OOC: Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service [Stars Without Number]

[GreenDragonPage]

SPEEDY's INTERSTELLAR POSTAL SERVICE! Are you tired of living an ordinary life on an ordinary planet? Do you dream of traveling the stars and seeing sights that most people can only imagine? Do you crave adventure and excitement? Then join Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service, the most trusted name in package and message delivery across the sector! As a member of our team, you'll travel to exotic worlds, meet fascinating alien species, and experience the thrill of faster-than-light travel. You'll be part of a close-knit community of pilots, navigators, and support staff who work together to make sure that every package and message is delivered safely and on time. And best of all, you'll be well-compensated for your hard work, with generous benefits and opportunities for advancement. But let's be honest: life in space isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are dangers out there that we can't control, like navigational errors that can leave you stranded in the void, pirate attacks that can threaten your cargo and your life, and hostile empires that will stop at nothing to protect their interests. But don't worry - our experienced crew will train you to handle any situation that comes your way, and we have the latest technology to keep you safe and secure. So what do you say? Are you ready to take the leap into the unknown and join the ranks of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service? Apply today and start living the life of a true space adventurer!

OOC Thread to do list:
- Post a link to your character sheet in your first OOC post
- Post your answers to the recruitment questions in your first OOC post
- Select a speech color. As I am the DM, I will select first. I pick Plum and Violet

Player	Character	Questionnaire	Class	Skills	Complete?
Gyrfalcon	Todd Brewerson	Here	Psychic	Fix/Administer/Pilot	Yes
MutantDragon	John Doe	Here	Adventurer (warrior/psychic)	Shoot/Stab/Exert	Yes
Sleepy Shade	Stanley "Stan" Corso	Here	Expert	Connect/Talk/Know/Trade	Yes
CardTrick	Elliot Troy	Here	Adventurer (expert/warrior)	Exert/Notice/Punch	Yes
Janwin					No
Kvard51					No

Spoiler: The Pax Omicron Sector

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Welcome to the Pax Omicron Sector, a breathtaking expanse of the galaxy. The Dominion of Orion, led by its tactically brilliant Supreme Commander, has emerged as the rising power in the sector, exerting control over a dozen worlds and nine star systems from its capital on the planet of Mintaka in the Elkhorn Peak star system (hex 0703). The Federation of Liberated Suns stands in opposition to the Dominion's hegemonic ambitions, with its capital on the Battle of Jersey Memorial World (also known as Jersey) in the Mount Thielsen System (hex 0105). However, many systems and worlds in the sector remain free or neutral.

Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service is headquartered in the city of Anbura on the world of Olaf Oshima, located in the Pelican Butte system (hex 0409). It was here that the company's founder, Osvald "Speedy" Masato, established the company over 200 years ago, initially delivering mail within the system before expanding to neighboring systems and, more recently, to the entire sector. Your crew is part of the second wave of sector-wide Delivery Personnel, who will play a critical role in the company's expansion. While you may not blaze the trail, you will certainly help to cement it.

Delivery personnel at Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service are required to navigate through the unpredictable and often dangerous Pax Omicron Sector as part of their job. As part of their employment agreement, they must also share the debt used to purchase a Free Merchant-class vessel, which serves as their primary mode of transportation. The ship is collectively owned by the crew.

However, missing three payments will result in a debt default and the hiring of a repo company to repossess the ship. If the ship is not returned promptly, the crew will face further consequences. To avoid such situations, Delivery Personnel are encouraged to seek additional job opportunities or side gigs to ensure timely payments. It's important to note that when engaging in these activities, they should not wear company-branded clothing.

Given the potentially hostile and chaotic nature of their work, it's crucial for Delivery Personnel to be proactive in managing their finances to avoid any negative outcomes.

You can find more information here, at the Pax Omicron Sectors Without Number page.

Note: Worlds named ??? are purposefully left blank. If you have an idea for a world that would slot in well to this sector, pitch the idea. We will hash it out and add it to the sector.

Spoiler: Big 16

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1. What game system are you running?
Stars Without Number Revised Edition.

2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be? What is the setting for the game?
You are Delivery Personnel who also do a lot of gig work. Think Futurama + Firefly + Cowboy Bebop to get the vibe.

