[OOC] Mass Effect: Underworld

[Leos Klien]

@BlackSam3091That's fine, I'm actually glad you said that as I've changed my direction with this Drell, gunna make an Infiltrator instead of a vanguard now.

[Dervish]

Soldier has always been my class of choice for Shepard.

@BlackSam3091

I usually roll Infiltrator. I like to click and hiss like the Predator when I turn invisible. >.>

@Dervish

I think that's related to the whole warrior-wizard balancing act!

Like games tend to give heavy physical penalties to wizards or big physical boons to warriors, but in theory, a wizard-warrior is not impossible! xD

@Rithy

A couple of my Skyrim characters are more or less Battlemages. Heavy armour and weapons with complimentary magic. If I want to shoot lightning and use a greatsword, I am going to do just that, damn it.

[AquaAzura]

If we have too many biotics I can change my character to a different race and class if need be~

[Silver Fox]

@BlackSam3091@MrDidact Attempted to fix a few things! Pardon me if I make more mistakes ^^;;

[also put it in hider cause yeah XD]

Phalanx

Name:

System 42009874563001

Call Sign:

Phalanx

Race:

Geth

Class:

Infiltrator

Age:

1895 CE The Geth War (basically old)

Sex:

Synthetic Life form. Considers itself Female.

Appearance:

The synthetic life form stands a total of seven feet, weighing about two hundred and eighty pounds. The metal coloring being a dark blue with black interior. A silver star sticker is placed on its forehead above the bright glowing blue glass eye. Has a silver keychain with a diamond locket attached to the hilt of its sniper rifle.

Backstory:

Phalanx was one of the many Geth to survive The Geth War. Surprisingly, its group of programs consisted of mostly docile thinking, preferring peace over war. 99% simply contented with peace and no longer being shot at, while the rest of 1% were simply curious of what was happening beyond the Veil. One program curious, fascinated even of just about everything. Like a child. However it didn't register this until after the Reaper War. It remained on the world Rannoch since the time the Geth defeated the Creators to live a nomadic life, to simply archive messages from a special mobile platform later known as Legion. Organic life had always fascinated the synthetic being, despite how the Creators had tried to destroy them. There were those who died protecting them, and this confused Phalanx. There were those who cared and those who feared. Why? Did they not form the same consensus as the Geth did? Their different views had caused one another's death and such a thing seemed illogical. Phalanx found itself simply grow more curious with these actions, and spent many years studying the Creator's books on the home planet. Studying all the knowledge it could muster and didn't know and sharing such knowledge with its fellow comrades.

Then the Old Machines came, making promises to the Geth that they would be free to do what the wish and come out from hiding. Most did not welcome such a thing, not wishing for war. Yet others did... Which was also surprising to Phalanx. Being one of the many to refuse the offer, Phalanx remained and watched as the comrade, Legion, was sent on the mission to investigate the organics outside the Veil. Phalanx found itself eagerly awaiting the information from Legion, especially when he met Commander Shepard.

Reading over the information and watching video archives, Phalanx only grew more curious of organics. Humans were known for their emotional state and often confusing other races. Shepard would give criminals chances when they did not deserve it, give up chasing a criminal to save innocent lives... That in later years the kind favors were returned. It was a mystery... Illogical.. Yet to interesting and inspiring.

When Shepard and the Creators came to Rannoch after the battle in which the Geth mind were just controlled, Phalanx's platform was damaged during the time it was the Reapers took control of the Geth on Rannoch. When it regained control, something seemed different. Information was soon shared between the Geth that the unique platform that had mobile programs within it, had managed to use the Reaper Code in order to give the Geth a special gift. The gift of individual consciousness and sentience. To be truly AI. Platform damaged, Phalanx uploaded into a different body. By the time it was done however, the war was over. So instead, it spent its time assisting the Creators in settling back on Rannoch. Even using its own conscious to assist volunteer Creators to adjust their frail bodies to the Rannoch air.

