アダルト

Before you read this starters FAQ, be sure you have read and can agree to the Foundational Principle. There is no need to read any further if you have issues with it - otherwise, please read on.

These are common questions I get, so I thought I'd collect some of the best ones and post them here.

Q: Is this your first on-line campaign as GM?
A: No, this would be my third 'long-running' campaign. My last one ran over a period of close to three years (over 80 three to four hour sessions in total). My first ran a bit over a year (over 50 three-hour sessions). I've also GMed at CyberCon and won a prize for GMing. (OK, enough - my arm is sore from patting myself on the back :-) )

Q: What kind of role-playing rules do you use?
Q: What rule modifications or clarifications to you have?
A: We use the Alternity rules published by Wizards of the Coast. See our 'trademarks' pages for all the legal language. What few rule modifications or clarifications I have are posted on the 'rule mods' page. You won't find much there because Alternity is just that good! You say you don't know what Alternity is? Better stop reading now then and enjoy the rest of your life, for if you keep reading on you'll pulled into world's of wonder and loose hours upon hours of your real life!

Q: What type of characters can I play? or
Q: Can I start with a 11th level Concord Administrator?

A: You can create any character/race/profession available in the Alternity PHB (Players Handbook) using the standard creation rules at level 0. There is an option to start a character at a higher level, but it doesn't apply unless your current character is retired or dies (see character death below). There is a great little program I recommend for making Alternity Characters called "Walter." It makes creating and managing an Alternity character a breeze! I ask that you to send me your characters for review two days before game time when you make a new "achievement level" or make significant changes. Just send me the file it creates via email.
If you want to use the other Alternity supplements (i.e. Star*Drive Campaign Setting, Dataware, tangents, the Outbound, etc.) check with me before you get too far along the creation process so I can let you know if there will be any "tweaking" for our specific campaign setting.
アダルトOne last thing. If you show up with a Mutant Ninja Turtle (sorry, that's the first 'odd'-example type to come to my mind) there is a chance that the current team will reject your character - as opposed to 'me' rejecting it. Just because your character shows up on the doorsteps of the team, doesn't mean he'll be welcomed as a member. If you want to be sure that your character idea will 'fly' with the current team, try sending an OOC message to our gaming list (see below) with your idea for feedback. This may save you the most time in the long run.

Q: What is the 'setting?'
A: Our campaign is set somewhere in the Star*Drive universe... that is, at least initially. Who knows where it will lead - even I don't know really until you and your crewmates start interacting with it. Anything can happen - and often does. If you are not familiar with Star*drive, don't worry about it. Its a far future Sci-fi/fantasy with a little 'grit.' If you would like to learn more about Star*Drive, check out the official Star*Drive fan web site (also our host!).

Q: How much of a character background do I HAVE to have before I can turn in a character?
Q: I have 50 pages of background information on my new character, would you like it as a doc or PDF?
A: All we need is a two-liner for your starting character. Something like, 
"[The character] is an escaped Void Corp. employee who just wishes the universe might cut him a break by letting him settle on a quiet moonlet in some back-water star system. That is if he can find a way to get out there alive."
The idea is to give some 'feel' but few details. Each time you advance your character to a new achievement level you are expected to add more details to the background. It has been my experience that it takes some time to get to know your new character's past, character strengths and flaws, etc.

Q: Do you allow non-standard Alternity races in your campaigns?
A: Sure I do... I'd LOVE to see this. But it is more likely to be your 'second' character if this is your first time to game with me. We'll work together to write-up the race description and then create the character. Since this takes a little time, I don't usually recommend this for your first character in my campaign. I have a list of character races that I have accepted in the past. You can check it out, if you are looking for something 'different.'

Q: I'd like to play a FX adept, mindwalker, mutant. What do you think?
A: Well, I suppose anything is possible but there should be a fantastic character background to explain it. Frankly, its best to start out with one (1) specially (kit) and work it up from there. We won't be using any 'Supers' FX (ever), and rarely will approve FX in general. If FX are allowed on those rare occasions, it is very likely that the character will start with a power pool of 0 points, and be awarded FX power points for role play which supports "why" the character has those skills in the first place. I use Beyond Science for the FX rules. Mutants use the standard mutations from the PHB. If you wish to use a mutation from Gamma World (Alternity), email me BEFORE you use them.

