Boston Theoretical PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

"At least we speak the same language..." observes Kai to no-one in particular as the group begins to gather their wits. Following Zellgato and the others into the tent, the techie stands by to assist Zellgato if needed.

Medicine aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Charles notices the stares, but figures that changing shape right now would probably just make things worse.

"Yes, hello, we all look very strange but we mean well," he says with his fox head as he trots behind Zellgato.

People gasp when Charles speaks. Creating a hybrid pet in a lab is one thing, but giving it speech? That's the kind of thing only the terrorist Greenwrath has been able to pull off, uplifting the bears. Greenwrath, when he was arrested, claimed he was only able to do it because he found the notes of a time-travelling geneticist named Moreau who intended to destroy the timeline by arming the apes with speech and intelligence. Of course, Charles knows none of this. He can see they're astonished though. Word will travel fast.

Zellgato turns to the crowd. ""Gaia speaks with the wind; Gaia speaks with the blossom in Spring. Please head to the courtyard. Brother Andrew has a presentation, and supplies will be disbursed as well. Please.Disburse." Zellgato puts on a business smile, one he clocked months ago on Children of Gaia workers.

The crowd continues to whisper and stare. Some may believe Zellgato is a Child of Gaia, but that only confirms their suspicions of the Children of Gaia. Others may think Zellgato's bluffing. Either way, more people gather around the tent.

Emphesizing the last words.

As he talks, Zellgato doesnt bother trying to hide it, and scans those in the tent for parasites "..When was the last time you saw..me? Genius-do you think anyone in this tent is cold?"

"I told you they were cold a couple hours and two months ago. Cold inside. Like your friend, but different. They were cold with green swirls inside and ..." she pauses as if listening and then continues "... and Greer is cold with purple nothing inside. I can slow it down but I can't stop it."

She begins to concentrate on Greer, covering her ears to block out the noise of the crowd outside.

Zellgato's scanner is flickering. Something is wrong with it. No one in the tent seems to have a transdimensional reptilian creature transforming them from the inside, but the scanner is acting up the same way it did when he used it in the camp two months ago.

"At least we speak the same language..." observes Kai to no-one in particular as the group begins to gather their wits. Following Zellgato and the others into the tent, the techie stands by to assist Zellgato if needed.

[dice=Medicine aid]1d20+10

The girl named Genius Meadows begins to concentrate on Greer. He seems calmed by her. Pain fades from his face. The growth of the vines slows but does not stop.

Genius isn't fixing anything, but she is giving Kai time to work.

A trickle of blood runs down Genius's nose.

Removing the vines causes Greer to bleed, but Kai could remove the one digging its roots into Greer's heart with the help of Zellgato and his scanner.

Greer might live. If Kai had a medical bay like at Boston Theoretical with a stasis chamber the only problem would have been getting Greer there fast enough. You'll need a proper hospital to save Greer.

Theo sees a bottle of water in the tent.

Theo sees a bottle of water in the tent.

"Ah. Nice." Theo says to himself as he unhooks The Chalice from his belt and pours the bottle water into the scrying device.

"Genius, Don't push yourself. We'll try to help him but you can't overtax yourself." Zellgato starts to break apart his microlab, and pull parts out from who knows where on his person as he starts to construct something. "Well,I may have also screwed up the when too. Yesterday and two months ago...We're playing it by ear now. If we can stablize him for a few minutes I can kitbash a medical bay from my equipment... Theo, Charles, even if this works. Things are going to be difficult." Wanting to state more, but not wanting to mess up even more.
He gives Nissa a look "If I vanish, protect this family, I owe them." the metal lattacework of his new neck tattoo vibrates softly.

His microlab counts as an Adv medkit at this level. Which means this. If he lasts 10mins we do have a medical lab just for him.
The advanced medkit adds more-advanced and specialized tools to diagnose and treat ailments. The advanced medkit can be used in the same way as a basic medkit, but the DC to treat deadly wounds is only 20, and you gain a +2 insight bonus to Medicine checks to treat drugs, diseases, and poisons. Additionally, you can use an advanced medkit to set up a temporary one-patient medical lab, though this requires 10 minutes. You can then provide long-term care to a single patient using the temporary medical lab, with a DC 30 Medicine check.

When Zellgato asks Nissa to protect, she transforms. Armor converges onto her body. She even leaves the helmet on.

Wait… big red helmet, eyes making the visor glow, goldish body armor and guns. Must look like a mini-Samus Aran!

She draws both guns. Though a child of any age stands taller than her, she assures the family, “I’ll keep you safe.”

Vanish? But that can’t be how it works…

Nissa has no idea how deleting works. But she knows where she is.

Ms. Grey’s world.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Theo sees a bottle of water in the tent.

"Ah. Nice." Theo says to himself as he unhooks The Chalice from his belt and pours the bottle water into the scrying device.

[dice=Perception]1d20 + 9
[dice=Will (if Theo needs it)]1d20 + 7

Your characters might not know this, but the refugees you see around you are mostly climate refugees, many from cities that are no longer livable due to flooding or tornadoes. Just as many are fleeing the militias, gangs, or corporations that have taken over territories in the aftermath of the worldwide fall of the nation state. Things never got this bad in World Z, thanks to Captain Planet and the first couple generations of superheroes who had been dedicated to saving the world from just such a fate.

