PaulHaynek — Roleplayer Guild

It is the dawn of the 5th Millennium. Humanity has spread across the stars, establishing thousands of colonies throughout the Milky Way galaxy and beyond. This galactic expansion heralded a golden age for mankind, an age of discovery and exploration.

But it was not to last. In the year 4396, humanity encountered a hostile alien species dubbed 'The Swarm' after it ravaged Sector Aurelia and devoured every living thing that resided in the sector's worlds. Swarm fleets then began appearing throughout man's empire and laying waste to its many colonies, consuming everything that stood in their way.

The sudden appearance of The Swarm caught the planets of humanity by surprise and the aliens' relentless assault devastated intergalactic communications resulting in sectors upon sectors being isolated from each other. These worlds were as good as lost, probably devoured by the bottomless hunger of The Swarm.

It was only a matter of time before The Swarm reached the Milky Way and put the last nail in the coffin for mankind. But humanity was not about to go down without a fight, the remaining worlds of Man in the Milky Way prepared for its last stand. In the terraformed Mars, the largest army humanity could muster assembled. Massive warships orbited the once-red planet while armies of tanks, turrets and soldiers stood ready for The Swarm.

The decisive battle commenced and, against all odds and expectations, The Swarm was repulsed. Mankind expelled the aliens from their home galaxy and turned the tide of the war. Thus, humanity was free to expand once more and reclaim its lost empire.

However, the threat of The Swarm still loomed in the distance. Many fear that it would strike back soon, and be greater in its assault than ever before.

~ The Robots ~

Automation became an inevitability somewhere in the 3rd Millenium. Advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence soon gave birth to robots and androids to serve and assist humanity. When mankind made for space, the production of robots spiked due to manpower needed and the dangers posed in space travel.

As the robots' intelligence developed, engineers soon lost track at how fast artificial intelligence was growing. Not much attention was paid to this, it was even welcomed as smarter robots were more efficient and easier to command. But then the robots achieved sentience and independence somewhere down the line and began voicing out their new ideas.

Human society across the universe became divided as to the robots' demand for rights. The recently-established Knightly Orders took the side of robots, but that was not enough to completely sway mankind's opinion. It took years upon years debate and protests and rallies for the robots to get their rights. But in the end, the Robot Emancipation achieved its goals and robots were recognized as equals in society.

Not long after, unknown alien fleets appeared in the Aurelia Sector and consumed its planets, beginning the Swarm War. Both robots and humans suffered tremendous losses in the war as sector upon sector was lost to The Swarm. Soon, the Milky Way galaxy was all that was left of humanity and The Swarm wasted no time going after it.

Mars was where the forces of mankind would make its last stand. A massive army of humans and robots assembled in the planet, erecting as much defenses as they could before the invaders arrived. The Swarm came, as expected, and a gigantic battle commenced and would be known as the Last Stand Of Mars.

But it would not be a last stand, the robots and humans triumphed and beat back the invaders. It was soon discovered that a significant portion of The Swarm had been obliterated in the battle, leaving the alien race severely weakened. This meant that humanity could now expand once more and reclaim its lost planets and galaxies. However, mankind itself had been also drained by the battle in Mars.

Thus, it fell to the robots to lead the reclamation of the lost colonies. With the humans assisting by their side, the robots have claimed three planets in the Ark Sector and established them as footholds for further expansion.

Robot is the catch-all term for any independent machine with a sufficiently sentient artificial intelligence. As machinery, they are mostly made of steel, wires and battery cores.

The first humanoid robots appeared mechanical and clearly inhuman. But those that served as waiters in restaurants or as receptionists were quickly given a more human appearance. After robot rights and sentience were recognized, most robots chose to adopt human looks with only a few of their parts appearing robotic. Some richer robots completely appear human.

As artificial intelligence, robots can upload their consciousness into a valid digital space. One of their innate tricks is the ability to upload themselves into compatible systems, like a compatible vehicle, and take complete control of the system. However, if the system is destroyed while they're still in it, their AI will not return to the original body. Instead, they will return to a Data Center assuming they are synced. Otherwise, they will die permanently.

