Character set up / brainstorming

[Faanku]

If we're allowed to apply the easiest and most basic mods to the ship (ie. no pretech parts, Fix-1 requirements) then we could take the Specialised Mountings: Fractal Impact Charge mod and replace both weapons with FICs. The way rounding works for the mountings it would only cost us 4 Power and 2 Mass total. Combined with the Compact Magazines mod, we'd have a total of 32 shots to fire before we needed to store ammo in our cargo holds, which is honestly far more than enough unless we see insane amounts of combat between docks. We can then use the spare power to upgrade to Spike Drive-2, doubling our jump range and halving our time in transit for single system hops, as well as buying either an Advanced Nav Computer to travel more reliably to known planets, or two Auto-targetting Systems for the FICs; seeing as how we have a lot of technical crew members and no real combat specialists, we might actually be stronger as a ship by having the guns unmanned.
Of course all this depends on what the GM allows. It also depends on how much combat we want/expect. Any dedicated warship is going to blow us out of the sky anyway, so a focus on cargo space and survivability is probably the way to build a free merchant.

[Liaozhai]

This looks great, Faanku! Thanks for thinking this all out. I'm tempted by the automated guns over the navigation aids, since we already have two characters with some training in piloting.

[Antman9]

If we're allowed to apply the easiest and most basic mods to the ship (ie. no pretech parts, Fix-1 requirements) then we could take the Specialised Mountings: Fractal Impact Charge mod and replace both weapons with FICs. The way rounding works for the mountings it would only cost us 4 Power and 2 Mass total. Combined with the Compact Magazines mod, we'd have a total of 32 shots to fire before we needed to store ammo in our cargo holds, which is honestly far more than enough unless we see insane amounts of combat between docks. We can then use the spare power to upgrade to Spike Drive-2, doubling our jump range and halving our time in transit for single system hops, as well as buying either an Advanced Nav Computer to travel more reliably to known planets, or two Auto-targetting Systems for the FICs; seeing as how we have a lot of technical crew members and no real combat specialists, we might actually be stronger as a ship by having the guns unmanned.
Of course all this depends on what the GM allows. It also depends on how much combat we want/expect. Any dedicated warship is going to blow us out of the sky anyway, so a focus on cargo space and survivability is probably the way to build a free merchant.

Shipbuilding is tough. I like the idea of FIC's, and upgrading the Spike Drive for half flight times, and the updated Nav Computer. Those seem like good options, but having the Auto-Targeting system seems important too. We have pretty good maneuverability already, so adding the Auto-Targeting System and taking our chances by not upgrading the computer seems like a good trade off. I’m thinking we would want to avoid combat if possible, since repairs (or death) would take credits away from our bottom line

I defy concur with survivability and cargo space

[Antman9]

Looks like this is our lineup.

• Tatiana (Human F Psychic)
• Wei Xuan (Human Male Lawyer)
• Silas A. Corvus (Human Male Expert: Technician)
• Udex (Gravcar VI Expert)
• Nikolai Yegorovich (Human M Expert)

Has anyone heard from tpj, explosiveghast, lordgrimli, GGG, greyarea, katheopold?
GGG said he was pretty busy, but the others have been pretty quiet in general.

I’ll ping them and see if they are still interested. If not, I think I can recruit MonkeyWrench.

[Gerrin]

TPJ and ExplosiveGhast posted about ability rolls but then went quiet

[personalpariah]

5 folks is a pretty good number.

[Antman9]

5 folks is a pretty good number.

That works for me

Just thought I'd check on the others. As long as we're good with the count, I'm good.
BTW: I'm excited about how things are going. Loving the character personalities and interactions so far.

[Gerrin]

Glad you're enjoying it.

[lordgrimli]

I hadnt gotten any emails about this pbp until when Gerrin poked me XD

Im ready to play if you guys will have me, can I post in the adventure chat?

[Antman9]

Udex sent its drone inside to interact with the crew

Hey personalpariah. I'm loving what you're doing with your, er, Integrated VI/Gravcar VI/thing. The >>'s are perfect, and his/her/it's unhealthy fascination with Tatiana , although kind of creepy , is interesting

Question(s): What does your "Drone" self look like (size/shape/color/appearance/etc.), and how should/would our characters interact with it/you?

