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Kestevan 79 GM A pair of Lor officers made their way into the new headquarters of the ancient alien group known as the Praetorians. The space was still very much under construction and being refurbished, with a number of Lor technicians assisting in the process. But these two Lor officers were not there to oversee assisting the Praetorians in establishing their new facility. Instead they were there on behalf of the Republic to request the assistance of the Praetorians. With the Communion stopped, some semblance of normalcy had returned to this sector of the universe, and that had allowed the Republic to return its attentions to several matters that had been unattended when stopping the Communion had been of utmost importance. But even now the Republic did not have sufficient resources to deal with all the problems at hand. As the pair moved down the corridor, a larger hulking reptilian humanoid moved over toward them. The figure towered just over eight feet tall, covered in green and brown scales, with a long tail that ended in a spiked ball. "Greetings officers," the reptilian humanoid stated in accented GalStandard, "I am Seresk, may I be of assistance?" "Greetings Praetorian Seresk, I am Commander E'tten of the Lor Star Navy, and this is Aya K'zan from the Allied Liaison/Intelligence Extra-National Service." The male Lor stated in response. "We are here to speak with Praetorian Val-Ren about a matter in which the Republic wishes to request the assistance of the Praetorians." The large reptilian alien gave a small nod. "Please, follow me." It replied before turning and leading the pair off down the corridor. A short while later, the trio arrived at the central command center of the headquarters, a larger circular dome shaped room with a number of other exits. Like most of the rest of the facility, it was still undergoing significant renovations and work, a number of Praetorians and technicians working on installing various systems along the room's walls. In the center of the room was a larger holographic system capable of displaying and tracking information for multiple units and locations. Gathered around the holo display were four individuals, currently in conversation about the progress of renovations for the facility. One was a humanoid female, slightly over average height for a Lor or Terran, with long black and purple hair and dark orange skin. She was dressed in a full length white bodysuit, with black diamond shapes surrounded by golden yellow trim on the shoulders, upper chest and back. Her black boots and gloves also has the golden yellow trim, and a long black cape trailed behind her. It was not hard to match her appearance to the reports about Paradigm that had circulated among the Coalition forces during the Communion incursion. Two of the other three were also female, one, dressed in a red jumpsuit, appeared to be Terran, with long black hair and a deep tan complexion. The other woman, who also resembled a Terran, had long dark blonde hair and was dressed in a blue and white military style uniform. The crisp and perfect uniform, as well as the woman's stern, commanding presence, left little doubt that she had at least once been in the military. She had a jagged scar along one eye, and her left arm was a sleek, mechanical replacement. The fourth figure was dressed in familiar armor of a Star Knight, his armor bright green in its coloring. The Star Knight's helmet was currently not deployed, reveling a Terran who was easily recognizable as Star Knight Kyle Steward, also known as Cavalier. "Excuse me Imperatrix," Seresk stated as he lead the two Lor forward into the room and towards the four gathered in the center, "may I introduce Commander E'tten of the Lor Star Navy, and Aya K'zan from the Allied Liaison/Intelligence Extra-National Service, here on behalf of the Lor Republic."

Amazri IV, formally Lor Space March 1, 2015 (Terran Calendar) Amazri IV had long sat well inside the boarders of Lor space, many light years from the contested area with Khanate space. The planet had long been a colony for the Lor, established in the early years of their expansion from Lor-Van. It had developed into one of the Republic's primary centers of industry and manufacturing, with vast automated facilities that covered the northern and southern landscapes of several of its vast continents. Most of the large cities on Amazri IV had been located around its equator, where lush green forests spread out around the cities before giving way to high mountainous zones. Now more than half its surface had become silver colored metal, and even from space it appeared as if veins of the silver metal were continuing to spread towards the rest of the planet. Amazri IV was one of the most recent Lor planets to fall to the Communion, the cyberforming of the planet still underway. A group of the Coalition's top scientists had determined that the cyberforming process provided the most direct access to the Communion's central data centers, with the least protections in place to prevent unauthorized access. In short, if the Coalition was going to learn the whereabouts of the Communion's mothership, it would be by gaining access to one of the central relays on a world being cyberformed. So a small group of Coalition forces were aboard a Grue stealth ship, making their final approach to Amazri IV. "We will be at our target location within ten microcycles." Stated Gur'ul, the Grue Metamorph in command of the stealth ship, turning back to look at the odd collection of beings that he had been ordered to transport to Amarzi IV.

