Rhona W

FRAMEs (Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles)

My sheet will probably be late in coming. I hope that's not too much of a problem. I'm happy to play catch-up if that's not a problem. Otherwise, it's my own fault for missing out and I'll participate by reading along rather than playing, if you need to start without me and I'm too late in getting a character up.

FRAMEs (Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles)

I'll get mine up by Friday at the latest. I've got a concept for a recon/scout using a light FRAME at the moment. Probably a slightly older female, as I like to play older characters with more experience. Late 30's, maybe even early 40's; starting to move out of the peak of her performance and with a lot of stories under her belt, but still not found that one thing she feels like she 'should have' done with her career. Maybe with a divorce behind her, and a tragdy around that too.
Not really thinking of the sniper archetype, more along the lines of sensors, commo, etc. Maybe a forward observer type role; a snub-nosed autocannon and a pod of rockets to cause some chaos while disengaging 'with prejudice', and adding my firepower to the main assault once everyhing's scope out.
Are there any extra sensors, comms, ECM/ECCM or such I can get for my machine to add to that role?

Also, re: the Strangereal-esque world; would it also be like Ace Combat in the way that various recognizable brands/companies are still in existence, and should we take the same pop-culture as existing too, and a broad similarity in history? (i.e., there have been world wars in the past, for example). Just getting a feel for some of the aspects of the world we're playing in.

FRAMEs: Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles on a fictional Earth, a la Front Mission/Armored Core

<Snipped quote by Silverwind Blade>

I think that's partly due to Battletech just straight up stealing stuff from other franchises (like Robotech) in it's early iterations. :D

@Vigfast

Yeah, the original set of mechs from the first game were all stolen from various anime of the time xD Harmony Gold later got their shirts up about it (as they do), and the visual images of the mechs quietly disappeared for a few years, before coming back as 'project phoenix' with the new 're-seen' designs. It's a crazy story.

<Snipped quote by Silverwind Blade>

(cool patlabor gifs)

@Aristo

youtube.com/watch?v=wCCsWDjTInA

FRAMEs (Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles)

I will attempt to get a character up soon - work and Fallout 4 permitting xP
I'll probably go for the light recon route rather than a medium, and I have some ideas for a character slowly building up. I like the characters already posted, too :)

FRAMEs: Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles on a fictional Earth, a la Front Mission/Armored Core

I think the issue really comes down to whether you want to focus on mechs in a hard science fiction (i.e. sort of realistic or plausible) or soft science fiction (i.e. science is magic) type of way.

Machines that move like humans (in regards to agility/dexterity) and machines that can be customized, upgraded or retrofitted without great difficulty (ignoring the difficulty of making changes to standardized designs) to me at least falls a bit too far into the "science is magic" category of settings.

Mecha are pretty soft SF anyway; walking combat machines aren't really particularly practical and plausible, and take more than one 'handwave' of reality to make them anything even approaching practical.
Some kind of invented material or power source usually, to allow them to exist. With most Gundam series it's the invention of a new power source or type of construction material, and it's the same in most other settings as well - Battletech/Mechwarrior (whatever) has the Neurohelmet and Ferro-Fibrous Armour, as well as miniaturised fusion reactors. Heavy Gear has it's own similar things, as does pretty much every other mecha-based setting. Everything else is completely stylistic choices; in the first Battletech novels before the 'feel' of the universe was completely nailed down, the mechs did actually move more like those in most anime; doing combat rolls, dives and such. It was only after more of the books came out that they became the slower-paced 'walking tanks' everyone thinks of now.

It's all a matter of personal taste, and it's obviously up to Aristo which we go for. Personally, I'm hoping more of the anime Real Robot side, because that's more to my taste. Whichever it is though, we should probably ensure its' consistent between all of us.

FRAMEs: Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles on a fictional Earth, a la Front Mission/Armored Core

@Silverwind Blade
I knew it was just a matter of time till you stopped by!
You're welcome to join in; always did enjoy working with you.

@Aristo

Cool, I'll be happy to be aboard then. Looking forward to it already!

FRAMEs: Mech combat, political intrigue & corporate struggles on a fictional Earth, a la Front Mission/Armored Core

Hey Aristo - I'm interested in joining, which I'm sure doesn't surprise you at all. I remember the original Mobile Frame, and I enjoyed that a lot. Your mecha also remind me quite a lot of the GEARs from my game of the same name. I like the setting too, making it a 'sidestep' from reality really appeals to me a lot.
I'd love to join in if you'll have me, although I do want to make the point that I may be slow to reply at times, or not as active as some players, due to my schedule and other hobbies also taking up my time. However, I will always try to deliver high quality posts at least.
I'd really like to get into something as a player, and your game is the first thing I've seen in a long time that really interests me!

