Mecha RP Creation

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Tergonaut	Mecha RP Creation	Lead	[-]
Posts: 403 (Mon, Sep 22, 2008 11:03 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I want to create an RP based on mecha - that is, many if not all of the characters will have their own mecha to pilot, and will have to deal with situations both in and out of the mecha as they roleplay. However, to do so, certain questions have to be asked: 1) What are the mecha like in this RP? Big and clunky, fast and sleek, capable of flight or no, customizable or no? Is there a common universal technological basis for all mecha, like a necessary power source or unique material? 2) Does everyone get to choose an invidualized mecha (like the Gundams from G Gundam as a strong example), or do they get "standardized" mecha from a limited selection? 3) How is RP handled with pilots in mecha interacting with each other and enemies? These are some questions I present here as a thought experiment of sorts for now. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
Arikyrenne		#1	[-]
Posts: 419 (Fri, Oct 17, 2008 5:41 PM) Registered Visitor Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Perhaps one question could be what kind of settings the mechs would be in. For example, if settings are semi-cramped (such as in a city with many buildings), then that might create limitations for size or abilities of the mechs in terms of practicality. It's also possible, of course, that maybe such things wouldn't end up really mattering at all (sorta like the way Tachikomas can just jump onto structures that would probably be unable to support them at all^^; ), but was just a thought that came to mind in terms of what the mechs might be like. Transportation necessity/availability might also be a factor in what kind of abilities a mech might have, especially if the mechs would be the primary form of transportation for the characters. Just posting some random thoughts here, so I'll see if I can think of anything else to add later. ~Hope, like Love, never dies. It may seem to disappear at times, but it’s always there, ready to be found again.~
Tergonaut		#2	[-]
Posts: 404 (Mon, Nov 3, 2008 11:23 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thank you for posting, Ari; those are all very good points. And Tachikomas are just awesome, so you get extra points for that. Realistically, the world in general is getting more industrialized and that means cities are getting taller and more cramped. But those are only in major population centers, the big cities of the world, and cramped pre-manufactured housing suburbs. Jungles and other forest or cave areas also represent cramped areas that larger mecha will be entirely useless. In other areas of the world, there are vast expanses of wastelands, deserts, plains and other areas where the terrain is just right for giant mecha combat, though even in these situations a smaller combat profile is preferable. But here is where we come to the divide between realism and what's cool. Realism dictates that mecha aren't really practical and won't work because we don't have the technology to create them yet - and even if we do, the incredible delicacy of getting a machine to balance on two legs constantly in a variety of terrain is just impractical where other vehicles wouldn't have a problem. But what's cool usually glosses over that and allows mecha not only to operate, but to excel in a variety of environments due to their rugged nature and their human shape. Humans are adaptable to different terrain, so by extension mecha are the same. Mecha also can be enhanced with different options like flight or skates that give them better mobility. But I'm starting to ramble a little bit there. I'm thinking of an RP where the character would use mecha, in general, that are about the size of Armored Cores, Heavy Gears or Macross Valkyries. These aren't the hundred-ton monsters that are featured in BattleTech, or even some of the larger Destroids in Macross. They are mobile, articulated so they can have hands (if they don't have gun arms), and generally capable of what humans can do in terms of flexibility and combat. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#3	[-]
Posts: 1 (Tue, Nov 11, 2008 8:03 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I would be interested. Personally, I think it would be unique to to blend both types, perhaps the bigger, heavier units being a modern tank, why the more agile, Valkyrie/EVA like units are the real focus of battle, with much higher technology levels, and generally more skilled pilots. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#4	[-]
