FreeSpace Wiki - User contributions [en]

Shivans

2006-07-11T09:11:09Z

Aldo: removed speculation on non-canon stuff; can someone have a look at the edits and double check my changes, please.

The '''Shivans''' are a sentinent species who probably come from an unexplored region of the galaxy. Two of the most devastating wars were fought against the Shivans: The [[Great War]] and the [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. Even though both [[Terran]] and [[Vasudan]] scientists experimented with Shivans, still not much is known about this species. There are many non-canon
theories however including the very contraversial [[Shivan Manifesto]] and less well-known theories by various individuals such as [[ngtm1râ€™s Shivan Theory]].
==Physiology==
[[Image:Shivans.jpg]] 
Shivans have multiple eyes, some of which seem to have the function of compound eyes, not unlike some varieties of insects. Shivans also have five legs, and can run equally well over a floor or over a ceiling. It has been hypothesized that Shivans may have spent their evolutionary process in a zero-gravity environment. Each Shivan leg ends in a very strong claw, capable of crushing even the sturdiest of known alloys. Parts of their thorax seem to act as compartments, such as ones that might be found on a space suit. It has been suggested that what we have actually seen have been either robots or organic creatures in some sort of exo-skeleton. However, we have, at present, no reason to support either hypothesis.
 
Their insect like carapace does not appear original to the creature's physiology, suggesting the Shivans are a cybernetic fusion of biology and technology. The integrated plasma weapon also exhibits properties of an organic artificial fusion. The weapon may be a kind of focusing device powered by the energy of the being itself, though this point is the subject of heated cotroversy. These details are cited as evidence that the Shivans could not have evolved as the Terran or Vasudan species had, but that they were likely constructed by another entity. Only a handful of Shivans have ever been captured, and all research on live specimens ended with the [[GTI]]'s [[Hades Rebellion]] in 2336. The results of these studies remain highly classified.

==History==
Despite what information we've been able to obtain, Shivans still remain, on many levels, an enigma to both the [[Terrans]] and the [[Vasudans]]. Their origin and their destination remain unknown. While many have offered up possible explanations as to why the Shivans seem focused on the destruction of all other sentient species, we still do not know why they seem bent on total xenocide.
 
Though the Shivans are obviously xenocidal, their motives and origins have yet to be determined. According to Ancient artifacts, the Shivans seem to possess some kind of sensitivity to subspace disturbances. It is unknown why the Shivans returned to now-GTVA space in Freespace 1 and 2; it may have been by chance, cycle, or by the detection of Terra-Vasudan subspace travel and / or conflict.
 
One theory, suggested by Admiral Petrarch in the (player survives) end monologue of Freespace 2, is that the Shivans are a nomadic race cut off from home, much like the Terrans are from theirs. This theory goes on to speculate that the Shivans used the Capellan supernova to create some form of 'bridge' allowing travel to another (their home) universe.

==Culture==
Xenobiologists know very little about Shivan society. A leading hypothesis is the hive mind theory, arguing that Shivan society is broken down in specialized functions driven by a collective intelligence. The most convincing evidence supporting this theory is the behavior of Shivan forces following the destruction of the [[SD Lucifer|SD ''Lucifer'']], the turning point of [[The Great War]]. Other experts caution against attributing insectoid properties to the Shivans, regardless of their appearance and behavior. Shivan communication seems to occur through quantum waves; [[Admiral Aken Bosch]]'s [[ETAK]] project was successful in decoding their transmissions, but all data concerning that project has been classified at the highest level.

However, due to the capture of the specifications of the [[ETAK]] project, it is possible that the [[GTVA]] may try to communicate with the Shivans at some point in the future, or possibly create a device to disrupt their communications. Either of these possibilities may hold the key to surviving a future Shivan incursion, as from the last two major encounters it is evident that the Shivans exponentially increase their power between campaigns against other beings.

==Technology==
Shivan technology has proven baffling for both Terran and Vasudan scientists. Although their weapons and technology by necessity obey the same physical laws, the systems of Shivan craft seem to be fully integrated with the pilot's biology, making it difficultâ€”but still possibleâ€”to use their spacecraft for espionage. Additionally, reverse-engineering Shivan technology has led to tremendous advances in shielding, beam weaponry, and other weapons systems. Shivans seem to depend more on primary weapons than secondaries, evidenced by their bombers' low payload capacity. Shivans also rely on their heavy shielding and use little armor plating on their fighters.

[[Category:Species]]

Targeting Laser

2006-05-23T10:43:07Z

Aldo: Updated targeting laser comments

'''Targeting Laser'''

{{FS12_Weapons}}
==Description==
Unused weapon

==Veteran Comments==
''Unused in "vanilla" [[Portal:Freespace 2|Freespace 2]], the Targeting Laser was originally intended to, upon 'hitting' the target, summon a strike of bombs arriving from subspace. It is likely the Targeting Laser was removed simply because this would effectively give the player an infinite amount of warheads, unbalancing the game. The Targeting Laser can actually work as intended in the vanilla version of Freespace 2, provided the ssm.tbl (blank by default) is correctly edited.''

