Building a Space Opera Setting: Setting Concepts

 Most RPGs are collaborative experiences, the GM and players work together to build a story. Certain things make that easier or harder and they should be carefully considered when building a setting.

• The world should be immersive and detailed enough that the players can quickly understand it.
• Overly detailed and complicated worlds can take people out of the game as they struggle to recall details or figure out how new situations and knowledge fit in.
• NPC's should be diverse and include a mix of ones the players regularly interact with and those that are just background. In very few cases does the GM need an actual stat sheet, even for those frequently interacted with. However the GM should keep notes to maintain consistency and allow the NPCs to grow organically over time.
• The GM should not get stuck on prior decisions. Often the players will inspire new ideas or takes on things and if these things are incorporated the players are likely to feel more invested.  This does not have to be obvious or even known to the players. Keep some mystery, let them wonder if this was the original plan or if it changed! That said I sometimes let players know they changed things but only if it wont disrupt the immersion or feeling.
• The GM and the players should be on the same page as much as possible and working towards a mutually satisfying story arc. Strongly guided campaigns (Railroading) are often less work for the GM but unsatisfying to the players who if they feel have no agency will be less invested. Open stories (Sandbox) leave it up to the players to choose and in my experience are a lot like a business run by committee. The ideal option is something in the middle, my preference is more sandbox than railroad but it takes more work on my part and requires me to leave lots of things the players can pick up on and some improvisation on my part.
• GMs that can better predict the players will typically run more interesting (to the players) campaigns and can save themselves a lot of work. Do not be afraid to recycle ideas. NPCs can often be reused with minor tweeks and the same with many plots.
• Related to the above is anticipating spoken and unspoken desires and goals of the players. If a player is interested in combat then combat should be available. If the player is interested in figuring out mysteries, exploration, advancing the world, or just making a difference these should all be considered and opportunities for them provided. Of course different players may have different priorities so time management is important.

Summary

Much of the above is general GM advise. However, certain things are key when designing a setting.

Place things of interest to your specific players and even broader details should have flavor or fluff material that helps players feel more immersed in the setting.

Building a Space Opera Setting: Personal Weapons

 Combat is an important part of most RPGs, so in a Space Opera setting what should we use?

GURPS Ultra-Tech gives us a good assortment of tech but its a grab bag covering multiple tech levels and sciences. So how should we choose what to include?

Weapon Effectiveness

We want our weapons to be cool and invoke something we think is fun. They also need to make sense for the science of the setting. Good choices will make combat fun and interesting. They should be more effective than modern weapons but not too lethal or else everyone hits dies.

GURPS has a reputation for deadliness, though in my opinion its a bit exaggerated. If you go past 0 HP you risk falling unconscious and start requiring death checks at fully -1* HP. A person with average HT and HP has a chance to die after 5d6 average injury. Lucky rolls, armor, higher HT or HP can make it take more. Modern firearms can do this kind of damage, though small arms will usually require several hits. This means a big damage boost can be very lethal.

The author of GURPS Ultra-Tech, David Pulver considered this and one of his solutions was high armor penetration.

I prefer high armor penetration over massive damage as our heroes can still survive if caught outside their armor, or only wearing minimal armor. I do not want characters to feel the need for battlesuits outside of military actions. Armor Penetration makes armor less effective but gives unarmored people a batter chance than just scaling up the damage.

I also like high accuracy (ACC) and lots of shots so we can avoid reloads or carrying tons of magazines or battery packs. Energy weapons that can be recharged can also reduce accounting. Just recharge between fights.

Star Heist Weapons (TL10)

So I want grav weapons since the technology is a key part of the setting. Grav weapons can do crushing damage and be less than lethal and just recharge back at the starship.

Lasers are a classic, highly accurate, good range, quiet, and also rechargeable.

Slug throwers are often favored by players and can be good when you have special needs or a lower tech base such as on a frontier world.

These are all in Ultra-Tech and I think will use the same stats. So I list this in my campaign bible as..

GURPS Spaceships: Building a Space Opera Setting

 In order to make a consistent and plausible setting you need to outline setting assumptions and try to make them make sense and be internally consistent with the setting.

My first step was to determine what form of FTL I wanted and how it works as well as regular space travel. I wanted to use the same core technology if possible so everything blends together. I went with grav-tech and two variations of Jump drives.

