Mass Effect: Pandora's Box

Setting

The year is 0168 N.F. (New Frontier) and in the deepest reaches of space, a completely different era of technology has reached new heights. Space travel and exploration have become the new field of science. The races of the galaxy live mostly in harmony. Each species have their own homeworlds and species-specific colonies. Some colonies have been established with the sole purpose of inter-species housing to promote unity across the galaxy. Recently, one of these colonies, Rexil, has gone dark. Every rescue team from the colonists’ homeworlds that went to investigate Rexil have also gone dark. The planet has been labeled Hazardous and no ships are allowed access, except one. The Unified Galactic Alliance (U.G.A.) has sent the U.G.A.F. Zermic to carry-out a full military investigation of the planet and determine the cause of the blackout. The mission was voluntary, and many spots remained open that the U.G.A. was forced to hire out to mercenaries to give the Zermic a full crew. As the species of the world cooperate to determine the cause of this mysterious scenario, they will uncover a darkness they could never have been prepared for. Pandora’s box is about to be opened.

Character Sheet

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[b]Character Name[/b]:
[b]Race[/b]:
[b]Age[/b]:
[b]Gender[/b]:
[b]Appearance[/b]:
[b]Class[/b]:
[b]Weapon Loadout[/b]:
[b]Personality[/b]:
[b]Brief Background[/b]: Include current standing and why you are on the mission.
[b]Other[/b]:  Anything you feel I left out, or just want to add.

Character Name: Noct T'Silsi
Race: Asari Matron
Age: 560
Gender: N/A
Appearance: Noct
Class: Asari Commando (Vanguard)
Weapon Loadout: M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun and M-76 Revenant Assault Rifle.
Personality: Noct has a calm and cool temperament, and a quick wit. Hard to anger, or move in any direction, Noct keeps her fears, sadness, and anger bottled up.
Unlike most Asari Noct does not bear any facial markings. This is not due to her being pure blood and is instead a physical abnormality to which she is very defensive of to the point of threats and fighting, which is usually the only time she loses her cool. She will even sometimes point out her lips, which are a soft pink rather than blue or purple, as a sign of facial markings though it is usually ignored and attributed to make up.
She has an almost crippling phobia of losing people close to her and will fight tooth and nail to see make sure that she never has to see another person die.
Brief Background: Noct was born on Thessia, the Asari homeworld, to a young Asari Commando and a Salarian STF operative. With such parents it would have been easy to assume she would follow in their footsteps, this was not the case however. Her "mother" and father both retired and settled on Thessia to raise Noct as a thinker rather than fighter. Her parents were not the most intelligent, or respected of their kind, but gave Noct what they could, the gift of self defense, though not in the usual way. Noct's mother, Hassina, taught Noct how to control her biotics through teachings of philosophy and religion. Her father taught her how to fight not with her hands but her mind, how to outsmart her opponent, and choose "the darkest corner with the best view."
Noct grew up in this environment until she was 73. At that point she felt it was time to leave, heading for the head of Galactic politics, Serrice. Once there she tried to get into politics, and it worked for a while. Unlike the rest of her Asari partners who were content to see things through decades, Noct was more interested in dealings that bore fruit quickly. Still, even with her success she just couldn't stand being in one spot so she tried doing what most Asari her age due, become a Commando. This worked out a lot better than she could have ever imagined. Despite having no practical training she excelled faster than even Maidens who had been training since birth. Her teachers attributed it to her upbringing. Since her parents taught her the philosophical side of Martial Arts it was easy for her to learn the physical practices. Like building a giant bowl with which to pour water in rather than making a bowl while water is being poured over your hands.
After 140 years of training and life as a huntress she gave it up. Not because it was hard or she found no comfort in it, but because too many of her friends were dying off. From that point on she drifted from place to place doing odd jobs as a gun for hire.
During one of her more thought provoking missions she considered starting a private military company. This was around the time of the First Contact War and the discovery of the Human species. Finally, after giving it some though, she decided to go through with it and and started up Aether with the large amount of money she had saved up over her long life time. She purchased a crap ton of small arms and contacted all her old contract holders looking for work. It was grueling in the beginning with people coming and going but soon the pack hit their stride and work was plentiful.
Now, with decades as an established paramilitary firm, it was only natural to be contacted by the UGA for their investigation into Rexil. Soon a contract had been written up for quite a few of Aether's best, and brightest for a sizable government contract. Noct herself even signed on to the crew.
Other: N/A

