Race Poididae - Space Pirate Mantis

Discussion in 'NPCs and Creatures' started by Gratuitous Lurking, Feb 14, 2015.

  1. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    A reposting and retrofitting from a earlier thread as I try to regain ideas together for another attempt at this. Scuse the mess, we're trying to make you feel at home!

    ---


    Poididae - The Space Pirate Mantis

    From a small colony far away, the Poididae came, ruled by the iron grip of the Drechion Guild and vended to the other races by them as laborers and slaves. Once a proud, noble species, now broken under the oppressive regime and the constant years of torment.

    But that's where the Pirates come in. Once a ragtag band of rebels, the Pirate Guilds have swelled into a organized syndicate with the eventual goal of destabilizing the Drechion Guild that holds it's claws over the Poididae. At the forefront of this will be your story, a pirate recently captured and managing to escape via the whims of fate. Are you a bad enough dude/dudette to topple an empire?


    Poididae Basics

    Primary Gameplay Theme - One-handed weapons and maneuverability skills. Unique racial parity and hub areas for a extended questline.
    One-Handed Weapon Specialization - All of the Poididae weapons will be designed with one-handed use, allowing a huge combo for on-the-run use. This does, however, mean that the Poididae only naturally have access to Daggers, Swords, Shields, Handguns and Long Guns as the weapons they can create and use.
    Race Variants - With four Poididae variants planned and potentially others ahead, each variant will have unique weapons they can craft, and new capabilities they can use over the other versions, from unique weapons and augmentations, to examine text and ship designs!
    Wing Augments - With your wings removed in the prologue, you are able to be equipped with a wing augmentation slightly different for every species of Poididae. You can eventually get them all with the same character anyway, but the one you start with will depend on the Poididae you began with, offering upgraded versions of standard tech as the 'Tech Chip' that helps the vanity packs work.
    New Dungeons and Encounters - As well as quests related to the Main Quest, various sub encounters can be discovered as you wander across the universe. From floating Space Hulks crashed into moonsides to working colonies guarded by Apex and Humans, scattered with friendly Smugglers willing to trade goods and treacherous Decurion Guild holdings full of unique enemies, what will you discover next?
    A Main Quest - Wronged by the Drechion Guild, you are a Freeblade that had just recently gotten hold of some critical information, only for you and your crew to get caught by Drechion before you could share it. When the prison ship taking you is hit by a meteor, you take a escape pod and begin your steady climb to stop the Decurion Guild once and for all, all while assembling your motley crew together again! With the base plan of 20 dungeon encounters, this is a little extensive in thought in general.
    Be The Antihero! - Enough of this do-gooder mindset of other species, the Poididae racial attitude and examine text is going to be sarcastic and at times mocking to typical game tropes, and in general will take an anti-hero, direct to the point and aggressive approach to how they portray themselves and to other species.


    Character Story

    When you were born, your parents had such high hopes for you. They promised you the world, that you could be anything.

    Well, you’re pretty sure they didn’t think of this when they said ‘anything’.

    You are a ruthless space pirate, as are many of your species who have crossed the stars. You have called to your crew to retreat and save themselves, leaving you staring down the guards quickly rushing down from your latest, failed heist.

    The firefight that ensued was far, far too brief.

    You are hauled to the mercies of the U.S.M.C., who charge you for your crimes against oppression from the bloodthirsty Drechion Guild that acts as your specie’s merciless government. No amount of proof or selling out of the Guild can save you from your fate.

    Your wings and your blades, your two greatest friends and pride of your species, are ripped cruelly from your body, as you are forced to have your newly-wrecked body re-registered in the databanks. No more wings, forever.

    However, one cannot hold up freedom forever. A strange meteor cradling an ancient alien force has intercepted the craft headed for Starbase New Alcatraz, giving you a chance to escape in the ship’s escape pod. You manage to find yourself in a pirate-sympathetic port, gaining brand-new augs that will allow you to regain what you have lost.

    You don’t care about peace or kinship or any of that stuff anymore.

    You are once again armed in the ways of the sword and gun.

    And the galaxy will rule the day that they dared to cross the craftiest space pirate in the universe.

    The Poididae is a evolution of a insectoid, humanoid mantis species, having originated on a mostly-jungle planet. During their past, they were (and still are) a highly aggressive race, with many splinters of warrior cultures constantly clashing along the surface of their homeworld, and eventually across the home system itself as the greater tribes formed into starfaring Guilds. The greatest of the Poididae tribes, however, would eventually form the Drechion Guild, one of the most feared groups of traders, smugglers, and assassins in the stars, and the developing guild would smother out any form of resistance over the lesser tribes, starting the Poididae's current history period - the Shade of Locusts.

    Some fragments of the Poididae warrior culture still lives, however. Many Poididae practice blade kata with their arm blades even if a civilian, allowing for the Poididae to keep relatively fit and limber. The high aggressiveness of the Poididae also still exists, making them excellent fighters and perfect for jobs of bodyguards and defenders.

    Early contact to spacefaring races was rather humorous, at least from the viewpoint of the first contacting species. Most of the oppressed populace treated these 'star men' like gods, and showered them with gifts and praise, while the remaining star guilds remained quiet and isolated, to avoid being found by the Drechion Guild itself. The Drechion Guild, while not stooping to the same reverence as the rest of the population, also saw another way to become rich, powerful, and influential.

    After first discovery, this race has spread throughout the universe, thanks to many sentient species using them as workers at best, slaves at worse, with quite a bit of assistance by the Drechion Guild to assist with the dumping of new 'volunteers' to various planets. This widespread use of the Poididae however revealed a interesting biological change- if exposed during growth to a environment, a Poididae would eventually grow to adapt better to the environment they inhabit. This has led to a huge growth in Poididae variation throughout the solar system.

    As ruthless and conniving as the Drechion Guild is, however, they don't hold a candle to the likes of the Space Pirates, the few free members of the Poididae population. Escapists of colony life, ex-Drechion Guild members who broke from the eldrich hive-mind practices of the Guild, even those offered a better life with the few merciful species in the universe, these individuals desire nothing more than to act as the modern-day Robin Hoods, constantly outrunning the law and floods of wanted posters as they loot, raid, pillage, and assault authority and the Drechion Guild's secret ties with every move and star jump.

