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Welcome to the recruitment thread for 'Towards the abyss', a sci-fi adventure using the Pathfinder rules.
Wait...sci-fi?!
No you didn't miss the release of Starfinder, it's just that I've been re-watching Babylon 5, immensely enjoying season 2 of The Expanse, and have had the idea for this bouncing around in my head for years. So now seems the right time, when I've a head full of well-written/acted sci-fi and a heart full of good intentions :)
Pathfinder...IN SPACE!!!!?
Yup, the ruleset is D20 Pathfinder with BAB, AC and skill checks. Everything you've come to expect :)
OK, so... why!?
Several reasons! I've been wanting to run another game for some time, and also to see if I could find a way to help out newer players. There's always more players than there are games, and PBP games consistently suffer from losing players who start well but quickly realise the more sedate pace of PBP doesn't suit them. GMs also lose interest in their projects, leaving whole groups stranded and disheartened. A one-shot short means everyone knows it'll last a couple of months of real time, which is a commitment but not a millstone. Also, presuming it all goes well, I'll run it again for another group of players, rinse and repeat :)
Right, so what's the setting then?
If you like(d) the 'functional tech'/hard sci-fi of Galactica, Firefly and The Expanse, then you may like this too. However, because the game will start 'in media res' and is a one-shot, I'm deliberately keeping most of the details close to my chest. All you need to know before we begin is that the environment is very much 'dirty tech'.
In a nutshell, mankind has reached outside the solar system to distant stars, driven by a lack or real estate on earth. Whilst there are colonies and space-stations in our solar system, there are also new (within the last couple of decades) outposts in other systems. Interstellar travel is slow but not terribly so. Transit is via 'sleeper ships' with the passengers in suspended animation, but the trip between systems only takes a few years due to *commences handwaving of actual physics involved* ;p
DO also note he setting and adventure may feature content towards the more adult end of the spectrum (horror and complex situations where there might not be one right answer) so please be aware of this before signing up.
How do we create characters!?
Well long story short, in a certain grand tradition of game start conditions, your characters don't know who they are when the adventure begins...
WAIT! Please read on before you close this tab!
New players: Relax! No need to number crunch or learn dozens of rules before play, we'll start 'in media res' and you can feel free to ask questions about the mechanics as each situation comes up.
Veterans: Take a load off and stop worrying about optimisation, synergising group roles and who's going to provide OOC healing. All together now....ahhh.... :)
There are still a bunch of choices to make when generating your character which will guide what they're good at as the adventure develops.
What you can expect from me
I've been on the boards for nearly 3 years now, and I've run a continuous campaign here for most of that time (The Walking Dead of Golarion for those who might want a sample of my GM style or a read-along campaign). In other words (barring unforeseen circumstances) I'm not going anywhere, so this adventure will happen and will progress to a conclusion!
I try to update at least once a day and manage that most of the time :)
I'm fair and open-minded, my mailbox is always open if you have questions either about rules or the game!
My expectations of you
This is far from your standard dungeon crawl, so anyone who's main aim is to kill things and take their stuff should probably move on! The adventure will involve problem-solving, investigation and teamwork, with a few combats thrown in. The main theme is a mystery for you to solve. All in a high-tension environment which should make for some good drama and role play! If this doesn't sound like fun, I wish you all the best with other recruitments :)
Once per day posting please (I reserve the right to boot you if you don't post for a week without telling me in advance!)
Respect your fellow players and GM by contributing to the collaborative story rather than being disruptive for the sake of it :)
So, your character submission should consist of the following:
Name: Pick anything human you like
Virtue: One word, something your character is proud of being (courageous, clever, ambitious, witty)
Vice: One word, something your character is secretly ashamed of being (cowardly, angry, unforgiving, dismissive)
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
No need to create an alias, just post your submission in a spoiler :)
I am looking for FOUR players, and to start with I'll pick the four with the most evocative answers that give me a great picture of your character. If you do miss out then don't forget if things go well I'll be running this again! No idea how popular this will be, but if there's enough demand I'd also consider running two tables.
If there's enough interest where selection has to be made I'll do that next Friday 3rd March at noon GMT, with the aim to have the first gameplay post up Sunday noon.
Feel free to ask questions as I'm bound to have forgotten things!
Two questions:
Is magic a thing in this setting?
Are we steering clear of 3pp materials?
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But while I'm waiting I may as well do this
Name: Sirus Mechanicus
Virtue: Steadfast
Vice: Closed-minded
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
Fixing all the crap that goes wrong on a flying scrapyard like that piece of crap freighter takes parts. Parts they didn't provide. So I improvised. So my modifications caused coolant to leak into the reactor housing, no big deal as long as we stayed under 27.63%. But noooo. The captain just had to try a gravity assist around Mars. My point is it's not my fault that the regulators exploded and blew the cargo into deep space. They choose not to see it that way, so her I am. On the run.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
- One case of tools.
