This is where we drop in and discuss issues out of character.
Rules discussions
Loot distribution
And general chat not in character.
Could I get the four selected players to drop in here and acknowledge you got the notice.
Cheers
Tuk'yik reporting in!
I am pretty damn excited to try out Starfinder! And this campaign sounds great. You compared it to stargate, which got me right away. I have seen every episode of all the stargate shows at least 3 times. (Not the cartoon.... ug)
Some side notes: I am actually a fan of loot management. I usually make google docs with group loot and money for my games. I make sure it's viewable by everyone. I would be happy to do the same here. I also don't mind letting someone else do it. Just wanted to throw it out there.
Whoo! Very excited to be here and play with all of you. I'm not as familiar with Stargate, but John Carter's certainly interesting and I'm looking forward to trying Starfinder in general. I think Tekumsah will be a fun character to play and I'm interested to see how trying to punch everything will work in a world of laser rifles and energy swords!
Firstly, congratulations for making it in!
Thanks for offering with loot management. I've got no problems with you doing that as needed. As a DM I pretty much hand out what's found then leave the players to divvy up as needed.
If it comes to items that more than one player wants, I go on priority for who hasn't received something lately, then roll off if needed. As long as it keeps folks from getting disgruntled. I don't see it being an issue for this system though. There's enough of an open market style to the game that you can sell and buy what's needed without much hassle at all.
I'll be running this as close to unmodified as I can. Obviously some character decisions and interactions will impact game play, but I'm keen to see this module play out as written.
It has a really good blend of combat, investigation and NPC social interaction too.
Fingers crossed it works out well for all of us!
Whoo! Very excited to be here and play with all of you. I'm not as familiar with Stargate, but John Carter's certainly interesting and I'm looking forward to trying Starfinder in general. I think Tekumsah will be a fun character to play and I'm interested to see how trying to punch everything will work in a world of laser rifles and energy swords!
I'm also looking forward to see how punching folks works out! There's not a lot of cestus style weapons in the game so far, but we will see how it rolls.
I think you'll enjoy your choice very early on in this story that's for sure :)
Once everyone's signed in here, I'll roll out the game play thread. It'll be a prelude style post that allows you guys to do some interaction between your characters before we head in to the game proper.
It's always nice to get a feel for a character before the lasers start zipping past their heads
Hey everyone,
Excited to be here as well and looking forward to RPing with everyone.
My PCs tend to be funny but no clowns and Twitch should be a blast to RP.
Like everyone else I'm new to the system but am running a Starfinder game so I'm actually looking to learn stuff here.
Almost midnight here (East Coast USA) so you won't much more from me until tomorrow morning.
I know the GM is in Australia; where's everyone else posting from?
Thanks for offering with loot management. I've got no problems with you doing that as needed. As a DM I pretty much hand out what's found then leave the players to divvy up as needed.
If it comes to items that more than one player wants, I go on priority for who hasn't received something lately, then roll off if needed. As long as it keeps folks from getting disgruntled. I don't see it being an issue for this system though. There's enough of an open market style to the game that you can sell and buy what's needed without much hassle at all.
I wont worry about it till it comes up. We can all keep our own inventory just fine. I just finished a game of Skull and Shackles and it had so many "Ship" resources, we needed a shared document. Not always needed.
I am all for it being as unmodified as possible. Excited to see how it all plans out. Just gotta get into character..
Quick PbP question. How do you all keep track of the tread? I have been using blogtrottr to subscribe to the thread's RSS. Every 2 hours (if someone posts) I get an update email. Then I can jump in and check when I have a chance. Am I missing something already baked into this forum?
When the gameplay thread starts and you post in there, your character and your Paizo personal avatar get linked to it (character and player threads respectively)
Once that happens I'm pretty sure you can just jump to the "campaigns" tab of your home profile and it will show you this campaign and let you know how many new posts there are.
That's how it used to work at any rate.
Other than that I have no idea. As DM I can track this thing very easily.
For those not familiar with PbP in general, I'll drop an update in this thread later tonight explaining a few protocols and some general advice on how to get things done smoothly.
Signing in here.
I'm from up in the Frozen North (Toronto :-) :-). "Frozen North" by Australian standards. Pretty darn mild by Canadian ones :-)).