3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
A standard crew complement is 4. Occasionally this can be bumped to 5 or even as high as 6. Never below 3. Sometimes, there is a waiting list to join a particular crew.

4. What's the gaming medium?
Play-by-post, right here in the Playground.

5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
1st Level

6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
You may begin with a standard equipment package (located on page 25) or they may leave it up to fate by rolling 2d6 x100.

7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Stars Without Number Revised Edition Rule Book only.

8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
Everyone is human.

9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
Roll 3d6 six times and assign them in order (the order is: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma). You may then raise one attribute to a score of 14.

If you are unhappy with their rolls, they may instead use the following array of - 14, 12, 11, 10, 9, 7 - assigned as they wish.

10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Delivery Personnel are advised to avoid committing crimes while on company time or when wearing company branded clothing.

11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
No multiclassing

12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
You roll your dice, I roll my dice. Standard stuff.

13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
No house rules or homebrew.

14. Is a character background required? If so, how long? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Prior to being hired, all Delivery Personnel candidates undergo a thorough background check. To assist the Recruiter in matching you with the appropriate ship and crew based on your personality and life experiences, please complete the following survey.

• Describe yourself.
• How did your childhood shape your professional life?
• Why should we hire you?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why do you want this job?
• Imagine that you are on a delivery and suddenly the city you were heading towards explodes, leaving nothing behind but a smoking crater. The local police arrest you and charge you with destroying the city. Regardless of your guilt, complicity, or innocence, would you try to argue that the destruction of the city was the fault of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service or one of its subsidiaries?
• What would your former manager say about you?
• What three items would you bring to a deserted asteroid?

15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
Yes to all the above

16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
Only the Stars Without Number Revised Edition rulebook

Connected Threads:
- Recruitment
----- Thread 1
- OOC
---- Thread 1
- IC
---- Thread 1

[CardTrick]

Both sheet and answers to recruitment question are here, but reposting answers below in spoilers.

Spoiler: Elliot Troy's Survey Responses

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Describe yourself.
I'm young, fit as a fiddle, hardworking and I'm told generally uncomplicated in most regards that matter.

How did your childhood shape your professional life?
Well, I was born a Jersey boy and I ain't never been considered comely, so I was pretty much raised as more a beast of burden than an actual person and learned to make due with what I had, which mostly was just a couple of good hands. And, you know, never having opportunities back home kind makes me appreciate them given out here more. I mean, boys aren't on the books as being property and are supposedly we're still free on Jersey, but if the shops won't accept credits from your pockets, ain't no one give a credit what you have to say, most everywhere is off-limits to you unescorted, and any lady can do pretty much whatever they want to you with no consequence unless it upset some other lady... you might as well be.

Why should we hire you?
Ad said you are some sort of delivery service. Moving packages and post and such. Sounds like entry level grunt work, and I'm pretty good at grunt work and moving stuff, lots of practice and all that. Not bad to have in a tussle if someone tries nabbing the parcels either, as I pretty good at patching folks up when things get messy.

What is your biggest weakness?
Well, they don't exactly educate boys back home, and if you're not cute enough to be eye or arm candy, they don't much bother imparting social graces neither. So, not exactly bubbling over with the charm or the wit. Sorry... I guess.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Dead probably. Just being honest.

Why do you want this job?
Well, like I mentioned before, it seems like a simple enough kind of job, moving stuff from place to place, doing the odd gig inbetween... and it comes with lots of travel to places other there where I been and bunk to crash in too. So... sounds pretty great to me.

Imagine that you are on a delivery and suddenly the city you were heading towards explodes, leaving nothing behind but a smoking crater. The local police arrest you and charge you with destroying the city. Regardless of your guilt, complicity, or innocence, would you try to argue that the destruction of the city was the fault of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service or one of its subsidiaries?
Umm... WOW, that's really specific ain't it? Uh... no, I guess. What would even be the point of that? Like, if I were making it up saying it, nobody would buy what I tried to sell anyway. I ain't exactly a good liar. And if it were true, I'm not about to get on the bad side of the kind of folks who go around blowing up whole cities and such, let alone if those same folks are depositing my credits. That's just dumb. Probably be better off taking my chances keeping my lips zipped.

