ShadowRaptor Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 With the release of Terran Empire and Star HERO, I am still in the working stages of trying to figure all this out and cipher the information so it all makes a lot of sense, but one thing I noticed that the kinds of campaigns one can run are very staggering, and I was curious as to what kind of games many of you will be playing in. Perhaps I will also get a wonderful idea and run with it in my own game also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Desmarais Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 Well, I probably won't be using Terran Empire, but I do plan on eventually revisting my earlier attempt to get players interested in a based on the Honor Harrington setting. John Desmarais Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 I sent this to someone by email who was interested in learning about the TE campaign I was playing in. Here is a really brief rundown of what is going on: The game is set in 2638 during Marissa's reign (from the TE book). The basic premise is that our group is an imperial scout ship posing as mercenary/merchants. We scout out the empire and delve into the Neutral Zones, basically looking for dissidents, uncovering plots which threaten the empire, and expanding the empire's knowledge base involving alien species and worlds. During all this everyone just thinks we are looking to make a few credits. The group consists of a Martial captain, a Fex second in command and the engineer, a Heavy security officer, A Human espionage officer who is also a member of the IPF, a Mon'Dabi communications officer and the chief trader, and a Catavalan scout, who is secretly spying on the Empire for the Velarian Federation. Our current ship is called the Maltise, and is a variant of the Gagarin. It has been modified to carry more cargo and also carries two nuclear warheads incase things go really bad. Our last mission had us on Cherub III, where we were "buying" of load of Kendrium. Our actual mission involves tracking the activities of a smuggling ring know as the Ebon Brotherhood who are trying to funnel terran weapons and tech information to the Varanyi; who are trying to destroy the empire without a major confrontation. So basically we are hunters, seeking out those who would do harm to the empire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armitage Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 Originally posted by John Desmarais Well, I probably won't be using Terran Empire, but I do plan on eventually revisting my earlier attempt to get players interested in a based on the Honor Harrington setting. Except that the starships would be disgusting by the Star Hero and Ultimate Vehicle rules. I was just looking at the specs in David Weber's "The Universe of Honor Harrington" in "More Than Honor". A battlecruiser with its inertial compensator's safety margins cut to zero can pull 500 G's of acceleration. Obviously that could be done more cheaply with MegaScale Flight, but it still outperforms anything in normal Star Hero, and the Inertial Compensator itself would be hideous. Force Field 998 PD? And the amount of Force Wall needed to create the impeller wedge...? Maybe just a Limitation on weapons. Cannot Damage Dorsal and Ventral Sides of Ships When Target's Drive is Active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nHammer Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 Later this year I'll be running a comedy/action adventure Star Hero campaign. It's inspired by the TV cartoon show Futurama. We (the group I game with) really need to play something different. We've been playing D&D and Champions for awhile now, and burn-out is creeping in slowing. I think this game will be LOTSA fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobGreenwade Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 I've only gotten to glance at TE thus far, but once I own both it and the Spacer's Toolkit I'm giving some serious thought to running something where the PCs are the Imperial equivalent of the US Diplomatic Secret Service (bodyguards for US diplomats abroad), operating on Mon'da. I don't know exactly when in the TE timeline this would take place, but (depending on what I can work out) it would give an opportunity to have action, investigation, constantly exotic locales, and many other elements. If I do it right, it should feel like a cross between Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, James Bond movies, M*A*S*H, and the A-Team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barghest Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 If I run something Star Hero related rather than my Pulp Hero campaign, it will be a pulp SF thing along the lines of Burroughs' Venus series, perhaps Beyond the Farthest Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Escafarc Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 John Desmarais Well, I probably won't be using Terran Empire, but I do plan on eventually revisting my earlier attempt to get players interested in a based on the Honor Harrington setting. I'm using this as an influence for scale and flavor. Armitage Except that the starships would be disgusting by the Star Hero and Ultimate Vehicle rules. I was just looking at the specs in David Weber's "The Universe of Honor