya. Velencians do not operate under the same rules as other factions and as such are a rare character type, which means that they can only be obtained by players who have a solid understanding of the shop. Players must have at least one third stage character or be active in the shop with no large gaps of activity for six months prior to claiming one. This is very important; rare characters require that the player be experienced enough to know the rules for the rest of the shop and understand how these characters fit into it and differ from other expectations. Players cannot assume anything and must be willing to work within the parameters outlined for this character type, their history, and their world.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:43 pm
The Vanguard’s MissionThe Vanguard exists as the military force and expedition team that Velencya relies on to keep safe and maintain their livelihood. While Velencya is predominantly self-sustaining, they need to import certain materials they are not capable of providing on their world. They have to harvest resources from other worlds, or from deep space debris.
The Vanguard is tasked with all off-world expeditions, serves as their primary protection, and is the leading force in all major world improvements. Joining the Vanguard is a high honor and all candidates are selected because they show significant promise and potential.
Questable Vanguardians will have served in the Vanguard but are still fairly new to the force. This was not perceived as a particularly dangerous mission, and Commodore Lyndin took only a few of his higher ranked officers and a large force of Cadets on this mission. The majority of the Vanguard stayed behind to continue their necessary functions.
On this first mission to Earth, the Vanguard was tasked to survey the planet and assess the powered threat after Caedus returned from an imprisonment in the Rift. Though the Cadets were made to believe they were planning an attack on the Negaverse, in the final battle it was revealed that Commodore Lyndin had been in league with them all along; he had even been involved in Beryl’s betrayal, where Caedus was mistakenly trapped in the Rift instead of executed. Commodore Lyndin had negotiated a proper alliance with Velencya and the Negaverse, and in exchange for helping him pull Caedus’ starseed, he would help them destroy the vast forces of Order.
The mission was disrupted, and the weapon backfired, sending a powerful blast into space. Caedus’ starseed was recovered and returned to him, and Commodore Lyndin was badly damaged and taken to the Negaspace to recover.
In the conflict, the Vanguard is split.
Some of the Vanguard feels like they should follow Caedus, and some feel as though they should follow Commodore Lyndin, but personal choices aside, one goal is the same: they must do what is in Velencya’s best interest. They need to adapt to Earth, need to learn more about this war, and need to figure out where their heart lies. They can ally themselves with Order or Chaos, but at their core, they exist to improve and grow Velencya and, if they can, regain control of and restore their organic homeworld, Velenia.
Only, things aren’t as simple on Earth as they were on Velencya. There’s a whole new way of life here, and every new interaction challenges who they are and what they know.
Do they want to return to Velencya with all the knowledge and experience they’ve acquired? Do they want to return to Velencya after experiencing Earth? Do they really want to reclaim to Velenia, a world they’ve never known?
Regardless of their personal goals, it is in their nature to explore, to learn about their new environment, to find useful resources, and to continue to advance and improve themselves while developing meaningful alliances that can help them pursue whatever goal they want.
Regardless of what path they choose, there is typically a loyalty between all Vanguardians, who should prioritize each other over any alliances they make.
Vanguardians are typically well rounded; they keep in shape and push themselves so they are prepared to overcome physical obstacles and opponents, and they research extensively.
Cadets are the lowest ranking members of the Vanguard, followed by Corporals, and then Commanders. Commodores are a fabled rank of elite Vanguardians, chosen by Velencya itself to be blessed with immense power. Respect is important between all Velencians, who trust that their opinions might not always align, but that they always have the good of Velencya at their heart.
While training as Cadets on Velencya, Vanguardians may be used to:
Following orders from higher ranks and trusting that their guidance will help them improve and become the best version of themselves
Researching celestial bodies in space and locating any livable or potentially resource-rich worlds
Creating new technology and programs to aid them
Researching space debris and abandoned worlds
Studying ancient history and lore and translating old texts
Researching sustainable living and improving quality of life on their synthetic world
Studying crystals and utilizing their powers and abilities
Physically training to prepare for any potential obstacle while on missions
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:43 pm
The Vanguard’s Tools and ResourcesUpon joining the Vanguard, all members are given access to a few tools and resources. ComTechComing from a technologically advanced world, the Vanguard uses a specialized “Comprehensive Technology” device to assist them in a wide variety of tasks. This portable device is known as ‘ComTech’. Powered by a battery that must be charged with gathered energy from a Source Stone, the ComTech is compact and worn as a small wristband with a touch screen. The wristband is only ever black, or matches an accent color on their Vanguardian uniform. The following features are accessible from the touch screen:
A holographic touch screen that measures roughly two foot by three foot can be selected; it will appear directly before them wherever they are presently standing and will not move with them. The touch screen is in sync with their unique biological identity and the screen can be manipulated only by the user. The screen can be dismissed by waving a hand through it or by moving more than five feet away from it. The text is written in Velenian, which cannot be read by anyone other than the Velncians.
A Call Button that allows calls to other members of the Vanguard or any other phone on Earth. The ComTech can make or receive calls, and can even be synced to a standard Earth cellphone or communication device. It cannot be hacked or traced by standard means, and it cannot communicate with a Senshi phone or Negaverse Tablet. The call will be on speaker phone, however Vanguardians also have a small earpiece that they can sync their calls to for more private conversations. They have been unable to reach Velencya. The shields around Velencya are acting abnormally and are not allowing them to transmit or receive messages from their homeworld.
A Messaging Application that allows instantaneous messaging; this device can send images, videos, and text messages to other members of the Vanguard or any other phone on Earth. The ComTech can receive other messages, and can even be synced to a standard Earth cellphone or communication device. It cannot be hacked or traced by standard means, and it cannot communicate with a Senshi phones.
A Camera and Video Recorder that functions as similar high tech devices on Earth. While it can capture sound, the microphone will only pick up noises within twenty feet. The camera can capture high quality images even in very dark rooms; it doesn’t have a flash, but it doesn’t need one. Video can also be set to photograph heat signatures. The image or video must be taken from the watch, or they can sync it to a different camera system and directly upload it to the watch.
A Scanner that, when activated, will scan the biological composition of any item directly in front of the wristband. This is incredibly useful when identifying foreign objects and investigating use. Characters can also be scanned; they will be logged into their system but need to have information manually input.
A database where Vanguardians can share information and keep each other updated. Vanguardians can log reports on locations, encounters, their research, and inventions and innovations they have created for use. Vanguardians are encouraged to contribute to the database as often as possible. Full information about the Vanguardian Database can be found here.
A GPS Locator is an optional feature. Velencians are not like other powered characters; they cannot power up and so do not have an energy signature or the ability to sense energy signatures. Velencian ComTech naturally has a Vanguardian GPS system that allows them to locate other members of the Vanguard who have the GPS system enabled. This GPS system can also pick up any powered character within a mile, however much larger signatures can be picked up from further away. The GPS registers different factions and powered ranks so the wearer can determine strength by judging the size of the dot as it appears on the GPS. The GPS can be programmed to show different factions as color coded based on personal choice; the GPS recognizes commonly encountered energy signatures such as Knights, Order Senshi, Negaverse Agents, and Corrupted Senshi. Chibi Senshi and Deep Space Senshi will appear as Senshi, Half-Youma will appear as Negaverse Agents, Mauvians may not appear on the radar until they are within sight or very near to the Vanguardian (unless they are in their humanoid form), and PC youma or other strong youma may show up; weaker youma may create a blip but be difficult to track. Velencians can opt out of appearing on other Vanguardian GPS systems if they so choose, but they can otherwise use the GPS option to locate other members of the Vanguard. The GPS can be disrupted by magical means, technical failures, or plot related flaws.
A human civilian glamour. Velencians can customize their appearance only once, and can maintain a civilian glamour for up to twenty four hours straight, but they will need a few hours to recharge it before they can use it again. They can gather energy with their Source Stones to recharge it quicker or gather energy while they are using their glamour to keep it up for longer. If their glamour is compromised, they can send in a plot to create a new civilian appearance. ICly this would require them doing some tinkering on their ComTech to alter their appearance, but this takes a lot of resources and cannot be done flippantly and without OOC permission.