The heart of the Delaztri Empire Over two thousand years ago Amara Val-Ren knelt on the smooth polished white floor of a large great hall of the headquarters of the Praetorians as she repeated the oath of allegiance to the Delzatri Empire. Her voice joined those of over a dozen other beings kneeling nearby, as they all swore their loyalty and life to protecting the Empire and its citizens. Amara was dressed in a full length white bodysuit, with black diamond shapes, surrounded by golden yellow trim, on the shoulders, upper chest and back. Her long black cape rested over her and was spread out slightly on the floor around her. For the young Naram, this was a moment she had long dreamed of, ever since her older brother had joined the ranks of the Empire's greatest protectors. Following in his path had been a difficult one, yet despite the hardships and sacrifice required, Amara had not wavered in her devotion or focus. "And I shall not falter in my duty, even unto death." Amara recited as she completed the oath along with the others around her. As she finished, Amara raised her head, looking up at the room around her once more. Gathered along the wings of the hall were more than sixty members of the Praetorians, gathered to watch the newest members recite their oaths. Gathered at the front of the hall were the six senior most Praetorians, with Amara's own brother, Daar Val-Ren in the center, similarly watching on. Darr Val-Ren was well over six feet tall, with a powerfully built physique. He had dark orange skin which was characteristic of Naram, with short dark blue/black hair. He was dressed in a uniform similar to Amara's, only his was primarily black, with red diamond patters and a long red cape. "Your oath is complete, welcome brothers and sisters, to the Praetorians!" Daar Val-Ren announced in a strong voice that carried easily through the large hall, followed quickly by a booming cheer from the gathered members. Amara stood back upright, an feeling of elation sweeping over her as she looked to her brother with a small smile, before turning to begin congratulating her fellow new Praetorians...

The heart of the Delaztri Empire, Za'akis Habitations Over two thousand years ago… The Delaztri empire certainly prized itself as civilized. Or at least it would be a reasonable assumption from outsiders but this was no ordinary habitation block. It has been carefully cut off from outside contacts, barring from authorized personnel and dignitaries. While the people lodge there were part of the Empire, for now, it had been deemed wise to keep them off to the side whenever possible, until they had been properly educated in the ways of the empire. They weren't prisoners, of course...in fact keeping them prisoners would be foolish, as it would only end in a senseless massacre. Guttural screams and chanting could be heard from outside, creating quite the racket. Outside the buildings, banners had been planted, displaying all manners of symbols and colors. Most prominent amongst them was a symbol in gold; the symbol of their God-King. "I hope you will recognise the great honor I am giving you in allowing us to join us tonight." declared Kharag to Dragonid, his guest. "As my people's leader and their supreme representative in the empire, as it rightfully should be of course, I, Kharag, am required to fill in many diplomatic tasks. Many of which are below me." His contempt was palpable, no doubt all these bureaucratic things bored him beyond belief. Too much talking, too much measuring words, not enough action. "The other Praetorians would not have the fortitude for such an evening, as they are soft in their ways. You however are not."

OOC for the thread of the same name. Dragonid, make a fortitude save.