Reactionless drives based on gravity manipulation, not the classic push or pull but by bending the spacetime curvature so ships basically fall in the desired direction and that curve can be as steep as desired for higher acceleration. No grav compensators so that pilots dealing with extreme acceleration is a thing.

The FTL portion is bending spacetime so much that ships fall through space itself, only to reappear days later elsewhere.

This led to TL10^ with Standard and Hot Reactionless drives and a custom FTL drive that used various switches.

How Big Are Ships?

My next big step was to decide how big ships would be. I looked at the material in GURPS Spaceships, specifically the Hull Size Table (p. 9) and some example starships.  Then checked out tonnages and size of real world ships to give me a range of ship classes.

Smallcraft: SM+5 to +7 for shuttles and personal transport.

Corvette: SM +8 commercial, escort, survey, and light patrol ships.

Frigate: SM+9 As corvettes. This is the largest SM where most ship systems do not require a dedicated workstation. This makes Frigates optimal for PC ships where a small crew can easily run the entire ship.

Destroyer: SM+10

Cruiser: SM+10 to +12

Battleship: SM+12 to SM+15

Carrier: SM+11 to SM+15

So Frigates are likely the largest PC controlled merchant ship. Most ship systems do not require dedicated crew so a bridge crew can handle most things. 

• Control Rooms have six workstations, plenty for most PC parties. 
• Each Habitat space includes 20 cabins, covering the full crew with plenty left over for passengers or other facilities such as labs. 
• Hanger Bays can handle 100 tons per system, allowing for a shuttle or fighter craft.
• Each Cargo Hold can hold 150 tons, not a large amount but ok for high value cargoes and a ship can of course have more than one cargo hold.

These guidelines let me focus on what size ships to build a good starting sample set. Star Heist is not intended to be a military campaign so the PCs will likely have a SM+8 or SM+9 starship and compete with larger merchant vessels in the Destroyer or Cruiser class that have higher overhead and crews. I also intend there to be plenty of "independent" merchants using SM+8 or SM+9 starships.

Ship Designations

On earth ships are registered with certain designations. This can be useful for players to quickly identify a ships purpose. I will assign ships transponders that broadcast the designation, manufacture, and the make and model. This will speed things up in play, give PCs with appropriate skills or databases to know roughly what a stock model of the ship they face is capable of, and I hope be immersive. Certainly it feels better than just giving a lot of mechanics and statistics.

For example they encounter an Eagle model courier ship made by Stardust Enterprises.

I can then tell them on a successful roll that it has a UV spinal mount, 1 cargo hold, rated for FTL6/6gs, has a hangar bay, and one electronics compartment - usually ECM.

Of course that just tells them the stock design, they need a good sensor roll or closer examination to find the after market modifications or perhaps even manufacturer options like the spinal mount is Improved UV laser with a gravitic lens and the electronics compartment is really a Tactical Array.

So far I have CX (Courier); LB (Life Boat); MV (Merchant Vessel - mega corp); RC (Research Vessel); TV (Trading Vessel - independent); and military designations CV (Carrier Vessel); DD (Dedicated Destroyer); EV (Escort Vessel).

I'll add more later. Transponders will also list the name of the ship (good for Reputation and maybe knowing the captain), and the owner if its a megacorp or military ship. Transponders can be hacked and military ships can turn them off to be more stealthy, but most ships will broadcast them for legal purposes - much like modern ships and especially aircraft.

Season 8 Session 4: Triage

 