All Velencians use a communicator that automatically translates spoken English into their natural language. For as long as the communicator is on and attached to them, it also allows them to speak in English. This device is only programmed to translate to and from English, so other languages may become warbled and incorrectly translate. This communicator is commonly programmed into ComTech, but may also be fashioned into an earpiece or piece of worn jewelry. ComTech also has a text to speech feature that can be utilized to communicate in either Velencian or English. The user can input their message in their native language and select which language they want it to be spoken in. The ComTech will automatically translate. Similarly, ComTech can be programmed to process spoken dialogue and create readable hologram captions.
ComTech can be used while in uniform or when using an Earth civilian glamour, but function will be slightly reduced while in civilian glamour. It cannot make a holographic screen while in civilian glamour, and it can only detect other members of the Vanguard on the GPS.
Every member of the Vanguard has the standard ComTech but they are free to customize it however they like afterwards. If the ComTech is damaged, they can repair it on their own or take it to another Vanguardian with more experience. Standard ComTech is designed with accessibility features in mind and have an optional screen reader program installed. Their technology can also provide real time subtitles and captioning for all video and audio messages. Source StoneStandard on Velencya, the base crystals of the Source Stones are typically used to drain energy and function as a sleep aid. Source Stones are a refined version of these base crystals and have been polished to appear as a beautiful gemstone. The Source Stone is inlaid in a metal backing and can be attached to anything. Some choose to wear them as a necklace, bracelet, or charm on their weapon. While these can be replaced if lost, it is highly frowned upon. Vanguardians should treasure these items, as they store all of their gathered energy and they need this energy to fuel their projects. The Source Stone cannot drain someone to death, only unconsciousness; this special, refined version can drain someone in less than a minute.
Inexperienced users will need to physically touch the gem to someone’s body to drain them, but experienced users only need to be within five feet of a target to drain them. This gathered energy is typically used like a battery to recharge their ComTech, personal creations, and weapons. However, the Source Stone can also be used to stabilize and heal a Velencian who has suffered great damage. While they would need a large quantity of energy, if a Velencian is badly damaged, the Source Stone can be used to heal major injuries or even regrow limbs. The Source Stone will not work on anyone who is not a Velencian, and it is not an instantaneous fix; the process of healing can be very painful and can take hours or days to properly heal. Velencians are encouraged to keep an extra store of energy in case they need to heal each other. SubspaceSubspace is a little pocket dimension that Vanguardians can utilize for storing items. This functions essentially as a miniature storage unit and is roughly the size of a backpack. Typically subspace is only accessible by powered characters, but Vanguardians have created a synthetic subspace by manipulating small pocket dimensions. Vanguardians originally must use a special crystal to channel into and access subspace, however the more they practice, the less they need the crystal to hone in on subspace. The crystal magic will absorb into them and allow them to access subspace without a conduit. They are taught to do this, so rather than it being an innate understanding of how to reach it, they must be taught how to put something in and pull something out. Players can choose if their character still uses a crystal or if they have absorbed the ability and can do it at will.
All sorts of items can be stored here, such as first aid kits or snacks. Any perishable food will deteriorate at the same rate it would on Earth; things will continue to age while in subspace, and living creatures cannot be sent to subspace. They cannot use subspace to hold additional weapons, and subspace is only accessible by the Vanguardian it belongs to. To summon an item from subspace, the Vanguardian simply needs to focus on the item and it will be drawn into their hand. Similarly, to send something to subspace, the Vanguardian needs only to imagine and focus on mentally tucking it away there.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:43 pm
Velencian PhysiologyVelencians are an alien species, and as such are fundamentally different from the humans on Earth. They share many similarities but there are a few major differences to keep in mind. AppearanceVelencians greatly appear like humans, however they have a few major differences. They have soft, pastel colored skin that ranges in many colors, but always has some light pigmentation. Their eyes can be any color, though their eyes are always cat-like and slitted. Their hair can be any color or style. They have pointed ears; these are not much larger than human ears, but they have a very obvious pointed tip. They are typically taller than humans and are an average of nearly six feet tall. Five foot would be considered very short, and seven foot would be considered very tall; while there may be variations, these should not be so great that they would draw unexplainable or unavoidable attention. HealthThough Velencians are very similar to humans, they have a few differences. They are notably hardier; they do not bruise easily, and it is rare for them to break bones. They are somewhat physically stronger than humans due to a difference in gravitational force on Earth and their homeworld, but they do not greatly exceed the natural abilities of a human.
They have advanced medicine and vaccinations so are typically unaffected by the majority of sicknesses on Earth. They may occasionally have flu-like symptoms due to the foreign and unfamiliar nature of Earth, but the most common physical ailment they suffer from come in the form of allergies.
They can eat nearly anything without issue, however the majority of the species subsists on fruits, vegetables, and mineral supplements.
Some Velencians need to eat meat to survive, however this is considered a health defect among their species. Velencians will not get sick from eating meat, but most of them have adapted to survive without it; collectively they do not kill unless necessary, but it is completely optional for any individual to choose to consume meat. Some drugs may affect them, but due to their natural durability, it may require a far greater quantity to have the desired effects.
Velencians require sleep, just as humans, but the typical day on Velencya is roughly twice as long as an Earth day; typically a Velencian only needs eight hours of sleep to operate at full capacity for the next forty hours, but they may be awake for two or three days at a time on Earth before needing to rest.
If injured, the best treatment can be given by any medically trained Velencian; all members of the Vanguard have some medical training. However, they can use a glamour and effectively pass for human enough to be treated in a standard Earth hospital. Velencians are very in tune with the flow of energy and have crystals that can help them manipulate it; when a Velencian is badly damaged, a properly trained medic can typically use their crystals to repair them. This may take time, but even major, life threatening injuries can be healed. This includes damaged organs or even lost limbs. AgingVelencians age slowly; by Earth standards, the average lifespan should be between 2200-2600 years old. By around 100 years of age and would be comparable to an 18 year old on Earth. They would be treated as adults by 150 and would be comparable to a 21 year old on Earth. At this point in time they will have reached physical and emotional maturity and are expected to spend the rest of their lives in a state of health. Around 2000-2200 years of age, they may begin to slow down and show signs of age and physical decline. Questable Velencians will be around 150-300 years old, with 150 being the minimum age. ReproductionWhile Velencians are nearly identical to humans in this aspect, reproduction is strongly discouraged amongst them; they come from a place with finite resources and they cannot afford to overpopulate. Pregnancies must be declared and approved on Velencya, so many Velencians may still have this mentality even after arriving on Earth.
They are similar to humans in nearly all other aspects; their pregnancies will last nine Earth months, and while they may be compatible partners for humans, they must consider their duties to their people. Like all IC pregnancies, players need to reach out to the shop mule before their character becomes pregnant. Velencian pregnancies, even with humans, will be permitted but may require specific information. Like other powered pregnancies, they cannot fight while pregnant.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:43 pm
VelencyaVelencya is a synthetic planet created by the survivors of a vicious assault on their original world, Velenia. Velenia was once a small but prosperous planet; its people were intellectuals and valued knowledge and peace. There were not a warfaring society and considered themselves more advanced than that--however, it made them easy prey for invaders who sought their resources. The Velenians were quickly overthrown from power and enslaved by a barbaric, war-faring race that plundered their world and used them for physical labor. The old King and Queen were able to lead a rebellion against the invaders, and though they were not able to overpower them, they were able to create a spaceship that ferried their people off of the planet before they were destroyed.
Legends are told of their greatness; they were killed in battle protecting their people, but their efforts helped establish a ship that grew into a colony, that grew into a world. The synthetic planet was known as Velencya--a temporary home meant to shelter them until their Senshi could awaken and help them reclaim Velenia.
For a while, Velencya grew. They stole when they needed to. They traded when they could. They made alliances and built themselves up from nothing. They waited for a Senshi that would never awaken. The only heir to the late King and Queen, Caedus, was an adventurous and enthusiastic diplomat; he was presumed dead after attending a mission with the Vanguard. In his absence, and while the Velencians waited for their Senshi to be reborn, the Vanguard rose to power. A Council of elders rule Velencya; there are very few Velenians of the old world left alive, and they are greatly outnumbered by the Velencians--those born on the synthetic world, who have never known their true homeworld.
Commodore Lyndin became the go-to leader in Caedus’ absence; though he always relied on the Council to make decrees and pass them for the betterment of Velencian society. He is the most prominent leader in the Vanguardians, and is greatly respected by all.