Posts: 405 (Wed, Nov 12, 2008 11:23 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	In other words, the current standard mecha are your typical big, blocky walking houses with guns attached, but the new and upcoming mecha - smaller, more agile and mobile, more powerful in some aspects - are a "new breed" that may only be available for the best mecha pilots? I've been thinking of different environmental reasons why a mecha might be used. One idea I had was that Earth is bathed in a constant acid rain - which pretty much destroys anything that isn't covered in protective city domes, or isn't inside a mecha, which were developed to allow travel between different settlements and safety against various mutated organisms or rogues who make their living by raiding travelers. It's semi-borrowed from the idea of Starsiege's Venus, where the arcologies (covered colonies) are the only safe places on Venus. The idea is also similar to the premise behind the Dungeons and Dragons setting DragonMech, in which the moon for whatever reason is getting closer to the planet - so close that the gravity of the planet is pulling chunks of the moon off, blasting the surface as well as dropping lunar dragons on the planet. Of course, in some ways a constant acid rain would limit certain kinds of interaction - although it's not necessarily any different from, say, riding in space colonies and being unable to travel outside of them without some kind of spacecraft, or another environmental reason. And at least on a planet with this acid rain, you could duck into caves protected from the rain if you want to pull off your helmet for a while and breath some "real" air, or repair your mecha or other conveyance. There would clearly be a difference between "space" mecha and "terrestrial" mecha, although mecha that can be used in both environments would naturally have traits suitable to an aerodynamic environment. I'd be aiming, overall, to go with a somewhat more "realistic" style for mecha; we aren't going with Super Giant Robots here where they have super powers or really funky designs, but humanoid frames with a vehicular bent and some logical reason to use them over any other kind of craft. Most likely they will be equipped with fairly "standard" weapons like guns shooting bullets or missile launchers, with the possibility for energy weapons (both your typical beam sabers and your laser cannons/energy blasters, etc.). If energy weapons aren't available, having solid-state melee weapons (like mecha-sized swords, axes, knives, morning stars, etc.) might be a possibility, although might only be used for backup or non-combat purposes (like an axe used to chop wood could be used for combat, but it's really designed for wood). Also, who to pilot these machines and how the pilots interact with the machines then becomes an issue. Are there any "superhumans" who are the only ones able to take full advantage of mecha? Can normal humans pilot mecha, but only with the assistance of special equipment, like cyberjacks that link them cybernetically to the machine? Can anyone pilot a mecha, with the proper training? I know this is throwing out quite a lot of questions and ideas at once, but it's something to put on the table to think about and figure out. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#5	[-]
Posts: 2 (Wed, Nov 12, 2008 2:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, the dome city idea is interesting. That said, I think it would be interesting for the protective domes to not be impenetrable and have room for mech combat inside, with combat outside not being uncommon, raising the stakes for the defenders. I also picture kind of a cult following towards higher ranking/LAM pilots due to their abilities (more on that in a minute). Now to break down mechs, something like this is how I pictured it: Conventional Mechs: Light, no going over 45 tons. Not very adaptable, how they are from the factory is how they often stay. No specialized training is required to operate them. For all intents and purposes, either infantry or canon fodder. They have the TIE fighter complex, but to even in numbers they are at a disadvantaged against the larger Omni mechs, and are little more than toys to heavier units. Due to the technology's age, they are cheap and easy to fix. Some also use Internal Combustion engines. It is also not uncommon to see them used in commercial and industrial/non combat interests. Omni Mechs: Ranging from 60 to 100 tons, these machines are tanks. Despite the higher level of skill and training to handle one, they often serve as walking tanks. The tech level is more advanced and expensive, but a couple of these could give a LAM a fight. They are far more adaptable, with weapons and equipment changes being fairly easy to do on the field with the right equipment. They are falling out of favor however, due to expensive upkeep costs and their high maintenance nature. Variable Fighters/Valkyries/Land-Air-Mechs (LAMS): Despite being lighter than most omni mechs, they pack for more fire power. Advances in technology allow for more power, let lighter weapons, stronger armor, and far more articulated motion/drive systems. Another appealing factor is their versatility; able to change between mech and fighters, they can quickly adapter to most situations. First generation units are known as Valkyries, and are quite common, making up the bulk of most modern forces. Their once expensive and difficult to manufacture components are becoming mainstream, and pilot training programs have cut the amount of time needed to get in the seat in half. LAMS tend to have some hardwired missile racks and lasers, but most of the primary weapons are totally independent of the mech itself. One down side is considerably more skill is needed to operate than conventional mechs. the newer "variable fighter" models pack more punch and more efficient fighter modes that perform well in Zero-G combat, but thus far are piloted only by aces and high ranking individuals due to the control systems being radically