[OOC] Space Comms

[Leitz]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

[Leitz]

At some point in time I'm going to sketch out the ship. If you're interested in helping, let me know.

[ffilz]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

You should be able to move posts if you want rather than deleting them.

[Leitz]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

You should be able to move posts if you want rather than deleting them.

His had all the good stuff. Mine were light on info.

[atpollard]

So I like relationships ... the more the better ... just to give characters some background and the world some texture.

Alexei “Alex” Kuznetsov Age 38, 5 Terms
2 Foreign Star Marine
2 Merchant - Free Trader
1 Rogue - Pirate

Detailed to Embassy duty on Birach, where the Free Traders ply the space lanes, when his tour finished, he signed on with a crew, eager to learn spacecraft systems. Decent with commerce, he steadily rose within the ranks, when the ship he was on trade routes were eliminated by war and piracy.

PO3rd Lawrence "Larry Clarke" (M) age 33 [794747] - [Barbarian: 1 term; Merchant: 3 term; Navy: 1 term (current)]

TERM 2 (age 22-25) [8-11 years ago]
Lawrence took a position on another ship with a Mail Contract and more guns (in hopes of improving his chances of survival) to try to gain his coveted Pilot skill, but spent most of his time in Engineering and playing cards with the Stewards to pass time. The Creator sent a TEST during a special Chartered trip during the final year of the term when a dangerous creature escaped from its crate in the cargo hold and injured a crewman. Upon arrival at the destination, the buyer attempted to renegotiate a better price using threat of violence, but Lawrence participated in the resulting shootout in which the crew prevailed ... Lawrence and the crew gained a good reputation among other spacers for "handling trouble". Lawrence passed his 2nd Officer Exam and left at the end of his contract for a Navigator position on another ship.

TERM 3 (age 26-29) [4-7 years ago]
Lawrence took the Navigator position on a Free Trader planning an Exploratory Trade mission to build up a regular Route in the coming years in hope that being on the Bridge might finally gain him his Pilot skill dream. The Captain had little interest in investing in a second pilot and tended to press Lawrence's Carousing skills into service of Brokering contracts among new contacts. Half way through the term, the Creator sent Lawrence his greatest TEST yet. An engineering mistake ruined a cargo of Machine Parts being delivered to Birach. Lawrence made a convenient scapegoat for the Captain, until the local media discovered that the "disaster" involved a Birach local spacer (Birach had few Spacers) and obtained a copy of the video from the accident that revealed what really happened. The framing of a Birach local by the powerful Atreo Government was a story that played well locally ... granting "Larry Clarke" instant local fame on Birach. Since the attention of the government of "The General" was the last thing that an "Old Guard" wanted, Lawrence simply disappeared from public view.

So both Alex and Lawrence were Free Traders for an overlapping period ... the middle of your first Merchant Term to the middle of your second merchant Term overlaps with my Free Trader Route, Charter, Exploration Trade and Route of my late Term 2 and early Term 3.

Any thoughts on where we might know each other from? Same ship or Rival crews?

[atpollard]

I like relationships ... the more the better ... just to give characters some background and the world some texture.

Lt. Leslie "Homewrecker" Philips
2 Terms Navy

PO3rd Lawrence "Larry Clarke" (M) age 33 [794747] - [Barbarian: 1 term; Merchant: 3 term; Navy: 1 term (current)]

TERM 4 (age 30-33) [0-3 years ago]
Three years ago, there was a violent revolution and a desperate crisis that threatened the survival of Birach. Lawrence joined the Firsters (Religious Conservative Activists) in supporting the new Government and "Larry Clarke" returned to the Birach Planetary Navy to offer his help. As an experienced Merchant Spacer, they accepted, but as soon as the imminent crisis was over, he was reassigned to Shore Duty since Merchant is not Navy and granted the rank PO3 in recognition of his experience, but refusing to acknowledge a Merchant Commission (2nd Officer). Larry was a regular fixture around the Birach Navy Downport for the last three years where his ability to Carouse and Liaise, plus his broad general knowledge, allow him to interface between Crews and Support Staff and get the right people and equipment to the right location. Unfortunately, his career abruptly ended when a routine cold landed Larry in the infirmary and his routine "fit to return to duty" yielded the unexpected "permanently unfit for Space Duty" designation and an automatic and immediate "Medical Discharge" from the Birach Planetary Navy after only 3 years of his 4 year term (age 32).
The hand of the Creator was guiding Lawrence in this TEST and a visiting Officer was impressed by his performance and recommended "Larry Clarke" for a position on one of the "private ships" being funded by the new Birach Nobility. So Lawrence is finally in the Navy and assigned to a Navy ship (sort of) with one year to pass the TEST from the Creator and prove to the universe that the Old Guard belong in space.

