Resource Pirates OOC, An Eclipse Phase adventure by OTP Options

[OneTrikPony]

Introduction:
At the opening of the adventure the ship and crew have just docked at Kronos Cluster after "liberating" part of a cargo of metals (gold, irridium, tungsten) from a COMEX [p. 70] ship that was just about to enter a slingshot orbit around saturn. Wether you Scuttled the COMEX ship is up to you but you've come to Kronos because it's something of a 'Freeport' or "Port Royal"** where you can sell your cargo.

You all ready have a Broker for your Tungsten--the reason you targeted the COMEX ship in the first place--and you're expected to meet him soon here on Kronos. So the good news is that you're about to get paid. The bad news is that you barely have enough He3 reaction mass to make an orbit transfer to Titan. And during the (two?) weeks you've been out the Jovans have interdicted or outright destroyed several sunward bound helium blimps. The actions by the Jovans have caused a rush on the fuel futures market system wide and now it's gonna cost you about 20% more to refuel your ship than you expected. To make matters worse the KPA (Kronos Port Authority [p.105]) was acting hinkey while you were negotiating port access and docking fees. Once you were finally cleared to use the port, fees where about twice what you had expected. The
of the KPA are edgy for some reason.

* Scuttled: Scuttling a ship was common practice in pre industrial Terran piracy in which you steal the cargo of the ship then sink it to hide the crime. In Post Fall piracy this still happens in some cases but usually takes the form of boosting the ship to an orbit to nowhere rather than destroying the ship. The reasons for Scuttling are many but most often involve subterfuge-- it's harder to track parts of a cargo that have disbursed than it is to track an intact cargo--or just sheer bloody mindedness of a pirate bastard.
COMEX is currently under alot of pressure from the Jovans who have once again extended their claim on Jupiter's gravity-well past the extent of the planet's magnetosphere. They're also having difficulties in three-way negotiations with Extropian enterprises and Lunar insurance and banking concerns who threaten direct competition in the logistics market. If the Extropan talks breakdown it's probable that COMEX will apply for membership with the Planetary Consortium. They may also start arming their slingshot launched cargo barges on a regular basis. Their market share is dropping enough that it may be worth the expense and reduced payload to make the claim that cargo on these disposable ships is protected.

** Port Royal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Royal
-----------------------------
"Primer on Interplanetary Piracy", Some thoughts on the mechanics of space travel in the EP system,some rough maps and more random thoughts will all be coming soon.

Until that time if you'd like more information for character planning purposes, the adventure will begin at the Kronos Cluster habitat (EP p.105)
The whole section on Saturn beginning on page 102 is a good read if you'd like to start getting ideas on the neighborhood you'll be pillaging.

I'll be ready when ever you all are but there's no hurry, I'm taking along time to decide weather your deaths will be heroic or simply tragic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Links to game resources:
sketch of small freighter/pirate ship
Solarsystem map half fiinished
Short range freighter http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss100/O...ent=orbiter.jpg
Large interplanetary freighter http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss100/O...ent=clarke4.jpg
Some examples of shuttles, atmospheric fighters, and drop ships (Thanks Dr. Funk) http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/marsden_/...Ships2Scale.gif

[Lady Door]

I vote for theirs to be tragic. I'll be the long lived narrator who returns to tell the tale. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[fistandantilus4....]

I'm good with "tragic" . Buck the system. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'll look over the game book tomorrow and get an idea of what I want to play.

[OneTrikPony]

I vote for theirs to be tragic. I'll be the long lived narrator who returns to tell the tale. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

IIRC you bake, don't you? I can be bribed. I think we should start the bidding with Chocholate Chips.

[fistandantilus4....]

Man, if I'm not getting baked goods, you sure as hell aren't. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[OneTrikPony]

Fine. Tragic it will be. LOL

[Ol' Scratch]

I want baked goods. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[OneTrikPony]

So here' are some pics I've been working on tonight.

This first one is what I immagine a small freighter to look like. It's oly about half finished but I wanted to make sure no one objects to the concept befor I tell you this is your ship.

Here's another view.

This is my solar system map. It's roughly to scale in so far as the locations of the planets and their obits. This is where things are at circa AF10. I still have several locations to mark and most of the text to drop in. I might do some more snazzy effects maybe a Lense Flare oooooh! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/silly.gif)

I was going to do a cutaway of the ship but sketchup sucks and I'm lazy so You're just going to get floor plans.

Comming up: basic plans of a couple of stations and map of Kronos cluster, and a map of the local neighborhood around Saturn. and probably I might finish the ones above.