To avoid permanent death, robots make use of 'Data Centers'. These are machines that can house a robot's artificial intelligence. If a synced robot is completely destroyed, their AI is quickly uploaded into the host Data Center where it will remain dormant until it is uploaded into a new body. The backup body is usually provided by the robot. The more robots a Data Center must accommodate, the bigger the machine is.

Robots mainly use electricity to power their bodies gained through charging in their 'beds' or solar power or a combination of both. But in recent centuries, many robots have modified their bodies to accept biofuel. Allowing them to eat and enjoy food.

Robots in the military follow a chain of command but they are not issued any standard equipment. Each robot soldier must arm themselves with the gear they want which puts them into a specific role or specialization.

Close Combat
Robots that fight in melee. They wield swords, lances or axes into battle. These robots can build themselves lightly to be quick and agile, avoiding and evading attacks. Or they can have heavy builds that have thick armor that can weather blow after blow. Regardless of the build, these robots can equip forcefield shields or actual shields for extra protection. Lighter builds can use flight gear.

Ranged
Robots that wield all sorts of guns, shooting either bullets or lasers. They are often built a bit heavy to accommodate the ammo they need to fire their weapons. Still, they can have light builds for quick movement or heavy builds to be more durable. They can equip forcefield shields for extra protection. Lighter builds can use flight gear to rain fire from the skies. Besides guns, they can also use rocket launchers.

Heavy-Weapons
Robots that use weaponry like autocannons or barrage launchers. Some even wield large, long-ranged cannons, serving as artillery units for robot armies. Their huge gear means they have little room for protection. Thus, they are typically located in the backlines and/or being guarded by other robots. They are relatively slow-moving and cannot use flight equipment.

Support
These robots fulfill non-combat duties in the battlefield. They repair damaged but not destroyed robots in the battlefield and construct defensive structures like turrets and cover. They have little combat potential or protection and so are vulnerable in heavy fighting. They are also adept in the equipment of the Knightly Orders and can give medical aid.

Hybrid
Robots built with a combination of the above. Their lack of specialization makes them versatile but cannot fulfill roles very effectively.

Robots seldomly use vehicles since they can carry heavy weaponry and be mobile on their own. However, robots can pilot walker mechs to fight larger foes toe-to-toe. Support robots are the typical pilots for walker mechs.

~ The Ark Sector ~

A volcanic planet impossible to terraform. It was settled anyway because its unstable geology provided a bounty of rare and precious metals. Dostrex is thus, a mining and manufacturing planet filled with factories and refineries. Humans and robots living here stay in enclosed structures that shelter against the natural scorching temperatures of the planet.

Much of the products made in Dostrex is shipped offworld. Its leader, Drake, has realized that the planet will soon then run out of raw materials. He plans to transform the world into a full manufacturing and recycling planet once that happens.

A robot with the appearance of a gruff, middle-aged man and the pride and ferocity of a dragon. His looks hide his love of good-natured humor and is a collector of toy-- I mean, action figures. He prizes strength in his leadership which attracts robots that like to brute force their way through problems to Dostrex.

Once a lifeless planet with the right conditions for terraformation. It was settled in the first expansion of humanity but was invaded and consumed by The Swarm. The planet was purged of the aliens when the robots reclaimed it and returned to its former glory.

Leo, the leader of Bladine, admired humans and built the cities of the planet closely resembling those of humans. The aesthetics meant that many humans settled in Bladine and the Knightly Orders have their main bases in the planet. Also serves as a breadbasket for the Ark Sector.

A robot in the form of a blonde young man. He is a friendly robot with the courage of a lion, but not very quick in the head. His leadership emphasizes friendship and camaraderie and so attracts pleasant, outgoing robots to Bladine.

A lifeless planet passed over in the first expansion since it had no terraforming potential. It was only after The Swarm War was the technology achieved to terraform the world and was done so when the robots arrived. Despite its transformation, Wizdom has long winters and cold normal temperatures. At least snowmen last a long time though.

Wizdom's initial name was actually just a designation. It was only after it was settled when Icey, the planet's leader, gave it its current name. The world was made to be a center of learning, research and development and its cities are built to be quick and efficient, appearing highly advanced and robotic.

