THE GATEWAY DISTRICT spans the better part of one of Absalom Station's arms. Most visitors would find a patina of bustling travelers, middle and upper class dwellings with scenic views of the nearby armada, and businesses serving a wide range goods and services.
UNDER THIS PATINA there exists a corruption rooted deep in the establishments within the this neighborhood. Both petty criminals and crime lords conduct their business here. Religious teachers may at first seem fervent and sincere, but the heaven they promise can never quite be delivered. Far stranger things have found room to dwell in the warehouses and old hangars beneath the Gateway.
The Gateway District is dominated by three things: one of the largest spaceports on Absalom Station, a massive borough of businesses called THE GALLERY that cater to both travelers and locals, and an enigmatic, primeval stone arch.
This stone arch holds none of the sinister reputation that the arch at Fardock holds. No one has ever disappeared by stepping through it. It is, however, almost as much of a curiosity. The stone arch is covered in runes and carvings that some say come from well before The Gap.
IT IS INTO THIS WORLD that you step. How will you support yourself, your friends, and your business interests in THE GATEWAY?
Hello everyone! I'm Alan, aka "GM Quirk".
What's going on here?
I have been playing here on the Paizo boards in various PBP games for a few years now. I've been GMing about half of that time. Most of these games have been Starfinder Society games.
What's missing is the chance to work with some willing players to create an original world with original adventures. I find the idea of doing that very fulfilling, and I have been working on the ideas that go into Gateway to Absalom for several months now.
As the astute reader may have already surmised, this setting won't be completely original. I have always loved Absalom Station, and the information we already know about it gives us a firm basis to build upon. I know I appreciate beginning with something familiar. I can assure everyone of you who is interested in playing in this little world that everything you have read in the Pact Worlds book (and other Starfinder sources) is very much part of this world. I'm just expanding it a little.
What's "experimental" about this? For one, not only will you submit a first level character to use, but you'll also give me some details of a business or locale in or near the Gateway District, along with how your character is connected to it.
I am also planning to have TEN characters enter this adventure! Don't worry, not all at the same time, and I don't think we'll have more than five at a time at any one adventure locale.
Finally, I am hoping there will be a certain "sandbox" element to what we do here. Yes, there will be some pre-programmed, somewhat linear adventures at the beginning to introduce the setting and get you to second level, but after that, it's up to you and your crew of Gateway residents to navigate this neighborhood and make it a better place!
I am hoping our adventure together will extend to fourth level, though perhaps there is a chance we'll go higher.
You'll want to think in terms of a first level character using just about any official Paizo source for things like theme, class, and equipment.
Please create a protagonist! You'll have the opportunity to right wrongs and create good in this world. No chaotic neutral or evil alignments.
There are some limitations for race. Of course anything in the core rulebook is fine. I'd also like to open up just about any race that exists in large numbers within the Pact Worlds as a possible choice. For example, Ryphorians are fair game, but Izaalguuns probably aren't.
As I noted, I'd also like you to detail a location or place of business associated with your character, or your character's friends or family. This location could be on The Gallery, or perhaps in a seedier neighborhood below The Gallery. Please let me know what your character's connection to this place is. If you are chosen, I will work with you as far as where this location will be on our campaign map.
This location will likely be a resource for your character. Perhaps it's a place to crash for the night, or use a medkit, or find a hot meal.
Here's my timeline:
Recruitment will last about two weeks. Let's plan on closing it out Sunday, August 9th.
GROUP ONE will enter The Gateway very shortly thereafter, say within a week.
Two weeks later, GROUP TWO will enter.
WHO HAS QUESTIONS FOR ME?
I’m very interested in this Absalom Station mini-campaign. My PC is a vesk living on Absalom Station as a martial arts instructor and also as a video personality who explores other cultures’ martial arts. I’ve had this character idea since 2017 but haven’t found a campaign for him. With the additional options from Near Space and the Character Operations Manual, I’m reworking his original class and racial traits. So this time he’ll be a soldier. Icon theme.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, tomterrerae.
I'm guessing your accompanying location will be some sort of dojo or martial arts studio.
The new choices for envoys in the Character Operations Manual might be worth a look for this character, but I'm sure soldier will also make a great choice.
I have a character idea that I tried but never got very far. I made it as a SFS character but never played it.
the character is a half-elf Ace Pilot operative (thief) with dreams of being the best dang pilot Absalom has ever seen, as well as learning to play guitar and rock on as Absalom's latest and greatest rock stars.
