[center][img]http://static.tumblr.com/03b39f1cee29ebc72d750c0265414ecd/c4dup0b/eq8ndwzq4/tumblr_static_f2nfily3wfwcw04g8cksg8w4s.jpg[/img][/center]

[center][i]"What is beyond that sea I wonder? The children leave their homes in search of this quest. As they search they are always askng questions: What's out there? What's waiting for me? Leaving their innocence behind they set out on this journey and experience many life changing adventures. Countless difficulties lie in wait, moments of dispair, the lure of the razor's edge. There's always hope, joy, meeting new friends. They face challenges but in the process, come to find themselves. This... is a journey. When they have conquered a new land, yet another sea is reflected in their eyes. What's beyond that sea? When children become young adults they begin their own quest. Life... is an endless journey."
-Mother Merci[/i][/center]
[hr][hr]
[h2]The State of Things (Year 2357)[/h2]
[hr]
[h3]Major Powers[/h3]
[b]The Terran Federation:[/b]
Humanity has expanded beyond it's own solar system and into a handful of neighboring worlds. Foreigners are fairly common in Terran space (with the exception of Earth whose population is about 96% human) and most live among the population as registered citizens. On the outlying colonies, however, many refugees have flooded over from the neighboring States due to a recent conflict between the Kongi Republic and the Rikari Empire.

[b]Race Majority:[/b] Human (they look like uh... humans)

[b]Culture:[/b] After the Third World War the Terran governments of the time unified to form the Terran Federation and began their expansion into space. This lead to what is known as the Space Race of the 22nd Century. Mankind spread it's influence across the stars and have maintained that spirit of exploration on the new frontier. This rapid expansion also lead to the resurgence of piracy and privateer vessels. Independent traders and companies abound with little to no supervision loosely policed by the Terran Federation Defense Force. While the Terran Federation isn't perfect it is by far the most economically stable.

[b]The Kongi Republic:[/b]
The Federation's closest neighbor and largest trading partner, the Kongi Republic recently suffered through a conflict with the Rikari Empire which ended in a stalemate. Ultimately, neither side gained any territory but the losses and destruction wrought from the fighting has left many homeless from both sides.

[b]Race Majority:[/b] Kongi, standing roughly 5ft tall on average they are essentially upright primates (space monkey people). Most have hair ranging from black to lighter shades of brown although older Kongi will have greying hair. They live a natural lifespan of about 150 years.

[b]Culture:[/b] The Kongi are largely technocratic and have the most advanced technology in known space. Much of their culture is focused on the understanding of the universe and all it's inner workings. Generally a peaceful people although there are always exceptions to the rule. 

[b]The Rikari Empire:[/b]
The Federation has kept a peace with the Empire since their initial contact which resulted in a war later dubbed "The Contact War". Since then the Rikari Empire has done limited trading with the Federation and recently lifted their embargo against the Kongi Republic.

[b]Race Majority:[/b] Rikari, a bipedal reptilian race that has spread it's influence over much of it's neighboring space. They stand roughly 7ft tall (from head to tail) and they are estimated to live roughly 200 years although a natural life span has never been recorded. 

[b]Culture:[/b] A Warrior culture with roots dating back to their earliest history. They value prowess in combat and marshal discipline. Much of their culture is unknown as they tend to keep religious and personal matters private but it is said that they have many rituals pertaining to proving strength of spirit as well as physical strength. 
[hr]
[h3]Minor Powers[/h3]
[b]Sisters of Merci:[/b]
A civilian group that offers medical aid to impoverished regions of space run by a self-proclaimed prophet known only as 'Mother Merci'.

[b]Church of Dawn's Light:[/b]

[hr]
[h3]Currency[/h3]
Most transactions are handled through the universal unit of the Credit (Cr). All the major powers have accepted this as the standard but independent worlds and colonies tend to have their own currency as well that is unique to each state. 
[h3]TL;DR Setting[/h3]
We will be aboard a small ship with interplanetary travel capabilities (more on travel below). Whoever get's chosen as Captain gets to name the ship with one rule attached, the ship's name will be [Adjective]+[Animal] so Frenzied Ferret for example. Each of the crew will have their own role to play (engineer, pilot, medic, etc.). As for our first mission I'll be setting that up myself but afterwards there will be a lot less hand-holding in terms of the direction of the plot.
[h3]Technology[/h3]
[b]Arms:[/b] While sophisticated weapons systems are not unheard of the majority of arms present in the world are ballistic, for the simple fact that they are comparatively cheap to manufacture and easier for the average user to maintain. Most Railgun systems are ship-mounted as a result of the large amount of electromagnets required to achieve any reasonable efficiency. Only the Kongi have experimented with Plasma weapon systems but have yet to make any significant progress.

