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Orochi Squadron

Orochi Squadron is the name of a group of 8 venerable Irim-Class Heavy Gunships vessels serving together as one of the Eighth Fleet's top-tier system defense squadrons. Originally assigned to secure Valentine and the surrounding Samurai Sector in the waning years of the Second Mishhuvurthyar War, they were dispatched by Taisho Shizuka Endo as a first-response unit to deal with interdicting and destroying the threat of NMX raiders that has suddenly appeared on the southern frontiers of the empire.

After their success at the Battle of Jun and a return to their home port of Virgo Star Fortress for repairs and modernization, Taisa Hachitmitsu's veteran squadron was recently called upon once more in a time of war to join forces with Legion IX as a vital escort/space superiority component for their planetary operations to secure the rest of the vulnerable South-east Frontier from the NMX and others who would dare to challenge the Empire. Together they formed the formidable combined arms Task Force 0.

(Awesome title screen art by Primitive Polygon!)

About

Orochi Squadron is an Open RP plot originally created December 5, 2015 by paladinrpg, who is the current Game Master. Roleplay takes place primarily via SP, and players are expected to post frequently to keep things moving. Also, JPs may be scheduled from time to time (usually as character development interludes/asides).

This plot's feel aims to capture the classic SARP action of yesterday, when PA combat was the focus of any space engagement. Think of it like arcade shooter action, with your Mindy catapulted at high speed into a chaotic swarm of battlepods and anti-armor turret fire, all while two massive fleets fight in the background dramatically! Reach the enemy vessels successfully and cut a hole in them to board and disable, rescuing civilian hostages. Make Mishhuvurthyars and their Neko & human thralls eat aether in the name of the Empress! There's even some small squad ground cleanup action and investigation after space superiority is secured. This is just an example of what's in store for players to enjoy.

Newbies to SARP are also highly encouraged to apply, since the Open RP format makes it easy to create a basic Nekovalkyrja character and start playing right away. There is no minimum age requirement to join. The plot also serves as a great introduction to some of the most dramatic space combat elements that the Star Army of Yamatai faction has to offer, and a good jumping off point to more seasoned plotships.

With the ambitious resuming of the plot in November 2017 alongside of Legion IX, Orochi now has access to exciting new technologies like the Ke-M2-4 Series "Mindy" Armor as well as Ke-V10 "Mamushi" Multirole Starfighter. Rest assured you will have plenty of chances to use them on a variety of new and interesting foes, and starfighter pilots will especially have the ability to also crossover and support the Legion's efforts with CAS missions!

RPG Rating: http://www.rpgrating.com

Organization & Assets

All ships have a complement of:

Modifications

All of the Irim Gunships within Orochi Squadron have the following modifications:

Crew Roster

sa-hachimitsu.jpg

Officers

Rank Name Position Color Player Notes
Taisa Hachimitsu Mikoto Star Army Starship Captain NPC Orochi CO Squadron Commander
Taii Hashimoto Umeshu Star Army First Officer NPC Orochi XO
Shoi Miyoga Star Army Starship Operator NPC Sensors/Weapons
Shoi Fuji Star Army Starship Operator NPC Navigation/Communications

NCO & Enlisted

Rank Name Position Color Player Notes
Ittô Heisho Tachibana Star Army Technician NPC Chief Engineer
Ittô Heisho Kurosora Kim Star Army Infantry NPC Orochi Wing, 1st Squad Leader EOD
Jôtô Hei Kayoko Shii Star Army Pilot NPC Callsign “Tinkerbelle”
Ittô Hei Miyoshi Star Army Pilot NPC Callsign “Cookies”
Ittô Hei Umeki Ayame Star Army Medical NPC Ship's Doctor
Nitô Hei Shigeho Yumiko Star Army Medical NPC Caretaker

Civilian & Other

Open Positions

See: Characters Wanted

NPC Crew Members

Name Occupation Appearance Personality
Hachimitsu Mikoto Captain of YSS Orochi Neko with long silver hair and amber eyes. An imposing former NH-29 that fought to secure the south in the Second Mishhuvurthyar War, leadership and fleet strategy comes naturally to her. Growing weary of the peace lately, she is eager to spill squid blood once more for the Empress. Carries a Zesuaium tessen war fan.
Hashimoto Yuuki Hachimitsu's Bodyguard Neko with black hair in a topknot, and lime green eyes. Unlike her sister, Hashimoto Umeshu, she is a true Ketsurui Samurai in appearance and skill – a yojimbo assigned to protect the Taisa. A calm, quiet voice of reason, and counterpoint to Hachimitsu's sometimes dramatic nature. She is a master of the iaido (blade drawing) budo. Reassigned following the recent dissolution of the Samurai.
Miyoga Sensors/Weapons Average Neko with vermillion red hair in a bun. One of the two main Shoi bridge sprites, seated to Mikoto's left. Feisty like ginger.
Fuji Navigation/Communications Average Neko with medium-length, curly purple hair. One of the two main Shoi bridge sprites, seated to Mikoto's right. A little lazy.
Tachibana Chief Engineer Rusty-skinned Neko with short orange hair. Heisho in charge of Engineering. The Taisa always seems to expect more than she can get the old ship to give.
Kayoko Shii Fighter Pilot Dainty Neko with long pink hair. Likes her cat naps, has expressive ears. Deceptively capable in aerial combat; Called “Tinkerbelle” because she is good with repairs.
Miyoshi Fighter Pilot Short Neko with long blonde hair. Well-meaning & cute, the resident ditzy pilot of Heartbreak. Her callsign “Cookies” comes from the fact that she serves milk & treats before a flight.
Shigeho Yumiko Nurse Peach-skinned Neko with dark-green eyes and shoulder-length red hair. Cute and soft-spoken assistant to Ayame, she wears a Type 31 Working Uniform (Skirt Variant).

