9962 réponses à ce sujet

[lillitheris]

Should dig down to see what that second exposure is about…it could even be a CDN article, but I doubt it…more likely is that it would be something mentioned in passing in a Sentinel/Adept/Vanguard dialogue. (I always play Infiltrator…)

But that leaves another question: generally only unborn children suffer/gain any effects from eezo exposure. Adults don’t, and it’s not mentioned anywhere that even young children do.

[MidnightRaith]

LanceSolous13 wrote...

Maybe Shepard, being a 14 year old, just simply got too close to the E0 Reactor or something?

Maybe if Shep was a little younger, I could buy that, but I'd think that Spacer kids get ship safety jammed into their skulls repeatedly. I can't see a 14 year old getting too close to the eezo reactor under their own power. If was a freak accident, I suppose, but I think 14 is too old to wander too close the eezo reactor.

[LanceSolous13]

lillitheris wrote...

Should dig down to see what that second exposure is about…it could even be a CDN article, but I doubt it…more likely is that it would be something mentioned in passing in a Sentinel/Adept/Vanguard dialogue. (I always play Infiltrator…)

But that leaves another question: generally only unborn children suffer/gain any effects from eezo exposure. Adults don’t, and it’s not mentioned anywhere that even young children do.

I believe it is mentioned that the baby needs to be exposed to E0 while in the woumb, but sometimes that may not result in Biotic powers but merely the potential for them to exist. I remember reading somewhere that if there is a second exposure during teens early adulthood, Biotics may develop.

[noxiuniversitas1]

Hrrrm I don't know if this will be at all useful, but I had one of my characters explore a semi-plausible means of how eezo exposure might result in any of the different consequences detailed in the codex (biotics / tumours etc). You're welcome to borrow if it makes sense to you





If it bothers you at all, there are obviously spoilers for Nova et Vetera, an arc running from Ch 15 - 19.






It takes the form of a scientist's journal entry (excerpt from Chapter 18), and is intentionally jargon-heavy. Chakwas paraphrases and explains later in the chapter. Highlight for context if you want it: the three drugs in question are being developed by Cerberus to create biotic supersoldiers who they can control. Corrumpebant is a drug which neuters enemy biotics (modeled after the canon drug omega-enkephalin, as well as the context in which said drug was used), Augere enhances biotics and Imperium is the "control" drug.

Anyway, here's the journal entry:

18 February 2182
Davey… what an imbecile. Of all the people to give Corrumpebant to. An asari handmaiden with a commando sister? He should have done his research. Aryana’s human receptionist would have been a far safer bet. Ah, who am I to bemoan his foolishness. Now, the Illusive Man has him in his sights and I am well poised to take advantage. Imperium showed great promise on Teltin, and I may even be able to get some to our assets in the Ascension project to test it there. If I can combine its ability to influence the neural impulse transmission of biotic soldiers with another drug that amplifies powers and reverses the effects of Corrumpebant, I will have killed two birds with one stone. The boss will get his antidote and a super soldier who obeys orders. The ultimate combination of Leng and Lawson. Who knows how he will reward me?

26 August 2182
Success! I have developed a new drug, which I have dubbed Augere. I must keep its discovery a secret, lest my competitors find out. Its design is simple, but ingenious. I wonder how the concept escaped me previously. It all draws from eezo exposure in utero. 10 per cent of children develop biotics, but the other 90 per cent develop brain tumours, other cancers later in childhood or are born with horrendous birth defects.

Eezo must have some teratogenic effect on the zygote’s stem cells, triggering apoptosis in some and uncontrolled mitosis in others. But how does it achieve this duality? Ah, therein lies the elegant solution to my problem. I believe eezo randomly damages DNA. In children with birth defects, DNA damage triggers apoptosis of certain cell lines, leading to malformation of various organs and limbs. In those with tumours, the DNA damage is in the tumour suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes, leading to unregulated mitotic activity and malignant neoplasms.