- One diagnostic data pad
- Betsy, a highly modified handheld plasma welder and riveter. May or may not be capable of firing said rivets in a weapon-like fashion...
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
Fix the problem. First, call the authorities. If that option isn't available, then "fixing" means riveting their cheeks (upper or lower, it doesn't matter) to the nearest bulkhead.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
By building, usually. I think best with my hands, so I won't stand around guessing at the solution.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I hope they double checked the thruster gimbals...
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Name: Daniel Walten
Virtue: Cunning
Vice: Fixated
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
My latest employer recently noticed the consistent .01% discrepancy in his finances.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
*my small sized tool kit (pretty complete tool kit, the tools themselves are smaller)
*my portable electronic device
*my faux portable electronic device
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
I would give them one of my credit chips (if they exist) or ration cards because I likely need to get rid of it because someone is likely hunting me through that device.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
I take 5-10 min to process the best possible long-term solution flow chart.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I was imagining what my previous employer would to to the thugs he just tracked down, thinking it was me, as well as his reaction when finding out it's not me. The wide grins.
Master Han Del of the Web: Magic no, psionics...yes! Humanity doesn't yet understand very much about psionics, only that some have it and most do not. The abilities are primarily telepathic: mind reading, mind control for those strong enough, 'I kill you with my mind' level being rare if even possible. Some degree of psychokinesis, pyrokinesis and even machine-empathy has also been recorded. Mechanically these can be represented as SLAs and bonuses to skills.
Can a PC have psionics? Yes, so if you are interested, just include that in your submission :)
Regarding 3PP, at this stage I wasn't going to consider any as I'm already twisting the setting and don't want to overburden it (plus I don't own any 3PP materials so unless it's public info I won't have access to it!). That being said, I don't like just saying 'no' as a blanket response, so if you have a suggestion you think might fit I would consider it, I just don't want to complicate things too much :)
Choon: Thank you for your submission :)
It's dirty tech but not a grim/dark setting, so humanity runs the normal gamut of stoic to jaunty never fear! Your character is welcome to have a sense of humor, light or dark.
Saashaa: Thank you for your submission :)
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Can these powers be undiscovered? I could totally see Sirus being machine empathic as his concept is basically "the best duct tape magician this side of the Cosmic Microwave Background". It could make an interesting character arc for a older, set-in-his-ways mechanic to suddenly discover that he's more than he has ever dreamed and that those off-color jokes are suddenly not that funny...
Choon: No problem at all, that's definitely feasible! There might be a fair few people out there just like that, their hunches about people have always been good or machines behave much better when they use them :)
Name: Dmitri Maxzereyev
Virtue: Determination
Vice: Stubbornness
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
A mining contract gone sour with a large heavy industry firm caused a bit of a ruckus on a remote stardock in an asteroid ring. I needed to get away fast and far, without any particular need for specificity in where he was headed.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
1. A small mining laser, I built my mining company on it's back. While not particularly effective for negotiating deals, it is a good weapon in a pinch.
2. An all-purpose tool belt, complete with mag-wrenches, small plasma fuses, faraday screws, many other tools, and the carbon-fiber belt itself, capable of being unwound to use as a rope.
3. A little holographic projection of a small girl, my daughter Alexa. I miss her.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
I would likely try to reason with the men to leave the woman alone, and if not I would deal with them by force. A miner's way is simple but effective.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
I tend to solve my problems with well-known methods. If they don't work, I keep trying. It is better to carve a square hole out of a round hole, and then put the square peg through.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I hope that my departure will not be too harmful to the company. I have to get away, for Alexa.
Simeon: Thanks for your submission :)
So, I missed out on your other game by foolishly not submitting a character and I don't want that to happen again.
However, I must say that it is hard to come up with a good concept without knowing a lot about the setting. But I guess we're all in the same boat (literally?).
I made some assumptions about tech in this game. This PC has very recently come upon a 'device' that allows him to interface with computer systems by just using his mind. If this concept is out in left field (or not even in the ballpark) then let me know and I'll think of something else.
Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for hosting.
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Name: Erik Pavel
Virtue: Smart
Vice: Too smart, not emphatic enough
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
The corporation shrinks were asking too many questions about my work with the company’s computer systems, questions I wasn’t really sure I could give honest answers to.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
*my home-made interface device that allows me to ‘talk’ to almost any computer system
*my collection of brain games to keep me from getting bored
*the picture of my older brother who went ahead of me
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
I would try to talk them out of it; I can be very convincing that way.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
I start to ramble all the possible answers to others to see if they make sense. I then breathe out, calm myself, and think logically about the problem.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I wonder how advanced the tech is in these frontier worlds?