A pink-haired and petite robot, Icey is highly-intelligent and quite the strategist and tactician. She likes to describe herself as cold but she is actually very emotional. Her style of logical leadership attracts robots who are smart, clever and quick-witted.

~ OTHER ~

The Knightly Orders

As automation took over society, humans were freed from menial tasks and jobs and allowed them to pursue occupations in more complex and advanced fields. 

One of the fields taken over by automation is military service. As robotics and artificial intelligence became advanced enough, the human governments switched over to full military automation that only required engineers and architects to keep and maintain the robots that served as the new frontline soldiers. While this move was universally lauded as this saved human lives, there is a strong number of humans that still wanted to serve and fight in the battlefield.

That was when the first Knightly Order was founded. Started by Calvin Martinus, this military organization would be composed of humans that 'had a warrior's heart'. At first, most thought that these Knightly Orders would be just mercenary groups but made of humans (as even the mercenary occupation had been automated). And they would be right, the first established Orders were mostly contracted as security or military for private corporations and interests. But the Orders acted more like the medieval orders of old, with their own doctrines and agendas, rather than mercenary organizations that only existed to make money.

However, the nature of the Orders changed forever during the Robot Emancipation. When the robots began expressing ideas of their own rights in society, Calvin Martinus led his Order in the robots' side. Society was quite divided during the Emancipation, even between the Knightly Orders. But in the end, Calvin and his associates managed to unite the Orders and become firm, decisive allies of the robots.

The Knightly Orders' next prominent moments was during The Swarm War. The Orders swelled with members wanting to fight the invading aliens and protect humanity. The knights fought valiantly, side-by-side with the robots, but The Swarm prevailed most of the time and the Knightly Orders suffered casualties unlike ever before. Entire Orders were wiped out during the war, including the very first Knightly Order, established and led by Calvin Martinus, during a planetwide evacuation where the Order defended an evacuation of robots.

After the Last Stand Of Mars where the forces of humanity triumphed against The Swarm, what remained of the Knightly Orders joined the robots' first expansions and have bases in their planets to help the robots in whatever they need.

The Knightly Orders is a military organization composed solely of humans, in response of the automation of the military in society.

Those who join the Orders start out as Initiates and begin their training. These recruits then become Knights, the face and backbone of the Knightly Orders. But training does not have to end there, the Knights can specialize into a variety of Knights that make up the Order. From Knights that handle heavy weaponry to Knights that mainly fight in close combat.

The Knights have an arsenal different from the robots but similar in function. All Knights wear a form of Cherubim Armor, power armor that allows a human to perform beyond the body's limits. Initiates wear the lighter but weaker Ophanim Armor while the elite Lightning and Thunder Guards wear the heavy but durable Seraphim Armor. There are other kinds of Knight armors but most are just customized versions of the three aforementioned armors.

The Knightly Orders are all led by its Grand Master. While each Order's doctrine differ from one another's, the purpose of all the Knightly Orders is the one imposed by Calvin Martinus on the very first Order: To be a place where humans can continue to serve and protect mankind in the frontlines of a battlefield. But according to Calvin in interviews, much reward and responsibility wait for those who discover the true purpose of the Knightly Orders.

The members of a Knightly Order vary in their positions. Some are versatile, able to wield a variety of weapons. Some are specialized in a specific role, and are masters of it.
Initiates - Recruits of the Order. They undergo training into Knights but they can be deployed into battle if need be.
Knights - The backbone of a Knightly Order. These warriors typically fight in range but can do well in close combat.
Typhoon Knights - These Knights are specialized in handling heavy weaponry like miniguns, autocannons and rocket launchers.
Storm Knights - Close-combat specialists. These Knights wield melee weapons and use jet packs to jump into battle.
Thunder Guard - Wearing the mighty Seraphim Armor, these elite Knights wield more powerful versions of heavy weaponry.
Lightning Guard - Wearing the mighty Seraphim Armor, these elite Knights wade into the thick of battle with bigger melee weapons and more durable shields.
Lazarus Knights - Knights who get severely maimed into disability can still serve the Order. If they do so, they are given Lazarus Armor. This armor is more like a walker vehicle with the maimed Knight serving as its pilot.

