Getting started

[Tribe of One]

I think all of the character's but Mel Richter are posted and ready to go.

I've been slowly adding systems to the Systems of the Ibreon Reach thread. There are a few more to come, but they're mostly more distant or less advanced, so can be "discovered" as we go.

I'll plan to have an initial post up prior to March 1 (likely the weekend before).

Before then, I've got a short questionnaire I'd like you to fill out as a reply in this thread:

What's one character goal, beyond "Get off 'Dessa": Does your character want to get rich and retire? Captain their own ship? Explore alien worlds? Fall in love with an unbraked AI?

An activity/ game subsystem you as a player want me to include: Lots of firefights? Some ship combat? A chance to use the hacking rules? Trading, exploring unknown worlds, setting up your own colony?

Somewhere you (player or character) would like to go: This could be a specific system I've detailed, one I haven't, or something more general like "an abandoned space hulk" or "an alien space station" or "a volcanic world where we can have a fight over lava."

Something you'd like to get: Your own starfighter? A brace of artifact thermal pistols? An AI companion or a personal mech? What's the sort of thing your or your character would see as an awesome reward?

Anything you'd like to avoid?: Don't do spiders? Want to avoid "do you/don't you kill the orc babies?" moral dilemmas? Tired of certain tropes? Let me know.

Finally, an in-character question: Tell me about a previous job your character pulled off with the group. If you want to write this as a short interlude, you can start the game with a "fate point" that you can cash in to guarantee success on a single roll, or avoid a hit or similar nasty consequence.

[Andrew Cofield]

What's one character goal, beyond "Get off 'Dessa": Does your character want to get rich and retire? Captain their own ship? Explore alien worlds? Fall in love with an unbraked AI?
To become head of a major Faction (p211). Maybe climb the ladder, maybe found one.

An activity/ game subsystem you as a player want me to include: Lots of firefights? Some ship combat? A chance to use the hacking rules? Trading, exploring unknown worlds, setting up your own colony?
In line with the above being involved in interstellar trade would be interesting. Cargo types can be broadly defined (High/Mid/Low Tech Equipment, Common/Luxury Foodstuff, Common/Semi-Precious/Precious Commodities, etc.) but varying purchase and sale rates based on local or stellar events would be interesting.

Somewhere you (player or character) would like to go: This could be a specific system I've detailed, one I haven't, or something more general like "an abandoned space hulk" or "an alien space station" or "a volcanic world where we can have a fight over lava."
A new/forgotten supply of {trade good}. Perhaps a ship that was lost, an alien stockpile/source, etc.

Something you'd like to get: Your own starfighter? A brace of artifact thermal pistols? An AI companion or a personal mech? What's the sort of thing your or your character would see as an awesome reward?
Executive Security Suit (p86)

Anything you'd like to avoid?: Don't do spiders? Want to avoid "do you/don't you kill the orc babies?" moral dilemmas? Tired of certain tropes? Let me know.
Nothing I can think of right now. If something comes up I can let you know.

Finally, an in-character question: Tell me about a previous job your character pulled off with the group. If you want to write this as a short interlude, you can start the game with a "fate point" that you can cash in to guarantee success on a single roll, or avoid a hit or similar nasty consequence.
Working on a story. Hope to have it posted by mid-week.

[Kosi]

Major Goal: Kosi would like one (or more!) worlds with a major government fully committed to building the Divine Machine (See character sheet for explanation) as a wide scale planetary project, even if projected completion of the project goes beyond the scope of the game as a multi-generational achievement.

Activity: Would like a few opportunities to do some hacking given Kosi’s focus. Whether as part of an infiltration mission, or as just occasional one offs from a remote location via intranet to get some quickly needed data from a secure site. Hitting up her major goal will more than likely need for her to get in good with some major players, whether that be by doing favours for governments in charge of things, or people who wish to oust them and become a new government. Though I enjoy the majority of typical TTRPG aspects such as exploring, trading, combat, socializing, etc.

