TheGenerator's Character Generator

Jun 18, 2022 2:07 pm
Let's make a thing!
While it might feel a little funny to us to give a name as the first thing, it does make some sense.

'First' is a strong word, though, and I would recommend doing the whole first part as a unit. So: Name; Background Skills; Where you Came From (working with the background skill choices). The name might be tied to the place you come from or what your pre-adventuring background was.

The above part is the bit where you have control, and can make choices, this defines who you were before you went out into the world.

I won't enforce 'name first' thought, if you want to save it for the end. We can also (in the real character) shift the Background Skills around during the first Term if we find we messed up the choices (but this should be based on the choices not the dice, of course:).

You also don't need to ever use your given name... (except with your parents?)
Jun 18, 2022 2:41 pm
Alright, I was already doing a test person outside of GP. Here's what I rolled so far:
[ +- ] PC
Now I have to read what I do next.

The book says: "you receive a number of background skills equal to your EDU DM +3 (so, 0 to 6, depending on your EDU score)," But since I'm rolling 2d6, it's impossible to get a +3 modifier, isn't it? So it's always going to be 0 to 5.
Jun 18, 2022 2:58 pm
TheGenerator says:
... since I'm rolling 2d6, it's impossible to get a +3 modifier, isn't it? So it's always going to be 0 to 5.
Probably more like 1 to 5 since you also can not get less than 2 on 2d6.

It is possible (likely) for these numbers to go up and down during character creation, and there are probably alternate rules or settings or races where the starting numbers are adjusted. For now, at the start, 2-12 is the range.
Jun 18, 2022 3:07 pm
Continuing
[ +- ] PC
I think I've got it down. I'm using the handy flow-chart that you can find here
You can add the affiliate id of choice to it ;)
[ +- ] chart preview
Any comments before I start my actual character?
Last edited June 18, 2022 3:08 pm
Jun 18, 2022 3:36 pm
TheGenerator says:
... at level 0 ...
While remembering that 'level 0' is huge. Else you are at -3. :)
TheGenerator says:
... Rolled for commission (I don't know if that's allowed, but I think it is because this is my first career.) ...
Looks like it. I don't see anything the precludes Commission when being Drafted.
Jun 18, 2022 3:39 pm
TheGenerator says:
... leaving out the ones I already have ...
Yes, there are lots of situations during character creation where you end up getting nothing because you already have what they give. If you could have (and meant to) make different choices earlier on, we can talk about making adjustments, but this 'wasted opportunity' is part of the game, so we will only exercise this option when want of understanding is the root cause.

Pay careful attention to which increase and which don't and just set a value, it is a lottle bit confusing.
TheGenerator says:
... it doesn't state any penalty for failing ...
Then you just don't get the reward.
TheGenerator says:
... forgot to take Gun Combat 1 from rank 0 "Private" before ...
Indeed. We should have it all written down, so we can go back and check that nothing like this was left off, hopefully anything left off did not affect any of the rolls and the course of your life.

Getting something at Rank 0 seems like an unusual occurrence. We have to be on the lookout for these. At the table, with live back and forth, the GM (I actually quite like the term Referee, as they are not on either 'side' but are an impartial observer of the rules) and other players would look at each table and help guide things and pick up on missed things.
TheGenerator says:
... handy flow-chart ...
This is both a complicated enough and old enough game that I am sure there are all sorts of useful resources online. I will start a list and we can check which are 'proper'.
TheGenerator says:
... You can add the affiliate id of choice to it ...
On this site, I use the site's affiliate link, from the bottom of the page.
TheGenerator says:
... Any comments before I start my actual character? ...
Do we need to talk about 'tone' first?
Jun 18, 2022 4:06 pm
vagueGM says:
Do we need to talk about 'tone' first?
Probably, yes :)
I've started on making an empty character sheet to use as a template. There was one in the repository, but it doesn't have any of the fancy new features :) (also it wasn't pretty enough for me :p)
Jun 18, 2022 4:21 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Probably, yes ...
Answer the questions then. :)
TheGenerator says:
... empty character sheet ...
Blindly approved. (as usual)
TheGenerator says:
... template. There was one in the repository, but it doesn't have any of the fancy new features ...
I saw that, we can make our own as we make characters, and then, once we have ironed out the kinks, submit it to the repository.
Jun 18, 2022 9:31 pm
Impressive work on the sheet.

Minor type 'Trainins'.

I am not a fan of the Characteristic DMs being hidden away in a 'spoiler' block, those are probably the things we most often wanting to see when we open a sheet, so they should maybe be front and center?
Jun 18, 2022 9:36 pm
vagueGM says:
... Characteristic DMs ...
Nevermind, I see those are just the references to help while making a character. Not sure I would put them on the sheet and make the player remove them later, but they are handy.

We probably need a sheet field for the types of things that are should be deleted after character creation.
Jun 18, 2022 10:36 pm
vagueGM says:
Impressive work on the sheet.

Minor type 'Trainins'.
Thank you! I modeled it after the one Seth Skorkowsky made.
And thank you :) I fixed it.
vagueGM says:
We probably need a sheet field for the types of things that are should be deleted after character creation.
There are some things on that sheet I don't even know what they're used for yet :P
I'm sure there will be tweaks while I play.
Jun 22, 2022 5:02 pm
@TheGenerator If you are going to be working on sheets for other games I figured I would post my unfinished additions to your one here, so you can look at incorporating what you need into the CoC one.

