Well, most of us know that there is one space left for a teammate in Mass Effect 2. Its the Port Observatory. And as our PC friends have so kindly informed us, she is a human named "Kasumi", and she can be recruited from the Citadel, once Bioware gives us the DLC nessacary to get her.
However, skipping that, I've posted something some of you may find familiar. Yes, its my species idea from before ME2 came out. However, seeing this empty spot, I went back, and armed with my new knowledge of ME2 and the response to the earlier thread, I've re-vamped. Made it better. Faster. Smarter. Less Mary Sue. Yes, they're still elf-ish (go to hell elf-haters). Yes, they are still mostly female. Yes, you still get a human recruit out of the deal. But its all better now. And since I planned it as if it were going to be part of a DLC expansion pack, I've put up some ideas to go along with it.
The Viadel
Home Planet:
Tesak 'e' kel -Translated it means "The Land of the Heart"
Population Data:
Population Total: Approxitamly equal to the total population of humanity
Population Split: 96% Female / 4% Male
Civilian Popualtion: Esitmated 80% of total population
Military Personnel: Estimated 20% of total population
Codex Entries
Viadel Government: The Viadel have a what closely resembles a human republic, with each colony electing represenatives that go to the Viadel Senate. The major difference is that the Viadel are officially "lead" by a Queen, who more closely resembles the "Prime Ministers" and "Presidents" of Earth and its colonies than any Matriarch. The other key difference is that only citizens may vote or have imput on Viadel politics.
One earns their citizenship by completing a term of military service, providing something that greatly improves the lives of the Viadel at large, becoming a Shepard or for singular, heroic acts deemed worthy of exception. The Viadel do not officially discrimante against non-citizens, however some races and Viadel view it as institutional classism, and some no doubt act upon this idea.
[Viadel Biology[/i]: Viadel biology is a remarkable example of "convergent" evolution - two completely different species evolving along very similar paths. Earth and Tesak are remarkably similar, with one of the few differences being that the reptilian era on Tesak did not feature nearly the quanity or quality of life that Earth did, and thus the mammal analouges of Tesak developed far faster and into more varied directions. Viadel, like most of the galaxy, are humanoid, lexio-amino-acid based, oxygen breathing creatures - Viadel can freely consume the food of and interact with most other Citadel species. Viadel usually live about 200 years.
The average Viadel stands about 6.0 ft tall. They have light green skin, and pointed ears. They have slighlty larger than normal eyes, and their limb proportions are slightly larger than those of humans. The average Viadel male closely resembles a fit, if thin, human male. Female Viadel, on the other hand, often have (by human and asari standards) exaggerated hourglass figures - a trait which has made them popular with the males of most other species.
Viadel are physically weaker than most other species, however they are nimble, and what biotics they do produce are often as powerful as any Asari comparison.
The male/female disparity has not hindered the Viadel - Viadel females do not require a male to reproduce. In addition, female Viadel choose when to become pregant - something they reserve for personal mates.
Viadel Culture
The Viadel are communal creatures by nature. They form nests, large groups of Viadel that live togther and work to help each other as they help the Viadel at large. They enjoy close personal ties with each other, though the concept of "sisters" or "brothers", or "aunts" and "uncles" is alien to them. For them, there are only nest mates and personal mates. Viadel are considered overly affectionate by many species - while a handshake or bow might be normal for a human, turian or asari, Viadel view this as cold - tending to believe they having offended the other person. A common Viadel greeting is a "bear hug" (as called by several Alliance representatives). The Viadel military, however, does tend to be more reserved.
This is not to say there are not differences amongst Viadel. Viadel have wide and varied opinions, though not often within the same nest. While these difference often can be put aside, there are times when these differences have caused conflict, sometimes violent.
Outside of "nests", there are classes, such as "Merchant", "Military", "Artistic" etc. Each member of the nest has their own rank in a class - a nests value is determined by the highest class that a member of that nest occupies. Viadel are free to enter into an class they like, though they may be rejected if they are insufficiently skilled for jobs in that class. Classes are ranked as so, from top to bottom:
Royalty (the Queen and her nest)/Shepards
Military/Political/Citizens
Merchants/Producers
Artists/Other
In addition, citizenship conferns a special status as well - a nest with many citizens in it is very respected.