Where I’d like to go: Dead ancient alien ruins, dystopian city slums, moons orbiting gas giants, strange worlds with extremely odd customs.

What I’d like to get: A cybernetic drone control link attached as grafted equipment. Cybernetics are not normally allowed for VIs, however see link with attached response from game author for possible solution for telecommunications equipment. https://www.reddit.com/r/SWN/comments/d ... rol_links/

What to avoid: Mechanics that change the personality of my character on a long term basis (getting reprogrammed, etc) might make things less interesting if it’s not a personality I particularly enjoy playing. Short term mind control from psychic powers and such is fine though. However plot advancements where the character slowly changes view points due to growth or loss are fine too.

Previous job story:

Drug Running?

The back of the large grav-truck vibrated and rumbled as it sped down the major artery of sector 81, an industrial manufacturing area designated for the automated assembly and whole scale distribution of children’s toys. So it might seem unusual that Kosi was currently sitting on top of a pallet of loosely wrapped powdered drugs known by its street name as “Crank.”

While the oligarchy of mega corps seemed to barely care about the existence of recreational substances, even those of a dangerous nature to the point that they would have laws against the usage of such, that was never the issue they had with them. When such substances were synthesized in street labs and fabricators, it meant that those in charge weren’t getting their cut. Meaning that the legality, or lack thereof of such things was determined solely based out of how much it affected the bottom line of those who made designer pharmaceuticals. If people were buying street crank, it meant they weren’t buying the latest and greatest trend to hit the market in which billions in R&D had been invested. This was a big no-no on Odessa.

The pallet of Crank could barely even be called that if one looked at it hard enough. It had been cut and recut so many times that the true harm that came from it was going to be more from the dangerous chemicals that worked as similar looking substitutes. But the quality of the substance wasn’t the point either, neither was delivering the pallet intact.

“Rabbits are approaching in thirty seconds, get ready.” Kosi spoke out over the communicator while not looking up from her datapad. With slow deliberate motions, she lifted herself off of the pallet and made her way to the rear of the truck, popping open the cargo doors before casually leaping out onto traffic. The sound of horns and sudden swerving of speeding gravcars trying to avoid her could be heard as she landed flat on her face, limply rolling to the side as momentum took her without any resistance on her part. Normally she would have stood out in her iconic red and gold hooded robes indicative of her station, but for this job she wore the most nondescript of clothing, trying to stand out as little as possible.

In but moments a wheel based motorcycle came by as the dark helmeted figure of Vi roughly grabbed her and threw her behind her before speeding off onto one of the side streets. She was shouting and cursing out something but it was difficult to make it out what was amid the noise of the traffic going in every direction. A gravcycle would have been better, but that wasn’t exactly in their budget. The rest of what they had been provided had been given to them by the client.

Meanwhile, having heard Kosi’s warning, Sabrek looked out of the drivers side window of the massive grav truck he was driving. Sure, piloting wasn’t his thing as he was more of a hands on individual. But the great thing about this job was that one didn’t need to be any good at driving a massive vehicle such as this, in fact this job required one to be distinctly terrible at it! Looking over to the figure riding shotgun with him, he gave him a swift nod and abruptly made a sharp left turn, turning the vehicle and its cargo directly onto oncoming traffic!

Jaxon returned the nod and hit a button on the device he had rigged which would blow the charge on the side panel of the cargo area, the timer allowing just enough for the two of them to dive out of the drivers side door themselves before they too scrambled away to safety.

The collision had been devastating. The truck having collided with another carrying a cargo of children’s toys before detonating and destroying turning the two vehicles into a flaming wreck. Traffic was halted as emergency crews were called from automated monitoring systems. Fortunately they had only been moments away, so it didn’t take long for them to get on scene and to get the situation under control.