''It is also notable as a beam weapon mountable on fighters with Freespace 2 pre-SCP, although it has a number of issues (namely the lack of energy consumption and that it always fires from a fixed point rather than the actual gunbarrels).''

==Performance==
===Statistics===
{|
|-
| style="width:200px" | '''Range'''
| style="width:200px" | Undefined
|-
| '''Rate of Fire'''
| 5 / s
|-
| '''Velocity'''
| Instant
|-
| '''Damage'''
| 0
|-
| Against Hullplating
| None
|-
| Against Shields
| None
|-
| Against Subsystems
| None
|}

===Notes===

[[Category:Weapon]]

Ribos

2006-05-15T22:29:12Z

Aldo: /* Important Events */

===Celestial Information===
*''Distance from Sol:'' Unknown
*''Type of System:'' Unknown
*''Color:'' Unknown
*''Right Ascension:'' Unknown
*''Declination:'' Unknown

===Important Events===
*2335: Destruction of Tombagh Station by the SSD Lucifer, following the transport of a captured Shivan cruiser (SC Taranis) to the installation.

===Jump Nodes===
*[[Antares]]
*[[Beta Cygni]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#Pseudocanon|Pseudocanon]])
*[[Betelgeuse]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])
*[[Ikeya]]
*[[Vega]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])

===Notes===
* Ribos has at least four planets, since "Debris from the station is still falling from orbit on Ribos 4." (Cbrief, FS1, SM2-01a)

[[Category:Stars and Planets]]

Ribos

2006-05-15T22:28:59Z

Aldo: /* Important Events */

===Celestial Information===
*''Distance from Sol:'' Unknown
*''Type of System:'' Unknown
*''Color:'' Unknown
*''Right Ascension:'' Unknown
*''Declination:'' Unknown

===Important Events===
*2335: Destruction of Tombagh Station by the SSD Lucifer, following the trasport of a captured Shivan cruiser (SC Taranis) to the installation.

===Jump Nodes===
*[[Antares]]
*[[Beta Cygni]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#Pseudocanon|Pseudocanon]])
*[[Betelgeuse]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])
*[[Ikeya]]
*[[Vega]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])

===Notes===
* Ribos has at least four planets, since "Debris from the station is still falling from orbit on Ribos 4." (Cbrief, FS1, SM2-01a)

[[Category:Stars and Planets]]

Antares

2006-05-15T22:27:29Z

Aldo: /* Important Events */

===Celestial Information===
*''Distance from Sol:'' 604 lyrs, 185 par
*''Type of System:'' Binary
*''Color:'' M1-Red Giant, B4-Blue Main Sequence
*''Right Ascension:'' 16h 29m 24.439s
*''Declination:'' -26Â° 25' 55.15"

===Important Events===
*1/10/2335: Location of Operation Thresher, which ended in a Terran defeat with 504 pilots dead and 14 MIA
*1/15/2335: Site of Lt. Alex McCarthys' rendezvous with the Vasudans during his attempted defection.
*2335: First official encounter between the [[GTA]], [[PVN]] and [[Shivans]] during escort of the ''GTSC Plato''.
*2335: The GTS Asimov, working on Project Tsunami, is attacked by Shivans in Antares.
*2/15/2335: Site of a small Hammer of Light base of operations destroyed by GTA forces, and a point of retreat for Vasudan forces fleeing from the HoL following their decimation in Vega.
*Apparent location of a GTVA convention signing (Return to Babel; GTVA Security Act, Antares Convention, Section 15-5-7.)

===Jump Nodes===
*[[Beta Aquilae]]
*[[Beta Cygni]]
*[[Betelgeuse]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#Hearsay|Hearsay]])
*[[Ribos]]
*[[Vasuda]]
*[[Vega]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])

[[Category:Stars and Planets]]

Antares

2006-05-15T22:23:24Z

Aldo: /* Important Events */

===Celestial Information===
*''Distance from Sol:'' 604 lyrs, 185 par
*''Type of System:'' Binary
*''Color:'' M1-Red Giant, B4-Blue Main Sequence
*''Right Ascension:'' 16h 29m 24.439s
*''Declination:'' -26Â° 25' 55.15"

===Important Events===
*1/10/2335: Location of Operation Thresher, which ended in a Terran defeat with 504 pilots dead and 14 MIA
*1/15/2335: Site of Lt. Alex McCarthys' rendezvous with the Vasudans during his attempted defection.
*2335: First official encounter between the [[GTA]], [[PVN]] and [[Shivans]] during escort of the ''GTSC Plato''.
*2335: The GTS Asimov, working on Project Tsunami, is attacked by Shivans in Antares.
*2/15/2335: Site of a small Hammer of Light base of operations destroyed by GTA forces, and a point of retreat for Vasudan forces fleeing from the HoL following their decimation in Vega.

