To Worlds Unkown (Inactive)

Game Master Wrath

Greetings all,

I'm keen to see how Starfinder plays out, but I have no gaming opportunities for it here at the moment.

As such, I thought I'd run it as a PbP over the next few months and see what we can get from there.

I bought the Legendary Games first instalment of their proposed AP and think I'll take it for a spin in these forums. It's something different to the Society modules and the Paizo dead suns games.

Some notes for this module:

There isn't any space ship combat. This is more a Stargate style system where your characters have tech, but new planets and species are not familiar to you. Keep that in mind when designing characters (you won't need to invest in skills that assist piloting or captain rolls etc)

I can guarantee this game to run up to January next year (2018). After that my time frame is vague. This gives a good shot for you to try your characters and get a decent feel for the system.

Maps will be difficult for me. I'm running this from my iPad so getting decent mapping software isn't happening. I have an idea for using screen capture to post updated maps and using google docs or similar. However, we may have to go map free for a while and see how that runs. I've done both styles of games in PbP before and they each work well. One just requires more description from me and a bit of abstract rules application.

Ok,now for nitty gritty.
I will need four players. Created at first level using the standard point method given in the rules.

Each character needs to be fully statted and have a bit of personality for them. Don't worry about backgrounds in any depth. The scenario literally rips you from your homeworkd and dumps you in a place completely unfamiliar to you. My intro post when I roll out the game thread will detail how you get there.

Submissions need to be in to this thread by Wednesday next week. I'm in Australia, so my time frame will be different to many of you. I'll be checking the thread and selecting applicants by 6pm next Wednesday (Australian eastern standard time).

My posting expectation is one post a day from every player. You can post more if there is character interraction, but posting less will see you being replaced with a more consistent participant. Posting in the play thread needs to be in character. In other words I'd like some description and roleplay to go with the mechanics of things.

I've run a number of PbP games on these boards, all of them successfull for at least a year in length. I haven't run one for a few years though.

Ok, let the applications commence I guess.
Cheers

Dot! Thanks for offering.

EDIT: I'm thinking of a Human Xenoseeker Mindbreaker Mystic. His personal mission statement would be: We won't truly understand aliens until we get into their heads.

Full details soon!

Dot. This seems super interesting... Looking forward to applying.

I am snapping up any and all Starfinder games I can find. Count me in! If I may, I would like to make an Android Mechanic. She would have been in her first generation, having been recently created by her 'father', a notable and extremely talented human scientist who built her as a surrogate for his long dead daughter.

I already wrote up her stats, so it'd just take me a bit to copy her stats down into a template I made.

Dot! Gonna have to think about it, but probably a technomacer or a solarion.

Here's a vesk soldier reporting for duty! I hope he has a touch of personality about him that you like. Let me know if you need anything more!

Too late for me to edit in my original post... but I'm feeling a Lashunta Envoy, telepathy archetype.

So far the potentials are

Mystic, Mechanic, Soldier and Envoy.

Plus one more who is wavering between technomancer or Solarian

Good mix already.

Here is my character, Quinn. I think I've got everything presented but let me know. HeroLab isn't out for SF yet so I don't have a standardized output format.

She's a very human-looking Android, with just enough android characteristics that she could easily be confused for a human with many cybernetic augmentations. I'm thinking kind of an Armitage III vibe, if you've seen the source material. I have her with a drone right now, but I'm thinking of switching her to an exocortex which would fit better to what I want.

Thanks for hosting.

I'd like to play a ysoki mechanic.

One thing wasn't clear to me; will you run this game until January 2018?

What happens after that?

My work situation changes. After that it's in the air on wether I keep going or not.

If I do, then no issue.

If I can't keep running it, then you could try recruiting a new DM or just fold.

I'm doing this to see how the game runs and to give this module a spin.

Five months is a good run.

This is the alias that I would use for the Human Mystic. Still need to finalize stats, but he'll primarily focus on using spells and abilities (instead of weapons), to help the team.

Here's my lashunta envoy, focusing on support, healing, and being the 'face.' Still need to buy gear, finalize stats, and I have pretty bad-ass intro in my head that I want to write up.