In those select 10 per cent, however, eezo dust is phagocytosed by resident macrophages. Immune techniques such as fusion with lysosomes are futile as eezo is not destroyed by fluctuations in pH. This allows eezo to accumulate within certain cells in the body. In a select number of these cells, DNA damage presumably occurs in the proto-oncogenes, but not the tumour suppressor genes. This allows “eezo nodules”, essentially benign tumours, to grow, the tumour suppressor genes kicking in before tissue invasion occurs. That would explain why development of biotic talent is a relatively rare phenomenon in eezo-exposed children.

Augere capitalises on this. I have managed to induce a malignant transformation in eezo nodules, allowing them to grow and essentially increase the magnitude of the mass effect fields generated from a single nodule. The power gains, in theory, would be enormous! Of course, subjects would have a limited lifespan from first administration, but… they are expendable.

3 April 2183
I have managed to further fine-tune the effects of Imperium. I can now activate the drug remotely via radio-frequency membrane disruption. The key to control, however, was slightly more difficult – it is dependent on its localisation in the brain. The motor homunculus allows direct mapping of certain areas of the motor cortex to distinct muscle groups. Now that I can target the various isoforms of Imperium to different areas of the motor cortex, I can stimulate release of glutamate and other excitatory neurotransmitters in those specific regions. They are rudimentary still – for example I still cannot work out how to specifically target areas mapping the fingers, but at least various isoforms can be localised to upper / lower limb flexors and extensors. It is a promising start.

Unfortunately, at this point, the amount of glutamate vesicles of Imperium can hold is finite. This means that subject control cannot persist beyond a few minutes before a second dose is necessary. This is impractical, but still, it forms a good platform from which my research can continue. If only I can find a way to increase endogenous glutamate release – so far I have only been able to decrease production, and predictably, all subjects have gone mad. God, I hate schizophrenic patients.

9 April 2183
I have fortuitously found my next subject. All previous ones were weak biotics, so the increase in eezo node size was offset by a low number of nodes to begin with. We’ll see if Augere is able to overcome the neutering effects of Corrumpebant in this one, and if Imperium can withstand a stubborn mule’s will.

Modifié par noxiuniversitas1, 30 juin 2012 - 02:04 .

[fluffywalrus]

I'll admit, I think I took some inspiration from it. While slightly modified to obviously fit a slightly different context, it's more or less what I had in mind(well, generally, without some of the medical jargon) concerning eezo exposures and the body's responses.

Now, if only I could finish this chapter, so I could get to write more details regarding my take on eezo! Aughhh. a quick 3500 word chapter's turned into a behemoth. I really want a natural ending, but I can't find one. :\\ I haven't played hide and seek for years.

[noxiuniversitas1]

fluffywalrus wrote...

I'll admit, I think I took some inspiration from it. While slightly modified to obviously fit a slightly different context, it's more or less what I had in mind(well, generally, without some of the medical jargon) concerning eezo exposures and the body's responses.

Now, if only I could finish this chapter, so I could get to write more details regarding my take on eezo! Aughhh. a quick 3500 word chapter's turned into a behemoth. I really want a natural ending, but I can't find one. : I haven't played hide and seek for years.

Finish iiiiiiiiiiitttt. I'll trade you an as-yet-blank-document

[fluffywalrus]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

fluffywalrus wrote...

I'll admit, I think I took some inspiration from it. While slightly modified to obviously fit a slightly different context, it's more or less what I had in mind(well, generally, without some of the medical jargon) concerning eezo exposures and the body's responses.

Now, if only I could finish this chapter, so I could get to write more details regarding my take on eezo! Aughhh. a quick 3500 word chapter's turned into a behemoth. I really want a natural ending, but I can't find one. : I haven't played hide and seek for years.

Finish iiiiiiiiiiitttt. I'll trade you an as-yet-blank-document

I keep trying to, but every time I read it over, I keep noticing areas that need a bit more exploration It's never-ending. I've expanded on every scene I've written in it so far, and...I'm scared my next read-through will reveal more holes.

But I'm nearing completion, I'm sitting at 5400 words, so there realistically can't be THAT much left to go. Just a few paragraphs left, I think....I hope:unsure:

[noxiuniversitas1]

rofl, you're doing better than me, my dear... one hour on and my document is still blank and I'm still pretending to be busy with "more important stuff" (read, flicking through embarrassing college photos)

[Smugglers Luck]

I've been thinking about it and the Spacer/War Hero background seems to be the only "normal" one. Colonist background is quite traumatic and Earthborn background is well...rough. Couple that with Sole Survivor and you're bound to have a very emotionally/mentally scarred Shepard. What do you guys think?