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Character Name: Dura Steehl
Race: Human
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Appearance: Dura (Only with the shirt buttoned up, and without the "I want to have sex with you" look)
Class: Adept
Weapon Loadout: M-5 Phalanx Heavy Pistol, M-96 Mattock Assault Rifle, and a knife.
Personality: Dura is cocky and confident in her abilities as a soldier and biotic, and slightly flirtatious when outside of combat. She is always out for a good time and is very sociable and charismatic. While she may be slightly jaded and rough around the edges she has a kind heart and always works towards a goal that is beneficial for all those involved, save those on the receiving end of her gun.
Brief Background: Dura was exposed to an eezo spill in the womb of her mother, and beat the odds, gaining latent biotic potential instead of a terminal brain tumor. Born into a poor family in the slums of the New York Super City, Dura lived a life of poverty, until she was shipped off to the Alliance Military at the age of 6, after some "encouragement" from a bunch of guys in black suits with a big check book. There she was fitted with the Biotic L3 implant, though considered weaker than L2 it is a safer product.
She trained there with others like her until she was 18. She went back to her hometown in search of her parents after her training, though she couldn't find them. While there she fell in with the wrong crowd and wound up joining with a local street gang. Since she was a powerful biotic it didn't take long for her to climb the ladder in the gang. Her time there gave her a dark outlook on life, and put her into a state of depression, worsened by her biotic implant.
During what should have been a simple drug run, Dura's group was gunned down by a rival sect with the same gang. Dura barely avoided death and used the full strength of her biotics to destroy her aggressors and half a block radius around her. She went into hiding afterwards, she was 20 at the time, and she would have stayed in hiding if not for a knock on the door. Somehow word of her explosive power got to the ears of a few big wigs at the Alliance and they were so impressed they offered to expunged her record so long as she enlist. Dura did and began training as a Force Recon Operative, specializing in Black, Direct Action, missions. It wasn't N class, but a parallel to it. She still wore a 7 however, showing she was given the best training. She had a meteoric rise through the ranks using her biotics, street smarts and Alliance training to pull her through most situations.
However after a failed mission, an ambush she didn't see coming, she was honorably discharged, one failed mission was enough to bring her past to light she guessed. With a new outlook on life, one not so cynical and bleak, Dura decided to move to Serrice, it was a melting pot of different cultures and races, and Dura wanted a new experience.
That new experience wound up being life as a merc. It was in this line of work that she met an Asari by the name of Noct T'Silsi. They quickly became contacts and eventually Dura found herself as a member of Aether, doing light recon work during missions, and often found herself groundside during firefights. Dura was loyal to Noct and looked up to her as a Captain. When talk of the Rexil contract was floating around she was among the first to be cherry picked for the assignment.
Other: N/A