Just purchasing left to do, but here's a taste of the doctor...

Dot. Will work something up after work.

GM: How much would you like us to worry about starting funds for equipment? If we're being ripped from our planets, should we just assume Starfinder tech levels for weapons and armor? Thanks!

The standard rules for items are in play. You get 1000 credits and can purchase up to level 2 gear.

Good submissions so far, by the way.

Looking at probably a human operative.

Dotting haven't played starfinder, but I think a Solarian could be nice

Hey GM,

Please consider Twitch, male ysoki mechanic, for inclusion in your game.

His crunch should be finished in his alias and his fluff is spoilered below but it's still a work in progress.

I'm waiting for new images to select a better 'avatar'.

Let me know if you have any questions/comments.

Thanks for hosting.

Game on!

I would like to submit Tuk'yik for inclusion into your game.

He is a Shirren Priest Mystic. He has a zest for life and loves meeting new people. He has lived his life on Akiton, but is always willing to travel elsewhere.

I have included all his stats, background, appearance, and personality in this alias' profile. I gave him a bit of specific background, but nothing that will really interfere with an AP.

I picked a temporary avatar till they add Starfinder pictures as well.

Hopefully I didn't miss anything. I have a character sheet filled out, if I missed anything in my online profile.

Really excited to try out Starfinder. I can definitely post at least once a day. Thank you for your consideration!

Some nicely laid out submissions so far. I'll put a summary of who's applied together a bit later today.

Only a few more days to get them all done before I roll this out.

Thanks for all the interest so far.

Ok, here's what's been submitted for consideration so far. Others have shown interest but not submitted anything yet. The format is player name - character name (race then class)

Jason Lillis - Dahrehm (Human Mystic) - not complete
JelloArm - Matrarne ( Lashunta Envoy)
Rungok - Quinn (Andruid mechanic)
Loud Blanc - Tekumseh (Vesk Soldier)
Fabian Benevank - Twitch ( ysoki mechanic) 2 feats at first level?
NeoEvaX - Tuk'yik ( Shirren Mystic)

I won't be checking build stuff too thoroughly until I've made my final selection on Wednesday. However, it's helpful to check through and make sure you've spent your credits properly, spent your stat points properly and allocated feats and skills etc. In other words, just double check you've got everything sorted before play starts.

I'm enjoying the bits of personality stuff I'm reading for these characters. Background fluff has also been fun, but remember much of it won't come in to play due to the nature of this adventure. Background does make for some great character development in game though so feel free to write it up. ( this also helps if you plan on submitting a character for multiple games in all honesty. If you aren't selected for this one, you now have a fully complete character to apply to others as they pop up.)

Again, thanks for the interest so far :)

Ok, here's what's been submitted for consideration so far. Others have shown interest but not submitted anything yet. The format is player name - character name (race then class)

Fabian Benevank - Twitch ( ysoki mechanic) 2 feats at first level?

He picked toughness for his 1st level feat.

As a mechanic with an exocortex, Twitch gains Skill Focus at 1st level.

Memory Module (Ex) 1st Level

You can use your exocortex’s memory module to enhance your own knowledge. Once per day, as a reaction while not in combat, you can reroll a failed skill check to recall knowledge. In addition, your exocortex grants you the Skill Focus feat as a bonus feat. You can’t use your exocortex’s memory module while combat tracking is activated. Every time you gain a mechanic level, you can rebuild your exocortex’s memory module, replacing the exocortex’s bonus Skill Focus feat with Skill Focus in a different skill.

Does this answer your question?

Sure does

Ok, Dr. Imani is now fully kitted out and ready for your consideration!

Thanks for completing him. Looking good.

On a side note, I'm a little surprised at how the PbP boards have changed in the two years since I last ran one here.

By this stage two years ago, there'd have been 15 or more submissions! We have six so far, with class overlaps in mystic and mechanic. So different to my previous experiences.

This is not a bad thing, just an interesting point.

I have to wonder if that is because its a new system. Not everyone is ready to take the leap. Plus there are only 7 classes right now. Pathfinder has so many options, in comparison.

I imagine it will get better as time goes by.