Velencya has thrived, in a way; they are still a small, synthetic planet, but they have survived. They have grown. They are resilient. AppearanceVelencya appears similar to a futuristic night-time metropolis; they have a clear dome surrounding their world, powered by crystals that create a synthetic atmosphere for them. They have no clouds, and because they frequently travel to keep themselves safe, there is no consistent night or day.
There are lights everywhere, in street lamps and on buildings, to chase away the darkness. Crystals are everywhere and help support the world; because it is a synthetic creation, everything must be in sync and maintained to properly function. Sometimes the sky changes color to mimic a rising or setting sun, but this requires energy they don’t always have, and is more often a byproduct of something in the atmosphere or a nearby star system.
The city has patches of grass, trees, and flowers to help maintain a breathable atmosphere. The world has been programmed to sustain life, but plants need to be imported, and resources such as water need to be traded and transported to the world. There is an advanced water recycling resource on the world; no drop is wasted.
The buildings are tall and narrow, meant to fit as much onto the surface as possible. Buildings can comfortably reach up to sixty stories without touching the barrier that protects them.
Velencya only has one real city; the rest is dedicated to growing crops to sustain life. The entire world is spherical and has a strong gravitational force. Velencya is about half the size of Earth's Moon and has the ability to be programmed to move through space. The barrier that preserves the atmosphere also protects from stray space debris.
Most Velencians live inside the city; the vast majority of their work is done by machines so they can focus on education and improving resources. Machines grow and harvest their crops, though some Velencian scientists may live outside of the city to experiment on more effective ways to grow produce. LanguageWhile older members of the Vanguard, such as Commodore Lyndin and Caedus, can speak old Velenian and English naturally, most younger members (and all Questable Velencians) will use a communicator that automatically translates spoken English into their natural language. For as long as the communicator is on and attached to them, it also allows them to speak in English. This device is only programmed to translate to and from English, so other languages may become warbled and incorrectly translate. This communicator can be an earpiece, a piece of jewelry, or programmed into their ComTech depending on how they choose to wear it.
While all Velencians ICly know the Velenian language, players should not assume any words or phrasing. If a Velencian is speaking in Velenian, please ICly indicate this and do not attempt to translate or describe the language. It cannot be taught to anyone else. Society and CultureVelencya is rooted in tradition and all new generations are brought up to respect it. Velencians value hard work and education, and are community minded and should aspire to serve their people. They work together and are taught to focus on improving their strengths, or even just focusing on a single strength. Velencians believe that there is a place for everyone in their society. It is imperative that every Velencian have at least one field of study and excel in it; Velencians study nearly every field, even the history of other worlds. They like to learn of their successes and advances, as well as how they came to fall. It is important that they don’t make the same mistakes.
Velencians are not taught to explore individuality, as they believe that this deviates from their structure and will encourage weaknesses and dissent. Everyone is treated fairly and given the same opportunities as one another. This is a world of survivors, and they take care of each other. They believe they are stronger together. Their goals are to maintain Velencya and make sure it stays habitable for future generations, though they are very limited in reproducing. Velencians live very long lives and it is only with approval from their Council of Elders that they can bring new life onto the world. They do not have the resources or space to handle overpopulation so are very careful to keep themselves within a safe range.
Velencians are typically non-hostile; they are an advanced race who does not fight amongst each other. There is no crime on Velencya. The Vanguard is trained in combat that they may need to defend themselves while they are scouting and recovering necessities from other worlds, but even they typically do not see combat.
Velencians are the only sentient species on the synthetic world except for a very small population of cattle. Velencians have a diet that is almost exclusively fruits, vegetables, and harvested minerals. An incredibly small part of the population must consume meat to survive due to a genetic deficiency. The animals live happy, comfortable lives; they have renewable appendages that naturally break off and regrow; Velencians respect life and harvest this resource safely and painlessly for the small number of ‘defective’ Velencians. However, to avoid passing this gene on, these Velencians are often not given permission to procreate.
They do not keep pets, as they believe this is on par with enslaving another living being. Though they can recognize some life forms may be better off when in the care of a more advanced life form, keeping a creature against its will is considered an ethical violation on Velencya. Additionally, they do not have extra resources for another living creature so it would be against the rules to keep one. The only exception to this might be scientists who are studying living creatures for a specific purpose, but this is always short term and they are always returned to their natural habitat. In situations where a species has no chance of survival without intervention, the Velencians may intervene to relocate them, or to otherwise enhance their quality of living and spare them, however they do not impose their will on any creature in such a way that would benefit themselves. They value life and freedom so cannot justify imposing their will on others, and will never do so solely for self gain.
If the Velencians must harvest from a living creature, they only do so when they can utilize every resource available to them. If they cannot use every part of a creature, they will not harvest it. Religion and RitualsVelencya has no true religion but individual studies may lead them to adopt certain beliefs. These are typically private and not discussed. They believe in Cosmos and the Galaxy Cauldron and trust that when their life is over they will be reborn; they hope that in their next life, their studious nature and hard work will carry over. They intend to improve and evolve in every lifetime.
Velencians have few specific rituals; they have marriage unions. Some may choose to stay together for their entire life, and some may have long-term, but temporary, partners. Some may choose partners based on affections, similar studies, or genetic compatibility. Love is felt by Velencians, but it is improper to express such raw emotion in a public setting. Marrying for love is possible, but there is predominantly another bond between them as well.
Velencians do not celebrate birthdays; they are marks in life and they use these days to reflect on what they have learned and how much more they need to learn.
When Velencians pass away, after a day of public mourning, their bodies are presented to the crystal core of their world. The crystal absorbs them and they become one with the world. Somewhere on the world, a crystal will grow for them. These crystals continue to grow by absorbing latent energy in the air and can be used to keep the planet alive and functioning. The CalendarThe Velencian calendar is based on the original Velenian calendar. Velenia had two moons that were destroyed during the invasion, but prior to that the moons were used to tell time. Velenia had ten months, each with about fifty days; when the two moons eclipsed each other, a new month would begin. A Velencian day lasts for roughly 48 hours. Loosely, one year on Velencya is about three years on Earth. PoliticsVelencya has been unable to make contact with living worlds for centuries; they have no political alliances at present except for what the Vanguard can secure on Earth.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:45 pm
Growth and StagesAbout the CadetsCadets are at the bottom of the Vanguard and will be expected to spend most of their time improving themselves and focusing on how they want to contribute. On Velencya, Cadets serve under Corporals; on Earth, the structure is a little more broken but Cadets should settle themselves with Corporals sharing similar beliefs. Cadets should spend their time familiarizing themselves with Earth and developing their own thoughts and opinions on how to best serve Velencya and the Vanguard. They may choose to ally themselves with members of Order or Chaos but they are not specifically either and their priorities should always be to the Vanguard and Velencya. They should ally with whoever they feel can best help them reach their goals, and may ally with individuals on both sides--however, there are restrictions to what they can know about civilian identities on both sides, and it is dangerous to be publicly allied with members of both sides. They should be discreet in who they are working closely with there is a chance it may be used against them. They are a neutral faction who assesses their resources and makes the best decisions they can. ResponsibilitiesAs a Cadet, the primary focus is training. Cadets joined the Vanguard with a purpose in mind, and while the mission to Earth did not go as planned, they should be taking this opportunity to learn about the Earth, the forces of Order, and the forces of Chaos. The Vanguard’s mission has always been to secure a brighter future for Velencya, and though they are trapped on Earth the mission is still the same. Their priorities are to the Vanguard, but due to the split in leadership, it may be difficult to know who to follow. Cadets should orient themselves with Earth and try to learn why it is alive and functioning, and why there are so many powered people here when every other world they know is dead and lifeless. They should be keeping up with their physical training and trying to learn as much as they can about Earth. All Cadets have an energy draining crystal they should use to gather energy; this energy is used to power any creations they are working on, as well as upgrade their weapons. They are expected to be courteous to other Velencians and show respect to all higher ranks regardless of who they have allied themselves with. PowersVanguardians are unique among powered factions because they aren’t technically powered; they naturally have different abilities than humans. As Velencians, they have different abilities than humans, and they have an array of synthetic abilities.
