Attelan's Star Academy is nestled right in the heart of the Telan Cluster, a group of worlds that rank in the top ten places most associated with the stellar arts and sciences. Several notable individuals have come from there and other nearby institutions and gone on to make names for themselves that were far larger than any might have expected. Known for their somewhat unorthodox methods, the institutions that comprise the Dhacian Rota have nonetheless managed to forge connections that span the stars. One such connection finds you recommended positively, and the subsequent invitation will see you travelling to the center of the known universe, Absalom Station. For the sheltered, there is no greater melting pot, and for the worldly, this is where almost every world converges.
Anything is possible for the driven, right in the heart of possibility itself! For you recently graduated, is this the start of a new realm of possibilities, or the next step in your grand plan? Take that step and dazzle the galaxies!
But first... Who are you?
So, for those interested, who is your character? What manifestation called to them? Why did they accept this trip?
I'm...potentially interested. The concept sounds intriguing. But are solarians that versatile? Seems like the party would be really short on casting, healing, etc.
Are we looking at any variant rules? Free Archetype? Full Gestalt? Would a Mystic with Solar Manifestation qualify?
Interested for sure, and I love solarians.
Hey Pyros :)
Zephyr's solar flare is well known, and he accepted this trip because, well, who wouldn't? He is going to ABSALOM!
Are we looking at any variant rules? Free Archetype? Full Gestalt? Would a Mystic with Solar Manifestation qualify?
Any and all official rules published to date are viable. No Gestalt. A Mystic would not work, but a Solarian with Mystic traits would.
...But are solarians that versatile? Seems like the party would be really short on casting, healing, etc.
Every class can perform every role competently, it seems, and this is one thing that I aim to prove with this. Archetypes can make up some perceived shortcomings, while any difficulties that have been encountered usually are skill check related.
Without at least using the Free Archetype Variant Rule I'd be concerned about flexibility. The classes are all fairly flexible but each still have blind spots. Solarion, for instance, can fill just about any combat rule (melee, ranged, tank, etc) but their big blind spot is going to be healing. There are not really any native Solarion abilities that heal others, especially not any that coming online early in progression.
To make sure that I'm understanding you correctly, I'm reading your concern to be a lack of available immediate healing beyond the standard Tech items (medipatch, medikit, serum, etc )?
Yes. With charisma as their key ability score, it is going to be hard to get a solid medicine bonus early for restoring HP. Sidereal influence compensates some if medicine is one of the chosen skills but it's still going to be tricky.
Ah, I understand. I did figure that to be part of the challenge, as that may put more emphasis on planned contingencies and unorthodox approaches to survival methods. The numerous Stellar Manifestations, Archetypes, and Alternate Class Features available could potentially allow for some effective combinations.
Hello All!
Definitely intrigued!
Solarian is a good Class for this type of mission, quest, thing.
Healing would be a bit problematic until 6th once everyone takes Glow of Life...lol.
I do enjoy a good challenge too...
Are you using Standard SFS build rules?
No particular rules on builds yet. I would like varied manifestations, but going directly by the book is going to be a bit limiting, I think. You could use it if you like, but I've always been fond of rolling for stats. However, that can be decided later. All of you, whether you realize it or not, are going to shine bright.
Who is your concept? What did they study? Why did they accept the trip to Absalom Station from the distant Telan Cluster? What is their Manifestation? Do they have an Archetype? An Alternate Class Feature?
Not fair! Pulling out Serenity snap shots! The only other thing that has such Starfinder quotes is Hehe!
I shall begin the pondering process....
Thank you for running!
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No particular rules on builds yet. I would like varied manifestations, but going directly by the book is going to be a bit limiting, I think. You could use it if you like, but I've always been fond of rolling for stats. However, that can be decided later. All of you, whether you realize it or not, are going to shine bright.
Who is your concept? What did they study? Why did they accept the trip to Absalom Station from the distant Telan Cluster? What is their Manifestation? Do they have an Archetype? An Alternate Class Feature?
His friends call him Darkstar; and for him Solar Flare is simply a label, not a description. The learn-ed learned that when the darkness formed around Zeph's fist, he was almost certainly agitated if not outright angry. The learn-ed also learned that Zephyr's Cycle is Broken; his masteries are meant for gravitons alone. No Glow of Life for Zephyr ...
The great mysteries of the Universe do not all reside at Absalom, and for a Half-Elf, there is a great great deal more nearby. Zephyr yearns for Castrovel. Zeph wants to know the history of his people, both of them surely, but very much his elven forebears. There are elves who were born DURING the Gap, and there are rumours of elven lives which SPAN the Gap. He wants to know the history of his people - how else can he assist with charting their future?