What would your former manager say about you?
Well, for one, manager probably ain't the right word to be using, and I would honest and true be shocked if she actually knew my name, but either way I'd assume she'd broadly just say some nasty things, unless you sent a gent to ask her, then she'd probably either not acknowledge them at all or have them arrested if she felt they'd overstepped.

What three items would you bring to a deserted asteroid?
Depends on why I was there, I suppose. But assuming it was for a job of some sort, I guess a suit to breath in until the job was done, whatever tool, doohickey, or whatnot was needed to do the job, and a ship to leave on once the job was done.

Unless someone else has a strong attachment or something, color is Green.

[Gyrfalcon]

Todd Brewerson

Survey Answers

I'll go ahead and have Todd speak in "Blue".

[MutantDragon]

Spoiler: Hiring Questions

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Describe yourself.
I am a 22 year old caucasian male who can generate considerable telekinetic force. Oh, and I served in the Ananke Planetary Defense Force for four years.
How did your childhood shape your professional life?
That should be fairly obvious, at least if you know anything about Ananke. If you don't, well, I do have to wonder about how good a postal service this really is. But, fine, I'll start with my early childhood and say that I lived in a weird orphanage for 14 years and learned my devil-may-care attitude from there. Past that, my life was defined by the implications of my psychic power, first for training, then for military service.
Why should we hire you?
Let's face it, this sector isn't safe. There's pirates, cutthroats, and warring empires here. The mail you are entrusted to deliver has to navigate this extremely hostile environment and come out the other end in one piece. That's where I come in. As a telekinetic and former marine, I have all the skills and abilities needed to protect your interests from whatever situations that may arise. When it comes down to your employees to defend your customer's possessions from whatever ruffians come to steal it, you can rest assured that I will stand firm, take steady aim, and blow those [redacted] from the face of the universe.
What is your biggest weakness?
I'll be honest with you. I have problems with running my trap. Not that I can't back it up, mind you, but I'll run my mouth and employ a healthy dose of sarcasm in my dealings, which sometimes causes problems.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself well into a long and fruitful career in providing top rate security to this company's cargo.I don't want any managerial role, at least not for a long while. I want to be out traveling, seeing the universe, and facing the toughest challenges there are. So, in five years' time, I see myself getting your packages to the most dangerous and remote locations imaginable.
Why do you want this job?
As I said, I want to get off Ananke and see what's out there. Still, I enjoy the rush of adrenaline that comes with dangerous operations, and it'd be a shame to let all these years of training go to waste. And, yeah, I could do all that as a mercenary but that's not a stable life. Not that this job would be, but it's nice to always know when the paychecks are coming in and where they're coming from. And that I can trust the guy next to me not to shoot me in the back tomorrow.
Imagine that you are on a delivery and suddenly the city you were heading towards explodes, leaving nothing behind but a smoking crater. The local police arrest you and charge you with destroying the city. Regardless of your guilt, complicity, or innocence, would you try to argue that the destruction of the city was the fault of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service or one of its subsidiaries?
I would never do such a thing unless I had credible and compelling evidence of it. If that is the case, I'll tell 'em what I know, but I won't draw the conclusions for them. Otherwise, I'll make every argument I can that you are not in any way responsible.
What would your former manager say about you?
Which one? Lieutenant Stone would tell you I'm a pain in the [redacted], though even he can't deny I was a decent enough marine. Captain Campos would tell you that I often come across as a pain in the [redacted], but that I was the best [redacted] marine he ever had the honor, and misfortune, to serve with. All the sergeants will tell you something between those two's stories, too.
What three items would you bring to a deserted asteroid?
Well, that's obvious. A free trader vessel fitted with automation support and two robots programmed for spaceship operation. And, while the automation support renders it unnecessary, I would prefer if those robots are VIs. Always pays to be sure.

Spoiler: John Doe

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John Doe: Adventurer [warrior/psychic], Soldier

Strength 13, Dexterity 14, Constitution 11, Intelligence 16, Wisdom 11, Charisma 12

HP 7

Skills:
Shoot 1
Stab 1
Exert 0
Telekinesis 1 (Effort 3)
• Pressure Field (As an Instant action, the adept can manifest a protective force skin around their person equivalent to a vacc suit, maintaining pressure and temperature even in hard vacuum conditions. They can ignore temperatures at a range of plus or minus 100 degrees Celsius and automatically pressurize thin atmospheres for breathability, or filter particulates or airborne toxins. By Committing Effort for the scene, they can shield up to six comrades. This lasts until the user reclaims the Effort.)