Viadel colonies are named after their principle resource or purpose, and their warships are named after important people or places, with the exceptions of their flagships, which tend to have symbolic names.
Viadel names come in three parts: Personal, Nest, and Planet of Origin. An example would be Tek (Personal) Ceg (Nest) Tesak (Planet).
Viadel Religon:
The Viadel have no "true" religions. The only thing they have is their reverance of "Shepards" - Viadel, who, through one means or another, have contributed greatly to Viadel society. Shepards are see as the guiding lights of their species, with children learning to view them with awe and reverance.
The most recent, and unusual Shepard is Cody Fen Tesak, who was conferred Shepard status after his daring rescue of the Queen's daughter and the colony she was visiting from Batarian slavers.
One central theme of the Viadel people though is an innate fear of the "Destroyers". The Viadel homeworld of Tesak was home to a Prothean beacon. In it the early Viadel saw visions of great ships destroying worlds, and a warning of their return. This fear has stayed with the Viadel, and they are ever vigilant of the "Destroyers" return.
[Viadel ALs[/i]:
Viadel technology is rather unremarkable, save for three things - the Viadel "Scrubbers", a nanomachine invented to clean up and contain radition and nuclear fallout, the Tesak Defense Webb, and Viadel ALs.
Viadel "Artificial Lifeforms", or ALs, are the most advanced AIs in the galaxy. Completely outclassing any current attempt, and even the Geth, ALs are as close to living beings as a synthetic can be. Created by using a specially designed computer, ALs are "trained" by focusing on and trying to replicate a Viadel brain (taken from the recently departed). If successful, this causes the computer to become sentient, adapting the code and its neural framwork into a new life. Errors or deliberate changes in the process are responible for each unique AL.
ALs, unlike tradition AI, are transferable without losing their "person" - they simply force any system they are in to work how they need it to. ALs, depending on level of sophistication, have their own, free personalities. They have thoughts, feelings, desires, likes and dislikes. ALs are used in almost every facet of life in Viadel society - from teaching to medicial to military to personal. Furthering cementing their importance in Viadel society is the "AL Body" - replicated tissue and flesh combined with cybernetics that the ALs can transfer themselves into if they wish to experience a more "tactile" existance, or to better interact with Viadel.
Citadel conventions techincally outlaw the ALs as both illegal AIs and engineered life, however, their position in Viadel life and society has made their banning an unfavorable move.
Viadel Military Doctrine
The Viadel military, like the Alliance, is a small, manuver warfare military. Lacking the physical strength, numerable biotics, or sheer numbers of the other races, they rely on guerrilla warfare and subterfuge to deal with enemies, rather than brute force, like the turians and krogan.
One Viadel tactic that has been met with some concern is the liberal application of nuclear weapons by the Viadel. The invention of "scrubbers" has rendered the affect effects of nuclear weapons moot in the eyes of the Viadel, since the can simply remove the radiation using the scrubbers. Viadel see the pyschological impact of using nuclear weapons as worth the cost of the potenial dangers. Most Citadel races disagree.
The other thing of concern to the Citadel is the Tesak Defense Webb. Created after the Takarr Rebellion, it is an enormous network of mass field generators, missile platforms, mass drivers and kinetic barriers surronding and protecting Tesak. So powerful it is that one Alliance representative has caught remarking that "you'd need the whole of the Alliance Military to break it, much less defeat the fleets or occupy the planet. The Concuil believes this upsets the balance of power, and as such is debating what to do about it.
Viadel History
Viadel history is rather tame, with the discovery of the Mass Relays occuring several decades after they achieved intergalatic travel and advancing forward from there. However, the most recent, and utterly violent event in Viadel history is the Takarr Rebellion. A collection of colonies on the outermost rim of Viadel space grew displeased with the Queen and the Senate. Tarakk Haj Genok organized these fears, and lead an open rebellion against the government.
The fighting went on for quite some time, though the Queen's forces finally managed to end the rebellion. In a final, desperate bid, Tarakk lead the remaining rebellion forces straight to Tesak, ignoring the Home Fleet, and devastated the southern-most pole of Tesak. Though defeated, this lead to the creation of the Tesak Defense Webb, arguably the most impressive technological feat in Viadel history.
