[h1]Invasion: The Fight for Survival![/h1]

[h2]From the Stars, They Come[/h2]

In the year 2014, radio signals broadcast from Earth were intercepted by a fleet of extraterrestrial entities currently moving through deep space. Tracking these signals they turned to the Solar System, and eventually our Earth. It was in 2017 that these ships first entered our Solar System, using their technology to traverse the vastness of space at speeds as of yet undreamed of by human engineering. But it was not diplomats or scientists who were deployed to Earth on that day, and it was not gifts of science or language that they brought. The aliens had but one goal in coming here...

[b]Conquest![/b]

Exiting an interplanetary alien civilisation after a brutal civil war the Devourer, a Thorathian heavy battlecruiser, leads a small fleet of refugees and deserters to Earth. Hunted down by the government they rejected after losing a conflict, Lord General Sho'Vah leads his few remaining people to new hope. With few resources at their disposal and little to no remaining food, they're forced into a sudden war for survival with a numerically far greater if technologically inferior force. Having examined the radio signals of Earth and knowing humans to be a warlike species, Sho'Vah refused to accept the risks of attempted cohabitation. While not entirely unsympathetic to human life he knew that their existence could only be continued under his rule, in order to ensure the survival of his people. Even now he deploys strike forces around the globe in order to establish bases, gather resources and prepare for all-out conflict.

It is not the defending human heroes that we shall represent in this war. But rather you shall step into the skin of these desperate but aggressive aliens, and attempt to conquer the strange world of Earth. Today you will fight for the survival of your people, even as your opponents will fight for their own continued existence. And even as you struggle for dominion the Imperial forces of the Council seek to eliminate these escaped insurgents. Without full access to the resources Earth offers, even the tactical firepower of the Devourer cannot save you from the wrath of the Council, and their practically endless fleets. 

It's all or nothing, and the clock is ticking. Who will live, and who will die? And who will inherit the Earth?

[h2]Rules of Engagement[/h2]
[1] I am the GM, and you listen to me.
[2] Don't be an asshole. This is the most important rule.
[3] Try to ensure other players are enjoying themselves as well.
[4] Post your character in the OOC. After they're accepted they can be posted under the Characters tab.

[h2]Making a Character[/h2]

[hider=Character Sheet]
This character sheet is pre-formatted. The little b things will cause it to look fancy.

[noparse]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] both description and picture are acceptable.
[b]Species:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Skills/Abilities:[/b] 
[b]Fancy Gear:[/b] I don't need to know about his clothing, but mention things like weaponry, armour and gadgets.
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[hider=Species]

[hider=Thorathians]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/93/a8/6f93a82e482b1179e681681bee5db2a0.jpg[/img]
A common species, Thorathians are tall, blue-skinned aquatic humanoids. While originally being unable to breathe on land, they have modified themselves genetically to remove this flaw, allowing them to breathe safely in most environments. Centuries of technological advancement and genetic modification have provided them with several other benefits as well. They are stronger and faster than the average human, although not vastly so, and have a lifespan of over a thousand years. Most notable, however, is their immense technical knowledge. This knowledge is built into them at a genetic level, and even at birth Thorathians possess a vast knowledge of science and technology. New discoveries and inventions are added to the species' collective database, and then programmed into newborn children. As such each generation can easily build on top of the knowledge of the last, causing rapid technological advancement. 

As might be expected their society is heavily based around discovery and knowledge, although many of them are also quite militaristic. Due to extensive knowledge of genetic modification, it is possible to alter one's appearance drastically with cheap and easy procedures, turning things like skin colour, gender and even number of eyes into a matter of fashion. Cybernetic implants and specific genetic modifications are popular among Thorathians, especially Thorathian warriors. Some rare Thorathians possess psionic abilities, although it is next to impossible to genetically modify such Thorathians without risk of destroying their gift.
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[hider=Sebillians]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d9/2c/24/d92c24b9ca1e79cd9af7280d93b01ddb.jpg[/img]
Towering warriors, the Sebillians are a truly fearsome species. Standing at an average of 2.5m tall they possess 4 arms and immense strength, as well as great martial skill. Every part of their body has been modified into a weapon, with skin tough enough to withstand small arms fire and densely packed musculature. They possess no heart, but instead dozens of muscles around the body that assist in pumping blood through the body. Genetically altered stem cells allow rapid regeneration, with severed limbs regrowing in a matter of days, and small wounds disappearing on their own in mere hours. Perhaps most impressive is the Sebillians' adaptive ability. Through a process of RNA-editing and rapid tissue mutation/growth a Sebillian is able to adapt to threats as they occur. When placed in almost any environment they can alter their biology to fit in within hours. They can even develop entirely new organs in order to filter out new poisons, adapt to temperature conditions, or to become more resistant to a particular type of attack. Unfortunately, due to the relative instability of their biology, they have a lifespand of but 50 or so years.