At that moment Andrew shook hands with the local sector security chief, congratulating him on a job well done in handling the matter. He had informed the chief of a crew of drug runners who had been speeding through the area, expressing concern for the safety of the local residents as they were clearly high on their own product and a threat to public order. He smiled for the cameras and deftly spoke the pleasing sound bytes that made for the perfect press release before finishing his task and returning to meet up with the others.

Underneath it all, what had gone unknown to the public was that the truck carrying children’s toys had already been a mule, which each one carrying small amounts of a more pure form of the illicit substances. While it had been en route, Kosi had received a tip off while monitoring corporate communications that they were going to pull over the truck and investigate its contents, while holding a major VP responsible for deciding to line his own pockets without giving the corp its fair share. Fortunately as it had been hit quite publicly by a crew of drug runners, who had gotten their own product all over the scene of the accident, it was no longer clear that the children’s toys had even been mules in the first place. The mess was simply too large to discernibly point the finger one way or another. Sadly the mentioned drug runners had fled the scene and hadn’t managed to be caught.

The whole thing had been ugly, but at the same time the crew had, had very little time to prepare given the short notice. Faking an accident was the best they could come up with and probably the riskiest thing they had ever done up to this point. But, at least the mission had been failed successfully? Hopefully there weren’t any loose ends that they hadn’t thought about that they needed to clean up.

[Sabrek Vek]

What's one character goal, beyond "Get off 'Dessa": Does your character want to get rich and retire? Captain their own ship? Explore alien worlds? Fall in love with an unbraked AI?

His Goal is rather simple, find someplace where he can do something other than be an enforcer. Even if it is just honest labor. He is tired of hurting people for criminals. Maybe he will find a planet where he can open a bar, a general store. Leave a life of violence may get a family. All of these things seem impossible of 'Dessa. He isn't naive. He knows what his marketable skills are so he will do it for a crew until he can find that place.

An activity/ game subsystem you as a player want me to include: Lots of firefights? Some ship combat? A chance to use the hacking rules? Trading, exploring unknown worlds, setting up your own colony?

Exploring known established colonies to see the diversity.

Somewhere you (player or character) would like to go: This could be a specific system I've detailed, one I haven't, or something more general like "an abandoned space hulk" or "an alien space station" or "a volcanic world where we can have a fight over lava."

Having some sort of arena or gladiatorial combat sequence would be cool.

Something you'd like to get: Your own starfighter? A brace of artifact thermal pistols? An AI companion or a personal mech? What's the sort of thing your or your character would see as an awesome reward?

A cool set of brass knucks, that are electrified or extremely brutal.

Anything you'd like to avoid?: Don't do spiders? Want to avoid "do you/don't you kill the orc babies?" moral dilemmas? Tired of certain tropes? Let me know.

Nope I am a no holds barred kind of player.

Finally, an in-character question: Tell me about a previous job your character pulled off with the group. If you want to write this as a short interlude, you can start the game with a "fate point" that you can cash in to guarantee success on a single roll, or avoid a hit or similar nasty consequence.

Not really a job per se, but it is the first time Sabrek met Cofield. It was like every other night at the the popular bar, "We Sell Liquor". Sabrek had started as a bouncer the week before. He is this kid downing beer after beer, dressed like some sort of corporate shill saying he was robbed. The appointment was rightfully his. The bar get all kinds so no big deal. He was keeping to himself except he was talking to the bartender, but that is what everyone does with problems. So the kid gets up to go to the bathroom and doesn't pay attention and smacks right into an Enforcer for one of the local syndicates. I can't keep track of them all. Anyway enforcers beer spills all over himself and he grabs the kid and picks him up off the ground, and is about to rear back and punch the kid, when Sabrek says, "Put the kid down!!" The enforcer responds "Or what?" "Or I cripple you and drag you out of here by the scruff of your neck." retorts Sabrek. The enforcer sets the boy down. and bows up to Sabrek. "Do you know who I am . . ." Mid monologue he sucker punches Sabrek, who looks unphased and says. "Ok I am going assume that stupidity was the result of brain damage from being dropped on your head too much as a kid. That was your freebie. I am now giving you the chance to leave here with your limbs intact. I want you to understand that I am sincere when I say this, I truly hope you turn around right now and walk away." The enforcer's eyes dart back and forth as he ponders the worth of his reputation. He raises his hand to punch, and the next few seconds feel like minutes as he is wracked with pain through his whole body and a punch to the jaw relieves him of whatever consciousness he has left. He looks at the kid, "You can barely walk. Shonna Call the kid a cab." As he is helping the boy to his seat some medics show up and attach the enforcer to a stretcher and carry him out. In the future Kid make sure you watch yourself. Also he hands him a card. This is my number. You may or may not have strangers watching you. The guy says he was connected but a lot of guys talk big. If you notice anyone following you or if anyone harrasses you you call me. I will do anything this side of murder for reasonable sum on a sliding scale. When I put enough in the hospital they will leave you alone."