[fluffywalrus]

Smugglers Luck wrote...

I've been thinking about it and the Spacer/War Hero background seems to be the only "normal" one. Colonist background is quite traumatic and Earthborn background is well...rough. Couple that with Sole Survivor and you're bound to have a very emotionally/mentally scarred Shepard. What do you guys think?

I can agree. I also think Torfan would lead to some serious emotional scarring, considering the incredibly stressful environment mixed with all the death and potential horrors found inside.

But yeah, Spacer/War Hero is the "normal" entry point for Sheps. It's nice to have that option.

[lillitheris]

^ Agree. Anyone who’s been in a war will have enough trauma for some dramatic elements if you so desire…there’s really no need to go for the really bad ones for fear that S/WH were a boring template to use.

…

I’m having issues writing today… I’m getting distracted, but that’s normal. It’s more that I just can’t seem to find the right words, or the pace, or anything. I’ll try to push through to at least get the plot on the paper if nothing else, and then try to revise the text later.

Modifié par lillitheris, 30 juin 2012 - 05:00 .

[CmdrSlander]

lillitheris wrote...

^ Agree. Anyone who’s been in a war will have enough trauma for some dramatic elements if you so desire…there’s really no need to go for the really bad ones for fear that S/WH were a boring template to use.

…

I’m having issues writing today… I’m getting distracted, but that’s normal. It’s more that I just can’t seem to find the right words, or the pace, or anything. I’ll try to push through to at least get the plot on the paper if nothing else, and then try to revise the text later.

I always thought it would be funny if somebody wrote about some Alliance/Council bureacrat who ended up doing the most boring possible stuff even in the exciting enviroments presented by Mass Effect. A good example would be the from the movie Black Hawk Down, wherein an officer complains that despite being shipped off to warzones around the world all he's done was make coffee for people. 

[MidnightRaith]

Smugglers Luck wrote...

I've been thinking about it and the Spacer/War Hero background seems to be the only "normal" one. Colonist background is quite traumatic and Earthborn background is well...rough. Couple that with Sole Survivor and you're bound to have a very emotionally/mentally scarred Shepard. What do you guys think?

That's what I love about the Spacer background. It gives my Shepard an actual working childhood that she can look back on without regret and has her mother alive. I nearly always choose the Spacer background, I just think that Shepard's in for enough trouble without making her entire life one hardship after another. Then, it depends on picking War Hero of Sole Survival depending on what I want to do with that Shepard. I don't like Ruthless much considering it just doesn't seem to fit in with the Spacer background. Why would Shepard hate Batarians enough to repeatedly send people to their death to eradicate them if Spacer Shep has nothing personal behind the dislike? Seems to fit an Earthborn and especially a Colonist Shepard better.

[lillitheris]

I actually have Papa Shepard alive, too, just conveniently missing for a while.

[Icyflare]

I always wondered about eezo exposure. If a pregnant woman is exposed to eezo dust, and there's a small chance that her child may develop biotic abilities, what happens to the woman? Something that can cause tumors and birth defect in unborn children can have detrimental effects on the parent as well? What would be a real-life example of this?

[MidnightRaith]

lillitheris wrote...

I actually have Papa Shepard alive, too, just conveniently missing for a while.

Yeah, I like your idea. I couldn't come up for a reason as to why he wouldn't contact Shepard after her resurrection, so I assumed he was dead. I don't think Shepard did anything that bad to warrant him not taking an interest. Unless he absolutely despises Cerberus, I guess.

[lillitheris]

MidnightRaith wrote...

lillitheris wrote...

I actually have Papa Shepard alive, too, just conveniently missing for a while.

Yeah, I like your idea. I couldn't come up for a reason as to why he wouldn't contact Shepard after her resurrection, so I assumed he was dead. I don't think Shepard did anything that bad to warrant him not taking an interest. Unless he absolutely despises Cerberus, I guess.

I’ve been playing the scene in my head where pops finally gets home.

