Info Andromeda - Information and Recruitment

[EpicVakarian]

Andromeda is set in the Mass Effect universe, twenty-five years after the end of the Reaper War. If you were a member of either Sid's thread, Cerberus: The Second Head, or Simus' thread, Aftermath, you are welcome to apply for Andromeda too; that's not to say newcomers aren't welcome, however applicants might have to include writing samples in their character sheets. The basis for the backstory, current situation of the galaxy and plot is below.

Thanks to @Simus for his great support and advice on organising this thread.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER MASS EFFECT 3?

• Commander Jane Shepard activated the Crucible and destroyed the Reapers, miraculously surviving her ordeal aboard the Citadel.
• The Catalyst did not lie; the Crucible didn't discriminate against the Reapers. EDI and the geth were killed after the Crucible fired.
• The mass relays were damaged heavily, but the network was repaired within eighteen months.
• Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams sacrificed herself on Virmire to buy Shepard time to stop Saren and Sovereign.
• The rachni were spared on Noveria and Utukku, and are now proud members of the Citadel community. They have their own embassy, but require an asari messenger to relay their song into speech. Human diplomats have nicknamed the messenger "Hermes".
• Tuchanka's 1500-year nuclear apocalypse is coming to an end; krogan infrastructure and architecture has cropped up over the planet remarkably fast, as have krogan children. The krogan population has increased tenfold since the implementation of the genophage cure, and it is not uncommon to find young krogan named Mordin, after their salarian saviour.
• Balak was overthrown, and the batarian Hegemony is now under the control of a far less fanatical leader. Most batarians have abandoned their ravaged homeworld, Khar'shan, but some more resilient members of the species have settled themselves there, attempting to rebuild the best they can.
• Due to the geth's destruction, the quarians have been delayed in bringing their immune systems up to strength, but they are now getting to the point where their enviro-suits are no longer necessary on Rannoch. However, most quarians still wear their suits aboard ships or on colony worlds, for both tradition and safety. They are attempting to rebuild the geth as closely as possible, but are yet to make a breakthrough; 300 years of unpredictable synthetic evolution meant that no quarian could even hope to make the geth exactly the same. However, they do hope to at least grant the geth their individuality once more, and live peacefully alongside them.
• The Leviathans, who were reclusive at best during the war, have since dropped out of contact entirely. No-one knows what they have done since the Reapers' destruction, but as they were never entirely trusted in the first place, the governments have left them to their own devices, assuming they have simply retreated back into their position of hiding from before the War.
• Commander Shepard helped Aria T'Loak retake Omega from Cerberus' General Oleg Petrovsky, but taught her along the way to care more for her people. While Aria still doesn't really care for her people's wellbeing, she makes sure they see her as a good leader, mainly to keep her position of power. She co-ordinates closely with the Talons to maintain security without oppressing the people of Omega.

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FRIENDS AND SQUADMATES?

• Jane Shepard and Garrus Vakarian tried for a child, but as predicted, their biologies did not work well together. They were visiting Urdnot Wrex on Tuchanka when Shepard had her miscarriage, and Wrex found her crying. He instinctively knew what had happened; he'd lived under the genophage's curse his entire life. He comforted Shepard and offered her one of his own children to adopt, assuring her he had too many already. Six months later, she and Garrus had decided to take up Wrex's offer, and adopted a newborn krogan baby, whom they named Urdnot Thane. Shepard's experience dealing with Grunt's adolescence made her an excellent mother to the krogan, and two years later, the couple adopted two more children; a human and a turian, both bearing only temporary names as both their fathers had died fighting the Reapers, and their mothers had died in childbirth. After some deliberation, the human child was named Arryn Vakarian, and the turian named Adrien Shepard. These three children get on extremely well together, and are like nieces and nephews to the old Normandy crew.
• Tali'Zorah vas Normandy is leading the quarian scientists and engineers responsible for rebuilding the geth. She is careful to maintain the geth's networked, collective intelligence; improving on the schematics for the original geth, rather than guessing based on the geth who fought the Reapers.
• Urdnot Grunt still leads Aralakh Company, and is one of Wrex's closest friends.
• Liara T'Soni maintains her position as the Shadow Broker, and Feron is still her top agent.
• Legion's sacrifice warranted a war memorial on Rannoch; a symbol of peace to quarians, but also a great tragedy after the geth's destruction.
• Mordin Solus' sacrifice warranted a war memorial on Tuchanka.
• Councilor Valern petitioned for the Thane Krios War Memorial, and took Kolyat's advice; funding salarian research of Kepral's Syndrome in an attempt to save others from the pain Thane suffered.
• Nelson's Column in London was destroyed in the Reaper occupation, and has been replaced by the Anderson Memorial Column. Every year, on the anniversary of the firing of the Crucible, diplomats of all species gather at the Column to pay tribute to the legions of those who gave their lives to secure the galaxy's safety.
• Javik did not lie on Earth; after the Reapers were destroyed, his job was done. He returned to what he knew as the Cronian Nebula, found his squadmates' graves, and added himself to their ranks, but only after having helped Liara write the book she'd asked him about.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COUNCIL?

