Questions About the Crime Element in the ME Rewrite Universe

[Parastrat0023]

I know parts of it have been discussed before in the Signup Thread archives and whatnot, but I'm just a bit curious as to how much of a role, if any all those criminals and space pirates will play in the overall story of the Rewrite Universe.  I figure at most they're going to be nothing more than an occasional distraction, and I recall you mentioning that factions such as the Blue Suns, Eclipse Mercenaries, and Blood Pack (was that their name?)  won't exist.  I also have to wonder which species are going to be more common to encounter in the criminal underworld of the Mass Effect Universe.  I recall reading that Omega won't exist either (and quite frankly for the better since the very concept makes little to no sense because there's no such thing as honor among thieves, and no way one person could actually be in charge of it all, at least not without constant conflict). 

I'm well aware that this thread could have simply been a PM, but perhaps I could leave it up in case other people have questions about our favorite despicable lowlifes in this universe. 

[King Feraligatr]

I'll have more time to answer this later, but this honestly belongs more in the Rewrite Discussion board. Sorry I can't answer ATM . Got work soon.

[watdakstomp]

I talked to King on the sign thread, and because of Chevek's back story, and that it had a group of mercenary named the Blue Suns, they will most likely exist, just not the same way as they do in ME 2 and 3.

[Deadspear]

(I had a whole paragraph written but I deleted it by mistake) Considering the geth causing so much trouble around citadel space, the council and the alliance would probably be too busy to secure their own space and not have time or resources to spread to the far rim or non-council space. So I think some kind of organized or unorganized pirate groups or merc would be established. *Cough* pirate queen *cough*. Something less stupid then the 3 power ranger groups we got in me2. Omega also isn't that lore breaking, sure a hollow asteroid might be a bit stupid when any planet or planetoid would be better, but its still a feasible idea to have some kind of "thief" king and his "island". Almost each story has one morally gray, badass rogue. But saying that we'd probably need a good reason for Shepard to get involved.

[King Feraligatr]

Feb 13, 2016 8:18:46 GMT -6 Parastrat0023 said:

I know parts of it have been discussed before in the Signup Thread archives and whatnot, but I'm just a bit curious as to how much of a role, if any all those criminals and space pirates will play in the overall story of the Rewrite Universe.  I figure at most they're going to be nothing more than an occasional distraction, and I recall you mentioning that factions such as the Blue Suns, Eclipse Mercenaries, and Blood Pack (was that their name?)  won't exist.  I also have to wonder which species are going to be more common to encounter in the criminal underworld of the Mass Effect Universe.  I recall reading that Omega won't exist either (and quite frankly for the better since the very concept makes little to no sense because there's no such thing as honor among thieves, and no way one person could actually be in charge of it all, at least not without constant conflict). 

I'm well aware that this thread could have simply been a PM, but perhaps I could leave it up in case other people have questions about our favorite despicable lowlifes in this universe. 

I do have plans for the Terminus outlaws, pirates, criminals, etc. True, they're not as important to the plot as the Citadel races, but they still have purpose. Barring being possible allies (will be explained partly how this works later in the post) and adversaries, of particular note is where the Terminus Systems is located in proximity to the Perseus Veil and as thus Mainliner space. In BW's universe, the Terminus space acts as a buffer between the Veil and Citadel space. I think this creates a lot of potential conflict, stories, etc., so I want the Rewrite universe to keep something to that effect.

