Pioneers - Space Travel Roleplay (Interest Check)

This is the first roleplay I've suggested on this site, so reviews and suggestions for changes are not just welcome, but encouraged.

In the year 2034, technology had developed so much that scientists could send satellites far off into other galaxies. One American satellite, IOXIDE (Intergalactic OXIde DEtector) discovered a planet with an atmosphere startlingly similar to Earth's; in theory, human life on it could be easily sustainable.

The news spread across the world, and a technological competition unseen since the Cold War ensued. Over the next two centuries, this "Second Space Race" led to the discovery of scores of planets that humans could potentially inhabit. And with the population bulging at 7.8 billion, mankind could really use the space.

Most importantly, the three world powers (The USA, the The French Empire*, and China) all made a collaborative effort to create the Pioneer Space Travel Program. For its first experimental run, the governments are selecting 600 promising youngsters (potential scientists, mostly, between the ages of 6 and 16) to place on twenty spaceships, all called the Pioneer (Pioneer I, Pioneer VI, Pioneer XX, etc.). These ships are large enough to accommodate 30 people for long journeys and strong enough to go into warp speed; journeys that would take 70 years on Earth time are condensed to a month.

These children spend almost all of their lives on these ships. Occasionally, they land on a new planet where they can explore and socialize with kids from the other ships. But it's not all fun and games: each person is assigned a role to carry out during their lifetime on the Pioneer.

Scientists follow older scientists, collecting specimens and learning how to test planets to see if they can sustain life - or if there is already life on them. They keep records of their findings and are required to go to "school" longer than the other kids. Most kids become scientists.

Caretakers are destined to watch over the other kids - mostly the offspring of the original Pioneers. They must know how to cook, clean, and tend to the ship. Caretakers are not allowed to have children of their own.

Navigators are trained to become pilots of the Pioneer ships once the pilots before them grow too old. They have to know how to care for the ship to ensure that it is always in good condition. Navigators are not allowed to have children.

Recorders are usually the most creative or expressive individuals on the ship. They are often assigned to take notes on the scientists' discoveries because they can see things from a different perspective. They are also required to write a daily journal of life on the ships.

Runners have to do most of the exploring on the new planets. They can often find themselves in dangerous situations, so they must know the proper use of the space suits and all the weaponry given to them. They have to go through much more physical training than the other kids.

So, in this roleplay, we could go more in-depth on other planets and create alien races if we wanted to, or we could focus on the kids and their lives on the ships. It could go either way.

Anybody interested?

(*At this point in time, France has indeed become an empire and takes up most of West Europe.)

Oh, I should probably be more specific about one thing.

Since there are 30 kids on each ship, there are approximately:

12 Scientists

6 Caretakers

6 Navigators

4 Runners

and 2 Recorders.

Just to give you an idea of what's needed and what there shouldn't be too many of. Oh, and don't forget we can create alien races if we'd like. Also, keep in mind that there are twenty different ships; depending on location, some characters will see each other 24/7, while others will only meet up when the ships land. But there's lots of new technology in the year 2289, so they can probably communicate via computers on the ships.

Any suggestions for revision?

I am totally interested in this. I'd love to be a Runner if this ever gets up and running. Great work Lady Velvet.

Thank you very much! If and when I see some more interest, I'll make a roleplay tab as soon as I can. For now, if you want to post a brief little character bio or something, that would be cool. And if you have any suggestions for where you might like this story to, feel free to let me know.

Yeah, I'm definitely interested in this too. Navigator or runner would both be cool.

I'll keep an eye out.

Very interesting story.

Great! If you want to submit a rough draft of a character or two, you can do so here. This is just for me to see who's interested for what characters and whatnot.

When this is up and running, I would love to be a recorder. =) I really like this too.

Great! I think I have enough interest in this to make a roleplay tab for it now. I'll post the link here when I'm done.

By the way...does anyone really care where this plot goes? I left it open so people could decide, but I think it would be more fun if we figure out the plot along the way.

If we figure it out along the way, we have more potential to add in a bunch of subplots instead of rigidly structuring it. Just a thought.

I agree. =) I did add a tiny little bit of plot, though, just to give the story a little more substance.

The day has come! My roleplay has begun to take form! Check it out here!

Start submitting characters! Let's do this!