The Strigiforme War

The year is 2860. Around that, at least. For the past 200 years, humanity has been forced to devote most of their industrial output to tribute for the Strigiforme. No longer.

Why 200 years? The Strigiforme were the first race encountered by the humans, and the encounter wasn't particularly cheerful. As it goes, an American colony ship attempted to enslave one of their backwater, low-tech outposts. They weren't important, sure, but the empire would have none of it. They quickly annihilated the human forces and, through multiple high-risk meetings, agreed to spare Earth; so long as large tributes were made annually. These tributes were insanely high; so much so, that pretty much all industrial output was geared towards fulfilling this tribute.

Why the massive tribute? Well, these aren't your run-of-the-mill giant fire-breathing owls. Their ideals are vastly different from any you may be accustomed to. They would be called traitors, heretics, even by the revolutionist Strigiforme back in good ol' universe one. They are equally inclined against Equestrians, yes, but they pretty much hate everyone who gets in their way. Humanity was unlucky enough to do that, and the Strigiforme exploited them to get ahead.

Well, this output was fulfilled all this time, even though every economy suffered and poverty skyrocketed. Nearly 99% of the 13 Billion people on Earth lived below the poverty line; those lucky enough to be above it were usually government officials or business owners, and even then, they weren't exactly luxurious. Everything was in a perpetual shortage, and just about everyone lived in low quality conditions. It simply couldn't be afforded. One thing that wasn't in shortage was computer systems- Cheap, useless to the Strigiforme, and very versatile. Every household, apartment, and worker tent had one.

Now, the Equestrians aren't the same either. Over thousands of years, their culture- and their ideals- has degraded. Whether by foreign influence, revolutionists, political upheavals, or even bad luck, the once cheerful society has turned into a state that parallels many aspects of 1984's dystopia society. Once important icons and structures have long since been abandoned and re-purposed; The Orbital Friendship Cannon, for example, was converted 800 years ago into the Orbital Prison Complex 457. Some of their culture survived, but they have been twisted into politically correct forms. They are powerful psionics with inherent natural ability, but the use of this ability is heavily restricted, unless, of course, you are drafted into the government's psionic security program.

The Skytherian Empire, on the other hand, is an excellent society. Frestorians? Nonexistent. The empire has flourished for countless millennium. They live in relative harmony with the sentient robotic race they created ages ago. Their homeworld, known only as Ark-0, holds the vast AI architecture and infrastructure necessary to keep their activities intact. It is a strange world, appearing to be a metallic planet, but being closer to a massive battle station. Nobody knows where it came from, not even the Skytherians, and nobody has penetrated the central core that supposedly runs the station. But it runs it well, and nobody can really ask for more, so the question is left alone. Skytherians are inherently psionic, though the harnessing of this power is best accomplished with the use of assisting AI's.

The Valyrians are the same. Not even massive trans-dimensional differences can alter the core structure of their society. Plasma based, they are absolutely corrupted and insane beyond all reason, though they still manage to form a formidable presence in the intergalactic community. They have been locked in an eternal war with the Librarians for nearly 5000 years; it's not that they're winning, it's just that nobody wants to stop fighting.

The Librarians are the polar opposite of the Valyrians. They run completely on logic and reason. So much so, that knowledge is their currency. Wealth is determined by data, and it's usefulness. They are almost completely emotionless, and take setbacks as opportunities. Their advances in science and knowledge far surpass many of the other empires in existence, though applying them is an entirely different matter. They aren't well liked in the galactic community, and have often been described as unfeeling, but they are not people you would pick a fight with. They have been bogged down in a 5000 year war with the Valyrians, which has consumed their society completely. The war will go on, because nobody wants it to end. It's a profitable business in knowledge, and as long as these scientific institutes run the show, even the government, it won't stop.

There are other races, of course. I just haven't described them.

Now, what happens at 2860? Well, the collective Earth governments are bogged down in a war with the Equestrians. But their limited industrial output prevents them from putting up much of a fight. Colonies are lost or 'purified' constantly, and it needs to stop. In a decision only opposed by Sweden, the Strigiforme tribute that has been collected is reclaimed and geared towards the effort. All factories are switched to military production. The war can finally be fought.

