Alesta Shepard, Commander of the Alliance, Council Spectre (ME Playthrough)
Dragonspear
Member Posts: 1,838
in Off-Topic
In an effort to keep myself around more, I'm expanding the playthrough RP topics I do to include other RPGs that I run through. I would like to give a shoutout to @CaloNord for saying that he'd like to see both ME and DA playthroughs. So while I'm waiting on the patch for BGEE (although I might hop in the beta anyway), here is going to be my ME1 playthrough for the first time as an adept.
Here is the biography I've made for her so far:
So that's her, she's definitely a renegade, willing to make the tough calls and do what needs to be done. But she never forgets them. It is highly unlikely she'll let either Kaidan or Ashley inside, because they really are directly under her command, and she doesn't like showing her own doubts to her crew. I don't know, I THINK this is going to be a renegade run, but we'll see in the end. Currently I've put 3 parts into charm and intimidate. She definitely learned some degree of savvy out on the streets and in her time in the service, so she knows that a show of power doesn't solve everything.
Anyway, I'm wrapping this up for now as I'm rambling. I'll update with the prologue -> Spectre later tonight or tomorrow sometime I hope.
Here is the biography I've made for her so far:
Alesta Shepard shuddered as she woke from another nightmare. She'd slowly become used to them over her career, particularly after the incident on Torfan. Although she'd had plenty of counselling, which had given her ways to avoid the nightmares, she choose not to use those methods. So every night before bed, she'd still go through the list of people, every single name, who had died under her Command. From her best friend back on Earth who had died by her own hand, to the 3/4s of her squad that were killed under her Command on Torfan, and now Corporal Jenkins. It would be a disservice to those who'd died to forget them, but so far as she knew, no one to this day knew about her list. Of her ritual, she kept tight wraps about herself to ensure that no one she was in command of saw the vulnerable part of her. And it was all because of that incident on Earth, which had prompted her to leave.
Stealing food to survive on had gone bad that day, Alexa and herself had managed to escape getting caught, but not before they had to ditch the precious food in order to get away. The memory was hazy to this day, all except for the fight with Alexa. Her best friend, her confidant. They'd thought they could take over the world, to lead reforms so that no one would have to live like that. But they both hadn't eaten much in the last day, as the city was tightening down on the gangs.
After they got back they got into an argument, Alesta still can't remember who started the fight, all she knows is she still bears the scar of where Alexa hit her next to the eye, and that without thinking she'd augmented her punch with biotics back. She hadn't intended to, she'd had no control back then, but she definitely knew of it. Heck, it was the reason Alexa and herself were so high in the gang to begin with, her biotic powers struck fear in those around her. But in that one fateful strike, it changed. She'd thought Alexa was only knocked out cold, and tried shaking her back awake. Gently Alesta picked her up, determined to get her hel;p
She remembers the entire walk from their shared room to the hospital, carrying Alexa the entire way. Feeling the gang members simply back away from her into the shadows, not daring to ask a question as they could see her biotic power running through her body as she carried her best friend. She remembered crying the entire way there, going into the emergency room, tears streaming down her young face, scared to even let her go as they were taking her vitals etc. She didn't remember falling asleep in the hospital, but she woke up in a bed next to Alexa, and although she couldn't understand all the numbers on the screen, she saw Alexa breathing safe and sound. It was only after she'd confirmed that Alexa was all right, that she noticed an IV in her arm and that her own injury in the side of her head had been attended to as well.
That's when she remembered the nurse who walked in carrying food for both of them, holding a finger over her mouth when she'd shown that she'd brought each a chocolate chip cookie. The nurse held her as she broke down and told everything. Rather than judging her however, the nurse held her, and looked into ways that she could help the two girls. She insisted that Alexa would be fine, even as you insisted you had to do something to look out for her. She told you to sleep on it, but even when you'd awoken, you were adamant that joining the military was the only real solution to help both of you.
The nurse took Alexa into her home and you went into the Alliance Navy, where they outfitted you with implants and taught you how to control your powerful biotics. It was about this time that you slowly started to find out about the Asari Commandos, and began to alter your personal tactics to match theirs. You'd rose to the top of your class and graduated first in your class. You had a relatively quiet career until you'd gone to Torfan. Well you think its quiet in retrospect, but even then you were making waves. You put the mission first every time, having learned growing up how to wall off your feelings till later. More than once you'd made the impossible, possible.
Then Torfan happened, and as usual, accomplished the mission, but the cost on both sides was great. The mission went down as a success, but the nightmares returned. Silco, Hyst, Rula, Teil, Qua, Nor, Yus, Delia, Tristir, you still remember them all. You send roses to them on the anniversary of Torfan, and send money to their kids to help with schooling. Just like you do for Alexa, on the date of the fight.
