Hey all,
welcome to the discussion thread! This is where we're going to decide what sort of campaign we want and what our posting expectations/roles are going to be.
I love SciFi of all kinds, from the hopeful utopian vision of Star Trek TOS/NextGen through to the slightly grittier DS9; through to Babylon 5 and the dystopian views of The Expanse (watch it on Netflix if you haven't already!) and Blade Runner; from the heroes against the Big Bad (Star Wars) to a small crew just trying to get by in a dangerous universe (Firefly).
What are you looking for?
In terms of party role, there's a fair bit of starship combat and you will need the following:
Pilot
Captain
Gunner
Science Officer
Engineer
Which of those do you want to be?
Posting expectations: we're all busy. I can't guarantee a post a day, but I'll do my best to have a post up every other day.
What posting rate do you think you can commit to?
MAPPING: I can't do this - but it is essential for starship combat. If someone can commit to setting up a hex grid that we can edit and to keeping it up to date for our combats, that would be much appreciated.
START DATE - none set. I figure it will take a couple weeks to set up characters and roles and so on, by which point it will be Christmas. We're probably looking at a January start, but if we make incredible progress on character generation and world-building then it will be sooner.
Hi all!
I love the following sci-fi:
* Disutopian worlds: Blade Runner, Neuromancer (my favorite sci-fi book), Snow Crash, and Charlie Huston's Sleepless (a near-future sci-fi look at a world in the middle of a slow-burning apocolypse, caused by an epidemic of sleeplessness - really, really good!).
* Sci-horror: Alien movies obviously, but the Thing is fantastic (if less futuristic). The Abyss is also fantastic. I enjoyed the imperfect Event Horizon and Vin Diesel movies about night on an alien planet (the name escapes me). Signs (the first half) was really good.
* Firefly is probably my favorite sci-fi show, followed by BSG (the new series). Never got into Star Trek. Cowboy Bebop, both movie and show, was great (the movie especially so, in my opinion).
* Star Wars by movie, my ranking: 1) Rogue One; 2) The Force Awakens; 3) Empire; 4) A New Hope & Jedi; 5) the rest.
* Arrival was probably my favorite movie last year.
Party Role: Pilot, Gunner, Sci Officer or Engineer, probably in that order. But really, any, even captain would be fine by me.
Mechanically, I have a ysoki mechanic built. I find the operative, envoy, mystic, and soldier intriguing. Technomancer and solarian don't really grab me.
The only races that grab me are android, ysoki, and human.
Posting rate: I'd like to see at least every other day, personally.
Mapping: I'm hesitant to take this on, mostly because with new baby I'm having trouble finding the time to update OGGM's kingmaker map (I'll get to it over Christmas break, when I'm off work, I promise!).
But, if no one else can do it, I will. It shouldn't be as big a time sink as Kingmaker, right, b/c we're not creating anything new? It would just be moving icons around a Google Slide or something like that?
Start Date: January sounds good to me!
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Oh hell yeah. Glad to see this starting up! I will have a LOT more free time in January, as my contract is up at the end of the year.
I'm a fan of lots of kinds of sci-fi, but the Star Wars universe is a particular favorite. I happen to really enjoy the pilot role but it'll depend on the class I choose to play. They're all fun - I'll want to pick which one I'm interested in once we know more about the game we're going to be playing.
@FC: moving icons on a slide is exactly right - nothing more than that.
@Morphling: January start it is then!
For non-starship fights, I'm thinking of borrowing from Fantasy Flight Games and using their theatre of the mind system which has 3 or 4 different 'ranges' your character can be at.
Melee range: your character is in melee combat with another character.
It's one move action to switch between melee range and
Small arms range: the distance at which you can fire a small arm without range increment penalties.
It's two move actions (i.e. 1 full round action) to switch between small arms range and
Longarm range: the distance at which you can fire a longarm without range increment penalties. Firing a small arm from this range is 3 range increment penalties.
It's two move actions (i.e. 1 full round action) to switch between longarm range and
Heavy range: the distance at which you can fire a heavy weapon without range increment penalties. Firing a longarm from this range is 1 range increment penalty; firing a small arm is impossible.
