 February 9, 2014 - 9:25pm | There have been some rumblings of desire to locate or start a new Star Frontiers game on-line in various locations and I'm starting to feel that itch myself. So I thought I'd throw the idea out there and see what comes flying back. I'm thinking to at least start it as a play by post game. Eventually, I'd like to do the occasional live session via something like Roll20.net or even just google hangouts. So questions for the crowd are: 1) Who's interested in playing 2) Should we start with basic starting level characters or more advanced characters (and if so how much advanced)? 3) What kind of campaign would you be interested in? For example, I could ressurect my Obar Enterprises campaign where the PC's are trouble shooters for a small organization with a ship and a lot of lattitude but assigned jobs, or we could go more open ended where the PC's just go where their noses take them. Or anything in between. What flavor would you be interested in playing? 4) Post rate? How often should the game update? Once a week, twice a week, something else? 5) Any other thoughts? 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 |
February 14, 2014 - 10:10am | Yes, unless someone else is really chomping at the bit to run a game, I was planning on being the referee. And taking volunteers as backups. I'll admit that from a preparation point of view, either the Obar Enterprises or Sathar War game would be the easiest for me to get off the ground. However, the PBP format actually gives me plenty of time to plan for I could really do anything. However, I'm not really up to running a "reverse" campaign where the PC's are the bad guys, it's just not my thing (Sorry Shadow). A "Regular Joes making big decisions" campaign (as iggy put it) is definitely doable and is how my campaigns tend to run (or at least I try). I think if we wanted to do the SWI game, it would defintely fall into that category. So I think all we really need is a theme/goal for the campaign. Ideas to date in no particular order (that I'm interested in running) are: 1) PC's are the go-to problem solving team for small but growing business enterprise (that's my Obar Enterprises campaign) 2) PC's are a MerCo outfit 3) PC's are suvivors of the Sathar invasion of Pale before the formation of the UPF 4) PC's are thrown together in some event and then decide their own course of what to pursue 5) Something else 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 |
 February 14, 2014 - 11:24am | I'm fine with 1 and or 3 as they are cool ideas and would make TerlObar's life easier = game has better chance of lasting... |
 February 14, 2014 - 12:38pm | I'm fine with 1 and or 3 as they are cool ideas and would make TerlObar's life easier = game has better chance of lasting... Me too but I think #1) is probably eaiser for pitch hitting referees to step while item #3 might prove more interesting. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
February 14, 2014 - 4:16pm | Okay, regardless of setting, I've decided to try running it using the skill system from the "A Skilled Frontier" article (Star Frontiersman, issue 9). You can find an on-line version of the article on the Star Frontiers Network Wiki if you don't have a copy handy. I have a few issues with the system but it's probably the best one available for easy play right now. BTW Issues 1-6 of the Star Frontiersman, table of contents up through issue 14, and a few articles in issues 7-12 are all on-line there at the Star Frontiers Network Wiki. Just hit the "Star Frontiersman" link. If anyone wants to help get the rest up I can walk them through it. It's a project I started years ago and which has been overcome by other things. I'll be posting a few modifications of that system in the actual game information but it mainly consists of restricting one skill and adding a couple of others. 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 |
 February 14, 2014 - 6:22pm | However, I'm not really up to running a "reverse" campaign where the PC's are the bad guys, it's just not my thing (Sorry Shadow). No problem. I wouldn't mind hosting such a reverse game, but it would be more role play than graphical. In other words I'd source maps from the 'net and mark locations rather than make my own fancy maps with small scale renditions of the characters as I did in the past. |
 February 14, 2014 - 8:21pm |
I'm curious, in reference to the skills, why navigation as the term? Orienteering seems inline with the rest of the set, a mariner would surely be capable of knowing the stars ns this navigation. just had that thought as I am reading the link right now. oTTo |
 February 14, 2014 - 9:42pm | I like 3, survivors from the invasion on Pale but could easily play 1 or 2. I'd like to play a guy not prepared for the sudden life change who has to adapt his skills to new purposes. Actually I should say I'd like to play a dral or osakar who is not prepared for a sudden life change and has to adapts its skills to new purposes. The option to be an osakar depends on what time period we play in. -iggy |
February 14, 2014 - 9:47pm | ^Oh man, if we're doing rim races, I might play a humma. |
February 14, 2014 - 11:58pm | I have an ifshnit I could recycle from the SF.org game I was playing... |
February 15, 2014 - 3:31am | I'll probably play a yazirian and explore some religious themes. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
