[SFS, Playtest] Dead Suns, Book 4: The Ruined Clouds (Inactive)

Game Master Nefreet

Greetings, everyone!!

Congratulations on being selected! It's my sincerest hope that you have a good time, and I thank you in advance for your interest!

A little about me:

I have been GMing for 20+ years, including 6+ years with Organized Play. I am currently working on my 3rd Nova with SFS, but this is only my 4th time GMing PbP. A couple of you have GMed for me in the past, and I thank you for your service. Throughout the course of this adventure if you have any GMing critiques or suggestions please feel free to post here in the Discussion Thread or send me a PM!

A little about PbP:

A couple of you are newer to play-by-post, so please feel free to ask any how-to questions here! The Gameplay Thread should be reserved for in-character roleplay and rollplay, but if you need to mention something out-of-character over there be sure to use the [OOC] tag.

If you're up for some light reading, Painlord's Play-by-Post Guide can really help flush out your PC's full roleplaying potential via PbP, something that Organized Play characters don't always have the opportunity to do at an actual table.

I prefer to do Block Initiative, and I'll pre-roll your Perception and Initiative checks in a block as well (alphabetically with enemies after for consistency). I use Google Slides because it seems to be the easiest to access regardless of platform or device.

Starship Combat:

There is only 1 Starship Combat that takes place in Book 4, and I'll be narrating you all past it. If we do continue to books 5 & 6 I can't guarantee I'll be able to narrate past every space battle, but I'll let you know beforehand so you can build your ship up how you want.

Expectations:

I've been playing PbP for years, and I've experienced the awkwardness of having to deal with the disappearance of players and GMs more than a handful of times. Sometimes it's a brief hiccup in availability, and sometimes it's burnout. No apologies needed. Life happens, and I've been on both sides before. With that in mind, this is the pace I'd like to adhere to:

• Please endeavor to check each thread every day for new posts (especially since the website likes to occasionally forget that you're following a thread)
• Please endeavor to read each new post thoroughly.
• Please endeavor to post something every day. Little jokes, personal jabs and conversational banter are the things that PbPs thrive on. It's easier to read and write a quick response than a page turner.
• I will generally bot someone who hasn't posted within 24 hours after a response was needed from them.
• If I've had to bot someone twice consecutively, I'll generally PM them to see if everything is alright.
• After a week of no communication, I'll issue a Chronicle to the individual for the sections completed and finish the rest of the game with the remaining players.
• In order to hold myself accountable, I've already conscripted one victim friend as a player who can digitally poke me if I'm the one who's falling behind ^_^

Formatting:

In my experience combats run smoothest when everyone formats their posts similarly. I may have to read through half a dozen posts before crafting my own, and the fewer questions I have the more efficient I can be. I have two requests:

1) please format your attack and damage rolls to include the weapon used, whether you're targeting EAC or KAC, and what type of damage you're dealing. For example:

[DICE=Tactical Pike vs KAC]1d20+5[/DICE]
[DICE=Piercing]1d8+4[/DICE]

2) please copy/paste/edit the following sample header into your character's profile. Everything should fit in just one line. Use the maximum values for SP/HP/RP and I'll track the rest during combat.

Alignment PGP Race Class | EAC: #, KAC: # | Fort: +#, Ref: +#, Will: +# (any circumstance bonuses) | SP: #, HP: #, RP: # | Perc: +# (any exceptional senses) | Init: +# | Speed: # ft. | Any other information you'd like to track or display

...which might look like…

LG Female Ysoki Operative | EAC: 16, KAC: 16 | Fort: +1, Ref: +6, Will: +3 (+2 Disease) | SP: 7, HP: 9, RP: 4 | Perc: +7 (Darkvision) | Init: +4 | Speed: 30 ft. | Likes cheese

Lastly:

Now we need to make a party! So far it looks like we have:

- Eric Collins as Biohacker
- Stargin as Vanguard
- ‘Eκάτη as Witchwarper
- OsirisWulf as Mechanic
- Zoomba as Biohacker
- Luke Parry as Flexible

Please discuss here about your builds, any combos you'd like to execute, compare spell lists so nothing conflicts, make sure all skills are covered, and so on. The Campaign will officially begin Monday, December 17th, so you have a week to put everything together!