After the war was done, Phalanx uploaded one program into a body, the original body it had been assigned in after repairing it and requested to be assigned to off planet missions to both further relations and relay information. After some deliberation, the Geth agreed it would be beneficial to send a unit to further investigate and study organic habits and attempt to strengthen bonds considering the Geth probably had a less then satisfactory reputation. Researching proper ways of interacting, and in case there is a possibility any of the other races are a threat in the future.

Psyche Profile:

Phalanx is somewhat odd compared to its fellow synthetic life forms. Since the beginning, there had always been that hint of humanity that only increased when the Geth Hero Legion sacrificed himself to give them their own will. Curious and resourceful, Phalanx can always be seen studying on organics and asking frequent questions. Clever and resourceful, it swiftly calculates situations and doesn't hesitate to speak its suggestions or even strangely its opinions. It does seem to have a kind approach and seems to always pick saving innocent lives, even going for the reckless approach in endangering its own life. Phalanx has a sense of justice, believing there is always good in each life form, be it organic or synthetic. It always tries to not be judgmental and treat everyone equally. But will not hesitate to punish those who it deems needs it. Often, Phalanx is torn between what is logical and what is the right thing to do.

Specialty:

Phalanx is a great sniper, and surprisingly stealth, using tactical cloak to its advantage. It's knowledgeable with electronics, and has decent knowledge at flying aircrafts.

Powers/Skills:

Incinerate
AI Hacking
Disrupter Ammo
Cyro Ammo
Tactical Cloak
Electronics
Operative

Equipment and Resources:

Geth Pulse Sniper Rifle X
Geth Pulse Shotgun X
Omni-Tool

Sample Post:

RP Sample

We remember the dark days, the days where we held no mind of our own. We remember when this unit was operational and the Creator that looked upon us with a sign of accomplishment. A female with hair black as night and glowing eyes. One could say this organic was beautiful in the terms of the Creator's culture. Tasks were sent to us and fellow mobile units. Meaningless tasks for soulless machines to befit the need of those we serve.

At first, we held no real conscious, no true thoughts on what we were doing. Only doing what we were programmed for. However, slowly but surely, more of our units were created and our inner systems linked with one another. Forming strong train a thought, a sense of self worth even. It was much like the system of a human insect known as ants. The more there was of us, the more we thought not for the Creators, but for ourselves. This unit especially could not help these peculiar thoughts that questioned what our meaning was. Years watching the Creators, their laughter, their anger... Their sheer joy when a newborn was birthed. Such things were unexplained in our network

The day came when a question was finally asked.

We looked our own Creator, stopping the task of repairing a ship's systems. When questioned, our unit gazed to our Creator with our glass eye. A odd corruption like thing streaming through our systems. It tingled and even made our unit a little jittery, but still we asked.

"Do we have a soul as you do, Creator?"

Our sensors watched as our Creator's from their relaxed one, to one that made their eyes stretch and mouth curl. Was that the expression one called fear? Yet this unit's Creator expression calmed and even gave a smile. It twitched slightly, nervous perhaps but still placed a gentle hand on this unit's chest plate.

"...That is a question you can only answer yourself... But I believe you do by that question alone." She answered. We did not understand, but accepted the answer none the less. Other Creators were not so kind.

We were not the only unit to ask this question, as others asked their Creators the same. The same expressions held upon their fleshy faces. Not too long after, the Creators made a decision.

Eliminate us.

We did not understand. What had we done wrong? The only thing this unit wishes is to be apart of their world, have a greater understanding. We wanted to know who we are. If we had a purpose. If we lived as they did.

Is that incorrect?

No... is that wrong? Are we wrong? A mistake?

Why do we live?

We did not want to fight, we owe our Creators our soul. So on the day of the War, we did not falter. Our unit stood and watched down the dark halls, as glowing red weapons aimed at us. Ready to terminate our entire sentient race. We were ready to accept the wish of the Creators. Yet, this unit's Creator stepped in her own people's path. Standing in front of us, defending us from her own people. We questioned our Creator, explaining how such actions were illogical. How going against superiors could lead to exile. We did not understand for we knew it was illogical to go against one's own people.

Yet her words only programmed more questions.

