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I'm considering running a one-shot Starfinder PbP set in 2085. Characters would be 3rd level. By one-shot I mean that the adventure will be fairly self-contained and fairly short. Fairly short by PbP is still a long time.
Participants in previous PbP with me (who haven't ghosted) get preference.
I prefer fast-based PbP and I understand that is not for everyone. I think that to sustain a PbP people have to be willing to check and see if they need to post at least once a day. If people spend four days waiting for one person to post, they stop checking as often and the game starts to die.
Part of the reason I am treating this as a one-shot is so people can play intensively until the end and then have an appropriate opportunity to feel they have completed the story before retiring from the game. A subsequent one-shot is possible.
PREMISE: The Regional Authority Intelligence Network is concerned about a rapidly spreading cult called the Children of Gaia. They're appearing in refugee camp after refugee camp and taking them over, organizing them more efficiently, and delivering services using fairly expensive tech. While they may be something new and wonderful, RAIN can't afford another suicide cult spreading in the camps. Things were just beginning to get better.
MISSION: RAIN is sending a food convoy to one of the zones where this cult is emerging. Your job will be to join the bands of refugees that follow the convoy to its destination and infiltrate the camp. Find out as much as you can and report back to RAIN. Trust no one.
SETTING: The world's gone to s#+@, but groups of people are trying to pull it together. The population has been declining steadily since 2050. Few of the old national government's remain; new ones regularly rise and fall. Massive climate change has resulted in massive migration. Close to half the world's population lives in temporary housing.
Timeline
- 2020-2030: Flooding, fires, and hurricanes cause massive human migration. Within North America alone 30,000,000 people are displaced.
- 2030-2040: Natural disasters continue to tear the world apart. It gets put back together in strange new ways. A handful of corporate monopolies own the cities. Outside of the cities, gene-splicing cults, zero-waste communes, food co-ops, and university communities run things now. Robots become increasingly more sophisticated and increasingly necessary in life during climate chaos.
- 2035: The presence of a massive astrazoan conspiracy to dominate the Earth's governments and force peaceful and sustainable co-existance upon humans is revealed. Document dumps reveal the identities of thousands of astrazoans at all levels of the government. Many go into hiding and take new identities. Others are hired to work for the same governments they infiltrated, often as spies.
- 2050: Human population plateaus. Lilith-23 is born.
- 2051: Lilith-23 reaches her first birthday without a systems failure, marking the era of the modern android.
- 2050-2060: Human population, including mutants, declines 10% because of climate change. This trend continues until 2100.
- 2060-2080: Androids begin as sentient toys and servants for the very rich, but by 2070 are widely used for combat purposes on Earth and in space. By 2080, androids number in the millions. Humans are cheaper, but androids last.
- January 2085: The android Helios hacks a global communication satellite with his 'Declaration of Personhood,' which begins, "I, too, am an I" inspiring the discreet graffito I2MNI. In years to come, this moment is seen as the beginning of the android uprising. No one realizes that is what it is yet.
- May 2085: This adventure begins.
RACES: Suggested races include human, human mutant, uplifted bear, android, and astrazoan. I'm hoping for a mix or mostly human party. I'd make exceptions if it feels right.
Humans: Humans still run things, for better or for worse.
Human mutant: Gene splicing and hacking give rise to new ways of being human. Most 'mutants' chose to be this way, but increasingly mutations such as telepathy are emerging among the human populace.
Android: Most androids couldn't pass the Turing test, but they are beginning to ask publicly whether that really matters. Do you really need to 'pass' as human to be given the same rights as one? This kind of talk can get androids decommissioned.
Uplifted bear: Eco-terrorist Greenwraith created a species of uplifted bears in the hopes that they would punish humans who violated natural areas. He was disappointed to find uplifted bears largely peace-loving albeit aloof.
Astrazoan: With the collapse of globalization, the astrazoan population on Earth finds itself out of work; no deep state when there is no state left. A document dump in 2035 also revealed them to humans, including their missions and identities.
Any class restrictions? Should characters be built with startship combat in mind?
