[SF] Fly Free or Die AP - GM Ewok

Game Master EwokBanshee

Hey everyone. I'll be away in the wilderness this weekend, Starting Friday evening and through Sunday evening (Pacific time). Thursday night is likely the last time I can post beforehand, but I should be able to catch up Sunday night!

Hey everyone, OOC-ly, just because Guess? is the primary "face" please don't feel like you can't have your characters interact with NPCs. No one's fun should be limited. If you want your character to defer to Guess? in some situations, then no worries. But definitely please don't feel the need restrict your characters from interacting with NPCs due to Guess?'s presence. I just want to make sure no one feels limited.

IC-ly Guess? knows he's a part of a team and not everyone's boss. So whatever anyone else on the team says or does, he'll play off it. He's a chaotic lil guy with a thick skin so even if someone says one thing then does another - he'll roll with it.

On a different note, I'll be in transit soon on a trip including some long haul flights. My posting from Sunday through to Tuesday, Oct 10-12 may be limited or non-existent. Feel free to bot Guess? and/or use his skill rolls as desired!

Well, I won't speak for anyone else, but I limited myself (knowingly) by picking and building a non-social character. So that's on me, not you. I think I explained it earlier somewhere that there was no room in this build for social skills, so I knew I'd be deferring those to other people, in exchange for other people deferring Engineering skills to Strek.

And this is a game where attempting checks with poor skills has negative consequences. ICly, that's Strek "not sticking his neck out". He shouldn't be talking, just like we wouldn't want an 08 Int starship engineer.

I did jump at Mechanic early partially because I thought we'd have three Charisma-based characters with face skills, so I thought that department was covered. The emphasis of the conversation at the time was needing a party good at negotiating. But I think you're the only one.

I'm open to doing a 2nd level Rebuild, but it would be a totally new character. Brakim just don't have the stats to be social. If Strek dies, then easy choice. Otherwise it'd have to be a company crew swap decision or something.

In all honesty I’m having some trouble really getting “into” Lars and this adventure, and consequently keeping up with the excellent posting rate here.

I’m hoping it’ll snap for me in a bit as it eventually did with Zulu, I don’t know why it’s so much harder for me to engage with Starfinder characters compared to Pathfinder, but it is. Probably because I don’t really care for the system all that much it turns out.

Lars does have some people skills and should always be good for at least an aid if his player can find the inspiration to keep up. Maybe I should just have made space Brock.

@Nefreet Thank you! My major concern was the Guess? posts becoming overbearing, preventing others from having a voice and my fellow players not having fun. But if you (and others) are fine, then all good! That'll set my mind at ease.

@Lars Totally understand. I'm sure everyone agrees when I say no worries in taking some time to get into a groove. Perhaps after getting thrown into a few more situations the character will get more fleshed out in your mind's eye!

Nah, you're good Guess.

I'm definitely not sure yet where Akh falls on the talky vs. careful spectrum. Talky tends to be more fun, but we've been put in a lot of "mess up and you're in big trouble" situations, so I've been leery of going too out there with his behavior when I don't have the skill checks to back it up.

I think Jaraduk is going to land somewhere in between. He definitely doesn't have high stats in the social skills, but he's at least a little business minded, but ethically conflicted. Most of the time he's simply going to give off heat around those conflicts, maybe say defensive things to NPCs from time to time (like, " no I won't sign those papers until the loading is done").

It definitely can take some time to get in the groove with a character. And I agree, don't feel pressured not to speak or comment in character even if you don't want to roll.

Also, just wait for the author's subtlety it'll REALLY go out the window in a minute. There are multiple story directions on this planet, but not really for a Good or even Neutral aligned party...

There are multiple story directions on this planet, but not really for a Good or even Neutral aligned party...

Upon further thought, this isn't true. I really like the way you've been discussing the problems and ethics of working with a terrible force like the Gideron Authority. I'm excited to see how the upcoming few interactions will play out.

Folks, I hate to say I just can’t find the motivation to even check this game out right now. Combination of busy kids and life schedule and a general dislike of starfinder in general.

I think I’m going to have to bow out of this campaign, I apologize and have loved playing with the lot of you over the past number of years but this one just isn’t working for me.

Lars,

Thanks for the honesty, it has been a pleasure having you in games the past few years. As always, real life comes first!

I'll shift your character to NPC status so you don't get the notifications.

*waves with arms stretched out*

I've been there before and totally sympathize. Gaming shouldn't be a chore. Enjoy the fam!

Sorry to see you go but also totally understand. Was a pleasure meeting you!!

Realized that's a lot of OOC for the Gameplay thread =P

I wasn't aware there were 4 player adjustments in APs. I thought they were game balanced for a party of 6 only.

