{{These are dates as reckoned from the ancient Terran Calender. Switching to Sirrian Calender will be noted at the right times. The dates will go back VERY far. We haven't gotten to near AS yet as its a work in progress}}
1132 AD
During the Crusades, the Order of the Knights Templar required men to undertake the tasks that would perhaps go against their strict ethical code. The Shadow were born and underwent a campaign of intelligence gathering and assassination.
1157 AD
Over the past two and a half decades, the Shadow have grown into a powerful sect of deadly reputation. The champion of the Shadow cause, Sebastian De Caelus starts having what he believes to be hallucinations telling him that his destiny doesn't lie with following the god of the Christians. He starts to doubt his sanity and begins to lose his faith.
1163 AD
Sebastian De Caelus, after six years of tormenting visions denounces God. With an impassioned speech to the elder council, he manages to convince a majority of Shadow members to follow him. After a brief conflict with the Templars, who condemned De Caelus as a heathen and heretic, he manages to leave the Holy Land with approximately 200 followers.
1175 AD
After leading his people in a nomadic existence for over a decade, De Caelus establishes a colony deep within a hidden valley where the sun only hits the valley floor when it is highest in the sky and names it Nocturne, the twilight village. Setting up a leadership styled after the greatest empires in existence, the Romans, he changes his name to Sebastio Caelum, he begins to preach of a coming darkness that will swallow all existence. He claims that it is mankind's destiny to prevent this darkness and bring order to all existence, but they cannot do this as a fractured people.
1177 AD
Caelum begins sending agents out to infiltrate various Templar banks. Having thought their former brothers-in-arms long since gone, the Templars are caught totally off guard and lose a good proportion of their funding.
1178 AD
Sebastio Caelum's first son is born during a solar eclipse. He name's the child Noctis and claims he is heir to the Shadow Empire.
1179 AD
Caelum begins recording his visions in a tome named the Path of the Grey. In it he states that it is the duty of all Shadow to remain in the gray, the twilight between light and darkness. He maintains that only by following this path can balance be restored to humanity and final unification can be achieved.
1183 AD
Caelum declares that the Path of the Grey is complete and requires all members of his people to read, study and understand. Scouts sent out years previously return, bringing a wealth of information regarding martial skills, alchemical techniques and spiritual meditation. The Shadow begin following the tome almost religiously, honing their skills and preparing for the time when they will be sent out amongst the world to further the Shadow cause.
1204 AD
After twenty years, Nocturne has turned into a thriving township, the hidden valley providing the people with everything they need. Sebastio Caelum, now in his late sixties steps down as Emperor of the Shadow. Noctis assumes the mantle of Shadow Emperor and begins a campaign of infiltration throughout all the major empires of earth. Shadow member leave Nocturne and settle in various cities through out Europe extending the Shadows reach across the known world.
1257 AD
Sebastio Caelum dies at the age of 119. His body is preserved and sealed within the vaults beneath Nocturne. Noctis dies later in the year at the age of 79. He leaves three sons and is succeeded by eldest son, Aemilius. Agents of the Shadow have been placed in high ranking positions throughout Europe for many years, solidifying the Shadows position. An espionage network unlike anything seen before is spread across the known world. The Shadow's wealth increases as well as their numbers. They continue to do so for the next 200 years.
1297 AD
Aemilius leads the Shadow for forty years. Passing away during this year at the age of 86, the apparent longevity of the Caelum line is viewed as a symbol that the Shadow are destined for great things, as predicted by Sebastio Caelum some 115 years previously. Shadow recruitment reaches an all time high. Aemilius is succeeded by a daughter, Hilaire, the first Empress of the Shadow.
1317 AD
Hilaire's daughter, Kaila begins experiencing vivid dreams and hallucinations. In them she describes creatures that are there and yet at the same time not there. She mentions skyships that seemed to fade in and out of sight. It would seem that Kaila has the same affliction as Sebastio did. She is revered amongst the Shadow.