Foci
• Gunslinger (You can draw or holster a Stowed ranged weapon as an On Turn action. You may add your Shoot skill level to a ranged weapon’s damage roll.)
• Psychic Training (Your maximum Effort increases by one.)

Inventory
• Readied: Armored undersuit, laser pistol, backpack, monoblade knife, compad, type A cell
• Stowed: 7 type A cells

Credits: 100

AC 14
Laser Pistol +4 (1d6 +2)
Monoblade Knife +3 (1d6 +1, Shock 2/AC 15)

Saves
Physical 15, evasion 14, mental 15

I will speak in grey.

[GreenDragonPage]

Both sheet and answers to recruitment question are here, but reposting answers below in spoilers.

Thank you! I just wanted to make sure we had a copy, in case it did not wind up on someone's sheet. :)

[GreenDragonPage]

Before the game begins, I will need to know which ship your crew took out a loan to purchase. Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service had the three vessels ready for purchase when you signed up, two Free Merchant vessels and one Shuttle. All three have their own pros and cons. You are, of course, encouraged to customize and upgrade your ship once you have done a few jobs and earned some cold hard cash.

HP

AC

Armor

Speed

Crew Skill

Power

Mass

Crew

Hull Class

NPC CP

Weapons

Defenses

Fittings

Cost

Wuwei-class Free Merchant made by SolarX

20

14

2

3

+1

10/0 free

15/0 free

1/6

Frigate

4

Multifocal Laser (+3/1d4, AP 20) Sandthrower (+3/2d4, Flak)

None

Spike Drive-1 160 tons of cargo space (8 Cargo Spaces) Atmospheric Configuration Fuel Scoops Fuel Bunker

$550,000 for a used Wuwei-class free merchant vessel. 54 month loan. No interest for the first year. 10% for the remainder of the loan's life.

Arrow-class Free Merchant made by Proton Multistellar

20

14

2

3

+1

10/5 free

15/4 free

1/6

Frigate

4

Sandthrower (+3/2d4, Flak)

None

Spike Drive-1 100 tons of cargo space (5 Cargo Spaces) Atmospheric Configuration Fuel Scoops Fuel Bunker

$450,000 for a used Arrow-class free merchant vessel. 48 month loan. No interest for the first year. 9% for the remainder of the loan's life.

Siren-class Shuttle by Greenbridge Unity

15

11

0

3

+1

3/0 free

5/0 free

1/20

Fighter

4

Sandthrower (+1/2d4 Flak)

None

Spike Drive-1 Atmospheric Configuration 4 tons cargo (2 cargo Spaces) Smuggler's hold (200kg)

$180,000 for a used Siren-class vessel. 24 month loan. No interest for the first year. 10% for the remainder of the loan's life.

[CardTrick]

Are we needing to calculate simple or compounding interest in making the decision, and if compounding, does it compound annually or monthly?

[GreenDragonPage]

Are we needing to calculate simple or compounding interest in making the decision, and if compounding, does it compound annually or monthly?

Simple interest. I do not want to do too much math

[MutantDragon]

I vote wuwei. Extra cost, but seems like it's got more than enough extra features to make up for it.

[CardTrick]

I'm fine with that too.


But for clarity, the Wuwei and Arrow are actually identifical except that that Wuwei has had all its free Power and Mass taken up by the Multifocal Laser and some extra cargo space (there is no room remaining for anything else). The cost of this is exactly the cost difference between the two ships, 100K. the Multifocal cost 100k and the three units of cargo space cost nothing. Unless I'm missing something in the rules, if we want more cargo space on the Arrow we just say we're using unused mass for that, it has no cost to do so. So the choice between Wuwei and Arrow is whether we want to start with a Multifocal Laser in exchange for a higher interest rate (10 instead of 9 percent) and due to the higher base cost both a longer loan period and higher maintenance costs.