• The asari and turian councilors, Tevos and Sparatus, still serve their species proudly.
• Councilor Valern died of old age a few years after the Reaper War, having made the most of the life Thane Krios gave him; Kolyat Krios at his side, as a friend.
• Dominic Osoba was given the human seat on the Council, and has done his best to aid anyone still suffering from the War.
• The volus were granted a seat on the Council for single-handedly holding together the galactic economy while the Reapers rampaged through the galaxy. Din Korlack currently represents the volus on the Council.
• The quarians were granted a seat on the Council on the condition that the geth share that seat, if they are ever brought back up to the individuality they accomplished on Rannoch. This was a reward for the huge bravery and sacrifice they showed in both evacuating allied colonies, and in fighting to liberate Earth. Zaal'Koris vas Rannoch sits on the Council to represent his species.
• The krogan were granted a seat on the Council for playing a major part in the liberation and resistance movement of two Council homeworlds; they prevented the fall of the turian homeworld in the Miracle at Palaven, and Earth could not have been liberated without the krogan forces Urdnot Wrex brought with him. Without the krogan, there wouldn't have been a galaxy left. Urdnot Mord, fifth son of Urdnot Wrex, sits as the krogan councilor, having been raised specifically to be more diplomatic and friendly than most krogan.

WHAT'S THE STORY?

• Since the galaxy converged on Earth to defeat the Reapers, it has been very rare to see any significant diplomatic arguments among species. The salarians were, at first, wary of the krogan's newfound power as councilors, but upon realising Wrex would keep the krogan in line and was willing to be diplomatic for the sake of his people, they have recently become more friendly toward the krogan. Quite simply, the galaxy is undergoing a golden age of co-operation and partnership, in which everyone helps each other, no matter the species.
• The original SSV London, an Alliance cruiser, was destroyed over Earth by a Sovereign-class Reaper, and after the Battle of London, Admiral Hackett saw fit to rebuild the London as a Normandy-class frigate, named for the Battle, rather than the City, of London. It was constructed by a galaxy, rather than a race; similar to the Normandy, human and turian designers adapted the systems to be even more advanced than the original Normandy. However, other races also worked on the ship. Quarians, salarians, even rachni; all races have played some part in the construction of the London, and as it nears completion, it has already become a symbol of galactic co-operation, both in its name and its history.
• The new SSV London is about to go on its maiden voyage to Haestrom; a team of quarian marines and scientists believe they have discovered what is causing the planet's sun, Dholen, to destabilize so quickly.

You are a member of the elite, multi-species squad hand-picked by the Council to man the SSV London, and retrieve this intel from the quarians on Haestrom. You've been told to report to the docks, where the mission CO and XO will meet you and introduce themselves. Good luck.

RULES

1. I have high hopes for this roleplay. I won't be accepting everyone who applies, only those with particularly appealing character sheets.
2. No controlling other characters, no over-powered characters, etc.
3. Stick to the lore of the series and the backstory I've laid out for you as best you can.
4. Post once a week if you can to be convenient. After two weeks without posting, your character will be "parked" until you come back. If, two weeks after your character is "parked", you still haven't posted, you'll be removed from the members list.
5. Don't be rude to anyone. We're all here to have fun.