@Fabian Benavente: Ah hello again, I do actually recall your avatar from that recruitment! Thank you for your submission, happy with all of it :)
Also, that's a very good point about it being difficult to come up with a concept given the lack of info available, hmmm.... will have to work on that one. So in which case double thanks to all who have applied, given it is 'blind' so to speak!
*Sniff* Is that Babylon 5 I smell?
This intrigues me, I haven't played many PbP's but I do play a lot in general and would love another shot :)
Name: Innis Henley
Virtue: Collected
Vice: Wistful
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
After returning from duty, I came back to find my dearest wife dead. They told me she went in her sleep, and that there was no foul play involved. What was left for a relic like myself? We had no children, most of my friends had died in the field. So I left. All of it.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
My sidearm and the weight it carries.
A holo of my wife and I during our wedding. The tech that runs it seems to skip a little.
A manual, analogue multitool. Trustworthy and simple.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
I would stand in between her and the child and ensure that they got their food; even if it meant I had to give up my own, or if I had to deal with the group. I refuse to condone coercion.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
If its a situation I've been in, I would trust my gut, I'm alive only because of it. If not, we can always leave the knowledge to the professionals and judge based on their facts.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
Would anyone even remember what I sacrificed for when I awoke?
Virtue: Innovative.
Vice: Reckless.
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
Anarbek coughs and doesn't look well, but gives a disarming grin. "It's a bit of a story. Like many from Janga Sibir, I had the wanderlust, you know? I wound up there [Anarbek points vaguely in the direction of the rapidly receding planet, somewhere in normal space] after some...interesting luck. I busked there, but fencing was more profitable." He sighs. "Black market nano, medical nano, that's the best profit. But I shouldn't have dealt with the Malagasys. And I shouldn't have taken anything that was lead lined. Constables materialized, I ran, lead capsule got pierced by a flechette, and it...got on me. Pretty soon every market sensor around was screaming that I was unauthorized property. Property of REDACTED." He coughs again. "Something's in the nano and it's in me now. I had to bolt. Maybe it kills me, but I live and die on my own terms. I'll space myself rather than get dissected."
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
Anarbek has a dombra, a two stringed instrument made of apricot wood imbued with duraplas. He busks and sings khoomei and kuy at times. When he isn't fencing goods.
He has a scroll, a flexible datapad, filled with music software and a fair amount of medical data that he rapidly downloaded and feverishly consults from time to time. Nothing shows up for the nano he's currently carrying.
Like a lot of better-off folks who go offworld from Janga Sibir, he has a jumırtqa älemdik. This is a nearly indestructible transparent egg made of clear carbonate holding a small amount of Sibir soil and several varieties of Siberian moss. Sibirians who go offworld take it with them as a reminder of ties to their land, and open it occasionally, respectully, to take a small whiff of home.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
"I hate to fight. I'd steal the card myself and then loop around and give it back to her. Simpler."
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
"I improvise. It's worked...ok, it hasn't always worked."
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I bet they're gonna scan me and deliver me to someone. Oh well..
This is the first PbP game I've applied to on this board. In fact it's the first post I've made here, period. I've been playing at MythWeavers for more than a decade, and other places off and on over the years, and I have more than 30 years RPing experience. The setup for this game was just too good to ignore! :) I absolutely LOVE genre twisting games, and this has FUN written all over it. :)
Virtue: Unobtrusive
Vice: Timid
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you? Ever since the machines started to talk in my head, it's been getting harder and harder just to get through the day with my sanity intact. When people in dark suits showed up at my office, then at my apartment, and began asking uncomfortable questions of everyone I knew, I panicked.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
* A holo of a cat, labeled 'Hermes'.
* A large container of antacid tablets.
* A loaded pistol. What?!? Why is there a GUN in my bag??
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do? 'Convince' the nearest ATM to spit out several bills to distract the thugs, then hope that the woman had enough presence of mind to escape with her child while they were busy.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react? I tend to over-analyze everything. That tends to be useful in problem solving, but in a high stress situation if can sometimes lead to brain lock.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep? I hope these things dont start talking to me in my sleep!
@Hubaris: Welceom lurker! I am glad you surfaced from downbelow to submit your entry :)
@Axolotl: Thank you for your submission :D
@Arklytte: Welcome to the Paizo boards! No worries at all, I've never played on MythWeavers but expect it's likely just the same barring any difference in dice rolling mechanics or mark up text bracket things ;) Thank you for your submission :D
So far we have (and I hope you forgive the artistic license of my summaries...)