“So, anything interesting happen while I was gone?”

[noxiuniversitas1]

Icyflare wrote...

I always wondered about eezo exposure. If a pregnant woman is exposed to eezo dust, and there's a small chance that her child may develop biotic abilities, what happens to the woman? Something that can cause tumors and birth defect in unborn children can have detrimental effects on the parent as well? What would be a real-life example of this?

The fallout from Chernobyl. I can elaborate if you want, but it's chilling and quite unpleasant.

[Icyflare]

^I don't mind, but maybe you can send it to me in a PM instead. Not sure if others want to hear about the after-effects of Chernobyl.

Modifié par Icyflare, 30 juin 2012 - 08:54 .

[lillitheris]

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

Icyflare wrote...

Something that can cause tumors and birth defect in unborn children can have detrimental effects on the parent as well? What would be a real-life example of this?

The fallout from Chernobyl. I can elaborate if you want, but it's chilling and quite unpleasant.

Weeell…I can’t fully agree with that assessment. If the eezo caused (significant) problems in adults, it would definitely get a mention. The codex info — as well as, say, Jack’s mother being fine when she was 4 — indicate that it definitely only affects the child.

[hot_heart]

I probably should find out more on the subject, but I have seen a 'theory' that Miranda's infertility was caused by implanted eezo nodules. Not sure how accurate that is, but they mentioned that had precedent (or I misremembered...) They could've just been playing with the lore a bit. Could just be plain old-fashioned infertility...

I think she was born far too early for the whole linkage to biotics, so wouldn't have been designed that way. And she seems to believe Oriana is unaffected, and we know she's not a biotic.

You guys will probably know a bit more.

Modifié par hot_heart, 30 juin 2012 - 08:53 .

[LanceSolous13]

lillitheris wrote...

^ Agree. Anyone who’s been in a war will have enough trauma for some dramatic elements if you so desire…there’s really no need to go for the really bad ones for fear that S/WH were a boring template to use.

I'm combining the backgrounds and coosing Colonist as a reason to my Shepard. From a writing perspective, I can add in more chapters about his background and the time spent in each respective area to A) devlop his character and persionality so that the readers know who this Shepard is and to give the crew something to do while Shepard is comatose.

From an in-universe perspective, I want to show that Shepard's life has always been in chaos and he's always been starting over with a new crew, new places, and new everything. Yet, he always chooses Diplomacy over being a Renegade and he always listened to his own crew and heard their stories and helped them even though it was likely that he would end up starting over again with new faces. The only time he ever faced reckless near suicidle depression was after Midoir was attacked by Slavers. He is a survivor.

[noxiuniversitas1]

Actually, this article is a relatively-jargon free, objective look at the long-term fallout from Chernobyl (cancer-wise). Clearly, it is a difficult area to study - both because of incomplete census data and fluid population metrics.

There are others which I'd be happy to PM you if you want to read more. If you don't want to go into the published literature, however, there is a good documentary called Chernobyl Heart (although I must admit, I detest the narrator / presenter's approach to the children in it - I think it's overly patronising and distasteful at times). Fair warning, I found it difficult to watch; paediatric cardiothoracics / oncology are specialities I could never do - it's not easy to see children unwell.

Modifié par noxiuniversitas1, 30 juin 2012 - 09:02 .

[noxiuniversitas1]

lillitheris wrote...

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

Icyflare wrote...

Something that can cause tumors and birth defect in unborn children can have detrimental effects on the parent as well? What would be a real-life example of this?

The fallout from Chernobyl. I can elaborate if you want, but it's chilling and quite unpleasant.

Weeell…I can’t fully agree with that assessment. If the eezo caused (significant) problems in adults, it would definitely get a mention. The codex info — as well as, say, Jack’s mother being fine when she was 4 — indicate that it definitely only affects the child.

I was referring to real-life, not the game. I have no idea what the in-game "canon" is. Also... cancer IRL takes much more than 4 years from stressor to disease manifestation.

Modifié par noxiuniversitas1, 30 juin 2012 - 09:03 .

[lillitheris]

^ Aha, yes…one of us, possibly me, misunderstood what Icyflare was asking