Falling Skies: PMC (Sci-fi, Mecha, Space-Odyssey/Opera)

Hey hey - I just stumbled across this RP, and it looks pretty much up my alley. I'd be interested in joining in if you've still got space. Might take me a little while to submit my char as I'm busy this weekend, and I need to read through everything in the OP in depth, but I thought I'd make sure to say I'm interested, and check if you still have space for anyone else.

Sky Warriors

If this is a huge issue then I'd much rather know now. But I don't think this minor design choice wont affect the gameplay.

I understand the reasons you explained behind the decision to have piston-engined fighters like biplanes and WW2-era aircraft alongside more modern aircraft, but I think the trouble for me is it's too much of a suspension of disbelief without more of a clearly defined and logical (to some degree at least) explanation of how this magic technology works.
If it can re-engineer and upgrade a fabric and wood, comparatively slow biplane to be on par with a titanium and composite material supersonic combat aircraft, then why isn't that technology being used to build aircraft from scratch? And if there's enough of it around to do that to planes, along with give them 'unlimited' cannon rounds and rockets, then it's hard to reconcile that with the element of scarcity in a post-apocalyptic world you describe.
I understand you're trying to go for a more 'videogame' approach and not worry about those things, but unfortunately for me as a roleplayer, I need a lot more understanding of how a setting and world works and functions to be able to place my character in it, and I can't find that here. Which is a huge shame, because as I say - I really like aircraft, and aviation RP's that have modern aircraft in, and this is literally the only one that's come up in more than a year.
I guess I'll have to say no, but thanks very much for thinking of me.

Sky Warriors

NOTE: This is a WIP and will be altered depending responses to earlier questions asked, and other possible changes.

PILOT
Name: Cameron 'Cam' Sinclair
Age: 30
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 120kg
Pilot Class: Hunter
Nationality: USA
Appearance:

(Full Picture)
Bio:
Born to a South Korean mother and an American father, Cam grew up between the two countries. Proud of his dual heritage, Cameron was always a curious, creative and ingenious boy, who grew up into a headstrong, yet intelligent and quick-witted man. Taking advantage of the ROTC program in his college years, he joined the USAF after graduating to repay his debts, and as a chance to gain useful skills and connections. He found himself a natural fit for military life, and his aptitude and quick-thinking gave him a direct route into training as a pilot.

It was down in the weeds at low-level he found his niche. Earning a reputation for being 'on-time, on-target', he became a deadly and skillful air-to-ground attacker, building a strong understanding of the needs of close-air-support for troops and forces on the ground, and a great understanding of both the dynamics and situations of low-level ground-attack, and the threats specific to operating a ground-attack jet in a low-altitude battlefield environment.

As the 'war to end all wars' kicked off, Cam had already established himself well as a pilot with a ground-attack unit, and was stationed in South Korea. As the South-East Asian region collapsed, his unit found themselves quickly isolated from home, help and allies as all of the nations locally where their forces were based were consumed in their own conflicts, and help from home was cut off. Despite attempts to hold out for as long as possible and help the locals, it wasn't long before the US and South Korean forces were quickly overrun. Making hard decisions, the unit of A-10's and their support crews, as well as dependents and a handful of hangers-on managed to barter, steal, and bully their way into commandeering aircraft from regional airports and support units. Hopping across South-East Asia, they found their way from Korean to Diego Garcia, then to Africa and up to Europe. In each region they lost people and equipment as they became embroiled in local conflicts and politics, their numbers being whittled down quickly as they went through supplies, ammunition and people, and were increasingly forced to cannibalize their aircraft for spares, or others were rendered unservicable through maintenance issues.

Finally, after years and months of being on the move and their numbers being achingly whittled down and down, the last few personnel arrived in France. Exhausted and with only one A-10 remaining, they received word that there was a unit in Scotland looking for people in a new venture. Hopeful and with nowhere else to go, Cameron and the last surviving members of his unit and their dependents undertook one - hopefully - last journey to the shores of the former United Kingdom in search of something better than merely staying alive.

For Cameron in particular, the hope is to return home and find some, any, trace of his family, and to make some sense of where and how everything fell apart, and begin to find a new niche for himself. After watching his group of comrades and friends slowly picked apart, he feels an empty hole in his life, that he hopes to fill with new friends, and to utilize his skills and aptitude for some greater role than the menial existence of survival. With his nation - to his knowledge - nothing more than a vat of chaos and burned out wastes, the oaths he swore have come to mean little-to-nothing, and his service and dedication a hollow effort. He needs to find a place to belong to feel that his life has purpose and meaning again, and hopes that by joining the motley, rag-tag group of pilots making up the Albion Avengers he'll find something worth living and flying for again.