It's 2 full round actions to switch between heavy range and
Sniper range: the distance at which you can fire a sniper weapon (using the special ability) without range increment penalties. Firing a heavy weapon from this range is 2 range increment penalties; firing a longarm or small arm is impossible.
This overlooks a few things like Reach in melee combat and the Operative's fast movement ability, but it allows us to know roughly where everyone is, relative to everyone else, without having to map it precisely. Am open to feedback!
Great!
Just waiting to hear on Gav, OGGM and Edric...
Range system looks good. Will you just be doing away with different movement speeds and reach? I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing.
Oh, and yes, I can handle the space combat mapping.
Should probably mention it again in my game Discussion to make sure they know we are starting.
I like all sorts of sci-fi in print or on screen. In print: anything cyberpunk, naturally Shadowrun follows. Starship Troopers is a classic (the movie sucked). Dune (again bad movie), Hammer's Slammer's series, Falkenberg's Legion, many others I can't remember.
On screen: I admit I never saw Firefly to my lasting regret. Not much of a Trek guy. Love Star Wars 4, 5, 6, and 7. The best Star Wars experience ever was seeing Rogue One and immediately following it up with Episode 4. Terminator series, Blade Runner, Judge Dred (bad movie), Alien series, Max Headroom; there's more - mostly forgettable I guess.
If I had one pref for role it would probably be Captain, although it would feel weird on a small ship to have a Captain who was not the pilot, so we may want to consider that. If that's the case, I don't have any concerns taking on any other role.
As far as race and class, I am open as well, it's all new to me so I will try anything to make sure we can have a well-rounded group.
Oh, having used the FFG range system for their Star Wars Edge of Empire game, it works really well. I should note they ALSO use it for space combat, precluding the need for a map. SWEoE doesn't call it what DMD used though, it's called Close (melee), Short, Medium, Long, and Extreme.
I’m here! I’m at work right now so I don’t have time to go into detail on what I’d like, but I’ll definit get a post about it tonight when I get home!
If I had one pref for role it would probably be Captain, although it would feel weird on a small ship to have a Captain who was not the pilot, so we may want to consider that. If that's the case, I don't have any concerns taking on any other role.
heh. In my current Starfinder game, our Captain is clueless about starships, piloting, engines, you name it; she just stands on the bridge ordering us around while we ignore her and get on with it. She's high enough Charisma that we haven't spaced her out an airlock (yet).
I freely admit adapting the SWEoE ranges to take account of small arms, long arms, heavy weapons and sniper rifles. Starship combat is slightly different because facing is almost as important as range and it's difficult to visualise that without a map.
Oh, and Firefly is available on Amazon Video; think it comes free with Prime. But seriously, if none of you have seen The Expanse yet - watch it. You can thank me later :-)
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Dune (again bad movie),
Oh yeah! Gosh, I loved Dune. I have high hopes for the next movie, if it comes to be. It will be directed by Dennis Villaneuve, who directed Sicrario, Arrival, and the new Blade Runner.
But seriously, if none of you have seen The Expanse yet - watch it. You can thank me later :-)
I checked out the first episode a couple of nights ago on your recommendation. We get it here in the States on Amazon instead of Netflix. It was pretty good! I'm intrigued to catch more.
Ok! So most of my scifi comes from video games, with a few tv, movies, and books thrown in there.
Movies: Star Wars (In Order of Preference: V, VI, IV, III, II, VII, Rogue One, I), Aliens, Predator, Blade Runner. I never could get into Star Trek.
TV: BSG, Firefly
Games: Mass Effect, SWTOR, Destiny 1&2, XCOM 1&2, Halo, Star Wars Games before EA got a hold of them (Particularly SWBF 1&2, Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Academy, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, KOTOR 1&2)
Books: Not a whole lot here either, I mostly stick to fantasy for my books, but I am reading the Outriders series by Jay Posey right now. I've been meaning to get around to reading Dune but I currently have a back-log of books I want to read.
For party role on the ship I really don't have a role that really jumps out at me, I'd be willing to learn any of the roles.
