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Author Topic: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF  (Read 7476 times)

Journey

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Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« on: December 09, 2009, 23:10 »

A second Star Wars PBF based on the Cortex system will soon grace the forum.  You will all be part of a secret Rebel squad of starfighter pilots and agents operating in the time shortly after the Battle of Endor.  (Think Wraith Squadron, but far less lucky.)  General Cracken (not Starfighter Command!) will have many missions for you in the time to come, and perhaps other adventures will arise as well!  But things won't be easy.  The average lifespan of a starfighter pilot is rather short, and the risks for covert operatives is just as great.  However, those that succeed will find themselves accomplishing tasks that no others are capable of.  Will this group of people learn to work together to become a highly coordinated thorn in the Empire's side?  Or will they fragment and be crushed under the Empire's heel?

Rather than claiming spots, please simply post your character sheets and backgrounds, and I will select the most appropriate ones for the campaign.  Two spots are currently reserved, and I'm hoping for 4-6 players.  A significantly lower priority will be given to those who have been/are players in the other Star Wars PBF here.

Player Characters will start off as "Elites" under Cortex rules (54 attributes, 74 skill, and 8 asset):  please create a character that will be able to competently fly starfighters (one of X-wing, Y-wing, or A-wing), and also contribute to a covert operations team (running missions such as infiltration, sabotage, raiding, and information gathering).  If you take any of the strong, unusual assets (Talented, Force Sensitive, Cybernetic, etc.) or any non-military ability at high levels (d10+) your backstory needs to convincingly explain why they fit your character.  Keep in mind your GM isn't particularly fond of improbable coincidences or characters who are somehow better than the main characters of the Star Wars itself.

Interesting complications can lead to loads of plot points during the game.  And originality is valued highly, as long as it isn't ridiculous.  If you leave a gaping vulnerability in your character in order to pump up some other aspect of him/her, be prepared to suffer for it.  A cohesive set of stats, traits and skills along with a well written backstory will be looked upon more highly than a finely tuned, high powered character.

Some extras on top of the Cortex system specifically for Star Wars play:

Twi'lek race trait package:
Male (0): Ugly d4 (to non-twi'leks), Fragile d4, Enhanced Communication (lekku) d4, Fast On you Feet d2, Lighting Reflexes d2
Female (+4): Allure d4 (to non-twi'leks), Fragile d4, Enhanced Communication (lekku) d4, Fast On you Feet d2, Lighting Reflexes d2, Lightweight d4

Wookie race trait package (0):
All: Brawler d4, Formidable presence d4, Sure footed d2, Natural weapon d2 (claws), Tough d4, Anger issues d4, Impaired communication d8 (can't speak human languages), Gullible d6, Duty (can't use claws) d2

Feel free to play another species as well - put together a package that makes sense, as we haven't fleshed out trait packages for most species yet.

Assets:
I'll bet you have: d4 - as long as you have a blaster holstered, you have the blaster drawn! Simply, if you are equipped with a weapon, drawing it takes you no time, unless GM deems otherwise.

Your mind powers will not work on me, boy: d6 - be it due to alien physiology, mental conditioning, or simply extraordinary will prowess, you gain +5 skill steps trying to resist Force enforced mind tricks


To be honest I wasn't going to have any Force using player characters - but if your backstory really dazzles me, here's how they fit in:

Asset
Force Sensitive (d2+): You were born with midichlorian count high enough to use the mysterious Force. You may buy Force Training skill as per normal rules. This asset has no direct influence on gameplay, but Force Training skill can not exceed it, so if you have Force Sensitive d8, you can not train yourself in Force usage above d8, until you improve your raw power, represented by this asset.

Skills:
Force Training: It represents how well can you manipulate the Force, how much can you get of it, and how successfully you will be. Unspecialised, it allow for basic telekinesis, mind tricks etc. More complicated uses (Force Healing, Force Lighting and so on) require you to acquire a proper specialization for this skill. For the purposes of character creation, this asset is capped at d8, which is level of new knights.

Lightsaber Combat: specialization of melee weapon combat. Self-explanatory. Cannot exceed the level of Force Sensitive.


If you decide to have a loyal astromech companion, it will cost you only d6 in Assets for a Novice-level sidekick (rather than the usual d12), as everyone else will get a generic astromech for free.
A custom, modified starfighter will also be available for d6 in Assets, but how this works has not been fully decided yet.

This campaign will include new, experimental game mechanics on top of the Cortex system especially for space combat.  These will be detailed as they are finalized, and are subject to change if they suck.