3 months later, the war was still raging, but Humanity was much better prepared. Unfortunately, it was time for the tribute to be sent. When the deadline passed, the Strigiforme siezed an undefended colony and demanded the tribute. The fleet was beaten back by a fleet belonging to the Americans. Outraged, the Strigiforme launched a massive offensive. And here we are now.

Humanity is fighting a losing war on two fronts. It is slow, but sure. Who are you going to be in the course of this war? Human, Owl, or maybe another party. It's your decision. Decide the fate of humanity, and consequently, everyone else, by your actions.


RULES:

You all should damn well know what my rules are, and what they always will be. I won't be posting them this time, but rather, I will watch for examples and warn, correct, or invalidate as necessary. It's easy- no OP, no Godmodding, be fair, be reasonable, etc etc etc.


Application- The good stuff.
[list]
Name:

Race:

Gender:

Personality:

Profession:

Affiliation:

Current status:

Short Backstory:


NOTE about characters- No, you cannot take up the governing position of an empire this time. You aren't a super-powerful official. Sure, you can be a senator or some other powerful position, but as it stands, you aren't in control of an empire, or even a large part of it. Sorry, but this time, it isn't going to work.

Well?

*Fidgets nervously* Damnit! Fine.

Name: Khinet'Aras AKA "Hex"

Race: Feles

Gender: F

Personality: Quick to anger, but keeps herself in check to make sure she doesn't completely blow her lid. Less secluded and secretive than others of her species. Intelligent, very good memory.

Profession: Ex bounty hunter

Affiliation: Batiss Combine

Current status: Deep space outside Solar system, aboard Flintlock.

"Short" Backstory: Aras was born into a moderately wealthy family on an inner planet, far away from the turmoil of the civil disputes and periphery skirmishes of the outer colonies. When she was very young, her family perished in a shuttle accident. Having no other living relatives (a rarity in Feles society) she was adopted by a human family. Her new parents made sure that she was aware of her biological heritage (her adopted mother was a xenologist), but raised her as they did their own child. It was her choice to begin training in the martial arts and combat. She had no desire to join the military when she was of age, but her mother had told her that she was descended from warriors, and combat training just seemed right. She was sure that she could make some use of it. As she balanced her training, education, and the other aspects of her life,  the son of her adopted parents, her brother, joined the Batiss Navy Technical Division, where he would receive an extensive education on the workings of starcraft.

When Aras came of age, she inherited her dead biological parents' fortune. Bounty hunting, at that time, was a profitable business. She invested her inheritance into a small hyper-capable ship, weapons, and equipment. Around that time, her brother's service time was up. He needed a new job, and his sister's ship needed an engineer. For several years, they traveled around the Batiss Combine's territory, fulfilling contracts and earning a fair amount of UCs. When news came of increasing pressures on Earth, word of revolution against the Strigiforme, Aras immediately wanted to become involved. Her brother was unable to go. The Batiss Central Government had called him back into service, foreseeing that the revolution may spread into a larger conflict. She left without him, though not before having him teach her the basics of starship engineering.

Name: Kyytrii Tiiv(commonly called Tiiv)

Race: Strigiforme

Gender: Male

Personality: Calm and introspective, not particularly social.

Profession: Strigiforme Admiral

Current status: Standing captain of the Strigiforme flagship Aiigiion, captain of Strike Group Kyyt in the Sol Push.

Short Backstory: Tiiv was born to a wealthy merchant family on Cuuyth. He, like many others, joined the military during one of the many brushfire wars with the Equestrians. He was quickly promoted to captain through family connections(his uncle being a Councilor in the Strigiforme Council, and a brother being a low ranked admiral), where he proved himself to his superiors. During a successful campaign in an impoverished empire, he was well reviewed by the extremely well-known, high ranked admiral Kytak Vyytris, who said, "Tiiv is one of my most skilled battlegroup leaders. His own battleship has sustained next to no damage, and his battlegroup has sustained no casualties." Tiiv quickly rose in the military hierarchy, but after 60 years, his career hit a rut at Admiral 2nd class, where his promotion was stopped by a competing owl taking the position. He now seeks to prove himself to the military leaders in the hopes of a promotion.