I have not looked at starfinder in a long time. the last time I played only the players book was available. so i guess lots of refresher reading may be needed.
Glad you're interested Edward.
One thing I might mention (and I should have earlier) is that I don't anticipate any starship combat. You may want to think about another theme.
Otherwise, it sounds like you have some good ideas.
This sounds very interesting. I have a couple of ideas that I've been kicking the tyres for. Will submit something more formally in the next little bit.
Funnily enough, my main idea shares some similar flavour to tomtessarae's vesk mentioned above. It'll be interesting to see how close/different they pan out in the end.
090LD-0R0 "Goldenarms"
Theme: Biotechnician
Class: Biohacker
An Android of the Medic archetype, the "LD" in his identity stands for "Luxury Designation". As such, he was immediately acquired and put to service in the Lorena household. It never hurt to have an attending physician on hand, and even better if it was one as neutral as an android. The privacy aspect could not be beat, either. While his spark was acquired a generation or so back, the work was not unfavorable, so he remained.
Currently, the matron of the family Elisabet Lorena has an even hand over the Loren Group of holdings, including the well-known "Sachin" line of personal storage, "Jewell" brand decorative cosmetics, and other numerous smaller interests that were acquired when the opportunity arose. Oriane is the heir to the Loren Group, but as the matron is still of sound mind and body, eyes are not turning to her at least any time soon.
Of interest on the station is the block of six or so shopfronts in The Gallery that cater towards upper-end sensibilities without the ostentatious air that often set others apart, and alienated the rest.
Glad you're interested Edward.
One thing I might mention (and I should have earlier) is that I don't anticipate any starship combat. You may want to think about another theme.
Otherwise, it sounds like you have some good ideas.
Ok thanks for the info, probably going to bow out.
Dotting for strong interest.
Planning to resurrect/retool an old character from a dead campaign, a dwarven technomancer with an affinity for melee combat. He's likely have the tinkerer theme, as his day job is rebuilding and refurbishing "gently used goods" at his cousin's junkyard with a long-term goal of opening up a family franchise.
Oooo! What to play?
So far:
tomtessare - Vesk Soldier
SuperS - good ideas
Me-mori - android biohacker (Good to see you again, sir.)
Jimbles - dwarven technomancer
Hmmm. Excited about this, but, unlike my friend SuperS, I don't have any good ideas. I shall ponder further.
SuperS - good ideas
Me-mori - android biohacker (Good to see you again, sir.)
Likewise. I recall that game fondly, though Google Wave has not stood the test of time.
Likewise. I recall that game fondly, though Google Wave has not stood the test of time.SuperS - good ideas
Me-mori - android biohacker (Good to see you again, sir.)
Oof, that's a name I have not heard in a very long time.
Dotting in with interest. I don't know if I can have a fully fleshed out character by Aug 9, but I'll play around with some ideas.
When you say you want a protagonist, do you mean you want some bonifide heroes? People who are inherently motivated to do good and save the day? Or just that you don't want evil or selfish characters?
Mostly I would prefer no evil or selfish characters. On the whole, it might be nice to see the group at least open to doing some good and helping their neighborhood.
Some ideas:
Ysoki mechanic/gunsmith. Salvage yard.
Elf soldier (arcane assailant), minor diplomatic functionary. Consulate outpost.
Shobhad mystic, day laborer. Warehouse.
Ikeshti! 'cause who doesn't want a big lizard that might go b%@*$!~ crazy watching their back.
Undead flavored android = cyborg. Security guard.
See anybody that you want to hang out with?
Likewise, some ideas:
Lashunuta Vanguard/Phrenic Adept - Psychic law enforcement or bounty hunter
Yoski Envoy - Corporate businessman tired of seeing people lose out
Biohacker Medic - Stealing medicine for a free clinic to help addicts
Fairly crazy idea for a character, one that relies on being able to use the playtest stats that were recently released.
The character would be a spathinae nanocyte, slowly converting their insect compontents into nanites.
If that's too out there, totally alright.
Thanks for all the replies everyone! I have read some good stuff here!
I'll be making a post later with a bit of an update on this project. I have a few ideas about what I would like to see in your submissions.
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Okay, so I read your introduction and I realized that what you are missing (even if you didn't realize it until now) is an uplifted bear who runs a noodle cart in the Gallery.