[lordgrimli]

Hi All,

Still too late to jump into the current adventure? I have a character ready but wasnt sure if your guys were too deep into the story already.

[Faanku]

I think it's endearing as hell, no idea why you got a creepy vibe from it.

[Antman9]

I think it's endearing as hell, no idea why you got a creepy vibe from it.

I was using "Creepy" very loosely.
From like a "VI is fascinated with human character traits" point of view only. I defy found it a very interesting perspective/aspect from a VI conscience aspect. That's all. I like how personalpariah is getting inside the VI's conciseness. Wasn't implying anything other than that

Everyone is doing a great job in that respect. Loving the interactions.

[personalpariah]

Thanks guys! Glad to see that people are enjoying my interpretation of how an Integrated VI would think

Question(s): What does your "Drone" self look like (size/shape/color/appearance/etc.), and how should/would our characters interact with it/you?

Udex's current drone is a fairly primitive one at the moment. It is only a TL3, as that was all it could afford. However, when Udex is using the drone, it can perceive the surroundings as if Udex was there itself. Therefore, characters should feel free to act as if Tengu is a proxy for Udex.

I imagine that Tengu looks something like this:

[rredmond]

Hi All,

Still too late to jump into the current adventure? I have a character ready but wasnt sure if your guys were too deep into the story already.

Sorry lordgrimli, you were still one approved post away from membership.
You should be good to go now.

[Gerrin]

Hi All,

Still too late to jump into the current adventure? I have a character ready but wasnt sure if your guys were too deep into the story already.

Sorry lordgrimli, you were still one approved post away from membership.
You should be good to go now.

Hop on in

[Marullus]

Hi all! Just got clearance form Gerrin to post. I'd like to join in if you'll have me.

Proposing the character below:


It looked like you needed a warrior who would blend with our outcast asthetic, so I riffed off of that. I couldn't see any of your sheets at first (didn't load on my phone). Now that I see them, I see that I'm a little duplicative of Wei Xuan (all languages, etc). If that's too close, I can change Diplomat to a different focus (perhaps Starfarer or Henchkeeper). Thoughts? Also, Wei Xuan and Ubex both have Origin Foci - are we using suppliments or other rules that I missed? Want to make sure I'm using the right things. Glad to accept any feedback or suggestions to change so that it fits better with the other concepts.

[personalpariah]

It looked like you needed a warrior who would blend with our outcast asthetic, so I riffed off of that. I couldn't see any of your sheets at first (didn't load on my phone). Now that I see them, I see that I'm a little duplicative of Wei Xuan (all languages, etc). If that's too close, I can change Diplomat to a different focus (perhaps Starfarer or Henchkeeper). Thoughts? Also, Wei Xuan and Ubex both have Origin Foci - are we using suppliments or other rules that I missed? Want to make sure I'm using the right things. Glad to accept any feedback or suggestions to change so that it fits better with the other concepts.

Part of character creation is that you get two Foci: One "free" one, and one that is restricted by your class. That free foci is essentially the Origin Foci. Per the rules, if you are going to be a non-human, you end up using that foci for your "alien" traits. In Udex's case, it is the Origin Foci for playing an Integrated VI.

All these rules can be found within the first few pages of the SWN: Revised book, in the step-by-step character creation. The specifics of Origin Foci can be found in other sections.

As for your character: if you are really looking to have a unique role, a Starfarer might be nice. Or you could pick up some combat focused Foci. In my opinion, you should just play what you want

[Marullus]

I get that - I understand Revised rules pretty well (I picked Diplomat and Unarmed Combat). My confusion is that I don't know Passport to Hell, the strain-inducing power of mind control (which works on cybernetic rules), etc. Those look like they are from the non-revised modules. (In revised, they are similar to Authority, Diplomat, and Assassin foci).

Most games of SWN I have played have hacked in rules from supplements. Just wasn't sure if that meant we we're doing so here.

[personalpariah]

I get that - I understand Revised rules pretty well (I picked Diplomat and Unarmed Combat). My confusion is that I don't know Passport to Hell, the strain-inducing power of mind control (which works on cybernetic rules), etc. Those look like they are from the non-revised modules. (In revised, they are similar to Authority, Diplomat, and Assassin foci).

Most games of SWN I have played have hacked in rules from supplements. Just wasn't sure if that meant we we're doing so here.

It may be some rules from the new Codex of the Black Sun.