The Viadel discovered the Citadel several years before the Geth attack on the Citadel. however, they did not approach due their policy of waiting for first contact rather than iniating it. However, after witnessing the attack on the Citadel by Soverign, whom the Viadel believe to be one of the "Destroyers", the Viadel came forward, hoping those at the Citadel would be willing to help fight off this new threat.
Possible Party Members from the Viadel:
Cody Fen Tesak
Species: Human
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Class: Elite Officer
Nest: Fen Te Chec
Bio: Cody is in fact, human. However, his past is not a happy one. Showing affinity for biotics at a young age, he and his sister were kidnapped by Cerberus at a young age and subject to many experiments and tests. These proved fatal to his sister, but Cody survived. However, the failsafes meant to control Cody failed, and using his newfound power, Cody leveled the Cerberus base, killing most people inside of it. A Viadel spaceship was nearby, and found him. Exhuasted, Cody did not resist.
Having lost his family, Cody adapted the traditions and life of the Viadel, trading his name for theirs. He became part of a nest, and was well accepted by most of Viadel society. However, he later proved he value in combat and in the military, and was moved into the Military class, improving his nest's position. After many years, he proved himself such a valuable asset that he was promoted to Tai'ne'ket - the Viadel equivalent of a Spectre. While a Tai'ne'ket, Cody rescued the Queen's daughter and the colony she was visiting, earning him the title of "Shepard" among the Viadel, and the graitude of the Queen and her nest.
Cody joins Shepard's mission, knowing that Shepard could use someone with his skills, and because he understands the threat the Collectors and Reapers present to the galaxy. He also wishes to know more about the society that left him behind.
The Cerberus experiments, and Cody's own natural skill, combiend with the Viadel's training, have created an extrodinarly proficient While the specifications are unclear, Cerberus records inidicate that if sufficently angered, Cody could be possible of cracking a cruiser in half with sheer biotic force, though the effort would likely kill him.
In Game: Cody is an Adept, with the powers of Singularity, Warp and Pull. With his loyalty mission, he unlocks the power "Compact". This biotic power crushes the targeted enemy with a huge amount of force, then throws this enemy at the next nearest foe.
Loyalty Mission: Cody tells you something rather uncomfortable - his mate, Seska, was stolen by Cerberus a while ago. She was pregnant with their daughter. He has recieved some information that may lead to their final resting place. He requests you take her there. When you arrive, you find she is still very much alive, but Cerberus refuses to let her go. You take her back, and fight your way out of the Cerberus base, destroying it on the way out.
You return to Tesak to bring Seska home. When you arrive, Seska gives birth. Cody and Seska give the baby your name if you're a FemShep, or let you pickm her name if you are MaleShep.
Now, this was a point of contention the last time, but I've left it here for a good reason. I believe it would be an interesting experience to encounter, and have, a human character, who, though he acknowledges that he is in fact human, does not act or behave as a human does. This creates many interesting situations, not the least of which involve the player interacting with someone who should be very similar, but yet it completely different from them. Also, the fun that could be had with Yeoman Chambers is endless.)
Tesna 'Tal' Tesra
Species: Viadel
Age: 30 years
Gender: Female
Class: Elite Personal Guard
Bio: Seka is Cody's personal guard, assigned to him upon his commission. Seka is a highly trained soldier, and capable of Cody's since before the commission. She is considered an exceptionally beautiful Vi 'a' del, and most are stunned by her beauty, much less her intelligence or combat prowess. She follows Cody as her duties dictate, and to see more of the outside world.
In-Game: Tesna is a Vanguard, but she also gains the "Compact" skill after completing her loyalty mission.
Loyalty Mission: I actually haven't thought of it yet, sorry.
In addition to this species, I wanted my DLC idea to take on the form of an expansion. As such, the Viadel give you a new lead after the end of the main quest - a possible Reaper and Prothean artifacts. This mission leads all throughout the galaxy even taking you back to Earth. It ends in you finding out the Reapers may be even more horrible than ME2 reveals, and possibly provides the evidence you finally need to to convince the Conciul to join your side.
Some things I thought of to go with this expansion:
- A new armor set, unique to the Viadel's ideals.