Wuwei
10,815 loan payment (paid each month - 1st year), 11,204 (paid each month - next 3.5 years)
4583 maintenence (27,500 paid every six month)
500 per refueling (but there is a fuel scoop and bunker, so potentially 0)

Arrow
9,375 loan payment (paid each month - 1st year) and 10,219 (paid each month - next 3 years)
3750 maintenence costs (22,500 paid every six months)
500 per refueling (but there is a fuel scoop and bunker, so potentially 0)

So its just over a 2k/month cost difference.

[Gyrfalcon]

Can we pay down the loan early/faster without penalties?

I'd say the Wuwei as well - Mostly because if we end up in a ship slap fight in the early game where we can't run away, having the extra weapon now is worth the slightly higher cost. It'd probably be a harder decision if the Arrow had a higher level drill drive or speed, but all things being equal, if we can't run away (and we should, we're FedEx, not a PMC... yet), then we need to be able to shoot back.

[Sleepy Shade]

Stanley "Stan" Corso
Background:Dilettante
Class: Expert
Equipment Package:Civilian
Stanly is Green speech Bold Dark Slate Gray

Spoiler: Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service Survey

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Describe yourself.
I'm a gregarious and out going person that makes connections easily and can smooth out misunderstandings efficiently and quickly while making sure we're on task.
How did your childhood shape your professional life?
I grew up traveling , my home planet Erftstadt is home to the Perimeter Agency and the Exchange of Light my father was a Exchange of Light agent and we often traveled to different sectors and interacted with a number of cultures. This constant traveling and engaging with new people allowed me to be exposed to many ways of thinking and taught me how to make connections with various traders and laborers.
Why should we hire you?
I can quickly make connection in new places, I know a large number of languages allowing me to communicate with even fringe cultures. My father at one point was a generous donor to Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service and I feel I should make sure his investment in the company is well founded.
What is your biggest weakness?
I would say I am subpar in tactical engagement which will limit my drive to cause unforeseen problems while at work which require violence.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In upper management making new contracts and renegotiating prior ones to be more beneficial to the company .
Why do you want this job?
A entry level position will allow "ksstst" (voice) "OK. "Why do I want this job?" well I cant tell them my dad disowned me and I need the money. People like go getters so uhh lets say I want an entry level position tooo.... what's a good line. Oh! to have a ground floor level understanding the company so that when i get in upper management I'll have a bottom up perspective. I'll know what the average work goes through and be able to support them. All right sounds good enough. And next question. Wait was the mic on?"
Imagine that you are on a delivery and suddenly the city you were heading towards explodes, leaving nothing behind but a smoking crater. The local police arrest you and charge you with destroying the city. Regardless of your guilt, complicity, or innocence, would you try to argue that the destruction of the city was the fault of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service or one of its subsidiaries?
(Voice)"Seriously what do they take me for of course we need to say No. After that lawsuit they need to make sure that the company isn't gonna get thrown under the spacecraft by the their employees even if it was their fault." No
What would your former manager say about you?
(Voice)"Ahh what would dear old dad say about me?" You need to apply yourself more" or "you got lucky " seriously I got him a least a dozen contracts when i was at those parties it was just a mistake I got arrested. I wasn't just trying to get a new girl and all of a sudden some spacer with six warrants takes me hostage. Talk about unfair that wasn't my fault and that whole "get a real job your schmoozing won't save you" bit was needless scrap. Well lets see.." My previous employer, my father, feels that my my frame of reference and experiences with the wider world needs to expand past the very bureaucratic Exchange of Light standards and experience other types of employment. He would say I'm fortunate individual that will be a asset to other companies.
What three items would you bring to a deserted asteroid?
(Voice)hmmm
1.A guy that can fly and pilot a ship.
2.A working spaceship
3.Enough supplies to get us to the next habitable star system.

I Lowered Connect and took Lead

As for our ship we should ask ourselves what are we going to be doing in our off time? Since we will need to take other jobs. If we ferry people as we do our job the Siren might be good but we'll only be able to take our packages for delivery and nothing else. If we want to make money off of trading the Wuwei might be our best choice to also fend off any hostile scavengers or pirates.
@GreenDragonPage: How often will we be able to take side jobs?

[Janwin]

Since you said those interested were still welcome to complete their sheets, here it is. Sorry it took a while. Had some stuff come up.