    This, is where your story begins.


    Poididae Biology

    Poididae are rather thin and slender of body- extremely thin waist, small chest area, and small waist connected with one's insect-like abdomen. From the shoulders, four wings spread out behind the specimen, each usually at least several feet, upper wings slightly longer than the lower, all four made of thin and tough scaled chitin. from the small waist, large upper legs leading to a thin foreleg, and then ending in a long digigrade leg fragment, each featuring three large talons to hold one's position in rough terrain. At joints in the creature's chitin and the back of the head , hair tends to form, apparently just as a way to ensure warmth in colder air temperatures. From each arm, the chitin grows thick along the forearm, leading up to a long, scythelike blade rose from above the wrist, also made of chitin.

    Poididae are especially compatible to cybernetic augmentation, and it is a common habit for cybernetics to be used to replace and retrofit wounded body parts. This is especially true to Poididae pirates that get caught by the Guild, who suffer having their natural-born wings and blades severed before being sent to one jail or another. Luckily for the Pirate Guilds, the Poididae's forearms are extensively strong to support their natural weapons, allowing inbuilt weapons onto the arms to be a common sporting by the Pirate Guilds.

    The Poididae have a unique biological quirk where, when given a exposure to certain environment types, the body will try and actively develop to match the environment types. Each environment offers slight differences to Poididae coloration and physical form, although the overarching main build is the same.


    Variations
    Jungle
    Having originally developed in a jungle environment, this is considered the most 'natural' form of Poididae. With vibrant greens and yellow hues, long hairgrowth, and slender armblades and wings allow for heightened maneuvering in the air, as the jungle specimens usually are in flight.

    Many Poididae that are born of the jungles are still locked in the mindsets of the Old Ways- the tribal castes and villages that were born during the race's early sentient years and before the birth of the Star Guilds. As a result, they are tight-nit and spiritual people, with a focus on warrior castes and might makes right attitude. Unfortunately, this has led to far-reaching Poididae colonies born in jungles and Decurion Guild exploration fleets coming to 'bring them to civilization', meaning occasionally a Freeblade may be born of their ranks.

    Jungle poididae are a deeply superstitious lot- they are tied deeply to the old ways, and often devolve back to the caste warrior system that they had first developed from in early sentience. With a deep reverence for nearly-forgotten gods, they showed great indignation at every attempt the Drechion Guild does to try and educate them with a side of subjugation. A Freeblade from this era can be expected to be a bit naive of the real world, but willing to learn of the strange land and space they had been flung into. They still have a few weird superstitions about various things, however, such as making a prayer of good aim soas to not offend the wind spirits... even on a airless asteroid.


    This is a set of Examine text examples, made in response to looking at a Dirt Block, a Drecion Guild Flag, and a Apex Obey Poster
    ‘They say the spirits use the ground as a conduit to travel, but all I ever saw was mud pies as a kid.’
    ‘The flag of the so-called Elitists of our race. Jerks.’
    ‘I don’t know why I need to obey this thing, but it does look tasty.’

    Space

    Thinner and taller, the Poididae who grow in space are evolved to be light, airy, and relying a lot on low-gravity situations. Space Poididae blades are short, often curved off to one side like reverse claws, and the wings are broader but shorter, perfect for maneuvering over full-on force. Coloration ranges through a wide spectrum of pale shades, commonly pale purples, violets, and greens.

    Space Poididae first developed with the birth of the Star Guilds- those first tribes that were able to find a way to travel into space and gather strength and new wealth by mining and exploring the nearby sector. However, before they could fully unify the various warring states of the Star Guilds and the many colonies, the Drechion Guild- a rather small guild at this time but well-trained in stealth and subterfuge- managed to create a great coup, putting guilds against each other until it could sweep in when the prey was weakest. Ever since then, the great Guild Frigates have been on the run, escaping from the foe and vowing that one day, the Star Battalion will march and right the great deception.

    Because they were raised as part of the space-faring Guild Fleets, Freeblades from this style of poididae are probably the most intelligent of the currently-known poididae generations. They have a lofty personality, showing great contempt towards organized foes, especially considering the Great Betrayal their kin keep fleeing from. Much of the mannerism and maneuvering they learned was for diplomatic relations as the guilds went into hiding or sought allies to deal with the traitors of the Drechion, but it was eventually for naught, and some became Space Pirates to avenge the guilds more directly. Revenge, is a dish best served cold, and it is very cold, in space...


    This is a set of Examine text examples, made in response to looking at a Dirt Block, a Drecion Guild Flag, and a Apex Obey Poster
    ‘A typical planetary crust, perfect for a farmland.’
    ‘A traitorous, backstabbing excuse for a Guild’s flag.’
    ‘People wonder why I want to keep leaving the galaxy. It’s because it’s full of such nice personalities like this…’

    Desert

    Desert Poididae are stockily built, broader and with large chitin growth, creating major defense from attack. These chitin plates being reinforced has done major problems with flight capabilities, though, with the wings developing short and thin, barely able to boost one up a short distance if capable. Blades on Desert Poididae are thick, almost like claws instead of proper scythe blades, wickedly strong no matter what the force. Colors of Desert Poididae tend to be browns, tans, and greys.

    Desert poididae are primarily born in indebted servitude- they are highly-sought resources by clueless humans and nefarious Apex, or the whims of the Guild itself. However, like the Pirate Queen before them, and the fact they are given heavy-duty tech to survive the heavy drilling and strip-mining they do, there's no doubt these guys will eventually break free at one point or another should one grow ambition or hear of the spacefaring life and yearn for freedoms they do not possess now.

    A Freeblade of this type of poididae is usually very low-brow and to the point, and may react to things with the classic poididae sarcasm a bit more quickly than the rest, and usually in the bluntest sort of way possible. A very 'do, not say' sort of creature.


    This is a set of Examine text examples, made in response to looking at a Dirt Block, a Drecion Guild Flag, and a Apex Obey Poster
    ‘Yep, it’s dirt all right.’
    ‘A Drechion Guild flag. Could use a dozen or more bullet holes.’
    ‘You ain’t the boss of me, bub!’

