COME CREATE YOUR BEST LIFE ON INCUBATION PRIME!
Incubation Prime, the newest idea from the Aspis Consortium, is the business incubator of the future. Get in on the ground floor of investment in the future commercial hub of the Vast, and make your mark on this pristine blank slate of a planet.
Bring your new business venture and hard-working spirit to Incubation Prime! Our investment in top-notch entertainment and infrastructure ensures that you’ll be able to attract and retain top talent and explore cutting-edge technology and business models. Gain first-rights access to untouched geographic resources! No stake is too small on this entrepreneur's dream - buy a storefront outright or come to an affordable lease with one of our business consultants! Import your own employees or hire from the planet’s growing population of eager up-and-comers!
Major investors already planetside include Fevercore Power Company, AbadarCorp, and Safe Space Risk Management - come join them as part of the next generation of next-gen business leaders!
Of course, the advertisements just show the one side of things.
The lone city of Prosperity tends not to live up to its name for the common folk. Funny how the advertisements never mentioned anything about the nightly blackouts, or the poison atmosphere. At best, the bureaucracy of Prosperity is a prime example of the saying ‘credits talk,’ and the uneven playing field can frustrate and dishearten merchants who try to make an honest living, all while it rewards those who can find a little extra to pay ‘non-compulsory service fees.’ At worst, the fees associated with the government-provided room and board rack up, and the worker-matching AI running the workforce begins offering jobs that the desperate can’t refuse.
There’s good to be found on Prosperity. But it’ll cost you.
----------------------------------------------------------
Checking Interest in a Starfinder homebrew! The goal here is a heavily character-driven story of hard choices on a tough planet - while I've been writing up major plot points and locations, how you get there and what happens afterwards is going to be extremely flexible. Expect themes of corruption, self-determination, and unexpected consequences.
Me as a GM
While it's been years since running anything on the boards, I have 8 years of experience, in Paizo's Organized Play (3 stars, 1 Nova) as well as in home games. My style (both as a player and a GM) tends to be pretty permissive - a "Yes, and..." style of play and roleplay - and focused on having fun, for both myself and the players.
Player Expectations
- Daily posting rate (slacking on weekends). If it's not IC, give us a quick check-in on the discussion thread, so I can make the call whether or not to bot you. I'll try to do the same - nothings worse than a vanishing GM, after all.
- Fully fleshed original characters. While it's fun to take a pun name and make it into a character concept for an OP toon or a one-shot game, I'm hoping for something with a little more depth, so bring some well-rounded characters.
Character Creation Rules
Standard point buy rules, 1000 credits of gear.
Any Pact World or Alien Archive races are allowed, but there'll be a little more of an onus on you to make a well-rounded character bio if you go non-Core.
Since I'll be fleshing out organizations and NPCs as we go, so more than needing a character already created, it's going to be important that your character has some reasons for coming to Prosperity and something they want to do there, so application will consist of:
Species and class:
What do you want to do on Incubation Prime?
Where did you come from, and why did you leave?
When you disembark in Prosperity, what's the first thing you're gonna do?
Will leave recruitment open until I feel we've got a strong team of 4-6 players to start off - then we can worry about any unfinished character creation and start some intro posts.
Looking forward to seeing some sick entries and getting some of that sweet, sweet character-driven RP going - let me know if there's any questions!
Definitely interested, will check back in after lunch and pondering
One thing I forgot to mention - familiarity with Starfinder or associated lore is not necessary :) If you have any questions, let me know!
I am interested. Have always wanted to play in a very sandboxy campaign.
Would I be correct in "no evil characters"?
Dotting for interest.
Is this going to be a "gritty urban" type of campaign?
Is this going to be a "gritty urban" type of campaign?
"Yes" to gritty, "partially" to urban. I've already got hooks that will take you into the mines that power the city, defend the skies against interlopers, and off to explore the unsurveyed planet - but that's all going to depend on who you meet, who you side with, and what you guys feel like doing.
Would I be correct in "no evil characters"?
