Pedrop Character Creation

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Dec 5, 2022 10:22 am
vagueGM says:

Cool. Think about how she is a Rival in terms of the mechanics. What might she do to hinder your plans? What is it she wants.

Sounds like it might even be possible to get her back on your side... if you put the effort in.
I feel that she have disappeared for first few terms from Raf's life. And then she returned... changed. What she tried to do to hinder Raf... lets wait for the result of the next term - I will try to introduce her then.

She wants... hmm... I think... she wants Raf to also feel betrayed, left alone and get to know how corrupted the officials are. I think she may still think that Rafael is "on government side", believing whatever story they come up to explain the sealing up of their home planet.

Yes... there could be a possibility for them to join forces in the future, but it would be quite hard to do. As many words have been spoken and Rafael takes it very personally when someone tries to harm him directly. Maybe he is not physically very strong, but still have this strong resolve of mind that he inherited after his parents. And we will see what she will try to do to him in the meantime:)
Quote:
Pedrop says:
... she knows that it wasn't his fault completely ...
What does she think you could have done? It does not need to be logical, but how would your going home have helped or prevented the larger government from erasing your planet? Is there any validity to this belief?
I think to answer that we would have to establish what is the "official story" and what really have happened(or what Esmera is thinking is really happened - and that shouldn't be without some true in it). Do we decide to do it now? Or leave the surprise for later?
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Pedrop says:
... He didn't pass the final exams ...
Did he try to write those exams?
Yes. He was on them. He knew most of the answers... but he didn't have necessary training to do the exam tasks fast enough - he have run out of time. And that - lack of training - was due all the distractions that I have mentioned.
Quote:
Pedrop says:
vagueGM says:
I have no idea what any of this is. :)
It was meant to be some kind of a joke... but it it looks like a poor one now... hope it's more about that I'm not native speaker. ...
No, just that I literally have no idea who 'voltron' is. I understood the language, just not the reference.
I meant those animation series:
Votron

The joke was meant to put two things together:
Voltron that is very Japanese in my view, anime mostly aimed at children(but I liked to watch it too with my children - I mean the newest series, but only few first seasons) - "happy going"
with
Mafia - "not very easy going theme".

But never mind. It was a poor one:)
Quote:
Pedrop says:
... sometimes I get too much enthusiastic ...
No worries. I just didn't want you getting your hopes up about mechs, since they are not going to be a significant part of this game.
[/quote]
No problem. I think I can live with them being "a different kind of vehicle" - when and if the time will come to introduce them. And as I mentioned before - if Raf is supposed to ever get one it should be like lightsaber - a prize that he will have to work for.
Dec 5, 2022 10:53 am
Pedrop says:
... lets wait for the result of the next term ...
Many of these questions are meant to stimulate thought, they don't need answers right now. Some may be answered or hinted at by the end of the character creation, but they are just things to keep in mind while thinking about other things.
Pedrop says:
... she may still think that Rafael is "on government side" ...
Makes sense. Mechanically she would probably just be getting in the way of your jobs/life?
Pedrop says:
... many words have been spoken and Rafael takes it very personally when someone tries to harm him directly ...
Remember, for a Rival to be of use in the game I need to act out her interfering with you. I will try to keep this in line with how you see both characters, but will rely on you to fill in more details when it comes up in the story. Don't stress about it.
Pedrop says:
... we will see what she will try to do to him in the meantime ...
On a meta level you --the player-- get to tell us what you are wanting to get from this aspect of the story. If you want us to, we can keep the prospect of reconciliation open, or I can push her so hard that Raf may never be able to forgive her. You need to guide that as we play.
Pedrop says:
... "official story" and what really have happened(or what Esmera is thinking is really happened ... leave the surprise for later ...
Do you have ideas? This is not something I came up with and I have nothing for it and it is not a central part of the universe. This is only one part of one character, so don't expect anyone else --other than Raf and his Rival to care about this most of the time.

Unless you have thoughts about what is going on, I say we leave this till we have to find answers.

It is fine for Raf to have no idea what she thinks he could have done about it. It is also fine for her reasoning to be completely wrong, or to not make sense --now or ever-- or for her to be correct and it could have been prevented. We can have her try to explain later, and it might still not make any sense, but it might not be possible to persuade her of that. How you respond to her actions may influence how much rational explanation you get, so it is up to you each time.

Also up to you how much you tell us, or tell the other characters.
Dec 5, 2022 11:24 am
vagueGM says:
Pedrop says:
oh... no... Merchant Marine probably the most boring career from the whole list?
I don't know. Their Service Skills are pretty good, and their Personal Development table has a lot of Characteristic increases and you were complaining about being weak. You qualify for their Advanced Education table and that has some Skills that seem like they could be very useful in your search.
I meant from story point of view... You know... all this dramatic situation of sealing his whole home planet with his parents on it... loosing his potential wife... being kicked out of the studies at the very end of it...
and he ends hauling some cargo for this corrupted government/Imperium for 4 years... I hope I have enough imagination to make it interesting and reasonable :D

But... getting good at making businesses and having knowledge how the cargo moving at empire works... could be handy... if he ever will go in the criminal direction...:)

But you are right from mechanics pov - those are very interesting skills and can become useful in the future.