Theme Song: Jesus Built My Hotrod

PLANE:
Name: Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (unofficially nicknamed 'Warthog', due to its' supposedly ugly appearance)
Description:

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a straight-winged subsonic jet aircraft, designed purely for ground attack. Intended for low-altitude roles, it's primary strengths are in the destruction of armoured and unarmoured vehicles and structures, and the close-support of friendly ground forces. It accomplishes this by being heavily armoured, and designed with redundancy and survivability in mind. The aircraft is capable of remaining airborne with the majority of either tail, wing or engine shot away, and the pilot is protected by titanium alloy armour around the cockpit area. Other systems add to its' survivability, and the aircraft is so rugged and hardy, as well as simple to maintain, that it can be operated from 'forward' rough-prepared airstrips and facilities, rather than full airbases, with minimal support crew and specialized tools.
The A-10 also carries a widely varied and fearsome arsenal of weapons, not least the massive 30mm, 7-barrelled GAU-8A Avenger cannon, which is capable of turning even the most heavily armoured of vehicles into scrap on a single pass.
Plane Type: Ground-attack jet
Extra Aircraft Notes:
A subsonic ground-attack jet, the A-10 lacks the full capability of an air-to-air fighter. It has no air-to-air radar, and is slower than most of its' contemporary aircraft.
It's straight, wide wings and high tail, combined with its' sturdy construction and landing gear give it an excellent short-take-off and landing capability, as well as the ability to use rough airstrips (such as roads, or even pounded dirt or gravel) as well as full airbase facilities for operations.

Max Speed: 600mph
Max Altitude: 50,000ft
Combat Radius: 300 nautical miles (fully loaded)
Loaded Weight: 14,500kg

Weapons Descriptions:

1 x internally-mounted GAU-8A Avenger 7-barrelled rotary cannon

11 x wing and underbody hardpoints for a variety of weapon and auxiliary systems. 2 x hardpoints plumbed for droptanks.
(**if the centreline hardpoint under the body is used, it can restrict the use of adjacent hardpoints)
(*multiple ejector racks can be fitted for up to some types of weapon, such as unguided bombs, rocket pods, or light gunpods)

Despite the fact it HAS 11 hardpoints, they aren't always all loaded, due to weight and flight restrictions.
Also, while it has a number of options below, it's not going to be carrying one of everyone on a mission... that would be ridiculous.

Loadouts can consist of a combination of the following weapons and systems across the aircrafts' hardpoints:

• Mark 80 series of unguided bombs
• Cluster bombs
• Incendiary bombs
• Laser-guided bombs
• GPS-Guided bombs
• Unguided rocket pods
• IR, TV or laser-guided air-to-ground/surface missiles
• Gunpods
• Maximum of 2 short-range IR-Guided air-to-air missiles (primarily for self-defence, or against slow-moving targets)
• Targeting pods (Laser targeting, 1 only. Though why would you need more?)
• ECM Pods (maximum of 1 only. Again, why would you need more?)
• Maximum of 2 droptanks (usually only used for long-range flight from one airbase to another, and not in combat)

Weaknesses:
As discussed above, the A-10 is designed for air-to-ground combat. It lacks a long-range air-to-air radar, and cannot carry any kind of radar-guided weapon systems. It is also significantly slower than many other other aircraft, as it is incapable of supersonic flight. The majority of its' weapons are also (comparatively) short ranged, as it does not carry any true 'stand off' weapons of any kind, such as cruise missiles, meaning it is often exposed direction to enemy firepower, such as SAMs and hostile aircraft in the area.

Past Encounter:
Cameron's most notable feat, and one that would be likely to circulate in bars and other hives of gossip and passed word and deed, is an operation over Malta around two years ago. While his unit were travelling through the region, they were at the local airbase, which had become a hub for refugees and military personnel both shuttling to and from Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The island was threatened by a mass attack from renegade forces in the area. No other combat aircraft were available beyond a trio of worn-down F-16's, primarily configured for air-to-air combat, and with inexperienced pilots.

Cameron and his wingmen sortied repeatedly, often taking off under fire from ships off-shore, and repeatedly hammered the landing forces with bombs, rockets and cannon-fire, turning them away from the coast, and buying time for defence forces to organize and repel each wave of invaders. They often attacked at 'danger close' distances, within feet of friendly forces with pin-point precision in even low-light and night-time conditions, suffering only minimal casualties. On multiple occasions they even took down attacked helicopters, Cameron notably blasting one out of the sky with a volley of unguided rockets at point-blank range, akin to using a shotgun in bird-hunting.

Their planes came back with considerable heavy damage on multiple occasions, yet their mainteinance crews managed to get them in the air again, and the pilots soldiered on despite crippling fatigue, eventually sinking the landing base ships and frigates themselves through some expert evasive flying to launch anti-ship Maverick missiles and 2,000lb Paveway laser-guided bombs into the sides of the ships and send them under. Eventually, they were relieved when reinforcements finally arrived from Spain, but the courage and tenacity of the A-10 pilots has been passed in through word of mouth.
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@Crazy Doctor - have to just say that I love your choice of plane. The Harrier is, in my opinion, one of the classic aircraft of all time. I've had the joy of seeing them at airshows in the past, and it's a great sadness to me that the Royal Navy and RAF retired them from service.