Theo sighs as his consciousness returns to his body. "World 12. May 2085. In what used to be Arizona. In what used to be the United States."

" what. Are you a chronometer now Theo? Shoot." slipping his mask back on injects another dose into Greer as Kai and Genius work on him. and continues his work building Greers hopeful life capsule.

Charles thinks that it's annoying that having three heads just seems to make everything more overwhelming, rather than less. You'd think three brains would help process things, but no, he's standing here feeling like his mind's stuffed with foam after all that's happened. He should be feeling worry about Greer's fate, but his concern is... distant, almost like it's someone else's worry he's just feeling at a distance. He should be fearing the idea of having brought some of Void here to infect a new world, but he could barely muster annoyance.

Clearly, he was just too overwhelmed to process it all.

So he lays down in front of the tent, not wanting to be in the way and kind of wary of all the people around. He'd be no use inside, so he'll stay out here and play guard dog.

" What. Are you a chronometer now Theo? Shoot."

Theo smiled and shrugged. "It's what The Chalice told me."

"Genius, Don't push yourself. We'll try to help him but you can't overtax yourself."

"I can handle it. It's just a little blood," says the girl with the scarlet hair. "I'm slowing it down."

"What could do this?" Genius's mom asks rhetorically.

Genius fishes into your minds for an answer and when she has it looks shocked. To Nissa, Zellgato, Theo, and Kai, she says, "You're all very brave."

She draws both guns. Though a child of any age stands taller than her, she assures the family, “I’ll keep you safe.”

With Kai's medical skill and Zellgato's mini-lab, things are looking good. It's going to take some time, but you'll probably be able to save Greer as long as you don't get interrupted.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Charles notes two concerned men. His fox ears perk up and twist slightly as he eavesdrops on them. He waits a few moments after one of them leaves before sticking his jaguar head into the tent.

"We're going to get a visit from a 'Brother Andrew'," he states.

“That’s not the guy version of ‘a visit from Aunt Flo,’ by any chance?”

She’s joking, but also serious.

☀️

Her eyes flare. Nissa changes the battery of one of her guns. She wants to ask the girl her name, but she’s ready to fight for Greer’s life—and the lives in this family Zellgato cares for.

"Hm, Well s%#!. We're carrying items that breaks the rules of the camp. Plus... **The Situation** so thats a thing... I don't see a way out of this very easily... Greer can't move reliably.

If the comms don't work take this version
"...I'm at a loss, things already changed heavily. If we can redirect or distract Andrews long enough an option might open up. Too many variables all at once, and Greer can't be moved much.....

Zellgato ponders their options. They are not subtle, maybe some of them could break off and walk away-drawing the crowd and the cult to them leaving some with Greer.. Zellgato's hands shake with a slight tremor, he works to subdue his own racing heart and pump of adrenline. He needs to accept some facts of the situation. Thus starts to ponder compeltely shifting the timeline and narrative at this point. "How long until the Wand can work?"

Oh, about: 1d12 ⇒ 12 hours

The intercoms from the alternate future work. The suppression technology only worked on device from the 21st century.

Zellgato is right that Greer cannot be moved. He's still in a vulnerable state.

Everybody hears Zellgato's explanation of Brother Andrew over the comms, "Quick brief. Andrew-and many of the white marked Gaia cult are Raksha invaders. Almost everyone else are innocent refuges. There is myself and my old team here. . In a few hours other would have caused a riot, Von Junzt would die, Genius taken and she rescues Past-Me and others. Things go sideways.Andrew coming here is already changing history. If we can prevent a riot we might be able to exfil many safely. if we can trick or distract Andrew and do something with my past crew...I'm at a loss."

Changing history. Oh… no. Despite her feeling on time-travel, she says, “Our presence makes change unavoidable whether the butterfly farts or gets swatted.

“As you said, protecting this family matters. So what is a Rakasha Invader? It is someone you trick or distract?” Nissa raises her gun. “Or someone you swat?”

Remaining on the comms-Genius knows but her parents don't and don't need to cause their panic-nor give them information that might get them killed"More like we're standing in a hornet nest. and we're allergic. They invade bodies, hollow you out and grow themselves. If we start things-its going to go very bad for Greer and here. I think we need to lie low. Or at least at this tent. We have weapons-thats not allowed so this is going to be rough regardless. There will be casualities." Shruggign briefly as the fact that that options mostly gone "Alternatively. The rest of us could take a walk-meet them part way. Maybe cause trouble. Or. We can just lean into the chaos and strike at their heart-kill some, free some captives if they haven't been changed. Force RAIN forces to step in. Force them to look at us-and not the civilians. We might be overwhelmed, nest. The family, Greer, and Kai or myself to run the lab and keep watch would need to stay and navigate the chaos."
The tone in his voice asserts the fact he doesn't think they'd win that fight. Not in a meaningful way.

edit. for awareness. When he was talking about chaos and his old crew, he meant involving them to an extent. He could likely cause their involvement to an extent. He knows where most are, and we have Kai who could likely get the comms to work

"Would it be better if I bit his head off?" Charles murmurs into his comm.