Class and race: I'm one of those weird people that enjoy playing humans in games, but I've been side-eyeing Androids as well. My top two classes would be engineer and operative, followed by soldier, solerian, and envoy, and finally Mystic and Technomancer. Even in D&D I've always shied away from magical characters. The only spell casters I've ever played were ranger, bard, and paladin to give you an idea on my like for spell-slingers.
Posting: Every day or every other day works for me!
A January start also sounds good to me!
OK, summation of preferences so far, alphabetical by player:
Fighting Chicken:
- starship role: gunner, sci officer, engineer
- class/race: human or android or ysoki / mechanic or operative or soldier, then envoy and mystic
Morphling:
- starship role: pilot
- class/race: no preference
Nikolaus de'Shade:
- starship role: ?
- class/race: ?
OGGM:
- starship role: captain
- class/race: no preference
RavenVoron:
- starship role: no preference
- class/race: human or android / Mechanic or Operative, then soldier/solarian/envoy
For those of you that have played: What are the "must have" bases that need to be covered? I've played a little, but not enough to form an informed opinion (though I'm going to give one anyways, ha!). It seems to me that one melee type is probably useful. Is it possible to build a competent switch hitter? Someone that can use computers seems important. Healing seems less necessary than PF?
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Agree on healing - PCs are generally a bit tougher than in PF.
Our group gets by ok (so far!) with no melee capabilities. I would say someone who can shoot straight is vital.
As for skills: Perception, Piloting, Culture and Computers are vital. Social stuff also helps.
^ Good to know, thanks, DMD!
I gather Edric isn't interested in Starfinder, so I will find another player as 5 seems to be the optimal minimum for SF groups.
Why, hello there. Some familiar faces I see. :-)
Now, let me see...
I like all sorts of sci-fi. Star stuff of both the Trek and Wars variety, Babylon 5, Firefly, The Expanse to name but a few. Post-apocalyptic/dystopian and steampunk stuff and the whole grim and gritty flavor are not among my favorites, but I can probably work with them if need be. I just prefer somewhat high sci-fi rather than low (you know, high and low fantasy?).
As far as ship roles go, Engineer, Gunner, Pilot and Science Officer are all fine by me (alphabetically ordered by the way, not by preference). Captain, not so much.
Race and class? Androids and humans only for me, and gravitating towards the latter (I am already playing an android in another game). Class is probably going to be Operative or Soldier, either melee-focused or switch hitter. Maaaybe Mystic, but probably not.
F. Castor:
- starship role: Not Captain
- class/race: human or android / operative or soldier, possibly mystic (but unlikely)
Fighting Chicken:
- starship role: gunner, sci officer, engineer
- class/race: human or android or ysoki / mechanic or operative or soldier, then envoy and mystic
Morphling:
- starship role: pilot
- class/race: no preference
OGGM:
- starship role: captain
- class/race: no preference
RavenVoron:
- starship role: no preference
- class/race: human or android / Mechanic or Operative, then soldier/solarian/envoy
Hey Castor, good to see you!
I have to re-read the rules for character creation to get myself going, but I'm thinking human for race and class I am still open. If I do go Captain, I would think the class would define the type of Captain I'd play. I have a few ideas in mind. If not, I think I may reprise one of my favorites, just because i liked the character so much.
I present Lt. Kara Savyn, from this campaign. I can't recall if Castor played in this one, or one of my games. But she's deadly as they come.
EDIT: obviously, she's built for SWEoE, but I'd port her over.
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OH! I completely forgot that DM Darkness is very familiar with Kara! Ain't that right, Djebelle Tor?
Heh, nice to see you again, F. Castor! Glad you'll be joining us.
OGGM, so you'd be a soldier if you port Kara over?
I'm thinking more and more about using this character, a ysoki mechanic. She's enthusiastic, happy-go-lucky, and greedy.
But, we're seeming to lean heavily towards three classes as a group (operative, mechanic, soldier). I'm happy to take on a mystic or an envoy so we don't overlap too much.
I wouldn't worry about overlap - my group has 2 operatives and they're different as night and day. Play what you like.
It's good to see Kara again! She'd be a good Lashunta (high Str version) or Vesk, but human works fine too. Looking forward to seeing how she translates from EotE to Starfinder.