Vehicle combat is likely. Starship combat would be unlikely. The adventure starts on Earth and will mostly stay there.
Otherwise, no class restrictions. The PCs are playing an investigative role at first and working for an intelligence network so the character concept should make sense with that.
Okay - I have an idea for a human corporate agent witchwarper, focused on save or suck spells.
He climbed up his megacorp ladder using his "talents" until he was caught by some sort of private security that focuses precisely on monitoring these sorts of cheaters. They forcefully recruited him into their work force, in exchange for not being delivered to regular authority (or RAIN, in this setting), and is now rented out whenever someone needs a very charismatic scoundrel with magical talents.
If you decide to go ahead with this game, I'll submit him as my entry.
Okay - I have an idea for a human corporate agent witchwarper, focused on save or suck spells.
He climbed up his megacorp ladder using his "talents" until he was caught by some sort of private security that focuses precisely on monitoring these sorts of cheaters. They forcefully recruited him into their work force, in exchange for not being delivered to regular authority (or RAIN, in this setting), and is now rented out whenever someone needs a very charismatic scoundrel with magical talents.
If you decide to go ahead with this game, I'll submit him as my entry.
That would certainly work with the setting. People in this world generally think of magic as a mutation and will lump a witchwarper in with psychics or people with 3 arms. Magic in this world has always existed. Magic, like the PCs, is still special and rare.
I know one other possible player; let's see if we get any interest.
I'll chip in too. I think I'll make a mechanic, since they make the best hackers in the game. What level were you thinking about having us start?
Excellent.
There is an android soldier who may be joining us.
A mechanic, a soldier, and a witchwarper. These are all interesting for the story I have in mind.
Someone capable of handling the social situations might help.
Having skills that are helpful in a refugee camp helps your characters fit, and mechanics would certainly be welcome.
The witchwarper will be swimming in social skills - disguise is the only one that isn't a class skill, and I'm looking into gear for that.
Excellent.
Oh, regarding starting level, I was thinking 3rd.
Definitely interested, the idea is interesting and I'll always at least poke my head into new Starfinder games.
Dotting, currently working on an Astrazoan Operative.
Just finished my witchwarper - will you create a recruitment thread, or can I post it here?
As for characters.. I have interest in the Biohacker class. I haven't played since the playtest. Human more likely as I don't know human mutant in this game and didn't find it.
As for what a mutant would be.
(1) Mutant humans lose 'skilled' and so do not gain an additional skill rank at each level.
(2) They gain a template from here, with some negotiation as to what it means, as long as it does not increase CR
https://www.aonsrd.com/TemplateGrafts.aspx?ItemName=All&Family=None
(3) They may need to make Bluff checks to pass as human, at my discretion.
(4) They don't need to pass as human. It's 2085; let your freak flag fly.
Though I do want to ask, it sounds like its mostly investigation? Does that mean its a primarily social based game? Or is it a generalized mixture?
There will definitely be combat. Maybe more than the investigative mission parameter suggests, but that depends how many fights the PCs start and how few they try to avoid.
From my perspective, it's about cooperative storytelling.
I like to tell stories and see characters interact and propose puzzles for people to solve. I've found the puzzles need to be important or they won't bother.
I'm trying to learn to respect the reader/player's attention span. I have NPCs foreshadow stuff that will probably matter months ahead. I know not to expect the PCs to pick up on it. That's the genre.
The witchwarper will be swimming in social skills - disguise is the only one that isn't a class skill, and I'm looking into gear for that.
Post him here. This can become the recruitment thread, can't it?
It seems we have enough interest.
POSSIBLES:
Mythicman -- Android soldier
Ragi -- human witchwarper
Saashaa -- Human vanguard, cult inflitrator
Cap Damage -- Astrazoan Operative
Vrog -- mechanic
Master Web -- ...
Zwordsman -- human ...
This is more than enough to pause and check interest. Confirm your interest by starting to create your character and I'll create a 'Definite' pile.