Grand Master - The leader of a Knightly Order. While they do not need to, most Grand Masters earn respect and reputation by fighting in the frontlines wielding the finest gear the Order can offer.
Lord Captain - The commanders of an Order. They can typically be found leading Knights into battle.
Hospitaller - These Knights are the medics of the Order, caring for the wounded and saving lives. That does not mean they are vulnerable in a fight though.
Techknights - Knights who keep and maintain the equipment and gear of the Order but they are also trained in the equipment of robots and of robots themselves.

Knightly Orders also have combat vehicles like tanks and armored personnel carriers.

The Swarm

First encountered in the Aurelia Sector, The Swarm appeared as a massive fleet of organic ships picked up by orbital radars making its way to Typhon, one of the planets in Aurelia. The sector quickly mobilized its military forces to greet the aliens, even if The Swarm had yet to show its true intentions. The first contact commenced when The Swarm's ships began launching pods unto the planet and the orbiting fleet. The human and robot forces in Typhon retaliated, signaling the beginning of The Swarm War.

Despite being prepared and mobilized, the forces in Typhon were wiped out and the planet would be the first to fall to The Swarm. The other planets in the Aurelia Sector would consumed not long after. But its destruction was not in vain, The Swarm's arrival and danger was broadcasted to the rest of humanity who then began to assemble armies and develop weapons to fight the invading aliens.

Unfortunately, mankind underestimated the true size of The Swarm. Alien fleets began sporadically appearing in the fringes of human space and consuming planets left and right, no matter what kind or how much resistance the local human and robot forces put up. Intergalactic communications would go down as The Swarm cut a swathe of destruction across humanity's galaxies.

The Swarm continued its relentless assault until they reached the Milky Way galaxy, the last bastion of humans in the universe. The aliens were beaten and repulsed in the Last Stand Of Mars but they would be far, far from outright defeat.

The Swarm is an alien species characterized with animal, mostly insect-like, features such as carapaces, appendages and segmented bodies.

The sizes of Swarm organisms vary from really small ones the size of average dogs to lumbering giants as tall as buildings. No matter the size, a typical Swarm organism's weapons are their claws and mandibles. These natural weapons are extraordinarily strong and sharp, able to rend steel and pierce metal with relative ease. Specialized organisms are able to spew acidic bile or fire bony spikes at foes.

Planets conquered by The Swarm are consumed of all life and replaced with Swarm creatures and organic structures. Anything living, animal or plant, are killed and their corpse taken to some sort of pit or pool of digestive fluid where they are broken down and presumably become nutrients to sustain The Swarm. It is widely-believed this is the main plan of The Swarm at large; to simply consume everything organic in the universe.

The intelligence of The Swarm is still being debated. Some theorize that The Swarm is united with a single, massive intelligence like a Hive Mind while others think that each Swarm organism has free will but follow a hierarchy and a few believe it's somewhere in between. But all agree on one thing, The Swarm is no mere collection of animals. They are capable of high thought, able to form tactics and strategies against their enemies.

The organisms of The Swarm usually vary heavily from each other, making it impossible for hard classification and identification. However, there are creatures that appear consistently enough to be identified.

Rippers - These relatively small creatures come in hordes to swarm enemies. While relatively easy to kill, their claws and mandibles can cut through hard materials.
Spikers - Creatures that can quickly grow bony spikes and shoot them at foes. They are not very accurate but they usually come in high numbers, offsetting the weakness.
Tyrant Rexes - Named after the famous dinosaurs of old, these giant creatures can flip tanks and knock down walls. A favorite tactic of The Swarm is to send Tyrant Rexes with smaller creatures. The smaller ones can distract enemies while the Tyrant Rex does the damage.
Stalkers - Unlike a typical Swarm organism, these creatures seldomly appear in open battle. Instead, they are mostly found infiltrating bases and disrupting them from within. As such, they are adept in stealth and can be very quiet in their movements.