CHARACTERS
Your character(s) will have to fit into one of these roles to be accepted. If you can come up with a new role, however - either one I've missed, or one you feel should be included - feel free to apply under that role too.

Captain: EpicVakarian as Arryn Vakarian (character sheet on page 1)
XO: EpicVakarian as Adrien Shepard (character sheet on page 3)
Pilot: Simus as Nessus/Sails The Stars With The Enkindlers (character sheet on page 2)
Communications Tech: (open)
Chief Engineer: (open)
Ship's Medic / Chief Scientist: (open - think of this as a Mordin-like role, rather than a Chakwas-like role)
Weapons Master: Wolfbane as James "Vex" Teller (character sheet on page 2)
CQC Specialist: Orien Terrik as Urdnot Borm (character sheet on page 5)
Main Gunner: Drahkma as Varnius Tandros (character sheet on page 5)
Intelligence Officer: Toxius as Brandon Zuriel Kehoe (character sheet on page 1)

All roles are free to engage in combat too, if you wish; just include your character's combat style or class in your sheet. Once your sheet is posted, I'll inform you if you're accepted or not. If you are, then you'll be added to the cast list immediately. If not, then I'll give you a list of possible improvements you could make to your sheet to improve your chances of being accepted. Thanks for reading, and have fun!

 

[Wolfbane]

Can I apply for weapons specialist? I'll have my CC up tonight. Or there could be a person overseeing the marines and servicemen, so that could also work. I'll post a CC by today or tonight, so you can see what works.

 

[Toxius]

Hmm, to join or not to join. Or to properly rephrase that. To apply or not to apply.

 

[EpicVakarian]

BASIC​

NAME Arryn Vakarian
AGE 26
RACE Human
GENDER Female
ROLE Commanding Officer
RANK Captain
BIRTHPLACE London, England
SEXUALITY Heterosexual
LATERALITY Right-handed
HEIGHT 5'7"
WEIGHT 130lbs
DIALOGUE COLOUR Blue

APPEARANCE

(credit to angelabermudez.deviantart.com)​

EYES Dark blue
HAIR Black, shoulder-length
SCARS A small white mark on her forehead
BUILD Much like her mother; fit and healthy, with some strength behind her, but still a little skinny
ATTIRE - CASUAL

​

ATTIRE - ARMOUR As in the above picture; typical N7 armour, similar to her mother, but a little thinner and lighter, with cyan lights.

PERSONALITY​

POSITIVE TRAITS Kind, friendly and intelligent, with excellent tactical sense and a dry wit much like her father's. Very brave, and extremely determined.
NEGATIVE TRAITS Quite stubborn, and unafraid to say what she thinks. Sometimes her sense of humour can seem like arrogance or pessimism.
LIKES Spending time with friends, family and crew
DISLIKES Rude, thoughtless people; conservative views; supremacist views.
FEARS Being a disappointment to her parents, losing soldiers under her command, and spiders.
QUIRKS Likes to talk, and can make conversation out of almost anything, as long as the other person is willing to talk back.

COMBAT​

CLASS Vanguard - travels light to keep amp cooldown times low.
WEAPONS Uses an old geth pulse rifle from during the war, and an asari Disciple shotgun, both modded to keep weight down as much as possible.
FIGHTING STYLE When outnumbered, Arryn will play it safe; sticking to cover and firing her rifle in short bursts. After the enemy has been whittled down to a safe number, however, Arryn will switch to her shotgun and put her biotics to maximum effect. Like most vanguards, Charge and Nova are her signature powers, but she can also use Pull and Shockwave to great effect too. Charge brings her up close, letting her use her shotgun before she vents her barriers in a nova to finish off the last few enemies.

BIOGRAPHY​

Arryn never knew her genetic parents; her father was killed by Reaper troops during the final assault on the Conduit on Earth just before she was born, and her mother died in childbirth. She was raised in an orphanage for the first two years of her life; a makeshift home, as the Reapers had destroyed most of the buildings in London. However, she was adopted by Jane Shepard and Garrus Vakarian along with one of the turian children, and both were given their permanent names; Arryn Vakarian and Adrien Shepard.