different and (thus far) difficult to operate, and requiring a high level of natural aptitude to pilot. It should be noted due to their multi-role ability, single mode planes no longer exist for combat applications. Experimental Units: A highly experimental machine, many details are unknown. Only a handful of prototypes are believed to exist. The training required is extraordinary, and specialized bases must be built around the machines, with highly trained crews using custom machinery to maintain them. They also use a matter-to-energy engine that is highly unstable, even when compared to the fusion engines used in modern machines. It is also thought the experimentals are biomechanical in nature, or perhaps comprised of nanites around a base mech chassis. While vastly more powerful than anything currently in use, they have not been approved for military use by any countries with programs for them, one of the reasons being there are concerns of psychological impact on their pilots. Now then. I believe most of the pilots are normal people, but it would likely not be uncommon for cybernetic implants to allow easier or upgraded connection with one's machine. Normal mechs I would think only need basic training, but more advanced machines need specialized courses. I would push though for most things to have some kind of technical book or rundown that gives a fairly realistic explanation of what the mech does and how it functions. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#6	[-]
Posts: 406 (Wed, Nov 12, 2008 4:59 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Naturally, a dome wouldn't be entirely impregnable; they are, for the most part, designed to keep the acid rain or other environmental problem from affecting those under the cover of it. There would, naturally, be laws against any action that would threaten the domes, as the domes might be what house the larger part of humanity now. However, there are likely to be those who might use the fact that these domes aren't THAT heavily armored to their advantage, and might extort the dome dwellers in exchange for "protection." Or there might be groups that live in the wilderness that resent the dome dwellers, and feel they need to make war against them. But the way I'm presently imagining it, it seems more than likely that it would be more difficult to justify why they have such a huge industrial base. Perhaps in a way, they've encouraged the problem by building the first mechs, which added to the pollution but allowed them to mine resources from places that other heavy machines could not go, allowing them to expand their factories and develop new technologies. Perhaps dome cities aren't necessarily isolated settlements, but are widespread and many might cover several miles of territory. The acid rain (or other environmental issue) would have changed the landscape, making it more difficult to traverse many areas with conventional vehicles - while making the mech more useful for such terrible terrain, especially the mecha that can fly. It would be interesting to see the strange dichotomy between the advanced technologies that allow mechs to be practical, and the fact that they can't figure out how to fix the acid rain problem despite that advanced technology in one field. And, if they have space-capable mecha, it implies that they can reach other planets. How far have they gone? Have they met aliens yet, or ever will? It also sounds like mecha will be very common; perhaps common enough that it's standard training to become familiar with at least civilian models, since they might get introduced into every aspect of life. And perhaps in the cockpit of most common mecha there is a place for the instruction manual. But what, besides the environment, will fuel conflict between humans? Is it war? Is it politics over contact with aliens? Is it simple survival? There has to be some kind of reason why mecha of the combat variety are being mass-produced on such a scale. One idea might be that some mecha were first given weapons to deal with the mutant creatures that arose after the acid rain had been in effect for a while - and as time went on, mecha started being produced not only as tools, but as weapons to destroy mutant nests and protect settlements. And what about playable characters and their mecha? A lot of it, I suppose, depends on their background, but there would have to be a reason for them to have access to whatever level of mecha they pilot. The military provides one kind of background; private security companies might mean another. Cybernetics and their role will have to be explored, how much they can change a human, and whether there are robots capable of independent thought and action or not. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#7	[-]