    Guildborn
    Born and raised in the mysterious Drecion Guild itself, none is quite sure of all the biological, behavioral, and mental changes that go through the Poididae that barely leave Guild space, but many report those of the Guild itself to be born of unusual hues, no direct environmental mutations, and longer antenna than others of the species. Some say that they may perhaps be a fragment of the Poididae that found the hive mind of previous generations of the species, and murmurs of the Guildborn that break free and become exiles of their old cast seem to reaffirm this with every passing day.

    Born into the enemy itself, the Guildborn for the longest time know nothing but the joy of working in the collective, the hive working as one like the race did in ages past. However, something... snapped. Perhaps it was a order that suddenly didn't make sense, or the words of the Patriach fading as they left into space away from the homeworld. The questions of why they were doing the things they've done began to pile, and the only right thing that made sense was to escape, and try to figure out what had happened. Once you leave the Guild, however, you can never go back.

    Highly educated and a bit of a stuck-up, Guildborn take a very clinical attitude to things and very quick to talk down, only to quickly catch it and apologize. One may also note that sometimes the dominating personality and the occasional evil villain rant that may leave those of the Guildborn as well, but for the most part they are still decent folk trying to make up for the wrongs they had done in the past, absolutely merciless against the Guild they once served.


    This is a set of Examine text examples, made in response to looking at a Dirt Block, a Drecion Guild Flag, and a Apex Obey Poster
    ‘Crushed remains of countless dead plants, decayed corpses and petrified poo… And yet I’m fine walking barefoot on it.’
    ‘A flag pertaining to my previous comrades. Thank the Patriach that’s over with.’
    ‘Puny ape creature! You’ll bow before me soon enough!’

    Elemental
    A theoretical continue point for the mod version, the sheer adaptability of Poididae should technically allow Poididae versions allowed for them to rapidly evolve into elemental variants when exposed to extreme elemental forces. Perhaps this could lead to Poididae based off the various Starbound elements, with unique capabilities over all of them.

    Poididae, A History

    In ages past, the Poididae were a hivemind insect species. Eventually, they evolved larger and with unique personalities free of the previous hivemind they had. The Poididae were always historically a ferocious species, with much emphasis in honor, swordplay, and combat as major principles.

    Shortly before being discovered by Human colonists fleeing Earth, the previous Guild structure that acted as much of the Poididae's upper circles were usurped by the conniving and cruel Drechion Guild, who quickly began to shove more and more rules and regulations over the general Poididae populace, to the point they essentially were the only ones allowed luxuries and the rest were simply workers to the rest. In a way, they created themselves as a 'new' hive mind.

    When the Humans first arrived, they were treated with awe and respect by the primary Poididae populace, but the Guild saw only a way to get even more power by offering it's fellows for workers to other species. After obtaining star travel for themselves, transporting 'colonists' to other species became the Drechion Guild's primary export of goods and income.


    Pirate Guilds, A History

    Due to the major suppression of the Poididae, any form of resistance tends to be fleeting and on a individual scale on the worlds owned by the Guild. Occasionally, however, those who grew up on the other race colonies would gain the taste of freedom. Occasionally, this would lead to that small spark igniting a burning idea of trying to take on the oppressive Guild.

    Early reports of Poididae pirates would mostly point to occasional crewmembers of a standing pirate fleet, often being slaves or colony-grown Poididae that the pirate had hired/stolen to supplement his crew with the known aggressive species. Occasionally one would climb in the ranks, but it would be rare for one to ever reach the status of 'Captain' before they either met an end or were mutinied by other pirates.

    The first documented example of a Poididae pirate captain from the ship's beginning would be the case of the well-known figure Glint Bladedancer, a desert-borne Poididae who lost her parents due to a military reaction to a peaceful protest and turned to thievery to survive. With her small gang of friends, her heists would slowly grow more complex and greater, until one day when the entire team stole and flew off with a shipping freighter, rushing into the stars. Since then, Glint's been recorded as having literally caused millions of pixels worth of damages, but absolutely no fatalities have resulted from her actions, curiously enough.

    After the explosive success of Glint's crew started to spread, many other Poididae individuals began to form into ragtag militias and gangs, several of which either stole or purchased ships to attain star access. This huge resurgence of a armed resistance prompted the Guild to begin actively hiring bounty hunters to attempt to slay these Poididae crews, and for several bloody years, very few crews managed to survive for long.

    Eventually, the most successful pirates, both of the Poididae and those that sympathized with their cause, realized that they would need to form some form of proper fleet to survive the constant whittling by the Guild and other authorities. This lead to the forming of the Great Pirate Lords, several high-profile captains who spent some time prepping assets into a major pirate 'base', hidden in a unknown dead sector of the galaxy. Those who truly wish to learn of the ways of the resistance should seek these Sanctioned Ports, and speak to the envoys of the Great Pirate Lords.

    Six primary Pirate Guilds operate the hierarchy of the Sanctioned Ports, each having come from a different facet of life from the stars. The first of these is the Split Carapace, credited for being the Poididae group that started the Pirate Guilds and Sanctioned Ports to start with, alongside the Freesword Alliance, a joint Poididae and Human guild. Bloodfrond is a Floran-only Guild, and possibly the most aggressive of all the pirate guilds. Other race-specific guilds exist as well, including the Mended Wing for Avians and Circuit Boards for Glitch. Finally, there is the weaponcrafting Blackship, a mix-race guild who is armed with many custom designs, some of which have bled into STC designs some of the Freeswords have been using lately.


    Pirate Guild Hierarchy

    Pirate hierarchy is relatively simple, in comparison to most organized forms in the universe.

    At the bottom runs in the foodchain is the 'Jumpstarts'. Jumpstarts is the term for those that wish to stay out of the pirate hierarchy, mostly due to the fact that they are truly bloodthirsty at heart and avoiding the enforcement of the Pirate Codes. This does, however, also cover newer pirate captains unaware of the Sanctioned Ports.

    For those who try to stay out of the 'official' pirate circle, and then proceed to do major crimes against the Sanctioned Ports or the pirate crews protected by the Pirate Lords are refereed to as 'Black Spots.' Black spots are 'kill on sight', and bounties are posted by the Great Pirate Lords for punishing these stains on the good name of freeswords.