1476 AD
Shadow agents approach a man named Leonardo Da Vinci in Florentine and offer him a way to continue his passion for pure creative and scientific research. He eagerly agrees and the Shadow finance a laboratory for him to work from. Six years later the first Praetorian war-suit is created. It is twice as light as standard of the time, yet also stronger. He is amicably released from service (He was well imbursed). Da Vinci went on to work for the courts of Milan.
1477 AD
Praetorian Guard officially formed. An elite warrior caste, they are the bodyguard of the Emperor. They become proficient in most forms of martial combat both armed and unarmed. They follow a strict code of honor and answer only to the Emperor. By Imperial decree, they shall number no more than twenty.
1500 AD
With the help of the Shadow, the peasant republic of Dithmarschen repels an invasion from the Danish army. Dithmarschen agrees to the building of a Shadow stronghold, the first permanent Shadow presence created since the founding of Nocturne. Korbin's daughter, Leora assumes control of the Shadow after her father's death.
1516 AD
After a brief conversation with a Shadow with a loose tongue, Thomas Moore publishes Utopia. It basically outlines all the Shadow hope to accomplish with obvious tracts of poetic license. The concept of a unified humanity begins to spread through out many underground movements.
1584 AD
Sailing with Sir Walter Raleigh, a contingent of Shadow agents reach the New World, setting up in what would later become known as North Carolina. Recruitment rises as a harsh way of living takes it's toll.
Leora moves the Shadow to the New World. Dying two years later, Lucius Caelum assumes leadership of the throne.
1600-1800 AD
Very few records from this time period exist regarding the Shadow. It is believed that they may well have started the great fire of London in 1666 to prevent further spread of the bubonic plague.
1807 AD
Current leader of the Shadow, Luthando Caelum, establishes the Eclipse Trading Company as a public facing means of gathering intelligence and wealth. The ETC becomes a very wealthy and powerful entity within it's own right, eventually becoming Eclipse Dynamics in 1943.
1853 AD
The seemingly chaotic increase in violent conflict throughout the last few decades causes the Shadow to withdraw from the world. They retreat back to Nocturne and their holdings in Germany and the USA. ETC continues trading as public front.
1900 AD
ETC earnings sky rocket and the Shadows start to purchase villas in the south of Italy watching day to day activities of the locals.
2000 AD
The 100 Year silence from the wars and no trace of the Shadows were ever found.
2090 AD
Shadows come out again this time to prepare leaving Earth due to rising tensions between their own race.
Beginning of Coalition and Alliance war
Shadows left Earth on a generation ship to search the stars for a new home. Unfortunately they never installed a warp drive and had to use rapid cruise to search the new worlds.
0 A.S.
Shadows continue search for a new home only to find desolated ruins on Planets and remnants of an ancient civilization.
10 A.S.
Finally they arrive in the Sirius sector only to lay dormant for the next 750 Years breeding and growing in the deepest parts of Sirius. They remain a shadow once more.
818 A.S.
Shadows reveal themselves to Sirius and starts Operation Flashlight which is to get stable relations in Sirius with current organizations.
*Log opened...* *Feeding ||||||||*
Name: Noctis Lucis Caelum
Biography:
Prince of the Shadow Army
Guardian of Light
Son of Drissinia
-- Bio open --
I am the last heir to the Caelum Dynasty. My father grows weaker every breath he takes. Soon I am to be coronated. But whats the point. My father has given me a contradictory name when you translate it
Light of the Night Sky
When I fight for the darkness to engulf the sigmas once more I can not look in the mirror to face my true self. He has given me a task to fulfill. Capture the sigmas and reign over them for generations to come.
These artifacts we mine are just small fragments of power I can wield. Some think I am crazy
-- Bio closed --
----------------
Name: Telemachus Gordian
I am Telemachus Gordian, and I served your father as a commander in his Praetorian Guard.