So, two Ysoki huh? Mechanic and Operative? We ROCK!. Do NOT make small jokes or you will definitely regret it (coffee machine fails, but just for you. Shower malfunctions, but just for you) :-)
I went with the two Ysoki on purpose actually. Story wise it will make for some fun stuff.
We have two Ratmen, a lizardman and an insectoid. Makes an interesting party and breaks from the traditional stuff I've seen in my games in the past.
It also gives you guys some awesome leeway in creating customs and habits etc for the races you chose because w don't have anything that's set in stone for them yet (apart from the broad strokes laid out in the core book)
Well, that's everyone signed in. I've got a few things to get done around the house then I'll get in and write up the intro post for the game thread.
Let the fun commence :)
Wow, I didn't notice. This is going to be an interesting group. Will be fun to come up with some unique "insectoid" qualities.
Quick rule question. One of my 0th level spells is Telekinetic Projectile. Would it be possible to obtain/purchase/assume that I have a bag of small ball bearings. Or for even more flavor a set of Bucky Balls (small magnet spheres. Fun toy). Leaving them attached to something on the external part of my suit. The spell lets me use anything to throw and do damage. So its more flavor than anything.
If so, what cost/bulk? Or can I assume I have them on me?
Lets go with one credit cost. Bulk would be L.
Keep them as non magnetic so we don't have any weirdness with interactions from metal hulls etc interfering with them.
The idea of the spell is basically you just throwing stuff at folks using your mind. As a cantrip, you shouldn't run out of things to be throwing :)
In terms of damage it takes, I'll think about it. I think that particular part is in there for things like hurling vases and stuff.
Sounds good. I will add it to my inventory and subtract the cost.
I know there will often be items around to throw, but I wanted to have something on me, for instances of "clean room" or something.
As for the item damage. I assume thy are one time shots, ball gets destroyed. But a bag of ball berrings should last me the game. Even if they are only used when there is nothing else around.
Game thread is up!
Take the chance to post some in character conversation and descriptions. Interact with each other and get a feel for your characters.
I'll bump us forward tomorrow night.
Apologies for formatting errors and spelling by the way. I have to do all this on iPad these days, and it's not so easy with overly large fingers :)
Some clarifications on telepathy here:
I'm assuming that telepathy is NOT selective. Similar to talking, if you broadcast your thoughts then everyone with a sentient mind can 'hear' them (within the telepathy range of course).
I'm also assuming that telepathy needs to be broadcasted to work, meaning if Twitch just thinks to himself then his thoughts will NOT be 'picked up' by the shirren (even though he's telepathic).
Is this everyone's understanding?
I think that makes sense. I guess I was imagining it more like I was "talking to you" but really its anyone in the area can hear me. I assume I have some sort of control over it. Maybe slightly more directional rather than omnidirectional.
Here is the text from the book:
Shirrens can communicate telepathically with any creatures within 30 feet with whom they share a language. Conversing telepathically with multiple creatures simultaneously is just as difficult as listening to multiple people speak.
I guess that leaves it a bit open. It does not say "all Creatures" it says "any creatures". I am thinking it might be able to go both ways. Any makes it sound like I can pick and choose. Directly to one person, broadcast mode (like I am just talking out loud), or even 4 out of 10 people in an area. The limiting factor is the 30 feet.
DM ruling?
Side question. I know that Shirren do not speak out loud much, if at all. But in a situation where a team mate is out of 30 foot range, can I speak out?
I think that makes sense. I guess I was imagining it more like I was "talking to you" but really its anyone in the area can hear me. I assume I have some sort of control over it. Maybe slightly more directional rather than omnidirectional.
Here is the text from the book:
Shirrens can communicate telepathically with any creatures within 30 feet with whom they share a language. Conversing telepathically with multiple creatures simultaneously is just as difficult as listening to multiple people speak.I guess that leaves it a bit open. It does not say "all Creatures" it says "any creatures". I am thinking it might be able to go both ways. Any makes it sound like I can pick and choose. Directly to one person, broadcast mode (like I am just talking out loud), or even 4 out of 10 people in an area. The limiting factor is the 30 feet.
DM ruling?
Side question. I know that Shirren do not speak out loud much, if at all. But in a situation where a team mate is out of 30 foot range, can I speak out?