Name: Vigilant Remembrance (OOC: Yes, that is a proper name for an equestrian)

Race: Equestrian

Gender: male

Personality: Nerdy, freaky and sometimes plain creepy, but good-hearted. He dislikes the government, but would always stay loyal to his country and therefore the government, as long as it rules Equestria.

Profession: Officer of the Psionic Security Program

Current status: Overseeing of the retrofitting of OPC-457.

Short Backstory: Born into a long family line of military members reaching way back to the old tribes, it was clear he would eventually join the Psionic Security program. When he finally signed up, he was found to have above-average potential and was sent to 'Celestia's School for gifted Unicorns' (altough Celestia hasn´t been seen or heard from in the past centuries) to become a member of the elite. After finishing his training, he soon got his first mission when he was sent to fight back the revolting (and starving) Changeling population.
After that war, he had risen in ranks and soon got promoted to the Warden of Orbital Prison Complex 457.
When the war with the Humans started, it was his job to search the old data banks of the station for the technology used in its original purpose. Considering he also had to run the internal prison, the process took quite a long time, so that actually retrofitting the station (using the prisoners as workforce) back into a psionic superweapon has only started recently.

Name: Colbor

Race: Skytherian

Personality: strong willed, somewhat brash, combat nerd, earned the nickname "Lamentor" after the battle to reclaim SNF- 117 "Godeye" from maverick machines

Current status: Special forces unit 5

Short backstory: Colbor was part of a series of soldiers cloned from recovered DNA of the legendary Skytherian Zero, who sacrificed himself at the end of the great civil war to prevent the disgraced Commander Grey from committing Xenocide on a mass scale. While Colbor shares Zero's DNA, he does not share the same powers, and his psychic capabilities can only reach level 6 before he takes damage, though the engineers of his clone line have found it to be theoretically possible for Colbor and the other clones to power up to level 11, the same way Zero could, the clone would be incinerated by the sheer energy first. Colbor is a member of Special forces unit 5, and utilises a PSI-H MK III MOXUX rig (PSI enabled heavy duty MKIII). His unit is currently on a mission on the Equestrian home world, as part of operation sitrep, an operation which aims to fully evaluate the current war, and will decide how the Skytherian empire responds.

Name: D'riqnar

Race: Valyrian

Gender: Male

Personality: Although reasonable by the standards of Valyrians, D'riqnar is volatile and bitter after D'laria usurped his rulership; and is highly violent and vicious when slighted.

Profession: High ranking captain in the Ayleid fleet.

Current status: Captain of the Valyrian battlecruiser "Silence" (A slightly faster version of blood of the flayed from into the void)

Spoiler:

Short Backstory:
D'riqnar was once the ruler of the Valyrian dominion shortly after the Valyrians fled from their dying galaxy. He remained ruler for several years, until the arrival of D'laria; the only known being of pure Ayleid blood in the explored universe. After she slew several of the dominions top soldiers and scientists in D'riqnars throne room, he yielded in the face of certain death; and accepted captaincy of one of D'laria's top warships. Though he was once steadfast and sane by the standards of Valyrians; he has become cruel and vile; his malice rivalling that of D'laria's when provoked. Previously the captain of Blood of the flayed; D'laria granted him access to a reconstructed Ayleid battlecruiser named "Silence" Which recently began active service.

Quadraxis wrote:

NOTE about characters- No, you cannot take up the governing position of an empire this time. You aren't a super-powerful official. Sure, you can be a senator or some other powerful position, but as it stands, you aren't in control of an empire, or even a large part of it. Sorry, but this time, it isn't going to work.

Well?

It's like you don't want me in the RP...  

Name: Juel (Juan apperently) Arbani

Race: Catian

Gender: Male

Personality: Friendly, cheery, serious when time calls for it.

Profession: Top ranking fighter pilot.

Affiliation: Cavnin: Dark Skies division.

Current status: On board Scorpion (Super Carrier) Two.