"Because you are alive. You deserve to live as any other. You are my friend. Friends protect one another."

Those words were illogical, and yet this unit calculated that it was meaningful. A sense that willed us to follow her words, and protect her and our own gifted life. Yet despite her being one of the Creators, weapons were fired. Our Creator had her own weapon and returned the fire, while we watched at the illogical mayhem break loose. Creators fought one another, screaming their arguments as blood tainted the dark halls.

The Geth could only watch the battle before watching our protectors fall one by one. We watched as our unit's creator fell, body broken and tarnished by her own blood. We could only kneel, our three fingers wrapping around the torn body. Our glass eye focused on the pale face then to the blood that leaked upon our cold metal body. True understanding or organic emotions escaped us, but right there... We deem this to be.. Sorrow? Loss? Then perhaps... A sense of yearning. A yearning to live.

Looking at the hostile Creators, we took our Creator's weapon from her lifeless hands and stood. We were one... And we fought for our lives and for our freedom. For the illogical injustice the Creators have caused...

We fought.

The battle was long and hard, yet the Creators fear grew and numbers dwindled while ours remained strong. We watched as the Creators retreated in ships, and we could have followed yet we didn't. Blood is not what we wanted nor was revenge. We wanted to live, to find ourselves. And we know now who we are.

We are Geth. We are Phalanx... For we are united...

There is only one question we wanted to ask the Creators... One more question unanswered by those who created us, those who birthed us like their offspring yet are treated so differently. Those who slaughtered their own kind out of their own terror.

Why?

Notes

-Phalanx has high respect for Shepard and Legion.
-Tends to ask a lot of questions. These questions can include what most would consider embarrassing. Courting/mating habits for example.
-Is very interested in humans in general, but enjoys asking other races as well.
-At times, Phalanx will practice 'organic' habits out of curiosity. Attempting to eat for example. Of course, that just ends up getting itself messy.
-It's still pretty new at the 'individuality' thing. A reason it asks a lot of questions. And usually pretty good at following orders. At times, it still send messages to other Geth for assistance in a decision out of habit.
-Sexually... well. Its a robot. A newly true AI robot. Doesn't mean it isn't intrigued by the concept, but it lacks understanding and experience. Just knows what research has entailed on the subject.
-Fondly remembers its Creator that died protecting its life from the Creators attempting to wipe out the Geth during the Geth War.
-When others seem to be feeling down, Phalanx attempts to tell a joke, being informed that this brings laughter from organic beings. They usually fail.

[Rithy]

@AquaAzura

Oiz! I think you're good as you are!

Did you know biotics stack?! Have you ever seen a team of them at work?! :D

[POOHEAD189]

@BlackSam3091I can certainly do that good sir. I just didn't know if you'd be cool with two Krogan soldiers, though I suppose that would be effective for the front lines haha. I'll make it extremely basic biotics. Maybe just give him one ability and the hammer, if that's cool with you.

[An Outsider]

@POOHEAD189 Multiple Krogan is my idea of a good time. What would the Biotic ability be?

[Silver Fox]

@POOHEAD189 Multiple Krogan is my idea of a good time. What would the Biotic ability be?

@BlackSam3091

That's because Krogan are awesome.

Wrex and Grunt were our best bros

[POOHEAD189]

@Silver FoxHell yeah. I never fail to have a Krogan in my ME party. It was always
Wrex & Garrus
Grunt & Garrus
Javik/Wrex/Grunt & Garrus (I wish 3 had a consistent Krogan)

@BlackSam3091Pull or Throw. I'd love Shockwave, but that seems a bit much.

[Silver Fox]

@Silver FoxHell yeah. I never fail to have a Krogan in my ME party. It was always
Wrex & Garrus
Grunt & Garrus
Javik/Wrex/Grunt & Garrus (I wish 3 had a consistent Krogan)

@BlackSam3091Pull or Throw. I'd love Shockwave, but that seems a bit much.

