Character Creation

Discovery doesn't have all the descriptors. The Player's Guide does, it's a combination of Discovery and Destiny

Thanks, I will look into that tomorrow.

I do like the idea of the captain dying and the ensuing drama unfolding but will defer to the majority on this one. Either works for me, but my character is probably not the captain type so he wouldn't fill that role should a vacancy arise.

I don't mind, so long as I only become captain after that happens. :)

Well of course! We need you in the game! xD

Hey, wait! We are only talking about killing my character right? I can survive that. :)

I’m not entirely sold on the previous captain just died/power struggle hook - simply because I like the United ‘troupe’/crew angle. But, I wouldn’t mind the Captain dying and the first mate having to take over - making it a new dynamic - but, I think any mutineers who would cause a power struggle ought to be NPCs.
From the game desc, I got the impression that everyone is on the ship as a means of having some measure of freedom from the Empire - whether it’s because they have their own goals outside of what the Empire would want for them, or because they are actively against the Empire. For example, I’m not sure how well an Empire loyalist would work in this scenario, but most other PC ideas could work well.
Honestly, I just really like your character concept - it’s a good and complex backstory for a leader character. If we do go with the previous captain dying in the skirmish they just got into, the Arkus could have previously been the first mate/ambassador of the group who now has to suddenly take on the responsibility of captain.
Yes! I love it! Cordy needs a mentor figure since he’s still so new to the ‘real’ world. I also like the contrast of a Mechanical Nano being around a diplomatic Arkus, since they definitely give off opposite first impressions.

Cordy would get along well with any exploratory group - and our Navigator Delve and Glaive who Explores Dark Places, sounds like they would all be keen on exploring dangerous places to uncover secrets and Numenera.

I mean, the captain might not have been killed by mutineers. He might as well have died by bonking his head, falling overboard unconcious and drowning, or Malaria, or being killed by the husband of a woman he slept with while on land.

Also, yes, Areen is super curious and loves finding new secret corners

Yes, agreed. My guy, who probably needs a name, would be very much into exploration.

Yes! All suitable deaths, my favs being falling overboard or killed by a jealous husband.

No love for Malaria? How sad LOL

Heh. Only because it's slow and not as dramatic as the silliness of falling off the ship or being chased by an enraged husband.

The game description mentions:
So I was assuming the original captain died in that skirmish. The power struggle deal is what Qralloq suggested:
I think rather than having the PCs be in various internal parties, they should all be in one and be in support of the first mate. But that’s only if we’re going with that as the opening hook.

That's a good point, I hadn't connected those dots.
I think it doesn't necessarily have to be as extreme as deferring to mutiny. I was thinking that Areen maybe was a personal friend of the captain's in addition to being in his/her crew. In that case she might struggle with the power change as well, because she feels someone is trying to replace her friend, not because she's planning on backstabbing.

I like it!

Me too

I'm good with that too!

If it is me, then here is one possible --off the top of my head-- way I see it:

My character knew that captain from the war (which suggests the captain was also an Empire soldier?!). When they decided to put together a jolly crew the old captain recruited me to help.

I think the captain wanted me as first mate, but I turned that down. Now both the captain and the first mate were killed in the aforementioned skirmish and people are just assuming I will take over.

Maybe I was (unofficially?) second mate? But maybe I was an 'ambassador' or equivalent as suggested, merely there to smooth over trade relations and negotiation hiccups? Maybe I controlled the money as well, which I insist is not a good reason to put me in charge!

Friends of the old captain (like Areen) know the captain trusted me, so would be happy with me as the next captain (removing inter-PC tension) even if they would --obviously-- prefer the old to be be with us. Some other (NPCs?) may be less pleased if we want to add some tension?

I think people also assume the old captain was my superior officer in the war (they were a 'captain' and I look younger than I am), and don't realise that it was the other way round. That I don't really like 'being in charge', but keep having responsibility thrust upon me. :)

Similar to Firefly --where Mal and Zoe (but mainly Mal) were the only ones with strong feelings about the 'rebellion' bit-- not everyone on the crew needs to care about the Empire. It is possible the new captain is not as militant as the old, and that might be an issue for some who signed on to resist? I assume the Empire will insert itself directly into all our lives and become the enemy eventually.