Cadets have access to the following abilities:
You are in possession of a weak weapon capable of causing minor agitation or weak stunning abilities. You will be able to enhance your weapon when you are ready for promotion. These weapons are unique and are synced to your starseed; while they can be summoned to and from subspace, they cannot be recalled at will. If they are broken in battle, you will need to repair them. These weapons should be inspired by sci-fi weapons and are not particularly useful in battle beyond causing a distraction or creating a minor inconvenience for your enemy.
You are naturally more durable than a human civilian and it is much more difficult to bruise or break bones. However, you are slightly more susceptible to magic attacks.
You are capable of jumping 2-3 stories high (maximum) and have an increased speed of 1.5x a normal human civilian. Velencians also have 1.5x normal human civilian strength.
You have the ability to drain energy from a person's body using the Source Stone you were given when you joined the Vanguard. You must be physically touching someone to drain their energy, but a standard human can be drained in under a minute. This gemstone has the ability to function as a battery and is used to charge creations, weapons, and can even be used to heal Velencians. UniformFull requirements for all stages can be found in the Custom Procedure Thread. Uniforms typically get more detailed as Agents rank up, so as a first rank Cadet you will have a basic, standard uniform that can be customized later.
The Vanguard has a mandatory uniform that all Cadets start from. The uniform is a pale purple-gray color but can have two different accent colors on specific parts of the uniform. Small accessories, such as earrings or a bracelet, may be worn at this stage, but Velencians are discouraged from pursuing individualization and should not wear anything distracting or that could get in the way of their work. Only the standard uniform style can be worn at this stage.
When assigning uniform colors, please keep in mind that the uniform base should always be the thistle purple used in this reference image. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official bodysuit, primary colors/accents should be used on the bottommost layer of the shoulder pads, the topmost layer of belt, and as the piping that runs across the body suit (sleeves, torso, legs); secondary colors/accents should be used for the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the bottom most layer of the belt, as the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the accent colors on the boots.
The weapon must appear on the art somewhere.
The hexagonal brooch and belt buckle should have the bottom right part shaded in the same pale purple-gray color as their base uniform to denote that they are Cadets. The other two parts should remain white. Either the brooch or belt buckle must be visible. 
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:47 pm
Growth and StagesAbout the CorporalsCorporals are the first promotional rank a member of the Vanguard can achieve, and as such it is earned through hard work and dedication. A Commander can promote a Cadet to a Corporal and usually does so after they have displayed personal growth and seem prepared for more responsibilities. Corporals should have selected something to focus and have an idea of where they want to apply their efforts. They may choose to ally themselves with members of Order or Chaos but they are not specifically either and their priorities should always be to the Vanguard and Velencya. They should ally with whoever they feel can best help them reach their goals, and may ally with individuals on both sides--however, there are restrictions to what they can know about civilian identities on both sides, and it is dangerous to be publicly allied with members of both sides. They should be discreet in who they are working closely with there is a chance it may be used against them.
They should continue to familiarize themselves with Earth and the intricacies of Earth’s war while developing their own thoughts and opinions on how to best serve Velencya and the Vanguard. Corporals do not have true command but are considered professionals. ResponsibilitiesAs a Corporal, the primary focus is furthering their own development and making sure Cadets have someone they can look up to and guide them. Corporals should continue to learn about the Earth, the forces of Order, and the forces of Chaos. The Vanguard’s mission has always been to secure a brighter future for Velencya, and though they are trapped on Earth the mission is still the same. Their priorities are to the Vanguard, but due to the split in leadership, it may be difficult to know who to follow. They should be keeping up with their physical training and gathering energy to support themselves and their goals. They may take it upon themselves to try and convince other Vanguardians to support their goals, particularly malleable Cadets, but it is incredibly unlikely that they will resort to means of force at this stage. However, the more time they spend on Earth, the more influenceable they may be based on the behavior of their allies. It is ingrained in them that they should remain respectful to their superior officers, even if they disagree. PowersVanguardians are unique among powered factions because they aren’t technically powered; they naturally have different abilities than humans. As Velencians, they have different abilities than humans, and they have an array of synthetic abilities. While they do not naturally gain more abilities through promotion, at this point in time after spending so much time on Earth and continuing to train, they will notice they have grown stronger.
Corporals have access to the following abilities:
You are in possession of a moderately powerful weapon capable of causing agitation or temporary stunning abilities. You will be able to enhance your weapon when you are ready for promotion. These weapons are unique and are synced to your starseed; while they can be summoned to and from subspace, they cannot be recalled at will. If they are broken in battle, you will need to repair them. These weapons should be inspired by sci-fi weapons and can be used in battle to cause a distraction, or temporarily stun or wound your enemy.
You are naturally more durable than a human civilian and it is much more difficult to bruise or break bones. However, you are slightly more susceptible to magic attacks.
You are capable of jumping 2-3 stories high (maximum) and have an increased speed of 2x a normal human civilian. Vanguardian training has improved your strength so you also have 2x normal human civilian strength.
You have the ability to drain energy from a person's body using the Source Stone you were given when you joined the Vanguard. You must be within three feet of someone to drain their energy, but a standard human can be drained in under a minute. This gemstone has the ability to function as a battery and is used to charge creations, weapons, and can even be used to heal Velencians. You may attempt to create items to aid you in battle, such as flash bombs, lasers, or items that produce noise; these should predominantly be distraction type items and require approval from The Space Cauldron. These items will be created and replenished from the drained energy. UniformFull requirements for all stages can be found in the Custom Procedure Thread. While uniforms remain standard, as a Corporal you may choose to customize your style atop the standard uniform.
The Vanguard has a mandatory uniform that all officers wear. On Velencya, they would not be permitted to customize, however on Earth they are permitted to accessorize and change their style. They must still use 75% of their base uniform, but may keep more if they like. They cannot change the colors of their base uniform.
When assigning uniform colors, please keep in mind that the uniform base should always be the thistle purple used in this reference image. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official bodysuit, primary colors/accents should be used on the bottommost layer of the shoulder pads, the topmost layer of belt, and as the piping that runs across the body suit (sleeves, torso, legs); secondary colors/accents should be used for the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the bottom most layer of the belt, as the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the accent colors on the boots.
Traditional Vanguardian uniforms would not permit accessories, but on Earth there is no one to strongly enforce this. Commanders may still expect their Corporals to conform, but it is just as likely that Commanders are exploring their individuality as well. Any accessories that do not specifically give a battle advantage (such as armor) can appear on the art. This is still a stage of experimental individualization and should leave room for growth. They should not have a cape or anything that can be confused as a military style-capelet at this stage. Some may choose not to accessorize at all.
The upgraded weapon must appear on the art somewhere.
The hexagonal brooch and belt buckle should have the bottom right part shaded in the same pale purple-gray color as their base uniform to denote that they are Corporals. The top part of the hexagonal brooch should be shaded their primary color. The other part should remain white. Either the brooch or belt buckle must be visible. 
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:48 pm
Growth and StagesAbout the CommandersCommanders are typically the highest rank any member of the Vanguard should hope to achieve, and it is a level of dedication and growth that all of them should aspire to reach. A Commander can promote a Cadet to a Corporal and usually does so after they have displayed personal growth and seem prepared for more responsibilities. A Commodore or other authority figure in Velencian society can promote Corporals to Commanders, and this is typically done only after the Corporal has proven themselves capable of handling responsibilities and leading others. Commanders should be at least somewhat familiar with Earth and the war that rages on, and should have an interest or focus that they have become quite masterful of. They may choose to ally themselves with members of Order or Chaos but they are not specifically either and their priorities should always be to the Vanguard and Velencya. They should ally with whoever they feel can best help them reach their goals, and may ally with individuals on both sides--however, there are restrictions to what they can know about civilian identities on both sides, and it is dangerous to be publicly allied with members of both sides. They should be discreet in who they are working closely with there is a chance it may be used against them.