Short Backstory: Born into a military family, he was always pressured to enter the Navy or the Dark Sky Force (air force). His love of flying began when he was just 7 years old. His father put him in an old Hawk model and taught him how to fly it. He went into military academy instead of college and slowly worked his way up to where he is now. He is the leader of the Dark Sky's top division, he flies a lightning class super fighter, very expensive and very difficult to master.

Prototype wrote:

Name: Colbor

Race: Skytherian

Personality: strong willed, somewhat brash, combat nerd, earned the nickname "Lamentor" after the battle to reclaim SNF- 117 "Godeye" from maverick machines

Current status: Special forces unit 5

Short backstory: Colbor was part of a series of soldiers cloned from recovered DNA of the legendary Skytherian Zero, who sacrificed himself at the end of the great civil war to prevent the disgraced Commander Grey from committing Xenocide on a mass scale. While Colbor shares Zero's DNA, he does not share the same powers, and his psychic capabilities can only reach level 6 before he takes damage, though the engineers of his clone line have found it to be theoretically possible for Colbor and the other clones to power up to level 11, the same way Zero could, the clone would be incinerated by the sheer energy first. Colbor is a member of Special forces unit 5, and utilises a PSI-H MK III MOXUX rig (PSI enabled heavy duty MKIII). His unit is currently on a mission on the Equestrian home world, as part of operation sitrep, an operation which aims to fully evaluate the current war, and will decide how the Skytherian empire responds.

I believe Fenway wants this to chronologically take place several centuries to millenia even before the Virus, as shown in earth being present.
Therefore, the original population of Skytherians is still alive, Zero has not yet been brought into this universe and Commander Grey isn´t alive yet.
Please redo your backstory.
I´m no mod, but so far, your backstory does not correspond with the universe.

Ivan2006 wrote:

Prototype wrote:

Name: Colbor

Race: Skytherian

Personality: strong willed, somewhat brash, combat nerd, earned the nickname "Lamentor" after the battle to reclaim SNF- 117 "Godeye" from maverick machines

Current status: Special forces unit 5

Short backstory: Colbor was part of a series of soldiers cloned from recovered DNA of the legendary Skytherian Zero, who sacrificed himself at the end of the great civil war to prevent the disgraced Commander Grey from committing Xenocide on a mass scale. While Colbor shares Zero's DNA, he does not share the same powers, and his psychic capabilities can only reach level 6 before he takes damage, though the engineers of his clone line have found it to be theoretically possible for Colbor and the other clones to power up to level 11, the same way Zero could, the clone would be incinerated by the sheer energy first. Colbor is a member of Special forces unit 5, and utilises a PSI-H MK III MOXUX rig (PSI enabled heavy duty MKIII). His unit is currently on a mission on the Equestrian home world, as part of operation sitrep, an operation which aims to fully evaluate the current war, and will decide how the Skytherian empire responds.

I believe Fenway wants this to chronologically take place several centuries to millenia even before the Virus, as shown in earth being present.
Therefore, the original population of Skytherians is still alive, Zero has not yet been brought into this universe and Commander Grey isn´t alive yet.
Please redo your backstory.
I´m no mod, but so far, your backstory does not correspond with the universe.

Zero was from the original population, I chose the name Zero as when he died the Skytherian population dropped to 0 (and not just a reference to mega man like most of my other names). As Zero is the most powerful single Skytherian, there would have been attempts to clone him, which, in every universe, would result in Grey, as the original population actually survived long enough for Zero's power to be realised, he was cloned much sooner.

This isn't the Virus universe, otherwise the original population would have been wiped out.

Plus I like to keep several fixed points between universes, Zero and Grey are the only two here.

I agree different universes, makes things easier.

okay, parallel universes.
Helps maintaining our backstories.

It's a parrallel universe anyway.

Pic absolutely related

Spoiler:

This is an alternate universe, AKA the universe of the Federation. This is a new arc of stories, with completely different settings, stories, etc. Humanity is still one entity, albeit under different banners of countries.

Key differences;

There are NO Ark stations or networks. The only exception is they Skytherian's ARK-0, which is an oddball in of itself. It exists in all universes, hence the name 0. Because it was designed to insert itself into every possible universe. It's not even a normal ARK, as it's more of a sentient planet than a battle station. But that's another matter.