The layout is horrible but I was looking at the code to do the calculations for us. This calculates the Characteristic DM via the long Lookup (we can not use something like the simple `_str_dm$=+floor(str/3)-2` because of the out of character 0), it also recalculates the Score and the DM after Damage.


[spoiler="Initial Stat Values"][table=stats grid zebra compact]
STR | [_str_init=1]  |   | INT | [_int_init=13]
DEX | [_dex_init=10] |   | EDU | [_edu_init=14]
END | [_end_init=9]  |   | SOC | [_soc_init=6][/table][/spoiler]
[table=stats grid zebra compact]
STR | [_str_dmg=0] |   | INT | [_int_dmg=3]
DEX | [_dex_dmg=1] |   | EDU | [_edu_dmg=4]
END | [_end_dmg=2] |   | SOC | [_soc_dmg=6]
[/table]

[table=stats grid zebra compact htl]
Stat |  Damage        | Score                    | DM
STR  |  -[_str_dmg=0] | [_str$=str_init-str_dmg] | [b][_str_dm$=+lookupBonus(str, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
DEX  |  -[_dex_dmg=1] | [_dex$=dex_init-dex_dmg] | [b][_dex_dm$=+lookupBonus(dex, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
[b]END[/b] | -[_end_dmg=2] | [_end$=end_init-end_dmg] | [b][_end_dm$=+lookupBonus(end, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
INT  |  -[_int_dmg=3] | [_int$=int_init-int_dmg] | [b][_int_dm$=+lookupBonus(int, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
EDU  |  -[_edu_dmg=4] | [_edu$=edu_init-edu_dmg] | [b][_edu_dm$=+lookupBonus(edu, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
SOC  |  -[_soc_dmg=6] | [_soc$=soc_init-soc_dmg] | [b][_soc_dm$=+lookupBonus(soc, 0,0,-3, 1,2,-2, 3,5,-1, 6,8,0, 9,11,1, 12,14,2, 15,17,3)][/b]
[/table]
Jun 22, 2022 5:41 pm
I combined yours and that seems to work too: [_str_dm$=+lookupBonus(str, 0,0,-3, 1,17,floor(str/3)-2)
Jun 22, 2022 5:45 pm
There is no need to duplicate the _dmg fields, I was experimenting with having Damage in its own table, and ended up copy/pasting both. I think having Damage as a column in the Characteristics table works (hence the bolded END as the primary Damage receiver (though third on the list)).

We can also put the initial/base scores in the same table and rest, but that got a bit cluttered, so I moved them into their own spoilered table (we only need to think about them during character creation (or when they advance)).

I created _str_dm variables in case we want to create clickable roll tables to fill in the values, but this game has a few too many elements involved in each roll for that to be simpler than just typing it in manually.
Jun 22, 2022 5:46 pm
TheGenerator says:
I combined yours and that seems to work too: [_str_dm$=+lookupBonus(str, 0,0,-3, 1,17,floor(str/3)-2)
I meant to test if we could have formulas in the lookup. I found I could not define the lookup as a formula.

Presumably this would extend past 17 now? Currently it says anything over the expected values is +0. I figured this was fine since they are not allowed and can be added if they ever come up.
Jun 22, 2022 5:52 pm
Yeah, I was thinking about what to do with over 17 and below 0. How about this?
+lookupBonus(str,-50,0,'NaN', 0,0,-3, 1,17,floor(str/3)-2, 18, 50, 'NaN')

I wanted to put 'ERROR' there, but it doesn't seem to support text.
Jun 22, 2022 6:08 pm
The rules are clear that values can not go below 0, but I am not sure I want to enforce this in the sheet. I would just leave it bottoming out at +0, and might add some colouring as a warning that there was an error.

I think the value reverting to +0 when someone goes over 17 is clear enough. We don't have rules for values over that in the core book, but there is implication that some aliens may be able to get higher numbers (higher than the +2 we have seen).

I assume higher numbers would continue the pattern, so the 1,17 could become 1,99 or whatever, but leaving it at 1,17 is all we really know for sure. I think I went to 18 on the lookup bacuse the pattern looked consistent.

The rules technically say 15+ is +3, so higher values don't provide higher DMs, but I think that is an oversight.
Have you tested that that `floor(str/3)-2` formula is correct for all values 1-17? I sucked it out of my thumb, and once I moved to the lookup I did not test it thoroughly.
Jun 22, 2022 6:23 pm
vagueGM says:
Have you tested that that `floor(str/3)-2` formula is correct for all values 1-17?
Not for all, but I think it's correct.

