Voyage of the Isaac Asimov

Game Master EltonJ

You are on a Generational Colony Ship headed for a distant star, the Isaac Asimov. The ship is equipped to handle such a long journey. It uses an FTL drive, but it's slow to get to it's destination.

Most things are powered by the Ether. Including it's electrical systems. Currently, the ship is riding or following a Birkland current. A line of plasma stretching far into space. The Asimov is also following a ship that releases Fold Gates into other star systems, allowing them to be explored by ship (Starship Operations Manual, page 10). That ship, the Sheffield is crewed by androids. The designers of the ship Allowed The atmospheric temperature on aboard the Asimov to be regulated. There are no seasons, only eternal Spring (late April, early May). The environment is also regulated that waste is recycled.

At least five (5) civilizations rose and fell on the Generation ship, allowing for a number of religious systems and mythologies to be created. Currently everyone is naked aboard ship, due to the regulated atmosphere. Earth (or Golarion) is a distant, mythical memory.

Most people are happy on the Asimov. But the current civilization aboard ship is in decline.

The Party
You, as a party member, is assigned to the Exploration Team of the Asimov. You are to visit the various planets the Asimov comes across. Seeing if their fit for colonization (so the civilization can continue). The ship's fold gate allows other ships of distant classes to explore these far new worlds. If a suitable world is discovered, the civilization prepares a colony to leave behind.

Creating Your Character
Races
Only the Starfinder Core Rulebook races are available.

Themes
You may choose themes from the Core Rulebook, the Pact Worlds, and the Character Operations Manual.

Classes
You may pick classes from the Core Rulebook and the Character Operations Manual.

Background
You are free to come up with a background you think fits the race-class-theme you pick for yourself. Remember, you're onboard a generation ship. So you are used to either a hologram atmosphere, or seeing stars your whole life. Also, be sure to give an origin story on how you made it to the Exploration Team.

Inspirations
The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov.
Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Stargate: Universe
Star Wars
Star Trek

I originally passed up your post as it is a starfinder recruitment. When I went through the recruitment threads again a few days later Asimov caught my eye so I popped in to read this. I like the idea but it reads more like a Traveler recruitment :) than Starfinder. I enjoyed all the books you listed as inspiration. I've never had any interest in Starfinder, or PF2 for that matter, so I won't be submitting a character, but I wanted you to at least know someone was reading your recruitment, these do take work I know and thank you for putting the effort into it.

I originally passed up your post as it is a starfinder recruitment. When I went through the recruitment threads again a few days later Asimov caught my eye so I popped in to read this. I like the idea but it reads more like a Traveler recruitment :) than Starfinder. I enjoyed all the books you listed as inspiration. I've never had any interest in Starfinder, or PF2 for that matter, so I won't be submitting a character, but I wanted you to at least know someone was reading your recruitment, these do take work I know and thank you for putting the effort into it.

I'm surprised that no one had taken me up on this. Maybe it's too original for this group, or they are more excited for other different games. But thank you!

I'm surprised that no one had taken me up on this. Maybe it's too original for this group, or they are more excited for other different games. But thank you!

I don't know that it is too orginal, I think it might be the wrong system. Like I said this sounds more like a Traveler type game than what I think of as Starfinder. I was in a Traveler game and it ended due to GM RL. We had enough response to start the game and get rolling and even after losing a few we recruited replacements.

A friend of mine suggested Stars without Number.

A friend of mine suggested Stars without Number.

I am not familiar with that system. I'll have to take a look.

I don't check the Recruitment page too often, but I find this very interesting. I would love to submit a character. Though I feel like it may not go at this point.

I am struggling to find a good Starfinder game (I am GMing one to a group that seems less interested in Sci-fi than I would like).

Whatever system you end up going with I am down to give it a go. I just know Starfinder well enough and already have character ideas..

Anyway. Color me interested. I am tempted by the idea of a Technomancer, but could go really anything. Whatever might help make the game go through..

Damn. now I am all excited, but worried it wont go through.
(Subscribing to thread in RSS so I can make sure not to miss anythying)

I am going to link this to some of my other games (I am GMing 2 games and playing in 1 more). Might have others who are interested. At least show more interest, which then will bring more attention.

We will see.

Are the legacy Races an option, or just the core races? The Legacy are in the Core book, so I wasn't sure if they counted.