Thus, into this world shall I stride as a bear in a chef's hat, ready to help friends and dissuade foes from attacking.
...unlike my friend SuperS, I don't have any good ideas.
Please let the record show that I made no such claim regarding the quality of my ideas. ;p
As it turns out, a couple of them will have to be placed into storage as they were a little too... grimy for what GM Q has in mind.
So, introducing my favourite! A Pahtra Qi Adept Soldier (Aesthetic Warrior, Street Rat theme) - name TBD - once a homeless orphan, now an instructor at a local martial arts school, and on a mission to provide young down-and-outs with the same chance at a better future as he was given.
*There may be some overlap with tomtessarae's concept, and if it turns out to be too much so, I will happily flip to another option.
Likely either a Vesk Guard Soldier Bodyguard or a Human Law Officer.
I'm still writing up his background, but here's his crunch:
CG Uplifted Bear Mystic 1
Theme: Themeless (Athletics; Wis)
Str 12
Dex 10
Con 11
Int 12
Wis 18
Cha 10
HP/SP: 12/6
EAC/KAC: 11/12 (10 base +1/2 armor)
BAB: 0
Init: +0
Fort: +0
Ref: +0
Will: +6
Speed: 40'
Weapons:
1) Unarmed Strike: +1 to hit; 1d3+1s damage
Skills:
Athletics r1 +5
Diplomacy r1 +4
Life Science r0 +3
Medicine r1 +5
Mysticism r1 +8
Perception r1 +8
Profession (Chef) r1 +8/12
Sense Motive r1 +8
Survival r0 +6
Feats:
*Psychic Sense (gain Blindsense (thought) within range of limited telepathy)
Racial Features:
*Climb Speed of 20'
*Ferocious Charge universal creature rule
*Limited Augmentation (can only gain a datajack)
*Limited Telepathy (30' range)
*Low-Light Vision
*Natural Survivor (+2 to Life Science and Survival)
*Natural Weapons (claws that deal 1d3 slashing damage)
*Swift (gain 40' land speed)
Theme Features:
*Athletics as a class skill and +1 wis.
Class Features:
*Connection (Xenodruid; Bonus Spells: 1) Life Bubble, 2) Fog Cloud, 3) Entropic Grasp, 4) Reincarnate, 5) Commune w/Nature, 6) Terraform)
*Healing Touch (1/day; std action; heal 1 tgt. 5 hp/class level)
*Ephipanies:
- Overbearing Stare (Swift action; Every morning, pick either AC, Attack Rolls, Fort, Ref, or Will saves; can target a creature within 30'. If they fail a will save, they take a -1 penalty to selected stat until I change tgts., the move out of range (30'), or either of us dies)
Spells:
Spells/Day: -/3
Spell DC: 14 +Spell Level
*Cantrips: 4
- Daze
- Detect Magic
- Psychokinetic Hand
- Token Spell
*First: 2
- Life Bubble (Connection Spell)
- Mind Thrust
- Mystic Cure
Equipment:
Modified Second Skin armor (EAC/KAC: +1/2; MDB: +5; Upgrades: 1; Bulk: L; sits on skin, not fur) -250
Infrared Sensors (darkvision 60') -200
Cooking Tool Kit -20
Professional Clothing x5 -25
Everyday Clothing x5 -5
500 credits
...unlike my friend SuperS, I don't have any good ideas.Please let the record show that I made no such claim regarding the quality of my ideas. ;p
....
You didn't need to make the claim. I just knew.
This won't be SFS-restricted so, I'm gravitating toward these two
Elf soldier (arcane assailant), minor diplomatic functionary. Consulate outpost. The elf government feels Gateway is the most propitious of Absalom's Arms. A bow-hunter, maybe he hears echoes of Erastil whispering in his head. Have to look again at how skills were consolidated in Starfinder.
Shobhad mystic, Warehouse day laborer diurnally; evangelist crepuscularly. His clan was run off Akiton after a cattastrophic raid by another clan. Still has his father's warrior gear, but he's not proven himself worthy of it yet.