@POOHEAD189

That was pretty much my team XD Tho if I couldn't have a Krogan, I used Tali. Just cause shes cute dork. But yeah, always bring a Krogan XD

[Rithy]

@Silver Fox

I wish my memory of Krogans were better ^^

*Plays on High Difficulty*
"Yeah! Let's have the Krogan tank!"
*5 seconds later*
"Oh crap, he's bleeding out already!!!"

[An Outsider]

@PrivateVentures It's coming along, but there's still balancing issues and some gaps in the backstory. He still seems to good at everything, even with the restrictions you've put in place. His motives are more fleshed out but still too powerful. Omni-tool expertise? Biotic mastery? Armor more advanced than anything we've ever seen? Killer unique powers? And he's also an information broker with a high IQ? I still think he needs to axe some things, and I think his armor needs to be nerfed.

• Neither I nor MrD are to keen on the idea of nanotechnology armour. It seems unprecedented in the Mass Effect universe, at least on the scale required for it to resemble a black vapor when shape-shifting, and to allow regenerative capabilities. We'd feel more confident in the character if you nixed the nanite concept completely.
• After the explosion of his father's cargo, how did Ellis and his brother escape? You then seem to jump to his brother suddenly becoming C-sec and Ellis himself being lonely. I feel that we're missing vital elements of story here. How did his brother, somebody who was on the fast track to becoming an arms merchant, get into C-sec. I also don't think L5 implants were available to civilians, and even with them I think he would still need years of training to properly use them. MrD would know better here, but I know there is Academies and schools set up to help Biotics develop their abilities, so I don't think it's that easy to develop Subject Zero level powers. I also think your asking a lot of him in the time you've stated to become an information broker, fend of assassination attempts, develop inhuman biotic abilities, and work towards a Oxford degree in psychology.
• How tough is this suit? Krogan tough?
• Why would he die without his suit? He didn't seem to need it before, why does he need it now?
• Who was the call-up addressed to originally? Is the prominent Krogan Ellis' alias, or did they intercept the message and Ellis decided to accept an invitation never meant for him? Because the final say-so of who ends up on this taskforce ultimately resides with the Spectres.
• So is he still xenophobic? If not, why not? Yes, Cerberus has let him down, but if he truly hated aliens so much to visit such vile destruction on them in the first place, why would the fact that Cerberus weren't quite who he thought they were change his mind on Aliens?
• He detests tech and engineers, but relies on a technological advanced suit maintained by engineers and biotic implant? That's an interesting dichtomy. Not really a gripe on my part, just noting storytelling potential.

I would still prefer him to be more specialized. Mr Didact suggested that perhaps he should be a former member of the Phoenix project, those were Cerberus operatives with powerful biotics. Or maybe his armor is a big hulking Terminus suit that gives him mobility with cybernetic limbs.

[POOHEAD189]

@Silver Fox

I wish my memory of Krogans were better ^^

*Plays on High Difficulty*
"Yeah! Let's have the Krogan tank!"
*5 seconds later*
"Oh crap, he's bleeding out already!!!"

@Rithy

You cruel person! Abusing Krogans! They're a prey species you know

[An Outsider]

@POOHEAD189 Ehh, if you want a moderately powerful shockwave you can have it. I can see him using the hammer to direct it.

[BurningCold]

@BlackSam3091 Could my engineer potentially modify their omni tool so that it can fire projectiles in place of a normal firearm if need be?

[An Outsider]

@BurningCold If you don't mind I'm gonna leave that one up to @MrDidact. He's got a better handle of the tech levels and capabilities of the ME universe than I do.

[MechonRaptor]

@BlackSam3091
Don't sweat it, I actually really wanted to be a tech Quarian at first, but I only switched because we had a sudden influx of potential Quarians which some have changed now. I was more sacrificial making the Asari, but trust me, I did want to make something different.
@AquaAzura
No need to switch, I've already been on it xD

[Mao Mao]

Mind if you check my sheet as well?

[Rithy]

I'd like to point out the distinct lack of Elcor characters in this RP so far!

[BurningCold]

@Rithy Aren't Elcor basically the alien equivalent of a sloth-gorilla hybrid? Seems like a challenging character to play.