I am really excited to try out Starfinder! Hopefully more people will try it out as time goes on.

Yeah, I thinks it's new system stuff. Still surprising though.

I also suspect that many folks get their online fix for the game through VTT more than email or PbP. The tech has changed pretty dramatically in those last two years.

Yeah I can see that. I have only gotten into PbP in the last few weeks, so I cant speak for the change over time.

I do know that playing at the table is great, but sometimes I can't schedule time to do anything with other people (I have a 2 week old newborn), but being able to check a website for PbP seems like the perfect compromise. Easily done whenever.

With the rise of Tabletop (thanks to shows like critical Role and stuff), I would assume there would be an influx of PbP games too!

Honestly, I'm hesitant because

1) I'm trying to restart this activity, and I'm already waiting to hear back on 4 applications. I don't want to accidentally find myself in too many games because that won't be as much fun.

2) Several of the applicants are duplicating character ideas that I had. I'm going to guess it is because some of them are such natural, obvious combinations, but we don't think about that on the first pass . . ..

3) Different people like different things. The level of authority and power displayed in the one public story so far is over-the-top wrong and powerful for starting characters. Cooperative story-telling when somebody's painted themselves that far past the starting line just doesn't go well in my memory, so I know I don't want to risk having to do that. Specifically, you have to be a 6th level Icon before many people will have heard of you, but the level 1 character is already a major force controlling interaction with advertisers, production values, and scheduling? Oh, AND is working as a criminal contact?

But I can't speak for anyone else.

...Dude. Firstly, no need to call someone out like that. It's incredibly inconsiderate at best, and incredibly rude in any case.

People make backstories for characters and include RP segments and such because it's a way to show how they see the character, and what they see them being like and having as a setup. If the GM thinks something's a bit much, they can make a call. Maybe "somebody painting themselves past the starting line" doesn't go well in your experience, but policing other players certainly doesn't go well either. Getting hung up on game rules and their interaction with flavor stuff like background doesn't help either--and the 6th-level Icon ability just means that just about everyone has heard of you, not that nobody's heard of you until you reach that point.

P.S. The gibe implying that people are making basic, "obvious" characters is also unnecessary. Character concepts can be similar. It's nobody's fault.

Again, different people like different things.

The judge seems to like it. He certainly responded positively enough in the thread.

I don't. I explained why I don't.

If everybody else is making basic, obvious characters, but all of my ideas were duplicated, then . . ..

You need to spend less time taking offense. Seriously.

@hustonj - background narrative means absolutely nada for this game. I haven't bothered to reign anything in. He could be the most famous celebrity in the Pact worlds and it will make no difference in the campaign. It's why I outlined the core concept of the plot and told folks not to get too invested in background.

The android has some interesting stuff in there too. Background info that suggests it's an android but no one could tell and tech can't even detect it. Sounds like a cool concept, but it isn't going to fly in this campaign because you get torn straight from the main setting and dumped in a completely foreign system, possibly even a different galaxy (for all the PCs know). What works in the Pact worlds is going to get brought back to pretty much as per rules in the new system.

Feel free to apply or not as you see fit, I reckon. But I wouldn't use other characters as a precursor to apply or not.

The biggest hurdle I had when I was playing these a few years ago was the overlap of character cocncepts. That one I understand fully.

As a guide for what I'm going to be choosing - 4 players (the module is written for 4 and I don't want to modify things too much due to no familiarity with the system)
- a mix of classes to try for something balanced as a party and so I/we can get a feel for the overall game.

So far it's looking good for envoy and soldier, as they're the only ones in that category. I have to make choices between the mystics and mechanics.

Having said that, the Envoy overlaps healing stuff too, given how it's built, and that overlaps one of the mystic builds.

So choices for me to make I guess.

Potential players can throw in more characters if they wanted too. No reaons why you can't offer a mechanic and a technomancer for instance. Or a Solarian along with the Envoy.

I guess what I'm saying is, I don't know the players at all. I'm not going to making decisions based on who they are, I'm really looking for interesting combinations of classes and personality traits for characters.
Backgrounds will add very little to my decision making, but well written stories like the one he presented do demonstrate the capacity to communicate well in this medium. That helps quite a bit.

