Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.
Michael Jordan
Colm rolled his shoulders as he got out of his new bed. He looked over the schedule and paper work that he was handed. Colm hoped that the events of yesterday was some horrible dream, but it wasn't.
Aliens were invading and he was placed in charge of Humanity's last line of defence after everyone else for the position were killed.
Colm breathe deeply to calm himself and started his first week as X-Com's Commander.
Income:
-Council: §50
-Countries: §0
Reserves: §0
Diplomacy: Socializing will be an important part of this job, Colm really regrets not doing it much right about now.
[X] Hello Spokesmen
The council wishes to you, better now rather than keeping them waiting. Chance of success 70%. Rewards: better relationship with council nations, ?
Martial:
[X] Greetings Officer
Central Officer Bradford led the first offensive against the invaders, maybe he'll have some words of wisdom? Chance of success 70%. Rewards: better relationship with Bradford and support staff, ?
Stewardship:
[X] Nice to meet you Sir
Dr. Raymond Shen is the chief engineer of the X-Com project with decades of experience backing him up, X-Com is lucky to have him. He needs to talk about the foundry, The projects main source of producing new equipment. Chance of success 70%. Rewards: better relationship with Shen and engineering staff, ?
Intrigue:
[X] What do we have?
As the Commander you'll need to know what you have available and access to. Chance of Success: 100/80/50/30/10 Reward:?
Piety:
[X] Better late than never…
For ten years you have had this power known as The Gamer Ability and with it you climbed out of the mud and created a comfortable life for yourself, but what else can it do? Chance of Success: 100 Reward: Better understanding of The Gamer Ability, New Power(s)?
Learning:
[X] evening Doctor
Doctor Vahlen is the head Scientist and is regarded as one of the World's most brilliant minds, doesn't like people asking about her age. Has requested a meeting with you regarding further research.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-{Rolls}-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
[X] Hello Spokesmen Roll: 76 +17 +10 +14 = 117 Critical Success! Event: I know
[X] Greetings Officer Roll: 62 +19 +10 +14 = 105 Critical Success! Event: We must Stand as One
[X] Nice to meet you Sir Roll: 70 +16 +10 +14 = 110 Critical Success! Event: We must Stand as One
[X] What do we have? Roll: 95 +14 +10 +14 = 133 Critical Success! Event: We must Stand as One
[X] Better late than never… Roll: 39 +42 +10 +14 = 106 Critical Success! Event: at long last…
[X] evening Doctor Roll: 98 +20 +10 +14 = 142 Critical Success! Event: We must Stand as One
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-{Rolls}-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Event: I know
Colm stood before a large monitor as he sprung to life showing the silhouette of a man "Hello, Commander. I trust you have settled well into the base"
Colm confirmed that he had settled in well and has already began going over the information he was given. He also mentions how the squad from the earlier attack had returned all alive.
"it seems you have the situation under control Commander, is there anything you may wish to bring up before we conclude this call?" the spokesmen said.
Colm answered that he wished to know the progress of the Councils efforts to appoint his replacement, given that preciously chosen candidates were assassinated the individual nations are no doubt having difficulty finding someone suitable for the position without lowering the nation's means of defending itself. After all; that list was made when we weren't being invaded, now that we are being invaded its full less likely the nations will point out their very best.
The spokesmen was silent for a moment before they spoke with a dangerous tint to his voice "may I ask where you learned this information Commander?"
No one had told him, given his own background and the current situation the world has found itself in, it's a rather obvious conclusion if someone thought about it.
When the spokesmen spoke again the dangerous tint to his voice was gone and replaced with something else "I see. The process has been slow going seeing as the council nations are busy getting themselves properly set up again and to regain order"
Colm nodded, fully expecting the answer given. The meeting soon ended afterwards, as soon as the call ended Colm left and returned to his room. Once there he let out the breath his was holding.
Relationship Meter:
Council of Nations: 3/10
Perhaps a useful asset after all
A Council of Nations funding the X-Com Project, they have minor respect for you.
Bonuses: +§80 income
Spokesmen: 4/10
More than we thought he was.
A mysterious man with nothing known about him beyond being the spokesmen of the Council, underestimated you and believes you may be better then he first thought.
Bonuses: +20 Diplomacy Rolls (+40 with Council Matters)
Event: at long last…
Colm sat on his bed cross legged.
He decided he would try to learn more about the Gamer Ability and what it could do, to do this he decided to meditate.