Right now I'm trying to hack the 2column tag to make it split in a non 50/50 way. But no luck so far :(
Jun 22, 2022 6:26 pm
TheGenerator says:
... trying to hack the 2column tag to make it split in a non 50/50 way.
Maybe try a 3column tag instead? Then maybe you can, somehow, combine the two that you want to take more space?
Jun 22, 2022 6:28 pm
I tried that too, but can't get it to work. I think I'll have to do without.
Jun 22, 2022 6:33 pm
There is only so much formatting we can do. We have no way of knowing how things will display on other peoples' machines, screens, or browsers, so anything fancy is asking for trouble. (I am very worried about the new F options.)
Jun 22, 2022 7:49 pm
Here we go!
Stats time for Ronny

Rolls

Wish me luck - (2d6, 2d6, 2d6, 2d6, 2d6, 2d6)

2d6 : (43) = 7

2d6 : (15) = 6

2d6 : (42) = 6

2d6 : (66) = 12

2d6 : (12) = 3

2d6 : (51) = 6

Jun 22, 2022 7:55 pm
Until the dice get involved and say otherwise, feel free to shift your Characteristics around during Character Creation. So don't stress too much about there to initially put what.
Jun 22, 2022 8:04 pm
I think I'm just keeping them as is. We'll see how that goes.
https://i.imgur.com/So0WXZA.png
I feel like Ronny grew up on the streets. No real education to speak of, he had to get street smart. Lucky for him, he's got the brains for it and managed to set up a little gang of pickpockets.
Starting skills: Streetwise + Admin
Jun 22, 2022 8:13 pm
Skipping pre-career education.
I'm going to try for Merchant (Free Trader) as my first career. Qualification: INT 4+

Rolls

This is actually pointless isn't it? - (2d6+2)

(63) + 2 = 11

Jun 22, 2022 8:20 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Qualification: INT 4+ ... This is actually pointless isn't it?
Yeah, they are keen to have bright young go-getters, you could not fail.

Who are your crew? Family? Friends? Strangers you signed on with?

What do you come from? What sort of world did you grow up on?

Answer what you can, leave the rest to see what comes up.
Jun 22, 2022 8:21 pm
So, while fencing the stuff his little gang had stolen, he got a job offer from one of his buyers. Probably a shady company but he took it anyway.
I get service skills: Drive, Vacc Suit, Broker, Steward, Electronics and Persuade.
Going to roll on the Free Trader table.
Then I'll see if I survive (Dex 6+)

Rolls

Free trader - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Survival - (2d6)

(66) = 12

Jun 22, 2022 8:23 pm
vagueGM says:
Answer what you can, leave the rest to see what comes up.
I'll have a think about those.
Looks like I got Streetwise so that goes to level 1
Let's see if I can advance (int +6).

Rolls

advance - (2d6+2)

(66) + 2 = 14

Rolling on Personal Development - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Jun 22, 2022 8:26 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Looks like I got Streetwise so that goes to level 1 ...
Yep.
TheGenerator says:
... Let's see if I can advance (int +6) ...
Rolling like a BOSS, but that does not make you the boss yet, still just an unnamed rank. At least you get Persuade from 0 to 1.
Jun 22, 2022 8:27 pm
Where were these rolls 30 minutes ago??? -_-

Oh crap, I forgot to roll the events table.

Ok, so I advance from Crewman to Senior Crewman (must be a Mexican crew) nothing to nothing and it gives me Mechanic persuade 1
My roll on personal development gave me STR+1

Should I stop here and wait for Trailhead?
Last edited June 22, 2022 8:32 pm

Rolls

Event - (2d6)

(14) = 5

Jun 22, 2022 8:30 pm
Event:
You have a chance to risk your fortune on a possibility lucrative deal. You may gamble a number
of Benefit rolls and roll Gambler 8+ or Broker 8+. If you succeed, you gain half as many Benefit
rolls as you risked, rounding up. If you fail, you lose all the rolls risked. Either way, gain one level in
whichever skill you used.

I'm not sure if I have any benefit rolls right now, but I could risk 1 of them for a level in Broker. Do you think that's worth it?
Jun 22, 2022 8:40 pm
TheGenerator says:
... advance from Crewman to Senior Crewman ...
I thought you were a Free Trader? You are looking at the Merchant Marine Table there.
TheGenerator says:
... not sure if I have any benefit rolls right now ...
I think you should have 2? 1 for serving 1 Term (we an say it is 'served'), and 1 for being Rank 1-2. (Page 46).
TheGenerator says:
... Do you think that's worth it ...
I really could not say. That is up to you. I would do it, were it me.
TheGenerator says:
... I could risk 1 of them for a level in Broker ...
1 does not seem like such a big loss, small enough that I might even think about rolling with Gambler (if you want the skill) since, even though you are likely to be throwing away a Benefit, you get it from -3 to +1. Just a thought.
Jun 22, 2022 8:49 pm
vagueGM says:
You are looking at the Merchant Marine Table there.
I sure was! Corrected it
vagueGM says:
1 does not seem like such a big loss
Alright, I'll go for it!, however my Broker is already at 0, so It's a +1. I could go for gambler to get the -3 to +1, but that also means my roll will have -3. Getting an 8+ with 2d6-3 seems rough.
I'm gonna flip a coin for it :D

Rolls

1=broker, 2=gambler - (1d2)

(2) = 2

Gambler it is! (Using 1 benefit) - (2d6-3)

(24) - 3 = 3

Jun 22, 2022 8:51 pm
I lose 1 benefit but gain level 1 Gambler
Jun 22, 2022 8:53 pm
There was still a small chance of getting an 8+ with 2d6-3, and you would not have made it with Broker, anyway. :)

Gambling on Gambler seems apropos, especially gambling Benefits, since having that Gambler Skill now gives you +1 to ALL your (remaining) Cash Benefit rolls.
Jun 22, 2022 9:04 pm
See, I told you my character had the brains ;)
Jun 22, 2022 9:08 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Should I stop here and wait for Trailhead?
Forgot to answer.