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Character Name: Iliad Bell
Race: Human
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Appearance: Iliad
Class: Operative.
Weapon Loadout: M-12 Locust Submachine Gun.
Personality: Boisterous, obnoxious, loud, and blessed with a sick sense of humor, Iliad is a pleasure to be around if you have patients, and a destroyer of worlds if you don't. She is very cocky and more than willing to show you why. Iliad is also a bit childish at times, though it is hard to tell if she really means it, or if she is just acting a certain way to annoy people.
Brief Background: Iliad's life is a bit troubled. An orphan who found her way to the slums of a populous, multi-species planet, Iliad grew up as little more than a street urchin. Her extensive knowledge of the area, and how to get around landed her a job with a local gang as a glorified carrier pigeon. At first she ran notes, then guns, and pretty soon she was running kilos of drugs from one area to another, avoid detection from authorities the entire time.
Iliad lived this life until she was too big to look like an inconspicuous child anymore. It was at this point that she graduated to full blown drug runner. She was given a ship and was tasked with getting from Thessia to Earth, or Palaven, or wherever drugs were in demand. Iliad soon built up quite a name for herself as an extraordinary pilot and drug runner, never once getting caught, or missing a date. She soon went freelance, running whatever her ship could carry from wherever to anywhere, so long as the pay was good.
Her name started to come up on quite a few no fly lists, but it was nothing a quick name change and fancy alias wouldn't correct. Soon Iliad had a reputation for being untouchable by authorities, as well as being able to make a ship dance. Sadly, it that reputation wasn't all it was cracked up to be and Iliad got caught in a galaxy wide drug bust. It didn't really bother her, she was only a runner. They could charge her all they wanted, but they knew, like she did, that she would be much more useful as an informant, so that is what she did. It didn't bother her turning over all of her former contacts but it did mean the end of her career, at least for the time being.
Iliad woke up one day ready to take up a snazzy offer from the UGA to disappear into witness protection, but instead found herself meeting with Noct T'Silsi. The Asari offered her protection, as well as a chance to do what she loved to do. Iliad warned Noct that she just spent months as an informant, but the Asari said she felt quite strongly that taking Iliad in would be a good choice. Iliad agreed, thrilled with the idea of piloting a ship again. In the year and a half she spent with the crew she found herself having a change of heart. She wasn't only out for herself now, but part of a whole, and she had Noct to thank for that. During the Rexil negotiations Iliad practically volunteered herself to be signed up.
Other: N/A

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Character Name: Mortal Dulces
Race: Human
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Appearance: Mortal
Class: Soldier
Weapon Loadout: M-99 Saber Assault Rifle, and M-25 Hornet Submachine Gun.
Personality: A bit headstrong, and aggressive, Mortal is a person with fleeting interests, but steadfast loyalties. Hard to truly anger, but easy to provoke, Mortal will fight a battle even if she is only mildly moved by the conflict that started it. Enjoys the visceral thrill that can only be found in conflict, but doesn't actively seek out to start any of her own. Instead, she savors what comes to her naturally.
Brief Background: Mortal was born aboard a UGAF Cruiser, the UGAF Wyvern, to two officers who got a bit too drunk for their own good on a rare shore leave. She was shipped back to Earth with her mother soon after birth and was raised as a typical military brat, never staying in one place long enough to plant roots. Growing up wasn't harsh, but it was strict, and by the book. She naturally learned to adapt to new surroundings, and people, and forewent attachments to things she knew she may one day be without. This quickly built in her a deep sense of belonging to the one thing that was constant in her upbringing, the military.
Growing up it was uncommon for Mortal to be with both her parents at once. If one had just returned, the other was usually on their next call. While love fostered between the family, it was apparent to all involved that the Navy came first, and from an early age Mortal knew exactly where she was going. This led to a life of military grooming where it was more common for Mortal to be studying military doctrine, than reading a gossip magazine, as girls her age were wont to do. At first dawn on her 18th birthday Mortal found herself being shipped off to Basic Training.
Mortal's first Naval assignment was as a Private 2nd Class to the very ship she was born on, the UGAF Wyvern. So it was that there she stayed until she had worked her way to XO of the ship, outranking her parents, who had served beneath her now. She had logged a meager 4 months as the ship's Executive Officer before everything went to shit, as it so often does. The UGAF Wyvern had been on patrol of near a small colony known to house space pirates. During this patrol a distress signal was received from a ship not far off course from the Wyvern's location. The Commanding Officer deferred to Mortal's judgement, and sent a small recon team to investigate. It turned out to be an ambush, and the soldiers sent soon found themselves out manned, and overpowered. After a few tense moments of radio silence the recon ship began to return, signaling to the CIC that all was well. As the ship docked however, a bomb was detonated, and the ship that initially sent out the distress signal began to fire upon the Wyvern. In the ensuing chaos the crew of the Wyvern was forced to abandon ship as a lucky shot had taken out the ships engine, gutting the beast entirely. Though many escape pods were shot out into space many were shot down. Mortal was one of the lucky ones, but most of the crew was taken out, including her parents.
Mortal blamed herself for the disaster, and, as the Captain of the ship had died with it, so did the military. Having the entire debacle hung around her neck, Mortal was no longer able to find herself much of a foothold in the military. Nearly a decade of service had been flushed due to the tragedy, but Mortal didn't know any life besides an Enlisted one. That was when she caught wind of Rexil. If she could be a part of the mission, and see it through to success, it might help people forget her folly, and get her in good graces again. Immediately she signed up.
Other: N/A