Choon: Sirus Mechanicus - Downtrodden mechanic trying to outrun a streak of bad luck
Saashaa: Daniel Walten - Finance relocation specialist in search of a new income stream
Simeon: Dmitri Maxzereyev - Stoic miner looking to get some distance from his troubles until tempers flare down
Fabian Benavente: Erik Pavel - Gifted technician one step ahead of people asking too many questions
Hubaris: Innis Henley - Old soldier searching for something new to care about
Axolotl: Anarbek Serikbai - Criminal fence with an uncertain future, wanting to face it on his own terms
Arklytte: Joram McAndrie - Unassuming everyman looking to escape persecution
Thanks for the welcome GM_F. :) I love MW, it's a great site. But it's also nice to meet new people and try new games, so...here I am. Though, I could wish for a better color scheme option. That's one thing that MW has going for it...the site is MUCH easier on the eyes than this stark black and white. :p :D
And yep, that looks like a pretty good summary for Joram. :D
Great summary for Dmitri, exactly how I'd envisiones him.
Gotem!
That's reassuring!
These are fun submissions!
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Name: Edvarth Sovik
Virtue: Diligence
Vice: Intemperance
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
How long have I been working for the Tijanti Cartel? Years, and I have a meticulous record, never have I left any evidence behind ... never. They do the dirty work, I clean. Simple and sweet with great benefits. This last job though ... to hell with this place! One finger print and now they hunting me like a dog. Of all fingerprints it was the boss, I was setup and I know it. Never have I missed a spot ... never. I better book it before I'm slag, just hope I find a better job than my first ... janitor.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
1. Bag of the best cleaning compounds and solutions this side of the cosmos with one box of baking soda ... they never expect that.
2. Custom business suit with polished shoes, had it dry cleaned twice ... they never get it right the first time.
3. Enough hair gel it could gag an army, hope the Cartel don't look for the only store that sells it or I'll be found in a jiffy.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
See it a lot, just wait till they leave. They always get cocky and complacent and let there guard down. That's when you clean'em up, nice and easy. Return that ration card, maybe be a nice reward or favors owed.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
Strap on the gloves, nice melody, some tea, and make sure my teeth are brushed ... and then bend that problem backwards till it shines the reflection of my amazing hair.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
F!+@, my hair is ... wait when was the last time this container been cleaned? Fingerprints all ov...
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The competition looks fierce. But because I love your other game I'll try with this concept.
Name: Cord Mackenzie
Virtue: Persuasive
Vice: Indulgent
Five questions for you to answer in character:
1) Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
Well, Jancie was a beauty. And she never actually said she was married. And certainly never mentioned that her husband was high ranking in local law enforcement. Leaving quickly seemed prudent.
2) What are the three most important items in the holdall?
• A holdout blaster pistol, easily hidden but with enough umph to take a man down.
• A laptop computer/pad with ship weapon system simulations loaded so Cord can maintain his ship's weapons edge.
• A guitar that belonged to his great grandmother
3) If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
Immediately attack the biggest of of the men while calling him a coward and commenting on what type of men steel from women. After being beaten up he would share his ration card with the woman.
4) When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
Try to talk my way out of the problem and/or get help from someone else.
5) What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
Surely there is no chance Janice is pregnant, right?
Some great concepts for a great game concept. Here's my pitch:
Name: Konrad Seiben
Virtue: Imperious
Vice: Pride
:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
In Neu-Prussia it comes to all of us. The opportunity to serve. For the Technischkorps it is the chance to hone the skills we have learned and beta test our enhancements in the wider system/real world scenarios. No warning is given by the Vorgesetzten. They select the candidate, select the assignment and issue the deployment order. 6 hour cycles later we board the bulk transport at Golem Heights with basic equipment and a memorised order sequence. My rotation has come.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
Technischkorp’s issue chem-kit; containing key mutagenic compounds to augment my somatic capabilities.
H.E.R. (Hazardous Environments Respirator); Korporal Inzig always drilled into us: Never leave without HER!
Knüppel; My tungsten IV combat baton. Light and near unbreakable. We call them “Peacemakers”… Contrary to popular belief we Neu-Prussian's do appreciate irony.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
Deal with them like for like; bully the bully into returning what is not theirs. Inform them they face a proud member of Neu-Prussia’s Technischkorps and remind them of the folly a physical confrontation; the Mekemical enhancements at my disposal make me a match for cockroaches such as they. Should it come to it, disable them with extreme prejudice.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
The intense training of Technischkorps taught us to focus upon the problem at hand and utilise our skills and augmentations in tandem with resources at hand. When we do this there is no scenario that cannot be overcome.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
How strange it was to enter a torpor cycle without the familiar glow of Höllen Amboss' chem-furnaces as my night-light.