After a moment the thought works its way through the fuzziness. "Why did I... say that?" He asks dreamily. While it seems like a good solution to him, it also feels... wrong somehow?

If only he wasn't feeling so overwhelmed by everything, it would be easier to think.

"Sh|t. I'm not sure what to do..", said a very confused Theo. Time travel is a new concept for the godling.

Nissa says, “We do what’s right by the people here. You all know how I feel about messing with time, but we’re here. If we can protect the innocent, that’s what we do.”

Turning to Zellgato, she asks, “What is the cost of doing nothing? I mean, you know how this night went without our intervention—short term and long term.”

"Can't say I know the long term. Invasion was ongoing. I tried to assail another encampment after this one. This place was still isolated and people being checked. I assume many infiltators escape in the chaos. Short term? Camp gets in a panic, people get rounded up. Meadows get away though. Old ally ends up as an experiment and I fail to put him down when I promised to." feeling a lack of his supplies and stares at Greer who consumed most of his gear to save. "So, do we meet them part way. Or do we go full chaos and try to hurt them and get RAIN forces to isolate the camp faster?" At the lack of any ideas, and a resounating fear of vanishing or somemthing else soon. Zellgato throws the choice at the group. Nissa's passionate flames might be the best to default on."
Speaking off the comms to the Meadows family. "At the very least we make sure Genius has a bright future. She's a smart one, and kind. Its soldiers and adult's duty to clear a path for the growing. We should not cause a fuss near here."

“Meadows…???”

Nissa stares at the green-eyed redhead. She and Scarlett are what…?

She snaps herself out.

“Partway.” Nissa sounds sure of this. “I don’t know what RAIN is, but full chaos sounds like something you wouldn’t suggest, Zellgato, unless you were trying to preserve the timeline. It’s probably the choice I would have thought was right before today.

“Now that we’re here, I know it’s possible to preserve the timeline because we already changed it by coming here. So I think we do our part to make it a change for the better.”

As Zellgato speaks to the parents, it’s clear he’s already come to the same conclusion.

“Yeah, we keep the fight as far from here as we can.”

I'm so happy that I made Scarlett Meadows the granddaughter of a woman named Genius Meadows, both of who had World 12 dopplegangers. This was, of course, even before Zellgato crossed over from the other PbP.

I love how its all interconnected in many many ways. Tons of small bits and bobs.

Charles tries to force his thoughts to move faster through the numbing molasses that has for some reason taken up residence in his mind. Something deep within him seems to be shouting at him that he should be more worried about this, that his weary numbness was something more than fatigue or being overwhelmed, but it seemed so much effort to get worked up about it.

Okay, well... he was getting a lot of staring, right? "I could try to attract attention elsewhere," he mumbles into his comm unit--which is fortunately built into the helmet currently on his fox head.

Charles could easily get a lot of attention. Making it not seem like a desperate attempt at distraction would involve some kind of Charisma based check, which could be fun. Anyone else joining Team Distraction?

"Brother Andrew's coming!" says a voice in the crowd.

"He'll find out what's going on in that there tent!" replies another.

Nissa says, “Being a supermodel is all about getting attention and acting like you’re totally not into it even though it’s, like, your money-maker.”

Nissa is on Team Distraction!
Bluff (Distraction that does not look like a desperate attempt at a distraction): 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 14 + (4) = 35

The suggested distraction: “If you don’t object, Charles, I’ll ride on your back like Lady Godiva. Clothed, of course… just similarly tempting and important-looking.”

"Hey. I'm always up for something stupid." Theo flexed, trying to project an air of confidence.

"Sure, why not," Charles says with his fox head to Nissa's question, crouching down to make it easy for her to get on his back.

At the same time his jaguar head turns to the crowd. "If you want to know what's going on, you could just ask," he states flatly. "A wounded man is getting emergency medical attention. That's what's going on."

"Man?" says a balding man who looks like he should be playing the role of 'local merchant' in a medieval drama, [b]"That thing we saw isn't anymore a man than you are!"

Some of the crowd start to jeer the 'merchant.' "I saw it! It was a lizard-person!"

Some of the others start defending the 'merchant,' agreeing that they saw the lizard-person version of Greer. Others mock them.

Then, Nissa straddles Charles and starts doing her supermodel routine. The crowd seems intrigued.

"A play!" calls out one. "They're going to do a play!"

"It's one of those travelling shows," suggests one, "like from the charity relief agencies."

People are nodding. This makes sense. No had thought of any other reason for such shiny pretty people with expensive genetics to be in the camp that made more sense. Half the crowd expects a show now. The other half is still suspicious and makes it clear their suspicion will only be satisfied if you give a good performance.

Nissa's riding Charles' back. That, in and of itself, is not much of a show. Performance checks and actions from Theo and Charles?a

Nissa, demurely riding side-saddle, increases the glow of her armor so her wings spread. She removes the red helmet, revealing her shiny blondness.

“I suppose the ‘Ride of the Valkyrie’ can be thought of as a show. To me, it’s simply a ride.”