Oh, that's well done. I approve.
Provided that you can keep IC and OOC separate, there is no problem.
In the frame of this iteration of them, what saw them to (and through) the Star Academy to bring them to Absalom, and what did they pursue while they were there?
I was wondering the same thing actually about the Fluff provided?
I have a basic thread that I am liking but still developing the concept....
I did notice that there are many new Solarian Revelations and Abilities that weren't around when I played mine SFS Season 1..lol
I think that I may dig into the Lightning variant...
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The Academy is an invention for the point of origin. Think of it as a center of learning in a series of stars that sees an above-average number of significant stellar occurrences. Whether that may be the paths of celestial bodies coming close enough to study in remarkable detail difficult to manage elsewhere, or there being enough strength in the several nearby stellar Ley Lines that lets there be enough consistency in them to allow for regular study. In your case, the unique arrangement of planets and nearby stellar phenomena also attracted some Solarian Masters into the vicinity— enough that over time, academic and metaphysical institutions and practices of learning decided to formalize their close association into the Dhacian Rota.
As time passed and prestige grew, they became recognized farther and farther afield for (one of) the place(s) to go to study anything associated with Stellar influences on a large and small scale. That recognition in no small part came from some of their teachers and students leaving (or joining) the institutions and going on to (or settling down from) roles that have affected whole systems. So the schools have an (in)formal trip to Absalom Station for select graduates, under the premise that anything and everywhere is possible from the center of the known universe.
As one might imagine, there are also organizations happy to offer potential membership to these graduates with fewer hoops to jump through by simply by virtue of association.
This sounds delightfully funny and silly. Is this full up or is there still room?
There is still room.
My proposed character for this campaign
Name: Sparks Goforth
Race: Brenneri
Gender: Male (he/him)
Theme: Solar Disciple
Class: Solarian using alternate class feature Electrical Attunement
Manifestation: Solar Armor
Archetype: Divine Champion and Exalted Champion
Diety: Sarenrae
Sparks father is a Brenneri diplomat assigned to represent Absalom Station and the Pact Worlds more generally to the star system(s) associated with the Star Academy. His mother is a priestess of Saranrae. Sparks grew up with children of some of the Academy faculty or students. While taking a physical sciences class, he became fascinated with electricity, which he learned was central to the plasma found in all stars and responsible for unpredictable electric and magnetic surges. His mother's influence also taught him many fine virtues of Saranrae, like compassion and forgiveness, but also a zeal to oppose evil forces that enslave or destroy lives.
So it was natural that as he came of age and had completed his basic pre-college education, he was drawn to the Star Academy. He applied for and was accepted for training in Solarian disciplines and he thrived on the program, becoming a solarian with a strong sense of purpose, to go forth, explore, learn, and spread the love and light of Saranrae.
As his father is an ambassador of Absalom Station, Sparks has been there on family trips, so when the Star Academy offers a chance to go there for continuing studies, Sparks is eager to sign up.
PC role: I see Sparks as growing into a role as a healer although he will, of course, be a reasonably capable fighter when faced with evil foes. By taking the Divine and Exalted Champion archetypes, he will get few new revelations, but will eventually gain spells and healing abilities. He will probably also invest in skills like Diplomacy, Sense Motive and Medicine, as well as Physical Science to cover his knowledge of electricity and plasmas.
His charisma ability will be as high as possible, of course. Depending on how the ability scores are generated, Sparks will probably be low strength, high dexterity, moderate constitution and Wisdom, and average intelligence. He will not be a heavy hitter in combat, using ranged weapons whenever possible, relying on his solar armor protect himself.
Otters are my favorite animal, so I would love to run a Brenneri. Sparks personality will be appropriately playful.
As for me (player), I've been playing Pathfinder and Starfinder since they were first published, and many other RPGs going back to 1st edition D&D, GURPS, and Savage Worlds. I've been a GM on Paizo and have been posting regularly for years. I am near retirement, so I should be good to continue playing as long as the campaign is maintained and my heart keeps on beating.
I have been a player in the first book, but I will refrain from acting on advance knowledge and let others make decisions about what to do next whenever I know what the choices entail.
I am attempting to find different Healing methods other than those already presented here. Not an easy task (unless we have a Bag of Holding Potions of Healing)....
Medicine skill is not great. The investment does not even equal the pay off unfortunately. I was thinking of trying to make an Int Solarian work for Medicine but....
I am a huge fan of Themed Campaigns. All dwarves! All Orcs! All Wizards! Done all those and we had a blast (needed to get back to SF references).