[Vi]

---

Major Goal: Have our own ship at some point. Become a force to be reckoned with. At least a little lol. Like the crew of the Serenity.

An activity/ game subsystem you as a player want me to include: Not sure. No help am I. Adventure together. You mentioned: Lots of firefights? Some ship combat? A chance to use the hacking rules? Trading, exploring unknown worlds, setting up your own colony? These all sound great.

Where I’d like to go: Actually am okay doing either planet side missions or space travel. Or both.

What I’d like to get: Vi probably wants gear. Weapons. Credits. Security and not having to worry about getting stuck on a sole planet with no creds.

What to avoid: No kinky GM stuff! Whatever that is. PG. R. Gritty. All okay with me. I’m sure I’m fine with whatever everyone else wants.

Glad to play and learn the system. Thank you.

---

Previous job story:

• Between her short, forced, stint with the Intergalactic Mercenary Force (IMF), then some random drug running on Dessa, thieving about the lower levels with gangs, and her time with the Viicate Space Pirates pillaging outposts, Viaara Arlock, Vi, had been in a fight or two… hundred.
  
  Now, gathered with a like-minded crew, Vi sat at The Broken Dram (often referred to as BeeDee’s), nursing a busted lip and alternating between a bloody rag held to her mouth and sipping cold ‘skey.
  
  Get off Odessa. Just one more job. It was starting to sound like a broken record. One more big score and they should have enough for the orbital shuttle to Horizon Station, where they could sign on with a tramp freighter and get the hell out of this system. From there ... who knows. But it's got to be better than this.
  
  Looking over the others, all in similar states, black eye or busted nose, lip, or just looking beaten or exhausted she inwardly smiled. A real smile would have hurt her lip and might have been seen by one of the crew. Vi had a rep to maintain. Hard ass and capable.
  
  Inwardly she groaned. Damn she hurt, gingerly touching a rib she winced. Cracked?
  
  Jaxon had faired well, looking a little woozy from the pipe bouncing off his head. His psychic powers had helped them out of a potentially deadly dead end situation.
  
  Sabrek, the tall bastard, actually was grinning as he talked to Kosi at the other end of the group’s table. Like a true warrior he ignored the cut over his eye and chatted at the cute little Kosi. Sab had reason to be excited. He’d ended up facing off against four thugs, alone, and walking away. That part of the gig hadn’t been planned but Vi was glad he was there for it, else-wise Kosi probably wouldn’t have had enough time to finish the hack.
  
  For her part Kosi looked like she was trying to interject herself into the one way conversation but was getting nowhere and looked … pouty. Vi eyed Kosi’s lithe fingers and then glanced at her own dirty hands. How did that girl stay so clean?
  
