[@yoshua171] - //cracks fingers.

Here we go.

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So it appears that while each SOLDIER's Aeon may only have a maximum of two colors, such is neither required (they can have just one I presume) nor does it appear that the colors are terribly limited, is this correct?

To clarify what I mean by "limited," I'll say that based on the characters I've seen so far and the examples of ideals/elements/aspects assigned to each color it appears there are any number of ways one could [i]interpret[/i] said colors and thus the sorts of abilities they could bestow--within reason of course. Is this correct?[/quote]

You can have one colour associated to an Aeon, yes. The colours are up for interpretation in relation to the information I've given on them. Within reason, as you say. You're correct on this. This is why the colours are "idealisms" in relation to the element related to them and the Aeon.

[quote]I noticed that in the CS there is a section for abilities (which are much like spells of a sort), I would like to know if a given SOLDIER is limited to exerting/manifesting their Aeon's power through ONLY those spells/skills/abilities listed, or if they are capable of accessing and bringing to bear a measure of their power in a more general sense--or conversely if their power could manifest in that manner rather than in more structured spells/skills.

Oh...and is there any particular limit to the amount of spells a SOLDIER could potentially have (so long as the amount remains within reason and their power is not ridiculously overwhelming even individually)?[/quote]

Yes, there are others way one can bring forth power from their Aeon. The abilities and spells are more like specific skills and powers that have been collected from training. A SOLDIER can gain new abilities along the way and through increasing amounts of stress and such through the story. I designed the abilities to be listed the way they are to assist in battle scenarios and to go along with the overall juncture of bonding - as the abilities are, more or less, watered down versions of an Aeon's true might and blessing.

There is not a limit. But I advise it be kept within reason. But the power available should go along with the ranking of the SOLDIER in question.

[quote]How long has the SOLDIER program/initiative been going on?

By the above I'd like to know the following:
>When did the Aeon "crash land" as it were? How long ago was that?
>At what point did the first Prototype come into being?
>At what point did the first "successful" SOLDIER come to be?
>How many "generations" of successful SOLDIERS have come after that first one (metaphorically or literally, whichever is more applicable)?[/quote]

Allow me to give you a timeline I used in the first Requiem, to help with this.

[hider=x]3056 I.  — Aeon meteors impact Viera; landing throughout the various continents.
3061 A.I.  — Scientists of the Dalmastice government capture all the Aeons within a span of five years.

[indent]3063 A.I. — First experiments on the Aeons begin two years following their extraction.[/indent]
3078 A.I. — Fifteen years of research yield the finding of Aeon cells that slow aging, repair cells and grant vitality and strength.

[indent]3079 A.I. — The following year they begin the pharmaceutical campaigns to benefit all mankind.[/indent]
3081 A.I. — Suddenly, the Aeons are "sealed" away and the cells no longer offered within medicines. Fort Lullin is built.
3086 A.I. — Five years of debates and disputes leads to the first rebellion and initial divide of the government.
3089 A.I. — The first battles begin, and the slums of Archadia are attacked, revealing the monsters and terrible creatures in the first massacre in prelude to the wars. This is the present time of events.[/hider]

The first Prototypes came into being when they first began experimenting and found the unique structure in Aeon cells.
The first successful SOLDIER came to be when Fort Lullin was built. But they were still proved to manic and uncontrollable.
Our SOLDIERS are the first to be deemed tame and sane enough to venture out onto actual missions, now that the war is increasing gradually and the ghettos of Faelan were attacked.

[quote]Moving on from that, how long would you say it takes your average Commander/First/Second/Third takes to train and/or raise to that level/rank?[/quote]

It honestly depends on how fast the individual wishes to rise and how much they are able to withstand the process required to rise within rank.

[quote]In regards to the "Monsters" you mentioned appearing more recently, what sorts of capabilities should I/we expect? What sorts of appearances? Do they act with any noticeable intelligence, rhyme, or reason?[/quote]

This is actually related to the plot story, so I can't really say without revealing spoilers. Our SOLDIERS are the first ones to be deployed.


[quote]What is the current status of technology, military, medical, and commercial if you don't mind my asking.[/quote]

This was sort of answered previously, as we are giving quite a bit of leniency in regards to this. To give another example, there was a question regarding cyber enhancement, which would be considered in infant status, not quite yet explored. But this is sci-fi influenced, so anything is plausible. Within a certain reason. 

[quote]Would it be possible for an experiment to have been done inutero or prior to conception? After all, splicing genes would likely be even more effective if the individual was born that way. Perhaps an initial introduction of only a very small amount of Aeon DNA, with more being added over time increasing the amount of harmony between “host” and “doner,” as it were. Conversely, since there doesn't seem to be any shortage of Aeon tissue (since they regenerate even in their “death-like sleep) could someone have run experiments over a few generations. Mutating a lineage (accelerating their growth perhaps, since medical technology is likely superior to our present day Earth by many leaps and bounds) and thus creating something that was—while still human—a more capable host, more receptive, due to being closer in nature to the Aeon.

It was a cool idea I had...so yeah, just thought I'd ask, though I figure neither is terribly likely (I imagine they tried it, but either it wasn't viable, they didn't do it long enough to find a viable “lineage,” or they found an easier method and so scrapped that aspect of the 	SOLDIER initiative/project), but better to try and ask, then to not do so and regret it.[/quote]

This is a wonderful idea, and was sort of used for a previous character in the first Requiem. However, with this current plot line, it's not entirely viable just yet.

[quote]Could someone live in the desolate ghettos of Ground Zero? I'm thinking someone “homeless,” who was born there. A scavenger, a survivor, as it were.[/quote]

A survivor, maybe, of the attack. As Ground Zero has been deemed forbidden by Faelan for anyone to enter the grounds and some of those labeled missing have not been found.

[quote]Conversely, could someone have just started much younger than is normal (7 at the earliest I'd think)?[/quote]

Mm.. Depends on how they came to be used at such a young age. I'd imagine the pain and process of bonding with an Aeon could possibly kill a child, unless used in small doses. The only plausible conclusion I can think of is that they're related to one of the scientists directly involved with the Aeon projects. 

[quote]It seems most would start, at the earliest, in their late teens (17-19), but more likely in their early twenties. Correct me if I am wrong of course as that's just the impression I got.[/quote]

More or less, you're correct on this.
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