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When I first had this concept he was an envoy/icon. My next idea fluctuated between a character much like @supersuperlative (except blitz fighting style, rather than qi adept) and a soldier going for the doshko specialist archetype. As I read over the archetype I noted (as others did in this thread) that the 2nd level class feature wouldn’t do much for characters using most types of doshkos. Despite that, I thought it’d be fun to play a vesk soldier with a battlemaster fighting style who uses a doshko. Even if I had gone with a Soldier (Aesthetic Warrior) I think two similar characters would be fine in this campaign since there will be two groups of five.
So, here’s the background:
Upon becoming an adult, he journeyed to the Pact Worlds to create a show exploring cultures through combat. He interviews non-vesk where they talk about the history and development of martial arts and weapons as well as the surprising intersections with food, clothing, customs, and rituals. Yoromishtali also interviews vesk who have fought against that episode’s martial art style. Each episode culminates in a fight between him and a master of that style.
Yoromishtali hatched on Vesk-3. At the age of eight he moved to Tabrid Minor. His mother was a member of the military’s diplomatic corps. He decided to not join the military because he wanted to freedom to explore other cultures at his own pace (and interest).
Living on Absalom for the past two years, Yoromishtali has made twelve videos. His first video was about the kasathas, followed by the half-orcs, the Orrians, the verthani, the pahtras, the shobhad, and others. He’s doing the initial production work for videos with humans, lashuntas, halflings (a nice counterpoint to the shobhad episode he hopes), and a trip to some battleflower monasteries on Triaxis.
Unfortunately the new video project isn’t as popular as his childhood one. In fact, he is losing money on it. The producers he thought he acquired have disappeared. In an effort to continue the videos, Yoromishtali began teaching the doshko six months ago. His clients are mostly vesk but he does offer classes for children of all species.
The character sheet is almost finished. I’ll post it tonight or tomorrow. If there are any problems with the background please let me know.
Nice, Tom.
So, I've been thinking on the idea of "active protagonist". There's always that route that is destined to collide with the character's "comfortable" life, starting them on the path of adventure that they never really looked for but didn't know they desired.
In that context for Goldenarms, while life at the Lorena household was good, somehow his job started to be come taxing, bleeding over into being the personal physician for the major stakeholders of the Lorena group. Suddenly, they have a good deal more access, and their secret work of aiding the local Android Abolitionist movement just got a lot more weight.
Add in The Antagonist, a rival by the name of Letha Maiken, someone in the circles that (talks big but is trying to break out of the small-time) beginning a quiet conflict in attempts to expose them. The rival can't make it too big because then people will start to look closer at their own less-than-upstanding actions and paper trails, and they'll be just as complicit.
As promised, here is a post about what I would like your submission to include. Please note that I already see some really great work from some of you, and what you have already done will require very little additional work.
1. Your race and class, and some background about your character. I don't need a novel, but please help me see how you have put some thought into this character. Let's all agree NOT to make these characters just a collection of stats, abilities, and cool gadgets.
Speaking of those things, I don't really need the crunchy bits on your character just yet. If you would like to go that far, I will be happy to read them. You'll want them eventually anyway.
2. I wrote up above about creating a business or other locale that is associated with your character. Please include this in your submission as well.
What I'm looking for here is somewhere your character works or hangs out. It can be a relative's cantina. It can be your character's cousin Vinnie's waste disposal business. It could be an accounting firm near the Gallery.
Please tell me about your character's association with this business or locale. You may want to plan on having one of your skills reflect what you do at this place. I will have some Starfinder Society "day job rolls" on occasion.
I will try to write something up. I'm always running starfinder, but I never have the chance to play it, so this looks exciting!
Maybe there’s a complex for the martial art characters to teach at. Like trainers at gyms having individual clients and teaching classes too. Yoromishtali can teach doshko classes, @supersuperlative’s pahtra can teach unarmed combat, and any other PC is welcome too.
@therealthom -- Thanks!
I mean, if this is coalescing around this complex, then Goldenarms could volunteer some time at this complex as an on-site medic and (unofficial)physician.
Kusa is going to be taking mall karate to learn how to use his claws effectively.
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Okay, got his story finished. I put the whole thing together to make it easy to find.