- A new heavy weapon, the MIRV Launchers.
- A new hub world, Tesak.
- Full dialouge options with all characters, including DLC ones.
However, skipping that, I've posted something some of you may find familiar. Yes, its my species idea from before ME2 came out. However, seeing this empty spot, I went back, and armed with my new knowledge of ME2 and the response to the earlier thread, I've re-vamped. Made it better. Faster. Smarter. Less Mary Sue. Yes, they're still elf-ish (go to hell elf-haters). Yes, they are still mostly female. Yes, you still get a human recruit out of the deal. But its all better now. And since I planned it as if it were going to be part of a DLC expansion pack, I've put up some ideas to go along with it.
The Viadel
Home Planet:
Tesak 'e' kel -Translated it means "The Land of the Heart"
Population Data:
Population Total: Approxitamly equal to the total population of humanity
Population Split: 96% Female / 4% Male
Civilian Popualtion: Esitmated 80% of total population
Military Personnel: Estimated 20% of total population
Codex Entries
Viadel Government: The Viadel have a what closely resembles a human republic, with each colony electing represenatives that go to the Viadel Senate. The major difference is that the Viadel are officially "lead" by a Queen, who more closely resembles the "Prime Ministers" and "Presidents" of Earth and its colonies than any Matriarch. The other key difference is that only citizens may vote or have imput on Viadel politics.
One earns their citizenship by completing a term of military service, providing something that greatly improves the lives of the Viadel at large, becoming a Shepard or for singular, heroic acts deemed worthy of exception. The Viadel do not officially discrimante against non-citizens, however some races and Viadel view it as institutional classism, and some no doubt act upon this idea.
[Viadel Biology[/i]: Viadel biology is a remarkable example of "convergent" evolution - two completely different species evolving along very similar paths. Earth and Tesak are remarkably similar, with one of the few differences being that the reptilian era on Tesak did not feature nearly the quanity or quality of life that Earth did, and thus the mammal analouges of Tesak developed far faster and into more varied directions. Viadel, like most of the galaxy, are humanoid, lexio-amino-acid based, oxygen breathing creatures - Viadel can freely consume the food of and interact with most other Citadel species. Viadel usually live about 200 years.
The average Viadel stands about 6.0 ft tall. They have light green skin, and pointed ears. They have slighlty larger than normal eyes, and their limb proportions are slightly larger than those of humans. The average Viadel male closely resembles a fit, if thin, human male. Female Viadel, on the other hand, often have (by human and asari standards) exaggerated hourglass figures - a trait which has made them popular with the males of most other species.
Viadel are physically weaker than most other species, however they are nimble, and what biotics they do produce are often as powerful as any Asari comparison.
The male/female disparity has not hindered the Viadel - Viadel females do not require a male to reproduce. In addition, female Viadel choose when to become pregant - something they reserve for personal mates.
Viadel Culture
The Viadel are communal creatures by nature. They form nests, large groups of Viadel that live togther and work to help each other as they help the Viadel at large. They enjoy close personal ties with each other, though the concept of "sisters" or "brothers", or "aunts" and "uncles" is alien to them. For them, there are only nest mates and personal mates. Viadel are considered overly affectionate by many species - while a handshake or bow might be normal for a human, turian or asari, Viadel view this as cold - tending to believe they having offended the other person. A common Viadel greeting is a "bear hug" (as called by several Alliance representatives). The Viadel military, however, does tend to be more reserved.
This is not to say there are not differences amongst Viadel. Viadel have wide and varied opinions, though not often within the same nest. While these difference often can be put aside, there are times when these differences have caused conflict, sometimes violent.
Outside of "nests", there are classes, such as "Merchant", "Military", "Artistic" etc. Each member of the nest has their own rank in a class - a nests value is determined by the highest class that a member of that nest occupies. Viadel are free to enter into an class they like, though they may be rejected if they are insufficiently skilled for jobs in that class. Classes are ranked as so, from top to bottom:
Royalty (the Queen and her nest)/Shepards
Military/Political/Citizens
Merchants/Producers
Artists/Other
In addition, citizenship conferns a special status as well - a nest with many citizens in it is very respected.
Viadel colonies are named after their principle resource or purpose, and their warships are named after important people or places, with the exceptions of their flagships, which tend to have symbolic names.