Cast: The Nomads

• Amie-Belle T. W. Lee aka Whisper (Played by Curtis): Cold War era super-soldier/spy that got put in the Freezer, because she got poisoned. After getting thawed out and cured she tried to back to work, and was given an “adjustment period”. Uncle Sam called 2 years later, with work… because once you’re in, you’re in for life. Tagline: “In and out without a whisper.” Absent
• Beauregard K. “Bo” Ratnam aka Wirerat (Played by Brice): Technopath, inventor, and hacker. He specializes in co-opting enemy systems and tech assets. Tagline: “Nice tech – I’ll borrow that.
• Stainless Steel Rat aka “Sir” (NPC Ally): Bo’s best friend and assistant. A sentient drone in the shape of a stylized shiny metal rat mindlinked to Bo. Specialties are rapid repair construction and modifications. Imagine if K-9 and R2D2 made a baby and it looks a bit like a rodent. Tagline: “Repairs and upgrades in progress”
• Derrick K. Ratnam aka Ledgerdemain (NPC Ally): Spin doctor and media liaison for Project VANGUARD. Twin to Bo. Tagline: “Well, actually that’s not how it happened.
• MIA Sentient AI made from recovered tech on a prior mission.
• Rafe Hanlon aka Nyx (played by Chris D.): An umbrakinetic petty thief still on work release several years later, on his way to becoming a true agent and hero. Tagline: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”
• Layla A. de Blackburn aka Nox (NPC): CIA-trained child assassin all grown up to be Daddy’s Little Monster. Maybe a little mad. Argues with her shadow often. Tagline: “No, we shouldn’t do that…should we?”
• June B. O'Neill aka Prodigy (NPC): Savant with hyper-intelligence that may have cracked the universal power-dampening conundrum. Fresh out of the Meraki Institute for the advanced and gifted. Extremely intelligent, but young (she's 16).
• Vincenzo L. dePrezzo aka Threshold (Played by Rory): Doctor, Mathematician, and Scientist (yes, capitals) and Spatial Manipulator. Threshold can bend space like a pretzel, teleport, obliterate things, and has extraordinary senses. He’d rather be in a research lab than fight. Better known for his work with Doctors Without Borders, the United Nations, and disaster relief than famous battles. Tagline: “I can be there in a snap!”
• Nawang Sonam aka Wan Shi Tong (NPC): Martial Artist with a mysterious past. Thresholds mentor, experienced and highly capable, indeterminate age.
• Eleanor C. Bulli aka "Bubbles (NPC): Manipulates bubbles of energy, short range teleportation, can fly on the bubbles, use them for shields or attack and even see through them.
• Grant L. Wojcik aka Fridge Boy (NPC): Can control ice/cold, but mostly the ability to create ice that explodes. 16 year old emancipated orphan, Our janitor. 
• Rudy A. Coldwater aka Gimmick (NPC): Mildly hyper-intelligent savant. Stutters. Makes very accurate guesses. Typical nerd, not yet 20. Wants to make a difference, assigned to support duties.
• Summer Stratos aka Chain Jacket (NPC): Ferrokinetic
• Vargas Manwell Tilium aka "Impulse" (NPC): Speedster.

A Minor Retcon

Threshold is kept at Mt Sinai treating patients. He manages to pop out to grab a few medical people but is mostly working the ER. The pharmacy security camera is adjusted so that he has ready access to it and the pharmacy places various medications, dressings, and other materials on the counter. Threshold can then teleport them to the ER to speed things up.

Busy Bees

Threshold is helping out in the hospital, Wirerat is working on the data being fed to him, and Nyx is handling the patrols of Flushing.

Whisper is incommunicado, probably trying to work with MAPS HQ and the intelligence community.

Nyx comes in for lunch and talks with Nox who has been gently helped so far by Wirerat.

Aftermath

Another short session. Lots of roleplaying and were getting worried on who is trying to deal with the actual threat of Erebus.

Season 8: Session 3: Erebus Holds NYC Hostage

 