    Speaking of, the first 'tier' of the sanctioned pirates is referenced as 'Freeswords'. These are ships that are offered the safety and safe harbors of the Sanctioned Ports, as long as they follow the words of the Pirate Code: Take no life needlessly, steal not from your kin, and focus your strength on those oppressing freedom.

    The final levels mostly depend on the status of the crew or individuals and what they do. 'Suppliers' are smugglers and traders who do business with the Sanctioned Stations, keeping them stocked with goods both hot and cold. 'Guardsman' patrol the space around Sanctioned Stations, firing down official ships that get too close. And finally, we have the High Lords themselves, who oversee various bureaucratic needs for the various sanctioned stations.


    Racial Interactions (Vanilla)

    Apex - As far as civilians are involved, the Apex Miniknog are the worse of the races that use them as taskmaster races, placed in dangerous mining and cultivation conditions and constantly guarded and worked to the thinnest of carapace in order to get more resources to work with the VEP process. Poididae pirates have a severe distrust of Apex, though Resistance members have managed to gain a slight amount of leeway and trust with Smugglers, and have managed to integrate into some of the mix-race Pirate Guilds.

    Avian - Grounded relations with the Poididae is a loose but friendly one- Avians may be jealous of their wings but can be sympathetic of the Poididae's general enslavement by the Drechion Guild, liking it to their own misleading by the words of Kluex. Not surprising, the worshipers of Kluex have nearly the opposite view, the racial growth of wings having caused the Poididae much anger at the blasphemous use of this gift for apparently selfish goals of 'personal freedom'.

    Floran - Poididae have a high base level in their body fluids, making the creatures taste quite 'sssour' to the Floran in general. However, Floran also click quite well with a Poididae on a personality level, most having formed a carnivorous diet and heavy focus on combat being a major interest to most Florans. Floran outcasts are a special delight to the Poididae, as the more even temperament they tend to show to their kin means they have a better chance to learn and evolve in the case, and the pirate raids allow plenty of ways for an outcast to vent one's bloodier character traits.The Bloodfrond Pirate Guild is entirely composed of these type of Floran, with it having a surprisingly bloody history even with it's following of the pirate code.

    Glitch - The Poididae are... uncomfortable around the Glitch. The fact most of them are locked into a hivemind mentality, one that the Poididae themselves have evolved clear of, combined with the dead steel that makes up a Glitch makes for a very discomforting combo for them, and while Glitch Outcasts are much more cared for, a typical Poididae will react coldly to a Glitch in general and will usually find a way to not have to actively react to them- the forming of the Curcuit Board pirate guild was mostly due to the fact no Poididae captain would happily involve a Glitch in their crew beyond a few specific circumstances.

    Human - Human's sense of morality is mostly blamed for how the Poididae have been portrayed to them- piracy is bad, colonies are good, and usually infighting with a race is pretty bad. As a result, when humans assist a new colony with Poididae they tend to take care of them a bit more, learning a little about how the Drechion Guild acts but mostly still not quite getting it. The pirates themselves though are treated with a bit of concern, mostly as they tend to raid any ship that moves from Guild territory, not to mention human criminal organizations have flocked to Sanctioned Ports to side with them and do business. Certain humans have reacted a little better, thus the Freesword Alliance was formed, acting as a joint collaboration between the Poididae and humans.

    Hylotl - Towards the end of the great Floran War, the Hylotl looked to it's few star-based allies and managed to get ahold of some of the Poididae civilians. When they were sent as a 'peace offering', the Floran promptly ignored them and began to chow down on the Hylotl ambassadors. Racial tension on the thought that the Poididae may have done some sort of deal with the Floran has certainly not helped relations, though the outright hostility has mellowed over time. Unfortunately, Poididae in general tends to be rather scorned due to the more violent and carnivorous ways, much like their old Floran enemies.

    Novakid - The Novakid are a hard to predict species, and while a few have integrated with the pirate lifeforms, many of them seem to outright the organized life that makes up the Pirate Guilds, making Novakids few and far between among the rank, and very few of them tend to stay more than a few tours of voyage.


    Racial Interactions (Mod Races)

    Forenote: This is my personal thought on how I expect the Poididae (a relatively to-the-point race with a long warrior history) to react. If you think the race's reaction wouldn't be as strong (or stronger! That's an option too!), feel free to correct me on it!

    Avali - Due to an accidental misfire and raid on a Avali vessel, the Avali have started a minor feud with the Poididae, and while the Pirate Guilds wish to calm down relations, it's hard to argue that they would most willingly want to get ahold of the Avali's extremely powerful drone, areogel and railgun technology

    Kineptic - Kineptic are a neutral-minded race, not one to actively seek out a combat encounter, especially one they did not instigate. The primary bulk of the Kineptic may not actively shun the Poididae, colonist or Pirate, though if events were to lead to violence and turmoil they would make themselves stay clear of such situations. The Poididae themselves are interested in the sheer technology that the Kineptic wield like magic, especially at how the use of gloves mimics the common arm augmentation systems, but are willing to avoid instigating hostilities and simply keep with co-habitation.

    Kobold - Low in the development side in comparison to most races, the Poididae find the Kobolds simply 'cute' and there isn't any real issues they have with them. A few Kobolds may stand alongside the Poididae's ranks, but mostly for morale officers and an obligatory cute sidekick.

    Peglaci - While the Peglaci are sympathetic with the Poididae's plight against the guild, it's hard for them to condone them for the violent way they are resisting them, and the fact the other races tend to get in the Pirate Guild's crosshairs. As a result, a Poididae Pirate's greatest fear is crossing weapons to a Peacekeeper, as they are not direct enemies of the Poididae but they are still major threats. There is stories of Peacekeepers and Pirate Captains having feuds that span the star systems.


    Nebulite - Mysterious, nigh-omnipotent creatures from the far past? Yeah, right! The Poididae don't seem to be affected by the strange mental pains that seem to plague other races the Nebulites encounter, but unlike the Floran they do not remember them, having only evolved to sentience in the last several centuries. Many Poididae simply view them as an odd golem race, and scoff at the strange tales they speak of interstellar doom. Too busy with our own problems, pal!