They should continue to familiarize themselves with Earth and the intricacies of Earth’s war while developing their own thoughts and opinions on how to best serve Velencya and the Vanguard. At this point in time they should know how they want to direct their future; they may encourage Cadets and Corporals to explore their freedom or encourage them to follow the traditional Vanguardian styles. Commanders can form groups within the Vanguard and are capable of leading their individual team. ResponsibilitiesAs a Commander, their primary focus is continuing to grow and develop on their path, and making sure Cadets and Corporals are properly led. Lower ranks will look up to Commanders, and may choose to closely serve under them in order to strengthen themselves and ensure they have the means to create a successful future. Commanders should try to stay on top of everything and should continue to learn about the Earth, the forces of Order, and the forces of Chaos. The Vanguard’s mission has always been to secure a brighter future for Velencya, though they are trapped on Earth the mission is still the same. Their priorities are to the Vanguard, but due to the split in leadership, it may be difficult to keep things so black and white; some Commanders may feel as though they are better off on Earth or have more to learn, and some may prioritize trying to return to Velencya. Commanders should be keeping up with their physical training and gathering energy to support themselves and their goals. They should take it upon themselves to try and convince other Vanguardians to support their goals, particularly malleable Cadets. While Velencian society does not encourage violence, their time on Earth may have changed their perspective; Commanders may choose to resort to violence to those who stand in their way. The more time they spend on Earth, the more influenceable they may be based on the behavior of their allies. It is ingrained in Velencians that they should respect each other, and Commanders should expect their subordinates to be respectful to their superior officers, even if they disagree. PowersVanguardians are unique among powered factions because they aren’t technically powered; they naturally have different abilities than humans. As Velencians, they have different abilities than humans, and they have an array of synthetic abilities. While they do not naturally gain more abilities through promotion, at this point in time after spending so much time on Earth and continuing to train, they will notice they have grown stronger.
Commanders have access to the following abilities:
You are in possession of a powerful weapon; depending on the Commander’s values, you may choose to keep a peaceful weapon that stuns or disorients, or you may choose to create an offensive weapon. These weapons will be enhancements of their previous stages and are unique and are synced to your starseed; while they can be summoned to and from subspace, they cannot be recalled at will. If they are broken in battle, you will need to repair them. These weapons should be inspired by sci-fi weapons.
You are naturally more durable than a human civilian and it is much more difficult to bruise or break bones. You are no longer more susceptible to magic attacks.
You are capable of jumping 2-3 stories high (maximum) and have an increased speed of 2.5x a normal human civilian. Vanguardian training has improved your strength so you also have 2.5x normal human civilian strength.
You have the ability to drain energy from a person's body using the Source Stone you were given when you joined the Vanguard. You must be within five feet of someone to drain their energy, but a standard human can be drained in under a minute. This gemstone has the ability to function as a battery and is used to charge creations, weapons, and can even be used to heal Velencians. In addition to the battle items you can create as a Corporal, you can now also create a synthetic creature to assist you in battle. This creature is robotic and can be made to suit your needs; it should not be larger than a large dog and will require approval from The Space Cauldron. A Commander can only create one of these at a time due to the strain of energy it requires them to use in order to power it up. These creatures will be dismissed to subspace when not in use but can be summoned on command. If they are damaged, they must be repaired, however there is much room for customization based on the Commander’s goals and needs. These will be created and replenished from the drained energy. UniformFull requirements for all stages can be found in the Custom Procedure Thread. While uniforms remain standard, as a Commander you may choose to customize your style atop the standard uniform.
The Vanguard has a mandatory uniform that all officers wear. On Velencya, they would not be permitted to customize, however on Earth they are permitted to accessorize and change their style. They must still use 50% of their base uniform, but may keep more if they like. They cannot change the colors of their base uniform.
When assigning uniform colors, please keep in mind that the uniform base should always be the thistle purple used in this reference image. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official ceremonial uniforms, primary colors/accents should be used on the undershirt, the bottom layer of the shoulder pads, the belt, the stripe of the pants/skirt, and the soles of the shoes; secondary colors/accents should be used on the piping of the top, the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the piping on the boots. On the official bodysuit, primary colors/accents should be used on the bottommost layer of the shoulder pads, the topmost layer of belt, and as the piping that runs across the body suit (sleeves, torso, legs); secondary colors/accents should be used for the topmost layer of shoulder pads, the bottom most layer of the belt, as the patches on the sleeves and boots, and the accent colors on the boots.
Traditional Vanguardian uniforms would not permit accessories, but on Earth there is no one to strongly enforce this. Commanders may choose to accessorize based on their newfound Earth freedom or they may choose to acquire a traditional military style capelet to indicate their commanding rank. Any capelet on the art can only fall down to the hips at lowest. Any accessories that do not specifically give a battle advantage (such as armor) can appear on the art. Some may choose not to accessorize at all.
The upgraded weapon must appear on the art somewhere.
The hexagonal brooch and belt buckle should have the bottom right part shaded in the same pale purple-gray color as their base uniform to denote that they are Commanders. The top part of the hexagonal brooch should be shaded their primary color. The bottom left should now be filled out with their secondary color. Either the brooch or belt buckle must be visible. 
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:48 pm
Growth and StagesAbout the CommodoresCommodores have extreme influence on the Vanguard and are the prime example of everything a member should aspire to be. Commodores have elite command and are practically celebrities in Velencian society. Commodores are not promoted by anyone specifically, but are chosen by a greater cosmic force to receive more power. Unlike other Velencians, Commodores radiate raw energy that can feel like a standard third stage character when latent but, when emotional, distressed, or under strain it will flare to reach the same power as any other fourth stage character. The Vanguard exists to serve Velencya and have dedicated their lives to its safety, growth, and prosperity; when a Commander exceeds all expectations and finds themselves in a time of need, Velencya repays that dedication by supercharging their starseed. Commodores are visually distinguishable by their glowing eyes, which can be turned on and off at will, and the immediate mastery of a few unique abilities granted to them by Velencya.
To become a Commodore, Velencya must choose a Commander capable of handling the responsibility and power. Whatever path they have taken to serve the Vanguard and their people has led them to supreme power. Velencya itself is a synthetic world that doesn’t have a true heart of its own, but the Velencian people have spent more than a millennia pouring their lives into sustaining it. That dedication does not go unrewarded. This is a special stage and does not have standard growth requirements like the previous stages; it is not guaranteed that anyone will earn a fourth stage Velencian but it can be earned through roleplay. ResponsibilitiesCommodores are revered on Velencya as the chosen ones; while any Velencian is eligible to become a Commodore, only those who have served in the Vanguard have ever been chosen to receive this power. They are considered the pinnacle of growth and as such given great respect. Commodores are now capable of redefining the Vanguard and lower ranks should respect their command. Though the Vanguard is broken on Earth, and though it seems impossible to return to Velencya, Commodores are tasked with providing structure to those who need it. Commodores are expected to see the bigger picture and may ally themselves with the forces of Order or Chaos, or both if they can manage it; they should ally with anyone they feel can help them further their goals and secure a better future for their people. Regardless of how they are allied, they should be expected to give guidance to any Velencian who needs it.
There are likely to be disagreements between Commodores, as they do not have the same structure on Earth, but they are expected to respect each other while they watch over the Vanguard and plan who to move forward with this newfound power. They should make sure no member of the Vanguard is abandoned, and they are responsible for promoting Corporals to Commanders when they have proven themselves.
Velencya has chosen them to represent it; they can forge whatever path they think best suits them. Their goals should always be aligned with improving the future for their people and securing long term safety. They may also want to protect all life, as it is such a rarity, and also put their efforts towards helping Earth in what ways they can. As Commodores, they are in positions of extreme power and must be incredibly aware of how their actions can be perceived; they cannot act in a way that may earn the Vanguard enemies. They should consult with Lyndin and the Council of Elders before making major decisions, especially on behalf of Velencya or the Vanguard. PowersCommodores have supercharged starseeds and the blessing of Velencya. They have abilities other Velencians will never unlock. They have unlocked the following abilities:
Your speed has increased to bursts of up to 3x that of an average human civilian. You are incredibly durable and in addition to your standard Velencian abilities, it has become difficult to pierce or puncture your skin. You are now 3x as strong as an average human civilian.
Your weapon has evolved into an incredibly powerful form. This weapon is usually incredibly detailed and is an enhanced version of your previous weapon and has been blessed by Velencya; you did not have to create this one itself. The weapon is capable of affecting a large group of people or doing a significant amount of damage.
You have the ability to drain energy from everyone within a ten foot radius using the Source Stone you were given when you joined the Vanguard.
You gain the ability to promote anyone within the Vanguard. You may choose to promote a Cadet to Corporal, but you are required to promote a Corporal to a Commander.
