 August 28, 2009 - 12:13am | I was combing back through the pages of the forum collecting up all the ideas I had blogged about for adventures or campaigns and even a few by others. The list represents about 10 different threads and about 13-15 good adventure ideas. And it occured to me that I really ought to get off my but and run an on line game. The problem is I've already given away a lot of plot twist for stuff I blogged about...sooooo I've come up with more ideas and more plot twist. And I'm considering, providing there is interest, in GMing So is there interest in a: Warriors of White Light 2 The Royal Marines Want You! Campaign/ linked series of adventures? Not to give things away but I can say this: "Pirates, Terrorist, and Kidnappers; Oh my!" My inclination for this campaign is to set as post most (not all) of the printed modules and to include Zebs material (haven't made any decision about how much Zebs material to allow- most likely 70-90% of the equipment, the races (not promoting them just allowing them) and the fluff on mega corps and cadres. Actual rules will be AD & KHs with key stuff from the fan zine: Yazerian clans, Character arch types, some equipment. NOTE: I am commited to play testing,"Spacer Skills Revisited" from SFM #10 see page 15. (This means a 1st level pilot could be built from 26exp min or an astrogator from 20exp min so its likely that players will get something like 30 exp to build their character. I'm tempted to tweek the rank structure of the Royal Marines (deviating from SFKH0) to include enlisted as well as officers Officers hold positions as pilot, astrogator, engineer, and Dr. where as the enlisted would do the heavy lifting on boarding parties & as medics While NCOs would be Gunnery Officers. PC's would start as Midshipmen or as at least a corporal and advance accordingly. To start, at least, a higher level NPC would be the Lt. in command of the Assault Scout. In light of how the opening came about for the PCs to join the Royal Marines in SFKH0 (killed inspecting a freighter) I would think that the marines would transition to having classic Star Trek "red shirts" and officially, at least, disavow the practice of risking highly trained bridge officers though on ships the size assault scouts it's likely that 1 or more officers would be present and directing things but royal marine ship will have started to include dedicated troops. Feed back? I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 August 28, 2009 - 6:43am | Good Times. Online as in using the Game Room or Play-By-Post? |
 August 28, 2009 - 6:58am | Sounds good to me. If it's play-by-post, I'm in. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
 August 28, 2009 - 7:42am | I'm certainly interesting in seeing what else is in the busy brain of yours. Like Terl, though, my involvement would be limited to PBP. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
August 28, 2009 - 8:38pm | I like play by post especialy since my first on line game ever was The Black Hand Gang before I found this site! I find the difference between PBP and F2F to be quite interesting though I love both kind of games. I suppose I could even start a PBP in a week but I compulsively feel the need to prep (PPPPPP if you know what I mean). I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 August 29, 2009 - 5:44am | I've had all sorts of expansion ideas for the CRM. Check out my parallel game review over at Basically Speaking (via the game room and SF Online project), where I had characters as entry level boarding party on the Osprey's sister ship, the Falcon. About the only thing I ever got around to doing though is speccing the existing officers from the various printed material (re: Beyond the Frontier series) and running the SDA feint in White Light (SDA being my upstart dictator who eventually takes over the Frontier), in short a mild presence is made to draw just enough attention for the UPF to dispatch a detachment to investigate and... WHAM! They instead nail Dixon's Star while all attention is focused at the other end of the Frontier (see, they needed to govern their own planet so as to secede from the UPF, thus permitting their financial backers more freedom to expand without dealing with the contingencies of UPF charter). Pretty sure there was a rank system that was done up somewhere here too refelcting enlisted positions, although IIRC it was for SpaceFleet rather than planetary militias. I'm sure each government would have their own system anyways. But I would love to participate in such an expansion. I'm sure Will might be inclined to jump aboard too once he sees this thread...as he has an updated Rhanda Klast in the Online Character Sheet project. |
 August 29, 2009 - 8:22am | Yeah, count me in. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 29, 2009 - 12:10pm | I was trying to use some clip art and a non cooportating graphics program to wip up an insignia for the royal marine of clarion but I've been stymied by the software I have. To be honest I was going to rip off the British royal marine insignia as it pretty cool looking. EXcept the globe on the British insignia has a stylized map of Europe, asian and africa so I was going to use a plain globe with the longitude and latitude lines but no map The british insignia is surmounted my a crown but I was thinking that clarion's could be a lion (after all they named their one FF "Leo" and though having a lion as the symbol of a monarchy is not terribly original it could stand to reason that the choice of a lion was influenced by the prejudices of the original human colonist. So I'm looking for someone who could wip up a decent jpeg image of a globe surrounded by a wreath surmounted my a lion for the Royal marine insignia. Could have the possible addition of a latin motto but that may only appear on a crest which would be the insignia with a scroll on the bottum and a motto. So anyone have an idea for a good motto for the Royal Marines of Clarion? I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 29, 2009 - 1:43pm | How about this (click on the thumbnail for a larger version): I could scale, delete or modify any individual element as desired and add text where needed if you want. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
