#war hero shepard

[dalekofchaos]

Fixing Kai Leng

The problem with Kai Leng is Mac Walters desperately tried to convince us that Leng was Shepard's ultimate equal when he could barely hold his own against an aged Anderson and a Drell with terminal cancer and in the end he was a tryhard egdelord that would make Kylo Ren embarrassed.

The solution to this is make Leng deeply connected to Shepard's personal history. Making him be a ghost from Shepard's past with a personal connection would have made this character much better. His backstory could change with whatever your selections are for Shepard.

If you are Earthborn, you are both members of the 10th Street Reds

If you are a Spacer, Leng and Shepard's families served together and Shepard and Leng were childhood friends

If you are a Colonist, Leng was Shepard's childhood friend and was in the rubble with Shepard

If you are a War Hero, Leng was wounded as Shepard held off the Batarians during Elysium. Leng's survival and stand against the Batarians attack on Elysium caught Cerberus' interest.

If you are Sole Survivor, you both survived an ambush on Akuze. Only Leng wasn't taken to be experimented on. Leng was recruited into joining Cerberus for his survival. Cerberus convinces Leng that the Alliance left him for dead and so did Shepard. Leng's sense of betrayal and human supremacy leads him to joining Cerberus

If you are Ruthless, you and Leng slaughtered the Batarians on Torfan without mercy, The sense of ruthlessness inspired Leng's cold hearted exterior and human supremacist beliefs and led him to Cerberus.

Where do we go from here? Replace Jacob with Kai Leng. And the books would be his ventures with Cerberus(but less as a cringe tryhard) Jacob ultimately added to nothing. He's so fucking boring and unlikable and turns into the stereotypical black guy who cheats on you.

Kai Leng's motivation when it comes to Cerberus would be this. I would say he was a young man who wanted to serve the human race and the alliance but when he saw that the politics of the Alliance kept holding him back from doing the right thing or the greater good,  he saw that Cerberus was the only ones helping humanity.

Remove the cyber ninja aesthetic and combine Soldier, Adapt and Engineer to make him a Cerberus super soldier.

As for Kai Leng. A Leng who has personal history with Shepard has potential, plus Leng being indoctrinated with Cerberus human supremacist beliefs, but also somebody with a moral conscience when it comes to the missing human colonists, somebody emotional that you could agree with or understand, contrasting Miranda as a starting squadmate.

Through the course of ME2, he would grow on you as the rest of the squadmates of ME2 did. His loyalty mission would be centered around our background. If we're a War hero, we hunt down the Batarians who survived Elysium. If we are Sole Survivor, we hunt down the Alliance officer who led their squad to Akuze. If we're Ruthless, we deal with Batarians who want revenge for Torfan who plan on giving human hostages to the Collectors. Throughout their talks, Shepard can convince Leng that Cerberus is wrong and eventually Leng's loyalty with Cerberus begins to wavers, especially after TIM sends them to be ambushed in the Collector ship.

Leng started completely loyal to Cerberus, but when he works with Shepard he sees that Cerberus is wrong, but stayed loyal, but also loyal to Shepard. When The Illusive Man asks Shepard to give the base over and when he/she refuses, he asks Leng to force it. This is where Kai Leng finally stands up to Cerberus. Kai Leng all his life, all he wanted to do is serve and protect humanity. He sees that the humans of the Terminus Systems were proceed into becoming a human Reaper and was horrified and when the man he looked up to for years says we should use what killed the humans, he gets the message we should sacrifice humanity and the costs of uplifting humanity. Kai Leng has had enough. He sees through the illusion of Cerberus and with Miranda tells TIM to fuck off and he stays loyal to Shepard.

Between the events of ME2 and ME3, when Shepard betrays Cerberus, they realize that Kai Leng is probably the strongest link between Shepard and themselves, and try to use him against Shepard. Not as lucky as Miranda, TIM does not want to lose Leng so he captures and indoctrinates Leng, making him an agent, and reprogramming his mind to become somebody he was not before, working mindlessly for TIM, as his first lieutenant in combat, much like Bucky Barnes, we have an emotional connection to Kai Leng before seeing him as a villain in ME3.

The first time we'd see Leng in ME3 is on Earth. We see this lead Cerberus Phantom in a unique mask stalking you and Anderson. And as we're leaving Earth, we see Kai Leng killing Anderson. With Shepard swearing revenge.

Throughout ME3, Leng would be stalking Shepard. Causing trouble as we encounter Cerberus. Trying to kill Eve, activating the bomb on Tuchunka and the attempt on the Council.

He would become the same Kai Leng that we all know and hate but we would be able to sympathize with him more.