PM for a link to the Cortex rulebook if you're interested but don't have access to it yet.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2009, 23:27 by Journey »
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ZZ

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2009, 08:08 »

O'kay, I'll try to act in this one, hope better than in the previous.
I'll use the same character sheet as in previous, just with few modifications of skill and story. If this is oak-ay, I'll post it, else I'll create a new one.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2009, 08:46 by ZZ »
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Gargulec

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2009, 12:35 »

Alia'Redora 'Ios'

'We have won. Great. I hope that somebody has an idea on what to do now?'

Attributes:
Agility: d12
Strength: d4
Vitality: d8
Intelligence: d8
Alertness: d12
Willpower: d8

Derived Attributes:
Life Points: 14
Initiative: d12+d12
Endurance: d8+d8
Resistance: d8+d8

Assets:
Allure: d6
Lightening Reflexes: d6
Athlete: d6
Fast on your Feet: d2
Steady Calm: d6
Unbreakable Will: d6
Talented (acrobatics, dance): d2
Enhanced Communication (lekku): d4

Complications:
Aloof: d4
Addiction (ryll): d4
Duty (Alliance): d6
Memorable: d4
Rotten Luck: d4
Lightweight: d4
Fragile: d4

Skills:
Athletics (acrobatics): d12
Athletics (climbing): d8
Discipline (concentration): d10
Guns: d6
Performance (dance): d12+d2
Pilot (fighters): d12
Pilot (ship guns): d10
Unarmed Combat: d2
Covert (sneaking): d8
Drive: d6

Plot points: 6


Physical description:
Standing 165 cm tall, Ios is rather short as for a lethan (that is- red skinned twi'lek. Her slim figure, and interesting, exotic physique makes her rather attractive individual- no wonder, though, she is a former dancer, after all. Her lekku are covered with ornate tattoo- once again, it is a sign of her old profession. She is usually seen wearing her flight suit with top half rolled down, revealing plain, mundane t-shirt worn underneath.

Backstory:
Contrary to what one may think, Ios life was not eventful, nor very interesting. Born into the middle-class on Ryltoh, she grew up relatively peacefully, only unusual thing was the she grew addicted to ryll, local mild drug, and she did not quit it later. Since she displayed great agility and reflexes, along with natural capacity for fluid movement, she learned to dance, as many other twi'lek females do.

She became quite a skilled dancer, and spent most of her adulthood dancing in various cantinas all across the galaxy. She had the luck to never be enslaved, even the lekku tattoos, usually, associated with enslaved ones, because of being very, that is very painful to acquire (lekku are very sensitive, so the tattooing process is simply tormenting), she got on her own request, to make herself more attractive. This later led to her being mistook for a slave, by the way. 

To Alliance, she got shortly after the battle of Hoth. The reasons of the joining where quite clear- Ios got bored with routine of her life, and simply wanted to make it a bit more colourful. Also, she never really liked the Empire, and maybe wished do actually do *something*. However, she was never really devoted to Alliance cause, and she never believed that toppling of the Empire is possible. Even after the battle of Endor, she is still having doubts.

Personality:
Oddly, Ios never had good relations with people. She was- and is- aloof to an extreme, silent and not very friendly. It is not due to some trauma or something, just a fault of her character.

Little more can be said of her. She enjoys being tight, cramped spaces, what makes her ideal for piloting and A-Wing and likes dancing. Even after joining the Alliance, she sometimes does it, just to 'not get out of shape'
« Last Edit: December 12, 2009, 14:57 by Gargulec »
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Tavana

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2009, 07:46 »

Tavel Darjin

"Some kid could bullseye womp rats? Big deal. I could hit a Jawa. I'm not stupid enough to turn off my flight computer, either."

Attributes:
Strength: d6
Agility: d10
Vitality: d8
Alertness: d8
Intelligence: d12
Willpower: d10

Derived Attributes:
Lifepoints: 18
Initiative: d10+d8
Endurance: d10+d8
Resistance: d8+d8

Assets:
In Plain Sight d6
Born Behind The Wheel d6
Attuned To Technology d6
Photographic Memory d8
I'll Bet You Have! d4

Complications:
Amorous d8
Insatiable Curiosity d6
Smartass d4
Predjudiced (Galactic Empire) d4

Skills:
Athletics(Dodge) d8
Pilot(Starfighters) d12
Pilot(Ship Weapon: Laser/Ion) d10
Tech(Slicing) d12
Tech(Advanced Sensors) d8
Covert(Sneaking) d10
Covert(Disguise) d8
Guns(Blaster Pistol) d8
Perception(Hearing) d10
Mechanic d6

