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[Plot] YSS Byakuren

Fred

Fred

Retired Staff
Premise:

  • You are a Star Army officer. You have proven your mettle and have distinguished yourself during your service during the Mishhuvurthyar war. But SAINT has a problem, and you've been chosen to help deal with it.

    Princess Kotori Ketsurui is a war hero. But when she commanders a ship to pursue her own agenda with it, SAINT finds great issue with it.

    During the time she commanded the Miharu, said Princess accomplished certain deeds which border on the uncanny. She and her crew killed Eve and her organization of rebel nekovalkyrja. She also engineered the capture of the notorious Mishhuuvurthyar warlord Melisson. On top of that, she obtained the services of nearly 4000 lost Star Army warships to reconquer Nataria.

    Laudable acts, but the means to achieve them are questionable. On top of that, Princess Kotori appears highly dissatisfied over the Empire, which puts her means into a more sinister light. Which makes her getting a ship of her own again all the more alarming.

    Luckily, she could only turn to Star Army Personnel Management to have her vessel crewed, which is where SAINT put its collective thumb into said matter. As the saying goes: "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer". Princess Kotori has the prestige to being given the benefit of the doubt, but should she go too far, SAINT wants Imperial loyalists on hand to be ready to act and counter the danger she might pose.


Targeted playerbase:

  • The creation of this plot stems from Wes' request for more Yamataian GMs. The plan here is to facilitate the transfer of certain veteran PCs from existing plotships such as the Eucharis and Aeon to allow room for newcomers to join (for example: in the Eucharis' sake, Hanako would catch wind of SAINT's intentions with Kotori and send people she trusts to look after her adopted sister).

    I believe many such characters have settled well in the plots they are in now, but Wes' desire stems from feeling that giving these PCs the opportunity to transfer will allow them a healthier roleplaying experience with a new environment, a different GM and with other PCs. I'm here granting that opportunity.

    Another thing I hope to deliver is a different captain/crew dynamic. Usually, when you are a newcomer to the ship, you need to try and fit in and meet the challenges both the captain and circumstances set for you. But on Byakuren, you get the extra purpose of watching for Kotori's possible treachery. You have ulterior motives.

    So, ideally, I'm not catering to newcomers to SARP. I'm taking up player characters whom have previously participated in other SARP plots.


The plotship:

  • The Miharu Clan planned to overhaul the YSS Hoshi, which is underpowered even by comparison with corvettes. When Princess Kotori turns to the Miharu clan to secure command of Hoshi, she is rebuffed by clan mistress Hinoto, as she cannot provide Kotori with a ship and people that are vitally important to supporting her young clan.

    What she does grant, however, is the use of the Byakuren. The Byakuren was the YSS Asamoya's auxiliary vessel - a craft similar to the Hoshi - whom was saved from being mothballed to be subject to the same overhaul process.

    Byakuren is a Command Destroyer. In capabilities, it's not much dissimilar to what Miharu and Asamoya were able to do; I'm really just redesigning my previous plotship to suit my needs better (and have less FAIL in the design). Target crew numbers will ideally sit around the same numbers (5 officers, 15 enlisted) so it'll be a small plotship environment.

Format:

  • I plan this plot to progress in a single-post fashion primarily, and add the occasional circumstancial JPs via use of online shared text editors such as TitanPad.

So, if any of you are interested of having a character of yours participate, chime in. I'll also be making a few invitations as well.
 
I highly recommend Fred's GMing style.

From my experience with him on Miharu, the experience was quite intense in a good way. Enemies played to win, the danger was always evident, and character actions had direct repercussions on the plot in good and bad ways.

As such, I volunteer to join up.
 
What format will the RP be?

Why separate the Asamoya from its auxiliary ship?
 
Mainly SP, with occasional JPs done via TitanPad. Updated the first post with this information.

As for justification...

Firstly, I expect that if the Miharu clan ask nicely, there's no reason not to confide Asamoya to them if they want to tinker around with it (Asamoya is beyond her hull life, and practically mothballed).

Hoshi wanted to remain competitive, so she redesigned herself. That effort is compatible with Byakuren, but not its mothership. The Miharu clan might get around to refitting Asamoya, but not presently.

I also like the idea of using an obscure, largely 'unsung' craft as basis. It appeals more than just creating something new - Soresu gave an identity to Asamoya, but never came around to it with Byakuren. Not to mention that it has a pretty name ("White Lotus").
 
I like it...but I'm not sure if I'd have to make a new character for it, or if I'd have the time to keep up if things keep going as they have of late. Definitely interesting.
 
I don't remember why I named it that, just that the whole thing roughly came out to Morning Mist on the White Lotus (Asamoya encompassing the Byakuren. Get it?).

While I have no PC character that I care to resurrect I wouldn't mind providing NPC support in the form of a Sprite. As my original character for a plot like this is now in Nepleslia.
 
Pretty much like I handled Miharu. Which means both. Though the premise of the plot doesn't really support starter Santo Hei characters - since the people involved have already had the mettle tested by active duty.
 
Sounds very interesting :D . As my character Reika is also a SAINT character she might be a good fit for the Byakuren -- she could be transferred either under orders from SAINT, Hanako... or be given conflicting instructions from both which could force her to pick whose side she's on later on, which could be an interesting means of character development... and as you mentioned, her removal from the Eucharis would free up some more space for the newbie arrivals.

I'm willing to transfer her from the Eucharis for the start of the plot, if you'll to take her, Fred.
 
Glad to hear from you, Khasidel. You're quite welcome to join in!