The Antagonists

Skadi Salvagers

Name Occupation Appearance Personality

NMX Raiders

Rank Name Occupation Appearance Personality
Overlord The Master ??? ??? The bespoken overlord of the NMX raiders, his identity and goals remain a mystery. But considering his penchant for kidnapping raids, they seem to involve research of some kind…
Master Commander Belsnickel Captain of the XSS Krampus Green, impish Advanced-Type Mishhuvurthyar Flag officer of the NMX raiding fleet, it was originally his idea to perform the sneak attack on Yuletide to humiliate Yamatai.
Commander Jolakotturinn Infantry Commander Crab-Type Mishhuvurthyar In charge of the ground assault and occupation of Jun, he REALLY hates Yuletide trees for some reason (and people who have nice, warm clothes to tear off).
Superior Overseer Perchta Prisoner Handling Specialist Nightmare Type Mishhuvurthyar with short, red hair A sweet tongued, yet sadistic minded hybrid in charge of finding new thralls for the Master. She is eager to show off her latest catch. KIA in Battle of Jun

History

Mission 1: Tentacled Tidings

While the sleepy Jun mining system is preparing for their YE 37 end of year holiday celebrations, a several-ship strong fleet of NMX "Pillager" Light Cruiser sneaks in using the Great Southern Nebula as cover and also their volumetric projection systems posing as light freighters to pick up ores at the planet. By the time the small SAOY frontier starport garrison realizes their true nature, they are quickly overwhelmed and the settlement falls into chaos as the Mishhuvurthyar invaders hurriedly begin seizing as many colonists as they can can grab and load them into their prisoner cells and vehicles. And smash a few Yuletide trees along the way just to be extra evil!

But, all hope is not lost. Upon hearing of the distress call before all the Emerys Satellites in orbit were destroyed, Taisho Shizuka Endo of 8th fleet quickly mobilizes a portion of Valentine's system defense garrison to fold over to Jun and respond immediately to the crisis. These 8 Irim-class Heavy Gunships, the Orochi Squadron, led by the YSS Orochi and the battle-tested Taisa Hachimitsu Mikoto, are tasked with interdicting the NMX's raiding fleet before it can escape the Jun system and back to southern space with its ill gotten gains of people and treasure. Will they be able to make it in time, or will the Mishhu really have stolen Xmas?

After a hard fought and costly battle in space that saw hundreds of Neko soldiers killed, the brave infantry of Orochi were able to successfully board and commandeer the NMX cruisers, liberating the prisoners from their Mishhu jailors, as well as a handful of alien warriors. Though his Nightmare-type XO Perchta was slain in battle on the bridge of the XSS Krampus, commander Belsnickel was able to escape capture and flee to the Tivurthinth-class patrol ship which engaged its fold drive as soon as reinforcements from the 8th fleet's support element arrived in system. While the hospital ships tended to the mass casualties and wounded efficiently, the ground assault against the remaining NMX infantry would unfortunately continue on for some time into the new year before Jun was once again safe for the colonists to return.

Following these events, the Taisho ordered Orochi Squadron to return to Valentine for repairs and modernization, as Star Army Intelligence began its silent search for the source of the raiders. The failure of the ground offensive to quickly capture objectives using spacey infantry alone prompted a call to eventually join with the Legion IX Rikugun as a combined-arms group, eventually leading to the formation of Task Force Inquisition.

Task Force Inquisition

See: Task Force 0

Former Crew/Inactive Players

Rules & Pacing

  1. All members of the plot are expected to post as often as the plot permits…
  2. …and at least once every 3-4 days.
  3. Do not wait on another player to post for more than four days.
  4. If you will be absent or cannot post as often as required, post notice in the OOC thread. Common courtesy goes a long way!
  5. Players who have not posted in more than four days may have their characters' actions posted or chosen by the GM to keep the plot moving.
  6. Players who have not posted in more than ten days, without any notice to the GM, may be removed from the RP. Your character may fade into the background, be sent home, or become target practice for the enemies. Don't worry about perma-death due to inactivity though, as I will be very forgiving in this regard seeing how its oriented for folks who may come and go. That is not to say you will get out of a fight without taking some nice hits for dramatic effect, though. ;-)
  7. Characters should follow the standard Star Army Regulations or expect IC punishment. If rules are not followed due to lack of knowledge OOCly - or players are OOCly ignoring or flouting rules their characters would ICly know to follow - OOC coaching, assistance or punishment may be required instead of IC consequences.
  8. We will generally work along these guidelines and Readiness Conditions.

OOC Notes & Trivia

Orochi is the name of the ancient 8-headed serpent in Japanese folklore, which is also why there are 8 ships in the squadron. They carry the names of the original islands of Japan that were formed from the union of the demi-gods Izanagai & Izanami.