Rhona W

Ace Combat-Esque RP; checking for interest.

The OOC can be found here - roleplayerguild.com/posts/5555532

Shattered Steel - An Ace Combat/Project Wingman/etc inspired aircraft-based RP

Shattered Steel

"I remember the day the stars fell from the sky... and how they broke the world"

The world is broken, shattered by the Heavenfall.

Ten years later, humanity and civilization are starting to rebuild. But this is a new world, a dangerous world at times. New laws, new rules, new challenges and new dangers need new answers and solutions to their problems.
Enter the Neo-UN; the new government formed from a coalition of those surviving powers from the pre-cataclysm world. They have forged some semblance of safety and security for people, and have begun to restore balance and prosperity to as many people as possible.
Legalised and legitimate PMCs subcontracted to them, and equipped with the best technology that can be built, salvaged and scavenged from the world are their tools.

Opposing them, however, are those that seized power during the chaos, took opportunities to enforce their own selfish will and vision on whatever corner of the world they could bend to their will. Private armies, Criminal Cartels, extremist cults or ideological factions, and more all seek to hold onto the ground or the people they have held under their sway, often raiding and pillaging other territories and groups, stealing resources, trying to expand their own territory and influence.
In the middle of this, corporate interests trade with every side, and anyone who will take their money, exerting their own influence and claiming their own sovereign interests and rights, clashing with both sides as they follow their own whims and ideals.

And deep in the shadows and dark places of the ruined world, tirelessly, constantly, plotting minds and shadowy powers reach from the pre-fall world, having bided their time, to turn events to their own gain, to fulfil their ultimate plans for the human race and Earth as a whole, their presence barely even suspected; nothing more than ghostly whispers and rumours, far-fetched tales the only evidence of their actions... or is it?

The World of Shattered Steel

There is a full guide to the world of Shattered Steel that can be found on it's own thread:
The Heavenfall Universe

Shattered Steel Military Services

The PMC Shattered Steel is a Private Military Corporation working for the Neo-UN. The first and most successful corporation to emerge from the vetted PMC initiative, they have numerous branches around the N/UN.
Shattered Steel is organised around using airpower to execute the majority of their operations. Aerial firepower is the 'hammer' of their force, supported by follow-on ground, and smaller naval forces, to seize and hold objectives once the air forces have struck decisively.
The majority of their force is focused on fifteen 'tactical squadrons' using a variety of multirole fighter aircraft, each with an attached transport aircraft, liason plane, support helicopter and support staff such as mechanics, clerical, medical and other support elements. These units are 'packaged' to be able to deploy flexibly world-wide and carry out missions autonomously, and can be augmented with other support units such as heavy bombers, additional transport, ground forces, and other such elements as needed, or combined into larger forces with the deployment of multiple squadrons to host bases and facilities.

All Shattered Steel personnel are subject to thorough examination and evaluation for their suitability for the group, ensuring that their reputation is upheld, along with the standards demanded by the N/UN. This is not to say that they are perfect, or without flaws - but merely that they hold themselves to a high standard, and that standard is expected of those who join their ranks.
Membership and recruitment is open to anyone of any nationality and background - as long as they can meet the standards for entry, and are aligned to the ideals of the N/UN and Shattered Steel.

Mood/feel of the game and influences/inspirations

Shattered Steel is inspired by sources such as Ace Combat, Project Wingman, HAWX, and games of that kind, along with the Manga and Anime Area 88, and the fiction of numerous technothriller authors. It also comes heavily from anime and manga like Macross and others.
This is not a 'military simulation' or your 'standard' military roleplay, where I'm looking for exacting realism and encyclopedic knowledge. This is more a world where yes, there is a degree of realism. Technology is recognisable; you will be flying real planes with limited numbers of recognisable weapons. There are names of places and countries we all know, everyday life is recognisable, and you would find familiar brands, movies, cultural references and the like.

