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A MIDIAN CITY NOTECARD
"Mechs in Midian City"
August 2009
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MECHS IN MIDIAN CITY
In times of war great advances in technology are made, such was
the case during the last conflict. A soldier no longer used
technology but became one with it in the form of implants and
even the substitution of body parts in favor of computerized
mechanical limbs. And there are those in the city that have put
this tech to good use to protect and arm themselves. These In
times of war great advances in technology are made, such was the
case during the last conflict. A soldier no longer used
technology but became one with it in the form of implants and
even the substitution of body parts in favor of computerized
mechanical limbs. And there are those in the city that have put
this tech to good use to protect and arm themselves. These
biomechanoids as they are called or BIO’s for short, use all the
latest scientific advances in humanoid enhancements to turn
their bodies into bio mechanical half human machines. They are
also dealers in the illegal trade of this ex military human
hardware. It is also rumored that this group is home to many of
the escaped humanoid replicants produced by the military during
the war. These truly lost soulless creatures now with out the
purpose for which they were created wander the streets looking
for a meaning to their existence
Playing a mech is all about keeping in tune with the theme and
mood of Midian City. Though there are five varieties of mechs
available. If you wish to play a mech, it is important first and
foremost to keep in mind that the theme be respected. Midian
City is neither an anime, nor a manga sim. Playing a character
themed out of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Mech Warrior, Bubblegum
Crisis, or the like simply does not match the dark, gritty,
urban western theme of the game.
Instead, mechs are better compared to fiction such as Blade
Runner, Robocop, or the Terminator. No fancy light-sabers,
jet-packs, or laser cannons are allowed here … we’re talking
hard machinery, flesh-replacing cybernetic implants, and urban
appeal. Beyond that theme, remember the game is set in a close
urban setting – NOT a battle-field. Avoid massive military borgs
overloaded with super death guns. And lastly always remember
that you are NOT indestructible.
Now, to the nuts and bolts:
MIDIAN CITY MECHS
There are five categories of mechs: Biomechs, Replicants, Cyborg,
Android and Robot. The classifications are as follows:
1. BIOMECHS – “Part Human, part machine.” Biomechs are humans
who have been augmented by cybernetic technology. To be
considered a biomech, one must have 40% of their person
cybernetically enhanced. Full fledged Biomechs, humans or
hybrids who have altered 40% or more of their body with
cybernetic enhancements, are considered a high level threat to
society by the UAC. And while they are not necessarily hunted
down and destroyed like their replicant counterparts, if
discovered on the mainland they are indefinitely detained. The
40% is a rough estimate but basically if you possess more then
one mechanical limb the more likely you are to being labeled a
biomech.
Cybernetic Enhancements (linked embedded notecard – see below)
can play a great role in making a person a superior fighting
force, particularly in regard to heavy armor and damage
resistance, as well as contain a wide variety of gadgets and
technology components to allow some versatility. This doesn’t
come without a cost, as the maintenance and repair of a biomech
is neither easy nor cheap, and cybernetic limbs and Please make
sure to leverage the benefits granted by your implants with an
almost equal number of these drawbacks.
If one is augmented to the point where they are nearly 100%
machine that they have slipped from a normal biomech to a CYBORG
(brain in a case) essentially which requires admin approval. The
more machine you are the more reason you are giving one of the
BIOMECH leaders to need to approve you.
Think Darth Vader without powers of the force.
2. REPLICANT - "A genetically engineered creature composed
entirely of organic substance."
Replicants are constructed of organic skin and flesh and are
virtually identical to an adult human. By all appearances a
replicant would seem completely human. Even the most advanced
medical doctor would not be able to tell the difference, upon
examination. Relicants are capable of self perpetuating and
fully independent thought. Select models have simulated but
limited emotion and empathy capabilities. "More Human than
human"
Replicants were developed near the end of the war and are still
considered as advanced technology. However, with their potential
to "learn" emotion and the likelihood of developing their own
"will", they were deemed a high level threat to society and made
illegal by the World Union once the war was over. They are
hunted by small elite task force units of the UAC. They often
find refuge in Midian City, but must always be cautious.
Mainland areas propose an even greater problem for replicants if
discovered.
Replicants come in two models: Nexus-6 and Nexus-7
Nexus-6:
Nexus-6 models are designed for hard labor and militaristic
purposes. A Nexus-6 model replicant is superior to a human of
similar size and weight in intelligence, strength, agility,
temperature range tolerance, resistance to pain and toxins and
have variable intelligence depending on the category of the
model.
They have the ability to self-heal at a rate of 50% faster than
a human. Typically none of the above qualities are more than 50%
that of a human of the same size and weight, however, the level
of enhancement can vary by replicant.
Nexus-6 replicants have a set lifespan of five years. It is
designed short because Nexus-6 replicants are produced for very
specific purposes. It is also established to be a failsafe to
prevent these models from ever “learning” emotion and perhaps
becoming a danger to society. This “failsafe” has been known to
fail in some rare instances, which is partially what led to the
UAC’s decision to ban replicants all together.
A Nexus-6 replicants have no emotional responses or empathy. The
can often be detected by a few simple psychological questions
used to measure ones emotional responses. They are not furnished
with memories and are aware that they are a replicant.
Nexus-7:
Nexus-7 replicants are the next generation model and are in some
regards a more advanced replicant. They are often designed for
to fulfill human companionship roles, servants and in some
darker circles, as objects of sexual gratification.