No, there is little point stopping and waiting --at least not waiting for them to do their [equal number] Term. Since we need to know the final Term before we can link up, and since this Event was not particularly likely to involve another PC anyway, I say move on.
Jun 22, 2022 9:23 pm
Since I rolled a 12 on my advance, I have to keep being a trader
Term 2
No need to qualify, going to roll on the service skills table and see if I survive
Last edited June 22, 2022 9:56 pm

Rolls

service skill - (1d6)

(2) = 2

survival (dex 6+) - (2d6)

(56) = 11

Jun 22, 2022 9:25 pm
I get a level of Vacc Suit (1)
Rolling event and advancement if needed

Rolls

event - (2d6)

(62) = 8

Jun 22, 2022 9:26 pm
You are embroiled in legal trouble. Gain one of Advocate 1, Admin 1, Diplomat 1 or Investigate 1,
then roll 2D. If you roll 2, you must take the Prisoner career in your next term.

picking diplomat

Rolls

Prison? - (2d6)

(34) = 7

Advancement (int 6+) - (2d6+2)

(22) + 2 = 6

Personal development - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Jun 22, 2022 9:31 pm
TheGenerator says:
... I have to keep being a trader
... No need to qualify ...
Indeed, you only need to roll to Qualify if you are going into a new Career. I believe you can even swap Assignments 'freely', though Advancement gets tricky when you do that.
Jun 22, 2022 9:39 pm
No prison for me!
Got a level of streetwise (2)
Term 3
Going for a 3rd trader career.

Rolls

Rolling on the Free Trader table - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Survival (dex 6+) - (2d6)

(24) = 6

Jun 22, 2022 9:40 pm
Vacc Suit again :p level 2 now
Looks like I survive, so it's event time!

Rolls

event - (2d6)

(12) = 3

Jun 22, 2022 9:43 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Rolling on the Free Trader table
Just to make sure you know you don't have to roll on the Free Trader Table, you could also roll on the Service Skills Table, or the Personal Development Table each time. Same options when you roll the extra from Advancement. Whichever you like, just noticed a pattern.

Those were two close calls on Survival, though. :)
Jun 22, 2022 9:46 pm
TheGenerator says:
Event = 3
Note that that is Streetwise 1, not Streetwise (+1) so it sets it to 1 (if lower) rather than increasing it by 1, so it does nothing for you aside from the added Benefit.
Jun 22, 2022 9:47 pm
Yes, I know I can pick freely from the tables (which are an option). The pattern is purely coincidence :)

Event:
You are offered the opportunity to smuggle illegal items onto a planet. If you accept, roll Deception
8+ or Persuade 8+ to gain Streetwise 1 and an extra Benefit roll. If you refuse, you gain an Enemy in
the criminal sphere

Smuggling seems like something Ronny would do ;)
It doesn't say what happens if you roll and fail... which is a bit odd.

Rolls

persuade - (2d6+1)

(46) + 1 = 11

Advancement (int 6+) - (2d6+2)

(46) + 2 = 12

Rolling on the free trader table again - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Jun 22, 2022 9:49 pm
TheGenerator says:
... I know I can pick freely ...
Good, thought you did, but just making sure.
TheGenerator says:
... It doesn't say what happens if you roll and fail ...
You are rolling to get the Skill bump and Benefit, if you fail you don't get the Skill and Benefit, that is all.
Jun 22, 2022 9:52 pm
The streetwise doesn't do anything, as you mentioned, but I do get my lost benefit back ;)

Advancement is 12 again... so I'll have to be a trader for a 4th term.
And of course... good old Vacc Suit! (level 3 now)
Edit: I'm now an "Experienced Trader" and get Jack of all trades 1
Last edited June 22, 2022 9:54 pm
Jun 22, 2022 9:56 pm
TheGenerator says:
... streetwise doesn't do anything, as you mentioned, but I do get my lost benefit back ...
And a cool story. :)
TheGenerator says:
... Advancement is 12 again ...
I believe that is only for a Natural 12 (6,6 on the dice), not for the total. So you can leave if you want.
TheGenerator says:
... good old Vacc Suit! (level 3 now) ...
Nearing the max of 4 during Character Creation (am I remembering that right?), which is "best in the 'verse'".
Jun 22, 2022 9:57 pm
TheGenerator says:
Edit: I'm now an "Experienced Trader" and get Jack of all trades 1
WOOT!

(also: Don't edit:)
Jun 22, 2022 10:00 pm
vagueGM says:
only for a Natural 12
Oh, you're right. See it in the book here.
I think I'm going to switch to Agent, probably spy :) that sounds fun. After my smuggling endeavor, it seems like a good career switch. But that'll have to be for tomorrow.
vagueGM says:
max of 4
Yes :)
https://i.imgur.com/RnGKZaN.png
This chart is very useful, btw!
Jun 22, 2022 10:02 pm
vagueGM says:
(also: Don't edit:)
Hey, it's not my fault you're too fast to respond :P
Jun 22, 2022 10:04 pm
TheGenerator says:
it's not my fault you're too fast to respond :P
'Respond' has nothing to do with it. If there is any chance someone has already read it (i.e. you have posted it) editing causes issues.
Jun 22, 2022 10:06 pm
TheGenerator says:
... I'm going to switch to Agent ...
Good luck with that. :)
TheGenerator says:
... that'll have to be for tomorrow ...
You do need to Muster Out of Merchant, and roll your Benefits. That can wait for tomorrow, if you want.
Jun 22, 2022 10:07 pm
I know, you're right :)
I don't usually edit things except if I notice a mistake (or want to add something) straight away. I should have realized you were following along almost in real time. My bad ;)
Jun 22, 2022 10:09 pm
TheGenerator says:
... straight away ...
No such thing. Once it is out there, it is instantly too late. :)
Jun 22, 2022 10:30 pm
Checked the career list again, I might go for rogue-pirate instead. Going to have a think about it ;)
Jun 22, 2022 10:40 pm
TheGenerator says:
.. Going to have a think about it
Yeah, save your Mustering Out rolls till you decide to leave for sure. They are all very keen to have you stay, even if they don't offer any more perks (except a Pension if they can convince you stay on another two Terms).