Q: I'd like to play a 'spy' for the bad guys. Is that OK?
Q: I'd like to be an evil [species name]. Is that OK?
A: Nope, not a chance. Although your cast member's character traits are yours to decide (happy, sad, dark and moody... whatever), these are the 'good guys.' Bottom line, if you what to play for the 'dark side,' you better find another team - you won't be too happy here.

Q: What about starting funds and equipment?
A: As per the PHB you can just take the 'max' instead of rolling. You can buy options, cybergear, software, hardware, and so on, with the funds outlined in the PHB (x100 for equipping your character, x10 for funds on hand).
Think of it as a 'wish' list that will be confirmed your first gaming session. Depending on when you join the campaign, and "how" your character is introduced into the storyline, the cast member may join with all the 'wish list' or arrive 'naked in space' - perhaps somewhere in-between.  I reserve the option to drop (and in some cases add) gear at anytime. Only PL7 materials are available. Remember, if you are not sure about an item, just ask.

Q: I don't have the Alternity Players book, can I still play with you folks?
Q: I don't have the [insert Alternity book title here], can I still play with you folks?
A: Yes. There are free copies of The Alternity Player's Quick-start Guide (please read first if you are new to Alternity) on-line, and the Alternity Player's Handbook  (and most of the other books) are available as very inexpensive Alternity ESDs (downloads) now.Another resource for all things Alternity, is the official Alternity fan web site - I highly recommend you bookmark that link now!

Q: Can I miss a session?
Q: Something came up and I missed the last session. Can I still play next time?
A: Of course you can. But... just because you didn't drive across town to join us, doesn't mean you shouldn't afford us the common courtesy to  let us know that you aren't coming. Just let me know in advance if you will not make a scheduled session. I will hold a session anytime we have 3 cast members or more within 20 minutes of start time.
Everyone messes up and just 'spaces' a session some time or another, but after your second and certainly your third of those, your character may find life in our part of the universe very dangerous. 

Q: アダルトWhat do you think about character death?
Q: My 8th level character just died, and I'm a bit upset. Is that 'fair?'
A: I believe that the gaming experience is richer when your character could experience death (in the gaming sense of course). I expect that cast members will die in advancement of the storyline, and this only adds to the overall richness of the experience. If you have a character that dies, you can bring in a new cast member who must be different race and profession than the one that died as soon as the storyline allows. If you wish, that new character may be started four levels 'lower' than the one that died. They still must be a different race and profession than the one that died and can not be 'retired' (see below).
If you become emotionally tied to a particular character, it would be a good idea to 'retire' him. I'll find a 'safe' place in our campaign for them to hang out as a Supporting Cast (SC) member. You then get to bring in a new character using the same guidelines as if they had died. Remember, the only way to be able to 'retire' a character is to start them from achievement level 0. 

Q: How do experience points (XPs) work?
Q: Jimbo's character got more XPs then I did! How is that fair?
A: I usually try and award experience points after each "Act." In the adventure Black Starfall for example, there are three major acts. I would award 1-3 XPs per act for a total of 6-9 XPs per player for the whole adventure.

bullet For "showing up" for an entire act  and supporting the storyline advance in some way, I would give +1 XPs.
bullet For "showing up and showing out" for an entire act by aiding in the advancement of the storyline in a major way, I would give +2 XPs. This is what you can expect for excellent role-playing.
bullet For "showing up and superior play" for an entire act by advancing the storyline of the campaign in a major way, I would give +3 XPs. This will happen rarely when a character has taken actions or made discoveries that will effect the storyline positively for many sessions to come.
bullet I provide bonus XPs for helping with the game web site. For example, writing the synopsis for the last session is usually +1 XP. If you have ideas for enhancing the game site or would like to help in some way, please email me with your idea.

As for 'fairness,' I can't guarantee that this system is 100%. If you're in doubt just remember... if you want to make an impression, leave a good one!