The legacy races are an option. The ship is the size of a small moon (about the size of Mercury), but space is limited. Because of space limitations, the civilization onboard ship founds a colony on it's way.

The civilization onboard ship is in decline. So far, a caste system has developed. There are the wealthy, the middle class, the poor, and the untouchables. The untouchables are those that operate the recycling plants. However, with a new founding of a colony on a planet they passed by allows for more equality.

I'm using Starfinder with this game, and I have a live group playing the same scenario next week.

How long will recruitment last?

I am one of the people notified by NeoEvaX, and I would love to take this opportunity to try Starfinder.
The system intrigued me, but with a full set of games and the birth of my third child last February, I figured I'd have no time to dive into a new system.

Alas, daily routine settles down, and this year has done a number on some of my games, half of which seem to run on life support.
So I would very much like to take part in this.

I would take some time pondering options, if such is acceptable.

For reference, I do like the inspirations, the scientific touches, the caste system, the nakedness, etc...it seems a very unique and intriguing setting and I understand that Neo wants this game to happen. I share the sentiment after reading recruitment. :)

I like the flavor you have set up.

A few random questions as I finish up my character:

• Are the Alternate Racial Traits available? I am thinking of making an Android, but with the Xenometric trait. Which means it looks and has a few features of a Shirren. So basically a android Shirren. This option is from Character Operations Manual.
  
• How are you doing languages? For level 1 language choices plant languages are out. What are the common languages on the ship? etc. Happy to go with the flow, just don't want to pick something that doesn't make sense.
  

Also note, MordredofFairy is a great player in my Iron Gods game. Solid dedicated player.

Yeah, this:

Starfinder Core Rulebook options are dwarf (darkvision, slow but steady), elf (elven immunities, low-light vision), gnome (gnome magic, low-light vision), half-elf (adaptability, low-light vision), half-orc (darkvision, intimidating, self-sufficient), halfling (keen senses, sneaky, sure-footed), kasatha (four-armed, natural grace), lashunta (lashunta magic, limited telepathy), shirren (blindsense, limited telepathy), vesk (low-light vision, natural weapons), and ysoki (cheek pouches, darkvision)

Yeah, I can allow for alternate racial traits.

How are you doing languages? For level 1 language choices plant languages are out. What are the common languages on the ship? etc. Happy to go with the flow, just don't want to pick something that doesn't make sense.

If you want to talk to plants, that's pretty much as impossible as it is today, since all plants in this Universe grows from a seed. So no Ghorians or Ghorian language. Although, there is a common language onboard ship, plus racial languages. So Dwarven, Elvish, and the like exist. All languages in the Core Rulebook are available. Except Eoxian. Although you might come across undead in your travels.

How long will recruitment last?

I am one of the people notified by NeoEvaX, and I would love to take this opportunity to try Starfinder.
The system intrigued me, but with a full set of games and the birth of my third child last February, I figured I'd have no time to dive into a new system.

Alas, daily routine settles down, and this year has done a number on some of my games, half of which seem to run on life support.
So I would very much like to take part in this.

I would take some time pondering options, if such is acceptable.

For reference, I do like the inspirations, the scientific touches, the caste system, the nakedness, etc...it seems a very unique and intriguing setting and I understand that Neo wants this game to happen. I share the sentiment after reading recruitment. :)

I would wish for Recruitment to continue until November 7th.

Traveler was suggested, but I'm too heavily invested in both Spacemaster and Starfinder to try Traveler right now. So this is for the Starfinder RPG.

Since recruitment for this game ends by November 7th, you have some time to ponder your character.

Ha! I meant Planet.. ie. each planet in Starfinder has a Language.. But pretty funny :)

I will write up my full character and backstory later. Thank you for being willing to entertain this, even after it didn't get much traction to start. Hopefully more people jump in.

I think I'd like to join in too. Not sure what to pick besides mechanic. I might just rework Lefty, or I might go android like NEX

I just had a brilliant idea for an android mechanic xD

@NEX: are you planning on learning a lot of languages? I'm still torn about whether I want my dude to speak all of the languages xD

I would like to submit C'tikt-6. The 6th consciousness to reside in this shell. This shell was created by a Shirren scientist long ago. 6 does not know exactly when his shell was created, but they suspect it was during one of the collapsed civilizations on the ship.