CG Uplifted Bear Mystic 1
Theme: Themeless (Athletics; Wis)
Str 12
Dex 10
Con 11
Int 12
Wis 18
Cha 10
HP/SP: 12/6
EAC/KAC: 11/12 (10 base +1/2 armor)
BAB: 0
Init: +0
Fort: +0
Ref: +0
Will: +6
Speed: 40'
Weapons:
1) Unarmed Strike: +1 to hit; 1d3+1s damage
Skills:
Athletics r1 +5
Diplomacy r1 +4
Life Science r0 +3
Medicine r1 +5
Mysticism r1 +8
Perception r1 +8
Profession (Chef) r1 +8/12
Sense Motive r1 +8
Survival r0 +6
Feats:
*Psychic Sense (gain Blindsense (thought) within range of limited telepathy)
Racial Features:
*Climb Speed of 20'
*Ferocious Charge universal creature rule
*Limited Augmentation (can only gain a datajack)
*Limited Telepathy (30' range)
*Low-Light Vision
*Natural Survivor (+2 to Life Science and Survival)
*Natural Weapons (claws that deal 1d3 slashing damage)
*Swift (gain 40' land speed)
Theme Features:
*Athletics as a class skill and +1 wis.
Class Features:
*Connection (Xenodruid; Bonus Spells: 1) Life Bubble, 2) Fog Cloud, 3) Entropic Grasp, 4) Reincarnate, 5) Commune w/Nature, 6) Terraform)
*Healing Touch (1/day; std action; heal 1 tgt. 5 hp/class level)
*Ephipanies:
- Overbearing Stare (Swift action; Every morning, pick either AC, Attack Rolls, Fort, Ref, or Will saves; can target a creature within 30'. If they fail a will save, they take a -1 penalty to selected stat until I change tgts., the move out of range (30'), or either of us dies)
Spells:
Spells/Day: -/3
Spell DC: 14 +Spell Level
*Cantrips: 4
- Daze
- Detect Magic
- Psychokinetic Hand
- Token Spell
*First: 2
- Life Bubble (Connection Spell)
- Mind Thrust
- Mystic Cure
Equipment:
Modified Second Skin armor (EAC/KAC: +1/2; MDB: +5; Upgrades: 1; Bulk: L; sits on skin, not fur) -250
Infrared Sensors (darkvision 60') -200
Cooking Tool Kit -20
Professional Clothing x5 -25
Everyday Clothing x5 -5
500 credits
Kusa was born on a small colony of Uplifted animals in the Diaspora whose real name is forgotten, but most spacers simply call the Menagerie.
Kusa was not modified himself, but is instead the child of two uplifted.
Unlike his parents, Kusa is descended from Kodiak stock. Also unlike his parents who were among the militia that protected the settlement, Kusa wanted to be a chef. His parents scrimped and saved for years to send him to cooking school on Absalom Station, where he would have the opportunity to learn many different styles of cooking.
It was in university that he met his future wife, a Vesk by the name of Raxima. They dated for a while and eventually decided to marry, even if they would never be able to have children. While his family supported his decision (even if his younger sister jokingly calls him a race traitor) Raxima's family was not so forgiving. He has to survive three separate challenges from the men in her family before they would eventually begrudgingly support their marriage.
After graduating and getting married, Kusa tried to get work in a restaurant, but his appearance and size prevented any upscale restaurant from hiring him. Eventually, he had to settle for opening a Noodle shop in the Gallery, one of the smaller and less affluent parts of the station.
Kusa is skilled enough to get a position in a 3 star restaurant, but none would give him a chance, so instead he takes cooking for the common man as a badge of honor.
Having grown up in a small colony where everyone helps everyone, Kusa always makes sure that those who can't afford to eat will have something to eat, a point of contention between him and his wife (who, like most Vesk, believe that each individual must be able to take care of themselves).
Recently, Kusa's wife has started commenting about him eating too much of his own cooking, so he decided to enroll an a martial arts class. His wife recommended one, and he started taking lessons.
Thus it is that Kusa lives his life.
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I'll do the shobhad first.
Alcagath was a clan leader on Akiton. He was renowned as a warrior, but not infallible. A raid against a rival clan went disastrously. The clan was shattered. Hunted by the rival clan, he managed to get his mate and progeny off Akiton thanks to a friend who was an off world trader. The trader set the family up on Absalom station where for years Alcagath has pondered his return to Akiton and revenge, an unlikely prospect given the shobhad's paltry resources.
Alcagath is proud of his one surviving daughter and two of his sons. And then there is Gath. From a family, a clan or warriors, Gath is a gentle soul that has shown little talent for the martial arts, or even useful technical skills. From his youth, he's heard a voice that urges him to travel the galaxy, but he's chained to Absalom station by his family, and paltry resources.