But... as I understand it right now I get the skills from Service skills by adding them to any existing levels? So my Drive will go from 0 to 1 and I have to choose speciality? And after that I have 1 roll in one of those 4 tables?
vagueGM says:
Any ideas on what happened? 'Draft' is used a bit loosely. Were you rejected as a journalist because you were too outspoken about subjects that should not be talked about? Were you tricked into joining the Merchant Marines on the pretense that you would learn answers there? Did you decided this was the way to go --as suggested in your post-- and, if so, how did you end up in the Merchant Marines instead of the Army? Are they a stepping stone, or do you believe they are more likely to have the answers you seek? Or did a war break out and your burgeoning Journalist Career had to be put on hold till next Term (you can try again, if you want)? Just to name a few options.
Hmmm... I think he started at some of most regarded media company, as some very low grade employee, had a chance to become a real journalist. But as soon as he mentioned he want to do some investigation about Ignomia he was fired right a way. Realizing very early and the hard way that the biggest media companies are mostly funded by Imperium and won't allow to harm their main money "donor". And it is nothing about getting to the truth. Also this was the first time that he got a very vogue hint that the eccentric multi-bilionner Bill Doors may had something to do with his home planet being sealed. Also it turns out that he is the main donor to the media company's "foundation".

Then he realized that it was the army forces that sealed his home planet. So there should be some trace from where the order came from... at the higher levels of course. So he have enlisted. He really wanted to go Navy, Army or Marine as he thought that would allow him to get up in the ranks much faster. And get to know something. He was very angry when he got to know that he is going for the Merchant (merchant marine) path... Every appeal he made against this decision was immediately rejected. Coincidence? Maybe. ;)

Not having to many other options left... he simply get to work and tried to be the best on the imperial ship. Leaving the next steps of his investigation after he will learn some new things and maybe get closer to the ship's Imperial management. Luckily - as it turned out - the captain of the ship was a retired military captain, who served near his home planet at the time of sealing it... But we will see if Rafael will menage get closer to him...
Dec 5, 2022 11:33 am
One comment for the last post. As for the rest in it - I agree completely:)
Quote:
On a meta level you --the player-- get to tell us what you are wanting to get from this aspect of the story. If you want us to, we can keep the prospect of reconciliation open, or I can push her so hard that Raf may never be able to forgive her. You need to guide that as we play.
Yes, I would like to have this "prospect of reconciliation open" - as you named it beautifully:)
Dec 5, 2022 11:53 am
Doing this:
Quote:
But... as I understand it right now I get the skills from Service skills by adding them to any existing levels? So my Drive will go from 0 to 1 and I have to choose speciality? And after that I have 1 roll in one of those 4 tables?
Drive - Walker to 1 - I think he was a "Cargo Lifter virtuoso" on the ship before he moved higher in the ranks. Doing most of the work in half the time using this vehicle. Maybe by that he attracted the attention of the ship's management somehow?
Vacc Suit 0 - always handy:)
Broker 0 - it will not hurt to know how to find something to buy or seal or in general...:)
Steward 0 - I don't like the meaning of that, but I guess it won't hurt to know how to get closer and to deal with those at higher social ranks?
Electronics 0 - Raf already see some new applications to his mech left at his parent's castle...
Persuade 0 - getting to know the truth will require a lot of persuasion... I think.

Ok... rolling for... ADVANCED EDUCATION. Personal development was very tempting... but this one will be better for his story(getting closer to higher ranks), and let's hope he will survive... so maybe the next term?

Rolls

ADVANCED EDUCATION - (d6)

(1) = 1

Dec 5, 2022 11:58 am
Pedrop says:
... I meant from story point of view ... hope I have enough imagination to make it interesting and reasonable ...
Sounds like you are well on your way already. :)
Pedrop says:
... I get the skills from Service skills by adding them to any existing levels ...
No. For Basic Training you get them at level 0, they do not add. Later, if it lists a number you get it at that number (unless you already have it higher), if it does not list a number you add one to whatever you have, skipping 0.

Since this is your first Career you get all of them at level 0, for later Careers you chose one of them from that list and get that at level 0.
Pedrop says:
... after that I have 1 roll in one of those 4 tables ...
Yep. That you add to whatever you have in that Skill (or Characteristic).