February 15, 2014 - 10:12am | There's someone looking to play some KH boardgames scenarios on-line on roll20.net. If you're interested, details can be found here https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/645965/interest-check-star-frontiers-knight-hawks-space-combat 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 |
February 16, 2014 - 9:53am | Well, my regard for roll20.net just dropped considerably. In the post I linked to, I mentioned that we were getting this game together and that it might eventually migrate to roll20.net for live sessions. The post was almost immediately deleted by a moderator because I mentioned a game running on a different site than roll20.net. Turns out that violates their code of conduct. Are they really that insecure about their system that the mere mention of another site is so horrendous? Especially when the post explicitly states that I intended to eventually bring the game there. Definitely a negative impression given to a potential user. 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 |
February 16, 2014 - 11:38am | I'm surprised they didn't delete your other post if that's the case. Perhaps you ought to edit that and say you're hosting the counters elsewhere and "PM me for info".  |
February 16, 2014 - 11:40am | BTW I have a "Bring on the Bad Guys" PBP game ready to go if anyone is interested. http://omicron.forumup.org/ |
 February 16, 2014 - 8:21pm | Is it to late to get in on this? I love Star Frontiers, but admit I havent played in years, with the exception of a one shot about a year ago. 1) Who's interested in playing ME!! 2) Should we start with basic starting level characters or more advanced characters (and if so how much advanced)? I agree with a few others, and would prefer a little above total newbs. 3) What kind of campaign would you be interested in? For example, I could ressurect my Obar Enterprises campaign where the PC's are trouble shooters for a small organization with a ship and a lot of lattitude but assigned jobs, or we could go more open ended where the PC's just go where their noses take them. Or anything in between. What flavor would you be interested in playing? Any! I am up for adventure! 4) Post rate? How often should the game update? Once a week, twice a week, something else? Once or twice a week is good. Schedule the days. 5) Any other thoughts?  ~Nitehood |
February 16, 2014 - 8:29pm | @Nitehood It's not too late. Shadow is starting up a "bad guys" campaign. Just follow the link he posted to play that one. (I"ll probably lurk and watch but not play in that one.) And I'll probably start up another in a week or two. Details will follow. 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 |
February 16, 2014 - 8:41pm | A pretty website indeed! But, I am not a fan of playing bad guys. I will wait for your version. ~Nitehood |
 February 17, 2014 - 10:07am | to late to get in on this? ----------------------------------------------- |
February 17, 2014 - 10:37am | Not at all. We're still just getting started. Shadow's game is up and I'm about to decide on mine and get it set up. 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 |
February 17, 2014 - 6:41pm | Never too late, my game is live and ready. I'll give folks a week or so to pop in and submit characters. Once we have at least two PCs ready to go I'll open a new thread for them to interact in a pre-adventure setting at the local watering hole and new players can wander in as they get their characters ready. Once we have at least four players I'll fire up the actual game. Push comes to shove I can also tailor the game for fewer players... |
February 17, 2014 - 7:51pm | @ shadow: I've registered for your game and I spent down time at work today looking at villian archtypes in literature trying to figure out what I wanted to play for a character concept. i know you are going with AD but are there any options for fan cannon to intrude like say the Spy PSA that was published in the sfman? it was designed to be AD compatible IIRC and I was toying with the idea of a character that might use a disguise skill. and I was also thinking a double barrel shot gun might be fun, you know in case of close encounters (IIRC is was detailed in an SFman). To that end I'm leaning toward a trickster archtype of a dralasite that uses disguise and shape shifting to non noticable and blend in. this character might require some non standard skill set ie the Spy psa or a wounded character who's been stygmatized: perhaps a yazirian that did something dishonorable was kicked out of his clan and perhaps had his pataquim skin flaps cut away (cant gluide) plus some other scaring to the face maybe. this character would be more of a std. AD character. there is a desire to explore the vrusk mindset as well so I haven't made up my mind yet. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