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Character Name: Zell Talea
Race: Human
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Appearance: Zell
Class: Engineer.
Weapon Loadout: M-12 Locust Submachine Gun.
Personality: Zell is cocksure, sarcastic, and no stranger to waking up next to a one night stand who's name she can't remember. Always out for a good time, even if she can't remember it in the morning, Zell has gained somewhat of a reputation for being a rolling stone among her friends in Aether, the mercenary group of which she is a part. Through it all Zell is a warm person to be around and a loyal friend.
Brief Background: Zell, oddly enough, was born on Thessia, the Asari homeworld. She didn't grow up there however, and instead, found herself among the stars, quite literally, since before she could walk. Zell's mother, also Zell, and either not creative enough to think of a better name for her child, or so full of herself that she didn't think there was one, was a negotiator who worked for Aether. Business savvy and quite sociable, Zell's mother was a key negotiator in the more white collar contractor dealings. From a purely business standpoint, no one was more important than her except Noct herself.
When little Zell was born it was as if a new family member had come crashing into Aether. Almost everyone felt at least a bit responsible for the girl, and as such, she was spoiled by the more light hearted members of the crew, and, at the very least, looked out for by the gruffest. Early on Zell showed an aptitude for electronics, and was a tinkerer by nature. As such she spent a lot of time pestering anyone she found that had knowledge in electronics, picking their brains, and learning what she could.
As she grew older it became apparent that the mouthy, sometimes ill mannered Zell would not become her mother's replacement, but she did have a future as an Engineer aboard Aether's ship, and as a tech specialist for field missions. She excelled at both aspects, and soon found her niche within the band.
As an adult quite literally raised by the company that employs her, Zell is afforded a few privileges others are not. She enjoys something of a Aunt/ Niece relationship with Noct due to her mother's close friendship with her, not to mention her upbringing. When her mother had informed her about the Rexil contract, she was less than optimistic about going, but decided to after realizing that Noct had personally asked for her to come.
Other: N/A






Most of these are copy overs, so let me know if anything needs to be changed (I changed things like the Citadel, and the Alliance, etc., but let me know if I missed something). Mortal will be finished later, and Zell will go up later as well.

Finished Mortal, now for Zell.

Zell is done, now to consider whether or not I want to actually make Sab...

So much for being an original rp just using the Mass effect races for a basis *sigh*. Happy I am not.

It uses the races, and worlds, and a bit of lore. I actually see this as something better than going it alone. Helps to ground the RP in the familiar. That is just my take on it however.

The sheer amount of adaptation and extra info I have to add on to my race makes me not want to join. I didn't want to have to put THAT much info like Az has on the other races especially since three sections are redundant on his setup and can be combined into one =/

That and the ME verse as a whole makes some of the more fantastical aspects of the Eantelli harder to swallow.

Edit: Also fairly sure Tae and Wolf were looking forward to it being an original space rp too. So he basically doesn't have the required joined members anyway if he doesn't change it. Unless I'm wrong.