You will continue to do your duty, but forgetting those who've died would be a disservice. You do your duty to help those who were in situations like yours, because you know that getting the job done no matter what, is still better than living back on the streets of earth day to day.
Stealing food to survive on had gone bad that day, Alexa and herself had managed to escape getting caught, but not before they had to ditch the precious food in order to get away. The memory was hazy to this day, all except for the fight with Alexa. Her best friend, her confidant. They'd thought they could take over the world, to lead reforms so that no one would have to live like that. But they both hadn't eaten much in the last day, as the city was tightening down on the gangs.
After they got back they got into an argument, Alesta still can't remember who started the fight, all she knows is she still bears the scar of where Alexa hit her next to the eye, and that without thinking she'd augmented her punch with biotics back. She hadn't intended to, she'd had no control back then, but she definitely knew of it. Heck, it was the reason Alexa and herself were so high in the gang to begin with, her biotic powers struck fear in those around her. But in that one fateful strike, it changed. She'd thought Alexa was only knocked out cold, and tried shaking her back awake. Gently Alesta picked her up, determined to get her hel;p
She remembers the entire walk from their shared room to the hospital, carrying Alexa the entire way. Feeling the gang members simply back away from her into the shadows, not daring to ask a question as they could see her biotic power running through her body as she carried her best friend. She remembered crying the entire way there, going into the emergency room, tears streaming down her young face, scared to even let her go as they were taking her vitals etc. She didn't remember falling asleep in the hospital, but she woke up in a bed next to Alexa, and although she couldn't understand all the numbers on the screen, she saw Alexa breathing safe and sound. It was only after she'd confirmed that Alexa was all right, that she noticed an IV in her arm and that her own injury in the side of her head had been attended to as well.
That's when she remembered the nurse who walked in carrying food for both of them, holding a finger over her mouth when she'd shown that she'd brought each a chocolate chip cookie. The nurse held her as she broke down and told everything. Rather than judging her however, the nurse held her, and looked into ways that she could help the two girls. She insisted that Alexa would be fine, even as you insisted you had to do something to look out for her. She told you to sleep on it, but even when you'd awoken, you were adamant that joining the military was the only real solution to help both of you.
The nurse took Alexa into her home and you went into the Alliance Navy, where they outfitted you with implants and taught you how to control your powerful biotics. It was about this time that you slowly started to find out about the Asari Commandos, and began to alter your personal tactics to match theirs. You'd rose to the top of your class and graduated first in your class. You had a relatively quiet career until you'd gone to Torfan. Well you think its quiet in retrospect, but even then you were making waves. You put the mission first every time, having learned growing up how to wall off your feelings till later. More than once you'd made the impossible, possible.
Then Torfan happened, and as usual, accomplished the mission, but the cost on both sides was great. The mission went down as a success, but the nightmares returned. Silco, Hyst, Rula, Teil, Qua, Nor, Yus, Delia, Tristir, you still remember them all. You send roses to them on the anniversary of Torfan, and send money to their kids to help with schooling. Just like you do for Alexa, on the date of the fight.
You will continue to do your duty, but forgetting those who've died would be a disservice. You do your duty to help those who were in situations like yours, because you know that getting the job done no matter what, is still better than living back on the streets of earth day to day.
So that's her, she's definitely a renegade, willing to make the tough calls and do what needs to be done. But she never forgets them. It is highly unlikely she'll let either Kaidan or Ashley inside, because they really are directly under her command, and she doesn't like showing her own doubts to her crew. I don't know, I THINK this is going to be a renegade run, but we'll see in the end. Currently I've put 3 parts into charm and intimidate. She definitely learned some degree of savvy out on the streets and in her time in the service, so she knows that a show of power doesn't solve everything.
Anyway, I'm wrapping this up for now as I'm rambling. I'll update with the prologue -> Spectre later tonight or tomorrow sometime I hope.
5
Comments
I would consider her someone who walks the line. Neither being totally renegade nor totally paragon. She does what it takes to get the job done. Whether you think she's evil or not, is as far as she's concerned, irrelevant. Get the job done. There are a fair few people in the military that work like that.
Present and Objective.
Whats the most efficient way to get that objective achieved?
Get it done.
Looking forward to this one!
You know they're working on Mass Effect 4? Not with Shepard though, new protagonist new story new everything. Should be good. Due for release roughly a year after DA:I apparently. Officially announced at E3 2014 on June 9, so hopefully it's still a go!