    Mantizi - An oppressed society similar to the plight of the civilizations and Star Guilds of the Poididae, the Pirate Guilds are more than happy to assist Mantizi refuges at any turn they can, and freely welcome them into the Pirate Guilds themselves if they so choose.

    Poke'Mon Races (Gardevor, Loppuny, Lucario, etc.) - Many of these species has pointed out the similarity of the Poididae to a specific creature that these races once knew, but most Poididae will be offended at the mere implication of such a thing. This goes for humans that make such a assumption as well. Beyond that strange little quirk, there's no outright animosity shown to these creatures.

    Armaments and Equipment of the Poididae

    Poididae biology is highly receptive of technology and augmentation. and it is not uncommon for Poididae to feature augmentations, thanks to either industrial accidents, convenience of work, or replacements from some of the more brutal forms of punishment.

    Space Pirates caught by the Drechion Guild or transferred to their courts are especially fodder for the aug treatment, due to the Drechion Guild's primary punishment of those they deem traitors- the severing of the biological scythes and wings of a victim, usually through specifically-designed bindings, though occasionally it has been done by hand with a variety of instruments. Due to the strong social link one has with fencing and flight, this is often resulting in many a victim of this either going mad, or resulting to augs to remove some of the hollowness of this trauma.

    Luckily, the Space Pirates of the Poididae are resourceful and strong of will, and a wide variation of augs are developed, each focused towards specific variants of the biology, each focused towards the strengths and weaknesses of the specific breed.


    When it mentions 'Origins' after the weapon aug's name, that means the player will be able to craft those weapons as the Poididae's base weapons when they are played.


    Wing Augments
    The wing augments, as mechanics are concerned, are designed to be upgraded, unique-visual versions of certain pre-existing tech, combined with a wearable vanity item. In-universe, these devices are used for a Poididae to grant themselves a facsimile of movement in the air again after the removal of natural wings. There is a variant wing set planned for each of the three currently-planned for each Poididae type thus far.

    Textile United Flutter Augment - Jungle Poididae Wing Augment
    Possibly the wing augmentation most popular with 'clipped' Poididae, Textile United personally hand-crafts each of the four blades that make up the wing augments to make them as realistic to standard Poididae wings as possible, designed so that those that lost them to false accusation and misinterpretation. Almost seamlessly copying the standard capabilities of the original Poididae biology, these wings allow users to quickly maneuver in midair, rapidly striking new positions on the battlefield, sports arena, or even the home zero-g room in record time. Additional models and tweaks have naturally become available after the pirates became more predominant, but often these editions are either spread via program chips detailing specific upgrade parts to order, or conveniently 'lost' near known hunting areas of sanctioned ports.
    * Effects of the Flutter Augment would clone the operation of the Particle Boost ability, with lesser amounts of speed and more energy consumption. Upgrades to the software would naturally increase speed and energy consumption.
    *Designwise, very similar to the 'scythewing' look of standard Poididae wings, with very little outward signs of being 'augs' for the lowest tier, as it was essentially designed as a prosthetic. Higher-tier designs may emphasize the 'rougher' nature of the device, with more advanced signs of technology influence in the connection point and wings themselves.

    Solarius Corporation Dash Augment - Space Poididae Wing Augment
    Solarius Corporation delivers only the best in zero-g traversal, and the Dash Augmentation is no different. Primarily allowing air jets to quickly burst a impulse of force in a singular direction, this propels the user in any direction they wish. Unfortunately, the Solarius Corporation has no liability at the misuse of any equipment.
    * Effects of the Dash Augment, if I could get it to work, would be some form of variant on the Targeted Blink ability. Instead of a direct teleport though, I would wish it to be a impulse push towards the cursor position, 'dashing' across the space. Upgrades between variants would increase speed of the original dashing, distance of travel, and energy efficiency.
    * This aug would feature a slick, future design, with short straight wing and a angular style of backpack. Towards the base would be openings allowing the airvents to release the offending projection. Later editions could feature more extended protrusions to cause different directional air bursts to direct the pack easier.

    Hyperbore Industries Beat Augment - Desert Poididae Wing Augment
    Function begets form when it comes to Hyperbore Industry's addition to stripmining assistance. Now, workers can safely scale new heights, and efficiency of the project can grow as you can extend the safety area needed between scaffolds! These thrusters are designed specifically to boost Desert Poididae's heavier forms over gaps that not even those short stubby wings could cross normally. Just humanely strip out the originals, and contact your nearest Future Cybotics technician, and you too can see profits rise on your desert colony facilities!
    * Effects of the Beat Augment is possibly either a set amount of Pulse Jumps (3 per Mk Version) or perhaps emulates the dash abilities as seen in the XS Mech systems, with energy cost decreasing and impulse increasing each tier as usual.
    * Imagine the type of large turbines you see on WH40K Assault Marines and you'd not be far off on the look of the Beat Augs. Designed with getting the job done in mind, these devices aren't too ascetically pleasing unless dyed. Simply two giant rocket engines with a central case of programming, these devices work best in short bursts, otherwise they risk jiggling apart after such a long burn.

    GuildTech 5D Maneuvering Device - Guildborn Poididae Wing Augment
    While several guildborn prefer other types of wing augmentations, as they're robbed of wings at birth by the Guild doctrine, the Guild does have it's own unique form of travel augmentation, in the form of this guided hook device. While the base, standard-issue Guildborn version only has two hook lines, more can be attatched with some modification skills by a crafty Guildborn Freeblade.
    * Effect of the 5D Maneuvering Device is a back-mounted, personal use Hookshot device that can be fired with the active ability key. The hookshot lines will fire in a pattern, think of the multi-hooks of Terraria like the Ivy Whip where you can fire multiple lines after the main one has been released. The upgrade bonus of this augment will be the addition of new lines, with the third-tier upgrade of the augment being a total of four hookshot lines and extended range of the lines when they are released and stretched.
    * The 5D Maneuvering Device is a bit lackluster in the design department- a simple backpack connected to the back augment, and spreading out atop it is the various reels and the hook directing devices.

    Weapon Augments
    Each weapon of the Poididae will be based off weapons equal to other race's weapons and similar weapon stats. From there, new perks and effects will be put into play, to make each of the Poididae variances unique and encourage swapping augs between multiple Poididae species over time. Most of these weapon types will also be able to toss over Status Ailments, again adding a unique layer to combat and reinforcing the Hit and Run tactics.

