Mass Effect: Blackwell

Humanity has only been about of the galactic stage for the last twenty-six years, since 2157 A.D. Prior to it’s discovery by the galactic community, humanity divided as it was in the early 21st century. Faster-than-light travel only become possible after the discovery of a ancient alien structure on Mars in 2148 AD. Using the faster-than-light vessels, humanity further explored their solar system and made a startling discovery.

Charon, the moon of Pluto, was in fact a mass relay. Scientists knew they existed since the library of information found at the bunker on Mars made references to them. These devices finally gave humanity the ability to reach beyond their own solar system and truly explore the galaxy.

Their first contact with another intelligent species brought war to humanity on the new frontier. The species, the turians, felt provoked by another species “invading” their space. The war became know as the First Contact War. It only lasted months and ended with the intervention of the Citadel Council. At the conclusion of the war, only six hundred and twenty-three human lives were lost with slightly more turian casualties. Some turians felt betrayed and saw the humans getting no punishment. It should be noted that the Treaty of Farixen, which the Alliance signed to gain an embassy on the Citadel, restricts their number of dreadnought-mass warships (currently 6 with one under construction) to 1/5th that of the turian fleet. Sometime in 2183 the Alliance became a leader in the Citadel and joined the Citadel Council.

• Adaptive: Due to their ambitious nature, humans tend to excel in whatever area they choose as their expertise. All humans begin play with one Edge of their choosing, so long as they meet all prerequisites.
  
• Common Bond: Humanity is a social race, and they bond quickly with those they share their time with. All humans are treated as having the Common Bond Edge with any Wild Card that they have a significant relationship with. The definition of a “significant relationship” is at GM discretion.
  
• Buck the System: Humanity is often seen as a race of renegades by the other species of the galaxy who refuse to get in line and follow the rules. Whenever dealing with a non-Human in a position of authority that is not part of their organization, a Human suffers a -2 Charisma penalty.