I just like the character, I could put her in any class really. I have to re-read the Lashunta for her.
F. Castor:
- starship role: Not Captain
- class/race: human or android / operative or soldier, possibly mystic (but unlikely)
Fighting Chicken:
- starship role: gunner, sci officer, engineer
- class/race: Lolo Aeolo, Ysoki engineer
Morphling:
- starship role: pilot
- class/race: no preference
OGGM:
- starship role: captain
- class/race: Lt Kara Savyn, Human(?) soldier(?)
RavenVoron:
- starship role: no preference
- class/race: human or android / Mechanic or Operative, then soldier/solarian/envoy
We haven't got that far with this, beyond a general agreement that we all love sci-fi.
I quite like gritty, cyberpunk-y grimdark future stuff, but as F.Castor pointed out there is mileage in high sci-fi as well.
Does anyone have a preference either way?
Well, Starfinder itself is pretty high sci-fi fantasy (sci-fantasy maybe?) if the entirety of its options and elements is taken into account. It has mystics, solarians and technomancers and even psi elements such as the Phrenic Adept archetype, it has actual magic, it has starships and alien races and even deities and devils and demons, it has other planes and the Drift. Not that one has to include everything or not simply dress them up in different fluff, but the system certainly has a lot of "high" elements within it.
Now, as for me? I do indeed like a lot of different stuff sci-fi wise. I like the grimdark and more-often-than-not downright weird future of Warhammer 40K, the horror and suspense of Alien and the added action of Aliens, the sort of "band of merry men against the world" of Firefly, the cyberpunk Earth-contained style of Blade Runner or the dystopian and post-apocalyptic landscape of Mad Max, the weirdness of Dune, the realism and attempts at it of The Expanse, the man-vs-machine of both the more contained Terminator and the grander scale of Battlestar Galactica, the great variety of races and technologies and themes of Babylon 5, and, of course, both the "utopian" setting and its intricacies of Star Trek and the epicness and heroic elements of Star Wars. And I am sure there are even more that I am probably not mentioning (such as Mass Effect, Shadowrun, Killjoys and even Dark Matter, Event Horizon, Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, among a multitude of others). They all range from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs as far as science fiction elements are concerned, but I have very much enjoyed reading and watching all of them. Thing is, I would not necessarily enjoy playing a game in all of those worlds.
I do not mind cyberpunk or grimdark or rather elements of such things, but I frankly like starships and aliens and the grander arena of the cosmos and humor and wit and all that jazz too much, I suppose. My characters are seldom entirely serious affairs demeanor-wise. And although I do not necessarily want a utopian future setting (too fuzzy and maybe boring), I do not particularly like dystopian or post-apocalyptic ones, as I am not playing games to be overly serious or depressed. And some stuff is just too weird, like, say, Dune. And although I do like my sci-fi a bit on the high side, it does not necessarily have to have teleporting stations, time travel or mirror universes or other a bit too far-fetched elements.
I think the closest way to sum up what I like would probably be a combination of the style of Firefly (a crew and a ship against the world and the camaraderie and humor and fun had between its members) with the elements of an overarching and perhaps epic plot of, say, Star Wars and Babylon 5 (a bit of space opera and Big Bad thrown in, important plot elements being discovered now and then and here and there, the scale of the adventures and stakes slowly becoming greater, etc), and I do like a bit of horror just to spice things up now and then (but not too often or it loses its... bite). Basically the whole trope of small-time guys and girls being thrust into something world-changing and through which they become (appropriately or adequately high-level) legends or at least well-known enough to maybe once in a while be bought a drink in some bar or other. I blame Dragonlance and Tolkien for liking that trope, what can I say...
Still, I am more or less flexible enough. :-)
As for the crunch of it all, I am still somewhat undecided between Operative and Soldier, though I am leaning a bit more in favor of the former, as it has more options as one levels up. Not by too much though, still a bit of am toss-up so to speak. Either way, I will probably be looking at melee combat, maybe with a bit of switch-hitting thrown in.
Ship role, anything other than Captain still stands.