Taking in a deep breath Colm cleared his mind of thoughts and searched for his 'center' something he read once on a pamphlet.
Nearly a minute of nothing happening Colm opened his eyes with disappointment, only for them to widen in shock as he found himself in the middle of field covered in tall grace that reached his knees.
Getting up slowly, Colm looked around the field with a careful eye as he pondered on what to do next.
After walking a little bit, he started calling out for anyone.
"at long last you've arrived-"
Turning around sharply Colm found a cloaked individual standing a feet in front of him, preparing to run at the first sign of danger Colm asked the being who they were.
"I am merely your guide master, I was created here within your soul as I have waited to meet you. Sadly, I don't have a name as I lack one" the cloaked individual bowed at Colm as it spoke.
Colm gave the being a blank look saying that he needed to call it something, trying and mostly failingly to come up with a name he asked the being if he could call it Ling for the time being.
'Ling' seemed way to happy with that request "even if it's a temporary name I accept it with joy master!"
Colm nodded and asked what he was doing here.
Ling answer was to the point "to give you a place to train in peace, Master, and to awaken your latent abilities. Now; shall we begin?"
Gain Training Realm for skills and abilities.
Unlocked conscious connection to the Akashic Plane.
Unlocked conscious connection to the Buddhaic Plane
Unlocked conscious connection to the Astral Plane
Lost Stupid Waster trait
Enriched Soul evolved into Almighty Soul
Mathematical Addition evolved into All Connecting Knowledge
Gained: Existential Plane Minor Lordship trait.
Gained: Soul manipulation / Beginning Spirit User Perk =[evolved into due to stats]= Soulful Lord
Empathic Spirit evolved into Spiritual Understanding
Further opinions unlocked for next turn.
Event: We must Stand as One
One by one, Colm went to meet the heads of X-Com.
Central Officer Bradford; the first to lead X-Com against the invaders while Colm was being collected. He wished to share with the young commander what his responsibilities as the commander concerning the soldiers will be.
Doctor Shen; the man who would lead the construction of X-Com's tools that shall lead to the victory of Mankind, a modern-day maker of wonders. He needed permission to start constructing items before the soldiers would be sent out again.
Doctor Vahlen; easily one of the most intelligent person on Earth, she'll lead X-Com in gathering intel on the invading aliens. She requested that the soldiers try to bring back as much alien artefacts in one piece as possible.
Each one needed to talk to Colm and before he left each of them he requested their presence for a meeting.
A meeting were Colm talked to them as people and not as their positions, he adminted that he wasn't what they were expecting in a Commander and confirmed to them that the Council of Nations are already looking for his replacement.
The search was slow going and was unlikely to be finished any time soon, Colm asked the department heads to help he run X-Com. Though he had zero military experience he was willingly to learn and do anything to make sure Humanity would triumph in this first contact war.
Colm stood straight even as he was nervous, he waited on what the response of the department heads. Surprisingly, they were very accepting of what Colm confessed and were willingly to give the young Commander whatever advice he needed. The looks of acknowledgement and respect put Colm nerves at ease.
Soon after Colm looked over X-Com's assets with the department heads to see if there was anything useful they missed.
As Colm debated on what to do with the other bases Doctor Vahlen found something odd, Doctor Shen and Bradford looked over the oddity with a close eye to see if it was real. After checking everything it seemed to be so.
Colm put the matter of the other bases on hold as he digested the information the department heads found.
The conception of the X-Com Project wasn't too long ago, 20 years at best with what the records they were presented with. Still, why were there records of a decommissioned X-Com base dating back to the 1960's?
Hopefully the Spokesmen would have some idea, and it wouldn't cause Colm to lose the betting pool regarding it.
Unlocked: 'a forgotten past' quest line
Relationship Meter:
Central Officer Bradford: 4/10
The Second in Command of X-Com. A man with years of experience in military and administration.
Perhaps I was a bit hasty in calling him a child.
Bonus: +40 Martial actions during missions / +20 to personal Martial Actions
Doctor Shen: 4/10
Head Engineer of X-Com. An acclaimed engineer responsible for leading construction projects.
Surprisingly responsible for his age
Bonus: +40 Stewardship actions for X-Com base opinions / +20 to personal Stewardship Actions
Doctor Vahlen: 4/10
Head Scientist of X-Com. A renowned scientist responsible for leading all of X-Com's research.
A brighter bulb then appearance would let on.