Let me know what you think of the ship. I'm trying to keep it kind real but if you want somethin cooler snag a pic from google and send it to me. Just don't ask for the Galactica or SDF1 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (and no milenium falcons, and no enterpriseD, and no starship troopers stuf either.)

http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss100/O...shipprelim2.jpg
http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss100/O...SCAlphatest.jpg
http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss100/O...Pshipprelim.jpg

[Ol' Scratch]

That one reminds me too much of the Daedalus class from Star Trek. Pirates need a cool ship, dammit, not a medical frigate! Maybe something closer to one of these? The Tarsus one looks believable enough as a small cargo ship/shuttle repurposed for piracy, and the Galaxy looks both functional and menacing.

[Grinder]

I don't care how the ship looks like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Ol' Scratch]

I've only skimmed over the book a couple of times, and I honestly have no idea what to expect in the game as far as our characters go. Are there specific roles that need to be filled? And even if not, what kinds of characters are all of you considering?

I've had a few goofy ideas pop into my head (an octomorph porn star with a peg-tentacle, and an uplifted parrot with a tiny human on his shoulder), but I'm going to avoid those for this game. On the surface, the Scum seem to appeal to the type of character I normally play, so naturally I'm leaning that way. But I really have no clue what kind of a focus to go with. Some kind of gunbunny or merc would probably be the easiest, but how useful would one be in a piracy game? And does it interfere with anyone else's concept(s)?

[OneTrikPony]

I think resource pirates in EP will have quite a few direct paralells to the pirates of the 18-19th century on earth. Basicly your roll is to take something you didn't produce from someone who is weaker/or less able to protect themselves and sell it to someone who can pay for it, while you avoid getting regognized and caught by those who are stronger than you.

Here's a typical scenario:
You're in the neighborhood of saturn. There are quite a few habitats around you working in several major industries producing things that are required by other places in the solar system. Think of it like the caribean islands. The major industries are; Helium3 mining on saturn and volitile mining of the icy rings of Saturn's rings and moons. There's alot of interplanetary comerce going on. Water and carbon volitiles are being refined and shiped to the main belt and sunward hapitats. Helium three is being mined and being shiped to the main belt and outer system habitats. Metalics are being refined in the main belt and being shippd inbound to local habitats. So there are alot of ships.

In addition there is some millitary postureing going on. Members of the PC are maneuvering against Locus Station, Extropia is moving mercs allover the place. The Jovan Junta is maneuvering against the PC, Titan, and any anarchistic New Ecconomy power. So there is alot of millitary and also alot of millitary shipping going on.

But space is an astronomicly large place (heh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) and you don't just go out cruising around to try to happen onto something you want. You need intel. You need to know what is traveling where at what time so you can calculate if you can catch it, redirect it, and make it back to a freindly port with the fuel you have. (or at least someplace where there's not a price on your heads.)

So the first thing the crew needs to be able to do is get the intel.

You pay or steal info on a helium barge that's bound for Extropia. You know when it's leaving saturns orbit. Now you need a damed good navigator to calculate how to intercept the barge. You'll have to cruise out on a similar orbit that will take you close to your target but not close enough to raise supicions at the port from wich you leave. Then you'll need to actually make the interception in a way that would give you some kind of chance of success because helium barges are generally guarded by either automated systems or by farcasting mercs into the ship. And you'll have to calculate how to change the current trajectory of the barge to someone else who's going to pay for it. All of this is somewhat equivelent to throwing a football through a basketball hoop on the other side of the globe.

Oh. and it would probably be a good idea to find a buyer for what ever you're stealing before you head out because the timing can be fairly critical.

Once you get to a target you can usually expect some kind of defence which you'll need to overcome by subtrafuge, brutality, or intimidation.

I would suggest that colectivly, the crew have the skills to navigate, pilot, maintain, and repair spaceships. Gunnery and fighting skills would come in handy. Hacking and computer skills will be necesary. Freefall skills are a must.

More coming later tonight.

[Grinder]

I'm thinking of a Slitheroid combat-orientated character. Not sure about the exact background and/ or factions and motivation, but someone who can kick the shit ouf of other people. Would like to try out a Hacker or Techie, but don't know if I can handle that in an english-based game.

[OneTrikPony]

That one reminds me too much of the Daedalus class from Star Trek. Pirates need a cool ship, dammit, not a medical frigate! Maybe something closer to one of these? The Tarsus one looks believable enough as a small cargo ship/shuttle repurposed for piracy, and the Galaxy looks both functional and menacing.

Actually I'm more inspired by Arthur C Clarke in the design of ships.
Here's somthing like the Dumbell shape I had originally envisioned http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/clarke4.jpg
and here's someting closer to the size I was thinking of: http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/orbiter.jpg
Pictures are from this page; http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3ah.html

The tarsus would be closer to something like a shuttle or drop ship. Which you're going to need anyhow so if you'd like to have a shuttle that looks like the tarsus at about half that size and with atmospheric re-entry shielding (more on the shielding later), I think that would be a good idea.

