Rogue Trader Play by Post, Won't start until January of next year Options

[LurkerOutThere]

Well it was too good to last and to be honest two games of Shadowrun a week, even if one was missions adventures, was taking it's toll on me. I got all set to run Rogue Trader and my players opted for Scion instead. This has left me intrigued by RT but no table of it to run. As such if folks would be interested in a play by post Rogue Trader game should PM me with their email address(especially if they have one that already has waye). We'll be using google wave as a medium and i'm looking for folks that can post several times a week although it doesn't have to be novels each time. Let me know if you are interested.

[Tanegar]

I may be getting Rogue Trader for Christmas, and if so I would definitely be interested. Will PM you if it materializes.

[LurkerOutThere]

Cool, so far no bites although I'm expecting at least a couple of interested parties from my regular group.

[Grinder]

You should post in the "Welcome to the shadows"-section. I'm sure you'll more interest there.

[StealthSigma]

I have a mild interest, but I have no Rogue Trader material nor have I ever had good experiences with play by post.

[LurkerOutThere]

I wasn't sure if that would be permitted Grinder, I will do that.

[Grinder]

You can post whereever you want, but I'm sure the sub-board dedicated to PbP-games will get this game call more attention. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Zyerne]

Did you get my PM Lurker?

[Karoline]

Oooohhh, that's why the name sounded so familiar. Warhammer 40k game. Could be interesting, but sadly, no bookies.

[LurkerOutThere]

I did Zyyrene sorry, at the time I got it I was on my phone and I hate typing on that thing. I will repost in the sub board.

[Karoline]

So, I grabbed a copy of the book and have been looking through it. Very interesting stuff. Takes a bit to wrap your head around the fact that you're a super big-shot, and raises some odd questions (If I'm such a big shot, why would I ever be in combat myself instead of sending in my personal army?), but overall looks fun.

I made up an explorator that is surprisingly good in combat but a bit fragile (minimum wounds roll).

Lurker, maybe you can clear it up for me, but any idea why they list the skills/talents that you automatically get as part of your career in the stuff you can buy at career rank 1? Is it some sort of thing to help with crossover to different systems or what? Just curious because it had me confused for a while, thinking I could improve the skills that I started with until I noticed that it listed talents that I already had as well which couldn't be taken multiple times.

[Zyerne]

That's covered in the errata which basically says "Ignore it, we're covering our asses in case we need them later."

There's a rule somewhere that states if you get multiples of a talent take the Talented talent in place of the second one.

Edit: Skills and Talents, the sequel. Box, bottom right, page 15.

[Karoline]

That clears it up, and then I noticed in the errata that one of the other books does seem to do something with additional origins and careers and such, so maybe important from that.

I really wish home worlds gave actual skills though instead of 'treat this as basic untrained' because it seems as though your likely career is going to have that skill anyway. It was my major disappointment with forge world as the starting world for my Explorator character, all the 'treat as basic' skills were ones that Explorators get anyway. Oh well, can't argue with 51 int (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Zyerne]

Into the Storm adds a advanced career for each primary, which you can take one rank of at some point in your career progression.

It also adds new homeworlds and origin options along with Orks and Kroot.

As to char gen, for a pbp game I'd prefer points gen I think.

Lastly, a gripe with the rules, the only one I have really. The starting characters are somewhat limited in weapon selection. This isn't helped by the fact that the pregens in the rules preview have weapons not actually on their career writeups.

[Karoline]

I think my character's stats likely come out to less than the 100 points given for the point gen system. Mostly had 11s and then a 15, 17 and 5, 3 or something like that.

As for the weapon selection, remember that you get any equipment with a total modifier of +0 as part of chargen as well, which can be any weapon in the book of good quality except for the archeotech laspistol and storm bolter which you can get at common quality. Heck, some you can even manage at best quality.

Not sure what pregens you're looking at, but that could be where they are coming from. And if it is common stuff, it could be that it is assumed the GM will let you start with something that is going to be a +60 or so item.

[Zyerne]

Pregens are in Forsaken Bounty, which is a condensed version, with scenario that they release for Gen Con or some similar event.

As to the weapons, I realise you can choose 1 of almost anything but there a lot of other things to pick from besides weapons. I guess I just don't like being tied to a choice of 3 or 4 in the characters starting gear.