Let's have some fun!

Well, after reviewing the Playtest document, the one that I am most interested in is the Biohacker (since I see them as, essentially, an interesting variant of the Operative class, with a little bit of Mystic, in some respects), and I think three of them in the party would certainly be interesting :-)

That said, if others don't like that, I can certainly play something else; for example, there is a Solarian build I have theory-crafted, as well, that I would be happy to take for a test-drive.

Hey all. Thanks so much for the invite. This is going to be the first time I actually play Starfinder and to have it be on a completely unexpected playtest is going to be quite fun I hope for everyone.

Looks like I might be the only frontliner in the group with no Mystic or Envoy for healing shenanigans? Might not be bad for everyone else to shoot me up with buffs! BioHacker might be a good healing option too?

I think I might go bog standard human to keep the focus on the new class.

Since you're full BAB, I definitely recommend taking the feat "Enhanced Resistance", for Kinetic, and purchasing a Mk1 Dermal Plating skin augmentation.

I did the same for my Society playtest Vanguard. DR 9/– is amazing, and will help with not having a dedicated healer.

I haven't played or built a Biohacker or Witchwarper, but I know there's a sniper weapon somewhere out there that doesn't deal actual damage with its darts. Makes for an excellent medicinal delivery system ^_^

("Eric Collins - France" here)

Greetings GM Nefreet, indeed!
And thank you for having me!
Also, hello to my comrades for this adventure (and maybe beyond)...
I hope (and am sure) we will all have a good time.

re. me: I live in France, so post in Euro Time (6 to 9 hours later than U.S.). But I post at least once a day (mostly more than once). And it normally works out despite time differences.

I'm fine w. all the rules you gave (and Google slides), as well as for narrating through Starship Combat.

I will endeavor!
And I will format.
(hey, I play an Android, I can program myself).

So... I did an Android (Xenoarchaeologist) Biohacker.
I can change things around of course.
Some info' on my build:

Xenoarchaeo' has Trap Spotter (auto' perception roll @ 10 ft. of traps)

The Biohacker I did is:
• Int (Studious) + Dex
• Feats: Barricade, Improved Init', Toughness, Enhanced Resistance
(unless I think of something better)
• Enzymology as primary (Genetics as 2ndary)
Meaning:
- vs. enemies
give fatigued condition ; poison effect makes creature vulnerable to my choice of energy (if immune it passes to 10 resistance)
- for allies
ignore the fatigued condition ; give 30 ft. blindsense (vibration), if already has blindsense: gain Blind-Fight ; the "haste" thing (extra move action & modes of movement increase by 30 feet for 1 round)
• Theorems:
- Field Dressing (Ex) to heal
- Quick Load (Ex)
 to not have to use a move to load
- Friendly Aim (Ex) to have +3 insight bonus for shooting allies in the a*s
- Versatile Injections (Ex) My injections that would normally affect only living creatures affect any creatures

So that's the basis for now.
Please give any input.
Especially fellow Biohackers so we spread things out.

Finally:
I know there's a sniper weapon somewhere out there that doesn't deal actual damage with its darts. Makes for an excellent medicinal delivery system ^_^
The biohacker can choose to dull his darts (I guess): you can choose not to deal damage to your allies when you pop 'em.

Friendly Aim (Ex) to have +3 insight bonus for shooting allies in the a*s

That is both hilarious and amazing.

Okay, I finished my character sheet... open to suggestions etc..

In the meantime, Pangea-Mu tries to shoot some happy juice into GM Nefreet:
Needler Rifle vs. Flat Footed KAC: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Gameplay Thread connected, but please only check it out if you have nothing else to do.

Got my character's logline into 1 single line (what a victory!)...

...and had a question to ask

Alright, here is my Biohacker.