  Lastly Vi looked across the table at Andrew Cofield. The newest to join the crew. Eyeing him Vi thought about how little she actually knew about the bright eyed politician. He wanted to aspire to run a faction, he hadn’t said so outright to her, but it was kinda obvious. Heh, so did Viaara. Just, maybe a less orthodox faction. He looked like either future crime lord or Mayor of a City proper. Regardless, he’d done good today. Made of sterner stuff than she had thought so that was good. Smart. And handsome. With drive. Better on our side than against us Vi reckoned.
  
  She’d been in a fight or two, yes, and even though she desperately wanted off this chem poison dirt hole planet Vi felt good about the crew. She felt… like she wasn’t entirely alone. This fight, they had all been a part of, looking out for each other and working together.
  
  Vi set the more red than white bar rag down and motioned to Eska, the bartender, to bring a round for the table.
  
  As the drinks were laid out before the crew Vi coughed clearing her throat and then stated, ”On me. You each kicked ass today. I, uh, am glad we pulled that off together. Nicely done crew. Considering the job was paid for by a snot nose teen with too much cred’s because mommy and daddy are richo punk corp types, and we got paid to hack said punk kids school grade report comp-system… which had stupid too much intrusion counter code… an… stupo now has straight A’s instead of flunking out… whatever. Maybe we didn’t save some saints baby but we got paid fo’sure. Um, so, cool.”
  
  Looking a little flush Vi pulls a large knife out and starts cleaning it with the blood stained towel before her, keeping her eyes on the blade and looking busy.
  
  One job closer to getting off this slime hole.

[Jaxon]

Questionnaire

What's one character goal, beyond "Get off 'Dessa": Jaxon is a simple guy. He wants to be surrounded by cool gizmos and gadgets, and he wants to be the person people seek out to repair them. The means don't matter. Adventuring in search of lost technologies is equally useful as taking lucrative contracts or missions for credits which can be used to fund his desires. Long term, setting up a reputable tech shop in a major town would be an ideal retirement goal.

An activity/ game subsystem you as a player want me to include: Having played Rifts, I know the whole down time / crafting thing can get overlooked. It'd be nice to get a chance to "+1" myself / my allies some "magic" gear. Otherwise, being able to actually do tech stuff. Combat seems to be a lot of focus on Rifts, and I do like combat just fine, but being a less combat-oriented character can be a trial at times.

Somewhere you (player or character) would like to go: A pretech ruin would probably do it for Jaxon. If you don't understand something you just have to figure it out, right? What could be better than the techiest of techs for that?

Something you'd like to get: For roleplay, super advanced tech-y stuff. Personally, something that makes my redshirt less redshirt and / or enhances his telekinetic or technical abilities.

Anything you'd like to avoid?: Nothing in particular. I'm ok with anything you'd be fine narrating for a group of teens/young adults. Not much into the R or X rated stuff.

Jaxon left Breestock a stowaway on a down-on-their-luck trading vessel. Rather than tossing him out the nearest airlock, the crew let him pay his way by cleaning and maintaining the ship. Jaxon was able to pick up a knack for fixing things, and his responsibilities expanded.

This impromptu apprenticeship ended when the ship returned to 'Dessa. The captain kicked him off the ship without so much as a single credit to his name. It was time to brave a new world. Talk about culture shock. Back home, everyone worked together. A laughable concept on 'Dessa.

Things could have turned out poorly for Jaxon, but he was rescued from a back alley mugging by Vi. Jaxon might have been ok with his telekinetic abilities, but she stormed through, pissed off about something or another, and the thugs were a good opportunity to release her anger.

She must have seen something in Jaxon, because she let him tag along. At first he just polished their gear and kept their weapons working, but when they realized his telekinetic combat potential, the group invited him to take on his first real mission.

The team was to raid a warehouse, and Jaxon was positioned near the front. His tough telekinetic armor and dangerous telekinetic weaponry should have meant he was a good candidate for the front lines, but unfortunately, his constitution left something to be desired.

The team broke in and stole the loot without much difficulty, but the escape went sideways. Jaxon took a shot to the elbow and went down. Someone must have carried him home, because he doesn't remember much else.