Hey here is a though, if you actually add your race then boom, this RP now HAS those fantastical aspects. ME is a launch pad, not the ceiling. I believe you're making this a bigger issue than it needs to be, especially since this doesn't follow ME to the tee anyway, I already had to edit out things, like the Citadel, the entire race of Drells, and Shanxi from my profiles to suit this RP. This is more of a middle ground than you give it credit for, especially since this RP won't be dealing with Reapers or Collectors, or Cerberus, but its own, wholly unique situation.

Edit. As for the way he has things set up in the race descriptors, I'm not sure why that is such a big issue for you. I'm considering making a race myself, and I have no qualms with the setup as is. Irrespective of that, I'm sure it isn't set in stone, and that Az is open to editing something as simple as a layout.

That lack of the Drells makes me sadface too but that's a minor point.

I can but it'd take awhile since I have to add a lot more info to bring it up to par.

The lack of Drell is a minor point, the lack of Volus, Shadow Broker, Hanar, Vorcha, Batarians, and Omega, as well as any other planet that isn't specified, are major points. Without these this universe lacks a grounding in its Economy, Religion, Information trading, and criminal underworld, and most of its second class citizens.

These are all things that are open for the user (read:us) to create, giving this universe a unique feel. I was already considering having the Sheep people, should Sab join, be a mix of the Hanar, and Volus. Highly religious, economically minded accountants and bankers... Like Jews.

My point is, there is a lot of room for you, personally, to differentiate this from Mass Effect, you're just choosing not to.

I WILL... it'll just take awhile since, again, I have to meet the bar that's been set.

Also again, pretty sure Tae and Wolf aren't going to join now.

Don't you only need two people besides the creator?

You and I are two of the three active users that were considering joining, so it'll still work out.

As far as your species, you don't need to "meet" the bar, just what is important. I doubt anyone cares whether your race has a fast metabolism, or is a dextrose-protien species.

Probably not.

That is my point. This is easy.

Will you be less difficult about this if I include Sab?

I'll be less difficult about it when I have time to transfer it all to the rp's format. Which will be... Friday or Early Saturday.

Its late and tomorrow I'm going in for a consultation on seeing how many of my wisdom teeth need yanking.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, whenever I get them yanked I'll probably be off site for a few days.

I'll be less difficult tomorrow.

In the meantime enjoy this preview of my char. Quite possibility the fruitest pic I have on file.

Syril

BS, I got two of my molars yanked and I was on, and posting the same day. Speaking of not being on though, I've got a wedding to go to, so I'll be off this weekend, starting Saturday.

Also, to be fair, this format isn't new. He showed you the Krogan one back on the Planning thread. You've had time to raise this complaint already.

I blanked on that and only saw it when I started complaining >.>

Seraph wrote:

I'll be less difficult about it when I have time to transfer it all to the rp's format. Which will be... Friday or Early Saturday.

Its late and tomorrow I'm going in for a consultation on seeing how many of my wisdom teeth need yanking.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, whenever I get them yanked I'll probably be off site for a few days.

I'll be less difficult tomorrow.

In the meantime enjoy this preview of my char. Quite possibility the fruitest pic I have on file.

Syril

Good god, that is a fucking trap isn't it...

The actual pic I'm using isn't as bad as that, well marginally speaking.

Syril

tbf they gender shift so...

So it is like a race of hermaphrodites?

So you don't have to hunt for it in the planning section.

Spoiler:

Hm. Any one of my girls would be interested should it be in female form, but they'd probably always be wary of a surprise dicking.

Edit. Also, kind of reminds me of a mix between Asari, and Quarians.

Syril/Quill tends to stay in male form because... here... I'll just quote from the rp s/he came from.

Quote :

All women tended to be psychotic. Its why he only liked his female form for self gratification. Estrogen was a crazy hormone that he didn't like feeling for more than the time it took to orgasm then be done with it.

And now all my females don't like him. Save for Noct, who isn't really a female. New Noct would hate him too. How dare you insult the superior sex?!

There's a line he says before that about said psychosis being linked to how easy it is to get them in bed stating that the easier the crazier. Ergo he doesn't like loose women. Its just the estrogen bit was the important part.

ARE YOU CALLING MY GIRLS WHORES!?