Rhona W

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

Okay, so here's what I had in mind... Bear with me here...

An Earth similar to our own, one of many parallel and alternate Earths. A twin of two, split apart long ago in time and space, by an unknown force. Neither truly knowing of the others existence, except for handed-down knowledge among a handful of curious and driven individuals who believe that the secrets of the past are the key to a better future for everyone else - no matter of what the truth may actually be.

The members of these groups, on both Earths, manage to make contact based on the technology and information culled from the ancient remnants of the Precursor race. They also discover that they have left their genes seeded throughout the populations of both worlds, in the form of those who possess 'above average' talents and skills, and especially those who are supernaturally gifted in mental abilities. These individuals, they call 'Composers', for their ability to enhance their skills and abilities through the use of music, often specific verses and tunes left by the Precursors.

The organizations recede into the shadows of history, but are always there pulling the strings, and manipulating events to their own goals. Some groups have some idea of their existence, but never anything concrete. They name themselves 'Elysium', for the belief that the united world will be an idyllic paradise.

On both worlds, history continues. On one Earth, history mostly followed the same course, although the Cold War went hot in the late 1980's-early 90's after the Coup in the Soviet Union succeeded. This lead to an increased level of scientific development, and greater colonization of space and accelerated development of technology. Advanced computer technology, weaponry and robotics lead to the development of walking robotic vehicles in the latter half of the 20th century, with full deployment in the early 21st, after the end of the war and the following peace and numerous civil and brush-fire wars that broke out.

Throughout the later years of the war, and the early 21st century, an increase in strange and paranormal events was recorded, by soldiers as well as by civilians. People observing unexplainable events on the battlefield; strange or unearthly creatures, or seeing unfamiliar surroundings. And often accompanied by music in their heads or elsewhere. Initially, it was confined to one or two persons, but then whole groups and units began experiencing such events, meaning there must be some substance to these claims. These were part of efforts by Elysium to use their Composers to break through the walls of reality, and establish permanent crossing points with their counterparts.

At the same time, side-stepped from our reality on a parallel world, similar events occurred. Many events were similar, and the geography much the same: only the names were different.
On this world, instead of humanity a multitude of humanoid, animal-like beings evolved, or perhaps were engineered by the Precursors.
As they developed on their separate world, they arrayed into loose power 'blocs'. A number of similar wars broke out, through the manipulations of Elysium on the various governments. Using Composers in battle, and also harnessing the use of the GEAR - the same walking fighting machines as used in Earth's wars - the Elysium-lead forces come to dominate the majority of the battlefield, and in so doing become known to the remaining governments, who have banded together.
The main reason the United Forces are able to hold back Elysium, is due to their gutsy GEAR pilots and associated forces. Originally members of the armed forces or other paramilitary or Law Enforcement groups, they have become an assortment of freedom fighters in their array of customized and tuned-up bipedal walking fighting machines.

On the other side of the barrier between worlds, Elysium is looking for the same thing: Composers from the human world.
A small array of individuals, head-hunted from both exhausted superpowers, East and West, are recruited into a covert unit to hunt down Elysiums operations and find out what they are up to. Made up of soldiers, pilots, investigators and more from all areas of military and paramilitary backgrounds, they are also selected for their personality and aptitude, as well as open-mindedness and willingness to work with potentially former enemies.

As they get deeper into the mystery of Elysium and their activities, the truth becomes apparent: there is more than one world, and Elysium is blurring the boundaries of both.The revelation comes too late though, as Elysium on both sides have assembled Composers, at strategic points of convergence around the globe. As they launch into action, focusing their powers through the use of ancient music and words along with technology, the worlds blur together.
With their being reunited, the two worlds are also reunited. Elysium's manipulations come to a head, and with the ancient technologies and sites reunited, they come into their power, and begin an all-out assault against the remaining governments, who are reeling from the impact of numerous wars and attacks in their recent pasts, as well as the environmental disasters caused by the merging of two planes of existence.

All around the world, people are reeling in shock, coming face-to-face with aliens (on both sides) and legions of unknown enemies equipped with powerful technology.
The Elysium forces have a final goal - locate all the remaining Composers, and gather the remaining Precursor devices and knowledge. For what goal, the remaining free forces do not know, but Elysium are more than willing to dominate, destroy and otherwise roll over anyone they don't consider worthy of being part of their elite - which is, essentially, everyone else.
Furthermore, the two worlds are not harmoniously bonded, numerous areas are ridden with dangerous geological or spacial faults. Areas overlap incorrectly, and there are things at large. If the two worlds are not separated, then both may be destroyed.
With so much to take care of, and both races threatened by the plans of Elysium and the alliances they have made, the leading anti-Elysium governments of both worlds form a shaky and hasty alliance to put their people together to find out what Elysium is up to, and to try and stop them. Their operational team are equipped with their own custom GEARs and mecha as needed, and the best equipment available to fight back. The group is a rag-tag bunch, but they're the best, and chosen for the quality of their character, as much as their skills.

