Observation Assignment Shelander

Site Location: The Normandy

Location Description
The Normandy is an Alliance vessel that is many stories tall and consists of many decks, each of
which have their own figured worlds. Since the fictional character I am using as a viewpoint for
the observations does not have access to the majority of these (because of her place on the
Normandy), we will focus solely on the command deck where access is most public and busy.

Here is an example of what the interior of the command deck on the SSV Normandy looks like. Very modern and
chic.

This is the outside of the second iteration of the SSV Normandy (at this point, it is controlled by Cerberus.

ChangeMe 11/5/13 8:22 AM
Comment [1]: Wow! This was a fabulous
assignment response--and I can say that with full
confidence--and not just because I personally enjoy
the game. : ) Observing a RPG in an assignment like
this is very diffcult to pull off, but I think it works
really well. I particularly like your choice of the
blogspot, and the fictional infiltration of Khalisa Al-
Jilani. For the final portfolio, here are a few tweaks I
would like for your to make:
A list of terms relevant to the game would be
really helpful on your Word Document. Listing
things such as miliary terminiology, ship
terminology, etc. would help a reader better
understand what you are describing.
With your blogspot, I would begin this section
by explaining the backstory relationship between
Shepard and this journalist. This may help
readers understand why her sneaking aboard the
Normandy is such a great feat.
On your Word Doc observations, make sure to
define the terms artifacts, actors, literacy
practices, and discourse communities in your own
words.
Small change--be sure that the fonts all match up
on your blogspot; this made it hard to read at
times with the changes in font. Also, I would
recommend--if you can--move your photos to the
blogspot. It seems to me that Jilani would most
likely upload pictures as she is doing her
undercover work.

Observation Assignment Shelander
Site Location: The Normandy


Background Information
This space is for those who are not familiar with the Mass Effect universe. So, the story goes like
this: In 2149 CE, humans discovered a 'Mass Effect relay', which is essentially a faster-than-light
highway that allowed humans to connect with the rest of the intergalactic government(s).
Humans created the Systems Alliance (or just Alliance for short) to unite all humans in this
strange new galaxy. Some time after this, an Alliance vessel dubbed 'Normandy' was tasked on
its inaugural mission to investigate an ancient planet named Eden Prime. It was it this point
where Commander Shepard and her crew discovered a warning from the Protheans (a previous
race that is now extinct) about the reapers. Upon further research, it is discovered that the reapers
are an ancient race of artificial life that eradicate all advanced biological life to make way for
new, uncivilized races to advance. As this being the main story, there are also several galactic
disputes that cause Commander Shepard to get involved. These include the Genophage (a
chemical compound that is designed to exterminate a race of overly aggressive monsters called
the Krogans), Asari (a race of all females, that reproduce through touch) justicarism, and even
Quarian pilgrimage (a 'coming-of-age' experience that all Quarians must go through at a certain
age, where they break off from their home fleet).
This is an
example of
a Reaper.
This
particular
one is
named
'Sovereign'
and is the
first Reaper
that the
current
cycle has
encountere
d. They
defeated,
but only
barely.

Figured
World
The
figured
world of the Normandy is one that evolves from a vessel which encapsulates the efforts and
persons of those brave enough to venture deep into outer space to explore the efforts of
civilizations past, into a last stand; a bastion of hope against the final assault of the reapers, an
ancient autonomous collective of mechanical species who undergo a cycle for extermination of
highly evolved biological species. It is firstly a military vessel; a member of the Alliance Naval
Fleet. Therefore, the original regulations and discourse of this figured world are ones of which
that are typically appropriate for a military setting. This includes proper recognition and respect
towards members of a certain rank, customs and courtesies, and an aura of professionalism. To
Observation Assignment Shelander
Site Location: The Normandy
be more specific, a member of a lower working class rank would be expected to render a salute
to members of a command authority rank before beginning of a conversation as well as
keeping conversation to a work-based report, rather than speaking on a friendly basis. Later on,
the Normandy becomes destroyed, rebuilt, and re-purposed for an anti-reaper task force and
henceforth changes the figured world of the vessel in a number of ways. Foremost, the members
of the vessel are not always military, which can cause a chaotic environment, not to mention the
fact that on numerous occasions certain personal act in very inappropriate ways. This includes,
but is not limited to: interpersonal relations, disrespect of command authority, dissent, command
authority acting on personal reasons rather than duty-inclined reasons, and more. This is what I
will be focusing most on, because I believe the Normandy itself (not commander Shepherd), is
the main character of the story of Mass Effect, and is a perfect figured world to research and
report on the dynamic of certain artifacts, actors, and not to mention the figured world itself.