August 29, 2009 - 1:55pm | Or maybe a different lion: Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
 August 29, 2009 - 1:58pm | Very cool. I like it. Can you make other designs...say a pineapple surrounded by a gold laurel wreath? |
August 29, 2009 - 2:08pm |   If you have a higher res version of your avatar I could make it a little cleaner. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
August 29, 2009 - 2:29pm | Or maybe a different lion: Personally I like this one but without a latin moto I'll want to drop the scroll. once I have a page on the game forums I'll post the character generation sheet. No one commented on the idea of having enlisted and officer ranks- the original White light module only had officer ranks as well they probably envisioned all the PCs being officers. I believe that you could make a case for such a military structure based of historic russian practice of all technical work being done by officers and enlisted were just scut and grunt work IIRC the comparison my Dad made between Russian and American Air forces. The point being I was planning to have the PCs be officers and NCOs with a squad of "red shirt" security people who get lead by the PCs. But I'm not sure how players will feel about being an NCO and in theory having to take orders from another player whos an officer. So I think for simplicity all PCs will be Midshipmen unless a player with a gunnery officer wants to run an NCO who will do officer candidate school in the course of the adventure and become a LT. during the course of the adventure. (The advantage of doing that would be a bonus on leadership check with enlisted NPCs) I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 29, 2009 - 3:23pm | I prefer that one as well. I didn't find those lions until after I posted the first one. I can easily drop the scroll. I just put it there in case you came up with a motto. I'd expect there to be enlisted ranks as well, especially for grunt work as you described. I'd start the PC's all out at the same rank (midshipmen, midshipbeings?) as you described, you can always promote whoever the group decides to be in charge later anyway if you wanted to, but I agree, having some additional rank would help with LDR rolls with NPC's As to mottos, here are a few: fidelitas, veneratis, virtus (loyalty, honor, valor) ut servo quod vallo (to serve and defend/protect) Audaces fortuna iuvat (Fortune favors the bold) vincere aut mori (Conquer or die) Acta non verba (Action not words) Causarum justia et misericordia (For the causes of justice and mercy) De inimico non loquaris sed cogites (Don't wish ill for your enemy; plan it) Divide et impera (Divide and conquer) Dum spiramus tuebimur (While we breathe, we shall defend) Fortes fortuna adiuvat(or iuvat) (Fortune favors the brave) Fortitudine vincimus (By endurance we conquer) Fortius quo fidelius (Strength through loyalty) I can dig up more if you would like. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
August 29, 2009 - 4:27pm | Here's a possible motto: Pro Flos quod Patria(For Crown and Country), or, if you prefer, Pro Rex quod Patria(For King and Country). Make the globe a starscape(with White Light's star in the center)surmounted by a crowned lion, make the laurels gold, and have the sword streak round the globe like a comet. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 29, 2009 - 7:04pm | I just had a thought. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 29, 2009 - 7:08pm | I like that motto!  The justice in the void one is nice too. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
August 29, 2009 - 7:38pm | My brother once ran a DND campaign based around a marine unit. His goal was to teach a group of kids brought up on FPS and PVP computer games the strength of teamwork. He even made it a requirement that the characters be Lawfully aligned. The effort failed to a certain degree because the marine unit had no clear hierarchy defined and no one named as a team leader. (And also due to many players being completely unable to run a Lawful character - but that's beside my point). As a military veteran, I can assure you that every (well run) combat unit has a clear chain of command. Most veterans will be able to tell you of a time when a buddy was put in charge of his/her team/squad/detail. It comes with the territory. I believe that the players would be able to cope with having one PC placed above the others. The difficulty is in deciding which to place in the leadership role. If all are new recruits, it might be the one with the highest leadership score or does the best job of kissing the CO's butt. Or, as new recruits, it might be the policy of the CRM to rotate each recruit through the command of a mission until one shows himself/herself more capable of the position (or simply outlives the others). If you go the enlisted route, make everyone privates except those who have leadership roles. These you should make corporals or sargeants. That's my two cents. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