Arryn and Adrien got on together extremely well, and Arryn never was a girly girl. Having a turian brother and a krogan brother, along with having Commander Shepard for a mother and Garrus Vakarian for a father, meant she was never exposed to much "girly" stuff. She played with similar things to Adrien, hence the closeness.

At school, many people liked to think they were Arryn and Adrien's friends; even young children knew why their parents were so noteworthy. However, the pair of them tended to stick together and stay with people who liked them for who they were, rather than who their parents were.
Arryn did extremely well at school, and managed to avoid any bullying purely by explaining the fact that she had a krogan for an older brother. She and Adrien were split into different classes in secondary school, but still stuck together outside of lessons, with their old friends from primary school, and both did exceptionally well here too.

Following in their parents' footsteps, both enlisted in the military, Adrien grudgingly being given special permission to join the Alliance rather than the turian military out of respect for his mother; Arryn was originally in the same classes as Adrien, until one particularly rude recruit insulted just about everyone she cared about. That was when she discovered her biotics.
Upon closer examination and tests, the Alliance discovered that Arryn was lucky to have survived past birth; she had been exposed to large amounts of element zero while in the womb and had been granted substantial biotic powers. Nothing near asari level, but strong enough to hold her own with human biotics. Any more exposure, the doctors said, and she wouldn't have lived past six months.

So, Arryn was separated from her brother for the first time in her life to be put through biotic training on Earth, in the London School for Gifted Biotics, of which Kaidan Alenko was the head-teacher. This put her to rest a little, as Kaidan was an old family friend of her parents. She shone in her training; she wasn't the best in the class, but she was certainly a powerful biotic. But she didn't want to be just a biotic; she wanted to be on the frontline with Adrien. So Alenko showed her a new set of biotic skills, almost tailor-made for front-line combat. She specialised in this line of combat for five years, coming out of training aged 23, a powerful vanguard; and upon spending time with Adrien again, she discovered they were still a fantastic team; her biotic skills and Adrien's gunplay working in harmony perfectly.

Noticing the pair's great skill and notable parentage, Admiral Hackett brought the two in for special leadership training under General Coats, a British ex-soldier who'd been promoted after his part in the Battle of London. Arryn was an excellent leader, and even when separated, gave very similar orders to those her brother gave under the same conditions. Hackett decided to groom them both for command, drawing them in for command aboard two brand-new ships that were due for completion soon. However, Jane Shepard contacted Hackett to remind him of how Arryn and Adrien wouldn't work half so well apart from each other as they would together.
Hackett contemplated for a while, and eventually decided to put Arryn in command of the SSV London, with Adrien as her XO, knowing for a fact they'd just decide to effectively share command anyway.

Now, still inseparable, the adoptive siblings await their new squad at the Alliance docks on the Citadel, nervous at who they might meet, and who they might command.

 

[EpicVakarian]

This is one of my two CCs. It should be pretty obvious what my second one will be, but unfortunately I don't have time to write up his CC until tomorrow afternoon. So at the very least, there's your Captain!

 

[Wolfbane]

Vex might break regs for his Captain hahahaha

 

[Simus]

I can't play as Alice or One. This RP sucks. I'm gonna spam it!

Looks really good Epic! Glad you were able to pull it together! I'll work on a CC and try to post it soon. I'm going for the pilot role.

 

[EpicVakarian]

I thought you said you'd be staying out of it, Simus? I mean, it's great that you decided otherwise, but why did you decide otherwise?

 

[Toxius]

Intelligence Officer is like the Miranda type role isn't it? Only thing I'm really confused about. I know there are Intelligence officers on the Citadel.

Also what type of ship is it? N7?

I know you mention you wear N7 armour but you never mentioned you went to any Interplanetary Combatives Training, which is a school located in Rio de Janeiro. You need to go there to earn your N1-N6's then finally earning the Special operatives N7 Designation.
So I think you haven't explained really how she earned that N7 Designation.

 

[EpicVakarian]

It's an Alliance ship, but crewed by all sorts of species, just like the Normandy.

