[SFS] PbP Gameday VI - GM Woran's Quest Starfinder: Into the Unknown (All 5 Parts) (Full) (Inactive)

Game Master Woran

Discussion thread

Thanks GM!

As mentioned in the Recruitment thread previously, pregens are required and the sheets are available here.

So far, we've got:

• Iseph (andorid operative) - Shadow Bloodmoon
  
• Altronus (kasatha solarian) - Xazil

That still leaves

• Raia (lashunta technomancer)
  
• Obozaya (vesk soldier)
  
• Keskodai (shirren mystic)
  
• Navasi (human envoy)
  
• Quig (ysoki mechanic)

I'd be interested in playing Raia, Navasi, or Quig.

Dotting in..

I am running this quest this evening and found this in the pdf:

Each player must use one of the 1st-level Starfinder Society pregenerated characters, which are available at paizo.com/StarfinderSociety/GMResources, or a 1st-level character of the player’s own creation, using the rules set forth in the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide.

I will create my own character for this.

Alright, what are you thinking?

If we're making our own characters, I had wanted to go Ace Pilot. If Iseph is still being played, I'll roll with something else, though.

Is Anakin Skywalker a human solarian with the ace pilot background?

i am considering a Ysoki soldier going for the power armor route, minimal strength and going from there.

Cool. Right now I'm looking at Lashunta mystic (xenodruid) with the Icon background. Her father was a Starfinder and the star of his own show, Wild Planets, but he was lost along with the rest of the expeditionary crew in the Scoured Stars incident. She was supposed to have been on that mission too, but her Commencement was delayed. Now she carries on her father's work on the show while hunting down every lead about the incident that she can find.

So, rebooted Lara Croft meets Bindi Sue Irwin. In SPACE!!!

Also, do we have a group tone we want to shoot for? I know how Pathfinder works thematically, but Starfinder's a new beast. Guardians of the Galaxy? Star Trek? Firefly? Shadowrun? Mass Effect?

That is a hilarious idea for a character!!!

I might even steal it ;)

You're welcome to it. When she discovers a new species, she lets her fans vote on the name.

At first, I absolutely hated the Icon. But after lying awake in bed coming up with different takes on it, I might never play anything else. Some of my other favorites are

• a vesk soldier who makes propaganda films that depict him as something like a cross between Buzz Lightyear and Ciaphas Cain HERO OF THE IMPERIUM
• a human operative who does journalism columns and documentary films like if Spider Jerusalem worked for VICE Media
• a ysoki mechanic that does an Xtreme cooking show, preparing all manner of bizarre alien lifeforms to eat with overengineered equipment he built himself
• an unspecified character who provides voice-acting and raw footage that is reimagined and animated into a show that's basically Samurai Jack or Afro Samurai IN SPAAACE!

Now if I could only learn to love the shirren.

OMG NOT Ciaphas Cain

I do admit I have made this character.

Oh Woran....

I feel slightly ashamed...

No need to feel ashamed. Just gotta own it!

I know it'll be awhile yet before the game gets going, but I would have figured some of the others would have jumped in by now.

If they are participating or running the PbP special, I excpect them to be WTFBBQSAUCE busy. I'll start sending out reminders trough private message about a week before we start to get everyone to dot in.

Wow, been around the internet long? I haven't seen OMGWTFBBQSAUCE for ages!

Not that busy, I have time to read this :-), but am still bouncing around ideas in my head, so I will wait far a bit before committing.

Wow, been around the internet long? I haven't seen OMGWTFBBQSAUCE for ages!

Yes... I've been here for a while.

So, looking through the Starfinder rulebook, I'm trying to get a handle on things. The classes feel very mechanically similar, at least compared to what I'm used to in Pathfinder.

• Envoy - At first glance, this would seem to be "space bard", though in reality, it shares very little with the Pathfinder bard. I like the Envoy Improvisations, like a more tactical alternative to a flat inspire courage bonus. But Skill Expertise just feels like rogue skill unlocks.
• Mechanic - This actually seems new. It also seems like it's the only pet class. The Mechanic Tricks seem mechanically similar to Envoy Improvisations, which remind me a lot of Rogue Talents.
• Mystic - The new full caster. Now your flavor is a sub-specialization. As such, each type (space cleric, space wizard, space druid) feels like they get less than the equivalent class in Pathfinder; they feel like cleric domains. Overall, the class feels sort of like the oracle.
• Operative - Space rogue much? This feels very similar to the Envoy as far as the class progression and chassis are concerned. I do like the Operative Specializations, though once again, they feel like flavor-as-a-class-feature. Splatbooks will hopefully provide expansion.
• Solarian - Okay, this is what I'm looking for! Most of the abilities are somewhat recognizable from Pathfinder, but the whole class feels fresh and new to me. In the same way that the Witch and the Inquisitor are the classes that feel most like Pathfinder to me, the Solarian feels like Starfinder.
• Soldier - Space fighter. Gear boosts are neat, but I think we've seen this design choice a few times already by now. The Fighting Styles actually feel fleshed out, so the soldier gets more to play with at the beginning than the fighter.
• Technomancer - Starfinder's other casting class; instead of modular flavor, it gets another feature that looks like rogue talents.