Actors
Commander Shepard: Commander of the Normandy, Hero of the Alliance, Spectre, and Warrior.
Ashley Williams: Human Alliance Soldier aboard the Normandy.
Liara TSoni: Asari Researcher aboard the Normandy. Highly trained in Prothean history and
biotics.
Kaidan Alenko: Human Sentinel and Systems Alliance Marine aboard the Normandy. Trained in
biotics.
Garrus Vakarian: Former C-Sec Officer, Councils top Spectre, now serves Commander Shepard
aboard the Normandy as a master of arms.
TaliZorah: Quarian Engineer aboard the Normandy. Shy, doesnt show face (part of Quarian
customs and dress).
Jeff Moreau (Joker): Flight Lieutenant and pilot of Normandy. Excellent pilot, arrogant, and
quick witted.
Urdnot Wrex: Krogan Battlemaster aboard Normandy. Arrogant, aggressive, concerned about
genophage and trying to create a future for the Krogans.

Admiral Hackett: Top-Ranking official of Alliance Navy. Previous commander of the
Normandy.

Artifacts
Shepards Fish Tank: Commander Shepard loves to collect fish, put them in her tank, and never
feed them. Its almost sadistic, if you ask me.
EDI: After the Normandy was recreated, the ship contained an AI named EDI. This has been a
focal point for Jeff Moreau as he felt like he didnt have full control of the ship anymore.
Reactor: Focal point for a lot of the Engineers. They always feel like it can be better, and ends up
as a topic of importance with all of the technical crewmembers aboard.
Genophage: A topic that has split a lot of crew members and politicians. Those for it agree that
the Krogans are too violent of a people, and need to be weakened greatly if they continue to be a
part of the Alliance. Those against it agree universally that it is more or less genocide and should
be abolished.

Discourse Communities
Engineering: Most of the engineering and technical folk stick together in the technical bay, with
the reactor and all of the other sensitive electrical equipment. They communicate using more
Observation Assignment Shelander
Site Location: The Normandy
technical language and do not tend to act out. These crew members stick closer to their comfort
zone than the others.
Military military: This includes those who are and embody the military concept. Gung-ho
weapon slinging brutes. They spend a lot of time lifting weights in the cargo bay and can be seen
communicating in looser English.
Command Staff: The high ranking officials. They spend a lot of time in the briefing room with
other high ranking officials, foreign dignitaries, and civilian consultants.

Literary Practices
1. Actual military members of the Normandy (during the periods in which it is actually a
military vessel) are seen rendering classical military customs. This includes saluting
higher ranking officers, starting and/or ending statements with sir or maam, marching,
briefing, debriefing, cleaning weaponry, etc.
2. Non-military members usually act as advisors, and as so can be seen occasionally
disrespecting others in a way that actual military members would never do. Emotions are
typically more amplified and these members do not filter what they say nearly as much as
literary practices from military members.
3. Political Officials / Foreign Dignitaries are consulted from time to time aboard the
Normandy, usually regarding some issue that goes beyond the command of the Alliance
Navy or Cerberus. These actors are usually the most unfiltered and least courteous of
guests aboard the Normandy.

Observations
*NOTE* I have taken a persona of an in-game journalist to make sense of these observations
within the context of the story.
[For this part, see this URL: hLLp://normandyundercover.blogspoL.com/]