wolf_lord_30
06/28/18 08:27 PM
74.214.54.153
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I am running a map based campaign with my gaming group. For a little fun and a way to mix up character creation, I used this little story to get my players started on who their characters are and why they choose a certain path. It also allows them to make a rookie or a veteran, depending on how much time has passed until the start of the campaign. I haven't decided on an era yet, but the choices are 3005 during the 3rd succession war; 3039; 3053, right after the clan invasion, hostilities are high and raids and confrontations are bound to happen; 3064, more toys to play with than ever before and tensions are high.
I could always use NPCs, so feel free to reply to this and I will add your character to the storyline, whether with the main unit or an enemy character.
You are 12 years old. Your parents have connections/money/power (or all of the above) and you are full of hopes, dreams, possibilities and more than that, you are in good shape and healthy. You have expressed interest over and over again in joining a military academy. You are young, so it is to be expected that you would idolize the glory of war. Finally, in order to get you to shut up about it, or to secure your future, your father takes a day off and brings you to the military sim arcade in the mall. Amid all the blinking displays, flashing lights and pulsing beat lies the top simulator of them all. It reads your brainwaves to sniff out what excites you the most, what your fears are and of course, tests your natural reflexes and physical stamina.
Your father pays the clerk with a cred stick and the gold tokens fall into your outstretched hands. Hurriedly, afraid someone else will get to climb into the expensive machine first, you race to the pod. You insert your first token and the door opens up with a hiss. As you climb inside of the machine, the door shuts behind you. It takes a second or two for your ears to adjust to the pressure change. You can hardly believe it. The state of the art simulator. The game that all the other kids would talk about at the regular arcade. All your friends would be jealous that you were the first one to get into it. As you settle into the leather seat, the screen flashes to insert another token. You do so and you hear a click above you. Looking up, you see a compartment, slightly ajar. Pulling on the handle, a wired helmet gently falls down. You place it on your head. The screen flashes: "What is your name, player?" Before you can even attempt to look for controls to enter in your name, it appears on the screen. "Neurolink complete, (insert name). Welcome to the Wolf's Dragoons sponsored military role simulator."
The screen begins to have images appear.
The first image is that of a soldier in the garb of the Wolf's Dragoons. He is an infantryman with camo fatigues, a grizzled, slightly smiling face holding a rifle in one hand. The infantryman. An undeniable asset to any battlefield and the only way to truly secure victory. While they do not have the glamorous appeal of a Mechwarrior, they are a necessary part in any army. Many infantrymen also go on to further specializations beyond rifleman, including comms unit, demo team, sniper, anti-mech units, and special ops.
Advantages: overall in better physical shape than any other service member. Movement and actions are natural, no special knowledge, technical skills, or major studying to advance is needed
Disadvantages: minimal protection often leads to serious injury or even death. Least amount of damage output.
The second image shows a man and a woman, both in tank tops and the fatigues of the Wolf's Dragoons. The female is a tank driver and the male is a tank gunner. The image then slides over to a Manticore firing a charged PPC and letting a volley of missiles fly to another vehicle and the resulting explosion. Again, another cog in the military wheel but just as necessary and dangerous as anything else.
Advantages: good protection,. As much or more firepower than a 'mech. Maneuverable. Driving and aiming are less sophisticated than a 'mech. Limited training necessary to get up and running well
Disadvantages: not as durable as a mech. Not as high esteemed as a mech,. Terrain can limit maneuverability.
The third choice image is that of a pilot in a gray jumpsuit, helmet in hand. Then a Warrior H7 zooms mere feet off of the ground, only to pull up over the trees and unleash a salvo of autocannon rounds and short ranged missiles at a light vehicle. An explosion lights the screen and the image cuts back to the pilot, in the cockpit.
Advantages: Fast, training is fairly easy to get into as far as mechanized units go. Can pack a bit of a punch. Variety of roles from attack VTOL to transport.
Disadvantages: don't get shot. Training is a bit intense and many hours are required in flight school. Technical aspect of flying can be overwhelming to some
The fourth choice soon snaps into view. Another pilot. This time though, it is of an aerospace fighter pilot. One picture shows the pilot in full gear in, cold space behind the cockpit. Another image shows a pilot in the low atmosphere on a strafing run. The last of the pictures shows the interior of the cockpit and all of its intricacies.
Advantages: highly mobile. deadly and a lot of firepower. Air superiority can win a battle. Flying
Disadvantages: a lot of training is required. Technical aspect takes time and studying to learn. Must have quick reflexes and sharp, clear judgement making skills. Don't get shot; you'll be lost in space or come crashing down. Landing can be tricky. Atmosphere effects can be life threatening.
The last image to show up is a small group of Mechwarriors. Behind them stand their meters tall Battlemechs. No more imagery is necessary. They are there in all of their glory.
Advantages: BattleMech. Many roles available. The Kings of the Battlefield. Honor, prestige. The most durable units and the ones with the most firepower. Neurohelmets help with the piloting and guiding of the 'mech, making it more natural than flying an Aerospace fighter or VTOL.
Disadvantages: Hard to get into a school to be a Mechwarrior. Expensive. Most popular choice for those that want a military career. Training is intense. A lot of technical stuff to learn. Neurohelmets can cause bad feedback.
And with all those choices displayed out in front of you, what do you pick? You scroll over, your mind has already picked the one that jumped out to you, but it is still leaving a physical, and conscious, decision to be made. You click on the image that called out to you. The screen flashes "Gear up (your name). Prepare for combat drop." The game began.
Your character is now in their 20's, 30's or 40's. You are still healthy and able and in good shape. Did you follow the career path that the simulator believed you were the most suited for. What was your choice and why?
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Giorgio76
01/30/19 01:38 PM
65.35.74.118
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Very interesting concept, how did it play out with your campaign/group?
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GalebG4
07/31/20 05:41 AM
78.106.76.228
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Yeah, that sounds great, I'd like to have feedback for it as well!
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