When we finally confront him in Priority Citadel, we face him and omni-slash his mask off. We get the reveal. Shepard is shocked, Leng hesitates after hearing Shepard utter his name. Maybe in the Cerberus coup on the Citadel, if his loyalty mission was completed in ME2, he would not kill Thane, out of respect of a former squadmate, and regain conscious thought again for a brief moment to spare him. 

It would also help to explain his inexplicable plot armor. Rather than surviving against the onslaught of Shepard due to plot reasons, he would not be killed, as Shepard still sympathizes with him, and doesn't want to kill him, sparing him and letting him escape, or not being able to fully focus, hoping there's a little bit of the real Kai Leng still in there.

Of course this would lead to multiple outcomes towards the end of the game. He could either be recruited back or un-indoctrinated somehow, but for a good plot he would only be able to turn good again and rejoin the squad way too late in the game, maybe in the last third of the game, like Legion in ME2. Bonus points if you can romance him as Femshep, would still make a better romance carrying on to ME3 than Jacob.

Otherwise, he would have to be killed and could not be saved. I don't think that convincing him to commit suicide like Saren or TIM would work, because it would be too similar to the TIM suicide not too long, and would lose impact because of it. He would have to be fought and killed one last time in combat, and have a tragic end most likely.

If we saved Kai Leng, he would've been transported on the beam. Depending on your reputation and war readiness, Leng can break through the indoctrination and kill The Illusive Man or Leng kills himself, which distracts TIM and Shepard shoots The Illusive Man. If Leng broke through and killed TIM, he apologizes for killing Anderson and being unable to control himself. If you were just friends they hug, if they were LI, they kiss. Leng's fate would be either being aboard the Normandy to put Shepard's plaque on the memorial or finding Shepard's body and bringing him back and then we'd get Shepard putting Anderson's plaque on the Normandy.

SO that's how I would've handled Kai Leng. Making him more connected to Shepard and less of a tryhard edgelord that they made him to be in canon.

[acciokaidanalenko]

Taking on the Universe: Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One: The Past is History

Summary: Anderson finally tells Natasha about his past with Saren.

CW/TW: None

Preview of chapter below the cut. AO3 link: here.

Natasha left the Elcor-Volus embassy, the door hissing shut behind her, and headed down the hall to Ambassador Udina's office. Her expert gaze swept over her surroundings, taking stock of all who were present. Several Humans lounged around the room. Some mingled at a table set on the far left, while others relaxed in chairs to her right. The centerpiece of the room, the ambassador's large desk, sat empty. Clearly Udina hadn't yet arrived. Captain Anderson stood at the rear of the office, leaning dejectedly against the railing of the balcony which overlooked the Presidium. The sound of the door closing behind her drew the captain's attention. He turned his head to glance in her direction and beckoned to her with a wave of his hand. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. She crossed the room at his urging, ignoring any stares from the other visitors as she approached. "Glad you made it, Shepard. We should talk," Anderson said to her as she reached him. He stooped back down onto the railing. She followed his lead, leaning down beside him and watching the slow-moving groups walking along the pedways below. "Oof, you sound so serious. Should I be worried?" she asked, only half joking. Anderson chuckled softly and smiled at her, his eyes quickly searching her face before he turned away. A light breeze, manufactured by the Citadel's environmental controls to simulate outdoor conditions, blew by them. He let out a heavy sigh as he adjusted his position on the railing. "How much did Kris ever tell you about the First Contact War?" Natasha stopped to think for a moment, shaking her head slowly as nothing came to mind. "Don't think he ever did." Despite his ever-growing collection of photos and willingness to reminisce about the past, he'd never mentioned any of the things he'd seen and done during those few months of war with the Turians. Natasha, at the age of three, had been too young at the time to remember anything about it. Anderson hummed and nodded his head, as if he'd expected that answer. "It may have been short, compared to most wars we know of in Human history, but it was just as harrowing to experience. We lost 623 soldiers, mostly in the first skirmish and the initial conflict on Shanxi. I don't know the exact numbers for the Turians' losses, but they were slightly more than ours when all was said and done. It wasn't the best introduction to the galactic community," Anderson began. His voice sounded distant as his gaze remained focused on the Presidium pedways below. "I was a fresh N7 graduate, only a first lieutenant when it happened. Everything was... chaotic, for a time, as Humanity tried to settle in among the Citadel races. About eight years after First Contact, that's when I met Saren."

[mass-effect-anonymous]

CONFESSION:

I noticed that colonist and sole survivor always seem to be paired. Which, angst. I get it. But what about colonist and war hero? A Shepard who will not let their tragedy repeat itself, ever.

[scionshtola]

well i like her

[theshepcollective]

Shayla Jane (Shay) Shepard

Shay belongs to the lovely @rosebud1773.

Backstory - Earthborn.

Background - War Hero.

Class - Adept.

Alignment - Paragrade.