She smiles brightly, simply naming the performance so the guys can have something thematic to work off of. Theo’s godly look and Charles’ ability to be ridden can all play into this. (She hopes.)

She whispers to Charles, “Do something awesome. If I fall off, I got wings.”

I'm going to assume Kai maintains the medical procedure for now and Zellgato will stop outside

"Er. Thats certainly not a plan I thought of... Well done. Got any ideas Theo? We could sword fight after I guess. If you promise not to skewer me."
Zellgato's rifle remained in the tent, but he does have his short injection blade tucked away.

"Er. Thats certainly not a plan I thought of... Well done. Got any ideas Theo? We could sword fight after I guess. If you promise not to skewer me."

Theo leans in. "Only if there's no other way, But I have other ideas I can use. This was your world. I'll back your play and protect the family."

Seeing the team make some...theatics. Zellgato opts to just move down 2 tents, and stand in front of a stranger's tent, watching. As a secondary misdirection.

Getting the lay of the land

Medicine: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Getting the lay of the land

[dice=Medicine]1d20 + 12

Zellgato wrote:

"Er. Thats certainly not a plan I thought of... Well done. Got any ideas Theo? We could sword fight after I guess. If you promise not to skewer me."

Theo leans in. "Only if there's no other way, But I have other ideas I can use. This was your world. I'll back your play and protect the family."

[dice=Acrobatics]1d20 + 15
[dice=Strength check]1d20 + 5
Theo leaps nearer the group and lands in a handstand, doing pushups for the crowd.

The people 'ooh' and 'ahh' at Theo's theatrics. They aren't impressed with his feats of Strength.

"Let's have some wrestling!" yells one.

"I think this is supposed to be Norse opera," says another.

A young man in a doctor's white scrubs hustles up between the tents. Seeing the crowd around a, well, a spectacle worthy of crowding around - or fleeing - he pauses. He asks a man removed from the gathering, speaking with a slight accent, "Pardon, I was told there was someone ill? Someone needed a doctor?"

Speaking to Zellgato. I'm basing this on the descriptions of what is transpiring - is there a map I should be referring to instead?

A young man in a doctor's white scrubs hustles up between the tents. Seeing the crowd around a, well, a spectacle worthy of crowding around - or fleeing - he pauses. He asks a man removed from the gathering, speaking with a slight accent, "Pardon, I was told there was someone ill? Someone needed a doctor?"

Speaking to Zellgato. I'm basing this on the descriptions of what is transpiring - is there a map I should be referring to instead?

No, I haven't mapped out the camp yet. I should.

Zellgato looks over the young person coming up, noting the white clothing. "That was just an opening act for this. An attention grabber. Brought a crowd for the main course." Tapping his mask as if to go See? I've even got a mask. Nothing untoward here.
attempts to lie probably badly: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Internally Zellgato is trying to remember if he'd seen this youngster in his last go through here. He hadn't seen many doctors. except the ones that caused issues for him.

"Was there a call for help from the camp's leadership? After that speech in the square I thought there wouldn't be any door to door medical service."

Make a Perception check, Henri

Charles is startled by the bizarre suggestions of the crowd, and again has to try to push his thoughts through the apathetic lethargy dragging them down. If they were doing a show... what would his part be? Well, uh... he was a monster, and monsters were the villains, right? So... maybe something like this?

All three of his heads turn to Theo. "Very impressive, 'hero'," his jaguar head sneers. "But it will take more than showing off to get her back!" his fox head boasts. "You'll never catch me before I take her to my lair!" his 'space dinosaur' head booms.

With that, he leaps into motion, making a number of showy jumps and short sprints away from Theo that look impressive but actually slow him down enough for non-six-footed people to catch up.

Athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

The young man looks at Zellgato for a moment, then lights up, ”Oh! I did not recognize you with the mask, sir. We were not formally introduced. I am Henri.” He pronounces it “on-REE” ”But those around here usually call me Henry. One of the residents came running telling of a man or a thing that was terribly ill. He was quite bothered, but I assured him there was a logical explanation and volunteered to look into it.”

”You got here quite fast - I trust all was satisfactory during your tour of the facilities?”

"Nice to meet you. Tour? Sorry kid I think you're confusing something. I've only just arrived in the camp-and we started...this.. not a lie technically!.
Shifting the direction of the conversation he continues. "So you're a doctor, are you with the camp administration? Or did you arrive and volunteer your services? It sounds like this Andrews is on his way-he your boss?"

I'm still planning my mad science experiment! Should I propose a build for him here or is it a bit early to get that detailed?

I'm reading these abilities and trying to imagine how you play it. Are you going to play this as a highly trained operative with a fun set of engineered abilities and a cool code name. Or, is he going to be a mutant human who's all "what do you mean I don't have 8 arms! I'm a mother-loving octopus!" before he drops an ink grenade and jets out of there?

I was imagining more of the former, but I'm flexible based on the tone of the game!

I'm still planning my mad science experiment! Should I propose a build for him here or is it a bit early to get that detailed?

People are already beginning to propose builds. It doesn't seem too early ...