Earth was never lost from anything. Meaning the colonies are still ruled by Earth. Meaning those splinter factions (AKA NeoRome, EE, TELLrim, etc.) never existed.

And other things, but you get the point.

Tiel, i'm going to assume that's a compliment; I'm tired of the whole controlling-empire-in-every-rp thing too.

Now to applications;

Khinet'Aras accepted. Mercury, post a short description of the Batiss Combine, and i'll add it to the faction descriptions. Of course, with some alteration to fit this universe, but ok.

Kyyvrii accepted, but remember, you will be taking direct orders from Strigiforme Command, of course, or whatever they call it. Something along the lines of Yyygrisla or Tyrillyyi or something.

Vigilant accepted, but remember, OPC-457 remains a prison, regardless of any additional functions. And the new superweapon, due to what is deemed politically correct, must run off another sort of energy with a different function. Government orders- another Orbital Friendship Cannon would make the government look weak.

Colbor accepted. Subject Zero is another constant that existed on all ARK-0's, regardless of whether the Skytherians were wiped out or not, so that's taken care of. Commander Grey is also on all ARK-0's, for same things.

D'riqnar accepted. I presume you will be fighting Librarians, of course.

Juan also accepted.

ALSO NOTE- I am adding an Affliation section to the application, indicating who's nation you fight for or are a part of. For some it's self explanatory, but it may be necessary. Update original post as necessary.


IN ADDITION- in this, I won't be participating with the players per se, I am actually in the government positions. Of all empires, so i'm going to be the one forming battle plans, finalizing things, etc. Now, for this to work, I will want input from the creators of the factions, AKA Prototype for the Skytherians, Ivan for Equestrians, ACH for Strigiforme, etc. If you would PM me plans you think are appropriate at certain times, I will see if it makes sense to integrate them into the storyline (Note this isn't planned out, so everything's open.) It will help.






FINAL WARNING

Llubjana, the next time I see that picture is the last time I see you in the RP section.

Name: Kaskrin Legios

Race: Hajji

Gender: M

Personality: Very devoted to the Empire, prefers to keep social activity to a minimum but realizes the people he jokes with are the ones covering his back in the next battle. Quiet, brooding...yet a military man at the core.

Profession: Stellar Marine E-4 Specialist

Current status: Attached to Adamance class cruiser Supremacy of the Cerean 49th Expeditionary Force.

Short Backstory: Born on the Cerean industrial world of Axio Prime to a small business owner and her husband, Kaskrin grew up like most children do, playing with others and attending school as is proper. However, by his young adult years he began to lose all hope of finding a 'true' profession, and instead elected to join the Cerean military with a fire in his heart, ready to serve the Empire against any enemies it saw fit to deploy him against in a conflict by and large known as the Guardian Wars. He was promptly assigned to the 49th EF, a battlegroup exploring unknown space in search of military assets. So excited was he by this honorable position that he thought little of a short lived rebellion brutally taken down on Cerea, nor of following orders to fire on and destroy every last vessel of a civilian expedition attempting to abandon the task force. For his superb accuracy in this fight he was promoted to Specialist, operator of one of his unit's Lucifer assault cannons as it departed known space once more on the battlecruisers of the 49th in search of new galaxies to explore...

(Note, the Cerean Empire is by contemporary standards wildly overpowered simply due to its scale compared to other RP factions (you'll notice it basically exists because of the events that created the Taln not transpiring). The Expeditionary Force itself might be pushing it, the Adamance class vessels are 2km in length and Cerea's main combat cruiser - there are, however, only nine of them to compose the nucleus of the force, with no chance of reinforcement. The majority of vessels are the much more conservatively sized 608m Crucible Destroyers)

Tiel accepted, on the condition that you describe what the Cerean empire is like. I'd say, from this, that it's a reclusive empire that, since it developed in complete isolation from the other empires, it had the resources to compose it's entire fleet of mammoth dreadnought-sized vessels, though they are rather expensive. Still, they have their weak points.