Tadashi Miyamoto
Background: Soldier
Class: Warrior

Spoiler: Questionnaire

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Describe yourself.
I'm is a muscular man of middle-age, and am clearly a capable combatant. My sword is rarely far from my side, unless it would cause an unforgivable grievance to carry it somewhere.

How did your childhood shape your professional life?
Growing up in New Kyoto, I was taught from a young age to be proud of my family's heritage and history. My parents enrolled me in iaido classes as an attempt to teach me focus, control and to provide me the training that I would likely need in my future.

Why should we hire you?
I hold to my word. If I say that I will do something, I will do it. You are unlikely to find many who can say the same while promising to defend your property.

What is your biggest weakness?
I do not particularly enjoy social interaction.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Running the security forces and well on the way to retirement.

Why do you want this job?
My previous employment contract ended, and I seek entrance into an organization with the opportunity to move up the ladder eventually.

Imagine that you are on a delivery and suddenly the city you were heading towards explodes, leaving nothing behind but a smoking crater. The local police arrest you and charge you with destroying the city. Regardless of your guilt, complicity, or innocence, would you try to argue that the destruction of the city was the fault of Speedy's Interstellar Postal Service or one of its subsidiaries?
No.

What would your former manager say about you?
He is dead, so nothing.

What three items would you bring to a deserted asteroid?
Ship, suit, sword.

Tadashi will speak in Red.

[CardTrick]

I think you misread the Thug background, a roll of 2 for Growth is Mental +2, not Physical +2.

Edit: Also are Red and Crimson distinct enough on everyone's screens? If not, I can switch Elliot to Green or something.

[Janwin]

I think you misread the Thug background, a roll of 2 for Growth is Mental +2, not Physical +2.

Edit: Also are Red and Crimson distinct enough on everyone's screens? If not, I can switch Elliot to Green or something.

****. So I did. I was originally going down Soldier, but swapped it to not double up on backgrounds and didn't notice the 2 was Mental. Well, gonna move him back to Soldier, then.

[CardTrick]

Spacer (space mercenary) might also work for you, instead of swapping (presumably) either Exert 0 or Notice 0 for Survive 0, you could swap it for Fix 0, and be able to attempt enginnering position stuff during ship combats (also maybe mod your own sword later on). Currently our only person with even Fix 0 is also the only one with Pilot.

[Janwin]

I think you misread the Thug background, a roll of 2 for Growth is Mental +2, not Physical +2.

Edit: Also are Red and Crimson distinct enough on everyone's screens? If not, I can switch Elliot to Green or something.

Personally, I've never understood the whole "can't use the same color" concept, since generally people write into their posts who they are that's talking anyway and thus it acts more of a contrast between flavor text and spoken text. I can switch if it bothers you.

[Janwin]

Spacer (space mercenary) might also work for you, instead of swapping (presumably) either Exert 0 or Notice 0 for Survive 0, you could swap it for Fix 0, and be able to attempt enginnering position stuff during ship combats (also maybe mod your own sword later on). Currently our only person with even Fix 0 is also the only one with Pilot.

Nah, the soldier one is the easiest swap back. Just goes Talk -> Survive. I got 3 levels of Stab from my foci and background (so one goes to free skill) and a free skill select which get me Exert and Notice.

Concept I had in mind was basically space samurai bodyguard, so Spacer doesn't quite work for that.

[CardTrick]

Personally, I've never understood the whole "can't use the same color" concept, since generally people write into their posts who they are that's talking anyway and thus it acts more of a contrast between flavor text and spoken text. I can switch if it bothers you.

I earnestly don't care what color my character uses for speech text, not particularly attached.

Edit: LOL, see, now I misread Soldier. Learning 8 is indeed Survive.

Edit 2 (don't like making consectutive posts): Since we're ending up with more fighting types in the party, if the Gamemaster doesn't object, I can shift Elliot to being more of a dedicated healer role, like Partial Expert / Partial Psychic (Biopsionics). Drop Unarmed Combatant and Specialist (Exert) for Healer, and end up Biopsionics 0, Exert 1, Heal 1, 5 HP and no real combat power to speak of (spend some starting credits and a medkit and some lift/lazarus patches). Narratively it gives Elliot even more reason to have gotten the heck off Jersey (since apparently they hunt psychics like witches). I'd really just need to change his survey answer about being good at tussling to being good at patching folks up. and the not snitching answer to staying quiet rather than busting skulls.

