The official Academy Roleplay is now open!! Click here to get posting!
First off, here's what I need help with:
-People who are interested in helping/joining.
-Help in designing technical aspects of the roleplay (ships, technology, species, etc.)
-Help in finding people who are interested in helping/joining.
-A really good artist who I can work with to make nice drawings/pictures of the ships, technology, or species.
-Lots of questions to clarify details.
And now here's a little of what I have so far...
CONSORTIUM
=============DEFENCE=============
==============FORCE==============
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IN A GALAXY almost too big to police... enter the Consortium Defense Force! In this upcoming roleplay, each player joins as an enlisted Recruit of the CDF Space Navy on board a capital ship. It's up to the crew and officers to complete their missions and save the day. But before it begins, you can have a part in creating it.
Here are some features that will appear in the roleplay:
- Five Unique Playable Species
- An In-Game Ranking System
- On-Board Specialized Jobs
- A Chance to Explore the Galaxy
- An Open-Ended, Adaptable Plot-Line into which You Can Contribute
Here's a more detailed look.
Species
There are five species that a character can choose from. It is up to each individual player what species they wish to play. Note, however, that the species a player selects can influence how that player reacts with his/her environment. For technical purposes, all species are fairly humanoid (bi-pedal or standing upright).
-Terrans: Terrans are humans. They are a hardy species who have crossed the stars in search of the answers to fill their scientific habits. Terrans crafted a great majority of the technology that is used in most systems in Consortium Territory.
-C'setan: The C'setan are a relatively young species. However, they are extremely adaptable and have adjusted well. C'setan are most similar to Terrans in appearance, though they have long, nose-less faces and feet similar to hooves. The C'setan were the first sentient beings discovered by the expansion of Terrans. Fortunately, the C'setan adopted many Terran traditions and the two species allied.
-Rek'kiri: The Rek'kiri are a feline (so the Terrans describe them) species that were encountered in a system near the outer ring of the galaxy. They were first believed to be so low in intelligence that they would be "domesticated" and used as exotic pets or slaves. However, upon a much deeper search into the jungles of their homeworld, explorers found a civilization with a low technology base. It was apparent that the Rek'kiri had the mental capacity to learn sophisticated concepts, and over hundreds of years the Rek'kiri were absorbed into the Terran and C'setan society.
-Velitor: The Velitor are a strange, technologically gifted species across the galaxy from Terra. They have skin that can range from a grayish-tan to dark blue. The most notable feature of a Velitor is the large bony protrusions from its head, and its frog-shaped legs. Velitor contributed numerous aspects into the present technology used by the Consortium. Before the arrival of the Terrans, the Velitor were at war with the Gurodani. The dispute was only recently settled, in order for both races to join the Consortium. Velitor and Gurodani are not, however, on good terms.
-Gurodani: The Gurodani are a large, somewhat brutish race in a star-system near the Velitor subsector. One can easily tell a Gurodani from any other species because they have four arms. The upper pair is long and muscular, used for lifting and running on “all-fours”. The lower pair is smaller and used for more delicate tasks like writing or working on machinery. Gurodani have a very hunched look, and when walking on its two legs it appears to trudge along lazily. However, when using its front arms for support, a Gurodani can move extremely quickly. Gurodani have a tendency to be aggressive and become violent when agitated.
That's all for now. I'll try to have some *rough* sketches of some of the species just to clear up what they look like. Did I mention they'd be rough?
Ranking System
The ranking system will introduce a sort of in-game hierarchy among characters. This will not only help with questions of authority, but will also give people an incentive to play nice and write as best as they can. At the start of the game everyone (except myself and another administrator [should there be one]) will begin at the rank of Recruit. Promotions will be given by HQ (which right now is just me sad ). However, the Captain of a ship will determine who is fit to be promoted, demoted, or stay the same rank. A Captain will be looking for the following:
- Frequency of Posts
- Post Quality (Spelling, Grammar, Level of Detail)
- Involvement with the Plot and Other Characters
At the end of each term (currently one week), the Captain will provide HQ with a log of each player's performance, and the appropriate rank adjustments will be made.