[b]Cybernetics:[/b] Many intelligent species have sought to use technology to improve themselves and repair broken bodies. Current technology allows for almost completely realistic prosthetics, although only higher end prosthetics have a life-like appearance. Implants to improve aspects of the body are costly and require skilled maintainance but simple functioning limbs are commonplace. 

[b]Artificial Lifeforms:[/b] While the Kongi had intended androids to become self-aware from the beginning, Humans first developed bipedal robots to perform labor tasks which then evolved into humanoid robots. Eventually they were given enough intelligence that they became self-aware. This lead to the passing of a new bill that allowed self-aware Androids to exercise their rights as sentient beings. Since then many androids have found themselves living among the people just like anyone else. 
[h3]Space Travel[/h3]
Space is big, like really really big, and travelling those vast distances is done in one of three ways;
The first is via Warp Gate, which creates a stable tunnel between two gates through hyperspace. Travelling through the Gate system is almost instantaneous but requires two pre-existing gates to function.
The second is the Jump Drive, which functions on similar principles to the Gate system in that it creates a temporary tunnel through hyperspace but is only reliable in relatively short distances and can be used to jump between planets in the same solar system at it's best.
The third and most recent is the Warp Drive, jointly developed by the Terran Federation and Kongi Republic (later stolen by the Rikari Empire during their recent conflict). It functions by creating a bubble of subspace around the vessel and warping the bubble to create a 'vacuum' effect which effectively propels the ship forward at faster than light speeds. The Warp Drive is still relatively new and only the largest, most advanced starships are equipped with them. 
[hr]
[h2]Crew Roster[/h2]
~Captain/Pilot: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3200607]Jim 'Merlin' Perch[/url]
~First Mate/Co-Pilot: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3196218]Kyo "Quick-Hands" Ueda[/url]
~Medic: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3201522]Andreas Galen[/url]
~Engineer: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3201890]Janet 'Bolt' Lynch[/url]
~Crew/Cook: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3197995]Cestus[/url]
~Crew/Analytical Scientist: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3202507]Cyl Kitt[/url]
~Crew/Engineering Hand: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3201331]Rick "Glargh Blargh" McKendrick[/url]
[hr][hr]
[h2]ISS Soaring Sparrow[/h2]
[img]http://s16.postimg.org/4yxp27q1x/Soaring_Sparrow_Layout.jpg[/img]
[hr][hr]
[h2]CS Template[/h2]
[noparse]
[center][color=???]Character’s Name/Alias[/color]

“Insert a character quote here.”
-Author
[/center]
[hr][hr]
[center][color=???]T H E B A S I C S [/color]

[color=???]|Name|[/color]
(Your Character's full legal name)

[color=???]|Birth Date|[/color]

[color=???]|Age|[/color]
(20+)
[color=???]|Species|[/color]
(Terran, Kongi, Rikari, etc. (PM me if you want your own species first))
[color=???]|Gender|[/color]
Male? Female? Both? Other?
[/center]
[hr][hr]
[center][color=???]A P P E A R A N C E[/color]

[color=???]|In Depth Appearance|[/color]
At least a paragraph, detailing your character’s appearance.

[color=???]|Scars, Tattoos, Piercings|[/color]
Where are they located?
[/center]
[hr][hr]
[center][color=???]G E T T I N G T O K N O W M E
[/color]

[color=???]|Likes & Dislikes|[/color]
✔At least four likes.
✘At least four dislikes.

[color=???]|Habits|[/color]
Anything? Three, at least.

[color=???]|Fears|[/color]
☠At least two fears.
[/center]
[hr][hr]
[center][color=???]D E L V I N G D E E P E R[/color]

[color=???]|Personality|[/color]
♦ Trait ♦ Trait ♦ Trait ♦ Trait ♦

At least a paragraph or two detailing your character’s personality.

[color=???]|Place of Origin|[/color]

[color=???]|History|[/color]
At least two paragraphs detailing your character’s past.

[color=???]|Extra|[/color]
Anything extra we need to know
[/center]
[/noparse]