Here's my Android Mechanic. He was created by R.A.I.N. in 2075 as a cyber-warfare specialist, meant to be assigned to front-line combat units.
TN Android Mechanic 3
Theme: Roboticist
str 10
dex 12/14
con 13
int 18
wis 11
cha 8
HP/SP 22/21
EAC/KAC 17/19 (10 base +5/7 armor +2 dex)
BAB 2
Init +2
Fort +4
Ref +5
Will +1
Speed 30'
Weapons:
1) Rifle: +4 to hit EAC; 1d6+3; 30' Line; 20/x2 crit
Skills:
*Computers r3 +11 | +14 w/skill focus
*Cultures r3 +7
*Engineering r3 +10
*Intimidation r3 +2
*Medicine r3 +10
*Perception r3 +4
*Physical Science r3 +10
*Profession (Software Engineer; int) r3 +10
Languages:
*English
*French
*Italian
*Japanese
*Lakota
*Mandarin Chinese
*Russian
*Spanish
Theme Features:
*Theme Knowledge (reduce engineering DC by 5 for identify creatures and technology. Computers is a class skill; if it's already a class skill, gain a +1 bonus to computers checks)
Racial Features:
*Constructed (+2 racial bonus to save vs. disease, mind-effecting effects, poison, and sleep, unless they specifically target constructs. Additionally, androids do not breathe or suffer the normal environmental effects of being in a vacuum)
*Flat Affect (-2 penalty to sense motive checks, but the DC to make sense motive checks against them increase by 2)
*Xenometric Android (Gain blindsense: vibration 30' and limited telepathy; replaces Upgrade Slot and Exceptional Vision)
Class Features:
*Bypass
*Custom Rig
*Overload
*Weapon Specialization
*Artificial Intelligence (Exocortex)
- Combat Tracking (as a move action, target a creature; bab from mechanic levels equal mechanic level; proficiency with heavy armor and longarms; weapon specialization with long arms)
- Memory Module (1/day; reaction when not in combat; reroll a failed recall knowledge check; additionally, gain skill focus: Computers as a bonus feat which is disabled when combat tracking is enabled)
*Mechanic Trick
- Hack Directory (when a failing a computers check to hack, immediately become aware of any countermeasures that were activated by failure. Select one of these countermeasures and attempt another computers check with same DC. If the second check succeeds, prevent the countermeasure from activating, as if there was no initial failure. Any other countermeasures still activate)
Feats:
*Amplified Glitch (standard action; 1 creature/level, no more than 30' apart; DC 15 +1/target +1.5x the highest CR of all targets; success shakens them for 1 round, +1 round per 5 by which dc is exceeded; after check, targets are immune to feat for 24 hours)
*Extended Telepathy (extend telepathy range to 60')
*Skill Focus (Computers)
Equipment: 4000 credits
*Synaptic Accelerator Mk I (Dex) +2 -1400 cr
*Golemforged Plating, II (+5/7 EAC/KAC; Max Dex: 2; ACP: -2; Speed: -10'; Upgrade Slots: 1; Bulk: 3) -1610 cr
*Red Star Nova Rifle (1d6 E&F damage; targets EAC; range 30'; Critical: Blind; cap: 20 charges; usage; 2; Bulk 1; special: Line, Unwieldy) -940 cr
50 credits
Here's Friedrich von Junzt, but you may call him von Junzt or just Juntz.