The interpretation can go both ways, which is why I asked. :)
I think you most definitely can speak out loud; the fact that most don't is a preference and not a limitation.
We would want you to speak out loud if there was danger present or something like that.
I'll reply IC once I know what's going on with telepathy.
Game on!
Gotta love rule questions like this :-)
My assumption was I could talk to an individual, a group, or a subset. As long as they are within 30 feet.
I also imagine my spoken language would be pretty rough and harder to understand, but necessary across a battle field.
I can wait on GM ruling though. It is one of my races main things. Though I know that Lashuntas have the same thing, though I imagine they speak out-loud more often.
edit: I am posting the question to Reddit and Paizo forms:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfinder_rpg/comments/6zo1fr/how_does_limited_te lepathy_work/
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ulll?Ruling-for-Limited-Telepathy#1
Do you have any particular preferences for what information you want appearing in our summaries? And format for said information?
Gotta love rule questions like this :-)
My assumption was I could talk to an individual, a group, or a subset. As long as they are within 30 feet.
I also imagine my spoken language would be pretty rough and harder to understand, but necessary across a battle field.
I can wait on GM ruling though. It is one of my races main things. Though I know that Lashuntas have the same thing, though I imagine they speak out-loud more often.
edit: I am posting the question to Reddit and Paizo forms:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfinder_rpg/comments/6zo1fr/how_does_limited_te lepathy_work/http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ulll?Ruling-for-Limited-Telepathy#1
I just read the reddit responses and they literally go directly against my assumptions. :) They also make a valid point.
I guess many interpretations make sense and, since there's no official ruling, we just need to pick one and go with it.
I'm OK with whatever way we choose.
I just read the reddit responses and they literally go directly against my assumptions. :) They also make a valid point.I guess many interpretations make sense and, since there's no official ruling, we just need to pick one and go with it.
I'm OK with whatever way we choose.
If its ok with GM I would like to go with this interpretation of Telepathy:
I can communicate to any single or group of people in a 30 foot area around me. While it is "possible" for those people to respond telepathically, most people would just respond verbally. This would be useful if there is a wall between us, or comms do not work, etc. So I can talk to a single person ("whisper") or a group ("group chat") or yell at everyone in 30 feet ("yell").
I am also capable of talking verbally. But avoid it whenever possible.
If that is ok with GM that is the type I will go with.
I've seen telepathy work both ways. Since this one is a language preference for an entire race, I'm going to run with the option you can broadcast to multiple people, just like you said above.
It's basically talking but not making sound, your putting words directly into their heads.
What's interesting now is whether other telepaths can hear what you're saying when you go into selective chat mode?
I'm going to rule it like I would any verbal chat. If you're telepathiic, you can try to listen in on other telepath conversations using perception checks.
I'm going to rule it like I would any verbal chat. If you're telepathiic, you can try to listen in on other telepath conversations using perception checks.
Sounds good to me! We will see what its like when we encounter other Telepaths. Thanks for letting me run with the vagueness of the Telepathy.
When you are commicating with folks telepathically, I'm going to work on the base line that you generally broadcast so everyone in the conversation hears you.
If you want to whisper to just one player, can you make sure that's known in the dialogue some how.
Same if you're shouting for everyone in 30 feet.
I have this interesting scene in my head where the group walks in to a room full of Shirren. Most of the party find it eerily quiet, but TukYik can barely hear himself think over the telepathic noise.
For those replying, can you also indicate whether it's via thought just to Tuk Yik, or verbally so everyone can hear it.
For a society with whole species that can speak telepathically, I am working on the assumption that certain protocols are in place. For a public conversation, it's considered bad manners to respond to broadcast telepathy in a manner others can't hear.
Eg, Tuk speaks to the group, asking Twitch if he liked the movie they'd just watched. Twitch responds with his thoughts to Tuk. This means only Tuk can hear him. The other two members of the group get all grumpy as the little mechanic breaks protocol.
Also, it's only just coming up to six am here in Ausland. I woke up way too early.
I didn't realise until just now that all the characters names start with a T. Could make a great group name when/if you become famous.
" Hey look, it's the 4Ts!"
Can do. I will point out when I am talking to a single person or shouting. Normally it will be the same as everyone else's vocal volume.
I think Tuk'yik is all about good manners. We can assume he is trying his best, unless I say otherwise.