You do have a (what is it -3 previous Term?) Penalty to your Qualification roll, and some penalise you further for being so old. So you may end up struggling to get in.

If you take a fourth Career you will also need to start rolling for Ageing.
Jun 23, 2022 1:13 am
You could also wait and see what they others get (though requires patience:). If we have other Spies or Rogues in the roster that may sway your choice one way or the other.

There is no problem with others taking the same or similar Careers, and it can make for interesting connections and shared in-game goals.
Jun 23, 2022 5:50 am
I thought it was just a -1 penalty. It says -1 for each previous career. And I've only done 1 career, right?
Jun 23, 2022 11:11 am
TheGenerator says:
... It says -1 for each previous career ...
Doh! Quite right, 'Career' not 'Term'. It is just -1.
Jun 23, 2022 3:38 pm
[ +- ] The story so far
As much as Ronny enjoyed being a trader, he felt the need to take on a new challenge. Smuggling things had awakened a side of him he didn't know about yet. He liked talking his way out of things. And so, he wanted to become a spy!

Mustering out:
I lost and gained 1 benefit in my events. I get 3 from my 3 terms as a trader, and I get 2 from my rank (3)
I'm rolling 2 cash rewards and 3 benefits

Rolls

Cash - (1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benefits - (1d6, 1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Jun 23, 2022 3:41 pm
In order I gained:
20000Cr
10000Cr
Gun
Int+1
Blade

Do Blade and Gun go to level 0 or level 1 if I don't have them yet?
Term 4: Agent (Intelligence)
Last edited June 23, 2022 3:43 pm

Rolls

Agent quallification (Int 6+) (-1 from previous careers) - (2d6+1)

(54) + 1 = 10

Jun 23, 2022 3:49 pm
Myself says:
Do Blade and Gun go to level 0 or level 1 if I don't have them yet?
I get 1 blade with a limit of 1000Cr and TL12
I also get 1 gun with a limit of 3000Cr and TL12
I don't think I get any skills.

I qualify! For basic traning I get to pick 1 stat from service skills. I will pick Gun Combat. which is now level 0.
Then I roll on the Intelligence table and try to survive.

Rolls

Intelligence table - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Survival (Int 7+) - (2d6+2)

(41) + 2 = 7

Jun 23, 2022 3:50 pm
I gain level 1 stealth and survive (once again, just barely).

Rolls

Event - (2d6)

(24) = 6

Jun 23, 2022 3:52 pm
You are given advanced training in a specialist field. Roll EDU 8+ to increase any one skill you
already have by one level.
Probably not going to happen, but let's see.

Rolls

Training - (2d6-1)

(52) - 1 = 6

Advancement (Int 5+) - (2d6+2)

(26) + 2 = 10

Rolling on personal development - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Jun 23, 2022 3:57 pm
I am now rank 1 - Agent. I get Deception 1
I rolled +1 Int on the pers. dev. table. now at 14 int.

Next thing to roll is aging

Rolls

Aging - (2d6-4)

(61) - 4 = 3

Jun 23, 2022 4:00 pm
me says:
In order I gained:
20000Cr
10000Cr
I made a mistake here. Because of my gambler stat I get a +1 on cash rolls. So I rolled 20000 and 20000.

I'm not yet affected by aging and will do another term of Agent (Intelligence)
Term 5
No qualification needed.

Rolls

Rolling personal development - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Survival (Int 7+) - (2d6+2)

(51) + 2 = 8

Jun 23, 2022 4:01 pm
Another point of int! 15 (DM+3) now :D
Event time

Rolls

Event - (2d6)

(45) = 9

Jun 23, 2022 4:03 pm
You go above and beyond the call of duty. Gain DM+2 to your next advancement roll.

Rolls

Advancement (int5+) I literally can't fail this :D - (2d6+5)

(16) + 5 = 12

Rolling on the service skills table - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Aging - (2d6-5)

(14) - 5 = 0

Jun 23, 2022 4:10 pm
Rank Field Agent -> investigate 1
Service Skills gave me Flyer. I think I have to pick one of the types. So I went for this:
https://i.imgur.com/yevoJJ6.png
Aging: reduce 1 physical stat by 1. I picked Str (from 8 to 7)

I think I'm going to stop here.
Jun 23, 2022 4:13 pm
I believe I get 3 benefit rolls (2 terms and 1 from rank 2)
I will roll 1 cash and 2 benefits.