The Sebillians' warlike technology stems from an equally warlike culture. Having endured a war that lasted hundreds of years and witnessed near-extinction multiple times, Sebillians value pragmatism and skill above all else. Lacking any kind of royalty or democracy they rather decide their leaders based on strategic knowledge. Weapons' training and martial prowess are considered essential elements of education, and there is no such thing as a Sebillian 'civilian'. This grim practicality makes them stunningly efficient, and should a leader be killed he is swiftly replaced. All Sebillians place the needs of their species above their own needs, and there is no greater honour within their culture than to die to save another.
[/hider]

[hider=Gith]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/02/6a/14/026a14844f5f83a1f5b2dd8b3f7d9880.jpg[/img]
Perhaps the strangest of the alien species, the Gith are completely alien in both appearance and mindset. They are in fact a species of telepathically linked micro-organisms, not dissimilar from earth fungi. Gith form colony units of millions of cells, forming a sentient hive mind through the telepathic communication of these cells. Each of these colonies can be considered a sentient 'entity', although Gith often have trouble understanding other races' ideas of individuality. Lacking any means of creating or using traditional technology, the Gith operate mechanical suits designed for them by the Thorathians, which they control through a telepathic interface. These forms can take any form imagineable, in fact the Devourer itself is 'piloted' by a large Gith colony. In addition to this the Gith can use their psionics offensively, inducing fear, pain and even apathy in their opponents. Although not as psionically gifted as the Deva, particularly large Gith colonies can even take control of enemies.

Being such strange creatures, Gith don't have much of a culture as we understand it. Gith colonies possess distinct personalities, but the link between colonies makes it possible to describe them all as a single 'entity'. Previously the Gith have explained their psionic hivemind as a sort of democracy, the thoughts and opinions of all Gith combining in order to make species-wide decisions. This is supposedly simple extrapolation from how individual colonies function, although many outsiders still fail to grasp the concept. In general the Gith are curious as to the behaviour of other species, but rarely violent without reason. Their psionics make them empathic, and they often prefer a peaceful solution to problems. On the other hand, their failure to grasp the concept of individuality or even suffering can occasionally cause them to make seemingly cruel decisions merely out of a lack of understanding.
[/hider]

[hider=Deva]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/82/bc/8e/82bc8ec40b623f8ca389c1e9dbec2e1e.jpg[/img]
The most psionically powerful of the alien races among the refugee fleet, the Deva are perhaps the greatest threat of all. Naturally possessing immense psionic abilities, the Deva are feared by other species. Ancient beyond measure and powerful beyond reproach, the Deva consider themselves (perhaps rightfully) a superior species. While incredibly rare and physically underwhelming, the power of a Deva's mind can rip a man to shreds telekinetically, or boil one's blood from a distance. In addition they are able to shield themselves from attack, halting bullets in midair and bending flames around their bodies. Requiring no technology nor modification they fight merely with their thoughts, slaying their opponents simply by imagining their demise. The obvious weakness of this power is focus, however, as Deva cannot defend themselves without thinking about it. In addition they are unable to shield themselves from attacks they don't see coming, and as such can be felled by a sneakily placed poison or sniper. Lastly, even their mighty minds are unable to cope with the stress of maintaining their psionic powers for too long, and extended use of these powers can tire out a Deva. Altering their body will often weaken or even remove their abilities, and as such the Deva refuse to use cybernetics or genetic enhancements.

Although possessing only a natural lifespan of a few hundred years, the Deva are able to reincarnate themselves through their power. They reproduce through a process similar to Mitosis, but newborn Deva are often braindead. The parent will then transfer their consciousness into the newborn child, allowing them to live for another lifetime. Rarely a child is born with their mind intact, and such events are cherished as the Deva are few in number. In such cases the parent will simply wait for their next child in order to perform the transfer. Being basically immortal Deva greatly fear death in battle, although they also believe that their powers make them invincible. Arrogance prevents them from backing down when challenged, and in this situation desperation itself has forced the Deva to assist in battle.
[/hider]

If you wish to play a species not in this list, this is possible. Create a description of this species and post it in the OOC, or PM it to me. I will then judge and approve this species. However, be aware that characters of new species will be judged extra harshly. I would like to keep the total number of species relatively low.
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