In addition to your previous abilities, you can create powerful mechanisms to serve your purpose; you can create and use one of these per month. These items require a great amount of energy, and approval from the Space Cauldron, but may allow you to attempt to harvest resources from other worlds, create major traps to use against your enemies, or be unique mechanisms designed to greatly heal or restore damaged areas.
Your starseed is supercharged and you can physically lash out with the extra energy you have accumulated. This will typically manifest in some sort of crystalesque magical attack that utilizes the colors of your uniform; Commodores can typically summon crystal shards to throw, and these may have unique magical abilities or effects that activate when they make contact.
You may contact the Vanguard on Velencya once per month to give updates or ask for more resources. Velencya is currently unavailable for travel and it is difficult to reach them due to some unidentifiable force disrupting communications, but due to your close bond to the world you can do one roleplay per month that may unlock events or future meta events from Velencya. UniformEach outfit is individualized to the Commodore in question; they typically must be thematically similar to the official Vanguard uniform and should retain their original primary and secondary color, however there is room for deviation and this can be discussed with the player. At this stage they should have a military cape that falls to their ankles, and they should have glowing eyes on their art; they should also have their weapon. They should not have more than 20% armor at this stage.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:48 pm
Alliances: OrderUnlike other factions, the Velencians are neither Order nor Chaos. Like unawakened civilians on Earth, there is no cosmic force to guide their alignment. The Velencians voluntarily joined the Vanguard and, as such, must use their understanding of the Vanguard to make the best choices they can to further themselves, the Vanguard, and all of Velencya. Velencians are loyal to each other above all.
While a Velencian can make allies with members of both Order and Chaos, or swap allies often, doing so publicly can make them untrustworthy and may limit how much their allies are willing to share with them or how willing they are to help. Velencians are encouraged to avoid obviously taking a side when possible to ensure they make as few enemies as possible, and retain as many allies as they can.
Velencians should be judged on individual alliances because, while the Vanguard operates as a group, not all Velencians believe in the same path to success.
Velencians may ally themselves with Order because they:
Feel that protectors of other worlds have experience in protecting and restoring worlds; the Velencian goal is to keep their synthetic world of Velencya functioning until they can restore their true world, Velenia. They may hope Order has the key to reclaiming and restoring their world.
Want access to the resources on Homeworlds or Wonders, and want to secure official allegiances with these locations for future trade.
May sympathize with Order characters who know they are destined for a world they have never known; all playable members of the Vanguard are too young to have ever seen or touched foot on their original homeworld of Velenia, so they are pursuing restoration of the past instead of carving their own future. They may feel companionship in the Order members who are just trying to live their life on Earth while handling the extreme task of trying to revitalize a world they do not know.
Are attracted to the freedom and diversity that Order provides; Velencian society is very closed and restricted and they have never come in contact with a society that isn’t defined by strict rules, regulations, and expectations.
Feel like Caedus is their true leader, as both the last nobility and the Senshi; they do not feel like he should be executed for having a defunct Senshi starseed and believe that there is another way to restore their homeworld.
Not trust Chaos because they know that it has the capability to do great evil. Chaos in itself is a force that can be manipulated, but it is easy to lose sight of true goals and be consumed by the will of another.
Not agree that Commodore Lyndin’s plan to recover Caedus' starseed is the only plan to save their world. Though Lyndin has made it clear he will still be after Caedus' starseed, he has encouraged the Vanguard to do individual research and do whatever they feel is best. He does not think there are other options, but he does believe that the Vanguard will do what they feel is best and may be able to find other solutions. Lyndin has made his plan clear, but has encouraged them to investigate other options as well.
Because a Velencian’s allegiance cannot be identified on sight alone, other factions may approach them with caution; it is possible to play a double agent, but Meta information should not be shared with the enemy faction without first discussing this with the shop mule, The Space Cauldron, and any players that may be directly impacted.
OOCly, Velencians cannot share the identity of members of opposing factions without permission, so Velencians should only reasonably ICly learn the identities of characters who would not be in conflict with plots or IC motivations. While there is no magical glamour that would make them forget Order or Chaos identities that they have known, either side may try to force the Velencian to share the identity of their enemies to gain the advantage. Players need to ICly be aware of this and need to contact the mule if a character’s identity is going to be compromised, and players need to give consent if their character’s identity is outed. Identities cannot be given ICly without OOC permission, and players need to be aware of this before pursuing any plots. It would be very dangerous for a Velencian to know the identities of both Order and Chaos characters, so this is strongly discouraged OOCly unless a player knows they can balance their character having this knowledge and it will not ICly come into play or negatively impact other characters. Players are encouraged to contact the mule to confirm they know this information if their character is learning multiple identities.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:48 pm
Alliances: ChaosUnlike other factions, the Velencians are neither Order nor Chaos. Like unawakened civilians on Earth, there is no cosmic force to guide their alignment. The Velencians voluntarily joined the Vanguard and, as such, must use their understanding of the Vanguard to make the best choices they can to further themselves, the Vanguard, and all of Velencya. Velencians are loyal to each other above all.
While a Velencian can make allies with members of both Order and Chaos, or swap allies often, doing so publicly can make them untrustworthy and may limit how much their allies are willing to share with them or how willing they are to help. Velencians are encouraged to avoid obviously taking a side when possible to ensure they make as few enemies as possible, and retain as many allies as they can.
Velencians should be judged on individual alliances because, while the Vanguard operates as a group, not all Velencians believe in the same path to success. While Velencians may choose to find allies in the Dark Mirror Court, they have the most to gain from Chaos through the Negaverse.
Velencians may ally themselves with Chaos because they:
Feel that the Negaverse has sacrificed so much to protect and defend their world from outside intruders. The Negaverse has no allegiance to anyone but Earth and can be trusted to have its best interest in mind. They may trust that the Negaverse has the most experience in protecting Earth.
Feel that the Senshi and Knights are foreign powers who are creating conflict on Earth and perceive them as foreign aggressors. Their original homeworld of Velenia was taken from them by foreign aggressors and there may be a natural distrust of Senshi and Knights, as they have known worlds they are meant to serve and yet are here on Earth. They may feel that the forces of Order are trying to take over or rule this world after the loss of their own.
Want access to the resources on Earth, and want to secure official allegiances with the Negaverse, who claim to be the true protectors of Earth, for future trade.
Are attracted to the rigidity and structure the Negaverse provides; Velencian society is very closed and restricted and they may feel at home among the rules, regulations, and expectations.
Feel like Caedus isn’t their true leader, as a member of an ancient and extinct royal bloodline and a defective Senshi who cannot awaken. Caedus’ starseed is broken and if he were dead, it would be sent back to the Cauldron, restored, and reborn. If the starseed is fixed, a new Senshi would awaken and would have the ability to restore their original, organic homeworld or Velenia.
Trust Chaos as a necessary evil; they may not believe that Chaos is fully bad and it is up to the user to determine if the power is evil. While they know that it has the capability to do great evil, Chaos in itself is a force that can be manipulated; it is easy to lose sight of true goals and be consumed by the will of another but they may feel like the Negaverse has tamed this evil. They understand that this is war and they know what it’s like to be desperate to do anything to save your world.
Trust that Commodore Lyndin is maintaining ties with the Negvaerse for a specific purpose; they understand that he kept secrets for the better good and know that he was only doing what was necessary to protect them and Velencya. He has been guiding them for a thousand years in Caedus’ absence and, even if Lyndin was directly responsible for Caedus’ disappearance, he was forced to make a hard decision to save his people. They believe Lyndin is a more appropriate leader because they have been able to survive under his leadership.
The Negaverse has tools and resources that they have access to; with a chaperone for the Negaverse, a Velencian can be taken to the Dark Kingdom to give them space to work on projects together. A Velencian must be trustworthy to earn this. Commodore Lyndin is staying in the Dark Kingdom while he recovers, but the Negaverse claims to be working with him and doing what they can to further the Vanguardians who have chosen to assist them. However, Lyndin would encourage them not to share information on weaponry or develop anything that could be used to hurt others.
Trust the Dark Mirror Court because, while they are Senshi, their goals lie in creating a new world for themselves. They understand the need for a synthetic world when faced with the loss of a true homeworld. The Dark Mirror Court may also have resources in Mirrorspace that are not accessible anywhere else, and there is no telling what information is hiding there.