Lover(s) - Madly in love with Garrus Vakarian.

Shay is an Aries through and through. She’s a fiercely loyal war hero, a natural leader, and needs nobody (though she’s much happier when Garrus is around). She won’t hesitate to headbutt anyone who messes with the people she loves.

[serwill]

will im glad I found ur gaming blog now bc i always got excited when you reblogged game gifs on your main (‘oh they like those too!!’) and now I get to interrogate you on your gaming taste w/o feeling bad!! have you ever played dishonored? I feel like it would be right up your ally. also are you the type of person to really flesh out your wardens/shepards? and if so…would u care to share some facts about them. im currently playing through me3 1st time right now and im having the time of my life!!! the combat is so much fun and i love the visuals & atmosphere. you’re right about it being special. one last question what class did you play in me bc I feel like u would love vangaurd LMAO ok sorry for like the ten questions im just excited. hope ur well, much love!!! xoxo

omg hello hello dear !!! come and sit with me, yes yes !!!

i have never played dishonored actually !!! i think i have one of them in my steam library that i got on sale a few years ago, bc it's actually one of my partner's favorite games !!! and they talk about it so highly !! so i'm glad you brought it up bc that reminds me to play it LOL

and you know......it has actually been a while since i fully played through either me or da so....i actually don't have any facts for them 🥺 bc i never fleshed them out !!!! but you know what, that actually sounds so fun and i am going to do that !!! and come back with more for them !!! especially as i'm replaying da:o !! lemme make pinterest boards so i don't forget 😌😌😌 ty for suggesting it !!! how fun !!! do you have any fun facts to share about your shepard or warden !!!

you know, vanguard does sound like me, and i think if i were to choose today, that class would be one of my final picks !! but !!! i am not a shotgun girlie LOL and that always struck it out for me, bc i prefer long range !!! so i always chose infiltrator, bc i also liked the engineer aspect of it 😌😌 and sniper rifles 😌 what was your preferred class !!!!

omg never feel bad about asking me about gaming !! i love to talk about games 😌🩷✨️ tysm for asking !!! 🩷🩷🩷

[anotherhawk]

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient spacefaring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this incredible technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it... MASS EFFECT.

[tenderpinch]

Shepard on shore leave, 30 minutes before the Skyllian Blitz begins ((wip))

[Female Shepard is wearing a black bikini, hip-deep in a calm sea. There’s a tad of under-boob visible. She is smiling and holds an undisclosed drink can. The shore is behind her; it’s littered with towels, beach umbrellas and chairs. There are cliffs and mountains in the deep background.]

[gaiaplantress]

My brain deals with stress by going ‘hey you can smash two of your fandoms together and have your OTPs on the same ship’.   So Mass Effect AU Wei Wuxian in pursuit of  Wangxian and Shakarian supremacy .  Very specifically catered to me but it’s making me happy and I have put far to much thought into this.

 Alliance Lieutenant (I think I got the rank markings right, IDK) Wei who probably should have gotten in more trouble for insubordination but Captain Hannah Shepard took a liking to him. Around when the Reapers show up he suddenly finds himself on the Normandy.   Captain Shepard basically sent her daughter a message that said ‘sending you a trouble maker, you’ll probably like him’.  Ends up getting along with everyone on the ship.

LWJ is a turian.  Because it’s funny and I like the concept.  Supposed to be sort of an aide/liaison for Garrus but Not Happy about that fact, or the human who keeps bothering him when he shows up.  Wen Qing is still human.  Worked with Dr. Chakwas once.   Chakwas actually gets a message from her going ‘I heard Wei was on your ship now.  Good luck keeping him in one piece’. 

Nie clan are now Krogans because I find the thought of Huaisang being a krogan hilarious.

Maybe Baoshan Sanren as a terrifyingly powerful Asari Matriarch  who no one has really seen for centuries?

(Anatomy and Omnitool are scuffed because I didn’t look at many references, I just had to get this out of my head. )

[shizuu-chann]

Honestly, it surprises me the amount of people who play Sole Survivor. Not that it's a bad service record for Shep, and it's compelling and interesting, it just doesn't appeal to me. I would have thought more people would play the War Hero service rec. Idk why, probably something about being a big hero and being loved for making a difference.

I also always play a Colonist background, though. Earthborn (to me) is just too boring--bc if I'm given the opportunity to be from anywhere NOT Earth in a sci fi game, I'm choosing that--and Spacer is...idk, meh? I think I just like the tragedy of losing one's family and being haunted by it, and with Spacer, Shep has their mom (and for my one Spacer Shep, her dad, too).