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

I'm reading these abilities and trying to imagine how you play it. Are you going to play this as a highly trained operative with a fun set of engineered abilities and a cool code name. Or, is he going to be a mutant human who's all "what do you mean I don't have 8 arms! I'm a mother-loving octopus!" before he drops an ink grenade and jets out of there?

I was imagining more of the former, but I'm flexible based on the tone of the game!

The tone I imagine so far is some of the most madcap realities delivered in a matter-of-fact tone ... There'd be room for both.

Seems like we have a pretty good mix so far.

Regarding Uncanny Valerie, which I agree is a great name, a third level version of her would fit right in: a godling, a mutant, and android ...

The "supreme database" could be turned into a superpower that isn't game breaking. I can think of a couple different ways that could work. It could even be as simple as treating checks made to research knowledge differently. Did you have thoughts about how to do this 'supreme database'?

Superpowers beyond being an android with magic spells?

For building on the idea of the database... seems like the most straightforward thing would be to build onto her Connection/Channel powers:

Connection Power: Akashic Knowledge (Ex)
You gain the channel skill ability at 1st level (instead of 2nd level). Each day when you recover your spell slots, you can tap into the Akashic Record, enabling you to choose one Profession skill and add that to your list of associated skills for the channel skill class feature.

Channel Skill (Su): You draw strange feelings, instincts, knowledge, and urges from your connection, augmenting your prowess in certain tasks. You gain a +1 insight bonus to skill checks with Culture and Mysticism skills (plus Profession of choice, see Connection). This bonus increases by 1 at 5th level and every 3 levels thereafter.

I'd say a certain number of times per day she could use a "surge" to boost her Channel skill bonus much higher (double it? +10? +20?). To balance the surge, there could be a chance she produces entirely random information rather than the information she is trying to produce. Additionally or alternately, she could also add more than a Profession skill to what kind of skills she could channel, like perhaps other "Knowledgey" skills like Life Science and Physical Science, etc.

And while she's a mystic, not a technomancer, it might make sense if she can link in to any computer database and make use of it, e.g., if she has access to a Internet-wired computer, she can connect herself to the computer and access the Internet.

The adventure I'm imagining will involve transdimensional travel and travel to alternate realities. Is she a traveller from this universe or an interdimensional traveller? Was she sent here to collect knowledge about this universe by someone living in it or by someone from another dimension?

As a suggestion, what if she was sent by someone in the regular Starfinder universe trying to find out information about the Gap?

As to just being from the Starfinder universe, while it would save me from having to rewrite much of a background and it's a valid idea, I'm worried I'd have trouble adjusting a mindset from a normal Starfinder game to this very different sort of campaign.

I was thinking about the interdimensional aspects and was thinking maybe she actually comes from the Astral subdimension where the Akashic Record exists, where in this case the Akashic Record is treated like a cosmic database. That she was a mechanical servitor helping to maintain the database. She was in charge of managing and sorting cultural and biological information of certain creatures, but had started developing curiosities about and fondnesses for creatures that were pushing her outside of her normally programmed parameters. She was starting to develop a personality and, horrors, a sense of humor--and an interest in visiting these creatures. Considered a "glitch in the system" the "admins" kicked her out, and she arrived on Earth.

She still has a nominal connection to the database due to her nature and, essentially, being a celestial machine. On one hand, being essentially a living "slice" of the Akashic Record she knows more than any mere mortal. On the other, sometimes the information she retrieves may be spotty--or helpful but not immediately applicable to a situation.

If this is sounding good I'll work on leveling up the character and tweaking appropriately.

I'd say a certain number of times per day she could use a "surge" to boost her Channel skill bonus much higher (double it? +10? +20?). To balance the surge, there could be a chance she produces entirely random information rather than the information she is trying to produce. Additionally or alternately, she could also add more than a Profession skill to what kind of skills she could channel, like perhaps other "Knowledgey" skills like Life Science and Physical Science, etc.

And while she's a mystic, not a technomancer, it might make sense if she can link in to any computer database and make use of it, e.g., if she has access to a Internet-wired computer, she can...

Those powers make sense and will help to keep the story moving when hopping across dimensions and needing to understand things that you couldn't really understand without an Akashic Record treated like a cosmic database.

I'm wondering how human or alien looking she is. Can she blend? Does she shine? I read she's interested in the adaptability of lifeforms; how much has she adapted herself? I'm cool with any choice you make, just thinking about types of adventures each allows.

Here's the basic idea of what I'm thinking for my character:

He was a fairly ordinary fellow--a good athlete but nothing outstanding in school, then he landed his dream job of working in a zoo. Unfortunately for him he happened to draw the attention of a mad scientist who thought he'd be much more interesting combined with the animals he worked with. Said mad scientist captured him and took him back to his secret lab, where he experimented on my character for a significant time period.

At some point Boston Theoretical tracked this mad scientist down and raided his lair, rescuing my character in the process. Grateful to them--and rather doomed to an unusual life, given he was now a 1000-pound six-legged hybrid of half a dozen creatures, with the odd ability to take a marginally less obvious from of a four-armed furred humanoid--he volunteered to join with them in their efforts to combat those who used superhuman abilities for harm rather than good.