I like the idea of the Telepathic bar. Reminds me of the book I read awhile back, where there are telepaths and they have parties where they all speak through their minds. But its displayed in the book almost like crossword puzzles, but everyone is "talking" at once. Different train of thoughts colliding and merging together in a room wide "conversation".. After some googling it was called called Demolished Man. Apparently a Hugo winner.. /Tangent for the day
I'm fine with the telepathy ruling.
For what it's worth, Twitch will normally reply by speaking out loud unless there are circumstances that warrant otherwise.
Also, it's only just coming up to six am here in Ausland. I woke up way too early.
I hear you there! My sleep has definitely lacked. My wife gave birth to our daughter (my first) just about 3 weeks ago. Today is the first day I had to wake up at 6 and go back to work. Baby girl was definitely keeping us up till about 2.
Our names are going to be fun to remember.. Tuk and Tek are going the be the worst! :-)
Want to take the time to discuss Ysoki cheek pouches here.
Those things are really useful for quick drawing weapons ets. I find it a bizarre thing for someone to put in their mouth, but then I don't think it's any different to if they had a belly ouch like most of the marsupials here in Aus.
I'm going to say that if you get to at least half load in the pouches (so half a Bulk) then it becomes clear that you're carrying stuff in there.
Slight of hand or bluff checks then need to made to try and conceal that fact. At least in areas where people are familiar with your race and that ability.
There's going to be plenty of places where no one you meet will have ever met an Ysoki, or Shirren or Vesk. So having bulging cheeks could be perfectly normal as far as they're concerned.
Also, nearly all of your gear is in your rooms. While having armour and weapons while walking around the ship isn't a problem (I consider the setting more like the Wild West and Star Wars than modern society), you aren't likely lugging everything you own to the state Lounge.
That's probably less of an issue for some of you than others though.
Also, nearly all of your gear is in your rooms. While having armour and weapons while walking around the ship isn't a problem (I consider the setting more like the Wild West and Star Wars than modern society), you aren't likely lugging everything you own to the state Lounge.
That's probably less of an issue for some of you than others though.
I definitely assumed I have most of my stuff on me. Not all the clothing and tools, obviously.
Apologies, I had some family plans come up unexpectedly today. I'm only just gettin in now and is nearly midnight here. I'll do the next post in the morning.
No worries, sir. Family first.
No problem, GM. Also sorry I wasn't on yesterday.
As far as gear goes, Tek probably has all the essentials on him. He might be missing his backpack and hygiene kit (and probably the compass) but everything else, he's got on his person. The serum is slotted in beside his flask in his leg.
Just responding to some of the equipment stuff folks posted and I somehow missed.
Looking at what people probably have as starting gear, if agree you'd almost certainly have most of it on you most of the time. For the ship, I'd be doubting long arms or heavy weapons were welcome out of your rooms, but side arms and small combat weapons not a problem at all.
All of which is moot now but I'll take better note of those expectations in future.
As to the current situation, this is how the module starts. Imagine Neo emerging from the gel pods that kept him in the matrix and you've a pretty good visual of what's just happened.
You will get your gear back, it's all there and catalogued too. You just don't have it at the start.
OK, I've selected an avatar just to make reading the gameplay thread a a little easier.
But let it be know that I do so under protest and will change to a new avatar when they are available. :)
I don't like my Avatar either if it makes you feel any better :-)
Yeah, I'm thinking new ones should start rolling out soon
Yeah, really annoying that there are zero avatars of my race.
Out of curiosity, how should we handle posting? I am in one other PbP game, but its going rather slow. I tend to check in pretty often. I work at a desk and have free reign of the internet while I work. Should I try to only post once between GM posts?
I guess I just want to know the etiquette. How much is too much? I don't want to be "that guy". I know taking too many actions between GM turns doesn't make sense.
Hehe, the problem with pay by post is its speed. They are slow games, because we really only get to advance what happens once a day. Especially in combat.
As I get back into the swing of things, I'll start posting more spoilers sections that provide information dependent on tasks or rolls you guys could attempt.
That way, you can make the required checks and possibly make more informed posts that allow us to progress faster.
My advice for posting frequency is combat once a day
For interraction between players as often as you are able while the dialogue flows.
On a side note we've just been invited to go camping for a few days kicking of Tuesday for me.