The Colonist background is so tragic and for my Shep, it gives her the motivation to join the Alliance so she can help make sure that another Mindoir never happens again. And then being on Elysium for the Skyllian Blitz is the chance for her to actually make a difference for another 16-year-old and save their family when no one could save hers. My Shep and her sister both joined the Alliance to be that savior for someone else, and succeeded in doing so when no one else could bc they made a promise to themselves and each other.

It's what makes the Collector attacks so heartbreaking for my Shep, too, and what makes cooperating with Cerberus tolerable even if she loathes and distrusts them. Anyway, I feel like on tumblr I don't really see any Colonists or War Heroes, just Spacers/Earthborns and Sole Survivors and it makes me a bit sad.

[acciokaidanalenko]

Taking on the Universe: Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty: The Trade of Secrets

Summary: A return to the Shadow Broker agent’s office brings about more temptation than anticipated. CW/TW: None

Preview of chapter below the cut. AO3 link: here.

Nothing about the Shadow Broker agent’s office had changed, yet Kaidan felt much more vulnerable as he stood alone in front of the Volus and his security mechs. It had been over a week since he’d first visited this place with Shepard and the others. The fact that Barla Von somehow knew about what had happened at brain camp had been eating away at him since. “Ah, Lieutenant Alenko. How may I assist you today?” Barla Von asked slowly, deliberately letting his mechanical breaths break up the question to prolong it. Kaidan had anticipated another round of playful trickery from the agent, though he somehow hadn’t expected it right out of the gate. He huffed lightly before answering. “I’m here to purchase the intel you have regarding my incident at BAaT,” Kaidan replied coolly, though his heart hammered in his chest. He had no love for the time he’d spent there, but this information was extremely sensitive to the Alliance’s reputation. If it fell into the wrong hands, it would be a nightmare for them to explain what had been going on during the program. He also had to admit that those were questions he didn't want the answers to. “Interesting choice of words, Lieutenant. Incident is a bit of an understatement, don’t you think?” The Volus leaned forward onto his desk, steepling his hands together as he looked up at Kaidan. “I can certainly get you the file, and all other copies will be erased from our database. Just as the Alliance attempted to erase your wrongdoing.” Fourteen years had passed since BAaT had been forced to close following the diplomatic incident that had drawn the attention of the Turian Hierarchy. Tensions had been high as hardly more than a decade had passed since the First Contact War. Kaidan could have blamed himself, but the eventual eruption had been building for some time.

[ghostryders]

my low res baby <3

[scionshtola]

i think i am for sure gonna play some mass effect tomorrow i just can’t decide if i want to replay mercy from the beginning, replay leo starting at me2, or make a new shepard to romance liara.

[theshepcollective]

Millicent (Millie) Shepard

This is my main Shep oc Millie!

Backstory - Colonist

Background - War Hero

Class - Vanguard

Alignment - Renegon

Lover(s) - Jeff ‘Joker’ Moreau

Best Friend(s) - Ashley and Tali

Her mother was a member of the Blue Suns, Zaeeds little sister. Her father was an earthborn kid who abandoned the Alliance to get away from his overbearing sister Hannah. They met and fell in love on Omega.

She has a cousin named Owen, and is good friends with most of the Normandy crew, especially Ashley and Tali. She fell in love with Joker at first sight, and eventually marries him in ME3.

She suffers from complex-PTSD after living as a slave on the dwarf planet Logasiri, and later the pirate moon Torfan. However, her mix of sensitivity, impulsiveness, determination and violent outbursts make her a formidable opponent for the Reapers, and with help from her friends, she will save the Galaxy.

[that-wildwolf]

I still am and will continue to be a little bit messed up about how Garrus, self proclaimed bad boy and vigilante, super capable special ops soldier, best sniper in the galaxy, played his biggest part in the Reaper War not on the front lines but away from any combat. I will never be normal about this. In ME3, no one else checks up on Shepard like he does. Romance or not, Garrus tells Shepard to get some sleep, asks her how she's doing, lets her air out her doubts and insecurities to him... Like I am not joking I am fully serious, Garrus pretty much singlehandedly won the Reaper War. I'm sure she would have broken down if it weren't for that support. Do you think she would have made it otherwise? Do you think she would have had the strength to go on, to win? I'm so so obsessed with this. Mr action hero over there quite literally won that war with the power of love. Not with a gun but with some compassion for a person he loved. Can not will not be normal.

And what messes me up even more is he would absolutely not recognise his part in that victory. Like she won is all that matters. It was her victory. I'm sure it never even occurred to him that no one else checked up on her, it never occurred to him that he was the only thread she was hanging on. Because he loves her, she's his best friend, so of course he's gonna check up on her. He doesn't see this as anything special. It just makes sense for him. I really do think she could tell him outright "hey Garrus actually you're the only reason we won at all" and his brain would not connect that a non-combat thing equals war victory. I'm always and forever going to be a little bit insane about this.