The reason I picked a design that's more based on actual science is because that design represents the dangers you'll face. You've got a Fusion power plant producing a plasma that's throwing out tons of gamma radiation on your tail. I was also looking to make something reminiscent of a sailing ship with the mast and cargo spars, since we are playing a pirate game.

I get excited about the science part of the game. I'll have to play it by ear to make sure the game isn't too crunchy and science oriented.

there are not really any atmosphere's for you to drop into in the area of saturn but I still think it's a good idea to have a shuttle with heavy atmospheric heat shielding. [hint] it would make pretty good ablative armor against energy weapons.

@ Grinder: I'll remember the Language barrier and try to control my poor spelling, It will help If I can at least speak my own language correctly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Maybe I'll have a chance to, finally pick up a little German too.

That reminds me; Several years ago I almost messaged asking for some help. I was writing a character who was a Merc in MET2000 and was looking for some german military jargon and expletives. I never asked for your help because I figure it would be kinda silly to ask about idioms, expletives, and jargon when I know next to nothing about the language. But I'd still like to work on that character someday.

The slitheroid sounds cool. If you'd like advice; make sure you don't specialize too much. With a crew of 4 everyone will have to wear a lot of different hats. (how familiar are you with american idioms? Wearing two hats means doing several jobs.) Also, an alternate mobility system might be cool.

I'll make a built in EVA pack (Extra Vehicle Activity) available as a Robotic Enhancment (EP pp. 310) to any character who uses a synth morph.

EVA Pack: (tentative version)
This mobility system can be built in to most forms of Synthetic morphs and allows the morph to travel in micro gravity vacuum and thin atmospheres. It's comprised of 4 directional hydrogen-peroxide thrusters on extendable arms and a small, rechargeable H2O2 fuel cell which provides trust for up to 20 combat turns.
Cost; [High] Speed; [4/--*]
*When operating in vacuum maximum speed is limited only by the amount of time thrust is applied. Accelerating at 4 meters per turn means you can go Really Really fast but remember you have to decelerate too.

[Grinder]

@ Grinder: I'll remember the Language barrier and try to control my poor spelling, It will help If I can at least speak my own language correctly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Maybe I'll have a chance to, finally pick up a little German too.

That reminds me; Several years ago I almost messaged asking for some help. I was writing a character who was a Merc in MET2000 and was looking for some german military jargon and expletives. I never asked for your help because I figure it would be kinda silly to ask about idioms, expletives, and jargon when I know next to nothing about the language. But I'd still like to work on that character someday.

My knowledge about military jargon and stuff is very limited (did my mandatory civil service at a housing project for people with special needs and thus never had to join the army).

No worries about using english slang, I'm familiar with most of it - technical stuff is another matter, though.

The slitheroid sounds cool. If you'd like advice; make sure you don't specialize too much. With a crew of 4 everyone will have to wear a lot of different hats. (how familiar are you with american idioms? Wearing two hats means doing several jobs.) Also, an alternate mobility system might be cool.

I'll make a built in EVA pack (Extra Vehicle Activity) available as a Robotic Enhancment (EP pp. 310) to any character who uses a synth morph.

Depending on the BP we could easily buy a handful of sapre morphs. Would be cool, the more I think about it.

[Grinder]

That reminds me:

- how good do the characters know each other?
- has the crew worked together before?
- what recources do we have? If we have a ship, we could easily have captured a few morphs as well.

[Ol' Scratch]

I do have another concept in mind, and it's one that can easily be adjusted to fit nearly any role. Below is a very rough description; I don't even have a name for him yet. So bear with me and please excuse the shitty writing. It really is just a rough idea.

A hero of the Fall, the Colonel was the commander of one of the platforms responsible for missile and satellite operations that bought vital time for the Terrestial evacuees to get off-world. He and his team pulled off some truly astonishing feats during that time, and when the final hour was upon them, he ordered his own men to join the evacuation while he stayed behind so that they may live.

Unfortunately, the Colonel has no memory of any of these heroic acts; all records of the event were lost during the chaos. He only lives on now due to a three-year-old redundancy back-up that was carried off-world (unbeknownst to him at the time) which had ended up in criminal hands. Someone amongst the Scum barges that his backup had been traded to recognized who he was (they were one of the many people he had saved during the evacuation, perhaps even one of his subordinates) and they offered him a fair deal of working for them in exchange for a morph. The next few years were spent doing less than savory acts for his savior who was wound up as a small time crime boss. Now, having saved up enough to purchase his own freedom from the indentured servitude, the Colonel is free to explore, find a new life, and perhaps even rediscover what happened all those years ago while simultaneously trying to fully adjust to the life of crime he has found himself leading.