You and I seem to have the easiest connection to make if you are interested ... Lawrence spent the last 3 years as a "Liaison" between Navy Crews arriving at the downport and Navy Support Staff that needed to deal with them. Given my Carousing, Liaison and Computer skills, if you arrived at the Navy Downport and needed to go anywhere, I was probably the PO3 that helped Lt. Philips get to wherever you were going or locate whoever you were looking for.

So are you interested in a connection and do you have any thoughts?

[atpollard]

I like relationships ... the more the better ... just to give characters some background and the world some texture.

4th Officer Seiji Kimiyama A87A75 0 2 terms Merchant

Near the end of his 2nd term, Seiji was dismissed from service for stealing from passengers. Somehow through his shenanigans, he was able to hide 20 kcr of his illicit gains before he was sent to the ship in disgrace.

PO3rd Lawrence "Larry Clarke" (M) age 33 [794747] - [Barbarian: 1 term; Merchant: 3 term; Navy: 1 term (current)]

TERM 3 (age 26-29) [4-7 years ago]
Lawrence took the Navigator position on a Free Trader planning an Exploratory Trade mission to build up a regular Route in the coming years in hope that being on the Bridge might finally gain him his Pilot skill dream. The Captain had little interest in investing in a second pilot and tended to press Lawrence's Carousing skills into service of Brokering contracts among new contacts. Half way through the term, the Creator sent Lawrence his greatest TEST yet. An engineering mistake ruined a cargo of Machine Parts being delivered to Birach. Lawrence made a convenient scapegoat for the Captain, until the local media discovered that the "disaster" involved a Birach local spacer (Birach had few Spacers) and obtained a copy of the video from the accident that revealed what really happened. The framing of a Birach local by the powerful Atreo Government was a story that played well locally ... granting "Larry Clarke" instant local fame on Birach. Since the attention of the government of "The General" was the last thing that an "Old Guard" wanted, Lawrence simply disappeared from public view.

You don't have a lot of detail, but Seiji was a "Merchant" and the first two years of your career overlap with the Third term of Lawrence (Exploratory Trade & Route) so we could have a connection.

So are you interested in a connection and do you have any thoughts?

[dragoner]

So I like relationships ... the more the better ... just to give characters some background and the world some texture.

So both Alex and Lawrence were Free Traders for an overlapping period ... the middle of your first Merchant Term to the middle of your second merchant Term overlaps with my Free Trader Route, Charter, Exploration Trade and Route of my late Term 2 and early Term 3.

Any thoughts on where we might know each other from? Same ship or Rival crews?

Either or is fine with me, he has these events:

Term 3 Event:
You are given advanced training in a specialist field. Throw Education 8+ to increase any one skill you already have
by one level.

Failed roll.

Term 4 Mishap:
A sudden war destroys your trade routes and contacts, forcing you to flee that region of space. Gain Gun Combat
(any) 1 or Pilot (any) 1.

Chose Pilot 1

Basically whatever comes to mind as a good story.

[Leitz]

A note on perspectives, psionics, and putting the pieces together.

This game is a continuation of two other games: atpollard's ran for four years, mine ran for three. The games have spawned several books, one of which has actually been published. The "Gamer's Guide to The Domici War", covering the setting, is about 25% written. Suffice it to say that atpollard is about as clued in as I am to the setting. Maybe more so, since he created a lot of it. I've just messed it up for the game.

Psionics. I tend to avoid them. In the Domici War setting a lot of the psionic activity is tied to religion. Whether or not that's completely true, most people don't know. The stories of Firsters mix well with fairy tale princes and orange marmalade skies. Sometimes, even people who intellectually believe Firsters exist don't really like to settle it in their mind. Here's one person's mental description:

I've met what the Firster's call "Gifted" people. They believe all are gifted in some way. The lady at camp was helping me find whatever my gift might be. I was hoping for good grades and a shot at officer school. Different people have different gifts; some are naturals at leadership like Dad, or in medicine like Doctor Cooper. There's one guy who can teleport himself and his twin sister can run faster than a truck. Only one can make you scream in agony as her thoughts peel your skin off your body and explode your organs into your armor.

There she was.

For the most part, I'm leaving psionic activity alone.

As you talk about fitting your characters together, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it. Things are going to get bad, shortly, and the more you work together they better things will end up.

[The Bindoner]

Yes, I am re-listening to The Navy Lark and rolling CPO Pertwee, Number 1 and Sub-Lt Phillips into one louche schemer ( With a little Terry-Thomas for salt )

[Leitz]

Yes, I am re-listening to The Navy Lark and rolling CPO Pertwee, Number 1 and Sub-Lt Phillips into one louche schemer ( With a little Terry-Thomas for salt )

Is there a URL?