Great question. I'm not anti-evil, but I also don't find the idea of a CE party burning down orphanages 'for the lulz' interesting or viable, so I went back and forth about 5 times on this, but I think the best rule of thumb is going to be to keep your character working within the group and motivated by something neutral or better. I expect the game to have evil actions aplenty (see above comment on "gritty"), but the reasons behind those actions should be neutral or good - like mercilessly killing all the gang members because you think it will keep the streets safer for your neighbors or kids, or trying to found a criminal organization so you can live luxuriously. Those sorts of motivations, I feel, will allow for more group dynamics and roleplay, and less PVP scenarios. That make sense?
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Got an idea I want to try out. An action vid star who wants to go off and do a self-filmed "documentary" about "real life" on the frontier. He'll be a Lashunta Soldier Icon.
That's an awesome idea Deko. Here's mine.
An operative that has set himself up as Starfinder Agent/Spy in the new Aspis Consortium.
Human/Operative/Explorer/Starfinder Forerunner
He's a wilderness guide out to help fellow starfarers explore the wilds of Incubation Prime.
Nice! Digging both of those ideas and already tying in with some of the organizations I'm messing around with :)
Niles - If you're all in on that idea, I'll toss you some in-game lore. The planet is highly arid and mineral-rich, but nutrient-low, so you've been studying similar planet ecosystems to prep, like Aballon and Akiton. Expect to be dealing with desert conditions when you're out in the wild. As a Bronze Agent in the Aspis, they've given you the expectation that there's a certain amount of time that you'd be 'acclimating and training' in the city before being assigned reconnaissance outside of the protective perimeter.
Deko - am I right in thinking Icon theme?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yeah. Thinking something like a cross between Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat, Steve Irwin because he's just awesome, and the fad of celebrities on the decline filming their "real life" to bring their popularity back up.
Luvit.
I'll even go so far as to say that you've found an unexpected benefactor - looks like the Aspis Consortium is interested in being a partner in the production and take care of getting you a crew to help with the recording and post-production - if that's something you're interested in, of course.
@Keante - totally within the scope of what I'm thinking. :) Emphasis on 'aspiring' - I don't plan on making the process easy or pleasant - but there's hooks designed with that in mind.
Well, slight change in that I'm switching to Solarian (none of the Soldier styles really fit with my vision, and Solarian just sounds fun).
As for the production crew, I really find it hard to see the party traveling with a whole crew of non-combatants who's sole job is to make sure I'm seen in the right light. A backer would be fine, and a crew that receives my vids and edits them would be a better idea in my opinion.
Well, slight change in that I'm switching to Solarian (none of the Soldier styles really fit with my vision, and Solarian just sounds fun).
As for the production crew, I really find it hard to see the party traveling with a whole crew of non-combatants who's sole job is to make sure I'm seen in the right light. A backer would be fine, and a crew that receives my vids and edits them would be a better idea in my opinion.
Solarian's a good call - good synergy with the CHA base stat, and I have a solarian I like playing alot, so I can attest to the combat feasibility.
I think I already have a concept for a crew, so we'll float it by you in-character and see what you think... >:)
Quick note: I do work nights, so while I can post every day, It more than likely won't be while everybody else is on. (Should be asleep right now, actually)
Dot, will think of something.
I am thinking of possibly playing a mechanic. Doen on his lucl and in some bad debt to the wrong people he is shipped off to incubation prime to work in semi slavery for the people he is in debt to. They force him to use his skills with computers to gain blackmail and the like via less than legal means. He has had enough and wants out.
That the best fleshed out idea so far. I have other floating around too
Species and class: Ysoki Mechanic
What do you want to do on Incubation Prime?
Vanish into thin air.
Where did you come from, and why did you leave?
Absalom Station. It became too small for Glitch AND the station security after the incident.
When you disembark in Prosperity, what's the first thing you're gonna do?
Find a room to rent. Preferably somewhere in the red light district, where the rent is low and larger beings with less clothes fight for the attention of everyone coming through - but usually they leave Ysoki alone - making it even easier for him to disappear in the crowd. He doesn't care it's not the Hilton.
Next thing would be to find a job. No questions asked, paid in cash.