A Nexus-7 model replicant possesses no superhuman strength or
intelligence. They are furnished with brain implants and
memories to complete the human illusion. They have the ability
to heal at about the same rate as a normal healthy human.
These models are designed with simulated but limited emotional
and empathetic responses. They are designed to learn further
emotional responses, and over time can seem to be quite ‘human’
far more than a Nexus-6 model.
Special note: Replicants will almost never have additional
cybernetic enhancements, as they are designed indistinguishable
from a human.
Think Blade Runner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicant
3. CYBORG – Real organic tissue covering a metallic
endoskeleton. Cyborgs were developed by the UAC for militaristic
roles deemed to dangerous for humans. Still considered an
experimental technology, they are seldom, if ever seen outside
of this role. A cyborg feels no pain, has no emotion and will
stop at nothing to accomplish its programmed mission, which
makes them well suited for achieving the UAC’s goals. They are
designed as a superior fighting force, particularly in regard to
heavy armor and damage resistance, as well as contain
communication /netlink technology, optics/scanners built into
them. They do not have built in weapons.
Cyborgs are not common outside of the military and must be
approved by the Biomech Leaders for general roleplay outside of
the UAC.
Think Terminator without Skynet.
4. ANDROID – Advanced robot designed to look and act human. Just
prior to the war, robotic design began to move towards including
elements of a human-like nature. Unlike their metal robot
counterparts, androids have bodies that typically resemble a
human, depending on the quality of build. The artificial
intelligence of an android can vary from zero emotion to a full
scale sentience that imitates human emotions rather well.
Like robots, some Androids can have any reasonable number of
“current” technology pieces available built into them, from
small scale weaponry (typically nothing beyond what’s needed for
self defense), communication /netlink technology,
optics/scanners, etc.
Think Steven Spielberg’s movie, “Artificial Intelligence”, Data
from Star Trek or C3P0.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android
5. ROBOT – Toasters with intelligence. Full metal machines with
limited artificial intelligence. Utilized for work too boring,
dangerous or unpleasant for humans. Not usually programmed with
emotion, though some may carry an AI chip that can dictate
simulated thought and emotion.
Robots can have any reasonable number of “current” technology
pieces available built into them, from small scale weaponry
(typically nothing beyond what’s needed for self defense),
communication /netlink technology, optics/scanners, etc.
Think R2D2 or WALL-E.
CYBERNETIC ENHANCEMENTS (linked notecard in Biomech section)
Cybernetic enhancements are recognized as viable replacement
and/or enhancements to the human body. While the trade in the
computerized mechanical parts is heavily regulated by the UAC,
it is rumored that there is a vast underground network engaging
in its illegal trade. Full fledged Biomechs, those who have
chosen to alter 50% or more of their body with cybernetic
enhancements are considered a high level threat to society by
the UAC, and while they are not hunted down like their replicant
counterparts, if discovered on the mainland they are detained.
Rules for those with Cybernetic enhancements whether one is
considered a full fledged biomech, or just has a cybernetic arm
… it applies just the same.
Increased weigh = decreased speed/agility
Increased strength = decreased speed/agility
There are no self replicating nanomachines.
Healing is allowed in certain cases, but self healing should not
be quicker then staying in the MCMC intensive care. And,
absolutely no healing during combat.
Super strength equals super heat buildup, a huge problem if you
want to stay mostly organic.
Super speed risks tearing organic components (muscle, bone) as
they are not designed for that kind of stress.
Super "powers" (telescopic vision, hearing that can be used to
visualize through walls) may never be used without OOC consent.
Cybernetic replacement appendages add weight to the user’s body.
This means a cyber enhanced person is slower overall than a
natural being.
Cybernetic implants can bestow great strength and resilience
upon a character but the trade off is that the person is slower
to react and slower to move. This means against a skilled
opponent a cyber enhanced person is likely to land fewer blows,
and even with the most sophisticated targeting system, miss a
great deal more as its "Aim" is also slower
Cybernetic replacement appendages and organs need to be
maintained, though they are harder to damage than their natural
counterparts.
Requests for integrated high tech weapons are given the note
that it can never be used as a weapon. If they are to be used as
welding tools, light displays, or other none combative roles,
then they are ok.
Anyone who is augmented must understand and agree that if an
enhancements turns out to be a problem for the sim, be it fair
or not, they consent OOC to have them removed in a preferably IC
manner. They understand that they are being trusted to keep
their roleplay fair with others.
BIOMECH LEADER REVIEW
All mechs are potentially subject to review and approval by the
Biomech Leaders. They understand that they are being trusted to
keep their roleplay fair with others.
The more machine you are … the more you up the tech level, the
more approval is needed. This is to make sure abilities are not
being abused. In good RP fashion, consent is still the rule of
thumb. The more advanced forms are likely to be limited or the
player must exhibit good roleplay to be allowed access to what
could be an otherwise overpowered character. The more skilled of
a RPer you are and the more fair you are, the more likely it is
you will be allowed to play what you wish to play.
Also as it stands now ICly the Biomech Faction is more so a
group of scavengers just trying to survive. People may be placed
in this group for classifications but do not actually have to RP
ICly with the other members if they don’t wish.
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Midian City is a RP Sim in Second Life. Please visit "Midian
City" for more info.
All rights reserved.
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