Rolls

Cash (gambler) - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Benefits - (1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jun 23, 2022 4:16 pm
Unlucky on the cash, only 2000Cr
[ +- ] I get a ship share
[ +- ] And a cybernetics implant
Jun 23, 2022 4:24 pm
TheGenerator says:
... Flyer. I think I have to pick one of the types ...
Yep. As you did, 1 in the specialisation you picked, 0 in the rest of Flyer
TheGenerator says:
... I think I'm going to stop here ...
Successful careers with only one Ageing related downside. Nice and smooth.
TheGenerator says:
... Unlucky on the cash ...
There are some interesting tables that tell us a lot, Merchant gives better average Cash, but the highest Agent Cash beats all of those. Makes sense, and would carry a story.
Do you know any details about your character's 'story', or are you waiting for the others?

Do you know what sort of gear you wish to build with your Benefits (you don't have to pick weapons from the line-items) or do you need help (I only glanced at the Equipment tables so far), or do you want to wait for the others?

We can deal with Ship Shares once we know what else the Group has access to.
Jun 23, 2022 4:31 pm
Yes, I think I did very well on those rolls. I did play into my good INT stat, which helped. But I was lucky to never get injured.
vagueGM says:
Do you know any details about your character's 'story', or are you waiting for the others?

Do you know what sort of gear you wish to build with your Benefits (you don't have to pick weapons from the line-items) or do you need help (I only glanced at the Equipment tables so far), or do you want to wait for the others?
I think I'll wait for TrailHead at least to work on a more detailed story.

As for equipment, I've got a bunch of tables to go through :p I might not finish that today.
The rules say I can spend up to 10k Cr on gear on top of my benefits.
Jun 23, 2022 4:51 pm
TheGenerator says:
... equipment, I've got a bunch of tables to go through :p I might not finish that today ...
It might also be best to wait and see where we start, and what sort of world we are in, that may adjust the TL of the stuff that is available.
TheGenerator says:
... spend up to 10k Cr on gear on top of my benefits ...
From your Benefits, not 'on top of', though. But you did not have any medical debt, so you have your full payouts available.

It is saying you can only spend 10K of what you have, and have to bank the rest for after play starts. I probably won't enforce that very hard if you want to spend a little more.

During play you might have the chance to Broker (or Gamble) prices down when buying, but that should not affect your choices now.

The stuff you buy now is the stuff you start with, and is, in a way, therefore more part of your character's flavour more than their equipment.
Jun 23, 2022 6:07 pm
I meant on top of the gear I got from my benefits already. (A gun, a blade and a cybernetic implant) :)
Those don't count towards the 10k, right?
Jun 23, 2022 6:08 pm
TheGenerator says:
A gun, a blade and a cybernetic implant
Those don't count towards the 10k, right?
Right.
Jun 23, 2022 6:10 pm
TheGenerator says:
A gun, a blade and a cybernetic implant
Those are also not bound by whatever overall Tech Level we set for the game, they can be higher and you got them from somewhere special on your travels.
Jul 2, 2022 6:18 pm
For the items I got as a benefit I'd like to choose these:
Skill Augmentation with a limit of Cr75000 and TL12
Skill Augmentation Skill DM+1 TL12 Cr50000. (gun combat ~energy weapon)

1 blade with a limit of 1000Cr and TL12
Blade TL2 Melee 2D dmg 1Kg Cr100

1 gun with a limit of 3000Cr and TL12
Laser Pistol TL9 20m 3D 2Kg Cr2000 Zero-G
Laser Sight (TL8) Cr200
Secure Weapon (TL10) Cr250

I read somewhere that if you have money left over from the base items, you can use the rest for weapon augments. That's why I added the laser sight and secure weapon.
Let me know if I have to get rid of those.

I haven't really thought about my backstory yet, I'm waiting to see how our events can line up before specifying my past.
Jul 3, 2022 3:44 am
TheGenerator says:
... 1 gun with a limit of 3000Cr and TL12
Laser Pistol TL9 20m 3D 2Kg Cr2000 Zero-G
Laser Sight (TL8) Cr200
Secure Weapon (TL10) Cr250

I read somewhere that if you have money left over from the base items, you can use the rest for weapon augments. That's why I added the laser sight and secure weapon.
Let me know if I have to get rid of those ...
I don't recall any mention of that, but I assumed 'a pistol with a sight, and secure weapon' counts a 'a weapon'. So long as it all stays below the specified Cr and TL values.

Page number references would be useful so I don't have to search for what on earth a 'Secure Weapon' is. :)
TheGenerator says:
... I haven't really thought about my backstory yet, I'm waiting to see how our events can line up before specifying my past. ...
No problem. Someone will need to start with a little backstory else it can be hard to find the initial connections.

We may need to get a better handle on the shape of the world before we know what sorts of backstories make sense. Then our backstories will feed back into the shape of the world, and so on. Knowing what happened to the characters during creation will tell us a lot about the sorts of things that happen in the world.
Jul 12, 2022 11:04 am
I forgot to reply to this. Sorry.
vagueGM says:
I don't recall any mention of that
It was a "home rule" that the guy (Seth Skorkowsky) in the YouTube video used, I think. I'll go with your judgement on it.

Page numbers:
Augments: 106,107
Blades: 124
Guns: 129, 135

About the gun; I noticed that both Airshark and TrailHead have gone for level 1 Gun Combat~Energy. So for variety's sake, I'm going to grab a different type.