The way I think of it, the Mainliners are the main antagonist, right? And Citadel space and the Veil are separated by the Terminus Systems, right? And the Terminus Systems hate Citadel space, right? And to defeat our enemy, we have to go through the Terminus Systems eventually, right? Sounds like conflict gold there. And since the Mainliners hate practically hate all organic life, want to cause genocide against all organic life eventually, and no doubt cause trouble for the Terminus outlaws, etc., wouldn't it make sense that the Terminus outlaws hate the Mainliners with as well with a passion. Add to this that the Terminus Systems are basically an unorganized mess; cannot compete with the Mainliners and the Mainliners are likely far more numerous, equipped, organized, technologically advanced; the fact that the Mainliners are getting more rowdy than before; and more, wouldn't it make sense even more that the Terminus outlaws hate the Mainliners with a passion? The Mainliners are going to have to get to the Citadel eventually anyways of they want their gods to come. Basically, the Terminus acts as a barrier between Citadel and Mainliner space. The Terminus Systems hate both factions with a passion and will have to be dealt with in some way. I figure we wild have to avoid them, make deals with them, ally with them, destroy them, etc. to get to where out enemy lies. I figure the Terminus outlaws would be more open to working with the faction that doesn't commit wanton slaughter against them (Citadel space) rather than the Mainliners who do all sorts of disruptive things. And pissing off the Terminus Systems is not good for Citadel space. They need to go through there, but without overly antagonizing the Terminus outlaws. ME1's Codex says the Terminus Systems might band together if the Citadel forces ever got too pushy. While the entire Terminus space might not be able to band together, being a warzone and the Mainliners being more active than before and all, they could still have multiple outlaw factions band together and be a nuisance for the Citadel forces (I assume they tried uniting against the Mainliners and got summarily crushed. Every time anyone tried revisiting them, they got crushed almost everytime. So they stay away for the most part, even though they hate the Mainliners. Plus the Mainliners are Geth and practically everyone fears the Geth). We cannot ignore the effect the Terminus outlaws may have on the Rewrite plot so it's definitely in out interest to explore them (though not as much as Citadel space necessarily).

As for the Blue Suns, Omega, and shit, I don't see them working. I allowed a significantly downplayed Blue Suns because I see small private mercenary groups working. However, getting to ME2 and 3 levels? No way in hell it'd work. It raises so many questions. Where do they get their resources for this kind of operation? Why aren't the Council and other racial governments regulating them and keeping them small? Why are these mercenary groups so powerful? The Terminus Systems are lawless warzones, and they're based there, so how are they able to function effectively? Why don't I hear about these groups in ME1? The only place I can see large PMC and mercenary groups at all working is in Batarian space. There's actually a government to provide the basis for the resources these operations need and keep some order. And the Batarian government is supposed to be hyper corrupt and the Batarians deal with slavery (providing cannon fodder and cheap labor for the organizations). And Batarian space hates Citadel space anyways and doesn't care for their regulations. So while I don't like these powerful PMC and mercenary groups, they can sort of work if they're based in Batarian space. At the moment though, I'm only willing to go with majorly downplayed versions on the Blue Suns and shit.

You can see the archives and what Paradoxical said about Omega to see why I say no to it. It doesn't make any sense that there'd be a dedicated "neutral" place for outlaws in a territory wracked with many different groups who hate each other, vie for power, and fight wars with each other. Such a place would have been in disrepair or destroyed long before the events of the Rewrite. I also cannot see a "Ruler of the Outlaws" ever being a thing in the Terminus, especially not a universally accepted one. Such a person would be targeted for assassination, would not have universal acceptance, etc. It just won't work. I can see there being moving neutral points over the Terminus Systems for groups that are allies, neutral, or don't hate each others' guts to trade, talk, settle for a bit, etc. However, as I said, the Terminus Systems are a wild place and such places would not be permanent or sacrosanct. They'd make prime targets for enemies.

So there's that. Some of my ideas on the Terminus Systems. Feel free to comment or criticize as always.

[Deadspear]

I think Aria has a lot of pull with the Asari government considering shes a matriarch (Im not exactly sure). But she has some kind of pull:


Aria really isn't accepted as the leader, shes just the strongest "faction" and she doesn't unite them until ME3, until then they hate each other, they only work together because Garrus Brocarian pissed them all off. People probably tried to kill Aria before but shes too smart to let it happen, as she makes examples out of people, almost all the time. Her signature line is "Don't fuck with Aria" so people are probably too scared to even sneeze nearby. I wish Bioware gave her a bit more detailed backstory. In ME3: Omega we get a small glimpse of it when she talks to her former lover, (the first female Turian we ever see) and how her daughter died. Patriarch also give a bit of backstory, like how she was practically nothing before kicking his ass. Also if I remember correctly she doesn't tell Shep everything when he asks her about her past. (I never checked if she does later, something about not trusting Shepard yet to tell him).

