LFP Starfinder One-Shot(s) (possibly regular)

[stephan_]

I calculated yesterday's XP. I did not use TABLE 11–2: CR EQUIVALENCIES (I just used the individual XPs), as three goblins are definitely not a CR 3 encounter.

In total you earned 3900 XP (if you are interested I can send you the excel file), which is exactly 1300 XP for everyone. Incidentally, this is just enough to get you to level 2.

How do you want to handle roleplaying awards (if any)? An inspiration-like system (e.g. a +1d6 for one check)?

As some of you did not have a lot of time preparing the character (if at all), you are of course still free to modify your character. If we indeed run AP1 you might also want to think about party balance/composition.

I should also have added everyone interested to the game calendar, so you should also be able to discuss party balance/composition there.

As there are a lot of people new to Starfinder (myself included): How do you want to handle rule questions (looking them up as we encounter them, after the session, ...)? Also, do you want the first sessions to be rather fast paced or should we allow OOC questions during the game such as: "How did you get the -2 modifier on your attack?" in order to better accomodate the learning of new players?

Edit: And one additional question: Do you want out Obsidian Portal for the Campaign Management outside of FG?

[stephan_]

For the players that couldn't join us on Saturday (Rondor and Bresnod): From a party balance perspective, a ranged soldier and/or a tech specialist (technomancer or mechanic) would be nice but don't feel obligated to having to fit a predetermined role. We'll figure something out regardless. For survivability's sake, you would probably also start at level 2 (unless you want your own "speedrun" origin story on how you got to Absalom Station, then we could attempt to arrange that, too).

Rondor's existing character might actually fit the ranged soldier role nicely.

Regarding a regular game time: Most responses I've received so far tend to point towards Saturday (afternoon GMT), similar to the previous game.

[ReverendJ]

On levelling-up I've put skill ranks in Computers & Engineering, so at least we won't have nobody with better than -1 modifier next time

[Artaron]

It'll be nice to have as a fallback or a way to assist, but we reaply need a tech specialist.
This is really a specialist game and AP. With very challenging DCs and really requiring a mix of fighters/skilled/face type characters, each "the best there is at what it does"

[stephan_]

Bresnod offered to play a mechanic with a combat drone (see game calendar).

[davidbofinger]

I would be interested in a Starfinder one-shot if it was compatible with GMT+10.

[stephan_]

We seem to be moving towards a more regular game. There's also another GM that is currently looking for players for a long-term campaign. Should you find enough other players, I might be available to GM another one-shot though.

@Everyone: Pact Worlds options (races, ...) are also OK as long as they are discussed beforehand. You should be prepared to code in the relevant details yourself though as it might take some time for it to reach FG.

[stephan_]

As I haven't heard anything to the contrary, the next game will be Saturday, 7th of April 2018, 3 PM GMT.

Duration: Depending on your availability 3 to 4 hours (+-1).

After some embarrassing amount of time I think I've figured out the game calendar time entries. There still is a chance I've I've input the timezone incorrectly so please double-check whether it conforms with 3 PM GMT.

Some more information probably in a few hours.

[jakemtl]

Hello Stephan - I really enjoyed the last session, and am very excited for the next session - I have a question about the loot - does anybody remember how much we each get from the last sessions? - I do not remember and I am preparing my character for level 2 and may want to upgrade some equipment to what level 2 opens me up to.

For roleplaying rewards, I like to keep to DM awarded "inspiration", whatever the SF equivalent to "inspiration" is, but I prefer that characters be limited to one "inspiration" at a time (they cannot be pooled). Also to use it, players would have to declare wanted to use it prior to rolling. I also like to play that a player can transfer his/her "inspiration" to another player to help them with a specific roll. I am also open to other ways to reward character play.

How do I want to handle rule questions? - I would like to look them up as we encounter them, I want to get into proper SF playing habits an am afraid that if I start playing incorrectly it may be difficult to intuitively play the way the game was designed. As such I would appreciate it if other players who notice me playing a situation wrong or not according to the rules, to be forthright and let me know so I can correct the behavior. I want to make sure that I am playing in a balanced way, and sometimes by not following the game mechanics as laid out, I can wind up unbalancing my participation in the campaign, which may make it less fun for other players. I am open to waiting until the end of the session if players prefer.

Do I want the first sessions to be rather fast paced or should we allow OOC questions during the game such as: "How did you get the -2 modifier on your attack?" in order to better accommodate the learning of new players? - Personally I would appreciate it if any player has a OOC question about an action I am doing to ask it right away so we can all learn, and to allow me to ask as well during their actions. As we continue playing, I think these questions will become less frequent and less intrusive to those that are looking for more immersive play.

Do you want out Obsidian Portal for the Campaign Management outside of FG? - I have never used it before but just started looking into it, and yes, I think I would like to try to use this system to see how it can help us organize this campaign. I think we need to find some sort of system where it will be more intuitive for players to confirm their availability and also have other game discussions, record keeping etc. For instance I am not sure if or how I can level up my character which is located on your FG program. Or to see the shared loot or other artifacts that we found, ship name and stats etc. I have just created an account under the user name jakemtl, so if you need that to add me to the campaign, please feel free to do so.

[stephan_]

I decided to try out Obsidian Portal. The main reason is that keeping track of everything (emails, PMs, forum, ...) is probably a little bit easier with only FG for the "crunch" and OP for the "fluff".

If you PM me your username or email, I can add you to the campaign.

A couple of things:

I only included the party inventory (all the stuff that hasn't been distributed yet).

If you have questions about your specific inventory or you want to update your character, we'll coordinate a time where I'll put the server online for you to work on your character.

I probably will only provide a very basic adventure log (outline, "tangible" rewards like XP, credits, ...) as a. it's less work and b. my view of the adventure is probably not the same as yours.

Feel free to experiment and add your own information (visible to all or only the GM).

Everything is WIP, so I would not recommend enabling ALL email notifications (I only realized this after 10+ notifications).

Again, I'm not entirely sure of the timezones the OP calendar uses, so make sure the next session is displayed as 3 PM GMT.

I'm aware that I ask for input that might require some time to prepare (character backgrounds, playstyles, ...). You are by no means required to fill out any of it (e.g. if you want to develop your character during the first few sessions) but please be aware that if you do not voice your opion about themes or your secret backstory sooner or later, I can't take it into consideration or work it into the story somehow. If you mention it just during play, there is a chance I might not a. become aware of it, b. recognize it as important or c. remember it. Again, it's perfectlly acceptable to leave it blank because you have no idea which way your character will develop but please do not expect me to read your mind.

One exception to this no-input-required rule is the discussion on playstyle and mechanics (stats vs. roleplay, OOC rule questions, ..) we'll have on Saturday (more information on OP). Discussing these things is not my favourite way to spend the time but it could prevent a lot of frustration in the long run.