Solarian will be most difficult to pull off only because of the sparse availability of Healing options.
Everything else can be covered by the group (which is the point) with a bit of communication prior to Start.
I endeavor to discover a solution...
EDIT
How viable is Crafting Magic Serums of Healing?
Kinda an Alchemist...I may be reaching...but I do like the idea.
Something similar to the Auto-injector for the Biohacker?
Crafting is very viable. Getting access to the equipment is not hard. I am also not partial to the 10% resale cost and can see a check being made to raise that percentage if successful.
I understand the concerns raised about the lack of immediate healing as there might be if a Mystic were a member of the group. Some of the solutions for that are more towards preventing the damage from landing, rather than undoing the damage. Harrying fire, concealment, disorientating effects, etc.
Totally agreed that damage mitigation is paramount for a successful run. There will be unexpected occurrences throughout that Healing will be needed probably because of time constraints, pursuit, or even an all weekend rave episode (never played this one so...).
Well I would love to join! I'm not skilled enough to pull of a really niche build so I'm not sure I can contribute to making up for deficiencies such as healing or tanking, but I can definitely make a damage dealer : D
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No worries about countering received deficiencies within the class, as that is a bit more meta than you need to get out of character. So far, Solar Armor and Solar Flare ideas have been presented, and if you're uncertain about how much to include for your idea, Zephyr nailed it neatly.
Who is your concept? What did they study? Why did they accept the trip to Absalom Station from the distant Telan Cluster? What is their Manifestation? Do they have an Archetype? An Alternate Class Feature?
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Notes:
Race
Dirindi
Alternate Class Feature
Electrical Attunement
Source Starfinder #35: Merchants of the Void pg. 53
You have studied the delicate and luminous light reflected from a moon or similar celestial body, allowing you to bring forth an exquisite weapon made for graceful combat. This manifestation functions similarly to solar weapon, except it deals 1d4 damage at 1st level. This damage increases by 1d4 at 6th level, 9th level, 12th level, and every level thereafter. Your lunar weapon also has the feint and operative special qualities (though it can’t be used to make trick attacks, if you have that class feature). Unlike other melee weapons with the operative special quality, when you gain Weapon Specialization at 3rd level, you add your full solarian level to damage with your lunar weapon, as opposed to half. If you’re a multiclass solarian, you add your full solarian level and half your levels in other classes to damage with your lunar weapon
I am jotting down notes...
His Backstory is forming as I am researching. He will be the Rogue.
I am also heavily considering this Archetype but not too crazy about the Operative BaB...
Upon further consideration it's not so bad .. lol!
Possible Second Alternative Class Feature
Stellar Sage
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A pudgy Dirindi who normally wears a heavy old light brown suit, red checked shirt with a green striped tie, long leather coat, red hat and thick metal-rimmed spectacles patiently sits at the Space Port in outside the Star Academy. He appears to be reading a newspaper.
Those seated in his vicinity seem to be experiencing sudden shocks that the Dirindi constantly expresses must be coming from a faulty exposed outlet. Those that have experienced the sudden shock have only turned a suspicious frown at the innocently smiling Dirindi prior to relocating to a much farther seating area.
Except for the old human couple that have snickered (and giggled) as the mysterious sudden shock manifests.
The Dirindi seems to be explaining to the old human couple the difference between being tuned to the interplay of energy and resistance, not photons and gravitons, as a Solarian is quite rare.
He whispers
Being in the Espionage Specialist business really allows for that difference to get the job done! Know what I mean jelly bean!
The Dirindi winks at the rapidly blinking old human couple.
He continues as if they are hanging on his every word (either that or they may be a bit hard of hearing).
Coming from Arkanen growing up, I always had The affinity, affection for electricity. And once my Solarian powers manifested as Electrical, I was sent off to train at the most prodigious Attelan's Star Academy which is nestled right in the heart of the Telan Cluster.
The smiling Dirindi absently sends another small spark at the still giggling (although a bit getting wide-eyed) old human couple.
[smaller]Yup. Them were good times. School is cool! Stay in school kids. Anywho, after graduation I was recruited by Sanjaval Spaceflight Systems to be a liaison for them and the Starfinder Society at Absolam Station. So, here were sit. Fun, huh!
Hearing his shuttle number being called, the Dirindi stands (roughly 5'), gathers his suitcase, tips his hat to the giggling (definitely mostly deaf) old human couple, before departing
Dirk Gently, Corporate Agent.
I like him!
Thank you for this opportunity for having fun creating this one!