Because a Velencian’s allegiance cannot be identified on sight alone, other factions may approach them with caution; it is possible to play a double agent, but Meta information should not be shared with the enemy faction without first discussing this with the shop mule, The Space Cauldron, and any players that may be directly impacted.
OOCly, Velencians cannot share the identity of members of opposing factions without permission, so Velencians should only reasonably ICly learn the identities of characters who would not be in conflict with plots or IC motivations. While there is no magical glamour that would make them forget Order or Chaos identities that they have known, either side may try to force the Velencian to share the identity of their enemies to gain the advantage. Players need to ICly be aware of this and need to contact the mule if a character’s identity is going to be compromised, and players need to give consent if their character’s identity is outed. Identities cannot be given ICly without OOC permission, and players need to be aware of this before pursuing any plots. It would be very dangerous for a Velencian to know the identities of both Order and Chaos characters, so this is strongly discouraged OOCly unless a player knows they can balance their character having this knowledge and it will not ICly come into play or negatively impact other characters. Players are encouraged to contact the mule to confirm they know this information if their character is learning multiple identities.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:48 pm
FAQ How do Vanguardians get to Earth?
Any Vanguardian that did not come to Earth with Commodore Lyndin will arrive in their own individual space pods. These small spacecrafts comfortably fit one person and the trip takes a few days alone. Unfortunately, the ship only has enough energy to make it one way. Earth’s atmosphere will burn up the crystal that charges their ship and they will be stuck on Earth. Commodore Lyndin can contact the Vanguard on Velencya once per month and can request reinforcements be sent, and members of the Vanguard on Velencya can request to be transferred to Earth. There are still Commanders on Velencya running things, so Cadets can be approved to travel to Earth and connect with other members of the Vanguard to assist in their mission.
Can Velencians who are not in the Vanguard come to Earth?
No; because of the amount of resources it costs to travel to Earth, only members of the Vanguard will be permitted to travel from Velencya to assist on Earth.
Can members of the Vanguard return to Velencya?
No; they use a special crystal on their ships and have not discovered a way to stop the crystal from burning up when it passes through Earth’s atmosphere. Velencians coming to Earth know that they will be stuck here indefinitely but they are focusing their resources on completing their tasks; when it is time to return to Velencya, they will come together to combine resources and make the trip back. The Vanguard will not leave Earth until they consider their tasks completed.
How should my Vanguardian react to being on Earth?
This is completely up to the player, however all members of the Vanguard are expected to be mission oriented. They are discouraged from expressing too much individualization and are instructed not to get attached. Earth would seem almost entirely new to them; much of Earth’s technology is considered primitive to them, but Velencians do not have much of a creative outlet so the variation of fashion, entertainment, food, and hobbies would be almost completely new to them. They are encouraged to suppress desires or interests, but this does not mean that they will be able to or that you need to play your character as emotionless or detached.
How experienced can my Cadet be when arriving on Earth?
Not very; for general plot purposes, this should be your Cadet’s first mission. They might have studied or prepared for missions, or had trial missions while on Velencya, but this is their first time leaving their world.
What can my character’s backstory be?
All families on Velencya are of equal status; wealth is evenly distributed and everyone has a role. They are very community oriented and everyone is taken care of. Children are infrequent so it would be unlikely to have a lot of same or similar aged siblings, but some families may have had twins or were approved to have multiple children. Parents do not always stay together; they typically make sure any children they have are supported and taken care of. All children go through extensive schooling and are taught how to help maintain their synthetic world. Not all Velencians will join the Vanguard, but being a member of the Vanguard is considered one of the few ‘elite’ statuses. Family members not in the Vanguard might be involved in occupations that help maintain the world, educate children, health care, etc.
How should my character feel about the Vanguard?
Joining the Vanguard is an incredible accomplishment on Velencya, and only the best of the best are permitted to join. Your character might have been pressured into it, or they might have wanted to join it, but as a society the Vanguard is revered and respected. The general population treats even the lowest ranking members, the Cadets, with respect. More prestige is earned when they are promoted to Corporals, and above that, Commanders are very well trusted and respected. A Commodore is seen as an absolute role model; they are idolized and are the epitome of what everyone should aspire to be.
During the 2021 Meta, Vanguardians needed to drain energy to utilize features of their ComTech. Is this still necessary?
No; during the meta, Vanguardians were still adjusting to Earth. Now that they have spent time on Earth, they have improved their ComTech. Their ComTech no longer needs to be powered by their Source Stone and has instead been upgraded to absorb latent energy in the air. This self-refueling crystal battery operates more effectively than the Source Stone and allows them to save their gathered energy for other things.
Does Earth’s environment feel different from Velencya? Does it look or smell different?
Yes; though they have similar gravitational fields, due to the synthetic nature of Velencya it feels vastly different from Earth. Velencya is almost exclusively a sci-fi metropolis and has very little greenery. They live in a very industrial, clean society. They are used to ‘clean’ air but it is more of a filtered air sort of cleanliness, and not the fresh air of nature. Smells like flowers, grass, and rain would be very new to them, as well as the smell of pollution. Most strong scents would be foreign, and while it may be overpowering it is something they can adapt to.
What Information would the Vanguard know about Earth upon first arriving? Would they recognize plants/animal species? Food? Earth Customs?
The Vanguard has incredibly dated information on Earth; their last update was over a thousand years ago, so anything that has changed between now and then would be new to them. While they might be able to identify plants and animals that existed back then, new breeds or hybrids would be foreign to them, as well as any genetic mutations or changes in those species. They do not speak any real Earth language; their communicators allow them to automatically translate or speak the language but they do not actually know the languages. While they may have observed Earth customs previously, things have drastically changed since then and now so the customs might be vastly different and everything may seem new to them. Any technology or devices that did not exist a thousand years ago would appear ‘new’ to them; they are an advanced species so would be capable of understanding this technology even if they do not utilize it on Velencya. For example, while they have the technology to record themselves in video format, they use this for information purposes (like lectures or documentaries); movies for story or leisure is a foreign concept that would be new to them.
Can Velencians safely eat meat even if their diet doesn’t require them to do so? Can playable Cadets have the deficiency that requires them to eat meat?
Velencians can eat meat if they choose; though it is not a requirement in their diets, it would not naturally have any adverse effects to their diet. However, players can choose for their characters to have difficulties adjusting to the affects on their body; if it is not a deliberate choice to make them sick from eating something, it is safe to assume they can eat typical human food without issue. If players want their character to have this defect, they are welcome to! The Vanguard would have come with supplies to accommodate them.
When gathering energy with the Source Stone, are Cadets considered inexperienced (and must touch their target) or can they be experienced enough to drain within five feet?
Players can choose if their Cadet is experienced or not but it would be acceptable for any of them to drain at the five foot distance!
When first creating a character, how should my character feel about Caedus? Lyndin?
Caedus was thought to be lost and deceased; a thousand years passed on Earth between when he became trapped in the Rift and when he returned. He would have been new to all Cadets, who were born long after he disappeared and was thought to be deceased. His arrival caused a bit of a stir, but Commodore Lyndin greeted Caedus with surprise and warmth. Cadets can draw whatever conclusions they want about him, but would be expected to treat him with respect, especially because Lyndin appears to go out of his way to do so. Caedus did not serve in the Vanguard but is royalty by blood; before he disappeared, he was a young prince who served in tandem with a Council of representatives. There has been no royalty to replace him, and Commodore Lyndin has inadvertently filled the role he left behind. Through the hard work and dedication he's provided to Velencya over his many years of service, people have come to trust and respect him. They come to him for guidance and he has accepted the responsibility. Even the Council, who is responsible for Velencya's well-being, has given him a seat and defers to him for judgment. Where Lyndin earned this role through hard work and dedication, Caedus simply would have inherited it. Privately, or within small circles, the Vanguard may question or doubt Caedus and his abilities. Caedus was gone for so long that he does not seem to fit in with their societal expectations, and he has not contributed in the same way the rest of the Velencians have. He does not have the same skillset as the Vanguard and is still learning and adapting to the world the Cadets have known since birth. However, Lyndin has always been publicly welcoming of him and has been known to gently correct anyone who is speaking ill of Caedus.