The story will be one of mystery, adventure, and will involve big epic (in the true plot-related and classical sense of the world not 'lol teh epic' sense) moments and concepts, relating to the destiny of two worlds and their eventual fate, and their origins to boot. And how a lot of that ties into the origins of both species, and the wider universe and life itself too. Basically, all the great stuff that comes with a proper epic 'real robot' show.

It would have recurring villains and a nemesis for our group, who would be a mix of human and anthropomorphic characters, and they would have a variety of mecha; though they would be closer to those of GEARs than Macross - but transformable ones would be part of that group as a possibility too.

Characters would need minimal edits, just background changes (in my opinion, anyway) and if people wanted to change them that's possible too. And if you want your old mecha from GEARs back, then go ahead too.
If people are interested in this idea, I'll post up world details and the like. Leave me opinions, and let me know what you think. Ask as many questions as you want - really, I'd be glad to just see some activity, since things have been quiet.

Likewise on the alternate Earth,

Mobile Frame: Honor Among Mercs (VOTOMS/Patlabor-style Mecha RP)

Ryan held onto the straps of his seat as the drop-vehicle plummeted through the thin atmosphere of Mars. Strapped securely into the hold, there was no view of the outside, and only the rattles, bangs and creaks of the vessel as it was pummeled by atmospheric friction to tell what was even going on. It was a very different experience from riding a civilian shuttle - and altogether more terrifying.
His stomach churned as the ship pulled some form of maneuver, and then the thrusters roared, braking the ship for landing. Ryan grabbed the controls, bringing the Gyrfalcon to life. There was a jolt as the ship settled to the ground, and then the hatches swung open. Clamps released, and the radio came to life with Medved's voice.
"Fall in! We're going to follow this canyon to the heart of the fighting station. Those turrets probably have a bead on our last location. Let's get this done and earn our keep. Nothing a few gangbangers can do to keep us down."
"Uh, yes M'am!" he replied hurriedly, and pushed the Frame into motion. Foot wheels sped him down the ramp and onto the dusty Martian regolith, away from the relative security of the drop-shuttle. To the side, the second ship had set down, and his comrades were moving out too, and taking up position.
Forcing his memory into action, he remembered the skills drilled into him; spread out, but not too far. Stay observant and ready, fire if fired upon, or if ordered.
Seeing the others move into cover, he somewhat awkwardly did the same, putting the Frame onto one knee behind an outcropping, and scanning the horizon. The Frames' visor scanned the area, sensors reaching out with electronic fingers to probe the landscape. Moments after Eliska picked up the vibrations, his sensors resolved the same thing: incoming. Then the shooting started.
"Six bots*; Let 'em have it!"
Forcing down the surge of fear in his gullet, he let the logical train of thought take over, and deployed the 50mm cannon from his frames back. Zeroing the sights in on the nearest hostile, he cleared his mind, and pulled the trigger, sending one of the rocket-assisted rounds down range.

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

Well, everyone's pretty much commented in some way. I'll go ahead and lay out my other ideas for an RP tomorrow, when I have more time to write it all down sensibly.

It'll probably be fairly different from this setting, but still have enough similarities that characters won't have to be altered too much (beyond some background info on their homes and previous fighting, etc). However, it should also be close to our own world to be relatable, and a bit more like GEARs too.

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

That's possible, but I'm okay with the pace - it's the interest I have in it that's the problem for me. If I'm not interested in the game I'm running, then that's a problem xD

If we did go onto a new idea, I would angle it so everyone could keep their characters, but make minor changes to them (such as not being from different planets, and losing Macross references).

I'll wait and see what people say. I have been working on a setting and a plot, but I'll keep thinking it over.

CWP-4

"I certainly hope these maintenance boys know what they are doing. Don't wanna have to hurt 'em for damaging my little sister."

"Well, I dunno what I'd do without 'em" replied the 'roo with a smile of her own. "Reckon they've probably spent as much time learning to fix our walkers as we've spent learning to pilot them! Just glad they can keep 'em running. Your tech is probably as attached to your 'little sister' as you are".
Just after that, Mike arrived. He didn't acknowledge the pair of women atop their walkers, and slipped into his cockpit without so much as a hello or a nod. Raising an eyebrow to Sarah in amusement, she stuck her tongue out in the direction of his machine, before following suit in climbing into her cockpit and donning her helmet as she powered up. Once the comm system came alive, she clicked the transmit button to reply.
"Hello to you too, Nawlin. All my systems are green, ready to move out when we're ordered".