Gath works as a laborer in a warehouse belonging to Fattail, the ysoki merchant that transported the family off Akiton. The warehouse is officially the Trinary Medical Depot. Fattail deals in a variety of medicinals and dietary supplements. Mostly, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
In the evenings Gath can be found near Gateway Niche. A small collection of eclectic businesses and eateries on the edge of the market. The shobhad engages passersby in conversation, whether its to question them about their travels or to encourage someone who seems a little depressed.
Waves to some familiar faces :)
Would a Verthani Operative (Gadgeteer) be permissible GM Q?
Most likely would go Cyberborn Theme - am thinking (if acceptable to all parties) of having them work alongside Jimbles' dwarf - essentially as their cowardly "Lurch" style assistant/gofer.
Sounds like you have some great ideas going there, Black Dow.
Full speed ahead.
Later tonight I'll be compiling what we have so far. Recruitment will end next weekend.
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Here's Yoromishtali's character sheet. If there are any errors, please let me know.
Soldier 1 Vesk Icon
LN Medium Male Humanoid (vesk)
Init +1; Senses low-light vision; Perception +0
------------------------------
DEFENSE
------------------------------
EAC 13 (10+1+1+1)
KAC 14 (10+1+2+1)
AC vs Combat Maneuvers 22 [8+KAC]
Stamina Points 8
Hit Points 13
Resolve Points 4
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +2
------------------------------
OFFENSE
------------------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed Strike +4 1d3+3B
Melee Tactical doshko +4 1d12S+3 analog, unwieldy
Ranged Azimuth laser rifle +2 1d8F; 120’ range; critical burn 1d6; 20 charges
Thrown
------------------------------
STATISTICS
------------------------------
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13
Height 7’4” Weight 247 lbs.Age 18
Base Attack +1
Feats Cleave
Skills ( skill points) *ACP −0
Acrobatics* +5 (1+1+3)
Athletics* +7 (1+3+3)
Culture +4 (1+0+3)
Profession (doshko instructor/video personality) +5 (1+1+3)
Sense Motive +3
Languages Vesk, Common, Draconic
Bulk 2
Equipment Second Skin armor, azimuth laser rifle, tactical doshko, personal comm, everyday clothes (x8), professional clothes (x2), formal clothes (x1). 45 credits.
------------------------------
RACIAL FEATURES
------------------------------
Lambent Vesk +2 Str, +2 Cha, -2 Int
Armor Savant +1 bonus to AC
Observant +3 to Sense Motive checks.
Low-light Vision
Natural Weapons unarmed attack 1d3B lethal, not archaic
------------------------------
CLASS FEATURES
------------------------------
Key Stat Strength
Armor Proficiencies Light and heavy armor
Weapon Proficiencies Basic and advanced melee weapons, small arms, longarms, heavy weapons, sniper weapons, and grenades.
Primary Fighting Style Battlemaster Bolster Resilience (Ex) DR 1/- for 3 rounds
------------------------------
THEME FEATURES
------------------------------
Theme Knowledge Profession (doshko instructor/video personality); +1 CHA
------------------------------
BACKGROUND
------------------------------
Among citizens of the Veskorium and to a lesser degree the vesk living in the Pact Worlds, Yoromishtali is known for being a student in a martial arts training show. His great aunt, Avdikesh, was “the master” and broadcast her training Yoromishtali and his five clutchmates in the vesk martial art of wielding the doshko. From the age of six to sixteen, Yoromishtali spent nearly ninety minutes each day in a martial arts studio learning how to fight with a doshko. Each day was streamed live, and each week’s footage was edited together for a sixty minute summation of the week’s failures and successes. Yoromishtali liked being filmed more than some of his other clutchmates. He wasn’t the most accomplished or naturally gifted of the group, but he was dedicated to his training.
Upon becoming an adult, he journeyed to the Pact Worlds to create a show exploring cultures through combat. He interviews non-vesk where they talk about the history and development of martial arts and weapons as well as the surprising intersections with food, clothing, customs, and rituals. Yoromishtali also interviews vesk who have fought against that episode’s martial art style. Each episode culminates in a fight between him and a master of that style.
Yoromishtali hatched on Vesk-3. At the age of eight he moved to Tabrid Minor. His mother was a member of the military’s diplomatic corps. He decided to not join the military because he wanted to freedom to explore other cultures at his own pace (and interest).