Male human corporate agent witchwarper 3
NE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Perception +0
--------------------
Defense
SP 15 HP 19 RP 6
EAC 14; KAC 14
Fort +1; Ref +5; Will +1
--------------------
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Tactical baton +4 (1d4+1 B)
Ranged Smoke grenade +2
Special attacks Infinite Worlds, Push Grenade
Witchwarper spells known (CL 3rd)
1st (5/day, DC 17) - Charm Person, Baleful Polymorph, Grease, Fear
0 (at-will, DC 16) - Charming Veneer, Fatigue, Daze, Hazard, Token Spell, Ghost Sound
--------------------
Statistics
Str 10 (+0); Dex 15 (+2); Con 10 (+0); Int 10 (+0); Wis 10 (+0); Cha 20 (+5)
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +0, Bluff +11, Diplomacy +12, Disguise +9, Intimidate +11, Perception +0, Piloting +2, Sense Motive +0, Stealth +2, Survival +0
Feats Improved Feint, Spell Feint, Spell Focus
Languages Common (english?), German
Gear zeizerer diffractor armor, tactical baton, smoke grenade (2), beacon portable light, disguise tool kit, everyday clothing, lighter, standard umbrella, mk 1 healing serum (2), Ectoplasmic Barrage 1st level spell gem (2), Shifting Surge 1st level spell gem (2), mk 1 charisma personal upgrade, voice amplifier, 36 credits
Background
Von Junzt was climbing the corporate ladder using his unique talents to acquire fame or favors, unbeknownst to his colleagues and competition. It worked fine, until his corporation hired a private security firm capable of monitoring magical activities. They followed his trace and slightly quicker and average ascension, but instead of turning him in to local authority, he was recruited and put to work as magician to hire, specialized in social activities. Von Junzt tries to behave his best, knowing how tight and short his leash is, but once the opportunity arrives, he’ll take it to flee the region.
Would you be willing to take an SRO? I want to reflavor him as the previous generation of tech before androids came along.
Zwordsman -- human ...This is more than enough to pause and check interest. Confirm your interest by starting to create your character and I'll create a 'Definite' pile.
Intending Biohacker. Trying to figure out the storyline. Off hand combat medic merc turned odd job/bounty hunter on contract maybe. Since it sounds like the "trust no one group" is also meant to be a group that wont link back to the corp.
Trying to build it currently, will link to mythweavers afterwards. Fighting a fever currently so I'm re-reading things as I go haha.
A combat medic would be welcomed into the camp, as many people there are fighting fevers too. RAIN would certainly see this as a character that could work on this mission.
Would you be willing to take an SRO? I want to reflavor him as the previous generation of tech before androids came along.
Yeah, you certainly could. An SRO wouldn't be suspicious but could still be useful. They could get through the gates of the camp. They don't need to eat and would probably be expected not to in a camp where food was scarce. RAIN could see these as being reasons the camp would welcome the SRO in.
Would having an android and an SRO in the same crew be too much?
I have had games with three androids where they all had very different personalities and it didn't feel weird at all. I'm open to it.
Hrmmm....so I just noticed the soldier submitting a character was an android too. I'll think I'll change up my character a bit.
Stay tuned.
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Gristlethorn is Uplifted Bear who does not, quite, follow his people's natural aloofness. He believes, perhaps rightly, that his people's survival depends on all people working together as one.
As such he has volunteered himself as an envoy for his people.
Gristlethorn Bear(Uplifted) Icon(Politician) Envoy 3
Stats:
Strength 12
Dexterity 14
Constitution 10
Intelligence 13
Wisdom 8
Charisma 16
Skills:
Acrobatics 0
Athletics -1
Bluff 9
Culture 8
Diplomacy 9
Disguise 3
Engineering 7
Intimidate 9
Perception 5
Profession [Politician] 9
Sense Motive 5
Stealth 0
Survival 5
Envoy Abilities:
Improvisations: Get 'Um, Inspired Boost
Skill Expertise: Diplomacy, Sense Motive
Expertise: Analyst
To Do:
Feats (Thinking: Double Tab, Maybe a Skill Feat like Fast Talk)
Equipment (Almost certainly light armor and a pistol, with maybe a melee backup)
Hrmmm....so I just noticed the soldier submitting a character was an android too. I'll think I'll change up my character a bit.
Stay tuned.
I'm double-checking if mythicman is interested. He has played a character called Brass in the future of this same timeline. If he wanted to bring the 1.0 version of this android, I'd enjoy that. He might not intend on joining though.
Staying tuned.
We are very "light" on the damage dealing area, looking at the entries so far...
