Rhona W

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Character Name: Silverwind Blade

Age: 44

Species: Red Fox

Appearance:
Around 5' 9", and solidly built. Muscular, but not a powerhouse; more of a stamina vs. power build. Obviously keeps physically fit and active. Fur has dulled to a rusty colour with age, and his white has become a little less brilliant with age. Grey around the muzzle, and his brown hair has white and grey streaks in it.
Only one eye; warm, brown and occasionally twinkles with mischief, humour and especially determination. Still looks young, in the rest of his face. His left eye is gone, and is instead at the middle of a pattern of rough and crude scars. Normally, it's covered by a black leather patch. Small nicks and notches on his muzzle on the same side, and a little cut out of his left ear too.
Left arm is also gone, replaced by a cybernetic prosthesis that exactly mimics the originals' range of movement and sense of touch, but is obviously not real, made of synthetic plastic materials and artificial muscle and nerve fibers. It is coloured black-and-white, and has no hidden gizmos or gadgets: it's a replacement, not an enhancement.
Wears practical, functional clothing, but has an eye on what he likes. Often wears BDU-cut trousers even when not on duty; just not in camouflage colours. Boots of some kind instead of sneakers etc. Likes T-Shirts and work shirts.
On duty, normally wears BDU pants in an appropriate camo pattern for the area, with either a BDU shirt with the sleeves removed, or a T-shirt with no sleeves, fingerless tactical gloves, and an equipment harness. His PADD is strapped to his right forearm in a ballistic nylon case for easy access. He sometimes wears a Shemagh-type black-and-white scarf around his neck as well.

Image Link (Image courtesy of our very own Machinesoul)

Personality:
Despite his gruff voice and weathered look, Silverwind is a pretty nice guy. He's had some tough times - quite obviously - and met some terrible people, but he's also seen the best of what Arvaran's - of any nationality - can do to help one another, which he finds inspiring.
He is dedicated to the idea of doing better, and trying to help those who can't help themselves, and while a man of strong morals and good nature, he is not naive or a pushover, and will not easily forgive and forget those who make others suffer, and will often make sure that they reap what they have sown. Especially those he cares about, or are unable to defend themselves. He is more than cognizant of the fact that 'good people sometimes have to do bad things', to make the world better for everyone, and while a good man, 'good doesn't always mean nice'.
He is loyal and rewarding to those who are good-natured and friendly toward him and one another, and has little time for those who are unpleasant or cruel to others, and will deal with them as much as is necessary, and no further.
He values intelligence and honesty, as well as bravery, and would not ask anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself.
His personality has gotten him into trouble with LDF high command, and with various politicians he's come into contact with, but this doesn't bother him a great deal, as others who are like-minded have taken his side on more than one occasion too.
While he has a great deal of respect and faith in the discipline and organization of the LDF, and for it's regulations and protocols, he also still harbours a very ingrained independent and creative streak, and believes firmly in encouraging others to think outside of the box and develop their particular and unique talents and skills. While he frequently bends the rules or interprets them creatively, he is firmly dedicated to his oath as a soldier and the constitution of the LDF and Landren as a whole, and more so to his own moral code and beliefs in protection of the weak and innocent against those who wish to harm them.

Personal History:
Silverwind was born in a small town near the North-West border of Landren. Between the shores of the Drennian sea and the forested foothills of the Andalean Mountains, it is a land renowned for its' natural beauty, as well as it's extensive farming area.
His mother was an artist and musician, while his father was a GEAR Pilot in the LDF. He has a younger sister (two years younger) named Sabine, who is a medical technician in the General Hospital of Anteriad, one of Landren's larger cities.
Silverwind was a bit of a troublemaker at school, but mainly for getting into fights sticking up for people. He received some talks from his Dad and his Dad's friends that straightened him out a bit, but retained that edge long into his teenage years and adulthood.
His father was killed when he was around 13-14 years old, and while he was devastated - along with the rest of his family - the stories from his Dad's combat buddies of what he did inspired him to join up with the LDF, and strive to do the same.
After joining the LDF, he scored excellently in all tests and grades, but had a minor problem with authority and the specifics of his orders, but displayed courage and initiative.
He was trained as a GEAR pilot, and deployed on several tours of duty, receiving mention in messages to HQ for his actions several times in encouters with raiders and other menaces, and eventually was selected for Special Operations.
There, he excelled, and was quickly seconded to the Roughriders, one of the premier units of Special Ops in the LDF. There he met people who became his best friends. He also grew very close to Izzy, one of his colleagues in the unit.