** spoiler omitted **
Wouldn't one be able to alter fingerprints in the future? Or remove them entirely? I'd be more worried about shedding any skin or hair cells, and getting typed by DNA profile.
I hope that came across as constructive and not nitpicking! If it didn't, my apologies.
Name: Jedediah "Jed" Price
Virtue: Pious
Vice: Judgmental
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
- "You ever have a bad experience sharing hope with the hopeless? Them heathens saw me coming a mile away. Even stole my holy symbol. They will be surprised when they try to melt that down. I got one round off and had to scoot."
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
- Holy Text, Revolver, Pack of Smokes
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
- "That there's gonna be a problem. It's women and children first. They will see it the right way and offer them some from their ration card."
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
- "Open the Holy Text, fire up a cancer stick, and seek wisdom."
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
- "Dear Lord keep me safe, I hope that shot wasn't fatal"
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Hi! This would be my second game, first PbP. I am very excited about this adventure!
Name: Pick anything human you like
Clara Grey
Virtue: One word, something your character is proud of being (courageous, clever, ambitious, witty)
Self-Sufficient
Vice: One word, something your character is secretly ashamed of being (cowardly, angry, unforgiving, dismissive)
Proud
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you? I killed my no good, lazy, unlucky gambling husband.
What are the three most important items in the holdall? Life Insurance Policy for Husband, Murder Weapon (which happens to be my great-grandmothers hair pick), Favorite shade of lipstick
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do? Use my grandma's hair pick to slit their throats.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react? As long as no scoundrels are taking advantage of the innocent, I stop and think of 3 solutions and pick the one that benefits the most people. Otherwise, I can get murdery.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep? "I got away with it"
Kay Leafwalker: Thank you for your submission :)
Skorn: Hi! Thanks for taking the time to look at another campaign and submit a character :)
Black Dow: - Very kind of you to compliment the concept, thank you for your submission!
It's worth mentioning that I'm paying attention to the world building you guys are doing and bits will definitely find their way in to the campaign notes as backstory gets filled out :)
RE: Fingerprints... there is indeed be tech to erase or transform prints, but it is expensive and as ever with such things, other tech has been developed that looks for telltale scars etc so whoever operates the fingerprint changer would have to be *very* good to escape detection. So experts and tech would be few and far between. Far easier and cheaper to employ a 'cleaner' :)
RelicBlackOUT: Thank you for your submission :)
Thaliaa: Welcome to the boards :D Thanks for your submission!
That leaves the roster as:
Choon: Sirus Mechanicus - Downtrodden mechanic trying to outrun a streak of bad luck
Saashaa: Daniel Walten - Finance relocation specialist in search of a new income stream
Simeon: Dmitri Maxzereyev - Stoic miner looking to get some distance from his troubles until tempers flare down
Fabian Benavente: Erik Pavel - Gifted technician one step ahead of people asking too many questions
Hubaris: Innis Henley - Old soldier searching for something new to care about
Axolotl: Anarbek Serikbai - Criminal fence with an uncertain future, wanting to face it on his own terms
Arklytte: Joram McAndrie - Unassuming everyman looking to escape persecution
Kay Leafwalker: Edvarth Sovik - Specialist "Cleaner" on the hunt for a bolt-hole and somewhere else to work
Skorn: Cord Mackenzie - The other man, now with the law breathing down his neck, the running man
Black Dow: Konrad Seiben - Tovarishch of the Technischkorps, marching proudly to his future
RelicBlackOUT: Jebediah "Jed" Price - Firebrand preacher getting the heck out of dodge
Thaliaa: Clara Grey - A woman pushed too far, embarking on a new horizon
This does sound fun! Plus, that's another B5 comment I've seen in the past week or two. Seeing as it's one of my all-time favorite series and it's been years since I last re-watched it, guess I better fix that. :) My character, however, channels a bit more of Dr. Smith from the classic "Lost in Space" but I would try to keep it from being too absurd.
Name: Dr. J. Harris That's Jonathan Harris, Doctor Jo-... what? You saw a wanted alert for a 'Jonathan Harris'... oh no no no, you misheard me, I'm JONAH Harris. A simple mistake on your part, I'm sure. Never mind that, who are you?
Virtue: Genius (outwardly, however inwardly - Survivor)
Vice: Coward - although evolution calls and I must protect myself! I'm sorry, it's biological necessity. Nothing personal, friend.