To avoid possible confusion. Glitch is my submission, not J4RH34D's. Was my first character I tried to make for Starfinder. Might need to tweak the stats a bit, but that depends on what The Keeper would suggest for this campaign.
|
Is there much plantlife and wildlife on Incubation Prime? I'm kinda interested in making an Oras-worshipper, possibly a xenodruid mystic who's also a member of the Augmented (or maybe just a supporter of their ideals, if not active in the organization). I'd probably go with the Biotechnician theme. Still trying to imagine the other stuff, what kind of business this kind of person would be trying to start, etc.
@Jarhead and Foxy - Of course leave it to the two of you to come up with the same concept at the same time. :)
@Keante - The planet hasn't published any reports of new or discovered species - in fact, in researching, you're not able to find reports of any species associated with the planet at all. The biggest draw for a biotechnician of a... well, less scrupulous nature would be the laissez-faire nature of Prosperity, where typical restrictions on more experimental or high-risk, high-reward procedures are lifted in favor of finding unique breakthroughs faster. That said, multiple contracts for Aspis labwork include a call for xenobiologists, so there may be some study happening planetside - whether it's native species or imported breeds remains to be seen.
Character idea:
Vesk Soldier, melee focused
Where from & Why:
The same planet “J4RH34D” was shipped from. The ‘boss’ sent me to keep tabs on him as well as deliver the goods back to HQ.
First thing upon landing:
Have a drink, find a place rent, find a part time job as a bouncer.
I had considered submitting a solarian but it looks like you already have one.
How do you feel about Reptoids? I am thinking maybe a Reptoid Mystic with the mindbreaker connection.
His clan were assigned to infiltrate a settlement on the advanced world of Azun Six but things went wrong and mots of his people were rounded up by AzunSec. He used his abilities to escape onto a smuggler's shuttle and has been bouncing around starports for a while. He heard about Prosperity and decided it was a chance to make a new start.
Species and class: Human Operative/Explorer/Outlaw Theme
What do you want to do on Incubation Prime? Work for the Aspis Consortium and explore the wilds of the planet, make a few creds, drink some booze
Where did you come from, and why did you leave? Originally I'm from the downtrodden planet of Akiton. However, I ran afoul of the law there and had to high tail it out into the middle of nowhere. Now I'm just a down on his luck trail guide, looking for some pretty faces and cold beer.
When you disembark in Prosperity, what's the first thing you're gonna do? Drink a cold one, and then try and find some work
My idea has morphed into that of an Old West Gunslinger trailblazer trope. I can see my character dual wielding laser pistols and wearing a brown duster with a wide brimmed hat.
@The Keeper
Hey, great minds think alike.
Nice thing with my idea is that I can change it from computers/hacking to piloting/smuggling... not sure how much sense that makes in your fluff.
Another option could be that they basically have a relative under survailance and send me to Incubation to be somebody's personal "knife in the dark"
Reading some of the stuff you are saying about Incubation.
Would I be correct in drawing a parralel to Bioshock's Rapture pre downfall?
@J4RH34D - you could also keep the original character concept but switch classes to technomancer - real similar skill bonuses and synergy (my IRL group has 2 soldiers, a solarian, and a technomancer - Technomancer has basically all their skills). That said, piloting/smuggling will totally work in Prosperity too - lots of opportunity for an up-and-coming pilot.
Alsoooo, I did not draw the Bioshock parallels myself, but a technocapitalist cyberdystopia is pretty much one art deco reskinning away from Rapture, isn't it. My main source of inspiration was a frontier 'company town,' so there's some big Western influences, plus the general "great unknown" themes of a planet with one major city and a lot of question marks on the cartography.
@Peet: Yeah, I think I can work with that. I think my only question re: a reptoid backstory - what would a 'fresh start' be for him? Is he hoping to become his own lizard, a self-made master? Or is he hoping to get back into the good graces of his previous reptoid master?
Everyone - I'll post up a round-up of who has submitted what in just a little bit, for everyone's ease of reference.