I won't be able to post for about three days sorry. No reception out there. Definitely Wednesday and Thursday I'll be out of touch. But I'll do an update Tuesday morning before we head off, and then again in Friday once we get back.
Cheers
Oh yeah, a note on spoilers
The rule is you're not meant to read spoilers unless they're directed at you or you make the required rolls.
I can't police that obviously, beause I have no way of tracking who opens the tabs.
What I do want to enforce though, is the separation of player knowledge and character knowledge. If you can't help yourself and read a spoiler not meant for you, please don't have your character act on it.
No judgement or guilt if you are reading those tabs by the way, I'm pretty sure everyone does it sooner or later.
I also have available the PM function of the boards. For very selective situations where the information formthe game is essential to only let one person know, I'll PM you instead. U t that's going to be a rare thing really. This is a communal game after all so having everyone involved is the main goal.
Thank God there's no limit on posting. To me it's always been 'the more the merrier'.
Too many PBP games just die off because of lack of enthusiasm.
And remember guys that we are trying to make the GM have such a good time that he wants to continue with the entire AP instead of just the first book. :)
All sounds good! Thank you for the little walk through. Play By Post is so new for me. But I really love the concept.
I have been tempted to start a Pathfinder PbP game. Going to try to wait till I get a bit more experience. I need to actually experience combat before I go and GM a game
I cant speak for everyone, but I will survive while you are camping :)
Thank God there's no limit on posting. To me it's always been 'the more the merrier'.
Too many PBP games just die off because of lack of enthusiasm.
And remember guys that we are trying to make the GM have such a good time that he wants to continue with the entire AP instead of just the first book. :)
I know I wont have an issue with enthusiasm. This group/game has me really excited so far.
Thought this was better done over here in discussion.
It is very, very close (sounds identical) to a derogatory term for people from Pakistan (often also applied to people of a certain skin hue).
Not sure if that is British only (I'm an ex-pat Brit living in Canada, don't always remember where all my vocabulary comes from)
Yeah, it's a racial slur here in Aus too. Mind you, our language is pretty heavily tied to British terminology and euphemisms so ....
Pacty is pretty good though. its the type of flavour development that PbP allows so much more than face to face gaming.
I'm seeing it with Trellik and his alternate language sayings as well. Creative license formyour characters and their specific culture is yours for taking!
@NeoEvaX - running a PbP is fun, but can be very time intensive. I went through a bit of an obsessive phase there for a while and ended up in just way too many to keep up with. I like to write descriptive text when I'm posting, so it took a big chunk of time when I was posting in multiple games. Sigh.
The hardest part is running combats. Do y U use maps? If so how are you making them? How do the players access them?
If no maps, how do you enable positional advantage and tactics?
I've run quite a few now and I learned new stuff from each one (which I have to remember all over gain now, since it's Been two years since my last one).
There'll be a combat in this game pretty quickly, so we'll all get a feel for it pretty soon. If /when you do jump in to running one, feel free to ask for advice from any one here.
Also, drop in on some of the other threads that are out there and see how other GMs are running things
I have read a few different recruitment posts to get an idea of how to get a PbP game started. It's the actual playing I am working on experience with. Excited to see how it goes in this game.
Just going to calm my jets a bit and wait to post a new game. I am also DMing a game at the table and about to finish up playing another game. It's still a somewhat new hobby for me, but its been great. My wife is not a fan of video games, but she has really enjoyed Table Top, so we have both embraced it fully.
In related to the game:
I am shooting for Tuk'yik having a bit of a social awkwardness to go with the 8 charisma. Which is an odd mix when he is great at reading people (sense motive). Hopefully I am hitting the mark.
I am no good at the accents, but hopefully the telepathy adds a complexity that is fun. I gotta think about more ways to give my own creative license to my character/race/class.
By far and away the best PBP experiences I have had (meaning no insult to our GM here, not counting him since this game is far too young) have been with HMM (the Venture Lieutenant for Online play).
One such campaign is here
http://paizo.com/campaigns/QuothTheCrowRavenmoorAKAFeastOfRavenmoorAnotherF eatherBrainedCampaignFromGMHmm
If your're looking for examples of well run campaigns, I'd suggest reading some of hers
Awesome, I should read through some previous ones. Thanks for the link.