===Jump Nodes===
*[[Beta Aquilae]]
*[[Beta Cygni]]
*[[Betelgeuse]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#Hearsay|Hearsay]])
*[[Ribos]]
*[[Vasuda]]
*[[Vega]] ([[Node Inconsistencies#CBAnim|CBAnim]])

[[Category:Stars and Planets]]

Portal:FreeSpace 1

2006-04-26T10:11:46Z

Aldo: Added in link to briefings for FS1; will add ST link if I can find the page

{| border=0 align=center cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=95% style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #404040; border: 1px
#CC0500 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|'''The Freespace 1 Portal'''
|}

{| border=0 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=1 width=200 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #404040; border: 1px

#CC0500 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #404040; 70%;"|[[Briefing texts (FS1)|Briefing texts (FS1)]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|[[FS1 Campaigns|Campaigns]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #404040; 70%;"|[[Freespace 1 Campaign Walkthroughs|Campaign Walkthroughs]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|[[FS1 Cheats|Cheats]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #404040; 70%;"|[[Cutscenes(FS1)|Cutscenes]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|[[FS1 Game Information|Game Information]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #404040; 70%;"|[[The Great War Era Craft|Ships]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|[[Silent Threat|Silent Threat]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #404040; 70%;"|[[FS1_Tactical|Tactical]]
|-
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: #613030; 70%;"|[[FS1 Weapons Database|Weapons Database]]
|-
|}

Welcome to the Freespace 1 portal. Though presently unfinished, the FS1 portal will come to be the central hub of all FS1 and Silent Threat related information on the FS Wiki. Please help expand this portal by editing and adding to pages linked from it.

Nightmares

2006-04-10T16:22:59Z

Aldo: /* Development history */

{{non-canon}}

The ''Nightmares'' are a race originally created for the (now cancelled) ''Reciprocity'' campaign; they are not intended to be a conjecture upon Volitions plans for extending the Freespace storyline and universe.

==Background==

The '''Nightmares''' are a newly discovered species, apparently antagonistic towards the [[Shivans]]. It is unknown whether the Nightmares are capable or willing to communicate with [[GTVA]] vessels.

==Xenobiology==

Much of Nightmare biology is unknown, but they appear to be a type of colony race, formed from clusters of billions of intelligent (the degree of individual intelligence is unclear), multi-purpose single-celled organisms. It is believed that all Nightmare vessels are formed from these cell colonies (in a manner analogous to coral), with cell groupings taking on specific tasks within the vessel in order to act as pseudo-subsystems.

In this sense, the Nightmare race is indistinguishable from their ships or indeed any other technology. The origin of the Nightmares, and the evolutionary conditions that drove them into space, remain completely unknown.

==Development history==

The Nightmares were originally conceived to act as a new enemy for the Reciprocity campaign, which was later cancelled. Their main role - despite numerous storyline changes - was to act as a antagonist and balance to the [[Shivans]], who (in the background storyline) had destroyed [[Capella]] (specifically to seal off that area of space) as part of a war spanning hundreds of thousands of years. Essentially, the Nightmares were to act as a blind force whereby it was the consequence of their actions upon the [[Shivans]] and [[GTVA]] that would drive the storyline.

This can be seen as following the (somewhat cliched) idea of the Shivans being a symptom of a greater problem, where that problem was perpetual war between 'lesser' and 'greater' races. One of the key story elements in the Nightmare-Shivan war was to be that the Nightmares had destroyed the [[Shivan]] homeworld, driving the [[Shivans]] into space and thus necessitating their physical adaptation to zero gravity.

The general Nightmare concept shares some ideas in common with other science-fiction races, specifically the viral-like spread of the Replicators (Stargate SG-1) and the organic ships of the Shadows & Vorlons (Babylon 5), although many of these ideas were arrived at coincidentally. It is worth noting that both the Nightmare concept and story role was altered significantly over time, particularly relating to Nightmare-Shivan history.

The standard Nightmare design is a jet black, insectile ship with traces of purple and primarily green; green was adopted owing to the visual similarity between purple and red (as seen on [[Shivan]] ships). The original inspiration was primarily from the design of Shadow vessels (Babylon 5), but grew to encompass a number of visual reference points such as gothic architecture, and organic structures like coral or flower petals. Technical limitations did serve to constrict the possible Nightmare designs; the 'ideal' Nightmare ship would probably be an amorphous translucent blob, capable of morphing into different shapes and splitting into (or combining from) multiple independent ships.

Despite never having been seen in any completed campaign (although they were adopted for several ongoing or now-cancelled campaigns after the cancellation of Reciprocity), the Nightmares have attained a small degree of name-recognition amongst the community - even if only to serve as an example of over-ambition.

[[Category:Species]]