erikaG

Space Western meets Psychological Drama

New character type needed:

In a way, this is an update for the traditional Engineer type that I was initially struggling with. This character type would then supersede the initial one mentioned in the top post on the page. Credit for coming up with this new idea goes to conversations with Jordan, Ellri, and (much further removed) Bounce.

Engineer/Programmer: A large number of systems aboard the ship are entirely automated. There are also a great number of automatons and robotics that are required for everything from repair to cleanliness to the nanites in our bloodstreams that regulate various organic health concerns. However, as code is, these systems are not always immediately adaptable to new environments, changes, and other shifting criteria. This futuristic Engineer should be capable of very high levels of coding in order to reprogram functionality in any system as well as be able to repair these sensitive areas if physical damage occurs. While basic repair, even on occasionally more advanced levels, is a function that all crew members possess, this character is innately familiar with the ship's systems, how they both externally and internally work (in other words, both the hardware and software).

Space Western meets Psychological Drama

Sure, might as well.

Space Western meets Psychological Drama

Sorry for the double post, but, just to note. I will be playing one of the characters (though I'll wait to decide which until other folks have voice their opinion on which they might be interested in playing.

I've gotten one positive from Kessa and another possible from Captain Jordan. We've invited a few other people who we think might be interested in this sort of thing, but I am certainly not going to limit it. Anyone interested is more than welcome.

Space Western meets Psychological Drama

Premise:

Having long since mastered travel from one star to another without having to fear effects of time dilation, humanity has just recently discovered a way to send a small spaceship from one galaxy to another. The trip, however, is one way due to the constraints of the technology used to make such a leap. With subspace transceivers information can be transmitted at a considerably faster pace. These are relatively small in size and the ship either has a significant number of them in store or can fabricate a great many of them. Small crews are being sent from the Milky Way to neighboring galaxies on one way scouting missions, discovering what's out there, exploring system by system, cataloging what they find, and relaying the information back.

Progression (a.k.a. how this will work):

The interaction will mostly be concerned with the psychology of the characters aboard this ship. This covers everything from: why they chose the mission, how they are dealing with the separation from the rest of their people/family/friends, their interactions with the other members of the crew, as well as their exploration and their duties aboard the vessel. The exploration itself is how I will segment the story (via chapters, parts, etc.), with each star system being the driving feature that not only physically moves the ship, but keeps the story moving along as well.

As far as the systems we travel to go: I do not have a specific plot or path in mind (in great part because, as a character aboard the ship, I want to be able to respond as spontaneously to the circumstances in which we find ourselves as everyone else). The contents of each system will be based on die rolls. That being literally everything: the composition of the star (or possibly stars), the number and composition of the planets, how many additional moons/asteroids/other interstellar bodies and the composition of all of these, even the chance of life, primitive or otherwise (and keep in mind that all of these will be heavily weighted in various directions, I use the term “die rolls” but it’s really probably going to go through a random number generator). All of these will be incorporated via reports that arrive through the vessel’s sensor suite.

But remember: these details are not what make this particular rp interesting. They are details given only to occasionally help drive the story forward. They are a supplement, not the meat and potatoes. I may occasionally decide to throw in any sort of plot device along the way if I think that playing out such a scenario within the roleplay would be worthwhile.

I intend this rp to be rather short-lived in nature. However, it could very easily lead to a much larger scale (both in plot and in number of contributors) in the future. The hope is that we will get a significant amount of character development done. The end will arrive at a natural point in the story: i.e. there have been too many questions raised by the potential of the mission to progress and something further/greater is required, the ship blows up (always a possibility, from any number of causes) or even crash lands, etc.

Characters needed (described here only by their duty/role aboard the ship):

Pilot/Captain: I personally follow the Banks model of interstellar travel. That is to say that I believe (or rather I like this element more) that many of the calculations required to pilot a spaceship, whether from star to star, planet to planet, or galaxy to galaxy, simply happen at too fast a pace for the majority of organic minds to process. While certain evolutionary or artificial elements could easily be introduced to facilitate this extremely advanced decision making possible for us meat sacks, I think it far more likely that the piloting role be delegated to the ship’s systems with some sort of interface for slightly grander-scheme decision making to be left to conscious minds (being that the ship itself does not have as an intelligent of an A.I. as many sci-fi- predecessors might). So the role in this case really would be hand-in-hand, being that piloting decisions would go directly through the captain into the piloting mechanism of the ship.

Astrophysicist/Exoplanet Specialist: This character would find their work station at the sensor suite interpreting readouts and assisting the Captain in making recommendations for the exploration of the galaxy based on their findings. This character’s innate understanding of the various sciences in relation to how star systems work would make them invaluable, as only limited information about adjacent systems would be available before a prolonged travel from one system to the next. While in system, this character would also have the Captain’s ear for closer inspection of any particular stellar body of interest.