In terms of build, I'm planning on using the rules from the Deoxyian race combined with the Chimeraborn theme/archetype to represent his nature as an unnatural patchwork hybrid of several creatures, not all of which are necessarily from Earth. I'd probably use Soldier as his class and focus on being a melee bruiser, to suit his monstrous nature.

The Chimeraborn theme does allow a character to assume a humanoid form, but given the Deoxyian part of his build even his humanoid form wouldn't look that human. Probably if he needs to go out in public he'll have to wear something like a trenchcoat, sunglasses, and a hat, and hunch over so people don't look too closely at his face.

Should I just go ahead and build him and see what you think, GM?

Here's the basic idea of what I'm thinking for my character:

He was a fairly ordinary fellow--a good athlete but nothing outstanding in school, then he landed his dream job of working in a zoo. Unfortunately for him he happened to draw the attention of a mad scientist who thought he'd be much more interesting combined with the animals he worked with. Said mad scientist captured him and took him back to his secret lab, where he experimented on my character for a significant time period.

At some point Boston Theoretical tracked this mad scientist down and raided his lair, rescuing my character in the process. Grateful to them--and rather doomed to an unusual life, given he was now a 1000-pound six-legged hybrid of half a dozen creatures, with the odd ability to take a marginally less obvious from of a four-armed furred humanoid--he volunteered to join with them in their efforts to combat those who used superhuman abilities for harm rather than good.

In terms of build, I'm planning on using the rules from the Deoxyian race combined with the Chimeraborn theme/archetype to represent his nature as an unnatural patchwork hybrid of several creatures, not all of which are necessarily from Earth. I'd probably use Soldier as his class and focus on being a melee bruiser, to suit his monstrous nature.

The Chimeraborn theme does allow a character to assume a humanoid form, but given the Deoxyian part of his build even his humanoid form wouldn't look that human. Probably if he needs to go out in public he'll have to wear something like a trenchcoat, sunglasses, and a hat, and hunch over so people don't look too closely at his face.

Should I just go ahead and build him and see what you think, GM?

A big weird bruiser sounds fun.

Let's see, ...
android mystic with connections to all knowledge
a telekinetic with some cool force powers
two science experiments with their own powers
and a demigod.

It feels like a super-hero team to me.

Cue the title card.

I'd be happy to run an adventure with this group of superheroes once everyone built their characters.

I have my character built above. I'll get an alias set up tomorrow.

I'd be happy to run an adventure with this group of superheroes once everyone built their characters.

Are you doing standard 20 pt. value to abilities? Any other creation guidelines you wish to tell us?

I'm assuming we're using the starfinder ability generation system.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

I'd be happy to run an adventure with this group of superheroes once everyone built their characters.

Are you doing standard 20 pt. value to abilities? Any other creation guidelines you wish to tell us?

Generally, use Starfinder character creation guidelines and try to build your concept as a 3rd level Starfinder character. We've talked about different archetypes and stuff for specific characters already. Use those. If, in the course of building your character, your superhero concept requires something different that we haven't already discussed, we can discuss how to make it work. I'm open to all sorts of stuff, as long as you don't create a character that sucks all the fun out of it for others.

https://www.starjammersrd.com/the-basics/character-creation/

Okay, got my alt all set up and good to go. Will probably end up changing the picture though.

Working on a build over the weekend. Traveling a bit so may not follow up immediately. You have any deadlines for by when you want to see builds?

Instead of doing something useful like start on a build I've gone and made an in-universe document describing my character. XD I'll see about a build tomorrow.

Thew godling class is hard to fit into Starfinder, but I'm working on it all weekend.

If you need some help with suggestions for converting it, let me know.

All right, I believe I have a build for my crazy chimera now. :) Have a look at this alias and see if everything looks right.

Could I play an Alien. Like really out there alien, Thinking being of energy kind of thing.
Big ball of light that flies around.

Could I play an Alien. Like really out there alien, Thinking being of energy kind of thing.

Big ball of light that flies around.

Maybe. I can imagine an alien such as that having an opportunity to enter the story, although not right off the bat.

How would you build such an alien as a Starfinder character lvl. 3 with tweaks?

All right, I believe I have a build for my crazy chimera now. :) Have a look at this alias and see if everything looks right.

Looks good to me. He's certainly strong. I'll look more and ask you if I have questions.

Instead of doing something useful like start on a build I've gone and made an in-universe document describing my character. XD I'll see about a build tomorrow.

This helps me to understand the character better. Boston Theoretical is doing experimentation with transdimensional travel. I see your origin has some genetic experimentation done on him. Did the genes involved come from this dimension or another one?

This helps me to understand the character better. Boston Theoretical is doing experimentation with transdimensional travel. I see your origin has some genetic experimentation done on him. Did the genes involved come from this dimension or another one?

Some of both. The Kasatha and Nyssholora genes are trans-dimensional in origin--the fox, crocodile, anaconda, and jaguar genes are from Earth.

This does suggest something troubling about PhDestruction, the mad scientist who transformed Charles. I've kind of left things open so you could possibly use him as an adversary at some point, which is part of why I haven't specified much about him.

I love bending rules to make superheroes. (This Vixen avatar is a pathfinder-legal vigilante/brawler.)