Greetings everybody! I'm sure we'll have a good time :)

So. I'll recreate my character from the previous three books. She's a Hellknight Signifer - a heavily armored caster with a belief in absolute order. LN (almost LE, but not), diabolism and all that classic stuff from lost Golarion. If you happen to think of Judge Dredd's female version, you're very close.

Technically, I will create a character in a couple of days - right now tons of work, and I want to delve a little deeper into the new class.

See you soon!

I recommend 5 of you each purchasing one Library Chip for the group to use as needed. You won't be near an Infosphere for the rest of the Campaign.

No sense in having one person shoulder the cost of purchasing all 5 with your limited credits, or having multiples of the same library chip in the group.

That sounds very reasonable. Thanks. My choice is mysticism.

My choice is Physical Science.

I also figure that there is not much point in doubling-up on the assorted tool kits, as well...?

Good point.

Given we already have a nice pair of android Dex-Biohackers, I think I will shift mine over to a melee-based one if that's all right :)

Been busy the last day, but will try to have at least an outline up tomorrow, current thoughts a asatha Instinctive biohacker.

And can gladly get a Physical Science library chip. As I'm far less-versed in the random minor items that are vital but could be overlooked in Starfinder as opposed to PF, let me know if I'm forgetting anything else my character would probably have thought of.

I am purchasing Engineering.
That leaves Culture...
(I can switch if needed)
Thanks for the tip.

@Zoomba: Did you mean Life Science? I already said I was getting Physical...?

Tool Kits that are always good to have:

• Engineering kit, 20 credits
(Engineering checks without one take a –2 penalty)

• Hacking kit, 20 credits
(required for most Computer checks)

• Trapsmith’s tools, 20 credits
(provides a +4 bonus to Engineering or Mysticism checks to arm or disarm traps)

• Thieves’ tools, 200 credits
(grants a +4 bonus to Computers checks to hack a computer system that controls a door and a +4 bonus to Engineering checks to disable a mechanical or technological lock)

• Broad-spectrum scanning kit, 200 credits
(grants a +4 bonus to Perception checks to search)

A +4 bonus can really be a game changer with some skills.

I have the following kits:
• engineering kit
• hacking kit
• trapsmith’s tools
• thieves’ tools
• broad-spectrum scanning kit
• linguist’s kit (+4 bonus to Culture checks when deciphering writing)
• aura-translation kit (+4 bonus to Mysticism checks to identify a magic item)
Please note these for using with your skills when needed, in case I forget to give them to you.
If any have these already, I can cross some off (I need to shave 85 Cr. off my purchase list since I'm missing that to get my Library Chip).

Funny. It seems that in the process of creating a character... she changed her race! Yes, and I know for a sure that vesk exists in the ranks of the hellknights.

Even more funny is that I didn't have to change the theme of the character or her backstory within the adventure and only minimally corrected the backstory before the adventure.

Technically, it's debuffs and melee (what else could you expect from vesk?). Perhaps I will change part of the spells and buy something from the little things (antitoxin, for example), but most part of work is done.

This is a huge female vesk, in black armor, stylized dark archaic fullplate. The top of the helmet completely covers the eyes, leaving no slits. It is part of an ancient mystical tradition, rooted in events before the Gap. Helmet-mask and part of the armor decorated with something similar to the wings of dragons. At the same time, there are images of spirals, clearly showing dedicated that this knight belongs to the Order of the Gate - the most magical of all the Hellhkight Orders.

@Zoomba: Did you mean Life Science? I already said I was getting Physical...?

Absolutely did :P What I get for typing a post right before going to bed...

Hah! I also wrote yesterday that I would do the character a couple of days... and in fact I started doing it before bedtime and couldn't stop. The working day is not easy now, but I like the result!

I have also updated 'John's' Appearance/Background :-)

Very tentative outline sketch here. Still need to ecide on many things, including equipment, and figuring out a few final tweaks to skills, theorums, etc.

(the 'dead levels' for weapon types remains as marvelous as always. Would love an ice spike-type thing somewhere between levles 5 and 10, but the space corp doesn't manufacture them :p)

Also, does anyone know if there is a good Kasatha avatar option on these forums?