(maybe/maybe not) Engineer: Considering the nature of a small crew, I initially questioned the need for an “engineer”-type character. It is highly likely that every person aboard would be trained in the repair of the vessel within which they will likely live the rest of their lives. However, this character could have more specialized training in that regard. This character, being more tech-oriented, could be in control of the fabrication/deployment/overseeing of the subspace communications modules, as well as other non-automated tech functions aboard the ship such as maintaining computer systems, robotics, etc.

I’m sure there are other possible roles but I don’t think the crew should exceed four members (possibly five if an interesting enough role is presented). The only ones that I think are absolutely necessary are the two listed on top, with the Engineer being give or take. I absolutely welcome suggestions for other character roles.

Additional:

My influences for this come variously from Iain M. Banks’ Culture novel series, Stargate Universe, and the video game FTL.

As far as “roleplaying” goes, the only math going into this will be the random number generators deciding the star system composition. I will not be “GMing” or holding anyone’s hands through this. I am a writer, and this project is absolutely designed to be a cooperative writing project. This means that everyone taking is responsible for their own character. I don’t think I need to explain what that means.

I tend to write in lengthy prose. I enjoy depth, and part of my writing process comes from critical thinking. Please do not consider this to be an insult. I want my level of writing to be high, and I appreciate the same desire from those with whom I work.

Finders Keepers - [Jorj & Xiga]

Right. So I think it would make sense if my character was new to the game. He might have some street smarts being a gambler, but is likely not to have many survival skills and is definitely broke from his recent losses. Whatever politician threw him into the game might have given him enough money to get something with which he can defend himself, but not a whole lot more. It is definitely possible that he is one of those "easy" targets.

If all the players knew this, I could see one or two more opportunistic hunters deciding to use Blair as bait. Instead of hunting Blair, they set traps for the hunters that seek him out instead. Perhaps your character falls victim to one of those traps but Blair inadvertently manages to save you?

Finders Keepers - [Jorj & Xiga]

Ahh, I see. To me, then, it sounds more like the government uses it as a kind of death sentence for the participants. They know that no one is likely to win so they can throw in the people who would otherwise be dangerous to society as well as those that the government sees as a threat to itself. And of course the people in power would use this to their advantage all the time, like in the case of my poker player, who was a nuisance to the wrong person. As far as the general population goes, if this thing is just slightly more than a rumor, and everyone knows the level of danger, then I think absolutely the government could use that to their advantage. They could easily send out more rumors like propaganda almost using the right sources, especially with the right amount of control over the media. But for the populace to buy into it, it would need to have some proof that this game exists for everyone.

I definitely like that there isn't one person or even a few people running the thing. It seems like it might be too massive for a small group to handle at all.

The other thing I just start thinking about: how do the players know where the orb is and where to take it? Do they get any sort of clue or do they just have to do all the guesswork on their own?

Finders Keepers - [Jorj & Xiga]

Sure, I think having some sort of familiarity between our two characters would add some cool elements into the rp. I remember you mentioning doing something family-ish with a similar idea before so let's do something different this time. It would probably be easier if we knew each others character before we try to tie them together.

I'm thinking of using a man in his late 20s to early 30s. A poker player who lost a considerable amount of money because someone betting against him cheated. But, because the cheat couldn't be proven, and because this other person was in a position of power, Blair (my character) had to suffer the consequences. This person offered to introduce him to this game as a possible way out.

Question: The people who run the game, what is their motive? Entertainment value? Since this is a very underworld type thing, I would imagine they aren't sponsoring it like a corporation would finance an athlete. Their motive could be open-ended as far as our characters are concerned, but it will probably help me figure out some important details about my character.

Reason behind your username and avatar

When I first got into rping, I was solely into Star Wars. Literally did nothing else for almost 6 or 7 years on forums (don't remember when I first joined something else...). Anyway, when I first joined, I was also reading quite a bit of the EU books. My favorite series still is Rogue Squadron but I always liked the characters of the Wraith Squadron series slightly more. At the same time, another favorite author was Zahn, and his exploration into the SW galaxy fascinated me quite a bit. One particular duo was Talon Karrde/Jorj Car'das, So when I first started rping I mixed Kell Tainer with Jorj Car'das to become Jorj Kell. I picked up dropped both names pretty frequently depending on my migrations from site to site, but Jorj became the one that stuck.

As for my avatar, it was a chibi maker thing that I was shown recently by Xiga. And I have recently grown a beastly mustache irl. Plus, who wouldn't want to control fire in their hand and have a huge sword on their back?