They performed many successful operations, acting as an Arvaran equivalent of the Navy SEALs; operating with a great degree of freedom and latitude, balanced with a strong sense of pride in their unit, intense training and self-discipline, and a wide array of skill sets and expertise.
They were becoming almost too famous at one point, especially so for their distinctive GEARs, which were home to a wide array of operational test equipment and systems. However, after a mission turned bad due to a betrayal from within, the unit was disbanded. Most of the members were MIA or KIA, and the remainder all suffering from grevious wounds, either physical or psychological - or both. The remaining members kept in touch with one another as they drifted into different areas of life.
Silverwind fell into a deep depression at this time, bought both by the loss of his comrades and Izzy - who had become his lover - and due to the extent of his injuries. It was only a year ago that he recovered enough, after being headhunted by an old acquaintance in the shape of Landcruiser Captain Amanda Garrett, to spearhead a new project for the LDF.
The new unit would be a form of a QRF based around mixing types of GEAR in the same unit, and using unconventional tactics, as pioneered by the original 101st. She wanted Silverwind to lead the new group, and he agreed, after some soul-searching, and a great deal of intensive planning and strategizing with her, and other influential and trusted colleagues and comrades-in-arms.

Personal Weapons and Equipment

• Standard LDF-issue heavy calibre revolver w/optional LAM/flashlight unit. Carried in holster on left thigh, with speedloaders on right thigh.
• Carbine version of standard LDF Adaptable Battle Rifle with standard electronic sight and under-barrel flashlight. Optional suppressor, grenade launcher and shotgun attachments issued as needed. When carried, is clamped to a mount-point on the right of his GEAR-harness backpack, to be drawn over one shoulder.
• Spare magazines carried on pouches down right side of GEAR pilots' harness.
• Kukri-style machete, clamped to a harness point on the left side of his back. This is carried most of the time when expecting trouble.
• Standard-issue LDF combat/survival knife, carried on the right side of his chest in a plastic sheath, handle down, to be drawn quickly for use.
• GEAR pilots' suit for when in action, with ballistic armour/equipment harness
• Pilots' helmet with red-white checkered pattern on visor guard.
• Military-spec PADD strapped to right forearm
• Cigarettes & paraffin lighter (zippo-esque)

Personal Theme:
Cowboy Bebop - Call me, Call me

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Mecha Sheet

Gear Name & Serial Number: SGR-96A 'Barghest'

Appearance: Barghest

Role: Limited-production Command-variant Special Operations multipurpose combat GEAR

Normal Loadout:
The Barghest truly embraces the 'modularity' concept of GEARs and as such has no real 'standard' loadout, as it's weapon hardpoints are designed with standardized connnectors, making outfitting the GEAR even more straightforward than normal. It's only real 'standard' weapon is it's rifle, and the onboard anti-personnel weaponry.

• Hand-carried 20mm hypervelocity autocannon rifle. Optional under-barrel
  weapons module, can be fitted with a variety of sub-weapons for different roles:
  
  • Anti-armour rocket - functions as grenade launcher; single-shot
  • Flamethrower - anti-personnel/defoliant use, multiple shots
  • Shotgun, close-range anti-GEAR/vehicle weapon
  • Pile Bunker, melee-range anti-armour weapon
  Fitted as standard with flash-and-sound suppressor and enhanced mid-range sighting/target ID system for precise fire. Mags and ammo are interchangeable with the M-112-series of autocannons, and the autocannon used by the Harlock.
• Head-mounted 7.62mm linked miniguns for anti-missile/anti-personnel use
• Anti-infantry flechette dischargers in lower legs
• Hand-carried anti-armour kukri-style machete, clamped to rear waist in horizontal position

Other Systems & Equipment:

• Silent-running systems; dampen and padded joint articulation and motor systems reducing the sounds of normal GEAR operation to much lower levels.
• IR Suppression system, as mounted on the ADM-39 Banshee, with which it is designed to work in tandem.
• Simplified version of the ADM-39's linear frame. A less costly version of the same system that enhances overall performance, but not to the same levels. Not quite as intuitive or responsive, but still allowing a moderate performance and maneuvrability increase over standard GEAR controls
• Back-mounted jump-jets
• Armoured Shield on separate arm, allowing blocking of incoming projectiles, and especially useful in melee combat and hand-to-hand engagements. Also mounts additional decoy/smoke/chaff launchers
• Smoke/chaff/flare launchers at multiple points on the GEARs' frame
• Full suite of optical, IR and electromagnetic sensor systems, thoguh somewhat less than a full-spec recon GEAR
• Numerous option packs for other roles, such a combat engineering, battlefield surveillance, heavy armour, amphibious assault and paradrop.
• C3i 'Command, Communication, Control, Intelligence' suite. Uses semi-intelligenct algorithims to fuse sensor data from all battlefield sources and known records for a commanders overview of the battlefield, allowing for more efficient tactical control of the situation. Used only on command-variant GEARs.

Other notes:
The Barghest was developed from the MR-M-7 Rapier General Purpose GEAR, winner of the N-G-X GEAR competition to replace the Harlock-series as the LDF's next primary combat and general purpose GEAR.
While the Rapier is being slowly rolled out to GEAR units as production ramps up alongside other new GEAR variants, the Barghest was quietly developed from the baseline MR-M-7 as a Special Operations mainline GEAR to replace the multitude of modified Harlock variants then in use. The decision was made to go with a standard model, rather than the various on-spec modified units then in service, as it would mean consistency of parts, controls, and systems across the Special Operations force, rather than a grab-bag of capabilities. The shortfall - if any - could then be made up by modular equipment and systems.
The ADM-39 Banshee came out of the same program, with the Barghest being specced as the mainline combatant for the Banshee's lighter scouting role. However, the delays and teething problems with the Barghests systems meant that the GEAR is only now coming into service, and has yet to be battle-proven.
The 96A version is the squadron leaders' version of the Barghest, and incorporates better communications and data-handling equipment for efficient communications with other squad members and command.
All components on the Barghest are designed with modularity in mind, allowing for quick replacement and upgrading - potentially, with an eye to the future - of both structural components, such as the limbs, as well as onboard systems such as electronics, sensors, and power systems. This also allows for massive flexibility of the platform for a variety of roles.

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Silverwind growled. Enough was enough, and they'd been dicking around with infantry in the mine for long enough. This mission was long overdue to be ended, and it was soaking up too much of their time and resources. He targeted the catwalk Adrian had under fire and unleashed a burst from the last rounds of the Harlock's autocannon rifle at the structure. With a screech of metal it gave way and clattered to the floor. Pressing on as the dust and noise roared around them, he awkwardly run-shuffled around the remaining obstructions, coming face to face with one of the hostile GEARs. The machine raised its' weapons, and he unleashed a volley of chaff and flares, blinding the civilian-modified GEAR, before body checking it. The added momentum and weight staggered it backward, before he drew his machines' fighting knife, and speared the hostile GEAR through the cockpit, shutting it down in moments. The remaining machine had its' back to the Harlock. and with its' support down, was easy pickings for the rest of the team to take care of.
"Take him out," he ordered. "Then press on. We've wasted enough time fucking around in here, and they've taken out enough of our people".

At the barricade, things were changing. As the squad and Mike discussed options, there were raised voices behind the obstruction. People were arguing, but no further firepower came their way. Finally, there were the sounds of flesh hitting flesh, and then a single gunshot - not aimed at any of them - rang out.
Moments later, a makeshift white flag waved.
"Please, don't shoot!" said a heavily Northern-accented voice. "We surrender! Please, don't shoot, we're opening the barricade and coming out!"
Moments later, the crates and equipment were dragged aside, and a black-furred vulpine emerged, holding the flag up high. A motley assortment of men and women, six in all, followed.None were dressed in truly military gear, but had rough-and-ready practical clothing on, some of it military in nature, and much of the load-bearing gear on it was clearly military in nature. All in all, the classic image of a badlands fighter.
"The hostages," the fox at the front and the owner of the strong accent said, "they are in the main cave. You can get to them if you cut down this passage. I can show you the way. The main cavern is guarded by the last of our heavy vehicles and equipment. Two military-issue GEARs and a detachment of recoilless rifles. But this way, to the rear, there are only infantry, and a few at that. The prisoners - they are in a portable office, at the rear of the main cave..." he trailed off, eyes wide and searching the faces of the men and women in front of him, and occasionally flicking to the imposing shape of Mike's GEAR behind them. It was clear he was pleading for his life with the information.