Living on Absalom for the past two years, Yoromishtali has made twelve videos. His first video was about the kasathas, followed by the half-orcs, the Orrians, the verthani, the pahtras, the shobhad, and others. He’s doing the initial production work for videos with humans, lashuntas, halflings (a nice counterpoint to the shobhad episode he hopes), and a trip to some battleflower monasteries on Triaxis.
Unfortunately the new video project isn’t as popular as his childhood one. In fact, he is losing money on it. The producers he thought he acquired have disappeared. In an effort to continue the videos, Yoromishtali began teaching the doshko six months ago. His clients are mostly vesk but he does offer classes for children of all species. He also creates a doshko-focused video show with two ten minute episodes a week. They’re more spontaneous and simply filmed. Besides detailing combat techniques, the show also showcases the creation and maintenance of doshkos, the various manufacturers, and history of the weapon and famous doshko-wielding warriors.
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Seeing some of the other submissions, I went with the yoski envoy. I could see him with the corporate agent or law officer theme. I wrote the below with (former) law officer theme in mind, but it's easily changeable. The business will be the new law offices of Jonah & Soshi, Attorneys at Law.
Mox set down the box of supplies on his desk and turned to look out the small window. He smiled to himself and plopped down on the worn chair, putting his feet up on the desk. He slid the box to one side, so he could see the view of the dingy promenade. The street wasn’t clean or even well-lit here on the backside of the Gateway district. But from his cramped and outdated office, Mox liked what he saw: It was bustling with people. Carts wizzed by and all sorts of people walked down the street. He craned his neck to see the market stalls nearby and just down the street he saw some sort of multi-complex. Objectively, he could tell it was all second-rate, but to his eyes, it was beautiful. Opportunity just waited.
He heard a sound and glanced back at the doorway to see his partner standing there. ”Whatdya think, Moxie?” Jake asked. The human towered over him, but was grinning broadly. ”It ain’t what we’re used to at the Prosecutor’s Office, but…”
”But we don’t have old pisspots telling us what to do and we won’t be selling our souls to put good people in lockup. It’s beautiful, Jake. You did good, old man.” Moxie twitched his whiskers at him in jest. It was an old joke between them. Jake Jonah was almost twice as old as Mox, but given the differences between their races, they were in the same young prime of their lives.
Jake laughed. ”Of course, kid. What else would you expect?” He tossed a small box at the yoski. ”Here, I got this for you too.”
Moxie caught the box and opened it up. He pulled out a name plate for his desk. It read, “Tremox Soshi, Attorney at Law.” He looked up at Jake again. ”Yeah, this’ll do.”
I still do have an idea for a psychic vangard too. Part of me wants to do it just to see if I can get phrenic adept archetype to actually work.
You'll be seeing some movement on this tonight. I'll be taking a look at all the submissions and starting to get a handle on who we have playing and what we still might need from existing submissions.
WE ARE STILL TAKING SUBMISSIONS! I'd love to see a few more before we close things down on Sunday.
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Planning to resurrect/retool an old character from a dead campaign, a dwarven technomancer with an affinity for melee combat. He's likely have the tinkerer theme, as his day job is rebuilding and refurbishing "gently used goods" at his cousin's junkyard with a long-term goal of opening up a family franchise.
Alright! Meet Thuldas Crawdun, junior associate at Crawdun Scrap and Salvage.
Class: Technomancer (favoring spells with "junk" in the name)
Theme: Roboticist
Feat: Shield Proficiency
Born aboard the first great star citadel Heorrhad, Thuldas grew up in a dwarven society starting to hit its stride post-Gap. His mother, Thuldwin, is a battlemage with over 100 years of active duty aboard the Heorrhad, a seasoned veteran who has defended the Pact Worlds against both the Veskarium and the Swarm. His father, Beowdas, is a second-generation junk dealer who has successfully franchised the family business aboard his scraphauler Deck 17, a welcome visitor among the remote mining stations of the Diaspora.
Thuldas draws strongly on both family traditions, forging his mother's arcane talents into tools for refurbishing and repurposing junked starships, scrapped mining tools, and antiquated computers. For the past few years he's been working under his cousin Ferindas (another successful franchisee of the family business) at Crawdun Scrap and Salvage, a compact junkyard comprised of several contiguous landing bays in Absalom's Gateway district.