Posts: 3 (Wed, Nov 12, 2008 7:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, I think the idea of the expanded industry had something to do with the acid rain and perhaps damaged the landscape. However, I think the industry would still be strong, if self contained and using advanced filtration systems. Now, the issue that creates of course is "Why do they have this problem then?" It's possible a group of scientists tried to put some group of chemical in the air to neutralize the acid rain, but it backfired horribly due to an unforseen reaction or sabotage (perhaps by environmental extremists objecting to adding a compound to the Earth's atmosphere, fearing that by solving it chemically, it would only increase the noxious output from industries) over the coming few years to where it forced society to move/build domes. It's also possible industry has largely been moved to the moon over time, venting the gases into space. In terms of space capable mechs, I think they are much like current rocket ships, in that they are bound by the sheer distance and resources required to sustain life over such a trip, and perhaps build a vehicle that could survive it, and for that matter. Now here is an interesting plot point I thought of that could be the source for much military conflict; nations have raced to develop a faster-than-light drive for interstellar travel, but warring erupting over the manufacturing and/or political rights to the first ship it was mounted in, despite I picture the fact the world has been unified into 3 or 4 major factions, with pirates/bandits, and mercenaries filling out the rest. There is also likely to be fighting over resources. I'm unsure if most vehicles would still use ICE engines though. On one hand, it's likely hydrogen is used in passenger cars, but bigger vehicles require gasoline for more power. The engines used in most mechs are likely far too big or expensive to mount in conventional vehicles. I do think mechs would be key for existence outside of the domes, and most people probably do know how to operate them. and because of the fierce fighting, it has become almost de facto for people to fight, one way or another, for their country/faction to gain control of the FTL, ensuring a future for their children and people. I would also imagine private mercs/security is thriving as well. It's also possible a good group of people moved to working in resource gathering or other ventures that now require mechs and went from their. Cybernetics would probably only be open to military people, and while they could increase ones ability to control a mech, the high level of integration with their machine could cause their sanity and/or mental well being to deteriorate over time. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#8	[-]
Posts: 407 (Thu, Nov 13, 2008 11:00 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm thinking by the time that there is mecha technology, that there should be some kind of other energy source that can be relied on - perhaps some unique power source, or maybe something more conventional like more efficient nuclear reactors. And perhaps it is because this new energy source was originally produced in the first place that the acid rain came to be. The power source also might be the only viable power source for the FTL technology, making it valuable in large quantities or in concentrated forms that aren't available to the general public. How far would humans have gotten in this scenario? As far as the edges of the solar system? Perhaps they've already perfected space travel to the point where they can get anywhere in the solar system within months or even weeks, depending on distance. Expansion into space may have been fueled by the deteriorating situation on Earth. But, will there be space monsters to deal with? Alien invaders? Or is this only a human problem? The more advanced the technology, the more unlikely it'll be in hands other than military or other top-grade groups. This includes mecha combat technology and cybernetics of most kinds. It may be possible that there are groups that want to make humanity more cybernetic as a whole, perhaps to a fanatical extreme. I doubt that robots in themselves would be popular or numerous; there may be problems with creating robots that are fully autonomous, able to deal with space or with Earth's wretched surface, so this is why mecha have come into prominence rather than unmanned machines that would take the risk off of humanity. Indeed, it may be a certain matter of pride to rely on one's own skills rather than creating something new. Nonetheless, I certainly imagine that we'd have interest by the military into combat robots capable of replacing human pilots. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#9	[-]
Posts: 4 (Fri, Nov 14, 2008 2:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I was thinking most electrical sources are provided by some variant of Muon-catalyzed fusion (cool fusion), as would the power plants for virtually all mechs. Since the advent of cool fusion, I would think ICE units are only used to cut costs or in smaller applications such as cars where a fusion plant would be impractical. They never require refueling, and are not radioactively hot systems, as well as being able to supply enormous amounts of electrical power. It is however, likely they have begun developing a new engine that breaks matter down into energy, but at the moment is too unstable and experimental to see use in anything but laboratory works or experimental, 4th generation mechs (1st being conventional, 2nd omni, third Valkyries, 3.5 variable fighters). It could well be the only viable source though for the FTL. Another thing I should touch on is I think ICE would be unlikely to power anything with laser/energy weapons or gauss rifles/railguns due to the limited output relative to the size and weight of the generator involved. Also, I was thinking something along the lines of how Battletech mechs are powered for combat machines (my notes in brackets): BattleMechs require a large, constant power supply for movement and combat. The fusion reactor, which produces enormous amounts of electricity from ordinary water, is the most efficient system for providing this power. Because the fusion reaction created by a BattleMech's power plant does not release neutrons, the power plant can operate indefinitely without becoming radioactive.