So far it's looking good for envoy and soldier, as they're the only ones in that category. I have to make choices between the mystics and mechanics.

Having said that, the Envoy overlaps healing stuff too, given how it's built, and that overlaps one of the mystic builds.

Potential players can throw in more characters if they wanted too. No reaons why you can't offer a mechanic and a technomancer for instance. Or a Solarian along with the Envoy.

Since my Mystic build conflicts with the Healing focused Envoy, and you are ok with multiple submissions, I would like to also submit a Android Technomancer. If that is ok, and might help avoid conflicts.

I will work on that build now and post when its done.

Narrator Prime wrote:

So far it's looking good for envoy and soldier, as they're the only ones in that category. I have to make choices between the mystics and mechanics.

Having said that, the Envoy overlaps healing stuff too, given how it's built, and that overlaps one of the mystic builds.

Potential players can throw in more characters if they wanted too. No reaons why you can't offer a mechanic and a technomancer for instance. Or a Solarian along with the Envoy.

Since my Mystic build conflicts with the Healing focused Envoy, and you are ok with multiple submissions, I would like to also submit a Android Technomancer. If that is ok, and might help avoid conflicts.

I will work on that build now and post when its done.

Yeah mate, go for it.

Thanks for completing him. Looking good.

On a side note, I'm a little surprised at how the PbP boards have changed in the two years since I last ran one here.

By this stage two years ago, there'd have been 15 or more submissions! We have six so far, with class overlaps in mystic and mechanic. So different to my previous experiences.

This is not a bad thing, just an interesting point.

There aren't enough PBPs for people here; look at some of the regular PF APs recruitment threads and you'll find dozens of applicants.

However, you have a couple of things going against you, which is why you're not seeing lots of applicants.

1) This is a new system so your pool of potential players is smaller. and

2) Like I said above, people like APs and even though this is an AP, you did not really commit to running it past the first book.

If you were to advertise a regular Pathfinder AP, I bet you would have a thread with 200+ posts.

I've got a Vesk Soldier concept brewing, but I need to familiarize myself with the new system.

I've been watching this thread for a few days, and what has delayed my applying is the current lack of character generation software. I'm spoiled by the likes of Hero Lab, I'm not used to holding all the rules in my head at once. This may be another reason for the dearth of applicants.

Here is the Android Technomancer I mentioned earlier.

I would like this to be included in my submission. If the mystic's healing focus conflicts with another healing build I am 100% ok with using the Technomancer. They both seem like great classes, and I am excited by either build.

I too am spoiled by Hero Lab, but its been really fun building the characters the "old school" way.

Narrator Prime wrote:

Thanks for completing him. Looking good.

On a side note, I'm a little surprised at how the PbP boards have changed in the two years since I last ran one here.

By this stage two years ago, there'd have been 15 or more submissions! We have six so far, with class overlaps in mystic and mechanic. So different to my previous experiences.

This is not a bad thing, just an interesting point.

There aren't enough PBPs for people here; look at some of the regular PF APs recruitment threads and you'll find dozens of applicants.

However, you have a couple of things going against you, which is why you're not seeing lots of applicants.

1) This is a new system so your pool of potential players is smaller. and

2) Like I said above, people like APs and even though this is an AP, you did not really commit to running it past the first book.

If you were to advertise a regular Pathfinder AP, I bet you would have a thread with 200+ posts.

Yep, very valid points. The AP one in particular.

Sadly, my track record is only about a year at most before life interrupts so much that I can't keep running for a few months.

As I said, no complaints from this end. I just found it interesting.

I've got a Vesk Soldier concept brewing, but I need to familiarize myself with the new system.

I've been watching this thread for a few days, and what has delayed my applying is the current lack of character generation software. I'm spoiled by the likes of Hero Lab, I'm not used to holding all the rules in my head at once. This may be another reason for the dearth of applicants.

Understandable. See how you go throwing one together. There's not a lot of complexity at level one for Starfinder so far.

When I was running Pathfinder though, I wouldn't go near the DM chair without Hero Labs. The sheer amount of options was getting ridiculous. It got so complex we just switched to 5e.