Commander Telemachus Gordian
I am a man of few words and I have served the King with humility and reverence for twenty of my thirty five years and wish to continue in your service after the sorrowful passing of your father.
As a skilled tactician and master swordsman I have yet to meet anyone within the Praetorian to best me and my skills as a pilot are first rate, especially behind the controls of a Wasupu fighter craft.
As a Praetorian I am honor bound to protect the royal line, even against themselves, until death and my loyalty to you is beyond question.
**Accessing Secure Archives** **Accessing File No.Omega34237** **Displaying: The Taking of Recon Five**
Commander Telemachus Gordian observed his men preparing for the coming assault. He watched as they checked their war-suits integrity, offering up silent prays of devotion to the Keeper of the Tears. He was proud of his warriors, their armor gleaming with black light, their visors glowing a soft malevolent green. How he wished he could shake the hand of the artificer who designed this dreadful suits, built to inspire fear and panic in their enemies.
The boarding tube shuddered violently as it clamped itself to the hull of the offending vessel, the shriek of metal against metal as the tube forced its way to the interior, audible even through the airtight suits. A timer set into the ceiling started blinking of a countdown.
"Stand ready!" Gordian barked, his voice holding a quiet menace that compelled those who heard it to obey without question. "Take none alive. This I command!"
His men formed a wedge, a tactical maneuver as old as time itself, and Gordian took his place at it's tip. He drew his sword, a gift from King Drissinia himself, and gazed at the reflection in its polished surface. It had slain countless people and would continue to do so for many years to come.
At the same time as the countdown signal the forward section of the tube fanned open revealing an opening, it's edges glowing white, then red as they cooled. Beyond that, a smoky corridor strewn with the bodies of those who had been going about their business when the tube had ruptured the inner walls of the ship. Whether they were lucky or not was a matter of opinion.
Leading the charge, he powered his way into the corridor, sword hacking at those come to investigate the commotion. With the discipline of years of training his men split and headed toward their designated areas. Already they would be forcing themselves into the engine room. He grinned at the prospect of carnage that would ensue. He headed to his target, knowing full well that the remaining warriors would be on his heels.
Rounding the corner, a barrage of small arms fire ricocheted off of his armor. Barely slowing him, he roared in defiance at the two who had the audacity to challenge him. Throwing himself at the enemy, his foot landed squarely in the chest of one fool with a sickening crunch, while his sword cleaved through the other before the first had even hit the ground. Without missing a beat he drove forward, heading for the command deck.
Gordian reached the access portal of the bridge, the whole operation having lasted no more than 10 minutes so, confusion and panic spreading quickly through out the ship. He held out his hand. Almost instantly one of his men handed him a cylinder, approximately one foot long, pressed the activation stud and rolled it into the access portal. Holding up a hand he counted down with his fingers... Five... Four... Three... Two... One...
Screams issued from the bridge, quickly replaced with sickly, gurgling sounds. Then nothing.
Gordian walked triumphantly on to the bridge. Twisted, convulsing bodies could be seen writhing through the gas, blood pouring from every orifice.
He reached up and activated the communicator built into his helmet. "My Liege. The ship is ours."
**END OF ARCHIVE**
Ambrosus Acutus
*** Opening archive No. 001 ***
Just arrived at these Shadows base. I should probably record all this, just in case never mind, ill just get started.
It was about a year ago. I was living back on planet Los Angeles in the California system. My brother was visiting from planet New Tokyo from learning martial arts. Over the past 2 years or so, I heard with increasing frequency rumors of a great oppression happening somewhere in the Sigmas. Apparently, the Sigmas were rightly theirs but was taken away from them to sate the hunger of the economy.
I was never one who liked oppression. In fact I hated it. I wanted to help these people being robbed of their true home, so I convinced my brother of join me in my quest to find and aid these people.
We planned to go to Barrier gate in Coronado, the hub of freelancer, to hopefully find some rumors on the whereabouts of these people.