APs are built for 4 players, and then if there are 5 or 6, you just increase the encounters by 25-50%.

So, probably in this case, 2 dogs became 3.

Ohhhh... Well, I learned something new today!

On a different note, I'll be in transit soon on a trip including some long haul flights. My posting from Sunday through to Tuesday, Oct 10-12 may be limited or non-existent. Feel free to bot Guess? and/or use his skill rolls as desired!

Hey everyone! As mentioned, I'll be out the next couple days. Please go ahead and bot me as needed!

*bites the goblin*

So, probably in this case, 2 dogs became 3.

Yepp, that's what happened! 5 player adjustments can be tough because a lot of fights have fewer than 4 enemies. In those situations I usually up the damage dice, or give them auto-flanking, or something.

Back!

Sorry to hear Lars, but I get the decision. I hope the joy of the game returns to you in the future!

Sorry to see you go, Lars. Take care!

And sorry for my delay. I forgot to post a notice on Friday saying it was Thanksgiving long weekend here and I'd be offline. I know most of you (all?) have Thanksgiving later, but Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah, happy Thanksgiving Day, Del! The cross-time-zone aspect is one of my favorite parts of PbP.

Happy Thanksgiving meloriel!

Hey guys I'm back! And happy belated Thanksgiving Del!!

lol, why do Del and Jaraduk speak Dwarven? That's so perfect. Strek speaks Vesk, which was this guy's backup language.

Congrats on your second level! Take a few days to level up your characters, try to get that done by Monday. We'll keep the game moving during that time, there's a few days of RP-heavy dialogue and decisions to go through before your next rolls.

When you do level up, please post in the Discussion thread the major changes to your character! It's always good for folks (and me especially) to know out of character about any new abilities. Don't make any purchases, but do everything else you normally would in a level up*.

*Except your ship doesn't level up with you this time, because life is unfair when you're just another EJ grunt.

Also, I've had a brief conversation with Lars in DM and I'm confident he won't be rejoining the campaign*. So, that leaves us with a few choice on our hands that I would like to discuss as a group. We have, ideally, more than 2 years of gaming ahead of us in this campaign and we're only about half way through this book. So, I think it's pretty reasonable to discuss finding another person to fill that 6th slot at the table.

1. Do we want to invite a new person to join our campaign as the 6th member?
2. Would you prefer to invite them now or at the end of Book 1**?
3. If you have anyone you'd like to nominate, please send me their name via DM. (Several have already been suggested, I really appreciate those.)

This is all of our game, so I want to make sure we all are in agreement before we make a change. Personally, my vote would be:

1. Yepp, 6 players is better than 5 in my opinion.
2. Invite now
3. I don't have anyone in particular in mind.

*I have a way for his character to exit the campaign in-game all worked out. It should be a good farewell.

**There are a few ways a 6th person could smoothly enter the party in-game at the moment.

Yep, I'm all for inviting a 6th person now rather than later. And as a plus for that person (if it matters to them), because we haven't finished the book yet, that person can still get the SFS chronicle for this first book.

Del speaks dwarven because I chose the Kalistocrat background and you posted this way back when. Dwarves are one of my favourites so of course I chose that over Vesk. I speak Sarcesian cause I am one and Draconic because they're rich, so obviously her parents taught her that one. lol.

As for the rest, yes, of course you can add a new player. Sooner rather than later.

My post has to wait for tomorrow, but I'll try to get one in then.

Del speaks dwarven because I chose the Kalistocrat background and you posted this way back when. Dwarves are one of my favourites so of course I chose that over Vesk. ...

RIGHT. What a genius, I am. That was a happy accident, it had more to do with the Kalistocrats than this situation. But wow that worked out!

And Jaraduk picked it because Nuars and Dwarves have a connection if I remember correctly...

Jaraduk speaks dwarven because of his interesting in the old world Golarion.

Soldier 2
SP +7
HP +7
Fort +1
Will +1
BAB +1
Combat Feat Cook Grenade
Skills Acrobatics+1, Athletics+1, Culture+1, Piloting+1, Survival+1
Languages Shobhad (I reserve the right to change my mind on this tonight :P)

Will update his profile page tonight.

1. I think 5 players is better, but I wouldn't mind having a 6th.
2. I'm with Guess that inviting earlier is better than at the end of the book.
3. No one in particular to suggest. All my fellow Starfinder players are pretty well loaded up with games.

Strek has most of his Build posted on his profile, but the big addition this level is Overcharge.

He'll also add Drow as a language. There was plenty of time during the Drift travel here for him to get a good grasp of it.

I start my new job Saturday, with Orientation lasting through Monday, so taking a break for the weekend is *thumbs up*

Congrats on the new job!