Body Pistol TL8 5m 2D — Cr500 6 Cr10
(If possible, with addons:)
Laser Sight (TL8) Cr200
Secure Weapon (TL10) Cr250
Suppressor (TL8) Cr250

Guns: 126, 135
[ +- ] Body Pistol
Seems appropriate for a smuggler and useful for a spy.
Jul 12, 2022 1:09 pm
TheGenerator says:
... It was a "home rule" ...
Hardly a 'home rule' when it fits what the text says. Nowhere that I saw does it say it needs to be a single line-item, just 'a weapon'.
TheGenerator says:
... for variety's sake, I'm going to grab a different type ...
Cool.
TheGenerator says:
... Body Pistol TL8 5m 2D — Cr500 6 Cr10
(If possible, with addons:)
Laser Sight (TL8) Cr200
Secure Weapon (TL10) Cr250
Suppressor (TL8) Cr250...
Toss in some ammo magazines to make up the difference?
TheGenerator says:
... Seems appropriate for a smuggler and useful for a spy ...
Quite.
Jul 13, 2022 7:58 am
vagueGM says:
Toss in some ammo magazines to make up the difference?
Right. I won't get very far with just pistol whipping everyone :P
With a magazine size of 6, I'll get 6 of them = 36 shots. = 60Cr

I'll probably get a bigger gun with my cash on hand, but I'm waiting to see which tech level we go for.
Jul 13, 2022 8:06 am
TheGenerator says:
I'll probably get a bigger gun with my cash on hand, but I'm waiting to see which tech level we go for.
Yeah. I am waiting for the summaries, and to see what we've got. Then we can discuss TL and Ships and such.
Jan 6, 2023 8:37 am
I updated my char sheet.
From my connections:
- Broker from 0 to 1
- Persuade from 1 to 2

From my implant, with the slight change that instead of energy I'll be going for slug, as mentioned here.
- Gun combat~Slug from 0 to 1

Added the gear too. I guess I need to come up with a story about how I got them.

Is it ok for me to have a TL12 implant? Or is that impossible because of our lower TL game choice? If so I'd have to downgrade. However, I see that there is no implant lower than TL10.
Jan 6, 2023 8:56 am
TheGenerator says:
... Added the gear too. I guess I need to come up with a story about how I got them. ...
If it seems interesting. We can also leave that till that piece of gear becomes relevant to the story.
TheGenerator says:
... I see that there is no implant lower than TL10 ...
I will have to look at the Implants when I can get to the book. We just can say that that +1 Slugger Arm is TL10.

The things we get from Benefits are noteworthy examples of their type, which is why we bothered to keep them (obviously a Cybernetic Arm has it own reasons for being kept, but why do we care about those Blades, or Guns?), so it is fine for them to be TL10.

If I recall, higher TL Implants will cause you problems when you need Medical?
Jan 6, 2023 9:45 am
vagueGM says:
If I recall, higher TL Implants will cause you problems when you need Medical?
Yes, you need a doctor with the same TL to work on it without a penalty on the roll.
I'm not sure which TL Lio would be qualified for. The rule is that for every TL level you are below the TL of the implant you get a -1 to the roll.

What I don't know is how this affects my arm. Would the whole arm be useless, or only the implant. Or maybe that's just a "see what happens" kind of situation.
Jan 6, 2023 10:13 am
TheGenerator says:
... I'm not sure which TL Lio would be qualified for ...
Definitely only TL9 at the start, that is the (highest) tech he trained on. But that change after much exposure to TL10 Implants. That penalty would also go away if Raf were to help Lio, since Raf is a Cybernetics Specialist.

This is mainly about the TL of the hospital facility you are being treated at, so we might end up ignoring it for shipmates.
TheGenerator says:
... What I don't know is how this affects my arm ...
All your Medicals are affected, not just stuff done on your arm. It will not have any effect on the functionaing of your arm.
TheGenerator says:
... there is no implant lower than TL10 ...
That table is all over the place. A +1 Skill is higher TL than a +1 Characteristic?!? So it is easier to get your DEX up than your Guns? Both would affect shooting but +DEX would be useful in a lot more places?!? +DEX is more expensive, but that is seldom a real deterrent.

It does still make some sense for Cybernetics to be considered 'high tech', so TL10 sounds fair. It makes them more interesting and unusual, which the medical complications add to. It is just a slightly harder Check, so you can take steps to offset that when you need medical attention.
If this does not work out we can adjust this ruling.
Jan 6, 2023 9:35 pm
Is it helpful if Lio improves his cybernetics skill as a connection skill with Raf? I don't know when he got that skill and if that is relevant.
Jan 7, 2023 4:34 am
Airshark says:
Is it helpful if Lio improves his cybernetics skill ...
In that a +1 to the Skill could offset the -1 for the TL difference? Sure.