Kestevan 79 Magnetar 23,000 LY from Terra November 2014 (Terran Calendar) Why are we here? It was a hard question not to ask as the Praetorians' starship approached the world Moon-Moth had designated as the next target of the Communion. Kestevan 79, and its companion magnetar were a long-dead supernova remnant - the nebula, the neutron star inside, and its magentar companion both had been classified as navigational hazards by the Delaztri and generally avoided by their fleets, something that as far as they could tell had remained the same for Lor and Grue both. After all, what could possibly live in the wash of gases and X-Rays produced by nebula and burning magnetar alike? But there was, as far as the Curator had been able to tell, life on the sole world orbiting Beta Kestevan - life that was by all accounts a target for the Communion. For his part, Solar Sentinel found conditions equally grim as he headed out into the remote space near the Kestevan system, a system so remote and so irradiated that it had remained largely unclaimed in all the space wars he had ever heard of. There was no debris in the system, no asteroids or other planets - just the invisible at this distance neutron star that was Beta Kestevan (for all that it howled like a dead god on the radio) and the single white orb beneath the brilliantly burning shape of the Kestevan nova that floated over the system like the ghost of a dead star. Kestevan I - the only life-bearing world for light-years. Kestevan I; the next target of the Communion. A small collection of older, disreputable-looking starships were in orbit as Sentinel and Praetorians took up their positions in the vast depths of space; the wash of radiation in the system making whatever signals they might be sending to each other impossible to read. The planet was cold and desolate even from space, frozen nearly from pole to pole. Down below, on the icy surface of Kestevan I, a small handful of city lights twinkled at the equator, the planet's only source of free water. They had no idea what was coming.

The OOC

Continuing from >here. Amara Val-Ren had followed after Vince as the hologram led her from the room in which she had been awoken and into the vast chamber beyond, where seemingly endless rows upon rows of cryogenic tubes were stored in the cold air of the room. The cold no longer was bothering the Naram, as she moved over towards the nearest row of tubes, around which lights had just activated and the faint forms of her friends and comrades could be seen behind the frost on the tubes. She carefully counted the tubes as Vince moved over to a nearby control panel and began the awaking process for the other Praetorians. Just about two dozen tubes, the number of survivors she remembered from after their final battle with the Communion. And yet now they were being awoken to face the Communion once again. Amara stepped back from the tubes as she waited for the others to begin to wake. "We will want to see all information you and the Curator have regarding the Communion's advances. As well as that on any power groups that are there to oppose it."

The OOC.