[Allude to this -TF92] The fusion plant produces electricity by a process known as magneto hydrodynamics[Fictional-TF92]. In this process, magnetic fields are used to channel plasma from the fusion reaction into a loop. This plasma is electrically conductive, and so the loop functions as a powerful generating coil, producing both electricity and waste heat. Every BattleMech carries radiators called heat sinks to help dissipate this waste heat. Heat sinks are especially important because excessively high internal temperatures can disrupt the magnetic containment fields around a BattleMech's reactor. If a power plant's magnetic "jar" is disrupted, an uncontrolled fusion reaction may occur, releasing neutrons and exposing the BattleMech's internal systems and its MechWarrior to lethal radiation. [Adds an element to the battle that is key to pilot survival, though I think newer mechs either produce far less heat or it is better managed-TF92] There are three types of 'Mech engines in common use-standard, light and extra-light (XL); the light and extra-light fusion engines each weighs successively less, but increases in over all size and bulk.[IE blowing away the side torso of a machine will have no effect on it with a standard engine, but doing so on one with an XL or light Engine leaves that side of the engine exposed=TF92] All that having been said then, I think it is fair to say they have not advanced passed the moon, hence why the FTL drive is so important. I do think it would be easier to have just two factions though, making it fairly black and white on the surface; one side has the FTL drive, the scientists who designed the theory around it, the engineers that designed it, the workers that built it, and the information to build another. Back to cybernetics quickly, I was thinking that perhaps nanites have replaced standard cybernetics due to being less invasive, hardened against electrical damage (though not EMPs), and provide a higher level of integration to ones mech. Robots would be an interesting twist, though we would need to decide where computer tech is by then, as atm I picture the only robots being factory machines due to limited AI expansion to where an AI is not quite able to think on it's feet in a combat situation and realize the consequences of it's choices "on-the-fly". so while a base computer or AI may be fine due to it's ability to think ahead and predict, a combat AI is not practical yet. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#10	[-]
Posts: 408 (Fri, Nov 14, 2008 8:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hmm...I'm feeling a little leery of the heavy dependence on various established unique takes on technologies that we're borrowing from other sources. To be sure, I doubt we could come up with something entirely new, but I'd like to try to limit the mecha tech to one or two general applications - with enough detail for customization, but not so much that it's kind of ridiculous for people who want to get into the game. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#11	[-]
Posts: 5 (Sat, Nov 15, 2008 5:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, I personally would not be too fond of that either, but rather using it as reference points. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#12	[-]
Posts: 409 (Mon, Nov 17, 2008 11:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I've watched Appleseed and Appleseed Ex Machina recently, and got some ideas from that as well as Ghost in the Shell: Stand-Alone Complex. In those, the mecha are smaller-scale but no less formidable - although cyborgs are also more prevalent, cyborgs who can take on tanks. I'm sort of wondering about those basic concepts and integrating them into things. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
TransFAN92.sonichqcommunity		#13	[-]
Posts: 6 (Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hmm, cyberpunk would be an interesting addition, but it could also cause issues with the RP's identity so to speak... IE, it needs to decide if it is cyberpunk or mecha. Also, I think we should decide on the views and political structure of the two factions, along with what kind of mechs there are. I was thinking having two types (Battletech and Valkyrie type) would be a bit unnecessary, so we should probably trim it down to one or the other. I was also thinking that perhaps we should decide about if we want a large civilian role in it, or the characters are all in the military and center it that way, albeit with them having different origins as to how they came to work there. EDIT: More or less, I think we have a lot of ideas, some good and some not so good, but we need to trim the fat and decide on what we want. Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45 True death: 400 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night This is black sunshine.