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
I didn't board quickly. What do you mean? Surely you are mistaken, I'm just traveling to visit... family... yes, a sick uncle. Uncle Bob is so awfully ill, and this was the earliest transport I could find, because I so love my Uncle Rob. Poor, sick Uncle.
You saw some mob bruisers asking about me? Something about debts? Oh no, surely they were looking for someone else. I'm certainly of it. No one is after me. I'm a professor, after all. Of what? Oh, it's complicated, no need to bore you about the details. But suffice it to say, I'm quite well known in many disciplines, and surely have no debt to thugs of any sort. However... I seem to have misplaced my cards. How dreadfully inconvenient. I'm sorry, but could you be a dear soul and spot me a few credits? I can pay you back with interest very soon, I assure you, just need to... uh, find my cards, you see.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
Why do you ask? I wasn't aware there would be inspections. What's in your holdall? Hmm? You have something to hide? Neither do I. I just don't condone invasions of personal privacy.
(For the record:
1. A journal of my woefully lamentable life. Not kept up regularly.
2. Some unknown device that I found in a lab I was touring. Those simpletons had no idea what they were doing with it, so in the name of science, I liberated it so that a brilliant scientist such as myself could study it. It's some sort of extraterrestrial device, surely. Or perhaps black ops CentGov. One of those, I'm certain. I think. Just need to figure out what these 3 buttons do, but um... perhaps I will wait and make sure it doesn't explode or melt my brain. Must follow proper safety protocols. My safety first!
3. My trusty data reader with thousands of books and journals on it - all of them, I assure you absolutely not illegally downloaded and everyone of utmost scientific value. Just don't look in that directory there... or those two either...or... Have you seen my book, however? It is Harmonic Resonant Integrated Information Theory of Phenomenal Consciousness and Temporal Counterentropic Balance: A Simple Hypothesis of Cosmological Psychology, quite the scandalous excitement in the realm of academia. So much so, that many refuse to even acknowledge that they have heard of it! So mind blowing that no one will admit to having read it! Amazing, yes? Tragically, the academic establishment felt too threatened by it's theories to grant it any awards. Oh, and that? That is just "Planet Pop", this trivial little game where you have to adjust the orbital path and velocities of planets to align 4 or more of the same color. A nephew or niece must have put that on there. I never really pay much attention to it... although I did have daily high score once 2 years ago. Mmmhmm. Word on the "ZipZazPow! ChatBoards" is that it was one of the most challenging daily puzzles. High score. Me. I know the plebeians over on Game-iverse ranked it 87th most difficult, but everyone knows those 'Versers are all poorly-coded newsBots. Anyway, give that back to me! Your grubby little fingers are dirtying up the screen.
)
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
Why do I need to do something?
Oh, right! Of course, damsel and child in distress, yes yes. But what could I do? If only I hadn't twisted my shoulder the other day, I would certainly give those thugs a once over myself! I was a bit of a pugilist in my youth. But as it is, alas, the savage beasts would surely throttle me! I am already victim enough being burdened with witnessing such a scene. How cruel to lay such guilt on me. Alas, that's how it is with me, burdened with the vices of others.
No, the burden of guilt is quite enough to bear. No, I don't need to go back. No, not at all. Although if I distracted them and saved her, perhaps she would reward me with half her rations. After all, half is more than nothing. And I would say she should be pleased to be rescued from such savagery. Besides that child is only half the size of an adult anyway, I'm sure it doesn't need to eat much. Oh curse them all! How rude to get yourself robbed in front of me and ruin my perfectly splendid day. Such is my burden to bear - the true victim of this great unpleasantness.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
Brilliantly! I would react brilliantly, of course, and you should expect no less from me! Although, since we are talking about expectations, did you have any thoughts on this problem, my dear friend? Just wondering what you might come up with. I, of course, figured it out easily quite early on, but I did not want to deprive others of the joy of solving it.
So what did you say your idea was? Yes, well, you try that over there while I keep an eye out way over here. Need to make sure I have aclearview, yousee. Nonono, I'mfine. Speakingfast?Whatdoyoumean?I'mnotspeaking fast *ahem* not speaking fast at all. I'm amazing under pressure, truly stellar, of course. Yes... pressure... brilliant.
Perhaps someone should check on the children - make sure they are handling this fine. Those poor frightened children. Yes, the uh... children. Bye!!
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
A ZinCorp Cryo570?! Just my lot in life! The failure rate on these units is simply unacceptable! Oh please don't fail and kill me. Please don't fail and kill me. Please don't...
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Hi there!
Hi there!