Viadel names come in three parts: Personal, Nest, and Planet of Origin. An example would be Tek (Personal) Ceg (Nest) Tesak (Planet).
Viadel Religon:
The Viadel have no "true" religions. The only thing they have is their reverance of "Shepards" - Viadel, who, through one means or another, have contributed greatly to Viadel society. Shepards are see as the guiding lights of their species, with children learning to view them with awe and reverance.
The most recent, and unusual Shepard is Cody Fen Tesak, who was conferred Shepard status after his daring rescue of the Queen's daughter and the colony she was visiting from Batarian slavers.
One central theme of the Viadel people though is an innate fear of the "Destroyers". The Viadel homeworld of Tesak was home to a Prothean beacon. In it the early Viadel saw visions of great ships destroying worlds, and a warning of their return. This fear has stayed with the Viadel, and they are ever vigilant of the "Destroyers" return.
[Viadel ALs[/i]:
Viadel technology is rather unremarkable, save for three things - the Viadel "Scrubbers", a nanomachine invented to clean up and contain radition and nuclear fallout, the Tesak Defense Webb, and Viadel ALs.
Viadel "Artificial Lifeforms", or ALs, are the most advanced AIs in the galaxy. Completely outclassing any current attempt, and even the Geth, ALs are as close to living beings as a synthetic can be. Created by using a specially designed computer, ALs are "trained" by focusing on and trying to replicate a Viadel brain (taken from the recently departed). If successful, this causes the computer to become sentient, adapting the code and its neural framwork into a new life. Errors or deliberate changes in the process are responible for each unique AL.
ALs, unlike tradition AI, are transferable without losing their "person" - they simply force any system they are in to work how they need it to. ALs, depending on level of sophistication, have their own, free personalities. They have thoughts, feelings, desires, likes and dislikes. ALs are used in almost every facet of life in Viadel society - from teaching to medicial to military to personal. Furthering cementing their importance in Viadel society is the "AL Body" - replicated tissue and flesh combined with cybernetics that the ALs can transfer themselves into if they wish to experience a more "tactile" existance, or to better interact with Viadel.
Citadel conventions techincally outlaw the ALs as both illegal AIs and engineered life, however, their position in Viadel life and society has made their banning an unfavorable move.
Viadel Military Doctrine
The Viadel military, like the Alliance, is a small, manuver warfare military. Lacking the physical strength, numerable biotics, or sheer numbers of the other races, they rely on guerrilla warfare and subterfuge to deal with enemies, rather than brute force, like the turians and krogan.
One Viadel tactic that has been met with some concern is the liberal application of nuclear weapons by the Viadel. The invention of "scrubbers" has rendered the affect effects of nuclear weapons moot in the eyes of the Viadel, since the can simply remove the radiation using the scrubbers. Viadel see the pyschological impact of using nuclear weapons as worth the cost of the potenial dangers. Most Citadel races disagree.
The other thing of concern to the Citadel is the Tesak Defense Webb. Created after the Takarr Rebellion, it is an enormous network of mass field generators, missile platforms, mass drivers and kinetic barriers surronding and protecting Tesak. So powerful it is that one Alliance representative has caught remarking that "you'd need the whole of the Alliance Military to break it, much less defeat the fleets or occupy the planet. The Concuil believes this upsets the balance of power, and as such is debating what to do about it.
Viadel History
Viadel history is rather tame, with the discovery of the Mass Relays occuring several decades after they achieved intergalatic travel and advancing forward from there. However, the most recent, and utterly violent event in Viadel history is the Takarr Rebellion. A collection of colonies on the outermost rim of Viadel space grew displeased with the Queen and the Senate. Tarakk Haj Genok organized these fears, and lead an open rebellion against the government.
The fighting went on for quite some time, though the Queen's forces finally managed to end the rebellion. In a final, desperate bid, Tarakk lead the remaining rebellion forces straight to Tesak, ignoring the Home Fleet, and devastated the southern-most pole of Tesak. Though defeated, this lead to the creation of the Tesak Defense Webb, arguably the most impressive technological feat in Viadel history.