If anyone is interested, please see the handy dandy Skill Matrix I have linked on the Campaign tab.

I will refer to this throughout the Campaign, but I find it useful when a group is first forming to make sure all skills are covered (or at least all skills that everyone cares about).

So far we have two or more people very strong at:

• Computers
• Culture
• Engineering
• Life Science
• Medicine
• Perception
• Physical Science

And we have nobody skilled at:

• Bluff
• Disguise
• Survival

Of course, with a Hellknight in the group, I don't anticipate too much lying or disguising anyways, but Survival might be useful... ^_^

Also, does anyone know if there is a good Kasatha avatar option on these forums?

Yes, they added pictures from SF. The last 3-4 pages when choosing avatars.

Of course, with a Hellknight in the group, I don't anticipate too much lying or disguising anyways

Do you wonder how she could have been involved in a Cult of the Devourer operation? It's simple! You don't have to lie when you can bully!

But anyway, I want to point out that she's not lawful-stupid. Just to make everyone feel better :)

I'll take Survival. Still working through my Vanguard. I haven't disappeared :)

GREETINGS PROGRAMS!

Finally got everything figured out. My character is as follows:

Male LN Kasathas Engineer 7/Soldier 1 | EAC: 24, KAC: 26 | Fort: +8, Ref: +11, Will: +5 (+2 vs spells and spell-like abilities) | SP: 57, HP: 53, RP: 9 | Perc: +16 (Darkvision 60) | Init: +14 | Speed: 35 ft. | FRONT TOWARDS ENEMY

Sigmus is the guy you point in the direction of the enemy and hope to god you aren't in the way. +14 initiative means i go first pretty much all the time. His primary combat focus is his flamethrower pumping out 2d6+8 in a 30 ft cone. please, do not stand in front of me, you will get set on fire. He also has a sword for when people try to run past, and he is all about that heavy armor life so the front line is his best friend.

Exocortex with Overdrive, Neural Shunt (so i don't have to light you all on fire), and Hack Directory because i don't trust my own rolls

Exocortex upgrade is giving me +2 perception and darkvision

I also have all the standard Engineer shenanigans
My expert rig functions as a comm, a tier 3 computer complete with AI, and can be used as any engineering or hacking specialty kit of lvl 6 or lower, so i bring that to the table. Its also implanted as a standard Data Jack, so there is that.

So here's my step by step work in creating these on steps in discussion if you guys don't mind. It'll help me understand the character class too! :) Feedback always appreciated. I just have to finish off Gear and finalize stats.

@Sigmus: You know i could pick up the Friendly Fire Vanguard power and then Sigmus would have no problems with my character being in the cone of your fire.....

Concept:

It seems like Vanguard needs Con and Dex and everything else is pretty optional. Feels a lot like a Monk so I'm going to aim for a dex or con enhancing theme that fits that. This class seems VERY SAD on Con and as such the amount of stamina points seems pretty crazy!

Race:

Race was already decided as Human
Bonus Feat and additional skill rank every level
Ability Adjustment will go to CON

Theme:

The theme that I'm going to go with is Spacefarer and that makes it feel like a wandering monk type person. Will probably spout some koan type nonsense while bashing people's heads in.

Spacefarer

Theme Knowledge (1st Level)
Reduce the DC of Physical Science checks to recall knowledge about strange new worlds or features of space by 5.
Gain a +1 bonus to Physical Science checks. In addition, you gain an ability adjustment of +1 to Constitution at character creation.

Eager Dabbler (6th Level)
You gain a +2 bonus to skill checks if you don’t have any ranks in that skill. This ability does not allow you to attempt checks for trained-only skills (see page 134).

Seems pretty good as someone who can occasionally help out with anything even while being a non skill person in a skill heavy group.