I like interesting character creation guidelines. This is the first time I've seen this, so I couldn't just let it go. ^_^
I notice a lot of "Kaylee" types, and more than enough "Zoe" types, and even a few "Simon" types. BUT! But we seem to lack one...critical...type.
What good is a plucky crew of would-be heroes without a "Jayne" type? =3
Name: Jack Powers
Virtue: Greed. (What? Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.)
Vice: Soft-hearted. (Especially for money. Or women. Or booze. Or more money offered by the other side.)
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
"What gorram good is boardin' a trany if'n ya ain't got nuthin' ta put stuff in to?"
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
1) Datatape with the latest bounties on it, cross referenced by size of bounty, ease of capture, and relative distance from current location.
2) Medical kit with a collection of drugs, and an emphasis on combat-drugs.
3) Large, modified and customized combat rifle. It may or may not have a name.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
WAIT! There are IMPORTANT tactical questions AND considerations to take into a effect here! You can't just WALK in to that situation not knowing all the details!
Okay, whew, now that we've all calmed down and can get a hold on things, we can address the FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT question that NEEDS to be answered!
Question the First: Is, or is not, the lady, in fact, a hottie? Smokin' or otherwise?
What?
Alright, then, is there some way to divy up the ration card? Or are the bullies offering just compensation for me to look the other way and not interfere in their honest business venture?
Then, is the hush money that they are offering enough to keep me quiet? This MUST be cross-referenced with any (and all!) sultry looks the young, nubile mother may be giving me, promising to make it worth my while if I but come to her aid.
Once these VERY IMPORTANT factors are taken into account, we can proceed in a calm, and rational, manner.
Unless one of the bullies insults me, or tries to insinuate that they are more of a man than I am. Then I'll just rip their f!$*ing heads off and go get something to drink.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
We can't really put ourselves in a box and say that one way is always the best. Facing difficult problems is more like looking in to a toolbox and taking out the best tool. When facing a problem we have many solutions to consider:
1) Overwhelming firepower.
2) What action will maximize profits? Then do that.
3) Overwhelming firepower.
4) How can I get the most out of this situation? Then do that.
5) Overwhelming firepower.
6) There is no solution number 6.
7) Overwhelming firepower.
8) If Options 1,3,5, or 7 will NOT solve the problem, AND if there is not sufficient profit potential, can I simply walk away and/or pretend the thing is not going on and go and get some lunch?
9) Overwhelming firepower.
10) Just steal something and start shooting.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
'Oh, ya, baby, you know I like it like thazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....''
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Name: Eustace Horace Jefferson
Virtue: Intelligent
Vice: Refuses to admit when he's wrong
Five questions for you to answer in character:
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
-Being laughed out of the academy for your philosophical theories about the effects of interplanetary travel on the human psyche is too much to bear. Who needs those fools?
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
-An encyclical holo-tool, a hardback paper edition of "Jurgen's Primer on Philophy: First Edition", and a fine tailored suit.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
-Call the authorities and leave. It's none of my business, but I'm not going to risk my neck for the proletariat.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
- I think through the situation calmly and react accordingly; taking into account all of the variables. (If I can't I turn into a chicken with its head cut off and am useless. I'm not going to say that out loud though.)
What was the last thing going through your head before you went into cryosleep?
-I'll show those fools...
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Oh boy these are all making me want to up my game a little!
But seriously have to say regardless of the outcome these little character blurbs are great to read.
"I don't got much left, but someone somewhere still has it all to lose, and it'd be simply reckless of me to let it happen."
:D The "Jayne" and "Dr. Smith" entries crack me up. Far too many great submissions.
Oh boy these are all making me want to up my game a little!
But seriously have to say regardless of the outcome these little character blurbs are great to read.** spoiler omitted **
Me too..... :-/ Just got home from work and saw more added and was able to read all the others. Great concepts, Will be a great cast once they are all picked out.
Be tough to pick just what, six? (Too lazy to scroll up). Good Luck with picking GM.
Only 4.....
Name: Lucius Sladek
Virtue: Dogged
Vice: Corrupt
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
It was the best, if not only, opportunity to continue the search for answers. I had a gut feeling that this side job was more than it seemed and I wasn't going to let a little space stop me. I know things are getting tense, maybe even a bit spicy, something bad was coming, but I wasn't going to risk living the rest of my sorry life not knowing the answers.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
Datacube, Handgun, and a precious metal necklace that is more than it seems
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
Chase the woman and her child off and extort the men for what they have. They would get helpful advice on how to not get caught next time, that or either a broken bone or open wound.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
Persist; any task at any cost.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I better wake up
I'll toss my hat in...