Race, I am still between Android and Human. If no one goes with android, the chances that I will make an android are (much) greater. If someone else does make an android however, then a human it is. I like both more or less equally and I like variety and I like the thought of having one artificial humanoid in a crew of... heh, fleshies (years of Star Trek: The Next Generation are to blame). But for some unfathomable reason two feels one too many, for me at least. Not that a human has to be or stay entirely 100% human of course. ;-)
The campaign flavor may or may not play a role in my decision, mind you.
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I think the closest way to sum up what I like would probably be a combination of the style of Firefly (a crew and a ship against the world and the camaraderie and humor and fun had between its members) with the elements of an overarching and perhaps epic plot of, say, Star Wars and Babylon 5 (a bit of space opera and Big Bad thrown in, important plot elements being discovered now and then and here and there, the scale of the adventures and stakes slowly becoming greater, etc), and I do like a bit of horror just to spice things up now and then (but not too often or it loses its... bite). Basically the whole trope of small-time guys and girls being thrust into something world-changing and through which they become (appropriately or adequately high-level) legends or at least well-known enough to maybe once in a while be bought a drink in some bar or other.
This works for me!
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I think the closest way to sum up what I like would probably be a combination of the style of Firefly (a crew and a ship against the world and the camaraderie and humor and fun had between its members) with the elements of an overarching and perhaps epic plot of, say, Star Wars and Babylon 5 (a bit of space opera and Big Bad thrown in, important plot elements being discovered now and then and here and there, the scale of the adventures and stakes slowly becoming greater, etc), and I do like a bit of horror just to spice things up now and then (but not too often or it loses its... bite). Basically the whole trope of small-time guys and girls being thrust into something world-changing and through which they become (appropriately or adequately high-level) legends or at least well-known enough to maybe once in a while be bought a drink in some bar or other.This works for me!
Couldn't have put it better myself. Thirded!
OK, sounds like we have an agreement.
Next question: do some or all of your characters already know one another as the adventure starts?
I'm happy to do the whole 'meeting of strangers in a tavern one dark night' thing (it's an old and loved trope) but there may be scope for more here.
Lolo is basically one of the people you see in urban areas that dumpster dives for a living (as an aside, The Ghost Map, about a London cholera outbreak, is really good - the author speaks of these scrappers as part of an urban ecosystem that maintains urban areas). The ysoki spends her days in Absalom station's refuse pits, alleyways (if they exist) and other grimy places, as well as in near-orbit scavenging from the drifting refuse left by the Armada - or she did until her near-orbit drifter was stolen by local toughs.
If someone's PC would be likely to know Lolo, either from her work (she could sell some trash to more "respectable" outlets like pawn shops or refurbished electronics shops, as well as being known among other scrappers and junkyard types) or from her social life (she is from a large working-class family, and all those ties that bind), I'm down with linking backstories.
I have always liked it when the PCs actually meet at the beginning of an adventure or campaign so that they get to know each other organically as the game progresses. Of course, they do not all need to be strangers to one another. Some could already know one another while others may join individually. There may even be two or three who have worked as a crew together before and they end up taking on new members.
Still, I think more details can be discussed once we more or less know what characters we will be playing.
Couldn't have put it better myself. Thirded!I think the closest way to sum up what I like would probably be a combination of the style of Firefly (a crew and a ship against the world and the camaraderie and humor and fun had between its members) with the elements of an overarching and perhaps epic plot of, say, Star Wars and Babylon 5 (a bit of space opera and Big Bad thrown in, important plot elements being discovered now and then and here and there, the scale of the adventures and stakes slowly becoming greater, etc), and I do like a bit of horror just to spice things up now and then (but not too often or it loses its... bite). Basically the whole trope of small-time guys and girls being thrust into something world-changing and through which they become (appropriately or adequately high-level) legends or at least well-known enough to maybe once in a while be bought a drink in some bar or other.This works for me!
'Fourthing' this!
I am ok with some combination of meeting each other and knowing each other. We can work with it as the game goes forward, several of us did just that in the star wars game.
FC is way ahead of the game with Lolo all ready to go! I have to get moving...
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By the way, a bit of a heads up...