I bought items, as a way to have while out exploring. But I understand that normal life on the ship is naked with no supplies. Let me know if that should change. I tried to leave their backstory open ended. I described them as LN, but they care about people. So they live somewhere between LN and LG. It's just facts and the marvels of the world sometimes go above people's interests.

@ScegfOg - I just have a high Int. Starts with a decent list. Not sure if they care about languages to talk, so much as being able to read a ancient manual written in a new language. Not going to really focus on Languages too much.

I would like to submit C'tikt-6. The 6th consciousness to reside in this shell. This shell was created by a Shirren scientist long ago. 6 does not know exactly when his shell was created, but they suspect it was during one of the collapsed civilizations on the ship.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

It doesn't look like you've spent 995 credits. But I'll check the price on second skin.

Second skin costs 250 credits. The Azimuth rifle costs 425 credits. Your batteries would cost 180 credits. The total only comes to 855 credits. You should have 145 credits left.

I think I'd like to join in too. Not sure what to pick besides mechanic. I might just rework Lefty, or I might go android like NEX

I just had a brilliant idea for an android mechanic xD

My live group has an android mechanic as well.

Second skin costs 250 credits. The Azimuth rifle costs 425 credits. Your batteries would cost 180 credits. The total only comes to 855 credits. You should have 145 credits left.

I also bought the infrared sensors for the armor, so I can get darkvision (even though I have blindsight 30 feet).

So the infrared sensors cost 200. And one battery came with the gun. I used Hero Lab to create the character, and I think it's right. 145 + 60 for battery = 205 - 200 infrared sensors = 5 remaining.

EltonJ wrote:

Second skin costs 250 credits. The Azimuth rifle costs 425 credits. Your batteries would cost 180 credits. The total only comes to 855 credits. You should have 145 credits left.

I also bought the infrared sensors for the armor, so I can get darkvision (even though I have blindsight 30 feet).

So the infrared sensors cost 200. And one battery came with the gun. I used Hero Lab to create the character, and I think it's right. 145 + 60 for battery = 205 - 200 infrared sensors = 5 remaining.

Okay, one infrared sensors. Got it.

Not quite done (and I'm especially not happy with the pic), but I would like to present: M

Also, do we get a "planet/culture" language? And do Androids get a racial tongue?
Also I need to pick another 10 languages. Should I just grab a bunch of stuff from the languages list? :3

Not quite done (and I'm especially not happy with the pic), but I would like to present: M

Also, do we get a "planet/culture" language? And do Androids get a racial tongue?
Also I need to pick another 10 languages. Should I just grab a bunch of stuff from the languages list? :3

Thanks for lingual drift over the Centuries that the Asimov had been flying, you get a planetary language called Asimovian (Common). Android racial tongue is machine language (the language of computers). Yes, you can choose from the languages list.

Can we call the machine language "Assembler" for maximum lulz? :D
(for anyone unaware: it's the first layer of language above 0s and 1s, but now that I think about it, maybe that's too high-level? lol)

Also, apparently there are 11 prevalent languages and one of them is Eoxian (the undead guys), so I'll just take all 10 prevalent languages unless there's a good reason to swap any out, lol

Hm, still going over all the options...so we got an Android Technomancer and an Android Mechanic.

I already do have some considerations, but I'll have to dive deeper into the classes before locking something in. Just posting to say I'm committed to submitting something, but may be silent for a while until I worked out a rough concept.

Also, as IT person:
While Assembler is great, it is NOT a good tool for transmitting information, which is what "language" is for in this context.

For Androids, I would instead suggest a version of Loglan as racial speech.
(Heinlein and Lem are not on the inspiration list, but they also used it(and yeah, I knew without the Wiki reference))

Also, as IT person:

While Assembler is great, it is NOT a good tool for transmitting information, which is what "language" is for in this context.

For Androids, I would instead suggest a version of Loglan as racial speech.
(Heinlein and Lem are not on the inspiration list, but they also used it(and yeah, I knew without the Wiki reference))

Alright, we can use Loglan. The only book of Hienlien's I read was Stranger in a Strange Land, though.

Hm, still going over all the options...so we got an Android Technomancer and an Android Mechanic.

I already do have some considerations, but I'll have to dive deeper into the classes before locking something in. Just posting to say I'm committed to submitting something, but may be silent for a while until I worked out a rough concept.

