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View Full Version : SFS #1-03: Yesteryear's Truth Sun March 24 @ 3 PM GMT



stephan_
March 19th, 2019, 13:38
Tier 1-4, subtier will depend on the players. I do recommend a somewhat balanced party though.

Be aware there will be starship combat.

Please schedule around 4 1/2 hours for the game, just to be on the safe side.

About the scenario:

A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1-4.

A Starfinder expedition's dusty data from an orbital scan shows signs of active technology on a distant, war-ravaged planet. Following up on this old lead, the Society dispatches a team of Starfinder to investigate the far-off world. Between making first contact and exploring the ruins of a dead civilization, long-buried secrets of the past are ripe for discovery.

Content in Yesteryear's Truth also contributes to the ongoing goals of the Wayfinders faction.

Written by Jason Keeley.

Starfinder Society Scenario Tags: Faction (Wayfinders), Starship

Some boilerplate clarifications:

Please apply on the FG forums on both the game calendar as well as in the game thread (if multiple household members are playing, one person per household is sufficient). First, it's easier to tell how many spots are already filled that way. Second, the other players (as well as the GM) know what level and class to expect from your character (if you don't know yet, simply state TBD). Third, you'll get notified about any updates if you post in the game thread (at least about the first one). Fourth, it allows the GM to determine who applied first should it become relevant. Some exceptions might apply.

Also, please be sure to check the thread for new messages occasionally. You don't have to check each and every day or every few hours but please make sure to reply to any posts that do concern you in time. Should you remain unresponsive, I'll give the spot to a player that applied after you (as I won't know whether you are still interested in participating or not). Exceptions might apply, e.g. if you state beforehand that you won't be able to respond due to traveling.

If you apply but don't show up or drop out during the game without notice, in future games I might also give preference to other players who have a better track record of showing up. I am aware though that life and technical problems can always happen, so don't worry if you have a valid reason though.

These rules are not in place to prevent players from playing but in fact to enable players willing to play to actually do so. It's frustrating if I have to turn down players if it turns out they would in fact have been able to play.

Technical details:

We will use Fantasy Grounds (I have an Ultimate license) and Teamspeak.

Steps before the game:

Make sure to both apply here as well as in the game calendar (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/index.xcp?id=3432), stating which character you'd like to play.

If you apply, make sure you send me your previous chronicle sheet of the character you want to apply this chronicle to (if you already have any chronicle sheet), either here or on Discord (Fantasy Grounds channel).

If you haven't already, also make sure to either build the character on FG yourself (and send it to me) or log in early enough so you can do so on game day.

Make sure you have updated Fantasy Grounds.

FG alias and Teamspeak server can be found under GM annnouncements in the game calendar.

Other notes:

Also make sure to track your purchases on the Inventory Tracking Sheet.

Be sure to apply on time (if you can make it) as the last games were rather full.

In your own interest, make sure the party is somewhat balanced level-wise.

Newcomers to SF, SFS and/or FG are welcome.

Malkavian_Andi
March 19th, 2019, 16:26
I might be interested, although I will have to use a Jadnura replay. Character will depend on the overall subtier preferences.

SchroedingersCat
March 19th, 2019, 17:27
I also would like to join. Ireloss should be lvl 3 by then.

tahl_liadon
March 19th, 2019, 23:20
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not sure if one can bring a 5th level to a subtier 1-4.

if not, i'd be bringing either level 1 soldier or operative.

stephan_
March 19th, 2019, 23:37
Unfortunately tier 1-4 means you can only bring PCs level 1 to 4. I image it would be an even greater nightmare to balance otherwise

xain
March 20th, 2019, 09:42
When you get to 04 I'll be down for that.

Malkavian_Andi
March 20th, 2019, 15:56
Unfortunately tier 1-4 means you can only bring PCs level 1 to 4. I image it would be an even greater nightmare to balance otherwise

Using scenario tiers for 5 different levels is what they do in Pathfinder. Obviously, there must be a reason for them choosing the shorter tier ranges, like out-of-subtier characters not being as far away from what they're playing (especially for a level 1 or 2, it's a big difference whether they play content designed to challenge 4th level characters or 5th level characters).

stephan_
March 20th, 2019, 23:46
To be honest, I was also thinking of the poor enemies who mind their own business (like robbing people) and suddenly encounter a wild party (with a level 5)...

smkeyes
March 21st, 2019, 02:13
It has to do with how starship combat is set up, and when you get additional ability scores. All the ships are tier 2,4,6,8 ect and that sets up all the DC's for the actions on those ships. At 5th 10th, ect your ability scores go up but it isn't like in pathfinder where one ability score goes up by one point. if all 4 of your ability scores you are increasing are below 16 you are adding 8 points to your abilities.