[GreenDragonPage]

Edit 2 (don't like making consectutive posts): Since we're ending up with more fighting types in the party, if the Gamemaster doesn't object, I can shift Elliot to being more of a dedicated healer role, like Partial Expert / Partial Psychic (Biopsionics). Drop Unarmed Combatant and Specialist (Exert) for Healer, and end up Biopsionics 0, Exert 1, Heal 1, 5 HP and no real combat power to speak of (spend some starting credits and a medkit and some lift/lazarus patches). Narratively it gives Elliot even more reason to have gotten the heck off Jersey (since apparently they hunt psychics like witches). I'd really just need to change his survey answer about being good at tussling to being good at patching folks up. and the not snitching answer to staying quiet rather than busting skulls.

If anyone wants to adjust their characters now that we have a fully assembled crew, feel free. When making characters you are designing in a vacuum, so I am 100% ok with changing things to make a more well rounded party. No pressure to change though. :)

Since you said those interested were still welcome to complete their sheets, here it is. Sorry it took a while. Had some stuff come up.

Welcome aboard!

@GreenDragonPage: How often will we be able to take side jobs?

You will have ample opportunity to pursue side gigs :)

Can we pay down the loan early/faster without penalties?

Most certainty (even if the bean counters at Speedy's wouldn't like that)!

[CardTrick]

Okay, shifted over to healer instead of McPunchy.

[Gyrfalcon]

It looks like we have a good mix of skills already - the only skills not covered by someone are Perform, Program, Punch, Sneak and Work.

Skill's wise, it looks like these are people's roles:

Todd - Paperwork, mechanic and pilot
Stanley - Finding and negotiating work, acting as the Face
Elliot - Healing both mundane and psychic
John - One of the heavies, dealing with issues
Miyamoto - Another problemsolver, with a side order of survival skills

Psychically, Precognition, Telepathy and Teleportation aren't covered, though Todd can eventually do so if we really need it.

In combat, Todd can join John and Miyamoto until the really heavy gear comes out as Psychic Armory gives him mid-grade armor and reasonable close and long range weaponry all tied to his telekinesis skill.

[Janwin]

I might be misreading things, too, so please let me know if I am, but shouldn't John have a +3 blaster/+1 knife on attacks, not +4/+2? And a +0 on throwing for Elliot?

Or am I missing something in psychics or ranged combat that give another +1?

Completely new to this system so there's an above average chance I'm missing something.

[CardTrick]

John
+1 from Partial Warrior lvl 1 bonus, +1 from attribute (Dex), +1 from skill rank (Shoot), +0 from 1/2 lvl rounded down and +1 from being a laser weapon = Laser Pistol +4
+1 from Partial Warrior lvl 1 bonus, +1 from attribute (Dex), +0 from skill rank (Stab), +0 from 1/2 lvl rounded down = +2 Knife

Elliot
+0 from 1/2 level rounded down, +1 attribute (Dex), +1 skill rank (Exert) = +2 knife (thrown)
+0 from 1/2 level rounded down, +1 attribute (Dex), -2 absent skill rank (Stab) = -1 knife (melee)
+0 from 1/2 level rounded down, +1 attribute (Dex), -2 absent skill rank (Punch) = -1 unarmed

[MutantDragon]

I might be misreading things, too, so please let me know if I am, but shouldn't John have a +3 blaster/+1 knife on attacks, not +4/+2? And a +0 on throwing for Elliot?

Or am I missing something in psychics or ranged combat that give another +1?

Completely new to this system so there's an above average chance I'm missing something.

For John, his base attack is +1, his Shoot skill is 1, and he has a dexterity bonus of +1. That brings us to a +3, but laser pistols, and I believe all energy weapons, gain an additional +1 for a total of +4. For the knife, he is using his base attack of +1, his dexterity bonus of +1, and his Stab skill of 1 for a total +3. Hope that clears everything up.

[Janwin]

Oh! Interesting! Had missed that laser weapons give +1. Oh yeah, I see that now! Because of the lack of recoil. Neat.

And throwing being Exert explains that too. Forgot you could use Exert for throwing weapons; odd since you can use Exert OR Shoot for that.