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A Dirindi, Brenneri, and Half-elf walk into a bar...
Not bad, and I love the flavor and twists that everyone is putting on their characters. One or two more and we're good to look into stat generation.
MishyMish, if you're wanting to make the "control" Solarian, so to speak, that would not be out of place, as the Weapon and Shield manifestations are all that remains.
Ironically, we could use a Vanilla Solarian dps/tank...lol.
With the already submissions that is....not trying to put the horse before the station wagon....
Ironically, we could use a Vanilla Solarian dps/tank...lol.
With the already submissions that is....not trying to put the horse before the station wagon....
So then maybe someone whose endgame is to have dual manifestation, of Sword & Shield as it were
I really like the idea of having all 5 Manifestations represented.
Here's hoping for two more potential Starfinder Society Agent rookies!
Assuming that we get picked ...
I am looking forward to all the Spallballs, Star wars, and that other Entertaining and Enterprise ing Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Next Generation, Serenity, Mad Max, Paranoia, Star Frontiers references!
And, of course, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!
(Thought that I should leave some for others ..)
"... with all five manifestations combined..."
That makes me wonder about plausible full multi attunement shenanigans. What might a shared full attunement grant if it were expended in unison? Solar summons for X rounds? Focused empowerment? It'd require some deconstruction, but it sounds cool.
Also, I belatedly realized that I should have titled this thread "Oops, all Solarians!"
Alright, it's been a week, and we've got some bites, and good submissions, so let's take this to the next step with the stat generation rules. Would you like to roll or point-buy?
I am a fan of PB actually.
Been in too many games where one character has 5 18s and another has 5 8s....
Alright, it's been a week, and we've got some bites, and good submissions, so let's take this to the next step with the stat generation rules. Would you like to roll or point-buy?
I'm going to cast my vote as "modified/expanded point buy".
Not entirely sure that I understand why there are no point-buy tiers in SF, but I would like these characters to be slightly more excpetional than "normal" PCs, if for no other purpose than fascilitating the premise of the campaign. These are some special people I think.
If that seems odd or off-putting then modified rolls.
4d6 or even 5d6 would forestall some of what Dorien referred to, and I think 4 or 5 plus a demark defined for "elevated hopeless" would also work.
Just FYI - the Incredibles Mask is the avatar I use for dead profiles. It's a way that I keep them organized.
Looking forward to replacing it.
I must have forgotten to add Modified PB....lol.
I agree. This is feeling like Avenger-like epicness in the making!
By the way, has anyone found a use for that Theme+1?
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I am a fan of PB actually.
So, say instead of 10, Lucky 13?
Two spots are still open for those interested.
For those that submitted, you've got the go-ahead to lean into some crunch, I've attached a Discussion page. All of you are pretty varied, so feel free to build as if you were just leaving the Academy, if you like.
Appreciate the invite!
Discussion Page not yet available...
Two spots are still open for those interested.
For those that submitted, you've got the go-ahead to lean into some crunch, I've attached a Discussion page. All of you are pretty varied, so feel free to build as if you were just leaving the Academy, if you like.
I have Zeph built out in Starbuilder, almost to 10th Level
(based on 10 points - did we discuss a max also?)Just need the Disco Page whenever it is ready :)
It's set now.
With any luck, there'll be one or two more players interested in lighting up this foray.
Calling a couple more Starfinder Agents!
Gonna be one heck of a Light show!
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Solarian isn’t really the kind of character I want to play…but I do want to play more Starfinder, there’s surprisingly few recruitments here for it. If y’all are still looking, I could probably build something interesting.
Solarian isn’t really the kind of character I want to play…but I do want to play more Starfinder, there’s surprisingly few recruitments here for it. If y’all are still looking, I could probably build something interesting.
Dear friend Pyros ;)
Tell me what would make it more interesting, and I will gladly help you build it. Let's be honest though, Dorien and I already kind of built up alt-themes around our solarian foundations. Yeah Zephyr's a solarian, but at the end of the day, I'm playing a star-powered telekinetic. Like I didn't pick gravitons for a reason ...
Our Dear friend, Evindyl, has the right of it!
Dirk Gently is a Solarian. Yes. But with a bit of tinking, he has turned into an Operative...kinda...lol.
It was fun looking for the correct pieces once I had the concept in mind.
Ok, so what niche isn't filled? May as well build a type of Solarian that hasn't been done yet.
Prior to your deciding on Manifestations--
Who is your concept? What did they study? Why did they accept the trip to Absalom Station from the distant Telan Cluster? Do they have an Archetype? An Alternate Class Feature?