One thing did crop up in the last week. I've had several people coming asking if they could join into the plot - Sigma and Tom come to mind. Both did not exactly have an existing character appropriate for the plot, but the idea of creating a SAINT operative for the occasion seemed to appeal to them.

For such characters, the maximum starting rank would be Joto Hei. My motive: Reika is one of two SAINT agents presently active in SARP and it's her present rank - I'd prefer not to have anyone overshoot her.

Also, if the number of SAINT agents is plural on the Byakuren, I'm likely to organize things so that it's an actual SAINT team under Reika's immediate leadership. Meaning that Reika can probably look forward to a noncom Heisho-rank promotion.

Not that I want to butter you up, Khasidel. ~_^ But Reika seems ideal for the job, you've fleshed her out pretty well, and the extra power and responsability seems like a deserved payoff for her performance on the Eucharis.

There are several things a SAINT team could do on the Byakuren:
  • The choice to go in as intel officers/operatives; or in as covert double-agents due to Princess Kotori's known animosity toward SAINT.
  • The normal task of supporting the standard operations of the vessel (and perhaps the choice of giving Kotori the benefit of the doubt and only passively observing her until proof of the contrary)
  • Agents can try to become more familiar and worthy of trust (via honest deed or manipulation) to the target, in so doing hopefully obtaining information they would not have had access to otherwise.
  • Trying to determine specifics on the way Kotori's custom neko body works, from a medical standpoint.
  • Establishing surveillance of Kotori's actions (bugging her room, etc...)
  • Insuring that the ship's computer is on the SAINT team's side, rather than the Captain.
  • Having control of ship's communication to freely report back to SAINT.

The premise is not unique to just SAINT agents - SAINT is also looking for imperial loyalists whom will have a vested interest in not tolerating any possible foul play on Kotori's part. If, for example, if Sune transfers from the Eucharis to join the plot, he'll also likely be screened through SAINT and outlined the goal of monitoring Kotori's actions.
 
Please PM me the forum and usergroup details so I can set you up.
 
I understand Wes, though not quite just yet. For one, I haven't actually decided on a plot name - naming it after a ship has limitations so I've been pondering on that matter.

Also, just so anyone following this has an idea of what's going on... here's my present player lineup:

Tom (SAINT character)
Sigma (SAINT character)
Doshii Jun (Kôsuka)
Khasidel (Tachihara Reika)
Konoka Miyazawa (Konoka Miyazawa)
Nashoba (Jalen Sune)

That's what I got so far. Other people have shown interest as well, but how they might get into this has been less well defined.

As I plan to launch the plot at the end of this month - give or take circumstantial element such as ship completion and prep-related concerns like other plots ending their missions so to allow smooth character transition - there's still plenty of time to iron things out.

Food for thought - it's likely we'll need the following roles:
Bridge Operations, which is electronic countermeasures, advanced sensors and special equipment
Bridge Tactical, which mostly handles ship weaponry, security and defenses
Bridge Navigation, which is mostly about piloting the ship and FTL use
Bridge Engineering, which is mostly about resource management and damage control

Medic, which is in charge of most of the medical duties going on aboard the ship

Technician, which overall covers repairs and maintenance over the ship. The fewer techs, the more polyvalence they will need rather than specializations like armorer, computer IT and such (though the latter really wouldn't be bad if we got more of those).

Caretaker, which handles meals and non-technical maintenance of the ships (taking care of hydroponics, laundry, cleaning up after the crew)

Infantry, which is ship security and away team fisticuffs... though I kind of expect every member to be able to serve in that capacity (combat engineer, field medic, etc...).

I'll probably fill in missing essentials with NPCs, considering the ship likely crews around 20 people. Preferably, I'd like to make certain anyone Heisho rank or higher has subordinates (NPCs if there's a lack of PCs to suit that vaccuum).
 
This totally has my support! Not sure why I didn't post before. I'm also offering up Oshiro Arkase for the character line-up. He served Taisho Shimizu Akina in her Staff Protection Detail; he followed up with Senior NCO status aboard the YSS Aeon, and I think he'd fit SAINT's criteria for a "loyalist".
 
Awesome SSharp. I'd be glad to have Arkase aboard.

Now we are mid-August and the end of the month will likely crop up sooner than we think! Sigma and Tom will need to get their new characters in order shortly - I've seen some progress from Sigma on this, but nothing from Tom.

There are some story bits I need to resolve for the plot's prologue piece with Doshii Jun. We're trying to schedule time to do so.

Also, there's the ship proper, which will be finalized within the next 2 weeks.
 
With the prospect the the present Eucharis mission over, I likely going to start the plot as soon as the characters there transfer. This means:

  • I might not be entirely done with the ship itself, but I don't plan to launch immediately anyways. This will mean that I'll be running things a bit by the skin of the pants.

  • The preliminary prologue roleplay I needed to complete with Doshii Jun is not yet completed, even though I know what the likely outcomes will be. That will be filled in when time allows.

  • Newly done characters will have to be completed ASAP.

I hope that everyone will understand that I'll be taking this approach to leave as fewest number of members idle as possible. Some people are switching plots, and I don't want to leave them hanging.

Also, reassurances: this is a work in progress, not a rush job. I started Miharu with similar constraints and things turned out okay.
 
If you've still got a spot open, I have a character idea floating around in my head right now, and I can have it fleshed out not too long from when I start. Not SAINT, but a loyalist.
 
Alright Aendri. Let me know.

Oh, I'd mention that thus far it doesn't look like I have much in the way of technicians.
 
If you're still interested in that NPC I mentioned to you a week or two ago I'll get a mini-bio in order for her.
 
Would an infantry soldier still be okay? The idea I have floating around wouldn't work for a technician very well.
 
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