Clearly it needs some cleaning up and adjusting so that it fits the setting a bit better; my grasp of it is tenuous at best. But combined with a military background and recent experiences of a criminal lifestyle, he can fit pretty much any kind of role short of overly technical ones. Maybe a pilot, a gunner, or even a made man type "face" if such a concept exists in the game.

What say you guys?

[fistandantilus4....]

I'll have to read over the setting first, I'm not going to go post-heroic ( I don't think at least), but it does poitn out some of the possibilities we can do with the memory back ups.

[fistandantilus4....]

I'll have to read over the setting first, I'm not going to go post-heroic ( I don't think at least), but it does poitn out some of the possibilities we can do with the memory back ups.

[OneTrikPony]

That reminds me:

- how good do the characters know each other?
- has the crew worked together before?
- what resources do we have? If we have a ship, we could easily have captured a few morphs as well.

What? you get a whole Spaceship and Shuttle for free and you want me to just throw in some morphs too? LOL
Grinder, it looks like your english is better than my american. I'd still like to talk with you about German slang sometime, the only the German I know I learned from Porn. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) Is the German shadow slang as silly as the american?

@ Everyone:

Other than your typical Customization Points you have one Small Freighter and a 5 man Atmospheric capable shuttle.

I'm putting together a list of customization options for the freighter and the shuttle for you to choose from.
There will be half a dozen modifications you can add to the ships to make them Pirate capable and you'll get to chose two or three for each ship. It'll give y'all a way to get rid of all your extra money and rep. I'm sure you'll come up with your own modifications too.
since I'm basicly making some of the rules for space ships and space travel out of whole cloth I'm trying really hard not to railroad the adventure.
If you have a specialized character concept that you really love but might not cover all the bases that need to be covered by a pirate go ahead and play it. Its our first adventure I'm aware that I might need to fill in some gaps at times.

Also don't think that one character has to cover a specific pirate role. If everyone ends up to be a fighter it will still work as long as one person has one of the necesary skills. All together you'll need: Pilot:Spaceship, Navigation, Gunnery, Hardware:Aerospace & Industrial, Infosec. As long as someone on the crew has one of these skills you'll get by plausibly.

As to wether the crew has worked together before that's up to y'all but if you're strangers at the start you'll need to decide who is the nominal owner of the ship. Some ideas would be that you were the crew of the ship and you mutinied and became pirates. Or that you're all shareholders in the ship. Or that one of you inherited the ship and hired the rest of the crew. The important thing here is that I know who the gettaway car is redgistered to. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/vegm.gif)

@ Dr. Funk;
I like the Colonel character. He seems like he could be good in a couple diferent MOS. I especially like that you seem to start writing a character befor you start writing down stats.

One more thing:
200 extra CP for anyone who plays any character from the Venture Brothers cartoon besides Brok Samson. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Grinder]

What? you get a whole Spaceship and Shuttle for free and you want me to just throw in some morphs too? LOL

We are space pirates - that includes having a ship. I mean, did you ever hear of pirates without a ship? Come on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

Grinder, it looks like your english is better than my american. I'd still like to talk with you about German slang sometime, the only the German I know I learned from Porn. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) Is the German shadow slang as silly as the american?

German porn... uh. Talk to Critias, he apperantly became traumatized by watching german porn flicks.
As far as german shadowrun slang goes: we don't use it. It sounds lame and boring (same goes for the german-only stuff, most of it is exactly that).

[Ol' Scratch]

I'll have to read over the setting first, I'm not going to go post-heroic ( I don't think at least), but it does poitn out some of the possibilities we can do with the memory back ups.

If that's in reference to my idea, the character himself isn't really a hero; that person died a long time ago. He's an old backup copy of the person that eventually became that hero under different circumstances. If anything, it'll be fun to explore how the same person can go down two completely different paths based solely upon their life experiences and the situations they find themselves in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

One more thing:
200 extra CP for anyone who plays any character from the Venture Brothers cartoon besides Brok Samson. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Dibs on Dr. Girlfriend.

[OneTrikPony]

I think you mean Dr. Mrs. The Monarch! and you only get to play her(m) if you can do the voice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Apparently I'm not sleeping tonight so I'm working on the intro writeup and "Primer on Space Piracy." For some reason math is involved. God I hate math. Any number with more than 5 digits makes my eyes cross. Do you guys have any post high school education?

[Grinder]

Do you guys have any post high school education?

Yup. But in Social Work, what allowed me to circumvent math classes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

[Ol' Scratch]

No way, I'd play her when she was still single so I could keep my options open. And her voice is my natural voice, so win-win!