Now, as for N7; Arryn isn't actually N7. I must have missed that in the CC; when I said "N7 armour", I meant "it's that same standard sort of armour". So when you look at her armour in the picture, it's similar in everything but the logo; instead of the N7 logo, it's just the generic Alliance Navy logo. Sorry, I didn't make that clear at all. Thanks for telling me though!

 

[Toxius]

It's an Alliance ship, but crewed by all sorts of species, just like the Normandy.

Now, as for N7; Arryn isn't actually N7. I must have missed that in the CC; when I said "N7 armour", I meant "it's that same standard sort of armour". So when you look at her armour in the picture, it's similar in everything but the logo; instead of the N7 logo, it's just the generic Alliance Navy logo. Sorry, I didn't make that clear at all. Thanks for telling me though!

Ah, that sorts it out.

Now I just want to know about the role of Inteligence officer.

Also can other members in your crew be N7? I know also if they have completed their N7 it doesn't mean they are a acquitted a higher rank automatically. So in all terms it's just designation and advanced leadership training I've got another option, so don't mind this.

I was going for a rank of Lieutenant Commander, which is 2 ranks below Captain. Plus my character would respect your command and doesn't see himself better then anybody, After all it is technically your ship.

Ahem, just don't tell that to the pilot.


Edit:
Last question, hopefully.
So it's about 26/27 years after the Reaper's invaded Earth?
So current year would be about 2212/2213ish? More or less.

 

[Simus]

I thought you said you'd be staying out of it, Simus? I mean, it's great that you decided otherwise, but why did you decide otherwise?

Well...I really like the idea. And since my RP's change with the tides I could be doing nothing in a month. How's your Into the Dark post coming by the way?

 

[Wolfbane]

I'll have my CC up today! I fell asleep before I could last night

 

[EpicVakarian]

Toxius: It's 26 (and a bit) years after the Reaper invasion. Arryn was born pretty much as the Reapers fell, so her age is effectively the years since Shepard killed the Reapers. Current year would be early 2213. Hope that helps.
And as for your character; he can be whatever you like. N7 is fine, and Lieutenant Commander is good.

Simus: I wasn't aware that people were waiting on me in Into The Dark, so thanks for telling me; I'll see what I can do tonight.

And its fine Wolf, it's not like you're holding anything from moving forward

 

[Toxius]

Basic information​

Name: Brandon Zuriel Kehoe

Age: 30

Date of Birth: 7th April 2182

Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa

Race: Human - Caucasian

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Straight

Rank: N6 Lieutenant Commander

Class: Soldier

​

Affiliations: Alliance military

Prior Affiliations: Citadel Security Services

Occupation: Alliance military N6 (currently completing N7) special forces – Intelligence, combat and combat tactics specialist.
​

Appearance​

Appeared Age: He appears to be in his mid-20’s

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 80 Kg or 176 pounds

Build: Built lean.

Skin Color: Tanned

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Style: Short hair to long in the middle which he wears back.

Hair Color: brown-blond

Beard: Five’o’clock shadow and a small amount of stubble seen along his jaw. He goes clean shaven when he has to meet superiors or other very important events.


Tattoos: Black saber wolf on left shoulder.

Personality​

Base Alignment: Good general outlook on things.

Personality description: He is usually kind and friend, he is very respectable to his superiors and expects the same from others. He is brave, tactically able and determined to get things done. He can command respect and stays on schedule unless a better plan arises or unless he is ordered to. He has a bit of pride, and won’t lower himself down to any bodies else’s level. He holds himself quite high and won’t resort to drugs of any kind or drink to drunkenness. He also isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said in order to get through to anybody that is reckless, and endangers his colleges.

Likes: Women, guns, training, interacting with colleges, food, rain, cozy environments, and music.

Dislikes: Drugs, disrespect, reckless behavior, smart-arses, Racism, loud chewing, lazy people, and places that are too noisy.

Equipment

Main: M-15 Vindicater or an M-98 Mattock (he usually prefers his custom Mattock).

Pistol: M-5 Phalanx

Armour: Specialized Kestrel armour with Red lighting system with red outlines. It’s finished with a flat black and is polished when able to. He doesn't wear a Kestrel helmet.