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

im not so into the shifting combat thing.

I'm not criticizing, but I am curious about what you'd be more interested in, as I'm considering other ideas, and as Minder asked what other stuff I have in mind, I was wondering if your interests might be better served by something else I can think of?

So far I've been enjoying all of the things Silver mentioned. I'm not as engrossed in the game as some others I've been in,

I'm not really eager about my own characters or feeling particularly engrossed in the game myself. It kind of feels a bit like a chore rather than something enjoyable or something I'm eager to come back to at the moment. I love playing with all of you boys and girls, but the game itself just isn't hitting the spot for me.
I like that I'm piloting a transforming flying mecha, as I love planes and I love mecha - but the story isn't really massaging my sweet spot right now, and the action just seems a little pedestrian to me.

I'm not sure if I should have given us a smaller focus, rather than backing us up with a whole military force. In GEARs, it seemed better when the focus was on our little ship with just our characters as the main group that the ship could call on for firepower, and we all seemed a bit more closely connected (especially once things got moving a bit). Even from the start, it was a lot more tied together.

In terms of the plot, it's pretty straight-forward as I've got it set in my mind: we liberate the various planets. Not through open firepower, as there's a challenge to overcome on each one, in terms of the Invid having set something up to ensure the planet stays under their control.
I think at the moment, I'm not so bothered about it too, as it's a lot of separate planets to try and establish, and I've basically just lifted it part-and-parcel from the Robotech: Sentinels storyline. I would rather have created something of my own, I guess, which is why I'm not as enthused of it as I might be.

Maybe rather than dropping it, we keep the threads open and just rework the OOC and IC into something new? I have an idea I'm batting about that would allow many of the things I like about this setting to continue, but would change the setting to be more tightly focused, and reign things into our player characters.
I can also re-work the mecha a bit too, so that those of us who want to keep transforming craft can, and those who'd rather have single-form mecha could have them too.

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

Scott had huddled down behind the 249, laid prone behind what little cover he could find. He'd managed to find a position with a good angle of fire into the compound, and when Jan gave the order, he opened up with a good deal of suppressive fire. The para stock of the light machine-gun kicked into his shoulder as it thundered away. Empty casings and spent link tumbled to the floor in a waterfall of jingling metal as he liberally laid a pattern down to keep the insurgents away from Zhenya and Jan as they advanced to the door. He tagged a couple of hostiles who were brave enough to poke their heads out to fire; the 5.56mm rounds spun them around, or danced them like puppets on jerky strings before they collapsed, blood mingling with the dusty soil.
Rounds snapped past his helmet, and he swiveled in position, hosing a stream of rounds in the direction of fire, and was rewarded as another man went down.
"No targets," he announced as the Jan and Zhenya reached the door and breached with a charge. Picking up the gun, he dashed over to cover the rear angle as the pair entered the building.

Task Force Lima (COMPLETED)

From what I remember, Scott was toting an LMG for this mission, a 249 if I remember rightly, and I had him providing cover fire on the compound. I'll put my post up with that in mind - if that's not the case, then I'll edit afterward.

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

I think for me, I don't feel as invested in the setting as much as I would if it had been something I'd created myself. Plus, it feels a bit unstructured and lacking something, though I'm not sure what. I'm just not as excited about it as I want to be, and it feels like a bit of a chore trying to keep things moving, as opposed to feeling enthusiastic about things such as my writing and other stuff I do as hobbies.

I was quite excited when I initially constructed the OOC, but now it's actually running, I feel a bit 'bleh' about it by comparison to other stuff I've done. I like the mecha, and I like that we have human characters alongside anthro ones, and that there's conventional (i.e. modern day) gear and equipment alongside the mecha. I also like the fact that there's some space-related content as well. But overall, I'm not so enthused by the general aspects of the setting so much. I don't know if it's because I'm 'playing with someone else's toys', or as you say, I haven't really constructed the plot as much.
A bit of discussion and input would certainly help a lot, and I'd like to see what other people think. I have other ideas I'm floating about that I could always use instead, but I'll see what other people feel about the game as it is.

Along A Different Path (Robotech/Macross inspired anthro-optional RP)

Don't worry about it. I'm kind of feeling my interest slipping, if I'm honest. Not through lack of activity, but more just because I don't feel that invested in the game as a whole at the moment. I feel a bit detached and disinterested in it, really.