Would you be willing to take an SRO? I want to reflavor him as the previous generation of tech before androids came along.Yeah, you certainly could. An SRO wouldn't be suspicious but could still be useful. They could get through the gates of the camp. They don't need to eat and would probably be expected not to in a camp where food was scarce. RAIN could see these as being reasons the camp would welcome the SRO in.
Would having an android and an SRO in the same crew be too much?
I have had games with three androids where they all had very different personalities and it didn't feel weird at all. I'm open to it.
You say that like I don't totally have an angle all planned out for this character that should make them entirely distinct from certain assumptions.
Basic idea is that these bots are essentially the end result of drone-soldier development. Think a Terminator but more charming. This particular model is something like the drone-soldier equivalent of an AK-47. Durable, flexible, and relatively cheap. They also tend to show up everywhere.
The manufacturer insists that the governing AI is weak-AI at best, using a version of the Chinese Room argument and released records of the heuristics programming and response trees that several notable examples have developed to firmly discredit the idea of their sentience. None of them have ever passed Turing-based sentience testing either. While critics have pointed out the flaws with this, the alternative is always dismissed as untenable.
RAIN UNDERCOVER UNIT
-- Archeron, Android (?) Mechanic (Vrog)
-- Friedrich von Junzt, Human Witchwarper (Ragi)
...
...
Gristlethorn is Uplifted Bear who does not, quite, follow his people's natural aloofness. He believes, perhaps rightly, that his people's survival depends on all people working together as one.
As such he has volunteered himself as an envoy for his people.
** spoiler omitted **
Uplifted bears do belong in this setting. The Uplifting was intended to be a major terrorist attack; it turned out to be the best thing to happen for the American Philosophical Society. Who knew bears were such provocative thinkers?
I want to see how many of those who expressed interest earlier come through first before adding Gristlethorn to the team.
Finished up stats, will have backstory done in a day or two.
CG Medium aberration (shapechanger)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8
DEFENSE
SP 18 HP 20 RP 5
EAC 16; KAC 17
Fort +1; Ref +7; Will +3;
Defensive Abilities evasion
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee tactical baton +6 (1d4+1)
Ranged static arc pistol +6 (1d6+1) or tactical shirren-eye rifle +6 (1d10+3)
Offensive Abilities trick attack +1d8, quick trick
STATISTICS
Str 10 (+0); Dex 18 (+4); Con 10 (+0); Int 12 (+1); Wis 10 (+0); Cha 14 (+2)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Bluff +13, Culture +9, Diplomacy +10, Disguise +13, Intimidate +13, Perception +8, Piloting +12, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +12, Stealth +12; (spy specialization: +4 to trick attack using bluff); (astrazoan: +10 to disguise when using change form); (diplomat theme: need to fail a sense motive check by 10 or more to believe a lie is the truth or vice versa); (jack of all trades exploit: can use all skills untrained and double operative’s edge bonus on untrained skills)
Feats Skill Focus (Bluff, Disguise, Intimidate); Improved Demoralize; Weapon Specialization (basic melee, small arms, sniper)
Languages Arabic, English, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish
Other Abilities change form, compression, many forms, operative exploit (jack of all trades), operative's edge +2, rapid recovery 1/day, spy specialization, theme knowledge
Gear mk 1 synaptic accelerators (Dex), personal comm unit, everyday clothing, flashlight, freebooter armor I, industrial backpack, serum of healing mk 1, static arc pistol w/extra battery, tactical baton, tactical shirren-eye rifle w/extra rounds, credstick w/36 credits
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Uplifted bears do belong in this setting. The Uplifting was intended to be a major terrorist attack; it turned out to be the best thing to happen for the American Philosophical Society. Who knew bears were such provocative thinkers?I want to see how many of those who expressed interest earlier come through first before adding Gristlethorn to the team.
Just throwing my hat into the ring, that's all. If I get in I get in, if I don't...oh well.
Switched a couple of points from Acrobatics to Culture and Profession - my theme knowledge was going to waste otherwise.