I have a character known as the Subatomic Bombshell. If you don't hate the corniness, powers include shrinking to an imperceptible size (Subatomic), causing explosions (Bomb-), and clothing herself in metal (-shell). She normally looks like a valkyrie. Telltale signs could be glowing eyes and phoenix-like feathers protruding/molting from her shoulder blades.

In the interest of not making her OP, flight would be limited to her subatomic mode, and since a room would be like a universe to her in that state, the power itself would have limited applications.

If nothing I mentioned is a deal-breaker for you, GM, I'm interested and will try my luck in recruitment.

...

EDIT - 45 minutes after posting this, I looked at Starfinder classes for the first time. Solarian was the first class I looked at, and the class is practically my character. The major difference is that she would become the stellar manifestation. Solar armor is close enough. And CHA as top stat—yes.

This may be a better fit than I thought.

PS~ she looks like this. (Concept art.)

I don't hate the corniness. I'm not sure I want to run with this many characters. I think we're at 5 at least.

Oh, are submissions closed then?

I was thinking Nissa van Donk (a.k.a. the Bombshell) would be Halfling Icon for race and theme. Before gaining her superpowers, she was a model helping to influence a movement (PR/propaganda)... maybe not necessarily a war effort, but some kind of recruitment, such as space exploration or crime-fighting. (I can adjust to fit the campaign.)

Well, if you'd like, I can submit tonight/tomorrow even knowing a spot for Player 6 is a maybe. (If you close submissions, I will respect that.)

Oh, are submissions closed then?

I was thinking Nissa van Donk (a.k.a. the Bombshell) would be Halfling Icon for race and theme. Before gaining her superpowers, she was a model helping to influence a movement (PR/propaganda)... maybe not necessarily a war effort, but some kind of recruitment, such as space exploration or crime-fighting. (I can adjust to fit the campaign.)

Well, if you'd like, I can submit tonight/tomorrow even knowing a spot for Player 6 is a maybe. (If you close submissions, I will respect that.)

Well, since you'd be ready to go, let's let the Bombshell round out the team.

As for her background, the crime-fighting makes sense. This is a world in which, at least at the start of the game, people want to be super heroes. A cheerleader for super-hero crime-fighting team makes sense.

Oh—awesome! Thanks! I gotta watch Superhirl with my daughters because a snowstorm gave us an extra TV night, but here's the build so far...

Uncanny Valerie is updated, complete with overly lengthy background and description.

Build is still subject to change and may contain errors. Actual superpowers (beyond just being a 3rd level Starfinder android mystic on Earth) not yet written out. I'm thinking something like spend a Resolve point to get a "data surge" on a knowledge check or get GM insight, and as long as I have at least 1 point in my Resolve pool, I can use any skill as though it were trained. If that's not powerful enough we can chat further.

I have not updated her equipment (i.e., it's still level 1 starting equipment for a normal Starfinder game), as I don't know what equipment is going to be available to us from the getgo.

Oh! Yes... equipment.

I found my Lv.1 weapons, however: Mercy Pistol, Illuminator. Two of them, for dual-wielding fun. And if I can afford two Lv.3s, perhaps a pair of Shellgun, Bombard? ...mostly 'cause of the name. But also in case there are enemies (robots?) immune to nonlethal damage.

Also, for the subatomic form, Resolve Points work as a means to limit the usage. Today is the first time I even looked at the Starfinder Rulebook, so I'm doing a bit of reading now.

Again, thanks for the invite, Tarren. If I'm rounding out the team, does that mean it's just about go-time?

So it looks like we have a demigod, a telekinetic, a robotic know-it-all magician, navi, a shapechanger, and octopus man. Seems legit.

Hey! Listen...

Getting closer to a profile update for this avatar.

Unless I'm mistaken (about character creation and such), the only thing left to do is write a background story.

For gear, I assume we start with the standard 4000 credits for Lv.3. If I understand bulk correctly, 5 bulk is the most I can handle. (The backback pushes my carrying capacity up as if my STR is 10, not 9.)

Note my lack of a melee weapon. This will be a very different character for me!

Nonlethal damage is an interesting point... depending on your flavor of superhero we might be expected to take criminals alive.

Charles is not good at this. Chimera claws and fangs are not exactly nonlethal weapons. I suppose he'll just be taking a -4 to hit sometimes.

Interestingly, in spite of how odd he is, Charles has nothing a 3rd-level character using the race and archetype he's using couldn't have. So he also doesn't have anything 'super' about him other than being a chimera-shifter.

One note on gear--besides the armor, which I figure Boston Theoretical is supplying, and some fairly mundane items, I used the rest of his credits to represent other genetic modifications made to him. He has a ability boost and a dragon gland, both of which are the results of PhDestruction's mad science. I may want to use various augmentations in the future to represent his continuing 'evolution'.

Your claws will be welcome vs. nonlethal-immunes. I know constructs in PF are immune to nonlethal, so yeah... I’ll need to supernova to harm them. It’s all I’ve got!

There is a Lv.3 lethal gun called Shellgun, Bombard. The name fits my character! But for almost the same $$$, I opted for the stabilizer instead. I can be a regular Zelda healing fairy, not just a Navi.