These aren't criticisms as much as they're just my first impression of the classes without having played them. Altogether, it feels like every class will have more tactical options in combat than Pathfinder, at the cost of similar mechanical design. What do you all think?

Envoy feels like they put a Rogue, Bard and Investigator in a blender. I like it.

Mechanic is indeed the new and only pet class. The three drone types will help you a lot in customising your play style to your campaign. How well they all work in organised play will remain to be seen.

Mystic feels a lot like they mashed all the divine casters together. It gives you a flavor within the class. Less spells, but some spells did get a serious power upgrade.

Operative is like a happy crossbreed of rogue/slayer and inquisitor.

Solarian. I really like how you have to balance your sides, or thing become harder. Still a good options, but it comes with a trade off. Lots of cool things to choose from.

Soldier isnt as innovative, but there are lot of flavorfull choices still to be had. Its probably the easiest to pick up which is good for new new players.

Technomancer. Sorcerers and wizards had a secret love baby, and its the technomancer. I love that you still have magic missle in space.

I cast magic missile at the darkness black void of space!

Hm... what would be the sci fi equivalent of a gazebo?

"Rule, Viskarium! Viskarium, rules the space
Vesk never shall be slaves.
The races not so blest as thee,
Shall in their turns to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all!"

A singing vesk enters the waiting room and it seems you just have to stop whatever you are doing to listen to his mighty voice.

I am here to aid the great Luwazi Elsebo bring the Starfinder Society back to it's prosperous position! Together we will aspire to great feats and I am sure we will be friends for live! Now tell me your name little one!"

*applause*

I think I will re-use that post for every PbP I am in ;-)

I thought I had posted a response to that, but I guess not. Maybe the forum ate it?

Are you playing a vesk now instead of a ysoki? Because I'm am so down to play alongside Baskoro!

Yes, it will be Baskoro for this game. The ysoki will have to wait, 703 is also a nice number ;-)

Just checking in, sorry I didn't go looking till now cause as was mention earlier I'm running the special and it's been WTFBBQSAUCE busy.

So what's a quick summary of what everyone else is planning to play?

So far it's a vesk icon envoy and (maybe) a lashunta icon xenodruid mystic.

And a Human Mystic Bounty Hunter who is a Hellknight Aspirant..

Okay so I've made 3 characters --

1) Human Icon Envoy

2) Vesk Mercenary Solider

3) Lashunta (damayo) Xenoseeker Technomancer

Would be fine with any of the 3.

Karine looks up from her datapad, tearing her eyes away from the latest volume of the Intergalactic Journal of Xenobiology. Is that...singing? Suddenly, a great hulking vesk barges into the room and presents himself to... well, to the whole room apparently.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Karine," says Karine. "But enough about that! You're helping Luwazi Elsebo? You must be a Second Seeker, too! I woulda figured a vesk for the Acquisitives, maybe the Exo-Guardians, but hey, it's a big universe," she jabbers cheerily. "Quick, tell me everything you know about the Scoured Stars Incident! I want to know absolutely everything! See, I'm searching for my father, Storvus Iwrin. Do you know him? He was a Starfinder too! He went missing with the rest of the Scoured Stars expedition, but I'm gonna find him, and the rest of the expedition, too! And you're gonna help me! Tell me everything!" Already, Karine is fishing around for her recording equipment, preparing to do a full interview with the vesk - whatever his name was (obviously he's male - you can tell by the robust crest of spikes, they're shorter on females by at least 8 centimeters on average) - and record everything he says. If she's lucky, she'll get some new clues out of it to help her track down her father, and if not, it should still make for some great footage for the show! She'd have to get him to sing some more. Unless it's a mating call? It didn't sound like a mating call...

This is going to be a fun party :)

Wow, I have both missed all this Discussion fun and entirely missed that these quests allowed for your own characters.

Have something up today or tomorrow then :)

@Chaosorbit
So far, characterizations seem light-hearted, and I'd personally prefer to lean in that direction; more Star Trek less Shadowrun. The choice is totally up to you, but if you need help narrowing down your ideas, that's my input.

As we are going to start on friday, I want to see if we can finalize who is going to play what character, and see if we can get starship combat roles divided.