But it's also a world where sci-fi influences and technologies exist alongside those things. Where you may have to fight against a flying fortress, or battle a robotic spider-tank. Where a cybernetically enhanced assassin may be stalking you and the refugee you rescued that happens to be an important scientist, and you have to hold them off with your sidearm while your wingmates duel an F-22 augmented with advanced technology and piloted by genetically modified pilot in the sunken ruins of Los Angeles. Where unchecked corporate research results in a horribly mutated giant abomination threatens a coastal city, and you have to deliver a payload of specialised bombs with a custom biotoxin, while avoiding laser fire from a covert submarine, and your allies strive to shoot down the heavily modified MiG-29 sending the controlling signal for the monster.

And then after all of that, you have to deal with emotional stress and repurcussions, the idea that someone might be a double-agent, that a long-lost family member could be working for the enemy, or some other such personal-level drama. Where you may have a rival ace on the opposite side who's decided you are for some reason the only one worthy of challenging them.

In short, it's not completely realistic, but it is fun, full of adventure and excitement.
I'm here to tell an epic story, one with highs and lows, one with hidden depths, shadowy conspiracies, and righteous victories over cruel, terrible evils, where your characters ride to battle in kickass fighter jets bristling with amazing and surprising technology and do cool stuff, while being big damn heroes. There is room for moments of lightness and humour, but also bleak, stark cruelty and misery, life-threatening danger and intense drama and seriousness, as well as sweeping romance and jubilant emotion, as well as all places inbetween. This is the story of your characters, and the focal point they'll play in changing this world, and saving it from all the dangers it's hiding, and the evil, corrupting, and mysterious forces that conspire to control - or destroy - it and all the people and things in it your characters care about and are motivated by.

Who are your characters?

The player characters will take on the part of Shattered Steel fighter pilots in the 5th tactical squadron, the Cobalt Shadows. The main plot will be following various missions your characters are given by Shattered Steel command. Your squadron will deploy around the world to various places with your supporting cast of NPC support staff, and as you carry out your missions, will slowly start to piece together elements of a bigger plot going on in the background. Characters' personal histories and circumstances will - hopefully - become woven into this tapestry, as well as their interpersonal relationships with one another and the NPCs you meet along the way.

Most of the combat-related action will be based in the air, in a jet of your choosing that you'll be able to - to a limited extent - customise, but there'll also be some occasions where you're on foot, just to add variety and to pull the rug from under your feet, and when things get even more personal.
There will be an attempt to have recurring enemy characters, so as for a chance to form rivalries and give the enemy a 'face' (that you'll hopefully end up wanting to punch).

While there is a 'support staff' and other parts of Shattered Steel (the organisation) that deal with ground combat, the focus is and player characters are limited to, fighter pilots, simply because that's what I'm interested in running a game based around, and not anything else.

Rules

There aren't many, but it helps to have a few, I've found.

• Oth Rule: Don't be a dick.
• Embrace the spirit of the game: Realism is good, and knowledge of real-world terms, tech, and so on is welcome, but dramatic licence and a sense of fun and excitement always comes first.
• The GMs rule is final - although, suggestions are welcomed and will be listened to.
• And as an addendium to this: If I don't know about it, it doesn't exist. You may have some amazing knowledge of something, or have some amazing idea planned for your character... but if you haven't told me about it, and then spring it from nowhere, I'm not going to incorporate it, as I will have planned or expected something else.
• Absences - I understand if you have things come up - it happens to us all, and we can't always predict it. If you come back later and are still interested in joining in, I'll find a way to write you back in. However, if you are intending on leaving, I would ask that you be respectful to myself and the other players and let me know so I can write you out. If you have to be away for holidays, or whatever else, likewise please let me know if at all you can.
• Respect One Another - this isn't hard, and should go without saying. But have respect for your fellow players and the GM. We're all here to have fun, and this is a hobby we're doing to relax. It shouldn't be stressful to join in with your fellow players, so don't bring any outside conflicts to the game.
• Post Order - I'm not a big fan of post orders. My general rule is, I'll put up a post as GM with all the necessary setting of a scene and events, and then expect everyone else to reply to it, in whatever order they see fit and are able to. Occasionally I may post an additional post if I see something particularly worthy of a reply, but that's usually how I handle things, and will always and often post in the OOC to help clarify things.
• Post Frequency - I know I have other hobbies and responsibilities, and I'm sure the same applies to the rest of you. I'll usually allow a week-ish for a full round of replies, and then move on. If people drop behind or consistently don't reply, then I'll follow up once and try and remind - but it's not my job to chase people, and it doesn't make my hobby fun if I'm having to chase people to join in - if you're here, then I'm assuming you want to be, and I shouldn't have to remind you about it.
• Language/Content - While I didn't mark the game as 18+, I have no objection to the use of swearing or bad language - in moderation and when it's applied in the right places and circumstances. Your characters will be in stressful situations, it's only likely they'd use expletives in those circumstances. Similarly, romance isn't at all off the table, and I expect and encourage it to come up, along with references to sex and sexuality. However, this isn't an 'adult' RP, so no explicit details, just have things fade to black and let imaginations do the rest of the work.