Off-duty: Standard alliance military officers dress.

Training: Crew fatigues with sweat pants.

Miscellaneous​

Dialogue colour: Green

Role applying for: Intelligence Officer

Combat Skills: He is adapt with Assault rifle and heavy pistol, getting excellent results in the shooting range. He doesn’t have any significant biotic powers and relies on incendiary, cyro or shock ammo. He usually prefers his burst rifles/semi-automatic over automatic. He is also adapt in martial arts which was taught at the interplanetary combatives training. He has only been on a few actual combats missions against mercenaries and the others were mainly drills and exercises, a few some of the hostiles were a no show.


Biography: Brandon grew up to two loving parents who cared for him deeply, his mother is an alliance human resources specialist, while his father worked in Alliance Military as an Admiral. He was only about four when the reapers attacked Earth, his father was one of the one’s leading his ship into battle around earth space. However his father’s ship was destroyed in the battle, and he never saw his father again. He couldn’t understand where his father went at the time, he was too young remember. The Alliance gave him an honoured military funeral, but there wasn’t a body to be lowered into the grave. Brandon eventually started private school at the age of six and graduated early with high honours at the age of sixteen and a year later started university, attaining a master’s degree in Military intelligence, history, economics and tactics. At the age of 19 he joined the Citadels Security services until he was 23, where after he left his and pursued an opportunity given to him from an alliance military admiral who knew his father, when he was just a 1st lieutenant.

Brandon traveled to Rio de Janeiro and passed his N1 training, and was extended right all the way to N6. The last course he has yet to pass is his N7 training, which he is currently doing. As part of the N6
scenario he was transferred to the SSV London, where he would hopefully receive more invaluable Combat experience, field experience and working under harsh pressure while gathering Intelligence. When and if he completes his training with a report of his supervisory Captain he will be able to complete his N7 and be promoted to the rank of Major.

 

[Toxius]

Tell me what you think, and if I need to make any changes.

 

[EpicVakarian]

I like the CC a lot! Am I right in saying his history is inspired a tiny bit by Star Trek? Either way, you're accepted as intelligence officer. I'd ask for a writing sample for convenience, since I don't think I've RP'd with you before, but you've been extra-convenient and listed all your RPs, with links and all I'll add you to the cast list.

 

[Toxius]

I like the CC a lot! Am I right in saying his history is inspired a tiny bit by Star Trek? Either way, you're accepted as intelligence officer. I'd ask for a writing sample for convenience, since I don't think I've RP'd with you before, but you've been extra-convenient and listed all your RPs, with links and all I'll add you to the cast list.

Thanks, but I don't think I get the reference to star trek as I haven't watched it. Hell who's the character that reminds seems to inspired him? I wanna see it for myself.

Now I just need my Intelligence about this.
Am I right about something with Dark energy, reapers, ring galaxy?
Or completely off. I remember reading a lot about Haestrom's sun, Dholen, and lists of possible reasons it's unstable.

 

[EpicVakarian]

Oh, never mind then. The backstory just reminded me of the first 40 minutes or so of the 2009 Star Trek movie. It's a good film, you should watch it

Now, first off; you have played the Mass Effect games right? Because its sounding like you haven't, which could be a worry. Nothing too bad; the fact you're in here so early means we have more time to bring you up to speed if you haven't played them. But still; it's difficult to compress the emotions and plotline of a trilogy that takes over 100 hours to complete into a few paragraphs.

 

[Toxius]

Oh, never mind then. The backstory just reminded me of the first 40 minutes or so of the 2009 Star Trek movie. It's a good film, you should watch it

Now, first off; you have played the Mass Effect games right? Because its sounding like you haven't, which could be a worry. Nothing too bad; the fact you're in here so early means we have more time to bring you up to speed if you haven't played them. But still; it's difficult to compress the emotions and plotline of a trilogy that takes over 100 hours to complete into a few paragraphs.

I actually have played the Mass effect series. Maybe I'm just forgetful in some area's, even though I've played through it three times, each with different events. Two paragon, one renegade. Played through all the Dlc's. I've read 2 of the 4 novels.

I'm just trying to evaluate the plot line for this Rp before we even start it.