Cast: The Nomads

• Amie-Belle T. W. Lee aka Whisper (Played by Curtis): Cold War era super-soldier/spy that got put in the Freezer, because she got poisoned. After getting thawed out and cured she tried to back to work, and was given an “adjustment period”. Uncle Sam called 2 years later, with work… because once you’re in, you’re in for life. Tagline: “In and out without a whisper.” Absent
• Beauregard K. “Bo” Ratnam aka Wirerat (Played by Brice): Technopath, inventor, and hacker. He specializes in co-opting enemy systems and tech assets. Tagline: “Nice tech – I’ll borrow that.
• Stainless Steel Rat aka “Sir” (NPC Ally): Bo’s best friend and assistant. A sentient drone in the shape of a stylized shiny metal rat mindlinked to Bo. Specialties are rapid repair construction and modifications. Imagine if K-9 and R2D2 made a baby and it looks a bit like a rodent. Tagline: “Repairs and upgrades in progress”
• Derrick K. Ratnam aka Ledgerdemain (NPC Ally): Spin doctor and media liaison for Project VANGUARD. Twin to Bo. Tagline: “Well, actually that’s not how it happened.
• MIA Sentient AI made from recovered tech on a prior mission.
• Rafe Hanlon aka Nyx (played by Chris D.): An umbrakinetic petty thief still on work release several years later, on his way to becoming a true agent and hero. Tagline: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”
• Layla A. de Blackburn aka Nox (NPC): CIA-trained child assassin all grown up to be Daddy’s Little Monster. Maybe a little mad. Argues with her shadow often. Tagline: “No, we shouldn’t do that…should we?”
• June B. O'Neill aka Prodigy (NPC): Savant with hyper-intelligence that may have cracked the universal power-dampening conundrum. Fresh out of the Meraki Institute for the advanced and gifted. Extremely intelligent, but young (she's 16).
• Vincenzo L. dePrezzo aka Threshold (Played by Rory): Doctor, Mathematician, and Scientist (yes, capitals) and Spatial Manipulator. Threshold can bend space like a pretzel, teleport, obliterate things, and has extraordinary senses. He’d rather be in a research lab than fight. Better known for his work with Doctors Without Borders, the United Nations, and disaster relief than famous battles. Tagline: “I can be there in a snap!”
• Nawang Sonam aka Wan Shi Tong (NPC): Martial Artist with a mysterious past. Thresholds mentor, experienced and highly capable, indeterminate age.
• Eleanor C. Bulli aka "Bubbles (NPC): Manipulates bubbles of energy, short range teleportation, can fly on the bubbles, use them for shields or attack and even see through them.
• Grant L. Wojcik aka Fridge Boy (NPC): Can control ice/cold, but mostly the ability to create ice that explodes. 16 year old emancipated orphan, Our janitor. 
• Rudy A. Coldwater aka Gimmick (NPC): Mildly hyper-intelligent savant. Stutters. Makes very accurate guesses. Typical nerd, not yet 20. Wants to make a difference, assigned to support duties.
• Summer Stratos aka Chain Jacket (NPC): Ferrokinetic
• Vargas Manwell Tilium aka "Impulse" (NPC): Speedster.

The Coming Darkness

The team is going about its routine when a cloud of darkness permeates the building. Looking around the darkness appears to cover most of NYC and it affects all senses, not just light. Most senses are reduced to 1/10 range, though Nyx is largely unaffected.

Communications become spotty as well and the group figures out its a powerful darkness manipulator named Erebus, His power can cover such a large area and feels about right for what is going on, he also can summon beings from another dimension and if the power lasts long enough he can drain other peoples powers - adding them to his own.

Threshold teleports about a thousand feet up to get a view of things but is still in darkness so teleports even further up until he can see that the dome of darkness appears to be centered in Manhattan. He then teleports back to base, shedding momentum from the fall as he does.

He reports his findings to the rest of the group and MAPS HQ.

Please Stand By

MAPS HQ informs the team that they need to stand down and remain on call for if they are needed. Another team will handle Erubus.

Nyx heads out to check on Flushing and get residents safely home.

Wirerat and Threshold try working on communications or sensors that will work better. Wirerat comes up with a brain induction helmet that can tap into Thresholds brain and sees what he sees as he tries various scans. He also has MIA build up an interactive digital map we can use to move around and update it in real time.

Nox is somehow terrified of the darkness and hides in Wirerats lab. Possibly she fears losing her powers.

Search and Rescue

Nyx has been finding people and teleporting them back home, trying to keep them from panicking.

Threshold, after giving the information he can to Wirerat heads out to help Nyx with getting people off the streets. He finds a woman being attacked by some fanged creature, orders it to leave her alone but it attacks him. He tries to obliterate it but only manages to destroy an arm and part of its torso and it keeps coming. He dodges and Nyx appears and grabs it with his shadow whips trying to keep it off Threshold. Threshold uses his powers again adn this time obliterates enough of the creature that it dies. As it turns into shadow goo they both briefly examine it and feel its one of Erebus extradimensional creatures.

Threshold radios the find to MAPS HQ who inform him they have ben popping up all over.

Threshold portals the woman to Mt. Sinai (not the closest hospital but the one he works at) and the ER is packed and shrouded. He puts the woman on a gurney, calls for aid and using his powers preforms emergency surgery to save her life.

While doing so he sees that a meta is glowing and seending out little balls of light throught the room to help people see.

After the surgery he goes and talks to the meta and tries to analyze the powers since they seem to be helpful and penetrate the darkness better than ordinary light. He gives the details to Wirerat back at Nomad base. Threshold then heads to the admin desk to get a list of medical people on call and goes looking for them to bring them to the hospital. After finding everyone he can, around an an hour later he heads over to Prysbertian Hospital in Flushing and does the same for them before going back out to help Nyx with search and rescue.

OOC Notes

Short game due to the storms but it felt like we kept very active and got stuff done.