Alphas - Unique among The Swarm by having a distinct coloration about them. Alphas are normal Swarm organisms that have additional abilities and features. They are believed to be elite units of The Swarm since they appear rarely.

More coming soon.

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1) Standard Roleplayer Guild rules. No godmodding and stuff.
2) As GM, I reserve the right to have my word to be law within the boundaries of this RP. Even overriding other rules.
3) If there are problems with the RP or with other players, you can take it to me (so I can take it to someone who could deal with it lol!).
4) Do not post your character in the Characters Tab. Only I have dominion there.
5) Only post once when you are interactingwith an NPC or doing an action. You can post as many as you want when you are talking (and ONLY talking) to another player.
6) Updates (i.e. My posts to move the story along) will generally occur every week (Keep in mind that I am UTC+8) or when everyone has posted. However, if you do not post, I will still update without affecting your character as much as possible. Worst case scenario, I will assume your character did nothing.
7) Please post something in the OOC if you are still interested just unavailable at the moment. If you do not post within two or three weeks, I will be forced to drop you from this RP.
8) If you have read the rules, you will also write a little snippet in the life of your character on the bottom of your character sheet. Kind of like a writing sample. (Helping others regarding this rule is discouraged unless you are vouching for that person.)

REGARDING COMBAT, PVP OR OTHERWISE
I, alone, shall decide which attacks connect, which attacks fail, which attacks do not happen at all due to circumstances, etc. In short, I decide who the victor is in combat.

You have my word that I will be as fair as possible. If that is not enough, then I'm afraid this is not up for debate.

Appearance: (Please refrain from using real-life images)

Name:

Combat Role:

Data Center:
(The Data Center your robot is synced with. This also designates which planet is your home. Each planet has two. A Northern and Southern one.)

Equipment & Gear:
(Name your equipment and gear any way you want. Let your sci-fi imagination run free!)
Having a Light, Moderate or Heavy build depends on how much equipment you have. Light means having 4 or less and moves pretty quick, Moderate is having more than 4 but less than 8 and Heavy is 8 or more and moves quite slow. The max amount of equipment is 12.

Flight equipment can only be used by Light and Moderate builds, and is a gear itself. However, Moderate builds can only use it to make large jumps and cannot stay in the air for long.

Armor protects against an attack. To make your character more durable, add more pieces of Armor in their equipment. Forcefield Shields occupy two slots. The difference between the shields and armors is entirely aesthetic.

One-handed weapons like pistols and small swords occupy one slot. Two-handed weapons like halberds, rifles, machine guns and rocket launchers occupy two slots. Autocannons, missile barrage launchers and artillery cannons occupy four slots.

Having ranged weapons means one slot must be allotted for carrying the ammo pack and this is one pack each weapon. Ammo packs for heavy weapons needs three slots.

Grenade packs occupy one slot and has five pieces each pack.

Support robots carry a variety of equipment for their jobs. However, they must also be quick on their feet which means if they carry them all, they can't carry much else. Unlike the other roles, Support robots can change their equipment each deployment. Each of these gears occupy one slot.
Robot Repair Kit - Repairs robots
Vehicle Repair Kit - Repairs vehicles, either robot or Knight
Medical Kit - Heals Knights
Resupply Cache - Refills ammo and grenades of other robots
Turret Kit - Constructs an Arachnid Turret, a defensive placement that fires a pair of small miniguns
Turret Upgrade Kit - Changes the Arachnid Turret to fire missiles or plasma shots
Cover Printer - Constructs steel walls to act as cover or barriers
Advanced Blowtorch - Cuts through steel or meld steel together

Personality:

Background:
(Robots can have various origins. In recent years, human-style robot families build robot children but most robots are created in a factory somewhere, given an AI and raised. Robots that predate the Robot Emancipation are rare as a lot of them died permanently in The Swarm War.)

FAQs
How many characters are allowed per player?
Two.

What is the player limit?
I'll stop accepting when the voices in my head tell me to.

Can we play as Knights?
No.

Can we play as Swarm?
Double no.

I have more questions.
Ask away!
PaulHaynek Member

The Roleplayer Nobody Likes

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