Ability Scores:

Strength 10
Dexterity 10
Constitution 13 (+2 Human +1 Theme)
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 10
Charisma 10

10 point buy Add 3 to Con, 6 to Dex, 1 to Wisdom
Then add Level 5 ability increases
Add personal upgrade

Str 12 (1) +2 level 5
Dex 18 (4) +2 level 5
Con 22 (6) +2 level 5 +4 personal upgrade
Int 10 (0)
Wis 13 (1) +2 level 5
Cha 10 (0)

Class:

Vanguard

Hit Points: 8

Stamina Points: 8 + Constitution modifier

Proficiencies Armor-light armor, heavy armor, and shields; Weapons-basic melee weapons, advanced melee weapons, small arms

Level 8 basic calculations

HP: 4 + 8x8 = 68
SP: (8+6+1)x8 = 120
RP: (4+6) = 10

BAB 8, Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2

Level 8 Special Abiliites:

Entropic Pool: 0/6 (Con Mod)

Entropic Strike: 2d8+6 (Con Mod) Acid or bludgeon Damage. Improved Combat maneuvers target EAC + 8 rather than KAC + 8

Primary Vanguard Aspect:

They're all fun but I'm having a bit of a hard time understanding the flavour. Decided to go with Inverstion as it has a pretty good way of gaining Entropy Points from healing.

INVERSION
You embody the manipulation of entropy within systems to reverse their normal progression.

Aspect Insight (Ex): You gain Improved Combat Maneuver (reposition) as a bonus feat and a +2 insight bonus to Medicine checks.

Aspect Embodiment (Ex): Once per combat, when you regain Hit Points or Stamina Points, you can gain 1 Entropy Point without taking any additional action.

Mitigate
As a reaction when you take damage, you can spend 1 Entropy Point to reduce the damage you take by an amount equal to your vanguard level (8). If you do, you can’t gain any Entropy Points from that attack. You can’t reduce damage to less than 0 with this ability.

Vanguard Discipline:

2 Evasion <-- Always good
4 Controlled Mental Degradation ,-- To counter weak will save
6 Energize <-- More ways to gain Entropy
8 Powerful Attunement <-- Two weapon special properites seems powerful

Reactive
Once per day get additional reaction.

Weapon Specialization

Entropic Attunement

Special Properties: Force OR Gravitation and Penetrating
Critical Hit effect: Corrode 2d8

Uncanny Agility
Immune to flat footed, no attack bonus while flanking or prone, covering and harrying fire do not work against.

Secondary Vanguard Aspect and Insight:

REACTION
You embody the change entropy brings about through chemical and molecular reactions, such as rust and rot.

Aspect Insight (Su): You gain Improved Combat Maneuver (dirty trick) as a bonus feat and a +2 insight bonus to Physical Science checks.

Skills:
(6+1)x8 = 56 skill ranks

Class Skills: Acrobatics ( Dex) Athletics ( Str) Culture ( Int) Diplomacy ( Cha) Intimidate ( Cha) Life Science ( Int) Medicine ( Int) Mysticism ( Wis) Perception ( Wis) Physical Science ( Int) Profession ( Cha, Int, or Wis) Survival ( Wis)

Acrobatics Rank 6 Dex
Athletics Rank 5 Str
Computers Rank 1 Int
Culture Rank 1 Int
Intimidate Rank 5 Cha
Medicine Rank 1 Int
Mysticism Rank 3 Wis
Perception Rank 8 Wis
Physical Science Rank 5 Int
Sense Motive Rank 8 Wis
Stealth Rank 5 Dex*
Survival Rank 8 Wis

No Ranks
Bluff
Disguise
Piloting
Diplomacy

Untrained

Engineering
Life Science
Profession
Sleight of Hand

Feats:

1 Iron Will
1 Human Toughness
3 Step Up
5 ENHANCED RESISTANCE (Kinetic)
7 Step Up and Strike

Common Weapon Spec(basic melee weapons, advanced melee weapons, small arms)