How much can my character know about other worlds?
ICly they should know that there are dangers in deep space, but they should not be able to clearly identify them. They might be aware that the Surrounding has many weak points. They do not have any public allies or associations with worlds that have living people or animals. If you have questions about a specific topic and what your character could know about it, please ask in the Meta MQ&A or PM The Space Cauldron!
What language do Velencians speak? How do they communicate? Should they mimic Caedus' speech patterns?
Velencians use a language converter that automatically translates audio. Though Velencians all speak their natural language, known as 'Velenian', these language converters manipulate their brain waves to allow them to automatically comprehend the English language and formulate the correct English response, even if they are thinking in their natural language. They cannot teach others the Velenian language because they cannot differentiate the native words to the translated words, and there is no reason to invest in the effort to learn English when their convertors do the work for them. However, they may choose to naturally learn English if they like.
Caedus is an outlier in this; he learned the Velenian language originally and learned English later. However, due to his imprisonment in the Rift and the lack of a suitable conversation partner, he has only retained the basics of English and has had difficulties correcting his speech pattern. He struggles to make contractions, but this is not an issue other Velencians should have; their language convertor should automatically adjust based on spoken language around them. They do not have to think about translating like he does. Caedus does not wear a convertor.
Can Velencians go to the Moon? Homeworlds or Wonders?
While the Moon security systems don't seem to recognize them as allies and immediately reject them, Order characters can freely take them to their Homeworlds or Wonders!
Can Velencians go to Negaspace? Can they enter the Dark Kingdom or the Rift?
Under no circumstances can a Velencian be taken into the Rift, but with a Negaverse Agent ranked second stage or higher to vouch for them, they may be granted a small work space within the Castle. They would need to be chaperoned at all times, and if the Vanguardian got into any trouble, the Negaverse character would be held accountable. Players interested in this should send in a PM to The Space Cauldron to discuss intentions and we can give more specific guidance and suggestions.
While a Velencian might be permitted access to the Dark Kingdom, being there for a prolonged period of time would eventually be very draining. The energy gathered in their Source Stone might protect them for a bit, but afterwards the Dark Kingdom would begin to drain the Velencian, too. A fully charged Source Stone could protect them for up to eight hours, but a lesser charged Stone will fade much quicker. Without any stored energy, a Velencian could comfortably be in the Dark Kingdom for up to two hours before they begin to feel tired, and by the three hour mark they would begin to feel incredibly fatigued. By the four hour mark, they would need to go home and rest. The exception to this is Lyndin's house; he has special protection from the Chaos installed into the building that allows anyone inside the building to be protected from the effects of Negaspace.
Are Vanguardians allowed to invite non-Velencians to the shared household provided by Lyndin? Can Velencians who have opposed Lyndin stay or visit this location?
It is highly encouraged that Vangurdians do not have non-Velencian guests over at the house, as some Vanguardians may not be on friendly terms with those their allies associate with. It could risk the security, safety, and privacy of the Vanguardians and generally speaking it would be considered rude not to get permission from all members living in the house before having guests over. If a guest is over, we ask that players please be incredibly conscientious of this; they should nor do any damage to the house, snoop, or gain any insight about the Vanguardians. Characters should never be powered while over.
Vanguaridans who opposed Lyndin may be welcomed into the house, but we ask that players please PM The Space Cauldron to plot this out; Vanguardians who openly ally with Caedus or know his location might cause issues if they were in the area or attempting to sabotage efforts, so this is something we would prefer to work out with players. It is possible for Vanguardians to work together on projects even if their core ideals differ, but we just want to make sure everyone can have a comfortable safe space for their characters so there should be no conflict driven plots occurring at the house.
Can Velencians romance each other or others while they are on Earth?
The Vanguard should be very focused on their mission, but as long as it is ICly understood that they are failing mission objectives, it is fine to become romantically involved with anyone. A romance would be more appropriate and accepted if both members were in the Vanguard, but any Vanguardian entering a relationship or having romantic inclinations towards existing PCs simply needs to know that they are not supposed to be doing that. They should try to keep it a secret or risk being scolded by other members of the Vanguard.
How is Velencian eyesight compared to humans? What corrective options do they have?
Velencians typically have eyesight comparable to humans, however they are more adjusted to synthetic lighting; natural lighting can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Velencians may wear contact lenses or glasses to correct their vision, but they also have the option of corrective surgery. Their corrective surgery is far more advanced than Earth’s but it is completely optional for a Velencian to pursue.
How do Velencians bathe? Are their hygiene practices or needs noticeably different from those of humans on Earth?
Velencians do not use many fragrances, so they would typically have a very clean, neutral smell. Humans are around so many fragrances, such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, etc. that there may be a difference depending on what products the human uses. Velencians are less prone to physical strain so may produce less natural body odor, but they are also typically very hygienic anyway. At their base level, cleaned with only water, humans and Velencians would probably smell the same.
On Velencya, they would use carefully recycled and filtered water. If there is a water shortage, or they are traveling, they may use a sterilized gel that is gentle on skin and can be used on hair. The gel will gently peel off after a minute of application and can be discarded afterwards. While there is usually water available on Velencya, any Velencians on Earth presently will have used the gel to stay clean during their travel to Earth, and have come prepared with extra in case the water supply is low.
Can ComTech be used to translate text?
They can be used to translate text, however it is not a foolproof system. While it is highly effective in translating spoken words, there may be difficulties or text errors if an abnormal or artistic font is used. Text slang will not translate appropriately unless programmed directly, and the translator struggles to differentiate words that are spelled the same but have different meanings (like ‘tear’ as in a teardrop, or ‘tear’ as in tear paper). The more the translator is used, the more effective it will become, especially when it is corrected on errors it has misread. However, it can only translate English. It cannot translate languages such as those in textbooks on homeworlds or wonders.
What is the food like on Velencya?
Gourmet or exuberantly prepared foods would be considered excessive; they are prepared to retain as many nutrients as possible. Though there are different flavors, the food on Velencya is still bland compared to Earth. They have minimal seasoning, but they can prepare food in a variety of ways. It would be reasonable to expect that food can be prepared as it is on Earth, it just wouldn't be anything flamboyant, anything supremely unhealthy, or anything that would produce excessive waste.
What color is Velencian blood? Is it visually different from human blood?
Velencian blood looks like human blood; while they are genetically different, it would be impossible to tell the difference by sight alone. They will all appear to have AB+ blood and can receive transfusions from any human donor, however they cannot donate blood to be put into a human.
How do Velencians process currency? Did they come to Earth with finances?
Velencians do not have standard currency; because they operate with a community mindset, everyone is taken care of and treated fairly. There is no competition for resources and the community mindset prioritizes the well-being of the world and the people. If someone needs anything in particular (such as to study or develop or research a subject of interest) they simply need to put in a request. If the resources are available, they will be distributed; if the resources are not available, they will attempt to acquire them as soon as possible.
The Vanguard came to Earth with supplies to take care of themselves so they do not need to make any Earth purchases, however some generous characters have left cash and universal gift cards in various amounts. Players can handwave that these were available on request with a brief description of how they work. Velencians may struggle with currency because they are not used to it; they are used to taking only what they need. On Velecya, there are no 'stores', only supplies; they simply walk in, take what they need, and leave. This may lead to confusion on Earth where there is an expectation of commerce.
How do Velencians cry? Is this different from humans?
Velencians function identically to humans in this regard; their blood, sweat, tears, etc. do not appear any different from that of a human’s.
Are Cadets expected to keep their civilian guise a secret from Order characters or is sharing civilian identities permitted between Velencians and Order?
Velencians do not have to keep their civilian guise a secret from Order characters and may freely share their civilian identities. They are' still under commands to avoid 'getting too close' to anyone, but it is acceptable to share civilian identities with Order characters!
What outfits do the Velencian’s civilian glamour use? Can they change what outfit they appear in?
Velencians arrive with a basic, nondescript outfit that lets them blend in easily; the specific design is up to player choice. While in their civilian glamour, Velencians can change clothes; whatever they change into will be the new outfit they wear when they return to their civilian glamour. Some Velencians may choose to tinker with their ComTech in such a way that allows them to program different outfits for their clothes, but they can only modify the appearance of something they are already wearing and cannot create new clothes out of nothing.
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