Quadraxis wrote:

Tiel accepted, on the condition that you describe what the Cerean empire is like. I'd say, from this, that it's a reclusive empire that, since it developed in complete isolation from the other empires, it had the resources to compose it's entire fleet of mammoth dreadnought-sized vessels, though they are rather expensive. Still, they have their weak points.

Hehe, well, you see, remember that longass origins story I wrote for the Taln? How they were a civilian attache that splintered off from a certain Empire with a name that starts with a C when it experienced a rebellion and subsequent civil war? Mr. Legios and his buddies here just blew up those ships, ergo - no Taln. No rebellion, either - Cerea is united and still fighting the Guardian Wars against the Falin and Eurayus in that galaxy. And all their resources are tied up in that.

My element here in the RP is a proportionally minute task force deployed on a mission of exploration to the Unknown Regions (as they are known to Cerea). Even if they could call for backup thousands of light years from home, they wouldn't get it. They're on their own.

If that doesn't negate the requirement as to your inquiry about what Cerea is like, well, I haven't exactly been overly creative when it comes to the Sovereignty and Protectorate. Just think either but a hell of a lot bigger, stronger, imperialistic...it would feel at home in 40k, if that puts things in perspective. Also neopolitan, have Hajji (basically Cockatoos), Conhas (look a lot like owls) and Sparaks (sortuva Robin or Sparrow-like physique) in addition to the Tiens (look rike cockatiels).

Name: Vroduun "Konorak" Zhaal

Race: Dovan

Gender: Male

Personality: Honorable, dramatic, Kind. Very loyal to the Empire, since he has strong bonds within it and agrees with all its current policies.

Profession: Vice Admiral, Captain of the DES Paarthurnax (Imperial-Class Star Destroyer (refit)

Affiliation: Dovan Empire

Current status: Commanding a ambassadorial/exploration flotilla of the Dovan Empire in the known universe under Grand Admiral Miraak's Command

Short Backstory: Born on Bastion, Vroduun is the son of a powerful Grand Admiral, who is said to be the drinking partner of Emperor Revan himself. During his youth, he spent most of his time learning tactics and training his skill in telekinesis and telepathy. at the human age equivalent of 20, he became captain of a Raptor class frigate, and from then on won many medals of honor and was eventually promoted to Vice Admiral shortly after. He later volunteered to lead the Ambassadorial/Exploration into the newely discovered universe, and was accepted and put under Grand Admiral Miraak's command, his Uncle by blood.

EDIT: put emphasis on the fact he isnt governing a faction, for tiel

? he isnt governing hes an ambassador/ explorer, similar to a Conquistador, except he drives a space ship and has 3 small frigates with his big ship

Emperor_Revan wrote:

? he isnt governing hes an ambassador/ explorer, similar to a Conquistador, except he drives a space ship and has 3 small frigates with his big ship

If that's what constitutes a flotilla for Dovans they must be pretty substandard.  

Comrade Tiel wrote:

Emperor_Revan wrote:

? he isnt governing hes an ambassador/ explorer, similar to a Conquistador, except he drives a space ship and has 3 small frigates with his big ship

If that's what constitutes a flotilla for Dovans they must be pretty substandard.  

ambassadorial/exploration doesn't get very much funding, everything goes towards other, more important things, like the flotillas that land on the enemy's houses, or the ones that glass enemy planets

Name: Kyysiir [REDACTED]

Race: Strigiforme

Gender: M

Personality: Overanalytic, ruthless, detached

Profession: Strikecraft Operations Overseer

Affiliation: Strigiforme

Current status: Aboard Strigiforme light carrier en route to an Earth colony, briefing pilots for launch.

Short Backstory: After a year training to become one of many fighter pilots, demonstrating excellence in squad command he was reassigned to an officer academy where he trained as a strikecraft coordinator. Two years, nine months later he was given a the task to plan the attack on a human colony near the Equestrian border. They would use replicated Equestrian weaponry to attack and slaughter the population then launch the colony's distress beacon reporting an attack by an Equestrian force - should it go to plan that is.

I'd fix your name if I were you. Cuuyth Standard doesn't have a vy sound.


@Revan- Captain->Admiral? I was never in the navy, but I'm fairly sure that's NOT how it works. It takes ages and ages to get promotions, even if you have good connections.