Boston Theoretical PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

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.