On Person:
Macrobinoculars(Normal,Heat,IR,Sonar) with shoulder strap
Custom Datapad(Slicing)
Light Grey Trousers with Black Inner (Lightly Worn)
Light Grey Shirt with Dark Brown Inner (Lightly Worn)
Dark Grey Vest with Light Brown Inner (Lightly Worn)
Matte Black Multipurpose Boots (Worn)
 -Custom Built Dampening System (Sound)
Chest Mounted Holster
 -Fits one blaster
 -Also fits Custom Datapad(Slicing)

Physical Description:
Tavel Darjin is just over 177 centimetres in height. His dirty brown hair is worn short, for convenience. His clothing is mostly light and dark greys, nearly all of which can be turned inside out for a quick change of colour. His worn boots are a matted black which conceal their special nature. He wears these both in and out of flight uniform. Any scars or markings that life may have left him with are faded and nearly unnoticeable - the way he likes it.

Backstory:
Life for Tavel Darjin is like watching a holoprojector flick through slides. Ever since he has had a memory, it has been near perfect. The past events of a day lie clearly before him. Often he will dream about them. Most will fade to a dull memory within a day or two. Those will take a few minutes of thought to bring up. There are a few memories though, that will stay with him.

He can remember the colour of the eyes of the female employee who kicked him out of the orphanage for breaking into the other kids lockers and personal data files one too many times. They were a bright green that he found oddly distracting, even at age six.

He can remember the password of the shipyard foreman whose identity he stole to try to add himself to the roster of employees allowed to ferry ships. Who the hell uses "imperialdogs" as a password, anyhow?

He can remember the tight curve of the singlet worn by the attendant of the crime boss who took him in when he got reported to the authorities of his attempt. It pinched her breasts together in a way that made him wonder if they were real. (They were.)

He can remember the chair he was sitting on when he finally sliced into the Imperial Database successfully. The pain of reading information on how his parents really died was only marginally offset by the comfort of the chair in the crime boss's private office. His security was definitely in need of improvement.

He can remember the date that he sentenced the crime boss to death by turning him in. Anyone who worked for the Imperials was going to die eventually, no matter how much they taught you. He celebrated it every year, calling it his "Day of Freedom".

He can remember the horrible smells that emanated from the first starfighter he piloted. The exhilarating feel of the craft and how much it felt like home was well worth it. He would later recall thinking that infiltration and bounty hunting for the Corellian military is as good as any career. Such recollections would always make him chuckle, as only the highest ranking military operatives knew he joined at barely ten years old.

Finally, he can remember the feel of the dry parchment the first Alliance operative he met used. Such low-tech methods confused him slightly until he saw the allure of not leaving any trace on the holonet. That he hadn't thought of such ideas first intrigued him.

Background:
Tavel's parents were killed by Imperials simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Up until the age of two, Tavel had always sat in his Dad's lap at the cockpit, nearly piloting the ships himself. Once in the care of the government, he quickly learned to break into things that were secure - physical and electronic - without getting caught. Eventually he was, though - and all the past cases were linked to him.

Finding himself on the street, he longed to get into space without really knowing why. This lead him to attempt to put himself on an employee roster so that he could at least just dock newly created freighters. Sadly, six year olds don't normally do this work, and he was caught. The employee who (should have) sounded the alarm happened to also be in the employ of a local crime boss. Seeing talent in the boy, he was taken for training.

One week before his tenth birthday, he turned the crime boss in to the Corellian military, earning him the respect of some high up officers. He managed to persuade them to allow him to pilot a starfighter, and after winning a few dogfights in the most broken down ships they could find they started giving him some real equipment and training.

He never advanced into the upper military ranks, as intelligence agents aren't allowed to do so. As a compensation he was given training in whatever manner of stealth and sabotage that caught his eye. After he turned twenty one, they even insisted on training him with a blaster - there's no use being totally defenseless while you're stuck at a computer terminal.

At twenty five he entered the service of the Rebel Alliance - a lucky thing too, as a good portion of the female members of the Corellian military had filed complaints against him for his advances. Not that he hadn't tried with the others, they were either just used to it...or gave in.

After a few successful missions with the Alliance, they started to figure out just how useful it was to have a man of his skills around. Apparently he was going to be assigned to a new squad. He hoped there were women on this one...