Here are the theoretical ranks:
Academy Ranks
1. Recruit
2. Apprentice11111111111
Junior Officer Ranks
3. Crewman
4. Cadet1111111111111111
Warrant Officer Ranks
5. Ensign
6. Lieutenant Junior Grade
7. Lieutenant Full Grade1111
Command Ranks
8. Commander
9. Commander Elite
10. Captain111111111111111
High Command Ranks
11. Vice Admiral
12. Fleet Admiral
13. Star Admiral
Specialized Jobs
Each character will be able to choose from and work in a certain department on board the ship. Each department has a specific role, and players from one department will not be able to perform many of the tasks of another. The highest ranking player in each department will act as the role of "Chief" of his/her respective department. For example, a player can become "Chief of Navigations."
Here are the available departments on board the ship:
Command- Command is the hierarchy of the CDF. Officers that have risen to the rank of Commander will begin training in command. Once a Commander has graduated, they can become a ship's First Officer (Commander Elite) or a Captain. Further training will lead into Admiral status. Command will not only direct and coordinate the other departments, but will settle disputes and keep the plot moving forward.
Navigations- Navigations personnel recieve advanced training in the flight and operation of starships and airships. They also have many duties on the bridge of a starship, including helmsman, communications, sensory analyst, and more. Navigations personnel can also fly fightercraft, transports, and atmosphere dropships.
Sciences- Science personnel are required on board all CDF ships. Whether it's determining what a nebulae consists of, or performing a scanning/observation mission on a derelict vessel, scientists have their hands full. If the ship has a problem, it's up to the scientists to make a think-tank and retrieve a solution.
Engineering- Engineers are responsible for maintaining and operating the equipment onboard a ship. They have a wide range of duties that include maintaining a ship's engines, repairing hull damage, computer programming, and maintenance of any ship peripherals (lights, lifts, doors, etc.).
Medical- Medical personnel are a necessity on board all CDF ships. They can have positions such as doctors or nurses, combat medics and field surgeons. Some medical staff are also trained as counselors and psychiatrists for the crew. Medical personnel are also responsible for making sure that the crew stays in a safe environment, and may investigate problems that can affect the health of those on board.
Cooking/Labor- The unsung heroes of the ship. These personnel do the tasks that are often overlooked by much of the crew and the outside world. However, if it were not for these simple tasks, the ship would not be able to function. Labor crews often work in a ship's docking bays, unloading and loading cargo or performing custodial duties around the ship. In times of combat, Labor units can also man weapons turrets on the ship. Note that players in this department can not be promoted into Command directly.
Marines/Security- This department is in charge of shipwide defense and performing boarding actions. They are trained for war, but also have a duty in crowd control and internal security on board a ship. Occasionally, marines will perform drops onto planet surfaces or into space stations, perform escort missions, or scouting procedures. Marines will continue training as a group during down-time from combat in order to keep their effectiveness.
Plot Development
The main means of plot development on board a ship is by going on a mission. Normally the Captain will initiate the plot, or guide the other players through it, but often players will be able to direct the plot. The goal is to get everyone on the ship involved with a plot somehow, and make sure others have a chance to post. In between missions, the crew may have some down-time to get a chance to socialize or get some R&R. In between missions is a perfect time to really show off your character, either through interaction with other characters or by providing a backstory. I'll add more about posting itself later.
Growth
Unlike many roleplays, CDF is actually designed for a large number of players. When it opens, players will most likely all be on the same ship, with maybe 4-10 players. But, if the number of players continues to increase, then the roleplay will begin to really take shape. Provided there are enough players, then a new thread will be made to represent another ship. Thus, there will be two ships, with two captains, and multiple crewmembers. In this way, the roleplay can grow without it becoming ridiculous for each player to have a fair share of the limelight. I'm thinking that I will make a guild for the roleplay should it grow to a certain size. Mostly, though, this is all wishful thinking. I'll need lots of help to make that happen.
In any case, if you've read this whole thing, you've got great patience, and I like that. I'll be adding and updating the information on this page periodically, so check back!