Tergonaut		#14	[-]
Posts: 410 (Tue, Nov 18, 2008 10:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Yeah. I think we'd better wait and see if we can get others involved with this before proceeding further into development. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org
Silver the Hedgehog		#15	[-]
Posts: 8 (Tue, Aug 18, 2009 12:53 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Suddenly, a post! First off, setting and reason for conflict: I'd think what may have happened is that short-distance space travel finally became feasible, though expensive, however the creation of the technology produces huge amounts of pollution. As such, the Earth began having problems, and rather than attempting to solve them, anyone who could afford it left for colonies on the moon (and probably later Mars). This left everyone else stranded on Earth, the ecology growing steadily worse, and all the technology that could solve it gone. Those that left created the domes in a handwaving attempt to shrug off any guilt at leaving, and for a time the domes were enough. Mechs were first used to harvest resources in the dangerous environment outside the domes. However, with the failing ecology and the need for resources, things quickly turned sour. The individual domes began to fight over the little resources that were left, adapting mechs for combat use. Cut to the present day, Where two factions exist solely to wipe each other out, simply because as the saying goes, there isn't enough room left on Earth for the two of them.Meanwhile, those who escaped are beggining to set their sights outside the solar system. And somewhere, there are those that wonder, "If there is other life out there, how would they see us?" And now, Mechs: I'm thinking that the mch technology would be all over the map, due to the original applications and the isolation the domes would have from eachother. Probably the majority of mechs would be mass-produced and simpl to use; the infantry of the two factions, essentially. Beyond that, the possibilities could be endless. Size could range from standard (most people), to Exo-armor (Homebrew systm, or a specialized model mant to take out larget mechs with stealth and speed), to Machines that span entire city blocks (Probably the last resort for the two factions, no more than on or two each. I'm talking multi-legged aircraftcarriers/mobilebase brimming with missle launchers and heavy artillary. Think Armored Core: For Answer's opening video). Control methods could probably be standard, motion-controlled, or evn dirct mind-to-mech interface, or even piloted by multiple people. This is feasible, as each dome would have developed thir own mech specifics to bgin with, and the wars would have fueled more tchnology designed for combat. As for the Higher-class Moon and Mars-dwellers, Mechs would be more for show, possibly with Mech combat being a sport. Anyway, those are my two bits, what do you think?
Tergonaut		#16	[-]
Posts: 429 (Mon, Aug 24, 2009 10:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Le gasp! A post! Sorry for the delay in replying, but thanks for posting and contributing to the thread, Silver. I like the ideas you present in the setting and reason for conflict. It makes it relevant to even the lowliest dome dweller that a war seems necessary for humans to survive on Earth; perhaps it may have been long enough that they don't even know that there are humans that left Earth for space, though it might be frightening if things devolved into the current state as quickly as a few years. As for the mechs, the larger mecha you propose, the landcarriers as I'll term them, could have been leftover from an earlier age, which would help to explain their rarity even further; or perhaps they were originally designed as mobile domes for resource gathering, and were retrofitted into giant war machines when things got ugly. Naturally, the resources required to build and sustain these machines makes it impossible for more than a handful for each faction to be present at any given time. One thought may be that air vehicles may not be very feasible in the constant acid rain, which makes ground-based vehicles with a higher reach more important. Also, here's a short story clip that I randomly wrote just in the past hour or so after watching Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid. (Warning, that show's pretty intense if you want to look it up and haven't already seen it). But here's the clip, some food for thought on what the mechs are called and what kinds of situations characters might find themselves in: "Sergeant, do you hear me?" Morton Walker reached one hand up to the communicator headset's earpiece, his other hand firmly clenching the shotgun he just finished reloading. "Who is this?" he muttered as he breathed hard, but as quietly as he