But this rule is about using the Medical Skill, and I don't believe there is any allowance for rolling with Cybernetics at the same time as Medical, you could do a Task Chain (page 63) by doing some Cybernetics first, but that still is only a +1 (we can assume you have Cybernetics 0 due to your general Science training) and diluted by the nature of Chaining Tasks. Just talking your time will give a +2 to the task, so we really are talking about small differences.
Mechanically, I really would not worry about it unless you want to focus on Cybernetics. You would still start as a TL9 Medical practitioner since that is the upper level of all the gear and training you have, any higher tech stuff or experience would need to be acquired in play. It could be an interesting story element if you want that one, a shared interest during university can bring you closer together --but then that is the nature of all the Connections.
Feb 20, 2023 1:50 pm
I was taking a loot at gear, but didn't really find many predefined items that are not combat related in the book. Or maybe I was looking in the wrong section?
Can Ronny have some gadgets like tracking pins. Do I have to specify tracking range and things like that?
Maybe also some kind of comms device for 2 or 3 people (or the whole team if possible)?

I'm not very good at thinking in sci-fi gear terms.
Feb 20, 2023 2:23 pm
TheGenerator says:
... items that are not combat related ...
Yeah, fairly old-schooly in that sort of thing. Most of most RPGs used to be mostly focused on combat. :(
TheGenerator says:
... Can Ronny have some gadgets like tracking pins ...
That probably depends on what you want to do with them. 'Incidental items' we can possibly just assume you have, if they will play a significant part in the story we should work out the details and costs. We can assume 'incidental' until something becomes important enough to care about or make a difference and then work out where/how you got it and what its 'stats' are?

Maybe model a 'tracking pin' (airtag?) after the Bug (page 109)? But what are you wanting to do with it? Track your stuff? Follow a car? Both those should be fairly easy.
TheGenerator says:
... Do I have to specify tracking range and things like that? ...
At least differentiate between 'works in this room', 'works across this city', 'planet-wide', and 'solar-system' and such? Also sensitivity, a device that can follow a parcel across the solar-system and also tell you exactly which room it is in is pretty fancy.
TheGenerator says:
... Maybe also some kind of comms device for 2 or 3 people (or the whole team if possible)? ...
We can just assume your 'phones' can do that? They might have 'walkie-talkie' type abilities, but you can also 'join a discord server' and have group text, voice, and even video.

We can go into detail in situations where it becomes interesting. But this is a fairly technologically advanced city, so there is (currently) good phone-service. Do we want to bring this into play?
TheGenerator says:
... I'm not very good at thinking in sci-fi gear terms ...
Yeah. I prefer real gear, so was happy when we decided on keeping the TL closer to earth-standard. That is tricky (and very hard on cyberpunk) with the rate at which our technology is progressing.
Feb 20, 2023 2:55 pm
Yes, I get what you mean. I just wanted to at least write some things down that I have with me and pay the cost for it where applicable.
vagueGM says:
At least differentiate between 'works in this room', 'works across this city'
I was thinking a type of radar app. Where I can see the direction of the tracker only if it's within 5 kilometers or so? Could be used to tail someone.
vagueGM says:
We can just assume your 'phones' can do that?
They can, but I like the idea of using either more high-tech encrypted signals, or just the opposite. A technology so old (like FM radio waves maybe) that nobody bothers hacking them anymore ;)

It could add some flair/flavor to things.

If you're okay with me making these things up as we go, that's fine by me too.
Feb 20, 2023 3:17 pm
TheGenerator says:
... type of radar app. Where I can see the direction of the tracker only if it's within 5 kilometers or so ...
That sounds doable. Maybe a few dozen Cr for the 'pin' you place on the target (the smaller it is the more expensive, but still not very), and a portable computer to run the app on? These days we just toss an old phone into the car and track it over the internet, so a little roleplay and you can get those 'pins' for free.

You can maybe use Abby's computer, or get one of your own. If all your computer does is run such an app, it will be very cheap. Getting Abby involved will have interesting consequences down the line once you have taught her 'bad habits'. :)
TheGenerator says:
... I like the idea of using either more high-tech encrypted signals ...
'End-to-end encryption', sure. You can do that on your smartphone, or on a dedicated device (like the recently raided and shut down Exclu Chat? (don't try use it) (just an image)). Whatever you guys want.

I do have 'plans' for such 'signals' later in the game, so we can easily layer them on top of the regular network traffic. A Spy would know about such undernets.
TheGenerator says:
... technology so old ...
Security through obscurity? Sure. Abby would be horrified. :)

There would be no way of knowing whether such systems were being observed, so no way to know if your communications were compromised, so go for it. No cost aside from telling us where you got the old gear.
Feb 20, 2023 3:32 pm
How about doing it the D&D way where most professions have a 'kit' that you can buy and that kit contains whatever you imagine that profession would use?
That way I can still suggest items that would be in the kit. But I have already paid for it, it's on my sheet, and it's limited to a range of objects.

I do like the old technology angle :)
Feb 20, 2023 3:39 pm
We are already doing something like that. If you think you would have it, you probably have it. If the cost is something we need to look at, we look at the cost.

The game does have 'profession' 'Kits' and 'Toolkits', starting from page 118, though those are more like 'items' than the ill-defined 'kits' in DnD. If (when) you think you character would have one/some, take it.
Feb 20, 2023 3:53 pm
Alright, fine. ;)
[ +- ] Disclaimer
Feb 20, 2023 3:55 pm
Be warned: vagueGM will totally hold you responsible and make you pay (at some point), no matter what you disclaim.
Feb 20, 2023 4:09 pm
Not to throw the book at you, but remember you are rolling Advocate at -2.
Feb 22, 2023 2:07 am
vagueGM says:
Not to throw the book at you, but remember you are rolling Advocate at -2.
😂

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