Remember when that sort of stuff used to be free and included in that thing called a 'patch' or was built up to a much larger level, sold in a bundle and called an 'expansion'.
Amusing I am also doing another ME run through. I downloaded most of the DLCs which I haven't played and enjoying them. Currently in ME2.
Doesn't help that with these runs I plan on playing through every game twice with the character for achievements sake.
TBH with so many years since ME3 released and I last played the games I've almost built up enough courage to brave one last playthrough despite those problems that drove me away. This only increases the urge to have just one more Shepard. I loved 1 and 2 so much that I would be fine if I just played them and skipped 3.
Something for me to think about. I know I am ABSOLUTELY not going to buy the next game. Shepard and his/her crew are Mass Effect to me, and bioware ruined them for me that I don't want to fund the continuation of this series. Inquisition I intend to wait for reviews, then maybe if it is good I'll even get a console version used so they don't get a penny. That is something I never thought I'd say.
Things that are going to change:
I'm only going to have 1 early point in charm and intimidate and those will be the only points I put into them all game in both runs. So it'll be interesting seeing where I finally end up with paragon and renegade scores there.
I will not use pistols at all on my character and will instead be maxing out assault rifle (Disclaimer: If I'm aiming for a level 60 build, then I might even skip out on the armor talent + charm and intimidate in order to reach advanced stasis. Which might actually make more sense character wise since she wants to mimic the Asari Commando's she's read about and thus rely on overwhelming firepower and biotics to survive and overcome. On top of hit and run actions.
Other things I've noticed (so far):
I was putting points into characters based on previous runs which in no way did I really min/max. Kaidan and Garrus both died a lot easier than Ashley.
I also don't know how I'm going to pick my party yet. So definitely better to start over and regroup:
Now the question becomes:
Since I'm playing through each game twice with the character for the achievements, would you rather me:
A. Get a feel for the character on the first runthrough and then give the play by play on the second
B. Play by play the first and just metagame blow through the second time
C. Do both, making sure to highlight differences I noticed in character both times
oh and I do like the idea of low renegade and paragon. i had thought about it myself thinking of ways to make it interesting enough a playthrough to push through if I played again. it would force you into choosing a side in many situations rather than just choosing a renegade or paragon option, or perhaps setting up an additional option based on your choices. this would make such decisions an actual decision rather than looking to see that one of the options are lit and taking it.
It makes the game look WAAAAY prettier.
For most of the games I play, I tend to go modless. That will likely change in 1.3 on my main BG thread where I plan on running an Assassin for one run and a blade through another. I'll look into ME Mods at a later date.
@Awong124
My eventual goal is beating the game with a Cmdr Shepard of every class. I'd like to do a male shep one day, but I can't stand the voice, and I'm a woman. Iunno, I just wanna experience the Ash and Miranda romances. Although I hear Tali is equal to Garrus (and they're considered the two best romances).
Game update:
Just finished Eden Prime two nights ago with my new adept, unfortunately I didn't play at all yesterday due to a terrible sore throat.
It's also WILDLY inappropriate on a military vessel. :P
After restarting yet again, Alesta is officially off the Citadel. Currently running Wrex and Kaidan. I found out I don't have the Wrex achievement yet so I'll at least be using him that long. I find it weird because Wrex and Garrus are my two favorite ME1 characters. End game will either be Wrex/Garrus or Garrus/Kaidan as I feel like I really SHOULD give Kaidan a chance.
Definitely realizing I'm exceptionally low on firepower with this squad. But I also noticed that I was low on tech for the mission. Also, definitely not thrilled with some of the choices I made, but with the level I'm at I unfortunately didn't have much of a choice. Looking forward to the New Game+ part of this. I'll have the abilities I need to actually make these fights closer than they are and I'll be able to stay on the RP train.
BTW what is the bring down the sky dlc all about? I played all the ME2 DLC but I never actually got any for ME1. Never got any on ME3 either I guess because I was done playing that after the extended cut.
Honestly Garrus is the closest for me. But I've done traynors as well and really enjoyed it
hmmm... maybe I should get my Garrus assets together and make him for the FO games... then I can get Shepard's armor to complete it...
I finished my first ME1 playthrough of my adept earlier. She's up to 55 and has only put 2 total points into Intimidate (ending the game with 3 charm from paragon/spectre and 5 intimidate from renegade/spectre and 2 points).
That should be enough to at least let me max out my barrier (the only non-stasis biotic I haven't maxed out yet, like 2 points off) and then resume putting my remaining points into said skill. Either way, I will be sporadically posting ME1 updates and exploits about her soon enough as I am starting the official run now for her ME2/ME3 choice setups
Anyway, keep doing your writey write thing of writeyness!