**edited some after first post to clarify a point or two**

Yikes, if I'd known this was going to be a public critique thread, I would have proof-read a little more... ;)

In all seriousness, sorry to anyone else that felt like I 'overstepped' in my background. I had gotten the impression (seemingly correctly) that background was going to be negligible in this game, as we were being dumped in a strange new world by accident with our knowledge and skills, but not our resources and contacts, so I was a little looser with the background than I might have been. I also wanted to set him up a little higher so he had further to fall - I have a plan for him that draws on the personality traits that make him a sleazy, corrupt TV persona, but aren't dependent on him remaining a sleazy corrupt TV persona, so that's his start point, not who he'll remain.

And I'll push back some on the implication that the character backstory isn't "Rules as written" - level 6 Icon ability makes you a household name and a universally recognizable face, but even in today's world there's a lot of 'C-list celebrities' that could live a live similar to Dr. Imani that you or I outside of that sphere have never heard of. When you're talking a collection of multiple planet-spanning cultures that could form a demographic base, I don't think it's unreasonable to see someone able to live a lifestyle like Dr. Imani's while still being a figure in a niche field (which I would hope televised surgery is D: ) and not recognizable to 'pretty much everyone.'

And - it's just fluff. If Our Fearless GM has anything that needs adjusting, I'm happy to oblige.

Envoy and Mystic healing don't truly overlap, regardless of the builds involved.

Envoy provides quick Stamina healing. As near as I can tell, nothing else allows you to give a different character the chance to heal stamina during a scene. Several classes eventually have abilities that allow them to heal stamina during a scene without aid, but not all.

Mystic provides quick HP healing. There are a few technical gadgets to duplicate this ability, but none are as powerful as the spell which (at higher levels) can raise the recently slain or allows the caster to share HP healing with the target (either transferring healing shortage to the recipient or claiming healing overages for himself).

Medicine provides long-term HP healing.

Hi there! =)

Just popping by to say that I'mma mix up the mix and submit a Human Operative. Because the Operative don't seem to get much love so I'm trying them out to see why. ^_^

I still have to work on the backstory, which, it looks like, is big whoop around these here parts. ;-)

(Of note, can I ask why you don't want to do Starship combat? Does it just not fit the theme you're going for, or are the mechanics not to your liking?)

Hi there! =)

Just popping by to say that I'mma mix up the mix and submit a Human Operative. Because the Operative don't seem to get much love so I'm trying them out to see why. ^_^

I still have to work on the backstory, which, it looks like, is big whoop around these here parts. ;-)

(Of note, can I ask why you don't want to do Starship combat? Does it just not fit the theme you're going for, or are the mechanics not to your liking?)

Neither of those actually. This is a module I purchased from Legendary Games. They didn't include space ship stuff in it. ( caught me off guard honestly. I wrote a review on it).

Apart from that, the module is pretty solid. As such, I thought I'd take it for a spin. My home group doesn't appear too interested in playing Starfinder so here I am.

Hi, GM - I'm going to step back my application for this game at this time. I'm thinking of running another campaign, and I'd rather keep my time free for that. Hope you have a great time! I'll try to read along.

Hi, GM - I'm going to step back my application for this game at this time. I'm thinking of running another campaign, and I'd rather keep my time free for that. Hope you have a great time! I'll try to read along.

No probs mate. Hope you enjoy running one!

Since you are allowing a second submittal, I'll see if I can come with something between now and Wednesday.

I'm not sure what yet and I make no promises so consider twitch my main submittal.

Hopefully, I'll get selected, you'll have a great time, and you will continue with the AP. :)

I've got a Vesk Soldier concept brewing, but I need to familiarize myself with the new system.

I've been watching this thread for a few days, and what has delayed my applying is the current lack of character generation software. I'm spoiled by the likes of Hero Lab, I'm not used to holding all the rules in my head at once. This may be another reason for the dearth of applicants.

There are fillable pdfs available. And PCgen has a Starfinder Alpha now available.

I'd like to submit Trelik for consideration.

He is a Ysogi Operative (Hacker) Xenoseeker.

Character sheet is Here

Background a little generic for obvious reasons.