Bonus: +40 Learning action involving X-Com base opinions / +20 to personal Learning actions
{Single Player Stat Sheet}
Name: Colm Shepard
Level: 21
Species: Human
Title: Newbie X-Commander
Class: Gamer
Sub-Class: None
EXP: 53%
HP: 2100/2100 Regen: Per Min
MP: 1475/1475 Regen: Per Min
PSI: 1475/1475 Regen: Per Min
STR: 531
DEX: 533
VIT: 1005
INT: 1004
WIS: 1002
WIL: 508
CHA: 620
LUC: 100
Points: 15
{Organisation: Personal Stats}
Name: Colm Shepard Age: 17
Position: Leader / Commander
{Perks}[] {Traits}[]
Diplomacy: 3 -1 -1 +1 +1 +3 +1 +3 +2 +3 +4 +1 +1 +10 [31]
Martial: 3 +1 +1 +1 -3 +3 +3 +1 +2 +3 +2 +1 +1 +2 [21]
Stewardship: 4 +1 +3 +1 +2 +3 +1 +1 [16]
Intrigue: 4 -1 -1 +1 +3 +1 +2 +3 +1 +1 +10 [24]
Piety: 7 +1 +1 +3 +1 +2 +3 +1 +8 +1 +10 +10 +5 [53]
Learning: 10 +1 +3 +1 +2 +3 +1 +1 [22]
{Traits}[v]
Scared Childhood: your early years weren't very… safe +1 Martial -1 Diplomacy
Social Nerviness: social activities haven't been easy for you -1 Diplomacy -1 Intrigue
Patience: you know when to wait and not to rush certain things +1 to all stats
Prideful: you do things well and take great pride in it -1 Intrigue +1 Martial
Scrawny Body: you're not very intimating +1 Diplomacy -3 Martial
Brush with Alien Things: An Alien presence attempted to control you but failed +1 Piety
Greater Gift: A powerful mind paired with an able body. A rare Trait, especially one this powerful. +3 to all stats.
Existential Plane Minor Lordship: though it is small, you have gained control over Existential Plane(s) +10 for rolls involving Planes your connected with.
{Perks}[v]
Gamer's Ability: allows you to live the world as a game. Provides a gamer's body and a gamer's mind that protects you from all mental harm and allows for clear thoughts,
Legendary Strength: Your raw strength is the stuff legends are made, greater than an average mortal yet less than a god… for now +3 Martial
Supernatural Luck: Things go your way most of the time down to pure luck… an unnatural luck +1 to all stats
Supernatural Charm: Your very attractive, some would say… unnatural +3 Diplomacy
Prodigy: at a young age you were known for being ahead of your peers +2 to all stats
Worldly Genius: your intellect is renown across the Earth, point your mind to it and you could learn anything +3 to all stats.
All Connecting Knowledge: All aspects of creation have links that bind them all together and share many things with one another, all that's required is the knowledge of where to look. Adds all of Learning (INT) to other stats in use for a task.
Spiritual Understanding: You've grown to be very understanding of others, on odd chances understanding better then themselves. Half of Piety(WIS) and half of Intrigue(INT) to other stats in use for a task.
Skill Assimilation: By reaching new horizons in both your intellect and understanding, you can learn feats and skillset that you hadn't be able to use before. Restriction on skills and resources removed.
Bullet Time: Just like in the movies and video games; your reflects are potent enough to dodge bullets. +2 Martial.
Multitasking: Your Brain power has reached new heights, your able to handle multiple lines of thought at the same time. Limits is the worth of the Learning stat.
Saintly Body: Your body just seems to never fail, your body will continue to age until it reaches its prime and stay there, nor will it decay and will even give off a pleasant smell even after death. (Assuming you have any remains) +1 all stats.
Almighty Soul: A soul that has reached heights approaching Godly awareness. +8 Piety +4 Diplomacy +2 Martial.
Driven: When given a goal to reach nothing short of Divine intervention will stop you +1 to all stats
A Lord of Magic: Your Mana power has reached a level reserved for gods, how powerful the gods are vary wildly +10 Piety
Mana Star: Your produce enough Mana to sustain a whole country by yourself or the world if you strain yourself a little. +10 Piety
Soulful Lord: Your soul has grown to heights unheard of, outside specific chosen ones within creation. +10 Diplomacy +10 Intrigue +5 Piety
Advisors:
Diplomacy: -None-
Martial: Central Officer John Bradford
Stewardship: Doctor Raymond Shen
Intrigue: -None-
Piety: -None-
Learning: Doctor Moira Vahlen