[King Feraligatr]

Feb 13, 2016 21:13:19 GMT -6 Deadspear said:

I think Aria has a lot of pull with the Asari government considering shes a matriarch (Im not exactly sure). But she has some kind of pull:


Aria really isn't accepted as the leader, shes just the strongest "faction" and she doesn't unite them until ME3, until then they hate each other, they only work together because Garrus Brocarian pissed them all off. People probably tried to kill Aria before but shes too smart to let it happen, as she makes examples out of people, almost all the time. Her signature line is "Don't fuck with Aria" so people are probably too scared to even sneeze nearby. I wish Bioware gave her a bit more detailed backstory. In ME3: Omega we get a small glimpse of it when she talks to her former lover, (the first female Turian we ever see) and how her daughter died. Patriarch also give a bit of backstory, like how she was practically nothing before kicking his ass. Also if I remember correctly she doesn't tell Shep everything when he asks her about her past. (I never checked if she does later, something about not trusting Shepard yet to tell him).

Well, first of all, I said Omega just won't work. And also, I ask you this question. If Aria was so powerful, why didn't a bunch of groups who hate her more than they hate each other band together to take her out? I'd think someone who arrogantly calls herself the "Queen of the Terminus" (in effect. Omega in ME2 and 3 was the center of Terminus power), would be quite a target, no? Also, why don't I hear about this celebrity criminal who's been ruling the central power of the Terminus Systems for years until ME2 (there's no evidence that someone like Aria or Omega exists in ME1)? And while maybe she can bribe politicians easy (all politicians are corrupt monsters after all IRL. I don't follow the monsters part in fiction though); there's tons of other officials, soldiers, officers, civilians, business people, Spectres, etc. that won't necessarily fly with her actions and would want to kill or capture her. I highly doubt Aria would be able to run a criminal empire in the entire galaxy (seemingly, based on ME3). And wouldn't the Council want some sort of screening and control over who goes into the Terminus Systems and back? She could try, but it won't work. You're only going to be able to work with someone like Aria in the Rewrite universe if he/she/it where some leader of a Terminus outlaw faction. It could be moderately powerful, but it couldn't be the power. There'd be some alliance no doubt to off a faction that powerful. I know Aria is a fan favorite for a lot of people (not me personally, but I never hated her either), but it's hard to make her work to what people expect. And adding in tons of high profile characters from the BW series wantonly with no thought to how they'd affect the Rewrite is not good. At the moment, Aria might work in another form, but not near what she was and she's not canon ATM.

In other things, I really need to think about how the common person is affected in the Terminus Systems. Also, no need to keep referring to Garrus as Brokarian. It's just something I did because of how much I like him and how bro he is.

[Deadspear]

Well they probably tried, since she has a lot of security, with scanning Shepard, and Aria probably isn't a real queen, she doesn't rule all the factions. They don't have a reason to attack, as shes not trying to run them, in a way they are like Cerberus cells, each working independently of each other. Aria just happens to be the biggest one of the factions (or cells), her faction was taken from Patriarch which was probably why its been so strong since, they know if an asari can take down a powerful krogan warlord, what hope is there for a human, salarian or a batarian.