Bonus Improved Combat Maneuver - Dirty Trick and Reposition

Gear:
Level 8 Lashunta Tempweave, Advanced.
Level 7 Personal Upgrade Mk2 +4 CON

Tactical shield, field. Level 5 2500
Jetpack armor upgrade Level 5 3100
Infrared sensors armor upgrade Level 1 200
targeting computer armor upgrade level 4 2250
toolkit, survivalist, 200
toolkit, navigator, 20
Ring of Resistance Mk2 level 6 +2 Will
Dermal plating mk1 level 5 3025

2505 left to spend

Hi!
Nice idea to post the process.
The only remark I have has nothing to do with you changing anything, especially since I feel the choice of Dex' is the "best", but I feel it is not really accurate to say: Vanguard needs Con and Dex, since Con and Str is a valid combo' (remember that If you are 10th level or higher, you can also add your Strength modifier to the damage of your entropic strike).
You need Con + something to hit, and Dex or Str are there to hit.
Granted, I'd go w. Dex too, since it means AC & Reflex & Init' & ranged to hit.
But Str is valid, since it can mean extra damage at lvl 10 & ranged to hit + ranged dam' too (& grenades if you took that), so could be a valid choice I guess.

I, too, was torn between Dex and Str. But I wanted Heavy Armor, so I went with Strength.

(HERE if anyone's interested)

I think the key with Vanguard is to not have the highest AC, since you want enemies to keep targeting you, but to have a decent AC that doesn't allow full attacks to hit.

You're actually the first Vanguard I've seen with light armor. I'm interested to see how it works ^_^

And welcome, Sigmus!

Glad to see someone has AoE damage... For no particular reason...

*taps fingers together while quietly chuckling evilly*

GM Nefreet wrote:

Of course, with a Hellknight in the group, I don't anticipate too much lying or disguising anyways

Do you wonder how she could have been involved in a Cult of the Devourer operation? It's simple! You don't have to lie when you can bully!

With your +6 Charisma mod you're actually the best Bluffer/Disguiser in the group!

The Mechanic brings a strong +16 Survival.

So the group's lowest skills now are:

+10 Diplomacy
+10 Mysticism
+06 Disguise
+06 Bluff

I mean... I'M fine with a party that can't talk their way out of a fight ^_^

None of the new classes are really face classes, so it makes sense.... :)

This is GM Stargin BTW and here is the Vanguard.

None of the new classes are really face classes, so it makes sense.... :)

Well, the Witchwarper has Cha as its main stat' and has Bluff/Diplo/Intim' as class skills at least (but only 4 skill points/level!).

Eh. We have plenty of Intimidate (especially thanks to our Witchwarper!) in the party - what could possibly go wrong ;-)

More seriously, I can tweak my build slightly to improve my Diplomacy to more than +10, if that is what the party would like.

It is also worth noting that, thanks to my Theme, I only make things *worse* on a Diplomacy check, if I fail by 10 or more.

It is also worth noting that, thanks to my Theme, I only make things *worse* on a Diplomacy check, if I fail by 10 or more.

Meaning we will probably fail by 11 ))))

- Diplomacy is not necessary! We're making a reasonable request. If we are denied - we begin to threaten them or... you know. If not, then they are adequate without kowtowing. Everyone's happy.

I, as a player, do not quite agree with this, but Signifer Varnais insists.

I approve of whatever the party approves =)

Hostile Negotiations are totally a thing. A thing one needs a flamethrower for... Fortunately we have one of those :D

Also, not having bluff/diplomacy just means we need to be honest. Kinda like jack sparrow. Tell the truth that no one will believe

For those of you who are playtesting, feel free to visit the following Forums should you have any questions regarding your class (or Shields):

• General Discussion
• Biohacker
• Vanguard
• Witchwarper

Or just talk about your thoughts on the class. I believe the cutoff for submissions is January 16th.

I ended up switching with a coworker and taking their 9am-9pm shift tomorrow, so I'll make my first "official" Gameplay post tonight.

Think all set now (albeit with a laptop whose space does not like to space all of the sudden)

And welcome, Sigmus!

Glad to see someone has AoE damage... For no particular reason...

*taps fingers together while quietly chuckling evilly*

Well, if it is because of swarms, I have explosive ammo, which can help deal with them ;-)