Completed Applications:
GM Niles: Human Operative
Gilthanis: Vesk Soldier
Glitch__: Ysoki Mechanic
Concepts, no apps:
DekoTheBarbarian (Solarian former video star)
J4RH34D (in flux)
Keante (possible mystic xenodruid biotechnician)
Peet: Reptoid Mystic
Dots:
Comp0sMentis
So given the nature of the boards: Let's close recruitment here. I'll take everybody (including Comp0sMentis, if you're still in!), because I assume that RL will rear it's ugly head and we'll lose players, and the more story threads I get the more I can tie into the planet's gameworld.
Welcome to Incubation Prime, settlers! - Discussion thread is now open.
What is the party missing? Technomancer might be best, focus on Int and Dex? Maybe...
Meet Jink, your pilot, and hacker, and guy being forced to do stuff he would rather not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He shouldered his pack with a grin as he made his way down the halls to hangar 102. He was getting to fly again!
When he arrived he was was rushed into the control room by a nervous looking human. He wasn't paying any attention though, too excited to get behind the stick again.
Leaving dock went as it always did, too many delays when he was soo close but still so far from being free to fly.
It was a long trip they were making, and he looked forward to every moment of it.
Days passed and the human was relaxed as the ship neared their destination. When he was hailed to stop for an inspection human who had been sitting off to one corner of the control room shot up, panicked. He jumped up and rushed over to Jink and tolled him not to stop. When Jink protested am pistol was pressed against the back of his head and was told to keep going, and not let the security forces stop them.
Jink may be scatterbrained, but he is far from stupid. He flew. And flew well. The security forces chased, and must have lost their patience as they began to fire at their craft. Jink dodged for all he was worth and pushed the ship so hard bolts were groaning. He brought the ship through an asteroid field in hopes of loosing the security forces, and keeping his life. He did.
What he didn't manage to keep was the cargo. A shot had breached the cargo bay bulkheads, and the vacuum of space had welcomed the goods inside.
When he landed the ship the human kept his gun on the back of Jink's head and lead Jink to a small room where calls were made and his fate was decided. They gave him a choice. His life, or his service. He was in a great amount of debt for the cargo they claimed he had lost, and you just don't argue when you have a gun to your head. He liked being alive though, so his service it was.
That was when they shipped him off to Incubation Prime.
Since then he has been on and off world a few times. Always leaving with full cargo bays, and coming back with bays full again. They send a Vesk with him now instead of that human from before. The Vesk knows who to speak to at customs to get them waved through, and knows who to slip some cred sticks to to keep them quiet.
Of course he wasn't called Jink before this all happened.
Spelled out the incident from the rough outline into a backstory. As a failed shadowrun for a Mr. Johnson ;)
OK, I'll put a profile together.
@Peet: Yeah, I think I can work with that. I think my only question re: a reptoid backstory - what would a 'fresh start' be for him? Is he hoping to become his own lizard, a self-made master? Or is he hoping to get back into the good graces of his previous reptoid master?
I'd say the former. He is disenfranchised with the life he was promised.
Part of the reason I was asking about the type of campaign would be is whether or not there will be spaceship stuff. The concept I have would really have pretty poor spaceship skills. Maybe intimidate, but not outstanding at that.
How do you feel about the cultist theme from the Pact Worlds book? I haven't written anything about the reptoids yet but it could make sense that their society is organized like a secret cult.
Also, the primary Reptoid ability has a really short duration for a secret society. How do you feel about homebrewing it? See this thread:
@Peet - not thinking heavy spaceship stuff, so that shouldn't be a huge deal. And I'm fine with homebrewing the duration to be indefinite, though I am legitimately interested in why they chose to limit it v. the astrazoans - especially since it's for a single person? Like, even back in PF kitsune could just hang out as their 'human selves', so it seems weird to me.
Cultist is also a great idea - I can 100% support that. Feel free to toss these thoughts into the Discussion tab, too :)
This seems dead on the weekend.
Until when do you think this will start off? Or can you throw me/us a bone and give some details on the town we're going to live in, to get familiar with the setting?
|
|
This seems dead on the weekend.
Until when do you think this will start off? Or can you throw me/us a bone and give some details on the town we're going to live in, to get familiar with the setting?
Did you go to the Discussion thread? It still slowed down this weekend, but there is discussion going on there.