August 29, 2009 - 8:36pm | I like that motto! The justice in the void one is nice too. Which one, Obviam nox noctis? "Justice in the void," is the motto of the British Royal Space Force, for anyone who's seen the BBC series Hyperdrive, which had some good visuals, and a couple of decent stories(and a good background setting), but, overall, not a series I'd recommend. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 29, 2009 - 8:39pm | My brother once ran a DND campaign based around a marine unit. His goal was to teach a group of kids brought up on FPS and PVP computer games the strength of teamwork. He even made it a requirement that the characters be Lawfully aligned. The effort failed to a certain degree because the marine unit had no clear hierarchy defined and no one named as a team leader. (And also due to many players being completely unable to run a Lawful character - but that's beside my point). And, I thought I'd championed some lost causes in my time.  As a military veteran, I can assure you that every (well run) combat unit has a clear chain of command. Most veterans will be able to tell you of a time when a buddy was put in charge of his/her team/squad/detail. It comes with the territory. I believe that the players would be able to cope with having one PC placed above the others. The difficulty is in deciding which to place in the leadership role. If all are new recruits, it might be the one with the highest leadership score or does the best job of kissing the CO's butt. Or, as new recruits, it might be the policy of the CRM to rotate each recruit through the command of a mission until one shows himself/herself more capable of the position (or simply outlives the others). If you go the enlisted route, make everyone privates except those who have leadership roles. These you should make corporals or sargeants. That's my two cents. Who emerges as the leader is a matter of character story and good roleplaying. Excellent observations, Georgie. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 29, 2009 - 11:10pm | Wow great contributions! I like the RAF insignia as the habit of the CRM is apparently to name 90% of its starships after birds so that is a pretty cool design. I really appreciate the latin offering as my latin ability is limited to online translator services that dont always get things right! I would say at least half of what was offered really grabs me in some way. Though I like the motto with void in it I'm not for it as it implies the CRM seek to bring justice beyond their star system (void jumping) while I'm not against the adventure moving beyond the White Light system I just cant imagine a militia organization choosing that when their mandate is clearly the boundaries of their star system. Yet it would make a nice motto for space fleet or even one of the task forces within that fleet. If I had to settle on one I might just go with "Against the Night" as it ties into the star system name very nicely. None the less the Royal marine inspired insignia and the RAF one can both be used as there is room for a space service, Royal Guard, and I had sort of envisioned a Royal Constabulary service that functioned like a Federal police force- obviously I will need to flesh out the setting since the adventure will focus in this one system. If no one has any other ideas occur to them I'd like to propose the RAF style insignia for the CRM and the RM style insignia for the Royal Guard or Army. they're both great work, guys! even though I spent time thinking about the Royal constabulary they currently dont figure in the outlines I've worked up for the adventure so theres no pressing need for an insignia though I think I'll pencil in the "Serve and Protect" motto for the constables. there isnt really a mechanism for having a poll within a thread otherwise I'd just pick 3-5 and have you all vote, As it sits these are my favorites for the CRM anyone want to champion the cause of one in particular? If we get an obvious winner I'll go with that and if not I'll play the deciding vote. I think the telling thing would be that the motto probably evolved or was born out of the CRM's experiences in the First Common Muster and the 1st Sathar War so settled on these as possible mottos fidelitas, veneratis, virtus (loyalty, honor, valor) Dum spiramus tuebimur (While we breathe, we shall defend) Fortes fortuna adiuvat(or iuvat) (Fortune favors the brave) Fortitudine vincimus (By endurance we conquer) Pugna pro astrum! (Fight for the stars!), or Nixor pro astrum! (Struggle for the stars!). Obviam nox noctis(Against the night). I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 30, 2009 - 12:47am | Royal Constabulary? Don't you mean the Royal Clarion Mounted Police, aka, the RCMP? They could ride the robosteeds Bill introduced in SFMan #7 or 8. An RCMP backstory could go something like this: I originially came to Port Loren on the trail of the killers of my clansmen.... LOL, eh? "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 30, 2009 - 5:11am | I'm going against the grain...I liked the logo with the single sword between the lions. As for a motto: "It's NOT Gollywog, Frag-hole!" (well, that's probably better suited for a platoon or unit logo instead) |
August 30, 2009 - 7:32am | More suited for a dramatic one-liner as the Clarion assault scout blows up the Streel corporate frigate. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 30, 2009 - 8:18am | @ Shadow yeah I could see it being the motto of say an individual ship. @ Will I was actually thinking, at the back of my mind, about the mounties but the original idea was stolen from an article for Space 1889 concerning the Royal Martian Constables IIRC. who were used to police Britains colony on Mars. (and they were mounted with appropriate martian mounts) I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 30, 2009 - 9:51am | If you have a higher res version of your avatar I could make it a little cleaner. Thanks Very Much. Unfortunately, I do not have a higher res version of my avatar. I wish I could find a really nice, but simple, drawing of a pineapple without a face. Must search the Internet again. I am now officially embarrassed as I was actually kidding when I asked about making this.  |