[The Bindoner]

Plenty to listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZI-M ... /playlists

(If you want those episodes in broadcast order refer to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Navy_Lark )

Oh, and there was a film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZCNrF_hJpE

[Leitz]

Okay, player wise, the last invite is to asenRG. He's being hit by a bout of real-life, and will join us later if possible. Otherwise, what we have is what you have.

It sounds like all the PCs have been aboard for a bit, so there's more info you all will have. I'll put that together as a part of Wednesday's post. Feel free to ask anything specific, if you need something sooner.

[The Bindoner]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

OK, I'll ask: How do I delete posts? On some threads there is the little "x" to delete, but on the crew thread there is not.... ( there's nothing worth moving I think ).

I had the wrong tab open when I originally posted. I'll pay better attention in future. Hopefully.

[Leitz]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

OK, I'll ask: How do I delete posts? On some threads there is the little "x" to delete, but on the crew thread there is not.... ( there's nothing worth moving I think ).

I had the wrong tab open when I originally posted. I'll pay better attention in future. Hopefully.

"Edit", and then there's a checkbox up top for "delete". It'll ask for confirmation, and then you're good.

[The Bindoner]

Thanks.

Except there isn't, for those posts. Turns out "normal users" cannot delete a post once there is a reply to it. I've reported them as off topic, let admin take care of them


Regarding connections, Leslie's most obvious is the first term one:

Event: You have the opportunity to abuse your position for profit. You do so, gain an extra Benefit roll from this term.

But there is potential in the second ( last ) term too:

Your vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. Gain Diplomacy 1

Seiji seems like a kindred spirit:

4th Officer Seiji Kimiyama A87A75 0 2 terms Merchant - Electronics-1, Steward-1, Medical-1
20 kcr, Gun

Near the end of his 2nd term, Seiji was dismissed from service for stealing from passengers. Somehow through his shenanigans, he was able to hide 20 kcr of his illicit gains before he was sent to the ship in disgrace.

[Leitz]

Let's move the hooch discussion here, if you don't mind. dragoner was right, "The Crew" is for finished characters. There will be a lot of NPCs, if you interact with them, so having a place to go for information will be useful.

The Bindoner, that work for you? I'll delete my posts in a bit, copy anything you might need.

OK, I'll ask: How do I delete posts? On some threads there is the little "x" to delete, but on the crew thread there is not.... ( there's nothing worth moving I think ).

I had the wrong tab open when I originally posted. I'll pay better attention in future. Hopefully.

Should be deleted.

[Leitz]

Okay, I had assumed some or all PCs would come aboard as new recruits, thus I put in a few "less than stellar" recruits to balance out the PC awesomeness. However, it seems like all current PCs are already aboard. No worries. My next few tasks include fleshing out some of the NPCs.

As you settle how the relationships between the PCs, let me know what other types of NPC are needed. For example. Leslie Philips might want want a WREN Heather (I watched the movie) either as an existing relationship, or as a potential. Lots of options, as long as everything stays PG-13. Third Shift might want some comedy relief, or a bad person to trounce. Whatever.

I often use archetypes. For example, Charlie Turpin functions as an "Orphan", while Vargas serves as a wizened "Herald". The cleaning girl, Parah Pash, allows anyone to act as a sort of "Caregiver" while the kid, Eno Habbut, will likely become that "wanna-be commando hero" Tiberius just needs in his life. Chief embodies a couple of archetypes, and the PCs will get more info since they have been aboard for a bit.

Next major DM post Wednesday PM (GMT-5), so let me know soonest.

[dragoner]

Sorry if I caused any consternation in the character sheet thread, I figured it was a mistake and the posts parsed into OOC.

Also, I couldn't tell if we were to be recruits or not, so I just went with the flow.

[Leitz]

Sorry if I caused any consternation in the character sheet thread, I figured it was a mistake and the posts parsed into OOC.

Also, I couldn't tell if we were to be recruits or not, so I just went with the flow.

Whoa up, pardner. I make assumptions all the time. Once in a while I'm right. Not too often, though. You guys are doing just fine. Also, your comment about OOC in the Character thread was spot on. Don't worry about it.

Now, do worry about what's going to happen. In general, I run games where things are going from bad to worse. Whether or not the PCs do anything, things will keep going down the toilet. What the PCs bring to the table (forum) is a dynamic force for positive change. Usually that's with NPCs that are here and there. The PCs can wind up saving lives, getting glory, kissing members of the opposite gender, etc. Or they can putz around while everyone dies. I'm hoping for the former.