Malkavian_Andi
March 22nd, 2019, 19:10
It has to do with how starship combat is set up, and when you get additional ability scores. All the ships are tier 2,4,6,8 ect and that sets up all the DC's for the actions on those ships. At 5th 10th, ect your ability scores go up but it isn't like in pathfinder where one ability score goes up by one point. if all 4 of your ability scores you are increasing are below 16 you are adding 8 points to your abilities.
Well, I don't think that's the reason for making the tiers cover 4 levels instead of 5. I'm sure starship tiers could be used the way they are with a different subtier system. Besides, not all scenarios have starship combat. Or they could have designed different tiers of starships.
And ability increases can't have anything to do with it, either. First, there are tiers that include level 5 (3-6; 5-8) and level 10 (7-10; 9-12), so the power jump will be present in those games. Second, while this grants a lot of power increase, Starfinder characters start with less powerful ability scores than Pathfinder characters can. So I suppose it does even out. (Also, +1 to one ability score gives the character absolutely nothing in a lot of cases.)

One thing I can think of is that the APL itself can never be between subtiers, because the overall tier can be evenly divided into two subtiers. That removes the entire paragraph about how to handle such a situation from the guide. And it's a good thing that way. It's one unneccessarily complicated rule less to remember (Well, I can remember the rule for having an APL between subtiers, but I'm sure there people who can't.).

Malkavian_Andi
March 22nd, 2019, 19:51
To get back to topic: How are we standing on subtier? I see 1st level from tahl_liadon and 3rd level from SchroedingersCat.
Anyone signed up who's not on the FG forum?

stephan_
March 22nd, 2019, 19:57
One person is considering it (would be a level 1 I assume).

If no one else signs up though, you'll need a pregen.

In April, 2 regular players should be back again, so it will get easier.

stephan_
March 22nd, 2019, 22:18
As Jack won't be participating this week, it looks like three players, so you'll need a pregen.

Should anyone not be able to make please try to give me advance notice so I can cancel the game.

Malkavian_Andi
March 22nd, 2019, 23:51
So, we basically have the choice which subtier to play, right? (one 1st level, one 3rd level, one pregen 1st or 4th level, and me bringing a subtier-appropriate character (either 2nd or 3rd level))
Any preferences? High subtier might be a bit dangerous, especially with one 1st level in the party and the pregen being the highest level character.

stephan_
March 22nd, 2019, 23:58
So, we basically have the choice which subtier to play, right? (one 1st level, one 3rd level, one pregen 1st or 4th level, and me bringing a subtier-appropriate character (either 2nd or 3rd level))

Correct.

It's not the most dangerous scenario but level 1s are usually really squishy.

Malkavian_Andi
March 23rd, 2019, 00:21
As I mentioned, I'll be using a Jadnura replay, so I do know of the nature of this scenario (and will drift a bit into the background at times, mostly when it comes tomaking choices).
The starship combat can get a bit dangerous, though.

I suppose the main question here is whether SchroedingersCat is ok with playing down.

SchroedingersCat
March 23rd, 2019, 19:02
I don't mind playing a lower tier.

tahl_liadon
March 24th, 2019, 13:48
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for future games, what do people feel about getting back to starting at 13h00 gmt like before instead of recent switch to 15h00 gmt (11h00 est)?

the 15h00 start and usual minimum 4-hr block for society sessions takes up the middle of day for me. my preference would be to have session end by mid day (edt) if possible so i can make use of the latter half of my day.

thoughts?

stephan_
March 24th, 2019, 15:10
With one of my games where I'm a player potentially starting up again in April, that will most likely happen anyway. I could however also start earlier next week (though some players mentioned they like the later starting time due to it being early morning in their timezone). Is everyone in general fine with a 1 PM GMT starting time (maybe adjusted by one hour due to GMT not having a summer time)?

In other news: The server is up.

Malkavian_Andi
March 24th, 2019, 15:14
I'm good with starting earlier. On Sundays, I don't have much else to do, anyway.

stephan_
March 24th, 2019, 20:18
Chronicle drafts sent.