Harrington" in "More Than Honor". Since I don't see starships as something that a single person can aford, it realy doesn't matter what the cost is. BobGreenwade I've only gotten to glance at TE thus far, but once I own both it and the Spacer's Toolkit I'm giving some serious thought to running something where the PCs are the Imperial equivalent of the US Diplomatic Secret Service (bodyguards for US diplomats abroad), operating on Mon'da. I don't know exactly when in the TE timeline this would take place, but (depending on what I can work out) it would give an opportunity to have action, investigation, constantly exotic locales, and many other elements. If I do it right, it should feel like a cross between Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, James Bond movies, M*A*S*H, and the A-Team. Very much what I have plan but my players are going to be members of an elite "Emperess' Own" type units with shades of the Three Musketeers thrown in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherSkip Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Star Frontiers, possibly 350 point with superpowers and Heroic level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storn Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I always wanted to run a Private Investigative firm, that wasn't the pulp version of the lone P.I.... but rather a group of specialists underneath a corporate PI umbrella. A freelance Pinkerton outfit. Why? Because I can run mysteries, spy, surveillance of wayward spouses, smuggling investigation, organized crime investigation, corporate security and a whole range of adventures that should keep the game fresh. Each week could be really different, yet a very solid framework for the characters to exist in. I see the firm be about 100 people, and have 3 teams of elite investigators (the PCs) working on various cases. The other 80 folk are admin, support and researchers. So it is a decent size company. The adventures would happen mostly in "civilized" space and would probably only visit 3 or 4 planets for mose of the adventures, so we get a real sense of these places. Occasionally, the "hunt the missing freighter" might take a team out to the boondoocks. PCs would have to justify expenses and maybe the company only has one spaceship, which all three teams might need at the same time... so there would be "public" travel at times. That is the sci-fi game I've always wanted to run. Terran Empires would handle that just fine, as would Star Frontiers. This idea could really be dropped into almost any sci-fi game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguerin Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Star Frontiers cross-over/convergence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobGreenwade Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Originally posted by Storn That is the sci-fi game I've always wanted to run. *sigh* It's such a pity that the distance between Oregon and Michigan is so vast.... I'd love to play in a game like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Kiley Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I just ran the third session of my Terran Empire campaign. Most of the PCs are 20th century humans, kidnapped in 1987 by some Mystery Aliens. They wake up aboard an Ackalian pirate/slaver ship, the Unfettered Happiness, 650ish years later (2640) -- the Ackalian crew is all dead of a mysterious disease that they contracted when they brought the PCs' cryosleep chambers onboard the vessel, and the computer woke the PCs up because that was all it could do. The ship, at campaign start, was careening through hyperspace in the Vorsan Expanse, just a few hours from Terran Empire space. There are three non-20th-century humans aboard. One Fex (a former member of the crew who seems to have been immune to this disease); one human spacer who was also in cryosleep and had been sold to the Ackalians; and one sentient android from a planet chock full of 'em. I have no strong plans for this game. Typically when I run games I have an end for the game in mind -- I don't in this case. So far they've made enemies of the only Imperial humans they've met (a Peregrine-class Frigate patrolling the border, whose crew was extremely interested in this disease that would kill Ackalians but not humans or Fex), and they're currently on the run from that ship (we're starting next session in the midst of that escape). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I'll be doing a Cowboy Bebop-esque game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherSkip Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Originally posted by jguerin Star Frontiers cross-over/convergence Uhmmm HOw? Since Im planning on runnning a SF/Volturnous with a dozen more plothooks than the original. And the beggining quest is just Tops! all new. The people are escorting a rare lizard for breeding purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowRaptor Posted March 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Originally posted by James_Kiley I just ran the third session of my Terran Empire campaign. Most of the PCs are 20th century humans, kidnapped in 1987 by some Mystery Aliens. They wake up aboard an Ackalian pirate/slaver ship, the Unfettered Happiness, 650ish years later (2640) -- the Ackalian crew is all