    Shortclaws (Daggers)

    Tribal Forged Raptor Claw - Jungle Origins
    Unlike most augments, the Raptor Claws are developed on a individual level, featuring actual claws scavenged from monstrous creatures on the worlds the Poididae grew up on. Further reinforced with metallic edging and plates, the Raptor Claws can be extremely lethal and fast, making up for the short range with a berserk fury of blows capable of ripping targets to bloody shreds.
    * Shortranged, fast weapon.
    * Capable of causing a Bleed status ailment, causing DOT to organic enemies. Or maybe more than organic, depending how the game classifies enemies...

    Hyperbore Industries Punch Auger - Space Origins
    Hyperbore's mining geniuses have done it again! They bring the wise entrepreneur a single-arm drilling device for your Big Mining Daddies! Able to eat through dirt and stone in record time, the efficiency is only matched by your worker's imaginations! We also suggest our extra-strength electroprod system, now 50% off with each set of Punch Augers purchased!
    * Extremely fast, light shortranged weapon
    * Unlike most melee weapons that do their primary hit in one burst, the Punch Auger would fire continuously when released, causing hit after hit as long as an enemy stays in the hit area of the Punch Auger's drill. Tweaking may be done to make sure they match similar to the standard dagger's stats.
    * These would probably not have a status ailment connected to them, drilling constantly instead being the selling point. Potentially these weapons could have enhanced armor penetration however.

    Blackship's Own Crusher Knuckle - Desert Origins
    Blackship's Own was a brand created by a pirate crew specifically after they took over a Guild Forge Station, allowing them to create weapons perfect for the brutality that they show that's barely tolerable by the High Pirate Lords. The Crusher Knuckle is no different, a brutish design that has become favorable for the pirate brawlers. This aug essentially is a extension of the fist, creating a heavy plating that hovers over the hand. When a punch is thrown, hydraulics shove the plate forward, adding additional force to the blow so powerful it has been known to cause short-range shockwaves.
    * Slow, shortrange weapon
    * The 'shockwave' effect equals a wider hit area around the fist than standard Dagger weapons.
    * Stunning effects may be possible on later versions of the Crusher Knuckle.

    Armblades (Shortsword)

    Textile United Replica Scythe - Jungle Origins
    Much like Textile's Wing Augments, the Replica Scythes are designed as a replacement prosthetic for those that want a proper looking scytheblade. Much like the wing augments, it's not too impossible to convert the Replica Scythes into stronger, more battle-ready materials, though doing so in Guild colonies is strictly regulated only for practicing sports fencers.
    * Replica Scythes are the base default for shortsword-level weapons for the Poididae, with the weapons matched to base stats.

    Solarius Corporation Sabre Blade - Space Origins
    The Star Guild-based Solarius Corporation has always been masters of energy projection devices, and the Sabre Blade is a long-standing sidearm of Star Guild Marines, With the base emitter equipped to the augment mount or to a handle, the weapon projects a focused burst of energy discharge on swing, resulting in a burst of particles that replicates a mundane sword swing for a brief instant. While the weapon is hard to parry due to it's insubstantial form, it also offers low defensive capabilities for the wielder for the same reason. This unit's often used alongside of Field Emitters exactly for that reason.
    * These energy-based combat sabers release a short-term 'shade' of the energy blade into the air, allowing for the chance for a second attack blow to following enemies. Useful against enemy crowds.
    * Unlike many other 'energy' weapons, these work in short bursts, meaning a constant beam won't be showing when the weapon is idle, and allowing range to be a bit loose with this weapon.

    Renegade Forged Reaver Wedge - Desert Origins

    Hand-crafted by renegade Poididae, this is a crude weapon, a simple wedge of metal forged to an augment slot. It's crude, but efficient, and thanks to the power armor used by most Desert Poididae, it's often powerful enough to batter down the hardiest defenses of a foe.
    * A heavy, slow weapon that offers powerful blows.
    * Has a chance to Armor Break, lowering enemy defense by a percentage.

    Shields

    Tribal Forged Tribal Board - Jungle Origins

    A personalized weapon for the Jungle Poididae, the Tribal Board is often decorated similar to the tribes of home, with grander designs appearing on the devices as the warrior does greater conquests. Space-faring Jungle Poididae has adapted this practice as well, creating base shields in the shape of the ones they used back home out of synthetic materials, and then decorating them afterwards.
    * The Tribal Board is balanced 1 to 1 against the base shields of the game.

    Solarius Corporation Field Emitter - Space Origins
    Designed for rapid defensive capabilities, the Field Emitter's capabilities are extremely potent- a high-power burst of hardlight capable of blocking even plasma emissions and heavy energy discharge. However, the sheer power of this defensive barrier means that it rapidly turns brittle after an extended period of time.
    * This energy field based shield features extremely low HP in comparison to similarly tiered shields. However, this shield does feature a unique property: extended invulnerability timers for Perfect Block! The trick to using this shield is relying on Perfect Block to do most the blocking power, only using unguarded blocks sparingly due to the low shield HP.

    Renegade Forged Junk Shield - Desert Origin

    Often, early renegades will make due with whatever material they can get ahold of, and this is no less proven than with the Junk Shields that have been appearing in Pirate Guild marketplaces. Cobbled together by scraps and plates, these devices are extremely heavy to wield, even by the one-armed augmentations of the Poididae, but this cobbled-together strength has proven itself efficient to withstand many a blow before it starts to show signs of failure.
    * This trashy-looking shield may look like a pile of junk, but it's extra fortified because of it! It has a enhanced amount of HP over standard shields. Deployment will make the player move a bit slower than normal, however.

    Short-Gun (Pistols)

    Renegade Forged Scrimmager Burst Gun - Jungle Origin
    Garage guns, as the humans would call them, are homemade weapons made of scraps, spare parts, and similar that are still capable of firing a manufactured bullet. The Scrimmager is capable of doing this by a trio of discs that hit into the pin as bullets are loaded in manually through the back, the only 'high tech' thing being the conversion of this to work in an augment slot.
    * The Srigmmager is a garage gun that fires a short three-round burst at enemies.