Thanks!

[Sleepy Shade]

So on the topic of our ship looks like right now it's two votes for the Wuwei and some discussions about the options.
Are we all in agreement to take the Wuwei?

@GreenDragonPage
What other languages are in the star system? The book gives us Mandate but will there be any others? The Diplomat focus gives me all common languages and lets me learn new ones quickly while Know at Lvl 0 gives me a extra language.

[GreenDragonPage]

So on the topic of our ship looks like right now it's two votes for the Wuwei and some discussions about the options.
Are we all in agreement to take the Wuwei?

@GreenDragonPage
What other languages are in the star system? The book gives us Mandate but will there be any others? The Diplomat focus gives me all common languages and lets me learn new ones quickly while Know at Lvl 0 gives me a extra language.

Within the Bowerman Cluster (the small 3 planet cluster at the bottom of the map (and where the campaign will begin)), you will find Japanese is the most commonly spoken language on Olaf Oshima and Takahashi (at least for the humans on Takahashi); Arabic is the most common on Ismail; German is the most common on Wiener Carneval. Swedish is spoken in the hinterlands of all three worlds of the Pelican Butte System and English/Mandate is the most common lingua franca. Out in the Federation of Liberated Suns, the most common languages are English/Mandate, Mandarin, Arabic, Greek, Russian, German and Latinus Stellarum. Of these, Mandarin & English/Mandate are the go-to langauges for trade & politics. In the Dominion of Orion, Orian is the dominant language. It is basically Mintaka's local dialect of Mandate given high prestige and importance. You will also find German, Arabic, Russian and many other minority languages spoken throughout the Donminion.

[CardTrick]

What should I put down for Elliot being a male from Jersey, other than Mandate? Based on the proper names used for important things like the planet itself, the queen, and the local godess (Jersey, Victoria, and Sophia) - English/Mandate, Latinus Stellarum, and Greek seem like they'd be the most likely traditional local languages, though perhaps not for boys given the narrative misandry of the planet.

Edit:
I'm fine with that ship.

[GreenDragonPage]

What should I put down for Elliot being a male from Jersey, other than Mandate? Based on the proper names used for important things like the planet itself, the queen, and the local godess (Jersey, Victoria, and Sophia) - English/Mandate, Latinus Stellarum, and Greek seem like they'd be the most likely traditional local languages, though perhaps not for boys given the narrative misandry of the planet.

Edit:
I'm fine with that ship.

Latinus Stellarum is primarily spoken on the world of Astra Transylvania but its use is very, very common throughout the Grover Cluster. Many on other worlds feel like the language harkens back to a simpler, better age. An age of prosperity and limitless potential. An age of interstellar unity against a common foe. Which is a sentiment that feels more present and "real" as of late due to the sudden rise of the "new enemy" - the Dominion of Orion. The language has seeped into all levels of society. You are correct that Latinus Stellarum has become a prestige language within the clergy of Jersey. Almost all high level religious activities exclusively utilize Latinus Stellarum. Beyond those reasons, the corporations of Astra Transylvania are still omnipresent in the cluster, which means a working knowledge of Latinus Stellarum has many economic upsides, as the Astra Transylvanians prefer their tongue to other languages.

Greek is primarily spoken on Armeniakon but due to the ongoing hostilities between the two dominant powers on that world, refugees have fled to other worlds in the Grover Cluster. Many have settled on Jersey. Although, Armeniakonians are not misandrist by nature, they have nonetheless been forced to adapt their culture to the culture of their adopted homeland. Some male Armeniakonians have attempted to break free from the misandrist shackles and forge a more gender-inclusive society, with many becoming minor celebrities and well known activists. The Jerseyites call these men Andras (Greek for "men"). Due to their popularity, many male Jerseyites learn Greek as a form of quiet opposition to misandry.

Mandarin is also widely spoken due to the presence of Zhongghong's most powerful corporation - Quanbu - which has its hands in a myriad of economic pies across the sector. In fact, Quanbu has become a major player in the affairs of state as their Jersey subsidiary's CEO, Huo Lin, recently married the Queen's sister - Princess Henriette. It has thus become fashionable to speak Mandarin for those in court. Due to this prestige, many normal people have taken to learning the language as well.