The Viadel discovered the Citadel several years before the Geth attack on the Citadel. however, they did not approach due their policy of waiting for first contact rather than iniating it. However, after witnessing the attack on the Citadel by Soverign, whom the Viadel believe to be one of the "Destroyers", the Viadel came forward, hoping those at the Citadel would be willing to help fight off this new threat.
Possible Party Members from the Viadel:
Cody Fen Tesak
Species: Human
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Class: Elite Officer
Nest: Fen Te Chec
Bio: Cody is in fact, human. However, his past is not a happy one. Showing affinity for biotics at a young age, he and his sister were kidnapped by Cerberus at a young age and subject to many experiments and tests. These proved fatal to his sister, but Cody survived. However, the failsafes meant to control Cody failed, and using his newfound power, Cody leveled the Cerberus base, killing most people inside of it. A Viadel spaceship was nearby, and found him. Exhuasted, Cody did not resist.
Having lost his family, Cody adapted the traditions and life of the Viadel, trading his name for theirs. He became part of a nest, and was well accepted by most of Viadel society. However, he later proved he value in combat and in the military, and was moved into the Military class, improving his nest's position. After many years, he proved himself such a valuable asset that he was promoted to Tai'ne'ket - the Viadel equivalent of a Spectre. While a Tai'ne'ket, Cody rescued the Queen's daughter and the colony she was visiting, earning him the title of "Shepard" among the Viadel, and the graitude of the Queen and her nest.
Cody joins Shepard's mission, knowing that Shepard could use someone with his skills, and because he understands the threat the Collectors and Reapers present to the galaxy. He also wishes to know more about the society that left him behind.
The Cerberus experiments, and Cody's own natural skill, combiend with the Viadel's training, have created an extrodinarly proficient While the specifications are unclear, Cerberus records inidicate that if sufficently angered, Cody could be possible of cracking a cruiser in half with sheer biotic force, though the effort would likely kill him.
In Game: Cody is an Adept, with the powers of Singularity, Warp and Pull. With his loyalty mission, he unlocks the power "Compact". This biotic power crushes the targeted enemy with a huge amount of force, then throws this enemy at the next nearest foe.
Loyalty Mission: Cody tells you something rather uncomfortable - his mate, Seska, was stolen by Cerberus a while ago. She was pregnant with their daughter. He has recieved some information that may lead to their final resting place. He requests you take her there. When you arrive, you find she is still very much alive, but Cerberus refuses to let her go. You take her back, and fight your way out of the Cerberus base, destroying it on the way out.
You return to Tesak to bring Seska home. When you arrive, Seska gives birth. Cody and Seska give the baby your name if you're a FemShep, or let you pickm her name if you are MaleShep.
Now, this was a point of contention the last time, but I've left it here for a good reason. I believe it would be an interesting experience to encounter, and have, a human character, who, though he acknowledges that he is in fact human, does not act or behave as a human does. This creates many interesting situations, not the least of which involve the player interacting with someone who should be very similar, but yet it completely different from them. Also, the fun that could be had with Yeoman Chambers is endless.)
Tesna 'Tal' Tesra
Species: Viadel
Age: 30 years
Gender: Female
Class: Elite Personal Guard
Bio: Seka is Cody's personal guard, assigned to him upon his commission. Seka is a highly trained soldier, and capable of Cody's since before the commission. She is considered an exceptionally beautiful Vi 'a' del, and most are stunned by her beauty, much less her intelligence or combat prowess. She follows Cody as her duties dictate, and to see more of the outside world.
In-Game: Tesna is a Vanguard, but she also gains the "Compact" skill after completing her loyalty mission.
Loyalty Mission: I actually haven't thought of it yet, sorry.
In addition to this species, I wanted my DLC idea to take on the form of an expansion. As such, the Viadel give you a new lead after the end of the main quest - a possible Reaper and Prothean artifacts. This mission leads all throughout the galaxy even taking you back to Earth. It ends in you finding out the Reapers may be even more horrible than ME2 reveals, and possibly provides the evidence you finally need to to convince the Conciul to join your side.
Some things I thought of to go with this expansion:
- A new armor set, unique to the Viadel's ideals.
- A new heavy weapon, the MIRV Launchers.
- A new hub world, Tesak.
- Full dialouge options with all characters, including DLC ones.