Somewhere along a trade lane in the Cortez system, we were ambushed by mysterious pirates. My brothers Wasapu had suffered critical damage, and my Havoc Mk II wasnt doing so well either. One EM pulse from the console knocked me out, and when I woke up I was in come kind of station.
I was greeted by a man named Noctis, and he asked me what I was doing in such dangerous parts. I explained I must help these people who had their space taken away form their, people who I heard to be called the Shadows. Then it was quite a shock, as he said, as he turned away; We are the ones you seek.
Flavius Secundus Lux is one of the most famed generals of the Shadow Empire, having almost four centuries of history behind him while not being one of the Praetorians.
At early age he began training in the art of combat with the famous virtual reality system of Valentinus Severus and quickly grasped the spirit of warriors. Later he requested very few and basic genetical modifications mostly to fill his personal tastes. The changes included the vast improvement of the endurance of his muscles and insides to ensure he has to train hard for long years to put them into use instead of doing it in mere couples of months. He was very focused on these new traits what simply gave him the ability to overcome his natural limits and nothing more, all his path was that he would need efforts, time and experience to achieve any improvements
After long decades of training with the use of melee and ranged weaponry and using the Severus Simulator for gaining combat experience he realized he was becoming older and it was something he seen as inefficient in the ever closing future. Far not as big and muscular as the praetorians, he neverthless was just as cunning, strenuous, intelligent and able as any of them. When the genetical scientist Professor Cassus was looking for volunteers for his experiments to stop the aging of human cells, the 53 years old and already considered "war veteran through simulation experience" Flavius Secundus was among the first to enterprise, but the only one to survive the treatment
Since the reason was a failure to be uncovered, the infamous treatment was banned from further experiments due to it's critical failure and it's potential danger to keep the population of Nocturne within safe numbers. Whether the treatment was successful is not known by anybody, but so far he didn't seem to be aging further in the last centuries. It never really mattered for Flavius Secundus if he will die of old age in the possibly far future, he got what he was looking for: long years to come to continue his training of body and gathering the experience of every possible war and combat situations in the Severus Simulator
He was still very enthusiastic in experimenting more and more combat and warfare ranging from melee combat as a soldier in jungle worlds filled with enemies and dangerous wildlife to commanding fleet sized spacefaring movements in fictitius wars and crisises. He was serving Emperors of the Shadow in most of his life as a general. His exceptional experience and knowledge however is limited to the roles and talents of a warrior-quality general, and so he lacks talent for diplomacy, science, culture and most of everything else. As a warrior he had no desire to be interested whether his emperor's deeds and policies were rightful or not
He sworn to serve Noctis Lucius Caelum as well when he ascended the throne
The Shadow Terror Cell
Not everything flourishes from a basic grain. Sometimes it takes the biggest risks to progress in life. One watches life's true horrors and wants it to be washed away like it never happened. Noctis Lucius Caelum a leader of men and women watches this happen around him. Every breath he takes is a life lost in Sirius. Final Peace is an ultimate goal for the Shadow Empire, but at what cost?
Noctis approached the doors of conference room B on the Luminarium during the feast he was hosting. As he touched the door handle and opened the doors he was faced with a group of twenty or so men and women. Skin colours varied along with body builds and clothing. There was a masked women sitting at the head of the table. Her luminous aura kept Noctis's guard on high alert at the doors of the room.
'So you are the men and women ready to do the darkest bidding of the Shadow Empire? Cause pain, suffering and most of all helping bring final peace to Sirius.' Noctis said.
The women known as the infamous Farah Mazar-e Sharif stood up and looked in to Noctis's eyes.
'What ever it takes. Sirius will have its final peace. One corpse at a time.' Farah beckoned.
Noctis was pleased none the less at the loyalty of these men and women.
'Now here is the main objective for you cell to do. Whilst under my banner you will obey every order I give to you. We will act as we do not even know each others identities. This is top secret, I want Sirius to be completely wiped clean of all its troubles. Literally'¦wiped clean..' Noctis sighed.