Personality:
Tavel is usually open, and doesn't mind small talk. He tends to have good relations with most males. Females either don't know him, hate him, ignore him, tolerate him, think he's cute but bothersome, or have slept with him. More time spent with him usually moves them further along the list, as well. He likes to know how things work (perhaps too much) and prefers to fix the starfighters he pilots himself. He's been known to modify them as well. Having near perfect memory tends to leave him a bit mentally fatigued at times. When there are dark circles under his eyes, his wit can be a bit more piercing than usual.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 14:02 by Tavana »
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ZZ

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2009, 11:40 »

Advanced Robotic Combat Ship (ARCS, or Arksie)
"I've seen the death. Now nothing can frighten or surprisen me"
Spoiler: Stats (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Story (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: questions (click to show/hide)
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Journey

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2009, 16:12 »

ZZ, I feel that you're not suitable for this campaign.  It's difficult to precisely express the reason, but it seems you have the "videogame hero" mentality, where the player is super exceptional; everything he does is tremendously successful.

Furthermore, once again the character you've designed is...kind of out there.  An immortal pilot in a robot starcraft?  "Far beyond very skilled"?  Even if we ignore how overpowered this design is, your "character" is missing most of the point of the campaign.  A substantial portion of a non-computer RPG is about character interaction, both player and non-player, and your robot starcraft cannot easily participate there.  As well, did you miss the entire bit about covert operations on the ground?

Finally, like you mentioned, you still don't seem to have a grasp on what's allowed for a character.  You have far more in Assets than is allowed, and some of your skills are way beyond the cap.
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Journey

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2009, 16:16 »

Anyways - the campaign should start Dec 17/18th.  The player characters are arriving on the modified Nebulon-B Frigate, the "Half Shadow," for the first time as a new covert task force is formed.
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Madtrixr

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2009, 17:21 »

Josh Tavus
Well, You guys be safe up there, I'll be down here, keeping them distracted.

Telosian Human

Attributes:
Agility:d8
Strength:d8
Vitality:d10
Alertness:d8
Intelligence:d8
Willpower:d12

Derived Attributes:
Life Points:22
Initiative:d8+d8
Endurance:d10+d12
Resistance:d10+d10

Skills:
Athletics[running](d8)
Covert[Sabotage](d8)
Discipline(d6)
Guns[Blaster Rifles](d10)
Medicine[First Aid](d8)
Perception(d6)
Pilot[Starfighters](d12)
Pilot[Starship Gunnery](d10)
Survival(d6)
Unarmed Combat(d4)

Assets:
Ambidextrous(d2)
In Plain Sight(6)
Unbreakable Will(d6)
Two-Handed Fighting[guns](d4)
Your Mind powers won't work on me, boy.(d6)
Toughness(d4)

Complications:
Shy(d6)
Idealist(D6)
Toes The Line(d4)
Phobia[needles](d4)


Physical Description:
6 ft.(? cm) tall, medium brown hair. Kind of skinny for his height. Josh REALLY likes his flight suit, wearing it as much as he can, no one really knows why. He doesn't really have any notable physical traits.

Background:

Born on Telos IV, Josh Tavus was the son of a middle class family. Born the oldest male, (three sisters, one brother), Josh was always the shyest person in the room. He did his best at his education, and graduated in the upper echelon. He didn't go to higher education, instead opting for a job at a tourism agency, piloting a tour ship around Telos IV. This proved useful when, after his family urging him to do something more exciting with his life, he decided to join the Rebels. He had no combat skills at first, but it turns out that he had an incredible willpower that had been seldom seen by anyone in the Alliance, and this enabled him to pick up the skills necessary to get good at First Aid and Sabotage because he kept trying and trying. His skills were perfect for the new squad that was being assembled and he was selected to participate.

Personality:
Josh is a very shy person, but has surprising willpower. He's good at focusing at tasks at hand, maybe too good sometimes. Knows the irony that he's afraid of needles and yet has to give shots sometimes. Is always nervous about flying, even though he is a qualified pilot, his problem is he's afraid of dying, yet he gets in the ship.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2009, 16:51 by Madtrixr »
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ZZ

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2009, 11:06 »

Carol Trevaden
You think your aim is perfect? I'll show you're wrong.
Spoiler: Stats (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Story (click to show/hide)


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Journey

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Re: Penumbra Squad (Star Wars Pilots/Agents!) PBF
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2009, 15:11 »

Tavana, Madtrixr, Gargulec, the campaign has begun.

ZZ, how can you assure me you'll be a good fit for the campaign?  Your character actions in the previous PBF weren't compatible, and you were making plot decisions that should be reserved for the GM.
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