August 30, 2009 - 10:54am | @ Shadow yeah I could see it being the motto of say an individual ship.@ Will I was actually thinking, at the back of my mind, about the mounties but the original idea was stolen from an article for Space 1889 concerning the Royal Martian Constables IIRC. who were used to police Britains colony on Mars. (and they were mounted with appropriate martian mounts) Did they have pet wolves and jump out of windows?! Thank you kindly. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 30, 2009 - 12:55pm | I am now officially embarrassed as I was actually kidding when I asked about making this. I know you were but it took me all of 2 minutes to whip up and post so I figured it'd get a good laugh.@jedi - As soon as you register over at starfrontiers.info (or if you are registered under a different name let me know what it is) I'll make the forum and give you moderator/admin access. It does allow for polls and you could set one up there if you wanted to. Ad Astra Per Ardua! My blog - Expanding Frontier Webmaster - The Star Frontiers Network & this site Founding Editor - The Frontier Explorer Magazine Managing Editor - The Star Frontiersman Magazine |
August 30, 2009 - 1:17pm | My brother once ran a DND campaign based around a marine unit. His goal was to teach a group of kids brought up on FPS and PVP computer games the strength of teamwork. He even made it a requirement that the characters be Lawfully aligned. The effort failed to a certain degree because the marine unit had no clear hierarchy defined and no one named as a team leader. (And also due to many players being completely unable to run a Lawful character - but that's beside my point). As a military veteran, I can assure you that every (well run) combat unit has a clear chain of command. Most veterans will be able to tell you of a time when a buddy was put in charge of his/her team/squad/detail. It comes with the territory. I believe that the players would be able to cope with having one PC placed above the others. The difficulty is in deciding which to place in the leadership role. If all are new recruits, it might be the one with the highest leadership score or does the best job of kissing the CO's butt. Or, as new recruits, it might be the policy of the CRM to rotate each recruit through the command of a mission until one shows himself/herself more capable of the position (or simply outlives the others). If you go the enlisted route, make everyone privates except those who have leadership roles. These you should make corporals or sargents. That's my two cents. Long ago there was a D6 Star Wars spin-off. A fan made game of Starship Troopers - The Movie. The mechanics were simplified and very fast playing. The Bugs were overwhelming. The game was very bloody. It was possible to go thru 2 or 3 characters per battle. Being an Officer, NCO, Radio, or Heavy Weapon Trooper was a bad thing (the Bugs gave attack priority to these types). It was best to be a Private. The players had to choose who got to be what in the game. Every position had to be filled before you could be a Private. We used to play "rock, paper, scissors" or "cut cards" or "dice off" to see who got stuck with what position. NPCs were used to fill out the platoon. Every player eventually got stuck with being in charge. Being in charge and not knowing what to do ("Another 90 day Wonder!") was considered normal and was not held against the player. The game was violent, mindless and very fun - for a while. My point - The military needs a chain of command. Let the players choose who is in charge. In a serious game it will not take the players very long to figure out who knows his stuff and should be in charge. If your mission can be divided into parts that take one session each, a different player could be in charge each game session. Kind of what they do with NCO and Officer Cadets. |
August 30, 2009 - 8:50pm | My point - The military needs a chain of command. Let the players choose who is in charge. In a serious game it will not take the players very long to figure out who knows his stuff and should be in charge. If your mission can be divided into parts that take one session each, a different player could be in charge each game session. Kind of what they do with NCO and Officer Cadets. Great suggestion, I was debating whether to have prequel sort of small stuff mini adventures or just jumping into the big stuff full bore I find a having small stuff first causes fatigue early as people start wondering if this is going some where but your suggestion works best if you have small stuff early to let things shake down a little (even when I do small stuff it usually has some sort of tie in to the big stuff). Even now you have me thinking up stuff that would be small stuff as it would be brief sessions to allow for trying out your suggestion. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 31, 2009 - 2:43am | So it's settled: My character in the game (a lewd, crude, rude, piece of chewed up food dude of a Dralasite) has a copyright on that motto. It's going on his vacc helmet, and you have to give him a credit every time you use it. P.S. @ Jed --- is this waht you were tinkering with earlier on with the Royal Marine uniforms? Do you need me to post those again or email them to you etc (they may have fallen off from that thread unless I hosted them here)? |