Farah Mazar-e Sharif and associates started talking with each other in contained whispers.
'We accept your proposal here Noctis. Sirius will be cleansed. What do you wish for us to do now?' Farah questioned.
Noctis took a seat at the other end of the table facing Farah Mazar-e Sharif. A button emerged from Noctis's side of the table. He pushed it down to reveal a small hologram of a metallic skull.
'This, is the X-45 Prototype Assassin Drone. Capable of locking on to targets on the other side of Sirius and beginning a pursuit against them. They are highly programmed in the extremist methods of assassination. They never fail.' Noctis said.
Farah Mazar-e Sharif seemed partially interested.
'These will assist you when need be, bare in mind that they are prototypes and there is a possibility of malfunctioning on the job. Your first task is to bring the Zoner's Freeport installation in Omicron Delta to its damn knees, they will soon hear your demands of moving out of Delta and this system will become ours for the taking. Mild bombings of the Freeport to start with then move on to mass attacks. Murdering thousands. Remember Shadow vessels will act as Peacekeepers but wont intervene when your attacking. We will simply turn our eyes else where.' Noctis said.
Farah grinned.
'Finally the Zoners will know full fear. We will get right on to it Noctis.' Farah answered.
From that last word they all stood up and left the room out of alternative exits and Noctis returned to the Feast with a partial smile on his face. The Cell was born.
**** Exiting archive... ****
The Diplomacy
Friendly
The Order
The Zoners
Neutral
Blood Dragons
Bounty Hunters Guild
Bundschuh
Colonial Remnant
Corsairs
Farmers Alliance
Gas Miners Guild
Golden Chrysanthemums
Independent Miners Guild
Mollys
Orbital Spa & Cruise
The Council
Unfriendly
ALG Waste Disposal
Ageira Technologies
Border World Exports
Bretonia Armed Forces
Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing
Bretonia Police Authority
Cryer Pharmaceuticals
Daumann Heavy Construction
Deep Space Engineering
EFL Oil & Machinery
Gallic Metal Service
Gallic Royal Navy
Gallic Royal Police
Gateway Shipping
Hogosha
Ile-de-France Shipping
Interspace Commerce
Kishiro Technologies
Kruger Minerals
Kusari Naval Forces
Kusari State Police
Lane Hackers
Liberty Navy
Liberty Police, Inc.
Liberty Security Force
Outcasts
Planetform, Inc.
Republican Shipping
Rheinland Federal Police
Rheinland Military
Samura Industries
Synth Foods, Inc.
Unioners
Universal Shipping
Junkers
Hostile Nomads - Primary Targets
Liberty Rogues
The Phantom Empire
Wilde
Xenos
Legion Members (The Legions are the military force of the Shadow)
Initiate ( I )
Intiates are basically recruits, they have not received basic training nor equipment.
Myrmidon ( II-IV )
Myrmidons are the basic unit in the Shadow, they receive basic training and basic equipment.
Legionnaire ( V-VI )
A Legionnaire is the core military unit of the shadow, they have received Intermediate Training and have been given standard equipment.
Centurion ( VII-VIII)
A Centurion is often considered a non-commissioned Officer. Centurions still fight in the thick of battle but are able to give basic commands. Centurions also have the ability to be an apprentice to a Officer member if they wish to be promoted.
Officers (Officers and above can be a master and have an apprentice):
Legate ( IXX )
Legates are the commanders and generals of the Legions. All Legates have power over councilors when in battle.
Councilors (Councilors are trusted with governing the Shadow and have great political power.)
Dux ( XI-XII )
Dux are considered special operatives, they are the most elite troops, they normally travel in small groups and can do whatever they need to get the job done. Due to their elite status, they have some influence in the Councils decision and are considered Minor-Councilors.
Magistrates ( XIII- XIX )
Magistrates are the main members of the Council, at any time there can be 7 Magistrates. Magistrates are tasked with managing the government and military. 2 Magistrate spots are always reserved for members of the Caelum family.