Player Name: ca_lazerdwarf Character Name: Dragonid Power Level: 10/11 (157/164PP) Trade-Offs: -2 Attack / +2 Damage Unspent Power Points: 7 Progress To Bronze Status: 14/30  In Brief: An alien warrior from a race of fire-breathing dragonlike creatures.  Alternate Identity: Slivar Drash Identity: Public Birthplace: Dragos Occupation: Former Praetorian of the Delaztri Empire Affiliations: Praetorians Family:Disowned Catchphrase: Fires of the Fathers!  Description: Age: 32 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Red Dragonid (Warrior caste) Height: 6' 2" Weight: 280 pounds Eyes: Black Hair: None   A large reptilian looking humanoid with scaly red hide and green horns, wears a gold-colored harness and belt and often wears a jetpack designed to resemble small wings.  Power Descriptions: The Dragonids are naturally stronger and more resilient than humans and their scaly skin provides them with extra protection. They are a warrior race, taking pride in both their hand to hand combat skills and their fire breath.  Dragonid can breath fire as well as any of his race, either in a short blossom of fire cast out at a single target or a thin burning past multiple opponents. Unique to Slivar Drash is the ability to mentally control fire once he creates it. He can bend it to his will so well that it forms solid objects that burn without heat. He can also will fires (natural or otherwise) to extinguish.  Dragonid also carries a jetpack styled to resemble dragon wings. These provide fast transport in the atmosphere, and can even take him to space and around the solar system. In space, the jetpack can extend a life support field around him to allow him to breath and survive in the vacuum.  History: Silvar Drash was born to the warrior caste of a primitive pre-spaceflight warrior race, but his lack of wings condemned him to the worker class. Even his mutant pyrokinetic abilities did not prevent the warriors from shunning him. He labored for many years in the mines before he got fed up with his mistreatment and decided to reclaim the honor that he felt was his birthright. He found other workers who were unhappy with their plight and convinced them to rise up against their masters in revolution. Though Silvar himself had great talent as a warrior, most of his allies did not and the revolution was brutally crushed. Silvar was captured and sentenced execution. While he waited his fate, representatives of the Delzatri empire visited the planet. The planet's leaders were awed by the technologically advanced visitors and decided to impress them by inviting them to mass executions. Silvar used this opportunity to fight his way to escape his executioners, and the Delzatri found him, offered him freedom and a way off the planet. Silvar gratefully accepted.  After leaving the planet, Silvar quickly proved his worth as a warrior and was trained to join the Praetorians. He took the name Dragonid after the Delzatri word for his people. When the Praetorians finally fell, the Dragonid was captured by the Collector and kept in stasis for thousands of years until awaking recently.  Personality & Motivation: Dragonid is the product of a warrior culture, and he values and respects martial prowess. He feels he has now earned his status as a warrior and must use that status to defend those who are weaker than him. Defending the weak makes him feel strong, and reminds him of the unfair treatment he grew up with.  He enjoys the challenge of a good fight and often overestimates his own abilities.  Powers & Tactics: Dragonid prefers to hang back in battle, breathing fire at his enemies from afar, while he lets his allies engage the enemy up close. He can use his hard fire constructs to create choke points, or to provide additional cover to allies under fire. He's not afraid to get in brawling range when necessary, though, and often prefers to fight weaker opponents this way.  Complications: Not just a scary face: Dragonid is a fearsome looking creature and often creates fear and revulsion where he would like to invoke trust.   Abilities: 6 + 4 + 8 + 0 + 2 + 4 = 24PP Strength: 16 (+3) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 14 (+2)   Combat: 16 + 12 = 28PP Initiative: +2 Attack: +8 Melee, +8 Ranged Grapple: +11 Defense: +10 (+6 Base, +4 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5   Saving Throws: 7 + 8 + 6 = 21PP Toughness: +10/+8 (+4 Con, +4 Protection, +2 Defensive Roll) Fortitude: +11(+4 Con, +7) Reflex: +10 (+2 Dex, +8) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6)   Skills: 28R = 7PP Intimidate 12 (+14) Language 2 : Dragonic (Native), Galstandard, Delaztri Notice 8 (+9) Sense Motive 2 (+3) Survival 4 (+5)  Feats: 7PP Defensive Roll 1 Dodge Focus 4 Equipment 1 (5 ep to Praetorians vehicles/HQ) Precise Shot 1  Powers: 25 + 28 + 16 + 4 = 70pp  Fire Breath ( 24pp Array Feats Alternate Power 1 ) [25pp] Base Power Damage 12 (Fire Breath; Extras: Range (ranged)) {24/24} Alternate Power Damage 10 (Sizzling Line; Extras: Area (line, 5x500 ft), Feats: Progression: Increase Area  2(areax5)) {22/24}  Pyrokinesis ( 26pp Array Feats Alternate Power 2 ) [25pp] Base Power Create Object 7 (Hard Fire; Extras: Moveable, Feats: Selective, Tether) {23/23} Alternate Power Damage 5 (Flame Objects; Extras: Area(General, Shapeable), Duration (Sustained +2), Feats: Progressive 2 (Increase to 25 5' cubes) {22/23} Alternate Power Nullify 10 ( Extinguish, Any power of type Fire Extras: Duration(Concentration)) {20/23} Device 4 ( Rocket Pack, Technology; 20pp Container; Flaws: Hard to Lose ) [16pp] Flight 6 (500mph) [12pp] Immunity 6 (Atmosphere Bubble; Environmental Conditions (All), Suffocation(vacuum) ) [6pp] Super-Movement 1 (Space Travel 1) [2pp]   Protection 4 (Scaly Hide)  DC Block    ATTACK      RANGE     SAVE             EFFECT Unarmed     Touch     DC18 Toughness (Staged)   Damage (Physical) Fire Breath   Ranged    DC27 Toughness (Staged)   Damage (Fire) Sizzling Line  Area(line)  DC25 Toughness (Staged)   Damage (Fire) Extinguish    Ranged    DC20 Will          Nullify (Fire) Flame Objects         DC20 Toughness (Staged)   Damage (Fire) Totals: Abilities (24) + Combat (28) + Saving Throws (21) + Skills (7) + Feats (7) + Powers (70) - Drawbacks (0) = 157/164 Power Points