Virtue: Vulpine
Vice: Self-deprecating
Why did you need to board a bulk transport so quickly, taking only a single holdall with you?
Well, I never travel with anything larger than a holdall - that's just the discipline of the job. But the transport was a hasty decision necessitated by the corpse I left cooling in the starport bathroom. Not the corpse itself, really, but the fact that I don't know who sent him. Was it my employer? Highly unlikely and the attack was sloppy.. my boss is never sloppy. Was it the client? Possibly, but why? I'd already delivered the cargo. Was it a third party? If they wanted the cargo, they should have come for me when I actually had the cargo. There were just too many angles and not enough information, so I left - quickly. People think Nation-States are dangerous. They're toddlers compared to the multinational corporations that really run the show. Just to make it clear - as a point of professional pride - you should know I'm not a smuggler. I'm a combat courier, generally working (contractually) for the multinational of the week. I move messages, data crystals, and other small items across battle zones, borders, planets, or anywhere else. I move fast and nothing stops me from delivering.
What are the three most important items in the holdall?
'Charger' - small, smooth, ovoid used for storing goods... looks like a meditation stone
Change of underwear
Confounder - small device that uses short-time charges to spoof tracking abilities, like 'scrying' through cameras, sensors, etc.
If you came across men intimidating a woman and her child and extorting her for her ration card, what would you do?
It depends. If I'm on the job, they are on their own. The job comes first and they could be a setup. Now, if I'm off the clock, those men are likely to get thumped - hard - and I have the martial arts training to do it.
When under pressure and faced with a complicated problem, how do you react?
I'm a professional. I focus and work the problem.
What was the last thing going through your head before you went in to cryosleep?
I debated shorting out the bed because I don't like being unconscious... and then I was wondering what the death rate was during cryonic hibernation.
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OK thanks for your submissions all, recruitment is now closed.
Final roster is here:
Choon: Sirus Mechanicus - Downtrodden mechanic trying to outrun a streak of bad luck
Saashaa: Daniel Walten - Finance relocation specialist in search of a new income stream
Simeon: Dmitri Maxzereyev - Stoic miner looking to get some distance from his troubles until tempers flare down
Fabian Benavente: Erik Pavel - Gifted technician one step ahead of people asking too many questions
Hubaris: Innis Henley - Old soldier searching for something new to care about
Axolotl: Anarbek Serikbai - Criminal fence with an uncertain future, wanting to face it on his own terms
Arklytte: Joram McAndrie - Unassuming everyman looking to escape persecution
Kay Leafwalker: Edvarth Sovik - Specialist "Cleaner" on the hunt for a bolt-hole and somewhere else to work
Skorn: Cord Mackenzie - The other man, now with the law breathing down his neck, the running man
Black Dow: Konrad Seiben - Tovarishch of the Technischkorps, marching proudly to his future
RelicBlackOUT: Jebediah "Jed" Price - Firebrand preacher getting the heck out of dodge
Thaliaa: Clara Grey - A woman pushed too far, embarking on a new horizon
Ken Marable: Dr Harris
Atlas2112: Jack Powers
Gwahir777: Eustace Horace Jefferson
ToxicDragon: Lucius Sladek
Stormraven: Ms Thursday Smith
I never expected this to get so many entries, so thank you all for your interest :)
I'll make my decision within 24 hours and post it up here.
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Fiendish, I always feel that way when my games get a lot of response. It's always humbling and exciting at the same time. :)
Good luck with your decision making process. Cant wait to see how it all pans out. :)
First off, thank you all for your applications, it has taken absolutely ages to decide on.
I'm going to take a crack at running two tables of this at the same time. I even considered more but feel that would be stretching too much, and as I said originally, once the adventure has completed, as long as it wasn't a complete disaster I'll loop back around and run it again for those that didn't get through the gates this time.
TL;DR: If you didn't get in this time then I'll keep your name listed and PM you the next time I run the adventure.
So cargo assignation (yes that's cargo, not crew...) as follows:
Cargo Hauler 'Cinereous'
Cord Mackenzie
Joram McAndrie
Sirus Mechanicus
Ms Thursday Smith
Cargo Hauler 'Eigengrau'
Clara Grey
Erik Pavel
Jebediah "Jed" Price
Konrad Seiben
I will shortly PM you the link to the discussion thread for your campaign.
For those that didn't get in this time, you made my job very tough! I hope you stick around and get the chance to play the adventure in a short while :) In the meantime, best of fortune with any other recruitments you may be involved in.
Great!! Looking forward to the game.
(Waves to Choon)
Stoked to make the tough cut. Thanks GM-F
Nah, but I'll follow your voyage with interest hombre :)
Congrats to all chosen!