In all probability in the coming days I am going to be the adequately proud owner of my very own tiny little human of the female variety. Thus, the little creature is probably going to upset my free time somewhat, but what can one do, right? Thus, posting may be affected for a few days, but I will do my best to not let such trivialities hinder me too much. After all, priorities, right?
;-P
Congratulations, F. Castor, that's great news!
Although unfortunately Fighting Chicken has beaten you to it, which I think means that by law and custom the two of you have to fight to the death because 'there can be only one'
...but I'm not a parent myself so it's possible I've misunderstood the details.
Although unfortunately Fighting Chicken has beaten you to it, which I think means that by law and custom the two of you have to fight to the death because 'there can be only one'
Oh no! Now I have to avoid Europe!
Congrats, F. Castor! As, DMD notes, I am the recent procurer of my own tiny human, female chassis. I don't know if you've got a work situation that allows for posting, but that has helped me stay on top of my games. My posting time at home is greatly diminished at present, but as she gets more independent, I expect it will be more feasible.
I've enjoyed it so far, but those first few days are an adjustment. Best of luck to you and the lucky mother!
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Ha! Thank you for the wishes guys! And you can visit Europe and Greece for that matter anytime, I am sure there is a loophole or other... :-P
Work is basically a private practice, so when there are no patients I am generally able to post, yes. It is what I am counting on in order to still play PbPs.
Ha! Thank you for the wishes guys! And you can visit Europe and Greece for that matter anytime, I am sure there is a loophole or other... :-P
Work is basically a private practice, so when there are no patients I am generally able to post, yes. It is what I am counting on in order to still play PbPs.
Sweet! Greece is a place I've always wanted to see. Most of my travel is to Latin America, but I'm getting across the pond on occasion. Other than Athens, where would you recommend visiting, F. Castor?
Good news on the practice. The ability to post at work is what has allowed me to keep my games these last couple of months.
Right. I've got my act together and made this into an actual campaign. I've also included a link to the Starfinder SRD in the campaign header; the house-rules on ranges can be found in the campaign tab. Don't panic, though - there's no rush. It just means that you can dot in and make sure that this doesn't get lost.
Incidentally, if you dot in to the gameplay thread, and then delete your post, you'll stay 'dotted in' but the gameplay thread doesn't get clogged up with dots.
I hope that the placeholder text adequately captures the tone we have been looking for, btw.
DMD, I don't think the discussion tab is connected to the campaign tab. Could you connect them?
Thank you!
EDIT: Never mind. I had to post in this thread to see all the other tabs. Weird.
Post so I can see other tabs, please?
EDIT: Also, is there a Dead Suns players guide like for the pathfinder campaigns or is it just open ended in the starfinder universe? Just asking for background purposes.
Nope, no player's guide.
There's a starfinder wiki and a starfinder SRD, but I don't know that either have a whole lot of fluff on them yet.
As the others said, we are somewhat 'fluff-lite' until other sourcebooks come out... which is one of the reasons I opened up the thread by asking what people wanted.
We have a blank universe out there waiting for us to paint it!
Ok I got the crunch done on my character this morning. I’m going to go Human Exocortex Mechanic. I’ll work up the backstory and such tonight after work and post him up if I have time.
Alright, folks! Here's my mechanic bounty hunter: John! Not the best fluff I've done, but it will do. If you want anything clarified let me know. I wrote it in a hurry.
F. Castor:
- starship role: Not Captain
- class/race: human or android / operative or soldier, possibly mystic (but unlikely)
Fighting Chicken:
- starship role: gunner, sci officer, engineer
- class/race: Lolo Aeolo, Ysoki engineer
Morphling:
- starship role: pilot
- class/race: no preference
OGGM:
- starship role: captain
- class/race: Lt Kara Savyn, Human(?) soldier(?)
RavenVoron:
- starship role: no preference
- class/race: Johnathan "Raven" Fletcher, Human Mechanic
Still here, still very interested. Waiting to see what kind of characters Morphling and OGGM come up with so I can finally decide on mine.
Other than that, also waiting to return to work after the second day of Christmas so I can perhaps write something down and get back into the swing of posting and all.