Then you roll Survival (EDU 5+), and if you 'survive' you roll Advancement (INT 7+), then on to the next Term.
Pedrop says:
... the eccentric multi-bilionner ... is the main donor to the media company ...
And owner of the megacorporation you end up Merchant Marining in? Or don't you know that yet? :)
Pedrop says:
... really wanted to go Navy, Army or Marine ...
Yeah, but beggars can't be choosers, and your previous failed Career must have some negative effect on your getting in.
Pedrop says:
... Coincidence? ...
Sure. That is all it was. Where's your tinfoil hat anyway? :)
Pedrop says:
... Luckily - as it turned out - the captain of the ship was a retired military captain, who served near his home planet at the time of sealing it ...
Or so the rumours go. Is this a good or a bad thing? We shall see. :)
Dec 5, 2022 11:59 am
Hmmmm.... Engineer... interesting... If it goes on like this, he'll be able to build his own mech. Maybe....;)

Oh... and I've just read... that those skill will be on 1, not 0 level... Correcting that....
Dec 5, 2022 12:10 pm
So:
Drive - Walker to 1 - I think he was a "Cargo Lifter virtuoso" on the ship before he moved higher in the ranks. Doing most of the work in half the time using this vehicle. Maybe by that he attracted the attention of the ship's management somehow?
Vacc Suit 1 - always handy:) Every mech should be vacuum ready... I think...
Broker 1 - it will not hurt to know how to find something to buy or sell or in general...:)
Steward 1 - I don't like the meaning of that, but I guess it won't hurt to know how to get closer and to deal with those at higher social ranks?
Electronics - Remote Ops. 1 - Raf already see some new applications to his mech left at his parent's castle... And Remote Ops. seems to be the best fit for his interests.
Persuade 1 - getting to know the truth will require a lot of persuasion... I think.

And the roll:
Engineer - Power 1 - what's a mech for, without it's power? :)
Dec 5, 2022 12:13 pm
Pedrop says:
Oh... and I've just read... that those skill will be on 1, not 0 level... Correcting that....
Where did you read that? Your Basic Training is at level 0, and you do not get extra Drive for doubling up.

Engineer is at level 1 with a Speciality as you did.
Dec 5, 2022 12:19 pm
Oh... ok... I focused to much at skills description as it is without the number. Basic training is indeed at 0 ;( Ok, getting back to previous values:
Drive - stays at 0 - I think he was good with "Cargo Lifter" on the ship but that's all... :(
Vacc Suit 0 - always handy:)
Broker 0 - it will not hurt to know how to find something to buy or seal or in general...:)
Steward 0 - I don't like the meaning of that, but I guess it won't hurt to know how to get closer and to deal with those at higher social ranks?
Electronics 0 - Raf already see some new applications to his mech left at his parent's castle...
Persuade 0 - getting to know the truth will require a lot of persuasion... I think.

Engineer - Power 1 - what's a mech for, without it's power? :) Stays the same.
Dec 5, 2022 12:22 pm
Ok, time fot the survival roll... yes? We will see how it all came out...

Rolls

survival EDU 5+ - (2d6+1)

(53) + 1 = 9

Dec 5, 2022 12:23 pm
Pedrop says:
... I think he was good with "Cargo Lifter" on the ship but that's all ...
Absolutely. That seems like it would transfer over from a mech. You can work on getting it higher as you gain more real-world experience.
Pedrop says:
... Steward 0 - I don't like the meaning of that ...
How so?
Pedrop says:
... Engineer - Power 1 - what's a mech for, without it's power ...
Yes. I would have suggested either Power or Life Support.
Dec 5, 2022 12:25 pm
Uff... good roll at least. Ok, now event.

Rolls

Merchant Marine - EVENT - (2d6)

(55) = 10

Dec 5, 2022 12:29 pm
10 A good deal ensures you are living the high life for a few years. Gain DM+1 to any one Benefit roll.

So I can use it now, on later?
Dec 5, 2022 12:33 pm
Pedrop says:
Gain DM+1 to any one Benefit roll.

So I can use it now, on later?
Benefit rolls are done during Mustering Out, so when you leave this Career you get to add +1 to any of those rolls. Declare it before you roll (just add the +1 to the dice code). You may get more such boosts and you can choose how you apply them but most of them don't stack, so ask first if it comes up.
Dec 5, 2022 12:37 pm
Ok, now ADVANCEMENT roll, yes? Or should I do something else first? Assuming this is it.

Rolls

ADVANCEMENT roll - INT 7+ - (2d6)

(61) = 7

Dec 5, 2022 12:41 pm
Lol... barely but still... so thats Senior Crewman and Mechanic 1 - noting on sheet. And another roll on... PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - after all this struggle there should be some "personal development".

Rolls

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - (d6)

(6) = 6

Dec 5, 2022 12:42 pm
Pedrop says:
Ok, now ADVANCEMENT roll, yes? Or should I do something else first? Assuming this is it.
Yep, that's the next step.

A 7 is 7+, so success! You get Mechanic 1 (this is an example of it listing a number so not, +1, not that it makes a difference here).

You also get to make another Skill roll on the Tables because of your Advancement.

Then you decide if you are staying in this Career (it seems promising, and they like you) or trying for another.
Dec 5, 2022 12:43 pm
Streetwise!?!? Lol... is the criminal activity knocking on Raf's door? I will be Streetwise at 1, yes?
Dec 5, 2022 12:48 pm
Pedrop says:
Streetwise!?!? Lol... is the criminal activity knocking on Raf's door?
Or just getting information from people on the street, dealing with locals, understanding customs. It helps with crime, but is not only a crime thing.
Pedrop says:
I will be Streetwise at 1, yes?
Yep. Streetwise 1.
What's next for you?
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