We probably don't hear anything from the Terminus because people in council space don't care or overlook the place, as the council reinstates Shepard, but only if he stays in the Terminus systems as his activety can't be linked backed to the council. Its basically mexico. No officials, soldiers, officers, civilians, business people, Spectres, etc. would care for Aria. She in her own space, outside the laws and regualtions, as long as she doesn't do anything to cause trouble and on a reasonable scale, they won't do anything. Even so if officials did organize something she would see it coming. You don't send a fleet to capture one man or woman, anything smaller then that doesn't have a chance of taking her down. Why would a Specter be interested in Aria. Shes small scale compared to Mainliners and outside the law. Even if specters are too, unless its personal no specter would go after her. (Ok the next part I'm not sure about) If Aria has such an influence why did she just give Shepard the blue suns, eclipse and red suns. It doesn't make sense that she'd be running an entire criminal empire, its probably just the Terminus. Aria is powerful in non-cannon, but she was dethroned like any other human or alien can be. She can be outplayed. Shes not the Shadowbroker. She has flaws and is sometimes emotional. On the whole screening thing, I don't think it would be possible to cover such a large area of space, probably just the citadel. Even that, it'd take so long to process, that they probably find a loop hole. Sure the Alliance might try, but it can't be that big and what would really be the end goal? If shes gone, more criminals will try to take over, chaos and the region gets more unstable.

I'm guessing life in the Terminus is like the Wild West, no real laws except if the people choose a governing official. Gangs, outlaws, bigger governments trying to get things under control. (I know, I just like the sound of it :3)

[Parastrat0023]

With this new information in mind, I can easily see the potential for some rather...interesting new characters from the Terminus systems. There is an old saying that states war makes for strange bedfellows or something like that (and while some people might interpret that literally, I mean it metaphorically).

I also have to wonder how likely it would be to encounter quarian outlaws. I mean you never see them in Bioware's ME2 and ME3, which I believe they reason because the species is pretty much threatened due to lack of a homeworld, and would have instilled a sense of community to discourage selfish actions such as piracy and treason. Yet didn't they mention something about the occasional exile? I could imagine some might not take it lightly, and a few might even believe things like piracy and raids actually benefit the Migrant Fleet while the Admirals strongly disagree. I'd have to imagine if there were criminal quarians, other species would be quick to harass them for their enviro-suits and go so far as to pick fights thinking they're puny...can only imagine the irony when they find out otherwise.

[Deadspear]

Wouldn't that be kind of dangerous for the quarian to be a pirate? I mean like Tali likes to remind shepard, just one suit rupture and shes sick.

[King Feraligatr]

You have to remember (if you haven't seen it already) that Quarian immune systems are at the more reasonable ME1 levels, not the comically bad ME2 and 3 levels. This means that Quarians can take off their masks or suits in controlled environments (like most of the Migrant Fleet ships). It also means that ruptures aren't necessarily a death threat or even that life threatening. True, they're more sensitive to sickness or toxins than the most of the other races, but they can get by in controlled environments with their suits off or with some ruptures in a less controlled environment (at least, for a while). And I wouldn't underestimate the Quarians. They've no doubt have to deal with tons of shit are probably effective shipboard fighters (both onboard ships and ship to ship). Also, while it's a lot gameplay, Tali kicks some major ass in ME1. They're fine. I'm not sure exactly on how I want to handle the Quarians or Migrant Fleet, but I assume due to the Mailiners kicking up a storm, they've increased security. Also, I can easily see dealing with some Quarian outlaws.

I can also see new races made for the Rewrite universe, especially in unexplored space. For the RP, Vorcha, Yahg, and Drell (altered from eh ME2 and 3 versions though) exist, but in the Rewrite proper (Rewrite proper being a fanfic or the hypothetical game that'll never exist but still work the project around. The RP is based on the Rewrite universe by a lot, but not entirely. The Rewrite proper is more controlled.), I don't know. However, like ME1; we'd likely have to make a "hat" (or stereotype to you non TVT people) for the race, find ways to play around with that hat or avert/subvert/invert it; make a semi sensible biology, homeworld, history, origins for the race; find a way to integrate the race into the galactic political situation somehow; make characters for them; the race has to make sense and add to the setting; and more. I'd love to make new races, but it'd be a harder task and some of the things we need fall outside my knowledge of how to do effectively (for example, I'm not a biologist. I couldn't give a new race a good and semi sensible biology.). Also, ATM, I have no plans for new races in the Rewrite.

I'm sorry that I did not respond to everything you people said, but dammit, it's tiring having to post walls of text almost everytime I need to respond. Sorry for my laziness.