could. He crouched just behind the corner of a corridor inside the ruined base, flames giving off fiendish light against the metallic walls. Through a hole in the ceiling nearby, the ever-present acid rain poured down, hissing as it ate away at the floor around the corner. "Don't worry, Sergeant - I'm on your side, but I can't compromise my identity over the radio." The voice was strong, sure, though it was distorted and mechanical. "For now, head to the hangar and don't stop for anything. I'll cover for you as you get into one of the cargo skels there and make your escape. You have no reason to trust me, but you will be surrounded by enemies in less than two minutes if you do not follow my instructions." Walker's eyes scanned the narrow corridor inside the base, and a quick glance at his helmet's eyepiece told him that enemy signals were being detected by the base's remaining internal sensors. He quickly stood up, gripping the shotgun in both hands as he dashed down the corridor, not stopping to glance over his back - the helmet's eyepiece gave him a camera view looking behind him now. "Better than nothing," he grunted as he hustled over broken debris and shrapnel. "Very practical of you, Sergeant. Hurry, the roof is going to cave in from the weight of the rain in three minutes." Walker grunted as he climbed over a collapsed wall. "Thanks for the warning. Do you know what attacked us? Those things weren't anything I've ever seen before. Tore through my squad in less than a minute." "They are a new kind of tactical skel designed and used by Nefrarion. They are similar to the latest skels being built by your own country's, Daschaen. This assault was a test of their capabilities, and unfortunately they have proven to be quite effective." Walker dashed toward the hangar, swinging the shotgun behind him and firing a blast as he saw a shining light peer after him from that direction. "They've found me! Hope you're right there!" He was met with silence over the radio, and Walker realized he may have just walked into a trap as he stepped into the hangar and found himself surrounded by the skels. Unlike regular skels, these were smaller, lighter mechanical humanoid frames that could fit even inside the corridors of one of the sheltered domes. However, they were still larger, stronger, and faster than any human could ever be, and their sleek forms glistened in the light from the fires burning in the base as they aimed their arm weapons at him. They stood in between him and the industrial skels that had survived the attack; there was no way for him to get to them without going through the enemy, and he saw no sign of any help. "Son of a-" "Sergeant, get down!" Walker threw himself to the side as a new skel - a tall red one, streamlined and with a shining yellow eye in its angled head - rose up from behind the ranks of cargo skels and opened fire. For a moment Walker lost sight as he hit the ground and armored shells exploded around him, but after that confusion his eyepiece darkened enough so that he could see it through one eye. The red skel was like nothing he had ever seen. Even the tactical skels seemed slow and clumsy compared to it; it opened fire with a blaze of multiple gun barrels, both integrated into its body as well as hand-held guns designed for use on a skel scale. The few enemies that survived tried to hit the red skel with their missiles, but it jetted to the side on rocket-powered skates, flipped over and blasted each missile out of the air with a barrage of shells from its guns. It then landed, and with a final precise barrage, the remaining enemy skels were out of commission, flaming wrecks to add to the flames of the place. "Sergeant, get to a skel; I'll cover you," said the mysterious voice as the red skel's head turned to face him. "Your safety is now guaranteed." "Thanks," gasped Walker as he dashed to one of the clunky, boxy cargo skels, opening the hatch and dropping himself in. "But, just who are you? Don't you have a name you can tell me?" The red skel flipped one of the guns into a special holster located in its back, and leapt through the holed ceiling. "Call me Bullet Boss." The sergeant powered up the skel and stomped out into the persistent acid rain, the skel's armored hide designed to resist the horrible corrosive precipitation that scarred the landscape and forced people to live underground or inside domes. He saw the base collapse and cave in as it too was consumed by the rain, and he directed his skel towards the nearest safe zone. "I doubt that's the last I've seen of that guy," breathed Walker as he throttled up the skel. Life and Story go on. To the reader, I'll see you later. Website for information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.mormon.org Tergonaut's DA account

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