That's fine, take your time.

I'd just like to say Loglan sounds awesome xD

I'd just like to say Loglan sounds awesome xD

Yeah. At least it's a conlang.

googling 'conlang' makes me think that it means "constructed language"

in which case: yes it is, which is very awesome ^_^

Also, bump for a kool sounding game so we get more than 3 PC submissions xD

Well, this isn't as popular as you think. Most people want to play in a fantasy type game. At least that's the vibe I'm getting here.

buuuuut spaaaaaaace xD

I do know the “all naked” line turned a few people. Worried it was a bit too “weird” or “high brow”..

What is the minimum amount of players for you to run this? 3? 4?

I can run it with 3, no problem. As long as you all post efficiently.

Knowing all 3 of us from other games, we are all pretty dedicated posters :-)

if we're all Androids, Emerald can handle the medic role with engineering (which should help make a 3-man team even easier to work with) xD

edit: (aaaand make her have even more extra skill points to play around with, lol)

Alright! Time to learn how to play Starfinder! Can't be too hard... Give me tonight to learn some rules and make a toon, and I'd be interested!

Alright! Time to learn how to play Starfinder! Can't be too hard... Give me tonight to learn some rules and make a toon, and I'd be interested!

Go for it!

Did it!

Sorry in advance about the terrible formatting on the crunch, I copy-pasta'd it from a .txt file. Also, please tell me if I should change anything about the background!

Is it AX-589 or AX-598?

What an excellent question!

Let's go with AX-589. Other than that, how's it look?

IDK about our GM, but I like it xD

Also, you might want a sniper rifle or something else long ranged for when you can't charge :3

What an excellent question!

Let's go with AX-589. Other than that, how's it look?

\

googling 'conlang' makes me think that it means "constructed language"

Aye, and not only a constructed language, but one of those dedicated to work with logic theory.

As for the "all naked" line - it turned me too...towards the game.
I have a high treeshold for "weird" - not worried there. To me it mostly meant a very interesting setting. And possibly allow an amalgam culture of some pre-christianity aspects for a potential human character. In a way, it helps narrow down the characters way of thinking and consideration, in an enjoyable way because it's something refreshing and little used.

For the record - I was considering Human or Lashunta - going Envoy, Operative or Witchwarper.
Currently tend towards Human Envoy.

As for the "all naked" line - it turned me too...towards the game.
I have a high treeshold for "weird" - not worried there. To me it mostly meant a very interesting setting. And possibly allow an amalgam culture of some pre-christianity aspects for a potential human character. In a way, it helps narrow down the characters way of thinking and consideration, in an enjoyable way because it's something refreshing and little used.

Yeah, thank you. Nudity in science fiction is a trope. In Asimov's The Gods Themselves the colony on the moon was all naked, with some exceptions. Here, the same exceptions are considered. But the Generation ship doesn't get very many visitors, so the exploration teams typically wear something for protection.

For the record - I was considering Human or Lashunta - going Envoy, Operative or Witchwarper.

Currently tend towards Human Envoy.

You can use the COM to make your Envoy. Reviewing the options now. So far that's four people.

Nudism is a thing IRL, is it really that weird? xD

Nudism is a thing IRL, is it really that weird? xD

It shouldn't be.

Yeah, I really liked the environmental adaptation feat, and I liked being part of the android gang. I know I probably should have taken some actual combat feat, but this is way more fun. Also, thank you for the advice about getting a long ranged weapon, I was super tired when I was putting the finishing touches on, and I forgot all about that! Super excited to be a part of this game, hope you'll have me!

I want to see if we can attract a fifth player to this game.

Oh, at some point we need to talk about a ship. My live group is using a ship from 0-hr.com.

I think the naked trop is fine. Though I feel like in old sci-fi trop is sometimes an excuse to introduce over sexual content. Which on its own isn't bad, but again it's sometimes an excuse for some sexist things.

As long as its treated well, I see zero issue with the trope. Plus being an android my character won't deal with anything too "weird".

I am excited to see how this all works out! Going to be fun diving into the ship. Will have to get a debrief on what our characters know.

Thanks again for running this. I will work on transferring my character to an actual Alias soon.

Small note. I traded out the infrared sensors for an engineering kit and some healing "potions". Will include all fixes in my alias.