Thuldas is lanky for a dwarf (nearly 5 feet tall!) with a ready smile and a film of grease and rust seemingly ground into his skin. His hands are rarely empty; he's always picking up bits and bobs around the scrapyard that catch his eye. He's also taken to carrying around the blast cover off an old reactor porthole after an incident with a not-quite-inert fuel cell that cost him a few teeth (which have since been replaced with palladium analogues).
At 50 years old, Thuldas is barely an adult, but he dreams of one day operating his own scraphauler, servicing communities and colonies throughout Near Space and the Vast. For now, though, he's content to work in a junior role, learning from both the complex technical challenges of the scrapyard and the cultural melting pot of Absalom Station.
Here's what we have going so far.
The following have fairly thorough concepts that they have given me. These submissions have everything, or virtually everything, that I need to move forward. Please correct me if I have anything incorrect here.
1. Tomtesserae/Yoromishtali (Vesk soldier)
2. Me'Mori/Goldenarms (Android biohacker)
3. Jimbles the Mediocre/Thuldas Crawdun (Dwarf Technomancer)
4. Enchanter Time/Tremox Soshi (Ysoki Envoy)
5. Vrog Skyweaver/Kusa (uplifted bear mystic)
6. Therealthom/Gath (Shobhad)--can you let me know what you're thinking for class?
The following have turned in some preliminary ideas:
1. Supersuperlative (Pahtra soldier)
2. Simeon (Spathinae nanocyte)
3. Black Dow (Verthani Operative)
The following have indicated interest, but no concrete ideas posted yet:
1. Joker 27
2. Archpaladin Zousha
3. Janosian
4. Veltent
Still looking at closing submissions Sunday evening (8-9).
Think I've changed up my idea to something a bit less nutty. My current idea is for a priest biohacker, devoted to Oras.
Still working on the stats and background, however.
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I've come up with a pretty solid idea, I think!
Class: Mechanic (Drone)
Theme: Athlete
Feat: Mobility
Senkuviene, or "Sen" for short, has grown up in the Gateway District and is a common sight in the Gallery, zipping around on a board and doing flips and tricks even as she's supposed to be making deliveries for the local businesses. Her family consists of her host parent of a small apartment-building's-worth of males and females, including her other two parents, along with her many, many siblings. Having that many family around can be trying on even the most communally-minded shirren, especially when you've just turned 6 and are looking for something, ANYTHING for attention.
This led Sen to discover competitive "zoomboarding," a hobby she has since turned into a lifestyle. Just learning how to get the most out of them and keep them in top shape has made her into a skilled technician, and she's won a few small, local races and trick contests, but Sen is addicted to the rush of the wind in her face and the purr of the board under her feet. She has her eyes set on building the ultimate zoomboard and breaking into the big leagues. That will take money, though, so for now she makes herself useful running deliveries and using the tips she gets to purchase new parts, tinkering with them in the garage under her family's building.
Sen is on the smaller side compared to most shirrens her age, though she makes up for it with her sturdy build and "rockin' abdomen." Her exoskeleton has a mostly dark brown, almost black, hue with small patches of greenish-gray. She makes up for this with her wardrobe, which is a riot of neon purples, pinks and cyans over a set of crash-armor, emblazoned with the words "Never Stop Starchasing!" She's never seen without her zoomboard, a kitbashed contraption that resembles a large skateboard with a propulsion engine strapped to it. Sen readily admits it's a work-in-progress, and spends a great deal of her free-time coming up with upgrade ideas for it. The first of which is to just get it rideable.
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Here's my submission of an SRO Mechanic.
...
1. Tomtesserae/Yoromishtali (Vesk soldier)
2. Me'Mori/Goldenarms (Android biohacker)
3. Jimbles the Mediocre/Thuldas Crawdun (Dwarf Technomancer)
4. Enchanter Time/Tremox Soshi (Ysoki Envoy)
5. Vrog Skyweaver/Kusa (uplifted bear mystic)
6. Therealthom/Gath (Shobhad)--can you let me know what you're thinking for class?...
I was thinking mystic for Gath's class. I could change that to something else like vanguard or solarian.
Still fooling around with a bow-wielding elf too. Arcane Assailant Soldier or operative. A minor functionary at the elf diplomatic mission. Good family, traditional values. A hunter by avocation.
Still keen. Have pretty much sorted the character sheet and just putting some finishing touches on the character info.