Q: What software/hardware will I need to play on-line with your group?
A: We will be playing via OpenRPG. You will need the FREE software - all the instructions and free downloads are on their site. In addition to the free free gaming client, you may want the character sheet which is available from the Walter website. Walter (see above) has an OpenRPG Character Sheet export function. Be sure to export this - you will find it very helpful during game play, but it is not required to play. We usually meet on the OpenRPG Dev II server to play our sessions. Email me or drop us a question on our forum if your not sure how to meet us online after you have run the software once.

Q: Are there any on-line gaming conventions I should know before the first game time?
A: We will teach you these as we go our first time out. Rememer that others will be there to help you too. I'll show some examples of play in this area if you really would like to know what to expect.

Q: What is a "lurker" and should I be offended if I am called one?
A: A lurker is a quality gamer who for some reason isn't able to join as a full Cast Member but is interested in following the game. Lurkers get first dibs at open seats as they become available as I only keep 6 to 8 cast members at any one time. It may take up to three months for a full cast member seat to become available where as names drop on and off the lurker's list frequently. 

Q: Do you allow 100% CM (Cast Member) freedom?
Q: Can I kill that obnoxious cast member?
A: See the "Foundational Principle" again. The short answer is, no. Players will not be allowed to kill other cast members. This does not mean that an action taken by a Cast Member will never kill another Cast Member... it just means that it won't be allowed to happen on purpose. If there is a problem Cast Member and normal role-playing won't take care of the issues, the team can sensor that CM, effectively removing him from play. The player owning the CM can then create a new character as if the CM had "died" (see character death above). By the way... this is taken care of "in character" which is the way all actions are taken once the game starts or the GM calls a 'pause' in the game. 

Q: Can action take place between on-line gaming sessions?
A: There is extreme value in "hall talk" which isn't always allowed for during the premium time we have 'online.'  Because I we don't want to loose the "low-key" but important interactions, I have created a IC (In character) forum you can use to have conversations that could take place "in between" our on-line storyline. Although most the time you can't make major actions like "shooting the Kroath olding Jim hostage," you can discuss from the safety of your hiding place what you might do to save Jim. Past teams have used to list to discuss plans for ship improvements, assignments, and analysis of their situation to plan their next move as a team. The forum is hosted by www.Alternity.net . Subscribe to the forum so you know when posts have been made by me or other players.

Just remember to use "OOC" (for "out of character") in the subject if you are going to post a message to the IC Chat List if it is "you" and not your character - that should be done sparingling. 

Q: I've read the starters FAQ and I'm interested in playing a full cast member in your campaign. How do I get started?
A: The good news is that you have done the hard part by reading this FAQ!! Now all you need to do is follow the directions for starting characters, and run the gaming software. In summery you will need to do the following:

bullet Answer the questions at the bottom of this page, and email me at the address below, letting me know you are interested in joining the game as a lurker or player. I'll let you know ASAP when you can expect to join.
bullet Visit www.alternity.net and subscribe to our on-line game forum (Savoy's Star*Drive Forum).
bullet Download The Walter Alternity character generator, and using the guidelines in this FAQ, make your character. Email me the file AT LEAST two days before your first game, and every time you make a significant upgrade. I'll post the stats for the character I am looking at during game play on the web site so we both know what "version" of your character I think is in 'play' now.
bullet Download OpenRPG, and run it successfully. If you need help with any of this, contact the site/data owners. If you have trouble getting help there, please let me know. If you are new to OpenRPG, you might want to play around with it a bit and the Alternity Character Sheet for OpenRPG that Walter makes for you.

Interested Players, please return the following in an email to savoylen@myrealbox.com

  1. What is your preferred email address?
  2. Do you have experience with Alternity? Star*Drive? If so what published materials have you experienced in game play?
  3. Is this your first 'on-line' RPG? If not, what was that experience like?
  4. Currently I am running weekly sessions. アダルトSee the opening page for time/date information for the next session. (I know, I get confused now that I'm on 'this' side of the date line!) Can you play at this time?

I look forward to our first session together! Take care, Savoy