Menae in Full crew, part 1: Away Team 1

These characters were actually the PCs in the game I briefly ran in this setting, with some notes/changes to protect the innocent.


Gender, species, and class are in parentheses. Job before slash is role aboard ship. Job after slash is role in the field.

Abubakr Basso (Male Human Soldier) - Technician/Security Detail
West African son of a firearms manufacturer. Disillusioned by father running guns to both sides in gang warfare in Lagos Megapolis; joined African Union forces

Vasiri T'Nalae (Asari Pure Biotic) - Psychologist/1st Contact Specialist.
Xenopsychologist working for Asari protocol/PR firm. Signed on for expedition for the chance of being the first Asari in decades to meet a new intelligent species. A little clumsy; not the best in a firefight.

Gatatog Nox (Male Krogan Battlemaster) - Cargo manager/Close-combat specialist.
The only Krogan on the crew (which is how he likes it), Nox is something of a braggart or storyteller. Enjoys trying (or failing) to convince younger, more naive crew members of his warrior exploits. Close with Joram Actus, one of the chefs (who also has signs of a rough past).

Tasia Saressian (Female Turian Sentinel) - Field engineer/Security Technician.
Boxing enthusiast. Sparring with Nox is the highlight of her week. A fairly uncomplicated woman.

Erinle Bardati Thyrecko Hermon Likoat Yethrin* "Mouth" (Male Salarian Scientist) - Computer programmer/Medic
Sarcastically nicknamed "Mouth" for his taciturn nature. Programmer specializing in self-coding systems and genetic databases. Definitely hiding something from everyone aboard except Marice Kevari, the Gunnery Chief. Spends most of his time programming or drinking.

*Salarians have multi-part names indicating their (homeworld, nation, city, district, clan name, and given name). Due to their social-photographic memories, multi-part names (and hundreds of relatives) are no problem for them to recall.

Away Team 1's job is to perform in-person survey of planetary, asteroid, or comet surfaces and interiors once preliminary checks have been performed by probes. This is especially important in the case of life signs, artificial structures, etc. They enter by atmospheric shuttle, wearing appropriate suits or gear. Both weapons and basic survey instruments are carried. If Away Team 1 gives the "All Clear," Away Team 2 (next blog entry) will drop in 2nd shuttle with the heavier shuttle carrying more advanced scientific equipment. Team 1 then provides site security and scientific/technical assistance to Team 2 until surface work is completed or the former is no longer needed.

In case of shipboard emergencies or combat, Away Team 1 acts under the direct authority of the Captain or the Executive Officer to act as a boarding, anti-boarding, or search-and-rescue squad.*

*As a side note, a bit of a hole in the Mass Effect universe regards what sorts of weapons are used aboard spacecraft and space stations? Typical firearms in M.E. games are basically railguns and would punch gobs of holes in things that need to be sealed against vacuum? Anti-boarding weapons would need to be able to stop someone in an armored spacesuit without blowing a hole in the hull. Perhaps something like a giant taser that shorts out a suit's electronics?

In another game
Since these characters were originally PCs, they should not steal the show from your PCs. Given the diversity in species and backgrounds of Away Team 1, it is highly unlikely that they are part of a regular military unit. Options:

• Secondary away team that cleans up and holds ground after your players. 
• The other Fire Team in your ship's Drop Squad. 
• A mercenary or pirate group