So:

1 Magabeus - Baskoro, Vesk Envoy
2 Shadow Bloodmoon - Kallus Harridan, Human Mystic
3 Zoomba
4 Chaosorbit
5 Xazil
6 The Dread Pirate Hurley - Karine Iwrin, Lashunta Mystic

Chaosorbit currently has 3 ideas brewing and Zoomba is working on something. I'll PM Xazil that we're starting up.

Oh boy! My first Starfinder mission! a scrawny ratfolk says as it scampers along the hall. In his enthusiasm, the taiko almost runs right into the Vesk, and winces back a bit as Baskaro shouts his name.

Uh, Zye. Just Zye. the ratfolk swallows nervously. Then it's eyes widen and it's tongue seems to twist in its mouth. Opening its jaws wide, it spits out a pistol, and giving it a shake or two to clear it of spittle, move it to a holster at his side. Need to be careful with that. Just one time forgetting to safety would be bad news!

Zye ready and reporting for duty! (Zoomba)
In terms of Starship role, could be gunner, pilot, or Engineer as needed (+4 gunnery, +8 pilot or engines)

This is an update I'm posting to all my games.

Some may be aware that I am currently serving with the US Peace Corps in Cameroon. We are currently experiencing some civil unrest, and I happen to be living just minutes from the border with the conflict zone. The government has shut off internet to that region, as they'd done in the past. Currently, I have access; that may change unexpectedly.

I would like to emphasize that I'm in no personal danger, but if I disappear for a little while, that's what's going on. I'm pretty mobile on weekends, so I absolutely should not be disappearing at any point for more than two weeks.

Aside from that, Karine is definitely a science officer.

Good luck Hurley.

1 Magabeus - Baskoro, Vesk Envoy
2 Shadow Bloodmoon - Kallus Harridan, Human Mystic
3 Zoomba - Zye, Ratfolk Operative
4 Chaosorbit
5 Xazil
6 The Dread Pirate Hurley - Karine Iwrin, Lashunta Mystic

I've PMed Xazil, he let me know he'll dot in.

I'll come along on Zabrutal, the vesk technomancer.

Able to do Science Officer or Engineer in Ship Combat.

Kallus looks at the growing roster of crew. "You're still missing a very important detail. Someone has to captain that ship. Unless you have a better suggestion, I shall assume the responsibility."

Kallus has Intimidate as his major skill, which to my knowledge is good for captaining, though the crew might get a little testy about it...

Kallus feels like the guy who wouldn't care if the crew might get a little testy :P

1 Magabeus - Baskoro, Vesk Envoy
2 Shadow Bloodmoon - Kallus Harridan, Human Mystic
3 Zoomba - Zye, Ratfolk Operative
4 Chaosorbit
5 Xazil - ZXabrutal, Vesk Technomancer
6 The Dread Pirate Hurley - Karine Iwrin, Lashunta Mystic

Chaosorbit, what character are you thinking about?

"Kallus, I applaud your enthousiasm. However I think you might not be up to the challenge of captaining a space ship. I propose you watch carefully and learn from my examples. I have graduated with high marks from the Vesk Space Academy on Vesk Prime. What are your credentials?"

My best 2 roles: Captain (intimidate: +7+1d6 or diplomacy +7), Science officer (+5). Piloting and Gunnery are at +0 and I do not have engineering trained, so can't be an engineer.

You're right, he wouldn't care.

"I know how to get people to do what I want and I don't need scales and teeth to do it. Besides, not many trust your kind due to recent events." Kallus smiles thinly. "But you are welcome to prove me wrong. It won't be the first time."

Kallus doesn't have much in the way of other skills on board a ship, so wherever he would fit best..

Zye looks back and forth as Kallus and Baskoro tower over him. As the two blister and boast, he waits for a pause in the conversation before raising a meek furred hand.

So...who's telling me which way to spin the wheel?

Will go with my Vesk Solider...will get his profile built before Friday.

Baskoro places his big claw on Kallus' shoulder "Some people are rather distrustful of your kind. I hear that folk who displaced their home planet can't be trusted... Nasty rumors, don't you think? I see can use the experience, I will take the science officer seat and give my advice where needed. Just remember that I can take over if needed"

So we got:

Baskoro - Captain or Science Officer
Kallus - Captain
Zye - Pilor, engineer or gunner
Chaosorbit - ?
Zabrutal - Science Officer or Engineer
Karine - Science Officer

Also, we're kicking off tomorrow, looking forward to it!

Of course, as these things go, I will be LARPing this weekend. So expect the game to really pick up on Monday.

Chaosorbit here...oh Gornoc wants to be a gunner!

@GM Woran - could you open the gameplay thread so we can get dotted in ahead of the game starting tomorrow?

Gameplay thread is open for dotting.