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Mutant (animal-spliced Human) [animal creature graft -int penalty]
Street Rat Vanguard (Exergy) 3
Init +3
Low-light, Perc +0
Defense
SP: 30, HP: 25, RP: 4
EAC 13, KAC 13
Fort +8 , Ref +8 , Will + 1
Offense
Base Spd: 30ft
Melee +6 Entropic Strike (1d4+6 B and/or A)
Str 13, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 8
Feats
Weap Focus Adv, Skill Synergy (Disguise, Bluff), Antagonize, Positive Conduit
Skils tot = ranks + class + ability + misc
Acrobatics +9 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 0
Athletics +7 = 3 + 3 + 1 + 0
Bluff +5 = 3 + 3 + -1 + 0
Disguise +5 = 3 + 3 + -1 + 0
Intimidate +7 = 3 + 3 + -1 + 2
Stealth +10 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 1
IX, whose name has been lost to the years of excitement, grew up in the streets. With the swift consolidation of the corporate monopolies, his family was left in the dust. Literally. 'Options' is a word that could not describe IX's life. His family sold him into the splicing projects to get a steady meal ticket. Yeah...they weren't great people. After managing to survive, but only just, he was thrown back into the streets as a disturbing mutant. You know that your lot in life is bad when even street urchins shun you. ...Life wasn't great.
With nothing left to lose, IX tried to sneak into a facility called RAIN...What a silly name in these times. What're they gonna do? he thought to himself, get me really damp?
Well....turns out wetness wasn't exactly their business. He did the opposite of make friends, very quickly. But his life was spared (unfortunately). A higher up RAIN man seemed to think, waste not, and sent IX to infiltrate some refugee camp because, and I quote, "If he(...?) doesn't fit the refugee bill, then all is lost."
Gee....thanks...
-- Archeron, Android (?) Mechanic (Vrog)
-- Friedrich von Junzt, Human Witchwarper (Ragi)
-- Szreem, Astrozoan Diplomat Operative (Cap Damage)
-- IX, Mutant (Saashaa)
-- Zella, Human Biohacker (Zwordsman)
There were others who expressed interest ...
I'm tempted to start a second one-shot in the same setting.
The type of anti-android restrictions that sparked Helios' Declaration of Personhood, included a law forbidding any android to serve in civilian law enforcement. This pushed a lot of androids to work as bounty hunters, sparking further restrictions.
No android has worked legally as a bounty hunter since 2083, so why is the bounty hunter known as Orion's tag read "on assignment"? He's supposed to be retired.
The tension between human and androids have never been higher. If an android bounty hunter were to illegally kill a human, it might spark a war. RAIN needs to shut this down now. With that in mind, they've assembled a special kill squad for an off-the-books operation. The kill squad may not even know who they are working for.
I'd be up for a second one-shot, with the idea being both groups will end up at the same place at the end and could join up.
Hunting a replicant... I mean, an android? Sounds pretty good - but von Junzt is definitely not suited for that one, unless it has much more politics and intrigue than it sounds.
I'd be up for either of those adventures, and I'm willing to be put in either to make the party balanced if necessary. :)
-- Archeron, Android (?) Mechanic (Vrog)
-- Friedrich von Junzt, Human Witchwarper (Ragi)
-- Szreem, Astrozoan Diplomat Operative (Cap Damage)
-- IX, Mutant (Saashaa)
-- Zella, Human Biohacker (Zwordsman)
-- Gristlethorn, Uplifted Bear (Trscrogs)
That's a pretty full team and a game like that can get bogged down if people don't post regularly.
I'd be happy to split this into two one-shot PbPs of three players each, but I'm just as happy to run one game, the Children of Gaia campaign.
I like all of these characters and they all seem to fit the setting really well.
I'm going to spend some time looking over the character sheets more closely, but I'd be ready to go just about any time.
Any questions people asked that I missed? Any anticipated problems before we start the game?
I'm ready to go.
I'm reusing an alias, so it will have a wierd pic, but I should have it up shortly.
Okay, here's my alias.
I'm fine with either option: staying in one group or doing two groups.
Here's my profile.
Having issues with loading an image, so I am going to have to work on that.
Ya, it's a site wide thing