Jaraduk speaks dwarven because of his interesting in the old world Golarion.

Ah, very good! That's pretty great. I love to see the new languages, I expect this AP will run across quite the run of them.

Congrats on the new job, Strek!! Take your time.

I see 3 votes for adding a new person, and 1 against. Any thoughts from anyone else? I'm fine either way, but I'd like to go with the majority on this one since this is all of our game.

I favor 5 over 6. In fact, restricting our in-person games to 5 because of spacing has been really great. BUT, this group wasn't created with 5 in mind, and Lars leaves a gap in our capabilities, so as long as we can find a 6th willing to occupy that niche, I'm fine with it.

And SFS credit is always a motivating factor for me =D

Level 2!!!

Vanguard 2
SP +9
HP +7
Fort +1
Ref +1
BAB +1
Skills (7 pts) Acrobatics+1, Athletics+1, Intimidate+1, Life Science+1, Perception+1, Sleight of Hand+1, Stealth+1
Features Mitigate (Spent EP to reduce damage taken)
Vanguard Discipline (Dampen - Spend EP to reduce damage dealt by AoEs you're in)

Recently I've been leveling up in PF1E, and this level up was so simple that it feels wrong :)

To get that vote in, yes I favor getting a 6th person and doing it now.

Alrighty, we'll let the fates decide. I'll reach out to a few suggested people and see if anybody bites. If not, we'll stick with 5!

For level 2, here are Guess?'s highlights:

Another job-related bit of good news amongst us... Congrats to Del / Meloriel on the new gig!! Very happy for you!

Oh cool! Congratz!

Wow, congrats Meloriel!

Picked up the Free Trader archetype

Guess? is about to ruin the whole gold balance of the campaign through his smuggling trading efforts.

Another job-related bit of good news amongst us... Congrats to Del / Meloriel on the new gig!! Very happy for you!

Meloriel! Congrats!!! That's amazing, what a fantastic gig. That's so exciting.

Thank you! I started a few weeks ago so it's really exciting to go public.

I know the whole point here is to give us hard decisions in unfair situations, but it sure feels like there should be some better options here!

Yeah... I really like the down to earth theme of this AP's characters and situations as well as the opportunity to see a lot of different planets. But the AP itself does pick on you, like, a lot. This AP takes "between a rock and a hard place" to a whole new level! I think your group will get more agency after the first book as you gain wealth and better equipment. But I haven't read that far ahead so... no promises. :)

Sorry for the delay on my end. Busy weekend. Level up info is below, but I won't have a chance to make a post until tonight.

Del learned Vesk as her new language (the other language recommended by her background). Del's new spells are token spell and puncture veil. And she gained her first paradigm shift, which is prevent wounds. If I use it on you I'll be sure to bold your name to draw attention to it.

I also like the theme of this one. I'm not against it but it is pretty nice to have a change of pace where the adventure isn't "save the universe" - although we'll see how the story evolves!

I'm also going to be quite tied up today but will look to post later tonight. Big IC thing (and OOC thing for me!) that Guess? will mention is that he wasn't aware that the trucks were open bed and visible to the second truck - which makes his plan a lot harder to execute... maybe not even feasible.

He'll suggest something along the lines of sticking the holoskin on Strek to make him look like a dwarf while Guess? use other means to disguise himself as a dwarf. At least that way we've got 2 people posing as resistance who somehow magically appeared on the truck out of nowhere.

Hey, everybody! I want to introduce you to BigNorseWolf, who will be our sixth player! They are a prominent member of the boards and should be a great adventure to our game. We've talked about a few character options, and thought it was time to start running them past the group to talk about personality and balancing out the party.

Welcome, BigNorseWolf!

Hey hey! Now we got half of our Dead Suns crew here =D

Heyo.

I was leaning towards one of two concepts.

A clone/ close relative of one of my sfs ysoki. A very upbeat, bright cheery saranite worshiping Envoy with a gun bigger than she is. She's a miner born on this planet, and just got a conscription notice and a bucket of parts that might be a plasma bolter for her tenth birthday. So she's eager to GTFO. Would be a diplomacy monkey to help the party when we're talking on the up and up, and leave the talking to the goblin when... we're not so much on the up and up. Should also have enough tech skills and the aid another improv to assist.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Grandma worshiping shadow mystic union rep. Are you the little guy fighting back against a giant universe that wants to step on you? Have you finally figured out that fighting fair is fighting dumb? Fighting alone not working out. Don't worry. We have family, and they're willing to do what we have to to survive. Its not going to be pretty but it is going to be...effcient. Skills: stealth out the wazoo mysticism, enough engineering to turn a wrench or "misplace" a few bolts for a work slowdown or "unfortunate accident"