    Blackship's Own Vigilante Repeater - Space Origin
    One of the first ranged weapons that Blackship got operational, this energy projection device is somewhat crude device in it's earlier incarnations, simply a plasma gathering chamber and some circuits in a box with a barrel. Later innovations eventually offered more sleek, inventive ascetic and functional design to it, but the point of the Vigilante stayed the same- launching a piece of stars at an opponent and making it go boom without making the operator go boom alongside it.
    * A sizable cannon that fires a small exploding energy projectile. Slow to fire, with a straight-flying projectile.

    Renegade Forged Twinbarrel Sawnoff - Desert Origin

    Another garage gun design, with an even simpler requirement, as it's simply unleashing two buckshot shells flying towards the enemy. With so many pellets flying through the air, any idiot is sure to hit something with it!
    * A simple shotgun design that unleashes a sizable spread of bullets in a single blast.

    Long-Gun (Hand Rifles)

    Blackship's Own Longbarrel Sniper Rifle - Jungle Origin

    * A solid-projectile long rifle, capable of breaking through armor with heavy armor-piercing capabilities.

    Blackship's Own Repeater Autorifle- Space Origin

    * A fully automatic assault rifle, offering rapid-fire damage with a built-on belt feed for ammunition.

    Renegade Forged Scrapblaster Arm Cannon - Desert Origin

    * A powerful cannon that unleashes bursts of scrap into an enemy with extreme force. This weapon is capable of unleashing a ton of special status effects, from Stun, Bleed, and Armor Pierce, at a small chance for each.

    Conduit Gauntlet (Sorcery)
    A recent innovation by reverse-engineering various older tech and cross-referencing some 'found' technology of the Kineptic, Conduit Gauntlets are a strange technology that focuses the mental powers of a Guildborn through specific focusing technology, resulting in a pre-set burst of energy or manipulation of objects with the warrior's energy. The process requires complete focus, as a result Conduit Gauntlets work in pairs and cover most the hand, extending to the augment slots. The primary maker is the newest worker in research and technology is a group called AetherPsi, who are examining other examples of sorcery over time. to find new innovations. Conduit Gauntlets are meant to be used alongside the Rubium/Cerelium armorsets, and will unlock during that time.

    AetherPsi Technology Razor Wind Gauntlets - Jungle Origin
    * This energy projector causes a heavy breeze to form past the caster, catching loose bits of debris and leaves taht are pushed to speeds of damaging proportions by the gale.
    * As the gauntlet upgrades, the gust grows harder, faster, and drags more projectiles along into the wind. Even poison spikes off other plants.

    AetherPsi Technology Cold Space Gauntlets - Space Origin
    * Cold Space gauntlets open a temporary vacuume into the atmosphere, dragging the unfortunate enemies into the portal and subjecting them to damage over time of cold damage.
    * With each upgrade, the gauntlets create a bigger portal with a greater tug, causing even greater chilling effects to the prey.

    AetherPsi Technology Meteor Toss Gauntlets - Desert Origin
    * Meteor Toss grabs a large rock from the earth, holding it before the caster as they prepare to launch it. Once the control is released, it starts to fling forward, smacking into enemies for decent damage. The rock projectile can withstand several hits before it collapses, allowing it to chain hits from it's carried projectile or when thrown.
    * With better control, the rock can be larger when grabbed, and the rock will withstand more damage before it cracks, as well as better impact and was thrown.

    AetherPsi Technology Electropulse Gauntlets - Guildborn Origin

    * The Electropulse fires light bursts of electrical bolts upwards, before allowing it to crash down and zap at the target. The electrical burst does a minor AOE when it strikes the earth near the target.
    * Upgrading the capacitors of the weapon charges upwards better blasts and stronger focuses of bolt strikes, resulting in greater damage for bolt and strike zone.

    Unique Racial Weapon Designs

    These weapons are unique among each version of the Poididae. These offer unique forms of weapons for each Poididae and will only appear in later levels of the Poididae techtree.

    Tribal Razorspine Shortspear Augment - Jungle Origin

    While considered an artifact of culture even by the tribal villages of far-off colonies, the spear has always been a proud hunting tool of the tribal society, so it's no surprise they eventually found a way to enact this weapon onto the weapon ports of a augmented individual. A pivot system stemming from the augment allows for rapid re-positioning of the spear to help with fending off foes, and these new spears often have secondary handholds on the shaft in easy reach of the augment user's hands to add that added control and punch with a stab.
    * A one-handed version of the spear, similar to those used by the Mantizi Empire. While they won't have the more powerful side abilities, they will use the same thrust-and-hold mechanic of the spear weapons.

    PsiSpark Cosmic Spark Gauntlets - Space Origin

    AetherPsi may have been able to start the conduit gauntlet, but leave it to enterprising pirate to steal the testing technology. PsiSpark's a hobbyist that managed to get ahold of a crate of program-free conduit gauntlets. Eventually, her hobby brought itself to the Star Guilds, offered to use in the fight against the Guild, and powered with the stuff of stars.
    * The Cosmic Spark gauntlets are slowly charged up for a short moment, before unleashing a beam of pure damage before them. With powerful damage, but massive energy drain, this gauntlet nearly requires the use of the caster armors to even use.
    * Over experimentation, Cosmic Spark gets better energy efficiency, greater size to the beam, and even more phenomenal damage.

    Blackship's Own Sprayer Twin Gatlings - Desert Origin


    * Two-handed gatling guns with full-auto capabilities and a decent amount of kickback. These are used alongside heavier exosuits, allowing for a surprising amount of control for the base firemode. Upon unleashing Spray N' Pray however, you see the full power of these weapons, which unleash countless projectiles at the cost of massive energy drain. As they are two weapons equipped on each hand, this means double the projectiles released!

    Guildborn Weapons
    Guild Weapons are unique as they do not rely on the Poididae augmentation system. However, the Guild mostly relies on a technology known as Heaterbeams- a heated plasma force that's captured between twin emitters and kept in check with magnetic fields when used as a blade, or left to burst wildly when used as firearm projections. All Guildborn tend to work with Heaterbeam weapons as a result, and rarely extend to the use of augments unless they truly wish to forget the Guild entirely.