Character Creation Info

The template for the character sheet is below. Additionally here are some helpful guidelines for character creation and selection of an aircraft for your character.

If you wish to have an aircraft with two seats, you may play a pilot and a WSO/RIO/GIB (Weapon systems operator, radar intercept officer or... Guy in the Back xD). Alternatively, you may state that your aircraft is modified for single seat operation.

Players may play more than one character (including a pilot and RIO/Copilot/Navigator/etc), but I will put a limit on how many, as I don't want whole rooms of people talking to themselves, or the squadron to end up too bloated with characters.

When they are ready, please post them in the OOC for the GM's review.

About Aircraft

Players may pilot any combat jet aircraft from what is broadly termed the 'second generation' of fighter aircraft onward. This also includes attack planes such as the A-10, A-6 Intruder, Su-25 and others. Medium bombers such as the F-111 are also permitted. The link provided gives a good, if not comprehensive list, and is a good starting point for more research and exploration.

Aircraft that were prototypes and did not reach full production status are also allowed - such as the F-20 Tigershark, YF-23 Black Widow II or the Su-47 Berkut - as are ones that were designed and had performance specifications, but did not go into production - such as the A-12 Avenger - as long as you can provide specifications for it and proof that it was seriously suggested, I will likely allow it.
Completely fictional aircraft from pop culture - such as the Firefox, the fictional F-19 or MiG-37, or other such craft - aren't allowed. No heavy bombers like the B-2 or B-52, and no helicopters or propellor planes.

You may customise your aircraft, and mention it has modifications, in keeping with the setting. Especially if it is from an older generation. Give some thought to the modifications you are proposing.
For example - upgrading an older aircraft with new engines, radar, avionics and compatibility with newer weapons is okay. Taking an existing jet - like, say, an F-16 - and making it capable of vertical take-off, or adding in more internal guns wouldn't work, simply because it's not possible with the design. Giving it a new gun of a larger calibre, but with less ammunition, a new radar or engine; those are fine modications.
Making an A-10 supersonic wouldn't work, because the airframe isn't designed for it, and it's not the planes' role. But refitting it with new materials that make it lighter, or reduce its' radar cross-section is.
It's less about completely changing something, than it is tweaking and tuning it to make it more competitive and viable in the modern world of the games' setting.

Character Sheet

remove everything in italics when completing your sheet and posting it.

Name: Your character's name
Callsign/Nickname: All the coolest pilots have a nickname or callsign; something short, and that often applies because of some characteristic or incident that happened to them. Maverick, Iceman, Shadow, Ghost etc. are all good examples. Try not to make it too edgy.
Age: All characters must be over the age of 18, no wonder-children or teenage soldiers. The N/UN doesn't take kindlt to the idea of child soldiers, and besides; how would they have had time to learn to fly or have lived long enough to have any combat experience or develop interesting back-story?
Gender: Does not have to be the same as their biological sex, which you may state elsewhere in their description
Appearance: Either a text description, or an image. Anime-style art is preferred, as is illustrations in general over photos. A combination of text and picture is best of all.

