RID-3 Discussion

[Long Haul]

When developing DZ-3 characters, it helps to have an idea of what their original universe is like. As with regular Deadzone, these characters are all being pulled from realities that have certain set groups of characteristics, although the one thing that will be common to all the -3 realities is that they are AAEDAG (Autobots Are Evil, Decepticons Are Good) universes (or MAEPAG, or AAEPAG, or MAEVAG). Specific details can vary from universe to universe, though. Perhaps the Decepticons are a group of noble but desperate rebels in one reality, an established democracy in another, and a benevolent Empire in the third? Meanwhile, the Autobots might be the stereotypical Evil Empire in one place, a group of violent malcontents in a second reality, and a corrupt state run on profit at the expense of others elsewhere.

We don't really need too much detail. Just enough to get a springboard for the characters that come from them. After all, these are universes that we're never going to actually see. It's just a way to bounce around ideas while getting a feel for our alternates, and to have fun in the discussion besides.

The usual cliché when it comes to a "reverse-universe" type plot, based on my personal experiences of watching way too much television in the '80's and reading way too many comic books, is that the "reverse-universe" is always a much darker reflection of the original in order to leave the viewer or reader with a feeling of, "Boy, wouldn't it be suck if that were the normal fiction reality? Aren't you glad we write the series the way we do instead?" Often, interactions with the normal universe inspire changes in the better in the reverse universe, either by giving the beleaguered heroes of the reverse universe (the counterparts of the normal universe villains) a greater glimmer of hope, or by somehow inspiring the normal universe's evil counterparts to become better people. You know what, though? There's no reason we need to follow the cliche. Especially when we've got so many different realities to work with. Sure, I imagine some will be darker. Maybe some, however, will be brighter. Like normal Deadzone, we're looking at a mismatch here, but maybe, just maybe, while looking into the mirror, our normal characters can find something to inspire them rather than it always be the other way around. We've got a lot of stuff to play with, a lot of areas to explore.

As with normal Deadzone, there are only going to be set reality "groups" that get pulled from, and within that set, the only thing that changes is the pull-point for the various characters. Thus, all DZ-3s who come from G1 Cartoon-3 are going to come from pretty similar home realities, all the ones from the G1 Marvel-3 have similar homes, and so forth. The exact nature of each -3 home reality is being left up for discussion by the individual players who run characters in those realities and who are also participating in the DZ-3 plot itself.

This thread is for the discussion of what the RID-3 universe is like, to be determined by those who run characters in from the normal RID universe and who wish to participate in the plot in some way (even if it's just by running their normal characters). As a note, we only have one actual player of RID characters at the moment, so that player pretty much has final say on how the reality turns out by themselves, but other people are free to make suggestions for the player to consider.

Current characters from the RID universe are: Sky-Byte, Wedge, and Sideburn.

[Sky-byte]

So here are my ideas for DZ-3 RiD:

1) The Predacons are the energy gatherers for the planet Cybertron. But the Autobots, jealous and fearful of the power that the Decepticons could hold in such a position begin spreading propoganda against them. Megatron, not wanting to risk too much confrontation with his limited troops, flees to Earth in an attempt to re-group and perhaps figure out a way to plea with the Autobots.

2) Or we can go the route of the Autobots being energy guzzlers and the Pedacons being energy-efficient, environmental protectors. They want to save the planet from being totally drained by the Autobots, but with rather small numbers, they manage to free the protoforms of Decepticon prisoners and ask for their aid.


I'm still pounding out the idea of DZ-3 Sky-byte.

[Sky-byte]

Going with idea (1), RiD-3 Sky-byte has been a loyal second-in-command of Megatron's Predacons for many many years. Because of Cybertron's limited energy capacity, the Predacons are the ones sent off-planet to procure energy from other energy-rich, usually organic, planets. Made to fit right in with the organic inhabitents, the Predacons quietly go about collecting energy in a very unobtrusive manner. They even go so far as to ask for permission of the planet's natives, if such an opportunity is possible.

Megatron, a strong, rather jovial leader, is always good with his Predacons. Which is good for Sky-byte. This second in command yearns to always serve his commander and the Predacon way in an exemplary fashion. Humble and always eager to please, Sky-byte has many admirers among his followers, though of course he won't admit to it. His loud, boisterous personality has always been there to boost the morale of everyone around him.

Unfortunately, there's one major drawback for Sky-byte and his job off-worlding with the Predacons. He's a bit of a xenophobe. Overly cautious of all things foreign and strange, it took him a very long time to feel even comfortable on Earth. He frequently carries something from Cybertron on his person and hides his own pangs of homesickness.

The corrupt Autobots, fearful of the power that the Predacons could wield, decide to try and take over the energy harvesting job on their own. Only they are no where near as proficient (or nice!) about it. Not only that, but they want the Predacons totally out of the picture. Their first step was to infiltrate Earth's infrastructure, disguised as everyday vehicles. Next, they targeted the world's leader of energy resources: Dr. Oniishi, in order to gain a valuable source of information and to draw the Predacons out to battle. They succeeded in both.

It's on Earth that Sky-byte comes to confront his fears when he aids in the rescue a young boy named Kouji from his would be Autobot attackers.

[Long Haul]

Any ideas for the Decepticons?

[Sky-byte]

With much help from Luna:

The Decepticons were originally a sub-division of the Autobots, sent to Earth to re-activate Fortress Maximus to work as the final great offense against the Predacons. In a great battle to stop the Decepticons from gaining access to Fortress Maximus, with the Predacons greatly overpowered, Megatron is forced to use his spark energy on the group of Autobots, in order to show them the truth and destruction of their actions. Stunned and confused, the Decepticons retreated....

...only to confront the Predacons again later and pledge their allegiance to the Predacon cause. They became a great force one Megatron's side, though the Decepticons tended to go off to do their own thing against the Autobots very often. Rambunctious, but very loyal, it took a while for them to earn Sky-byte's. Scourge, the Decepticon's honorable leader (think samurai), makes every effort to redeem the past evils of him and his team.

Sky-byte and the rest of the Predacons had their initial doubts about these Autobot defectors, but, eventually warms to the idea and their presence. Megatron has always been very supportive of them.

[Emirate Xaaron]

I'll note that I'm thinking about apping Scourge, and the way this works, DZ-3 Scourge would be both an Autobot and evil, because I'm pulling him from episode # 15.

To be honest, evil Autobot Scourge doesn't sound too diifferent from evil Decepticon Scourge, and I might just leave Scourge out of this plot, if I get him.

[Synapse]

You can change the Decepticon idea if you want to, especially if you're going to be playing one of them ^^

[Sable Conolly]

I'm not sure if I'll actually do Scourge-3 or not.

However, Scourge-3 actually remembers his mission to find the Out of Place ARTifacts (the O-Parts). He is an amateur archaeologist (Science: Amateur skill) and an avid treasure hunter. He is somewhat rough around the edges and a fairly heavy drinker, but there's a certain odd wit and charm about him nonetheless. Scourge-3 fights on the side of Good, but he isn't a particularly good person. He'll use every last dirty trick in the book, and he thinks quickly on his feet. Scourge-3 is rather informal. He hates snakes.