[Karoline]

Well, as I said, GM can allow for a large number of more common items, and depending on starting PF, it could be exceptionally easy to grab various things.

[LurkerOutThere]

I just wanted to let everyone know I havn't forgotten this I've just been extremely busy. Sometime in the next couple days (hopefully tonight) I'll do a short in character piece on the central Rogue Trader family you will either be members of or serving/aligned with. I will also start up in character and out of character threads in the Shadows forum as google wave looks like it is shutting down soon (more the pity that). To put it briefly the PC's will be scions or retune of an extremely old Rogue Trader dynasty that is on the cusp of an internal struggle. The main focus of the game will be not only exploration and wealth but interdynasty and interstellar intrigue and manuevering. The game will not only deal with the Kronos expanse but your family has deep seated ties to the Calixis sector meaning you may be present and engaged in activities there as well.

[Drace]

This looks good, any chance there are any spots left? Got a few RT campaigns under my belt and pBp looks like a good outlet now that I am tabletop-less.

Also, there is a semi-finished chargen here. Not going to do everything, but can help speed up making characters.

[Karoline]

Sounds very interesting. I've made a host of characters since I've had alot of time without internet lately. I think I have everything except a Void-Master at this point, though I certainly have favorites, high among them being my original Explorator. I've also made a Sensechel and Navigator that I'm fairly fond of if a tech role isn't all that helpful. I'm really not sure what rolls are 'required' or anything. Seems like virtually anything could be done by an NPC given the ability to hire so many so easily. I suppose the more social roles would be hard to delegate, but virtually anything else seems like it could easily be handled by an NPC (or army thereof).

Oh, and are we rolling stats or just using 100? And what should we do about things like rolling up accumulated corruption and insanity? Just wait for the game to start?

And one final question: I noticed that it is possible for a Rogue Trader to take Renowned Warrant which means their Warrant is really old and cool and stuff. If one person gets it, would everyone in the group gain the benefits? And would this be something that would be required to be bought at character generation, or something that could be gotten later? I figure in the interests of balance, the talent might be less that the Warrant becomes better, and more that the character knows how to throw that weight around properly.

Edit:
P.S. Is stuff from Into the Storm allowed? I'm considering getting a copy with Christmas money, but less likely to if the stuff isn't allowed.

[Tanegar]

I'm leaning toward an Explorator myself. I was torn between an Explorator and a Void-Master, but then I hit on (what I consider to be) a really neat quirk for an Adeptus Mechanicus character: his vox modulator has a per-persistent fault that cau-auses him to talk like-like SHODAN. Little things like that are what draw me into my characters. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

[Karoline]

By His will, you are ordered to get a move on before you are found guilty of Heresy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Zyerne]

I'm looking at Arch-Militant or Void Master myself. Interesting that no-one has mentioned wanting to play the "Boss".

[Karoline]

I'm looking at Arch-Militant or Void Master myself. Interesting that no-one has mentioned wanting to play the "Boss".

I was quite underwhelmed at my attempt at making a Rogue Trader.

I'd have to say that my Explorator and Navigator have been my favorites so far. I'm also fond of my Sensechel, Missionary, and Astropath Transendant. My Arch-Militant is alright (quite good actually, 19 + 1d5 wounds (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) ) but just don't feel the character very well. Same goes for my RT. Don't feel the character and seems fairly lackluster overall. Might try remaking the RT now that I have a better grasp of the system (Finally got around to reading the combat rules (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) and a bit of a better understanding of what a RT is really supposed to be.

Haven't made a void-master yet as the prospect seems distinctly unappealing for some reason.

You said you have Into the Stars, right? Is it a good book? Still strongly considering grabbing it, as I think more character options could be just what I'm looking for. Of course, would at least like to be sure they'll be an option in this game before I go out and get the book.

[Zyerne]

It's not a bad book, certainly, and adds a lot of scope to character creation.

The background material is also worth reading, there's a long section on Port Wander.

It also has my favourite player ship along with a lot of smaller vehicles, aircraft, groundcraft etc.

Overall, I'm not entirely sure it's worth the price but on the flip side of that, I don't think you'd regret buying it. Then again, I bought a LE SR4A, so I guess value is relative (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)