Nationality: Your character may be from any country, but is a member of Shattered Steel, and works for the N/UN
Personality: A general overview of their demeanour, outlook and how they relate to other people. A short paragraph or some bullet points are fine.
History: Some key events in their life and history that got them to where they are today. Perfect place to include a mention of important people in their life, any rivals or lovers, and anything else relevant to the plot. If you would like to have secret background info hidden from the other players, that is fine, but DM it to the GM for discussion

Personal Gear: Your character is assumed to have all their necessary flight gear - helmet, survival vest, G-Suit, etc. This is more of a list of personal items of note, such as a personal weapon (a sidearm and longarm are fine; not a walking arsenal), and any other useful or notable trinkets, items, or miscellanea they carry.
Personal Aircraft: What plane your character flies. Including a link to a page with images, specifications and such
Aircraft modifications: A short, bulleted list of what has been altered or modified on your characters' plane

Anything Else: Completely optional, but if there's any other information you deem relevant to your character or wish to include, such as a particular song, quotes, additional art, or so on; please feel free to add it under the relevant headings.

Useful information and resources

Some stuff that's helpful when it comes to aircraft terminology and such, and some fun things:

Fighter Pilot Slang - if you want to make your characters seem more authentic, pepper their dialogue with this!
Brevity Codes - what it means when someone says 'Fox One' or 'Feet Wet' and other such things, and how to use them yourselves.

A - somewhat lengthy and poorly written - overview of aircraft weapons and their roles

The category page on Wikipedia for military aircraft, which also has links to lists by decade, role, type and more, as well as informative articles.

Aerospace Web has a lot of useful information in its' Q&A sections

And finally, just for fun - here's a playlist I put together on Spotify with inspirational music

We have a discord group on my personal Discord server for discussion of the game, it's background, and other such information and interaction. DM me if you'd like a link to the server.

Ace Combat-Esque RP; checking for interest.

Thank you all for the interest. That's certainly enough people to get an OOC up.
I've got a few things I need to take care of today, but I'll get something up as soon as possible within the next couple of days, and as soon as that's done I'll post the link in here.

Ace Combat-Esque RP; checking for interest.

So, it's been a long, long while since I've run anything on here, or joined in anything either.
I'm a little dubious, as the guild seems to be deathly quiet compared to how it used to be, and there's not a lot that tickles my fancy these days.
But I've got the urge and the desire for a modern aircraft based RP, and no-one else is advertising anything like that. So I guess it's down to me to step up and suggest something.

I've got the beginnings of an idea inspired by Ace Combat, my favourite game franchise, with elements of the plot and setting adapted from or inspired by various other sources.

The premise as I have it in mind at the moment, is that the RP's setting is an alternate Earth. One where the Cold War extended into the 90s, and as such, many aircraft and weapons that were prototypes or otherwise never came to fruition were completed and saw service.
However, a cataclysmic event occured in the early years of the 21st century, after an asteroid struck the planet, and shattered civilization. By necessity, the state of Cold War ended, and civilization has picked itself up after the impact.
The UN is the de-facto world government, with a handful of other countering powers and alliances, as well as other independent powers of various alignments based in various regions of the world. Some places are completely devastated due to the results of the impact, and are functional 'dead zones'. Various corporate interests have also risen to prominence, leveraging their resources and aid to buy their way into positions of power in former countries, essentially becoming the government.

Mercenaries and PMC's have become commonplace, equipped with modern advanced technology. Some of them operate under contract and agreement with the UN as peacekeepers, abiding by particular rules and with observers to enforce law and aid people, as the UN military is too small and overstretched to be everywhere at once. Others are less scrupulous and more greedy, and work for whoever will pay them.

There are also rumours and evidence of other things afoot; abandoned technologies being bought back into the light, strange sightings and incidents, and so on and so forth.

In other words, it's a setting with a lot of options for adventure. The PC's would be part of a UN-aligned PMC squadron, and would be following up on various missions, flying around the world to deal with them, and slowly would start to piece together a plot that links the things they deal with together. Various sci-fi elements and more fantastical, hi-tech things would also start to be in evidence, leading eventually to a much greater scope of threat. A sort of slowly building arc-plot, formed and shaped by the players' influence and actions.
Recurring antagonists and rivals would also be a thing, as would friendly recurring NPCs, locations, etc.