February 17, 2014 - 11:17pm | @ shadow: I've registered for your game and I spent down time at work today looking at villian archtypes in literature trying to figure out what I wanted to play for a character concept. i know you are going with AD but are there any options for fan cannon to intrude like say the Spy PSA that was published in the sfman? it was designed to be AD compatible IIRC and I was toying with the idea of a character that might use a disguise skill. and I was also thinking a double barrel shot gun might be fun, you know in case of close encounters (IIRC is was detailed in an SFman). No, it's going to be straight canon. I even avoided my house rules (which include the aforementioned shotguns I submitted to the SFman/Ultimate Equipment Guide) because, well..quite frankly I'm familiar with canon and it's safe to say everyone else is too. I really won't have time to peruse alternate fan rules and other sites to garner information...so I'm just keeping it as simple as possible. or a wounded character who's been stygmatized: perhaps a yazirian that did something dishonorable was kicked out of his clan and perhaps had his pataquim skin flaps cut away (cant gluide) plus some other scaring to the face maybe. this character would be more of a std. AD character. That will work, it's going to be onbard a ship anyways so the ability to glie will be moot. |
February 18, 2014 - 5:30am | Ok, I created a villian character: http://www.starfrontiers.us/node/8078 working on the character sketch to have a wingless yazirian with a disfigured face As soon as he gets some more cash he'll add a grenade rifle and crossed bandoliers with grenade shells (heavy on the frag grenades). I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
February 19, 2014 - 5:30pm | I'll probably just be lurking in Shadows game. I registered on the site (that way I can see the pictures) but I probably won't play. Although if there aren't enough players, I might join to help it along. For my game, I've decided to go with the Sathar invasion of Pale as the setting to begin with. It can branch out from there I think this will be an interesting setting and theme to flesh out. I'm also planning on allowing Rim races (Ifshnit, Humma, and Osakar) if people really want to play them. Which may seem odd for an early Frontier adventure but in my mind, the beginning of the first Sathar War at about the same time as first contact between ships from the Rim and the Frontier so I'll rule that there are a few members of the Rim races on Pale. However, characters of those types may have issues using equipment as it hasn't been designed for the rim races yet. I'll have to think about that. We'll be using "A Skilled Frontier" for the skill system with a few modifications by me, mainly limits on available skills and addition of a few more. I'll also be restricting/modifying the available equipment list. Posting rate will be once a week. I'll post Saturday/Sunday and players will have until Saturday morning to get their stated intentions in. If nothing is posted, I'll make best guesses as to their action for that post. If everyone posts by Tuesday, I'll try to have a new post up on Wednesday. Characters will be generated as new characters in the "A Skilled Frontier" system and then receive and additional 50 XP to increase skills, characteristics, and racial abilities. That should give good skill mixes but not make the characters complete newbees. I'll probably also award a few bonus XP for initial character development. Everyone will start in Point True, Pale's capitol. I'm about to start setting up the game site. Once it's set up I'll post a link and people can start creating characters. In the mean time, if you want to play, start thinking about the following for whatever character you want to play to help generate some of the background for your character. This is definitely an "average Joes thrown into heroic situations" type beginning so think of these as if you weren't and adventurer. 1) Why are you on Pale? 2) What do you do on a daily basis? What is your routine? 3) Who do you know in Point True? on Pale? 4) What are your character's goals/ambitions? And remember, in this game, the UPF, Star Fleet, and Star Law don't exist. It's just planetary govenments and the Pan Galactic Corporation. Although there is a company called Streele Mining on Pale. Anyway, more to come once I get the game site set up. 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 |
February 19, 2014 - 6:48pm | It just occured to me that if I'm playing a yazirian in two games simultaneously that I might be hard keeping them straight! I may have to explore a new character type. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 February 19, 2014 - 11:55pm | I'd be interested if we were opting for a "live play" option. Play-by-post is way too slow for my tastes. |
February 20, 2014 - 6:21am | I'd be interested if we were opting for a "live play" option. Play-by-post is way too slow for my tastes. I'd be hit or miss for live play sessions, having to plan ahead. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 February 20, 2014 - 9:31am | Interested!
Live play. I don't seem to get the hang of Play-by post ...
(Minor) Advanced characters preferred, not starting from scratch. Not too high restrictions when it comes to charcters and their gear (but no powerplay). If one of my presented Vrusks is fine, perfect.
Once a week maximum for me, fewer times also fine.
Would be lovely to have a mix of space and personal parts. Adventuring through spaceships, but also space fights ...
... ah, just playing again would be awesome!
EDIT OT And where are all those line breaks hiding I have so painfully inserted? Last game played: Somewhere in the 80th (Vrusk by heart) -- fond of Jugger, a "post-apocalyptic" sport |