dead of a mysterious disease that they contracted when they brought the PCs' cryosleep chambers onboard the vessel, and the computer woke the PCs up because that was all it could do. The ship, at campaign start, was careening through hyperspace in the Vorsan Expanse, just a few hours from Terran Empire space. There are three non-20th-century humans aboard. One Fex (a former member of the crew who seems to have been immune to this disease); one human spacer who was also in cryosleep and had been sold to the Ackalians; and one sentient android from a planet chock full of 'em. I have no strong plans for this game. Typically when I run games I have an end for the game in mind -- I don't in this case. So far they've made enemies of the only Imperial humans they've met (a Peregrine-class Frigate patrolling the border, whose crew was extremely interested in this disease that would kill Ackalians but not humans or Fex), and they're currently on the run from that ship (we're starting next session in the midst of that escape). wow this sounds like a cool idea having some people kidnapped from our time period and wake up in a future period. Just to follow up, how are they reacting to their predicament and how are the locals treating them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syberdwarf2 Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Unfortunately,..... With two kids, a wife, and no local players as yet... It'll be a while before I can play any Star HERO. Fortunately.... Because it will be a while, I have plenty of time to develop my setting AND I get to take my time doing so. My setting thus far is set in the distant distant future. The pan-galactic Empire has long since fallen, and Sentientkind is just beginning to even come close to restoring civilization to it's former glory. There's a few elder races, B5 style jump gates in low-tech regions, and huge wars brewing. Earth, at least as far as anyone knows, is a myth at best. The truth, however, is that Earth is recovering from a strict and long-drawn out isolationist period from which it was "cleansing itself". The Das Reich Noveau du Terra (the New Reign of Earth) story arc deals with genship priests catching up with the worlds in which humanity has spread. However, during their travels, the world had changed and in place of their enlightened peacful tolerant democracy, is a self-serving iron empire bent on reunification of the True human species... wheteher they like it or not. Anyone not cooperative with the eugenics program,well....... If done right, it should feel like a combination of Andromeda, Outer Limts, Babylon 5, and Stargate SG-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguerin Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Originally posted by AnotherSkip Uhmmm HOw? Since Im planning on runnning a SF/Volturnous with a dozen more plothooks than the original. And the beggining quest is just Tops! all new. The people are escorting a rare lizard for breeding purposes. Not that difficult...basically I've plagiarized and ripped off most of TSR Star Frontier campaign information and converted it to Hero format. I've taken the Race Kits in the Star Frontiers discussion channel and applied them, than I converted the star ship construction rules to conform more to HERO system, so far I've converted the assault scout, frigates, frighters, and corvettes. I'm working on Sathar ships and UPF ships next. Eventually I'd like to do the space stations as well. I will be converting all the ship weapons and ship defense's to a HERO format as well. Next create basic occupation kits to reprsenet the PSA and SSA from Star Frontiers Once all of this is done you've got the basics, you can take the Star Frontiers Modules and run them in Star Hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguerin Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Originally posted by jguerin Not that difficult...basically I've plagiarized and ripped off most of TSR Star Frontier campaign information and converted it to Hero format. I've taken the Race Kits in the Star Frontiers discussion channel and applied them, than I converted the star ship construction rules to conform more to HERO system, so far I've converted the assault scout, frigates, frighters, and corvettes. I'm working on Sathar ships and UPF ships next. Eventually I'd like to do the space stations as well. I will be converting all the ship weapons and ship defense's to a HERO format as well. Next create basic occupation kits to reprsenet the PSA and SSA from Star Frontiers Once all of this is done you've got the basics, you can take the Star Frontiers Modules and run them in Star Hero. oh one more thing..very important..if you want to keep the Miniature Star Ship battle feel of Star Frontiers..go back to the Original Star Hero combat system..with a few modifications it can quickly resemble the old Night Hawks system for Star Frontiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armitage Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 I had long wanted to run a Galaxy Rangers campaign and had planned on using the (unfortunately) discontinued Alternity RPG. After all, the basic rules covered the characters from the show perfectly: Cyborg, Mutant, Mindwalker, and Hacker. But the Hero System handles the super-hero-esque power levels of the