Some knowledge of modern military aircraft would be necessary, but not an extensive amount. Enough to get by, more than anything. Equally a similar understanding of how military life 'works'. As even though you'd be playing PMCs, you'd still have support staff, infrastructure, etc.
Though, it would be 'military-lite', in order to make it more interesting and less restrictive, and enable your characters to have a bit more freedom in their actions, especially privately, than they might otherwise. This also allows for a variety of aircraft within the squadron, rather than everyone having to fly the same planes.

There would be plot and action outside of the cockpit on occasions, but players would be absolutely pilots, as the emphasis is around that idea, rather than ground crew, mechanics, etc etc.

I ran a play-by-email game with a similar concept many years ago that lasted the better part of a decade, and I've always wanted to revisit a similar setting and concept, and hopefully this will be popular in a similar way.

I've tagged it as 'casual' for now, as 'Advanced' scares people, but I always put a lot of detail into backgrounds and settings, so please keep that in mind.

I'm not looking for loads of people, just a small handful to have enough interaction between characters to keep it interesting.
I've had a lot of flakey people in RPs previously that have ended up with them dying before they've even got anywhere, so looking for people who are in it for the long haul as well.

Shattered Steel - A near future mecha RPG

<Snipped quote by Silverwind Blade>

This might be a troll or a bot.

@Letter Bee

Yeah, I've reported it to the admin. After I replied, I took a closer look at the profile and it almost certainly seems like it is one.
That was the only post made by the profile, and the profile is blank and joined that same day. It certainly smells like bot all over.

Shattered Steel - A near future mecha RPG

I am going to be going away for the weekend as of tomorrow (and early at that T__T) but I have the following week off, so upon my return I'll put an OOC together and tag everyone here with it as soon as it's up. That should give a lot more info about the setting and the world, and everything else in it!

@fafraname

Uh... what? Did you just repeat my post to me?

Length of a Roleplay

I approach RPGs, both online and tabletop like I do writing fiction in general.
An RP should always have a defined 'goal' or 'end' that things are working toward, as every good story needs an ending, and the Player Characters are the agents of that story and their actions should drive it forward.
Of course, RP and RPGs are different from (most) other types of storytelling because the plot advancing is resting on the actions of the players as much as the 'author', the GM, who wrote the story.

'how long' it should last is a difficult question. I think it depends on how your plot is structured and what events you want to include. I tend to plan around smaller arcs that feed into a bigger plot, and that with the end of each arc, the players discover something that will help them get a grasp of the larger scale, and bring them more into the spotlight of events. Each arc is an adventure, focused around one or two major locations, and also usually spotlights one characters' background and their plot more than the others, so everyone gets a chance to be the 'star'. The arcs will also increase in the level of drama, tension, and higher stakes as the players advance through the plot.

Usually that's about 3-5 arcs and then a climax and a resolution/Epilogue/Denoument.
In tabletop terms, that's usually about 2-3 session per adventure, depending on the length of the session, and of course, the time OOC it takes depends wildly on how often you meet up to play.

Online, it depends how quickly the game moves, which is reliant hugely on how often people can post.

Knights of the Skies

it has been sadly over the past year, text rp is a slowly dying thing sadly.

@Jamesyco

I think people have moved onto Discord or onto other platforms or forms of messaging for text-based RP. Though, the downside of that is finding out how and where to join in and advertise about your RPs to people and get people joining them.

Knights of the Skies

My interest has waned in running an RP, unfortunately, so I think I'm going to cancel running this. My enthusiasm has passed on, partly I think because the traffic on the site is so much less active than it used to be.

Shattered Steel - A Real Robot Anime Inspired Mecha RPG in a multidimensional world

Yeah, honestly; I think I'm not going to go ahead with this anymore. TBH, the site is a lot more dead than it used to be and I've been waiting for people to post characters for literally weeks now. My enthusiasm has passed, and so has my interest