In the main cavern, Silverwind closed in on the back of the remaining GEAR. With the rest of the squad advancing from the front, the enemy shut down his power, and assumed a one-kneed stance. Moments later, the pilot emerged from the cockpit, hands above his head. The resistance there had been take care of. All that was left was the main cavern.
"Check ammo and regroup," he growled. "Whatever they have left, they'll either be spoilin' fer a fight and kick us wi' everythin' they got, or roll over an' show us their bellies at the first sign of trouble. I don't wanna go in unprepared either way. Make sure you got a full mag, and are ready to move fast. We can't wait around on this one."

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

Sorry that you're disappointed, and fair enough that it sounds harsh. I didn't say anything for a while, because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. The thought of actually having to put something up just seemed like a massive pain in the arse, rather than something I wanted to do anymore.

The fact you feel strongly about it does make me think it might be worth continuing, and reconsidering. But frankly, you're the only person who's even bothered to get a post up in a week or more to say anything actually related to the damn game. Which is also doubly surprising considering you're playing the non-GEAR pilot as well, in a game squarely focused on mecha, and one of the more recent people to join in. Obviously christmas and New Years have been and gone, but even so - I think, if I continue, it might be time to cut the chaff.

I think you're right: It's time the group got whittled way, way down to those who can actually be arsed to get their posts up in good time, and show some enthusiasm and enjoyment when they do, rather than bitching about it or moaning.
I'm not doing this as a job, I'm doing it for my own enjoyment, and I'm going to make it enjoyable one way or another, and I want people who are enthusiastic and enjoyable to play with. I like this setting, and I like this story. And I'd like to actually see it through for once as well. So maybe it'll carry on. But I'm likely to be a lot harsher, because I'm tired of feeling like I'm having to shove things into action each time, and watch the game become a fucking revolving door, and slow down to a crawl.

A post will be forthcoming. If people don't respond to it, or to this one, then they're getting kicked off. I've already kicked off anyone who hasn't posted for ages, or replied to messages I've sent previously as well.

GEARS - Mecha Sci-fi with Anthro characters. RP in a detailed, story-driven world.

TBH, I've kind of lost interest in running the game, and in online roleplaying at the moment. GEARs has been up for a year, and in that time we've barely covered a third of one mission and I've constantly had to sit around twiddling my thumbs. Things seem to just slow down to a crawl constantly, and it just leaves me not caring about posting any more, or having any real drive to come up with a storyline.
I love the setting, and I have a good group of players, but I'm honestly just finding it such a chore to post anything or even check the site. Not to mention the constant up-and-down of the site itself just makes it incredibly irritating to try and actually get anything done. And on top of that there's the people constantly coming and going all the time - we get new players, or returning players, and they're super-excited, glad to be here, build characters and GEARs... and then they disappear. Which means I have no real reason to plot anything for them either, and just get worn out giving a shit.

There's also all the constant having to plan how everything will fit together now that there's different types of units in the squad. I should've just limited the group to GEARs as it was supposed to be in the first place, as it would've been far less of a headache for me, and been a lot simpler too. In fact, ideally, I would've made everyone pilot the same model of GEAR just with different weapon systems, and be part of the same unit. But that would probably be hugely unpopular too.

Really, I'm just kind of burned out on online RP, after the combination of everything. I get more reward from writing, as I don't have to worry about waiting for other people to pitch in, or not get 'distracted' by whatever new shiny has come up, or to have to chase people down to get them to post all the damn time. Not to mention I can make sure the story goes the way it's supposed to, and that it fits the idea of what's in my head.

Sorry if everyone's disappointed, but honestly, I think I'm just tired of flogging a dead horse at this point. GEARs was fun and all, but I've just had enough of trying to make it work. I know people really like the setting and the game, but I've tried to get it working four or five times now, and it always just ends up crashing due to inactivity and the pace turning to a sluggish crawl, or everyone disappearing. And I'm tired of hearing people say they love it, want it to go, want to see the plot develop and blahblahblah, and then just watching the same things happen over and over again. So it's dead this time, and probably staying dead.