characters much better than Alternity, even with the various fan-created variant FX Power rules. e.g. A Fraal Mindwalker (Will 16) could lift 160kg with the Telekinesis-Psychokinetics Skill. Compared to Niko lifting multi-ton boulders on the show there's just no comparison. Granted, the Mindwalking sourcebook has rules for drastically scaling up effects by spending extra psionic energy points, but it's just not the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Cadet Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 I don't have all of the necessary pieces to do this just yet, but once I've got everything that I need, I plan on putting together a modern-day Star Hero/Super-Agents campaign (something along the lines of the Near Space Defense campaign setting shown in the Super Agents sourcebook). The PCs would start out as your basic, normal everyday folks -- at least, up until the point where they're suddenly thrust smack-dab into the middle of a secret war between Earth and the alien invaders who want to use our world and its people for their own sinister purposes. Space Cadet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetsuyama Posted March 20, 2003 Report Share Posted March 20, 2003 Originally posted by Armitage I had long wanted to run a Galaxy Rangers campaign ... Did you have any ideas on where to get source material for it? It's been a long time since I've seen the show, and I haven't found much about it since then. I remember that it was a pretty cool show, and that it seemed like it would make an awesome RPG, but it's been so long that I've forgotten a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armitage Posted March 20, 2003 Report Share Posted March 20, 2003 Originally posted by Tetsuyama Did you have any ideas on where to get source material for it? It's been a long time since I've seen the show, and I haven't found much about it since then. I remember that it was a pretty cool show, and that it seemed like it would make an awesome RPG, but it's been so long that I've forgotten a lot. A quick Google search produced over 4000 hits, so there are quite a few fan sites. There's a small webring at http://l.webring.com/hub?ring=galranger I seem to recall that one of these sites (Guild, maybe) had a page of technical specs. Ship armaments and FTL capabilities, distances between planets, Super trooper backgrounds, Series 5 Implant data, etc. Fortunately, I obtained all 65 episodes on tape a few years ago. Just went looking. The technical specs are at http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/4721/gr/index.html including a timeline that reveals details not covered in the show, like the alien invasion that led to the creation of the Super Troopers in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowRaptor Posted March 22, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 Okay, I decided what kind of game I will run. It will be a Final Fantasy in Space game, pretty much. It will have many races, use gem magic akin to Materia in FF7, a great and powerful bad guy that wants to threaten the universe with powerful magics, cybernetics will exist, there will be a Solar Union of planets (okay, working title for the good guys group, but Galactic Federation is used way way to much and I need something cooler than that). The characters will probably be 175 pt based characters. 100 base plus 75 disadvantage, and I will have some rules for how points will be spent. Basically something like at least 35-50 points on skills, 35-85 or so on Characteristics, and then the powers will probably use a framework of some kind to simulate different kinds of attacks with weapons. What I need is a really kick butt name for the main galactic federation, and I don't want to use that name but I can't think of a cool name right now...its late and I am tired. Any help will be great if anybody wants to throw out a suggestion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syberdwarf2 Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 Originally posted by ShadowRaptor Okay, I decided what kind of game I will run. It will be a Final Fantasy in Space game, pretty much. It will have many races, use gem magic akin to Materia in FF7, a great and powerful bad guy that wants to threaten the universe with powerful magics, cybernetics will exist, there will be a Solar Union of planets (okay, working title for the good guys group, but Galactic Federation is used way way to much and I need something cooler than that). The characters will probably be 175 pt based characters. 100 base plus 75 disadvantage, and I will have some rules for how points will be spent. Basically something like at least 35-50 points on skills, 35-60 or so on Characteristics, and then the powers will probably use a framework of some kind to simulate different kinds of attacks with weapons. What I need is a really kick butt name for the main galactic federation, and I don't want to use that name but I can't think of a cool name right now...its late and I am tired. Any help will be great if anybody wants to throw out a suggestion... -Interstellar Federation -Terran Federation -Systems Federation -Systems Alliance -Galactic Alliance -Terran Confederacy Just a few of the top o my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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