That reminds me:

@Tarren, does my equipment meld with me when I become a mote, or does it all fall to a heap on the floor? I’m happy with either. Solar Armor allows me to be clothed when I revert to normal, so it won’t be weird to transform without gear.

I kind of like it NOT melding in the sense I would pay a hefty price for abusing my superpower. (Shrink and escape = lose my gear!)

@Other players, would you guys find that^ a burden? I don’t play cowardly characters, so it’s not like I’d become a mote (Navi) in combat unless you really need me to (example: fly through a bullet hole in a wall and unlock the door from inside).

Sorry to post so much! Just want to simplify my super power, based on what I read of the Solarian class and that I noticed other players are starting with powers that are minor at Lv.3, and presumably, become greater as we level.

Looks like according to Alien Archive 2 (which is the first instance of the polymorph rules I could find) your equipment would be subsumed if the form you change into is different from your original form, although your armor would still function regardless.

Looks like according to Alien Archive 2 (which is the first instance of the polymorph rules I could find) your equipment would be subsumed if the form you change into is different from your original form, although your armor would still function regardless.

Yeah, after reading through the class abilities (Zenith Revelations in particular), I noticed Solarians can become particles and/or rays of light. Melding/subsuming equipment is consistent with the normal class abilities.

Again, thanks for the invite, Tarren. If I'm rounding out the team, does that mean it's just about go-time?

I think so. Everyone seems to be checking in with characters ready to go. I'll give it a once over soon and start the game thread with a question to get everyone in.

@Tarren, does my equipment meld with me when I become a mote, or does it all fall to a heap on the floor? I’m happy with either. Solar Armor allows me to be clothed when I revert to normal, so it won’t be weird to transform without gear.

It seems like subsuming equipment is allowed. If you wanted to have the inability as a flaw for character development, cool, but it isn't necessary. Your character isn't overpowered.

Thew godling class is hard to fit into Starfinder, but I'm working on it all weekend.

How's our godling coming along?

Boston Theoretical would not have created any of our science experiments, but they would certainly have worked with you to test or control your powers. None of you are 'insiders' though at Boston Theoretical, but some of you may have had some encounters with some of the researchers. Boston Theoretical is very interested in all of your powers though.

Let me know when you're ready to go. The team at Boston Theoretical is ready when you are.

Your character isn't overpowered.

Good to know. Then I’ll stick to the plan of Navi-mote at-will, subatomic with limitations based on existing class skills!

Working on profile page now! (...and emulating Verve’s format).

The team at Boston Theoretical is ready when you are.

That’s a yes with sunny pom-poms from the cheerleader for superheroicness.

I mean metaphorical pom-poms. Nissa’s only got 5 bucks in her purse after buying equipment, so she can’t afford real ones.

Let me know when you're ready to go. The team at Boston Theoretical is ready when you are.

Tarren, I've had a couple questions that have gone unanswered:

- What are we doing for equipment? Starfinder purchase for the level or something else?

- Any further thoughts or guidance on how her power should work? I've made suggestions, but I have NO clue as to what power level you're going for. I'd be more than happy if you'd pick something based on what we've discussed and let me know the exact mechanic.

Also please let me know if you see anything amiss with the build. It may need a little further tweaking (in addition to finalizing the equipment).

I really thought I had answered that. Sorry.

Tarren, I've had a couple questions that have gone unanswered:

- What are we doing for equipment? Starfinder purchase for the level or something else?

Purchase equipment up to Starfinder purchase level (4000 credits). You are already an established superhero and your gear could be part of that. Alternatively, it could be new gear that Boston Theoretical helped devise for you in preparation for this engagement.

- Any further thoughts or guidance on how her power should work? I've made suggestions, but I have NO clue as to what power level you're going for. I'd be more than happy if you'd pick something based on what we've discussed and let me know the exact mechanic.

The power level I'm going for is Starfinder Level 3 except for some very focused exceptional way that makes the character unique and super.

Uncanny Valerie can be very useful if through these surges she's connecting to the Akashic record, and we treat the Akashic record as a transdimensional data library. As for how that would work, what about this: by spending 1 resolve point, Uncanny Valerie can spend 1 Resolve Point to Take 20 on a skill Check to Recall Knowledge. She can does not need "a means of researching, such as access to an information network" (because she has the Akashic record). She can Take 20 with only a 2 minute skill check, however, she is gains the helpless condition for those two minutes. Does this make sense? Am I missing any Starfinder ability that does this already? It's not a huge superpower, but for 2 minutes at a time, Uncanny Valerie lights up and connects to the divine consciousness and comes back with information. It could be really useful when you're lost in the Shuffle.

Also please let me know if you see anything amiss with the build. It may need a little further tweaking (in addition to finalizing the equipment).

- What area of Life Science is she specializing in? bioengineering, biology, botany, ecology, genetics, xenobiology, zoology, or another field of biological science?

Verve is ready to go. Can't wait til 4th level.

I feel that Theo would wear armor more archaic, like actual breastplate, for example. Maybe something actually forged by Hephaestus. What do you guys recommend?

Nightplate from the armory has a good archaic armor look. It looks like platemail.