    GuildTech Heaterbeam Blade - Guildborn Origin
    GuildTech Heaterbeam Quarterstaff - Guildborn Origin
    GuildTech Heaterbeam Emitter - Guildborn Origin
    GuildTech Heaterbeam Scatter Emitter - Guildborn Origin

    Armor Styles of the Poididae

    Each branch of Poididae offer a different armor style available to them, fitted to digitigrade races in the same fashion as other equipment of similar races- Suit, Arm Gear, and Helmet.

    Jungle armorsets will feature a mix of tribal and tech, similar to those of Avian and Floran cultures but still featuring some signs of technology, especially towards late-tier.

    Desert armorsets come in the form of varying designs of exo-suits- armor that goes msotly around the existing character frame and sprite, enhancing them in powerful ways. Early exo-suits will be crude designs, rusted and rickety, built and maintained by mining colonies. However, advanced Exo-Suits will be closer to small mechs, offering great defense and enhancement to the wielder.

    Space armorsets will be based off the Star Guilds, and will be split into two tiers of design. First, the armor of the Star Guild's small but loyal standing military, with bulky suits and life support gear covering most the body mass of the suits. Later sets will be based off the Guilds themselves, showing off the various mindsets and giving advanced, futuristic designs to the equipment.

    Exile armorsets are simple, old Decurion Guild robes defaced and damaged, with enhancements to defense capabilities either twisted on or worn over the garments. Later armor, while still featuring the violet cloth of the Guildborn's robes, will bear more technology and equipment to bare depending on the role chosen by them.


    Artwork

    [​IMG]
    The 'classic' form of Poididae. From left: Jungle, Space, Desert.
    http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13593906/


    [​IMG]
    Visual reference of Glint Bladedancer, first recorded Pirate Captain of the Poididae. A grand total of 12 million pixels is requested for any information leading to her arrest on the charges of theft, grand larceny, evading arrest, vigilantism, impersonating a law official, lewd behavior, exploring Hulks without a permit, piracy, kidnapping, and sabotage.
    http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13593859/


    [​IMG]
    An example of many Poididae augmentations, and a random rough concept of the arm augment socket.
    http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13593945/
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2016
    Cen Silver, Blevruz and Owl_Stalker like this.
  2. dark lord derpy

    dark lord derpy Big Damn Hero

    Remind me alot of the metroid space pirates, though I think they could be pretty cool to have, at least as a mod, while meant to be anti-heroes it would be cool to see some more "romantic" space pirates as well, swashbuckling heroes fighting against tyranny and all that.
     
    Relten likes this.
  3. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    I do plan on making them a mod especially, but there's been mostly two minor standing points against this -
    1. I'm going to be basing them off the Avali sprites (with permission), so a part of me is waiting on the Avali mod to update before I properly attempt to sprite them.
    2. I'm as literate in modding video games about as well as I am rich- in other words, I got no coding experience >_> Sure there's a few jumpstart kits kicking about but I'm not sure if they're up to date yet.
     
  4. dark lord derpy

    dark lord derpy Big Damn Hero

    There is another mod, the kineptic, that is using digitigrade character sprites used with permision from ryuujin, and it is available for upbeat giraffe
    I wish you luck in your modding endevours, because this race sounds cool
     
  5. Warped Perspectiv

    Warped Perspectiv Pangalactic Porcupine

    Those are cool as hell and my only complaint would be to make their weapon names based around Mantises. Like one named the Preying Rapier.
     
  6. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    I'll probably unmess the fist post and do another loredump later today, including the ideas behind most the equipment the race uses. I'm planning on the weapons (as you can see from the augment examples, showing most the original ideas for Jungle Poididae weapons) to be a mix of different manufacturing sources from various background groups. In addition, I plan on doing a racial reaction flowchart for at least the base races (and maybe a few modded ones) on how they interact with others. Hint: It's not gonna be mostly positive.

    EDIT: Said updates have been done! Better explanation on how the Poididae augs will work in-game can be found in the Armaments spoilers, and a fully-finished area for racial relations has been done as well. If any other mod makers wanna chip in how one would react to them, feel free to comment!
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2015
  7. Quilavabom

    Quilavabom Oxygen Tank

    Hi Grat! Just thought I'd throw in a little input on the interactions with the kineptic. The kineptic are in absolutely no rush to get into any scuffles. While they certainly wouldn't shun a Poididae if approached, they would want no part in anything violent or aggressive. They'd probably take a stance more like that of the Peglaci, except they'd simply try to stay out of it in the first place.
     
    Relten likes this.
  8. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    Thanks! I rather the modmakers think of ways they'd interact then me try to stuff stuff in one's mouth. The only reasons I guessed on the few I did write was cus those were the race mods I most dived into. Guess Kineptic in there for starts was a bit of a flattery? ^^; But good point, I'll edit your thoughts in.
     
  9. Quilavabom

    Quilavabom Oxygen Tank

    Now that is a good description of how the kineptic would behave! Seal of approval granted.
     
  10. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    Bumping this to state that I am curious about trying to work on this again. If anyone has any directions I can be pointed to set up the codebank so I can get the race's code done and then work slowly on the graphics as I go, I'd be really grateful! As is, I'm working on some new concept art that I'm hoping will eventually make it's way into the thread, with a bit more details that I didn't have the first time I did this repost.
     
  11. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    This is when I realize I've technically had two threads of this topic at once. Oops. Anyway, I'm currently having a burst of inspiration and trying to get the info and details all synced up as well as a base sprite for character bodies set before much else. The two threads right now really ain't synced I've noticed, specially with the last major burst of ideas I rained out in the other thread here. For now on I'll try to include information in the thread located in my signature, here, and will update the respective areas that I have of all my current info and plans, at least until I eventually get enough to deem a mod release set and dealt with.
     
  12. Mango art

    Mango art Starship Captain

    I like the idea that the character can't fly because his wings were cut off. I really like the backstory and the entire idea.
     
  13. Gratuitous Lurking

    Gratuitous Lurking Space Kumquat

    Added more to the thread today- finally- by copying over all the various weapon data I had stored up, including some of the half-baked ideas in there. I still need to do the various lorebits and explain mechanics, but for now, at least the names and details are in consideration.
     

Share This Page