Shadow Emperor ( XX )
The Emperor of the Shadow, he is the head of both the Military and Government, he appoints Magistrates and Dux to serve in the military, as well as handles the diplomacy of the Shadow Empire
[color=#33CC00]
Ship Usage
Civilian-class vessels, Border Worlds ship line and the Democraticus Yacht.
Well in the timeline itself it states warning mankind about a threat. Now this is the goal they all try to reach. The threat is the Nomads in more simple terms and those who threaten mankinds existance.
The Shadows will use any force nessacary to protect those they fight with. However, they look upon pirates as a plague, not deemed worthy of existance.
Second goal is to settle on a planet and expand operations in to deper sirius basically.
Dude, this is real cool :D I didnt read it all, but hey, its too much for me :(
Thats saying soemthing as I can read the 7th Harry Potter book in 1 day!
As long as you dont try and piss off the Order, I like the idea :D
Neutral Blood Dragons
Bounty Hunters Guild
Bundschuh
Colonial Remnant
Farmers Alliance
Gas Miners Guild
Golden Chrysanthemums
Independent Miners Guild
Mollys
Orbital Spa & Cruise
Not on good terms - Unfreandly ALG Waste Disposal
Ageira Technologies
Border World Exports
Bretonia Armed Forces
Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing
Bretonia Police Authority
Cryer Pharmaceuticals
Daumann Heavy Construction
Deep Space Engineering
EFL Oil & Machinery
Gallic Metal Service
Gallic Royal Navy
Gallic Royal Police
Gateway Shipping
Hogosha
Ile-de-France Shipping
Interspace Commerce
Kishiro Technologies
Kruger Minerals
Kusari Naval Forces
Kusari State Police
Liberty Navy
Liberty Police, Inc.
Liberty Security Force
Planetform, Inc.
Republican Shipping
Rheinland Federal Police
Rheinland Military
Samura Industries
Synth Foods, Inc.
Universal Shipping
Hostile Nomads - the main enemy
Corsairs
Gaians
Gallic Brigands
Landwirtrechtbewegung
Lane Hackers
Liberty Rogues
Outcasts
The Maquis
The Phantom Empire
Unione Corse
Unioners
Wilde
Xenos
*If any non-npc faction were left out, please list the below and the diplomacy will be edited.
We understand humanity much better than the Order, however we also aim to assist the Order in their operations. Now what we have is a deep line of history that the order doesnt. The Shadows have existed for over 2000 years and are the keep trying to protect humanity from anything in its path.
Now the Order cant freel roam house space since they are classed as terrorists. If the order cannot get in to house space secretly we can mop up the mess they cannot clean. But the order are a military faction however the Shadows are a lost generation from the era of sol who theoretically found sirius first. They stay in their System Sigma 10 which is only acsessable via RP stories not ingame. Only Shadow commanders and Lords have the know how on jump co-ordinates.
The Order are just their to protect humanity, but the Shadows want to re-connect with mankind and settle properly.
If anyone is wandering why we are unfriendly to the houses is because they didnt listen to us back at sol about our warnings, therefore we dont like them for that reason.
To be honest we dont really have anything similar to the Order apart from
humanity's wellbeing and destruction of foreign alien lifeforms.
If you have anymore questions please feel free to contact me via skype at nathaw1.
Ill be returning to my real PC tomorrow so ill be able to answer questions fully.
I dont see any point in this idea. You should stick near Order, if you wanna play as "hero of humanity"
I dislike usage of FF pics in the story as much as i dislike WH40k pic in it. Discovery has enough 'ultra super duper secret and mysterious" factions. In fact, there were lot of attempts to create something similar, and they all ended up as disaster. Except of Phantoms.
No from me.
Edit: Few imported part from Final Fantasy story as well i think...
Those things just doesnt fit into Freelancer universe.
Carnage itself flying within void... Proud cardihead ever since 2008...
You all gonna eat cardi!
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